so far as to disclaim the treacherous part and principles thereof This is most visible in the Secular Priests the Queens lenity so working on many of them that both in writing and preaching they have detested and confuted all such traiterous practices as against the laws of God 7. The rather Anno Dom. 1581. Anno Regin Eliza. 24. because no Jesuite is put to death for his religion but rebellion they are never examined on any article of their faith nor are their consciences burdened with any interrogatories touching their belief but only practices against the State are charged upon them 7. The death of Jesuits in such cases may fitly be stiled the childe of their rebellion but the grand-childe of their religion which is removed but a degree farther For their obedience to their superiours putteth them on the propagation of their religion and by all means to endeavour the same which causeth them out of an erroneous conscience to do that which rendereth them offenders to our State Now in all ages such as have suffered for their consciences not only immediately and in a direct line but also at the second hand and by implication receive pity from all such as behold their sufferings whether as a debt due or as an almes given unto them let others dispute and therefore such putting of Jesuits unto death will but procure unto them a general commiseration These and many other reasons too many and tedious to be here inserted were brought and bandied on both sides every one censuring as they stood affected 11. In the execution of these laws against Jesuits The execution of this law moderated Queen Elizabeth embraced a middle and moderate way Indeed when a new rod is made some must be whipped therewith though it be put in terrorem of others When these Statutes were first in the state or magisteriality thereof they were severely put in practice on such offendours as they first lighted on But some years after the Queen and Her Judges grew remiss in the execution thereof Witness the only confining of many of themto Wisbidge Castle where they fell out amongst themselves And in King James His dayes this dormant law against Jesuits only awakened some once in foure or five years to shew the world that it was not dead and then fairely fell asleep again being very sparingly put in execution against some notorious offenders 12. The worst was Worst of essenders scape best the punishment hap'ned heaviest on those which were the least offenders For whereas the greatest guilt was in the Senders all the penalty fell on the Messengers I mean on such novices which sent hither at their Superiours commands and who having lost their sight beyond the seas by blinde obedience came over to lose their lives in England Now Jesuitisme is a weed whose leaves spread into our land may be cut off but the root thereof is out of reach as fixed in Rome and other forrain parts For in the mean time their Superiours staying at Rome ate slept wrote rail'd complain'd of persecution making of faces and they themselves crying out oh whilest they thrust the hands of others of their own religion into the fire 13. A loud Parliament is alwayes attended with a silent Convocation Anno Regin Eliza. 23. as here it came to pass The activity of the former in Church-matters left the later nothing to do Anno Dom. 1580. Only this account I can give thereof out of our records First Arch-Bishop Grindal appeared not at all therein The acts of a silent Convocation age blindness and disgrace keeping the good father at home Jan. 17. Secondly John Elmer Bishop of London was appointed his locumtenens or Deputy Thirdly this Convocation began in S t. Pauls where it continued without any removal with reading the Letany vulgari sermone in the English tongue Fourthly the Bishops commended three namely D r. Humsries Dean of Winchester D r. * So called by mistake in Records otherwise his name was William George Day Dean of Windsor and D r. Goodman Dean of Westminster to the inferiour Clergy to chose one of them for their Referendary or Prolocutor Fiftly D r. Day was elected and presented for that office Sixtly motion was made of drawing up some articles against the dangerous opinions of the Family of love a sect then much encreasing but nothing was effected Seventhly Marc. 25. at several Sessions they met 1581 and prayed and confer'd and prorogued their meeting and departed Lastly the Clergy granted a Subsidie afterwards confirmed by the Parliament and so the convocation was dissolved 14. Now can I not satisfie my self on my strictest enquiry what Jesuite Quere on whom the law was first hanselled or Priest had the first hansell of that severe Statute made against them Indeed I finde a Priest 31. John Pain by name executed at Chelmsford March the 31. which was but thirteen dayes after the dissolution of the Parliament for certain speeches by him uttered but cannot avouch him for certainly tried on this Statute May 28. More probable it is that Thomas Ford John Shert and Robert Iohnson Priests executed at London were the first-fruits of the States severity 15. No eminent Clergy-man Protestant died this year The death of Bp. Berkelay save Gilbert Berkelay 25. May 8. Bishop of Bath and Wells 1582 who as his Armes do attest was alliXed to the ancient and honourable familie of the Berkelays 16. The Presbyterian party was not idle all this while A meeting of the Presbyterians at Cockfield but appointed a meeting at Cockfield M r. Knewstubs Cure in Suffolke where three-score Ministers of Norfolke Suffolke and Cambridge-shire met together to conâ—eâ—r of the Common-Prayer-Book what might be tolerated and what necessary to be refused in every point of it apparrel matter forme days fastings injuctions c. Matters herein were carried with such secrecy that we can see no light thereof but what only shineth thorough one crevise in a private letter a Mr. Pigg in his letter to Mr. Field dated May 16. of one thus expressing himself to his friend Concerning the meeting I hope all things were so proceeded in as your self would like of as well for reverence to other brethren as for other matters I suppose before this time some of the company have told you by word for that was permitted unto you 17. We are also at as great a loss Another at Cambridge what was the result of their meeting at the Commencement at Cambridge Iuly 2. this being all we finde thereof in a b Idem Ibidem letter of one to his private friend concerning the Commencement I like well the motion desiring it might so come to pass and that it be procured to be as generall as might be which may easily be brought to pass if you at London shall so think well of it and we here may understand your minde we will
of solid Reason and therefore the 〈◊〉 the Argument the better for his Apprehension 13. Most solid and ingenious was the Answer of a most eminent Serjeant at Law of this Age A solid Answer of a learned Serjeant to the impertinent Clamours of such against the payment of Tithes because as they say due onely by Humane Right My Cloak is my Cloak by the Law of Man But he is a Thief by the Law of God that taketh it away from me 14. True it is that this Law did not presently find an universall Obedience in all the Land This law not presently and perfectly obeyed And the Wonder is not great if at the first making thereof it met with many Recusants since corroborated by eight hundred yeares Prescription and many Confirmations it findes Obstacles and Oppositions at this day for in succeeding Ages severall Kings confirmed the same though Papall Exemptions of severall Orders and modus Decimandi according to custome have almost since tithed the Tithes in some places 15. King Athelwolphus the next year took his call it Progresse or Pilgrimage to Rome 19 Where the report of his Piety prevented his Arrivall provided both Welcome and Wonder for his Entertainment 856 Here he confirmed unto the Pope his Predecessours Grant of Peter-pence King Ethelwolph's journey to Rome and bounty to the Pope and as a a William Malmesbury ut prius Surplusage bestowed upon him the yearly Revenue of three hundred Marks thus to be expended 1. To maintain Candles for S t. Peter one hundred Marks 2. To maintain Candles for S t. Paul one hundred 3. For a free Largesse to the Pope one hundred 16. If any be curious to know how these 300 Marks were in after-Ages divided and collected How this Summe was divided and collected out of severall Dioceses let them peruse the following Account if the Particulars be truely cast up and attested to me out of Sir Tho. Cotton's Librarie and as they say out of the Vatican it self be authenticall  l. s. d. Canterbury 8 8 0 London 16 10 0 Rochester 5 12 0 Norwich 21 10 0 Sarisbury 17 0 0 Ely 5 0 0 Lincoln 42 0 0 Chichester 8 0 0 Winchester 17 6 8 Covent Lichfield 41 5 0 Excester 9 5 0 Worcester 10 5 0 Hereford 6 0 0 Bathe Wells 12 5 0 York 11 10 0 These Summes were demanded by Pope Gregory the thirteenth in the 46. of Edward the third on that Token that their payment was much opposed by Iohn of Gaunt I dare not discede from my Copy a tittle coming as they say from the Register at Rome nor will I demand a Reason why Durham and Carlisle are here omitted much lesse examine the Equity of their Proportions as applied to their respective Dioceses but implicitly believe all done very justly The reason why the VVelsh Bishopricks were exempted is because at the grant hereof by King Athelwolph Wales was not then under his Dominion This 300 Marks was but a distinct payment by it self and not the whole Body of Peter-pence amounting to a greater Summe whereof God willing hereafter 17. After the Death of King Athelwolphus Ethelredi 1 and his two Sons Ethelbald and Ethelbert succeeding him 867 this Land was in a sad Condition The Saxons wilfully accessory to their own ruine by the Danes though nothing so bad as under the Reign of Ethelred his third Son and Successour for then indeed most miserable was the state of the English harassed by the Danes who like the running-Gout shifted from Joynt to Joynt from place to place often repelled from the severall Shires never expelled out of England The Saxon Folly hurt them more then the Danish Fury refusing effectually to unite to make a joynt-Resistance against a generall Enemy For some sixty yeares since the VVest-Saxons had subdued the other six Kings of this Nation yet so that they still continued kings but Homagers to the VVest-Saxon Monarchy The shortning of their Sceptres stuck in their Stomacks especially of the Mercian and Northumbrian Kings the most puissant of all the rest Whereupon beholding Ethelred the VVest-Saxon King the Staffe and Stay of the whole Nation embroiled with the Invasion of the Danes they not only lazily looked on but secretly smiled at this Sight as the only way to Conquer the Conquerour Yea Anno Dom. 867 such their Envy that rather then one once their equal should be above them in Felicity Anno Regis Ethelredi 1 they all would be equall with him in Misery They would more contendly be Slaves to a Forrain Foe to whom they all stood unrelated then Homagers to him who had as they thought usurped Dominion over them Never considering that the Danes were Pagans Self-interest is deaf to the Checks of Conscience and Revenge which is wilde at the best was so mad in them that they would procure it with the Hazzard if not Losse of their God his Church and true Religion Thus the Height of the Saxon Pride and Envy caused the Breadth of the Danish Power and Cruelty Indeed the foresaid Saxon Kings perceiving their Errour endeavoured at last to help the VVest-Saxon or rather to help themselves in him against the Danes But alas it was too late For the Danish Garisons lay so indented in the Heart of the Land that the Saxon Troups were blasted before they could grow into Regiments and their Strength dispersed in the gathering was routed before regulated into an Army 18. This year the Danes made an Invasion into Lincolnshire Fight betwixt Christians and Danes where they met with stout Resistance 870 and let us take a List of the chief Officers on both sides 4 Christian Saxons a Ingulphi Hist p. 865. Count Algar Generall with the Youth of Holland Harding de Rehale with Stanford men all very young and valiant Tolie a Monk with a Band of two hundred Crowlanders Morcar Lord of Burn with those of his numerous Family Osgot b Vicedominus Sheriff of Lincolnshire with five hundred under him VVibert living at VViberton nigh Boston in Holland Places named from their Owners Leofrick living at Leverton anciently Lefrinkton Danish Pagans King Gordroum King Baseg King Osketill King Halfeden King Hammond Count Frena Count Vnguar Count Hubba Count Sidroke the Elder Count Sidroke the Younger The Christians had the better the first day wherein the Danes lost three of their Kings buried in a place thence called Trekingham so had they the second till at night breaking their Ranks to pursue the Danes in their dissembled Flight they were utterly overthrown 19. Theodore Abbot of Crowland Crowland Monks massacred hearing of the Danes Approach shipped away most of his Monks with the choicest Relicks and Treasures of his Convent and cast his most precious Vessels into a VVell in the Cloister The rest remaining were at their Morning-prayers when the Danes entring slew Theodore the Abbot on the High Altar Asher
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
setled them in London Norwich Cambridg Northampion c. In what capacity these Jews came over I finde not perchance as plunderers to buy such oppressed English mens goods which Christians would not meddle with Sufficeth it us to know that an invasion by Conquest such as King William then made is like an Inn entertaining all adventurers and it may be these Jewish bankers assisted the Conquerour with their coin These Jews though forbidden to buy land in England grew rich by usury their consciences being so wide that they were none at all so that in the barest pasture in which a Christian would starve a Jew would grow fat hee bites so close unto the ground And ever low down their backs is part of Gods curse upon the Jews And crook-back'd men as they eye the earth the center of wealth so they quickly see what straight persons pass by and easily stoop to take up that they finde thereon and therefore no wonder if the Jewish nation whose souls are bowed down with covetousness quickly wax wealthy therewith King William favoured them very much and Rusiu his Son much more especially if that speech reported of him be true that he should swear by S t Lake's face his common oath if b Slows Survey of London pag. 288. the Jews could overcome the Christians he himself would become one of their sect 25. Now was the time come of King Williams death 22. Sept. 9. ending his dayes in Normandy 1088 But see the unhappiness of all humane felicity The death of King Wilâ—â— with the difficulty of his burial for his breath and his servants forsook him both together the later leaving him as if his body should bury it self How many hundreds held land of him in Knights-service whereas now neither Knight nor Esquire to attend him At last with much ado his corps are brought in mean manner to be interred in Cane As they were prepared for the earth a private person forbids the burial till satisfaction was made unto him because the King had violently taken from him that ground on which that Church was erected Doth not Solomon say true A living dog is better then a dead lion when such a little curr durst snarle as the corps of a King and a Conqueror At last the Monks of Cane made a composition and the body was buried And as it was long before this Kings corps could get peaceable possession of a grave so since by a firm ejection he hath been outed of the fame When French souldiers c Stows Chron. at the death of King William Anno Domini 1562. amongst whom some English were mingled under Chattllion conducting the remnant of those which escaped in the battel of Dreux took the City of Cane in his way out of pretence forfooth to seek for some treasure supposed to be hid in his Tomb most baratously and cowardly brake up his coffin and cast his bones out of the same 26. William the Conquerour left three sons Sept. 9. Robert 1087 William The three sons of the Conqueror how denominated and Henry and because hereditary sir-names were not yet fixed in families they were thus denominated and distinguished 1. The eldest from his goods of fortune to which cloaths are reduced Robert Curthose from the short hose he wore not onely for fancy but sometime for need cutting his coat according to his cloath his means all his life long being scant and necessitous 2. The second from the goods of his body viz. a ruddy complexion William Rufus or Red. But whether a lovely and amiable or ireful and cholerick Red Anno Dom. 1087. the Reader on perusal of his life Anno Regis Ruf. 1. is best able to decide 3. The third from the goods of his minde and his rich abilities of learning Henry Beauclerke or the good scholar The middlemost of these William Rufus presuming on his brother Roberts absence in Normandy and pretending his Father got the Crown by Conquest which by will he bequeathed unto him his eldest brother being then under a cloud of his Fathers displeasure adventured to possess himself of the Kingdom 27. On the Twentie sixth of September King William Rufus crowned Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with good Wolstan Bishop of Worcester assisting him Crowned Rufus King of England though but his Fathers second son And indeed the known policy of the former and the reputed piety of the latter were the best supporters of his title Jacob we know acted with a prophetical spirit guiding his a Gen. 48. 14. hands wittingly laid his right on Ephraim the yonger and his left on Manasseth the elder brother but what warrant these Bishops had to invert and transpose natures method by preferring the yonger brother before the elder was best known to themselves Under Lanckfranck he had his education who b Mat. Paris pag. 14. made him a Knight though it had been more proper for his Tutors profession yea and more for his credit and his Pupils profit if he as the instrument had made him a good Christian 28. He began very bountifully His covetousness and inconstancy but on another mans cost 1088 not as a Donor Sept. 2. but a Dealer thereof and Executor of his Fathers Will. To some Churches he gave c Chronicon Johannis Brom. 〈◊〉 pag. 983. ten mark to others six to every country village five shillings besides an hundred pound to every County to be distributed among the poor But afterward he proved most parcimonious though no man more prodigal of never performed promises Indeed Rehoboam though simple was honest speaking to his Subjects though foolishly yet truly according to his intent that his d 1 King 12. 11. finger should be heavier then his fathers loins Whereas Rufus was false in his proceedings who on the imminence of any danger or distress principally to secure himself against the claim of his brother Robert instantly to oblige the English promised them the releasing of their taxes and the restoring of the English Laws but on the sinking of the present danger his performance sunk accordingly no letter of the English Laws restored or more mention thereof till the returning of the like Statestorme occasioned the reviving of his promise and alternately the clearing up of the one deaded the performance of the other 29. This year died Lanckfranck His enriching himself by Church livings Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1089. after whose death 3. the King seised the profits of that See into his own hand and kept the Church vacant for some years knowing the emptiness of Bishopricks caused the fulness of his coffers Thus Arch-Bishop Rufus Bishop Rufus Abbot Rufus for so may he be called as well as King Rufus keeping at the same time the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury the Bishopricks of Winchester and Durham and thirteen Abbies in his hand brought a mass of money into his Exchequer All places which he parted with was upon present payment
command all to abstain from meats This were the way to empty the world of men as the simple forbidding of marriage would fill it with bastards And although some silly Hereticks as Tatian Marcion and Manichens are said absolutely to forbid marriage yet they never mounted high nor spread broad nor lasted long Surely some more considerable mark is the aim of the Apostles reproof even the Church of Rome who by an oblique line and consequentially prohibit marriage to the Priests a most considerable proportion of men within the pale of the Church 16. Notwithstanding the premisses Marriage Bed may be â—orborn for a time not totally forbidden it is fit that the embraces of marriage should on some occasion for a time be forborn for the advance of Piety first when private dalliance is to yield to publick dolefulness b Joel 2. 11. Let the Bridegroom go out of his chamber and the Bride out of her closet For though by the Levitical Law one might not be forced to fight in the first year of his marriage yet might he on just occasion be pressed to fast on the first day thereof It is not said Let the Bridegroom go out of his Bridegroom-ship but onely out of his Chamber and that also with intention to return when the solemnity of sorrow is over-past Secondly when such absence is bewixt them mutually agreed on c 1 Cor. 7. Desraud ye not one another except it be with consent for a time that ye may give your selves to fasting and prayer and come together again that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency Here indeed is an Interdiction of the marriage Bed but it is Voluntary by mutual consent of the parties and Temporary onely durante eorum beneplacito not as the Popish Prohibition Impulsive by the power of others and perpetual to continue during their lives 17. Hear what Henry of Huntington expresly saith of Anselmes carriage herein H. Huntington his Censure of Anselme He prohibited English Priests to have wives who before time were not prohibited which as some thought to be a matter of greatest purity so others again took it to be most perilous lest while by this means they aimed at cleanliness above their power Anno Regis Hen. 19. they should fall into horrible uncleanness Anno Dom. 1108 to the exceeding great shame of Christianity 18. But Anselme died before he could finish his project of Priests Divorces who had he deceased before he began it Anselme dieth re infecta of Priests Divor his memory had been left less stain'd to Posterity His two next Successors Rodulphus and William Corbel went on vigorously with the Design but met with many and great Obstructions Other Bishops found the like opposition but chiefly the Bishop of Norwich whose obstinate Clergie would keep their Wives in defiance of his endeavours against them 19. Indeed Norfolk-men are charactred in jure municipali versatissimi The sloutness of Norwich Clergy and are not easily ejected out of that whereof they had long prescription and present possession No wonder therefore if they stickled for their Wives and would not let go a moytie of themselves Besides Herbet Losing of Norwich needed not to be so fierce and furious against them if remembring his own extraction being the Son of an Abbot These married Priests traversed their cause with Scripture and Reason and desired but Justice to be done unto them But Justice made more use of her sword then of her Ballance in this case not weighing their Arguments but peremptorily and powerfully enjoyning them to forgo their Wives notwithstanding that there were in England at this time many married Priests signal for Sanctity and Abilities 20. Amongst the many eminent married Priests Learned married Ealphegus flourishing for Learning and Piety 26. one Ealphegus was now living 1125. or but newly dead His Residence was at Plymouth in Devonshire a Brit. in Devon M r Cambden saith he was eruditus conjugatus but the Word conjugatus is by the b Printed Anno 1612. pag. 3. 383. Index Expurgatorius commanded to be deleted 21. To order the Refractory married Clergie A Virgin Lecher unmasked the Bishops were fain to call in the aid of the Pope John de Crema an Italian Cardinal jolly with his youthfull Bloud and Gallant Equipage came over into England with his Bigness and Bravery to Bluster the Clergie out of their wives He made a most Gawdy Oration in the Commendation of Virginity as one who in his Own Person knew well how to valew such a Jewel by the loss thereof Most true it is that the same night at London he was caught a Bed with an c Roger Hoveden and Han. Huntington Harlot whereat he may be presumed to blush as red as his Cardinals Hat if any remorse of Conscience remained in him What saith d Judg. 5. 6. Deborach In the dayes of Shamgar when the high-wayes were unimployed obstructed by the Philistims travellers walked thorow by-paths The stopping the Way of marriage Gods Ordinances make them frequent such base by-paths that my Pen is both afraid and asham'd to follow them Cardinal Crema his mischance or rather misdeed not a little advantaged the Reputation of married Priests 22. Bishops Arch-Bishops Priests buy their own Wives and Cardinal 27. all of them almost tired out with the stubbornness of the Recusant Clergie 1126. the King at last took his turn to reduce them William Corbel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury willingly resigned the work into the Kings hand hoping he would use some Exemplary severity against them but all ended in a money matter the King taking a Fine of married Priests permitted them to enjoy their Wives as well they might who bought that which was their own before 23. About this time the old Abby of Ely was advanced into a new Bishoprick Ely-Abbey made a Bishoprick and Cambridg-shire assigned for its Diocess taken from the Bishoprick of Lincoln Out of which Henry the first carved one Ely and Henry the last two Oxford and Peterborough Bishopricks and yet left Lincoln the largest Diocess in England Spaldwick Manor in Huntington-shire was given to Lincoln in Reparation of the Jurisdiction taken from it and bestowed on Ely 24. One Herveyus was made first Bishop of Ely And inriched with Royalties One who had been undone if not undone banished by the Tumultuous welsh from the Beggerly Bishoprick of Bangor and now in Pitty to his Poverty and Patience made the rich Bishop of Ely It is given to Parents to be most fond of and indulgent to their youngest which some perchance may render as a Reason why this Bishoprick as last born Anno Regis Hen. 127. was best beloved by the King Surely he bestowed upon it vast priviledges and his Successors cockering this See for their Darling conferred some of their own Royalties thereon 25. Bernard Chaplain to the King and Chancellor to the Queen
Sons having much of the Mother in them grew up as in Age in obstinacy against him His Subjects but especially the Bishops being the greatest Castle mongers in that Age very stubborn and not easily to be ordered 54. Mean time one may justly admire What became of Maud the Empress than no mention in Authors is made of nor provisions for Maud the Kings Mother surviving some years after her Son's Coronation in whom during her life 〈◊〉 lay the real right to the Crown 〈◊〉 Yet say not King Henries policy was little in preferring to take his Title from an Usurper by adoption rather then from his own Mother the rightful heir by succession and his piety less in not attending his Mothers death but snatching the Scepter out of her hand seeing no Writer ever chargeth him with the least degree of undutifulness unto her Which leadeth us to believe that this Maud worn out with age and afflictions willingly waved the Crown and reigned in her own contentment in seeing her Son reign before her 55. Those who were most able to advise themselves 1. are most willing to be advised by others 1155. as appeared by this politick Prince The body of the common-Common-Law compiled Presently he chuseth a Privy Councel of Clergie and Temporalty and refineth the Common Laws Yea towards the end of his Reign began the use of our Itiâ—erant Judges The platform hereof he fetch'd from France where he had his education and where Charles the Bald some hundred of years before had divided his Land into twelve parts assigning several Judges for administration of Justice therein Our Henry parcelled England into six Divisions and appointed three Judges to every Circuit annually to visit the same Succeeding Kings though changing the limits have kept the same number of Circuits and let the skilful in Arithmetick cast it up whether our Nation receiveth any loss by the change of three Judges every year according to Henry the second 's Institution into two Judges twice a year as long since hath been accustomed 56. The Laws thus setled King Henry cast his eye on the numerous Castles in England 2. As a good reason of State formerly perswaded the building 1156. so a better pleaded now for the demolishing of them Castles demolished William the Conqueror built most of them and then put them into the custody of his Norman Lords thereby to awe the English into obedience But these Norman Lords in the next generation by breathing in English ayre and wedding with English wives became so perfectly Anglized and lovers of Liberty that they would stand on their guard against the King on any petty discontentment If their Castles which were of proof against Bowes and Arrows the Artillery of that Age could but bear the brunt of a sudden assault they were priviledged from any solemn Siege by their meanness and multitude as whose several beleguerings would not compensate the cost thereof Thus as in foul bodies the Physick in process of time groweth so friendly and familiar with the disease that they at last side together and both take part against Nature in the Patient so here it came to pass that these Castles intended for the quenching in continuance of time occasioned the kindling of Rebellion To prevent farther mischief King Henry razed most of them to the ground and secured the rest of greater consequence into the hands of his Confidents if any ask how these Castles belong to our Church-History know that Bishops of all in that Age were the greatest Traders in such Fortifications 57. Thomas Becket Thomas Becket L. Chancellor of England born in London and though as yet but a Deacon Arch-Deacon of Canterbury Doctor of Canon-Law bred in the Universities of Oxford Paris Bononia was by the King made Lord Chancellor of England During which his office who braver then Becket None in the Court wore more costly clothes Anno Dom. 1158. mounted more stately steeds made more sumptuous feasts kept more jovial company brake more merry jests used more pleasant pastimes In a word he was so perfect a Lay-man that his Parsonages of Bromfield and S t Mary-hill in London with other Ecclesiastical Cures whereof he was Pastor might even look all to themselves he taking no care to discharge them This is that Becket whose mention is so much in English and miracles so many in Popish writers We will contract his acts in proportion to our History remitting the Reader to be satisfied in the rest from other Authors 58. Four years after His great reformation being made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury upon the death of Theobald 1162 Becket was made by the King 8. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The first Englishman since the Conquest and he but a mongrel for his mother was a Syrian the intercourse of the Holy-War in that age making matches betwixt many strangers who was preferred to that place And now if the Monks their writing his life may be believed followed in him a great and strange Metamorphosis Instantly his cloaths were reformed to gravity his diet reduced to necessity his company confined to the Clergie his expences contracted to frugality his mirth retrenched to austerity all his pastimes so devoured by his piety that none could see the former Chancellor Becket in the present Arch-Bishop Becket Yea they report that his clothes were built three stories high next his skin he was a Hermite and wore sack-cloth in the midd he had the habit of a Monk and above all wore the garments of an Arch-Bishop Now that he might the more effectually attend his Archiepiscopal charge he resigned his Chancellors place whereat the King was not a little offended It added to his anger that his patience was daylie pressed with the importunate petitions of people complaining that Becket injured them Though generally he did but recover to his Church such possessions as by their covetousness and his predecessors connivence had formerly been detained from it 59. But A stubborn defender of the vicious Clergy against secular Magistrates the main matter incensing the King against him was his stubborn defending the Clergie from the secular power and particularly what a great fire doth a small spark kindle that a Clerk having killed and stolen a Deer ought not to be brought before the Civil Magistrate for his punishment Such impunities breeding impieties turned the house of God into a den of thieves many rapes riots robberies murders were then committed by the Clergie If it be rendered as a reason of the viciousness of Adonijah that his father never said unto him a 1 King 1. 6. Why doest thou so No wonder if the Clergy of this age were guilty of great crimes whom neither the King nor his Judges durst call to an account And seeing Ecclesiastical censures extend not to the taking away of life or lim such Clerks as were guilty of capital faults were either altogether acquitted or had onely penance inflicted upon
Yet the Pope endeavoured what lay in his power 16. to disswade Prince Lewis from his design 1215. to which at first he encouraged him Lewis Prince of France invited by the Barons to invade England and now forbad him in vain For where a Crown is the Game hunted after such hounds are easier laid on then either rated or hollowed off Yea ambition had brought this Prince into this Dilemma that if he invaded England he was accursed by the Pope if he invaded it not forsworn of himself having promised upon oath by such a time to be at London Over comes Lewis into England and there hath the principal learning of the Land the Clergie the strength thereof the Barons the wealth of the same the Londoners to joyn with him Who but ill requited King John for his late bounty to their City in first giving them a a Granted to the City Anno Dom. 1209. Grafton fol. 59. Mayor for their governour Gualo the Popes new Legat sent on purpose bestirr'd himself with Book Bell and Candle Excommunicating the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with all the Nobility opposing King John now in protection of his Holiness But the commonness of these curses caused them to be contemned so that they were a fright to few a mock to many and an hurt to none 21. King John thus distressed An unworthy Embassie of King John to the King of Morocco sent a base degenerous and unchristian-like embassage to Admiralius Murmelius a Mahometan King of Morocco then very puissant and possessing a great part of Spain offering him on condition he would send him succour to hold the Kingdome of England as a vassal from him and to receive the Law b Mat. Paris pag. 245. placeth this two years sooner viz. An. 1213. of Mahomet The Moor marvellously offended with his offer told the Embassadors that he lately had read Pauls Epistles which for the matter liked him very well save onely that Paul once renounced that faith wherein he was born and the Jewish profession Wherefore he neglected King John as devoid both of piety and policie who would love his liberty and disclaim his Religion A strange tender if true Here whilest some alledg in behalf of King John that cases of extremity excuse counsels of extremity when liberty is not left to chuse what is best but to snatch what is next neglecting future safety for present subsistence we onely listen to the saying of Solomon c Eccles 7. 7. Oppression maketh a wise man mad In a fit of which fury oppressed on all sides with enemies King John scarce compos sui may be presumed to have pitched on this project 22. King John having thus tried Turk and Pope and both with bad success sought at last to escape those his enemies 17. whom he could not resist 1216. by a far The lamentable death of King John and fast march into the North-eastern Counties Where turning mischievous instead of valiant he cruelly burnt all the stacks of Corn of such as he conceived disaffected unto him doing therein most spight to the rich for the present but in fine more spoil to the poor the prices of grain falling heavy on those who were least able to bear them Coming to Lin he rewarded the fidelity of that Town unto him with bestowing on that Corporation his own a Camd. Brit. in Norfolk sword Anno Dom. 1216. which had he himself but known how well to manage Anno Regis Joh. 17. he had not so soon been brought into so sad a condition He gave also to the same place a faire silver Cup all gilded But few dayes after a worse Cup was presented to King John at Swinshed Abbey in Lincoln-shire by one Simon b Wil. Caxton in his Chron. called Fructus temp lib. 7. a Monk of poisoned wine whereof the King died A murther so horrid that it concerned all Monks who in that age had the Monopoly of writing Histories to conceal it and therefore give out sundry other causes of his death c Mat Paris pag. 287. Some report him heart-broken with grief for the loss of his baggage and treasure drowned in the passage over the washes it being just with God that he who had plagued others with fire should be punished by water a contrary but as cruel an element d Compare Mr Fox Martyr pag. 234. with Holynshed pag. 194. Others ascribe his death to a looseness and scouring with bloud others to a cold sweat others to a burning heat all effects not inconsistent with poyson so that they in some manner may seem to set down the symptomes and suppress his disease 23. It is hard to give the true character of this Kings conditions King Johns character delivered in the dark For we onely behold him through such light as the Friers his foes show him in who so hold the candle that with the shaddow thereof they darken his virtues and present onely his vices Yea and as if they had also poisoned his memory they cause his faults to swell to a prodigious greatness making him with their pens more black in conditions then the Morocco-King whose aid he requested could be in complexion A murtherer of his Nephew Arthur a defiler of the wives and daughters of his Nobles sacrilegious in the Church profane in his discourse wilful in his private resolutions various in his publick promises false in his faith to men and wavering in his Religion to God The favourablest expression of him falls from the pen of Roger Hoveden Princeps quidem magnus erat sed minùs felix Atque ut Marius utramque fortunam expertus Perchance he had been esteemed more pious if more prosperous it being an usual though uncharitable error to account mischances to be misdeeds But we leave him quietly buried in Worcester Church and proceed in our storie 24. Henry Henry the third under Tutors and Governors the third of that name Hen. 3 1. Octob. 2◠his Son succeeded him being but ten years old and was Crowned at Glocester by a moiety of the Nobility and Clergie the rest siding with the French Lewis Now what came not so well from the mouth of Abijah the son concerning his father Rehoboam posterity may no less truly and more properly pronounce of this Henry even when a man e 2 Chro. 16. 7. He was but a childe and tender-hearted But what strength was wanting in the Ivie it self was supplied by the Oaks his supporters his Tutors and Governours first William Mareshall Earl of Pembroke and after his death Peter Bishop of Winchester But of these two Protectors successively a sword-man and a Church-man the latter left the deeper impression on this our King Henry appearing more Religious then resolute devout then valiant His Reign was not onely long for continuance fifty six years but also thick for remarkable mutations happening therein 25. Within little more then a twelvemonth By what means King
Witness my self at Westminster c. Date we from this day the achme or vertical height of Abbeys which henceforward began to stand still at last to decline Formerly it was Endow Monasteries who would hereafter who could having first obtained licence from the King Yet this Law did not ruine but regulate not destroy but direct well grounded liberality that bounty to some might not be injury to others Here I leave it to Lawyers by profession to shew how many years after viz. the eighteenth of of Edward the third Prelates Impeached before the Kings Justices for purchasing land in Mortmain shall be dismissed without further trouble upon their producing a charter of licence and process thereupon made by an Inquest ad quod damnum or in case that cannot be shewed by making a convenient Fine for the same who the active Prelats of this age 14. The late mention of the Prelates advise in passing a Law so maleficial unto them giveth me just occasion to name some the principal persons of the Clergie present thereat namely 1. John Peckam Arch-Bishop of Canterbury a stout man He afterwards excommunicated the Prince of Wales because he went a long journey to perswade him to peace with England but could not prevaile 2. William Wickwane Anno Regis Ed. 1. 11. Arch-Bishop of York Anno Dom. 1283. accounted a great Scholar Author of a Book called Memoriale and esteemed a petty-saint in that Age. 3. Anthony Beake soon after Bishop of Durham the richest and proudest alwayes good manners to except Cardinal Wolsey of that place Patriarch titular of Jerusalem and Prince of the Isle of Man Yet in my minde Gilbert Sellinger his contemporary and Bishop of Chichester had a far better Title as commonly called the Father of Orphans and Comforter of the widdows These with many more Bishops consented though some of them resorbentes suam bilem as inwardly angry to the passing or confirming of the Statute of Mortmain To make them some amends the King not long after favourably stated what causes should be of spiritual cognizance 15. For a Parliament was called at Westminster 13. eminent on this account 1285. that it laid down the limits The Spiritual and Temporal Courts bounded by Parliament and fixed the boundaries betwixt the Spiritual and Temporal Jurisdictions Hitherto shall you come and no farther though before and since both powers have endeavoured to enlarge their own and contract their Rivals authority We will present first the Latin out of the Records and then the English out of our printed Statutes and make some necessary observations on both REX talibus Judicibus Salutem Circumspectè agatis de negotiis tangentibus Episcopum Norwicensem ejus Clerum non puniend eos si placitum tenuerint in Curia Christianitatis de bis quae merè sunt spiritualia viz. de correctionibus quas Prelati faciunt pro mortali peccato viz. pro fornicatione adulterio hujusmodi pro quibus aliquando infligitur paena corporalis aliquando pecuniaria maximè si convictus fuerit de hujusmodi liber homo Item Si Praelatus puniat pro cemeterio non clauso Ecclesia discooperta vel non decenter ornata in quibus casibus alia poena non potest inffigi quam pecuniaria Item Si Rector petat versus parochianos oblationes decimas debitas vel consuetas vel si Rector agat contra Rectorem de decimis majoribus vel minoribus dummodo non petatur quarta pars valoris Ecclesiae Item Si Rector petat mortuà rium in partibus ubi mortuarium dari consuevit Item Si Praelatus alicujus Ecclesiae vel advocatus petat à Rectore pensionem si debitam omnes hujusmodi petitiones sunt faciend in foro Ecclesiastico De violenta manuum injectione in Clericum in causa diffamationis concessum fuit aliàs quod placitum inde teneatur in Curia Christianitatis cum non petatur pecunia sed agatur ad correctionem peccati similiter pro fidei laesione In omnibus praedictis casibus habet judex Ecclesiasticus cognoscere regia prohibitione non obstante THe KING to his Judges sendeth Greeting Use your self circumspectly in al matters concerning the Bishop of Norwich his Clergie not punishing them if they hold plea in Court Christian of such things as be meerly spiritual that is to wit of penance enjoyned for deadly sin as fornication adultery and such like for the which many times corporal penance or pecuniary is enjoyned specially if a free man be convict of such things Also if Prelates do punish for leaving Church-yards unclosed or for that the Church is uncovered or not conveniently decked in which cases none other penance can be enjoyned but pecuniary Item If a Parson demand of his parishioners oblations and tythes due and accustomed or if any person plead against another for tythes more or less so that the fourth part of the value of the Benefice be not demanded Item If a Parson demand mortuaries in places where a mortuarie hath used to have been given Item If a Prelate of a Church or if a Patron demand a pension due to themselves all such demands are to be made in a Spiritual Court And for laying violent hands on a Priest and in cause of defamation Anno Dom. 1285 it hath been granted already Anno Regis Ed. 1. 13. that it shall be tried in a Spiritual Court when money is not demanded but a thing done for punishment of sin and likewise for breaking an oath In all cases afore rehearsed the Spiritual Judg shall have power to take knowledge notwithstanding the Kings prohibition Something must be premised about the validity of this writing learned men much differing therein Some make it 1. Onely a constitutiou made by the Prelates themselves much too blame if they cut not large pieces being their own Carvers 2. A meer Writ issued out from the King to his Judges 3. A solemn Act of Parliament compleat in all the requisites thereof Hear what * Mr Nath. Bacon in his Hist Dis of the Government of England lib. 1. pag. 233. a Bacon but neither S r Nicolas nor S r Francis the two Oracles of Law writes in this case A writing somewhat like a Grant of Liberties which before times were in controversie and this Grant if it may be so called hath by continuance VSURPED the name of a Statute but in its own nature is no other then a Writ directed to the Judges Presently after he saith It is therefore no Grant nor Release but as it were a Covenant that the Clergie should hold peaceable possession of what they had upon this ground And in the next page more plainly For my part therefore I shall not apprehend it of a higher nature then the Kings Writ which in those dayes WENT FORTH AT RANDOM 16. Come we now to the calme judgment of S r Edward Cook Judg Cokes decision on whose decision we may
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-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-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
Kenelworth to perswade him to resign sign the Crown though having no other design Anno Dom. 1326. then the Kings safety therein He hoped that in this tempest the casting out of the Lading Anno Regis Ed. secun 19â— would save the Hulke of the Ship and the surrendring of the Scepter secure the Kings person 22. With John Stratford let me couple Robert de Baldock though no Bishop And a Loyal Priest-Chancelour a Bishops mate as a Priest and Chancelour of England This man unable to assist resolved to attend the King and was taken with him in Wales Hence was he brought up to London and committed to Adam Tarleton Bishop of Hereford Here the shadow of Tarleton Miter if pleased to put forth his power might have secured this his Guest-prisoner from any danger whereas on the contrary it is more then suspicious that he gave a signall to the tumultouous people to seize his person For he was dragged to Newgate and there payed his life for his Loyalty yet was never heard to complain of the dearnesse of his penyworth If any violence was secretly offered unto his person he might endure it the more patiently having read * St. Mat. 10. 24. that the Disciple is not above his Master nor the servant better then his Lord. This Baldock was a good Justicer nor charged in our Chronicles with any misdemeanour save faithfulnesse to an unfortunate Master and his Memory will travers his Innocence as confessing the Fact but denying any fault therein 23. But we have more then a good number of such Bishops W. Reinolds unthankful to the King which ungratefully sided with the Queen against her Husband and their Soveraign Walter Reynolds Arch-Bishop of Canterbury leads their Van preferred to that See at the Kings great importunity and by the Pope his Power of Provision On the same token that a Far better Man Thomas Cobham by name Deane of Salisbury so learned and pious a person that he was generally called the good Clergy-men legally elected by the Commons was put by by the Pope to make room for this Reinolds He afterwards complied with the Queen his new Mistress against his old Master active to perform his desires This some seek in vain to excuse by pleasing Her imperious spirit and this Arch-Bishops fearfulness alleadging that cowardlinesse is rather a defect in nature then default in Morality 24. A word by the way of the nature of the Popes provisions lately mentioned which now began to be a general grievance of our Nation The nature of the Popes provisions When any Bishoprick Abbots place Dignity or good Living Aquila non capit muscas was like to be void the Pope by a profitable Prolepsis to himself predisposed such places to such successors as he pleased By this devise he defeated when so pleased the Legal election of all Convents and rightful presentation of all Patrons He took up Churches before they fell yea before they ever stumbled I mean whilst as yet no suspition of sicknesse in Incumbents younger and healthier than his Holiness himself Yea sometimes no Act of Provision was entered in scriptis in the Court only the Pope was pleased to say by word of mouth and who durst confute him he had done it So that Incumbents to Livings who otherwise had a rightful Title from their Patrons were to purchase their peace glad to buy of the Popes provisions Yea his Holiness sold them aforehand to several persons so that not he who gave the first but the most Money carried away the preferment 25. Next we take notice of Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln Hen. Bishop of Lincoln bad lately restored to the favour of King Edward and by him lately esteemed Yet no sooner did the Queen appear in the field with an army against him but this Bishop was the first and for wardest who publiquely repaired unto Her This Burwash was he who by meere might against all right and reason took in the Land of many poor people without making also the least reparation therewith to compleat his Park at Tinghurst These wronged persons though seeing their own Bread Beef and Mutton turned into the Bishops Venison durst not contest with him who was Chancelour of England though neither Law Anno Regis Ed. secun 18 nor equity in this his Action Anno Do. 13 m only they loaded him with curses and execrations This mindeth me of a Modern accident when some twenty years since a Knight went about injuriously to inclose the Commons of a Town and demanded of his Builiffe what the railing in of the same would amount to to whom his servant answered that if he would take in the Commons the Countrey would find him railings as here they did this injurious Bishop Otherwise let me say that inclosures made without oppression are a grand inriching both to private persons and to the Common-wealth 26. Here let the Reader smile or frown Smile or frown I am resolved to write what I find recorded in a * Godwin in the Bishop of Lincoln Grave Author deriving it no doubt from good intelligence This Bishop Burwash is said after his death to have appeared to one of his former familiar friends apparelled Like a Forester all in Green a with his Bow and Quiver of Arrows and his Bugle horn hanging by his side to him he complained that for the injuries done by him to poor whilst living he was now condemned to this penance to be the Park-keeper of that place which he so wrongfully had enclosed He therefore desired him to repair to the Canons of Lincoln and in his name to request them that they would take order that all hedges being cut down and Ditches filled up all might be reduced to their property and the poor men be restored to their inheritance It is added moreover that one W. Batheler was imployed by the Canons aforesaid to see the premises performed which was done accordingly 27. This pretended Apparition seems inconsistent with the nature of Purgatory A grave foolery as usually by Papists represented to people Surely the smoake thereof would have sooted his Green suit and the Penance seems so slight and light for the offence as having so much liberty and pleasure in a place of Command Some Poets would have fancied him rather conceived himself turned Acteon-like into a Deere to be daily hunted by his own Hound guilt of Conscience untill he made restistution But it seems there be degrees in Purgatory and the Bishop not in the Prison itself but only within the Rules thereof priviledged to go abroad whether on his Parel or with his Keeper uncertain till he could procure Suffrages for his Plenary relaxation 28. Adam Tarlton Bishop of Hereford A Divell preaching is the last we will insist on born in that City where afterward he became Bishop yet not honoured but hated and feared in the place of his Nativity He was the grand Engineer and contriver of all
Knight Henry Broomflete put before a Doctor of both Laws and yet John Colevil another Knight placed after the same Doctor I confess the contest very ancient about priority betwixt a Knight and a Doctor of Law ever since the comparison which a In orat pro. Murena Tully made betwixt Lucius Murena a Knight of Rome and Pub. Sulpitius a Lawyer either of them standing for the Consulship Though now in England the precedency of the Knight be indubitable since preferment is taken from Civil Law and the professors thereof shut up as it were in a narrow corner of their own faculty But we leave the Critical Decision thereof to his b Chassaneus la gloria mundi lib. 9. pen who hath wrot a just Tract of the Glory in truth of the Vanity of this world and exactly stated this particular with all the circumstances thereof 7. Whereas the King impowreth those his Commissioners to meddle in the point of his right of the Realm of France A charitable and no impolitick offer with King Charles his competitor submitting his Title to be discussed in the Councel it carrieth with it a confidence of his own right and charitable desire to save the effusion of Christian Bloud But this was not Councel but Camp-work and we meet not with the mention hereof once touched on in this great Assembly However so wary was King Henry or rather his Councel as not absolutely to tie up his title to the decision of this Councel but to give his Commissioners a negative voice in case they see cause to dissent 8. The general History of the Church reporteth the Acts of this Councel A contest betwixt the English and Castilaus about precedency how they deposed Pope Eugenius and substituted Felix in his room for which and other decisions therein Rome beholds this Councel but with bad eyes unto this day We will onely meddle with a difference therein which concerned our own Nation The Orators of several Kings began to take their places according to their birth-rights dating their age from their Nations first receiving of Christianity Here arose the controversie of course about precedency betwixt the English and Castile Ambassadours the former alledging Britaines conversion by Joseph of Arimathea which Alphonsus Garsias de Sancta Maria Dean of Compostella and Segovia Doctor of Law and Ambassadour for Castile with a Speech c Ex Schedis Coâ—â—onianâ—s more tedious then his name and titles much endeavoured to disprove and his arguments may be reduced to these four heads 1. First he denied Josephs arrival in Britaine and imposed the proof thereof on the English who affirmed it challenging them to produce any authentick Record for the same 2. Secondly he urged probability to the contrary out of the Golden Legend or Flores Sanctorum where it is reported how Titus taking Jerusalem caused a thick wall to be digged thorow and therein found an aged man who confessed himself to be Joseph Or Arimathea there imprisoned by the Jews for burying of Christ and that ever since he had been fed with-meat from heaven Hence he inferred that if Joseph were in durance all this while in the wall he could not as the English pretended come over into Britain to plant the Gospel 3. Thirdly grant that Joseph after his enlargement by Titus preached in Britain which must needs be after the year of our Lord seventy and two Spain long before had received the Gospel by the preaching of James the Apostle 4. Fourthly Be it granted that Joseph did preach in England it was but in a corner thereof the grand body of Britain remaining pagan many hundred years after These arguments he uttered with such an affected gravity as if he could have made the matter the more by pronouncing the words the longer 9. The English easily answered these exceptions The English their answer proving James to be slaughtered at Jerusalem by a Acts 12. 2. Herod before his pretended preaching in Spain seeing their own Country-man and an b Rodericus Ximenius in concer d. primatu cum praesule 〈◊〉 in Concil Lateran Anno. 1215. Arch-Bishop of Toledo confesseth as much They produced many ancient testimonies for the preaching of Joseph in Britain the fond fable of his being kept in a wall being beneath confutation as attested onely by a worthless Author Joannes de Voragine Their allegation that Britain was but partially converted by his preaching was but impertinent to the present purpose the point controverted not being of the universality but the antiquity of first receiving the Christian Faith Besides neither James nor any other Disciple ever converted a Kingdom totally and entirely to Christianity However nothing was concluded in this controversie alwayes agitated never decided 1. In the Councel of Pisa Anno 1409. 2. In the Councel of Constance 1417. betwixt the Ambassadours of England and France 3. In the Councel of Sienes before Martin the fifth Pope wherein Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln encountered France Spain and Scotland about precedency Lastly betwixt England and Spain in the Councel of Basil though therein nothing concluded those politick Prelates accounting it better to keep both Princes in hope by discussing then to put one into anger by deciding it Yea they loved to set up this controversie as that of the precedence of Cambridg and Oxford in English Parliaments out of design sometimes to delay time sometimes by starting it to stop and divert more dangerous disputes 10. Henry Chichely 15. Doctor of Law 1437 Arch-Bishop of Canterbury All-Souls College in Oxford founded Founded a Colledg in Oxford by the Name of All-Souls for a Warden and fourty Fellows which number by Statute was never to be augmented or impaired and all void places by death or otherwise once in a year to be supplied Wardens Anno Dom. 1437. 1. M r Rich. Andrews 2. M r Rog. Keys 3. Mr Gul. Kele 4. M r Gul. Poteman 5. M r Jo. Stokie 6. Tho. Hobbys 7. M r Gul. Brooke 8. M r Jo. Coale 9. M r Rob. Woodward 10. M r Rob. Stokelie 11. M r Jo. Warner 12. M r Seth Holland 13. M r Jo. Pope 14. M r Rich. Barâ—er 15. M r Rob. Hovenden 16. D r Mocket 17. D r Ashley D r Shelden D r Palmer Bishops Anno Regis Hen. 6. 15. James Gouldwel Bishop of Norwich 1472. Gilbert Bourn Bish of Bath and Wells 1554. Glyes Tomson Bish of Gloucester 1611. Brian Duppa Bish of Sarum Fellow of this House Benefactors King Henry the 6 th at the procurement of the Founder gave four Priories Alians viz. Alberbury Rumney Weeden-Pinkeney and Languenith Queen Elizabeth confirmed the Parsonage of Stanton Harcourt Reginald Poole Card. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury S r William Peter Fellow of this Colledg and Secretary to four Kings and Queens Learned Writers S r Clement Edmonds D r Gentilis an excellent Civilian D r Steward M r Diggs So that at this present this Colledg hath one Warden fourty
Fellows two Chaplains three Clerks six Choristers besides Officers and Servants of the Foundation with other Students the whole number being seventy The Fellows of this College are bound by their Statutes to be benè nati spendidè vestiti mediocriter docti in plano cantu Know Reader I was promised by my respected friend D r Jeremy Taylor late Fellow of this house well known to the world by his worth a Catalogue of the Eminent Scholars thereof but it seems the Press like Time and Tide staying for no man I have not been so happy seasonably to receive it 11. Six years did this Arch-Bishop survive the first Founding of this Colledg A tart jeer soberly returned He was a worthy man in his generation 1443 had not his vassalage to the Pope the epidemical disease of those dayes ingaged him in cruelty against the poor professors of the truth 21. May 3. Most of the Synods called by him toward the latter end of his life effected onely the advance of money the Clergy being very desirous to buy off the penalty of a Praemunire so pernicious to their proceedings but could not compleatly compass the same I have nothing else to observe of Arch-Bishop Chichely save the common tradition how King Henry the sixth acted herein by some misoclere-Countries otherwise in himself friend enough to Church-men sent this Arch-Bishop for a New-years-gift a shred-pie indeed as containing pieces of cloath and stuff of several sorts and colours in jeer because his father was a Taylor at Higham-Ferrars in Northampton-shire The Arch-Bishop thankfully received the gift even after he had seen the entrals thereof and courteously entertained the messenger Anno Regis Hen 6 21. requesting him to return to his Grace If my Lord the King do but as far exceed Henry the fifth whom God assoil his Father Anno Dom. 1443 as my meanness hath gone beyond my poor father he will make the most accomplished Monarch that ever was in Christendom John Stafford one of noble parentage succeeded in the place of Chichely deceased 12. This good precedent of the Arch-Bishops bounty 24. may be presumed a spur to the speed of the Kings liberality 1446 who soon after Founded Eaton Colledg The Founding of Eaton Colledg incorporate by the name of Praepositi Collegii Regalis Col. Beatae Mariae de Eaton juxta Winsor It seemeth these words Beatae Mariae are so necessary that being left out in a Lease wherein all the other Titles of the Foundation were inserted at large the said a A bridgment of Judge Diers reports Num. 379. Trin. Term. quarto Mariae Lease was adjudged void for that omission But know this verdict passed in Queen Maries dayes when Regina Maria made the mention of Beatae Mariae so essential thereunto 13. Indeed it was high time some School should be founded The bad Poetry of that Age. considering how low Grammer-Learning ran then in the Land as may appear by the following Verses made for King Henry the Founder as good no doubt as the generality of that Age did afford though scarce deserving Translation so that the worst scholar in Eaton Colledg that can make a Verse can make a better Luce tua qui natus erat Nicolae sacer Rex Henricus Sextus hoc stabilivit opus Vnctum qui Lapidem postquam ponebat in Eaton Hunc fixit Clerum commemorando suum Astiterant illi tunc Pontifices in honorem Actus solennis Regis Ecclesiae Ex Orientali * Medlo si bis septem pedetentim Mensurare velis invenies Lapidem In festo sancti Jacobi sanctam stabilivit Hic unctam Petram Regia sacra manus Annis M. CCCC sexto quarter Xque Regis H. Regni quinto jungendo Vicena Devout King Henry of that name the sixt Born Nic'las on thy day this building fixt In Eaton having plac'd a stone anointed In sign it for the Clergy was appointed His Prelates then were present so the more To honour the Kings acts and holy Chore. From Eastern midst whereof just fourteen feet If any measure they this stone shall meet On holy James his day the sacred hand Of Royal Henry caus'd this stone to stand M. four C s. fourty six since Christ was born When H. the Crown * Viz. Current otherwise but 24 compleat twenty five years had worn 14. This Colledg consisteth of one Provost A Bountiful Foundation God continue it Fellows a Schoolmaster and Usher with Kings Scholars Besides many Oppidanes maintained there at the cost of their friends so that were Eaton as also Winchester-School removed into Germany they would no longer be accounted Scholae but Gymnasia a middle terme betwixt a School and an Vniversity The Provostship of Eaton is accounted one of the Gentilest Anno Dom. 1446. and intirest preferments in England the Provost thereof being provided for in all particulars Anno Regis Hen. 6 24. to the very points of his hose my desire is one tag of them may not be diminished and as a pleasant * Prov. 28. 19. Courtier told King Henry the eighth an hundred pound a year more then enough Sir John Harrington in the continuation of Godwins Bish in Bish Day of Winchester How true this is I know not this I know if some Courtiers were to stint the enough of Clergy-men even the most industrious of them should with * Prov. 28. 19. Solomons sloathful man have poverty enough But take here a Catalogue of the Provosts of Eaton 1. Henry Seilver D. D. Almoner to King Henry the sixth 2. William Wainflet B. D. afterwards Bishop of Winchester 3. John Clerk B. D. died Provost the 7 th Novemb 1447. 4. William Westbury B. D. chosen Provost Anno 1448. 5. Hen. Bost B. D. he gave an hundred Marks and twenty pounds per an to the Colledg died the 7 th Feb. 1503. 6. Roger Lupton B. D. 7. Robert Aldridge afterwards Bishop of Carlisle 8. S r Tho. Smith Doct. of Law of Queens Colledg in Cambridg chosen Anno 1554. 9. Henry Colle D. D. and Law chosen in the same year 1554. 10. William Bill D. D. Almoner to Queen Elizabeth chosen July 5. 1559. 11. William Day B. D. Dean also of Windsor chosen Jan. 5. 1561. afterwards Bishop of Winchester 12. Sir Henry Savile Warden of Merton Colledg in Oxford chosen 3 June 1596. eminent to all posterity for his magnificent Edition of Saint Chrysostome in Greek 13. Tho. Murrey Esq Tutor and Secretary to King Charls whilst Prince 14. S r Henry * Whose Life is excellently written by my worthy fried Mr Isaac Walton Wotton famous for several Embassies chosen 1625. 15. Steward Doct. of Law and Dean of S t Pauls 16. Francis Rouse Esabque This Eaton is a nursery to Kings Colledg in Cambridg All that I will add is to wish that the prime Scholars in this School may annually be chosen to the University and when chosen their places may
desperately say his foes fell in the midst of his enemies and his corps were disgracefully carried to Leicester without a rag to cover his nakedness as if no modest usage was due to him when dead who had been so shameless in his cruelty when alive The Crown ornamental being found on his head was removed to the Earls and he Crowned in the field and Te Deum was solemnly sung by the whole Army 15. Soon after King Henry married the Lady Elizabeth Hen. 7 1. eldest Daughter unto King Edward the fourth Henry the seventh his sixfold title to the Crown whereby those Roses which formerly with their prickles had rent each other were united together Yea sixfold was King Henry his title to the Crown First Conquest Secondly Military election the Souldiers crying out in the field King Henry King Henry Thirdly Parliamentary Authority which setled the Crown on Him and His Heirs Fourthly Papal confirmation his Holiness forsooth concurring with his religious complement Fifthly Discent from the House of Lancaster But that all know was but the back-door to the Crown and this Henry came in but by a window to that back-door there being some bastardy in his pedigree but that was salved by post-legitimation Sixthly Marriage of King Edwards Daughter the first and last being worth all the rest Thus had he six strings to his bow but commonly he let five hang by and onely made use of that one which for the present he perceived was most for his own advantage Yet for all these his Titles this politick Prince thought fit to have his Person well secured and was the first King of England who had a standing Guard to attend him 16. Thomas Bourchier Cardinal 2. and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1586 had the honour first to marry The death of Arch-Bishop Bourchier then to Crown King Henry and the Lady Elizabeth And then having sitten in a short Synod at London wherein the Clergie presented their new King with a tenth quietly ended his life having sate in his See two and thirty years He gave an hundred and twenty pounds to the University of Cambridg which was joyed with another hundred pounds which M r Billingforth Master of Bennet Colledg had some years before given to the said University and this joint stock was put into a Chest called at this day the Chest of Billingforth and Bourchier and Treasurers are every year chosen for the safe keeping thereof 17. John Morton born say some at Beare John Morton succeeded him but more truly at S t Andrews Milbourne in Dorcet-shire where a worshipful family of his name and lineage remain at this day succeeded him in the See at Canterbury He was formerly Bishop of Elie and appointed by Edward the fourth one of the Executors of his Will and on that account hated of King Richard the third the Excutioner thereof He was as aforesaid imprisoned because he would not betray his trust fled into France returned and justly advanced by King Henry first to be Chancellor of England and then to be Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 18. Now began the Pope to be very busie by his Officers A gift not worth the taking to collect vast summes of money in England Anno Dom. 1486 presuming at the Kings connivance thereat Anno Regis Hen. 7 2. whom he had lately gratified with a needless Dispensation to Legitimate his Marriage with the Lady Elizabeth his Cousin so far off it would half pose a Herald to recover their Kindred For 1. Edward the third on Philippa his Queen begat 2. Lyonel Duke of Clarence who on Elizabeth his Lady begat 3. Philippa on whom Edward Mortimer Earl of March begat 4. Roger Earl of March who on begat 5. Anne on whom Richard Plantagenet Duke of York begat 6. Edward the fourth king of England who on Elizabeth woodvile begat 7. Elizabeth his Eldest Daughter who was married unto 2. John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster who of Katharine Swinford begat 3. John de Beaufort Duke of Somerset who on begat 4. John Beausort Duke of Somerset who on Marg. Beauchamp begat 5. Margaret on whom Edmund Tuther Earl of Richmond begat 6. Henry Earl of Richmond afterwards 7 th of that name King of England Neither Law Divine or Civil forbad marriage at this distance but the Pope would be over-officious both to oblige the King and interest himself as if no Princes could well be married except the Pope had a finger in joining their hands together 19. Exorbitancies of Sanctuaries retreuched More material to the King was the help of his Holiness 1487 to regulate the exorbitancies of abused Sanctuaries 3. In this age could an offendor get such an house over his head he accounted himself instantly innocent though not is conscience yet as to outward punishment the Kings enemies once Sanctuaried daring him no less then the Jebusites in their strong fort of Sion defied David a 2 Sam. 5. 6. Though shalt not come in hither The Pope therefore in favour of the King and indeed of equity it self ordered 1. b Lord Verulam in Hen 7. pag. 39. That if any Sanctuary man did by might or otherwise get out of Sanctuary privily and commit mischief and trespass and then come in again he should lose the benefit of Sanctuary for ever after 2. That howsoever the person of the Sanctuary man was protected from his Creditors yet his goods out of Sanctuary should not 3. That if any took Sanctuary for cause of Treason the King might appoint him keepers to look to him in Sanctuary Surely had the King been pleased to interpose his own power he might have reformed these abuses but he thought fitter to make use of the Popes Spiritual artillery against these Spiritual Castles of Rebellion that he might not seem to intrench on their lawful priviledges having formerly at least in pretence appeared a great Patron of Sanctuaries and a severe punisher of the unjust infringers thereof On which account this King who was never uxorious husband nor over-dutiful son in law confined the Queen Dowager his wives Mother to a Religious House in Bermansey because three years since she had surrendred her two Daughters out of the Sanctuary at Westminster Anno Regis Hen. 7 4. to Richard Duke of York Anno Dom. 1488 20. A Synod was holden by Arch-Bishop Morton at London Two Synods at London wherein the Luxury of the London a Antiquit. Brit. Pag. 298. Clergie in cloaths that City alwayes the staple of bravery with their frequenting of Taverns was forbidden such Preachers also were punished who with popular applause enveighed against Bishops in their absence the next year also a Synod was called but little therein effected but vast summes of money granted by the Clergie to the King 21. John Giglis an Italian Italians good at getting and holding about this time imployed by the Pope 5. got an infinite mass of money 1489 having power from
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
other also Surely Ecclesiastical constitutions did not reach thus far as to impose any corporal torture and whether there be any Statute of the Land that enjoyns not to say permits such punishments let the learned in the Laws decide This I am sure if this was the first time that they fell into this supposed Heresie by the Law they were onely to abjure their errours and if it were the second time upon relaps into the same again their whole bodies were to be burnt Except any will say that such as by these bloudy Laws deserved death were branded onely by the favour of William Smith Bishop of Lincoln and one may have charity enough to encline him to this belief when considering the same William Founder of Brazen-nose Colledg in Oxford was generally a lover of learning and goodness and not cruelly disposed of himsself However some of Gods children though burnt did not dread the fire And Father e Fox p. 1011. Râ—ver alià s Reive though branded at the time did afterwards suffer at a stake so that the brand at the first did but take livery and seisin in his cheek in token that his whole body should afterwards be in the free and full possession of the fire 3. They who desire further information of the number and names of such as suffer'd about this time may repair to the Acts and Monuments of M r Fox onely Thomas Chase of Amersham must not be here omitted The cruel killing of Thomas Chase being barbarously butchered by bloudy hands in the Prison of Wooburne Who to cover their cruelty gave it out that he had hang'd himself and in colour thereof caused his body to be buried by the high ways side where a stake knock't into the grave is the monument generally erected for Felons de Se. Fear not those saith our Saviour who kill the body and afterwards have no more that they can do But these mens malice endeavoured to do more having kill'd his body to murder his memory with slanderous reports although all in vain For the Prison it self did plead for the innocence of the prisoner herein being a place so low and little that he could not stand upright Besides the woman that saw his dead hody a most competent witness in this case declared that he was so loaden with Maâ—icles and Irons that he could not well move either hand or foot But we leave the full discussing and finall deciding hereof to him who makes inquisition for bloud at that day when such things as have been done in secret shall be made manifest 4. By this time we may boldly say that all the arrears of money due to the Pope for Pardons in the year of Jubilee five years since were fully collected The Pope and King Hen 7. share the money for Pardones betwixt them and safely returned to Rome by the officers of his Holiness the lagging money which was last sent thither came soon enough to be received there We wish the sellers more honesty and the buyers more wisdom Yet we envy Rome this payment the less because it was the last in this kind she did generally receive out of England Mean time time King Henry the seventh did enter common with the f Antiq Brit. in Henriâ—â— Dâ—â—co Pope having part allowed to connive at the rest Thus whilest Pope and Prince shared the wooll betwixt them the people were finely fleeced Anno Regis Hen. 7 22. Indeed King Henry was so thristy Anno Dom. 1506. I durst call him covetous not to say fordid had he been a private man who knowing what ticklish termes he stood upon lov'd a referve of treasure as being besides his claims of Conquest match and discent at any time a good title ad Corroborandum And we may the less wonder that this money was so speedely spent by his successor a great part thereof being gotten by sin was spent on sin Was it then charity or remorse giving or resstoring that hereupon King Henry the seventh Founded the rich Holpital of the Savoy in the Strand 24. with the finishing whereof he ended his own life 1508 And it is questionable whether his body lies in more magnificence in that stately and costly Tomb and Chappel of his own erecting or whether his memory lives more lastingly in that learned and curious History which the Lord Bacon hath written of his Reign 5. Henry the eighth Hen. 8 1. his Son succeeded him one of a beautiful person and majestick presence insomuch that his picture in all places is known at the first sight Hen. 8. succeedeth his father As for the character of his minde all the vertues and vices of all his predecessors from the Conquest may seem in him fully represented both to their kinde and degree learning wisdom valour magnificence cruelty avarice fury and lust following his pleasures whilest he was young and making them come to him when he was old Many memorable alterations in Church and State happen'd in his age as God willing hereafter shall appear 6. On the third day of June he was solemnly Married to the Lady Katharine Dowager 1509 formerly wife to his brother Prince Arthur deceased He marrieth the relict of his brother Arthur Two Popes took the matter in hand to discuss and decide the lawfulness thereof Alexander the sixth and Pius the third but both died before the business was fully effected At last comes Pope Julius the second and by the omnipotency of his dispensation Sanders de schismate Anglicano lib. 1. pag. 2. removed all impediments and obstructions against the laws of God or man hindering or opposing the said marriage We leave them for the present wedded and bedded together and twenty years hence shall hear more of this matter onely know that this marriage was founded in covetous considerations merely to save money that the Kingdom might not be impoverished by restoring her Dowry back again into Spain though hereupon a greater mass of coyn was transported out of the Land though not into Spain into Italy Thus such who consult with covetousness in matters of conscience embracing finister courses to save charges will finde such thrist to prove expensive at the casting up of their audit howere Divine Providence over-ruling all actions to his own glory so ordered it that the breaking off the Popes power with the banishing of Superstition out of England is at this day the onely surviving issue of this marriage 7. The beginning of this Kings Reign was but barren as the latter part therof Abjured Lollards wear faggots some will say over-fruitful with eminent Church-passages And therefore we will spare when we may and be brief in his first that we may spend when we should in the larger description of his latter years Cruelty still continued and increased on the poor Lollards as they call them after abjuration forced to wear the fashion of a faggot wrought in thread or painted on their left sleeves all the
pay and reward some of his poorest servants giving them money on this condition that hereafter they should serve no subject but onely the b Rex Platonicus pag. 43. King himself as if this had been suscipere gradum Simeonts for those who so long had attended on a Lord-Cardinal But this happened many years after we return to this proud Prelate while he flourished in the height of his Prosperity 36. Their heads will catch cold Wolsey turns his waiting into revenge which wait bare for a dead Popes Tiple-Crown Wolsey may be an instance hereof who on every avoidance of S t Peters Chaire was sitting down therein when suddenly some one or other clapt in before him Weary with waiting he now resolved to revenge himself on Charles the Emperour for not doing him right and not improving his power in preferring him to the Papacy according to his promioses and pretences He intends to smite Charles through the sides of his Aunt Katharine Queen of England endeavouring to alienate the Kings affections from her And this is affirmend by the generality of our Historians though some of late have endeavoured to acquit Wolsey as not the first perswader of the King divorce 37. Indeed he was beholding The scruple of the Kings marriage for the first hint thereof to the Spaniards themselves For when the Lady Mary was tendered in marriage to Philip Prince of Spain the Spanish Embassadours seemed to make some difficulty thereof and to doubt her extraction as begotten on a mother formerly married to her husbands elder brother Wolsey now put this scruple into the head of Bishop Longlands the Kings Confessour and he insinuated the same into the Kings conscience advising him hereafter to abstain from the company of his Queen to whom he was unlawfully married Adding moreover that after a divorce procured which the Pope in justice could not deny the King might dispose his affections where he pleased And here Wolsey had provided him a second Wife viz Margarite Countess of Alenzon sister to Francis King of France though heavens reserved that place not for the Mistress but her Maid I mean Anna Bollen who after the return of Mary the French Queen for England attended in France for some time on this Lady Margarite 38. Tunder needs no torch to light it The King willingly embraceth the motion the least spark will presently set it on flame No wonder if King Henry greedily resented the motion Male issue he much wanted and a young Female more on whom to beget it As for Queen Katharine he rather respected then affected rather honoured then loved her She had got an habit of miscarrying scarce curable in one of her age intimated in one of the Kings private papers as morbus incurabilis Yet publickly he never laid either fault or defect to her charge that not dislike of her person or conditions but onely principles of pure conseience might seem to put him upon endeavours of a Divorce 39. The business is brought into the Court of Rome The Pope a Captive there to be decided by Pope Clement the seventh Bnt the Pope at this time was not sui juris being a prisoner to the Emperour who constantly kept a guard about him 44. As for the Queens Councel Fishers short plea. which Anno Dom. 1529 though assigned to her Anno Regis Hen. 8 25. appear not dearly accepted by her as chosen rather by others for her then by her for her self I finde at this present little of moment pleaded or performed by them Onely Bishop Fisher affirmed that no more needed to be said for the validity of the marriage then Whom God hath joyned together let no man put asunder A most true position in it self if he could have cleared the application thereof to his Royal Client but Hoc restat probandum the contrary that God never joyned them together being vehemently urged by her adversaries 45. Notwithstanding the Queens absence The pleas of the Kings Councel the Court proceeded And first the Kings Proctors put in their exceptions against both Bull and Breve of Pope Julius the second dispensing with the Kings marriage with his brothers wife viz. 1. That they were not to be found amongst the Original Records in Rome 2. That they were not extant in Chartaphylacio amongst the King of Englands papers most concerned therein but found onely in Spain amongst the writings of a State-Officer there 3. That in them it was falsely suggested as if the same were procured at the instance of Henry Prince of Wales who then not being above thirteen years old was not capable of such intentions 4. That the Date thereof was somewhat discrepant from the form used in the Court of Rome 46. After this Secrets sub sigillo thalami many witnesses on the Kings side were deposed July 12. and though this favour is by custome indulged to the English Nobility to speak on their Honours yet the canon-Canon-Law taking no notice of this their municipal priviledg and for the more legal validity of their restimonies required the same on oath though two Dukes one Dutchess one Marquess many Lords and Ladies gave in their depositions These attested 1. That both were of sufficient age Prince Arthur of fifteen years the Lady Katharine somewhat elder 2. That constant their cohabitation at board and in bed 3. That competent the time of the same as full five moneths 4. That entire their mutual affection no difference being ever observ'd betwixt them 5. That Henry after his Brothers death by an instrument produced in Court and attested by many witnesses refused to marry her though afterwards altered by the importunity of others 6. That by several expressions of Prince Arthur's it appeared he had carnal knowledg of the Lady Katharine The beds of private persons are compassed with curtaines of Princes vailed also with canopies to conceal the passages therein to which modesty admitteth no witnesses Pitty it is that any with Pharaoh should discover what is exchanged betwixt Isaac and Rebekah all which are best stifled in secrecy and silence However such the nature of the present cause that many privacies were therein discovered 47. Observe by the way A shrewd retortion that whereas it was generally alledged in favour of the Queen that Prince Arthur had not carnal Knowledg of her because soon after his marriage his consumptionish body seemed unfit for such performances this was retorted by testimonies on the Kings side his witnesses deposing that generally it was reported and believed the Prince impaired his health by his over liberal paiment of due benevolence 48. It was expected that the Cardinals should now proceed to a definitive sentence An end in vain expected according as matters were alledged and proved unto them The rather because it was generally reported that Campegius brought over with him a Bull Decretal to pronounce a nulsity of the match if he saw just cause for the same Which rumor like
but exacted them in the notion of a Rent and Tribute due to the Pope his Master 52. This is that Polidore Virgil Be-lawrelleth the Quire of Wells who was Dignitary of the Cathedral of Wells and as I take it Archdeacon of Taunton on the Quire whereof he bestowed Hangings flourished with the Lawrel Tree and as I remember wrote upon them SUNT POLIDORI MUNERA VIRGILII But would he had spared his benefaction to the Church of Wells on condition he had been no Malefactor to the Church of England yea to Religion and Learning in generall if it be true what commonly is reported 53. For he wrote a Latine History of Britain A Malefactour to Posterity for burning MS. from the Original of the Nation untill Anno Dom. 153. the yeare of King Henry the eighth out of many rare Manuscripts which he had collected together Now partly to raise the reputation of his own Writings that he might seem no lazie Transcriber partly to render himself out of the reach of confutation being suspected not over-faithfull in his Relation he is said to have burnt all those rare Authours which he could compasse into his possession Thus Tyrant-like he cut down those stairs whereby he ascended the Throne of his own knowledge If this be true the World may thank Polidore Virgil for his work de Inventione Rerum but have cause to chide not to say curse his Memory for his Act de Perditione Librorum 54. I have met with a paper of Verses Two-edged Verses which like a two-edged Sword cut on both sides plainly at Polidore Virgil but obscurely at a later Plagiary and in my opinion not unworthy to be inserted Leyland's supposed Ghost Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's Ghost Complain of wrong sustained after death As Virgil's Polidore accus'd his host The Tracian King for cruell breach of Faith And Treasures gain'd by stopping of his breath Ah greedy Gardian t' enjoy his goods Didst plunge his Princely Ward into the floods Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's spirit Complain with th' Ghosts of English Notaries Whom Polidorus Virgil robb'd of merit Bereft of Name and sacks of Histories While wetch he ravisht English Libraries Ah! wicked Book-thief whosoever did it Should One burn all to get one single Credit Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's spirit Make heu cry for som Book-treasure stealth Rifling his works and razing Name Merit Whereby are smother'd a Prince-given wealth A Learned Writer's Travel Wits and Health All these he spent to doe his Countrey pleasure O save his name the world may know his treasure I am deceivd for Leylands ghost doth rest From plaints crys with souls of blessed men But Heaven and Humane Laws cannot digest That such rare fruits of a laborious Pen Came to be drown'd in such a thanklesse Den. Thus Heaven and all Humanity doth sue That Leyland dead may have his Titles due Who this second Plagiarie was complained of for plundering Leyland if the Reader cannot conjecture I will not tell such the honour I bear to his admirable performances though herein not to be excused 55. Papal power thus extinguished in England How Papal power in England was cantoned it is worth our enquiry where the same for the future was fixed which we finde not intirely setled in any One but according to justice and equity divided amongst many Sharers therein 56. And first God first had his share Give unto God the things which are Gods What the Pharisees said was true in the Doctrine though false in the Use thereof as applied to our Saviour whom they mistook for a meer man * Mark 7. Who can forgive sins but God alone This paramount power no lesse blasphemously than arrogantly usurped by the Pope claiming an absolute and authoritative pardoning of Sins was humbly and justly restored to the high God of Heaven 57. Restitution was made to the second Person in the Trinity Christ his due of that Universal jurisdiction over the whole Church as belonging to Christ alone 1 Pet. 2. 25. who is the Sheepherd and Bishop of our souls and a badge of Antichrist for the Pope proudly to assume the same 58. To the Holy Ghost was restored that Infallibility The holy Spirit his portion which to him doth properly pertain as being the Spirit of Truth which neither will deceive nor can be deceived John 15. 26. 16. 23. and which hath promised to lead his Church in generall into all Truth but never fixed any inerrability on any particular person or succession of single persons whatsoever 59. And now give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's The King comes to claim His own right The King assumes his share what the Kings of Judah his Predecessours in Soveraignty had by the Word of God and Christian Emperours by the practise of the Primitive times did possesse In order whereunto the Parliament did notifie and declare that Ecclesiastical power to be in the King which the Pope had formerly unjustly invaded Yet so that they reserved to themselves besides other priviledges which we leave to the Learned in the Law the confirming power of all Canons Ecclesiastical so that the person or property of Refusers should not be subjected to temporal penalty without consent of Parliament 60. Of this power thus declar'd in the King part thereof He kept in Himselfe as to call and dissolve Convocations at His pleasure to grant or deny them Commission to debate of Religion to command Archbishops and Bishops to be chosen in vacant Sees to take order for the due Administration of the Word and Sacraments 61. The other part of power Ecclesiastical the King passed over to the Archbishop of Canterbury as His Substitute first to grant Faculties in cases not repugnant to the Law of God necessary for Honour and Security of the King formerly wont to be remedied in the See of Rome Secondly to determine Causes Ecclesiastical in his Court whence lay an Appeal to the Court of Delegates c. 62. The representative Clergie had power by the King's leave to make Canons and Constitutions whilst each Bishop in his respective Diocesse Priest in his Parish were freer than formerly in execution of their Office acquitted from Papal dependance 63. Lastly every English Lay-Man was restored to his Christian Birth right namely to his judgment of practical discretion in perusing the Scriptures in his own Language formerly swallowed up in the Ocean of the Pope's Infallibility Thus on the depluming of the Pope every bird had his own feather in the partage whereof what he had gotten by sacriledge was restored to God what by Usurpation was given back to the King Church and State what by Oppression was remitted to particular Christians SECTION III. Ann. Reg. TO Master HENRY BARNARD Ann. Dom. LATE OF LONDON Merchant THough lately you have removed your habitation into Shropshire My pen is resolved to follow after and finde you out Seeing the
onely spared the Church in Peterborough but also advanced it into a Cathedral If so it was civilly done of Him not to disturb Her in Her grave whom He had so disquieted in Her bed The news of Her departure was not unwelcome to Queen Anna Bollen who though too good a Christian to desire Her death was too wife a woman to be over-sorrowfull for the same seeing formerly She was the King's Wife but by sequestration the true possessour of His bed being yet alive whereas now c Gen. 26. 22. Rehoboth She conceived God had made room for her 20. This Anna Bollen was great-grand-childe to a Citizen The character of Queen Anna Bollen Sir Jefferie Bollen Lord Major of London grand-childe to Sir William Bollen Knight who lived respectedly in his Countrey daughter to Thomas Bollen Earle of Wiltshire a great Courtier and she had Her birth in England blood by her d Daughter to Thomas Earl of Ormond Grand-mother from Ireland and breeding in France under Mary the French Queen so that so many relations meeting in Her accomplished Her with an acceptable behaviour to all qualities and conditions of people Of an handsome person and beautifull face and therefore that e Sanders de Schismate Anglicano pen that reports Her lean-visaged long-sided gobber-toothed yellow-complexioned with a wen in her neck both manifests his malice and disparageth the judgement of King Henry whom all knew well read in books and better in beauties who would never have been drawn to so passionate a love without stronger load-stones to attract it This Queen remembring how Her Predecessour lost the King's love with her over-austerity tuned Her self to a more open and debonaire behaviour even generally to all with whom She conversed Which being observed by Her adversaries was improved by them to Her overthrow so that She but for a very short time had the sole and peaceable possession of Her Husband In a word She was a great Patronesse of the Protestants Protectour of the persecuted Preferrer of men of merit among whom Hugh Latimer a bountifull Reliever of the poor and the happy Mother of Queen Elizabeth 21. On the eighth of June began a short The first reformed Convocation but sharp Parliament dissolved the eighteenth of July following effecting much in little time June 8. matters it seems being well prepared afore-hand 9. and the House assembled not to debate but doe the King's desires The parallel Convocation began the day after being one new-modelled and of a fashion different from all former Convocations Therein the Lord Cromwell prime Secretary sate in state above all the Bishops as the King's Vicar or Vicegerent-Generall in all spirituall matters Deformi satis spectaculo saith my f Godwâ—â—â—'s Annals Anno Dom. 1536. Authour indocto Lacio coetui praesidente sacratorum Antistitum omnium quos ante haec tempora Anglia unquam habuisset doctissimorum In one respect that place had better become the person of King Henry than this Lord His Proxie all allowing the King a very able Scholar But Cromwell had in power and policie what he lacked in learning if he may be said to lack it who at pleasure might command the borrowing thereof from the best brains and pens of those of his own partie in the Convocation 22. This Convocation consisted of two Houses The silence in the Abbots of the Convocation the Lower of the Clerks and Proctours of their respective Cathedrals and Diocesses with the Deans and Arch-Deacons therein the Upper of the Bishops with the Lord-Abbots and Priors I mean so many of them as voted as Barons in Parliament as may appear by their several g Concordatum erat per Honorandum virum Cromwell Reverendos Epiâ—copos Abbates Priores Domus superioris Acta Convocationis celebrat An. 1536. fol. antepenul â— subscriptions However I finde not the Abbots active in any degree in canvassing matters of Religion Whether this proceeded from any desire of ease their laziness being above their learning or out of humility counting it more proper to permit such disputes to the sole disposall of the Bishops as most concern'd therin or out of fear loth to stickle on religion knowing on what ticklish terms they stood For in this very Parliament all Abbies which could not dispend 200 li. a year were dissolved and bestowed on the King and those rich Abbots which had more than so many thousands yearly knew that Maxime in Logick to be true Magis minùs non variant speciem More and lesse doe not alter the kinde and might say with him on the Crosse They were in the same condemnation though as yet the sentence was not passed upon them 23. We will observe the daily motions in this Convocation The Diurnal of this Convocation as with mine own hand I have faithfully transcribed them out of the Records Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester June 16. made the Latine-Sermon taking for his Text h Luke 16. 8. The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light On the Friday following Richard Gwent Arch-Deacon of London was presented and confirmed Prolocutour in this Convocation On the same day Master William Peter Doctor of the Laws came into the House as deputed from his Master the Lord Cromwell who could not be present because of his greater employment in Parliament This Dr. Peter claimed the highest place in the House as due to his Master the Lord Cromwell i Records of Cant. An. Dom. 1536. fol. 9. petiit dictum locum sibi tanquam Procuratori dicti Magistri and he shall I say requested or required the same precedencie as due to him being his Proctour and obtained it accordingly without any dispute Though some perchance might question whether a Deputie's Deputy as one degree farther removed might properly claim His place 21. who was primitively represented Next Wednesday came in the Lord Cromwell in person and having judiciously seated himself above all tendred unto them an Instrument to be publickly signed by all the Convocation concerning the nullitie of the King's marriage with the Lady Anna Bollen 24. Some ten daies before Cranmer solemnly divorceth Anna Bollen from the King Archbishop Cranmer at Lambeth had held an open Court in the presence of Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke and most of the Privie Councel Wherein the King and Queen were cited to appear as they did by their Proxies Doctor Richard Sampson being the Kings and Doctor Nicholas Wootten the Queens Then proceeded the Archbishop to discusse the validity of their marriage and at the last by his definitive Sentence pronounced the same invalid frustrate and of none effect No particular cause is specified in that Sentence still extant in the Record and though the Judge and Court seemed abundantly satisfied in the Reasons of this Nullitie yet concealing the same unto themselves they thought not fit to communicate this treasure to
though perchance wisely for the State not warily for himself Indeed it is impossible for such Officers managing not onely multitudes but multiplicity of matters but that in some things they must mistake As in c Prov. 10. 19. many words there wanteth not iniquity so in the Actours of many affairs faults are soon found out He was also accused to set at liberty certain persons not capable of it for granting Licenses and Commissions destructive to the King's authority for being guilty of Heresie himself and favouring it in others Trayterous speeches were also charged upon him spoken two years before in the Church of S. Peter's in the Poor in Broad street the avouchers thereof pretending that as hitherto they had concealed them for love of themselves fearing Cromwel's greatnesse so now for the love of the King they revealed the same Indeed on the first manifesting of the King's displeasure against him the foes of Cromwel had all their mouthes open and his friends their mouthes shut up 24. The mention of S. Peter's in Broad-street An injurious Act to many poor people charged on the Lord Cromwell mindeth me of a passage not unworthy to be recited of an injury offered by this Lord Cromwell to many poor men in the same Parish And because every one is best able to tell his own tale take it in the words of John d Survey of London p. 187. Stow being himself deeply concerned therein The Lord Cromwell having finished his house in Throgmorton-street in London and having some reasonable plot of ground left for a garden caused the pales of the gardens adjoyning to the North part thereof on a sudden to be taken down two and twenty foot to be measured forth-right into the North of every man's ground a line there to be drawn a trench to be cast a foundation laid and an high brick-wall to be builded My father had a garden there and there was an house standing close to his South-pale this house they loosed from the ground and bare upon rowlers into my father's garden two and twenty foot ere my father heard thereof no warning was given him nor other answer when he spake to the Surveyors of that work but that their Master Sir Thomas commanded them so to doe no man durst goe to argue the matter but each man lost his land and my father paid his whole rent which was six sâ—illings eight pence the year for that half which was left Thus much of mine own knowledge have I thought good to note that the sudden rising of some men causeth them to forget themselves I am moved the rather to believe our Authour herein because elsewhere he alloweth this Lord his deserved praise for his virtues and especially his Hospitality affirming e Survey of London p. 74. he had often seen at the Lord Cromwell's gate above two hundred persons served twice every day with meat and drink sufficient Nor can I see what may be said in excuse of this oppression except any will plead that Abimelech's servants violently f Gen. 21. 26. took away the wells from Abraham and yet Abimelech himself never knew more or lesse thereof 25. As for the passionate expressions of Cromwell The worst passionate Speech objected against him a g Sir I. Strode of Parubam in Dorcet-shire Knight aged well-nigh eighty whose Mother was Daughter to the Lord Cromwell's Son hath informed me That the principall passage whereon the Lord's enemies most insisted was this It being told the L. Cromwell that one accused him for want of fidelity to the King Cromwell returned in passion Were he here now I would strike my dagger into his heart meaning into the heart of the false Accuser and therein guilty of want of charity to his fellow-subject not of loyaltie to his Sovereign But seeing the words were a measuring cast as uttered though not as intended to whom they should relate the pick-thank Repeater avowed them uttered against the King Himself So dangerous are dubious words and ambiguous expressions when prevalent power is to construe and interpret the meaning thereof 26. Ten daies after his Arrest His Speech on be scaffold he was attainted of high Treason in Parliament and brought on the Scaffold the next week to execution Here he spake the following words unto the people which the Reader is requested the more seriously to peruse July 19. that thereby he may be enabled to passe if concerned therein his verdict in what Religion this Lord died I Am come hither to die 29. and not to purge my selfe as some think peradventure that I will For if I should so doe I were a very wretch and miser I am by the law condemned to die and thank my Lord God that hath appointed me this death for mine offence For since the time that I have had years of discretion I have lived a sinner and offended my Lord God for the which I aske him heartily forgivenesse And it is not unknown to many of you that I have been a great traveller in this world and being but of base degree I was called to high estate and since the time I came thereunto I have offended my Prince for the which I aske Him heartily forgivenesse and beseech you all to pray to God with me that he will forgive me And now I pray you that be here to bear me record I die in the Catholick Faith not doubting in any Article of my faith no nor doubting in any Sacrament of the Church Many have slandered me and reported that I have been a bearer of such as have maintained evil opinions which is untrue But I confesse that like as God by his Holy Spirit doth instruct us in the truth so the Devil is ready to seduce us and I have been seduced but bear me witnesse that I die in the Catholick Faith of the Holy Church And I heartily desire you to pray for the King's Grace that He may long live with you in health and prosperity and that after Him His son Prince Edward that goodly impe may long reign over you And once again I desire you to pray for me that so long as life remaineth in this flesh I waver nothing in my faith And so making his Prayer c. The generall terms wherein this his Speech is couched hath given occasion for wise men to give contrary censures thereof Fox in his Marginall Note on this Speech pag. 515. A true Christian Confession of the Lord Cromwell at his death Lord Herbert in the Index of his History under C. Cromwell died a Roman-Catholick notwithstanding he had been such a destroyer of the Church True it is so warie were Cromwell's expressions that Luther and Bellarmine might in their own persons have said the same without any prejudice to their own principles and many conceive that the most which these his words amount to will but make him an six-Articles Protestant 27. But let Cromwell's politick Speech be in part expounded by
Robert Barns Doctor of Divinity Thomas Abley Thomas Gerard Rich Fetherston William a Godwin in Henry the 8. pag. 131. Jerom Bachelours of Divinity This caused was by the difference of Religions in the King 's Privie Councel wherein the Popish party called for the execution of these b Fox in his Book of Martyrs 2 volume p. 529. Protestants whilest the Protestant Lords in the Councell out of policy to represse the others eagernesse or if that failed out of desire to revenge it cried as fast that the Laws might take effect on the Papists And whilest neither side was able to save those of their own opinions both had power to destroy those of their opposite party They were dragged on hurdles coupled two and two a Papist and a Protestant cattel of different kindes yoked to draw or rather to be drawn together insomuch as a c Sanders de schismate Angl. lib. 1. pag. 192. Romanist professeth that to the three Papists this their unequal matching was to them ipsâ morte gravlus intolerabilius more heavy and intolerable than death it self But the Protestants exprest no such distast hereat not angry out of principles of pride for the joyning of their bodies together but grieved out of the grounds of charity that their souls soon after should so farre be parted asunder A stranger standing by did wonder as well he might what Religion the King was of his sword cutting on both sides Protestants for Hereticks and Papists for Traytors of whom in the same moneth Laurence Cooke Prior of Doncaster and six others were sent the same way for the same offence 34. But to return to such Acts of the Parliament as concern the Church A Statute made for recovery of Tithes therein a Statute was made commanding every man d 32 Hen. 8. cap. 7. fully truly and effectually to divide set out yield or pay all and singular Tithes and Offerings according to the lawfull customes and usages of the Parishes and Places where such Tithes or Duties shall grow arise come or be due And remedy is given for Ecclesiastick persons before the Ordinary and for Lay-men that claimed appropriated Tithes by grant from the Crown in the Secular Courts by such actions as usually Lay-possessions had been subject to The occasion of which Statute is intimated in the Preamble thereof because in few years past many presumed more contemptuously and commonly than in times past had been seen or known to substract and withdraw their lawfull and accustomed Tithes Incouraged thereunto for that that divers Lay-persons having Tithes to them and their beires had no due remedy by order and course of the Ecclesiastical Laws to recover their right And no wonder seeing their Soveraign had set them so large and so late a president in destroying of Abbies if subjects thought that in their distance and proportion they might also be bold to detain the Rites of the Church especially because it seemed unreasonable that they should receive wages who did no work and that the hire of the labourers in the vineyard should be given to lazie lookers on This Statute in favour of Lay-impropriators was beneficiall to the Clergie to recover their prediall Tithes at Common-Law being equally advantaged by that which was not principally intended for them because of the concurrence of their interest in case of Tithes A e 32 Hen. 8. cap. 38. Statute also made That it was lawfull for all persons to contract marriage who are not prohibited by Gods law For although Gregory the great who had not lesse learning but more modesty than his successours did not flatly forbid the marriage of Cousin Germans as unlawfull but prudentially disswade it as unfitting yet after-Popes prohibited that and other degrees further off thereby to get money for Dispensations What a masse these amounted unto their own Auditors can onely compute seeing f 1 Kings 10. 22. Solomon himself sent ships but every third year to Ophir for gold whereas his Holinesse by granting such faculties from those Indies made annuall returns of infinite profit And this Law came very conveniently to comply with King Henry's occasions who had the first fruits thereof and presently after married Katharine Howard Cousin Germane to Anna Bollen his second Wife which by the canon-Canon-Law formerly was forbidden without a speciall Dispensation first obtained 35. But now to step out of the Parliament into the Convocation Acts of this yeares Convocation a place more proper for our employment there we shall finde Archbishop Cranmer landing in his Barge at Pauls-wharfe and thence proceeding on foot with the Cross carried before him into the Quire of Pauls where at the high Altar Bishop Bonner officiated if I speak properly a Masse of the Holy Ghost Doctor Richard Cox Archdeacon of Ely preached a Latine Sermon on this text Vos estis salterrae Richard Gwent Doctor of Law and Archdeacon of London was chosen Prolocutor Then intimation was given that the KING allowed them liberty to treat of matters in Religion to peruse the Canons de simonia vitanda with other Ecclesiasticall constitutions to continue the good ones and make new ones protemporis exigentiâ In the third Session on Friday severall Bishops * Transcribed with my owne hand out of the Records of Canterbury were assigned to peruse severall Books of the Translation of the New Testament in order as followeth 1 Archbishop Cranmer 1 Matthew 2 John g Longland Lincolne 2 Mark 3 Stephen h Gardiner Winchester 3 Luke 4 Thomas i Goodrick Elie 4 John 5 Nicholas k Heath Rochester 5 Acts of the Apostles 6 Richard l Sampson Chichester 6 Romans 7 John m Capon Sarum 7 ◠Corinthians 8 William n Barlow S. Davids 8 Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 9 John o Bell. Worcester 9 1 2 Thessalonians 10 Robert p Parsew S. Asaph 10 Timothy Titus Philemon 11 Robert q Holgate Landaffe 11 1 2 Peter 12 John r Skip Hereford 12 Hebrews 13 Thomas ſ Thyrlby Westminster 13 James 1 2 3 John Jude 14 John t Wakeman Glocester 14 Revelation 15 John u Chambers Peterborough 15 Why Edmond Bonner Bishop of London then and there present had no part in this perusall allotted him as I finde no reason rendred thereof so I will not interpose my own conjecture 39. In the sixth Session Words in the Testament which Gardiner desired might be preserved intire in the Translation Gardiner publickly read a Catalogue of Latine words of his own collection out of the Testament and desired that for their genuine and native meaning and for the majesty of the matter in them contained these words might be retained in their own nature as much as might bee or be very fitly Englished with the least alteration being in number and order here inserted Ecclesia Poenitentia Pontifex Ancilla Contritus * Acta Synod Cant. an 1541. pag. 48 49. Olacausta
learning they were injoyned not to study it Besides Monks and Fryers were so clogg'd with the observances of their Orders that it confined them to their Cells and rendred them useless in a practical way Wherefore to ballance the Protestants the Iesuits were set on foot obliged to these studies out of fashion with Monks Fryers wherein they quickly attained a great eminency as their very adversaries must confesse And as their heads were better furnished than other Orders so their hands were left at more liberty not tied behinde their backs in a large posture of Canonical idlenesse whence they are become the most active and pragmatical Undertakers in all Christendome 57. I cannot but commend one policy in the Iesuits Jesuits policy which conduceth much to their credit namely whereas other Orders of Monks and Fryers were after their first institution sifted as I may say thorough many other searches still taking new names according to their Sub-De-Re-Reformations The Iesuits since their first foundation have admitted of no new denomination but continue constant to their primitive constitution chiefly because sensible that such after refinings fix an aspersion of at leastwise a comparative impunity on their first institution and render their first Founders cheaper in the worlds valuation whilst the Iesuits still keep themselves to their foundation as begun and perfected at once and are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all of a lump all of a piece which unity amongst themselves maketh them the more considerable in their impressions on any other Adversaries 58. They had two most antient and flourishing Convents beyond the Seas In England like Astrologers in Rome Nola in Italy as I take it where their House it seems gives a Bow for their Armes and La-Fletcha in France where they have an Arrow for their Device whereupon a Satyricall wit thus guirded at them and I hope I shall not be condemned as accessary to his virulency if onely plainly translating the same Arcum Nola dedit dedit his La-Fletcha Sagittam Illis quis nervum quem meruêre dabit Nola to them did give a Bow La-Fletch an Arrow bring But who upon them will bestow What they deserve a string I have done with these Jesuits who may well be compared unto the Astrologers in Rome of whom the Historian doth complain Genus est hominum * Tacit. Hist lib. 1. quod in Civitate nostrâ vetabitur semper retinebitur There is kinde of men in our City who will alwaies be forbidden and yet alwaies be retained therein So though many severe Laws have been made against them yet either such their boldness in adventuring or our State-mildnesse in executing the Statutes against them that alwaies they are driven hence and alwaies they stay here to the great disturbance of ours and advancement of their own Religion 59. Here I purposely omit the Houses for Leprous people Leprous people not mentioned herein though indeed they deserved more charity than all the rest and I may say this onely was an Order of Gods making when he was pleased to lay his afflicting hand on poor people in that lothsome disease I take Burton-Lazars in Leicester-shire to be the best endowed house for that purpose But as that disease came into England by the Holy Warre so * In my Holy Warre as we have elswhere observed it ended with the end thereof And God of his goodnesse hath taken away the Leprosie of Leprosie in England SECTION II. To the Right VVorshipfull RALPH SADLEIR of STANDON Esq AND ANNE his virtuous Consort IT was enacted by a Law made in the 27 th year of the Reign of K. HENRY the eighth That whosoever retained Abbey-lands after the dissolution passed unto them from the Crown should keep a standing House or else forfeit every moneth Twenty Nobles recoverable from them in any Court of Record True it is King JAMES was graciously pleased in the 21 of His Reign to repeal this Act and burn this Rod for which many under the Lash who will not pay still owe thanks to his Memory But suppose this penal-Statute still in force you may defie all Informers for any advantage they may get against you for the same Indeed you are possessed of the fair Covent of WESTBURY in Gloucester-shire and that on as Honourable Terms as any Lands in England of that nature are enjoyed bestowed on your Grand-father Sir RALPH SADLEIR by King HENRY the Eighth partly in reward of the good service he had done to Him the Father partly in incouragement to what he might doe to His three Children to all which he was Privie Counsellour Yet no danger of penalty to you whose House is known to be the Center of Hospitality whence even Abbots themselves and they best skilled in that Lesson might Learn to keep a bountifull Table where all are welcomed the Rich for Courtesie when their occasions bring them the Poor for Charity when they bring their occasions to passe by your Habitation Indeed the Inne-holders of London give for the Motto of the Armes of their Company I WAS A STRANGER AND YE TOOK ME IN. But seeing our Saviour chiefly intended such who did not sell but give entertainment to strangers more properly are the words appliable to your self and other-self whose House is so the Inne-generall to all poor people that the Neighbourhood of a great and good Common is not so advantageous as their vicinity thereunto I doubt not but as you often have relieved CHRIST in his poor Members he will in due time receive you both into his House wherein there be many Mansions of everlasting Happinesse Abbeys engrossed trade impoverished Parish Priests encouraged Offenders THE specious pretences of piety Abbots Farmers Tanners Brewers and contempt of the world Abbots and Monks were notoriously covetous even to the injury of others Witnesse their renting and stocking of Farms keeping of Tan-houses and Brew-houses in their own hands For though the Monks themselves were too fine-nosed to dabble in Tan-fatts yet they kept others bred in that trade to follow their work These Covents having barke of their own woods hides of the cattle of their own breeding and killing and which was the main a large stock of money to buy at the best hand and to allow such Chapmen they sold to a long day of payment easily eat out such who were bred up in that vocation Whereupon in the one and twentieth of King Henry the eighth a Statute was made That no Priest either Regular or Secular should on heavy penalties hereafter meddle with such mechanick employments 2. Secondly Abbot's â—ab Parish Vicâ—rs by appropriations they impoverished Parish-Priests by decrying their performances and magnifying their own merits Alas what was the single devotion of a silly Priest in comparison of a Corporation of Prayers twisted Cables to draw down blessings on their Patrons heads from a whole Monastery And suppose which was seldome done the Parson in the Parish preaching to his people yet
The Queen made Sir Tho Tresham Lord Prior of this Order who the thirtieth of November 1557 received the Order of the Crosse at Westminster and was solemnly inducted into his place He was of an antient family and large estate and had done the Queen Knights service proclaiming Her in the highest contest with Queen Jane If the dimension of his Body may be guessed by his finger and his finger by his Ring which have seen in the possession of his Kinsman William Tresham Esq of Newton in Northampton-shire he was a little Gyant and farre greater than his pourtraicture on his Monument almost demolisht in Rushton-Church in the same County But Alexander's souldiers were not in proportion so big as their shields left in India and possible that Ring of State serving for a Seale was rather borne about him than worn on his finger 7. Re-edified by devout persons It is out of doubt that Papists contributed many pretious Utensils unto these Orders as also that they were bountifull in repairing their decayed Houses to fit them for their habitation but by Sanders his leave No visible refunding of land doth appear Which if he had known of no doubt he would have told posterity as tending according to his principles so much to the credit of those persons I say again though Queens Examples carry a kinde of Mandamus in them yet herein Her best Subjects and Servants were so unmannerly as to suffer Her Grace to go alone by Her self in this Act without any attendants as to the restitution of any entire Religious house to its former Order No not Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute though formerly solemnly employed in an Ambassy to the Pope to reconcile the Church of England to Rome would part with his rich Abbey of Battaile in Sussex or poor Priory of Barnewell nigh Cambridge c. but kept all his pluralities in that nature though otherwise we believe him most bountifull to those of his own Religion 8. The Catholick Princes Meaning Philip and Mary and surely though we cannot insist on the particulars that Kings inclinations are sufficiently known zealous for the promoting of His own Religion However it is almost incredible what a qualme on this occasion came over the hearts of the stoutest Abbey-land Mongers in England fearing in processe of time a reverting of them to their former use the rather because Cardinall Poole in that Act in this Queens Reign to secure Abbey-lands to their Owners without the passing whereof to pacifie so many persons concerned Papistry could not have been restored in that Parliament did not as some think absolve their consciences from restitution But onely made a palliate cure the Church but suspending that power which in due time she might put in execution 3. This made many suspect that such edifices of Abbeys A generall jealousie of Abbey-holders which still were extant entire looked lovingly on their antient Owners in hope to be restord unto them In prevention whereof such as possest them for the present plucked out their eyes by levelling them to the ground and shaving from them as much as they could all Abbey-Characters disguising them as much as might be in a Lay-habit matching and mingling them with lands in another Tenure because on this very motion Abbey lands sunk two years purchase in the common valuation 4. Nor must I forget one passage in Derby-shire Nimianon cautela Non nocet a certain information whereof I have received from that skilful Antiquary and my respected Kinsman Samuel Roper of Lincolnes-Inne how one Thacker being possessed of Repingdon Abbey in Derby-shire alarumed with this news that Q. Mary had set up these Abbeys again and fearing how large a reach such a precedent might have upon a Sunday belike the better day the better deed called together the Carpenters and Masons of that County and plucked down in one day Church-work is a cripple in going up but rides post in coming down a most beautifull Church belonging thereunto adding He would destroy the Nest for fear the Birds should build therein again 5. And now when a Papist have done commending Q. Mary The best work of Q. Mary a Protestant may begin I say Her setting up the Hospitall of the Savoy was a better work than any instanced in by Sanders for the relief of poor people First because poor qua poor may be said to be Jure Divino * Prov. 22. 2. The rich and poor meet together and the Lord maketh them both Not onely as Creatour of their persons but Assigner of their conditions Besides the Poor is a continuall Order in the Church by the words of our Saviour * John 12. 8. The poor ye have alwaies with you but more properly hereof in the Reign of Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth demolisheth the new-erected Convents Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown Violent alterations dangerous was not over-busie at the first but for some moneths permitted all things to remain in statu quo priùs Insomuch that in the first Parliament of Her summoning She sent Her Writs to the aforesaid Lord Prior Tresbam and Abbot Feckenham to make their appearance with the rest of Her Barons in Her Great Councell Whither they repaired and wherein they took their places accordingly 2. Sir Thomas as Lord Prior above but the Abbot beneath all the a See a List of them sitting in Sir Tho Cottons Library Temporal Lords being the lag of the House and placed under Oliver Lord S. John of Blet netsho lately made the second Baron of Queen Eliz Her creation But they had hardly set down on their seats before they were raised up and dissolved with all the rest of the late-restored Orders 3. I have not met to my best remembrance with any Statute A Quaere to the learned in Law enacted in the Reign of Queen Mary whereby She was legally empowred for the re-erection of these Convents done it seems by Her Prerogative by connivance not concurrence of the Parliament Nor can I finde in the first year of Queen Elizabeth any particular Statute wherein as in the Regin of King Henry the eighth these Orders are nominatim suppressed this probably being supposed needlesse as I conceive with submission to the Learned in that Profession their Houses having no Legal settlement Or else when the general Statutes against Superstition were layed like the Ax to the root of the Tree these Orders are under-branches fell of themselves by virtue of the Queens Commission for the same 4. I intended by way of a farewell-Corollary to present the Reader with a List of the Lord Priors of S. Iohn's An imperfect List better than none from Iordanus Briset their first Founder But their Records being all burnt in that fire which was kindled by Straw in his commotion it is impossible to compleat the Catalogue At and since which difaster such as we can recover are not contiguous in times and distanced with many years betwixt them though perhaps
were some earnest determination against them and at length they were brought before the King Himself there being present all the whole Council And the King demanded of them why they had not made His Book according to His commandment and refused that to doe with sharp words and angry countenance and the said Sr. Edward opened unto His Highnesse the cause why they did it not and he and other had before declared and opened to the Councill that if the writings were made they were of no effect nor force but utterly void when the King should decease and the Statute of Succession not impaired nor hurted for these will not be taken away but by the same authority they were made and that was by Parliament To that said the King we minde to have a Parliament shortly not telling when which was the first time that the said Sr. Edward heard of any Parliament to be 〈◊〉 Whereunto he said if His pleasure were so all might be deferred to the Parliament and all dangers and perils saved Whereunto the King said he would have this done and after ratifie it by Parliament And after commanded them very sharply upon their allegiance to make it and there were divers of the Lords that stood behind the said Sr. Edward said and if they refused to do that they were traitours And the said Sr. Edward was in great fear as ever he was in all his life before seeing the King so earnest and sharpe and the said Duke so angry the day before who ruled the whole Councill as it pleased him and were all affraid of him the more is the pitty so that such cowardnesse and feare was there never seen amongst honourable men as it hath appeared The said Sr. Edward being an old weak man and without comfort began to consider with himself what was best to be done for the safeguard of his life which was like to chance in that fury and great anger presently And remembring that the making of the said writing was not presently treason by the Statute of Anno primo because this word Successour would take no place while the King was living and determined with himself not to meddle nor execute any thing concerning the same after the death of the King which he hath truly kept hereunto And also remembring that the Queens Highnesse that now is should come by Act of Succession as a purchaser by the law might not lawfully punish treason or contempt committed in the Kings life he said unto the King that he had served His most noble Father many yeers and also His Highnesse during His time Anno Dom. 1553 and loth he would be to disobey His commandment Anno Regin Mar. 1. for his own part he would obey it so that His Highnesse would grant to them His commandment license and commission under His great Seal for the doing making and executing of all things concerning the same and when the things were done that they might have a general pardon All which Commission and pardon was as much as the said Sr. Edward could invent to help this danger over and besides the things above remembred which Commission and pardon the King granted them saying it was but reason that they should have them both and the Commission is passed the Great Seal and the Pardon was signed and as far as he knew sealed All the said matters considered the said Sr. Edward said for his part he would obey the Kings commandment and so did M. Bromley say the same and the King said to Sr. John Baker what say you you said never a word today who as I take it agreed to the same Mr. Gosnold required a respite for he was not yet perswaded to do the thing required How the said Duke and the Earl of Shrewsburie handled him he can tell best himself And after upon the said Sr. Edwards motion the King gave him licence to be advised untill upon the morrow who of himself being in great fear was content to obey the Kings commandment and so the doers and makers of the said Book with sorrowfull hearts and with weeping eyes in great fear and dread devised the said Book according to such Articles as were signed with the Kings proper hand above and beneath and on every side And their said Commission with Articles so signed with the Kings hand and the Book drawn in paper were conveyed from the Court to the Lord Chancelors to be ingrossed in parchment and to passe the great Seal which was done accordingly And on the morrow next after the last Terme ended the said Sr. Edward and all the Judges were sent for he puts his hand to the Book in parchment sealed with the Great Seal and so did many others The said Book of Articles so signed remaineth with the Lord Chancellour Bishop of Eely but who conveyed the said Paper Book into the Chancery or who wrot them or who set their hands to the same Book the said Sr. Edward till he see them he cannot tell but he will not denie but he was privie to the making of them as he hath before said and that he came to the knowledge of the matter by the Articles unsigned and by the Articles signed with the Kings hand and both delivered unto him by the Kings own hands Who put the King in minde to make the said Articles or whowrote them or any of them or by whose procurement or counsell they were made or by what means he and others were called unto this matter he knoweth not but he thinks in his conscience the King never invented this matter of Himself out by some wonderfull false compasse he prayeth God the truth may be known as he doubts not it will be And further he and all his company as well before the King as before the Lords at all times said that their writings before they were made and after they were made were of no value force nor effect to any intent constitution or purpose after the Kings death and there is no remedy to help this but by Parliament And that after the said Thursday being the morrow after the Terme last past that he by any writing printing overt deed or act never did any thing sithence the same day in the Kings life ne sithence the death of the King for he determined with himself to be no executour of the said devise whatsoever should chance of it nor ever medled with the Councill in any thing nor came amongst them untill the Queens Grace that now is was proclaimed Queen in London nor never executed Commission Proclamation or other commandment from the Ladie Jane nor Her Councill but commanded my son to serve the Queens Grace that now is and to go to Sr. Thomas Tresham and Buckingham-shire-men that went to her Grace to defend Her which he so did to my no little cost The case thus stated these notes follow written with the same hand Now that it is to be considered the great fear the said Sr. Edward was
they kept communion with the Church of England In which sense one may say Anno Regin Eliza. 13. that the whole land was of one language and one specch But now began the tower of Babel to be built and Popery to encrease which brought with it the division of tongues and the common distinction of Papist and Protestant the former now separating themselves from our publick Congregations They went out from us because they were not of us for had they been of us they would have continued with us Indeed the Pope set his mark of favour on such reputed sheep as absented themselves from our Churches henceforward accounting them goats that repaired thither And now began the word Recusant to be first born and bred in mens mouths Which though formerly in being to signify such as refused to obey the edicts of lawfull authority was now confined in common discourse to express those of the Church of Rome 30. Indeed hitherto the English Papists slept in a whole skin Papists their own persecutors and so might have continued had they not wilfully torn it themselves For the late rebellion in the North and the Pope thundring out his excommunication against the Queen with many scandalous and pernicious pamphlets daily dispersed made Her Majesty about this time first to frown on Papists then to chide then to strike them with penalties and last to draw life-blood from them by the severity of Her laws For now the Parliament sate at Westminstâ—r cutting as one may say with a three-edg'd-sword as making sharp edicts against Papists non-Conformists and covetous-Conformists of the Church of England 31. A Parliament cutâ—â—g with three edges Against Papists it was a See the statutes 13 Eliz. enacted that to write print preach express publish or affirme that the Queen was an Heretick Schismatick c. should be adjudged treason Also that it should be so accounted and punished to bring and put in execution any Bulls writings instruments or other superstitious things from the See of Rome from the first of July following A severe Act also was made against Fugitives who being the natural borne subjects of this Realm departed the same without license and fled into forraign parts Against non-Conformists it was provided that every Priest or Minister should before the Nativity of Christ next following in the presence of his Diocesan or his deputy declare his assent and subscribe to all the Articles of Religion agreed on in the Convocation One thousand six hundred sixty and two upon pain of Deprivation on his refusal thereof Against covetous-conformists it was provided that no spirituall person Colledge or Hospitall shall let lease other than for the terme of twenty one years or three lives the rent accustomed or more reserved payable yearly during the said terme 32. Indeed this law came very seasonably Covetous Clergie men bridled to retrench the unconscionable covetousness of some Clergy men who by long and unreasonable leases as the Statute tearmed them dilapidated the lands of their Churches Here it came to pass what the Spouse b Cant. 5. 7. complains that the keepers of the walls tooke her vail away from her It being true what one said that those who should have righted her of her wrongs did wrong her of her rights Many a Bishoprick so bruised it self when it fell vacant that it lost some land before a new Bishop was setled therein where the Elects contracted with their Promoters on unworthy conditions 33. But no armour can be made of proof against the darts of covetousness Covetousness creeps in at a small cranie especially when they come from an high and heavy hand of great men in authority This law was not so cautiously drawn up but that some Courtiers found a way to evade it seeing the Crown was not expressed therein and left capable of such leases as God-willing c Vide 1604. Secundo Reg. Jacobi hereafter shall be largely related by which single shift they frustrated the effect of this law Thus a ship may though not as suddenly as certainly be sunk with one as with a thousand leaks 34. We return to the Queen of Scots Anno Regin Eliza. 14. Anno Dom. 1571 of whom we have heard nothing this three years of Ecclesiasticall cognizance The second letter of Maâ—y Q of Scots to the Pope nor now meet with any thing of that nature save this letter which though somewhat long yet because never as yet printed and acquainting us with some passages in her restraint is not unworthy the perusall Most Blessed Father AFter the kissing of your most holy feet Octob 31. about the beginning of October I received your Holiness Letter written the thirteenth of July by which I understood not only the Benediction which your Holiness sent me and which was and shall be alwayes to me most acceptable but also the great demonstration of your good will to comfort me I rested therewith singularly comforted indeed partly because it was pleased earnestly to recommend both me and the affairs of my estate to the most Potent Princes and especially to the most renouned Kings of France and Spain But withall there is yet remaining on the other part to work so with Christian Princes that making a strict league among themselves they should spare no vigilance nor Travels nor expences once to abate the most Cruell * * This is meant of the Turke and not as some may suspect of Q. Elizabeth Tyrant who continually thinketh of no other thing then to move warr against us all And might it please God that all other things might correspond with my will besides that I were to do the same also your Blessednesse should see it with effect which should be that not only I but also my subjects with a will conform to their body and together with other Christians would put our selves forward to do our utmost force But what thing is there to be seen more worthy of compassion then to see my self fallen into so great infelicity from that happinesse wherein I found my self lately What thing is more lamentable then from a Free-woman as I was to become a Servant To these miseries is added that my Country is at this day * * This letter to the Pope was written in Latine then translated into Italian then retranslated into English Wonder not therefore if it lose some native lustre thereof wrapped in such and so many calamities and beaten down with so many inroads of the English that many and many Towns have been set on fire and flames many Castles and most fair Churches ruinated to the very Foundations But that which is worse my Inhabitants and Subjects without scarce doing the least offence unto them have been more cruelly slain But What shall I say nothing of my self Is it not clear unto all men how I have been continually in divers and sundry perils I call God to witnesse who knows with what greatness of
attesting the same This S r. Francis was afterwards buried in the English Colledge at Valadolid in Spain having bountifully contributed to the erecting thereof 21. James Pilkinton BP of Durham ended his life formerly Master of S t. Johns Colledge in Cambridge The death of B. Pilkington He was as appeareth by many of his letters a great Conniver at Nonconformity and eminent for commencing a Suite against Queen Elizabeth for the lands and goods of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland after their attaindor as forfeited to him Prince Palatine within his Diocess But the Queen prevailed because on her charges she had defended Bishop and Bishoprick against that Rebellion when both his Infant-Daughters conveyed away in Beggars cloaths were sought for to be killed by the Papists These afterwards with foure thousand pounds apiece were married the one to S r. James Harrington the other to M r. Dunce of Bark-shire which portions the Courtiers of that age did behold with envious eyes for which the Bishoprick sped no whit the better 22. The same year concluded the life of Edward Deering an eminent Diviâ—e And of Mr. Deering born of a very ancient and worthy family in Kent bred Fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge a pious man and painfull Preacher but disaffected to Bishops and Ceremonies Once preaching before Queen Elizabeth he told her that when in persecution under her sister Queen Mary her Motto was Tanquam Ovis as a sheep but now it might be Tanquam indomita juvenca as an untamed Heifer But surely the Queen still retained much of her ancient Motto as a sheep in that she patiently endured so publick and conceiveed causeless reproof in inflicting no punishment upon him save commanding him to forbear further preaching at the Court. 23. Rowland Jenkes 20. July 4. 5. 6. a Popish Book-seller was indicted at the Summer Assiscs in Oxford 1577. for dispersing of scandalous Pamphlets defamatory to the Queen and State A strange mortality at Oxford Here on a suddain happened a strange mortality whereof died S r. Robert Bell Lord Chief Baron a great Lawyer S r. Robert De Oile S r. Will. Babington M r. De Oile High Sheriffe M r. Wenman M r. Danvers M r. Fettiplace M r. Hare-Court Justices M r. Kerle M r. Greenwood M r. Foster M r. Nash Gentlemen of good account Sergeant Bernham an excellent Pleader Almost all the Jurie-men and of other persons there present three a Camden his Eliz. in hoc an hundred died in the Town and two hundred more sickning there died in other places within a Moneth Amongst whom not b Stows Chro. pag. 681. either Woman or Child 24. Sanders calleth this Improved by Papists to their advantage ingens miraculum and ascribeth it as a just punishment on the cruelty of the Judge for sentencing the Stationer to lose his Ears Adding moreover that the Protestants whose Philosophers and Physitians could not finde the naturall cause thereof gave it out De schismate pag. 375. that the Papists by Magick arts had procured this infection Sr. Fra Bacon his judgement of infectious smells The best is his words are no slanders 25. But heare how a profound Scholler De schisinate pag. 375. no less happy in finding Anno Dom. 1577. then diligent in searching the mysteries of nature Anno Regin Eliza. 20. and utterly unconcerned in this quarrel Sr. Fra. Bacon his judgement of infectious smells delivereth his judgement in the like case a Naturall Hist Cent teath Num. 914. The most pernicious infection next to the Plague is the smell of the Jaile When Prisoners have been long and clese nastily kept Whereof we have had experience twice or thrice in our time When both the Judges that sate upon the jaile and numbers of those that attended the business or were present sickned upon it and died Therefore it were good wisdome that in such cases the Jaile were aired before they be brought forth Otherwise most dangerous are the smells of mans-flesh or sweat putrified For they are not those stincks which the Nostrills streight abhor and expell which are most pernicious But such aires as have some similitude with mans body And so insinuate themselves and betray the Spirits Of these Mortalities mentioned by this Author the first probably was this at Oxford happening within the verge of youthfull memory the other two at Hereford in the Reigns of King James and King Charls The like chanced some foure years since at Croydon in Surrey where a great depopulation happened at the Assises of Persons of quality and the two Judges Baron Yites and Baron Rigby getting their banes there died few dayes after Yet here no Papists were arraigned to amount it to a Popish miracle so that Saunders his observation is no whit conclusive naturall causes being afforded of such casualties 26. We may remember how in the year Many a Priest executed One thousand five hundred seuenty and one a severe Law was made against such who brought any superstitions Trinkets Badges of the Romish vassalage into England This Law lay Dormant for these last six years and was never put into execution that Papists might not pretend themselves surprised into punishment through the ignorance of the Law so long a time being allowed unto them that they might take serious cognizance of the said statute in this behalf And therefore let such Catholicks who complaine of cruelty herein produce a Precedent of the like lenity amongst them used to Offendors Nove. 30. But now one Cuthbert Maine a Priest was drawn hanged and quartered at Lanston in Cornewall for his obstinate maintaining of the Papall power and one Trugion a Gentleman of that County was condemned to loss of all his goods and perpetuall imprisonment for affording harbour unto him 27. Hitherto the English Bishops had been vivacious almost to wonder The vivacity of English Protestant Bishops For necessarily presumed of good years before entering on their office in the first of Queen Elizabeth it was much that but five died for the first twenty years of her reign * We account in this number not any Popish Bps. nor Scory and Barlow Protestants made in the reign of K Edward The death of P. Bullingham Whereas now seven deceased within the compasse of two years Thus when a generation of contemporary persons begins to crack it quickly falls and the leases of their clay cottage commencing it seems much from the same date at the same terme did expire We will severally reckon them up the rather because all the Remarks of Church-History for those two years is folded up in their characters 28. Nicholas Bullingham began the breach translated from Lincolne to Worcester whereat my b Sr. I. Haring. his addition to B. Godwin Author doth much admire conceiving belike such advancement a degradation and can only render this reason that for his own ease he changed a larger for a lesser Diocess
so to mislike as written in a Romish stile smelling of a Romish inquisition c. I cannot but greatly marvell at your Lordships vehement speeches against them I hope without cause The men are Preachers peaceable your Lordship saith and that they are orderly and observe the Books as some of them say of themselves and you think it not meet that being such persons they should be deprived for not subscribing only wherein I have yielded unto you and therefore have caused these Articles to be drawn according to Law by the best learned in the Laws who I dare say hate the Romish doctrine and the Romish inquisition to the intent I may truly understand whether they are such manner of men or no as they pretend to be which I also take to be the ordinary course in other Courts as in the Sar-Chamber and other places Sure I am it is most usuall in the Court of the Marches Arches rather whereof I have the best experience And without offence be it spoken I think these Articles more tolerable and better agreeing with the rule of justice and charity and less captious then those in other Courts because there men are often examined at the relation of a private man concerning private crimes de propriâ turpitudinê whereas here men are only examined of their publick actions in the publick calling and Ministry and much more in the cause of Heresie because the one toucheth life and the other not And therefore I see no cause why our Judiciall and Canonicall proceedings in this point should be misliked Your Lordship writeth that the two for whom you write are peaceable persons that they deny the things wherewith they are charged and desire to be tried c. Now they are to be tried why do they refuse it Qui malè agit odit Lucem Indeed they shew themselves to be such as I have before shewed to your Lordship the most troublesome persons in all that Countrey and one of them M r Brown is presented for his disorders by the sworn men of the parish as I am informed by the Official there Wherefore I beseech your Lordship not to believe them against me either own words or testimony of any such as animate them in their disobedience and count disorder order and contention peace before they be duly and orderly tried according to that Law which is yet in force and will hardly in my opinion in these Judicial actions be bettered though some abuse may be in the Execution thereof as there I elsewhere also and that peradventure more abundantly Your Lordship saith these Articles are a device rather to seek for offenders then to reform any The like may be said of the like orders in other Courts also but that were the fault of the Judg not of the Law And I trust your Lordship hath no cause to think so evil of me I have not dealt with any as yet but such as have given evident tokens of contempt of Orders and Laws which my Acts remaining on Record will testifie and though the Register do examin them as I think other officers do in other Courts likewise and the Law doth allow of it yet are they repeated before a Judg where they may reform add or diminish as they think good neither hath there been any man thus examined or otherwise dealt with who hath not been conferred with or might not have been if he would these two especially And if they have otherwise reported to your Lordship they do but antiquum obtinere which is to utter untruths a quality wherewith these kinde of men are marvelously possessed as I on my own knowledge and experience can justifie against divers of them I know your Lordship desireth the peace of the Church and unity in Religion but how is it possible to be procured after so long liberty and lack of discipline if a few persons so meanly qualified as most of them are shall be countenanced against the whole estate of the Clergie of greatest account both for learning years stayedness wisdom Religion and honesty And open breakers and impugners of the Law yong in years proud in conceit contentious in disposition maintained against their Governours seeking to reduce them to order and obedience Haec sunt initia haereticorum ortus atque conatus Schismaticorum malè cogitantium ut sibi placeant ut praepositum superbo tumore contemnant sic ab Ecclesia receditur sic altare profanum collocatur foris sic contra pacem Christi ordinationem atque unitatem Dei rebellatur for my own part I neither have done nor do any thing in this matter which I do not think in my conscience and duty I am bound to do which her Majestie hath with earnest charge committed unto me and which I am not well able to justifie to be most requisite for this State and Church whereof next to her Majestie though most unworthy or at least most unhappy the chief is committed unto me which I will not by the grace of God neglect whatsoever come upon me Therefore I neither care for the honour of the place which is onus to me nor the largeness of the Revenues nor any other worldly thing I thank God in respect of doing my duty neither do I fear the displeasure of man nor the evil tongues of the uncharitable who call me Tyrant Pope Knave and lay to my charge things which I never thought Scio hoc enim opus esse diabolt ut servos Dei mendacio laceret opinionibus falsis gloriosum nomen infamet ut qui conscientiae suae luce clarescunt alienis rumoribus sordidentur So was Cyprian himself used and other ancient and Godly Bishops to whom I am not comparable The day will come when all mens hearts shall be opened in the mean time I will depend on him who never forsakes those that put their trust in him If your Lordship shall keep those two from answering according to the order set down it will be of it self a setting at liberty of all the rest and of undoing of all that which hitherto hath been done neither shall I be able to do my duty according to her Majesties expectation And therefore I beseech your Lordship to leave them unto me I will not proceed against them till I have made you privy to their answers and further conferred with you about them because I see your Lordship so earnest in their behalf whereof also they have made publick boasts as I am informed which argueth what manner of persons they are I beseech your Lordship to take not onely the length but also the matter of this Letter in good part and to continue to me as you have done whereof I doubt not for assuredly if you forsake me which I know you will not after so long triall and experience with continuance of so great friendship especially in so good a cause I shall think my coming to this place to have been for my punishment and my hap
the Book of Common-Prayer as namely the use of the Surplis the Interrogatories to God-Fathers c. in the name of the Infants the Cross in Baptism the Ring in Marriage the Thanksgiving after Child-birth Burials by Ministers the Kneeling at Communion some points of the Letany certain Collects and Prayers the reading of portions of Scripture for the Epistle and Gospel and the manner of Singing in Cathedral Churches and others 13. Item That preaching at the Baptizing of one of Job Throgmortons children he spoke much of the unlawfulness and in derogation of the Government Politie Laws and Liturgy Ecclesiastical of this Realm and to the justification of a Government by Elderships in every Congregation and by Conference and Synods c. abroad as Divine Institutions commanded by Christ and the onely lawful Church-government seeking to prove and establish such Elderships out of that word in one of the Psalms where Thrones are mentioned 14. Item That by toleration and impunity he did grow so confident and withal implacable against the Laws Government and Orders of this Church of England that he could not endure M r Bourdman and others preaching sundry times at Warwick to speak in defence thereof but took upon him to confute in sundry Sermons there these things which the said Bourdman had truly and dutifully in that behalf spoken and delivered 15. Item That in his Sermons at Warwick and elsewhere within the said time he often delivered many frivolous strange and undiscreet positions as namely that to kneel down and pray when a man comes into the Church to pray there privately was but to offer the sacrifice of fools That it was requisite all the hearers that were able should stand upon their feet during Sermons and discoursing about women and their child-birth c. did speak thereof so indiscreetly and offensively that sundry of them in great grief had conspired to have mischieved him with stones in the open streets 16. Item That by his perswasions privately and publickly delivered sundry persons in and about Warwick were appointed to impugn both in words and deeds the Laws Orders and rights prescribed by the Book of Common-Prayer insomuch as both his own wife by his procurement and consent refused after child-birth to come and give thanks in such place of the Church and in that solemn manner as thereby is prescribed and some other women also of that Town by such perswasion and example did use the like contempt 17. Item That sundry times or at least once when he communicated at the Lords Supper there he sate or stood upon his feet and divers others induced by his perswasions and example both then and at other times did the like And that at other times there or in other places where he hath communicated both himself and others as he had appointed or perswaded afore did walk along and receive the Sacrament of the Ministers as they passed by him 18. Item That for these and such like disorders he was presented to the Bishop of Wigorne his Ordinary Before whom being convented in the Consistory there he spake to the justification and upholding of such doing of his and of others and there very publickly and offensively affirmed and disputed That the Book of Common-Prayer c. is not established by Law 19. Item That when by authority from the said Bishop for his contempt he was suspended from preaching ab omni functione Ministerii he appealed from the said suspension yet did not prosecute within a year after whereby the cause being according to Law remitted again to the Bishop he the said Thomas Cartwright according to the former proceedings falling again into the sentence of suspension which was also intimated and made known unto him nevertheless in contempt of the Authority Ecclesiastical he hath preached at Warwick Coventry and elsewhere since the said time 20. Item When one of his men-servants had committed Fornication and gotten a bastard in his house he taking upon him the authority of the Ordinary did appoint unto the delinquent a publick form of penance or satisfaction in Saint Maries-Church at Warwick and caused him to perform the same 21. Item Since his placing at Warwick he with others at such times as they thought fit have agreed to have and so have had divers publick Fasts without the Queen her Authority and have invited and perswaded both sundry persons to be there present and also certain to preach to the number of three four or five successively one after another being all noted to be such as mislike and impugn sundry points of the Laws Government and Liturgy Ecclesiastical of this Church of England In which Sermons both he the said Cartwright and such others also as then preached did impugn and enveigh against the present Laws Government Politie and Liturgy Ecclesiastical of this Church of England 22. Item That from time to time since his aboad in Warwick by his practice and dealing he hath nourished a faction and heart-burning of one inhabitant there against another severing them in his own and his followers speeches by the names of The Godly or Brethren favoâ—ring sincerity and The Profane 23. Item That he doth know or credibly heard who were the penners printers or some of the dispersers of the several Libels going under the name of Martin Mar-Prelate of the Demonstration of Discipline of Diotrephes and such like books before it was known to Authority and yet in favour of such and contempt of good laws did not manifest the same to any who had authority to punish it 24. Item that being asked his opinion of such books he answered thus in effect or somthing tending this way viz. meaning the Bishops and others there touched would not amend by grave books and advertisements and therefore it was meet they should thus be dealt with to their further reproach and shame 25. Item that for and in the behalf of the Church of England he penned or procured to be penned all or some part of a little book intituled in one part Disciplina Ecclesiae sacra Verbo Dei descripta and in the other part Disciplina Synodicaex Ecclesiarumusu c. And after it was perused by others whom he first acquainted therewith he recommended the same to the censures and judgements of moe brethren being learned Preachers and some others assembled together by his means for that and other like purposes Which after deliberation and some alterations was by them or most of them allowed as the only lawfull Church government and fit to be put in practice and the wayes and means for the practising thereof in this Realm were also then or not long after agreed or concluded upon by them 26. Item that for the better and more due practise of it within the space of these seven six five foure three two or one year last past the said Thomas Cartwright and sundry others as aforesaid according to former appointment and determinations by them made have met in Assemblies termed Synods more general
Queens officers as they had just cause more strick in searching as her Judges more severe in punishing the Papists Hereupon the Seculars complained that such proceedings against them tearmed persecution by them and justice by our State was caused by the Jesuits and that Parsons especially though he had kindled the fire left others to bear the heat thereof Yea which was more he was not himself contented to sleep in a whole skinn at Rome but lashed others of his own Religion and having got his neck out of the collar accused others for not drawing weight enough taxing the Seculars as dull and remiss in the cause of Religion and to speak plainly they differed as hot and cold poison the Jesuits more active and pragmatical the Seculars more slow and heavie but both maintaining treacherous principles destructive to the common-Wealth 31. If we look now on the Non-Conformists A general calm we shall finde them all still and quiet After a storm comes a calm wearied with a former blustering they began now to repose themselves in a sad silence especially since the executions of Vdal and Penry had so terrified them that though they might have secret designes we meet not their open and publick motions so that this Century affordeth little more then the mortalities of some eminent men 32. We begin with Richard Fletcher Bishop of London The death of Bp Fletcher and Bishop Coldwell bred in Bennet Colledge in Cambridg one of a comly person and goodly presence qualities not to be cast away in a Bishop though a Bishop not to be chosen for them he lov'd to ride the great horse and had much skill in managing thereof condemned for very proud such his natural stately garb by such as knew him not and commended for humility by those acquainted with him he lost the Queens favour because of his second unhappy match and died suddainly more of grief then any other disease with him let me couple another heart-broken Bishop John Coldwell of Salisbury D r of Physick S t Luke we know was both an Evangelist and Physician who never enjoyed himself after he had consented though little better then surprised thereunto to the alienation of Sherborn Manor from the Bishoprick 33. Here I am at a loss for the date of the death of Laurence Humphry The death of Laurence Humfry but confident I hit the but though miss the mark as about this time He was a consciencious and moderate Non-conformist condemned for luke-warm by such as were scalding-hot Dean of Winchester and Master of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford to which he bequeathed a considerable Summ of Gold left in a chest not to be opened except some great necessity urged thereunto But lately whilst D r John Wilkinson was President of the Colledge this Gold was shar'd between him and the fellows And though one must charitably beleeve the matter not so bad as it is reported yet the most favourable relation thereof gave a general distast 34. Sure I am A great Antiquaries good intention discouraged a great Antiquarie lately deceased rich as well in his state as learning at the hearing hereof quitted all his intentions of benefaction to Oxford or any place else on suspition it would be diverted to other uses On the same token that he merrily said I think the bestway for a man to perpetuate his memory is to procure the Pope to Canâ—nize him for a Saint for then he shall be sure to be remembred in their Calender Whereas otherwise I see all Protestant charity subject to the covetousness of posterity to devour it and bury the donor thereof in oblivion 35. M r Baltazer Zanches a Spaniard The charity of a Spanish Protestant born in Sherez in Estremadura founded an alms-house at Totnam high-cross in Middlesex for eight single people allowing them competent maintenance Now seeing Protestant Founders are rare Spanish Protestants rarer Spanish Protestant Founders in England rarest I could not pass this over with silence nor must we forget that he was the first confectioner or comfit-maker in England bringing that mystery to London and as I am informed the exactness thereof continues still in his family in which respect they have successively been the Queens and Kings confectioners 36. A Parliament held at Westminster The acts in the Parliament 1597. 40. wherein the deprivation of Popish Bishops in the first of this Queens Reign was declared legall Some will wonder what need is of this Statute at so many years distance but the Preface intimates the necessity thereof The Legality also of our Bishops and their Officers were again by act of Parliament confirmed And whereas there was a pretended concealment of some lands of the Bishoprick of Norwich the same by act of Parliament were setled on that See and the Exchange of Lands ratified made in the Reign of King Henry the Eight The contemporary convocation did nothing of moment 37. Thomas Stapleton this year ended his life The death of Tho. Stapleton 1598. 41. and was buried at S t Peters Church in Lovain it is written in his Epitaph qui Cicestriae in Anglià nobili loco natus where Cicestriae is taken not for the City but Diocess of Chicester having otherwise good assurance that he was born at Hemfield in Sussex the same year and moneth wherein * See Pitzaeus in his life S r Thomas Moore was beheaded observed by the Catholicks as a grand providence he was a most learned assertor of the Romish Religion wanting nothing but a true cause to defend On one account I am beholding unto him viz. for disswading * Idemibidem Pitzaeus from being a Souldier to be a Scholler whose History of our English writers hath so often been usefull unto me 38. Richard Cosine D r of the Law and Dean of Archeys this year ended his life The death of Dr Cosine One of the greatest Civilians which our Age or Nation hath produced a most moderate man in his own nature but most earnest assertor of the Ecclesiastical discipline as by his printed works doth appear 39. Robert Turner his death was now much bemoaned by the Papists The death of Rob. Turner 1599. 42. he was born at Barstable in Devon bred for a while in Oxford whence flying beyond the Seas he became Canon of Breslaw in Silesia and at the same time Privie Councellor to the Duke of Bavaria falling afterward into his displeasure probably because more pragmatical then became a forrainer however Ferdinand of Gratz afterwards Emperor took him from the Duke to be his own Secretary for the Latine tongue wherein he excelled as by his printed Orations doth appear he lieth buried at Gratz under a handsom Monument 40. Great was the grief of Protestants for the decease of Richard Hooker Anno Regin Eliza. 42. Anno Dom. 1599. The death of Rich. Hooker Turners Country-man as born also in Devon-shire and bred in Corpus-Christi
the Rolls when your Family was not brought but brought back into England where it had flourished Barons many yeares before Plants are much meliorated by transplanting especially when after many years they are restored to their Native soile as Cordiall unto them And thus the continuance and increase of all happinesse to your Selfe and Noble Consort is the unfeigned Prayer of Your Honours most obliged servant THOMAS FVLLER THE CHURCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE Ann. Reg. Bliz. 43. CENT XVII Ann. Dom. 1601 1. THe difference betwixt the Seculars and the Jesuites still continued and increased Wherefore Bishop Bancroft The Seculars fomented by the Bishop of Lond. against the Jesuits counting the Seculars the better but weaker side afforded them countenance and maintenance in London-house accommodating them with necessaries to write against their adversaries hoping the Protestants might assault the Romish cause with the greater advantage when they found a breach made to their hand by the others own dissentions But such who bore no good will to the Bishop beholding the frequent repairing and familiar conversing of such Priests in his house made a contrary construction of his actions and reported him Popishly affected Thus those who publiquely doe things in themselves liable to offence and privately reserve the reasons of their actions in their owne bosomes may sufficiently satisfie their consciences towards God but will hardly avoid the censures of men to which too unwarily they expose themselves With more generall applause was the bounty of Arch Bishop Whitgift bestowed who now finished his Hospitall founded and endowed by him at Croydon in Surrey for a Warden and eight and twenty Brethren As also a Free-Schoole with liberall maintenance for the education of Youth God the best of Creditors no doubt long since hath plentifully re-pay'd what was lent to him in his Members 2. The last Parl. Oct. 17. Nov. 19. in this Queens raigne was now begun at Westm Acts in the last Parliament of Q. Eliz. and dissolved the moneth next following Of such things which at distance may seeme to relate to Church affaires in this Parl. it was Enacted That Overseers of the Poor should be nominated yeerly in Easter week under the Hand and Seale of two a Statute 43. of Q. Eliz. c 2. Justices of Peace and that these with the Church wardens should take care for the reliefe of the Poore binding out of Apprentices c. As also That the Lord Chancellor should award Commissions under the Great Seale into any part of the Realme as cause should require to the b Ibid. cap. 4. Bishop of every Diocese and his Chancellour and any four or more persons of honest behaviour to enquire by oathes of twelve men into the mis-imployment of any Lands or Goods given to pious uses and by their Orders to appoint them to be duly and faithfully paid or employed to their true uses and intents In pursuance of this Statute much good was and is done to this day in severall parts of the Kingdome the Law being very tender that the true intentions of the Donour should take effect as by this eminent instance may appeare By the rule of the Law Copyhold Land cannot be aliened but by Surrender but yet if a man Devise such Land to a Charitable use though it had not been surrendred this is c 15 Jac. in Rivets Cale in Chancery adjudged good and shall be construed an appointment to a Charitable use within this Statute 3. Now if we look into the Convocation Acts of this yeares Convocation parallel to this Parliament therein we shall find that it began with a Latine Sermon of William Barlow Doctor of Divinity and one of Her Majesties Chaplaines afterwards Bishop of Rochester then of Lincolne Preaching on this Text LUKE 19. 13. Negotiamini dum venio In this Convocation Mathew Sutcliffe Doctor of the Law and Deane of Exeter was chosen Prolocutor but nothing save matters of course passed therein Nor finde I any eminent Divine deceased this yeare 4. Francis Godwin doctor of Divinity Francis Godw made Bishop of Landaff Sub-Deane of Exeter Sonne of Thomas Godwin Bishop of Wells like another d In vitâ— Greg. Nazianzen Gregorie Nazianzen a Bishop Son to a Bishop was promoted to the Church of Landaff he was borne in the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth who was not a little sensible of and thankfull for Gods favour unto her in suffering her so long to hold the Helme of the English Church till one borne within her reigne was found fit to be a Bishop He was stored with all polite Learning both judicious and industrious in the study of Antiquity to whom not onely the Church of Landaff whereof he well deserved but all England is indebted as for his other learned Writings so especially for his Catalogue of Bishops He was translated Anno 1617. to Hereford and died many yeares after a very old man in the reign of King CHARLES 5. Now came forth a notable Book against the Jesuites Watson's Quodlibers against the Jesuits written in a Scholastick way by one Watson a Secular Priest consisting of ten quodlibets each whereof is sub-divided into as many Articles It discovereth the Jesuites in their colours ferreting them out of all their burrowes of Equivocation and mentall reservation holding Proteus so hard to it that in despight of his changing into many shapes he is forced to appeare in his own proper forme No intire Answer for ought I can learn was ever returned to this Book The Jesuits according to their old Trick slighting what they cannot confute and counting that unworthy to be done which they found themselves unable to doe Indeed for matters of fact therein they are so punctually reported with the severall circumstances of time and place that the guilty consciences of such as are concerned therein though snapping and snarling at pieces and passages thereof for the main may well give it over for unanswerable 6. Yet the whole Book is written with an imbittered style The black character of Iesuis painted with the Pensil of a Secular Priest so that Protestant Charity hath a better conceit of Jesuits than to account them altogether so bad Take one passage of many e Second Quodliber third Article pag. 62. No no their course of life doth shew what their study is and that howsoever they beast of their perfections holinesse Meditations and exercises yet their platforme is heathenish tyrannicall sathanicall and able to set ARETINE LUCIâ—N MACHIAVEL yea and DON LUCIFER in a sort to schoole as impossible for him by all the art he hath to be-sot men as they doe This is the same Watson who though boasting of the obedience of the Secular Priests to their Soveraigns and taxing the Iesuits for want thereof was notwithstanding himself afterwards executed for a Traitor in the reigne of King Iames. It seemes as well Seculars as Iesuits are so loaden with Loyalty that both need the Gallowes to ease them
not legally be conveyed to any Petitioner Ann. Dom. 1604 Ann Reg. Jac. 2 Thus his Majesty manifested his good will and affection to Religion and although this Law could not finally preserve Church-lands to make them immortall yet it prolonged their lives for many yeares together 12. Passe we now into the Convocation The Acts of this Convocation why as 〈…〉 recovered to see what was done there But here the History thereof as I may say is shot betwixt the joynts of the Armor in the intervall after Whitgift's death and before Bancroft's removall to Canterbury so that I can finde the Originall thereof neither in the Office of the Vicar-generall nor in the Registry of London not can I recover it as yet from the Office of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury where most probably it is to be had the Jurisdiction belonging to them in the Vacancy 13. Take this as the result thereof Many Canon made therein Bishop Bancroft sitting President A Book of Canons was compiled not onely being the summe of the Queens Articles Orders of her Commissioners Advertisements Canons of 1571. and 1597. which were in use before but also many more were added the whole number amounting unto 141. Some wise and moderate men supposed so many Lawes were too heavy a burden to be long borne and that it had been enough for the Episcopall party to have triumphed not insulted over their adversaries in so numerous impositions However an Explanation was made in one of the Canons of the use of the Crosse in Baptisme to prevent Scandall and learned Thuanus in his History taketh an especiall notice thereof 14. Motion being made in this Convocation Bishop Rudd why opposing the oath against Simony about framing an Oath against Simony to be taken by all presented to Churchpreferment Bishop Rudde of St. Davids as conscientious as any of his order and free from that fault opposed it chiefly because he thought it unequall that the Patron should not be forced as well as the Clerk to take that Oath Whereupon it was demanded of him whether he would have the King to take that Oath when he presented a Bishop or Dean and hereat the Bishop sate downe in silence 15. About this time the Corporation of Rippon in York-shire The Petition of the Town of Rippon to Queen Anne presented their Petition to Queen Anne on this occasion They had a faire Collegiate Church stately for the structure thereof formerly erected by the Nobility and Gentry of the Vicenage the meanes whereof at the dissolution of Abbies were seized on by the King so that small maintenance was left to the Minister of that populous Parish Now although Edwin Sands Arch-bishop of York with the Earle of Huntinton Lord Burgley and Sheaffield successively Presidents of the North had recommended their Petition to Qu. Elizabeth they obtained nothing but faire unperformed Promises whereupon now the Ripponeers humbly addressed themselves to Queen Anne and hear her answer unto them ANNA R. ANNE by the grace of God Qu. of England Scotland France and Ireland c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas there hath been lately exhibited and recommended unto us a frame and plat-forme of a Colledge Generall to be planted and established at Rippon in the County of Yorke for the manifold benefit of both the Borders of England and Scotland Upon the due perusing of the plot aforesaid hereunto annexed and upon signification given of the good liking and approbation of the chief points contained therein by sundry grave learned and religious parties and some other of honourable Place and Estate We have thought good for the ample and perpetuall advancement of Learning and Religion in both the borders of our aforesaid Realmes to condescend to yeild our favour and best furtherance thereunto And for the better encouraging of other honourable and worthy Personages to joyn with us in yeilding their bounty and benevolence thereunto We have and do signifie and assure and by the word of a sacred Princesse and Queen do expresly promise to procure with all convenient speed to and for the yearely better maintenance of the said Colledge All and every of the Requests specified and craved to that end in a small Schedule hereunto annexed In confirmation whereof we have signed these Presents by our hand and name above mentioned and have caused our privy Signet to be set unto the same July 4. Dated at our Honour at Greenwich July 4. An. Dom. 1604. and of our Reigne c. After the sealing thus subscribed Gulielmus Toulerius Secretarius de mandate serenissimae Annae Reginae Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae 16. Such need never fear successe King James his bountifull grant who have so potent a person to solicite their suite King James being forward of himselfe to advance Learning and Religion and knowing Christs precept Let your Light shine before Men knew also that Rippon was an advantagious place for the fixing thereof As which by its commodious position in the North there would reflect lustre almost equally into England and Scotland Whereupon he founded a Dean and Chapter of seven Prebends allowing them two hundred forty seven pounds a yeare out of his own Crowne-land for their maintenance 17. I am informed These Lands since twice sold that lately the Lands of this Church are by mistake twice sold to severall Purchasers viz. Once under the notion of Dean and Chapters Lands and againe under the property of Kings Lands I hope the Chapâ—men when all is right stated betwixt them will agree amongst themselves on their bargaine Mean time Rippon Church may the better comport with poverty because onely remitted to its former condition 18. The Family of Love or Lust rather at this time The Petition of the Family of Love to King James presented a tedious Petition to King James so that it is questionable whether His Majesty ever graced it with his perusall wherein they endeavoured to cleare themselves from some misrepresentations and by fawning expression to insinuate themselves into his Majesty's good opinion Which here we present To the King 's most excellent MAJESTY JAMES the first by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. MOst gracious and Sveraigne Lord whereas there is published in a Book written by your Highnesse as an instruction to your most noble * * In his Basilicon Doron Sonne whom Almighty God blesse with much Honour Happinesse and Long life of a People that are of a vile Sect among the Anabaptists called the Family of Love who doe hold and maintaine many proud uncharitable unchristian and most absurd Opinions unto whom your Highnesse doth also give the name of Puritans assuming in the said Book that divers of them as Brown Penry and others doe accord with them in their foule Errours heady and phantasticall Opinions which are there set downe at large by Your Majesty
thereof next Monday-morning October the 27 was fresh in every mans mouth in His MAJESTIE's Chappell in White-Hall at what time the 13 Chap. of S. Luke's Gospel was read for the Lesson appointed for the day by the Rubrick of the Church of England Wherein neer the beginning Or those eighteen upon whom the Tower of Shilo fell and slew them think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Hierusalem I tell you nay but except you repent ye shall likewise perish SECTION VII TO THOMAS SHVGBOROVGH OF BYRDENBURY in VVARWICK-Shire Esquire * * Plut. in his Life THemistocles was wont to say That it was the best Musick for a Man to hear his own Commendation Should I play a Lesson thereof unto your eares insisting on your Bounty to publick BOOKS sure I am the Tune would be more chearfull to me than gratefull to you better pleased in deserving than hearing your own Encomium I therefore will turn my praising of you into praying for you as more proportionable to my publick Profession and acceptable to your modest Disposition MAny Papists not truly humbled with this late sad accident The Archbishops Letter against a Toleration so demeaned themselves that indeed most offensive was their insolence to all true Englishmen the rather because it was generally reported that His Majestie intended a Toleration of Religion which made the Archbishop of Canterbury though under a cloud for his disaster to adventure humbly to present the King with his apprehensions losing with some the reputation of a politick States-man but preserving with others the character of an honest down right Protestant Which Letter though sent and delivered with all privacy came by some whether his friends or foes uncertain to be generally known and afterwards publickly printed as followeth May it please your Majestie I have been too long silent and am afraid by my silence I have neglected the duty of the place it hath pleased God to call me unto and your Majestie to place me in And now I humbly crave leave I may discharge my conscience towards God and my duty to your Majestie And therefore I beseech your Majestie give me leave freely to deliver my self and then let your Majestie doe with me what You please Your Majestie hath propounded a Toleration of Religion I beseech you Sir take into Your consideration what the Act is next what the Consequence may be By your Act you labour to set up that most damnable and heretical Doctrine of the Church of Rome the Whore of Babylon How hatefull will it be to God and grievous unto Your good Subjects the true Professours of the Gospel that your Majestie who hath often disputed and learnedly written against those wicked Heresies should now shew Your self a Patron of those Doctrines which your Pen hath told the world and Your conscience tells Your self are superstitious idolatrous and detestable Adde hereunto what You have done in sending the Prince into Spain without the consent of your Councell the privity and approbation of Your people And though Sir you have a large interest in the Prince as the Son of Your flesh yet hath the People a greater as the Son of the Kingdome upon whom next after your Majestie their eyes are fixed and welfare depends And so tenderly is His going apprehended as believe it Sir however His return may be safe yet the Drawers of Him to that action so dangerous to Himself so desperate to the Kingdome will not passe away unquestioned and unpunished Besides this Toleration which You endeavour to set up by Proclamation cannot be done without a Parliament unlesse your Majestie will let your Subjects see that you will take unto Your self a liberty to throw down the Laws of the Land at Your pleasure What dreadfnll consequence these things may draw after them I beseech your Majestie to consider And above all lest by this Toleration and discontinuance of the true profession of the Gospel whereby God hath blessed us and under which this Kingdome hath for many years flourished your Majestie doe not draw upon the Kingdome in generall and your Self in particular Gods heavy wrath and indignation Thus in discharge of my duty towards God to your Majestie and the place of my calling I have taken humble boldnesse to deliver my conscience And now Sir doe with me what you please 2. What effect this Letter took Toleration the general table-talk argued is unknown sure it is all mens mouths were filled with a discourse of a Toleration for or against it Some no professed Papists but who lived at the signe of the Protestant engage in their Arguments very earnestly in the defence thereof whilst others were as zealous to prove a Toleration intolerable by Reasons drawn both from piety and policy We will onely instance in few out of many as they were bandied on both sides and chiefly such as concern Religion PRO. 1. Argument The Papists of late were grown very peaceable justly recovering the reputation of Loyall Subjects in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth scarce escaped a year without a Treason from them now they vied obedience with Protestants themselves Pity it was but they should be encouraged and their Loyalty fixed for ever by granting them a Toleration 2. We see the same liberty allowed the Hugonites in France to whom the King permits their Churches Ministers Service Sermons Sacraments according to the direction of their own Conscience 3. The King of Spain would be highly affected with this savour allowed to the English Catholicks and this would fasten him in firme friendship to the English Crown to which his amity for the present was not onely usefull but necessary 4. Truth will ever triumph over falsehood and verity gain the victory of errour the Protestanisme notwithstanding the Toleration would get ground on Popery by the demonstration of the Spirit in the Scriptures 5. The Apish and Mimicall Popish Pageant with the toyes and trifles in theâ— service would render their Religion ridiculous No danger that any wise man should ever be seduced thereby 6. Protestant Ministers would bee more painfull in preaching and carefull in residing on their Cures to keep them from infection 7. The thing in effect was already allowed to Papists who now though privately safely celebrated Masse in many places which favourable connivance fell but little short of a Toleration CON. 1. Answer Papists were not more peaceable but more politick than formerly for private ends Though their practise more plausible their Positions and Principles were as pernicious as ever before viz That Princes excommunicated may be deposed No faith to be kept with Hereticks That the Pope c. 2. The case is different This liberty was not so much given to as gotten by the Hugonites so numerous and puissant it was conceived dangerous to deny them such Priviledges Thanks be to God not such as yet the condition of Catholicks in England whose Parâ—y was not so powerfull but certain by such a Toleration
though dying some dayes after Bishop Andrews and indeed great was the conformity betwixt them Both being Sons of Seafaring * Bishop Andrews in London and Felton in Yarmouth Men who by Gods blessing on their industry attained comfortable estates both Scholars Fellows and Masters of Pembrook Hall both great Scholars painfull Preachers in London for many years with no less profit to others than credit to themselves both successively Bishops of Ely This Bishop Felton had a sound Head and a sanctified Heart beloved of God and all good men very Hospitable to all and charitable to the poor He died the 5. of October 1626 and lieth buried under the Communion Table in St. Antholins in London whereof he had been Minister for twenty * Attested unto me by John Norgate his Son in Law eight years One whilst a private man happy in his Curates whereof two Dr. Bowlles and Dr. Westfield afterwards became Bishops and when a Bishop no lesse happy in his learned and religious Chaplains TO JOHN CARY OF STANSTED in HARTFORD-SHIRE Esq RAre is your hapiness in leaving the Court before it left you Not in deserting your attendance on your Master of whom none more constantly observant but in quitting such vanities which the Court then in Power did tender and You then in Prime might have accepted Whilest you seasonably retrenched your Self and reduced your Soul to an Holy Seriousnes declining such expensive Recreations on Principles of Piety as wel as Providence wherewith your Youth was so much affected And now Sir seeing you are so judicious in RACING give me leave to prosecute the Apostles Metaphore in applying my best wishes to you and to your worthy Lady which hath repaired the Losses caused by Loyalty so that you have found in a virtuous Mate what you have lost for a gracious Master Heaven is your Mark Christ your way thither the Word the way to Christ Gods Spirit the Guide to both When in this Race Impatience shall make you to tire or Ignorance to stray or Idleness or Weakness to stumble or Wilfulnes to fall may Repentance raise you Faith quicken you Patience strengthen you til Perseverance bring you both to the Mark. 1. QUeen Mary surprised with some fright Anno Regis Carol. 5 Anno Dom. 1629 The birth and death of Pr. Charles as is generally beleeved antedated the time of her travel by some weeks and was delivered of a Son Wednesday May 13. But a greater acceleration was endeavoured in his Baptisme than what happened at his Birth such the forwardnes of the Popish Priests to snatch him from the hands of those as dressed him had not the care of K. Charles prevented tâ—em assigning Dr. Web then waiting his Moneth to Christen him He died about an houre after the King very patiently bearing the loss as receiving the first fruits of some of his Subjects estates Anno Dom. 1629 Anno Regis Carolis and as willingly paying those of his own Body to the King of Heaven 2. The University of Oxford Oxford Muses Cambridge being then heavily infected with the Plague at once in their verses congratulated the safe Birth and condoled the short life of this Prince and a Tetrastich made by one of Christi-Church thus in making his addresse to the Queen I must not omit Quòd Lucina tuos semel est frustrata Labores Nec fortunantes praebuit illa manus Ignoscas Regina uno molimine Ventris Non potuit Princeps ad triae Regna dari This Prince the next day after was buried by Bishop Laud in the Chappel at Westminster 3. During the sitting of the last Parliament Dr. Leighton his raâ—ling Book May 14 one Leighton a Scotish-man presented a Book unto them had he been an English man we durst call him a Furious and now will terme him a fiery whence kindled let other ghess Writer His Book consisted of a continued railing from the beginaing to the end exciting the Parliament and People to kil all the Bishops and to smite them under the fifth Rib. He bitterly enveyed against the Queen calling her a Daughter of Heth a Canaanite and Idolatress and ZIONSPLEA was the specious Title of his Pamplhet for which he was sentenced in the Star-chamber to be whipt and stigmatized to have his eares cropt and nose slit But betwixt the pronouncing and inflicting this Censure he makes his escape into Bedford-shire 4. The Warden of the Fleet was in a Bushel of Troubles about his escape Recovered after his escape and severely punished though alledging that some helped him over the wal and that he himself knew nothing thereof til the noon after But no plea seemed available for one in his place but either the keeping or recovering of his Prisoner unfortunate in the former he was happy in the latter brought him back into his custody so that the aforesaid censure was inflicted on him It is remarkable that amongst the many accusations charged on Archbishop Laud at his trial the severity on Leighton is not at all mentioned chiefly because though he might be suspected active therein his faults were of so high a nature none then or since dare appear in his defence The Papists boast that they have beyond the Seas with them his Son of an other perswasion 5. Some three yeers since Feoffees to buy in impropriations certain feoffees were though not incorporated by the Kings Letters Patent or any Act of Parliament legally setled in trust to purchase in impropriations with their own and other well disposed Persons money and with their profit to set up and maintain a constant preaching Ministry in places of greatest need where the word was most wanting These consisted of a number neither too few as the work should burden them nor so many as might be a burden to the work twelve in all diversly qualified 1 William Gouge 2 Richard Sibbs Drs. in Divinity 3 C. Ofspring 4 J. Davenport 5 Ralph Eyre 6 S. Brown of Lincolns Inn. 7 C. Sherland 8 John White of Grayes Inn. Middle Temple 9 John Geering 10 Richard Davis 11 George Harwood 12 Francis Bridges Citizens Here were four Divines Anno Regis Caroli 6 Anno Dom. 1950. to perswade mens consciences four Lawyers to draw all conveiances and four Citizens who commanded rich Coffers wanting nothing save what since doth all things some Swordmen to defend all the rest Besides these the Capemerchants as I may term them there were other inferiour Factors Mr. Foxley c. who were imployed by appointment or of officiousnes imployed themselves in this designe 6. It is incredible Begin and precceed hopefully what large sums were advanced in a short time towards so laudable an imployment There are indeed in England of Parish Churches nine thousand two hundred eighty four endowed with Glebe and Tithes But of these when these Feoffees entered on their work three thousand eight hundred fourty five were either or Appropriated to Bishops
Sir Richard Poole and Margaret Countess of Sarisbury who was daughter to George Duke of Clarence Forsake me Quite casting him off because he would not be bred a Papist and goe to Rome THEN An emphatical Monosyllable just in that nick of time The Lord taketh me up Not immediately miracles being ceased but in and by the Hands of Henry Earl of Huntingdon his honorable kinsman providing plentifull maintenance for him 23. However Often silenced and restored after he was entred in the Ministery he met with many molestations as hereby doth appear 1 silenced by The High Commission 1590. in June 2 Bishop Chaderton 1605. April 24. 3 Bishop Neile 1611. in November 4 The Court at Lecest 1630. March 4. 1 restored by The High Commission 1591. in January 2 Bishop Barlow 1608. in January 3 Doctor * Vicar Gen. to Archbishop Abbots Ridley 1625. June 20. 4 The same Court 1631. August 2. And now me thinks I hear the Spirit speaking unto him as once to the Prophet * 24. 27. Ezechiel Thou shal speak and be no more dumb singing now with the Celestiall Quire of Saints and Angels Indeed though himself a Non-conformist he loved all honest men were they of a different judgment minded like Luther herein who gave for his Motto In quo aliquid CHRISTI video illum diligo 24. He was Minister of Ashby de la Zouch fourty and three yeers His long and assiduous preaching This putteth me in minde of Theodosiue and of Valentinian two worthy Christian Emperors their constitutions making those Readers of the Civil Law Counts of the first Order cùm * 〈…〉 lib. 6. tit aâ— adviginti annos observatione jugi Anno Regis Caroli Anno Dom. ac sedulo docendi labore pervenerint when with daâ—ly observation and diligent labor of teaching they shall arrive at twenty yeers Surely the Readers of Gods Law which double that time shal not lose their reward 25. The same yeer died Robert Bolton The death of Bolton born in Lancashire bred in Brasen-nose Colledge in Oxford beneficed at Broughton in Northamptonshire An authoritative Preacher who majestically became the Pulpiz and whose life is exactly * By my good friend Mr. Pagshaw written at large to which I refer such as desire farther satisfaction And here may the Reader be pleased to take notice that henceforward we shall on just grounds for bear the description of such Divines as yeerly deceased To say nothing of them save the dates of their deaths will add little to the readers information to say much in praise or dispraise of them wherein their relations are so nearly concerned may add too much to the Writers danger Except therefore they be persons so eminent for their learning or active for their lives as their omission may make a maâ—m in our History we shall passe them over in silence hereafter 26. Archbishop Laud began to look with a jealous eye on the Feoffees for Impropriations Impropriation Feoffees questioned as who in process of time would prove a thorne in the sides of Episcopacy and by their purchases become the prime Patrones for number and greatness of benefices This would multiply their dependents and give a secret growth to Non-conformity Whereupon by the Archbishops procurement a Bil was exhibited in the Eschequer Chamber by Mr. Noy the Atturny Generall against the Feoffees aforesaid and that great Lawyer endevoured to overthrow as one termed it their Apocrypha Incorporation 27. It was charged against them 8 1632 first Their first acculation that they diverted the charity wherewith they were intrusted to other uses * Being by their Feoffment to eâ—â—ct them where preaching was wanting when erecting a Lecture every morning at St. Antholines in London What was this but lighting candles to the Sun London being already the Land of Goshen and none of those dark and far distant corners where Soules were ready to famish for lack of the food of the word What was this but a bold breach of their trust even in the Eye of the Kingdome 28. They answered that London being the chief staple of charity and the place where the principall contributers to so pious a work did reside And answere thereunto it was but fit that it should share in the benefit of their bounty That they were not so confined to the uses in their Feoffment but that in their choice they might reflect as well on the Eminency as Necessity of the place that they expended much of their own as well as other mens money and good reason they should doe therewith as they pleased 29. It was pressed against them A second charge against them that they generally preferred Non conformists to the Lectures of their Erection To this it was answered that none were placed therein but such whose Sufficiency and Conformity were first examined and approved by the Ordinary to be to such a Degree as the Law required Yea it is said that Mr. White one of the Feoffees privately proffered Bishop Laud at his house in Fulham that if he disliked either the Persons who managed or Order which they took in this work they would willingly submit the alteration to his Lordships discretion 30. In conclusion the Court condemned their proceedings They are overthrown as dangerous to the Church and State pronouncing the Gifts Feoffments and Contrivances made to the Uses aforesaid to be illegall and so dissolved the same confiscating their money unto the Kings use Their criminall part was referred to but never prosecuted in the Star-chamber because the Design was generally approved and both discreet and devout men were as desirous of the Regulation so dolefull at the ruin of so pious a Project 31. Samuel Harsenet about this time ended his life The death of Archbishop Harsenâ—t born in Colchester bred Scholar Fellow Master of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge afterwards Bishop of Chtchester and Norwich Anno Dom. 1633 Anno Regis Caroli 9 Archbishop of York and privy Counsellor He was a zealous asserter of ceremonies using to complain of the first I believe who used the expression of CONFORMABLE PURITANS who practised it out of policy yet dissented from it in their judgments He lieth buried in Chigwell Church in Essex where he built a School with this Epitâ—ph Indignus Eptscopus Clcestrensis indignior Norvicensis indignissimus Archiepiscopus Eboracensis 32. Now the Sabbatarian controversie begun to be revived Bradborn his etroneous opinion which brake forth into a long and hot contention Theophilus Bradborn a Minister of Suffolk founded the first trumpet to this fight who some five yeers since namely anno 1628. set forth a Book dedicated to his Majesty intituled A defence of the most ancient and sacred ordinance of God The Sabbath Day maintaining therein 1. The fourth Commandement simply and entirely moral 2. Christians as well as Jews obliged to the everlasting observation of that day 3. That the Lords-day
May 21. The second May 24 anno 1641. moneths before yet for the entirenesse of the History may now seasonably be inserted I shall take the boldnesse to speak a word or two upon this subject first as it is in it self then as it is in the consequence For the former I think he is a great stranger in Antiquity that is not well acquainted with that of their sitting here they have done thus and in this manner almost since the conquest and by the same power and the sameright the other Peers did and your Lordships now doe and to be put from this their due so much their due by so many hundred yeers strengthned and confirmed and that without any offence nay pretence of any seems to me to be very severe if it be jus I dare boldly say it is summum That this hinders their Ecclesiasticall vocation an argument I hear much of hath in my apprehension more of shadow than substance in it if this be a reason sure I am it might have been one six hundred yeers agoe A Bishop my Lords is not so circumscribed within the circumference of his Diocesse that his sometimes absence can be termed no not in the most strict sense a neglect or hinderance of his duty no more then that of a Lieutenant from his County they both have their subordinate Ministers upon which their influences fall though the distance be remote Besides my Lords the lesser must yeeld to the greater good to make wholsome and good Lawes for the happy and well regulating of Church and Common-wealth is certainly more advantagious to both then the want of the personall execution of their office and that but once in three yeers then peradventure but a month or two can be prejudicall to either I will goe no further to prove this which so long experience hath done so fully so demonstratively And now my Lords by your Lordships good leave I shall speak to the consequence as it reflects both on your Lordships and my Lords the Bishops Dangers and inconveniences are ever best prevented è longinquo this Precedent comes neer to your Lordships the bill indeed hath a direct aspect only upon them but an oblique one upon your Lordships and such a one that mutato nomine de vobis Pretences are never wanting nay sometimes the greatest evills appear in the most fair and specious outsides witnesse the Shipmony the most abominable the most illegall thing that ever was and yet this was painted over with colour of the Law What Bench is secure if to alleage be to convince and which of your Lordships can say that he shall continue a member of this House when at one blow six and twenty are cut off It then behoves the Neighbour to look about him cùm proximus ardet Ucalegon And for the Bishops my Lords in what condition will you leave them The House of Commons represents the meanest person so did the Master his Slave but they have none to doe so much for them and what justice can tie them to the observation of those Lawes to whose constitution they give no consent Anno Regis Carol. 17 the wisedome of former times gave proxies unto this House meerly upon this ground that every one might have a hand in the making of that which he had an Obligation to obey This House could not represent therefore proxies in room of persons were most justly allowed And now my Lords 28 before I conclude I beseech your Lordships to cast your eyes upon the Church which I know is most dear and tender to your Lordships you will see her suffer in her most principall members and deprived of that honour which here and throughout all the Christian World ever since Christanity she constantly hath enjoyed for what Nation or Kingdome is there in whose great and publique assemblies 30 and that from her beginning she had not some of hers if I may not say as essentiall I am sure I may say as integrall parts thereof and truly my Lords Christianity cannot alone boast of this or challenge it only as hers even Heathenism claims an equall share I never read of any of them Civill or Barbarous that gave not due honour to their Religion so that it seems to me to have no other originall to flow from no other spring then nature it self But I have done and will trouble your Lordships no longer how it may stand with the honour and justice of this house to passe this Bill I most humbly submit unto your Lordships the most proper and only Judges of them both His second Speech I shall not speak to the preamble of the Bill that Bishops and Clergy-men ought not to intermeddle in temporall affaires For truly My Lords I cannot bring it under any respect to be spoken of Ought is a word of relation and must either refer to Humane or Divine Law to prove the lawfulnesse of their intermedding by the former would be to no more purpose than to labour to convince that by reason which is evident to sense It is by all acknowledged The unlawfulnesse by the later the Bill by no means admits of for it excepts Universities and such persons as shall have honour descend upon them And your Lordships know that circumstance and chance alter not the nature and essence of a thing nor can except any particular from an universall proposition by God himself delivered I will therefore take these two as granted first that they ought by our Law to intermeddle in Temporall affaires secondly that from doing so they are not inhibited by the Law of God it leaves it at least as a thing indifferent And now my Lords to apply my self to the businesse of the day I shall consider the conveniency and that in the severall habitudes thereof But very briefly first in that which it hath to them meerly as men quà tales then as parts of the Commonweale Thirdly from the best manner of constituting Laws and lastly from the practice of all times both Christian and Heathen Homo sum 1. nihil humanum à me alienum puto was indeed the saying of the Comedian but it might well have become the mouth of the greatest Philosopher We allow to sense all the works and operations of sense and shall we restrain reason Must only man be hindred from his proper actions They are most fit to doe reasonable things that are most reasonable For Science commonly is accompanied with conscience so is not ignorance they seldome or never meet And why should we take that capacity from them which God and nature have so liberally bestowed My Lords 2. the politick body of the Common-wealth is analogicall to the body naturall every member in that contributes something to the preservation of the whole the superfluity or defect which hinders the performance of that duty your Lordships know what the Philosopher calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 natures sinne And truly my Lord to be part of the
his own possession 24. And now Meruit sub Parliamento in Wallia is the wonder of all men Condemned by all Royalists I confess he told his kinsman who related it to me that if he might have the convenience to speak with his Majesty but one half-houre a small time for so great a task he doubted not but to give him full satisfaction for his behaviour Sure it is those of the Royall Party and his own Order which could not mine into his invisible motives but surveyed only the sad surface of his actions condemn the same as irreconcileable with the principles he professed And though hereby he escaped a Composition for his estate in Goldsmiths-Hall yet his memory is still to compound and at what rate know not with many mouths before a good word can be afforded unto it But these perchance have never read the well latined Apologie in his behalf And although some will say that they that need an Apologie come too near to fault the word as commonly taken sounding more of excuse then defence yet surely in its genuine notation it speaks not guilt but allwayes greatness of enemies and opposers 25. Of all English Divines since the Reformation Humane inconstancy he might make the most experimental Sermon on the Apostles words By honour and dishonour by ill report and good report though the method not so applyable as the matter unto him who did not close and conclude with the general good esteem losing by his last compliance his old friends at Oxford and in lieu of them finding few new ones at London 26. Envie it self cannot deny His acts of charity but that whithersoever he went he might be traced by the footsteps of his benefaction Much he expended on the repair of Westminster-Abby-Church and his answer is generally known when pressed by Bishop Land to a larger contribution to S. Pauls that he would not rob Peter to pay Paul The Library of Westminster was the effect of his bounty and so was a Chappel in Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford having no other relation thereunto than as the name-sake * I believe He also was Visitor thereof of his Bishoprick so small an invitation will serve to call a coming charity At S. Johns in Cambridge he founded two Fellowships built a fair Library and furnished it with books intending more had his bounty then met with proportionable entertainment But Benefactors may give money but not gratefull minds to such as receive it 27. He was very chast in his conversation Purged from unjust aspersion whatsoever a nameless author hath written on the contrary Whom his Confuter hath stiled Aulicus è Coquinariâ or The Courtier out of the kitchin and that deservedly for his unworthy writings out of what Dripping-pan soever he licked this his sluttish intelligence For most true it is as I am certainly informed from such who knew the privacies and casualties of his infancy this Arch-Bishop was but one degree removed from a Misogynist yet to palliate his infirmity to noble females he was most compleat in his courtly addresses 28. He hated Popery with a perfect hatred A perfect Anti-Papist and though oft declaring freedom and favour to imprisoned Papists as a Minister of state in obedience to his office yet he never procured them any courtesies out of his proper inclinations Yea when D r 〈…〉 the new Bishop of Calcedon at the end of King James His Reign first arrived in England he gave the Duke of Buckangham * Cabala part 1. pag. 81. advice in case other circumstances conveniently concurred that the Judges should presently proceed against him and hang him out of the way and the King cast the blame on Arch-Bishop Abbots or himself prepared it seemeth to undergo his Royal displeasure therein 29. Not out of Sympathy to Non-conformists Favour of some Nonconformists but Antipathy to Bishop Laud he was favourable to some select persons of that opinion Most sure it is that in his greatness he procured for M r Cotton of Boston a toleration under the Broad Seal for the free exercise of his Ministry not withstanding his dissenting in Ceremonies so long as done without disturbance to the Church But as for this Bishop himself he was so great an honourer of the English Liturgie that of his own cost he caused the same to be translated into Spanish and fairely printed to confute their false conceit of our * Cabala part 1. pag. 79. Church who would not beleeve that we used any Book of Common-Prayer amongst us 30. He was of a proper persons The character of his person comely countenance and amiable complexion having a stately garbe and gate by nature which suppose him prouder then he should be made him mistaken prouder then he was His head was a well filled Treasury and his tongue the faire key to unlock it He had as great a memory as could be reconciled with so good a judgement so quick his parts that his extempore-performances equalized the premeditations of others of his profession He was very open and too free in discourse disdaining to lie at a close guard so confident of the length and strength of his weapon 31. Thus take we our farewell of his memory His savoury speech concluding it with one of his speeches as savourie I beleeve as ever any he uttered wherein he expressed himself to a grave Minister coming to him for Institution in a living I have saith he passed thorough many places of honour and trust both in Church and State more then any of my Order in England this seaventy years before But were I but assured that by my preaching I had converted but one soule unto God I should take therein more spiritual joy and comfort than in all the honours and offices which have been bestowed upon me 32. He died as I take it His death on our Lady-day Anno 1649. Sure I am on the 25. of March leaving a leading case not as yet decided in our Law whether his halfe years rents due after Sunrise should goe with his Goods and Chattels unto his Executor or fall to his Heir The best was such the Providence of the Parties concerned therein that before it came to a Suite they seasonably compounded it amongst themselves 33. Come we now to present the Reader with a List of the principal Ordinances of the Lords and Commons A list of Parliament Ordinances touching Religion which respected Church-matters 1646. I say principal 22. otherwise to recite all which wear the Countenance of an Ecclesiastical Tendency some of them being mingled with civil affairs would be over-voluminous Yea I have heard that a great * Sr. Simons D'ewes Antiquary should say that the Orders and Ordinances of this Parliament in bulke and number did not only equall but exceed all the Laws and Statutes made since the Conquest it will be sufficient therefore to recite Titles of those most material going a little
if he had not been the first commencer of his Order but absolutely the first that ever took the degree of Doctorship in Cambridge Contrary to the express testimony of learned Authors herein John Bale de Script Brit. p. 312 John Pits De Ang. Scrip. p. 388 Originally a Carmelite in Norwich and therefore knowing in the men and matters of his own Order informeth us that Humphrey Necton a Suffolk man by birth and Carmelite by order Ex omni sua factione primus tandem fult qui Theologicus Doctor fit effectus An Oxford man by education and therefore his testimony not to be refused by the Oxford Antiquary acquainteth us that the said Necton Cantabrigiae Ordinis sui omnium primus creatus est sanctae Theologiae Doctor was the first of his Order made Doctor in Divinity This Necton was afterwards publick Professor in Cambridge and set forth a Book which he termed his Lecturas Scholasticas 8. Now although Patience be a principal virtue amongst all those which Cambridge professeth and practiseth Pâ—tâ—us Blesensis to be believed before Brian Twine yet can she not but complain of Oxford Antiquary his injurious dealing herein in making her solemnity of Graduation then first to begin The best is Petrus Blesensis who wrote in the reign of King Henry the second almost one hundred years before Necton's birth sufficiently cleareth this point and confuteth this cavil when affirming n In appendice ad Irguâ—phuâ— Crowlaâ— densem that in his time Cambridge did make glad the Church of God and all England per plurimos Magistros Doctorèsque inde exeuntes 9. Notwithstanding the frequency of dysasters formerly mentioned Cambridge quickly outgrow her miseries much indebted therein to the care and courtesie of the King Anno Regis Hen. 3. 54 July 24 Amongst many of his Royall-boons Anno Dom. 1270 this not the least that in favour of the Scholars he now renewed his former Letters to prohibit any Tiltings or Turnaments to be kept within five miles of Cambridge according to the tenour following Rex r Ex Rotâ—lo patentium de anno 〈◊〉 Regâ— Henrici 〈◊〉 nuâ—neâ—o 330 in Tâ—â—re London omnibus ad quos presentes liter ae pervenerint salutem Quia dilect is nobis in Christo Magistris caeteris Scholaribus Universitatis Cantabr per Comites Barones Milites alios torneamenta ibidem exercentes aventur as quaerentes ad Arma â—untes frequentibus solent pericula incommoda multipliciter evenire quae si tolerarentur in discidium ibidem studentium per processum temporis cedere possint manifestè quod sustineâ—e nolumns sicut nec debemus Nos indemnitati Magistrorum scholarium volgntes in hac parte quatenus fieri poterit providere concessimus eis degratia nostra speciali quod torneamenta aliqua aventurae justae seu hujusmodi hastiludia non fiant de caetere in villa praedicta seuper quinque milliaria circumqâ—aque Et prohibemus sub gravem forisfacturam nostram ne quis de Regno nostro apud Villam praedictam seu alibi infra praedicta quinque milliaria circumquaque torneare Justas facere seu aventuras vel alia hastiludia quaerere praesumat contra concessionem nostram praedictam In cujus rei testimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus patentes Teste meipso apud Westmon xxiiij die Julii anno Regni nostri quinquagesimo quarto 10. The same year Prince Edward came to Cambridge Prince Edward ordereth an agreement between the Scholars and Townsmen one no less fortunate in peace than victorious in war Here he understood that frequent differences did arise betwixt the Scholars and Townsmen for the future preventing whereof he caused an Instrument to be drawn up and three seals annexed unto it viz. his own and the publique seals of the University and Town of Cambridge Herein it was agreed betwixt them that once every year viz. after Michaelmas when the Masters resumed their Lectures five discrect Scholars should be chosen out of the Counties of England three Scotish-men two Welshmen three Irish-men thirteen in all which joyned with ten Burgesses seaven out of the Town and three out of the Suburbs should see that the peace was faithfully kept betwixt all the Students and Inhabitants By Suburbs here we understand so much of the Town as was left out of the line of the Kings-ditch which to make it the shorter and stronger took not in the stragling streets beyond the gates 11. For as yet No Uuniversity as yet in Scotland and Ireland and for some succeeding ages no University in Ireland And although some forty years after viz. anno 1320. Alexander Bicknor Archbishop of Dublin obtained of the Pope priviledges for an University and erected Lectures at Dublin yet presently the troublesome times frustrated so good a designe till towards the end of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth As for Scotland it was University-less till Laurence Lundor is and Richard Crovel Doctors of civil-Civil-Law first professed learning at St. Andrews some hundred years after Til which time the Scotish youth repaired to Cambridge and Oxford for their education as their Bishops did to York for consecration till they got an Archbishop of their own in the reign of King Edward the fourth 12. See now Cambridge an University indeed Cambridge receives all Countries by the universality 1. Studiorum not confined as in Grammar-Schools to one faculty but extended to the generality of Arts. 2. Studentium not restrained to one Country or Kingdom but admitting forainers as well as natives So that Brian Twine might well have omitted his needless and truthless marginal Å¿ Lib. 3. pag 270. note Cantabrigiense studium Henrici â—ertis temporibus valde fuit obscurum fi ullum 13. 1276 Now began some differences between the Scholars in the University Edward the first 4 and the Arch-Deacon of Ely A composition betwixt the University of Cambridge and Archdeacon of Ely who summoned them unto his Courts Anno Dom. 1276 and by virtue of his Office would have proceeded against them for non-appearance Anno Regis Edw 1. 4 The Scholars denyed any subjection due unto him and after an hot contest both sides referred themselves to Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely who decided the controversy as followeth Universis a Extant in an old book of the Aâ—chdeacons of Elie now in the possession of my worthy friend that judicious Antiquary Mr. â—ore late follow of Caius Coll. who for me kindly transcribed and faithfully compared it Christi fidelibus praesentes literas inspecturis Hugo Dei gratiâ Eliensis Episcopus salutem in Domino Ad Universitatis vestrae notitiam tenore praesentium volumus pervenire quod nos affectantes tranquillitatem pacem Universitatis nostrae Cantabr Regentium Scholarium studentium in eadem volentesque ut tam archidiaconus noster Eliensis circa sibi subditos quà m cancellarius Universitatis ejusdem circa scolares suos it a
Wares and Weights at Sturbridge Fair. Thirdly That no Action be brought by any Townsman against Scholar or Scholars Servant save onely in the Court of the Chancellour Fourthly That the University have power to punish and amerce all Fore-stallers Regrators c. paying a Rent of ten pounds a year for that Priviledge into the Exchequer This their Power extending to the Town and Suburbs thereof from which Clause of Suburbs the Lord b Vide ut supra Coke collects and concludes Cambridge then to be a City in Reputation 45. We must not forget that at the same time Focalia Focalia prized by the Chancellour that is all kind of Fewell Wood Coales Turf c. was then subjected to the Chancellour as to set the Price thereof Seeing the Townsmen had so little Wit and Honesty as to make Fewell of Kings Charters hereafter they should meddle no more with Materialls for Fire Thus ill Manners occasion good Laws as the Handsome Children of Ugly Parents Iohn Nekton Chancellour 1384 46. The University now began to grow sensible of a great Grievance 8 caused by the Minors or Franciscan Friars An Order that no Scholar is to be admitted under 18 yeares of Age. For they surprized many when Children into their Order before they could well distinguish betwixt a Cap and a Coule whose time in the University ran on from their Admission therein and so they became Masters of Arts before they were Masters of themselves These Vniversity-Boyes for Men they were not wanting Wit to manage their Degrees insolently domineered over such who were their Iuniors yet their Elders To prevent future Inconveniences in this kind the Chancellour and University made an Order that hereafter none should be admitted Gremialls under eighteen years of Age. 47. The Minors or Franciscans were much netled hereat Anno Regis Rich. 2. 8 who traded much in such tender Youth Anno Dom. 1384 Minors and Children agree well together The Franciscans oppose this Order and a Pitz de Script Ang. in An. 1384. William Folvil a Franciscan wrote an Invective against the Act of the University as injurious to the Priviledges of this Order it being against Monasticall Liberty to be stinted to any Age for the Entrance therein 48. I find not what was the Issue of this Contest The Issue uncertain but believe that the University never retracted their Order though it stands not in Force this day wherein many of yonger Age are daily admitted And seeing mans Life is now shortened it is but reason that what we want of our Ancestours in long Running we should supply in soon Starting Let the Water-men of London whose violent Work requires robustious Bodies make an Order in their Hall that none under the Age of eighteen should be bound Apprentice in their Company Ability is more to be respected then Age in the Sonnes of the Muses in whom often Eruditio supplet Aetatem Nor is there to my knowledge any Prohibition in this kinde observed save that they fright Scholars of a low Stature with a jocularie Tradition That none are to commence which are not higher then the Bedles Staff 49. A great Schisme hapned this year in the Regent-house about the Choice of a new Chancellour I find not who carried the Place and therefore probably the old one still continued Thomas de Hetherset 10 Chancellour Richard Maycent 1386 Proctour 50. Pope Urbane the sixth gave licence to Beneficed men to be Non-residents for five years and follow their Studies in the University if allowed by the Chancellour for the same William Colvil 12 Chancellour 1388 Iohn Wace Rich. Baston Proctours 51. A Parliament was called at Cambridge A Parliament kept at Cambridge a Place at this time very convenient for that purpose For he that will hinder the Hide from rising up on either side must fix his Foot on the Middle thereof Cambridge was well nigh the Centre of those Eastern Counties lately mutinous with Popular Commotions The King for his Privacy was pleased to prefer Barnwell Priory for the place of his Repose though otherwise Kings-Hall founded by his Grandfather was prepared for his Entertainment where all things were so conveniently contrived that the Courtiers had all Lodgings and Offices by themselves without meeting with the Scholars save onely in the passage towards the Kitchin William Courtney Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Edmond Langly Earle of Cambridge lodged in the Convents of the Carmelites being of the largest Receit of any Religious House in Cambridge A sad Accident happened as the King rode in State to the House One S r. Thomas Trivet attended his Majestie which Knight being mounted on an unruly Horse was cast off brake his Entrails and died the next day 52. By the way Canterbury misprinted for Cambridge in the Statute-book me thinks Cambridge might bring an Action of Trespasse against all our printed Statute-books for depriving her of the Honour of this Parliament and rendering the place Canterbury in stead of Cambridge in the Preface to the Acts thereof This Inconvenience cometh from contracting long words in writing when there be two Names whose Faces as I may say I mean their Beginnings are the same and whose lower parts though much differing being cut off with a Dash causeth a Confusion betwixt them And although by the Tower Rolls and other excellent b Thomas Walsingham and Henry Knighton in their lives of Richard the second The excellent statutes of Cambridge Parliament Authours this Parliament appeareth kept at Cambridge not Canterbury yet as if Prescription turned Usurpation into lawfull Possession the Lawyers will not amend this Mistake The best is it matters not where good Statutes be made so they be made the Place being not essentiall unto them 53. Many and good were the Laws enacted in this Parliament besides the Confirmation of those made in the Reign of King Edward the third Anno Dom. 1388 viz. Anno Regis Richardi 2. 12 That the manly and Martiall Exercise of Archery should be generally used Secondly a Statute was made against the multitude of Servants great Lords keeping then little Armies in their Families which soon after occasioned the Wars betwixt the Houses of York and Lancaster And whereas it was the generall Complaint that men were grown so vain and expensive in their Cloaths that Servants were not to be known from their Masters the Clergy from the Laiety something was ordered for the Regulating of Apparell the Wages of Labourers and removing the Staple 54. We must not forget that in this Parliament a Statute was made also against Wanderers Against wandring Scholars and particularly against Scholars of both the Universities that they should not go about without Licence from the Chancellour Indeed I have ever beheld begging Scholars as the most improper Object of Charity who must be vicious or else cannot be necessitous to a Mendicant condition But since I have revoked my
seaven hundred ninety five pounds two shillings and a penny all bestowed by charitable people for that purpose Amongst whom Thomas Barow Dr. of Civil law Arch-deacon of Colchester formerly Fellow of Kings hall and Chancellor of his house to King Richard the third gave for his part two hundred and fourty pounds 55. One may probably conjecture The foundation of Christs-Colledge that a main motive which drew King Henry this year to Cambridge was with his presence to grace his mothers foundation of Christs-Colledge now newly laid without Barnwell-gate over against St. Andrews-Church in a place where Gods house formerly stood founded by King Henry the sixth This King had an intention had not deprivation a civil death prevented him to advance the Scholars of this foundation to the full number of sixty though a great fall never more than foure lived there for lack of maintenance Now the Lady Margaret Countess of Richmond and Darby acounting her self as of the Lancaster-line heir to all King Henries godly intentions onely altered the name from Gods-house to Christs-Colledge and made up the number viz. One Master twelve Fellows fourty seaven Scholars in all sixty 56. Great and good were the lands The fair endowments thereof which this Lady by her last Will bestowed on this Colledge in severall Counties In Cambridge-shire the Manors of Malton Meldred and Beach with divers lands and rents elsewhere in that County Leicester-shire Aliàs Disworth the Manor of Ditesworth with lands and tenements in Ditesworth Kegworth Hathern and Wolton Northfolk All these I have transcribed out of her last Will. the Abbey of Creyke which was in the Kings hands as dissolved and extinct settled by the Popes authority and the Kings licence Essex the Manor of Royden Wales Manibire an Impropriation This Lady being of Welsh affinity a Teuther by marriage and having long lived in Wales where her Sonne King Henry the seaventh was born in Pembroke thought fitting in commemoration thereof to leave some Welsh land to this her foundation 5. Once the Lady Margaret came to Christs-Colledge A Lady of pity to be hold it when partly built This I heard in a Clerum from Dr. Collings and looking out of a window saw the Deane cal a faulty Scholar to correction to whom she said Lentè lentè gently gently as accounting it better to mitigate his punishment than procure his pardon mercy and justice making the best medley to offenders 6. John Maior a Scotishman John Maior a Student in Christs Colledge and a Scotish Historian of good account was onely for the terme of three moneths a Student in this Colledge as himself acknowledgeth He reporteth that the Scholars of Cambridge in his time Lib. de gest Scotorum c. 5. usually went armed with bowes and swords which our learne * Cain Hist Ac. Can. p. 74 Antiquary is very loth to beleeve except it was John Maior his chance to come to Cambridge in that very juncture of time when the Scholars in fend with the Townsmen stood on their posture of defence Thus Pallas her self may sometimes be put to it to secure her wit by her weapons But had Maior lived as many years as he did but moneths in this University he would have given a better account of their peaceable demeanour 7. John Leland John Leyland Fellow therein that learned Antiquary was a Fellow of this Foundation as he gratefully professeth Anno Regis Hen. 7. 21 I account it therefore in my self an excusable envie Anno Dom. 1505 if repining that the rare Manuscripts of his collections were since his death bestowed on Oxford Library In vita Regis Seberti fol. 70 and not here where he had his education But I remember a Maxime in our Common Law wherein the Lands such are Books to Scholars of a Sonne deceasing without heirs fall rather to his Uncle or Aunt than Father or Mother 7. Many yeers after the founding of this Colledge Reformation of augmentation complaint was made to King Edward the sixth of superstition therein the Master and twelve Fellowes of this Christ-Colledge superstitiously alluding to Christ and his twelve Apostles Probably the peevish informers would have added that the Discipuli or Scholars in this House were in imitation of Christs seventy Disciples save the number corresponds not as being but fourty seven by the originall foundation Hereupon King Edward altered this number of twelve not by Subtraction the most easie and profitable way of reformation but Addition founding a thirteenth Fellowship and three Scholarships out of the impropriation of Bourn which he bestowed on the Colledge and so real charity discomposed suspected superstition This good King also gave the Colledge in lieu of the Mannor of Royden which he took from it the entire revenues of Bromwell Abbey such was his bountifull disposition Nor can it be proved that in his own person he ever did to any an injurious action though too many under him if those may be termed under him who did what they pleased themselves were too free of their favours in that nature 9. It may without flattery be said of this house The worthies of this Colledge Many daughters have done vertuously but thou excellest them all if we consider the many Divines who in so short a time have here had their education Prov. 31. 29. Let Papists tell you of Richard Reignalds Doctor of Divinity a Monk of Zion of William Eximew a Carthusian both bred here and martyred say they for the Catholique cause Anno 1535. of Richard Hall who ran beyond the Seas Pitzeut in Cent. ult became Canon of Cambray and wrote the manuscript-life of Bishop Fisher we chiefly take notice of the Divines bred here since the Reformation Masters Bishops Benefactors 1 John Sickling Fellow of Gods-House first Master 2 Richard Wiat Dr. of Divinity 3 Thomas Tompson D. D. a good Benefactor 4 John Watsonne D. D. 5 Henry Lockwood D. D. 6 Richard Wilks D. D. chosen 1549. 7 Cuthbert Scot D. D. chosen 1553. 8 William Taylor D. D. chosen 1557. 9 Edward Hawford D. D. chosen 1559. he was a good Benefactor 10 Edmond Barwell D. D. chosen 1581. 11 Valentine Carey D. D. chosen 1610. 12 Thomas Bainbrigg D. D. chosen 1620. 13 Samuel Bolton 14 Ralph Cudworth 1 Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester 1535. and Martyr 2 Nicholas Heth * So saith Dr. Willet in his dedication of his Comment on Samuel to this Colledge Indeed I finde one Heth but not his Christian name fellow of this Colledge 1520 Archbishop of York 1553. 3 Cuthbert Scot Bishop of Chester 1556. 4 William Hughs Bishop of St Asaph 1573. 5 Anthonie Watson Bishop of Chichester 1596. 6 Valentine Carey Bishop of Exeter 1620. D. Johnson Arch-bishop of Dublin Brute Babington Bishop of Derrie in Ireland George Dounham Bishop of Derrie in Ireland William Chappel Bishop of in Ireland William Chappel Bishop of in Ireland 1 John Fisher Bishop of
Rochester 2 Sir Walter Mildmay Knight 3 Richard Risley 4 Dr. Patison 5 Philip Rawlins 6 Mr. Jennings 7 Nicolas Culverwell 8 Thomas Laughton 9 Mr. Wentworth 10 Robert Isham 11 Richard Bunting 12 Richard Car. Learn Writ Fellowes Learn Writ no Fel. Livings 1 Edward Dearing 2 John More Preacher in Norwich he made the excellent Map of the Land of Palestine 3 Hugh Broughton a learned Man especially in the Eastern languages but very opinionative 4 Andrew Willet one of admirable industry 5 Richard Clerk one of the Translators of the Bible and an eminent Preacher at Canterbury 6 William Perkins 7 Thomas Morton a melancholy Man but excellent Commentator on the Corinthians 8 Francis Dillingham a great Grecian and one of the Translators of the Bible 9 Thomas Taylor a painfull Preacher and profitable Writer 10 Paul Bains he succeeded Mr. Perkins at St. Andrews 11 Daniel Rogers one of vast parts lately deceased 12 William Ames Professor of Divinity in Holland 13 Joseph Mede most learned in mysticall Divinity 1 Anthonie Gilby he lived saith Bale in Queen Maries reign an exile in Geneva 2 Arthur Hildersham Haereticorum malleus 3 John Dounham lately deceased Author of the worthy work of The holy Warfare 4 Robert Hill D. D. he wrote on the Lords Prayer 5 Edward Topsell on Ruth 6 Thomas Draxe 7 Elton 8 Richard Bernard of Batcomb 9 Nathaniel Shute another Chrysostome for preaching 10 William Whately 11 Henry Scuddar Kegworth R. in Lincoln Dioc. valued at 25 l. 15s 8d Toft R. in Ely Dioc. 6l 16s 9d Cauldecot R. in Ely Dioc. valued at 3l 12s Bourn V. in Ely Dioc valued at 9l 15s 9d Clipston duarum partium R. in Peterb Dioc. valued at 11l 12s 8d Helpston V. in Peterb Dioc. valued at 8l 4d Nawmby R. in Lincoln valued at 17l 9s 10d Croxton V. in Norwic. valued at 6l 13s 4d Maverbyre V. in St. Davids Dioc. valued at 8l Ringsted V. in Norwic. Dioc. valued at Gately V. in Norwic. Dioc. valued at 3l 2s 8d Hopton V. in Norwic. Dioc. valued at With many moe Worthies still alive Anno Regis Hen. 7. amongst whom Anno Dom. Mr. Nicolas Estwich Parson of Warkton in Northamptonshire a solid Divine and a great advancer of my Church-History by me must not be forgotten I have done with Christ-Colledge when we have observed it placed in St. Andrews Parish the sole motive by Major * Lib. 1. fol. 8. Foâ— quod ipsum in St. Andrâ—ae Parochia sicum offendi his own confession making him to enter himself therein a Student St. Andrew being reputed the tutelar Saint of that Nation Had Emmanuel been extant in that age he would have been much divided to dispose of himself finding two so fair foundations in the same Parish 10. Be the following caution well observed Caution generall which here I place as in this mid'st of this our History that it may indifferently be extended to all the Colledges as equally concerned therein Let none expect from me an exact enumeration of all the Worthies in every Colledge seeing each one affordeth Some Writers from me concealed Let not therefore my want of knowledge be accounted their want of worth Many most able Scholars who never publiquely appeared in print nor can their less learning be inferred from their more modesty Many pious Men though not so eminently learned very painfull and profitable in Gods Vineyard Yea the generall weight of Gods work in the Church lieth on Men of middle and moderate parts That servant who improved his two * Math. 25. 22. talents into four did more than the other who encreased his five into ten Trades-men will tell you it 's harder to double a little than treble a great deale seeing great banks easily improve themselves by those advantages which smaller summs want And surely many honest though not so eminent Ministers who employ all their might in Gods service equal if not exceed both in his acceptance and the Churches profit the performances of such who farre excell them in abilities John Eccleston 22 Vice-Chan Edm. Natares Proc. Drs. of Divinity 12. Tho. Swayn 1506 of Canon-Law 2. of Civil-Law 2. Doc. of Physick 2. Mrs. of Arts 25. Bac. Law 18. John Brakingthorp Maior of Musick 1. Gram. 3. Arts 26. Bac. of Divinity 8. William Robson 23 Vice-Chan John Philips Proc. Drs. of Divinitie 1. Rich. Picard 1607 of Canon-Law 1. Bac. of Divin 1. Bac. Law 5. John Brakingthorp Maior  Mus 1. Mrs. of Arts 17. Arts 42. Will. Buckenham 24 Vice-Chan James Nicolson Proc. Drs. of Divinitie 3. Milles Bycardick 1508 Bac. of Divinitie 5. Mrs. of Arts 18. Bac. of Law 12. Hugh Chapman Maior of Arts 46.  William Buckenham Hen. 8. 1 Vice-Chan Will. Chapman Proc. Doc. of Divinitie 5. Will. Brighouse Bac. of Divinitie 8. Mrs. of Arts 14. Bac. of Law 11. Hugh Raukin Maior of Arts 31. 11. Last year began the foundation of St. Johns Colledge The death oâ— the Lady Margaret whose Foundrss Anno Dom. 1509. the Lady Margaret Anno Regis Hen. 8. 1. countess of Richmond and Derbie died before the finishing thereof This Lady was born at Bletsho in Bedford-shire where some of her own needle-work is still to be seen which was constantly called for by King James when passing thereby in his progress Her father was John * Camden in Bedfordshire Beaufort Duke of Somerset and mother Margaret Beauchamp a great inheritrix So that fairfort and fairfield met in this Lady who was fair-body and fair-soule being the exactest patterne of the best devotion those dayes afforded taxed for no personal faults but the errors of the age she lived in John Fisher Bishop of Rochester preached her funeral sermon wherein he resembled her to Martha in four respects * Rich. Hall in his manuscript life of John Fisher Bishop of Rochester first nobility of person secondly discipline of her body thirdly in ordering her soul to God fourthly in hospitality and charity He concluded she had thirty Kings and Queens let he himself count them within the foure degrees of mariage to her besides Dukes Marquesses Earles and other Princes She lieth buried in the Chappell at Westminster neer her Sonne in a fair Tombe of touch-stone whereon lieth her Image of gilded brass She died June the 29. * Stows Chron. pag 487. and was buried as appeareth by a note annexed to her Testament the July following 12. Her death The carefulness of her Executors though for a time retarding did not finally obstruct the ending of St. Johns Colledge which was effectually prosecuted by such as she appointed her Executors viz. 1. Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester 2. John Fisher Bishop of Rotchester 3. Charles Somerset Lord Herbert afterwards Earle of Worcester 4. Sir Thomas Lovel Treasurer of the Kings house 5. Sir Henry afterwards Lord Marny Chancellor of the Dutchie of Lancaster 6. Sir John St. John her Chamberlain and
Henrici 8. 1 according to their Advise created D r. Whitakers Master of S t. Iohns in his own Chamber by vertue of the Queens Mandate This done he re-advanceth to S t. Iohns and with as I may say a POSSE ACADEMIAE demands Admission The Iohnians having Intelligence by their Emissaries that the property of the Person was altered and D r. Whitakers invested in their Mastership and knowing the Queen would maintain her power from her Crown to her Foot took VVit in their Anger and peaceably received him However great the Heart-burnings in this House for many years after and I will run the Hazard of the Readers Displeasure in transmitting the following Story to Posterity 18. A Senior Fellow of S t. Iohns of the opposite Faction to the Master in the presence of D r. VVhitakers A Rake-hell to be chosen before a Dunce falling on this Subject proper enough to his Text what Requisites should qualifie a Scholar for a Fellowship concluded that Religion and Learning were of the Quorum for that Purpose Hence he proceeded to put the Case if one of these Qualities alone did appeare whether a religious Dunce were to be chosen before a learned Rake-hell and resolved it in Favour of the later 19. This he endeavoured to prove with two Arguments The first reason whereof this the first Because Religion may but Learning cannot be counterfeited God onely can discover the gracious Heart but men may descry an able Head He that chuseth a learned Rake-hell is sure of something but whoso electeth a religious Dunce may have nothing worthy his Choise seeing the same may prove both Dunce and Hypocrite 20. His second Reason was Second Reason because there was more probability of a Rake-hells Improvement unto Temperance then of a Dunces Conversion into a Learned man seeing such an one radicated and habituated is unchangeable without Miracle 21. Common-place ended An ingenuous master well met D r. VVhitakers desired the company of this Fellow and in his Closet thus accosted him Sir I hope I may say without Offence as once Isaac to Abraham here is VVood and a Knife but where is the Lambe for the Burnt-offering You have discovered much Keeneness of Language and Fervency of Affection but who is the Person you aime at who hath offered Abuse to this Society 22. The other answered with an ingenuous fellow If I may presume to follow your Metaphor know Sir though I am a true Admirer of your most eminent VVorth you are the Sacrifice I reflected at in my Discourse For whilst you follow your Studies and remit matters to be managed by others a Company is chosen into the Colledge of more Zeal then Knowledge whose Iudgements we certainly know to be bad though others charitably believe the Goodness of their Affections And hence of late a generall Decay of Learning in the Colledge 23. The Doctour turned his Anger into Thankfulnesse Well spoken well taken and expressed the same both in loving his Person and practising his Advise promising his own Presence hereafter in all Elections and that none should be admitted without his own Examination which quickly recovered the Credit of this House replenished with hopefull Plants before his Death 24. And thus I take my Farewell of S t. Iohns Colledge Confess and be forgiven having first confessed a Mistake formerly committed in my Holy State a In the life of Dr. Medcalfe in making D r. VValter Haddon Master of the Requests to Queen Elisabeth a Member of this Colledge being originally of Kings Colledge afterward of Trinity Hall The Errour arose because Roger b In his Epistles Askham of this House commonly calleth him nostrum Haddonum where I mistook their Familiarity for Membership in the same Society Thomas Tompson Anno Dom. 1509-10 Vice-Chan Iohn Samson Iohn Scot Proctours Anno Regis Henrici 1. 2 Iohn Bury Major Doct. of Physick 2 Bac. of Divin 5 Mast of Arts 29 Gram. 1 Bac. of Law 16 Arts 42 Seeing the Vice-Chancellours are chosen in November so that in their Office they partake of two yeres of the Lord though otherwise but one annuall Imployment I thought fit henceforward to divide them in our Chronologie into two years Thomas Tompson 1510-11 Vice-Chan 3 George Tomson Chris Ducket Proctours Iohn Erlich Major Doct. of Divin 5 Incorp 1 Doct. of Can. Law 7 Civ Law 2 Bac. of Divin 11 Mast of Arts 26 Bac. of Law 22 Arts 44 Iohn Fawne 1511-12 Vice-Chan 4 Richard Standbank William Chaundler Proctours Iohn Bell Major Doct. of Divin 3 Civ Law 1 Bac. of Divin 5 Mast of Arts 21 Bac. of Law 16 Arts 32 Iohn Fawne 1512-13 Vice-Chan 5 Roger Collinwood Richard Master Proctours Wil. Barber Major Doct. of Divin 2 Civ Law 1 Bac. of Divin 5 Mast of Arts 21 Bac. of Law 7 Arts 52 Iohn Eccleston 1513-14 Vice-Chan 6 Richard Norris Thomas Marten Proct. Hugh Chapman Major Doct. of Divin 3 Civ Law 1 Bac. of Divin 10 Mast of Arts 25 Bac. of Law 10 Arts 24 Gram. 1 Iohn Eccleston 1514-15 Vice-Chanc 7 Iohn Cotting Tho. Goodrick Proct. Hugh Chapman Major Doct. of Divinity 1 Can. Law 3 Bac. of Divin 5 Mast of Arts 14 Bac. of Law 13 Mus 1 Arts 30 Gram. 2 Robert Dussin 1515-16 Vice-Chanc 8 Rowland Bodron Reinald Bainbrigg Proct. Hugh Raukin Major Doct. of Divin 10 Can. Law 2 Civ Law 2 Bac. of Divin 18 Mast of Arts 42 Gram. 3 Bac. of Law Mus Arts Edmond Nateres 1516-17 Vice-Chan 9 Iohn Copinger Gilbert Latham Proctours Iohn Bury Major Doct. of Divin 5 Civ Law 2 Phys 1 Bac. of Divin 13 Mast of Arts 29 Bac. of Law 14. Arts 43 Edmond Nateres Anno Regis Henrici 8. 10 Vice-Chan William Cocks Roger Ashe Proctours VVil. Barber Anno Dom. 1517-18 Major Doct. of Divin 3 Can. Law 2 Civ Law 1 Bac. of Divin 4 Mast of Arts 13 Bac. of Law 11 Arts 41 25. About this time one Peter de Valence a Norman was a Student in Cambridge Peter de Valence excommunicated when the Papist Indulgences were solemnly set upon the School-gates over which he wrote these Words Beatus vir cujus est Nomen Domini Spesejus non respexit Vanitates Insanias falsas istas Inquiry was made about the Party but no Discovery could be made Whereupon Bishop Fisher Chancellour of the University solemnly proceeded to his Excommunication which he is said to perform with Teares and great Gravity 26. This Peter afterward applyed himself to D r. Goodrich Bishop of Ely Many yeares after he confesseth his fault and became his Servant but as the Papists report could never be quiet in his Mind untill many years after he had publickly confessed his Folly therein and upon the same place of the School-gates a See the life of Bishop Fisher lately printed p. 23. fixed a Paper with these words Delicta Iuventutis
meae Ignorantias ne memineris Domine Remember not Lord my sins nor the Ignorances of my Youth But may the Reader take notice this Story is related by Richard Hall a zealous Papist in his life of Bishop Fisher A Book which when lately in Manuscript I then more prized for the Rarity then since it is now printed I trust for the Verity thereof Iohn VVatson 11 Vice-Chan 1518-19 VVilliam Smith Iohn Cheswrigh Proctours VVil. Barber Major Doct. of Divinity 10 Can. Law 3 Bac. of Divin 11 Mast of Arts 26 Bac. of Law 26 Arts 38 27. Monks Colledge this year had it's name altered Monks turned into Buckingham Coll. and condition improved Formerly it was a place where many Monks lived on the Charge of their respective Convents being very fit for solitary Persons by the Situation thereof For it stood on the trans-Cantine side an Anchoret in it self severed by the River from the rest of the University Here the Monks some seven years since had once and again lodged and feasted Edward Stafford the last Duke of Buckingham of that Family Great men best may good men alwayes will be gratefull Guests to such as entertain them Both Qualifications met in this Duke and then no wonder if he largely requited his VVelcome He changed the Name of the House into Buckingham Colledge began to build and purposed to endow the same no doubt in some proportion to his own high and rich estate Edm. Nateres 12 Vice-Chan 1519-20 Iohn Denny VVil. Meddow Proct. Richard Clark Major Doct. Theol. 5 Iu. Can. 1 Civ 1 Bac. Theol. 20 Mag. Art 23 Bac. Leg. 19 Art 31 28. Two eminent men are assigned by a good Authour at this time to flourish in Cambridge A pair of learned Writers The one VVilliam Gonel a friend to Erasmus and here publick Professour saith b In Appendice illustrium Angliae Scriptorum Pitz but would he had told us of what Faculty But probably Publick Professour in the laxe acception of that Title importeth no more then an ordinary Doctour We need not question his Sufficiency when we find Sir Tho. More an Oxford man and able Judge of Merit select him for Tutour to his Children The other Stephen Baron Provinciall of the Franciscans and Confessour faith one c Idem p. 696 in anno 1520. to King Henry the eighth Some will scarce believe this Anno Dom. 1519-20 onely because about this time they find Longland Bishop of Lincoln performing that place Anno Regis Henrici 8. 12 except King Henry as he had many Faults had many Confessours at once But this Baron might have this office some years since Let me here without offence remember that the Seniour Vicar as I take it of the Kings Chappel is called the Confessour of the Kings Houshold which perchance hath caused some Mistakes herein Tho. Stackhouse 1520-21 Vice-Chan 13 Rich. Frank lo. Crayford Proctours Rich Clark Major Doct. Theol. 9 Ju. Can. 3 Civ 1 Bac. Theol. 5 Mag. Art 21 Bac. Leg. 7 Art 26 29. Edward Stafford D. of Buckingham The untimely death of the Duke of Buckingham a Gentleman rather vain then Wicked guilty more of Indiscretion then Disloialty by the practise of Cardinall VVoolsey lost his Life and was beheaded Charles the fifth Emperour being informed of his death a Godwin in Henry the eighth May 17 said that a Butchers Dog such VVoolsey's extraction had kill'd the fairest BUCK in England Let Oxford then commend the Memory of this Cardinall for founding a fair Colledge therein Cambridge hath more cause to complain of him who hindred her of an hopefull Foundation For this Duke surprized with death built but little and endowed nothing considerably in this Buckingham Colledge No wonder to such who consider that prevented with an unexpected End he finished not his own House but onely brought the sumptuous and stately Foundation thereof above ground at Thornbury in b Camden's Brit. ibidem Glocestershire Afterwards in Commiseration of this Orphan Colledge severall Convents built Chambers therein But more of it hereafter in Magdalen Colledge Iohn Edmunds Vice-Chan Nich. Rowley Iohn Stafford 1521-22 14 Proct. Robert Smith Major Doct. Theol. 6 Ju. Can. 1 Civ 1 Bac. Theol. 19 Mag. Art 22 Bac. Leg. 6 Art 40 30. Richard Crook was the first Crook his Character who now brought Greek into request in the University He was born in London bred in Kings Colledge where Anno c Manuscript Hatcher 1506. he was admitted Scholar Then travailing beyond the Seas he became publick Reader of Greek at Lipzick in Germany After his return by the perswasion of Bishop Fisher Chancellour of Cambridge he professed therein the Greek Language All Students equally contributed to his Lectures whether they heard d Epist Tho. Mori ad Aca. Oxon. or heard them not as in Dutch Ordinaries all Guests pay alike for the Wine e Erasmi Colloqu in Diversorio though they drink it not because they were or should be present thereat Crook dedicated his first publick Speech made in praise of the Greek tongue to Nich. VVest Bishop of Ely because Cambridge understand him of all the Parish Churches therein is of his Jurisdiction A passage impertinently pressed by f Brian Twine Oxford Antiquary to prove this University under his Episcopall Power as being in not of Elic Diocese exempted from it though surrounded with it Crook was also chosen the first publick Oratour a place of more Honour then Profit whose originall Salary g Cajus Hist. Cant. Aâ— l. 2 pag. 129. was but 40â— per ann Tho. Green Vice-Chan 1522-23 Robert Dent Io. Briganden Proct. Geo. h MS. Coll. Corp. Christi Hoyster Major He was excommunicated for his obstinacy towards the Deputy of the Vice-Ch 15 Doct. Theol. 5 In. Can. 2 Mag. Art 22 Bac. Art 46 31. It will not be amisse here to present the Reader with a List of the University Oratours Anno Regis Henrici 8. 15 Anno Dom. 1522-23 A Catalogue of Cambridge Oratours Oratours chosen 1 Richard Crook 1522 2 George Day fellow of Kings Col. 1528 3 Iohn Redman of Kings Hall 1537 4 Thomas Smith fellow of Queens Col. 1538 5 Roger Ascham fellow of S t. Iohns Col. 1547 6 Tho. Gardiner fellow of Kings Col. 1554 7 Iohn Stokes of the same 1557 8 George Ackworth 1560 9 Anthony Girlington fellow of Pembrook Hall 1561 10 Andrew Oxenbridge fellow of Trin. Col. 1562 11 VVil. Masters fellow of Kings Col. 1564 12 Thomas Bing fellow of Peter House 1564 13 VVilliam Lewin fellow of Christs Col. 1570 14 Iohn Beacon fellow of S t Iohns Col. 1571 15 Rich. Bridgewater fellow of Kings Col. 1573 16 Anthony VVing field fellow of Trin. Col. 1580 and re-admitted 1586 17 Henry Moutlow fellow of Kings Col. 1589 18 Rob. Naunton fellow of Trin. Col. 1595 19 Francis Nethersole fellow of Trin. Col. 1611 20 George
aut rescripta quaecunque pro nobis vel aliis ab Episcopo Romano vel ejus Curia non impetrabimus vel ut talia à quovis impetrentur non consulemus si talia pro nobis insciis aut ignorantibus generaliter vel specialiter impetrabuntur vel alias quomodo libet concedentur eis renunciabimus non consentiemus nec utemur eisdem ullo modo at eas vestrae Majestati aut Successoribus vestris tradi curabimus Exemptioni vero qua Romano Episcopo vel summo quem vocant Pontifici aut ipsi quocunque nomine appelletur ejusve Romanae Ecclesiae mediate vel immediate subjecti sumus fuimus ipsiusque concessionibus privilegiis largitionibus indultis quibuscunque expresse in his scriptis renunciamus soli vestrae Majestati vestrisque Successoribus nos subditos subjectos profitemur ac nos subjiciemus nos solummodo subditos fore spondemus Nec eidem Romano Pontifici vel ejus Nunciis Oratoribus Collectoribus aut Legatis ullam procurationem pensionem portionem censum aut quamcunque aliam pecuniarum summan quocunque nomine appelletur per nos aut interpositam personam vel personas solvemus aut solvi faciemus statutumque de successione vestra Regia in Parliamento vestro editum ac omnia ac singula in eodem contenta juxta formam effectum ejusdem fideliter observabimus Praeterea in vim pacti profitemur spondemus ac in verbo Sacerdotali sub fidelitate vestrae Majestati debita nostra coram Deo conscientia promittimus quod contra hanc nostram praedictam professionem sponsionem nulla dispensatione nulla exceptione nulla appellatione aut provocatione nullove juris vel factiremedio nos tuebimur Et si quam protestationem in praejudicium hujus nostrae professionis sponsionis fecimus cam in praesens in omne tempus futurum revocamus eidem renunciamus per praesentes Literas quibus propriis manibus nomina nostra subscripsimus eas nostri communis Sigilli apprehensione Notarii publici infrascripti signo subscriptione committi curavimus Dat. act in Domo nostra capitulari 25 o. diemensis Octobris Anno ab Incarnatione Christi 1535 o. regni vestri florentissimi 27 o. praesentibus tunc ibid. Iohanne Acres Art Mag. Roberto Warmington Bacc. in legibus testibus ad praemissa accitis legatis Willimus Buckenham Rogerus Overy Iohannes Styrmin Laurentius Maptit Andrevv Devv Iohannes Cajus Willimus Barker ET ego Iohannes Rheseus Notarius pub dicti illustrissimi Domini Regis Regestor principalis quia Professioni Sponsioni Juramento Praestationi ac caeteris praemissis omnibus duÌ„ sic ut praemittitur sub anno mense die loco praedictis agerentur fierent una cum praenominatis testibus personaliter interfui eaque sic fieri interponi vidi audivi ac mox ut gesta sunt in notam excepi ideo hoc praesens publicum Instrumentum inde confeci in hanc publicam authenticam formam redegi signoque meo Tabellionali ac nomine cognomine meis solitis consuetis signavi meque hic subscripsi in sidem testimonium omnium singulorum praemissorum rogatus legitime requisitus Their Protestation taken in verbo Sacerdotii relates to the major part not to all the Fellows of Gonvil under-writing their names For I shall not be easily perswaded that Iohn Cajus penultimus subscriptor in this Instrument being a Physician by his Profession was ever in Holy Orders 58. In obedience to Doctour Legh his Injunctions University Records delivered to the Lord Cromwell the whole University before Candlemas-day next ensuing surrendred to the King all their Charters Donations Statutes Popes-Bulls and Papisticall Muniments with an exact Rental of their lands and Inventory of their goods The Vice-Chancellour and senior Proctour went up to London and delivered them to Secretary Cromwell Chancellour of the Vniversity And now they are deposited in a safe hand seeing the same person as Master of the Rolls was intrusted with the keeping of the Records of the Kingdome 59. Hereafter expect no moe Doctours of canon-Canon-Law in Cambridge Formerly canon- No moe Doctours of canon-Canon-Law almost every year some were graduated in that Faculty and these preâ—â—â— these of Civil-Law as the Pope makes himself to be above the Emperour But now Gratian fared no better in Cambridge then his brother Peter Lombard For as the King had pronounced his Sentence of Condemnation against the publick reading of the Master of the Sentences so the Decretals were banished after them King Henry stung with the dilatorie pleas of the Canonists at Rome in point of his Marriage did in revenge destroy their whole Hive throughout his own Vniversities 60. However Which is annexed to Civil afterwards Scholars applyed themselves to the reformed Canon-Law viz. so much thereof as afterwards was received as conformable to the Kings Prerogative and the municipal Law of the Land These many studied to enable themselves for Chancellours Officialls c. in severall Dioceses yet so that Canon-Law did never after stand by itself as subsisting a distinct Faculty wherein any commenced but was annexed to Civil-Law and the Degree denominated from the later And although Civilians kept Canon-Law in Commendam with their own Profession yet both twisted together are scarce strong enough especially in our sad dayes to draw unto them a liberall Livelihood SECTION VII EDVARDO PALMER de WALTHAM Armigero VIR ATTICISSIME FRatres meos Verbi Ministros saepius audivi solicitos ne mentes suae sensim torpescerent eo quod Rusticanis Viculis damnati sibi solum sit consortium cum crassis Minervis quibus inter crudum coctum nihil interest At mea longe dispar conditio cui Deo gratias emunctioris nasi Parochiani contigerunt èquibus Tu limato tuo judicio me inter praedicandum hebescentem instar coticulae aliquoties exacuisti Fateor sane praesentiam tuam mihi suggestum ascensuro non semel metum incussisse ne forsan te audiente aliquid minus pensiculatum excideret Sed animum erexit opportuna recordatio comitatis tuae qua lapsibus currentis tam linguae quam calami facile veniam es daturus Digneris quaeso lectione tua hanc historiolam vel eo nomine quod Collegium Trinitatis unumtribus conflatum Trin-Vni Deo dicatum exhibeat Collegium amplissimum non tam Rege Fundatore quam doctissimis suis Alumnis superbiens inter quos ob summam Graecarum Literarum peritiam Te Palmam ferre meritissime agnoscit THis year the young frie of Fellows of S t. Iohns in Cambridge combined yea conspired against their old Master Doctor Metcalfe A Combination against Doct. Metcalfe a man much meriting of his House It being hard to say whether S t. Iohns oweth more to the Lady Margaret or D r. Metcalfe she by her Bountie founded it he by his
of the Town of Cambridge two offices which never before or since met in the same person Thus as Cambridge was his verticall place wherein he was in height of honour it was also his verticall where he met with a suddaine turn and sad catastrophe And it is remarkable that though this Duke who by all means endeavoured to engrand his posterity had six Sons all men all married none of them left any issue behind them Thus far better it is to found our hopes of even earthly happinesse on goodnesse then greatnesse 43. Doctor Sandys The hard usage of Dr. Sandys hearing the Bell ring went according to his custome and office attended with the Beadles into the Regent-House and sate down in the Chaire according to his place In cometh one Master Mitch with a rabble of some twenty Papists some endeavouring to pluck him from the Chaire others the Chaire from him all using railing words and violent actions The Doctor being a man of metall gâ—oped for his dagger and probably had dispatched some of them Anno Dom. 1552 3 had not Doctor Bill Anno Regin Mariae 20 and Doctor Blythe by their prayers and intreaties perswaded him to patience How afterwards this Doctor was spoyled of his goods sent up prisoner to London how with great difficulty he was enlarged and great danger escaped beyond the seas is largely related by Master Fox 44. Some two yeares since Cambridge had her Sweating-Sicknesse Masters placed and displaced but now began her hotfit or fiery-tryall indeed For on the execution of the Duke of Northumberland Stephen Gardiner Bishop of VVinchester was restored Chancellour of Cambridge then followed an alteration of Masters in most Houses However let us give unto Doctor Pern his deserved praise that he quenched the fire of persecution or rather suffered it not to be kindled in Cambridge saving many from the stake by his moderation and let us give in a list of the great alteration In the Masters of Houses which the first year of this Queen did produce Masters put out Colledges Masters put in 1 Ralph Ainsworth because he was married 2 Doctor Iohn Madeu who had been three times Vice-Chancellour 3 Nic. Ridley still holding his Mastership with the Bishoprick of London 4 Matthew Parker Deane of Lincoln 5 William Mouse Doct. of Law and a Benefactour 6 S r. Iohn Cheek Knight Tutour to King Edward the sixth 7. William May D r. of Law Chancellour to Nic. West B p. of Ely 8 Edwin Sands Vice-Chancel in this year 9 Edward Pierpoint D r. of Divinity 10 Rich VVilkes M r. of the Hospital of S. Iohns Mary Magdel in Ely 11 Tho. Leaver B. D. a Confessour in the Reign of Q. Mary at Arrough in Switzerland 1 Peter House 2 Clare Hall 3 Pembrook Hall 4 Bennet Colledge 5 Trinity Hall 6 Kings Colledge 7 Queens Colledge 8 Catharine Hall 9 Iesus Colledge 10 Christs Colledge 11 S t. Iohns Colledge 1 Andrew Pern Dean of Ely 2 D r. Rowland Swinburn Rector of little Shelford in Cambridgeshire 3 Iohn Young Fellow of S t. Iohns a zealous Papist and opposite to Bucer 4 Laurence Maptyde Fellow of Trinity Hall 5 Steven Gardner then Bp. of VVinch and L. Chancel of England 6 Richard Adkinson Doctor of Divinity 7 VVilliam Glyn D r. of Divinity afterward Bishop of Bangor 8 Edmund Cosins born in Bedfordshire 9 Iohn Fuller Prebend of Ely Vicor generall to Th. Thurlby Bp thereof 10 Cuthbert Scot afterwards Bishop of Chester 11 Thomas VVatson afterward Bishop of Lincoln I find but two continuing in their places namely Thomas Bacon Master of Gonvil Hall and Robert Evans Master of Magdelen Colledge then so poore a place that it was scarce worth acceptance thereof Iohn Young Anno Regin Marlae 2 Vice-Chanc Anno Dom. 1553 4 Tho. Gardner Hen. Barely Proctours Tho. Woolf Major Doct. Theol. 4 Bac. Theol. 16 Mag. Art 19 Bac. Art 48 VVilliam Glynne 3 Cuthb Scot. 1554 5 Vice-Chan Tho. Baylie Greg. Garth Proct. Iohn Richardson Major Doct. Theol. 1 Leg. 1 Medic. 2 Bac. Theol. 3 Mag. Art 33 Bac. Leg. 4 Art 43 Cuthbert Scot 4 Vice-Chanc 1555 6 George Boyse Iohn Gwyn Proct. Richard Brassay Major Doct. a That was the last Dr. that ever commensed in Cambridge of Canon-Law alone which as a destinct faculty was banished by King Henry the eight and it seems for a short time was restored by Queen Mary Can Leg. 1 Bac. Theol. 6 Mag. Art 27 Bac. Art 37 Andrew Pern 5 Vice-Chanc 1556 7 Nic. Robinson Hugo Glyn Proct. Thomas Smith Major Doct. Theol. 4 Leg. 2 Bac. Theol. 4 Mag. Art 27 Bac. Leg. 5 Medic. 1 Art 27 Robert Brassey 6 Vice-Chanc 1557 8 VVilliam Golden VVilliam Day Proct. VVilliam Hasell Maj. Doct. Medic. 2 Bac. Theol. 1 Bac. Mag. Art 22 Leg. 1 Art 41 45. Iohn Cajus Doctor of Phisick improved the ancient Hall of Gonvil into a new Colledge Dr. Cajus foundeth Cajus Colledge of his own name He was born in Norwich but Son of Robert Cajus a Yorkshire-man spent much of his time in the Italian Vniversities there making many translating moe learned books and after his return was Phisitian to Queen Mary He bestowed a fivefold favour on this his foundation 46. First Giveth it good Land Land to a great proportion So untrue is his Cavill Nescio quid b Rex platonicus p. 216. in margine panxillum as if it was some small inconsiderable matter whereas indeed he conferred thereon the Demesnes of Crokesly in â—ixmonsworth in Hartfordshire Bincomb Manor in Dorcetshire with the Advowsance of the parsonage Rungton and Burnhams-Thorp in Norfolk the Manor of Swansly at Caxton in Cambridgeshire 47. Secondly building And good building Adding a new Court of his own charge and therein three Gates of Remark the Gate of Humility low and little opening into the Street over against S t. Michaels-Church The Gate of Vertue one of the bestpieces of Architesture in England in the midst of the Colledge Thirdly the Gate of Honour leading to the Schools Thus the Gates may read a good Lecture of Morality to such who goe in and out thereat He ordered also that no new windowes be made in their Colledge new lights causing the decay of old Structures 48. Thirdly Good statutes he bestowed on them Cordiall statutes as I may call them for the preserving of the Colledge in good health being so prudent and frugal It must needs thrive in it's own defence if but observing the same thence it is this Society hath alwayes been on the purchasing hand having a fair proportion annually deposited in stock and indeed oweth it's Plenty under God unto it's own Providence Anno Dom. 155 7 8 rather then the bounty of any eminent Benefactour Anno Regin Mariae 6 the Masters onely excepted Who for so many successions have been bountifull unto it that the Colledge in a manner may now prescribe for their