proof of the fifth and sixth Originall and ninth Additionall Articles and in the Answers and replyes upon them The third part touching Religion contained in the 7 8 9 10 11 12 Originall and 6 and 7 Additionall Articles was carried on and managed by Iohn Wilde Serjeant at Law of the Commons House for 4 whole dayes to wit May 20 27. Iune 6. 11. and then by reason of Mr. Serjeants sicknesse and infirmity pursued by Master Nicholas 5 intire dayes more viz. Iune 17. 20 27. Iuly 20 24. The fourth and last part of the evidence in proof of the 14 Originall and 1 and 10 Additionall Articles was given in by Master Nicholas on the 29 of Iuly and concluded the same day So as the very evidence it self which was excellently well pressed by these learned Gentlemen took up seventeen whole days morning and evening besides 12 dayes attendance more whereon other pressing publike affaires enforced the Lords to adjorn the tryall when both the Committee of Commons were ready with their witnesses and the Arch-bishop present with his Councell ready to receive his charge After all the evidence answers and replyes thereto fully given the Arch-bishop had liberty granted to make a Recapitulation of his whol defence before the Lords which accordingly performed on the second of September 1644. To which Samuel Brown Esquire a member of the House of Commons replyed on the 11 of September summing up the principall parts of the evidence given against him at the Lords Bar. On the 11 of Octob. 1644. the arch-Arch-Bishops Councell were heard at the Lords Bar on this point of Law to which they were formerly directed to speak Whether in all or any of the Articles charged against him there were any Treason contained Which Mr. Iohn Hern onely argued as the mouth of the rest of his Councell Soon after the Commons having drawn an Ordnance of Attainder of high Treason against the Archbishop upon the Evidence given in against him on the second of Novemb. following the Arch-bishop after its second reading was brought to the Commons Bar where Mr. Sam. Brown in his presence summed up the evidence given in against him before the Lords to which the Archbishop by order gave his answer Vivâ voce at the Commons Bar Nov. 11th whereunto Mr Brown replyed the 13th of the same Novemb. after which the very same day the Ordinance for his attainder of High Treason passed the Commons House without any dissenting voyce but one and that not upon the matter of his charge High Treason of which all Voted him guilty but manner of proceeding onely This Ordinance being transmitted to the House of Peeres because some of the Lords were not present at all the evidence given in against him during his long Tryall thereupon Decemb. 4. 1644. they Ordered That all Books Writings Docquets and evidences concerning the Arch-bishop of Canterbury his tryall before the Lords in Parliament should be brought in to the Clerk of the Parliament by 9 of the Clock in the morning on Saturday next which being done accordingly the Lords among themselves seriously re-examined all the heads and principall parts of the evidence formerly urged against him at the Bar debating weighing and then voting each particular as they went after this most serious review their Lordships upon most mature deliberation voted him guilty of all the Articles and matters of fact charged against him and also that of High Treason to notwithstanding the argument of the Archbishops Councel upon a conference with the House of Commons which satisfied them in the point of Law Whereupon they passed the Ordinance for his Attainder of high Treason by vertue whereof he was soon after executed whereof more fully in its due place Thus you have the summe of the Lords and Commons most deliberate fair moderate just though tedious proceedings against this Arch-Traytor not to be presidented in any preceding Age nor fit to be imitated for the future in regard of length and expence of time against which calumny and malice it selfe can take no just exceptions on his behalfe the rather because himselfe would have tried condemned executed above an hundred Paritans in halfe the time wherein he was but trying without the least mercy or moderation had they beene brought before his Tribunall for farre more pettie Treasons then those of which hee was attainted and voted guilty upon most full and pregnant evidence Having given the world this briefe account of the fairenes and deliberatenesse of his Tryall so long delayed partly by his own neglect in not pleading to his Articles of impeachment and not once petitioning to be brought to Tryall during all the time of his restraine partly by his owne forementioned Petitions to the Lords for longer time when the Commons pressed to expedite his hearing partly by the death of Mr John Pym and some other Members of the Commons House who were trusted to prepare and mannage the evidence against him part whereof miscarryed by their decease but principally by reason of the great intervening urgent affaires distractions and bloody Wars in the Kingdomes of Ireland and England occasioned by his Majesties deserting the Parliament and this Arch-Prelates plots to set up Popery not through any neglect or default in the Lords or Commons We shall next endeavour to yeeld you a full satisfactory true account of the proceedings and evidence given in against him at his Tryall which will really render him the Archest Traytor the most pestilent Malefactor in all kindes of Villany Tyranny Oppression Mischiefe that was ever arraigned condemned in any Parliament Pierce Gravestons Archbishop Arundles Cardinall Wolses Empsons Dudlies and the Earle of Straffords Treasons Conspiracies Oppressions and grand Misdemeanours layd together being far inferiour to his both in he inousnesse multiplicity and variety as shall be undeniably demonstrated to all the world by substantiall proofes On Thursday the 12. of March 1643. the day designed for the comencement of this great Tryall about three of the Clocke in the afternoon the Arch-bishop was brought Prisoner by the Lieutenant of the Tower of London and Usher of the blacke Rod to the Bar in the Lords House where after he had kneeled down on his knees for a litle space the Lord Gray of Warke then Speaker of that honourable House commanded him to rise up which done the Committee of the House of Commons appointed to mannage the evidence at his Tryall demanded that the severall Articles of their Impeachment against him might be read whereupon one of the Clerkes of the Lords House read both the Originall and Additionall Articles fore-mentioned and after that his Answer Plea and Demurrer to them All which being read the Archbishop then desired the Lords that the House of Commons might give in all their Charge and Evidence to all the Articles against him together before he should be put to give his Answer to any particular Charge because he was ancient his memory very short and the Articles Generall and that he might
the parties lay there buried And is it not then a far greater madnesse superstition and ridiculous frenzie for this domineering Arch-Prelate to deem these two Chappels prophane places unfit to administer the Sacraments and celebrate divine Service in because never yet consecrated by a Bishop not onely after three but almost three-score yeares use and practise of divine Service Sermons Sacraments in them When as neither his predecessors Whitgift Bancroft and Abbot men very ceremonious and two of them much addicted to superstition ever so much as moved any such question concerning the necessity of their consecration Especially since there is no such Canon Law to enforce the consecration of them now as was to justifie the re-hallowing of S. Maries Church in Queen Maries time which the Popish Canon Law then approved in the case of Bucer and Fagius We read in the Ecclesiasticall Constitutions of Otho the Popes Legat made in an English Synode in the Raigne of King Henry the third that even in those dark times of Popery there were not only divers Parish Churches but some Cathedrals in England which were used as such for many yeares yet never consecrated by a Bishop as appears by these words of the Constitution it self Multas invenimus Ecclesias aliquas Cathedrales quae licet fuer unt ab antiquo constructae nondum tamen sunt sanctificationis Oleo consecrate Whereupon this Popish Legat for his own lucher Enjoyned all Churches then built or to be built to be consecrated within two years space under pain of interdiction from having Masse said in them unlesse some reasonable cause were shewed to the contrary By colour of which Popish constitution this Prelate it seems urged the consecration of these ancient Chappels there being no other shaddow of reason Canon or authority for it After this Archbishop had thus procured a power to himself to visit the Vniversity of Cambridge Matthew Wren Bishop of Ely Decemb. 1. 1639. Sent him up an account signed with his own hand of some things amisse within his Diocesse and that University which he left to his Graces consideration to amend which account was seized by Master Prynne in his study at Lambeth and thus indorsed with the Arch-bishops own hand My Lord of Elyes Account 1639. In which there were these two Passages concerning consecration of Chappels The first concerning a Chappell in Sir John Cuts house in the town of Childerley which Chappell the Knight said was consecrated by Bishop Heton producing an Instrument under seal purporting that on such a day at Childersly Bishop Heton did consecrate a Chappell by saying Service there himselfe and having a Sermon this was all the Solemnity of its Consecration I questioning the whole matter have required him to waiteupon your Grace to see whether that consecration must be allowed of The second concerning some Chappels in Colledges never yet consecrated which is thus expressed in this Account It was presented unto me That in the Colledges of Emanuel Sidney and Corpus Christi there have been Roomes built within the memory of man which are used for common Chappels wherein they have dayly prayers and do Preach there without any faculty or license granted unto them so to do And wherein also they ordinarily celebrate the holy Communion The said places never having been consecrated thereunto Ma. Elie. The Scottish troubles it seems prevented his consecration of these Chappels which were sufficiently hallowed before by the Divine Duties exercised in them The last Chappell we finde consecrated was that in Covent Garden which was hallowed or rather prophaned with all Popish Ceremonies expressed in the Roman Pontificall and far more than were used at Creed-Church The Arch-bishop having thus far advanced his Popish designes in consecrating Churches Chappels and Church-yards proceeded one step further even to set up the exploded Annuall Baccanalian feasts of Dedication whereon Churches were hallowed prescribed at first onely by the Decrees of Pope Felix Pope Gregory recorded by Gratian De Consecratione Distinct 1. who Decreed thus Solennitates Ecclesiarum dedicationem per singulos annos solemniter sunt celebrandae Those Feasts of Dedication turned by the people into meer Bacchanals were exceedingly declaimed against as necessary to be suppressed by Nicholaus de Clemangiis in his Tract De Novis Celebritatibus non instituendis suppressed by the Injunctions of King Henry the S. An. 1536. As the occasion of much idlenesse excesse riot and pernicious to the Souls of men Whereupon they were all of them restrained to the first Sunday in the moneth of October not to be kept on any other day and afterwards totally abolished by the statute of 5. and 6. E. 6. c. 3. Of holy-dayes Which being revived again by degrees with their Baccanalian disorders in sundry places of this Realm under the names of Wakes or Revels and suppressed by some Judges in their Circuits and Justices of Peace in Sessions this Arch-bishop in the year of our Lord 1633. by a Declaration compiled by himselfe but published in his Majesties Name intituled The Kings Majesties Declaration concerning Lawfull Sports to be used revived and enjoyned the Observation of these Wakes and Feasts of Dedication never formerly established by any Christian Prince together with the use of divers Sports and pastimes on the Lords own Sacred day after Divine Service ended to the great Dishonour of God of his Majesty of our Religion the disturbance of the Civill Government encrease of all Licensiousnesse prophanenesse impiety and great griefe of all godly peoples Souls This Book he enjoyned all Ministers to read and publish openly in the Church in time of Divine Service though not commanded by the King and those who out of conscience refused to read it in this kinde were by his means suspended excommunicated prosecuted in the High-Commission Sequestred from their Livings yea many of them enforced to desert their Cures and depart the Kingdome this book being made a snare onely to entrap or suppresse most of the painfull godly preaching Ministers throughout the Realm who were all more or lesse prosecuted about it Yet such was this Arch-Prelates unparallel'd impiety transcending all examples in former Ages that he not onely caused his Instruments Edmond Reeve Dr. Heylyn Christopher Dowe and others to defend the Lawfulnesse and usefulnesse of this prophane licentious Declaration but also to justifie the persecution silencing suspending depriving of those Godly Ministers who out of Conscience refused to publish it in sundry Printed Books authorized by him and his Chaplaines for the Presse Quis talia fando temperet à Lachrymis at leastwise can refrain from the heaviest censures against this prophane Arch-bishop That this Declaration since ordered to be publikely burnt by the common hangman by Order of both Houses of Parliament was Printed published by the Archbishops procurement and upon what Occasion was thus attested upon Oath by Master Edward Richardson and Master Prynne Sir Thomas Richardson Lord chiefe Justice
printed in Latine and then reprinted in English was called in and suppressed by this Archbishops order because it over-boldly refuted some points of Popery and Arminianisme as was Attested by the Oathes of Master Pryune and Michaell Sparke Senior Master Walley Clerke of Stationers Hall and Master Downes deposed that after the Decree for printing was made there were divers old Bookes against Popery formerly Licenced as the Booke of Martyres Bishop Jewells Workes some parts of Doctor Willets Workes and others which the Archbishops and Bishop of Londons Chaplaines refused to new License where upon they repaired to Sir Iohn Bramston then Lord chiefe Justice and desired leave from him that good Bookes formerly licenced and printed might be reprinted without new Licence else they should be undone for want of Bookes seeing they could not procure these Chaplaines to License any good Bookes whether old or new Who answered them that he could do nothing in it but they must go and attend the Archbishop who had the chiefe hand in making this Decree Mr. John Vicars Schoole-Master of Christ-Church soone after this Decree repaired to Doctor Baker the Archbishops great Creature House-hold Chaplaine to the Bishop of London for a New license of his History of the Gunpouder Treason formerly printed by License which he had since enlarged with some pertinent Additions But Doctor Baker absolutely refused to Licence it Master Vicars admiring at it demanded of him the reason why he would not license a Booke of such a subject as this against the Gun-pouder Treason an act so odious and detestable who answered him that we were not so angry with the Papists now as we were about 20. yeares since and that there was no need of any such Bookes as these to exasperate them there being now an endeavour to winne them to us by fairenesse and mildnesse By these with sundry other instances of this kinde which we pretermit we conceive it is most apparent that one principall end of the Archbishops usurping the power of Licensing Bookes and publishing this Decree concerning the restraint of reprinting any Old Licensed books against Popery and the grossest errors in it was that Popery might againe creep in among us by degrees without the least opposition or impeachment Secondly As he and his instruments prohibited the reprinting of old Orthodox Bookes so they refused to Licence sundry new ones especially against Popery and Arminianisme suppressing them when printed by Licence of others This was evidenced by the forecited Remonstrance of the Commons in Parliament Anno 1628 by the forementioned Bookes against the Arminians suppressed and called in by this Archbishops means and by these ensuing Depositions Master Prynne deposed that in the Yeare 1627. Doctor Cosen 's published a Booke intituled A Collection of private Devotions Or the houres of Prayer fraught with Popery and Popish Superstitions which gave great offence whereupon at the importunity of diverse well'-affected persons he Writ a Refutation thereof intituled A Briefe Survey and Censure of Master Cosens his Cosening Devotions which by this Bishops meanes and his Confederates was refused License at London House but afterwards licenced at Lambeth House by Doctor Featly and printed sitting the Parliament in the Yeare 1628. for writing which Booke only against Doctor Cosens his Popery hee was immediately after the Parliament ended questioned in the High-Commission by this Bishops procurement and thence delivered by a Prohibition to the Bishops great griefe Master Henry Burton deposed That he writ a Book against Cosens his Devotions which was called in by the Bishops meanes after which he compiled and published another Booke intituled The Bayting of the Popes Bull licensed by Doctor Goade for which hee was called before the Councell Table by this Archbishops instigation who was then present spake much against the Booke and called it a Libell although penned and written only against the Pope and his seditious dangerous Bull. That he printed by lycence a Book called A Plea to an Appeale in refutation of diverse Popish and Arminian Errors broached by Mountague in his Appello Casarem which Book though licensed was yet called in and suppressed by this Bishops procurement After which he writ another Booke against Popery Intituled The pouring out of the 7. Vialls for which hee was called into the High Commission Court by the Bishop and the Booke suppressed That hee likewise writ another Booke called Babell no Bethell wherin he proved the Church of Rome no true visible Church for which book this Prelate being then Bishop of London sent for him by a Pursevant committed him immediately to prison in the Fleet contrary to the Petition of Right then newly passed refusing to accept any bayle which he tendred suspended him from his living prosecuted him in the High Commission and suppressed the Book Michaell Sparke Senior deposed That himselfe together with William Iones Nathantell Butter Mr. Bowler and others were committed to prison and vexed severall times in the High Commission by this Archbishops means only for printing Bookes against the Papists and Arminians that the Bishop and his Chaplaines refused to License diverse Bookes against Popery tendred to them and purged sundry others of the chiefe Passages against Popery as we shal prove anon in so much that the Stationers and Printers generally complained that they could get no good Orthodox Bookes but only Popish and Superstitious ones licensed so as they were like to bee undone for want of trading and that this was the generall complaint of the whole Company which other Stationers likewise affirmed Particularly the Bishop though he pretended much friendship to Sir Humfrey Linde that learned Knight the Author of Via Tuta and Via Deuia which were answered by a Jesuite in a scurrilous rayling manner yet he absolutely refused to license his elaborate Reply thereunto Intituled A Case for the Spectacles upon no other pretence but that Sir Humfrey was a Lay-man but in verity because hee was unwilling to have him vindicate himselfe and the truth against a rayling Jesuite of which Injustice Sir Humfrey oft complained to Mr. Pryn Dr. Featly and others of his friends Yet his Chaplaine could license Chunaeus his Collectiones Theologicae Dedicated to the Archbishop himselfe though compiled by a Layman of much instriot parts and learning to Sir Humfrey in justification of Popery A minianisme and the Church of Rome Thirdly He with his Chaplaines Agents by his instigation or command compiled Authorized imprinted published diverse Bookes Treatises Sermons in defence of Popish Errors Superstitious Ceremonies practises almost to the totall corruption and subversion of our Religion Of which we shall give you a briefe Catalogue and then proceed to the Popish Passages errors broached justified authorized in and propagated by them The BOOKES are these The Archbishops own SPEECH in Star-Chamber Printed at Lond. An 1637. The Book of Common Prayer for the use of the Church of Scotland printed at Edinburgh 1637. Richard Mountague his New Gagge for an old Goose London
in mother part of my Diocesse farther off every Parish hath his Priest and some two or three apiece and so their Masse-houses also in some places Masse is said in the Churches Fryars there are in divers places who goe about though not in their habit and by their imporâ—â—â—ate begging empoverish the people Who indeed are generally very poore as from that cause so from their paying double Tithes to their owne Clergy and ours from the dâ—â—th of Corne and the death of their Cattle these late yeers which the 〈◊〉 to their souldiers and their agents and which they forget not to reckon among other causes the appression of the Court Ecclesiastiasticall which in very truth any Lord I cannot excuse and doe seek to reforme For our owne there are some seven or eight Ministers in each Diocesse of good sufficiency and which is no small cause of the continuance of the people in popery still English which have not the tongue of the people nor can performe any divine offices or converse with them and which hold many of them two three foure or more Vicarages apiece even the Clerkships themselves are in like manner conferred upon the English and sometimes two or three or more upon one man and ordinarily bought and sold or let to farme c. His Majesty is now with the greatest part of this Country as to their hearts consciences King but at the Popes discretion c. Your Lordships most obliged servant in Christ Jesu WILL. KILMORE and ARDREN Kilmore the 1. of April 1630. His second Letter to the Lord Deputy of Ireland about the maintainance of the Army and the Cavan Petition which he sent inclosed in an other Letter to the Archbishop is somewhat more full and observable wherein there is this memorable passage concerning the encrease and insolencies of the Papists in Ireland which Letter he received thence Decemb. 4. 1633. Right Honourable my good Lord c. IN the midst of these thoughts I have been advertised from an honourable friend in England that I am accused to his Majesty to have opposed his service and that my hand with two other Bishops onely was to a writing touching the monies to be levyed on the Papists here for maintainance of the men of warre c. Indeed if I should have had such ad intention this had been not only to oppose the service of his Majesty but to expose with the publike peace mine own neck to the sâ—eans of the Romish Cut-throats I that know that in this Kingdome of his Majesty the Pope hath another Kingdome farre greater in number and as I have heretofore signified to the Lords Justices and Counsell which is also since justified by themselves in print constantly guided and directed by the Order of the new Congregation de propaganda side lately erected at Rome transmitted by the meanes of the Popes Nuncioes residing at Bruxels or Paris that the Pope hath here a Clergie if I may guesse by my owne Diocesse double in number to us the heads whereof are by corporall Oath bound to him to maintaine him and his Regalities contra omnem hominem and to execute his Mandates to the utmost of their forces which accordingly they doe stiling themselves in print Ego N. Dei c. Apostolicae Sedis gratia Episcopus Fermien Ossorien c. I that know there is in this Kingdome for the moulding of the people to the Popes obedience a rabble of irregular Regulars commonly younger Brothers of good houses who are growne to that insolency aâ— to advance themselves to be Members of the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchy in better ranke then Priests in so much as the censure of the Sorbon is faine to be implored to curbe them which yet is called in againe so tender is the Pope of his owne Creatures I that know that his Holinesse hath erected a new Vniversity at Dublin to confrant his Majesties Colledge there and to brâ—ed up the youth of this Kingdome to his devotion of which Vniversity one Paul Harris the Author of that infamous Libell which was put forth in print against the Lord Armaths Wansted Sermon stileth himselfe in print to be Deane I that know and have given advertisement to the State that these Regulars dare erect new Fryeries in the Country since the dissolving of those in the Citys that they have brought the people to such a sottish senselesnesse as they care not to learne the Commandements as God himselfe spake and writ them but they flock in great members to the preaching of new superstitious and detestable doctrines such as their owne Priests are ashamed of and at these they levy collections three four five six pound at a Sermon Shortly I that know that these Regulars and this Clergie have at a generall meeting like to a Synod as themselves stile it holden at Drogheda decreed that it is not lawfull to take the Oath of Alleagiance and if they be constant to their own doctrine doe account his Majesty in their hearts to be King but at the Popes discretion In this estate of this Kingdome to think the bridle of the Army may be taken away it should be the thought not of a brain-sick but brainlesse man c. The day of our deliverance from the popish Powder-plot Your Lordships in all duty WILLIAM KILMORE By these two Letters it is most apparent that this Arch-Prelat was from time to time acquainted with the extraordinary encrease and insufferable insolencies of the Papists in Ireland as likewise of their popish Arch-bishops and Bishops audacious proceedings in that Kingdome which he was more fully informed of by two printed papers sent to him by Archbishop Vsher the one in Latin the other in English found in his Study endorsed thus with his Secretary Dels hand May 3. 1632. Protestations of the Secular Priests in Ireland against Thomas Flemming Arch-bishop of Dublin one whereof was read at the Lords Barre To all the most Illustrious Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland but more particularly to those of the Province of Dublin their honourable Lords David Bishop of Ossory John of Fernes Rosse of Kildare and Matthew Vicar Apostolicall of Lagblem MOST Illustrious Lords and Reverend Bishops the Priests of Dublin make their complaint before you that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis without alleaging my cause against them onely for his will and at his pleasure useth to exile and banish Priests out of his Diocesse and they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergie contrary to the Canons of holy Church and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaints that the same most Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis though humbly sought unto and desired doth refuse to doe them justice in their causes neither yet will be permit the Clergie to follow their
Canterburies Doome OR THE FIRST PART OF A COMPLEAT HISTORY OF The Commitment Charge Tryall Condemnation Execution of WILLIAM LAVD Late Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY Containing the severall Orders Articles Proceedings in PARLIAMENT against him from his first Accusation therein till his Tryall Together with the Various Evidences and Proofs produced against him at the LORDS Bar in justification of the first branch of the COMMONS Charge against him to wit His Trayterous Endeavours to Alter and Subvert Gods True Religion by Law established among us to introduce and set up Popish Superstition and Idolatry in liew thereof by insensible Degrees and to Reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome by sundry Jesuiticall Pollices Practises with his severall Answers to those Evidences Proofs and the COMMONS Reply thereunto Wherein this Arch-Prelates manifold Trayterous Artifices to Usher in Popery by Degrees are cleerly detected and the Ecclesiasticall History of our Church-affaires during his Pontificall Domination faithfully presented to the publike View of the World By WILLIAM PRYNNE of Lincolns Inne Esquire Specially deputed to this publike Service by the House of Commons Order Dated 4 Martii 1644. PSAL. 7. 14 15 16. Behold he travelleth with Iniquity and hath conceived Mischiefe and brought forth Falshood He made a pit and digged it and is fallen into the Pit that he digged His Mischiefe shall return upon his own Head and his Violent dealing shall come down upon his own Pate PSAL. 9. 16. The Lord is known by the Judgement which he executeth the Wicked is snared in the worke of his own hands LONDON Printed by John Macock for Michael Spark senior at the sign of the Blue Bible in Green Arbour 1646. Die Martis 4 Martii 1644. ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament that Master Prynne be desired to Print and publish all the Proceedings concerning the Archbishop of Canterburies Triall with the approbation of the Committee that managed the Evidence at the said Tryall And Master Prynne hath power to View and send for Writings Papers Orders and Records and to take Coppies thereof as he sees cause H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. TO The Right Honourable the Lords and Commons In PARLIAMENT Assembled YOUR HONOURS earnest desires expressed in the premised Order inevitably engaging me to compile and publish to the World A compleat History of the famous Tryall of the late decapitated Archbishop of Canterbury I have without other motives in Obedience thereunto with as much Expedition as my many other distracting Occasions and the Vastnesse of the Work would permit finished the First Part thereof which I here humbly tender to Your Honourable Patronage and Acceptance comprising The severall Orders Articles and Parliamentary Proceedings against him from his Originall Impeachment till his Triall together with the Commons Various Evidence his severall Answers to it and their Replies upon them in maintenance of the First Generall Branch of their Charge of High Treason against him to wit His Trayterous Endeavours to alter subvert Gods true Religion by Law established among us to introduce Popish Superstition and Idolatry in liew thereof and to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome by sundry Jesuiticall Stratagems The guilt of which black Execrable Charge wherein he most of all protested and endeavoured to clear his pretended Innocency both during his Triall at the Bar and at his Death on the Scaffold as that which did most nearly concern him in his function as an Arch-Prelate and in his Religion as a Protestant was so abundantly evidenced so firmly fixed upon his White Rochet by a various multiplicity of unavoydable proofs impregnable Demonstrations which all his Sophistry Oratory Subtilty Protestations could no wayes enervate or evade that it will stick fast upon him for Eternity maugre all his own verball Apologies during his life or the Malignant Panegyricks the scandalous Relations of any Anti-parliamentall or Prelaticall Sycophants since his death Who in open affront of Your most memorable Exemplary Justice upon this Arch-Traytor the very Sourse and Compendium of all our late miseries have proclaimed him to Posterity in their late lying Legends of his death A most Glorious Martyr as the Papists did his most Trayterous Predecessor Becket and already canonized him for A SAINT perchance because beheaded on Saint Williams day the Popish Archbishop of Bourges in France as great a disturber in his time of that Kingdomes publike peace and course of Justice yea as grand an Incendiary of the bloody Wars against the Albigenses French Protestants as this Archbishop was of our Kingdoms tranquility its publike Justice and stirrer up of the War against the Scots yet for all this enrolled in the Red Calender of Romish Saints There have lately come unto my hands two Oxford Pamphlets the one intituled A true Relation of the Death of the most Reverend Father in God William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury upon Tower hill January 10. 1644. First Printed at Oxford and since at Bristol Anno 1644. Which begins thus On Fryday Jan. 10. THE REBELS MARTYRED the most Reverend Father in God William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury upon Tower hill after they had kept him prisoner above four years And then relating his speech and Prayer on the Scaffold it concludes in these words Thus dyed the KINGS and the CHURCHES MARTYR a man of such Integrity Learning Devotion and Courage as had he lived in the Primitive times they would have given him another name whom though the cheated multitude were taught to misconceive for these honoured him yet impartiall posterity will know how to value him when they hear the Rebels sentenced him the very same houre that they voted down the Liturgy of the Church of England whose innocency cryes to heaven for Vengeance upon the heads of these destroyers who pile MURTHER upon Murther to fortifie their Covenant that upon this generation may come all the RIGHTEOUS BLOOD from him whose blood was first shed to the pulling down this great Pillar of our Church which if you consider is THE MOST GROUNDLES MALITIOUS SOLEMNE STUDIED MURTHER THAT EVER WAS COMMITTED IN THIS WRETCHED ISLAND The later Pamphlet Imprinted at Oxford of the same Subject dated as the former inscribed A briefe Relation of the Death and Sufferings of the most Reverend and Renouned Prelate the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury with a more perfect Coppy of his Speech and other passages â—n the Scaffold than hath been hitherto Imprinted thus blazons this Arch-traytors Innocency merits sufferings He that had so long lived a Confesser a Popish Confessor if he please to the Duke of Buckingham and others could not but think it release of misery to be made a MARTYR He ascended the Scaffold with so brave a courage such a cheerfull countenance as if he had mounted rather to behold a Triumph than to be made a Sacrifice and came not there to dye but to be translated and to say truth it was no Scaffold but a Throne a
the whole Kingdome of England be committed to the safe custody of the Gentleman Vsher attending this high Court and that he be sequestred from the said House untill his Grace shall cleare himselfe of the Accusations that shall be laid against him by the said House This proud imperious Arch-Prelate who had close-imprisoned others for sundry yeares in remote Castles in forraigne Islands meerely for opposing his Tyranny and Innovations excluding not only their Friends but Wives Children from the least accesse unto their Prisons or the Isles wherein they were exiled for their comfort or reliefe was yet so impatient of restraint himselfe that immediatly after his Commitment to Master Maxwels house at Chearing Crosse though he had convenient lodgings more liberty by farre then he demerited and all his friends free accesse to visit him yet hee became an humble suiter to the House of Peers even in the wet cold winter season when a warme lodging in most mens judgment was more wholesome for him then cold moist walkes that he might have liberty to goe abroad with his Keeper to take the Ayre which liberty himselfe would never indulge to any Prisoner committed by him for the least offence especially under the Notion of a Puritan O strange impatience worthy admiration that he who had close Imprisoned many Godly Christians Ministers mobscure holes and Dungeons without the least pity or indulgence divers yeares even for well doing or petty offences against himselfe should not be able to endure a few weekes imprisonment when charged with high Treason it selfe against the King and Kingdome without Petitioning for liberty to take the Ayre A request so unseasonable that no wise Man in his condition would have demanded it and the Parliament in Justice or Honour could not condescend to it But this suit of his being deemed unseasonable was rejected And here behold the common Genius of Tyrannicall domineering spirits none so inexorable mercilesse insensible of others unjust oppressions as they in the ruffe of their prosperity none more degenerous pusilanimous querulous impatient or sordidly base then they in the stormes of adversity Let this Arch-Prelates suddaine downe-fall from the Pinnacle of Honour Power into a restrained despicable condition and his impatience under it be a future admonition to all Lording Prelates and Tyrâ—nizing Grandees to carry themselves with all moderation in their places and to learne this good lesson from an heathen Poet which most men in the hight of their felicity are over-apt to forget Desinat elatis quisquam confidere rebus Jnstabilesque Deos et Lubrica Numina discat Illa manus quoe sceptra sibi gestanda parabat Cuius se toties submisit ad oscula supplex Nobilitas digitos ductis inflectere nervis Cogitur c. Aspiciat ne quis nimium sublata secundis Colla gerat What occurrences happened betweene the Archbishops restraint and his commitment to the Tower you may read in his Diary and in the â—roviat of his life On the 22. of February 1640. the House of Commons Ordered that to morrow morning the Report concerning the Articles against the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury be first reade if it be ready On February 23. they further Ordered Mr. Pym to make the report of the Articles against the Archbishop of Cant. the next morning February 24. Mr. Pym presented from the Committee appointed for that purpose the Articles against the Archbishop of Canterbury The Title to the Articles the Articles themselves and the conclusion to them were all severally twice read and all severally voted and past upon the question and afterwards by resolution upon the Question it was ordered that these Articles so read and voted should be ingrossed February 26. The Articles against the Archbishop of Canterbury which were formerly ordered to be ingrossed were now read and it was resolved upon the question that the Articles thus ingrossed and read should be sent up to the Lords in maintenance of the Charge against the Archbishop of Canterbury whereby he stands charged of high Treason Mr. Pymme Mr. Hampden and Mr. Maynard went up with the Articles according to the former Order Vpon the reading of these Articles the Lords made this Order for his the Archbishops commitment to the Tower 26. February 1640. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament that the Lord Archbishop of Cant. his Grace shal stand comitted to the Tower of London But the pleasure of this house is that he continue still in the safe custody of the Gentleman Vsher of this House till Mâ—nday the first of March 1640 and then that the Letutenant receive his Grace into his safe Custody until the pleasure of this House he further known and in the meane time Mr. Maxwell is to be responsible for him and not to permit him to goe abroad and that the Archbishop os Canterbury and the Earle of Strafford shall not come together Mr. Pym returnes and acquaints the House that according to his Abilities he had performed their commands and it was ordered that thankes shold be given him for the good service he had therein done this House Thus the Commons Iournall relates the times and manner of these proceedings and Articles against Canterbury unanimously voted by all when both Houses were fullest with the concurring suffrages of all those Members who have since deserted the Parliament and repaired to Oxford some of whom made bitter Invectives against him whose mouths must be for ever stopped by their own suffrages in full Parliament from uttering any thing in lustification of this Arch-Traitor or in derogation of the Iudgment execution passed against him upon the several Articles of his Impeachment which I shall here Present you with altogether beginning with the Originall Articles of the House of Commons carried up by Master Pym and others whose speech at their delivery I have here annexed to them as they were printed by order of the house long since next adioyning the Scottish Commissioners Charge against him and then the Commons Additionall Articles ARTICLES OF The COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT In maintenance of their Accusation against WJLLJAM LAVD Arch-Bishop of CANTERBVRY whereby he stands Charged with High Treason Presented and carryed up to the LORDS by Mr. John Pym Febr. 26. 1640. Mr. Pym comming to the Lords barre to present the Articles spake as followeth My LORDS I Am commanded by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses now assembled for the Commons in Parliament to deliver to your Lordships these Articles in maintenance of their Charge against the Archbishop of Canterbury Their desire is that first your Lordships would be pleased to heare the Articles read and then I shall endeavour to present to you the sense of the Commons concerning the nature of the Charge and the order of their proceedings FIRST THat he hath traiterously endeavoured to subvert the Fundamentall Lawes and government of this Kingdome of England and instead thereof to introduce an Arbitrary and tyrannicall Government against law and to that end
Impeachment But leaves it to his Councell to doe and advise as his Councell shall thinke most fitting Day being given him by this Order to put in his answer till the 13th of Novenmber following this Order was made in pursuance thereof Die Veueris 10. November 1643. Ordered that the Leiutenant of the Tower of London or his Deputie shall bring in safety the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury before their Lordships on Munday the 13th of this instant November by ten of the Clock in the morning to put in his Answer into the House to the impeachment of the House Commons remaining now before the Lords in Parliament and this to be a sufficient warrant in that behalfe To the Gentleman Vsher c. On the 13. of November the Archbishop appearing at the Lords Barre in person put in this following Answer to the Additionall Articles exhibited against him The humble Answer of William Archbishop of Cant. to the further Articles of Impeachment of high Treason and divers high Crimes and misdeameanours exhibited against him by the Honourable House of Commons according to direction of an Order of this Honourable House of the 13. of October last All advantages of exception to the said Articles of Impeachment to this Defendant saved and reserved this Defendant humbly saith that he is not guilty of all or any the matters by the said Impeachment charged in such manner and forme as the same are by the said Articles of impeachment charged Vpon his motion the same day to the Lords this order was made in favour of him Die Lunae 13. Novemb. 1643. Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Councell shall provide themselves to advise him in point of Law in all the Articles of the whole Charge And for the matter of Fact when the Cause comes to be presented by the House of Commons as there shall be need their Lordships will give further directions in due time On the 1â— of December 1643. The House of Commons being desirous to bring the Archbishop to a speedy tryall made this ensuing Order 11 December 1643. Ordered that the Committee for the Tyrall of the Archbishop of Canterbury doe meete this afternoone at 2. of the Clock in the Starchamber to prepare the evidence against the Archbishop of Cant. and to summon such witnesses as are need full and prepare the businesse fit for Tryall and to acquaint the House when they are ready and this they are to doe with all the convenient speed they can and have power to send for parties witnesses Papers Records c. And the care thereof is particularly committed unto Serjeant Wild. Here upon the Committee met sundry times to prepare their evidence 3. January following the Lords intending to expedite the Archbishops Tryall according to the Commons desire made this Order Die Mercurii 3. Ian. 1643. It is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that this House will proceed against William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury upon the Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons for High Crimes and misdemeanours on Munday morning next it ten of the Clock being the eight of this instant Ianuary 1643 At which time the said Archbishop is to prepare himselfe for his defence To the Gentleman Vsher attending this House or his Deputie to be delivered to the Leiutenant of the Tower or his deputie for the Archbishop Whereupon the Lords the same day sent downe this Message to the Commons thus entred in their Iournall 31 Ianuary 1642. A Message sent from the Lords by Sir Robert Rich and Mr. Page The Lords commanded us to put you in minde that the Archbishop of Canterbury hath put in his Plea to the Impeachment of this House sent up to the Lords sometimes since which they desire you to take into consideration what is fit to be done in it 5. Ianuary The House of Commons desired the Lords to appoint a Committee to examine some witnesses upon Oath against the Archbishop in the presence of the Committee of the Commons which being granted the Commons made this Order 5. Ian. 1643. Ordered that the Committee of this House formerly appointed for the busines of the Archbishop of Cant. shall be the Committee in the presence of whom the witnesses in the case of the Bishop of Cant are to be examined upon Oath by the Committee of Lords On the 6. of Ianuary the Archbishop preferred this Petition to the Lords for the deferring of his Tryall to some longer time written with Mr. Dells hand and subscribed with his owne To the Right Honourable the Lords Assembled in the high Court of Parliament The humble Petition of William Laud Arch-bishop of Cant. Prisoner in the Tâ—wer Humbly sheweth THat your Petitioner having received your Lordships command by your honourable Order of the 3. of this instant Ianuary annexed to attend and Answer the Impeachment against your Petitioner from the honourable House of Commons on Munday the eight of this instant January which is but five dayes distance and at a time when 2. of his 3. Councell assigned 〈◊〉 of Towne and your Petitioner witnesses residing in severall remite places cannot be summoned in so short a time nor willing happily to came up in their summons with out warrant from your Lordships Your Petitioners most humble suit to your Lordships is that you will honourably vouchsafe him some more convenient time to send for his Councell and witnesses to testifie in the matters of fact Charged against him and withall to grant the Petitioner your honourable Order to command the witnesses summoned to attend at the time by your Lordships to be appointed which his humble request your Petitioner had sooner presented to your Lordships but that no sitting hath beene as your Petitioner is Informed untill this day sithence your honourable order in this behalfe made knowne to him And your Petitioner shall pray c W. Cant. Vpon reading whereof the Lords made this Order in his favour to out him of all excuses and prevent all clamons of a surpâ—isall Sabbati 6. Ian. 1643. Whereas the House formerly appointed Munday being the 8th of this instant Ianuary 1643. to proceed against William Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury upon the impeachments brought up against him from the House of Commons for High Treason and high Crimes and misdemeanours Vpon reading the Petition of the said Archbishop it is this day ordered by the Lords in Parliament to the end the Councell and Witnesses of the said Archbishop may have competent time to attend the hearing of the Cause that this House will respit the proceedings against the said Archbishop upon the said impeachments untill Tuesday the 16. of this instant Ianuary 1643. at ten of the Clock in the morning at which time the said Archbishop is peremprorily appointed to provide his Witnesses and prepare his defence unto the said impeachments To the Gentleman Vsher c. In pursuance whereof this Order was afterwards made and entred Die Lune 15. Ian.
Articles of Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons against him according to the former Order of this House of the 16. of this Instant Ianuary To the Gentleman Vsher c. On the 22. of Ianuary the Archbishop personally appearing at the Lords Barre according to the former Orders did then put in this following Answer both to the Commons Originall and Additionall Articles The Answer of the Archbishop of Cant. to the first and further Articles of the House of Commons dilivered in the 22th January 1643. The humble Answer of William Archbishop of Cant. to the first and farther Articles of Impeachment brought up by the Honourable House of Commons against him and by Order of the right honourable the Lords in Parliament of the 16. of this Instant directed to be put in As to the 13. Article of the said first Articles and the matters therein Charged allmatters or things in the same or any of the rest of the said Articles contained which concern any Act of Hostility whether between the King his Subjects or between Subject Subject or which may be conceived to arise upon the comming of any English Army against Scotland or the comming of the Scotish Army into England or upon any Action attempt assistance Councell or devise having relation thereunto and falling out by the occasion of the late troubles proceding the late Conclusion of the Treaty and returne of the Scottish Army into Scotland this Defendant saith that it is enacted by an Act made during the sitting of this present Parliament that the same and whatsoever hath ensued thereupon whether treuching upon the Lawes and Liberties of the Church and Kingdome or upon his Majesties Honour and Authority in no time hereafter may be called in Question or resented as a wrong Nationall or Personall and that no mention be made thereof in time comming neither in Judgement nor out of Judgement but that it be held and reputed as though never such things had beene thought or wrought as by the said Act may more at large appeare with this that this Defendant doth averre that he is none of the persons excepted by the said Act or the said offences charged upon this Defendant any of the offences excepted by the said Act. And as to all the rest of the said first and further Articles this Defendant saving to himselfe all advantages of exception to the said Articles humbly saith he is not Guilty of all or any the matters by the said Articles charged in such manner and forme us the same are by the said Articles charged against him VV. Cant. The same day I find this entry in the Commons Iournall to wit on the 22. Jan. 1643. The Lords by Sir Robert Rich and Mr. Page sent downe the Answer of William Archbishop of Cant. to the first and further Articles of impeachment brought up by this House against him which was read and ordered to be referred to the Commitmittee appointed to manage the evidence against the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and accordingly delivered to Serjeant Wilde After this the House of Commons to expedite his Tryall on the 22. February 1643. ORdered that the Committee appointed to mannage the evidence at the Tryall of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury doe peremptorily meete this afternoone at three of the Clocke in the Court of Wards upon the distribution of the parts of the evidence The Commons and Lords being all ready for his Tryall and having given him as much convenient time to prepare himselfe and his witnesses as he could desire to prevent all clamours of the Prelaticall and Canterburian party began now to thinke of a peremptory day for his Tryall and thereupon I finde this Order entred in the Commons Journall 4. Marcii 1643. A Message to be sent to the Lords to desire them to appoint a day for the Tryall of the Bishop of Canterbury Master Serjeant Wilde went up to the Lords to appoint a day for the Tryall of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Serjeant Wilde brings answer that the Lords have appointed to morrow senight for the tryall of the Archbishop of Canterbury For which purpose the Lords made this following Order Die Lunae 4. Marcii 1644. Ordered that the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury shall appeare before their Lordships on Tuesday the 12th of this instant March at nine of the Clock in the morning At which time this House will proceed against the Arch-Bishop upon the first and further Articles of Impeachment brought up from the house of Commons against him for high Treason and high Crimes and misdemeanours whereof the said Arch-Bishop is hereby to take notice and provide himselfe accordingly After this the Arch-Bishop Petitioning the Commons House that Sir Henry Midmay a Member thereof might bee examined as a witnesse for him at his tryall this Order was thereupon conceived 9. Marcii 1644. The humble Petition of William Arch-Bishop of Canterbury desiring that Sir Henry Mildmay may be examined as a witnesse in his businesse he being to come to his tryal on Tuesday next was this day read And it is Ordered according to his Petition that he shall be examined as a witnesse at the tryall of the said Bishop accordingly It was likewise then ordered that diverse Members of the House of Commons shal be examined as witnesses against him And that the Lords be moved by Serjeant Wilde that some Members and Attendants of the Lords House be examined at the arch-Arch-Bishops Tryall And that it be referred to the Committee of Sequestrations to consider of some convenient recompence for such Clerks Sollicitors and others as have been or shall bee imployed in the transscribing of breviats and other services done by them to the Committee for the Bishop of Canterbury his tryall On the 12. of March his Tryall according to the former Order was entred upon of which I shall give you this summary account Never was there in any age such a deliberate solemne patient impartiall hearing of any case in the High Court of Parliament nor in any Court of Justice else in our own or any other Kingdom whatsoever as there was of this Archbishops The first day of his Tryall began the twelfth of March 1643. wherein the whole time was spent in reading the Articles of Impeachment his answers to them and introductory Speeches to the charge and evidence against him made by Serjeant Wilde and the Arch-bishop himselfe The first part of the evidence upon the 1 2 3 4. Originall and 2 3 4 10. Additionall Articles was managed by Iohn Maynard Esquire one of the Commons House wherein foure whole dayes namely March 13. 16. 18. Anno 1643. and March 28. 1644. were spent the forenoons of them in the evidence and proofs the after-noons in the Arch-bishops Answers and Master Maynards replyes unto them The second part of the evidence was prosecuted by Robert Nicholas Esquire a Member of the House of Commons which took up three whole dayes viz. Aprill 16. and May 4. 16. morning and evening in
these men from it And that it may appear unto Your Lordships how many and of what condition the persons are which by Gods blessing upon my labours I have setled in the true Protestant Religion established in England I shall briefely name some of them though I cannot do it in order of time as I converted them Henry Berkinstead of Trinity Colledge Oxon seduced by a Jesuite and brought to London The Lords and others conceiving him to be Berchinhead the Author of all the Libellous Popish Oxford Aulicusses against the Parliament at the naming of him smiled which the Archbishop perceiving said My Lords I mean not Berchinhead the Author of Oxford Aulicus but another Two Daughters of Sir Richard Lechford in Surry sent towards a NVNNERIE Two Schollers of Saint Johns Colledge Cambridge Toppin and Ashton who had got the French Ambassadors passe and after this I allowed means to Toppin and then procured him a fellowship in Saint Johns And he is at this present as hopefull a young man as any of his time and a Divine Sir William Webbe my kinsman and two of his Daughters And his son I took from him and his Father being utterly decayed I bred him at my own charge and he is a very good Protestant A Gentleman brought to me by Master Chesford his Majesties servant but I cannot recall his name The Lord Mayo of Ireland brought to me also by Master Chesford The Right Honourable the Lord. Duke of Buckingham almost quite gone between the Lady his Mother and Sister The Lady Marquesse Hamilton was setled by my direction and shee dyed very religiously and a Protestant Master Digby who was a Priest Master James a Gentleman brought to mee by a Minister in Buckinghamshire as I remember Doctor Heart the Civilian my neighbours sonne at Fulham Master Christopher Seaburne a Gentleman of an ancient family in Herefordshire The Right Honourable the Countesse of Buckingham Sir William Spencer of Parnton Master Shillingworth The sonnes and heires of Master Winchcombe and Master Wollescott whom I sent with their friends liking to Wadham Colledge Oxford and received a Certificate Anno 1638. of their continuing in conformity to the Church of England Nor did ever any one of these named relapse againe but only the Countesse of Buckingham and Sir William Spencer it being only in Gods power not mine to preserve them from relapse And now let any Clergy man of England come forth and give a better accompt of his zeale to the Church This speech being ended all were commanded to withdraw In the withdrawing Master Hugh Peters who stood near the Archbishop demanded of him whether he was not ashamed to make such a bold challenge in so honourable an Auditory as he had made in the close of his Speech In bidding any Clergy man of the Church of England to come forth and give a better account of his zeal to the Church and conversion of Papists to our Religion then he had done Adding that himself the unworthiest of many hundred Ministers in England was there ready to answer his challenge and to produce a Catalogue not of 22. but of above 120. Papists which he through Gods blessing had converted to our Religion and brought home to God besides making them other manner of Converts then any in his recited Bead-Rol who were made neither good Protestants nor good Christians by him Adding that he and many other Ministers in England were able to produce hundreds of reall Converts to Christ for every of his pretended ones some wherof by his own confession soon turned Apostates and the rest but litle better At which speech of his the Archbishop seemed much offended and some of his friends there present taxing Master Peters as an unmannerly sawcy fellow for using such language to him in this his afflicted condition desired him to trouble his Grace no further with such rude discourse whereupon they parted without more words If we survey this Oration of the Arch-bishop with an impartiall eye we may discover abundance of shamelesse Impudency and Pharisaicall selfe-justification beyond all bounds of Modesty or Verity broached in it so apparently contradicted by his manifold unjust oppressive violent actions and Popish Innovations of all sorts visible to the eyes of all men and so diametrally refuted by the subsequent evidence produced against him during his seventeen dayes tryall that had not his brow been made of brasse and his face of Adamant he could not have justified so many grosse untruths of him selfe before such an honourable publike Auditory and the supreame Judicatory of the Realme with so much shamelesse impudency as hee did But t is the common practise of obdurate sinners and cauterized Delinquents Fortem animum praestant rebus quas turpitèr audent Like the adulterous woman Pro. 30. 20. Who eateth and wipeth her mouth and saith I HAVE DONE NO WICKEDNES This Evening the Lords Ordered the Arch-bishop to appear at their Bar the next morning by 9 of the Clocke at which time they would proceed in his Tryall Whereupon all departing for that time appeared the next day at the appointed houre in the Lords House where the Commons entring upon their evidence proved the Articles in their Order I shall present you with the summe and severall branches of his charge and then prosecute them in the ensuing method The Generall Charge against the Archbishop with the severall branches thereof THe Charge against this Arch-Malefactor consisting of many various particular Crimes of high nature is reducible to one generall head to wit High Treason against the King and Kingdome thus expressed in the 1. Originall and 2. Additionall Articles That he hath Trayterously endeavoured to subvert the fundamentall Lawes and Government of the Kingdome of England and instead thereof to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyranicall Government This Generall is distributed into foure Speciall branches in the Articles of his Impeachment under which all the particular Capitall Offences and grand Misdemenours given in evidence against him at his Tryall are comprehensible 1. His Trayterous endeavours and practises to alter and subvert Gods true Religion by Law established in this Realme and instead thereof to set up Popish Superstition and Idolatry and reconcile us to the Church of Rome the particulars whereof are specified in the 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Originall and 6. 7. 8. 9. Additionall Articles 2. His Trayterous usurpation of a Papall and Tyranicall power in the Church of England in all Ecclesiasticall affaires in prejudice and derogation of his Majesties Royall Prerogative and the Subjects liberties comprised in the sixt originall Article 3. His Trayterous attempts and endeavours to subvert the fundamentall temporall Lawes Government and Liberties of the Realme and Subjects of England and instead thereof to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyranicall Government against the Law and Subjects liberties expressed in the 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 13 Originall and 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 10. Additionall Articles 4. His Trayterous
Altare c. 6ly By the ancient Roman Order published by George Cassander in his Workes p. 118. to 130. where I finde these frequent expressions Pontifex inclinans se paululum AD ALTARE Altari inclinans Adorato Altare pertransit Pontifex in caput Schole in gradu superiore inclinato capite ad Altare salutat Altare Sacerdos quando dicit supplices te rogamus humiliato capite inclinat se ante Altare Subdiaconi ad Altare progredientes simul se inclinant coram eo c. These with the Black Booke of Windfor made in the darkest time of Popish superstition and Idolatry were the severall presidents and Authorities whence this Arch-Prelate borrowed this Idolatrous Ceremony of bowing to his New erected Altar and the Crucifix on or over it in the Glasse windowe never used nor enjoyned before his time in any Protestant Church nor approved by any ancient Protestant Author that can be produced but some late Creatures of his owne whom he set on worke to justifie it in Print though condemned by many as Popish and Idolatrous 7ly He likewise introduced Gaudy Romish Copes into his Chappell never used in any his Protestant Prodecessors times wherein his Chaplins usuall Consecrated and Celebrated the Sacrament there wearing them likewise at the solemne consecration of Bishops as was witnessed upon Oath by Sir Nathaniell Brent Dr. Featley and Master Cordwell Dr. Haywood the Archbishops Chaplin confessing at the Lords Barre that himselfe did usually celebrate the Sacrament in Lambheth Chappell in a Cope Now these Gaudy Copes were directly derived from the Papists Wardrobes as well as his other Chapell furniture witnesse Caeremoniale Romanum l. 1. c. 16. p. 85. 87. Pontificale Romanum p. 357. 358. De Benedictione sacerdotalium Iudumentorum and Thomas Beacons Reliques of Rome 8ly This Archbishop brought in Standing up at every recitall of Glory be to the Father c. after every Psalme and repetition of it together with Very lowly bowing of the head and knee at every recitall of the name of Iesus never there practised in his Predecessors dayes as Dr Featley and Sir Nathaniel Brent deposed The first of these was derived from Ordo Romanus de Officio Missae apud Georgij Cassandri Opera Parisijs 1616. p. 98. The latter of bowing at the name of Iesus from Pope Gregory the tenth who first introduced and prescribed it Sexti Decretalia lib. 2. Tit. 3. c. 2. from the Popish Councils of Basil Sennes Augusta with others which enjoyne the use of it and from Caeremoniale Romanum l. 2. c. 8. p. 206. which directs and prescribes thus Diaconus prosequitur Evangelim cum profert Nomen Iesu vel Mariae INCLINAT SE sed profundius cum dicit Iesus quod ET OMNES FACIVNT 8ly He erected a new beautifull paire of Organs in this Chappell which had none before attested by Dr. Featley and Mr. Pryune now Organs were first brought into Churches by Pope Vitalian and promoted by other Popish Prelates and withall he brought in such chaunting to them as is expresly prescribed is Caeremoniale Episcoporum set forth by Pope Clement the 8. lib. 1. c 28. De Organo Organistis Musicis seu Cantoribus omnia per eos servandain divinis the only Directory by which his Chappell with all our Cathedrall Organ-playing and Chaunting were regulated as those who will peruse that Chapter and compare it with our late Cathedrall Musike will at first acknowledge Finally this Arch Prelate brought in all manner of Popish Consecrations into his Chappell never heard off nor used in his Predecessors dayes as Consecrations of all sorts of Altar-furniture Vestments Flagons Chalices which himselfe arayed in a Gaudy Cope there solemnly Consecrated attested upon Oath by Mr. Samuel Bordman a reverend Minister who deposed at the Bar to this effect That he having privat intelligence of an extraordinary solemne Consecration of some Flagons and Chalices brought from other Churches intended to be Consecrated by the Archbishop at Lambheth Chappell repaired thither to see the manner of it being new and strange to him which was performed in this manner Jn the midest of divine service the Archbishop and his two Chaplines in their Surplices coming out of their seates and bowing very low severall times one after another to the Altar went up unto it where the Archbishop putting on a very gorgeous rich Cope and bowing severall times with his Chaplaines to the Altar read thereat a parcel of scripture used at the Consecration of the Temple which done there were divers Flagons and Cups delivered to the Archbishop who setting them downe upon the Altar used a forme of prayer wherein he desired God to blesse and accept of these Vessells which he severally touched and elevated offering them up to God Now this forme of Consecrating Chalices Flagons Altar-clothes and other furniture of the Altar is expresly prescribed in and taken out of the Missale Paruum pro Sacerdotibus in Anglia Jtinerantibus p. 145. to 152. Pontificale Romanum p. 355. to 376. in both which there are particular Chapters and setformes De Benedictione sacrorum vasorum aliorum Ornamentorum in genere De Patenae Calicis Consecratione with sundry solemne consecration prayers and these two speciall Collects among others for that purpose which it is likely the Archbishop then used at this consecration Exaude Domine Pater clementissime precos nostras haec purificanda vasa Ornamenta sacri Altaris atque Ecclesiae tuae sacri ministerij usui praeparata benedicere sanctificare digneris Per Christum Dominum nostrum Amen Omnipotens sempiterne Deus I quo omnia immunda purgantur in quo omnia purgata clare scunt supplices Omnipotentiam tuam invocamus ut ab his vasis ornamentis quae tibi offerunt famuli tui omnis spiritus immundus confusus longè discedat per tuam benedictionem ad usum ministerium sancti Altaris Ecclesiae tua sanctificata permaneant per Christum Dominum nostrum Amen All these most palpable Idolatrous Romish superstitions Innovations did this Archbishop publikely introduce and practise in his owne Chappell at Lambheth to the great triumphing of the Popish the vexation scandall of the Protestant party though all directly taken out of the Roman Missall Caremoniall Pontificall the Decrees of Popes of Popish Councells and how soon he would have there introduced the very Masse it selfe had not the Scotish troubles interrupted his designes his owne Notes of approbation written in the Masse booke his framing the Scottish new Liturgy by it with the ensuing particulars will abundantly evidence un to all the world to his most just condemnation and eternall infamy At how great cost he was to make these Innovations Alterations in his Chappell will be most clearely evident by the Glasiers Ioyners Painters severall Bills seised in his Study al Lambeth It appearing by Mr. Butler the Glasiers Bil that the mending and new painted Glatte
have seene such a sight that our owne Ministers and Popish Priests should thus repaire one after another into the Kings Chappell and use the selfe-same bowings gestures to the Altar and Crucifix as if they were both agreed Whereunto the Papist presently answered there is no such odds and difference betweene you and us as is conceived which one of the Semenary Priests over-hearing used the like words adding further Gentlewoman you need not wonder at our bowing and kuteling to the Altar and Crucifix for you see that Ministers of your owne Coate and Religion doe the like and so they departed Now what a Capitall Crime Treason this is for an Archbishop intrusted with the care of Religion to bring in such Crucifixes Ceremonies Innovations into his Majesties owne royall Chapell as should invite even his Majesties Chaplaines and Popish Semenary Priests thus openly and promiscously to resort into it to commit Idolatry with them and there to use the very selfe same bowings adorations to the Altar Crucifix as Priests themselves usually exercised and openly upbraid us with to the great offence and scandall of his Majesties Protestant Subjects was humbly submitted to the saddest consideration of his Iudges and all that heard this evidence 3. ly We shall next follow this Romish Fox from White-Hall to Westminster Abby where in Ianuary 1625. he exercised the Office of Doane of Westminster at his Maiesties Coronation putting Bishop Williams then reall Dean thereof from this Royall service incident to his place In this solemnity of high concernment we shall give you a short information what he did with reference only to Popish superstition and Innovation In generall he compiled the forme of his Majesties Coronation different from that of K. Edward the 6th and King Iames inserting some prayers Ceremonies into it out of the Roman Pontificall That himselfe compiled it appeares by his owne Diary and the originall Coppy corrected with his owne hand of which hereafter in its proper place In particular First he caused all the Râ—brickes in this New forme of Coronation to be written in red Letters as they are in the Roman Pontificall para 1. p. 163. c. whereas all formet manuscripts of Coronations found in his Study were written onely with black Inke as appeared by the Bookes themselves writ in times of Popery since and by Master Prynnes attestation who perused them all 2ly He specially inserted this Note into the Margin of the Coronation Booke All this Vnction was performed IN FORMA CRVCIS AND THE OLD CRVCIFIX among the Regalia STOOD ON THE ALTAR of which no mention â—â— made in the Coronation of K. Edward the 6th or King James Which forme of anointing the King after the forme of a Crosse is directly taken out of the Roman Pontificall parts De Benedictione Coronatione Regis p. 167. Post hoc Metropolitanus intinget pollic â—â—â— dextrea manus in 〈…〉 INVNGIT IN MODVM CRVCIS illius brachium dexterum c. And that the old Crosse used only in times of Popery should it this royall solemnity be placed on the high Altar among the Kings Regalia as its usuall in forraigne Popish Cathedralls and Altars if we may credit Ceremoniale Episcoporum and the severall Portraitures in it was a sad Omen at the consecration of a Protestant King to inure if not enamor him with such Popish superstitions in the very begining of his reigne 3ly The Oyle wherewith he was anointed as appeares by the marginall Notes was solemnly consecrated by a Bishop which Consecration of the Oyle is a meere Popish Relique as appeares by Pontificale Romanâ— de Benedictione Coronatione Pegis Thomas Beacons Reliques of Rome Bochellus Decreta Eccles Gal. l. 5. Tit. 2. l. 2. Tit. 6. 4ly He inserted divers Prayers into the forme of the Kings Coronation taken verbatim out of the Roman Pontificall Among others this ensuing Prayer which you shall finde in Latine in the Roman Pontificall p. 171. used at the Kings inthronization after his unction tending to the advancing of the Bishops and Clergy above the Laity Stand and hould fast from henceforth the place to which you have beene heire by the succession of your Forefathers being now delivered unto you by the Authority of the Almighty God and by the hands of us and all the Bishops and servants of God and as you see the Clergy to come nearer to the Altar then others so remember that in places convenient you give them greater Honour That the mediatour of God and man may establish you in the Kingly Throne to be the mediator betwixt the Clergy the Laitie and that you may reigne for ever with Iesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who with the Father the holy Ghost liveth reigneth for ever Amen 4ly Popish Master Iohn Cosens as appeares by the Marginall Notes when the Prayers appointed for the Coronation were there read kneeled behinde the Bishops giving direction to the Quire when to answer acting the Office of the Master of Ecclesiasticall Ceremonies whose Office you may read at large described in Caeremeniale Epescoporum Lib. 1. c. 5. p. 19. De Officio Magistrarum Caremoniarum 5ly After the Coronation ended this Archbishop voluntarily of his own accord offered the Kings Regalia on the Altar in a Popish manne without any Rubricke or direction as appeares by this passage in his Diary written with his owne hand Feb. 2. 1625. Solemnbus fiuitis in â—â—ield magis Westâ—con quum tradidit mihi in manus Regalia quae in Ecclesia B. Petri Westâ—â—on servantur de novo dedis Gladium Cortanam dictum duos alos qui coram Reeâ— eo die deferbantur ut servarâ—utur cum reliquis infignibus in Ecclesiam Redij ET AD ALTARE SOLENNITER Oâ—TVLI NOMINE REGIS cum alijs reposui Certainly had this Archprelate beene inflamed with any such extraordinary reale to the Protestant Religion as he pretended he would not have introduced so many Popish Caeremonies out of the Roman Pontificall into his Majesties solemne Coronation but utterly excluded them out of the form of Coronation he then compiled Ex Cauda Draconem you may take a scanding of this Dragon by his Taile who endeavoured to poyson his Majesty as much as in him lay with Romish superstitions in his very Inauguration to his Crowne the sad effects whereof we have since experimentally discerned to our sorow and greatest griefe 4ly We shall in the next place follow this little Fox in his Romish Procession from Westminster to our two famous Vniversities of Oxford and Cambridge whose Christall Fountaines he extraordinarily poysoned with Popish superstitions Innovations Caeremonies of all 〈◊〉 and in them our Church and State Before this pragmaticall Arch-Prelates advancement to be a Prime Favorite in Court and supreame Comptroller of all Ecclesiasticall affaires in our Church our Universities had neither Crucifixes nor Jmages nor Altars nor bowing to Altars nor Copes nor Latine service nor any
but that it may lye by him that when you speak with his Grace about this among other businesses his Grace may have recourse to my papers if he think fit There are in my Diocesse 469 Churches and Chappels or thereabout and the Communion Tables are placed already in above 140 of them as the Communion Table is placed in our Cathedrall Church here I have begun and proceeded herein in a perswasive way some parishes were no sooner spoken to but they obeyed other Parishes refused at the first but they were quickly satisfied and then submitted only the Churchwardens of Beckington being encouraged and back'd by divers of the parish not so well affected to the government and rites of the Church as they should be are become obstinate and will have the Chancell ordered and the Communion Table there placed as the parishioners shall think fit who also bear the charges of these Churchwardens as they have confessed unto me which was the cause why they hasted so speedily to London and stayed so long there about this businesse If these men have their wils the example will do a great deal of harme for then many of the Parishes which have already conformed themselves to the Cathedrall will fall back and other Parishes will never come on to this conformity who are now at a stand to see what will be done in the Chancell of Beckington I know your judgement and affection to the Church concurres with mine and therefore I am assured you will do nothing herein but that which shall be for the good of the Church and preservation of authority in all things just and lawfull I pray If D. Duck desire to read the coppy of the proceedings and reasons which I have sent you let him borrow it of you for it is fit my Chancelour should be acquainted with these things whose counsell and assistance must be used therein And so with remembrance of my true love and best wishes to you I commend you to the grace of God and rest Your very affectionate and faithfull friend Guil. Bath and Wels. Wels 2 Ian. 1635. Hereupon the poor Churchwardens being destitute of all relief continued excommunicated about a whole year after which they were taken and imprisoned in the common Gaole a long time upon a Capias Excommunicatum from whence at last they were released by the Bishop upon this ensuing submission and pennance worse then any imprisonment A true Copy of the Pennance that Iames Wheeler and Iohn Frye were enjoyned unto by my Lord Bishop of Bath and Wels examined by those whose names are underwritten Thomas Iles Iohn Bailly George Long William Webb Whereas the right reverend Father in God William by Gods permission Lord Bishop of Bathe and Wels hath heretofore lawfully required and commanded James Wheeler and John Frye late Churchwardens of the Parish-church of Beckington within the Dioces of Bathe and Wels aforesaid to remove the Communion Table in the Chancell of their said parish-Church and to place it close under the East wall of the said Chancell in the same manner and forme as the Communion Table standeth in the Cathedrall Church in Wells aforesaid and to remoue the seats placed above the said Table And likewise whereas they the said James Wheeler and John Frye contemned and wilfully disobeyed the command of the said Reverend Father and have in most contemptuous manner stood excommunicated for their said contempt for the space of one whole yeare now last past or there abouts not regarding nor fearing the dreadfull Censure of the Church And have likewise some dayes last past stood aggravated and have been signified unto the Kings most excellent Majesty for the apprehending their bodies and committing them to the Common-gaole of the County of Somerset the rather to compell them to their due obedience to the lawfull command of the Church now upon the earnest request and submission of the said Wheeler and Fry the said Reverend Father hath absolved them from the said sentences and enjoyned unto them that upon Sunday the 25 day of Iune in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred thirty seven they in their usuall apparell shall stand first in the middle Ally in the Parish-church of Beckington aforesaid and there immediately after the reading of the Gospell shall openly and penitently with an audible voice make this acknowledgement following repeating the same after the Minister viz. We James Wheeler and John Fry do here before this Congregation assembled acknowledge and confesse that we have grievously offended the Divine Majesty of Almighty God and the lawes Ecelesiasticall of this Realme of England in that we have in contemptuous manner refused to remove the Communion Table in the Chancell of the Parish-church of Beckington and to place it close under the East wall of the said Chancell in the same manner and forme as the Communion Table standeth in the Cathedrall Church in Wels and to remove the seats placed above the said Table being thereunto lawfully and judicially monished and warned by the right reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wels. And in that for our contempts and disobediences in not performing the said lawfull command of the said reverend Father we have suffered our selves to be lawfully excommunicated and so to stand for the space of one whole yeare last past or thereabouts not fearing nor regarding the dreadfull censure of the Church And in like or rather more contemptuous manner have suffered our selves to be lawfully aggravated and signified according to the laudable laws â— statutes of this Realm thereby in a legall manner to compell us to our due obedience to the lawfull command of the Church And we do hereby protest that we are right heartily sorry for the same and we do faithfully promise never from henceforth to offend in the like againe but to demeane our selves as shall become good Christians and dutifull subjects and we doe ask God forgivenesse for this our sinne and offence and you all here present for our evill example And we doe desire you all to pray for us and with us to Almighty God that it may please him of his infinite goodnesse to forgive us of this our offence And then humbly and penitently kneeling downe must devoutly rehearse the Lords Prayer and they must certifie hereof at Wels in writing subscribed to these presents under the hands of the Minister and Churchwardens of Beckington aforesaid on Tuesday the 27 day of Iune aforesaid together with this Schedule And the like pennance is to be performed by the within named James Wheeler and John Fry for the same offence in the Parish-church of Froom-felwood within the Dioces aforesaid before the Pulpit or Ministers seat there in manner and forme prescribed on Sunday the 2 day of Iuly Anno predict And certificate must be made of the due performance thereof as abovesaid under the hands of the Minister and Churchwardens there upon Tuesday the fourth day of Iuly aforesaid
Com. Carmarthen nostrarum Menevensis Dioces Iurisdictionis continent inter muros ejusdem in longitudine ab Oriente ad Occidentem 30 pedes in latitudine ab Aquilone versus Austrum 17. pedes cum dimidio super terris nostris cum propriis nostris sumptubus noviter erigi extrui procuravissimus Eandemque suggesto mensa Sacra seu Altari Sedilibus convenientibus aliisque necessariis ad divinum cultum decenter sufficienter ornaverimus Ad ConsecrationeÌ„ ejusdem Capellae auctoritate nostra ordinaria Episcopali jam procedentes eandem Capellam divino cultui divinorum celebrationi ac tam ad Sacramenta Sacramentalia tum Caenae Dominicae tum etiam Baptismatis sacri in eadem ministranda ad matrimonium solemnizandum quam ad divinas preces Deo fundendas verbum Dei purè sincerè proponendum predicandum ac caetera omnia sacra divina perficienda in eadem quae de Iure divino ac etiam legibus sanctionibus Constitutionibus Ecclesiae nostrae Anglicanae in ea parte sunt requisita necessaria ac si sigistatim essent in presentibus specificata modo forma in similibus jam de Iure visitatis in Dei honorem usum nostrum Successorum nostrorum aliorumque nobiscum in aedibus nostris praedictic sive cum Successoribus nostris imposterum ibidem commorantium sive inhabitantiuÌ„ consecramus dedicamus pernomen Capellae Sancti Johannis Baptistae Et sic consecratam dedicatam assignatam esse in futuris perpetuis temporibus remanere debere palam publicè pronuntiamus declaramus pernomen predictum perpetuis futuris comporibus nominandum appellandum fore decernimus sic nominamus Privilegiis insuper omnibus singulis in ea parte usitatis requisitis Capellis abantiquo fundatis competentibus hujusmodi Capellam sive Oratorium ad omnem Iuris effectum munitum esse volumus quantum in nobis est de Iure possumus sic munimus stabilimus per presentes Salvo semper Iure interesse Matricis Ecclesiae in cujus Parochia dicta Capella sive Oratorium predict scita scituata est in omnibus singulis decimis oblationibus vadiis proficuis privilegiis Iuribus emolumentis quibuscumque ordinariis extraordinariis ad dictam Ecclesiam matricem Iure vel consuetudins quoquo modo debitis vel consuetis aut spectantibus sive pertinentibus Quae quidem omnia singula praemissa quantumus in nobis est de Iure possumus pro Nobis Successoribus nostris sic decernimus stabilimus per praesentes In nomine Patris Filii Spiritus Sancti Amen With this Instrument he likewise found a note of the dimensions of this Chappell written with the Bishops own hand My Chappell at Aberguilly is 5. yards and a halfe broad at the East end MY ALTAR FRAME besides the thicknesse of the Table is a yard and 3. inches high And the Table is a yard and three quarters long and in breadth it wants three inches of a yard the foot-pace is two yards broad This note was inclosed and wrapped up within these two following Papers found together with it thus indorsed with the Arch-bishops own hand 1643. Chappell and furniture as it was in use by the right Reverend Father in God Lancelot Andrews Lord Bishop then of Winton From whom the Arch-Bishop confessed at the Bar he tooke his pattern of consecrating and furnishing Churches Chappels Altars By which two papers publikely read and shewed in the Lords House the Popish furniture both of Bishop Andrews and this Arch-bishops Chappels at Aberguilly London-house and Lambeth will most evidently appear to all the world The portraiture of the first of these two papers with the Popish furniture of the Altar in the Arch-bishops and Bishop Andrews Chappell 's is expressed to the life in the following Copper peece 1. The Alter 1 y◠¼ high 1 y◠¾ long 1 yâ— broad α A cushion β β. Twoo Candlestickes with tapers C. The bason for Oblations γ. A Cushion for the service booke The dayly furniture for the 〈◊〉 A. The silver â— guilt 〈…〉 for the 〈…〉 like a wicker basket lined with 〈◊〉 laced B the Tonne vpon a cradle C the Câ—alice haueing on the outside of the boll Christ with the lost 〈◊〉 in his shoulders on the top of the coâ—â—â— the wisemens starr both engrauen it is couered with a linnon napkin called the Aire embrodered with colored silkes D D Twoo patens ✚ the â—rica â—nale being a round ball with a skrew couer where out iâ— sâ—ue 3 pipes and is for the water of mixture 2. Asier table on which before the Communion ◠〈…〉 lace of this writing should haue been the Outward Chappell stand A B vpon two napkins Eabason Ever to â—ash before consecration Fâ— towell aâ—â—taining 3 3 the Kneeling stooles couered and stâ—â—ffed 4 â—â— footpace â—â— three ascents covered â—â— a Turkey Carpott of firrboords â— â— G. Three Chaires vsed at Ordinations or prelates comâ—nicant 5 The Septum with two ascents 6 the pulpitt 7 the musique table with A A A three formes E a Triquertrall Censor wherein if Clarke putteth frankin cense at if reading of the first lesson H the â—aricula like yâ— keâ—le of a boat with a halfe cover and a foot out of which the frank in cense is poured 8 a footpace with three ascents on which the â—ecteru standeth couered thereon the great Bible 9. The Falds torte where at they Kneele to read the litanie 10. is the Chaplins seate where he readeth service 11. a seate with a Canopie ouer it for the B. P. but at the Comâ—nion time he fitts on G. 3. 12. 12 two long formes for the familie Loe here in this Peece and Chappell you have first AN ALTAR Secondly strange Popish furniture on this Altar viz. two silver Candlestickes with Tapers in them expresly prohibited by Queen Elizabeths Injunctions Anno 1559. Injunct 3. 23. which prohibit setting up of Candles ordering all Candlesticks Trindals and Rols of Wax to be taken aWay and extinct as Monuments of superstition and Idolatry by the Homily against the Perill of Idolatry Part 3. pag. 50 51. which condemnes the use of Tapers and Candle Religion as foolish superstitious Ethnicall and Idolatrous and generally censured by all our Orthodox Writers as Popish and Heathenish A Bason for Oblations a silver and gilt Candlesticke for WAFERS A Chalice with the Picture of Christ engraven on it An Aire A Tricanale or pot with three pipes for the Water of mixture that is for water to mix with the Wine and for Holy-water A Credertia or side Table a Bason and Ewer for the polluted Priests and Prelates to wash in before consecration and a towell to wipe their unhollowed fingers A Censor to burn Incense in at the reading of the first Lesson as in the Popish Masse and Churches A little Boate
of England and Baron Denham riding the Western Circuit in the Lent Vacation 7º Caroli there being at the Assises in the County of Sommerset many persons indicted for murthering Bastard children begotten at Wakes and Revels with sundry other grand disorders occasioned by these intemperate meetings the Justices of that County earnestly importuned the Judges to make a severe Order for the suppression of these disorderly Wakes and Revels as divers of their Predecessors had done without which they could never keep the Country in good Order nor prevent the multitude of Bastards murthers bloodsheds drunkennesse quarrels and other disorders occasioned by them whereupon these Judges made this ensuing Order in the publike Assises An Order made by the Judges of the Assises for the suppressing of all Ales and Revels the nineteenth day of March Anno Regis Caroli nunc Ang. c. Sept. WHereas divers Orders have been made heretofore by the Judges of the Assise for the suppressing of all Ales and Revels the same Order is now confirmed at this Assises and again Ordered by the Court In regard of the infinite number of inconveniences dayly arising by means of Revels That such Revels Church-Ales Clerks-Ales and all other publick Ales be henceforth utterly suppressed and if hereafter it shall be known to the Justices of the Peace within this County of such to be set up hereafter to be used That then the Justices of Peace within their severall divisions take course as well for the speedy apprehending and punishing of Idle and lewd persons drawing together at such places as also for the binding over of such persons using tipling inflicting such punishment upon all offenders in such places as the Law doth inflict And to the end this Order may be the better observed it is further Ordered That the Clerk of the Assises shall leave Coppies hereof with the under-Sheriffe and from the under-Sheriffe every Constable of the hundred shall take a Coppy for his severall Hundred and Liberty and shall deliver a Coppy to the Minister of every Parish within his severall Hundred and Liberty and shall take a note of every Minister under his hand the day when he received it and shall publish it yearly within the Parish Church the first Sunday in February and likewise the two Sundayes before Easter yearly And it is further Ordered That every Constable every Lent-Assises present unto the Judges of the Circuit a note of the same Order under the hands of the said Ministers And for the avoyding the concourse of idle people it is further Ordered That Minstrels and such other persons as usually carry up and down Bulls and Beares to bate being Rogues by the Statute shall be punished as Rogues for the further preventing of such inconveniences as usually hapneth at such meetings This is a Copyy of the Order To Lawrence Musgrave Constable The now Arch-Bishop being informed of this good Order was very much netled at it both in regard of the subject matter of it the suppression of Church-Ales Wakes Revels commonly kept on the Lords Day and likewise of the manner of publishing it by the Ministers in the Church which he conceived to be an Vsurpation upon the Bishops Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction and an injury to the Church Upon which grounds he had formerly quarrelled with Sir Nicholas Rainton when he was Lord Mayor of London for prohibiting an Apple-woman to sell Apples on the Lords Day within Pauls Church-yard threatning to complaine of him to the King and his Councell for usurping on his Jurisdiction and telling him she should sell Apples there on the Sunday notwithstanding his Command to the contrary and let him punish her if he durst as he likewise excepted against this pious Order of Richard Deane Lord Mayor of London Anno 1629. found in his study by Master Prynne thus endorsed with his own hand Aprill 20. 1629. The Lord Mayor of London his Warrant against breakers of the Sabbath MY JVRISDICTION INTERESSED WHereas J am credibly informed that notwithstanding divers good Laws provided for the keeping of the Sabbath day holy according to the expresse Commandement of Almighty God divers Jnhabitants and other persons of this City and other places having no respect of duty towards God and his Majesty or his Laws but in contempt of them all do commonly and of custome greatly prophane the Sabbath day in buying selling uttering and venting their Wares and Commodities upon that day for their private gain Also Jnholders suffering Markets to be kept by Carriers in most rude and prophane manner in selling Victuals to Hucsters Chandlers and all other commers also Carriers Carmen Clothworkers Water-bearers and Porters carrying of burthens and Watermen plying their Fares and divers others working in their ordinary callings And likewise that J am further informed that Vintners Alehousekeepers Tobacco and strong Water sellers greatly prophane the Sabbath day by suffering Company to sit drinking and bibbing in their houses on that day And likewise divers by cursing and swearing and such like behaviour contrary to the expresse Commandement of Almighty God his Majesties Laws in that behalf and all good Government For the Reformation whereof J do hereby require and in his Majesties name straightly Command all his Majesties loving subjects whatsoever and also all Constables Headboroughs Beadles and all other Officers whatsoever to be ayding and assisting to I. S. the bearer hereof in finding out and apprehending all and every such person and persons as shall be found to offend in any of these kinds and them and every of them to bring before me or some other of his Majesties Justices of the Peace to answer to all such matters as shall be objected against them and to put in good security for their good behaviour whereof fail you not as you or any of you will answer at your perill Dated Aprill 20. 1629. To all Constables and other his Majesties Officers Ministers whatsoever within the City of London and liberties thereof and to every of them Rich. Deane Major The Arch-bishop much vexed at the Judges forementioned Order against Ales and Revels complained of the Judges and it to his Majestie as he had formerly done of the Lord Mayor of London and procured a Commission to some Divines of that County and Bishop Pierce to enquire of the manner of publishing this Order in Churches and what was done therein and of the Lord Chiefe Justice Richardsons carriage in this businesse Notwithstanding which Commission this chiefe Justice the next Assizes gave a strict charge against these Ales and Revels required an Account of the publication and execution of the foresaid Order and punished some disorderly persons for breach thereof Wherewith the Archbishop then of London being acquainted by Sir Robert Philips and others he thereupon complained again to the King of the Judges and writ the ensuing letter to the Bishop of Bath and Wels to make the better way for the publike authorizing of Wakes and Revels even on the Lords own Day and his
Majesties subsequent Declaration for sports and Ales to be kept thereon of which Christopher Dowe his Champion in his Innovations unjustly charged upon the present Church and State or An Answer to the most materiall passages of a Libellous Pamphlet made by Mr. Henry Burton and Intituled An Apology of an Appeal c. London 1637. chap. 5. p. 75. writes thus I beleeve his Grace holds it no dishonour to be the meanes of procuring or urging obedience to any Act that so just and religious a King shall avow to be His. Propounding and justifying these five Propositions at at large concerning this Declaration and the urging of it p. 77. c. 1. That the Declaration is no inlet to prophannesse or irreligion or hinderance of the due Sanctification of the Lords Day 2. That ehe sports permitted by it to be used are Lawfull and are not prohibited either by Gods Law or the Law of the Land 3. That it is no means of breaking the fift Commandement nor doth alow any contempt of Parents or Masters Authority over their children and servants 4. That the reading of it by Ministers in their severall Congregations was injoyned and intended by his Majesty and that it is a thing that may lawfully be done by them 5. That such as refuse to publish it accordingly are justly punished and their punishment no cruelty or unjust persecution The Extract of the Letter sent to the Bishop of Bath and Wels was as followeth S. in Christo My very good Lord c. MY Businesses concerning my Translation are now almost over and those of Tearme ready to begin And in the interim I am commanded by His Majesty to put you to a little paines There hath been of late some noyse in Somersetshire about the Feasts of the Dedications of Churches commonly called the Wakes and it seemes the Judges of Assiize formerly made an Order to prohibit them and caused it to be published in some or most of the Churches there by the Minister without my Lord the Bishops consent or privity The pretence of this hath been that some disorders derogatory from Gods service and the Government of the Common-wealth are committed at those times by which argument any thing that is abused may be quite taken away It seemes there hath been some heate strucke in the Countrey about this by the carriage of the Lord Chiefe Justice Richardson at the two last Assizes especially the last with which His Majesty is not well pleased And for the preventing of outrages or disorders at those Feasts no man can be more carefull than His Majesty but He conceives and that very rightly that all these may and ought to be prevented by the care of the Justices of Peace and not leave the Feasts themselves to be kept for the Neighbourly meetings and Recreations of the people of which he would not have them debarred under any frivilous pretences And farther His Majesty hath been lately informed by men of good place in that Countrey that the Humourists increase much in those parts and unite themselves by banding against the Feasts which course as His Majesty no way likes so He hath been informed also for this last yeare since warning was given there have not been any noted disorders at any of those Feasts kept in those parts Yet for His better satisfaction He hath commanded me to require you which I here do by these Letters to send for some of the gravest of your Clergy and such as stand best affected to the Church and Government in the severall parts of your Diocesse and by them to informe your selfe how these Feasts havs been ordered for this last yeare and how free they have been from disorders and to send me up an accompt of it such as I may shew to His Majesty of which you must not fayle And He doubts not but that you will performe the same like a wise and a prvdent Governour Thus leaving this businesse to your care and desiring you to make as much convenient haste with it as you can I commend you to Gods Grace and rest Your Lordships very loving Friend and Brother W. Cant. Lambeth Octob. 4. 1633. To which Letter the Bishop of Bath and Wells made this returne thus endorsed with the Archbishops own hand Rece November 11 1633. My Lord of Bathes Certificate about the Wakes and other Feasts in Somersetshire c. found in his Study with his own forecited Letter MOst Reverend Father in God and my very Honourable good Lord my humble service presented to your Grace I received upon the 12th of October last a Letter from your Grace dated the 4th of the same Moneth wherein your Grace hath required me by a commandment from His Majesty to send for some of the gravest of my Clergie and such as stand best affected to the Church and Government out of the severall parts of my Diocesse and by them to inform my selfe how the annuall Feasts of the Dedications of their Churches have beene kept within their severall Parishes this last yeare and how free they have beene from disorders Now according to His Majesties pleasure and Commandment herein presently after receipt of your Graces Letter I sent forth my Letters into all the several Deaneries within my Diocesse for some of the better* sort of Clergy out of every Division part and corner of Somersetshire to come unto me and so they did upon certaine dayes appointed by me And I finde by the severall Answers of threescore and twelve Ministers Benificed men in whose Parishes these Feasts are kept as followeth First that they have been kept not onely this last yeare but also for many years before as long as they have lived in their severall Parishes without any disorders Secondly that upon the Feast dayes which are for the most part every where upon Sundayes the Service of the Church hath bin more solemnly performed and the Church hath bin better frequented both in the Forenoons and in the Afternoons than upon any Sunday in the yeare Thirdly that they have not known or heard of any disorders in the Neighbouring Towns where the like Feasts are kept Fourthly that the people do very much desire the continuance of those Feasts Lastly that all these Ministers are of opinion that it is fit and convenient these Feast dayes should be continued for a memoriall of the Dedications of their severall Churches for the civilizing of people for their lawfull Recreations for the composing of differences by occasion of the meeting of friends for the increase of love and unity as being Feasts of Charity for the reliefe of the poore the richer sort keeping then in a manner open house and for many other reasons This is the summe of their severall free and voluntary Answers which I have in writing under their owne hands and will be ready to shew if they be required which course I tooke because it might not bee given our hereafter by those who condemne these Feasts that I
himselfe if questioned for it upon any future occasion CHARLES R. CAnterbury See that Our Declaration concerning Recreations on the Lords day after Evening Prayer be Printed By all these Premised evidences it is most apparent that the Archbishop was the principall Actor in the publication of this Licentious Book to Gods and his Majesties dishonour which we shal further evidence by this writing under his owne hand The Declaration concerning Lawfull sports on the Lords day His Majesty Commanded me to se it Printed The motives to it were 1. A generall and superstitious opinion conceived of that day 2. A Booke set out by Theophilus Brabourne 1628. Iudaisme upon Christian principles and perverted many 3. A great distemper in Somerset-shire upon the forbiding of the wakes in the sowernesse of this opinion an Act of a Iudge that rid that Circuit March 15. 1627. And followed by another 1630. And his Majesty troubled with Petitions and motions by some cheife men of that county on both sides 4. His Royall Fathers example upon the like occasions in Lancashire After the publishing of this Declaration the Lord Richardson returning from his Circuit was by the Archbishops means convented before the King and Lords at the Councell Table about the forementioned Passages in his Charge in justification of the order against Wakes according to his duty and for revoking it in such a slight manner as much as in him lay for which he was so shaken up by the Archbishop that comming very dejectedly with tears in his eyes out of the Councel Chamber the Earle of Derset seeing him in such a sad condition and demaunding him how he did he answered Very ill my Lord for I am like to bee choaked with the Archbishops Lawn-sleeves And for this cause alone as he and others conceived he was by the Archbishops means to his great griefe and losse put from Riding the Westerne and enforced to Ride the Essex Circuit reputed the meanest of all others which no Chiefe Iustice but the puny Iudge or Serjeants only used to Ride notwithstanding the Lord Cottington and others earnestly moved His Majesty that he might ride some other Circuit After this the Archbishop intending to make this Declaration for Sports an Engine to insnare suspend silence and root out all conscientious preaching Ministers throughout the Realm by degrees the better to usher in Popery Ignorance and prophanesse enjoyned all Ministers to read this Declaration personally in their Churches in time of Divine Service such who out of conscience refused to read it were by the Archbishops own speciall direction suspended from their office and Benefice Excommunicated vexed in the High-commission and some of them there sentenced and deprived of their livings for this pretended crime though against no Law or Canon of God or man for proofe whereof these ensuing testimonies were produced First Sir Nathaniell Brent attested upon Oath that when he was appointed by the Archbishop as his Vicar Generall to Visit within the Diocesse of Canterbury the Archbishop himselfe gave him a speciall charge to convent all Ministers before him who would not read the Booke for sports on the Lords day and to suspend them for it and that he gave them particular order by name to suspend Mr. Culmer Master Player and Mr. Hieron three eminent preaching Ministers in Kent for not reading the sayd Booke of Sports Whereupon he did much against his will and judgement suspend them all ab Officio Beneficio and forced some of them to allow twenty pound a peice or more to Officiate the Cure during their suspension After which he received another speciall command from the Archbishop to suspend Mr. Wilson for the selfe-same cause whereupon he did accordingly suspend him Master Richard Culmer deposed at the Lords Barre upon oath that he being Minister of Goodneston in the County of Kent Mr. John Player Minister of Kennington and Mr. Thomas Hieron Minister of Hornhill in the said County they were all three convented by the Archbishops direction before Sir Nathaniell Brent for not reading the Booke for Lords-day sports and after that all three of them suspended from their Ministry and Livings in the Archbishops Consistory for the same Whereupon they soone after repaired to Lambeth to the Archbishop and there joyntly Petitioned him for Absolution from this unjust Suspension who reading their Petition and understanding the cause of their suspension for not reading that unwarrantable Declaration the Archbishop gave them this peremptory Answer If you know not how to obey I know not how to grant whereupon they continued thus suspended about three whole yeares and seven Moneths not being permitted to preach or instruct their people to their great griefe and the profits of their Livings were sequestred towards the maintenance of Deboist unedifying Curates who seldome preached And though this Deponent did divers times afterwards Petition the said Archbishop to take off his suspension yet he refused to do it calling him refractory fellow and saying it should continue and so it did he being not only deprived of his Ministry but also of all the profits of his Living having himselfe his Wife and 7. small Children to provide for which suspension and sequestration continued upon him till the Scotts comming in and then the Archbishop Absolved him more out of feare of the Scots than good will so as hee might justly say Gramercy good Scott for his liberty Master Thomas Wilson a godly learned Minister now of the Assembly deposed at the Barre that the Archbishop himselfe sent for him to Lambeth and demanded of him whether he had publikely read the Booke of Sports in the Church to which he answered no whereupon the Archbishop replied I Suspend you for ever from your office and Benefice till you read it whereupon hee was suspended and his Living sequestred for foure years space After which he was brought into the high-Commission at Lambeth by the Archbishops means and there Articled against for not reading the said Booke to his great cost and vexation Master Prynne attested that Mr. Wrath and M. Erbery were brought up out of Wales Mr. William Iones out of Glocestershire and divers others from other parts into the High-Commission at Lambeth for not reading this Declaration for Pastimes on the Lords day and the keeping of Wakes and Church-ales and that hee found this following Petition concerning the same subject among Sir Iohn Lambs sequestred papers with an Answer to it under the Archbishops owne hand manifesting his owne direction for prosecuting of one Henry Page a godly Vicar in the high-Commission for refusing to read this Declaration and expressing his dislike thereof To the most Reverend Father in God William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate c. The humble Petition of Francis Thompson Gent. IN all Duty sheweth That whereas one Henry Page Vicar of Sedbury in the County of Hereford having taken upon him the Cure of Soules there hath many times used divers and sundry scandalous and ignominious
speeches in the Pulpit and elsewhere and more especially upon the fourth Commandement both by preaching and otherwise he hath in contempt of the Kings most Excellent Majestis Declaration concerning the lawfulnesse of Recreations upon Sundayes and holy-daies after time of Divine Service and in derision and scorne of the Booke set forth by His Majesty to that purpose often amongst other his opprobrious and disgracefull speeches uttered these words following concerning the same viz. Is it not as lawfull to plucke at a Cartrope upon the Sabbath day as at a Bell-rope Is it not as lawfull for a VVeaver to shoot his shuttle in the Sabbath day as for a man to take his Bow to shoote And is it not as lawfull for a VVoman to spinne at her wheele or for a man to go to Plough or Cart as for a man in the Sabbath day to dance that devilish round All which words and divers other of the like kind your Petitioner will be bound to prove unto your Grace and the honourable Court of high Commisiion May it therefore please your Grace for the Reformation of the sayd Mr. Page and satisfaction of his Parishioners consciences and other inhabitants there abouts who daily flocke unto him by reason of inveigling them with such his Doctrine to grant an Attachment or Letters Missive to issue out against him the sayd Page to bring him to Answer to such Articles as shall bee exhibited into the said Court against him And your Petitioner as in duty shall daily pray for your Graces long life and happinesse I desire Dr. Merrick to consider of the suggestions of this Petition and take order for Letters Missive if he see cause Aug. 30. 1638. W. Cant. Among which Papers he likewise met with this Certificate manifesting that not only Sir Nathaniell Brent but Sir Iohn Lambe in the Archbishops Metropoliticall Visitation did peremptorily enjoyne all ministers in the Archbishops name to read this Declaration for sports on the Lords Day to the people in Churches to animate them to prophan it though not prescribed in his printed visitation Articles To the Right VVorshipfull Sir John Lambe Knight Doctor of Law Commissary to the Lords Grace of Canterbury for the Archdeaconry of Huntington c. THese are to certifie that Thomas Gibbs Master of Art and Curate of Hitchin in Hartfordshire within the Archdeaconry of Huntington according to your Injunction at the Visitation there holden did distinctly and treatably read upon the 29th of Aprill being Sunday at Morning Prayer after the reading of the first Lesson appointed for the day most of the Parish then being present the Book intituled The Kings Maiesties Declaration to His Subiects concerning lawfull sports to be used William Lindall D. D. Edward Radcliffe Esque Iohn Skinner Edward Hurst Thomas Draper William Hurste Churchwardens And with 3. Petitions of Mr. Valentines to the Archbishop suspended for not reading the Book of sports referred to Sir Iohn Lambe who endorsed on one of them with his owne hand that he had received inclosed therein A Bribe of five pound Besides in the Abstract of the Archbishops Metropoliticall Visitation in the yeare 1635. found in his Study by Master Prynne there are these Passages concerning the Booke of sports Master Fairfax Curate of Rumborough Charged with inconformity hath faithfully promised to read the Declaration for lawfull sports I suspended one Master Pegges of VVeeford ex nunc pro ut ex tunc in case he did not read the Kings Declaration for sports on Sunday seven-night following There are divers in Surrey that refuse to read the Kings Declaration for lawfull sports on Sundayes besides those that stand suspended for the fault Doctor Howell a very worthy Divine gave me a note of their Names they are Master Whitfield of Ockly Mr. Garth of Wouersh Mr. Ward of Pepper-harrow and Mr. Farroll of Purbright all of them of the Lecture of Guilford and some of them of the Lecture of Darking who were afterwards prosecuted for it All these are unfallible Evidences that the Archbishop was the originall principall Author enforcer of this Declaration upon Godly Ministers against both Law and conscience himselfe his Servants playing some times at Boules upon the Lords own day to give good example unto others and persecuting those with infinit severity to the ruing of their Flocks Families who out of conscience durst not publish it Of which we shal produce one signal example more in the case of Mr. Lawrence Snelling a reverend Godly learned Minister deprived in the High Commission for not reading this Declaration Mr. Snelling himselfe restified upon Oath that he was suspended from his Ministry Living excommunicated and soone after that brought into the High Commission at Lambheth and there sentenced to be deprived from his benefice loosing the profits thereof full foure yeares space only for refusing to read this Declaration for sports That Hee there pleaded in his owne defence the Law of God of the Realme the Authorities of Councells Fathers and late Writers of all sorts That the Declaration it selfe appeared not to be his Majesties though published in his name it being not enrolled in any Court nor published under his great Seale as all Proclamations Briefes to be read in Churches are that there was no command at all of the Kings it should be read by any in Churches much lesse by Ministers no punishment threatned nor prescribed for not reading it no authority given to Archbishops Bishops High Commissioners or any other persons to question suspend or punish any Minister for not reading it and being a meere civill not Ecclesiasticall Declaration not enjoyned by any Ecclesiasticall Canon or Authority but temporall only no Ecclesiasticall Iudges could take cognisans of it much lesse inflict any ecclesiasticall censure for it especially in the high Commission it being no offence with in the Statute of 1. Eliz. ch 1. or the Kings Commission Ecclesiasticall whereby the High Commissioners sit so not questionabl by them Al which particulars he put into his answer defence but the Archbishop gave order not to accept his Answer or defence as he tendred them saying openly in Court That whosoever should make such a Defence as he had don it should be burnt before his face and he laid by the heeles for his paines whereupon the Commissioners expunged what they pleased out of his Answer and defence and then censured him Mr. Gellibrand deposed the same with Mr. Snelling whose censure was there produced out of the High-Commission records and here subjoyned Die Lunae viz. nono Die mensis Februarii Anno Dom. 1637. coram Commissionariis Regiis ad causas Ecclesiasticas apud Hospitium Advocatorum c. Iudicial seden presentibus Stephano Knight Deputato Iohanne Greenhill Notarto publico Officium Dominorum con Laurent Snelling Cleric Rectorem de Paulscrai in Com. Kantii Dr. Ryues The Cause is to be informed in and finally sentenced out of the said Master Snellings answer and
aside any way but that we shall take it in the Litterall and Gramaticall sence This Act tyes to consent of VVrighters which may and perhaps do goe against the Litterall sence for here 's no exception so wee shall bee perplexed and our consent required to things contrary 7. All consent in all Ages as farre as I have observed to an Article or Canon is to it selfe as it is layd downe in the body of it and if it beare more sences then one it is lawfull for any man to choose what sence his judgment directs him to so that it be a sence secundum analogiam fidei and that he hold it peaceably without distracting the Church and this till the Church which made the Article determine a sence And the wisdome of the Church hath beene in all ages or the most to require consent to Articles in generall as much as may be because that 's the way of unity and the Church in high points requiring assent to particulars hath been rent As de Transubstantiatione c. So he in affront of the Commons This Parliament also being soone after broken up in discontent by this Bishops power and policy the Arminian and Popish party grew more bould numerous potent and prevalent every where so as the Pulpits at Whice-hall Paules Crosse Oxford Cambridge and else where ecchoed againe with Arminian Paradoxes without restraint and none could or durst oppose them without exemplary punishment if not all most certaine ruine Bookes in defence of Arminianisme and Semi-plagianisme were published printed with publike allowance and all impressions against them most diligently suppressed the Recantations of Arminian Tenets in former times made in our Vniversities were embesled as Barrets Recantation in Cambridge May 10. 1595. and new Recantations enjoyned to and registred against their opposites of all which we shall produce some remarkable instances The Ministers in and about London being restrained by Colour of His Majesties forementioned Declaration and Proclamation to Preach any thing concerning Election Predestination Perserverance or any thing opposite to the Arminian Errors thereupon framed this ensuing Petition to his Majesty about the end of the Parliament 1628. for liberty to Preach against the Arminian errors in point of Predestination c. which this Bishop being informed off anticipated and frustrated two of the Copies of which Petition were found in his Study by Mr. Pryn thus endorsed with his owne hand The Copy of the intended Petition about liberty of Preaching Predestination c. To the Kings most Excellent Maiesty The humble Petition of divers Ministers of Gods Word in and about the City of London and else where Most Humbly sheweth THat whereas your royall Majesty out of your Religious zeale for the conserving of the Church committed to your Charge in Peace and for the confirming of the Doctrine of the same agreeable to Gods word and conteyned in the Articles established did publish both a Proclamation and a Declaration therein prohibiting all opinions either against or besides the Orthodoxall grounds of Religion expressed in the said Articles as also all raising of doubts and disputatios which may nourish faction in Church and Common wealth And yet your Majesties said edicts are so interpreted and pressed upon us as we are not a little discouraged and deterred from preaching those saving Doctrines of Gods free Grace in Election and predestination which greatly confirme our faith of eternall salvation and fervently kindle our Love to God as the 17th Article expresly mentioneth So as we are brought into a great strayt either of incurring Gods heavy displeasure if we do not faithfully discharge our Embassage in declaring the whole Councell of God or the danger of being censured for violators of your Majesties said Acts if we preach these constant Doctrines of our Church and confute the opposite Pelagian and Arminian Heresies both preached and printed boldly without feare of Censure As if the saving Doctrines of Christ were prohibited and these impious Heresies priviledged which Councells both old and new have condemned and the admired judgement of our late Soveraigne your Royall Father K. Iames of blessed memory hath for ever branded calling the maintainers thereof Arrogant and Atheisticall Sectaries who are not ashamed to lye so grosly as to avow that their Heresies are agreable with the Religion and profession of the Church of England which corrupt seeds of Heresie Faction if not the more speedily rooted out the wise King tell 's the neighbour States will of necessity bring utter ruine to their state by the too bold and frequent Disciples and followers of that enemy of God Arminius Wee therefore your Majesties faithfull obedient peaceable and conformable Subjects to all your Majesties Lawes being most tenderly sensible of the dishonour of Christ and of your Majesty his Vicegerent over us infinitely more deare unto us then our lives most humbly on our bended knees beseech your Gratious Majesty to take into your Princely consideration the forenamed Evills and Greivances under which we groane and as a wise Phisitian to prescribe and apply such speedy Remedies as may both care the present Maladies and secure the Peace of Church and Common-wealth from all those Plagues which our neighbours have not a little felt and more may feare if the Councell of the most juditious King be not the bettter followed And according to our bounden dutie we shall daily pray for the continuance of your Majesties peaceable prosperous and religious Raigne over us About March 1628. Dr. Hall then Bishop of Exceter published a Booke called the Reconciler in the close whereof he inserted two Letters to vindicate himselfe from the imputation of Arminianisme wherewith some had then aspersed him to witt his owne letter to Dr. Davenant then Bishop of Salisbury and his Answer thereunto which Letters comming to be licenced Doctor Thomas Turner the Bishops Chaplain who authorized it no doubt by the Bishops directions and command expunged these two Passages out of the Letters against the Arminian Tenets and in approbation of the Synod of Dort conteining the principle Subject matter of the Letters and the end for which they were written the Copy of which Purgations was seized in the Archbishops Study by Mr. Prynne who attested it thus endorsed with his owne hand That which my Chapline Mr. Turner left out of the letters of the Bishop of Exceter and Sarum ABOVT ARMINIANISME In my Lord Bishop of EXONS Letter to the Lord Bishop os SARVM there was this Passage oblitcrated YEA as if this calumnie were not enough there want not those whose secret whisperings cast upon me the foule aspertions of an other Sect whose name is as much hated as little understood My Lord you know I had a place with you though unworthy in that famous Synod of Dort where however sicknesse â—ereaved me of the honour of a conclusive subscription yet your Lordship heard me with equall vehemency to the rest crying downe the unreasonablenesse of that way I am still the same
His Majesties Commissioners to this strict authority that J cannot say but sure J am that till that time the Lords day never had attained such credit as to be thought an Article of the faith though of some mens fancies Nor was it like to be of long continuance it was so violently followed THE WHOLE BOOKE BEING NOW CALLED IN and in the place thereof the Articles of the Church of England confirmed by Parliament in that Kingdome Anno 1634. Vniformity with the Church of England was the pretence for revoking these Articles but the reall cause was because they defined in terminis The Pope to be Antichrist the Church of Rome to be no true Church the Lords day to be totally sanctfied and all the Arminian Tenets to be erronious contrary to the established Doctrine both of the Church of England and Ireland Grand obstacles to this Arch-Preltats Popish designes and therefore necessary to bee sette aside These Articles being thus repealed the Archbishop soon after sent over Master Chapple the most notorius seducing Arminian in the whole Vniversity of Cambridge into Jreland to be President of the Colledge of Dublin there to poyson that Vniversity with his Arminian Drugs which he there publikely vented as Dr. Hoyle Divinity Reader in that Vniversity attested upon Oath who had frequent contestations with him concerning the same This Chapple joyning with Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to the Lord Deputy Wentworth a professed Arminian who managed all the Ecclesiastical affaires of that Church under the Archbishop and Lord Deputy raised a great party there to oppose and suppresse the truth What influence this Arch-Prelate likewise had upon the Prelates and Clergy of Scotland and how farre he proceeded in introducing Arminianisme by it Popery into the Church of Scotland is so largely demonstrated by M. Baily in his Canterburians selfe-conviction the last Edition that we shall not here insist upon it And thus we have given you a true and Copious Evidence of this Arch-Prelates endeavours to undermine our established Religion by introducing fomenting dangerous Arminian Errors in all our three Kingdomes of purpose to Vsher Popery into them by insensible degrees through this Iesuiticall devise We shall now proceed to his varius attemps and endeavours to undermine the established Protestant and advance the Romish Religion in our Churches by introducing broaching maintaining printing publishing all kind of Doctrinall points of Popery by suppressing Bookes and purging out Passages against them in old and new writers by promoting protecting the Propugners discouraging persecuting the oppugners of Popish Assertions Sermons Pamphlets and sundry other practises The Authorizing Printing dispersing Popish Bookes Doctrines and prohibiting contrary Impressions to refute them being the most pernitious destructiue prevalent project of all others to undermine Religion seduce corrupt both the present and future Generations with Popish Errors and set up Popery in its full vigor we shall begin with this Archbishops various practises concerning the Authorising printing dispersing of Popish prohibiting suppressing purging corrupting Orthodox Bookes against Popery wherein he directly traced the Popish Prelates Jesuites footsteps The Pope with Popish Prelates and Jesuites being Masters of the printing Presses in most parts had foure principall wayes to advance Popery and suppresse the Protestant Religion in relation only to printing The first was to License and print sundry Books and Discourses from time to time upon al occasions in defence of their Erronious Popish Tenets against the Protestants The second to prohibit sundry speciall Treatises against Popery to bee printed reprinted dispersed or read and to seize on and suppresse them in all places with greatest diligence when printed The third to purge out the principall Passages Motives Invectives against Popery and its abuses in all old printed Books ere they should bee reprinted and out of all new Bookes tendred to the Presse before they could gaine License to passe it The fourth to punish the Authors Printers dispersers of any prohibited or unlicensed Books against Popery with the severest censures all which is abundantly evident by their severall Indices Librorum Prohibitorum and Librorum Expurgandorum by the Provinciall Councell of Sennes Anno 1528. Apud Surium Concil Tom. 4. p. 718. to 723. Laurentius Bochellius Decreta Ecclesia Gall lib. 1. Tit. 10. De Libris vetitis cap. 1. to 29. The Statute of 34 and 35. H. 8. c. 1. Master Fox his Acts and Monuments the old Edition pag. 536. 573. 680. 450. 1335. c. Dr. Iames his Index Generalis Librorum prohibitorum a Pontifieijs c. Oxon 1627. Antonij Posseâ—ini Bibliothesa selecta with sundry others The Arch-bishop in imitation of this their policy first of all ingrossed the sole power of licensing all new Bookes of Divinity into his owne his Chaplaines and Creatures hands so as nothing could passe the Presse with publique approbation but by his or their precedent approbation without danger of ruine to the Authors Printers Stationers Venders Dispersers And because he feared and experimentally discerned that when Stationers or Printers were restrained to print new Bookes against Popery they would presently fall to reprint old ones formerly licenced by Authority to prevent this inconvenience to the Popish party he procured this ensuing Decree of his owne contriving to be ratified by the Lords in the Starre-Chamber then sent it to the Stationers to print and commanded them punctually to observe it whereby he Monopolized the sole power of authorizing Divinity Bookes for the Presse to himselfe and his Agents and restrained the reprinting of all Books though formerly printed by Authority without a speciall review and relicencing of them by him and his Chaplaines This Decree was intituled A Decree of Star-Chamber concerning Printing made the first day of July 1637. Imprinted at LONDON by Robert Barker c. 1637. This Decree in the Printed Order of Star-chamber prefixed thereunto is Expresly alleaged to be drawne and Penned by the advice of the most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London Lord High Treasurer of ENGLAND and of the Lord Keeper the Lord chiefe Justices and Lord chiefe Barron when it was the Archbishops project only who sent it to the Presse the others names being used only for conformity as M. Walley others attested upon Oath We shall rehearse only such clauses thereof as are most observable pertinent to our purpose 2. Jtem That no person or persons whatsoever shall at any time print or cause to be imprinted any Booke or Pamphlet whatsoever unlesse the same Booke or Pamphlet and also all and every the Titles Epistles Prefaces Proems Preambles Introductions Tables Dedications and other matters or things whatsoever thereunto annexed or therewith imprinted shall be first lawfully licenced and authorized only by such person and persons as are hereafter expressed and by no other and shall be also first entred into the Registers Booke of the Company
of Stationers upon paine that every Printer offending therein shall be for ever hereafter disabled to use or exercise the Art of Mysterie of Printing and receive such further punishment as by this Court or the high Commission Court respectively as the severall causes shall require shall be thought fitting That all other Bookes whether of Divinity Phisick Philosophie Poetry or what soever shall be allowed by the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury or Bishop of London for the time being or by their appointment or the Chancellours or Vice-Chancellors of either of the Vniversities of this Realme for the time being Alwayes provided that the Chancellour or Vice-Chancellour of either of the Vniversities shall Licence only such Booke or Bookes that are to be printed within the limits of the Vniversities respectively but not in London or else where not medling either with Bookes of the common Law or matters of State 5. Item That every Merchant of bookes and person and persons whatsoever which doth or hereafter shall buy import or bring any booke or bookes into this Realme from any parts beyond the Seas shall before such time as the same booke or bookes or any of them be delivered forth or out of his or their hand or hands or exposed to sale give and present a true Catalogue in writing of all and every such booke and bookes unto the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury or Lord Bishop of London for the time being upon paine to have and suffer such punishment for offending herein as by this Court or by the said high Commission Court respectively as the severall causes shall require shall be thought fitting 6. Item That no Merchant or other person or persons whatsoever which shall import or bring any booke or bookes into the Kingdome from any parts beyond the Seas shall presume to open any Dry. Fat 's Bales Packes Maunds or other Fatdalls of Bookes or wherein Bookes are nor shall any Searcher Wayter or other Officer belonging to the Custome House upon paine of loosing his or their place or places suffer the same to passe or to be delivered out of their hands or custody before such time as the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterb. or Bishop of London or one of them for the time being have appointed one of their Chaplaines or some other Learned man with the Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers or one of them and such others as they shall call to their assistance to bee present at the opening thereof and to view the same And if there shall happen to be found any seditious schismaticall or offensive Booke or Books they shall forthwith be brought unto the said Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Bishop of London for the time being or one of them or to the High Commission Office to the end that as well the Offender or Offenders may be punished by the Court of Starre-Chamber or the High Commission Court respectively as the severall causes shall require according to his or their demerit as also that such further course may bee taken concerning the same Booke or Bookes as shall be thought fitting It is further Ordered and Decreed that no Merchant Bookseller or other person or persons whatsoever shall imprint or cause to be imprinted in the parts beyond the Seas or elsewhere nor shall import or bring nor willingly assist or consent to the importation or bringing from beyond the Seas into this Realme any English Bookes or part of bookes or bookes whatsoever which are or shall be or the greater or more part whereof is or shall be English or of the English tongue whether the same Booke or Bookes have beene here formerly printed or not upon paine of the forfeiture of all such English Bookes so imprinted or imported and such further censure and punishment as by this Court or the said High Commission Court respectively as the severall causes shall require shall be thought meet 18. Item That no person or Persons doe hereafter reprint or cause to reprinted any booke or bookes whatsoever THOUGH FORMERLY PRINTED WITH LICENCE without being revived and a new Licence obtained for the reprinting thereof Alwayes provided that the Stationer or Printer be put to no other charge hereby but the bringing and leaving of two printed Copies of the Booke to be printed as is before expressed of written Copies with all such additions as the Author hath made XXIV Item The Court doth hereby declare their firme resolution that if any person or persons that is not allowed Printer shall hereater presume to set up any Presse for printing or shall worke at any such Presse or set or Compose any Letters to be wrought by any such Presse he or they so offending shall from time to time by the Order of this Court be set in the Pillory and Whipt through the Citie of London and suffer such other punishment as this Court shall Order or thinke fit to inflict upon them upon Complaint or proofe of such offence or offences or shall be otherwise punished as the Court of High Commission shall think fit and is agreeable to their Commission XXV Item That for the better discoverie of printing in Corners without Licence The Master and Wardens of the Company of Stationers for the time being or any two Licensed Master Printers which shall be appointed by the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury or Lord Bishop of London for the time being shall have power and Authority to take unto themselves such assistance as they shall thinke needfull and to search what Houses and Shoppes and at what time shall thinke fit especially Printing Houses and to view what is in Printing and to call for the Licence to see whether it be Licensed or no and if not to seize upon so much as is printed together with the severall Offenders and to bring them before the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury or the Lord Bishop of London for the time being that they or either of them may take such further Order therein as shall appertaine to Justice The Archbishop and his Confederates having accroached by coulour of this Decree the sole power of the Presse into their hands which they usurped without any such pretext of Authority long before the passing thereof began after the Popish guife in imitation of the Pope and Popish Inquisitors First to prohibit the re-printing and sale of sundry Orthodox Bookes formerly printed and sold by Authority of which we shall give you sundry notable instances One of the first Books we find prohibited by the Popish Prelates in England in King Henry the 8. his Reigne was the Bible and New Testament in English of Tyndallâ— translation and all other English Bibles and Testaments having any Annotations or Preambles which were ordered to bee out and blotted out of the said Bibles and Testaments in such sort as they could not bee perceived or read under paine of forfeiting 40s for every such Bible with Annotations or preambles as you may read in the Statute of 34. and 35. H. 8.
Fisher page 176. Hee positively affirmes That ubi non est sacerdos non est Ecclesiae St. Hierom And in that place most manifest it is that by Sacerdos Saint Jerom meanes a Bishop Soe even with him NO BISHOP AND NOE CHVRCH Doctor Heylin in his Moderate Answer to Mr. Burton page 65. writes thus by the Archbishops appointment You are much offended with the Prelates that they will needs be Lord Bishops Iure Divino page 66. Your first exception is That the Episcopall Authority is claimed from Christ and that some of the Bishops said in the High Commission That if they could not prove it they would cast away their Rochetts this is no more then what had formerly beene said in the Conference at Hampton Court when on occasion of S. Hieroms saying that a Bishop was not divinae Ordinationis the Bishop of London Doctor Bancroft interposed that unlesse he could prove his ordination lawfull out of the Scriptures he would not be a Bishop foure houres page 67. 70. Who is it which of our Divines that holds Episcopall Authority to bee derived from any other fountaine then that of Christ and his Apostles If any such there be he is one of yours Traverse and Cartwright and the rest of your Prodecessors Men never owned for hers by the Church of England Geneva had their hearts wee their bodyes only This theame of Bishops superiority Iure Divino over other Ministers was professedly maintained by Bishop White in his Preface to his Treatise of the Sabbath against Braburne by Christopher Dow in his Innovations unjustly charged chap. 19. p. 170. c. by Iohn Swan in his Redde debitum Chap. 2. sect 2. p. 161. to 172. asserting peremtorily that the Hierarchy of the Bishops is Iure Divino with sundry others in their printed Bookes yea publikly affirmed with much confidence by both our Archbishops with other Prelates in the Star-Chamber and High-Commission maintained publikely in the Divinity Schooles in both our Vniversities and asserted almost in every Pulpit at leastwise in Cathedralls But this Erronious Position being satisfactorily refuted and palpably displayed to all the world by Doctor Bastwicke in his Flagellum Apologeticus ad Praesules Anglicano and by Master Prynne in his Vnbishoping of Timothy and Titus his Brevia and Catalogue of Writers in all ages refuting this position of theirs and by the Presbiterians in Scotland the Archbishop and his Confederate Prelaticall Brethren were so hardly put to it that they seriously mustred up all their policy learning power to maintaine their Episcopall Jurisdiction to be of divine right Whereupon having engaged his Majesty and his Privy Councell to maintaine it by the Sword in the Field he encouraged Doctor Hall bishop of Exeter very prone of himselfe to undertake such an enterprise to defend it with his smooth Rhetoricall penne in the Presse This Bishop upon his motion and request readily undertakes the designed service compiles his Booke intituled Episcopacy by divine Right the written Copy whereof he sent to the Archbishop submitting it wholy to his power to dispose of it at his pleasure or alter any thing therein which he or his Chaplaines should deeme meet This Treatisie was carefully read over by the Arch bishop himselfe and his Chaplaines line by line who altered it in some places and then authorized it for the Presse The particulars concerning the cause and grounds of compling it with the Bishops whole pretended Plot how to support their tottering Hierarchy is fully related in the ensuing Letters of Bishop Hall to the Archbishop and of the Archbishop to him all sound and seised on in his Study at Lambheth We shall transcribe all these Letters according to their severall dates the first of them extracted out of the very originall is this MOst Reverend Father in God and my most Honourable Lord I have received your Graces Answer in one to my three last humbly thanking your Grace for your noble favours to that well deserving Petitioner Master Edgcombe whom I recommended to your Graces notice For Ashbrenton I gave order for a speedy satisfaction and make account to receive it ere the closure of this letter Yesternight I had the view of the Acts of the late Scottish Assembly which I could not read without much indignation in seeing the only true and ancient Government of the Church so dispitefully trod upon by ignorant Factionists Vpon the perusall whereof I begin to think it were pity and shame they should carry it away so and that so publike an insolence could admit of none but a more publike remedy and may I be bold to impart unto your Grace what my thoughts were for some ease of this wrong and mittegation of the scandall under the hope of your Graces pardon I shall not sticke to discover them in this secret and fearelesse paper humbly leaving them to your Graces favourable censure although indeed I should have needed a larger Preface to so bould an attempt Since then for his Majesty to right the Church by the Sword as the case now stands is neither fit for our hopes nor our wishes which were no other in so desperate a Schisme then to reconquer his owne with much Charge danger and blood we thought it might be seasonable safe and happie to imploy the spirituall sword the remedy which the Church hath ever wont to make use of in such occasions with blessed successe I thought therefore if through your Graces mediation it might please his sacred Majesty to cause a Generall Synod of the whole three Kingdomes to be indicted wherein all the Reverend Bishops and chiefe of the learned and dignified Clergy and the professors and some other eminent Doctors of all the Vniversities in all the said Kingdomes may be assembled to passe their judgment after free and full expectation of these Schismaticall points determined thus proudly and rashly by our Northen Neighbours it could not but sort to excellent effect for so they might bee convinced of their absurd errours or at least publikely before all the world censured and condemned for what they are and if they have any Remainders of shame they shall be made to blush at their owne miserable transportation This would bee some comfort to those exiled Bishops who put Holy Iland as I heare to the same use whereto it was imployed at the first Plantation of the Gospell to be a receptacle of persecuted Prelates that they should see their cause taken to heart by the whole Church under his Majesties dominions and why should we not think that the presence and Authority of your Grace with that eminent and learned Primate of Armagh and so many other grave and renouned Prelates seconded by so irresistable powers of the learning and Judgment of so many assistant Divines of great note and worth cannot choose but certainly confound these heady and ignorant opposers of Government and good Order and give great satisfaction to the world who seeing the errours and groundlesse proceedings of these men
should write in defence of Episcopacie against the Scots To this Letter the Archbishop returned an Answer thereupon Bishop Hall acquaints him in his next Letter with the whole Platforme and Subject matter of his Booke which he submits to his judgement craving his direction therein as this Letter under his hand and seale will manifest Most Reverend and my most Honourable good Lord Notwithstanding the importunity of your Graces manifold occasions I received two dayes since two Letters from your Grace at once whereof the one signified his Majesties pleasure for the provision of a Benefice within my guift for one of our poore exild neighbours which I doe most willingly embrace as out of my owne true commiseration so much more out of my obedience to my Gracious Master but for the time as your Grace knowes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the other I doe first meet with your Graces mercifull and Fatherly proceedings with one of my strayed Charge Master Cox I was in some hope of his relenting ere I left him if as I perceive the worke be perfected by your Graces effectuall councels it will be happy for him and great contentment to his friends in regard both of his former conformity and great Charge He is not yet come down an hearty Recantation will redeeme all In the next place I finde your Graces zealous care of the successe of this worke which upon your Graces motion I have heartily undertaken wherein for the not applying of so many hands I doe humbly rest in his Majesties most wise determination although the danger of varience might have received a prevention since the whole worke must have had one rule and have come under one rule and censure but this course is both more sure and no lesse effectuall For that which here concernes my selfe I acknowledge my self much bound to your Grace for your good opinion of my ability for so great a shocke which I shall deferre to improve to the utmost and whereas it is thought requisite that I should set downe those simple Propositions which I shall undertake to make good in this worke I doe most willingly entertaine it and therefore shall make bold to acquaint your Grace with the whole plot of my intendment in this service humbly yeelding it up to your Graces Censure or better advise And first my purpose is wherein I doe somewhat please my selfe if your Grace be so pleased to take my rise from the 8th Section of their last Synod of Edinborough wherein Master George Graham is said to come in and condemne Episcopacie and to professe his repentance which is there appointed to be recorded Hereupon I meane to take this Mr. George to taske and somewhat warmely to expostulate the matter with him and when I shall after a fervent preface have driven him from the refuge of conforming herein to other which I think I shall do to purpose I shall then deale with him alone and addresse my selfe to argue the case with him and the Faction whom I shall make my adversary the Faction and not the Church of Scotland And shall undertake to make good these two points as I conceive both full and proper for the occasion First That Episcopacie is a lawfull most Ancient holy and Divine Institution I meane that which is joyned with imparity and superiority of Jurisdiction and therefore where it hath through Gods providence obtained cannot by any humane power be abdicated without a manifest violation of Gods Ordinance Secondly That the Presbiterian Government how ever vindicated under the glorious names of Christs Kingdome and Ordinance hath no true footing either in Scripture or the practice of the Church in all Ages from Christs time till the present and that howsoever it may be of use in some such Cities or Territories as wherein Episcopall Government through iniquity of times cannot be had yet to obtrude it upon a Church otherwise setled under an acknowledged Monarchy is utterly uncongruous and unjustifiable Before the proofe of which two heads I purpose to lay downe certaine cleare and undenyable Postulata some 15. or 16 in number as the grounds of my following Arke such as these 1. That Government which was of Apostolicall Institution cannot be denied to be of Divine Institution 2. Not onely that Goverment which was directly commanded and enacted but also that which was practised and recommended by the Apostles to the Church must justly passe for an Apostolicall Institution 3. That which the Apostles by Divine inspiration instituted was not for the present time but for continuance 4. The Universall practise of the Church immediatly succeeding the Apostles is the best and surest Commentary upon the practise of the Apostles or of their expressions 5. We may not entertain so irreverent an opinion of the Saints and Fathers of the Primitive Church that they who were the immediate Successors of the Apostles would or durst set up a Government either faulty or of their owne heads 6. If they would have been so presumptuous yet they could not have diffused one uniforme order of Government through the whole world in so short a space 7. The Ancient Histories of the Church and Writings of the eldest Fathers are rather to be beleeved in the report of the Primitive of the Church Government then those of this last Age. 8. Those whom the Ancient Church of God and the holy and Orthodox Fathers condemned for Errors or Heresies are not fit to be followed as Authors of our opinion or practise for Church government 9 The accession of honourable Titles or Priviledges makes no difference in the substance of the Calling 10. Those Scriptures wherein any new forme of Government is grounded had need to bee very cleare and unquestionable and more evident then those whereon the former rejected Policy is raised 11. If that Order which they say Christ set for the government of his Church which they call the Kingdome and Ordinance of Christ be but one and undoubted then it would and should have beene ere this agreed upon against them what and which it is 12. If this which they pretend be the Kingdome and Ordinance of Christ then if any essentiall part of it be wanting Christs Kingdome is not in that Church erected 13. Christian policy requires no impossible or absurd thing 14. Those truths which are new and unheard off in all ages of the Church in many and essentiall points are well worthy to bee suspected 15. To depart from the practise of the universall Church of Christ ever from the Apostles times and to be take our selves voluntarily to a new forme lately taken up cannot but be odious and highly scandalous Upon these grounds laid I shall come to subsume and shall both convince the Faction in aberration from them and fully prove the two points intended After which with some observations and Queries I shall shut up in a vehement Exhortation both to them and to our owne if it may be for the reducing of the one if not
Nov. 11. 1639. This Letter was thus endorsed with the Archbishops owne hand My Answer of Novemb. 11. 1639. to the Heads of the Bishop of Exons Bookes intended for Episcopacie What Reply Bishop Hall returned to this his Graces Letter these following Lines of his will disclose My most Reverend and most Honourable good Lord. I Should be unthankefull if I did not acknowledge every one of these Lines of so long a Letter written with your Graces owne hand a new obligation to me who know the price of your time yet the matter of them binds mee more those Animadversions were so just that I had amended those passages divers of them voluntarily ere I received this Gracious Admonition for I did onely send your Grace the rude draught of what I meant to polish in the Expression your Grace observes truely some mitigation in stating the Cause which I confesse to have purposely used out of a desire to hold as good Termes with our neighbour Churches abroad as I safely might your Grace knowes well how Doctor Field and Doctor Downam have handled that point if we may make the Case sure for us with the least aspersion cast upon them who honour our Government and cannot obtaine it I conceived it the better especially since the Scottish case so palpably differs yet I would so determine it as that nothing but necessity can either excuse them or hold up the truth of their being In the Presbyterie I must fall foule with them howsoever That Clause of abdication was inserted with respect to the present occasion I shall willingly abdicate it Those many scruples which may arise and must be met with in this cause will bee avoyded if we doe plainly and shortly state the Question thus Whether the Majority of Bishops above Presbyters be by Divine Institution which if we make good I suppose is as much as can be reasonably desired for what Christian can thinke it life or lawfull to depart from that which Christ and his Apostles have set in his Church with an intent of perpetuall continuance I have noted in my discourse those two sorts of Adversaries and with respect to them put in these two words Lawfull against the first and against the second Divine though the latter in the tractation comprehendeth both We shall not much neede I hope in this way to come within the Ken of that Roman Rock of jus Divinum mediatum although it must fall into our mention Shortly I shall take carefull heede to those points which you Grace adviseth and when I have laid my last hand upon the first part whereof each clause must Bis ad Limam semel ad linguam I shall transcribe and send it to your Grace for your full and free Censure In the meane time with my best prayers I take leave and vow my selfe Your Graces in all faithfull observance to command Jos. Exon. Exon. Pal. Nov. 16. The Archbishop with his owne hand thus endorsed this Letter Received Nov. 18 1639. L. Exon. his Answer to those Animadversions I made upon the heads of his intended Booke for Episcopacie The Archbishop returning an Answer to this Letter thereupon Bishop Hall sent up his Treatise of Episcopacy by Divine Right accompanied with this Epistle and the ensuing Propositions which together with his Booke he wholly submitted to his Graces judgement and disposall Most Reverend and my ever most Honourable good Lord I Have received your Graces speedy and full answer to my last And now according to my promise I present to your Graces hands this Worke of mine the bulk whereof swelled under my hand beyond my purpose whiles I could think no passage of it unnecessary I humbly submit it to your Graces free Censure not personall for I could not be so weake as to thinke your Grace could lose so much time in perusall of it but Deputative The more and the more judicious eyes passe upon it the better Whether for haste or delay for impression or suppression or suppression I am altogether indifferent for my owne judgement I doe not think it werthy or capable of the attestation of others especially my betters for that I do both take my rise from a particular occasion and do often intersperse polemicall dissertations as with M. Parker Anti-Tilenus Vedelius and others without which me thought I could not satisfactorily clear those points which passages I have no reason to think others should take upon them either to own or justifie It was my second bold motion to your Grace That divers select Bishops and Divines should shortly and fully expresse their judgements in this subject Your Grace thought fitter to which I subscribed that it-should be done by one or two and allowed and seconded by more such a discourse should be only positive and short As for this I suppose the judicious perusers will thinke it may be of good use to settle and prepare the mindes of men towards an unanimity of Judgement in this point which perhaps may be otherwise varying And if I may have leave to shoot my bolt I should conceive if an attestation to our just Tenent be thought requisite from many and the best hands it would sort best that the substance of it should be drawn up into some short and full Propositions such as these which I have taken the boldnesse to inclose and sent or tendred to them for their subscription wherein I should hold a generality of expression the safest I beseech your Grace pardon this presumption of mine and for this my Labour if it be found that it may be of any profitable use in these way ward times let it flye otherwise it may this festivall be imployed in Thuris Piperisue Cucullos I shall be well content with either the light or the fire Your Grace will soon finde that I have been plain enough with our Genevians for the Forraign Churches I have taken the same course with our learned Bishop Andrews as pittying their alleadging necessity not approving their form in the mean time not thinking it best to make Enemies where we may have friends I do finde and shew the Scottish case utterly unlike theirs for our greater advantage I have driven the point further than some worthy Divines before me and especially have laboured in that part where the cause beares most viz. in matter of Scripture and the next following Antiquity What it is is wholly and absolutely at your Graces disposing to what ever purpose your Grace will think fit And so with the apprecation of an happy New year to your Grace and to this whole Church I take my humble leave and am Your Graces in all faithfull Observance to Command JOS. EXON Exon. Pal. S. Tho. Day This Letter was thus superscribed To the most Reverend and most honourable my singular good Lord my Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate of all England and Metropolitan Chancellor of Oxford and one of the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell present these And thus indorsed
Popery Priests Jesuits Arminianisme Arminians and did in some places alter and corrupt the authors words so farre as to make him an Arminian in those very poynts wherein he opposed their Arminian opinions and utterly refused to license one Sermon of his concerning Election because the whole scope of it was against Arminius and his errors At which Master White being very much discontented to see his deceased friend's Sermons so abused demanded his intire copy and moneys again but could procure neither of them but the copy thus altered expunged which must either be totally suppressed or printed as he had castrated it Whereupon he carried some other of his Sermons to Doctor Weekes and Doctor Baker the Arch-bishops great creatures Chaplaines to the Bishop of London who made the like alterations and purgations in them as Doctor Haywood had made in the rest an exact catalogue whereof amounting to 210. corruptions and purgations Master White presented at the Barre upon his oath which were afterwards made use of and reduced under severall heads Master Chetwin attested that Dr. William Jones of East-Berghall in Suffolk writ a Comentary on the Epistles of Paul to Philemon and the Hebrewes which he carried to Dr. Samuel Baker Chaplain to the Bishop of London Anno 1636. a great Instrument of the Arch-bishop's to license for the Presse who purged out all the principall clauses in it against Altars Images Masse Transubstantiation Popery Papists and for the sanctification of the Lord's day a catalogue of the most whereof he had collected out of the written copy which was so obliterated that he could not read the same in many places above 150. lines being made unlegible That this book being printed according to the expunged altered copy which otherwise could not passe the Presse the good old Dr. upon the perusall of it after its printing was so much discontented at the alterations and purgations made therein without his privity that he disclaimed into be his work saying it was the Licencer's only not his who had made him a favourite of those Papish opinions by his corrupting and changing his words which he professedly oppugned refuted in his own genuine work The regreete of which injury went so neer his heart that he fell sick through discontent and soon after dyed and is by these alterations and purgations which were generally taken notice of the sale of the book was extreamly hindred to the great losse of the Stationer that printed it Peter Cole Stationer living in Cornhill London testified that he printed Master Richard Ward his Comentary on Matthew anno 1639. out of which Doctor Weekes the Licencer purged so many principall passages against Popery and Arminianisme as amounted to two small written volumes collected by Mr. Ward himself who was much grieved injured thereby and the sale of the book quite spoyled to his great prejudice These two small volumes with this ensuing Abstract of them were presented by Master Ward himselfe to the Parliament who examined this abuse at the Committee for printing Because it is an offence highly to be punished to abuse your Honours pious and most just eares with untruths I have therefore presumed to present to your Honours view the heads and particular grosse abuses which my poore Book hath suffered by the Licenser's too numerous obliterations whereby it will appeare as cleere as the Sunne that our Licensers liberty in the licensing of bookes is most licencious and that Popery and Pelaganisme were too much favoured and befriended by them wholly leaving it to your grave pious and prudent consideration how these and the like abuses may be best redressed for the time to come First the Licenser by his deleaturs hath made some places and passages of my book ridiculous and non-sense E. G. in my written copy sol 338. the first line the Reader is referred for more full satisfaction to the foregoing Objection which Objection is wholly obliterated because it snited not with the Licensers opinion and thus the Reader of my book is referred to that which is not in my booke but expunged out of it What the Objections were which were obliterated your Honours may see in the greater of these two books which I present to this honourable Court page 138. 139. Againe in my written copy sol 339. I have these words Our Saviour seems here to imply that many Antichrists under the name of Christ shall deceive many whence these Questions following may be demanded namely c. These words are printed but all the Questions promised were wholy expunged save onely one which concernes not Antichrist at all here my Reader is promised some Questions in the plurall number concerning Antichrist but he finds but one onely in the sigular number concerning the true Christ What these expunged Questions were your Honours may see in the greater book page 65. Againe in my written copy fol. 366. I have these words Here therefore I lay downe these three things viz. c. and this is printed but the Reader finds but two for the second is expunged and what it was your honours may read in the lesser of these two books page 51. a. and another parallel'd place page 37. e. Secondly the Licenser by his obliterations hath in some places quite altered and perverted the sense E. G. In my written copy fol. 18. I propound a Question concerning the excellency of Baptisme above Circumcision and first shew what Pereius the Jesuite answers thereunto and then what I justly except against his answer and upon what grounds Now the Licenser here lets the Jesuits answer stand and expunges wholy what I say against it making me thus by my silence to seem to my Reader to subscribe to what the Jesuit affirmes Your honours may see both Pererius and my owne words in the greatest of these two books page 3. and another parallel'd place in the lesser of these books page 48. l. Thirdly some places and passages by the Licensers deleaturs are maimed lamed and left altogether unsatisfactory to the intelligent and quick sighted Reader examples whereof your Honours have in the lesser book pag. 9. f. and pag. 18. d. and pag. 51. b. and pag. 58. a. great book pag. 49. line 2. Fourthly some words and sentences are by him changed and altered as your Honours may perceive by this lesser book pag. 4. l. and pag. 21. b. and pag. 41. h. and pag. 42. b. Fifthly and lastly some places and passages are by the licenser so wholy obliterated and expunged that no prints or foot-steps at all remaine of what was there as will evedently appeare to your Honours by the greater of these books which I present to to your perusall and by the Index expurgatorius thereof which I have here subjoyned Because the imployments of this grave Senate and religious Assembly are so many and weighty that it wants leasure to read and peruse all which was expunged out of my book and which is contained in these two severall Manuscripts I have therefore
the word of Christ one example we have in this verse Bellarmine saith c. page 57. Ob. 3. Christ saith unto me is given all power therefore Antichrists imp Pererius saith the Pope hath power over Infidels And a little after Answ 2. all power is given to Christ therefore to the Pope is a blasphemous and Antichristian consequence displaying the Pope to his colours to be the Where in making himselfe or suffering himselfe to be made equall with Christ is obliterated Would not any Protestant admire such passages as these should be expurged to gratifie the Pope The Articles of Religion agreed upon by the Arch-bishops and Bishops and the rest of the Clergy of Ireland in Convocation holden at Dublin in the yeere of our Lord 1615. for the avoyding of diversities of opinions and the establishing of consent touching true Religion reprinted at London 1629. Artic. 78. 80. determined thus against the Pope THE power which the Bishop of Rome now challengeth to be the supreame head of the Universall Church of Christ and to be above all Emperours Kings and Princes is an usurped power contrary to the Scriptures and Word of God and contrary to the example of the Primitive Church and therefore is for just causes taken away and abolished within the Kings Majesties Realmes and Dominions The Bishop of Rome is so farre from being the Supreame Head of the Universall Church of Christ that his works and doctrine doe plainly discover him to be that Man of sin foretold in the holy Scriptures whom the Lord skall consume with the spirit of his mouth and abolish with the brightnesse of his comming These Articles were so displeasing to the Arch-bishop together with some others against Arminians that in the yeere 1634. this whole book of Articles was revoked suppressed by Parliament in Ireland through his procurement then which strange act there could not be a more apparent undermining of the Protestant Religion In the yeer 1634. there were at the speciall request of the Queen of Bohemia Letters Patents granted to Master Rulie a Palatinate Minister for a collection throughout 〈…〉 of the poore Ministers of the Palatinate in which Patent there was this notable â— clause inserted relating to their Religion and sufferings Whose cases are the more to be deplored for that this extremity is fallen 〈◊〉 them for their 〈…〉 constancy to the true Religion which we together with them doe professe and 〈◊〉 we are all bound in conscience to maintaine to the utmost of our powers whereas these relations and godly persons being involved amongst many others their couâ—trymen in 〈◊〉 common calamity might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other back-sliders in the times of tryall they would have submitted themselves to the ANTICHRISTIAN YOKE and have renounced or dissembled the profession of the true Religion The very same formall words were used in former Patents of collections for them in King James his Reign and in the Patent dated the 29. of Jan. in the third yeere of King Charles his Reign by which this Patent was drawn The Arch-bishop perusing this Patent brought to him by Master Rulie after it had passed the Seale grew extreamly cholerick at it rated Master Ruly who pleaded ignorance of the customes of England and that the Patent was drawne by the Kings Atturney according to former presidents without any directions from himselfe who was a meer stranger chid him very sharply threatned to suppresse the whole collection detained the Patent under seale and carrying it the next day to the Court complained of it to the King checked the Lord Keeper and Secretary Cooke for letting such a clause passe in the Patent who justified themselves by former presidents by which they were guided and by his violence wholly cancelled the Patent after it was sealed then caused a new Patent to be drawne wherein this former clause was omitted the King telling the Lord Keeper that the Arch-bishop would have it altered and therefore it must be done which thereupon was done occordingly Now the cause of all this stirre and anger of his Grace-ship against this clause was onely because it stiled those of the Palatinate professors of the true Religion c. and tacitely censured the Pope as Antichrist in this latter clause Where as these religious and godly persons might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other back-sliders in the times of tryall they would have submitted themselves to the Antichristian Yoke and renounced or dissembled the profession of the true Religion As was punctually attested upon oath by Master Wakerly and Master Hartlib Of which more fully hereafter Now that all the forementioned purgations of passages against the Pope and his being Antichrist proceeded originally from the Archbi himselfe without any other motive but his own inherent affection to his Holinesse and the Roman party we shall most apparently evidence to all the world by a Letter of his to Dr. Hall the Bishop of Exeter signed with his owne hand and Bishop Hal's answer thereunto the Originals of which Letters Master Prynne seized in his Study at Lambeth and attested at the Lords Barre where they were both acknowledged and read in these ensuing tearmes My very good Lord I Have received your Lordships Letters of Decemb. 6. 23. and with them the copy of your Book and in them a paper of short propositions which you think and so doe I is fitter for the attestation of divers hands then the book it selfe These propsitions shall be well weighed against the time of Convocation which I conceive will be a fit time to take other Bishops attestation without further noyse or trouble For your book I first thanke you very heartily for your paines and next more then heartily were it possible for your noble and free submission of it not onely to many eyes and judgements but also in the maine to be ordered and after that prest or supprest as it shall be thought fit here Which care or conscience would men use which set out books we should not have so much froth and vanity in the world as now 't is full of But whereas you writ First that the Booke grew into greater length under your pen them you expected I cannot be sorry for that since that which you have added concerning Parker Anti-Tilenus and Vedelius seems to me very necessary Secondly that you are pleased to subject the work to me and to interpret it that you meant not personally to me because I could not have time for other great occasions to revise it but by way of desputation These are to let you know that were my occasions greater then they are I would not suffer a book of that Argument and in these times to passe without my owne particular View And therefore my Lord these may tell you that both my Chaplaines have read over your book and that since them I have read it over my selfe very carefully every line of it and I have now put it into
the hands of my Lord the Bishop of Ely and this thrice reading over hath been the cause why I did not give you a more speedy account of it And now my Lord according to the freedome which you have given one I must tell you that I have here and there in my reading of it over made bold to alter or leave out a phrase or two but have as yet varied nothing that is materiall and indeed I should think it very uncivill and unjust too to vary any thing that is substantiall without first acquainting you with it that so it may be done either by your owne pen or at the least not without your owne consent The particulars which I chiefly insist upon are these First you doe extreamly well to distinguish the Scottish businesse from the state of the forraigne Churches but yet to those Churches and their Authors you are a little more favourable then our case will now beare But this I conceive will be easily helpt and that without pressing too much upon them The second is the first touch which you have concerning the Sabatarians where you let their strict superstition passe without any touch at all I think one little one will doo no harme The third which you seeme to passe by as not much materiall in the Question is in our judgement here the very Maine of the cause and it is whether Episcopacy be an Order or Degree an Order certainly if it be of Divine and Apostolicall institution For that which is but different by degree and circumstantially cannot be other then Iuris positivi and the ancient word in the Fathers is Ordinatio Episcopi and our ordinary phrase is of any of our Brethren the Bishops he is one of our Order and why does the Church of England ordaine or consecrate every one that is made a Bishop if it be but a Degree of the same Order For when a Bishop is translated or made an Arch-bishop theras then no consecration because they are Iuris positivi and onely degrees Your Lordship is very neere a whole leafe upon this transition I beseech you weigh it well and then let me have it altered by your owne pen and the sooner sent the better The last with which I durst not but acquaint the King is about Antichrist which title in three or four places of your booke you bestow upon the Pope positively and determinately whereas King James of blessed memory having brought strong proofe in a Worke of his as you well know to prove the Pope to be Antichrist yet being ofterwards challenged about it he made this answer when the King that now is went into Spaine and acquainted him with it that he writ that not concludingly but by way of Argument onely that the Pope and his Adherent might see there were as good and better Arguments to prove him Antichrist then for the Pope to challenge temporall jurisdiction over Kings This whole passage being knowne to me I could not but speak with the King about it who commanded me to write unto you that you might quallifie your expression in these particulars and so not differ from the knowne judgment of his pious and learned Father This is easily done by your owne pen and the rather because all Protestants joyne not in this opinion of Antichrist I have no more to trouble your Lordship with but to pray you to have your answer to these with as much speed as much speed as may be so to Gods blessed protection I leave you and rest Your Lordships very loving friend and brother W. CANT Lambeth Jan. 14. 1639. I had not leizure to toke a copy of these Letters therefore I pray let me have them back againe when you give me your answer This Letter was thus indorsed To the right reverend Father in God my very good Lord and Brother the Lord Bishop of Exeter these And after the receit againe thus indorsed by the Arch-bishop himselfe My Letters of Jan. 14. 1639. to L. B. Exon. about his book for Episcopacy To which Letter Bishop Hall returned this Answer found together with it in the Arch-bishops study MOst Reverend and my ever most Honourable Lord I doe first humbly thanke your Grace for those houres and paines you have been pleased to bestow both upon my papers and me and yet more for that noble freedome your Grace hath been pleased according to my earnest request to use in making knowne your Graces Judgement in those few Animadversions which I have now received and the gracious respect shewed to me that after so full power put into your Graces hands to dispose of those papers at your owne pleasure yet your Grace hath been pleased to take my unworthinesse along with you in the altering of my passages therein wherein I hope I have satisfied your Graces expectation accordingly As for my favourablenesse to foraigne Authors and Churches I foretold your Grace that I held it best not to be sparing of good words though in the reality of the Tenet I have gone further then the most others Those Authors whom I mention with so faire respect are in those things for which I cite them our friends but if your Grace find any phrase too high or unseasonable it is but a dash of your Chaplaines pen to whom I beseech your Grace to give an absolute freedome in this behalfe For that of the Sabatarians I have put a drop or two of vinegar more into my inke in two severall places For that passage concerning Antichrist I have turned it upon themselves without a declaration of my owne judgement however I find our learned patterne Bishop Andrewes more then once punctuall this way For that poynt of the Degree or Order of Episcopacy although I well knew the weight of it yet I did purposely intend to wave it here because both it fetcheth a great and learned part of the Schoole upon us and because I found it to be out of my way since these factions with whom we deale deny both a severall Order and a severall Degree allowing onely a priority of Order in the same degree but our Tenet is doubtlesse most defensible and I have accordingly so stated it in this review which together with all my best services I doe humbly recommend to your Graces acceptation vowing my hearty prayers for your Graces happy proceedings as duly merited from Your Graces most humble and faithfully devoted in all observance JOS. EXON Exom Pal. Jan. 18. I have sent back your Graces Letter according to your Graces pleasure and withall have been bold upon the humble suit of one of my worthy Clergy Master Bury to recommend a pious Petition of his to your Grace the least touch of answer in your Graces Letter will abundantly satisfie him Two Râ—negadoes have in two severall parts of my Diocesse been received into the Church under that solemne forme of Penance which your Grace was pleased to appoint This Letter was thus superscribed To the most Reverend
to which we shall onely adde That the Arch-bishop having stopt the English Presses to all Orthodox Books against his Popish Innovations at home endeavoured to hinder the Printing of them abroad in Forraign parts to which end by Sir William Boswels means then Leager Ambassador at the Hague and the assistance of one Iohn le Maire preacher in Amsterdam his constant Spie and Intelligencer to give notice of all English and Scottish Books there printing as appears by sundry Originall Letters under his hand and seal found in the Arch-bishops studdy he procured the States of the United Provinces in the Low Countries to make a generall Proclamation in Aprill 1639. against the Printers and spreaders of Libellous and Seditious Books against the Church and Prelates of England and obtained a Proclamation or Order from the Townes of Amsterdam and Roterdam for the apprehending and punishing of Master Can and other English men who Printed such English and Scottish Books which is evident by divers coppies thereof and Letters from Sir William Boswell and others to the Arch-bishop By meanes whereof the Presses both in England and the Netherlands were all closed up against Orthodox English Books under the notion of Libellous and Seditious Pamphlets and could neither be Printed nor imported without great danger and censure On the contrary divers Popish books of all sorts as well in English as Latin French and other Languages were Printed and dispersed in London by Priests Jesuits Papists and their Agents without any restaint or search made after them or punishment inflicted on the Printers or dispersers of them yea many thousands of them were dayly imported by help of the Queens Priests and Capucins who dispersed them and if the searchers or others seized them at the Custome house according to the Statute of 3. Iacobi c. 5. which Enacts That no person or persons shall bring from beyond the seas nor shall print buy or sell any Popish Primers Ladies Psalters Manuels Rosaries Popish Catechismes Missals Breviaries Portals Legends and Lives of Saints conteining any superstitious matter Printed or Written in any Language whatsoever nor any other superstitious Books Printed or Written in the English tongue upon pain of forfiture of 40. s. for every such Booke c. The Arch-bishop or his Chaplains would presently send to the Searchers and enjoyn them to restore these Books to the owners that claimed them or else command them to bring them in to the High Commission Office upon pretence to proceed against the Importers and to have the Books themselves publikely adjudged to be burnt where after a little space they were delivered out from thence to the Importers without any penalty or confiscation and then freely dispersed among the Roman Priests and English Catholiques to foment them in their Idolatry Superstition and seduce others unto Popery as one Iohn Egerton a searcher deposed and others attested of which more hereafter Which compared with the premised Licensing of Popish and purging Orthodox Books against Popery will most perspicuously discover his impious designes to advance and set up Popery among us by degrees The fifth particular branch of the Evidence to prove the first Generall Charge against the Arch-bishop of Canterbury WEE shall in the next place proceed to the eighth and ninth Originall Article which we shall addresse our selves to prove and make a fifth Generall Proof of his Trayterous Endeavours to subvert Gods true Religion by Law established in our Church and to set up Popish superstition and Idolatry in its steed and that is His countenancing commending fomenting and preferring of divers Clergy-men who were most addicted to and greatest Writers sticklers for Arminian Errors and Superstious Popish Doctrines Ceremonies Innovations to the best Ecclesiasticall Dignities Promotions Benefices and making some of them Chaplaines to his Majesty to the Princes Highnesse and Heads of Colledges in our Vniversities to poyson those Fountaines of Religion Seconded with his contrary discountenancing suppressing suspending censuring imprisoning persecuting and driving forth of this Kingdome such zealous Orthodox Preaching Ministers who were most bold and resolute to oppose them For pregnant proof of the former Branch of this particular First it is clear and undenyable not onely by known experience and divers Letters found in his study but by the Docquet Bookes and privy Signets on record that this Archbishop contrary to the use of his Predecestors incroached usurped to himselfe from the year of our Lord 1627. when he first grew potent at Court and became Bishop of Bath Wells afterwards of London before he was Archbishop and ever since he mounted to the See of Canterbury the disposition and donation of all or most Bishopricks Deaneries Prebendaries and Benefices of note in his Majesties gift or in the gift of the Lord Keeper and Master of the Court of Wards not onely within the Kingdomes of England but of Scotland and Ireland too and that he usurped the power of nominating Chaplaines in ordinary to his Majesties and the Princes Highnesse contrary to all former Presidents belonging time out of mind to the Lord High Chamberlaines Office who had the nomination of these Chaplaines and swore and invested them in their office as Master Oldesworth a Member of the House of Commons Secretary to the late High Chamberlaine the Honourable Earle of Pembrooke attested upon Oath and the Noble Earle himselfe averred upon his Honour a thing so notorious to all old Courtiers and Chaplaines in ordinary to the King as to doubt of it were a Solecisme To make this apparent by punctuall proofes we shall instance in such particular persons which were advanced by him to Bishopricks even for their erronious Arminian opinions or dangerous Popish Tenets and Practises We have formerly proved that Richard Mountague was questioned and voted against in the Commons House in Parliament April 13. 1626. for his Arminian and Popish Tenets published in his Gagge and Appeale and endeavouring as much as in him lay to reconcile us to Popery which complaint was revived against him in the ensuing Parliament An. 1627. No sooner was that Parliament dissolved but this Prelate then Bishop of London who fomented protected him against the Parliament all he could in stead of discountenancing punishing advanced him to the Bishoprick of Chichester in the place of Bishop Carlton who writ against him This was evidenced by the Docquet Book it selfe wherein this entry of the Privy Signet and Election is recorded Iuly 18. 1628. His Majesties Royall assent for Richard Mountague Batchelour in Divinity to bee Bishop of Chichester signified By order of the LORD BISHOP OF LONDON Laud And by the Record it selfe of the Kings Royall Assent produced at the Bat by Master Prynne and there Read in these Words CHARLES R. REX c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri perdilecto perquam fideli Nostro Domino Georgio providentia divina Cantuar Archiepiscopo ac totius Angliae Primati Metropolitano ac aliis quibuscunque Episcopis quorum in hac
in Parliament to the subversion of the Property and Liberty of the Subjects which Sermons were preached and printed by this Archbishops speciall solicitation was on the 14. of June 1628. censured by the Lords in Parliament and thereby perpetually disabled from all future Ecclesiasticall preferments in our Church Of this censure the Archbishop took speciall Notice inserting it into his Diary adding that himself was complained of by the house of Commons June 12. for warranting Doctor Manwarings Sermons to the Presse Yet no sooner was this Parliament ended but in high affront of their publike censure in Iuly following by this Prelates assistance Doctor Manwaring as was proved by the Docquet Booke was presented unto the Rectory of Stamford Rivers in the County of Essex voyd by the promotion of Richard Mountague to the Bishopricke of Chichester he who had right thereto was put by and a dispensation granted to Doctor Manwaring to hold it with the Rectory of St. Giles which made this Doctor in the superscription of a Letter of his to this Archbishop when London about the Commission of Fees in London Churches Jan. 28. 1631 indorsed with the Bishops own hand and found in his study to stile him My singular good Lord And so he proved for soon after as was proved by the Docquet Booke in May 1633. the Deanery of Worcester was granted to this Doctor and the grant signified to the signet office by the Bishop of London Laud who procured him this preferment What service Manwaring did in that Church in setting up a Marble Altar introducing Copes with other Popish Innovations and what Account he gave thereof to the Archbishop his Patriot you may formerly read p. 81. under both their hands which was such a Meritorious Work that in few dayes after the Archbishop procured a Conge d'eslier for him to the Bishopricke of St. Davids in Wales which was signed by the Archbishop himselfe as appeares by the Docquet Booke in the signet office produced at the Lords Bar among the entries of December 1635. After which himselfe consecrated him Bishop of that See as was proved by his own Diary wherein he entred this Memento with his owne hand Feb. 28. 1635. I consecrated Doctor Roger Manwaring Bishop of Saint Davids So that this paire of malignant active Popish Prelates Mountague and Manwaring received all their Ecclesiasticall preferments after the proceedings against them in severall Parliaments by his procurement in highest affront of their Authority and Censures who obtained likewise a Royall Pardon procured for them entred in the Docquet Booke Jan. 1628. Both drawne according to his Majesties pardons of Grace granted to his subjects at his Coronation with some particulars for the pardoning of all Errours heretofore committed severally by them either in speaking writing or printing whereby they might be hereafter questioned But to proceed to others August 1628. we finde in the Docquet Booke a Conge d'sliere and Royall Assent by order from the Bishop of London for Doctor Mawe a known Arminian to be Bishop of Bath and Wells and the like in the same Moneth for Doctor Richard Corbet a professed Arminian and one well-affected to Popery to be Bishop of Oxford by order from this Bishop who afterwards promoted him to Norwich In November 1628 A Conge d'slier by his order too was directed to the Deane and Chapter of Yorke to elect Samuell Harsnet then Bishop of Norwich a professed notorious Arminian well inclined to Popery to the Archbishopricke of York Mart. 25. 1632. we find a Conge D'eslire to the Dean and Chapter of Christ-Church to Elect Doctor John Bancroft Bishop of Oxford and in June following a Warrant for the restitution of the temporalities of this Bishoprick to him both subscribed signified by the Bishop of London and what a corrupt unpreaching Popish Prelate Bancroft was is known to all the University of Oxford In Octob. 1632. We find these four severall Conge D'eslires all procured by order of this Prelate then Bishop of London One to the Dean and Chapter of Winchester to Elect Walter Curle Bishop of Bath and Wells to be Bishop of Winchester Alike to the Deane and Chapter of Coventry and Lichfield to Elect Robert Wright Bishop of Bristol to be Bishop of that See Alike to the Deane and Chapter of Peterborough to Elect Doctor Augustine Linsell an Arch-Arminian and very Popish and Superstitious as was attested by Mr. Peter Smart upon Oath and the Author of most of the Innovations in Durham Cathedrall who joyned therin with Doctor Cosins Bishop of that See Alike to Elect Doctor Pierce Bishop of Bath and Wells Now how active all these Prelates were to set up Altars introduce all Popish Ceremonies suppresse Lectures silence Ministers promote the Book of sports advance Arminianisme and Popery hath beene already manifested in the premises And we find that Doctor Lindsell was afterwards translated to the Bishoprick of Hereford Jan. 1633. and this Bishop of Winchester made the Kings chiefe Almoigner in Iune 1637. by Order of this Archbishop In Octob. 1635. we meet with in the Docquet Book a Conge D'eslire and Letter to the Dean and Chapter of Norwich to Elect Mathew Wren Bishop of Norwich both signified by this Archbishop of Canterbury and the like for his translation to Ely March 17. 1637. by Order from this Archbishop Now what an Arminian and Popish Innovator this Prelate was in all particulars the Popish furniture of whose Chappell with Basons Candlesticks Corporalls Altar-cloths A Chalice with a crosse upon it and other Popish Trinkets as appears by his own Book of Accounts costing him 159. l. 4. shil 1. d. and how great a persecutor silencer supresser of Godly Ministers people the world experimentally knows and the premises demonstrate We could instance in sundry English Welsh Bishops more of the same strain who were all advanced by his order means as namely Bi Neal made Archbishop of York by him an Arch promoter of Arminians Popish Clergy men and all Popish Innovations Dr Iuckeson first made Bishop of Hereford afterward of London and Lord Treasurer by this Archbishop A man though of a milde temper yet as Superstitious as Popish as most of the former and his Visitation Articles especially the last enforcing the New Cannons and Etcetera Oath as Superstitious and Vile as any Doctor Duppa Bishop of Chichester a known Arminian and very Superstitious Doctor Skinner Bishop of Bristoll and after of Oxford a man tainted with Arminianisme and very much addicted to Popish Superstitions Innovations with sundry others but these shall suffice Onely we cannot pretermit a notable Letter of Dr. Iohn Towers to Sir Iohn Lamb to be a Mediator to his Grace to confer the Bishopricke of Peterborough upon him which Letter intimates that all Bishopricks and Ecclesiasticall Preferments were then in his disposall Worthy SIR I Intended onely my hearty Thankes to you in this Letter for what I read in your last Letter to my Lord Bishop concerning my selfe and your true Love
as followeth My most honoured Lord I Humbly thanke your Grace for very many Demonstrations of your Love to me and particularly for your last favourable mediation to his Majesty in my behalfe for a Prebend in Windsor The conveniency of that preferment if my Soveraign Master please to confer it on me I shall value much more then the profit But how ever resolve not to prescribe to your Grace much lesse to his Majestie or with immodesty or importunity to presse you I blesse God for what I have and hope he will give me the grace to rest well contented with my present condition what soever it is In the means while my Lord the Obligations which I have to you are such as I can never satisfy but with my prayers which shall be constant that your Grace may long live with honour and comfort to serve God his Majesty and this Church which daily feeles the benefit of your wisdome and goodnesse c. Your Graces in all humility Chr. Potter Octob. 6. 1633. Queenes Colledge In April 1635. We find in the Docques Book a Presentation of Dr Richard Bayly generally reputed an Arminian and Popishly affected to the Deanery of Sarum by Order from this Archbishop In October 1638. Dr Thomas Jackeson a professed Arminian as Doctor Daniel Featly his fellow-Collegian attested was made Dean of Peterborough by the order and procurement of this Archbishop By his meanes Bishop Wren was made Dean of his Majestics Chappell And to conclude with one notable instance more instead of all others October 16. 1640. the Deanery of Peterborough was granted to Doctor John Cosin by signification and order from this Archbishop who promoted him to this dignity by his own confession thâ—â— written with his own hand attested by M. Prynne I presented four of his Majesties Chaplaines in ordinary to his Majestie for the Deanery of Peterborough His Majesty pitched upon Doctor Cosia in regard his meanes lying in the Bishoprick of Durham was in the Scots hands and nothing left to maintain him his wife and children but a poor Headship worth 40. l. per anuum And out of the same consideration and no other did I put his name with the rest to his Majesty What an Arch-Promoter of Popish Doctrines Ceremonies Innovations this Dr Cosin was appeares by the premises and Master Peter 〈◊〉 testimony of him upon Oath and what a recall intimate friend this Arch bishop was to him what a Patriâ—t and Protector of him against al Prosecutions might be evidenced by sundry Letters passing between them over tedious to recite the Originals whereof found in the Archbishops Study we have ready to produce For Clergy men infected with Arminianisme Popery and devoted to Popish Ceremonies 〈◊〉 by him to be Chaplaines in ordinary to his Majesty the Prince his Highnesse to corrupt their Persons Courts in the Theory and Practise of Religion we shall instance only in these ensuing Dr Richard Bayly Deane of 〈◊〉 Dr Thomas Turner Dr William Heywood Dr Richard Marsh Dr William Hutchinson all formerly his own Chaplaines as appears by a list of his Chaplaines since he was Bishop written with his own hands Dr Peter Heylin Dr William Brough Dr William Lewes Dr Thomas Laurence Dr Samuel Baker Dr Richard 〈◊〉 Dr Iohn Cosin Dr Walter Raleigh Dr William Watts Dr Benjamin Layney Dr Thomas Bletchenden Dr William Beal Dr Iames Browne advanced to be Deane of Hereford by his means of whose Popish Practises we formerly gave evidence Dr Andrew Clare Dr Christopher Dow Dr Lushington and Dr John Pocklington How much many of these were addicted to Arminianisme Popery and all Popish Ceremonies hath been formerly attested upon other occasions that the rest of them were of the selfe same strain is so notoriously known in the Court our Universities the places where they live to your Lordships and the Archbishop himself that it needes no other proofe That these were made his Majesties and the Princes Chaplaines by this Archbishops procurement who usurped upon the Lord High Chamberlaines office to nominate Chaplaines in ordinary to his Majestie which stone of his Predecessors did since the Reformation was attested by Mr Oldisworth a Member of the Commons House who deposed That upon his knowledge for 25. years space it did belong to the Lord Chamberlaines office to nominate and appoint the Kings Chaplains in ordinary and so it continued all the old LordWill Earle of Pembrookes Chamberlainship And this the difference of the Warrants proves For where the Kings Warrant runnes These are to signifie his Majesties pleasure there the King is to be consulted with before the place is granted as in the Warrant and case of the Bedchamber-men But where the Warrant is These are to Will and require you to admit such a one as in the case of the Kings Chaplains there the Lord Chamberlaine doth all by his owne authority without consulting with the King That since the present Earle of Pembrooke was Lord Chamberlain the Archbishop took upon him to recommend all Chaplaines to the King and many of them were his own Chaplaines first which the Earl of Pembrooke himselfe seconded Mr Oldisworth likewise delivered in a list of the Kings and Princes Chaplaines in ordinary as they stood Feb. 12. 1640. produced at the Barre Two of these Chaplaines to wit Doctor William Heywood and Doctor Samuel Baker with his owne Arminian Chaplaines Doctor Edward Martyn Doctor William Bray and Doctor Thomas Weekes whom he openly denyed to be his Chaplaine before the Lords till Mr Prynne proved the contrary by a list of his Chaplaines under his owne hand affixed to the end of his Written Diary were the Licensers of all the forementioned Arminian and Popish Bookes published in our Realme and the Purgatory Doctors who obliterated all the fore-cited Passages against Popery Arminianisme Popes Jesuites Papists out of our orthodox Writers Others of them were Authours of sundry Arminian licentious Popish Impressions As Doctor Heylin Doctor Laurence Doctor Cosin Doctor Watts Doctor Dowe and Doctor Pocklington Whose Bookes were some of them written others of them printed by the Archbishops command some of them with others without the Authours privity Amongst these we shall instance onely in Doctor Pocklingtons Bookes the most Popish Impious and profane of any other Who though lately dead before this Triall yet speakes loud enough to this purpose in his Petition to the House of Peeres before his censure here remaining upon the File of Petitions A Copy whereof we have here subjoyned compared with the Originall by which you may clearly discerne by whose command his Popish Impressions were Printed and Published even by this Archbishops who perused them before they were printed To the right Honourable the Lords spirituall and temporall now Assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of John Pocklington Doctor in Divinity and Rector of Yevelden in the County of Bedford Most humbly sheweth THat he is right hearty sorry for doing or bringing any thing
countenance and encourage the grave orthodox Divines of his Clergy and gaine them in the severall quarters of his Diocesse to be present at such Lecturers Sermons as are neere them That so the Bishop may have knowledge 7. That the Bishop suffer none under Noble men and men qualified by Law to have any private Chaplain in his house 8. That his Majesty may be graciously pleased that men of courage gravity and experience in Government be preferred to Bishopricks 9. That Emanuel and Sydny Colledge in Cambridge which are the Nurseries of Puritanisme may from time to time be provided of grave and orthodox men for their governours 10. That his Majesties High Commission be countenanced by the presence of some of his Majesties privy Councell so oft at least as any Matter of Moment is to be sentenced 11. That some course may be taken that the Judges may not send so many Prohibitions 12. That his Majestie would be graciously pleased once in halfe a yeare to call for an Account of all or so many of these as hee in wisdome shall thinke fitt 1. The generall Feoffees for Benefices and preferment 2. A new authorizing of the Injunctions By this Originall Paper the main scope whereof is only to suppresse Preaching Lectures and extirpate all Lecturers by Degrees it is apparant First that this Prelate was the prime Projector Promoter of all the Jesuiticall Devices conteined in these Considerations and since put in Practise in every Diocesse to suppresse Preaching Lectures and Lecturers Secondly that the specious pretence of having the Afternoon Sermons in every Parish turned into catechising so much pressed and commended was only a meer pretence and wicked policy of purpose to suppresse Lectures and undermine Lecturers None being enjoyned to catechise but such as preached none being questioned for not catechising if they preached not and those that catechised and preached too or expounded or used any other Catechism but that in the Common-Prayer-Booke being questioned and suspended as Delinquents Thirdly that he not only recommends these Considerations to his Majesty but moves him to turne them into Injunctions and to call for an Account every halfe year to see how they were observed Fourthly that to effect and further this wicked project all his orthodox grave Ministers are required to be present at Lectures the better to turne informers against Lecturers that were honest and painfull Fifthly some Colledges must have new Governours appointed them to prevent the growth of Puritanism No new Bishops must be made but such who would be active in putting this design in execution The Kings own privy Councell must be specially enjoyned to dance attendance at the High Commission to punish such who transgressed these Prescriptions and the Judges inhibited to grant Prohibitions for their releife This foundation being layd these Considerations of the Bishop were in a few weeks after with very little alteration transformed and hightned into the Title of Instructions from his Majesty the Originall Draught whereof we have here present interlined altered with this Bishops own hand and then in Decemb. 1629 they were sent in the Kings own name as his owne Regall Injunctions to the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke and by them to all the Bishops in their particular Provinces to see them punctually observed and put in execution in every parish within their Diocesse One Copy of them was sent by Archbishop Abbot to Bâ— Laude then Bishop of London In pursuite whereof he summoned in all the Ministers and Lecturers within the City and Suburbs to attend him at London House where hee made a solemne Speech unto them Wherein as appears by the Notes of it under his own hand here produced he pressed obedience to these Instructions of his Majestie which he said had been mistaken by some of them before it was possible for them to see much lesse to weigh them adding that they were full of Religion and Justice that much good would come to the Church and Commonweale by obedience to them the want of which obedience hath lost us more wayes then one And professing he was sorry there was need of those or any other yet since there is need and the Government hath found it so hee was glad of this occasion to knowe and see them together What these Instructions were and how consonant to his own Considerations We shall manifest by an exact Copy endorsed with his owne hand in this forme Decemb. 30 1629. Instructions from his Majesty concerning the Residence of Bishops and the Lecturers with some Notes exceptions explanations upon them in the margin written likewise by himselfe CHARLES R. Instructions for the most reverend Father in God our right trusty and right entirely beloved Councellor George L. Archbishop of Canterbury Concerning certain Orders to be observed and put in execution by the severall Bishops in his Province 1. THat the Lords the Bishops be commanded to their severall Seas a there to keep residence excepting those wich are in necessary attendance at Court 2. That none of them reside upon his land or lease that he hath purchased b nor on his Commendam if he hold any but in one of his Episcopall houses if he have any And that he wast not the woods where any are left 3. That they give charge in their Trienniall Visitations and at other convenient times both by themselves and the Archdeacons that the Declaration for the settling all questions in difference be strictly observed by all parties 4. That there be a speciall care taken by them all that their Ordinations be solemn and not of unworthy persons 5. That they take great care concerning the Lecturers in their severall Diocesses for whom we give these speciall directions following 1. That in all Parishes the Afternoon Sermons c may be turned into Catechizing by Question and Answer where and whensoever there is not some great cause apparant to breake this ancient and profitable Order 2. That every Bishop ordain in his Diocesse d that every Lecturer doe read Divine Service according to the Liturgy printed by Authority in his Surplisse and Hood before the Lecture 3. That where a Lecture is set up in a Market Town it may be read by a company of grave and orthodox Divines neer adjoyning and in the same Diocesse And that they preach in Gownes and not in Cloakes as too many doe use 4. That if a Corporation do maintain a single Lecturer he be not suffered to preach till he professe his willingnesse to take upon him a Living with Cure of Soules within that Incorporation and that he do actually take such e Benefice or Cure so soon as it shall be fairly procured for him 6. That the Bishops doe countenance and encourage the grave and orthodox Divines of their Clergy and that they use meanes by some of the Clergy or others that they may have knowledge how both Lecturers and Preachers within their Diocesses behave themselves in their Sermons that so they may take order
Petitioning upon these hard conditions which he returned and certified to this Archbishop from whom they originally proceeded in these ensueing termes as appears by the Originall under his own hand found in the Archbishops study and attested by Mr Prynne Decemb. 7. 1636. IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN AN Account touching the Royall Instructions given by the Kings most Excellent Majestie to the most Reverend Father in God William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate and Metropolitan of all England concerning Orders to be observed by all the Bishops of that Province To the severall Articles of which Instructions I Mathew Lord Bishop of Norwich thus humbly make answer and in Order Viz. To the 5º Article and the four branches thereof I scarce found any Catechising used in the whole Diocesse some fewe places excepted but I have very strictly enforced it and I presume it is now faithfully performed in most Churches of the Diocesse Especially in the City of Norwich there were not above 4 Sermons on Sunday mornings in 34 Churches only in the Afternoon they had them But I caused Sermons or Homilies to be had in every Church in the forenoon and Catechizing in the afternoon according to the Canon Lectures abounded especially in Suffolke Not a Market or a bowling greene or an Ordinary could stand without one and many of them were set up by private Gentlemen at their pleasures At St. Edmunds Bury there were three Two single Lectures on Wednesday and Friday in either of their Churches one and one by Combination of neighbouring Divines on Munday the Market day The Combination ending at Christmas last of themselves they forbeare to begin it again till they had fought to me for leave and order therein I gave my consent and allowed fifty choice Divines inhabiting within that Archdeaconry upon these two Conditions First that the Divine Service being began duly by the Curate of the Church at nine of the Clocke the Preacher for that day should be ready in his Surplisse and Hood to begin the second Service at the Communion Table and so should assend into the Pulpit after the Nicene Creede and there using no other prayer then is prescribed in the 55. Canon nor preaching above one hour should not give the Blessing out of the Pulpit but should dessend again to the Table and read the Prayer for the universull Church and so dismisse the congregation with the Peace of God c. Secondly that the people of the Town should duly resort to the Church to the beginning of Divine Service and there deport themselves with all Humility Reverence and Devotion in kneeling standing bowing being uncovered and answering audibly Both which conditions are joyfully and duly performed as well by the Preachers for their part as the people for theirs respectively The two single Lectures are likewise continued and performed upon the same conditions Only during the time of this Fast I appointed the Friday Lecture to be held on the Fast day also At Ipswich there hath been no Lecture since Mr Wards censure It was not unknowne to some of them that if they had sought to have one I would have granted it but they are resolved to have him or none and him they make account to have in despite of all censures At Yarmouth there hath beene no Lecturer these two yeares ever since which time more Peace hath been in the Town and good Order in Ecclesiasticall things much increased At Lyme their Lecturer dyed in February They presently sought to have the Curate of the place allowed to be Lecturer I gave leave that he should supply the place till I might further enquire of him but about Whitsuntide he voluntarily relinquished and not without some contempt whereupon I would not suffer him afterward to return though some desired it At Norwich one Lecture is still held by Mr Cock an honest conformable man of whom they make no great regard Other two have voluntarily relinquished because they will observe no Order whereof one Mr Bridge hath left two Cures and is runne into Holland The other Lectures in the Country Towns were at this passe First they observed no Order at all in reading of the Divine Service or in abstaining from points of controversie or in their habits Secondly Laymen had taken upon them to put in and put out some Lecturers at their pleasure Thirdly the people also knowing before hand who was to preach when any factious fellow came would throng and hang upon the Windowes but if they did not phansie the man the Church was halfe empty to the great discouragement of many who complained thereof to me Fourthly they never sought to me to obtaine any allowances or to receive any order about them whereupon after more then halfe a years expectation some of them were inhibited untill they sought leave of their ordinary Since they in Suffolk Petition was made to me 1 From Debenham and I was ready to allow them a Lecture on the same conditions with St. Edmunds Bury which they went to consider of but I never heard since from them 2 From Bergholt vulgo Baifeld which is a Mile of Dedham in Essex But it being no Market Town and I not finding a sufficient number of grave and orthodox Divines neer that part and Dr. Jones an eminent man their late Lecturer having often complained to me of their factious dispositions I took time to consider of it 3 From Haverill no Market Town also where a young fellow had thrust up himself without leave Sede vacanie to be their Lecturer yet in regard of his want of means I yeelded upon condition that he should behave himselfe orderly and the Towne should assure fourty Markes per annum for a Stipend which they have not yet done In Norfolk from Wimendam and Eastharling suite was made to me but it was since the Fast began whereupon I respited them till it pleased God that it might cease and then I would be ready to do to them as I had done at Bury Besides these places afore named I remember but three in Northfolke as yet inhibited Viz. at Diss new Buckenham and Northwalsham and three in Suffolk viz. at Ixmom a Lecture started up by Sir William Spring within these four years at Cockefield a private town where the said Knight bound his Clerk when he presented him to read a Lecture there every Thursday because Mr Knewstubs had for many years before done it And at Wickham where the Lecturer is no Graduate and hath been a common Stage player a man of small abilities and of whom many complaints were brought to me This Bishop Wren likewise prohibited all ringing of Bells to give notice of a Sermon to the Parishioners or others Suppressed all Preparation Sermons to fit men for the worthy receiving of the Sacrament all Prayers before Sermons but that enjoyned by the 55. Canon forbidding Ministers to use any Prayers after their Sermons Enjoyned there should be no Catechisms used on the Lordsday instead of the
mentioned be not truely observed Vpon condition whereof the Bishop hath condescended unto the humble Petition presented vnto his Lordship from the Major and the other Inhabitants of the said Towne of Brackley for suffering the said weekely Sermon These Orders under my Hand and Seale are to be set up for all those whom they concerne to take notise of the same in some convenient place within the Chappell of S. Iames Brackley or in the Chancell or Vestery of the same Chappell as the Incumbent of the place shall dispose them In testimony whereof we have caused our Seale Episcopall to be hereunto put the day and yeer above written 1. Doctor Sybthorpe Vicar of Brackley 2. Mr. Burden Rector of Aynoe 3. Mr. Yates Rector of Midleton cheny 4. Mr. Losse Vicar of Leas weeden 5. Mr. Osborne Rector of Thenford 6. Mr. Selby Rector of Chipingwarden 7. Mr. Gage Vicar of Culworth 8. Mr. Adams Rector of Ashton in le walls 9. Mr. Burton Rector of Helmedon 10. Mr. Osten Rector of Braddon 11. Mr. Iakeman Rector of Farthingoe 12. Mr. Brocke Vicar of Maideford 13. Mr. Hunt Vicar of Sulgraue 14. Mr. Mander Vicar of Chacombe 15. Mr. Hifeild Vicar of Evenley Jo. Petriburg By these unreasonable conditions to which the consciences of most orthodox godly Ministers could no wayes submit most Combination Lecturers were totally discontinued and such as remained were for the most part supplied only by Prelaticall Superstitious Ceremonious Popish Clergy men of the Archbishops faction whose Sermons and Examples did more corrupt then instruct seduce then reforme the Auditors and onely promote his Popish designes To such slavery misery were both Ministers and People reduced by colour of this Prelates forementioned Considerations Who being afterwards advanced to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury had an annuall Account returned to him from all the Bishops of his Province how these Instructions concerning Sermons Lectures and Lecturers were observed and what Proceedings were upon them as was manifested by the Originals of their Accounts found in his study endorsed with his own hand And not content with his Provinciall Bishops proceedings himself in his Metropoliticall Visiitation gave speciall Order to Sir Nathaniel Brent his Vicar generall to inquire how his Majesties Instructions were observed as appears by a Memorandum touching his Visitation in generall March 6. 1634. written with Mr Dells own hand found in the Archbishops study with other Papers of that nature and likewise ordered him to silence divers Ministers and not suffer them to Lecture We shall give you one memorable instance in Mr Leighe a reverend Minister then of Wolverhampton but now settled in Shoreditch by order of Parliament For whose silencing this Archbishop gave speciall order as appears by a Letter under his Secretary Dells own hand who acknowledged it at the Lords Barr directed to Sir Nathaniel Brent found by M. Prynne among Sir John Lambes Papers Worthy SIR THE Church and Colledge of Wolverhampton in the Diocesse of Litchfield is an Appendix to the Deane of Windsor who by Charter of Edward the fourth is both Patron and Ordinary cum omnimoda jurisdictione And in that regard though they have not been visited by any time out of mind yet now he is content to lay by the Bulls and Charters of Exemption and to admit of my Lords Metropolitan visitation But with all he hath made this humble suit to my Lords Grace that if you visit that Church and Colledge they may not be summoned out of their own Jurisdiction but rather that in your way from Litchfield to Shrewsbury your visitation may be held in that very Place it being a goodly Collegiate Church and every way sit for it In which my Lord wills you by all means to give Mr Dean content in what may conveniently be done And whereas his Grace is informed that the Place is much given to Faction and that the last Summer there were some very good Chapter Acts and other Orders made by my Lord the Bishop of Hereford then Dean to settle things there in a Church way and to curbe the insolency of some men who since upon occasion of this my Lords Visitation are bold to give it out that they will have all reversed c. His Grace hath commanded me to signifie his expresse pleasure to you That no former Act made by the Chapter there nor any Order appointed by the Deane be reversed or any wayes altered without first acquainting his Grace therewith And that you take speciall notice of one Mr Lee a Prebend there who hath been the Author of much disorder thereabouts And if you can fasten upon any thing whereby he may justly be censured pray see it be done and home or bring him to the High Commission Court to answer it there c. But HOWEVER let him not obtain any License to Preach any Lecture there or in another Exempt place hard by at Tetenshall whither those of Wolverhampton do now run after him out of their Parish for the Church hath not much need of such men If you speak with Mr Latham of Litchfield who is the Surrogate there he will informe you more fully concerning this Businesse That he the said Mr Lee hath Churched Refractory Women in private c. That he is averse to all good Orders of the Church As also that in another place thereabouts they caused a Bell-man in open Market to make Proclamation for a Sermon c. One thing more which I may not forget My Lords Grace is informed that at Monkes-Illith in Suffolke there is a Monument placed just at the East end of the Church where the Communion Table or Altar should stand And therefore his Grace wills you notwithstanding you are now past it to take order that it be either removed or demolished And that you be very carefull to do the like in all Churches else where you finde the same Abuse So not doubting of your care in these Particulars and wishing you health and content throughout your Journey I take my leave and am Your Faithfull poor Friend to serve you William Dell. Lambeth April 27. 1635. Mr Dean cannot be at Wolverhampton by reason of his attendance at Windsor the Instalment being about that time and therefore prays you to hold him accused Upon this Letter Mr Leigh was suspended by Sir Nathaniel Brent as appears by an Abstract of the Metropoliticall Visitation delivered by Sir Nathaniel to the Archbishop who thus endorsed it with his own hand Iuly 16. 1635. The Abstract of my Visitation of Norwich Peterborrough Litchfield c. produced at the Barr in which we find mention of above twenty other Ministers suspended from preaching in this his Visitation In his Instructions for his Metropoliticall Visitation in the Diocesse of London endorsed and signed with his owne hand wee finde divers Informations against sundry Ministers inclosed among which this is one Mr. Randall Curate of Tuddington in Midlesex neer Hampton Court preacheth long Sermons and factious on Sundayes
in the Afternoone though he hath beene admonished of it and inhibited by Mr Chancellor of London to which the Archbishop underwrites this direction to Sir Nathaniel Brent his Visitor Sir I require you that besides your other Instructions you give me an Account of all particulars within named W. Cant. Of which particular concerning Mr Randall Sir Nathaniel after his Visitation gave this account to the Archbishop MAster Randall Curate of Tuddington noted in the paper confesseth that since he was inhibited by Mr Chancellor of London to preach in the Afternoones on Sundayes he hath once offended and no more It was to make a farewell Sermon to that exercise as he saith wherein he rather aggravateth his fault then otherwise Hee saith that this Sermon was much beyond the compasse of an hour and I beleeve it continued more then two houres He now seeth and acknowledgeth his fault protesteth he will be most conformable for the future and humbly desireth to be dismissed with a Canonicall Admonition But I keep him in fear still To this we might add his procurement of Dr Ienningson Lecturer at Newcastle to be questioned in the High Commission at York in the year 1639. whose Articles and Answers were both sent up to Lambeth to his Grace-ship and enforcing to quit that place with the Kingdome too to avoyd his fury His prosecution of Mr Iohn Iemmet Lecturer at Barwicke in causing the Bishop of Durham in December 1639. to send for him by a Pursevant silence him from preaching in Barwick and banish him the Town without any Articles or Witnesses examined against him with other instances of this nature but for brevity sake we shall omit these and proceed to his next stratagem to suppresse preaching which was His publishing of a Declaration for Sports in his Majesties name and silencing suspending excommunicating questioning censuring in the High Commission and elsewhere many hundreds of godly conscientious Preaching Ministers whom the Instructions for Lecturers could not reach so farr as to silence being Incumbents and not meer Lecturers for refusing personally to publish it in their Churches to animate their people to profane the Lords day with unhallowed Pastimes which because we have formerly insisted on and proved to be his designe we shall here but mention and passe by only with this one Addition that Mr Thomas Valentine Minister of Chalford Saint Giles in the County of Buckingham being suspended by Sir Iohn Lambe Deane of the Arches for not reading the Book of Sports from which suspention he appealed and procured time to consider whether he would read it or not Mr Valentine not long after to obtain further time and favour writ a Letter to Sir Iohn Lambe dated April 28. 1636. with 5 l. inclosed and a Petition to the Archbishop on which Letter Sir Iohn makes this endorsment with his own hand Master Valentine 28. April 1636. with 5 l. PEECES inclosed which Petition Sir Iohn recommending to Mr Dell procured him a gratious answer and some longer respite for the present but in December and Ianuary following he was again molested and suspended for not publishing this Declaration in proper person though his Curate had formerly read it in the Church as appears by two Petitions to the Archbishop for his absolution His third design to suppresse preaching was by discouraging conscientious young Schollers and Divines from entering into the Ministry by putting divers clogs difficulties upon them under a most specious pretext which was thus effected No sooner was this Prelate setled in his Archbishoprick but he contrived a Letter drawn by Mr Dell his Secretary but interlined corrected with his own hand as appears by the Originall draught found in his study directed as from his Majestie to himself which he afterwards presented to the King who directed and sent it to him under his Privy Signet to be put in Execution in manner following as the very Letter it selfe under the Kings Signet declares thus endorsed with the Archbishops own hand Rec. Sept. 19. 1633. From his Majesty that no Ministers be made sine Titulo To the most Reverend Father in God our Right trusty and Right entirely beloved Councellor William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate and Metropolitane of all England CHARLES R. MOst Reverend Father in God Right trusty and right entirely beloved Councellour we greet you well There is nothing more deer to US then the preservation of true Religion as it is now settled and established in this our Kingdome to the honour of God and the great comfort of our selfe and our Loyall people and there can nothing more conduce to the advancement thereof then the strict observation of such Canons of the Church as concern those that are to take orders in their severall times More especially of keeping that particular Canon which injoyns That no man be made a Priest or a Minister without a Title For we finde that many not so qualified do by favour or other means procure themselves to be ordeined and afterwards for want of means wander up and downe to the scandall of their calling or to get maintenance fall upon such courses as are most unfit for them both by humouring their Auditours and other wayes altogether unsufferable Wee have therefore thought fit and Wee doe hereby streightly require and charge you to call such Bishops to you as are now present in or neer our City of London and to acqulint them with this our resolution And further that you faile not in the beginning of the next Terme to give notice of this our will and pleasure openly in our High Commission Court and that you call into our said Court every Bishop respectively that shall presume to give Orders to any man that hath not a Title and there to censure him as the Canon aforesaid doth injoyn which is to maintain the party so ordered till he give him a Title and with what other censure you in Justice shall think sit And our further will is That nothing shall be reputed a Title to enable a man for orders but that which is so by the ancient course of the Church and the Canon Law so far forth as that Law is received in this our Church of England And as you must not fail in these our directions nor in any part of them so we expect that you gives us from time to time a strict accompt of your proceedings in the same Given under our Signet at our Pallace of Westminster the nineteenth day of September in the ninth year of our Raigne Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Upon receit hereof this Archbishop whose project it was directs this Letter following to the Bishops of his Province as is evident by the originall draught thereof corrected with his own hand and thus endorsed by him Octob. 18. 1633. The Copy of my Letters upon this of his Majesties to the severall Bishops of this Province S. in Christo My very good Lord HIS Majestie hath been often and much troubled upon
Strangers and not as Natives That is that they may pay all double duties as Strangers use to doe and have no more Immunities then Strangers have till they will live and converse as other Subjects do And this matter of losse or gaine is as likely to work upon them especially the Merchants and richer men as any other thing and perhaps more 4. When it shall be thought fit actually to reduce them to live as other Subjects doe both in relation to Church and State the way I conceive may be to have them fairely warned in an Ecclesiasticall way for every man with his Houshold if he be not a new commer but a borne Subject to repaire to his Parish Church here to conforme himselfe to Prayers Sacraments c. And if any receive not according to Cannon and Law then to excommunicate him or them And by that time the Writ de Excommunicato capiendo hath been served upon some few it may be the rest will yeeld themselves 5. If this doe not prevaile I then conceive under favour it will be hard to remedy unlesse the State will publikely declare That if they will be as Natives and take the benefit of Subjects they must conforme themselves to the Laws of the Kingdom aswell Ecclesiasticall as Temporall Which Declaration when it shall once be made publike I think they will be well advised before they will resist or refuse it By these Papers it is apparent That this Arch-Prelate was the Originall Contriver of all the proceedings against the Dutch and French Churches In pursuance of these determinations of his in his Metropoliticall Visitation Ann. 1634. 1635. he summoned all the Ministers and Elders of these Churches to appeare before Sir Nathaniel Brent his Vicar Generall as appeares by an Abstract of his Visitation endorsed with his owne hand unto whom he prescribed these two following Injunctions 1. That all the Natives of the Dutch and Walloon Congregations in his Graces Diocesse are to repaire to their severall Parish Churches of those severall Parishes where they inhabit to heare Divine Service and Sermons and performe all duties and payments required in that behalfe 2. That the Ministers and all others of the Dutch and Walloon Congregations which are not Natives and borne Subjects to the Kings Majesty or any other strangers that shall come over to them while they remaine strangers may have and use their owne Discipline as formerly they have done yet it is thought sit that the English Liturgy should be translated into French and Dutch for the better settling of their children to the English Government These Injunctions were prescribed to the Forraign Churches at Norwich An. 1634. and to these at Canterbury Maidstone and Sandwich 13. Aprilis 1635. as appeares by sundry Copies of them found in the Archbishops study and the like were imposed on all other Dutch and Walloon Churches within his Province Yet not content herewith he caused the Archbishop of York to impose harder conditions on the Forraigne Congregations within his Province as appeares by two Letters found in his study under the Archbishop of Yorks owne hand the one dated Octob. 1. 1636. the other 22 Ian. 1637. Wherein he denyes them the exercise of any Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction of their owne injoynes them the use of the English Liturgie in the French Tongue with obedience to all the Lawes and Ordinances of the Church of England to receive the Sacrament once a yeare in the Parish Church wherein they dwell and to performe all their Christnings Marriages and Burials there else no Congregation of their owne would be permitted Hereupon these Forraigners conceiving these Injunctions prejudiciall to their Ancient Rights Liberties indulged them and destructive to their Churches opposed them all they could in an humble way Upon the publication of these Injunctions the Dutch and Walloon Churches at Norwich presented this ensuing Remonstrance to the Bishop there who sent it up to the Archbishop who received it as appeares by the endorsement Febr. 21. 1634. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD RICHARD LORD BISHOP OF NORWICH The humble Remonstrance and Petition of the two Congregations of Strangers in the City of Norwich IT hath pleased my Lords Grace of Canterbury to send forth lately two Injunctions to the three Congregations of Strangers Canterbury Sandwich and Maidstone in his Graces Diocesse to this effect 1. That their English Natives should separate from them and resort to the English Parish Churches where they dwell 2. That the Remainder of them being strangers borne should receive and use the English Liturgy translated into their own language upon the first day of March next The which is generally conceived to be a leading case for all the Strangers Congregations that are in England 1 Now forasmuch as the said Injunctions seeme to be opposite not only to sundry Orders of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell heretofore upon severall occasions granted unto severall Congregations of the said Strangers but chiefly to all the gracious Liberties and Priviledges granted unto them of old and continued during the Reigne of three most famous Princes King Edward Queene Elizabeth and King Iames of glorious memory And confirmed by his now Majesties Regall word our gracious Soveraigne whom God long preserve which he was pleased graciously to give unto the Deputies of all the strangers Congregations in England prostrate at his Majesties feet the 30 of April 1625. 2 And also that the observing of the said Injunctions will necessarily draw after it many great and unavoydable Inconveniences both common and personall as namely that 1 The Parishes shall be needlessely charged with a great multitude of poore Strangers that are English Natives 2 Many such Natives shall ipso facto lose the benefit of their Toleration in exercising their Manufactures having not served their seven years Apprentiships and be in danger of ruine or molestation 3 Many such also that understand not well the English tongue shall be little edified by the English Prayers and Sermons which they shall heare 4 Their Families shall be divided some going one way some another to their appointed Assemblies which may minister an unhappy opportunity of licentiousnesse to servants and children that are loosely minded 5 The Alien strangers that shall remaine being not the fourth part of the now standing Congregations especially in this City for want of competent ability to maintaine their Minister and poore must needs be utterly dissolved and come to nothing 6 So the ancient and much renowned Asyla and places of refuge for the poore persecuted and other ignorant Christians beyond the Seas shall be wanting whereat Rome will rejoyce and the Reformed Churches in all places will mourne 7 Many Ministers and those ancient having no other meanes but their Congregations which shall then faile them shall be to seek for themselves and their destituted Families 8 The Forraigne poore will be added to the Native poore and encrease the charge and burden of their severall Parishes who will
meeting a Pupill of his at Paris in France when he waited on Sir Thomas Edmonds as his Chaplaine there which Pupill had turned a Papist discoursing with him concerning this Arch-bishop then resident in Saint John's Colledge in Oxford he told him that Doctor Laud his Tutor was against the Popes supremacy but did maintaine many Catholike points of their Religion The second is Sir Nathaniel Brent his owne Vicar-generall who deposed at the Barre that this Arch bishop while he continued in Oxford was there generally reputed to be popish that he and others conceived him so not upon any fained but upon very probable grounds one whereof then generally taken notice of was that when he did his exercise for Batchelour of Divinity he tooke his supposition almost verbation out of Bellarmine which he remembers the better because one Mr. Dale then Proctor his Opponent who took exceptions at it shewed him his supposition in Bellarmines Works concerning the necessity of Baptisme which was consonant to the tenent of Rome Another ground of this opinion of him was that he held acquaintance and most familiarly conversed with those in the University who were most addicted to Popery and reputed Papists and had sundry differences bickerings disputes with many sound Divines about points in Religion particularly he had very intimate acquaintance with and oft frequented the company of one Browne reputed a Papist in his life and found to be so after his death there being a manuscript writ with his owne hand and thought to be his owne found in his Study in defence of popery and maintaining among other things that one might be a Minister officiate and actually remaine in the Church of England and yet be actually reconciled to the Church of Rome This book King James hearing of sent for it which being brought to him when he had read this passage he said if this position of his were true he could not now tell whom to trust And that there was such a generall report of the Arch-bishop then he thought himselfe would not deny and for that he had seen that book of Browns a petition of this Bishops in a great mans hands to whom King James delivered them wherein healleaged that he was traduced to be a Papist but desired his Majesty not to think so of him To these testimomies we shall adde a notable passage in Doctor Abbot's Sermon at Saint Peters in Oxford on Easter-day Anno 1615. formerly touched on p. 155. on which you may reflect That some were partly ROMISH partly English as occasion served them that a man might say unto them Nosteres an adversariorum who under pretence of truth and preaching against the Puritan strike at the heart and root of the faith and Religion new established among us c. That they cannot plead they are ACCOUNTED PAPISTS because they speak against the puritan but because BEING INDEED PAPISTS they speak nothing against them If they doe at any time speak against the papists they doe but beat a little about the Bush and that but softly too for fear of waking and disquieting the birds that are in it they speak nothing but that wherein one Papist will speake against another as against Equivocation the Popes temporall authority and the like and perhaps some of their blasphemous speeches But in the point of Freewill Justification Concupiscence being a sinne after Baptisme inherent righteousnesse and certainty of salvation THE PAPISTS BEYOND THE SEAS CAN SAY THEY ARE WHOLLY THEIRS AND THE RECUSANTS AT HOME MAKE THEIR BRAGS OF THEM AND IN ALL THINGS THEY KEEP THEMSELVES SO NEERE THE BRINK THAT UPON ANY OCCASION THEY MAY STEP OVER TO THEM Now for this speech that the Presbyterians are as bad as the Papists there is a sting in the speech which I wish had been left out for there are many churches beyond the seas which contend for the Religion established among us which yet have approved and admitted the presbytery and this is to make them as bad as the papists Besides there have lived among us many reverend and worthy men which have not rejected the presbytery taking it even for Lay-Elders and among the rest Doctor Nowell late Deane of Pauls in his Larger Catechisme pag. 29. 71. affirmeth that in every well-governed Church there was a Presbytery and yet this Catechisme by the late reverend Arch-bishop of Canterbury was commanded to be had in every Grammar Schoole Which surely he would not have done if the presbyterians were as daâ—rous or bad as the papists And now that I have cleered my selfe from this imputation of being for the presbytery it will lye upon them to CLEARE THRMSELVES IF THEY CAN FROM THEIR SUSPITION OF POPERY For as Saint Hierom speakes In crimine haereseos patientem esse non decet And for their speech of preferment it s not that I look for I make account I have lived to the end of a Students life and God forbid that now for the hope of a little preferment I should betray the cause of Christ I have been ever of this mind if there be no preferment on earth there is enough in Heaven And my desire is while I live here to walk in sincerity and truth If I should doe otherwise how should I look my Saviour in the face might he not say uto me what art thou ROMISH or English PAPIST or PROTESTANT or what art thou A MONGRELL OR COMPOUND OF BOTH A Protestant by Ordination A PAPIST in the point of Freewill inherent Righteousnesse and the like A Protestant in receiving the Sacrament A PAPIST in the Doctrine of the Sacrament What doe you thinke are there two Heavens If there be get you to the other and place your selves there for into this where I am yee shall not come These Notes of Doctor Abbots Sermon were found in this Arch-bishops Study written with his owne hand produced and attested by Master Prynne inclosed in a copy of a Letter of his to the then Bishop of Lincolne under his owne hand too thus indorsed by him April 18. 1615. The copy of a Letter which I sent to the Lord Bishop of Lincolne concerning a Sermon in which Doctor Abbot HAD WRONGED ME IN THE UNIVERSITY In which Letter he inclosed these Notes for his Lordship to peruse complaining thus therein I came time enough to be at the rehearsall of this Sermon upon much perswasion I went to Church where I was faine to sit patiently and heare my selfe abused almost an hour together yet I was pointed at as I sate for this present abuse I would have taken no notice of it but that THE WHOLE UNIVERSITY APPLIES IT TO ME and my owne friends tell me I shall sink my credit if I answer not Doctor Abbot in his own kind Neverthelesse in a businesse of this kind I will not be swayed from a patient course Onely I desire your Lordship to vouchsafe me some direction what to doe c. By which it is cleere
and there discoursing with an English Gentleman who had been an ancient traveller touching the then late rooting out of sundry English able and orthodox Ministers for not complying with the Bishops in divers new idolatrous ceremonies this Gentleman assured me that he had often heard of strange reports of matters likely to befall England both from English and Irish papists which he gave no heed unto supposing them to speake rather as they would have it then as it was in verity But now that he had heard so much from me he did much suspect that there was some plot in hand to change the Religion in Eng. wherof he would diligently enquire assuring me that he had as good means to know it as any man of our Nation that lived on that side of the Seas At our next meeting he told me that he had dived into the plot That ere long we must all of necessity be papists in Eng. that the best wits both in Eng. and on that side of the Seas were interested therein That it was so politickly laid that he did not see how in the judgment of man it could possibly be prevented That the Archb. and some other Bishops were of the plot and that the rest of the Bishops and Clergy partly for feare of losing what they had partly for hopes of geting more would undoubtedly comply That the refusers if they could not be corrupted were to be turned out of their livings banished imprisoned or forced to live in obscurity That it was to be done by gradations to bring in this point of Popery in one quarter of a yeer and the rest in another and if not direct popery yet so neer thereunto as the common people themselves would slide into it unawares that nothing but the King of Sweden's prosperity did hinder the sudden effecting of it Lastly that if we resisted not we should be cheated and cozened of our Religion and if we resisted we should be compelled thereto perforce I replied that I thought the Papists in England were not of any considerable number to effect their ends by force and that they were also dis-armed He told me the Papists were more in number and better armed then I conceived them to be many going now to Church who would then declare themselves papists besides a world of Newters who for hopes of preferment would be easily drawne to their party that they vvere all united and besides armed with authority He affirming that for many yeers vve had vvholly been governed by Papists most men in highest authority being either vvholly so or at least as serviceable unto them for private ends as if they vvere so indeed I replied that if we should be compelled to defend our Religion by force their authority would not be regarded He told me the Irish vvould be brought in I answered that I had spent some yeers in Ireland and knew them to want both courage and meanes to effect so great a businesse so that unlesse they were backed by the King of Spaine in a better manner then I conceived he was able at that time to doe they durst not undertake it He told me they should have a better back and more encouragement then the King of Spaine could give them and that both France and Spain should assist therein I replied that I thought France and Spaine were likely to disagree and therefore unfit for such a businesse He told me that since J vvould needs have it the greatest introducers of popery should be the Protestants themselves Whereat vvhen J vvondred as seeming to me a paradox he told me that the vvar should be so disguised under false notions and pretences as the Protestants should ignorantly become the Jesuits servants and by the effusion of their ovvne blood set up popery by force Thirdly that being in Rome seven or eight yeers since one Father John of the Order of Saint Benet was very tnquisitive of me to knovv vvho bestovved the livings in England and vvhether the Arch bishop did not doe it I answered that the livings were in the donation of such as had the Advousons of them whether it were the King Arch bishops Bishops Deanes and Chapters Colledges Corporations Noble men Gentlemen or others He asked me if the Arch-bishop did not bestow the Kings livings I said no but the Lord Keeper if they were under such a value if above the King himselfe He seemed very much agrieved that the Arch-bishop did not bestow them and told me that he did not despaire of seeing England to be very suddenly Catholike And though be were by reason of his Order tyed more strictly to the Pope then others were yet he was carefull to have both Kings and Kingdomes priviledges preserved and more particularly that the Benefices in England might not be bestowed upon Italians as formerly but that the Arch-bishop should have the ordering thereof All this I have oft related some yeers since to divers persons of quality for which I incurred some trouble by the Jesuits and this Arch-bishops meanes This Testimony is so home and punctuall that we shall adde no more thereto it informs us of a long since plotted and actuated confederacy between this Archbishop and other English Prelats and the Popes Instruments at Rome and in other forraigne parts to introduce popery and reduce us back to Rome It chalks out to us the manner and method of their proceedings in all particulars and the politick contrivances of all sorts to effect their intended designe all which we have by wofull experience seen punctually acted pursued accordingly to this very moment in which pursuit this Archbishop hath been the Archinstrument since then we visibly behold these reports of theirs verefied to the view of all the world we must no longer look upon them is empty rumours or discourses but as reall Evidences beyond all exceptions The second groundwork we shall lay and prove is this That there hath been for many yeers last past a dangerous damnable Plot and serious endeavour of the Pope and his Instruments to reduce and reconcile the Church of England to the Church and Sea of Rome and that this Arch-bishop was privy to and had notice of it This Plot was first laid about the yeer 1617. when the Spanish Match was set on foot and King Charles then Prince of Wales fent into Spaine of purpose to reconcile him and in him our Kingdomes to the Church of Rome the prime end the Pope and Catholikes intended in that Match and Treaty as appeares by the severall Articles passages and proceedings in it well knowne to this Prelate by the Popes Letter to the Prince whiles in Spaine to reconcile him to Rome and make him a dutifull Sonne of that Church by the Popes Letter to his Nuncio the Bishop of Conchen when the Prince was in Spaine to endeavour his conversion to their Church upon this occasion by a Jesuits Oration to induce his Highnesse to that Religion and by the
of our reducement to Rome yea the discovery of Andreas ab Habernfield to the Archbishop informes both him and ns That one of Endimion Porters Sonnes of the Bed-chamber now in armes against the Parliament was promised a Cardinals Hat if this designe succeeded well and that Sir Kenelme Digby Master Walter Mountague and other active Instruments who promoted that designe among us attended the sixteen Cardinals Caps that were vacant which were therefore detained vacant for some yeers to impose a vaine hope on those who expected them And Master Widford in his Letters from Rome to Secretary Windebank Novemb. 10. 1640. informes him that Master Sommerset and Master Brudenell were come to Florence aiming at our English Cardinals Caps which then by reason of the Popes Catarre were like to be disposed of All which particulars are a most cleere demonstration of the Pope and his Conclaves endeavours to reduce us back to Rome and of this Archbishops privity to if not assistance in it The sixth Evidence we shall mention to prove the Archbishops not onely intelligence of but compliance with the Popes and his Instruments Plots and proceedings to usher in Popery and reduce our Kingdomes to the Antichristian Religion and Church of Rome is his conusance and furtherance of this their design in Ireland which we shall thus demonstrate The House of Commons June 11. 1628. presented a Remonstrance to the King concerning the extraordinary encrease and growth of Popery of Papists both in England and Ireland and the extraordinary favour which they found from some great persons in his Court wherein they had this notable clause concerning Ireland IT doth not a little also encrease our dangers and feares this way to understand the miserable condition of your Kingdome of Ireland where without controle the Popish Religion is openly professed and practised in every part thereof Popish jurisdiction being generally exercised and avowed Monasteries Nunneries and other superstitious houses newly erected re-edified replenished with men and women of severall Orders and in a plentifull manner maintained in Dublin and most of the great Townes and divers other places of that Kingdome Which of what ill consequence it may prove if not seasonably repressed we leave to your Majesties wisdome to judge But most heartily beseech you as we assure our selves you doe to lay the serious consideration thereof to your Royall pious heart AND THAT SOME TIMELY COURSE MAY BE TAKEN FOR REDRESSE HEREIN Had this pious prudent timely advice been then harkned to and followed to purpose it might no doubt through Gods concurrence with it have prevented that horrid Rebellion those bloody Massacres of some hundred thousands of poor English Protestants in and devastation of that distressed Kingdom which have broken forth and been perpetrated there of late almost to the utter extirpation of the English and Irish Protestants the ruine of that Kingdome and infinite losse yea eminent danger of this our Realme to boot But this Popish Prelate though he then certainly knew this Remonstrance to be most true out of an inveterate hatred to the Parliament and a desire to promote the Catholikes designes there instead of perswading his Majesty to hearken to this true information and wholesome advice of his faithfull Commons drew up a most pernitious malepert Answer with his owne hand in his Majesties name against this Remonstrance which he presented to his Majesty wherein he incensed him against the Commons charging them not onely with misinforming but traducing his Majesties government by this clause concerning Ireland in this dishonourable language produced and read under his owne hand out of the Originall draught attested by Master Prynne FOR Ireland We think in case of Religion 't is not worse then Queen Elizabeth left it and for other affaires 't is as good as we found it nay perhaps better and We take it a great disparagement of Our government that it should be urged that new Monasteries Nunneries and other superstitious houses are erected and replenished in Dublin and other great Townes in this Our Kingdome for we assure Our Selves Our Deputy and Our Counsell there will not suffer God and Our government so to be dishonoured but We should have had some account of it from them and We may not endure thus to have Our good People misled with shewes Which in plaine tearmes is but a giving the House of Commons the Lye and a slandering of them as false Informers both to the King and people By which wicked practice their Remonstrance was rejected as a slanderous Libell and their Councell not pursued the dolefull effects whereof we now experimentally feele and rue That this Prelate when he made this Answer certainly knew of the grand encrease of the Papists in Ireland and that they had then upon the matter obtained a publike toleration will appeare by a paper found in his Study produced at the Barre thus endorsed with this Archbishops own hand 1626. The Bishops of Ireland about a Toleration feared The Judgement of the Arch-bishops and Bishops of Ireland concerning toleration of the Papish Religion by publike Protestation THE Religion of Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous their Faith and Doctrine erronious and hereticall their Church in respect of both Apostaticall to give them therefore a toleration of Religion or to consent that they may-freely exercise their Religion and professe their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sinne and that in two respects First it is to make our selves accessary to their superstitious Idolaries Heresies and in a word to all the abominations of popery but also which is a consequent of the former to the perdition of the seduced people which perish in the deluge of the Catholike Apostacy Secondly to grant them a toleration in respect of any money to be given or contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it the soules of the people whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious blood And as it is a great sinne so it is a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideration whereof we leave to the wise and judicions beseeching the zealous God of truth to make those who are in authority zealous of Gods glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and couragious against all Popery Superstition and Idolatry There were likely to be granted to the Papists in Ireland many priviledges and withall a toleration for their Religion in the consideration of the payment of a great summe of mony This Easter tearme 1626. there was a great meeting of all the chiefest of the whole Kingdome and the Archbishops and Bishops c. and it was likely to be concluded Doctor Dâ—wanm Bishop of London-Derry April 11. preached at Dublin before the Lord Deputy and the State his Text was Luke 1. at the 79. In the midst of his Sermon he openly read this Protestation above written subscribed by the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland and at the end he boldly said And
meere art to deterre others from opposing his Graces Popish Innovasions the only prosecutor appearing against him And his shaking up or menacing of his advocate an unlawfull act to discourage him from making any defence and subject his Client to a censure Therefore inexcusable 3ly The main Article against Mr. Burkit was only for his and the Church-wardens removing of the Table when the Sacrament was administred into the body of the Church without the rayles according to the Rubrick Queene Elizabeths Injunctions and the 28. Canon the other Articles being but frivilous not insisted on And for this he was molested in the High Commission yea a traditio Satana a turning over of him to Sir John Lamb pronounced against him who used him like a Lyon a Wolfe in a Lambes Skin 4ly For the Churchwardens of Beckingtons most severe illegall harbarous prosecution we have proved by the deposition of Mr. Iohn Ash a Member of the Commons House that the Archbishop himselfe since his Imprisonment in the Tower confessed that Bishop Pâ—â—res their Diocesâ—n did do nothing herein but by his direction If therefore the rule in Law bee true Plus peccat Author 〈◊〉 Actor he must be far more guilty both of their prosecution Excommunication and heart-breaking submission then Bishop Peirce his Instrument 5ly For Ferdinando Adams he was excommunicated in the Archbishops name by Mr. Dade his Surrogate and this Excommunication pleaded in Barre of his Bill in Starchamber The processe Pursivants sent out to apprehend him and the imprisonment of his Attorney till he withdrew his 〈◊〉 were all by the Archbishops procurement His shutting Bishop VVrens Visitors out of the Church at Jpsmich unlesse they derived their Authority by Letters Patens from the King was warranted by the Statut of 1 Eliz. c. 1. Therefore his prosecution only for his duty and allegeance to the King against the Bishops disloyall incroachments was most unjust and disloyall 6ly Iohn Premly was not prosecuted by Sir Nathaniell Brent but by the Archbishop himselfe for opposing his order in the Metropoliticall Visitation in removing the Lords Table placed Altarwise to the place and posture wherein it formerly stood for which he was fined censured imprisoned in the High Commission where the Archbishop sate chiefe Iudge against all Law and Iustice his act being no contempt nor offence in Law but the Archbishops order by Sir Nathaniell Brent his Visitor and Dr. Nevells act a contempt against Law and Canon 7ly Mr. Sherfield was prosecuted principally by the Archbishops procurement for demolishing according to Law an Idolatrous blasphemous false Image of God the Father which was openly Idolized Hee was then a Justice of Peace Recorder of Sarum and had the Warrant of the whole Vestry wherein were six or seaven Iustices of Peace at that time to demolish this Image and take downe the whole Window which all the Kings Subjects and Iustices of Peace especially have authority to demolish by the Statutes of 3. Ed. 6. c. 10. 3. Iac. c. 5. The Book of Homilies and Queene Elizabeths Injunctions n. 23. within their severall Parishes without any speciall order from King or Bishop yea God himselfe gives speciall Commands not only to the supreame Majestrate but to the Common People also to destroy Idolls 〈◊〉 Jmages and Altars Exod. 34 13. 14. Deut. 7. 5. c. 12. 1. 2. â— Isay 17. 78. In pursuance of which commands not only King Asa 2 Chron. 14. 3. King Hezechiah 2 Kings 18. 4. King Manassâ—h 2. Chron. 33. 15. King Josiah and his people a Chron. 34. to â— demolished and brake in peeces Idolatrous Altars and Jmages but likewise ALL THE PEOPLE of the Land went into the House of Baal and brake it downe Altars and Jmages brake they in peeces and â—low Matâ—an the Priest of Baal before the Altars 2 Kings 11. 1â— without any speciall Warrant or command from King Iehoâ—sh or Iehoâ—ada which the Holy Ghost records for their honour yet were they never questioned or fined in Starchamber for it because they had no warrant from either of them â—â— after King Hezechiah his Passeover the Scripture expresly records 2 Chron. 30 13. 14. c. 31. 1. That ALL ISRAEL that were present went out to the Cities of Iudah and brake the Images in peeces and cut downe the groves and threw downe the High places and Altars out of all Iudah and Benjamin in Ephraim also and Manassith untill they had utterly distroyed them all which is recorded to their Eternall honour by God himselfe nor were they ever questioned or fined for a Riot in any Starchamber or High Commission or for going out of their owne limits or doing this without a speciall Commission from the King Therefore Mr. Sherfield being a publike Majestrate both as a Iustice or Peace and Recorder of Sarum might much more by the whole Vestries Order demolish this Idolatrous Picture in his owne Parish Church in such a privat manner as he did without blame or censure having sufficient authority from these Texts and Presidents of Scripture and from the forecited Statutes and Injunctions to warrant it every man in such a case being a lawfull Majestrate without any speciall warrant Thus the common people in Girmany and else where in the beginning of Reformation brake downe the Popish Images and Altars without any speciall Order from the Superior or Inferior Magistrates as Mr. Fox and others record And therefore his Doctrine of the Archbishops that it is unlawfull to break downe the very Image and Temple of Iupiter and Esculapius where the Divell himselfe was worshiped without the speciall command of the supreame Magistrate is a most impious Paradox for if the supreame Magistrate will give no such command these Idols Devills shall still be to erated worshiped to Gods dishonour and Religions slander in despite of all the people and inferior Magistrates As for the place of Eusebius it only proves that Idolatrous Statues Images Temples were demolished by the Emperor Constantines speciall command but that the Christians under him might not lawfully have defaced them without such a speciall command especially after a Generall Statute and Edicts published by him for their demolishing without being lyable to a seveer censure the only thing in question is no wayes warranted by nor deducible from Eusebius nor Saint Augustine Yea had Mr Sherfields zeale out-run his discretion in this act it deserved rather applause then censure from a Protestant Prelate yet this Bishop was so far from excusing extenuating that hee aggravated his pretended offence beyond all bounds of Law Iustice Conscience pleaded as zealously for the lawfullnesse of Images in Churches and of this abominable Idoll of God the Father as the Pope himselfe could have dont yea he abused Master Sherfeild in his speech and censured him with the highest though a Bishop when some temporall Lords excused yea acquitted him And though this censure was not his alone but carried by the Major voyce yet his voyce Speech violence occasioned and aggravated it For his
Arminianisme who in King James his Reigne before his preferment to Winchester and York had been preferred to sundry Dignities Bishopricks and was in office and good esteem at Court both with King James and King Charles Fourthly For Bishop Wren when I first preferred him he was a worthy man who waited upon his Majesty when he was in Spaine and did good service there if he hath misdemeaned himselfe since it is his owne fault not mine he is still alive and must answer for himselfe to the charge and impeachment exhibited against him Fiftly Doctor Lindsey was a very great Scholler who deserved well neither did I know him to be an Arminian 't is true he was preferred to two Bishopricks successively but it was by Bishop Neale whose Chaplaine he was not by me there is no Oath nor cleaâ—â— evidence it was by my meanes the Docquet book being no sufficient 〈…〉 for it mentioned onely the Kings pleasure and order for it signified by 〈…〉 Signet to me as a servant but not that I was the author of his preferments the King may signifie his pleasure to the Signet Office by whom he pleaseth as for Master Smarts testimony of him there were some quarrels and differences at Durham between Master Smart and him which may cause him to speak the worse of him Master Walker saith onely he was reputed a great Arminian which is no Heresie Sixtly however these were affected yet none can charge me with any Popery or Arminianisme To this was replied First that we have as cleerly proved as the Sunne at noon day that Mountague was protected advanced by him and that in contempt of the Parliament by his owne Diary the Docquet Book Bishop Mountagues owne Letter of thanks to him for his favour and preferments which he hath no way answered as for his preferment that it was by Sir Dudly Carltons meanes it is but a bare surmise of his owne without proofe or colour and for his presence at his consecration it was meerly voluntary to countenance him not by command for ought appeares Secondly it appeares most cleerly by the Evidence given that Doctor Manwaring was advanced both to his Deanary and Bishoprick by his means recommendations alone for the disservice he had done the Kingdome by those Sermons for which he was justly sentenced in Parliament and the ill offices he had since done our Church by introducing Stone-Altars Copes with other Popish Reliques Ceremonies thereinto that he was thus advanced and consecrated a Bishop by him in direct affront of the Parliaments censure disabling him from all future preferments we have fully proved And whereas he layes the Odium of his preferments onely upon the King to excuse himselfe it is but his owne bare allegation without any shadow of proofe and that in his owne case for his owne defence therefore not to be credited But admit it true yet since himselfe was present at his censure in the Lords House upon the Commons impeachment of him recorded it in his Diary and was accused for having a finger in his Sermons and licensing them for the Presse it was his duty to have acquainted his Majesty with and minded him of this his censure disabling him for ever from all such preferments in our Church to have opposed his preferment and withstood his consecration and Mountagues too the rather because every man before any Bishops consecration hath free liberty to put in any just exceptions against him there being a publike Instrument solemnly posted up in the Arches at Bow before every Bishops consecration as a necessary formality giving publike notice That such a one is to be consecrated the Bishop of such a Diocesse such a day and signifying that if any person can take any just exceptions against him and shew good cause why he should not be consecrated he shall be heard In regard whereof this Archbishop ex Officio might yea ought to have shewed the Lords publike censure of Manwaring as a just legall Plea why he should not be consecrated a Bishop as Master Jones the Printer did in a legall way object Bishop Mountagues Popish and Arminian Books with the proceedings pending against him in Parliament for the same is a just cause why he should not be made a Bishop yet he could not be heard nor prevaile therein therefore the neglect of this his trust duty contrary to Law and his recommending consecrating him to be a Bishop in affront of the Parliaments Judgement which disabled him must needs be a transcendent crime no wayes mittigated but aggravated by his false disloyall excuses Thirdly for Bishop Neale he was ever reputed a Popish and Arminian Prelate a persecutor of all orthodox godly Ministers a preferrer of popish Arminian Clergy-men making choyce of such for his Chaplaines for such a one was he accused to his Majesty by the House of Commons in their Remonstrance Anno 1628. and complained of in sundry Parliaments before his advancement to Winchester or Yorke For his pretended worth all the Court knew very well he had little worth or learning in him being unable to preach write dispute not preaching once in a dozen yeers or more For his preferments and Court-offices they were gained maintained by flattery symony and his base temporizing servility he serving as a ready Instrument upon all occasions to introduce anypopish Innovasions in the Church and set on foot any oppressing projects in the State Therfore his preferment of such an ill Instrument who first advanced and brought this Arch-Prelat into favour at Court is no wayes excusable Fourthly Doctor Wren was before his advancement to a Bishoprick a professed Arminian a superstitious popish dissolute impious corrupt Clergy-man and so reputed by all therefore a fit Chaplaine to promote the Spanish Match and Designe to seduce his Majesty when in Spaine from our Religion and his tyrannicall superstitious popish proceedings since he was made Bishop have more fully discovered what he was before All or most of which being in pursuance of the Archbishops Instructions Injunctions to him as his Annuall Account of his proceedings to him evidence himselfe who promoted him and them must be more guilty of and responsible for them then Wren himselfe who yet may suffer for them in due time Fiftly Doctor Linseys schollership is not in question but his Arminian popish inclination and opinions which were so much the more dangerous by reason of his great reputed learning and schollership the greatest Schollers if unsound being the most pernicious seducers and unfittest to be preferred of all others That he was promoted by Bishop Neales meanes is a bare allegation of his owne without proofe that himselfe preferred him is cleere by the Docquet Booke how much he was tainted with Popery and Arminianisme Master Smart and Master Walker have deposed upon Oath and his presumption in bringing Sancta Clara to him even when he was about to publish his Book to acquaint him with his person and designe of reconciling us thereby to the Church
of Henry the 8th popish and Arminian Tenets Book in defence of Altars Sacrifices and opinion of comming up to the Railes p. 94 to 103 113 157 to 163 177 171 350 351 351 352 376 377 443 530 531 554 555. Murther in Magistrates passages against it deleted p. 328. N Nature well used no meanes to obtaine Grace deleted p. 329. Bishop Neale Lauds Patron at first a Popish Arminian unpreaching Prelat promoted by Laud to Winchester and York p. 354 530 531 532. Moster Newtons testimony against Laud p. 449 453. Master Nixons testimony concerning Innovations in Oxford and adoring the Statue of the Virgin Mary there erected p. 72. 455 456. Popes Nuncioes entertainment in England p. 440. See Panzani Rossetti O Oath ex Officio passages concerning it deleted p. 329 330. Etcetera Oath made by Laud damned in Parliament p. 19 26 30. Visitation Oaths prescribed against Law p. 96. Obedience blind and popish justified p. 197. passages against it deleted p. 291 292. Oblations at the Altar used introduced prescribed by Laud p. 72. Master Oldsworths testimony of Lauds encroachments upon the Lord Chamberlaines Office in commending Chaplains to the King p. 356 357 532 533. Ordination limitations concerning it prescribed by Laud in the Kings name to ill purposes held to be void and null unlesse made by Bishops p. 368 370 382 383 384. Originall sinne passages orthodox concerning it deleted p. 313 328 329. Doctor Owen his popish Statue erected at St. Maries in Oxford adored and he made a Bishop p. 72 335 477 478 537 538. Oxford University Laud made Chancelour of it unduly her Statutes altered by Laud his popish Arminian Vice-Chancelours and proceedings there against Anti-Arminians their giving him Papall titles Of your HOLINESSE c. p. 70 to 74. 154 359 441 476 477 478. P Master Page his Petition to Laud about the Declaration for Sports p. 149 150. Master Palmer a Lecturer complaints to Laud against Archbishop Abbot for suffring him p. 372 373. Panzani the Popes Nuncio his Letter to Windebank of thanks for releasing Priests and favour to Roman Catholicks p. 352 440 444. Papists passages aginst them expunged their boasts in Books and speeches of our relapse and falling baek to their Religion p. 113 114 260 to 270 554. Archbishop Parker his censure of Popish Ceremonies consecrations of Churches p. 18 119 125. Bishop Pierce advanced by Laud his Invations suppressing of Preaching Lectures persecution of such who refused to raile in Lords Tables c. by Lauds command his letters to Laud about Churchales Revels c. impious speeches against Lectures preaching p. 97 to 101 134 141 353 372 377 378 Penance Popish justified prescribed in printed Books p. 195 196 197. clauses against it expunged p. 331. Perfection attainable in this life maintained p. 220. Perseverance in Grace passages for it deleted out of new Books p. 279 280 332. Pilgrimages Popish passages against them deleted p. 323. Bishop Pilkington his censure of Popish consecrations of Churches p. 115 110. Doctor Pocklington his popish prophane Books published by Lauds command his and their censure in Parliament his Petition derivation of Lauds succession from Rome and terming our Martyrs Rebels Traytors Hereticks but popish Martyrs Saints promoted by Laud p. 184 186 190 196 to 241 357 358 458. 552 554. Pontificall and Ceremoniall of Rome found in Lauds Study and immitated by him in his Popish Innovations and superstition p. 62 63 64. 65 66 67 68 69 70 81 112 113 126. Pope maintained by Laud and his Confederates not to be Antichrist to be supream head of the Church Passages against his Tyranny Treasons Pardons c. deleted his Bull to Sir Toby Matthew and Nuncioes in England See Antichrist p. 259. to 268 542 551 to 555. Popery maintained in printed Books passages against it in generall and particular deleted intended to be introduced by Laud and his confederates by what steps and means p. 26. to the end of the History See more especially p. 184. to 350. Doctor Potter an Arminian promoted his Booke altered in favour of Papists by Laud his Letters to Laud p. 251 252. 356 523 524. Prayer to Saints and Angels justified in late Books p. 213 214. passages against it deleted and against Popish prayers and the merit of them p. 331 425. Prayer before and after Sermons or Catechizing except onely that forme prescribed by Canon prohibited Ministers and Lecturers p. 97 373. to 380. Preaching decried written against suppressed passages for frequent powerfull preaching and hearing the Word deleted p. 225 226 325 326 335 336 c. 364. Predestmation the Doctrine of it opposed stiled a desperate Doctrine passages concerning it deleted p. 290 339 340. Priests power to remit sinnes judicially maintained p. 188 195. Popish Priests adore the Altar and Crucifix in the Kings Chappell p. 89. John Premly his censure in the High Commission for removing the Lurds Table p. 101 488 494. Father Price a popish Priest intimate with Laud p. 448 449 557 559. Doctor Theodor Price whom Laud would make a Bishop dyed a reconciled Papist p. 355 Processions justified prescribed by the Oxford Statutes p. 73 477 448. Prohibitions to the High Commission and Ecclesiasticall Courts desired to be restrained by Laud p. 369. Purgatory and Limbus patrum maintained in new printed Books passages against them and all other purgations except Christs Blood deleted p. 207 332 335. Purging orthodox Books and a Popish Index Expurgatorius introduced by Laud and his Chaplaines with sundry instances thereof p. 244 to 350. 521 to 530. Q Queen Lauds intimacy with her favours from her and for what end p. 418 548 549 complains of Mr. Gellibrands Almanack puts in Laud to question him 184. Sends Agents to Rome p. 430 549. Prayers for her conversion prohibited by Laud and Ministers questioned censured by him for praying for her conversion p. 362 363. 418 419 420 547 549. Quiroga his Index Expurgatorius imitated by Laud and his Chaplaines p. 348. R Master Rainsford an Arminian enjoyned a mild Recantation not of his opinions but indiscretion p. 511. Master Matthew Randall his suspention by Lauds order for preaching on Lords dayes in the afternoon p. 381 537 538. Reading maintained to be preaching passages against it expunged p. 222 225 337. Recantations prescribed to Anti-Arminians p. 175 176. To Master Ridler by the Bishop of Gloucester p. 241 242. Receiving at the new Rayls an Innovation much pressed Bi. Mountagues and Wrens opinions thereof p. 98 99 100. Reeves his popish and prophane Booke p. 186 199 225. Reliques of Saints justified in new Books p. 211 425. passages against them deleted p. 294. Reprobation denied p. 220. passages concerning it deleted p. 334. Judge Richardsons order against Church-ales Revels revoked by Lauds procurement p. 128. to 136 505 506. Doctor Ridly his popish Booke p. 186 218. Resisting Grace maintained passages against it deleted p. 219 309 310 311. Master Rogers of Dedham and another of that name suspended by Laud p.
pro altera Ad 〈…〉 vel exer cendos potentes Laicos si quid fortè ex seculari potentia minus poterat Apostolicâ— id ipsum potestatis censura supplebat Si autem ex Clero forte quispiam voluntati ejus obsisteret hunc procul dubio frustra pro se secundum Canones 〈…〉 oppressund pâ—centia 〈◊〉 Non â—â— at quâ— se absconderet à calore ejus cum et secularis in eo virgam vel gladium Apostolicae potestatis timeret ecclesiasticus nulla se 〈◊〉 vel auctoritate 〈…〉 regiam tueri valeat Denique ipsum ille tempore in Anglia ET PLVSQVAM REGEM experti sunt LAICI PLVS QV AM SV Mâ—VM PONTIFICE MCLEâ—ICI utrique vero TYR ANNVM INTOLERABILEM Quippe DVPLICIS OCCASIONE POTEST 〈…〉 ANNVM solis complicibus et cooperatoribus suis innoxius ceteris indifferenter non tantum pecuniarum ambitu verum etiam dominandi voluptate 〈…〉 Regius erat c. This Archbishop having 〈…〉 into his hands as Primat Metropolitan of 〈…〉 but likewise all temporall jurisdiction as a Privy Councellor an Assistant in the Star-Chamber a Commissioner for the Treasury for all kindes of Monopolies projects to raise monies without a Parliament and as the chiefe Royall Favourite at Court having most preferments officers Judges and by consequence most Courts of Justice Civill or Ecclesiasticall at his devotion did extreamly â—eâ— persecute and trample upon both the Laity Clergie that opposed any of his Innovations or Projects at his pleasure and those whom he could not conquer by his Episcopall hee would bee sure to overtop and crush by his temporall Authority So as the Laity upon all occasions found him more then a King and the Clergie more then a Pope both of them except his owne Creatures and Confederates only an into â—â—eiable yea double Tyrant by reason of his duplicated 〈…〉 by thousands of Godly Christians and Ministers were enforced to 〈…〉 in avoyd his â—â—â—ry and hundreds in the Starre-Chamber High Commission and Councell-Chamber oppressed close imprisoned fined banished pillored stigmatized spoyled of their eares freeholds callings liberties deprived degraded and quite undone by his oppreson hee being commonly more excessive extravagant violent in his publike Censures and Speeches then any other whatsoever having quite forgotten these Divine qualifications which the Apostle requireth in an EVANGELICALL BISHOP A Bishop must bee blamelesse as the Steward of God not selfe-willed not soone angry no striker not a brawler not lifted up with pride but a lover of good men sober just holy temperate gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in mâ—â—kenesse instructing those that oppose themselves And utterly abhorred that memorable precept of our most milde Saviour as Apocryphan or unmeer for his imitation Luke 6. 36. Bee you therefore mercifull as your heavenly Father is mercifull This ambitious Phaeton having thus mounted himselfe aloft in Phebus Chariot did drive it on with such fury and violence for sundry years that at last he set all our Churches and Realmes in a flaming fire which could not bee quenched by any other meanes but by wresting the reines of Government out of his usurping hand through the power and justice of our present Parliament which he held fast for sundry yeares in despite of all former Parliamentary or popular oppositions and precipitating him from his Chariot with a breake-neck blow by that Axe of publike Justice which lately severed his head from his shoulders in the view of thousands with which spectacle of justice Phebus himselfe was so well pleased that his clouded rayes immediately brake out most gloriously upon the place of execution and his radiant smiles expressed his well-pleasednes with this laudable Act of his execution for the severall high Treasons and capitall Crimes not onely objected but proved against him at his Tryall the History whereof and all proceedings relating thereunto I shall here represent unto the world with as much brevity and sincerity as possible not in the selfe same manner and method according to the order of the Articles as the Commons proceeded against him at the bar being more 〈…〉 intricare but in that more methodicall way as the first Breviate of the proofes against him was contrived and his evidence repeated and summed up at last both in the Lords and Commons House by Master Samuell Brown under those distinct generall heads to which all his charge and the proofes thereof were reduced I shall begin ab ovo with the very first proceedings against him in Parliament next proceed in order to his Tryall then to his Iudgment and Execution On the 16. of Decem. 1640. Vpon the condemnation of the New Canons in the House of Commons as being against the Kings Prerogative the fundamentall Laws of the Realme the liberty and property of the Subject and conteining diverse things tending to sedition and of dangerous consequence The Arch-bishop of Canterbury was there accused to be the Author of the chiefe Actor in them impeached likewise of High Treason whereupon a speciall Committee was appointed to inquire into all his actions and prepare a charge against him which I finde thus expressed in the Commons Journall 16. December 1640. THis Committee is to prepare the severall Votes concerning the New-Canons and to make them ready for this House to present the same to the Lords and to consider and examine who were the promoters of these new Canons and who the principle Actors and what execution hath been made upon them and by whom and to consider how farre the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury hath beene an Actor in all the proceedings of them and further to examine how farre he hath beene an Actor in the great designe of the subvertion of the Lawes of the Realme and of the Religion and to prepare and draw up a charge against him and such others as shall appeare offendors in these particulars and have power to send for parties witnesses Papers Bookes Records and to doe any other act which they in their judgements shall thinke fit to conduce to the businesse and are to meete at foure a Clocke this afternoone in the Star-Chamber The very same morning in the Lords House Hee was accused by the Scottish Commissioners for an Incendiary betweene both Kingdomes who promised to draw up and exhibite a complaint in writing against him the next morning which they accordingly performed Whereupon at a Conference of both Houses the Scots charge against him hereafter registred was the same morning read by the Lord Paget and after that reported to the Commons House On Friday the 18. of the same December the Arch-Bishop was impeached in the house of Commons of high Treason and Voted by the whole house to be a Traytor thus entred in their Iournall 18. December 1640. REsolved upon the Question that a Message shall be sent from this House to the Lords to accuse William Land Arch-Bishop of Canterbury of High-Treason in name of this House and of all the
Commons of England and to desire that hee may bee forthwith sequestred from Parliament and be committed and that within some convenient time this House will resort to their Lordships with particular acsations and Articles against him Mr. Hollis is appointed to goe up to the Lords with this Message Vpon this his accusation diverse notable Speeches were made against him in the Commons House among others one by Master Grymstone published soone after in print which I shall here subjoyne Master Grymstones Speech IN PARLIAMENT Vpon the Accusation and Impeachment of William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury of High TREASON Mr. Speaker THere hath beene presented to the House a most faithfull and exact Report of the conference wee had with the Lords Yesterday together with the opinion of the Committees that were imployed in that service That they conceived it fit the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury should hee sequestred I must second the motion and with the favour of the House I shall bee hold to offer my reasons why I conceive it most necessary wee should proceed a little further than the desire of above sequestration Master Speaker long introductions are not sutable to weighty businesses we are falne upon the great man the Archbishop of Canterbury Looke upon him as hee is in his Highnesse and hee is the stye of all pestilent filth that hath infected the State and Government of the Church and Common Wealth looke upon him in his dependanties and hee is the man the onely man that hath raised and advanced all those that together with himselfe have beene the Authors and causers of all the raines miseries and calemities we now groane under Who is it but he onely that hath brought the Earle of Strafford to all his great place and imployments a fit instrument and spirit to act and execute all his blouay designes in these Kingdomes Who is it but he onely that brought in Secretary Windebanke into the place of Secretary and trust the very Broker and Pander to the Whore of Babylon VVho is it Master Speaker but hee onely that hath advanced all Popish Bishops I shall name some of them Bishop Manwaring the Bishop of Bath and Wells the Bishop of Oxford and Bishop Wren the least of all but the most uncleane one These are men that should have sed Christs Flocke but they are the Wolves that devoured them the Sheepe should have fed upon the Mountaines but the Mountaines have eaten up the Sheepe It was the happinesse of the Church when the zeale of Gods House did eate up the Bishops glorious and brave Martyrs that went to the flaks in defence of the Protestant Religion but the zeale of these Bishops hath beene to eate up and persecute the Church VVho is it Master Speaker but the great Archbishop of Canterbury that hath set at the Helme to guide and steere them to all the managing of their Projects that have beene sit on foote in this Kingdome these tenne yeares last past and rather than hee would stand out hee hath most unworthily trucked and chaffered in the meanest of them As for instance that of Tobacco wherein thousands of poore people have beene stripped and turned out of their Trades for which they have served as Apprentises wee all know hee was the Compounder and contractor with them for the Licences putting them to pay Fines and Fee-Farme rents to use their Trades Certainely Master Speaker hee might have spent his time better and more for his Grace in the Pulpit then thus sharking and raking in the Tobacco shoppe Mr. Speaker we all know what he hath beene charged withall heere in this House Crimes of a dangerous consequence and of transcendent nature no lesse than the subversion of the Government of this Kingdome and the alteration of the Protestant Religion and this not upon bare information onely but much of it comes before us already upon cleare and manifest proofes and there is scarce any businesse Grievance or Complaint come before us in this place wherein we doe not finde him intermingled and as it were twisted into it like a busie and angry Waspe his sting is in the taile of every thing VVe have this day heard the report of the Conference yesterday and in it the Accusations which the Scottish Nation hath charged him with all And we doe all know he is guilty of the same if not more in this Kingdome Mr. Speaker he hath beene and is the common enemy to all goodnes and good men and it is not safe that such a Viper shall be neere to his Majesties person to distill his poyson into his sacred eares nor is it safe for the Common-wealth that hee should sit in so eminent place of government being thus accused We know what we did in the Earle of Straffords case This man is the corrupt Fountaine that hath infected all the streames and till the Fountaine be purged we cannot expect to have any cleare Channels I shall be bold therefore to offer my opinion and if I erre it is the error of my Iudgment and not my want of zeale and affection to the publicke good I conceive it most necessary and fit that we should now take up a Resolution to doe somewhat to strike whilst the Iron is hot And goe up to the Lords in the name of this House and in the name of the Commons of England and to accuse him of high Treason and to desire their Lordships his person may be sequestred and that in convenient time we may bring up the Charge After the House had this day voted the Arch Bishop a Traitor Mr. Hollis the same day was sent up to the Lords to accuse him of High Treason which he did immediatly in the generall without any particular charge assuring the Lords that in convenient time there should be a particular charge exhibited against him by the Commons to make good the accusation Wherefore he desired the Lords that the Arch Bishop might be sequestred from the House and committed hereupon he was forthwith committed to the Gentleman Vsher but yet permitted to goe in his company to Lambeth for some books to read in and such Papers as pertained to his defence against the Scotts charge And what papers of greatest consequence he then conveyed away thence burned or defaced is worthy inquiry Master Hollis his report from the Lords I finde thus entred in the Commons Iournall 18. December 1640. Master Hollis reported that according to the command of this House hee had delivered to their Lordships the Message that my Lord Keeper said Their Lordships had considered of the Message and accordingly they had sequestred the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury from Parliament and had committed him in safe custody to the Gentleman Vsher of their House The Lords Order for his commitment is thus entered in their Journall 18. December 1640. It is this day Ordered that the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury being accused of high Treason by the house of Commons in their owne names and in the name of
have beene by His Majestie and his Royall Ancesters granted to the Dutch and French Churches in this kingdome And divers other wayes hath expressed his malice and disaffection to these Churches that so by such disunion the Papists might have more advantage for the overthrow and extirpation of both 13. Hee hath malitiously and traiterously plotted and endeavoured to stirre up warre and enmity betwixt his Majesties two Kingdomes of England and Scotland and to that purpose hath laboured to introduce into the Kingdome of Scotland divers Innovations both in Religion and Government all or the most part of them tending to Popery and superstition to the great grievance and discontent of his Majesties Subjects of that Nation and for their refusing to submit to such Innovations hee did trayterously advise his Majesty to subdue them by force of Armes and by his owne Authority and Power contrary to Law did procure sundry of his Majestyes Subjects inforced the Clergie of this Kingdome to contribute towards the maintenance of that war And when his Majesty with much wisdom Justice had made a Pacification betwixt the two Kingdomes the said Archbishop did presumptuously censure that pacification as dishonourable to his Majesty and by his councells and endeavours so incensed his Majesty against his said Subjects of Scotland that he did thereupon by advice of the said Archbishop enter into an offensive warre against them to the great hazard of his Majesties person and his Subjects of both Kingdomes 14. That to preserve himselfe from being questioned for these and other his trayterous courses he hath laboured to subvert the rights of Parliament and the ancient course of Parliamentary proceeding and by false and malitious slanders to incense his Majesty against Parliaments By which words counsels and actions he hath traiterously and contrary to his allegiance laboured to alienate the hearts of the Kings liege people from his Majesty and to set a devision betweene them and to ruine and destroy his Majesties Kingdomes for which they doe impeach him of High Treason against our Soveraigne Lord the King his Crowne and Dignity The said Commons do further averre that the said William Archbishop of Canterbury during the times that the crimes aforementioned were done and committed hath beene a Bishop or Archbishop of this Realme of England one of the Kings Commissioners for Ecclesiasticall matters and one of his Majesties most honourable Privie Councell and hath taken an oath for his faithfull discharge of the said Office of Councellor and hath likewise taken an oath of supremacy and Allegeance And the said Commons by protestation saving to themselves the liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter any other accusation or impeachment against the said Archbishop and also of replying to the Answers that the said Archbishop shall make unto the said Articles or to any of them and of offering further proofe also of the Premises or any of them or of any other impeachment or accusation that shall be exhibited by them as the cause shall according to the course of Parliament require do pray that the said Archbishop may be put to answer to all and every the premises and that such proceedings examination tryall and Judgment may be upon every of them had and used as is agreeable to Law and Justice The Articles being read Mr. PYMME proceeded in his Specch as followeth My Lords THere is an expression in the Scripture which I will not presume either to understand or to interpret yet to a vulgar eye it seemes to have an aspect something sutable to the Person and Cause before you It is a description of the evill Spirits wherein they are said to be spirituall wickednesses in high places Crimes acted by the spirituall faculties of the Soule the Will and the Vnderstanding exercised about spirituall matters concerning Gods Worship and the Salvation of Man seconded with power authority learning and many other advantages do make the party who commits them very sutable to that description Spirituall wickednesses in high places These crimes My Lords are various in their Nature heynous in their quality and universall in their extent If you examine them Theologically as they stand in opposition to the truth of God they will be found to be against the rule of Faith against the power of godlinesse against the meanes of Salvation If you examine them Morally as they stand in opposition to the light of Nature to right reason and the principles of humane society you will then perceive pride without any moderation such a Pride as that is which exalts it selfe above all that is called God Malice without any provocation Malice against vertue against innocencie against piety injustice without any meanes of restitution even such injustice as doth robbe the present times of their possessions the future of their possibilities If they be examined My Lords by Legall Rules in a Civill way as they stand in opposition to the Publique Good and to the Lawes of the Land Hee will be found to be a Traytor against his Majesties Crown an Incendiary against the Peace of the State he will be found to be the highest the boldest the most impudent Oppressour that ever was an Oppressor both of King and People This Charge my Lords is distributed and conveyed into 14. severall Articles as you have heard and those Articles are only generall It being the intention of the House of Commons which they have commanded me to declare to make them more certaine and particuler by preparatory Examinations to be taken with the helpe of your Lordships house as in the Case of my Lord of Strafford I shall now runne through them with a light touch only marking in every of them some speciall point of venome virulency and malignity 1. The first Article my Lords doth containe his endeavour to introduce into this Kingdome an Arbitrary power of Government without any limitations or Rules of Law This my Lords is against the safety of the Kings Person the honour of his Crowne and most destructive to his people Those Causes which are most perfect have not only a power to produce effects but to conserve and cherish them The Seminary vertue and the Nutritive vertue in vegetables do produce from the same principles It was the defect of justice the restraining of oppression and violence that first brought Government into the World and set up Kings the most excellent way of Government And by the maintenance of justice all kinds of Government receive a sure foundation and establishment It is this that hath in it an ability to preserve and secure the Royall power of Kings yea to adorne and encrease it 2. In the second Article your Lordships may observe absolute and unlimited power defended by Preaching by Sermons and other discourses printed and published upon that subject And truly my Lords it seemes to be a prodigious crime that the truth of God and his holy Law should be perverted to defend the lawlesnesse of men That the holy and
sacred function of the Ministry which was ordained for instruction of mens soules in the wayes of God should be so abused that the Ministers are become the Trumpets of Sedition the promoters and defenders of violence and oppression 3. In the third Article my Lords you have the Judges who under his Majesty are the dispersers and distributers of Justice frequently corrupted by feare and solicitation you have the course of Justice in the execution of it shamefully obstructed And if a wilfull Act of in justice in a Iudge be so high a crime in the estimate of the Law as to deserve death under what burthen of guilt doth this man lye who hath been the cause of great numbers of such voluntary and wilfull acts of injustice 4. In the fourth Article hee will be found in his owne person to have sold justice in Causes depending before him And by his wicked councell endeavouring to make his Majesty a Merchant of the same commodity only with this difference that the King by taking money for places of judicature should sell it in grosse whereas the Archbishop sold it by retaile 5. In the fift Article there appeares a power usurped of making Canons of laying obligations on the Subjects in the nature of Law and this power abused to the making of such Canons as are in the matter of them very pernitious being directly contrary to the prerogative of the King and the liberty of the people In the manner of pressing of them may be found fraud and shuffling in the conclusion violence and constraint men being forced by terrour and threatning to subscribe to all which power thus wickedly gotten they labour to establish by perjury injoyning such an Oath for the maintenance of it as can neither be taken nor kept with a good conscience 6. In the sixth Article you have the King robbed of his Supremacy you have a Papall power exercised over his Majesties Subjects in their consciences and in their persons You have Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction claimed by an Incident right which the Law declares to proceed from the Crowne And herein your Lordships may observe that those who labour in civill matters to set up the King above the Lawes of the Kingdome doe yet in Ecclesiasticall matters endeavour to set up themselves above the King This was first procured by the Arch-bishop to be extrajudicially declared by the Judges and then to be published in a Proclamation In doing whereof he hath made the Kings Throne but a footstoole for his owne and their pride 7. You have my Lords in the seventh Article Religion undermined and subverted you have Popery cherished and defended you have this seconded with power and violence by severe punishment upon those which have opposed this mischievous intention and by the subtile and eager prosecution of these men hath the power of Ecclesiasticall Commissioners of the Starre-Chamber and Councell Table beene often made subservient to his wicked designe My Lords 8. You may observe in the eighth Article great care taken to get into his owne hand the power of nominating to Ecclesiasticall Livings and promotions you have as much mischeivous as much wicked care taken in the disposing of these preferments to the hinderance and corruption of Religion And by this meanes my Lords the Kings sacred Majestie instead of Sermons fit for spirituall instructours hath often had invectives against his people incouragement to injustice or to the overthrow of the Lawes Such Chaplaines have beene brought into his service as have as much as may be laboured to corrupt his owne houshold and beene eminent examples of corruption to others which hath so farre prevailed as that it hath exceedingly tainted the Vniversities and beene generally disperst to all the chiefe Cities the greatest Townes and Auditories of the Kingdome The grievous effects whereof is most manifest to the Commons House there being diverse hundred complaints there depending in the House against scandalous Ministers and yet I believe the hundred part of them is not yet brought in 9. The ninth Article sets out the like care to have Chaplaines of his owne that might bee promoters of this wicked and trayterous designe Men of corrupt judgments of corrupt practice extreamely addicted to superstition and to such mens cares hath been committed the Licencing of Bookes to the Presse by meanes whereof many have beene published that are full of falshood of scandals such as have beene more worthy to be burnt by the hand of the Hangman in Smithfield as I thinke one of them was than to be admitted to come into the hands of the Kings people 10. In the tenth Article it will appeare how he having made these approaches to Popery comes now to close and joyne more neerely with it he confederates with Priests and Jesuites He by his instruments negotiates with the Pope at Rome and hath correspondence with them that he authorized from Rome here He hath permitted a Roman Hierachie to be set up in this Kingdome And though he hath bin so carefull that a poore man could not goe to the neighbour Parish to heare a Sermon when he had none at home could not have a Sermon repeated nor prayer used in his own Family but he was a fit subject for the High Commission Court yet the other hath beene done in all parts of the Realme and no notice taken of it by any Ecclesiasticall Judges or Courts My Lords 11. You may perceive preaching suppressed in the eleventh divers godly and Orthodox Ministers oppressed in their persons and Estates you have the Kings loyall subjects banished out of the Kingdome not as Elimelecke to seeke for bread in forraigne Countries by reason of the great scarcity which was in Jsrael but travelling abroad for the bread of life because they could not have it at home by reason of the spirituall Famine of Gods Word caused by this man and his partakers And by this meanes you have had the trade the Manufactury the industry of many thousands of his Majesties subjects carried out of the Land It is a miserable abuse of the spirituall Keyes to shut up the doores of heaven and to open the gates of Hell to let in prophanenesse ignorance superstition and errour I shall neede say no more These things are evident and abundantly knowne to all 12. In the twelfth Article my Lords you have a division endeavoured betweene this and the forraine reformed Churches The Church of Christ is one body and the Members of Christ have a mutuall relation as members of the same body Vnity with Gods true Church every where is not only the beauty but the strength of Religion of which beauty and strength he hath sought to deprive this Church by his manifold attempts to breake this union To which purpose hee hath suppressed the priviledges granted to the Dutch and French Churches He hath denyed them to be of the same Faith and Religion with us and many other wayes hath he declared his malice to those Churches 13. In the thirteenth Article
the said Commons by Protestation saving to themselves the liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter any further or other accusation or impeachment against the said Wil. Laud Archbishop of Canterburie and also of replying to the answer that he shall make unto the said Articles or any of them Or offering proofe of the premisses or any other impeachments or accusations that shall be exhibited by them as the cause shall according to the course of Parliaments require do pray that he the said Wil. Laud Archbishop of Canterbury may be called to answer the said severall crimes and misdemeanors and receive such condigne punishment as the same shall deserve and that such further proceedings may bee upon every of them had and used against him as is agreeable to Law and Justice These additionall Articles were sent up from the Commons to the Lords House by Master Serjeant Wilde the 23. of October 1643. Whereupon the Lords made this ensuing Order Die Luna 23. Octob. 1643. ORdered c. That the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury shall put in his Answer in writing into this House by the thirtieth day of this instant October unto the particular Articles in maintenance of their former impeachment of High Treason and diverse High Crimes and misdemeanours brought up from the House of Commons against him and remaining now before the Lords in Parliament The Arch-bishop being served with this Order the same day the next morning sent this Petition written with his owne hand to the Lords To the Honourable the Lords assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury Humbly Sheweth THat he hath received your Lordships Order of October 23. 1643. with a Coppie of the Articles charged against him and requiring him to make answer Most humbly prayeth that according to an Order of that Honourable House he may have Councell assigned him and that Master Hearne and Master Chute may bee his Councell and have free liberty to come unto him and that he may have some money out of his estate to fee his Councell and defray his other charges he having beene for this last whole yeare very burdensome to his friends And further that he may have all his papers and bookes most of which belong to his defence which Master Prynne tooke from him by Order from the Lords delivered unto him that he may be able to answer for himselfe That also he may have time and means to send for his witnesses which can hardly be done in the time limited And that he may have his servants about him to send about his necessary occasions And lastly that he may have * longer time the Articles being large and many And he shall ever pray c. William Cant. Which Petition being read in the Lords House October 24. 1643. thereupon this Order was framed Die Martis 24. October 1643. VPon the reading of the Petition of the Lord Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY this day in the House It is Ordered c. That time is given him untill munday the sixth of November next for the putting in his answer in writing into this House unto particular Articles brought up from the House of Commons in maintenance of their former impeachment of High Treason and diverse high Crimes and misdemeanours against him That Master Heron and Master Chute are hereby assigned of Councell for the drawing up of his Answer who are to bee permitted to have free accesse in and out to him That this House doth hereby recommend to the Committee of Sequestrations that the said Lord Arch-Bishop shall have such meanes aforded him out of his estate as will enable him to pay his Councell and defray his other charges That when his Lordship shall set down particularly what papers writings are necessary for his defence that should be restored unto him their Lordships will take it into consideration That upon his Lordships nominating who shall be his Solicitor the Lords will returne their answer And for the witnesses when a day shall be appointed for his Lordships tryall this House will give such directions therein as shall be just * Die Sabbati 28. October 1643. ORdered c. That Master Hales is hereby appointed to be of Councell with the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with his other Councell already appointed for the drawing of his answer to the charge of the House of Commons against him And that Master W. Dell Master Richard Cobb and Master George Smith his Lordships servants shall have liberty to attend the said Archbishops severall affaires and be permitted to come in and out unto him as there shall be occasion After which October 31. hee exhibited this Petition to the Lords To the Right Honourable the Lords Assembled in PARLIAMENT The Humble Petition of William Archbishop of Canterbury Most humbly Seweth THat Your Petitioner having presented against him by the honourable House of Commons to Your Lordships an impeachment Intituled farther Articles of impeachment by the Commons assembled in Parliament of high Treason and divers high crimes and misdeamenours to which by your Honorable Order of the twentie fourth of October annexed he is directed to put in his answer in writing by Munday the sixth of November and hath thereby Councell assigned him to draw up the same That Your Petitioners Councell upon reading of the Articles finding that as well in the frame as the conclusion thereof the matters of Crime and misdemeanours are so interwoven with references to the matters thereby charged as Treason as they cannot take upon them to distinguish them and conceiving it not to have bin your Lordships intention by their assignments they should advise an answer to any part of the impeachment charged against your Petitioner as Treason doe forbeare to advise your Petitioners answer to the said Articles without some declaration first had which of the said Articles are intended to be a charge of high Treason and which of them of Crimes and misdemeanours without which your Petitioner is like to be deprived of the assistance of Councell granted by your Lordships Order Your Petitioner humbly beseecheth Your Lordships in this so heavy a charge upon him from so great and Honourable a body in such a straight of time that it may be declared which of the said Articles are intended to be charges of Crimes and misdemeanours only in which Your Petitioner may have the assistance of His Councell assigned him to advise him in his Answer thereunto And that your Lordships will be further Honourably pleased to inlarge your Petitioner in the time allotted for his Answer And Your Petitioner shall pray c. William Cant. Vpon which Petition this Order was formed Die Martis 31. October Ordered c. That the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury shall have time to put in his answer to the impeachment of the House of Commons untill Munday the thirteenth of October next And that this House doth forbeare to declare any opinion concerning the severall Articles of the said
1643. It is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that the Leiutenant of the Tower of London or his Deputie shall bring in safty the Archbishop of Cant before their Lordships on Tuesday the 16. of this instant Ianuary by one of the Clock in the afternoone At which time this house will proceed against the said Archbishop upon the impeachments brought up from the House of Commons against him for might Treason and high Crimes and misdeameanours and this to be a sufficient Warrant in that behalfe To the Gentleman Vsher c. The next day the Archbishop being brought to the Lords House at the time appointed about 3. of the Clock that afternoone the Lords sent downe this Message to the House of Commons thus entered in their Iournall 16. Ianuary 1643. A Message from the Lords by Sir Robert Rich and Mr. Page to acquaint the House that they are ready to heare the Charge upon the impeachment against the Bishop of Canterbury Vpon this Message the Committee of the House of Commons appointed to mannage the evidence against him went up to the Lords House and then the Archbishop being brought to the Barre after he had there kneeled a little space was commanded to stand up which ceremony ended Mr Maynard one of the Committee desired the Lords that the originall additional Articles of impeachment against the Archbishop might be read Which being read accordingly by the Clerke he then prayed that the Archbishops several Answers to these Articles might likewise be read whereupon the Speaker of the Lords House commanding them to be read the Clerk read only his forementioned Answer to the Additionall Articles but noe answer at all to the Originall there being never any Answer put in unto them the Archbishop having not in al the time of his restraint from the 26. of Feb. 1640. till that houre so much as tendered or put in any Answer to his Originall Articles which was his owne meere default and never so much as once Petitioned in all that space to be brought to his Tryall notwithstanding his frequent complaints of his long Imprisonment the delay of his hearing occasioned by his owne neglect and by his Petitioning for longer time when the Commons hastned his Tryall Hereupon Mr. Maynard spake to the Lords to this effect My Lords it new appeares to your Lordships how unwilling the Archbishop is out of a consciousnesse of his owne guilt to come to his Tryall that in all this space from his first impeachment he hath not so much as put in any Answer to the Originall Articles though he had long since Councell assigned him for that purpose My Lords this is none of the Commons fault but his owne for your Lordships well know that the Commons can take no notice what is done in the House of Peeres in a Parliamentary way but by a Messag from your Lordships who after our Articls exhibited were to cal upon the Archbishop for an answer to them your Lordships sending us several Messages heretofore that the Archbishop had put in his Answer to the Articls that you were ready to heare our Charge against him and appointing this day for his Tryall the Commons thereupon conceived that he had formerly put in his Plea answer in due forme to all 〈◊〉 Articles but the contrary now appearing both to your Lordships and as it is impossible for us to proceed at this time in his tryall there being no issue Ioyned upon the Originall Articles for want of an answer to them to 〈◊〉 upon the Additionalls before my answer given to the originalls will be very preposterousâ— therefore â—e humbly prey your Lordships to Order that the Archbishop may forthwith put in his Answer â—â—th to the Originall and Additionall Articles by the advice of his Councill or otherwise in such sort as he will stand to it and then he shall without any delay joyne 〈◊〉 with him proceed on in his Tryall and evidence against him when your Lordships shall appoint The Archbishop having little to reply hereunto desire the Lords that he might advise with his Councell whether the Articles were certaine and particular enough to be answered unto and that if their Lordships should over-rule him to put in his Answer to them he might have convenient time to do it Vpon this all being commanded to withdraw the Lords after some short debate among themselves and upon reading the Archbishops Petition to have Mr. Gorâ—â—rd of Grayes-Inne assigned for his Councell to joyne with those formerly assigned him made this ensuing Order Die Martis 16. Ian. 1643. Vpon the reading the Petition of William Archbishop of Cant. It is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that Mr. Richard Gerrard of Grayes-Inne be added to the former Councell Assigned to the said Archbishop to be likewise of his Councell It is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that William Arch-bishop of Cant. shall put in his Answer in writing into this House to the first and further Articles of Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons against him by Munday morning next peremptorily and that the same Councell formerly Assigned him shall be of Councell with him On the 19. of Ianuary the Archbishop sent this Petition to the Lords To the Right Honourable the Lords assembled in PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of William Archbishop of Cant Prisoner in the Tâ—wer Sheweth THat whereas your Petitioner having formerly answered the particular Articles exhibited against him by the Honourable House of Commons and now by your Lordships Order of the 16th of this instant is commanded to put in his Answer to the first and further Articles of Impeachment brought up against him by Munday morning next for doing whereof his former Councell is assigned him That your Petitioner having advised with his Councell concerning the first Articles which were exhibited new almost three yeares sithence finding upon perusall and debate of the same that the said former Articles are such that no answer can be made thereunto nor your Petitioner in my wise enabled to prepare for his defence to the same as they now stand That for as much as the said Articles of Impeachment import no lesse than a Charge of High treason and for as much as your Petitioner is by his Councell 〈◊〉 that especially in Cases of life the Defendant is allowed to offer to the Court where the same depends his exceptions by his Councell before any Plea pleaded Your Petitioner most humbly beseecheth your Lordships to appoint a day for the hearing of your Petitioners Councell concerning the same And your Petitioner shall pray c. VV. CANT Die Sabbati 20. Ian. 1643. It is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that the Leiutenant of the Tower of London or his Deputie shall bring in safety William Archbishop of Cant. before their Lordships on Munday the 22th of this instant Ianuary by ten of the clock in the morning to put in his answer to the
answer all his Charge together not each dayes Evidence by Peece-meale To which Master Maynard in the behalfe of the Commons answered 1. That if the Archbishops memory were so bad as he pretended it would be far worse for him to charge it with answering many particulars and the whole evidence against him together then to answer every particular Charge each day as it should be given in against him whiles it was fresh in memory 2ly That it might and would be a great inconvenience to have witnesses crosse-examined upon other dayes then those whereon they gave in their testimony against the Prisoner 3ly That the Lords themselves would finde it difficult to passe their judgements upon all the Charge together without hearing his punctuall answer to every particular proof as it should be given in evidence whiles it was fresh in their memories 4ly Because else all the witnesses which were very many must of necessity attend and be kept in Town from the first to the last day of his Tryall which would be a very great Charge and inconvenience 5ly In the Earle of Straffords case this very Parliament he was put to answer every day to the particular Evidence given against him on the same day Upon which reasons the House of Peers ordered that the Archbishop should make his particular Answer to every particular Charge on the same day it was given in against him Then the Archbishop desired that the House of Commons would sever the Articles which were Treason from those other Articles which were matters of crime and Misdemeanour only but not Treason that so he might know which of them were Treason and which not To which Master Maynard answered That this they might not doe because they were now onely to try the matters of fact not Lavv and because all the Articles taken together not each or any particular Article by it self made up the Treason wherewith he was charged to wit his endeavours to subvert and destroy Religion the fundamentall Lawes of the Land and government of the Realme and to bring in Popery and an arbitrary tyrannicall Government against Law After which Master Serjeant Wilde by way of Introduction to the Archbishops charge with abundance of elegancy and zeale related the Heads of his Offences to the House of Peeres in these ensuing straines My LORDS THis great cause of the Archbishop of Canterbury after a long and painefull traâ—aise is now come to the Birth of which it may be truly said as it was in a like case Râ—pertum est hodierno die facinus quod nec Poeta fingere nec Histrio sonare nec Mimus imitare potuerit For if all the oppressions all the pernitious practises and machinations which have beene in each time to ruinate our Religion Lawes and Liberties were lost I thinke here they might bee found and drawne out againe to the life So that your Lordships who have beene the great Assertors of our Liberties and stood so fast to the rules and principles of your Noble Progenitors which others have ignobly deserted may after a long conflict with so many great and marchiesse difficulties say now as a great Commander once did upon an extraordinary danger Tandem par animo meo periculum video Here is a cause proportionable to your selves apt and proper for the justice and power of this honourable Court Had they beene faults of common frailty error or incogitancy which this man hath committed wee should gladly have stepped backe and cast a Cloake over them but being so wilfull so universall so distructive to the Lawes of God and man so comprehensive of all the evills and miseries which now we suffer the sin would lye upon our owne heads if wee should not call for justice which that it hath beene so long uncalled for not deferred or delayed I suppose no man will thinke strange who considers the present distractions the death and dispersion of our witnesses the losse of some of our Members who have beene imployed and taken paines in this businesse the multitude of diversions which we have had and have daily occasioned by the Acts and influences of this Meteor But the truth survives and matter enough survives so copious and so full of variety that if all the particulars should be examined for his three yeares imprisonment which he complaines off there would be three yeares time of tryall and hearing of the heavy charge that lyes against him A charge of High Treason Treason in all and every part Treason in the highest pitch and altitude for what greater Treason can there be then to betray the whole Realme and to subvert the very foundations leaving nothing for posterity but a curse upon him that shall goe about to build again That which of it selfe is so haynous is much more enhanced and aggravated by the quality of the person A Church-man a great Prelate a man in great trust place and Authority in Church and Common-wealth A man indued with so great guifts of nature and so many of grace and favour from His Majesty and for al these to be perverted to a contrary end even to the destruction of the publike and the ruine of the Wombe that bare him how deepe a dye doe these impose upon this foule crime How Church-men in all ages as hath beene often observed should come to be the Archest Seedsmen of mischiefe and principall Actors in all the great distractions and alterations that have hapned is a destinie that may seeme strange But the reason is ex bono Thealogo malus Medicus their intermedling with temporall things and matters hererogeneall to their calling wherein God is pleased to finite them with blindnesse and to infatuate their Councell whereof a perfect patterne wee have in this great Prelate who by abusing his profession and making the businesse of State the customary subject of all his endeavours became the Author of all the illegall and Tyrannicall proceedings in the Starre-Chamber High Commission Court and other Courts of all the Innovations in Doctrine and Discipline of the suppressing of godly Ministers and preaching of the advancing of others who were the promoters of Popery and Arbitrary power and indeed of all the concussions and distractions in Church and State whereby Religion hath beene jusâ—ed out Lawes and Parliaments trodden downe with contempt For matter of Religion surely those times were happy when by the magnanimity of Princes and the wisdome and piety of our Predecessors that Antichristian Yoke of Popery was shaken off And now after so many bloudy Massacres in France such fiery persecutions here in Queene Maries dayes so many treacherous conspiracies in time of Queen Elizabeth that execrable and horrid Powder-Plot in the late time of King James such streames and Rivers of bloud in Germany and Ireland and other parts of the Christian world ever since by those restlesse and cruell fire-brands of all mischiefe for any man now to goe about to rebuild these walls of Iericho and to reduce us to those rotten
principells of Error and Darknesse how can it be expected better then that the people should be even ready to stone him as they did him that did but Act the part of Bellerophon in Rome But to avoyde this danger he conveyes in this poyson in a guilded Pill with baites and pretences of Reconciliation a pleasing snare Laqueus Diaboli ad miserorum animas ad infernum detrudendas A beade Roll of particulars might be recited wherein this Reconcilement was to be wrought in points of Free-will Merits Justification Vniversall grace Purgatory and in effect all the rest To draw on these there must be an introducing of Popish Ceremonies in all the particulars contained in the Masse-Bookes and Pontificalls themselves and to make way for these the Booke of Sports must bee published and pressed beyond the Kings intention or Declaration which was but a civill Command but hee subjoynes Ecclesiasticall penalties even the sharpest suspention deprivation and the like these executed on diverse good and godly men with a high hand Thus a liberty proclaimed not to Captives but to profane Caitifes this day set a part by God ab eterno exposed and prostituted to all loosenesse and irreligion and that by a Law This Lambe taken out of his bosome Iehosaphat sends Priests Levites into all the Cities Tribes to instruct them This Prelate sends Declarations and Injunctions to corrupt them and to extinguish the Lamp and light of Religion in the former Acts he destroyes the Protestant in this Religion it selfe In the one he leaves Superstition in the other nothing but Atheisme and Profanenesse in the one he destroyes Presbyteros as did Dioclesian in the other Presbyterium as did the Apostate Julian Yet to shew his love to Religion the Popes only he holds correspondency with those of Rome Cardinall Barbarino Panzani Con Rosetti the Popes Nuntioes Sir Toby Mathewes Saint Clara Saint Gyles the most dangerous and desperate Jesuites and many others ejusdem farina And by all these steps and rounds he makes a Ladder for himselfe to clime up to the Papall dignity in example of Anselme whom though famous for his Contumacy and Rebellion yet he calls him His worthy Predecessor as was Becket also and is contented to take upon him the Plenitude of power the title of holinesse of Arch-Angell of this Church the lineall Successor of Gregory the first rather of Gregory the seventh and for all this was well worthy to have those two great offers made him recorded in his owne Memorialls by these that had ability to performe it viz. A Cardinalls Capp but such was his modesty to forbeare it because though Rome be a true visible Church in his opinion yet something dwelt with him that hindered it for a time to wit I suppose his dwelling here For his attempts against the Laws the Subjects birth-right and the rights of Parliaments their chiefe support and refuge how little regard he had to them how much he did dispise and abhor them making it his Ambition to preferre the contemners and abusers of them and to set up his own Canons and Constitutions above them imposing of unjust and unlawful Oathes Exactions Monopolies all sorts of oppressions stopping of Prohibitions course of Justice rescinding of Acts of Parliament advancing of Proclamations and all kinde of Arbitrary power above the Lawes of God or man is fully expressed in the Articles and will more fully appeare in the evidence To conclude Naaman was a great man but he was a Leaper This mans Leaprosy hath so infectted all as there remaines no other cure but the sword of Justice which we doubt not but your Lordship will so apply that the Common-wealth shall yet live againe and florish When Serjeant Wilde had concluded his speech the Archbishop humbly desired the Lords that he might have liberty to speake a few words to wipe of that dirt which had injuriously bin cast upon him that so he might not depart thence so foule a person as he had been rendered to their Lordships by the Articles Which liberty being granted he made a long premeditated Oration which hee held written in his hand A true extract whereof communicated by him in writing to divers of his freinds you have heere subjoyned My Lords MY being in this place in this condition recalls to my memory that which I long since read in Seneca Tormentum est etiamsi absolutus quis fuerit causam dixisse 6 de Benef. c. 28. T is not a griefe only no t is no lesse than a torment for an ingenuous man to plead Capitally or Criminally though it should so fall out that he be absolved The great truth of this I finde at present in my selfe and so much the more because I am a Christian and not that onely but in Holy-orders and not so only but by Gods Grace and goodnes preferred to the greatest place this Church affords and yet brought Causam dicere to plead for my selfe at this great Barre And whatsoever the world think of me and they have bin taught to think much more ill of me then I humbly thank Christ for it I was ever acquainted with yet my Lords this I finde Tormentum est t is no lesse than a torment to me to appeare in this place Nay my Lords give me leave to speake plain truth No senrence that can justly passe upon me and other I will never feare from your Lordships can go so neere me as Causam dicere to plead for my selfe upon this occasion and in this place For as for the Sentence be it what it shall I thanke God for it I am for it at Saint Pauls ward Acts 25. 11. If I have committed any thing worthy of death I refuse not to dye For I thanke God I have so lived as that I am neither afraid to dye not ashamed to live But seeing the Malignity which hath been raised against me by some men I have carried my very life in my hands these divers yeares past But yet my Lords if there be none of these things whereof they accuse me though I may not in this Case and from this Barre appeale unto Caesar yet to your Lordships Iustice and Integrity I both may and do not doubting but that God of his goodnesse will preserve my innocency And as Iob in the midst of his affliction said to his mistaken Friends so shall I to my Accusers God forbid I should justifie you till I die I will not remove my Integrity from me I will hold it fast and not let it go my heart shall not reproach me as long as I live Iob 22. 5. My Lords the Charge against me is brought up in ten Articles but the maine heads are two An endeavour to subvert the Lawes of the Land and the Religion established Six Articles the five first and the last concerne the Lawes and the other 4. Religion For the Lawes first I thinke I may safely say I have beene to my understanding as strict an observer of
endeavours to subvert the rights of Parliament and auncient Course of Parliamentary proceedings and by false and malicious slanders to incense his Majesty against Parliaments contained in the 14. Originall and 1. 9. 10. Additionall Articles The first Specificall branch of the Charge against the Archbishop touching his Trayterous endeavours to alter and subvert Gods true Religion by Law established among us to introduce Popish Superstition and Idolatry in liew thereof and to reconcile the Church of England with the Church of Rome by severall stepps and practises with the copious evidences produced to manifest the same at his Tryall THE true Religion by Law established being that which is most pretious claiming proceedency of all other sublunary things in respect of its owne intrinsicall Excellency that which is nearest and dearest to every conscientious Christian the undermining and alterations where of doth most concern and reflect upon the Archbishop in respect of his calling as a Minister of his Ecclesiasticall dignity as an Archbishop of Canterbury Primate and Metropolitan of all England and of the speciall trust reposed in him by his Majesty who wholly committed the care of Religion of all Church affaires within his Dominions to this Arch-Prelates Care mannaging and his Charge concerning the Alteration and subversion of it being that which he most of all openly protested against both in the beginning proceeding conclusion of his long Tryall and on the very Scaffold at his death we shall begin with the Commons evidence given in against him concerning his endeavours practises to alter and subvert the same and introduce Popish superstition and Idolatry into our Church Wherein notwithstanding all his specious pretences confident Protestations reiterated deep Asseverations of his Innocency of his cordiall syncerity to the true Protstant Religion wherewith he hath deceived many over-credulous people we doubt not but upon the perusall of the various evidences against him in this particular he will appeare the most desperat cunning violent palpable underminer corrupter alterer subverter of the true reformed Religion by Law established in our Churches of one who professed himselfe a reall Protestant and zealous maintainer of the same that ever was yet heard of in the Christian world Prisca parem nescit aequalem poster a nullum Exhibitura dies He alone by his policies and power corrupting undermining our Religion advancing Popery more in the few yeares of his Predominency then the Pope with all his Consederates both at home and abroad could doe in almost fourescore yeares before by all their Plots and Potency as shall be irrefragaly demonstrated by his Actions which cry louder and give in stronger evidence against him then all his fraudulent verball protestations or printed funerall Orations can doe for him His Charge concerning the Alteration and subvertion of Religion laid downe in the Articles consists of these two generall Members First That he hath Trayterously endeavoured to subvert Gods true Religion by Law Established in this Realme and instead thereof to set up Popish Superstition and Jdolatry Secondly That he hath Trayterously and wickedly endeavoured to reconcile the Church of England with the Church of Rome The latter of these is but the issue of the former the first in projection but the last in execution and the proofe of the one an indubitable evidence of the other which shall be prosecuted in their Order The evidence to prove the first generall branch of his Charge concerning the alteration ub version of Religion THe Archbishop in his Speech in Justification of his Innocency and sincerity in matters of Religion made at the Lords Barre at the entrance of his Tryall most peremptorily challenged all that was betweene Heaven and Hell justly to tax him in any one particular savoring either of Popish superstition or Idolatry But on the contrary the Committee of the House of Commons might more justly have challenged him in their entring upon his Charge to nominate any person whether Prelate Minister or Laick in any age professing himselfe a Protestant who during his aboad on earth twixt Heaven and Hell was so guilty so peccant in this nature as they shold undeniably manifest him to be wherefore if they allotted him any place at or after his death but Hell it selfe it must be either a Popish Purgatory or such a middle place as some Papists assigne to that Newter Erasmus betwixt Heaven and Hell perchance some losty Gibbet or Pinacle in the Ayre whereon his Head and Quarters might be hanged up for a lasting Monument of his Treason in this kind which they manifested him to be guilty of by these ensuing particular evidences First by his endeavours to set up and introduce all kind of Popish superstitious Idolatrous ornaments furniture ceremonies in our church formerly cast out of it upon the reformation In pursuit whereof they first trailed this Romish Fox to his own Kennel at Lambeth where having unkenneled they chased him from thence by his hot Popish sent to the Kings own royall Chapel at Whitehal Westminster Abby from thence to the Vniversities of Oxford and Cambridge from thence to Canterbury Winchester and most other Cathedralls in England and from them to our Parish Churches and Chapels all which he miserably defiled corrupted with Popish superstitious Crucifixes Altars Bowings Ceremonies Tapers Copes and other Innovations To begin with his owne Kennel at Lambeth We shall first lead you by the hand into his publike Chapell there a place devoted to Gods worship and evidence what Popish Superstitious Pictures Vtensils Vestments Ceremonies Innovations he there introduced and constantly practised since his instalment in the Archbishopricke of Canterburie never heard off in any his Predecessors dayes since the beginning of reformation in King Edward the 6th and Queene Elizabeths reignes First we shall manifest what Idolatrous superstitious Popish Pictures were there newly repaired furbished erected by him in this Chappell to the great scandall of our Religion and encouragement of Papists in their Idolatry contrary to our Statutes Articles of Religion Homilies Jnjunctions Writerâ— the established Doctrine of our Church wherein the matter of fact stands thus In the beginning of Reformation by vertue of the Statute of 3. and 4. Ed. 6. c. 10. for the abolishing defacing and putting away of divers Bookes and Jmages then standing in any Church or Chapell of the severall Homilies against the Perill of Jdolatry then published by Authority of Queen Elizabeths subsequent Jnjunctions given by her as well to the Clergy as Laity of this Realme by the advise of her most honourable Councell in the first yeare of her Raigne for the advancement of the honour of Almighty God and suppression of superstition throughout her Realmes Injunction 2. 3. 23. 25. and Articles of inquiry thereon Artic. 2. 45. which enjoyned All Pictures Paintings Images and other monuments of Idolatry and superstition to be utterly extinct removed abolished and distroyed so that there remaine no memory of the same in
pursue him from Lamb crosse the Thames to the Kings own Royall Chapell at White-Hall where upon his comming to be Dâ—â—e of his Majesties Chapell and after that Archb. of Canterbury he introduced bowing to the Altar himselfe there constantly practising this Ceremony at his ingresse egresse a Lane being made for him to see the Altar and do his Reverence to it and at all his approaches towards or to the Altar which bowing and Veneration his Majesties Chaplaines were there likewise enjoyned by him to practise and by his means in Passion week in the years 1636. 1637. c. a rich large Crucifix imbroydered with Gold Silver in a faire peece of Arras was hung up in his Majesties Chappell over the Altar to the great scandall and offence of many For proofe whereof so experimentally known to most of the Lords and Courtiers who were eye-witnesses of and disliked it Sir Henry Mildmay Knight a Member of the House of Commons and Master of the Jouell House was produced who deposed as followeth That before the Archbishop came to be Deane of his Majesties Chappell there was little or no bowing at all used by any to or towards the Altar except only at St. George his Peast when the Knights of the Gartor going up to offer at it made a civill kinde of obeysance towards it not out of any religious respect but at a 〈◊〉 Ceremony anciently used by them only at this solemnity and by those of the Garter 〈◊〉 But after hee came to be Deane of the Chappell he constantly used bowing to the 〈◊〉 at his ingresse egresse and approaches to the Altar causing his owne and His Masties Chaplaines to doe the like That after he become Deane of the Chappell for two three yeares togegether or more there was in Passim worke a peece of Arras with a 〈◊〉 embroidered Crucifixe the full length of a man hanged over the Altar on 〈…〉 Chappell at White-Hall which was never done before in his memory nor in the memory of any Courtier that he could heare of which Crucifixe he believed was never therâ— used since King H. the 8. his Reigne till of late That this grosse notorious Innovation â—ave great scandull and generall offence to many well-affected Courtiers who spake muâ—â— against it and to himselfe in particular who openly complained of it to the King and spâ—ke to the Archbishop himselfe about it yet it continued there sundry Passion weekes And to manifest the truth hereof more clearely to all the world the very Crucifixe it selfe was by speciall order sent for and brought into the Lords House by the â—erjeant of the Vestry at White-Hall who likewise attested the hanging of it up â—ver the Altar in His Majesties Chappell in the Passion Weekes It was very large rich naked scandalous offensive never used since the Reformation but onely in tiâ—es of Popery yet this most scandalous Idoll did this Arch-Prelate cause to be thaâ— hanged up in His Majesties Chappell as a patterne of imitation for all others well nowing the ancient Proverbe to bean experimentall truth Regis ad exemplum 〈◊〉 componitur orbis c. When he hath thus introduced these Romish Innovations into hs Majesties Chappel then the Altar Crucifix other Innovations in his Royal Chaâ—â—el must be made the Canon whereby to regulate all Cathedrall and Parochiall Churches and so declared publikely in print by himselfe his Confederates both in an Order made at the Councell Table concerning the placing of the Table in Saint Gregonies Church Altarwise 3. Novemberis 1633. by this Archbishops owne procurement published by Doctor Heylen his Greature in his Câ—ale from the Altar page 62. and Antidotum Lincolniense cap. 2. page 62 63. by Peter Heylyn in his Coale p. 27. Antidotum Lincolni cap. 2. p. 29. to 67. his Moderate answer to Henry Burton p. 57. 176. by Christopher Dewe in his answer to Mr. Henry Burton cap 20. p. 191. the New Canons 1640. can 7. Now what a capital transcendent offence this was in this Arch-Prelate principally intrusted with the care of Religion contrary to his trust and dutie to introduce these scandalous Innovations into His Majesties owne Royall Chappell will appeare by these particulare First that hereby he made the world believe His Majesty was a publike countenancer of these Popish Innovations and 〈◊〉 making him a Royall open Patron of them as much as in him lay contrary to his owne printed Declarations to all his loyall Subjects before the 39. Articles and after the dissolution of the Parliament Anno 16â—8 Wherein he professed he would neuer 〈…〉 in the least degree to Popery or superstition Secondly That he hereby give just occasion both to Protestants and Papists at home and in forraigne parts openly to report and believe that wee were now relapsing to those ancient Romish superstitions Idolatries corruptions we had formerly spired one 3ly That hereby he endeavoured to corrupt his Majesty his Nobles Courtiers Chaplaine and by consequence all his dominions in their Religion Fourthly That by this meanes he perverted seduced many thousands of His Majesties subjects who from this patterne fell to a studious practise of bowing to Altars â—â—erecting Altari 〈◊〉 in most Chappell 's Churches by degrees Fifthly That hereby hee scandalited discouraged grieved the well affected Protestants both at home and abroad encouraged hardned Papists in their superstitions and gave them great hopes of a speedy alteration of religion 〈◊〉 they seconded with al their power and pollicy Sixthly That by this practise he ingendred great discontents 〈…〉 misunderstanding 〈◊〉 â—is Majestie and his subjects which could never yet be cordially reconciled since that time but have grown wider every day almost to the utter ruine of our three whole kingdomes To the former evidence this further memorable testimony was subjoyned by way of corroboration and aggravation Mistres Charnock a Gentlewoman of good quality and her Daughter joyntly deposed before the Lords that on Maundy Thursday about 6. yeares since they being at Whitehall with some other of their friends whereof one was a Papist went into the Kings Chapell there to see it where they saw an Altar with Tapers other Furniture on it a Crucifix over it whiles they were in the Chappell Dr. Browne of Saint Faiths Church under Paules then a Deane one of the King's Chaplaines with his Curate came together into the Chappell and bowed three severall times almost to the ground to the Altar and Crucifix as they all conceived and then kneeled down on their knees before them A little after there came two Semenary Priests into the Chappell and bowed downe very low three severall times to the Altar and Crucifix over it as they apprehended just in the very same manner as Dr. Browne and his Curate did and then kneeled downe before the Altar and Crucifix for a little space as they had done At which strange sight Mistresse Charnocke very much admiring said to those in her company J never thought to
and the Silver extrasted put into the Treasurie of the Church 14. The Kings Schollers being 40. usually coming tumultuously into the Chore ordered to come in bimatim and to doe reverence towards the Altar Moreover the Archbishop in his Injunctions to the Dean Chapter of the Cathedrall Church of Chicester made in his Metropoliticall Visitation there An. 1635. orders thus in his 6. Injunction Item That you provide Copes fitting for the service of your Cathedrall by one a year untill you be sufficiently furnished with them as was proved by the Injunctions found in his own Study attested by Mr. Prynne an Altar with all its furniture and adorations towards it being there likewise provided and used The like Innovations were introduced and prescribed by his Injunctions and new statutes in all or most Cathedralls in England and Wales to the great rejoycing of the Popish Party and scandall of all true zealous Protestants and any default in them was reputed a crime presentable as appeared by this Passage of an Abstract of the Abuses in the Diocesse of Lincolne 1634. in my Metropoliticall visitation endorsed with the Archbishops hand and found in his study Lincolne August 9. 1634. The Communion Table is not very decent and the Raile before it is worse the Organs old and naught The Copes and Vestments are embeselled and none remaine c. And in another Abstract concerning his Metropoliticall Visitation in other Diocesses particulars concerning the same indorsed likewise with his own hand there are these passages Norwich the hangings of the Quire are naught the Copes are fair but want mending In the Cathedrall as Worcester they have no Copes but are ordered to buy some before the feast of the Annuntiation In the Cathedrall at Gloucester many things amisse No Copes c. in Winchester Cathedrall they have no Copes some do not bow when they come into the Quire nor at the blessed name of Iesus Litchfield the furniture of the Altar c. very meane Therefore care must be taken for more costly furniture Whence this Archbishop took his Commission and president for adorning our Cathedrall and Collegeat Churches thus above others with these Romish Ornaments superstitious Innovations which in truth defiled them is worthy our speciall observation it being in taken from the very Roman Ceremoniall set forth reformed by the Command of Pope Clement the 8. lib. 1. cap. 12. De ornatu Ecclesiae p. 64. which prescribes thus Sic MAJOR ETIAM â—VRA adhibenda erit IN ORNATV ECCLESIAE CATHEDRALJS AVT COLLEGJATAE quae numerosum clerum habeat supellectilem amplam que congrué situata suis partibus apté distincta COMMODJOREM ORNANDI PRAEâ—EAT FACVLTATEM after which it prescribes Altars Altar-clothes Candlestickes Tapers Crucifixes Jmages Copes Rich hangings for the Altar and Quire with Jmages of Christ our Lady and Saints bowing to the Altar and Crucifix and that all Altars should have at least two Candlestickes with Tapers and a Crosse of Silver or of some other mettall placed on the midst of the Altar with the Image of Christ crucified on it as you may there read at large This Arch Prelate not content to propagate these Innovations in England like an Vniversall Patriarch over all his Majesties Realms endeavoured the introducing of them with an high hand into all the Cathedralls Churches and Chappell 's in Ireland by the then Lord Deputy Wentworthes power his great Creature of which we shall give you this briefe accompt Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to this Lord Deputy by his Command August 10. 1633. sent over an Account of the state of the Church of Jreland to this Prelate as he found it and what Alterations hee had already made in it seized in the Archbishops study by Mr. Prynne wherein are these observable clauses RIght Reverend Father My most honoured Lord presuming partly upon your licence but especially directed by my Lord Deputies commandes I am to give your Father-hood a briefe account of the present state of the poore Church of Ireland such as our short Intelligence here and your Lordship weightier imployments there will permit c. In Christ Church the principall Church in Ireland withor the Lord Deputy and Councell repaire every Sunday the Table used for administration of the blessed Sacrament in the MIDST OF THE QVIRE is made an ordinary seat for Maidons and Apprentices J cannot omitte the glorious Tombe in the other Cathedrall Church of saint Patrike in the proper place of the Altar just opposite to his Majesties seat having his Fathers name subscribed upon it as if it were contrived on purpose to gaine that worship and reverence which the Chapter and whole Church are bound by speciall statute to give towards the East and either the soyle it selfe or a Licence to build and bury and make a Vault in the place of the Altar under Sealetant which is tantamount is passed to the Earle and his heires Credimus esse Deos. This being the case in Dublin your Lordship will Judge what we may expect in the Country The Earle of Corke holdes the whole Bishopricke of Lismore at the Rate of fortie shillings or five markes by the yeare For the remedying of these evills next to God and his sacred Majesty I know my Lord depends upon your Fatherhoods wisedom and zeale for the Church my duty binds me to pray for a blessing upon both your good endeavours for the present my Lord hath pulled down the Deputies seat in his owne Chapell and restored the Altar 〈◊〉 ancient place which was thrust out of dores the like is done in Christs Church This testimony I must give of his care that it is not possible for the intentions of a mortall man to be more serious and sincere then his in those things that concerne the good of this poore Church Your Lordships daily â—â—â—dsman and devoted servant Iohn Bramhall Dublin Castle Aug. 10. 1643. Vpon this Information the Archbishop signifyed his dislike of erecting this Monument by the Earle of Corke in the place where the High Altar as was misinformed anciently stood and gave some directions for removing it Whereupon the Earle of Corks and Archbishop of Dublin writ these ensuing Letters to satisfie his Grace in this particular which were seconded with other Letters from Archbishop Vsher and the Deane and Prebends of Saint Patrickes Church to like effect over-tedious to recite My Gracious Lord. I Vnderstand that upon suggestions made unto your Grace you conceive that a Tombe which I have lately caused to be erected in Saint Patrickes Church neere Dublin is prejuditiall to the lights of the Chancell and seated in the place where the High Altar stood And as I have alwayes by my best desires and actions endeavored to invest my selfe in your Graces good opinion and have not willingly done any act that might prejudice me therein So in this particular I make humbly bold to deliver my justification to your Grace as followeth which I
skrine the Decalogue shal befairely painted and the Communion Table shall bee placed close to the same more decently then it hath beene which being performed the Quire will be much beautified and the celebration of divine service for sight and audience better accommodated then heretofore That Quire to omit the example of Christ-Church the other Cathedrall Church in this Citie and of Saint Paule in London if I bee not mistaken representing in a lesser modell the patterne of Westminster Abbey where there is a skrine enclosing some monuments and a way on each hand to the Chappell adjoying Your Grace may bee pleased also to understand that the Earle obtained Licence to erect his Monument in that place by the unanimous consent of the Deane and Chapter of that Church and that they are Honourable personages whose memory is preserved in that monument the one being Lord Iustice and Lord Chancellour of this Kingdome the other principall Secretary of State both Ancestors to his most pious and Vertuous Lady lately deceased And finally Your Grace is intreated to take Your consideration the meritts of this Noble Earle his zeale for the advancement of true Religion declared by his suppressing forreign jurisdictions and presumptions by building of Churches in severall places and erecting Schoole-houses and Almeshouses at his owne charge besides his publike workes for the common-Wealth raising structures of great strength and expence in places of importance and planting of English Colonyes to the great security and settlement of Peace and civility within those parts all which considered hee may be justly deemed worthy of Honourable memory in the Church Thus much by opening the truth I have written at the Earles request who is exceeding desirous to purge himselfe to Your Grace from giving any scandall to the Church whereupon he hopeth to gaine Your Graces approbation of his blamelesse carriage which I also humbly beseech on his behalfe ever remaining To doe Your Grace Service La Dubline Talloch 17. Feb 1633. To which Letter of the Archbishop of Dublin this Arch-Prelate returned this waspish insolent answer writ with Master Dells but endorsed with his owne hand found in his Study with the former Originalls in the very beginning whereof you may discerne his most palpable dissimulation and falshood S. in Christo My very good Lord IT is most true that I have taken offence at a Tombe erected by the Earle of Corke in the Cathedrall of Saint Patrick but I did not take that Offence lately onely but before ever my Lord Deputy that now is was named to the place And I took that offence by a complaint thence sent unto me for I was never there though I cannot recall who it was that complaind And I am sure the complaint came then unto mee with a full cry that it was built in the place where the High-Altar first stood and the Communion Table afterwards Your Lordship at the Earles entreaty hath signified to me your knowledge for so you say that the Tombe stands in a great Arch at the end of the Quire which was plaistered up to keepe out the Winde and that the High Altar stood at the end of the Lady Maries Chappell which is beyond it and that the East Window is at the top of the Arch and not darkened My Lord it will be hard for mee to speake any thing contrary to Your Lordship who hath beene so often upon that place where I never was yet I shall deale freely and tell Your Lordship what I thinke And first my Lord I am satisfied that the Tombe darkens none of the East-Window But I am no way satisfied that the Altar stood at the upper end of the Lady Maries Chappell That an Altar stood there I easily grant for in those times there were diverse Altars in one Cathedrall and every by Chappell had one at least But that the High-Altar did ever stand in any Cathedrall in other place then the East end of the Quire is quite out of my knowledge nor did I ever heare it till now by Your Lordships Letters That the place before the Arch was an earthen Floore and often troubled with a fresh I doe againe really believe Your Lordship And the Earle hath done very well to raise it and pave it with stone But that the swelling of the Tombe The Iron Grate before it The taking in of some ancient Monuments on either side The erecting of a Skrine before which you say the Communion Table should stand would take off little or no Roome from the Quire that I must confesse I doe not very well understand Your Lordship addes that when the Skrine is built and the Communion Table placed before it it will much beautifie the Quire and be like other Cathedralls To that I can say nothing but must leave it to their eye-sight and judgement that are upon the place And whereas Your Lordship sayes that my Lord had leave of the Deane and Chapter with their unanimous consent to erect a Monument in that place if the place be fit for a Monument the consent was very well askt and given But if it appeare the place were inconvenient then my Lord of Corke did not very well to aske a consent and the Deane and Chapter did very ill to grant it and the more unanimous the consent was the worse And whereas you write that there are other Honourable Personages whose memory is preserved in that Monument to that I say if the Monument stand where it ought God forbid it should be toucht If it stand where it ought not it may be fairely and decently removed and set up in some convenient place upon the side of the Quire or elsewhere where it will as well preserve the memory of those Honourable Personages which you mention as now it doth And God forbid any violence should be offered to that in any kinde And last of all whereas Your Lordship desires I should take into consideration the merits of that Noble Earle I am very willing to doe that And first I am very glad to heare from Your Lordship his zeale for the advancement of true Religion but I may not conceale from Your Lordship that I have likewise heard from others and that some yeares since that hee hath gotten into his hands no small proportion of the Churches meanes And if that be so any man may see his end in advancing true Religion But such a Zeale that poore Church hath little need of and God blesse every part of the Church from it As for his Lordships building of Churches Schooles and Hospitalls I know nothing of that and can say as little to it Only this I can say that if he take from the Church in one place to build Church Schoole or Hospitall in another t is no zeale nor the way which Christian bounty uses to tread And if his Lordship hath done any Publike worke for strength and fortification to the Kingdom I pray God that bee not done with the Churches
money too But howsoever his Lordship hath get a very full estate in that Kingdome and hee doth very wisely to fortifie it as well as hee can But besides these I have long since heard though you now mention it not that his Lordship hath done greater service to the Church in some other particulars as namely to the Bishoprick of Lismore and the Colledge of Yong-Hall for which it is great pitty but that his Lordships memory should bee preserved in the Church Thus I have given Your Grace a distinct answer to all the Particulars in Your Letter But for the Tombe which occasioned all the rest I will not take upon mee to judge unlesse I were upon the place how fitly or unfitly it stands there but shall wholly leave it to the view and resolution which shall thereupon bee taken in that place So I leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your Lordships very loving friend and Brother Will Cant. Lamb. March 1633. But some may perchance inquire what was the ground of this Archbishops introduction of these Innovations first of all into Cathedrall Churches Certainly one principall cause of this his method was to make these Mother Churches as he stiled them patterns of imitation for all Daughter Churches and Chapells within the the whole Diocesse that so the Proverbe in Ezech. 16. v. 44. 45. might be verified of them Behold every one tht useth Proverbes shall use this Proverbe against thee saying AS IS THE MOTHER SO IS HER DAVGHTER Thou art thy Mothers Daughter That this was one chiefe end of his to corrupt all Parish Churches and Chappell 's by these Cathedralls examples was infallibly manifested First by the very words of the Order made at the Councell Table at White Hall the third of November 1633 concerning the standing of the Communion Table in Saint Gregories Church neere Paules printed in Dr. Heylins Coale from the Altar and in his Antidotum Lincolniense Sect. 1. c. 2. p. 62. which order was thus printed by the Archbishops direction the chiefe stickler in the procuring and prime Clerke in the penning of it wherein it is positively resolved That all other Churches ought to be guided by the Cathedrall Mother Church whereon they depend and that the Communion Table in Saint Gregories Church removed from the middle of the Chancell to the upper end and there placed Altar-wise in such manner as it standeth in the Cathedrall and Mother Church of St. Paul should so continue that so there might be no difference betweene it and the said Cathedrall Mother Church Secondly by diverse bookes published in print by the Arch-Bishops speciall direction and app obation expresly averring That all Parochiall Churches ought to be guided by the patterne of the Mother Church upon the which they doe depend The Arch-Bishop himselfe in his discourses and these creatures of his in their Bookes applying and urging this leaden rule of theirs in particular for the rayling in of Communion Tables placing them Altarwise against the East end of the Quire and bowing unto them in all Parish Churches because this was done and practised in all Cathedrall Churches by vertue of his New Statutes and Injunctions though not in former times This foundation being layd in our Cathedralls for the like Popish Innovations in all Parochiall Churches wee shall in the next place prosecute this pursuite of his Innovations from our Cathedralls to Parochiall Churches and Chappell 's Wee shall begin with Saint Gregories Church neare Paules where the case was thus About tenne yeares since this Church was repaired by the Parishoners to their great cost at which time the Deane and Chapter of Pauls under whose jurisdiction it is caused the Picture of Saint Gregory to bee set up in the Church and the Communion Table to bee removed rayled about and set Altarwise against the East-end of the Chancell Whereupon Master Wyan and diverse of the Parishioners being offended at it appealed from the Deans and Chapters Order as being against Law to the Arches upon which by the Archbishops means an Order came from Secretary Windebank to call the Parishioners to the Councell Table concernning this Appeale the removing of the Table where they appeared at the appointed time with their Councell The King himselfe the Arch-Bishop and many of the Lords were then present where the businesse being debated before them the Archbishop stood up and with great earnestnesse more like an Advocate then Judge justified maintained this removing and rayling in the Table reading Queene Elizabeths Injunctions to warrant it but left out this most materiall clause that made quite against him Saving when the Communion of the Sacrament is to be administred at which time the same shall be so placed in good sort within the Chancell as whereby the Minister may bee more conveniently heard of the Communicants in his prayer and ministration and the Communicants also more conveniently and in greater number communicate with the said Minister And after the Communion done from time to time the said holy Table to be placed where it stood before The King said hee liked it well that the Table should stand as it used to do heretofore to which the Archbishop answered that if it stood so the Minister could not so well see who kneeled at the Sacrament and who kneeled not To which the King replied then let the seates bee pulled downe Then the Councell for the Parish alleadged that Bishop Jewell in his Reply to Harding Artic. 3. Diuis 26. and Artic. 13. Diuis 6. and Master John Fox in his Acts and Monuments Edit 1610. pag. 1211. 1212. both which Books were enjoyned to be kept in every Church for the people to read in as containing the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England and nought repugnant thereunto maintained and asserted That the Communion Table ought to stand in the MIDST OF THE CHVRCH AMONG THE PEOPLE and not Altar-wise against the wall Hereupon the Archbishop stood up in an angry manner and sayd If this be the use they make of these Books Jewell Fox I desire they may be taken out of Churches and Sir Henry Martin saying merrily that this Table placed close along the wall would make a good Court-cupboord The Archbishop therupon replied that Sir Henry was a stigmaticall Puritan in his bosome All which particulars were proved upon oath by Master Wyan Mr. Clearke and Captain Stackhouse Wherupon by the Archbishops violence this Order was then made against the Parishioners for the standing of that Table Altar-wise as it was situated by the Deanes and Chapters Order and appointment At Whitehall the third day of Novemb 1633. Present the KINGS most Excellent Maiestie Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Keeper Lord Archbishop of Yorke Lord Treasurer Lord Privy Seale Lord Duke of Lenox Lord Chamberlaine Earle of Bridgwater Earle of Carlile Lord Cottington Master Treasurer Master Comptroller Lord High Chamberlain Earle Marshall Master Secretary Cooke Master Secretary Windebanke THis Day was Debated before
His Majesty sitting in Councell the question and difference which grew about the removing of the Communion Table in St. Gregories Church neere the Cathedrall Church of St. Paul from the middle of the Chancell to the upper end and there placed Altar-wise in such manner as it standeth in the said Cathedrall and Mother Church as also in all other Cathedralls and in His Majesties own Chappell and as it is consonant to the practise of approved Antiquity which removall and placing of it in that sort was done by order from the Deane and Chapter of St. Pauls who are Ordinaries thereof as was avowed before His Majesty by Doctor King and Doctor Montfort two of the Prebends there yet some few of the Parishioners being but five in number did complaine of this Act by Appeale to the Court of Arches pretending that the Booke of Common Prayer and the 82 Canon do give permission to place the Communion Table where it may stand with most fitnesse and couveniencie Now His Majesty having heard a particular Relation made by the Counsell of both parties of all the carriage and proceedings in this Cause was pleased to declare His dislike of all Innovation and receding from ancient Constitutions grounded upon just and warrantable Reasons especially in matters concerning Ecclesiasticall order and Government knowing how easily men are drawne to affect Novelties and how soone weake judgments in such cases may be overtaken and abused And He was also pleased to observe that if these few Parishioners might have their wills the difference thereby from the foresaid Cathedrall Mother Church by which all other Churches depending thereon ought to be guided would be the more notorious and give more subject of Discourse and Disputes that might be spared by reason of S. Gregories standing close to the wall thereof And likewise for so much as concerns the liberty given by the sayd Communion Book or Canon for placing the Communion Table in any Church or Chappell with most conveniency that liberty is not so to be understood as if it were ever left to the discretion of the Parish much lesse to the particular phansie of any humorous Person but to the Iudgment of the Ordinary to whose place and function it doth properly belong to give direction in that point both for the thing it selfe and for the time when and how long as he may finde cause Vpon which consideration his Majesty deciared himselfe That he well approved and confirmed the Act of the said Ordinary and also gave Command that if those few Perishioners before mentioned doe proceed in their said Appeale then the Deane of the Arches who was then attending at the hearing of the cause shall confirme the said Order of the aforesaid Deane and Chapter This Order being thus obtained and afterwards published in Print by Doctor Heylyn in his Coale from the Altar and Antidotum Lincolniense the designe of removing rayling in and turning Communion Tables into Altars in Parcohiall Churches Chappell 's was much promoted by coulor of it of the reason of conformity to Cathedrall Mother Churches expressed in it And to hasten this worke the more to which the people and Church-wardens in many places were very averse the Archbishop being to keep a Metropoliticall Visitation in all Diocesses and places exempt and not exempt with in the Province of Canterbury by Sir Nathaniell Brent his Vicar Generall others his Commissioners though he made no mention in his printed Visitation Articles of removing and rayling in Communion Tables Altar wise to avoyd the peoples clamours against him yet hee writ a private Letter to Sir Nathaniell Brent after his departure hence to enjoyne him to remove and raile in the Communion Tables in all Parish Churches and gave him order to see it executed With which practise the Archbishop being charged at the Lords Barre by Serjeant Wilde who mannaged this part of the evidence he peremptorily denied it and protested solemnly before the Lords that he never gave Sir Nathaniell Brent any such order or directions by letter or otherwise and that he could prove by sufficient testimonies Sir Nathaniell had openly acknowledged that this Alteration was made by Sir Nath. himselfe of his own head without any order from him adding that he cold not be so unworthy as to deny it Wherupon he desired Sir Nath. might be called to testify the truth upon his Oath who appearing at the Lords Bar for this purpose the Archbishop demanded of him whether ever hee gave him any command or direction by word or writing in his Metropoliticall Visitation to remove or raile in Communion Tables at the East end of the Chauncell telling him hee was now upon his Oath and wishing him to speake nothing but the truth herein whereunto Sir Nathaniell answered My Lords upon the Oath I have taken I received an expresse direction command from the Archbishop himselfe to do what ever I did in this or any other kind else I durst not have don it To which the Archbishop confidently replyed My Lords I protest I never gave him any such command or directions I wonder Sir Nathaniell dares be so bold unworthy as to affirm it here upon Oath since I can prove he hath formerly denied it To which Sir Nathaniell replyed My Lords since the Archbishop so confidently denies that he ever gave me any such command and directions I shall humbly desire that this Letter of his sent unto me when I was visiting at Maidstonin Kent signed with his own hand may be read which will end the controversie and manifest by whose Authority and command I did it whereupon a Letter under the Arch Bishops owne hand directed to Sir Nathaniell was delivered to the Clarke and openly read to the Arch-Bishops great shame and disparagment of all his Protestations which after this some other passages wherein he was taken tripping in like manner were reputed meere vaporing impostures to delude the vulgar voyd of truth and credit The Letter was to this effect Sir I require you to command the Communion Table at Maidston to be placed at the East or upper end of the Chauncell and there railed in and that the Communicants there shall come up to the Raile to receive the blessed Sacrament and the like you are required to doe in all Churches in all other placse where you are to visit Metropolitically c. W. Cant. This letter being read much daunted discredited the Arch-Bishop in the opinion of all the Auditors he having nothing to reply but that he had forgotten he writ him any such letter Vpon the receipt whereof Sir Nathaniell Brent confessed he did give order throughout his Metropoliticall Visitation that all the Communion Tables should be removed and railed in at the upper end of the Chauncell in all Parish Churches and all seates above the Table or equall with it in any Chancell pulled downe and that the Communicants should goe up to the Raile and there receive the Sacrament kneeling which he
pressed as spatingly as he might it being against his owne judgment and thereupon obedience was yeelded in most places and such as refused to Raile in their Tables were questioned and proceeded against by others but as for himselfe he never troubled any for it That the Archbishop himselfe gave both command and approbation for these Innovations was proved by this ensuing Petition to which an Answer was underwriten by Master Dell subscribed with the Archbishops owne hand found among Sir Iohn Lambes sequested Papers by Master Prynne To the right Reverend Father in God William Lord Archbishop of Cant. his Grace Primate of all England and Metropolitan The Petition of Philip Davies Clerke Hunry Demery and Abrah am Cobb Churchwardens of the Parish Church of Hill alias Hull in the Dioces of Glocester Humbly sheweth THat your Petitioners in obedience to your Graces special directions in your Graces Metropolitan Visitation did take care and order for the raysing of the Chancell and Rayling in the High Altar or Communion Table in the said Church for the doing of which with the necessary beautifying of the said Church there were divers rates made by the Churchwardens for the time being and major part of the Inhabitants of that Church for to defray the Charge thereof In which assesements one Henry Heathfield who was and is commonly reputed and taken to be of that Parish was rated after the usuall manner as he and his Predecessors had alwayes beene his divers rates amounting to 28. shillings six pence To avoyd the payment of which the said Henry Heathfield appealed to your Graces Court of the Arches where the cause hath depended for these eleven Monethes last past to your Petitioners great Charge and hinderance May it therefore please your Grace for the better incouragement of your Petitioners in performing your Graces Commands which we have hitherto done in preserving the decency and ornaments of the said Church as much as in us lyes to give order that the said Cause may be speedily determined and that your Petitioners may not be unnecessarily vexed and molested for endeavouring to performe what in your Graces Visitation was publikely enjoyned but so farre as truth shall appears we may shroud our selves under your Graces Protection And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. I desire Sir John Lambe in case he finde the Suggestions true to take care that this Cause may come to hearing with all convenient speed possible Febr. 9. 1637. W. CANT By answering of which Petition the Archbishop acknowledgeth that the rayling in of Communion Tables and imposing illegall Rates for the same was done by HIS GRACES SPECIALL DIRECTION in his Metropoliticall Visitation and thereupon he thus desired Sir John Lambe to expedite the hearing of the Cause yet he had so Little Grace as openly to deny it with solemne protestations The falsity whereof was further evidenced by this Copy of Injunctions given in his Metropoliticall Visitation to the Cathedrall Church of Winchester 19. July An. 1635. by Sir Nathaniell Brent his Vicar Generall found in his owne Study at Lambheth so as he could not be ignorant of them attested by Master Prynne the last whereof was this Deinde Dominus injuaxit Gardianis Ecclesiae parochialis sancti Mauritij infra Civitatem Wintoniae quod duo sedilia ex utraque parte Cancellorum ibidem removeantur quod nullum sedile ibidem collocatur aut erigatur Distuque Dominus ad Petitionem Willielmi Newton unius Parochianorum praefatae Ecclesiae Parochialis decrevit Mensam sacram Eucharistiae decenter circum-sepiendam viz. TO BEE RAYLED ABOVT IN DECENT MANNER citra festum Omnium Sanctorum proximè sequens Moreover A paper of Informations of divers Abuses in the City and Diocesse of London was found in the Archbishops Study attested by Master Prynne whereof this was one There are many Communion Tables in severall Churches of the City of London that are not rayled in and some of them are placed in the middle of the Church when as they may be placed more conveniently at the East end thereof At the Chappel at Highgate the Boyes use to leane on the Communion Table in the time of Divine service under which Mr. Dell the Archbishops Secretary Writ this direction to Sir Nathaniel Brent his Visiter subscribed with the Archbishops owne hand I require you that besides my other Instructions you give me an account of all particulars within named Whereupon an Account was given to him in writing accordingly thus entituled An Account of the Metropoliticall Visitation of the Diocesse of London Aano 1636. found in his Study with the foresaid Informations and indorsed thus with his owne hand 1636. March The Course of my Visitation in London Diocese Wherein are these Particular Passage touching the railing in of Communion Tables Mr. Rogers of Massing mentioned in your Graces Paper came not to me for an order for the setting up of a Raile about his Communion Table But I GAVE A GENERALL ORDER FOR IT BOTH THERE AND IN ALL OTHER PLACES WHERE I PASSED The Communion Table in the Chappell of Highgate mentioned in your Graces paper is already placed at the upper end of the Quire and a decent Raile made about it as J am informed by divers To which the Archbishop with his owne hand adds this Note in the Margin See it be don In the Parish Church of Edmonton a fair Monument is set at the upper end of the Chancell which I have ordered to be taken downe without delay and the Communion Table to be set in the place of it with a comely raile about it Yet had this Archbishop the Impudency to protest to the Lords he never gave any order to Sir Nathaniell Brent for removing or railing in Communion Tables that it was done without his Privity or direction O portet mendacem esse memorem Adde to this that in an Abstract of this Archbishops Metropoliticall Visitation endorsed by himselfe and found among his papers there were these observable informations given to him by his Visitor Sir Nathaniel Brent July 16. 1635. At Lyn in the principall Church called St. Margarets the Communion Table wanted a rayle which I have ordered At Northampton no man boweth at the pronouncing of the name of Iesus in all the Churches in Shrewsbury many things were out of Order especially about the Communion Table But the Officers in every Parish Church most willingly submitted to what I ordered Mr. Speed of Saint Pancrosse in Chicester is very willing the Gallery in his Church should be pulled down which was built to receive strangers as also to remove the seates which stand even with the Altar Besides it appeares by a letter of Wil. Kingsley Arch-deacon of Cant. to this Archbishop dated Aprill 13 16 6. that he gave him order to survay all the Churches in Canterbury and to certine him what Monuments placed the Eastland Galleres were in them to the end they might be removed who gave him this account thereof in writing found
among the Archbishops Papers To the most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury His Grace Primate of all England and Metropolitan one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell My very good Lord. May it please Your Grace I Have according to Your Graces direction survayed the Churches of Your Graces Arch-Deaconry in the Citie of Canterbury In some of which I find Galleries and seates raised from the ground three or foure ascents as likewise monuments with diverse Inscriptions erected without authority at the East-end of the Chancells And in Saint Gregories Church of the same City one other Monument in which is described the Gunpowder Treason with this Motto or Inscription in Capitall letters IN PERPETVAM PAPISTARVM INFAMIAM This he held him selfe in all humility bound to acquaint Your Grace withall who is ready to execute what Your Grace shall Command for the ordering of these particulars or any other thing Your Grace shall be pleased to enjoyne him and never ceaseth to pray for Your Graces prosperitie and welfare Resting Your Graces most humble Servant VVilliam Kingsley April 13. 1636. To which Letter the Archbishop returned this answer sound in his study thus endorsed The Copy of my Letters to the Arch-Deacon of Canterbury Aprill 29. 1636. concerning the taking downe of Galleries and Monuments in some Churches of Canterbury c. S. in Christo SIR YOur Letters of Aprill 13. I have received and I thanke you for your care and paines in Visiting the Churches of your Arch-Deaconry within the City of Canterbury in which I have often heard there are some things amisse and finde by your report that the Information given me was true And because you certifie me of some things of greater moment then ordinary I thought it very fit to acquaint His Majestie with all the contents of your Letter and did so By which meanes I shall with more freedome give you the fuller answer to the three particulars mentioned by you For the first which is the raising of Galleries and Seates from the ground three or foure ascents His Majestie hath commanded mee to write unto you that they be taken down and the Seates left orderly in the Church But you are to take care to acquaint the Minister and Church-wardens with it and to see it done in a faire and peaceable manner The like Course you are to take with the second for it is no way fit that any Monument whatsoever should be set up at the East end of the Chancell thereby standing equall at least if not above the Communion Table and fit for nothing but to cast it out of its proper place Therefore if any such be in any Church within your jurisdiction you are to speake with them that are next of Kinne or whom such Monuments may most concerne And if they will remove them and set them up in any other place on the sides of the Church you are to give them leave so to do but if they will not you are then to take them downe in an orderly way and not to suffer any to stand at the East end of the Chancell Your third businesse is of greater consequence it is that there is another Monument in Saint Georges Church in which there is described in Capitall Letters the GUN-POUDER TREASON with this motto In perpetuam Papistarum infamiam c. I hope this stands not at the East end of the Chancell for if it doe you must see it removed to some other place but if it stand upon any side of either Chancell or Church then you are with the knowledge of the Minister and the Church-Wardens or any other whom that Monument may concerne to take some Painter to you and cause him to put out of the Monument all that concernes the Fleet in 88. because that belongs to a Forreigne Nation And though your Letters make no mention of 88. yet the Picture of the Monument which you sent me up doth which I shewed His Majestie as well as Your Letter So having here given you a cleare direction in all your three particulars I shall expect your care in the execution of them according to it So I leave you to the grace of God and rest Your very loving Friend Will Cant By these two Letters it is apparent that the Archbishop gave speciall directions not only to Sir Nathaniell Brent but to the Arch-Deacon of Canterbury to take down Galleries and Monuments at the East end of Chancells neare the Communeon-Tables and to place the Tables there at in their proper place as likewise to obliterate the memoriall of our happy deliverance from the Spanish Armado in 88. out of that Church where it had long continued Finally it was proved by the testimony of Master Sutton Master Browne and others that in the yeare 1640. in the new Chappell at WEST MINSTER the Kings Armes were set up in the East Window which was first glased with white Glasse afterward the Archbishop promising to bestow a new window instead of it the Kings Armes were thereupon taken downe by direction of Doctor Haywood the Archbishops Chaplaine and Browne this Joyner and placed in another obscure window and the Archbishops Arms supported by Seraphins put up in its place to signifie that hee was the sole donor of this new Window where instead of the white Glasse there was set up in coloured glasse the Picture of the Holy Ghost in form of a Dove with the Images of the Virgin Mary Christ Angells and Ceraphins for which the Glasier was payd since the Archbishops commitment to the Tower by the Archbishops direction as the Glasier verily believed this new painted Window being set up about the beginning of this Parliament but since demolished by order of Parliament which manifests the Archbishops perseverance in his Popish Innovations notwithstanding the Scotish troubles and the many late complaints against them in the last dissolved and present Parliament When this Arch-Prelate had in his Metropoliticall Visitation by private instructions only to his Vicar Generall and other Agents set on these Innovations and introduced them into many Parish-Churches in most Diocesse hee then by his subordinate Suffragans and Creatures began to enforce them universally upon all Ministers Church-Wardens Parishes by Visitation Oaths and Articles upon which such Ministers Church-Wardens and others who opposed them were presented yea prosecuted as Delinquents Among others Dr. Pierce Bish of Bath and Wells Mathew Wren Bish of Norwich Bish Lindsy of Peterborough Bish Mountague of Chichester and Skinner Bishop of Bristall were the chiefe promoters of his Innovations especially of rayling in Communion Tables Altarwise bowing to and towards them saying second service at them and comming up to the new rayles to receive the Sacrament prescribing these particulars in their severall Visitation Articles Witnesse Rich Mountague Bishop of Chichester his printed Visitation Articles there 1635. which after his translation to Norwich he enlarged with some printed additions for that Diocesse Anno 1638. of which
of Lincolne at the Visitation of the Archdeacon there this present year 1637. Printed at London 1637. Artic. 5. Have you adâ—cent Table on a frame for the holy Communion placed at the East end of the Chancell Is it rayled in or inclosed so as Men or Boyes cannot sit upon it or throw their hats upon it Is the said raile or 〈…〉 with sâ—ttles or kneeling hâ—nches at 〈…〉 or bottome thereof no the Communicants way fitly kneele there at the receiving of the holy Communion Artic. 38. Whether any in your Parish have covered his head in time of Divine Service contrary to the â—â— Canon any that do not kneele at the saying of the generall Confession Letany ten Commandements and other prayers read in the said Church â— any that do not stand up at the saying the Beliefe or not how or use reverencâ— when in time of Divine service the name of Iesus is read or 〈◊〉 c. Moreover Dr. Pierce Bishop of Bath and Wels not only prescribes the rayling in of Communion Tables Altarwise under penalties and fines in his Visitation Articles and Courts but likewise appoints Ministers in every Division to see it executed and presents these reasons for it to the Archbishop who endorsed them thus with his own hand Recepi March 9. 1633. L. Bishop of Bath and Wels about placing the Communion Table Reasons why the Communion Table in every Church should be set close under the East-window or wall with the ends North and South and be rayled in 1. It was ordered in Queen Elizabeths Injunctions That the Communion Table should stand where the Altar did 2. There should be some difference between the placing of the Lords Table in the Church and the placing of a mans Table in his house 3. It is not sit the people should sit above Gods Table or he above the Priest when he consecrateth 4. If it stand not thus and he not rayled in it will be subject to many prophanations and abuses Church-wardens will keep their accounts at the Lords Table Parishioners will sit round about it and talk of their Parish businesses whereas the Lords Table is for no other use but only for the Communion and the service and prayers of the Church Schoolmasters will teach their Boyes to write upon this Table and the Boyes will â—ay their Hats Sachels and Books upon it and in their Masters absence sit upon the same and many will sit or learn irreverently against the Lords Table in Sermon time Glasiers will knock it full of mile holes as it is found by experience they have done in many places and Dogs will defile the Lords Table 5. When the Communion Table stands thus the Chancell is the fairer and there â—â— more 〈◊〉 for the Communicants 6. Where the Communion Table stands thus the face of the Priest is seen of all and his voice is 〈◊〉 heard of all which sit on the North side of the Chancel 7. It is sit the Daughters should be like their Mother the Patochiall Churches should be 〈◊〉 the Câ—thedrall Churches that so there may be an uniformity in this respect in every Church At Coventry 〈◊〉 Bishop of that Diocesse by his Chancellour prescribed these Innovations following in the Churches of that City Thursday the 15 of August 1636. at Coventry It is ordered by Mr. Chancellour in the presence of me Henry Archbold principall Register being 〈…〉 by my Lord Bishop to that purpose 1. That the Communion Tables with in S. Michaels and Trinity Churches should be removed up 〈…〉 of the Chancels 2. That the ground at the upper end of the Chancels be handsomely raised by three steps that the 〈…〉 be conspicuous to all the Church 3. That in 〈…〉 which almost stopped up the middle I le be removed according 〈…〉 the Church-wardens in presence 4. That in both Churches all new additions of Seats in the Chancels be taken away 〈…〉 be to the ancient forme 5. 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of Trinity shall hereafter have any Seat to himself within the Church of S. Michael nor any parishioner of S. Michael have any 〈…〉 such no have sufficient interest by Land in the other 〈◊〉 6. 〈…〉 the Churchyard of S. Trinity may be 〈…〉 restored to the Churchyard And the doores opening into the Churchyard be stâ—pped up and the sink and other 〈…〉 7. That the 〈…〉 wives being in both Churches sufficiently accommodated 〈…〉 hence forth content themselves 〈…〉 â—e disposed of to these Gentlemen of quality within 〈…〉 The Church-wardens of both Parishes are admonished to certifie the performance of the precedent Articles to M. Chancelour by the next Court-day at Lichfield being the 27 of September next And that the Desk in the Chancell in Trinity Church whereon the Books lye be removed to the upper end of the North Isle next the Chancell and a Rayle made with a door in the middle thereof to keep out children from tearing the Books Charles Twysden Henry Archbold Registers After which this Bishop in a better mood Ordering the Communion Table only at the time of administring the Sacrament to be brought into the midst of the Chancell being large without the precincts of its impounding rayles thereupon the Archbishops Creatures gave present secret notice thereof by way of complaint to Sir Iohn Lambe and he to the Archbishop in these ensuing Letters found among Sir Iohn Lambs papers by Mr. Prynne endorsed with Mr. Dels the Archbishops Secretaries hand upon the Archbishops perusall of them The first was this Letter from Mr. Bird to Mr. Latham Good Master Latham Being at Mr. Lessons my Lord Bishops accustomed Inne I was there called and sent for to a private room before Mr. Major and some others of the Fraternity the businesse was concerning the removall of the Communion Table fromits ascent of 3 steps unto the body of the Chancel during the administration of that blessed Sacrament and they fearing me and my thwarting it moved my Lord to command me from either troubling them or altering that But how this can be effected without a great deale of inconveniency both to Minister and people I know not the Table and all other ceremonies necessary then to be used being by this means obscured and taken away from the eares and eyes of the people This is all except his Sermon that his Lordship hath done here and so much I thought good to certifie you desiring you to make what use you can of it provided you ever conceale the name of Your assured loving friend Tho. Byrd Covent 21 March juxta compt Aug. 1636. The second this Letter from Mr. Latham to Sir Iohn Lambe Most worthy Sir Our Lord Bishop at his departure from hence left such a terrible noise behind him of threatning against his Chancelour Mr. Ieffraye Archdeacon of Salop and my Selfe as would make men that were any thing obnoxious much afraid but for mine own part I thank God I fear him not but will and shall be ready to justifie my selfe in any thing
distraction in the Parish of Ware being a great and populous parish by their opposition of the laudable gesture of receiving the holy Communion kneeling and their envying against the Rayle and bench set up by sufficient authority for that purpose about the Communion Table in the Chancel for maintaining of good order and conformity in the Church there as may well appear by M. Chaunceys inveighing against the same and his refusing to administer the holy Communion there whilest he continued Vicar of Ware for the which the said M. Chauncey in partem pâ—nae was by the Court suspended from the execution of his Ministeriall function and every part thereof and ordered so to stand untill by his submission and acknowledgement of his error in broaching the said opinions tending to schisme and faction this Court shall see cause to release him which his submission and his acknowledgement is to be set down prescriptis verbis by the Commissioners at Informations and to be delivered unto him under the Registers hand of this Court and to be by him read and performed here in open Court and then to be intimated and made known in the parish Church of Ware where he hath given such cause of scandall and offence He was further condemned in expences or costs of fuit which are to be moderately taxed by the Commissioners at Informations And the said Humphry Parker was likewise condemned in moderate charges or expences and to make his submission in like manner conceptis verbis as this Court shall appoint Lastly they were both ordered to stand committed till they shall give sufficient bond in a 100 li. a piece to his Majesties use for the performance of the order of the Court. And because it was alleaged and pretended on M. Chauncies behalfe that since his comming to be Person of Marsten-Lawrence in Northamptonshire he had in testofocation of his conformity set up or caused to be set up such a Rayle about the Communion Table in the Chancell of his parish Church there the Court decreed Letters to be sent from this Court to the Lord Bishop of Peterborough to desire his Lordship to enquire of the truth of this allegation and to certifie this Court of the truth thereof the second Session of the next Tearm As also how the said Master Chauncey hath otherwise conformed himselfe there to the orders of the Church of England here by law established The manner and form of M. Chauncies recantation the next court-day for speaking against the rayle is thus recorded in the High Commission Register This day the said Mr. Chauncey appeared personally and with bended knees read his submission in Court which followes Whereas I Charles Chauncey Clerk late Vicar of Ware in the County of Hertford stand by sentence of this honourable Court legally convicted for opposing the setting of a rayle about the Communion Table in the Chancell of the Parish-church of Ware with a bench thereunto affixed for the Communicants to resort unto and to receive the blessed Sacrament there kneeling upon their knees and for using invective speeches against the said rayle and bench saying it was an Innovation â— snare to mens consciences and a breach of the second Commandement an addition to the Lords worship and that which hath driven me out of Towne I the said Charles Chauncey do here before this honourable Court acknowledge my great offence in using the said invective words and am heartily sorry for the same I protest and am ready to declare by vertue of mine Oath that I now hold and am perswaded in my conscience that kneeling at the receiving of the holy Communion is a lawfull and commendable gesture and that a rayle set up in the Chancell of any Church by the authority of the Ordinary with a bench thereunto affixed for the communicants to repaire unto to receive the holy Communion kneeling is a decent and convenient ornament for that purpose and this Court conceiveth that the rayle set up lately in the Parish-church of Ware with the bench affixed is such an one And I do further confesse that I was much to blame for opposing the same and do promise from henceforth never by word or deed to oppose either that or any other the laudable rites and ceremonies prescribed and commanded to be used in the Church of England Charles Chauncey Which submission being thus as aforesaid read and subscribed by the said Master Chauncey his Counsell moved that he might be dismissed but the Counsell for the Office desired that the said M. Chauncey might here receive w judiciall admonition which the Court conceiving very fit and requisite the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury in the name of the whole Court did now judicially admonish the said Charles Chauncey from henceforth to carry himself peaceably and conformably to the doctrine and discipline rites and ceremonies established and commanded to be used in the Church of England and neither by word nor deed to oppose or bring into disesteem any of them with this intimation That in case he were convented againe for any opposition or refractorinesse touching the premises that the Court intended to proceed against him with all severity and with this admonition the Court dismissed him the said M. Chauncey from any further attendance touching this cause he first paying the charges of suit taxed against him and the fees of his dismission These two leading cases and censures in the High-commissions at York and Lambeth seconded with this enforced submission struck such a terror into most Ministers and Churchwardens in those parts that few or none durst oppose those Innovations and gave such encouragement to the Prelates and popish Clergie that they proceeded vigorously in the pressing introducing of them every where and if any man durst oppose or vary from their injunctions they were presently brought into the High-commission and there proceeded against with utmost rigour This was manifested by the case of Mr. Miles Burkitt one of the Vicars of Pateshall in Northamptonshire who for delivering the Sacrament only to some who refused out of conscience to come up to the new Rayle and removing the Communion Table at the Sacrament time into the midst of the Chancell without the rayle according to the very Letter of Queen Elizabeths Injunctions and the 82 Canon was apprehended by a Pursevant in the Year 1638 and thus Articled against in the High-commission at Lambeth by Sir John Lambes and the Archbishops meanes among whose papers his Articles were found and read at the Lords Barre being attested by Master Prynne Inprimis we Article and object to you the said Miles Burkitt that you doe not bow at the Name of JESUS in time of Divine Service Item we Article and object that you the said Miles Burkitt being enjoyned by the Ordinary or his Surrogates officiate for him to keep within the rayles at the ministring of the Sacrament and to give the Sacrament to none that will not come up to the rayles he the
subscribed to these presents And the like pennance is further to be performed by the said James Wheeler and John Fry for the same offence in the Parish-church of S. Peter and Pauls in Bathe within the Dioces above mentioned upon Sunday the ninth day of Iuly above written and certificate is to be made accordingly the 11 day of July aforesaid Ja. Huishe Reg. This order of pennance enjoyned unto the within named John Fry and Ja. Wheeler of the Parish of Beckington was accordingly performed by them in the Parish-church there the 25 day of Iune 1637. Alexander Huishe Rect. ibid. The mark of Richard Bâ—â—t Churchwarden Alexander Webb This order of pennance enjoyned unto the within named John Fry and Ja. Wheeler of the Parish of Beckington was accordingly performed by them in the Parish Church of Froomfelwod the 2 day of Iuly 1637. John Beaument Curat ibid. Thomas Albyn John Norfolke Churchwardens William Cooke This order of pennance enjoyned unto the within named John Fry and Ja. Wheeler of the Parish of Beckington was accordingly performed by them in the Parish-church of the said S. Peter and Paul in Bathe the 9 Iuly 1637. Theoph. Webbe Rector ibid. Richard Duace Thomas Parcker Churchwardens Henry Gaye The 〈…〉 submission made against these poor mens consciences did so afflict them that they never enjoyed themselves afterwards Iames Wheeler falling presently after sick and dying professing often on his death bed that this pennance and submisson so much against his conscience had broken his heart was the only cause of his sicknesse and death The Bishop of Bathe and Wels pretested that he did nothing herein but by the Archbishops direction with which Mr. Iohn Ash acquainting the Archbishop since his commitment to the Tower heacknowledged it to be 〈◊〉 and that â—e did herein like an obedient Diocesâ—â— to his Metropolitan What further tyrannicall and 〈◊〉 of proceedings were afterwards used by this 〈…〉 the Churchwardens and some of other Parishioners of Beckington for opposing Mr. Huish their Minister in rayling in the Communion Table and raising a new Mount at the East end of the Chancel in a peaceable manner we shall further give in evidence in a more proper charge The next example we shall instance in is the case of Ferdinando Adams one of the Churchwardens of S. Mary Towre Church in Ipswich who together with his fellow Church-warden Titus Camplin was excommunicated by Henry Dade one of the Archbishops Substitutes in his Metropoliticall Visitation and Surrogate to Sir Nathaniel Brent in the Archbishops own name For not taking downe the seates standing above the Communion Table in this Church and railing in the Table Altar-wise against the wall as he was injoyned by Sir Nathaniel Brent the Archbishops Vicar-generall in his Metropoliticall Visitation This was proved by the Excommunication it self read in the Lords House in these following words Gulielmus providentia divina Cant. Archeipise totius Angliae Primas Metropolitanus ad quem omnis omnimoda Iurisdictio spiritualis Ecclesiastica ad Episcopum Norwiscens spectan pertinent ratione Visitationis nostrae Metropoliticae infra Dioces Norwic. modo exercit notoriè dignoscitur pertinere Vniversis singulis Restoribus c. salutem Cum dilectus noster Magister Henricus Dade omnes singulas personas utriusque sexus quorum nomina cognomina inferius subscribuntur recitantur c. Excommunicandos fore decreuit c. Vobis igitur firmiter injungendo mandamus quatenus praefatas personas in prescriptis sic ut praefatur authoritate nostra excommunicaetas pro sic excommunicatis in Ecclesiis vestris parochialibus diebus Dominicis ac Festivis post receptionem praesentium immediatè sequentibus tempore divinorum dum major in ijsdem ad divina audienda ad fuerit populi multitudo palam publicè denuncietis declaretis cum effectu sub poena juris c. Datum sub sigillo quo in haec parte utimur decimo dic mensis Iulij An. Dom. 1635. sanctae Mariae ad Turrim Gipwici Ferdinando Adams Titum Camplin Gardianos ibidem in non removendo sedilia ab Orientali muro infra Cancellum Ecclesiae in non stâ—â—endo Mensam Dominicam in supremo loco juxta murum praedictum secundum monitionem judicialem Dom. Nathanialis Brent Militis Domini Archiepiscopi Vicaerii in spiritualibus generalis judicialiter factam Ferdinando Adams being thus excommunicated sought to avoid this Excommunication by an Appeale but could procure no release and being laid in wait for by Pursevants out of the High-commission for suing Dade in the Star-chamber where this Excommunication was pleaded in Bar against him he was enforced to leave the Kingdom flye into New England till this Parliament almost to his utter undoing as he attested upon oath and shall be hereafter more fully proved in another charge To this we shall subjoyne the case of Iohn Premly one of the Church-wardens of Lewis in Sussex who was prosecuted in the High-commission Court and there on the 8 of May 1638. censured fined imprisoned condemned in costs of suit and ordered to make a submission for that when as Sir Nathaniel Brent in the Archbishops Metropoliticall Visitation by injunction from the said Archbishop had ordered the Communion Table in the Church of Lewis to be placed North and South at the upper end of the Chancel and there rayled in which was done accordingly Premly in a contemptuous manner had removed it from thence unto the place where it formerly stood whereupon Dr. Nevel himself replacing it at the East end of the Chancell North and South according to the said Archbishops Injunction he presumed againe to remove and bring it down to its ancient place to the great affront of his Graces Injunctions and the ill example of others All which was manifested by the very sentence it self recorded in the High-commission Register-book which was read in the House of Peers to the effect aforesaid The Committee of the Commons house alleaged that sundry other examples of like nature and of excommunicating hundreds of consciencious people for refusing to receive the Sacrament at the new rayles might be produced in most Diocesse of Englsand but they would content themselves with these alone and that of Mr. Samuel Burroughâ— of Colchester which they should make use of upon another occasion and proceed to such who had been grievously censured in the Star-chamber High-commission by the Archbishops means for opposing defacing or preaching against the use or setting up idolatrous Pictures of God the Father Christ Saints in Churches in direct opposition to our Homilies against the perill of idolatry confirmed by the 39 Articles and contrary to our Statutes Injunctions Canons and the current of all our Orthodox writers The first president of this nature instanced in was the case of Mr. Henry Sherfield a Bencher of Lincolns-Inne the true state whereof was briefly this M. Sherfield being Recorder of Sarum a
to the Church either for that they are so sore blinded that they understand nothing of God godlinesse and care not with divelish example to offend their neighbours or else for that they see the Church altogether scowred of such gay-gazing sights as their grosse phantasie was greatly delighted with because they see the false religion abandoned and the true restored which seemeth an unsavoury thing to their unsavoury taste as may appear by this that a woman said to her neighbour Alas Gossip what should we now do at Church since all the Saints are taken away since all the goodly sights wee were wont to have are gone since wee cannot hear the like piping singing chaunting and playing upon the Organs that we could before But dearly beloved we ought greatly to rejoyce and give God thanks that our Churches are delivered out of all those things which displeased God so sore and filthily defiled his holy House and his place of prayer for the which he hath justly destroyed many Nations according to the saying of Saint Paul If any man defile the Temple of God God will him destroy And this ought we greatly to praise God for that such superstitious and idolatious manners as were utterly naught and defaced Gods glory are utterly abolished as they most justly deserved and yet those things that either God was honoured with or his people edified are decently retained and in our Churches comely practised c. Mr. Workman by all these and such other passages in our Homilies ratified and subscribed unto by all our Ministers in the 35 Article of our Church as containing a godly and wholesome doctrine necessary for these times and established by the statute of 13 Eliz. ca. 12. which confirmes the Articles justifyed every syllable in his Sermons against Images in which he used only the words of our Homilies yet notwithstanding by the Archbishops violence against him who went highest in his sentence on the 25 of April 1635. in the High Commission held at Lambeth was Suspended from the execution of his office and function in the Ministery excommunicated ordered to make his submission and recantation of his eronious and scandalous doctrine at Lambeth the next Court day in such manner and forme as should be set down by the Commissioners and delivered to him in writing under the Registers hand of the Court and after this submission made publickly in Court the same to be sent down to Glocester and there openly published in the Cathedrall Church of Glocester and in the Church of S. Michaels immediately after Divine Service ended when as the Congregation shall be then and there assembled and condemned in costs of suit to be taxed the next Court day and likewise imprisoned Which sentence of his for the cause a foresaid was proved by the Register-Book of the High Commission out of which it was read at the Lords Barre by the testimonies of Mr. Thomas Pury a Member of the House of Commons and of Mr. John Langley late Schoole master of Glocester and now of Pauls-Schoole in London who further witnessed upon oath That Mr. Workman having been a most painfull diligent Preacher of Gods Word in the City of Glocester for above 15 years and a man of singular piety learning wisdome and moderation as the Archbishop himself confessed the Corporation of Glocester to help support his great charge of children in consideration of his great paines in preaching and visiting the sick about September 1633. granted him an Annuity of 20 l. per annum under their Common Seale with one unanimous consent a little before his troubles in the High Commission For which act of justice and charity Iohn Buckston the then Mayor Master Wise the Town Clerk and some other of the Aldermen of that City were by the Archbishops procurement sent for by a Pursevant to appear before the Counsell Table as Delinquents where they appearing were fully heard concerning the granting of this Annuity before the King himselfe and his Councell who seemed fully satisfied approving of their grant and were ready to dismisse them from thence as seeing no just cause for their molestation Whereupon the Archbishop moved that they might be transmitted from thence to the High Commission which by his means was ordered accordingly After which in January following Mr. Pury himself together with M. Henry Browne Mr. William Prise Aldermen Mr. Anthony Edwards and others were arrested by a Messenger out of the High Commission who exacted and received 20 Marks in Fees from them to whom they gave bonds to appear in that Court the Terme following which they did Where they were then articled against for consenting to the grant of the said Annuity to Mr. Workman to which Articles they answered and the cause being brought to hearing not long after their Counsell alleaged That the said grant of 20 l. per annū to M. Workman ought first to be proved illegall or obtained by illegal practise and the whole Corporation whose act it was under whose Seal it was granted to be made parties to the suit before these Defendants sued only as private men ought as they conceived to be censured for consenting thereunto or the said deed made void and cancelled yet notwithstanding the said Mr. Edwards one M. Nelme for consenting to this grant only were fined 10 l. a piece and the grant ordered to be cancelled which was done accordingly and thereupon a 100. l. expence the rest were dismissed the Court and M. Workman deprived of his Annuity After which M. Workman himself being censured and put from his Ministery and imprisoned by the High-Commission for Preaching against making and setting up the Images of the Trinity and of Christ and Saints in Churches having after some moneths Imprisonment with much solicitation obtained his Liberty to support himself his wife and many small children from perishing was necessitated to teach children in private having no other livelihood left him after his former Annuity granted him by the City of Glocester was by the Arch-bishops potency unjustly wrested from him of which the Arch-bishop being informed inhibited him to teach any children at all in publike or private as he would answer the contrary at his perill whereupon he fell to practise Physicke for his necessary support which being informed of to the Arch-bishop he thereupon prohibited him likewise to practise Physick Whereupon he having no meanes of subsistance left and being debarred to Preach teach School or administer Physick to maintain himself and his charge was so afflicted with these tyrannicall and unjust pressures of which he oft complained to Master Langley and others that they drew on crasinesse and sicknesse of body upon him and as his most intimate friends were verily perswaded shortned his dayes and precured his death to the great griefe and losse of that City So zealous was this Arch-Prelate in defence of Idolatrous Images as thus most unjustly and tyrannically to ruine a most godly painfull Minister with his family and destroy this
living speaking Image of God and Christ for preaching against dead false unlawfull Images and representations of them according to our Homilies and the established Doctrine of our Church Moreover it was then fully proved at the Lords Bar by the oathes of Doctor Featly and Master Bourne that the Arch-bishop was so mad upon Images Pictures and their worship That Doctor Featly having Printed by license 70. Sormons of his preached upon severall occasions in one whereof he had cited a passage against worshipping Images out of the Homily against the Perill of Idolatry in refutation of the Papists the Arch-bishop sending for the Doctor commanded him to carry his said Sermons to Doctor Bray his Chaplaine to peruse before they were published least there should beany offensive passages vented in them which he doing accordingly the said Doctor purged out of the 788. page thereof this ensuing clause therein cited out of the very Homely against the perill of Idolatry as scandalous and heterodox causing the whole sheet to be new Printed which expunction was openly read at the Bar by Doctor Featly himself in these following words And howsoever some of late mince the matter and beare us in hand that the framing drawing carving melting gilding erecting clothing and censing bowing down and praying before Images and Pictures is but the excrescencie of Romish devotion and no proper fruit of Idolatry and superstition yet they who laid the first stone in the happy Reformation of our Church of England and penned the Homilies appointed by Authority to be read in all Churches condemne these practises of the Romane Church as no lesse idolatrous than the like of the Heathen The full proof of that which in the beginning in the first part of this Treatise was touched is here to be made good and performed to wit that our Images and the Idols of the Gentiles be all one as well in the things themselves as also in that our Images have been before be now and ever will be worshipped in like forme and manner as the Idols of the Gentiles were so long as they be suffered in Churches and Temples whereupon it followeth that our Images in Churches have been he and ever will be no other but abominable Idols And every of these parts shall be proved in order as hereafter followeth And first that our Images and the Idols of the Gentiles are all one concerning themselves it is most evident the matter of them being gold silver or other mettle stone wood clay or plaister as were the Idols of the Gentiles and so being either melten or cast either carved graven hewer or otherwise formed and fashioned after the similitude or likenesse of man or woman they be dead and dumb works of mens hands having mouthes and speak not eyes and see not hands and feel not feet and go not and so as well in form as matter be altogether like the Idols of the Gentiles insomuch that all the titles that be given to the Idols in the Scripture may be verified of our Images Wherefore no doubt but the like curses which are mentioned in Scriptures will light upon the makers and worshippers of them both Secondly that they have been be worshipped in our time in like forme and manner as were the Idols of the Gentiles is now to be proved and for that idolatry standeth chiefly in the minde which shall in this part first be proved that our Image-maintainers have had and have the same opinion and judgement of Saints whose Images they have made and worshipped as the Gentile idolaters had of their Gods And afterwards it shall be declared that our Image-maintainers and worshippers have used and use the same outward rites and manner of honouring and worshipping their Images as the Gentiles did use before their Idols and that therefore they commit idolatry as well inwardly as outwardly as did the wicked Gentile idolaters By these two evidences of the Archbishops persecuting Master Workman for using the very words and expressions of our established Homilies against Images and his Chaplaines purging out of Doctor Featlies printed authorized Sermons this passage of our Homilies against the worshipping of Images no doubt by his direction it is most apparent that his designes and intentions were to subvert the established doctrine of our Church against the setting up and adoration of Images and to defile our Churches againe not only with these Romish Idols and Paganish inventions but to make us all Idolaters in worshipping and adoring them as the Popish or Gentile Idolaters did their Idol-gods To put this out of question we shall only adde one irrefragable evidence more concerning Images and Pictures We have proved formerly that the Archbishop had in his own private Study a Book of Popish pictures of the Life Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the Virgin Mary printed by Boetius à Bolswert in forein parts Anno 1623. These very Pictures were all licensed by the Archbishops own Chaplain Doctor Bray printed by his own printer and Kinsman Badger in the year 1638. for one Peake a Stationer now in armes against the Parliament and publickly sold and bound up in Bibles as was testified by Mr. Walley Clerk of Stationers Hall and Michael Sparke Senior Master Willingham likewise attested upon oath concerning these Pictures and Crucifixes put into the Bibles that Captain Peak at Holborne Cundit Bookseller who printed these pictures for Bibles did affirme that he printed them with the good liking and by the speciall direction of the Archbishop and his Chaplaine Dr. Bray which Dr. Bray as he said carried him divers times to the Archbishop to shew him the prints thereof as they were cut and finished who liked them all well and gave his consent for the binding them up in Bibles saying That the Bibles wherein these pictures were bound up they should be called THE BISHOP OF CANTERBVRIES BIBLES stiling them after his own name so much did he owne this fact not the Bibles and Book of God who abhorres such Images and further deposed That he found two Bibles bound up with these Pictures in them the one among Secretary Windebanks the other among Sir John Lambes and Dr. Ducks chiefe papers and treasure two of the Archbishops bosome friends and favourites who highly esteemed them both of which Bibles seized by Mr. Willingham and richly bound up with these pictures in them were then produced and shewed to the Lords Master Walley further deposed that these pictures bound up in Bibles giving great offence and scandall to many well affected people himselfe with some other Stationers repaired to Lambeth to the Archbishop and complained against these pictures and the binding of them up in Bibles demanding his Graces direction therein whether they should seize such Bibles with pictures which gave offence or suffer them to be sold To which the Archbishop answered That they might doe well not to lay them out publickly upon their stals to be sold as yet lest they
John Finch who gave it such a purgation without calling M. Burton to it or suffering his Counsell to defend it whom Sir John Finch threatned with pulling his Gowne over his head and putting him from the Barre as was never heard of in any Age expunging no lesse then 64 whole sheets containing his justification and defence out of it as scandalous leaving only some three lines in the beginning of it and two in the end amounting to a generall not guilty when as he confessed and justified all he was charged with And because Mr. Burton would not acknowledge this purged answer directly contrary to that he put in upon oath and answer to Interrogatories grounded on it quite contrary to his answer as they had altered it whereby he must of necessity have been perjured therefore he was likewise taken pro confesso and censured for a contempt in not answering though he had an answer in Court What the scandalous matter contained in and expunged out of his answer by the Judges was is very observable truly it was no other then the very Oathes of Supremacy Allegiance prescribed by severall Acts of Parliament engaging the Defendants and others who had taken them against popery and popish Innovations his Majesties Declarations before the 39 Articles and to all his loving Subjects printed Anno 1628. prohibiting all back-sliding to Popery or any Innovations or alterations in the Religion by law established among us The Petition of Right and his Majesties Answer thereunto for preservation of the Subjects rights and liberties extending as wel to secure them against these illegal popish Innovations which the Bishops by an Arbitrary power would obtrude upon them and their consciences by Suspensions Excommunications Fines Imprisonments and other vexatious courses as to the liberty of their persons and estates of which they were deprived for opposing their Innovations the statute of 3 Iac. c. 1. intituled An Act for a publick thanksgiving to Almighty God every year on the 5 of November for the great deliverance of the King Kingdome State and Parliament from the horrid Gunpowder Treason on which day Mr. Burton preached these two Sermons against the severall Popish Innovations and Doctrines mentioned in it lately brought into the Church by the Archbishop and his confederates for which he was questioned in the Star-chamber The statute of 3 Jac. cap. 4. intituled An Act for the better discovering and repressing of Popish Recusants The statute of 1 Eliz. cap. 2. intituled An Act for the uniformity of Common Prayer and administration of the Sacraments which excludes all new Ceremonies and Innovations in Gods service introduced by the Bishops not comprized in the Book of Common prayer with an enumeration of those severall Innovations in point of doctrine and ceremonies as setting up Altars instead of Communion Tables removing Lords Tables from their ancient stations and rayling them in Altarwise against the wall bowing downe to them reading second Service at them licensing printing Popish and Arminian Books altering and purging the Books for the Gunpowder Treason for the publick Fast Coronation and Book of Common prayer c. with other particulars specified at large in his printed Sermons All this was totally expunged as scandalous out of Mr. Burtons Answer for feare the proof thereof should have made the Bishops scandalous Eighthly these Defendants when they perceived they should not have liberty to defend themselves nor to prove or justifie the Archbishops and his Confederates popish Innovations by their Answers exhibited a crosse Bill against them under their hands which they offered to make good at their uttermost perils Mr. Prynne tendring the same both to the Lord Keeper and in open Court defiring it might be admitted being both for their own just defence the honour of his Majesty and preservation of our Religion and that a Court of publick justice which ought to be as open for as against them yet this their Bill was twice refused without cause and delivered over to Mr. Attourney Generall to draw up a Charge against the defendants out of it if possible and to question them for their lives for exhibiting it Ninthly at the hearing the Archbishop and Bishop of London though chiefe prosecutions of this cause in which they were specially concerned professed enemies to the Defendants and challenged in open Court by Mr. Prynne as unfit to sit Judges there in their own cause contrary to all law and presidents were yet admitted to sit in Court as Judges where the Archbishop himself in a tedious Oration of two houres long larger then ever any Sermon he preached in the Pulpit professedly justified all the forementioned Innovations wherewith he was charged as Setting up Altars rayling in Communion Tables Altar-wise reading second-Service at them bowing downe towards them as the Monks and Popish Fryers did of old because there 't is Hoc est corpus meum c. standing up at Glory be to the Father bowing at the Name of Iesus altering and purging the Books for the Gunpowder Treason and the publick Fast in favour of Papists the licensing of Popish and Arminian Books charged against him c. And yet reviled condemned these Defendants as Libellers and thanked the Lords for their justice against them for falsely objecting these very Innovations to him which himself in his Speech confessed himself guilty of justified in open Court and after that in print to all the World dedicating this his Speech to his Majesty and making him the Patron of all these Innovations contrary to his own royall Protestations Tenthly these Defendants for opposing those very popish Innovations which himself thus publickly confessed defended being deprived of their proofe and just defence by taking them all pro confesso for a pretended contempt in not answering the Information which they would not permit them to put in their Answers to as you heard before were without any proof or testimony at all produced to prove them guilty of ought objected against them fined 5000 li. a peece unto his Majesty adjudged to stand in the Pillory at Westminster and there to lose their Eares which was accordingly executed Mr. Burton was after deprived of his Living degraded from his Ministery Mr. Prynne stigmatized on both cheeks though nothing at all was charged against him and all of them deprived the liberty of pen inke and paper and before their wounds were healed they were sent away close prisoners to the 3 remote Castles of Lanceston Lancaster and Carnarvan and there shut up close prisoners neither Wife nor Childe nor Brother nor any other but their Keepers having any accesse unto them and soone after by extraordinary Letters from the Councell Table to which the Archbishops hand was first sent close prisoners by Sea in the Winter-season to the hazzard of their lives into the Islands of Sylly Garnesey and Iarsey and there mued up close prisoners without pen inke paper or allowance of necessaries their friends being prohibited al accesse unto them D. Bastwicks M.
his Consecrating of Churches and Chappels after the popish manner wherein the case stands briefly thus The Pope his Romish Prelates had in times of ignorance superstition for their own proper lucre introduced solemn consecrations of Churches Chappels with all furniture belonging to them appropriated these Fopperies to Bishops as a jurisdiction peculiar to them alone though we reade in Scripture that the Tabernacle all the furniture thereto belonging was consecrated only by Moses and the Temple at Jerusalem by King Solomon the chief temporall Magistrates not by Aaron or the High Priests as they were among the Romans by the Senate These formes of consecrations full of Ethnicall ridiculous superstitions exorcismes conjurations were contained only in Roman Pontificals Missals Ceremonials which were wholly abolished upon the reformation of Religion in King Edwards daies by the expresse statutes of 3 4 E. 6. cap. 1. 5. 5 6 E. 6. cap. 1. and after that by the statute of 1 Eliz. cap. 2. 8 Eliz. cap. 1. which abrogited all rites ceremonies and consecrations whatsoever but those comprised in the Books of Common Prayer and Ordination of Ministers where there is not one syllable to be found touching consecration of Churches or Chappels or Church-yards nor any forme of such consecrations reteined or prescribed which by these Acts were wholly discontinued abolished in our Church till this Papish Prelate to renue them and to assume a Papall power of making Churches Chappels Altars and their furniture holier then other places by his solemne consecrations of them as if the meere sequestring of them from a common or prophane to a sacred use were not a sufficient consecration of them without a Bishops Benediction and exercising of those creatures suspended thereunto We shall begin first with his consecration of Churches next of Chappels Anno 1630. St. Katherines Creed-church in London being repaired only by the parishioners not new built from the ground when Mountain was Bishop of London and the Church thought holy enough by him without any new consecration not requisite in such a case by the very Canon law this popish Prelate succeeding Mountaiue in the Bishoprick of London suspended this new repaired Church for a time from all Divine service Sermons and Sacraments till it was re-consecrated by himself of which he writ down this speciall memoriall with his own hand in his Diary read in the Lords House in manner following January 16. 1630. Sunday I consecrated S. Katherine Creed-church in London In what a popish ridiculous bedlam manner was thus attested upon oath by M. Willingham a parishioner there who then took special Notes of all the passages in short-writing thinking some good use might be made thereof in after-times the particulars whereof he thus expressed That the Archbishop then of London on the 16 of January 1630. being the Lords day came in the morning about nine of the clock in a pompous manner to Creed-church accompanied with Sir Henry Martin Dr. Rive Dr. Duck and many other High-commissioners and Civillians there being a very great concourse of people to behold this novelty the Church doores were garded with many Halberders at the Bishops approaching near the West door of the Church the hangbies of the Bishop cryed out with a loud voyce Open open ye everlasting doores that the King of glory may enter in and presently as by miracle the doores flew open and the Bishop with three or four great Doctors and many other principall men entred in and as soon as they were in the Church the Bishop fell down upon his knees with his eyes lifted up and his hands and armes spread abroad uttering many words and saying This place is holy and this ground is holy In the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost I pronounce it holy and then he took up some of the earth or dust and threw it up into the aire as the frantick perseenting Jewes did when they were raging mad against Paul this was done in the great middle Isle several times as they came up Eastwards towards the Chancel which Chancel was then paved when they approached near to the Rayle and Lords Table unto which was an ascent of two or three steps the Bishop lowly ducked and bowed towards it some five or six times and returning went round about the Church in Procession on the inside thereof they saying the 100 Psalme and after that the 90 Psalme prescribed in the Roman Pontificall for this purpose p. 262. and then this Prayer Lord Jesu Christ who art the eternall Word of thy eternall Father God Almighty to be blessed for ever and diddest at first in the beginning of time create man out of the dust of the earth to restore and repair in him the ruine and fall of Angels and when as he by transgression had lost his originall state diddest according to thy threatning returne him againe unto his dust but so that he should not perish everlastingly but should in due time by an omnipotent power be raised againe out of the earth and therefore in assurance of the resurrection the bodies of men the work of thine own hands are in this place to be deposited in their sepulchres graves or vaults as in a repository or resting place untill the end of all things when that mighty Arch-angell shall sound his last Trumpet with Rise ye dead and come to judgement accept we beseech thee this our holy service who doe give and consecrate this beautifull Church unto thee and we separate it unto thee and thy Church AS HOLY GROVND not to be prophaned any more to common use this we beseech thee to accept at our hands for Christ Jesus sake c. Then was read aloud the 23 chapter of Genesis which being read then followed another prayer taken almost verbatim out of the Roman Pontificall beginning thus Merciful God the resurrection and the life of all that trust in thee wee most humbly intreat thee to vouchsafe us of thy grace that all those thy servants who from hence forth shall come into or be intered within the Circuit of this holy and sacred place now by our service HALLOWED unto thee may so lead their lives in thy feare that they may leave them in thy favour and that their bodies resting in their Sepulchres in this Church in peace untill thy comming unto Iudgment may rise again unto immortall life and live with thee for ever in those glorious mantions of eternity Heare us O Saviour for thy passion sake heare us O Father for thy Christs sake heare us O Sanctifying Spirit for thy comforts sake who livest and reignest one God c. Then The peace of God followed c. After all this the Bishop betook himselfe to sit under a cloath of State in an Isle of the chancell neare the Communion Table and taking a written book in his hand in imitation of the Roman Pontificall and the Councell of Trents Decrees therein cited pag. 247 c.
He pronounced many curses upon all those which should hereafter any way prophane that holy and sacred place by any Musters of Souldiers or keeping any prophane Law-courts or carrying burdens through it At the end of every curse which were some 20. or 30. in number he bowed himselfe lowly towards the East or Table saying Let all the people say Amen When the Curses were ended he then pronounced the like number of Blessings to all those that had any hand in the culture framing and building of that holy sacred and beautifull Church and pronounced Blessings to all those that had given any Challices Plate Ornaments or Vtensills and that should here-after give any At the end of every Blessing hee also bowed downe himselfe towards the East Saying Let all the people say Amen After this followed the Sermon which was worthily performed by Dr. Stephen Dennyson he taking for his theame the 19 of Luke 46. wherein he bitterly inveighed against setting up Pictures and Images in Churches saying it was Popish and heathenish Superstition and Idolatry Which Sermon after-wards when Bishop Laud came to the high chaire of Canterbury he remembred at Dr. Dennysons censure in the high Commission upon another occasion and passed a heavy Censure upon the said Dr. under which he hath ever since groaned After the Sermon which was but short the Bishop and two fat Doctors consecrated and administred the Sacrament with a number of bowings duckings and cringeings in manner following As first when the Bishop approached neare the Communion Table he bowed with his nose very neare the ground some six or seven times Then he came to one of the corners of the Table and there bowed himselfe three times then to the second third and fourth corners bowing at each corner three times but when he came to the side of the Table where the bread and wine was he bowed himselfe seven times and then after the reading of many praiers by himselfe and his two fat chaplins which were with him and all this while were upon their knees by him in their Sirplisses Hoods and Tippits he himself came neare the Bread which was cut and laid in a fine napkin and then he gently lifted up one of the corners of the said napkin and peeped into it till hee saw the bread like a boy that peeped after a bird-nest in a bush and presently clapped it downe againe and flew backe a step or two and then bowed very low three times towards it and the Table when he beheld the bread then he came neare and opened the napkin againe and bowed as before then he laid his hand upon the gilt Cup which was full of wine with a cover upon it so soone as he had pul'd the Cupp a litle neerer to him he lett the Cupp goe flew backe and bowed againe three times towards it then hee came neere againe and lifting up the cover of the Cupp peeped into it and seeing the wine he let fall the cover on it againe and flew nimbly backe and bowed as before After these and many other Apish Anticke Gesturs he himselfe received and then gave the Sacrament to some principall men onely they devoutly kneeling neere the Table after which more praiers being said this Sceane and Enterlude ended Mr. Hope likewise deposed the same that Mr. Willingham did in all particulars touching the manner of the Archbishops consecrating Creed-Church at which consecration he was present and tooke speciall notice thereof Upon which evidence the Committee of the house of Commons observed and urged before the Lords First that it appeared by the praiers used by the Archbishop that he consecrated this Church rather for a Churchyard or a burying place then for an Oratory or place of praier and preaching using the same praiers in substance as are prescribed in the Roman Pontificall at the consecration of a Church-yard to inter dead bodies in Secondly that the consecration of Churches after this sort is a meere Popish and Superstitious Ceremony prescribed onely by Popes and Popish Councels Canonists for their owne gaines and luchre and not by any Protestant Canons Synodes Authors witnesse Gratian De Consecratione Distinct 1. and the Glosses on it Summa Hostiensis lib. 3. Tit. De Consecratione Ecclesiae et Altaris Angelus De Clavasio his Summa Angelica Tit. Consecratio Ecclesiae Summa Rosella Tit. Consecratio Iuo Carnotensis Decretalium pars 3. De Ecclesia C. 8. to 38. Bochellus Decreta Ecclesiae Gallicanae lib. 4. Tit. 1. Iohannis De Aton Constitutiones Ecclesiasticae Tit. 1. De Consecratione Ecclesiarum with divers other Popish Canonists Thirdly that the forme and manner of consecrating Churches was no where to be found but in the Roman Pontificall set out by the Popes authority wherein it is at large described P. 209. to 280. Cap. De Ecclesiae Dedicatione seu Consecratione and not extant in the Booke of Common-praier or of the Ordinition of Ministers or in any other Records or Rituals of our Church which abollished the Roman Pontificall and Ceremony of consecrating Churches by the Statutes of 2. 3. E. 6. C. 1. 3. 4. E. 6. C. 10. 1. Eliz. C. 1. 8. Eliz. C. 1. Fourthly That the very forme the Archbishop used in consecrating Creed-Church was taken from the Roman Pontificall published by command of Pope Clement the eight found in this study P. 214. 217. 219. where the Bishop comming to the doore of the Church he is to consecrate Percutit illud semel cum inferiori parte baculi pastoralis super luminare dicens intelligibili voce Attollite portas Principes vestras et apperiamini portae aeternales et introibit Rex gloriae c. The very words the Archbishop now used and then entring the Church pronouneeth it holy and blessed in the name of the Father Sonne holy ghost After which he useth many Praiers Psalmes bowings Ceremonies and Vnus ex Ministris spargit cinerem per pavimentum in modum crucis as this Archbishop did who followed the Roman Pontificall in all the particulars he there practised exceeding it in his blessings and cursings which are not so fully expressed in the Pontificall and in his reconsecration of this Church upon the repairing onely of the wals in which case the forecited Canonists all accord it is not to be reconsecrated but the wal onely to be exorcised and sprinkled with holy water Fiftly That our owne Protestant Bishops and writers condemne the consecration of Churches Chappels and Church-yards by Bishops to make them holier then other places as a meere Popish Iewish ridiculous and absurd practise The first they instanced in was reverend Dr. Pilkington a fugitive for Religion in Queene Maries and Bishop of Durham in he beginning of Queene Elizabeth reigne in his Exposition of Aggens c. 1. v. 7. 8. cap. 2. v. 2. 3. where he determines thus IT IS POPISH TO BELEEVE that which the Bishops doe teach That place to be more holy then the rest which they have
stone in A Chappell O Lord Mercifull and gracious these thy people are preparing to build a place for thy service Accept I humbly beseech thee their present devotion and make them perfect both in their present and future duty That while thou givest them case to honour thee they may with the greater Alacrity goe on in thy service And now O Lord I have by thy mercy and goodnesse put to my hand to lay the first stone in this building T is a Corner stone make it I beseech thee a happy foundation a durable building Let it rise up and be made and continue a house of praier and devotion through allages that thy people may be taught to beleeve in Jesus Ch. the true Corner stone upon whom they and their soules may be built safe for ever Grant this for the same Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour To whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be ascribed all power majesty and dominion this day and for ever Amen Now this Ceremony of consecrating and laying the first stone of a Chappell or Church by the Bishop is expresly taken out of the Roman Pontificall pars 2. cap. De Benedictione impositione primarij lapidis pro Ecclesia edificanda p. 199. c. Where all the solemnity of this consecration is at large prescribed and the substance of the Prayer the Bishop used upon this occasion thence derived This ceremony of consecrating and laying the first stone of a Church or Chappell is severely censured as ridiculous Popish Superstitions by Matthew Parker his predecessor Archbishop of Canterbury in his Antiquitates Ecclesia Britannicae p. 85. Quibus enim non dicam verbis sed portentis haec hujusmodi à Pontificiis adorantur Q. Primarius lapis caementum per Ecclesia aedificanda Lapis cum caemento Episcopi manibus primum aqua benedicta sparsus insculpto Gracis signo his sententiis in fundamento positus est lapidem quem reprobaverunt aedifieantes hic factus est in caput Anguli Devide tu es Petrus super hanc Petram c. postea precabantur ut qui ad perficiendam Ecclesiam auxilium dederunt corporis animae salutem consequantur c. Yet notwithstanding the Popish Prelate in contempt of his Predecessors Judgement needs must introduce this Popish Innovation not onely at Hammersmith but even at the Cathedrall of Pauls it selfe where he consecrated and laid the first stone at its reparation with many prayers and Ceremonies And not content herewith caused a second Edition of Sir Tho. Ridlyes View of the Civill and Ecclesiasticall Law to be re-printed at Oxford Anno 1634. Cum Privilegio with some Marginall Additions added to it by J. G. Master of Arts p. 51. 52 191 192 193. Wherein he justifies the consecrating of Churches Chappels and the foundation-stone thereof by the Bishop in these words The Bishop with Prayer is to lay the first stone of a Church or Monastary and lift up his hands to heaven and consecrate the place to God by prayer and there erect the symbole of our Salvation we mean the venerable and truely precious Rood That this Ceremony of laying the first stone hath been of ancient use in the Greeke Church may be observed out of their Euchologue where it is said That the Bishop after some other Rites performed standing in the place where the holy Altar shall be set saith a prayer which being ended he giveth the Ita missa est and then taking up one of the stones and having cut a crosse upon it himselfe with his own hands layeth it upon the ground-worke then he pronounceth the c. and so the workemen begin the building That which followeth in the Euchologue discovereth the forme and manner of setting up the Crucifix which the Law calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The like ceremonies are used in the Latine Church as this day as may be seen in their Pontificall page 281. of that which Clement the 8. set out at Rome in the yeare 1565. The crucifix must be sent to the place where the Church is to be erected and there the Bishop useth certaine prayers fumeth the ground with his Incense circular-wise crosseth the corner stone which he layeth for the foundation and when he maketh the consecration the crosse must he set up behinde the holy Altar there being prepared for it some lofty structure c. Which addition was patched to Doctor Ridley meerly to countenance and justifie the Arch-bishops consecrations of this kinde of which we shall produce some other Instances We read in his Diary under his own hand this Memoriall following May 26. 1632. Saturday Trinity Sunday Eve I consecrated the Lord Treasurers Chappell at Roe-hampton And in an Abstract of the Arch-bishops Metropoliticall Visitation Anno 1635. found in his studdy we finde his Visitor and Vicar Generall interdicted the Chappell of Buckston and of Down in Derbyshire though long used for want of consecration and in some Visitation Articles this inquiry made Whether any Chaplaines did Preach or administer the Sacrament in any Chappell not consecrated In the year 1636. there was a great contestation between the Arch-bishop and the University of Cambridge heard before his Majesty and his Privy Councell at Hampton Court whether the Archbishop meerly as Metropolitan or the King alone as King and founder of the University should have the Visitation thereof where it was ruled for the Arch-bishop against the King and University At which time the Arch-bishop declared that one principall cause why he desired to visit the University of Cambridge was because there were some Chappels belonging to Colledges where Divine Service had been used and the Sacrament administred divers years though they were never consecrated by any Bishop as namely Emanuel Colledge Chappell built in the year 1584. And Sidney Sussex Colledge Chappell built in the year 1598. And ever since used as Chappels without any Bishops consecration no Archbishop or Bishop of the Diocesse taking any exceptions at it yet now forsooth the Archbishop as Metropolitan must become Visitor to the University of Cambridge to consecrate these Chappels as if they were prophane before and the holy Ordinances used in them not sufficient to hallow them without his Popish Episcopall consecration-ceremonies Bishop Pilkington Walter Haddon Mr. Fox and others much jeer and deride the madnesse folly and superstition of Cardinall Poole and his Deputy Visitors of this very University of Cambridge for digging up Mr. Bucers and Paulus Fagius bones out of S. Maries Church in Cambridge 3. yeares after they were interred and interdicting and new consecrating the Church again as prophaned by them for fear their Masses and Divine Service there used should be nothing worth the place being made prophane and unholy by these heretickes funeralls as they judged them when as the Church was holy enough to say Masse in for three yeares space before and all that would not heare it must be imprisoned burned although
Peace in the County with the generall consent of the whole Bench and upon view of diverse ancient presidents in that kinde Whereupon Judge Richardson the next Sommer Assizes 1634. in his charge informed the Justices Grand-Jury and Country That hee at their Request together with his Brother Denham had made a very good Order for suppressing unruly Wakes and Revells wherein he thought he had done God the King and Country good service but some ill affected persons had misinformed His Majestie concerning this Order who had given him an expresse command to reverse it which he conceived was hardly in his power to do because it was no Order made by himselfe but by the joynt consent of the whole Bench and a meere confirmation and enlargment of diverse Orders made by the Iudges and Iustices in that Circuit in Queen Elizabeths King James and King Charles their Reignes before ever he came into those parts for which he produced these following Presidents The first was an Order made at a Sessions in Somersetshire in the 38. of Queene Elizabeth Orders made by the Iustices Assembled at Bridgwater Sessions the 10th of September Anno Reg Elizabetica 38. c. THat no Church Ale Clerkes Ale Bid Ale or tipling be suffered And that such only be suffered to tipple as be or shal be lawfully licensed according to the Order made in this Sessions SIGNED Iohn Popham Alexander Popham Iohn Court Henry Waldron Edward Hext George Sydenham Thomas Horner Iohn Colles Iohn May Iohn â—odney The second was this Order of Sessions made at the same place whereto he found the name of one Thomas Philips subscribed but he knew not who he was at which Sir Robert Philips his Sonne who sticled for these Wakes was much incensed as conceiving it a meere jeare against him At the Sessions at Bridgwater the 28th of September 1594. IT is is Ordered and agreed that no Church-Ale be admitted to be kept within any part of this shiere And that by the Justices of the Peace of the Lymits notice thereof bee given to the severall parishes within their Lymits and that such as shall offend in keeping any such be duely punished Iohn Popham Lord â—hiefe Iustice George Sidnam Knight Henry Barkley Knight George Speak Henry Waldron Alexander Colles Iohn Frances Alexander Popham Iohn Lancaster Edward Hext Thomas Phillips The third was an Order of Sessions made in the County of Devon Anno 1599. This Order was agreed on by all the Queenes Majesties Iustices of the Peace at the Chapter House Assembled the 10th day of January 1599. Anno 41. Elizabethae ANd for as much as it appeareth that many enormities that with modestie cannot be expressed heretofore have hapned by Church Ales and Revells in this County of Devon It is therefore Ordered that Church-Ales and Revells shall bee hence forth utterly suppressed And if contrary wise in contempt of this Order preparation be made for any to be kept any Justices of this County forthwith send for such as make preparation to admonish them to make stay thereof and upon their refusall in that behalfe or proceeding therein to bind them that make such preparation to the good behaviour and to appeare at the next Sessions of the Peace to bee holden within this County of Devon then and there to endure such punishment as either by the Lawes of the Realme or Order of this Court shall bee inflicted upon them for their contempt and disobeying this Order The fourth was this following Order made at the Assizes in Devonshire Anno 1615. From the Assizes held at the Castle of Exeter Iuly 24. 1615. Anno 13. Jacobi c. Sir Laurence Tanneld and Serjeant Mountague Justices of Assize c. THe severall Manslaughters committed at two Church-ales within this County since the begining of this present Moneth of Iuly and further advertisements given now unto the Court of the continuall prophanation of Gods Sabbath at these and other such like unlawfull meetings ministers unto this Court just occasion to recite an Order formerly set downe by the Reverend Judges of Assize at the Assizes holden for this County the 19th day of Iuly in the yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraign Lord King James by the Grace of God of England France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. the 11th and of Scotland the 46th that Order being as followeth viz. It is Ordered by the Court in regard of the infinite number of inconveniencies daily arising by meanes of Revells Church-Ales and Bull-baitings that all such Revells Church-ales and Bull-baitings be from henceforth utterly suppressed and if hereafter it shall be made known unto the Justices of the Peace of this County of any such to be set up or hereafter used that then the Justices of the Peace within their severall Divisions take course as well for the speedy apprehending and punishment of idle and lewde people drawne together to such places as for the binding over of the Persons using tipling and for the inflicting of further punishment upon all offenders in such places as in their discretion shall be thought fit And to the end that this Order may be the better observed It is Ordered that this bee speedily published in every Parish Church within this County The fift was an Order made in the same County Anno 1627. An Order made by Sir Iohn Walter Knight Chiefe Baron of his Majesties Exchequer and Sir Iohn Denham Knight Justices of Assize for c. at the Castle of Exon the XXIII of July 1627. WHereas diverse Orders have bin heretofore made by the Judges of Assize for the suppression of all Ales and Revels those same Orders are now confirmed at this Assize and again Ordered by the Court in regard of the infinite number of inconveniencies daily arising by means of Revels Church-Ales Clerks-Ales and publike Ales that they be from henceforth utterly suppressed And if hereafter it shall be made knowne to the Justices of Peace of this County of any such to be kept or hereafter used that then the Justices of the Peace within their severall divisions take course as well for the speedy apprehending and punishment of idle vagrant people drawne together to such places as for the binding over of the persons using such tipling and for inflicting of such punishment upon all Offendors in such places as the Law doth inflict And to the end that this Order may be the better observed it is further Ordered that the Clerke of Assize shall leave a Copy hereof with the Clerk of the Peace and the under Sherriffe and from them or one of them every Constable shall take a Copy for his severall hundred and liberty and shall particularly deliver a Copy to the Minister of every Parish within his severall hundred and libertie and shall take a note of every Minister under his hand of the day upon which hee received it from him and that every Minister which so receiveth it shall publish it yearely in his Parish
Church the first Sunday in February And it is likewise further Ordered that every Constable shall at every Lent Assize present to the Judges of this Circuit a note of the receipt of the said Order under the hands of the said Ministers And for the further avoyding of the concourse of idle people it is further Ordered that such persons as usually carry up and downe Bulls and Beares to baite being Rogues by Statute shal be punished as Rogues for the further prevention of such inconveniences as usually happen upon such meetings Per me Symon Spatchurst Clericum Asiisor The 6. an Order made by Baron Denham at the Assizes in Somersetshire Anno 1627. upon a Petition of divers Ministers To the Honourable Sir John Denham Knight one of the Barons of His Majesties Exchequor and Iustice of Assize for the County of SOMERSET The humble Petition of the Ministers whose names are subscribed Sheweth THat whereas at the last Summer Assizes held for the County of Dorset there was an Order made for the suppressing of all Revells Church-Ales and other publike Ales amongst other things as by the Copie of the said Order hereunto annexed appeareth Your Petitioners therefore humbly desire that Your Lordship would be pleased to grant the like Order at this Assizes for the suppressing of the like Ales and disorders in this County of Somerset So they shall alwayes pray for Your Lordships long health and prosperity Adam Abraham Iohn Ford. William â—yllet Iohn Fathers Ralph Turner George Drake 15. Marcii 1627. Let the Clerke of the Assizes draw up the like 〈◊〉 for his County Iohn Denham Which former Order being warranted by so many Presidents Iudge Richardson said hee conceived hee had no power absolutely to reverse but being commanded to do it by His Majestie he did as much as in him lay revoke it but yet doubted not that if the Iustices of Peace would truly informe His Majesty of the grounds of the former Order and of the great disorders occasioned by Wakes and Church-ales His Majesty would give Order to revive it but how ever he must make this Order for the present which he caused he Clerk of Assizes to enter VVHereas divers Orders have been heretofore made by the Judges of Assize for the suppressing of Church-ales Clerks-ales Wakes Revells and such like within this County of Somerset which were formerly made by the Judges by reason of many disorders and misdemeanours arising upon the meeting of multitudes of people out of other Parishes It is now Ordered by his Lordship that all former Orders heretofore made by any Judges or Iustices for the suppressing of Church-ales Clerks-ales Wakes and Revells be revoked as much as in him lyeth and made utterly voyde And that it may be lawfull for all persons freely to use any lawfull Recreation or Exercise at such meetings but with this advice that they be carefull that no outrages or misdemeanours commonly arising at such Church-ales Clerk-ales Wakes and Revells be done or committed Hereupon all the Justices of Peace then present immediately after they had dined drew up this Petition to His Majesty which they Signed with all their hands and then sent it up to London by Iohn Harrington Esquier then Custos Rotulorum in that County with order to deliver it to the Right Honourable Earle of Pembrook Lord Lievtenant of the County to present it to His Majesty Who repairing to London accordingly shewed the Petition to Master Prynne and the Earle being then in the Country whence he would not returne in twelve dayes space he advised with him what course to take for presenting the Petition to His Majesty in the mean time lest the Archbishop hearing of it should prevent the same The Archbishop having notice of this Petition from Sir Robert Philips and Bishop Pierce to prevent the delivery and expected good effect thereof presently caused the Declaration for Sports published by King Iames with some additions of his owne at the end concerning Wakes and Feasts of Dedication relating the Order of Judg Richardson for suppressing them to be reprinted and published in His Majesties Name before the Petition delivered the Copy whereof is here subjoyned To the KINGS most Excellent Majestie The most humble Petition of the Iustices of the Peace of the County of Somerset MOst humbly Shewing That whereas heretofore there have bin from time to â—e severall good Orders made by the Iustices of Assize and Iustices of the Peace for the County of Somerset for the restraining and suppressing of certaine disordered Assemblies in that County called Church-ales Clerkes-ales Bid-ales Wakes and Revells by reason of many disorders inseperably accompanying the same wherby the said Assemblies have for the most part for a long time beene forborne and not used to the great good and quiet of the said County Now so it is may please Your Majesty that by occasion of a Declaration published the last Assizes by the Lord Chiefe Iustice of the Kings-Bench for restoring of Wakes and Revells and Revering of all Orders made against them and by reason of a rumour thereof spread in the Countrey since the last Lent Assizes not onely all the disorders aforesaid of Prophanation of the Lords Day riotous tipling contempt of Authoritie Quarrells Murthers c. frequently over-flowing the said Assemblies have increased this Summer but even the other disorderly Assembliss of Church-Ales Bid-Ales Clerkes-Ales condemned by the Lawes have againe beene set up to the great prejudice of the Peace plenty and good Government of the County May it therefore please Your most Excellent Majestie to grant us some more particular Declaration herein That Your Majesties Command concerning Revells may not be thought to extend farther then to the upholding of Civill Feasting betweene Neighbour and Neighbour in their Houses and the orderly and seasonable use of manly Exercises and Activities which we all shall be most ready to maintaine And that we may have Your Majesties Favour and Allowance to suppresse all the forementioned unlawfull Assemblies of Church-Ales Clerks-Ales and Bid-Ales and to punish all the forementioned disorders as heretofore we have done Wherein Your Petitioners have no other end than to do Your Majestie faithfull service and to preserve the good Government of the County John Lord Pawlet William Portman John Stowell Ralph Hopton John Symmes William Frauncis John Harrington Robert Cuffe Richard Cole Edward Powlet William Every Anthony Stocker William Capell George Powlett Francis Popham Edward Rodeney Francis Dodington John Horner William Bassit John Windham Robert Hopton George Speke Thomas Lutterell William Walrond Gerrad Wood. The delivery and good effect of this Petition was prevented by the publishing of this Declaration by this Archbishops meanes who to justify himselfe herein ex post facto procured this ensuing Warrant without any Date at all written with his own hand and found in his Study by Mr. Prynne together with the Printed Declaration for Sports endorsed with his owne pen to be Signed by His Majesty to justifie
and Metropolitan of all England concerning Orders to be observed by all the Bishops of that Province To the severall Articles of which Jnstructions I Matthew Lord Bishop of Norwich thus humbly make Answer and in Order VVe finde this observable Answer given To the 12. Article That upon enquiry at my Visitation whether the Kings Majesties Declaration for lawfull sports had beene published I found it had not beene done in very many places of the Diocesse having therefore about 60. Bookes at hand I caused them to bee proposed to such persons as I had most doubt of but many of them refused to publish the same and were suspended for their refusall yet divers of them presently promised conformity and so were absolved So that now in the whole Diocesse consisting of about 1500. Clergie men there are not passing twice 15. Excommunicated or suspended whereof some so stand for contumacie in not appearing at the Visitation and Synod and still refuse to submit some for obstinate denying to publish the Kings Declaration By the Title and answer of which it is most evident That the Archbish sent severall Articles of Instructions in his Majesties name though made by himselfe to all the Bishops of his Province who were to return an Annuall account of them unto him in writing whereof this was one That they should inquire whether the Declaration for sports had beene published in every parish Church by the Minister and directed them to excommunicate or suspend all such who refused to read it Which how barbarously and unchristianly it was executed in most places needs no further evidence then that already produced and what all men know Now wee appeale to all Ecclesiasticall Histories from Christs Nativity till this instant whether there was ever such a monstrous impiety or persecution as this heard of in the Christian world that Archbishops and Bishops who professe themselves the very Fathers of the Church and Pillars of Religion should thus impiously First of all abuse a Christian Prince so farre as to publish a Declaration for the free use and encouragement of such sports and Pastimes on the Lords-Day as are some of them unlawfull on any day and constantly prohibited condemned by Fathers Councells Imperiall Lawes Edicts of most Christian Emperors Kings Princes States and the whole torrent of Christian Writers as altogether unsufferable on the Lords Day Secondly to injoyne Bookes expresly tending to the prophanation of the Lords day by sports and pastimes to be publikely read in Churches by the Ministers to their Congregations on this very day to encourage authorize them though over-prone thereto without any such instigation to prophane it 3. To suspend sequester excommunicate censure persecute deprive even hundreds of Godly Ministers as capitall Offenders for refusing meerely out of Conscience towards God and love to their owne and peoples soules to contribute their voyces or personal assistances to such a publication and against all Law Justice Piety to silence Ministers three or foure yeares together from preaching Gods Word to their people for the salvation of their soules according to their duties because they durst not publish this Declaration for Lords-Day sports unto them to further the damnation of their soules both against their duties and consciences Such a Monster of most desperate unparalled impiety profanenesse persecution as this was never borne in the Christian world till this Ghostly Father Archbishop Laud begot and nourished it in our Church for which how well hee demerited the Popes Titles of YOUR HOLINES and MOST HOLY FATHER let the Vniversity of Oxford and Mr. Croxton seriously consider who bestowed them on him severall times Doubtlesse his more then Popish superstition in Consecrating Churches Church-Yards Chappell 's and prohibiting all prophannations of them by Enterludes Dancing Musters Leets teaching of Schollers and the like might have lessoned him to have beene as zealous against prophaning Sacred dayes as places with unholie Pastimes or secular Negotiations But because the Lords-Day Sabbath was not hallowed by Bishops themselves as Churches Chappell 's or Church-Yards were according to the Modell of the Roman Pontificall but by Christ and his Apostles who never authorized Bishops or any else to Consecrate Churches or other places in this sort they presume to authorize men thus openly to prophane the one without check or punishment but not the other under the severest Anathema Maranatha Enough eternally to stigmatize this Arch-Prelate with the blackest brand of Arrogancy and Impiety who made but a meere sport of prophaning Gods owne day with sports and silencing Godly Ministers for not being so prophane in this kinde as himselfe was who used to play at bowles on this very day a pretty Archipiscopall Sabbath Recreation or so prophane as he would have them to be against the dictate of their owne Consciences We have given you in a very full and copious evidence of the Archbishops endeavours practises to subvert our established Protestant Religion and usher in Popery among us by introducing severall Popish Innovations superstitious Ceremonies Idolatrous impieties practises and prophanations into our Church being all meere matters of fact notoriously visible to the world and eyes of all men We shal now proceed in the second place to discover his atempts and manifest his proceedings in this kinde by bringing in Popish Tenents and doctrines by degrees wherein we shall so fully uncase this Romish Fox as notwithstanding all his shifts and subterfuges to evidence him the most Pestilent Jesuiticall underminer subverter of the established doctrines of the Church of England the Archest advancer of the Erroneous Positions of the Church of Rome that ever breathed in our English Ayre And here we meet not onely with a Narrow Episcopall See but vast boundlesse Ocean of evidence to saile in That there hath bin for many yeares last past a secret plotted Conspiracy and serious endeavour between sundry pretended members of the Church of England and reall Sonnes of the Church of Rome to extirpate the Protestant Religion and instead therof to set up Popish superstition and Idolatry hath beene already abundantly manifested to the World in A necessary Introduction to the History of the Archbishop of Canterbury his Tryall by sundry forraigne and domestick evidences how farre this Archbishop was an Arch-agent in promoting this conspiracie in point of Doctrinall Popery and by what Jesuiticall Policies and degrees he proceeded in it comes now in Order to bee proved wherein wee shall steare the course of our evidence according to the compasse and method of his proceedings It is the common Policy of all wise experienced Commanders when they intend to undermine any strong well-fortified defensible Fortresse not desperately to begin their Mines at the very foundation of the Workes at first for feare of discovery danger prevention but at a competent distance and then to make their approaches by insensible degrees till at last they have undermined or blowne up the very Walls and Workes themselves The selfe-same Policy was used by
1. That he had disturbed the Peace of the Church by publishing Doctrine contrary to the Articles of the Church of England and the Booke of Homilies 2. That there are divers Passages in his Booke especially against those hee termeth Puritans apt to move sedition betwixt the King and his Subjects and between Subject and Subject 3. That the whole frame and scope of his Booke is to discourage the wellaffected in Religion from the true Religion Established in the Church and to incline them and as much as in him lay TO RECONCILE THEM TO POPERY This Report was no sooner made but this Bishop Mountagues great Patron who engaged him in this Popish service had a Coppy thereof and of all other proceedings therein delivered to him which he endorsed with his owne hand but the Parliament being soone after disolved Mountague instead of a severe censure for the Arminian Popish Assertions in his book was punished with the Bishoprick of Chichester to which he was advanced by this Prelates meanes to affront the Parliament and his Predecessor Bishop Carleton who answered Mountagues Booke in print during the Parl. which book was then likewise answered by Francis Rouse Esquier in a Booke called King James his Religion No sooner was the Parliament ended but both these Bookes were suppressed by this Bishops meanes though recommended to the Presse by the House of Commons order and Mountagues offensive Booke publikly sold without restraint Michaell Sparke the Elder deposed that Bishop Carlton sent for him sitting the Parliament and desired him to print his Book against Mountague and to encourage him the more granted him a protection under his owne hand whereupon he printed it After which Doctor Goad Archbishop Abbots Chapline Doctor Ward and Dr. Belcankwell licenced it for the Presse with a special recommendation whereupon he reprinted it yet notwithstanding immediatly after the Parliament ended by Bishop Lauds meanes this Licensed booke was called in seised on and burned in private and he questioned in the High Commission for printing it After which this Book of Mountagues and his Arminian Popish Tenents were severally answered by Dr. Featley and Doctor Goad Chaplines to Archbishop Abbot in their Paralells by Mr. Henry Burton in his Plea by M. Ward Mr. Yates and Master Wotton in severall Tracts by Master Prynne in his Perpetuity and by Doctor Sutclife But these Bookes of theirs though licenced by Archbishop Abbots Chaplines were called in and suppressed by this Bishops meere Arbitrary Power the Authors Printers sellers of most of them brought into the High Commission as Mr. Prynne Mr. Burton Mr. Sparkes Mr. Jones Mr. Bowler Mr. Bourn with others as was attested by the three first of them upon Oath and manifested by the Articles in the High Commission yet these their authorised orthodox bookes were all seized on and some of them burnt in private and Dr. Sutcliffes Booke against Mountague suppressed in the Presse when foure sheets thereof were printed which printed sheets Mr. Prynne found in this Archbishops Study with this endorsment under his own hand read at the Lords Barre The beginning of Dr. Sutcliffes Censure upon Mr. Mountagues Appeale It was prohibited in the Presse Here upon the Arminian party both in Court our Vniversities and else where grew very great bold insolent their opinions spread themselves like a dangerous Leprosie over the whole body of our Church to the grand exultation advantage of the Iesuits who first planted this soveraigne drugge of Arminianisme among us to reduce us backe to Rome as appeares by these Passages in a Jesuites letter sent to the Rector at Bruxels a little before the Parliament which begun at Westminster the 17. of Mar. 1627. The Copy of which Letter endorsed with the Archbishops own hand was seized on in his Study at Lambheth and attested before the Lords by M. Prynne Father Rector c. We have now many strings to our Bow and have strongly fortified our faction and have added two Bulworkes more For when King Iames lived we know he was very violent against Arminianisme and interrupted with his Pestilent wit deep learning our strong designes in Holland c. NOW WE HAVE PLANTED THE SOVERAIGNE DRVGGE ARMINIANISME which we hope will purge the Protestants from their Heresy and it flourisheth and beares fruit in due season c. For the better prevention of the Puritans the Arminians have already locked vp the Dukes eares and we have those of our Religion which stand continually at the Dukes Chamber to see who goes in and out We cannot be too circumspect and carefull in this regard I cannot chuse but laugh to see how some of our own rank have encountred themselves you would scarce know them if you saw them and t is admirable how in speech and gesture they Act the Puritans The Cambridge Schollers to their wofull experience shall see we can act the Puritan a little better then they have don the Iesuits I am at this time transported with joy to see how happily all instruments and meanes as well great a lesser co-operate unto our purposes But to returne unto the maine Fabricke OVR FOVNDATION IS ARMINIANISME The Arminians affect mutation this we second and enforce by probable arguments c. From which Letter was observed 1. That the Jesuites were the Originall planters of Arminianisme among us 2. That they reputed it the foundation of their Romish Fabricke intended to bee here erected among Vs the chiefe instrument to effect their Jesuiticall purpose and to purge out the Protestant Religion 3. That the Arminians were but the Jesuites Agents to promote their ends that both of them were very intimate with the Duke of Buckingham at whose lodgings they usually mette 4. That this Archbishop knew all this he receiving the Copy of this Letter upon the 27. of Mar. 1628. as appeares by his own endorsment of it yet notwithstanding hee promoted Arminians and propagated Arminianisme all he could but in a most cunning Jesuiticall way for perceiving the whole Parliament generally bent against Arminianisme and Mountagues Booke hereupon this Jesuiticall Prelate abusing both the Parliament and His Majesty to set up Arminianisme more securely projected a new way of advancing it under a specious pretence of silencing both sides by which policy hee inhibited all writing preaching and disputes against it and quelled the opposite Anti-Arminian party To which end he procured His Majestie by a printed Declaration prefixed to the 39. Articles compiled by himselfe and other Bishops of which the most part were Arminians pretended principally to suppresse Arminianisme but intended really for advancing it to prohibit all unnecessarie disputations altercations or questions to be raised which might nourish faction both in Church and Common-wealth That in these both curious and unhappy differences which had for so many hundred yeares in different times and places exercised the Church of Christ all further curious search should bee layd aside and these disputes shut up in Gods
1624. His Appello Caesarem London 1625. His Originum Ecclesiasticarum Pars prior Londini 1636. and Pars Posterior Londini 1640. His Anti-Diatribae Londini 1625 and Visitation Articles Printed at Cambridge and London 1638. Master Iohn Cosens his Houres of Prayer London 1627. Edmund Reeves Communion Catechisme expounded London 1635. Henry Cholmly His State of the Now Roman Church London 1629. Master Butterfield His Maschil London 1629. Doctor Iohn Pocklington his Sunday No Sabbath licensed by Doctor Bray the Arch-Bishops Chaplaine 24. Febru 1635. and his Altare Christianum licensed by the same Doctor Bray 7. March 1636. both printed at London Ann 1636. and 1637. Doctor Peter Heylyns History of Saint George London 1630. His Coale from the Altar London 1636. His Antidotum Lincolniense with His Moderate Reply to Henry Burton London 1637. and History of the Sabbath London 1636. Francis Sales A Popish Prelate his Introduction to a devout life licensed by the Archbishops Chaplaine Doctor Haywood 3. Febr. 1636. An Epistle or Exhortatory Letter from Jesus Christ for every faithfull Soule devoutly affected written by a Friar and licensed by Doctor Weekes both his and the Bishop of Londons Chaplain 3. Febr. 1636. The Female Glory by Anthony Stafford London 1635. Master Yates his Tract of the Honour of Gods House London 1637. Sparrowes Sermon of Confession London 1637. The Churches Authority asserted by Samuell Hoard Lond. 1637. Mortification Apostolicall by William Watts London 1637. Doctor Thomas Laurence his Sermon preached before the King at White-Hall London 1637. Iohn Elborow his Evodias and Syntyche London 1637. Robert Shelford his five Treatises Cantabrigiae 1635. Richard Tedder his Sermon preached at Wimondham Anno 1637. Collectiones Theologicae by Chunaus London 1634. Christopher Dow against Master Henry Burton London 1637. Iohn Browning concerning publike Prayer and the Fasts of the Church London 1636. Sir Thomas Ridleys his Review of the Civill Law Oxford 1634. Iohn Swan his Redde debitum London 1640. Bishop Halls Reconciler his Episcopy by Divine Right with infinite other Books Sermons and Treatises of this kinde which we pretermit Before wee proceed any further in this subject we must acquaint Your Lordships with one memorable Passage concerning the Licencing and printing of Francis Sales his Introduction to a devout life and Christs Epistle to a devout Soule The first of these Bookes being written by a Popish Prelate having many Doctrinall and Practicall points of Popery interlarded with good meditations and Devotions comprised in it was translated into English by J. Y. a Priest and Jesuite dedicated by him to Mistres Anne Roper a Popish Recusant and twice printed by Papists in forraigne parts in the yeares 1617. and 1622. with all the Popery in it about which time it was likewise translated into English by a Protestant who lest out all the Popery and superstition couched therein reteining only what was Orthodox and Pious which was licenced for the Presse and printed by Nicholas Oakes On the 3. of February 1636. Doctor Hayward the Archbishops Chaplain at the instigation of some Popish persons licensed the very Popish Translation of this Booke by I Y the Iesuite for the Presse most likely by the Archbishops approbation who had one of these Bookes formerly printed in his Study produced by Master Prynne endorsed with his owne hand which was forthwith entered in Stationers Hall for one W. Brookes a Popish Stationer and presently sent to the Presse to be printed One part of it comming to Nicholas Oakes his House to be printed he perceiving divers dangerous Popish Passages in it and among others one touching the Popes supremacy repaired to Doctor Hayward who licensed it and acquainted him therewith desiring him to purg out these Popish Passages else he durst not proceed to print it Whereupon the Doctor checking him for making such a scruple bid him go on and say nothing and he would beare him out and save him harmlesse from any danger that might befall him for printing it adding that he himself would preach as much as that he complained off before the King and therefore he needed not feare to proceed Whereupon Oakes went on and the Book with the Epistle Dedicatory to Mrs. Anne Roper a Papist was printed published about Easter 1637. neare the time the Archbishop caused an Information to be Exhibited in Star-chamber by Sir John Banks his Majesties Atturney Generall against D. Bastwick Mr. Burton and Mr. Prynne one of the Copies whereof comming to Mr. Pryns hands he finding it full of Popery superstition and the very same with the old English Popish Edition and being informed by Oakes others of Dr. Haywards words to Oakes when he complained to him of it he inserted the Licensing and printing of this Popish Booke among others into his Crosse Bill in Starre Chamber against the Archbishop his Chaplaines and others his Popish Confederates which Bill he tendring to the Lord KEEPER Coventry to admit the Archbishop getting possession of it upon view thereof and some complaints at Court against this Popish Booke by the Right honourable Earle of Pembrook and other well-affected Courteours thereupon to colour his owne and his Chaplaines practicall knavery in Licensing and promoting this Booke by laying all the blame and punishment upon others and the poor Printer Ooaks who complained against it and would have stopped it at the Presse to give som shew of satisfaction to the people much offended at the printing of this Popish Booke especially in that nick of time when he had brought Dr. Bastwick Mr. Burton Mr. Pryn into the Star-chamber for charging him with introducing Popish Doctrines and Innovations into our Church caused his Majesty to publish this following Proclamation for calling in and burning the said book wherein he falsly suggested to his Majesty and his Subjects that his Chaplaine purged out diverse Passages therein tending to Popery which the Stationer and Translater afterwards inserted againe when as there was no such thing but his Chaplaine licensed all of them at first and would not purge them out at last when Oakes complained of them The Proclamation was this By the King A Proclamation for calling in a Booke entituled An Introduction to a Devout life and that the same be publikely burnt VVHereas a Booke entituled AN INTRODVCTION TO A DEVOVT LIFE was lately printed by Nicholas Oakes of London and many of them published and dispersed throughout the Realme the Copy of which Booke being brought to the Chaplaine of the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury for Licence and allowance was by him upon diligens perusall in sundry places expunged and purged of divers passages therein tending to Popery Neverthelesse the same Book after it was so amended and allowed to be printed was corrupted and falsified by the Translater and Stationer who betweene them inserted againe the same Popish and unsound passages And the Stationer is now apprehended and the Translator sought for to be proceeded against according to Justice His Majesty out of His pious and
at the Communion and in the Visitation of the sicke and in the second part in the Homily of Repentance As therefore in generall I doe acknowledge in the words of the aforesaid Homily that it is most evident and plaine that this Auricular Confession hath not his warrant of Gods Word that therefore being not led with the conscience thereof if we with feare and trembling and with a tru contrite heart use that kind of confession which God doth command in his word namely an unfeighned confession unto Almighty God himselfe then doubtlesse as he is faithfull and true hee will forgive us our sinnes and make us cleane from all our wickednesse so in the case of a troubled or doubtfull conscience I do conforme my opinion unto the direction of our Church which in her Liturgie doth exhort and require those whose Consciences are troubled with any weighty matter to a speciall confession so that they who cannot quiet their owne Consciences are to repaire to their owne or some other discreet and learned Minister of Gods word to open to them their griefe that so they may receive such ghostly Counsell advise and comsort as their consciences may be relieved and by the ministery of Gods word they may receive comfort and the benefit of absolution to the quieting of their Conscience and the avoyding of all scruple and doubtfullnesse But it is against true Christian liberty that any man should be bound to the numbring of his Sinnes as it hath beene used heretofore in times of Ignorance and blindnesse This I do acknowledge to be the Doctrine of the Church of England concerning Confession and to it I do ex animo subscribe and am heartily sory for what ever I have de-livered to the contrary Mr. Adams being backedby the Popish Heads refused to make this Recantation though just and faire professing he was not conscious to himselfe of any thing he had said in his Sermon contrary to the Doctrine of the Church of England Whereupon at a full meeting of the Doctors it was put to the Vote Whether this Recantation should be enjoyned him or no Dr. Ward Dr. Bambridge Dr. Bacheroft Dr. Love Dr. Holdsworth and the Vicechancellor voted he should make this Recantation but Dr. Collins Dr. Smith Dr. Cumber Dr. Cosin Dr. Lany Dr. Martin Dr. Sterne and Dr. EDEN Voted that hee should not make it justifying even the use and necessity of Confession to a Priest necessitate medij to obtaine absolution and affirming that they would not Vote Master Adams had delivered any thing contrary to the Doctrine of the Church of England in this point of Confession and thereupon acquitted him But the Vice-chancellor adjourning the businesse till another day when 12. Doctors only were present and Dr. Smith Dr. Cumber Dr. Martin and Dr. Eden who formerly acquited him absent by the helpe of Dr. Paske his voyce with much opposition voted that Mr. Adams should make the forementioned Recantation to which hee and those who Voted with him subscribed their hands Dr. Cosin Dr. Lany Dr. Beale Dr. Sterne and one more subscribed likewise their dissents thereunto When this was done all was done and Mr. Adams without making any submission or Recantation at all was dismissed and so encouraged that he resolved to maintain this his opinion in his Act questions The whole proceedings in this businesse together with the Copy of Mr. Adams his Sermon and the Recantation forementioned were sent up to London by Dr. Cosin and found by Mr. Prynne in the Archbishops Study endorsed with his owne hand thus Received Mach 16. 1637. Doctor Cosins his Letter about the proceedings of Brownrig Vicechancellor of Cambridge against Mr. Adams for his Sermon about Confession Ianuary 25. 1637. c. Who instead of censuring concurred with Dr. Cosins and the other Popish Doctors in protecting and justifying Mr. Adams in his grosse Popish Doctrines of Auricular Confession and Absolution which he endeavoured with all his might to introduce And no wonder for in his owne Diary he writ this memoriall with his owne hand June 15. 1622 I became CONFESSOR to the Lord of Buckingham and Iune 16. being Trinity Sunday he received the Sacrament at Greenwitch And all Courtiers know that hee was since for many yeares not only a privy Councellor but Confessor to his Majesty at least Commonly so reputed which made him so earnest to bring all others under the yoak of Confession since he had brought these Grandees under it Yea so farre had this Popish Tenet of the necessity of Confession and absolution by Priests prevailed among us by these authorized Bookes and Sermons generally preached for them that Bishop Mountague in his Printed Visitation Articles for the Diocesse of Norwich Anno 1638. made it a crime presentable in Ministers not to presse the Doctrine and practise of it upon the people at least-wise in the holy time of Lent as appeares by this memorable Article of his Tit. 7. Artic. 4. Doth the Minister especially exhort the Parishoners TO MAKE CONFESSJON OF THEIR SINNES TO HIMSELFE or some other learned grave and discreet Minister ESPECIALLY IN LENT against the holy time of Easter that they may receive comfort and ABSOLVTION so to become worthy receivers of such holy misteries How farre the Archbishops Agents and Emissaries urged exercised Popish Auricular Confession not only in England but Jreland too we shall instance but in one memorable example The Archbishop in his Paper of Remembrances to the Lord Deputie of Ireland when he first went over thither a Copy whereof Master Prynne met with in his Study made this speciall request to him in behalfe of one Mr. Croxton a young Minister and Creature of his I heartily pray your Lordship to take notice of one Mr. Croxton whom J send over with your letters to my Lord Mount Norris I hope he will prove so honest and so able a man as may do good service in those parts if God blesse him with life And I doubt not but as it shall fall in your way Your Lordship will bestow some preferment upon him for his maintenance for which I shall thanke you This Croxton arriving in Ireland the Lord Deputy upon this recommendation of the Archbishop received him with all due respect and promoted him to severall Ecclesiasticall preferments there as appeares by his Letters of thankes to the Archbishop wherein he gives him the Popes Titles Holinesse and most holy Father as if he were a Pope This Croxton being thus advanced to promote the Archbishops designes at Easter in the Yeare 1638. caused all his Parishioners to come up to the High-Altar at Goran where hee was Incumbent and there Sacramentally to make their Confessions to him which the Protestants in those parts deemed a most strang and scandalous act declaming much against it Yet this audacious Popel in knowing how acceptable this Popish Innovation was to the Archbishop the more to ingratiate himselfe in his favour in a vaunting manner certified His Grace by a
speciall Letter of all his proceedings herein wherein he thanks God for enabling him in some good measure to effect that there which other able men had only sufficiently spoken of but not accomplished elsewhere likewise boasts of his solitary opposition of the Archbishop of Armagh and the whole Convocation at Dublin in the points of Election and Gods Decree when the Articles of Ireland were in a violent manner suppressed and called in by his Graces procurement making the signe of the Crosse in the frontispeece of his Letter as the Popish Priests and Jesuites use to doe in all their Letters one to another Which Letter sound in this Arch-bishops Study at Lambeth and attested by Master Prynne was openly read at the Lords Barre in forme ensuing My LORD IN humblest manner I begge your gratious acceptance of this just as necessary duty whillst I make an unquestionable relation of that which so nearely concernes my selfe To provide the best J could for the more worthy receiving of the holy Communion this last Easter J have I thanke God for it beene able in some measure to do that here which able men have sufficiently spoken of else-where I have Sacramentally heard the Confessions of the people Committed to my Charge in Goran a certaine through-fare towne in the County of Kilkenye in the Chancell they kneeling before the Altar This is every where now counted a most strange Act without all warrant sayes bold ignorance there is no president for it saies the Divill Envie and double blinded malice t is as voyd of Law as full of singularity So unbidden so unled did I once protest against that horrible decree obtruded as it was received from Calvine by the Archbishop of Armagh and the whole body of this Kingdomes Clergy then Assembled in the Convocation at Dubline that I stood then alone that no man then stood by me when I made that Protestation I appeale to the not yet forgotten so eloquent so godly so very leaud railing cursing Censure upon that occasion publikely delivered by one that was then called Chancelllor Sing since Deane of Drummore the Lord Bishop of Derrie and Master of the Rolls were not many houres ignorant of the very words by the then Chancellor and now Deane then and there uttered The luckie opportunity of a trustie Messenger a servant to the Earle of Ormond and Chirurgian to his Troop by name Michaell Oxenbridge with the just conscience of my dutie on this behalfe emboldens me thus humbly to pray for such acceptance in a Cause most acceptable as may yet make the person of the poore receiver more worthy to be accepted Goran Aprill 18. 1638. Your Graces most devoted Iames Croxton To the most Reverend Father in God William by the Divine providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Primate and Metropolitan of all England This Letter was thus endorsed with the Archbishops owne hand Received July 6. 1638. Mr. Croxton his receiving of Confession BY which it is most apparent that the introducing of Auricular Confession was a speciall designe of the Archbishops prosecuted by his Emissaries and Creatures in all places who gave him exact accounts of their proceedings herein the more to endeare themselves in his favour To what end these Doctrines and practises of Auricular Confession and Priests absolution were thus urged Master VVilliam Tyndall in his Practise of Popish Prelates and Obedience of a Christian man with other Protestant VVriters will informe us to wit to enslave the Laity to the Clergie to advance the Priest above the King the Myter above the Scepter the Ecclesiasticall Tribunall above the Secular to fish out all mens secrets to awe and keepe them under bondage and accomplish all their owne designes upon them with more facility as they doe in Popish Kingdomes where such Confessions and Absolutions are in use Having thus done with this Arch-Priests Master-Peece Confession and the power of Priests to remit sinnes confessed wee shall proceed to that which depends upon it and must have necessarily followed on it to the great oppression of the ignorant seduced people that is 2. The use of Popish Penances as wearing of haire-cloth and such like corporall punishments enjoyned by Priests for sinnes Confessed with intention to satisfie God thereby for the sinnes confessed lately pressed as lawfull profitable commendable THe use and lawfulnesse hereof never heard of nor maintained in our Church since Reformation till this Archbishops Domination is thus pressed justified commended in these ensuing authorized bookes Christs Epistls to a Devout soule pag. 252. Enjoyne thy selfe for thy Pennance to say some devout prayer or to doe some greater Pennance as thou and thy spirituall Director shall thinke fit Franeis Sales his Introduction to a Devout Life pag. 131. Recompence this losse at least by multiplying Jaculatory prayers and by reading some books of Devotion with some voluntary Pennance or other for committing this fault Pag. 209. The soveraigne balsome of Confession or pennance Pag. 428. Disciplying the body likewise hath a marvellous efficacy to stir up in us desire of devotion when it is moderately used Haire-Cloath tameth the flesh very much upon the principall dayes of pennance one may well use it with the advise of a discreet Confessor Dr. Pocklingtons Altare Christianum p. 42. writes thus The first Room is called the Church-Porch where penitents used to stand or rather to cast themselves downe and in humble manner to desire the faithfull to pray for them as they went into the Church after Delinquents had perfectly fulfilled their penance they were reconciled to the Sacraments and communicated This distinction of places in the Church is very ancient and observed even from the Apostles times Pag. 44. This man after penance done for this fault was admitted into the Church againe Pag. 52. Cap. 10. Of dayes of pennance and absolution Citizens pennance P. 54. None that had fallen into any notorious crime were admitted againe into the Church before they had done open penance in Sack-cloth and Ashes Cerdon was not received into the Church before he had performed his penance Exomologesin faciens Pag. 55. In what sort penitents performed their penance and made Confession the Act it selfe will discover This Exomologesis giveth law both to our food and rayment sacco cinere incubare and ordereth men to lye in Sack-Cloth and Ashes to humble your selves before the Priest and to fall downe upon the knees before Gods Altars to sue unto all Brethren for their prayers in their behalfe Haec omnia exomologesis penance worketh all this P. 56. Feeling nothing but rough Sack-Cloth galling the sides seeing nothing but head hands face cloaths covered over with ashes have nothing to be seene but a pale face thinne cheekes and a meagre looke and this continued two three sometimes foure yeares together before perfectionem suam reciperent P. 57. Hereupon the Bishops made an addition to the Ecclesiastcall Canon that in every Church a Penitentiary shold be appointed to admit
penitents into the Church after they had done publike penance A solemn day was set a part for taking of publike penance for open faults by imposition of hands and sprinkling of ashes namely Ashwednesday by the Canon of the Councell of Agatha in Gratian This is the godly Discipline whereof our Church speaketh in the Commination of putting notorious sinners to open penance in the beginning of Lent and wisheth that it might bee restored againe And as Ashwednesday was appointed for putting notorious sinners to open penance so was MAUNDAY Thursday set a part for their absolutions P. 59. The godly discipline constantly practised in Churches and at Altars and the sad and malencholly mention of Penance Fasting and Prayer with other Austerities which the pietie of the times have but just cause to thinke of P. 63. This was done 40. dayes before Easter namely on Ashwednesday in Sack-Cloth and Ashes And for 8. dayes together before Easter they were to doe penance to fast to refraine all manner of pleasures though never so lawfull to stand bare foot upon Sack-cloth and to watch on Good-Friday all night or at least till two a Clock in the morning Shelfords five Treatises Pag. 71. Then they confessed their sinnes to God and their Minister for spirituall comfort and Councell then they endeavoured to make the best temporall satisfaction they could by Almes Prayer and Fastings and other workes of humiliation The Scots New Service Booke in the Commination against sinners with certaine prayers to bee used diverse times in the yeare and especially on the first day of Lent commonly called Ashwednesday To which there is this addition in justification of Popish penance made with the Arch-Bishops owne hand Brethren in the Primitive Church there was a godly discipline used that at the beginning of Lent notorious sinners were put to open Pennance and did humbly submit themselves to undergoe punishment in this world that their soules might be saved in the day of the Lord. All which is thus closed up by Bishop Mountague who after a long discourse in Justification of Confession and Penance concludes thus out of Pope Leo. Originum Ecclesiasticarum Tomi Prioris pars posterior Londini 1640. Pag. 467. Sect. 33. Christus enim ut cum B. Leone loquar Ecclesia Prapositis potestatem dedit ut Confitentibus actionem paenitentiae darent cosdem SALUBRI SATISFACTIONE PVRGARENT sic ad communionem Sacramentorum per januam reconciliationis admitterent 3. That we ought necessarily to give blinde Obedience to the Ecclesiasticall commands and directions of our Priests Confessors and spirituall Superiors THis desperate Popish Assertion was published and justified in these Authorized printed passages worthy our speciall observation Christs Epistle to a Devout Soule pag. 112. 113. 114. 116. Respect not the man who by my Ordinance is thy superior whether he be learned or unlearned but have regard to this only that he is thy superior by whom I will govern thee and in whom thou oughtest to obey me Wherefore I would have thee subject thy selfe unto him without any servile feare or scruple of thy Conscience and dispraising thine owne wisdome and Councell submit thy selfe to be governd by his judgment and opinion whatsoever he shall determine or appoint thee Walke in the path of Obedience and doe nothing at all without the Counsell of thy Pastor or Ghostly Father or Superiour esteeming that alwayes best which thy Superior shall thinke fittest doe all things according to the councell of thy Superior and submit thy selfe wholly to his will and discretion And Page 192. my inspirations never disagree from the Obedience that thou must carry to thy superiors therefore if thou submittest thy selfe to them and reliest in no respect upon thy owne selfe thou art sure to walke in simplicity and purity of heart Francis Sales his Introduction to a Devout Life pag. 334. 335. Obedience Charitie and Povertie are three excellent justruments unto perfection There are two sorts of Obedience the one necessary the other voluntary by necessary obedience thou must obey thy Ecclesiasticall Superiors as the supreame head c. Which is thus seconded by Christopher Dow in his Booke against Master Burton pag. 136. 137. Secondly I say that being done by the same Authority that first set them forth it is neither for him nor me nor any other of inferiour rancke to question them but with humble Reverence to submit to their judgments and to think them wiser and farre more fit to order those things that belong to their places than wee whom neither it concernes nor indeed can know the reasons that move them either to doe or alter any thing c. With whom Doctor Heylyn in his Coale from the Altar p. 2. Thus complyes in judgment Should we all be so affected as to demurre on the commands of our Superior in matters of exteriour Order and Publike Government till wee are satisfied in the grounds and reasons of their commandements or should we fly off from our duty at sight of every new devise that is offered to us we should finde a speedy dissolution in Church and State Which Doctor Pocklington thus closeth in his Altare Christianum pag. 180. What flood-gates this man sets wide open to let in a whole deluge of confusions impiety and Sacriledge into the Church if the Contents of his Letter in this particular might obtaine viz. That the Constitutions Orders Decrees appointed by Cannon or renewed by TRADITION of holy Church be not of absolute authority and require full obedience but are to be scanned and disputed 4. That Christians here must have Altars that these ought to be rayled in Altarwise at the East end of the Chancell and there bowed to and towards as to Gods mercy seate and the place of Christs chiefe reall presence upon earth and that there can be no true Sacrament or Consecration of it where there is no Altar THis is the Subject matter of many whole Bookes lately published authorized by the Archbishops Creatures and Chaplaines as Doctor Heylyns Coale from the Altar his Antidotum Lincolniense His Moderate answer to Master Henry Burton pag. 132. to 140. yea a thing expresly enjoyned by the Archbishop and others in the new Statutes for the Vniversity of Oxford in the new Statutes of diverse Cathedrals the new Cannons and by diverse Bishops in their Visitation Articles already mentioned We shall therefore insist only on some other authorized Bookes and passages to this purpose Wee shall begin with Doctor Iohn Pocklington his Sunday no Sabbath printed by the Arch-bishops approbation and his Chaplaines license p. 43. 44. 50. Habemus Altare we under the Gospell have an Altar Heb. 15. 10. and so is the Word Altar and Lords Table indifferently and alike anciently used these were some Tables or Altars of stone quia Christus est lapis angularis some were of Wood the better to expresse his death on the Tree these wooden Altars or Tables the furious Circumceflions brake downe in Saint
be said unto every particular member of hers in the Communion The Body of our Lord Iesus Christ which was given for thee c. if any one of them were absolutely reprobated 1. c. from all eternity unconditionally decreed to bee damned in Hell fire everlastingly The Booke intituled Gods love to mankind and Doctor Jack sons Divine Essence and Attributes part 1. are professedly written to justifie universall Grace and Redemption 23. That the Personall succession of Bishops is a true note of the Church and necessary That Peters Chaire was at Rome and he sate Bishop there and that it is the honour and happinesse of our Church that this Archbishop of Cant. that now is with our other Bishops and Ministers can derive them personall succession and Ordination from the Sea and Popes of Rome Dr. Pocklingtons Sunday no Sabbath P. 2. Ouâ— Diocesan can derive himselfe the successor of an Apostle it is Saint Austins resolution Successio Episcoporum ab ipsa sede Petri is that which among other things by him named keepes us in gremio Ecclesiae and Subjects us to our Bishops Jurisdiction Page 47. Their vanity may appeare that against all Antiquity make fooles beleeve Saint Peter was never at Rome making the succession of Bishops and truth of the Latin Churches as questionable as the Centurists orders Page 48. Reckon up your Priests who succeded one another after Saint Peter in his Chaire if you will bee esteemed Members of the Church Hereby we may by Gods mercy make good the truth of our Church For wee are able lineally to set downe the succession of our Bishops from Saint Peter to Saint Gregory and from him to our first Archbishop Saint Austin our English Apostle as Bishop Goodwin calls him downeward to his Grace NOW that sits in his Chaire Primate of all England and Metropolitan Which hee thus seconds in his Altare Christianum Page 45. Saint Peters Chaire in Rome succession of Bishops in the Church of England c. Page 47. Though saith Saint Austin you slanderously call the Chaire in other Churches Cathedram Pestilentiâ—ae what cause hath the Church of Rome giuen you to say so of it In qua Petrus sedet et in quâ hodie Anastasius sedet The very note whereby Heritickes were knowne from Catholikes was that Catholikes could shew their Churches and the very Chaires in them wherein there was not only a morrall succession in purity of Faith and manners but a locall succession of Bishops continued even from the Apostles times which Heretickes could not shew and therefore were hereby convinced to bee such and so put to shame and confounded Page 48. Hee recons up those that had succeded the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the Church of Rome Page 49. Novatian is neither Bishop nor Member of the Church saith Saint Cyprian because hee cannot prove his succession according to Apostolicall Tradition If in all this time there were no materiall Churches then there could be no materiall Chaire wherein their Bishops were enthronized and if no Chaire then no reall Inthronization then no personall succession from the Apostles whereby the right faith was derived from God the Father to his Son nor from the Sonne to his Apostles nor from the Apostles to succeding Bishops Those that deprive us of the benefit of this Apostolicall Tradition pluck one speciall staffe out of our hands whereby we stay our selves from falling from the true Catholicke Church and beat all Heretickes out of our Communion Miserable were we if hee that NOW sitteth Arch Bishop of CANTERBVRY could not derive his succession from Saint Augustine St. Augustine from Saint Gregory Saint Gregory from Saint Peter for hee that remembreth whom he succeeds will doubtlesse endeavour and pray to be heire to their vertues as well as possessor to their places What a comfort is this to his Grace and to all those that receive consecration from him and to all those that they shall ordaine Page 51. Tell us when and from whence you come and what you make your selves to do in the Church that are no Sons of the Church We can with Saint Iraeneus point you to the time of your comming in You Cartwright and your brood came in as most Sabbatarians did under Archbishop Whitgift and your Ames and Brightman with your Laodiceans came in under Archbishop Bancroft and you Vicars and our Cotton with his fugitives came in or rather went out under Archbishop Abbot Page 144. I shall begin with my selfe I had my Ordination from Bishop Dove he had his Consecration from Archbishop Whitgift and the Archbishop his from the undoubted successours of Saint Peter Doctor Heylin his Moderat Answer to Mr. Burton Page 72. Write If you have any other Pedegree as perhaps you have from Wickliffe Hus the Albigâ—enses and the rest which you use to boast of keepe it to your selfe non tali auxilio the Church of England hath not need of so poore a shift Page 68. The next thing that offends you and you clamour as if that they claime a visible and perpetuall succession down from St. Peter to Pope Gregory from him by Austin the Monk first Archbishop of Cant. unto his Grace now being and sic de caeteris That Gregory sent Austin into England to convert the Saxons and made him first Archbishop of the English is generally delivered by all our writers Finally that my Lord the Archbishop that now is is lineally descended in a most faire and constant tenor of succession you shall easily finde if you consult the learned labours of Master Francis Mason de Ministerio Anglicano The Papists would extreamely thank you and think you borne into the World for their speciall comfort could you but tell him how to disprove that lineall succession of our Prelates which is there laid dowe By Mountague his Gagge page 49. The Church hath ever beene visibe In England especially how can this fellow impute invisibility to us who claime and prove a succession 25. That Sunday is no Sabbath nor of divine institution that the strict sanctification of it is Iewish superstitious and Rabbinicall That May-games Wakes Revells Dancing Interludes with other sports and pastimes are not only lawfull but convenient and necessary thereon not to be restrained but incouraged and the Kings Declaration to that purpose most pious and Religious That two houres only of it viz. The time of publik service and sermons are to be kept holy and that the residue may be spent in Recreations or ordinary workes of our calling That the Lords day Sabbath was never heard of in the world till Dr. Bounds daies That the Sabbath is not morrall THis is the subject matter of many whole late printed Books against the morallity and strict observation of the Lords-day Sabbath wee shall instance only in some few beginning with Doctor Pocklington in his Sunday no Sabbath where thus he most scandalously and prophanely writes page 6. What shall wee think then of Knox and Whittingham and their
shall hisse them out of countenance neither can they shelter themselves under the examples of other Churches in France and Netherlands c. Since necessity hath long agoe cast them into that condition which these men after establishment in the right forme have wilfully drawn upon themselves with an impetuous exclusion of a setled government And certainly my Lord me thinkes there should be a kinde of necessity in this course since not some few but the whole Church of Scotland hath thus broken out into Schisme and shamed both it selfe and the Gospell and without some timely prevention the mischiefe may yet grow further whereas this way it may be at the least choakingly convinced and seasonably checked Neither neede the charge hereof be great to his Majesties coffers since the burthen of the Commissioners may be layd upon the severall Diocesse from whence they are sent Your Grace sees whither my zeal hath carried me If I have been to bold and forward in thus presuming I humbly crave the pardon of your Grace which hath been extended to greater errours I hope a good heart will excuse all the best wishes whereof are truely vowed and duly paid to your Grace By your Graces in all faithfull Observance to Command JOS. EXON Exon. Pal. Sept. 28. Which Letter was thus directed To the most Reverend and most Honourable my singular good Lord My Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate of all England and Metropolitan Chancellor of Oxford and one of the Lords of his Majesties most honourable Privy Councell present these And thus endorsed by the Arch-Bishops own hand Dat. Sept. 28. Received Octob. 1629. B. of Exon. Dr. Hall To move for a Generall Councell of all his Majesties Dominions to settle the Scottish Schisme What was done upon this Letter and how the Arch-Bishop tooke occasion from it to engage Bishop Hall to write in defence of Episcopall Superiority by Divine Right and Institution will appear by the Bishops next Letter to this Arch-Prelate the Originall whereof we have under Bishop Halls own hand and Seale May it please your Grace I Was not only glad but almost proud of your Graces acceptance of my poor but bold motion which that it found favour in his Majesties eyes upon your Graces recommendation was as much above my hope as above the possibility of my thankfulnesse I do most humbly rest in the grounds of his Majesties most wise and just resolution although that which I propounded was not in any ayme at the Reclamation of those stiffe Spirits but at their conviction and shaming together with the satisfaction and setling of any distempered or wavering minds of any contentious person at home or abroad But since it hath pleased his Majestie to lay aside that thought I am most submissively silent As for that motion which comming from your Graces hand is no lesse in my construction then a command of my undertaking this great taske of writing a satisfactory discourse in this subject I beseech your Grace to give me leave to say it doth too much overvalue me If your Grace did but know my great weakenesse so well as I know my little strength your Grace would not have singled me out for so high and noble an undertaking I confesse in an holy zeale to the cause no man shall outstrip me in abilities too many yet since it hath pleased your Grace to honour me so farre as to thinke mee capable and worthy of such an imployment I shall most gladly without prejudice to any more able paines endeavour my best this way But would your Grace bee pleased to give mee leave to suggest another Motion I thinke I should intimate that which would not a little advance the successe of this great service Single labours will be easily passed over with neglect what will the Vulgar bee more apt to say then This is but one Doctors judgement Vis unita fortior Might it therefore please your Grace to single out and Empannell a whole Jury of learned Bishops and Divines to joyne together in this subject it could not choose but sway much with the world And since I have taken the boldnesse to move so farre will your Grace give mee leave out of the zealous intention of my thoughts upon the speede of this notable service to propound some further specialty If therefore in Ireland the Lord Primate the Bishop of Kilmore the Bishop of Downe and Conner men as your Grace best knowes of singular note in the Church Heere at home my Lord Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Salisbury and if your Grace shall thinke mee worthy to come in the arreare of these great and famous Prelates I shall not faile of my best With them the Professors and some other eminent Doctors in the name of both Universities and three or foure of the Bishops and Doctors of Scotland shall be enjoyned by your Grace to expresse their judgements fully concerning these two Heads of Episcopacy and Lay Prebytery and to Print them together It will bee a worke that will carry in it such authority and satisfaction as will give great contentment to the world and carry in it a strong rebuke of the Aversaries And if your Graces reason and resolution should so lead you as to bee seene in the head of this Learned Squadron the worke would beare not much lesse sway then if it were a Synodicall Act Neither would I wish that each of these should write a Volume of this matter but succinctly though fully and clearly declare themselves in these particulars with such evidence of Scripture Antiquity and Reasons as may most convince But whether these be done in Thesi or Hypothesi whether in way of Paroenesis or Apology or reproofe I humbly submit to your Graces judgement and direction I beseech your Grace pardon this well-meant presumption and make account of the dayly Devotions of Your Graces in all faithfull observance to Command Jos. Exon. Exon. Pal. Oct. 12. 1639. After I had sent away my Letters of complaint concerning Coxe the man came to me and upon our second and third conference began to relent and finding that I had sent up his Sermon to your Grace resolved to wait voluntarily upon your Grace so as I hope your Grace shall at once heare of his offence and submission If so a free and publike recantation would doe more good here then his exorbitance hath done hurt he hath been usque ad invidiam conformable and is a sufficient Scholler and of unblameable conversation otherwise I humbly leave him to your Graces either justice or mercy or both J. E. This Letter was thus Superscribed To the most Reverend Father in God my ever most honoured Lord my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate of all England and Metropolitane Chancellor of Oxford and one of the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privie Counsell present these And thus Endorsed with the Archbishops owne hand Rec. Oct. 16. 1639. The Bishop of Exeter That more then one
secure your conscience for the antiquity of the building their continued Priest-hood their daily sacrifice their satisfaction for sinne their works of merit page 62. I was withall perswaded in my conscience and so rest yet that this transcendent power and usurpation of the Roman Bishop in the spirituall and civill Regiment of the world is so farre a stranger to the Church of God as that it could be no other but the Kingdome of that man of sin which agreeable to the prediction of the holy Ghost was to be raised in the bosome of the Church for the last the most powerfull the most dangerous delusion of the christian world Verely any reall cordiall Protestant might stand amazed that an Arch-bishop's Chaplaine professing himselfe a Protestant should so farre scruple at such passages as these against the Popes supremacy in the spirituall and civill Regiment of the world and those other dangerous poynts of Popery censured in these passages but especially at this relation of Guicciardine a Popish Author concerning the Viciousnesse and Exorbitances of some Popes lives recorded by sundry other of their owne Popish Writers and that passages of this nature must not now be remembred by our Writers or suffered to passe our Presses without an Index Expurgatorius yet such was the condition and degeneracy of these times that Doctor Bray told Sir Edward Hungerford he must give way for all these offensive passages to be expunged else neither of these Treatises should be printed At which Sir Edward admiring demanded the reason why these clauses against Popery writ by his Father once a Papist to satisfie others of that Religion might not passe at this time as they did commonly in other English licensed Authors heretofore without exception Who answered that we were now in a faire way to win the Papists and therefore we must not use any harsh phrases against them adding that these passages would give offence to those of that Religion and therefore unlesse he would yeeld to have them expunged he would by no means license the Books To which Sir Edward replyed that he being his Father's Executor and trusted with his writings would never consent they should be so mangled but would have all printed or none Yet all the perswasions and friends he could use would not prevaile unlesse these clauses were omitted naught would be licensed Whereupon Sir Edward went to the Arch-bishop himselfe and acquainted him with all the premises earnestly desiring his Grace that the Treatises might be printed without these purgations which would much muilate the Treatises and prejudice the Author To whom the Arch-bishop gave this answer Sir I have many imployments and am very busie now and have trusted my Chaplaines with those things to whom you must repaire Then Sir Edward pressing him againe that they would not license them unlesse these passages were rased out the Arch-bishop answered I referre this wholy to my Chaplaines having many other imployments my selfe and therefore what they thinke fit to be done you must submit unto Whereupon these Treatises were then stopt from printing till Sir Edward some two or three yeers after got them printed at Oxford in the yeere 1639. without these expunctions or the Arch-bishop's privity Doctor Daniel Featly deposed upon Oath that he having printed seventy Sermons of his preached upon severall occasions formerly licensed for the Presse when the Book was ready to be published the Arch-bishop having notice of it sent for him to Lambeth and demanded of him whether he was not about to publish some Sermons of his owne in print who answered yes my Lord then he demanded of him whether his Sermons were licensed and whether any of his Chaplaines had perused them or not he answered that they were licensed long since when himselfe had power to license books and printed by vertue of that license and that none of his Graces Chaplaines had perused them Then the Arch-bishop said he thought being so neere a neighbour to him he would not have published any thing without acquainting him first therewith To which the Doctor answered that he intended as soone as ever the book was published to presen his Grace in the first place with one of them Then the Arch-bishop commanded him before he published these Sermons to carry them to Doctor Bray his Chaplaine to peruse to see if there were any offensive or unfitting passages in them to the end that if any such were they might be corrected or expunged To which the Doctor replied that he hoped there were no such offensive clauses in them and that the book was already printed off so as no alterations could conveniently be made therein without new printing the sheets wherein they were made yet in obedience to his Graces command he would attend Doctor Bray with his Sermons to the end he might license them before they should be published which he did accordingly Doctor Bray having read over his Sermons gelt them exceedingly and and purged out all the smart and masculine passages against both the Papists Jesuits and Arminians to his great griefe Whereupon he expostulated the matter with him why these passages of his which passed currently without exceptions at White hal before King James King Charles the University and other publike Auditories when they were preached and were highly approved of in former times might not passe the presse without an Index expurgatorius now alleaging that it would be a great injury to himselfe and much cost and prejudice to the Stationer to re-print so many whole sheets as he had altered But all this would not prevaile these passages could not suit with the present times therefore they must stand purged or the book be totally suppressed Hereupon the Doctor acquainted Sir Edmund Scot therewith by way of complaint and moved him to informe the Arch-bishop of it who answered him that he conceived it would be to no purpose to complaine for he thought the Archbishop's Chaplaines had directions from their Lord for what they did and that his Grace would not alter any thing of this kind done by his Chaplaines whereupon he submitted and complained no further and so the Stationer was enforced to re-print some sixteen or eighteen sheets anew that Doctor Bray had thus altered and purged which Master Bourne the Stationer likewise deposed to his great prejudice and cost Master Thomas White a Minister deposed that Doctor Clarke one of the Prebends of Canterbury a very learned pious Divine and one of the Translaters of the Bible leaving the copyes of diverse of his choysest Sermons written with his owne hand in his custody at his death which he desired him to see carefully printed for the publike good after his decease he thereupon in discharge of this his trust repaired to Doctor Heywood the Arch-bishop's houshold Chaplaine to peruse and authorize for the presse who receiving no lesse then forty shillings for his fee for perusing and licencing them expunged all the chiefe passages in them against the Pope
and most Honourable my singular good Lord the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate of all England and Metropolitane Chancelour of Oxford and one of the Lords of his Mijesties most honourable Privy Counsell present these And after the receit thereof thus indorsed with the Arch-bishops owne hand Rec. Jan. 22. 1639. L. B. Exon. concerning some amendments in his book for Episcopacy In this Letter of the Arch-bishops and the answer to it besides the grand designe of asserting Episcopacy of divine Right and Institution we may observe these considerable particulars First that he blames Bishop Hall for being a little too favourable to the forraigne Protestant Churches and their authors Secondly for passing by the Sabatarians or strict observers of the Lords day without any touch at all which he desires him to rectifie and help by some touches of shapnesse against them this is his charity to the Protestants and Sabatarians or Puritans of you please they were too candidly handled and therefore must be more harshly dealt withall but now on the other hand mark his extraordinary affection to and care of the Popes honour and reputation He doth in the third place tax the Bishop for bestowing the title of ANTICHRIST on him three or four times in his Book positively determinately This was such a transcendent crime that he must needs acquaint the King himselfe with it of his owne native disposition without any other Monitor and procures a speciall royall command to him from his Majesty to expunge those scandalous and dishonourable clauses against his Holinesse out of his Treatise Fourthly in the reason which he renders for acquainting his Majesty herewith and desiring him to make this change there are these considerable things to be taken notice of First that King James himselfe did in his printed Works at large prove and declare the Pope to be Antichrist by very strong proofes Secondly that when the Spanish match was in agitation and the Popes Dispensation required for the facilitating of it being one of the first Articles in the Marriage Treaty he was challenged by the Pope and his agents for it but not before Thirdly that King James hereupon to satisfie the Pope and gaine his favour was put to a hard shift and enforced to coyne a new distinction which he never thought of till then to excuse the matter That he writ thou not concludingly but by way of Argument onely c. Fourthly that he made this answer and distinction when King Charles went into Spaine and acquainted him with it by word of mouth that he thereby might satisfie the Pope and his party Fifthly that this whole passage was knowne to him and he privy to this secret not knowne formerly to others therefore he was certainly one of the Cabinet-counsell who was privy to the Kings going into Spaine and to the private instructions given him by King James before his departure hence yea very likely one who suggested this distinction to King James to please the Pope and promote the Match and therefore HE COULD NOT BUT SPEAKE WITH THE KING ABOUT IT who hereupon commanded this Bishop to qualifie his expressions in these particulars and so not differ from the knowne judgement of his pious and learned Father from whose orthodox judgement notwithstanding the Arminians might freely dissent both with his Majesties and this Arch-prelats approbation Whereupon we find that these passages were qualified according to his desire although Bishop Andrewes positive opinon in sundry passages was that the Pope was Antichrist All which considered we may infallibly conclude from his owne pen that all the forementioned purgations of passages against the Papacy Pope and his being Antichrist were made by this Arch-bishops owne speciall direction without any other suggestion but his owne Romish Genius and good affection to the Pope to induce a more easie reconciliation with him and this in direct opposition First to the severall Statutes of 16 R. 2. c. 5. 25 H. 8. c. 19. 20. 21. 28 H. 8. c. 10. 37 H. 8. c. 17. which tacitely define the Pope to be the Antichrist who did obfuscate and wrest Gods word Testament a long season from the spirituall and true meaning thereof to his worldly and carnall affections as pompe glory avarice ambition and tyranny covering and shadowing the same with his humane and politick devices traditions and inventions set forth to promote and stablish his onely dominion both upon the soules and also the bodies and goods of all Christian people excluding Christ out of his Kingdome and rule of mans soule as much as he may and all other temporall Kings and Princes out of their Dominions which they ought to have by Gods law upon the bodies and goods of their subjects whereby he did not onely rob the Kings Majesty being onely the supreame head of this his Realme of England immediately under God of his honour right and pre-eminence due unto him by the law of God but spoyled this his Realme yeerly of innumerable treasure and with the losse of the same deeemed the Kings loving and obedient Subjects perswading to them by his lawes buls and other his deceivable meanes such dreames vanities and fantisies as by the same many of them were seduced and conveyed unto superstitious and erronious openions Secondly to the book of Homilies in the second part of the Sermon for Whit-Sunday page 316. and the 6. Sermon against wilfull Rebellion page 316. which determines the Pope to be Antichrist in these tearmes Wheresoever you find the spirit of envy hatred contention robbery murther extortion witchcraft neeromancy c. assure your selves that there is the spirit of the devil and not of God albeit they pretend outwardly to the world never so much holinesse c. such were all the Popes and Prelates of Rome for the most part as doth well appeare by the story of their lives and therefore they are worthily accounted among the number of the false Prophets and false Christs which deluded the world a long while The Lord of heaven and earch defend us from their tyranny and pride that they never enter into his Vine-yard againe c. and he of his great mercy so work in all mens hearts by the mighty power of the holy Ghost that the comfortable Gospel of his Sonne Christ may be truly preached truly received and truly followed in all places to the beating downe of sinne death the Pope the devil and ALL THE KINGDOME OF ANTICHRIST c. The Bishop of Rome understanding the bruit blindnesse ignorance of Gods Word and superstition of English men ond how much they were inclined to worship the BABYLONISH BEAST OF ROME Thirdly to the 80. Article of the Church of Ireland defining the Bishop of Rome to be THE MAN OF SINNE foretold in the holy Scripture Fourthly to the Book of Common-prayer appointed for the fifth of Novemb. stiling the Pope Papists and Jesuits A Babylonish and Antichristian sect and to the Kings Letters Patents forementioned defining
of perfection not forbidding all swearing but rather wishing that men could so live in faith love and truth that there might be no use of an oath Answ first this is false because Christs words are not perswasory but prohibitory expresly forbidding swearing 23. Passages expunged against Popish evill Councellours and the vices of Princes Courts IN Master Wards Comentary upon Matthew page 78 written copy these clauses are deleted A foole faith Solomon breedeth farres among friends but a Man of wisdome appea seth strife The first we see verified in Rehoboams young Councellours who made a breach and irreconcilable rent between the King and his people 1 King 12. and the second in good Abigail 1 Sam. 25. 18. and in the woman of Tekoah 2 Sam. 14. Sowers of discord are found in the Church or in the Kingdome in Kingdomes viz. First those that long for nothing but warre blaming a peaceable government and quiet State and are never well but whiles they are fishing in troubled waters Secondly those that instigate others to warre as the Cardinals and Jesuits upon every occasion doe whisper in the eates of Princes to make warre upon their neighbours when they perceive any advantage may be had thereby Thirdly those that make themselves mercenary for the nourishing of slaughters Ibidem on Mat. 11. 7. 8. â— this whole discourse is expunged What went you out to see c. as these words what went you out to see a reed shaken with the wind may be referred by way of reproofe unto the people so also these they that weare soft clothing are in Kings houses doth our Saviour then simply tax the pomp and glory of Princes Courts First certainly there is pompe and cost and bravery in Princes Courts which is not unlawfull and that both because it serves to the beauty glory and ornament of the place and also because the vulgar sort are kept thereby the better in obedience and feare Secondly yet our Saviour seems ex consequenti to reprove and condemne the life of Courtiers or the court-life went you out to see a man clothed in soft rayment behold they that weare soft cloathing are in Kings houses as if he would say a religious life and a court-life are not alike for although the pomp bravery and delights of Kings Courts be not immediately evill in themselves yet they lesse suit and agree with Religion Whence we may note That a soft dainty delicate and court-like life hinders many from true Religion or from being truly religious it being the nature of pleasure to draw the mind along with it What things are ordinary in a court-life In Kings Courts these vices are most frequent and familiar namely first pride it is ordinary with Courtiers to look high to despise others to over-prize themselves and with Simon Magus to think themselves some great ones Acts 8. 2. Now Religion teacheth men to be humble and lowly and to give place one unto another and to strive one to come after another and not as many Courtiers frequently doe who strive quarrell justle and fight about the wals and precedency Rom. 12. 10. 46. Secondly avarice for they which have many things want many and they who spend much want much and according to the Proverb rob Peter to pay Paul i. e. extort from others to expend upon themselves Now Religion teacheth men to give almes and to be liberall but Kings Courts although they teach not yet at least practice rapire oppression and griping of those under them Thirdly pleasure and delight as we see in Dives Luke 16. and hence men become more effeminate unconstant and unable to suffer any afflictions injuries wrongs or the like whereas Religion teacheth men to suffer and to want and to be content in all estates Phil. 1. 27. 29. 4. 10. James 4. 7. c. yea the court-life being full of pomp and pleasure makes men more unable to resist or withstand the temptations of Satan the allurement of the world or the suggestions of their owne corrupt nature and more proue and ready to yeeld unto them Christ the second Adam was tempted in the Wildernesse but could not be conquered but the first being assaulted in Paradise a place of pleasure was easily overcome Fourthly idlenesse Courtiers for the most part are given to eating drinking sleeping and gaming yea like the Israelites spend the most part of their lives in these Exod. 32. 6. but Religion teaches us to labour and take paines yea to earne our bread with the sweat of our browes Gen. 3. and how can he labour in Religion who will not labour nor take paines in some worldly employment Fifthly flattery Aio Aio Courtiers can fawne and sooth yea jurare in verba Magistri sweare what their Lords say Now Religion â—acheth men to be couragious and bold yea not to flatter but rather to reprove offenders to their face as Christ saith goe and tell Herod that Fox and John boldly reproved him for Herodias his brothers wife and the King being angry with him for this and casting him into prison yea afterwards beheading him the Courtiers willingly permitting it Who are here to be blamed Those who are deceived with the delights of a court-life for it is not what it seems to be but rather is like to a painted reed or a beautifull raine-bow as appeares thus First court-favour and felicity last not long for it is as slippery as an Ele as fading as a flower as brittle as glasse and like grasse upon the house top which quickly withers Secondly court-felicity and delights are evill corrupting the manners for first some observe that there are but few truly good in Kings Courts and secondly if they be good at first yet at last they are corrupted as we see in Tyberius Cal-gula Commodus Aula vel malos invenit vel facit the Court finds some bad and so leaves them the Court finds some good but makes them bad and therefore who would praise that barne or field that changeth the wheat into tares or that cask that changeth the Wine into vinegar or that vessell which changeth the Oyle into Lees Secondly they are to blame who delight in proud apparell and fantasticall fashions for first it was never a thing of any good report in Solomon gorgeous attire is not reproved but yet we see that his bravery prosperity and court-delights did so eneruate and weaken his mind and cause him so farre to decline that many have questioned whether ever he were renewed by repentance or not Secondly proud and gorgeous attire is alwayes taxed and blamed in Scripture read Isa 3. 1 Tim. 2. 9. 1 Pet. 3. 3. Yea thirdly the bravery and fashions of the Court are noxious and hurtfull unto the Country who is too ready to imitate it herein And fourthly it is a foolish thing for a man to seeke praise by his apparrell he being in his richest robes no better then the Crowe who braved it in borrowed plumes yea it is a wicked
of Gods vvord 3. to the practice of piety 4. to the opposing and resisting of iniquity and all manner of vvickednesse and 5. to the strengthning and corroborating of our faith by the Word and Sacraments Fourthly vve must principally exercise our patience and labor that it may have its perfect vvorke in us Who can be alwayes patient or indure patient in persecution and affliction unto the end They can vvho have not placed their hope in this life or any thing therein but live in Christ and place all their hope and confidence in him Colos 3. 3. 4. In the same Comentary on Mat. p. 277. writen copy this whole discourse is obliterated The words in this place The gates of hell shall never prevaile against it serâ—e us as a strong rocke to build perseverance of grace and faith upon both against the Papists Pelagians Socinians and others For here our Saviour plainly promiseth that against those which build their faith upon this rock Christ the gates of hell and power of satan shall never prevaile To this Socinus in tractatu de loco tu es Petrus answers That these words of Christs are not so to be understood as though the Devill could not prevaile against any of the members of the true Church of Christ but that so long as they are the true members thereof it is impossible that they should be hardned by Satan or hell that is he promiseth to the Church so long as it remaines the Church of Christ that the power of death shall not so prevaile against it that it come into condemnation but he doth not understand by the gates of hell the craft deceit and fraud of Satan whereby he labours to seduce and enthrall some Hereunto we answer first whatsoever is an adversary to the building of the Church upon the Rock or to the constant adhering of the Church unto Christ that is understood by the prevailing gates of hell for in these words he removes the contrary of that which before he had laid downe upon this Rock will I build my Church but the fraudulent and crafty temptations of Satan which are effectuall or of force to seduce or enthrall the faithfull are principall enemies to this building of the Church and constant adhering unto Christ and therefore these crafty and subtile tentations are understood by the gates of hell Secondly whatsoever comes out of the gates of hell or hath its beginning from thence that is here understood by this phrase of the gates of hell but the temptations of Satan are hatched in hell and come from thence therefore they are here ment by the gates of hell Thirdly if the condemnation of the faithfull onely be understood here by the gates of hell then this promise may stand with the totall failing or falling away of the Church militant for then he should promise nothing to the militant members of the Church but onely to the dead who dye in faith but this is repugnant to the intention of Christ in this place and to the interpretation of all Writers and the opinion of all Christians Fourthly Saint Peter himselfe unto whom our Saviour here speakes seems otherwise to interpret these words then Socinus doth 1 Pet. 2 7 8. where the Apostle teacheth that unbeleevers and disobedient persons who stumble at Christ and are offended with him doe belong unto those gates which doe impugne and assault that building which consists of living stones and is founded upon the corner stone and true rocke Jesus Christ Fiftly the proportion or analogy ought to be observed which our Saviour here intimates and implyes betwixt two Cities the one of heaven which hath her gates and keyes verse 19. and the other of hell which by the gates of her plots practises and provocations doe seek the ruine of the heavenly city Now in this place our Saviour promiseth and would have us to beleeve it upon his word that none of the plots projects assaults or batteries of the gates of hell shall prevaile against the heavenly City the Church And therefore seeing one City is opposed to the other and the gates of the one to the gates of the other and the one viz. the Church is considered in the state and condition of her present building it is very requisite that the other should respect her present impugning and assaulting of the other and consequently the craft deceit and fraud of Satan whereby he labors to seduce enthrall and deceive the members of the Church Ibidem p. 201. Christ is Never the Licenser makes it semetimes absent from his children and then blots out this ensuing clause For he loves them unto the end Joh. 13. 1 yea promiseth to be with them unto the end Mat. 28. 20. yea dwels in them by his spirit 1 Cor. 3. 16. â— Cor. 6. 16. but yet he seemes sometimes to be absent And pa. 57. Professors are odious unto the world and derided scoffed and taunted at by the world but the comfort is that they are dear unto God and precious in the sight of Christ who will acknowledge them to be his when he doth deny and utterly disclaime those their mockers and despisers And thus the Lord hath particular consolations for all particular sorts of his servants And 12. lines after They stand or fall to their owne Master yea they shall stand and none neither sinne or Satan shall be able to plucke them out of Christ's hand John 10. 18. 57. Passages purged out against the Popish Pyx and Transubstantiation IN Master Ward 's Comentary on Matth. page 341. there is this deletion Que. Who may be ment there or to whom may these words be fitly applyed Answ These words of our Saviours doe neerly touch the Papists for they can point with their fingers and say here is Christ and there is Christ Behold in this Pyx are three Christs in that five in that seuen in that more therefore it is likely that Christ giveth us this speciall watch-word and such others Beleeve them not Quest What doth our Saviour forewarne us of here Answ We have in this verse a charge from Christ that if those Impostors the Papists should say unto us of him behold he is in secret places or closets we should not beleeve it and this is most appliable unto them who tell us that Christ is to be found in a Pyx and think that they have him in safe custody under lock and key 59. Passages deleted against Prayer to Saints Popish Prayers the Merit of Prayer praying first for spirituall things and praying towards the East In Doctor Clerks Sermons page 140. l. 12. after yea and then the Licenser hath expunged this following sentence The Papists are foulely befoold who have prayed so long to Saints being but damned spirits and all in hell Ibid. page 219. l. 6. after that word mostly this is deleted Frayers Papists say Saints pray they want naught themselves but pray for us they there fore pray to them proofe from Scripture they presse
this was done in the death and suffering of Christ and not in the celebration or institution of the Eucharist Fourthly neither doth the use of the present tense prove that which they would have for it is usuall and well known that there is an Enallage oft times in Scripture and that not onely the present tense but also sometimes the preter tense is put for the future for the certainty of things affirmed as for example paer natus est nobis unto us a child is given or borne Agnus occisus the Lamb was slaine from the beginning of the world behold the Lambe of God qui tollet which taketh away the sinnes of the world Ego pono I lay downe my life for my sheep c. Chem. Exam. part 2. fol. 166. 6. Many Passages of this nature are expunged out of Doctor Iones his Comentary on the Hebrews others altered by the Licenser which we pretermit 67. Clauses deleted against Popish Satisfaction IN Master Ward 's Comentary on Matthew written copy page 17. this is deleted Quest Which are the parts of Repentance First the Papihs answer hereunto that the parts of repentance are three to wit First contrition or as some of them say Attrition Secondly auricular confession Thirdly Satisfaction of merit Object We may satisfie the wrath of God for the punishment due unto sinne Answ Neither will this evasion serve that by grace our works satisfie for grace and works are so divers that they cannot herein concurre together grace taking away works and works grace if they should be joyned as working causes together Ibidem page 383 this is purged out I read saith Ambrose of Peter's penitent tears but not of his Satisfaction the which words of the Father being urged against popish Satisfaction Peter Lombard answered Multa facta sunt quae scripta non sunt many things have been done which are not written or mentioned in the Scriptures Answ This answer is a sufficient satisfaction with the Papists being an essentiall point of pennance and pertaineth to doctrine and therefore it should have an expresse warrant or proofe out of the Scripture for in matters of faith or points of doctrine an argument may be drawne negatively from the Scriptures though not so in matter of fact as for example This doctrine is not found in Scripture therefore it ought not to be received is a good consequence wherefore the Fathers viz. Ambrose argument is good and the Masters viz. of the sentences solution looseth not the knot And fol. 207. written copy Thy sinnes be forgiven thee We see Christ here neither requires confession nor demands or reserves Satisfaction of this sick man but wholly takes away his sinnes to teach us that Christ pardons our sinnes truly Heb. 8. 12. Ior. 31. 21. c. Isa 43. 25. Heb. 10. 17. 68. Scripture Texts themselves and their very words alone deleted NOt to trouble you with any already mentioned in the Premises take these ensuing instances instead of many more that might be added In Master Ward 's Comentary on Matth. p. 201. Christ indeed is never absent from his children for he loves them unto the end Ioh. 13. 1. yea promiseth to be with them unto the end Mat. 28. 20. yea he dwelleth with them by his spirit 1 Cor. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 6. 16. But yet he seemeth sometimes absent Ibid. p. 202. There is a fear of God which is a godly fear wherein two things are observable viz. First that he is to be feared Ps 2. 11. Pro. 1. 7. Eccle. 12. 11. And secondly that he is not to be feared doubtingly but beleeved confidently Ioh. 4. 18. Rom. 8. 38. Ibid. p. 84. All Christians are called light Thus Saint Paul taxed the Jewes Thou art confident that thou thy selfe art a guide of the blinde a light to them that sit in darknesse Rom. 2. 19. whence he intimates that every Christian is or ought to be a light Ibid. p. 194. Quest Why doth the Lord principally respect our Faith Answ First because Faith only saveth us Rom. 3. 12. 27. c. and 4. 5. Acts 13. 48. Ioh. 8. 24. Eph. 2. 8. Secondly because works serve onely to prove our Faith Gal. 5. 8. Iam. 2. 18. Ibid. p. 207. Thy sinnes be forgiven thee We see Christ here neither requires Confession nor demands or reserves Satisfaction of this sick man but wholly takes away his sinnes to teach us That Christ pardons our sinnes truly Heb. 8. 12. Ier. 31 32. c. Isay 43. 25. Heb. 10. 17. Ibid. p. 403. Secondly it appeares the Holy Ghost is God because he begat Christ the Sonne of God Luk. 1. 35. where he is called The power of the most High and therefore he is God Ibid. p. 187. the Lord is immutable and immoveable in his Law and Decrees of mercy Iohn 13. 1. Rom. 11. 29. Ibid. page 221. All power comes from God we neither have power to eschew evill nor to do good Rom. 7. 15. 19. 23. Were not these Licensers as bad or worse then Papists thus to obliterate these very Texts of sacred Scriptures as heterodox and unfit to passe the Presse No doubt they would have rased them out of the Bible it self in time as well as out of this Authors writings who did but barely cite them in their genuine sense against Popish and Arminian errours 69. Passages expunged that the Scriptures are light not hard to be understood and to be read by the common people IN Master Ward upon Matthew 14. 15. page 27. 90. these clauses are deleted Ye are the light of the World The Papists affirme the Scriptures to be hard and difficult and obscure that the common people or Laity cannot understand them and therefore it is to no purpose for them to read them Now against this we produce this place arguing briefly thus the Apostles are the light of the world therefore their doctrine i. e. the Scripture is perspicuous and facile and may be understood by a diligent and observant Reader c. To this of Bellarmine we answer first the Major proposition is false that every light is alwayes visible for these two causes viz. First because the Sunne and Moone were ordered to be great lights Gen. 1. 16. and Psal 136. 8. for the governing of day and night and yet we see them often darkned and suffer strange eclipses so the Church though it be ordained to enlighten the world by ministring the doctrine of the Scriptures yet sometimes it may faile out of mens sight as hath been shewed elsewhere viz. upon Matth. 5. 14. Secondly though the Church be a light yet such as walke in darkenesse loving that better then the light doe not alwayes see it but want either will or eyes thereto Thus the King of Arams Souldiers neither saw the horses and Chariots of fire that were round about Elisha nor knew that they were in the midst of Samaria untill their eyes were opened Neither do men light a candle and put it under a Bushell The Papists
parte intererit salutem Cum vacante â—uper sede Episcopi Cicestren per mortem naturalem vltimi Episcopi ejusdem ad humilem petitionem Decani Capituli Ecclesiae nostrae Cathedralis Cicestr per Literas Nostras petendi licentiam concesserimus alium sibi eligendum in Episcopum pastorem sedis pradicti iidem Decanus Capitulum vigore obtentu licentiae nostrae perdilectum nobis in Christo Richardum Mountague sacrae Theologia Baccalaurum sibi et Ecclesia praedicta elegerunt in Episcopum pastorem prout per literas suas sigillo corum communi sigillatas Nobis inde direstas plenius liquet apparet Nos electionem illam acceptantes eidem electioni Regium nostrum assensum adhibuimus pariter et faverem et hoc vobis tenore praesentium significamus Rogantes ac in side et dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter precipiendo mandautes quatenus vos eundum Richardum Mountague in Episcopum et pastorem Ecclesiae Cathedralis nostrae Cicestren pradictae fie vt praefertur electum electionemque praedict confirmare et cundem Episcopum et pastorem Ecelesiae Cathedralis predictae consecrare ceteraque omnia et singula peragere quae vestro in hac parte incumbunt officio pastorali juxta formam statutorum et legum Regni nostri Angliae in hac parte editâ— et provis velitis cum diligentia favere effectu In cujus rei c. This conteineth your Majesties Royall Assent for Richard Mountague Batchelar in Divinity to be Bishop of Chichester voyde by the death of the last Incumbent By order of the Lord Bishop of London After this he so far honoured him as to be present at his consecration Witnesse this passage in his Diary penned with his own-hand August 23. 24. 1628. Saturday Saint Bartholmeus Eve the Duke of Buckingham slain at Portsmouth by one Lieutenant Felton about 9. in the morning the Newes of his death came to Croydon where it found my selfe and the Bishops of Winchester Ely and Carlisle at the consecration of Bishop Mountague for Chichester with my Lords Grace In the year 1638. upon the Translation of Bishop Wren to Ely this Archbishop preferred him to the See of Norwich witnesse Bishop Mountagues Letter to the Archbishop thus endorsed with his own hand Rec. Martii 29. 1638. Bishop of Ghichesters submission of his Bookes to me c. Found in his Study at Lambeth and attested by Master Prynne May it please your Grace By Mr Bray I sent your Grace another part of my Altar Relations as my between-times of sicknesse would give me leave to transcribe the rest as I can dispatch it I will send after with Gods helpe In the last there is much of the Churches sacrifice faithfully related out of Antiquity not positively by me asserted I am but a Narrator and so the lesse offensive Howsoever I give your Grace Power to dispose of what I write as will fit the Church and State For we are I know of the same Religion drive to the same end though not the same way So much I related to Master Bray and Mr Deane of Christ-Church The remaynes of my Ague are worse then the Ague it selfe so that I cannot waite upon your Grace as I would Yesterday I took a Purgation which I hope will doe me good but hath much weakened mee and Phisitians in expelling the remaynes and restoring health unto the castle of strength say they must tuto pede movere I cannot learn that my Lord of Norwich is yet fully translated till when I suppose there is no issuing of my Conge D'esleer I must humbly intreat your Grace that you would be pleased to informe me when and what I should doe in both which I am so ignorant God make me profitable to his Church to which I can bring nothing but honesty and Industry which I will promise and to your Grace thankefullnesse for your long-continued extraordinary Favours in which vote I rest Your Graces poor Servant and Brother Rich. Cicist For the most Reverend my Lord of Canterbury his Grace this By this Letter it is most apparent First that Bishop Mountague made the Archbishop acquainted with his Bookes before he printed them and submitted them to his censure and how full of Popery they are you have already heard Yea after they were printed he presented him with printed Coppies of them curiously bound up and guilded produced and read formerly at the Lords Barre Secondly That Canterbury and he were of the same religion and did drive at the same end and what was that but the erecting of Altars the introducing of Popery and reconciling us to Rome as this Letter and the foregoing evidence manifest Thirdly That his promotions were by the Archbishops long-continued extraordinary favours for which he returnes him thankes in this Letter And no wonder was it that Bishop Mountague was his speciall Favourite for if we beleeve the Pamphlet intituled The Popes Nuncio p. 11. 14. 16. first published in Italian by the Venetian Embassadour this great confident of the Archbishop was very intimate with Panzain the Popes first Legate frequently visited him and very passionately desired a Reconciliation of us and the Church of Rome Yea Godfrey Goodman Bishop of Glocester in his Letter to the Archbishop whiles they were both prisoners in the Tower dated August 30. 1642. the originall whereof was seised on by M. Prynne writes That at that instant when he dissented from the New Canons by Bishop Mountagues encouragement An. 1640. he could have proved how that in his person he did visit and held correspondency with the Popes Agent and received his Letters in behalfe of his Sonne who was then travelling to Rome who by his Letters he had extraordinary entertainment there This Bishop Mountague would ascribe to the favour and credit which he had gotten by his writings If so it seemes they were very well approved of at Rome And this is not onely probable but reall as appeares by an originall Letter under Bishop Mountagues own hand to Secretary Windebanke dated from Aldingburne Jan. 26. wherein he desires this Popish Secretary to give his son leave to goe to Rome in his travell which he is desireous to do and I writes he AM DESIROVS HE SHOVLD desiring him to acquaint his GRACE therewith and remember his duty to him His Graces advancement then of such an Arminian and Romish Prelate so intimate with the Popes Legate and much favoured at Rome must certainly favour of a Romish designe to corrupt our Church subvert our Religion set up Popery and reduce us back to Rome Doctor Roger Manwaring Vicar of Saint Giles in the fields a man very Popishly affected and intimate with Papists who abounded in his Parish upon a complaint and Impeachment of the Commons in Parliament for two Sermons preached before his Majestie the third year of his reigne in Justification of the Lawfulnesse of the Kings imposing Loues and Taxes on his People without consent
in that I shall ever acknowledge with a sincere heart But now Sir I must intreat leave of you that I may joyn an earnest suite to my thankes My Lord Bishop I hear is to be translated to Hereford and I am not thought on to succeed him I dare not write to my Lords Grace of Canterbury But I dare hope of his goodnes to me and that he will commiserate my case when he shall be truly informed of my need and what an utter discredit it will be to me in my Country when I shall be intercepted by whomsoever now the third time after that his Grace did encourage me to pitch upon this Bishoprick in his house at Westminster In truth Sir if I misse of it this third time I shall have no Joy to shew my face in the Diocesse Therfore I beseech you that you will speedily be my earnest Solicitor to his Grace that if for no other reason yet out of meer compassion I may not be so utterly disheartened I could be as glad to see Doctor Sibthorp in the Deanry almost as my selfe in the Pallace Your interest in his Graces Love may be a powerfull Mediator for us both Good Sir delay not the time to commend my cause to his Grace in whose goodnesse I cannot but have great confidence I heartily commend you to Gods grace and will ever be Your very thankefull friend Jo. Towers Peterborough Sept. 30. 1638. What effect this Letter produced appeares by the Docquet Book Octob. 29. 1638. Where we find both a Conge De'slire and Letter to the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough to Elect this aspiring Dr. for their Bishop both drawn up by Warrant from this Archbishop of Canterbury Belike Sir Iohn Lambe found this Doctor very thankfull for his promotion according to his promise the rather because we find in the Docquet Book Novemb. 5. 1638. A presentation of this Dr Towers to the Rectory of Caster in the diocesse of Peterborough by order from the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Who as he disposed of all Bishopricks in England so likewise in Ireland even whiles he was Bishop of London and since as appeares not onely by sundry Letters from Doctor Vsher Primate of Ireland and other Irish Prelates found in his Study but by severall Writings and Warrants under his hand for disposing Bishopricks there we shall instance onely in three The first of them seised in his Study by Mr. Prynne is thus indorsed with the Archbishops own hand Mr. Lancasters Reasons why he should be Archbishop of Cassils though he be thought too young Maii 21. 1629. WHereas the Lord Bishop of London objected against my age as being under 50. Your honâ—our may be pleased if it shall be insisted upon to make known to his Majestie that the lamentable estate of that Church is such that it is requisite hee should be active able and wealthy rather then old and decrepid that should have that Bishopricke to prosecute the recovery of the revenues thereof where the last Archbishop left who spent and spoyled himselfe in the prosecution thereof and so shall any other that shall undertake that unlesse he shall be of competent age and shall have his Majesties gracious favour and furtherance therein Again gravity sobriety sincerity integrity courage counsell goodnesse godlinesse hospitallity and charity are more to be regarded in that Country where they pry with Eagles eyes into our lives and conversations but will not heare our doctrine then old age where he shall not long want grey haires if suites troubles molestations vexations persecutions and afflictions can procure them Againe it is held by most that neither Saint John the Evangelist nor Timothy the first Bishop of the Ephesians were above 30. yeares old and yet our Saviour made choyce of the former and Saint Paul of the latter saith in the first of Tim. 4. and 12. Let no man despise thy youth By this its apparant that the power of disposing the Archbishopricks and Bishopricks in Ireland were in this Prelates hands and that he rejected or advanced whom he pleased there and therefore must be satisfied The second is this Note writ with this Archbishops own hand found among Secretary Windebanks Papers who thus endorsed it Jan. 1634. My Lord of Canterburies Note for George Andrews Dean of Limbrick to be Bishop of Fernes and Laughlin George Andrewes Dean of Limbricke to be Bishop of Fernes and Laughlin To hold in Commendam any thing he hath saving the Deanery The Bishopricke is voyd by the death of the late Bishop thereof You must draw up a Letter accordingly out of hand W. Cant. Thirdly A Warrant thus endorsed with the Archbishops own hand A Warrant for the Bishop of Limericke writ by his Secretary Dell and signed by himself in this forme which will demonstrate the forme of all his other Orders and Warrants to the Signet for the forementioned English Bishops SIR YOu are to prepare a Bill for his Majesties Signature after the usuall manner conteining a grant of the Bishoprick of Limericke in Ireland now voyde by the death of the late Bishop there to George Webbe Doctor in Divinity and one of his Majesties Chaplaines in ordinary And for so doing these shal be your Warrant Septemb. 22. 1634. W. Cant. To the Clerke of his Majesties Signet attending His Authority in disposing the Bishopricks in Ireland was so absolute that William Bishop of Corke and Rosse in his Letter to this Archbishop Aug. 7. 1640. after he had passed through one or two Bishopricks there writes thus by way of acknowledgement to him for his preferments there What I had or have is of your Graces goodnesse under him who gives life and breath and all things and under our gratious Soveraigne who is the breath of our nostrels The like we could prove for Scotland and what kinde of Popish and Arminian Bishops he there preferred themselves have sufficiently declared in their Charge against him and other Writings Not to insist upon his earnest endeavour and contest to promote Dr. Theodor Price Vice-Deane of Westminster to a Welch Bishopricke as the fittest man in his conscience of all others who lived a professed Unpreaching Epicure Arminian and dyed a reconciled Papist to the Church of Rome soon after receiving extream unction from a Popish Priest who missed the Bishoprick onely by the Noble Earle of Pembrooks opposition to which Dr. Owen was preferred in his stead We shall passe from Bishopricks to Deaneries To pretermit his advancement of Dr Manwaring Dr Wren Dr Duppa and others to Deaneries ere they were made Bishops Decemb. 1635. the Deanery of Worcester was granted to Dr Christopher Potter a professed Arminian which Dr. Featly attested by signification and order of this Archbishop of Canterbury as the Docquet Book records to whom he submitted the correction of his Book entituled Want of Charity and imputed his preferments witnesse this Doctors own Letter to the Archbishop the originall whereof attested by M. Prynne was produced and read
the Church of England was ready to ring the Changes and insinuating unto his Auditory that there was cause to fear an Alteration of Religion saying that Religion and the Gospel stood on tiptoes ready to be gone that divers good Ministers were silenced and that they should beware of a relapse unto Popery In this censure the Archbishop had the chiefest hand as was proved by the High Commission Bookes and Mr Wardes Submission which was drawn up by Sir Iohn Lambe and sent to this Archbishop who endorsed it with his owne hand This severe sentence utterly ruined this famous painfull preacher who lay long in prison and soone after ended his dayes in great grief and sorrow In April 1630. Articles were exhibited against Mr Charles Chancy a Reverend learned painfull Minister living at Ware for preaching against the Bacchanales and disorders used by many in the Christmas holy-dayes the increase of Popery Arminianisme and using these expressions in a Sermon of his charged against him in his Articles in Ianuary before That Idolatry was admitted into the Church and that not only the prophets of Baal but Baal himselfe is received and houses multiplyed for the entertainment of them and with all saying that the preaching of the Gospel would be suppressed That there wanted men of courage to tell the Superiours in the Church of their neglect for that there was increase of much Atheisme Popery Arminianisme and Heresie in our Church since the reformation of it as at this time wherein Heresies were not onely broached but maintained whereby he raised a fear among the people and insinuated to them that some alteration of Religion would ensue and be brought in and scandalized the whole Church of England and Government thereof To these Articles Mr Chancy gave in his answer upon Oath in the High Commission the 21 of the same April and the very next day by Order of that Court the whole cause was referred to this Bishop then of London being his ordinary provided that if Mr Chancy did not submit himselfe to performe his Lordships order therein that then his Lordship if it seemed good unto him might transferre the cause backe again to be censured in this Court Whereupon Mr Chancy made a Submission to his Lordship in Latin and soon after was enforced to desert the Kingdome and set sayle for New England to avoyd further persecution All which is manifest by the Originall Articles and Mr Chancyes answer to them found among Sir John Lambes sequestred Writings by Mr Prynne and by the Order of Reference and M. Chancyes Submission endorsed with the Bishops own hand the chiefe Prosecutor of this cause To these we could add M. Cotton M. Hooker M. Davenport M. Wells M. Peters M. Glover and sundry other Ministers driven into New England and other Plantations those that fled over into Holland to avoyd his prosecution with some hundreds of Ministers questioned in the High Commission and else-where by his meanes and there suspended silenced for not publishing the Booke of Sports or not submitting to his Popish Innovations M. Salisbury was questioned and troubled by this Prelate for these passages in his Sermon on Math. 24. 6. How many thousands have made shipwrack of faith a good conscience renounced our true Church stepp'd aside to Arminianisme and from thence as it is the widest gate that opens towards Rome relapsed to Popery Thus are wee scattered in our Jacob and divided in our Israel The Low Countryes not long since if not still sighed as deeply and mourned as strongly to finde herselfe as imperceivably to be overgrowne with Arminianisme And what a faction is like to be in our deplorable England between Popery and Arminianisme together except God be more mercifull and our State the more vigilant and mindfull We shall see sooner then tell and feel sooner then see Doctor Staughton D. Sibbes D. Taylor D. Gouge M. White of Dorchester M. Rogers of Dodham with sundry more of our most eminent preaching orthodox Divines were brought into the High Commission and troubled or silenced for a time by his procurement upon frivilous pretences But in truth because they were principle Props of our Protestant Religion against his Popish and Arminian Innovations But omitting these we shall conclude this head with one memorable instance more which comes very home Mr Nathaniel Bernard Lecturer at Sepulchers in London preaching at Antholins Church in May 3. 1629. used this expression in his prayer before his Sermon Oh Lord open the eyes of the Queenes Majestie that shee may see Iesus Christ whom shee hath peirced with her Infidelity Superstition and Idolatry This Archbishop then of London was presently informed of this passage attested by Walter Kirby an Atturney of Bernards Inne Iohn Browne of Durham Minister and some others Whereupon the Bishop brought him into the High Commission where after long attendance upon his Submission this ensuing Order was framed Die Jovis viz. xxviii die mensis Januarii Anno Domini juxta c 1629. Coram Commissionariis Regiis apud Lambeth Judicialiter sedentibus presente Thoma Mottershed Registrarij Regij Deputat Officum Dominorum contra Nathanielem Bernard Clericum Prima Sessio Termini Hillarij HIS appearance by bond was respited untill this day at which day and place the said Nathaniel Bernard appeared personally and then it being objected unto him by the Court that he had in a Sermon lately by him preached or otherwise delivered some Scandalous and undutiful speeches derogatory to some particular person of most eminent place which the Court desired not to have there repeated and for that the said Mr Bernard had acknowledged his error in that kinde as some of the Commissioners there unto whom he had submitted himself reported and himselfe confessed the Court was inclined upon his submission being a young scholler and a student in Divinity to accept his submission and enclined to deal mercifully and favourably with him yet considering that his scandalous and undutifull speeches were of such high nature as could not be well remitted or pardoned by this Court without the approbation and the good liking of his most Excellent Majestie the Court desired the Lord Bishop of London to acquaint his Majestie therewith and if his Majestie upon understanding of the Cause would be graciously pleased to pardon him and leave it to the Court that then this Court would take such further order for his dismission as they should think meet Mottershed The Copy of this Order with another Paper conteining the words were both endorsed with the Bishops own hand and found among his Papers by Mr Prynne who produced them Mr Bernard not long after upon his submission was dismissed the Court After which repairing to the University of Cambridge to visit his friends he fortuned to preach at Saint Maries Church there on the 6. of May 1632. in the afternoon wherein he let fall divers Passages concerning preaching the purity of Gods Ordinances worship and against the Introducers of
faithfully promised to preach it no more And when he absolved him on this promise he most prophanely used to him these words of our Saviour spoken to the Woman taken in Adultery Iohn 8. 14. Go thy way sinne no more that is preach this Lecture no more as if preaching was as heinous a sinne as Adultery lest a worse thing happen to thee Furthermore in pursuit of these Instructions he put down all Sermons on the Lords dayes in the Afternoon throughout his Diocesse strictly charging the Ministers in his Visitations not to preach on Lords dayes in the Afternoon upon any occasion under pain of Suspension After which hee suspended one Mr Cornish only for preaching a Funerall Sermon on a Lordsday Evening Furthermore he convented the Minister of Beercoockham before him for having two Sermons on that parish Revellday alleadging that it was a hinderance to the Revel and utterance of the Church-all provided to be spent ' on that day belike he had more care of the Church wardens Ale then the peoples Soules and he questioned one Mr Thomas Erford a Minister as a Delinquent for preaching at the parish of Mountague on their Revellday upon the Prophet Joels exhortation to Fasting weeping and mourning charging him that not only his Sermon but his every text too was scandalous to the Revel and gave offence to the meeting And whereas divers godly Ministers of his Diocesse being restrained from preaching did take great paine thereupon to catechise their Parishioners in the principles of Religion on Lordsdayes in the Afternoon according to the Letter of these Instructions enlarging themselves upon the Questions and Answers in the Catechisme in the Common-Prayer-Booke for the peoples better Instruction and using a short prayer before and after that exercise this Bishop being informed of it corrected and sharply reproved these Ministers for their pains threatning to punish them severely if they Persisted therein saying Thus it was a Catechizing Sermon-wise and AS BAD AS PREACHING Charging them that they should aske no other Questions nor receive any other Answers from the people but such as were conteined in the Book of Common prayer which one Mr Bâ—â—rett Rector of Barwick not observing was enjoyned penance for it and one Humfrey Blake Churchwarden of Bridgewater was likewise put to penance for not presenting Mr Devenish the Minister there as a Delinquent for expounding the Church-Cateckisme and making a short prayer of his own before he began his exercise All which particulars were proved by substantiall witnesses before a Committee of the House of Commons drawn up into an Impeachment against this Bishop and being in verity the Impious fruites of this Arch-Prelates project who encouraged him herein must be justly and principally charged upon his score Quia plus peccat Author quà m Actor The like Suppressions of Sermons and Catechizing on the Lords day in the Afternoon were common in all or most other Diocesse neither could any Combination Lectures be obtained in them but with very great suite and upon very hard conditions which the Bishops tooke advantage to prescribe by colour of these Instructions all strictly observed till this present Parliament This we could prove by many Instances we shall produce but one instead of all the rest found among Sir Iohn Lambes Papers the Archbishops grand Instrument herein by Mr Prynns endorsed with Sir Iohns own fift Orders given by the Right Reverend Father in God JOHN Lord Bishop of PFTERBOROVGH for and concerning the Sermon weekly on Wednesday in Saint JAMES Chappell in BRACKLEY September the 14. 1639. 1. IT is ordered that the fifteen Divines whose names are here under written shall be appointed to their severall dayes by Dr Hâ—ath Chancellor of the said Dioces or his permission by Doctor Sybthorpe one of his Surrogates in a Catalogue to be signed by him annexed to these orders II. That no other Divine shall be admitted to Preach there upon any Wednesday but one of these fifteene except the Curate of that place upon any pretence whatsoever And if one of these shall dye or depart or refuse to preach none other shall be Substituted but by expresse allowance of the Bishop III. That the Bell shall begin to toll a quarter of an houre before nine of the Clocke in the morning and shall continue so toleing till nine of the Clocke and no longer IIII. That immediatly upon ceasing of the Bell the Divine Service of the Church of England for morning prayer shall begin and shall be said together with the Letanie either by the Preacher for that day or else in case of necessity only by the Minister of the place of his assistant in his Surplice and Hood according to his degree in Schooles V. The Preacher for that day shall be ready at the Communion Table in his Surplice and Hood while a Psalme is in singing after the Morning prayer and the Letanie to begin the Communion Service commonly called the second Service and that there be no Hiatus or stopp at all after the end of the Psalmes If he be not there He who did reade the Morning prayer that day shall presently goe thither and proceede to the second Service and no Sermon shall be had that day VI. The Preacher assoone as he hath repeated the Nicen Creede shall goe up into the Pulpet in his Surplice and hood VII No other forme of prayer before the Sermon shall be vsed then is set downe in the LV. Canon to move the people to pray in the words and manner there perscribed interposing only if he so desire the names of the Vniversities and of his Colledge or of his Patron he being one quallified by Law to have a Chaplaine VIII The Sermon at the utmost shall be within the compasse of an howre and shall be ended with Glory be to God c. without any other prayers in the Pulpit VIIII The Preacher shall after is Sermon come presently from the Pulpit and so goe to the Communion table and reade the prayer for the whole estate of Christs Church c. and one or two of the Collects which stands after the Communion Service and so shall dismisse the people with that blessing there The peace of God c. X. A Surplice and Hood are to be provided for the Preacher at the charge of the Towne XI The people to be admonished by the Preacher as neede shall require to be diligent and of reverend behaviour at the divine service both before the Sermon and also after it All men to be uncovered during all the time both of Service and Sermon all persons to do Reverence at the blessed name of Iesus to stand at the Creedes Hymnes and Gospells to kneele at the confession and prayers and practise all other parts of conformity to the Church Government or otherwise it shall be sufficient cause to have the combination for the said weekely Sermon forthwith inhibited if the Divine Service be neglected or deserted Or if these Orders above
better maintenance of Ministers and Preachers where there was most need that they bought them with their own moneyes and the monyes of their friends and disposed the revenues thereof to none nor placed any Minister in any Church but such as they took more then ordinary care should be throughly examined by the Ordinary of the place for his Sufficiency and full Conformity by law required And therefore hee besought him earnestly that he would not use his power to hinder and destroy so good a work but rather to cherish and further it And if he disliked either the Persons who managed it or the course they took in ordering the same they would appoint such other meet persons and rules for the regulating and carrying on of that pious worke as he should think fit But notwithstanding this and all other Arguments he could use and earnestly presse him withall the Bishop with much passion expresly declared his resolution to break the neck of this good worke that it should not proceed Whereupon an Information was exhibited against the Feoffees by his procurement in the Eschequer Chamber in the Kings name by Mr Noy the Kings Attorny Generall and sentence given against them for seising all the Impropriations they had purchased and monyes received by them into the Kings hands whereby this good worke was destroy'd the profits diverted to other uses as appears by the Docquet Book ultimo Decembris 1638. and Sir William Whitmores Petition to the Archbishop Novemb. 13. 1633. found in his study and deboyst scandalous unworthy Ministers such as had been formerly turned out by other BPS put in to them wheras they maintained sundry godly Ministers and six Lecturers at S. Antholins with the profits of the Impropriations purchased After which Mr White attested there was another Information put by the Kings Attorny into the Exchequer criminally against these Feoffees as grand Delinquents and that by this Archbishops direction as was manifested by a Note produced by Mr Prynne under Secretary Windebanks own hand to this effect IT is his Majesties pleasure that the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace the Lord Keeper the Lord Archbishop of Yorks Grace the Lord Treasurer the Lord Privy Seal the Earl Marshall the Lord Cottington Mr Secretary Cook and my self calling to us Mr Atturny Generall shall consider whether the Feoffees which have been questioned in the Exchequer for the Feofment of Impropriations shall be proceeded against Criminally and if so then whether in the Court of Exchequer or in Star-chamber Dated at Whitehall 17. of January 1633. Fran. Windebanke Mr Thomas Foxly a reverend Divine deposed upon Oath Viva Voce That about Eight years since William Laud now Archbishop of Canterbury did put down his Lecture on Fridayes at Saint Martins in the fields for fear as he pretended least those that came thereunto should infect the Kings Queenes and such Noble mens houses as were in that Parish with the Plague though there then dyed very few in and about London of that disease the Plague not being then in that Parish when his sayd Lecture was suppressed though God brought it into the Parish the very next weeke after its suppression by means whereof this deponent was deprived of his present livelyhood After which he being brought before the said Bishop for divers frivilous matters whiles he was Bishop of London and cleared of them because there was no colour of Crime against him The said Bishop charged him for intermedling with the businesse of buying in Impropriations and thereby endeavouring as he expressed by putting his fingers to his Girdle and shaking of it to bring the Bishops under the Feoffees Girdles for Impropriations and when this deponent answered him that this could not be since the Ministers on which they bestowed the said Impropriations were sent to the respective Bishops of every Diocesse to be approved by them he answered that if he had known this deponent to be so busie in this matter of redeeming Impropriations he should not have so easily gotten off before as he did And he farther deposed that about nineteen Moneths before this present Parliament he having a Chamber in London and study in Canewood neer Highgate was rifled by Pursevants and taken and kept Prisoner for two Dayes and two Nights space by vertue of a generall warrant to search for Popish Books and suspected Persons and bidden to choose whether he would be brought before the now Archbishop or Sir John Lambe whereupon he bid the Pursevant carry him whither he would who carryed him to Sir John Lambe who told him he must put in Bond to appear the next Thursday at the High Commission which he did accordingly on which Thursday morning by meanes of Dr Bray he obtaining speech which the said Archbishop desired him to grant him one weekes time to consider whether he might take the oath Ex officio or not which he hardly granting the said Archbishop said He had almost forgotten him but by way of threatning said he remembred him about the businesse of the Feoffees to which the deponent replyed That he was encouraged therein by Bishops and Privy Councellors who sometimes conceived it to be a very good worke to redeem Impropriations and so he was desired to appear the Thursday following But the very next Lords day another Pursevant was sent to this deponent who bringing him to the Councell Chamber door and there attending about halfe an Hour a warrant under the said Archbishops hand and five others was delivered to the said Pursevant to carry him to the Gate house where he was kept close Prisoner in a Chamber not four yards square for the space of twenty months not having the allowance of pen and Inke to Petition that he might know whom or wherein he had offended that so he might repent through God gives leave yea calls upon the greatest sinners to Petition to him and at three Months end he growing very sick by reason of his close Imprisonment and for want of one to cut his Haire which he used to wear short for his health fell very sick his wife thereupon Petitioned time after time to have access to him being at the very point of death as his keeper informed her but could neither by her selfe nor any other friends procure accesse unto him untill such time as Sir Mathew Lister was appointed by the Privy Coucell to come unto him to see in what ill case he was upon whose certificate and fifty shillings paid Sir William Beâ—cher and his man so soon as it could be procured from Friends she had a warrant to come and bring one Phisitian and Chirurgian unto him to let him blood and permission to repair unto him during his sicknesse but no longer In which strict close Imprisonment by the said Archbishops procurement he continued till about a Moneths space after this present Parliament began and then upon a Petition of his wives to the House of Commons he was released without bayl and his said
Imprisonment by them voted Illegall there being all this while no proceedings against him nor any crime objected to him in any Court of Justice By means of which Imprisonment he was much prejudiced and undone in his Estate and his wife with four small children exposed to Pennury and Beggery Such a spite did He bear this witnesse for his Activity in the businesse of Impropriations Mr William Kendall Mr Iohn Lane and Mr Tempest Miller severally deposed at the Lords Bar that the Archbishop in the presence of them and divers others speaking of the Feoffees of Impropriations said that they were the bane of the Church and then uttered these words in a vaunting manner I was the man that did set my self against them and then clapping his hand upon his brest said I thank God I have destroyed this work So as he did not only subvert this pious project to propagate the preaching of the Gospell but boasted of it and had so much shamelesse Impiety as to thanke God himselfe for effecting it who hath now in justice brought him into judgement for it and made it one part of that Charge and Evidence which we conceive will most justly destroy him The seventh and next stratagem he used to subvert the Protestant Religion which he had almost totally suppressed corrupted with Popish Errours Superstitions Innovations in our English Churches was his endeavours to undermine and suppresse it in these few Duth and French Churches planted here among us who enjoyed their owne Government Priviledges Discipline without any interruption by any of his Predecessors or other English Prelates in all our Protestant Princes reignes from King Edward the sixth his reigne till this Archprelates molestation of and attempts against them thus laid down in the twelfth Originall Article of his Impeachment He hath Traiterously endeavoured to cause division and discord between the Church of England and other Reformed Churches and to that end hath supprest and abrogated the Priviledges and Immunities which have been by his Majesty and his Royall Ancestors granted to the Dutch and French Churches in this Kingdom And divers other wayes hath expressed his malice and disaffection to these Churches that so by such dis-union the Papists might have more advantage for the overthrow and extirpation of both To make good this Article we could produce many Letters Papers Instructions Orders under the Archbishops own hand or indorsed by him found in his own study here ready at the Barre but for brevity sake we shall instance only in some few particulars of more speciall note The first is that this Arch-prelate though he beares so good an affection and honourable respect to the Church of Rome as to justifie her to be a true visible Apostolike Church which never erred in fundamentals and wherein men may be saved and that we and she are one and the same Church still no doubt of that both one as we have formerly proved Yet he is so maliciously despitefull to the Protestant Churches in forraign parts and at home that he reputes them not only no true Churches but even no Churches at all because they have no Lord-bishops different in Order and Degree from ordinary Ministers This opinion of his we shall manifest not only by his Divinity Questions when he was to proceed Batchelor and Doctor of Divinity for which Dr Holland publickly checkt and turned him out of the Schools with disgrace as a sower of discord between Brethren to wit the Church of England and other reformed Churches but by his own late reprinted Book An 1639. entituled A Relation of the Conference between William Laud then Lord Bishop of St. Davids now Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and Mr Fisher the Jesuite c. p. 175 176. where thus he writes in justification of his former Theses in the Divinity Schools For the calling and Authority of Bishops over the inferiour Clergy that was a thing of known use and benefit for preservation of Truth and Peace in the Church And so much St Ierom tels us though being none himselfe he was no great friend to Bishops And this was so setled in the mindes of men from the very infancy of the Christian Church as that it had not been till that time contradicted by any So that then there was no controversie about the calling all agreed upon it Then citing Jeroms words in the margin he thus comments upon them So even according to St. Ierom Bishops had a very ancient and honourable descent in the Church from St. Mark the Evangelist And about the end of the same Epistle he acknowledgeth it Traditionem esse Apostolicam Nay more then so he affirmes plainly That ubi non est Sacerdos NON EST ECCLESIA St. Ierom advers Luciferianos And in that place most manifest it is that St. Ierom by Sacerdos meanes a Bishop for he speaks de Sacerdote qui potestatem habet Ordinandi which in St. Ieroms owne judgement no meere Priest had but a Bishop only St. Ierom Epist. ad Evagrium so even with him NO BISHOP NO CHURCH Which being his own positive judgement the Dutch and French Protestant Churches both at home and abroad must needs be no Church at all in his opinion because they have no such Bishops and so are in farre worse condition then the Church of Rome in his repute To make this more apparent we shall desire you to take notice that in Decemb. 1639. there was a plot between this Archbishop and others of our Prelates to obtrude upon all our Ministers this subscription as the received Doctrine of the Church of England to wit that there could be no Church of Christ without Diocesan Lord Bishops which clearly appeares by the forementioned propositions of Bishop Hall which the Archbishop thought fit for the subscription of others but especially by the 1. 12. and 13. propositions viz. God had never any Church on earth that was ruled by a Parity There was NO CHVRCH OF CHRIST VPON EARTH ever since the times of the Apostles governed any otherwise then by Bishops This course of government thus set by the Apostles in their life time by the speciall direction of the holy Spirit is unalterable by any humane Authority but OVGHT to be perpetuated in the Church to the end of the world From whence it inevitably followes that the reformed forraign Churches having no such imparity of Governours nor Lordly Bishops in them are in this Arch-Prelates and his Confederates judgements No Churches of God or Christ at all and if the designe of subscribing these Propositions had succeeded as it did in the Etcetera Oath for a time he would have engaged the whole Church of England with all our Ministers by a publike subscription in this most unchristian and uncharitable opinion which not prevailing was yet soone after thus seconded in print by his grand Favourite Bishop Mountague whom he advanced to two Bishopricks in his Originum Ecclesiasticarum Tomi prioris Pars posterior p. 464 published with his approbation
of him in a very angry manner What have you brought me here Mr Ruly replied His Majesties Letters Patents At which answer he fell into a great passion rating and reviling Mr Ruly with very ill language threatned and called him ill names protested that that Patent should not passe though it were under the Great Seale and made Mr Dell write something out of it Mr Ruly shaking for feare excused himselfe that it was drawn by the Officers to whom his Grace had directed him and if there were ought offensive in it he was altogether ignorant and not guilty of it Whereunto the Archbishop replied that were it not for his respect and engagements to the Queen of Bohemia they should have no collection at all and that he could finde in his heart to quash it but however he would suppresse that Patent which he detained by him and would have one drawn in another forme Whereupon Mr Ruly leaving him to his angry mood departed and acquainted Secretary Cook the Lord Keeper Coventry and other his friends with the Premises who all wondred and were very inquisitive what was the cause of all this anger The Archbishop presently after repaires to the King and complaines much against this Patent Secretary Cook and the Lord Keeper for passing it who being both sent for by the King about it acquainted his Majesty that it was made verbatim accorcording to former Presidents that they had his Majesties hand and Royall assent thereto and it was now passed the Seale and so could not be altered To which the King answers that it must be altered for that the Archbishop would have it so and another must be drawn according to his minde Upon this the Patent was recalled and a new one drawn according to the Archbishops direction and prescript which being compared with the former by these Deponents and others who were very inquisitive what it was did so much enrage his Grace they found it was only this ensuing clause which he caused to be quite purged out with little or no alteration else from that he suppressed Whose cases are more to be deplored for that this extremity is fallen upon them for their sincerity and constancy IN THE TRVE RELIGION which WE TOGETHER WITH THEM DO PROFESSE and WHICH WE ARE ALL BOVND IN CONSCIENCE TO MAINTAINE TO THE VTMOST OF OVR POWERS Whereas these Religious and Godly Persons being involved amongst others their Countrey-men might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other backsliders in the times of Triall they would have submitted themselves to the ANTI-CHRISTIAN YOAK and have renounced or dissembled the Profession of THE TRVE RELIGION In lieu whereof he only inserts That they suffered FOR THEIR RELIGION as if our Religion and theris were contra-distinct and different one from another and theirs not the true Which Secretary Cook when he saw affirmed would make a Schism a Division betwixt us and the forraign Protestant Churches by intimating that they professed neither our nor yet the true Religion as Mr Wakerly deposed and gave great scandall and offence to the Deponents yea to the forraign Churches and Protestants here who took speciall Notice of it In this notable peece of Evidence we shall desire your Lordships and the world to take notice of these remarkable particulars First of this Archbishops insufferable Insolency in daring to presume so farre as to stop suppresse the Kings own Letters Parents when approved by his Royall Signature allowed by the Lord Keeper and actually passed under the Great Seale of England Secondly his extraordinary over-ruling power with the King who against his own Iudgement Signe Manuall Seale and former Presidents must have this Patent altered in this clause only because the Archbishop would have it so and for no other reason Thirdly that this alteration proceeded meerly from the Archbishops own motion not from any Priests or Iesuits instigation much lesse from the King as he pretended the alterations of the Prayer-Book for the fifth of November did Fourthly that he was exceeding passionate and enraged at this clause insomuch that this charitable Collection and Patent must totally be quashed rather then this clause tolerated whereas his Chaplaines authorized Books in commendation of Popery Popish Errours yea pleading for Rome and her Religion as true and one with ours Fiftly that this very clause had passed both the Broad Seal and Presse too without the least exceptions in a Patent 29 Ian. 3. Caroli not full seven yeares before even in King Charles his own Reign and in another Generall Collection granted under the Privy Signet the seventeenth of Iune in the sixteenth year of King James Anno Dom. 1618. for reliefe of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wesell then printed by Authority together with Archbishop Abbots directions concerning the same to the severall Bishops under him dated June 25. 1618. wherein we finde these following expressions That that City had been a place of succour and reliefe to many afflicted strangers such as have been exiled for THE TRVE RELIGION That they were not able any longer to sustaine the charge neither of the Ministry nor of the Free-schoole which heretofore they have erected for the propagation of THE TRVE RELIGION c. which should excite us to enlarge the Bowels of compassions toward them which cannot be better expressed of our parts then by having compassion and a fellow-feeling of them MAKING THE SAME PROFESSION OF FAITH THAT WE DO yet doe suffer such adversity c. which are the same in terminis with those in this expunged Patent What then was the cause that this Clause should be thought so insufferable so impassible by this Archprelate now Certainly there must be some great mystery of Iniquity in it he and his Predecessor Abbot had not the selfe-same opinion of the Protestant Churches and their Religion Abbot deemed both their Churches and Religion true and the same with ours but Laud deemes them no Churches at all their Religion not the true Religion nor the same with ours at this time though formerly one and the same with it And why so because himselfe had altered perverted yea almost quite subverted it both in Design and Execution intending to set up Popery as the only old and true Religion therefore to suffer such a Patent to passe both the Great Seal and Presse in his Majesties name as should proclaim their Religion to be the true Religion which we together with them do professe and we are all bound in conscience to maintain to the uttermost of our power when he and his Confederates bent all their might to suppresse it and to commend their sincerity and constancy in the true Religion when as they might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other backsliders in the times of Tryall they would have submitted themselves to the Antichristian Yoak and have renounced or dissembled their profession of the true Religion in these dayes when he with his Confederates endeavoured to make men Backsliders
under his owne hand-writing that Doctor Abbot and the whole University in the yeer 1615. reputed and accounted him a Papist a Papist indeed at leastwise partly Romish and partly English or a mongrell and a compound of a Papist and Protestant one ready upon all occasions to step over to the Papists A Papist in the Doctrine of freewill justificaiian by works inherent righteousnesse concupiscence no sinne after Baptisme certainly of salvation and the Doctrine of the Sacrament and that the papists beyond the seas could say he was WHOLLY THEIRS and the Recusants at home make their brags of him This his temper was the cause of Doctor Hals Letter to W. L. William Laud as is generally conceived long since printed Anno 1608. in the third Decad of his Epistles Epist 5. page 55. for which his works were lately threatned to be called in or this Leter expunged out of them wherein he thus expostulates with him for his unsetlednesse and newtrality in Religion and inclining to the popish party I would I knew where to find you then I could tell how to take a direct ayme whereas now I must rove and conjecture to day YOU ARE IN THE TENTS OF THE ROMANISTS to morrow in ours the next day betweene both against both Our adversaries think you ours WEE THEIRS Your conscience finds you with both and neither I flatter you not this of yours is the worst of all tempers how long will you walk in this indifferency resolve one way and know at last what you doe hold that you should cast off either your wings or your teeth and loathing this Batlike nature be either a bird or a beast c. We shall conclude this part of our Evidence with the deposition of Francis Harris a converted Priest examined upon oath before the Lords who being in the Parliaments Army could not possibly be procured viva voce of which oath was made and thereupon his deposition was read as followeth The Examination of FRANCIS HARRIS of Christ-Church London taken Jan. 9. 1643. before the Lords Committee appointed to take the Examinations in the Cause of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury THis Deponent saith that he being at Paris in France about 24. yeers since meeting with one Ireland who had formerly bin one of the chief School-Masters of Westmin School and then a Priest and discoursing familiarly with this Deponent the said Ireland told him that the now Arch bishop of Canterbury and he were intimate friends and that he had discovered unto him when they were in the University together that the said Arch-bishops resolution was to leave the Kingdome and to reconcile himselfe to the Church of Rome and that he knew him to be a Papist in his heart and wondred why he staid so long behind saying that perchance honores mutant mores And this Deponent further saith That one Leander a Benedictine Fryar and Doctor of the Chaire at Doway by the common report of Papists and Priests both abroad and in England was very familiar with the said Arch-bishop and came over on purpose into England where this Deponent since saw him to negotiate with the said Arch-bishop about matters of Religion to make a reconciliation between the Church of Rome and England And this Deponent was bred up a Roman Catholike and a scholler and a secular Priest and upon better advice reconciling himselfe to the Church of England did often solicite and petition the said Archbi for some mean imployment in the Ministery as having done very good service in discovering Priests and Jesuits to the Messengers appointed to apprehend them but the Archbishop never gave hau any encouragement or countenance This Examination taken before Us Kent Lincolne Francis Harris That he hath been reputed a Papist in heart opinion and practise ever since he left the University is so notoriously knowne to all that we shall produce no witnesses many having been publikely censured and privately questioned by his power for calling and reporting him such a one and many publike papers being pasted up and scattered about the City and Court from time to time proclaiming him such a one of vvhich we have at least a dozen found among his owne and Secretary Windebankes writings and that our English popish priests and Roman Catholikes as well as Protestants beasted of him to be theirs vve have many instances vvhich vve could produce did vve need such evidence and the testimony of tvvo Priests to boot But vve shall rather informe and prove to your Lordships vvhat repute the papists had of him in foraigne parts yea even in Rome it selfe since himselfe hath chalked â—â— out the vvay and furnished us vvith this kind of proofe by procuring Sir Henry Mildmay a Member of the House of Commons very unseasonably and unhappily to testifie for him in this kind vvhat a hard opinion they had of him and hovv much he vvas hated in Rome by the Jesuits and others more then any man breathing the manner of enforcing vvhose testimony is very remarkable The Arch-bishop some fevv dayes before his tryall petitioned the House of Commons that Sir Henry Mildmay of the Jewell House one of their Members might be examined in his behalfe as a speciall witnesse for him how much he was hated and spoken against above all men at Rome for opposing the Popes and Papists designes in England Which being granted the Arch-bishop moved tvvo or three times very unseasonably that Sir Henry might be called to give in his testimony in this kind vvho being then out of Tovvn and not appearing the Committee of Commons who managed the Evidence promised to send for and cause him to appeare the next day at the Lords Bar vvhich he did to wit on June 11. 1644. Whereupon the Archbishop desired him to acquaint the Lords Whether he had not been of late yeers at Rome and what opinion they held of himself there Whether Sir Henry upon his return from thence dining with him at Lambeth did not tell him of his own accord he was the most odiousman of any at Rome and therefore certainely the furthest of any from setting up popery and endeavouring to reconcile us to Rome Whereupon Sir Henry said My Lords it is true J was some few yeers since at Rome not upon any message or designe at all but being somewhat infirme in body J was advised by my physicians to travell for a time into forraign parts to recover my health Wherupon J first travailed into France from thence into Italy and being there to satisfie my owne curiosity and recover my health J travelled to Rome During my abode there J was very inquisitive to know what opinion they had of us in England and of the great men there especially of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and I observed there were some there that were against the Arch-bishop and spake ill of him others that spake very well of him and so much I informed him at Lambeth upon my returne from thence but I deny that ever I
a dead lift since his troubles Charles R. CAnterbury Master Saint Giles by serving Vs and this State hath lost all his hopes in France and desires to spend his time here at his private studies I would have you think upon some way for his maintainance and to place him in Oxford that he may have use of that Library which he much desires And he may so order it that his profession in Religion may doe no harme What the service was that this Fryar had done for the King and State for which he lost his hopes in France we could never learne unlesse it were the penning and publishing of this book which some Jesuits and their faction onely disliked What it was that this Archbishop did for him upon this warrant as he pretends is thus expressed in a paper written with his own hand by way of excuse seized by Master Prynne in the Tower and by him produced at the Lords Barre where it was read as followeth MAster Saint Giles was a man well reputed of in France and placed about the Queens Majesty at her Majesties first comming hither After upon some services and those in a very faire way done to this State he lost ground in France and when some other French men were sent away from the Queens service he durst not goe thither but chose to live here in a very low condition for safeties sake rather then adventure thither All this while the man was unknowne to me but comming one day to wait upon his Majesty at Saint Jamses his Majesty was pleased to ask me Whether I knew Master Saint Giles I answered I did not Hereupon his Majesty tooke occasion to tell me the condition of the man and his wants and withall told me which way he conceived some reliefe might be given to his necessities and prescribed me a way how to order it that he might receive for his maintainance a hundred Marks a yeere This in obedience to his Majesty I did and I have his Majesties Warrant for it But I never allowed or gave him one penny of my owne Not long after this partly that the poore man being a stranger might live the cheaper and partly that he might have the use of the publike Library resolving as he pretended to follow metaphisicall learning and not engage himselfe in the controversies of the times His Majesty moved me againe that he might live in Oxford and in some Colledge or Hall there In this I humbly besought his Majesty to pardon me because it would be dangerous to the youth bred in that Colledge and scandalous to his Majesty this Church and the Vniversity and bring danger upon my selfe being Chancellour there After much importunity used by me his Majesty was gnaciously pleased to be satisfied that he should not be admitted to live in any Colledge or Hall among the Students but required me not to hinder his going to Oxford and the making use of the Library provided that he kept no company with any young Schollers that he lived privately in some Towne-house and that he did not presume to exercise his Priestly function or doe any thing against the lawes This he undertook to performe and I could never find by any the spies which I put upon him that he brake this in any particular but lived there without offence given to any In all times of his recourse to me for his pension I never spent one houre with him nor had I ever any discourse with him at all but once onely and that was about a dangerous opinion of Pompanatius At that time he told me he had a desire to labour in that Argument and to confute him I told him I could not approve any medling with that question in these times for that I thought few would be able to understand the subtilty of that dispute and that the stirring of it in these times would doe a great deale of mischiefe and this is all that ever past between him and me all my life This Saint Giles by this Prelats meanes continued in the University of Oxford sundry yeers and had the use of the Libraries there where he did much mischiefe Master Broad of Oxford deposed that Saint Giles continued in Oxford foure yeers or more that he was a very dangerous insinuating person that Doctor Turner Doctor Johnson and others of the Vniversity usually resorted to him and familiarly conversed with him though he were there knowne to be a popish Priest that when Master Prynne Master Burton and Doctor Bastwick suffered at Westminster on the Pillory this Saint Giles speaking of their sufferings told this Deponent in whose Kinswomans house he lay that though the Archbishop and other Bishops WERE CORDIALL FOR THE ROMISH RELIGION yet he doubted their cruelty would rather hurt then further their cause because it lost them much in the affections of the people Now what a capitall offence it was for this Archprelat to harbour such a dangerous seducing Priest reputed one of the greatest Schollers among the Papists in this famous University to seduce the Students there and as the Queens Apothecary a great Papist reported of purpose to instruct the Doctors there as Master Godfrey a quondam converted popish Priest averred and to lay the blame of it thus wholly on his Majesty to excuse himselfe we humbly submit to your Lordships consideration To prove this Saint Giles now Priest to the Venetian Ambassadour resident in London where he doth much mischiefe the Author of Deus Natura Gratia c. what repute it had among Papists abroad how the Archbishops Agents applauded made use of it and certified him from time to time how it was entertained by Papists in forraigne parts what they thought of him and other great persons in England how they stood affected to popery we shall produce two Originall Letters from Master William Middleton then Chaplaine to the Lord Fielding Ambassadour at Venice sent thence to the Archbishop in whose Study they were found by Master Prynne endorsed by Master Dell and the Archbishop the first of them beares date in Septemb. 1635. and was received by the Archbishop Octob. 9. wherein he thus writes Right Honourable and most Reverend I Thought it no little happinesse I had performed that duty of writing it pleased your grace â—o lay upon me c. While I was writing there came a Franciscan Fryar to my selfe his businesse was this A mind he told me he had to leave these parts and with them the Religion here in use that I should doe him a great favour would I procure him a passage to England either by Sea or Land that there he had formerly beene and was in love with place persons and Church as there ordered and established Vpon which words how I dealt with him I will relate to your Grace I asked him how long he had been of this resolution and what moved him to it He answered the time since he had taken this resolution was two monethes and
Master Pryme IF you heare Fa. Francis his Booke or person touched let them know that we understand assuredly that it proceeds from the Jesuits most likely also by this last Letter of Mr. Midleton to the Archbishop who imploy others in it as they did against Father Leanded till it cost him his life and if that upon their informations they proceed against such persons who THOUGH IN ALL THINGS CATHOLIKE yet are more discrect and temperate and not intermedling in matters of State THE KING WILL BE MUCH OFFENDED Thus much for this Book of Sancta Clara and the Author of it The fifth Evidence we shall pitch upon to prove a designe to reconcile and reduce us back to Rome is the Popes and his Agents promises tenders of Cardinals Caps and Places to some prime English men and to this Archbishop himselfe in particular the end whereof could be no other but to enthrall us againe to the superstitious jurisdiction of the Papall See The first proffer we find of a Cardinals Cap made to any English Prelat since the Reformation was to this Archbishop who thus records the time and manner thereof with his owne hand in his Diary Aug. 4. 1633. Sunday news came to Court of the Lord Archbishop of Canterburies death and the King RESOLVED PRESENTLY to give it me which he did Aug. 6. That very morning at Greenwich there came one to me seriously and THAT AVOWED ABILITY TO PERFORME IT AND OFFERED ME TO BE A CARDINALL I went presently to the King and acquainted him both with the thing and person It is very considerable that Master Anthony Mildmay deposed that Con the Popes Nuncio told him at Rome before Archbishop Abbots death that Bishop Laud should succeed him and that he would be more favourable to the Catholikes then Abbot By which it appeares that Bishop Laud was long before Abbots death designed to the place if not at the solicitation yet at least by the approbation of the Roman party No sooner comes newes to Court of Archbishop Abbots death but the King presently resolves that Bishop Laud should succeed him and no sooner is this known at Court but that very morning as himselfe records he is thus seriously offered to be a Cardinall by one who avowed ability to performe it and that at Greenwich in the Kings own Court. Who it was that made this offer were worth the discovery but this mystery he couceales The Plot against the King discovered to him by Habernfield informes us That Con the Popes Nuncio had a command to offer A CARDINALS CAP TO THE ARCHBISHOP in the name of the Pope of Rome and that he should allure him also with greater promises but this first offer was before Con's arrivall here Were the person an English Subject of what rank soever this proffer of his to to revive this popish dignity of a Cardinall among us and to receive it from the Popes exploded forraigue power which drew Cardinall Woolsey into a Premunire if not under the guilt of high Treason though this honour was procured him not only by King Henry the 8th his assent but solicitation deserved the severest exemplary punishment especially since it tended to engage the Primate and Metropolitan of all England most obliged by his place and office against all Popish power offices superstitious doctrines to submit unto them and become the Popes sworne vassall If the Popes owne Nuncio Panzani which is probable or any other forraigne Agent the affront had been so great both to the Archbishops person place had he been cordial to our Church our Religion being both a Privy Counsellour the Kings grand favorite and he who steard our Churches helm to the honour of our Church Religion of the King himselfe and his Royall Court that it could not patiently be put up or pretermitted without some eminent satisfaction But be the person one or other certaine it is he was never once questioned or molested by the Archbishop for this proffer who took it so well at the parties hands or rejected it so coldly that on the 17. day of the same Moneth he had a second serious offer made to him of the selfe-same dignity most probably by the same person which himselfe thus Registreth in his Diary Aug. 17. 1633. Saturday I had A SERIOUS OFFER MADE ME AGAIN TO BE A CARDINALL I was then from Court but so soon as I came thither which was August 21 I acquainted his Majesty with it But my answer againe was that somewhat dwelt within me which would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is What it was that dwelt within him which made him not absolutely but for the present only to refuse this offer till Rome was other then it is we may learn from Sir Hen. Mildmay's Mr. Anth. Mildmay's Mr. Challoner's depositions forementioned and his owne Reply to Fisher pag. 171. to wit an ambitious Papall spirit he would like his worthy Predecessor Saint Anselme so he stiles him be both in Title and Jurisdiction Papa alterius Orbis Pope of our British world and Vniversall Patriarch of all the Churches within his Majesties Realmes and Dominions which Rome as it then was and the Jesuiticall party there as these witnesses have deposed distiked and would not suffer and for this cause onely he refused this dignity which would have more enthralled him to the Popes and Romes jurisdiction not to their Religion then his ambitious spirit could well brook This double serious proffer of a Romish Cardinalship to the Archbishop is an infallible Argument First that the Pope and his Conclave at Rome had an extraordinary good opinion of his favour his good affection to Popery and their Antichristian Church else they would not have profered him such a dignity incompatible to any Protestant English Prelat Secondly that they deemed him the aptest activest Instrument to reconcile and re-unite us to Rome of all other in respect of his favour at Court power with the King and inclination to Popery as Sir Henry Mildmay Master Anthony Mildmay Master Challoner have attested therefore they would honour him with a Cardinals Hat to the end that as his Predecessor Cardinall Poole Archbishop of Canterbury the last English Cardinall of any of our Prelats reconciled our revolted Kingdom to Rome in Queen Maries dayes as appeareth at large by the Statute of 1. 2. Phil. Mary ch 8. So he invested with the same Papall dignity and fitting in the self-same See might once more as easily reduce us to the bosome of the Roman Church in the dayes of this Queen Mary as Popish as the former as he did then As this Archbishop so Master Walter Mountague not long after had good hopes given him at Rome to be made a Cardinal as the Archbishop himself was informed by Mr. Middleton's forecited Letter which dignity he should have lately received thence had he not been imprisoned if Sir Kenelme Digbies Letter may be credited to help on this work
let all the people say Amen And suddenly all the whole Church almost shook with the sound that their loud Amen made c. The Lord Deputy called from the Bishop of Derry a Copy both of his Sermon and Protestation to send to the King The learned and couragious Bishop gave this Answer that there was nothing he either spake or read in the Pulpit but he would willingly justifie it before his Majesty and feared not who read or saw it So now by Gods mercy nothing may yet be done or will be till the Lord Deputy heare from the King That this information of the Commons to his Majesty was then most true reall and that this Bishop knew it to be so in every particular we shall manifest by this printed Proclamation found in his Study thus endorsed with his owne hand not long after his Answer to the Commons Remonstrance April 1. 1629. A Proclamation concerning the growth of Popery in Ireland c. which was read as followeth By the Lord DEPUTY and COVNSELL Henry Falkland FOrasmuch as We cannot but take notice that the late intermission of legall proceedings against popish pretended or titulary Archbishops Bishops Abbots Deanes Vicars generall Jesuits Fryars and others of that sort that derive their pretended Authority and Orders from the See of Rome hath bred such an extraordinary insolence and presumption in them as that they have dared here of late not onely to assemble themselves in publike places to celebrate their superstitious services in all parts of this Kingdome but also have erected houses and buildings called publike Oratories Colledges Masse-houses and convents of Fryars Monks and Nunnes in the eye and open view of the State and elsewhere and doe frequently exercise jurisdiction against his Majesties Subjects by authority derived from the See of Rome and by colour of teaching and keeping Schooles in their pretended Monasteries and Colledges doe train up the youth of this Kingdome in their superstitious Religion to the great derogation and contempt of his Majesties regall power and authority and great offence of many of his Majesties good Subjects contrary to the Lawes and Ecclesiasticall government of this Kingdome and the impoverishment of his Majesties Subjects in the same These are therefore to will and require and in his Majesties name straightly to charge and command all and all manner such pretended or titulary Archbishops Bishops Deanes Vicars generall Arch-deacons and others deriving any pretended authority power or jurisdiction from the See of Rome that they and every of them forbeare from henceforth to exercise any such power jurisdiction or authority within this Kingdome and that all such Abbots Pryors Jesuits Fryars Munks Nunnes and others of that sort as aforesaid doe forthwith break up their Convents in all houses of Fryars Colledges Monasteries and other places wheresoever they are or shall be conventually or collegiatly assembled together within this Kingdome and to relinquish the same and to disperse and separate themselves And that all and every of the Orders before named and other Priests whatsoever doe from henceforth forbeare to preach teach or celebrate their Service in any Church Chappell or other publike Oratory or publike place or to teach any School in any place or places whatsoever within this Kingdome And We doe further straightly charge and command all and singular the owners of such houses of Fryars Colledges Monasteries Schooles Oratories Masse-houses and Nunneries that they and every of them respectively in default of the persons before named their voluntary relinquishing of the said houses of Fryars Colledges Monasteries Schooles Oratories Masse-houses and Nunneries doe forthwith expell and thrust forth all and singular such Fryars Jesuits and other Monasticall persons out of the same and to convert the same to other more lawfull uses upon paine to have their said houses seized to his Majesties use and both the one and the other to be proceeded against for their unlawfull assemblies and maintainance of such unlawfull Conventicles and corrupt nurture of children in the severest manner that by the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome and Ecclesiasticall government of the same may be had or extended whereof they and every of them are to take notice and to veeld due obedience thereunto as they and every of them will avoid his Majesties high indignation and the consequence thereof Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin the first day of Aprill 1629. Adam Loftus Canc. T. Baltinglasse Wil. Parsons Ja. Armachanus R. Dillon Rich. Bolton Hen. Valentia Ant. Midensis Dud. Norton Moâ—re Hen. Docwra Ad. Loftus Here we have a confitentem reum the Bi. himself under his own handwriting endorsed on this Proclamation justifying the Parlia Remonstrance to be true and his Answer to it a malicious slander to advance the Papists designes After which he had further intelligence from time to time by severall Letters and Papers out of Ireland elsewhere published at large of the dangerous growth encrease and insolencies of the Papists there notwithstanding this Proclamation and that there was a popish Hierarchy there exercised and University erected without controle We shall instance onely in two remarkable Letters written to him from Doctor Beadle Bishop of Kilmore and Ardagh found in his Study endorsed with his owne hand and read at the Lords Barre The first of them he thus endorseth April 1. 1630. From Doctor Beadle Lord Bishop of Kilmore and Ardagh about the state of the Church in his Diocesse and the Papists in Ireland Who writes thus thereof Right Reverend Father my Honourable good Lord SInce my comming to this place which was a little before Michaelmas till which time the setling of the State of the Colledge and my Lord Primates visitation deferred my consecration I have not been unmindful of your Lordships commands to advertise you as my experience should informe of the state of this Church which I shall now the better doe because I have been about my Diocesses and can set downe out of my knowledge and view what I shall relate and shortly to speak much ill matter in a few words it is very miserable The Cathedrall Church of Ardagh one of the most ancient in Ireland and said to be built by Saint Patrick together with the Bishop's house there downe to the ground the Church here built but without Bell or Steeple Font or Chalice The Parish Churches all in a manner rained or unroofed and unrepaired the people saving a few British planters here and there which are not the tenth part of the remnant obstinate Recusants a Popish Clergy more numerous by farre then we and in the full exercise of all jurisdiction Ecclesiasticall by their Vicars-generall and Officials who are so confident as they excommunicate those that come to our Courts even in Matrimoniall causes which affront hath been offered my selfe by the popish Primates Vicar-generall for which I have begun a processe against him the Primate himselfe lives in my Parish within two mile of my house the Bishop
actions meerly civil before the Magistrate coÌ„trary to the received customs of this kingdom from the first conversion of this Nation they protest that in so doing be exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergie contrary unto the Canons of the Church and the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdome c. Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe complain that the Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis is accustomed to answer the Clergy complaining of their grievances to him If I doe you wrong you may goe to Rome to complaine In the meane time reporting himselfe so powerfull in the Court of Rome that be feares no adversary And of this that reverend Priest Father Patrick Caâ—ill Doctor of Divinity had experience who for a yeere treating of his injuries and grievances done unto himby the Arch-bishop of Dublin could by no meanes prevaile once to be admitted to the presence and audience of the most eminent Cardinall Ludovifius Vice-Chancellour of Rome which Cardinall notwithstanding is given by his Holinesse unto the Irish at the only Patron and Protector of the Irish Nation These things we may remember with griefe but amend them we cannot but we professe before Almighty God his Holinesse and all faithfull people that this is nothing else but to tyrannize over the Clergie to the dishonour of the Church and no small contempt to the See Apostolick For which and other causes besides to be alleaged and in their due time and place to be proved against the above named Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis we the aforesaid Priests and hereafter to be named doe set before your eyes most Illustrious and reverend Lords these our grievances as meet and honourable witnesses of this our deed writing and publike instrument and as far as is possible and lawfull for us by the Canons of holy Church declining the jurisdiction of our aforesaid Ordinary by this our present writing and from this time forth we appeale unto the See Apostolicke from all Ecclesiasticall censures hereafter to be inflicted upon us by the same Illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis and in the meane time providing for our innocency and safety according to the example of Saint Paul and Saint Athanasius we doe invocate the ayde of the secular arme for our present remedy against the aforesaid Illustrious Arch-bishop Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis and all Regulars of what Order soever as well Monks as begging Fryars Abettars Counsellours and Participants with him in the premises as violators and contemners of all Lawes divine and humane and men by the Law excommuicate Humbly beseeching your Lordships in the bowels of the Crucified that you would be pleased to intimate with as much speed as may be this our Protestation and Appeale unto the See Apostolick and the God of peace and love long preserve your Reverend Lordships in safety Dated at Dublin May the third in the yeer of our Lord 1632. Peter Caddell Doctor of Divinity Paul Harris pr. Deacon of the University of Dublin From which Protestation we may observe these considerable particulars First that the Papists in Ireland had their owne popish Archbishops Bishops and a Vicar Apostolicall residing then amongst them as the title and body of this Protestation manifests Secondly that their Archbishop Flemming had a popish Clergy under him in his Province and did exceedingly tyrannize over them usurping jurisdiction even in temporall causes and over the Kings own Courts among the Catholikes of Ireland Thirdly that the popish Bishops in Ireland did usually conferre Orders and exercise all Episcopall jurisdiction there Fourthly that they had a speciall Cardinall at Rome Ludovifius given by the Pope unto the Irish as the onely Patron and Protector of the Irish Nation Fifthly that they were grown extraordinary bold and insolent there so as they openly published this their Protestation and Appeal in print both in Latin and English to all the world and avowed it under their hands subscribed to it Sixthly that they had then erected a popish University in Dublin it self of which Paul Harris professeth himself Deacon or Dean as Bishop Beadle stiles him even in print This Prelat though he knew all this yet for ought we find he never took any severe course at all to prevent the encrease and insolencies of the popish Prelats Priests Fryars Papists there but rather to foment them For first he promoted and sent over divers superstitious popish Clergy-men thither as young Mr. Croxton Doctor Bramball his principall Agent and Informer Chaplain to the Lord Deputy Master Chapple and others who set up sundry popish innovations and brcohed popish Doctrines there to the great encouragement of the Papists Secondly he sent over the Lord Wentworth his grand instrument and confederace to be Lord Deputy of that Kingdome who extraordinarily favoured the popish party there and at last proceeded so far as to make use of them even in Parliament to ballance the Protestants the better to conquer and enslave that Kingdome even by Parliaments witnesse this remarkable clause in A Duplicate of a Dispatch of this Lord Deputies to his Majesty Jan. 22. 1633. with this subscription For my Lords Grace of Canterbury found in his private Study at Lambeth thus endorsed with his own hand Rec. Mar. 2. 1633. Comp. Ang. Reasons for the present calling of a Parliament in Ireland Where thus he writes concerning the Parliament then intended to be there called I Shall endeavoour that the lower House may be so composed as that neither the Recusants nor yet the Protestants shall appear considerably more one then the other holding them as much as may be upon an equall ballance for they will prove thus easier to govern then if either party were absolute Then would I in private discourse shew the Recusant That the contribution ending in December next if your Majesties Army were not imployed some other way before the twelve pence a Sunday must of necessity be exacted upon them Shew the Protestant that your Majesty must not let goe the 20000li. contribution nor yet discontent the other in matter of Religion till the Army were some way else certainly provided for and convince them both that the present quarterly paiments are not so burthensome as they pretended them to be And that by the graces they have had already more benefit then their mony came to Thus poising one by the other which single might perchance prove more unhappy to deal with With this Machiavillian policy he then acquainted this Archbishop and acaccordingly pursued it which what desperate effects it hath of late produced in that Kingdom by making the Irish Papists able to over-master and almost extirpate the English-Irish Protestants and their Religion there we now experimentally feel to our greatest grief and danger Neither did the Archbishop only approve this hellish policy of the Lord Deputy but likewise in the late Scottish
protection under the privy Signet held familiar intelligence with Cardinal Barbarino and Panzani Con Rossetti the Popes Nuncioes during their abode in England sends two of his sons to Rome in their travels where this Cardinall entertains them with all curtesie and respect for their Fathers sake and sends sundry Letters to Con from Rome in one of their Trunks all which being largely proved and published to the world in other Impressions we shall but point at here First For Windebank's release of Priests and Jesuits for which he was impeached by the Parliament and fled the Kingdom we have elswhere given you a Catalogue of 27. Priests discharged by him out of prison the Original Warrants for whose discharge we have ready to produce under his hand and printed the Copies of them we shall mention only one or two Warrants wherein this Archbishop concurred with Windebank in the release of two popish Priests from their prisons though we never heard of such a favour extended by him to any Puritan or Zealot against Papists whom he shut up close prisoners even in forraign parts from Wives Children Friends and all humane comforts The first is a Warrant for the release of one Robert Hais a Priest so proved upon Oath by Master Thomas Mayo a Pursevant dated 13. Decemb. 1633. the Originall whereof under Seal was read At Whitehall the 18. of December 1633. present Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Cottington c. Archbishop of York c. Master Secretary Windebank WHereas a Petition was this day presented to the Board by Robert Hais prisoner in the New-prison shewing that the Petitioner is much impoverished in his estate by his long imprisonment and is now grown so weak through infirmities that unlesse by their Lorships favour he may enjoy the benefit of fresh ayre for the recovery of his health his life is in great danger and therefore made humble suit to be discharged from prison for preservation of his life aforesaid upon good security to attend the Board within ten days after notice in that behalfe Forasmuch as his Petition was recommended to the Board BY THE QUEENS MAJESTY their Lordships doe think fit and order that the said Hais first giving good security to attend the Board within ten dayes after notice given as aforesaid shall be discharged from his imprisonment and enjoy his liberty without molestation or trouble of any Messengers or other his Majesties Officers whatsoever whereof the Keeper of the said prison and all other whom it may concern are to take notice Ex. WIL. BECHER The second is a Warrant for the enlarging of William Walgrave deposed to be a dangerous seducing Priest by Master Francis Newton subscribed with the Archbishops own hand and others the Original whereof was produced These are to will and command you to set at full liberty the person of William Walgrave formerly committed to your custody and for your so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant Dated at Star-chamber the last of January 1633. Wil. Cant. R. Ebor c. Secondly for Letters of grace and protection granted by Windebank under the Privy Signet for the stay of all proceedings against Recusants and suspension of penall Laws against them there are multitudes of them printed by Authority of Parliament in the Popish Royall Favourite to which we shall remit the Reader Thirdly for his holding intelligence with the Popes Nuncioes Cardinal Barbarino Jesuits Priests and dangerous Papists with his sons resort to and entertainment at Rome we shall evidence it by these ensuing Letters the Originals whereof under hand and seal endorsed with Secretary Windebanks own hand were produced and read at the Lords Bar. The first is a letter written from Rome it selfe from Gregorio Panzani the Popes first Nuncio sent thence into England dated May 31. 1637. wherein he returnes harty thanks to this Secretary for the many favours he daily received from him whiles he was Nuncio in England in behalfe of the poore Catholicks makes mention of his Sonnes being entertainment at Rome and Cardinall Barbarino his extraordinary commendations of them the Originall whereof was shewed written in Italian and a true translated copy thereof attested upon oath by one Master Godfry read in these ensuing words Most Excellent Sir Patron most honoured I Would have contained my selfe from writing to your most illustrious Lordship for feare of being some impediment I knowing your many occupations but I having heard from many persons in particular by letters of Segnior Francisco sometimes my Secretary the honourable mention that otherwhiles your most illustrious Lordship is wont to make of any person and having also oftentimes understood from your most famous Segnior Cavaliere Hamilton and from Father John the Benedictin how much your most illustrious Lordship straineth your selfe in favouring of me I have been forced to commit this rude civility taking in hand my Pen to give you trouble I assure your most famous Lordship that I live so much obliged to you that I shall never be able to pretend to satisfie one and the least particle of that which I owe seeing that during my abode in London most rare were those dayes in which I did not receive from your most illustrious Lordship some grace in the behalfe and favour of the poore Catholicks I must also congratulate my selfe with your most famous Lordship concerning the most noble manners and behaviours of your Lordships Sonnes the which with their singular modesty and other most lavdable vertues have gained such an opinion amongst them that have knowne them in this Court that I could never be able to expresse it and the Lord Cardinall Barbarino in particular cannot satiate himselfe in praising them It grieves me not to have had the fortune to meet with them in this Citie because willingly I would have attested my devotion towards your most famous Lordship to the which and to all your most illustrious Family I rest desiring eternall felicity from heaven in the meane while I humbly intreat you to favour me with some Commandement and I kisse your hands Your most illustrious Lordships most devoted and most obliged Servant GREG PANZANI From Rome the 31. of May 1637. This Letter is most full and punctuall to prove Secretary Windebanks intelligence and correspondence with Rome the Pope and his Agents The second is a Letter from Father Joseph then a kind of Confessor to the French King by whose special command it was writ Confessor afterwards to our Queen and one of the Capucines in Somerset-House written from Paris in Italian to Secretary Windebank the translation whereof into English by Master Godfrey who attested the truth of it upon oath was read as followeth Most excellent Sir My Patron most worshipfull I Should be too much wanting in my duty if I did not render my most humble thanks to your Excellency having after so many other favours conferred upon our Mission received for a compleat height the singular proof of your affection in the delivery of our
most unfaithfull to the King of all men who not only betrayes and reveals even the Kings greatest secrets but likewise communicates Councels by which the designe may be best advanced He at least thrice every week converseth with the Legat in nocturnall Conventicles and reveals those things which he thinks fit to be known for which end he hired a house neer to the Legats house whom he often resorts to through the Garden door for by this vicinity the meeting is facilitated â—he said Secretary is bribed with gifts to the party of that conjured society by whom he is sustained that he may the more seriously execute his Office He sent his Son to Rome to insinuate himself into the Roman Pontiffe For his committing Messengers to prison untill they should enter into bond never to persecute Priests or Jesuits more an extraordinary good service of a pretended Protestant Secretary of State you shall hear thereof anon when we produce our Witnesses By all these particulars it is most evident that this Secretary the Archbishops old and most intimate loving friend was advanced by him to this place of trust to be a most pestilent trecherous instrument of protecting enlarging securing popish Priests Jesuits Fryars Papists to hold familiar intelligence with the Popes Cardinals Nuncio's Agents to promote their dangerous designs upon us and reduce us back to Rome that the Archbishop knew he was such an one and yet continued his intimacy and correspondency with him to promote the same designs We shall now proceed a little further and cleerly evidence to your Lordships and the world that the Archbishop held not only remote mediate correspondency with the Pope and his Agents by Bishop Mountague Windebank and others of his Instruments but even with most desperate popish Priests Jesuits and Papists themselves Not to instance in the Earl of Arundel and his Countesse Sir Kenelme Digby Sir John Winter and other lay-papists who were very active strenuous promoters of this Romish plot at Habernfield's Discovery informs both the Archbishop himself and us we shall nominate some professed Priests and Jesuits of note with whom he had intelligence Sancta Clara as we have proved formerly under his own hand was brought to him by Doctor Lindsey who acquainted him with his Book of Reconciliation before it was printed and was with him afterwards some five or six times more proffering him his Service to maintain Episcopacy to be Jure Divino Monsieur Saint Giles a most dangerous seducing Priest though known to him to be such a one was maintained by him sundry yeers together in the University of Oxford where he had the free use of the Library to instruct and seduce both the Doctors and Students there reduce them back to Rome who were running too fast thither without such a spur to post them forwards or Postilion to direct them in the way This we have proved under his own hand by the testimony of Master Brode and if need be we have Master Nixon Master Godfrey and one Father Cox a Benectine Priest to attest it further on their Oaths Sir Toby Matthew a most dangerous seducing active Priest and Jesuit was frequent with him at Lambeth White-Hall and other places eating oft with him at his Table riding sometimes very familiarly with him in his Coach and going with him in his Barge Father Flud alias Smith a most desperate seducing Priest and Jesuit who had a hand in the Gun-powder-plot was very familiar with his Creature Windebank and oft frequented the Arch-bishop at Lambeth House Father Leander a Benedictine Monk his ancient Chamber-fellow and acquaintaÌ„ce in Oxford sent over into Engl. about the yeer 1636. as was generally reported among the Benedictines and Papists of purpose to reconcile us to Rome by his interest in this Archbishop and great learning was very intimate with his Grace and Windebank So was Father Price general of the English Benedictines who procured the Searchers place at Dover and put Papists into it for the more secure passing of Priests Jesuits popish Agents the easier into England conveying Englishmen and women to forraign Monasteries and intelligence to and from Rome and other parts by the assistance of Windebank Canterbury and others yea the popish Bishop of Calcedon too Dr Smith held firm correspondence with him Neither was he thus only familiar and held correspondency with these Priests and Jesuits but protected them all he might not prosecuting them at all but onely in shew to delude the people and then very coldly securing them in by prisons where they had the best chambers great resort liberty to goe in and out at pleasure without a Keeper never sending them to the common Goales to be indicted executed and at last releasing them out of prison when as he persecuted close imprisoned banished into forraigne Countries dungeons cut off the ears slit the noses branded the cheeks of some and utterly ruined other Protestant Ministes and zealous Gentlemen for opposing popery and popish Innovations Nay he imprisoned one Gray a great discover of Priests only for apprehending Priests caling him a Priest-catching knave commanded the Pursevants not to keep company with him for if they did he would displace them and pull their Messengers coats over their ears denied to imploy others as Messengers to apprehend Priests and Jesuits because he said they were too hot and zealous in that service yea he suffered all manner of popish Books to be imported to seduce his Majesties Subjects restored them to their owners when seized by the searchers contrary to an expresse Statute concealed some of their most desperate plots treasons discouraging menacing the Witnesses that revealed them To evidence all this we shall produce our witnesses who testified upon oath as followeth James Waddesworth Gent. of Saint Dunstans parish in the west London deposed both in writing and vivâ voce at the Lords Bar That one Henry Smith alias Loyd a dangerous Priest and Jesuit before the beginning of the Scottish Warres did cell him in Norfolke where he met him That the popish Religion was not to be brought in here by disputing or Books of controversie but with an Army and with fire and sword that he hath often times since met the said Smith going as he told him to see the Archbishop of Canterbury who as he said was a good man and loved them well that himself was about eight yeers since imprisoned above three yeers space in severall prisons only for calling a Priest Traitor and for apprehending Priests During which time of his imprisonment the said Smith came three or four times to visit him in the name of the Archbishop the Lord Cottington and Secretary Windebanke and told him That if he would adjure the Realme and never prosecute Priests more he should have a Warrant under the Kings hand to release him which he refusing at that time he was afterward released out of prison but upoÌ„ this promise never to prosecute priests again And when he was
thus enlarged one Davis brought him four pound in money from the said Archbishop as he told him towards the payment of his fees And he further deposed that he hath often met Father Price a Priest Superiour of the English Benedictines and Father Leander a Benedictine Monk and Priest going as themselves said and confessed to Lambeth to the Archbishop to see and speak with him which they oft times spake in a vanting manner and that Leander was commonly reported to have been the Archbishops Chamber-fellow in Oxford That Smith alias Loyd the Jesuit did usually meet at the Lord Cottingtons house in Breadstreet at a Juncto every Friday night where were usually present the said Lord Sir Toby Matthew the Spanish Embassadour Sir Arthur Hopton Endimion Porter James Hammond a great Papist and Secretary Windebank Which Juncto sometimes met at Sir Arthur Hoptons house in the Pallace-Yard at Westminster Francis Newton of Saint Giles Creplegate London Gent. deposed both in writing and by word of mouth at the Lords Bar that he by vertue of a generall Warrant from the Lords of the Counsel for the apprehending of Jesuits and popish Priests among others apprehended one Henry Morse a grand Jesuit and great seducer of his Majesties Subjects who had perverted 500. persons in and about London as appeared by certificats at his Triall who being like to be discharged before his Triall this Deponent by the appointment of Secretary Cooke the Lord Keeper Coventry and Lord Privy-Seale repaired to Lambeth to the Archbishop to desire him to give this Deponent order that the said Morse might not be discharged they saying it is now time to look about us so many being seduced by one person Whereupon he repairing to Lambeth desired Master Dell the Archbishops Secretary to help him to speak with the Archbishop from these Lords about the Priests discharge Master Dell answered that the Archbishop was busie with Sir Toby Matthews commonly reputed a Jesuit and an arch-intelligencer of Rome in the Garden and this Deponent being earnest with Master Dell to have an answer from the Archbishop to return to the Lords he brought answer from him That the Deponent should bring him the next day before the Councell-booâ—d and sent Dell the next morning to Master Secretary Cooke to know whether he had sent the Deponent to him or no. After which the said Priest being sent to Newgate and arraigned upon two Bils found against him was by Order form the King put by his judgement and soone after released He further depâ—sed that one Henry Loyd alias Francis Smith alias Rivers alias Sinâ—us Provinciall of the Jesuites and a chiefe actor in the Gunpowder-treason as this deponent was informed by one Stukely a Priest who bid this deponent remember him of 5. die Novembris meaning the Gunpowder-plot was by the Deponent and one Tho Mayo Indited and Out-lawd of High-treason and afterwards being protected by Secretary Windebank from the arrests of Messengers this Deponent oftentimes meeting of him in the streets on horsback and telling him that a sledg and three horses were fitter for him then one horse to ride on he replyed some two or three times when the Deponent used these speeches holding up his finger well Newton you rogue I have done your arrand to my Lords grace of Cant. already and shall do it to Secr. Windebank also And he deposed that he hath seen the said Jesuit once at Lambeth-house and there entertained by Mr Del the Archb Secretary in a room neer the Archbishops Study where being in familiar conference with the said Mr Del he did whisper to him often cast an eye toward this Depont as if he were speaking of him He likewise further deposed that he hath oft times seen the said Smith the Jesuit at Secr. Windebanks house talking very familiarly w th him and clapping him on the back that he met divers times sundry of the imprisoned popish Priests freely walking without a keeper in Grays-Inne walks and in other places and that they lay abroad out of prison in Towne and in the Country many weeks together he hath gone into the Newprison Clinck where there were about 20 Priests imprisoned and found not above one or two there Richard Dâ—unel Gent. deposed upon oath that he being a prisoner in the New-prison some yeers since the Priests and Jesuits committed thither by the Archbi had the best rooms in the prison a Cook Steward and coÌ„mon table at which they dicted al together Masse said in their chambers divers Ladies GentlemeÌ„ in â—â—â—ches frequently visiting them without restraint and great store of Venison sent them in its season when as Mr Huntly and other godly Ministers there imprisoned by the Archb. were thrust into the worst lodgings denied liberty to diâ—â— together and were not suffered to goe out of prison upon any occasion but with a costly keeper attending on them though they had given bond for their true imprisonment neither had their friends free accesse to them but were many times questioned and restrained Thomas Mayo a Messenger of Saint Andrewes Holborne testified upon Oath That about nine yeers since the Archbishop of Canterbury having committed one John Evans a Minister to the Gate-house for printing of Bils setting forth the use of the Antimonial Cup he did thereupon repaire with a Petition in his behalfe to the Archbishops house at Lambeth where he then saw Master Henry Moore and Henry Loyd alias Smith two dangerous Jesuits in the great Chamber above stairs neer the Archbishops Study waiting there as he conceiveth to speak with the said Archbishop and very familiarly entertained in discourse by Master Dell who carried himselfe very respectively towards them which he well remembreth for that he then delivered an Antimoniall Cup to the said Master Dell to be delivered to the Archbishop from Master Evans And he further deposed that he hath often seen Sir Toby Matthewes whom this Deponent hath seen in Saint Johns Colledge in Lovain in Brabant who there was reputed a Jesuit at Lambeth house and there walking in a friendly manner with the said Archbishop and at other times hath seen Sir Toby riding with him in his Coach once in the Strand and passing with him in his Barge from White-hall to Lambeth that he often assisting other Messengers to discover and apprehend Priests and finding some neglect in them in that service did thereupon desire the said Archbishop That he might have a Warrant for himselfe to apprehend Priests and Jesuits To which the said Archbishop answered You are too hot and nimble for that service saying He had Messengers enough already and refused to grant his request And withall by order from the said Archbishop he was imployed to attend popish Ambassadours houses Denmark-house and the Popes Nuncioes Lodging to view and returne unto him the number of popish Priests and Recusants which resorted thither to Masse which accordingly he did every Munday for the space of halfe a yeer and more
giving the Archbishop a Certificate of their number and quality but he never received any order from him to apprehend any of them nor saw any fruit or reformation thereof That he having a speciall Warrant from the said Archbishop and others of the high Commission to apprehend one Peter Wilford a Priest condemned since the Parliament and now in Newgate and apprehending him by vertue thereof he brought him before this Archbishop to his Chamber in White-hall who sent this Deponent word by Sir John Lamb that he would not meddle with him and the said Wilford having a Protection from Secretary Windebank which he shewed the Deponent was thereupon discharged by the said Archbishops direction signified by Sir John Lamb. Elizabeth Gray of Saint Margarets Westminster Widow deposed That her late husband John Gray being a Messenger to the Lords of the Counsell and having a Warrant from them to apprehend Jesuits and Seminary Priests the said Gray by vertue of that Warrant apprehended one Fisher alias Persey a grand Jesuit and acquainted Master Secretary Cook therewith whereupon he was committed prisoner to the Gate-house there to remaine untill he should put in security to depart the Realme and never to returne againe Soon after which the said Gray and one John Cooke as the Deponent was often informed by them meeting the said Fisher walking in the streets apprehended him whereupon he shewed a Warrant of Secretary Windebanks requiring that no Messenger should apprehend the said Fisher nor search the house or houses where he should frequent upon which Gray discharged him and repairing to Secretary Cook acquainted him with the said Jesuits protection who thereupon commanded Gray and Cook to repaire to this Archbishop of Canterbury and acquaint him with the premises who thereupon went to Lambeth and desired Master Dell the Archbishops Secretary to acquaint the Archbishop therewith as from Master Secretary Cook and to grant them a Warrant to apprehend the said Fisher To which Master Dell replied That he was an idle fellow and bade him move the whole Board for it For his Lord would grant no such Warrant Whereupon Gray replied Lord have mercy upon is all I see how the game goes now I hope to see better days For which words the said Gray was sent for the next day before the Counsell upon the complaint of the said Archbishop and committed prisoner to the Fleet for the same Whereupon this Deponent exhibited many Petitions to the said Archbishop and the whole Board for her said husbands release to which she could get no answer and one day she presenting a Petition to the said Archbishop in the stone Gallery at Whitehall for her Husbands enlargement he looking upon the same and seeing the said Grayes name therein flung it away in an angry manner saying he would have nothing to doe with a Priest-catching knave By meanes whereof her said Husband continued a prisoner in the Fleet for two and twenty weeks and could not be released as Master Read Secretary Windebanks Secretary told this Deponent till such time as he should give Bond and Baile never to apprehend Priests and Jesuits more The next day she going to Secretary Windebank for her Husbands release Master Read his Secretary demanded where his said Bond and Baile was To which she answered That some Gentlemen in the Fleet said That in requiring such Bond and Baile they incurred a Premunire To which the said Master Read replied That the said Gentlemen and the Deponent deserved to be sent to Newgate for these speeches And Secretary Windebank himselfe taking exception at the said speeches gave Order after the said Gray had his Discharge That he should stay in prison till every penny of his Fees were paid That a little before this her said Husbands trouble upon his apprehending of a Priest or Jesuit from whom he took good store of Books to the value of an hundred pounds the said Archbishop commended it for a good piece of service and willed him to bring the said Books to his House at Lambeth and he would well recompence him But he receiving and keeping the Books never gave him any recompence John Goldsmith deposed that about four yeers since he being in the High-Commission Court at Lambeth the Archbishop before the Court sate called all the Messengers of the Court to him and charged them to take heed that they kept not company with one Gray A PRIEST-CATCHER against whom Secretary Windebank had made a complaint at the Counsell Table for discovering Priests and told them that if he heard that any of them had any more to doe with him he would not onely LAY THEM BY THE HEELS BUT LIKEWISE PULL THEIR COATS OFF FROM THEIR BACKS AND TURNE THEM OUT OF THEIR PLACES And he further deposed that he did complaine and indite a Papist for saying THAT OUR RELIGION WAS SPURD OUT OF KING HENRY THE EIGTH HIS CODâ—IECE whereupon the Papist prosecuted him in the High Commission for a defamation John Cook of Rederosse-street London deposed That John Gray a Messenger had a Warrant from the Lords of the Counsell Table for the apprehending of Priests and Jesuits And that the said Gray and this Deponent by vertue thereof did apprehend one Father Fisher alias Piersey a grand Jesuit and brought him before Master Secretary Cooke who wished us to bring him before the Counsell Table the next sitting which we did accordingly in Anno 1634. And after his Examination there the Archbishop of Canterbury and Secretary Cooke went to the King to know his pleasure what should be done with him Who returning to the Board the Archbishop delivered the Kings pleasure to this effect Master Fisher kneele downe upon your knees every morning and every evening and pray for the King for granting you your life And to be short Master Fisher his Majesties pleasure is that you shall be forthwith banished this Kingdome and all at her his Majesties Dominions and you shall remaine prisoner in the Gate-house untill you put in good security before the Kings Attourney Sir John Banks never to returne again Whereunto Fisher replyed If he had a hundred lives be would come hither againe or elsewhere if his Superiour so commanded him and utterly refused to put in any security Whereupon the Board sent him to the Gate-house there to remaine untill he should put in such security as aforesaid Whereupon about four moneths after the said Gray and the Deponent met the said Fisher in Holborn and demanding of him the reason of his going abroad he replied We were Rogues what was that to us and shewed us a Warrant under the hand of Secretary Windebank for his enlargement Whereupon Gray and this Deponent went to Lambeth to the Archbishop of Canterbury and endeavoured to acquaint him by Master Dell his Secretary that Fisher had a Warrant from Master Secretary Windebank for his liberty and desired to know the Archbishops pleasure therein But Master Dell made answer That his Lord would not meddle with
That he had been the impeacher and disturber of due and direct correction of Errours and Heresies by reason whereof they crept more abroad and tooke greater place being highly to the danger and perill of the whole body and good Christian people of this Realme All which this Archbishop is guilty in an higher measure in respect of Popery Priests and Jesuits then ever this Cardinall was in regard of the Lutheran Sect and Opinions Fifthly it is evident that the Archbishop had a hand in assisting the Papists Priests and Jesuits in the dispersing of their popish Books to seduce his Majesties Subjects contrary to an expresse Statut whereas he used all possible diligence to suppresse the printing dispersing importing Orthodox Books and those he stiled Puritannicall both at home and beyond the Seas Finally the Archbishop complyed with the Papists Priests Jesuits in concealing their very treasonable plots and conspiracies against the King Kingdome Church and all professors of the Protestant Religion we shall instance but in two particulars The first is in the case of Mistresse Anne Hussey who deposed at the Lords Barre to this effect That William O Conner an Irish Priest servant to the Queen Mother soon after Easter in the yeer 1640. among other discourses told her at the house of one Master Hill neer the Strand in Westminster That there were many private houses about London wherein they used to have Masse said that there were 7000. men in private pay ready to ayde the Catholicks and to cut the Protestants throats that should resist them After which he comming to her in great haste at Mistresse Pinocks house about the end of July 1640. told her That he was then in great haste for he had Letters from the Queen Mother to be delivered to three Embassadours the Spanish the Venetian the French to send to the Pope to know from himselfe or his Legat when to begin the subduing of the Protestants that the Queen his Lady was no foole and that if the King joyned with the Protestants they would cut him off if not by the sword yet by some other way that if no other hand would doe it his hand should kill the King and that he would kill an Heretick at any time for the advancement of the Mother Church of Rome swearing by Saint Francis and Saint Dominick that he would doe it All which he spake to her in Irish she counterfeiting her selfe to be a Roman Catholick desirous to become a Nunne He likewise confessed That he had been a servant long to the Queen Mother and imployed by her in businesse to all the Princes of CHRISTENDOME Whereupon she according to her duty and alleagiance complained of this Priest revealing this discomse and treason of his to the Lords of the Privy Counsell attesting her information upon oath and producing a Letter of this Priests to her under his owne hand with some other witnesses to confirme her testimony in point of circumstance of time place and this Priests resort unto her But the Archbishop of Canterbury to discourage and take her off from this discovery reviled and gave her many ill words and threats told her she was mad and that she was hired by the Londoners to make this accusation demanding how she durst be so bold as to utter or discover ought which had any the least reflection upon the Queen Mother threatning to have her punished and caused her to be committed to one of the Sheriffes of Londons house whereas the other Lords gave her good words and committed the Priest to the Gate-house and so the businesse was smothered without further prosecution till she revived it this Parliament in the Commons House who released her of her restraint We shall close all with the most desperate plot of Cardinall Barbarino the Popes Nuncio the society of the English and Scottish Jesuits with their confederates to subvert the Protestant Religion usher in Popery raise a Warre between England and Scotland subvert the government both of Church and State yea to poyson the King himselfe if he crossed this designe and then to seize and traine up the Prince in the Popish 〈◊〉 This plot being discovered at first only in generally by a chief Actor in it sent from Rome to Andreas ab Habernfield Sir Wil. Boswell by them by Letters from the Hague to the Archbishop he conceiving it to be a plot only of the Puritanes to destroy the King and himself too revealed it to the King and prosecuted the further discovery with all earnestnesse as appeares by sundry Originall Lettâ—ers concerning it seized and attested by Master Prynne produced at the Barre But no sooner received he the large particular discovery of it which fastned the treason onely upon Cardinall Barbarino the Popes Nuncio the Jesuits with their confederates Sir Toby Matthew Sir Kenelme Digby Sir John Winter Endimion Porter Secretary Windebanke Master Walter Mountague the Countesse of Arundel and others but he presently smothered it yea though he received the full discovery of it but on the 14. of October 1640. not many dayes before the beginning of this present Parliament yet he he never revealed it to both or either Houses of Parliament or any members thereof for the preservation of our Religion Church State King thereby and the executing condigne punishment on these Arch-traitos and Conspirators then present in London and Westminster nor yet so much as disclosed it when Sir Toby Matthew Sir John Winter and others were questioned in the Commons House about the Popish Parliament kept in London and the levying of moneys against the Scots among the Papists nor when Secretary Windebank was questioned for releasing Priests and Jesuits against Law and the negotiation of the Popes Nuncio debated in the Commons House but concealed these papers from the Parliaments knowledge till Master Prynne unexpectedly seized them in the Archbishops Cabinet in the Tower of London From all which particulars we conceive we have abundantly manifested most substantially proved his correspondency confederacy with the Pope and his instruments of all sorts in their most desperate treasons to extirpate our Religion introduce popery reconcile reduce the Church of England to the Church of Rome and most satisfactorily justified the first Branch of our charge of high treason against him in every particular wherupon we most humbly pray in the name of the Commons of England the Judgment of an Arch-traitor to be given against him as one who hath declared himself a professed Traitor not only to our Laws Liberties Parliament Kingdoms but to our very Religion Church souls the highest treason of all others especially in a Clergyman an Archbishop of Canterbury who is by title office Primate and Metropolitan of all England yea Confessor chiefe Curate and Ecclesiasticall Vicegerent to the King himselfe who entrusted him wholly if not solely with the care of our Religion which he hath most perfidiously undermined betrayed sundry wayes as all the premises demonstrate The Archbishops
several ANSVVERS To the Proofs and Evidence produced to make good the first Branch of his CHARGE with the Commons Replyes and Rejoynders thereunto VVE have now presented you with the intire evidence of the Commons given in against the Archbishop at the Lords Tribunal in proof of the first main Branch of his impeachment to wit his traiterous endeavours to subvert the true Religion established among us to introduce and set up Popery and reconcile us unto Rome without any diminution to which I have here and there made some small Additions not by way of evidence or charge but only of illustration or amplification of some things given in evidence in the general briefly pointed at and so passed over not read at large at the bar for want of time We shall next as faithfully as exactly as our imperfect notes and frail memory will assist relate his several Answers and Replies given to the particular proofs produced against him both as he delivered them in person after each dayes evidence at the Lords bar and as he afterwards repeated them in his general defence with some Additions in the Lords and Commons House wherein if I have involuntarily mistaken or misreported his words or answers in any particular as I presume I have not done his surviving friends must only blame either him or themselves not me who used all the means I could to his Secretary Mr. Dell his Councel and others whom he trusted with his Papers to procure his own Original written Notes Answers and Replies or true Copies of them that so I might have printed them verbatim to avoid all calumnies and mistakes yet could neither by my own intreaties nor warrants from Authority procure them or any Copies thereof Mr. Dell returning me this answer that he believed the Archbishop himself had burnt all his Notes and Answers in his life time to prevent their publication after his death To avoid prolixity obscurity that every Reader may more clearly discern the insufficiency falshood Sophistry of his Answers and the pregnancy of the Commons proofs and evidence to make good their impeachment against him in each particular I shall forbear to relate his Answers and the Commons Replies thereto intirely together in two distinct continued Relations as they were delivered at the bar but subjoyn the Commons distinct Replies to his severall Answers to each particular proof and part of their evidence as they lie in order that so reddendo singula singulis the pertinency of their evidence and reality of his guiltinesse may more perspicuously shine forth to all the world I aiming only at verity not victory in this Relation The Archbishop began his Answer to the first Branch of the Commons charge concerning his traiterous endeavours to subvert the true Religion of God by Law established among us and set up Popish Superstition and Idolatry in its stead with a general detestation both of the charge and fact for which presumptuous and unseemly expression he was justly taxed by the Commons councel as being a defiance given to them and their proceedings prosessing it the greatest unhappinesse that ever besel him to be thus deeply and criminally charged by the Honourable House of Commons the representative body of the whole commonalty of England before the highest Tribunal in the Realm as being guilty of such a crime as this in his last dying dayes when he had one foot already in the grave which his own conscience pronounced him to have been guiltlesse of all the dayes of his life Yet protesting it to be an unspeakable comfort to him in this his infelicity that he was arraigned for it before so just so Honourable an Assembly of Peers many of them being privy to the sincerity of his actions and advices to his Majestie to vindicate his integrity to all the world and wash off all those black spots of calumny of obloquy wherewith he had for many years by-past been most unjustly aspersed by Sectaries on the one hand by Iesuits and Papists on the other to ruin him both in his reputation fortune and his Majesties most gracious opinion And so presuming he had sufficiently cleared himself in the general from this heavy charge in their Lordships and others opinions by his first dayes speech the new Canons and Oath prescribed in them and by his Book against Fisher the Iesuite he would without any further Prologue or Apology discend to Answer the particular evidences proofs produced against him by the Commons in their respective order with as much brevity perspicuity as the suddainnesse of his preparations the frailty of his memory the burthen of 70 yeers with other natural infirmities then lying heavy upon him would permit And to give him his due he made as full as gallant as pithy a defence of so bad a cause and spake as much for himself as was possible for the wit of man to invent and that with so much Art Sophistry Vivacity Oratory Audacity and confidence without the least blush or acknowledgement of guilt in any thing annimated by his seated Panders lying by him as argued him rather obstinate then innocent impudent then penitent a far better Orator Sophister then Protestant or Christian yea a truer Son of the Church of Rome then of the Church of England in many particulars as you will anon discern He began his defence where the Commons did their charge and they their Reply where he began his Answer to wit at his publike Chappel at Lambeth House The first thing the Commons have in their evidence charged against me is the setting up and repairing of Popish Images and Pictures in the glasse windows of my Chappel at Lambeth and amongst others the Picture of Christ hanging on the Crosse between the two Theeves in the East window of God the Father in Form of a little old Man with a Glory striking Myriam with a leprosie of the Holy Ghost descending in Form of a Dove and of Christs Nativity last Supper Resurrection Ascention and others the Patern whereof Master Pryn attested I took out of the very Masse Book wherein he shewed their Portratures To which I answer First that I did not set these Images up but found them there before Secondly That I did only repair the windows which were so broken and the Chappel which lay so nastily before that I was ashamed to behold and could not resort unto it but with some disdain which caused me to repair it to my great cost Thirdly that I made up the History of these old broken Pictures not by any patern in the Masse Book but only by help of the fragments and remainders of them which I compared with the story Fourthly though the very resemblances of them be in the Masse Book yet I protest I never knew they were there till Master Pryn shewed them in it at this bar And it is but a meer fallacy the Pictures which I repaired are in the Masse Book Ergo I took the patern of them out of it Fifthly Master
Majesties royal Diadem with at his Coronation 5. He proves not that it was his duty thus to offer up the regalia at the Altar yea the Form of the Kings Coronation found in his own study enjoyned it not and he pretends no command at all for it Therefore it was his own spontaneous act as for the Common Prayer Book surely it prescribes neither this nor any other solemn oblation at all at an Altar And so this charge remains unavoyded Fourthly from Westminster they proceed to the Universities first of Oxford where I was Chancellor next of Cambridge In Oxford they object 1. That there were some old Crucifixes repaired and divers new ones erected in divers Colledges there since I became Chancellour of the University whereas there were none before my time 2. That Communion Tables were railed in Altarwise and bowed to which they were not before 3. That I enjoyned all Schollers by a University Statute and Oath to give due reverence and bow to the Communion Table and that my Letter required bowing and prostation before the Altar 4. That my visitor at Merton Colledge enjoyned the Fellows and Schollers there to bow to the Lords Table and questioned Mr. Chainel and Mr. Corbet for not bowing 5. That they used Copes in some Colledges which they did not before 6. That there was a very scandalous Statue of the Virgin Mary with Christ in her Arms set up in the front of the New Church porch of St. Maries next the street to which Mr. Nixon deposeth he saw one bow and another pray 7. That I enjoyned Latin Prayers all the Lent not used before my Chancellorship since the Reformation 8. That I enjoyned by a Statute all Regent Masters to reade and sing what should be prescribed them in solemn Processions I Answer 1. That there is no proof at all that I knew of the repairing and setting up of these Crucifixes or that any complained of them to me That the Crucifix in Lincoln Colledge was set up by the Bishop of Lincoln and it would have been thought hard if I should have opposed it 2. That the turning and rayling in of the Tables Altarwise is warranted by the Queens Injunctions as I have proved 3. That the Statute enjoyne only due reverence when they come to offer at the Lords Table and that my Letter implies a bowing or prostration only according to the 95 Psalm 4. That Sir John Lamb only questioned Master Chainel and Master Corbet which is nothing to me and Doctor Frewens words are but a hear-say besides they were not punished for not doing it 5. That Copes are warrantable by the 24 Canon 6. That the Statue at St. Maries was set up by Dr. Owen reputed a reverend Orthodox Divine not by me nor is there any proof I had notice of it or of any bowing or praying to it which might be a mistake in Alderman Nixon 7. That Latin prayers have been anciently used in the University on Ashwednesday and being among Schollers who understand the Language there can be no hurt therein 8. That no Processions are intended in the Statute but such as our Law allows in nature of perambulations the Statutes of the University prescribing That nothing shall be done therein but according to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England 9. For the Innovations of like nature in the Vniversity of Cambridge they concern me not I being not their Chancellor and not enjoyning them nor made acquainted with them Whereunto was Replied 1. That all those Crucifixes were erected at Oxford since he became Chancellor of it That his own example in his Chappels at Lambeth and Croyden where he repaired the old broken Crucifixes at his own cost were the primary occasions of setting up those in Oxford by way of imitation That he could not choose but take notice of them being himself several times at Oxford in person where he entertained the King Queen Prince and Prince Elector sundry dayes Besides having constant weekly intelligence by Letters and recourse of Schollers of all sorts to him from the University who acquainted him with all particulars there transacted he could not but take notice and have exact knowledge of them And he being both Chancellor and Visitor of the University his not hindring of their setting up at first not pulling them down when set up contrary to our Statutes Homilies Injunctions was in Law both a commanding and approving of them Nam qui non prohibet malum quod potest jubet That none complained to him of them was his own fault since none durst complain against that then as a crime which himself first practised in his own Chappels as a commendable action His Answer to the Crucifix erected in Lincoln Colledge proves clearly he had knowledge of it and truly it could not have been well taken at his hands to pull that down according to Law unlesse he had pulled them down first in other Colledges and his own Chappel the Bishop of Lincoln perchance setting it up onely to humour his Grace and manifest to the world he was but his Ape in this particular 2. We have already refuted his second Answer as false and therefore shall repeat nothing here 3. That this due reverence was interpreted by himself in his Speech in Star-chamber to be a bowing to the Altar or Lords Table For saith he THERE IS A REVERENCE DUE TO IT Namely of bowing the body not onely towards but to the Altar DEO ET ALT ARI EJVS in the dative case and prostration not simply to God but CORAM ALT ARE DEI Christi ejus is prescribed by his Letter as much worship as the Divel himself required of our Saviour Luk. 4. 7. Si adoraveris CORAM ME as the vulgar Latin or fall down BEFORE ME as the Margin of our English Bibles render it whereas the 95 Psalm requires no worshipping and falling down thus before an Altar but before the Lord our Maker only without any mention of an Altar or Lords Table in the Psalm 4. His Visitors act in questioning those Fellows for not bowing was his own and must concern him since he did it only in his name and right by his Commission in pursuit of his Injunctions and Dr. Frewens words are expresse that the Archbishop sent him to Master Corbet when Proctor requiring and pressing him in his name to bow to the Altar in regard of his place else it would be ill taken And though these fellows were not punished nor suspended for not bowing yet they were often questioned menaced forced to obscure themselves and desert the Colledge for a time and had not the Scottish Troubles intervened would have been severely punished too 5. Copes in Colledges are neither within the words nor meaning of the 24 Canon 6. Neither the Church-porch nor statue at St. Maries being the University Church could or would have been erected there by Dr. Owen without the Archbishops special licence being Chancellour and supream Visitor there
any already cited which are punctuall St. Augustine de verbo Domini secundum Ioannem Serm. 42 saith Christus quotidie pascit Mensa ipsius est illa IN MEDIO constituta Yea Durandus Rationale Divinorum l. 1. c. 2. num 15. writes thus By the Altar out heart is signified which is in the Middest of the body as the Altar is in the middest of the Church And lib. 5. he gives this reason why the Priest turneth himselfe about at the Altar to wit to fullfill this Scripture IN MEDIO ECCLESIAE aperui os meum Gentianus Hervetus Genebrard describing the manner of the Greek Church at this day expresseth it thus In Graecorum Templis unum tantum est Altare idque IN MEDIO CHORO aut Presbyterio From these and the forecited authorities both forraigne and our owne Domesticke Divines of chiefest note resolve expresly That the Lords Tables and Altars in the primitive times till privat Masses were lately introduced stood in the middest of the Quire Church People who came round about them not at the East end of the Quire as of late they were placed This is in terminis affirmed by Hospinian De Origine Altarium c. 6. p. 135. by learned Phillip de Marâ—ix Tableau des Differens part 5. c. 6. p. 307. by the incomperable Lord Mornay De Missa l. 2. c. 1. p. 177. by eminent Peter Du Moulin in his Nauvante du Papisme Contr. 11. c. 17. 18. p. 1022 1026. and sundry other forraigne Protestants with whom our owne Divines accord we shall â—ite some few of their words very briefly In the yeare 1533 There was a short Treatise concerning the Lords Supper written as is supposed by our learned Martyr Mr. William Tyndall printed with his workes cum privilegio p. 476. 477. wherein he prescribes that the Bread and Wine should be set before the People IN THE FACE OF THE CHVRCH upon the Lords Table and that the Congregation should sit ROVND ABOVT IT according to the pure use of the Sacrament in the Apostles times Learned Martin Bucer sometimes Regins Professor of Divinity in the Vniversity of Cambridge in King Edward the 6. his Raigne in his Censure of our English Liturgie writes thus Jt appeares by the formes of the most ancient Temples and Writings of the Fathers that the Clergy stood in the MIDDEST of the TEMPLES which were for the most part round and out of that place did so administer the Sacrament to the People that they might plainly heare and understand the things there recited by them Eminent Bishop Jewell one of Queen Elizabeths Visitors in the first yeare of her Raigne when the Jnjunctions were made who had a principall hand in abolishing our Altars and placing Communion Tables as they formerly stood in his Authorised workes enjoyned to bee had and read in every Church affirmes and proves at large in sundry places by pregnant Authorities and reasons That the Holy Table and Altar in and among the primitive Christians and Fathers was not made of stone but wood and stood Not at the end of the Quire but in the Middest of the Church among the People who came round about it that it ought to be so placed producing the Authorities of Eusebius Augustine Durand the Councell of Constantinople and others to prove it Doctor Gervase Babington Bishop of Worcester in his comfortable Notes upon Exodus c. 22. 27. p. 275 in his folio workes writes and proves expresly That the Apostles and Primitive Fathers and Christians had no Altars but Communion Tables only made not of Stone but boards and removeable SET IN THE MIDDEST OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT PLACED AGAINST A WALL Our laborious Dr. William Fulke in his Answer of a true Christian to a counterfeit Catholike London 1577. Article 15. p. 55. 56. in his Confutation of the Rhemish Testament Notes on 1 Cor. 11. Sect. 18. on Hebr. 13. Sect. 6. and in his Defence against Gregory Martin c. 17. affirmes in direct words that the Altar and Lords Table anciently stood In the middest of the Quire or Church so at the Ministers Deacons and people might Stand round about it and not against a Wall as your Popish Altars now stand as is easiy to prove and hath often times bin proved and it seemes you confesse as much But so they cannot stand about your Altars except some of them stand on the top of the Wall or in the Window and Mr. Cartwright in his Notes on the Rhemish Testament on the 1 Cor. 11. Sect. 18. writes That in the premitive Church the Lords Table was situated IN THE MIDDEST OF THE CHVRCH AND PEOPLE not against a Wall Dr. Andrew Willet in his Synopsis Papismi the 9th Generall controversie Quest 6. Error 53. p 496. expostulates thus with the Papists for placing their Altars at the end of the Quire contrary to Antiquity Why bring they not their Altars down to the BODY OF THE CHVRCH we see no reason why the Communion Table may not be set In the body of the Church as well as in the Chancell if the place be more convenient and fit to receive the Communicants Learned Bishop Morton in his Institution of the Sacrament Edit 2. London 1635. l. 6. c. 5 Sect. 15. p. 462 writes That the Table of the Lord anciently stood in the middest of the Chancell So that they might Compasse it round which he proves by Eusebius Dionysius Areopagita Chrysostome Athanasins Augustin Lindan and Dr. Fulke yea Dr. Williams late Bishop of Lincolne now of Yorke in his Holy Table Name and thing asserts and proves the same at large for which this Arch-Pre ate fell foule upon him in the latter end of his Speech in Star-chamber If then all these Testimonies may be credited before the Archbishops bare affirmation neither Altars nor Lords Tables anciently stood Altarwise North South against the East end of the Quire in our own or other Churches as he falsely avers they did 3ly We shall evidence this by Presidents abroad at home For forraiegn Presidents In the famous Church of Tyre which surpassed all others in Phaeniciâ— for its splendor built in the time of Constantine the Great the Altar was placed in the MIDDEST as Eusebius Ecclesia Hist. l. 10. c. 4. records in expresse termes Altarique denique tanquam Sancto Sanctorum IN MEDIO SANCTV ARII SITO c. It is storied by Socrates Scolasticus Ecclesiast Hist l. 5. c. 22 and Nicephorus Ecclesiast Hist l. 12. c. 34. That in the great Church of Antioch in Syria the Altar stood not to the East but towards the west part of the Church Sacra Ara non ad Orientem sed ad Occidentem versus collata fuerat And so not Altarwise as this Archbishop pretend Wâ—llafridus Strabus de Râ—bus Ecclesiastis l. 4. c. 19. records That in the Temples only built to God or clensed from the filthinesse of Idols the Altars were placed towards divers climates according to the conveniency of
private Letters to his Vicar General enjoyned all Lords Tables to be placed and rayled in Altarwise yea excommunicated censured fined in the High Commission such Ministers and Church-Wards as opposed or refused to obey his Injunctions herein as the Cases of Master Chancy the Church-Wardens of Beckington John Premly Ferdinando Adams and others evidence Fourthly We reply that the Archbishop in his Starchamber-speech p. 45. 46. makes this averment And yet the Government is so moderate God grant it be not too loose the while that NO MAN IS CONSTRAINED NO MAN QUESTIONED only religiously called upon venite Adoremus Come let us Worship that is bow to and toward the Altar Yet here we have himselfe confessing and others testifying upon Oath that he enjoyned all Schollers in the University of Oxford all Officers Prebends in Cathedrall and Collegiat Churches by speciall Statutes to which they were all compelled to sweare Obedience and Conformity to worship God with highest Reverence towards the Altar to bow devoutly to towards it at their approaches thereunto which none were ever thus strictly obliged to do by speciall Lawes and Oathes in the very darkest times of Popery That Doctor Jackson did approve practise this bowing to the Altar for a time it was by force only of these new Statutes and Oath as himselfe deposeth for which he professeth his hearty sorrow and whereas Doctor Blechenden sweares that some Prebends used to bow before these new Statutes it was only by reason of this Archbishops Injunctions and daily practise both at Court and in Lambeth Chappell For his expunging of the prayer for King Henry the 8. after his death out of these Statutes it no way justifies nor extenuates his Injunction of such Popish Altar-Adorations For the 95. Psa it commands us only to worship fall down and kneel before the Lord our Maker not towards or before an Altar which is not the Lord our Maker Neither did the Archbishop himselfe not the most superstitious Popish Prelate or Clergie man in England ever yet use to Worship and fall down to God before or towards the Altar just when this Venite Adoromus was read which requiring no such Worship at the very instant it is reading much lesse exacts it after or before its reading For the Knights of the Garters Chapter-Order made in times of Popery in imitation of Popish Priests it is no binding Law to any but those of that Order in their solemnitie which being meerely Civill and if it bee Deo Altars ejus joyntly then certainely superstitious Popish nay Idolatrous too cannot be fit for imitation of Protestants Fifthly We reply that these Crucifixes Images being unlawfull to be made condemned by Our Statutes Homilies Injunctions Writers Church and all sound Antiquity as wee have proved and Constantine the great condemning them their pretended Antiquity or use in the Kings Chappell can no wayes justifie his re-erecting them in Cathedralls And here we cannot but observe the Archbishops Legerdemain and grosse abuse of his Majesties Chappell First himselfe introduced Crucifixes with other Popish Innovations into it which he afterwards by way of imitation prescribed to Cathedralls And then being charged with this practise in Cathedralls he justifies himselfe by His Majesties Chapell where he takes Sanctuary just as if a Cutpurse should justifie the cutting of a mans purse in Pauls Cathedrall because hee formerly picked another mans pocket in Whit-Hall Chapell which is nothing else but to wipe off the present charge by the next preceeding which lyes so heavy upon him and to justify this subseouent crime of his by another anteceeding it But in truth this is a meere devise 〈◊〉 draw an Odium on His Majesty and his Chappell who must Patronize 〈…〉 Popish Traiterly Actions since we have proved these Innovations of his in Cathedralls to bee directly taken out of the Roman Ceremoniall Pontificall and brought in by their prescription not learned from the Kings own Chappell as he falsly pretends Sixthly To his Altar Ornaments and trinkets in Cathedralls which he would justifie by the Kings Chapell too when expresly taken out of the Roman Pontisical and Ceremoniall in imitation of forraigne Popish Cathedralls we shall returne the selfe same answer and close up all with his own sentence in his Star-Chamber Speech pag. 55. where he passeth judgment against himselfe in these following words Nor hath the Kings Chappell any Prerogative if that may be called one above any ordinary Church to disserve God in any superstitions Rites Where give mee leave to tell you that the King and his Chappell are most wrongfully and with scorne abused Undoubtedly they are so by these undutifull answers of his whereby hee hath justified to the utmost each particular of this his charge which he hath in no sort extenuated nor taken off from himselfe in any particle Sixthly They proceeded in the next place from Cathedralls to charge me with Pepish Innovations in Parish Churches and Chappell 's which charge is reducible to these heads First my enjoyning Church-Wardens to remove and rayle in Communion Tables Altarwise as in the case of Saint Gregories and other Parishes Secondly Prescribing the people to receive the Communion at the new rayles kneeling Thirdly Enjoyning Ministers to say Second service at the Communion Table rayled in Altarwise Fourthly setting up of Crucifixes and other Images in Churches Chappell 's Glasse-windowes particularly in the new Chappell by Tuttle-fields in Westminster Fifthly Prescribing these Innovations in visitation Articles by Bishop Wren Bishop Mountague Bishop Peirce and others and forcing Church-Wardens upon Oath to present all those who submitted not to them Sixthly punishing and censuring those in the Star-Chamber High Commission and elsewhere who opposed or submitted not to these Innovations by name Master Peter Smart Master Charles Chancy Master Miles Burkit the Church-Wardens of Beckington Ferdinando Adams John Premly Mr. Henry Sherfeild Mr. John VVorkman Mr. Prynne Mr. Burton and Doctor Bastwick Seventhly my Chaplaines purging out a passage against Images taken out of the very Homilies in Doctor Featlies book Eightly My licensing of Popish Pictures and Crucifixes to be printed in London by one â—â—â—ke and to be bound up with our English Bibles To the first I answer in Generall that this removing and placing Lords Tables Altarwise is warranted by the Queens Injunctions as I have formerly evidenced As for the case of Saint Gregories the Table was not turned by mee but by the Deane and Chapter of Paules And when it came to the Councell Table I did there only deliver my opinion and oppose the Queens Injunctions against Bishop Jewels opinion and Master Fox there pressed and the Order made therein was made by the King and Councell then present not by me alone Secondly I pressed none to come up to receive at the Rayles no further then the Common Prayer Booke prescribes which enjoynes the people to draw weare and take the Holy Sacrament for their comfort 3ly Reading Second service at the Lords table is no
though it stood in most Parish Churches the other way yet whither there be not more reason the Parish should be made conformable to the Cathedrall and Mother Churches then the Cathedralls to them I leave to any reasonable man to judge So as his Innovations begun in Cathedralls were purposely introduced there first of all to draw on Parish Churches to Popish conformity with them in these Innovations Next in particular we reply that the alteration of the standing of the Lords Table and rayling it in Altarwise was no wayes warranted by the Queens Injunctions but contrary to them as wee have largely manifested That though this was not done immediately by himselfe but by the Deane and Chapter of Paules yet he was the Originall author of it and justified it when complained of That he publikely checked the Councell Parishioners and sir Henry Martin before the King and Lords for opposing this Innovation and alleadging Bishop Iewill and Mr. Fox against it desiring his Majesty to take these Bookes out of the Church if they made no better use of them then to oppose this Novelty That he carried himselfe more like an Advocate then Judge in this Cause and when the King himselfe was satisfied and would have it stand as formerly his violence was such that he over-ruled both King and Councell and drew up the Order forecited in their names for establishing this Innovation which favours of his stile and spirit the guilt whereof must rest principally on him 2ly The comming up to the Rayles was pressed by his Visitors Agents authority and those excommunicated who refused to come up and receive at the New Rayle to which certainly it was never the minde of the Common Prayer Book the Communicants should draw neare since there were no Rayles to draw neare and kneele at till this Archbishop enjoyned them to be set up in imitation of the Papists as we have proved but this drawing neare is rather a drawing neare to Christ by faith with our hearts and affections or else a drawing neare to the body of the Church of Chancell where the Lords Table is to be placed to the Minister officiating as it is expounded by the Qâ—eens Jujunctions 28 Canon The Table when the holy Communion shal be administred shal be placed in so good sort within the Church or Chancel as thereby the Minister may be more conveniently heard of the Communicants in his prayer and administration and the Communicants also may more conveniently and in more number communicate with the Minister 3ly We answer that the Lords Table was ordained only to administer the Sacrament thereat not to read second service at it for which the Reading Pew is appointed as the Common-prayer Book the Homilies of the worthy receiving the Sacrament and reparing Churches Queen Elizabeths Injunctions the Canous made 1571. p. 18. and the 82. 83. Canons Anno 1603. resolve Now this Archbishop enjoyned second service now to bee read at the Lords Table when there was no Communion and where it was rayled in at the upper end of the Quite not brought downe into the body of the Church or Chancell contrary to the Rubrick in the Common Prayer Booke which expresly determines That the Epistle and Gospel chiefe parts of this second service shall be read where the two Lessons are with a loud voice that the people may heare the Minister that readeth them the Minister standing and turning himselfe as he may best be heard of ALL such as be present which he cannot be if he read them at the upper end of the Chancell remote from the people where the Churches are great or the Ministers voyce low This innovation then which was never practised in any Parish Church till of late though used in some Cathedralls wherein the Rubrick enjoynes the Communion every Sunday in the yeare at least to be administred which was wholly omitted and the second service at the Table left to supply it is directly contrary to the Rubricke Homilies Injunctions Canon 4ly It is evident that Crucifixes were set up in many Parish Churches Chapells of the Kingdome which though we cannot prove to be done by his expresse particular Command yet certainly it was by his example or incouragement who repaired and set up Crucifixes in his owne Chappell 's at Lambeth Croyden and one over the Altar in Passion week in the Kings owne Chappell at White-Hall Besides those who erected them were either his owne Chaplaines or Faverites who knew his minde and did it for to imitate and please his Grace to gaine some further preferments For the Images set up in the New b Chappell in Tuttle fields we b have proved that the Arch-bishop promised to bestow a new Window on it that thereupon the old was taken downe the Kings Armes removed and those Images with the Archbishops owne Armes as the Donor of it set up that his Chaplaine gave directions about the VVindow and Mr. Sutton sweares that the money for new glasing it was paid since the Archbishops commitment to the Tower by his direction as he believeth A cleare evidence that he was the Author and director of this worke notwithstanding all his shifts to elude it 5ly Though the Archbishop made not these Bishops Visitation Oathes and Articles yet he made all of them Bishops who durst do nothing in their Diocesse or Visitations but by his direction to whom they gave an Annuall Accompt of their proceedings in writing as we have manifested Besides its apparent that all these Visitation Articles were made in pursuance of his owne Archiepiscopall Injunctions Instructions and himselfe approved of these their Oathes Articles never checking nor questioning them for them though their Metropolitan yea himselfe prescribed the selfe same things in his Metropoliticall Visitations by printed Articles written Injunctions or private Jnstructions as these Bishops did in imitation of him Therefore hee must Answer for these their Articles Oathes proceedings as farre forth as they who were but his Instruments Sixtly For his Answer to the particular Cases wee shall returne these Replyes 1. That though Mr. Smart was censured by the High Commission at Yorke yet he was first imprisoned here at London and transmitted from the High Commission here to York by this Archbishops meanes who complyed with Dr. Cosin in his prosecution and disposed of his livings after his deprivation as we can prove by sundry Letters found in his Study As for Mr. Smarts Sermon it was neither scandalous nor factions but Orthodox and Iuditious against the Popish Jnnovations introduced in the Cathedrall of Durham where he was the ancientest Prehend deserving rather applause then any censure as both Lords and Commons have resolved upon a full hearing and awarded him reparations and Damages for his unjust censure 2ly Mr. Chancy spake no contemptuous words at all against the Rayle nor of setting it up in his Garden His suspention was illegall not only without but against Law and Canon As for his submission it was forced and a
love among Neighbours and friends as the Bishop of Bath and Wells with divers of the gravest Clergy in the county of Somerset certified his Majesty who desired their continuance If some abuses crept into them as they did in some places and it seemes in Somersetshire yet this was no good reason to take away the feasts and meetings themselves as Iudge Richardson did by his order for which there were great complaints made by men of quality but only to regulate them and take away their abuses which this Declaration doth without countenancing any disorders To this was replyed 1. That it is cleare by the evidence given and his Letter written to the Bishop of Bath and Wells that this Declaration was enlarged by himselfe and republished by his instigation and procurement That himselfe put his Majesty upon the reprinting of it the warrant being written with his owne hand and being without any date at all makes it probable it was procured since the Declaration printed The later end of the Declaration it selfe concerning Wakes and Revells compared with the juncture of time when it was published manifests that it was thrust out to crosse Iudge Richardsons order and forestall the Petition of the Somersetshire Iustices for its continuance immediatly after its reversall it having no relation at all to Brabournes Booke Besides the publishing of it just when Mr. Prynne was questioned for his Histriomastix wherein he censures mixt dancing Sports Pastimes on the Lords day and reciting it in the very information against him manifests that it was likewise reprinted to make way for his first censure in Starchamber Moreover some of the recreations mentioned in it are not very lawfull upon any day though the Archbishop affirmes the contrary but certainly unlawfull on any part of the Lords day even after evening Prayer as Pathers Councells Imperiall Lawes and both Protestant and Popish writers have resolved The pretended Practise of Geneva which he alleageth is but a Hearesay without proofe borrowed from Peter Heylins prophane History of the he should have said NO Sabbath part 2. c. 6. sect 6. 8. 9. who yet informes us sect 9. that Daâ—noing hath bin condemned by French Synods and writers as well Protestantas Popish which yet the Declaration for sports in terminis allowes of on the Lords day contrary to the practise and judgement of Geneva As for Mr. Calvin himselfe though he differs in some particulars touching the Morality of the 4th Commandement from other of our Divines yet he in expresse words condemnes Dancing and Pastimes on the Lords day not deemingita Iewish Superstition or rigidity to prohibit such sports thereon especially Dancing as his 71. Sermon upon Iob proclaimes to all the world and other Geneva Ministers since him have done the like That this Declaration did de Pacto put downe afternoone Sermons on the Lords day in most and forenoone too in many places by suspending sundry preaching Ministers who durst not publish it out of conscience is apparent to al. Wherefore to affirme this one part of the Archbishops design in reprinting thereof is a certaine and more then probable truth and the words of it that they should use those Pastimes after Evening Prayer not evening Sermon import as much some Bishops grounding their suppressing of Afternoone Sermons on this expression which Sermons Peter Heylin in his History of the Sabbath part 2. c. 6. sect 9. and c. 7. and 8. makes to be meere innovations as doth Doctor Pocklington in his Sunday no Sabbath both published by this Archbishops command and approbation For his owne strict observation of the Lords day it is an averment without truth Certainly he that made conscience of its strict observation himselfe would never give way to such a Declaration encouraging others to prophane it who were apt to do it without such an incitement nor suspend such Godly Ministers who durst not publish it out of conscience for feare of encouraging others to prophane it Yea his pretended strictnesse of late times was such that himselfe and his servants made it an ordinary practise in the Somer to go to Bowles and use other pastimes on it and he sate constantly thereon at the Councell Table about worldly businesse 2ly That there was no warrant at all in the Declaration that Ministers should publish it or to punish any who refused it hath bin formerly proved at large and where there is no penalty prescribed in a Law much more in a Declaration no punishment can be inflicted That he gave expresse order for silensing Mr. Wilson Mr. Culmer and Mr. Player is proved by severall Oathes and that they were suspended divers yeares not only ab officio but beneficio having nothing left to support their Wives and Families That they were obstinate or sactious is a groundlesse scandall not proved they were only conscientious and would not disobey God to humour men That he silenced only these three in his Diocesse was but casuall because others submitted to read the Booke but his command was generall to suspend all who refused to read it and those three in speciall That he put not any Article of Inquiry touching the reading of this Declaration into the Articles for his Metropoliticall Visitation was his Jesuitical Art and cunning to conceale his wickednesse and prophanenesse from publique view but that he gave private Instructions to his Vicar Generall in this his Visitation to convent and question such who had not read it who thereupon did accordingly question divers good Ministers for this very cause you have heard it proved at large by the very Abstracts of his Metropoliticall Visitations under his owne and his Visitors hands That other Bishops inserted such an Article into their printed Visitation Inquisitions we have fully proved as also that they gave an Accompt to him of the Ministers they had suspended for not Reading the Declaration according to his Injunctions Therefore their Articles of this nature proceeded meerely from him and must be charged on him as well as on themselves That it was the Act of the Court not his to bring any into the High Commission for not reading this Book is a most false averment for Mr. VVilson now a Reverend Divine of the Assembly was brought into the High Commission by his owne expresse command and no others as himselfe deposeth who personally suspended him before at Lambheth for that cause both from his Office and Benefice and Mr. Page was by his speciall order brought into the High Commission as appeares by his owne Subscription to Francis Thompsons Petition That Mr. Snelling was there questioned and severely censured by the Archbishops meanes who gave Order not to accept either his Answer or defence and threatned to burne it is cleare by the proofes forementioned That his censure was only for not publishing the Declaration is evident by the sentence it selfe if well observed his not bowing at the name of Jesus being put in only for a Cipher but not insisted on at
he purged it out because it intimated the Pope to be Antichrist and subjection to him an Antichristian Yoke of bondage both which compared with his Purgations out of Bishop Hals Book of Episcopacy to the same effect proves him a Papist with a witnesse and a speciall friend to the Popes Holinesse of whose honour among us he is extraordinary tender That the Pope is the Antichrist all Forraign Domestick Protestant Divines and some Papists too unanimously agree except Mountague and Shelford his creatures And whereas he pretends no Councill hath so determined We answer that the Synod of Gape in France Anno 1603. the whole Synod and Convocation in Ireland Ann. 1615. in the very Articles of their Religion Num. 80. with the whole Convocation and Parliament of England in the Act for the Subsidy of the Clergy 30 Jacobi to omit others define the Pope to be the Antichrist and Popery Antichristian more fully then those Letters-Patents and why these new Letters-Patents should not determine them to be such as well as the old ones both in King James and in King Charles their Reignes but must now be revoked after they had passed the great Seale of England because this Archbishop would have it so transcends any mans capacity to guesse at any other probable reason except onely this Prelats affection both to the Pope and Popery or enmity against the reformed Churches and their Religion For his incivilities to Master Ruly by reason of this clause our Witnesses testimoniall will outsway his bare deniall of them Fiftly the premises abundantly manifest to all that the Archbishop invaded diminished the ancient Immunities and Priviledges of the Dutch and Walloon Churches in all parts not their pretended encroachments onely upon our Churches Priviledges and that he was so farre from being their friend that they esteemed him then their greatest enemy If they formerly returned him any thanks by way of Court-complement for not taking away all their priviledges as well as some of them after many yeers hot contest we are certaine they justly complained of him ten times more for invading depriving them of sundry of their ancient Immunities which almost brought their Churches to utter ruine In few words his owne forecited Papers and Monsieur Bulteels Booke of the manifold troubles of those Churches by this Arch-Prelats prosecution will abundantly falsifie this his pretended friendship towards them and remaine as a lasting Record against him to Posterity All which considered the whole Bulk and every particle of all the proofs and evidences produced by us to make good the first branch of the Commons first generall Charge of High-treason against him remaine altogether unshaken unavoyded maugre all his sophisticall evasions protestations and shifting answers to them And so much for the first branch of his first generall Charge The Archbishops Defence and Answers to the COMMONS Evidence in the maintenance of the Second Branch of their first Generall Charge touching his Endevours to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome and the Commons Reply thereunto I Proceed now to the Archbishops Defence against the Second Branch of the Commons first Generall Charge to wit his Endevours to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome To this he gave some general Answers in his Generall Defence at the Lords Barre Septemb. 2. 1644. to this effect My Lords said he I am charged for endevouring to introduce Popery and reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome I shall recite the sum of the Evidence and Arguments given in for to prove it First I have in my first Speech nominated divers persons of Eminency whom I reduced from Popery to our Church And if this be so then the Argument against me is this I converted many from Popery Ergo I went about to bring in Popery and to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome Secondly I am charged to be the Author of the c. Oath in the New Canons parcell of which Oath is to abjure Popery and that I will not subject the Church of England to the Church of Rome A more strict Oath then ever was made against Popery in any age or Church And then the argument against me is this I made and tooke an Oath to abjure Popery and not to subject the Church of England to the Church of Rome Therefore I was inclinable to Popery and endeavoured to subject the Church of England to the Church of Rome Thirdly the third Canon of the late New ones was made by me which is against Popery and then the Argument is I made a Canon against Popery Ergo I was inclinable to and endevoured to introduce it Fourthly I was twice seriously offered a Cardinalship and I refused it because I would not be subject to the Pope and Church of Rome Ergo I was addicted to Popery and endevoured to reduce the Church of England into subjection to the Church of Rome Fiftly I writ a Booke against Popery in Answer to Fisher the Jesuit and then the Argument is this I writ a Book against Popery Ergo I am inclinable to Popery and laboured to introduce it Sixtly it is alledged I concealed and cherished the Plot of the Jesuits discovered by Habernfeild and therefore I intended to bring in Popery and reduce the Church of England to the Church of Rome I amswer either this Plot was not reall and if so then Romes Masterpeece is quite blowne up and published in vaine Or else it was reall then I was really in danger of my life for opposing Popery and this Plot. Then the Argument from it must be this I was in danger of my life for cherishing the Jesuites Plot of reducing the Church of England to the Church of Rome Ergo I cherished and endevoured to effect this Plot. Seventhly I laboured to make a reconciliation between the Lutherans and Calvinists Ergo I laboured to introduce Popery and make a reconciliation between the Church of England and the Church of Rome This generall defence and scoffing answer of his at the Lords Barre seemed very specious to some ignorant Auditors who took these feined objections of his owne forging to be the arguments and maine strength of the Commons Evidence produced to convict him of a serious endeavour to subvert the Protestant Religion introduce popery and reconcile the Church of England unto Rome when as the Commons made no such objections from the Evidence and proofs against him Wherupon they replyed that he did but fight with his owne shadow and absurd arguments of his owne framing as he did in his Sear-chamber Speech instead of repeating and answering their reall Objections and proofs against him transforming his owne defence into their Charge and Evidence a meer sophisticall Jesuiticall practice of which he made use throughout his Tryall to which we shall reply in order First the Commons never objected that ever he reduced any from popery but that many were seduced
informing him to be so and by the Popes Bull to him common in many Courtiers hands For Sancta Clara his favourite Doctor Lindsey brought him to his Study with his Book to reconcile us to Rome to peruse it of purpose before it went to the Presse after which he came thrice to him writ a Book in defence of Episcopacy by divine Right with an intention to gratifie him and tendred it to him for his license as himselfe confesseth under his own hand in a written paper where he extenuates this fact all he could and is this no intimacy nor correspondency For St Giles his own hand-writing testifies that he knew him to be a Priest yet notwithstanding he permitted him to reside sundry yeers in the University of Oxford where himselfe was Chancellour to have the use of the Library there yea he provided him a large maintainance constantly paid it to him there during his residence he repairing oft times to him to receive it and is all this no intimacy no correspondency For Leander he denies not but that he was with him once or twice and if common reports both among popish Priests Papists or Protestants may be credited he was once his Chamber-fellow in Oxford and most intimate powerfull with him here being purposely sent hither by meanes of his interest in him to compleat our reconciliation and reduction to Rome For Smith a most dangerous Jesuit we have proved his being at Lambeth neere his Study his familiarity with Master Dell his Secretary who used him with great respect his intimacy with Secretary Windebanke the Arch-bishops greatest confederate his sending of messages to the Archbishop by Sir Toby Matthew to remember the businesse he told his Grace of when he was last with him and his frequent threatning of Master Newton the Messenger when he met him in the open streets that he would complaine of him or doe his errand to the Archbishop and that he had done it And are these no badges of his intimacy For his acquaintance and correspondence with the Bishop of Calcedon Doctor Smith it is apparent by his owne Diary and Windebanks Letter to his Son himselfe not daring to deny that Doctor Smith mentioned in his Diary is any other then Calcedon For Price the Provinall of the Benedictines we have proved that he hath been seen at Lambeth talking familiarly with Master Dell and waiting neer the Archbishops Study doore to speak with him in private that he and Leander have been oft times met going as themselves affirmed to Lambeth to speak with the Archbishop who cannot deny but they were with him and by whose means we know not this Price procured the Searchers place at Dover for the use of the Benedictines and put two professed Papists into it for the freer passage of Priests and Jesuits into the Kingdome and more secure conveying intelligence to and from Rome Now lay all this together and we dare confidently averre that all his predecessors since the Reformation put together had not halfe that intimacy correspondency with Priests and Jesuits as he and if the truth were knowne the party or parties who two severall times seriously tendred him a Cardinals Cap avowing ability to performe it was either the Popes owne Nuncio or some Priests Jesuits or popish Agents who had instructions from the Pope himselfe to make this offer to him which none durst nor could without hazard of their lives have tendred so much as once much lesse twice to any of his protestant predecessors That he received no Letters from Priests and Jesuits is a thing not credible the double proffer of a Cardinalship to him from Rome is a stronger evidence that he received Letters likewise from thence then his owne bare word he received none It is true we met with no such Letters in his Study or Closet but the reason was himselfe before his commitment and afterward when he went to Lambeth to fetch papers thence his Closet and Study being not sealed up till some moneths after his commitment had time and wisdome enough to convey all such Letters out of the way or burne them least they should rise up in judgement to condemne him though he removed not others thence wherein he conceived least danger the better to colour his removall and burning of the most dangerous For Master Dobsons Testimony he is but testis domesticus his owne meniall servant a meer single Witnesse and unsworn too therfore not so much to be valued but take it as it is it proves little for him He saith that Archbishop Bancroft received Letters of intelligence from forraigne Priests and Jesuits but he knowes neither their persons nor names much lesse that they were either priests or Jesuits and that any such resorted to his Table he cannot certainly affirme it for he cannot nominate any one priest in particular and conceives onely they were priests but knowes it not but by conceit without other evidence For Julius Maria and the other forraigner who dieted for a time at Archbishop Abbots Table he confesseth he did not know them to be priests but strangers they were and papists who made some shewes and promises to that Archbishop of turning Protestants the onely ground why he thus entertained them to further and perfect their conversion but as soon as they faltred with him they were presently discarded But what is this to this Archbishops case who kept correspondency with these Priests and Jesuits of purpose to pervert and reduce us back to Rome not to convert them unto us certainly neither of these two though Bancroft was none of the greatest enemies to Rome ever entertained a Jesuit or most pernicious known seducers into their Coaches Barges Closets Gardens as he did Sir Toby Matthew and Sancta Clara never maintained any Priests in the University to seduce young Schollers and instruct the Doctors there as he did Saint Giles who professed that the Archb. was very cordiall for their Romish Religion never checked imprisoned pursivants for being too active in apprehēding Priests nor reviled them by the name of Priest-catching kndves as he hath done their cases and his therefore are very different For Master Dobsons not seeing Sir Toby Matthew at Lambeth Ergo he was never there with the Archbishop it is a meer Nonsequitur Master Dobson is ancient perchance his eyes were so dimme he could not discerne him or he was out of the way when Sir Toby was there but divers others sweare they saw him there Master Dell informed Master Newton that his Lord was busie with Sir Toby Matthew in the Garden yea therefore the Archbishop dares not produce him to testifie his knowledge least he should confesse the truth For King James his encouraging Watson and Preston to write against the Jesuits and other of their Orders no doubt it was a lawfull policy and if this Archbishop made use of these Priests Jesuits for the like good ends we should have commended not accused him for it but he makes
Declaration before the 39 Articles wrested to propagate Arminianism and suppresse truth p. 120 to 164. His Proclamation for calling in and suppressing Sales his Popish Book how procured mistaken to abuse the world and justifie Laud and Heywood p. 186 187. His Instructions concerning Lectures and preaching how procured abused p. 370 to 474. 478 to 488 His Letter to the Archbishop and Bishops concerning Ordination penned by Laud how much abused to suppresse preaching and keep out good men from the Ministry p. 382 to 385. 537 538 539 His Voyage into Spain of purpose to seduce him in his Religion which was there attempted by the Pope his Nuncio the Jesuits Buckingham and Digby and King James his Instructions to him before he went concerning his writing that the Pope was Antichrist Lauds privity and assistance to the Voyage Match Instructions and the Match with France plotted by the Popish party to seduce the King p. 416 to 419 547 to 550 His command to judge Richardson to St. revoke his Order against Wakes and Revels p. 151 c. St. Clara his Book Dedicated to him to reconcile him and us to Rome p. 423. Ana Fustidius Dedicated to him by Cardinal Barbarino Ibid. Bishop of Calcedon Lauds intimacy with him and Windebanks use of him p. 454 455. Catechizing in the Afternoon a meer pretence to suppresse Preaching and what form must be used p. 368 369 370 372 374 376 378 Chaplains in private houses suppressed p 369 371 372. Mistris Charnocks testimony p. 69. Christs Epistle to a devout Soul a Popish Book Licensed p. 186 187 195 c. Church maintained to be alwayes visible The Church of Rome to be a true Church to have the same Religion with in not to have erred in Fundamentals the Reformed Protestant Churches to be no Churches if they want Lord Bishops and not to be of our Religion by Laud and his adherents who endeavoared to suppresse the Dutch French and Walloon Churches here and purged out clauses concerning the Church and building Churches East and West p. 27 30 207 293 296 to 300 388 to 409. 441. 530 531 532. High Commission Lauds design to advance its power p. 369. St. Clara his intimacy with Canterbury and Book to reconcile us to Rome p. 39 423 to 432 550 557 to 560. Dr. Clerks Sermons miserably gelded purged by Lauds Chaplains p. 254 to 376 John Cooks testimony against Canteroury p. 452 453. Mr. Cooks recantation in Oxford p. 176 Consecrations of Flagous Altar-clothes Churches Chappels Church-yards meerly Popish introduced used justified by Canterbury whose Arguments for them are examined refuted p. 65 114 to 128 217 218. 497 to 506. Considerations compiled and presented by Laud to the King to suppresse Preaching Lectures Lecturers p. 368 to 376. 536 537 477. Con the Popes Nuncio p. 413 440. Contrition Popish passages against it expunged p. 308. Copes introduced enjoyned by Laud p. 64 71. 76 80 81. 468 469 476 to 490. Mr. Corbets testimony and trouble for not bowing to the Altar by Bishop Laud and his Visitor p. 71. 477. Earl of Corks Tomb in Ireland ordered by Laud to be taken down for standing in the place of the Altar and Letters thence concerning it p. 82 to 88. Dr. J. Cosin a Popish Innovator at Durham Cambridge advanced protected by Laud p. 72 73 78 355 356. 532. Councels Evangelical to perfection justified in new printed Books p. 209 210. Passages against them expunged p. 300. Councellors that are ill passages against them purged out of new Books by Laud and his Agents p. 245 301 302. Creed-Church how consecrated by Laud p. 113 114 598 503. Credentia a Popish Innovation and Vtensil introduced by Laud in his Chappel p. 63 464 468. Crowlyes Answer to Champenyes p. 69 Croxton recommended by Laud to the Lord Deputy Wentworth by him advanced in Ireland his Letter to the Archbishop and practise of auricular confession publiquely there p. 194 195. Crucifixes erected by the Archbishop and his Agents in his own and the Kings Chappels Cathedrals and elsewhere p. 59 to 57. 205 205 216. 462 to 490. Iustified by him p. 464 465. Mr. Culmer suspended by Laud for not reading the Declaration for Sports on the Lords day p. 146. 506. Dr. Cumber his justification of Auricular Confession and Letter to Laud with his Answer thereunto touching Mr. Bernards Sermon p. 193. 363 364. 535. D Dancing and other Pastimes on the Lords day justified in late printed Books condemned by Fathers Councels Calvin others p. 222 to 226 372. 504 505 506. Davis his Petition to Laud concerning Contributions to rail in the Altar p 90. Deans Arminian and Popish preferred by Laud p. 356 532 533. Declaration for Sports enlarged reprinted and pressedon Ministers by Lauds Practise p. 128 156 382. Decree of God passages concerning it deleted p. 333 364 365. Decree of Star-chamber concerning licensing and reprinting Books illegall procured abused by Laud to the prejudice of our Religion and the advancement of Poperty and Arminianisme p. 198 to 210 512. to 516. Barron Denham his Orders against Wakes Revels Churchals p. 126 127 153 154 513 515. Master Dell Lauds Secretary his Letter to silence Master Leigh p. 388. His intimacy with Priests and Jesuits and answer to the Pursevants p. 450 451 453. Master Deuxels testimony of Priests liberty in their prisons p. 450. Master Dow advanced his popish Booke p. 207 357. Bishop Downhams Book against the Arminians and falling from Grace called in by Lauds meanes both in England and Ireland p. 171 172 508 510. His Protestation against toleration of popery in Ireland p. 434. Doctor Duppa an Arminian made Vice-Chancellour of Oxford and promoted by Laud 176 p. 354 359 360. Master Dury his reordination and attempts to reconcile the Calvinists and Lutherans p. 340 539 541 Dutch and French reformed Churches in England prosecuted and deprived of their priviledges by Laud accounted no true Churches nor of our Religion p. 27 33 388 to 409 539 to 543. E King Edward VI. his Patent to the Dutch and French to enjoy Churches of their owne Discipline in England p. 394 395. his times depressed p. 420 421. Election Universall and from foreseen Faith and Works maintained passages against it deleted p. 303 to 307 309 to 312. Egerton his testimony against Laud p. 453. Equivocation clauses against it expunged p. 307. F Faith alone doth not justifie but Charity and Works maintained passages against it the nature of faith and growth in it deleted p. 209 307 314 315 341. Falling from Grace maintained in many late printed Books and passages against it expunged p. 219 279 to 287 314 315 316 425. Fast Booke purged of passages against popery by Laud p. 250. Passages against popish Fasting deleted p. 307. Fastidius his Booke printed and dedicated to the King by Cardinall Barbarino p. 423 Feares carnall passages against them and the feare of God expunged p. 388 341. Dr. Featlies testimony against Laud and the purging of his Sermons
Note Note Note Note Note Note Note Note Note Note Note M. Burdits case Note Note The Church-wardens of Beckingtons case Nota. Note Note Note Note Ferdinando Adams his case Note Nota. Ioh. Premly his case M. Hen. Sherfields case * Mr. Peter Thatcher Minister of the Parish and three others * Dan. 9. M. Iohn Workmans case * Hist of the Waldens par 3. l. 2. c. 9. * Speculum morale l. 3. p. 9. dist 9. * Summa virtutum vitiorum tom 2. Tit. de luxuria c. 3. Note 1 Cor. 6. 1 Cor. 4. Heb. 13. 1 Joh. 5. 21. 1. Cor. 10. 14. Levit. 17. 10. Numb 25. Deut. 31. Barach 6. Acts 17. Rom. 1. Psal 32. Wisd 13. 14. Deut. 4 Deut. 4. Aug. in Ps 36. 113. l. 4. c. 3. De ci vitate Dei Isay 42. 8. Deut. 27. 1 Cor. 3. * Homily against the perill of Idolatry Part. 3. Nota. Note Note Dr. Bastwicks Mr. Prynnes and Mr. Burtons Cases Note * Sunday no Sabbath printed 1636. His Innovations in consecrating Churches Chappels after the Popishmanner The Arch-bishops Innovations in consecrating Churches and Chappels His manner of consecrating Creed-Church Note * Were not their spiritual Bawdy-courts commonly kept in Churches such Note Acts 17. 24. John 4. 23 24. 1 Tim. 2. 8. Note John 4. Nota. * Nota. His Consecration of Saint Giles Church * See Summa Angelica Rosella Tit. Symonia * Ormerod his Pagano Papis semblance 37. 123 124 125. Francis de câ—â—y his first conformity c. 25. Dr. Remolds his conference with Hart. c. 8. divis 4. p 492. to 514. Artic. of Ireland Artic. 52. Bishop Latimer in sundry of his Sermons Linnen Hammer-Smith Chappell March 11. 1629. * Articles to be inquired of in the Visitation of the Arch-Deacon of Buckingham Anno 1625. Artic. 27. touching the Ministry * See Speeds Hist of Great Britain p. 1067 1068. a Expos in Aggeus c 1. and 2. De Vita Ob tu Mar. Buceri c Acts and Monuments Edit 1610. p. 1777. to 1788. * See Summa Angelica Rosella Tit. Consecratio Ecclesiae * Joan. de Aten Constit Dom. Othonis De consecâ— Ecclesia f. 5. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Concil Tom. 2. p. 382. Fox Acts and Monuments a His Communion Book Chatechisme expounded b History of the Sabbath A Moderate Answer to H. Burton p. 50. to 56. 76. 80. 81. 110. 111. 112. c Innovations unjustly charged c. 10. 11. 12. p 73. 108. The Declaration for sports on the Lords Day c. New Printed published pressed by the Archbishops procurement Lond. ss NOTE NOTE NOTE They were the deboystest and worst in the Country NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE Mr. Culmers Mr. Players and Mr. Hierons cases Mr. Thomas VVilsons case Mr VVraths Mr. Erberies and Mr. Iones cases NOTE NOTE Mr. Snellings Case * There was no such command of his Majesties NOTE NOTE These were but meere additements to his Charge he being only questioned and excommunicated for not reading the Booke of Sports NOTE NOTE NOTE In his Metropoliticall Visitation Articles The Archbishops proceedings to subvert Religion by introducing Doctrinall Points of Popery * De Ordine Vitae lib. * Homil. 47. in Matth. NOTE * Thus endorsed by him April 18. 1615 The Copy of a Letter which I sent to the Lord Bishop of Lincolne concerning a Sermon in which Dr. Abbots had wronged me in the Vniversity NOTE * Declaration against Vorstins NOTE Note NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE * See a necessary Introduction to the Archbishops triall p. 89. 90. Note NOTE NOTE NOTE * It was a very sore punishment to advance him from a Batcheâ—lor of Divinity to be a Bishop for Writing so ill a Booke NOTE See a necessary Introduction to the Arch-Bishops Tryall pag. 90 to 94. NOTE NOTE NOTE See a necessary Introduction to the Arch-Bishops Tryall pag. 93 94 95. NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE Fol. 531. 532. NOTE NOTE NOTE Mr. Madyes case Mr. Hillâ— Case NOTE Mr. Fords Mr. Thornes and Master Hodges Cases NOTE NOTE The Archbishops various Attempts and Endeavours to undermine our established Protestant Religion and introduce Doctrinall Popery into our Church NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE * Iohn Lanspergius a Carthu sign A Catalogue of Popish Doctrines Positions Errors licensed and Printed by the Archbishops and his Chaplaince meanes NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE Master Adams Case NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE Num. 26. Moses and â—aron fell upâ—n their saâ—â—s atthe doore â—f the Tabernacle only for â—â— pray not â—â— Worship Erâ— we must alwayes bow â—o the Altar at our approaches â—oit is no good consequence out rather Ergo we must alwayes fall on our faces at and towards the Church doore had bin a better sequens The Altar stood without the Doore of the Tabernacle and the Laver betweene it and the Tent Exod 40. 7. 8. 29. 30. Therefore if Moses fell on his face at the Tabernacle doore his worship was not with his face to but from the Altar and his bowing not towards but fromwards it quite crosse to your bowing * This solemnity and the bowing used in it is only civill not Religious 2ly Peculiar to the Knights of this Order Therefore no rule for others in matter of their worship 4 This is a meere groundlesse fallâ—â—iâ— God Christ being most present in the middest of his peoples hearts and soules not on the Altar Mat. 18. 20. c. 28. 20. Eph. 4. 17. Gal. 2. 20. 1 Cor. 6. 19. 20. d Christs body is not God nor his naturall body on the Altar but only the Elements which represent it Now Christs word makes the Bread his representative not reall body and the word expresseth his Divinity Ioha 1. 1. the Consecrated Bread his Body and humanity only Therefore our reverence is no doubt more due to his word than to his body And so St. Augustine expresly resolves it to be as due to it HOMIL 26. Jnterrogo vos sratres vel sarores dicite mibâ— quid vobis plus esse videtur verbum Dei an corpus Christiâ—si verumvultis respondere hoc utique dicere debetis quod non sit minus Verbum quà m corpus Christi et ideo quanta solicitudone observamus quando nobis corpus Christi ministratur ut nihil ex ipso de nostris manibus in terram cadat tanta solicitudinc observamus ne verbum Dei quod nobis erogatur dum aliquid out cogitamus out loquimur de corde nostro pereat quia non minus reus erit qui Verbum Dei negligente raudierit quam ille qui corpus Christi in terram cadere negligentia sua permiserit e Not so because not commended True we agree it f You are no such but a rich Arch-Prelate g This is in the Copulative you give one and the same adoration at the same time both to God and the Altar in one Act of
he is to appeare this day to heare and receive the finall order and judgement of the Court. at which day and place the said Lawrence Snelling being publiquely called for appeared personally in whose presence the Articles in this cause exhibited against him with his answers made thereunto were publiquely read and then Mr. Doctor Ryues his Majesties Advocate pressed and enforced the proofes against the said Master Snelling according as they appeared confessed out of his answers and after that the said Mr. Snelling was heard what he could say in his owne defence and after a mature and deliberat hearing of this cause it appeared to the Court That the said Mr. Snelling was here charged for that he being a Minister in holy orders of Priesthood constituted by the Authority of the Church for these 20. yeares last past and upwards Rector of Paulscray aforesaid for all that time and upwards was within these foure or five yeares last past made acquainted that a certaine Booke intituled The Kings Majesties Declaration for lawfull recreations after Evening Prayers on Sundayes and Holy dayes was come forth and commanded by his Majesty to be read by all Ministers in their respective Parish Churches and presented to Mr. Doctor Wood Chauncellor of Rochester his Ordinary on the 20th of November 1643. for refusing to read and publish the same in his Parish Church of Paulscray That upon the said presentment he was by his said Ordinary personally monished to read the same within three weekes following That on the eleventh of December 1634. aforesaid he the said Laurence Snelling being againe Convented before his said ordinary was primo secundo tertio personally and Judicially monished in Court to read and publish the said Booke in manner aforesaid which he refusing was suspended ob officio beneficio and hath so continued untill this present and doth so still continue unreleased that on the third of Aprill 1635. the said Laurence Snelling being present in Court before his Ordinary was 10. 20. and 30. Judicially admonished to read and publish the said Booke for Lawfull recreations as aforesaid but did againe utterly refuse to publish or read the same was thereupon then excommunicated by his said Ordinary and hath so continued ever since doth so stil continue excommunicated that within the time articulate the said Mr. Snelling hath divers times omitted to read the Lerany and some other parts of Divine service and to weare the Surplice further that he hath not bowed his body nor made any corporall obeysance at the reading or hearing read the Blessed name of our Saviour Iesus All which the premises appearing to be true in Substance and in effect out of the said Mr. Snellings answers the Court proceeded to the giving of their sentence in this Cause and for the present did order that unlesse the said Mr. Snelling shall conforme himselfe to the aforesaid requisitions of his Ordinary and read and publish the said Booke for lawfull recreations c. and do all due obeysance and Reverence at the blessed name of our Saviour Iesus betwixt this and the second Court day of the next Terme he should be ex nunc pro ut extunc c. deprived of his Rectory of Paulscray aforesaid but pay no costs of suit in case he be deprived and to this end and purpose he the said Mr. Snelling being present in Court was Juditially admonished to read and publish the said Booke and to make corporall reverence at the name of our Saviour Jesus sub pena Iuris deprivationis And to the end that he may safely repaire to his Parish Church to practise certifie of his conformity in the premises in case he shall be willing to conform accordingly it was by the Court referred to the foresaid Ordinary Mr. Doctor Wood to absolve the said Master Snelling from the said sentence of Excommunication under which he now stands in case he shall come and desire it of his said Ordinary and take his oath de parendo Iuri stando mandatis Ecclesia c. according to the forme in this case provided For not doing whereof he was accordingly deprived and continued sequestred excommunicated and deprived of his living divers yeares to his intollerable oppression and prejudice When the Archbishop had thus privily by secret Instructions to his Visitors enjoyned the reading of this Book of sports to Ministers and suspended censured molested divers of them for not reading it he then conspiring together with many other popish Prelates to suppresse all painful preaching Orthodox Ministers by colour of it encouraged directed if not enjoyned them and their Archdeacons to insert this clause into their printed Visitation Articles to be inquired of and presented by Church-wardens upon Oath Whether the Kings Declaration for sports had beene read and published among them by the Minister To prove this we shall instance only in the Visitation Articles of Matthew Wren Bishop of Norwich printed at London 1636. and in Richard Mountague his successors Visitation Articles for the same Diocesse printed at Cambridg 1638. both which prescribe this following Interrogatory to be inquired of upon oath the later clause whereof contradictes the former Sect 7. Do any in your Parishprophane any Sunday or holy-day by any unlawfull gaming drinking or Tipling in Taverns Innes or Ale-houses in the time of Common Prayer or Sermon or by Working or doing the worke of their Trades and occupations Do any in your Parish buy or sell or keepe open their Shops or set out any Wares to be sould on Sundayes or holy dayes by themselves their Servants or Apprentises or have they any other wayes Prophaned the said dayes And hath the Kings Declaration concerning the use of lawfull sports and recreations been published among you yea or no If so when was it don in what manner and by whom The like Interrogatories in effect if not in terminis we find in Bishop Pierces Bishop Curles Bishop Skinners the Arch-Deacons of Middlesex with other Visitation Articles which for brevity we pretermit How many hundred Godly Ministers in these other Bishops Diocesse were suspended from their Ministry sequestred driven from their Livings excommunicated Prosecuted in the High Commission and forced to leave the Kingdome upon these Articles for not publishing this Declaration is so experimentaly known to all that We shal pretermit it without any enumeration of their names or cases Only we shal discover what hand and influence the Archbishop had in their severall suspentions persecutions by these ensuing Accounts given up to him by other Bishops of their proceedings herein found in his Study endorsed with his owne hand and witnessed by Mr. Prynne who seized them In Bishop Wrens account to the Archbishop December 17. 1636. which begin thus In the name of God Amen An account touching the Royall Instructions given by the Kings most Excellent Majesty to the most Reverend Father in God VVilliam Laud Archbishop of Cant. his Grace Primat
for any abuse accordingly 7. That the Bishops suffer f none under Noblemen and men qualified by Law to have any private Chaplain in his house 8. That they take speciall care that Divine Service be diligently frequented as well for Prayers and Catechismes as Sermons and take particular note of all such as absent themselves as Recusants or other waies 9. That every Bishop that by our grace and favour and good opinion of his service shall be nominated by us to another Bishopricke shall from that day of nomination not presume to make any Lease for three lives or one and twenty yeares or concurrent Lease or any way renew any Estate or cut any wood or timber but meerly receive the rents due and quit the place For wee thinke it a hatefull thing that any mans leaving the Bishoprick should almost undoe the Successor And if any man shall presume to breake this order g we will refuse at our Royall Assent and keepe him at the place which he hath so abused 10. And lastly we command you to give us an Account every yeare the second of Ianuary of the performance of these our Commands Exceptions taken a This is broken b And this c This Catechising must be by the Catechism in the Com prayer book and no other Divers in London must preach too or loose their means They cannot agree upon the great Cause d Whether this bind the Parson or Vicar if he read the Lecture Or all the Ministers where there is a combination Vnlesse it be upon the uery edge of a Diocese c e And execut by himselfe And whether it shall be sufficient to conforme some times so the reading of Prayer bee constant f Excepted against in regard of displacing many young men c. g What if he do not let them till the Royall Assent be past Dorchester How diligent he was to put these Instructions into execution within his own Diocesse will appeare by this Letter of his to his severall Archdeacons the originall whereof was produced interlined with his own hand SIR THese are to let you understand that his Majestie out of his Royall and Princely Care that the Government of the Church may be carefully lookt unto by the Bishops and others with whom it is trusted hath lately sent certain Instructions to my Lords Grace of Canterbury and of Yorke to be by them disperst to the severall Bishops of each Diocesse within their Provinces to the intent that whatsoever concernes any Bishops personally or otherwise in reference to those of the Clergy which they are to governe may be by every of them readily and carefully performed The Instructions which concern the Persons to be governed are only the third for keeping the Kings Declaration that so differences and questions may cease and the fifth about Lecturers and the seventh concerning private Chaplaines in the Houses of men not qualified and the eighth about either Recusants or any other Absents from Church and Divine Service all the rest are Personall to the Bishops yet because they are so full of Justice Honour and Care of the Church I send to you the whole Body of the Instructions as they came to me praying and requiring you as Arch-Deacon of London to send me at or before Wednesday the third of February next both the Christian and Surnames of every Lecturer within your Archdeaconry as well in places exempt as not exempt and the place where he preacheth and his quality and Degree As also the Names of such men as being not qualified keep Chaplains in their Houses And these are farther to pray and in his Majesties name to require you that you leave with the Parson or Vicar of the place a Copy not of all but of the foure Instructions mentioned with the foure severall branches belonging to the Lecturers with a Charge that the Person or Vicar deliver another Copy of them to the Churchwardens and that you do not onely call upon them for Performance now presently but also take great care from time to time that at the End of your next Visitation and so forward at the End of every severall Visitation I may by your self or your Officialls have true notice how they are perform'd and where and by whom they are disobey'd For so much my Lords Grace of Canterbury requires of me as you shall see by the Tenor of his Graces Letters to mee here inclosed I pray you in any case not to faile in this for if you should when I come to give up my Account I must discharge my selfe upon you and that Neglect would make you go backward in his Majesties favour besides whatsoever else may follow Thus not doubting of your care and fidelity in this behalfe I leave you to the Grace of God and shall so rest Your very loving Friend Wil. London January 4. 1629. Upon the publication of these Instructions strictly pursued till this present Parliament Lecturers and Chaplaines in private Gentlemens houses were generally questioned and suppressed in all places with very great Rigor especially if they refused or neglected to read Common Prayers in their Surplisses and Hoods before they Lectured all Sermons on the Lords dayes in the Afternoon were generally suppressed by degrees throughout the Kingdome most single and many Combination Lectures were put downe in every place All Catechismes but that in the Common Prayer Book prohibited All Expositions of Chapters or of the Catechisme forbidden and layd aside Wakes Revels Dancing and all kind of Recreations introduced authorized commanded by a Regall Declaration printed and published in the Kings name by this Prelate as we have already proved and preached for in Pulpits instead of Afternoon Sermons and Catechismes on the Lords day that people might go more merrily down to Hell and banish the thoughts of God and heaven out of their minds on that very day whereon they should minde them most And that these Instructions might be the better executed this Prelate both before and after he was Archbishop together with Bishop Mountague Bishop Wren Bishop Peirce and others thrust them into their Visitation Articles and every Church-Warden and Sidesman on their Oath was to inquire after the Execution and Violation of them If any doubt arose upon these Instructions how to proceed upon them not Archbishop Abbot but this Lording Prelate was consulted with as the only Oracle who best knew their meaning as being the contriver of them Witnesse the Bishop of Bristols Letter and Quaeres to him about his Majesties late Instructions Febr. 12. 1629. the Originall whereof indorsed with Mr Dells his Secretaries hand found with the former Papers in his study was produced If any neglect or connivance at Lecturers was used in any place information and complaint thereof was presently sent up unto him witnesse this one from Canterbury against Archbishop Abbot himselfe thus endorsed with this Prelates own hand Feb 18. 1629. The Proceedings of the Dean and Arch-Deacon of Canterbury upon the Kings Instructions MAster Deane and
Archdeacon of Canterbury received from my Lords Grace a Commission for the speeding of his Majesties Instructions enforced by these phrases It is expected that you should strictly put in execution these matters which do concern either your selves in your own persons or the Clergy that do remain within my Diocesse and this to be done not as a thing of forme or perfunctorily but so that an account be made and returned to his Majestie what fruit there is of these Instructions and how in the severall Diocesses they are performed And therefore I pray you and in the name of his Highnesse require you to advertise me what is done in these particulars and whether there be due obedience unto these commands Accordingly the Commissioners sent for Mr Palmer a Lecturer in Saint Alphage Canterbury on Sunday in the afternoone who first denyed to shew any Licence Secondly certified that he had no Licence to preach there Thirdly against the Ministers will he read Prayers and catechized but not according to Canon Fourthly in that catechizing he undertook to declare the Kings minde in his Instructions Fiftly he hath never heretofore read Prayers or used the Surplisse in that Parish Sixthly the Incumbent a man licensed by three Archbishops petitioned that he might performe his own ministeriall duties in his own Parish Seventhly Mr Polmer preached a factious Sermon in the Cathedrall Church and detracted from Divine Service there Eighthly the Incumbent for not joyning with him is threatned to loose his tithes Ninthly factious parties of all the Parishes in the Towne are his auditors where they will not be forbidden to sit vpon the Communion table Hereupon the Commissioners willed Master Palmer to desist and to give Master Platt the Minister of the said-Church roome to doe his duties himselfe vntill they might heare farther from my Lords Grace of Canterbury and to him they remitted him sending up their reasons wherefore they did it They likewise sent for Master Vdnay Lecturer on Sunday in the after-noone at Ashford a Market towne and the most factious of all Kent Where though there be a grave learned diligent Incumbent and a Lecture beside performed every Satturday by the grave neighbour Ministers yet Master Vdnay was invited thither by factious persons such as are registred in the high Commission for Conventiclers whereupon he obtained a recommendation from the King directed to the Constable of Ashford who in the Kings name charging the Incumbent to admit him thrust him up into the Pulpit where he hath ever since Lectured directly contrary to the third instruction for Lectures it being a great discouragement to the Incumbent Vdnay himselfe having had a Benefice neere that Towne within eight miles at which for this ten yeeres he hath never constantly resided For these reasons the Commissioners wisht him likewise to desist and referd him to my Lords Grace of Canterbury who hath since replaced him in Ashford by his Licence and Seale and as we are informed hath likewise authorised Master Palmer By these proceedings the Commissioners are made the scorne of the factious They and all other conformable Orthodoxe Ministers are discomforted his Majesties Instructions are annihilated and Master Arch-deacon of Canterbury is inhibited his Iurisdiction In his own Diocesse of London many Lectures were suppressed many Lecturers and Ministers questioned suspended by colour of these Instructions especially if they vsed the least glances against Arminianisme and Popish Innovations by name Mr Iohn Rogers of Dedham Mr Daniel Rogers of Wethersfield Mr Hooker of Chemsford Mr White of Knightsbridge Mr Archer M. William Martyn M. Edwards M. Iones M. Ward M. Saunders M. Iames Gardner M. Foxly with sundry others being likewise some of them driven out of his Diocesse and the Kingdome too Bishop Wren in pursuance of these instructions prescribed printed and published these ensuing Visitation Articles concerning Lecturers in his Diocesse of Norwich on which the Churchwardens were strictly injoyned to enquire and present upon oath as appears by his printed Articles Anno. 1636. Which were reade in forme following Concerning the Ministers Preachers and Lecturers 44. Have you any Lecturer in your Parish and on what day is your Lecture If any such be doth he twise at the least every yeere reade divine Service both Morning and Evening two severall Sundayes publickly in his Surplice and Hood and also twise in the yeere Administer both Sacraments with such Rites and Ceremonies as are prescribed by the Booke of Common Prayer 45. Doth the Lecturer whosoever he be reade the Divine Service according to the Liturgy printed by Authority in his Surplice and Hood before every Lecture 46. Doth your Preacher or Lecturer behave himself in his Lectures and Sermons as he ought to do teaching obedience and edifieing of his auditory in matters of faith and good life without intermedling with matters of State or newes or other discourses not fit for the Pulpit and also without favouring or abetting Schismaticks or Separatists that are at home or gone abroad either by speciall prayer for them or by any other approbation of them 47. Have you any Lecture of Combination set up in your Parish And if so is it read by a company of grave and orthodox Diuines neer adjoyning and in the same Diocesse and doth every one of them Preach in a Gown not in a Cloak And when and by whom were they appointed And what be their names 48. Is any single Lecturer maintained by your Town or otherwise suffered to preach he not first professing his willingnesse to take upon him the cure of soules nor actually taking a Benefice or Cure so soon as it may be procured for him What is his name what license hath he And hath he a settled contribution affixed to the Lecturers place or is it arbitrary and for this Lecturer onely What summe doth it amount to ordinarily By whom is it usually payd or collected or of late years hath been 49. If any Psalmes do use to be sung in your Church before or after the morning and evening Prayer or before or after Sermons upon which occasions onely they are allowed to be sung in Churches is it done according to that grave manner which first was in use that such doe singe as can read the Psalmes and have learned them by heart And not after that uncougth and undecent custome of late taken up to have every line first read and then sung by the people Concerning the Parishioners 8. Is there within your Parish in any house or family any one that is called or reputed a Chaplain or that is known or supposed to have entred into holy Orders Or any that live there in imployment as a Scholler Present their names if there bee any such and how long they have been there Not long after this Bishop in his Diocesse of Norwich suppressed all Afternoon-Sermons on the Lordsday throughout his Diocesse with most single Lectures Lecturers and Combination Lectures too which he permitted onely unto some few places after much
of Rome which himselfe records under his owne hand is a sufficient confirmation of their testimony and his intimacy with him after which he yet preferred him For Master Smarts quarrell with him at Durham it was onely for his Arminianisme popish Tenets and Innovations there broached introduced and so his testimony the more credible he then complaining against him in Parliament for it for the Docquet Booke it is not simply that the King signified his pleasure by this Archbishops for Doctor Linseys and those others preferments but that it was by Order from the Archbishop of Canterbury therefore no doubt by his procurement consent and approbation who had engrossed the sole disposall of all preferments Ecclesiasticall Sixtly to that he objects that however these were affected yet none can object any Arminianisme or Popery to him We reply that his constant advancing and favouring of such persons is a very strong evidence of his inclination to both and our evidence already produced to prove it is so full that it unavoidably manifests him guilty in the highest Degree of both Finally he gives no answer to the other popish and Arminian Bishops preferments by himselfe and so confesseth it The second thing I am charged with is the preferring of Doctor Potter and Doctor Jackson both Arminians and Popish Doctor Cosins to Deanaries I answer First that Doctor Potter was a learned man an there was no proofe he is an Arminian but by hear-say Secondly for Doctor Cosins I named foure to the King for the Deanary of Peterborough whereof he was one and the King pitched upon him by reason of his poverty and losses by the Scots Thirdly for Doctor Jackson he was a learned man and honest for which cause I did prefer him To which was replied First that we proved directly Doctor Potter was a professed Arminian by Doctor Featlies testimony and so known reputed to be by all in the University of Oxford so as none can deny it yea he preferred him as he was thus inclined not as a learned man his learning making him onely capable of doing more mischiefe in propagating his Arminian errours Secondly that he recommended Doctor Cosins to the King and th Deanary is cleer by the Docquet Book and his own confession that he put any other in competition with him Is uncertaine Aowever he carried the Deanary by his recommendation and for him to advance a person so popish so supersttitious so infamous so oft complained against in Parliament for popery as this Doctor was who had done so much mischiefe in our Church upon any pretext was no doubt a grand offence Thirdly Doctor Jacksons civill conversation and learning made his errous and preferment more dangerous more pernicious his Arminian errours not his Learning or Honesty being the ground of his advancement to this dignity and of those other Deanes preferments to which he hath given no answer The third thing objected against me is my encroachment upon the Lord Chamberlaines Office and preferring Popish and Arminian Chaplains in ordinary to the King and Prince For this I deny I did ever encroach upon the Lord Chamberlaines Office or that I preferred any such Chaplaines in ordinary to the King or Prince neither is there any proofe that they were preferred by me as for Doctor Heylin he was preferred by the Earle of Danby Doctor Cosins by the Archbishop of Yorke Doctor Baker by the Bishop of London Doctor Pocklington and the rest by I know not whom as for Doctor Weekes he was none of my Chaplaine but the Bishop of Londons and by him preferred To which was replied First that Master Oldsworth expresly deposed and the Earle of Pembroke himselfe averred the contrary that he encroached on the Lord Chamberlaines Office and preferred these Chaplaines to the King Secondly that many of them were his owne Chaplaines therefore doubtlesse specially recommended to the King by himselfe and no other Thirdly the King entrusting him with all Ecclesiasticall affaires and preferments no man else but himselfe could preferre any to be Chaplaines to the King but by his approbation or assistance first obtained yea no other person durst encroach upon the Lord Chamberlaines Office in this kind but he Fourthly we shall prove Doctor Weekes to be his owne Chaplaine by a Catalogue of his Chaplaines written with his owne hand affixed to the end of his Diary which was produced and read in which Catalogue Doctor Weekes his name was found Registred among others of his Chaplaines therefore his impudency and falshood in denying it was most intolerable Hereupon the Archbishop being so confounded that he could not deny it confessed he was his Chaplain but he had quite forgotten it by reason he lived at London-house and was that Bishops houshold Chaplaine which the Commons Counsell said was a very poore excuse for so palpable so grosse an untruth averred with so much confidence The fourth thing objected against me is my preferring of Arminians and persons popishly affected in the Universities as Doctor Jackson and others in Oxford Doctor Martin in Cambridge and Master Chapple in Ireland I answer First that Doctor Jackson was a learned man and honest and for ought I know orthodox Secondly Doctor Martin was my houshold Chaplain for a time but not knowne to me to be an Arminian Thirdly Master Chapple had a great name in the University of Cambridge for a great Scoller which made me preferre him what he did maintaine in Ireland is but by hear-say since I preferred him and there was no complaint ever made to me against him by Doctor Hoyle or any other To which was replied First that he answered not to the maine charge against him in making ill Vice-Chancellours as well as Heads of houses in Oxford To that to which he offers an answer we give this Reply that Doctor Jackson was a professed Arminian though learned and honest therefore no fit man to be President of so famous a Colledge as Corpus Christi Secondly that Doctor Martin was a professed Arminian and declared himselfe so by licensing Arminian Books and maintaining Arminian errous in his Sermon at Pauls-Crosse when he was his owne houshold Chaplaine all which was knowne and complained of to himselfe therefore unfit to be made Master of a Colledge in Cambridge or any other of his straine to which he gives no answer Thirdly that Master Chapple had a great name in the University of Cambridge and in London is true but it was onely for a most dangerous Arminian who leavened the whole Colledge wherein he lived and many of the University with his pestilent errors therefore a most unfitting man for him to make Provost and chiefe Governour of the Vniversity and Colledge in Dublin where Doctor Hoyle expresly deposeth that he broached not onely Arminian but dangerous Popish Errours of which it was in vaine to complaine to the Archbishop who advanced and countenanced him herein The fift objection is my encroachment
upon the Lord Keepers and Master of the Wards Rights of presenting to the Kings livings with my preferment of divers Arminians and persons popishly affected to Prebendaries and Benefices of best value as Doctor Heylin Doctor Weekes Doctor Baker Doctor Bray Doctor Heywood and others To this I answer First that I encroached not upon either of their rights True it is there being a difference between the Lord Keeper Coventry and the Lord Cottington Master of the Court of Wards about the presentation towards livings in the Kings gift I took occasion thereupon to informe his Majesty that till the controversie were decided between them he might doe well to dispose of these livings himselfe for the encouragement and reward of such young Schollers that went to Sea as Chaplaines in his Ships who had nothing to live on after their returne from Sea till they went forth againe which motion the King approving of very well committed the disposing of these livings accordingly to my charge without my desire or suit Secondly I disposed of livings to divers good and orthodox men as to Doctor Jackson of Canterbury and others as well as to the persons objected who were not all preferred by me for Doctor Heylin was promoted to his livings by the Earle of Danby Doctor Baker and Doctor Weekes were preferred by the Bishop of London To which was replyed First that most of the living belonging to the Lord Keeper and Master of the Wards were bestowed by him of which both of them oft complained therefore he encroached upon both which none of his Predecessors did For those belonging to the Mastership of the Wards he confesseth he disposed of them by the Kings appointment but that it was upon the pretended occasion without his seeking or desire though occasioned onely his motion we know not how to credit his bare word without better evidence who hath had the impudency to deny his owne hand-writing very often since his Tryal and afterwards been enforced to confesse it Secondly his collation of Livings upon orthodox good men are so few that he names but one Doctor Jackson of Canterbury and that when he had so farre prevailed upon his weaknesse by a new Cathedrall Statute and Oath as to induce him to Bow to the Altar c. as frequently as other Prebends which he hath deposed to his great shame and re-greet since this one Swallow therefore will prove no Spring no proofe of his ordinary preferring orthodox godly men to livings which he commonly bestowed on the most rotten Arminians and popish Clergy-men he could cull out Thirdly the Docquet Booke is expresse that Doctor Heylin was promoted to his livings and Prebendary by himselfe not by the Earle that Doctor Baker and Weekes too were preferred by him not by the Bishop of London and Weekes being his owne Chaplaine and Baker made a Prebend of Canterbury where no man durst interpose but he no doubt they were both preferred by him as the DOCQUET witnesseth on Record against his impudent Deniall without other proofe or truth The fixt Objection is that I usurped to me the conferring of most Bishopricks and Ecclesiasticall preferments in Ireland I answer first that I preferred none there but at the request of the Primate of Armagh and others of that Kingdome who first recommended them to me by their Letters Secondly that I was a meanes at their request to recover the Patrimony of the Churches in that Kingdome which had been long defrauded of it to restore Impropriations and increase the Revenues of Bishopricks and Church-livings there for the encouragement of Learning and better maintenance of Preaching in which regard they were desirous I should be acquainted with the persons they thought meet to have recommended to them This appears by the substance of most of the Letters that passed between the Lord Primate and other Bishops of Ireland and me To which was replied First that we instanced in his bestowing Bishopricks Deaneries and other Church-preferments in Ireland onely to demonstrate the Papall usurpation and Patriarchicall Jurisdiction he there encroached even whiles he was Bishop of London and to evidence his power in disposing of all Ecclesiastical preferments then at home since he disposed of these in Ireland where he had no Episcopall or Archiepiscopall Jurisdiction Secondly that most of those he there preferred were never recommended from thence though some of them perchance were Thirdly that although the recovery of the usurped depopulated Patrimony of that Church in Ireland was a commendable worke if done in a Legall way yet to recover it per fas nefas as he did it by the meere arbitrary power of the Lord Deputy Councell Table there by oppressing ruining dispossessing men of what they had lawfully purchased against their wils without any consideration or legall proceeding was a most unjust and wicked act Fourthly justly to recover and get in Impropriations to maintaine Preaching was a very good worke had this beene his end but certainly this was but a meere pretence for would he thinke you set up sincere Preaching in Ireland who suppressed it all he could in England Would he who subverted the Feoffees for purchasing in Impropriations to the Church to support Preaching and Preaching Ministers in England recover and get in Impropriations to the Church in Ireland to support Preaching and Preaching Ministers there No verily He did it onely to maintain the Pompe Power Pride State of the Prelates and Clergy there as he did in England not to maintain or set up godly Preaching Ministers which he both here and there suppressed all he could The fourteenth thing objected against me is my prosecution and severe proceedings against godly Ministers for Preaching against Arminianisme Popery and its dangerous increase among us as namely against Master Samuel Ward Master Chauncy and Master Bernard To this I answer first that these persons Censures were the Act of the whole High-Commission which is but one body aggregate for whose Act no one particular man is liable to be questioned but the whole Court not mine alone as an Act of Parliament is the Act of both Houses not of any particular Member who gave my voyce alwayes last or last but one and so could not sway the Court with my opinion not knowne to the Court till I delivered it after all had declared theirs Secondly that the Act of Parliament which lately abolished the Star-chamber and High-Commission hath no retrospect to nullifie the Sentences given in them but admits them good and valid in Law not subjecting the Judges who gave them to any punishment Thirdly their Sentences appeared to me to be just upon just grounds and admit the Sentences or Proceedings unjust yet it is but a misdemenour in others of the Commissioners that gave them therefore no Treason in me Fourthly the Passages and Sermons for which they were Sentenced were partly Schismaticall against the laudable Ceremonies of the Church and the Kings Declaration partly Seditious