LIV. A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 86 LV. A Letter from Mr. Henry Holcroft to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 87 LVI A Letter from Dr. Goad and Dr. Feately to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 88 LVII A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 89 LVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend Thomas Morton Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 90 LIX A Letter from the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath to the Most Reverend Dr. Hampton Arch-Bishop of Armagh 90 LX. A Letter from the Most Reverend the Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 92 LXI A Letter from Dr. Ryves to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 301 LXII A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 302 LXIII A Letter from Dr. Thomas James to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 303 LXIV A Letter from Mr. William Eyres to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 304 LXV A Letter from Dr. Thomas James to Mr. Calandrine 306 LXVI A Letter from Dr. Thomas James to Mr. Calandrine 307 LXVII A Letter from the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 309 LXVIII A Letter from Dr. Thomas James to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 310 LXIX A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davis in Aleppo to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 311 LXX A Letter from Mr. Thomas Pickering to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 312 LXXI A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davis in Aleppo to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 313 LXXII A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 314 LXXIII A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 315 LXXIV A Letter from the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath to Dr. Samuel Ward 315 LXXV A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 316 LXXVI A Letter from Dr. Thomas James to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 317 LXXVII A Letter from Dr. Thomas James to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 318 LXXVIII A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 320 LXXIX A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath 321 LXXX A Letter from the Right Reverend the Bishop of Kilmore to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop Elect of Armagh 322 LXXXI A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davis from Aleppo to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 323 LXXXII A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 325 LXXXIII A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davis at Aleppo to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 326 LXXXIV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend John Williams Bishop of Lincoln and Lord Keeper 327 LXXXV A Letter from Mr. Abraham Wheelock to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 329 LXXXVI A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 330 LXXXVII A Letter from Dr. Thomas James to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 331 LXXXVIII A Letter from Mr. John Selden to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 332 LXXXIX A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 333 XC A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 333 XCI A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 334 XCII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Lord Keeper and Lord Treasurerer 335 XCIII A Letter from Mr. John Selden to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 338 XCIV A Letter from Mr. John Cotton of New England to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 338 XCV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 340 XCVI A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 340 XCVII A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 341 XCVIII A Letter from Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 342 XCIX A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 343 C. A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 344 CI. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Samuel Ward 345 CII A Letter from Mr. Ralph Skinner to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 346 CIII A Letter from Mr. Ralph Skinner to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 356 CIV A Letter from Mr. Ralph Skinner to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 358 CV A Letter from Mr. Ralph Skinner 363 CVI. A Letter from Mr. Ralph Skinner to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 366 CVII A Letter from Mr. James White to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 368 CVIII A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 368 CIX A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 369 CX A Letter from Dr. John Bainbridge to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 370 CXI A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davis from Aleppo to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 371 CXII A Letter from Mr. Alexander Cook to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 372 CXIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Lord Faulkland 373 CXIV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Most Reverend Robert Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 374 CXV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Honourable Society of Lincolns-Inn 375 CXVI A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Most Reverend Robert Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 376 CXVII A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 377 CXVIII A Letter from the Lord Deputy Faulkland to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 379 CXIX A Letter from the Most Reverend Robert Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 380 CXX A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davis in Aleppo to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 381 CXXI A Letter from the Reverend John Hanmer Bishop of St. Asaph to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 382
CXXII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Mr. John Selden 383 CXXIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher to Mr. 387 CXXIV A Letter from Dr. William Bedell to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 387 CXXV A Letter from Dr. John Bainbridge to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 390 CXXVI A Letter from Dr. William Bedell to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 391 CXXVII A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 393 CXXVIII A Letter from Sir Henry Spelman to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 395 CXXIX A Letter from Mr. John King to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 396 CXXX A Letter from Sir Henry Spelman to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 398 CXXXI A Letter from Dr. George Hakewill to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 398 CXXXII A Letter from the Reverend John Prideaux Bishop of Worcester to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 399 CXXXIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher to the Right Honourable 400 CXXXIV A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 401 CXXXV A Letter from Dr. William Bedell to the Most Reverend JamesUsher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 402 CXXXVI A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 403 CXXXVII A Letter from Mr. Archibald Hamilton to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 405 CXXXVIII A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 406 CXXXIX A Letter from the Right Honourable the Lord Deputy Faulkland to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 407 CXL A Letter from Mr. John Philpot to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 407 CXLI A Letter from the Lords of the Council in Ireland to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 408 CXLII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 409 CXLIII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 410 CXLIV A Letter from Dr. John Bainbridge to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 411 CXLV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London 412 CXLVI A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Ludovicus de Dieu 413 CXLVII A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 414 CXLVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the Most rend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 415 CXLIX A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 416 CL. A Letter from Mr. Lawr. Robinson to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 417 CLI A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 418 CLII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 419 CLIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore 424 CLIV. A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 426 CLV A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 428 CLVI A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Lords Justices in Ireland 429 Instructions to Mr. Dean Lesly for the stoping of Sir John Bathes Patent 430 CLVII A Letter from the Right Reverend George Downham Bishop of London-Derry to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 432 CLVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend Thomas Morton Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 432 CLIX. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 433 CLX A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 435 CLXI A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to Dr. Samuel Ward concerning Baptism 440 CLXII A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore concerning Baptism 440 CLXIII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to Dr. Samuel Ward concerning Baptism 441 CLXIV A Letter from King Charles the First to the Lords of the Council in Ireland 446 CLXV A Letter from the Earl of Cork and the Lord Chancellor of Ireland to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 447 CLXVI A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 448 CLXVII A Letter from the Kings Council in Ireland to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 450 CLXVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 451 CLXIX A Letter from Dr. John Forbes to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 455 CLXX A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. John Forbes 456 CLXXI. A Letter from the Ministers of the Pallatinate to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 457 CLXXII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London 459 CLXXIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London 460 CLXXIV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Ludovicus de Dieu 461 CLXXV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Ludovicus de Dieu 464 CLXXVI A Letter from Johannes Buxtorfius to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 465 CLXXVII A Letter from Constantinus L'Empereur ab Oppych to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 468 CLXXVIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 469 CLXXIX A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 470 CLXXX A Letter from Constantinus L'Empereur ab Oppych to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 472 CLXXXI A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 473 CLXXXII A Letter from Constantinus L'Empereur ab Oppych to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 474 CLXXXIII A Letter from Mr. Francis Taylor to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 475 CLXXXIV A Letter from the
and slew the Turks in great numbers who after eight Months were forced to raise their Seige and be gone who whilst they sought to starve their Enemies were themselves almost famish'd the Persians having stopped all Passages whereby Provision should have been brought to the Camp The Vizier having raised the Siege and marching toward Mossell a City formerly called Ninive was pursued by their subtil Adversaries demanding their Ambassador who the Turks contrary to the Laws of Arms did detain in this their Fight the Persians had the slaughter of the Turks and after three days the Ambassador was delivered them who with great Honour and Joy returned to Bagdat and the Turks with great loss and greater dishonour marched weakly towards Mossell who before they could arrive thither what with want of Victuals and a Sickness that raigned amongst them as also an extream hot Wind that sometimes happens in those Parts there died in one day twelve thousand Persons in fine they lost in these Wars the greater part of the Army which consisted of 150 thousand Men and now the Vizier with a great part of the Army are here in Aleppo where they purpose to winter and in the Spring to make a second on-set and try their Fortunes as they term it with their Enemies But a good success such unruly and rebellious Souldiers can scarce expect their long Ease and unjust gotten Wealth hath caused them to forget Obedience either to their King or his Lieutenant But whether of these two Mahumetans prevail I think makes not much my Prayers shall be that God his Enemies may be scattered and his Truth take place Your Graces in all bounden Duty Thomas Davis Aleppo July 1625. LETTER LXXXIV A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend John Lord Bishop of Lincoln Lord Keeper of the Great Seal My very good Lord IT pleased your Lordship and my Lord Treasurer upon the reference made unto you by his Majesty to order that Dr. Rives should forgo the Claim which he made by his Patent to the exercise of the Office of the Prerogative and Faculties and to execute the same only as Substitute under me But the Doctor having taken upon him to set down in Writing your Lordship's Mind hath done it with such advantage to himself that I am forced to become an humble suitor unto your Lordship to commit the drawing up of that order to some Person that shall be more indifferent For there he hath inserted a Clause that he may enjoy the place which he desireth during his Life which is not fit to be granted unto any Substitute but during his good Behaviour and generally he setteth down all things therein as may most make for his own behoof without reserving any Power unto me to limit him any way in the exercise of those Offices when it was no part of my meaning to give him any such unlimited and absolute Power but such only as other Bishops ordinarily do give unto those which they place under them And whereas in Ireland the power of granting Dispensations is not by Law restrained to any competent distance of place to any certain number of Benefices or to any Qualification of Persons I more particularly declared my Mind therein unto my Lord Treasurer in the Doctor 's own presence that I held it no ways fit that my Substitute should have Authority to grant Faculties as he listed but only to such Persons and in such manner as I my self should appoint yet so as the whole profit of such Grants should wholly be reserved unto him and the care of ordering them left only unto me Hereupon a motion was made by my Lord Treasurer that as we had referred the main business unto your Lordship so we should also refer the condition and limitation of that Deputation which was to be granted unto him by me unto which Motion both of us then yeilded After this he brought unto me the Copy of an Instrument drawn by himself wherein there was no manner of mention at all made of any limitation of his Power either in the granting of Dispensations or in any thing else So that by virtue hereof he might also likely do what he pleased without controul or restraint from me I leave unto your Lordship's Wisdom to consider whether it would be convenient that the Doctor should take upon him to visit the whole Clergy of the Kingdom to convent Arch-bishops and Bishops before him and to grant all manner of Dispensations whether I will or no and whether I should not wrong both my self and the whole Clergy of Ireland who have groaned long under this heavy burden as your Lordship discerns by the Copy of their Petitions here inclosed if I did commit any such transcendent and unlimited Power unto him My humble suit therefore unto your Lordship is that you would be pleased to get the Order drawn by Dr. Rives into your hands again and to commit the laying down both of it and of the Authority which he is to receive from me unto some other which shall not respect his own Ends but simply express what shall be your Lordship's pleasure therein whereunto I will most willingly submit my self and ever rest Your Lordship 's in all Duty ready to be commanded Ja. Armachanus Much-Haddam 6 July 1625. The Answer of the Bishop of Lincoln My Lord I do not conceive this Patent to be so unreasonable so a Clause be added therein of a Power reserved to you and your Successors Person to take unto your own Cognizance any Exercise of any one private Act of Jurisdiction or issuing forth of any one particular Dispensation that may be of consequence to the State or the Church which Clause Sir Henry Martyn will at my desire and request clear up for your Lordship Jo. Lincoln C. S. LETTER LXXXV A Letter from Mr. Abraham Wheelock to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Right Reverend MY most humble Duty remembred to your Lordship being not a little affected with your Recovery My Lord you may peradventure blame me of Neglect or Forgetfulness or both concerning some business I was entrusted with when last I was with your Lordship I had wrote a Letter fully to excuse my self The Fellows of Emanuel were confident they had not that Thalmud your Lordship desired Mr. Dr. Ward undertook the delivery of that Bennet-Colledg Book when I intended to have by a Letter excused my self but a long fit of Sickness prevented me I could draw little or nothing from Mr. Downs whose Memory fails him by much a-do I desired him to shew me that place which Mr. Broughton so much talked of concerning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is in Plato his Cratylus pag. 54. at the bottom of the Leaf of the Basil Edition apud Henricum Petri where he brings Socrates shewing why Pluto was so called your Lordship will better gather the Argument that I can fitly set it down Socrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
Consecration I must now humbly intreat your Grace to send me the Names and Values of all the Bishopricks and Deaneries in Ireland And what Bishopricks are joyned to others that I may be the better able to serve that Church being as yet one of the Committee And I pray excuse my not writing to Mr. Bedle for in truth I have not leisure So I leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your Grace's very loving Brother Guil. London June 16 1629. LETTER CXLIII A Letter from the Right Reverend W. Laud Bishop of London to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh at Armagh My very good Lord THE two Fellows of the Colledg of Dublin which are attendant here about the freedom of their Election were commanded by his Majesty to send to the Colledg there and to know whom they would pitch upon for their Governour And his Majesty was content upon the Reasons given by me and the Petition of the Fellows to leave them to freedom so they did chuse such a Man as would be serviceable to the Church and Him Upon this after some time they delivered to the King that they would choose or had chosen Dr. Usher a Man of your Grace's Name and Kindred His Majesty thereupon referred them to the Secretary the Lord Vicount Dorchester and my self to inform our selves of his Worth and Fitness My Lord proposed that they should think of another Man that was known unto us that we might the better deliver our Judgments to the King I was very sensible of your Lordship's Name in him and remembred what you had written to me in a former Letter concerning him and thereupon prevailed with his Majesty that I might write these Letters to you which are to let your Grace understand that his Majesty puts so great Confidence in your Integrity and readiness to do him Service that he hath referred this business to the Uprightness of your Judgment and will exercise his Power accordingly For thus he hath commanded me to write That your Grace should presently upon receipt of these Letters write back to me what your Knowledg and Judgment is of the worth and fitness of Dr. Usher for this place setting all Kindred and Affection aside And upon that Certificate of yours the King will leave them to all freedom of their choice or confirm it if it be made So wishing your Lordship all Health and Happiness I leave you to the Grace of God and shall ever rest Your Grace's very loving Friend and Brother Guil. London London House June 25. 1629. LETTER CXLIV A Letter from Dr. Bainbridg to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My very good Lord THis Bearer's unexpected departure hath prevented my desire to discharge some part of those many Obligations wherein I am bound unto your Grace but assuring my self that your Grace will a little longer suspend your Censure I am bold to mediate for another Whereas our Turky Merchants trading at Aleppo being now destitute of a Minister have referr'd the choice of one unto your self may it please you to understand that there is one Mr. Johnson a Fellow of Magdalen-Colledg who hath spent some Years in the Oriental Languages and being desirous to improve his Knowledg therein is content to adventure himself in the voyage he would take the pains to preach once a week but not oftner being desirous to spend the rest of his time in perfecting his Languages and making such other Observations as may tend to the advancement of Learning If your Grace upon these terms please to recommend him to the Merchants I dare engage my Credit for his civil and sober Behaviour and his best Endeavours to do your Grace all respective Service I do not commend an indigent Fellow enforced to run a desperate hazard of his Fortunes but a learned Gentleman of fair hopes and presently well furnished with all things needful to a Scholar I suppose that Fetherstone did send you a Catalogue of Barroccins his Greek Manuscripts they be now Prisoners in our publick Library by the gift of one Chancellor and with them some few more given by Sir Tho. Rae amongst which there is as I take it a fair Copy in Arabick of the Apostles Canons If there be any thing in these Manuscripts which may give you content I shall with my hearty Prayers for your good Health endeavour to approve my self Your Graces most affectionate Servant John Bainbridge Oxon July 20 1629. LETTER CXLV A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend W. Laud Bishop of London My very good Lord YOur Letters of the 25th of June I received the 8th day of August wherein I found contained a large Testimony as well of your special care of the welfare of our poor Colledg as of your tender respect unto my Name and Credit for which I must acknowledg my self to stand ever bound to perform all faithful Service unto your Lordship I have hereupon written unto the Fellows of the House that in making their Election they should follow their Consciences according to their Oaths without any by-respects whatsoever Dr. Usher is indeed my Cousin german but withal the Son of that Father at whose instance charge and travel the Charter of the Foundation of the Colledg was first obtained from Queen Elizabeth which peradventure may make him somewhat the more to be respected by that Society To his Learning Honesty and Conformity unto the Discipline of our Church no Man I suppose will take exception And of his Ability in Government he hath given some proof already while he was Vice-Provost in that House where his care in preventing the renewing of the Leases at that time was such that thereby we have been now enabled so to order the matter that within these six Years the Colledg-Rents shall be advanced well-nigh to the double value of that they have been Whereunto I will add thus much more that I know he sincerely intendeth the good of his Country meaneth to go on where Dr. Bedell hath left and in his proceedings will order himself wholly according as your Lordship shall be pleased to direct him Which if it may prove an inducement to move his Majesty to confirm his Election I shall hold my self strongly engaged thereby to have a special eye to the Government of that Colledg seeing the miscarriage of any thing therein cannot but in some sort reflect upon my self who would rather lose my Life than not answer the Trust reposed in me by my Soveraign In obedience unto whose sacred Directions and discharge of the Care committed unto me by his Letters of the 7th of November last the Copy whereof I send herewith I humbly make bold to represent this also unto your Lordship's Consideration whether if the Lord Bishop of Glogher shall be removed unto the Arch-bishoprick of Cashell the Dean of Raphoe may not be thought upon to succeed him in Glogher as being a very well deserying Man and one toward
of him to what value the Temporal Rents not yet passed in reversion do arise and what proportion thereof Sir John Bathe is now a passing in his Book 3. Whereas the Lords Justices in their Letter do signifie unto 〈◊〉 that such a Certificate had been made unto his Majesty by the Lord Treasurer and Chancellor of the Exchequer you may certifie them that Sir John Bathe sent unto me a Certificate under their hands to view wherein they do inform his Majesty that in their Judgments the granting of 〈◊〉 l. Rent in Reversion will countervail the Sum which Sir John was to remit but that there was no other thing leâ—t to be passed but Impropriations which is the main thing that concerns this business that to my remembrance they meddle not with at all and Sir John Bathe by the Temporal Lands that now he is passing in his Book doth prove it to be otherwise 4. Take a view of Sir John Bathe's Letter and consider with your Counsel first whether there be any general Non obstante in it against all precedent Instructions and Directions of which I much doubt And secondly Whether any such general Non obstante have power to cross the particular Letter which in â—y apprehension is more then an Instruction at large which I brought over from his Majesty that now is for the disposing of the Impropriations otherwise 5. Let Sir John Bathe be demanded upon his Conscience whether he did so much as know that I had obtained any such Letter from his Majesty when he procured his If he did why did he not to take away all suspicion of surreption cause a special Non obstante to be inserted against it as well as he hath done against another particular Instruction mentioned in the end of his Letter If he did not as his Kinsman who brought me the Lords Justices Letters assured me he did not how in any common intendment can it be presumed that the Particularities of my former Letter were 〈◊〉 into due consideration and revoked by his Majesty If it be alledged that his Letter coming after mine is of it self a sufficient Revocation thereof I alledg in like manner that this last Letter of mine coming after his is of it self a sufficient Revocation of his and so much the more by far because his was obtained upon my direct Complaint against Sir John Bathe's Letter as surreptitiously procured which I take to be a Non-obstante sufficient enough against him whatsoever it be against any other whereas in the procuring of Sir John Bathe's there was no notice at all taken of my particular Letter 6. You are to 〈…〉 the Instructions which they received with the Sword they are 〈…〉 make stay of the passing of any Grant for which the King's Letters are brought unto them where they have cause to doubt whether his Majesty were fully informed or no concerning the 〈◊〉 or inconveniency of that Particular Wherein if my Lord of London's Letter be not of authority sufficient otherwise to make a legal Attestation of his Majesties Royal Intendâ—ent yeâ— I suppoâ—◠〈◊〉 will 〈◊〉 so much weight with it as to 〈◊〉 theâ—◠〈◊〉 little which longer as they have done 〈◊〉 when they had nothing so strong a 〈◊〉 until his Majesty being fully informed upon both sides shall signifie his express Pleasure unto them in this particular And in doing otherwise they may justly conceive that it will be charged upon them for a neglect in performance of his Majesties Pleasure LETTER CLVII A Letter from the Right Reverend George Downham Bishop of London-Derry to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend MY very good Lord. The Book and Papers which you were pleased to send to me I have now returned with Thanks Of which I made this use so soon as I had received them that I gave Directions to Mr. Price to insert those Additions unto the 13th Chapter of Perseverance and § 3. both in the beginning whereof I spake of Adulti of whom properly this Controversy is understood And in the end thereof where I speak of Infants touching whom I say first That this Controversy is not understood of those who neither are endued with Habit of Grace nor are able to produce the Acts thereof as not having the use of Reason And therefore being neither justified by Faith nor sanctified by the Habits of Grace cannot be said to fall from them Thus I thought good to rid my self of that Question rather then to profess a difference from them who notwithstanding that Objection taken from Baptism agree with me in the Doctrine of Perseverance yet I must profess to your Grace that I do not subscribe to their Opinion who extend the benefit of Baptism beyond either the Purpose or Covenant of Grace But hereof more when it shall please God to give us a meeting In the mean time and always I commend your Grace to the gracious Protection of the Almighty In whom I ever rest Your Grace's in all Duty Georg. Derens. Fawne April 24. 1630. LETTER CLVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend Thomas Morton Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Salutem in Christo Jesu Most Reverend I Was right glad to receive by your Graces own Letters the report of your late almost desperate Sickness they being therein the Messengers of your present Health Wherein I and others are to acknowledg the Mercâ— of God unto us who hath preserved you to be still a most emâ—nenâ—â—nstrument of his Glory and Comfort of his Church I do also condole with your Lordship the loss of those rare Lights of Learning mentioned in your Letter but yet enjoying also with you the hopes of their Blessedness Your Grace inquires after Christ his Mass a Fruit which will not be in season before Michaelmas I have an eager longing to be made partaker Histoâ—icae Controversiae Predestinatianae together with your new Edition of altering the Jesuits Challenge I had the sight of your Adversaries Book but obiter at what time I alight on a palpable Falsification of his but ea est infelicitas Memoriae that I have forgot it else according to my Duty I should have acquainted your Grace with it Good my Lord that which our outward Man denieth let our inward continually seek to embrace and enjoy our mutual presence by brotherly Affection and holy Prayer unto God that we may be that which we profess Filii Gratiae Charitate Fratres Our Lord Jesus preserve us to the Glory of his saving Grace Your Grace's in respectful Acknowledgment Tho. Covent Litchfield Eccleshall-Castle May 21 1630. LETTER CLIX. A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Dr. Ward Salutem à salutis fonte D. N. Jesu Christo. YOur Letter of the 24th of November lay by the way almost a quarter of a Year before it came into my hands but was the most welcome when it came of any that I did receive from
bear to your Person and to the eminence of your place in the Church have moved us to make choice of your Lordship to preach here before this State on the Day whereon we purpose to perform those Ceremonies of Thankfulness due from us which we have thought fit to make known unto you purposing shortly to let you know the day when we desire your presence Yet if you shall find by your late Sickness any indisposition in your Body or danger to your Health to perform this Charge which we know would otherwise be very acceptable to you we do not in such case so strictly require your presence with us but that we do freely leave it to your own choice to come or stay as you shall find the disposition of your Body to enable you Only we desire to understand from you whether we shall then expect you or not to the end we may make choice of another if you may not come And so we bid your Lordship very heartily farewel From his Majesty's Castle of Dublin Junii 18. 1630. Your Lordship 's very loving Friends R. Cork Ad. Loftus Canc. In imitation of the like sent us out of England we have caused the inclosed to be imprinted here LETTER CLXVI A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Salutem in Christo. My very good Lord I Hope your Grace will pardon me that in all this time I have not written unto you For though I thank God I have recovered my Health in a measure beyond expectation yet I have been so overlaid with Business that I have not been able to give you any account or at least not such as I desired Your Lordship's first Letters for I owe you an answer to two bear date April the 5th and your later June the 4th 1630. The Main of both Letters is concerning Sir John Bathe And though in your last Letters you be confident that Sir John's Grant is not past the Seals as he hath avouched it is yet I must acquaint your Grace that you are mistaken therein for it appeared at the last sitting of the Committee that the Seal was put to his Grant at the beginning of April last Of which Doctrine you may make this Use what close conveyance and carriage there may be when the Church is to be spoiled I understand by Mr. Hamilton that the Lord Chancellor of Ireland is in Holy Orders and that being Deacon he holds an Arch-Deaconry yet of good value Surely my Lord if this be so there is somewhat in it that I will not express by Letter but were I his Superior in Ordinary I know what I would do and that I have plainly expressed both to his Majesty and the Lords Committees But my Lord for the Business I have stuck so close unto it both with his Majesty and with the Lords especially the Lord Treasurer who hath been and is very noble to the Church that I hope Sir John Bathe will see his Error and pitch upon some other Reward for his Services and surrender this Patent though seal'd that we may go on with the King 's Royal and Pious Grant to the Church Things being thus far onward once more there are two things which stick with the Lords 1. One is They like not the placing of these Impropriations upon any Incorporations Dublin or other To this I answered That neither did I like it and that it must be alter'd because it is against Law So it is resolved that we shall hereafter take not only that but all other material Passages of the Grant into consideration and therefore I think neither your old nor your new Letter will stand Some thought it fittest that these Impropriations should be left to the King to give To this I replied That that course would by the Suit of the Clergy and their Journeys over take off a great part of the Benefit intended them And to leave them in the Power of the Lord Deputy that might be but to enrich his Secretaries and expose the Church to that which I will not speak 2. The other Difficulty is That this Grant to the Church is too much against the King's Profit in these difficult Times because in the Lay-way the King's Rent may be improved which according to this Grant cannot be This Blow I looked not for but answered upon the sudden That I thought the Church of Ireland would be glad to take the King's Grant though it were with some improvement upon such Impropriations as might well bear it This I did partly to bear off the shock for the time and partly to gain opportunity to write to you who understand that Business better And I pray you by your next Letters give me all the help you can towards this Business One thing more and then I have done with Sir John Bathe Upon occasion of his Speech That the Clergy had a third part of that Kingdom I represented to the Lords the Paper which you sent me concerning the State of the County of Louth It was a miserable spectacle to them all yet at the last some Doubt arose whether those Values there expressed were the Rate in the King's Books or the uttermost value to the Incumbent To this I was not able to make a resolute Answer yet I feared they were Rates to the utmost value Hereupon the Lords required of me to write unto you to desire you to send me word with all the speed you can what value that Note of yours contain'd of which I pray fail not Your Grace is pleased in another Passage to desire me not to be too strict to my Rule in chusing Deans only to be Bishops My Lord it is true Deans are or should be the likeliest Men to be fitted for Bishopricks but they and no other was never any Rule of mine to my remembrance My Rule was and is and to that I shall ever be strict not to suffer any Bishop to hold any Deanery in Commendam if it lie in my power to hinder it For that which concerns the Bishop of Clonfert and Killmacduagh I have read the inclosed Papers you sent and see cause more than enough to pity but the way for remedy will be full of difficulty And for Killâ—anora there will be time enough to think upon Annexation For the Colledg and their Chauntry-Lands c. when they come for their Patent they shall not need to doubt all the lawful assistance that I can give them And now my Lord for as my Business stands 't is time to make an end I must needs thank you that you make it a matter of Joy to hear of my late Honour in being chosen Chancellor of Oxford My Lord I speak really it was beyond my deserts and contrary to my desires but since it hath pleased God by their Love to lay it upon me I must undergo the Burden as I may My honourable Predecessor enriched his Name by the Greek Manuscripts
draw them up which Articles being signed by Arch-Bishop Jones then Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Speaker of the House of the Bishops in Convocation as also by the Prolocutor of the House of the Clergy in their names And signed by the then Lord Deputy Chichester by order from King James in his name As I shall not take upon me to defend these Articles in all points therein laid down or that they were better than those of the Church of England So on the other side I cannot be of the opinion of that Author who would needs have the passing of these Articles to be An absolute Plot of the Sabbatarians and Calvinians in England to make themselves so strong a Party in Ireland as to obtain what they pleased in this Convocation unless he will suppose that the Bishops and Clergy of that Church could be so inveagled by I know not what Inchantments as to pass those things for Articles of their Belief which they had never so much as studied nor understood the true meaning of And that the then Lord Deputy and King James were likewise drawn in to be of the Plot to Sign and Confirm those Articles which they knew to be Heterodox to the Doctrine and Articles of the Church of England Anno 1619 But though Dr. Usher was thus remarkable for Piety and Learning yet he could not escape the common Fate of extraordinary men viz. Envy and Detraction for there were some in Ireland though of no great repute for Learning or Worth who would needs have him to be a Puritan as then they called those whom they looked upon as disaffected to the discipline of the Church as by Law establisht And to lay a block in the way of his future Preferment they had got some to traduce him as such to the King who had no great kindness for those men as he had little reason But the Dr. hearing of it and having occasion about this time to come for England as he always had done once in three or four years The Lord Deputy and Council were so sensible of this scandal that for his Vindication they writ by him this Recommendatory Letter to His Majesties Privy-Council here May it please Your Lordships THe extraordinary merit of this Bearer Mr. Doctor Usher prevaileth with us to offer him that favour which we deny to many that move us to be recommended to Your Lordships and we do it the rather because we are desirous to set him right in His Majesties Opinion who it seemeth hath been informed that he is somewhat Transported with Singularities and unaptness to be Conformable to the Rules and Orders of the Church We are so far from suspecting him in that kind that we may boldly recommend him to Your Lordships as a man Orthodox and worthy to govern in the Church when occasion shall be presented And His Majesty may be pleased to advance him he being one that hath preached before the State here for eighteen years And has been His Majesties Professor of Divinity in the University thirteen years And a man who has given himself over to his Profession An excellent and painful Preacher a modest man abounding in goodness and his Life and Doctrine so agreeable as those who agree not with him are yet constrained to love and admire him And for such an one we beseech Your Lordships to understand him And accordingly to speak to His Majesty And thus with the remembrance of our humble Duties we take leave Your Lordships most humbly at Command Ad. Loftus Canc. Henry Docwra William Methwold John King Dud. Norton Oliver St. John William Tuameusis Fra. Anngiers From Dublin the last of Sept. 1619. But that you may see this odious nick-name was put upon many Pious and Orthodox Divines that did not deserve it it will not be amiss to give you this following Letter to Dr. Usher then in England from a worthy Divine then in Ireland Reverend Sir I Hope you are not ignorant of the hurt that is come to the Church by this name Puritan and how his Majesties good intent and meaning therein is much abused and wronged and especially in this poor Country where the Pope and Popery is so much affected I being lately in the Country had conference with a worthy painful Preacher who hath been an instrument of drawing many of the meer Irish there from the blindness of Popery to imbrace the Gospel with much comfort to themselves and heart-breaking to the Priests who perceiving they cannot now prevail with their jugling Tricks have forged a new device They have now stirred up some crafty Papists who very boldly rail both at Ministers and People saying They seek to sow this damnable Heresie of Puritanism among them which word though not understood but only known to be most odious to his Majesty makes many afraid of joyning themselves to the Gospel though in conference their Consciences are convicted herein So to prevent a greater mischief that may follow it were good to Petition his Majesty to define a Puritan whereby the mouths of those scoffing Enemies would be stopt And if his Majesty be not at leisure that he would appoint some good men to do it for him for the effecting thereof you know better than I can direct and therefore I commit you and your Affairs to the blessing of the Almighty praying for your good success there and safe return hither resting Your assured Friend to his power Emanuel Downing Dublin 24th Oct. 1620. But to return whence we have digressed this Character of the Lord Deputy together with King James's own conversation with and tryal of Dr. Usher whom he sent for on purpose to that end did so fully satisfie the King that after he had discoursed with him in divers points both of Learning and Religion he who was well able to judge of both was so extreamly well satisfied with him that he said he perceived That the knave Puritan was a bad but the knave's Puritan an honest man And of which latter sort he accounted Dr. Usher to be since the King had so good an opinion of him that of his own accord he now Nominated him to the Bishoprick of Meath in Ireland being then void Anno 1620 with this expression That Dr. Usher was a Bishop of his own making and so his Conge d' Eslire being sent over he was elected by the Dean and Chapter there And that you may perceive how much the report of his advancement rejoyced all sorts of men this following Letter from the then Lord Deputy of Ireland may testifie To Dr. James Usher Bishop Elect of Meath My Lord I Thank God for your Preferment to the Bishoprick of Meath His Majesty therein hath done a gracious favour to his poor Church here There is none here but are exceeding glad that you are called thereunto even some Papists themselves have largely testified their gladness of it Your Grant is and other necessary things shall be Sealed this Day or to Morrow I pray
Discipline all which proving at last too weak for so inveterate a Disease he obtained his Majesty's Injunctions to strengthen his Authority as shall be hereafter mentioned The Winter after his coming over there were some Propositions made and offered to be assented unto by the Papists for a more full Toleration of their Religion viz. The maintaining 500 Horse and 5000 Foot wherein the Protestants must have born some share also for the consideration of which a great Assembly of the whole Nation both Papists and Protestants was called by the then Lord Deputy Falkland The meeting was in the Hall of the Castle of Dublin The Bishops by the Lord Primate's invitation met first at his House and both he and they then unanimously drew up and subscribed a Protestation against the Toleration of Popery which was as follows The Judgment of divers of the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of Ireland concerning Toleration of Religion THe Religion of the Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous Their Faith and Doctrine Erroneous and Heretical Their Church in respect of both Apostatical To give them therefore a Toleration or to consent that they may freely exercise their Religion and profess their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sin and that in two respects For 1. It is to make our selves accessary not only to their Superstitions Idolatries and 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 Catholick Apostacy 2. To grant them 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 Souls of the People whom Christ our Saviour hath Redeemed with his most precious blood And as it is a great Sin so also a matter of most dangerous consequence The consideration whereof we commend to the Wise and Judicious Bejeeching the God of Truth to make them who are in Authority Zealous of God's Glory and of the advancement of true Religion Zealous Resolute and Courageous against all Popery Superstition and Idolatry Amen James Armachanus Richard Cork Cloyne Rossens Mal. Casellen Andr. Alachadens Anth. Medensis Tho. Kilmore Ardagh Tho. Fernes Leghlin Theo. Dromore Ro. Dunensis c. Michael Waterford Lysmore George Derens. Fran. Lymerick This Protestation of the Bishops Dr. Downham Lord Bishop of Derry at the next meeting of the Assembly April 23 d. 1627. published at Christ-Church before the Lord Deputy and Council in the midst of his Sermon wherein he spake much against mens subordinating Religion and the keeping of a good Conscience to outward and worldly respects and to set their Souls to sale for the gain of earthly matters c. The Lord Primate the next Lord's Day preached before the same Auditory the Text was 1 John 5. 15. Love not the World nor the things that are in the World when he made the like Application with the Bishop rebuking such who for worldly ends like Judas would sell Christ for thirty pieces of Silver The Judgment of the Bishops prevailed so much with the Protestants that the Proposals were drove on very heavily but yet upon serious consideration when it was found that the weak and distracted condition of the Kingdom could not well subsist without some standing Forces it was resolved by the Lord Deputy and Council that the Lord Primate then a Privy-Councellor should in regard of his great esteem with all Parties declare in a Speech to the whole Assembly the true state of the Kingdom and the necessity of a standing Army for the defence thereof against any foreign Invasion or intestine commotions and consequently that a competent supply was needful to be granted for that purpose and that without any Conditions whatsoever as well by the Roman Catholick as Protestant Subjects for which end the Lord Deputy having Summoned the Assembly to the Castle-Chamber at Dublin the Lord Primate addressing himself to the Lord Deputy made this ensuing Speech My Lord THe resolution of those Gentlemen in denying to contribute date April 30th 1627 unto the supplying of the Army sent hither for their defence doth put me in mind of the Philosopher's observation That such as have a respect to a few things are easily misled The present pressure which they sustain by the imposition of the Souldiers and the desire they have to be eased of that burthen doth so wholly possess their minds that they have only an eye to the freeing of themselves from that incumbrance without looking at all to the desolations that are like to come upon them by a long and heavy War which the having of an Army in readiness might be a means to have prevented the lamentable effects of our last Wars in this Kingdom do yet freshly stick in our memories neither can we so soon forget the depopulation of our Land when besides the combustions of War the extremity of Famine grew so great that the very Women in some places by the way side have surprised the men that rode by to feed themselves with the flesh of the Horse or the Rider And that now again here is a Storm towards wheresoever it will light every wise man may easily foresee which if we be not careful to meet with in time our State may prove irrecoverable when it will be too late to think of Had I wist The dangers that now threaten us are partly from abroad and partly from home abroad we are now at odds with two of the most potent Princes in Christendom and to both which in former times the discontented persons in this Country have had recourse heretofore proferring the Kingdom it self unto them if they would undertake the Conquest of it for it is not unknown unto them that look into the search of those things that in the days of King Henry the Eighth the Earl of Desmond made such an offer of this Kingdom to the French King the Instrument whereof yet remains upon Record in the Court of Paris and the Bishop of Rome afterwards transferred the Title of all our Kingdoms unto Charles the Fifth which by new Grants was confirmed unto his Son Philip in the time of Queen Elizabeth with a resolution to setle this Crown upon the Spanish Infanta Which donations of the Pope's howsoever in themselves they are of no value yet will they serve for a fair colour to a Potent Pretender who is able to supply by the power of the Sword whatsoever therein may be thought defective Hereunto may we add that of late in Spain at the very same time when the treaty of the Match was in hand there was a Book published with great approbation there by one of this Country birth Philip O Sullevan wherein the Spaniard is taught That the ready way to establish his Monarchy for that is the only thing he mainly aimeth at and is plainly there confessed is first to set upon Ireland which being quickly obtained
About this time whilst his late Majesty was kept Prisoner at year 1648 Carisbrook Castle in the Isle of Wight the Lord Primate was highly concerned at the disloyal actions of the two Houses towards their Lawful Prince to express which he preached at Lincolns-Inn on this Text Isa. 8. 12 13. Say ye not a Confederacy to all them to whom this people shall say a Confederacy neither fear you their fear nor be afraid Sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread Wherein he sufficiently expressed his dislike of those Covenants and Consederacies which they had now entred into contrary to that Oath they had taken already and that we should not fear man more than God when we were to do our Duty to our Prince or Country Not long after which the Presbyterians finding the Independant party too strong for them had no way left to secure themselves but by recalling their Votes of Non-Addresses and to Vote a Treaty with his Majesty in the Isle of Wight And because the differences concerning Church-Government were not the least of those that were to be setled and concluded at this Treaty and for which it was necessary for his Majesty to consult with some of his Bishops and Divines the Lord Primate was sent for by the King among divers others to attend him for that purpose when he came thither he found one of the greatest points then in debate was about the Government of the Church The Parliament Commissioners insisting peremptorily for the abolishing and taking away Arch-Bishops Bishops c. out of the Churches of England and Ireland His Majesty thought he could not with a good Conscience consent to that demand viz. totally to abolish or take away Episcopal Government but his Majesty then declared that he no otherwise aimed at the keeping up the present Hierarchy in the Church than what was most agreeable to the Episcopal Government in the Primitive and purest Times But his Majesty since the Parliament insisted so obstinately on it was at last forced to consent to the suspension of Episcopacy for three years but would by no means agree to take away Bishops absolutely But now to stop the present career of the Presbyterian Discipline the Lord Primate proposed an expedient which he called Episcopal and Presbyterial Government conjoyned and which he not long after he came thither delivered into his Majesty's hands who having perused it liked it well saying it was the only Expedient to reconcile the present differences for his Majesty in his last Message to the Parliament had before condescended to the reducing of Episcopal Government into a much narrower compass viz. Not only to the Apostolical Institution but much farther than the Lord Primate proposed or desired even to the taking away of Arch-Bishops Deans Chapters c. Together with all that additional Power and Jurisdiction which his Majesty's Predecessors had bestowed upon that Function Which Message being read in the House was by them notwithstanding voted unsatisfactory So that the Presbyterian Party was so absolutely bent to abolish the very Order of Bishops that no proposals of his Majesty's though never so moderate would content them till at last when they had wrangled so long till they saw the King's person seized by the Army and that the power was like to be taken out of their hands they then grew wiser and would have agreed to his Proposals when it was too late and so the Presbyterian Party saw themselves within a few days after forcibly excluded and turned out of doors by that very Army which they themselves had raised and hired to fight against their Prince which as it was the cause of his Majesty's destruction so it proved their own ruine But since some of the Church of England have been pleased to judge very hardly of this Proposal made by the Arch-Bishop as if it too much debased the Episcopal Order and levelled it with that of Presbyters To vindicate the Lord Primate from which imputation I desire them to consider these particulars first the time when this Expedient was proposed viz. When his Majesty had already consented to the suspension of Episcopal Government for three years absolutely as also for setling Presbytery in the room of it for that time and for quite taking away arch-Arch-Bishops Deans and Chapters c. as hath been already said whereas the Lord Primate's Expedient proposes none of these but supposes the arch-Arch-Bishops or Primates ought to be continued appointing them to be the moderators of the Provincial Synods of Suffragans and Pastors And though it is true he mentions Bishops as to be only Presidents of the Diocesan Synod yet he no where denies them a Negative Voice in that Assembly and though he mentions at the beginning of this Expedient that the Bishops were wont in the Primitive times to do nothing of moment without the advice of a Synod of their Clergy as he proves from divers quotations out of the Fathers and Ancient Councils yet he does not assert this practice as a thing of Divine or unalterable right but only as the custom and practice of the Church in those Times which being only prudential may be altered one way or other according as the peace and order of the Church or the exigency of Affairs may require and though in Sect. 11. of this Expedient he proposes the making of as many Suffragans in each Diocess as there are Rural Deanries in the same and who should assemble a Synod of all the Rectors or Ministers of their Precinct yet their power was only to be according to the Statute of the 26th of Henry the Eighth whereby they are expresly forbid to act in any matters but by the Authority of and in Subordination to their Diocesan Bishop nor does the Lord Primate here extend their power farther than to be moderators of this lesser Synod where matters of Discipline and Excommunication only were to be determined still reserving the power of Ordination to the Diocesan this being no where given from him in this Expedient neither was this power of Excommunication left absolutely to this lesser Synod without an Appeal to the Diocesan Synod of the Suffragans and the rest of the Pastors wherein the Bishop was to preside only I shall say thus much That it was not the Lord Primate's design or intention in the least to rob the Bishops of any of those just Rights which are essentially necessary to their Order and Constitution and without abasing Episcopacy into Presbytery or stripping the Church of its Lands and Revenues both which the Lord Primate always abhorred for he was of his Majesty's mind in his excellent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That Presbytery is never so considerable or effectual as when it is joyned to and Crowned with Episcopacy And that the King himself was then convinced that this was the best Expedient for the setling of the differences of the Church at that time You may
Lordship whither and by whom I may address my Letters I cannot forget your Lordships promise to get me a Book of the Irish Saints Lives and that Poem of Richard the Second your Honour told me of A love to these things I hope shall make excuse for my bold remembrance My service to your self I remain Your Lordships constant and assured to be ever Commanded Robert Cotton New Exchange Mar. 26. 1622. LETTER XLVIII A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Lord Bishop of Meath Most Reverend in Christ I Must excuse my long silence partly by my long stay by the way and partly by my expectation of your Lordship here about this time Now being somewhat doubtful of your repair hither I have adventur'd these as an assured Testimony of my respect and observance to your Lordship Many of your good friends here were glad to hear of your health and hopeful to see you Sir Robert Cotton hath purchased a House in Westminster near the Parliament House which he is now repairing and there means to settle his Library by Feoffment to continue for the use of Posterity Mr. Camden is much decayed Et senio planè confectus in so much that I doubt his friends shall not enjoy him long Sir Henry Spelman is busie about the impression of his Glossary and Mr. Selden of his Eadmerus which will be finished within three or four days together with his Notes and the Laws of the Conqueror the comparing whereof with the Copy of Crowland was the cause of this long stay for they could not get the Book hither though they had many promises but were faign to send one to Crowland to compare things We have not yet the Catalogue of Frankfort nor any news but what you often hear The reports of the Princes entertainment in Spain fills the Mouths and Ears of all men and not so only but also set the Printers a work I should be very glad to know your Lordships resolution of coming into England that I might accordingly send you either Books or other news which we have here If your Lordship would be pleased to send me your Copy of Dionysius Exiguus I would willingly take some pains in the publication of him for I doubt your own labours take you up so much that you cannot attend him I desire to be most kindly remembred to Mr. Dean of Christ-Church I hear much murmurings among the Papists here especially those of our County against some new persecutions you know their Phrase lately raised in Ireland and particularly against some courses of your Lordships in the Diocess of Meath as namely in the case of Clandestine Christnings c. beyond all others of your rank I should be larger did I not doubt of my Letter 's finding your Lordship there but wheresoever God will dispose of us let it be I will ever approve myself Your Lordships true Affectionate Friend and Servant Henry Bourgchier London April 16. 1622. Your Colledge Statute of seven years continuance is much disliked here with some other things in that Society and some fault laid upon us that we did not take a more exact Survey of their Affairs LETTER XLIX A Letter from the Right Reverend James Usher Lord Bishop of Meath to Mr. John Selden Worthy Sir I Received your loving Letter sent unto me by Sir Henry Bourgchier and do heartily thank you for your kind remembrance of me Touching that which you move concerning the situation of Churches in the elder times of Christianity Walafridus Strabo De rebus Ecclesiasticis cap. 4. telleth us Non magnoperè curabant illius temporis justi quam in partem orationis loca converterent Yet his conclusion is Sed tamen usus frequentior rationi vicinior habet in Orientem orantes converti pluralitatem maximam Ecclesiarum eo tenore constitui Which doth further also appear by the Testimony of Paulinus Bishop of Nola in his twelfth Epistle to Severus Prospectus verò basilicae non ut usitatior mos Orientem spectat And particularly with us here in Ireland Joceline in the Life of St. Patrick observeth That a Church was built by him in Sabul hard by Downe in Ulster Ab aquilonali parte versus meridianam plagam Add hereunto that place of Socrates lib. 5. hist. Eccles. cap. 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And compare it with that other place of Walafridus Strabo where he sheweth both in the Church that Constantine and Helena builded at Jerusalem and at Rome also in the Church of All-Saints which before was the Pantheon and St. Peters Altaria non tantum ad Orientem sed etiam in alias partes esse distributa I desire to have some news out of France concerning the Samaritan Pentateuch and how the numbers of the years of the Fathers noted therein do agree with those which the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath in Graecis Eusebianis Scaligeri also whether Fronto Ducoeus his Edition of the Septuagint be yet published I would intreat you likewise if it be not too great a trouble to transcribe for me out of the Annals of Mailrose in Sir Robert Cotton's Library the Succession and Times of the Kings of Scotland So ceasing to be further troublesome unto you at this time I rest Your most assured loving Friend Ja. Mid. Dublin April 16. 1622. LETTER L. A Letter from Dr. Ward Margaret Professor at Cambridge to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath My good Lord THe remembrance of our former love doth embolden me to present these lines to your Lordship which otherwise I would not presume to do I wish your Lordship in your great Place and Dignity all happiness and contentment still perswading my self That your Place and Dignity doth not so alter you but that you still do continue to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 no less than that Bishop of Durham R. Angervile was I hope therefore it will not be altogether ungrateful to write of things touching that argument I am right sorry to hear of that heavy news which was reported unto me upon Monday last of the taking of Heydelberg by Tilly the Commander of the Duke of Bavaria It is a great grief that the place where the purity of the Reformed Religion hath so long been maintained should now come into the hands of the Enemy I take it I have heard that out of fear it should be Besieged care was taken that the Manuscripts were conveyed into the Duke of Wirtemburg's Country I wish it were so if it be not It should grieve me if that famous Library too should come into their hands who are so faithless in setting them out Your Lordship was partly acquainted with a business which I had undertaken to answer one Chapter of Perron's latest work set out after his decease Since that time Petrus Bertius the Remonstrant is turned Roman Catholick and hath undertaken the Translation of that whole Book into Latin and hath in Specimen set forth the Translation
Midensis Dublin Oct. 16. 1622. LETTER LII A Letter from the Most Reverend Dr. Hampton Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath Salutem in Christo. My Lord IN the exceptions taken by Recusants against your Sermon I cannot be affected as Gallio was at the beating of Sosthenes to care nothing for them I am sensible of that which my Brethren suffer And if my advice had been required I should have counselled your Lordship to give lenitives of your own accord for all which was conceived over harsh or sharp the inquisition whether an offence were given or taken may add to the flame already kindled and provoke further displeasure it is not like to pacifie anger But let your case be as good as Peter's was when the Brethren charged him injuriously for preaching to the uncircumcised the great Apostle was content to give them a fair publick satisfaction Act. 11. and it wrought good effects for the Text saith His auditis quieverunt glorificaverunt Deum it brought peace to the Congregation and glory to God My Noble Lord Deputy hath propounded a way of pacification that your Lordship should here satisfie such of the Lords as would be present wherein my poor endeavours shall not be wanting howbeit to say ingenuously as I think that is not like to have success for the Lord of Kilkenny and your other friends trying their strengths in that kind at Trim prevailed not but can tell your Lordship what is expected And if my wishes may take place seeing so many men of Quality have something against you tary not till they complain but prevent it by a voluntary retractation and milder interpretation of the points offensive and especially of drawing the Sword of which spirit we are not nor ought to be for our Weapons are not Carnal but Spiritual Withal it will not be amiss in mine opinion for you Lordship to withdraw your self from those Parts and to spend more time in your own Diocess that such as will not hear your Doctrine may be drawn to love and reverence your Lordship for your hospitality and conversation Bear with the Plaines of an Old mans Pen and leave nothing undone to recover the Intercourse of Amitie between you and the People of your Charge Were it but one that is alienated you would put on the Bowels of the Evangelical Shepherd you would seek him and support his Infirmities with your own Shoulders how much more is it to be done when so many are in danger to be lost But they are generous and noble and many of them near unto you in Blood or Alliance which will plead effectually and conclude the matter fully whensoever you shew your self ready to give them Satisfaction In the mean time I will not fail to pray God for his Blessings unto the Business and so do rest Your Lordships very loving Brother Armagh Tredagh October 17. 1622. LETTER LIII A Letter from the Right Reverend James Usher Lord Bishop of Meath to Dr. Samuel Ward Master of Sidney Sussex Colledge Cambridge Worthy Sir I Was heartily glad when I heard that upon my Lord of Sarum's Promotion you were chosen to succeed him in Reading the Lady Margaret's Lecture and do very well approve the Judgment of them who advised you to handle the Controversies mentioned in that Chapter of Cardinal Perron's Book which Bertius pretendeth to have been the principal Motive of verifying in himself the Title of his old Book Hymenoeus Desertor His Oration of the Motives to his Perversion I saw before I left England than which I never yet did see a more silly and miserable Discourse proceed from the Hands of a learned Man The Epistle that Chrysostom wrote unto Caesarius against the Heresie of Apollinarius and others that confounded the Deity and Humanity in Chirist is not cited by Leontius but by the Author of the Collections against the Severians who is thought to have lived about the time of Damascen In the 8th Tome Bibliothecae patrum Edit Colon. An. 1618. pag. 336. you shall find these words alledged by him ex Chrysostomo ad Caesarium Monachum Hoc est absurdum dogma Apollinarii amentis haec est hoeresis impiissima introducentium mixtionem et compositionem Sir Henry Savil was of your mind that Pet. Martyr met with this Treatise only in Latine but I shewed him the contrary by the Controversie that was betwixt Gardiner and Him Respons ad Object 201 concerning the Interpretation of the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Martyr mistaking it as if it had been derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so translating it in that Sentence Sic et divinâ mundante corporis naturâ and Gardiner on the other side contending it should be rendred Firmante corporis naturâ and the righter of the three peradventure being that which I follow divinâ naturâ in corpore insidente I am at this present in hand with such a Work as you are imployed in being drawn thereunto by a Challenge made by a Jesuit in this Country concerning the Fathers Doctrine in the Point of Traditions Real Presence Auricular Confession Priest's Power to forgive Sins Purgatory Prayer for the Dead Limbus Patrum Prayer to Saints Images Free-will and Merits I handle therein only the positive Doctrine of the Fathers and the Original of the contrary Error leaving the Vindication of the Places of Antiquity abused by the Adversary until I be urged thereunto hereafter by my Challenger The better part of the Work I have gone through already As soon as the whole is finished I will not forget to send it unto you or else deliver it with mine own hands In the mean time I send you a Treatise written by one of our Judges here touching these Controversies with a Discourse of mine own added thereunto concerning the Religion professed by the Ancient Irish And so leaving you and all your painful Endeavours unto the Blessing of our good God I rest Your own in all Christian Love and Affection Jac. Midensis Tinglass March 18 1622. LETTER LIV. A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Lord Bishop of Meath Salutem à fonte Salutis Most Reverend in Christ I Cannot hope to send you any Portion of our London News which common Fame will not bring sooner to you I notwithstanding fail in my Duty if I adventure not The same day of your departure hence the Houses of Parliament presented their Petition concerning Recusants to the King to which they received a large and very satisfactory Answer and a Proclamation to that purpose is expected within a few days On Saturday the day following the Spanish Ambassador I mean the Marquess desiring Audience acquainted the King with a Practice of Treason namely That the Prince and my Lord of Buckingham had conspired That if they could not draw the King to their Desires this Parliament by the Authority thereof they would confine him to some place of Pleasure and transfer the Government to
Bohemia Lusatia and Silesia and Manfeyld in other places I believe I shall see your Lordship in Ireland before I see you here If your Answer to the Challenge be Printed I hope I shall be beholding to you for a Copy And thus wishing your Lordship as much happiness as to my self I will ever remain Your Lordships most Affectionate Friend and Servant Henry Bourgchier London July 14. 1623. Divers of my fellow-Commissioners remember their best Affections to your Lordship especially Sr. Nath. Rich and Mr. Crew My Lord Marshal speaks of you often with much Affection you will find him a noble Friend if occasion be to use him which if it be in your absence and my self present I shall be most glad to be your Sollicitor LETTER LVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend Thomas Morton Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath Salutem in Christo Jesu Right Reverend and Dear Brother 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I Do much joy to hear of your health wherein consisteth the comfort of many I have been much beholding unto Mr. Dr. Barlow for his pains both in commending your Lordships health unto me and in inviting me by his presence to write unto you yet more especially for the view that he gave me of your Treatise which is now lately published At the sight of the Inscription viz. The Religion professed by the Ancient Irish I was compelled to usurp that saying Num boni quid ex Galiloea Yet when I came and saw it is that good which beyond expectation doth much affect me This is Ex tenebris lucem Macte industriâ sanctitate and bless the World with your labours When I shall have any thing that may seem acceptable I shall be ready to impart it unto your Lordship My request is That when you shall have occasion for London I may be your Host for I lie directly in the Road In the interim let us I pray you enjoy the Rite of Christian Absents to pray one for another And thus desiring our Lord Jesus to preserve us to the glory of his Saving Grace I rest Your Lordship's loving Brother and Friend Tho. Coven Litch Eccleshall July 19 1623. LETTER LIX A Letter from the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath to the Most Reverend Dr. Hampton Arch-Bishop of Armagh My very good Lord IT is now above a fortnight since I received your Graces direction for prosecuting the Order for settlement of the payment of Tithes in the Escheated Counties whereof some question was made at the Council Table My Lord Docwra and my self the next day after we received your Letters addressed our selves unto the Lord Deputy and possessed him fully with the substance of the business Within two hours after your Graces Letter was openly read at the Table together with which I exhibited the Orders set down in your Triennial Visitation Anno 1620. Whereupon my Lord Deputy very honourably moved that the former Act of State might be renewed and enlarged with the addition of such particulars as were in your Orders expressed and there omitted It was replyed That the matter was of great importance and much concerned the Country and therefore it was not suddenly to be resolved upon until the advice of the Judges and some other of the Bishops were had therein In the mean time for the preparing of matters Mr. Vice-Treasurer my Lord Chief Justice Sir Roger Jones Sir Adam Loftus and my self were appointed to meet in private and to consider of those particulars in your Graces Order which were not formerly contained in the Act of State The things questioned at that meeting were 1. For the Titles of Warrens and Fish of which they made doubt whether they ought to be paid or no. 2. Of Tradesmen Merchants and Sellers of small Wares under which Title they said all sellers of Ale all manual Occupation and day Labourers might be comprehended yea and the Servants of all the Trades also as well as the Masters 3. To the Title of Milk and Calves they would have the words of Cheese and Butter added to take a way all questions about them 4. That no Seed of Hemp and Flax should be paid but such as are in the Bundle with the stalks of the Hemp and Flax as it was no otherwise I told them in the Order intended 5. Of Mortuaries was the last and greatest Controversie which being given heretofore as was alledged for praying for dead mens Souls it was by some said That it was against Law and Conscience to demand them now when such praying is held to be unlawful But generally the exception taken against the Order was That the poor only did suffer therein and therefore it was wished that a certainty might be laid down for all Mortuaries This is the substance of all that passed at that meeting since which I have attended divers times to see unto what issue these things might be brought at the Table And to be sure that nothing should be done therein in my absence I took with me your Graces Orders and the Commissioners Animadversions upon them and still detain them in mine own custody At last considering that it was your Graces pleasure that my Lord Chancellor should be made acquainted with this business before it came to the Table seeing by reason of his absence that could not then be done I thought it not amiss yesterday to move my Lord Deputy that things might be deferred until my Lord Chancellor's coming hither for now that my Lord Docwra is in England I think we shall not find any like affected unto us in this business as my Lord Deputy and Lord Chancellor have always shewed themselves to be My continual expectation of the ending of this matter hath occasioned the delay of my writing unto your Grace therein now as you shall be pleased to give me further direction I will either proceed in the same or forbear until we may have the benefit of my Lord Chancellor's presence While I was writing of this I received your Graces Letter brought by this Bearer together with his complaint made against Heglye and others in the prosecution of that suit I will according to your direction give order to my Official that these violent courses may be stayed until the truth of things upon further examination may appear I find more trouble with Mr. Heglye and Mr. Shepherd in causes of this nature than with all the Ministers in Meath beside and in truth my Lord unless some course be taken for restraining such unquiet spirits as these our whole Clergy will pessime audire for their sakes Yesterday I was fain my self to prefer a Petition to my Lord Deputy in the behalf of my Clergy that no Indictments might be permitted to proceed against them at the Assizes for matters of this kind but they might be referred to the Ecclesiastical Court unto which the cognisance of the right of Tithes doth properly appertain And I do discern at
this time a kind of a general combination to be made for the disgrace and keeping down of our Ministers What that particular is which your Grace doth mention in the beginning of your Letter I do not yet understand John Forth having not as yet sent any Letter unto me But whatsoever it is I will not fail God willing to be present at the Assizes in Trim and both in that particular and in all other things wherein your Grace shall be pleased to employ me to follow your directions as one who desireth always to be accounted Your Graces ready to do you all service Ja. Midensis Pinglass August 6. 1623. LETTER LX. A Letter from the Most Reverend the Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath Salutem in Christo. UPon Sunday last as I was going to Bed a Pacquet was brought unto me from my Lord Deputy with the Advertisements of all that passed at White-Hall the 20th of July But by good hap I received advice from my Lord Grandison five days before of the King 's noble profession in a Speech used to his Judges That as he had so he would still maintain the Religion Established in the Church of England and would never give way to the contrary Only he wished the Judges to proceed in the execution of Laws with temperance and fitting moderation Seeing it hath pleased God whose Councils may be secret but not unjust to exercise us with this mixture let us remember how dangerous it is to provoke Princes with too much animosity and what hazard Chrysostom brought to Religion that way The Gospel is not supported with wilfulness but by patience and obedience And if your Lordship light upon petulant and seditious Libels too frequent now-a-days as report goeth I beseech you to repress them and advise our Brethren to the like care So I commend you to God resting Your Lordships very loving Brother Armagh August 12. 1623. LETTER LXI A Letter from Dr. Ryves to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath Right Reverend and my very good Lord I Have now too long time forborn to write unto your Lordship the cause whereof hath been for that we have here lived in suspense our selves of what would ensue of our Noble Prince his Journey into Spain neither durst I write you any thing for certain because I was ever in fear of a contrary report before my Letter could come unto you and as for Uncertainties they were not worth the writing But now at the last thanks be to our good God we have our Prince again he came to London on Monday Morning last being the 6th of this present at Eight of the Clock in the Morning it was my hap to be at Lambeth at that time with my Lord of Canterbury and whilst I was there the Prince came to Lambeth Stairs where his Grace received him and kissed his Hand and from thence in his Graces Barge went to York-House where he brake his Fast and presently went away to Royston where the King then was and is News of his lodging that Night at Guilford came to his Grace of Canterbury that Morning at Three of the Clock and presently all London rang with Bells and flamed with Bonfires and resounded all over with such Shouts as is not well possible to express The day without bidding was kept festival by every Man whereof because I took such pleasure in seeing it I conceive your Lordship will also take some pleasure in hearing the Relation As for the Match Rumor in ambiguo est pars invenit utraque causas some say it will be a Match others that it will not and each part thinks he hath reason for what he says but nothing is yet known that may be reported for a certainty As for my self hanging otherwise in equal Ballance between the two Opinions your divining Spirit is always obversant before mine eyes and sways me to believe as I hope that it will please God to dispose of our Prince's Affections for the greater benefit of his Church and our State It hath happly ere this came to your Lordship's Ears that I was not long since commanded to attend my Lord Chichester into Germany after a while that Negotiation was hung up upon the Nail in expectance of the Princes return and now we look to hear of a new Summons but nothing is done as yet therein And even so my good Lord humbly desiring your good Prayers to God for me in all my honest Endeavours I take leave and rest Your Lordship 's in all Service to be commanded F. Ryves From my House near the Doctors-Commons this 8th of October 1623. POSTSCRIPT MY good Lord no Man doubts but that the Prince went a good Protestant out of England but it 's as certain thanks be given to God for it that he is returned out of Spain tenfold more confirm'd in ours more obdurate against their Religion than ever he was before So is the Duke of Buckingham in so much that upon his Letters to his Dutchess out of Spain she went also publickly to her Parish-Church at St. Martins the Sunday before Michaelmas-day and on Michaelmas-day it self and so continueth Moreover what is befallen to the Prince himself and to the Duke the same is befallen to all the rest of his Company they all return more resolv'd Protestants than ever being thorowly perswaded ex evidentia facti that Popery is Idolatry if ever any were F. R. LETTER LXII A Letter from Sir H. Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath Salutem à D. N. Iesu Christo. Most Reverend in Christ I Hope you will impute my long silence to your long expected and much wished repair hither which you seemed in your last kind Letter to intend before this time I trust that your Stay proceeds not from want of Health but some other occasion which I shall most gladly understand We are here full of business but all in Treaty and so little concluded that I know not what to deliver for Truth to my Friends Here hath been a great Conventicle of Embassadors which is now dissolved Dieguo de Mendoza who accompanied the Prince is gone yesterday Dieguo de Meshia who came from Bruxells with a fair train of Nobles Gentlemen and Military Men goes away on Tuesday next Our late prodigious Events as that of the fall of the House in Black-friers being related in three several Pamphelts the late dangerous Fire in London with some others of that kind cannot now be new to your Lordship The latest which I must send you is very sad and dolorous being of the death of our late worthy Friend Mr. Camden whose Funeral we solemnized at Westminster on Wednesday last in the Afternoon with all due Solemnity At which was present a great Assembly of all Conditions and Degrees the Sermon was preached by Dr. Sutton who made a true grave and modest Commemoration of his Life As he was not factious in Religion so neither was
his own Wants and Desires himself I have trespassed too much on your Lordship whom God long preserve Your Lordship 's in all Duty Tho. James Oxon Feb. 15th 1624. LETTER LXXVIII A Letter from Dr. Ward to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath at Much-Haddam in Essex Right Reverend I Received your Lordship's Letter which I should have answered ere now But the truth is I had a purpose to have seen your Lordship at my return from London at the end of the Term but I was hindred in that intention And since my return home I heard your Lordship was fallen into a burning Fever whereupon I purposed to have made a Journey to visit your Lordship and to that purpose went to Mr. Crane to have his Company But being born in hand by one of Jesus Colledg that he should shortly hear from Haddam how your Lordship did the Party went out of Town and so I heard nothing till Mr. Crane came home I did hear at London of the decease of the late Primate of Armagh and of your Lordship's Designment by his Majesty to succeed in that place which I pray God may turn to his Glory the Good of the Nation and your own Comfort and Contentment I have borrowed of Mr. Vice-Chancellor the Book wherein is the History of the Church of Lindifern after of Durham it is in four Books the Book is none of those which Bale mentioneth I borrowed it of him for two Months It is one of them which Matthew Parker gave to the University-Library I spake with Mr. Lisle as touching the setting of some of the Saxon Chronicles He saith he hath seen some but few of them have any thing which are not in other Chronicles now extant If you have any which you think were worth his pains I would incite him thereunto I suppose your Lordship hath seen the Process against the Corps Picture and Books of the Arch-bishop of Spalato Unwise Man that could not easily have presaged these things By halting between two he hath much obscured his worth with all Parties I have perused some of Dr. Crakenthorp's Book which is well done I purpose to see your Lordship at Easter if God will and you continue with Sir Gerard Harvy This Messenger bringeth the Book and things from Mr. Crane with two Letters from him Thus with my Prayers to God for the Recovery of your Health and to bless you in all your Affairs with my best Wishes I commend your Lordship to the gracious Protection of the highest Majesty Your Lordship 's in all Practice Samuel Ward Cambridg this 21st of March 1624. LETTER LXXIX A Letter from Sir H. Bourgchier to the Right Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh at Much-Haddam Salutem in Christo. Most Reverend in Christ IN discharge of my Promise and that great Obligation of Thankfulness due from me I thought good to present these Lines to your Lordship Your Friends here were glad to conceive so good hope of your perfect Recovery which I doubt not will be daily greater I have herewithal sent your Lordship Eusebius's Chronicle and Asserins de vita Alfredi from Mr. Patrick Young together with the remembrance of his Love and Service It was neither his fault nor mine that you had them not sooner He desires that your Lordship will be pleased to return the Transcript of Epistles which you borrowed of me if you have not present occasion to use them for among them are some Epistles of Grossetede which my Lord Keeper desires to have having contracted with the Printer for the Impression of his Works with which he goes in hand presently as I told your Lordship Sir Rob. Cotton hath not yet gotten Malmesbury de Antiquit. Glaston but expects it daily I have been with my Lord of Winehester and presented your Lordship's Love and best Respects to him I also told him of your Samaritan Pentateuch of which he was very glad and desires to see it with your Lordship's best Convenience He keeps his Chamber for a Cold being otherwise very well Since my being with your Lordship I understand that Mr. Mountagues Appeal to Caesar for so he stiles it is in the Press I am promised Sirmundus upon Sidonius Apollinaris and Anastasius Bibliothecarius History which are not common the former with Savarons Notes I have but Mr. Selden will furnish your Lordship in the mean time with both Vettius Valens in Greek is Mr. Selden's now but was sometimes Dr. Dees But the rest of his Books will be had very shortly as many as are worth the having and so much de re literaria Now your Lordship will expect something of the publick Occurrents of the World which may be to you some Recreation The Siege of Breda holds still the Prince of Orange will be in the Field by the 20th of April Stylo novo with 50000 Foot 9000 Horse and 150 pieces of Ordnance and as they say is resolved to fight rather then Breda shall be lost Here is now great talk of the French Match and of the Duke 's present Journey thither but I confess I believe little For I hear others speak of the Popes Nephew Cardinal Barberino coming with great Pomp into France and as some say rather to hinder thâ—n further the Match Here is great preparation for a Fleet to go to Sea They speak of a Press of 10000 Land Souldier and 7000 Mariners to furnish that Fleet and that it shall be victual'd for eight Months Here is News come out of Spain of a great loss lately sustained by the Spaniards in the South Sea and that by the Holland Fleet that went for Lima. And thus wishing your Lordship perfect Health and as much Happiness as to my self I will ever remaim Your Lordship 's very affectionate Friend and humble Servant Henry Bourgchier London March 23d 1624. LETTER LXXX A Letter from the Bishop of Kilmore to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop Elect of Armagh Most Reverend and my honourable good Lord I Do congratulate with unspeakable Joy and Comfort your Preferment and that both out of the true and unfeigned Love I have ever born you for many years continued as also out of an assured and most firm Perswasion that God hath ordained you a special Instrument for the good of the Irish Church the growth whereof notwithstanding all his Majesty's Endowments and Directions receives every day more Impediments and Oppositions than ever And that not only in Ulster but begins to spread it self into other places so that the Inheritance of the Church is made Arbitrary at the Council-Table Impropriators in all places may hold all ancient Customs only they upon whom the Cure of Souls is laid are debarr'd St. Patrick's Ridges which you know belonged to the Fabrick of that Church are taken away Within the Diocess of Ardagh the whole Clergy being all poor Vicars and Curats by a Declaration of one of the Judges this last Circuit by what direction I know not without speedy remedy will be brought to much
all Monuments of Antiquity hath emboldned me at this time to put your Lordship in mind of a present occasion which may much conduce to the general good of all of us that employ our Studies in this kind of Learning That famous Library of Giâ—cono Barocci a Gentleman of Venice consisting of 242 Greek Manuscript Volumes is now brought into England by Mr. Fetherstone the Stationer Great pity it were that such a Treasure should be dissipated and the Books dispersed into private hands If by your Lordship's mediation the King's Majesty might be induced to take them into his own hand and add there unto that rare Collection of Arabick Manuscripts which my Lord Duke of Buckingham purchased from the Hens of Erpenius it would make that of his Majestys a Royal Library indeed and make some recompence of that incomparable loss which we have lately sustain'd in the Library of Heidelberg We have 〈◊〉 a poor return unto your Lordship of our Commission in the business of Pbeliâ— Mâ—â— Fâ—â—gh Birr and his Sons And because the directions which we received 〈◊〉 the Lords required the dispatch thereof with all convenient expedition 〈◊〉 we have made more haste I fear than good speed fully purposing in our selves that the examination which 〈…〉 taken should have come unto your 〈…〉 your Lordships Resolutions 〈…〉 have been notified before the beginning of Hilâ—â—y Teâ—m That things have fallen out otherwiseâ— iâ— that I confess wherein we shall be hardly 〈…〉 â—â—â— selves 〈…〉 that this important Business might in such 〈◊〉 be 〈…〉 that the Honour and Dignity of his Majesty 〈…〉 might withal be very tenderly respected for the least shew of 〈…〉 that may 〈…〉 he given from thence 〈◊〉 Authority will add encouragement to such â—â— are too apt to 〈…〉 his Majesty's Ministers here from being so forward as otherwise they would be in prosecution of such publick Services of the State Which I humbly leave unto your Lordship's deeper consideration and evermore rest Your Honour 's in all dutiful Service ready to be commanded Ja. Armachanst Dublin Jan. 22. 1628. LETTER CXXXIV A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My very good Lord I Have received your Grace's second Letters and with the Letters from Dr. Barlow a Man known to me only by Name and good Report I have upon receipt of these a second time humbly presented Dr. Barlow's Suit to his Majesty with all fair representation to his Majesty of the necessity of a good Commendam to the Arch-bishop of Tuam And tho in my judgment I hold it very unfit and of ill both Example and Consequence in the Church to have a Bishop much more an Arch-bishop retain a Deanery in Commendam Yet because there is as I am informed much service to be done for that Arch-bishop and because I have conceived this Man will do that Service for so he hath assumed and because much of that Service must be done at Dublin where that Deaury will the better fit him as well for House as Charge and because it is no new thing in that Country to hold a Deanry with a Bishoprick I made bold to move his Majesty for it and his Majesty is graciously pleased to grant it and I have already by his Majesty's special Command given order to Sir Hen. Holcross to send Letters to my Lord Deputy to this purpose But there two things his Majesty commanded me to write to your Lordship The one that young Men be not commended to him for Bishops The other that he shall 〈◊〉 be drawn again to grant a Deanry in Commendam Any other Preferment though of more value he shall be content to yield I am glad I have been able to serve your Grace's desires in this Business And for Dr. Barlow I with him joy but must desire your Lordship to excuse my not writing to him for between Parliament and Term I have not lenure So I leave you to the Grace of God and shall ever rest Your Graces loving Friend and Brother Guil. London Jan. 29. 1628. My Lord Arch-bishop of Tak Dr. Barlow's 〈…〉 that was is of my 〈◊〉 for holding a 〈…〉 LETTER CXXXV A Letter from Dr. William Bedell to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh at Drogheda Right Reverend Father my honourable good Lord SInce your Graces departure from Dublin I began to peruse the Papers you left me of Dr. Ghaloner's hand about the first foundation of the Colledg which although in some places I cannot read word for word yet I perceive the sense and have transcribed so far as they go without interruption But they refer to some Copies of Letters which I have not nor yet are in our Chest as namely the City's Letter to Queen Elizabeth and the Lord Deputy and Comisales and hers to the Lord Deputy here for the founding of the Colledg All which if they might be had would be inserted into the History of the Colledg ad Verbum And which is worse the third Duernion is wholly missing noted it seems in the Front with the Figure 3. This makes me bold to write to your Grace to search if you can find any thing more of this Argument that there may be somewhat left to Posterity concerning the beginnings of so good a Work I have also since your Grace's departure drawn a Form of the Confirmation of our Rectories from the Bishop of Clougher in conformity to two Instruments viz. the Resignation of George Montgomery sometime Bishop thereof and Derry and Rapho and our Colledg Patent I have used all the means I can to know whether any Predecessor of your Grace did in like manner resign into the King's Hands any Patronages within your Diocess and what their Names be which if I could understand I would entreat your Grace to go before in your Diocess and to be our Patron in the soliciting the other Bishops to follow in theirs I send your Grace the form of the Confirmation and the Names of the Rectories in our Patent referring the rest to your wisdom and love to the Colledg This is a Business of great importance to this Society and hath already been deferred so long and Mr. Usher's sudden taking away to omit my Lord of Kilmore admonishes me to work while the day lasts Another Business there is which enforceth me to have recourse to your Grace which is this Yesterday as I was following Mr. Usher's Funeral there was delivered me a Letter from my Lord Chancellor containing another to his Lordship from Mr. Lloyd together 〈◊〉 a Note which I send herewith He demandeth of the Colledg not only his Diâ—t in his absence which the Statute expresly denies to a Fellow and which a your Grace and the Visitors intended to grant him you did him a Favour instead of a Punishment but Wages for being a Prime-Lecturer whereas his Year came out at Midsummer and he had till then his Allowance although he performed not the
Privy Counsellor who was present and assistant in all the Consultations about setting it forth and privy to the Resolutions of the Board thereupon But since this is come to my hands from another I do hereby pray and authorize your Lordship calling to your assistance Mr. Justice Philpot who is now resident there to enter into a serious examination of the Premises and to give me a full information of what you find thereof by the first opportunity So desiring to be remembred in your daily Prayers I am Your Lordship 's very affectionate Friend Falkland Dublin-Castle Apr. 14. 1629. LETTER CXL A Letter from Mr. Philpot to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My good Lord I Have had some Conference with my Lord Deputy about those Matters wherein your Grace and I were lately imployed he telleth me that this day he will advise with the Counsel upon the Informations sent by us and afterwards will take such course therein as shall be thought fit His Lordship insisteth much upon that part of Mr. Sing's Information where he saith That the Titulary Bishop of Rapho did make a Priest at a publick Mass in an Orchard He saith That the said Bishop is as dangerous a Fellow here in Ireland as Smith is in England and that he hath good Bonds upon him and would be glad to this occasion to call him in and therefore I pray your Grace to wish Mr. Sing to be ready to make good his Accusation for the said Bishop is bound not to exercise Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction I told my Lord Deputy how careful you were to see him before his going from hence and that your Grace intended to make a journey of purpose hither having now no other business here He told me that if your Grace had any such purpose that you need not make any great haste for he hoped to have time enough before his going to make some good progress in the Business begun concerning the Jesuits and their Houses c. and that he had not his Summons yet to go away which could not come till the Wind turned and if it came then he said he would stay ten days after at the least in which your Grace may have notice time enough to perform your desire I told my Lord that your Grace was somewhat troubled at his Letter for which he was sorry and blamed his Secretary protesting he did not intend to give your Grace any cause of discontent His Lordship told me that the News of Mantua is true which is relieved and the French King returned but there is no certainty but a common report of any Peace concluded with France I shall be ready upon all occasions to do your Lordship any acceptable Service and will for ever remain Your Grace's faithful Servant Jo. Philpot. Dublin April 27. 1629. LETTER CXLI A Letter from the Lord Deputy c. to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh After our right hearty Commendations to your Lordship BY your Letters of the 6th of this Instant which we the Lord Deputy thought fit to communicate to the Council we perceive and do well approve the care and pains you have taken as well in searching out the truth of the Matter concerning the Titulary Bishop of Raphae as in endeavouring to inform your self of the Proprietors and Possessors of the Popish Conventual-Houses in that Town Touching the Titulary Bishop we rest satisfied by your Lordship 's said Letters that at that time he did no publick Act nor gave Orders to any But as yet remain unsatisfied whether there were any great Assembly of People at that Meeting and what Persons of Note were among them wherein we desire to receive further satisfaction from your Lordship As to their Conventual-Houses we have given his Majesty's Attorney-General a Copy of the Paper enclosed in your Letters to us and gave him direction to put up Informations in his Majesty's Court of Exchequer against the Proprietors and Possessors of those Houses that thereby way may be made to such further course of proceeding as the several Cases shall require And this being all for the present we bid your Lorship very heartily farewel From his Majesty's Castle of Dublin May 15. 1629. Your Lordship 's very loving Friends H. Falkland A. Loftus Canc. Anth. Midensis Hen. Docwra W. Parsons Tyringham LETTER CXLII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My very good Lord I Am glad Mr. Bedell's Preferment gives your Grace such contentment Your former Letter came safe to my hands so did your second I see nothing is so well done but Exceptions can fret it for I hear that which I looked not for concerning Mr. Bedell's Preferment whole Name was never put to the King till both the other Competitors were refused by his Majesty as too young Ardagh is not forgotten in the Letter for since upon receipt of your Lordship's last Letters I spake with Sir Hen. Holcroft about it Beside those of your Lordship's I have received Letters from Mr. Bedell and from the Fellows about their freedom of election of a Provost My Lord his Majesty would fain have a Man to go on where Mr. Bedell leaves I am engaged for none I heartily love Freedoms granted by Charter and would have them maintained If they will return which are come hither and all agree or a major part upon a worthy Man that will serve God and the King I will give them all the assistance I can to keep their Priviledg whole The King likes wondrons well of the Irish Lecture begun by Mr. Bedell and the course of sending such young Men as your Grace mentions I hope before our Committee for the establishment of Ireland end I shall find a time to think of the Remedy your Lordship proposes about scandalous Ministers in which or any other Service I shall not be wanting For the particulars concerning Clark I have your inclosed and if he stir any thing while I am present you shall be sure I will do you right Now my Lord I have answered all your Letter save about the Arch-bishop of Cassa's for the old Dean I have done all I am able for that reverend and well-deserving Gentleman but the King's Majesty hath been possessed another way and it seems upon like removes hereafter will move more than one And at this time he will give Cassils to my Lord of Clougher if he will take it and so go on with another to succeed him of whom he is likewise resolved And who shall be Cassils if my Lord of Clougher refuse There is nothing which the Dean of Cassils can have at this time unless he will with a good commendam be content to take Kilfanora To which tho I do not perswade yet I would receive his Answer And I add it will be a step for him to a better As for Betts the Lord-Elect that was he hath lapsed it by not proceeding to
he understood by me how much you esteemed and loved him he desired me to return his humble Thanks with desire that you would imploy his Service in whatsoever he is able to perform His Majesty has conserr'd on him the Prebend in Canterbury which lately was Dr. Chapman's He is now settling himself in it he saith he hath received a late Advertisement of the Death of Bertius who over-lived his own Credit and Reputation Mr. Selden's Titles of Honour hath long slept under the Press by reason of his long close Imprisonment but now he tells me it shall go forward and he thinks within two Months it will come abroad The War in Italy is like to proceed the French King raiseth a great Army for that Expedition Here was a report that the States had taken Gulick but it holds not for a certain Truth One thing I must not over-pass and that a strange and monstrous Accident lately happened here in England One Dorington a younger Son of Sir William Dorington of Hamp-shire and Grand-Child to that Dorington who brake his Neck from St. Sepulchres Steeple in London being reprehended for some disorderly Courses by his Mother drew his Sword and ran her twice through and afterwards she being dead gave her many Wounds and had slain his Sister at the same time had he not been prevented I presume your Grace hath heard of the Death of Dr. Tho. James his Nephew Mr. Rich. James is fallen into some Trouble by reason of his Familiarity and Inwardness with Sir Robert Cotton I suppose you have the last Catalogue of Francfort which hath nothing of note But I fear I have been over troublesome to your Grace's more serious and weighty Imployments wherefore with the remembrance of my Love and Service I will ever remain Your Grace's most affectionate Friend and humble Servant Henry Bourgchier London December the 4th 1629. LETTER CXLVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My very good Lord I Have received two or three Letters from you since I writ you any Answer I hope your Grace is not of opinion that it is either idlenesi or neglect which have made me silent for the plain truth is I fell into a fierce burning Fever August the 14th which held me above three Weeks It was so fierce that my Physicians as well as my Friends gave me for dead and it is a piece of a Miracle that I live I have not yet recovered my wonted Strength and God knows when I shall yet since I was able to go to the Court tho not to wait there I have done as much business as I could and I think as your Grace hath desired of me for the Church of Ireland as your Lordship will see by this brief Account following And first my Lord I have obtain'd of his Majesty the new incorporating of the Dean and Chapter of Derry and I think the Dean is returned At the same time the King was pleased to give order for confirming the Election of Dr. Usher to be Governour of the Colledg in Dublin Thirdly upon the refusal of my Lord of Clougher his Majesty gave in the time of my Sickness the Arch-bishoprick of Cassills to the Bishop of Killally and the Bishoprick of Killally to the Dean of Rapho And whereas your Grace in the close of one of your Letters did acquaint me that there was a fear lest some cunning would be used to beg or buy some Patronages out of the King's Hands I moved his Majesty about that likewise and he made me a gracious promise that he would part with none of them And now my Lord I give your Lordship thanks for the Catalogue of the Bishopricks of Ireland which I heartily desire your Grace to perfect as occasion may be offered you And for the last business as I remember concerning the Table of Tything in Ulster I have carefully look'd it over but by reason I have no experience of those parts I cannot judg clearly of the Business but I am taking the best care I can about it and when I have done I will do my best with his Majesty for Confirmation and leave Mr. Hyegate to report the Particulars to your Grace I have observed that Kilphanora is no fertile Ground it is let lie so long Fallow Hereupon I have adventured to move his Majesty that some one or two good Benefices lying not too far off or any other Church-Preferment without Cure so it be not a Deanery may be not for this time only but for ever annex'd to that Bishoprick The care of managing that Business he refers to your Grace and such good Counsel in the Law as you shall call to your assistance And I pray your Grace think of it seriously and speedily and though I doubt you will find nothing actually void to annex unto it yet if that Act be but once past the hope of that which is annex'd will make some worthy Man venture upon that Pastoral Charge and so soon as you are resolv'd what to do I pray send me word that so I may acquaint his Majesty with it and get pow'r for you to do the Work These are all the Particulars that for the present I can recall out of your Letters sent unto me in the time of my Sickness So with my hearty Prayers for your Health and Happiness and that you may never be parch'd in such a Fire as I have been I leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your Grace's loving poor Friend and Brother Guil. London London-house Decemb. 7. 1629. LETTER CXLIX A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Right Reverend Father my Honourable good Lord I Have received your Grace's Letters concerning Mr. Cook I do acknowledg all that which your Grace writes to be true concerning his sufficiency and experience to the execution of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction neither did I forber to do him right in giving him that Testimony when before the Chapter I did declare and shew the nullity of his Parent I have heard of my Lord of Meathe's attempt and I do believe that if this Patent had due Form I could not overthrow it how unequal soever it be But falling in the essential parts besides sundry other defects I do not think any reasonable Creature can adjudg it to be good I shall more at large certify your Grace of the whole Matter and the reasons of my Counsel herein I shall desire herein to be tried by your Grace's own Judgment and not by your Chancellor's or as I think in such a case I ought to be by the Synod of the Province I have resolved to see the end of this matter and do desire your Grace's savour herein no farther than the equity of the Cause and the Good as far as I can judg of the Church in a high degree do require So with my humble
service to your Grace I rest Your Grace's in all duty W. Kilmore Kilmore Decemb. 28. 1629. LETTER CL. A Letter from L. Robinson to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My honourable and most dear Lord MY poor Prayers to God shall never be wanting for the continuance and increase of your Lordship's Health and all true Happiness nor my serviceable and thankful Affections for all your noble Favours done to me and mine I forbear to treat with my Lord of Kilmore altogether about any of those things which are divulged under his hand being perswaded his Desires were only to do good and assured himself sees his expectation fail in them partly by the Apology he made for himself amongst his Ministers gathered together in the Church of Kilmore at the inhibiting of Mr. Cook where he shewed much grief that there were divers scandalous Reports rais'd of him As that he was a Papist an Arminian an Equivocator Politician and traveller into Italy that he bow'd his Knee at the Name of Jesus pull'd down the late Bishop's Seat because it was too near the Altar preached in his Surplice c. There generally he affirmed his education in Christian Religion and his love to the Truth shewing the Reasons of his Travels and the Use of the Ceremonies not to hinder any Man's liberty of Conscience nor urge Conscience but as he had voluntarily practis'd them in England for the good of some others so here Some things he denied and others he shew'd Reasons for so that he gave us all good satisfaction and we hope we shall have much comfort in him Yet 't is true he sent a strange Absolution to an Irish Recusant in a Letter using many good Instructions for the Man was sick in this form If you be content to receive Christ and believe in him by the Authority which is given to me I absolve you from all your Sins you have confessed to Almighty God and are truly contrite for in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Amen Thus craving pardon for being troublesome to your Grace I take leave and will ever rejoice to remain Your Lordship 's poor Servant to be commanded Lau. Robinson Farnh Jan. 18. 1629. LETTER CLI A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend in Christ and my very good Lord I Did very lately presume to present my Service to your Grace by my Servant whom I sent into Ireland whose return from thence I expect very shortly and by him to hear at least of your Grace's Health and welfare than which no news can be more welcome to me Your Friends here as many as I know are all well Sir Rob. Cotton is not altogether free of his Trouble but he and his Friends hope he shall shortly Mr. Selden is also a Prisoner in the King's-Bench but goes abroad when he pleaseth so that his Friends enjoy him often I hope we shall have his Titles of Honour very shortly At Paris there is ready to come forth the King of Spain's Bible that was It will be now in ten Volumes whereas the other was but in eight and much fairer than the other as they say that have seen it which I think can hardly be Here is little News at this present The French Army is gone into Italy commanded by the Cardinal Richleau The Imperialists are so terrified with their coming that they have raised the Siege of Mantua and drawn themselves into the Dutchy of Milan for the defence thereof There is a Treaty of Peace there and in the Low-Countries of a Truce between the King of Spain and the States and the Spanish Ambassador is here about the same Business and ours in Spain And these several Treaties depend so one upon another that it is thought it will either prove a general Peace or a general War I wrote to your Grace in my former Letter of Mr. Vossius being here in England Within these two days I heard from him by Mr. Junius his Brother-in-law who went over with him He liked his entertainment so well in England that he hath now a good mind to settle himself here Concerning our own poor Country I can say nothing only that the Business of Philim Mac Teagh is in question which I mention the rather because your Grace had your part in it as a Commissioner The King hath sat two days already with the Lords and heard it with great patience and attention My Lord of Falkland as I hear hath ended his part which was to answer the Certificate and Report of the Commissioners in Ireland as far as it touched himself Sir Henry Beatinges part is next when those have done the other side shall have liberty to reply I cannot hear any speech of a new Deputy I believe the Government will continue as it is and the rather because it is a saving way which these Times do easily hearken unto I have sent your Grace here inclosed something that hath been lately done concerning the Church of England I doubt not but your Grace hath received it from other hands but I thought good to adventure it howsoever I intend with God's Assistance to be in Ireland about the midst of March at the farthest If your Grace desire any thing from hence I shall willingly conveigh it to you and if they be Books I can do it conveniently because I carry many of my own I will desire your Grace to esteem me in the number of those who most reverence and honour you and will ever approve himself Your Grace's most affectionate Friend and humble Servant Henry Bourgchier London Jan. 21. 1629. LETTER CLII. A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend Father my honourable good Lord THE report of your Grace's indisposition how sorrowful it was to me the Lord knows albeit the same was somewhat mitigated by other News of your better Estate In that fluctuation of my mind perhaps like that of your Health the saying of the Apostle served me for an Anchor That none of us liveth to himself neither doth any die to himself For whether we live we live to the Lord or whether we die we die to the Lord Whether we live therefore or die we are the Lord's Thereupon from the bottom of my heart commending your Estate and that of his Church here which how much it needs you he knows best to our common Master though I had written large Letters to you which have lien by me sundry Weeks fearing in your sickness to be troublesom I thought not to send them but to attend some other opportunity after your perfect recovery to send or perhaps bring them When I understood by Mr. Dean of his Journey or at least sending an express Messenger to you with other Letters putting me also in mind that perhaps it would not be unwelcome to you to hear from me though you
Cook 's Patent to be void and so judicially declâ—â—ing it I wish you would not be too forward in standing upon that Point To 〈◊〉 in a judicial manner of the validity or invalidity of a Patent in no office of the Ecclesiastical but of the Civil Magistrate and for the one to 〈…〉 the Judiciture of that which appertaineth to another you know draweth near to a 〈…〉 Complaints I know will be made against my Court and your Court and every Court wherein Vice shall be punished and that not by Delinquents alone but also by their Landlords be they Protestants or others who in this Country 〈◊〉 not how their Tenants live so they pay them their Rents I learned of old in Aeschylus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and if they 〈…〉 the like Authority will be ready to receive such Accusations against their Brethren every one will judg that there is less cause why they should be pitied when they are served so themselves The way to help this is not to take away the Jurisdiction from the Chancellors and to put it into the Bishops hands alone All Bishops are not like my Lord of Kilmore I know a Bishop in this Land who exerciseth the Jurisdiction himself and I dare boldly say that there is more Unjustice and Oppression to be found in him alone than in all the Chancellors in the whole Kingdom put together and though I do not justify the taking of Fees without good ground yet I may truly say of a great part of mine own and of many other Bishops Diocesses that if Men stood not more in fear of the Fees of the Court than of standing in a white Sheet we should have here among us another Sodom and Gomorrah Your course of taking pains in keeping Courts your self I will commend so that you condemn not them that think they have reason why they should do otherwise As for my self mecum habito and am not ignorant quam sit mihi curta supellex My Chancellor is better skilled in the Law than I am and far better able to manage Matters of that kind Suam quisque norit artem runneth still in my mind and how easy a matter it is for a Bishop that is ignorant in the Law to do wrong unto others and run himself into a Premunire and where Wrong is done I know Right may more easily be had against a Chancellor than against a Bishop If my Chancellor doth Wrong the Star-Chamber lieth open where I will be the Man that will cast the first Stone at him my self as I did for the removing and censuring of him whom I found at my first coming into the Diocess of Meath And as for my late visiting of your Diocesses your Lordship need not a whit be terrified therewith It is not to be expected that an Arch-bishop passing through a whole Province upon a suddain should be able to perform that which a Bishop may do by leasure in his every years Visitation Neither may the Arch-bishop meddle with the Reformation of any thing but what is presented If any such Presentation were made and reformation of the Abuse neglected there is cause to complain of the Visitation But as for the taking of Mony your Lordship will find that when you come next to visit your self there will be great odds betwixt the Sum that ought to be paid unto you and that which was delivered unto me and yet if your Clergy can get but half so much for their Mony from you as they did from me they may say you were the best Bishop that ever came among them When the Clergy of the Diocess of Ardagh was betrayed into the hands of their Adversaries à quibius minime omnium oportuorat and like to be so overborn that many of them could scarce have a bit of Bread lest them to put in their Mouths I stood then in the Gap and opposed my self for them against the whole Country and stayed that Plague In the other Diocess of Kilmore when complaint was made against the Clergy by that Knave whom they say your Lordship did absolve I took him in hand and if the Clergy had not failed in the prosecution would have bound him fast enough without asking any question for Conscience-â—ake whether he were of our Communion or no. And whereas they held their Means as it were by courtesy from the State I took the pains my self to make up the Table of all their Tithes and Duties and at this very instant am working in England to have it firmly established unto them by his Majesty's Authority And yet the Sums of Meâ—â—y which they paid me were not so great but that I could make a shift to spend it in defraying the Charges of the very Journey I am a Fool I know in this commending or defending rather my self but consider who constrained me The Writings which you sent me I had long before from the same hand which sent them unto you I should be glad to hear your judgment of them and would be glad also to go on in further answering of the remain of your Letter but that I am quite tired and what I have written I fear will not be so pleasing unto you What resteth I partly refer to Mr. Dean's Relation and partly to our Conference when we shall next meet where many things may be more fitly delivered by word of mouth than committed to a Letter In the mean time I commend you to the Blessing of our good God and ever rest Your most assured loving Friend and Brother notwithstanding any unkind Passages which may have slip'd from me in this Letter Ja. Armachanus Drogheda Feb. 23. 1629. LETTER CXLIV A Letter from the Right Reverend William Laud Bishop of London to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My very good Lord I Thank your Grace heartily for your Letters especially for the Preface of this your last It is true my Lord God hath restor'd me even from Death it self for I think no Man was farther gone and scap'd And your Grace doth very Christian-like put me in mind that God having renewed my Lease I should pay him an Income of some Service to his Church which I hope in the strength of his Grace I shall ever be willing and sometime able to perform I have not yet recovered the great Weakness into which my Sickness cast me but I hope when the Spring is come forward my strength will encrease and enable me to Service In the mean time my Lord as weak as I have been I have begun to pay my Fine but what the Sum comes to God knows is very little Your Table of the Tithes of Ulster and the Business concerning the Impropriations are both past and concerning both I leave my self to Mr. Hygat's Report As touching the Deanery of Armagh I am glad to hear that any place of Preferment in that Kingdom hath so good means of subsistence without Tithes But I must needs acquaint your Grace that neither my Lord
of Wiâ—chester that now is nor Dr. Lindsell did ever acquaint me with your Grace's purpose of drawing Johannes Gerardus Vossius into those parts had I known it in time the Business might have been easier than now it will be For First Upon an attempt made by the Lord Brook to bring Vossius into England to be a Reader in Cambridg the States allowed him better Maintenance and were unwilling to have him come and himself was not very willing in regard of his Wife and many Children being loth to bring them from all their Kindred and Friends into a strange place And if he were unwilling upon these Grounds to come into England I doubt whether he will venture to Ireland or no. But secondly my Lord since this my Lord Duke in his life-time procured him of his Majesty the Reversion of a Prebend in Canterbury which is since fallen and Vossâ—â—s came over into England in the time of my Infirmity and was installed and I was glad I had the happiness to see him After he had seen both the Universities he return'd home again and within these two days I received a Letter from him of the safety of his return thither The Church of Canterbury notwithstanding his absence â—â—ow him an hundred pounds a Year as they formerly did to Mr. Casaubaâ—â— Now I think the Prebend of Canterbury would he have been Priest and resided upon it would have been as much to him as the Deanery of Armagh But howsoever my Lord the King having given him that Preferment already will hardly be brought to give him another especially considering what I could write unto you were it fit Nevertheless out of my lovâ— to the Work you mention if you can prevail with Vossius to be willing and that it may appear the Deanery of Armagh will be of sufficient Means for him and his numerous Family if your Grace then certify me of it I will venture to speak and do such Offices as shall be fit And now my Lord for your own Business Mr. Archibald Hamilton who it seems by your Grace's Letters is your Agent here hath not as yet been with me but whensoever he shall come he shall be very welcome and I hope your Grace knows I will be very ready to do that Church and you the best Service I can As I had written thus far Mr. Hamilton came to me so that now I shall inform my self as well as I can of your Lordship's Business which he tells me is perpleâ—d by some to whom it was formerly refer'd His Majesty is now going to New-Market so that tâ—â— his return little or nothing can be done but so soon as he comes back I will not be wanting to that part which shall be laid upon me I formerly writ to your Grace about divers Businesses and I have received your Answer to the most of them only to one particular you have answered nothing which makes me think that Letter scarce came safe to your hands It is about the Bishoprick of Kilfanora which is so poor in it self that no Man asks it of the King and his Majesty is graciously pleased that your Lordship would think of some good Parsonage or Vicariâ—g or Donative that might for ever be annex'd unto it And though nothing be now perchance actually void to fit this Purpose yet I conceive the Annexation may be presently made though the Profit arising from the thing come not to the Bishop till it become void I pray your Grace take as much care of this as possibly you can and let me hear from you what may be done This Letter my Lord is a great deal too long but so many Occasions would not suffer it to be shorter I wish you all Health and so leave you to the Grace of God ever resting Your Grace's loving poor Friend and Brother Guil. London Loâ—d House Feb. 23. 1629. LETTER CLV A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend Father my Honourable good Lord THe Superscription of your Grace's Letters was most welcome unto me as bringing under your own Hand the best evidence of the recovery of your Health for which I did and do give hearty thanks unto God For the Contents of them as your Grace conceived they were not so pleasant but the Wounds of a Friend are faithful saith the Wise Man Sure they are no less painful than any other Unkindness cuts nearer to the Heart than Malice can do I have some experience by your Grace's said Letters Concerning which I have been at some debate with my self whether I should answer them with David's Demand What have I now done Or as the Wrongs of Parents with Patience and Silence But Mr. Dean telling me that this day he is going towards you I will speak once come of it what will You writ That the course I took with the Papists was generally cried out against neither do you remember in all your Life that any thing was done here by any of us at which the Professors of the Gospel did take more offence or by which the Adversaries were more confirmed in their Superstitions and Idolatry Wherein you could wish that I had advised with my Brethren before I would adventure to pull down that which they have been so long a building Again what I did you know was done out of a good intention but you were assured that my Project would be so quickly refuted with the present Success and Event that there would be no need my Friends should advise me from building such Castles in the Air c. My Lord all this is a Riddle to me What course I have taken with the Papists What I have done at which the Professors of the Gospel did take such offence or the Adversaries were so confirmed What it is that I have adventured to do or what Piece so long a building I have pulled down what those Projects were and those Castles in the Air so quickly refuted with present success as the Lord knows I know not For truly since I came to this place I have not changed one jot of my Purpose or Practice or Course with Papists from that which I held in England or in Trinity-Colledg or found I thank God any ill Success but the Slanders only of some Persons discontented against me for other Occasions Against which I cannot hope to justify my self if your Grace will give ear to private Informations But let me know I will not say my Accuser let him continue mask'd till God discover him but my Transgression and have place of Defence and if mine Adversary write a Book against me I will hope to bear it on my Shoulder and bind it to me as a Crown For my recusation of your Court and advertisement what I heard thereof I see they have stirred not only Laughter but some Coals too Your Chancellor desires me to acquit him to you that he is none of those Officers
I meant I do it very willingly for I never meant him nor any Man else but thought it concerned your Grace to know what I credibly heard to be spoken concerning your Court Neither as God knows did I ever think it was fit to take away the Jurisdiction from Chancellors and put it into the Bishops Hands alone or so much as in a Dream condemn those that think they have reason to do otherwise nor tax your Grace's Visitation nor imagine you would account that to pertain to your Reproof and take it as a Wrong from me which out of my Duty to God and you I thought was not to be concealed from you I beseech you pardon me this one Error Si unquam posthac For that Knave whom as your Grace writes they say I did absolve I took him for one of my Flock or rather Christ's for whom he shed his Blood And I would have absolved Julian the Apostata under the same form Some other Passages there be in your Grace's Letters which I But I will lay mine Hand upon mine Mouth And craving the blessing of your Prayers ever remain Your Grace's poor Brother and humble Servant Will. Kilmore and Ardaghen Kilmore March 29. 1630. LETTER CLVI A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Lords Justices My most Honoured Lords I Received a Letter from your Lordships without any Date wherein I am required to declare what Motives I can alleadg for the stopping of Sir John Bathe's Patent Whereunto I answer That I cannot nor need not produce any other reason than that which I have done and for the maintenance of the sufficiency whereof I will adventure all I am worth namely that for the Particular now in question Sir John Bathe's Letter hath been gotten from his Majesty by meer surreption and therefore no Patent ought to be passed thereupon For although I easily grant that my Lord Treasurer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer might certify unto his Majesty that there was no other thing left to be passed here but Impropriations though Sir John Bathe I think hath found already somewhat else to be passed in his Book and may do more if he will not be so hasty but take time to enquire Yet how doth it appear that either of these two noble Gentlemen did as much as know that his Majesty had taken a former Order for the settlement of these things upon the Church To which Resolution had they been privy I do so presume of their Nobleness and care of the Publick Good that the remittal of a Matter of two thousand pounds would not induce them to divert his Majesty from making good that precious Donation which by the Example of his Father of never-dying memory he had solemnly devoted to God and his Church such an eximious Act of Piety as is not to be countervalued with two or twenty thousand pounds of any earthly Treasure But whatsoever they knew or knew not of his Majesty's own pious Resolution and constant Purpose never to revoke that which he hath once given unto God I rest so confident as I dare pawn my Life upon it that when he did sign those Letters of Sir John Bathe's he had not the least intimation given unto him that this did any way cross that former Gift which he made unto the Church upon so great and mature deliberation as being grounded upon the Advice first of the Commissioners sent into Ireland then of the Lords of the Council upon their report in England thirdly of King James that ever blessed Father of the Church and lastly of the Commissioners for Irish Affairs unto whom for the last debating and conclusion of this business I was by his now Majesty referr'd my self at my being in England I know Sir John and his Counsel do take notice of all those Reasons that may seem to make any way for themselves But your Lordships may do well to consider that such Letters as these have come before now wherein Rectories have been expresly named and those general Non obstantes also put which are usual in this kind and yet notwithstanding all this his Majesty intimateth unto you in his last Letters that he will take a time to examine those Proceedings and punish those that then had so little regard to the particular and direct expression of his Royal Pleasure for the disposing of the Impropriations to the general benefit of the Church Which whether it carrieth not with it a powerful Non obstante to that surreptious Grant now in question I hold it more safe for your Lordships to take Advice among your selves than from any other bodies Counsel who think it their Duty to speak any thing for their Clients Fee As for the want of Attestation wherewith the credit of the Copy of a Letter transmitted unto you is laboured to be impaired If the Testimony of my Lord of London who procured it and the Bishop Elect of Kilfennora who is the bringer of it and of a Dean and an Arch-Deacon now in Ireland who themselves saw it will not suffice it will not be many days in all likelihood before the Original it self shall be presented to your Lordships In the mean time I desire and more than desire if I may presume to go so far that your Lordships will stay your hands from passing Sir John Bathe's Patent until my Lord of London himself shall signifie his Majesties further Pleasure unto you in this Particular And it my Zeal hath carried me any way further than Duty would require I beseech your Lordships to consider that I deal in a Cause that highly concerneth the good of the Church unto which I profess I owe my whole self and therefore craving Pardon for this my Boldness I humbly take leave and rest still to continue Your Lordships in all dutiful Observance J. A. Droghedah April the 3d 1630. Instructions given to Mr. Dean Lesly April 5. 1630. for the stopping of Sir John Bathe's Patent 1. YOU are to inform your self whether Sir John Bathe's Patent be already sealed and if it be whether it were done before Saturday which was the day wherein I received and answered the Lords Justices Letters touching this business and at which time they signified the Patent was as yet unpast and use all speedy means that the Patent may not be delivered into Sir John Bathes hands before you be heard to speak what you can against it and if that also be done I authorize you to signifie unto the Lords Justices that I must and will complain against them to his Sacred Majesty 2. You are to go unto Sir James Ware the younger from me and enquire of him whether he gave any Certificate unto my Lord Treasurer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the King had not of Temporal Lands the annual Rent of 300 l. to grant in reversion but that of necessity must be supplied with the Grant of the reversion of Tithes impropriate And withal learn
he gave and it gives me much content that I was the means of it And now for the Bargain which you mention of Ancient Coins to the number of 5500 I cannot upon the sudden say any things for my own Purse is too shallow and my Lords the Duke of Buckingham and the Earl of Pembrook are dead You say they are a great Bargain at 600 l. I pray therefore if you have so much Interest in the Seller send me word as soon as you can how many Ounces the Gold Coin comes unto and how many the Silver and then I shall be able to judg of the Copper and then upon my return to those your Letters I will give you answer where I can find any noble Spirit that will deal for them or no. You may judg by these Letters I am not in haste but indeed I am and yet in the fulness of my Business more troubled a great deal that I cannot remedy what I see amiss than at any disproportion between the weakness of my Shoulder and the weight of my Load Let me have your Prayers and in them and God's Grace I shall rest Your Grace's very loving Friend and Brother Guil. London Fulham-house July 5. 1630. LETTER CLXVII A Letter from the King's Council in Ireland to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh After our very hearty Commendations to your Lordship HIS Majesty by his Letters of the 5th of June last hath been graciously pleased to signify unto us that it hath pleased God of his infinite Grace and Goodness to vouchsafe his Majesty a Son and us a Prince born at the Palace of St. James's the 29th day of May last A Copy of which Letters together with some of the Prayers framed in England upon this occasion and lately imprinted here we have thought fit to send you here inclosed that by timely order from you the same may be communicated unto your Clergy as to those who with all Duty and loving Affection will embrace whatsoever may make for the prosperous advancement of the Publick Good wherein all of us have Interest The Joy and Gladness we apprehend in this great Blessing hath justly moved as to set apart one Day to be jointly and unanimously celebrated as a Festival throughout the whole Kingdom in expression of the thankfulness due from us all upon this happy occasion which Day we have resolved shall be the 15th Day of this Instant whereof we give your Lordship notice to the end you may cause the same to be notified to your Clergy and that on that day there be publick Prayers Thanksgivings and Sermons in the several Churches of your Diocess and that the said Prayers be then publickly read in the time of Divine Service and that afterwards ringing of Bells making of Bone-fires and all other expressions of Joy may be made to testify the general Joy and Gladness of that Day And we pray and require you to be with us here at that time to the end all of us who are partakers of this Benefit may join in the Solemnities of this intended Festival And so we bid your Lordship very heartily farewel From his Majesty's Castle of Dublin July 5. 1630. Your Lordship 's very loving Friends A. Loftus Canc. R. Corke Grandison Hen. Valentia W. Caulfeild Hen. Docwra Fra. Mountnorris W. Shurley W. Parsons J. Erskyne Cha. Coote Thory Duttoy Ad. Loftus LETTER CLXVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend William Bedell Bishop of Kilmore to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh at his House at Termonfeckin Most Reverend Father my Honourable good Lord I Cannot easily express what contentment I received at my late being with your Grace at Termonfeckin There had nothing hapned to me I will not say since I came into Ireland but as far as I can call to remembrance in my whole Life which did so much affect me in this kind as the hazard of your good Opinion For loving and honouring you in Truth for the Truth 's sake which is in us and shall abide with us for ever without any private Interest and receiving so unlooked for a blow from your own hand which I expected should have tenderly applied some Remedy to me being smitten by others I had not present the defences of Reason and Grace And although I knew it to be a fault in my self since in the performance of our Duties the judgment of our Master even alone ought to suffice us yet I could not be so much Master of mine Affections as to cast out this weakness But blessed be God which as I began to say at my being with you refreshed my Spirit by your kind renewing and confirming your love to me And all humble thanks to you that gave me place to make my defence and took upon you the cognizance of mine Innocency And as for mine Accuser whose hatred I have incurred only by not giving way to his covetous desire of heaping Living upon Living to the evident damage not only of other Souls committed to me but of his own Truly I am glad and do give God thanks that his Malignicy which a while masked it self in the pretence of Friendship hath at last discovered it self by publick opposition It hath not and I hope it shall not be in his power to hurt me at all he hath rather shamed himself and although his high Heart cannot give his Tongue leave to acknowledg his Folly his Understanding is not so weak and blind as not to see it Whom I could be very well content to leave to taste the Fruit of it also without being further trouble some to your Grace save that I do not despair but your Grace's Authority will pull him out of the Snare of Satan whose Instrument he hath been to cross the Work of God and give me more occasion of joy by his amendment than I had grief by his perversion and opposition Your Grace's Letters of August 23. were not delivered to me till the â—9th In the mean space what effect those that accompanied them had with Mr. Dean you shall perceive by the inclosed which were sent me the 28th the Evening before our Communion I answered them the next Morning as is here annexed As I was at the Lord's Table beginning the Service of the Communion before the Sermon he came in and after the Sermon was done those that communicated not being departed he stood forth and spoke to his purpose That where as the Book of Common Prayer requires that before the Lord's Supper if there be any 〈…〉 there should be to conciliation this was 〈…〉 because they all knew that there was been 〈…〉 he did profess that he 〈…〉 no 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 me in any thing he was â—orry I answered That he had good reason to be sorry considering how he had behaved himself For my part I bare him no malice and if it were in my power would not make so much as his finger ake Grieved I had been that he in whom I knew there
Treatise de tribus Symbolis as any thing else which cometh from your learned Pen be pleased I pray you so soon as it is printed to send it unto my Son-in-law Mr. John Attwood Counsellor at Law in Grays-Inn who will speedily hasten it unto me unto whom likewise I intreat your Lordship to deliver the Key of my Study lest when I come to Town I should miss of it if your Lordship go into the Country Thus with remembrance of my ever bounden Respects I take my leave remaining as ever Your Lordships truly devoted Friend and Servant Pat. Young Broomefield the 25th of June 1647. LETTER CCXX A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to D. Fredericus Spanhemius Admodum Reverendo in Christo Fratri D. Frederico Spanhemio Academiae Lugduno-Batavae pro tempore Rectori dignissimo Leydam ET tuam de gratiâ disputationem uberrimam funebrem Aransicani Principis laudationem accepi Spanhemi Charissime atque in utraque tum ingenii acumen tum facundiam singularem perspexi admiratus sum Quas tamen dotes in priore argumento adversus communes Gratiae adversarios intendendas multò magis optavissem quà m adversus amicos idem bellum adversus Pelagianos Semipelagianos nobiscum professos licet in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 circumstantiis quibusdam nonnihil dissidentes de quâ controversiâ quaenam moderatiorum apud nos Theologorum fuerat sententia ex inclusâ doctissimi Davenantii 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 schedulâ poteris cognoscere Pro amplioribus vero donariis illis tuis de Symbolis dissertatiunculam meam tibi remitto munus sanè levidense sed quod tu ex mittentis affectu aestimabis si tanti videbitur D. Salmasio D. Heinsio Jo. Latio ac D. Riveto quoque si commode poteris communicabis plurimam illis salutem verbis meis nunciabis Tuus in Christo Frater 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 J. U. A. Scripsi Lundini xiv Kal. Sextilis Juliani Anno M. DC XLVII LETTER CCXXI A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Learned Johannes Gerardus Vossius Viro Clarissimo Johanni Gerardo Vossio Historiarum apud Amstelodamenses Professori celeberrimo Vir Eximie QUod post acceptos eruditissimos tuos de Diis Gentium Commentarios qui in Mythici Temporis Chronico quod ante multos Annos congesseram recognoscendo mihi magno fuerant usui nihil hactenus ad te rescripserim etsi culpâ liberare me nequeam excusationem tamen asserere possum aliquam non justam illam quidem sed quam humanitati tuae aliquantulùm probari posse non diffidam Subitò incendio tempore illo correpta est nostra Hibernia quod nedum deflagravit sed serpit quotidiè potiùs adaugescit In eo praeter calamitatem publicam Religionis Reformatae Professorum lanienam post homines natos immanissimam crudelissimam externis istis bonis quae appellantur exutus sum omnibus solâ Bibliothecâ è flammis illis ereptâ à quâ ipsâ tamen ad hunc usque diem etiam exulo Exceperunt enim me deinde novi in Angliâ furores qui me Oxonio in Cambriam depulerunt ubi per integrum XVIII Septimanarum spatium gravissimo afflictus morbo aegerrimè tandem ex ipsis quodammodo sepulchri faucibus summâ Dei Misericordiâ sum revocatus Quomodò Londini posteà acceptus fuerim commemorare non libet Neque priorum illorum malorum omnino meminissem nisi ut inde intelligeretur quae animum meum necessitas à literarum literatorum omnium consortio hucusque penè alienaverit Ubi vero primum colligere me caepi ut illam neglecti in te colendo officii culpam aliquo pacto expiarem brevem hanc de Symbolis notissimâ tibi materiâ dissertationem tuo nomini inscribere visum fuit in quâ quia deinceps te alloquor hic finio totus tuus maneo De Mariano Scoto edendo nùm omnem cogitationem abjeceris admodum scire aveo J. U. A. Londini xiii Kalend. Augusti Anno M. DC XLVII LETTER CCXXII A Letter from the Reverend Dr. Barlow now Bishop of Lincoln to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord I Did receive by the hands of Mr. Tozer your Grace's Tract de Symbolis for which great Honour done unto me this piece of Paper comes to return my most humble and hearty Thanks I confess I have ever been inquisitive after your Grace's Writings and thought my self happy when I had found them for I was never deceived in my Expectation but ever found old Orthodox Truth maintained upon just and carrying Grounds which elsewhere I have often sought but seldom found I wish Vossius in putting out and composing his Tract de tribus Symbolis had used the same Judgment and Diligence your Grace hath done in this For tho your Grace be pleased to give that Tract of his a civil Commendation yet 't is undeniably the most indigested thing that ever Vossius put out And here well knowing your Lordship's unparallell'd Skill in Antiquity and your Candor and Willingness to communicate your Knowledg to the Benfit of others I shall take the boldness humbly to desire your Grace's Opinion concerning the 13 Can. of the Council of Ancyra the words are these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I find no various reading in any Greek Copies Balsamon Zonaras Tilius Justellus c. all agreeing only Salmasius Apparatu ad lib. de Primatu pag. 78. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And it seems Dionysius Exiguus reads it so too The Latin Translations make it quite another thing than the Greek imports as your Lordship may see by those two Translations in Grabb followed by the rest and that of Justellus in his Codex Can. Ecclesiae Universae pag. 2. which runs thus Chorepiscopis non licere Presbyteros vel Diaconos ordinare Sed nec Presbyteris Civitatis sine literis Episcopi in alienâ Parochià aliquid agere Where Justellus adds these two last words Aliquid agere as if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or some such thing were in the Greek which I find not I confess Fulg. Ferrandus in Breviat Cano. Can. 92. reads it as Justellus Ut Presbyteri Givitatis sine jussu Episcopi nihil jubeant nec in unaquaque Parochiâ aliquid agant tho the Greek is otherwise and the old Latin Translation vid. Cod. Can. veterem Ecclesiae Romanae Mogunt 1525. postea Par. 1609. agrees exactly with the Greek So then the sense of the Can. seems to be this That the Chorepiscopi and Presbyteri civitatis may not ordain Priests or Deacons without Commission from the Bishop but with it they may Here first I shall make no question but the Chorepiscopi might ordain with Licence first had from the Bishop for tho it hath been the general opinion of the World that the Chorepiscopi were only Simplices Presbyteri
antiquitatem discernendam plurimùm conducit cum hisce editionibus cum aliis Veterum sive translationibus sive paraphrasibus consimilis facta collatio Sed de Criteriis illis jam non agitur quibus Vatiantium textus Hebraici lectionum discriminari possit vel praestantia vel antiquitas unde petendae illae sint quantùmque vel augendae vel minuendae tota inter nos vertitur quaestio In qua tractanda si occurrent aliqua quae minus tibi arrideant da quaeso libertati huic meae veniam ab homine nominis honoris tui ut ex animo anteà ad te scripsi studiosissimo profecta ea omnia esse cogita Vale. Ja. Usserius Armachanus LETTER CCLXVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend Brain Duppa Bishop of Salisbury to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord I Humbly thank you for that excellent Piece of Origen against Celsus which though in my younger days I had met withall in Latin yet I never saw it in his own Language till now And indeed the Book hath been a double Feast to me for besides my first course which is Origen himself I find in the same Volume that piece of Gregory his Scholar which was wrote by way of Panegyrick of him and hath served me instead of a Banquet But besides that which the Ancients have done of whom many have been liberal in this Argument either by way of Praise or of Apology I find in some Notes that I have taken the mention of two more modern Apologists for him the one Jo. Picus of Mirandula the other more obscure to me for I have not otherwise met him cited Jacobus Merlinus If the latter of these be in your Lordship's Judgment worth the reading and in your power to communicate and impart to me I beseech you to afford it me for a time for Origen hath had so many Enemies that I cannot in charity pass by his Friends without seeing what they can say in his defence I have something else to be a Suitor for and that is your Lordship 's own Book I dare not beg it of you for this is no time for you to be a giver I shall only desire the loan of it that I may have a fuller view than I had from that which I borrowed from Sir Edward Leech I beseech you my Lord pardon this boldness of mine which your own Goodness hath made me guilty of I have no more to trouble your Lordship withal but only to remain Your Lordship 's most humble Servant Br. Sarum Richm. Octob. 20. LETTER CCLXIX Viro Admodum Venerando Doctrina Pietate insigniter Eminenti Domino Jacobo Usserio Archiepiscopo Armachano meritissimo c. Plurimam in Christo salutem precat Gothofredus Hotton QUòd ego homo peregrinus id fiduciae sumo ut hoc quicquid sit literarum ad Tuam venerandam Dignitatem exarare mittereque ausim illud ipsum est Praesul Excellentissime quod principio humillimè deprecor Nec certè eò prorupissem ni Nobilissimus juxta atque longè Eruditissimus Vir Dominus Junius Tuarum Virtutum cultor animum addidisset mihi dubitanti promissâ nimirum à bonitate Tuâ culpae meae si qua subsit pronâ promptâ veniâ At quâ de re Te Vir Reverendissime primum epistolâ hac meâ appellem utique Evangelicus Praeco Dei Gratiâ cum sim de rebus quae studia Theologiae mea concernunt si Tecum paucis agam id forsan Tuâ meaque cura non videbitur indignum Vidit nec prorsus ut spero improbavit Tua Excellentia ea quae ante paucisimos annos de Tolerantia inter Europaeos Evangelicos in Charitate stabilienda libello consignavi evulgavique In iis pacis cogitationibus me adhuc totum esse in ardes scere sciant volo quotquot sunt Pacis Filii ubi ubi reperiantur Qua ratione vero illuc consilii venerim non in consultum fortassis erit si Reverendae Tuae Dignitati brevibus aperiam Monasterii Westphalorum ubi eo tempore congregabant Europae plurimi Proceres de pace consulturi atque acturi consilia agitari inter malè affectos mihi secreto tunc temporis relatum est de Reformatis à pace Imperii excludendis èo quòd ut illi opinabantur non essent Augustanae Confessionis socii Nec relatum est duntaxat à nostratium qui ibidem erant primariis sed significatum insuper summè necessarium esse ut quam ejus fieri posset citissimè aliquid remedii huic malo adhiberetur Qua monitione ego animosior mea sorte factus haec qualia-qualia mea in chartam festinanter conjeci et ter Descripsi festinantiùs Et descripta illa tria exemplaria misi unum ad ipsam Sueciae Reginam Alterum ad Plenipotentiarios quos jam vocant Principum Lutheranorum dicto loco coactos ad Reformatorum Tertium suppresso obscuri ignoti Authoris nomine Quid factum eam his conatibus dedit Deus pacis benedictionem ut melioribus mollioribusque consiliis à Primatibus Monasterii operantibus locus datus sit Articulusque Instrumento Pacis insertus fuerit quo cautum est ex aequo libertati securitati Reformatorum in Imperio atque Lutheranorum quod nunquam antea ita solemniter fuerat factum Factum praeterea ut aliquis qui solus Authorem norat inter Primores Authoris nomen contra ejus mèntem revelaverit unde ipsi aliqua necessitas imposita fuit Tractatum suum typis edendi Editus ergo est sed prima vice sine nomine postea cum nomine mandante id nostrarum Gallobelgicarum Ecclesiarum in his Provinciis Synodo Dordrechti eo temporis articulo coacta ut apparet ex approbatione Synodali quae libello Gallica lingua concepta praefigitur Ex illo tempore quamplurimae in nostra Reformatione Societates in iis societatibus magni Viri calculo suo ista mea Moderationis conamina approbare voluerunt reipsa missis ad eam rem suis literis concorditer approbavêre Ea porro publica approbatoria hortatoria Testimonia sequenti anno cum bono Deo juris publici facere mihi decretum est idque de communi consilio facturus sum nempe ut ex una parte malè feriatis quibusdam os obthuretur ansa praeripiatur cavillandi calumniandi ex altera verò ut via apud bonos per bonos muniatur strictioris inter partes vinculi de quo successu spes mihi non mediocris surgit ut ex praesentium exhibitore amicissimo tua excellentia intelligere poterit Me beares Virorum Optime rem faceres fortassis te dignam Reipublicae Christianae non inutilem si his Ecclesiarum nostrarum suffragiis Tuum maximi in iis ponderis testimonium addere dignaveris quod à Tua bonitate etiam atque etiam efflagitare audeo Deus Ter Optimus
gravissimis studiis occupatum tam molesto labore mei causâ defungi velim Sed si quis fortè apud vos studiosus eum librum tuâ causâ conferre voluerit cum vulgatis editionibus aut si quis fortasse jam contulit rogo ut varias lectiones mecum communices Ego vicissim tibi spondeo honorificam mentionem et Tui ejus qui hanc operam subierit in meis annotationibus me esse facturum Vale Vir Clarissime omnium Anglorum doctissime Tibi addictissimus Henr. Valesius Lutetiae Parisiorum iii Nonas Decemb. An. Christi 1654. LETTER CCXCV. A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Learned Henricus Valesius Viro doctissimo D. Henrico Valesio Vir Clarissime EUsebium nostrum tandèm salvum ad te pervenisse gaudeo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 illas longè antequà m Genevensis editio lucem aspexit à D. Henrico Savilio in eo fuisse annotatas tibi confirmare possum Quem ex proprio Manuscripto suo eas se desumpsisse nòn semel dixisse mihi memini Et alio hic quà m Christophorsoni codice eum fuisse usum Tam ex lacunis in libris de vitâ Constantini suppletis quam ex appendice ad finem Theodoreti historiae adjectâ tutè poteris cognoscere Pervolutaverat diligenter per aliquot annos magnus ille vir tùm Pontificiam Vaticanam tùm Viennensem Imperatoriam tùm Vincentii Pinelli aliorum tunc temporis clarorum Italorum privatas Bibliothecas ex quibus rariora quaeque suâ manu descripta in patriam secum detulit Quorum nonnulla ipse quoque in libello de anno solari veterum Macedonum commemoro Quanto verò studio omnia omnium locorum scrinia libraria ad perficiendum suum Chrysostomum rimatus ille fuerit quis ignorat Cujus editionem ad Rempub. Augustanam missam quùm Marcus Velserus primum usurpasset oculis sublatis exclamâsse fertur Nil â—riturum alias nil ortum tale fatemur Ne quis ad humile quid vulgare demittere illum se potuisse existimet sed qualiscumque demum codex noster fuerit arbitratu tuo uti eo tibi licebit donèc Eusebii tui tantopere desideratam editionem absolveris Interea nostrum ad te mitto de LXX Interpretum Versione Syntagma Ex quo Patricium Junium jamdudum vitâ esse functum intelliges Te autèm diu adhuc superstitem conservet summus ille Deus in quo viviâ—us movemur sumus quod secundis votis ab eo expetit Tui amantissimus J. U. A. Junii die 15 25 Anno 1655. LETTER CCXCVI. A Letter from Dr. Barlow now Bishop of Lincoln to the most Reverend James Usher late Arch-bishop of Armagh My good Lord IN obedience to your Grace's Command I have made search for those Books in the Passages in them which you enquired after and in answer to your Queries I do hereby make this return Q. 1. For the first Query Whether in 1 Chron. 1. Cainan be in both places in the Moscovitical Translation Sol. Be pleased to know that 1 Chron. 1. 18. the Biblia Moscovitica have not Kainan between Arphaxad and Sala as the Septuagint have For whereas in the LXX 't is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Moscovitical Translation hath only thus leaving Kainan out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arphaxad begot Sala and Sala begot Eber. But ver 24. of the same Chapter the LXX Translators and the Moscovite agree and both have Kainan For as it is in the Septuagint 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So in the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. the Sons of Sem Arphaxad Kainan Sala Q. 2. For the second Query concerning the Passage in Genebrard be pleased to know that Genebrard in Epistolâ ad Lectorem Psalmis praefixâ justifying the Septuagint against the Hebrew as the Masorites have made it with Points and Distinctions he hath these words Masoretas versus confudisse ac misâ—uisse ut proinde metrica veterum Carminum ratio periret quae tempore Septuaginta integra erat Quod sane extra Poëtas aliquando accidit Ut. 2. Paral. 30. versu 18. qui clauditur per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pro. ut proinde Kimchi eum in sequentem extendat Pro omni qui cor suum praeparat c. Q. 3. For the third Query Whether in Ptolomy's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Manuscript Copies Be pleased to know that I have consulted two excellent Manuscripts and 't is in both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Q. 4. For the fourth Query Whether it be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I have consulted two Manuscripts now in my custody and they very fair ones in the first and more ancient Manuscript in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 under the Title of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we read thus 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So it is writ in the Manuscript where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is manifestly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For 1. So he writes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Manuscript pag. 42. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Manuscript pag. 271. 2. And in the same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 55. of the Kings of Egypt having named one Ptolomy Evergetes then Ptolomi's more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do immediatly follow and next after them another Ptolomy Evergetes thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So. pag. 231. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is writ thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. And in the other Manuscripts which is later t is distinctly writ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So that I conceive that 't is beyond all question that it must be read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Q. 5. For the last Question Whether the Doxology be in the Lord's Prayer in the Moscovitical Translation I can return no answer satisfactory for though I know the Character and can read the Language and so may know the proper Names which are contained in all Languages yet not understanding the Language I cannot assure you that the Doxology is there In our ancient Saxon Manuscript of Gospels the Doxology is wanting both in Matth. 6. 9. and Luke 11. 1. In Matthew the Lord's Prayer ends thus 7 ne gelaede þu us on costnunge ac alys us of yfle soðlice i. e. And lead thou us not into temptation but free us truly from evil 'T is the same in Luke only the word soðlice is not there So it is also in Fox's printed Copy of the Saxon. The Doxology is wanting also in an old Latin Manuscript of the Gospels in Saxon Letters both in Matthew and Luke My Duty and humble Service remembred I beg your Grace's Benenediction and Pardon for the rude
JACOBUS USSERIUS ARCHIEPISCOPUS ARMACHANUS TOTIUS HIBERNIAE PRIMAS London Printed for Nath Ranew and Ionat Robinson at the Kings Armes in S. Pauls church yard 1676 THE LIFE Of the Most Reverend Father in GOD JAMES USHER Late Lord Arch-Bishop OF ARMAGH Primate and Metropolitan of all IRELAND With a Collection of Three Hundred LETTERS between the said Lord Primate and most of the Eminentest Persons for Piety and Learning in his time both in England and beyond the Seas Collected and published from Original Copies under their own hands by RICHARD PARR D. D. his Lordships Chaplain at the time of his Death with whom the care of all his Papers were intrusted by his Lordship LONDON Printed for NATHANAEL RANEW at the Kings-Arms in St. Pauls Church-Yard MDCL XXXVI THE PREFACE WHEN the Son of Syrach undertook to recount the Famous Men of Old and record their Worth and Renown he says of them That they were Men of Knowledge Wise and Eloquent in their Instructions that of these there are who have left behind them a Name beloved of God and good Men whose Memorials are Blessed honoured in their Generation being the Glory of their times whose Righteousness shall not be forgotten and although their Bodies be buried yet their Names shall live for Ever And as in the former so likewise in these latter Days there have been many Men of excellent Endowments for Wisdom and Learning for Piety and all other eminent Vertues whose Memorials are with us in Church and State Among these of the first Rank this admirable Primate James Usher whose Life we are about to relate ought to be reckoned whether we consider him as he was indeed a profound Scholar exactly skilled in all sorts of Learning Divine and Humane or as a Person of unfeigned Piety and exemplary Vertue and Conversation or as a Subject of steady and unmoveable Loyalty to his Sovereign Prince or as a Clergy Man in all his Capacity from a Presbyter to a Bishop and Primate So that I think of him it may be as truly said as of St. Augustine with a kind of Admiration O Virum ad totius Ecclesiae publicam utilitatem natum factum datúmque divinitùs This Character his Writings have justly purchased him among the best and most Learned whether of these or other Nations whose Encomiums of him are too many and large for this Place let me therefore include all in that of a memorable Bishop of our Church who upon the Receipt of the Primates Book de Primordiis thus writes of him I may truly say that the Church hereafter will owe as much Reverence to his Memory as we of this present Age ought to pay to his Person And therefore when we have before us a subject of so Eminent Dignity we shall no need Apology for reviving the Memory of this incomparable Prelate and collecting such materials from his Life his Papers and the Informations of Wise and Knowing Men as may render him as well useful to future Ages in his Example as a Person truly Illustrious in himself 1. But perhaps it may be a needless attempt to write again the Life and Actions of this incomparable Primate seeing it hath been performed already by several Persons 2. And likewise it may be demanded how it comes to my share and what were the enducements to undertake this Province 1. To the first I say that though Dr. Bernard in the Sermon be Preached at the Funerals of the Lord Primate hath said many worthy things of him truly which we have reason to believe having the joynt Testimonies from Persons of Worth and unquestionable Credit who had been acquainted with this great and good Man for many years both in England and Ireland and must go along with the Dr. a good way in reciting many material passages contained in the said Sermon yet I take leave to say that he hath omitted very many remarkable things which perhaps either slipt his Memory or came not at all under his observation or because that those then in Power would not indure that any thing should be said of the Primate which might reflect upon that Usurpation Therefore we thought it needful to make up those defects by adding such Remarks as are wanting in that Description and likewise to rectifie the mistakes of those Writers of the Lord Primates Life who Writing after Dr. Bernard's Copy are deficient also in their Accounts and lyable to Question in some instances 2. If it be demanded how it comes to my share to revive the Memory of this great Man and to undertake the Task To this I say that I waited and heartily wished to see if any Person better Qualified than my self being sensible of my own weakness would engage himself in this Affair to whom I would most readily have Communicated those Materials and Observations which I had gathered together and lay by me for a long time but at length perceiving it not likely to be undertaken I was perswaded by those who have a prevailing Power with me to take upon me this Task and to acquaint the World with my own Observations touching this most Reverend Primate Usher whom I had the Advantage of any Man now living to know for I had the Blessing of an intimate Acquaintance with his Person and Affairs by my Attendance on him during the last thirteen years of his Life So that I may be thought capable to give a considerable Account not only of the Lord Primates particular Disposition and heavenly Conversation but likewise of those Passages and Performances of which I was an Eye Witness and may confidently relate upon mine own Knowledge This is the thing I undertake to perform especially in that part of the History of his Life and Actions from the year 1642 to the time of his Death 1655. But not withstanding my long experience of this excellent Person and what I had collected from several passages in Letters and by conference with those who made Observations yet I had not the confidence to attempt this work by my own strength or skill without Counsel and Help therefore when I had drawn together the Memorials I consulted with Persons of better understandign than my self with request to correct and amend what was misplaced or not well expressed and to remind me of any remarkable passage that had escaped my Memory And the assistance I had in this kind was administred by that Learned and Judicious Gentleman James Tyrrell Esq Grandson to the Lord Primate one as deeply concerned for the honour of his Grandfather as can be he became helpful to me in hinting many passages touching his Grandfather which he tho then young had himself observed and had heard from Persons of great Worth and Credit and of the Primates familiar Acquaintance We also owe unto him the account given of the Lord Primates Printed Works both of the time and occasion of Writing them and subject matter treated on as the Reader will perceive in the following History
England and elsewhere Containing likewise divers choice matters relating to the great Controversies of those times concerning the keeping of Easter as also divers things relating to the Ecclesiastical Discipline and Jurisdiction of the Church of that Kingdom very worthy the taking notice of And I suppose about this time if not before he contracted a more intimate acquaintance with the Reverend Dr. Laud Lord Bishop of London who had for some time managed the most considerable Affairs both in Church and State And I find by divers of his Letters to the Lord Primate as well whilst he was Bishop of London as after he was advanced to the See of Canterbury that there was scarce any thing of moment concluded on or any considerable Preferment bestowed by his Majesty in the Church of Ireland without his advice and approbation which you may see by some Letters in this ensuing Collection which we have selected from divers others of lesser moment as fittest for publick view but the L. Primate always made use of his interest with the said Arch-Bishop and other great men at Court not for his own private advantage but for the common good of the Church by opposing and hindering divers Grants and Patents to some great men and Courtiers who had under-hand obtained the same and particularly he caused a Patent made to a Person of Quality of the Scotch Nation in Ireland of several Tythes to be called in and vacuated his Majesty being deceived in his Grant who would not have done any thing prejudicial to the Church had he been rightly informed of the nature of the thing and the Lord Primate was so much concerned for a competent maintenance for the Clergy in that Kingdom that he had some years before this obtained a Grant of a Patent from his Majesty to be passed in his own name though for the use of the Church of such impropriations belonging to the Crown as were then Leased out as soon as they should fall which though it did not succeed being too much neglected by those who were concerned more immediately yet it sufficiently shews my Lord's pious intentions in this matter About this time there was a Letter sent over from his late Anno 1634 Majesty to the Lord Viscount Wentworth then Lord Deputy and the Council of Ireland for determining the precedency of the Arch-Bishop of Armagh and Arch-Bishop of Dublin in respect of their Sees the latter making some pretence unto it therefore in regard of a Parliament intended by his Majesty shortly to meet it was thought fit for order's sake that controversie should be decided before their meeting In order to which he was commanded by the Lord Deputy to reduce into writing what he knew upon that subject But he not desiring to engage in so invidious an argument and which so nearly concerned himself and which he did not desire to have stirred did what he could to decline it but being still further urged and commanded to do it he did at last though unwillingly write a short and learned discourse full of excellent remarks wherein he proved the Antiquity and Primacy of his See to have preceded that of Dublin divers Ages which discourse being sent over into England the precedency was determined by his Majesty on his side as afterwards by another Letter from his Majesty and Council here he had also without his seeking the precedency given him of the Lord Chancellor which he being above such trifles were not at all able to elate him At the opening of the following Parliament he preached before the Lord Deputy Lords and Commons at St. Patrick's Dublin his Text was Genes 49. 10. The Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his feet till Shiloh come and to him shall the gathering of the People be And in the Convocation which was now Assembled the Lord Primate at the instrance of the Lord Deputy and Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury thought fit to propose That to express the agreement of the Church of Ireland with that of England both in Doctrine and Discipline the Thirty Nine Articles should be received by the Church of Ireland which Proposal was thereupon consented to by both Houses of Convocation and the said Articles were declared to be the Confession of Faith of the Church of Ireland but without abrogating or excluding the former Articles made 1615 either by that Convocation or Parliament as two several Writers of those times viz. a Church and Civil Historian have without ground reported them to be And though the latter was at last brought to confess his Error of their being Repealed by Autority of Parliament yet he still insisted That the reception of the Articles of the Church of England though it be not an express yet is a tacite annulling of the former instancing in the Old Covenant which St. Paul proves to be abrogated by the giving of a New which were a good Argument if the Articles of the Church of England were as inconsistent with those of Ireland as those two Covenants are with each other but if they differ no more than the Nicene does from the Apostles Creed which though it contains more yet does not Annul the former then without doubt the receiving of the Articles of the Church of England was no abrogation of those of Ireland But since it is not my design to write Controversies I shall not enter farther into this Argument but shall leave the Reader to consider whether the instances brought by the Historian to prove the Articles of these two Churches to be inconsistent are convincing or not and shall say no more on this ungrateful subject but that it is highly improbable that the Lord Primate should be so outwitted by the Lord Deputy or his Chaplains as the Historian makes him to have been in this affair but that he very well understood the Articles of both Churches and did then know that they were so far from being inconsistent or contradictory to each other that he thought the Irish Articles did only contain the Doctrine of the Church of England more fully or else he would never have been so easily perswaded to an Act which would amount to a Repeal of those Articles which as hath been already said he himself made and drew up And for a farther proof that this was the sense not only of himself but of most of the rest of the Bishops at that time they always at all Ordinations took the subscription of the Party Ordained to both Articles the Articles of England not being received instead but with those of Ireland as Dr. Bernard hath informed us which course was continued by the Lord Primate and most part of the Bishops till the confusion of that Church by the Irish Rebellion And if at this day the subscription to the Thirty Nine Articles be now only required of the Clergy of that Kingdom I suppose it is purely out of prudential considerations that any divine or other person of that
Church may still either by preaching or writing maintain any point of Doctrine contained in those Articles without being either Heterodox or Irregular It was likewise reported and has been since written by some with the like truth that the Lord Primate should have some dispute with Dr. Bramhall then Bishop of London-Derry concerning these Articles Whereas the contest between the Lord Primate and that Bishop was not about the Articles but the Book of Canons which were then to be established for the Church of Ireland and which the Bishop of Derry would have to be passed in the very same form and words with those in England which the Lord Primate with divers other of the Bishops opposed as somewhat prejudicial to the Liberties of the Church of Ireland and they so far prevailed herein that it was at last concluded That the Church of Ireland should not be tyed to that Book but that such Canons should be selected out of the same and such others added thereunto as the present Convocation should judge fit for the Government of that Church which was accordingly performed as any man may see that will take the pains to compare the two Books of the English and Irish Canons together And what the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury's judgment was on this affair you may see in a Letter of his to the Lord Primate published in this Collection About the end of this year the Lord Primate published his Anno 1639 long expected work entitled Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates In which also is inserted a History of Pelagius and his Heresie which Work I suppose my Lord kept so long unpublished because he still found fresh matter to add to it as you may see by the many Additions and Emendations at the latter end of it and as it was long in coming out so it did fully answer expectation when it came abroad into the World being the most exact account that ever yet was given of the British Church beginning with the earliest notices we can find in Ancient Authors of any credit concerning the first planting of Christianity in these Islands within twenty years after our Saviour's Crucifixion and bringing it down with the Succession of Bishops as far as they could be retreived not only in our Britain but in Ireland also as far as towards the end of the VII Century collected out of the best Authors either Printed or Manuscript and is so great a Treasure of this kind of Learning that all that have writ since with any success on this subject must own themselves beholding to him for his elaborate Collections The Lord Primate having now sate Arch-Bishop sixteen years Anno 1640 with great satisfaction and benefit to the Church about the beginning of this year came into England with his Wife and Family intending to stay here a year or two about his private Affairs and then to return again But it pleased God to disappoint him in those resolutions for he never saw his native Country again not long after his coming to London when he had kissed his Majesty's hand and been received by him with his wonted favour he went to Oxford as well to be absent from those heats and differences which then happened in that short Parliament as also with greater freedom to pursue his Studies in the Libraries there where he was accommodated with Lodgings in Christ-Church by Dr. Morice Canon of that House and Hebrew Professor and whilst he was there he conversed with the most Learned Persons in that famous University who used him with all due respect whilst he continued with them so after he had resided there some time he returned again to London where after the sitting of that long and unhappy Parliament he made it his business as well by preaching as writing to exhort them to Loyalty and Obedience to their Prince endeavouring to the utmost of his power to heal up those breaches and reconcile those differences that were ready to break out both in Church and State though it did not meet with that success he always desired This year there was published at Oxford among divers other Treatises of Bishop Andrews Mr. Hooker and other Learned men Anno 1641 concerning Church Government the Lord Primate's Original of Bishops and Metropolitans wherein he proves from Scripture as also the most Ancient Writings and Monuments of the Church that they owe their original to no less Authority than that of the Apostles and that they are the Stars in the right hand of Christ Apoc. 2. So that there was never any Christian Church founded in the Primitive Times without Bishops which discourse was not then nor I suppose ever will be answered by those of a contrary judgment That unhappy dispute between his Majesty and the two Houses concerning his passing the Bill for the Earl of Strafford's Attainder now arising and he much perplexed and divided between the clamour of a discontented People and an unsatisfied Conscience thought fit to advise with some of his Bishops what they thought he ought to do in point of Conscience as he had before consulted his Judges in matter of Law among which his Majesty thought fit to make choice of the Lord Primate for one though without his seeking or knowledge but since some men either out of spleen or because they would not retract what they had once written from vulgar report have thought fit to publish as if the Lord Primate should advise the King to sign the Bill for the said Earl's Attainder it will not be amiss to give you here that relation which Dr. Bernard had under his own hand and has printed in the Funeral Sermon by him published which is as followeth That Sunday morning wherein the King consulted with the four Bishops of London Durham Lincoln and Carlisle the Arch-Bishop of Armagh was not present being then preaching as he then accustomed every Sunday to do in the Church of Covent-Garden where a Message coming unto him from his Majesty he descended from the Pulpit and told him that brought it he was then as he saw imployed about God's business which as soon as he had done he would attend upon the King to understand his pleasure But the King spending the whole Afternoon in the serious debate of the Lord Strafford's Case with the Lords of his Council and the Judges of the Land he could not before Evening be admitted to his Majesty's presence There the Question was again agitated Whether the King in justice might pass the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford for that he might shew mercy to him was no question at all no man doubting but that the King without any Scruple of Conscience might have granted him a Pardon if other reasons of State in which the Bishops were made neither Judges nor Advisers did not hinder him The whole result therefore of the determination of the Bishops was to this effect That therein the matter of Fact and matter of Law were to be distinguished That of the
with great Solemnity in former times it pleaseth God that this day begins the 49th year of his Majesty's life and let me call it the year of Jubilee to his Majesty The Jews had a Custom that in the 49th year of any mans life he should be at liberty whatever his sufferings were before It must be the desire and prayer of every Loyal heart that the King may have a Jubilee indeed This is that which Loyalty bids us do I will not stand too much upon this particular but this I will say Oh! that we knew our happiness to have a King that is the Son of Nobles a King that is not a Child a King that is at full Age to Govern by Wisdom and Prudence And truly as God gives us this blessing so he expects we should acknowledge it thankfully Eccles. 10. 16. Wo be to thee O Land saith the Preacher when the King is a Child To have him when his experience hath riveted in him sound judgment and ability to Govern The Lord threatned Jerusalem in Isa. 3. 4. I will give Children to be their Princes and Babes shall rule over them Those that would have their own Wills could I warrant you be content that the youngest should Reign To have a base man exalted is one of the things that the Earth cannot bear but some Body must have the Government it doth not belong to all you see here is one that alone hath a right to it After which he concluded to this effect That all true Christians are the First-born of God Heb. 12. The Congregation of the First-born they are all Heirs of Heaven in the same relation that Christ is by Nature we are by Grace and Adoption c. This Sermon together with the Arch-Bishop's steady carriage in the point of Episcopacy did so much enrage both the Presbyterian and Independant Factions that in their News Books and Pamphlets at London they reproach'd the Lord Primate for flattering the King as also for his perswading him not to abolish Bishops and that he had very much prejudiced the Treaty and that none among all the King's Chaplains had been so mischievous meaning to Them as He which reproaches whether the Lord Primate did deserve or not I leave to the candid Readers both of the said Sermon and Reconciliation above mentioned to judge I am sure his Majesty's Affairs were in as ill a condition to tempt any man to flatter him as the temper of his Soul was then to suffer it But the truth is the Lord Primate did no more than assert his Majesty's just Rights and Prerogative then trampled upon and it was no more than what he had both preached and written before in that Treatise since published Of the Power of the Prince and Obedience of the Subject After the Lord Primate had taken his last leave of his Majesty and done him and the Church all the service he was able at that time though not with that success he desired he returned to Southampton in order to his going towards London where he was kindly received by the chief of the Town and withal intreated to preach there the next day being Sunday but when he thought of complying with their desires the Governor of the Garrison hearing of it came to my Lord Primate and told him he had been informed he intended to preach on the morrow to which when my Lord answered yes 't was true he replyed that it might be at that time of ill consequence to the Place and therefore wished him to forbear for they could not permit it and so they suffered him not to preach there for they were afraid of his plain dealing and that he would have declared against that Villainy they were then about to execute For not long after my Lord's return to London his Majesty was brought up thither as a Prisonerby the Army in order to that wicked piece of Pageantry which they called his Tryal And now too soon after came that fatal Thirtieth of January never to be mentioned or thought on by all good men without grief and detestation on which was perpetrated the most Execrable Villainy under the pretence of Justice that ever was acted since the World began A King Murthered by his own Subjects before his own Palace in the face of the Sun For which the Lord Primate was so deeply sensible and afflicted that he kept that day as a private Fast so long as he lived and would always be wail the scandal and reproach it cast not only on our own Nation but Religion it self saying That thereby a great advantage was given to Popery and that from thence forward the Priests would with greater success advance their designs against the Church of England and Protestant Religion in general Nor will it be impertinent here to relate a passage that happened to the Lord Primate at the time of his Majesty's murther The Lady Peterborough's House where my Lord then lived being just over against Charing-Cross divers of the Countesse's Gentlemen and Servants got upon the Leads of the House from whence they could see plainly what was acting before White-Hall as soon as his Majesty came upon the Scaffold some of the House-hold came and told my Lord Primate of it and askt him if he would see the King once more before he was put to death My Lord was at first unwilling but was at last perswaded to go up as well out of his desire to see his Majesty once again as also curiosity since he could scarce believe what they told him unless he saw it When he came upon the Leads the King was in his Speech the Lord Primate stood still and said nothing but sighed and lifting up his Hands and Eyes full of Tears towards Heaven seemed to pray earnestly but when his Majesty had done speaking and had pulled off his Cloak and Doublet and stood stripped in his Wastcoat and that the Villains in Vizards began to put up his hair the good Bishop no longer able to endure so dismal a sight and being full of grief and horror for that most wicked Fact now ready to be Executed grew pale and began to faint so that if he had not been observed by his own Servant and some others that stood near him who thereupon supported him he had swounded away So they presently carried him down and laid him on his Bed where he used those powerful weapons which God has left his People in such Afflictions viz. Prayers and Tears Tears that so horrid a sin should be committed and Prayers that God would give his Prince patience and constancy to undergo these cruel Sufferings and that he likewise would not for the vindication of his own Honour and Providence permit so great a wickedness to pass unpublished This I received from my Lord Primate's Grandson who heard it from the mouth of his Servant who lived with him till his death After this sad Tragedy the Government if it may be so called was managed by a
judicio praeterquam suo Praesul verè Magnus Qui Ecclesiam Veterum institutis Clerum suo Exemplo Populum Concionibus Affidue instruxit Chronologiam sacram pristino nitori restituit Bonarum artium Professores Inopia Afflictos Munificentiâ sublevavit Denique qui Haereses repullulantes calamo erudito contudit His ingenii dotibus his animi virtutibus ornatus Praesul optimus piissimus meritissimus Cum inter bella Civilia Ecclesiae Patriae suae funesta Sibique Luctuosa Nec Ecclesiae nec Patriae diutius prodesse poterat In Christo pacis Authore placide obdormivit Anno Aerae Christianae 1655. Aetatis suae 76. Riegat in Comitatu Surrey Martii 21. Obiit Sepultus apud Westmonast In Hen. 7mi Capellâ Apr. 5. 1656. A Catalogue of the Lord Primate James Usher's Works and Writings already Printed In Latin DE Ecclesiarum Christianarum Successione Statu cum Explicatione Quaestionis de Statu Ecclesiarum in partibus praesertim occidentis à tempore Apostolorum De primordiis Ecclesiarum Britannicarum Epistolarum Hibernicarum Sylloge Historia Gotes-Chalci Polycarpi Ignatii Epistolae Graec. Lat. cum desertatione de eorum Scriptis deque Apostolicis Canonibus Constitutionibus Clementi tributis Appendix Ignatiana De Romanae Ecclesiae Symbolo Apostolico vetere aliis fidei formulis De Anno solari Macedonum Epistola ad Lodovicum Capellum de textus Hebr. variantibus Lectionibus Annales Vet. Test. Annales N. Test. Chronologia Sacra De Graecâ Septuaginta Interpretum versione Syntagma Desertatio de Cainane In English AN Answer to Malon the Jesuits Challenge The Religion professed by the Ancient Irish and Britains A Sermon Preached before the House of Commons Westminster A Sermon of the Visibility of the Church Preached before King James Jun. 25 1624. A Speech delivered in the Castle Chamber Dublin concerning the Lawfulness of taking and danger of refusing the Oath of Supremacy Nov. 22. 1622. A Speech in the same Place upon the denial to contribute for the Supply of the Kings Army for the defence of the Government April 30 1627. Immanuel or the Mistery of the Incarnation of the Son of God A Geographical Description of the lesser Asia A Discourse of Bishops and Metropolitans A small Catechism entitled the Principles of Christian Religion with a brief Method of the Doctrine thereof His Annals of the Old and New Testament Translated into English with the Synchronisms of the Heathen Story to the destruction of Jerusalem The Power of the Prince and Obedience of the Subject stated with a Preface by Dr. Robert Sanderson late Bishop of Lincoln Published from the Original Copy written with his own hand by James Tyrrell Esq Grandson to the Lord Primate A Body of Divinity or the Summ and Substance of Christian Religion by way of Question and Answer collected by himself in his younger years for his own private Use and through the Importunity of some Friends communicated to them but not with a Design to be Printed though afterwards published by others with good Acceptance A Volume of Sermons in Folio Preached at Oxford before his Majesty and elsewhere published since his Death These that follow were gathered out of the Fragments of the Lord Primate and Published since his Death by Dr. Bernard HIS Judgment and Sense of the State of the present See of Rome from Apocal. 18. 4. Ordination a Fundamental His Sense of Hebrews 6. 2. Of the use of a Set form of Prayer in the Church The extent of Christs Death and Satisfaction with an Answer to the Exceptions taken against it Of the Sabbath and Observation of the Lords Day His Judgment and Sense of John 20. 22. 23. Receive ye the Holy-Ghost Whose Sins ye Remit c. A Catalogue of the Lord Primate Ushers own Manuscripts of various Subjects not Printed Lemmata Manuscriptorum CEnsura Patrum aliorum Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum five Bibliotheca Theologica Historiae dogmaticae Quaestionum inter Orthodoxos Pontificios Controversarum Specimen in Quaestione de Communi Sacrarum Scripturarum usu contra Scripturarum lucifugas De veterum Pascalibus Scriptis de ratione Paschali quibus computi Ecclesiastici in Universo orbe Christiano ante Gregorianam reformationem apperiuntur ex vetustissimis Manuscriptis codicibus notis Illustratum Veterum de tempore Passionis Dominicae Phaschalis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Variae Lectiones Collationes Vet. Nov. Instrumenti 1. Genesis Longe antiquissimum exemplar Graecum Cottonianum cum editione Francofurtensi Collatum 2. Collatio Psalterii à B. Hieronymo ex Heb. conversi à Jacobo Fabro Parisiis An. 1513. editi cum aliis exemplaribus Manuscriptis Impressis 3. Annotationes variarum Lectionum in Psalmis juxta Masoreth Judaeorum five cum notâ aliquâ Masoreticâ 4. Psalterium cum versione Saxonicâ interlineatâ in Bibliothecâ Salisburiensis Ecclesiae 5. Psalterium Gallicum cum Romano collatum Hebraico 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oppositum Manuscripto in Westmonasteriensis Ecclesiae Bibliothecâ 6. Collatio Canticorum utriusque Testamenti cum editione vulgatâ Latinâ 7. Variae Lectiones Collationes N. Test. ex vetustissimis Exemplaribus 8. Collatio editionis Chronici Eusebii à Josepho Scaligero edit cum Manuscripto è Regiâ Bibliothecâ 9. Collatio variorum Pentateuchi Samaritani Exemplarium cum notis Observationibus 10. Chronologia Legum Codicis Theodosiani Justiniani collata cum Malmesburiensi Manuscripto Julianae Periodi ad Juliani anni usum vulgaris aerae Christianae ad anni Juliani pariter Gregoriani Methodum accommodatae fixa jam Epochâ cum Tabulâ reductionis dierum Anni Juliani veteris ad dies Anni Gregoriani Novi hodie usitati in pluribus partibus orbis Ratio Bissextorum literarum Dominicarum Equinoctiorum Festorum Christianorum tam mobilium quam immobilium De Institutione Chronologicâ viz. De Tempore illius Mensurâ de Die ejusque partibus de horis scrupulis de Hebdomadibus Mensibus de Anno Astronomico de variâ Annorum Supputatione Secundum Graeca Exemplaria De differentiâ circuli spherae de cursu septem Planetarum Signorum Coelestium de quinque Parall in sphera Zonasdistinguent Veteres Observationes Coelestes Chaldaicae Graecae Aegyptiacae Insigniorum Imperiorum Regnorum quae ante Christi adventum in orbe floruerunt successiones et tempora ad usum veteris Historiae studiosorum eorum praesertim qui exoticam Chronologiam cum Sacra conferre cupiunt Series Chronologica Syriaca Regum Imperatorum Babylonicorum Persarum Graecorum Romanorum à Nebuchadnezzar ad Vespasianum ab Anno Mundi 4915. ad Annum 5585. De fastis Magistratuum Coss. Triumphorum Romanorum ab Urbe Condita usque ad excessum Caesaris Augusti ex fragmentis Marmoreis foro Romano effossis à doctissimis nostri temporis Chronographis suppletis Catalogus Consulum ex variis Authoribus De Ponderibus Mensuris De
Father which hath sent me draw him and I will raise him up at the last day And St. Paul tells us Ephes. 2. 8. For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God So Phil. 1. 29. And that likewise it is the greatness of God's Power that raises Man's heart unto this Faith Ephes. 1. 19. So then Faith being the work of God in Man's heart which he bestows on whom he pleases all the question now is Whether Christ has obtained Reconciliation and Remission of Sins from his Father for those whom God foresaw would or could not obtain this saving Faith and if not consequently not for the Reprobate as the Lord Primat hath laid down they being only Reprobate for want of this Faith Nor will this be contradictory to my Lord Prim at 's other Proposition against such who contract the Riches of Christ's Satisfaction into too narrow a room as if none had any kind of interest therein but such as were elected before the foundation of the World Since this is to be understood of the Supralapsarian Opinion which makes Reprobation to be antecedant to the Fall of Adam and not only at a Praeterition but a Predamnation for actual Sins Whereas the Lord Primat held that Mankind considered in massa corrupta after the Fall of Adam was the only Object of God's Election or Reprobation so that it is in this sence that he is to be understood when he says that our Saviour hath obtainedat the hands of his Father forgiveness of Sins not for the Reprobate but Elect only Nor does he say that this proceeds from any deficiency in our Saviour's Death and Satisfaction which is sufficient to save the whole World if they would lay hold of it and apply it to themselves but the reason why all Men were not thereby saved was because they do not accept Salvation when offered to them Which is the Lord Primat's express words in a Sermon upon John 1. 12. concerning our Redemption by Christ. So that those passages in our Liturgy and Catechism before cited by the Doctor of Christ's being a sufficient Sacrifice for the Sins of the whole World and in the Catechism of his redeeming all Mankind must certainly be understood in this restrictive sence viz. to as many of the World of Mankind as God foresaw would lay hold of this Satisfaction by Faith and good Works or else all Men must have a like share therein whether they contribute any thing to it by Faith or Repentance or not And now I shall leave it to the indifferent Reader to judg whether the Lord Primat or the Doctor are most to be blamed for breaking their Subscription to the 39 Articles as the Doctor would have him guilty of in this Point because the Church of England in its second Article says expresly that Christ suffered was crucified dead and buried to reconcile his Father to us and to be a Sacrifice not only for Original Guilt but also for the Actual Sins of Men. In which says he as well the Sacrifice as the effect and fruit thereof which is the Reconciliation of Mankind to God the Father is delivered in general terms without any restriction put upon them neither the Sacrifice nor the Reconciliation being restrained to this or that Man some certain quidams of their own whom they pass commonly by the name of God's Elect. The Sacrifice being made for the Sins of Men of Men indefinitly without limitation is not to be confined to some few Men only Yet after the Doctor has said all he can it seems still to me and I suppose to any unprejudiced Reader that these Christ suffered c. to reconcile his Father to us and to be a Sacrifice c. for the actual Sins of Men to be not general but limited Propositions since by reconciling his Father to us can be understood no further than to us that are not Reprobates every Man supposing himself not to be of that number and in this sence the Lord Primat himself makes use of the words we and us in his Body of Divinity when he speaks of Justification and Reconciliation by Faith tho he there supposes that all Men are not actually justified nor reconciled to God by Christ's Sufferings And as for the last clause it is no more general than the former for tho the word Men be used in that place indefinitly yet it is not therefore a general Proposition it being still to be understood of those Men who truly believe for otherwise it had been very easie and natural for the Framers of this Article to have added this small word all and if they had the question would have been much as it was before Christ's Death being a Sacrifice that did not actually take away the Sins of the whole World for then none could be damned tho vertually it hath power to do it if it were rightly applied the Sacrifice having such virtue in it self that if all the World would take it and apply it it were able to expiate the Sins of the whole World as the Lord Primat in the above cited Sermon very plainly and truly expresses himself on this Doctrine The fourth Point which the Doctor accuses the Lord Primat not to hold according to the Church of England is that of the true and real Presence of Christ's most precious Body and Blood in the Sacrament Which Doctrine of a real Presence he first proves from the words of the distribution retained in the first Liturgy of King Edward the sixth and formerly prescribed to be used in the ancient Missals viz. The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee preserve thy Body and Soul unto Life everlasting The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ c. It is proved secondly by that passage in the publick Catechism in which the party catechised is taught to say that the Body and Blood of Christ are verily and indeed taken and received of the Faithful in the Lord's Supper Now if a question should be made what the Church means by verily and indeed in the former passage it must be answered that she means that Christ is truly and really present in that blessed Sacrament as before was said the words being rendred thus in the Latin Translation viz. Corpus Sanguis Domini quae verè realiter exhibentur c. verily and indeed as the English hath it the same with verè and realiter that is to say truly and really as it is in the Latin He likewise cites Bp. Bilson Bp Morton and Bp. Andrews all of them to maintain a true and real Prefence of Christ in the Sacrament and likewise Mr. Alex. Noel in his Latin Catechism makes the party catechized answer to this effect That the Body and Blood of Christ given in the Lord's Supper and eaten and drank by them tho it be only in an heavenly and spiritual manner yet are they both given and taken truly and really or
Most Reverend William Laud Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 476 CLXXXV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 477 CLXXXVI A Letter from Ludovicus de Dieu to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 478 CLXXXVII A Letter from Ludovicus de Dieu to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 480 CLXXXVIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Ludovicus de Dieu 481 CLXXXIX A Letter from the Most Reverend William Laud Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 482 CXC A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Gerardus Vossius 483 CXCI. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Fredericus Spanhemius 484 CXCII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Constantinus L'Empereur ab Oppych 485 CXCIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Ludovicus de Dieu 486 CXCIV A Letter from Ludovicus de Dieu to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 487 CXCV. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Ludovicus de Dieu 487 CXCVI. A Letter from Mr. J. Battiere to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 488 CXCVII A Letter from Constantinus L'Empereur ab Oppych to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 490 CXCVIII. A Letter from Arnoldus Bootius to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 491 CXCIX A Letter from Dr. William Gilbert to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 492 CC. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward 494 CCI. A Letter from Sir Simon D'Ewes to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 495 CCII. A Letter from the Right Honourable Dudly Loftus Lord Chancellor of Ireland to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 497 CCIII A Letter from Mr. Arnold Boate to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 498 CCIV. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Lewis de Dieu 499 CCV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh concerning the Sabbath and Observation of the Lords Day 500 CCVI. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Sir Simon D'Ewes 505 CCVII. A Letter from Johannes Priceus to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 506 CCVIII A Letter from Sybilla Christiana Comitiss Hanoviae to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 507 CCIX. A Letter from D. Blondellus to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 508 CCX A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Claudius Salmasius 508 CCXI. A Letter from Mr. John Greaves to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 509 CCXII. A Letter from Dr. Gerard Langbaine to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 510 CCXIII. A Letter from Christianus Ravius to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 511 CCXIV. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Gerard Langbaine 512 CCXV A Leter from Dr. Gerard Langbaine to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 513 CCXVI A Letter from Dr. Gerard Langbaine to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 514 CCXVII A Letter from T. to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 515 CCXVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend Joseph Hall Bishop of Norwich to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 516 CCXIX. A Letter from Mr. Patrick Young to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 517 CCXX A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Fredericus Spanhemius 518 CCXXI A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Johannes Gerardus Vossius 518 CCXXII A Letter from the Right Reverend Thomas Barlow now Bishop of Lincoln to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 519 CCXXIII. A Letter from Claudius Sarravius to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 521 CCXXIV. A Letter from Fredericus Spanhemius to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 522 CCXXV. A Letter from Dr. Gerard Langbaine to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 523 CCXXVI A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Christophorus Justellus 526 CCXXVII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Claudius Sarravius 527 CCXXVIII A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Isaacus Vossius 527 CCXXIX A Letter from the Right Reverend Joseph Hall Bishop of Norwich to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 528 CCXXX A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend Joseph Hall Bishop of Norwich 529 CCXXXI A Letter from Gerardus Johannes Vossius to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 529 CCXXXII A Letter from Dr. Jsaac Basire to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 530 CCXXXIII A Letter from Sir Thomas Ryves to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 531 CCXXXIV A Letter from Mr. Arnold Boate to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 533 CCXXXV A Letter from Dr. Gerard Langbaine to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 535 CCXXXVI A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Alexander More 536 CCXXXVII A Letter from Sir Thomas Reeves to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 537 CCXXXVIII A Letter from Isaacus Gruterus to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 538 CCXXXIX A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Johannes Gerardus Vossius 539 CCXL A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Johannes Hevelius 540 CCXLI. A Letter from Dr. Henry Hammond to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 541 CCXLII. A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Henry Hammond 541 CCXLIII A Letter from Dr. Henry Hammond to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 542 CCXLIV A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Henry Hammond 542 CCXLV A Letter from Dr. Henry Hammond to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 543 CCXLVI A Letter from the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh to Dr. Henry Hammond 543 CCXLVII. A Letter from Mr. Edward Davenant to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 544 CCXLVIII A Letter from Mr. Abraham Wheelock to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 545 CCXLIX A Letter from Isaacus Gruterus to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 547 CCL A Letter from Petrus Scavenius to the Most Reverend James Usher Arch-Bishop of Armagh 547 CCLI A Letter
6 am Propositiones nee denique cujuscunque limae Versiones nostrae sunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conscriptae ut patet ex 3 a appendice libri primi Ergo Sola Hebraica Veteris Instrumenti editio sicut Graeca Novi authentica est pura Vides methodum quam mihi proposui In animo etiam fuit difficultates quasdam tibi doctissime vir proposuisse in quibus exactissimum tuum judicium cognoscerem Sed sentio me jam modum epistolae excessisse vereor ne interpellem te nimis nugis meis à gravioribus negotiis Ignoscas quaeso Guilielmo tuo qui prolixè cordatè potiùs quam eleganter suaviter te compellare maluit Nactus jam tandem Tabellarii opportunitatem remisi ad te manu fidâ ejusdem Postelli Grammaticam unâ cum libello altero quem tibi benevolentiae ergô dicavi majorem daturus si Anglia nostra aliquid librorum non-vulgarium ad antiquitatem eruendam suppeditaret Nondum aliquid efficere potui in Arabicis quod dignum sit operâ forsan si Christmanno muto Magistro aut Bedwello Londinensi vel potiùs Ambrosio tuo Dubliniensi vivâ voce praeceptore uti liceret aliquid efficerem Sed non licet Velit jubeat clementissimus pater qui in coelis est ut Ecclesiae suae pomoeria dilatet nostras Ecclesias in verâ pace conservet tibÃque frater doctissime tuis omnibus in Christo benedicat Vale è Musaeo m Collegio Emmanuelis Cantabrigiae 9 o Kalendas Aprilis juxta veteres Fastos anno Domini 1607 juxta computum Ecclesiae Anglicanae Tuus in communi fide ac Ministerio Evangelii frater Amantissimus GUIL EYRE LETTER IV. A Letter from Mr. H. Briggs to Mr. James Usher afterward Arch-Bishop of Armagh Salutem in Christo. Good Mr. Usher PArdon me I pray you that I have not written unto you of late nor gotten the Book you gave me printed for now I cannot think it yours I received your Letter the other day and did the same day twice seek Mr. Rimay and your Books mentioned in the end of your Letter of all which Abraham could get none save one Catalogue of the last Mart which I have sent you within a Book of the Shires of England Ireland and Scotland which at length I send to Mr. D. Chaloner to whom I pray you commend me very kindly with many thanks and excuses for my long deferring my promise Abraham hath taken all the names of your Books and promiseth to get them for you at the next Mart. I was likewise with Mr. Crawshaw he hath not gotten nor cannot find Confes. Ambrosianam of whom I have now received your Book again because he saith it is impossible to get it printed here without the Author's name or without their Index Expurgatorius if any thing in it do sound suspiciously He hath not read it over himself and he is had in some Jealousie with some of our Bishops by reason of some points that have fallen from his Pen and his Tongue in the Pulpit I will keep your Book till you please to send me word what I shall do with it I think Sir J. Fullerton or Sir J. Hamilton may with one word speaking have it pass without name but I am now determined not to mention it to them until you give me some better Warrant Concerning Eclypses you see by your own experience that good purposes may in two years be honestly crossed and therefore till you send me your Tractate you promised the last year do not look for much from me for if another business may excuse it will serve me too Yet am I not idle in that kind for Kepler hath troubled all and erected a new frame for the Motions of all the Seven upon a new foundation making scarce any use of any former Hypotheses yet dare I not much blame him save that he is tedious and obscure and at length coming to the point he hath left out the principal Verb I mean his Tables both of Middle-motion and Prosthaphaereseων reserving all as it seemeth to his Tab. Rudolpheas setting down only a lame pattern in Mars But I think I shall scarce with patience expect his next Books unless he speed himself quickly I pray you salute from me your Brother Mr. Lydyat Mr. Kinge Mr. Martin Mr. Bourchier Mr. Lee. Macte Virtute Do not cease to help the building of Sion and the ruinating of Babel yet look to your health ut diu valide concutias hostium turres The Lord ever bless you and your labours and all that most worthy Society Farewel Tuus in Christo H. Briggs Aug. 1610. Concerning Sir R. Cotton's Letter I must crave pardon at this time for I am but very lately come home and full of business going out of the Town again I think to morrow and now if perhaps I find him I shall hardly get it copied But I pray you to what question of sound Divinity doth this appertain Yet do not think me so censorious but I can like you should sometimes descend to Toys for your Recreation My opinion is He that doth most good is the honestest man whosoever have precedence but if harm the less the better Pray for us The Lord ever bless his Church and us all in particular Mr. Bedwell is not well and keepeth altogether at his t'other Living at Totenham Farewel Yours ever in the Lord Henry Briggs LETTER V. A Letter from Mr. Thomas Lydyat to Mr. James Usher afterward Arch-Bishop of Armagh Mr. Usher I Received your Letter this Friday the 13th of March for which I thank you It had been broken open by Chester Searchers before it came to him but I thank God I have not lost any thing of moment for ought I find as yet The East-Indian Fleet is gone about six weeks since but I remain at London still a suiter unto you that the School of Armagh be not disposed of otherwise than I have hitherto requested you until I speak with you in Ireland or rather here in London where I shall be glad to see you The night before I received your Letter Mr. Crashaw acquainted me with a Letter from Mr. Cook wherein he seemed to doubt of divers things in Mr. James his English Book whereof you write signifying withal that he purposeth to be at London this Spring where I hope to see you all three meet to the better performing of that business Mr. Provost told me that he had sent you a Minister for Warberies Mr. I have forgot his name Mr. Provost being now out of Town with my Lord Arch-Bishop his Letters commendatory to my Lord Chancellor I think he is come to you ere this time Printing of Books especially Latin goeth hard here mine is not yet printed nevertheless I thank God mine honourable friends whom I have acquainted with the matter shew me still a friendly countenance with which I rest comforting my self with that pro captu lector is habent sua
was fit but by flat denying that famous Axiom affirming peremptorily That Christ died only for the Elect and for others nullo modo whereby they gave the adverse party advantage to drive them unto this extream absurdity viz. That seeing Christ in no wise died for any but for the Elect and all men were bound to believe that Christ died for themselves and that upon pain of damnation for the contrary infidelity therefore all men were bound to believe that they themselves were Elected although in truth the matter were nothing so Non tali auxilio nec defensoribus istis Tempus eget Neither is there hope that the Arminians will be drawn to acknowledge the Error of their Position as long as they are perswaded the contrary Opinion cannot be maintained without admitting that an untruth must be believed even by the commandment of him that is God of Truth and by the direction of that word which is the Word of Truth Endeavouring therefore to make one truth stand by another and to ward off the blow given by the Arminians in such sort that it should neither bring hurt to the Truth nor give advantage to Error admit I failed of mine intent I ought to be accounted rather an Oppugner than any wise an Abettor of their fancies That for the Arminians Now for Mr. Culverwell That which I have heard him charged withal is the former extremity which in my Letter I did condemn viz. That Christ in such sort did die for all men That by his death he made an actual reconcilement between God and man and That the special reason why all men reap not the fruit of this reconciliation is the want of that faith whereby they ought to have believed that God in this sort did love them How justly he hath been charged with this error himself can best tell but if ever he held it I do not doubt but he was driven thereunto by the absurdities which he discerned in the other extremity for what would not a man fly unto rather than yield that Christ no manner of way died for any Reprobate and none but the Elect had any kind of Title to him and yet so many thousand Reprobates should be bound in Conscience to believe that he died for them and tied to accept him for their Redeemer and Saviour yea and should be condemned to everlasting Torments for want of such a faith if we may call that faith which is not grounded upon the word of truth whereby they should have believed that which in it self was most untrue and laid hold of that in which they had no kind of interest If they who dealt with Mr. Culverwell laboured to drive out one absurdity by bringing in another or went about to stop one hole by making two I should the less wonder at that you write that though he hath been dealt withal by many brethren and for many years yet he could not be drawn from his errour But those stumbling blocks being removed and the plain word of truth laid open by which faith is to be begotten I dare boldly say he doth not hold that extremity wherewith he is charged but followeth that safe and middle course which I laid down for after he had well weighed what I had written he heartily thanked the Lord and me for so good a resolution of this Question which for his part he wholly approved not seeing how it could be gainsaid And so much likewise for Mr. Culverwell Now for Mr. Stock 's publick opposition in the Pulpit I can hardly be induced to believe that he aimed at me therein if he did I must needs say he was deceived when he reckoned me amongst those good men who make the Universality of all the Elect and all men to be one Indeed I wrote but even now that God did execute his Decree of Election in All by spiritual generation But if any shall say that by All thereby I should understand the universality of All and every one in the World and not the universality of all the Elect alone he should greatly wrong my meaning for I am of no other mind than Prosper was Lib. 1. De Vocat Gent. Habet populus Dei plenitudinem suam quamvis magna pars hominum salvantis Gratiam aut repellat aut negligat in elect is tamen proescitis atque ab omni generalitate discretis specialis quaedam censetur universitas ut de toto mundo totus mundus liberatus de omnibus hominibus omnes homines videantur assumpti That Christ died for his Apostles Luk. 22. 19. For his Sheep Joh. 10. 15. For his Friends Joh. 15. 13. For his Church Ephes. 5. 25. may make peradventure against those who make all men to have a share alike in the death of our Saviour But I profess my self to hold fully with him who said Etsi Christus pro omnibus mortuus est tamen specialiter pro nobis passus est quia pro Ecclesia passus est Yea and in my former writing I did directly conclude That as in one respect Christ might have been said to die for all so in another respect truly said not to have died for all and my belief is That the principal end of the Lord's death was That he might gather together in one the Children of God scattered abroad Joh. 11. 52. and that for their sakes he did specially sanctifie himself that they also might be sanctified through the truth John 17. 19. And therefore it may be well concluded That Christ in a special manner died for these but to infer from hence that in no manner of respect he died for any others is but a very weak collection specially the respect by me expressed being so reasonable that no sober mind advisedly considering thereof can justly make question of it viz. That the Lamb of God offering himself a sacrifice for the sins of the World intended by giving satisfaction to God's Justice to make the nature of man which he assumed a fit Subject for mercy and to prepare a Sovereign medicine that should not only be a sufficient Cure for the sins of the whole World but also should be laid open to all and denied to none that indeed do take the benefit thereof For he is much deceived that thinks a preaching of a bare sufficiency is able to yield sufficient ground of comfort to a distressed Soul without giving a further way to it and opening a further passage To bring news to a Bankrupt that the King of Spain hath Treasure enough to pay a thousand times more than he owes may be true but yields but cold comfort to him the miserable Debtor Sufficiency indeed is requisite but it is the word of promise that gives comfort If here exception be taken That I make the whole Nature of man fit for Mercy when it is as unfit a subject for Grace as may be I Answer That here two impediments do occurr which give a stop unto the peace which is to
Grosthead's Epistles out of a Manuscript remaining in Merton Colledge Library That treatise de oculo morali I lighted lately on in another Manuscript bound together with Grosthead in Decalog having this Title before it Incipit Liber de Oculo morali quem composuit Magister Petrus de Sapiere Lemovicensis And I find it cited by Petrus Reginaldeti a Friar in his Speculum finalis retributionis under the name of Johannes de Pechano as the Author of it Neither seemeth it though written honestly yea wittily and learnedly as the wit and learning of those times was to be of the same frame and strain for gravity that other the works of that Bishop are which also maketh me suspect those Sermons that in my Manuscript go under his name should not be his having lately at idle times run over some of them If I meet with your Country-man Malachy at any time I will not be unmindful of your request And if any good Office may be performed by me for you here either about the Impression of your Learned and Religious Labours so esteemed and much desired not of my self alone but of many others of greater judgment than my self or in any other imployment that my weak ability may extend it self unto I shall be ready and glad upon any occasion to do my best therein I lighted of late upon an obscure fellow one Hieronymus Dungersheim de Ochsenfart who in Anno 1514 published a confutation dedicated to George then Duke of Saxony of a confession of the Picards which whether it be the same with that which Gretser saith Luther set out with his Preface I wot not The Title of it is Totius quasi Scripturae Apologia and the beginning of it In summi Dei maximo nomine terribili Amen Nos homines in terrae or be quanquam ad ima subacti c. And though it be not entirely inserted by him in his answer yet so much is picked out of it and set down in their words as may shew in divers main points their dissent from them and consent with us But it is not likely that this Author though obscure and not worthy the Light hath escaped your curious eye Gesner seemeth mistaken in him when he saith Hieronymus Dungersheim scripsit Apologiam sacrae Scripturae Boemorum for he wrote not it but against it But I trouble you it may be unseasonably with needless trifles amids your more serious Affairs which forbearing therefore to do further at this present with hearty Salutations and my best Prayers unto God I commend you and your godly Labours to his gracious Blessing and rest Your assured Friend and Unworthy Fellow-Labourer in the Lord Tho. Gatacre Rederith June 24. 1617. LETTER XXVII A Letter from Mr. Thomas Lydyat to Dr. James Usher afterward Arch-Bishop of Armagh Salutations in Christ. Reverend Mr. Usher I Received both your Letters and as touching your discourse in the latter about the beginning of Artaxerxes's Reign and Daniel's weeks and the time of our Lord's Passion c. depending thereupon I framed mine answer to your former discourse therebout in your Letter bearing date Octob. 6. 1615. upon the ground of your opinion which I gathered out of the Words thereof Darius hath there in Ptolemy 's Canons 36 years and Xerxes 21 which maketh me somewhat to stagger at your beginning of Artaxerxes Which words I could not otherwise understand than that they had drawn Artaxerxes's Beginning back again in your conceit unto the vulgar Station lower than I had advanced it upon the grounds mentioned in the beginning of your last Letter and that place of Fast. Sicul. which either I had not marked or else had neglected and forgotten And to the same purpose seems unto me to tend that you inferr in the same Letter upon Cimon's taking Eione and Scyrus in the beginning of his Admiralty first mentioned by Diodorus Siculus in Demotion's year Whence it would follow That the Siege of Naxos and Themistocles's Flight at the same time was later and the Victory at Eurymedon yet later than that My Manuscript Chronicle being the third part of my Treatise de Emendat Tempor after my first project wherein I have wholly translaed those places of Thucydides and Diodorus concerning Themistocles's Flight I did communicate unto you if I have not much forgotten my self and if I be not much deceived you shall find that part of my Translation agreable both to Diodorus his Words and to the Truth Wherefore it made me marvel that in the latter part of the same Letter you now go about contrariwise to set Themistocles's Flight according to Eusebius's Chronicle and consequently the beginning of Artaxerxes according to Thucydides two or three years higher at what time I supposed his troubles began about the Arraignment and Examination of Pausanias and so much the more that for your purpose you alledge Aurelius Probus or Cornelius Nepos affirming Themistocles to have been expelled Athens four years before Aristides's Death and the beginning of Perieles's Government which falling out just upon the very same year of my supposal strongly confirmeth the same and so much the more strongly for that his Words seem to have direct reference to those of Thucydides Erat enim Themistocles patriâ puisus per ostracismum Argis vitam agens per caeteram Peloponnesum commeans Whereas therefore Cornelius Nepos his account casts Themistocles's expulsion or exostracism from Athens right upon that same year after which time saith Thucydides he lived at Argis and was going up and down about Peloponnesus needs must his Pursuit and Flight be supposed a good space after that upon the Execution of Pausanias whose first plotting of Treason and endictment thereupon whereabout was long and much ado before his Execution seem to have be fallen the 4th year of the 75 Olympiad Where Diodorus relateth his whole History together according to his manner But that that made me most of all to marvel was that by your thus urging Artaxerxes's beginning together with Themistocles's Flight two or three years higher than my Pitch you not only utterly discredit your Ptolemy's Canons for giving 36 years to Darius and 21 to Xerxes together with Diodorus and Eusebius but also all other Authors of Antiquity that I know whereof none ascribes less than 31 to Darius and 20 to Xerxes which hereby whether upon oversight or otherwise you enforce your self to do namely subtracting two or three years more from Xerxes leaving him scarce 15. whose Authorities and Testimonies together with the other reasons that I have in place alledged will I trust in the end prevail with you to move and draw you to assent to the truth which I have delivered concerning the beginning and ending of Daniel's weeks and the time of the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Christ with all the dependences thereupon For certainly how weak soever I the restorer and publisher thereof am yet it is strong and will prevail and notwithstanding mine obscure estate in
labours I rest Your very loving and thankful Friend Edward Browncker From Wadham Colledge Septemb. 11. 1620. LETTER XLI A Letter from the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop-elect of Meath to the most Reverend Dr. Hampton Arch-Bishop of Armagh My very good Lord I Received yesterday your Grace's Letter whereby I understand how unadvisedly the Bishop of Clogher entred into contestation with your Lordship for the exercise of his Jurisdiction and laboured to turn your particular favour toward me to his own advantage whereat I was not a little grieved It was far from my meaning ever to oppose either your Archiepiscopal right or the duties of your Register for the time present much less for the time to come The difference betwixt the Registers is by their mutual consent referred to the determination of my L. Chancellor before whom let them plead their own Cause I mean not to intermeddle with it The exercising of the Jurisdiction hitherto cannot be justified by taking out a Commission now from your Lordship But seeing what hath been done herein cannot now be undone I will thus far shew my respect unto your Metropolitical Authority that whensoever the matter shall be called in question I will profess that what I have done in the exercising of the Jurisdiction I have done it by your special Licence without which I would not have meddled with it And for the time to come I have given order to my Commissary that he shall proceed no farther but presently surcease from dealing any way in the Jurisdiction that no occasion may be left whereby it might be thought that I stood upon any right of mine own to the derogation of any point of your Archiepiscopal Authority And thus much for my self As for my Lord of Clogher howsoever I be none of his Council yet the respect and duty which I owe unto you as unto my Father forceth me to wish That your Grace would seriously deliberate of this business before you bring it unto a publick Tryal For then I fear the matter will be determined not by Theological Argumentations of the power of the Keys but by the power of the King's Prerogative in Causes Ecclesiastical and the Laws of the Land If my Lord of Clogher's Council told him that he might challenge the exercising of his Jurisdiction as an incident to that which he had already received from the King It is certain that in his Letters Patents the Bishoprick is granted unto him Una cum omnibus Juribus Jurisdictionibus Prerogativis Preeminentiis Allocationibus Commoditatibus Privilegiis tam spiritualibus quà m temporalibus with a Mandamus directed Universis singulis Archiepiscopis Episcopis Decanis Archidiaconis Officialibus Commissariis Rectoribus Vicariis Presbyteris aliis personis Ecclesiasticis quibuscunque quatenus ipsum Episcopum ejus Officiarios tam spirituales quà m temporales Episcopatum proedictum habere percipere gubernare gaudere disponere permittant And howsoever if the matter were to be disputed in the Schools he peradventure might obtain the victory who did defend That Jurisdiction Ecclesiastical doth issue from the Keys not from the Sword Yet I doubt me when the case cometh to be argued in the King's Court he will have the advantage that hath the Sword on his side and standeth to maintain the King's Prerogative Again by the Statute of 2 Eliz. whereby Congedelires are taken away he that hath the King's Letters Patents for a Bishoprick is put in the same state as if he were Canonically both Elected and Confirmed Now howsoever by the Law a Bishop barely elected can do little or nothing yet the Canonists do clearly resolve that he who is both Elected and Confirmed may exercise all things that appertain to Jurisdiction although he may not meddle with matters of Ordination until he receive his Consecration Lastly I would intreat your Lordship to consider when the See of Armagh becometh void as sometimes it hath been for two or three years together in whom doth the exercise of the Archiepiscopal Jurisdiction remain Doth it not in the Dean and Chapter of Armagh If a Dean then who is but simplex Presbyter without receiving Commission from any other Bishop is by the custom of the Land capable in this case of Episcopal Jurisdiction What should make him that is elected and confirmed a Bishop to be uncapable of the same I speak now only of the Law and ancient Customs of the Realm by which I take it this matter if it come to question must be tryed All which I humbly submit unto your Graces grave consideration protesting notwithstanding for mine own particular that I will not only for the time to come cease to exercise the Jurisdiction of the proceeding further wherein I see no great necessity before my Consecration but also willingly herein submit my self unto any course that your Lordship shall be further pleased to prescribe unto me There is at this time in Dublin neither Civilian nor Register with whom I might advise touching the matter of the Dilapidation My Lord Chancellor offered to grant if I pleased a Commission out of the Chancery for the inquiry hereof But I considered with my self that this business was more proper for the Archiepiscopal Court whereof I remembred that famous President of William Wickham Bishop of Winchester who sued the Executors of his Predecessor in the Court of William Witlesey Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and recovered against him 127 afros 1556 boves 3876 mutones 4717 oves matrices 3521 agnos 1662 libras cum 10 solidis pro reparatione Aedificiorum ad ruinas vergentium as in the Register of the said Witlesey is yet to be seen I will cause Mr. Ford to draw up my Libel in the best manner he can and then expect the issuing of the Commission with all convenient expedition For it behoveth me that the inquiry of the Dilapidations be returned before I go in hand with the reparation and that I must do very shortly though upon mine own charges unless I will see the house fall quite down the next Winter I humbly thank your Grace for your remembrance of me in the matter Armagh For howsoever I conceive very little hope that I shall ever enjoy that Deanry yet am I nothing the less beholding unto you for your care of me for which and for all the rest of your honourable favours I must always remain Your Graces in all Duty to be Commanded James Usher Dublin July 11. 1621. LETTER XLII A Letter from the most Reverend Dr. Hampton Arch-Bishop of Armagh to the Right Reverend James Usher Bishop of Meath Salutem in Christo. I Thank your Lordship for your care and respect of me as likewise your counsel that I should be well advised ere I brought the matter of Jurisdiction into publick Tryal I truly have not cause to complain but if the Bishop of Clogher or any other think themselves wronged that I give not way to the exercise of his Jurisdiction until he be
divinitùs valida sunt ad subversionem munitionum Antichristi Davidis exemplo in nomine Domini exercituum addebellandum incircumcisum illum accessisti Certe hic in Anglia ad arma Ecclesiae communia capessenda quae preces sunt lachrymae heu nimis segnes sumus omnes alibi forsan ad arma carnalia minimè necessaria nimis proclives fuerunt valdè multi oraculi Apostolici non satis ut videtur memores de interitu Antichristi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod non solum de praedicatione veritatis vivâ voce sed etiam ac praecipuè de Polemicis Theologorum nostrorum scriptis interpretari licet quò Sibyllinum etiam illud a quibusdam transfertur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quoniam scilicet ex linteis contritis fit papyrus quae scriptioni inservit Sed quorsum haec apud Dominationem tuam Accedo ad illa quorum tu nupèr mentionem fecisti Fateor me ante annos aliquot quaedam meditatum fuisse quae verè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel etiam antidoti vice esse possent non solùm contrà venenata aliquam multorum scripta qui sacrosanctos fontes corruptelae passim insimulant sed etiam adversus nonnullorum Pontificiorum nostrorum de origine Biblicae punctationis scriptionisque admodùm periculosas vel certè nimis temerarias conjecturas quorundam etiam aliorum ex adversa parte judaizantium superstitiosas vel minùs probabiles opiniones Nam inter Biblicam masoreticam punctationem diligenter distinguendum esse censeo ut Veritatem tà m ab excessu quà m à defectu inter utrumque vindicemus sartam tectam defendamus Caeterùm haec etiam omnia id genus alia à nobis semipaganis qui nec otio nec literis abundamus qui literis quam libris sumus abundantiores ad te releganda sunt limatissimum tuum judicium stylum desiderant In his aliis ejusdem farinae spinosis perplexis nobis eris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel in Apologia quam in promptu habes pro sacrorum fontium puritate authentica utriusque instrumenti editione vel in Bibliotheca tua Theologica quam post lucubrationes tuas de Christianarum Ecclesiarum successione Expectemus Fieri quidem potest ut rectè quis sentiat forsan etiam firmissimis argumentis ostendat confirmet sed illud ipsum nec commodè nec expeditè nedum politè latinè proferre possit quod tamen in hoc de punctatione Hebraicâ argumento mihi videtur necessarium Quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adtinet lectum reperies in Manuscripto exemplari inter alia Symboli Apostolici Romanis characteribus expresso Cantabrigiae in Archivis Bibliothecae Benedictinae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iisdem ferè verbis cum lxx ut opinor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 63 cum Apostolo Ephes. 4. Mirum in modum debacchantur hic adversarii nostri quod non satis Theologi Catechistae nostri consentiunt in hoc articulo explicando Et certè populus plerisque in locis apud nos articulum hunc tantum non planè negare rejicere jamdudum occoepit Quod Concionatorum Catechistarum quorundam vel imperitia vel ut levissimè dicam incogitantiâ factum esse videtur Mihi semper maximè consentaneum visum est ad obstruendum os Pontificiis ad piorum consolationem si unà cum confutatione errorum de Limbo Patrum c. unum idemque doceamus profiteamur nempe juxta tum articulos Doctrinae Catholicae Ecclesiae Anglicanae tum utrumque Catechismum nostrum minorem majorem Christum scilicet Dominum nostrum verè reapse ad locum damnatorum descendisse quoad efficaciam infernum c. debellasse c. ut in Noellano Catechismo si dextrè intelligatur exprimitur Sed manum de tabula ne Epistolae modum excedendo gravissimum occupationum tuarum cursum impediam Temporis totiusque villicationis nostrae reddenda est ratio in die illo coram supremo judice Quoties mihi in mentem venit venit autem saepiuscule tua in me singularis Clementia toties me ipsum vel ingratitudinis vel socordiae accusare me posse videar quòd non faepius per literas officii grati animi significationem dederim Ignoscas igitur quaeso huic temeritati meae Christus opt max. Te incolumem servet precor omnique benedictionum genere cumulatiffimum reddat Vale Dominationi tuae devotissimus in Domino Guilielmus Eyre Colcestriae Martii vii 1623 4. LETTER LXV A Letter from Dr. James to Mr. Calandrine Good Mr. Calandrine I Am glad my Lord hath a mind this way I am told that he may perhaps have those fair Houses furnished for the speaking Godstow of Sir Tho. Walters which is not far from Oxford by Land or by Water at pleasure Water-Eaton of Sir Richard Lovelace four miles distant Waterstock of Sir Geo. Crooks six miles I move not because I hear not from his Lordship but if I may both Dr. Bambridge and my self will do our best for the best in our Intentions both for my Lord's Health and the facilitating of his Lordship's Studies Sir John Walter and Sir Geo. Crook may be spoken withal in London Concerning our beginning and that with the Councels taking Damasus de Pontificibus and the Epistles Decretals together I wish it here presently if we had my Lord of Canterbury's Letters and Copies Normannus certainly is no Anabaptist Alph. de Castro is in the Index Expurgatorius as well as Cajetan contrary to both our Expectations Not only the peices but the whole Tracts are at my Lord's command That of Anselm Plessis had not from me Of that my Cousin is transcribing I know that Asinus Burnelli of Nigellus Wiraker is long ago printed now out of print but he hath compared his Manuscript with two more and enlarged it the print is not to be come by Stampensis and Serlo I think are no where extant In my note D. I am not as yet assured to be that in Lambeth the sight will shew that it is a MS. so ancient that it was Theodorus's written almost in Gregory's Time The Copy of the Concordance I send you you need not keep a Copy of it for I have the Original by me Anentine of Ingolst I have not seen he is much corrupted as all our Historians two quire taken out of him two out of Cuspinian more than a quire out of Krantzius If my Cousin come I will perhaps send I dare not venture them otherwise Remember my Duty to my Lord sic te Deo Your assured Friend Tho. James April 11 1624. LETTER LXVI A Letter from Dr. Tho. James to Mr. Calandrine Good Mr. Calandrine I Receiv'd your last weeks Letter The Collection out of Stella I have but no Stella it self and that I will not trust an ordinary Carrier with the Lyon's Addition and the Index Expurgatorius of
Insolence of an Arab called Emeere Farrach there is a force of Men gone against him he being of no great power will be soon quiet The Estate of his Empire decays and will be utterly ruined by the Tyranny and Oppression of the Spahees and Janisaries who are Lords and Governors of the Country what Man is he that dare oppose a Souldier The Mahometans are Slaves to the Souldiers the Christian and Jew under both it would grieve a Man's Heart to see the poor Estate and Condition of the Christians in these Parts nor so much for their outward Estate tho that be marvelous grievous but they are to be pitied for their Estate of Christianity for I know that in a manner all true knowledg is departed both from Minister and People the Lord in Mercy visit them Pardon my Tediousness and Presumption and excuse my weakness who shall daily pray unto the Lord of Lords to prosper all your ways and bless all your Endeavours and grant you a long Life here with Happiness and everlasting Glory in the Life to come and will ever rest Your Graces in all humble observance to be commanded Thomas Davis Aleppo the 16th of January 1625. LETTER LXXXII A Letter from Sir H. Bourgchier to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh at Much-Haddam Most Reverend in Christ and my very good Lord I Received your Lordship's Letter of the 26th of March for which I return many humble Thanks I have written to Mr. Pat. Young both concerning his Transcript of Epistles and the nameless Annal but I could yet receive no Answer from him and I have not yet had time to go to him myself I have spoken with Sir Rob. Cotton concerning Malmesbury and the two Books of Saints Lives in Sarisbury Library all which he hath undertaken your Lordship shall have with all convenient speed As for the other two Books he tells me that you have one of them if not both already but if you want either of them you shall have it sent to you Giraldus Cambrensis of the Lives of David and Patrick was in my hands which I send your Lordship herewithal I have transcrib'd him for the Press only I will desire that when the Printer is ready for that part I may have it to compare with my Transcript for I purpose to go in hand with the Impression of his Works tho I make some adventure of my own Purss. If my Memory fail me not that Arabick Book is in my Lord Marshall's Library but I have not had opportunity to go in since the receipt of your Lordship's Letter by the next I will give your Lordship an account of it I received some Letters out of Ireland of the 25th of March but containing little memorable only which is very lamentable of five hundred Souldiers lately transported from the River of Chester three hundred at least are lost by Shipwrack upon the Coast of Wales Sir Ed. Chichester is created Baron of Belfast and Viscount of Carikfergus Here is much preparation for the Solemnities of the Funeral Parliament and Coronation The new Writs are gone out returnable the 17th of May. The Funeral-day is appointed the 10th of May which doubtless will be very great and sumptuous It is said that the King of Bohemia his eldest Son comes over to be chief Mourner There is no day certain for the Coronation because it depends upon the Marriage that both may be done together Italy which hath been quiet sixty Years some few Brables of the D. of Savoy excepted is now grown the Stage of War The French the Duke of Savoy and the Venetian Forces are 50000 and are come within twelve Miles of Genoa having already taken divers of their Towns But now my Paper bids me end wherefore with the remembrance of my Love and Service to your Lordship and Mrs. Usher as also to Sir Garret Harvy and my Lady I will ever remain Your Graces most affectionate Friend and humble Servant Henry Bourgchier London April 7. 1625. LETTER LXXXIII A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davies to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend Father and my no less honoured Lord IT is a good while since I writ your to Grace for want of a good occasion not presuming to trouble you with unnecessary Lines so trust my long silence will be excused The five Books of Moses with those parcels of the New Testament which your Lordship writ for in the Caldean Tongue sent you ten Months ago I trust in safety are come to your hands whereof I should be glad to hear I have used my best Industry to procure those other Books that you would have bought but hitherto have not been so happy as to light upon any of them such Books being very rare and valued as Jewels tho the Possessors are able to make little use of them Amongst all the Caldeans that lay in Mount Libanus Tripoly Sidon and Jerusalem there is but only one old Copy of the Old Testament in their Language extant and that in the custody of the Patriarch of the Sect of the Maronites who hath his residence in Mount Libanus which he may not part with upon any terms only there is liberty given to take Copies thereof which of a long time hath been promised me and indeed I made full account to have been possessed of one ere this time having agreed for it but I was deluded which troubled me not a little so in fine resolved to send a Man on purpose to Libanus to take a Copy thereof who is gone and I hope in four or five Months will finish it and by the assistance of the Almighty I trust to be able to send it by our next Ships By our Ships lately departed I have sent your Lordship some of the Works of Ephrem which if they prove useful I have my desire however I trust will be acceptable The last Letter I received from your Lordship bears date the 21st of February and came to my hands the 18th of July where I perceive you would have the New Testament in the Aethiopian Language and Character wherein my best Endeavours have not wanted for which purpose I have sent to Damascus where a few of the Abissines do inhabit yet have had no answer thence and in case do not prevail here I purpose to send to Jerusalem where divers of them do attend upon the Sepulcher of our Lord whence I hope to be furnished and in due time to send it with the Old Testament in the Syriack Tongue by the next Ships Thus much I beseech your Lordship to be assured of that I will omit no time nor neglect any means for effecting what you have or shall command me Touching such Occurrences which are worthy your Lordship's knowledg this unsettled tottering Estate affords little The Turks Forces were before Bagdat and during the Siege the Persians sallied out of the City divers times and had many Skirmishes with the Turks but ever came off with Honour
where he addeth much more concerning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if I were able to give the sum of it it needeth not if your Lordship have Plato if not except London Stationers now furnish I can with much conveniency send down to Tottenham any Book I was lately with one Mr. Boyse whose Notes are on Chrysostom with Mr. Downes's he is now comparing of Nicene Syn. in Greek with an old Manuscript which was by great chance offered to him he is very learned in the Greek Authors and most willing to communicate tho your Lordship needs not those Excellencies he is but four Miles dwelling out of Cambridg I intend to go over of purpose to him concerning the same Queries which your Lordship propounded because he was Mr. Downes his Scholar I shall intreat him to furnish me with all the Notes if he may conveniently that he gathered from Mr. Downes My Lord if I be not over-bold to desire such a Favour I wish I had that Table wherein your Lordship hath compared the Hebrew Greek and Latin Alphabet which sheweth plainly the right Pronunciation of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the whole consent of the rest When I have done with Mr. Boyse and have obtained any thing worth your view I will by that Messenger desire your Servant to copy out that Table for me which would give great content to my Scholars which study the Languages And thus craving pardon of your Lordship I humbly take my leave and rest Your Lordship's humble Servant to his Power Abraham Wheelock Clare-Hall July 12. 1625. LETTER LXXXVI A Letter from Dr. Sam. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh at Much-Haddam Most Reverend and my very good Lord I Received a Note from Dr. Lindsell written by your Lordship wherein you desire to have a Book out of Trinity-Colledg Library which you intitle Psalterium Gallicum Romanum Hebraicum MS. in magno Folio There is no such Book there as the Master telleth me but he shewed me the Psalter in Hebrew MS. interlinear with a Latin Translation and two other Collateral Translations in Latin but there is no French and it is but in a little Folio The Catena in Psalmos 50 priores Daniele Barbaro interprete I cannot learn where it is Whereas you desire some old Impression of the Greek Psalms in Trinity-Colledg Library there is Augustini Justiniani Episcopi Nebiensis Psalterium Octaplum in which there is the Greek Translation also the Arabick and Chalde Paraphrase but I suppose you have that Book already Also they have a Manuscript Psalter in Greek a very good Hand which it seemeth was Liber Theodori Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis If you would have any of those I will procure them from Dr. Maw I had purposed to have seen you e're now and now this Week I had purposed to have brought my whole Family to Mundon but this day I received a Letter that one of my Workmen at my Parsonage had a Sister who is suspected the last Saturday to die of the Plague at Standon I thank God we are yet well at Cambridg If you please to write unto me your mind touching the Books aforesaid I will do what you would have me Thus desiring the Lord to mitigate this grievous Judgment which hath seized upon our Mother-City and from thence is diffused to many other Towns in the Land and to stay it in his good time and in the mean time to sanctify this Correction unto the whole Land that it may have that powerful working for which God sends it to make us sensible of our Sins and of his Wrath for our Sins and of the Miseries of our Brethren under the Cross and so to move us to true Repentance and new Obedience which He effect in us for his Mercy 's sake Thus with my best Service to your self and Mrs. Usher and my kind Love to Sir Gerard and his Lady I commend you to the safe protection of the highest Majesty Your Lordships in all observance Samuel Ward Sidney-Coll Aug. 3. 1625. I am careful that the Letter be conveyed by Persons safe from all Infection LETTER LXXXVII A Letter from Dr. James to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh After the remembrance of my humble Duty MAY it please your Grace to pardon my long silence and neglect of writing according to my Duty occasioned partly by Sickness partly by Discontent and Discouragement from our great Ones But being now freed from both God be thanked I address my self wholly to the care of the Publick long since by me intended Wherein now more than ever I must be bold to crave your Lordships furtherance that as it had its first beginnings from your Grace so it may its final end and a fulfilling by your Lordships good means It is true my Lord of Litchfield is intrusted with the whole direction and managing of this Business but had your Grace been near there would have been none more able nor willing than your Grace I do therefore most humbly intreat your Lordship that sometime before your Grace's departure into Ireland you would be pleased upon conference with my Lord of Litchfield to settle the whole Business what Authors we shall begin with in what order and after what manner As for the Canon-Law which I have looked unto not without the vocation and approbation of Mr. Vice-chancellor I must confess my forwardness therein upon a supposal of sundry Additions unto Gratian and my Fellow-labourers are as earnest as my self upon that little which we have hitherto found Doubtless Gratian was one of the first Compilers of the Popish Religion in his hotch-potch of the Canon-Law but yet he is not so bad as he is made the Corruptions are of a later hue and came in long since his time I have given a taste as of all that I have hitherto done in certain rude Papers overhastily perhaps sent up to pass your Lordships Censure and Judgment and from thence to the Press that I may have a taste to present unto my Lord the Bishops and others that have already promised their helps If this of almost an hundred places corrupted in point of Religion not taking all upon an exact survey but a few to give proof of the faisibility of the Work to the common profit of the Church shall be thought fit to be printed and an hundred places of flat contradiction Men if ever will be stirred up to advance this Work for the doing whereof with some jeopardy of my Health and loss of all worldly Preferment I am most willing to be imployed to the uttermost of my simple Endeavours having nothing to promise but Fidelity and Industry Good my Lord what can be done by your Grace let it be done to the uttermost the Work is in a manner yours to God be the Glory and if the Church of England receive not as much profit by this one Work being well done as by any thing since Erasmus's Time I will never look hereafter to be
credited of your Grace or any Man clse But to the well-doing and perfecting of this Work two things are requisite First That the Fathers Works in Latin be reprinted the Vindiciae will not serve wherein I desire to have three or four able Doctors or Batchelors of Divinity to be my Assistants in framing the Annotations Secondly That there be provision either in Parliament or out that the Copies may be sent from any Cathedral Church or Colledg upon a sufficient Caution non obstante statuto both these being granted as at your Lordships instance they may be I doubt not of a most happy success of the whole Business Which that I may not be too troublesome to your Grace I commend unto the protection of the Almighty praying for your Lordships health and happiness and resting as I am in all Bands of Duty and Service Your Grace's in all Duty Tho. James Oxon 27 Feb. 1625. I have a Pseudo-Cyprian Arnaldus Bonavillacensis Work collated and restored by the MS. and printed here under your Graces Name of Authors falsified it is the greatest instance that can be given the whole Treatise fairly written forth is at your Grace's dispose your mind being signified It hath sundry foul Additions and Diminutions in many Points of Controversy LETTER LXXXVIII A Letter from Mr. John Selden to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord I Was glad to have occasion to send to your Lordship that I might so hear of the good Estate of your Self and your Family to which certainly all good Men wish happiness I was the last week with Sir Robert Cotton at Connington at my parting from him when he was with his Son to go to Oxford to the Parliament he gave me leave to send to your Lordship to spare me the two Saxon Chronicles you have of his which I beseech you to do and to send them me by this Bearer together with my Matthew Paris Baronius his Martyrologie and Balaeus I exceedingly want these five Books here and if you command it they shall be sent you again in reasonable time I presume too my Lord that by this time you have noted the Differences between the Texts of the received Original and that of the Samaritan I beseech you to be pleased to permit me the sight of those Differences if they may with manners be desired especially those of Times I shall desire nothing more than upon all opportunity to be most ready to appear and that with all forwardness of performance in whatsoever I were able Your Lordships most Affectionate Servant J. Selden Wrest in Bedfordshire August 4. 1625. LETTER LXXXIX A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward Salutem in Christo Jesu SIR Robert Cotton did assure me that the Psalterium Gallicum Romanum Hebraicum was in Trinity-Colledg in an extraordinary large Folio but hereby you must not understand any Text written either in the French or in the Hebrew Language but by Hebraicum the Latin Psalter translated by St. Hierom out of the Hebrew and by Gallicum the Latin Psalter translated by him out of the Greek which is the very same with our Vulgar Latin Edition so called because it was first received in the French Church as the other Romanum because it was used in the Church of Rome which if our last Translators had considered they would not have alleaged as they do in their Epistle to the Reader for confirmation of the translating of the Scriptures into the Vulgar Tongue the Testimony of Trithemius that Efnarde Einardus they mean about the Year 800 did abridg the French Psalter as Beda had done the Hebrew If this Book cannot be had as I much desire it may I pray fail not to send me the other two Manuscript Psalters which you write unto me are in the same Library viz. the Greek thought to be Theodori Cantuar. and the Hebrew that is interlin'd with a Latin Translation for Aug. Justiniani Psalterium Octaplum I have of mine own When you remove to Munden if it be not troublesome unto you I wish you did bring with you your Greek Ganons Manuscript I understand that Mr. Boyse hath gotten lately into his hands a Greek Manuscript of the Acts of the first Council of Nice I should be glad to hear how it differeth from that of Gelasius Cyzicenus which we have and whether he can help me with any old Greek Copy of the Psalms or any Commentary upon them So ceasing to trouble you any further at this time I commend you and all yours to God's blessed direction and protection ever resting Your own in Christ Jesus Ja. Armachanus Much-Haddam Aug. 9. 1625. LETTER XC A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord IReceived your Lordship's Letter and according as you will me have borrowed the two Books you mention Dr. Maw would intreat you to set down some limited time for which you would borrow them and to signify the receipt of them in some Note under your hand There is as I remember a part of the Psalter in King's-Colledg Library Manuscript in a great Folio which was brought from Cales I will look into it When I come to Munden I will bring the Books you mention Mr. Boyse his Manuscript of the Acts of the Nicene Council is surely the Collection made by Gelasius He came to me to borrow the printed Copies I lent him two of them and withal told him there is another Manuscript of Gelasius in Trinity-Colledg Library The next time I speak with Mr. Boyse I will know whether he have any Greek Copy or Commentary upon the Psalms Thus hoping to see you e're long if God will with my best Service remembred I commend you and all yours to the gracious protection of the highest Majesty in these dangerous Times resting Your Lordships in what he may Samuel Ward Sidn Coll. Aug. 11. 1625. LETTER XCI A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend my very good Lord I Received your Letter and the enclosed which I will deliver to Dr. Maw This day I met with one of King's-Colledg and he tells me the great Volume they have in Manuscript of the Psalms in Latin which was brought from Cales is but half of the Psalter I willed him to compare it with the Vulgar Edition and to tell me whether they differ He promised me he would I received not the Letter â—ill six a Clock this Night and this Bearer is to be gone early in the Morning so that I cannot compare it with the Vulgar now but I verily think it is no other but the Vulgar Edition it is the greatest Folio that ever I saw Yesterday after I sent you the two Books I hit upon the Book you desired Psalterium Gallic Roman Hebraicum at one of our Stationers set out by Jacobus Stapulensis with his Commentary which I here send you
I will also write to Mr. Bedell for the Manuscript Psalter he hath Thus in some haste I commend your Lordship to the safe protection of the highect Majesty Your Lordships in what he may Samuel Ward Cambridg Aug. 12. 1625. I send you also one Edition of the Psalms Graeco Lat. but I think it will do you no great pleasure LETTER XCII A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh To the Right Honourable and my special good Lords the Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal and the Lord High-Treasurer of England My most honoured Lords YOUR Lordships Letters bearing date the 9th of this Present were delivered unto me by a Servant of Dr. Rives the 18th of the same In reading whereof I found my self much grieved that the Doctor by his sinister Suggestions should so far prevail with your Wisdoms as to make you conceive that I refused to perform the Agreement which your Lordships made betwixt us True it is indeed that I complained unto your Lordships that the drawing up that Agreement was committed to the Party himself who was careful enough to lay down all things therein to his own best advantage without reservation of any Power unto me to limit him any way in the exercise of that Authority which he was to hold under me But as soon as I had received satisfaction from your Honour my Lord Keeper under your hand writing that I might limit him by private Instructions though not by Patent and that the clause of good-behaviour was ever included in these Offices howsoever they were granted during Life I presently did agree to sign his Patent And this is that second Agreement he talketh so much of which I never took to be any other than that which was at first intended Concerning this he affirmeth in his Petition that having shewed unto me my Lord Keeper's Opinion signified in writing concerning the Exceptions taken by me against his Draught of the Patent I agreed to seal him the said Patent provided that two Clauses only might be added but most guilefully suppresseth that which was not to be inserted in the Patent but to pass in private betwixt us two namely that I might limit him by private Instructions according to my Lord Keeper's direction which at that very time he delivered unto me in writing My Lords if you think that I have any Faith or Honesty in me believe me herein that I propounded this unto him as the main foundation of our Agreement and that he gave his assent unto it before ever I would promise to seal his Patent He only adding this That he did not doubt when he could shew cause unto me why I should vary from my Instructions in any Particular I would be ruled by better Reason Herewith for the present did I rest satisfied but the day following I considered better with my self what a slender Tie I had upon him if I only should rest contented with his bare Word only which at his pleasure he might deny where-ever he saw cause And therefore to prevent all matter of future Discord I intreated him by Letter that as I had shewed my self ready to gratify him by binding my self publickly under my Hand and Seal unto him so he would privately tie himself in like manner for giving more full satisfaction unto me in two Particulars For the former of these which doth concern the Registership I signified unto him at the time of our Agreement that I had made promise of it already to one Mr. Hilton Which being a Matter of less importance the Doctor doth now so little stand upon it that in a Letter lately written unto me he hath utterly disclaimed all Power of conferring the said Office upon the next avoidance But for the latter which concerneth the limiting of him by private Instructions according to my Lord-Keeper's express direction he hath now at full discovered that whereof I conceiv'd at first but a jealousie namely that he did but dare verba and intended nothing less than performance when to get my consent unto the signing of the Patent of his own drawing he submitted himself to be ordered by the Instructions which I should give him For as if res were adhuc integra and no such Agreement at all had passed betwixt us he now maketh your Lordships to write that you do not think it reasonable that this should be imposed upon him I am bold to say that he maketh your Lordships to write thus because I am verily perswaded that if the Matter be examined it will be found that this Letter was of his own drawing Wherein what infinite wrong he hath done unto your Honour my Lord-Keeper I humbly beseech you to consider First He bringeth your Lordship's Writing unto me signifying that I might limit him by private Instructions though not by Patent and hereunto he shewed himself then content to yield And now he hath stolen another Letter from your Honour wherein he would have you signify again that you do not think it reasonable that he should be tied to follow the Instructions that I shall give him Behold Jordanes conversus est retrorsum and now not Littora littoribus contraria but litterae litteris Your Lordships had need to watch this Man's Fingers when-ever you trust him with drawing up of any Orders or Letters that do concern his own Particular for otherwise you may chance to find him as nimble in putting Tricks upon your selves for his own advantage as now he is in putting them upon me Which that your Lordships may yet be more sensible of I intreat you to weigh well the Reason which he maketh you here to render of the unreasonableness of the Condition that I require of him For did ever any reasonable Man hold it to be a thing unreasonable that a Substitute should be ordered by him that hath appointed him to be his Substitute This may be true will he say in thesi but not in hypothesi in other Substitutions but not in this because upon your Lordships motion he hath submitted himself to take that under me which he hath a fair pretence to challenge in his own Right So that were it not for the respect which he did bear unto your Lordships motion his stout heart belike would not stoop to such terms of submission but hazard the whole rather by putting his own Right in trial Yea but what if this prove to be another piece of the Doctor 's Legerdemain and that it do appear evidently under his own hand that this desire of submission did primarily and originally proceed out of his own breast ex motu mero proprio long before your Lordships had any thing to do in the business If you will be pleased to take so much pains as to peruse the inclosed copy of a Letter which he wrote unto me not long before the decease of his late Majesty of blessed memory you shall find a Motion tendred therein unto me for the intreating of Sir Henry Holcraft
to move his Majesty that he the said Doctor might be spoken to for the surrendering of his Patent together with the renewing of a former Suit of making him my Servant in that place sealed up with a promise of rendring his due obedience and thankfulness unto me for my favour So far was he then from those high terms whereon he now standeth But the case is now so far altered that this obedient Servant of mine affecteth not an Equality only with me by exempting himself wholly from my controul but also for ought I see a Superiority over me For if it shall please him to visit my Diocess or my Province as he did in the time of my Predecessor what is there in that Patent as he hath drawn it whereby I may hinder him from so doing Your Honour may by private Instructions and his Discretion free your self of this fear faith my Lord-Keeper in his Marginal Annotations upon my former Letter But good my Lord give me leave to think that the hope of such a Prize as he got by his other Visitation of all the Arch-bishops and Bishops in our Kingdom will very easily blind this Man's Discretion and for my private Instructions what weight will they be of if it be now thought a matter not reasonable that my Substitute should be tied by them As for the Report which your Lordships are to make unto his Majesty upon the reference of this Business unto you I humbly crave that for so much as doth concern me it may be made to this effect First That I never did nor do refuse to submit my self to that Agreement which you have put under your hands to be signified to his Majesty but am ready to perform it in every particular Secondly That for the limiting of my Substitute and the terms whereupon he must hold his Place under me of which there is nothing laid down in that Agreement which you have signed that which concerneth Fees and Profits only excepted I do desire that his Patent only be drawn according to the Pattern of Sir Henry Martin's and that the same Power may be reserved to me and my Successors that my Lord of Canterbury's Grace doth retain unto himself in the exercise of the Office of Prerogative and Faculties Which if it may here stand well with Sir Henry Martin's Reputation I see not but it may stand as well likewise in Ireland without any such great disparagement to Mr. Doctor 's Dignity And lastly If the Doctor herein shall not hold himself to be fairly and exceeding favourably dealt withal my desire is that both of us may be left to the Law to try our Rights together For thereby it shall be made as clear as the Light that the Doctor 's Patent was absolutely void or voidable ab initio that whatsoever validity it had at the beginning yet it was afterwards forfeited by his notorious Misdemeanour and in fine that it was actually surrendred into the Hands of His Majesty and by him cassated and annulled howsoever the Ceremony of cancelling it hath been neglected Which kind of Trial by course of Law I do now the rather desire yet strill submitting my self to the former Agreement if it shall so seem fit unto your Lordships 1. Because the Doctor wished mine Agent to certify me in plain terms that he would not be under me and hereby for his part hath disclaimed the benefit of your Lordships Order 2. Because by his incensing of my Lord of Canterbury against me of whose Grace I never yet deserved evil by his abusing of me in his Reports unto your Lordships and by his disgraceful traducing of me in all Companies he hath made himself utterly unworthy of the Favour which I intended to shew unto him 3. Because as long as my Life shall be conceived to remain in that pretended Patent the validity of the Acts that have passed in the Prerogative Court during the time of my Predecessor some whereof have been of very great moment may be held in suspence it being still questionable whether they were done coram non-Judice or no. All which I leave unto your honourable consideration and humbly craving pardon if I have any way overshot my self in defending mine Innocency and Reputation against the unworthy Proceedings of my ungrateful Accuser I rest Your Lordships ready to do you Service J. A. Much Haddam Aug. 20. 1625. LETTER XCIII A Letter from Mr. John Selden to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord IT was most glad News to me to hear of your so forward Recovery and I shall pray for the addition of Strength to it that so you may the easier go on still in the advancement of that Common-wealth of Learning wherein you can so guide us I humbly thank your Lordship for your Instructions touching the Samaritan Bible and the Books I have returned the Saxon Annals again as you desired with this suit that if you have more of them for these are very slight ones and the old Book of Ely Historia Jornallensis the Saxon Evangelist the Book of Worcester the Book of Mailros or any of them you will be pleased to send me them all or as many as you have of them by you and what else you have of the History of Scotland and Ireland and they shall be returned at your pleasure if you have a Saxon Bede I beseech you let that be one also If I have any thing here of the rest or ought else that your Lordship requires for any present use I shall most readily send them to you and shall ever be Your Lordship's most affectionate Servant J. Selden Sept. 14. 1625. Wrest Sept. 19. Sent him upon this Annales Latino-Saxonici the Book of Mailros Fordoni Scotichronic Fragment Scotic Annal. ad finem Ivonis Carnot Fragment Annalium Abb. B. Mariae Virginis Dublin Annales Hiberniae Thomae Case The Book of Hoath Pembrig's Annals Ms. There is hope as Sir Robert Cotton tells me that a very ancient Greek MS. Copy of the Council of Nice the first of them of that name is to be had some where in Huntingdonshire I thought it was a piece of News that would be acceptable to your Lordship he is in chase for it LETTER XCIV A Letter from Mr. John Cotton of Boston in New-England to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Right Reverend MY beloved Neighbour-Minister Mr. Wood acquainted me with your desire to hear from me how I conceived of the way of God's eternal Predestination and the Execution of it I should not have hearkned to him herein tho I love him well were it not for the deep Affection and Reverence I bear to your Person and Gifts which hath constrained me together with his importunacy to yield to the sending of this Discourse to you which I was occasioned to write a year ago for the satisfaction of a Neighbour-Minister in Points of this nature The Questions and Answers in the beginning of the Book I delivered and opened
by way of Catechism long ago which a Neighbour-Minister having afterwards gotten from some of my Hearers he wrote those Doubts which follow in the Book the better to inform either himself or me Whereupon as I could get any time in the midst of other continual Employments too heavy for me I wrote to him the Discourse following the more fully to acquaint him with the grounds of my Judgment as knowing well his sufficiency to object fully if he found himself unsatisfied in any Passage thereof The Style I confess is unmeet for you to read as being plain and popular and therefore too large and withal empty of variety of reading which store of other Occurrences in my Calling here inforceth me too often to intermit Thus much let me humbly intreat at your Lordship's hands by the honour which you owe to Christ and by the Love you bare to his poorest Servants stick not I beseech you to advertise me freely of any such tenent herein as you shall think less safe I trust you shall find me conscious of mine own Slenderness and glad to râ—â—â—ive such Light as God shall be pleased to impart to me by you Yet this one thing more let me also add Tho I yield some degree of Efficacy in Christ's Death unto all yet I conceive it far short both of Impetration and Application of that gracious Atonement which is thereby wrought to the Elect of God whence also it is that I dare not preach the Gospel indifferently unto all before the Law nor the worth of Christ before the need of Christ. Childrens Bread is not meet for Whelps and full Souls will despise Hony-Combes I see John Baptist was sent to humble before Christ to heal and Christ himself preached Repentance before Faith in the Promises Mark 1. 15. Neither do I remember in the Gospel any Promise of Grace pardoning Sin nor any Commandment to believe Sin pardoned but to the broken the bruised the poor the weary the thirsty or the like Faith in the Promises before the Heart be changed from Stoniness to Brokenness I fear is no better than the Temporary Faith which is found in the stony Soil Luke 8. 13. But I cease your Lordship 's further Trouble Now the Lord Jesus who hath delighted in you to fill your Heart with the Riches of his manifold precious Graces be pleased to enlarge you to the Employment of them to his best advantage guide all your Ways in his Faithfulness and Wisdom and sustain you with his Mercy and Power unto the end So I humbly take leave and rest Earnestly desirous to be directed by your Lordship or confirmed in the Truth John Cotton Boston May 31. 1626. LETTER XCV A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward Salutem in Christo Jesu SIR I Am very sorry to hear of your Distractions there but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to whose Guidance we must refer both this and ipsam rerum summam quae in summo jam si quid videmus versatur discrimine When the Collaters have finished the Acts I could wish they collated the Epistles with the Text which is inserted into the Commentaries of Photius and Oecumenius Manuscripts in the University Library where there are some varieties of readings also as I remember noted in the Margent in the brief Scholies that are written in red Letters Remember me to Mr. Chancy and learn of him what he hath done for Mr. Broughton's Books intreat him also to look into the Manuscript Psalter in Hebrew and Latin in Trinity Colledg-Library and thence transcribe for me the last Verse save one of the 52 Psalm which is wanting in our printed Hebrew Bibles the Latin of that Verse if I forget not beginneth Consilium Mosis c. I would willingly also hear how far he hath proceeded in the Samaritan Bible and what Mr. Boys hath done in the transcribing of the Greek Manuscript which I left with him Wish Mr. Green to send me Lucian in Greek and Latin Your assured Friend J. Ar. LETTER XCVI A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord I Received your Lordship's Letter and that which I signified to your Lordship in my last Letter was almost really effected The night before the choice of our new Chancellor I was very ill so as without hazard of my Health I could not be at the choice and so was absent The Duke carried it not above three or four Voices from the Earl of Berkshire and had not neither carried it but that the King's Pleasure was signified for the Duke both by Message and Letter Quod vis summam rerum in summo versari discrimine timeo doleo I acquainted Mr. White with your Pleasure and wished him to impart it to the rest of the Collators as touching the Collation of the Text in the Comments of Photius and Oecumenius I send you inclosed the Hebrew Verse you writ for They are in Denteronomy in the Samaritan Pentateuch I have not as yet spoken with Mr. Boyse I received the Books you mention and sent two of them to Mr. Austine Mr. Green will send you the two Books Lucian Graeco Lat. and N. Testam Syrlacum-Latin to Mr. Burnets Mr. White sendeth up unto you the Variae Lectiónes upon the Psalms The divers Readings of Prosper shall be sent you Dr. Goad sent me two sheets of my Latin Sermon printed But I hear not whether our Suffrage be reprinted I would know whether Nicetus his Orthodoxus Thesaurus be extant in Greek I suppose it is in Latin at least in the New Bibliotheca He is said to interpret Greg. Nyssen his Opinion of the Conversion which is made in the Eucharist mentioned c. 37 Catechet I cannot tell what to pronounce touching that discourse His discourse is somewhat plausible till he come to the conversion made in the Eucharist by Christ's words and then he doth faulter I pray you let me know where the Manuscript Copies of the Saxon Annals are to be had Mr. Mede and Mr. Whalley are both in good health I am right sorry that your Lordship should so soon go from us I am now in business in Disputations in our Schools I shall forget many things which I should have enquired of And so with my best Service remembred to your Lordship and Mrs. Usher I commend you to the gracious Protection of the highest Majesty and so rest Your Lordship 's in all Observance Samuel Ward Sidney-College June 6. 1626. There is good Agreement God be thanked in King's College LETTER XCVII A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord I Have sent you here enclosed the diverse Readings of the Continuation of Eusebius's Chronicle by Hierom and both the Prospers Mr. Elmar will bring your Lordship the Concio ad Clerum which against my mind is set forth without those other things
which I told your Lordship of whereof I would have had this but an Appendix We have had this Week a gracious Letter from his Majesty much approving the Choice of our Chancellor And another from our Chancellor To both which Answers are returned by our University God dispose of all to good Our Chancellor seemeth to be forward for the erecting a Library here I have not spoken with Mr. Boyse as yet nor do I hear that Mr. Chaunty is come home I would be sorry your Lordship should so soon leave us I will still hope of your longer continuance Howsoever when you leave us I will accompany you and all yours with my best Devotions for your safe Journey and Arrival at your home And so commend you and Mrs. Usher to the gracious Protection of the highest Majesty Your Lordship 's in all observance Samuel Ward Sidney-Coll June 10th 1626. LETTER XCVIII A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward SIR I Have received from you the divers readings of the continuation of Eusebius's Chronicle and your Concio ad Clerum for which I heartily thank you Your Gratia Discriminans I doubt not will settle many Mens minds in those dubious Times to which I wish that the other things which you intended had been added especially those places which you observed out of St. Augustin against falling from Grace But of this Argument I earnestly beseech you to take special care as soon as your Commencement Businesses are past over and when you have put your Notes together I pray you make me so happy as to have a Copy of them Neque enim mihi gratior ulla est Quam sibi quae Wardi praefixit pagina nomen The suddain Dissolution of the Parliament hath amazed us all Mens hearts failing them for fear and for looking on those things which are coming on the Land The Lord prepare us for the Day of our Visitation and then let his blessed Will be done There is a Proclamation to be presently set out for the stopping of those Contentions in Points of Religion I have dealt with your Chancellor very effectually for the erecting of your Library to which he is of himself exceeding forward I have procured him to send unto Leyden for all the printed Hebrew Books of Erpenius his Library which together with his Manuscripts which he hath already he purposeth to bestow upon your University I have also perswaded him to send thither for the Matrices of the Syriack Arabick Aethiopick and Samaritan Letters and to bestow them like wise upon you Mr. White hath sent up unto me the Variae Lectiones of the Psalms accompanied with a very kind Letter I pray you tell him from me that I will keep them by me as a perpetual testimony of his love and respect to me whereof he shall find that I will not be unmindful whensoever either himself or any of his shall have occasion to use me Nicetus his Orthodaxus Thesaurus I have not seen in Greek the Latin I have in Ireland but whether it be inserted into Bibliotheca Patrum I cannot tell the Book being not now by me That Gregory Nyssen's Catechetical Oration hath been evil handled and interpolated by Hereticks I think is somewhere observed by Nicephorus himself see his Ecel Elist lib. 11. cap. 19. yet that Discourse of the Eucharist if my Memory fail me not is inserted by Cuthimius in his Panoplia And I have seen it my self in two ancient Greek Manuscripts of Gregory Nyssen with Mr. Patrick Toung the one whereof was Mr. Caâ—sabon's the other of Metrophanes the Grecian which you may do well to see collated with the printed Spalatensis also I think suspecteth this place of Forgery In Sir Rob. Cotton's Library there be four several Saxon Annals and one written both in the Saxon and in the Latin Tongue In Benet-Colledg Library likewise Vol. 269. there is another ancient Saxon Annal. I should have gone from hence at the time I wrote unto you of but since that time I received a Letter from the Lord Chamberlain signifying the King's Pleasure that I should preach at Court the 25th of this Month which hath caused me to put off my Journey until the end of the Term. So with the remembrance of my best wishes to you I rest Your most assured Ja. Armachanus Lond. Jun. 16. 1626. LETTER XCIX A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Dr. Samuel Ward Salutem in Christo Jesu SIR SInce I wrote unto you last I have received intelligence from Leyden that all Erpenius's printed Books are already sold and his Matrices of the Oriental Tongues are bought by Elzevir the Printer there so that now you must content your selves with his Manuscripts only which are a very rare Treasure indeed and for which your University shall rest much beholden unto your Chancellor I my self have now received out of Mesopotamia an old Manuscript of that Syrian Translation of the Pentateuch out of the Hebrew the same which St. Basil citeth in his Hexameron which I make very great account of The Patriarch of the Jacobites in those parts who sent this promiseth also to send the rest of the Old Testament e're long in the mean time I have received the Parcels of the New Testament which hitherto we have wanted in that Language viz. the History of the Adulterous Woman the 2d Epistle of Peter the 2d and 3d Epistles of St. John the Epistle of Jude and the Revelation as also a small Tractate of Ephram Syrus in his own Language Elmenhorst is dead but I will do my best to hearken after his Copy of the Acts of the Council of Calcedon at Hamburg I will also speak with Mr. Patrick Young for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 37th Chapter of Greg. Nyssen's Catechet as soon as I can meet with him The place of Nyssen doth not trouble you more than a like one of Chrysostom hath done me viz. Sermone quinto de Poenitentiâ Tom. 6. edit Savil. pag. 791. which in the Latin Tomes is Homil. de Eucharistiâ in Eucaeniis where I would willingly understand what the meaning of his Similitude is and of that Mysteria consumi Corporis substantiâ There is another place likewise of Chrysostom cited by Bellarmin in his Apology Ex Hom. 3. in 2 Thess. Jubebit seipsum pro Deo coli at in Templo Collocari non Hierosolymitano solum sed etiam Ecclesiis where my Lord of Winchester telleth the. Cardinal that the word tantum is not in the Greek I pray you see in Commelinus's Edition or that of Verona for Sir H. Savil's is otherwise Tom. 4. pag. 232. Your Assured Friend J. Arm. London June 23. 1626. LETTER C. A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord I Received your Lordships last Letter of the 23 d of this month and do perceive thereby that Erpenius's printed
translated for the good of the Gentry in that it fitteth a Gentleman with Discourse of every Nation and Language but that I understood the several Characters in this Book would not be had for 1000 l. and to set it forth without Characters would be a Catarract in the Reader 's Eye He setteth down thirteen several Characters of the Hebrew Tongue pag. 117. deinceps In the division of the Books of the Talmud he follows Riccius and Galatinus which are not so exact as Buxtorf In his 76 Page he affirmeth that Moses foreseeing his death wrote the Law in thirteen Copies from the first Element to the last giving each of the twelve Tribes of Israel a Copy written in publick Characters namely saith he Characters Samaritan and that he left the 13th Copy to the Levites and Priests in secret and divine Writing standing on triangular Rods the use of which remained only to the Priests and Levites who were expert and of understanding in the reading and understanding thereof having the knowledg of the Points and Accents of Letters and Vowels c. Out of which I note these two things First That Moses left unvowelled Copies to the Tribes save one which had both Accents and Vowels to the custody of the Priests to which they might have recourse in doubtful Lections Secondly The Antiquity of the Samaritan Characters for the commendation of your Lordships Samaritain Bible I beseech your Lordship any time at your fit leisure to send to Mr. Burnett's that little Tract of mine of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and your Lordships approbation or reprobation of it wherein I fail for I have not yet done it so exactly as if God permit I intend I would gladly be confirmed in the Truth or have the falshood infirmed if there be any in that Tract for the Lord he knows I have always sought the Truth with integrity of Heart weeping often with St. John where I find the sealed Book submitting always my Spirit to the Spirit of the Prophets in propriis stare but crying out always 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let the Righteous smite me vincet veritas Surely the Prophesy and Sign of Jonas is expounded to be fulfilled in that Article of our Creed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for as Jonas's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was three days and three nights from the time that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Fish swallowed him till the time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cast him up So Christ's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must answerably be part of three days from the time he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and that he was laid in the Sepulchre till the time that he arose out of the Sepulcre the precise time of 34 hours at which instant neither the great Stone or the Sepulchre nor the Seal of Pontius Pilate nor the Guard could hold him any longer under the power of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Death for so long he must be held under Destroy this Temple within three days I will build it up again Now the Jews laboured all they could to disannul this Prophesy and to keep him longer yea for ever in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and under the Power of Death To this end rolling on his Sepulchre a Stone sealing it and setting a Guard saying This Deceiver said while he was living that within three days he would rise again Now this is more than to be buried for he might have risen in so few hours again but till the 34 hours expired he could not without the disannulling of Jonas's Prophecy And now from Christ's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I pass unto mine own for I am to speak with dead Phrase in a kind of living 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 obscuratus ab amicis meis living in tenebris dark 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cum blattis ac tineis quotidie rixans Out of this place of obscurity I would gladly enter into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Guttural omitted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that House that Temple of God called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mercy Chaldaice 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hebraice as the word is taken Jonah 2. 8. They that observe vain Vanities forsake 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Mercies the God of Mercies as the Apostle calls him the Syriac 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 merciful now as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 said so say I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your Lordship must be this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or else I shall still remain telluris inutile pondus unprofitable to the Church burying invitus my Talent in the Ground Whereas David tells me Psal. 92. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. The Righteous shall flourish as a Palm-tree the reason he renders in the words following They shall bring c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And as the Apostle saith to the same effect The Grace of God was not in vain in me therefore saith he I laboured more abundantly then they all The Grace of God is operative in whomsoever it is which not suffering me to be idle makes me seek late full Employment Now as for me God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for your Lordship's Health that you may still fight Jehovah's Battels for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and all other points which these devilish Spirits of the Jesuits the Locusts of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the bottomless pit by their smoaky Doctrine do resist I humbly beseech your Lordship to have a care of your Health and a while to spare your self from being tantus helluo librorum till you have perfectly recovered your former Health for much reading is a weariness to the Flesh. There is a company of Mistresses of Witchcraft Nahum 3. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lately discovered your Lordship will by others understand the Particulars I only touch the General And thus with my humble Duty and Observance to your Lordship ever remembring you in my poor Prayers I rest now and ever your Lordship 's ever obliged Ralph Skynner From Waltham-stow January 26. 1624. LETTER CIV Right Reverend in God I Have sent your Grace Cunradus Graserus on the ten last Verses of the 11th Chapter of Daniel whose tenet is contrary to Junius and Broughton Now to satisfy your Lordship's next Request That the Hebrew Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that memorial 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is frequently put for the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 articulo loco Prepositionis these places sufficiently prove 1. Rabbi David Kimchy in his Preface on the Psalms saith thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There be some Psalms also that have this Title or Epigraph 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to David instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for David As Psal. 20. To the Master Quirester 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Psalm to David
can Mr. Walker hath not Gersham nor any Comment on Daniel but the same that I have only he lent me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so I have read over the whole Tractate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but there is not any word touching the duration of the Babylonian Kingdom or any other Kingdom It only handleth on what days the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be read and their Rites and Ceremonies I confess I read only the Text of Megillah I read not Rambanus nor Bartinorah's Comment for that would require many days and I found no one word in the Text tending any thing at all towards any such Matter and therefore my Lord I would be glad to know what Author referred you to that Tractate of Megillah or whether your Grace hath mistaken the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I humbly thank your Grace for your Lordship's last kindness unto me when I was at Much-Haddam for defraying my Charges at mine Inn. And now my Lord vetus conferendo beneficium invitas novum It hath pleased my Lord Carew who lieth at Nonesuch some mile and an half from Sutton before whose Honour I have often preached to be pleased to write his Letter to the Right Honourable my Lord Keeper Sir Thomas Coventry that he would be pleased at his Request to bestow a Benefice on me when any shall fall in his Gift And he was pleased moreover to send the Letter by Sir Thomas Stafford to my Lord Keeper to sollicit the Matter also by word of mouth And so I was there at Hampton-Court and presented my self to my Lord Keeper who gave me his hand and promised that within three months or sooner he assured himself he should provide for me And now my Lord my request is that your Grace would be pleased to write your Letter also unto my Lord Keeper in my behalf to this effect having relation to my Lord Carew's Precedent That whereas your Lordship is informed that my Lord Carew hath sollicited my Lord Keeper to bestow a Benefice on one Ralph Skynner Minister and Preacher of the Word at Sutton under Mr. Glover a Man of honest Life and Conversation and conformable to the Orders of our Church and so forth as it shall please your Lordship to write of me that you would be pleased to second my Lord Carew's Request effectually for that I am but mediocris fortunae Vir and have not means and maintenance to buy me Books and other Necessaries This your Grace's Letter in my behalf to my Lord Keeper if your Lordship would be pleased to send it before Christide inclosed in a Letter to Mr. Burnet's and to give me leave to seal it after I have read it it 's likely my Lord Keeper would remember me the sooner I have given my Lord Carew satisfaction in many Questions at sundry times of conference and especially in these three 1. That the Pope and Conclave be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. That the Points and Vowels were given by God from Sinai and not the invention of the Masorits 3. That the Hebrew Tongue is the most ancient Tongue and that Moses wrote in it and not in the Caldee and Egyptian and all this proved expresly out of the Text of the Scripture For which my Lord hath given me a greater commendation in the ancient Tongues to my Lord Keeper than I either have deserved or can answer unto And thus with my humble Service to your Grace I end 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Per Metathesin RADULPH SKYNNER London Decemb. 8. 1625. LETTER CVII A Letter from Mr. James White to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Illustrissime Reverendissime Antistes QUòd venerandae Antiquitatis Monumenta quae meae curae non ita pridem conferenda credidit Dominatio vestra tardiùs multò quà m vellem ad umbilicum perduxerim est quod sperem apud tantum Candorem veniae locum me inventurum Quòd autem eo auspicio dicam an infortunio transacta sint ut neutiquam industriae meae specimen exhibendi nedum judicio vestro sublimi satisfaciendi copia fiat quicquid veniae audacia arrogaverit nullam fidenter sperari posse exploratum habeo Siquidem quod minimè dissimulandum existimavi vel ipsae liturae quibus inter scribendum imprudens indulsi incuriae me vel invitum coarguunt Quin inter sacras illas paginas conferendas semel atque iterum in ea loca incidi unde me facilè expedire non potui Intelligat obsecro Dominatio vestra Psalmos 117 147. Quo utroque in loco idem scrupulus eadem occurrit difficultas Utrobique enim Psalmi duo fronte satis distincti materiâ varii titulis etiam à se invicem diversi Identitatem numericam si ipsum Catalogum spectemus mirum in modum prae se ferunt Porrò naevo haud minore laborant Psalmi 145 146. ad quos liber ille typis excusus quem praeire voluisse expectavi claudus adeò inventus est ut id spatii meâ solius conjecturâ in versibus à nnotandis emetiri coactus fuerim Has istiusmodi densiores ingenii mei nebulas vestro benignè affulgente candore opportunè dispersum iri nullus dubito Colophonem imposuimus quatuor S. S. Evangeliis ante-Pentecosten coronidem pariter Actis Apostolorum si Deus dederit breve addituri Interim quà m sim obstrictus Dominationi vestrae quòd me indignum ullis negotiis hisce sacris dignatus fueris Praesul amplissime preces meae testatum faciant Deo Opt. Max. apud quem ardentissimis uti par est votis contendo ut Reverentiam vestram Ecclesiae suae columen diutissimè conservet Reverendissimae vestrae Dominationis Observantissimus Jacobus White Cantabrigiae ex Col. Sid. Nonas Junii 1626. LETTER CVIII A Letter from Mr. Samuel Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord I Received your Lordship's I understood by others this Commencement of your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Sermon before his Majesty as touching the repressing of the Arminian Faction God's Blessing be upon you for this good Service to opportunely performed I pray God his Majesty may have a true apprehension of the ensuing Danger I was told by some that notwithstanding the Proclamation Mr. Mountague was to set out a Book but I cannot say it for certain Mr. Whalley spoke to me above a month ago to write to your Lordship to leave Mr. Lively his Chronology with him and me and we would take care for the publishing thereof If your Lordship have not sent it away we desire it may be sent hither I had quite forgot in my last Letters to mention it I did your Lordship's Message to Mr. Chancy I have sent your Lordship the Book which Mr. Boys had as also his Transcript which he doth expect hereafter again Those Commencement-Affairs here so distracted me that I cannot recollect my self to bethink of some things which I would
have demanded of your Lordship I am right sorry of your departure from us so soon I will intreat you to remember Chrysostom ad Caesarium Monachum I pray God to be with you in initio progressu exitu itineris My best Wishes and Devotions shall accompany you to Tredaw and there also And so with my Prayers for your Lordship's Health and Happiness I take my leave resting Your Lordships for ever Samuel Ward Sidney-Colledg July 5. 1626. Amicitia quae desinere potest nunquam vera fuit Hieron I shall be bold to transmit my Letters as occasion shall serve LETTER CIX A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Dr. Ward Salutem in Christo Jesu AMong the Manuscripts of the Library of Magdalen Colledg in Oxford in Dr. James's Catalogue numb 211. I found Lib. Jo. Chrysostomi contra illos qui negant veritatem carnis humane assumptae à Deo Which I verily did suppose to be the Book ad Caesarium Monichum which he wrote against the History of Sidonius Apollinarius But coming unto the Library and making search for the Book I found it was conveyed away and not to be heard of which did not a little offend me I spake with Mr. Young for the Collation of the place in Gregory Nyssen's Catechetical Oration touching the matter of the Eucharist who told me that Mr. Cafaâ—hon and himself had heretofore collated that place but could find nothing that could bring help to the interpretation of the place or make much any way to or fro You have in Trinity-College a Greek Manuscript of Euthymius's Panoplia Dogmatica wherein this is cited If you find any difference bet wixt it and the printed I pray you acquaint me therewith as also with your Judgment concerning the place of Chrysostom which I proposed unto you and the similitude of Wax which he there useth I had many things to write but am now intercepted by the time being ready to take Barque presently yet in all my haste I cannot forget Sir Ger and Harvy's business unto Trinity College in giving furtherance whereunto as I have already found your exceeding great forwardness so I earnestly intreat you in my absence to supply what I my self would most willingly have done if I were there present for which Favour to a noble Friend unto whom I have so extraordinarily been beholden as well as for the many other Fruits of your Love shewed to me I shall ever rest Your assured Friend and Brother Ja. Armachanus Leverpool Aug. 17. 1626. LETTER CX A Letter from Dr. Bambridge Professor of Astronomy in Oxford to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Right Reverend and my singular good Lord BEsides my many obligations of Service to your Grace I am in particular engaged in an expedite and resolute method of calculating Eclipses which I hope to accomplish to your Grace's Content and would now have presented the same but that many other pursuits in my Astronomical History have taken up my time Presently after my return from your Grace I made haste to London but could find nothing of Dee's Books but bare Titles whereof some did very much please me and encourage me to make a diligent enquiry after them I reforted to Sir Rob. Cotton with very kind welcome but his Books being not yet ordered in a Catalogue I deferred my search there till another opportunity and now am bold to enter your Grace's Bibliotheca with humble request that I may have the names of such Mathematical Books as were Dee's It may be I shall find those Books whose Titles did promise so much If I had the Books at Oxford I would make an abstract of all things making to Astronomical History and Chronography the two chief Objects of my Enquiry and safely return the Books and Abstract to your Grace Being at London I procured an Arabick Book of Astronomy the Tables whereof I do perfectly understand but the Canons annexed are more difficult and yet do so much the more incite me to find out that particular meaning which is not possible without knowledg in the Arabick wherefore I have made entrance into the Rudiments thereof and hope labore Constantiâ at length to be able to translate any Arabick Book of Mathematicks It is a difficult thing which I undertake but the great hopes I have in that happy Arabia to find most precious Stones for the adorning and enriching my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do overcome all difficulties besides the great Satisfaction to see with mine own Eyes videre est octava scientia and not to be led hoodwinkt by others who tho they may be expert in that Tongue yet without special skill in these particular Sciences cannot truly translate the Arabick besides that every one hath a special purpose in his study of that Language taking no delight to follow anothers course flultum est ducere invitos caâ—es ad venandum I relate this to your Grace in assurance of your Favour herein if you please in your enquiry at Aleppo and other Eastern Places for Syriack Books to take in all Arabick Books of the Mathematicks and Chronology and amongst the rest a good Arabick Copy of the Alkoran the only Book whereby that Language is attained If your Grace have one already I humbly request the use thereof for some time for ours are bound Prisoners in the Library wherein are many Arabick Books but aut hore nescio-quo de re nescio qua I hope to bring them in lucem meliorem and with them many others if I may have the gracious Rays of your favourable assistance I am not yet come to the closure of my Apology I beseech your Grace's patience a while Besides my Enquiries I am very busy in the Fabrick of a large Instrument for Observations that I may mea fide both teach and write and here again I humbly entreat you to take in your Consideration my Petition at Oxford that you would as occasion shall be offered commend to the Munificence of some noble Benefactors this excellent and rare part of Astronomy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which would certainly commend them to Posterity in the mean time I would not fail to publish their Fame unto the Learned World I may not forget in my return from your Grace I called on Mr. Burton to see his Leland and there in the Catalogue of Books in Worcester Church I found Commentarii ' Dunchagt praesulis Hybernensis in Mart. Capel opus eruditum if I do well remember for I cannot now find my written note I spake to the Dean of Worcester who was with me at Oxford about it but he made no esteem thereof Yet if it please your Grace I will cause it to be perused I shall account my self very happy if I may here do any thing worthy your Grace's Acceptation In the mean time I much desire to hear of your Grace's safe return into Ireland with your worthy Confort and with many hearty Prayers to God that
you may live many heathful and happy Years I rest Your Grace's most humbly devoted Servant John Bainbridg Oxon. Octob. 3. 1626. LETTER CXI A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davis to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend Sir AFter I had writ the former Lines came to my hands your Lordship's Letter of the 31th of July from Oxford whereto I have given due perusal and thereby take notice that your Grace hath received mine of the 16th of January with the Books sent you by the Ship Patience of London being very glad thereof but more joy ful that your Lordship finds such content in them being sorry that I am not able to perform to the full what you desire The Patriarch's Name that sold me the Books of Moses is Jesu Jáb which in the Chaldee Tongue is as much as to say Jesus give me And whereas I writ he was a Jacobite I pray take notice that he is a Nestorian and hath his residence in Emite and Zert and continually comes to this Town to visit them that are of that Heresy His promise to me he hath not kept neither could I ever hear from him since he sent me that Book now in your Lordships possession yet I caused divers Letters to be writ to him and at this present have given order to write to him again But as I often writ to your Grace those Books are rare especially in the Chaldean Tongue and Character the greatest part of the Chaldee Books are written in the Arab Character which I think you would not have nor esteem As for the remainder of the Old Testament in the Chaldee I have sent a Man to Mount Libanus to take a Copy thereof intending to send you the whole Old Testament in one Volume notwithstanding I know you have the Books of Moses and the Psalms those you have are old Copies and this will be a new Transcript presuming your Lordship will not think much of the Charge which if I had excepted would have been very little less than now it will be And as for the Samaritan Books in the hands of the Damasceen Spahee I will use my best diligence to find him out again and redeem them at as easy a rate as I can And so continue my care in accomplishing your Lordship's Will in every thing desiring the benefit of your particular Prayers And so fearing to be further troublesom to your Grace humbly take my leave and remain Your Graces most humbly to command Thomas Davis Aleppo Novemb. 14. 1626. English Account The 14th day of the 3d Month of the Turkish Account and the 1036 of Mahomet The Turks and Moors begin their Month when they first see the Moon after the Change LETTER CXII A Letter from Mr. Alexander Cook to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My good Lord IAcknowledg my self much bounden unto you for your Letter sent me from Liverpool in your return to Ireland Yet I confess I had not from this place where now I am returned you thanks but that I was desirous to acquaint you with an Accident lately fallen out some Circumstances whereof I had better occasion to know than many my betters It concerneth my Lady Faukland She within this fortnight hath declared her self to be a Papist One of the Priests who perverted her goeth under the Name of Fitz Gerard though his true Name is George Pettinger a York-shire Man an idle pâ—ating Companion and a Serving-man not many years ago a frequenter of Baudy-Houses and a Cozener of Trades-men in London as I my self in part know and as I am credily informed by Sir Tho. Savile to whom he was well known and by some Gentlemen of his own Kindred Mr. Mountague Mr. Coseâ—s and the Colledg as it is called at Durham-house are sensible of the disgrace which they sustain by reason of her fall Mr. Mountague told her That dying an English Papist she died in the state of Damnation Mr. Coosens told her That she had sinned damnably in departing from that Church wherein she was born and baptized before she had consulted with the Governors thereof Besides Mr. Coosens gave her a few Notes which she sent unto her Priest to answer whose Answer came to my hands and in my poor Opinion was a very silly one Yet Mr. Coosens would not reply but took his farewel of the Lady without purpose of ever visiting her again She protested that if ever she turned again she will turn Puritan not Moderate Protestant as she phraseth it for Moderate Protestants viz. Mr. Coosens c. are farther from Catholicks than Puritans And thus much concerning her who for any thing I know is neither fallen from Grace nor to Grace Here is 15000 l. offered as it 's said for the Bishoprick of Winchester by the Dean of Winchester And some say it is worth it for he may make of the Leases at his first entrance 10000 l. The other Bishopricks are rated proportionably and destinated to Men of corrupt Minds Dr. Laud is Dean of the Chappel and Dr. White Bishop of Carlisle Chamierus is lately come forth against Bellarmine they are sold as fast as they come over But Mr. Fetherston looks daily for 40 more of which I hope to have one The Papists brag that God hath not shewed himself a Hugonite for these three years last past They have great hopes but I trust their hopes shall perish Yet wise Men are afraid of what may follow and are more inquisitive than heretofore to know Whether Dotage may not be wrought by Sorcery I shall be glad to see your second part of the Succession of Christian Churches or any thing else of yours against the common Adversary Your Lordship had need now to do something for few go with a right foot and the Enemies are many I thought all this while I had been writing to Mr. Usher which made me write so carelesly but ere-now my Memory serves to tell me that it is my Lord Primat of Armagh to whom I ought to have written more respectively yet I cannot find in my heart to burn what I have written but to pass it a way as it is not doubting of a pardon from your Lordship if for no other respect yet for this that I live in the North where we know not well what Manners mean And so with remembrance of my humble Duty and Service I rest Your Lordship 's poor welwiller A. Cook Lond. Nov. 30. 1626. LETTER CXII A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Right Honourable the Lord Deputy Falkland May it please your Lordship MY diligence hath not been wanting either in treating with my Lords the Bishops when they were present or in writing unto them when they were absent touching the Augmentation and the present paiment of the Loan-monies demanded of the Clergy in the Province of Armagh The Augmentation with one Voice they did deny alledging that your Lordship in your Letters directed unto them did not
propound any indefinite Sum to be levied according to their Discretions but a precise one of 395 l. and 4 s. for one months pay of the new Supplies in Ulster And as for the present paiment of that Sum order hath been already taken that according to your Lordships special Directions 70 l. should be delivered unto Sir William Calfield One hundred twenty one Pounds and a Noble I have since received which is ready to be delivered unto any one who shall be authorized to receive the same under your Lordship's Hand The Bishop of Clogher who hath already paid half of that Sum which was assigned unto Sir William Calfield is there at Dublin ready to give an account of that which remaineth due upon his Clergy The Bishop of Derry hath left with me his Ticket wherein he undertakes to pay 50 l. unto any one of the Captains to whom your Lordship shall appoint Upon the Diocess of Meath there was 85 l. 1 s. 4 d. taxed in this Levy which is the double twentieth part of the Clergy there the twentieth part of the Bishoprick it self being abated because the Bishop is yet in First-Fruits For this I have used my utmost endeavour both with the Bishop and with his Clergy but could not prevail to get from them more than 50 l. And therefore of them I must rid my self and wholly leave them unto your Lordship As for the Remain of the Total Sum betwixt this and the beginning of the Term I will use my best endeavour to get in what may be had and give a particular Certificate of the Names of those who will not pay to the end your Lordship may deal with them as in your Wisdom you shall think fit And so expecting your Lordship's further Commands in this or any other Service I humbly take leave for the present and ever-more rest Your Honour 's faithful Servant J. A. Droghedah Jan. 7. 1626. LETTER CXIII A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the most Reverend George Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury My most gracious Lord WHen I took my last leave of you at Lambheth I made bold to move your Grace for the settlement of the Provostship of our Colledg here upon some worthy Man whensoever the place should next become void I then recommended unto you Mr. Sibbes the Preacher of Grays-Inn with whose Learning soundness of Judgment and upâ—â—ghtness of Life I was very well acquainted And it pleased your Grace to listen unto my Motion and give way to the coming over of the Person named when time required The time my Lord is now come wherein we have â—t last wrought Sir William Temple to give up his place if the other may be drawn over And therefore I most humbly intreat your Grace to give unto Mr. Sibbes that Encouragement he deserveth in whose behalf I dare undertake that he shall be as observant of you and as careful to put in Execution all your Directions as any Man whosoever The matter is of so great importance for the good of this poor Church and your Fatherly Care as well of the Church in general as our Colledg in particular so well known that to shall not need to press you herein with many words And therefore leaving it wholly to your Grace's grave Consideration and beseeching Almighty God to bless you in the managing of your weighty Imployments I humbly take leave and rest Your Grace's in all Duty ready to be commanded J. A. Droghedah January 10th 1626. LETTER CXV A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Honourable Society of Lincolns-Inn My most worthy Friends I Cannot sufficiently express my Thankfulness unto you for the Honour which you have done unto me in vouchsafing to admit me into your Society and to make me a Member of your own Body Yet so is it fallen out for the present that I am enforced to discharge one piece of debt with entring into another For thus doth the case stand with us Sir William Temple who hath governed our Colledg at Dublin these seventeen Years finding Age and Weakness now to encrease upon him hath resolved to ease himself of that Burthen and resign the same to some other Now of all others whom we could think of your worthy Preacher Mr. Sibbs is the Man upon whom all our Voyces have here settled as one that hath been well acquainted with an Academical Life and singularly well qualified for the undertaking of such a place of Government I am not ignorant what damage you are to sustain by the loss of such an able Man with whose Ministry you have been so long acquainted but I consider withal that you are at the Well-head where the defect may quickly be supplied and that it somewhat also tendeth to the honour of your Society that out of all the King's Dominions your House should be singled out for the place unto which the Seminary of the whole Church in this Kingdom should have recourse for help and succor in this case And therefore my most earnest suit unto you is that you would give leave unto Mr. Sibbes to repair hither at leastwise for a time that he may see how the place will like him For which great Favour our whole Church shall be obliged unto you and I for my part shall evermore profess my self to rest Your own in all Christian Service ready to be commanded J. A. Droghedah Jan. 10th 1626. LETTER CXVI A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the most Reverend George Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury My very good Lord I Wrote unto your Grace heretofore concerning the Substitution of Mr. Sibbes into the place of Sir William Temple But having since considered with my self how some occasions may fall out that may hinder him from coming hither and how many most unfit Persons are now putting in for that place I have further emboldened my self to signify thus much more of my Mind unto you That in case Mr. Sibbes do not come unto us I cannot think of a more worthy Man and more fit for the Government of that Colledg than Mr. Bedel who hath heretofore remained with Sir Henry Wotton at Venice and is now beneficed about Berry If either he or Dr. Featly or any other worthy Man whom you shall think fit can be induced to accept of the place and your Grace will be pleased to advise the Fellows of the Colledg to elect him thereunto That poor house shall ever have cause to bless your Memory for the Settlement of it at such a time as this where so many labour to make a Prey of it In ordering the Affairs that do belong unto the Primacy the greatest trouble that I yet meet withal is the Persidiousness of the Register whom my Predecessor hath fastened upon me He hath combined with one Chase a base Fellow that is now acting this business at Court to overthrow the Ministry which King James by your Grace's special
Incitation hath so happily planted in the Diocess of Armagh by making the Rectories that did belong to the Vicars Chorals of Armagh to be Lay-fee unto which Incumbents have been hitherto by his Majesties own Direction still presented and the Livings also taxed with payment of First-fruits as all other presentative Livings are Dawson is a Man so notoriously branded for his lewd Carriage that I dare not trust him with the keeping of the Records or suffer him any ways to intermeddle with the businesses of the Church To see therefore whether I can fairly rid my hands of him I have made a grant of his places unto others and so left them to the trial of their Titles by course of Law Which hath so incensed Dawson that he laboureth now by his Emissary Chase to disgrace me in Court with all the Calumnies that his wicked Heart can devise Wherein I doubt not but your Grace as occasion shall require will be ready to stand for me in my just defence As for the general state of things here they are so desperate that I am afraid to write any thing thereof Some of the adverse part have asked me the question Where I have heard or read before that Religion and Mens Souls should be set to sale after this manner unto whom I could reply nothing but that I had read in Mantuan that there was another place in the World where Coelum est venale Deusque I procured a meeting of all the Prelates at my House who with one voice protested against these Courses and subscribed this Protestation of theirs with their hands But forasmuch as we knew that the Project was wonderful distastful unto the Papists themselves we contained our selves in publick and suffered the Breach to come from their side I know their Agents are not asleep at Court but our hope is that your Grace is as vigilant there to make opposition unto their Practices and to advise of some other course to give the King content which may be more for his honour and the good of the Church All which I humbly leave unto your Grace's sage Consideration and evermore rest Your Graces ready to do you all Service Ja. Armachanus Drogheda February 9. 1626. LETTER CXVII A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord MY best Service premised c. I received your Lordship's last Letters to me dated from Leverpool and have heard by others since of your Lordship's safe arrival in Ireland As touching Sir Gerard Harvy I have been with him at Hadham since and have had Letters once or twice about his business from him I consulted with Mr. Whalley and wrote to Sir Gerard what Fine will be expected besides his coming in Rent-corn which he is willing to pay The Fine will be about 200 l. for renewing his Lease and adding of ten Years to the time he hath about Easter he will be with us about it I am sorry your Lordship missed of that Epistle of Chrysostom ad Caesarium Monachum at Oxford I was in good hope your Lordship would have hit upon it It is to be feared it is purloin'd away I received Mr. Boys his variae lectiones in Liturgiam Basilii which your Lordship left to be sent him I spake with Mr. Patrick Young who telleth me that Sirmondus hath all Fronto's Papers and that he is in hand with Theodoret and that after he is set out I shall have my Transcript upon the Psalms He saith your Lordship hath the Greek Transcript of Euthymius I have seen Athanasius Graecol newly set forth at Paris it hath some Homilies added by one Holstein but it wanteth the varia lectiones which are in Coâ—mâ—lin's Edition Eusebius in three Volumes Graecol is daily expected but not yet come Dr. White now Bishop of Carlisle hath sold all his Books to Hills the Broker His Pretence is the charge of Carriage so far by Land and the danger by Water Some think he paid for his Place I did hear of his Censure of your Lordship which I would not have believed but that I heard it credibly reported about the time of your Lordship's departure hence Sundry Bishopricks are still remaining unbestowed The Precedent is not good Concerning Court and Commonwealth-affairs here I suppose you have better Information than my Pen can afford I would I could be a Messenger by my Letter of better news than any I hear here The 25th of January deceased your good Friend and mine Mr. Henry Alvey at Cambridge I was with him twice when he was sick the first time I found him sick but very patient and comfortable He earnestly prayed that God would give him Patience and Perseverance The later time I came he was in a slumber and did speak nothing I prayed for him and then departed Shortly after he departed this Life He desired to be buried privatly and in the Church-yard and in a Sheet only without a Coffin for so said he was our Saviour But it was thought fitting he should be put in a Coffin and so he was I was at his interring the next day at night Thus God is daily collecting his Saints to himself The Lord prepare us all for the Dies accensionis as St. Cyprian stileth it Since the decease of Dr. Walsall Dr. Goslin our Vice-Chancellor and Dr. Hill Master of Katherine-Hall are both dead In their places succeed in Bennet-Colledg Dr. Butts in Caius-Colledg Mr. Bachcroft one of the Fellows in Katherine-Hall Mr. Sibbs of Grays-Inn Concerning the place of Chrysostom Homilia de Encaeniis which you mention in your last Letters I cannot write now as I would I having not my Book by me My last Lecture was touching it I see a great difference in the Reading between the reading in the Manuscript of New-Colledg in Oxon which Sir H. Savill printed and the reading in M. Baraciro which is in the Notes of Sir H. Savill The Latin Translation is answerable to that of New-Colledg That speech 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gave occasion I think to Damascene to say the like Though I do somewhat suspect some corruption by later Grecians in that Point especially Origen writing to the contrary as you know in Matth. 15. In the similitude following from Wax the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is translated in the Latin Translation nihil remanet substantiae contrary as I conceive to the Greek for it should be nihil substantiae perdit For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est aliquid substantiae perdo It is not easy to conceive the sense of that Similitude both for the Protasis and Apodosis But of this when I come home at better leasure I do purpose God willing in my Determinations when I shall dispute upon any to go in the Point of Free-will for that as I conceive it is the chief ground of the rest of the Errors maintained by the Remonstrants or at least of most of them I have been here above a fortnight
for to get a License of Mortmain for the holding of 240 Acres of Capite Land which a Gentleman would give to our Colledg but I find great difficulty in effecting it so as I fear me I must return re infectâ If you would be pleased to send Mr. Lively's Chronology I think Mr. Whalley would see to the publishing of it And thus with tender of my best Service and my best Wishes and Prayers for the happy success of your good Designs and prospering of all your Endeavours and for the publick Peace and Safety of both the Nations Yours and Ours in these tottering and troublesome Times I commend your Lordship and all yours to the gracious protection of the highest Majesty Your Lordship 's in all Service Samuel Ward London Feb. 13. 1626. LETTER CXVIII A Letter from the Right Honorable the Lord Deputy Falkland to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord YOur judicious apprehension of the Perils which threaten the Peace of this Kingdom which your dutiful consideration of the King's Wants through his other manifold Occasions of Expence together with your Zeal to his Service is clearly manifested by conforming your Tenants to the good Example of others to join with the rest of the Inhabitants in contributing to the relief of the new Supplies and other Souldiers sent hither for the publick Defence notwithstanding your Privileges of Exemption by Patent from such Taxes which I will take a fitting occasion to make known to his Majesty for your Honour And where your Lordship doth complain that other Country Charges are imposed upon your Tenants whereof you conceive they ought to be free by virtue of your Patent I can give no direct answer thereunto until I be informed from your Lordship of what Nature they be but do faithfully assure your Lordship that neither my Lord Chichester nor my Lord Grandison did ever shew more respect to your Predecessors than I will be ready to perform towards your Lordship as well in this your Demand as in all other things which lie in my Power not being prejudicial to the King's Service which I know is as much as your Lordship will ever desire and do pray your Lordship to send me a Copy of their Warrants for my information what hath been done in that behalf before my Time I have kept Sir Charles Cootes Company from that County as long as I could and will remove them thence as soon as I can conveniently But your Lordship may please to understand that by the earnest intercession of some well-willers to that County it hath been less burthened with Souldiers than any other within that Province saving only Fermannagh which is much smaller in scope than it And for the Distinction you desire to be made between your Town-Lands which you alleadg are generally less by one half than those that are held by others that Error cannot be reformed without a general admeasurement and valluation of the different Fertilities for we all know that a hundred Acres in a good Soil may be worth a thousand Acres of Lands that are mountainous and barren and therefore it will surely prove a Work of great difficulty and will require a long time to reduce it to any perfection so as it is best to observe the custom in usage until such a reformation shall be seriously debated and agreed upon For the Bridg to be built at Charlemount it was propounded to the Board by the Lord Caulfield he informing that the old one was so decayed that it could hardly last out another Year The usesul Consequence of that Bridg in time of War guarded by a strong Fort which Defence others want being well known to the Table did make it a short Debate every Man concurring in Opinion with an unanimous consent that it was most necessary for the King's Service that a substantial Bridg should be erected there with expedition Then the Question grew At whose Charge whether at the King 's or Countries Which upon mature debate was ordered that the Country should bear as well for that it is a place of equal conveniency with any other that is or can be made elsewhere for passage of the Inhabitants over that deep River in times of Peace as because they shall enjoy great security by their Neighbourhoods to that strong Fort of Charlemount in times of Combustion built and maintained without their Charge These Considerations did move us to give direction to certain of the Justices of Peace of each of these Counties of Tyrone and Armagh to view the place and treat with Workmen which they accordingly did Upon whose Certificate we gave Warrant to applot the same according to their Agreement with Workmen which I wish may be levied without opposition or interruption and do make it my request unto your Lordship to give way and furtherance thereunto for this Work tending so much to the Service of the King and Country which I shall take in very good part from your Lordship and you cannot want your Reward in Heaven for it it being a Work of that kind which is accounted pious And so I commit your Lorship to God's protection and rest Your Lordships very affectionate Friend Falkland Dublin-Castle March 15. 1626. I have given order for the preparing a Fyant for the passing of those Particulars your Lordship desired by Mr. Singe Falkland LETTER CXIX A Letter from the most Reverend George Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My very good Lord I Send unto you Mr. Sibbes who can best report what I have said unto him I hope that Colledg shall in him have a very good Master which hitherto it hath not had You shall make my excuse to the Fellows that I write not unto them You shall do well to pray to God that he will bless his Church but be not too sollicitous in that Matter which will fall of it self God Almighty being able and ready to support his own Cause But of all things take heed that you project no new ways for if they fail you shall bear a grievous Burthen If they prosper there shall be no Thanks to you Be patient and tarry the Lord's leasure And so commending me unto you and to the rest of your Brethren I leave you to the Almighty and remain Your Lordship's loving Brother G. Cant. Lambeth March 19. 1626. LETTER CXX A Letter from Mr. Thomas Davis to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend Sir MAY it please your Lordship to take a view of my Proceedings for the procuring of such Books you gave me order for such as I could get and have in readiness to be sent by our next Ships which may depart this Port about four months hence are certain Books and loose Papers in the Samaritan Tongue of what use or value I cannot learn The Old Testament in the Chaldean which after seventeen months time is written in a fair Character wanting only the Book
Do acknowledg no Promise made unto you on my part but upon a Condition to be performed on your part of desisting to prosecute any further your Sacrilegious Intention either by your self or by any of yours the jealousy whereof you have been so far from taking away out of my mind by your two last Letters that you have increased it much more To bear me in hand that you will not follow the Business your self but leave it only to the prosecution of your Friends and that if they obtain your desire yet you will submit all afterward to mine own disposition I esteem no better than a meer delusion of me And therefore if you intend to say no more than this when you come up you may save your Journey for I will accept no other Satisfaction but an absolute disclaiming of the prosecution of this Business either by your self or by others And this I look you should certify unto me before Sir Archibald Atcheson's arrival for afterward I care not a rush for it And when you both have tried the uttermost of your Wits to subvert the good Foundation laid by King James of happy Memory you shall but struggle in vain with shame enough And so beseeching Almighty God to give you the Spirit of a right Mind and to pardon the Thoughts of your Heart I rest Your Loving Friend Ja. Armachanus Drogheda Febr. 1. 1627. LETTER CXXIV A Letter from Dr. W. Bedell Provost of the Colledg at Dublin to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Right Reverend Father my honourable good Lord YOur Letters of the 20th of September came not to my hands till the beginning of November Upon the receipt whereof I wrote to the Vice-Provost to forbear to proceed to the election of Fellows if it were not past before Not but that the Course was such as stood by the Statutes in being e're I came to the place but because by your Grace's earnestness therein I conceived your Wisdom saw more to lie in it than I could perceive Since that I am sorry to understand the success of that Election was not such as gave satisfaction to your Grace and hath bred a new Broil in the Colledg For the restriction of the Statute for Batchelors that they should be at least of seven Terms standing if there be any blame it must lie upon me who would have had it according to that in Emanuel Colledg that they should be of the third Year but that by some of the Company this temper was found Wherein the Lord is witness I respected meerly the good of the Colledg and had not so much as in my thoughts the Case of any that was to pretend the next Election but resolved as every Statute came to be considered to reduce it to such perfection as there should be as little need as was possible to touch them afterward I have seen by experience that the timely preferring of young Men makes them insolent and idle and the holding them a little longer in expectation of Preferment doth them more good in one year than two years before or perhaps after Wherefore I cannot herein repent me of that which was done If Mr. Vice-Provost and the Seniors have in any other Point failed of their Duty I desire your Grace not only to excuse me in participation in it but them also thus far that as I hope it proceedeth of Error and not Malice And of one thing I do assure my self and have been bold to undertake so much to the Fellows that your Grace though it be in a sort necessary for you and all Men of place to give satisfaction in words to importune Suitors will not take it ill that we discharge our Consciences coming to do acts upon Oath such as this is otherwise miserable were the condition of such places and happy are they that are farthest from them I understood further by your Grace's said Letters That you dislike not that the time of the Fellows should be extended to twelve years though you would not have it mentioned upon this suddain c. Which made me send for the University-Statutes of Cambridg to my Friend Mr. Ward having leisure this Winter to that purpose to think of some Project according to my last Letters to your Grace And shortly it seems to me that with one labour the University might be brought into a more perfect Form and yet without touching our Charter At my being in Dublin there came to me one Dr. de Lanne a Physician bred in Immanuel Colledg Who in speech with me discovered their purpose to procure a Patent like to that which the Colledg of Physicians hath in London I noted the thing and partly by that occasion and partly also the desire of the Fellows to extent their time of stay in the Colledg I have drawn a Plot of my Thoughts in that behalf which I send your Grace herewith I have imparted the same generally to my Lord of Canterbury who desireth that your Grace would seriously consider of it and to use his own words That it may be weighed with Gold Weights and if it be found fit will concur thereto when time shall be I could have wished to have been present with you at the survey of it to have rendred the reason of some things which will now perhaps be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but your Wisdom Experience and Knowledg of the Place will easily pierce through and disperse all those Mists which perhaps overcloud my understanding and howsoever I shall hereby dare sapienti occasionem For my speedy return which your Grace presseth I confess to them that I am ready to forethink that ever I came there so conscious to my self of mine own weakness and unfitness for the place as I fear rather to be burthensom than profitable to the Colledg Which also made me desirous to retain if I might lawfully the Title to my Benefice resigning the whole Profits and care to some able Man to be nominated by the Patron and approved by the Bishop of the Diocess that I might have upon just cause whither to retire my self I have not yet received your Grace's decision of this Case I wrot also to the Society hereabout who being conditores juris perpetui are also interpretes Neither have I understood what they conceive Since my coming away by occasion of my Lord Deputy his voluntary Offer to confer upon me the Treasurership of St. Patricks I entreated them to present a Petition to his Lordship for the enjoying the 40 l. anciently granted to the Colledg for the enlarging the Provost's Maintenance and upholding the Lecture at Christ's Church whereof I was put in hope before my coming They have not so much as vouchsafed me an Answer When I took my Oath to the Statutes I made protestation that I intended not to renounce my Benefice that place being litigious and my Affairs not yet accommodated here Since my coming home hither my Corn Cattel and some Goods and a Lease
of some Pasture Grounds which I held I have forgone but the main Matter of my Estate lying in Mony I cannot yet recover At my coming up hither I left one of my Children sick of an Ague which he hath had these three Weeks and if he should be recovered he cannot be presently fit to travel neither are the Ways and Weather indeed seasonable thereto But that which to deal plainly doth most of all trouble me is the report of the new Broils in the Colledg which I see partly in other Mens Letters for to my self as if I were but a Cypher in Algorism they vouchsafe not a word That some Fellows are displaced by the Visitors others placed by Mandate of my Lord Deputy old Grudges and Factions revived malè sarta gratia necquicquam coit rescinditur I never delighted nor am made for it ignum gladio fodere Some of my Friends represented to me the Examples of Mr. Travers and Mr. Alvey and that comes to my mind Better sit still than Rise and Fall I have now an honest Retreat with that form Non nostrum inter vos tantas componere lites It is written hither and I have seen it with mine Eyes That I am said to be a weak Man and so thought to be by wise Men. This Witness is most true In all these regards I humbly beseech your Grace by your undeserved love to me which God knows how much I value and that it was no small encouragement to me to enter into this Business by your love to the Colledg which I know is great by your love to our Lord Jesus Christ whereof he takes that proof your love to his Lambs Since you know now my weakness a little better than when you first nominated me to that place and the want of the Colledg of an able Head dispose of my place as you shall think most fit for that Colledg University Church and Kingdom For my part I do here absolutely resign all my Interest unto it into your Grace's hands or the hands of those whom it may concern Assuring your Grace that I shall account your freeing me from this burden the greatest favour that you can do me under the which if it had not been for the fear of offending God I think I had never put my shoulder so far as I have done But if you shall esteem in Conscience I cannot go back I beseech you be pleased freely to set down your Opinion touching my Case propounded in my last I desire of God that neither my Living nor my Life may be so dear unto me as to finish my Course with joy and the Ministry that I have received of the Lord Jesus Upon the receipt of your Graces Letters I shall resolve presently if God let not to come or stay Touching the Parliament-Affairs I know your Grace hath better advertisement than I can give you The beginnings yet go marvellously well the Lower House excellently tempered Nothing hath as yet been so much as put to question The Upper House joined with them insomuch as when they had received the Motion for a publick Fast they added a Motion to petition to his Majesty for the putting in execution all Laws and Acts of State against Recusants This Petition was penned by the Bishops of Norwich and Litchfield and presented to his Majesty by both Houses The former is appointed by Proclamation to be April 21. The latter the King hath taken into consideration with good signs of approbation The Lower House is now employed about the Liberties of the Subjects which they deduce even from the Conquest and so down They purpose it seems to proceed to the examination of the infringing of them and of their Causes and Remedies It is resolved among them that the Grievances of the Subjects shall go hand in hand with the Supply of the King's Wants which are so great as his Majesty when he received the latter Petition told them March 3. That without present Supply he could not set forth one Ship c. God of his Mercy grant that the Progress and End may be correspondent In which hearty Prayer I end recommending your Grace to the Lord's Protection and my self to your Prayers and rest Your Grace's in all Duty W. Bedell London April 1. 1628. LETTER CXXV A Letter from Dr. Bainbridge Professor of Astronomy in Oxford to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Right Reverend and my very good Lord HAving so fit opportunity I am bold to remember my Service to your Grace and withal my former suit concerning Hipparchus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which being both in the Vatican and Escurial I marvel that Patavius did not procure a Transcript thereof certainly it would have helped much in his Doctrina Temporum contra Scaligerum Whereas now the neglect of that and other ancient Monuments hath left that Work imperfect and given just cause to others of a more curious search wherein I purpose to bestow my best Endeavours not doubting of your Grace's Favour Mr. Selden hath written some Notes upon certain ancient Greek Inscriptions which were brought out of Turky for my Lord of Arundel amongst which one doth promise some light in the Persian Chronology I mean of the Persian Monarchy which of all others I most desire to be illustrated being so necessary to the connexion of Sacred and Prophane History concerning which I will yet forbear to signify my Opinion daily expecting a view of Mr. Selden's Book Your Grace's most obliged Servant John Bainbridg Oxon April 7. 1628. LETTER CXXVI A Letter from Dr. Bedell to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Right Reverend Father my honourable good Lord HAving the opportunity of this Bearer's return from his Friends my Neighbours to Kelles I thought fit to send by him if it were but the Duplicate of my last to your Grace from London the first of this Month sent as Mr. Burnet told me by one Mr. Goodwyn of London-Derry who had special occasion to repair to your presence Wherein I satisfied you I hope of the rightness of my Intention in the restriction of the Statute for Batchelors Probationers to seven Terms standing and represented to your Grace the chief exercise of my Thoughts since my leaving Ireland I mean the Draught of a new Patent and new Statutes to be procured for the University which I hope you have safely received You may perhaps esteem it a pragmatical unquietness of Spirit in me that would busy my self with things beyond mine own line But since it hath pleased God to embarque me by their means in the Affairs of that Country I take my self bound to further the Voyage what I may not only for mine own safety and the rest of the Passengers but for the honour of your self that are the Pilot and the Glory of God especially unto which Port I am well assured all your Course is directed I suppose it hath been an Error all this while to neglect the Faculties of Law
and Physick and attend only to the ordering of one poor Colledg of Divines whereas with a little more labour and a few Priviledges attained a great many more good Wits might have been allured to study and seasoned with Piety and made Instruments for the bringing in Learning Civility and Religion into that Country I did communicate the Plat to my Lord of Canterbury at my first being with him especially in that Point of admitting all Students that should be matriculated though they lodg in Dublin in private Houses and of the four Faculties with their several Promoters c. who seemed not to dislike it but required it should be maturely thought of by your Grace and the University and promised his assistance if it were found fit At that time I left with him the Statutes of our Colledg which I had this Winter written out with mine own hand and caused to be fair bound He retained them with him till the very morning of my departing from London At which time he signified his good approbation of the whole only accounted that too strait for the Provost's absence but six weeks whereas many Causes there would be which would require longer discontinuance I shewed his Grace that Colledg-Business was excepted and that we had not innovated any thing in that Statute it being so before my Election Another Point he disliked was touching Students wearing Gowns always in the Colledg and if it might be when they went into the Town Whereas that of all other said he would have been provided for I answereth The Streets in Dublin were very foul and that by the Statutes Scholars were not permitted to go ordinarily into the Town without their Tutors consent He said they might if the Streets were never so foul take their Gowns under their Arms. I told him that this was also an old Statute e're I came there With the occasion I told his Grace of the new Stirs I heard of in the Colledg for even but the day before I had understood by other Mens Letters more perfectly of my Lord Deputy's putting in certain Fellows and of their displacing of Mr. Lloyd by your Grace and the Visitors whereof I had no intelligence till then save by Rumors only I added of mine own fears that I should make a very ill Pilot in so rough Seas He perswaded me to go on using that Verse Tu ne cede malis c. I told him of my deafness and that the Law not allowing surdum procuratorem how could it be but absurd in the Provost of such a Society He told me that was not so great a matter for a great many did male andire He bad me not be dismayed representing to me the future Reward I told him indeed if that were not I had little eneouragement sith neither I should for ought I saw have the Maintenance for the Lecture which I was put in hope of nor retain the Title of my Benefice only renouncing the Profits To that he said there was no question I might that I had not beneficium and he would maintain it to any Man c. With these Discourses having brought his Grace from his Chamber to his Barge I recommended my self to his Prayers The same morning e're my departure I wrote to Dublin amongst others to Mr. Lloyd endeavouring to let him see his Fault and to keep him from being hardned in it At my return home I found one of my Sons yet afflicted with an Ague which hath held him these six weeks and the Ways being not yet fit for travel the Spring having been very late and winterly I have resolved to attend your Grace's Letters both in answer to my Case propounded in my Letters of September and of my last from London wherein I did put my place there wholly in your disposition and if you think it may be more to the good of the Colledg and Church there that I forgo it did and do again by these Presents absolutely resign it into your hands or the hands of them whom it may concern Your Grace may be pleased to consider seriously my insufficiency which by my last being there partly by your own experience and the report of others you may have understood to be more than perhaps you imagined before And by these new Accidents you may perceive the need the Colledg hath of a more able Head I have ever liked and loved to proceed by that good old Form Ut inter bonos bene ageir c. I have seen it written from thence that you and other wise Men account me a weak Man and in truth I do know my self so to be Do not the Colledg that wrong to clog it with me hitherto iâ— hath received no great damage and these new Broils may serve fitly as a good occasion to cover my defectiveness I may without any disgrace and with much content fit still That which Annibal when in the Common-Council at Carthage he plâ—cked down a turbulent Orator that stood up to disswade a necessary Peace said to excuse his uncivility That the Feats of War he had meetly learned but the Fashions of the City he was to be taught by them I would crave leave to invert the Arâ— of dutiful Obedience and just ruling also in part I did for 17 years endeavour to learn under that good Father Dr. Chaderton in a well temper'd Society the câ—â—nning tricks of paching siding bandying and 〈◊〉 with and between great Men I confess my self ignorant in and am now I fear too old to be taught And me thinks the Society it self like to the Frogs in the Tale weary of the Block set over them esteem the neither worthy to be acquainted with the Colledg-Affairs nor so much as answered in mine own and wherein they do extreamly wrong not me only but your Grace also as I verily believe do keep your Letters from me I wish them a more active Governor Concluding I be send your Grace vouchsafe me your last resolution for my coming or stay and esteem 〈◊〉 as you shall ever truly Your Grace's humble Servant in Christ Jesus W. Bedell Horningerth April the 15th 1628. LETTER CXXVII A Letter from Dr. Samuel Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh at Tredagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord THough I must needs acknowledg my neglect in writing or forgetfulness or both since your last going into Ireland yet now I could have no further pretext for the omission of that Duty by which I am obliged by no few Bonds especially having such conveniency of sending by my most worthy Friend with whom I am most loth to part but that upon higher considerations I conceive God may use him as an Instrument of much good in that place if God send him health and life I assure your Lordship I know not where you could have pitched upon a Man every way so qualified for such a place He is a sincere honest Man not tainted with avarsee of ambition pious
First For that they gave me assurance of your Recovery then that among your weighty Affairs of Church and Common-wealth you should descend to think on me so remote in Application to your Lordship though no Man nearer in Affection and Devotion I register it in my Memorials of your Goodness as also your sending to me the Copy of the Synod of St. Patrick which I much desired and many thanks to your Lordship for it Touching the Books it pleased you to require my help in procuring them by some of my Friends and Kindred in France your Grace knoweth that all intercourse between us and them is now stopped up Yet have I taken order with Mr. Boswell who is gone over with my Lord of Carlisle and to pass near Province that if any opportunity may serve he will endeavour to procure them and my Son who is gone after them shall put him in mind of it It is said that my Lord of Carlisle having treated beyond the Sea with the States of the Low-Countries and not satisfied in their Answer hath left some Protestation against them as he passed from them and that the States have done the like against us I hope it is not true we have Enemies enow I suppose your Lordship would gladly hear how the great Orb of State moveth here in Parliament your own and many others depending on it And I would very willingly have been the first that should have done you that Service if the Messenger had staid a day or two longer that we might have seen the Event For all hangeth yet in suspence but the Points touching the Right of the Subject in the Property of their Goods and to be free from imprisonment at the King's Pleasure or without lawful cause expressed upon the Commitment hath been so seriously and unanswerably proved and concluded by the Lower House that they have cast their Sheat Anchor on it and will not recede from any tittle of the Formality proposed in their Petition of Right touching the same The Upper House hath in some things dissented from them proposing a Caution to be added to the Petition for preservation of the King 's Soveraign Prerogative which the Lower House affirms they have not rub'd upon in ought that of right belongeth to it Yet will they not admit that Addition lest it impeach the whole intent of their Petition Wherein they are so resolute that having upon Thursday last admirably evinced the Right of the Subjects in every part thereof at a Conference with the Upper House they refused to meet the Lords the day following in a Committee required by them for qualification as was conceived Thereupon the Lords spent Saturday in debate among themselves but concluded nothing that we hear of It is reported the Lord Say did then speak very freely and resolutely on behalf of the Subject with some unpleasing rubs upon the Duke there present but by others interposition all was well expounded What this Day will produce Night must relate And of what I have written I have nothing but by hear-say for I am no Parliament-man My Lord of Denbigh with the Navy that went for the rescue of Rochel is returned without blow or blood-draught It is said their Commission gave them not sufficient Warrant to fight and one Captain Clark suspected in Religion is committed to the Gatehouse for disswading them Thus praying for your Health and Happiness I rest Your Grace's most humbly devoted in all Service Henry Spelman Barbacan May 26. 1628. LETTER CXXIX A Letter from J. King to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my especial good Lord TWo things do occasion me to write to your Lordship the one to show the continuance of my dutiful and best respect to your Lordship which I have born to your Lordship ever since your Childhood which indeed descended first from your Father who loved me always in his life-time as I did him truly and faithfully The other is upon some mislike I understand your Lordship hath conceived of the Lord Camfield my Son-in-Law which indeed I am sorry for for I never found him but honest and religious I know he may have ill Instruments about him and the World is full of Pick-thanks and such as usually do lewd Offices amongst Men of Place and Quality But if your Lordship would please to take him into your favour and upon any occasion if any happen to make known to him what is or may be reported to your Lordship of any of his miscarriages or unfriendly dealings towards your Lordship I would not doubt of his conformity and giving of your Lordship meet satisfaction and this is my Suit and Petition to your Lorship for of all Men in that Kingdom I do wish him and all others that are my Friends to be serviceable and respective to your Lordship and for my self so long as it shall please God to give me Life I will pray for your Lordship which is all the Service I can do you Our worthy Bishop here who I have found here ever since I came hither a worthy Friend and a godly Pastor and Pillar of the Church hath many times and often most kindly remembred your Lordship and surely he is as good a Man as may be yet in this Parliament which is yet scarcely ended some have conceited not so well of him as before but who can or doth escape the malice of wicked Men this being the last and worst Age of the World and surely for all crying and notorious Sins as Whoredom Lying Swearing and Drunkenness I am perswaded that now our own Nation is become the very worst of any in the Christian World which makes me much afraid that God Almighty hath some heavy Judgment a preparing for us It is certain that in Spain are wondrous great preparations for War especially for Sea-Service which some think is rather for Denmark and those Eastern parts than for us and the rather it is conjectured of because Monsieur Oillur lies yet with a great Army of above 60000 Men about Stoade Hambourgh and other parts If his Fleet come on this Summer as it is thought it will and pass the Narrow Seas unfought withal and unbeaten by us it is to be feared that Spain and France or one of them will next land upon our Continent and sit down and fortify being hopeful as it may be well imagined of aid from English Papists whereof the Kingdom is too well stored Rochel is much doubted cannot long hold out and then there is little hope of any Mercy from the King of France which would be a woful case to have so many poor Souls put to the Sword It is thought his Majesty would relieve them if these Subsidies could come in time And it is to be wished now that his Majesty had never medled with them for in the beginning they were well provided to have made their own Peace It is strange to be believed how this Kingdom is weakned by the
loss of Shipping for within this three years it is said England hath lost of Vessels great and small 400. All things concur very untowardly against us but God Almighty hath reserved Victory to himself only We had great rejoicing every where for his Majesty's gracious and good agreement with the Parliament but some ten days ago the House of Commons having exhibited certain Remonstrances to his Highness which as it seemed touched the Duke after reading thereof his Majesty rose up and said They should be answered and instantly gave the Duke his Hand to kiss which the Parliament-men and others were much amazed at God Almighty amend what is amiss if it be his blessed Will and send Unity at Home that we may the better keep off and withstand our Enemies Abroad and continue Peace in these Kingdoms and more pertinently I pray to keep the Spaniards out of Ireland for we shall far better hold tack with them here if they should land than you can do there where too many are ready to join with them I know I can write nothing to your Lordship which is News to you yet express my Love and hearty and humble Affection to your Lordship I make bold to trouble you with a long Letter And so with my Service to Mrs Usher I take leave and rest Your Lordship 's ever truly assured to honour and serve you J. King Layfield June 30. 1628. LETTER CXXX A Letter from Sir Henry Spelman to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh May it please your Grace I Have nothing since my Letter by your Servant Mr. Sturges to trouble you with but this Bearer my Kinsman coming to see your noble Country I have requested him and therewith enjoined him to present my humble and most devoted Service to your Lordship and to bring me certain word how it standeth with you for your Health which to the good of the Common-Wealth as well as my own particular respect no Man more desireth and prayeth for For the Passages here of note I know you receive them by many Pens and therefore I will not enter into any relation of them only I wish they were better Yet amongst them I desire to present your Grace with the first printed Copy of the Petition of Parliament to his Majesty for their ancient Rights and Liberties with his gracious Answer thereto And by much instance I even in this hour obtained it from Mr. John Bill the Printer before they yet are become publick and to the laming of the Book from whence they are taken I send you also Mr. Glanvill's and Sir Henry Martyn's Speeches to the Upper House about this Matter and the Proclamation agaisnt Mr. Doctor Manwaring's Sermons But the King notwithstanding hath as it is credibly reported released him of all the censure imposed upon him by the Upper House of Parliament and this next month he is to serve in Court The Deputys Lieutenants also of the West Country are released and some of them repaired with the dignity of Baronet others of Knighthood all with Grace Mr. Bill desired me to remember him most humbly to your Lordship and to advertise you that he willingly will print your noble Work in one Volume as well in Latin as in English which with multitude of others I shall much rejoice to see Thus with all humble remembrance to your Grace I rest A Servant thereof most bound and devoted Henry Spelman Barbacan July 1. 1628. LETTER CXXXI A Letter from Dr. George Hakewill to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My very good Lord YOur Lordship 's favourable interpretation and acceptance of my poor Endeavours beyond their desert hath obliged me to improve them to the utmost in your good Lordship's Service and more especially in the good education of that going Gentleman Ja Dillâ—â— whom you weâ—â— pleased to commend as a Jewel of price to my care and trust praising God that your Lordship hath been made his Instrument to reclaim him from the Superstitions of the Romish Church and wishing we had some more frequent Examples in that kind in these cold and dangerous Time For his tuition I have placed him in Exeter Colledg with Mr. Bodley a Batchelor of Divinity and Nephew to the great Sir Thomas Bodley of whose sobâ—â—ty gravity piety and every way sufficiency I have had a long trial and were he not so near me in Blood I could easily afford him a larger Testimony He assures me that he finds his Scholar tractable and studious In that such a Disposition having met with such a Tutor to direct and instruct it I make no doubt but it will produce an effect answerable to our expectation and desire And during mine abode in the University my self shall not be wanting to help it forward the best I may Your Lordship shall do well to take order with his Friends that he may have credit for the taking up of Monies in London for the defraying his Expences for that to expect it from Ireland will be troublesome and tedious I wish I could write your Lordship any good News touching the present state of Affairs in this Kingdom but in truth except it please God to put to his extraordinary helping hand we have more reason to fear an utter downfal than to hope for a rising Thus heartily praying for your Lordship's Health and Happiness I rest Your Lordship 's unfeignedly to command Geo. Hakewill Exeter Colledg in Oxford July 16. 1628. LETTER CXXXII A Letter from Dr. Prideaux Rector of Exeter Colledg or Oxon to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend Father in God YOur letters 〈◊〉 the more welcome unto me in that 〈◊〉 brought news of the publishing of your Ecclesiastical 〈◊〉 so much desired In which the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 thing fully and in 〈…〉 see will put a period I trust to the 〈…〉 is a high favour that iâ— pleased you to make use of my 〈◊〉 for the placing of your Kinsman I shall strain 〈◊〉 best endeavours to make good your Undertakings to his Friends Young Tutors oftentimes fail their Pupils for want of Experience and Authority to say nothing of Negligence and Ignorance I have resolved therefore to make your Kinsman one of my peculiar and tutor him wholly my self which I have ever continued to some especial Friends ever since I have been Rector and Doctor He billets in my Lodgings hath three fellow Pupils which are Sons to Earls together with his Country man the Son of my Lord Caulfield all very civil studious and sit to go together I trust that God will so bless our joint Endeavours that his worthy Friends shall receive content and have cause to thank your Grace Whose Faithful Servant I remain Jo. Prideaux Oxon Aug. 27. 1628. LETTER CXXXIII A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Right Honourable My most honourable Lord THE noble respect which in a singular manner you have still born to the preservation of
Duty But here is not all for it seems he hopes by the words of your Decree to hold all this till he be possessed of some Ecclesiastical Benefice notwithstanding his Term by the Charter expires at Midsommer We have answered my Lord Chancellor as your Grace shall find by these inclosed and do humbly desire your Grace to certify either him or us of your intention and to draw a Line or two to be sent to the rest of the 〈◊〉 for this Allowance if you 〈◊〉 it for mine own and the Fellows Discharge in the paying it These Letters your Grace will be also pleased to send us back as having by reason of the shortness of time no time to copy them We have obtained this night a Warrant from my Lord Chancellor to the Serjeant at Arms to arrest Sir James Caroll who in all this time of your Grace's being in Dublin would never be seen and is now as we hear in Town We have not yet delivered your Grace's return of the Reference made to you at the Council Table touching the Inclosure at the Colledg-Gate as having but lately received it In the mean while the Scholars upon St. Matthew's Day at night between Supper and Prayer-time have pulled it all down every Stick and brought it away into the Colledg to several Chambers Yet upon warning that night given at Prayers that every Man should bring into the Quadrangle what he had taken away there was a great pile reared up in the Night which we sent Mr. Arthur word he might fetch away if he would and he did accordingly This Insolency though it much grieved me I could not prevent I did publickly upon the Reference pray them to be quiet signifying our hope that we had of a friendly composition but when they heard that Mr. Arthur fell off they would no longer forbear Concerning the Affairs in England I know your Grace hath better intelligence than I. Our Translation goeth on in the Psalms and we are now in the 88th Mr. Neile King is in Chester Your Grace will pardon this scribling And so I commit you to God desiring to be remembered in your Prayers and resting Your Grace's in all Duty W. Bedell Trinity Coll. March 5. 1628. LETTER CXXXVI A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend in Christ my very good Lord I Must first desire your Grace's pardon for my long silence and that you will be pleased to believe that it proceeded not from any neglect of him whom I have so long and so much honour'd I presume your Grace continually receiveth advertisement of what passeth here from abler Pens than mine and therefore my pains in that may well be spared Among the rest you cannot be ignorant of the close imprisonment of your Grace's Friend and Servant Mr. Selden for some offence given or rather taken at his carriage and deportment in Parliament Here is lately deceased the Earl of Marleburgh I was often with him about his Irish Collections and was so happy in the pursuit of them that I received from him the greatest part of them not many days before his death Also the Earl of Westmoreland is lately dead and my ancient Friend and Kinsman the Earl of Totnes deprived of his sight and not like to live many days If his Library will be sold I will strain my self to buy it wholly for it is a very select one But howsoever I will not miss God willing his Irish Books and Papers Mr. Selden's Titles of Honour is ready to come forth here and his De Diis Syris at Leyden both well enlarged I wish he were so too that his Friends who much love him might enjoy him Sir Robert Cotton doth add to his inestimable Library Mr. Thomas Allen hath been lately bountiful to it He is now in London and also Mr. Brigges If I should only enumerate those who make enquiry of your Grace's Health their Names would fill a Letter Mr. Brigges's Book of Logarithms is finished by a Dutch-man and printed again in Holland Mr. Brigges tells me that Kepler is living and confesses his mistake in the advertisement of his Death by being deceived in the similitude of his name with one D. Kapper who died in that manner as he related But it appears sufficiently by his long-promised Tabulae Rodolphiae which now at last are come forth but they answer not the expectation which he had raised of them Dr. Bainbridge is well at Oxford Dr. Sutcleffe is lately deceased Yesterday at Newgate Sessions Fa. Muskett your Grace's old Acquaintance was arraigned and two other Priests and one of them an Irish-man they were all found guilty of Treason and had judgment accordingly There were an hundred Recusants presented at the same time It is said that a Declaration shall come forth concerning the Arminian Doctrine done by those Divines who were at the Synod of Dort L. Wadding our Country-man hath published a second Tome of his Annales Fratrum Minorum The Jesuit's Reply to your Grace is not to be gotten here those that came into England were seized and for ought I can hear they lie still in the Custom-house that which I used was borrowed for me by a Friend of the Author himself half a year since he being then here in London and going by the Name of Morgan Since the Dissolution of the Parliament there is a strange suddain decay of Trade and consequently of the Customs God grant there follow no inconvenience in the Common-Wealth The French and Dunkerkers are very bold upon the Coast of England and I hear of no means used to repress them It is said that our Deputy shall be presently removed his designed Successor my Lord of Danby is expected from Garnsey He was imployed thither to furnish that Island with Munition and other Necessaries when there was some jealousy of the French while that Army lay hovering about the parts of Picardy and Normandy but it is now gone for Italy and is passed the Mountains they have taken some Town in Piedmont the King is there in Person It is now said that Matters are accommodated by Composition if not it will prove a bloody War between those two great Kings and the French will put hard for the Dutchy of Millain I humbly desire to be held in your Grace's Opinion as one who will ever most willingly approve himself Your Grace's very affectionate Friend and humble Servant Henry Bourgchier London March 26. 1629. Sir Robert Cotton desires to have his humble respects presented to your Grace LETTER CXXXVII A Letter from Mr. Archibald Hamilton to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend ON Thursday last I understood by certain intelligence that my Lord of London whether by the perswasion of Sir Henry Wotton or others I know not earnestly moved his Majesty in Dr. Bedell's behalf Provost of Dublin-Colledg that he might be preferred to the Bishoprick of Kilmore which his Majesty hath granted and the
Letter for his Consecration is like to be there as soon as this I am heartily glad of his good Preferment but am somewhat grieved withal that the Colledg hath enjoyed him for so small a time who was like to make it much happy by his careful Government Some fear there is conceived that one or other from hence may be put upon the House who will not it may be so truly aim at the religious Education of the Students for some one deeply tainted with the Arminian Tenets putteth in close to be recommended thither by his Majesty and thinks to prevail by that means This I thought good to certify that your Grace may give timely warning thereof to the Fellows that they may make a wary and a safe Election of some sound Scholar and Orthodox Divine I will not presume to name any but I think Mr. Mead might be well thought of the place being formerly intended for him and he generally reputed a very able Man for such a Charge The Earl of Totnes departed this Life some ten days since his Corps is not yet buried Soon after his decease I went and made enquiry after that Press of Books and Manuscripts which only concern Ireland and asked whether he had left them as a Legacy to our Colledg as your Lordship heretofore moved him and as he himself lately promised to Sir Fran Annesly and my self that he would whatsoever the good Man intended or whatsoever direction he gave I cannot learn but the Colledg is not like to get them for one Sir Thomas Stafford the reputed Son of the said Earl hath got them and many other Things of my Lord 's into his hands out of which there will be hard wringing of them Sir Fran. Annesly and I have earnestly dealt with him that he would give them to the Colledg as the Earl intended to leave them and if not that he would let your Lordship have the refusal of them before any other if they be to be made away he absolutely refuseth to part with them upon any terms alleadging that he purposeth to erect a Library wherein they and all other the Earl's Books are to be preserved for his everlasting memory He promiseth withal that if your Grace or any that your Lordship will appoint hath a mind to exemplify write out or collect any thing out of any of the said Books and Manuscripts he will most willingly affoyd your Lordship or them a fire and leasurely use of the same as to you shall seem sitting and this was all that we could get from him If your Lordship's Letter can be so powerful it were not amiss to write to himself for it may be conjectured for all his fair pretences that a ready sum of Mony may make an easy purchase of them In my last Letter I advertised your Lordship how far I had proceeded in the business of Armagh since which time I have driven it to no further perfection partly because I expect to hear your Lordship's express pleasure therein and partly by reason of the Lord Keeper and Lord Grandison's late Sickness which hath kept them and the rest of the Committees from meeting to make a final determination of their Report that his Majesty's Letter may be procured accordingly for the setting off all things to your Lordship's desire If the Report were once made the Letter shall come speedily over and in a sufficient time to settle all before the Parliament sit or can conclude any Acts for restraining of Bishops to set any Leases for any longer term than one and twenty Years Thus recommending your Lordship to the blessed protection of the Almighty and humbly intreating your Lordship to have a vigilant care for the providing of an able Head to the Colledg I humbly take leave and remain Your Grace's Servant Archibald Hamilton White-hall April 8. 1629. LETTER CXXXVIII A Letter from Sir Henry Bourgchier to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend in Christ my very good Lord I Received your Lordship's Letter of the 22d of March by Sir Jo. Neutervill I doubt not but your Grace hath heard of the Greek Library brought from Venice by Mr. Fetherston which the Earl of Pembroke hath bought for the University-Library of Oxford it cost him 700 l. there are of them 250 Volumes Dr. Lindsell now Dean of Litchfield tells me that it is a great Treasure far exceeding the Catalogue He likewise tells me that there are a great number of excellent Tracts of the Greek Fathers never yet published besides divers ancient Historians and Geographers and particularly that there is as much of Chrysostom as will make a Volume equal to any of those published by Sir H. Savil I do not hear of any Books brought home by Sir Thomas Rae besides the ancient Greek Bible which was sent to his Majesty by him from Cyrill the old Patriarch sometime of Alexandria but now of Constantinople It is that which went among them by Tradition to be written by St. Tecla the Martyr and Scholar of the Apostles but it is most apparent not to be so ancient by some hundreds of years and that as for divers reasons so especially because there is before the Psalms a Preface of Athanasius I hear he hath brought home a rare Collection of Coyns and Medals I now spend my spare time in gathering Matter for the Story of Hen. 8. which in time if God spare me Life and Health I intend to publish And thus with the tender of my Love and Service to your Grace I will remain Your Grace's very affectionate Friend and humble Servant Henry Bourgchier Lond. April 13. 1629. LETTER CXXXIX A Letter from the Right Honourable the Lord Falkland Lord Deputy of Ireland to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord I Have received information both of the unreverend manner of publishing the late Proclamation at Drogedah and the ill observance of the same since it was published For the first That it was done in scornful and contemptuous sort a drunken Souldier being first set up to read it and then a drunken Serjeant of the Town both being made by too much Drink uncapable of that task and perhaps purposely put to it made the same seem like a May-game And for the latter That there is yet very little obedience shewed thereto by the Friers and Priests only that they have shut up the Fore-doors of some of their Mass-houses but have as ordinary recourse thither by their private Passages and do as frequently use their superstitious Service there as if there were no command to the contrary those Mass-houses being continued in their former use though perhaps a little more privately without any demolishing of their Altars c. I expected to have been informed as well of the publishing thereof there as of the Effects it had wrought from no Man before your Lordship both in respect of your Profession and the eminent place you hold in the Church and of your being a
whom his Majesty hath very gracious Intentions But of him I shall need deliver no more than what is contained in the enclosed Testimonial sent by my Predecessor unto King James of blessed Memory And so with remembrance of my Service unto your Lordship I rest Your Lordship 's in all Christian Duty ready to be commanded J. Armac Armagh August 10th 1629. LETTER CXLVI Reverendo Viro D. Ludovico de Dieu Orientalium Linguarum in Academiâ Leydensi Professori eximio Siab Academiâ is abfuerit tradantur Literae istae vel Danieli Heinsio vel Gerardo Joh. Vossio resignandae QUod ita compellem te familiaritèr homo quem tu ne de facie quidem nosti non est quòd adeo mireris Vir eruditissime Ex Apocalypsi enim tuâ Syro-Latinâ quam cum MS o meo codice diligenter contuli Hebraeo-Chaldaicis Institutionibus ita mihi visus sum habere te cognitum ut participare me tecum thesauros ex Oriente advectos primo quoque tempore communicare penè gestiam Interim ecce tibi Samaritanorum illud Pentateuchum in quo comparando Christianae pietatis homines paulo negligentiores hactenus fuisse conquestus est olim magnus vester Scaliger Cujus voto aliquâ certe ex parte fuerit satisfactum si ex Academiâ cujus ille dum vixit ingens fuit ornamentum primùm in lucem prodeat tamdiu desideratum venerandae antiquitatis monumentum Verum properato hîc opus ne hanc vobis desponsam jam destinatam laudem alius praereptum eat Neque est quod deterreat libri moles merum enim Pentateuchum est idque à punctis vocalibus accentibus omnibus planè liberum Ut cùm in promptu vobis sint Samaritani typi à Clarissimo Erpenio relicti nihil obstare videam quo minus proximis Vernalibus Nundinis opus absolutum publice edi possit ac passim divendi Tu modo operi manum admovere velis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in te suscipere officium Ad exemplar ipsum quod attinet recentius quidem illud est verum ex antiquioribus satis fideliter expressum Leviticum à se descriptum annotavit librarius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mense Giumadi altero anni nongentesimi filiorum Ismaelis Mensis vero ille anni aerae Ismaeliticae sive Mahummedicae 900 mensi respondet Martio anni Christianae nostrae epochae 1495. Geneseos vero librum qui casu aliquo exciderat ab alio suppletum fuisse res ipsa loquitur quidem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hoc est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 si ego decurtatas illas voces recte interpretor qui annus Hegirae 986. in aere nostrae 1578. incurrit Ut autem Judei in describendo Libro Legis quo in Synagogis suis utuntur minores suas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ita Samaritani sectiones illis ut plurimum respondentes quos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appellant curiose observant propriâ notâ apposita unamquamque terminantes interjecto insuper spatio à proxime insequente discludentes Quin numerum earum ad uniuscujusque libri calcem recensent 250 Geneseos Exodi 200. levitici 134 vel 135. Numerorum 118. 160 Deuteronomii Harum igitur distinctionem uti in editione negligi nollem ita quo commodius textus Samaritani cum Judaico collatio possit institui tùm capitum quibus vulgò utimur ad marginem tum verficulorum intra contextum numerum adjiciendum existimarem eo modo quo in primis partibus libri Geneseos à nobis factum vides quidem versiculorum nostrorum numerum constanter retinendum judicarem etiam iis in locis nam ejusmodi aliquando occurrunt in quibus à Samaritis ordo est immutatus Ubi vero integrae periodi ab iisdem ad sacrum contextum sunt adjectae ut in XI Capite Geneseos verbi gratiâ post xxx Capitis 36 versiculum in libro Exodi frequentissimè Ziphram o praeâ—igimus Habeo Praefationem paratam in quâ inter alia quî factum ut solos Mosis libros Samaritani receperint rationem explico quo tempore quo Authore facta sit haec primigenii contextus interpolatio ostendo authoresque veteres Eusebium Diodorum Tarsensem Hieronymum Cyrillum Anesperum Georgium Syncellum alios qui illius Testimoniis sunt usi commemoro Eam si editione dignam censebis accipies quam primùm quid illic acturi sitis resciero Est apud nos Dublinii Petrus quidam Wiboraeus cujus in Mercaturis faciendis operâ utuntur Middleburgensium vestrorum negotiatorum nonnulli Est Londini Franciscus Burnetus qui in vico quem Lombardicum vocant habet domicilium ad insigne Aurei Velleris Horum uter literas tuas recte ad me curabit deferendas Vale vir doctissime V. V. Cl. Danieli Heinsio ac Gerardo Joh. Vossio quos ego ambos ob interiores illas reconditas in quibus praeter caeteras excellunt literas unicè diligo salutem meis verbis dicito Tuus ex animo JACOBUS USSERIUS Armachanus Pontanae in Hiberniâ Kalendis Octobris An. MDCXXIX LETTER CXLVII A Letter from Sir H. Bourgchier to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend in Christ my very good Lord MY last Letter sent by Mr. Ja. Ware I presume is come to your Grace's hands long before this time I have the happiness to hear of your Grace sometimes by Mr. Burnet which is a great Comfort unto me especially when I heard of your Health and Ability to perform so great a Journey in your late Visitation of your Province of which I shall ever wish the continuance I am very sorry that it is my ill fortune so often to advertise your Grace of the misfortune of your Friends here Sir Robert Cotton hath been lately committed to the Custody of the Bishop of Ely and often strictly examined concerning the publication of a Project tending to the oppression of the Common-wealth and with him were restrained in several places the Earls of Bedford Somerset and Clare and some others after ten or twelve days close Imprisonment and several Examinations they were all enlarged and an Information exhibited against them in the Star-Chamber to which they are now to answer Mr. Solden is also made a party to this Information he is still a Prisoner in the Tower but enjoyeth now the liberty of the Prison At my last being with him he desired me to present his Service to your Grace he would have done it himself if he might with safety Here hath been a good while with us Ger. Jo. Vossius of Leyden a Man well known to your Grace by his Books and now to me de facie and which is more with whom I have contracted Familiarity and Friendship He told me that your Grace was well known to him both by your Latin Book which he had diligently read and by the Report of divers learned Men. and when
you as bringing with it the joyful news of your Life together with your godly Caveat of putting us in mind of our subjection to the Law of Mortality which Instructiâ—n God did shortly after really seal unto me by his Fatherly Chastisement whereby he brought me even to the Pits brink and when I had received in my self the Sentence of Death was graciously pleased to renew the Lease of my Life again that I might learn not to trust in my self but in him which raised the Dead our Comfort is that Life as well as Death and Death as well as Life are equally ours For whether we live we live unto the Lord and whether we die we die unto the Lord whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords I heartily thank you for your large Relation of the state of your Differences there Let me intreat you to take present care that a fair Copy be taken as well of your Lectures touching Grace and Free-will as of your others touching the Euchariâ—t which I much desire you should finish that it may not be said of you as it hath been noted of Dr. Whitaâ—er 〈◊〉 and Chamier That God took them all away in the midst of their handling of that Argument making an end of them before they made in end of that Controversie It is great pity your Lectures should be hazarded i◠〈◊〉 exemplari two at least I would have and preserved in two divers places lest that befal to them which happened to Dr. Raynold's Answer to Sanders touching the King's Supremacy a Copy whereof I have by God's good Providence recovered and his writing of Christ's Descent into Hell which I fear is utterly abolished Mr. Vâ—ssius having some notice that I intended to publish Marianus Scotus the printed Fragment of his Chronicle being scarce worthy to be accounted his sent me word that he likewise had a like intention to print the same out of a Manuscript Copy which he received from Andr. Scotus and desired that either I would receive his Notes for the setting forward of that Edition or else send unto him what I had in that kind I purpose to send unto him my Transcript both of Marianus himself and of his Abbridger Robertus Lotharingus Bishop of Hereford as also the History of Gotteschalcus and the Predestination-Controversy moved by him which I am now a making up whereunto I insert two Confessions of Gotteschalcus himself never yet printed which I had from Jacobus Sirmondus I touch there also that Commentitious Heresy of the Predestinatians which was but a Nick-name that the Semi-Pelagians put upon the Followers of St. Augustine who is made the Author thereof in the Chronicle of Tiro Prosper whose words in the Manuscript are Praedestinatorum Haeresis quae ab Augustino accepisse dicitur initium not as in the printed Books Ab Augustini libris male intellectis for which I desire you should look your Manuscript Prosper which is joined with Eusebius his Chronicle in Bennet-Colledg Library I could wish also that when you came thither you would transcribe for me Gulielmus Malmesburiensis his short Preface before his Abbreviation of Amalarius which is there in Vol. 167. and Scotus de Perfectione Statuum which is there in Vol. 391. cum Tragediâ—â— Seneca if it be but a short Discourse I have written a large Censure of the Epistle of Ignatius which I forbear to publish before I have received a Transcript of the Latin Ignatius which you have in Caius Colledg Vol. 152. of Dr. James Catalogue if I could certainly have learned that Mr. Thâ— Whaley had been in Cambridg I should have written to him for procuring it unto me but if he fail I must make you my last refuge whatever Charges be requisite for the transcription Mr. Burnet will see defâ—ayed You have done me a great pleasure in communicating unto me my Lord of Salisbury's and your own Determination touching the Efficacy of Baptism in Infants for it is an obscure point and such as I desire to be taught in by such as you are rather than deliver mine own Opinion thereof My Lord of Derry hath a Book ready for the Press wherein he handleth at full the Controversy of Perseverance and the Certainty of Salvation He there determineth that Point of the Efficacy of Baptism far otherwise than you do accommodating himself to the Opinion more vulgarly received among us to which he applieth sundry Sentences out of St. Augustine and among others that De Baptismâ— Sacramenta in solis electiâ— hoc verè efficiâ—nt quâ—d figurant I have finished the History of Gotteschalcus and the Predestination Controversy stirred up in his Time whereunto you have given a good furtherance in your learned Observations sent unto me touching the original of the Nick-name of the Predestinatiani imposed by the Semi-Pelâ—gians upon the Followers of St. Augustine I have had out of Corbey Abbey in France two Consessions written by Gotteschalcus himself which as yet have not been printed If we could but obtain Râ—thranâ—s his Treatise of the some Argument written unto the Eâ—peror Charles the same time I doubt not but it would give us as great contentment as his other Work doth De 〈◊〉 ◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for he held constantly St. Augustine's Doctrine against the Semi-Pelagians I have now in hand Institutionum Chronologicarum Lib. 3. wherein I labour by clearness of method and the easy manner of handling to make that perplexed Study familiaâ— to the Capacity of the meanest Understanding Therein I handle only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 making up as it were the Body of an Act. After which I intend if God spare my Life and Health to fall upon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Sacred Chronology and there to handle all the Controversies of that kind which may bring Light to the Sacred History and the Connexion of it with the Exotical I have review'd also my Answer to the Jesuit's Challenge and enlarged it with many Additions which by this time I suppose are newly printed â—n London Forget not in your Prayers Ja. Armachanâ—t Your most assured Friend and Brother Drogheda Dec. 10. 1630. LETTER CLX A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord I Received your Lordship's Letter sent by Mr. Stubbin by which I understood of your Lordship's late Recovery even from the Jaws of Death but more fully by Mr. Stubbin himself who related unto me the great hazard you Lordship was in by so excessive bleeding so many days together as is almost ineredible So that as it is said of Abraham that he received his Son from the Dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so we all even God's Church have received your Lordship in like manner à â—aucibus Oxci Praise be to the Lord of Life who killeth and reviveth again who bringeth down to Hell and bringeth back again To him be given all Glory for ever Amen Amen Since the receipt of your Lordship's
Quotis ad R. D. Tuam unà cum Eucharisticis missimus rectè redditas esse Ita nunc etiam pro novissimis duabus Quotis quae 185 libras Sterl 8 Solidos continuerunt hic nostrae Monetae florenos 1231 confecerunt Catalogum hisce adjunctum mittimus Ut hanc distributionem non minùs quà m priores duas fideliter à nobis factas esse inde constare possit In quem finem etiam Apocham pro acceptis pecuniis non tantùm à nobis collectae Administratoribus sed etiam ab aliis Primariis Viris subscriptam ad opt humaniss Virum Dom. Christianum Bor. Mercatorem Dublinensem missimus Habemus praeterea hîc ad manus diligenter asservamus singulorum Participantium Chirographa quibus se portiones in Catalogo assignatas accepisse attestantur Si fortè ad probandam Accepticum Expenso congruentiam iis aliquando opus sit Quod restat quod unum gratitudinis argumentum edere nunc possumus nos non tantùm pro salute incolumitate tuâ seduli ad DEUM precatores verùm etiam tuorum in nos meritorum laudumque tuarum grati buccinatores apud homines futuri sumus ita ut quocunque terrarum nostra nos fata deferent fidelem tui memoriam nobiscum simus ablaturi Bene vale Pater eximie venerande DOMINUS JESUS opus manuum tuarum confirmet ad nominis sui gloriam Ecclesiae suae incrementum Amen Norinburgae die xiii Septembris Anno Dei Hominis facti M. DC XXXI Reverendiss Dom. Tuam Subjectissimo Studio colentes Sacrae Collectae pro Exulib Archipalatinatus Superioris Administratores Fratrum omnium nomine Ambrosius Tolner quondam Pastor Ecclesiae Tursehennentensis Dioceseos Waldsassensis Inspector unde nunc exul in agro Norico suo Ln. Georgii Summeri nomine jam absentis Gebhardus Agricola Ecclesiae Aurbacensis quondam Pastor Inspector nunc in Marchionatum exulans c. Jonas Libingus Judex quondam Archipalatinus Caenobii Weisseno nunc in Exilio ad facrae Collectae negotia Deputatus Norimbergae LETTER CLXXII A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the most Reverend William Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury My most gracious Lord WHen I took Pen to write the first thing that presented it self to my thoughts was that saying in the Scripture Why are you the last to bring the King back to his House For methought I could not but be much blamed for coming thus late to congratulate both his Majesty's safe return and your own advancement joined therewith unto the highest place of Church-Preferment that is within his Highnesses Dominions Wherein I may truly say thus much for my self to begin withal that since the time I received the Letter you wrote unto me the day before you began your Journey for Scotland no day hath passed hitherto wherein I have not made particular mention of you in my Prayers unto Almighty God who hath graciously heard my Request and granted therein as much as my Heart could desire But thus in the mean time did the Case stand with me Upon the arrival of the Lord Deputy I found him very honourably affected toward me and very ready to further me as in other things that concerned the Church so particularly in that which did concern the settlement of the Lands belonging to the Arch-bishoprick of Armagh Wherefore not being willing to let slip so fair an opportunity I presently obtained a Commission for making an inquiry of all the Lands that remained in my quiet possession and took my Journey though in an unseasonable time of the Year into the Northern Parts of the Kingdom Where beside the speeding of the Offices that were taken in the three several Counties of Armagh Tirone and London-Derry there was offered the opportunity of solemnizing the translation of the Bishop of Raphae and a Consecration of the Bishop of Ardagh in the Cathedral Church of Armagh where no such Act had been before performed within the memory of any Man living And much about this time had we the News of your Grace's Election into that high Dignity which his Majesty hath called you unto for which as this poor Church in general so none more than my self in particular have great cause to rejoice God having no doubt given you such high favour in our Master's Eyes that you might be enabled thereby to do the more good unto his Church and especially to put a happy end to that great Work which hitherto hath received so many Impediments of setling the Reversion of the Impropriations of this Kingdom upon the several Incumbents Whereunto I assure my self your Grace will easily work my Lord Deputy who every day sheweth himself so zealous for the recovering of the dissipated Patrimony of the Church that mine Eyes never yet beheld his match in that kind By the death of your Predecessor our University of Dublin was left to seek a new Chancellor whom I advised to pitch upon no other but your self which they did with all readiness and alacrity If your Grace will design to receive that poor Society under the shadow of your Wings you shall put a further tie of observance not upon that only but upon me also who had my whole breeding there and obtained the honour of being the first Proctor that ever was there I am further intreated by our Lord Treasurer the Earl of Corke to certify my knowledg touching the placing of his Monument in the Cathedral Church of St. Patrick's in the Suburbs of Dublin The place wherein it is erected was an ancient Passage into a Chappel within that Church which hath time out of mind been stopped up with a Partition made of Boards and Lime I remember I was present when the Earl concluded with the Dean to allow thirty Pounds for the raising of another Partition betwixt this new Monument and the Quire wherein the Ten Commandments might be fairly written Which if it were put up I see not what offence could be taken at the Monument which otherwise cannot be denied to be a very great Ornament to the Church I have nothing at hand to present your Grace withal but this small Treatise written unto Pope Calixtus the 2d by one of your Predecessors touching the ancient Dignity of the See of Canterbury Which I beseech you to accept at the hands of Your Grace's most devoted Servant J. A. 1632. LETTER CLXXIII Another Letter to the same May it please your Grace UPon my return from my Northern Journey I wrote unto you by Sir Francis Cook declaring the cause of my long silence together with the extraordinary Zeal of our noble Lord Deputy I may justly term him a new Zerubbabel raised by God for the making up of the Ruins of this decayed Church who upon an occasion openly declared himself an opposite to the greatest of those that have devoured our holy Things and made the Patrimony of the Church the Inheritance of their Sons and Daughers I likewise made bold
Rabbinicum codicem ubi in latinum Sermonem convertero id enim ago objectionibus respondero faciam Deo dante ut Illustrissima tua dignitas exemplar quamprimum habeat Et quandoquidem intellexi ex antiquis raris Manuscriptis illustrissimam tuam dignitatem percipere magnam venustatem reticere nequeo quin de alio Manuscripto cujus me compotem fecit D. Buxtorfius mentionem injiciam nomen est Nizahon virulentum scriptum contra Christianos Vertere etiam coepi ut eodem modo edam atque transmittam Porrò cum in D. tuâ instructissimá Bibliothecâ Syriacum in Biblia Commentarium esse intellexerim sive Thesaurum secretarium atque ab iis qui vetus Testamentum transferunt in linguam Belgicam rogatus sim ut observationes ad loca difficiliora porrò suppeditem si optare liceret istius Syriaci in Hagiographa Prophetas posteriores Commentarii usum ad tempus concedi exoptarem Nam Pentateuchum reliquos Historicos quod concernit istos jam examinarunt revisores ut vocant atque ad Hagiographa pergunt In locis dubiis Abrabanielem meum omnium Commentatorum coryphaeum consulere soleo sed ne is quidem per omnia satisfacit Attamen ne vel minimum quidem hac mea petitione D. tuae commodis obesse velim neque committendum censeo ut liber adeo rarus cum discrimine amittendi periculo in incertum mittatur verum suo loco relinquendum si tuta mittendi ratio desit existimo De Chronico Samaritanorum Arabico cum collega D. Golio egi quod D. tuae votum esse cognoscerem ut ex Arabico in Latinum verteretur Sed tot jam negotiis se implicitum quaeritur ut hoc tempore id praestare nequeat ita enim praeter stata negotia undique sollicitari ut suus non sit Cyclium denique Paschalem V. M. de quo D. t. ad Dominum Frey perscripserat in nostra Bibliotheca nondum invenire potui Hactenus curas tuas interpellari boni quaeso consulas tua facilitate fretus id feci qui mea officia offero Illustrissimae dignitati tuae cujus cliens audire gestio Constantinus L'Empereur ab Oppych Ludg-Bat 16 Kal. Dec. An. 1633. Partae salutis LETTER CLXXVIII A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Dr. Ward Good Doctor I Received with your last Letter the Penitential Canons of Maimonides for which I heartily thank you In lieu whereof I hereby send you the History of Gottheschalcus the first Latin Book I suppose that ever was printed in Ireland I have directed it as you see to Mr. Vossius but upon your advertisement forbore to commit the publication of it unto him For the Arminian Questions I desire never to read any more than my Lord of Salisbury's Lectures touching Predestination and Christ's Death and yours concerning Grace and Free-will together with the determination of the Question of Perseverance which you shewed unto me The Book of Scotus in Benet-Colledg I guess to be the same with a Manuscript which I have my self without the Author's Name beginning thus Quod status Praelatorum viz. pastorum Ecclesiae presupponit statum alium probatur sic I had thought the other had been written by Johannes Erigena or else I had not much desired it but now I discern it came from Johannes Duns I do not much esteem it If I be not deceived being once in talk of Scaliger at your Table Mr. Mead made mention of some Mistake of his in the Fragments of Abydenus or Berosus which he hath published at the end of his Book De Emendatione Temporum but what it was I cannot call to remembrance If you have a better memory I pray you help mine or else enquire of Mr. Mead himself when you shall next see him I received a very kind Letter from Mr. Vossius for my History of Gottheschalcus A Copy of your Writings touching the Efficacy of Baptism and the Questions with the Remonstrants I much desire Dr. Twisse I see as you feared hath followed the rigid part I have gotten a good large Fragment of the beginning of Clement's genuine Epistle to the Corinthians Your own most assured Ja. Armachanus Dublin April 30. 1634. LETTER CLXXIX A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord I Received your Grace's Letter of the 30th of April for which I humbly thank your Lordship and crave pardon withal of my long silence I am right sorry to hear of the late decease of the worthy Bishop of Derry Boni deficiunt mali proficiunt I heard before the receipt of your Lordship's Letter of it at London I heard also there that Dr. Bramhall of our Colledg was likely to succeed him I pray God he may succed him as in place so in all his Vertues and vertuous Actions I pray God to be assistant to the Parliament of State with you and to bless all the Proceedings therein and to give an happy success to that Honourable Meeting in all their Important Affairs For my Lectures of the Eucharist I have as yet no leisure to transcribe them nor others touching the Remonstrants As for my Lord of Sarum his Readings I will see if I can get Mr. Burnet to procure them to be transcribed As for an Answer to the Animadversions you mention I will God willing e're long send your Lordship a Copy of them The Author of the Animadversions is now with us We have had some doings here of late about one of Pembrook-Hall who preaching in St. Mary's about the beginning of Lent upon that Text James 2. 22. seemed to avouch the insufficiency of Faith to Justification and to impugn the Doctrine of our 11th Article of Justification by Faith only for which he was convented by the Vice-Chancellor who was willing to accept of an easy acknowledgment but the same Party preaching his Latin Sermon pro gradu the last week upon Rom. 3. 28. he said he came not palinodiam canere sed eandem cantilenam canere which moved our Vice-Chancellor Dr. Love to call for his Sermon which he refused to deliver Whereupon upon Wednesday last being Barnaby day the day appointed for the admission of the Batchelors of Divinity and the choice of the Batchelors of Divinity which must answer Die comitiorum he was stayed by the major part of the Suffrages of the Doctors of the Faculty And though sundry Doctors did favour him and would have had him to be the Man that should answer Die comitiorum yet he is put by and one Mr. Flatkers of our Colledg chosen to answer Whos 's first Question is Sola sides justificat 2. Realis praesentia Christi in Eucharistia non ponit Transubstantiationem The truth is there are some Heads among us that are great Abettors of Mr. Tourney the Party above mentioned who no doubt are backed by others I pray God we may persist in the Doctrine
of our Church contained in our Articles and Homilies Innovators are too much favoured now a-days Our Vice-Chancellor hath carried Business for Matter of Religion both stoutly and discreetly Dr. Lane died on Sunday last and was buried in the night upon Tuesday in St. John's Colledg It may be you are willing to hear of our University Affairs I may truly say I never knew them in worse condition since I was a Member thereof which is almost 46 years Not but that I hope the greater part is Orthodox but that new Heads are brought in and they are backed in maintaining Novelties and them which broach new Opinions as I doubt not but you hear others are disgraced and checked when they come above as my self was by my Lord of York the last Lent for favouring Puritans in Consistory and all from false Informations from hence which are believed without any examination At that time also I intreated my Lord of Canterbury to speak to the Dean of Wells that now is who had sundry times excepted against me for not residing three months per Annum as I should by Charter which I nothing doubt but it was by his instigation he promised me then he would but not having done it yet I repaired again to my Lord's Grace about it in November But now he cannot for that his Majesty hath given him in charge to take account of the Bishops in his Province how Residence is kept I told him my Case was not every Man's Case and that I had a Benefice at which I desired to be in the Vacation-Time but nothing would prevail And yet as I told him I am every Year at Wells sometimes a month or six weeks I think they would have me out of my Professor's place and I could wish the same if I could have one to succeed according to my mind for then I should have leasure to transcribe things Well howsoever God's Will be done and he teach us Humility and Patience I heard also of some doings with you The Lord of Heaven direct you and us and teach us to submit to him in all things I have not yet sent my Answer to Mr. Ch. but intend e're long I have not finished yet one Point to shew the Arminian Opinions were condemned in the Synods which condemned the Pelagian Heresy At Mr. Burnet's importunity who could not get a good Scrivener to transcribe my Lord of Sarum's Readings de Praedestinatione morte Christi I gave way that he should send it to you which I intreat your Lordship if you have received it to return it me as soon and as safely as you conveniently can The Tractate de Praedestinatianis in defence of your Lordship I know not your Adversary nor his Name is Dr. Twisses it may be he hath sent your Lordship a Copy of it He is a deserving Man We have a Vice-Chancellor that favoureth Novelties both in Rites and Doctrines I could write more sed manum de Tabula The greatest part of this was inclosed in the Letter your Lordship had sent Jan. 14. I made now a few additions And so I rest Your Grace's in all observance Samuel Ward Sidn Coll. Jun. 14. 1634. Dr. Baden a Dean with you in Ireland answereth the Act In Vesperiis Comitiórum His Questions are 1. Justificatio non suscipit magis minus 2. Non dantur Consilia perfectionis supra legem LETTER CLXXX A Letter from Constantinus L'Empereur ab Oppych to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Illustrissimo Primati D. Jacobo Usserio Archiepiscopo Armachano Hyberniae Primati I. V. S. P. Vir Reverende EST quod mihi admodum gratuler qui cum antea viro illustri nonnisi de nomine innotuissem tamen quod in votis habebam audacter petiissem tantam evestigio nactus sim benevolentiam ut illustris tua dignitas expetitum commentariorum in sacras literas volumen Syriacum transmittere gravata non fuerit Dabitur Deo favente opera ut fideliter in Hyberniam transmittatur ubi usus fuero In veteri Testamento spei meae non respondet licet subinde notatur digna animad vertam Ad textum Syriacum commentaria accommodata sunt non verò quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 suadebat consultus fuit Ebraicus Imo quantum adhuc videre possum Syriacus quo usus fuit contextus è Graeco expressus fuit ideoque saepe aliter legit author quam in Ebraeo extat Aliquando etiam verba de industria secus collocat quam invenit Graecae Linguae peritiam prae se fert in Syriaca nimis anxiè quae ad vocales spectant persequitur Occidentalem Syrum fuisse id est viciniorem Mari Mediterraneo ostendit quod sect 28. Usa annotat Tandem hoc observo ut omnia conglomerem quae è lectione in mentem veniunt non satis ad messam applicare quae ad ipsum passim directa fuere Nihilominus pro usu istius libri gratias habeo maximas inprimis cum praeclara annotentur in Testamentum Novum Quae in c. 1. Matt. observata sunt evolvi placent admodum Caeterum est in illustris D. T. Bibliotheca uti intelligo versio Syriaca duplex V. T. patruus autem meus D. Antonius Thysius paratum habet commentarium in duo priora cap. Genes ubi Historiam creationis illustrat cui praemittere statuit versiones primarias Ideoque summa diligentia è variis autoribus Symmachi Theodotionis Aquilae c. interpretamenta ita collegit ut continuum contextum reddant Itaque valdè sibi gratum fore dicit si versionem Syriacam ab Amanuensi aliquo descriptam obtinere in 2. cap. Gen. posset Hoc vix à me impetro ut subjungam verum fortassis post libri editionem istius consilii se non factum certiorem D. tua aegre ferret ut cui hoc unum cordi sit prodesse publico Hic subsisto Patri D. nostri I. Christi commendo Illustrem tuam dignitatem cujus permanere gestio cliens humillimus Constantinus L'Empereur ab Oppych Lug. Bat. 3. Kal. Jul. ā partae salutis 1634. LETTER CLXXXI A Letter from Dr. Ward to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend and my very good Lord OUR Commencement is now over where Dean Baden now Dr. Baden did well perform his part who answered the Act Vesperiis Comitiorum And so did the Batchelor of Divinity Die Comitiorum being one of the Fellows of our Colledg The Vice-Chancellor Dr. Love did well perform his part especially in encountring with one Franciscus de S. Chara but his true name is Davenport who in a Book set forth at Doway would reconcile si diis placet our Articles of Religion with the Definitions of the Council of Trent But we have dismissed the Auditors this Year with much more content than they were the Year before Our Stirs we had a little before the Commencement are prettily well over There is a little Book intituled
characterum mutationem longe antea factam somniet Morinus Cloaca quo magis agitatur eo Mephitin exhalat magis Morinus Samaritanis antiquis Samaritanior etiam evasit Illi enim teste Eulogio Jesum filium Nave Prophetam praedictum Mosi similem futurum profitebantur Librum ejus pro Canonico certò habuere qui hanc illi gloriam tribuebant At hunc librum nobis eripuit cùm aliis prophetiis Dositheus Morini antecessor Det nobis Morinus charactere Samaritano scriptos Prophetarum libros aut fateatur se plures scripturae sacrae codices quam dederit abstulisse Sed nec ferendum est hominem Christianum Samaritanos Dei hostes Judaeis Dei populo in libris sacris tuendis anteferre Praecipuè cum constet Prophetas fuisse post commentitiam characterum mutationem in populo Judaico in Samaritano nullos Cur non ergo Samaritana Biblia nobis reliquere Prophetae Cur de tanta mutatione silent Cur apud Haereticos sepulta Biblia in lucem Spiritu Divino eos illustrante non producunt Ut taceam Morini in Sacris Literis tractandis magistralitatem qui eodem jure in his quo Sorbona in aliis censurâ afficiendis utitur Hoc placet illud displicet quandoque Samaritanus codex quandoque Latinus Graecus semper nunquam illi Hebraicus approbatur Si prout meritus est verbis asperioribus nonnunquam castigetur Morinus nemo nobis vitio vertat neque enim cum Haeretico aliquo res est qui articulum fidei unum aut alterum negat aut textum peculiarem aliter quà m veritas posuit interpretatur sed cum eo qui fontes sacros in universum abripit pro Deo Israelis falsi Messiae adulteria nobis obtrudit Nec ignorantiam nobis objiciat quis quòd Jesuitam eum appellemus Indignaretur sat scio Morinus si Congregationis Oratoriae Iesu Christi Presbyterum titulo isto non dignaremur Liber certè totus Jesuiticum spiritum frontem perfrictam Societati illi familiarem nimis prodit Si quid sit quod ulteriorem disquisitionem requirat totum illud si respondere Morino visum fuerit in replicatione fusiùs tractabitur Prelo aliàs impraesentiarum vacante oblata vulgandi opportunitas festinationem operis urgebat Haec interim habui quae tibi dummodo id placeat quod pro singulari tua tum pietate tum candore nullus ambigo in perpetuum erga Dominationem tuam studii observantiae meae monumentum dedicarem Deus verbi sui majestatem contra omnes impiorum latratus potenter ipse tueatur per totum orbem indiès ampliùs diffundat Te verò Hibernae gentis ornamentum in Christianae Religionis emolumentum diutissimè in terris florentem conservare tandemque sero tamen in gloriam sempiternam recipere dignetur Claphamae Calend. April 1635. Reverendissimae Dominationi tuae addictissimus Franciscus Tailerus LETTER CLXXXIV A Letter from the most Reverend William Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Salutem in Christo. My very good Lord I Thank you heartily for your Letters and am as heartily glad that your Parliament and Convocation are so happily ended especially for the Church and that both for the particular of your letting Leases which is for Maintenance and for the quiet and well-ordering and ending of your Book of Canons I hope now the Church of Ireland will begin to flourish again and that both with inward Sufficiency and outward Means to support it And for your Canons to speak Truth and with wonted liberty and freedom though I cannot but think the English Canons entire especially with some few amendments would have done betterly yet since you and that Church have thought otherwise I do very easily submit to it and you shall have my Prayers that God would bless it As for the Particular about Subscription I think you have couched that well since as it seems there was some necessity to carry that Article closely And God forbid you should upon any occasion have rouled back upon your former Controversy about the Articles For if you should have risen from this Convocation in heat God knows when or how that Church would have cooled again had the cause of Difference been never so slight By which means the Romanist which is too strong a Party already would both have strengthned and made a scorn of you And therefore ye are much bound to God that in this nice and picked Age you have ended all things canonically and yet in peace And I hope you will be all careful to continue and maintain that which God hath thus mercifully bestowed upon you Your Grace's very loving Friend and Brother W. Cant. Lambeth May 10. 1635. LETTER CLXXXV A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Dr. Ward Good Doctor I Have been almost tired with continual attendance on out long continued Parliament and Convocation which being done they would needs impose upon me also the moderating of the Divinity Act and the creating of the Doctors at our last Commencement I am now at last retired from Dublin to my old Place where I begin at length Redire in gratiam cum veteribus Amicis I send you herewith Harrys his Book against the Friars and our New Canons The Articles of Religion agreed upon in our former Synod Anno 1615 we let stand as they did before But for the manifesting of our Agreement with the Church of England we have received and approved your Articles also concluded in the Year 1562 as you may see in the first of our Canons But while we strive here to maintain the Purity of our ancient Truth how cometh it to pass that you in Cambridg do cast such stumbling-blocks in our way by publishing unto the World such rotten Stuff as Shelford hath vented in his five Discourses wherein he hath so carried himself ut Famosi Perni amanuensem possis agnoscere The Jesuits of England sent over the Book hither to confirm our Papists in their obstinacy and to assure them that we are now coming home unto them as fast as we can I pray God this Sin be not deeply laid to their charge who give an occasion to our blind thus to stumble I thank you most heartily for communicating my Lord of Salisbury's Lectures unto me they are excellent learnedly foundly and perspicuously performed and I hope will do much good here for the establishing of our young Divines in the present Truth Will you not make us as much beholden unto you for your own Lectures upon the other Questions You may not think that the same accurateness is expected in the Writings which you privately communicate unto your Friends as in that which you are to commit unto the Press after you have added supremam manum thereunto Neither were it amiss that you should make a Collection of all your Determinations as you see the Bishop of Salisbury hath done and cause your Lectures of the Eucharist to
omnes Provincias unitas post actas Deo solennes gratias accendendi ob recuperatum singulari Dei beneficio Schenkianum munimentum praecedenti anno turpissima nostrorum incuria deperditum Nunquam magis quam tum triumphavit hostis nunquam nos luximus magis tanto magis triumphamus nunc quod dissipatis magnis quae agitabat Consiliis ipsi ignominia nobis securitas data sit Faxit Deus ut tantum grata mente beneficium semper recolentes datori ejus dignas gratias rependamus ab eo uno pendeamus eum revereamur colamus Ejusdem favori ac clementiae Amplissimam tuam Dignitatem commendat utque ea sospes diù sit atque incolumis maximopere optat qui est erit Amplissimae tuae Dign devotissimus Servus Ludovicus de Dieu Datum Lugd. Bat. 4 Maii 1636. LETTER CLXXXVII A Letter from the Learned Lodovicus de Dieu to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Reverendissime Praesul QUas per Cl. ac Nobilissimum D. Boswellum 4 o Maii ad Ampl. tuam dedi literas quin acceperis nullus dubito Monitus iterum per eundem D. Boswellum qui est ejus singularis in me favor de nave Dublinium cogitante non potuit non Rever tuam submissè vel verbulo salutare Scripseram de Historia Christi à Jesuita Hieronymo Xaverio Persicè contexta à me vero translata brevi censura notata Addideram tradi mihi dum scriberem Apostoli Petri Historiam eodem Autore Transtuli exinde hanc atque utriusque textum Persicum descripsi ingenti sane taedioso cum labore necessario tamen quia Orientalium scriptura legi à Typothetis non poterat Omnia jam sunt prelo adaptata eique proxima volente Deo septimana subjicientur Imprimitur jam tractatus Talmudicus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cum translatione Cl. Lempereur ejusque notis sequentur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Specimen quoque nuper vidimus sacraram Observationum Cl. Heynsii in universum N. Testamentum in procinctu est ut editio ejus procedat Opus certe luculentum multifaria eruditione refertum Haec sunt Vir amplissime quae hîc nunc potissimum in re literaria aguntur Quae nos tam tua scire interest quam hîc omnes docti valetudinem tuam resciscere avent anni enim sunt ex quo nihil de rerum tuarum statu cognovimus Incolumen tamen salvum speramus utque idem diu sis ardentissimis votis precamur Plurimum se favori tuo Cl. Lempereur commendat utque nos deinceps amore tuo digneris obnixè ambo rogamus Datum Lugd. Batav 22. Augusti 1636. Reverendae Amplit tuae Devotissimus Ludovicus de Dieu LETTER CLXXXVIII A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Learned Lodovicus de Dieu Admodùm Reverendo in Christo fratri D. Ludovico de Dieu Ecclesiae Lugduno-Batavae Pastori vigilantissimo Leydam Reverende Vir ac Charissime in Christo Frater ELiteris tuis 22 o Augusti Gregoriani datis quae ante paucos dies ad me fuerant perlatae intelligo te alteras non ita pridem ad me dedisse quae nondum mihi visae sunt intercidisse illas quas ipse ad te scripseram Eucharisticas post allatas mihi eruditissimas tuas in Acta Apostolorum animadversiones in cujus luculenti operis Praefatione quòd quaedam haud admodùm magna beneficia tibi à me exhibita depraedicas in eo majorem propriae tuae humanitatis quà m rei ipsius rationem habuisti Ad duos verò illos Tractatus Persicos à te in Latinum sermonem conversos quod attinet diffiteri nemo potest quin omnes Persicae Linguae studiosi magnam inde haurire queant utilitatem Sed ut ingenuè animi mei sensum tibi aperiam indignos puto Jesuitas qui afficiantur illo honore ut hujusmodi ipsorum scriptis ullus transferendi labor impendatur praesertim à viris ad majora natis Itaque posthac si me uti monitore volueris potius aut in Syriacis Ephraemi illustrandis aut in pertexendis tuis in Novum Testamentum observationibus perges quâ ratione multo majus addes gloriae tuae incrementum quà m collocando operam tuam ibi unde neque ad nos insignis utilitas nepe ad te quicquam nisi cognitionis peregrini idiomatis fama redire queat Ephraemi Opusculorum si quid adhuc in Syriâ lateat eruendum curabimus quâ in re ne operam ludamus ac impensam emendo illa quae jam possidemus omnium ejus tractatuum quos istic Leidae habetis titulos atque exordia proprio sermone ac charactere descripta ad me transmittas velim Et quia scire valdè aveo quos secum ex Oriente libros attulerit Cl. Golius si catalogum ipsorum impressum addideris quem hactenus nancisci non potui rem mihi facturus es gratissimam Eruditissimi Heinsii praeclaras illas in Novum Testamentum Observationes avidissime expectamus cujus generis alias Clarissimum Grotium moliri jampridem intelleximus Doctissimum verò Salmasium tamdiu cessare miramur neque tot jam annis quicquam novi procudere quum praesertim tot circum urgeatur exemplis quae vel ignarum quenquam excitare queant ad praeclaros conatus nedum tantum ac talem virum Breviarium quoddam linguâ ut putabatur Aegyptiacā conscriptum illi transmittendum Arnoldo Bootio nostro tradidi sed illud intercidisse audio Plurimum velim meo nomine illi Heinsio si quos alios illic amicos habemus salutem dicas Vale Clarissime Vir ac me porrò amare perge Ja. U. Arm. Ex aedibus nostris Termino-fechinianis Septembris Juliani die 14. Anno Salutis MDCXXXVI LETTER CLXXXIX A Letter from the most Reverend William Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Salutem in Christo. My very good Lord I Have been put to no small pains considering my other Occasions to read over and in a manner to study the several Letters and other Papers which have been sent and come to my hands some from your Grace some from the Provost and Fellows that join with him some from Pheasant and the other Party and some from the Lords Justices and Council there to the Lord Deputy and from his Lordship to me and all of them about the late unhappy difference fallen between the Visitors of the Colledg near Dublin and the Provost The more carefully I have read over these Papers the more I clearly confess to your Grace I am troubled at the Business and could heartily wish some friendly way were thought on there to prevent a formal and legal Decision by me Of which yet seeing so little hope as I do I have taken all the pains which I can preparatory to a final Sentence For I have
Battiere to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend Father in God my most honoured Lord I Have received a Letter from your Grace by Mr. Cullen with much joy as well to hear of your Grace's good Health which I pray to God may continue long so for the Good of Christendom as to see me favoured with some Employment again for your Grace than whom I know no body living I desire to serve with more affection I will with one word set down here what hath been done in your Lordship's Business since Mr. Cullen's arrival I brought him first to my Lord the Earl of Leicester who for your Grace's sake and his own worth shewed him all kindness and to Mr. Joanes I carried him to Mr. Duluy where he made acquaintance bestowing a Complement upon them from your Grace Pere Sirmond and Mr. Rigault we could not find at home yet nor Gabriel the Sionita whose great Bible I shewed him also and conferred the Syrian Characters together of which there be three or four here but of this Mr. Cullen will give a better account a while hence for I have written also to Geneva where such a Character is to be sold to have the sight of it in print and at what rate they mean to sell it to compare the Prices and Characters together with these here In the mean while Mr. Cullen is advised to sequester himself from English and Irish to profit the more in the French Tongue for conversing afterwards with those that he hath business withal and to that end I hope he will not be denied a prorogation of his licence of travelling and absenting himself from the Colledg for some few months longer with the continuation of his Stipend he being imployed in Work so good for the Common Wealth especially upon your Grace's Commendation I have set one to work for the transcribing of Concil Lemovicense and Theodori Poenitentiale and will go on with the rest one by one as I can get them for to demand so much at once would seem strange to them although they be very courteous and officious Of printed Books I bought Vita Leonis Caroli of Sirmondus but the rest marked to me are not his Hincmari Opusc. are of Cordesius and I think you Grace hath them Ivo Carnotensis of Juret Damianus of Caetan a Benedictine Bellarm. de Script Eccl. of Sirmond but scarce any thing altered in it Browerus de Treverensis Ecclesiae Antiquit I cannot get yet There is nothing added to the Councils of Binius nor any thing printed of St. Chrysostom but what your Grace hath Du Chesnes's third and fourth Volume are a printing but not yet finished This Kingdom being now in Wars on all sides doth not afford any great Design for the advancement of Learning Of late one Mr. Gallant a Counsellor of State and a Protestant set forth a Book de Franco allodio in French in which he gives a touch unto the Waldenses History and Simon de Montfort I wrote of this Man heretofore to your Grace as one best versed in that History and best stored with their Writings this Book I will send with the rest I wonder your Grace hath not received my former with one from Mr. Buxtorf if I am not deceived I sent them away with those of the City and University of Basil to my Lord Deputy to whom I made bold to add one of mine to thank his Greatness for the Favour of my Naturalization in Ireland and for his nobleness to my Kinsman Frey I am not so out with Ireland where I have heretofore received so good entertainment but I hope to see it again which I desire the more for your Grace's sake to tender my best Respects in Person to so much worth and should think me happy if I could deserve a mean Prebend in your Cathedral to wait more close upon your Grace I humbly crave your Grace's Blessing and remain with my hearty Prayers for your Health and Prosperity Your Grace's most humbly obedient and devoted Servant J. Battiere Paris 2◠1◠August 1637. My Lord the Earl of Leicester remembers his Love and Service to your Grace LETTER CXCVII Illustrissimo viro Domino Jacobo Usserio Armachano totius Hyberniae Archiepiscopo Dublin D. I. V. S. P. Antistes reverende QUas ad me 15 Septembris dedisti literas ubi perlegissem non mediocriter incensus fui ut in eruenda antiquitate Judaica iis quae ad gentem illam ex propriis ipsorum scriptis convincendam faciunt evulgandis majori quam antea animi alacritate progredi animo meo constituerem Benignum enim istud de scriptis meis judicium non potui non facere maximi ut pote ab eo profectum quem Belgium hoc confoederatum ut alias linquam nationes ob acerrimum judicium latissimam eruditionem suspicit ac miratur summè Hoc tempore si quis abstrusiora tractet vel invidia vel pravo imperitorum judicio saepe laborat utriusque securum jure optimo reddunt tanti viri qui mihi Belgio nostro est instar omnium favor ac Judicium Hoc nomine ingentes ago gratias uti etiam pro Thesauro secretorum quem uti singulari promovendae cognitionis studio miseras ita etiam diuturniorem in reddendo à me necti moram passus Sed jam per D. legatum Boswellum remitto navi quae Rotterodamo rectà in Hiberniam solvit Animum etiam in omnes literatos pronum in eo agnosco quod articulos fidei in Hiberniae Synodo stabilitos ad primas literas obtinuerim Quos viris doctis orthodoxiae amantibus communico postea isti missurus qui ut antea scripsi confessionum orthodoxarum editionem molitur Vicissim vobis Catalogum librorum quos D. Golius ex Oriente attulit quemque D. Botius petierat transmitterem verum D. de Dieu utsibi id officii relinquerem voluit ut qui ea de re literas à D. tua accepisset Accepi hisce diebus à D. Gomaro T. D. Professore in Academia Groeningana poesin Abraam sive veteram illam carminum rationem ac formam qua poemata sacri contextus in Jobo Psalmis Proverbiis diversisque Canticis concinnata confecta fuere Eamque poesin cum illa Pindari Sophoclis perpetuò confert Hujus editionem mihi mandavit atque alia mea opera nonnihil remoratus est Etenim cum liber perpetuis exemplis refertus sit eqque sine versione latina apposuerit super eo monitus non responsurum fructum nisi ea vetantur hanc operam mihi offerenti imposuit ne forte liber si remitteretur in itinere periret De ista veteri poesi scripsere etiam antehac docti libri Cosroes author Abrabaniel Rabbi Azarias quem postremum vertere incaepi Sed isti aliam sequuntur rationem ut qui magis in membrorum inter se convenientia quam in syllabarum quantitate numero
metrum investigent Atque haec hactenus Caeterum D. O. M. veneror ut curis ac laboribus D. tuae benedicat eamque Ecclesiae suae quam diutissimè superesse concedat Interim permanere gestio Amplitudinis tuae cliens humillimus Constantinus l'Empereur Lug. Bat. 8 Kal. Jan. An. 1637. LETTER CXCVIII. A Letter from Mr. Arnoldus Botius to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Reverendissime Domine DUM tuam in Evangelia catenam Syriacam percurro obiter deprehendi quod praeter ineptas illas allegorias de quibus jam tum ex prima inspectione R. D. T. locutus fueram multa etiam seria ac lectu omnino digna contineat ac plerorumque locorum difficiliorum interpretationes afferat minime poenitendas Sed non pauca ibi reperi ad controversias hodie inter nos ac Pontificios agitari solitas spectantia quidem ejusmodi partim ut ipsis potius quam nobis favere videantur Sane de sacra communione ita loquitur acsi panis vini transubstantiationem ut nunc loquimur planissime agnosceret adeo quidem ut siquis Papistarum velit Veterum quempiam pro sua causa loquentem introducere ac pro arbitrio suo ipsius verba efformare non videam quid ultra desiderare possit Sed fortasse me judicium fallit Tu Domine judicabis in quem finem totum locum non quidem hic inserendum duxi quum prolixior esset sed per se descriptum huic epistolae inclusi Rursus sunt ibi quae pro nobis potius facere videantur cujusmodi est enarratio Matt. 3. 6. ad verba illa Confitentes peccata sua ubi quum movisset quaestionem Quomodo veriti non fuerint Judaei peccata sua palam profiteri quum ex lege Mosis quae minuta duntaxat peccata tamque quae per ignorantiam commissa essent expiabat confitentes reos certe mors quidem lapidationis maneret ego adhuc quaero unde hoc hauserit ac respondisset his verbis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Johannes major ipsis habetur dederatque ipsi Deus baptisare in poenitentiam ut ostenderet abolitam esse Legem sacrificiorum tempus praeteriisse ac advenisse foedus novum quod peccatores poenitentes suscipit Deinde hanc apponit observationem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hinc animo collige tres ordines sacerdotum unus est eorum sub lege qui offerebant sacrificia pro peccatis per ignorantiam commissis iis vero peccatis quae scienter patrata erant mortem lapidationis infligebant 2. Johannis qui baptisando peccata scienter commissa palam faciebat 3. Sacerdotes novi foederis dum baptisant non faciunt peccata palam sed expiant peccata tam scienter quam ignoranter commissa remissionem eorum exhibeat Hic quum novi foederis sacerdotibus non aliam remissionis peccatorum administrationem attribuat quam baptismum omnino mihi inde sequi videtur confessionem auricularem quae ipsi annectitur remissionem peccatorum ipsi ignotam fuisse quum alioquin ejus mentionem hic facere debuerit loco ipso id prorsus efflagitante Pluribus R. D. T. nunc non distinebo quare hic finiens Divinae protectioni ipsam supplianter commendo R. D. Tuae Devotissimus cliens Arnoldus Botius Dublin 30 Octob. 1638. LETTER CXCIX A Letter from Dr. William Gilbert to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My very good Lord ALL my expectancies for observation of this Lunar Eclipse last Tuesday morning were lost in the cloudy disposition of the Heavens for that time which offered matter of more consequence to my meditation in that idle interim of expecting a fairer Season That Hysteron Proteron of Opinions in translating the Sun into the Center and making it Stationary In advancing the Earth up into an Orb and making it Ambulatory Howsoever it hath suffered by popular prejudice in some and the resty disposition of others in their own Errors yet doth it excellently accommodate many irregular Motions to Account and open a large Field for the search and invention of high things for thus By the apparent Semidiameter of the Sun in his Apoge and the Angle of half the Conick shadow of the Earth is most artificially and easily determined the true Parallax of the Sun And by the Parallax his distance from the Earth And by these the semidiamiter of the fixt Stars and Planets together with the several parallaxes they make upon the Orb of the Earth and their distances Upon this Account the Semidiameter of the Orb of the Earrh in his middle-distance from the Sun is 1498 semidiameters of the Earth the Cube of 1498 is 3 361 517 992 And so many times is the Orb of the Earth or Sun bigger than the Earth it self yet all this whole Orb in respect of the Orb of Saturn which makes not one minute of parallax upon it is but a Point And the Orb of Saturn again in respect of the Firmament is but a Point for the fix'd Stars make but a Parallax of five minutes at the Orb of Saturn as by the Difference of the Semidiameters of their Orbs may appear so that I wonder at many of the Ancients that have shrunk and shrivelled up these two Heavens of the Planets and of the fix'd Stars into one whereas they are not only almost infinitely and disproportionably distant but are also distinguish'd by their different Heat and Light this Planetary Heaven having its Heat and Light from its Heart and Centre the Sun which from thence communicates his Heat and Light to all the Planets more or less as they are nearer or farther from him And therefore we see how languishing a Light he lends to Saturn as being twice farther from him than some of the rest and the last of those Bodies receive Light from him What the World now come to Spectacles hath by her Optick Eyes of Glass lately discovered is obvious to every Man namely that Saturn a Body 46 times bigger than this Earth that bears us hath besides the same Sun common to us with it to serve it by day a certain number of Moons also appropriate to it to serve it by night And that Jupiter a Body 25 times bigger than this Earth hath besides the same Sun common to us with it to serve it by day three Moons also appropriate to it to serve it by night and whereof if need were we could give the Places and the several Vicissitudes of their Changes Wains and Fulls Our Earth also proportionable to her bigness hath one Moon assigned her for her service by Night which howsoever great by its very nearness it appears to us on Earth yet undoubtedly is as undiscoverable from the Orb of Jupiter as are his Moons from hence which are not seen without Spectacles What all these things may import I spare to speak that this Earth may enjoy her own Opinion to have been the only work of
scilicet qualis nulla unquam fuit nisi in primo seu aureo seculo quando hominibus praeerant Dii sicuti mutis animalibus homines quam fabulam prolixe tractat in eodem libro Plato non magis conferendum sit quam homines Diis Quanquam enim utrique 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unum idemque 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nomen sit commune ac ambo Reges appellentur latissimum tamen inter ipsos esse intervallum Ex illo igitur loco non potest Platoni attribui acsi dixisset Regem esse velut Deum inter homines quum illud dixerit non de Regibus quales sunt fueruntque in mundo sed qualem inter reliquas Ideas sibimet ipse consinxit quod quia videre non poteras si nuda tantum verba illa de quibus R. D. T. quaerebat ascripsissem ideo me in tantam prolixitatem necessario diffudi I do not in any part of my Studies take so much delight as I do in what may be serviceable to your Grace Whom praying to rest fully assured of that and accordingly to employ me as often as occasion shall be offered I humbly take leave ever remaining Your Grace's most affectionate Servant Arnold Boate. Dublin Nov. 15. 1639. LETTER CCIV. A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Learned Lewis de Dieu Reverendissimo in Christo fratri D. Lodovico de Dieu Ecclesiae Lugduno-Batavae Pastori fidelissimo Leydam POstremae tuae Literae dilectissime frater Londini mihi sunt redditae unà cum Catalogo librorum quos mihi comparaveras Pretio quod ut illic persolveretur probi cujusdam Bibliopolae Londinensis fidei commendavi Interim gratissima mihi fuit tua cura de locupletandâ Bibliothecâ meâ novo hoc auctario cui xx illa volumina Graecorum Aristotelis interpretum accessisse mihi jam gratulor ea cum reliquis libris Londinum ad Bibliopolam illum de quo dixi post pretium enumeratum transmitti velim Quas Britannicarum turbarum futurus sit exitus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hiberniae enim nostrae status adhuc est pacatissimus de cujus motibus inanes apud vos sparsi fuerant rumores sed de nostris rebus omnibus certiores vos reddet D. Boswellus noster qui confestim ad vos iter ingressurus est Deus te Custodiat piis tuis laboribus benedicat Scripsit haec raptim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ja. Usserius Armacanus Londini Jun. 28. M. DC XL. LETTER CCV A Learned Letter of the late Arch-bishop of Armagh concerning the Sabbath and observation of the Lord's Day Worthy Sir YOur Letter of the first of February came unto my hands the seventh of April but my journy to Dublin following thereupon and my long stay in the City where the multiplicity of my publick and private Employments would scarce afford me a breathing time was such that I was forced to defer my Answer thereunto untill this short time of my retiring into the Country Where being now absent also from my Library I can rather signify unto you how fully I concur in judgment with those grounds which you have so judiciously laid in that question of the Sabbath than afford any great help unto you in the building which you intend to raise thereupon For when I gave my self unto the reading of the Fathers I took no heed unto any thing that concerned this Argument as little dreaming that any such controversy would have arisen among us Yet generally I do remember that the word Sabbatum in their writngs doth denote our Saturday although by Analogy from the manner of speech used by the Jews the term be sometimes transferred to denote our Christian Festivities also as Sirmondus the Jesuite observeth out of Sidonius Apollinaris lib. 1. Epist. 2. where describing the moderation of the Table of Theodorick King of the Goths upon the Eves and the excesse on the Holy-day following he writeth of the one that his convivium diebus profestis simile privato est but of the other De luxu autem illo Sabbatario narrationi meae super sedendum est qui nec latentes potest latere personas And because the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the fourth Commandment pointeth at the Sabbath as it was in the first institution the seventh day from the Creation therefore they held that Christians were not tied to the observance thereof Whereupon you may observe that S. Augustine in his speculum in operum tomo 3o. purposely selecting those things which appertained unto us Christians doth wholly pretermit that Precept in the recital of the Commandments of the Decalogue Not because the substance of the Precept was absolutely abolished but because it was in some parts held to be ceremonial and the time afterwards was changed in the state of the New Testament from the 7th to the first day of the week as appeareth by the Author of the 25 Sermon de tempore in 10 o tomo Operum Augustini and that place of Athanasius in homil de semente where he most plainly saith touching the Sabbath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whereupon Caesarius Arelatensis in his twelfth homily doubted not to preach unto the people Verè dico Fratres satis durum prope nimis impium est ut Christiani non habeant reverentiam diei Dominico quam Judaei observare videntur in Sabbato c. Charles the Great in his Laws taketh it for granted that our observation of the Lord's Day is founded upon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the fourth Commandment Statuimus saith he libro 1o. Capitularium cap. 81. secundum quod in lege Dominus praecepit ut opera servilia diebus Dominicis non agantur sicut bonae memoriae genitor meus in suis Synodalibus edictis mandavit And Lotharius likewise in legibus Alemannorum titulo 30. Die Dominico nemo opera servilia praesumat sacere quia hoc lex prohibuit sacra scriptura in omnibus contradicit Accommodating the Law of God touching the Sabbath unto our observation of the Lord's Day by the self-same Analogy that the Church of England now doth in her publick Prayer Lord have mercy upon us and incline our hearts to keep this Law The Jewes commonly hold two things touching their Sabbath as Manasses Ben-Israel sheweth in his eighth Probleme de creatione which he published at Amsterdam the last Year First that the observation thereof was commanded only unto the Israelites where he speaketh also of the seven Precepts of the Sons of Noah which have need to be taken in a large extent if we will have all the duties that the Heathen were tyed unto to be comprised therein Secondly that it was observed by the Patriarchs before the coming out of Egypt For that then the observation began or that the Israelites were brought out of Egypt or the Egyptians drowned upon the Sabbath I suppose our good Friend Mr.
pietate fundatum tantis quoque successoris sumptibus laboribus reparatum in pristinam formam restitueremus Quapropter desiderium Scholarcharum uti pium honestum utile Reipublicae Ecclesiae Tibi Reverende Pater majorem in modum recommendatum volumus obnixè rogantes ut ea qua polles authoritate totum negotium pro impetrando aliquo liberali subsidio promovere nos non dedigneris offerimus è contrà nostro omnium Reipublicae partium nomine gratam animi recognitionem officia paratissima Vale. Dabamus Hanoviae 14 Octobris Ann. 1641. Sibylla Christina nata ex Illustrissima Domo Anhaltina c. Comitista ac Domina in Hanau Rhinec Domina in Muntzenberg c. Vidua Tutrix Sibylla Christina Comitissa in Hanau LETTER CCIX. A Letter from the learned D. Blondell to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Reverendissimo in Christo Patri Domino Honoratissimo Domino Jacobo Armachano Ecclesiae Archiepiscopo Hibernorum Primati Londinum Reverendissime in Christô Pater Domine honoratissime QUandoquidem te intolerandô 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cruciatu propè enectum ex ipsis quodammodò sepulchri faucibus potenti dextrâ Ecclesiae suae misertus Dominus eripuit qui in communi piorum luctu privato dolori indulsissem coeleste beneficium totô mentis affectu praedicare necesse habeo teque velut redivivum novis obsequii mei officiis prosequi Benedictus miserationum pater totius consolationis Deus qui te propitius ex altô respexit adjectis super sanctae vitae tuae dies diebus in bonis desiderium tuum repleat ut aquilae juventam tuam renovet tibi ex Sion benedicere pergat ut deinceps bonum Jerusalem pacemque super Israël videas nè quid inauspicatum Ignatii veris suis natalibus restituendi editioni obsistat votisque Honoratissime Pater Paternae tuae Reverentiae observantissimi D. Blondelli Udanci Carnutum Idis Octob. An. 1642. LETTER CCX A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to Claudius Salmasius Nobillissimo Doctissimo viro D. Claudio Salmasio Vir Clarissime NOstram de ignatii Epistolis dissertationem censendam tibi mitto Ipsum quoque Ignatium simul missurus si bellicae turbae quibus Musarum antiquum hoc domicilium jam premitur non obstitissent Sicubi à te dissentio id eâ temperatum videbis modestiâ quam tibi spero nòn displicituram Quicquid sit id tibi persuadeas velim eorum qui adhuc tibi ignoti sunt reperturum te neminem qui te tua in Rempub. literariam merita pluris aestimet quà m Tuum si eo dignari velis me honore Jacobum Usserium Armachanum Oxonii Prid. Kalend. Jun. Julianas An. 1644. LETTER CCXI. A Letter from Mr. John Greaves to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh I Should be glad to hear that your Grace had received either from the Vaticane Library or that of the Escurial in Spain a Transcript of Ptolemy or rather Hipparchus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So much the rather because in perusing of some of my Arabian and Persian MSS. I have found some Observations which may much conduce to the clearing of that Argument I have not now leisure to send your Grace those which were made by the Indians at Kôbah and Kandahar or those others which were made by the Persians before Yezdegerd's time and by Yezdegerd and long after him in Almamon's time as I find them mentioned by Alhashamy an Arabian Author Those of the Chatéans and of Nassir Eddin and of Aly Kôsgy as later than the former so exacter I could not but send them to your Grace The true Solary Year According to the Chateans in 365 days 2436 10000 parts of a day According to Nassir Eddin 365 days 14′ 32″ 30 According to Aly Kôsgy who observed in the 841 Year of the Hegira almost 200 Years after Nassir Eddin 365 days 14′ 33″ 32 whereas Ptolemy is much more 365 days 14′ 48″ I have finished those Lemmata of Archimedes which the Arabians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and if I be not deceived such as wish well to the Mathematicks will think my Pains well bestowed As indeed it was no small labour to correct the Diagrammes and the Letters which were too often perverted in the MS. and sometimes to supply what was defective in the Demonstration it self According to your Grace's advice I have made a Persian Lexicon out of such words as I met with in the Evangelists and in the Psalms and in two or three Arabian and Persian Nomenclators So that I have now a stock of above 6000 words in that Language I think as many as Raphelengius hath in his Arabick Dictionary Wherefore I have a greater mind than ever to go to Leyden and peruse their Oriental Manuscripts which were procured by the expence of the States a thing which long since your Grace would have had me to have done But yet considering my Lecture in Oxford though as yet it cannot be read it will not be fit for me to go without special leave from our Honourable Chancellor and two or three more of the Lords of his Majesties Privy Council I shall therefore desire your Grace to procure this Favour for me in writing with this Caution that my absence for a while may be no prejudice to me at home especially since my Journey is for the improvement of Learning and for the publishing of some of those Books which I long since have finished There I shall have an opportunity of printing your Grace's Map and of perfecting and publishing that Discourse of Dr. Bainbrigg concerning the periodus Sothiaca and I hope your Grace will think of something else in which I may be serviceable to you and useful to the Commonwealth of Letters Your Grace cannot sufficiently command him whom by your many Favours you have ever made Your Grace's most obliged Servant John Greaves Septemb. 19. 1644. If I may serve Dr. Harvy I shall be most ready either here or at Leyden to do it LETTER CCXII. A Letter from Dr. Langbaine to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord IN August last I did cursorily survey that Edition of Ignatius out of the Florentine Copy by Isaac Vossius and found with content what I look'd after with greediness your Lordship's Judgment in discerning and distinguishing the Genuine from the Spurious confirmed by a new Testimony of that Antiquity and Authority as few will hereafter dare to question tho your Lordship's Reasons before were to me and I doubt not to many others of that moment and the Conjecture built upon so good grounds that as Pliny says of Eratosthenes puduit non credere That your Lordship goes on in the same course notwithstanding all the Opposition and Discouragements of the Times as we cannot doubt but there remains a Blessing for your self so it may I am sure it ought have an influence upon us here below
satis laudatas subjungit Symbolum fidei 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. ut in versione Turriani nisi quod recte conjectavit Canisius quod Spiritum Sanctumrà patre procedere dicit Nulla uti Turrianus adjecerat filii mentone factà Inde Narrationem de septem Synodis instituit quam Turrianus misit Sed latine dedit Binius Concil Tom. 3. p. 400. Demum monita plura politica subjicit Quae in latinis Turriani enim comparent Vid. Cod. African ad finem Crabbe F. 155 308. LETTER CCXV A Letter from Dr. Langbaine to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord I Received yours of the 22d upon the 25th of April and have bestowed the most part of the last Week in the search of those Particulars there mention'd I am sorry the Event has not answered my Desires and Endeavours I do not doubt but your Lordship will make good that Assertion of the Nicene Creed though I profess I yet look upon it with some prejudice as being prepossessed with an anticipated Notion to the contrary Something in these Papers which I have collected in haste do in the general look that way upon perusal if it be not too much trouble to your Lordship and the time not overpast already your Lordship will make the Consequence In that Synodicon of Basilius Jalimbanensis I met with nothing directly to the purpose only in the beginning of the Book this enclosed of Germanus de sex Synodis What he says of the two first as only to the purpose I have transcribed In each of them is mention of a Symbol but not of the difference I have in the same Argument sent to and confronted two pieces of Photius the one out of his Epistles the other I met with in a Copy of his Nomocanon with Balsamon's Scholia much larger than the printed I have looked upon that in Gregory Nazianzen and compared it with that in Crab which he calls Fides Romanorum and do readily subscribe that by Romanorum must be meant the Eastern Church but then he that made that Title must be supposed to have writ since the division of the Empire In Magd. Coll. Library I spent two days in search after Nazianzen's Translation by Ruffin but in vain I do not find they have any such Book What seem'd next like it was some pieces of Basil of Ruffin's Translation at the end whereof there is indeed a part of his Exposition on the Creed While I was there tumbling amongst their Books I light upon an old English Comment upon the Psalms the Hymns of the Church and Athanasius's Creed which I presently conjectured though there be no Name to it to be Wickliffs and comparing the beginning with Bale found that I had not erred in the Conjecture and therefore writ this piece out in which he calls the Nicene Creed the Creed of the Church I remember two Years ago when I had an opportunity to read some Saxon Books that had formerly as I suppose belonged to the Church of Worcester I met twice with the Nicene Creed in Saxon but I do not remember any difference from that we use I have sought in the ancientest Editions of Ambrose but return with a non est inventus Wicelius we have not and for the Russian Offices if I can find any thing you shall have it by the next I presume you have already a Copy of that old Latin Creed at the end of the ancient Copy of the Acts given by my Lord of Canterbury and therefore I forbore to send it Gulasius in the Acts of the Nicene Council brings in the Philosopher disputing against the Holy Ghost as well as against the Son and that may be as far as the authority of the Author will bear somewhat to the purpose I received my Copy of the Arch-bishops of Constantinople and do return unto your Grace with thanks that Oration of Himerius which I had from your Lordship The Papers which I send are somewhat confused and some not right writ I fear some my Boy has left in the Publick Library and the Carrier will be gone before the Library be open I have in the Margent thus * marked what I conceive your Grace may possibly make use of I am very much straitned in time and therefore desire your Lordship's favour for thus scribling I am Your Lordship 's to command Gerard Langbaine Q. C. Oxon. May 4. 1647. LETTER CCXVI A Letter from Dr. Langbaine to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord SInce my last this day seven-night I have enquired and I do here send you what I met with concerning the use of the Nicene Creed among the Russians which I conceive full to your purpose I perceive my haste made me then omit at sealing that Oration of Himerius which I now return with thanks to your Lordship and perhaps by mistake I might send some other Papers no way pertinent I have thought sometimes and have not yet found any sufficient reason to remove me from that Opinion That notwithstanding what Vossius hath said the Church was never without some Form of Confession which they required before they admitted any to Baptism I know not otherwise how to expound that of Heb. 6. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. For though Vossius affirm no more to have been required but barely In nomina Patris Filii Spiritus sancti yet methinks that of Repentance from dead Works of the Resurrection of the Dead and everlasting Judgment are made parts of those Fundamental Doctrines and Faith in God seems to comprehend the rest To this purpose I conceive Justin Martyr Apolog. 2. pag. 93. speaks for the Requisites to Baptism in the Practice of the Church in his Time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then follows the mention of the Three Persons of the Trinity not simply but with equipollent Attributes to those in the Creed of the Father as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Son 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Holy Ghost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which what is it else but what we read both in Cyrill of Jerusalem and Epiphanius and the latter part of the Nicene Creed In like manner Clemens Alex. Paedagog lib. 1. cap. 6. p. 92 93 94. gives this Attribute to Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all one with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and speaking then of Baptism under the various names of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quotes Joh. 5. for everlasting Life mentions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Resurrection of the Dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Where he produceth again a Testimony out of John 3. That every one that believes hath Life everlasting and I will raise him up again at the last Day Where considering the proper importance of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Matter there treated of Baptism and the Points there spoken of Resurrection Life Eternal I suppose it may not absurdly be collected that he implies these Doctrines were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
confessed before Baptism I forbear to say any thing of that Regula Fidei in Irenaeus and the like in Tertullian for substance the same and containing expresly those Points which make up the close in the Nicene Creed and which Vossius supposeth to have been added by the Constantinopolitan Fathers What varieties are for matter of expression in the Citations observed out of Ruffin c. I think does not conclude without hard measure against the Antiquity of some publick form Wherein if it were not written we may suppose it capable of more we may be content to bear with some in words so long as they bear up to the same sense considering that the Quotations of those most ancient Writers out of Scripture it self are made with so much liberty and yet no Man doubts but they had a much more certain Rule to go by I am again overtaken by the Time and with the desire of your Lordship's Prayers and the continuance of your Love and Encouragement take leave and rest Your Lordship 's in all Duty Gerard Langbaine Queens Coll. May 11. 1647. LETTER CCXVII A Letter from to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord UNderstanding that Dr. Price is going for London I could not omit to recommend him to your Grace if you should meet with any means to encourage his Studies that I can scarce expect or at least to keep him from those Precipices which the straitness of his Fortune and manifold occasions of Discontents may drive him unto I know that it is needless for me to write thus much knowing your good Inclinations to him if things were as in Times past when there were Means and Opportunities to help one another But when I think of the loss of Hugh Cressey and some others whose melancholy Thoughts have blinded their Judgments and disposed them to be easily wrought upon by the other Party to the dishonour of our sometimes most glorious Church when I see how they brag of these Conquests methinks we should leave nothing unattempted that may by any possibility prevent Mens stumblings at those Rocks of Offence which these sad Times cast them upon I find here our Lawyers differ much from the Ecclesiasticks about the Councels of Constance and Basil These go far higher for the Popes Authority than those will give way to The King of France hath as much Authority in Church-Businesses as the King of England claims so far as I can perceive Among the Doctors of the faculty of Divinity of Paris whereof the Sorbon is but a little part here be divers that are not for the Infallibility of the Church but such a certainty of an inferior degree as yet for the Authority of the Church and her Pastors we are all bound to submit unto a Point I think very well gained and of good consequence David Blundell's last Book about Episcopacy is much cried up by those of the Reformed Religion who are generally very sharp against our English Hierarchy upon the Credit of Mr. Pryn and Bastwick's Papers and such like Testimonies I hope your Grace will vindicate your Order in general and in particular the Credit of Ignatius his Epistles against his Exceptions as I hear young Vossius in part hath done but I have not yet seen the Book That which is my great Comfort my young Master is his Fathers Son and peremptorily constant to the Principles wherein he was bred which makes me hope that our Posterity may yet see the Sun shine again I humbly beg your Prayers for My Lord your Grace's most humble Servant T. Rouen May 18 1647. LETTER CCXVIII A Letter from the Right Reverend Joseph Hall Bp of Norwich to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh GRatulor vero ex animo te Antistitum decus Sancto Ignatio tuo Gratulor tibi imò universo orbi Christiano Ignatium meritissimò tuum sed quidem tuo benificio nostrum Gratiorem profecto operam navare Dei Ecclesiae nullus unquam potuisset quam tantum tam antiquum sanctumque Apostolicae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 patronum ac tam egregium primaevae pietatis exemplar ab injuria temporis vindicando Inciderat nempe bonus iste viator Hierosolymitanus in Latrones quosdam Hierochuntinos qui illum non spoliârant modò sed misere etiam penèque ad mortem vulnerârant praeterierant saucium ac fere moribundum nescio quot Parkeri Coci Salmasii aliique nuperae sectae coryphaei vestra vero molliora uti sunt viscera tam durâ hominis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sorte miserecorditer commota sunt vestra unius pietatis optimi instar Samaritae vinum oleumque infudit tam patentibus vulneribus abstersit saniem foedèque hiulca plagarum ora manu tenerâ fasciavit ferèque exanimem vestro typorum jumento imposuit ac communi denique Ecclesiae hospitio non sine maximis impensis commendavit Profecto hoc uno nomine assurgent Amplitudini tuae boni quotquot sunt omnes manusque tam salutares piis labiis exosculabuntur Intelligent jam novitiae paritatis assertores quid illud sit quod tanto molimine usque machinantur sentientque quam probe illis cum sanctissimo Martyre ac celeberrimo Apostolorum Discipulo conveniat Illud vero inter doctissimas Annotationes vestras saliente corde oculo legisse me fateor quo egregium illud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Salmasianum de tempore suppositicii Ignatii leni illa quidem sed castigatrice manu corripueris Fieri ne potuit ut tantus author in re tanti momenti Chronologicâ tam foede laberetur aut num forte hoc pacto quandoquidem haec causae disciplinariae Arx merito habeatur Dominis suis palpum obtrudere maluit Quicquid sit bis Martyrium passus Ignatius noster tuâ demum operâ Praesul honoratissime reviviscit causamque iniquissime jam abdicatae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Ecclesiae totius foro tam cate agit ut non pudere non possit hesternae Disciplinae astipulatores tam malè-suscepti litis injustae patrocinii Quod si nullum aliud foret nostrae sententiae propugnaculum nobis quidem abundè sufficeret habuisse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nostrae veritatis patronos te Ignatium Vale Primatum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ecclesiae laboranti precibus operis quod facis subvenire perge fave Cultori tuo ac maloru tuorum Socio praeconi meritorum Jos. Norvicensi E Tuguriolo nostro Highamensi Maii 25 o 1647. LETTER CCXIX. A Letter from Mr. Patrick Young to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Right Reverend and my very good Lord HItherto being disappointed by the Carrier who brought my Trunck hither so late I have been hindred to satisfie your Lordship touching the Passage Psal. 142. 9. which I find in my Roman Edition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without any variety in the Margin and consequently so in the ancient Manuscript Copy I long to see your
from D. Langbaine to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord TWO Particulars I remember whereof your Lordship required an account from me one concerning Marianus Scotus whether William of Malmsbury as I then affirmed made any mention of him and if so in what manner First Lib. 3. de Regib in Willielmo primo pag. 116. Sub isto Imperatore Henrico regnante floruit Maurinianus Scotus qui primò Fuldensis Monachus mox apud Mogontiacum inclusus contemptu praesentis vitae gratiam futurae demerebatur Is longo vitae otio Chronographos scrutatus dissonantiam cyclorum Dionysii Exigui ab Evangelica veritate deprehendit Itaque ab initio seculi annos singulos recensens viginti duos qui circulis praedictis deerant superaddidit sed paucos aut nullos suae sententiae sectatores habuit Quare saepe mirari soleo cur nostri temporis doctos hoc respergat infortunium ut in tanto numero discentium in tam tristi pallore lucabrantium vix aliquis plenam scientiae laudem referat Adeo inveteratus usus placet Adeo ferè nullus novis licèt probabiliter inventis serenitatem assensus pro merito indulget Totis conatibus in sententiam veterum reptatur Omne recens sordet Ita quia solus favor alit ingenia cessante favore obtorpuerunt omnia Again lib. 4. de pontificib pag. 286. cap. de Episcopis Herefordensibus Non multò post accepit sedem illam Robertus Lotharingus omnium liberalium artium peritissimus abacum praecipuè lunarem computum coelestium astrorum cursum rimatus Erat tunc temporis monachus Marianus apud Mogontiam inclusus qui longo Solitudinis otio Chronographos scrutatus dissonantiam cyclorum Dionysii Exigui contra Evangelicam veritatem vel primus vel solus animadvertit Itaque ab initio seculi annos singulos recensens viginti duos qui circulo deerant superaddidit magnam diffusissimam Chronicam facere adorsus Eum librum miratus unicè aemulatus mirificè Angliae invehendum curavit Denique captus Mariani ingenio quicquid ille largius dixerat in arctum conferens defloravit Adeo splendidè ut magis valere videatur defloratio quà m ingentis illius voluminis diffusio I am partly of opinion that this defloration of Marianus was the plain Song and what was added by Florence of Worcester and other Monks in their several Cloysters in relation most an end to their particular Foundations and the memorable Passages of their several Monasteries were but so many several descants upon that Ground We have in our Bodlean as the printed Catalogue more than once informs a Manuscript with this Title Excerpta ex Chronico Mariani the Author in Litera H. Rog. Herefordensis And again in K. Rodgerius Hereford Episc. Excerpt de Chronico Mariani But in the Manuscript it self both the Name of the Author and Title of the Book runs otherwise viz. Exceptio Rodberti Herefordensis Episcopi de Chronicis Mariniani The Tract is but short consisting of 24 Chapters and the Argument of them answerable to the ten first Chapters in Marianus's Manuscript de computo Ecclesiastico Where in the 7th Chapter he gives us this Chronological Character of the Time and Place he writ in In Anno praesenti qui secundum Dionysium pronunciatur Millesimus octogesimus quintus Incarnationis contra Evangelistas caeterosque Doctores Hic est Annus Vigesimus Willielmi Regis Anglorum quo judente hoc anno totius Angliae facta est descriptio in agris singularum provinciarum possessionibus singulorum procerum in agris eorum in mansonibus in hominibus tam sevis quà m liberis tam in tugurio tantum habentibus quà m domos agros possidentibus in carrucis in equis caeteris animalibus in servitio censu totius terrae omnium Alii inquisitores post alios ignoti ad ignotos mittebantur provincias ut alii aliorum discretionem reprehenderent rego eos reos constituerent Et vexata est terra multis cladibus ex congregatione regalis pecuniae proce dentibus Upon which I should not doubt to build that this is the same Robert the deflorator of Marianus mentioned by Malmesbury though the historical part be here wanting the Name the Time the Place the Subject all concurring to strengthen this Conjecture This and somewhat more concerning Marianus either in my Letters or Papers I have formerly transmitted to my good Friend Dr. Duck from whom if your Lordship think it may be tanti you may at any time recieve those indigested Notes which being bur ordinary will add nothing to your Lordship in a Point which you have already so thoroughly canvassed The second enquiry which your Lordship was pleased to employ me in was as I remember about a Greek Piece concerning Lacedemonian Months in the Catalogue of the King of France his Library but upon search not found by the Puteani Fratres I conceived then the best direction for the search would be to note what other Tract were next Neighbours in the Catalogue which might be a means to help me with that Volumn in which surely this concerning the Months makes the least part Which I have accordingly done hereunder And becuase upon perusal of the Catalogue I found it very corrupt and that the Writer is guilty of many obvious Mistakes I conceived this of ours to be only a Transcript of some other which possibly may be there in the Library and therefore I took the pains to page our Catalogue as hoping that might expedite the search if the Enquirer make use of any other Catalogue of the same kind with this by considering the proportion of Pages whereof this contains in all 280 and is regularly writ I find several Pieces of that Subject how diverse in themselves I know not but I chose rather to set down all than to run the hazard of omitting what possibly you might most desire In Catalogo Manuscriptorum in Bibliotheca Regis Galliae repertorum Anno 1636. Pag. 127. Nili Gnomae De Synodis usque ad VII Oecumenicam De aedificii Constantinop De Epiphania Domini ex Constitutionibus Apostolicis De nominibus Mensium secundum Judaeos Macedones Graecos aegyptios De Sacris bibliis Prophetis Prophetissis Jo. Damascen de Lumine Igne Sole Stellis Pag. 184 Pythagorae paraeneses Septem Sapientum dicta De Mensibus Atheniensium Lacedaemoniorum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 De Musis De Mensib Athen. Roman Maced Hebr. Aegypt Graec. De Vita Aristotelis Proverbia Numerorum Notae Pag. 210. De Figura situ Italiae ex Polybio De Mensib Graecorum Alexandrinorum Nomina Urbium mutata De Inventoribus Artium De Scriptis Rhetorum Musarum nomina inventa Nomina Mensium Excerpta ex Rhet. Zenophontis Pag. 221. Propositiones Arithmeticae De Syllogismis De Mensibus De Septem Sacramentis Pag. 221. Nili Praecepta De Mensibus
a few days Monsieur Justel having understood of me that you have some of Ephrems Works in Syriack hath given me the inclosed Note praying you to let him know which of them they be you have He is going to reprint his Codex Canonum with many other Collections of the same nature several whereof were never printed before Thus humbly kissing your Grace's hands I rest Your most humble and most affectionate Servant Arnold Boate. Paris 15 25 Aprilis 1648. D. S. Ephraem Syro Ex Hebed Iesu Sobensi Episcopo de Catalogo Syrorum Scriptorum EPhraem magnus qui Syrorum Propheta cognominatus est commentaria confecit in Libros Geneseos Exodi Sacerdotum item in librum Josue Filii Nun Judicum Samuelis Regum Davidis Isaiae ac duodecim Prophetarum minorum Ieremiae Ezechielis atque beati Danielis Extant praeterea ejusdem opera de Ecclesiae fide nec non Sermones Carmina Elegia Hymni ac totum defunctorum officium theses de literis Alphabeti Disputationes contra Judaeos Manichaeum Bardesanem Marcionem Philetum Hypetum Demumque dissolutio impietatis Juliani LETTER CCXXXV A Letter from Dr. Langbaine to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord I Have lately read Mr. Cressy the late Dean of Laghlin his Exomologesis who in his 27th Chapter pag. 178. informs That in his hearing one of the most learned Protestant Prelats in the King of England 's Dominions quoting your Grace in the Margent professed That whereas he had had of many Years before a design to publish the New Testament in Greek with various Sections and Annotations and for that purpose had used great diligence and spent much Mony to furnish himself with Manuscripts and Memoires c. I humbly desire to be informed from your Lordship how much of Truth there is in that Report and whether you collated the Manuscripts in our Publick Library I have in some part made enquiries upon some suspected or doubtful places and it was in my thoughts to have gone through the whole which if by your Lordship's pains or means it hath been done already I should be loth actum agere Together with the Greek I would have compared that venerable Latin Manuscript of the four Gospels in the Bodlean which is writ in fair large Letters partly Saxon in a continued order without distinction of words which seems to promise some considerable variety for I find in Matth. 20. after the words Sicut filius hominis non venit ministrari sed ministrate dare animam suam redemptionem pro multis these added I know not whether according to any other Greek or Latin Copy Vos autem quaetitis de modico crescere de minimo minui I would likewise willingly know whether your Lordship be not of opinion as I profess I am that the additional Passage which Robert Stephens says he found in two of the most ancient Manuscripts and Beza in one of those which he used concerning the Man whom our Saviour is said to have seen working upon the Sabbath c. Luke 6. have not been infarsed dolo malo Whether by the Marcionites as Grotius or some others and in general what we may think of those many various Lections of which we know the Books of the New Testament afford more store than most other Writings I do not expect your Lordship should undergo so much trouble as to give me any account in writing but I have taken this occasion to mention so much of my own desires hoping when I shall wait upon your Lordship in Person to receive that satisfaction in these as I have done in others of this kind For whose Health and Happiness I shall according to my bounden Duty ever pray and humbly beg the like from your Lordship in behalf of Your Grace's most humble Servant to be commanded Gerard Langbaine Queens Coll. Apr. 24. 1648. LETTER CCXXXVI A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to D. Alexander More Admodum Reverendo in Christo fratri D. Alexandro Moro Genevensis Ecclesiae Pastori dignissimo REctè omninò judicâsti Vir Eximie à doctissimo simul prudentissimo Exoniensi Episcopo primum scriptae fuerint istae literae quibus deinde multum rogatus nomen quoque meum non illibentèr apposui Etsi enim per leges regni nostri matrimonium ità illegitimè initum consummatum quicquid de eo apud vos demum statueretur rescindi non potuisse minimè ignorarem Exempli tamen interfuturum existimabam ut ab Ecclesiâ Republicâ vestra severioris disciplinae observantissimâ legi Dei tam adversum crimen non planè dimitteretur impunitum Quod quidem tam candidè à Reverendo caetu vestro fulsse acceptum magnoperè sum gavisus Summum illum amorem literis etiám contestantibus quem inter eos esse decebat qui sunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 atque earundem pretiosissimarum promissionum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neque in nullâ felicitatis meae parte ponendum duco quòd hac occasione ad amicitiam tuam mihi factus sit aditus cui aliquantum firmandae Ignatiana à me edita hoc tempore misissem nisi libri moles obstitisset ne tamen prorsus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad te accederem leviculam hanc de Symbolis Diatribam literis hisce comitem visum fuit adjungere Quam tu ex mittentis affectu aestimabis qui est ex animo Frater tui amantissimus in Christi Ministerio conservus devinctissimus Ja. Usserius Armachanus Scripsi raptim Londini xvi Kalend. Julii Anno M. DG XLVIII LETTER CCXXXVII A Letter from to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Vir Illustrissime ac Reverendissime NON indignaberis quod hac Epistola tuas interrumpam curas quibus immortalitatem emis Me ad scribendum inducit summa tua humanitas quae inter caeteras tuas virtutes egregias dotes familiam ducit Tanto enim favore non dedignatus es me dum degerem in Angliâ isto bonarum artium emporio celebetrimo ingeniorum felicissima altrice complecti ut in aeternum non desint hujus rei monumenta me non solum in tui consortium colloquium quo nihil gratius benigne admisisti sed etiam de variis rebus movisti sermones mea studia comprobasti quod nimium est consiliis reipsa meos conatus promovere Hac fretus fiduciâ non erubesco tuum de itinere meo Constantinopolitano exposcere consilium quod mihi instar oraculi erit norma mearum rerum gerendarum Non me latet quantâ peritiâ rerum Orientalium cognitione librorum MSS. praesertim Graecorum quorum praecipuos summa cura inquirendos nominasti mihique sponte obtulisti eorundem catalogum fretus melius tum publicae tum privatae utilitati visâ occasione prospiciam fateor ingenue me nullum alium ob finem iter suscipere quam ob bonum Reip.
aut acta fuerit gratia Ante annum quod excurrit Appendicem meam Ignatianam ac de Macedonum ac Asianorum anno solari dissertationem mittere ad te memini sed quid tantilla illa ad justos hosce poëticae tuae tanta diligentia industriâ elucubratos commentarios Majoris fortasse operis pretii usus certè aliquandò uberioris futuri sunt Annales nostri sacri Cum Asiatico Aegyptiaco Olympiadum exordio usque ad Vespasiani imperium ex scriptoribus exteris deducto chronico Quamprimum opus absolutum fuerit quod ante finem proximae aestatis futurum spero consendum ad te sum missurus Si lucis hujus usuram saevitia temporum tantisper mihi permiserit Intereò literarum harum latorem D. Johannem Priceum insignis eruditionis probitatis virum quem ex scriptis notum tibi esse non dubito sui praecipuè mei etià m cui amicissimus est causâ finu complexuque tuo recipe me licet id parum commerentem amare non cessa Tui Cupidissimus Ja. Usserius Armachanus Londini xvii Kalend. April anno 1648 9. LETTER CCXL A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Learned Johan Hevelius Viro Clarissimo D. Johanni Hevelio Dantiscano Gedanum Vir Praestantissime SElenographiam tuam admirandam ostendit mihi Hartlibius noster Splendidissimum munus Dubliniensi nostrae Bibliothecae benignissime à te donatum Cui inter tumultus bellicos jam animam penè agenti Academiae inter primos in illam admissos ego jam unicus superstes relictus filius officii mei esse duxi gratias quantum possum maximas dulcissimae matris nomine tibi persolvere atque privati mei insuper in te affectus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Asiaticum Aegyptiacum nostrum chronicon à mundi primâ origine ad Antiochi Epiphanis Maccabaica tempora deductum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qualiscunque vicem suppleturum ad te transmittere Quod ut boni consulas oro ut profectum ab homine Tui amantissimo J. U. Armachanus Londini pridie Kalend. Novemb. Julian anno aerae Christianae MDCL LETTER CCXLI. A Letter from the Reverend Dr. Hammond to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord SOme few Dissertations I have put together with some purpose to adventure them to the Press But first desire to offer them to your Grace's view to receive your judgment of the fitness of so doing If the whole do bring too great a trouble to your Grace you may then read over the Lemmata and thereby be directed to read where you think there will be most hazard of my running any Error And if upon survey your Grace shall find cause to send back the Book again for my further thoughts it will be welcome if accompanied with your Directions But if there be no more dangerous 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 than what your Pen may without much trouble correct I desire it may then be returned to Mr. Royston this Bearer with a word of notice to him that he may proceed But I must desire from your Grace the favour of perfect secrecy till the Book be printed and then it shall visit your Grace again From Your Graces most humble Servant H. Hammond Dec. 6. LETTER CCXLII. A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Reverend Dr. Hammond Good Doctor I Received heretofore by your direction from Mr. Allestree the Greek Passage of Irenaeus and yesterday your most accurate descanting upon the same for which I return unto you very hearty thanks being very glad also to understand by your Letter of the 20th of August therewith received that you have a thought of making an entire dissertation for the vindicating of Ignatius his Epistles Which together with your Treatise of Episcopacy in Latin enlarged with such additions as you mention of Act. 20. and the Ancyran Canon I hold would be to exceeding good purpose The new Title wherewith you were dubbed of Sir Knave is in the railing Book writ expresly against Desiderius Heraldus which having but look'd on I sent to young Heraldus the other 's Son who hath not hitherto restor'd the same to me I pray God to bless you in all your Godly Endeavours in whom I ever more rest Your very loving Brother Ja. Armachanus Rigate in Surry Apr. 30. 1649. LETTER CCXLIII A Letter from the Reverend Dr. Hammond to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord I Must not omit to render my most humble Acknowledgments for the favour of your last Book of Chronology added to the many former Obligations laid on me by your Grace I could not but smile when I was of late required by the London-Minsters to answer the Objections which you had made to the Epistles of Ignatius The Printer will shortly give you an account of the Return I have made to it I find now in another Caviller against those Epistles a Testimony out of St. Jerom Dial. 3. cont Pelag. Jgnatius vir Apostolicus Martyr Scribit audacter Elegit Dominus Apostolos qui super omnes homines peccatores erant which I find not in his Epistles Doth your Grace remember any thing of it If it be not troublesome I beseech you impart one word concerning it to Your most humble Servant H. Hammond May 16. LETTER CCXLIV A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Reverend Dr. Hammond Good Doctor I Have read with great delight and content your accurate Answer to the Objections made against the Credit of Ignatius his Epistles for which as I do most heartily thank you so am I moved thereby further to entreat you to publish to the World in Latin what you have already written in English against this Objector and that other who for your pains hath rudely requited you with the bare appellation of Nebulo for the assertion of Episcopacy to the end it may no longer be credited abroad that these two have so beaten down this Calling that the defence thereof is now deserted by all Men as by Lud. Capellus is intimated in his Theses of Church-Government at Sedan lately published Which I leave to your serious consideration and all your Godly Labours to the blessing of our God in whom I evermore rest Your very loving Friend and Brother Ja. Armachanus July 21. LETTER CCXLV A Letter from the Reverend Dr. Hammond to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord TO the trouble that I lately offered your Grace I beseech your pardon if I present this Addition in desiring a view of your Variae Lectiones of the New Testament which I conceive fit to be look'd on to prepare those Notes for the Press which I have now in good part done If this Favour be uncivil for me to ask or inconvenient for your Grace to grant I shall by your least word be kept from farther importuning it but
plus reditus quà m ex luculenta p Blondellus huc vocatus in locum Vossii nondum venit proximè tamen expectatur Schurman ipsa dicitur â Reginâ vocata renuere tamen Multae fuere in Suecia turbae Cartesii Sepulturam quae cum non esset pro voluntate Reginae splendida non secuta est quod alias cohonestatura fuerat praesens Hâc aestate nondum Coronabitur Regina Meum desiderare adventum affert Jansonius Jansonii Bibliopolae nostri filius ibi uti Reginae Typographus Regius Opus tuum Eminentissime Praesul quaeso oro dedices Reginae Nostrae nihil timere habes ob eam dedicationem Non mirabuntur vestri Senatores Eruditissimum Praesulem Eruditissimae REGINAE alteri Elizabethae Anglicae aut Angelicae dedicare opus summae eruditionis qua illa delectetur cum vestri Martis alumni sint si Deus me salvum in Sueclam deduxerit inde laetiora quaeque expectando me quod facis amare perge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Amstelodami 3 13 Maii 1650. Communes nostros Amicos Patrone Venerande cum Te salutatum ut solent venerint Seldenum Patr. Junium Des Euwes Leigh studiorum meorum fautores meo quaeso nomine devotissimè salvere jube ipse ut valescas cura diligenter Mitto Serenissimae Reginae Effigiem LETTER CCLIII A Letter from Dr. Langbaine to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh To the most Reverend and his much honoured Lord and Patron James Lord Arch-bishop of Armagh at the Countess of Peterborough 's House by Charing-Cross My most honoured Lord I Have at last return'd what I intended to have brought to your Lordship those two pieces of British Antiquities which your Lordship was pleased to impart to me and whereof I have taken Copies and may possibly hereafter give some better account than as yet I can I mean as to that of Vale Crucis As for the other unless the Characters can be more exactly taken from the Original I give for desperate What Character the ancient Britains used whether that which the Saxons after as your Lordship if I remember well is of Opinion or the same with your ancient Irish which I conceive to be not much different from the Saxon and to which this Monument of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. both as to the form of some Letters and the Ligatures of them seem to come nearer than to the Saxon I dare not take upon me to determine but shall here subjoin what I met with in a very old Manuscript sometimes St. Dunstan's in which besides Ars Euticis Grammatici de discernendis Conjugationibus in the beginning and Ovid de Arte Amandi at the end are contain'd several other Pieces some in Saxon some in Greek but in Saxon Characters Some in Latin inter alia after this Rubrick Nemninus istas reperit literas uituperante quidam scolastico saxonici generis quia brittones non haberent rudimentum at ipse subito ex machinatione mentis suae formavit eas ut vituperationem et hebitudinem deiceret gentis suae de figuris et de nominib ductis Follows an Alphabet as in the next Page saving that I add de proprio the words Nomen Figura Potestas Nomen alar braut curi dexu egui fich guidir huil iechuit kam louber Figura Potestas a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. Nomen muin nihn or parth quith rat sung traus uir â—eil ofr Figura Potestas m. n. o. p. q. r. s. t. u. x. Nomen zeirc aiun estiaul egun aur emc. hinc henc elau utl orn Figura Potestas z. ae et eu au el. hinc ego ecce vult ae But the Characters are in the Manuscript much more elegant and neat than I could express What I said of an Irish Saxon Character I am bold to call it so because I find it used in our old Irish Chronicle and some other Latin pieces of good Note and Antiquity writ if not in Ireland yet by an Irish hand In which kind I have met with Chalcidius his Translation of Plato's Timaeus and I think a Dialogue of his own about the State of the Soul after Death both for the Matter and Stile somewhat remarkable but imperfect We have two Copies of the Acts of Sylvester in Manuscript Latin in our Publick Library one in a good old Book which was sometime the Passional of the Monastery of Ramesey in which those Acts are divided into two Books The other Copy is one continued Story the Book in which it is found is of a good fair Hand well bound gilt Leaves and has been perused by John Leland whose notes occur sparsim in the Margin besides his Tetrastich at the beginning of the Book which containing the Lives of divers Saints and in the first of St. Martin by Sulpitius Severus occasioned these Verses from him Plutarchus vitas scripsit vitasque Severus Et pulchre officio functus uterque suo est Quanto Plutarchus linguâ praestantior alter Materia tanto clarior atque fide Amongst other Lives there is that of Sylvester translated as the Preface pretends out of Eusebius the words to that purpose are Historiographus Noster Eusebius Caesariensis Cum Historiam Ecclesiasticam scriberet pretermisit ea quae sunt in aliis opusculis vel quae se meminit retulisse Nam viginti libros omnium penè provinciarum passiones Martyrum-continere fecit Deinde secutus ab Apostolo Petro omnium Apostolorum nomina gesta conscripsit earum urbium quae auctoritatem pontificatus per Apostolicas sedes tenere noscuntur urbes Roma Antiochia Jerosolyma Ephesus Alexandria Harum igitur urbium Episcoporum omnium preteritorum usque ad tempus suum Graeco Sermone conscripsit Ex quorum numero unus Episcoporum Urbis Romae S. Sylvestri me de Graeco in Latino transferre praecepisti The beginning in both Copies is the same viz. Sylvester igitur urbis Romae Episcopus cum esset infantulus But in the process of the Story they somewhat differ both one from the other and from the printed Acts by Surius In both I meet with the Story of the Bull c. If your Lordship think it worth the while I shall willingly bestow some further pains in collating both these and another Copy which I think I saw some Years since in Baliol-Colledg Library If the Time and this Paper would admit I should give you an account of my self and this place But at present I must respit that trouble I am Your Lordship 's in all observance Gerard Langbaine Q. Coll. June 21. 1650. LETTER CCXLIV A Letter from the Right Reverend Godfrey Goodman Bishop of Gloucester to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh at the Countess of Peterborough 's at Lovewick in Northamptonshire Most Reverend I Have here made bold to send you my Sufferings on the back-side of the Prayer and I desire that
editionibus Venetis cum sua itidem translatione Latina Another Paris 7 17 May 1653. IN the same Letter I gave you likewise my Judgment about the Biblia Polyglotta that they are going to print at London having nothing to add unto what I told you then but that I am amazed at several Expressions in the printed Papers concerning that Design which you sent me by these last Packets viz. at that honourable and most notoriously false Character they give to that Adulterine Samaritan Pentateuch the Morinian and Capellian calling of the true Hebrew Text by the name of Modern and at their making so great an account of Critica Capelli and of the Variae Lectiones to be collected out of the same whereas of Verae Variae Lectiones there is not one to be found there but what he hath borrowed from others being vulgarly known And as for those Chimerical ones wherewith the Critica is stuffed from one end to the other if they pretend to take them into the number of the true Ones they are altogether inexcusable after that the folly of the same hath so evidently been laid open not only by me and Buxtorfius but by my Lord Primat too LETTER CCLXXVI A Letter from Dr. Brian Walton afterward Bishop of Chester to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh May it please your Grace I Made account to have waited upon your Grace before you went out of Town but was prevented by your early departure from Lincolns-Inn where I was about an hour after you were gone I have been with my Lord of Ardah and have left with him the Copy of the LXX which he is to follow I perceive he will be engaged in Work of his own for this half Year yet I hope he will not neglect this but take some care of it himself because we cannot rely upon Mr. Huish I would gladly know whether Mr. Young's Executor will let us have his Notes or upon what Terms they will be of very great use if they may be had if your Grace please to give me order to write or call to Mr. Atwood about them and to make use of your Name I will see what may be done If your Syriack Copy be come out of France Mr. Thornedike would gladly have it to collate both with the Paris and your other Manuscript for all may be done with the same labour If yours cannot be had as yet I will borrow some part of Mr. Pocock's till the other come over Mr. Whelock hath sent me a Specimen of what he hath done about the Samaritane Version where it differs from the Heb. Samaritane I have sent your Grace a Copy of it Dr. Lightfoot as I hear from a Friend is willing if it be desired to undertake the same Task or part of it and because of Mr. Wheelock's infirm Body I would gladly have some subsidiary help He accounts it a thing easy the Samar being a Dialect of the Chaldee and I would gladly have something done in it both to satisfy the Desires and Expectations of many that write about it as also that we may have something more than is in the Paris Bibles if your Grace thinks fit Mr. Whelock propounds another thing concerning the whole Work which I look upon as a thing hardly practicable or which will at least require a great deal of time viz. to have all the Homogeneal Languages together and one Latin Translation of them all as the Heb. Chald. Samar and our Latin Translation for all So the Roman LXX with the Complutense and that of Tecla's and our Latin Translation c. This I look upon as a Fancy yet I promised to acquaint your Grace and others with it and to desire your Opinions I hope we shall shortly begin the Work yet I doubt the Founders will make us stay a week longer than we expected as soon as the first Sheet is printed I shall make bold to send one to your Grace In the mean time with my Prayers for your Grace's Health and Happiness I take leave and rest Your Grace's most humble Servant Brian Walton From Dr. Fuller's in St. Giles-Cripplegate Church-Yard July 18. 1653. We have resolved to have better Paper than that of 11 s. a Ream viz. of 15 s. a Ream LETTER CCLXXVII A Letter from the Learned Mr. Selden to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord IT is true that Lipsius in Annal. Taciti lib. 1. num 18. as it is in my Edition Paris 1606. upon that of Principes Juventutis in Suetonius and Tacitus cites the Ancyran Stone thus Verba sunt ut ad me missa beneficio viri illustris Augerii Busbequii EQUITES AUTEM ROMANI UNIVERSI PRINCIPEM HASTIS ARGENTEIIS DONATUM APPELLAVERUNT Quam Lacunam ritè expleveris Principem Juvent Caium So he there and in his Auctarium pag. 20. the Inscription is so cited his words upon it being Explerem IVV. C. id est Principem Juventutis Caium So Is. Casaubon on Suetonius lib. 2. cites the whole Stone and so this Piece but without the Supplement of which he makes no doubt adding Mirum ita Augustum loqui quasi alter tantùm filiorum eo honore fuerit affectus Nam certum est ambos Principes Juventutis esse appellatos Etiam de hastis Argenteis dissentit Dio qui aureas vult fuisse lib. LV. The Periocha wherein this is in Lipsius Casaubon Gruter fol. 231. is thus Line for Line HONORIS MEI. CAUSA SENATUS POPULUSQUE ROMANUS ANNUM QUINTUM ET DECIMUM AGENTIS CONSULIS DESIGNAVIT UT CUM MAGISTRATVM INIRENT POST QUIN QUENNIUM EX EO DIE. DUO DEDUCTI IN. EORUMVE INTERESSENT CONSILIIS PUBLICIS DECREVI SENATVS EQVITES AVTEM ROMANI UNIVERSI PRINCIPEM HASTIS ARGENTEIS DONATVM APPELLAVERVNT If Ph. L'Abbe had let me know of his Edition of the Assises of Jerusalem I could have furnished him from another and far ampler Copy than that of the Vatican out of my own Store Your Lordships moct humble and devoted Servant J. Selden White-friers Aug. 8. 1653. My Lord IN answer to your further Instruction concerning Gruteri Inscription of Caius Caesar Mr. Selden hath wrote this Letter Mr. Pearson hath received the Copy of Hosea and Joel from Rome and expects the rest shortly Your humble Servant Jo. Crooke Lond. Aug. 8. 53. LETTER CCLXXVIII A Letter from the Learned Mr. Selden to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord IT is true that Quem Populus Cos. c. Ex Marmore Romae is cited there by Lipsius notâ 23. in the later Editions To the same purpose Casaubon in Moniment Ancyran Caium XIV natum annos creatum fuisse consulem ex historia Dionis vetere Lapide qui hoc disertè continet notum est But where that Inscription is to be found described non liquet I have searched as diligently as I can but in vain Neither in Smetius Lipsius his
Auctarium or Gruter can I find it no nor in Boissardus who puts together all at Rome by their places not in method of their quality as the rest do Sigonius A. ab V. C. DCCLIII hath Caius and Paulus for Coss. on his Fasti and Onuphrius lib. 2. Com. in Fast. the same DCCLIV neither of them mention this Stone But Onuphrius cites indeed another C. Caesar Augusti F. Cos. vias omnes Arimini Sterni as divers other Stones remember him by that dignity But for that mentioned by Lipsius and Casaubon I see no sign of it after a careful search again through the places also which your Lordship mentions or the Auctarium of Gruter of Magistrates Your Lorship 's most humble Servant J. Selden White-friers Aug. 13. 1653. LETTER CCLXXIX A Letter from the Learned Mr. John Selden to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord STephan Pighius in U. C. DCCLIII hath no other Inscription than that in Gruter pag. 1075. 2. C. CAESARE AUG FIL. L. PAULLO COS. LARES AUGUSTOS c. Nor any thing that further concerns the Matter more than every Body there have Touching his mention of Junius Gallio I neither find him or that Province in the time of Nero which he runs through Who that Gallio in the Acts was indeed appears not clearly whether the adopting Father or adopted Son Gallio the Father you know was banished by Tiberius That M. Seneca had three Sons whereof L. was the second appears in Epist. 8. Sic mihi sic Frater Majorque Minorque superstes As likewise in the Titles of the Controversies and Declamations Novatus Seneca Mela so reckoned whence Novatus is taken for the Eldest That L. Seneca had a Brother called Gallio appears by himself in his Inscription of his de Vita Beata and also in that of Statius in Genethliaco Lucani Hoc plus quà m Senecam dedisse mundo Aut dulcem generasse Gallionem And in that of Tacitus Annal. 15. under Nero Junium Gallionem Senecae Fratris morte pavidum pro incolumitate supplicem increpnit Salienus Clemens besides the mention of him by the Name of Junius Gallio Frater Senecae in Eusebius num MMLXXX where that ridiculous Mistake is of propria se manu interfecit mortem ejus Nerone in suam praesentiam differente in Editione Scaligerana aliisque for Olymp. 211. non est acta Nerone in suam praesentiam differente And afterward MMLXXXIV L. Anneus Melas Senecae Frater Gallionis bona Lucani poetae filii sui à Nerone promeretur And Tacitus also lib. 16. Mela quibus Gallio Seneca parentibus natus c. Which of these three were Eldest is not altogether clear But it is a good Argument taken from the enumeration by their Father that their Births were agreeable to that Order And then Novatus or Gallio must be eldest And Tacitus proves Gallio's priority in the place now cited Hence Lipsius in de Vita Seneca cap. 2. and divers times on his Works makes Novatus the Eldest But in his Elect. 1. cap. 1. he makes him the second and L. the first So doth Pontacus on Eusebius pag. 573. And Grotius ad Act. 18. 12. Erat hic Frater Magni Senecae dictus cum junior esset Novatus sed adoptatus postea à Junio Gallione But I confess the Father's Enumeration sways most with me Touching the Adoption I can find no unlikelyhood that M. Seneca should give away any of his Sons by adoption which was usually made for advantage And Junius Gallio the Father might well deserve it And that of Seneca ad Mareium rather confirms the reasonableness of it and the like use Now for that Gallio in the Acts whom the Arab calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Dio Galonus the Father Gallio it sorts very well with all Circumstances that he should have been Seneca's Brother as Baronius Anno 53. § 33. Pontacus in Eusebium Grotius c. doubt not Seneca's Power in Court will warrant it and his Comfort to his Mother of her two Sons cap. 16. Alter honores industriâ consecutus est alter contemsit plainly meaning Novatus or Gallio and Mela. And of Gallio's greatness in Praefat ad Nat. Quaest. 4. Solebam tibi dicere Gallionem fratrem meum quem nemo non parum amat Etiam qui amare plus non potest alia vitia non nosce hoc etiam adulationem odisse And it doth not well appear what became of Gallio the Father likely enough before lost upon his Banishment But neither doth it clearly appear that either Father or Son was Proconsul in Achaia there being no necessity that the mention of Gallio and Achaia together only with relation to his Sickness contracted there Epist. 104. should prove him Proconsul of it And it may be as much wondred at and more that Seneca after his way had not mentioned or touched his dignity when there was an unavoidable mention to be had of Achaia whence he speaks of his coming as of an ordinary Traveller more I say than that he calls him Dominus meus Gallio Whether he were his elder Brother or not he might by reason of his Dignities which he so had and affected as Seneca expresly takes notice of in that to his Mother complementally call him Dominus meus though Lipsius refers it every where after he grew of the mind that Novatus was eldest to the Eldership Pardon my thus troubling your Lordship and especially my ill writing and blotting which I could not mend by transcribing because I was to dispatch it away as soon as I had done Your Lordship 's most humble and most affectionate Friend and Servant J. Selden Whitefreirs Octob. 13. 1653. Golius his Lexion is come My second de Synedriis is done only it wants the dressings previous to it And the third is begun in several Sheets and will I hope be soon dispatched That Salmasius is dead is by every Body undoubtedly believed and I am afraid it is too true For the Name of Dominus you best know the frequent use of it in Compellations and Appellations out of Martial lib. 2. Epig. 68. ad Olum and enough of Seneca's Time Quod te nomine jam non saluto Quem Regem Dominum priùs vocabam Ne me dixeras esse contumacem c. And Lib. 1. Ep. 113. In Priscum Cum te non nossem Dominum Regemque vocabam Cum bene te novi jam mihi Priscus eris And Lib. 4. Epig. 84. In Naevolum Sollicitus donas Dominum Regemque salutas This was frequent in Salutations and mutual Expressions though the Emperors sometimes avoided it as too much earnest or seeming so to the rest it being in jest or complement Truly Seneca used not a less expression of that kind to him when he began his Books de Ira with Exegisti à me Novati ut scriberem quemadmodum ira possit leniri c. Exigere is actus Dominii as exigere Tributum Vectigal c. in
most familiar Language I have thus poured out my Fancies to you which I know you will in your excellent Goodness and Judgment look upon with gentle pardon So that if Gallio in the Acts were either of Them that had such relation to the Seneca's I suppose it to be most probable it was this Novatus LETTER CCLXXX A Letter from Dr. Price to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend my good Lord THE last week and no sooner fix of your Books were delivered to me one of them I presented in your Name to the Prince Elector three others I am sending into France two of them in your Name to Bignonius and Sarravius and a third as from my self to Monsieur Militerius the fifth I will give as from you to the Fr. and the sixth I will keep by me to be disposed of as shall be ordered I lately received Letters from Bignonius and Sarravius in the former o◠which there is my Lord this passage concerning you Particuliement j◠vous ay grande obligation de m' avoir concilié la bienuiellance d'un Prelat tres eminenten doctrine dont je cognois des long temps le merites par la reputation Publique qui le publie non seulement pour son rare scauoir mais aussy pour sa grande sagesse singuliere moderation In the other there is this passage Et particulierement je vous prie d' asseuner Monsieur l' Archevesque d' Armach des mes tres-humbles respects Lors que i'auray receu son liure que vous me promettez je prendray la liberté de l'en remercier moy mesme par vostre entremise which I suppose I shall not need to English I likewise received Letters from Sir G. Radcliffe which do thus conclude I long to hear what my Lord Primate does with his Chronological Observations It were pitty that a Work about which he hath bestowed so much time should perish or prove imperfect for want of his last hand And so much for these Matters We are here still as far as I see in a doubtful and dangerous estate In the Houses there are great Divisions and since the return of those Members which the General himself guarded and conducted the Presbyterians a pretty ridiculous Business out-vote the Independents The Scots likewise by a constant Report are coming in again In this condition we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nothing can comfort us but the coming again of our Titus A few days 't is thought will produce somewhat very extraordinary The rest of this Letter is nothing else but what is verbatim to be found in Pricaeus's Notes upon 1 Tim. 4. 12 15 16. As is also what is inserted in Letter 283 upon 2 Tim. 2. 9. Your Grace's most humble and faithful Servant John Price London Aug. 19. The sixth Copy I have thought upon it would not be unfitly sent to Monsieur Naudeus There will want one likewise for the Puteani Fratres whom I presume my Lord it is your mind should have one I will therefore send them mine but as from you my Lord. LETTER CCLXXXI A Letter from the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh to the Learned Ludovicus Capellus Viro Clarissimo Ludovico Capello S. T. Literarum Hebraicarum in Academiâ Salmuriensi Professore eximio Vir Clarissime LIteras tuas Salmurii die Septembris XXVI datas Octobris nostri Juliani die XXIII o Londini accepi quibus tamèn respondere ut vellem Caligantes oculi non sinunt qui me à toto hoc scribendi studio jampridem avocant Conabor tamen Deo volente post absolutam Annalium partem alteram quae jam effecta proditur in lucem quae de LXX Interpretum versione animo concepi in brevem diatribam conficere licet ut hic versione Graecâ ità in historiae Apostolicae dispositione in Annalibus non semel à te dissentiam semper tamen apud me valiturum illud dubitare noli Non eadem sentire bonis de rebus iisdem incolumi licet semper amicitia Codicem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alexandria à Cyrillo Patriarchâ in Angliam transmissum quem Theclae vocant edere caepit eruditissimus Patricius Junius Sed eo ad meliorem vitam translato nulla illius editionis spes nobis est relicta Cuduntur tamèn apud nos Biblia Polyglotta in quibus veteres sacri contentus Editionis uno conspectu representatae exhibentur In his Alexandrini illius codicis cum editione Graecâ Vaticana collatio instituitur textus quem desideras Samariticus simùl adjungitur quemadmodum inprimis hisce magni operis paginis quas ad te mittere libuit videre licet Tu ista quaeso boni consule me amare pergas Tuus in Christo frater amantissimus Ja. Usserius Armachanus Londini Octobris 27. Anni MDCLIII LETTER CCLXXXII A Letter from Dr. Price to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh Most Reverend my good Lord I Have been somewhat the longer in answering your Letter conveyed to me by Mr. Thorndike as desiring to satisfy you about the Tractate of Chrysostom against Apollinarius Much search hath been made in this Library but as yet it appears not and no great wonder here being almost thirty Volumes of that Father some of them without beginning others without end and some like Eternity without beginning and end if the Pluteus and Number had been specified by your Lordship it would have facilitated the Enterprize And perhaps there is no such thing here for neither hath your Lordship specified from whom you learned it Canisius whom to that end I looked into citing only in Latin two Passages out of it but not telling us in the Margin where the Greek Manuscript is Of Gregory Nyssen contra Apollinarium we have the Greek here but that we know is printed I will not yet count your Business desperate perhaps that piece of Chrysostom may be lighted upon in some other Volume of promiscuous Tractates and what we could not by Industry we may obtain by good Fortune I understand with much both satisfaction and consolation of the perfecting of your Lordship 's Chronology but despair for the present at least in this interruption of Traffique by the War between England and Holland to get sight of it as likewise of Mr. Young's Septuagint and Dr. Hammond's Version and Notes on the New Testament Some Notes of mine upon a part of Paul's Epistles which I would not have mentioned but that your Lordship is pleased to enquire of my low Studies lie ready by me and had been printed above a Year since if in Venice at least for here in Florence is not so much as a Greek Stamp there could have been found ô tempore ô moribus as says Sir Philip Sidney's Rhombus a fit Corrector In those Notes on the passage of 2 Tim. 2. 9. there is somewhat concerning Ignatius which coming yesterday under mine eye while I was thinking of writing to your Lordship
scrible of My Lord Your Grace's most humble Servant Thomas Barlow Q. Coll. Oxon. Sept. 28. 1655. LETTER CCXCVII. A Letter from Mr. Herbert Thorndike to the most Reverend James Usher Arch-bishop of Armagh My Lord I Have perused Bar Nachman upon Gen. 12. 40. but do not find that he begins the 430 Years from the Birth of Isaac He recites the Exposition of Jarchi that the 400 Years begin from the Birth of Isaac because it is said Thy Seed shall be a Pilgrim but the 30 from the Decree between the cloven Creatures Which though he confesses to be the Opinion of their Doctors he easily refutes because Abraham was 75 Years old when he came out of Haran much more then This he says Seder Olam salves by saying that Abraham was but 70 Years old when God made that Covenant with him and that he returned afterwards into Mesopotamia and left it finally when he was but 75 Years old But this being in his Eye but a Midrash he says according to the Letter that when it is said Thy Seed shall be a Pilgrim 400 Years the intent is only to express the time in gross not to determine precisely the time of it which he reserves a latitude for by mentioning the fourth Generation and the wickedness of the Amorite to be compleated which occasioned also 40 Years stay in the Wilderness And so the construction of the words he makes to be this and the Pilgrimage of the Children of Israel in Egypt was till 430 Years that they dwelt there until that were fulfilled to them which was said In a Land not their own Which is the same phrase saith he with that of Deut. 11. 14. And the days that we travelled from Kadesh Barnea till we passed the Brook Zered were 38 Years For this time was not spent in travelling from Kadesh Barnea for there they staid many Years and passed the Brook Zered where 38 Years were accomplished And so Dan. 12. 12. Happy is he that expects and attains to 1335 days Which is not to those days but to the end of them Here I confess having Jarchi his reason to begin the 400 Years at Isaac and this to add 30 I thought he might have taken that course But then the Children of Israel must have dwelt 240 Years in Egypt which is with him an inconvenience because the Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Gemara signifies that they were to stay in Egypt but 210. But another consideration he hath of good account to my thinking That the Revelation of 400 Years tending to limit the time when God would give his Seed the Land which presently he promised him it is to be understood from the time of the Promise And because then they must have dwelt in Egypt 220 Years or thereabouts he says if the 210 Years be a Tradition in Israel it may be salved by imputing it to the Sons of Jacob only not reckoning the 17 Years that he lived in it to be of the number For thus 227 in Egypt 190 from the birth of Isaac unto Jacob's going down and 13 from the Promise to the birth of Isaac make 430 so I understand him He saith further That the 30 Years must be understood to be added for the sins of the Israelites in Egypt Idolatry neglect of Circumcision and the like upon this rule that all Promises that are not with Oath imply a tacit Condition And that upon the same account their Pilgrimage is prolonged 40 Years in the Wilderness a Land not theirs but belonging to the Serpents and Scorpions This is the effect of his Commentary upon that place which being close couched I would not undertake to abridg further if perhaps any thing in it may prove Novelty to your Grace As for Abarbniel I can easily assure that he understands the calling of Abraham Gen. 12. 1. to have been out of Charan for he calls the Opinion of Abenezra expounding that Text of his calling out of Ur which we follow as agreeing with S. Stephen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a plain Lye for he doth not believe at all that Terah or Abraham came out of Ur of the Chaldees upon any call of God but observes all the Text of Gen. 11. 25 to intimate the misfortunes of Terah in Ur that whereas the Posterity of Sem had Children at 30 Years he had none till 70. That whereas they begat Sons and Daughters he had but three Sons that of these three one died young another having married had no Children and the like and infers that these were the occasion to resolve him to leave Ur and to come into Canaan whether as more healthy or whether as more fortunate according to his Astrology Something nevertheless he delivers which seems to justify S. Stephen's words in that he holds both Ur and Charan to have been in Mesopotamia beyond Euphrates according to the words of Joshua 24. 2. For though Chaldea he supposes to be on this side the River yet he supposes that a place beyond the River may well be called Ur of the Chaldees As for the purpose if we suppose that the Chaldees under Nimrod should conquer beyond the River this place as well as those we read of Gen. 10. 10 11. which he thus understandeth that Nimrod went forth from those parts when he said afore that the beginning of his Kingdom was to inlarge it in those parts which he mentions afterwards In this then he seems to comply with S. Stephen's words But for the coming of Abraham out of Ur he acknowledges no Call of God though he maintains the Truth of the Tradition that Abraham was to have been cast into the Furnace of Fire because he disputed against Nimrod's Gods and that being cast into Prison in the mean time he was let go to avoid further inconvenience which concurring with Terah in his former deliberations resolved them to go from thence into Charan a place of the Country of Syria out of the Dominion of the Chaldeans And this is that which I find Abarbniel acknowledg that they have by Tradition Now I cannot say that I have found any thing in Bereshith Rabba that he came out of Charan after the death of Terah but I conceive I have found something that might move a Man to think so For there it is said that one R. Isaac observing that there wants 60 Years to the death of Terah by the time of Abraham's travelling excuses it by the mystical sense that the Wicked are said to be dead when they are alive Abraham he says was afraid that they would blaspheme God's Name if his Servant should forsake his Father in his old Age. Whereupon God said I will dispense with the honour of Father and Mother in thee though in no body else And besides he shall die before thou shalt go forth Which in regard of the Promises I should take to signify that it shall be said in the Scripture Terah died c. to wit in the mystical sense It followeth there
Pains for a Cause or two so followed will free thee from Suits a great part of thy Life after 8. Be sure to keep some Gentleman thy Friend but trouble him not with every trifling Complaint often present him with many yet small Gifts And if thou have cause to bestow any great Gratuity let it be such as may be daily in his sight otherwise in this ambitious Age thou shalt remain like a Hop without a Pole live in obscurity and be made a Footstool for every insulting Companion to spur at 9. Towards thy Superiors be humbly generous with thy Equals familiar yet respective towards thy Inferiors shew much humility and some familiarity as to bow thy Body stretch forth thy Hand and to uncover thy Head with such be popular Complements the first prepares the way to Advancement the second makes thee known for a Man as well bred the third gains a Man good report which once being gotten is easily kept for high Humilitudes take such deep root in the minds of the Multitude who are more easily won by unprofitable Courtesies than curious Benefits that I advise thee not to affect nor neglect Popularities Trust not any Man with thy Estate for it is a meer folly for a Man to enthral himself to his Friends as though if occasion be offered he should not dare become his Enemy 10. Be not scurrilous in thy Conversation nor Stoical in thy Jests the one will make thee unwelcome to all Companies the other will breed Quarrels and get thee hatred of thy best Friends for Jests when they savour too much of Truth leave bitterness in the minds of those that are touched Although I have pointed at all these inclusive yet I think it fit and necessary to leave it thee as a special Caution because I have seen many so prone to quip and gird that they will rather lose their Friend than their Scoff then they will travel to be delivered of it as a Woman with Child these nimble Apprehensions are but the Froth of Wit Your loving Father Henry Sydney LETTER XVII A Letter from Sir William Boswell to the most Reverend William Laud late Arch-bishop of Canterbury remaining with Sir Robert Cotton 's choice Papers Most Reverend AS I am here employ'd by our Soveraign Lord the King your Grace can testify that I have left no Stone unturn'd for his Majesty's Advancement neither can I omit whenever I meet with Treacheries or Conspiracies against the Church and State of England the sending your Grace an Accompt in General I fear Matters will not answer your expectations if your Grace do but seriously weigh them with deliberation For be you assur'd the Romish Clergy have gull'd the misled Party of our English Nation and that under a Puritanical Dress for which the several Fraternities of that Church have lately received Indulgences from the See of Rome and Council of Cardinals for to educate several of the young Fry of the Church of Rome who be Natives of his Majesty's Realms and Dominions and instruct them in all manner of Principles and Tenents contrary to the Episcopacy of the Church of England There be in the Town of Hague to my certain Knowledg two dangerous Impostors of whom I have given notice to the Prince of Orange who have large Indulgences granted them and known to be of the Church of Rome altho they seem Puritans and do converse with several of our English Factors The one James Murray a Scotchman and the other John Napper a Yorkshire Blade The main drift of these Intentions is to pull down the English Episcopacy as being the chief Support of the Imperial Crown of our Nation For which purpose above sixty Romish Clergy-men are gone within these two Years out of the Monasteries of the French King's Dominions to preach up the Scotch Covenant and Mr. Knox his Descriptions and Rules within that Kirk and to spread the same about the Northern Coasts of England Let therefore his Majesty have an inkling of these Crotchets that he might be persuaded whenever Matters of the Church come before you to refer them to your Grace and the Episcopal Party of the Realm For there be great Preparations making ready against the Liturgy and Ceremonies of the Church of England And all evil Contrivances here and in France and in other Protestant Holdings to make your Grace and the Episcopacy odious to all Reformed Protestants abroad It has wrought so much on divers of the Forreign Ministers of the Protestants that they esteem our Clergy little better than Papists The main things that they hit in our teeth are our Bishops to be called Lords The Service of the Church The Cross in Baptism Confirmation Bowing at the Name of Jesus The Communion Tables placed Altar-ways Our manner of Consecrations And several other Matters which be of late buzz'd into the Heads of the Forreign Clergy to make your Grievances the less regarded in case of a Change which is aimed at if not speedily prevented Your Grace's Letter is carefully delivered by my Gentleman 's own hands unto the Prince Thus craving your Graces hearty Prayers for my Undertakings abroad as also for my safe arrival that I may have the freedom to kiss your Grace's hands and to tell you more at large of these things I rest Your Grace's most humble Servant W. B. Hague June 12. 1640. FINIS ERRATA IN the Preface Line 35 after the word be add thought In the Life Page 1. l. 10. after since read been P. 1. l. 16. for Mastres r. Masters P. 25. l. 23. f. two r. ten P. 36. l. 5. f. Erigene r. Erigena l. 6. et per tot P. 47. l. 19. f. Tenements r. Tenants P. 93. l. penult dele most In the Appendix Page 7. l. 22. after the word his read Lat. Determinations Quaest. xlii p. 187 191. P. 9. l. antepenult f. would r. would not P. 10. l. 10. after sence add alone l. 18. over against these words Sermon upon John add in the Margin vid. Collection of Sermons printed at the end of the last Edition of the Lord Primates Body of Divinity p. 83. P. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pro 〈…〉 P. 29. l. 35. f. to r. do The Author since he wrote this has thought fit to add the Passages following toward the illustration of the Life Page 5. l. 1. after the word Doctrine add Nay it is evident that our Church maintains the contrary Doctrine that the Fourth Commandment as to the substance of it is moral and binds Christians to observe it as well since Christ as it did the Jews before For in our Liturgy which is confirmed by Supream Authority Sacred and Civil by Convocation and Parliament in the Communion-Offices after the repeating of the Fourth Commandment concerning the Observation of the Sabbath it follows Lord have Mercy upon us and incline our Hearts to KEEP THIS LAW Whence it is evident that in the Judgment of our Church not only the Jews but we Christians are under the