which yet by the mercy of Almighty God was even miraculously quashed and overthrowne Whereupon Mr. Morton Published a little Tract which he instiled Dangerous Positions and Practises for Rebellion proving out of the Jesuites and other Pontifician Authors that they forged and maintained those Positions of thâ— now Church of Rome whicâ— were the grand work oâ— Treason and Rebellion againsâ— all Princes of Soveraigne Powers who had renounced and shaken off the Romish yoake This being past he Published 1606 the second Part oâ— his Apologiae Catholicae e Aâ—â—his timâ—â—e loâ—ged â—â— thâ— hâ—uâ—e of his hâ—nouâ—â—d Kinsmaâ— Sâ—r â—homas Vavisor Kniâ—ht-Maâ—shall of â—is Maâ—estiâ—s most honorable houshold Anno 1606. dedicating the same to King James of ever happy memory a Prince oâ— incomparable knowledge in all kind of good Learning But having now raised a nest of pernitious hornets about his ears by the Publishing of this Tractate who manifested their pernitious malice and gall against our Church by those virulent and stingie Pamphlets which they thrust out and dispersed This caused Mr. Morton not long after to write and Publish His Full satisfaction concerning a double Romish iniquity viz. Hainous Rebellion and more then Heathenish Aequivocation which Book was written in Answer to their Moderate Answer as they called it whereof Mr. Robert Parsons the Jesuite was the supposed Author And this Book likewise Mr. Morton dedicated unto King James at which time His Majesty was pleased to let him know how that his adversary Mr. Parsons was dead and gaine to the Divill as then was his Scottish Dialect In the year 1606. he took the Degree of Dr in Divinity in Cambridge where then disputed against him in the Schools that learned mellifluous and dexterouâ— Disputant Dr. Thomas Playfer the Lady Margarets Professor in that famous University where Dr. Morton so learnedly and worthily carried and demeaned himselfe in that Disputation That the Professor perorated in his just prayse these words Laudent te Libri in portis c. In this Commencement Doctor Morton Preached in St. Maries pro gradu upon that place of holy Scripture Gen. 4. 16. Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord c. At the same time Dr. John Overall the Reverend Deane of St. Pauls London the Kings Professor of Divinity adorned him with the Scarlet Habit and Ring which are used on those solemnities for compleating the degree of Dr. in Divinity Not long after the Deanary of Glocester fell voyd by death which upon Arch-Bishop Bancrosts commendation to the King was conferred upon Doctor Morton About which season travelling toward Gloucester by Oxon the Act there being then kept he was welcomed and highly esteemed by that thrice learned and famous Doctor John Raynolds President of Corpus Christi College and with much Academicall Honour incorporated Doctor in that famous University where he was likewise much honoured by many other Learned Doctors there as Dr. John King Deane of Christ Church that most powerfull Preacher his ancient friend afterwards the most worthy Bishop of London Dr. Ayrey the Learned Provost of Queenes College Dr. Aiglionbee head of Harts hall with many other Learned and Religious Doctors At which time there disputed pro gradu Magistri that hopefull Scholler Mr. Daniel Featley Fellow of Corpus Christi College who carried himselfe so quickly and learnedly in his disputing that he was very much admired and applauded among others by Dr. Morton for his singular ability in the performance of that exercise as he most justly deserved And indeed afterwards he became a most able Divine and singular disputant as was well known to many that were able to judge yea and Dr. Smith who by the Popes negative bounty was after made the titular Bishop of Chalcedon felt the weight of his arme and of those great abilities wherewith God had enabled him when as Dr. Featley being Chaplaine to Sir Thâ—mas Edmonds Knight His Majesties Ambassador Legier to Henry IV the French King he disputed in Paris before a select Company of English and divers others with the said Dr. Smith in sundry Points of Religion to the overthrow and confusion of his Adversary This Dr. Featley was ever after in high favour and esteeme with Dr. Morton who was his great Benefactor But since alas is dead that learned Divine but when and where posterity may with just griefe f For notwithstanding bis true and known worth he was exuted in those late destructive times of his Ecclesiasticall preform nis and amongst many others imprisoned in the Lord Peters House in Aldersgate London where falling very sick at last he had leave to take fresh Aire in the Country where after a short time be expired record Yet in testimony of his singular love and the Reverend Affection which he bare to Dr. Morton he wrote and Published among many other elaborate Pieces a learned book which he dedicated to Dr. Morton then Bishop of Durham Whilst Dr. Morton was Deane of Glocester it pleased the Right Honorable the Lord Eure Lord President of Wales to nominate and assume him to be one of his Majesties Councell for the Marâ—hes of Wales which dignity he enjoyed whilst Deane there in which Deanary succeeded him that most Learned Divine and Writer Dr. Richard Field Now within three years viz. 1609. was vacant the Deanary of Winton by the preferment of Dr. George Abbot from that Deanary to the Bishoprick of Coventry and Leichfeild To the which Deanary he was designed by the Kings most gracious favour with the congratulation and furtherance of his best friends in Court especially of that incomparably Learned Prelate Dr. Lancelot Andrewes then Bishop of Elie His Majesties great Almoner And about this very season Dr. Sibrandus Lubbertus Professor of Divinity at Franckar in West Friesland writ a learned Tractate in Latine against the Arminian Faction then much prevailing in the Netherlands which Book he inscribed to Dr. Morton Deane of Winton for which honor the Deane returned him many thanks in a Latine Epistle wherein he refuted those heterodox Opinions which weâ—â— then on foot About this time he wriâ— that elaborate and learned work which he intituled The Appeale And almost at the same time was vented by Mr. Brierley Priest his Book called The Protessants Apologie but knowâ— it was that he had ploweâ— with Deane Morton's Heifeâ— or Book then in the Press at London yet was he as quickly answered by the Deane at the same time so much as especially concerned the doctrinall Part thereof This taske of Writing this last Book was imposed on him by that vigilant Prelate Arch Bishop Bancroft and the examination of the testimonies of the Authors quoted in his Appeale was committed unto Mr. Thomas James that indesaâ—igable and laborious Keeper of the publique and famous Library in Oxon and to sundry other Learned Divines of that University but was afterwards finished in his private Library in the Deanary house of St. Pauls London where he
God by his providence not to suffer mâ— to remain in the Dale wherein I could willingly have spent my dayes had there not been an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in it and to set me upon an Hill I pray God as a true light for the good of soules c. For as in his former dignities he was most free from â—mbitious prolling and seeking so was he as innocent from the touch of expecting or so much as desiring those preferments which after followed and were most freely conferred on him by those two most gracious Princes King James and King Charles hiâ— Sonne But when he stood designed Bp. of Chester agreat Oâ—â— who shall here be nameless cast an undeserved â— spersion upon Dean Moriâ— unto the King viz. Thâ—â— he was not fit to be a Bishop for that he had spoyled one â—â— the best Deanaries in England c. Which false câ—lumny was cast as a block in the way of his advancement to a Bishoprick wherewith being made acquainted he was of necessity to clear himselfe of so foule and undeserved an aspersion which he did by communicating the same unto his Brethren of the Chapter of Winton who unanimously testified under their Hands and Seales That Doctor Morton had been the best Dean that ever had been in their times And some of them were very old men and had long enjoyed their Dignities in that Cathedrall Church as Mr. Browne Mr. Barlow Mr. Harward c. So then this black cloud of Obloquy being dispelled he was Consecrated Bishop of Chester at Lambeth in the Province oâ— Canterbury by delegation from the Arch-Bishop of York in whose Province Chester is where were present many Noble Men and Gentlemen of the Court but chiefly a Noble Maâ— of Poland who had the education of Prince Rodzivils Sonne thither invited who very much admired the solemnity of the Ordination of the Bishops in England and the receiving of the blessed Sacrament whereof they then were partakers as it was Administred according to the Forme of the Church of England And not long after being recovered of a violent Fever which took him at Clayhall in Essex the House of that Honorable Knight Sir Christopher Hatton his most loving and deare friend he prepared for his Journey into Cheshire and advanced with his own retinew towards that Country but was encountred and met on the way to the City of Chester by so grand a number of the best Knights and Gentlemen of that County Palatine with their attendants and that multitude of Plebeyans thronging and rejoycing at the receipt of their new Bishop that the like hath scarce been seen there and perhaps in few places else where After a small time of his settlement there like a true Bishop and one mindfull of what he was sent for he convented the Non-conformist Ministers and called on them to shew the Reasons of their dissenting from the Orders and Discipline of the Church and told them That his purpose was to conferr with them publickly to reduce them to conformity with the Church of England At which time those Ministers insisted on those three Points First Crosse h Or rather after Baptisme as indeed it is in Baptise Secondly Kneeling at the receiving of the Lords Supper Thirdly Thâ— Surplice c. In which conference he argued with them very zealously and endeavoured by many Arguments to reduce theâ— to conformity with the Church of England but iâ— the end fell short of hiâ— pious expectation Yet no prevailing with those refractory Ministers not withstanding he wrought great work by Gods moâ—â— gracious hand and assâ—stance yea neer the veâ—â— same time by reclaiminâ— and reducing many of tâ—â— Lancashire Recusants and in bringing them home to the true Church through his industrious vigilance And not long after he Writ and Published a Relation of that Conference which was inscribed The three innocent Ceremonies which Book long after he being Bishop of Coventry and Leichfeild was impugned by one Mr. Ames as was conceived but most learnedly answered and defended by Dr. John Burges Parson of Sutton Cobfeild in Warr after that Doctor Morton had been many years Bishop of Coventry and Leichfeild About this time viz. Anno 1617. the Kings Majesty returned out of his Progress from Scotland and passed through Lancashire where he was Petitioned by the Plebeyans of that County for Recreation to be allowed on the Lords day which was accordingly gratiously granted by His Majesty Whereupon they growing insolent and being incouraged and heartened by some Gentlemen who were Popish Recusants they made ill use of the Kings gracious clemency and thereupon Bishop Morton made his humble address unto His Majesty and acquainted him with sundry particulars of their abuse of His well-meant gracious favour Whereupon it pleased His Majesty to command the Bishop to adde what cautions and restrictions he thought fit to be inserted into His Majesties Declaration for that purpose which was accordingly done viz. That they should have no liberty for recreation till after Evening Prayer That they should have no Beare-baiting nor any such unlawfull sports And that no Recusant who came not to Morning and Evening Prayers should be capable of such His Royall indulgence at all c. Having now resided towards three years in that Bishoprick it pleased the Royall Majesty of King James to cause him to be translated to the See of Coventry and Leichfeild where he succeeded that profound Doctor John Overall who was newly removed thence to the Bishoprick of Norwich in the year of our Lord 1618. And in the Bishoprick of Chester succeeded him Dr. John Bridgeman one of the famous Preachers of his time the more to be honored because it pleased God to bless him with a Sonne Sir Orlando Bridgeman Knight now Lord Keeper of the Great Seale of England which High Place may he long enjoy for the good of this Kingdom and honour of the Married Clergy In the time of his Incumbence in the Bishoprick of Coventry and Leichfeild he was acquinted with that grave and learned Scholler Marcus Antonius de Dominis late Arch-Bishop of Spalato in Dalmatia Saint Hierome's Countrey-man as he often used to call himselfe who had renounced Popery and passed over into England to draw the fresh and pure Ayre of Christs true Religion which yet some few years after i The most infamous Eccbolius of our times whose Corps were afterwards burned at Rome for a Relaps he most wretchedly deserted in hope of higher preferment at Rome upon the assurance which he built of his Quondam School-fellows Election to the Papacy by the name of Gregory the fifteenth But this Pope was quickly rid out of the way and another Pharaoh succeeded who knew not this Joseph But his change of Religion was the more to be wondred at for that by His Majesties gracious bounty he had been k These though competent Preferments could not allay or quench his sacred thirst for I have seen the Copy of a Letter which was
then on foot he had scarcely wherewith to defrey the Fees and Charges of his Confinement which is the less to be wondred at that he was not so plentifull in his Purse and the rather considering the great and extraordinary charges which he was put to by the frequent entertainment of Scottish Lords and others who Posted too and fro especially about the time of the Scottish Insurrection Durham being in their Northern Road Ah! nimium vicina Scotis Dunelmia He never Ordained any for Priests and Deacons which he commonly did at the foure Ordinations but such as were Graduates in the University or otherwise well qualified in good Learning And for a tryall of their Parts he alwayes appointed a set time to examine them in University Learning but chiefly in Points of Divinity and in this he was very exact by making them answer Syllogistically according to their abilities And he trusted not his own Chaplains in this sacred business though otherwise very able and learned Divines He never conferred any Benefice or Spirituall Preferment chiefly whiles he was Bishop of Duresme being a most free and bountifull Patron but on his own learned Chaplains except three onely which were commended unto him by King Charles I. his sacred Majesty viz. Mr. John Weemes that learned Writer in Morall Divinity Mr. Anthony Maxton both which were made Prebendaries of the Cathedrall Church of Duresme and Mr. Clappurton being three Scotch men and able Schollers For his Judgement of the due deserts of Learning take one instance when he was Deane of Glocester and Mr. John Donne had cast himselfe into a Sea of misery by the marriage of the Daughter of Sir George Moore Knight whereby he was exuted of his Secretaries place under the Lord Chancellor Egerton and had spent most of his own means in the pursuit of his said marriage whereby he was brought to a low ebb and debility in his Estate and knowing no wayes or means whereby he could subsist Children especially encreasing yearly then did Deane Morton earnestly and seriously move him to take the holy Ministery on him whereby the better to support and maintain that Charge and for his better incouragement he willingly and freely offered to resigne unto him the Rectory of Long Marston in York-shire being of the yearly value plus minus of two hundred pounds per Annum yet to this friendly motion he would not then give his assent but put it by in hope as it should seem of some other preferment for which he thought himselfe more fit And long after the said Mr. Donne having grapled with many extremities at home he passed over into France where he gave himself to the Study of the Laws And from Amiens as I remember he writ a Letter to his alwayes true friend Deane Morton wherein he requested his advice Whether taking the Degree of a Doctor in that Profession of the Laws it might not be conducible and advantagious unto him to Practice at home in the Arches London Unto whom the Deane then returned him answer That in his Judgement he thought the Ministry in the Church of God would be safer and fitter for him Whereupon he desisted from further prosecution of those Studies For doubtless the holy Spirit had the greatest stroak and power to incline and draw him to that sacred Profession For my selfe have long since seen his Picture in a dear friends Chamber of his in Lincolnes Inne all envelloped with a darkish shadow his face feature hardly discernable with this ejaculation and wish written thereon Domine illumina tenebras meas which long after was really accomplished when by King James his weighty and powerfull perswasions he took holy Orders at the hands of the right Reverend Father John Lord Bishop of London and so became a learned and assiduous Preacher Whereupon His gracious Majesty King James bestowed the Deanary of St. Pauls London upon him where what profitable pains he took and els where the large Book of his Sermons and other Learned Labors which are Published both before and after he had been Dean do most sufficiently attest and demonstrate For a Close concerning this Learned Gentleman I will add one instance of his ripe and sudden wit For at one time when Bishop Morton gave him a good quantity of Gold then a usefull token saying Here Mr. Donne take this Gold is restorative He presently answered Sir I doubt I shall never restore it back again and I am assured that he never did This Bishop Morton was a great benefactor to Saint Johns College in Cambridge where sometimes he had been Fellow and bestowed many hundreds of pounds in Books for the adorning and augmenting of that their faire Library which Dr. Williams Bishop of Lincolne and Lord Keeper of the Great Seale of England sometimes Fellow there had Founded He built also out of an old decayed Chappell at Bishop Auckland a fair Grammar School and endowed the Master thereof with 24. pounds per Annum for ever Other things he purposed to have done as the enlarging of the old Market Place and the erecting a new Market Crosse in the Pavement at York near to which he was born but was prevented by the late wofull and destructive times but God would accept of his smal offerings as he did the poor Widdows Mite He converted sundry Persons in his time from the Popish Religion and by Gods grace brought them to the true Church of England amongst which was the Lady Cholmeley Wife to Sir Henry Cholmeley Knight Å¿ When he was Bishop of Chester he â—â—râ—ed â—er So Mr. Redmaine a Popish Priest afterwards Viccar and Preacher at Congleton in Cheshire So Mr. Theophilus Higgons who after was a learned Preacher and Rector of Hunton in Kent Mr. Toby Swinburnâ— then lately returned from the English College at Rome afterwards created Doctor of the Laws at Oxon and in these late unhappy times deprived of his life whose death was chiefly effected by their cruell imprisonment of him after that he had received many deep and desperate wounds in the battle at Newbery for the affection and loyalty which he did bear to His late Majesty Charles I. Also a Reverend Bishop now living but here shall be nameless Also Mr. Thomas Hulse Gentleman Mr. Mathew and sundry others He was alwayes very beneficiall and bountifull to the poor wheresoever he lived or came so that as it pleased God to devest him of those ample means which sometimes he had to dispose of and to doe good on all occasions so took he timely order during almost his whole life to erogate and bestow the meanâ— which God lent him to the best ends which was for the maintenance of the poor of all sorts viz 〈◊〉 the place where he resided or by the way where 〈◊〉 travelled or poor Schollers in the University to many of whom he gave yearly Stipends poor strangers and Travellers to whom his Purse was always open And in the Bishopprick of Duresme he gave besides his
the House were required he orderly took the degrees first of Bachelor next of Master of Arts in the University and was after that Elected Fellow of the College Doctor Whittakers being his worthy Fautor and Promotor and not long after he became Logick Lecturer of the University which Office he discharged to his exceeding commendation Being now of mature years his own inclination being promoved by the holy Spirit of God he was admitted unto the Scared Order of Deacon and the next year of Priest by the right Reverend Father Richard Bishop of Peterborow in the year of our Lord 1592. and 1593. And having continued in the University about five years longer he was by Gods All-seeing Providence called into his native Country for his provident Father had at that time sought out and procured a good Parsonage for him called Long Marston where he spent his time as a good Pastor in the diligent Preaching of Gods Word unto his Parishioners there and sometimes in other neighbouring places especially where they most stood in need of Spirituall comfort and instruction In which Place whiles he was Incumbent he brought thither two learned and hopefull Seholers Mr. John Price and after him Mr. Matthew Levet sometimes his Pupills in St. Johns the later afterwards Prebendary and sub-Deane of the Collegiate Church of Rippon a most painful and learned Preacher and a carefull Overseer of that Church and Flock committed to his Charge and Government upoâ— whom afterwards he collated a good Prebend in thâ— Church of Durham wheâ— afterwards Bishop there At this time viz. 1598 Mr. Morton was called upoâ— to take the Degree oâ— Batchelor in Divinity iâ— St. Johns College in Cambridge when both by Preaching and Disputing in the Schooles pro gradu he performed his task sâ— Learnedly to his greaâ— commendation that hâ— was not only held worthy of that Degree but of an higher which in due time followed In the year 1602. he 1602. was made choice of by the right Honourable Ralph Lord Eure who by Queen Elizabeth was selected Lord Embassadour to the Emperour and King of Denmark to attend on him for one of his Chaplains Mr. Richard Crakanthorp that exquisite Divine was the other who long afterwards proceeded Professor of Divinity in Oxon and among other learned Books which he Published the last was his Verè Cygnaea Cantio that laborious and elaborate Answer to the Arch-bishop of Spalato then a renegado in Religion his Consilium Reditus which he indigitated Defensio Ecclesiae Anglicanâ— In this travail Master Morton having leave to pass further into high Germany there he saw and saluted some of the Jesuites Colleges and amongst sundry others that at Mentz where one Mulhusinius a learned Jesuite and he fell into acquaintance and had conference together in certain Points of Religion Which Jesuite then gave him a little Printed Tract with an Inscription under his own Hand To Mr. Morton which I have seen And at Colen he also was known to and conferred with another learned Jesuite called Nicolaus Serarius who afterwards c Though he did it obliquely because he had mis-named Baronius the Cardinall a Jesuite as though that were a disparagement unto him albeit Tolet and Bellarmine both of them Jesuites were dispenced with by the Popes pleniporencie to be translated into Cardinalls how strict soever the Rules of their Societie were against it made mention of Mr. Morton in a book whicâ— he writ and Published calling it Minerval againsâ— that miracle of Learning Josephus Scaliger In this Voyage anâ— chiefly at Franckford upoâ— the Moene he furnisheâ— himselfe with such varietâ— of learned books whereoâ— many were Pontifican Writers as upon his returâ— home became very useful to him for his Study anâ— in the exaration of sucâ— Learned Works in Controversies agitated betwix us and the Papists whicâ— in succeeding time he Writ and Published even almost during Life Being returned into England he became Chaplaine to the right Honorable and noble Lord Roger Earle of Rutland on whom he sometimes attended at Belvoir Castle where upon occasion he Writ a Paper of Verses which as I remember concluded thus Bella precor â—â—lvoir nomen quià Bella-videri Bella nisi fausto cum ominâ— ne videas Quem Leâ— terruerit quid eniâ—â— nisi vota precamur Hunc beet ô Belvoir qua Rosa nostra domum In the year 1603. fell 1603. that great and funebriouâ— sickness of the Plague at York whereof some thousands dyed but the pooreâ— sort of the Infected werâ— turned out of the City anâ— had Booths Erected foâ— them on Hobmoorâ— neer unto the City For whosâ— comfort and reliefe in thaâ— fatall extremity Mr. Morton often repaired untâ— them from Marston to preacâ— unto them the Word oâ— God and to Minister consolation to their languishing soules having withaâ— provisions of meat carrieâ— with him in Sacks to relieve the poorest sort withall But as often as he went thither he suffered not any servant to attend him but himselfe sadled and unsadled his Horse and had a private door-stead made through the wall of his study being the utmost part of the house for prevention lest he might bring the contagion with him and indanger his whole Family This was one of the works of mercy and charity About this time he was made choice of by the right Honourable the Lord Sheffield then Lord President of York to confeâ—â— and dispute in points of Religion with one Mr. Young a Popish Priest then Prisoner in York Castle and one Mr. Stillington a Gentleman of that perswasion which Conference was held before his Honour and the Learned Counsell in the Mannor house of York where were also present many of the Knights and Gentry in the County The main Point which was controverted and disputed of was The Popes Infallability of judging In the handling whereof his Adversaries were so gravelled and confounded that Mr. Morton won the reputation of an able Divine and acute Disputant This Disputation was never hitherto Published but is in their hands who may let it see the light now especially that both parties are defunct In the yeare 1604. he 1604. he look his Journey to London where by the incouâ—agement of the right Reverend and vigilant Bishop of London Dr. 〈◊〉 who about this time wâ—â— translated thence to tâ—â— Arch-bishoprick of Canteâ—bury he Published his fiâ— labour intituled Apologâ— Catholicae Pars I. and Deâ—â—cated it to the said Arcâ— Bishop his noble Patroâ—â— And about this time tâ—â— most Reverend Father God d Whom Campian the Jeâ—uite thus mentioâ—â—th Qui nuâ—c dominatur in concionibus 〈◊〉 5. Toby Matthew Loâ— Arch-Bishop of York thâ— famous Preacher confeâ—â—â— on him a good Prebend that Metropolitical Churâ—â— for his greater advancemeâ—â— and furtherance in Diviâ—â— Studies And now intending to goe forward with the second Part of his Apologiae he was for a time constrained to supercede for in the nick of this time fell out that most horrible and execrable GUN-POWDER-TREASON
shewed unto me by Dâ— Balâ—anquall his successour in the Savoy in which it appeared That he became a Suitâ—r unto King James for the Arch-Bishoprick of York then rumored to be voyd by the death of Doctor Toby Matthew the Arch-Bishop there though be happily outlived tha◠〈◊〉 preferred to the Deanary of Windsor and the Mastership of the Savoy with the Rectory of Ilsworth and was yearly presented by many of the Nobility and Bishops of this Kingdom with sundry rich gifts in Plate and other costly accoutrements All which not withstanding in the end he deserted the Church of England Yet upon a specious pretence forsooth as he gave it out of Reconciling the Church of England with the Church of Rome Whereupon about the same time and on this very occasion fell out the following passage betwixt him and Bishop Morton For being asked by the said Bishop thus Domine quid tibi in animo est convertere Papam Etiam Conclave Papale Spal Quidni an existimas eos esse Diabolos ut non possint converti Episc Coven Minime Domine neâ— puto Dominum Spalatensem esse Deâ—m qui hoc prestare possit Nostine Domine Canones istos Conc ' Tridentiniâ— Spalat Imò novi ausâ—â— sum tibi dicere Millies mille esse in Italia qui fidem nullam huic Concilio adhibent This passage is worth the translating The Bishop of Leichfeild asked him What my Lord is it your purpose to convert the Pope Yea and the Papal Conclave to Spal And why not doe you think them to be Devils that they cannot be converted Bishop Leichfeild No my Lord nor doe I think my Lord of Spalato to be a God who is ablâ— to performe so much Doe you know my Lord those Canons in the Council of Trent Spal Yea I know them well and I dare boldly say that there be many thousands of Italy who give no Faith to this Council c. However this passed away he went and since gone he would be gone he was formerly banished and commanded away out of England by the Kings strict command But being arived at Rome the case was altered the foriner Pope his friend being dead and because he did not or rather could not answer the Books or rather the authorities therein quoted out of the antient Fathers which he had Published and Printed at London De Repub. Christiana and others he found the just guerdon of his revolt for it was adjudged in the Holy Office as they call the Inquisition that his Corps being first strangled in the Castle of St. Angâ—â—â— should be burned in Campo Flori yet had he been fairely premonished and minded hereof by our Bishop who writ a large and learned Epistle l Now ready for the Pross after long and grâ—at desiring theâ—eof unto him in Latine a little before his departure which was consigned into his hands by the Writer hereof wherein as a true Prophet he warned him of that which came after to passe viz. His Treatment at Rome Yet notwithstanding upon the receipt of that Letter the Arch-Bishop testified his friendly respects unto our Bishop at the farewell of the bearer in these very words Salutes millies mille diâ— as Domino tâ—o nomine meo m It was often in hâ—â— mouth Ego moriar Archiepiscopus Spalaâ—ensâ—s During the time of his Government of this large Dioces of Coventry and Leiehfeild there hapned a Boy of the Village of Bilson neer Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford called George Purie who was seduced by the Popish Priests to become a Demoniack which thing he did as they tutored him whom after a small season they a Gods name must dispossess But yet all their working and fine devises were to very small or no purpose for the Devill had so wrought with the n The Devill had steeled his heart Iâ— was â—iâ— own worâ— and expression in his Confession after wards Boy that he accused a Woman and she a Papist for bewitching him whereupon she was committed to the County Goale at Stafford and this Boy was brought to the Assizes to confront her where before the Judges of Assize this Boy albeit hoodwinckt would seem to know of the woman Prisoner her comming to the Barr which he did as afterwards he confessed by the jingling of her Chains and divers strange prancks he there played in the face of the country as a Demoniack or person possessed so that at the last he was committed and recommended by the learned Judges of Assize unto Dr. Morton Bishop of the Diocess being then one of His Majesties Justices of the Peace who brought him unto Eccleshal Castle where he then resided and after a competent time found him to be a cunning Imposter Which things and many moe were layed open to Publick view in a Book Intituled The Boy of Bilson But afterwards he much detested and loathed the former cousening cheats and was bound Apprentice in Bristol How this Bishop spent his time in that Bishoprick of Coventry and Leichfeild his continuall Labors testifie viz. chiefly in Preaching the Word of God partly in Writing Books profitable to the Church of God partly in Conference with Recusants and Catechizing of his own Family weekly c. But for his free Hospitality both at Eccleshall and Leichfeild and his continuall relieving of the poor let them testifie who were eye-witnesses of which many are fallen asleep and perhaps some remain to this day Whiles he was Bishop here he had sundry learned men for his Chaplains especially that Reverend and Pious man of God Doctor Ralph Brownrigg on whom he collated the Arch-deaconry of Coventry when Bishop of Leichfeild and afterwards a good Prebend in the Cathedrall Church of Durham which dignities His Royall Majesty King Charles did Crowne with the Bishoprick of Exeter Mr. Stephen Haxbie and Mr. George Gippes both fellows of St. Johns in Cambridge and Mr. Isaac Basire with some others on whom he freely bestowed such spirituall preferments as fell in his Patronage Here I must not forget that blessed Saint of God Mr. George Canner a blinde young man for blinde he came into the world borne in the County of Lancaster whom with his Unckle who had the tuition of him this Bishop maintained both at the Grammer Schoole in Chester when Bishop there and after in the University till he became Batchelor of Arts in the University of Cambridge where he proved an excellent proficient And after Orders taken he placed him Curate at Clifton Canvile in Stafford-shire when he was Bishop of Leichfeild where he discharged that sacred Function by his diligent Preaching even unto admiration for the book of Common Prayer as the Church of England requireth and enjoyneth he could repeat by heart and understand the Rubrick sufficiently As for the Chapters in the Old and New Testament which were to be Read to the Congregation he had them perfectly by heart by his Unckles twice Reading them over unto him For the Administration of the blessed
Sacrament of Baptisme and the Lords Supper he medled not therewith but had them discharged by another neighbouring Minister As for his Diet it was course small and not costly for he never exceeded bread butter and cheese no kind of flesh meat would goe down with him nor could he indeed digest it His conversation was innocent modest chast and spotless whom Almighty God translated hence being but young in years about 26. unto his heavenly Kingdom of glory His dying words were these Lord take from me these raggs of mortality and cloth me with thy robes of immortality From this Bishoprick of Coventry and Leichfeild Anno 1633. it pleased the Royall Majesty of King Charles the first to preferr him to the dignity of the Episcopall See of Duresme to which Bishoprick before the Conquest was united the Prerogative of a County Palatine And here with what Integrity Justice Temperance and other Christian vertues especially his liberall and free composition with his Tenants whereof many instances might be given if need were I had rather the late memory of him should speak who is yet living in a private and contented estate after the Apostles diet Having meaâ— and drink c. and after his late injurious ejection out of that plentifull Bishoprick in a very old age o 〈◊〉 sâ— he was then aged but he dyâ—d Anno 1659. Aetatis 95. which is 93. in this present yeare of our Lord 1657. and was never Married but hath led a single and painfull life He hath had being Bishop of Duresme sundry eminent Schollers for his domestick Chaplains as Dr. Joseph Nayler whom God hath newly translated on whom he collated the rich Rectory of Sedgefeild and a Prebend in the Cathedrall Church of Duresme Mr. John Johnson a Londoner borne a godly learned and faithfull Preacher of the Word of God with whom he lives in eternall blessedness whom he constituted to the Rectory of Bishop Weremouth and also Mr. William Flathers long since departed Dr. Ferne p Lately Master of Tâ—iniâ—y College in Cambridge Deane of Ely and â—â—â—â—ly Bishop of Câ—ester by King Charles â—1 his 〈◊〉 Since 〈◊〉 to God a reverend and learned Divine as his excellent Treatises Writ and Published in these late sad times doe sufficiently speak him Mr. Evers Gower since departed on whom he collated the Rectory of Stanhopp and Archdeaconry of Northumberland as also the afore-named Dr. Isaac Basier whom he Ordained Deacon and after that Priest when Bishop of Leichfeild and being translated to Duresme he collated on him the fore-named Rectory of Stanhopp with a good Prebend in the Cathedrall Church of Duresme and the Archdeaconry of Northumberland Of this learned Gentleman much might be said who is living still though far remote for in these late heavy and dolorous times he was forced to sit down yet with honor after more then his Vlissian Travails in three parts of the known world Professor of Divinity at Alba Julia in Transilvania q But now after 16. years peregrination he is returned home in the halcyon dayes of King Charles II. his auspicious and happy reigne enjoying his former preferments As also Mr. Richard Wrench Batchelor in Divinity somtimes Fellow of St. Johns in Cambridge And lastly Dr. John Barwick first Dean of Durham after that of St. Pauls London lately deceased This Bishop was such an indefatigable Student and such a constant Heluo librorum that whether he passed by Water or rid on Horseback as he used in his private estate or travelling in his Coach after that he had obtained greater preferments he had alwayes some choice and usefull book which he either read himselfe or els caused a Chaplaine or his Amanuensis to reade unto him who attended on him Journying And very seldome or never did he goe to his bed but his devotions ended in publique with his Family and afterwards more privately by himself his bed-chamber servants who had been usually University Schollers continued their tasks in reading some other pious books or some Church History unto him till such time as acceptable sleep stole upon him and so relieved and discharged them of that duty And when he did sleep it was very moderate or rather small for as I have said he either continued reading himself or others reading unto him till late at night and after some few houres repose he was alwayes ready to fall on his Study afresh with early Aurora For an example of his Piety and generall care which he took in his Diocess for the fuller instructing of Children in the Grounds of Religion he caused many thousands of Catechismes according to that forme which is prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer to be Printed at his own charge and to be dispersed in the several Deanaries and Archdeaconries of the Diocesses where he had been Bishop which he commanded his respective Chancellors Registers and other Ecclesiasticall Officers in their places to distribute in every Parish and like wise admonished the severall Ministers to be diligent and carefull in the due Catechising of their youth according to that Forme For his manner of Lodging Diet and Study-garments they might have been if you will of another Anthony for the never could endure a soft much less a downe bed but either a Matress or a single Quilt which was his usuall lodging His Study gowne was sometimes of a course black hairy rugg and his constant Diet when not visited by strangers was one meale a day through almost the whole course of his life which in his middle age and before he was Bishop was usually a Supper in his declining age and after he was Bishop usually a Dinner and that but a bare and slender one to himself though bountifull and plentifull to all others his Commensals He very seldome or never drunk strong drink and wine most rarely and that in a very small quantity as perhaps might warme his mouth but scarcely his stomach for his health being constantly good and his bodily r Saâ—â— that â—hâ—n â—e was Bishop of Chester â—e was â—iâ—câ—ed with the â—â—iâ— of thâ— Stone vâ—yding one and but 〈◊〉 â—â—â— at that time his sister Mistris Joan Rose prepaâ—â—â— him a distilled drink which gave him present ease 〈◊〉 by â—ods blessing did remedy that Maâ—aâ—y so the â—ster â—e was scarce ever troubled therewith infirmities few or little indeed his abstemiousness was very great and I beleive this later was a great preserver of the former I might further tell you That he never Purchased one foot of Land what 〈◊〉 he sold nor other temporall Possession in all his long life notwithstanding his plentifull incomes but as his Revenues increased so were they expended as I have formerly noted in Hospitable charitable and other Christian uses which thing may partly appear by his being so bare and unprovided at the beginning of the late turbulent and trayterous times so that when he was committed under the black Rodd for protesting against those uncivill tumults
dayly Almes to the poor at the Castle-gate so many Gowns of blew Cloth to certain poor men as he had been Bishop of Durham with their diet in the Hall foure dayes in the week For example of his liberall mind and the contempt of worldly wealth besides that single instance above reheâ—rsed when he was leaving the Deanary of Winton he forgave unto one Mis. Place of Hurworth near the River of Teise whose husband unhappily made a way himself as they spake his whole Estate being forfeited to the Bishop as Count Palatine which was valued at 2000li. and took onely of her for aâ— acknowledgement of the right of the County Palatinâ— that which he bestowed among his domesticall Servants the summe of 50li. Likewise in his first Visitation of the Bishoprick being at Barwick upon Tweede he â—orgave unto one Mr. Edward Moore of Tweedmouth near Barwick 300li. in which summe he was fiâ—ed for a Ryott at the Assizes before at Durham which the Bishop was the rather moved to doe upon his humble supplication then made More examples of his bounty and beneficencies might be produced which I forbeare to recite intending onely a briefe recitall of some such speciall things as fell under my knowledge and observation whereof now an end But now shall begin a piece Limned by a curiouâ— Pencil R. B. â—aâ—ca quae â—d rem pertineâ—t memoâ—â—vi â—â—liâ—â—â—â—jâ—â— fâ—â—â—â—arrabit fine â—â—bâ—o mâ—â—orâ— were Ruffin de St. Athanasio A further Narrative of such things as befell the said Bishop before and towards his Death in these late wofull and Traiterous Combustions in Church and Common-weale IF for no other cause or reason at all yet that Posterity may not altogether be ignorant what kind of Superintendents of cheife choice and Coöperators our Lord Jesus had in his English Vineyard even then when His Divine Majesty was pleased for the stupendious ingratitude of a non-proficient and besorted people to permit the Wild bore out of the Forrest to root it up and the wilde beasts of the field to desolate devoure and lay it wast when the same God was pleased in his just though secret judgement Isa 34. 11. To stretch out the line of confusion and the stones of emptiness as the holy Prophet phraseth it even for this very cause if for no other the life of this eminently gifted this Orthodox learned and exemplary-lived and laborious Prelate Dr. Thomas Morton shall appear unto the world in this plain and naked Narrative following Of the which I may plainly averr what holy Nazianzen did in his Funerall Oration for his Sister Gorgonia viz. a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Adeò nihil â—ereoâ— â—è ultrà veritst â—â—â—eâ—â—â— transillam sed illud contrà â—è infâ—à veritatem subsiâ—â—am ac â—roud à rei dignitaâ—e remotus laudatione â—eâ â—â—oriam ipsius diminuam I am so far from fearing to hyperbolize or transgress thâ— bounds of modesty the common fault of Funerall Orations that I am sure I 〈◊〉 fall much short in many particulars of the line of verity For in drawing the Picturâ— of this most excellent Prelate by so rude a Pencill know and acknowledge that there will be indeeâ— so much of the shadow aâ— will darken and obscuâ—â— that native beauty and heavenly ornaments which all they that knew him throughly and fully can not but attest was lodged his Person Here therefore shall beâ—â—n a more particular and 〈◊〉 Narration of both â—e Personall and Episcoâ—ll qualities of this Reveâ—nd Prelate especially of 〈◊〉 holy and heavenly deâ—â—rtment in these wofull â—nd destructive times And â—â—st in the Acquisition of 〈◊〉 preferments his modeâ—â—y was no whit less then â—is deserts from all tinâ—â—re of prowling ambition â—walking exactly in the â—â—eps of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theologâ—â— Gregory Nazianzen whose record of himself as to that particular you may please to take in his own words b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Viâ—â—te quà â—â—eâ—è quamâ—â—e jusâ—è inter â—â—râ—mque â—imorem negoâ—ium transigam ut nec miâ—imè obâ—aâ—am praefecturam appetam nec obâ—aâ—am â—â—pudiem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Consider how rightly and evenly I carried my self between those two Rocks equally to be feared neither ambitiously to progg and seek for Church Dignities not free proferred nor when freely proferred suddainly and Cynically to refuse and contemne them For as he further saith Illud est hominum temerariorum hoc in obedientium utrumque imperitorum 1. The one argueâ— a bold Man The other a Disobedient both indiscreet And therefore betwixt these two extreams did this holy Father Bishop Morton walk according to the fore-named Patterne of Gregory Nazianzen in a middle way betwixt the too bold and too timorous c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. His 〈◊〉 ad omnes â—â—aefâ—ctâ—â—â— proâ—â—â—un◠〈◊〉 iis â—urâ—us qui omnes fugiunt â—udaâ—â—â—r Neither as he saith so impotently ambitious as to be in at all preferments nor so weakly Cynicall as to decline those which were fairely and freely conferred on him and wherein he conceived he might do God and his Church good service Which how our Bishop hath performed as I hope his works of Piety Charity and Erudition which he shall leave behind him and take with him for the works of the righteous Apoe 14. 13. follow them into Heaven will quit me of the labour of particular enumeration at least for the present And as his Modesty was singular in not courting or reaching at those preferments which Divine Providence cast upon him so was his Piety and Humility no less in not onely not doting upon but indeed scarcely owning of that outward splendor and those rich accoutrements which were the Appendices of those great Places Not Antisthenes nor Crates nor Diogenes himselfe nay what should I say nor their holy St. Francis as they depaint him was a greater undervaluer and contemner of the world and worldly riches then was this good Bishop yea and without their vanity or ostentation Resembling in that likewise as in many other Episcopall qualities the fore-named famous Bishop Nazianzen who being advanced to a great and rich Bishoprick as that likewise of Durham hath been and is accounted he scarcely enriched himself with pence or pounds when he might easily have hoarded up hundreds and thousands had he been so minded Yea and what I find further recorded of that gracious Bishop Nazianzen I am sure is most true in this heavenly Bishop of Durham d Qui amplissimae Ecclesiae praeful institutus nè â—nicâ— quidem drachmâ— facultates suas auxit cùm tamen maximaÌ„ talentorum copiam si ità voluntas ejus â—ulisset colligere potuisser He was so abstracted from the world and so wholly wedded to his book LUt aegre reddituum Administrationis rationem ab Oeconomis repetivit that he would scarcely allow himself so much time from his affaires Ecclesiasticall as to take an account of his affaires Oeconomicall How it fared with
Bishop Nazianzen in that particular I find it not recorded but this I know Bishop Morton's good hap was to have an an able and faithfull Steward for the managing and husbanding of his temporall Estate And had this our egregiously 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord and Money scorning Prelate been himself as sparing a Promus as his Steward was a carefull Condus he might have reserved a sufficient portion wherewith to have lived plentifully yea even in these dog-dayes for Orthodox Churchmen though not in that bountifull and hospitable way in which he formerly lived especially when Bishop of Durham yet in a more free and plentifull way then that wherewithall during the time of his sequestration he was both cheerfully and thankfully contented But our heavenly-minded Prelate whom I cannot remember without veneration chose rather to embrace that blessed counsell of his great Lord and Master Christ Jesus and stored up those riches which his Steward gathered for him in such treasures as he knew full well would be above the reach of Plunderers or Sequestrators viz. the backs and bellies of the poor those heavenly repositories where neither the rust of this Iron age could possibly corrupt them nor the Moaths and Caterpillars of this peel'd Common-wealth devour and destroy them Of which his bounty and liberallity the Inhabitants of those Bishopricks wherein he lived and especially the poor on whom he did fow those seeds of eleemosyness whereof he shall â—cape the happy harvest they may be the fittest and most proper Trumpeters shall only add this Elogiâ—m as to this point of his â—ommendations which I and reported of that memorable Bishop of Orleans Gabriel Albaspineus and I â—m sure may be as truely â—erified of and ascribed to â—his our Bishop of Durham That he onely Stewarded that great and rich Bishoprick for â—he good of others For that which a Jesuite sometimes â—aid of the great Cardinall Richelieu I am sure adulatoriously and I think also falsly for he left his Nephew one of the greatest Dukes and Peers of France Quod in tantis fortunae copiis nihil duxit suum nisi quod dederit may I am sure be applied without flattery or falsitie to this our good Bishop who never esteemed any thing properly his own but what he either gave in private to poor indigent persons or els in Publique to pious Uses Such likewise was his Gandor and ingenuity that he never willingly injuried any man but benefitted many undeservedly yea some I may say almost against their wills many I may say besides their deserts For indeed he was a man much what of that holy and heavenly temper as was that quondam renowned Atlas of our English Church Arch Bishop Whitgift the want of whose prudence patience and moderation these ruthfull times do too sadly â—eâ—â—â—he of whom it is writ by Sir George Paul in his life that the way to obtaine from him some speciall courtesie was first to do him some speciall injury e For this Arch Bishops Moâ—to was Vincit qui patituâ— â—â—e Hâ— who suffers over coms And even so it was with this good Bishop it being the glory of these great Lights these leading Saints to take out the hardest Lessons of Christianity thereby to imitate their Lord and Master Who sendeth Raine and makes his Sun to shine both upon the just and unjust Once I am well assured the very contrary may be affirmed of this good Bishop what is said by some perâ—aps too Satyrically of our Countrey-man 〈◊〉 then Professor at 〈◊〉 Quod in tà m longa 〈◊〉 nec vera scribere nec ben◠〈◊〉 nec castè sentire de aliis 〈◊〉 That during his long 〈◊〉 he neither learnt to write 〈◊〉 or speak honestly or to â—hink sincerely of any others â—leaning I suppose of â—rotestants of our Religion â—ut this pious and candid â—relate of whom we now â—reak was not a greater â—â—ver and defender of the â—â—ith then an hater of such as used to speak or think evill of any yea though their very enemies Neither did he want any of Cato's gravity which yet he so tempered with Caesars affability as thereby he preserved both his Person and Place as Nazianzen reports that glorious Martyr St. Cyprian to have done free from two extreams Pride and Contempt so as neither was he envied by the Great ones nor undervalued by the Vulgar But amongst all his Episcopall qualities of which more hereafter I for my own part admired none more then his admirable Constancy his undistracted and undisturbed spirit even in these dayes of destruction and perturbation He mourned indeed much both in private and publique for the hideous and high crying sins of the Nation not exempting himself such was his humility no not from the number of the chiefest sinners but he much I say bewailed the bold Crimson sins which forced Gods patience and hailed such heavy and unheard of Judgements upon both Church and State For as Erasmus said of Luther Deus dedit postremae huic aetati propter morborum magnitudinem tà m acrent medicum i. e. God gave such a tart and smart Physitian as was suitable to the many and â—esperate diseases of that evill and last age And as Charles the fifth upon the very same occasion used to say of the Monks and Fryaâ—s Si frugi fuissent prout decuit Sacrificuli nullo indigâ—â—ssent Luthero i. e. If the Monks and Fryers had been such as they ought to have been they had needed no reforming Martin Luther And so may we surely say as this undejected because heaven-supported Prelate alwayes said and thought had the practice of thousands and ten thousands among us both Clergy and Laity been in any measure answerable unto the professions of the truely so called Protestant Religion we had needed neither Presbyterian nor Independent Reformation But as our now transcendently C. R. glorious King Divinely observed in that his Seraphicall Piece which is both the shame and glory of our Nation Our sins being ripe f Magis siccae ad ignem quà m albae ad messin nay rotten upon the ground unto the Harvest there was no preventing of either the Fire or Sickle of Gods Justice from reaping that glory in our Calamities which we robbed him of in our prosperity Nevertheless our holy Prelare adoring and approving the unsearchable wayes and judgements of God stood fast and unmovable when the foundations were moved yea and removed In pavidum ferière Ipsum ruinae And for the better undergoing and over-passing of these many and great destructive alterations which hapned in these times he made that most excellent and incomparable Bishop Saint Augustine his patterne and exemplar who in his book that full Learned book De Civitate Dei thus writeth of himself in the depopulation of the Affricane Churches and Cities by the Gothes and Vandels he much more bewailed their Spirituall sufferings then their Temporall Indeed the razing of their Cities the ruining of their Temples the ravishing of their Wives the