foris collocatur sic contra pacem Christi ordinationem atque unitatem Dei rebellatur The First fruits of Hereticks and the first Births and Endeavours of Schismaticks are these to admire themselves and in their swelling Pride to contemn any that are set over them Thus do men fall from the Church of God thus is a foreign unhallowed Altar erected and thus is Christ's Peace and God's Ordination and Unity rebelled against For mine own part I neither have done nor do any thing in these Matters which I do not think my self in conscience and duty bound to do and which her Majesty hath not with earnest Charge committed unto me and which I am not well able to justify to be most requisite for this Church and State whereof next to her Majesty though most unworthy or at the least most unhappy the chief care is committed unto me which I will not by the grace of God neglect whatsoever come upon me therefore Neither may I endure their notorious Contempts unless I will become Aesop ' s Block and undo all that which hither to hath been done And how then shall I be able to perform my Duty according to her Majesty's Expectation It is certain that if way be given unto them upon their unjust Surmises and Clamours it will be the cause of that Confusion which hereafter the State will be sorry for I neither care for the Honour of this Place I hold which is Onus unto me nor the largeness of the Revenue neither any worldly thing I thank God in respect of doing my Duty neither do I fear the displeasure of Man nor the evil Tongue of the uncharitable who call me Tyrant Pope Knave and lay to my charge things that I never did nor thought Scio enim hoc esse opus Diaboli ut Servos Dei mendaciis laceret opinionibus falsis gloriosum nomen infamet ut qui conscientiae suae luce clarescunt alienis rumoribus sordidentur For I know that this is the work of that Accuser the Devil that he may tear in pieces the Servants of God with Lies that he may dishonour their glorious Name with false Surmises that they who through the clearness of their own Conscience are shining bright might have the filth of other mens Slanders cast upon them So was Cyprian himself used and other Godly Bishops to whom I am not comparable But that which most of all grieveth me and is to be wondred at and lamented is that some of those which give countenance to these Men and cry out for a learned Ministry should watch their opportunity and be Instruments and means to place most unlearned Men in the chiefest Places and Livings of the Ministry thereby to make the state of the Bishops and Clergy contemptible and I fear saleable This Hypocrisy and dissembling with God and Man in pretending one thing and doing another goeth to my heart and maketh me to think that God's Judgments are not far off The day will come when all mens hearts shall be opened In the mean time I will depend upon him who never faileth those that put their trust in him Thus far his Letters 57. After this he linked himself in a After which he is in strict league with Sir Christopher Hatton by means of Dr. Bancroft firm league of friendship with Sir Christopher Hatton then Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen's Majesty and by the means of Dr. Bancroft his then Houshold Chaplain and afterwards Lord Archbishop of Canterbury had him most firm and ready upon all occasions to impart unto the Queen as well the Crosses offered him at the Council-Table as also sundry impediments whereby he was hindred from the performance of many good Services towards her Majesty and the State He had always the Lord Burley then Lord Treasurer Burley his firm Friend Lord Treasurer of England his firm and constant Friend and one that would omit no opportunity for his advancement who prevailed so far that when the Earl of Leicester one of those honourable Personages afore-mention'd was in the Low-Countries the Archbishop The Archbishop sworn of the Privy Council and the Lord Cobham were first sworn Counsellors of State and Thomas Lord Buckhurst was sworn the day after whereat the Earl was not a little displeased The Lord Buckhurst was joined Lord Buckhurst his faithful Friend in like affection to the Archbishop as the other two were and continued after he came to be Lord Treasurer his faithful and loving Friend to the time of his death 58. When the Archbishop was thus established in friendship with these Noble Personages as aforesaid their Favours and his Place wrought him free He has free access to the Queen access to the Queen and gracious acceptance of his Motions in the Church's behalf His Courses then at the Council-board His Oppositions abated were not so much crossed nor impeached as heretofore but by reason of his daily attendance and access he then oftentimes gave impediment to the Sir Thomas Bromeley Lord Chancellor died April 12. 1587. Earl's Designments in Clergy Causes 59. About this time Sir Thomas Bromely the then Lord Chancellor died whereupon it pleased her Majesty The Queen disposed to make the Archbishop Lord Chancellor to discover her gracious Inclination to have made the Archbishop Lord Chancellor of England But he excusing himself in many respects that he was He excuses himself and recommends Sir Christopher Hatton grown into years and had the burthen of all Ecclesiastical Businesses laid upon his back which was as much as one man could well undergo considering the troubles with so many Sectaries that were then sprung up desired to be spared and besought her Highness to make choice of Sir Christopher Hatton who Sir Christopher Hatton made Lord Chancellor Ap. 29. 1587. shortly after was made Lord Chancellor in the Archbishop's House at Croydon thereby the rather to grace the Archbishop His advancement did much strengthen the Archbishop and his Friends and withal the Earl of Leicester and his Designments came soon after to an end For the Year following taking his Journey to Kenelworth he died in the way at Cornbury Park whereby the Archbishop took himself The Earl of Leicester died Sept. 4. 1588. freed from much opposition 60. Upon the death of the said Earl the Chancellorship of Oxford being Oxford desire the Archbishop for their Chancellor in the Earl's room void divers of the Heads and others of the University made known unto the Archbishop their desire to chuse him their Chancellor although he was a Cambridge man To whom he returned this Answer That he was already their Friend whereof they might rest assured and therefore advised them to make choice of some other in near place about the Queen that might assist him on their behalf And both at the Council-board and other Places of Justice right them many ways both for the benefit of the University and their particular Colleges And
it is pacified by the Archbishop so offended his Friends having laboured exceedingly therein on his behalf that being then Lord General of her Majesty's Forces in France he made open profession of his dislike of the Archbishop But upon his return into England finding how firm her Majesty stood for him and that his stirring in the matter must needs call in question her Majesty's Judgment did therefore in a temperate manner expostulate the matter with the Archbishop from whom he received such an Answer as he knew not well whom to be angry withal unless with the Queen her self who thought him too young a man being yet no Counsellor for so grave a Title and fearing happily lest if she should have committed the guiding of that University unto his young Years and unexperienced Judgment some hot and unruly Spirits there like Phaeton's untamed Horses might have carried him in such an headlong course of government as that the sparks of Contention which were then scarce kindled in that University might have broken forth into open flames to the utter destruction and devastation of the whole State Ecclesiastical And besides this she held the Lord Buckhurst being an ancient Counsellor and her Kinsman more fit for the Place a great deal And so much it seemed the Queen had told The Queen justifies the Archbishop to Essex the Earl in justification of the Archbishop before his questioning of the matter with him for in effect he acknowledged so much and thereupon they parted in no unkind terms but with due respect of each other in very friendly manner The Queen not long after She makes them firm Friends was the mean of their entring into further Friendship having oftentimes recommended unto the Archbishop the Earl's many excellent Parts and Vertues which she thought then rare in so young Years And the Earl likewise confessed to the Archbishop that her Majesty's often speech of her extraordinary opinion of him and his worth was the cause of his seeking after the Archbishop and therefore did offer to run a course for Clergy Causes according to his directions and advice and to cast off the Novelists as indeed he did immediately after Sir Francis Walsingham's Sir Francis Walsingham died Apr. 6. 1590. The Archbishop's firmness to Essex in his Troubles death which was a special cause of the Archbishop's constancy and firmness to the Earl in his disgrace and trouble afterwards 83. But now to return to our former course The Lord Chancellor's death much troubled and perpexed the Archbishop The Archbishop fears on the Lord Chancellor's death fearing that new Troubles would befal him and the Church Howbeit things were then so well and firmly setled that he had no great ado afterwards saving with their dispersing New Pamphlets dispersed by the Puritans of Pamphlets and that some few Persons though thanks be to God not powerful both in Court and Country Attempts in Parliament on their behalf did attempt as much as in them lay by motions in Parliament and Bills there preferred to bring in I know not nor they themselves what kind of new Government in the Church but were prevented by the Wisdom of her Majesty who always suppressed those Bills and Motions and still comforted the Archbishop who was oftentimes The Queen comforts the Archbishop with fresh Assurances of her Countenance and Favour to the Church much grieved with their causeless Complaints and assured him they should not prevail to do any hurt except it were to hurt themselves For she did see in her Princely wisdom how dangerous they were to her and all Imperial Government And when she found them still bent to pursue such Bills and Motions she to deliver the Archbishop from farther trouble and vexation before it was expected and as it were with silence brake up the Parliament 84. AFter the death of Sir Christopher Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper June 4. 1592. Hatton Sir John Puckering was made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England of whom because he lived not long I shall not have occasion to say much But for ought that I ever Upon Hatton ' s death the Queen offered the Archbishop his Place But he declined it because of his Age and Ecclesiastical Business Sir Thomas Egerton made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. 1596. heard he shewed himself a Friend to the Church unto the Archbishop and his Proceedings and acknowledged him to have been amongst his other good Friends a Furtherer of his Advancement 85. Sir Thomas Egerton Master of the Rolls succeeded him May 6. 1596. Her Majesty and the State had long experience of his Integrity and Wisdom as may appear by the great Places which he worthily held being first her Highness's Sollicitor and then Attorney General In which time besides his many great and weighty Services he was very careful and industrious in labouring earnesty to suppress the aforesaid Libellers a lover of Learning and a most constant Favourer of the Clergy and Church Government He is a constant Friend to the Church before and after his Advancement established as also a faithful loving Friend to the Archbishop in all his Affairs insomuch as after his advancement to that Honour and that the Earl of Essex and the Archbishop concurred together being also out of the affection of his most honourable Friend the Lord Burghley Lord Treasurer further strengthned by the friendship The Archbishop cherished and strengthened by union of many Friends and love of Sir Robert Cecyll principal Secretary and now Earl of Salisbury and Lord Treasurer of England he began to be fully revived again and as well fortified by them as ever he was when he was most and best friended And her Majesty finding in him a zealous care and faithful performance of his duty and service towards the Church and her Highness shook off those Clergy Cares and laid the burthen The Queen throws the whole care of the Church upon him of them upon his Shoulders telling him That if any thing went amiss be it upon his Soul and Conscience to answer it for she had rid her hands and looked that he should yield an account on her behalf unto Almighty God 86. And now though the Archbishop He disposeth of Bishopricks and all other Ecclesiastical Promotions was in this singular favour and grace with her Majesty so that he did all in all for the managing of Clergy-Affairs and disposing of Bishopricks and other Ecclesiastical Promotions yet was he never puffed up with Pride His great Humility and Lenity nor did any thing violently by reason of his Place and greatness with her Majesty against any man For he ever observed this Rule that he would not wound where he could not salve And I leave to the report of the Adversaries themselves when he had that sway in Government and favour with her Highness whether his Carriage were not exceeding mild and temperate and whether he did not endeavour
These Stirs set on foot at the time of the Spanish Invasion 1588. Ib. The Archbishop's preparation for Defence of his Prince and Country 64 The whole Clergy of his Province Armed Ib. Cartwright the Head of the Puritan Party Ib. Hacket Coppinger and Arthington resort to him 65 Penry and Udall his Consorts Ib. Cartwright's words in the Articles in the Star-Chamber Ib. The Disciplinarians Decree about Books to be printed Ib. Barrow and Greenwood infected by Cartwright 66 Bishop Ravis's Conference with Barrow and Greenwood 1592. Ib. Bishop Androws and Bishop Parrey with others their Conference with Barrow and Greenwood 67 Barrow's Vain-glorious Answer 68 The danger of Innovation Ib. Cartwright withdraws privately 69 Brown the Author of a New Sect of that Name 70 His Positions little differing from Barrow and Greenwood Ib. The Archbishop suppresseth many Schisms and also Controversies in the Universities Ib. He procures Cartwright's Pardon of the Queen Ib. Cartwright's Letters March 24. 1601. acknowledging the Archbishop's Favour 71 The Archbishop tolerates Cartwright to preach publickly without Conformity Ib. The Queen requires his Subscription 72 Cartwright dies Rich Ib. The Earl of Essex favours the Puritans as far as he durst Ib. Upon timely execution of the Laws the state of the Church at quiet 73 Sir Christopher Hatton died Novemb. 20. 1591. Ib. Lord Buckhurst chosen Chancellor of Oxford on the Queen's Letters Ib. Earl of Essex offended at it is pacified by the Archbishop Ib. The Queen justifies the Archbishop to Essex 74 She makes them firm Friends 75 Sir Francis Walsingham died Apr. 6. 1590. Ib. The Archbishop's firmness to Essex in his Troubles Ib. The Archbishop fears on the Lord Chancellor's death Ib. New Pamphlets dispersed by the Puritans 76 Attempts in Parliament on their behalf Ib. The Queen comforts the Archbishop with fresh Assurances of her Countenance and Favour to the Church Ib. Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper June 4. 1592. Ib. Upon Hatton's death the Queen offered the Archbishop his Place But he declined it because of his Age and Ecclesiastical Business 77 Sir Thomas Egerton made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. 1596. Ib. He is a constant Friend to the Church before and after his Advancement Ib. The Archbishop cherished and strengthened by union of many Friends 78 The Queen throws the whole care of the Church upon him Ib. He disposeth of Bishopricks and all other Ecclesiastical Promotions Ib. His great Humility and Lenity Ib. The Earl of Salisbury's Observation on him 80 Many favoured and eased by the Archbishop's intercession Ib. The wisdom of the Queen in her moderate Government 81 The Archbishop follows her Example Ib. The Arcbishop a great lover and encourager of Learned and Virtuous Clergy 83 Was bountiful to Foreigners of Learning and Quality Ib. Theod. Beza his Letters to the Archbishop March 8. 1591. Ib. Approving the Policy of the English Church Ib. Beza his high commendation of the Church of England 84 His great respect to the Archbishop Ib. The Archbishop's kindness and charity to Foreign Divines of the Reformation 85 His backwardness to censure other mens Gifts and Performances 86 The Archbishop a constant Preacher when publick Affairs would admit 87 Had an excellent Tallent in Preaching Ib. Learned eloquent and judicious Ib. His Gesture grave and decent without affectation Ib. Of great Integrity and unspotted Life 88 He wrote the Notes of his Sermons Ib. Disapproved trusting only to Memory Ib. When at Worcester he treated the Recusants mildly and won many of them over 89 When he came to be Archbishop he dealt with the Learnedst of them by Authority Ecclesiastical Ib. He kept a straight hand over the Seminary Priests and subtle Papists 90 He is unjustly traduced by the Sectaries 91 He hated Ingratitude Ib. Is firm in his Friendships Ib. Censured for his affection to the Earl of Essex 92 The Queen displeased at his intercession for the Earl which much grieved him Ib. Earl of Essex apprehended Feb. 8. 1600. Ib. The Archbishop arms his Servants for the Queen's defence 93 Well taken at Court Ib. Earl of Essex brought to Lambeth-house then sent to the Tower Ib. The Archbishop in the Qucen's good opinion and favour to her dying-day 94 Queen Elizabeth died March 24. 1602. Ib. The Archbishop Dr. Bancroft Dr. Watson Dr. Parry attend the Queen in her Sickness Ib. The Faction take heart on the Queen's death 95 King James proclaimed King of England March 24. 1602. 96 The People are pleased at the Archbishop's presence in proclaiming the King Ib. Archbishop a lover and incourager of Liberal Arts Ib. His Liberality great 97 He kept many poor Scholars in his House Ib. And maintained divers in the Universities Ib. Is an incourager of Military Exercises Ib. His House a little Academy 98 His Chaplains promoted Ib. The Archbishop's care and wisdom in determining Causes 99 His Resolution in Judgment 100 An Instance 101 He upholds the Dignity of the High Commission-Court Ib. His dispatch of Causes to great satisfaction 102 His great Hospitality 103 His State Ib. His entertainment of the Queen Ib. He was always honourably received by the Gentlemen of the Country 104 His first journey into Kent July 1589. with pomp and solemnity 105 A Romish Intelligencer accidentally lands he admires the Appearance and owns a mistaken prejudice concerning the meanness of our Church Ib. The Intelligencer had private speech with Secretary Walsingham 106 The Archbishop's good nature 108 His good Works in Lincoln Worcester Wales Kent Surry 110 Boys Sisi the French Embassador his opinion and speech of Archbishop Whitgift 111 His love to Croydon for retirement 112 Chearful and affable in his Family Ib. Liberal to his Servants Ib. Bountiful to the industrious Poor and to the Disabled and Necessitous 113 After the manner of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln his usage of his Kinsman Ib. Dr. Nevill Dean of Canterbury sent by the Archbishop and Clergy into Scotland to King James 115 The King's Answer that he would uphold the Church comforts the Archbishop Ib. Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Apr. 28. 1603. very sumptuously performed Ib. The Archbishop the chief Mourner 116 King James gives him personal assurance of preserving the setled State of the Church Ib. King Jame's Coronation July 25. 1603. by the hands of the Archbishop Ib. Queen Ann also crown'd at the same time Ib. The Conference at Hampton-Court Jan. 14. 1603. betwixt the Bishops and the Puritans in the King's presence 117 The King satisfied with the Bishops Reasonings Ib. And orders the reprinting the Liturgy Ib. A Parliament comes on 118 The Bishops have a meeting at Fulham Ib. The Archbishop 73 years old is seized with a Cold on the Water Ib. Goes to Court has speech with the King about Affairs of the Church 119 Is taken with a dead Palsey Ib. Conveyed to Lambeth Ib. The King visits him Ib. He earnestly recommends the Church to his Royal Care 120 He departs this Life Feb. ult 1603. 121 He was Bishop
The most Reverend Dr. IOHN WHITGIFT Ld. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury R. White scâ—lp THE LIFE OF JOHN WHITGIFT Archbishop of Canterbury In the Times of Q. Elizabeth and K. James I. Written by Sir George Paule Comptroller of his Grace's Houshold To which is added a TREATISE Intituled Conspiracy for Pretended Reformation Written in the Year 1591. By Richard Cosin LL. D. Dean of the Arches and Official Principal to Archbishop Whitgift LONDON Printed for Ri. Chiswell and to be Sold at the Rose and Crown and at the Rose in St. Paul's Church-yard MDCXCIX TO THE Most Reverend Father in God GEORGE Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England and Metropolitan One of the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council Most Reverend and my ever Honoured Lord I See it incident to Personages of high Place and Deserving to win by their Living Favours many obsequious Followers who after their decease prove but cold Remembrancers of their Bounty or other Virtues Which slackness in others forced that boldness in me rather to chuse the hazzard of disreputation to my Pen which was never cunning than to my Heart which shall never be ungrateful And therefore I have presumed to set down the Godly and Religious Courses of the most Reverend Archbishop WHITGIFT your Grace's late Predecessor to shew mine own obligation to his Memory and to make known his worthy Parts to future Ages And because your Grace's beginnings shew how careful an Embracer you are of his chiefest Virtues as well in your industrious Studies as in your private and publick Government I held it my Duty to present both this and my best Services to your Grace That here you may see if nothing else those Virtues in another that are so aimed at by your Self Which make many true affected Hearts pray that by your godly vigilant and prudent Guidance his Church may long and happily flourish among us To your Grace's most bounden Geo. Paule TO THE READER IT was far from my Thoughts that these first Draughts of mine which I only intended as Minutes and Directions for a more skilful Pen-man should ever have shewed themselves to the World had not the backwardness of some and the importunity of others driven me to the Orator's Resolution who saith I had rather any Man should do it than my self yet my self rather than none at all The Argument may peradventure sooner find some Maligners than just Reprovers Wherein yet as far as the importance and necessity of the Cause will suffer I have so warily tempered the sharpness of my Pen that I hope none of moderate Humour himself will justly charge me of being immoderate herein But yet if any where I shall seem otherwise the discreet Reader will see it is out of the Instructions Records and Authors whom I follow and not out of mine own Disposition who desired as well herein as in other of my Courses rather to imitate my Master in his mild and moderate Carriage than willingly to be offensive or displeasing to any Neither is it my purpose to have the Ashes of the Dead raked up again But as no Man can rightly commend a Commander or skilful Pilot without relating their past Exploits and dangerous Storms So neither could I without wronging my Reader and the principal Subject commend him for so Worthy and Prudent a Governor unless I had withal given a taste of his Adventures and the stormy Time wherein he lived And therefore I pray thee Courteous Reader both charitabby and modestly to Censure my Travel and Pains herein THE LIFE OF THE Most Reverend Prelate JOHN WHITGIFT Archbishop of Canterbury 1. A Wise and Excellent Tacit. Annal. lib. 4. Historian saith It hath always been a Matter of free liberty and least subject to Detraction to speak of those whom Death hath exempted from hatred or favour A Speech that moved me to write whilest many other better able look on the Life of the most Reverend and Worthy Prelate John Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury to the end that Posterity might take true notice of the worth of such as have well guided the Stern of this Church and settled the Peace thereof and render unto him as unto other Men the due Honour and Commendation which he hath deserved 2. He came of the Ancient Family The Archbishop's Descent of Whitgift of Whitgift in Yorkshire His Grandfather John Whitgift Gentleman had many Children some whereof he made Scholars others he placed abroad in several Courses of Life disposing his Father Henry Whitgift to be a Merchant at Great Grimsby in Lincolnshire Where he married Ann Dynewell a virtuous young Woman of good Parentage in that Town of whom this our Archbishop came and was there Born in the Year of our Lord He was born Anno 1530. at Grimsby in Lincolnshire 1530. being the Eldest of his Fathers Sons who were five in number besides himself viz. William George Philip Richard and Jeffery 3. He had an Uncle called Robert Whitgift Abbot of the Monastry of Wellow in the County of Lincoln near Grimsby who teaching divers young Gentlemen took like pains also with him In which time as he was pleased often to remember he heard his Uncle First instructed by his Uncle Robert Whitgift Abbot of Wellow in Lincolnshire the Abbot say That they and their Religion could not long continue because said he I have read the whole Scripture over and over and could never find therein that our Religion was founded by God And for proof of his Opinion the Abbot would alledge that saying of our Saviour Omnis plantatio quam non plantavit pater meus caelestis eradicabitur Every planting which my Heavenly Matth. 15. 13. Father hath not planted shall be rooted up 4. His Uncle finding an extraordinary towardliness in him sent him afterwards Sent up to London to London where he became a Scholar in St. Anthony's School and boarded at his Aunts House in Paul's Church-yard she being the Wife of Michael Shaller a Verger of that Church There he escaped a great danger lying with another Scholar that had the Narrowly escaped the Plague plague and coming in the Summer-time Hot and Thirsty from School drunk his Urine out of a Pot or Cruse standing at his Beds-head in stead of Drink and was not sick after it though his Bedfellow died 5. From St. Anthony's School he repaired Sent back to Grimsby for refusing to go to Mass to Grimsby to his Parents being thrust out of Doors by his Aunt because he would not as she often required and solicited him by the Canons of Pauls go with her to morrow Mass imputing all her Losses and domestick Misfortunes to her harbouring of such an Heretique within her Doors and for a farewel told him That she thought at the first she had received a Saint into her House but now she perceived he was a Devil 6. His Parents finding that he had Sent to Cambridge first of Queen ' s College
then of Pembroke-Hall much profited in his Learning sent him by the advice and direction of his Uncle the Abbot to Cambridge where he was first of Queen's College but liking not the Education and Disposition of some there went to Pembroke-Hall Dr. Ridley afterwards Bishop of London being there Master who hearing by Mr. Bradford his Tutor of his great towardliness and small means by reason of his Father's Losses at Sea made him Scholar and then Mr. Gurth became his Tutor from thence he was Chosen Fellow of Peter-House May 1555. chosen Fellow of Peterhouse Dr. Pearne being then Master there 7. Whilst he was Fellow of that Had a grievous Sickness House he fell grievously Sick and was by commandment of Dr. Pearne who much tendred him in regard of his good Parts carried to an House near the College whither Dr. Pearne came often to visit him and willed the Woman Dr. Pearne's special Care of him of the House that he should want nothing neither should she spare any cost for his good and the recovery of his Health saying that if he lived he would be able to defray the Charge himself but if he died the said Dr. Pearne would satisfy her and pay for all things 8. When it pleased God to restore him to his former Health he determined Recovering his Health determined to Travel to Travel beyond the Seas purposely to avoid certain Visitors sent in Queen Mary's time to the University to establish Popery and to enjoyn the young Fellows and Scholars to take Primam tonsuram being their first entrance into Popish Orders 9. Dr. Pearne hearing of this his purpose Disswaded by Dr. Pearne talked with him and found him resolute in his Religion yielding as Dr. Pearne often acknowledged afterwards many good and sound Reasons therefore whereupon the Doctor willed him to be silent and not troublesome in uttering his Opinion whereby others might take occasion to call him in question and he for his part would wink at him and so order the matter that he might continue his Religion and not travel out of the University which accordingly the good old Man justly performed For which his Favour the Archbishop carried a loving faithful and true heart towards him unto his dying Day 10. He Commenced Batchelor of Commenced Batchelor of Arts 1553. Master of Arts 1556. Batchelor of Divinity 1562. Doctor of Divinity 1569. Arts in the Year 1553. Master of Arts 1556. Batchelor of Divinity 1562. Doctor of Divinity 1569. at which time he answered the Divinity Act publickly in the Commencement wherein he maintained this Position Papa est Ille Antichristus 11. After he was entered into the Ministry which was upon the Year 1560. being to Preach his first Publick Sermon in St. Mary's he chose His Act-Sermon at St. Mary ' s 1560. on Rom. 1. 16. for his Text that excellent saying of St. Paul I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ c. wherein his singular Method choice of Matter and judicious handling thereof were such that his whole Auditory especially the chief of the University grew into great admiration of those great Parts in so young Years 12. From being Fellow of Peter-house Made Master of Pembroke-Hall Chaplain to the Bishop of Ely Prebendary of Ely Parsâ—n of Teversam he succeeded Dr. Hutton late Archbishop of York in the Mastership of Pembroke-Hall being then Chaplain to Dr. Cox Bishop of Ely by whose means he had a Prebend in Ely and the Parsonage of Teversam near Cambridge 13. He was also chosen Divinity Divinity Reader Reader of the Lady Margaret's Lecture which he discharged with so great liking of the whole University that for his sake they encreased the Stipend from Twenty Marks to Twenty Pounds and afterwards he was made the Queen's Queen's Professor publick Professor of Divinity 14. Whilst he read these two Lectures the publick Schools were frequented with throngs of Students in Divinity Young and Old such was his diligence great learning and extraordinary gifts shewed in the reading thereof insomuch as many of the precise Faction were his daily Auditors and the Lectures themselves so highly accounted of especially those which he read upon the Apocalyps and the Read upon the Apocalyps and the Hebrews Epistle to the Hebrews that through the importunity of divers his honourable Friends then his Pupils and others of great learning and judgment he was persuaded to set down those his Lectures in writing which are like shortly for their excellency and worth to be published for the common benefit 15. His singular and extraordinary 1567. gift in preaching caused him upon the recommendation of Sir Nicholas Bacon the then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and Sir William Cecill principal Secretary afterwards Lord Treasurer of England to be sent for to preach before Her Majesty who took Sent for to preach before the Queen so great liking of him for his method and matter that hearing his Name to be Whitgift she said he had a whitegift indeed And as his Gifts were then esteemed white so his Fortune afterwards proved white and happy his good Name and Reputation white and spotless so that it may be properly said of him that he was gallinae filius albae 16. Her Majesty within four Months Was made Master of Trinity College July 4. 1567. and the Queen's Chaplain after that he was Master of Pembroke-Hall made him Master of Trinity College and caused him immediately after to be sworn her Chaplain 17. IN the College at his first entrance Found Divisions in the College he found much division especially amongst such as laboured innovation in the Church being begun and headed in the government of his Predecessor Master D. Beaumont Yet did he in short time wisely appease these Wisely appeased them Stirs and governed for five years space with great quietness both of the whole Company and himself until Master Thomas Cartwright a Fellow of that College his last return from beyond the Seas 18. The first discontentment of the Cartwright ' s first discontent said Master Cartwright grew at a Disputation in the University before Queen Elizabeth because Master Preston then of King's College and afterward Master of Trinity Hall for his comely Gesture and pleasing Pronunciation was both liked and rewarded by her Majesty and himself received neither reward nor commendation presuming of his own good Scholarship but wanting indeed that comely grace and behaviour which the other had This his no small grief he uttered unto divers of his inward Friends in Trinity College who were also very much discontented because the honour of the Disputation did not redound unto their College 19. Mr. Cartwright immediately after His Self-conceit her Majesty's neglect of him began to wade into divers Opinions as that of the Discipline and to kick against her Ecclesiastical Government he also then grew highly conceited of himself for Learning and Holiness and
much more glorious than any of theirs because they had the mark of Antichrist in their hands Thus he in Newgate at that time in the presence of many with great insolency did triumph 75. Men therefore not partially affected The danger of Innovation may hereby observe and conceive what danger Innovation bringeth to the People and what hazard to a State when by little and little it encreaseth like the swelling or flowing of the Sea which if it surpass the bounds wherewith it was confined or gain never so small a Breach it spreadeth it self over a whole Country and groweth to that violence and stream that it cannot by any contrary force be kept back but without pity or mercy putteth all things to wreck where it rageth Which as it seemeth Master Cartwright himself did now find when after his first Conference he perceived how impossible it was for him to make up the Breach which he had unfortunately begun for that Barrow like a tempestuous Surge would have forced him by finding his own oversight and Errors back again from his former Positions or drawn him inevitably to his Conclusions 76. And therefore observable it is Cartwright withdraws privately that Master Cartwright having upon his first discontentment as hath been delivered made a desperate assault and breach in Sion's peaceable and blessed City now like a sly Captain did steal away secretly after Summons given from his own Siege fearing upon his entry by the force and press of his own Soldiers to be environed and kept within the Walls as Pyrrhus was to the loss of his life or doubting belike the outrage and violence of his Army whose Fury he could not have appeased when he list but have been enforced as Titus was to see his Soldiers sack spoil and burn the Holy City of Jerusalem though he vehemently laboured and with great earnestness cried out unto them whom yet himself first set on work to save the Sanctuary of the Lord but could not be heard or at least was not able to stop their rage and fury until it was with fire consumed and destroyed 77. Not much differing from the said Positions of Barrow and Greenwood Brown the Author of a New Sect of that Name were the Opinions of Robert Brown sometimes of Bennet Colledge in Cambridge from whom that Sect beareth the Name even to this day But because His Positions little differing from Barrow and Greenwood in this Archbishop's time the said Brown was changed from those Fancies and afterwards obtained a Benefice called Achurch in Northamptonshire where he became a painful Preacher I will not much insist upon him 78. I let pass many like Schisms in The Archbishop suppresseth many Schisms and also Controversies in the Universities other parts of the Realm which this good Archbishop suppressed and the Controversies in both Universities which by his Wisdom were appeased as also the reverend Opinion which divers honourable Personages had of him for his great temper and moderation in handling these Businesses toward some of great Place whose Reputations if he would he might have blemished with her Majesty for favouring the aforesaid Libellers and Libels which He procures Cartwright's Pardon of the Queen had stowage and vent in their Chambers as also in procuring at her Majesty'y hands both pardon and dismission for Master Cartwright and the rest out of their Troubles 79. For which and sundry other his Favours Master Cartwright held himself much obliged unto him as he confessed in his Letters written with his own hand to that effect In which Letters he is also pleased to vouchsafe him the stile of a Right Reverend Father in God Cartwright's Letters March 24. 1601. acknowledging the Archbishop's favour and his Lord the Archbishop's Grace of Canterbury Which Title of Grace he also often yieldeth him throughout his Letters acknowledging his bond of most humble duty so much the straighter because his Grace's favour proceeded from a frank disposition without any desert of his own Yea the Archbishop hath been heard to say That if Master Cartwright had not so far ingaged himself as he did in the beginning he thought verily he would in his latter time have been drawn to Conformity For when he was freed from his Troubles he often repaired to the Archbishop who used him kindly and was contented to tolerate his Preaching in The Archbishop tolerates Cartwright to perach publickly without Conformity Warwick divers years upon his Promise that he would not impugn the Laws Orders and Government in this Church of England but persuade and procure so much as he could both publickly and privately the estimation and peace of the same Which albeit he accordingly performed yet when her Majesty understood by others that Master Cartwright did preach again tho temperately accordingly to his Promise made to the Archbishop she would by no means indure his Preaching any longer without Subscription and The Queen requires his Subscription grew not a little offended with the Archbishop for such connivency at him Not long after Master Cartwright died rich as it was said by the benevolence Cartwright dies Rich. and bounty of his Followers 80. After these Stirs thus suppressed they began to tamper with the Earl of Essex who was grown into a great height of favour with the Queen and by reason that sundry of his Kindred The Earl of Essex favours the Puritans as far as he durst and Allies were inclined that way they so far prevailed with him that he did privily and far as he durst for fear of the Queen's displeasure give way and countenance to them But upon better consideration finding by the heady Courses of some of them the danger that thereby was like to grow to her Majesty and the State and the Resolution had of all hands to cut them off by the Law aforesaid he grew very calm and was careful how to carry himself uprightly betwixt both And yet the Archbishop had still a vigilant Eye over him that he could not though he would do any great hurt 81. For to say the truth by this Upon timely execution of the Laws the state of the Church at quiet due execution of Laws in the beginning and the provident Courses of the Archbishop with the Assistance and painful Endeavours of Doctor Bancroft and Doctor Cosin and the publishing of their learned and unanswerable Books the state of the Clergy was in good quiet especially so long as Sir Christopher Hatton the Lord Chancellor did live 82. Immediately after whose death Sir Christopher Hatton died Nov. 20. 1591. Lord Buckhurst chosen Chancellor of Oxford on the Queen's Letters the Archbishop attending upon her Majesty and advising with her who was fittest to succeed him in the Chancellorship of Oxford found her graciously enclined toward the Lord Buckhurst in whose behalf she presently dispatched her Letters to the University and prevailed Whereat the Earl of Essex was Earl of Essex offended at
Majesty signifying that what punishment should in that respect be allotted to him or unto Hacket they would undergo it and not depart the City till they might further understand what God would do therein Sure it is that being thus shaken They thus slighted grow malicious against him Coppinger writes another Letter in Hacket's name to the Queen threatning dreadful Judgments from God and offers a Sign off by him they grew extremely malicious also against the said worthy Nobleman I find also a Copy of a Letter written in Coppinger's hand but meant to be sent as from Hacket unto her Excellent Majesty wherein amongst other things he desireth he may enjoy that which God hath appointed him and then lewdly and falsly accuseth and revileth two great and worthy Counsellors In the end he saith That if he should tell her the judgments of God that lie at her Gate which the Lord hath shewed him they would be over-fearful for her to endure or to hear of And if she doubted of his sending from the Lord he willeth her to ask a Sign and if he give it not let him die A second course taken by them besides the former Appeachments was a Conspiracy They conspire the death of some Lords of the Council in case Judgment be given against some of their Preachers then Prisoners for Misdemeanors of the death of certain of the Lords of the Council when they should be at the Star-chamber in case they should give any Judgment against certain that were sometime Preachers and are now Prisoners for Misdemeanors perillous to the peaceable state of the Realm as is intended That this devilish Purpose was rise amongst them may appear by a Letter sent by Coppinger in Trinity Term last unto the aforenamed Lancaster In which was contained to this effect That if the Lords should give a hard censure against those Parties the next day if God shewed not such a fearful Judgment against some of those Lords as that some of them should not go alive out of that place then never trust him And albeit some that saw this Letter could not pick any further matter out of it than Coppinger's Conceit that God without some speedy and miraculous Judgment from himself alone would not suffer such men to be punished yet Lancaster to whom it was directed justly suspected some further meaning and that the concealing of it might be both accounted undutiful and further also dangerous unto him and therefore asked counsel of some more skilful than himself whether he might safely suppress it and tear the Letter in pieces Another Device they also had for preparing as is supposed of the minds of the People and to stir them up to be in readiness which was by certain Seditious Letters They scatter Seditious Letters among the People that were purposely scattered five or six Nights afore in many of the Streets of London by some of these Actors or by their Complices and Favourers Likewise there was found in Wigginton's Chamber in the Great numbers of Printed Libels found in Wigginton's Chamber Prison where he remaineth about a thousand printed Pamphlets of two sorts the one of Predestination the other carrying an odd and needless Title to every man that knoweth but the Author For it is entitled on the first side in great Letters thus viz. The Fools bolt And immediately under that Title this Sentence is set down worthy to be duly considered with all his Circumstances now apparent viz. Such as do surmise the complaint of Innocency to be revenge and the report of Truth to be slander shall never want the due reward of their gross Error whilst Innocency and Truth shall endure On the other side of the Sheet the Title is A Fatherly Exhortation to a certain young Courtier The matter thereof is conceived into an halting Rime roving lewdly not only at the Governors Ecclesiastical and at other Ministers but also at sundry having Civil Authority and high Places Amongst the rest the first two Staves and last Stave are most perillous if ye respect the present Action these Persons had in hand their Opinions of this State and the base Condition and State of the chief of them The first are these viz. My Son if thou a Courtier sue to be In flower of youth this Lesson learn of me A Christian true although he be a Clown May teach a King to wear Scepter and Crown And in the last Stave are these viz. For God will sure confound such as devise His Ordinance or Church to tyrannize c. These Papers Wigginton by the means and help of one Brown procured privily to be printed at Whitsontide last and being examined Wigginton confesseth that they were all to be sent to Women and by them to be dispersed touching them by her Majesty's Council and others he confessed That they were all to be sent to Women the weaker Vessels viz. to Mistress L. Mistress B. and to I know not how many Mistresses by them to be dispersed abroad to the intent that every one to whom they might come should conceive of them as the Spirit should move them And Hacket also confessed that a part of certain Writings which Wigginton and Coppinger framed was that a Clown might teach a King to wear a Crown Now that Wigginton held intelligence in Wigginton in the Conspiracy for advancing the Discipline these matters with the Conspirators and that there was mutual and ordinary correspondence betwixt him and them in all Plots for advancing of their Discipline per fas nefas besides that which in this behalf hath been touched afore is made also manifest by the confession of Arthington who saith That about the 15th of July or not long before he heard Hacket singing of certain Songs who then wished that Arthington had also some of them For it was a very special thing and said he M. Wiggington hath a great many of them Also Coppinger had once conference with Wigginton in the presence of Arthington touching his extraordinary Calling At what time it is pretended that Wigginton refused to be made acquainted with the manner of Coppinger's Secrets and that he used these Speeches to Coppinger viz. You are known to be an honest Gentleman and sworn to the Queen and therefore I will not be acquainted with those things which God hath revealed unto you for the good of your Sovereign And his Opinion of such extraordinary Callings set down under his own hand doth elsewhere appear whereby is argued that he was made a common Oracle for such Fantasticks That he knew the matter in generality which by Coppinger was to be wrought upon the Queen to bring her forsooth to repentance howsoever he refused to know the particular manner of such Secrets That he acknowledged it to be good for the Queen and yielded it without scruple to be revealed unto Coppinger from God so that it could not be but that Coppinger hereby was much animated to go forward in his
out of the Church and maintain in their room Officers and Offices of Antichrist Hereupon gathering thus How can God spare this Land any longer wherein both the Magistrates and Messengers of God have dealt so unfaithfully in the Lord's service Adding That the fearful Judgments of God shall be sure to fall on the Reprobate being already prepared and put into the hands of the Mighty Messenger of the Almighty God William Hacket to be poured out upon this great City of London and upon all Places where repentance followeth not this publication Then he goeth about to prove all such Preachers to be Idolaters or consenting to Idolatry which Practise or Consent and suffer others to use Surpless and Cross because he saith they are the marks of Antichrist Preferring herein the Papists afore them as sinning herein only of ignorance seeking also to engreeve their Faults in this behalf for that they are all Hypocritical Idolaters in that nevertheless they profess Reformation Whereunto he addeth he saith a Secret That this their halting and hypocrisy hath so hardned God's heart against their Requests for bringing in the Discipline that for this unfaithful and Note unsingle walking in their Function he hath hitherto denied it Neither shall any one of them or all of them together have that honour given to bring in Reformation For saith he I tell you truly the Almighty God hath put his Cup of Vengeance into his trusty and faithful Servants hand William Hacket to pour it down shortly upon every wilful and obstinate Sinner that doth not repent upon the notice hereof or else the Lord confound me Lastly he giveth a charge to have this Prophecy together with the incredible but most certain History of the holiest Servant of God William Hacket that ever hath been is or shall be born Christ Jesus only excepted with all speed possible printed and published together as in substance true saith he or else the Lord confound me This wise Prophecy is thus subscribed By the most unworthy Servant but yet a faithful Prophet of the Almighty Jesus or else his Wrath confound me Henry Arthington While Arthington was about this his Task Coppinger writes Hacket's History at large to be published with his Prophecy Coppinger as it seemeth was neither idle nor well occupied for he was setting down from Hacket's own mouth a long Ragman's Role of Hacket's Torments Revelations and I know not what called Hacket's History For by Thursday morning Hacket having enlarged the first draught thereof which was at first but scribled out by Coppinger Arthington was to write out again fair the enlarged Copy that being persited it might be annexed unto the aforesaid Prophecy All that Thursday was spent by them in consultation and writing Hacket being also present and assisting them But with what joyfulness amongst them all it is incredible if we may believe their own Reports Yet Arthington was forced for the haste that was made to have all in readiness against the Friday following and for the desire he had to yield unto Hacket all satisfaction and contentment that might be to sit up most of Thursday night writing out again of the said History so enlarged But on Thursday it self being the 15th of July amongst other their Actions Coppinger and Arthington writ a Letter to the aforesaid T. L. which is of this tenor first at the top of it thus viz. If this Letter be not endited by the Holy Ghost Coppinger's and Arthington's Letter ter unto T. Lancaster who hath appeared in a far greater measure to sinful Wretches in the end of the World even to us whose Names are here under-written and to a third Person in Calling above all former Callings whatsoever Christ Jesus excepted the Lord confound us two with vengeance from Heaven and carry us with all violence into the bottomless Pit If we have not taken the name of God in vain it standeth you upon to read this Letter with fear and trembling with joy and gladness with fear that the Lord should wooe you to do him service with joy that he offereth you honour if you accept it We two are Messengers from Heaven who have a good Captain to guide us who have received immediate Callings from God to call the whole World to repentance and amendment of Life otherwise they are to fear that Christ Jesus's second coming in glory will be to them as a Thief in the night If I Edmund Coppinger do not prefer you before any one man in the Land whatsoever for your wise holy loving and religious Course both in the general Calling of a Christian and in your particular Calling the Lord confound me Body and Soul The reason why I chuse you first is because in your House in your presence and under God partly by your means I had my first extraordinary Calling though thereof as of all other things the whole honour and glory be the Lord's And of the same mind is my Brother Arthington In token of our extraordinary love to you we deal as we neither have or will do with any other for we command in the name of the Lord all Creatures upon the Earth and they must obey But with you we will dispense thus far that it shall be your choise to come and take a new Calling for a time wherein we would use you or refuse it So wishing you to commend us and your self to God before you answer us which we expect in word and not in writing c. The Messenger of Mercy to the whole World if they accept me E. Coppinger I avouch whatsoever my Brother hath written to be most true And further I protest that you are a more holy man than any Preacher in London or throughout the whole Land or else the Lord confound me If it please you to come and see me joyful you may hope this is true The Prophet of God's Judgements to the whole World where mercy is rejected Hen. Arthington That the perfit and enlarged History of Hacket be briefly gathered into a Summary and here set down it will not I think be amiss for such as shall be desirous to know what mysteries may be therein contained which drew these two amongst other matters into such a extraordinary admiration and opinion of him First therefore There is declared whom A sum of Hacket's History Hacket served then how he got the execution of the Bailywick of Oundel being void How upon complaint of the Wives there that their Husbands spent their thrift in Alehouses on the Sabbath days he by a Justice of Peace not far off did cause all the Playing Tables that could be come by to be burnt Also the light and enticing behaviour of some Women towards him and his familiarity with them whereby his Wife became jealous of him so that he was forced for her satisfaction to clear himself by his Oath The sundry Baits laid by means of some of his Fellows that envied him for the credit he had with