is a good quickner of Attention hearing their own power enlarged thereby Anno Dom. 1644. and making use of their Erastiens for a Check Anno Regis Carol. 20. to such who pressed conformity to the Scotch Kirke in all particulars 58. Indeed once the Assembly stretched themselves beyond their own line The Assembly shrewdly checkt in medling with what was not committed by the Parliament to their cognizâ—nce and consultation for which they were afterward staked down and tied up with a shorter tedder For though the wise Parliament made use of the Presbyterian zeal and activity for the extirpation of Bishops yet they discreetly resolved to hold a strickt hand over them as not coming by their own power to advise but called to advise with the Parliament Nor were they to cut out their own work but to make up what was cut to their own hands and seeing a Praemunire is a rod as well for a Presbyter as a Praelate if either trespass on the state by their over activity though they felt not this rod it was shewed to them and shak'd over them and they shrewdly and justly shent for their over-medling which made them the wiser and warier for the time to come 59. Indeed the major part of the Assembly endeavoured the setling of the Scotch Government in all particulars that though Tweed parted their Countries The Scotch discipline in vain itrived for nothing might divide their Church Discipline and this was laboured by the Scotch Commissioners with all industry and probable means to obtain the same But it could not be effected nor was it ever setled by Act of Parliament For as in Heraldry the same seeming Lions in colour and posture rampaâ—t and langued alike are not the selfe-same if the one be armed with nails and teeth the other deprived of both so cannot the English be termed the same with the Scotch-Presbytery the former being in a manner absolute in it self the latter depended on the State in the Execution of the power thereof 60. Insomuch that the Parliament kept the Coercive power in their own hands Coercive power kept in the Parliament not trusting them to carry the KEYS AT THEIR GIRDLE so that the power of excommunication was not intrusted with them but ultimately resolved into a Committee of eminent persons of Parliament whereof Thomas Earl of Arundel presumed present because absent with leave beyond the seas is the first person nominated 61. A Treaty was kept at Vxbridge betwixt the Commissioners of the King and Parliament Vxbride fruitless Treaty many well meaning people promising themselves good success thereby whilst others thought this Treatie was born with a dying countenance 1544. Ann Regis Carol Feb. 5. saying there wanted a third to interpose to make their distances up by powerfull perswasion no hope of good in either without condescention in both parties One may smile at their inference who presumed that the Kings Commissioners coming to Vxbridg two parts of three to meet those of the Parliament would proportionably comply in their yieldings A weak Topical conjecture confuted by the formerly going of the Parliaments Commissioners clean through to Oxford and yet little condescention to their propositions 62. Here M r Christopher Love waiting on the Parliament Commissioners in a general relation gave great offence to the Roialists in his Sermon Mr Loves indisâ—retion shewing the impossibility of an agreement such the dangerous errors and malicious practiseâ— of the opposite party many condemned his want of charity more of discretiâ—n in this juncture of time when there should be a cessation from Invectives drives for the time being But mens censures must fall the more lightly upon his memory because since he hath suffered and so satisfied here for his saults in this or any other kinde 63. with the Commissioners on both sides The conference of Diviues certain Clergie-men were sent in their presence to debate the point of Church-government For the King D r Benjamin Henry Henry Steward Shelden Laney Hammond Ferne For the Parliament M r Steven Marshall M r Richard Vines These when the Commissioners were at leasure from civil affairs were called to a conference before them 64. D r Laney proffered to prove the great benefits which had accrewed to Gods Church in all Ages by the Government by Bishops Dr Laney might not be heard but the Scotch-Commissioners would in no wise heare him whereupon the Doctor was contentedly silent Some discourses rather then disputes passed betwixt D r Steward and M r Marshal leaving no great impressions in the memories of those that were present thereat 65. Only M r Vines was much applauded by his own party An argument ad homines if not ad causas for proving the sufficiency of ordination by Presbiters because Ministers made by Presbyterian Government in France and the Low-Countreys were owned and acknowledged by our Bishops for lawfully ordained for all intents and purposes both to Preach and Sacramentize and no reordination required of them Thus the goodness of Bishops in their charity to others was made use of against themselves and the necessity of the Episcopal function 66. To return to the Assembly the Monuments which they have left to posterity of their meeting Books made by the Assembly are chiefly these Articles of Religion drawn up by them and a double Catechism one the lesser the other the greater whereof at first very few were printed for Parliament men meaner folk not attaining so great a Treasure besides their Directory whereof hereafter 67. As for the conclusion of this Assembly it dwinled away by degrees The Assembly rather sinketh then endeth though never legally dissolved Many of them after the taking of Oxford returning to their own cures and others living in London absented themselves as disliking the managing of matters Such as remained having survived their great respect and being too few to maintain the dignity of an Assembly contented themselves with the notion of a Committee chiefly employed to examine their abilities and good affections who were presented to livings Till at last as in Philosphy accidentia non corrumpuntur sed definunt they vanish with the Parliament and now the execution of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury comes next under our pen whose triall being most of civill concernment is so largely done in a book of that subject that by us it may be justly omitted 68. Next followed the execution of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The Arch-Bishop prepares for death Sherif Chambers of London bringing over night the warrant for the same Anno Dom. 21. Anno Regis Carol. 1645. Jan. 10. and acquainting him therewith In preparation to so sad a work he betook himself to his own and desired also the prayers of others and particularly of D r Holdsworth fellow prisoner in that place for a year and half though all that time there had not been the least converse betwixt them On the morrow he was
but exacted them in the notion of a Rent and Tribute due to the Pope his Master 52. This is that Polidore Virgil Be-lawrelleth the Quire of Wells who was Dignitary of the Cathedral of Wells and as I take it Archdeacon of Taunton on the Quire whereof he bestowed Hangings flourished with the Lawrel Tree and as I remember wrote upon them SUNT POLIDORI MUNERA VIRGILII But would he had spared his benefaction to the Church of Wells on condition he had been no Malefactor to the Church of England yea to Religion and Learning in generall if it be true what commonly is reported 53. For he wrote a Latine History of Britain A Malefactour to Posterity for burning MS. from the Original of the Nation untill Anno Dom. 153. the yeare of King Henry the eighth out of many rare Manuscripts which he had collected together Now partly to raise the reputation of his own Writings that he might seem no lazie Transcriber partly to render himself out of the reach of confutation being suspected not over-faithfull in his Relation he is said to have burnt all those rare Authours which he could compasse into his possession Thus Tyrant-like he cut down those stairs whereby he ascended the Throne of his own knowledge If this be true the World may thank Polidore Virgil for his work de Inventione Rerum but have cause to chide not to say curse his Memory for his Act de Perditione Librorum 54. I have met with a paper of Verses Two-edged Verses which like a two-edged Sword cut on both sides plainly at Polidore Virgil but obscurely at a later Plagiary and in my opinion not unworthy to be inserted Leyland's supposed Ghost Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's Ghost Complain of wrong sustained after death As Virgil's Polidore accus'd his host The Tracian King for cruell breach of Faith And Treasures gain'd by stopping of his breath Ah greedy Gardian t' enjoy his goods Didst plunge his Princely Ward into the floods Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's spirit Complain with th' Ghosts of English Notaries Whom Polidorus Virgil robb'd of merit Bereft of Name and sacks of Histories While wetch he ravisht English Libraries Ah! wicked Book-thief whosoever did it Should One burn all to get one single Credit Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's spirit Make heu cry for som Book-treasure stealth Rifling his works and razing Name Merit Whereby are smother'd a Prince-given wealth A Learned Writer's Travel Wits and Health All these he spent to doe his Countrey pleasure O save his name the world may know his treasure I am deceivd for Leylands ghost doth rest From plaints crys with souls of blessed men But Heaven and Humane Laws cannot digest That such rare fruits of a laborious Pen Came to be drown'd in such a thanklesse Den. Thus Heaven and all Humanity doth sue That Leyland dead may have his Titles due Who this second Plagiarie was complained of for plundering Leyland if the Reader cannot conjecture I will not tell such the honour I bear to his admirable performances though herein not to be excused 55. Papal power thus extinguished in England How Papal power in England was cantoned it is worth our enquiry where the same for the future was fixed which we finde not intirely setled in any One but according to justice and equity divided amongst many Sharers therein 56. And first God first had his share Give unto God the things which are Gods What the Pharisees said was true in the Doctrine though false in the Use thereof as applied to our Saviour whom they mistook for a meer man * Mark 7. Who can forgive sins but God alone This paramount power no lesse blasphemously than arrogantly usurped by the Pope claiming an absolute and authoritative pardoning of Sins was humbly and justly restored to the high God of Heaven 57. Restitution was made to the second Person in the Trinity Christ his due of that Universal jurisdiction over the whole Church as belonging to Christ alone 1 Pet. 2. 25. who is the Sheepherd and Bishop of our souls and a badge of Antichrist for the Pope proudly to assume the same 58. To the Holy Ghost was restored that Infallibility The holy Spirit his portion which to him doth properly pertain as being the Spirit of Truth which neither will deceive nor can be deceived John 15. 26. 16. 23. and which hath promised to lead his Church in generall into all Truth but never fixed any inerrability on any particular person or succession of single persons whatsoever 59. And now give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's The King comes to claim His own right The King assumes his share what the Kings of Judah his Predecessours in Soveraignty had by the Word of God and Christian Emperours by the practise of the Primitive times did possesse In order whereunto the Parliament did notifie and declare that Ecclesiastical power to be in the King which the Pope had formerly unjustly invaded Yet so that they reserved to themselves besides other priviledges which we leave to the Learned in the Law the confirming power of all Canons Ecclesiastical so that the person or property of Refusers should not be subjected to temporal penalty without consent of Parliament 60. Of this power thus declar'd in the King part thereof He kept in Himselfe as to call and dissolve Convocations at His pleasure to grant or deny them Commission to debate of Religion to command Archbishops and Bishops to be chosen in vacant Sees to take order for the due Administration of the Word and Sacraments 61. The other part of power Ecclesiastical the King passed over to the Archbishop of Canterbury as His Substitute first to grant Faculties in cases not repugnant to the Law of God necessary for Honour and Security of the King formerly wont to be remedied in the See of Rome Secondly to determine Causes Ecclesiastical in his Court whence lay an Appeal to the Court of Delegates c. 62. The representative Clergie had power by the King's leave to make Canons and Constitutions whilst each Bishop in his respective Diocesse Priest in his Parish were freer than formerly in execution of their Office acquitted from Papal dependance 63. Lastly every English Lay-Man was restored to his Christian Birth right namely to his judgment of practical discretion in perusing the Scriptures in his own Language formerly swallowed up in the Ocean of the Pope's Infallibility Thus on the depluming of the Pope every bird had his own feather in the partage whereof what he had gotten by sacriledge was restored to God what by Usurpation was given back to the King Church and State what by Oppression was remitted to particular Christians SECTION III. Ann. Reg. TO Master HENRY BARNARD Ann. Dom. LATE OF LONDON Merchant THough lately you have removed your habitation into Shropshire My pen is resolved to follow after and finde you out Seeing the
a more pleasant tune from barking for food to the blessing of those who procured it Nor let any censure this a digress from my History for though my estate will not suffer me with * Job 29. 15. Job to be eyes to the blind and feet to the Iame I will endeavour what I can to be a Tongue for the Dumbe SECTION XI To the Noble Lady Elianor Roe relict to the Honorable Sr. Thomas Roe Madam I finde that my name-sake * * Hackluits voyages 3. part pag. 825. Thomas Fuller was Pilot in the ship called the Desire wherein Captain Cavendish surrounded the world Far be it from me to compare these my weak undertakings to his great adventures Yet I may terme this my Book the Desire as wherein I desire to please and profit all justly to displease none Many rocks and storms have I passed by Gods blessing and now am glad of so firme an Anchorage as a Dedication to your Ladiship I believe Madam none of your Sex in our Nation hath travelled farther them your self Yet this Section of our History may afford you a rarity not seen before I know you have viewed the Tombe of St. Polycarpus but here the Herse is presented unto you of one whose death cannot be paralell'd in all particulars 1. LAtely certain Delegates from the Vniversity of Oxford pleaded their Priviledges before the Committee of Parliament Anno Regis Carol. 24. that they were onely Visitable by the King Anno Dom. 1648. and such who should be deputed by him Great alterations by the Visiters in Oxford But their allegations were not of proof against the Paramount power of Parliament the rather because a passage in an Article at the Rendition of Oxford was urged against them wherein they were subjected to such a visitation Whereupon many Masters were ejected their Places new Heads of Houses made and soon after new Houses to those Heads which produced great alteration 2. Come we now to the Church-part of the Treaty in the Isle of Wight Clergiemen meeting in the Isle of Wight as the sole Ecclesiastical matter remaining Anno Dom. 1648. Here appeared of the Divines chosen by the King Anno Regis Eliza. 24. James Vsher Arch-Bishop of Armagh Brian Duppa Bishop of Salisbury Doctor Sanderson Doctor Shelden Doctor Henry Ferne As for Doctor Brounrig Bishop of Exeter when on the way he was remanded by the Parliament because under restraint and it was reported that D. Prideaux Bishop of Worcester wanted the more the pitty wherewith to accommodate himself for the journey M r Steven Marshall M r Joseph Caryll M r Richard Vines and M R Lazarus Seaman were present there by appointment from the Parliament 3. It was not permitted for either side All matters managed in writing personally to speak but partly to prevent the impertinencies of orall debates partly that a more steddy aime might be taken of their mutual Arguments all things were transacted in scriptis His Majesty consulted with his Chaplains when he pleased The Kings Writings were publickly read before all by M r Philip Warwick and M r Vines read the Papers of his Fellow-Divines the substance whereof we come here to present 4. His Majesty began The effect of his majesties first paper the effect of whose first Paper was to prove Octo. 2. that the Apostles in their own persons by Authority a Joh. 20. 21. derived from Christ exercised their power in Ordinations giving Rules and Censures 2. That Timothy and b Tit. 1. 5. Titus by Authority derived from the Apostles did or might actually exercise the same power in the three Branches specified 3. That the Angels of the seven Churches Rev. 2. 3. where so many persoae singulares of such as had a Prelacy as well over Pastors as People From the premises his Majesty inferred that our Bishops succeed to the function of the Persons afore named The rather because the same plainly appeareth out of the History of the Primitive Church the writings of Ignatius and other ancient Authors In conclusion his Majesty desired to be satisfied from them what were the Substantials of Church-government appointed by Christ and his Apostles and in whose hands they are left and whether they binde to a perpetual observation thereof or may upon occasion be altered in whole or in part 5. The next day the Parliament-Divines put in their Answer to the Kings Paper The Parliament-Divines answer thereunto wherein they confessed Octo. 3. that the places of Scripture cited by him proved in those Persons by him named a power respectively to do the three things specified But they utterly denied that the foresaid Persons were Bishops as distinct from Presbyters or exercised the Government in that sense 1. To the Instance of the Apostles they answered that they had an extraordinary calling and so nothing thence can be inferrred to prove modern Bishops 2. That Timothy and Titus were Evangelists and the f 2 Tim. 4. 5. first is expressly so termed nor could they be Bishops who resided not in one Diocess but often removed from place to place 3. That the denomination of the Angels of the Churches being Allegorical no firme Argument can be taken thence nor weight laid thereon Besides those Epistles of S. John though directed to One were intended to the whole body of the Church They denyed that the Apostles were to have any successours in their Office affirming but two standing Officers in the Church Presbyterians Deacons They cited Philippians I. I. I Tim. 3. 8. for the proof thereof where there is no mention of Bishops as distinct from Presbyters but of the two Orders only of Bishops or Presbyters and Deacons 6. As for the succeeding ages to the Apostles seeing Scripture reacheth not unto them they can but beget a humane Faith which is uncertain and fallible Besides such the darkness of those Times in respect of Church-History that little certainty can be thence extracted Yet it appeareth in Clement himself that he useth the same word for Bishop and Presbyter and as for Ignatius his Epistles little credit is to be given unto them 7. Lastly there is a great difference between Primitive Episcopacy and the Present Hierarchie as much enlarged in their Power and Priviledges by many Temporal accessions whereof no shaddow or pretence in Scripture In conclusion they humbly besought his Majesty to look rather to the Original of Bishops in holy Writ then to their succession in Humane History 8. As to the point of Substantials in Church Government appointed by Christ wherein his Majesty desired satisfaction the return was short and generall that such Substantials were in the Scripture not descending to any particulars Whether out of policy foreseeing it would Minister matter of more debate or obedience to the Parliament as aliene from the work they were designed for who were only to oppose Episcopacy as qualified in the Bill presented to his Majesty 9. Three days
daily trample 8. Besides these All these antiquated by Christianity they had other Lesser Gods of a Lower Form and Younger House as Helmsteed Prono Fridegast and Siwe all which at this day to use the a I saiah 2. 20. Prophets Expression are cast to the Moles and the Bats fit Company for them which have Eyes and see not Blind to the blind like all those which put Confidence in them And as the true and reall b Exod. 7. 12. Serpent of Aaron did swallow up and devour the seening Serpents which Iannes and Iambres the Aegyptian Inchanters did make so long since in England the Religion of the true God hath out-lived and out-lasted consuted and confounded all false and â—eigned Deities To conclude this Discourse I have heard of a man who being Drunk rode over a Narrow Bridge the first and last that ever passed that Way as which in likelyhood led him to imminent Death and next morning viewing how he had escaped he fell into a Swound with acting over again the Danger of his Adventure in his bare Apprehension So should England now thanks be to God grown sober and restored to her self seriously recollect her sad Condition when Posting in the Paths of Perdition being intoxicated with the Cup of Idolatrie she would fall into a Trance of Amazement at the consideration of her desperate state before Christianity recovered her to her right Senses the manner whereof we now come to relate 9. When Augustine the Monk as is afore said landed in Thanet The character of King Ethelbert Ethelbert was then King of Kent One who had very much of Good Nature in him of a Wild Olive well civilized and a Stock fit to be grafted upon Yea he was already with c Acts 26. 28. King Agrippa though not in the same sense almost a Christian because his other half d Bede Hist Eccles lib. 1. cap. 25. Queen Berhta daughter to the King of France was a Christian to whom he permitted the free use of her Religion allowing her both Luidhard a Bishop for her Chaplain and an old Church in Canterbury formerly dedicated by the Romans to S t. Martin to exercise her Devotion therein Besides at this time this Ethelbert was in effect Monarch of England whilest his Person had Residence chiefly in Kent his Power had Influence even to Humber all the rest of the Saxon Kings being Homagers unto him which afterward much expedited the passage of the Gospel in England Thus each officious Accident shall dutifully tender his Service to the advance of that Design which God will have effected 10. Then Augustine acquainted this Ethelbert with his Arrivall Augustine's addresses and Ethelbert's answer informing him by his Messengers that he brought the best Tidings unto him which would certainly procure eternall Happinesse in Heaven and endless Reigning in Bliss with the true God to such as should entertain them Soon after Ethelbert repaired into Thanet to whom Augustine made his addresse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a deal of spiritual carnall Pompe e Beda ut prists having a Silver Cross carried before him for a Banner the Image of our Saviour painted in a Table and singing the Letanie in the way as they went King Ethelbert desired all things betwixt them might be transacted in the open Aire refusing to come under a Roof for fear of Fascination And indeed a Stranger who had never seen the like before beholding Augustine with such abundance of Trinkets about him being formerly jealous might hereby have his Suspicion encreased that he went about some strange Machination However Ethelbert returned him a civil Answer That their Promises were fair and good but because new and uncertain he could not presently assent unto them and leave the ancient Customes of the English which had been for so long time observed But because they were Strangers coming from Far Countries to communicate to him and his such things as they conceived were good and true he would not forbid any Converts whom their Preaching could perswade to their Opinion and also would provide them Necessaries for their comfortable Accommodation 11. Hence Augustine 597 with his Followers Ethelbert and others converted to the Christian Faith advanced to Canterbury to the aforesaid old Church of S t. Martin's Here they lived so piously prayed so fervently fasted so frequently preached so constantly wrought Miracles so commonly that many people of Inferiour Rank and at last King Ethelbert himself was baptized and embraced the Christian Religion The same Ethelbert also ordered that none should be a Bede Hist Eccles lib. 1. cap. 26. forced into Religion having understood that Christs Service ought to be voluntary and not compelled And if his Courtiers had been as cautious not to embrace Religion for Fashion as the King was carefull they should not receive it for Fear there had not at that time been made so many Christians for Conveniency probably rather then for Conscience who soon after returned again to Paganisme However as it is rendered a reason in the dayes of Hezekiah why the Iews at so short warning so unanimously kept the Passeover God had prepared the People for the thing was done suddenly so on the same account it came to passe that in so little a time besides temporary Believers so many true and sincere Converts embraced the Christian Faith 12. Then Augustine by his Letters informed Gregory of the Progresse Gregorie's answer to Augustine's letters and Proficiency of his Paines in England Gregory returned him a discreet Answer rejoycing with him and advising of him not to be puffed up by Pride for the great Miracles wrought by him but timendo gaudere gaudendo pertimescere He minded him how when the Disciples triumphed at their b Luke 10. 17 casting out of Devils Christ more spirituallized their Joy rather to rejoyce that their Names were written in Heaven And indeed as some eminent in Piety never attained this Honour c Iohn 10. 41. Iohn Baptist did no miracle so many finally disavowed of God as unknown unto him shall plead for themselves and truly no doubt d Matt. 7. 22. in thy Name have we cast out Devils Yet this Admonition of Gregory is with me and ought to be with all unprejudiced persons an Argument beyond exception that though no discrect man will believe Augustine's Miracles in the latitude of Monkish Relations he is ignorantly and uncharitably peevish and morose who utterly denies some Miracles to have been really effected by him About the sametime S t. Gregory sent from Rome Mellitus Iustus Paulinus and Ruffinianus to be Fellow-labourers with Augustine in the English Harvest 13. Thus was Kent converted to Christianity 600 For such as account this a Conversion of all England Conclusion of this Century to make their words good do make use of a long and strong Synecdoche a Part for the Whole farre more then Half of the Land lying some yeares after
or Unlawfulnesse thereof 35. Thus Eadbald becomes a Christian all black and blew Laurentius repaireth to Eadbald King of Kent and presenteth himself unto him in that sad Condition The King much amazed thereat demands who durst offer such Violence to so Good a man Whereby it plainly appears that though Eadbald himself refused Christianity yet he afforded Civility and Protection to Laurentius and to all in Kent of his Religion He largely relates what had happened unto him and in fine so prevailed on Eadbald that he not onely put away his VVife-Mother-VVhore but also embraced Christianity and at his desire Iustus and Mellitus returned again into England 36. Rochester readily received Iustus their Bishop Iustus received at Rochester and Mellitus rejected at London being a little Place of few Persons and they therefore the easier all to be brought to be of one Mind But large London though then for Greatnesse but the Suburbs to the present City I say London then was even London then as wanton in the Infancy as now wayward in the Old-age thereof where generally the People long radicated in Wickednesse refused to entertain their good Pastour returning unto them But here my good a Mr. Wheelock on the place in Bede Friend in his Notes on this Passage makes an ingenious Reservation that though the major part must be confessed peevish in all populous places London in all Ages afforded eminent Favourers of Learned and Religious men And would I could being the meanest of Ministers as truly entitle my self to the foresaid Qualifications as I heartily concurre with him in my gratefull Confession that I have effectually found plenty of good Patrons in that Honourable Corporation Mellitus thus rejected was glad to lead a private life in London till that after the * 619 Feb. 3. Death of Laurentius he succeeded him in the Church of Canterbury 37. A grave Mellitus his character and good man but much afflicted with the Gout and highly meriting of his See of Canterbury especially if true what Bede * Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 7. reports that when a grievous Fire happened in that City Mellitus accosted the very Fury thereof with faithfull Prayer and his own bare Hands strange that no modern Monk hath since in his Relation put a Crucifix or Holy-Water-sprinkle into them and so presently quenched the Raging of the Flames Say not why could he not as easily have cured his own Gout as quenched this Fire seeing Miracles are done not for mens ordinary Ease but God's solemn Honour Yea the Apostles themselves were not at pleasure Masters of their miraculous Power for their personal use seeing S t. Paul could neither cure the b 1 Tim. 5. 23. often Infirmities of his dear Son Timothy nor remove the acute desperate Disease wherewith he himself in c 2 Cor. 1. 8. Asia was afflicted Five years sate Mellitus in Canterbury after whose * 624 April 24. Death Iustus Bishop of Rochester succeeded him and had his Pall solemnly sent him by Pope Boniface 38. By the way What a Pall is the Pall is a Pontificall Vestment considerable for the Matter Making and Mysteries thereof For the Matter it is made of Lambs Wooll and Superstition I say of Lambs VVooll d Flores Sanctorum Maii 26. pag. 506. as it comes from the Sheeps Back without any other artificiall Colour spun say some by a peculiar Order of Nunnes first cast into the Tombe of S t. Peter taken from his Body say e Latine Camden in Kent pag. 238 others surely most sacred if from both and superstitiously adorned with little black Crosses For the Form thereof the f Flores Sanctorum ut prius Breadth exceeded not three Fingers one of our Bachelours Lamb-skin Hoods in Cambridge would make three of them having two Labells hanging down before and behind which the Arch-Bishops onely when going to the Altar put about their Necks above their other Pontificall Ornaments Three Mysteries were couched therein First Humility which beautifies the Clergy above all their costly Copes Secondly Innocency to imitate Lamb-like Simplicitie And thirdly Industry to follow g Camden ut prius Luke 15. him who fetched his wandring Sheep home on his Shoulders But to speak plainly the Mystery of Mysteries in this Pall was that the arch-Arch-Bishops receiving it shewed therein their Dependence on Rome and a Mote in this manner ceremoniously taken was a sufficient Acknowledgement of their Subjection And as it owned Rome's Power so in after-Ages it encreased their Profit For though now such Palls were freely given to Arch-Bishops whose Places in Britain for the present were rather cumbersome then commodious having little more then their Paines for their Labour Anno. Dom. 624 yet in after-Ages the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie's Pall was a Godwin's Cat. Episc pag. 225. sold for five thousand b A Florene is worth 4 s. 6 d. Florenes so that the Pope might well have the Golden Fleece if he could fell all his Lambs-Wooll at that rate Onely let me adde that the Authour of c A Manuscript in Trin. Hall Library in Cambridge Canterbury-Book stiles this Pall Tanquam grande Christi d Mr. Wheelock on Bede pag. 99. Sacramentum It is well tanquam came in to help it or else we should have had eight Sacraments But leaving these Husks to such Palats as are pleased to feed on them we come to the Kernell of Religion how the same was propagated in other Parts of England And first of the Preparative for the Purge of Paganisme out of the Kingdome of Northumberland 39. Edwine Edwine his preparatory promise to Christianity the King thereof was Monarch of all England with the Isles of Man and Anglesey more puissant then any of His Predecessours And this saith e Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 9. Bede was In auspicium suscipiendae Fidei in good Handsell of the Faith he was hereafter to receive God first made him Great and after Gracious that so by his Power he might be the more effectuall Instrument of his Glory Now he had married Edelburge daughter of Ethelbert King of Kent to whom he not onely permitted free Exercise of Religion to her self and her Servants 625 but also promised himself to embrace it if on Examination it appeared the most Holy and fittest for Divine Service In the Court of this Queen was one Paulinus a pious Bishop who with much Pains and little Profit long laboured in vain to convert the Pagans God hereby both humbling him and shewing that the Hour of his Mercy shall not be ante-dated one Minute by any humane Endeavours However Paulinus seeing he could not be happy to gain would be carefull to save and daily plyed the Word and Sacraments thereby to corroborate his owne People in Piety 40. Now it happened that one Eumere His condition performed and yet he demurres a Swash-buckler a Contemner of his own life 626 and thereby Master of
consecrated by Ithamar alone Bishop of Rochester the first English Bishop consecrating the first English Arch-Bishop Let no Sophister cavill with his thread-bare Maxime Nihil dat quod non habet and therefore a single Bishop could not conferre Archiepiscopal Power but leave it to the Canon-Lawyers to decide what may be done in case of Extremity Mean time how causelesse is the Caption of the Papists c Sanders de Schism pag. 297 at the Consecration of Matthew Parker because no Arch-Bishop though four Bishops was present thereat Seeing though an Arch-Bishop be requisite ad Dignitatem Bishops will suffice ad Honestatem and a single Bishop as d Bede Hist lib. 3. p. 217. Ithamar here may be effectuall ad essentiam of an Archiepiscopal Consecration No wonder therefore if Evagrius was acknowledged a legitimate Bishop by the e Binnius Tom. 1. p. 579. in Notis in Epist 17. Innocentis primi Wolphere's murther of his two Sons Pope himself though contrary to the Rigour of the Canon consecrated by f Theodoret. lib. 5. cap. 23. Paulinus alone Deus-dedit answered his Name A good Arch-Bishop is Gods Gift and for nine yeares and more ruled the Church to his great Commendation 86. A barbarous Murther was committed by Wolphere 662 King of Mercia who understanding that his two Sons Wulfade and Rufine had embraced Christianity cruelly slew them with his own Hands But afterwards repenting of so soul a Fact he himself turned Christian and in Testimony thereof finished the fair Fabrick of the Monastery at Peterborough begun by Peada his Brother The whole Story thereof was till lately set forth in Painting and Poetry such as it was in the Glass-windows round about the Cloisters of Peterborough Wulfade pray'd Chad that ghostly Leach The Faith of Christ him for to teach 87. And now The making of Glasse brought first into England having fallen on the mention of Glasse be it seasonably remembred that just at this time one Benault a forrain Bishop but of what place I find not brought the Mystery of making Glasse into England to the great Beautifying of our Churches and Houses the Eyes being the Grace of the Body as Windows are of Buildings I conceive his Invention was White Glasse alone more ancient then Painted Glasse in this Island as Plain-song is much seniour to all Descanting and running of Division 88. The Paroxisme continued and encreased Scotish Bishops dissent from others in keeping Easter betwixt the Scotish Bishops headed after Aidan's Death by Finan Bishop of Holy-Island and such who celebrated Easter after the Roman Rite The later so bitterly detested the former Anno Dom. 662 that they would not receive Consecration of them or Imposition of Hands as if their very Fingers ends were infected with Schisme for dissenting from Rome Yea they would neither give the Sacrament of the Euacharist to them nor receive it from them and yet they never quarrelled at or questioned the validity of Baptisme conferred by them seeing Bishop Finan christened the King of the East-Saxons and all his Subjects Some what more moderate were the Scots or Quartadecimans in their Cariage to the other seeing S t. Chad Scotized in his Judgement refused not Consecration from Wyni Bishop of Winchester though one of the contrary Opinion 89. Nor was this Controversie consined to Cloisters and Colledges This controversy spreads into private families but derived it self from the Kings Court down into private Families Thus Oswy King of Northumberland was of the Scotish Perswasion whilest his Queen and eldest Son were of the Romish Opinion in Celebration of Easter One Board would not hold them whom one Bed did contain It fell out so sometimes that the Husband 's Palm-Sunday was the Wife's Easter-day and in other Families the Wife fasted and kept Lent still whilest her Husband feasted and observed Easter Say not that Wife deserved to fast alwayes who in so indifferent a Ceremony would not conform to her Husband's Judgement For Consciences in such kinds are to be led not drawn Great was the Disturbance in every great Family onely the Poor gained by the Difference causing a Duplicate of Festivalls two Easters being kept every year in the same House 90. To compose this Controversie if possible a Councill was called at Streanch-Hall now Whitby in Yorkshire by the procurement of S t. Hilda 663 Abbess therein A Councell is called to compose this controversie Here appeared amongst many others For the Romish Easter VVilfride an Abbot a zealous Champion Romanus a Priest very hot in the Quarrel And others Moderatours Hilda the Abbess of Streanch-Hall S. Cedd Bishop of London propending to the Scotish but not throughly perswaded For the Scotish Easter S t. Coleman Bishop of Holy-Island who succeeded Finan in that place But Baronius and Binnius will in no case allow this for a Councill though elsewhere extending that name to meaner Meetings onely they call it a Collation because forsooth it wanted some Council-Formalities all Bishops not being solemnly summoned but onely some Voluntiers appearing therein Besides as there was something too little so something too much for a Canonicall Councill Hilda a Woman being Moderatresse therein which seemed irregular 91. In this Councill Wilfride his prevailing argument or Collation call it which you please after much arguing pro and con VVilfride at last knockt all down with this Argument That the Romish Celebration of Easter was founded on the Practice of S t. Peter Prince of the Apostles and Porter of Heaven King Oswy hearing this was affrighted who had rather anger all the other eleven Apostles then offend S t. Peter one so high in Power and Place for fear as he said left coming to Heaven-gate S t. Peter should deny him a Cast of his Office and refuse to let him into Happinesse S t. Coleman being on the other side was angry that so slight an Argument had made so deep an Impression on the King's Credulity And to manifest his Distaste after the Councill was broken up carried all those of his own Opinion home with him into Scotland One Tuda succeeded him in his Bishoprick of Holy-Island the first of that See that conformed himself in this Controversie to the Romish Church and died in the same year of the Plague 92. As for VVilfride His intended but disappointed preferment he was well rewarded for his Paines in this Councill being presently promoted to be Bishop of York which since Paulinus his Death was no longer an Arch-Bishop's but a plain Bishop's See But though appointed for the place by King Oswy Anno Dom. 663 he refused Consecration from any English Bishops being all irregular as consecrated by the schismaticall Scots onely VVyni late Bishop of VVinchester now of London was ordained canonically but lately he had contracted just Shame for his Simony in buying his Bishoprick Over goes VVilfride therefore to Rome for Consecration and stayes there so long that in his Absence the King put S t.
the Roman Rite To conclude let not the Reader expect the like exemplification of all Articles in following Synods so largely as here we have presented them For this Synod Stapleton b In his translation of Bede fol. 118. calls the first of the English Nation understand him whose Canons are completely extant and therefore more Patrimony is due to the Heir and Eldest Son then to the younger Brethren who shall be content to be confined to their Pensions I mean to have their Articles not exemplified but epitomized hereafter 97. Theodorus He envieth Wilfride Bishop of York Arch-Bishop of Canterbury beheld VVilfride Bishop of York one of great Parts and greater Passions with envious eyes and therefore to abate his Power he endeavoured that the Diocese of York might be divided VVilfride offended hereat goes over to Rome to impede the Project and by the way is tossed with a grievous Tempest It is an ill wind whicch bloweth no man Profit He is cast on the Shoar of Freezland in Belgia where the Inhabitants as yet Pagans were by his Preaching converted to Christianity This may be observed in this Wilfride his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were better then his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his casuall and occasionall were better then his intentionall Performances which shews plainly that Providence acted more vigourously in him then his own Prudence I mean when at Ease in Wealth at home he busied himself in Toyes and Trifles of Ceremonious Controversies but when as now and afterwards a Stranger and little better then an Exile he effectually promoted the Honour and Glory of God 98. And as it is observed of Nightingales The South-Saxons as formerly the Freezlanders converted by Wilfride that they sing the sweetest 679 when farthest from their Nests so this VVilfride was most diligent in God's Service when at the greatest distance from his own Home For though returning into England he returned not unto York but stayed in the Pagan Kingdome of the South-Saxons who also by God's Blessing on his Endeavours were perswaded to embrace the Christian Faith 99. These South-Saxons The first the last of all the seven Kingdomes were the last which submitted themselves to the perfect Freedome of God's Service and yet their Country was in Situation next to Kent where the Gospel was first planted Herein it was verified Many that are first shall be last and the last first Yea the Spirit which bloweth where it listeth observeth no visible Rules of Motion but sometimes taking no notice of those in the middle reacheth to them which are farthest off Indeed Edilwalch their King was a little before Christened by the perswasion of VVolphere King of Mercia who was his Godfather and at his baptizing gave him for a Gift the Isle of VVight provinciam a Bede lib. 4. cap. 13. Meanuarorum in gente Occidentalium Saxonum but his Country still remained in Paganisme And although Dicul a Scot with some six of his Brethren had a small Monastery at Bosenham in Sussex yet they rather enjoying themselves then medling with others were more carefull of their own Safety then their Neighbours Conversion And indeed the Pagans neither heeded their Life nor minded their Doctrine 100. However Pagan obstinacy punished with famine these South-Saxons paid for their Stubbornnesse in standing out so long against the Gospel for they alwayes were a miserable people and at this present afflicted with a great Famine caused by three years Drought so that fourty men in arow holding hand in hand used to throw themselves into the Sea to avoid the misery of a Lingering Death In this wofull Condition did VVilfride Bishop of York find them when he first preached the Gospel unto them and on that very day wherein he baptized them as if God from Heaven had powred water into the Font he obtained store of Rain which procured great Plenty Observe though I am not so ill-natured as to wrangle with all Miracles an Apish Imitation of Elijah who carried the Key of Heaven at his Girdle to lock or unlock it by his Prayer onely Elijah gave Rain after three yeares and six moneths VVilfride after bare three yeares it being good manners to come a little short of his Betters 101. South-Saxons first taught to fish Also saith my b Bede ibidem Authour he taught the people who till then knew not how to catch any Fishes but Eeles how to take all kind of Fish in the Sea and Rivers Strange that thus long they should live in Ignorance of so usefull a Trade being though Infidels no Idiots especially seeing mens Capacities come very soon to be of age to understand their own Profit and the Examples of their Neighbours might have been Tutours unto them But Wilfride afterward wanted no Hearers Anno Dom. 680 People flocking unto him as when Christ made his Auditours his Guests they followed after him because they ate of the Loaves and were filled The Priests Eappa Padda Bruchelin and Oidda assisted in baptizing the common people and King Edilwalch gave VVilfride a piece of Land containing eighty nine Families at Selsey where he erected a Bishops See since translated to Chichester 102. Amongst other good deeds A double good deed VVilfride freed two hundred and fifty men and maid-Servants both out of Soul-Slavery and Bodily Bondage For having baptized them he procured their Liberty of their Masters which they no doubt chearfully embraced according to S t. Paul's a 1 Cor. 7. 21. counsel Art thou called a Servant care not for it but if thou maist be made free use it rather And thus by God's Blessing in the space of eighty and two yeares from five hundred ninety seven to six hundred seventy nine was the whole Saxon Heptarchie converted to Christianity and did never again relapse to Paganisme 103. Godfathers used to men of nature Age. Mention being b Parag. 99. lately made of VVolphere the Mercian King his being Godfather unto Edilwalch King of the South-Saxons some will much admire that one arrived at yeares of Maturity able to render an Account of his Faith should have a Godfather which with Swadling-clouts they conceive belong to Infants alone Yet this was very fashionable in that Age not onely for the greater state in Kings Princes and Publick Persons but in majorem cautelam even amongst Private people For such Susceptors were thought to put an Obligation on the Credits and by reflection on the Consciences of new Christians whereof too many in those dayes were baptized out of civile Designes to walk worthy of their Profession were it but to save their Friends Reputation who had undertaken for their Sincerity therein 104. Cadwallader Cadwallader founds a VVelsh Hospital at Rome the last King of VVales wearied out with Warre Famine and Pestilence left his own Land and with some small Treasure fled to Alan King of Little Britain But Princes are welcome in forrain parts when Pleasure not Need brings them
of much Uncleannesse it being appliable to them what the Apostle speaketh of others d Ephes 5. 12. It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret And one may justly admire how these Canonists being pretended Virgins could arrive at the knowledge of the Criticismes of all Obscenity so that chast Love may lye seven and seven yeares in the undefiled Marriage bed and be utterly ignorant what the Language of Lust meaneth in such filthy Canons Yea when such Love by the help of an Interpreter shall understand the same it would blush for Shame were it not that that Red would be turned into Palenesse as amazed at so horrid Uncleanness 25. Some five yeares after 755 Kenulphus The Charter of Kenulphus to the Abbot of Abbington King of West-Saxons conferred large Priviledges on the Monastery of Abbington We will recite so much of his e Cited by Stanford l. 3. fol. 111. and this Charter was pleaded primo Hen. 7. fol. 23. 25. Charter as concerns us because usefull to shew the Power which Kings in that Age had in Ecclesiasticall Matters Kenulphus Rex c per liter as suas patentes consilio consensu Episcoporum Senatorum gentis suae largitus fuit Monasterio de Abbindon in Comitatu Barke ac cuidam Richino tunc Abbati Monasterii c. quandam ruris sui portionem id est quindecim Mansias in loco qui à ruricolis tunc nuncupabatur Culnam cum omnibus utilitatibus ad eandem pertinentibus tam in magnis quam in modicis rebus in aeternam haereditatem Et quod praedictus Richinus c. ab omni Episcopali jure in sempiternum esset quietus ut inhabitatores ejus nullius Episcopi aut suorum Officialium jugo inde deprimantur sed in cunctis rerum eventibus discussionibus causarum Abbatis Monasterii praedicti decreto subjiciantur Ita quod c. Kenulphus King c. by his Letters Patents with the advice and consent of the Bishops and Counsellours of His Country hath given to the Monastery of Abbindon in the County of Barks and to one Richine then Abbot of the Monastery c. a certain portion of his land that is to say fifteen Mansions in a place which then of the Inhabitants was called Culnam with all Profits to the same belonging as well in great as mean matters Anno Dom. 755 as an inheritance forever And that the aforesaid Richine c. should be for ever acquit from all Episcopal jurisdiction that the Inhabitants thereof be thenceforth oppressed with the yoke of no Bishop or his Officials but in all events of matters and discussions of causes they be subject to the decree of the Abbot of the aforesaid Monastery So that c. From this Charter S t. Edward a His Reports part 5. fol. 9. Cook the Kings Attorney inferreth that King Kenulphus had Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction in himself in that he had power to discharge and exempt this Abbot from the Iurisdiction of the Bishop Which Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction was alwayes invested in the Imperiall Crown of England and therefore the Statute made under Henry the eighth concerning the Kings Spirituall Authority was not introductory of a new Law but declaratory onely of an old 26. But Father Parsons for he it is who stands under the Vizard of the Catholick Divine The Cavills of Parsons against S t. Edw. Cook confuted in a Book wrote of set purpose against Master Attorney in this point will by no means allow King Kenulphus any Ecclesiasticall Power but by many Fetches seeks to evade so pregnant a Proof Arg. 1. First he b Catholick Divine alias Parsons in his answer to the Kings Attorney p. 95 96 c. pleadeth that in this Charter Kenulphus did not exempt the Abbot from all Iurisdiction Spirituall of the Bishop but from some Temporall Interest or Pretense which perhaps the Bishop of the Diocese claimed over the Lordship of Culnam Answ Perhaps commend not his Modesty but thank his Guiltinesse for his timorous Assertion saith he but how doth this appeare for he bringeth no proof and if he affirmeth it on free cost we can confute it as cheap by denying it Arg. 2. Secondly saith he the King exempted the Abbot ab omni Episcopali jure that is from all Right of the Bishop and not Iurisdiction Answ Sharp Wit to cut so small a Mote in two parts for no purpose seeing jus and Iurisdiction are often known to import the same sense Arg. 3. Thirdly he objecteth the words no way seem fitly to agree to be spoken of the Bishops Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction which run thus That the Abbot should be quiet from the Bishops Right and that the Inhabitants from thenceforward should not be oppressed by the Yoke of the Bishops officers Answ Why what Incongruity but that these words may be spoken as they are of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction Is the word Yoke too course a Phrase to be applied to the Bishops Spirituall Power as they sometimes did manage it I appeale to those who felt it for no Yoke is heavy to him that puts it on but to those who bear it Mark by the way the word he rendereth Officers is in the Charter not Officiarii Lay-Latine but Officiales which is Church-language and the very dialect of the Court-Christian and should be translated Officials to whom Bishops committed their Spirituall Power But Parsons knew well how to lay his Thumb on what he would not have seen Arg. 4. Fourthly Howsoever it were it is manifestly false saith he that this Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction of King Kenulphus was derived from his Crown it might be he had it from the Pope which is most likely Answ Which is most unlikely for no Clause in the Charter relates to any delegate power and yet such a Passage might easily have been inserted yea could not justly have been omitted if he had claimed his Iurisdiction by Deputation from the Pope Arg. 5. Lastly which he saith seemeth to convince the whole matter and decide the very Case one a Harpsfield Hist Aug. seculo primo c. 9. ex Mariano Scoto Rethurus Abbot of Abbington went afterwards to Rome to obtain confirmation of the Priviledges of his Monastery from the See Apostolick Answ What of this This post-fact of Rethurus argues no Invalidity in Kenulphus his former Grant but rather shews the over-Officiousnesse of a pragmaticall Abbot who to ingratiate himself with the Pope craved of him what he had before Yea such cunning Compliance of the Clergy with his Holinesse by degrees fixed in him a supposed Ecclesiasticall Power paramount which really he never had nor rightly ever ought to have See here the King's Power in Church-matters in conferring Ecclesiasticall Priviledges and this single Threed we will twist with another Instance so strong that the Iesuites Art shall be unable to break it in sunder 27. By the Constitution of Augustine 758 first Arch-bishop of Canterbury
which was worse a prison liv'd in him being streightned in his own bowels towards himself For pretending poverty he denied himself necessaries being afterwards discovered to carry a Key about his Neck which opened to infinite treasure so that none would lavish pitty on him who starv'd in store and was wilfully cruel to himself 5. A f Sir John Davys in his Irish report case 〈◊〉 Praemunite fol. 87 89. learned lawyer hath observed The Popes first 〈◊〉 of the Crown of England that the first encroachment of the Bishop of Rome upon the liberties of the Crown of England was made in the time of King William the Conqueror For the Conqueror came in with the Popes Banner and under it won the battle which got him the Garland and therefore the Pope presumed he might boldly pluck some flowers from it being partly gain'd by his countenance and Blessing Indeed King William kindly entertained these Legats sent from Rome so to sweeten the rank savor of his coming in by the sword in the nostrils of religious men pretending what he had gotten by power he would keep by a pious compliance with his Holiness But especially he did serve the Pope to be served by him that so with more ease and less envie he might suppress the English Clergie But although this politick Prince was courteous in his complemental addresses to the See Apostolick Yet King William invested ecclesiastical pesons yet withall he was carefull of the main chance to keep the essentials of his Crown as amongst others by these four remarkable particulars may appear 6. First he g Annal Eccl. 〈◊〉 M. S. 〈◊〉 Mr Gelden in his â—ntes on 〈◊〉 pag. 14. retained the ancient custom of the Saxon Kings investing Bishops and Abbots by delivering them a Ring and a Staff whereby without more ado they were put into plenary possession of the power and profit of their place Yea when Arch-Bishop Lansrank one so prevalent that he could perswade King William to any thing provided that the King himself thought it fitting requested William to bestow on him the donation of the Abbey of Saint Augustine in Canterbury the King refused saying that he would keep all pastoral h Gervasius Dorobernensis M. S. cited ibid. Staves in his own hand Wiser herein then his successors who parted with those Staves wherewith they themselves were beaten afterward 7. Secondly being demanded to do Fealty for his Crown of England 1078. to Gregory the seventh Pope of Rome And refuseth to do Fealty to the Pope he returned an answer as followeth 12. In English EXcellentissimo i M S codex epislolarum Lansranci cited by Sr John Davys in his Irish reports of Praemunire fol 89. Sanctae Ecclesiae Pastori Gregorio gratia Dei Anglorum rex dux Normannorum Willielmus salutem cum amicitia Hubertus Legatus tuus Religiose Pater ad me veniens ex tua parte me admonuit quatenus tibi successoribus tuis fidelitatem facerem de pecunia quam antecessores mei ad Romanam ecclesiam mitere solebant melius cogitarem Vnum admisi alterum non admisi Fidelitatem facere nolui nec volo quia nec ego promisi nec antecessores meos antecessoribus tuis id fecisse comperio Pecunia tribus sermè annis in Galli is me agente negligenter collecta est Nunc vero divina misericordia me in regnum meum reverso quod collectum per praefatum Legatum mittitur Et quod reliquum est per Legatos Lanfranci Archiepiscopi fidelis nostri cum opportunum fuerit transmittetur Orate pro nobis pro statu Regni nostri quia antecessores vestros dileximus vos prae omnibus sincerè diligere obedienter audire desideramus TO Gregory the most excellent Pastor of the holy Church William by the grace of God King of the English Duke of the Normans wisheth health and desireth k Or remembreth his love to him his friendship Religious Father your Legat Hubert coming unto me admonished me in your behalf in asmuch as I should do fealty to you and your successors and that I should take better care for the payment of the money which my predecessors were wont to send to the Church of Rome One thing I have granted the other I have not granted Fealty I would not do nor will I because I neither promised it neither do I finde that my predecessors ever did it to your predecessors The money for almost three years when I was abroad in France hath been but negligently collected But now seeing by divine mercy I am returned into my Kingdom what is gathered is sent by the aforesaid Legat and the arrears which remain shall be sent by the messengers of Lanfrank our faithful Arch-Bishop in time convenient Pray for us and for the good state of our Kingdom because we have loved your predecessors and do desire sincerely to love and obediently to hear you above all others It is strange on what pretence of right the Pope required this Fealty was it because he sent King William a consecrated Banner that under the colour thereof he endeavoured to display his power over all England as if the King must do him homage as a Banneret of his creation or because he had lately humbled Henry the fourth the German Emperour he thought that all Kings in like manner must be slaves unto him the Pope being then in his Vertical height and Dog-dayes of the heat of his Power But wee need no further inquiry into the cause of his Ambition when we read him to be Gregory the seventh otherwise Hisdebrand that most active of all that sate in that Chair Surely he sent this his demand rather with an intent to spie then hope to speed therein so to sound the depth of King William whom if he found shallow he knew how to proceed accordingly or else he meant to leave this demand dormant in the Deck for his successors to make advantage thereof who would claim for due whatsoever they challenged before However so bold an asker never met with a more bold denier Soon did King William finde his spirits who formerly had not lost but hid them for his private ends England's Conqueror would not be Romes Vassal and hee had Brain enough to deny what the other had Brow to require and yet in such wary language that he carried himself in a religious distance yet politick parity with his Holiness 8. Thirdly King William ordereth the power both of Pope and Arch-Bishop in his own Dominion King William would in no wife suffer any one in his Dominion to acknowledge the Bishop of Rome for Apostolical without his a Eadmerus Hist Nov. lib. 1. pag 6. command or to receive the Popes Letters except first they had been shewed unto him As for the Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY Primate of England though by his own authority he might congregate Councels of Bishops and fit President in them
yet the King permitted him to appoint or prohibit nothing but what was according to His own will and pleasure and what the King had b Idem ibid. ordained before 9. Lastly Barons not to be excommunicated without the Kings command King William suffered no Bishop to excommunicate any of his Barons or Officers for adultery incest or any such hainous crime except by the Kings Command first made acquainted with the same Here the word Baron is not to be taken in that restrictive sense to which the modern acception hath confined it onely for such of the higher Nobility which have place and Votes in Parliament but c J. Selden Sptcilegium ed Eadmeium pag 168. generally for such who by Tenure en cheef or in Capite as they term it held land immediately of the King And an English d Robert of Glocester Poet counted the Virgil of his age and the Ennius in ours expresseth as much in his Rythmes which we here set down with all the rust thereof without rubbing it off remembring how one e Camdens Elizabeth Anno 1584. John Throkmorton a Justicer of Cheshire in Queen Elizabeth's dayes for not exhibiting a judicial Concord with all the defects of the same but supplying or filling up what was worn out of the Authentical Original was fined for being over officious and therefore take them with their faults and all as followeth The berthe was that noe man that of the King huld ought In Chief or in eni Servise to Manling were throught Bote the wardenis of holy Chirch that brought him thereto The King lede or his Bailifes wat he had misdoe And loked verst were thei to amendment it bring And bote by wolde by their lebe doe the Manling And a grave f Radulphus de diceto sub Anno 11â—3 Author gives a good reason why the King must be inform'd before any of his Barons be excommunicated lest otherwise saith he the King not being certified thereof should out of ignorance unawares communicate with persons excommunicated when such Officers of His should come to kiss His hand be called to his Councel or come to perform any personal attendance about Him Hitherto we have seen how careful the Conqueror was in preserving His own right in Church-matters We will conclude all with the Syllogisme which the g L. Cooks Reports fift part de Jure Regis Ecclesiastico fol. 10. Oracle of the Common-Law frameth in this manner It is agreed that no man onely can make any appropriation of any Church having cure of souls being a thing Eccelesiastical and to be made to some person Ecclesiastical but he that hath Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction But William the first of himself without any other as King of England made appropriation of Churches with cure to Ecclesiastical persons as by many instances may appear Therefore it followeth that He had Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction And so much concerning King William's policy in doing justice to His own power Proceed we now to His bounty confirming old and conferring new favors upon the Church and Clergie 10. First whereas before his time the Sheriff and Bishop joyntly kept their Courts together especially at the two solemn times Bishops jurisdictions first severed from the Sheriffs about Easter and Michaelmas King William in favour of the Clergie assigned the Bishops an a See this cleared by Mr Selden in his notes on Ead. merus pag. 167. entire jurisdiction by themselves wherein they should have cognizance of all causes relating to Religion I say relating to Religion a latitude of a cheverel extension adequate almost to the minde of him that will stretch it out and few Ecclesiastical Judges would lofe what might be got by measuring Now formerly whilest the power of Sheriff and Bishop went hand in hand together in the same Court neither could much outstrip other but but since they were severed the Spiritual power far outwent its old mate improving his own by impairing the Secular Courts and henceforward the Canon-law took the firmer footing in England Date we from hence the squint-eies of the Clergie whose sight single before was hereafter divided with double looks betwixt two objects at once the Pope and the King to put him first whom they eyed most acting hereafter more by forrain then domestick interest 11. A learned pen makes a just complaint The contest betwixt Commen and Canon Law how onely to be reconciled that b Lord Bacen in his advancement of Learning pag. 463. Aphorisme 96. Courts which should distribute peace do themselves practice duels whilest it is counted the part of a resolute Judge to enlarge the priviledge of his Court A grievance most visible in contest betwixt the Common and the Canon Law which as if they were stars of so different an Horizon that the elevation of the one necessitated the depression of the other lie at catch and wait advantages one against another So that whilest both might continue in a convenient and healthful habitude if such envious corrivalitie were deposed now alternately those Courts swell to a tympany or waste to a consumption as their Judges finde themselves more or less strength'ned with power or befriended with favour A mischief not to be remedied till either that mutual consent or a predominant power to both impartially state their jurisdictions rightly seting down the land-marks thereof and binding their proceedings not to exceed their bounds which would both advance learning and expedite the execution of Justice 12. To return to King William King William his Charter to the Clergie As He conferred power on so he confirmed profit to the Clergie Witness his c See it at large in Mr. Selden of tythes cap. 8. pag. 225. Charter granting them thorowout England tythes of calves colts lambs milk butter cheese woods meadows mills c. Which Charter is concluded 't is the strong hem keeps all the cloth from reveling out Qui decimam detinuerit per justitiam Episcopi Regis si necesse fuerit ad redditionem d Others read it adigatur Let him be compelled â—rguatar Who shall detain his tythes by the power of the Bishop and King if need be let him be argued into the payment thereof And Kings arguments we know are unanswerable as aâ— authoritate carrying power and pehalties with them This Charter might seem to give the tenth loaf of all the bread in the land into the hands of the English Clergie But the municipal laws which were afterwards made did so chip and pare this loaf with their Modus decimandi that in many places Vicaridges especially a small shiver of bread fals to the share of the Minister not enough for his necessary maintenance 13. And here Two contrary characters of King William to make a short but needful digression I finde in eminent Writers two contrary characters of King William Some make him an arrand Tyrant ruling onely by the Magna Charta of his own will oppressing all English without cause
to receive large summes of money for his leave after whose faculties obtained if such marriage were against the Law of God men did sin not with less guiltiness but more Expences 26. That the Bodies of the Dead be not carried to be buried out of their own Parishes so that the Parish Priest should lose his due unto him 27. That none out of a rash novelty which we know to have happened exhibit reverence of Holiness to any Bodies of the Dead fountains or other things without Authority from the Bishop 28. That none persume hereafter what hitherto men used in England to sell Men like bruite Beasts Anno Dom. 1102. This Constitution as all others which concerned the Subjects Civil right found not general obedience in the Kingdom For the proceedings of the Canon Law were never wholly received into practice in the Land but so as made subject in whatsoever touched temporals to secular Laws and national Customs And the Laytie at pleasure limited Canons in this behalf Nor were such sales of servants being mens proper goods so a See Mr Selden spicileg ad Eadmerum pag. 208. weakned with this prohibition but that long after they remained legal according to the Laws of the Land 29. That the sin of Sodometry both in Clergie and Laytie should be punished with heavy Censures Remarkable that the same Synod which forbad Priests Marriage found it needful to punish Sodometry an Italian Vice beginning now to be naturaliz'd in England For those who endeavour to make the way to heaven narrower then God hath made it by prohibiting what he permits do in event make the way to hell wider occasioning the committing of such sins which God hath forbidden We may further observe that the plaister now applied to the rotten sore of Sodometry was too gentle too narrow and too little time laid on Too gentle for whereas the sin is conceived to deserve death it was onely slubber'd over that the party convict of this Wickedness if in Orders was admitted to no higher honour and deposed from what he had till restored again on his repentance Too narrow if it be true what one observes that b Bale in the Acts of English Votaries second part chap. 74. MONKS as neither merely Lay nor Priests were not threatned with this Curse where all was hidden in Cloysters Lastly too little time laid on for whereas at first it was constituted that such Excommunication of Sodomites convicted should solemnly be renewed every Lords Day this short-liv'd Canon did die in the birth thereof and Anselme himself c Eadmerus ut prius postponi concessit suffered it to be omitted on pretence that it put beastly thoughts into many mens mindes whose corruption abused the punishment of sin in the provocation thereof whilest others conceive this relaxation indulged in favour to some great offenders who hardened in Conscience but tender in Credit could not endure to be so solemnly publickly and frequently grated with the shame of the sin they had committed So much for the Constitutions of that Synod wherein though Canons were provided for Priests Cap a Pe from the shavnig to the shooes yet not a syllable of their instructing the people and preaching Gods word unto them We must not forget that men guilty of Simony in the first Canon are not taken in the Vulgar acception for such as were promoted to their places by money but in a new coyned sence of that word for those who were advanced to their Dignities by investiture from the King which gave occasion to the long and hot Broil happening betwixt King Henry and Anselme which now we come to relate 4. The King commanded him to Consecrate such Bishops 4. as he lately had invested 1103 namely An selme refuseth to consecrate the Kings Bishops William of Winchester Roger of Hereford c. which Anselme refused because flatly against the Canon newly made in the Councel of Rome by Pope Vrban that any who had their entrance by the Authority of temporal Princes should be admitted to Bishopricks Hereupon the King enjoyned Gerard Arch-Bishop of York to Consecrate them who out of opposition to Anselme his Competitour was as officious to comply with the King King as the other was backward Anno Dom. 1105. hoping thereby to hitch his Church a degree the higher Anno Regis Hen. 16. by help of his Royal Favour Here hapned an unexpected accident For William Bishop of Winchester refused Consecration from the Arch-Bishop of York and resigned his staff and ring back again to the King as illegally from him This discomposed all the rest For whereas more then the moity of Ecclesiastical persons in England were all in the same condemnation as invested by the King the very multitude of offenders would have excused the offence if loyal to their own cause Whereas now this defection of the Bishop of Winchester so brake the ranks and maimed their entireness that their cause thereby was cast by their own confession and so a party raised among them against themselves 5. Soon after Anselme sent to Rome the King was contented that Anselme should go to Rome to know the Popes pleasure herein But one none of the Conclave without a prophetical spirit might easily have foretold the resolution of his Holiness herein never to part with power whereof how injuriously soever though but pretendedly possessed Anselme for his complyance with the Pope herein is forbidden to return into England while the King seiseth on his temporalities 6. However The king parts with his investing of Bishops not log after 1106. by mediation of friends 7. they are reconciled the King disclaiming his right of Investitures a weak and timerous act of so wise and valiant a Prince whose Predecessors before the Conquest held this power though some time loosely in their own hands and his Predecessors since the Conquest grasp'd it fast in their fist in defiance of such Popes as would finger it from them Whereas now he let it go out of his hand whilest his Successors in vain though with a long arme reach't after it to recover it And now Anselme who formerly refused consecrated all the Bishops of vacant Sees amongst whom Roger of Sarisbury was a prime person first preferred to the Kings notice because he began prayers quickly and caded them speedily for which quality he was commended as fittest for a Chaplain in the Camp and was not unwelcome to the Court on the same account 7. Anselme having devested the King of investing Bishops one of the fairest roles in his Ward-robe did soon after deprive the Clergie of one half of themselves Anselme forbids Priests marriage For in a solemn Synod he forbad Priests Marriage wherein 1107 as charitably we believe 8. his intentions pious and commendable and patiently behold his pretences specious and plausible so we can not but pronounce his performance for the present injurious and culpable and the effects thereof
them a punishment far lighter then the offence did deserve Indeed it is most meet in matters meerly Ecclesiastical touching the Word and Sacraments Clergy-men be onely answerable for their faults to their spiritual superiors as most proper and best able to discern and censure the same And in cases criminal it is unfit that Ministers should be summoned before each proud pettish petulant pragmatical secular under-officer However in such causes to be wholly exempted from civil power is a priviledge which with reason cannot be desired of them nor with justice indulged unto them Sure I am Abiathar though High-Priest was convented before and deposed by Solomon for his practising of treason And S t Paul saith Rom. 13. 1. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers 60. To retrench these enormities of the Clergy 1164. the King called a Parliament at Clarendon 10. near Sarisbury and not in Normandy He incurs the Kings displeasure as Mr Fox will have it intending with the consent of his great Councel to confirm some severe Laws of his Grand-father King Henry the first To these Laws See them at large in Mat. Paris sixteen in number Becket with the rest of the Bishops consented and subscribed them But afterwards recanting his own act Anno Regis Hen. 2 10. renounced the same Anno Dom. 1164 Let not therefore the crime of inconstancy be laid too heavily to the charge of Arch-Bishop Cranmer first subscribing then revoking popish articles presented unto him seeing this his name-sake Thomas and predecessor Becket without any stain to his Saintship retracted his own act upon pretence of better information But so highly was Becket offended with himself for his subscription that in revenge for some moneths he suspended himself from all Divine Service his pride and laziness both before and after suspended him from ever preaching and would not be present thereat Hereafter let none hope for more favour from this Arch-Bishop then their fact may deserve seeing he cannot rationally be expected to be courteous to others who was so severe unto himself The best was in this his suspension the knot was not tied so hard as to hurt him who in case of necessity as he had bound so he could loose himself though for the more state of the matter Pope Alexander * Fox his Mon. see the letter at large pag. 269. himself was pleased solemnly to assoil him from his suspension Mean time Becket both in his suspension and absolution most highly offended King Henry who every day the more was alienated from and incensed against him 61. During Beckets abode about Clarendon The vanity of Beckets path he is reported every morning to have walk'd from his lodging some miles to the Kings Palace Where the ground say they called Beckets path at this day presenteth it self to the eyes of the beholders but most quick-sighted if looking through Popish spectacles with the grass and grain growing thereon in a different hew and colour from the rest A thing having in it more of report then truth yet more of truth then wonder the discolourations of such veins of earth being common in grounds elsewhere which never had the happiness of Becket his feet to go upon them 62. But oh He flieth beyond Sea without the Kings consent If Becket's feet had left but the like impression in all the wayes he went how easie had it been for all mens eyes and particularly for our pen to have track'd him in all his travels Who not long after without the consent of the King took Ship sail'd into Flanders thence travelled into the Southern parts of France thence to Pontiniack thence to Senes abiding seven years in banishment But though he served an apprentiship in exile he learned little humility thereby onely altering his name for his more safety from Becket to Derman but retaining all his old nature remitting nothing of his rigid resolutions 63. Now to avoid idleness How employed in his banishment Becket in his banishment variously employed himself First in making and widening breaches between Henry his native Soveraign 11. and Lewis the French King 1165. Secondly in writing many voluminous a See them exemplified at large in Stapleton De Tribus Thomis letters of expostulation to Princes and Prelates Thirdly in letting flie his heavy excommunications against the English Clergie namely against Roger Arch-Bishop of York Gilbert Foliot Bishop of London a learneder man them himself Joceline Bishop of Sarisbury and others His chief quarrel with them was their adherence to the King and particularly because the Arch-Bishop presumed to Crown Henry the King's Son made joynt-King in the life of his Father a priviledge which Becket claimed as proper to himself alone Fourthly in receiving comfort from and returning it to Pope Alexander at Beneventum in Italy 13. Sameness of affliction bred sympathy of affection betwixt them 1167. both being banished the Pope by Frederick Barbarossa the Emperour for his pride and insolency as our Becket smarted for the same fault from King Henry Here also Becket solemnly resigned his Arch-Bishoprick to the Pope as troubled in conscience that he had formerly took it as illegally from the King and the Pope again restored it to him whereby all scruples in his minde were fully satisfied 64. But afterwards by mediation of friends Is reconciled to the King Becket's reconciliation was wrought and leave given him to return into England However the King still retained his temporals in his hand Anno Dom 1167. on weighty considerations Anno Regis Hen. 2. 13. Namely to show their distinct nature from the spirituals of the Arch-Bishoprick to which alone the Pope could restore him Lay-lands being separable from the same as the favour of secular Princes and Becket's bowed knee must own the Kings bountiful hand before he could receive them Besides it would be a caution for his good behaviour 65. Caelum non animum Returns as obstinate as he went over Travellers change climates 1170. not conditions 16. Witness our Becket stubborn he went over stubborn he staied stubborn he return'd Amongst many things which the King desired and he denied he refused to restore the Excommunicated Bishops pretending he had no power indeed he had no will and that they were Excommunicate by his Holiness Yea he instead of recalling his old added new Excommunications and that thunder which long before rumbled in his threatnings now gave the crack upon all those that detained his temporal revenues a Parte posteriâ—â—i Henrici secundi pag. 521. Roger Hoveden reports that upon Christmas-day the better day the better deed he Excommunicated Robert de Broc because the day before he had cut off one of his horses tailes Yea he continued and encreased his insolence against the King and all his subjects 66. Here the King let fall some discontented words Is slain by four Knights in his own Church which
Acts and Monum pag. 493. two hundred and seventy They might well have been brought up to four hundred and made as many as Baals lying Prophets though even then one Propher of the Lord one Micaiah one true miracle were worth them all 70. It is almost incredible The blinde superstition of people what multitudes of people flock'd yearly to Canterbury which City lived by Beckets death especially on his Jubilee or each fifty years after his enshrining No fewer then an hundred c Wil. Somner ut priùs pag. 249. thousand we finde it in words at length and therefore a cipher is not mistaken of English and forrainers repaired hither And though great the odds in hardness between stones and flesh there remains at this day in the marble the prints of their superstition who crept and kneeled to his shrine The revenues whereof by peoples offerings amounted to more then six hundred pounds a year And the same accomptant when coming to set down what then and there was offered to Christ's or the High-Altar dispatcheth all with a blanke Summo Altari nil Yea whereas before Beckets death the Cathedral in Canterbury was called Christ's Church it passed afterwards for the Church of S t Thomas verifying therein the complaint of d John 12. 13. Mary Magdalen Sustuleruat Dominum They have taken away the Lord. Though since by the demolishing of Beckets shrine the Church and that justly hath recovered his true and ancient name SECT II. DOMINO JOANNI WYRLEY DE WYRLEY-HALL In Com. Stafford Equiti Aurato LEx Mahometica jubet ut Turcarum quisque mechanicae arti incumbat Hinc est quòd vel inter Ot tomanicos Imperatores hic faber ille Sartor hic totus est in baltheorum * * Edw. Sandys in suis peregrinationibus bullis ille in Sagittarum pennis concinnandis prout quisque suà indole trahatur Lex mihi partim placet partim displicet Placet industria nè animi otii rubigine obducti sensim torpescerent Displicet ingenuas mentes servili operi damnari cùm humile nimis sit abjectum At utinam vel lex vel legis aemula consuetudo inter Anglos obtineret nt nostrates nobiles ad unum omnes meliori literaturae litarent Hoc si fiat uberrimos fructus Respublica perceptura esset ab illis qui nunc absque Musarum cultu penitus sterilescunt Tu verò Doctissime Miles es perpaucorum hominum qui ingenium Tuum nobilitate premi non sinis sed artes ingenuas quas Oxonii didicisti juvenis vir assiduè colis Gestit itaque Liber noster Te Patrono quo non alter aut in not andis mendis oculatior aut in condonandis clementior 1. EVen amongst all the stripes given him since the death of Becket 20. none made deeper impression in King Henry's soul 1174. then the undutisulness of Henry The undutisulness of young King Henry his eldest Son whom he made the foolish act of a wise King joynt-King with himself in his life time And as the Father was indiscreet to put off so much of his apparel before he went to bed so the Son was more unnatural in endeavouring to rend the rest from his back and utterly to difrobe him of all Regal power The Clergie were not wahting in their plentiful censures to impute this mischance to the King as a Divine punishment on Beckets death that his natural Son should prove so undutiful to him who himself had been so unmerciful to his spiritual father Anno Dom. 1174. But this rebellious childe pass'd not unpunished Anno Regis Hen. 2. 20. For as he honoured not his Father so his dayes were sew in the land which the Lord gave him And as he made little account of his own father so English Authors make no reckoning of him in the Catalogue of Kings This Henry the third being wholly omitted because dying during the life of his Father 2. But Richard made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury before this Henries death Richard Prior of Dover who divided Kent into three Arch-Deaconries was made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Indeed the place was first profered to Robert Abbot of Becco in Normandy Sequents of three if he had accepted it Anselme Theobald and this Robert who in the compass of seventy years out of the same Abby were made Arch-Bishops of Canterbury but he refused it as ominous to succeed Becket in his Chair lest he should succeed him in his Coffin and preferr'd a whole skin before an holy Pall. But Richard accepting the place is commended for a milde and moderate man being all for accommodation and his temper the best expedient betwixt the Pope and King pleasing the former with presents the latter with compliance This made him connive at Jeffery Plantaginet his holding the Bishoprick of Lincoln though uncanonicalâ—ess on uncanonicalness met in his person For first he was a bastard Secondly he was never in orders Thirdly he was under age all which irregularities were answered in three words The Kings Son This was that Jeffery who used to protest by the royaltie of the King his Father when a stander by minded him to remember the honesty of his Mother 3. A Synod was call'd at Westminster The controversy betwixt Canterbury York for precedency the Popes Legat being present thereat 1176. on whose right hand sat Richard 22. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as in his proper place When in springs Roger of York and finding Canterbury so seated fairly sits him down on Canterburie's lap a baby too big to be danced thereon yea Canterbury his servants dandled this lap-childe with a witness who pluck'd him thence and buffeted him to purpose Hence began the brawl which often happened betwixt the two Sees for precedency though hitherto we have pass'd them over in silence not conceiving our selves bound to trouble the Reader every time those Arch-Bishops troubled themselves And though it matters as little to the Reader as to the Writer whether Roger beat Richard or Richard beat Roger yet once for all we will reckon up the arguments which each See alledged for its precedencie Canterburies Title 1. No Catholick person will deny but that the Pope is the fountain of spiritual honor to place and displace at pleasure He first gave the Primary to Canterbury Yea whereas the proper place of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in a general Councel was next the Bishop of S t Ruffinus Anselme and his successors were advanced by Pope Vrban to sit at the Popes right foot as alterius orbis Papa 2. The English Kings have ever allowed the Priority to Canterbury For a Duarchie in the Church viz. two arch-Arch-Bishops equal in power being inconsistent with a Monarchy in the State Anno Regis Hen. 2. 22. they have ever countenanced the superiority of Canterbury Anno Dom. 1176. that the Church-government might be uniform with the Commonwealths 3. Custome hath been accounted a King in all
Kenelworth to perswade him to resign sign the Crown though having no other design Anno Dom. 1326. then the Kings safety therein He hoped that in this tempest the casting out of the Lading Anno Regis Ed. secun 19â— would save the Hulke of the Ship and the surrendring of the Scepter secure the Kings person 22. With John Stratford let me couple Robert de Baldock though no Bishop And a Loyal Priest-Chancelour a Bishops mate as a Priest and Chancelour of England This man unable to assist resolved to attend the King and was taken with him in Wales Hence was he brought up to London and committed to Adam Tarleton Bishop of Hereford Here the shadow of Tarleton Miter if pleased to put forth his power might have secured this his Guest-prisoner from any danger whereas on the contrary it is more then suspicious that he gave a signall to the tumultouous people to seize his person For he was dragged to Newgate and there payed his life for his Loyalty yet was never heard to complain of the dearnesse of his penyworth If any violence was secretly offered unto his person he might endure it the more patiently having read * St. Mat. 10. 24. that the Disciple is not above his Master nor the servant better then his Lord. This Baldock was a good Justicer nor charged in our Chronicles with any misdemeanour save faithfulnesse to an unfortunate Master and his Memory will travers his Innocence as confessing the Fact but denying any fault therein 23. But we have more then a good number of such Bishops W. Reinolds unthankful to the King which ungratefully sided with the Queen against her Husband and their Soveraign Walter Reynolds Arch-Bishop of Canterbury leads their Van preferred to that See at the Kings great importunity and by the Pope his Power of Provision On the same token that a Far better Man Thomas Cobham by name Deane of Salisbury so learned and pious a person that he was generally called the good Clergy-men legally elected by the Commons was put by by the Pope to make room for this Reinolds He afterwards complied with the Queen his new Mistress against his old Master active to perform his desires This some seek in vain to excuse by pleasing Her imperious spirit and this Arch-Bishops fearfulness alleadging that cowardlinesse is rather a defect in nature then default in Morality 24. A word by the way of the nature of the Popes provisions lately mentioned which now began to be a general grievance of our Nation The nature of the Popes provisions When any Bishoprick Abbots place Dignity or good Living Aquila non capit muscas was like to be void the Pope by a profitable Prolepsis to himself predisposed such places to such successors as he pleased By this devise he defeated when so pleased the Legal election of all Convents and rightful presentation of all Patrons He took up Churches before they fell yea before they ever stumbled I mean whilst as yet no suspition of sicknesse in Incumbents younger and healthier than his Holiness himself Yea sometimes no Act of Provision was entered in scriptis in the Court only the Pope was pleased to say by word of mouth and who durst confute him he had done it So that Incumbents to Livings who otherwise had a rightful Title from their Patrons were to purchase their peace glad to buy of the Popes provisions Yea his Holiness sold them aforehand to several persons so that not he who gave the first but the most Money carried away the preferment 25. Next we take notice of Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln Hen. Bishop of Lincoln bad lately restored to the favour of King Edward and by him lately esteemed Yet no sooner did the Queen appear in the field with an army against him but this Bishop was the first and for wardest who publiquely repaired unto Her This Burwash was he who by meere might against all right and reason took in the Land of many poor people without making also the least reparation therewith to compleat his Park at Tinghurst These wronged persons though seeing their own Bread Beef and Mutton turned into the Bishops Venison durst not contest with him who was Chancelour of England though neither Law Anno Regis Ed. secun 18 nor equity in this his Action Anno Do. 13 m only they loaded him with curses and execrations This mindeth me of a Modern accident when some twenty years since a Knight went about injuriously to inclose the Commons of a Town and demanded of his Builiffe what the railing in of the same would amount to to whom his servant answered that if he would take in the Commons the Countrey would find him railings as here they did this injurious Bishop Otherwise let me say that inclosures made without oppression are a grand inriching both to private persons and to the Common-wealth 26. Here let the Reader smile or frown Smile or frown I am resolved to write what I find recorded in a * Godwin in the Bishop of Lincoln Grave Author deriving it no doubt from good intelligence This Bishop Burwash is said after his death to have appeared to one of his former familiar friends apparelled Like a Forester all in Green a with his Bow and Quiver of Arrows and his Bugle horn hanging by his side to him he complained that for the injuries done by him to poor whilst living he was now condemned to this penance to be the Park-keeper of that place which he so wrongfully had enclosed He therefore desired him to repair to the Canons of Lincoln and in his name to request them that they would take order that all hedges being cut down and Ditches filled up all might be reduced to their property and the poor men be restored to their inheritance It is added moreover that one W. Batheler was imployed by the Canons aforesaid to see the premises performed which was done accordingly 27. This pretended Apparition seems inconsistent with the nature of Purgatory A grave foolery as usually by Papists represented to people Surely the smoake thereof would have sooted his Green suit and the Penance seems so slight and light for the offence as having so much liberty and pleasure in a place of Command Some Poets would have fancied him rather conceived himself turned Acteon-like into a Deere to be daily hunted by his own Hound guilt of Conscience untill he made restistution But it seems there be degrees in Purgatory and the Bishop not in the Prison itself but only within the Rules thereof priviledged to go abroad whether on his Parel or with his Keeper uncertain till he could procure Suffrages for his Plenary relaxation 28. Adam Tarlton Bishop of Hereford A Divell preaching is the last we will insist on born in that City where afterward he became Bishop yet not honoured but hated and feared in the place of his Nativity He was the grand Engineer and contriver of all
PRELATES 1 2 2 16 11. That from the words and works and a Ex verbo opere taciturnitate Praelatorum silence of Prelates in Preaching it seemeth probable that they are Devils incarnate 1 2 3 57 12. That Bishops Benedictions Confirmations Consecrations of Churches Chalices c. be but tricks to get money     OF PRIESTS 1 2 3 71 13. That plain Deacons and Priests may preach without licence of Pope or Bishop 1 2 3 60 14. That in the time of the Apostles there were onely two Orders namely Priests and Deacons and that a Bishop doth not differ from a Priest 3   68 15. That it is lawful for Lay-men to absolve no less then for the Priests 2   128 16. That it is lawful for Clergy-men to marry    61 17. That Priests of bad life cease any longer to be b Waldensis in several places of his book Priests     OFF THE CHURCH 1 2  8 18. That he defined the Church to consist onely of persons predestinated 1 2 1 12 19. That he divideth the Church into these three members Clergy-men Souldiers and Labourers 1 4 3 37 20. That the Church was not endowed with any immoveable possessions before Constantine the great 1 4 3 16 41 21. That it is no Sacriledg to take away things consecrated to the Church 3   143 22. That all beautiful building of Churches is blame-worthy and savours of hypocrisie     OF TYTHES 1 2 3 65 23. That Parishioners by him were exhorted not to pay Tythes to Priests of dissolute life 1 2 3 64 24. That Tythes are pure almes and that Pastours ought not to exact them by Ecclesiastical censures     OF THE SCRIPTURE 1 2 2 23 25. That wise men leave that as Impertinent which is not plainly expressed in Scripture 1 2 2 26 26. That he slighted the authority of General Councels     OF HERETICKS 2   81 27. That he called all Writers since the thousandth year of Christ Hereticks     OF PRAYER 3   23     25 28. That men are not bound to the observation of Vigils or Canonical houres 3   11 29. That it is vain for Lay-men to bargain with Priests for their prayers 3   21 30. That to binde men to set and prescript forms of Prayers doth derogate from that liberty God hath given them 3   8 31. That to depress the benefit of other mens purchased Prayers he recommended all men to hope and trust in their own righteousness     OF ALMES 1 2 3 71 32. That we ought not to do any Alms to a sinner whilest we know him to be so     OF THE SACRAMENTS 3   45     46 33. That Chrisme and other such ceremonies are not to be used in Baptisme 2   99 34. That those are fools and presumptuous which affirm such infants not to be saved which dye without Baptisme and also That he denied that all sins are abolished in Baptisme 2   108 2   98 35. That Baptisme doth not confer but onely signifie grace which was given before 2   26 36. That in the Sacrament of the Alter the Host is not to be worshipped and such as adore it are Idolaters     37. That the substance of bread and wine still remain a This is scattered in several places of his book in the Sacrament 2   55 38. That God could not though he would make his body to be at the same time in several places 1   109 39. That the Sacrament of Confirmation is not much necessary to salvation 3   147 40. That Confession to a man truly contrite is superfluous used by Antichrist to know the secrets and gain the wealth of others 2   130 41. That that is no due Marriage which is contracted without hope of having children 2   163 42. That extreme Unction is needless and no Sacrament     OF ORDERS 2 2 2 15 43. That Religious Sects confound the unity of Christs Church who instituted but one order of serving him 2   109 44. That he denied all sacred initiations into Orders as leaving no character behinde them 3   91 45. That Vowing of Virginity is a Doctrine of Devils     OF SAINTS 3   130 46. That such Christians who do worship Saints border on Idolatry 3   133 47. That it is needless to adorn the shrines of Saints or to go in Pilgrimage to them 3   124 48. That miracles conceived done at Saints shrines may be delusions of the Devil 125 3   115 49. That Saints prayers either here or in heaven are onely effectual for such as are good     OF THE KING 1 2 3 79 50. That it is lawful in Causes Ecclesiastical and matters of faith after the Bishops sentence to appeal to the secular Prince 1 3 1 81 51. That Dominion over the creature is founded in grace 1 3 3 83 52. That God devesteth him of all right who abuseth his power     OF CHRIST 1 2 3 43 53. That Christ was a man even in those three dayes wherein his body did lie in the grave 1 2 3 44 54. That the Humanity of Christ being separated is to be worshipped with that adoration which is called LATRIA 1 1 3 44 55. That Christ is the Humanity by him assumed     OF GOD. 2   160 56. That God loved David and Peter as dearly when they grievously sinned as he doth now when they are possessed of glory 1 2 3 82 57. That God giveth no good things to his enemies 2   135 58. That God is not more willing to reward the good then to punish the wicked     59. That all things a Waldensis in several places laieth this to his charge come to pass by fatal necessity 1 1 1 13 60. That God could not make the world otherwise then it is made 1 1 1 10 61. That God cannot do any thing which he doth not do     62. That God cannot make that something should return into nothing 7. Here the ingenuous Reader must acknowledg Much pitty that Wicliffs own books are lost that many of these opinions are truths at this day publickly professed in the Protestant Church For the rest what pitty is it that we want Wicliffe's works to hear him speak in his own behalf Were they all extant therein we might read the occasion intention and connexion of what he spake together with the limitations restrictions distinctions qualifications of what he maintained There we might see what was the overplus of his passion
his naval-victory nigh Sluce and land-conquest at Chresce Poictiers and elsewhere Yet his atchievements in France were more for the credit then commodity honour then profit of England For though the fair Provinces he Conquered therein seem'd fat enough to be stewed in their own liquor I mean rich enough to maintain themselves yet we finde them to have suck'd up much of our English sauce to have drain'd the money and men of this land to defend them This made King Edward to endeavour to his power to preserve his people from Popish extortions as knowing that his own taxes did burthen and the addition of those other would break the backs of his Subjects He was himself not unlearned and a great favourer of learned men Colledges springing by paires out of his marriage-bed namely Kings-Hall founded by himself in Cambridg and Queens-Colledg by Philippa his wife in Oxford He lived almost to the age and altogether to the infirmities of King David but had not with him a virgin Abishag a virgin-Concubine to heat him Anno Regis Ed. 3. 51. but which is worse in his decrepit age kept Alice Pierce a noted strumpet to his own disgrace and his peoples disprofit For she like a bad tenant which holding an expiring lease without impeachment of waste cares not what spoil he maketh thereon sensible of what ticklish termes she stood on snatch'd all she could rape and rend unto her self In a word the bad beginning of this King on the murder of his Father must be charged on his Mothers and Mortimers account The failings at his end may be partly excused by the infirmities of his age the rather because whilest he was himself he was like himself and whilest master of his own actions he appeared worthy of all commendations Ric. 2 1. Richard the second his Grand-childe by Edward the Black Prince succeeded him being about twelve years of age and lived under his Mothers and Uncle's tuition 13. A Parliament was called a Westminster Laity bandying against the Clergie in Parliament wherein old bandying betwixt the Laity and the Clergie The former moving a Ex Rotulis in Terre Londinensi primo Ricardi 2. That no officer of the Holy Church should take pecuniary sums more or less of the people for correction of sins but onely injoyn them spiritual penance which would be more pleasing to God and profitable to the soul of the offender The Clergie stickled hereat for by this craft they got their gain and no greater penance can be laid on them then the forbidding them to impose money-penance on others But here the King interpos'd That Prelates should proceed therein as formerly according to the laws of the Holy Church and not otherwise Yea many things passed in this Parliament in favour of the Clergie as that That all Prelates and Clerks shall from henceforth commence their suits against purveyers and buyers disturbing them though not by way of crime by actions of trespass and recover treble damages Also That any of the Kings Ministers arresting people of the Holy Church in doing Divine Service shall have imprisonment and thereof be ransomed at the Kings will and make gree to the parties so arrested 14. About this time Wicliffe was summoned personally to appear before Simon 2 Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1378 and the rest of the Bishops Wicliff wonderfully preserved from prosecution in his Chappel at Lambeth He came accordingly and now all expected he should be devoured being brought into the Lions Den. When in comes a Gentle-man and Courtier one b Antiq. Bit. pag. 258. Fox p. 505. Lewis Clifford on the very day of examination commanding them not to proceed to any definitive sentence against the said Wicliffe Never before was the Bishops served with such a prohibition all agreed the messenger durst not be so stout with a Mandamus in his mouth but because back'd with the power of the Prince that imployed him The Bishops struck with a panick fear proceeded no farther the rather because the messenger so rudely rushed into the Chappel and the person of this John Wicliffe was so saved from heavie censure as was once the doctrine of his c Mark 11. 32. godly name-sake for they feared the people Onely the Arch-Bishop summoned a Synod at London himself preaching at the opening thereof We finde nothing of his Sermon but his Text was excellent Watch and pray Four constitutions he made therein d Linwoods provincials lib. 5. fol. 183. three whereof concerned Confession grown now much into discredit and disuse by Wicliffs doctrine and therefore conceived more needfull to press the strict observation thereof 15. In the Parliament Transactions in the Parliament of Glocester kept at Glocester this same year the Commons complained that many Clergy-men under the notion of Sylva caedua lop-wood took tythes even of timber it self Requesting that in such cases prohibitions might be granted to stop the proceedings of the Court-Christian It was moved also that Sylva caedua though formerly accounted wood above twentie years old might hereafter be declared that which was above the growth of e Ex Rot. in Terre Londin 2 Richardi 2. parte primâ numero 45. ten years and the same to be made free from tythes But this took no effect the King remitting things to their ancient course To cry quits with the Commons in their complaints the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury enveigh'd as bitterly of the Franchises infringed of the Abby-Church of Westminster wherein Robert de Hanley Esquire with a servant of that Church were both despightfully and horridly slain therein at the high Altar Anno Dom. 1378. even when the Priest was singing high Mass Anno Regis Ric. 2 2. and pathetically desired reparation for the same 16. Some of the Lords rejoyned on their parts Sanctuaries shrewdly shaken that such sanctuaries were abused by the Clergie to protect people from the payment of their due debts the aforesaid Hanlay being slain in a quarrel on that occasion And whereas upon the oathes and examination of certain Doctors in Divinity Canon and Civil Law it appeared that immunity in the Holy Church were onely to be given to such who upon crime were to lose life or limb the same was now extended to priviledg people in actions of account to the prejudice of the creditor They added moreover that neither God himself saving his perfection nor the Pope saving his Holiness nor any Lay-Prince could grant such priviledg to the Church and the Church which should be the favourer of vertue and justice a Ex Rot. Tur. Londin 2. Ric. 2 part 2 num 28. ought not to accept the same if granted The Bishops desired a day to give in their answer which was granted them but I finde not this harsh string touch'd again all this Parliament haply for fear but to make bad musick thereon Complaints were also made against the extortion of Bishops Clerks who when they should take
examin all the Lords in Parliament as well Spiritual as Temporal severally and all the States of the Parliament how they think of the cases aforesaid which be so openly against the Kings Crown and in derogation of his Regalitie and how they will stand in the same cases with our Lord the King in upholding the rights of the said Crown and Regalitie Whereupon the Lords Temporal so demanded have answered everie one by himself that the cases aforesaid be clearly in derogation of the Kings Crown and of his Regalitie as it is well known and hath been of along time known and that they will be with the same Crown and Regalitie in these cases especially and in all other cases which shall be attempted against the same Crown and Regality in all points with all their power And moreover it was demanded of the Lords Spiritual there being and the procurators of others being absent their advise and will in all these cases which Lords that is to say the Arch-Bishops Bishops and other Prelates being in the said Parliament severally examined making protestations that it is not their minde to denie nor affirm that the Bishop of Rome may not Excommunicate Bishops nor that he may make translation of that if any Execution of Processes made in the Kings Court as before be made by any and censures of Excommunication to be made against any Bishops of England or any other of the Kings liege people for that they have made execution of such commandments and that if any executions of such translations be made of any Prelates of the same Realm which Prelates be very profitable and necessarie to our said Lord the King and to his said Realm or that the sage people of his Councel without his assent and against his will be removed and carried out of the Realm so that the substance and treasure of the Realm may be consumed that the same is against the King and his Crown as it is contained in the petition before named And likewise the same procurators every one by himself examined upon the said matters have answered and said in the name and for their Lords as the said Bishops have said and answered and that the said Lords Spiritual will and ought to be with the King in these cases in lawfully maintaining of his Crown and in all other cases touching his Crown and his Regalitie as they be bound by their Liegeance Whereupon our said Lord the King by the assnt aforesaid and at the request of his said Commons hath ordained and established that if any purchase or pursue or cause to be purchased or pursued in the Court of Rome or elsewhere any such translations processes sentences of Excommunications Bulls Instruments or any other things whatsoever which touch the King against him his Crown and his Regalitie or his Realm as is aforesaid and they which bring within the Realm or them receive or make thereof notification or any other execution whatsoever within the same Realm or without that they their notaries procurators maintainers abbettors fantors and councellors shall be put out of the Kings protection and their Lands and Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeit to our Lord the King and that they be attached by their bodies if they may be found and brought before the King and his Councel there to answer to the cases aforesaid or that process be made against them by Praemunire facias in manner as it is ordained in other Statutes of Provisors and other which do sue in any other Court in derogation of the Regality of our Lord the King 43. Something of the occasion The occasion of this Statute name and use of this Statute the first is notoriously known from the Papal encroachments on the crown No Bishoprick Abathie Dignitie or Rectorie of value in England was likely to fall but a successour in reversion was by the Popes provisions fore-appointed for the same To make sure work rather then they would adventure to take the place at the first rebound Anno Dom. 1392. they would catch it before it light on the ground Anno Regis Ric. 2 16. This was imputed to the Popes abundance yea superfluity of care 〈◊〉 â—etur vacuum in the Church and rather then a Widow Benefice should mourn it self to death a second husband had his License for marriage before the former was deceased But great parishes where small the profit and numorous the people and where indeed greatest care ought to be had of their soules were past by in the Popes Bulls His Holiness making no provisions for those Livings which Livings had no provisions for his Holiness 35. Some will have it called Praemunire Why called Praemunire from fencing or fortifying the Regal power from forain assaults as indeed this was one of the best bulworks and sconces of Soveraignty Others that Praemunire signifieth the Crown fortified before the making of this Statute as fixing no new force therein but onely declaring a precedent and forgoing just right and due thereof Others conceive the word Praemonere turned by corruption of barbarous transcribers interpreters and pronouncers into Praemunire Others alledg the figure of the effect for the cause and the common Proverb Praemonitus Praemunitus Most sure it is that Praemunire sacias are operative words in the form of the Writ grounded on the Statute which may give denomination to the whole 36. It may seem strange such a Statute could pass in Parliament where almost sixty Spiritual Barons Popes covetousness odious to the Clergy Bishops and Abbots Voted according to Papal Interest except any will say that such who formerly had much of a Pope in their bellies had now more of Patriots in their breast being weary of Romes exactions Indeed no man in place of power or profit loves to behold himself buried alive by seeing his successour assigned unto him which caused all Clergy-men to hate such superinductions and many friends to the Pope were foes to his proceedings therein 37. This Law angred all the veines in the heart of his Holiness The Popes Letter against this Statute the Statute of Mortmain put him into a sweat but this into the sit of a fever The former concerned him onely mediately in the Abbies his darlings this touched him in his person and how cholerick he was will appear by the following Letter here inserted though written some fifty years after to make the story entire MArtinus Episcopus The Original of this Bill was in the Study of Sir Nichol. Bacon L. C ancellor whence the Arch-Bish of Armagh had this his Copy from which that of S Robert Cottons is derived servus servorum Dei 1393. Dilecto filio nobili viro Jobanni 16 Duct Bedsord Salutem Apostolicam Benedictionem Quamvis dudum in regno Anghae jurisdictio Romanae Ecclesiae liberatas Ecclesiastica suerit oppressa vigore illius Execrabilis Statuti quod omni divinae humanae rationi contrarium est Tamen adhuc non
conscience Yea for the present such the reverence to his integrity no punishment was imposed upon him 57. Merks was conceived in the judgment of most moderate men Activity will he tampering abundantly to have satisfied his conscience with his speech in Parliament But how hard is it to stop an active soul in its full speed He thought himself bound not onely to speak but do yea and suffer too if called thereunto for his Soveraign This moved him to engage with Henry Hot-spur and other discontented Lords against King Henry on whose defeat this Bishop was taken prisoner and judicially arraigned for high Treason 58. This is one of the clearest distinguishing characters A Bishop not triable by his Peers betwixt the Temporal and Spiritual Lords that the former are to be tried per pares by their Peers being Barons of the Realm the later are by Law and custome allowed a Trial onely by a Jury of able and substantial persons Such a Mr Selden in a late small Treatise of Parliaments men found Bishop Merks guilty of Treason for which he was condemned and sent prisoner to S t Albans 59. The King would gladly have had a fair riddance of this Bishop A seasonable expedient whom he could not with credit keep here nor send hence As to deprive him of life it was dangerous in those dayes when some Sacredness was believed inherent in Episcopal persons Here his Holiness helpt the King with an handsom expedient to salve all matters by removing Merks to be Bishop of b Godwin in his Bishops Samos in Grecia I finde three Grecian Islands of the same name and a critick c Carolus Stephanus in dictionario poetico complaineth they are often confounded The best is it is not much material of which of them Merks was made Bishop having onely a Title to sterve in state without a penny profit thereby But before his translation was compleated he was translated into another world The End of the Fourteenth CENTURY SECT II. Anno Regis TO Sir GERRARD NAPIER OF Dorcet-shire Anno Dom. BARONET I Have read that a Statute was made to retrench the number of great mens keeping their Reteiners in the Reign of King Hen. 7 th and that politickly done in those nutinous times to prevent Commotions lest some popular person should raise a little Army under the covert of his great Attendance A Law improved to Rigor though certainly as all other penal Statutes intended but to terrour insomuch that the Earl of Oxford more meriting of King Hen. 7 th then any other subject was even * Lord Verulum in his Life p. 211. delivered to the Kings Atturney and as report saith Fined fifteen thousand Marks for exceeding the proportion legally allowed I confess we live in as dangerous dayes and affording as great jealousies as those But I have cause to be right glad as deeply concerned therein that though a Statute hath forbidden many to depend on one none hath prohibited one to depend on many Patrons But any Author of a Book may multiply them Sance-number as driving on no hurtful design but onely the protection of his own endeavours On this account I tender these my Labours unto you knowing the very Name of NAPIER acceptable to all Scholars ever since the Learned Laird of Marchistowne no stranger to your bloud as I am informed by his Log-arithmes contracted the pains and so by consequence prolonged the time and life of all imployed in Numeration 1. KIng Henry being conscious that he had got and did keep the Crown by a bad Title Hen 4 10. counted it his wisest way 1408. to comply with the Clergie King Henry bloudy against â—oor Christians yt 〈◊〉 his Regal power against the Popes encroachments whose present power was not onely useful but needful for him To gain their favour he lately enacted bloudy Laws for the extirpation of poor Christians under the false notion of Hereticks a Statute 2 of Hen. 4. c. 15. condemning them to be burnt A torment unheard of in such cases till that time and yet it appeareth that the Pope in this Age was not possest of so full power in England whatsoever the Catholicks pretend but that this politick Prince kept the reins though loose in his own hand For in this b 1 Henry 4 th fol. 19. time it was resolved that the Popes Collector though he had the Popes Bull for that purpose had no jurisdiction within this Realm and that the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of England Anno Dom. 1408. were the Spiritual Judges in the Kings behalf Anno Regis Hen. 4. 10. As it was also a Statute 2 Hen. 4. cap. 3. enacted if any person of Religion obtained of the Bishop of Rome to be exempt from obedience regular or ordinary he was in a premunire Yea this very Statute which gave power to a Bishop in his Diocess to condemn an Heretick plainly proveth that the King by consent of Parliament directed the proceedings of the Ecclesiastical Court in cases of Heresie so that the Pope even in matters of Spiritual cognizance had no power over the lives of English subjects 2. The first on whom this cruel Law was hanselled William Sautre the protomertyr of English protestants was William Sautre formerly parish Priest of S t Margaret in the town of Lin but since of S t Osith in the City of London This was he whose Faith fought the first Duell with Fire it self and overcame it Abel was the first Marry of men S t Stephen the first of Christian men S t Alban the first of British Christians and this Sautre the first of English Protestants as by Prolepsis I may terme them Scriveners use with gaudy flourishes to deck and garnish the initial characters of Copies which superfluous pains may be spared by us in adorning this leading letter in the pattern of patience seeing it is conspicuous enough in its self died red with its own bloud Some charge this Sautre with fear and fickleness because formerly he had abjured those Articles for which afterwards he died before the Bishop of Norwich But let those who severely censure him for once denying the truth and do know who it was that denied his Master thrice take heed they do not as bad a deed more then four times themselves May Sautre's final Constancy be as surely practised by men as his former Cowardliness no doubt is pardoned by God Eight Errours were laid to his charge in order as followeth 1. Imprimis He saith that he will not worship the Cross on which Christ suffered but onely Christ that suffered upon the Cross 2. Item That he would sooner worship a temporal King then the aforesaid wooden Cross 3. Item That he would rather worship the bodies of the Saints then the very Cross of Christ on which he hung if it were before him 4. Item That he would rather worship a man truly contrite then the Cross
dicti Concilii inibi statui ac ordinari contigerit Promittentes promittimus bona fide nos ratum gratum firmum perpetuò habiturum * * Habiturum in M.S. totum quicquid per dictos Ambassiatores Oratores Procuratores nostros aut majorem partem eorundem actum factum seu gestum fuerit in praemissis in singulis praemissorum hoc idem cum de super hiis certiorati fuerimus quantum ad nos Christianum Principem attinet executioni debitae curabimus demandare In cujus rei testimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus patentes Dat. July 10. 1. sub Magni Sigilli nostri testimonio in Palatio nostro West 10 die Julii Per Concilium THe King to all whom c. Greeting a The Latin running on all in one continued sentence we are sain to divide it into many for the mere clearness Know that according to the Decrees of the late Council of Constance the present Council of Basil is actually celebrated under the Most Holy Father Lord Eugenius the fourth Pope We being often instigated to be present at the same Councel not onely on the behalf of the same Councel by their Orators especially dispatched to us for that purpose but also by the Letters Apostolical and Imperial and the Letters of very many other Fathers of the Holy Mother Church and of Secular Princes And we desiring to be present thereat to the praise of God prosperity of the Holy Mother Church and her desired Honour and chiefly for the exaltation of the Catholick Faith being on just reason hindred with many and several occasions cannot as we would be personally present thereat Wherefore by these presents we constitute make and depute the venerable Fathers Robert Bishop of London Philip Bishop of b A City in Normandy Lisieux John Bishop of Rochester John Bishop of Baieux Bernard Bishop of Aix and our most dear Cousin Edmund Earl of Morton our beloved Nicolas Abbot of Glasto William Abbot of S t Maries in York and William Prior of Norwich and our beloved and trusty Henry Broumflete Knight M r Thomas Broun Doctor of Laws Dean of Sarum John Colluelle Knight M r Peter Fitz-Maurice D. D. and M r Nicholas David Arch-Deacon of Constance Licentiat in both Laws our Ambassadours Orators true and undoubted Proctors Actors Factors and special Messengers Giving and we give to them and the greater part of them Power and Command as well general as special in our Name and for Us to be present in the same Councel to treat debate and conclude as well of these things which may concern the support of the Orthodox Faith the Pacification of Kings and Princes as also upon either a perpetual Peace or else a Cessation from War betwixt Us and Charles of France our Adversary Impowring them also to treat commune and appoint moreover to consent and if need be dissent in those things which shall happen there to be established and ordained according to the deliberations of the aforesaid Councel Promising and we do promise on good faith that whatsoever shall be acted done or managed in the premisses and every one of them by our aforesaid Ambassadors Orators and Proctors or the greater part of them we shall have and account for ratified welcome and firm for ever Habiturum in M. S. And when we shall be certified of and upon the same we shall care to command the due execution so far as appertaineth to Us and a Christian Prince In witness whereof We have made these our Letters Patent Given under our Great Seal being our witness in our Palace at Westminster July 10. So eminent an Instrument of so great importance must not pass without some of our observations thereupon 2. The Councel of Basil is said to be assembled according to the Decrees of the late Councel of Constance Why the Pope declines general Councels in our age wherein it was constituted that within so many years a General Councel should be called For seeing the Church was subject to contract Rust in Doctrine and manners frequency of Councels was conceived the best way to scoure the same But the Pope lately hath willingly forgotten this Canon no General Councel being called since that of Trent wherein all the Power and profit of the Pope was secured under the Notion of Articles of the Faith since which time his Holiness thought it not safe to tamper with a new Councel as which might impair but could not improve his condition 3. See we here fourteen Ambassadours sent to Basil England must send four might send more Bishops to a general Councel Bishops 5. Earl 1. not that he was to vote in the Councel but onely behold the transactions thereof Abbots 2. Prior 1. Knights 2. Doctor in Divinity 1. Doctors of Law 2. all Interests being in them represented When therefore we read in Roger Hoveden and a Simon Dunelmen others ad generale Concilium Domini Papae quatuor Episcopi de Anglia tantùm Romam mittendi sunt onely four English Bishops are to be sent to Rome to a general Councel of the Pope understand it that such a number is sufficient England needed to send but so many though if pleased might send more confined by no other command save the Kings free discretion And seeing Basil was little above the half way to Rome the journey being shorter the more messengers were imployed 4. The three French Bishops sent by the King English puissance in France speak the great Command which King Henry as yet had in France especially if as I take it by Aquensis Aix be mentioned scited in the furthermost parts of Provence though even now the English power in France was a waining 5. John Langdon the learned Bishop of Rochester Bishop of Rochester here mentioned was John Langdon intruded by the Pope into that Bishoprick to the apparent prejudice of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury For the Bishop of Rochester was accounted Canterburies Chaplain to whom he owed his Spirituals and Temporals as his Patron and founder though now the Pope contrary to the Arch-Bishops will and right forced this Langdon into the place But indeed he was a learned man dying this year in his Embassie at Basil and deserved far better preferment then the poor Bishoprick of Rochester But yet as some observe of Taylors that they make the largest garments when they have the least cloath allowed them so the poor Bishoprick of Rochester hath fared better then many richer Sees seeing Sacriledg would never feed on so bare a pasture 6. Observe the Method in the Nomination of these Commissioners Precedents for precedency wherein no wonder if the Bishops precede so great an Earl was it not fit that reverend Fathers should be placed before a dear Cousin besides the employment being of Church concernment Spiritual persons carried it clear in the race of dignity More strange it is to finde herein a
long since should have sent him namely to visit his Diocess so large in extent and reside therein 3. Indifferent men thought that he had enough 〈…〉 his Foes that too much onely himself that too little was left unto him Pride accounts the greatest plenty if without Pomp no better then Penury Yet he had the whole revenues of York Arch-Bishoprick worth then little less then four thousand pounds yearly besides a large Pension paid him out of the Bishoprick of Winchester Was not here suel enough had thee not been too much fire within such his covetousness and ambition 4. Earthly Kings may make men humbled He states it at York God alone humble Wolsey began to state it at York as high as ever before in proportion to his contracted revenues Preparation is made in a Princely equipage for his Installation attracting envie from such as beheld it All is told unto the King and all made worse by telling it complaining Wolsey would never leave his pride till life first left him His old faults are revived and aggravated and the King incensed afresh against him 5. The Earl of Northumberland by the Commission from the King Arrested of Treason and dieth Arrested him of high-Treason in his own chamber at Cawood By slow and short journeys he setteth forward to London meeting by the way with contrary messages from the King Sometimes he was tickled with hopes of pardon and preserment sometimes pinched with fears of a disgraceful death so that he knew not how to dispose his minde to Mirth or Mourning Age and anguish brought his disease of the dysentery the pain lying much in his guts more in his heart Especially aftger S r William Kingston was sent unto him who being Lieutenant of the Tower seemed to carry a restraint in his looks Coming to Leicester he died being buried almost as obscurely as he was born 6. I know not whether or no it be worth the mentioning here Wolseys credulity befooled with dubious Prophecy however we will put it on the adventure that Cardinal Wolsey in his life time was inform'd by some Fortune-tellers that he should have his end at Kingston This his credulity interpreted of Kingston on Thames which made him alwayes to avoid the riding through that Town though the nearest way from his house to the Court. Afterwards understanding that he was to be committed by the Kings express order to the charge of S r Anthony Hen. Lord Howard in his Book against Prophesies chap. 28. fol. 130. Kingston it struck to his heart too late perceiving himself deluded by that Father of Lies in his homonymous prediction 7. Anna Bollen did every day look fairer and fiarer in the King's eyes The King deluded with delays at Rome whilest the hopes of his marriage with her seemed every day farther and farther from him For the Court at Rome meddled not with the merits of the causse but fell upon by-points therein of lesser concernment Yea they divided his case into three a Hist of Councel of Trent pag. 69. and twenty particulars whereof the first was Whether Prince Arthur had carnal knowledg with the Lady Katharine This bare about a years debate so that according to this proportion King Henry would be not onely past marrying but past living before his cause should be decided This news put him into a passionate pensiveness the rather because meeting with sadness here many populous places in England and Cambridg particularly being at the present visited with the sickness 8. But it is an evil plague which brings no body profit On this occasion D r Cranmer retired to Waltham with two of his Pupils Doct. cranmet comes to Waltham the sons of M r Cressey a name utterly extinct in that Town where God hath fixed my present habitation long before the memory of any alive But consulting Weavers a In Essex Pag. 645. But see the former part of Cranmers life until this time in our History of Cambridg Funeral-Monuments of Waltham-Church more truly then nearly by him composed I finde therein this Epitaph Here lyeth Jon and Jone Cressy On whose soulys Jesu havmercy Amen It seems paper sometimes in more lasting then brass all the ancient Epitaphs in that Church being defac'd by some barbarous hands who perchance one day may want a grave for themselves 9. The King coming to Waltham Is imployed by the King to the Pope D r Fox his Chaplain and Almoner afterwards Bishop of Hereford is lodged in M r Cressy 's house Discoursing about the Kings Divorce Cranmer conceived that the speediest course was to prove the unlawfulness of his Match by Scripture whence it would follow that the Pope at first had no power to dispence therewith and that the Vniversities of Christendom would sooner and truer decide the case then the Court of Rome This passage Fox reports to the King who well pleased thereat professes that this man had the b Fox Acts Mon. 1861. Sow by the right ear An ear which the King never left worrying till he had got it off and effected his will therein Cranmer being sent for comes to the King who very lovingly entertains him Indeed he was a most comely person having an amiable eye and as the soul sees much by the eye so is it much seen in them and pleasing countenance as by his lively c Which I have seen at Chesthunt in the house of Sir Tho. Docres done as I take it by Hans Holbein Picture doth appear Glad was the King to see more to hear him enlarge himself on the former subject that it was above the Popes power to dispense with Gods work in the Kings case And now what fitter Nurse for the Childe then the own Mother what person more proper to manage this matter then Cranmer himself who first moved it The King resolves and Cranmer consents he should be sent to the Pope there to make God his possition Leave we Cranmer for a time preparing himself for his long journey and come briefly to state the Kings Controversie out of Gods Word and several Authors who have written thereof 10. It plainly appears that a marriage with a Brothers wife is unlawful Marriage with Brothers Wives twice forbidden in Scripture because expresly forbidden LEVIT 18. 16 Thou shalt not uncover the Nakedness of thy Brothers Wife it is thy Brothers Nakedness Wherein we have 1. A Prohibition Thou shalt not uncover the Nakedness of thy Brothers Wife See all these Laws are made to men it being presumed that the weaker sex whose part it is to take not tender accept not offer love would be so modest as not to adventure of themselves on any incestuous act except first solicited by men thereunto 2. The Reason thereof It is thy Brothers Nakedness God could according to his Dominion peremptorily have forbidden the same without rendring a reason of his Prohibition but that men might pay the more willing obedience to his Law
them shall be stoned to death and she punished for an Adulteress he for humbling his Neighbours wife Be then the Lady Katharine known or unknown by Prince Arthur due Benevolence is the effect not the cause of Marriage which was completed before God and they two made one flesh when solemnly joyned together in the face of the Congregation 16. Such a Marriage with a Brothers wife No Christian utility inconsistent with honesty thus appearing against the Law of God it is strange that any should maintain that Publica honestas publique honesty was the onely obstacle of this marriage which obstruction say they by the Popes dispensation was removed because Publica Utilitas the Publick Profit was greater that redounded by permitting this match Now suppose this all the obstacle the Position is dangerous and unfound For first Christians are not sensible of utility as falsely so called which stands at distance with Publick Honestie Secondly the publikness of the Profit was not adaequate to the publickness of the Scandal The Profit or State-benefit thereby onely extended to the Crowns of England and France as concerned therein whilest the Scandal dilated it self to the People of all Christian Provinces justly offended thereat And although we confess that in this respect the world is narrower to Princes then to private persons as not affording so fit matches unto them yet Kings have no Commission to enlarge themselves herein by the actual breach of Gods Commandment 17. Thus far the summe of the sense of Protestants and others Armies of writers pro con in this point no fewer then an hundred Authors Anno Dom. 1530 writing at this time against this Marriage Anno Regis Hen. 8 22. all which were produced by the King in the next Parliament Yet very many Papists professed their judgments in print on the contrary side both English and outlandish Divines and to give them their due brought very plausible Arguments Of all these John Fisher Bishop of Rochester led the Front whom some Catholicks call S t John because beheaded like the Baptist though on contrary accounts John Baptist for saying it is b Mark 6. 18. not lawful John Fisher for saying it is lawful for thee to have thy Brothers Wife * We order them by the seniority of their writing John Holiman John Clerke Cuthbert Dunstall Nicholas West Bishop of Bristol Bath Wells London Ely Thomas Abel Edward Powel Richard Featherstone Ridley Englishmen and Canonists Francis Royas Alphonse de Veruez Alphonse de Castro Sepulveda Spaniards Cardinal Cajetan Lewes Nugrola Italians Egwinarus Baro Franciscus Duarenus Convanus c Properly people of France living betwixt the Rivers of Garumna and Sequana Celtae Alvarus Gometius John Cochlaeus Portuguese High-German Ludovicus à Schora a Low-Countryman Erasmus a greater Scholar then Divine was very doubtful in his judgment herein He is made by some modern Apocalyptical Commentaries to be the Angel flying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is as they will have it in a middle distance betwixt Heaven and Earth which how it agrees to the Text I know not It alludeth well to his dubious posture betwixt different opinions in Religion and particularly in this Controversie sometimes being for King Henry and sometimes against him herein 18. Return we to Cranmer employed now in his Embassie to Rome Cranmer accompanies others in an Embassie to Rome The state whereof lay on Thom. Bullen Earl of Wilt-shire but the strength of it as to the disputing part on D r Cranmer D r Stokesley D r Carne D r Bennet c. so that a little University of Learned men went along thither These were well armed with Arguments being to carry a challenge to all the Canonists at Rome Coming thither they found the Pope in his Grandetza proffering his Toe to them which none offered to kiss save the unmannerly Spaniel to say no worse of him to the Earl of Wilt-shire whom the Jesuit calls a d Father Floud See Mason de minist Ang. pag. 157. Protestant-Dog for biting the Popes Toe But let him tell us what Religion those Dogs were of which eat up e 2 Kings 9. 36. Jezebel the harlot The Earl presented the Pope a Book of Cranmers penning proving Gods Law indispensable with by the Pope A Book as welcome to his Holiness as a prison beholding his own power therein limited and confined Promise was made of a publick Disputation but never performed Onely the Pope who is excellent at the making of nothing something by the solemn giving thereof made Cranmer supreme Penitentiary an empty Title throughout all his Dominions This was onely to stay his stomach for that time in hope of a more plentiful Feast hereafter if Cranmer had been pleased to take his repast on any Popish preferment 19. Mean time King Henry imployed his Agents to the Universities in several parts of Christendom Foreign Universities determine for the King to found their judgments in the matter of his Marriage Some report that Reginald Poole then living at Paris was practised upon by promise of preferment to act the University there in favour of the King but he being a perfect Katharinist declined the employment S r Richard Morisin a learned Knight was used by the King in Germany a Hollinsh in Hen. 8. pag. 923. Edmund Bonner afterwards Bishop of London employed in Italy and William Langée a Native French-man made use of in his own Countrey so that ten of the Universities subscribed the Case that it was above the Popes power to dispense with the positive Law of God 1. Cambridg 2. Oxford England May 3. b 2. Paris 4. c 7. June The Faculty of Paris 5. Orleans France 6. d 1. Tholouss 7. e 1. Anjou 8. f 10. Bituriges 〈◊〉 France 9. g 10. July Bononia 10. h 2. Octo. Padua Italy Wonder not herein at the silence of many Dutch Vniversities Wittemberg Heidelberg Tubing Bazil that they interposed not their opinions herein for these having formerly utterly exploded the Popes power were conceived partial and therefore incompetent Judges in this point Wherefore the King onely solicited such Universities in this his Case which as yet remained in fast and firm obedience to the See of Rome 20. Of all the Universities declaring for the Popes inability to dispence with Gods positive command The bold Declaration of the University of Bononia most bold and daring because largest fullest clearest was that of Bononia the chief City in Romandiola a Province of Peters Patrimony and that City the Popes retiring place Nor can I omit the conclusion of their Declaration We confidently do hold and witness that such Marriage is horrible accursed and to be cried out upon and utterly abominable not onely for a Christian man but for an Infidel unfaithful or heathen and that it is prohibited under grievous pains and punishments by the Law of God of Nature and of man and that the Pope though he may
deprecor majestatem tuam ut tu Deus deleas iniquitatem meam vos orare pro me 59. Item That it is preached that because auricular Confession hath brought forth innumerable vices it is clearly to be taken away 60. Item That the canon of the Masse is the comment of some foolish unlearned Priest and that the names of the Saints there expressed are not to be rehearsed 61. Item That water running in the chanel or common river is of as great vertue as the holy-water 62. Item That holy-water is but jugg'led water 63. Item That the holy-water is more savoury to make sauce with than the other because it is mixt with salt which is also a very good medicine for an horse with a gall'd back yea if there be put an onyon thereunto it is a good sauce for a gibbet of mutton 64. Item That no humane constitutions or laws doe binde any Christian man but such as be in the Gospels Paul's Epistles or the New Testament and that a man may break them without any offence at all 65. Item That besides seditious preaching letting unity to be had there are many slanderous and erroneous books that have been made and suffered to goe abroad indifferently which books were the more gladly bought because of these words Cum privilegio which the ignorant people took to have been an expresse approbation of the KING where it was not so indeed 66. Item That where heretofore divers books have been examined by persons appointed in the Convocation and the said books found full of heresie and erroneous opinions and so declared the said books are not yet by the Bishops expresly condemned but suffered to remain in the hands of unlearned people which ministreth to them matter of argument and much unquietnesse within the Realm 67. Item That Apostates abjured persons and of notable ill conversation and infamed have without licence of the King's Grace or the Ordinary taken upon them to preach slanderously 29. The Reader hath no sooner perused these opinions Distempered expressions partly excused but well he may conceive himself to have put his hand into Jeremie's basket of figs * Jer. 24. 3. Those that are good exceeding good and those that are bad exceeding bad Most of these tenents being true in themselves grounded on God's Word and at this day professed by the Protestants But blended with these are some rather expressions than opinions and those probably worse spoken than meant worse taken than spoken which we will not go about in any degree to defend onely may the unpartial Reader take this into consideration It happeneth in all heights and heats of oppositions as in horse-races wherein the Rider if he doth not go beyond the post cannot come to the post so as to win the prize for being upon the speed he must goe beyond it that he come to it though afterwards he may rain and turn his horse back again to the very place of the mark Thus men being in the heat of contest upon the very career of their souls because of their passions cannot stop short at the very mark they ayme at but some extravagancies must be indulged to humane infirmity which in their reduced thoughts they will correct and amend As some Protestants no doubt now lashing out so farre in their language retrenched them afterwards to a just proportion of truth 30. Two contrary interests visibly discovered themselves in the Upper-house of this Convocation betwixt the Bishops therein Two contrary parties in the Convocation and certainly in the Lower-house their Clerks and Chaplains adhered to the parties of their Lords and Masters An honourable * Lord Herbert in the Life of Henry the 8th pen hath stated the principal parties whom we implicitly follow herein onely where he mentions their bare Sees we willl adde their names and sirnames for the better clearing thereof Protestants Papists for the Reformation against Reformation 1. Thomas Cranmer Archb. of Canterbury 1. Edward Lee Archb. of Yorke 2. Thomas Goodrich Bishop of Elie. 2. John Stokesley BP of London 3. Nich Shaxton Bishop of Sarum 3. Cuthbert Tunstall BP Durham 4. Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester 4. Steven Gardiner B. Winchester 5. Edw Fox Bishop of Hereford 5. Rob Sherborne BP Chichester 6. John Hilsley Bishop of Rochester 6. Richard Nix BP of Norwich 7. Will Barlow Bishop of S. Davids 7. John Kite Bishop of Carlile Oh! what tugging was here betwixt these opposite sides For I dare not take Bishop Latimer's phrase as he took it out of his text Betwixt the children of this generation and the children of light whilst with all earnestnesse they thought to advance their severall designs But as when two stout and sturdy travellers meet together and both desire the way yet neither are willing to sight for it in their passage they so shove shoulder one another that dividing the way betwixt them both and yet neither geâ— the same so these two opposite parties in the Convocation were fain at last in a drawn battell to part the prize between them neither of them being conquering or conquered but a medlie-Religion as an expediment being made betwixt them both to salve if not the consciences the credits of both sides 31. Some Zelots of our Age will condemn the Laodicean temper of the protestant-Protestant-Bishops because if stickling to purpose The Protestant Bishops their moderation vindicated and improving their power to the utmost they might have set forth a more pure and perfect Religion Such men see the faults of Reformers but not the difficulties of Reformation These protestant-Protestant-Bishops were at this time to encounter with the Popish-Clergie equal in number not inferiour in learning but farre greater in power and dependencies Besides the generality of the people of the Land being nusled in ignorance and superstition could not on a suddain endure the extremity of an absolute Reformation Should our eyes be instantly posted out of mid-night into noon-day certainly we should be blinded with the suddennesse and excellency of the lustre thereof Nature therefore hath wisley provided the twi-light as a bridge by the degrees to passe us from darknesse to light Yea our Saviour himself did at the first connive at the carnality of his Apostles and would not put now a Mat. 9. 17. wine into old bottles for fear of breaking Yea he had some commandements which as yet b Iohn 16.12 they were not able to bear and therefore till they could bear them his wisdome did bear with them Thus the best of Artists doe not alwaies work to the height of their own skill but according to the aptnesse of the instruments wherewith and the capacity of the subjects whereon they employ themselves 34. And here we present the Reader with the aforesaid medley-Religion passed in this Convocation The draught of the twi-light Religion confirmed in this Convocation and confirmed with Royal assent requesting him though it be somewhat long not to grudge his time and
us and with us unto Almighty God after this manner All holy Angels and Saints in heaven pray for us and with us unto the Father that for his dear son Jesu Christ his sake we may have grace of him and remission of our sins with an earnest purpose not wanting ghostly strength to observe and keep his holy commandements and never to decline from the same again unto our lives end And in this manner we may pray to our blessed Lady to Saint John Baptist to all and every of the Apostles or any other Saint particularly as our devotion doth serve us so that it be done without any vain superstition as to think that any Saint is more mercifull or will hear us sooner than CHRIST or that any Saint doth serve for one thing more than another or is parrone of the same And likewise we must keep Holy-daies unto God in memory of him and his Saints upon such daies as the Church hath ordained their memories to be celebrate except they be mitigated and moderated by the assent and commandment of Us the Supreme Head to the Ordinaries and then the Subjects ought to obey it Of Rites and Ceremonies As concerning the Rites and Ceremonies of Christ's Church as to have such vestments in doing Gods service as be and have been most part used as sprinkling of Holy water to put us in remembrance of our Baptism and the blood of Christ sprinkled for our redemption upon the Cross Giving of Holy-bread to put us in remembrance of the Sacrament of the Altar that all Christian men be one body mystical of Christ as the bread is made of many grains and yet but one loaf and to put us in remembrance of the receiving of the holy Sacrament and body of Christ the which we ought to receive in right charity which in the beginning of Christ's Church men did more often receive than they use now adaies to do Bearing of Candles on Candle-mas-day in memory of Christ the spiritual Light of whom Siemeon did prophecie as is read in the Church that day Giving of Ashes on Ash wednesday to put in remembrance every Christian man in the beginning of Lent and penance that he is but ashes and earth and thereto shall return which is right necessary to be uttered from henceforth in our Mother-tongue alwaies on the Sunday Bearing of Palms on Palm-Sunday in memory of the receiving of Christ into Hierusalem a little before his death that we may have the same desire to receive him into our hearts Creeping to the Crosse and humbling our selves to Christ on Good Friday before the Crosse and there offering unto Christ before the same and kissing of it in memory of our redemption by Christ made upon the Crosse Setting up the Sepulture of Christ whose body after his death was buried The hallowing of the Font and other like exorcismes and benedictions by the Ministers of Christs Church and all other like laudable Customes Rites and Ceremonies be not to be contemned and cast away but to be used and continued as things good and laudable to put us in remembrance of those spiritual things that they doe signifie not suffering them to be forgotten or to be put in oblivion but renewing them in our memories from time to time but none of these Ceremonies have power to remit sinne but onely to stirre and lift up our mindes unto God by whom onely our sinnes be forgiven Of Purgatorie Forasmuch as due order of charity requireth and the Book of Macca bees and divers antient Doctours plainly shewen That it is a very good and charitable deed to pray for Souls departed and forasmuch also as such usage hath continued in the Church so many years even from the beginning We will that all Bishops and Preachers shall instruct and teach Our people committed by us unto their spiritual charge that no man ought to be grieved with the continuance of the same and that it standeth with the very due order of charity a Christian man to pray for Souls departed and to commit them in our prayers to God's mercy and also to cause other to pray for them in Masses and Exequies and to give alms to other to pray for them whereby they may be relieved and holpen of some part of their pain But forasmuch as the place where they be the name thereof and kinde of pains there also be to us uncertain by Scripture therefore this with all other things we remit to Almighty God unto whose mercy it is meet and convenient for us to commend them trusting that God accepteth our prayers for them referring the rest wholy to God to whom is known their estate and condition Wherefore it is much necessary that such abuses be clearly putaway which under the name of Purgatorie hath been advanced as to make men believe that through the Bishop of Rome's Pardons Souls might clearly be delivered out of Purgatorie and all the pains of it Or that Masses said at Scala coeli or otherwhere in any place or before any Image might likewise deliver them from all their pain and send them straight to heaven And other like abuses 36. Nothing else of moment passed in this Convocation The Convocation dissolved and what acted in Parliament save that on the 20 of July Edward Bishop of Hereford July 20. brought in a Book containing the King's Reasons conceiving it unfit in Person or by Proxie to appear at the General Councel lately called by the Pope at Mantua afterward removed to Trent and then the Convocation having first confirm'd the King's Reasons was dissolved It was transacted in relation to Church or Church-men in the contemporary x See them in the Statutes at large Parliament 1. That Felons for abjuring Petty Treason should not have y Cap. 1. Clergie 2. That every Ecclesiastical and Lay-Officer shall be sworn to renounce the Bishop of Rome and his authority and to resist it to his power and to repute any Oath taken in the maintenance of the said Bishop or his authority to be void And the refusing the said Oath being tendered z Cap. 10. shall be adjudged High Treason 3. That Fruits during the vacation of a Benefice shall be restored to the next Incumbent a Cap. 11. whose charge for first shall begin from the first vacation 4. Which Spiritual persons shall be resident upon their Benefices and which not and for what causes 5. Release of such who have obtained Licences from b Gap 16. the See of Rome But all these are set down at large in the printed Statutes and thither we referre the Reader for satisfaction as to our History of Abbies to be informed about the Rebellion in the North occasioned in this year by these alterations in Religion 37. Towards the end of this year The birth bâ—eeding frist persecution far travelling of William Tyndal the faithfull servant of God Ann. Dom. 1536. Octob. 7. William Tyndall alià s c Balcus de script
two hundred and fifty Writers of Name and note as Pitzeus * Catalogue p. 966. accounteth them 4. What this S. Equitius was Hâ—e and Crie after S. Equitius pretended Founder of our first English Monks is worth our enquirie Sure he could not be that Equitius of whom the African Bishops complained in the Councell of Carthage That by indirect courses he had invaded the Priesthood desiâ—ing by their b Acta Concil sect 32. 60. Legats whom they sent to the Emperour That he might be expelled that Office Yet he in defiance of their endevours went about to disturb the peace of the Church More probable it is he was either Equitius a Deacon in the Apamean Church flourishing in the fourth Century and famous for his faith and fervency in Religion in c Theodoret. lib. 3. cap. 27. assisting Marcellus Bishop thereof to demolish the Temple of Jupiter or else his contemporary Equitius Consul of Rome with Gratian An. 378 or some other unknown unto us But be he who he himself or any other pleaseth brother if they will to S. George on Horse back he was never father of any Monks in England 5. I intended to present the Reader Why habits of Monks not here presented with the habits of Benedictines and all other Orders for the fashion matter and colour thereof But understanding the industrious work called Monasticon is comming sorth which hath the speed of this my Book for a Term or two wherein that Subject is handled at large I thought better to forbear Partly because I presume Master Dadsworth an eminent instrument in that usefull work better acquainted than I am with their Taylors partly because my wardrobe of their clothes coming so long after his will be beheld but as from the second hand fetched from Long lane and his new bought out of the Draper's shop 6. The Augustinian Monks succeed Augustinian Monks younger than the Benedictines in England though older in Europe For S. Augustine of Hippo on whom these Monks would willingly recover themselves was S. Benet's Senior by sixty years I cannot believe that they came over into England what some affirm precise Anno 636 others 640. when Birinus was Bishop of Dorchester or that d Josephâ—â— Pamphilâ—â— in his Cronicon Augustin 1059 they were seated in London being rather inclined to believe that Eudo the Dapifer Sewer if you please to King Henry the first first brought them into England Anno 1105 and that S. John's at Colchester was the prime place of their residence However I finde that Waltham Abbey for Benedictines at the first had its Copie altered by King Henry the second and bestowed on Augustinians 7. These Augustinians were also called Canons Regular Whether H be a letter where by the way I meet with such a nice distinction which dishearrens me from pretending to exactnesse in reckoning up these Orders For this I finde in our English e Cbaucer in the Plow-mans Tale. Ennius And all such other Counterfaitours Chanons Canons and such disguised Boen Goddes enemies and Traytours His true religion hau soule despised It seems the H here amounteth to a letter so effectuall as to discriminate Chanons from Canons though both Canonici in Latine but what should be the difference betwixt them I dare not interpose my conjecture I have done with these Augustinians when I have observed that this Order in England afforded * Reckoned up by Piâ—zeus in Iudicâ— p. 974. threescore and ten eminent Writers and one in Germany worth them all in effect I mean Martin Luther who by his writings gave a mortall wound to all these Orders yea and to the root of the Romish Religion 8. Gilbertine Monks Gilbertine Monks may be the third a mongrel Order observing some select Rules partly of S. Bennet partly of S. Augustine So named from Gilbert son to Joceline a Knight Lord of Sempringham in Lincoln-shire where 1148 first they were planted Whereupon this Order may boast that it alone is a native and Indegena whereas Benedictines are by original Italians Augustinians Affrican Carthusians French Dominicans Spanish c. pure English by the extraction thereof This Gilbert unhandsome but not unlearned erected this Order contrary to Justinians constitution who forbad double Monasteries wherein men and women lived together though secluded under one roof He survived to see thirteen Houses of this his own Order and in them seventeen hundred Gilbertine Brothers and Sisters Yet I finde no Writer of this Orâ—er conceiving them so well busied with their Company in their Convent they had little leisure for the writing of Books 9. Carthusian Monks make up a Messe Carthusian Monks much famed for their mortified lives and abstinence from all flesh one Bruno first founded them in the Dolphinate in France Anno 1080 and some 60 years after they were brought over into England I wonder men fasting so much should have so high spirits no Order standing more stoutly on their priviledges insomuch when the means of all Covents were valued in the Reign of * Some years before the dissolution of Abbeys King Henry the eighth a peculiar clause was added to the Patent of the Commissioners impowering them particularly to rate Charter-house in London However their Books there being eleven * Pitzeus in Indice p. 973. learned Authors of English Carthusians contain much tending to mortification and out of them Parsons the Jesuite hath collected a good part of his Resolutions 10. So much of Monks Monks and Fryers how they differ come we now to Fryers and it is necessary to premise what was the distinction betwixt them For though some will say the matter is not much if Monks and Friers were confounded together yet the distinguishing of them condueeth much to the clearing of History Some make Monks the Genus and Friers but the Species so that all Fryers were Monks but è contra all Monks were not Fryers Others that Monks were confined to their Cloisters whilst more liberty was allowed to Fryers to goe about and preach in neighbouring Parishes Others that Monks were in those Convents who had a Bishop over them as Canterbury Norwich Durham c. but never any Fryers in such places where the Bishop was the supreme and they in some sort had the power of his Election I see it is very hard just to hit the joynt so as to cleave them asunder at an hairs bredth Authors being so divided in their opinions But the most essentiall difference whereon we most confide is this Monks had nothing in propriety but all in common Fryers had nothing in propriety nor in common but being Mendicants begg'd all their subsistance from the charity of others True it is they had Cells or Houses to dwell or rather hide themselves in so the Foxes have holes and the Birds of the aire have nests but all this went for nothing seeing they had no means belonging thereunto Yea it hath borne a tough debate
Lands should revert to the true Heirs of the said Founders if then in beeing 8. But such consider not that such a Reservation would have favoured more of wildnesse than wisdome in that Age Basily confuted as well might one have sought to secure himself with a shelter against the falling of the skies as equally probable as the diverting of Abbey-Lands to other intentions Besides such a jealous clause might be interpreted hereticall to put into peoples fancies a feizability of such alterations Yea I have heard it questioned by the Learned in the Law whether such a conditionall settlement with such a clause were Legall or no many maintaining that such Donations must be absolute But suppose such a Clause in their Foundations it had not much befriended them at this time seeing Cables are as easily cut off as Twine-threads by power of Parliament when disposed to make such a dissolution 9. Now some conceived it just Abbey-Lands should have been restored to the Heirs of their Founders Strong faith to believe so much of King Henry's charity but seeing the most and greatest Abbeys were built and endowed before the Conquest it was hard to finde out their Heirs if extant Besides this would minister matter of much litigiousnesse equally to share them amongst their many Benefactors Wherefore the King the Founder Generall of them all mediately or immediately in himself or in His Subjects as who in His person or Ancestors confirmed consented or at least connived at their Foundations may charitably be presumed to seize them all into His own hands so to cut off the occasion of dangerous division amongst His subjects about the partition of those Estates SECTION V. To the Right Honourable The Lady ELIZABETH POWLET of St. George-Hinton MADAM THere be three degrees of gratitude according to mens severall abilities The first is to requite the second to deserve the third to confesse a benefit received He is a happy man that can doe the first no honest man that would not doe the second a dishonest man who doth not the third I must be content in reference to your favours on me to sit down in the last Form of thankfulnesse it being better to be a Lagge in that School than a Trewant not at all appearing therein Yea according to our Saviours counsell and comfort the lowest place is no hindrance to a * * Luke 14. 10. higher when the Master of the houshold shall be pleased to call him up When this is done and God shall ever enable me with more might my gratitude shall wait on your Lady-ship in a greater proportion Mean time this Present having otherwise little of worth may plead somthing of propernesse therein seeing Somerset-shire is the chief subject of this Section the same County which receiveth honour from You by Your Birth and returneth it to You by Your Baronry therein God blesse You in all Your relations and make Your afflictions which are briers and thistles in themselves become sweet-brier and holy-thistle by sanctifying them unto You. Of Miracles in generall to which Monasteries did much pretend RIGHT is the Rule of what is So A true Miracle described and what is otherwise We will therefore premise the description of a true Miracle A Miracle is a work of God passing the power of nature done for the confirmation of Faith on the Mission generally of a new Ministry 1. Worke of God a Psalm 72. 18. who onely doth wondrous things For though He sometimes useth men as Morall instruments whereby yet never as Naturall causes to effect Miracles 2. Passing the power of Nature Hence it is that it is not done by leisure but presently not by degrees but perfectly God's Cures are never subject to Relapse once healed and ever healed except the party run on the score of a new guilt Thou art b John 5. 14. made whole sinne no more left a worse thing befall thee 3. Done for the confirmation of faith God will not make his works cheap by prostituting them meerly for the satisfaction of mans curiosity 4. On the Mission generally of a new Ministery For although some sprinkling of Miracles on other occasions yet their main body was done by Moses a new Law-giver to the Jewes by Elias and Elisha two grand Restorers adequate almost to a Giver of the Law in a generall-visible defection to Idolatry by Christ and his Apostles as the first Preachers of the Gospel In this our description no mention of the rarity of Miracles because the same resulteth from the premises frequencie abating from the due wonder thereof 2. Now that such Miracles long since are ceased Miracles long since are ceased appears by the confession of antient Fathers and most ingenious Romanists S. Chrysost 23 Hom on S. John thus expresseth himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For even now there be Seekers and Sayers wherefore also now are not Miracle done for if thou beest a Believer as thou oughtest to be and dost love Christ as thou oughtest to love him thou hast no need of Miracles For Miracles are given to unbelievers 3. S. Augustine passing his Censure on the Miracles of his Age By Saint Angustine's confession had so low an opinion of their truth that he ranked them under two c De Unitate Ecclesiae cap. 16. heads 1. Figmenta mendacium hominum Forgeries of lying men 2. Portenta fallacium spirituum Prodigies of deceitfull Devils 4. Bishop Fisher himself writing against d De Captivitate Babylonica cap. 11. Luther and occasionally treating of the power of Miracles Cujus effectum nune nullum cernimus of which saith he we now see no effect which addeth to the wonder that so wise a man should engage in the foolish wonder of the holy Maid of Kent 5. The true cause of the ceasing of Miracles is not any want of Divine power to effect them Why Miracles ceased as if that infinitenesse could ever like Naomi be superannuated and effoete to have no more true wonders in the womb thereof but because Miracles are the swadling cloathes of infant-Churches And when Doctrines are once established and received in a Church Miracles are impertinent yea it is no better than a tempting of God after such assurance given long since to the Truth still to expect a miraculous confirmation thereof 6. Wherefore when the importunity of Papists presseth us to produce Miracles to atrest our Religion The Magazine of Protestant Miracles we return unto them That ours is an old Faith founded long since on the Scriptures and we may justly lay claim to all the Miracles in the New Testament to be ours because done in demonstration of that Doctrine which we at this day doe defend and are the Seals of that Instrument the writing wherein we desire and endeavour to maintain and practice 7. Such forgery must needs be an high and heinous offence If the counterfeiting of the Mark Tokens Counterfeiting Miracles a heinous offence and
antient amongst the Barons to the degree and dignity of Viscounts wherein that it may long flourish in plenty and happinesse is the daily prayer of Your Honours most obliged Servant THOMAS FVLLER THE Church-History OF BRITAIN KING HENRY the eighth Jan. 28. though dying excommunicate in the Church of Rome The hopefull beginning of King Edward had notwithstanding His Obsequies solemnly performed at Paris in France 1546. 7. by the command of Francis the French a Godwin in Edvardo â—exto pag. 158. King presuming so much on His own power and the Pope's patience otherwise such courtesie to His friend might have cost Him a curse to Himself Then began King Edward His Son Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 1. to reign scarce ten years old Ann. Dom. full of as much worth as the model of His age could hold No pen passeth by Him without praising Him though none praising Him to His full deserts Yea Sanders himself having the stinch of his railing tongue over-sented with the fragrant ointment of this Prince's memory though jeering His for His want of age which was God's pleasure and not King Edward's fault and mocking Him for His Religion the others highest honour alloweth Him in other respects large commendations 2. No sooner was He come to the Crown Peace and prosperity to the Protestants in England but a peaceable dew refreshed Gods inheritance in England formerly patched with persecution and this good Angel struck off the fetters from many Peters in prison preserving those who were appointed to die Onely Thomas Dobbie Fellow of S. Johns in Cambridge committed to the Counter in Bread street and condemned for speaking against the Masse died of a natural death in respect of any publick punishment by Law inflicted on him but whether or no any private impression of violence hastened his end God alone knoweth His speedy death prevented the b Fox Acts Mon. Vol. 2. pag. 655. pardon which the Lord Protectour intended to send him Divine Providence so ordering it that he should touch not enter see not taste behold not reap benefit on earth of this Reformation Other Confessours which had fled beyond sea as John Hooper Miles c Senders de Schis Anglic. lib. 2. pag. 230. Coverdale c. returned with joy into their Countrey and all Protestants which formerly for fear had dissembled their religion now publickly professed the same Of these Archbishop Cranmer was the chiefest who though willingly he had done no ill and privately many good offices for the Protestants yet his cowardly compliance hitherto with Poperie against his conscience cannot not be excused Ann. Dom. 1546-47 serving the times present in his practice Ann Reg. Ed. 6 1. and waiting on a future alteration in his hopes and desires 3. Edward Semaure Commissionners sent into several Counties with Instructions to reform the King's Uncle lately made Lord Protectour Jan. 28. and Duke of Somerset ordered all in Church and State He by the King's power or if you please the King in his protection took speedy order for Reformation of Religion And being loth that the people of the Land should live so long in errour and ignorance till a Parliament should be solemnly summoned which for some Reasons of State could not so quickly be call'd in the mean time by His own Regall power and authority and the advise of His wise and honourable Counsell chose Commissioners and sent them with Instructions into severall parts of the Kingdome for the rooting out of superstition the substance whereof thirty six in number we have here presented The King's Injunctions 1. That all Ecclesiasticall persons observe the Lawes for the abolishing the pretended and usurped power of the Bishop of Rome and confirmation of the Kings authority and supremacie 2. That once a Quarter at least they sincerely declare the Word of God disswading their people from superstitious fancies of Pilgrimages praying to Images c. exhorting them to the works of faith mercy and charitie 3. That Images abused with Pilgrimages and offerings thereunto be forthwith taken down and destroyed and that no more wax-Candles or Tapers be burnt before any Image but onely two lights upon the high Altar before the Sacrament shall remain still to signifie that Christ is the very light of the world 4. That every Holy day when they have no Sermon the Pater noster Credo and Ten Commandements shall be plainly recited in the Pulpit to the Parishioners 5. That Parents and Masters bestow their Children and Servants either to learning or some honest occupation 6. That such who in Cases exprest in the Statute are absent from their Benefices leave learned and expert Curates 7. That within three Months after this Visitation the Bible of the larger volume in English and within twelve Months Erasmus his Paraphrase on the Gospel be provided and conveniently placed in the Church for people to read therein 8. That no Ecclesiasticall persons haunt Ale-houses or Taverns or any place of unlawfull gameing 9. That they examine such who come to confession to them in Lent whether they can recite their Creed Pater noster and ten Commandements in English before they receive the blessed Sacrament of the Altar or else they ought not to presume to come to Gods board 10. That none be admitted to preach except sufficiently licensed 11. That if they have heretofore extolled Pilgrimages Reliques worshipping of Images c. they now openly recant and reprove the same as a common errour groundlesse in Scripture 12. That they detect and present such who are Letters of the Word of God in English and Fautours of the Bishop of Rome his pretended power 13. That a Register-Book be carefully kept in every Parish for Weddings Christnings and Burialls 14. That all Ecclestasticall persons not resident upon their Benefices and able to dispend yearly twenty pounds and above shall in the presence of the Church-Wardens or some other honest men distribute the fourtieth part of their revenues amongst the poor of the Parish 15. That every Ecclesiasticall person shall give competent exhibition to so many Schollers in one of the Universities as he hath hundred pounds a year in Church promotions 16. That the fift part of their Benefices be bestowed on their Mansion-houses or Chancells till they be fully repaired 17. That he readeth these Injunctions once a Quarter 18. That none bound to pay Tithes detain them by colour of Duty omitted by their Curates and so redoub one wrong with another 19. That no person henceforth shall alter any Fasting-day that is commanded or manner of Common Prayer or Divine Service otherwise then specified in these Injunctions untill otherwise ordered by the Kings authority 20. That every Ecclesiasticall person under the degree of Batchelour of Divinity shall within three Months after this Visitation provide of his own the New Testament in Latine and English with Erasmus his Paraphrase thereon And that Bishops by themselves and their Officers shall examine
Reign wherein no Church-matter was medled with save that therein a Subsidie granted by the Clergy was confirmed Such moneys being the Legacie of course which all Parliaments fairly coming to a peaceable end bequeath to their Sovereign As for the Records of this Convocation they are but one degree above blanks scarce affording the names of the Clerks assembled therein Indeed they had no Commission from the King to meddle with Church-businesse and every Convocation in it self is born deaf and dumb so that it can neither hear complaints in Religion nor speak in the redresse thereof till first Ephata be thou opened be pronounced unto it by Commission from Royall Authority 9. Now The true reason thereof the true reason why the King would not intrust the diffusive body of the Convocation with a power to meddle with matters of Religion was a just jealousie which He had of the ill affection of the major part thereof Ann. Dom. 1553. who under the fair rinde of Protestant profession Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 7. had the rotten core of Romish superstition It was therefore conceived safer for the King to relie on the ability and fidelity of some select Confidents cordiall to the cause of Religion than to adventure the same to be discussed and decided by a suspitious Convocation 10. However Forty two Articles of Religion and the Kings Catechisme this barren Convocation is intituled the parent of those Articles of Religion fourty two in number which are printed with this Preface Articuls de quibus in Synodo Londinensi Anno Domini 1552. inter Episcopos alios eruditos viros convenerat With these was bound a Catechisme younger in age as bearing date of the next year but of the same extraction relating to this Convocation as authour thereof Indeed it was first compiled as appears by the Kings Patent prefix'd by a single Divine * ◠pio quodam crudito viro conscipto in the Kings Patent Consented and not consented to by the Convocation charactred pious and learned bu◠afterwards perused and allowed by the Bishops and other learned men understand it the Convocation and by Royall Authority commended to all Subjects commanded to all School Masters to teach it their Scholars 11. Yet very few in the Convocation ever saw it much lesse explicitly consented thereunto but these had formerly it seems passed over their power I should be thankfull to him who would produce the originall instrument thereof to the select Divines appointed by the King in which sense they may be said to have done it themselves by their Delegates to whom they had deputed their authority A case not so clear but that it occasioned a cavill at the next Convocation in the first of * See more thereof in the next year Queen Mary when the Papists therein assembled renounced the legality of any such former transactions Pretious King Edward the sixt now changed his Crown of Gold for one of Glory July 6. we will something enlarge our selves The death of K. Edward the sixt who was not cut out of His Mothers belly as is commonly reported to give posterity His true Character never meeting more virtues in so few years For His Birth there goeth a constant tradition that Caesar-like He was cut out of the belly of His Mother Jane Seymour though a great person of Honour deriving her Intelligence mediately from such as were present at Her Labour assured me of the contrary Indeed such as shall read the calm and serene style of that Letter which I have seen written though not by for that Queen and signed with Her own Signet after Her delivery cannot conjecture thence that any such violence was offered unto Her But see the Letter RIght trusty and welbeloved Queen Ianes Letter after Her Delivery to the Lords of the Councell We greet you well and forasmuch as by the inestimable goodnesse and grace of Almighty God We be delivered and brought in Childe-bed of a PRINCE conceived in most lawfull Matrimony between my Lord the Kings Majestie and Vs. Doubting not but that for the love and affection which you bear unto Vs and to the Common-wealth of this Realm thi◠knowledge shall be joyous and glad tidings unto you We have thought good to certifie you of this Iame To the intent ye might not onely render unto God condigne thanks and praise for so great a benefice but also continually pray for the long continuance and preservation of the same here in this life to the honour of God joy and pleasure of my Lord the KING and Vs and the universall weal quiet and tranquility of this whole Realm a a Extant in Sir Tho. Cottons Library sub Ner. cap. 10. ¶ Given under our Signet at my Lords Manour of Hampton-Court the 22 day of October And although this Letter was soon after seconded with b Extant ibid. another of a sadder subject here inserted subscribed by all the Kings Physitians yet neither doth that so much as insinuate any impression of violence on Her person as hastening Her death but seems rather to cast the cause thereof on some other distemper THese shall be to advise your Lordships of the Queens estate Yesterday afternoon She had a natural Lax A sadder Letter of Her Physitians unto them by reason whereof She began to lighten and as it appeared to amend and so continued till towards night All this night She hath been very sick and doth rather appare than amend Her Confessour hath been with Her Grace this morning and hath done that to his office appertaineth and even now is preparing to minister to Her Grace the Sacrament of Unction ¶ At Hampton-Court this Wednesday morning at eight a clock Your Lordships at Commandement Thomas Cutland Robert Karhold Edward Bayntam John Chambers Priest William Butts George Owen Impute we here this Extreme Unction administred to Her partly to the over-officiousness of some superstitious Priest partly to the good Ladies inability perchance insensible what was done unto her in such extremity otherwise we are confident that Her judgment when in strength and health disliked such practices being a zealous Protestant Which Unction did her as little good as the twelve Masses said for Her soul in the City of London at the Commandement of the Duke of Norfolk whether he did it to credit their Religion with the countenance of so great a Convert or did it out of the Nimiety of his own Love and Loyaltie to the Queen expressing it according to his own judgment without the consent if not against the will of the Queens nearest kindred 12. But leaving the Mother Prince Edw. towardlinesse in learning let us come to the Son who as he saith of himself in the Manuscript of His Life was for the first six years bred and brought up amongst the Women and then consigned to masculine Tuition under Doctor Richard Cox and Sir John Cheekè who taught Him Latine and John Belmain who
and Protestants wring their hands which our fathers found begun our selves see hightened and know not whether our children shall behold them pacified and appeased 4. But now a Parliament began at Westminster Alteration of Beligion enacted by the Parliament Wherein the Laws of King Henry the eighth against the See of Rome were renewed Jann 25. and those of King Edward the sixth in favour of the Protestants revived and the Laws by Queen Mary made against them repealed Uniformity of Prayer and Administration of Sacraments was enacted with a Restitution of first fruits Tenths c. to the Crown For all which we remit the Reader to the Statutes at large It was also enacted that whatsoever Jurisdictions Priviledges anâ— Spiritualls preeminences had been heretofore in Vse by any Ecclesiasticall Authority whatsoever to visit Ecclesiasticall men and Correct all manner of Errors Hereâ—es Schisms Abuses and Enormities should be for ever annexed to the Imperiall Crown of England if the Queen and her Successours might by their Letters patents substitute certain men to exercise that Authority howbeit with proviso that they should define nothing to be heresie but those things which were long before defined to be Heresies out of the Sacred Canonicall Scriptures or of the four Oecumenicall Councills or other Councills by the true and proper sence of the Holy Scriptures or should thereafter be so defined by authority of the Parliament with assent of the Clergy of England assembled in a Synod That all and every Ecclesiasticall Persons Magistrates Receivers of pensions out of the Exchequer such as were to receive degrees in the Vniversities Wards that were to sue their Liveries and to be invested in their Livings and such as were to be admitted into the number of the Queens servants c. should be tyed by oath to acknowledge the Queens Majesty to be the onely and supreme Governour of her Kingdoms the Title of Supreme head of the Church of England liked them not in all matters and causes as well spiritual as temporal all forrain Princes and Protestants being quite excluded from taking Cognizance of Causes within her Dominions 5. But the Papists found themselves much agrieved at this Ecclesiasticall Power Papists exceptions against the Queens Supremacy declared and confirmed to be in the Queen they complained that the simplicity of poore people was abused the Queen declining the Title Head and assuming the name Governour of the Church which though less offensive was more expressive So whil'st their ears were favoured in her waving the word their souls were deceived with the same sence under another Expression They cavilled how King a Sanders de Schismate Anglicano lib. 3. pag. 316. Henry the eighth was qualified for that Place and Power being a Lay-man King Edward double debarr'd for the present being a Lay-childe Queen Elizabeth totally excluded for the future being a Lay-woman b Hart against Rainolds pag. 673. They object also that the very c In Praefat. centur 7. writers of the Centuries though Protestants condemne such Headship of the Church in PRINCES and d Upon the 7. of Amos 3. The same how defended by Protestant Divines Calvin more particularly sharply taxeth Bishop Gardiner for allowing the same Priviledge to KING Henry the eighth 6. Yet nothing was granted the Queen or taken by her but what in due belonged unto her according as the most learned and moderate Divines have defended it For e Rainolds against Hart pag. 38. first they acknowledged that Christ alone is the Supreme Soveraign of the Church performing the Duty of an head unto it by giving it power of life feeling and moving and f Ephes 1. 22. him hath God appointed to be head of the Church and Col. 2. 19. by him all the body furnished and knit together by joynts and bands encreaseth with the encreasing of God This Headship cannot stand on any mortall shoulders it being as incommunicable to a Creature as a Creature is incapable to receive it There is also a peculiar Supremacy of Priests in Ecclesiasticall matters to preach the Word minister the Sacraments celebrate Prayers and practise the discipline of the Church which no Prince can invade without usurpation and the sin of Sacriledge for Incense it self did stink in the Nostrils of the God of heaven and h 2 Chr. 26. 19 provoked his Anger when offered by King Vzziah who had no calling thereunto Besides these there is that power which Hezekiah exercised in his Dominions Commanding the Levites and Priests to do their Duty and the People to serve the Lord. And to this power of the Prince it belongeth to restore Religion decayed reforme the Church Corrupted protect the same reformed This was that supremacy in Causes and over Persons as well Ecclesiasticall as Civil which was derived from God to the Queen annexed to the Crown disused in the dayes of her Sister whose blinde zeal surrendred it to the Pope not now first fixed in the Crown by this act of State but by the same declared to the Ignorant that knew it not cleared to the scrupulous that doubted of it and asserted from the Obstinate that denied it 7. As for Calvin How Dr. Rainolds answereth the exceptions to the contrary he reproveth not Reader it is D r. Rainolds whom thou readest the title of head as the Peotestants granted it but that sense thereof i against Hart pag. 673. which Popish Prelates gave namely Stephen Gardiner who did urge it so as if they had meant thereby that the King might do things in Religion according to his own will and not see them done according to Gods will namely that he might forbid the Clergie Marriage the laytie the Cup in the Lords Supper And the truth is that Stephen Gardiner was shamelessly hyperbolicall in fixing that in the King which formerly with as little Right the Pope had assumed Whether he did it out of mere flattery as full of adulation as superstition equally free in sprinkling Court and Church holy-water and as very a fawning Spaniel under King Henry the eighth as afterwards he proved a cruel Blood-hound under Queen Mary his Daughter Or because this Bishop being in his heart disaffected to the Truth Anno Dom. 1557. of set purpose betrayed it in defending it Anno Regin Eliza. 1. suting King Henries vast Body and Minde with as mighty yea monstrous a power in those his odious instances straining the Kings Authority too high on set purpose to break and to render it openly obnoxious to just exception The Centuriatoâ—s also well understood do allow and a Idem ibidem Confess the Magistrates Jurisdiction in Ecclesiasticall matters though on good reason they be enemies to this Usurpation of unlawfull power therein But I digresse and therein Transgresse seeing the large profecution hereof belongs to Divines 9. But Sanders taketh a particular exception against the Regular passing of this Act Sunders 〈…〉 Elizabeth shewing much Queen-Craft in
convenient time And of their doings in this behalf to certifie Her Majesties privie-Councell or the Councell in the Sarr-Chamber at Westminster that order may be taken herein Given at Windsor the 19 th of September the second year of Her Majesties raign Her Princely care took this desired effect that it stopped the main stream of Sacriledge herein though some by-rivolets thereof ran still in private Churches in defiance of all orders provided to the contrary 37. May the Reader take notice The death and character of Bp. Bale that henceforward God willing we will set down at the end of every year the deaths of such eminent Divines who deceased therein though we finde no funeralls of any prime Protestant in the two first yeers of the Queens raigne Her coming to the Crown inspirited the weakest and oldest with vigorousnesse and vivacity for a time and Divine Providence preserved them from blasting who were but newly replanted in their places Only we conjecture that John Bale Bishop of Ossorie died about this time we finding no future mention of his activity which if alive could not conceal it self Pity it is we cannot give the exact date of his death who was so accurate in noting the deeeases of others For this John Bale was he who besides many other books enlarged Leland and continued the Lives of the English Writers Borne at Covy near Dunwich in Suffolke bred in Cambridge afterwards a Carmelite in Norwich and ignorantly zealous in their superstitions He was first converted to the knowledge of the Gospel as himself a De Scriptor Britan Centur 8. confesseth by the care of that worthy Lord Thomas Lord Wentworth of Nettlested in Suffolke Whereupon to use his own expression he was transported from his barren mount Carmel to the fair and fruitfull vale of the Gospel 38. Presently comes persecution The persecutions which in his life he suffered For his preaching of the Gospell he is drag'd from the Pulpit to the Consistory before Lee Arch-Bishop of Yorke and for the same cause was afterwards convented before Stokesley Bishop of London but the Lord Cromwell much affected with the facetiousness of such Comedies as he had presented unto him rescued him from their paws by his power After eight yeers exile in Germany he was recalled by King Edward and made Bishop of Ossâ—rie in Ireland where he remained but a short time For after the Kings death he hardly escaped with his own life some of his servants being slain cast by tempest into Cornewall taken by pirates dearly redeemed with much difficulty he recovered London with more danger got over into Germany Whence returning in the first of Queen Elizabeth about this time he ended his life leaving a Scholars Inventory moe books many of his own making than mony behinde him 39. His friends say Bales passion endeavoured to be excused that Bale his pen doth zealously confute such as are strangers to him conceive it doth bitterly enveigh and his foes say it doth damnably raile on Papists and their opinions though something may be pleaded for his passion Old age and ill usage will make any man angry When young he had seen their superstition when old he felt their oppression Give losers therefore leave to speak and speakers to be cholerick in such cases The best is Bale railes not more on Patists then Pits employed on the same subject on Protestant Writers and even set me against the other whilest the discreet reader of both paring off the extravagances of passion on each side The Pope tampereth to reconcile the Queen to the Church of Rome may benefit himself in quietness from their loud and clamorous invectives 40. Pius the fourth 1560. being newly setled in the Papal chaire 3. May. 5. thought to do something no less honourable than profitable to his See in reducing Queen Elizabeth a wandring sheep worth a whole flock to the Church of Rome In order whereunto he not only was deaf to the importunity of the Count of Feria pressing him for a private grudge to excommunicate Her but also addressed Vincent Parpalia Abbot of S t. Saviours with courteous letters unto her The tenour whereof ensueth To our most dear Daughter in Christ Elizabeth Queen of England DEar daughter in Christ health and Apostolical benediction How greatly we desire our Pastoral charge requiring it to procure the salvation of your soule and to provide likewise for your honour and the establishment of your Kingdom withall God the searcher of all hearts knoweth and you may understand by what we have given in charge to this our beloved son Vincentius Parpalia Abbot of S t. Saviours a man well known to you and well approved by us Wherefore we do again and again exhort and admonish your Highnesse most dear daughter that rejecting evil Councellours which love not you but themselves and serve their own lusts Anno Dom. 1562. you would take the fear of God into Counsel with you Anno Regin Eliza. 4. and acknowledging the time of your visitation shew your selves obeâ—ient to our fatherly perswasions and wholsome Counsells and promise to your self from us all things that may make not only to the salvation of your soul but also whatsoever you shall desire from us for the establishing confirming of your Princely dignity according to the authority place and office committed unto us by God And if so be as we desire and hope you shall return into the bosome of the Church we shall be ready to receive you with the same love honour and rejoycing that the Father in the Gospel did his Son returning to him although our joy is like to be the greater in that he was joyfull for the salvation of one Son but you drawing along with you all the people of England shall hear us and the whole company of our brethren who are shortly God willing to be assembled in a generall Councell for the taking away of heresies and so for the salvation of your self and your whold nation fill the Vniversal Church with rejoycing and gladnesse Yea you shall make glad heaven it self with such a memorable fact and atchieve admirable renown to your name much more glorious than the Crown you wear But concerning this matter the same Vincentius shall deal with you more largely and shall declare our fatherly affection toward you and we intreate your Majesty to receive him lovingly to hear him diligently and to give the same credit to his speeches which you would to our self Given at Rome at S. Peters c. the fifth day of May 1560. in our first yeer What private proposals Parpalia made to her Majesty on condition she would be reconciled to Rome is unknown Some conceive the Pope might promise more then He meant to perform but would He perform more than He did promise nothing herein had been effected A Bargain can never be driven where a Buyer can on no terms be procured Her Majesty was resolute and unmoveable
and the Scotch in the minority of King James exacted it of Noblemen Gentlemen and Courtiers which here was extended onely to men of Ecclesiastical function Not that the Queen and State was careless of the spiritual good of others leaving them to live and believe as they list but because charitably presuming that where Parishes were provided of Pastors Orthodox in their judgments they would by Gods blessing on their preaching work their people to conformity to the same opinions * Querie about the 20 Article whether shufled in or no. Some question there is about a clause in the twentieth Article whether originally there or since interpolated Take the whole a Pag. 98. Article according to the common Edition therof Twentieth Article of the Authority of the Church The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authority in controversies of faith And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to Gods word neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a Witness and keeper of holy writ yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation Take along with this the bitter invective of a modern b Mr Burton in his Apologie Minister who thus laieth it on with might and main on the backs of Bishops for some unfair practice herein in an epistle of his written to the Temporal Lords of His Majesties Privy Councel reckoning up therein Fourteen Innovations in the Church The Prelates to justifie their proceedings have forged a new Article of Religion brought from Rome which gives them full power to alter the Doctrine and Discipline of our Church at a blow and have foisted it into the twentieth Article of our Church And this is in the last edition of the Articles Anno 1628. in affront of his Majesties Declaration before them The clause forged is this The Church that is the Bishops as they expound it hath power to decree rites and ceremonies and authoritie in matters of faith This clause is a forgery fit to be examined and deeply censured in the Star-chamber For it is not to bee found in the Latin or English Articles of Edward 6 or Queen Elizabeth ratified by Parliament And if to forge a Will or writing be censurable in the Star-chamber which is but a wrong to a private man How much more the forgery of an Article of Religion to wrong the whole Church and overturn Religion which concerns all our souls 57. Such as deal in niceties discover some faltering from the truth in the very words of this grand Delator The accuser his first mistake For the Article saith that The Church hath authority in controversies of faith He chargeth them with challenging authority in matters of Faith Here some difference betwixt the terms For matters of faith which all ought to know and believe for their souls health are so plainly setled by the Scriptures that they are subject to no alteration by the Church which notwithstanding may justly challenge a casting voice in some controversies of faith as of less importance to salvation 58. But to come to the main matter The dubious appearing of this clause this clause in question lieth at a dubious posture at in and out sometimes inserted sometimes omitted both in our written and printed copies Inserted in The originall of the Articles 1562 as appeareth under the hand of a Publick Notary whose inspection and attestation is only decisive in this case So also Anno 1593. and Anno 1605. and Anno 1612. all which were publick and authentick Editions Omitted in The English and Latine Articles set forth 1571. Anno Dom. 1563. Anno Regin Eliza. 5. when they were first ratified by Act and whose being as obligatory to punishment beares not date nine yeers before from their composition in Convocation but hence forward from their confirmation in Parliament And now to match the credit of private Authours in some equality we will weigh M r. Rogers Chaplain to Arch-Bishop Whitgift inserting this clause in his Edition 1595. against D r. Mocket Chaplain to Arch-Bishop Abbot omitting it in his Latine translation of our Articles set forth 1617. 59. Arch-bishop Laud Arch-Bishop Land his opinion in the point in a speech which he made in the Star-Chamber inquiring into the cause why this clause is omitted in the printed Articles 1571. thus expresseth himself * * In his speech made Iune 14. 1637. pag. 65. Certainly this could not be done but by the malicious cunning of that opposite Faction And though I shall spare dead mens names where I have not certainty Yet if you be pleased to look back and consider who they were that governed businesses in 1571. and rid the Church allmost at their pleasure and how potent the Ancestors of these Libellers began then to grow you will think it no hard matter to have the Articles printed and this clause left out I must confess my self not so well skilled in Historicall Horsemanship as to know whom his Grace designed for the Rider of the Church at that time It could not be Arch-Bishop Parker who though discreet and moderate was sound and sincere in pressing conformity Much less was it Grindall as yet but Bishop of London who then had but little and never much influence on Church-Matters The Earle of Leicester could not in this phrase be intended who alike minded the insertion or omission of this or any other Article As for the non-Conformists they were so far at this time from riding the Church that then they first began to put foot in stirrup though since they have dismounted those whom they found in the saddle In a word concerning this clause whether the Bishops were faulty in their addition or their opposites in their Substraction I leave to more cunning State-Arithmeticians to decide 60. One Article more we will request the Reader to peruse An Article to confirme the Homilies made in King Edward his reign as the subject of some historicall debates which thereon doth depend 35. Article of Homilies The second Booke of Homilies the severall titles whereof we have joyned under this Article doth contain a godly and wholsome Doctrine and necessary for these times as doth the former Booke of Homilies which were set forth in the time of Edward the sixth and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and distinctly that they may be understood of the People See we here the Homilies ranked into two formes Anno Regin Eliza. 4. The first such as were made in the Raign of Edward the sixth being twelve in number Of which the tenth of obedience to Magistrates was drawn up at or about Kets Rebellion in a dangerous juncture of time For as it is observed of the Gingles or S t.
legall Tryall is the greatest torment in the World God keepe all good men from feeling and chiefly from deserving it I am the easier induced to believe the Exquisitenesse of the Torture being sensible in my self by your bounty what a burden it is for One who would be ingenuous to be Loaded with Curtesies which He hath not the least hope to requite or deserve 1. IN this year began the Suit betwixt Robert Horne Bishop of Winchester The suit betwixt Bp. Horne and Bonner and Edmund Bonner late Bishop of London on this occasion All Bishops were impowred by the statute quinto Elizabethae to tender the Oath of Supremacy to all persons living within their Diocess Now Bishop Bonner was within the Diocess of Winchester full ill against his will as being a Prisoner in the Marshall-See in Southwarke to whom Horne offered this Oath and he refused the taking thereof Hereupon his refusall was returned into the Kings-Bench and he indicted on the same Being indicted he appeared there confessed the fact but denied himself culpable and intending to traverse the Indictment desired that Councell might be assigned him S r. Robert Cateline then Chief Justice granted his motion and no meaner then Ploydon that eminent Lawyer Christopher Wray afterwards Lord Chief Justice and Lovelace were deputed his Councell 2. First they pleaded for their Client Bonner his Councell that Bonner was indicted without the title and addition of Bishop of London and only stiled Doctour of Law and one in Holy Orders But the Judges would not allow the exception as legall to avoid the Indictment 3. Secondly Their 1. Plea 2. Exception they pleaded that the Certificate entred upon Record was thus brought into the Court. Tali die anno per A. B. Cancellarium dicti Episcopi Winton And did not say per mandatum Episcopi for the want of which clause Bonner his Councell took exceptions thereat sed non allocatur because the Record of it by the Court is not of necessity 4. Pass we by their third exception Main matter debared by the Judges that he was indicted upon that Certificat in the County of Middlesex by the common Jury of enquest in the Kings-Bench for that County It being resolved by the Judges that his triall could not be by a Jury of Middlesex but by a Jury of Surrie of the neighbourhood of Southwark The main matter which was so much debated amongst all the Judges in the Lord Cateline his chamber was this Whether Bonner could give in evidence of that issue that he had pleaded of not guilty that Horne Bishop of Winchester was not a Bishop tempore oblationis Sacramenti at the time wherein he tendred the oath unto Bonner And it was resolved by them a Dyer fol. 234 Mich. 6. 7. El. z. plaâ—â—to 15. all that if the truth of the matter was so indeed that he might give that in evidence upon that issue and that the Jury might trie whether he was a Bishop then or no. 5. Whilest this suit as yet depended Divided by the Parliament Eliz. 8. Sept. 30. 1567. the Queen called a Parliament which put a period to the controversie and cleared the legality of Horne his Episcopacy in a Satute enacting That all persons that have been or shall be made oâ—d red or consicrate Arch-Bishops Bishops Priests Ministers of Gods Holy Word and Sacraments or Deacons after the forme and order prescribed in the said order and form how Arch-Bishops Bishops Priests Deacons and Ministers should be consecrated made and ordered be in very deed and also by authority hereof declared and enacted to be and shall be Arch-Bishops Bishops Priests Ministers and Deacons and rightly made consecrated and ordered Any Statute law Canon or other thing to the contrary notwithstanding 6. However it immediately followeth A favourable proviso Provided alwayes and nevertheless be it enacted by the authority aforesaid that no person or persons shall at any time hereafter be impeached or molested in body lands livings or goods by occasion or mean of any Certificate by any Arch-Bishop or Bishop heretofore made or before the last day of this present Session of Parliament to be made by vertue of any Act made in the first Session of Parliament touâ—hing or concerning the refusal of the oath declared and set forth by Act of Parliament in the first yeer of the Reign of our said Soveraign Ladie Queen Elizabeth Any thing in this Act or any other Act or Statute her tofâ—re made to the contrary notwithstanding 7. The seasonable interposing of this Statute made it a Drawn battell betwixt Horne and Bonner Their suit superseded The former part thereof here alledged cleared Horne his Episcopacy from all cavils of law the later Proviso was purposely inserted in favour of Bonner who here himself found that which he never shewed to others that he as all other Popish Bishops deprived might be no more molested for refusing the Oath of Supremacy The Parliament saw they had already lost their livelihood and liberties for their erroneous consciences and had received their thirty nine stripes more then which the State thought not fit to inflict lest their justice should degenerate into cruelty 8. The enacting of this Statute did not stop the railing mouths of Papists against our Bishops but only made them alter their note and change their tune in reviling them Formerly they condemned them as illegall whose calling was not sufficiently warranted by the laws of the Land henceforward * 〈…〉 Sanders and others railed on them for Parliamentary Bishops deriving all their Power and Commission from the State But as well might the Jesuits terme b 〈…〉 pag. 449. Cuâ—on 17. Shemaiah Nethaniah Prerogative Levites because sent by Jehâ—saphat to preach the word to the people of the Land For that good King did not give but quicken and encourage their Commission to teach as here the Parliament did only publish notifie and declare the legall authority of the English Bishops whose Call and Consecration to their place was formerly performed derived from Apostolicall or at leastwise Ecclesiastical institution 9. These were the prime of the first Set of Puritans Anno Regin Eliza. 8. Anno Dom. 1567. The Ring leader of the second set of Nonconformiâ—â—s which being very aged expired for the most part at or about this time when behold another generation of Active and zealous Nonconformists succeeded them Of these Coleman Button Halingham and Benson whose Christian names I cannot recover were the chief inveighing against the established Church-Discipline accounting every thing from Rome which was not from Geneva endeavouring in all things to conforme the government of the English Church to the Presbyterian Reformation Add these three more though of inferiour note to the aforesaid Quaternion William White Thomas Rowland Robert Hawkins all beneficed within the Diocess of London and take a tast of their Spirits out of the Register thereof 10. For this
very yeer these three were cited to appear before Edmuna Grindall BP Their judgements of the Queen of London one who did not run of himself yea would hardly answer the spur in pressing conformity the BP asked them this question Have we not a godly Prince a The Register of 〈◊〉 pag. 33. speak is she evill To which they made their severall answers in manner following William White What a question is that the fruits do shew Thomas Rowland No but the Servants of God are persecuted under her Robert Hawkins Why this question the Prophet answereth in the Psalms How can they have understanding that work iniquity spoyling my peoplâ— and that extoll vanity Wonder not therefore if the Queen proceeded severely against some of them commanding them to be put into Prison though still their Party daily increased 11. Nicholas Wotton died this year Dean at the same time of Canterbury and Yorke The death of Dr. Wotton so that these two Metropolitan Churches so often contesting about their Priviledges were reconciled in his preferment He was Doctour of both Laws and some will say of both Gospels who being Privie Councellour to King Henry the Eighth Edward the Sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth never overstrained his conscience such his oylie compliance in all alterations However he was a most Prudent man and happily active in those many Embassies wherein he was employed 12. The Romanists were neither ignorant not to observe 9. 1568 Harding and Saunders Bishop it in England nor idle not to improve the advantage lately given them by the discords betwixt the Bishops and Nonconformists And now to strengthen their Party two most active fugitive Priests Thomas Harding and Nicholas Saunders return into England and that Episcopall power which they had lately received from the Pope they largely exercised on the Papists 1. Absolving all English in the Court of Conscience who returned to the bosome of their Church 2. Dispensing with them in cases of irregularity saving such which proceeded from wilfull murder 3. Even from irregularity of heresie b Camdens Eliz. in this year on condition that the Party to be absolved refrained three years from the Ministery of the Altar Very earnest they were in advancing the Catholick Cause and perverted very many to their own Erroneous opinions 13. Mary Queen of Scots 10. May 17. ill used at home by her own Subjects made an escape into England Q of Scots comes into England and landed at Wirkington in Cumberland the Statepart of whose sufferings we leave to Civill Historians confining our selves to the imprinted passages concerning Religion beginning with her letter to the Pope Most Holy Father Anno Dom. 1568. Anno Regin Eliza. 10. AFter the kissing of your most holy feet Her letter to Pope Pius Quintus hi herâ—o never printed the Copy whereof was as with many other rarities bestowed on me by James Arch-Bishop of Armagh I having been advertised that my Rebels and their Fautours that retain them in their Countries Nove 30. have wrought so effectually by their practises that it hath been related unto the King of Spain my Lord and good Brother that I am become variable in the Catholick Religion although I have within some dayes past written to your Holinesse devoutly to kiss your feet and recommending me unto you I do now again most humbly beseech you to hold me for a most devout and a most obedient Daughter of the Holy Catholick Roman Church and not to give faith unto those reports which may easily come or shall hereafter come to your ears by means of the false and calumnious speeches which the said Rebels and other of the same Sect have caused to be spread abroad that is to say that I have changed my Religion thereby to deprive me of your Holinesse grace and the favour of other Catholick Princes The same hath touched my heart so much that I could not fail to write again of new to your Holinesse to complain and bemoan my self of the wrongs and of the injuries which they do unto me I beseech the same most humbly to be pleased to write in my favour to the devout Christian Princes and obedient sons of your Holinesse exhorting them to interpose their credit and authority which they have with the Queen of England in whose power I am to obtain of her that she will let me go out of her country whither I came secured by her promises to demand aid of her against my Rebels and if neverthelesse she will retain me by all means yet that she will permit me to exercise my Religion which hath been forbidden to me for which I am grieved and vexed in this Kingdom insomuch as I will give you to understand what subtilties my Adversaries have used to colour these calumniations against me They so wrought that an English Minister was sometimes brought to the place where I am streightly kept which was wont to say certain prayers in the vulgar tongue and because I am not at my own liberty nor permitted to use any other Religion I have not refused to hear him thinking I had committed no errour Wherein neverthelesse most Holy Father if I have offended or failed in that or any thing else I ask misericordia of your Holinesse beseeching the same to pardon and to absolve me and to be sure and certain that I have never had any other will then constantly to live the most devout and most obedient Daughter of the Holy Catholick Roman Church in which I will live and die according to your Holinesse advises and precepts I offer to make such amends and pennance that all Catholick Princes especially your Holinesse as Monarch of the world shall have occasion to rest satisfied and contented with me In the mean time I will devoutly kiss your Holinesse feet praying God long to conserve the same for the benefit of his Holy Church Written from Castle a a The Lord Scroop his house in Yorke shire where Sr. Fra. Knowls was her keeper Boulton the last of November 1568. The most devout and obedient Daughter to your Holinesse the Q of Scotland Widdow of France MARIA I meet not with the answer which his Holinesse returned unto her and for the present leave this Lady in safe custody foreseeing that this her exchange of letters with Forraign Princes and the Pope especially will finally cause her destruction 14. Thomas Young Arch-Bishop of Yorke died at Sheffield June 26. Anno Regin 11. The death of T 〈◊〉 Arch 〈◊〉 of York and was buried in his own Cathedrall He plucked down the great Hall at Yorke built by Thomas his predecessour five hundred yeers before so far did plumâ—i sacra fames desire to gain by the leade prevail with him Yet one presumeth to avouch that all that lead in effect proved but dross unto him being a S. 〈◊〉 Harington in his addition to Bp. Godwins catalogue in fine defeated of the
year an Obitum English Catholicks especially the parents or friends of such youths as here have their education Watton-Cloister being a most pleasant place with good land and a fair wood some two leagues off It anciently belonged to the Benedctines of whom the Jesuits here bought it Pope Paulus Quintus and the King of Spain confirming their bargain It is said to be worth five hundred pounds a year Number Rectour Eminent Scholars Welnigh an hundred of Gentlemens sons not as yet professed Jesuits though like them in habit but young Scholars Besides above twenty Jesuits Priests and Lay-brethren having an inspection over them Though this Colledge be of English only yet their Rectour generally is a Fleming and that out of a double designe First that he may solicite their suits in that country the better by the advantage of his language and acquaintance Secondly that they may the more colourably deny such English passengers as begg of them pleading that their Rectour being a stranger will part with no money and they have none of their own Father Fleck Floid Wilson Colledge Founder Benefactours Means 6. Colledge of Madrid in New Castile in Spain founded 1606. Joseph Creswel Jesuite with money of the two Colledges of Valladolit and Sivil bought an house here and built a Colledge thereon  What they gain by soliciting of suits for Merchants and others in the Spanish Court The rest is supplied unto this Colledg from the Parents thereof I mean the two Colledges of Valladolit and Sivil Number Rectour Eminent Scholars Colledge Founder Benefactour Means 7. Colledge of Lovain in Brabant founded about the year 1606. Philip the Third King of Spain gave a Castle then much decayed never much defensive for this City with a pension to the English Jesuits to build them a Colledge therewith   Number Rectour Eminent Scholars Uncertain as much in motion and never all resident here together   Colledge Founder Benefactours Means 8. Colledge of Liege in Lukeland founded 1616. The Arch-Bishop of Collen being at this time also Bishop of Liege gave them a pension to live on and leave to build a fair Colledge here Many of the English Nobility and Gentry under pretence of passing to the Spaw for recovery of their healths here drop much of their gold by the way It is doubtfull how soveraign the Spaw-water will prove to these passengers but certain that their gold is cordial to these Jesuits  Number Rectour Eminent Scholars   M r. Brown brother to the last Vicount Mountacute in Sussex became here a Jesuite Colledge Founder Benefactours Means 9. Colledge of Gant in Flanders founded 1624. Philip the Fourth who gave them a pension   Number Rectour Eminent Scholars One may observe a kinde of gradation in these Colledges S t. Omers generally is for boyes to be taught in Grammar Rome for youths studying the arts all the rest for men Novices or professed Jesuits save that Doway is for any of what age or parts soever Compare these Colledges amongst themselves Rome will appear the richest in visible Valladolit the cunningest in concealed wealth Doway the largest in men and straightest in means Liege getting the most from passengers on land Sivil gaining the best by Travellers at sea Madrid wearing the bravest cloaths where all the Jesuits are constant Courtiers and S t. Omers eating the best meat as neerest to England whence many a dainty bit is daily sent unto them 22. It is incredible what a mass of mony much in specie The bounty of English Catholicks more in exchange was yearly made over out of England for the maintenance of these Colledges having here their Provincials Sub-Provincials Assistants Agents Coadjutours Familiars c. who collected vast sums for them especially from Catholicks possessed of considerable estates out of Abby-lands his Holinesse dispensing with them to hold the same with a clear conscience if bountifull on all such occasions 23. We will conclude all with the solemn Oath The oath taken by English Fugitives at their admission which each Student arrived at mans estate ceremoniously sweareth when admitted into one of these Colledges I. A. B. a In the continuation of Sanders de schismate Anglicano p. 116. one bred in this English Colledge considering how great benefits God hath bestowed upon me but then especially when he brought me out of mine own Country so much infected with Herche and made me a member of the Catholick Church as also desiring with a thankfull heart to improve so great a mercy of God have resolved to offer my self wholy up to Divine Service as much as I may to fulfill the end for which this our Colledge was founded I promise therefore and swear in the presence of Almighty God that I am prepared from mine heart with the assistance of Divine Grace in due time to receive Holy Orders and to return into England to convert the souls of my Countrimen and kindred when and as often as it shall seem good to the Superiour of this Colledge c. Be it remembred that our long Vacation is their chiefest Termâ— for in the moneths of August or September these Colledges receive their annual supplies of green Students and then dispatch their ripe Nâ—viciats for England or if you will then take in young spawn and send their old frogs over hither a croaking All that I will adde is this If covetousness should prevail so far as to pluck down Protestant-Colledges in England whilest superstition preserves and increaseth Popish Seminaries beyond the seas sad would the sight be to behold the truth on our side encumbred with ignorance to encounter falsehood on theirs advantaged with learning and languages 24. Pope Pius the fifth had now long patiently expected the amendment of Queen Elizabeth The Pope excommunicateth the Queen and weary with his waiting in vain resolved at last if not wisely valiantly that seeing desperate diseases must have desperate cures he would thunder his Excommunication against Her according to the tenour following A Sentence Declaratory of our Holy Lord Pope PIUS QUINTUS against ELIZABETH Queen of England and the Hereticks adhering unto Her Wherein also Her Subjects are declared absolved from the Oath of Allegiance and every other thing due unto Her whatsoever And those which from henceforth obey Her are innodated with the Anathema Pius Bishop servant to Gods servants for a future memorial of the matter HE that reigneth on high to whom is given all power in heaven and in earth committed One Holy Catholick and Apostolick Church out of which there is no salvation to one alone upon earth namely to Peter the chief of the Apostles and to Peters Successour the Bishop of Rome to be governed in fulness of power Him alone he made Prince over all people and all Kingdoms to pluck up destroy scatter consume plant and build that he may contain the faithfull that are knit together with the band of charity in the unity of the
this promoted to be Bishop of Worcester then succeeded Grindal in London and Yorke an excellent and painfull preacher and of a pious and Godly life which increased in his old age so that by a great and good stride whilst he had one foot in the Grave he had the other in Heaven He was buried in Southwell and it is hard to say whether he was more eminent in his own Vertues or more happy in his Flourishing Posterity 26. The next year produced not any great Church matters in its self 32. but was only preparatory to the ripening of business 1589. and raising the charges against the principall Patrons of Nonconformity Arch-Bishop Whitgift his discretion Indeed Arch-Bishop Whitgift according to his constant custome and manner repaired daily to the Councell-Table early in the morning and after an usuall apprecation of a Good-morrow to the Lords he requested to know if there were any Church business to be debated and if the answer were returned in the Affirmative He stayed and attended the issue of the matter But if no such matter appeared he craved leave to be dispensed withall saying Then my Lords here is no need of me and departed A commendable practise clearing himself from all aspersions of civill-pragmaticallness and tending much to the just support of his reputation 27. On the first of September M r. Cartwright 33. Batchelor in Divinity 1590. Sept. 1. was brought before Her Majesties Commissioners Articles objected against Mr. Thomas Cartwright there to take his oath and give in his positive answer to the following Articles 1. IMprimis a a The copy of these Articles â—ere 〈…〉 after his death who as kindly communicated as 〈◊〉 have 〈◊〉 â—nscribed them We do object and articulate against him Anno Dom. 1590. that he Anno Regin Eliza. 33. being a Minister at least a Deacon lawfully called according to the godly laws and orders of this Church of England hath forsaken abandoned and renounced the same orders Ecclesiastical as an antichristian and unlawfull manner of calling unto the Ministry or Deaconship 2. Item that he departing this Realm into forraign parts without license as a man discontented with the form of Government Ecclesiasticall here by law established the more to testifie his dislike and contempt thereof and of the manner of his former Vocation and Ordination was contented in forraign parts as at Antwerpe Middeburgh or elsewhere to have a new Vocation Election or Ordination by imposition of hands unto the Ministry or unto some other order or degree Ecclesiasticall and in other manner and form than the laws Ecclesiasticall of this Realm do prescribe Let him declare upon his oath the particular circumstances thereof 3. Item that by vertue or colour of such his later Vocation Election or Ordination becoming a pretended Bishop or Pastor of such Congregation as made choice of him he established or procured to be established at Antwerp and at Middleburgh among Merchants and others Her Majesties Subjects a certain Consistory Seminary Presbytery or Eldership Ecclesiastical consisting of himself being Bishop or Pastor and so President thereof of a Doctor of certain Ancients Sentours or Elders for government Ecclesiastical and of Deacons for distributing to the poor 4. Item that the said Eldership and the authority thereof certain English-born Subjects were called elected or ordained by imposition of hands to be Ministers or Ecclesiastical Doctors being not of that degree before as Hart Travers Grise or some of them and some that were also Ministers afore according to the orders of the Church of England as Fenner Acton were so called and other English Subjects were also called and likewise ordained Elders and some others were ordained Deacons in other manner and form than the laws Ecclesiasticall of the Realm do prescribe or allow of 5. Item that such Eldership so established under the Presidentship of him the said Thomas Cartwright had used besides this authority of this Vocation and Ordination of Officers ecclesiasticall the Censures and keyes of the Church as publick admonition suspension from the Supper and from execution of offices ecclesiastical and the censures of excommunication likewise authority of making laws degrees and orders ecclesiastical and of dealing with the doctrine and manners of all persons in that Congregation in all matters whatsoever so far as might appertain to conscience 6. Item that he the said Thomas Cartwright in the publick administration of his Ministry there among Her Majesties Subjects used not the forme of liturgie or Book of Common-Prayer by the laws of this land established nor in his government ecclesiasticall the laws and orders of this land but rather conformed himself in both to the use and form of some other forraign Churches 7. Item that since his last return from beyond the Seas being to be placed at Warwick he faithfully promised if he might be but tolerated to preach not to impugne the laws orders policy government nor governours in this Church of England but to perswade and procure so much as he could both publickly and privately the estimation and peace of this Church 8. Item That he having no Ministry in this Church other then such as before he had forsaken and still condemneth as unlawful and without any license as Law requireth he hath since taken upon him to preach at Warwick and at sundry other places of this Realm 9. Item That since his said return in sundry private conferences with such Ministers and others as at sundry times by word and letter have asked his advice or opinion he hath shewed mislike of the Laws and Government Ecclesiastical and of divers parts of the Liturgie of this Church and thereby perswaded and prevailed also with many in sundry points to break the orders and form of the Book of Common-Prayer who observed them before and also to oppose themselves to the Government of this Church as himself well knoweth or verily believeth 10. Item That in all or most of such his Sermons and Exercises he hath taken occasion to traduce and enveigh against the Bishops and other governours under them in this Church 11. Item That he hath grown so far in hatred and dislike towards them as that at sundry times in his prayer at Sermons and namely Preaching at Banbury about a year since in such place as others well disposed pray for Bishops he prayed to this or like effect Because that they which ought to be pillars in the Church do bend themselves against Christ and his truth therefore O Lord give us grace and power all as one man to set our selves against them And this in effect by way of emphasis he then also repeated 12. Item that preaching at sundry times and places he usually reacheth at all occasions to deprave condemn and impugn the manner of Ordination of Bishops Ministers and Deacons sundry points of the Politie Government Laws Orders and rights Ecclesiastical and of the publick Liturgie of the Church of England contained in
of the burden thereof 7. Great at this time was the Calm in the English Church the Brethren not endeavoring any thing in Opposition to the Hierarchie A Quiet in the English Ch and the cause thereof This some impute not to their Quienesse but Wearinesse because so long they had in vaine seeked to cast off that Yoke from them Besides they did not so much practise for the Present as project for the Future to procure hereafter an Establishment of their Ecclesiasticall Government For they beheld the Queenes old Age as a Taper of Virgin Wax now in the Socket ready to be extinguished which made them addresse and apply themselves with all diligence to IAMES King of Scotland the Heire apparent to the Crowne as to the rising Sun whom they hoped will be more favourable to their Proceedings Hopes not altogether groundlesse whilest they considered the Power of the Presbytery in the Church of Scotland where Bishops though lately restored to their place were so restrained in their Power that small was their Command in Church-affaires which made the Brethren in England thence to promise Great matters to themselves but with what successe shall be seen hereafter As for Mr. Thomas Cartwright the Chiefraine of that Party in England we finde him at this time growing rich in the Towne of Warwick there Master of an Hospitall by the Benevolence and Bounty of his Followers where he preached f Sir Geo Paul in the life of Arch-bishop Whitgiss p. 54 very temperately according to his Promise made to the Arch-bishop 8. Some ascribe this his Mildnesse to his old Age and Experience Severall Reasons assigned of Mr. Cartwright's Moderation it being commonly observed Ann. Reg. Bliz. 44. that in Controversies of this kinde Ann. Dom. 1602 Men when they consult with their owne Gray haires begin to abate of their Violence Others conceive that Arch-bishop Whitgift had conquered him with his kindnesse having formerly procured him both his Pardon Dismission out of all his Troubles so that his Coales of Courtesies heaped on Mr. Cartwright's Head made the good Metall the Ingenuity in him to melt into Moderation For in hs Letters written with his owne hand March 24. Anno 1601. he confesseth himself much obliged unto him vouchsafing him the style of A RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD AND HIS LORD THE ARCH-BISHOP'S GRACE OF CANTERBURY which Title of GRACE he also often yeildeth him throughout his Letters acknowledging his g Sir George Paul ut prius Bond of most humble Duty so much the straiter because his Grace's Favour proceeded from a frank Disposition without any desert of his owne Others and that not improbably doe think that Mr. Cartwright grew sensible with Sorrow how all Sects and Schismes being opposite to Bishops Brownists Barrowists c. did shroud and shelter themselves under his Protection whom he could neither reject with Credit nor receive with Comfort seeing his Conscience could not close with their enormous Opinions and his Counsell could not regulate their extravagant Violences which made him by degrees decline their Party Yet for all this there want not those who will maintaine that all this while Mr. Cartwright was not more remisse but more reserv'd in his Judgement being still as sound but not as sharpe in the cause out of Politick intents like a skilfull Pilot in a great Tempest yeilding to the Violence of a storme therewith to be carried away contrary to his intents for the present but waiting when the Wind should soone turne about to the North and blow him and his a prosperous Gale according to their Desires 9. What his opinions were The Character of Mr. Cartwr may appeare by the Premises and his life may be presumed most pious it concerning him to be strict in his Conversation who so stickled for the Reformation of all abuses in the Church An excellent Scholar pure Latinist his Travels advantaging the ready use thereof accurate Grecian exact Hebraician as his Comments on the Proverbs and other Works doe sufficiently testifie But the Master-piece of all his Writings was that his Confutation of the Rhemish Translation of the New Testament into ENGLISH at the Importunity of many Ministers of London and Suffolk and Sir Francis Walsingham the Queens Secretary Mr. Cartwright's especiall Patron gave him an h See the Preface of M. Cartwright's Book hundred pounds to buy him Books and incourage him in that Work However the setting forth thereof was stopped by Arch-bishop Whitgift probably we may conceive because some Passages therein did glance at and gird the Episcopall Discipline in England and after it had layn thirty yeares neglected it was first set forth Anno 1618. and then without either Priviledge or Licence except any will say that Truth is a Licence for it selfe In a word no English Champion in that Age did with more Valour or Successe charge and rout the Romish Enemy in matters of Doctrine But when that Adversary sometimes was not in the field then his active spirit fell foul in point of Discipline with those which otherwise were of his own Religion 10. The same yeare proved fatall to many other eminent Clergie-men Bishop Westphaling Dean Nowel Mr. Perkins Gr Sayer and Will 〈◊〉 depart this World and I hope without offence I may joyne them together their Bodies at the same time meeting at the Grave though their mindes before had parted in different Opinions 1. Herbert Westphaling Bishop of Hereford though perchance his Ambiguous Death is more properly referred to the last yeare brought up in Christ-church in Oxford being the first Bishop of that Foundation a Man of great Piety of Life and of such i Godwin de Prasulibus Anglia p. 546. Gravity that he was seldome or never seene to laugh leaving no great but a well gotten Estate out of which he bequeathed twenty pounds per annum to Jesus Colledge in Oxford 2. Alexander Nowell Doctor of Divinity and Deane of S. Paul's in London borne in Lancashire bred in Oxford afterwards fled into Germanie in the reigne of Queen Mary He was the first of k Donald upon in his Life English Exiles that returned in the dayes of Q. Elizabeth And I have read how in a Parliament he was chosen Burgess of a Town of Cornwall But his Election pronounced void because he was a Deacon A Man of a most Angelicall Life and Deep Learning A great Defender of Justification by Faith alone and yet a great Practiser of Good Works witnesse l Gamblen's Elizabeth in Anno 2602. two hundred pounds a year rent for the maintenance of thirteen Students bestowed on Brazen-nose Colledge wherein he had his Education A great honourer of the Marriage of the Clergie and yet who lived and died single himselfe An aged Man of 90. yeares of age yet fresh in his youthfull Learning yea like another Moses his eyes were not dimme nor did he ever make use of m Hugh Holland in his Icones
sed with Milk being inabled to feed others Some of them are strong enough if not head-strong conceiving themselves able enough to teach him who last spake for them andall the Bishops in the Land Mr. Knewst It is questionable whether the Church hath power to institute an outward signifiant signe BP of Lond. The Crosse in Baptisme is not used otherwise than a Ceremony Bp. of Winch. Kneeling lifting up of the Hands knocking of the Breast are significant Ceremonies and these may lawfully be used D. of the Chap. The Robbines write that the Jewes added both Signes and Words at the institution of the Passeover viz. when they ate sowre herbs they said Take and eat these in remembrance c. When they drank Wine they said Drink this in remembrance c. Upon which addition and tradition our Saviour instituted the Sacrament of his last Supper thereby approving a Church may institute and retaine a Signe significant His Majesty I am exceeding well satisfied in this point but would be acquainted about the antiquity of the use of the Crosse Dr. Reyn. It hath been used ever since the Apostles time But the onestion is how ancient the use thereof hath been in Baptism D. of Westm It appeares out of Tertullian Cyprian and Origen that it was used in immortali lavacro Bp. of Winch. In Constantine's time it was used in Baptisme His Majesty If so I see no reason but that we may continue it Mr. Knewst Put the case the Church hath power to adde significant signes it may not adde them where Christ hath already ordained them which is as derogatory to Christs Institution as if one should adde to thegreat Seale of England His Majesty The case is not alike seeing the Sacrament is fully finished before any mention of the Crosse is made therein Mr. Knewst If the Church hath such a power the greatest scruple is how far the Ordinance of the Church bindeth without impeaching Christian Liberty His Majesty I will not argue that point with you but answer as Kings in Parliament Le Roy s'avicera This is like M. John Black a beardlesse Boy who told me the last * December 1601. Conference in Scotland that he would hold conformity with his Majesty in matters of Doctrine but every man for Ceremonies was to be left to his own Liberty But I will have none of that I will have one Doctrine one Discipline one Religion in Substance and in Ceremony Never speak more to that point how farre you are bound to obey Dr. Reyn. Would that the Cross being superstitiously abused in Popery were abandoned as the Brazen Serpent was stamped to powder by Hezekias because abused to Idolatry His Majesty In as much as the Crosse was abused to Superstition in time of Popery it doth plainly imply that it was well used before I detest their courses who peremptorily disallow of all things which have been abused in Popery and know not how to answwer the objections of the Papists when they charge us with Novelties but by telling them we retaine the primitive use of things and onely forsake their Novell Corruptions Secondly no resemblance betwixt the Brazen Serpent a materiall visible thing and the signe of the Cross made in the Aire Thirdly Papists as I am informed did never ascribe any spirituall Grace to the Cross in Baptisme Lastly materiall Crosses to which people fell downe in time of Popery as the Idolatrous Jewes to the Brazen Serpent are already demolished as you desire Mr. Knewst I take exception at the wearing of the Surplice a kind of Garment used by the Priests of Isis His Majesty I did not think till of late it had been borrowed from the Heathen because commonly called a rag of Popery Seeing now we border not upon Heathens Ann. Dom 1603-04 Ann. Reg. Jac. 1 neither are any of them conversant with or commorant amongst us thereby to be confirmed in Paganisme I see no reason but for comlinesse-sake it may be continued D r. Reyn. I take exception at these words in the Marriage With my body I thee worship His Majesty I was made believe the phrase imported no lesse than Divine Adoration but finde it an usuall English terme as when we say A Gentleman of worship it agreeth with the Scriptures giving Honour to the Wife As for you This the King spake smiling Dr. Reynolds many men speak of Robin Hood who never shot in his Bow If you had a good Wife your selfe you would think all worship and honour you could doe her were well bestowed on her D. of Sarum Some take exception at the Ring in Marriage Dr. Reyn. I approve it well enough His Majesty I was married with a Ring and think others scarce well married without it Dr. Reyn. Some take exceptions at the Churching of Women by the name of purification His Majesty I allow it very well Women being loath of themselves to come to Church I like this or any other occasion to draw them thither Dr. Reyn. My last exception is against committing Ecclesiasticall Censures to Lay-Chancellors the rather because it was ordered Anno 1571. that Lay-Chancellors in matters of Correction and Anno 1589. in matters of Instance should not excommunicate any but be done onely by them who had power of the Keyes though the contrary is commonly practised His Majesty I have conferred with my Bishops about this point and such order shall be taken therein as is convenient Mean time go on to some other matter Dr. Reyn. I desire that according to certaine Provinciall Constitutions the Clergie may have meetings every three weeks 1. First in Rural Deaneries therein to have prophesying as Arch-bishop Grindall and other Bishops desired of her late Majesty 2. That such things as could not be resolved on there might be referred to the Arch-Deacons Visitations 3. Andso to the Episcopall Synod to determine such points before not decided His Majesty If you aime at a Scottish Presbytery it agreeth as well with Monarchy as God and the Devill Then Jack and Tom and Will and Dick shall meet and censure me and my Councill Therefore I reiterate my former speech Le Ray S'avisera Stay I pray for one seven yeares before you demand and then if you find me grow pursie and fat I may perchance hearken unto you for that Government will keep me in breath and give me work enough I shall speak of one matter more somewhat out of order but it skilleth not D. Reynolds you have'often spoken for my Supremacy and it is well But know you any here or elsewhere who like of the present Government Ecclesiasticall and dislike my Supremacy Dr. Reyn. I know none His Majesty Why then I will tell you a tale After that the Religion restored by King Edward the sixt was soon overthrowne by Queen Mary here in England we in Scotland felt the effect of it For thereupon Mr. Knox writes to the Queen regent a vertuous and moderate Lady telling her that she was the
with sophistical Qualifications So that he was accused to aime neither at the Satisfaction of the Learned Ann. Dom 1611. Ann. Regis Jac. 9 whom he had formerly offended nor the Safety of the Ignorant whom he might hereafter deceive but meerly his own Security for the present His grand Evasion was this That what he had wrote before was but probably propounded not dogmatically delivered But alas how many silly Souls might easily be infected mistaking his slenting Problemes for downright Positions In a word he took not out any Venome but put in more Honey into his Opinions which the corruption of Mans Nature would swallow with more greedinesse And how dangerous it is for wit-wanton Men to dance with their nice Distinctions on such Mysticall Precipices where Slips in jest may cause deadly Downfalls in earnest the Roman Orator doth in part pronounce Mala est impia consuetudo contra Deum disputandi sive seriò id fit sive simulatè 5. Now King JAMES being as little Satisfied in Judgment with the Writings of Vorstius in his own Defence K. James setteth forth a Declaration against Vorstius siâ—st written in French Since by His leave Translated into English and amongst His other Works as ill pleased in Point of Honour with the doings of the States in return to His Request gave Instructions to His Ambassadour to make Publick Protestation against their Proceedings which Sir Ralph Wynwood in Pursuance of his Masters Command most solemnly performed Nor did His Majesties Zeal stop here with Joash King of Israel smiting onely but thrice and then desisting but after His Request Letter and Protestation had missed â—heir Desired effect He wrote in French a Declaration against Vorstius A Work well beseeming the DEFENDOR OF THE FAITH by which Title to use His Ambassadours Expression He did more value Himself than by the Style of KING OF GREAT BRITAIN Once I intended to present the Reader with a Brief of His Majesties Declaration till deterred with this Consideration that although great Masses of Lead Tinne and meaner Metals may by the extraction of Chymists be epitomized and abridged into a Smaller quantity of Silver yet what is altogether Gold already cannot without extraordinary damage be reduced into a Smaller Proportion And seeing each word in His Majesties Declaration is so pure and pretious that it cannot be lessened without losse we remit the Reader to the same in His Majesties Works And so take our Leave of Verstius for the present whose Books by the KING's Command were publickly burnt at St. Paul's Crosse in London and in both Universities 6. But leaving this Outlandish let us come to our English Vorstius though of farre lesse Learning The character of Bartholomew Legate of more Obstinacy and dangerous Opinions I mean that Arrian who this year suffered in Smithfield His name Bartholomew Legate native County Essex person comely complexion black age about fourty years Of a bold spirit confident carriage fluent tongue excellently skilled in the Scriptures and well had it been for him if he had known them lesse or understood them better whose ignorance abused the Word of God therewith to oppose God the Word His conversation for ought I can learn to the contrary very unblameable And the poyson of Hereticall Doctrine is never more dangerous than when served up in clean cups and washed dishes 7. King JAMES caused this Legate often to be brought to Him Discourse beâ—twixt K. James and Legate and seriously dealt with him to endevour His conversion One time the KING had a designe to surprize him into a Confession of Christs Deity as His Majesty afterwards declared to a right reverend g James Archbishop of Armagh from whose mouth I had the Relation Prelate by asking him Whether or no he did not daily pray to Jesus Christ Which had he acknowledged the KING would infallibly have inserted that Legate tacitly consented to Christs Divinity as a searcher of the hearts But herein His Majesty failed of His expectation Legate returning That indeed he had prayed to Christ in the daies of his ignorance but not for these last seven years Hereupon the KING in choler spurn'd at him with His foot Away base Fellow saith He it shall never be said that one stayeth in My presence that hath never prayed to our Saviour for seven years together 8. Often was he covented before the Bishops in the Consistory of St. Pauls Bishop King gravâ—llâ—â—h him with a place of Scripture where he persisted obstimate in his Opinions flatly denying the Authority of that Court. And no wonder that he slighted the power of earthly Bishops denying the Divinity of Him Who is h 1 Pâ—t 2. 25. The Shepheard and Bishop of our souls The dispatation against him was principally managed by John King Bishop of London who gravelled and utterly confuted him with that place of Scripture John 17. 5. And now O Father glorifie thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was This Text I say was so seasonably alledged so plainly expounded so pathetically enforced by the eloquence and gravity of that Bishop qualities wherein he excelled that it gave marvellous satisfaction to a multitude of people there present that it is conceived it happily unproselyted some inclinable to his Opinions though Legate himself remained pertinatious both against the impressions of Arguments and Scripture daily multiplying his enormous Opinions It is the happinesse nature indulgeth to monsters that they are all barren whereas on the contrary monstrous positions are most procreative of the like or worse than themselves 9. Before we set down his pestilent Opinions Wholsome caution premised before the naming of Legate's blasphemies may Writer and Reader sence themselves with prayer to God against the infection thereof lest otherwise touching such pitch though but with the bare mention defile us casually tempting a temptation in us and awaking some corruption which otherwise would sleep silently in our souls And if notwithstanding this our caution any shall reap an accidental evil to themselves by reading his damnable Opinions my pen is no more accessary to their harm than that Apothecarie is guilty of murder if others out of a licourish curiosity kill themselves with that poyson which he kept in his shop for soveraigne use to make Antidotes thereof His damnable Tenets were as followeth 1. That the Creed called the Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed contain not a Profession of the true Christian Faith 2. That Christ is not God of God begotten not made but begotten and made 3. That there are no Persons in the Godhead 4. That Christ was not God from everlasting but began to be God when he took flesh of the Virgin Mary 5. That the world was not made by Christ 6. That the Apostles teach Christ to be Man onely 7. That there is no generation in God but of creatures 8. That this assertion God to be made Man is contrary
to the rule of Faith and monstrous blasphemy 9. That Christ was not before the fulness of time except by promise 10. That Christ was not God otherwise than an anointed God 11. That Christ was not in the form of God equal with God that is in substance of God but in righteousness and giving salvation 12. That Christ by his Godhead wrought no miracle 13. That Christ is not to be prayed unto For maintaining these Opinions Legate had long been in prison in Newgate yet with liberty allowed him to go abroad not contented wherewith he openly boasted and often threatned to sue the Court which committed him for reparations for false imprisonment so that his own indiscretion in this kinde hastened his execution 10. For hereupon Bishop King finally convented him in the Consistory of S. Paul's Condemned for an obstinate Heretick And that worthy Prelate foreseeing that his proceedings herein would meet with many listening eares prying eyes and prating tongues chose many reverend Bishops able Divines and learned Lawyers to assist him So that the Consistory so replenished for the time being seemed not so much a large Court as a little Convocation Mar. 3. By the counsell and consent of these by his definitive sentence he pronounced decreed and declared the foresaid Bartholomew Legate an obdurate contumacious and incorrigible Heretick And by an Instrument called a SIGNIFICAVIT certified the same into the Chancery delivering him up unto the Secular power the Church-Keyes in such cases craving the help of the Civil Sword Mar. 11. Whereupon King JAMES with His Letters dated March 11 under the Privy-Seal gave order to the Broad-Seal to direct the Writ de Haeretico comburendo to the Sheriffs of London for the burning of the foresaid Legate 11. Now as the Bishop herein surrendred Legate to the Secular Power Quaeâ—es left to Lawyers to decide my Ecclesiasticall History in like manner resignes him to the Civil Historian together with all the doubts difficulties and legall scruples attending on or resulting from his Condemnation Let the Learned in the Law consider on what Statute the Writ for his Burning was grounded whether on those old Statutes enacted in the Reignes of RICHARD the II and HENRY the IV or on the branch of some other new Statute to that effect Let them satisfie us how farre those Lawes were repealed in 1 mo ELIZABETHAE and how farre they still stand in force as though not to pretended Lollardisme yet to Blasphemy Let them examine the Judgment of the Learned i De natura breâ—ium fol. 269. 2. Fitz-Herbert whether sound in his assertion That Hereticks before the Writ of their burning be issued out against them must first be convicted of Heresie before a Provinciall Convocation whilst others affirm That they being convicted before their Ordinary sufficeth provided it be for such Opinions which Convocations have formerly condemned for Hereticall 12. To Smithfield he was brought to be burned Legate burnt in Smithfield Mar. 18. See here it is neither the pain nor the place but only the cause makes a Martyr In this very Smithfield how many Saints in the Marian-daies suffered for the testimony of Jesus Christ Whereas now one therein dyeth in his own blood for denying him Vast was the Conflux of people about him Never did a scare-fire at midnight summon more hands to quench it than this at noon-day did eyes to behold it At last refusing all mercy he was burned to ashes And so we leave him the first that for a long time suffered death in that manner And oh that he might be the last to deserve it 13. In the next moneth Edward Wightman of Burton upon Trent Wightman worse than Legate April 11. convicted before Richard Neile Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield was burned at Litchfield for sarre worse Opinions if worse might be than Legate maintained Mary Magdalene indeed was once possessed with seven Devils but ten several Heresies were laid to Wightman's charge namely those of k So reckned up in the Warrant for his burning Ebion Cerinthus Valentinian Arrius Macedonius Simon Magus Manes Manichaeus Photinus and of the Anabaptists Lord What are we when God leaves us Did ever man maintain one Heresie and but one Heresie l Jude 6. Chains of darkness we see have their links and errors are complicated together 14. God may seem well-pleased with this seasonable Severity The successe of this severity For the fire thus kindled quickly went out for want of sewell I mean there was none ever after that openly avowed these Hereticall Doctrines Onely a Spanish Arrian who condemned to die was notwithstanding suffered to linger out his life in Newgate where he ended the same Indeed such burning of Hereticks much startled common people pitying all in pain and prone to asperse justice it self with cruelty because of the novelty and hideousnesse of the punishment And the purblinde eyes of vulgar judgments looked onely on what was next to them the suffering it self which they beheld with compassion not minding the demerit of the guilt which deserved the same Besides such being unable to distinguish betwixt constancy and obstinacy were ready to entertain good thoughts even of the Opinions of those Hereticks who sealed them so manfully with their blood Wherefore King JAMES politickly preferred that Hereticks hereafter though condemned should silently and privately waste themselves away in the Prison rather than to grace them and amuze others with the solemnity of a publick Execution The death of Master Sâ—tton Founder of that famous Hospitall which in popular judgments usurped the honour of a persecution 15. I finde no eminent Divine or Scholar deceased in this year Onely one whose bounty made many of both kindes ended his life namely Richard Sutton the Phoenix of our Age and sole Founder of Charter-Hospitall Esquire born of Gentile Parentage at Knaith in Lincolnshire In his youth bred a Souldier gaining both wealth and credit by his valour but afterwards embracing a more peaceable Profession of a Merchant This his Foundation he called The Hospitall of King JAMES all discreet Subjects having learned this lesson from politick Joab calling m 2 Sam. 12. 28. Rabbah after the name of King David to entitle their Soveraigne to the honour of their Atchievements which are of extraordinary proportion Children not yet come to and Old men already past helping of themselves have in this Hospitall their souls and bodies provided for The latter must be decayed Gentlemen the most proper Objects of Charity as whose ingenious spirits are most sensible of want and most unable to provide for themselves 16. It is utterly improbable that it will ever come within the compasse of my power to found any place for pious uses The severall Manours belonging thereunto All wherein my weak ability can expresse its forwardnesse is to honour the Charity of others and for the present Alphabetically to methodize the Manours which Master Sutton in several
in the main agreeing together Quod duo stent Libri clausi Anglis Regiâ in ARA Lumina caeca duo Pollubra sicca duo An clausum caecúmque Dei tenet Anglia cultum Lumine caeca suo sorde sepulta suâ Romano ritu dum Regalem instruit ARAM Purpuream pingit * aliâ—s Religiosa Luxuriosa Lupam 42. Mr. George Herbert of Trinity-Coll in Cambridge made a most ingenious retortion of this Hexastick which as yet all my industry cannot recover Yet it much contenteth me that I am certainly informed that the posthume Remains shavings of Gold are carefully to be kept of that not lesse pious than witty writer are shortly to be put forth into Print when this his Anti pelvi Melvi But now at last Melvin his liberty was procured by the intercession of the chief of the Reformed in France Ann. Reg. Jac. 13 Ann. Dom. 1615. and being released he afterwards became Professour at Sedan in the Duke of â—ovillion his Countrey Here he ceased not to traduce the Church of England against which he wrote a scroale of Saphicks entituled TAMICHAMI-CATEGERIA 43. This year Thomas Bilson The death of Bishop Bilson Bishop of Winchester who carried Prelature in his very aspect ended his life first School-Master then Warden of Winchester afterwards Bishop of Worcester and lastly of Winchester A deep and profound Scholar excellently well read in the Fathers principally shewed in his Defence of Christ his descent into Hell 44. By the way Campian his falshood it is a falshood what Campian writes confidently that Cheney Bishop of Gloucester had affirmed unto him Namely that concerning this Article it was moved in a Convocation at London Quemadâ—odum sine tumultu penitus eximatur de Symbole How it might without any noise be wholly taken out of the Creed For no such debate appeateth upon Record in our Convocations and as for Campian his single affirmation is of no validity 45. Marcus Antonius de Dominis 1616. Dec. 6. Archbishop of Spalato Archbishop of Spalato came over into England was here courteously welcomed and plentifully preferred of whose hypocrisie and ingratitude largely b viz anno 1622. hereafter 46. King JAMES went into Scotland to visit His native Countrey Mar. 14. The King goes into Scotland with a Princely train In his passage thither He was much affected with a Sermon which one of his Chaplains preached upon this Text c Gen. 13. 2 3. Gen. 13. 2 3. And Abraham was very rich in cattell in silver and in gold And he went on his journeys from the South even to Bethell to the place where his Tent had been at the beginning As for His entertainment in Scotland we leave it to their Historians to relate For may my pen be plindered by the Borderers or Mosse-Troopers if offering to crosse Tweed into another Countrey 47. This year died Doctor William James The death of Bishop James born in Cheshire Master first of the University-Colledge then Dâ—an of Christ-Church in Oxford Chaplain to Robert Dudley Earle of Leitester and Confessour to him at his death and at last made Bishop of Durham He expended much on the repairing of the Chappel of Durham-house in the Strand and in his younger daâ—es was much commended for his hospitality 48. Two other prime Prelates accompanied him to the other world Bishop Robinson and Bishop Bennet Dr. Henry Robinson Provest of Queen-Colledge in Oxford Bishop of Carlisle of great temperance milde in speech but weak in constitution The other Robert Bennet Fellow of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge Chaplain to the Lord Burleigh termed by a great Divine Eruditus Beneâ—ictus Bishop of Hereford well-deserving of his See whose Houses he repaired 49. Doctor Mocket Doctor Mocket his Translation of our English Liturgie Warden of All-Souls in Oxford Chaplain to George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury set forth a Book in pure Latine containing The Apologie of the Church of England The greater and lesser Catechisme The nine and thirty Articles The Common Prayer The Ordination of Bishops Priests and Deacons The Politie or Government of the Church of England As for the Homilies too tedious to be translated at large he epitomized them into certain Propositions by him faithfully extracted 50. No sooner appeared this Book in print Cavilled at by many but many faults were found therein Indeed it fared the worse for the Authour the Authour for his Patron the Archbishop against whom many Bishops began then to combine Some accused him of presumption for undertaking such a task without d Yet â—um Privilegio is prefixt on the first page Commission from the KING it being almost as faâ—all for Private persons to tamper with such Publick matters Ann. Dom. 1617 Ann. Reg. Jac. 15 as for a Subject to match into the blood-Royal without leave of his Soveraigne Others complained that he enlarged the liberty of a Translatour into the licence of a Commenter and the Propositions out of the Homilies by him collected were made to lean to the judgment of the Collectour James Montague Bishop of Winchester a potent Courtier took exceptions that his Bishoprick in the marshalling of them was wronged in the method as put e In his Politica Ecclesiae Angl. cap 5. p. 314. The pinching accusation after any whose Bishop is a Privie Counsellour 50. But the main matter objected against it was That this Doctor was a better Chaplain than a Subject contracting the Power of his PRINCE to enlarge the Priviledge of his Patron allowing the Archbishop of Canterbury's power to confirm the Election of Bishops in his Provinces citing f ibid. pag. 309. for the same the 6â— Canon of the first Nicene Councell established by Imperiall authority If any be made a Bishop without the censent of his Metropolitan he ought not to be a Bishop 51. This was counted an high offence to attribute an obliging authority either to Canon or Civil Law Imperiall Decrees command not in England both which if crossing the Common Law of the Land are drowned in their passage as they saile over from Callis to Dover and K. JAMES justly jealous of his own Prerogative approved not such a confirming power in the Archbishop wich might imply a Negative Voice in case he disliked such Elects as the KING should recommend unto him 52. Hereupon On the burning of his Book Dr. Mocket dyeth Doctor Mocket his Book was ceasured to be burned which was done accordingly Now although the imperfections and indiscretions of this Translatour might be consumed as dross in the fire yet the undoubted truth of the Articles of the English Church therein contained as Flame-free and perfectly refined will endure to all eternity The Doctor took this censure so tenderly especially so much defeated in his expectation to finde punishment where he looked for preferment as if his life were bound up by sympathy in his Book he ended his daies soon after 53.
and nice-conscienced Elects scrupled to be consecrated by him He gave during his own life Twenty pounds a year to the Man's Widow which was not long a Widow as quickly re-maried He kept a Monethly-Fast on a Tuesday as the day whereon this casualty befell in a word this Keeper's death was the Archbishop's mortification 18. A project against the Clergy to get money At this time the KING's Exchequer grew very low though Lionel Cransield Lord Treasurer and Earl of Middlesex neglected no means for the improving thereof In order whereunto Reader let this Story passe into thy belief on my credit knowing my selfe sufficiently assured thereof a Projector such necessary evils then much countenanced informed His MAJESTY of a way whereby speedily to advance much Treasure And how for sooth was it Even that a new Valuation should be made of all Spiritual preferments which now in the King's Books passed at Under-tates to bring them up to or near the full value thereof This would promote both the casual fines as I may term them of First-fruits and the Annual rent of Tenths to the great advantage of the Crown The KING sent to the Lord Treasurer demanding his judgment thereof 19. Declined by the Lord Treasurer The Treasurer returned His MAJESTY an Answer to this effect so near as I can remember from the mouth of a Noble person then present Sir You have ever been beheld as a great Lover and Advancer of Learned men and You know Clergy-mens education is chargeable to them or their friends Long it is before they get any preferment which at last generally is but small in proportion to their pains and expences Let it not be said that You gained by grinding them other waies lesse obnoxious to just censure will be found out to furnish your occasions The KING commended Cranfield as doing it only for triall adding moreover I should have accounted thee a very knave if encouraging Me herein and so the project was blasted for the present as it was when it budded again propounded by some unworthy instrument in the Reign of King CHARLES 20. Who is truly excused I know some will suspect the Treasurer more likely to start than crush so gainful a design as who by all waies means sought to encrease the royal Revenue I know also that some accuse him as if making his Master's wings to molt thereby the better to feather his own nest Indeed he raised a fair estate and surely he will never be a good Steward for his Master who is a bad one for himself Yet on due and true enquiry it will appear that though an High power did afterwards prosecute him yet his innocence in the main preserved him to transmit a good estate to his posterity So that much of truth must be allowed in his * Frequent in his House at Copâ—hall Motto PERDIDIT FIDES he was lost at Court for his fidelity to K. JAMES in sparing His Treasure and not answering the expensivenesse of a great Favourite 21. The L. Bacon outed â—or Bâ—ibery A Parliament was call'd Jan. 20. wherein Francis Bacon L d Chancellor was outed his Office for Bribery the frequent receiving thereof by him or his was plainly proved Yet for all his taking just and unjust he was exceedingly poor and much indebted Wherefore when motion was made in the House of Commons of Fining him some thousand of pounds Sir Fr. S. a noble Member standing up desired that for two Reasons his Fine might be mitigated into fourty shillings First because that would be payed whereas a greater summe would onely make a noise and never be payed Secondly the shame would be the greater when such his prodigality that he who had been so large a taker in his Office was reduced to such penury that forty shillings should be conceived a sufficient Fine for his Estate But it was fine enough for him to lose his Office remitted to a mean and private condition 22. None can character him to the life An 〈…〉 his character save himself He was in parts more than a Man who in any Liberal profession might be whatsoever he would himself A great Honourer of antient Authors yet a great Deviser and Practiser of new waies in Learning Privy Counsellor as to King JAMES so to Nature it self diving into many of her abstruse Mysteries New conclusions he would dig out with mattocks of gold silver not caring what his experience cost him expending on the Trials of Nature all and more than he got by the Trials at the Barre Posterity being the better for his though he the worse for his own dear experiments He and his Servants had all in common the Men never wanting what their Master had and thus what came flowing in unto him was sent flying away from him who in giving of rewards knew no bounds but the bottome of his own purse Wherefore when King JAMES heard that he had given Ten pounds to an under-keeper by whom He had sent him a Buck the KING said merrily I and He shall both die Beggars which was condemnable Prodigality in a Subject He lived many years after and in his Books will ever survive in the reading whereof modest Men commend him in what they doe condemn themselves in what they doe not understand as believing the fault in their own eyes and not in the object 23. Bishop Williams made Lord Keeper All stood expecting who should be Bacon's Successour in the Chancery Sure he must be some man of great and high abilities otherwise it would seem a valley next a mountain to maintain a convenient and comely level in that eminent Place of Judicature Now whilst in common discourse some made this Judge others that Sergeant Lord Chancellor King JAMES made Dr. Williams lately and still Dean of Westminster soon after Bishop of Lincolne Though the KING was the principal July 10. the Duke of Buckingham was more than the instrumental advancer of him to the title of Lord Keeper in effect the same in Place and Power with the Lord Chancellor 24. Some causlesly offended The KING's choice produced not so much dislike as general wonder Yet some cavilled at Doctor Williams his Age as if it were preposterous for one to be able for that Office before antient and as if one old enough for a Bishop were too young for a Chancellor Others questioned his abilities for the Place Could any expect to reap Law where it was never sown who can apply the remedy whilst he is ignorant in the malady Being never bred to know the true grounds and reasons of the Common Law how could he mitigate the rigour thereof in difficult cases He would be prone to mistake the severity of the Common Law for cruelty and then unequal equity and unconscionable conscience must be expected from him Besides the Place was proper not for the plain but guarded Gown and the Common Lawyers prescribed for six * Yet Sir Ch.
The Bishop of Lincoln fell now through the Dukes The Bishop of Lincoln loseth his Keepers place into the Kings displeasure and such who will read the late letters in the Cabala may conjecture the cause thereof but the certainty we leave to be reported by the Historians of the State belonging in his Episcopall capacity to my pen but as Lord Keeper properly to theirs 38. The Bishop finding his own tottering condition The Duke incensed against him addressed himself to all who had intimacie with the Duke to reingratiate himself But such After-games at Court seldome succeed All would not doe for as Amicus omnium optimus was part of the Dukes Epitaph * On his Tomb in Westminster Chappell so no fiercer foe when displeased and nothing under the Bishops removall from his office would give him satisfaction 39. Sir John Suckling was sent unto him from the King The Bishops wariness in resigning the Seale to demand the broad Seale of him which the cautious Bishop refused to surrender into his hands to prevent such uses as might be made thereof by him or others in the intervall betwixt this resigning it and the Kings conferring it on another but he charily locked it up in a Box and sent the Box by the Knight and Key thereof inclosed in a letter to his Majesty 40. However his bruise was the less But keeps his Bishoprick because he fell but from the first Loft and saved himself on the second Floere Outed his Lord Keepership but keeping his Bishoprick of Lincoln and Deanarie of Westminster though forced to part with the Kings Purse he held his owne and that well replenished And now he is retired to Bugden-great where whither greater his anger at his enemies for what he had lost or gratitude to God for what he had left though others may conjecture his owne Conscience only could decide Here we leave him at his hospitable Table where sometimes he talked so loud that his discourse at the second hand was heard to London by those who bare no good will unto him 41. An old Hall turned into a new Colledge A new Colledge of an old Hall in Oxford was this yeare finished at Oxford This formerly was called Broadegates Hall and had many Students therein amongst whom Edmund Bonner afterwards Bishop of London Scholar enough and Tyrant too much had his education But this place was not endowed with any Revenues till about this time for Thomas Tisdale of Glimpton in the County of Oxford Esquire bequeathed five thousand Pounds wherewith Lands were purchased to the value of two hundred and fiftie pounds per annum Anno Dom 16â—â— Anno Regis Caroli 1 for the maintenance of seven Fellowes and six Scholars Afterwards Richard Wightwick Bachelor of Divinity Rector of East-Isle in Barkshire gave Lands to the yearly value of one hundred pounds for the maintenance of three Fellowes and four Scholars whereupon petition being made to King James this new Colledge was erected and a Charter of Mortmain of seven hundred pounds per annum granted thereunto 42. It was called Pembrook Colledge Called Pembrook Colledge partly in respect to William Earle of Pembrook then Chancellor of the University partly in expectation to receive some favour from him And probably had not that noble Lord died suddenly soon after this Colledge might have received more than a bare Name from him The best where a Child hath rich parents it needeth the less any gifts from the Godfather Masters Benefactors Bishops Learned Writers 1 Dr. Clayton 2 Dr. Langley King Charles who gave the Patronage of St. Aldates the Church adjoyning   So that this Colledge consisteth of a Master ten Fellowes and ten Scholars with other Students and Officers to the number of one hundred sixty nine 43. The Doctor and the Duke were both of them unwilling to an openbreach loved for to temporise and wait upon events Surely Temperise here is taken in the Apostle sense according to some * Dr. Prestons Life p 505. * Rom. 12. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ambiosius copies serving the Times And henceforwards the Duke resolved to shake off the Doctor who would not stick close unto him betaking himself to the opposite Interest Nor was the other surprized herein as expecting the alteration long before 44. By the late conferences at York-house it appeared Dr. Preston declines in the Dukes favour that by the Dukes cold carriage towards him and smiling on his Opponents Dr. Preston was now entring into the Autumn of the Dukes favour Indeed they were well met each observing neither trusting other as I read in the Doctors Life written by his judicious Pupil 45. This year concluded the life of Arthur Lakes The death of godly Bishop Lakes Warden of New-Colledge in Oxford Master of St. Crosses Dean of Worcester and at last promoted Bishop of Bath and Wells not so much by the power of his Brother Sir Thomas Secretarie to King James as his own desert as one whose piety may be justly exemplary to all of his Order He seldom if at all is said to have dreamt justly imputed not to the dulness of his fancie in which faculty he had no defect but to the staidness of his judgment wherein he did much excell as by his learned Sermons doth appear 46. About the sametime Lancelot Andrews ended his religious life The death and character of Bishop Andrews born at Alhollows-Barking in London Scholar Fellow and Master of Pembrook-Hall in Cambridge Then Deane of Westminster Bishop of Chicester Ely and at last of Winchester The world wanted learning to know how learned this Man was so skil'd in all especially oriental Languages that some conceive he might if then living almost have served as an INTERPRETER GENERALL at the confusion of Tongues Nor are the Fathers more faithfully cited in his books than lively copied out in his countenance and carriage his gravity in a manner awing King James who refrained from that mirth and liberty in the presence of this Prelate which otherwise he assumed to himself He lyeth buried in the Chappell of St. Mary Overees having on his Monument a large elegant a Stows Survay of London pag. and TRUE Epitaph 47. Since his death some have unjustly snarld at his memory accusing him for covetousness Anno Regis Car. 1. 2. Anno Dom 1626 Unjustly accused for Covetousness who was neither rapax to get by unjust courses as a profest enemy to usury simony and bribery nor tenax to hold money when just occasion called for it for in his life time he repaired all places he lived in and at his death left the main of his Estate to pious uses Indeed he was wont to say that Good Husbandry was good Divinity the truth whereof no wise man will deny 48. Another falls foully upon him for the ornaments of his Chappel as Popish and superstitious And Superstition in the b
W. Prynne in Canterbury's Doom pag. 121 sequentiâ—us superabundant ceremonies thereof To which I can say little but this I dare affirm that wheresoever he was a Parson a Dean or a Bishop he never troubled Parish Colledge or Diocess with pressing other ceremonies upon them then such which he found used there before his coming thither And it had not been amiss if such who would be accounted his friends and admirers had followed him in the footsteps of his moderation content with the enjoying without the injoyning their private practises and opinions on others 49. As for such who causlesly have charged his Sermons as affected Causlesly charged with affectation in his Sermons and c Mr. Bayley in his Ladeâ—sium Autocatacriton surcharged with verball allusions when they themselves have set forth the like it will then be time enough to make this Bishops first defence against their calumniations Nor is it a wonder that the Mâ—sters Pen was so in his writings whose very Servant a Lay man was so successefull in the same I mean Mr. Henry Isackson lately gone to God the industrious Author of the usefull Chronologie 50. It is pitie to part this Patron from his Chaplain Nicholas Fuller his Chaplain that profitable Critick Nicholas Fuller born as I take it in Hampshire bred in Oxford where he was Tutor to Sir Henry Walhop who afterwards preferred him to the small Parsonage of Aldingeton in Wiltshire And Robert Abbot Bishop of Salisbury made him Canon of that Church Afterwards a Living of great value was sent by Bishop Andrews the Patron d See Bishop And his funeral Sermon thereof on the welcom errand to finde out Mr. Fuller to accept the same who was hardly contented to be surprised with a presentation thereunto such his love to his former smal Living and retired life He was the Prince of all our English Criticks And whereas men of that tribe are generally morose so that they cannot dissent from another without disdaining nor oppose without inveighing against him it is hard to say whether more candor learning or judgement was blended in his Miscellanies By discovering how much Hebrew there is in the New-Testament-Greek he cleereth many reall difficulties from his verball observations 51. A Commission was granted unto five Bishops whereof Bishop Laud of the Quorum to suspend Archbishop Abbot from exercising his Authority any longer 3 1627 Severe proceedings against Archbishop Abbot suspended from his Jurisdiction because uncanonicall for casuall Homicide the proceeding against him being generally condemned as over-rigid and severe 1. The Act was committed seven years since in the reign of King James 2. On a Commission then appointed for that purpose he was cleered from all Irregularity by Bishop Andrews in Divinity Sir Ed. Coke in Common and Sir Henr. Martin in Canon Law 3. It would be of dangerous consequence to condemn him by the Canons of forain Councels which never were allowed any Legislative Power in this Land 4. The Archbishop had manifested much remorse and self-affliction for this rather sad than sinful act 5. God may be presumed to have forgotten so much as there was of fault in the fact and why then should man remember it 6. Ever since he had executed his Jurisdiction without any interruption 7. The Archbishop had both feet in the Grave Anno Dom. 1627 Anno Regis Car. 1. 3 and all his whole Body likely soon after to follow them 8. Such heighsning of Casual-Homicide did â—avour of Intentional malice The truth is the Archbishops own stiffness and aversness to comply with the Court-Designes advantaged his Adversaries against him and made him the more obnoxious to the Kings displeasure But the blame did most light on Bishop Laud men accounting this a kinde of Filius ante diem c. As if not content to succeed he indeavored to supplant him who might well have suffered his decayed old age to have died in honor What needs the felling of the tree a falling 52. However a double good accrued hereby to the Archbishop Two good effects of a bad cause First he became the more beloved of Men the Countrey hath constantly a blessing for those for whom the Court hath a curse And secondly he may charitably be presumed to love God the more whose service he did the better attend being freed from the drudgery of the World as that soul which hath the least of Martha hath the most of Mary therein 53. And although this Archbishop survived some years after The character of Archbishop Abbot yet it will be seasonable here for us to take a fair farewell of his memorie seeing henceforward he was buried to the World He was bred in Oxford Master of University Colledge an excellent Preacher as appears by his Lectures on Jonah Chaplain to the Earl of Dunbar with whom he was once solemnly sent by King James into Scotland to preach there and afterwards by his means promoted to the Arch-bishop-rick of Canterbury haply according to his own but sure I am above if not against the expectations of others A grave man in his conversavion and unblameable in his life 54. Indeed it is charged on him that non amavit Gentem nostram Accounted no great friend to the Clergy he loved not our Nation forsaking the Birds of his own feather to flie with others and generally favoring the Laity above the Clergie in all cases brought before him But this he endeavored to excuse to a private friend by protesting he was himself so severe to the Clergie on purpose to rescue them from the severity of others and to prevent the punishment of them from Lay Judges to their greater shame 55. I also reade in a nameless e In answer to the Pamphlet intituled The Court and Character of King James page 132. Author Accused for the fautor of male-contents that towards his death he was not onely discontented himself but his house was the randezvouz of all male-contents in Church and State making mid-night of noon-day by constant keeping of candles light in his Chamber and Study as also such visitants as repaired unto him called themselves Nicodemits because of their secret addresses But a credible f Dr. Barnard his Houshold Chaplain person and one of his neerest relations knew nothing thereof which with me much shaketh the probability of the report And thus we leave this Archbishop and the rest of his praises to be reported by the poor people of Gilford in Surrey where he founded and indowed a fair Almes-house in the Town of his Nativity 56. The Kings Treasury now began to grow low A Toleration blasted in Ireland and his expenses to mount high No wonder then if the Statesmen were much troubled to make up the distance betwixt his Exchequer and his Occasions Amongst other designes the Papists in Ireland taking advantage of the Kings wants proffered to pay constantly 5000 Men if they might but enjoy a
to have their liberty untill after long close imprisonment they were forced to confess under their own hands Crimes against themselves and the Bishop which afterwards they denyed and revoked upon their Oathes Lastly and chiefly that the Judges privately overruled his Pleas so that what shame and the honour of the Court with the inspection of so many eyes would not permit to be done publickly in the Sun-shine of Justice was posted over by a Judge privately in a corner These and many more Kilvertismes as he calls them did the Bishop complain of in Parliament who so far tendered his innocency therein that they ordered all the Records of that Suit in the Star-chamber to be obliterated Yâ—a we may justly conceive that these Grievances of the Bishop did much hasten if not chiefly cause the suppression of that Court. 8. Thirteen dayes after he was suspended by the High-commission Is examined again in the Tower and imprisoned in the Tower for almost four years during whose durance therein two Bishops and three Doctors were sent thither unto him to take his answer to a Book of Articles of twenty foure Sheets of papes writen on both sides They proffered him the Bible to take the oath thereon which he utterly refused claiming the priviledge of a Peer adding moreover that being a Bishop it was against law and Precedent in Antiquity that young Priests his Graces and some who had been his own Chaplains and Lay Doctors should sit as Judges of a Bishop his Doctrine with power to deprive him of his Bishoprick if disliking the same This was overruled and he as one of the Kings Subjects required to make his answer 9. First the article that all Books licenced by his Graces Chaplaines as Chune his Whether some Books were orthodox and Sala his Book with Doctor Mannering his Sermons are presumed by all true Subjects to be orthodox and agreeable to sound Religion This the Bishop utterly denyed and wondered at their impudencie to propound such an Article unto him 10. Secondly they alleadged that no Bishop but his Grace Who had power to license them the Lord of London and their Chaplains had power to allow Bookes This the other denyed saying that all Bishops who were as learned as they had as much power as they citing for the same the Councell of Lateran under Leo the tenth Reformatio Cleri under Cardinall Poole Queen Elizabeth her injunctions and the Decree of the Star-chamber relating to all these He also stoutly averred the priviledge to belong onely to the Bishops and not to their Servants howbeit his Grace had shuffled in his Chaplaines to the last printed Star-chamber decree More frivolous were the ensuing Articles whereon he was examined That he called a Book intitled A cole from the Altar a Pamphlet That he said that all flesh in England had corrupted their wayes That he said scoffingly he had heard of a Mother-Church but not of a Mother-Chappell meaning the Kings to which all Churches in ceremonies were to conform That he wickedly jested upon St. Martins hood That he said that the people are not to be lashed by every mans whip That he said citing a nationall Councell for it that the people are Gods and the Kings and not the Priests people That he doth not allow Priests to jeere and make invectives against the People 11. To all which the Bishop made so warie an answer His cautious answer that no advantage could be gained tâ—ereby yea though some dayes after they returned to re-examine him upon the same Articles to try as he thought the steddiness of his memory or else to plunge him into some crime of perjury if in any materiall point he dissented from his former depositions but the Bishop like a good boy said his Lesson over again and again so that no advantage could be taken against him thereupon they gave him leave to play proceeding no further in this cause only they painted him out in an ugly shape to the King as disaffected to the present government and God willing we shall hear more of their proceedings against him hereafter 12. But now we are summoned to a sadder subject Transition to a sad Subject from the sufferings of a Private Person to the miseries and almost mutuall ruin of two Kingdomes England and Scotland I confesse my hands have alwaies been unwilling to write of that cold Countrey for fear my fingers should be frost bitten therewith but necessity to make our story intire puts me upon the imployment Miseries caused from the sending of the Book of Service or new Lituâ—gy thither which may sadly be termed a RUBRICK indeed died with the blood of so many of both Nations slain on that occasion 95. It seemes the designe began in the reign of King James The project of a publick Prayer-book began in the reign of King James who desired and endeavoured an uniformity of publique Praiers through the Kingdome of Scotland In order whereunto an Act was passed in the generall Assembly a The Kings large Declaration concerning the tumults in Scotland pag. 16 at Aberdeene 1616 to authorise some Bishops present to compile and frame a Publique form of Common Praier and let us observe the motions thereof 1. It was committed to the Bishops aforesaid and principally to the Archbishop of St. Andrews * See the life of Archbishop Spoâ—swood and William Cooper Bishop of Galloway to draw up the order thereof 2. It was transmitted into England to King James who punctually perused every particular passage therein 3. It was remitted with the Kings Observations Additions Expunctions Mutations Accommodations to Scotland again But here the designe sunk with the suddain death of King James and lay not only dormant but dead till some yeers after it was awakened or rather revived again 96. In the reign of King Charles Why a difference betwixt the Scotch and English Liturgy the project being resumed but whether the same book or no God knoweth it was concluded not to send into Scotland the same Liturgy of England Totidem verbis left this should be misconstrued a badge of dependence of that Church on ours It was resolved also That the two Liturgies should not differ in substance b Kings Declaration pag. 18 left the Romane party should upbraid us with weighty and materiall differences A Similitude therefore not Identity being resolved of it was drawn up with some as they termed them insensible alterations but such as were quickly found and felt by the Scotch to their great distaste These alterations are of two natures First ingratiating which may be presumed made to gain the affection of that Nation Secondly distasting which if not in the intent in the event proved the great grievance and generall cause that the book was hated and rejected We will insist on three of the first sort First Canonicall Scripture only used in the Scotch Liturgy Whereas there was an ancient complaint That so much of the
done lesse themselves if in their condition 18. Thus was an old Convocation converted into a new Synod Out of the buriall of an old Convocation the birth of a new Synod and now their disjoynted meeting being set together again they betook themselves to consult about new Canons Now because great bodies move slowly and are fitter to be the consenters to than the contrivers of businesse it was thought fit to contract the Synod into a select Committee of some six and twenty beside the Proloquutour who were to ripen matters as to the propounding and drawing up the formes to what should passe yet so that nothing should be accounted the act of the House till thrice as I take it publiquely voted therein 19. Expect not here of me an exemplification of such Canons Why the Canons of this Synod are not by us exemplified as were concluded of in this Convocation Partly because being printed they are publique to every eie but chiefly because they were never put in practice or generally received The men in Persia did never look on their little ones till they were seven yeers old bred till that time with thâ—ir Mothers and Nurses nor did they account them in their Genealogies amongst their children but amongst the more long-lived abortives if dying before seven yeers of age I conceive such Canons come not under our cognizance which last not at least an apprenticeship of yeers in use aâ—d practice and therefore we decline the setting down the Acts of this Synod It is enough for us to present the number and titles of the severall Canons 1. Concerning the Regal power 2. For the better keeping of the day of his Majesties most happy Inauguration 3. For suppressing of the growth of Popery 4. Against Socinianism 5. Against Sectaries 6. An Oath injoyned for the preventing of all Innovations in Doctrine and Government 7. A Declaration concerning some Rites and Ceremonies 8. Of Preaching for Conformity 9. One Book of Articles of inquiry to be used at all Parochiall Visitations 10. Concerning the Conversation of the Clergy 11. Chancellors Patents 12. Chancellors alone not to censure any of the Clergy in sundry Cases 13. Excommunication and Absolution not to be pronounced but by a Priest 14. Concerning the Commutations and the disposing of them 15. Touching concurrent Jurisdictions 16. Concerning Licences to Marry 17. Against vexatious Citations 20. As for the Oath concluded on in this Synod The form of the Oath c. because since the subject of so much discourse it is here set forth at large according to the true tenour thereof as followeth I A. B. doe swear That I doe approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to salvation And that I will not endeavour by my self or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that which is so established nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Government of this Church by Archbishops Bishops Deanes and Archdeacons c. as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpation and superstitions of the Sea of Rome And all these things I doe plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to the plaine and common sense and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mentall evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And this I doe heartily willingly and truly upon the faith of a Christian So help me God in Jesus Christ 21. Towards the close of the Convocation Doctor Griffith A motion for a new edition of the Welsh Bible a Clark for some Welsh Diocesse whose moderate carriage all the while was very commendable made a motion that there might be a new edition of the Welsh Church-Bible some sixty yeers since first translated into Welsh by the worthy endeavours of Bishop Morgan but not without many mistakes and omissions of the printer He insisted on two most remarkable a whole verse left out Exod. 12. concerning the Angels passing over the houses besprinkled with blood which mangleth the sense of the whole Chapter Another Habak 25. where that passage He is a proud man is wholly omitted The matter was committed to the care of the Welsh Bâ—shops who I fear surprised with the troublesome times effected nothing herein 22. The day before the ending of the Synod Glocester his singularity threatned with suspension Godfrey Goodman Bishop of Glocester privately repaired to the Archbishop of Canterbury acquainting him that he could not in his conscience subscribe the new Canons It appeared afterwards that he scrupled some passages about the Corporal presence But whether upon Popish or Lutheran principles he best knoweth himself The Archbishop advised him to avoide obstinacy and singularity therein However the next day when we all subscribed the Canons suffering our selves according to the order of such meetings to be all concluded by the majority of Votes though some of us in the Committee privately dissenting in the passing of many particulars he alone utterly refused his subscription thereunto Whereupon the Archbishop being present with us in King Henry the seventh his Chappell was highly offended at him My Lord of Glocester said he I admonish you to subscribe and presently after My Lord of Glocester I admonish you the second time to subscribe and immediately after I admonish you the third time to subscribe To all which the Bishop pleaded conscience and returned a deniall 23. Then were the judgements of the Bishops severally asked His suspension suspended whether they should proceed to the present suspension of Glocester for his contempt herein Davenant Bishop of Sarisbury being demanded his opinion conceived it fit some Lawyers should first be consulted with how far forth the power of a Synod in such cases did extend He added moreover that the threefold admonition of a Bishop ought solemnly to be done with some considerable intervalls betwixt them in which the party might have time of convenient deliberation However some dayes after he was committed by the Kings command as I take it to the Gate-house where he got by his restraint what he could never have gained by his liberty namely of one reputed Popish to become for a short time popular as the only Confessor suffering for not subscribing the Canons Soon after the same Canons were subscribed at York where the Convocation is but the hand of the Diall moving and pointing as directed by the clock of the Province of Canterbury June 30. And on the last of June following the said Canons were publiquely printed with the Royall Assent affixed thereunto 24. No sooner came these Canons abroad into publique view First exception against â—he Canons but various were mens censures upon them Some were offended because bowing toward the Communion-Table now called Altar by many was not only left indifferent but also caution taken that the observers or the omitters thereof should not
be in the Commission of the Peace nor Judges in Temporall Courts 3. Nor sit in the Star-Chamber nor be Privy-Counsellors The two last branches of this Bill passed by generall consent not above two dissenting But the first branch was voted in the Negative wherein all the Bishops gave their own voices for themselves Yet had their suffrages been secluded and the question only put to the lay-Lords it had been carried for the Bishops by sixteen decisive June 8 76. After some dayes debate the Lords who were against the Bishops protested that the former manner of voting the Bill by branches was unparlamentary and illegall Wherefore they moved the House that they should be so joyned together as either to take the Bill in wholly or cast it all out Whereupon the whole Bill was utterly cast out by many voices had not the Bishops as again they did given their suffrages in the same 77. Master Maynard made a Speech in the Committee of Lords against the Canons At last wholly cast out made by rhe Bishops in the last Convocation therein with much learning indeavouring to prove 1. That in the Saxons times as Malmesbury Hoveden Sir Henry Spelman c. doe witnesse Lawes and constitutions Ecclesiasticall had the confirmation of Peers and sometimes of the People Mr. Maynards Speech against the Canons to which great Councells our Parliaments doe succeed 2. That it appears out of the aforesaid Authors and others that there was some checking about the disuse of the generall making of such Church Lawes 3. That for Kings to make Canons without consent of Parliament cannot stand because built on a bad foundation viz. on the Popes making Canons by his sole Power so that the groundwork not being good the superstructure sinketh therewith 4. He examined the Statute 25 of Henry 8 avouching that that clause The Clergy shall not make Canons without the Kings leave implyeth not that by his leave alone they may make them Lastly he endeavoured to prove that these Canons were against the Kings Prerogative the Rights Liberties and Properties of the Subject insisting herein on severall particulars 1. The first Canon puts a penalty on such as disobey them 2. One of them determineth the Kings Power and the Subjects right 3. It sheweth that the Ordinance of Kings is by the Law of Nature and then they should be in all places and all alike 4. One of the Canons saith that the King may not be resisted 5. Another makes a Holy Day whereas that the Parliament saith there shall be such and no more This his Speech lost neither life nor lustre being reported to the Lords by the Bishop of Lincoln a back friend to the Canons because made during his absence and durance in the Tower 78. One in the House of Commons heightned the offence of the Clergy herein Severall judgments of the Clergyes offence into Treason which their more moderate adversaries abated into a Premunire Many much insisted on the Clarks of the Convocation for presuming being but private men after the dissolution of the Parliament to grant subsidies A Bill read against the High-Commission and so without Law to give away the estates of their fellow-subjects 78. A Bill was read to repeal that Statute of 1 Eliz. whereby the High-Commission Court is erected This Bill afterwards forbad any Archbishop Bishop c. deriving power from the King to Assesse or inflict any pain penalty amercement imprisonment or corporall punishment for any ecclesiasticall offence or transgression Forbidding them likewise to administer the Oath Ex officio or give Oath to Church-Wardens Sides-men or any others whereby their own or others offences should be discovered DIGNISSIMO DOM. THOMAE FISHER BARONETTO CUM Insignia tua Gentilitia intueor Anno Regis Carol 16 Anno Dom. 1640 non sum adeò Heraldicae Artis ignarus quin probè sciam quid sibi velit Manus illa Scutello inserta Te scilicet Baronettum designat cùm omnes in illum Ordinem cooptati ex Institutione sua ad * * Seldenus in titulis Honoris Vltoniam Hiberniae Provinciam forti dextrâ defendendam teneantur At sensum praeter hunc vulgarem alium latiorem quoad meipsum laetiorem Manui illi expansae quae in tuo Clypeo spectabilis subesse video Index est summae tuae Munificentiae quo nomine me tibi divinctissimum profiteor 1. OMitting matters of greater consequence The High-Commission Court put down know that the Bill against the High-Commission June 24 was the third time read in the House of Lords and passed it which some dayes after was confirmed by his Majesty Thus the edge of the Spiritual Sword as to discipline was taken away For although I read of a Proviso made in the House of Lords that the generall words in this Bill should extend only to the High-Commission Court and not reach other Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction yet that Proviso being but writen and the Statute printed all coercive power of Church Consistories were taken away Mr. Pim triumphed at this successe crying out Digitus Det it is the finger of God Anno Dom. 1641 that the Bishops should so supinely suffer themselves to be surprised in their power Anno Regis Caroli 16 Some disaffected to Episcopy observed a Justice that seeing many simple souls were in the high Commission Court by captious interrogatories circumvented into a self-accusation an unsuspected clause in this Statute should abolish all their lawfull authority 2. The Bishop of Lincoln brought up a Bill to regulate Bishops and their jurisdiction The Bill for Regulation of Bishops consisting of severall particulars July 2 1. That every Bishop being in his Diocesse not sick should preach once every Lords day or pay five pounds to the poor to be levyed by the next Justice of Peace and distresse made by the Constable 2. That no Bishop shall be Justice of Peace save the Dean of Westminster in Westminster and St. Martines 3. That every Bishop should have twelve assistants besides the Dean and Chapter four chosen by the King four by the Lords and four by the Commons for jurisdiction and ordination 4. That in all vacancies they should present to the King three of the ablest Divines in the Diocesse out of which his Majesty might choose one to be Bishop 5. Deans and Prebends to be resident at the Cathedralls but sixty dayes 6. That Sermons be preached therein twice every Lords day once every Holy day and a Lecture on Wednesday with a salary of 100. Marks 7. All Archbishops Bishops Collegiate Churches c. to give a fourth part of their fines and improved rents to buy out Impropriations 8. All double beneficed men to pay a moiety of their benefice to their Curates 9. No appeal to the Court of Arches or Audience 10. Canons and Ecclesiasticall capitulations to be drawn up and fitted to the Lawes of the Land by sixteen learned men chosen six by the King
five by the Lords and five by the Commons This Bill was but once read in the House and no great matter made thereof the Antiâ—piscopall party conceived it needlesse to shave their beards whose heads they intended to cut off designing an utter extirpation of Bishops 3. By the way the mention of a moiety to the Curats A crying sinne of the English Clergy minds me of a crying sin of the English Clergy conceived by the most conscientious amongst them a great incentive of Divine anger against them namely the miserable and scandalous Stipends afforded to their Curats Which made Lay-men follow their pattern in Vicaridges unindowed seeing such who knew most what belong to the work allowed the least wages to the Ministry Hence is it that God since hath changed his hand making many who were poor Curats rich Rectors and many wealthy Incumbents to become poor Curats It will not be amisse to wish thankfulnesse without pride to the one and patience without dejection to the other 4. A Bill was sent up by the Commons against Matthew Wren Bishop of Ely July 20 containing twenty five Articles A Bill against Bishop Wren charging him for being Popishly affected a suppressor of Preaching and introducer of Arbitrary Power to the hazard of the estates and lives of many They desired he might be sequestred from the Kings Person and Service 5. To return to the Bishops The Bishops impeached for making of Canons the Commons perceiving that they were so tenacious of their votes in Parliament resolved vigorously to prosecute the impeachment against them for making of Canons expecting the Bishops should willingly quit their votes as Barons to be acquitted of their premunire whereby they forfeited all their Personall estates yet the sound of so great a charge did not so afright them but that they persisted legally to defend their innocence 6. The Bishops that were impeached for making Canons Aug. 16. craved time till Michaelmas Term to make their answer Have time and câ—uncell allowed them This was vehemently opposed by some Lords and two questions were put 1. Whether the Bishops should sit still in the House though without voting to which themselves consented whilst the circumstance of time for their answer was in debate 2. What time they should have for their answer The first of these was carried for them by one present voice and four Proxies and for the second time was allowed them till the tenth of November And although the adverse Lords pleaded that in offences criminall for matters of fact no councell should be allowed them but to answer yea or no yet on the Lord Keepers affirming it ordinary and just to allow councell in such cases it was permitted unto them 7. Bishop Warner of Rochester is chosen by joynt consent The impeachment of the Bishops waved and why to solicite the cause sparing neither care nor cost therein Of the Councell he retained two only appeared Serjeant Jermin who declined to plead for them except the Bishops would first procure him a Warrant from the House of Commons which they refused to doe and Mr. Chuite who being demanded of the Lords whether he would plead for the Bishops Yea said he so long as I have a tongue to plead with Soon after he drew up a Demurrer in their behalf that their offence in making Canons could not amount to a Premunire This being shown to the Bishop of Lincoln he protested that he never saw a stronger demurrer all the dayes of his life and the notice hereof to the Lords was probably the cause that they waved any further prosecution of the charge which henceforward sunk in silence 8. Passe we now from the outworks of Episcopacy I mean the Deans and Chapters this fiercely stormed but as yet not taken to the Bishops themselves The Bishops accused for mean birth who began to shake seeing their interest and respects in the House of Lords did daily decay and decline Yea about this time came forth the Lord Brook his book against Bishops accusing them in respect of their parentage to be de faece populi of the dregs of the people and in respect of their studies no way fit for government or to be Barons in Parliament 9. Whereupon the Bishops taking this accusation to heart Vindicated their paâ—entage meet together and in their own necessary defence thought fit to vindicate their extractions some publickly some in private discourse Dr. Williams began then Archbishop of York Canterbury being in the Tower was accused in the Star-Chamber for purchasing the two ancientest Houses and inheritances in North-Wales which are Penrhyne and Quowilocke in regard he was descended from them So that he might as truely accuse all the ancient Nobility of Britain as tax him for meanly descended Dr. Juxon Bishop of London did or might plead that his parents lived in good fashion and gave him large allowance first in the University then in Grays-Inn where he lived as fashionably as other Gentlemen so that the Lord Brooks might question the parentage of any Inns-of-Court-Gentlemen as well as his Bishop Morton of Durham averred that his father had been Lord Major of York and born all the Offices of that City with credit and honour so that the Lord Brook might as justly quarrell the descent of any Citizens Sons in England Bishop Curle of Winchester his father was for many yeers Auditor in the Court of Wards Anno Dom. 1641 Anno Regis Carol. 16 to Queen Elizabeth and King James and the aforesaid Lord may as well condemn all the sonnes of Officers to be meanly born as accuse him Bishop Cook of Hereford his Fathers family had continued in Darbyshire in the same house and in the same means four hundred yeers at least often Sheriffs of that County and matched to all the best houses therein So that the Lord Brook might as well have charged all the ancient Gentry of that shire for mean parentage as accuse him Bishop Owen of Asaph that there was not a Gentleman in the two Counties of Carnarvan and Anglesey of three hundred pounds a yeer but was his Kinsman or allieman in the fourth degree which he thinks will sufficiently justify his parentage Bishop Goodman of Glocester that though his very name seemed to point out his descent from Yeomantry yet though the youngest sonne of the youngest brother he had more left unto him than the Lord Brook his father had to maintain him and all his family That his grandfather by his father side purchased the whole estate of Sir Thomas Exmew Lord Maior London 1517. and that by his mothers side he was descended of the best parentage of the City of London The rest of the Bishops might sufficiently vindicate their parentage as most the Sonnes of Ministers or Lay-Gentlemen whose extractions ran not so low as to any such feculencie charged upon them 10. But moe symptomes of their dying power in Parliament daily discovered themselves The
degrees whereby the Bishops declined in Parliament some whereof we will recount that posterity may perceive by what degrees they did lessen in the House before they lost their Votes therein First whereas it was customary that in all Commissions such a number of Bishops should be joyned with the temporall Lords of late their due proportions were not observed The Clark of the Parliament applying himselfe to the prevalent party in the reading of Bills turned his back to the Bishops who could not and it seems he intended they should not distinctly hear any thing as if their consent or dissent were little concerned therein When a Bill passed for exchange of Lands betwixt the Bishop of London and Sir Nicolas Crispe the temporall Lords were offended that the Bishop was styled Right Honourable therein which at last was expung'd and he intitled one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell the honour being fixed upon his State imployment not Episcopall function On a solemn Fast in their going to Church the temporall Lords first took precedency of the Bishops who quietly submitted themselves to come behind on the same token that a The young Lord Spencer afterwards E. of Sunderland one of the Lay-Lords said Is this a day Humiliation wherein we shew so much pride in taking place of those to whom our ancestors ever allow'd it But the main matter was that the Bishops were denied all medling even in the Commission of preparatory examinations concerning the Earl of Strafford as causa sanguinis and they as men of mercy not to deal in the condemnation of any person The Bishops pleaded though it was not proper for them to condemn the guilty yet they might acquit the innocent and such an one as yet that Earl was charitably presumed to be untill legally convicted to be otherwise They alledged also in their own behalf that a Commission was granted in the reign of Queen Elizabeth to certain Privy-Counsellors for the examination of the Queen of Scots Anno Dom. 1640 even to her condemnation if just cause appear'd b Camdens Eliz in An. 15â—6 and John Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury first named therein All would not prevaile the Bishops being forbidden any interposing in that matter 11. It must not be forgotten Bishops refus willingly to resigne their Votes how about this time the Lord Kimbolton made a motion to perswade the Bishops willingly to depart with their Votes in Parliament adding that if the same would surrender their suffrages the temporall Lords who remained in the House were obliged in honour to be more tender of and carefull for the Bishops preservation in their Jurisdictions and Revenues An instrument was imployed by the Earl of Essex or else he imployed himself conceiving the service acceptable who dealt privately with severall Bishops to secure themselves by prevention to surrender that which would be taken away from them But the Bishops persisted in the negative refusing by any voluntary act to be accessarie to their own injury resolving to keep possession of their Votes till a prevalent power outed them thereof 12. Now no day passed Multitudes of petitions against Bishops wherein some petition was not presented to the Lords or Commons from severall persons against the Bishops as grand grievancers causing the generall decay of trade obstructing the proceedings in Parliament and what not In so much that the very Porters as they said were able no longer to undergoe the burden of Episcopall tyranny and petitioned against it But hitherto these were but blunt petitions the last was a sharp one with point and edg brought up for the same purpose by the armed Apprentices 13. Now A land-tide of Apprentices flow to Westminster seeing mens judgments are at such a distance about the nature of this their practice some terming it a tumult Anno Dom. 1441. mutiny riot others calling it courage zeal and industry some admiring them as acted with a publique spirit above their age and education others condemning them much their countenancers more their secret abetters and contrivers most of all I say when men are thus divided in point of judgement it will be safest for us to confine our selves meerly to matter of fact Wherein also we meet with much diversity of relation though surely what a c John Vicars in his God in the Mount or Parliamentarie Chronicle lib. 1. pag. 58. Parliatary Chronicler writes thereof must be believed Now Decem. 26. see how it pleased the Lord it should come to passe some of the Apprentices and Citizens were again affronted about Westminster-Abbey and a great noise and hubbub fell out thereabouts Others some of them watched as it seems by the sequell the Bishops coming to the Parliament who considering the disquiet and great noise by land all about Westminster durst not come to Parliament that way for fear of the Apprentices and therefore intended to have come to Parliament by water in Barges But the Apprentices watched them that way also and as they thought to come to land they were so pelted with stones and frighted at the sight of such a company of them that they durst not land but were rowed back and went away to their places Thus the Bishops were fain to shelter themselves from the showre of stones ready to fall upon them and with great difficulty made their escape Who otherwise on St. Stephans day had gone St. Stephans way to their graves 14. As for the hubbub at Westminster Abbey lately mentioned The manner of the tumult at Westminster Abby and White-Hall belongs to the pens of State Historians eye-witnesses have thus informed me of the manner thereof Of thoses Apprences who coming up to the Parliament cryed No Bishops no Bishops some rudely rushing into the Abby Church were reproved by a Virger for their irreverent behaviour therein Afterwards quitting the Church the doors thereof by command from the Dean were shut up to secure the Organs and Monuments therein against the return of Apprentices For though others could not foretell the intentions of such a tumult who could not certainly tell their own yet the suspicion was probable by what was uttered amongst them The multitude presently assault the Church under pretence that some of their party were detained therein and force a pane out of the North door but are beaten back by the officers Scholars of the Colledge Here an unhappy tile was cast by an unknown hand from the leads or battlements of the Church which so bruised Sir Richard Wiseman conductor of the Apprentices that he died thereof and so ended that dayes distemper 15. To return to the Bishops Why no more then 12 of the Bishops present at the Protest the next day twelve of them repaired to Jerusalem-Chamber in the Deans lodgings and if any demand where were the rest of them to make up twenty six take this account of their absence 13 Dr. Laud Archbishop of Cant. was in the Tower 14 Dr. Juxon Bishop
others grumbling at it as too much for what by them was performed And now what place more proper for the building of Sion as they propounded it then the Chamber of Jerusalem the fairest in the Deans Lodgings where King Henry the fourth died and where these Divines did daily meet together 7. Be it here remembred The superadded Divines that some besides those Episcopally affected chosen to be at this Assembly notwithstanding absented themselves pretending age indisposition c. as it is easie for able unwillingness to finde out excuses and make them probable Fit it was therefore so many evacuities should be filled up to mount the Meeting to a competent number and Assemblies as well as Armies when grown thin must be recruited Hence it was that at severall times the Lords and Commons added more Members unto them by the name of the Super-added Divines Some of these though equall to the former in power were conceived to fall short in parts as chosen rather by the affections of others then for their own abilities the Original members of the Assembly not overpleased thereat such addition making the former rather more then more considerable 8. One of the first publick Acts The Assemblies first petition for a fast which I finde by them performed was the humble presenting of a Petition to both Houses for the appointing of a solemn fast to be generally observed And no wonder if their request met with fair acceptance and full performance seeing the Assemblies Petition was the Parliaments intention and this solemn suite of the Divines did not create new but quicken the old resolutions in both Houses presently a Fast is appointed July 21. Frid. and accordingly kept on the following Friday M r Boules and M r Newcomen whose sermons are since printed preaching on the same and all the rest of the particulars promised to be taken into speedy consideration 9. It was now projected to finde out some Band or Tie The Covenent entreth England for the streighter Vnion of the English and Scotish amongst themselves and both to the Parliament In order whereunto the Covenant was now presented This Covenant was of Scottish extraction born beyond Tweed but now brought to be bred on the South-side thereof 10. The House of Commons in Parliament The Covenant first taken and the Assembly of Divines solemnly took the Covenant at S t. Margarets in Westminster 11. It was ordered by the Commons in Parliament that this Covenant be forthwith printed and published Commanded to be printed 12. Divers Lords Taken by Gentlemen Knights Gentlemen Collonels Officers Souldiers and others Sept. 27. Wed. 29. Frid. then residing in the City of London met at S t Margarets in Westminster and there took the said Covenant M r Coleman preaching a Sermon before them concerning the piety and legality thereof 13. It was commanded by the authority of both Houses Enjoyned all in London that the said Covenant on the Sabbath day ensuing Frid. Octo. 1. Sund. should be taken in all Churches and Chappels of London within the lines of Communication and thoroughout the Kingdom in convenient time appointed thereunto according to the Tenour following A Solemn league and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the peace and safety of the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospel and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdom of England Scotland and Ireland by the providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our eyes the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the honour and happiness of the Kings Majesty and his posterity and the true publick liberty safety and peace of the Kingdom wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to minde the Treacherous and Bloody Plots Conspiracies attempts and Practises of the enemies of God against the true Religion and the professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time encreased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick Testimonies We have now at last after other means of Supplications Remonstrances Protestations and sufferings for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practises of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods people in other nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutual solemn League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himself with our hands lifted up to the most High God do swear That we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in our several places and callings the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common enemies the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith form of Church-Government directory for Worship and Catechizing That we and our posterity after us may as Brethren live in faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacie that is Church-government by arch-Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-Deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchie Superstition Heresie Schism Prophaneness and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godliness lest we partake in other mens sins and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues and that the Lord may be one and his name one in the three Kingdomes We shall with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our several Vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and priviledges of the Parliaments and the due liberties of the kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesty his person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and liberties of the Kingdoms that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatness We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill instruments
unto him D r Williams waving and slighting all mony requested foure Books being the collections of the Lord his industry learning and experience concerning 1. The Prerogative Royall 2. Priviledges of Parliaments 3. The proceedings in Chancery 4. The power of the Starr-Chamber These were no sooner asked then granted and the Doctor afterwards copied out these foure Books into his own brains Books which were the foure elements of our English State and he made an absolute Master of all the materials that is of all the passages therein seeing nothing superfluous was therein recorded 16. By the Duke of Buckingham whom he had married to the daughter of the Earle of Rutland he presented these Books to King James The means of his speedy and great preferment Then did His Majesty first take notice of his extraordinary abilities soon after preferring him by the Dukes mediation to the Deanry of Westminster Bishop of Lincolne and Keepers place of the Great Seal till he lost the last in the first of King Charls as hath formerly been related 17. I dare confidently avouch what I knowingly speak The original breach betwixt the Duke and Lord Keeper that the following passage was the motus primò primus of the breach betwixt him and the Duke There was one D r Theodore Price a Welsh man highly beloved both by Bishop Williams and BP Land so that therein the rule did not hold Those that agree in one third agree among themselves these two Prelates mutually mortal enemies meeting in the love of this Doctor Now the Archbishoprick of Armagh in Ireland falling vacant Bishop Williams moved the Duke for D r Price his country man to whom the Duke answered that King James had by promise fore-disposed the place on the Bishop of Meath D r James Vsher one whose deserts were sufficiently known Not satisfied herewith Bishop Williams by his own interest endeavoured to bring D r Price into the place The Duke understanding that he who formerly professed a subordination to at the least a concurrence with his desires should now offer to contest with him resolved that seeing the Lord-Keeper would not own himself to stand by his love the world should see he should fall by his anger and this ministred the first occasion to his ruine And when once the Alarum was sounded of the Dukes displeasure no Courtier so deaf and drowsie but did take the same And all things concurred to his disadvantage This is that D r Theodore Price afterwards died a professed Catholick reconciled to the Church of Rome 18. Yet after his resigning the Seal Not contented with his own wish faire preferment was left unto him could he have consined his large heart thereunto I meet with a passage in a * Cabala or Scrinia Sacra part 1 p. 59. letter from this Lord-Keeper to the Duke wherein he professeth calling God to witness that the Lord-Keeper troubled with many miseries wherewith suddain greatness is accompanied envied the fortunes of one D r Williams late Dean of Westminster Be this a truth or a complement what he formerly envied now he enjoyed returned to a plentifull privacie not only of the Deanry of Westminster but Bishoprick of Lincoln which he held with the same But alass when our desires are forced on us by our foes they do not delight but afflict The same step is not the same step when we take it aseendendo in hopes to higher preferment and when we light upon it descendendo or are remitted unto it as falling from higher advancement The Bishop is impatient for being less than he had been and there wanted not those secret enemies to improve his discontents to his disgrace almost destruction as fining in the Star-Chamber and long imprisoning in the Tower 19. Now came that Parliament so much wished for Enlarged out of the Tower and made Arch-Bishop of York that many feared it would never begin 1640. and afterwards oh the mutability of desires or change of things desired the same feared it would never have an end Then is Bishop Williams sent for out of the Tower brought to Parliament advanced to the Arch-Bishoprick of York and is the Antesignanus of the Episcopal party to defend it in the House of Lords as best armed with his power and experience against a volly of affronts and oppositions 20. Once when His Majesty saw him earnest in the defence of Episcopacy then opposed by Parliament His pleasant answer to the King My Lord saith the King I commend you that you are no whit daunted with all disasters but are zealous in defending your Order Please it your Majesty returned the Arch-Bishop I am a true Welshman and they are observed never to run away till their Generall do first forsake them No fear of my flinching whilest your Highness doth countenance our cause But soon after he was imprisoned about the Bishops Protestation to the Parliament and with great difficulty obtained his liberty as was afore observed 21. Retiring himself into North-Wales where his birth Retires into North-Wales and sinks by degrees into disfavour estate alliance but chiefly hospitality did make him popular he had a great but endeavoured a greater influence on those parts It gave some distast that in all consultations he would have his advise pass for an oracle not to be contested with much less controled by any But vast the difference betwixt his Orders in Chancery armed with power to enforce obedience and his counsell here which many Military men as in their own element took the boldness to contradict Buff-coats often rubb'd and grated against this Prelats silk Cassock which because of the softer matter was the sooner fretted therewith Indeed he endeavoured as much as might be to preserve his country from taxes an acceptable and ingratiating designe with the people but sometimes inconsistent with the Kings present and pressing necessities All his words and deeds are represented at Oxford where his Court-interest did daily decline to his disadvantage and some jealousies are raised of his cordialness to the Royal Cause 22. At last some great Affronts were put upon him increased with his tender resenting of them Incensed with great affronts being himself as I have been informed put out of Commission and another placed in his room A disgrace so much the more insupportable to his high Spirit because he conceived himself much meriting of his Majesty by his loyalty industry ability and expence in his Cause who hitherto had spared neither care nor cost in advancing the same even to the impairing of his own estate 23. But now he entereth on a designe Takes a Commission from the Parliament which had I line and plummet I want skill to manage them in measuring the depth thereof He sueth to the Parliament for favour and obtained it whose General in a manner he becomes in laying siege to the Town and Castle of Abercon-way till he had reduced it to their service and much of the Town to
after Octo. 6. the King gave in his answer The Kings rejoynder to the Parliament Divines to this first paper of the Divines Wherein he acknowledged that the word Episcopus denoting an Overseer in the generall sense agreeth as well to Presbyters as Ministers in which respect they are sometimes in Scripture confounded both meeting in the joynt-function of overseeing Gods Flock But soon after Common usage the best Master of words appropriated Episcopus to the Ecclesiastical Governor leaving Presbyter to signifie the Ordinary Minister or Priest as in the antient Fathers and Councils doth plainly appear 10. As to the Extraordinarie Calling of the Apostles he confessed their Vnction extraordinary consisting in their miraculous gifts which soon after ceased when Churches were planted but he urged their mission to govern and teach to be ordinary necessary and perpetual in the Church the Bishops succeeding them in the former the Presbyters in later Function 11. Their Evasion that Timothy and Titus were Evangelists and not Bishops is clearly refuted by Scultetus Gerard and others yea as his Majesty is informed is rejected by some rigid Presbyters as Gillespee Rotherford c. Besides that Timothy and Titus were Bishops is confirmed by the consentient Testimony of Antiquity S. Hierome himself recording them made by S. Pauls Ordination as also by a Catalogue of twenty seven Bishops of Ephesus lineally succeeding from Timothy as is avouched by D. Reinolds against Hart. 12. If the Angels mentioned in the Revelations were not singular persons who had a Prelacy over the Church whether were they the whole Church or so many individual Pastors therein or the whole Colledge of Presbyters or singular Presidents of those Colledges for into so many opinions these few are divided amongst themselves who herein divide themselves from the ancient Interpretation of the Church Government 13. Concerning Ages succeeding the Apostles his Majesty confesseth it but a humane Faith which is begotten on humane Testimonies yet so that in matter of Fact it may be infallible as by the Credit of History we infallibly know that Aristotle was a Greek Philosopher 14. The objected obscurity of Church-History in primitive Times is a strong Argument for Episcopacy which notwithstanding the darkness of those times Anno Dom. 1648. is so clearly extant by their unquestionable Catalogues Anno Regis Carol. 24. 15. It is plain out of Clement elsewhere even by the Confession of * Vedelius exeâ— 8. In. Ignat. cap. 3. one not suspected to favour the Hierarchie that he was accounted a Bishop as distinct from a Presbyter As for Ignatius his Epistles though some out of partial disaffection to Bishops have indeavoured to discredit the whole Volume of them without regard of Ingenuity or Truth yet sundry of them attested by antiquity cannot with any forehead be denied to be His giving Testimony of the Prelacy of a Bishop above a Presbyter 16. As for the difference between Primitive Episcopacy and present Hierarchie his Majesty did not conceive that the Additions granted by the favour of his Royall Progenitors for the enlarging of the power and priviledges of Bishops did make the Government substantially to differ from what it was no more then Arms and Ornaments make a body really different from it self when it was naked and devested of the same 17. Whereas they besought his Majesty to look rather to the Original then succession of Bishops he thought it needful to look at both the latter being the best Clue in such intrinsick cases to finde out the former 18. Lastly he professed himself unsatisfied in their answer concerning the perpetual and unalterable substantials of Church Government as expecting from them a more particular resolution therein then what he had received 19. Eleven dayes after the Parliament Divines put in their answer to his Majesties last paper The return of the Parliament Divines to the King Herein they affirmed Octo. 17. they saw not by what warrant this Writ of partition of the Apostles office was taken forth that the Governing part should be in the hands of the Bishops the Teaching and Sacramentizing in the Presbyters Scripture making no such Inclosure or Partition-Wall Besides the challenge of Episcopacy is grown to more then it pretended to in ancient times some * S. Chrysost S. Hierom and of modern Bp. Bilson Fathers acknowledging that Bishops differed from Presbyters only in matter of Ordination 20. The Abetters say they of this challenge that they might resolve it at last into Scripture ascend by the scale of succession going up the River to finde the head which like the head of Nile cannot be found Such who would carry it higher endeavour to impe it into an Apostolical Office and at last call it a Divine institution not by force of any express precept but implicite practise of the Apostles 21. They also returned that his Majesties definition of Episcopal Government is extracted out of the Bishops of later date then Scripture-times 21. Concerning the Ages succeeding the Apostles However Episcopal Government was generally current yet the superscription thereof was not judged Divine by some of those which were themselves Bishops or lived under that Government 22. As they firmly believed as to matter of fact that Chrysostome and Augustine were Bishops as that Aristotle was a Philosopher so they would rather call such a beleef grounded upon humane Testimonies uncontroled certain than infallible 23. The darkness of the History of the Church in the times succeeding the Apostles had an influence on the Catalogue-makers who derived the Series of the succession of Bishops taken much from tradition and Reports And it is a great blemish of their Evidence that the nearer they come to they Apostles times wherein this should be most clear to establish the succession firme at the first they are most doubtfull and contradictory one to the other 24. They granted that a succession of men to feed and govern those Churches which by Ecclesiastical Writers in compliance with the language of their own times were called Bishops but not distinct from Presbyters So that if such a succession from the Primitive times Seriatim were proved they would either be found more then Bishops as Apostles and extraordinary persons or less as meerly first Presbyters not having the three Essentials to Episcopal Government insisted on by his Majesty 25. As for Ignatius he cannot distinctly be known in Ignatius his Epistles such their Insincerity adulterate mixture and Interpolations and take him in gross he is the Patron of such Rites as the Church in that Age never owned 26. They professed that in their last Answer they related not to a School-Nicety Utrum Episcopatus sit Ordo vel Gradus the question being stated by Popish Authors to whom they had no Eye or Reference 27. They humbly moved His Majesty that the Regiments of Humane Testimonies on both sides might be discharged the field and the point of dispute tried alone by dint of holy Scripture 28. They
incurrat ne memorati Cancellarius Universitas divisim vel conjunctim clam vel palam aliquid ordinet vel statuat edita vel statuta bujusâ—â—di observet vel servari faciat in praejudicium nostrae jurisdictionis seu archidiaconi nostri Eliensis nobis specialiter inconsultis non praebentibus assensum hujusmodi statutis vel etiam statuendis decernimus enim irritum inane quic quid contra hanc nostram prohibitionem à quoquam ipsorum fuerit attemptatum Ad hac quia jurisdictio dicit archidiaconi à jurisdictione praefati Cancellarii tam ratione contractuum quà m personaruÌ„ ac etiam causarum liquidò est distincta ac constet utrumque esse nobis immediatè subjectum nolumus ipsum Archidiaconum vel suam familiam Cancellario praedicto in aliquo subesse nec ipsum Cancellarium vel suam familiam in alique subesse Archidiacono memorato Sed uterque virtute propriae potestatis suam propriam familiam corrigat ipsam ad juris regulas reducendo It a quòd si necessarium fuerit superioris auxilium in hiis de quibus ecclesia judicat ad nos vel ad officialem nostrum recursus habeatur Salva nobis successoribus nostris potestate addendi detrahendi corrigendi mutandi vel minuendi in posterum sicut nobis ipsis visum fuerit expedire Data Acta anno Domini MCClxxvj apud Dunham in octabis beati Michaelis 14. Now seeing this is the most ancient Composition in this kind we meet with it will not be amiss to dwel a while thereon with our observations the rather because it mentioneth Cambridge not as an University modernly modelled but of an ancient constitution First University equivoâ—al We finde in the Preface of this Instrument the word University within the compass of three lines used in two senses 1. For the generality of Mankind to whose notice this Deed may attain 2. For Scholars from all Countries studying the latitude of learning in one grand Society in which acception as formerly we have observed out of a great b Camden in Oxfordshire p. 38. Antiquary it began first to be used in the reign of King Henry the third Now Bishop Balsham termeth Cambridge nostram our University First because probably therein he had his education Secondly because it was scited in as surrounded with his Jurisdiction Thirdly because lately in the founding of Peter-house it had largely tasted of his benefaction Secondly The Officers thereof Behold here the compleat body of an University with the Chancellour at this present Robert de Fulburne the Head the Regents and Scholars the Heart the officers the Hands and Feet thereof Of the latter this composition expresseth by name 1. Bedels and those two in number with the Virges or Wandes since in many yeers grown up to be Staves and these two doubled into four at this day Some conceive Bedellus so called quasi Pedellus à pedo signifying that ceremonious Staffe which they manage in their hands whilest others with more probability derive it from Beades Praiers in old English it being a principal part of his office to give publique notice of all conventions for Academical devotion 2. Scriptores writers well known to all 3. Illuminatores such as gave light and lustre to Manuscripts whence our english to limne by colouring and gilding the initial and capital letters therein essential ornaments in that age men then being more pleased with babies in books than children are 4. Stationarii publickly avouching the sale of Staple-Books in standing shops whence they have their names as opposite to such circumforanean Pedlers ancestors to our modern Mercuries and Hawkers which secretly vend prohibited Pamphlets All other officers are included in this Deed under the generical name of Mancipia whence our word Manciple confined since by custome to signify the provider of victuals for several Colledges takes its denomination 15. But what should be the sense of Glomerelli and Magister Glomeriae so often occurring in this instrument we must confess our selves Seekers therein Quaere what meant by Magister Glomeriae as not satisfyed with what learned Caius conjectureth therein For c Hist Cantab. lib. 2. pag. 124 he maketh him senior Regent to collect and count the suffrages in all Congregations As if so called à glomerando from going round about the Regent-house to that purpose or from gathering their votes commonly written and to take up less room and to be the better taken up glomerated i. e. rolled and roundled up in a piece of paper But d Hist Cautab libâ— pag. 129 elsewhere the same Author tells us that our University-Orator at this day succeeds to the ancient office of Magister Glomerdae whose place it is to entertain Princes and Peers coming thither and to pen publique Letters on all occasions of importance Whatever he was it appears by this composition that he kept Courts and had cognisance of causes of Scholars under his jurisdiction But seeing so great an Antiquary as Sir Henrie e See his Glossarie in G. Spelman concludes all herein with a quaere his doubts having more learning than other mens determinations let it suffice us to know that the original of this word seems barbarous his office narrow and topical confin'd to Cambridge and his certain use at this day antiquated and forgotten 16. Now whereas this Bishop The Bishop accused of presumption herein towards the close of this composition thundereth forth his Excommunication against the Chancellour and whole University if presuming to infringe the same in prejudice of his Jurisdiction some will conceive his presumption or profaneness rather herein incurred ipso facto that heavy censure which he denounceth on others Considering the former Priviledges indulged some hundreds of years since by several Popes to this University Honorius primus anno Dom. 624. Feb. 20. Sergius primus an Dom. 689. May. 3. Authoritate f See it exemplified at large in Caius de Antiq Cantab. lib. 1. pag. 58. omnipotentis Dei districtius inhibemus sub poena excommunicationis quam veniens in contrarium ipso facto incurrat ne quit Archiepiscopus Episcopus Archidiaconus aut eorum officiales seu visitatores generales aut speciales à sede Apostolica deputati audeat in aliquem Academicum suspensionis vel excommunicationis seu interdicti sententias inferre c. Presentium g Express'd largely in the same Author pag. 60. authoritate decrevimus ut nulli Archiepiscope vel Episcopo aliive Ecclesiasticae personae vel Seculari liceat Universitatem vestram aut aliquem vestrum suspendere seu excommunieare vel quolibet sub interdicto ponere absque summi Pontificis assensu vel ejus speciali Mandato c. How durst the Bishop of Ely notwithstanding the promisses interpose his power in University matters Is it not ridiculous for the man to pretend bounty in bestowing a remnant on him to whom his Master formerly had given the whole
Opinion the Calamities of this Age falling so heavily on Scholars that I am converted into a charitable conceit of such who beg the Charity of others Richard de Deerham 1389 Chancellour 13 55. A strange Miracle is reported here to have hapned A strange Miracle Whilest the Augustine Friers in a solemn Procession were carrying the Hoste about the Town on a suddain it grew so a Thomas Walsingham in hoc anno heavy that it made two of the strongest Friers puff and sweat and blow to support the same It added to the Wonder that let any Lay-man put his Hands under it and they felt no Weight at all Thus this was a Roman but no Catholick Miracle as but partiall and confined onely to the Cognizance of the Clergy enough almost to make it suspected that they first feigned it who onely felt it 56. Surely it is not like unto Scripture-Miracles Not like those in the Scripture which had all persons present Witnesses to the Truth thereof Say not Paul onely heard the Voice speaking to him from Heaven which the rest of his Fellow-Travellers did not hear because that Expresse was made particularly for his personall Conversion Otherwise it will be hard to instance in Scripture wherein a Miracle was not evident to all who were present thereat 57. This reported Miracle was followed with a sad Mortality in the Town and University A strange Plague in Cambridge proceeding from the Infection of the Aire and that caused from the unclean keeping of the Streets Indeed I read how the Master of Michael Hostle was convented before the Chancellour and commanded either quickly to cleanse their Chanels or quite to stop them up as being in the publick Passage of the Students to the Schools and S t. Maries which sent forth such an offensive Savour the purest Brains are soonest subject to Infection that many fell sick with the Noysomness thereof And indeed the Shame and Guilt is great when for the want of Sweeping the Streets the Inhabitants thereof are swept away with Infections Now such the Malignity of this Disease that presently it infected the Brain so that instantly men ran raving mad and which was strange sarved themselves to death refusing to eate or drink save what was forced down their Throats with violence What Number of Scholars and Towns-men died here of is uncertain but sure they were not a few the Distemper continuing for many Weeks together 58. I doubt not but Oxford did grealy condole with Cambridge herein the rather The like after was at Oxford because surely Cambridge did sadly sympathize with her Sister Oxford when in the Reign of King Henry the seventh she was made desart desolate by an Epidemicall Infection This arose saith their b Brian Twine p. 324. Antiquary ex stagnis aquarum obicibus from the stopping of Water-courses and Oxford I assure you is well stored with them on her East South side so that the Town was wholy forsaken till by the care of Richard Fox their Chancellour it slowly recovered the Inhabitants 59. Now or about this time Iohn a Pitz. de Script p. 551. Bromiard a Dominican Iohn Bromiard a fierce Anti VVicklivist first bred in Oxford Anno Regis Richardi 2. 14 came to Cambridge Anno Dom. 1390 and there became Professour of Divinity sent thither perchance on Designe to ferret out the Wicklivists to whom he was a professed Enemie though Ralph Spalding a Carmelite was the sole eminent Cantabrigian at this time suspected to b Idem p. 550 Both best by turns favour their Opinions 60. Note by the way that Oxford was most fruitfull of Defenders and Sufferers for the Truth from the coming of Wickliffe till the rising of Luther during which time Cambridge was but barren of famous Confessours But Cambridge in the Reign of King Henry the eighth afforded c VVhich clearely appears by consulting and comparing Fox his Acts and Mon. more Martyrs and Witnesses of the Truth whilst Oxford was more generally guilty of Superstition Thus he who hath two fair Orchards seldome wanteth Fruit the one hitting whilst the other faileth And thus the God of Truth was alternately furnished with Champions first of the one then the other Vniversity till both at last after the perfect Reformation became the fruitfull Nurseries of Protestant VVorthies to the Envie and Admiration of all Christendome William Colvil 15 Chancellour 1391 Tho. Hadley Peter Skelton Proctours 61. It was usual for Apostate Preaching or Dominican Friars Statute against fugitive Friars being Fugitives from forrain Parts here surreptitiously to steal their Degrees in future prevention whereof the King ordered they should not commence in either Universitie He by his Writ also enjoyned d Rob. Hare in Archivis the Sheriff of Cambridgeshire in default of the Bayliffs and Townsmen to assist the Chancellour in replessing Malefactours Iohn Neckton 16 Chancellour 1392 William Colvil 18 Chancellour 1394 Thomas Hougham Proctour Eudo 20 or Guido de Zouch 1396 Chancellour William Wimble Proctour 62. Iohn Fordham Bishop of Ely The first person of Honour Chancellour of Cambridge well considering the State Degree and noble Birth of Eudo de Zouch being as I collect it younger Son to the first Lord Zouch of Haringworth in Northamptonshire a younger Branch of most ancient Barons at Ashby de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire would not exact Obedience of him as of the former Chancellours Indeed Fordham was herein more Court-like and civil to this Eudo then Thomas Arundel his Precessour Bishop of Ely who being nobly born himself might be presumed more courteous to one of the like Extraction yet seventeen years since viz 1379. took Obedience of this Eudo then Chancellour in all Formality But some will say Eudo had since acquired though not better Rloud more Gravity and Degrees and therefore more Respect was due unto him 63. But what now was indulged to Chancellour Zouch as a personall Favour Cambridge's Chancellour no longer confirmed by Ely's Bishop was six years after 1402. granted generally to all his Successours by the bounty of Pope Boniface the ninth who by his Bull ordered it that the Chancellour of Cambridge needed not any further Confirmation from the Bishop of Ely but that his Election by the University put him into Power to perform his Office SECTION IV. Anno Dom. Anno Regis ROULANDO LITTON in pago HARTFORDENSI Armigero PRimam Mundi Aetatem Poetae dixerunt Auream non ob Auri abundantiam cujus ne mica tunc in usu cum Opes malorum irritamenta nondum effoderentur sed ob summam illius Seculi Simplicitatem Quo quidem sensu Vita Academica mihi vere aurea est censenda cujus me meminisse juvat cum nos olim in Collegio Sydneyano Ego sub auspitiis Doctoris Wardi Tu sub tutela Magistri Dugardi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Literis vacavimus
meae Ignorantias ne memineris Domine Remember not Lord my sins nor the Ignorances of my Youth But may the Reader take notice this Story is related by Richard Hall a zealous Papist in his life of Bishop Fisher A Book which when lately in Manuscript I then more prized for the Rarity then since it is now printed I trust for the Verity thereof Iohn VVatson 11 Vice-Chan 1518-19 VVilliam Smith Iohn Cheswrigh Proctours VVil. Barber Major Doct. of Divinity 10 Can. Law 3 Bac. of Divin 11 Mast of Arts 26 Bac. of Law 26 Arts 38 27. Monks Colledge this year had it's name altered Monks turned into Buckingham Coll. and condition improved Formerly it was a place where many Monks lived on the Charge of their respective Convents being very fit for solitary Persons by the Situation thereof For it stood on the trans-Cantine side an Anchoret in it self severed by the River from the rest of the University Here the Monks some seven years since had once and again lodged and feasted Edward Stafford the last Duke of Buckingham of that Family Great men best may good men alwayes will be gratefull Guests to such as entertain them Both Qualifications met in this Duke and then no wonder if he largely requited his VVelcome He changed the Name of the House into Buckingham Colledge began to build and purposed to endow the same no doubt in some proportion to his own high and rich estate Edm. Nateres 12 Vice-Chan 1519-20 Iohn Denny VVil. Meddow Proct. Richard Clark Major Doct. Theol. 5 Iu. Can. 1 Civ 1 Bac. Theol. 20 Mag. Art 23 Bac. Leg. 19 Art 31 28. Two eminent men are assigned by a good Authour at this time to flourish in Cambridge A pair of learned Writers The one VVilliam Gonel a friend to Erasmus and here publick Professour saith b In Appendice illustrium Angliae Scriptorum Pitz but would he had told us of what Faculty But probably Publick Professour in the laxe acception of that Title importeth no more then an ordinary Doctour We need not question his Sufficiency when we find Sir Tho. More an Oxford man and able Judge of Merit select him for Tutour to his Children The other Stephen Baron Provinciall of the Franciscans and Confessour faith one c Idem p. 696 in anno 1520. to King Henry the eighth Some will scarce believe this Anno Dom. 1519-20 onely because about this time they find Longland Bishop of Lincoln performing that place Anno Regis Henrici 8. 12 except King Henry as he had many Faults had many Confessours at once But this Baron might have this office some years since Let me here without offence remember that the Seniour Vicar as I take it of the Kings Chappel is called the Confessour of the Kings Houshold which perchance hath caused some Mistakes herein Tho. Stackhouse 1520-21 Vice-Chan 13 Rich. Frank lo. Crayford Proctours Rich Clark Major Doct. Theol. 9 Ju. Can. 3 Civ 1 Bac. Theol. 5 Mag. Art 21 Bac. Leg. 7 Art 26 29. Edward Stafford D. of Buckingham The untimely death of the Duke of Buckingham a Gentleman rather vain then Wicked guilty more of Indiscretion then Disloialty by the practise of Cardinall VVoolsey lost his Life and was beheaded Charles the fifth Emperour being informed of his death a Godwin in Henry the eighth May 17 said that a Butchers Dog such VVoolsey's extraction had kill'd the fairest BUCK in England Let Oxford then commend the Memory of this Cardinall for founding a fair Colledge therein Cambridge hath more cause to complain of him who hindred her of an hopefull Foundation For this Duke surprized with death built but little and endowed nothing considerably in this Buckingham Colledge No wonder to such who consider that prevented with an unexpected End he finished not his own House but onely brought the sumptuous and stately Foundation thereof above ground at Thornbury in b Camden's Brit. ibidem Glocestershire Afterwards in Commiseration of this Orphan Colledge severall Convents built Chambers therein But more of it hereafter in Magdalen Colledge Iohn Edmunds Vice-Chan Nich. Rowley Iohn Stafford 1521-22 14 Proct. Robert Smith Major Doct. Theol. 6 Ju. Can. 1 Civ 1 Bac. Theol. 19 Mag. Art 22 Bac. Leg. 6 Art 40 30. Richard Crook was the first Crook his Character who now brought Greek into request in the University He was born in London bred in Kings Colledge where Anno c Manuscript Hatcher 1506. he was admitted Scholar Then travailing beyond the Seas he became publick Reader of Greek at Lipzick in Germany After his return by the perswasion of Bishop Fisher Chancellour of Cambridge he professed therein the Greek Language All Students equally contributed to his Lectures whether they heard d Epist Tho. Mori ad Aca. Oxon. or heard them not as in Dutch Ordinaries all Guests pay alike for the Wine e Erasmi Colloqu in Diversorio though they drink it not because they were or should be present thereat Crook dedicated his first publick Speech made in praise of the Greek tongue to Nich. VVest Bishop of Ely because Cambridge understand him of all the Parish Churches therein is of his Jurisdiction A passage impertinently pressed by f Brian Twine Oxford Antiquary to prove this University under his Episcopall Power as being in not of Elic Diocese exempted from it though surrounded with it Crook was also chosen the first publick Oratour a place of more Honour then Profit whose originall Salary g Cajus Hist. Cant. Aâ— l. 2 pag. 129. was but 40â— per ann Tho. Green Vice-Chan 1522-23 Robert Dent Io. Briganden Proct. Geo. h MS. Coll. Corp. Christi Hoyster Major He was excommunicated for his obstinacy towards the Deputy of the Vice-Ch 15 Doct. Theol. 5 In. Can. 2 Mag. Art 22 Bac. Art 46 31. It will not be amisse here to present the Reader with a List of the University Oratours Anno Regis Henrici 8. 15 Anno Dom. 1522-23 A Catalogue of Cambridge Oratours Oratours chosen 1 Richard Crook 1522 2 George Day fellow of Kings Col. 1528 3 Iohn Redman of Kings Hall 1537 4 Thomas Smith fellow of Queens Col. 1538 5 Roger Ascham fellow of S t. Iohns Col. 1547 6 Tho. Gardiner fellow of Kings Col. 1554 7 Iohn Stokes of the same 1557 8 George Ackworth 1560 9 Anthony Girlington fellow of Pembrook Hall 1561 10 Andrew Oxenbridge fellow of Trin. Col. 1562 11 VVil. Masters fellow of Kings Col. 1564 12 Thomas Bing fellow of Peter House 1564 13 VVilliam Lewin fellow of Christs Col. 1570 14 Iohn Beacon fellow of S t Iohns Col. 1571 15 Rich. Bridgewater fellow of Kings Col. 1573 16 Anthony VVing field fellow of Trin. Col. 1580 and re-admitted 1586 17 Henry Moutlow fellow of Kings Col. 1589 18 Rob. Naunton fellow of Trin. Col. 1595 19 Francis Nethersole fellow of Trin. Col. 1611 20 George
Providence kept it from being a See more of him in our History of Cambridge confounded Anno 1508. many a pound he gave moe he got of his Friends for this Colledge Indeed he was none of the greatest Rabbins but he made many good Scholars under him Thus the dull and blunt Whet-stone may be said vertually to be all Edge because setting a sharpnesse on other instruments Metcalfe Anno Dom 1534-35 with Themistocles Anno Regis Henrici 8. 27 could not fiddle but he know how to make a little Colledge a great one by his two and twenty years prudent government thereof 2. I find not a particular of the Faults Great deserts soon forgotten which the Fellows laid to Metcalf's charge It may be the greatest matter was because he was old they young he froward they factious Indeed he was over-frozen in his Northern Rigour and could not be thaw'd to ungive any thing of the rigidnesse of his Discipline Besides I suspect him too stubborn in his Romish Mumsâ—mus which gave his Adversaries advantage against him who would not be quiet till they had cast him out of his Mastership Did not all the Bricks of the Colledge that day double their Dye of rednesse to blush at the Ingratitudes of those that lived therein 3. Wonder not if Metcalfe survived but few months after his removall Guilt haunted with Iustice Old trees if transplanted are so farre from bearing of fruit that they bear not themselves long but wither away However let not his Enemies boast it being observed that none thrived ever after who had a hand in Metcalf's Ejection but lived meanly and died a Cajus hist Cant. Ac. lib. 1. p. 76. miserably This makes me confident that neither Master Cheek nor Master Askam then Fellow of the Colledge had any hand against him both of them being well known afterwards to come to good grace in the Common-wealth Fran. 1535-36 Mallet 29 Vice-Chan Hen Ioliffe Ro. Stokes Proctours Simon Trew Major Doct. Theol. 7 Bac. Theol. 16 Mag. Art 26 Bac. Leg. 13 Art 18 4. Now had the Records of Cambridge slept well-nigh a whole year in the Custodie of the Lord Cromwell Cambridge records re-delivered unto them not that there was the least intention finally to detain them but to suspend them for a time to wean the University from their former Fondnesse to the Pope that for the future they might feed with a better Appetite on the Kings Favours It was now therefore thought fit to restore them again without the losse of a Shoo-latcher to the University Whereupon Rob. Stokes the Iunior Proctour and Iohn Meare the Esq Bedel went up to London where the aforesaid Records were delivered unto them After their return to Cambridge Tho Argal and Anthony Hussey were deputed by the Regent-house to receive such Records as concerned the University 5. Yet I question Quaere whether the Popes Bulls were in species restored whether any of the Popes Bulles were restored to the University or no I mean those Bulles of a later date conferred on Cambridge since the Massacre general of their Records in the mad Maioralty of Edward b See our hist of Camb. Anno. 1381. Lyster If any such were returned they might be Monuments looked on for Rarities but no longer Muniments of the University as too infirm to fence and fortifie the same the Popes power being totally abrogated However though not in specie they were vertually restored the Vniversity exchanging not loosing her right herein onely bottoming her Priviledges not on Papal but Regal Power c Cajus hist Cant. Ac. l. 1. pag. 105. Etsi inclytissimus Rex ea auferrijusserit ne Pontificum deinceps obtenderetur Authoritas corum tamen beneficium Academâ—ae salvam integrumque esse voluit Georg. Anno Regis Henrici 8. 30 Day Anno Dom. 1536-37 Vice-Chanc Rich. Standish Tho. Cobbe Proct. Rad. Berkerdike Major Doct. Theol. 3 Medic. 1 Bac. Theol. 5 Mag. Art 19 Bac. Leg. 5 Medic. 2 Art 19 Wil. Buckmaster 31 Vice-Cha 1537-38 Galf. Gylpin Hen. Sanâ—â—rson Proctours Robert Smith Major Doct. Theol. 2 Ju. Civ 2 Bac. Theol. 7 Mag. Art 27 Bac. Leg. 7 Art 35 Wil. 32 Buckmaster 1538-39 Vice-Chan Oliv. Ainsworth Alban Longdale Proct. Christ Franck Major Doct. Theol. 3 Ju. Civ 1 Medic. 1 Bac. Theol. 4 Mag. Art 20 Bac. Leg. 3 Medic. 3 Art 42 Gram. 1 6. STEPHEN GARDINER was chosen Chancellour of the Vniversity Gardiner made Chancellour He was at the same time Master of Trinity Hall which he was pleased to hold for many years together with the Bishoprick of Winchester Francis Mallet Iohn Edmunds Vice-Chan 33 Tho. 1539-40 Pulley Ed. Humphrey Proct. Iohn Chapman Major Doct. Theol. 1 Iu. Civ 1 Medic 1 Bac. Theol. 5 Mag. Art 32 Bac. Leg. 6 Art 30 Rich. 34 Standish 1540 41 Vice-Chan Henry Bissel Thomas VVest Proctours William Gil Major Doct. Ju. Civ 1 Medic. 2 Bac. Theol. 4 Mag. Art 19 Bac. Leg. 9 Medic. 2 Art 49 7. A contest began now betwixt the Introducers of the New the Defenders of the Old Pronunciation of Greek Contention about pronouncing of Greek The former endeavoured to give each Letter Vowel and Diphthong it 's full Sound whilst Doctor Cajus and others of the old stampe cried out against this project and the promoters thereof taxing it for Novelty and them for want of Wit and Experience He affirmed Greek it self to be barbarous thus clownishly uttered and that neither France Germany nor Italy owned any such pronunciation 8. Iohn Cheek The champions for the new mode Thomas Smith both afterwards Knighted and privy Councelours maintained that this was no Innovation but the ancient utterance of the Greeks which gave every letter it 's due and native Sound Otherwise by the fine speaking of his opposers Vowels were confounded with Diphthongs no difference being made betwixt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nor mattereth it if Forrainers dissent seeing hereby we English-men shall understand one another 8. Here Bishop Gardiner Chancellour of the Vniversity interposed his power An inartificiall argument affirming Cheeks pronounciation pretending to be ancient to be antiquated Anno Dom. 154 0 1 He imposed a penalty on all such who used this new pronounciation Anno Regis Henrice 8. 34 which notwithstanding since hath prevailed and whereby we English-men speak Greek and are able to understand one another which no body else can Iohn Edmunds 154 1 2 Vice-Chanc 35 Simon Brigs Edwin Sandys Proct. Rob. Chapman Major Doct. Leg. 2 Medic. 2 Bac. Theol. 9 Mag. Art 17 Bac. Leg. 5 Art 33 Thomas Lord Audley of VValden The L. Audley builds Mandlin Colledge Chancellour of England by licence obtained from King Henry the eighth changed Buckingham into Magdalen vulgarily Maudlin Colledge because as a Sceleton Cant. MS. some will have it his Sirname is therein
subscribing the same Chaâ—â—er Afterward Harold usurpeth the Crown Will. Conq. 1. but enjoyed it not a â—ull year 1067 kill'd in Battle-fight Harold Crowned killed buried at 〈◊〉 thaâ— by King William the Conqueror Where either of their swords if victorious might have done the deed though otherwise both their titles twisted together could not make half a good claim to the Crown Githa Mother of Harold and two religious men of this Abby Osegod and Ailâ—iâ— with their prayers and tears hardly prevailed with the Conquerour at first denying him burial whose ambition had caused the death of so many to have Harolds Corps with his two Brethren Girth and Leofwin losing their lives in the same battle to be entombed in Waltham Church of his foundation He was buried where now the Earl of Carlile his leaden Fountain in his Garden then probably the end of the Quire or rather some Eastern Câ—appel beyond it His Tomb of plain but rich gray Marble with what seemeth a Cross-Floree but much descanted on with art upon the same supported with Pillarets one Pedestal whereof I have in my house As for his reported Epitaph I purposely omit it not so much because barbarous scarce any better in that Age but because not attested to my apprehension with sufficient Authority A Picture of King Harold in glass was lately to be seen in the North-window of the Church Deforming Reformers till ten years since some barbarous hand beat it down under the notion of Superstition Surely had such ignorant persons been imployed in the dayes of Hezekiah to purge the Temple from the former Idolatry under the pretence thereof they would have rended off the Lilie-work from the Pillars and the Lions Oxen and Cherubims from the Bases of Brass However there is still a place called Harolds-Park in our Parish by him so denominated Let not therefore the village of Harold on the North side of Oâ—se neer Bedford properly Harewood or Harelswood on vulgar groundless tradition contest with Waltham for this Kings interment The Re-foundation of WALTHAM-ABBY by HENRY the Second ONe will easily believe Waltham Canons in a sad condition that at the death of King Harold Waltham-Abby Founded by him was in a swoon and the Canons therein much disheartned However they had one help which was this that Edward the Confessour was the confirmer of their Foundation whose memory was not onely fresh and fair in all mens mindes bearing a veneration to his supposed sanctity but also King William the Conquerour had the best of his bad titles by bequest of the Crown from this Confessour So that in some sense Waltham-Abby might humbly crave kindred of King William both deriving their best being from one and the same person The industry of Rob. Fuller last Abbot of Waltham Know Reader that what ever hereafter I alledg touching the Lands and Liberties of Waltham if not otherwise attesed by some Author in the margin is by me faithfully transcribed out of Waltham Leidger-Book now in the possession of the Right Honourable JAMES Earl of Carlile This Book was collected by Robert Fuller the last Abbot of Waltham who though he could not keep his Abby from dissolution did preserve the Antiquities thereof from oblivion The Book as appears by many inscriptions in the initial Text-letters was made by himself having as happy an hand in fair and fast writing as some of his Sir-name since have been defective therein Not long after the Conquest Queen Maud gives Waltham Monks a Mill. Waltham-Abby found good Benefactors Anno Dom. 1102 and considerable additions to their maintenance Anno Regis Hen. 1 3. For Maud the first Queen to King Henry the first bestowed on them the Mill at Waltham which she had by exchange for Trinity-Church in London which I take to be part of the Trinity-Priory now called the Dukes-place Adelisia Queen Adelisia the Tythes second wife to King Henry the first 1130 being possessed of Waltham as part of her Revenue 31. gave all the Tythes thereof as well of her Demesnes as all Tenants therein to the Canons of Waltham Mean time how poorly was the Priest of the place provided for Yea a glutton Monastery in former ages makes an hungrie Ministrie in our dayes An Abby and a Parsonage unimpropriate in the same place are as inconsistent together as good woods and an Iron Mill. Had not Waltham Church lately met with a Noble Founder the Minister thereof must have kept moe fasting-dayes then ever were put in the Roman Calender King Stephen King Steven his bounty though he came a wrong way to the Crown 1135 yet did all right to the Monastery of Waltham as who generally sought the good will of the Clergie to strengthen himself and confirmed all their Lands Steph. 1 profits and priviledges unto them King Henry the second utterly dissolved the foundation of Dean and eleven Canons at Waltham King Henry dissolves the Dean and Canons at Waltham The debauchedness of their lives is rendred in his Charter as the occasion thereof 1156 Cum in ea Canonici Clericique minùs religiosè aequaliter vixissent Hen. 2 2. ita quòd inâ—amia conversationis illorum multos scandalisasset Whether these were really or onely reputed vitious God knows seeing all those must be guilty whom power is pleased to pronounce so Sure it is King Henry outed this Dean and Canons and placed an Abbot and Regular Augustinians in their room encreasing their number to twenty four And because to use the Kings own words it was fit that Christ his Spouse should have a new dowry he not onely confirmed to this Monastery the primitive patrimony mentioned in the Confessors Charter cum peciis terrae with many pieces of land and tenements which their Benefactors since bestowed upon them but also conferred the rich Manors of Sewardstone and Eppings on this Monastery The whole Charter of King Henry is too long to transcribe Augustinians substituted in their room but some passages therein must not be omitted First the King had the consent of Pope Alexander for the suppression of these Canons the rather moved thereunto quia praedictis Canonicis sufficienter provisum fuit because the aâ—oresaid expelled Canons had sufficient provision made for them For grant them never so scandalous this was to add scandal to scandal to thrust them out of house and home without any means or maintenance Secondly this Charter Presents us with the ancient liberties of Waltham-Church that Semper suit Regalis Capella ex primitiva sui sundatione nulli Archiepiscopo vel Episcopo sed taâ—â—ùm Ecclesiae Romanae Regiae dispositioni subjecta And though since Reformation the Church hath been subjected to the arch-Arch-Bishops jurisdiction as succeeding to the Royal power and sometimes with grumbling and reluctancy to the Episcopal power yet it never as yet owned an Arch-Deacon or appeared at his Visitation The metioning of the consent of Pope
from cruelty covetousness and Popish inclinations 44. 45 46. his crossing a Court project 47. BANGOR the Monks therein massacred b. 2. ¶ 9. Peter BARO why leaving his Professours place Hist. of Cam. p. 125. ¶ 21. different judgements about his departure ¶ 22. William BARRET Fellow of Cajus Coll. His solemn recantation Hist of Cam. p. 150. BARDS their powerfull practices on the Pagan Britans Cent. 1. ¶ 94. BARNWELL nigh Cambridge the Original of Midsummer fair therein Hist of Cam. p. 3. ¶ 9. a Priory therein founded by Paine Peverell p. 7. ¶ 16. BASIL Councill English Ambassadours sent thither b. 4. p. 178. observations on their Commission p. 179 180. John BASTWICK his accusation b. 11. p. 151. ¶ 58. his plea 152. ¶ 64. his speech on the Pillory p. 155. ¶ 71. BATTEL ABBEY founded by King Will. the Conquerour b. 3. ¶ 1. the large Priviledges thereof Ibidem and ¶ 15. Thomas BECKET b. 3. p. 32. ¶ 57. Arch-bishop of Canterb. 58. stubborn in defending the Clergy 59 c. slain by 4 Knights in his own Church ¶ 66 67. the great supper stition at his shrine p. 36. ¶ 70. Biob BEALE Clark of the Councill zealus against Bishops b. ¶ p. 47. Arch-bishop Whitgift complains of his insolent carriage ibidem BEDE though sent for went not to Rome C. 8. ¶ 15. yet probably went out of his Cell ¶ 16. why ssur-named VENERABLE ¶ 17. the last â—laze going out of the Candle of his life ¶ 18. BENNET COLL in Cambridge the foundation thereof Hist of Cam. p. 43 44 c. Archb. Parker a par amount benefactor thereunto p. 46. ¶ 11. BENEDICTINE Monks b. 6. p. 266. ¶ 2. most anâ—cient of all orders in England p. 267 268. BERKLEY Nuns all with child at once c. 11. c. 19. and b. 6. p. 301. ¶ 2. BERKLEYS their Armes relating to their service in the Holy Land b. 11. p. 43. ¶ 23. their great Bonefaction to Abbeys Hist of Abb. p. 326. sers by their dissotution 327. Tho. L. BERKLEY Patron to John de Trevisa b. 4. p. 151. ¶ 43. at whose command he translated the Bible into English ¶ 44. BERTHA the Christian Wife of King Ethelbert as yet a Pagan a great Promoiresse of Religion b. 2. c. 6. ¶ 9. St. John of BEVERLEY his Miracles c. 8. ¶ 11. Theodorns BEZA his letter to Mr. Travers to crave contribution for the City of Geneva b. 9. p. 136 137. why coldly resented ibid. BIBLE three severall Translations thereof b. 7. p. 387. a fourth and best by the appointment of King James b. 10. p. 45 c. Vide Translatours BIRINUS converts the West-Saxons C. 7. ¶ 65. breaketh his promise yet keepeth it ¶ 66. made Bishop of Dorchester ¶ 67. BISHOPS their judisdictions first severed from the Sheriffs b. 3. p. 5. ¶ 10. BISHOP Sin the late long Parliament being charged with a Premunire for making the late canons b. 11. p. 183. ¶ 6. legally defend themselves ¶ 7. acquit themselves from Feculencie of Extraction wherewith a Lord aspersed them ¶ 8 9. symptomes of their dying power in Parliament p. 184. ¶ 10. being petitioned against p. 185. ¶ 12. and assaulted ¶ 13. twelve of them subscribe and present a protest p. 186. ¶ 16. forwhich they are imrisoned p. 188. ¶ 18. enlarged on bayle p. 196. ¶ 34. BISHOPRICKS when and why removed from small Towns to great Cities b. 3. ¶ 21. Five on the destruction of Abbies erected by King Henry the eighth b. 6. p. 338. ¶ 3. BLACKFRIERS the dolefull downfall or fatall Vespers thereof b. 10. p. 102. ¶ 29 30 c. Q. Anna BOLLEN hath amatorious Letters written unto her from king Henry the eighth b. 5 p. 175 ¶ 49. preserved as some say in the Vatican ibidem her character p. 206. ¶ 20. solemnly divorced from King Henry the eighth p. `207 ¶ 2. Robert BOLTON an eminent Divine his death b. 11. p. 143. ¶ 25. EDMUND BONNER Bishop of London begins to bonner it b. 5. p. 231. ¶ 19. deprived under Ed. 6. b. 7. p. 414. his cruell articles Hist of Walth p. 18. whom allgenerations shall call Bloudy b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 11. why imprisoned in the Marshalsey b. 9. ¶ 17. traverseth a suite with Horn Bishop of Winchesters S. 4. ¶ 1. his Counsells plea in his behalf ¶ 2 34. A drawn Baitel betwixt them occasioned by a provisoe in a new Statute ¶ 7. BONNES HOMMES why so called b. 6. 273 ¶ 24. Rich Eremites in pretended povertie ¶ 25. BOOKS embezeled at the dissolution of Abbies b. 6. p. 334. to the great lasse of learning ibidem BOOKS preparatory to reformation set forth by King Henry the eighth b. 7. p. 375. Gilb. BOURN Bishop of Bath and Wells why milde in the dayes of Q. Mary b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 3. his death b. 11. p. 144. ¶ 32. Theoph. BRADBURN his sabbatarian fancies b. 11. p. 144. ¶ 32. Thomas BRADWARDINE a great Schoolman c. 14. p. 98. ¶ 23. his just praise ibidem afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury BRANDONS Brothers successively Dukes of Suffolk die of the sweating sicknesse Hist of Cam. p. 128. ¶ 70. Bishop Parkhurst his Epitaph on them ibidem Thomas BRIGHTMAN his birth breeding b. 10. p. 49. ¶ 12. preferment ¶ 13. writings ¶ 14. good life ¶ 15. and sudden death ¶ 16 17. BRITANS their dolâ—full case whilst Pagans C. I. ¶ 1. their principall Idols ¶ 2. in vain they crave help of the Roman Emperour against the invasion of the Picts C. 4. ¶ 22. and C. 5. ¶ 14. 15. BRITAIN the causes hastning the Conversion thereof before other Countries nearer Palestine C. 1. ¶ 6. why the first Planters of Christianity therein are unknown ¶ 8. not beholden to Rome for her first Preachers ¶ 18. not divided into five Roman Provinces as Giraldus Cambrensis mistakes untill the time of Flavius Theodosits C. 2. ¶ 10. Christianity continued therein after the death of King Lucius C. 3. ¶ 2. by the Testimony of Gildas Tertullian and Origen ¶ 3. in defiance of Dempster a detracting writer ibid. Why so little left of the primitive Church-History thereof ¶ 6. and C. 4. ¶ 11. BRITISH CLERGIE refuse submission to the Pope of Rome C. 7. ¶ 3. the Dialogue betwixt them and an Anchoret ¶ 6. BRITISH LANGUAGE the commendation thereof C. 7. ¶ 17. vindicated from causlesse cavils ¶ 18. Robert BROWN his gentile Extraction b. 9. p. 166. ¶ 2. deserted by his own Father p. 167. his opinions p. 168. spared when his Followers were executed ¶ 45. the odd occasion of his imprisonment and death ¶ 46. BRUXELS Benedictine rich Nunnery for English Gentle-women with good portions b. 6. p. 363. Martine BUCER called to Cambridge History of Camb. p. 128. ¶ 32 33 34. the various dates of his death p. 130. ¶ 37. belyed by Parsons to die a Jew ¶ 38. his bones burnt by Card. Poole p. 135. ¶ 54. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE paramount for Martyrs b. 5. p. 163. ¶ 2. Dr.
Huntingdonshire where he may be said to have lived in a publick privacie So many his Visitants hospitall his house-keeping it being hard to say whether his Table were more free and full in dyet or discourse indeed he had a plentifull estate to maintain it besides his purchased Land The revenues of his Bishoprick and Deanery of Westminster out of which long since he had been shaken if not fastned therein by the Letters Patents of King James His Adversaries beheld him with envious eyes and one great Prelate plainly said in the presence of the King that the Bishop of Lincoln lived in as much pompe and plenty as any Cardinall in Rome for Dyâ—t Musick and attendance They resolved therefore to humble his height the concurrence â—f many matters ministring occasion thereunto 77. Sir John Lambe Dean of the Arches formerly a Favourite of Lincoln feâ—cht off from being prosecuted in Parliament The Bishop his discourse at the table with Sir John Lamb. and knighted by his means with Dr. Sibthorp Allen and Burden two Proctors as I take them were entertained at the Bishops talk at Bugden where their table was the discourse generall of those dayes against Puritans The Bishop advised them to take off their heavy hand from them informing them that his Majesty intended to use them hereafter with more mildnesse as a considerable party having great influence on the Parliament without whose concurrence the King could not comfortably supply his necessities adding moreover that his Majesty had communicated this unto him by his own mouth with his resolutions hereafter of more gentlenesse to men of that opinion 78. Some yeers after upon the deniall of an Officialls place in Leicestershire which notwithstanding Informed against him in the Star-chamber he carried in despight of the Bishop Sir John Lambe fell foul with his old Friend and in revenge complained of him for revealing the Kings secrets concredited to his privacy Hereupon Atturney Noy was employ'd to put the same into an Information in the Star-chamber unto which Bishop Williams by good advise of counsell did plead and demurre as containing no matter fit for the cognizance of that Court as concerning words spoken of matters done in Parliament secrets pretended to be revealed by him a Privy Counsellor and Peere of Parliament and therefore not to be heard but in that High-Court This Demurrer being heard argued by Counsell Pro and Con in open Court for two or three hours the Lord Keeper and other Lords there present finding no cause nor colour to overrule it was referred to Judge Richison who lately having singded his Coat from blasts at the Court by him to be smothered who in a private Chamber presently after dinner over-ruled the same in a quarter of an houre 79. The Demurrer thus rendred useless in the Bishops defence Deserreth his intents of compounding with the King he used what means he could by the Lord Weston a proper person because Treasurer to meddle in money matters to compound with his Majesty but his Majesty resolved to have the Bishops answer and confession of his fault before he would compound with him Whereupon the Bishop quitting all thoughts of composition resolved to weather out the Tempest of his Majesties displeasure at open sea either out of confidence of the strength of his tackling his own innocence or skill of his Pilots who were to steere his suit having the learnedst Counsel of the Land by whose advise he put in a strong plea which likewise being argued and debated in open Court came at last to the same untimely end with the Demurrer as referred to Judge Richison and smothered by him in a Chamber 80. This Plea thus overruled Puts in an especiall answer the Bishop put in an especiall answer to the information declaring how all was grounded by a conspiracy and combination of the persons named in the Bill to wit Lambe Sibthorpe Allen and Burden out of an intent to advance themselves and hatred they bare to him for not permitting them to pole and pill the Kings Subjects in Leicestershire in their Ecclesiasticall Courts by haling them into their nets ex officio mero without any previous complaint under an imaginary colour of Puritanism To this especiall answer Atturney Noy rejoyned in issue admitting the Bishop to prove his especiall matters who proceeded to the examination of his witnesses therein 81. Now began Atturney Noy to grow weary of the matter Kilveâ—t entertained his Prosecutor and became slow and remisse in the prosecution thereof whether out of respect to the Bishop whom he honoured though tart in tearms against him to please a greater Prelate or out of consciousnesse that more weight was hung thereon then the slender Wyres of the cause would bear Hereupon Richard Kilvert was entertained to follow the Suite though not entring himself as he ought Prosecutour upon record at the best being a necessary evill to doe what an honest man would be ashamed of Indeed like an English Mastiffe he would fiercely flye upon any person or project if set on with promise of profit and having formerly made his Breakfast on Sir John Bennet he intended to dine and supp on the Bishop And though his strength consisted much in a cunning head yet farre more in an able back as seconded in this suit and abetted from the Court in his undertakings This Kilvert so wrought himself into Warren an Examiner of the Star-Chamber that some say contrary to his oath he revealed unto him that the Testimony of one John Pregion Register of Lincoln and Leicester was most materiall in the Bishop his defence 82. Then was it Kilvert his designe to uncredit the Testimony of Pregion Pregion a principall witnesse of the Bishop much molested by charging him with several accusations particularly getting a Bastard though being no matters upon record to take away the validity of his witnesse The Bishop apprehending himself necessitated to weigh up Pregion his repute engaged himself more zealously therein then was conceived consistent with the gravity of so great a Prelate for so inconsiderable a person Especially to such who knew not that Dr. Morrison and this Pregion were the only persons of note present at the Bishop his Table when the discourse passed betwixt him and Sir John Lambe The Bastard laid to his charge is bandied at Lincoln-Sessions backward and forward betwixt Pregion and another The first Court fathers it upon him the next freed him from it and a third returned it upon him again This last order of Sessions was again dissolved as illegall by the Judges of the Kings-Bench and Pregion cleared from the child charged on him Sir John Munson a Justice of that County appearing very active against him and the Bishop no lesse earnest in his behalf 83. Here hapned the occasion or that w ch was afterwards so highly charged Subornation of perjury charged on the Bishop and heavily censured on the Bishop Williams wiz tampering to 〈◊〉
witnesses Henceforward 〈…〉 all his first information which from this day sunk 〈◊〉 silence and employed all his power on the proof of Subornation That 〈…〉 too hard for his Teeth to enter and fastned his fangs on a softer place so to pinch the Bishop to purpose yea so expensive was the suit that the Bishop well skilled in the charge of charitable works might with the same cost have built and endowed a small Colledge 84. Some daies before she hearing a Noble Lord of his Majesties Councell In 〈…〉 with the King the Bishops great Friend interposed himself to compound the matter prevailing so farre that on his payment of two thousand pound the Suit should be superseded in the Star-Chamber and he freed from further molessation But at this Lords return the price was risen in the market and besides the aforesaid 〈◊〉 it was demanded of him that to procure his peace he must part with his Deanery of Westminster Parsonage or Walgrave and Prebend of Lincoln which he kept in commendam To this the Bishop answered that he would in no base forgoe those few remainders of the favour which his dead master King James had conferred 〈◊〉 him 85. Not long after another bargain was driven frustrated therein by his great Adversary by the well intended endeavours of the same Lord that seeing his Majesty at that time had much occasion of moneys if he would but double the former summe and lay down four thousand pounds he should be freed from further trouble and might goe home with all his 〈◊〉 about him The Bishop returned that he took no delight 〈◊〉 at law with his Soveraign and thankfully embracing the motion prepared himself for the payment When a great Adversary stepping in so violented his Majesty to a Tryall that all was not onely frustrated but this afterwards urged against the Bishop to prove him conscious of a crime from his forwardness to entertain a composition 86. The day of censure being come July 11. Tuesday Sir John Finch Lord chief Justice fined the Bishop ten thousand pound for tempering to suborn Witnesses His heavy censure Secretary Windebank concurred with that little Bell being the lowdest and shrillest in the whole peaâ— as who alone motioned to degrade him which was lustily pronounced by a Knight and Layman having no precedent for the same in former ages The other Lords brought the fine downe to eight thousand pound and a thousand marks to Sir John Munson with suspension ab officio et beneficio and imprisoning him during the Kings pleasure The Earl of Arundell added that the cause in its self was extraordinary not so much prosecuted by the Atturney as immediately by the King himself recommended to their justice Manchester Lord privy Seal said that this was the first precedent wherein a Master had undone himself to save his Servant 87. The Archbishop of Canterbury did consent thereunto To which the Archbishop of Canterbury did concurre aggravating the fault of subornation of perjury with a patheticall speech of almost an houre long shewing how the world was above three thousand years old before ripe enough to commit so great a wickedness and Jesabell the first in Scripture branded with that infamie whose false Witnesses the holy Spirit refused to name otherwise than under the Character of Men of Belial Wherefore although as he said he himself had been five times down on his knees to his Majesty in the Bishops behalf yet considering the guilt so great he could not but agree with the heaviest censure And although some Lords the Bishops Friends as Treasurer Weston Earl of Dorset c. concurred in the fine with hope the King should have the sole honor of the mitigation thereof yet his Majesties necessaries meeting with the person adjudged guilty and well known for solvable no wonder if the utmost penny of the fine was exacted 88. At the same time were fined with the Bishop Three of his Servants fined with 〈◊〉 George Walker his Secretary Cadwallader Powell his Steward at three hundred pounds a piece and Thomas Lund the Bishop his Servant at a thousand 〈◊〉 all as 〈◊〉 in the same cause yet none of them was imprisoned save Lund for a few weeks and their fine never called upon into this day which the Bishop said was commuted into such Office as hereafter they were go doe in the favour of Kilvert 7. To make this our History entire The complaints against the unjust proceedings against him put in by the Bishop into the Parliament the matter in this particular suite Be it therefore known to the Reader than some foure years after 〈◊〉 1640 when this Bishop was fetch out of the Tower and restored a Peer in Parliament he there in presented severall grievances concerning the indirect prosecution of this cause against him whereof these the principall First that his Adversaries utterly waâ—ed and declined the matter of their first Information about revealing the Kings secrets as hopeless of success therein and sprung a new mine to blow up his credit about perjury in the examination of Witnesses Whereas he conceived it just that all accidentalls and occasionalls should sink with the substance of the accusation otherwise suits would be endless if the branches thereof should still survive when the root doth expire * These complaints I extracted out of the Bishop his Originall Secondly that he was deprived of the benefit of bringing in any exceptions against the Testimonies of Sir John Lambe and Dr. Sibthorp to prove their combination against him because they deposing pro Domino Rege nonâ— must impeach the credit of the Kings Witnesses who must be reputed holy and sacred in what they 〈◊〉 in so much that after Briefs were drawn by Counsells on both sides the Court was moved to expunge those Witnesses which made most against the King and for the Defendant Thirdly that Kilvert used all wayes to menace and intimidate the Bishop his Witnesses frighting them as much as he could out of their own consciences with dangers presented unto them To this purpose he obtained from Secretary Windebank that a Messenger of the Star-chamber one Pechye by name was directed to attend him all along the speeding of the Commission in the Country with his Coat of Armes upon him with power to apprehend and close imprison any person whom Kilvert should appoint pretending from the Secretary Warrants for matters of State and deep consequence so to doe by vertue whereof in the face of the Commission he seised on and committed George Walker and Thomas Lund two materiall Witnesses for the Bishop and by the terror thereof chased away many more whose Depositions were necessary to the clearing of the Bishop his integrity yet when the aforesaid two Prisoners in the custody of the Messenger were produced before Secretary Winebank he told them he had no matters of State against them but turned them over to Kilvert wishing them to give him satisfaction and were not permitted