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
assemblies are to be monished to make Collections for relief of the poor and of scholars but especially for relief of such Ministers here as are put out for not subscribing to the Articles tendered by the Bishops also for relief of Scottish Ministers and others and for other profitable and necessary uses All the Provinciall Synods must continually aforehand foresee in due time to appoint the keeping of their next Provinciall Synods and for the sending of Chosen Persons with certain instructions unto the nationall Synod to be holden whensoever the Parliament for the Kingdome shall be called at some certain set time every year See we here the embryo of the Presbyterian Discipline lying as yet as it were in the wombe of Episcopacy though soon after it swell'd so great that the mother must violently be cut before the child could be delivered into the world as to the publick practice thereof 2. Many observables in these Decrees offer themselves to our consideration Several observations on these Decrees First that they were written in latine whereof they had two elegant penners Cartwright and Travers shewing themselves no enemies to that tongue which some ignorant Sectaries afterward condemn'd for superstitious counting every thing Romish which was Romane and very Cordials to be poison if lapp'd up in latine 2. Probably as Artists hang a curtain before their works whilst yet imperfect so these Synodists thought fit in latine as yet to vail their Decrees from vulgar eyes seeing nothing can be projected and perfected together Yea the repetition of those words doth seem and it seemeth carrying something of uncertainty in them sheweth these Decrees as yet admitted but as Probationers expecting confirmation on their good behaviour 3. The election of the people is here made the essence of a call to a Pastoral Charge to which the presentation of the most undoubted Patrone is call'd in but ad corroborandum As for Institution from the Bishop it was superadded not to compleat his Ministeriall function in point of conscience but legally to enable the Minister to recover his maintenance from the detainers thereof 4. Partiall subscription is permitted to the Articles of Religion viz. only to the Doctrinal part thereof but none to those wherein Discipline is mentioned especially to the clause at the end of the twentieth Article The Church both power to decree Rites and Ceremonies c. accounted by the Brethren the very sting in the tail of the locusts 5. Those words If subscription shall be urged again Plainly intimate that the reins of Episcopal government were but loosly held and the rigour thereof remitted for the reasons by us fore-alledged 6. That Church-wardens and Collectors for the poor are so quickly convertible even in their opinion into Elders and Deacons only with a more solemn and publick election shows the difference betwixt those officers to be rather nominal then real 7. By Women-Deacons here mentioned we understand such widows which the Apostle appointeth in the primitive Church to attend strangers and sick people and which M r. a In his Admonitions pag 163. Section 2. Cartwright affirmeth ought still to be continued although he confesseth there be learned men think otherwise 8. Their Comitial Assemblies kept in the Universities at the commencements wisely they had an eye on the two eyes of the land were conveniently chosen as safely shadowed under a confluence of people See we here though the matter of their Discipline might be Jure Divino humane prudence concurred much in the making thereof as in ordering a National Synod alwayes to run parallel with the Parliament 9. Mention being made of relieving Scottish Ministers if any ask what northern tempest blew them hither know they quitted their own country about this time upon refusal of conformity and found benevolence in England a better livelihood than a Benefice in Scotland 10. The grand designe driven on in these Decrees was to set up a Discipline in a Discipline Presbytery in Episcopacy which as appears in the Preface they thought might well stand with the peace of the Church but this peace prov'd but a truce this truce but a short one before both parties brake into irreconcileable hostility Thus it is impossible to make a subordination in their practises who have an opposition in their principles For though such spheres and orbs which agree in one center may proportionably move one within another yet such as are excentricall can never observe equall distance in their motion but will sagg aside to grind and grate one the other But enough hereof at this time having jetted out a little already into the next year no offence we hope seeing it makes our History more entire in this subject 3. This year A blasphemous Hererick reclaimed Robert Dickons a Leicester shire youth but it seems Apprentice at Mansell in Nottingham-shire having parts and pregnancy above his Age and profession arrived at such a height of Prophanenesse as not only to pretend to visions but account himself Eliah sent from God to perfect some defects in the Prophesie of Malachy But by Gods blessing on the endeavours of M r. Henry Smith whom his Unkle M r. Briant Cave this year Sheriff of Leicester-shire employed therein this Heretick was a See Mr. Smiths Sermon of the lost sheep found reclamed renouncing his Blasphemies by Subscription under his own hand and for ought I finde to the contrary lived peacably and painfully the remainder of his life 4. This is that Henry Smith The Character of Mr. Henry Smith born at Withcock in Leicester-shire of a worshipfull family and elder Brother to S r. Roger smith still surviving bred in Oxford and afterwards became that famous Preacher at S t. Clements Danes in London commonly called the silver-tongu'd smith being but one mettall in Price and Purity beneath S t. Chrysostome himself Yea whereas generally the sermons of those dayes are now grown out of fashion such is our Ages Curiosity and Affectation of Noveltie Smiths Sermons keep up their constant Credit as appears by their daily Impressions calculated for all times places and persons so solid the learned may partly admire so plain the unlearned may perfectly understand them The wonder of his worth is increased by the consideration of his tender Age dying very young b About the year 1500 as I am inform'd by his brother about 50. years agoe 5. I finde three of such who seemed Pillars in the Romish Church The death of Rich. Bristow deceased this year First Richard Bristow born in Worcester-shire bred in Oxford in Exeter Colledge whence he fled beyond the Seas and by Cardinall Allen was made overseer of the English Colledge first at Doway then at Rhemes He wrote most in English humili quidem stilo faith one of his own * â—itzaeus de illustribus Argl. scriptor Opinion but very solidly for proof whereof let his Books against D r. Fulke be perused For the recovery of his health he was advised
you may reign everlastingly with him whose Vicar you are which with the Father and the Sonne c. 7. Now we have done our Threshing A preparative for the examining the truth of this letter we must begin our Winnowing to examine the Epistle For the trade of counterfeiting the Letters of eminent men began very early in the Church Some were tampering with it in the Apostles time which occasioned S t. Paul's b 2 Thess 2. 2. Caution That ye be not soon shaken in minde or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter as from us Since men then but Apprentices are now grown Maisters in this Mysterie wherefore it will be worth our examining whether this Epistle be genuine or no. Say not this doth betray a peevish if not malicious disposition and argues a vexatious spirit in him which will now call the title of this Letter in question which time out of minde hath been in the peaceable possession of an authentick reputation especially seeing it soundeth in honorem Ecclesiae Britannicae and grant it a Tale yet it is smoothly told to the credit of the British Church But let such know that our Church is sensible of no Honour but what resulteth from truth and if this Letter be false the longer it hath been received the more need there is of a speedy and present Confutation before it be so firmly rooted in mens belief past power to remove it See therefore the Arguments which shake the credit thereof 1. The date of this Letter differs in several Copies and yet none of them light right on the time of Eleutherius according to the Computation of the best-esteemed Authours 2. It relates to a former Letter of King Lucius wherein he seemeth to request of Eleutherius both what he himself had before and what the good Bishop was unable to grant For what need Lucius send for the Roman Laws to which Britain was already subjected and ruled by them At this very time wherein this Letter is pretended to be wrote the Roman Laws were here in force and therefore to send for them hither was even actum agere and to as much purpose as to fetch water from Tiber to Thames Besides Eleutherius of all men was most improper to have such a suit preferred to him Holy man he little medled with Secular matters or was acquainted with the Emperours Laws onely he knew how to suffer Martyrdome in passive obedience to his cruel Edicts 3. How high a Throne doth this Letter mount Lucius on making him a Monarch Who though Rex Britannicus was not Rex Britanniae except by a large Synecdoche neither sole nor supreme King here but partial and subordinate to the Romans 4. The Scripture quoted is out of S t. Hierom's Translation which came more then an hundred years after And the Age of Eleutherius could not understand the language of manu tenere for to maintain except it did ante-date some of our modern Lawyers to be their Interpreter In a word we know that the a Ioshua 9. 12. Gibeonites their mouldy Bread was baked in an Oven very near the Israelites and this Letter had its original of a later b See S â— Hen. Spelman in Councells p. 34. c. where there is another copy of this letter with some alterations and additions King Lucius baptized date which not appearing any where in the World till a thousand years after the death of Eleutherius probably crept out of some Monks Cell some four hundred years since the true answer of Eleutherius being not extant for many years before 8. But to proceed Eleutherius at the request of King Lucius sent unto him c Aliter Phaganus Duvianus Faganus and Derwianus or Dunianus two holy men and grave Divines to instruct him in the Christian Religion by whom the said King Lucius called by the Britans Lever-Maur or the Great Light was baptized with many of his Subjects For if when private d Act. 16. 15. 32. Persons were converted Cornelius Lydia c. their Housholds also were baptized with them it is easily credible that the example of a King embracing the Faith drew many Followers of Court and Country Soveraigns seldome wandring alone without their Retinue to attend them But whereas some report that most yea e Ita ut in brevi nullus infidelis remaneret Matth. Paris Westm all of the Natives of this Island then turned Christians it is very improbable and the weary Traveller may sooner climbe the steepest Mountains in Wales then the judicious Reader believe all the hyperbolical reports in the British Chronicles hereof 9. For Ieffery Monmouth tells us I. Monmouth his fiction of Flamens and Arch-Flamens that at this time there were in England twenty eight Cityes each of them having a f Monmouth de geâ—lis Britannor lib. 2. cap. 1. fol. 33. Flamen or Pagan Priest and there of them namely London York and Caer-lion in Wales had Arch-Flamens to which the rest were subjected and Lucius placed Bishops in the room of the Flamens and Arch-Bishops Metropolitans in the places of Arch-Flamens All which saith he solemnly received their Confirmation from the Pope But herein our Authour seems not well acquainted with the propriety of the word Flamen their Use and Office amongst the Romans who were not set severally but many together in the same City Nor were they subordinate one to another but all to the Priests Colledge and therein to the Pontifex Maximus Besides the British g Ja. Armach de Brit. Eccl. prim p. 17. Manuscript which Monmouth is conceived to have translated makes no mention of these Flamens Lastly these words Arch-Bishop and Metropolitan are so far from being current in the days of King Lucius that they were not coined till after-Ages So that in plain English his Flamens and Arch-Flamens seeme Flamms and Arch-Flamms even notorious Falshoods 10. Great also is the mistake of h Giraldus Cambrensis de Sedis Menevensis dignitate apud D. Joh. Prise pag. 75. another British Historian A gross mistake affirming how in the days of King Lucius this Island was divided into five Roman Provinces namely Britain the First Britain the Second Flavia Maximia and Valentia and that each of these were then divided into twelve Bishopricks sixtie in the whole a goodly company and more by halfe then ever this Land did behold Whereas these Provinces were so named from Valens Maximus and Flavius Theodosius Romane Emperors many years after the death of Lucius Thus as the Damosell convinced S t. Peter to be a Galilean for said she i Mark 14. 70. Thy speech agreeth thereunto so this five-â—old division of Britain by the very Novelty of the Names is concluded to be of far later date then what that Authour pretendeth 11. But it is generally agreed Pagan Temples in Britain converted to Christian Churches that about this time many Pagan Temples in Britain had their Property
Bedfordshire It began Anno 575 under King Vffa and lay most exposed to the Cruelty of the Danish Incursions 5. Of MERCIA so called because it lay in the middest of the Island being the Merches or Limits on which c Lambert's Descript of Kent all the residue of the Kingdomes did bound and border It began Anno 582. under King Cridda and contained the whole Counties of Lincoln Northampton with Rutland then and long since part thereof Huntingdon Buckingham Oxford Worcester Warwick Darby Nottingham Leicester Stafford and Chester Besides part of Hereford and Salop the Remnant whereof was possess'd by the Welsh Gloucester Bedford and d Idem ibid. Lancaster In view it was the greatest of all the seven but it abated the Puissance thereof because on the VVest it affronted the Britans being deadly Enemies and bordering on so many Kingdomes the Mercians had work enough at home to shut their own Doors 6. Of NORTHUMBERLAND corrivall with Mercia in Greatnesse though farre inferiour in Populousnesse as to which belonged whatsoever lieth betwixt Humber and Edenborough-Frith It was subdivided sometimes into two Kingdomes of Bernicia and Deira The later consisted of the Remainder of Lancashire with the intire Counties of York Durham VVestmorland and Cumberland Bernicia contained Northumberland with the South of Scotland to Edenborough But this Division lasted not long before both were united together It began Anno 547 under King Ida. 7. Of the WEST-SAXONS who possessed Hantshire Berkshire Wiltshire Somerset Dorset and Devonshire part of Cornwall and Gloucestershire yea some assigne a Moiety of Surrey unto them This Kingdome began Anno 519 under King Cerdicus and excelled for plenty of Ports on the South and Severn Sea store of Burroughs stoutnesse of active men some impute this to the Naturall cause of their being hatch't under the warm Wings of the South-VVest VVind which being excellent VVrastlers gave at last a Fall to all the other Saxon Kingdomes So that as the seven Streams of Nilus loose themselves in the Mid-land Sea this Heptarchy was at last devoured in the VVest-Saxons Monarchy The reason that there is some difference in VVriters in bounding of these severall Kingdomes is because England being then the constant Cock-pit of Warre the Limits of these Kingdomes were in daily motion sometimes marching forward sometimes retreating backward according to variety of Successe We may see what great difference there is betwixt the Bounds of the Sea at High-water and at Low-water Mark and so the same Kingdome was much disproportioned to it self when extended with the happy Chance of Warre and when contracted at a low Ebb of Ill Successe And here we must not forget that amongst these seven Kings during the Heptarchie commonly one was most puissant over-ruling the rest who stiled himself a Camden's Brit. pag. 139. King of the English Nation 18. But to return to the British Church and the year of our Lord 449 wherein S t. Patrick Irish S. Patrick said to live and die at Glassenbury the Apostle of Ireland is notoriously reported to have come to Glassenbury where finding twelve old Monks Successours to those who were first founded there by Ioseph of Arimathea he though unwilling was chosen their Abbot and lived with them 39 yeares observing the Rule of S t. Mark and his Aegptian Monks the Order of Benedictines being as yet unborn in the world Give we here a List of these 12 Monks withall forewarning the Reader that for all their harsh Sound they are so many Saints least otherwise he should suspect them by the ill noise of their Names to be worse Creatures 1. Brumbam 2. Hyregaan 3. Brenwall 4. VVencreth 5. Bantom-meweng 6. Adel-wolred 7. Lowar 8. VVellias 9. Breden 10. Swelves 11. Hinloemius 12. Hin But know that some of these Names as the 3. 6. and 9. are pure plain b First observed by Mr. Camden and since by the Arch-bishop of Armach He is made Co-partner in the Church with the Virgin Mary Saxon words which renders the rest suspected So that whosoever it was that first gave these British Monks such Saxon Names made more Haste then good Speed preventing the true Language of that Age. 19. So great was the Credit of S t. Patrick at Glassenbury that after his Death and Buriall there that Church which formerly was dedicated to the Virgin Mary alone was in after-Ages jointly consecrated to her and S t. Patrick A great Presumption For if it be true what is reported that at the first by direction of the Angel c See 1. Cent. 11. Parag. Gabriel that Church was solely devoted to the Virgin Mary surely either the same or some other Angel of equall Power ought to have ordered the Admission of S t. Patrick to the same to be match'd and impaled with the Blessed Virgin in the Honour thereof In reference to S t. Patrick's being at Glassenbur severall Saxon Kings granted large Charters with great Profits and Priviledges to this Place 20. But now the Spight is that an unparallel'd d James Usher de Brit. Ecc. Primord pag. 875. 883 894. 895. Yet the Credit of Patrick's being at Glassenbury shrewdly shaken Critick in Antiquity leaves this Patrick at this time sweating in the Irish Harvest having newly converted Lempster to the Faith and now gone into the province of Munster on the same Occasion Yea he denies and proveth the same that this Patrick ever liv'd or was buried at Glassenbury But be it known to whom it may concern that the British are not so over-fond of S t. Patrick as to ravish him into their Country against his will and the consent of Time Yea S t. Patrick miss'd as much Honour in not being at Glassenbury as Glassenbury hath lost Credit if he were never there seeing the British justly set as high a Rate on that Place as the Irish do on his Person See but the Glorious Titles which with small Alteration might serve for Ierusalem it self given to Glassenbury and seeing now the Place is for the most part buried in it's own Dust let none envy these Epithets for the Epitaph thereof Here lies the a Or Borough City vvhich once vvas the b In the Charter of King Ina and also in King Edgar's Fountain and Originall of all Religion built by Christs Disciples c Malmesbury MS. de Antiq. Eccles Glaston consecrated by Christ himself and this place is the d So called in the Charter of King Kenwin MOTHER OF SAINTS We are sorry therefore for S t. Patrick's sake if he was never there To salve all some have found out another Patrick called Seniour or Sen Patrick a nice difference equall with the Irish Apostle in Time and not much inferiour in Holinesse who certainly liv'd at Glassenbury The plain truth is that as in the e Plautus his Amphitruo Comoedian when there were two Amphitruo's and two Sosia's they made much fallacious Intricacy and pleasant Delusion in the eyes of the Spectatours So
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
Bodies first brought to be buried in Churches confirmed by the authority of Gregory the Great Bishop of Rome it was decreed that no Corpse either of Prince or Prelate should be buried within the Walls of a City but onely in the Suburbs thereof and that alone in the Porch of the Church and not in the Body Now Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury having built christ-Christ-Church therein was desirous to adorn it with the Corpses of great Persons therein afterwards to be interred In pursuance of this his Design he durst not adventure on this Innovation by his own Power nor did he make his applications to the Pope of Rome as most proper to repeal that Act which the See Apostolick had decreed but onely addresseth himself to Eadbert King of Kent and from him partim precario partim etiam pretio partly praying partly paying for it saith my b Tho. Spot in his Hist of Canterbury Also Archiv Caniuariens cited by Antiq. Brit. in Cuthbert Authour obtained his Request Behold here an ancient Church-Canon recalled at the Suit of an Arch-bishop by the Authority of a King This Cuthbert afterwards handselled Christ-Church with his own Corpse whose Predecessours were all buried in S t. Augustines without the Walls of Canterbury Thus began Corpses to be buried in the Churches which by degrees brought in much Superstition especially after degrees of inherent Sanctity were erroneously fixed in the severall parts thereof the Porch saying to the Church-yard the Church to the Porch the Chancel to the Church the East-end to all Stand farther off for I am holier then you And as if the Steps to the High Altar were the Stairs to Heaven their Souls were conceived in a nearer degree to Happinesse whose Bodies were mounted there to be interred 28. About this time the Bill of fare of Monks was bettered generally in England The occasion of Monks their first drinking of wine in England and more liberty indulged in their Diet. It was first occasioned some twenty yeares since when Ceolwolphus formerly King of Northumberland but then a Monk in the Convent of Lindisfern or Holy Island c Roger. Hoved. in parte priori gave leave to that Convent to drink Ale and Wine anciently confined by Aidan their first Founder to Milk and Water Let others dispute whether Ceolwolphus thus dispensed with them by his new Abbatical or old Regal Power which he so resigned that in some cases he might resume it especially to be King in his own Convent And indeed the cold raw and bleak Situation of that place with many bitter Blasts from the Sea and no Shelter on the Land speaks it self to each Inhabitant there d 1 Tim. 5. 23 Drink no longer VVater but use a little VVine for thy Stomacks sake and thine often Infirmities However this locall Priviledge first justly indulged to the Monks of Lindisfern 760 was about this time extended to all the Monasteries of England whose primitive over-Austerity in Abstinence was turned now into a Self-sufficiency that soon improved into Plenty that quickly depraved into Riot and that at last occasioned their Ruine 29. This Year the English have cause to write with Sable letters in their Almanack 789 on this sad Occasion Danes their first arrivall in England that therein the Danes first invaded England with a considerable Army Anno Dom. 789 Severall Reasons are assigned for their coming hither to revenge themselves for some pretended Injuries though the true Reason was because England was richer and roomthyer then their own Countrey 30. It is admirable to consider what Sholes of people were formerly vented out of Cimbrica Chersonesus Denmark formerly fruitfull is now become barren of men take it in the largest a Otherwise strictly it containeth onely part of Denmark Continent to Germany extent for Denmark Norway and Swedeland who by the terrible Names of Gothes Ostro-Gothes Viâ—i-Gothes Huns Vandals Danes Nortmans overranne the fairest and fruitfullest parts of Christendome whereas now though for these last three hundred yeares the Swedish Warres in Germany excepted that Countrey hath sent forth no visible Numbers of People and yet is very thinly inhabited so that one may travell some hundreds of Miles therein through mere Desarts every man whom he meeteth having a Phoenix in his right hand Yea so few the Natives that some of their Garrisons are manned with Forreigners and their Kings sain to entertain mercenary Dutch and Scotch to manage their Warres 31. Strange Two reasons thereof that this Countrey formerly all on the giving should now be onely on the taking hand Some b Barklay in Icon animaâ—um impute their modern comparative Barrennesse to their excessive Drinking a Vice belike which lately hath infected that Nation drinking themselves past Goats into Stocks out of Wantonnesse into Stupidity which by a contracted Habit debilitateth their former Fruitfulnesse Others more c G. Tayl. in his Chronicle of Normandy truely ascribe their former Fruitfulnesse to their promiscuous Copulations with Women during their Paganisme which are not so numerous since Christianity hath confined them to the Marriage of one VVife 32. If I might speak according to my own Profession of a Divine soaring over Second Causes in Nature I should ascribe their ancient Populousnesse to Divine Operation The reason of reasons As the Widow her Oyle multiplyed till her Debts were satisfied and that effected for which the Miracle was intended which done the Increase thereof instantly ceased So these Northern Parts flowed with Crouds of People till their Inundations had payed the Scores of sinfull Christians and then the Birch growing no more when the wanton Children were sufficiently whipped the Procreativenesse of those Nations presently stinted and abated 33. The Landing of these Danes in England was ushered with many sad Prognosticks Bad presages of the Danes approach d Sim. Dunel Ranulphus Cestrensis alii Starres were seen strangely falling from Heaven and sundry terrible Flames appeared in the Skies From the firing of such extraordinary Beacons all concluded some new Enemie was approaching the Nation Serpents were seen in Sussex and Bloud reigned in some parts of the Land Lindesfern or Holy Island was the first that felt the Fury of these Pagans but soon after no place was safe and secure from their Cruelty whereof more hereafter 34. At this time the Arch-bishoprick of Canterbury was in part removed to Lichfield The Archepiscopal Pall removed to Lichfield five essentiall things concurring to that great Alteration 790 1. The Puissance and Ambition of Offa King of Mercia commanding in Chief over England He would have the brightest Mitre to attend the biggest Crown 2. The complying nature of Pope Adrian except any will call it his Thankfulnesse to gratifie King Offa for the large Gifts received from him 3. The easy and unactive Disposition of Iambert or Lambert Arch-bishop of Canterbury unlesse any will term it his Policy that finding himself unable to resist
of solid Reason and therefore the 〈◊〉 the Argument the better for his Apprehension 13. Most solid and ingenious was the Answer of a most eminent Serjeant at Law of this Age A solid Answer of a learned Serjeant to the impertinent Clamours of such against the payment of Tithes because as they say due onely by Humane Right My Cloak is my Cloak by the Law of Man But he is a Thief by the Law of God that taketh it away from me 14. True it is that this Law did not presently find an universall Obedience in all the Land This law not presently and perfectly obeyed And the Wonder is not great if at the first making thereof it met with many Recusants since corroborated by eight hundred yeares Prescription and many Confirmations it findes Obstacles and Oppositions at this day for in succeeding Ages severall Kings confirmed the same though Papall Exemptions of severall Orders and modus Decimandi according to custome have almost since tithed the Tithes in some places 15. King Athelwolphus the next year took his call it Progresse or Pilgrimage to Rome 19 Where the report of his Piety prevented his Arrivall provided both Welcome and Wonder for his Entertainment 856 Here he confirmed unto the Pope his Predecessours Grant of Peter-pence King Ethelwolph's journey to Rome and bounty to the Pope and as a a William Malmesbury ut prius Surplusage bestowed upon him the yearly Revenue of three hundred Marks thus to be expended 1. To maintain Candles for S t. Peter one hundred Marks 2. To maintain Candles for S t. Paul one hundred 3. For a free Largesse to the Pope one hundred 16. If any be curious to know how these 300 Marks were in after-Ages divided and collected How this Summe was divided and collected out of severall Dioceses let them peruse the following Account if the Particulars be truely cast up and attested to me out of Sir Tho. Cotton's Librarie and as they say out of the Vatican it self be authenticall  l. s. d. Canterbury 8 8 0 London 16 10 0 Rochester 5 12 0 Norwich 21 10 0 Sarisbury 17 0 0 Ely 5 0 0 Lincoln 42 0 0 Chichester 8 0 0 Winchester 17 6 8 Covent Lichfield 41 5 0 Excester 9 5 0 Worcester 10 5 0 Hereford 6 0 0 Bathe Wells 12 5 0 York 11 10 0 These Summes were demanded by Pope Gregory the thirteenth in the 46. of Edward the third on that Token that their payment was much opposed by Iohn of Gaunt I dare not discede from my Copy a tittle coming as they say from the Register at Rome nor will I demand a Reason why Durham and Carlisle are here omitted much lesse examine the Equity of their Proportions as applied to their respective Dioceses but implicitly believe all done very justly The reason why the VVelsh Bishopricks were exempted is because at the grant hereof by King Athelwolph Wales was not then under his Dominion This 300 Marks was but a distinct payment by it self and not the whole Body of Peter-pence amounting to a greater Summe whereof God willing hereafter 17. After the Death of King Athelwolphus Ethelredi 1 and his two Sons Ethelbald and Ethelbert succeeding him 867 this Land was in a sad Condition The Saxons wilfully accessory to their own ruine by the Danes though nothing so bad as under the Reign of Ethelred his third Son and Successour for then indeed most miserable was the state of the English harassed by the Danes who like the running-Gout shifted from Joynt to Joynt from place to place often repelled from the severall Shires never expelled out of England The Saxon Folly hurt them more then the Danish Fury refusing effectually to unite to make a joynt-Resistance against a generall Enemy For some sixty yeares since the VVest-Saxons had subdued the other six Kings of this Nation yet so that they still continued kings but Homagers to the VVest-Saxon Monarchy The shortning of their Sceptres stuck in their Stomacks especially of the Mercian and Northumbrian Kings the most puissant of all the rest Whereupon beholding Ethelred the VVest-Saxon King the Staffe and Stay of the whole Nation embroiled with the Invasion of the Danes they not only lazily looked on but secretly smiled at this Sight as the only way to Conquer the Conquerour Yea Anno Dom. 867 such their Envy that rather then one once their equal should be above them in Felicity Anno Regis Ethelredi 1 they all would be equall with him in Misery They would more contendly be Slaves to a Forrain Foe to whom they all stood unrelated then Homagers to him who had as they thought usurped Dominion over them Never considering that the Danes were Pagans Self-interest is deaf to the Checks of Conscience and Revenge which is wilde at the best was so mad in them that they would procure it with the Hazzard if not Losse of their God his Church and true Religion Thus the Height of the Saxon Pride and Envy caused the Breadth of the Danish Power and Cruelty Indeed the foresaid Saxon Kings perceiving their Errour endeavoured at last to help the VVest-Saxon or rather to help themselves in him against the Danes But alas it was too late For the Danish Garisons lay so indented in the Heart of the Land that the Saxon Troups were blasted before they could grow into Regiments and their Strength dispersed in the gathering was routed before regulated into an Army 18. This year the Danes made an Invasion into Lincolnshire Fight betwixt Christians and Danes where they met with stout Resistance 870 and let us take a List of the chief Officers on both sides 4 Christian Saxons a Ingulphi Hist p. 865. Count Algar Generall with the Youth of Holland Harding de Rehale with Stanford men all very young and valiant Tolie a Monk with a Band of two hundred Crowlanders Morcar Lord of Burn with those of his numerous Family Osgot b Vicedominus Sheriff of Lincolnshire with five hundred under him VVibert living at VViberton nigh Boston in Holland Places named from their Owners Leofrick living at Leverton anciently Lefrinkton Danish Pagans King Gordroum King Baseg King Osketill King Halfeden King Hammond Count Frena Count Vnguar Count Hubba Count Sidroke the Elder Count Sidroke the Younger The Christians had the better the first day wherein the Danes lost three of their Kings buried in a place thence called Trekingham so had they the second till at night breaking their Ranks to pursue the Danes in their dissembled Flight they were utterly overthrown 19. Theodore Abbot of Crowland Crowland Monks massacred hearing of the Danes Approach shipped away most of his Monks with the choicest Relicks and Treasures of his Convent and cast his most precious Vessels into a VVell in the Cloister The rest remaining were at their Morning-prayers when the Danes entring slew Theodore the Abbot on the High Altar Asher
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
Sons having much of the Mother in them grew up as in Age in obstinacy against him His Subjects but especially the Bishops being the greatest Castle mongers in that Age very stubborn and not easily to be ordered 54. Mean time one may justly admire What became of Maud the Empress than no mention in Authors is made of nor provisions for Maud the Kings Mother surviving some years after her Son's Coronation in whom during her life 〈◊〉 lay the real right to the Crown 〈◊〉 Yet say not King Henries policy was little in preferring to take his Title from an Usurper by adoption rather then from his own Mother the rightful heir by succession and his piety less in not attending his Mothers death but snatching the Scepter out of her hand seeing no Writer ever chargeth him with the least degree of undutifulness unto her Which leadeth us to believe that this Maud worn out with age and afflictions willingly waved the Crown and reigned in her own contentment in seeing her Son reign before her 55. Those who were most able to advise themselves 1. are most willing to be advised by others 1155. as appeared by this politick Prince The body of the Common-Law compiled Presently he chuseth a Privy Councel of Clergie and Temporalty and refineth the Common Laws Yea towards the end of his Reign began the use of our Itiâ—erant Judges The platform hereof he fetch'd from France where he had his education and where Charles the Bald some hundred of years before had divided his Land into twelve parts assigning several Judges for administration of Justice therein Our Henry parcelled England into six Divisions and appointed three Judges to every Circuit annually to visit the same Succeeding Kings though changing the limits have kept the same number of Circuits and let the skilful in Arithmetick cast it up whether our Nation receiveth any loss by the change of three Judges every year according to Henry the second 's Institution into two Judges twice a year as long since hath been accustomed 56. The Laws thus setled King Henry cast his eye on the numerous Castles in England 2. As a good reason of State formerly perswaded the building 1156. so a better pleaded now for the demolishing of them Castles demolished William the Conqueror built most of them and then put them into the custody of his Norman Lords thereby to awe the English into obedience But these Norman Lords in the next generation by breathing in English ayre and wedding with English wives became so perfectly Anglized and lovers of Liberty that they would stand on their guard against the King on any petty discontentment If their Castles which were of proof against Bowes and Arrows the Artillery of that Age could but bear the brunt of a sudden assault they were priviledged from any solemn Siege by their meanness and multitude as whose several beleguerings would not compensate the cost thereof Thus as in foul bodies the Physick in process of time groweth so friendly and familiar with the disease that they at last side together and both take part against Nature in the Patient so here it came to pass that these Castles intended for the quenching in continuance of time occasioned the kindling of Rebellion To prevent farther mischief King Henry razed most of them to the ground and secured the rest of greater consequence into the hands of his Confidents if any ask how these Castles belong to our Church-History know that Bishops of all in that Age were the greatest Traders in such Fortifications 57. Thomas Becket Thomas Becket L. Chancellor of England born in London and though as yet but a Deacon Arch-Deacon of Canterbury Doctor of Canon-Law bred in the Universities of Oxford Paris Bononia was by the King made Lord Chancellor of England During which his office who braver then Becket None in the Court wore more costly clothes Anno Dom. 1158. mounted more stately steeds made more sumptuous feasts kept more jovial company brake more merry jests used more pleasant pastimes In a word he was so perfect a Lay-man that his Parsonages of Bromfield and S t Mary-hill in London with other Ecclesiastical Cures whereof he was Pastor might even look all to themselves he taking no care to discharge them This is that Becket whose mention is so much in English and miracles so many in Popish writers We will contract his acts in proportion to our History remitting the Reader to be satisfied in the rest from other Authors 58. Four years after His great reformation being made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury upon the death of Theobald 1162 Becket was made by the King 8. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The first Englishman since the Conquest and he but a mongrel for his mother was a Syrian the intercourse of the Holy-War in that age making matches betwixt many strangers who was preferred to that place And now if the Monks their writing his life may be believed followed in him a great and strange Metamorphosis Instantly his cloaths were reformed to gravity his diet reduced to necessity his company confined to the Clergie his expences contracted to frugality his mirth retrenched to austerity all his pastimes so devoured by his piety that none could see the former Chancellor Becket in the present Arch-Bishop Becket Yea they report that his clothes were built three stories high next his skin he was a Hermite and wore sack-cloth in the midd he had the habit of a Monk and above all wore the garments of an Arch-Bishop Now that he might the more effectually attend his Archiepiscopal charge he resigned his Chancellors place whereat the King was not a little offended It added to his anger that his patience was daylie pressed with the importunate petitions of people complaining that Becket injured them Though generally he did but recover to his Church such possessions as by their covetousness and his predecessors connivence had formerly been detained from it 59. But A stubborn defender of the vicious Clergy against secular Magistrates the main matter incensing the King against him was his stubborn defending the Clergie from the secular power and particularly what a great fire doth a small spark kindle that a Clerk having killed and stolen a Deer ought not to be brought before the Civil Magistrate for his punishment Such impunities breeding impieties turned the house of God into a den of thieves many rapes riots robberies murders were then committed by the Clergie If it be rendered as a reason of the viciousness of Adonijah that his father never said unto him a 1 King 1. 6. Why doest thou so No wonder if the Clergy of this age were guilty of great crimes whom neither the King nor his Judges durst call to an account And seeing Ecclesiastical censures extend not to the taking away of life or lim such Clerks as were guilty of capital faults were either altogether acquitted or had onely penance inflicted upon
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-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
6. Rex dilecto sibi in Christo Archidiacono Glouc. 25 Salutem 1241 Significavimus etiam viva voce exposuimus Magistro P. Rubeo Nuncio Domiin Papae quod non est intentionis nostrae nec etiam volumus aliquatenus sustinere quod vel viros Relligiosos vel Clericum aliquem ad contributionem faciendam ad opus Domini Papae compellant Et ideo vobis mandamus inhibentes districte ne ad mandatum ip sius Magistri Petri vel suorum viros religiosos seu Clericos ad contributionem praedictam faciendam aliqua censura Ecclesiastica compellatis Scituri quod si secus egeritis nos contra vos tanquam perturbatorem Pacis Ecclesiasticae quam conservare tenemur modis quibus expedire viderimus procedemus Teste Rege apud Glouc. 11. die Iunij The King to his beloved in Christ the Archdeacon of Glocester Greeting We have signified also by word of mouth have declared to M r. P. Rubeus Nuncio to the Lord the Pope that it is not our intention nor will we any wayes endure it that they shall compell Religious Men or any Clerk to make a contribution to supply the occasions of the Lord the Pope And therefore we command you strictly forbidding that at the command of the same M r. Peter or any of his officers you compel not any Religious Men or Clerks by any Ecclesiasticall censures to make the aforesaid Contribution Knowing that if you do otherwise we shall proceed against you by means we shall think fit as against the Disturber of the Peace of the Church which we are bound to preserve Witnesse the King at Glocester the 11. of Iune By the way a Nuncio differed from a Legate almost as a Lieger from an extraordinary Ambassodour who though not so ample in his power was as active in his progging to advance the profit of the Pope his Master 23. This Instrument acquainteth us with the Method used by him in mannaging his money matters A free-forced gift Such as refused to pay his demands were proceeded against by Church Censures suspension excommunication c. The cunning Italian to decline to odium imploying the Archdeacons to denounce the same in their respective Iurisdictions Yet this went under the notion of a voluntary contribution Anno Dom. 1241 as free as fire from Flint forced with Steel and strength out of it Anno Regis Henrici 3. 25 24. Whereas the King counted himself bound to preserve the Peace of the Church Spoken like a King the words well became his mouth They seem to me to look like DEFENDER OF THE FAITH as yet but in the Bud and which in due time might grow up to amount to as much For though every Christian in his calling must keep the peace of the Church Kings have a coercive power over the disturbers thereof 25. This Royal resolution Say and do best to resist the oppressing of his Subjects was good as propounded better if performed I find no visible effect thereof but we may believe it made the Popes Mil go the slower though it did not wholy hinder his grinding the faces of the Clergy This Patent is dated from Glocester more loved of King Henry then London it self as a strong and loyal City where he was first crowned and afterwards did often reside 26. Amongst the thousands of pounds which the Pope carried out of England A Pension given by the Pope to an English Earile I meet onely with three hundred Marks yearly which came back again as a Private Boon bestowed on an English Knight Sir Reginald Mohun by Pope Innocent the fourth then keeping his Court at Lyons in France And because these are vestigia sola retrorsum it will not be amisse to insert the whole Story thereof as it is in an ancient French Manuscript pertaining to the Family of the Mohuns Quant Sire Reinalda voit Ceo faitz il passa a la Court de Rome que adonques fuist a Lions purconfirmer ratifer sa novelle Abbay a grand honor de liu a touz joues fuist en la Courte le deniergne en quaresme quant lenchaunce loffice del messe Laetare Ierusalem al quen jour lusage de la Court este que la poistoille doa a plus valiant a plus honorable home qui puit estre trovez en la deste Courte une Rose ou une floretta de fin or donquez ilz sercherent tote le Courte entroverent Cesti Reinald pur le plus noble de tou te la Courte a oui le Pape Innocent donna Celle rose ou florette dor la Papa lui Damanda quil home il fuisten son pais il respondi simple bacheleri bean fitz fetz la pape Celle rose on florette unquez ne fuist donez fo rs an Rois ou an Dukes an a Countese pour ceo nous voluns que vous sons le Counte de Est Ceo est Somerset Reinald respondi Aist O Saincts piere ieo nay dout le mom meinteyner lapos soille donques lui dona ducent mariz per annum receiver sur Cantee saint Paule de Londres de ces deneires d'Engleterre pour son honor mainteyner de quen donna il reporta Bulles que enquore aurent en plomps c. en semblement odue moltes dis aultres bulles confirmatione de sa novelle Abbay de Newham a pres quen jour il porta la rose ou florette en les armes It is as needless as difficult to translate this Bull verbatim being of base obsolete and ill-pointed French sufficeth it that this is the summe thereof The Pope used on the Lords day called Laetare Ierusalem solemnly to bestow a consecrated Rose on the most Honorable persons present at Masse with his Holinesse Enquiry being made the Rose was conferred on Sir Reginald Mohun as the best extracted in the present Congregation But seeing that Rose used alwayes to be given to Kings Dukes and Earles at least the lowest form of Coronetted Nobility in that Age his Holinesse understanding the same Sir Reginald to be but a plain Knight Bachelour created him the Earle of Est that is saith this Bull of Somerset and for the better support of his Honour he allowed him three hundred Marks out of the pence of England understand the Peter-Pence as the most certain Papal Revenue in the Land By this Bull the same Sir Reinald was made a Count Apostolick whereby he had the Priviledges to appoint publick Notaries and to legitimate Bastards on some Conditions King Henry the third was so far from excepting against this Act that he highly honoured him And yet Master Camden sometimes a In his Brit. in Somersetshire acknowledgeth sometimes denieth b In his Eliz. in the case of Count Arundel There are rich who make themselves poor him for an English Earle Not that I accuse him as inconstant to himself but suspect my self not well attaining his meaning therein 27.
3. We can give no account of Wicliffs parentage The learning of Wicliffe birth place or infancy onely we finde an ancient a Camd Brit. in the Bishoprick of Darham family of the Wicliffs in the Bishoprick of Durham since by match united to the Brakeâ—buries persons of prime quality in those parts As for this our Wicliffe history at the very first meets with him a Man and full grown yea Graduate of b Balcus Cent. 6. numero â— Merton Colledg in Oxford The fruitfull soil of his natural parts he had industriously improved by acquired learning not onely skill'd in the fashionable Arts of that Age and in that abstruse crabbed divinity all whose fruit is thornes but also well versed in the Scriptures a rare accomplishment in those dayes His publique Acts in the Schools he kept with great approbation though the â—ccho of his popular applause sounded the Alarum to awaken the envy of his adversaries against him 4. He is charged by the Papists Wicliffe accused for ambition and discontent as if discontent first put him upon his opinions For having usurped the c Harpsfield 〈◊〉 Wicliffiana cap. 1. Headshiâ— of Canterbury Colledg founded by Simon Iselep since like a tributary brook swallowed upon the vastness of Christ-Church after a long suit he was erected by sentence from the Pope because by the Statutes onely a Monk was capable of the place Others add that the loss of the Bishoprick of Worcester which he desired incensed him to revenge himself by innovations and can true doctrine be the fruit where ambition and discontent hath been the root thereof Yet such may know that God often sanctifies mans weakness to his own glory and that wife Architect makes of the crookedness of mens conditions streight beams in his own building to raise his own honour upon them Besides these things are barely said without other evidence and if his foes affirming be a proof why should not his friends denial thereof be a sufficient resutation Out of the same mint of malice another story is coyned against him how Wicliffe being once gravell'd in publique disputation preferring rather to say nons then nothing was fore'd to affirm that an d Idem ibidem accident was a substance Yet me thinks if the story were true such as defend the doctrine of accidents subsisting in the sacrament without a substance might have invented some charitable qualification of his paradox seing those that defend falshoods ought to be good fellows and help one another 5. Seven years Wicliffe lived in Oxford The employment of Wicliff in Oxford in some tolerable quiet having a Professours place and a cure of soules On the week dayes in the Schools proving to the learned what he meant to preach and on the Lords day preaching in the Pulpit to the vulgar what he had proved before Not unlike those builders in the second Temple holding a c Nehemiah 4. 17. Sword in one hand and a Trowell in the other his disputations making his preaching to be strong and his preaching making his disputations to be plain His speculative positions against the Reall Presence in the Eucharist did offend and distaste but his practical Tenents against Purgatory and Pilgrimages did enrage and bemadd his adversaries so woundable is the dragon under the left wing when pinched in point of profit Hereupon they so prevailed with Simon Sudbury Arch-Bishop of Canterbury that Wicliffe was silenced and deprived of his benefice Notwithstanding all which he wanted nothing secretly supplied by invisible persons and he felt many a gift from a hand that he did not behold 6. Here it will be seasonable to give in a List of Wicliffes Opinions Difference in the number of Wicliffs opinions though we meet with much variety in the accounting of them 1. Pope a Harpsfield in Hist Wicliffiana p. 684. Gregory the eleventh observed eighteen principal Errours in his Books and Wicliffe is charged with the same b Fox Martyr p. 398. number in the Convocation at Lambeth 2. THOMAS c Idem p. 401. ARUNDEL Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY in a Synod held at Preaching-Friers in London condemned three and twenty of his Opinions the ten first for heretical and the thirteen last for erroneous 3. In the Councel at Constance d Idem p. 414. five and fourty Articles of false Doctrines were exhibited against WICLIFFE then lately deceased 4. THOMAS WALDENSIS computeth fourscore Errours in him 5. JOHN e Harpsfield Hist Wicliffe pag 669. LUCKE Doctor of Divinity in Oxford brings up the account to two hundred sixty six Lastly and above all JOHN f In hystoria Hussitarum in Prâ—lâ—g Tâ—mi priâ—i COCLEUS it is fit that the latest Edition should be the largest swells them up to full three hundred and three Wonder not at this difference as if Wicliffe's Opinions were like the Stones on Salisbury-plain falsely reported that no two can count them alike The variety ariseth first because some count onely his primitive Tenets which are breeders and others reckon all the frie of Consequences derived from them Secondly some are more industrious to seek perverse to collect captious to expound malicious to deduce far distant Consequences excellent at the inflaming of a Reckoning quick to discover an infant or Emâ—rio-errours which others over-look Thirdly it is probable that in process of time Wicliffe might delate himself in supplemental and additional Opinions more then he at first maintained and it is possible that the Tenents of his followers in after ages might be falsely fathered upon him We will tie our selves to no strict number or method but take them as finde them out of his greatest adversary with exact Quotation of the Tome Book Article and Chapter where they are Reported THOMAS WALDENSIS accuseth WICLIFFE to have maintained these dangerous heretical OPINIONS To. Bo Art Chap. OF THE POPE 4 2 1 1 1. That it is blasphemy to call any Head of the Church save Christ alone 1 2 3 39 2. That the election of the Pope by Cardinals is a device of the devil 1 2 1 2 3. That those are Hereticks which say that Peter had more power then the other Apostles 1 2 1 4 4. That James Bishop of Jerusalem was preferred before Peter 1 2 3 41 5. That Rome is not the Seat in which Christ's Vicar doth reside 1 2 3 35 6. That the Pope if he doth not imitate Christ and Peter in his life and manners is not to be called the Successour of PETER 1 2 3 38 7. That the Imperial and Kingly authority are above the Papal Power 1 2 3 48 8. That the doctrine of the infallibility of the Church of Rome in matters of faith is the greatest blasphemy of Antichrist 1 2 3 54 9. That he often calleth the Pope Antichrist 1 2 3 32 10. That Christ mean't the Pope by the * Mat. 24. 15. abomination of Desolation standing in the holy place     OF POPISH
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
distanced but the breadth of the Street from S t Pauls Church The Mercers made Overseers thereof should not be intrusted to the inspection of his successors the Dean and Chapter of Pauls but committed to the care of the Company of the Mercers for the managing thereof But f In his Epistle unto Jodocus Jonâ—s Erasmus rendreth a good reason from the mouth and minde of Collet himself who had found by experience many Lay-men as consciencious as Clergy-men in discharging this trust in this kinde conceiving also that whole Company was not so easie to be bowed to corruption as any single person how publick and eminent soever 16. For my own part Out of provident prescience I behold Collets act herein not onely prudential but something Prophetical as foreseeing the ruine of Church-lands and fearing that this his School if made an Ecclesiastical Appendent might in the fall of Church-Lands get a bruise if not lose a limb thereby 17. William Lily was the first School-master thereof by Collets own appointment An excellent Scholar born at Odiam in Hampshire and afterward he went on Pilgrimage as far as g Pitzaeus de Ang. Scriptor pag. 697. Jerusalem In his return through Italy he applied himself to his studies And because some perchance would be pleased to know the Lilies of Lily I mean his Teachers and Instructers know that John Sulpitius and Pomponius Sabinus two eminent Criticks were his principal informers Returning home into his native Country well accomplished with Latin Greek and all Arts and Sciences he set forth a Grammer which still goes under his name and is universally taught all over England 18. Many were the Editions of this Grammer â—is Grammer 〈◊〉 the first forth Anno 1513. Anno Dom. 1519 when Pauls School was Founded as appears by that instance Anno Ragis Hen. 8 11. Meruit sub Rege in Galliâ relating to Maximilian the German Emperour who then at the Siege of Therovenne in Flanders fought under the banner of Kings Henry the eighth taking an a Godwins Annals pag. 16. hundred crowns a day for his pay Another Edition Anno 1520. when audito Rege Doroberniam proficisci refers to the Kings speedy journey into Canterbury there to give entertainment to Charles the fifth Emperour lately landed at Dover 19. Formerly there were in England almost as many Grammers as Schoolmasters And privileged by authority children being confounded not onely with their variety but sometimes contrariety thereof rules being true in the one which were false in the other Yea which was the worst a boy when removed to a new School lost all he had learned before whereupon King Henery endeavoured an uniformity of Grammer all over his Dominions that so youths though changing their School-masters might keep their learning This was performed and William Lilies Grammer enjoyned universally to be used Astipend of four pounds a year was allowed the Kings Printer for Printing of it and it was penall for any publickly to teach any other I have been told how larely Bishop Buckeridge examining a Free-School in his Diocess of Rochester the Scholars were utterly ignorant of Lilies rules as used to others whereat the Bishop exclaimed what are there Puritans also in Grammer 20. I deny not but some since have discovered blasted leaves in out Lily observing defects and faults therein and commendable many persons pains in amending them however it were to be desired that no needless variations be made and as much left of Lily as may be The rather because he submitted his Syntaxis to the judgment of b Pitzaeus ut prius Erasmus himself so that it was afterward printed amongst his works Indeed Quae Genus was done by Thomas Robinson and the Accidens as some will have it by other Authors after Lily was dead and Prince Edward born of and for whom it was said Edvardus is my proper name And thus we take out leave both of Lily and Pauls-School flourishing at this day as much as ever under the care of M r John Langly the able and Religious School-master thereof 21. King Henry had lately set forth a Book against Luther King Henry writes against Luther endeavouring the confutation of his opinions as novel and unfound None suspect this Kings lack of learning though many his lack of leisure from his pleasures for such a design however it is probable some other Gardner gathered the flowers made the collections though King Henry had the honour to wear the posie carrying the credit in the title thereof 22. To require his pains Stiled by the Pope Desender of the Faith the Pope honoured him and his successors with a specious title A Defender of the c Jude 3. Faith Indeed it is the bounden Duty of every Christian earnestly to contend for the faith which once was given to the Saints but it is the Dignity of few men and fewer Princes to be able effectually to appear in Print in the Vindication thereof 23. There is tradition His Jesters reply that King Henry's Fool though more truly to be termed by another name coming into the Court and finding the King transported with an unusual joy boldly asked of him the cause thereof to whome the King answered it was because that the Pope had honoured him with a stile more eminent then any of his Ancestours O good Harry quoth the Fool let Theu and I defend one another and let the faith alone to defend it self Most true it is that some of his Successors more truly deserved the Title then he to whom it was given who both learnedly then solidly engaged their pens in the asserting of true Religion 24. At this time Wolsey his unlimited power and pride though King Henry wore the sword Cardinal Wolsey bare the stroke albo're the Land being Legate de Latere by vertue whereof he visited all Churches and Religious Houses even the Friers Observants themselves notwithstanding their stoutness and stubbornness that first d Fox Acts Monumnets opposed him Papal and Royal power met in him being the Chancellor of the Land Anno Regis Hen. 8 13. and keeping so many Bisshopricks in Commendam Anno Dom. 1521 his yearlie income is said to equal if not exceed the Revenues of the Crown 25. The more the pitty that having of his own such a flock of preferment nothing but the poor mans a 2 Sam. 12 3. Ewe-lamb would please him He was the first confoundder of abbies so that being to Found two Colledges he seised on no fewer then fourty small Monasteries turning their inhabitants out of house and home and converting their means principally to a Colledg in Oxford This alienation was confirmed by the present Pope Clement the seventh so that in some sort his Holiness may thank himself for the demolishing of Religious Houses in England 26. For the first breach is the greatest in effect 16. And Abbies having now lost their Virginity
he maketh those who were to keep it in some sort Judges of the justness thereof endeavouring to convince their consciences and make their souls sensible of the natural uncleanness of such an act It is thy Brothers nakedness Such marriages are again forbidden in another Text. Anno Dom. 1530 Nor can I render other resson of this Duplicate Anno Regis Hen. 8. 22. whereas others are but once that this should be twice prohibited save that God foreseeing in his providence mens corrupt inclinations prone here to climb over did therefore think fit to make a double fence LEVIT 20. 21. And if a man shall take his Brothers Wife it is an unclean thing he hath uncovered his Brothers Nakedness they shall be Childless Here we have the Prohibition backt with a Commination of being Childless which is variously interpreted either that they shall never have children or if having them they shall not survive their Parents or if surviving they shall not be counted Children but Bastards illegitimate in the Court of Heaven This Commination of being childless as applied ad hominem fell heavy on King Henry the eighth who sensible that his Queen though happy often to conceive was unhappy almost as often to miscarry Henry his onely Christian son by her died before a full year old a second was nameless as never living to the honour of Baptism and of many blasted in the bud Mary onely survived to womans estate 11. Such as inquire into the nature of this Law finde it founded in Nature it self This proved to be a Law of Nature being onely declaratory of what true reason doth dictate to man God in making this Law did not imprint a new writing in mens hearts but onely rub off some old rust from the same wherefore it is added Levit. 18. 27 28. For all these abominations have the men of the Land done which were before you and the Land is defiled that the Land spue not you out also when ye defile it as it spued out the Nations that were before you Surely the Land would never have vomited out the Heathen for not observing a positive precept never immediately delivered unto them which plainly shews it was imprinted in nature though partly obliterated by their corrupt customes to the contrary and their consciences in their Lucid Intervals were apprehensive thereof This would make one the more to admire that any should maintain that this Law the breach whereof made the Country to avoid her Pagan Inhabitants should be onely a Senders de schism Angli pag. 3. lex imposititia Ecclesiastica an imposed and Church-Law To hear of a Church-Law amongst the Canaanites is a strange Paradox 12. It is objected this could not be a Law of Nature The Objection to the contrary because almost at the beginning of nature men brake them by the consent and permission of the God of heaven For Cain and Seth with the elder sons of Adam must be allowed to have married their own sisters far nearer in nature then their Brothers Wife 13. It is answered Answered when God first created man-kinde it was his pleasure all men should derive their original from Eve as she from Adam For had he made as one may say two distinct houses of Man-kinde what falling out and fighting what bickering and battleing would have been betwixt them If men now adayes descended from the loyns of one general Father and womb of one mother are full of so fierce hatred how many and keen may their differences be presumed had they sprung from several Fountains and then all their hatred would have been charged not on their corruption but on their Creation God therefore as the Apostle saith Acts 17. 26. hath made of one bloud all nations Now in the beginning of Mankinde absolute necessity gave Brethren liberty to marry their own sisters Yea God himself interpretatively signed and sealed the same with his own consent because his wisdom had appointed no other means without miracle for the propagation of man-kinde Anno Regis Hen. 8. 82. But when men began to be multiplied on the earth Anno Dom. 1530 that necessity being removed the light of Nature dictated unto them the unlawfulness of such marriages and of some others more remote as coming within the compss of Incest though the corrupt practises of Pagans sometimes trespassed in that kinde God therefore being to give his Law to the Jews cleared and declared that light of Nature by his positive Law unto his people to whom his Goodness gave a Garden and sorbad a Tree so inconsiderable were those few prohibited to the many persons permitted them in marriage For whereas there came out of a Exâ—d 12. 37. Egypt and six hundred thousand men besides children fifty persons at the most counting those forbidden as well by consequence as expresly were interdicted unto them amongst whom one was the Marriage with a Brothers Wife For although God Permitted this by a judicial Law ro his own people in case of b Deut. â—5 5. raising up seed to a Brother deceased childless the Will of God being the Law of Laws yet otherwise it was utterly unlawful as whereon God had stamped as is aforesaid a double Note of natural uncleanness 14. The Law then of forbidding marriage with a Brothers Wife Gods Laws indispensable with by the Pope being founded in nature it was pride and presumption in the Pope to pretend to dispense therewith Indeed we read that the dispensation of the Gospel to see it dealt and distributed to several persons was committed to c 1 Cor. 9. â—â— S t Paul whose joynt successour with S t Peter the Pope pretends to be but a Dispensation from the Law of God to free men from the same neither Paul nor Peter ever pretended unto Let the Pope make relaxations of such Church Canons which meerly Ecclesiastical Authority hath made there he may have the specious power to remit the rigour thereof at some times places and persons as he apprehendeth just occasion But let him not meddle to grant liberty for the breach of Gods Law The first Dispensation in this kinde is what Satan in the Serpent gave our first Parents in Paradice d Gen. 3. 4. you shall not surely dye and whether the Granter had less power therein or the receivers less profit therby we their woful posterity have little comfort to decide 15. Nor doth it any thing alter the case Carnal knowled not material in this controversie what was so much controverted in the Court of Rome whether or no Prince Arthur had carnal knowledge of his Wife seeing we may observe that in the Court of Heaven Marriages bear date not from their Copulation but solemn Contact And they thenceforward are esteemed Man and Wife before God For it is e Deut. 22. 24. provided that if a Damsel be betrothed to Husband still remaining a Virgin and shall be layen with by another man both of
distinction out of Scotus which the Arch-Bishop more valued then all which he had before more pertinently alledged out of the Old and New Testament 51. King Henry wrote a fair and large Letter to the Convocation of York King Henry his answer to York Convocation too long here to be inserted though otherwise I have a good a Communicated unto me by my good friend Dr Littleton Copy thereof wherein the King began mildly to make the passage for his Supremacy into their consciences by a Rational and Argumentative way He disclaimed all design by fraud to surprize or by force to captivate their judgments but onely to convince them of the Truth and Equity of what he desired He b It is printed in the second part of the Cabal declavered the sence of Supreme Head of the Church though offensive in the sound to ignorant ears claiming nothing more thereby then what Christian Princes in the Primitive times assumed to themselves in their own Dominions so that it seems he wrought so far on their affections that at last they consented thereunto 52. Here I wonder at the cavil of the Papists A couseless cavil which being so causleses should be so clamorous accusing us to have a c Harding against Jewel Parliament Religion a Parliament Faith a Parliament Gospel and d Scultingus another addeth Parliament Bishops and a Parliament Clergy Whereas upon serious examination it will appear that there was nothing done in the Reformation of Religion save what was acted by the Clergy in their Convocations or grounded on some Act of theirs praecedent to it with the advice counsel and consent of the Bishops and most eminent Church-men confirmed upon the Postfact and not otherwise by the Civil Sanction according to the usage of the best and happiest times of Christianity 53. By the same proportion in the dayes of Queen Mary the Popish Religion The Cavil retorted might have been stiled a Parliament Religion because after the same had been debated on and concluded of in the Convocation it was confirmed by the Queen Lords and Commons by the Act of Parliament SECT III. Anno Regis To the Right Worshipful Anno Dom. Sir RICHARD SHVGBOROVGH OF SHUGBOROUGH in Warwick-shire MAster Haward returned this answer to Queen Mary demanding the causes of his coming to Court that it was partly to see Her Highness and partly that Her Highness should see him an answer which though more witty then Court-like yea more blunt then witty she took in good part You will not be offended at this my Dedication partly that I may know you partly that I may be known unto you Besides being informed that you love to have your Hospital Table handsomly attended with Ancient Servitors I presumed that this Section containing much of memorable Antiquity would not be unwelcome unto you 1. NOw though nothing was done in matters of Religion Hen. 8 25. but what was fairly and largely discussed 1533 first by the most Learned of the Clergy The Clergie bind themselves to the King yet this year the Clergy in the Convocation so submitted themselves to the King that each one severally promised in verbo Sacerdotis never henceforth to presume to alledg claim or put in ure any new Canons unless the Kings most Royal Assent might be had unto them and this soon after the same was ratified by Act of Parliament 2. And here it will be worth my pains A fourfold sort of Convocations and the Readers perusal to observe the differences between English Synods or Convocations which may eminently be distinguished into four ranks such as were 1. Called before the Conquest Anno Regis Hen. 25 2. Called since the Conquest but before the Statute of Praemunire was made 3. Called after the aforesaid Statute but before another made in the Reign of King Henry the eighth wherein the Clergie were bound up for doing ought without the Royal assent 4. Called after the twenty fifth year of the Reign of King Henry the eighth These did plainly differ in the several manners of their meeting and degrees of power of their acting in Spiritual matters 3. As for Councels Kings Acted in Church matters before the Conquest called before the Conquest whilest the Popes power had not as yet Lorded it over the Kings of England the Kings ever were if not in person in power present thereat as by perusing S r Henry Spelmans Councils plainly doth appear Yea matters both of Church and Common-wealth were often dictated and concluded in the same Meeting Communi consensutam Cleri quam a Sir Henry Spelman Anno 605. pag. 118. Populi Episcoporum procerum comitam nec non omnium Sapientum Seniorum populorumque totius Regni 4. For the second sort called after the Conquest Of the second sort of Convocations but before the Statute of Praemunire the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury or York used-upon all extraordinary and immergent cases toties quoties as their own discretions adjudging necessary or convenient to assemble the Clergie of their respective Provinces at what place they pleased dontinuing Convocations in them so long or dissolving them as soon as they pleased And this they did either as Metropolitans or Primates or as Legati Nati to the Pope of Rome without any leave from the King afore obtained and such Canoas and Constitutions then and there concluded on were in that Age without any further Ratification obligatory to all subjected to their jurisdiction Such were all the Synods from Lanckfranck to Thomus Arundel in whose time the Satute of Praemunire was enacted 5. A Third sort of Convocation succeeds For after the Statute of Praemunire was made Of the third sort of Convocations which did much restraine the Papal power and subject it to the Laws of the Land when Arch-Bishops called no more Convocations by their sole and absolute command but at the pleasure of the King as oft as his necessities and occasions with the distresses of the Church did require it Yea now their meetings were by vertue of a Writ or Precept from the King and it will not be amiss here to exemplifie the form thereof 6. REX The form of ancient Writs of Convocations c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri A. Canturiensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae primati Apostolicae sedis legato salutem Quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis defensionem securitatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae ac pacem tranquillitatem bonum publicum desensionem Regni nostri subditorum restrorum ejusdem concernentibus vobis in fide dilectione quibus nobis tenemini rogando mandamus quatenus praemissis debito intuitu attentis ponderatis universos singulos Episcopos nostrae Provinciae ac Decanes Praecores Ecclesiarum Cathedralium Abbates Priores alios Electivos Exemptos non Exemptos Nec non Archidiaconos Conventus Capitula Collegia totumque Clerum cujuslibet Dioeceseos
the Truth hand to hand by dint of Scripture the Sword and Buckler thereof by God's appointment the Pope took off all his Adversaries at distance with those Guns of Hellish Invention his Infallibility and Universall Jurisdiction so that no approaching his presence to oppose him but with certainty of being pre-condemned 28. Now seeing the Complaints of the conscientious in all Ages The power of a Nationall Church well improved against the Errors in the Romish Church met with no other entertainment than frowns and frets and afterwards fire and fagot it came seasonably into the mindes of those who steered the English Nation to make use of that power which God had bestowed upon them And seeing they were a National Church under the civil command of one King He by the advice and consent of his Clergie in Convocation and great Council in Parliament resolved to reform the Church under His inspection from grosse abuses crept into it leaving it free to other Churches either to follow His example or continue in their former condition and on these terms was the English Reformation first advanced 29. But the Romanists object Objection to the contrary that England being first converted to Christianity by the zeale and care of the Church of Rome when Pope Gregory the great sent Augustine over to preach here cannot not onely without great Ingratitude but flat Undutifulnesse depart from the Church which first taught it true Religion It is answered Answer 1. First this Argument reacheth not west of Severne into Wales where the antient Britains by generall confession were converted before the time of Augustine Secondly Answer 2. this first favour received from Rome puts not on England so strict and servile an obligation of perpetual continuance that she may and must not serve God without asking her leave It ties England onely to a faire and gratefull respect which she alwaies tender'd till the Insolency of the Church of Rome made Us unwilling to pay and Her unworthy to receive it Thirdly Answer 3. some strength may be allowed to this Objection if Rome could be proved the same in Doctrine and Discipline when under the Reign of King Henry the eighth England divided it self from it with Rome when in the time of Gregory the great it was converted by God's blessings on his endeavours But since that time the Church of Rome hath been much corrupted in Opinions and practise easie to prove but that it is not the set work of our History 30. But again the Papists object 2. Objection of the Romanists that the most judicious Protestants doe ingeniously confesse that the Church of Rome maintaineth all the Fundamentals of Religion England therefore cannot be excused from Schisme for dividing from that Church which by their own confession still retaineth the true Foundation of Christianity 31. It is answered The Answer if some Protestants be so civil in their censures on Papists it appears thereby though they have left Rome they have not lost their courtesie nor their Charity But grant which is disputable the Errours of the Church of Rome not Fundamental they are Circa-Fundamental grating on the very Foundation Besides we are bound to avoid not onely what is deadly but what is hurtful not onely what may destroy the life but what may prejudice the health of our Souls But our Adversaries persist to object 3. Objection that our Reformation took its rise from King Henry's pride to pluck down a Power which crossed His designes from His covetousnesse to compasse the Revenues of Abbey and from His wantonnesse to exchange His old Embracings for new ones Well therefore may the English blush at the Babe when they behold its Parents and be ashamed of their Reformation considering the vitious Extraction thereof Answ The Answer Malice may load the Memory of K. Henry about His demerit yet grant the charge true that bad inclinations first moved Him to the Reformation yet He acted therein nothing but conformable to the Law Divine and Humane It is usuall with God's wisdome and goodnesse to suffer Vice to sound the first Alarum to that fight wherein Virtue is to have the Victory Besides King Henry's Reformation hath since been Reformed by successive Princes of England who cannot justly be taxed with any vitious reflexion therein 32. It remaineth that we take notice of the moderation of the Reformers The moderation of Reformers who being acted not with an Opposition to all which the Papists practised but with an Affection to Truth disclaimed onely the Ulcers and Sores not what was sound of the Romish Church retaining still what was consonant to Antiquity in the Four first Generall Councels 33. Matters thus ordered The Conclusion of the Contest had the Romanists been pleased to joyn with us there had been no complaining of Schisme either in their Streets or ours But such their pride and peevishnesse to persist obstinate to this day incense many people who listen more to the loudnesse than weigh the justnesse of Complaints accusing us of wilfull Separation But the Premisses well considered England may say to Rome * Gen. 38. 29. Pharez the breach be upon thee who with * 2 Kings 11. 14. Athaliah crying Treason treason being her self the prime Traytour taxeth us with Schisme when she the onely Schismatick 34. We enter now on a subject The Popes revenues out of England which we must not omit such is the concernment thereof in our History yet which we cannot compleat so intricate the nature thereof and so short and doubtfull our intelligence therein namely to give a generall estimate particulars being impossible of the Papall Revenues of England 35. Here be it premised that I humbly conceive Greatest under King Hen. 3. the Pope's Income ran the highest in England under King Henry the third and King Edward the first before the Statute of Mortmaine and after it that of Premunire was made for these much abated his Intrado And although I deny not but under King Henry the eighth he might receive more Money as then more plentifull in England yet his profit formerly was greater if the standard of Gold and Silver be but stated proportionably 36. However the vast summes Rome received hence at the time of Reformation Popes profit by sale of Trinkets will appear by the insuing commodities For first Agnus Dei's this is here set by Synecdoclie to signifie all Popish Trinkets Medals consecrated Beads c. which I as little know what they be as Papists why they use them Of these were yearly brought over from Rome into England as many as would fill the shop of a Habberdasher of Holy Wares Now though their prices were not immediately paid into the Pope's purse but to such his subordinate Officers who traded therein Yet they may be accounted part of the Papall Revenues the King hath what the Courtiers have by His consent and if such trading was not permitted unto them the
well as the single Arrows seeing perchance other Societies led lives not more religious but lesse examined 4. But the first terrible blow in England given generally to all Orders The first stroke at the root of Abbeys was in the Lay Parliament as it is called which did wholly Wicclifize kept in the twelfth year of King Henry the fourth wherein the c Thomas Walsingbam Nobles and Commons assembled signified to the King that the temporal possessions of Abbots Priors c. lewdly spent within the Realm would suffice to finde and sustain 150 Earls 1500 Knights 6200 Esquires 100 Hospitals more than there were But this motion was maul'd with the King 's own hand who dashed it personally interposing Himself contrary to that character which the jealous Clergie had conceived of Him that coming to the Crown He would be a great d Being heard to say That Princes had too little and Religious men too much Holinshed pag. 514. enemy to the Church But though Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster was no friend to the Clergie perchance to ingratiate himself with the people yet the same Henry King of England His interest being altered to strengthen Him with the considerable power of the Clergy proved a Patron yea a Champion to defend them However we may say that now the Axe is laid to the root of the tree of Abbeys and this stroke for the present though it was so farre from hurting the body that it scarce pierced the bark thereof yet bare attempts in such matters are important as putting into peoples heads a feasibility of the project formerly conceived altogether impossible 5. Few yeares after The objection of covetousness against Abbeys though not answered â—vaded by Archb. Chichesly namely in the second year of King Henry the fift another shreud thrust was made at English Abbeys but it was finely and cleverly put aside by that skilfull State-Fencer Henry Chichesly Archbishop of Canterbury For the former Bill against Abbeys in full Parliament was revived when the Archbishop minded King Henry of His undoubted Title to the fair and flourishing Kingdome of France Hereat that King who was a spark in Himself was enflamed to that designe by this Prelates perswasion and His native courage ran fiercely on the project especially when clapt on with conscience and encouragement from a Church-man in the lawfulnesse thereof An undertaking of those vast dimensions that the greatest covetousnesse might spread and highest ambition reach it self within the bounds thereof If to promote this project the Abbeys advanced not onely large and liberall but vast and incredible summes of money it is no wonder if they were contented to have their nails pared close to the quick thereby to save their fingers Over goes K. Henry into France with many martiall spirits attending him so that putting the King upon the seeking of a new Crown kept the Abbots old Mitres upon their heads and Monasteries tottering at this time were thank a politick Archbishop refixed on the firm foundations though this proved rather a reprieve than a pardon unto them as will afterwards appear Of the suppression of alien Priories NExt followed the dissolving of alien Priories The originall of Pâ—ioâ—â—es aliens of whose first founding and severall sorts something must be observed When the Kings of England by Conquest or Inheritance were possessed of many and great Territories in France Normandy Aquitaine Picardy c. many French Monasteries were endowed with lands in England For an English kitchen or larder doth excellently well with a French hall And whilst forreigners tongues slighted our Island as barren in comparison of their own Countrey at the same time they would lick their lips after the full-fare which our Kingdome afforded 2. Very numerous were these Cells in England relating to forreign Abbeys scattered all over the Kingdome One John Norbury erected two for his part the one at Greenwich the other at Lewesham in Kent Yea e Cambd. Brit. in Lancashire Roger de Poictiers founded on in the remotest corner of the Land in the Town of Lancaster the richest of them all for annuall income was that which f Idem in Lincoln-shire Tuo Talbois built at Spalding in Lincoln shire giving it to the Monks of Angiers in France g Harpsfield in Catal. religiosarum â— Edium fol. 761. valued at no lesse than 878 lib. 18s 3d. of yearly revenue And it is remarkable that as one of these Priories was granted before the Kings of England were invested with any Dominion in France namely Deorhirst in Glocester shire h Camb Brit. in Glocester-shire assigned by the Testament of Edward the Confessour to the Monastery of S. Denis neer Paris so some were bestowed on those places in forreign parts where our English Kings never had finger of power or foot of possession Thus we read how Henry the third annexed a Cell in Thredneedle-street in i Harpsfield ut priùs pag 763. London to S. Anthony in Vienna and neer Charing-Crosse there was another annext to the Lady Runciavall in Navarre Belike men's devotion in that Age look'd on the world as it lay in common taking no notice how it was sub-divided into private Principalities but proceeded on that rule k 1 Cor. 10. 28. The earth is the Lord's and the fulnesse thereof and Charity though wandring in forreign parts counted it self still at home because dwelling on its proper pious uses 3. These alien Priories were of two natures some had Monks with a Prior resident in them Alien Priories of two natures yet not Conventuall but dative and removable ad nutum of the forreign Abbey to which they were subservient Others were absolute in themselves who though having an honorary dependence on and bearing a subordination of respect unto French Abbeys yet had a Prior of their own being an intire body of themselves to all purposes and intents The former not unlike Stewards managing profits for the behoof of their Master to whom they were re sponsible The later resembling retainers at large acknowledging a generall reference but not accomptable unto them for the revenues they received Now both these kindes of Priories peaceably enjoyed their possessions here even after the revolt of those Principalities from the Crown of England yet so that during open hostility and actuall warre betwixt England and France their revenues were seised and taken by the King and restored again when amity was setled 4. But King Richard the second and King Henry the fourth not so fair as their predecessours herein not onely detained those revenues in time of peace but also diverted them from their proper use and bestowed them on some of their Lay-servants So that the Crown was little enriched therewith especially if it be true what Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury averred in the house of Commons to the face of the Speaker That these Kings l Antiq. Brit. pag. 274. were not half a mark the wealthier for those rents thus
The Queen made Sir Tho Tresham Lord Prior of this Order who the thirtieth of November 1557 received the Order of the Crosse at Westminster and was solemnly inducted into his place He was of an antient family and large estate and had done the Queen Knights service proclaiming Her in the highest contest with Queen Jane If the dimension of his Body may be guessed by his finger and his finger by his Ring which have seen in the possession of his Kinsman William Tresham Esq of Newton in Northampton-shire he was a little Gyant and farre greater than his pourtraicture on his Monument almost demolisht in Rushton-Church in the same County But Alexander's souldiers were not in proportion so big as their shields left in India and possible that Ring of State serving for a Seale was rather borne about him than worn on his finger 7. Re-edified by devout persons It is out of doubt that Papists contributed many pretious Utensils unto these Orders as also that they were bountifull in repairing their decayed Houses to fit them for their habitation but by Sanders his leave No visible refunding of land doth appear Which if he had known of no doubt he would have told posterity as tending according to his principles so much to the credit of those persons I say again though Queens Examples carry a kinde of Mandamus in them yet herein Her best Subjects and Servants were so unmannerly as to suffer Her Grace to go alone by Her self in this Act without any attendants as to the restitution of any entire Religious house to its former Order No not Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute though formerly solemnly employed in an Ambassy to the Pope to reconcile the Church of England to Rome would part with his rich Abbey of Battaile in Sussex or poor Priory of Barnewell nigh Cambridge c. but kept all his pluralities in that nature though otherwise we believe him most bountifull to those of his own Religion 8. The Catholick Princes Meaning Philip and Mary and surely though we cannot insist on the particulars that Kings inclinations are sufficiently known zealous for the promoting of His own Religion However it is almost incredible what a qualme on this occasion came over the hearts of the stoutest Abbey-land Mongers in England fearing in processe of time a reverting of them to their former use the rather because Cardinall Poole in that Act in this Queens Reign to secure Abbey-lands to their Owners without the passing whereof to pacifie so many persons concerned Papistry could not have been restored in that Parliament did not as some think absolve their consciences from restitution But onely made a palliate cure the Church but suspending that power which in due time she might put in execution 3. This made many suspect that such edifices of Abbeys A generall jealousie of Abbey-holders which still were extant entire looked lovingly on their antient Owners in hope to be restord unto them In prevention whereof such as possest them for the present plucked out their eyes by levelling them to the ground and shaving from them as much as they could all Abbey-Characters disguising them as much as might be in a Lay-habit matching and mingling them with lands in another Tenure because on this very motion Abbey lands sunk two years purchase in the common valuation 4. Nor must I forget one passage in Derby-shire Nimianon cautela Non nocet a certain information whereof I have received from that skilful Antiquary and my respected Kinsman Samuel Roper of Lincolnes-Inne how one Thacker being possessed of Repingdon Abbey in Derby-shire alarumed with this news that Q. Mary had set up these Abbeys again and fearing how large a reach such a precedent might have upon a Sunday belike the better day the better deed called together the Carpenters and Masons of that County and plucked down in one day Church-work is a cripple in going up but rides post in coming down a most beautifull Church belonging thereunto adding He would destroy the Nest for fear the Birds should build therein again 5. And now when a Papist have done commending Q. Mary The best work of Q. Mary a Protestant may begin I say Her setting up the Hospitall of the Savoy was a better work than any instanced in by Sanders for the relief of poor people First because poor qua poor may be said to be Jure Divino * Prov. 22. 2. The rich and poor meet together and the Lord maketh them both Not onely as Creatour of their persons but Assigner of their conditions Besides the Poor is a continuall Order in the Church by the words of our Saviour * John 12. 8. The poor ye have alwaies with you but more properly hereof in the Reign of Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth demolisheth the new-erected Convents Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown Violent alterations dangerous was not over-busie at the first but for some moneths permitted all things to remain in statu quo priùs Insomuch that in the first Parliament of Her summoning She sent Her Writs to the aforesaid Lord Prior Tresbam and Abbot Feckenham to make their appearance with the rest of Her Barons in Her Great Councell Whither they repaired and wherein they took their places accordingly 2. Sir Thomas as Lord Prior above but the Abbot beneath all the a See a List of them sitting in Sir Tho Cottons Library Temporal Lords being the lag of the House and placed under Oliver Lord S. John of Blet netsho lately made the second Baron of Queen Eliz Her creation But they had hardly set down on their seats before they were raised up and dissolved with all the rest of the late-restored Orders 3. I have not met to my best remembrance with any Statute A Quaere to the learned in Law enacted in the Reign of Queen Mary whereby She was legally empowred for the re-erection of these Convents done it seems by Her Prerogative by connivance not concurrence of the Parliament Nor can I finde in the first year of Queen Elizabeth any particular Statute wherein as in the Regin of King Henry the eighth these Orders are nominatim suppressed this probably being supposed needlesse as I conceive with submission to the Learned in that Profession their Houses having no Legal settlement Or else when the general Statutes against Superstition were layed like the Ax to the root of the Tree these Orders are under-branches fell of themselves by virtue of the Queens Commission for the same 4. I intended by way of a farewell-Corollary to present the Reader with a List of the Lord Priors of S. Iohn's An imperfect List better than none from Iordanus Briset their first Founder But their Records being all burnt in that fire which was kindled by Straw in his commotion it is impossible to compleat the Catalogue At and since which difaster such as we can recover are not contiguous in times and distanced with many years betwixt them though perhaps
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
shall be requisite In pursuance of these their Instructions the Kings Commissioners in their respective Counties recovered much and discovered more of Church-wealth and Ornaments For some were utterly imbeziled by persons not responsible and there the King must lose his right More were concealed by parties not detectable so cunningly they carried their stealths seeing every one who had nimmed a Church-Bell did not ring it out for all to hear the sound thereof Many potent persons well known to have such goods shufled it out with their greatnesse mutually connived at therein by their equalls fellow-offenders in the same kinde However the Commissioners regained more than they expected confidering the distance of time and the cold scent they followed so many years after the Dissolution This Plate and other Church-Utensils were sold and advanced much money to the Exchequer An * Sir John Hayward Authour telleth us That amongst many which they found they left but one silver Chalice to every Church too narrow a proportion to populous Parishes where they might have left two at the least seeing for expedition sake at great Sacraments the Minister at once delivereth the wine to two Communicants But they conceived one Cup enough for a small Parish and that greater and richer were easily able to purchase more to themselves 2. All this Income rather stayed the stomack Durham Bishoprick dissolved than satisfied the hunger of the Kings Exchequer For the allaying whereof the Parliament now sitting conferred on the Crown the Bishoprick of Durham This may be called the English Herbipolis or Wirtz-burge it being true of both Dunelmia sola judicat Ense Stola The Bishop whereof was a Palatine or Secular Prince and his Seal in form resembleth Royalty in the Roundnesse thereof and is not Oval the badge of plain Episcopacy Rich and entire the revenues of this See such as alone would make a considerable addition to the Crown remote the scituation thereof out of Southern sight and therefore if dissolved the sooner out of mens mindes Besides Cuthbert Tunstall the present Bishop of Durham was in durance and deprived for his obstinacy so that so stubborn a Bishop gave * yet the Duke of Northumberland either was or was to be possessour thereof the State the fairer quarrell with so rich a Bishoprick now annexed to the Kings revenue 3. Well it was for this See Afterwards restored by Qu. Mary though dissolved that the lands thereof were not dispersed by sale unto severall persons but preserved whole and entire as to the main in the Crown Had such a dissipation of the parts thereof been made no lesse than a State miracle had been requisite for the recollection thereof Whereas now within two years after Queen Mary restored Tunstall to this Bishoprick and this Bishoprick to it self re-setling all the lands on the same 4. By this time A wood rather a wildernesse of the Popes Canons such Learned men as were employed by the King to reform the Ecclesiastical Laws had brought their work to some competent perfection Let me enlarge my self on this subject of concernment for the Readers satisfaction When the Pope had ingrossed to his Courts the cognizance of all causes which either looked glanced or pointed in the least degree at what was reduceable to Religion he multiplied Laws to magnifie himself Whose principal designe therein was not to make others good but himself great not so much to direct and defend the good to restrain and punish the bad as to ensnare and entangle both For such the number of their Clementines 〈◊〉 Intrd. Extravagants Provincialls Synodalls Glosses Sentences Chapters Summaries Rescripts Breviaries long and short Cases c. that none could carry themselves so cautiously but would be rendred obnoxious and caught within the compasse of offending Though the best was for money they might buy the Popes pardon and thereby their own innocence 5. Hereupon Two and thirty Regulatours of the Canon-Law when the Popes power was banished out of England his Canon-Law with the numerous Books and branches thereof lost its authority in the Kings Dominions Yet because some gold must be presumed amongst so much drosse grain amongst so much chaffe it was thought fit that so much of the Canon Law should remain as was found conformable to the Word of God and Laws of the Land And therefore King Henry the eighth was impowred by Act of Parliament to elect two and thirty able persons to reform the Ecclesiastical Laws though in His Reign very little to good purpose was performed therein 6. But the designe was more effectually followed in the daies of King Edward the sixth Contracted to eight by King Edward the 6. reducing the number of two and thirty to eight thus mentioned in His Letters Patents dated at Westminster the last year Novemb 11. Bishops Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury Thomas Goodrich of Elie. Divines Peter Martyr Richard Cox Civilians and Canonists Dr. William May. Dr. Rowland Taylor of Hadley Common Lawyers John Lucas Rich Goodrick Esquires It was not onely convenient but necessary that Common Lawyers should share in making these Church Constitutions because the same were to be built not onely sure in themselves but also symmetricall to the Municipall Lawes of the Land These Eight had power by the Kings Patents to call in to their assistance what persons they pleased and are said to have used the pens of Sir John Cheeke and Walter Haddon Dr. in Law to turn their Lawes into Latine 7. However Laws no Laws not stamped with Royall Authority these had onely a preparing no concluding power so that when they had ended their work two things were wanting to make these Ecclesiastical Canons thus by them composed have the validity of Laws First an exact review of them by others to amend the mistakes therein As where * Titulo de Divinis Officiâ—s cap. 6. they call the Common Prayer Book then used in England proprium perfectum omnis divini cultus judicem magistrum a title truly belonging onely to the Scripture Secondly a Royall ratification thereunto which this King prevented by death nor any of His Successours ever stamped upon it Indeed I finde in an * Iohn 〈◊〉 at the end of his Preface to his Book intituled Reformation no enemy to Her Majesty Author whom I am half-ashamed to alledge that Doctor Haddon Anno 12 or 13 Elizabeth delivered in Parliament a Latine Book concerning Church-Discipline written in the daies of King Edward the sixt by Mr. Cranmer Sir John Cheek c. which could be no other than this lately mentioned Which Book was committed by the House unto the said Mr. Haddon Mr. George Bromley Mr. Norton c. to be translated I conceive into English again and never after can I recover any mention thereof save that some thirteen years since * Anno 1640. A silent Convocation it was printed in London 8. A Parliament was called in the last of this Kings
volley of ill words discharged at them amongst which none so mortal to their reputation as the word Schismatick wherewith the Coxians branded them at their departure Much fending and proving there was betwixt them whether Schismatick was properly applyable to such who agreeing in doctrine dissented onely in superfluous ceremonies In conclusion nothing was concluded amongst them as to agreement And now no pitty shewed at their departure no sending of sighes or shedding of tears on either side the one being as glad of the room they left as the other were desirous of their own removall 10. If any be curious to know the names of such The names of such as went to Geneva who separated themselves from this Congregation of Frankford this ensuing catalogue a Taken out of their subscription to a letter in the Troubles of Frankford pag. 47. will acquaint him therewith William William Anthonie Christopher Thomas Iohn Williams Whittingham Gilby Goodman Cole Fox Thomas William Iohn Iohn Christopher Nicolas Wood. Keth◠Kelke Hilton Soothous Purfote Iohn Thomas William Laurence Iohn Anthonie Escot Grafton Walton Kent Hellingham Carier Of these M r. Fox with a few moe went to Basil the rest settled themselves at Geneva where they were all most courteously entertained And now who can expect less but that those still remaining at Frankford as the same in opinion should be the same in affection and live in brotherly love together But alas man while he is man will be man and Sathan the sower of tares 6. 155. 7. did set a sad dissention betwixt them which we come now to relate 11. There was an eminent member of the Congregation in Frankford The sad difference betwixt Mr. Ashley and Mr. Horne M r. Ashley by name one of a worshipfull b Troubles of Frankford pag. 55. degree and as it seems of a Spirit not to say Stomack no whit beneath his extraction Jan. 14. 16. Now there happened some high words at Supper betwixt Him and M r. Horn then Pastor of the Congregation yet so that all the difference by the seasonable mediation of the Guests was then seemingly composed But two dayes after M r. Ashley was convented before the Elders where it was laid to his charge that at time and place aforesaid he had spoken words slanderous to them and their Ministry Ashley appealed from them as an adversary Part against Him and therefore no competent Judges unto the whole Congregation as men of estimation with both Parties to hear and determine the difference betwixt them 12. Hereat M r. Horn and the Elders were highly offended Horne and the Elders in discountent quit their places pleading that they had received authority from the whole Church to hear and decide such Cases Ann. Dom. 6. 155-7 and were resolved not to depart with the power so legally delegated unto them And whereas many meetings were made of M r. Ashleys friends to debate his businesse M r. Horne and the Elders condemned them as tending to schism accounting their own presence so of the Quorum to any lawful assembly that without it all conventions were conventicles Yea M r. Horne and the Elders perceiving that M r. Ashleys friends being most numerous in the Congregation would bring his Cause to be determined by the diffusive Church Feb. 2. fully and freely forsook their Ministry and Service therein Preferring rather willingly to un-Pastor and dis-Elder themselves than to retain the place without the power Title without the Authority due thereunto 13. This deserting of their Duty Where at the Church is highly offended was by others interpreted an high contempt of the Congregation Especially when two dayes after a full Church met with an empty Pulpit 4. wherein none to teach the people The Ashleyans being far the major part took exception that Horne and the Elders should so slightly and suddenly quit what before they had so seriously and solemnly accepted as if their Pastoral charges were like their cloaths or upper garments to be put off at pleasure to coole themselves in every heat of Passion Besides these men being married in a manner to their Ministeriall Functions could not legally divorce themselves without mutual consent and the Churches approbation thereof 14. Soon after the State of the controversie was altered Inquiry how to proceed against the Pastor and Elders if accused M r. Ashleys businesse being laid aside and another of an higher concernment taken up in the room thereof namely how the Congregation should proceed against the Pastor and Elders in case they were accused for misdemeanour For hitherto no provisions were made in the constitutions of this Church to regulate this case if chancing to occur Whether because the compilers of those constitutions charitably presumed on the integrity of all such Officers or omitted the making any law against them in favour to themselves as most probable to obtain such places or because no canons can at once be compleated 14. but a reserve must be left for the additions of others to perfect the same But now eight were appointed to regulate the manner of the proceeding of the Congregation against Pastor and Elders if peccant who were without or rather above censure according to the old Discipline which still inflamed the anger of M r. Horne and his Party 15. A Party much advantaged by M r. Chambers siding therewith Mr. Chambers accused of injustice because He was keeper of the charity conferred on and contributions collected for the Congregation Now where goeth the Purse there goeth the Poor most in want were of Hornes side in hope of the larger relief This made others complain of Chambers as an unjust Steward of the Churches treasure too free to such as He affected and bountifull only of Taunts and ill Terms to those of a different Judgement making neither Mens Need or Deserts but only his own fancy the direction of his Distributions 16. Now began their brawls to grow so loud The scandal of this dissention that their next neighbours over-heard them I mean the State of Frankford took notice thereof to the shame of all and grief of all good in the English Nation For how scandalous was it that exiles of the same Country for the same Cause could not agree together But man in misery as well as man in honour hath no understanding Yea they began to fear lest many Dutch-men hitherto their bountifull Benefactours should for the future withdraw their benevolences conceiving these exiles wanted no mony who had such store of animosities and probably poverty would make them more peaceable amongst themselves Their discords were the worse because the Vernali mart at Frankford did approach and it would be welcome ware and an usefull commodity for Popish Merchants meeting there to carry over into England and all the world over the news of their distractions 17. Hereupon the Magistrate of Frankford interposed to arbitrate their differences 〈…〉 short friends but whether
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
all due and wonted Ecclesiasticall monition declared so requiring it conceived it to belong unto us to provide for the eternall Salvation both of our selves and such as are committed to our charge by all means possible for us to obtain Wherefore stirred up by the examples of our Predecessours who have lived in the like times that faith which in the Articles under-written we believe to be true and from our souls profess to the praise and honour of God and the discharge of our duty and such souls as are commited unto us we thought in these presents publiquely to insert affirming and avowing as God shall helpe us in the last day of judgement First that in the Sacrament of the Altar by the vertue of Christs assisting after the word is duly pronounced by the Priest the naturall Body of Christ conceived of the Virgin Mary is really present under the species of bread and wine also his naturall bloud Item that after the Consecration there remains not the substance of Bread and Wine nor any other substance save the substance of God and man Item that the true body of Christ and his true bloud is offered a propitiatory sacrifice for the Quick and Dead Item that the supreme power of feeding and governing the militant Church of Christ and of confirming their Brethren is given to Peter the Apostle and to his lawfull Successours in the See Apostolike as unto the Vicars of Christ Item that the Authority to handle and define such things which belong to faith the Sacraments and Discipline Ecclesiasticall hath hitherto ever belonged and only ought to belong unto the Pastors of the Church whom the holy spirit hath placed in the Church of God and not unto lay-men Which our Assertion Affirmation and faith We the lower Clergy aforesaid so represent the aforesaid considerations unto your Fatherhoods by the Tenor of these Presents humbly requesting that because we have not liberty otherwise to notifie this our Judgement and intention to those which in this behalf are concerned you who are Fathers would be pleased to signifie the same to the Lords in Parliament wherein as we conceive you shall performe an office of Charity and Piety and you shall provide as it is meet for the safety of the flock committed to your charge and shall discharge your duty towards your own soul This remonstrance exhibited by the lower house of Convocation to the Bishops was according to their Requests presented by Edmond Bonner B p. of London to the Lord Keeper of the broad Seal of England in the Parliament Marc. 3. and as the said Bishop in the eighth Session reported he generously and gratefully received it But we finde no further news thereof save that in the 10. Session an account was given in by both Universities in an Instrument under the hand of a Publique Notary 10. wherein they both did concur to the Truth of the aforesaid Articles the last only excepted 10. But we may probably conceive that this Declaration of the Popish Clergy hastened the Disputation appointed on the last of March in the Church of Westminster The Disputations betwixt the Papists and Protestants at Westminster wherein these questions were debated 1. Whether Service and Sacraments ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue 2. Whether the Church hath not power to alter Ceremonies so all be done to edification 3. Whether the Mass be a propitiatory sacrifice for the Living and the Dead Popish Disputants Moderators Protestant Disputants * There is some difference in the Number and Names of Both Parties Mr. Fox neither agreeth with Mr. Camden nor with himself White Watson Baynes Scot. Bps. of Winchester Lincolne Covent and Lichfield Chester D r. Cole Deane of Pauls D r. Langdale D r. Harpsfield D r. Cheadsey Arch-Deac of Lewes Canterbury Middlesex Nicholas Heath B p. of York S r. Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal John Scory late B p. of Chichester David Whitehead Robert Horne Edmond Gwest Edwine Sands John Aelmer Edmond Grindall John Jewell The passages of this Disputation whereof more Noise then fruit and wherein more Passion then Reason Anno Dom. 1458. Cavils then Arguments are largely reported by M r. Fox It was ordered that each side should tender their Judgements in writing to avoid verball extravagancies as also in English for the better information of the Nobility and Gentry of the house of Parliament their Auditors and that the Papists should begin first and the Protestants answer them But in the second dayes disputation this order was broken by the Popish Bishops who quitting their Primacy to the Protestants stood peremptorily upon it that they themselves would deliver their Judgements last Alledging in their behalf the fashion of the Schools that because they had the negative on their side the others ought first to oppose Citing also the Custome of the Courts at Westminster where the plaintiffe pleadeth before the defendant conceiving themselves in the nature and notion of the Later because maintaining those opinions whose Truth time out of minde were established Chester more open then the Rest plainly confessed that if the protestants had the last word they would come off cum Applausu Populi with applause of the People which themselves it seems most desired Whereby it appears what Wind they wished for not what was fittest to fanne the truth but what would blow them most reputation In this Refusal to begin Winchester and Lincolne behaved themselves faucily and scornfully the rest stiffly and resolutely only Feckenham Abbot of Westminster who it seems the second day was added to the Popish Disputants carried it with more meeknesse and moderation Hereupon the Lord Keeper cut off this conference with this sharp Conclusion Seeing my Lords we cannot now hear you you may perchance shortly hear more of us 11. Yet need we not behold the frustration of this meeting The Papists complain of partial usage as a private Doome peculiarly to this conference alone but as the generall Destiny of such publike Colloquies which like Sicamore-trees prove barren and which the larger the Leaves of the Expectation the less the fruits of Successe The Assembly dissolved it were hard to say which were lowder the Papists in Complaining or the Protestants in Triumphing The former found themselves agrieved that they were surprised of a sudden having but two dayes warning to provide themselves That Bacon the Moderator though well skil'd in matters of Equity ignorant in matters of Divinity was their Zealous Enemy to whom the Arch-Bishop was added only for a stale That to call such fundamentall points of Doctrine into question would cause an unsetlednesse in Religion of dangerous consequence both to single souls and to the Church in generall That it was unlawfull for them owing obedience to the Sea Apostolike without leave of his Holinesse first obtained to discusse these truthes long since decided in the Church 13. The Protestants on the other side slighted the Papists Plea of want
Hereford As for the Bishoprick of Oxford as it was void at this time so it continued for some years after 32. We must not forget how the Bishoprick of Carlile was first profered to Bernard Gilpin Mr. Gilpin refuseth the Bishoprick of Carlile that Patriarchal Divine Rectour of Houghton in the North as may appear by the ensuing letter of Edwin a Found amongst Mr. Gilpins papers after his death Sandys Bishop of Worcester wrote unto him MY much and worthily respected Cozen having regard unto the good of the Church of Christ rather than to your ease I have by all the good means I could been carefull to have this charge imposed upon you which may be both an honour to your self and a benefit to the Church of Christ My true report concerning you hath so prevailed with the Queens Majesty that she hath nominated you Bishop of Carlile I am not ignorant that your inclination rather delighteth in the peaceable tranquillity of a private life But if you look upon the estate of the Church of England with a respective eye you cannot with a good conscience refuse this charge imposed upon you so much the less because it is in such a place as wherein no man is found fitter then your self to deserve well of the Church In which respect I charge you before God and as you shall answer to God herein that setting all excuses aside you refuse not to assist your Countrie and to do service to the Church of God to the uttermost of your power Anno Dom. 1557. In the meanwhile I give you to understand Anno Regin Eliza. 1. that the said Bishoprick is to be left untouched neither shall any thing of it be diminished as in some others it is a custom but you shall receive the Bishoprick entire as D r. Oglethorp hath left it Wherefore exhorting and charging you to be obedient to Gods call herein and not to neglect the duty of our own calling I commend both your self and the whole business to the Divine Providence Your Kinsman and Brother Edwin Worcester But M r. Gilpin desired to be excused continuing unmoveable in his resolution of refusall Not that he had any disaffection to the office as some do believe themselves and would willingly perswade others but because as he privately confess'd to his a B. Carleton in Gilpins life pag. 80. friends he had so much kindred about Carlile at whom he must either connive in many things not without hurt to himself or else deny them not without offence to them To avoid which difficulties he refused the Bishoprick It was afterward bestowed as in our Catalogue on D r. Iohn Best a grave and learned Divine But whether on the same terms without any diminution to the Church my b Idem pag. 81. authour knew not leaving us under a shrewd suspicion of the negative 33. If any demand of me Why Barlow and Scory were not restored to their former Bishopricks conjectured why Barlow formerly Bishop of Bath and Wells and Scory Bishop of Chicester were not rather restored to their own than translated to other Bishopricks As certainly I do not know so willingly I will not guess at the cause thereof though I have leasure to listen to the conjectures of others herein Some impute it to their own desires preferring faire paper before what was soiled with their ill successe rather to begin on a new account than to renew their reckoning with those Bishopricks where they had been interrupted with persecution Others ascribe it to the Queen herein shewing her absolute power of disposition and transposition of all Prelates at Her pleasure crossing Her hands and translating Scory from Chichester to Hereford Barlow from Bath and Wells to Chichester A third sort resolve it on a point of the Queens frugality a vertue needfull in a Princess coming to a Crown in Her condition to get new first-fruits by their new translations which otherwise would not accrue by their restitutions Sure I am none of these Conjecturers were either of the Bedehamber or Councâ—ll-Board to the Queen acquainted with Her intentions herein 34. As for Miles Coverdale Why Coverdale resumed not his Bishoprick of Exeter formerly Bishop of Exeter he never returned to his See but remained a private Minister to the day of his death Indeed it was true of him what is said of others c Amos 4. 11. He was as a fire-brand pluckt out of the burning being designed to death by Queen Mary had not the seasonable and importunate intercession of Frederick King of Denmarke redeemed him And although his dissenting in judgement from some ceremonies in our Discipline is generally alledged as the cause of his not returning to his Bishoprick yet more probable it is it was caused by his impotencie as may appear by his Epitaph which here we have thought fit to insert as I took it from the brass-inscription of his marble-stone under the Communion-Table in the Chancell of S t. Bartholomews behinde the Exchange Hic tandem requiemque ferens Anno Dom. 1558. finemque laborum Ossa Coverdalis mortua tumbus habet Exoniae qui Praesul crat dignissimus olim Insignis vitae vir probitate suae Octoginta annos grandaevus vixit unum Indignum passus saepius exilium Sic demum variis jactatum casibus ista Excepit gremio terra benigna suo Obiit 1568. Jan. 20. Now if Coverdale Anno 1568. was fourscore and one year of age then at this very time when he consecrated Parker was he seventy two years old passing with Iesse a 1 Sa. 26. 12. for an old man yea he had passed the b Psal 90. age of man and therefore henceforward finding himself fitter for devotion than action refused the resumption of his Bishoprick 35. So much for the Bishops Meane Ministers in this age as appears by Mr. Tavernours Sermon As for the inferiour Clergy under them the best that could be gotten were placed in pastoral charges Alas tolerability was eminency in that age A rush-candle seemed a torch where no brighter light was er'e seen before Surely preaching now ran very low if it be true what I read that M r. Tavernour of Water-Eaton in Oxford-shire High-Sheriffe of the County came in pure charity not ostentation and gave the Scholars a Sermon in S t. Maries with his gold chain about his neck and his sword by his side beginning with these words c In the preface to St. Iohn Cheeks book called the true Subject to the Rebell printed at Oxford 1641. Arriving at the mount of S t. Maries in the stony stage where I now stand I have brougt you some fine biskets baked in the oven of charity and carefully conserved for the chickens of the Church the sparrows of the Spirit and the sweet swallows of salvation If England in our memory hath been sensible of a perfective alteration in her Churches if since she hath seen more learning in
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.
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
Spirit and present them spotlesse and unblameable to their Saviour In discharge of which function We which are by Gods goodnesse called to the government of the aforesaid Church do spare no pains labouring with all earnestness that Unity and the Catholick Religion which the Author thereof hath for the triall of his childrens faith and for our amendment suffered with so great afflictions might be preserved uncorrupt But the number of the ungodly hath gotten such power that there is now no place left in the whole world which they have not assayed to corrupt with their most wicked Doctrines Amongst others Elizabeth the pretended Queen of England the servant of wickedness lending thereunto her helping hand with whom as in a Sanctuary the most pernicious of all have found a refuge This very woman having seised on the Kingdom and monstrously usurping the place of Supreme Head of the Church in all England and the chief authority and jurisdiction thereof hath again brought back the said Kingdom into miserable destruction which was then newly reduced to the Catholick Faith and good fruits For having by strong hand inhibited the exercise of the true Religion which Mary the lawfull Queen of famous memory had by the help of this See restored Anno Dom. 1570. Anno Regin Eliza. 13. after it had been formerly overthrown by Henry the eighth a revolter therefrom and following and embracing the errours of Hereticks She hath removed the Royall Councell consisting of the English Nobility and filled it with obscure men being Hereticks suppressed the embracers of the Catholick Faith placed dishonest Preachers and Ministers of impieties abolished the sacrifice of the Mass Prayers Fastings Choice of meats Unmarried life and the Catholick Rites and Ceremonies commanded Books to be read in the whole Realm containing manifest Heresie and impious mysteries and institutions by Her self entertained and observed according to the prescript of Calvin to be likewise observed by Her Subjects presumed to throw Bishops Parsons of Churches and other Catholick Priests out of their Churches and Benefices and to bestow them and other Church-livings upon Hereticks and to determine of Church-causes prohibited the Prelates Clergy and People to acknowledge the Church of Rome or obey the Precepts and Canonicall Sanctions thereof compelled most of them to condescend to Her wicked Laws and to abjure the authority and obedience of the Bishop of Rome and to acknowledge Her to be sole Ladie in temporall and spirituall matters and this by oath imposed penalties and punishments upon those which obeyed not and exacted them of those which perserved in the unity of the faith and their obedience aforesaid cast the Catholick Prelates and Rectors of Churches in prison where many of them being spent with long languishing and sorrow miserably ended their lives All which things seeing they are manifest and notorious to all Nations and by the gravest testimony of very many so substantially proved that there is no place at all left for excuse defence or evasion We seeing that impieties and wicked actions are multiplied one upon another and moreover that the persecution of the faithfull and affliction for Religion groweth every day heavier and heavier through the instigation and means of the said Elizabeth because We understand Her minde to be so hardened and indurate that She hath not only contemned the godly requests and admonitions of Catholick Princes concerning Her healing and conversion but alas hath not so much as permitted the Nuncioes of this See to cross the seas into England are constrained of necessity to betake our selves to the weapons of justice against Her not being able to mitigate our sorrow that We are drawn to take punishment upon one to whose Ancestors the whole state of all Christendome hath been so much bounden Being therefore supported with His authority whose pleasure it was to place Us though unable for so great a burden in this supreme throne of justice We do out of the fulnesse of Our Apostolick Power declare the aforesaid Elizabeth being an Heretick and a favourer of Heresies and Her adherents in the matters aforesaid to have incurred sentence of Anathemaâ— and to be cut off from the unity of the body of Christ And moreover We do declare Her to be deprived of Her pretended title to the Kingdom aforesaid and of all Dominion Dignity and Priviledge whatsoever and also the Nobility Subjects and People of the said Kingdom and all other which have in any sort sworn unto Her to be for ever absolved from any such oath and all manner of duty of Dominion Allegiance and Obedience As We do also by authority of these presents absolve them and do deprive the same Elizabeth of Her pretended title to the Kingdom and all other things above-said And We do command and interdict all and every the Noble-men Subjects People Anno Regin Eliza. 12. Anno Dom. 1569. and others aforesaid that they presume not to obey Her or Her monitions mandates and laws and those which shall do the contrary We do innodate with the like Sentence of Anathem And because it were a matter of too much difficulty to convey these presents to all places wheresoever it shall be needfull Our will is that the copies thereof under a publick Notaries hand and sealed with the seal of an Ecclesiastical Prelate or of his court shall carry together the same credit with all people judicially and extrajudicially as these presents should do if they were exhibited or shewed Given at Rome at S t. Peters in the year of the incarnation of our Lord one thousand five hundred sixty nine the fifth of the Kalends of March and of Our Popedom the fifth year Cae Glorierius H. Cumyn 25. The principall persons The different opinions of English Catholicks concerning this excommunication whose importunity solicited the Pope to thunder out this excommunication were D r. Harding D r. Stapleton D r. Morton and D r. Web. And now the news thereof flying over into England variously affected the Catholicks according to their several dispositions 1. Some admired and applauded the resolution of His holinesse expecting all persons should instantly start from the infectious presence of the Queen and that that virgin-rose so blasted should immediately wither 2. Others would not believe that there was any such excommunication at all but that it was a mere slander devised by the common enemy to make all Catholicks odious 3. Others accounted such Excommunication though denounced of no validity a Watsons Qâ—â—dlibets pag. 262. because the reasons which moved the Pope thereunto were falsely and surreptitiously suggested to His Holiness 4. Others did question the lawfulnesse of all excommunications of Princes according to the rule of S t. Thomas Princeps multitudo non est excommunicanda where the uncertain profit which might follow could not countervail the certain mischief which would ensue 5. Others did condemne the present excommunication pro hic nunc as unexpedient probable to incense and exasperate the
make out to the Kingdome of England However much mischief was done hereby many Papists paying their good wishes where they were not due and defrauding the Queen their true creditòr of the allegiance belonging unto her 43. Now did the Queen summon a Parliament Anno Regin Eliza. 30. Anno Dom. 1587. wherein her Majesty appeared not in person An Act without precedent But passed over the presidentship of that her great Councel unto John Whitgift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury William Cecill Lord treasurer and to the Earle of Darby A thing done without precedent when the King at home and in health But the pleasure of so powerful a Princess might create a leading case in things of this nature 44. Wonder not if the Nonconformists were very quiet in this Parliament Good reason why the Nonconformists were quiet Beholding the Arch-Bishop their great adversary in so great power and place However their activity in the next will make their party amends for their stilness in this Session 45. This year ended the doleful life of a distressed Lady The death of Mary Queen of Scotland Mary Queen of Scots whose Triall and Death belongeth to the State Historian She was aged fourty six years passing the last twenty in Imprisonment One of a sharp Wit undaunted Spirit comely person beautiful Face Majestick presence one Reason why Queen Elizabeth declined what the other so much desired a personal conference with Her as unwilling to be either out-shone or even-shone in her own Hemispheare For her morals the belief of moderate men embraceth as middle Courts betwixt Buchanan aspersing and Causinus his Hyperbolical Commending her because zealous in his own Religion 46. She was an excellent Poet Her Poetry both Latine and English of the former I have read a distick made and written by her own hand on a Pane of Glass at Buxton well Buxtona quae calidae celebraris nomine Lymphae * So it is in the Glass I had in my hand though it be celebrabere in Cand. Brit. in Derby-shire Forte mihi posthac non adeunda Vale. Buxton who dost with waters warme excell By me perchance never more seen Farewell And at Fotheringhay-Castle I have read written by Her in a window with a pointed Diamond From the Top of all my Trust Mishap hath lai'd me in the dust But her Adversaries conceive had she not been laid there the happiness of England had been prostrated in the same place She was buried in the Quire of Peterborough and Doctor Wickham Bishop of Lincolne preached her funeral sermon causelessly carped at by the Martin Mar-Prelate as too favourable concerning her final condition though he uttered nothing inconsistent with Charity and Christian discretion 47. Some twenty years after Her Body removed to Westminster King James caused her Corps to be solemnly removed from Peterborough to Westminster where in the south-side of the Chappel of King Henry the seventh he erected a stately monument to her memory and thereon this Epitaph wherein such cannot but commend the Piety of her Son who will not believe all the praises of his Mother D. O. M. MAriae Stuartae Scotorum Reginae Franciae Dotariae Jacobi V. Scotorum Regis Filiae Haeredis unicae Henrici VII Ang. Regis ex Margareta majori Natu Filia Jacobi IIII Regi Scotorum matrimonio copulata proneptis Edwardi IIII. Angliae Regis ex Elizabetha Filiarum natu maxima abneptis Francisci II. Gallorum Regis conjugis Coronae Angliae dum vixit certae indubitatae haeredis Jacobi magnae Brittanniae monarchae potentissimi matris Stirpe verè Regiâ antiquissima prognata erat Anno Dom. 1587. maximis Totius Europae Principibus Agnatione Cognatione conjuncta Anno Regin Eliza. 30. exquisitissimis Animi corporis dotibus ornamentis cumulatissima Verum ut sunt variae rerum humanarum vices postquam annos plus minus viginti in custodia detenta fortiter strenuè sed frustrà cum malevolorum obtreclationibus timidorum suspitionibus inimicorum capitalium insidijs conflictata esset tandem inaudito infesto Regibus exemplo securi percutitur Et contempto mundo devicta morte lassato Carnifice Christo Servatori animae salutem Jacobi Filio spem Regni posteritatis universis caedis infaustae spectatoribus exemplum patientiae commendans piè intrepidè Câ—rvicem Regiam securi maledictae subjecit vitae caducae sortem cum coelestis Regni perennitate commutavit Besides this there is a long inscription in verses one distich whereof I remember because it is the same in effect with what was made of Maud the Empress On Maud Magna Ortu majorque Viro sed maxima Partu Hic jacet Henrici Filia sponsa Parens On Queen Mary Magna Viro major Natu sed maxima Partu Conditor hic Regis Filia sponsa Parens So that it is no disgrace for a Queen to weare part of an Epitaph at the second hand with some little alteration 48. About this time it was A designe propounded that some Privie Councellors endeavoured to perswade Queen Elizabeth to raise and foment a difference betwixt the Pope and King of Spain and to assist the former not as Pope but temporal Prince by her shipping to regain Naples detained from him by the Spanish King They alledged the designe advantagious to work a diversion of Spanish forces and prevent an invasion of her own Land 49. But her Majesty would not listen to the motion to entertain Compliance in any capacity And blasted by the Queen on any Conditions with the Pope as dishonourable in her self distastful to the Protestant Princes nor would she touch Pitch in jest for fear of being defiled in earnest but crushed the designe in the birth thereof 50. A first onset was now made by the Nonconformists against the Hierarchie Conformity to the height though the more they opposed it the more the Queen did Countenance their persons and preserve their power In so much that she would not in Lent feed on any fish as forbidden by the Canons of the Church until she had first attained a solemn * Camdens Eliz. Manuscript shortly likely to be Printed Licence from the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and every year of her life renew'd the same 51. The power of the high Commission began now to extend far and penalties to fall heavie on offenders Whereupon the favourers of the Nonconformists much opposed it in their printed books some questioning the Court as not warranted by Law others taxing their proceedings as exceeding their Commission but hear their Arguments on both sides Against the High Commission It is pretended founded on the Statute primo Elizabethae wherein the Parliament impowered the Queen by her Letters patents to appoint Commissioners to punish Offendors in Ecclesiastical Causes But no mention therein of Temporall penalties and therefore the Commissioners are to confine themselves to Church Censures by Excommunicating
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
quickly be perused and yet then no such effigiation was therein discovered which some nineteen weeks after became visible about the nineteenth of September following Surely had this pregnant straw gone out its full time of fourty weeks it would have been delivered of a perfect picture indeed whereas now miscarrying before that time wonder not if all things were not so complete therein 54. For the face therein was not so exact Not perfectly done as which might justly intitle heaven to the workmanship thereof Say not it was done in too small a scantling to be accurate for Deus est maximus in minimis Gods exquisitenesse appears the most in q Exod. 8. 18. modells Whereas when Witnesses were examined about this mock-miracle before the Archbishop of Canterbury Francis Bowen deposed that he believed that a good Artisan might have drawn one more curiously and Hugh Griffith himself attested that it was no more like Garnet than to any other man who had a beard and that it was so small none could affirm it to resemble him adding moreover that there was no glory or streaming raies about it which some did impudently report 55. However Garnet's beâ—tification occasioned by this mock-miracle this inspirited straw was afterward copied out and at Rome printed in pomp with many superstitious copartments about it as a coronet a crosse and nails more than ever were in the originall Yea this miracle how silly and simple soever gave the ground-work to Garnet's beatification by the Pope some moneths after Indeed Garnet complained before his death That he could not expect that the Church should own him for a Martyr and signified the same in his Letter to his dear Mistresse Anne but for her sirname call her Garnet or Vaux as you please because nothing of religion and onely practices against the State were laid to his charge It seemed good therefore to his Holinesse not to canonize Garnet for a solemn Saint much lesse for a Martyr but onely to beatificate him which if I mistake not in their heavenly heraldrie is by Papists accounted the least and lowest degree of celestiall dignity and yet a step above the Commonaltie or ordinary sort of such good men as are saved This he did to qualifie the infamie of Garnet's death and that the perfume of this new title might out-sent the stench of his treason But we leave this Garnet loth longer to disturb his blessednesse in his own place and proceed to such Church-matters as were transacted in this present Parliament 56. Evil manners prove often though against their will the parents of good laws Acts against Papists in Parliament but principally the Oath of Obedience as here it came to passe The Parliament begun and holden at Westminster the fifth of November and there continued till the 27 of May following enacted many things for the discovering and repressing of Popish Recusants extant at large in the printed Statutes Whereof none was more effectuall than that Oath of Obedience which every Catholick was commanded to take the form whereof is here inserted The rather because this Oath may be termed like two of Isaac's r Gen. 26. 20. 21. wells Esek and Sitnah Contention and Hatred the subject of a tough controversie versie betwixt us and Rome about the legall urging and taking thereof Protestants no lesse learnedly asserting than Papists did zealously oppose the same The form of which Oath is as followeth I A. B. doe truly and sincerely acknowledge professe testifie and declare in my conscience before God and the world That our Soveraigne Lord King James is lawfull and rightfull King of this Realm and of all other His Majesties Dominions and Countreys and that the Pope neither of himself nor by any authority of the Church or See of Rome or by any other means with any other hath any power or authority to depose the King or to dispose any of His Majesties Kingdomes or Dominions or to authorize any forraign Prince to invade or annoy Him or His Countâ—â— or to discharge any of His subjects of their allegiance and obedience to His Majestie or to give licence or leave to any of them to bear armes raise tumult or to offer any violence or hurt to His Majesties Royall Person State or Government or to any of His Majesties subjects within His Majesties Dominions Also I doe swear from my heart that notwithstanding any declaration or sentence of Excommunication or deprivation made or granted or to be made or granted by the Pope or his Successours or by any authority derived or pretended to be derived from him or his See against the said King His Heires or Successours or any absolution of the said subjects from their obedience I will bear faith and true allegiance to His Majestie His Heires and Successours and Him and Them will defend to the uttermost of my power against all conspiracies and attempts whatsoever which shall be made against His or Their Persons Their Crown and Dignity by reason or colour of any such sentence or declaration or otherwise and will doe my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto His Majestie His Heires and Successours all treasons and traiterous conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against Him or any of Them And I doe farther swear That I doe from my heart abhorre detest and abjure as impious and hereticall this damnable doctrine and position That Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may be deposed or murthered by Their subjects or any other whatsoever And I do believe and in conscience am resolved that neither the Pope nor any person whatsoever hath power to absolve me of this Oath or any part thereof which I acknowledge by good and full authority to be lawfully ministred unto me and doe renounce all Pardons and Dâ—spensations to the contrary And all these things I doe plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to these express words by me spoken and according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mentall evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And I doe make this recognition and acknowledgment heartily willingly and truly upon the true faith of a Christian So help me God This Oath was devised to discriminate the pernicious from the peaceable Papists Sure binde sure finde And the makers of this were necessitated to be larger therein because it is hard to strangle equivocation which if unable by might to break will endeavour by slight to slip the halter 57. No sooner did the newes thereof arrive at the ears of his Holiness The Pope his two Breve's against this Oath but presently he dispatcheth his Å¿ See K. James his Works pag. 250. Breve into England prohibiting all Catholicks to take this Oath so destructive to their own souls and the See of Rome exhorting them patiently to suffer persecution and manfully to endure martyrdome And because report was raised that the Pope wrote this
Scotland and the people dwelling by have an old Rythme If * Camdens Brit. in Cumber p. 7â—7 Skiddaw hath a Cap Scrussle wotâ—s full well of that Meaning that such the vicinity and as I may say sympathy betwixt these two Hills that if one be sick with a mist of clouds the other soon after is sad on the like occasion Thus none seeing it now foul weather in Scotland could expect it fair sunshine in England but that she must share in the same miseries as soon after it came to passe 10. Let those who desire perfect information hereof March 27. satisfy themselves The Reader referred to other Authors from such as have or may hereafter write the History of the State In whom they shall find how King Charles took his journey Northward June 17. against the Scottish Covenanters How some weeks after on certain conditions a Peace was concluded betwixt them How his Majesty returned to Londons and how this palliated cure soon after brake out again more dangerous than ever before 11. In these distracted times a Parliament was called with the wishes of all April 13 Monday and hopes of most that were honest A Parliament and Convocation called yet not without the feares of some who were wise what would be the successe thereof With this Parliament began a Convocation all the mediate transactions for ought I can finde out are embezled and therein it was ordered that none present should take any private notes in the House whereby the particular passages thereof are left at great uncertainty However so far as I can remember I will faithfully relate being comforted with this consideration that generally he is accounted an unpartial Arbitratour who displeaseth both sides 12. On the first day thereof Dr. Turner Doctor Turneâ— his text and Sermon Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury 14. Tuesd made a Latine Sermon in the Quire of St. Pauls His text Matth. 10. 16. Behold I send you forth as Sheep in the mid'st of Wolves In the close of his Sermon he complained that all Bâ—shops held not the reins of Church-discipline with an even hand but that some of them were too easie and remiss in the ordering thereof Whereby whiles they sought to gain to themselves the popular praise of meeknesse and mildnesse they occasionally cast on other Bishops more severe then themselves the unjust imputation of rigour and tyranny and therefore he advised them all with equall strictness to urge an universal conformitie The effect of the Archbishopâ— Latâ—n speech Sermon ended we chose Dr. Stewart Dean of Chichester Prolocutor 13. 17. Friday Next day of sitting we met at Westminster in the Chappell of King Henry the seventh both the Houses of Convocation being joyned together Anno Dom 1640 when the Archbishop of Canterbury entertained them with a Latin Speech Anno Regis Caroli 16 welnigh three quarreâ—s of an hour gravely uttered his eies oft-times being but one remove from weeping It consisted most of generals bemoaning the distempers of the Church but concluded it with a speciall passage acquaining us how highly we were indebted to his Majesties favour so far intrusting the integrity and ability of that Convocation as to empower them with his Commission the like whereof was not granted for may yeers before to alter old or make new Canons for the better government of the Church 14. Some wise men in the Convocation began now to be jealous of the event of new Canons The just suspicions of wise men yea became fearfull of their own selves for having too great power lest it should tempt them to be over tampering in innovations They thought it better that this Convocation with its predecessors should be censured for lazinesse and the solemn doing of just nothing rather than to runne the hazard by over activity to doe any thing unjust For as waters long dammed up oft-times flownce and flâ—e out too violently when their sluces are pulled up and they let loose on a sudden so the judicious feared lest the Convocation whose power of meddling with Church-matters had been bridled up for many yeers before should now enabled with such power over-act their parts especially in such dangerous and discontented times Yea they suspected lest those who formerly had outâ—runne the Canons with their additionall conformitie ceremonizing more then was enjoyned now would make the Canons come up to them making it necessary for others what voluntarily they had prepractised themselves 15. Matters began to be in agitation The Parliament suddenly dissolved May 5 when on a sudden the Parliament wherein many things were started nothing hunted down or brought to perfection was dissolved Whilest the immediate cause hereof is commonly cast on the King and Court demanding so many Subsidies at once England being as yet unacquainted with such prodigious payments the more conscientious look higher and remoter on the crying sinnes of our Kingdome And from this very time did God begin to gather the twiggs of that rod a civill warr wherewith soon after he intended to whip a wanton nation 16. Next day the Convocation came together Yet the Convocation still continues 6 as most supposed meerly meeting to part and finally to dissolve themselves When contrary to generall expectation it was motioned to improve the present opportunity in perfecting the new Canons which they had begun And soon after a new Commission was brought from his Majesty by virtue whereof we were warranted still to sit not in the capacity of a Convocation but of a Synod to prepare our Canons for the Royall Assent thereunto But Doctor Brownrigg Doctor Hacket Doctor Holesworth Master Warmistre with others to the number of thirty six the whole House consisting of about six score earnestly protested against the continuance of the Convocation 17. These importunately pressed that it might sink with the Parliament A party dissents and protests against the continuance thereof it being ominous without precedent that the one should survive when the other was expired To satisfy these an Instrument was brought into Synod signed with the hands of the Lord Privy-Seal the two chief Justices and other Judgâ—s justifying our so sitting in the nature of a Synod to be legal according to the Lawes of the Realm It ill becometh Clergy-men to pretend to more skill in the Lawes then so learned Sages in that profession and therefore unpartiall judgements may take off from the fault of the followers and lay it on the leaders that this Synod sate when the Parliament was dissolved This made the aforesaid thirty six dissenters though solemnly making their orall protests to the contrary yet not to dissever themselves or enter any act in Scriptis against the legality of this Assembly the rather because they hoped to moderate proceedings with their presence Surely some of their own coat which since have censured these dissenters for cowardly compliance and doing no more in this cause would have
same purpose to prepare matters fit for their cognizance the Bishop of Lincoln having the Chair in both authorized to call together divers Bishops and Divines to consult together for correction of what was amisse and to settle peace viz. b More were named but these chiefly were present The Archbishop of Armagh The Bishop of Durham The Bishop of Exeter Doctor Samuel Ward Doctor John Prideaux Doctor William Twisse Doctor Robert Sanderson Doctor Daniel Featlyâ— Doctor Ralph Brounrigg Doctor Richard Holdsworth Doctor John Hacket Doctor Cornelius Burges Master John White Master Stephen Marshall Master Edmund Calamy Master Thomas Hill Jerusalem-Chamber in the Dean of Westminsters house was the place of their meeting where they had solemn debates six severall dayes alwaies entertained at his Table with such bountifull chear as well became a Bishop But this we behold as the last course of all publick-Episcopall-Treatments whose Guests may now even put up their Knives seeing soon after the Voider was called for which took away all Bishops lands and most of English-Hospitality 47. First they took the Innovations of Doctrine into consideration They consult on Innovations in Doctrin and here some complained that all the tenets of the Councell of Trent had by one or other been preached and printed abating only such points of State-Popery gainst the Kings Supremacy made treason by the Statute Good works co-causes with faith by justification private confession by particular enumeration of sinnes needfull necessitate medii to salvation that the oblation or as others the consumption of the Elements in the Lords-Supper holdeth the nature of a true sacrifice prayers for the dead lawfulnesse of monasticall vowes the grosse substance of Arminianism and some dangerous points of Socintanisme 48. Secondly And in discipline they enquired into preter-canonicall conformity and innovations in discipline Advancing Candlesticks in parochiall Churches in the day time on the Altar so called Making Canopyes over with traverses of Curtains in imitation of the Vaile before the Holy of Holyes on each side and before it Having a credentia or side-Table as a Chappel of ease to the Mother Altar for divers uses in the Lords Supper Forbidding a direct prayer before Sermon and Ministers to expound the Catechism at large to their Parishioners carrying children when baptized to the Altar so called and there offering them up to God pretending for some of these innovations the injunctions and advertisements of Queen Eliz. which are not in force and appertaining to the printed Liturgy secundo tertio Edvardi sexti which is reformed by Parliament 49. Thirdly And concerning the Common-Prayer they consulted about the Common Prayer-Book whether some legendary and some much doubted saints with some superstitious memorialls were not to be expunged the calendar c This I did write out of the private notes of one of the Committe Whether it was not fit that the Lessons should be only out of Canonicall Scripture the Epistles Gospells Psalmes and Hymes to be read in the nâ—w translation c. Whether times prohibited for Marriage are not totally to be taken away Whether it were not fit that hereafter none should have a Licence or have their Banes of Matrimony asked save such who should bring a Certificate from their Minister that they were instructed in their Catechism Whether the Rubick is not to be mended altered and explained in many particulars 50. Lastly And regulation of government they entered on the regulating of Ecclesiasticall government which was not brought in because the Bishop of Lincoln has undertaken the draught thereof but not finished it as imployed at the same time in the managing of many matters of State so easy it is for a great person never to be at leisure to doe what he hath no great minde should be done 51. Some are of opinion that the moderation and mutuall compliance of these Divines Divers opinions what this conference might have produced might have produced much good if not interrupted conceiving such lopping might have saved the felling of Episcopacy Yea they are confident had this expedient been pursued and perfected Troiaque nunc stares Priamique arx alta maneres Troy still had stood in power And King Priams lofty Tower Had remained at this hower it might under God have been a means not only to have checkt but choakt our civill War in the infancy thereof But the Court prelates expected no good from the result of this meeting suspecting the Doctrinal Puritans as they nicknamed them joyned with the Disciplinary Puritans would betray the Church betwixt them Some hot spirits would not have one ace of episcopal power or profit abated and though since confuted by their own hunger preferred no bread before half a loaf These maintained that any giving back of ground was in effect the granting of the day to the opposit party so covetous they be to multiply their cravings on the others concessions But what the issue of this conference concluded would have been is only known to him who knew what * 1 Sam. 23. 12. the Men of Keilah would doe and whose prescience extends not only to things future but futurable having the certain cognisance of contingents which might yet never actually shall come to passe 52. This consultation continued till the middle of May Broken off and the weaving thereof was fairly forward on the Loome when Atropos occat the bringing in the Bill against Deanes and Chapters Root and Branch Anno Dom. 1641 Anno Regis Caroli 16 cut off all the threds putting such a distance betwixt the fore-said Divines that never their Judgements and scarce their Persons met after together 53. In the midst of these troublesome times Aprill 21. John Davenant Bishop of Salâ—sbury ended his life The dâ—ath of Bâ—shâ—p Davenant His Father was a wealthy and religious Citizen of London but born at Davenants-lands in Sible Heningham in Essex Where his Ancestours had continued in a worshipfull degree from Sir John Davenant who lived in the time of King Henry the third He bred his sonne a Fellow Commoner in Queens-Colledge in Cambridge and would not suffer him to accept a Fellowship though offered as conceiving it a bending of these places from the direct intent of the Founders when they are bestowed on such as have plenty Though indeed such preferments are appointed as well for the reward of those that are worthy as the relief of those that want and after his Fathers death he was chosen into that Society In his youthfull exercises he gave such an earnest of his future maturity that Dr. Whitacre hearing him dispute said The he would in time prove the Honour of the University A Prediction that proved not untrue when afterward he was chosen Margaret Professour of Divinity being as yet but a private Fellow of the Colledge Whereof some yeers after he was made Master and at last Bishop of Salisbury Where with what gravity and moderation he behaved
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
where we shall not finde them as we might justly expect all of one tongue and of one language there being some not concurring with the major part and therefore stiled Dissenting Brethren I know the Scotchs Writers call them of the Separation but because mollifying terms are the best Poultesses to be applyed to the first swellings of Church-differences we decline these words of distast They are also commonly called Independents though they themselves if summoned by that name will return to Vouz avez thereunto as to a word odious and offensive in the common seund and notation thereof For Independency taken for absolute subsistence Without relation to 1 God 2 King or State 3 Other Churches 4 Particular Christians is Prophane Blasphemous Seditious and Treacherous Proud and Ambitious Churlish and Uncharitable These Dissenting Brethren or Congregationalists were but five in the Assembly though many more of their judgements dispersed in the land 1 Namely Thomas Goodwin bred first in Christs-Col then fellow of Katherine Hall in Cambridge 2 Philip Nye who had his education in Oxford William Bridge fellow of Emanuel Colledg in Cambridge all three still alive 4 Sidrach Simson of Queens 5 Jeremiah Burroughs of Emanuel Col. in Cambridge both deceased It is our unhappiness that in writing their story we have little save what we have collected out of the writings of pens professedly engaged against them and therefore the less credit is to be given thereunto However in this Narration there is nothing of my own so that if any falsehoods therein they must be charged on their account whom the Reader shall behold cited in the margin Otherwise I confess my personal respects to some of the afore named dissenters for favours received from them 36. The cause of their first departing the land Some ten years since the sinful corruptions to use their own a a Apostolical narration p. 2 language of the worship and government in this Church taking hold on their consciences unable any longer to comport therewith they deserted their Native Country This we beleeve the true cause of their departure not what b b Mr Edwards in his Answer to the Apol. Narr some suggest that one for debt and another for danger to answer some ill interpreted words concerning the Scots were forced to forsake the Land And although I will not say they left not an hoof of their Estates behinde them here they will confess they conveyed over the most considerable part thereof Many wealthy Merchants and their families went over with them so that of all Exiles for so they stile themselves these may seem most like Voluntary Travellers for good company though of all Travellers most like to Exiles 37. Their reception beyond the seas in Holland was faire and civill Are kindly entertained in Holland where the States who though they tolerate own not all Religions were interpreted to acknowledge them and their Churches by many signs of their favour First By granting them their own Churches to assemble in for Divine Worship where their own Country men met also the same day but at different hours for the same purpose By permitting the ringing of a c c Apol. Nar. pag. 7. Bell to call people to their Publick meetings which loudly sounded the States consent unto them as not allowed to such clandestine Sects which shelter themselves rather under the permission then Protection thereof By assigning a full and liberal maintenance annually for their Ministers as also wine for their Communions Nor can there be a better evidence of giving the right hand of Fellowship then to give the full hand of liberality A moitie of this people fixed at Roterdam where they landed the other travelled up higher for better aire to Wianen and thence soon after removed to Arnhein a sweet and pleasant City No part of Holland largely d d Otherwise Arnhein is in Gelderland taken affording more of England therein resembled in their letters to their Friends to Hertford or Bury in Suffolk 38. Then fall they to consult of Church-Discipline How qualified to finde out the truth professing themselves a mere abrasa tabula with Virgin judgements longing only to be married to the truth Yea they looked upon the word of Christ Reader it is their own e e Apol. Nar. pag. 3. expression as unpartially and unprejudicedly as men made of flesh and blood are like to do in any juncture of time that may fall out the place they went to the condition they were in and company they went with affording no temptation to byasse them anyway 39. And first they lay down two grand ground-works Their two chief ground-works on which their following Fabrick was to be erected 1. Only to take what was held forth in Gods word leaving nothing to Church-practice or humane prudence as but the Iron leggs and Clay toes of that Statute whose head and whole body ought to be of pure Scripture-Gold 2. Not to make their present judgement binding unto them for the future Their adversaries cavil hereat as a reserve able to rout all the Armys of Arguments which are brought against them that because one day teacheth another they will not be tyed on Tewsday morning to maintain their Tenents on Munday night if a new discovery intervene 40. In pursuance of these principles they pitched on a middle way as generally the posture of truth betwixt Presbytery Coordination of Churches as too rigorous imperious and conclusive and Brownisme as too vage loose and uncertain Their main platform was that Churches should not be subordinate Parochial to Provincial Provincial to National as Daughter to Mother Mother to Grandmother but Coordinate without Superiority except Sentority of Sisters containing no powerfull influence therein Thus the Church formerly like a Chain with links of dependency on one another should hereafter become like an heap of rings each entire in it self but as they thought far purer then was ever seen before 41. The manner of their Church-service The manner of their Church-service according to their own a a Apol. Nar. pag. 8. relation was performed in form following 1. Publick and solemn prayers for Kings and all in Authority Reading the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament with exposition thereof on occasion Administration of the two Sacraments Baptisme to Infants and the Lords Supper Singing of Psalms and collection for the Poor every Lords-day For Publick Officers they had Pastors Teachers and Ruling Elders not Lay but Ecclesiastick persons and Deacons As for Church-censures they resolved only on Admonition and Excommunication the latter whereof was never handselled in their b b Apol. Nar. pag. 9. Church as no reason that the rod though made should be used where the Children are all quiet and dutifull Synods they account usefull and in some cases necessary yet so that their power is but Official not Authoritative whereby they may declare the truth not enjoyn obedience thereunto Or take it in 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
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
the Kings pleasure in imitation of His Ancestors reserving that Honour for some Prime person to conferre the same on his near Kinsman James Marquis Hamilton who dying some six years after left his Title to James his Son the last Earle during the extent of our History Robert Scot Vicecan 1619-20 Will 18. Roberts Robert Mason Proct. Richard Foxton Major 6. Master John Preston Mr Preston prosecuted by the Commissary and how escaping Fellow of Queens suspected for inclination to Non-conformity intended to preach in the Afternoon S. Maryes Sermon being ended in Botolphs-Church But Doctor Newcomb Commissary to the Chancelour of Elie Anno Dom. 1619-20 offended with the pressing of the people Anno Regis Jacob. 18. enjoyned that Service should be said without Sermon In opposition whereunto a Sermon was made without Service where large complaints to Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Elie and in fine to the King himself Hereupon Mr. Preston was enjoyned to make what his fees called a Recantation his friends a Declaration Sermon therein so warily expressing his allowance of the Liturgie and set formes of Prayer that he neither displeased his own party nor gave his enemies any great advantage Samuel Ward Vicecan 1620-21 Gabriel More Phil 19. Powlet Proct. Richard Foxton Major 7 William Lord Mainard The Ld. Mainaâ—d foundeth a Logick Professour first of Wicloe in Ireland then of Estaines in England brought up when a young Scholar in S. Johns Colledge where Dr. Playfere thus versed it on his name Inter menses Maius inter aromata nardus Founded a Place for a Logick Professour assigning him a salarie of Forty pounds per annum and one Mr. Thornton Fellow of the same Colledge made first Professour of that faculty Leonard Maw Vicecan 1621-22 Thomas Scamp Tho 20. Parkinson Charles Mordant Proct. Edward Potto Major 8. An exact survey was taken of the number of Students in the University The Scholars number whose totall summe amounted unto Two * Tables of John Scot. thousand nine hundred ninety and eight Hierome Beale Vicecan 1622-23 Thomas Adam Nathanael Flick Proct. 21. Thomas Atkinson Major Thomas Paske Vicecan 1623-24 John Smith Amias Ridding Proct. 22. Thomas Purchas Major 9. The Town-Lecture at Trinity-Church being void two appeared Competitours for the same namely Doctor John Preston now Master of Emmanuel Preacher at Lincolns-Inne and Chaplain to Prince Charles generally desired by the Towns men Contributours to the Lecture Paul Micklethwait Fellow of Sidney-Colledge an eminent Preacher favoured by the Diocesan Bishop of Elie and all the Heads of Houses to have the place The contest grew high and hard A tough câ—nvase for Trinity-Lecture in somuch as the Court was ingaged therein Many admired that Doctor Preston would stickle so much for so small a matter as an annuall stipend of Eighty pounds issuing out of moe than thrice eighty purses But his partie pleaded his zeale not to get gold by but to doe good in the place where such the confluence of Scholars to the Church that he might generare Patres beget begerrers which made him to wave the Bishoprick of Glocester now void and offered unto him in comparison of this Lecture 10. At Doctor Preston his importunity Dr. Preston caues it clear the Duke of Buckingham interposing his power Anno Dom. 1623 24. secured it unto him Anno Regis Jacob. 22. Thus was he at the same time Preacher to two places though neither had Cure of Soules legally annexed Lincolns-Inne and Trinity-Church in Cambridge As Elisha cured the waters of Iericho by going forth to the spring head and casting in salt there so was it the designe of this Doctour for the better propagation of his principles to infuse them into these two Fountains the one of Law the other of Divinity And some conceive that those Doctrines by him then delivered have since had their Use and Application Iohn Mansell Vicecan 1624-25 William Boswell Thomas Bowles Proct. Thomas Purchas Major 11. King Iames came to Cambridge King James's last coming to Cambridge lodged in Trinity-Colledge was entertained with a Philosophy-Act and other Academical performances Here in an extraordinary Commencement many but ordinary persons were graduated Doctours in Divinity and other Faculties 12. Andrew Downs The death of Mr. Andrew Dewnes Fellow of S. Iohns Anno Regis Car. 1. 1. one composed of Greek and industry dyeth whose pains are so inlaid with Sir Henry Savil his Edition of Chrysostome that both will be preserved together Five were Candidates for the Greek-Professours place void by his death viz Edward Palmer Esquire Fellow of Trinity-Colledge Abraham Whelocke Fellow of Clare Hall Robert Creighton of Trinity Ralph Winterton of Kings and Iames White Master of Arts of Sidney-Colledge How much was there now of Athens in Cambridge when besides many modestly concealing themselves five able Competitours appeared for the place 13. All these read solemn Lectures in the Schools on a subject appointed them by the Electours Mr. Chreighton chosen his successour viz the first Verses of the three and twentieth Book of Homers Iliads chiefly insisting on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But the Place was conferred on Mr. Robert Chreighton who during Mr. Downes his aged infirmities had as Hercules relieved weary Atlas supplied the same possessed by the former full forty years Iohn Goslin Henry Smith Vicecan Iohn Norton Robert Ward Proct. 1625-26 Robert Lukin Major 2. 14. Thomas Howard Earle of Suffolke The Duke of Buckingham elected Chancellour Chancellour of the University departed this life an hearty old Gentleman who was a good friend to Cambridge and would have proved a better if occasion had been offered It argued the Universities affection to his Memory that a grand party therein unsought unsent unsued to gave their suffrages for his second Son Thomas Earle of Bark shire though the Duke of Buckingham by very few voices carried the place of the Chancellour This Duke gave the Beadles their old silver Staves and bestowed better and bigger on the University with the Kings and his own Arms insculped thereon Henry Smith Vicecan 1626-27 Samuel Hixton Thomas Wake Proct. 3. Martin Peirse Major Thomas Bambrigg Vicecan Anno Dom. 1627-28 Thomas Love Edward Lloyd Proct. Iohn Shirwood Major Anno. Regis Car. 1. 4. 15. Henry Earle of Holland The Earle of Holland made Chancellour The Lâ— Bâ—ooke founded an History-Professour recommended by His Majesty to the University is chosen Chancellour thereof in the Place of the Duke of Buckingham deceased 16. Sir Fulk Grevil Lord Brooke bred long since in Trinity Colledge founded a Place for an History-Professour in the University of Cambridge allowing him an annual Stipend of an Hundred pound Isaac Dorislavs Doctour of the Civil Law an Hollander was first placed therein Say not this implyed want of worthy men in Cambridge for that faculty it being
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-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
Kingdome ¶ 25. forbiddeth an appeal to the Pope for the triall of Bastardy b. 3. p. 58 59. troubled a long time with the animosityes of his Subjects p. 66. ¶ 33 c. reformeth his faults ¶ 38. his quiet death p. 73. ¶ 1 2. King HENRY the fourth gaineth the Crown by deposing King Richard b. 4. p. 152. ¶ 52 53. bloudy against poor Innocents p. 155. ¶ 1. subjecteth Oxford notwithstanding many Papal exemptions thereof to the visitation of the Arch-bish of Cant. p. 164 165. his death p. 166. ¶ 28. King HENRY the fifth whilest Prince engaged himself in a bitter Petition with the Bishops against the poor Lollards b. 4. p. 162 163. when king the prelates afraid of him p. 166. ¶ 31. divert his activity on the French ¶ 32. his death King HENRY the sixth his plety b. 4. ¶ 1. foundeth Eaton Colledge p. 183. looseth all in France p. 184. ¶ 15. 16. foundeth Kings Coll. An Camb. Hist. of C. p. 73. conquered by K. Edward the 4. p. 190. ¶ 26. returneth out of Sâ—otl fighteth and is roured ¶ 29. afterward enlarged out of prison and made King p. 191. ¶ 31. reimprisoned and murdered p. 3. worketh many miracles after his death p. 154. ¶ 25 yet could be made a Saint by the Pope and why ¶ 27. King HENRY the seventh his sixfold title to the Crown b. 4. p. 194. ¶ 15. his extraction p. 200. ¶ 18. retrencheth the exorbitances of sanctuaries ¶ 19. endeavouret him vain to get King Henry the sixth Sainted p. 153. ¶ 23. and converteth a lollard and then burneth him p. 155. ¶ 31. foundeth the Savoy b. 5. p. 165. ¶ 4. his death ibidem King HENRY the eighth marrieth the relict of his Brother Arthur b. 5. p. 165. ¶ 6. writes against Luther p. 168. ¶ 21. therefore stiled Defender of the Faith ¶ 22. embraceth the Motion to be divorced p. 171. ¶ 38. troubles before it could be effected p. 172. c. owned supream Head of the Church p. 187. 48. justified in abolishing the Papal power in England p. 194. and 195. his large Will from p. 243. to 253. observations thereon p. 252 253. his disease and death p. 254. ¶ 61. vices and vertues 64. imperfect Monuments 65. Prince HENRY his death and excellent Epitaph b. 10. p. 67. ¶ 22. HERBERT the simoniacal Bishop of Norwich b. 3. p. 11. ¶ 33. Charles HERLE prolocutour in the Assembly b. 11. p. 213. ¶ 53. HILDA the worthy Abbesse C. 7. ¶ 90 93. a Miracle imputed unto her ¶ 94. Arthur HILDERSHAM his remarkable life and death b. 11. p. 142. ¶ 22 c. John HILTON Priest solemnly abjureth his blasphemous heresies before Arch-bishop Whitgift in the Convocation b. 9. p. 175. ¶ 27. Robert HOLCOT a great School-man his sudden death C. 14. p. 98. ¶ 21. John HOLYMAN Bishop of Bristol no persecutour in the Reign of Q. Mary b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 4. HOMILIES of two sorts b. 9. p. 74. ¶ 60. their use ¶ 62. authenticalnesse unjustly questioned ¶ 63. Rich. HOOKER his character b. 9. p. 214. ¶ 15. and p. 216. ¶ 53. clasheth with Mr. Travers about a point of Doct. and overpowreth him ¶ 55 56 c. commended by his Adversaries for his holinesse p. 217. ¶ 59. his death p. 235. ¶ 40. John HOOPER Bishop of Glocester the first founder of non-conformity in England b. 7. p. 42 43 44. c. much opposed by Bp. Ridley ibid. till fire and fagots made them friends p. 405. ¶ 29. Robert HORNE chosen Reader of Hebrew to the English Exiles at Frankford b. 8. p. 31. ¶ 6. His contest with M. Ashley ¶ 11 12 13. stickleth there for the Old discipline ¶ 14 c. chose a Disputant in the conference at Westminster b. 9. ¶ 10. consecrated Bishop of Winchester ¶ 31. his Sute against Bonner p. 77. ¶ 1 2 c. superseded by a provisoe in Parliament ¶ 7. his death p. 111. ¶ 32. Ancient HOSTLES in Cambridge before any Colledges therein were built or endowed Hist of Camb. p. 26 27. though fewer greater then those in Oxford p. 27. ¶ 21 22. Richard HUN martyr barbarously murthered b. 5. p. 166. ¶ 9. Mathew HUTTON Arch-bishop of Yorke by his letter concurreth with Lamheth Articles b. 9. pag. 230. his death b. 10. p. 38. ¶ 42. and memorie rectified from a foule mistake ¶ 43. I. St. JAMES how mistaken to have preached in Britain Cent. 1. ¶ 8. KING JAMES b. 9. p. 5. ¶ 13. his speech at Hampton Court p. 8. and discreet carriage therein p. 9. 10 c. writeth against the Pope p. 45. ¶ 58 against Vorstius p. 27. ¶ 5. his discourse with the legate ¶ 7. happy in discovery of Impostors p. 73. ¶ 56. 57. his Sicknesse p. 113. ¶ 21. increased with a plaister ¶ 23. his faith and Charity at his death ¶ 25. his peaceableness Eloquence piercing wit Judgement bounty and Mercy p. 114. ¶ 27. 28. c. His funerall Sermon preached by Bp. Williams b. 11. pag. 117. ¶ 3. Doctor JAMES his good motion in the convocation at Oxford b. 11. ¶ 12. Queen JANESEYMOUR marryed to King Henry the eighth b. 5. p. 208. ¶ 25. her letter on her delivery to the Lords of the Councell b. 6. p. 421. ¶ 11. her death p. 422. ibidem JESUATES how differing from JESUITES b. 6. p. 278. ¶ 45. JESUITES their beginning just when other orders in England were dissolved b. 6. p. 278. ¶ 43. best Butteresses in the Romish Church p. 279. ¶ 56. their policie ¶ 57. how in Engl. like the Astrologers in Rome ¶ 58. their bitter contentions with Secular Priests b. 9. p. 225 226. JESUITESSES a Viraginous Order I think extinct b. 6. p. 364. JESUS COLL. IN CAMBRIDGE founded by Bp. Alcock Hist. Camb. p. 84. ¶ 42 c. called the Bp. of Ely'es house p. 84. ¶ 46. The Masters Benefactors Bishops c. thereof p. 86. JESUS COLL. IN OXFORD founded by Hugh Price b. 9. p. 96. ¶ 28. the Principalls Bps. Benefactors c. thereof ibidem IMPROPRIATIONS endeavoured to be bought in by Feoffees b. 11. p. 136. ¶ 5 6. crushed by Archbishop Laud p. 143. ¶ 26. c. those in Ireland restored to the Clergie by the bounty of King Charles b. 11. p. 149. ¶ 45. INNES of Bishops or their severall Lodging-houses in London b. 3. p. 63. INNOVATIONS in doctrine and discipline complained of b. 11. p. 174 175. JOHN JEWELL draweth up the Gratulatory letter of Oxford to Queen Mary b. 8. ¶ 6. driven out of Corpus Christi Colledge ¶ 11. his great fall ¶ 15. seasonable and sincere recovery ¶ 17. Vice-Master of P. Martyrs Colledge at Strasbourg Sect. 3. ¶ 24. one of the disputants against the Papists at Westminster b. 9. ¶ 10. his reasons against the Councill of Trent ¶ 42. his death and deserved praise p. 101. ¶ 1. 2. JEWES first came over into England under William the Conquerour b. 3. p. 9. ¶ 44. highly
exeant infra quindecim dies postquam hoc clamatum fuerit Et si ultra terminum illum inventi fuerint in eadem villa hujusmodi Clerici capiantur in prisonam nostram mittantur Teste meipso apud Oxon. 3 Maii Anno Regni nostri 15. Thus the Sheriff was impowered with a Posse Comitatus to redresse this grievance May 3 but whether or no with a Velle Comitatus I know not Sure I am these Clerks-no-Clerks disturbed the University for many yeers after 36. The Townesmen of Cambridge began now most unconscionably to raise and rack the rent of their houses wherein the Scholars did sojourn The unconscionablenes of the Townsmen Every low Cottage was high valued Sad the condition when Learning is the Tenant and Ignorance must be the Landlord It came at last to this pass that the Scholars wearied with exactions were on the point of departing to finde a place where they might be better accommodated on more reasonable conditions 37. Here the King seasonably interposed his power Regulated by the Kings Letters appointing 1231 that two Masters of Arts and two honest Townsmen should be deputed as Chancellors 15 conscientiously to moderate the rigour of covetousnesse And seeing Scholars would hire as cheap and Townsmen would let as dear as they could the aforesaid four persons indifferently chosen out of both Corporations were to order the price betwixt both according to the tenor of the Kings Letter ensuing Rex f f The same Letters in effect were often confirmed by the King in the 50 year of his Reign Majorì Ballivis Cantabr salutem Satis constat vobis quòd apud villam nostram Cantabr studendi causae è diversis patribus tam cismarinis quà m transmarinis Scholarium confluit multitudo quod valde gratam habemus acceptamus cum exemplum toti Regno nostro commodum non modicum honor nobis accrescat vos specialiter inter quos fideliter conversantur studentes non mediocriter gaudere debetis laetari Audivimus autem quòd in hospitiis vestris locandis tam graves onerosi estis scholaribus inter vos commorantibus quòd nisi mensurabiliùs modestiùs vos habueritis erga ipsos in hac parte exactione vestra faciente oportebit ipses villam vestram exire studio suo relicto à terra nostra recedere quod nullatenus vellemus Et ideo vobis mandamus firmiter injungentes quatenus super praedictis hospictis locandis vos mensurantes secundū consuetudinem Universitatis per duos Magistros dues probes legales homines de villa◠nostra ad hoc assignandos hospicia praedicta taxari secundū corum taxationem ea locari permittatis taliter vos gerentes in hac parte ne si secus egeritis propter quod ad nos debeat clamor pervenire ad hoc manum apponere debeamus Teste meipso apud Oxon. tertio die Maii anno regni nostri xv ✚ Ex Rotulo claus de anno xv Regis Henrici tertii in dors in Turre London Ex. per Guil. Ryley See we here Cambridge appeareth not as an infant of yesterday but a grave Matron of great age witnesse those words according to the custom of the University which shew her gravity and gray hairs at the time of the date thereof 38. This was the first original of the Taxatores or Taxers in Cambridge The original of Taxers so called at first from taxing prizing or rating the rents of houses Their name remains but office is altered at this day For after the bounty of Founders had raised Halls and Colledges for Scholars free abode their liberality gave the Taxers a Writ of ease no more to meddle with the needless prizing of Townsmens houses However two Taxers are still annually chosen whose place is of profit and credit as employed in matters of weight and to see the true gage of all measures especially such as concern the victuals of Scholars For where the belly is abused in its food the brains will soon be distempered in their study 39. Turnaments and Tilting of the Nobility and Gentry were commonly kept at Cambridge The ill 〈◊〉 of Turnament◠to the great annoyance of the Scholars Many sad casualties were caused by these meetings though ordered with the best caution Armes and leggs were often broken as well as spears Much lewd people waited on these assemblies light Housewives as well as light Horsmen repaired thereunto Yea such the clashing of swords the ratling of Arms the sounding of trumpets the neighing of horses the shouting of men all day-time with the roaring of riotous Revellers all the night that the Scholars studies were disturbed safety endangered lodging straightned charges enlarged all provisions being unconscionably enhanced In a word so many war-horses were brought hither that Pegasus himself was likely to be shut out For where Mars keeps his Term there the Muses may even make their Vacation 40. The King being complained to thereof 29 did plainly shew 1245 that he preferred the quiet of the University before the profit of the Town of Cambridge Forbidden within five miles of Cambridge gaining much money by these meetings And therefore by his Letters he enjoined that no Tilting should be kept within five miles of Cambridge And yet so stout and sturdy were martial men in that age that they hardly obeyed him Yea I finde one * Ex Arch◠is Acad. Cant. 〈◊〉 ganter descript impensts R. Harrei ex Turre Londinenst Ralph de Kamois a bold Chevalier who notwithstanding the premisses kept a riotous Tilting in the very town of Cambridge but soon after he was deeply fined for his high contempt on the paiment whereof and his humble submission before the Earls of Cornwall Lecester and Norfolk he was forgiven 41. Let us look on these Turnaments unrelated to Cambridge as they were in themselves Mothers of misrule and we shall finde them the mothers constantly of misrule commonly of mischief Their very use in their first constitution was no better tham an abuse to cover malice under the cloak of manhood and merriment Many brought personal grudges some family-feuds into the field with them fewer returned than went forth as either casually cut off or intentionally murdered 42. One instance of the former out of many A sad chance though full twenty four miles from Cambridge Gilbert Mareshall Earl of Pembroke a potent Peer of the Land proclaimed a disport of Turnament of running on Hors-back with Launces in defiance of the Kings Authority who had inhibited the same at Ware in g Camdens Brit. in Hertfordshire Hertford-shire under the name forsooth of Fortune as if Providence had nothing to doe in such wild recreations But so it fortuned that this Gilbert cast bruised and kild by his own horse soon ended the mirth of the meeting Call it not therefore cowardise but conscience and charity in the Church which taking these Turnaments no better
than solemn and ceremonious murder in consideration forbad Christian burial to such as should be slain therein whilest the Civil power proceeded severely against the slayer and so betwixt both with much adoe banished this barbarous custome As for such tame tilting meer martial-masques since used at Court being rather expensive than uncharitable they are of a different nature 43. Strifes Foul work in Lent sights Anno Dom. 1249 spoylings Anno Regis Hen. 3 33 breaking open of houses it is not me but Matthew * In anno 1249 Paris whom thou readest woundings and murder betwixt the Burgesses probably first named because most guilty and the Scholars of Cambridge and that in the very Lent that with the holy time holy persons also might be violated The noyse thereof ascended to the ears of the King with a great complaint 44. Hugh Balsham Sub-Prior afterwards Bishop of Ely began the Foundation of Peterhouse without Trumpington-gate neer the Church of S t. Peter since fallen down from the vicinity whereof it seemeth to be denominated The first founding of Peter-house As yet no revenue was setled thereon 1257 onely the Students that lived therein grinded formerly by the Townsmen with unconscionable rents for the place of their abode thankfully accounted themselves well endowed with good chambers and Studies freely bestowed on them 41 But more hereof hereafter viz. anno 1284 when this Colledge was enriched with possessions 45. In vain did the care of the King in favour of Scholars so lately remove Brawls and bickerings betwixt Southern and Northern Scholars Tilting five miles from Cambridge whilest now the Scholars in open hostility tilted one against another the Southern against the Northern men therein What! can the Muses themselves fall out and fight in the field five against four I finde not the first cause of the falling out betwixt Northern and Southern men surely the meer distance of their nativity did not cause their difference because the one was born neerer to the Sun than the other But however the brawl began the Northern men were worsted in the end thereof Strange that Boreas the most boysterous winde in all the Compass should be beaten by Auster And yet the Northern men being fewer in number and farthest from their friends were over-powered by the numerosity and neernesse of those of the South 46. Indeed the Northern men appear rather to be pitied than condemned The Northern men worsted in the whole managing of the matter 1261 being only on the defensive to secure themselves 45 so that whilest the others fiercely and furiously assaulted them a great riot was committed and too probable some blood 〈◊〉 Hereupon the King issued out his Commission of Oyer and Terminer to three eminent persons Nov. 24 viz. h Rot. Patent de anno 45. Hen 3. membrana 23. in dorso Giles Argenton then living eight miles off at Hors-heath since by inheritance the seat of the ancient and honourable Family of the Alingtons Henry de Boreham and Laurence del Brook to enquire into the matter and proceed therein as they should see cause against the offenders 47. But soon after the King was informed how the three aforesaid Judges appointed behaved themselves very partially in the matter whereupon the King took it out of their hands The matter referred to the Judges itinerant and Febr. 11 by a new Commission referred the hearing and determining thereof to Nicolas de Tur and Nicolas de Handlo the Judges itinerant of that Circuit Yet in favour of the Scholars who had offended he limited the procedings of these Judges with an i Rot. Pat. de anno 45. Hen. 3. memb 19. in dorso Ita tamen quòd ad suspensionem vel mutilationem clericorum non procedatis sed eos alio modo per consilium Universitatis Cantabr castigetis 48. It seems the case was of some difficulty and many persons of quality concerned therein Remitted to the former Commissioners the deciding whereof was so often in so short a time bandyed backwards and forwards at Court. 17 For few days after H. le Dispencer Justiciarius Angliae by command from the King inhibited the foresaid Judges itinerant to intermeddle therein k Rot. 12. in Custod The saur Camer Scaccarii and wholly remitted the business to the examination and determination of Giles Argenton Henry de Boreham and Laurence de Brook before whom some Southern Scholars active in this Riot were indicted found guilty and condemned when the Kings gracious pardon was sent in their behalf in form as followeth Rex omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint salutem Martii 18 Sciatis nos de gratia nostra speciali pardonesse magistro Johani de Depedale magistro Hugoni de Thornham Bartholomeo de Watton Willielmo fratri ejus Willielmo de Merton garcioni eorum Willielmo de Wethringset Mich. de Mereforde Johanni de Dene Waltero Ricardo fratribus â—jus Johanni de Shotesham Ed. de Merston Waltero de Wodeford Willielmo de Waburne Nicholao de Brackden Willielmo Saleman Willielmo de Pikneham Johanni de Lon de Comitatibus Norff. Suff. Rogero Parlebone Bartholomeo Matelast Henrico Ledwy Johanni de Stokenham Stephano Maymund Pruetto le Cryur Johanni de London Thomae Alnonechilde Roberto de Frassenden Galfrido de Caxton de Comitatu Cantabrigie si sectam pacis nostrae quae ad nos pertinet pro insultu nuper facto in quosdam scholares boreales Universitatis Cantabr et pro transgressionibus ibidem factis contrae pacem nostram unde indictati fuerunt coram dilectis fidelibus nostris Egidio de Argentein Henrico de Borham Laurentio del Broke quos illuc misimus ad inquisitionem faciendam de transgressionibus praedictis Et firmam pacem nostram eis inde concedimus ita tamen quòd stent recto si quis versus eos inde lai voluerit In cujus c. Teste Rege apud Turrem London xviii die Martii anno Regni nostri xlv ✚ Ex Rotulo patentium de Anno xlv Regis Henrici tertimembrana 15. in Turre London Ex. per Guil. Ryley It seemeth some of these Anti-Boreals were men of gentile extraction especially the two first styled in the Pardon Masters importing I believe more than the bare Universitie title as also Bartholomew de Walton and William his brother because waited on by William de Merton their Garcion that is their servant For it cometh from the French Gaxcon or the Italian Garzone and is used even by the barbarous Grecians of the midle age l Scholiastâ—s Cedreni 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It was graciously done of the King to pardon the man as well as his Masters seeing probably he acted onely by their pleasure and command 49. During these discords 46 some Scholars of peaceable disposition fairly departed Cambridge 1262 and retired to Northampton Northampton University begun where by the leave