his Consecrating of Churches and Chappels after the popish manner wherein the case stands briefly thus The Pope his Romish Prelates had in times of ignorance superstition for their own proper lucre introduced solemn consecrations of Churches Chappels with all furniture belonging to them appropriated these Fopperies to Bishops as a jurisdiction peculiar to them alone though we reade in Scripture that the Tabernacle all the furniture thereto belonging was consecrated only by Moses and the Temple at Jerusalem by King Solomon the chief temporall Magistrates not by Aaron or the High Priests as they were among the Romans by the Senate These formes of consecrations full of Ethnicall ridiculous superstitions exorcismes conjurations were contained only in Roman Pontificals Missals Ceremonials which were wholly abolished upon the reformation of Religion in King Edwards daies by the expresse statutes of 3 4 E. 6. cap. 1. 5. 5 6 E. 6. cap. 1. and after that by the statute of 1 Eliz. cap. 2. 8 Eliz. cap. 1. which abrogited all rites ceremonies and consecrations whatsoever but those comprised in the Books of Common Prayer and Ordination of Ministers where there is not one syllable to be found touching consecration of Churches or Chappels or Church-yards nor any forme of such consecrations reteined or prescribed which by these Acts were wholly discontinued abolished in our Church till this Papish Prelate to renue them and to assume a Papall power of making Churches Chappels Altars and their furniture holier then other places by his solemne consecrations of them as if the meere sequestring of them from a common or prophane to a sacred use were not a sufficient consecration of them without a Bishops Benediction and exercising of those creatures suspended thereunto We shall begin first with his consecration of Churches next of Chappels Anno 1630. St. Katherines Creed-church in London being repaired only by the parishioners not new built from the ground when Mountain was Bishop of London and the Church thought holy enough by him without any new consecration not requisite in such a case by the very Canon law this popish Prelate succeeding Mountaiue in the Bishoprick of London suspended this new repaired Church for a time from all Divine service Sermons and Sacraments till it was re-consecrated by himself of which he writ down this speciall memoriall with his own hand in his Diary read in the Lords House in manner following January 16. 1630. Sunday I consecrated S. Katherine Creed-church in London In what a popish ridiculous bedlam manner was thus attested upon oath by M. Willingham a parishioner there who then took special Notes of all the passages in short-writing thinking some good use might be made thereof in after-times the particulars whereof he thus expressed That the Archbishop then of London on the 16 of January 1630. being the Lords day came in the morning about nine of the clock in a pompous manner to Creed-church accompanied with Sir Henry Martin Dr. Rive Dr. Duck and many other High-commissioners and Civillians there being a very great concourse of people to behold this novelty the Church doores were garded with many Halberders at the Bishops approaching near the West door of the Church the hangbies of the Bishop cryed out with a loud voyce Open open ye everlasting doores that the King of glory may enter in and presently as by miracle the doores flew open and the Bishop with three or four great Doctors and many other principall men entred in and as soon as they were in the Church the Bishop fell down upon his knees with his eyes lifted up and his hands and armes spread abroad uttering many words and saying This place is holy and this ground is holy In the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost I pronounce it holy and then he took up some of the earth or dust and threw it up into the aire as the frantick perseenting Jewes did when they were raging mad against Paul this was done in the great middle Isle several times as they came up Eastwards towards the Chancel which Chancel was then paved when they approached near to the Rayle and Lords Table unto which was an ascent of two or three steps the Bishop lowly ducked and bowed towards it some five or six times and returning went round about the Church in Procession on the inside thereof they saying the 100 Psalme and after that the 90 Psalme prescribed in the Roman Pontificall for this purpose p. 262. and then this Prayer Lord Jesu Christ who art the eternall Word of thy eternall Father God Almighty to be blessed for ever and diddest at first in the beginning of time create man out of the dust of the earth to restore and repair in him the ruine and fall of Angels and when as he by transgression had lost his originall state diddest according to thy threatning returne him againe unto his dust but so that he should not perish everlastingly but should in due time by an omnipotent power be raised againe out of the earth and therefore in assurance of the resurrection the bodies of men the work of thine own hands are in this place to be deposited in their sepulchres graves or vaults as in a repository or resting place untill the end of all things when that mighty Arch-angell shall sound his last Trumpet with Rise ye dead and come to judgement accept we beseech thee this our holy service who doe give and consecrate this beautifull Church unto thee and we separate it unto thee and thy Church AS HOLY GROVND not to be prophaned any more to common use this we beseech thee to accept at our hands for Christ Jesus sake c. Then was read aloud the 23 chapter of Genesis which being read then followed another prayer taken almost verbatim out of the Roman Pontificall beginning thus Merciful God the resurrection and the life of all that trust in thee wee most humbly intreat thee to vouchsafe us of thy grace that all those thy servants who from hence forth shall come into or be intered within the Circuit of this holy and sacred place now by our service HALLOWED unto thee may so lead their lives in thy feare that they may leave them in thy favour and that their bodies resting in their Sepulchres in this Church in peace untill thy comming unto Iudgment may rise again unto immortall life and live with thee for ever in those glorious mantions of eternity Heare us O Saviour for thy passion sake heare us O Father for thy Christs sake heare us O Sanctifying Spirit for thy comforts sake who livest and reignest one God c. Then The peace of God followed c. After all this the Bishop betook himselfe to sit under a cloath of State in an Isle of the chancell neare the Communion Table and taking a written book in his hand in imitation of the Roman Pontificall and the Councell of Trents Decrees therein cited pag. 247 c.
with the Arch-bishops own hand Received Jan. 30. 1640. L. Exon Concerning his book and the submission of it to my judgement The Propositions inclosed in this Letter were these following to which the Arch-bishop added this Title and some insertions with his own hand here noted with a distinct Character Concerning Church Government and the estate of Episcopacy 1. God had never any Church upon earth that was ruled by a Parity 2. The first Church of God which was reduced to a publike policy was among the Jewes and by his owne appointment was governed by a settled imparity of High-Priest Priests Levites 3. The Evangelicall Church was founded by our Saviour in a knowne imparity for though the Apostles were equall among themselves yet they were above the 70. and all other Disciples and were specially indued with power from on high 4. The same God and Saviour after his Assention did set severall ranks and orders of the holy Ministry First Apostles Secondly Prophets Thirdly Teachers c. all which acknowledged the eminence and authority of the Apostles 5. The Apostles after the Assention of our Saviour by the direction of Gods spirit did exercise that power and superiority of spirituall Jurisdiction over the rest of the Church which was given them by Christ and stood upon their Majority above all other Ministers of the Gospell 6. The same Apostles did not carry that power up to heaven with them and leave the Church unfurnished with the due helpes of her further propagation and Government but by vertue of this power and by the same direction of Gods spirit ordayned in severall parts spirituall guides and Governours of Gods people to ayde and succeede them 7. The spirituall persons so by them ordained were at the first promiscuously called Bishops and Presbyters and managed the Church affaires by common advice but still under the Government of the Apostles their Ordayners and overseers 8. But when the Apostles found that Quarrels and Emulations grew in the Church even while many of them were living through the Parity of Presbyters and side takings of the people The same Apostles by the appointment and direction of the same spirit raised in each City where the Church was more frequent one amongst the Presbyters to a more eminent Authority then the rest to succeed them in their ordinary power of ordination and censure and encharged them peculiarly with the care of Church-Government such were Timothy and Titus and those which were stiled the Angells of the seven Asian Churches 9. These selected persons were then and ever since distinguished from the rest by the name Episcopi-Bishops 10. In the very times of the Apostles and by the imposition of their hands there were divers such persons setled in the Church of God being severally ordayned and appointed to the over-sight of those populous Citties where their charge lay to whom all the Presbyters and Deacons were subject 11. These Bishops continued their fixed superiority over their Clergy all the time of their life with the well allowed expresse of spirituall Jurisdiction and after their death other Presbyters were chosen to succeed them by the due imposition of the hands of their fellow Bishops 12. There was no Church of Christ upon earth ever since the times of the Apostles governed any otherwise then by Bishops thus successively after decease ordayned 13. This course of Government thus set by the Apostles in their life time by the speciall direction of the holy spirit is not alterable by any humane Authority but ought to be perpetuated in the Church to the end of the world 14. Those which in the new Testament are called the Elders of the Church were no other then spirituall persons such as had the charge of feeding the Flocke of Christ by Word and Doctrine 15. It is not lawfull for any Lay-person to lay hands on those which are to be ordayned nor to have any hand in managing the Censures of the Church which onely pertaine to them who have the power of the Keyes delivered to them by Christ 16. There was never any Lay Presbyter heard or read of in the Church of Christ in any History untill this present age All which wee declare to the Doctrine and Judgement of the Church of England concerning these points of Church Government These Propositions were thus endorsed with the Arch-Bishops owne hand Rec. Decemb. 29. 1639. Bishop Hall of Exeter his propositions concerning Episcopacy These perhaps may be thought fit for a subscription of others There were two more Letters which passed between these Prelates about this subject and Book which we have referred to a more proper place where you may peruse them All which compared together will fully discover the whole plot and designe of the Archbishop and his confederates in maintaining their Lordly Episcopall Superiority to be of divine Institution and Right and how it was driven on by them till it brake them all in pieces by the authority and Justice of the present Parliament The last head I shall mention is the summe and substance of all the fore-mentioned namely 21. That the Church of Rome is a true visible Church and never erred in fundamentalls no not in the worst times That she is the Ancient holy Mother Church That her Religion and ours of the Church of England is all one That men may be saved in that Church and Religion as well as in ours and that it is a crime to be recanted to hold Papists as Papists to be damned This main comprehensive Proposition ratifies and clearly demonstrates to us the true drift scope of all the former to wit a 〈◊〉 and reconciliation with the Church of Rome the foundation whereof was first laid by this Arch-bishops creature Bishop Mountague who determines thus in his Gagge pag. 14. The Articles of our Creed are confessed on both sides and held plain enough The controverted points are of a larger and an inferior alloy of them a man may be ignorant without any danger of his soul at all pag. 50. Moderate men on both sides confesse this controversie may cease Ecclesia Romana manet Christi Ecclesia sponsa c. In his Appeal pag. 136. Since there first was a Church in England France Spain and Rome there hath not ceased to be a true Church there pag. 139. The Church of Rome is and ever was a true Church since it was a Church pag. 113. I am absolutely perswaded that the Church of Rome is a true though not a sound Church of Christ as well since as before the Councell of Trent In essentialls and fundamentalls they agree in holding one faith in one Lord. This Position was strenuously maintained by Master Chomley and Butterfield who soon after turned Seminary Priest in their Books against Master Burtons Babel no Bethel wherein they justified the Church of Rome to be a true Church this being the subject matter of both their Treatises Tho. Chuneus in his Collectiones Theologicae
constant care to uphold and maintaine the Religion prefessed in the Church of England in its purity without Error or Corruption Doth therefore hereby declare His Royall Will and pleasure to be and doth straightly Charge and Command all persons of what degree quality or condition soever to whose hands any of the said Bookes are or shall come that without delay they deliver or send them to the Bishop or Chancellor of the Diocesse whom His Majestie requireth to cause the same to be publikly burnt as such of them as have beene already seized on have beene by His Majesties expresse Commande And to this His Majesties Royall Pleasure he requireth all his loving Subjects to yeeld all doe Conformity and Obedience as they will avoid the censure of high Contempt God save the KING Given at Our Court at White-hall the fourteenth yeare of Our Reigne Vpon this Proclamation some few of these Bookes were seised and publikely burnt in Smithfield the poore Printer Oakes imprisoned divers Monthes almost to his utter undoing though he proved he complained of it to Doctor Haywood who commanded him to proceed but the Stationer was brought Ore tenus to the Star-Chamber and charged with the insertion of the Popish Passages after the Doctor had expunged them which he denied where the Archbishop made a Speech to cleare himselfe and his Chaplaine in which there was not one word of truth after which the Stationer was ordered to be committed to Prison and to find out the Translator which he affirming he could not do if he were imprisoned thereupon his imprisonment was respited and no further examination had of this foule businesse then to cleare the Archbishop and his Chaplaine by this devise in the meane time Mr. Prynnes Crosse Bill which truly related all the carriage of the businesse was suppressed that so the truth of it which he thou could would have manifested by sundry punctuall witnesses had he been permitted might never come to publike knowledge to the Archbishops and his Chaplaines shame who abused his Majesty and the People with false representations of this businesse which was now charged proved and testified against him at the Barre by Mr. Prynne Mistresse Oakes Michaell Sparke Senior and others to his shame The Epistle to a devout Soul written by a Friar then newly translated into English was licenced the selfe same day for the same Stationer that Sales book was being as full of Popery as it vvhich Mr. Prynne likewise charging in his Crosse Bill thereupon some of the Bookes were seized by the Stationers and the rest vented in private But Sales to make the Papists ammends was soone after reprinted here withall the Popery in it and sould publikely without restraint notwithstanding his Majesties Proclamation which was but a meere Pageâ—â—â— and devise of the Archbishops to cleare himselfe and his Chaplaine Having thus given you a summary Catalogue of the Popish Bookes Sermons licenced and published by him his Chaplaines and Agents we shall next present you with a List or Extract of the severall Popish Errors Doctrines Positions Paradoxes authorized and maintained in them most of them so grosse so execrable that they never durst appeare in any of our Impressions from the infancy of Reformation till this Arch-Prelate became their Patriot We shall begin with Auricular Confession and the power of Priests to remit sinnes the summe whereof is this 1. That Priests have not only a Ministeriall but an Authoritative and Juditiall Power to râ—mit sine confessed And that we ought frequently to confesse our sins to our Priests and Confessors at least once every Month especially in Lent We read in the Popes Nuntio compiled by the Venetian Ambassador concerning the Negotiation of Signior Panzanioes p. 12. That an English Doctor told Panzanioes friend that the King did approve of Auricular Confession was willing to introduce it and would use force to make it received were it not for feare of Sedition amongst the people Certainly all who shall read these ensuing authorized passages touching Auricular confession of Sins to Priests Confessors of Priests not only Ministeriall but Iuditiall Power to remit sinnes will undoubtedly beleive that at least our Popish Priests Prelates and this Archbishop in particular had a plotted resolution to introduce Auricular confession and set up an Authoritative Iuditiall power in Priests to receive confessions and remit sinnes confessed in all his Majesties Dominions The Passages to this purpose are these Mountagues Gagge p. 78. 83. 84. It is confessed that all Priests and none but Priests have power to forgive sinnes It is confessed that private confession unto a Priest is of very ancient practise in the Church we urge it and perswade it in extremis ut supra we require it in case of perplexity and likewise before the receiving of the Lords Supper according to which Doctrine and Injunction our Bishops do or should enquire of it in their Visitations touching the use and neglect of this so good an order VVhich he thus seconds in his Appeale p. 299. My words are It is confessed that private confession unto a Priest is of very Ancient practise in the Church of excellent use and benefit being discrectly handled We refuse it to none if men require it if need be to have it we urge and perswade it in extremis Wee require it in case of perplexity for the quieting of men disturbed in their consciences This is my Popery per partes for wariant whereof I bring my witnesse and authority the Injunction direction and practise of the Church and of the Bishops accordingly in the Church that which their Mother holy Church hath commanded in that sort and case to be observed pag. 312. Priests have power not only to pronounce but to give remission of sinnes which seemeth to be the Doctrine of the Communion Book in the Visitation of the sicke where the Priest saith And by his Authority committed unto me I absolve thee from all thy sinnes It is Justifiable it is the Doctrine and practise of the Church of England Pag. 315. 316. Informers it is confessed that all Priests and none but Priests have power to forgive sinnes And is it not so confessed when by publique warrant in ordination that power is given unto all Priests to doe soe in those solemne words of Ordination whose sinnes you forgive they are forgiven c. But with you Puritans this Doctrine and practice of the Church is held to bee Popery And here you inferre that Priests have no more power to do this than Laymen here you cast confession upon both one and other and Laymen may heare it aswell as a Priest and therefore it is probable you will not be very precise for Absolution to conferre it on a Layman as well as on a Priest But such absolution is a part of that Priestly power which could not be given by men or Angels but onely and immediatly by Almighty God himselfe a part of that Paramount power which the
better maintenance of Ministers and Preachers where there was most need that they bought them with their own moneyes and the monyes of their friends and disposed the revenues thereof to none nor placed any Minister in any Church but such as they took more then ordinary care should be throughly examined by the Ordinary of the place for his Sufficiency and full Conformity by law required And therefore hee besought him earnestly that he would not use his power to hinder and destroy so good a work but rather to cherish and further it And if he disliked either the Persons who managed it or the course they took in ordering the same they would appoint such other meet persons and rules for the regulating and carrying on of that pious worke as he should think fit But notwithstanding this and all other Arguments he could use and earnestly presse him withall the Bishop with much passion expresly declared his resolution to break the neck of this good worke that it should not proceed Whereupon an Information was exhibited against the Feoffees by his procurement in the Eschequer Chamber in the Kings name by Mr Noy the Kings Attorny Generall and sentence given against them for seising all the Impropriations they had purchased and monyes received by them into the Kings hands whereby this good worke was destroy'd the profits diverted to other uses as appears by the Docquet Book ultimo Decembris 1638. and Sir William Whitmores Petition to the Archbishop Novemb. 13. 1633. found in his study and deboyst scandalous unworthy Ministers such as had been formerly turned out by other BPS put in to them wheras they maintained sundry godly Ministers and six Lecturers at S. Antholins with the profits of the Impropriations purchased After which Mr White attested there was another Information put by the Kings Attorny into the Exchequer criminally against these Feoffees as grand Delinquents and that by this Archbishops direction as was manifested by a Note produced by Mr Prynne under Secretary Windebanks own hand to this effect IT is his Majesties pleasure that the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace the Lord Keeper the Lord Archbishop of Yorks Grace the Lord Treasurer the Lord Privy Seal the Earl Marshall the Lord Cottington Mr Secretary Cook and my self calling to us Mr Atturny Generall shall consider whether the Feoffees which have been questioned in the Exchequer for the Feofment of Impropriations shall be proceeded against Criminally and if so then whether in the Court of Exchequer or in Star-chamber Dated at Whitehall 17. of January 1633. Fran. Windebanke Mr Thomas Foxly a reverend Divine deposed upon Oath Viva Voce That about Eight years since William Laud now Archbishop of Canterbury did put down his Lecture on Fridayes at Saint Martins in the fields for fear as he pretended least those that came thereunto should infect the Kings Queenes and such Noble mens houses as were in that Parish with the Plague though there then dyed very few in and about London of that disease the Plague not being then in that Parish when his sayd Lecture was suppressed though God brought it into the Parish the very next weeke after its suppression by means whereof this deponent was deprived of his present livelyhood After which he being brought before the said Bishop for divers frivilous matters whiles he was Bishop of London and cleared of them because there was no colour of Crime against him The said Bishop charged him for intermedling with the businesse of buying in Impropriations and thereby endeavouring as he expressed by putting his fingers to his Girdle and shaking of it to bring the Bishops under the Feoffees Girdles for Impropriations and when this deponent answered him that this could not be since the Ministers on which they bestowed the said Impropriations were sent to the respective Bishops of every Diocesse to be approved by them he answered that if he had known this deponent to be so busie in this matter of redeeming Impropriations he should not have so easily gotten off before as he did And he farther deposed that about nineteen Moneths before this present Parliament he having a Chamber in London and study in Canewood neer Highgate was rifled by Pursevants and taken and kept Prisoner for two Dayes and two Nights space by vertue of a generall warrant to search for Popish Books and suspected Persons and bidden to choose whether he would be brought before the now Archbishop or Sir John Lambe whereupon he bid the Pursevant carry him whither he would who carryed him to Sir John Lambe who told him he must put in Bond to appear the next Thursday at the High Commission which he did accordingly on which Thursday morning by meanes of Dr Bray he obtaining speech which the said Archbishop desired him to grant him one weekes time to consider whether he might take the oath Ex officio or not which he hardly granting the said Archbishop said He had almost forgotten him but by way of threatning said he remembred him about the businesse of the Feoffees to which the deponent replyed That he was encouraged therein by Bishops and Privy Councellors who sometimes conceived it to be a very good worke to redeem Impropriations and so he was desired to appear the Thursday following But the very next Lords day another Pursevant was sent to this deponent who bringing him to the Councell Chamber door and there attending about halfe an Hour a warrant under the said Archbishops hand and five others was delivered to the said Pursevant to carry him to the Gate house where he was kept close Prisoner in a Chamber not four yards square for the space of twenty months not having the allowance of pen and Inke to Petition that he might know whom or wherein he had offended that so he might repent through God gives leave yea calls upon the greatest sinners to Petition to him and at three Months end he growing very sick by reason of his close Imprisonment and for want of one to cut his Haire which he used to wear short for his health fell very sick his wife thereupon Petitioned time after time to have access to him being at the very point of death as his keeper informed her but could neither by her selfe nor any other friends procure accesse unto him untill such time as Sir Mathew Lister was appointed by the Privy Coucell to come unto him to see in what ill case he was upon whose certificate and fifty shillings paid Sir William Beâ—cher and his man so soon as it could be procured from Friends she had a warrant to come and bring one Phisitian and Chirurgian unto him to let him blood and permission to repair unto him during his sicknesse but no longer In which strict close Imprisonment by the said Archbishops procurement he continued till about a Moneths space after this present Parliament began and then upon a Petition of his wives to the House of Commons he was released without bayl and his said
upon the Lord Keepers and Master of the Wards Rights of presenting to the Kings livings with my preferment of divers Arminians and persons popishly affected to Prebendaries and Benefices of best value as Doctor Heylin Doctor Weekes Doctor Baker Doctor Bray Doctor Heywood and others To this I answer First that I encroached not upon either of their rights True it is there being a difference between the Lord Keeper Coventry and the Lord Cottington Master of the Court of Wards about the presentation towards livings in the Kings gift I took occasion thereupon to informe his Majesty that till the controversie were decided between them he might doe well to dispose of these livings himselfe for the encouragement and reward of such young Schollers that went to Sea as Chaplaines in his Ships who had nothing to live on after their returne from Sea till they went forth againe which motion the King approving of very well committed the disposing of these livings accordingly to my charge without my desire or suit Secondly I disposed of livings to divers good and orthodox men as to Doctor Jackson of Canterbury and others as well as to the persons objected who were not all preferred by me for Doctor Heylin was promoted to his livings by the Earle of Danby Doctor Baker and Doctor Weekes were preferred by the Bishop of London To which was replyed First that most of the living belonging to the Lord Keeper and Master of the Wards were bestowed by him of which both of them oft complained therefore he encroached upon both which none of his Predecessors did For those belonging to the Mastership of the Wards he confesseth he disposed of them by the Kings appointment but that it was upon the pretended occasion without his seeking or desire though occasioned onely his motion we know not how to credit his bare word without better evidence who hath had the impudency to deny his owne hand-writing very often since his Tryal and afterwards been enforced to confesse it Secondly his collation of Livings upon orthodox good men are so few that he names but one Doctor Jackson of Canterbury and that when he had so farre prevailed upon his weaknesse by a new Cathedrall Statute and Oath as to induce him to Bow to the Altar c. as frequently as other Prebends which he hath deposed to his great shame and re-greet since this one Swallow therefore will prove no Spring no proofe of his ordinary preferring orthodox godly men to livings which he commonly bestowed on the most rotten Arminians and popish Clergy-men he could cull out Thirdly the Docquet Booke is expresse that Doctor Heylin was promoted to his livings and Prebendary by himselfe not by the Earle that Doctor Baker and Weekes too were preferred by him not by the Bishop of London and Weekes being his owne Chaplaine and Baker made a Prebend of Canterbury where no man durst interpose but he no doubt they were both preferred by him as the DOCQUET witnesseth on Record against his impudent Deniall without other proofe or truth The fixt Objection is that I usurped to me the conferring of most Bishopricks and Ecclesiasticall preferments in Ireland I answer first that I preferred none there but at the request of the Primate of Armagh and others of that Kingdome who first recommended them to me by their Letters Secondly that I was a meanes at their request to recover the Patrimony of the Churches in that Kingdome which had been long defrauded of it to restore Impropriations and increase the Revenues of Bishopricks and Church-livings there for the encouragement of Learning and better maintenance of Preaching in which regard they were desirous I should be acquainted with the persons they thought meet to have recommended to them This appears by the substance of most of the Letters that passed between the Lord Primate and other Bishops of Ireland and me To which was replied First that we instanced in his bestowing Bishopricks Deaneries and other Church-preferments in Ireland onely to demonstrate the Papall usurpation and Patriarchicall Jurisdiction he there encroached even whiles he was Bishop of London and to evidence his power in disposing of all Ecclesiastical preferments then at home since he disposed of these in Ireland where he had no Episcopall or Archiepiscopall Jurisdiction Secondly that most of those he there preferred were never recommended from thence though some of them perchance were Thirdly that although the recovery of the usurped depopulated Patrimony of that Church in Ireland was a commendable worke if done in a Legall way yet to recover it per fas nefas as he did it by the meere arbitrary power of the Lord Deputy Councell Table there by oppressing ruining dispossessing men of what they had lawfully purchased against their wils without any consideration or legall proceeding was a most unjust and wicked act Fourthly justly to recover and get in Impropriations to maintaine Preaching was a very good worke had this beene his end but certainly this was but a meere pretence for would he thinke you set up sincere Preaching in Ireland who suppressed it all he could in England Would he who subverted the Feoffees for purchasing in Impropriations to the Church to support Preaching and Preaching Ministers in England recover and get in Impropriations to the Church in Ireland to support Preaching and Preaching Ministers there No verily He did it onely to maintain the Pompe Power Pride State of the Prelates and Clergy there as he did in England not to maintain or set up godly Preaching Ministers which he both here and there suppressed all he could The fourteenth thing objected against me is my prosecution and severe proceedings against godly Ministers for Preaching against Arminianisme Popery and its dangerous increase among us as namely against Master Samuel Ward Master Chauncy and Master Bernard To this I answer first that these persons Censures were the Act of the whole High-Commission which is but one body aggregate for whose Act no one particular man is liable to be questioned but the whole Court not mine alone as an Act of Parliament is the Act of both Houses not of any particular Member who gave my voyce alwayes last or last but one and so could not sway the Court with my opinion not knowne to the Court till I delivered it after all had declared theirs Secondly that the Act of Parliament which lately abolished the Star-chamber and High-Commission hath no retrospect to nullifie the Sentences given in them but admits them good and valid in Law not subjecting the Judges who gave them to any punishment Thirdly their Sentences appeared to me to be just upon just grounds and admit the Sentences or Proceedings unjust yet it is but a misdemenour in others of the Commissioners that gave them therefore no Treason in me Fourthly the Passages and Sermons for which they were Sentenced were partly Schismaticall against the laudable Ceremonies of the Church and the Kings Declaration partly Seditious
Romans differed from our Church in some points of Doctrine touching the Kings Supremacy concurring therein with the Papists for which his Book was here publickly condemned burnt and likewise in some other points therefore it could not be properly said that their Religion and ours was the same in all particulars Secondly it seemed to determine a great controversie between Protestant Divines among themselves and likewise between them and the Church of Rome whether the Pope be Antichrist which was never yet determined by any Councell and of which there is great doubt and difference in opinion even among the learned Now I conceived it a very unfitting thing to determine such a doubtfull controversie definitively by Letters Patents under the great Seale which is not yet resolved in the Schooles Upon these grounds the King thought fit to revoke the Patent though it were under the Great Seale which I had no power to recall but the KING onely Thirdly I deny that I called in the Declaration of the Palsgraves Religion neither doe I rememeber any such thing Fourthly it is true that I questioned the Dutch and Walloone Churches but not for any ancient Priviledges but onely for their encroachments beyond their priviledges to the prejudice of our English Churches and Parishes wherein they lived yet my Injunctions and proceedings towards them in this kind were so faire and just that they rested satisfied with them and returned me speciall thanks for my favour towards them and their Congregations therefore I much mervaile that this my carriage should be so much blamed as to make it a CAPITALL CRIME and CHARGE against me To this was replyed in the generall that the premised proofes with his late military proceedings against the Scots for complying with those Churches in their Doctrine Discipline Government sufficiently evidence his enmity to his opposition against those forraigne Protestant Churches because they had no Bishops insomuch that he blamed Bishop Hall for dealing so mildly with them in his Book for Episcopacy which he submitted to his censure where on the contrary he is so zealous of the Popes honour that he could not but complaine to the King of some harsh passages in it bestowing the Title of Antichrist on his Holinesse and procured a speciall command from his Majesty to the Bishop to expunge them to gratifie the Pope yea his purging out the objected clause in the Kings Patent and suppressing of the Declaration of Palatinate Churches Faith and Religion argues little affection in him to those Churches and much inward rancour against them but a very high esteem of Rome As for his encouraging of Master Dury in his designe of reconciling the Calvinists and Lutherans Master Dury undertook this worke without his privity or advice and found so small encouragement from him that he oft complained thereof to his friends as we are credibly informed To the particulars we reply First that in his Conference with Fisher he doth not recite but misrecite and pervert Saint Jeroms words and opinion who dogmatically resolves in his very Epistle to Evagrius which this Archbishop quotes and elswhere That Bishops and Presbyters Jure Divino are both one and the same as well in Jurisdiction as Office and that Presbyters have the power of Ordination as well as Bishops Therefore his appropriating of the word Sacerdos and Jeroms saying Vbi non est Sacerdos non est Ecclesia to Diocesian Bishops which he cleerly meanes of Priests and Ministers in generall is a grosse perverting of Jeroms meaning and his inferene thence So even with him NO BISHOP and NO CHVRCH is only a Declaration of his owne private opinion not of Jeroms who held no such Prelaticall Paradox For Bishop Mountagues Book it was licensed by his Chaplaine presented to received approved by himselfe Bishop Hals Propositions were not onely interlined with but allowed under his owne hand as fit for a generall subscription and now he justifies them not onely by Bishop Bilsons opinion but likewise by Master Calvins as great an enemy to Bishops as Saint Jerome whose words he wilfully perverts as he did his in applying that to Diocesian Bishops which he spake onely of ordinary Ministers who succeeded the Apostles in their Ministeriall Function In briefe his owne Conference together with Mountagues Book and Bishop Hals Propositions approved by him doe necessarily unchurch all the reformed Protestant Curches un-minister all their Ministers and make them no Churches no Ministers of Christ whereas he averres the Church of Rome to be a true Church and her Priests to be true Ministers as we have formerly proved therefore he must needs be guilty of the extreamest malignity and anmity against them what ever he pretends to the contrary Secondly he denies and yet at last justifies and maintains what we charge him with to wit that he denies the Religion of forraign Protestant Churches to be the same with ours or to be true Religion he instanceth in the opinion of Paraeus whose Commentary on the Romans he caused to be burnt as erronious when as he writes no more then Bilson did before him whom himself hath cited in defence of Episcopacy other orthodox Writers of our Church have maintained publickly for truth before since As for the burning of Paraus his Book being of a forraign Nation and no Subject to our King without summoning him to defend himselfe it was an unjust rash inconsiderate action to say no more as his Son hath manifested to the world in print who hath justified his Fathers opinion to the full as orthodox However the extravagant opinion of one Palatinate Divine in point onely of the Kings Supremacy not about any Article of Faith cannot make the reformed Churches and ours to be of different Religions especially since he argues in his Star-chamber Speech that the Papists Religion and ours are both one though we differ in some private Tenets Yea his deniall of the Protestants Religion in forraigne parts to be the true Religion when as he contends that Rome is a true Church argues his virulency against the one and good affection to the other Thirdly the calling in of the Declaration of the Palsgraves Religion is directly and punctually proved to be his act its impudency therefore in him to deny it and policy not to remember it Fourthly for the purgation and revocation of the Letters-Patents he not onely confesseth but shamelesly justifies it most undutifully laying the blame the scandall of it on the King himselfe who did naught therein but by his instigation and that upon two false scandalous grounds First that the Religion of the forraigne Palatinate Churches and ours differ and are not the same then which falshood nothing can procure a greater scisme and juster ground of scandall between us and those Churches Secondly that no Councill had defined the Pope to be Antichrist of which there was great variety of opinions amongst Protestant Divines touching the same unfit to be decided by the Kings Letters-Patents Therefore
after the Triall and above 2 Moneths after the Execution this work was delegated by the Commons unto me at which time most of the Papers Notes Books Evidences used at his tryall were laid aside and dispersed into severall mens hands whereby much time was spent before I could recollect and marshall them into Order to digest this History out of them Secondly since the assignment of this task unto my care I have been almost every day taken up with publike imployments for the State at the Committee of Accounts and elsewhere besides the dayly avocations of my particular calling my onely support since our unhappy Wars so as I have had few vacant hours to compile it but those I have borrowed from my naturall rest whiles others have bin sleeping Thirdly I have since this undertaking been necessitated to write publish sundry other Impressions uncapable of delay in defence of the Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction of Parliaments Civill Magistrates and concerning Ecclesiasticall Censures and Church-Government against Independents Anabaptists others yea to Vindicate the Parliaments just Proceedings with mine own Innocency against the seditious Anti-parliamentary Libels of that notorious impudent Libeller and Lyat L. Col. Lilburn who still persevers in his trespasses to the dishonour and scandall of publike justice All which considered I suppose Your Honours and others will easily beleeve I wanted no diligence but leisure onely for the speedier accomplishment of this work wherein notwithstanding I have not been negligent witnesse my publication of the Breviate of the Archbishops life and of A necessary Introduction of his Tryall amounting to a large Volume sufficient to assoyle me from the least imputation of idlenesse or negligence in this very subject Fourthly Adde hereunto the voluminousnesse of this First Part of the Archbishops Tryal onely with the variety of the matter charges therein conteined the trouble I had in digesting the Labour in compiling writing reveiwing fitting it for and Correcting Revising it at the Presse with the coldnesse of this last winters Vacation when neither pen nor Presse could worke for sundry weekes together and compare this with the former reasons and the Printers slacknesse which hath delayed it very much and then I doubt not but your Honours and all others will rather wonder how I could possibly compleat this Voluminous Part so speedily then question or quarrell with me why it comes forth so slowly it being work enough to have swallowed up all my time since the Order had I had no other imployments to divert me To the second demand I must returne this Answer First that I published this History thus in parcells for want of time to compleat and print it all together in due season Secondly that the long expectation of this Tryall and mens calling for it every day induced me to satisfie their longing appetites with these First-fruits of it concerning Religion the thing most looked most inquired after both at home and abroad till the full crop be ripened for the harvest which will require some warmer moneths to concoct it ere it can attain to maturity Thirdly The great Charge of the Stationer in Printing this first Part the voluminousnesse and price whereof hath I fear out-swelled most Chapments purses in these Indegent times with the serious consideration of the incertainty of my life and future opportunity in these dayes of War and mortality to finish the remainder of this Worke which God willing I intend to compleat and publish with all convenient speed have induced me rather to gratifie your Honours and the World with these First fruits for the present then to hazard the depriving you of it or the whole History if deferred till all were compleated Having answered these demands I shall now crave liberty and your Noble Patience to raise some profitable Observations from the Subject matter of this History not unworthy your Honours saddest thoughts If you consider the meane obscure Parentage of this Arch-Prelate his grand Preferments the great mischiefes he did in Church State and his Execution after all it may suggest these profitable contemplations to your minds First That God by his power and all-disposing providence can raise up Persons of the lowest place or Parentage to the highest Pinacles of worldly Honour according to that in the 1 Sam. 2. 8. and Psal 118. 7 8. He raiseth up the Poor out of the dust and lifteth up the Beggar from the dunghill to set them among the Princes and make them inherite the Throne of glory 2. That God can make the most vile and despicable persons in the world grand Pests or Punishments to whole Kingdomes Nations when he pleaseth Dan. 11. 21 22. 1 Kings 11. 26. c. 12. 2. c. c. 13. 14. even as he made Frogs Lice Caterpillers the vilest creatures a very sore plague to King Pharaoh and the whole Kingdome of Egypt Exod. c. 7. 8. and 9. 3. That persons sodainly advanced from the lowest degree of men to the highest pitch of honour proove commonly the most insolent violent domineering imperious tyrannicall and mischievous of all such preferments being unable to weld or mannage the greatnesse of their fortune See Mat. 24. 48. to the end 2 Chro. 10. 8. to 16. Eccles 10. 1. 6 7. Psal 73. 6. to 13. Iob. 21. 7. to 20. Fourthly That grand preferments without great grace to mannage improve them to Gods glory and the common good are greater judgements than blessings and for the most part the immediate occasions of mens greatest ruin by their evill Councells or ill managing of their greatnesse to the publike prejudice Ps 73. 3. to 21. Iob 21. 7. c. Psal 37. 1. 2. Ester c. 3. to 8. Fifthly That mischievous Councellours and wicked Instruments in Church State though never so great in power or Favour with their Princes for a season seldome escape condigne exemplary punishment at the last and that no greatnesse whatsoever is able finally to protect mischevous Grandees from the hand of publike justice Ester 7. 1 Kings 2. 28. to 35. Let all great ones then seriously consider this and remember Canterbury lest they dye and fall like him If we again observe his Preferments Actions Proceedings and miserable end as a Clergy man we may raise these profitable observations from this History of his Tryall which all Prelates Clergy men may do well to consider is oft as they thinke of Canterbury First that when Clergy men cast aside or neglect their callings and turne meer Statesmen they commonly prove the very worst and most oppressive Persons of all others Matth. 5. 13. 2. Thess 2. 3. Secondly That one over potent Prelate backed with a Kings Royall power and favour is able to unsetleReligion where it is best established and embroyle ruine the most flourishing Churches Kingdomes in few yeares space 2 Thess 2. 4. 9 10 11 12. Revel 13. 2. to 18. Thirdly That there are no such desperate underminers persecutors suppressors of Gods true Religion Saints people as over potent wicked
him but he could not be found The transgressors shall be destroyed together the end of the wicked shall be cut off And though for a time they are not in trouble neither are they plagued like other men Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chaine violence covereth them as a garment c. Yet if thou observe their endes thou must needes conclude with the same Psalmist Ps 73. 18. 19 20 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places thou castedst them down into destruction How are they brought into desolation as in a moment they are utterly consumed with Terrors As a dreame when one awaketh so O Lord when thou awakest thou shalt despise their image That of Zophar being really verified in this Arch Prelate Job 20. 5. to 10. The triumphing of the Wicked is short and the joy of an hypocrite but for a moment Though his excellency mount unto the Heavens and his head reach unto the clouds Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung they which have seen him shall say Where is he He shall fly away as a dreame and shall not be found The eye which saw him shall see him no more neither shall his place any more behold him Secondly hence thou maiest learne the truth of Solomons Observation Prov. 21. 30. There is no wisdome nor understanding nor counsell against the Lord. Certainly all such wisdome counsell as this imployed against God his Ordinances Gospell people though never so accurately managed so politickly contrived so powerfully backed so successefully advanced for a time will in conclusion be brought to nought and made of none effect Ps 33. 10. Acts 5. 38. Isay 19. 11 12 13. c. 8 9. 10. Job 9. 4. Whereas the counsell cause and Church of God maugre all opposition shall stand for ever and cannot be overthrown Ps 33. 11. Acts 5. 39. Isay 46. 10. Thirdly Let all Gods people learne from hence never to fear the force threats or power of the greatest Persecutors breathing since they are but mortall men who shall themselves be troden down and brought to Judgement in Gods due time During my many yeares heavy pressures under this Arch-Prelates Tyranny my spirit was exceedingly elevated even to a magnanimous contempt and holy slighting of all his overswaying power menaces proceedings as most despicable with the consideration of these two Scriptures which were ever fresh in my thoughts Isay 51. 12. 13. I even I am he that comforteth you who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye or of the sonne of man that shall be made as grasse And forgettest the Lord thy maker who stretched forth the Heavens and laid the foundations of the Earth and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressour as if he were ready to destroy and where is the fury of the oppressour And Ps 92. 7 8 9. When the wicked spring as the grasse and all the Workers of iniquity do flourish it is that they shall be destroyed for ever But thou O Lord art most high for evermore For loe thine enemies O Lord loe thine enemies shall perish and all the Workers of iniquity shall be scattered Certainly he who beleeves these sacred Texts and meditates seriously on them will never dread the potency tâ—raâ—ny or menaces of any mortall in a good cause or quarrell Fourthly Meditate from hence the vanity instability and danger of greatness without goodnesse the impotency of the greatest humane power honour favour to exempt or secure evil Counsellors or publike Malefactors from the sword of Justice The unhappy fatall ends of Wicked Royall Favourites who by humouring their Princes in unjust oppressive courses usually in the conclusion do but destroy themselves and prejudice their Princes most of any as this Arch-Prelate hath done The certain ruine of all bloody Persecutors of Gods people together with the infinite wisdome and power of Almighty God who can wisely order over-rule the mischievous Plots malicious contrivances of his most desperate Enemies to advance his own Honour Cause Gospell People to effect the quite contrary to what they intended and to bring about his own ends and their downfalls Many such cordiall meditations and sweet contemplations will this History afford thee for thy comfort thy incouragement in thy constant Christian profession in times of greatest danger and hottest persecution The good Lord so sanctifie it and them to thy Soul that this Archbishop who by his Life and Doctrine wrought so much mischiefe and sorrow to our Church for a season but no present good at all may bring much consolation Edification to it and thee by this his Triall and Death Farewell A COMPLEAT HISTORY OF The Commitment Charge Tryall Condemnation and Execution of WJLLJAM LAVD late Arch-Bishop of CANTERBVRT VVIlliam Laud borne in Reading of obscure Parents having through flattery and other sinister meanes by severall gradations insinuated himselfe into high favour at Court and climbed up to divers Ecclesiasticall promotions in our Church till at last he mounted to the very Pinacle of his ambition the Archbishoprick of Canterbury whereby he became Primate and Metropolitan of all England and to a Patriarch-ship or kinde of universal Papacy over all his Majesties Realmes who steerd their Ecclesiasticall affaires by his Compasse adoring him as their only Oraele and having likewise out of his insatiable ambition pragmatically intruded himselfe into all kind of secular Negociations inconsistent with his spirituall function so farre as to sway all State as well as Church-affaires according to the pleasure of his owne exorbitant will hereupon unable to mannage so great an Authority with that moderation as beseemed a Person of his profession he became so intollerably insolent violent extravagant in all his proceedings in Church and Republicke that no Pope nor Prelate whatsoever advanced from the lowest fortune to the hight of honour more really verified that Adagie of Claudian the Poet no not William Longchampe Bishop of Ely to whom Roger Houeden our Historian particularly applyed these lines of his long since Asperius 〈…〉 Câ—â—cta ferit 〈…〉 Vt se pâ—sse 〈…〉 Quam sâ—r vi nobiis in 〈…〉 Agnoscit geâ—itus et 〈…〉 nescit In so much as that Caracter which Gulielmus Nubrigensis gives us of our proud Prelate Longchamp and his tyrannicall oppressive deportment in Church in State by reason of his Ecclesiasticall and temporall united jurisdictions in the Raign of King Richard the first seemes purposely recorded to paint out the Cariage of this Arch-Prelate during all the yeares of his domineering Authority in the Raigne of Charles the first Ille sublato omniâ— obstaculo quo minus ambularet in magnis mirabilibus supra se fratus DVPLCIS id est APOSTOLIC A SIMVL ET 〈◊〉 A POTEST ATE CLERO â— ARâ—TER Eâ— POPVLOâ— ARROGANT◠〈…〉 Et â—â—cut â—â— quodam â—criptune est 〈…〉 pro dextera sic et ille ad faciliorum molicionum suarum efficatiam utraque potestate utebatur
pro altera Ad 〈…〉 vel exer cendos potentes Laicos si quid fortè ex seculari potentia minus poterat Apostolicâ— id ipsum potestatis censura supplebat Si autem ex Clero forte quispiam voluntati ejus obsisteret hunc procul dubio frustra pro se secundum Canones 〈…〉 oppressund pâ—centia 〈◊〉 Non â—â— at quâ— se absconderet à calore ejus cum et secularis in eo virgam vel gladium Apostolicae potestatis timeret ecclesiasticus nulla se 〈◊〉 vel auctoritate 〈…〉 regiam tueri valeat Denique ipsum ille tempore in Anglia ET PLVSQVAM REGEM experti sunt LAICI PLVS QV AM SV Mâ—VM PONTIFICE MCLEâ—ICI utrique vero TYR ANNVM INTOLERABILEM Quippe DVPLICIS OCCASIONE POTEST 〈…〉 ANNVM solis complicibus et cooperatoribus suis innoxius ceteris indifferenter non tantum pecuniarum ambitu verum etiam dominandi voluptate 〈…〉 Regius erat c. This Archbishop having 〈…〉 into his hands as Primat Metropolitan of 〈…〉 but likewise all temporall jurisdiction as a Privy Councellor an Assistant in the Star-Chamber a Commissioner for the Treasury for all kindes of Monopolies projects to raise monies without a Parliament and as the chiefe Royall Favourite at Court having most preferments officers Judges and by consequence most Courts of Justice Civill or Ecclesiasticall at his devotion did extreamly â—eâ— persecute and trample upon both the Laity Clergie that opposed any of his Innovations or Projects at his pleasure and those whom he could not conquer by his Episcopall hee would bee sure to overtop and crush by his temporall Authority So as the Laity upon all occasions found him more then a King and the Clergie more then a Pope both of them except his owne Creatures and Confederates only an into â—â—eiable yea double Tyrant by reason of his duplicated 〈…〉 by thousands of Godly Christians and Ministers were enforced to 〈…〉 in avoyd his â—â—â—ry and hundreds in the Starre-Chamber High Commission and Councell-Chamber oppressed close imprisoned fined banished pillored stigmatized spoyled of their eares freeholds callings liberties deprived degraded and quite undone by his oppreson hee being commonly more excessive extravagant violent in his publike Censures and Speeches then any other whatsoever having quite forgotten these Divine qualifications which the Apostle requireth in an EVANGELICALL BISHOP A Bishop must bee blamelesse as the Steward of God not selfe-willed not soone angry no striker not a brawler not lifted up with pride but a lover of good men sober just holy temperate gentle unto all men apt to teach patient in mâ—â—kenesse instructing those that oppose themselves And utterly abhorred that memorable precept of our most milde Saviour as Apocryphan or unmeer for his imitation Luke 6. 36. Bee you therefore mercifull as your heavenly Father is mercifull This ambitious Phaeton having thus mounted himselfe aloft in Phebus Chariot did drive it on with such fury and violence for sundry years that at last he set all our Churches and Realmes in a flaming fire which could not bee quenched by any other meanes but by wresting the reines of Government out of his usurping hand through the power and justice of our present Parliament which he held fast for sundry yeares in despite of all former Parliamentary or popular oppositions and precipitating him from his Chariot with a breake-neck blow by that Axe of publike Justice which lately severed his head from his shoulders in the view of thousands with which spectacle of justice Phebus himselfe was so well pleased that his clouded rayes immediately brake out most gloriously upon the place of execution and his radiant smiles expressed his well-pleasednes with this laudable Act of his execution for the severall high Treasons and capitall Crimes not onely objected but proved against him at his Tryall the History whereof and all proceedings relating thereunto I shall here represent unto the world with as much brevity and sincerity as possible not in the selfe same manner and method according to the order of the Articles as the Commons proceeded against him at the bar being more 〈…〉 intricare but in that more methodicall way as the first Breviate of the proofes against him was contrived and his evidence repeated and summed up at last both in the Lords and Commons House by Master Samuell Brown under those distinct generall heads to which all his charge and the proofes thereof were reduced I shall begin ab ovo with the very first proceedings against him in Parliament next proceed in order to his Tryall then to his Iudgment and Execution On the 16. of Decem. 1640. Vpon the condemnation of the New Canons in the House of Commons as being against the Kings Prerogative the fundamentall Laws of the Realme the liberty and property of the Subject and conteining diverse things tending to sedition and of dangerous consequence The Arch-bishop of Canterbury was there accused to be the Author of the chiefe Actor in them impeached likewise of High Treason whereupon a speciall Committee was appointed to inquire into all his actions and prepare a charge against him which I finde thus expressed in the Commons Journall 16. December 1640. THis Committee is to prepare the severall Votes concerning the New-Canons and to make them ready for this House to present the same to the Lords and to consider and examine who were the promoters of these new Canons and who the principle Actors and what execution hath been made upon them and by whom and to consider how farre the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury hath beene an Actor in all the proceedings of them and further to examine how farre he hath beene an Actor in the great designe of the subvertion of the Lawes of the Realme and of the Religion and to prepare and draw up a charge against him and such others as shall appeare offendors in these particulars and have power to send for parties witnesses Papers Bookes Records and to doe any other act which they in their judgements shall thinke fit to conduce to the businesse and are to meete at foure a Clocke this afternoone in the Star-Chamber The very same morning in the Lords House Hee was accused by the Scottish Commissioners for an Incendiary betweene both Kingdomes who promised to draw up and exhibite a complaint in writing against him the next morning which they accordingly performed Whereupon at a Conference of both Houses the Scots charge against him hereafter registred was the same morning read by the Lord Paget and after that reported to the Commons House On Friday the 18. of the same December the Arch-Bishop was impeached in the house of Commons of high Treason and Voted by the whole house to be a Traytor thus entred in their Iournall 18. December 1640. REsolved upon the Question that a Message shall be sent from this House to the Lords to accuse William Land Arch-Bishop of Canterbury of High-Treason in name of this House and of all the
had separated from Rome ever since the time of Reformatior An evill therefore which hath issued not so much from the personall disposition of the Prelates themselves as from the innate quality and nature of their Office and Prelaticall Hierarchie which did bring forth the Pope in Ancient times and never ceaseth till it bringeth forth popish Doctrine and worship where it is once rooted and the Principles thereof somented and constantly followed And from that antipathy and inconsistency of the two formes of Ecclesiasticall Government which they conceived and not without cause that one Island united also under one head and Monarch was not able to beare the one being the same in all the parts and powers which it was in times of Popery and now is in the Roman Church The other being the forme of Government received maintained and practised by all the Reformed Kirks wherein by their owne testimonies and confessions the Kirks of Scotland had amongst them no small eminencie This also we represent to Your Lordships most serious consideration that not only the fire-brands may be removed but that the fire may be provided against that there be no more combustion after this This charge of the Scots against the Arch-Bishop was usherd in with this Introduction in the Scotish Treatie which clearely manifests him to be excepted by name out of the Act of Pacification and Oblivion by the fourth clause thereof An Introduction to the accusation against Canterbury and the Leiutenant of IRELAND SEeing His Majestie hath beene Gratiously pleased concerning out fourth demand to declare that all his subjects shall be lyable to the tryall and sentence of the Parhament respective And seeing the Incendiaries are of two sorts either of the English or Scottish Nation to bee tryed here or there of the Scottish wee shall speake afterward And for the present we shall deliver to your Lordships the grounds of our complaint against the Prelate of Canterbury and the Leiutenant of Ireland whom the Kingdome of Scotland have conceived and expressed to have beene prime Incendiaries that they may be fully presented to your Lordshipps to the Kings Majesty and to the Parliament without prejudice alwayes unto us to adde hereafter what we shall find necessarie And although we do not presently verefie every point therein yet our present proofs of some principall points our probable presumptions of the rest which are annexed therewith are sufficient ground cum constat de incendio to one Nation to desire another to put them per viam transitionis to a tryall and to examine all the Councellors and others here who may be conceived to have beene eye or eare witnesses of any of the Councells speeches or Actions lyable to the Charge and for saving unnecessarie charges and travell to the subjects to direct Commissions and all other Warrants requisite to such as his Majesty and the Parliament shall think fit for examining all such persons as may be apprehended to have knowledge of any of these Councells Speeches or Actions which are alleadged to have beene in Ireland and that upon such Interrogatories as we shall give unto the Parliament shall be pleased to adde for triall All which we earnestly crave of his Majesty and the Parliament as we desire that his Majesty may be pleased to send Warrant to the Committee of at Esr like or to the Sheriffes of Shires for examining witnesse anent the oath pressed upon any of our Country men and other wrongs contained in the complaint if they be not sufficiently proved here 14. December 1640. After these Originall Articles exhibited against the Archbishop both by the Scottish Commissioners and House of Commons to the House of Peeres the Archbishop delaying to plead unto them and the Parliament being taken up with many emergent weighty affaires for their owne and the Kingdomes necessary preservation by reason of the unnaturall bloody Rebellion in Ireland and Warres in England so reploted and raised by the popish party the proceedings against him were respited neare two yeares space And then the Commons intending to bring him to a speedy triall exhibited these ensuing Additionall Articles against him not much different from the Originall except in some particulars Further Articles of Impeachment by the Commons assembled in Parliament against William Laud Archbishop of CANTERBVRY of high Treason and divers high Crimes and Misdemeanours as followeth 1. THat the said Archbishop of Canterbury to introduce an Arbitrary Government within this Realme and to destroy Parliaments in the third and fourth yeares of his Majesties reigne that now is a Parliament being then called and sitting at Westminster traiterously and maliciously caused the said Parliament to be dissolved to the great grievance of his Majesties subjects and prejudice of this Commonwealth And soone after the dissolution thereof gave divers Propositions under his hand to George then Duke of Buckingham casting therein many false aspersions upon the said Parliament calling it a factious Parliament and falsly affirming that it had cast many scandalls upon his Majesty and had used him like a child in his minority stiling them Puritans and commending the Papists for harmlesse and peaceable subjects 2. That within the space of ten yeares last past the said Archbishop hath treacherously endeavoured to subvert the fundamentall Lawes of this Realme and to that end hath in like manner endeavoured to advance the power of the Councell Table the Canons of the Church and the Kings Prerogative above the Lawes and Statutes of the Realme And for manifestation thereof about six yeares last past being then a Privy Councellor to his Majesty and sitting at the Councell Table he said that as long as he sate there they should know that an Order of that Board should be of equall force with a law or Act of Parliament And at another time used these words That he hoped ere long that the Canons of the Church and the Kings Prerogative should be of as great power as an Act of Parliament And at another time said that those that would not yeeld to the Kings power hee would crush them to peeces 3. That the said Archbishop to advance the Canons of the Church and power Ecclesiasticall above the law of the Land and to pervert and hinder the course of Iustice hath at divers times within the said time by his letters and other undue meanes and solicitations used to Iudges opposed and stopped the granting of his Majesties Writs of Prohibition where the same ought to have beene granted for stay ef proceedings in the Ecclesiasticall Court whereby justice hath beene delayed and hindered and the Iudges diverted from doing their duties 4. That for the end and purpose aforesaid about seaven yeares last past a Iudgment being given in his Majesties Court of Kings Bench against one Burley a Person being a man of bad life and conversation in an Information upon the Statute of 21. Hen. 8. for wilfull Non-residency the said Archbishop by solicitations and other undue meanes used to the Iudges
these men from it And that it may appear unto Your Lordships how many and of what condition the persons are which by Gods blessing upon my labours I have setled in the true Protestant Religion established in England I shall briefely name some of them though I cannot do it in order of time as I converted them Henry Berkinstead of Trinity Colledge Oxon seduced by a Jesuite and brought to London The Lords and others conceiving him to be Berchinhead the Author of all the Libellous Popish Oxford Aulicusses against the Parliament at the naming of him smiled which the Archbishop perceiving said My Lords I mean not Berchinhead the Author of Oxford Aulicus but another Two Daughters of Sir Richard Lechford in Surry sent towards a NVNNERIE Two Schollers of Saint Johns Colledge Cambridge Toppin and Ashton who had got the French Ambassadors passe and after this I allowed means to Toppin and then procured him a fellowship in Saint Johns And he is at this present as hopefull a young man as any of his time and a Divine Sir William Webbe my kinsman and two of his Daughters And his son I took from him and his Father being utterly decayed I bred him at my own charge and he is a very good Protestant A Gentleman brought to me by Master Chesford his Majesties servant but I cannot recall his name The Lord Mayo of Ireland brought to me also by Master Chesford The Right Honourable the Lord. Duke of Buckingham almost quite gone between the Lady his Mother and Sister The Lady Marquesse Hamilton was setled by my direction and shee dyed very religiously and a Protestant Master Digby who was a Priest Master James a Gentleman brought to mee by a Minister in Buckinghamshire as I remember Doctor Heart the Civilian my neighbours sonne at Fulham Master Christopher Seaburne a Gentleman of an ancient family in Herefordshire The Right Honourable the Countesse of Buckingham Sir William Spencer of Parnton Master Shillingworth The sonnes and heires of Master Winchcombe and Master Wollescott whom I sent with their friends liking to Wadham Colledge Oxford and received a Certificate Anno 1638. of their continuing in conformity to the Church of England Nor did ever any one of these named relapse againe but only the Countesse of Buckingham and Sir William Spencer it being only in Gods power not mine to preserve them from relapse And now let any Clergy man of England come forth and give a better accompt of his zeale to the Church This speech being ended all were commanded to withdraw In the withdrawing Master Hugh Peters who stood near the Archbishop demanded of him whether he was not ashamed to make such a bold challenge in so honourable an Auditory as he had made in the close of his Speech In bidding any Clergy man of the Church of England to come forth and give a better account of his zeal to the Church and conversion of Papists to our Religion then he had done Adding that himself the unworthiest of many hundred Ministers in England was there ready to answer his challenge and to produce a Catalogue not of 22. but of above 120. Papists which he through Gods blessing had converted to our Religion and brought home to God besides making them other manner of Converts then any in his recited Bead-Rol who were made neither good Protestants nor good Christians by him Adding that he and many other Ministers in England were able to produce hundreds of reall Converts to Christ for every of his pretended ones some wherof by his own confession soon turned Apostates and the rest but litle better At which speech of his the Archbishop seemed much offended and some of his friends there present taxing Master Peters as an unmannerly sawcy fellow for using such language to him in this his afflicted condition desired him to trouble his Grace no further with such rude discourse whereupon they parted without more words If we survey this Oration of the Arch-bishop with an impartiall eye we may discover abundance of shamelesse Impudency and Pharisaicall selfe-justification beyond all bounds of Modesty or Verity broached in it so apparently contradicted by his manifold unjust oppressive violent actions and Popish Innovations of all sorts visible to the eyes of all men and so diametrally refuted by the subsequent evidence produced against him during his seventeen dayes tryall that had not his brow been made of brasse and his face of Adamant he could not have justified so many grosse untruths of him selfe before such an honourable publike Auditory and the supreame Judicatory of the Realme with so much shamelesse impudency as hee did But t is the common practise of obdurate sinners and cauterized Delinquents Fortem animum praestant rebus quas turpitèr audent Like the adulterous woman Pro. 30. 20. Who eateth and wipeth her mouth and saith I HAVE DONE NO WICKEDNES This Evening the Lords Ordered the Arch-bishop to appear at their Bar the next morning by 9 of the Clocke at which time they would proceed in his Tryall Whereupon all departing for that time appeared the next day at the appointed houre in the Lords House where the Commons entring upon their evidence proved the Articles in their Order I shall present you with the summe and severall branches of his charge and then prosecute them in the ensuing method The Generall Charge against the Archbishop with the severall branches thereof THe Charge against this Arch-Malefactor consisting of many various particular Crimes of high nature is reducible to one generall head to wit High Treason against the King and Kingdome thus expressed in the 1. Originall and 2. Additionall Articles That he hath Trayterously endeavoured to subvert the fundamentall Lawes and Government of the Kingdome of England and instead thereof to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyranicall Government This Generall is distributed into foure Speciall branches in the Articles of his Impeachment under which all the particular Capitall Offences and grand Misdemenours given in evidence against him at his Tryall are comprehensible 1. His Trayterous endeavours and practises to alter and subvert Gods true Religion by Law established in this Realme and instead thereof to set up Popish Superstition and Idolatry and reconcile us to the Church of Rome the particulars whereof are specified in the 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Originall and 6. 7. 8. 9. Additionall Articles 2. His Trayterous usurpation of a Papall and Tyranicall power in the Church of England in all Ecclesiasticall affaires in prejudice and derogation of his Majesties Royall Prerogative and the Subjects liberties comprised in the sixt originall Article 3. His Trayterous attempts and endeavours to subvert the fundamentall temporall Lawes Government and Liberties of the Realme and Subjects of England and instead thereof to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyranicall Government against the Law and Subjects liberties expressed in the 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 13 Originall and 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 10. Additionall Articles 4. His Trayterous
endeavours to subvert the rights of Parliament and auncient Course of Parliamentary proceedings and by false and malicious slanders to incense his Majesty against Parliaments contained in the 14. Originall and 1. 9. 10. Additionall Articles The first Specificall branch of the Charge against the Archbishop touching his Trayterous endeavours to alter and subvert Gods true Religion by Law established among us to introduce Popish Superstition and Idolatry in liew thereof and to reconcile the Church of England with the Church of Rome by severall stepps and practises with the copious evidences produced to manifest the same at his Tryall THE true Religion by Law established being that which is most pretious claiming proceedency of all other sublunary things in respect of its owne intrinsicall Excellency that which is nearest and dearest to every conscientious Christian the undermining and alterations where of doth most concern and reflect upon the Archbishop in respect of his calling as a Minister of his Ecclesiasticall dignity as an Archbishop of Canterbury Primate and Metropolitan of all England and of the speciall trust reposed in him by his Majesty who wholly committed the care of Religion of all Church affaires within his Dominions to this Arch-Prelates Care mannaging and his Charge concerning the Alteration and subversion of it being that which he most of all openly protested against both in the beginning proceeding conclusion of his long Tryall and on the very Scaffold at his death we shall begin with the Commons evidence given in against him concerning his endeavours practises to alter and subvert the same and introduce Popish superstition and Idolatry into our Church Wherein notwithstanding all his specious pretences confident Protestations reiterated deep Asseverations of his Innocency of his cordiall syncerity to the true Protstant Religion wherewith he hath deceived many over-credulous people we doubt not but upon the perusall of the various evidences against him in this particular he will appeare the most desperat cunning violent palpable underminer corrupter alterer subverter of the true reformed Religion by Law established in our Churches of one who professed himselfe a reall Protestant and zealous maintainer of the same that ever was yet heard of in the Christian world Prisca parem nescit aequalem poster a nullum Exhibitura dies He alone by his policies and power corrupting undermining our Religion advancing Popery more in the few yeares of his Predominency then the Pope with all his Consederates both at home and abroad could doe in almost fourescore yeares before by all their Plots and Potency as shall be irrefragaly demonstrated by his Actions which cry louder and give in stronger evidence against him then all his fraudulent verball protestations or printed funerall Orations can doe for him His Charge concerning the Alteration and subvertion of Religion laid downe in the Articles consists of these two generall Members First That he hath Trayterously endeavoured to subvert Gods true Religion by Law Established in this Realme and instead thereof to set up Popish Superstition and Jdolatry Secondly That he hath Trayterously and wickedly endeavoured to reconcile the Church of England with the Church of Rome The latter of these is but the issue of the former the first in projection but the last in execution and the proofe of the one an indubitable evidence of the other which shall be prosecuted in their Order The evidence to prove the first generall branch of his Charge concerning the alteration ub version of Religion THe Archbishop in his Speech in Justification of his Innocency and sincerity in matters of Religion made at the Lords Barre at the entrance of his Tryall most peremptorily challenged all that was betweene Heaven and Hell justly to tax him in any one particular savoring either of Popish superstition or Idolatry But on the contrary the Committee of the House of Commons might more justly have challenged him in their entring upon his Charge to nominate any person whether Prelate Minister or Laick in any age professing himselfe a Protestant who during his aboad on earth twixt Heaven and Hell was so guilty so peccant in this nature as they shold undeniably manifest him to be wherefore if they allotted him any place at or after his death but Hell it selfe it must be either a Popish Purgatory or such a middle place as some Papists assigne to that Newter Erasmus betwixt Heaven and Hell perchance some losty Gibbet or Pinacle in the Ayre whereon his Head and Quarters might be hanged up for a lasting Monument of his Treason in this kind which they manifested him to be guilty of by these ensuing particular evidences First by his endeavours to set up and introduce all kind of Popish superstitious Idolatrous ornaments furniture ceremonies in our church formerly cast out of it upon the reformation In pursuit whereof they first trailed this Romish Fox to his own Kennel at Lambeth where having unkenneled they chased him from thence by his hot Popish sent to the Kings own royall Chapel at Whitehal Westminster Abby from thence to the Vniversities of Oxford and Cambridge from thence to Canterbury Winchester and most other Cathedralls in England and from them to our Parish Churches and Chapels all which he miserably defiled corrupted with Popish superstitious Crucifixes Altars Bowings Ceremonies Tapers Copes and other Innovations To begin with his owne Kennel at Lambeth We shall first lead you by the hand into his publike Chapell there a place devoted to Gods worship and evidence what Popish Superstitious Pictures Vtensils Vestments Ceremonies Innovations he there introduced and constantly practised since his instalment in the Archbishopricke of Canterburie never heard off in any his Predecessors dayes since the beginning of reformation in King Edward the 6th and Queene Elizabeths reignes First we shall manifest what Idolatrous superstitious Popish Pictures were there newly repaired furbished erected by him in this Chappell to the great scandall of our Religion and encouragement of Papists in their Idolatry contrary to our Statutes Articles of Religion Homilies Jnjunctions Writerâ— the established Doctrine of our Church wherein the matter of fact stands thus In the beginning of Reformation by vertue of the Statute of 3. and 4. Ed. 6. c. 10. for the abolishing defacing and putting away of divers Bookes and Jmages then standing in any Church or Chapell of the severall Homilies against the Perill of Jdolatry then published by Authority of Queen Elizabeths subsequent Jnjunctions given by her as well to the Clergy as Laity of this Realme by the advise of her most honourable Councell in the first yeare of her Raigne for the advancement of the honour of Almighty God and suppression of superstition throughout her Realmes Injunction 2. 3. 23. 25. and Articles of inquiry thereon Artic. 2. 45. which enjoyned All Pictures Paintings Images and other monuments of Idolatry and superstition to be utterly extinct removed abolished and distroyed so that there remaine no memory of the same in
pursue him from Lamb crosse the Thames to the Kings own Royall Chapell at White-Hall where upon his comming to be Dâ—â—e of his Majesties Chapell and after that Archb. of Canterbury he introduced bowing to the Altar himselfe there constantly practising this Ceremony at his ingresse egresse a Lane being made for him to see the Altar and do his Reverence to it and at all his approaches towards or to the Altar which bowing and Veneration his Majesties Chaplaines were there likewise enjoyned by him to practise and by his means in Passion week in the years 1636. 1637. c. a rich large Crucifix imbroydered with Gold Silver in a faire peece of Arras was hung up in his Majesties Chappell over the Altar to the great scandall and offence of many For proofe whereof so experimentally known to most of the Lords and Courtiers who were eye-witnesses of and disliked it Sir Henry Mildmay Knight a Member of the House of Commons and Master of the Jouell House was produced who deposed as followeth That before the Archbishop came to be Deane of his Majesties Chappell there was little or no bowing at all used by any to or towards the Altar except only at St. George his Peast when the Knights of the Gartor going up to offer at it made a civill kinde of obeysance towards it not out of any religious respect but at a 〈◊〉 Ceremony anciently used by them only at this solemnity and by those of the Garter 〈◊〉 But after hee came to be Deane of the Chappell he constantly used bowing to the 〈◊〉 at his ingresse egresse and approaches to the Altar causing his owne and His Masties Chaplaines to doe the like That after he become Deane of the Chappell for two three yeares togegether or more there was in Passim worke a peece of Arras with a 〈◊〉 embroidered Crucifixe the full length of a man hanged over the Altar on 〈…〉 Chappell at White-Hall which was never done before in his memory nor in the memory of any Courtier that he could heare of which Crucifixe he believed was never therâ— used since King H. the 8. his Reigne till of late That this grosse notorious Innovation â—ave great scandull and generall offence to many well-affected Courtiers who spake muâ—â— against it and to himselfe in particular who openly complained of it to the King and spâ—ke to the Archbishop himselfe about it yet it continued there sundry Passion weekes And to manifest the truth hereof more clearely to all the world the very Crucifixe it selfe was by speciall order sent for and brought into the Lords House by the â—erjeant of the Vestry at White-Hall who likewise attested the hanging of it up â—ver the Altar in His Majesties Chappell in the Passion Weekes It was very large rich naked scandalous offensive never used since the Reformation but onely in tiâ—es of Popery yet this most scandalous Idoll did this Arch-Prelate cause to be thaâ— hanged up in His Majesties Chappell as a patterne of imitation for all others well nowing the ancient Proverbe to bean experimentall truth Regis ad exemplum 〈◊〉 componitur orbis c. When he hath thus introduced these Romish Innovations into hs Majesties Chappel then the Altar Crucifix other Innovations in his Royal Chaâ—â—el must be made the Canon whereby to regulate all Cathedrall and Parochiall Churches and so declared publikely in print by himselfe his Confederates both in an Order made at the Councell Table concerning the placing of the Table in Saint Gregonies Church Altarwise 3. Novemberis 1633. by this Archbishops owne procurement published by Doctor Heylen his Greature in his Câ—ale from the Altar page 62. and Antidotum Lincolniense cap. 2. page 62 63. by Peter Heylyn in his Coale p. 27. Antidotum Lincolni cap. 2. p. 29. to 67. his Moderate answer to Henry Burton p. 57. 176. by Christopher Dewe in his answer to Mr. Henry Burton cap 20. p. 191. the New Canons 1640. can 7. Now what a capital transcendent offence this was in this Arch-Prelate principally intrusted with the care of Religion contrary to his trust and dutie to introduce these scandalous Innovations into His Majesties owne Royall Chappell will appeare by these particulare First that hereby he made the world believe His Majesty was a publike countenancer of these Popish Innovations and 〈◊〉 making him a Royall open Patron of them as much as in him lay contrary to his owne printed Declarations to all his loyall Subjects before the 39. Articles and after the dissolution of the Parliament Anno 16â—8 Wherein he professed he would neuer 〈…〉 in the least degree to Popery or superstition Secondly That he hereby give just occasion both to Protestants and Papists at home and in forraigne parts openly to report and believe that wee were now relapsing to those ancient Romish superstitions Idolatries corruptions we had formerly spired one 3ly That hereby he endeavoured to corrupt his Majesty his Nobles Courtiers Chaplaine and by consequence all his dominions in their Religion Fourthly That by this meanes he perverted seduced many thousands of His Majesties subjects who from this patterne fell to a studious practise of bowing to Altars â—â—erecting Altari 〈◊〉 in most Chappell 's Churches by degrees Fifthly That hereby hee scandalited discouraged grieved the well affected Protestants both at home and abroad encouraged hardned Papists in their superstitions and gave them great hopes of a speedy alteration of religion 〈◊〉 they seconded with al their power and pollicy Sixthly That by this practise he ingendred great discontents 〈…〉 misunderstanding 〈◊〉 â—is Majestie and his subjects which could never yet be cordially reconciled since that time but have grown wider every day almost to the utter ruine of our three whole kingdomes To the former evidence this further memorable testimony was subjoyned by way of corroboration and aggravation Mistres Charnock a Gentlewoman of good quality and her Daughter joyntly deposed before the Lords that on Maundy Thursday about 6. yeares since they being at Whitehall with some other of their friends whereof one was a Papist went into the Kings Chapell there to see it where they saw an Altar with Tapers other Furniture on it a Crucifix over it whiles they were in the Chappell Dr. Browne of Saint Faiths Church under Paules then a Deane one of the King's Chaplaines with his Curate came together into the Chappell and bowed three severall times almost to the ground to the Altar and Crucifix as they all conceived and then kneeled down on their knees before them A little after there came two Semenary Priests into the Chappell and bowed downe very low three severall times to the Altar and Crucifix over it as they apprehended just in the very same manner as Dr. Browne and his Curate did and then kneeled downe before the Altar and Crucifix for a little space as they had done At which strange sight Mistresse Charnocke very much admiring said to those in her company J never thought to
and the Silver extrasted put into the Treasurie of the Church 14. The Kings Schollers being 40. usually coming tumultuously into the Chore ordered to come in bimatim and to doe reverence towards the Altar Moreover the Archbishop in his Injunctions to the Dean Chapter of the Cathedrall Church of Chicester made in his Metropoliticall Visitation there An. 1635. orders thus in his 6. Injunction Item That you provide Copes fitting for the service of your Cathedrall by one a year untill you be sufficiently furnished with them as was proved by the Injunctions found in his own Study attested by Mr. Prynne an Altar with all its furniture and adorations towards it being there likewise provided and used The like Innovations were introduced and prescribed by his Injunctions and new statutes in all or most Cathedralls in England and Wales to the great rejoycing of the Popish Party and scandall of all true zealous Protestants and any default in them was reputed a crime presentable as appeared by this Passage of an Abstract of the Abuses in the Diocesse of Lincolne 1634. in my Metropoliticall visitation endorsed with the Archbishops hand and found in his study Lincolne August 9. 1634. The Communion Table is not very decent and the Raile before it is worse the Organs old and naught The Copes and Vestments are embeselled and none remaine c. And in another Abstract concerning his Metropoliticall Visitation in other Diocesses particulars concerning the same indorsed likewise with his own hand there are these passages Norwich the hangings of the Quire are naught the Copes are fair but want mending In the Cathedrall as Worcester they have no Copes but are ordered to buy some before the feast of the Annuntiation In the Cathedrall at Gloucester many things amisse No Copes c. in Winchester Cathedrall they have no Copes some do not bow when they come into the Quire nor at the blessed name of Iesus Litchfield the furniture of the Altar c. very meane Therefore care must be taken for more costly furniture Whence this Archbishop took his Commission and president for adorning our Cathedrall and Collegeat Churches thus above others with these Romish Ornaments superstitious Innovations which in truth defiled them is worthy our speciall observation it being in taken from the very Roman Ceremoniall set forth reformed by the Command of Pope Clement the 8. lib. 1. cap. 12. De ornatu Ecclesiae p. 64. which prescribes thus Sic MAJOR ETIAM â—VRA adhibenda erit IN ORNATV ECCLESIAE CATHEDRALJS AVT COLLEGJATAE quae numerosum clerum habeat supellectilem amplam que congrué situata suis partibus apté distincta COMMODJOREM ORNANDI PRAEâ—EAT FACVLTATEM after which it prescribes Altars Altar-clothes Candlestickes Tapers Crucifixes Jmages Copes Rich hangings for the Altar and Quire with Jmages of Christ our Lady and Saints bowing to the Altar and Crucifix and that all Altars should have at least two Candlestickes with Tapers and a Crosse of Silver or of some other mettall placed on the midst of the Altar with the Image of Christ crucified on it as you may there read at large This Arch Prelate not content to propagate these Innovations in England like an Vniversall Patriarch over all his Majesties Realms endeavoured the introducing of them with an high hand into all the Cathedralls Churches and Chappell 's in Ireland by the then Lord Deputy Wentworthes power his great Creature of which we shall give you this briefe accompt Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to this Lord Deputy by his Command August 10. 1633. sent over an Account of the state of the Church of Jreland to this Prelate as he found it and what Alterations hee had already made in it seized in the Archbishops study by Mr. Prynne wherein are these observable clauses RIght Reverend Father My most honoured Lord presuming partly upon your licence but especially directed by my Lord Deputies commandes I am to give your Father-hood a briefe account of the present state of the poore Church of Ireland such as our short Intelligence here and your Lordship weightier imployments there will permit c. In Christ Church the principall Church in Ireland withor the Lord Deputy and Councell repaire every Sunday the Table used for administration of the blessed Sacrament in the MIDST OF THE QVIRE is made an ordinary seat for Maidons and Apprentices J cannot omitte the glorious Tombe in the other Cathedrall Church of saint Patrike in the proper place of the Altar just opposite to his Majesties seat having his Fathers name subscribed upon it as if it were contrived on purpose to gaine that worship and reverence which the Chapter and whole Church are bound by speciall statute to give towards the East and either the soyle it selfe or a Licence to build and bury and make a Vault in the place of the Altar under Sealetant which is tantamount is passed to the Earle and his heires Credimus esse Deos. This being the case in Dublin your Lordship will Judge what we may expect in the Country The Earle of Corke holdes the whole Bishopricke of Lismore at the Rate of fortie shillings or five markes by the yeare For the remedying of these evills next to God and his sacred Majesty I know my Lord depends upon your Fatherhoods wisedom and zeale for the Church my duty binds me to pray for a blessing upon both your good endeavours for the present my Lord hath pulled down the Deputies seat in his owne Chapell and restored the Altar 〈◊〉 ancient place which was thrust out of dores the like is done in Christs Church This testimony I must give of his care that it is not possible for the intentions of a mortall man to be more serious and sincere then his in those things that concerne the good of this poore Church Your Lordships daily â—â—â—dsman and devoted servant Iohn Bramhall Dublin Castle Aug. 10. 1643. Vpon this Information the Archbishop signifyed his dislike of erecting this Monument by the Earle of Corke in the place where the High Altar as was misinformed anciently stood and gave some directions for removing it Whereupon the Earle of Corks and Archbishop of Dublin writ these ensuing Letters to satisfie his Grace in this particular which were seconded with other Letters from Archbishop Vsher and the Deane and Prebends of Saint Patrickes Church to like effect over-tedious to recite My Gracious Lord. I Vnderstand that upon suggestions made unto your Grace you conceive that a Tombe which I have lately caused to be erected in Saint Patrickes Church neere Dublin is prejuditiall to the lights of the Chancell and seated in the place where the High Altar stood And as I have alwayes by my best desires and actions endeavored to invest my selfe in your Graces good opinion and have not willingly done any act that might prejudice me therein So in this particular I make humbly bold to deliver my justification to your Grace as followeth which I
aside any way but that we shall take it in the Litterall and Gramaticall sence This Act tyes to consent of VVrighters which may and perhaps do goe against the Litterall sence for here 's no exception so wee shall bee perplexed and our consent required to things contrary 7. All consent in all Ages as farre as I have observed to an Article or Canon is to it selfe as it is layd downe in the body of it and if it beare more sences then one it is lawfull for any man to choose what sence his judgment directs him to so that it be a sence secundum analogiam fidei and that he hold it peaceably without distracting the Church and this till the Church which made the Article determine a sence And the wisdome of the Church hath beene in all ages or the most to require consent to Articles in generall as much as may be because that 's the way of unity and the Church in high points requiring assent to particulars hath been rent As de Transubstantiatione c. So he in affront of the Commons This Parliament also being soone after broken up in discontent by this Bishops power and policy the Arminian and Popish party grew more bould numerous potent and prevalent every where so as the Pulpits at Whice-hall Paules Crosse Oxford Cambridge and else where ecchoed againe with Arminian Paradoxes without restraint and none could or durst oppose them without exemplary punishment if not all most certaine ruine Bookes in defence of Arminianisme and Semi-plagianisme were published printed with publike allowance and all impressions against them most diligently suppressed the Recantations of Arminian Tenets in former times made in our Vniversities were embesled as Barrets Recantation in Cambridge May 10. 1595. and new Recantations enjoyned to and registred against their opposites of all which we shall produce some remarkable instances The Ministers in and about London being restrained by Colour of His Majesties forementioned Declaration and Proclamation to Preach any thing concerning Election Predestination Perserverance or any thing opposite to the Arminian Errors thereupon framed this ensuing Petition to his Majesty about the end of the Parliament 1628. for liberty to Preach against the Arminian errors in point of Predestination c. which this Bishop being informed off anticipated and frustrated two of the Copies of which Petition were found in his Study by Mr. Pryn thus endorsed with his owne hand The Copy of the intended Petition about liberty of Preaching Predestination c. To the Kings most Excellent Maiesty The humble Petition of divers Ministers of Gods Word in and about the City of London and else where Most Humbly sheweth THat whereas your royall Majesty out of your Religious zeale for the conserving of the Church committed to your Charge in Peace and for the confirming of the Doctrine of the same agreeable to Gods word and conteyned in the Articles established did publish both a Proclamation and a Declaration therein prohibiting all opinions either against or besides the Orthodoxall grounds of Religion expressed in the said Articles as also all raising of doubts and disputatios which may nourish faction in Church and Common wealth And yet your Majesties said edicts are so interpreted and pressed upon us as we are not a little discouraged and deterred from preaching those saving Doctrines of Gods free Grace in Election and predestination which greatly confirme our faith of eternall salvation and fervently kindle our Love to God as the 17th Article expresly mentioneth So as we are brought into a great strayt either of incurring Gods heavy displeasure if we do not faithfully discharge our Embassage in declaring the whole Councell of God or the danger of being censured for violators of your Majesties said Acts if we preach these constant Doctrines of our Church and confute the opposite Pelagian and Arminian Heresies both preached and printed boldly without feare of Censure As if the saving Doctrines of Christ were prohibited and these impious Heresies priviledged which Councells both old and new have condemned and the admired judgement of our late Soveraigne your Royall Father K. Iames of blessed memory hath for ever branded calling the maintainers thereof Arrogant and Atheisticall Sectaries who are not ashamed to lye so grosly as to avow that their Heresies are agreable with the Religion and profession of the Church of England which corrupt seeds of Heresie Faction if not the more speedily rooted out the wise King tell 's the neighbour States will of necessity bring utter ruine to their state by the too bold and frequent Disciples and followers of that enemy of God Arminius Wee therefore your Majesties faithfull obedient peaceable and conformable Subjects to all your Majesties Lawes being most tenderly sensible of the dishonour of Christ and of your Majesty his Vicegerent over us infinitely more deare unto us then our lives most humbly on our bended knees beseech your Gratious Majesty to take into your Princely consideration the forenamed Evills and Greivances under which we groane and as a wise Phisitian to prescribe and apply such speedy Remedies as may both care the present Maladies and secure the Peace of Church and Common-wealth from all those Plagues which our neighbours have not a little felt and more may feare if the Councell of the most juditious King be not the bettter followed And according to our bounden dutie we shall daily pray for the continuance of your Majesties peaceable prosperous and religious Raigne over us About March 1628. Dr. Hall then Bishop of Exceter published a Booke called the Reconciler in the close whereof he inserted two Letters to vindicate himselfe from the imputation of Arminianisme wherewith some had then aspersed him to witt his owne letter to Dr. Davenant then Bishop of Salisbury and his Answer thereunto which Letters comming to be licenced Doctor Thomas Turner the Bishops Chaplain who authorized it no doubt by the Bishops directions and command expunged these two Passages out of the Letters against the Arminian Tenets and in approbation of the Synod of Dort conteining the principle Subject matter of the Letters and the end for which they were written the Copy of which Purgations was seized in the Archbishops Study by Mr. Prynne who attested it thus endorsed with his owne hand That which my Chapline Mr. Turner left out of the letters of the Bishop of Exceter and Sarum ABOVT ARMINIANISME In my Lord Bishop of EXONS Letter to the Lord Bishop os SARVM there was this Passage oblitcrated YEA as if this calumnie were not enough there want not those whose secret whisperings cast upon me the foule aspertions of an other Sect whose name is as much hated as little understood My Lord you know I had a place with you though unworthy in that famous Synod of Dort where however sicknesse â—ereaved me of the honour of a conclusive subscription yet your Lordship heard me with equall vehemency to the rest crying downe the unreasonablenesse of that way I am still the same
therefore some publike censure ought to passe upon them the Books thus seized to be openly burnt else they would in a few monthes be sold openly againe to corrupt the people and no satisfaction at all given for this foule offence to the Church of England which Archbishop Abbot confessed to be true and said he would take some Order in it but by this Bishops power there was nothing more done against the Licenser Compiler or Booke which soone after was as publikely sold as if it had neverbeene called in to the perverting of many in their judgments who knew not of this grand Imposture now publikly discovered at the Lords Barre by all the forementioned books themselves there produced and the testimony of Master Prynne upon Oath seconded by the Stationers booke of entries and the testimonies of Master Sparke and Master Walley Doctor Martin for this good service was presently after by this Bishop advanced to a great living and likewise to the headship of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge instead of other punishment Master Prynne for his paines in derecting this fraudulent dealing of the Bishop and his Chaplaine by way of revenge was soone after by this Bishops meanes imprisoned in the Tower and most severely censured in the Starre-Chamber for his Booke called Histrianastix though Licensed by Authority in which he made some mention of this imposture concealed from the most so fatall was it in those times for any man out of Conscience or publike ends to oppose the Bishops Arminian designes such a Stirrop to mount up to preferments to advance them After this the Archbishops Chaplaine Doctor Haywood on the 26. of August 1634 licensed Booke intituled Collectiones Theologica writ by Thomas Chune and Dedicated to the Archbishop of Canterbury himselfe in which hee justified the Arminian Errors and the Church of Rome to be a true Church whereof there were two Impressions in one yeare yet neither the Author nor Booke once questioned though publikely complained of by Doctor Bastwicke at his Censure in the High-Commission where the Archb. openly justified it In the yeares 1636. and 1639. the Arminian Errors were defended by Bishop Mountague in print in his Pars. 1. 2. Originum Ecclesiasticarum Gods Love to mankinde and by sundry others without controle On the contrary Doctor Twisse his Booke in answer of Arminius though writ in Latine was refused License by the Bishop and his Arminian Chaplaines Bray and Baker and his answers to Doctor Jackson and the Arminian Pamphlet intituled Gods love to Mankind suppressed some Lectures of Bish Davenant and Sermons of Doctor Clerke against the Arminians were likewise stopped at the Presse and not suffered to be printed with their other Lectures and Sermons What Bookes against Mountague and the Arminians were called in suppressed and the Authors Printers Dispersers of them severely prosecuted in the High-Commission in the Yeares 1628. and 1629 Wee have already evidenced Only wee shall informe you or one or two Presidents more of later date Doctor George Downham Bishop of Derry in Ireland publishing a Booke in that Kingdome against the Arminians and the Totall and finall Apostacie of the Saints from Grace about the Yeare 1630. Some of them comming over into England Bishop Laud caused a strict Letter to be written in his Majesties name to Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury for the calling in and suppressing it within the Realme of England where it was accordingly seized on and another Letter to Doctor Vsher Archbishop of Armagh for the suppressing and seizing thereof in the Realme of Ireland Which was manifested by the Docket Booke in the signet Office where entreyes of those Letters are made in Aug. 1631. and by this Letter of Bishop Vsher to Bishop Laud found in his study at Lambheth indorsed with his owne hand and arrested by Master Prynne which fully discovers that hee was the sole or principall occasion of his Majestices Letters for calling in this Booke which hee seconded with his owne Letter to Bishop Vsher for that purpose who returned this answer to him My most honoured Lord THe 8th of October I received your Letters of the 22. of August c. The last part of your Lordships Letter concerneth the Bishop of Derryes Book for the calling in whereof the 15th day of October I received His Majesties Letters dated at Woodstocke the 24. of August whereupon I presently sent out warrants and caused all the Bookes that were left unsent into England to be seized upon What did passe heretofore in the Presse at Dublin I had no eye unto because it was out of my province and the care J supposed did more properly belong unto my brother of Dublin But seeing His Majestic hath been pleased to impose that charge upon me I will God willing take order that nothing hereafter shall be published contrary unto His Majesties sacred direction It seemeth Your Lordship did conceive that my Lord of Derryes booke came out since the Historie of Gotteschalchus whereas it was published above halfe a yeare before whereby it came to passe that all the Coppies almost both in Ireland and England were dispersed before the Prohibition came forth The matter is not new as Your Lordship hath rightly observed but was long since preached in Saint Pauls Church when Doctor Bancroft was your Lordships Predecessour in that See at which time the Treatise of Perseverance was to have beene published with Doctor Downams Lectures upon the 15th Psalme at as the very end of that Booke is partly intimated And in the History of Gotteschalchus Your Lordship may see your owne observation fully verefied that after Prelates had written against Prelates and Synods against Synods these things could have no end untill both sides became weary of contending But sure I am I have made Your Lordship weary longere this and therefore it is high time now to end Therefore craving pardon for that prolixitie I humbly take leave and rest Your Honours faithfull Servant Iace Armachanus Droghe da Novemb. 8. 1631. By this Letter it is apparent that this Prelate whiles Bishop of London exercised a kind of Patriarchicall Jurisdiction for suppressing all Orthodox Bookes against the Arminians both in England and Ireland and that his commands in this kinde were punctually executed by those Archbishops in both Kingdomes who should have most stoutly opposed his Arminian Innovations About the Palsgraves first comming into Engl. An. 1635. there was a Book printed intituled the Palsgraves Religion containing the sum of the Religion professed in the Palatinate Churches translated out of a printed Latine Coppy which Archbishop Laud caused to bee strictly called in and suppressed only because it glanced at the Arminian Errors and bowing at the Name of JESUS as not warranted by Phil. 29. 10. which was proved by the testimonies of Master Prynne Michaell Sparke Senior and others What policies besides the forementioned Royall Declaration and Proclamation this Arch-Prelate contrived and practised to suppresse all preaching against Armianisme in the
makes the consecration the Crosse must bee set up behinde the holy Altar word being brought to the Patriarch concerning the Church that is to be built letters are directed either to the Exarch or to some of the Bishops to request that the Church may be founded Consecrated and entituled to the Patriarchs 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Consecrated in the Name of such a Saint page 193. Things for the most part were altogether disposed by but nothing at all without the Bishops Jurisdiction That the Patriarch or Bishop should challenge this Jurisdiction over the new Church c. it seemes most reasonable For what did the lay Patron more do then a man of Israell who brought a Lambe but the Priest made it an Offering and an Attonement The Patron parhaps might chuse the place but till the Prelate came and sanctified the Ground it might be as well a Denne of Theeves as a House of Prayer The Patron might bring the Stones the Bishop made it a Church till then nothing was but the breathlesse body of a Temple the soule being yet to come from a Diviner influence of the Diocesan therefore the priviledge of a new Church followed not the building but the consecration of it c. Richard Tedder in his Visitation Sermon Licensed by Doctor Samuell Baker Feb. 6. 1636. Printed at London 1637. It is the Consecration that makes Churches holy and makes God esteeme them so which though they be not capable of Grace yet they receive by their Consecration a spirituall power whereby they are made fit for Divine Service and being consecrated there is no danger in aseribing a holinesie unto them 21. Totall and finall Apostacy from Grace Predestination a desperate Doctrine Resisting of Grace BIshop Mountague in his Appeale pag. 29. 30 31. Ex Artic. 16. After that wee have received the Holy Ghost we may depart away from Grace Till the Church expound otherwise it is as free for me to take it according to the Letter as for you to devise a figure The Article insisteth on men justified after Grace received challenged it was in this sense as unsound at the Conference at Hampton Court but defended maintained avowed averred for true ancient justifiable good and Catholike by the greatest Bishops and Learnedst Divines then living in this Church against that absolute irrespective necessitating and fatall decree of your new Predestination stiled then and there by Bishop Bancroft in publike audience with much vehemency without any Checke dislike distast dissent for we reade of none a desperate doctrine of Predestination At what time also that Reverend Prelate and most accomplisht Divine Dr. Overall Bish of Norwich c. said That a justified man might fall away from Grace and so ipso facto incurre Gods wrath and was in state of wrath and damnation untill he did recover againe Pag. 33. Can your Learning and understanding make any other Construction of these words then That a man may fall away from Grace and become no Child of God at all This is spoken and meant Not only of totall lapse for a time but also of finall separation and for ever Pag. 37. I see no reason why I might not have beene as confident in maintaining falling away from Grace as you and your Divines are upon weaker grounds in defending the contrary Pag. 60. I must confesse my dissent through and sincere from the faction of Novelizing Puritans but in no one point more than in this their desperate Doctrine of Predestination Vide pag. 50. and 70. 71. c. to like purpose Pag. 72. Id. It is not in reason probable that you should have the doctrin of the Church on your side against Master Mountague For the Church holdeth and teacheth punctually and that against the Opinion and with the dislike of the Learnedest of your side that Faith true justifying Faith once had may be lost and recovered againe that a man endued with Gods holy Spirit and enlightened with the heavenly light may loose that holy Spirit have that light put out become like unto Saul and Iudas Pag. 89. If a man justified may fall away from Grace which is the Doctrine of the Church of England then without question hee may resist the grace of God offered Pag. 214. It is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of your other singularity That Faith once had cannot be lost totally and for ever Edmond Reeve pag. 13. Mar. The Church signifyeth that it is possible for such as are made the Members of Christ to become the members of the Devill if they take not due care Pag. 64. Seeing then that some have perished which have beene pronounced to have beene in the number of Gods Elect. Shelfords five Treatises pag. 187. Such as shall fall double from lesse and from greater grace and never rise for such Justice hath a double due a naturall and a supernaturall death seated not only in paenâ damni but in paenâ sensus which the torments of hell fire afford 22. That there is universall Grace and Redemption and no absolute Reprobation THis having beene formerly touched in the Evidence concerning Arminianisme wee shall bee the briefer in it here Edmond Reeve writes thus page 19. 20. Whereby doth God the Father draw all mankind unto Christ Ans Holy Church doth signifie it unto us where it saith that Almighty God doth shew unto all that be in error the light of his truth to the intent they may returne into the way of Righteousnesse St. Iohn saith Christ is the light that lighteth every man which commeth into the world Many Scriptures more declare that God is mercifull to universall mankinde not willing the death of a sinner c. as the Divine service teacheth and informeth us The which Doctrine of hers as sundry more though we in our youngnesse of Christian knowledge do not understand yet are we to believe also to know that the Fathers which set forth the divine service did perfectly understand like as also we are to beleive that the Fathers of the Church now and alwayes doe in the great Mystery of Godlinesse comprehend many things which the Common people doe not yea also some things which Ministers of the inferrior Order as Priests Pastors and Teachers do not apprehend who are therefore to bee guided in Divinity by those most reverend and right reverend Fathers in God and not to say that such and such sayings in the Communion Booke are untrue because they understand them not Page 60. Saint Paul saith That he gave himselfe a ransome for all hee died for universall mankind Againe the death of Christ is available for the redemption of all the world Page 61. Whereas it is said by some that Christ died not for Vniversall mankind efficiently or effectually namely for such as perish they consider not what the Scripture signifieth Christ to have done yet hee did it not in phantasy but in reality in every deed Page 66. 67. How could the Church ordaine and require for to
Booke for very shame by the Stationer they were so vile licentious and distastfull to most 26. That Reading is Preaching that Preaching is only for extraordinary persons and times not for ordinary Ministers and seasons that one Sermon a moneth is better than two every Lords-Day That Bishops are not bound to preach at least not so often as other Ministers by reason of their great temporall employments and Court attendance c. And that Saint PAUL read Homilies SHelfords five Treatises pag. 35. 36. After this a wise and discreet Sermon not made by every Minister but by a man of Reading and discretion right well beseemeth this holy place Pag. 74. Some Parishes as men say have good Preachers but bad livers and some have meane Preachers or Readers but good livers which of these are best The good living Minister what he builds by his reading of Gods Word Prayer and administration of the Sacraments pulls not downe againe but upholds all with his good life therefore he is farre the best Preacher Pag. 77. Hast thou not thy Minister to doe this for thee every Sunday and Holy-Day in Catechizing But thou likest not of this because it is not a Sermon how provest thou that because it is not spoken out of the Pulpit nor delivered out of a Text c. Page 78. The very reading of it is preaching and not only preaching but lively and working preaching working upon mens soules to grace and goodnesse And that Gods Word read unto us is preaching you shall finde it expressed in Acts 15. 21. P. 82. What need is there of Preaching The besotted negligence of our delicate Puritans is that which makes them to run so after Sermons God speakes unto thee every Holy-Day by his owne Word Pag. 91. There is another kinde of preaching which is not fit for every kind of Minister but for extraordinary and excellent men called by God and the Church to reforme errors and abuses or to promulge to the world new Lawes and Cannons And as this kinde is to be performed by extraordinary men so it is not alwayes so needfull but only when necessitie requireth for when things are setled there needs no more setling but only preserving We ought not to have many Moseses nor many Evangelists nor many Apostles Pag. 93. The ancient and true doctrine ef the Primitive Church by set ed Articles is restored therefore this extraordinary kind is not now so necessary except it bee upon some notorious Crimes breaking in upon our people or some exorbitances of greene heads breaching the froth of their owne braines which will hardly be reformed untill many of these be unfurnished of their Licenses and those that are permitted be restrained to certaine times and seasons For better were it for our Church and people to have but one Sermon well premeditated in a moneth which is insinuated by the Canon then two upon a day proceeding from a rolling braine and mouth without due preparation Pag. 94. All the Bishops in the Land can hardly keepe downe their wrong and unseasoned doctrine Having shewed this kinde of preaching to be extraordinary for speciall men speciall times and occasions It followes that the preaching by reading is the ordinary preaching This was the ordinary preaching in our Church before King Henry the eight Page 241. Preaching of its owne natare is indifferent therefore the managing of it is not for all men but only for such as are of a stayed head and large understanding Dr. Pocklingtons Sunday no Sabbath P. 31. No ground at all for the fruitlesse and disobedient exercise of their afternoone talent It will bee hard for the best and stubbornest of them all to shew a Sermon preached by any of the Fathers in the afternoone P. 32. S. Paul preached 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all the while he was in his Homilie what his Homily was it is hard for mee to say whether it was that himselfe made and did not read or one that he read and another made An Homily I am sure it was and it may be made by all the Apostles or the chiefe of the Apostles Wherefore I take it for a cleare truth that Saint Paul read the Decrees and sure I am by the word used in the Text that when he read them and no more but read them without adding or deminishing that hee preached by way of Homilie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Reading of Homilies then is preaching and so adjudged by the Learned Bishops in the Councell of Rhemes P. 34. If then Reading of Decrees of the Apostles be preaching and used for the profit and peace of the Church and for the establishing of them in the faith then surely is reading of Lessons Epistle and Gospell much more preaching and the Reader is a Preacher Edmond Reeve his Communion Catechisme expounded page 74. They are said to make an Idoll of Preaching which place even the whole Christian Religion in hearing of Sermons and in Comparison of preaching forth of a Pulpit they nothing or very little account of the Common-prayer and the reading of the Homilies Page 77. To preach unto a Congregation on every Sunday is the proper worke of Pastours But the Bishops the Fathers in God having received the greatest measure of the holy Ghost are to be imployed besides in the greatest ministeriall matters of the Church as to ordaine Priests and Deacons Christs holy Ordinance of Consecration P. 78. It is their worke to Consecrate Churchces c. To require all the Eccleasticall Lawes of the Kingdome to be observed and to have to doe in the affaires of the Common-wealth Page 79. Many more are the employments pertainng to their high order and calling by reason whereof they may but at some certaine times preach unto Congregations when as they shall see occasion Page 94. Holy Church hath ordained that in the Sunday afternoone there should be taught her fundamentall Catechisme her Lawes her Canons her Constitutions should be read the Common-prayer with the Lessons be said and that the Homilies should be read also 27. That Bishops pretended Lordly superiority in point of Order and Iurisdiction over and above other Ministers is of Divine right and institution and that there neither is nor can be any true Church where there are no such Lordly domineering Bishops THis Archbishop of Canterbury himselfe determines thus in his Speech in Star-Chamber page 67. This I will say and abide by it that the calling of Bishops is Iure Divino by divine Right and this I say in as direct opposition to the Church of Rome as to the Puritan humour and I say further that from the Apostles times in all ages in all places the Church of Christ was governed by Bishops Now this is made by these men as if it were contra Regem against the King in fight or in power But that 's a meere ignorant shift for our being Bishops Iure Divino by divine Right takes nothing from the Kings Right In his Reply to
Fisher page 176. Hee positively affirmes That ubi non est sacerdos non est Ecclesiae St. Hierom And in that place most manifest it is that by Sacerdos Saint Jerom meanes a Bishop Soe even with him NO BISHOP AND NOE CHVRCH Doctor Heylin in his Moderate Answer to Mr. Burton page 65. writes thus by the Archbishops appointment You are much offended with the Prelates that they will needs be Lord Bishops Iure Divino page 66. Your first exception is That the Episcopall Authority is claimed from Christ and that some of the Bishops said in the High Commission That if they could not prove it they would cast away their Rochetts this is no more then what had formerly beene said in the Conference at Hampton Court when on occasion of S. Hieroms saying that a Bishop was not divinae Ordinationis the Bishop of London Doctor Bancroft interposed that unlesse he could prove his ordination lawfull out of the Scriptures he would not be a Bishop foure houres page 67. 70. Who is it which of our Divines that holds Episcopall Authority to bee derived from any other fountaine then that of Christ and his Apostles If any such there be he is one of yours Traverse and Cartwright and the rest of your Prodecessors Men never owned for hers by the Church of England Geneva had their hearts wee their bodyes only This theame of Bishops superiority Iure Divino over other Ministers was professedly maintained by Bishop White in his Preface to his Treatise of the Sabbath against Braburne by Christopher Dow in his Innovations unjustly charged chap. 19. p. 170. c. by Iohn Swan in his Redde debitum Chap. 2. sect 2. p. 161. to 172. asserting peremtorily that the Hierarchy of the Bishops is Iure Divino with sundry others in their printed Bookes yea publikly affirmed with much confidence by both our Archbishops with other Prelates in the Star-Chamber and High-Commission maintained publikely in the Divinity Schooles in both our Vniversities and asserted almost in every Pulpit at leastwise in Cathedralls But this Erronious Position being satisfactorily refuted and palpably displayed to all the world by Doctor Bastwicke in his Flagellum Apologeticus ad Praesules Anglicano and by Master Prynne in his Vnbishoping of Timothy and Titus his Brevia and Catalogue of Writers in all ages refuting this position of theirs and by the Presbiterians in Scotland the Archbishop and his Confederate Prelaticall Brethren were so hardly put to it that they seriously mustred up all their policy learning power to maintaine their Episcopall Jurisdiction to be of divine right Whereupon having engaged his Majesty and his Privy Councell to maintaine it by the Sword in the Field he encouraged Doctor Hall bishop of Exeter very prone of himselfe to undertake such an enterprise to defend it with his smooth Rhetoricall penne in the Presse This Bishop upon his motion and request readily undertakes the designed service compiles his Booke intituled Episcopacy by divine Right the written Copy whereof he sent to the Archbishop submitting it wholy to his power to dispose of it at his pleasure or alter any thing therein which he or his Chaplaines should deeme meet This Treatisie was carefully read over by the Arch bishop himselfe and his Chaplaines line by line who altered it in some places and then authorized it for the Presse The particulars concerning the cause and grounds of compling it with the Bishops whole pretended Plot how to support their tottering Hierarchy is fully related in the ensuing Letters of Bishop Hall to the Archbishop and of the Archbishop to him all sound and seised on in his Study at Lambheth We shall transcribe all these Letters according to their severall dates the first of them extracted out of the very originall is this MOst Reverend Father in God and my most Honourable Lord I have received your Graces Answer in one to my three last humbly thanking your Grace for your noble favours to that well deserving Petitioner Master Edgcombe whom I recommended to your Graces notice For Ashbrenton I gave order for a speedy satisfaction and make account to receive it ere the closure of this letter Yesternight I had the view of the Acts of the late Scottish Assembly which I could not read without much indignation in seeing the only true and ancient Government of the Church so dispitefully trod upon by ignorant Factionists Vpon the perusall whereof I begin to think it were pity and shame they should carry it away so and that so publike an insolence could admit of none but a more publike remedy and may I be bold to impart unto your Grace what my thoughts were for some ease of this wrong and mittegation of the scandall under the hope of your Graces pardon I shall not sticke to discover them in this secret and fearelesse paper humbly leaving them to your Graces favourable censure although indeed I should have needed a larger Preface to so bould an attempt Since then for his Majesty to right the Church by the Sword as the case now stands is neither fit for our hopes nor our wishes which were no other in so desperate a Schisme then to reconquer his owne with much Charge danger and blood we thought it might be seasonable safe and happie to imploy the spirituall sword the remedy which the Church hath ever wont to make use of in such occasions with blessed successe I thought therefore if through your Graces mediation it might please his sacred Majesty to cause a Generall Synod of the whole three Kingdomes to be indicted wherein all the Reverend Bishops and chiefe of the learned and dignified Clergy and the professors and some other eminent Doctors of all the Vniversities in all the said Kingdomes may be assembled to passe their judgment after free and full expectation of these Schismaticall points determined thus proudly and rashly by our Northen Neighbours it could not but sort to excellent effect for so they might bee convinced of their absurd errours or at least publikely before all the world censured and condemned for what they are and if they have any Remainders of shame they shall be made to blush at their owne miserable transportation This would bee some comfort to those exiled Bishops who put Holy Iland as I heare to the same use whereto it was imployed at the first Plantation of the Gospell to be a receptacle of persecuted Prelates that they should see their cause taken to heart by the whole Church under his Majesties dominions and why should we not think that the presence and Authority of your Grace with that eminent and learned Primate of Armagh and so many other grave and renouned Prelates seconded by so irresistable powers of the learning and Judgment of so many assistant Divines of great note and worth cannot choose but certainly confound these heady and ignorant opposers of Government and good Order and give great satisfaction to the world who seeing the errours and groundlesse proceedings of these men
through sides of the Church of Rome they do but give deadly and mortall Wounds to the Church of England who affirme that Papists are damned Fourthly it is an offence to Christian Religion for we are to preach the Meanes how men may attaine Salvation and to pteach Christ as a Saviour we must not rashly intrude upon his Judiciall power on every slight occasion to point out those that are damned as if we would shorten the mercyes of God and Monopolize them wholy to our selves there is no militant Church without blemishes and imperfections but as long as the foundation is sound that we bebeive in Christ crucified and that we believe the three Creeds so long there is hope of Salvation Severall churches though differing in many things yet may be contained in the bounds of the Catholique church Thus the Greeke church and the Latine Church may be saved both though they have difference betweene themselves and thus the Christians that lived in those parts of the world which have beene lately discovered and therefore did never partake with the rest of the Catholike church yet no doubt but those may be saved Fiftly there is nothing so proper to Christians as love and charity and a man may be damned as well for want of charity as for want of faith and there cannot bee possible a greater want of charity then to exclude men from Salvation and therefore they who are apt in their owne ungodly malice to damne others certainely themselves are damned Let it suffice that if any man shall aske God forgivenesse of his sins as no doubt every man doth for it is one part of the Lords prayer and these sins doe imply not onely the Transgressions of our lives but likewise the erour of our faith so that asking God forgivenesse no doubt but God is mercifull And here I must likewise expresse my great sorrow and griefe that I have so much offended agaist the memory of our forefathers and Progenitors such as built our Churches and were the meanes under God not onely to give us life but also to make us Christians when I consider their Piety and their Mortification shall I thinke these tended to nothing but onely to damne them No God forbid and therefore in all humility and obedience I doe here acknowledge my great fault and do aske forgivenesse of God of the Church and of our Reverend Diocesan and I desire you all to testifie this my Sorrow and unfained repentance By all these Authorized Popish positions you may easily guesse at this Arch-Prelates Popish intentions to reduce us backe to Rome We shall close up this catalogue of Authorized printed Popish Doctrines and Positions with two remarkable particulars more sufficient to amaze all Protestant Readers for their strangenesse The first is the extraordinary commendation of the most impious Councell of Trent the Popes Masterpiece the principall establishment support of the whole body of Popery and strongest Pillar to support both the Faith Pope and Church of Rome For this we shall produce one memorable clause which you may read in the exact collection of all the Roman Emperours lives from Julius Caesar to the now reigning Ferdinando the second Printed at London for George Hutton and licensed by Doctor weekes Chaplaine both to the Archbishop and Bishop of London Ann. 1636. p. 374. Ferdinando the Brother of Charles and Sonne of Philip King of Castile was a man well learned especially in the Latine tongue and also in Armes most expert and active wherefore it was doubted whether he were of more agility in Chevalry or more eloquent and fluent in the Latia Italian Spanish High-Dutch Hungarian and Bohemian Languages In the time of his Emperiall Government the Councell of Trent was held which was so commodious and profitable to the generall good of the world that it may serve for a certaine Rule both of Government of States and a forme of good life In which proceedings this Emperour shewed himselfe very forward and a great assistant What greater Encomions could be given of this damnable Popish Councell by publike Authority without censure revocation or any Index expurgatorius let all Protestants judge The second is The printing of the Popish Index Biblicus here in London by Authority An 1640. made by Priests and Iesuits for their Vulgar Latin Bible and binding it up with the Latin Bibles of Iunius Tremelius and Baezers Translation to seduce the Readers and corrupt the Text. You have heard before how the Archbishop commanded the whole History of our Saviours Nativity Life Passion Resurrection Assention to be publikly printed and inserted both into English and Latin Bibles after the Popish garbe taking his paterne from the Masse-booke to pollute pervert the text and infect the Readers by degrees with Popery even by these very Bibles which otherwise would most alienate them from it But not contented herewith he and his agents the better sooner to seduce the people to Popery even by the very Bible it selfe caused some two or three thousand Popish Indexes made for the Popish Vulgar Translation of the Bible by Priests and Jesuits and bound up with it to be printed here in London by authority Anno. 1640. and bound up with our small Latin Bibles of Junius and Bezaes translation to which it was never formerly annexed as a fit Index for them In which Index Biblicus the grossest points of Popery are positively asserted as directly conteined in and justified by the Scripture texts to which it doth referre The publike printing sale of these Indexes here in London with our Protestant Latin Bibles without controle was attested by Michael Sparke Senior Master Walley and others and these popish passages read out of them at the Lords Barr by Mr. Prynne Adoratio Angelis hominibus tributa Gen. 18. 2. c. Aqua benedicta Baptismus tollit omnia peccata Gen. 17. 14. c. Benedictio qua Creaturae consecrantur sanctificantur Exod. 28. 2. c. Hinc consecratio Sacerdotum Vestium Altarium Templorum Cereorum Aquae lustralis c. Castitas caelibum praefortior Castitati conjugali P. 45. 15. c. Castitas haec consulitur vt perfectio Evangelica 1. Cor. 7. 25. Certinon sumus de accepta peccatorum remissione vel vita aeterna consequenda Eccle. 9. 3 4. c. Charitas virtus fide praestantior Proverb 10. 12. c. Confirmationis Sacramentum Acts 8. 17. Heb. 6. 2. Doctrina Apostolica scripta et non Scripta firmiter tenenda Rom. 16. 17. c. Ecclesia est una visibilis Gen. 6. 14. Eucharistia sub altera tantum nimirum panis specie Iohan 6. 58. data a Christo Luk. 24. 30. 31. ab Apostolis Acts 2. 42. Eucharistia non remanet substantia panis post consecrationem sed est verum Christi corpus sanguis Mat. 26. 26. Eucharistiam in publicis supplicationibus circumferendam esse praefiguratur Jehos 6. 9. 15. 1. Schem 4. 5. 2. Schem 6. 4. 5. 6.
the word of Christ one example we have in this verse Bellarmine saith c. page 57. Ob. 3. Christ saith unto me is given all power therefore Antichrists imp Pererius saith the Pope hath power over Infidels And a little after Answ 2. all power is given to Christ therefore to the Pope is a blasphemous and Antichristian consequence displaying the Pope to his colours to be the Where in making himselfe or suffering himselfe to be made equall with Christ is obliterated Would not any Protestant admire such passages as these should be expurged to gratifie the Pope The Articles of Religion agreed upon by the Arch-bishops and Bishops and the rest of the Clergy of Ireland in Convocation holden at Dublin in the yeere of our Lord 1615. for the avoyding of diversities of opinions and the establishing of consent touching true Religion reprinted at London 1629. Artic. 78. 80. determined thus against the Pope THE power which the Bishop of Rome now challengeth to be the supreame head of the Universall Church of Christ and to be above all Emperours Kings and Princes is an usurped power contrary to the Scriptures and Word of God and contrary to the example of the Primitive Church and therefore is for just causes taken away and abolished within the Kings Majesties Realmes and Dominions The Bishop of Rome is so farre from being the Supreame Head of the Universall Church of Christ that his works and doctrine doe plainly discover him to be that Man of sin foretold in the holy Scriptures whom the Lord skall consume with the spirit of his mouth and abolish with the brightnesse of his comming These Articles were so displeasing to the Arch-bishop together with some others against Arminians that in the yeere 1634. this whole book of Articles was revoked suppressed by Parliament in Ireland through his procurement then which strange act there could not be a more apparent undermining of the Protestant Religion In the yeer 1634. there were at the speciall request of the Queen of Bohemia Letters Patents granted to Master Rulie a Palatinate Minister for a collection throughout 〈…〉 of the poore Ministers of the Palatinate in which Patent there was this notable â— clause inserted relating to their Religion and sufferings Whose cases are the more to be deplored for that this extremity is fallen 〈◊〉 them for their 〈…〉 constancy to the true Religion which we together with them doe professe and 〈◊〉 we are all bound in conscience to maintaine to the utmost of our powers whereas these relations and godly persons being involved amongst many others their couâ—trymen in 〈◊〉 common calamity might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other back-sliders in the times of tryall they would have submitted themselves to the ANTICHRISTIAN YOKE and have renounced or dissembled the profession of the true Religion The very same formall words were used in former Patents of collections for them in King James his Reign and in the Patent dated the 29. of Jan. in the third yeere of King Charles his Reign by which this Patent was drawn The Arch-bishop perusing this Patent brought to him by Master Rulie after it had passed the Seale grew extreamly cholerick at it rated Master Ruly who pleaded ignorance of the customes of England and that the Patent was drawne by the Kings Atturney according to former presidents without any directions from himselfe who was a meer stranger chid him very sharply threatned to suppresse the whole collection detained the Patent under seale and carrying it the next day to the Court complained of it to the King checked the Lord Keeper and Secretary Cooke for letting such a clause passe in the Patent who justified themselves by former presidents by which they were guided and by his violence wholly cancelled the Patent after it was sealed then caused a new Patent to be drawne wherein this former clause was omitted the King telling the Lord Keeper that the Arch-bishop would have it altered and therefore it must be done which thereupon was done occordingly Now the cause of all this stirre and anger of his Grace-ship against this clause was onely because it stiled those of the Palatinate professors of the true Religion c. and tacitely censured the Pope as Antichrist in this latter clause Where as these religious and godly persons might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other back-sliders in the times of tryall they would have submitted themselves to the Antichristian Yoke and renounced or dissembled the profession of the true Religion As was punctually attested upon oath by Master Wakerly and Master Hartlib Of which more fully hereafter Now that all the forementioned purgations of passages against the Pope and his being Antichrist proceeded originally from the Archbi himselfe without any other motive but his own inherent affection to his Holinesse and the Roman party we shall most apparently evidence to all the world by a Letter of his to Dr. Hall the Bishop of Exeter signed with his owne hand and Bishop Hal's answer thereunto the Originals of which Letters Master Prynne seized in his Study at Lambeth and attested at the Lords Barre where they were both acknowledged and read in these ensuing tearmes My very good Lord I Have received your Lordships Letters of Decemb. 6. 23. and with them the copy of your Book and in them a paper of short propositions which you think and so doe I is fitter for the attestation of divers hands then the book it selfe These propsitions shall be well weighed against the time of Convocation which I conceive will be a fit time to take other Bishops attestation without further noyse or trouble For your book I first thanke you very heartily for your paines and next more then heartily were it possible for your noble and free submission of it not onely to many eyes and judgements but also in the maine to be ordered and after that prest or supprest as it shall be thought fit here Which care or conscience would men use which set out books we should not have so much froth and vanity in the world as now 't is full of But whereas you writ First that the Booke grew into greater length under your pen them you expected I cannot be sorry for that since that which you have added concerning Parker Anti-Tilenus and Vedelius seems to me very necessary Secondly that you are pleased to subject the work to me and to interpret it that you meant not personally to me because I could not have time for other great occasions to revise it but by way of desputation These are to let you know that were my occasions greater then they are I would not suffer a book of that Argument and in these times to passe without my owne particular View And therefore my Lord these may tell you that both my Chaplaines have read over your book and that since them I have read it over my selfe very carefully every line of it and I have now put it into
into tyranny or idolatry for first Kings are subject to their Common-wealths at least unto the law of God Deut. 17. 18 19 20. Iosh 1. 8. and secondly it is the office of the inferiour Magistrate as well as the superiour to maintaine and defend the lives and safety of the subjects and therefore although the superiour Magistrate should neglect his duty yet the inferiour must not neglect theirs Thirdly it is not lawfull for any private person either to take up arms for the defence of the inferiour Magistrates before a danger come or for their owne defence in danger or for the avenging of themselves after danger if they can be defended by an ordinary power and this we gather from David 1 Sam. 24 26. Fourthly it is lawfull even for a private person to resist with weapons if a tyrant like a theefe shall offer violence unto him either by himselfe or by another when he can neither obtain the relief and help of publike authority and power nor escape by any other meanes or way for against whom it is lawfull for a man to defend himself by the Magistrate against the same it is lawful to defend himself by himself in a case of necessity as for example If a King in his anger should command one of his followers to kill such a one or should run upon him himselfe with his sword drawne intending to kill him if that man could neither be delivered by the law or government of the Land nor by flight could escape away he might then lawfully with his sword in his hand defend himselfe even against the King himselfe but he must not offend the King nor lay his hand upon the Lords anointed for the very law of nature teacheth men to defend themselves and to maintaine their lives against all the unjust assaults and practises of any whatsoever Fifthly to take away defence of himselfe from a private person against a tyrant is to establish tyranny for the law of God doth principally require the society of humane conversation and therefore those things that are Caesars are to be given to Caesar neither is he to be resisted so long as he doth not oppose himselfe against God commanding some wicked Religion or some wicked and unjust thing for as Christ commands us to give unto Caesar those things so he commands us to give unto God those things that be Gods and God forbids us to give unto Caesar those things which are not Caesars and therefore if Caesar commands that which is repugnant to the command and will of God we must not obey him Acts 4. 19. 5. 29. In Doctor Iones his Comentary on the Hebrewes these sentences are purged out page 387. in the written 493. in the printed copy It is comparitively spoken all the Statutes Edicts and Commandements that proceed from Kings are not to be feared Saul commanded the Serjeants to lay violent hands on the Priests but they moved not a hand to doe it 1 Sam. 22. 17. Nebuchadnezzer made a proclamation that all Nations and kinreds should fall downe and worship his golden Image yet the three children would not doe it they chose rather to be cast into the fiery furnace Darius made a Decree none should pray to any God and yet Daniel he feared not the commandement still he prayed to the God of Israel so Pharaoh gave commandement that the Egyptians children should be throwne into the River yet Moses Parents feared God and chose rather to obey God then man If the Kings commandement be according to Gods commandement then obey it if it be repugnant then it is an excellent demand Acts 4. 19. whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather then God judge ye children saith Paul obey your parents in the Lord so Subjects obey your Kings in the Lord what reason is there we should obey man above God honour Kings as Gods Vice-gerents be thankfull to God for Kings yea though they be wicked ones for a tyranny is better then anarchy pray for Kings reverence Kings but feare not the earthly King before the heavenly their breath is in their nostriâ—l they are alive to day and dead to morrow they have strong hands and long horns to crush us with yet God can dry up their hands as he did Ieroboams he can weaken their hornes that they should not gore us with them I will tell you saith Christ whom you shall feare not him that can kill the body and goe no further but he that can cast soul and body into hell fire let us feare the King of Kings above earthly Kings God be thanked we have a King whose commandements are not contrary to Gods Commandements but if God in his wrath should send us a King as our sinnes have deserved that should command us to goe to Masse to worship Images to kill the Saints of God let us not feare such Commandements either our God will deliver us out of their hands even miraculously above our expectation or else take us to himselfe and give us a crowne of eternall glory And page 396. in the written copy The fiercenesse of Kings is not to be feared when the King of Kings sends us in his businesse c. When the blood is heated the mind incensed this is the rage of the King the King was enraged for anger against Moses as Lamech said I would kill a man in my wrath so where is this Moses bring him that I may flay him and no doubt he beset the Land and sent out pursevants after him unto all places yet Moses feared it not the wrath of a King is as the roaring of a Lyon yet if it be in Gods cause let us not feare it The devill is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rapiens eripiens to deliver us our of his hands Nebuchadnezzar was wroth with the three children because they would not fall downe and worship his golden image they feared it not Kings are mighty but God is more mighty they have long armes that can reach far but God at his pleasure can dry up their arms as he dryed up Ieroboams hand when he stretched it out to strike the Prophet they have sharp hornes but God can blunt their hornes Of Lyons he can make them Lambs as he did Esau and Laban if they will be Lyons still blustering and roaring against his children he can send out his Angels on the sodaine to smite them as he did Herod and can cause the very wormes to devour them Let us honour Kings yea though they be enemies to Gods Church let us reverence their power and authority but in matters appertaining to the King of Kings let us not feare the fiercest of them In the same Author we find these clauses likewise expunged Written cop f. 71. Book f. 396. A King and Queen are but flesh and blood Written copy f. 52. Book f. 91. Art thou a King yet thy breath is in Gods hand and
unregerate though they seeme never so glorious to the eyes of the world God sets not a straw by them no more then he did by the sacrifices of the Pagans nor their works be not meritorious because they proceed from an heart void of faith yet they affirme them to be good works and such as please God truly they be as pleasing to him as the sacrifice of Caine was they are no better then fine glistering sinnes they want faith therefore they cannot please God nothing that we doe without faith hath any acceptance with God It is said of the ancient Israelites that the Word profited them not because it was not mingled with faith nor sacrifice in the time of the Law nothing was good unlesse there were salt in it so no work is good if it be not seasoned with faith therefore let us entreat the Lord to give us a true faith in Christ that so our spirituall sacrifices may be accepted of him And page 410. though the blind Papists will not see it but we affirme that our best works are defiled with sinne our preaching our praying our giving of almes hearing of Sermons yea martyrdome which is the most glorious work of all may have some contagion of sinne in it our bearing of sicknesse may have some infirmities we may curse God in it as Job's Wife perswaded him to doe and if God should mark what is done amisse who could stand But here is his goodnesse he saw a lye in the work of Rahab yet he commends it for a good work he seeth imperfections in all that we doe yet he passeth them over and because we be in Christ he accepteth of that we doe as a child may faile in doing his fathers errand he may faile in some circumstances yet because the substance of it is done the father praiseth him so will our heavenly father us well done thou good and faithfull servant therefore let this encourage us to well doing c. And page 101. We are not to seek salvation by the observation of the Law as Papists doe 38. A Passage expunged against the Churches Infallibility IN Master Ward 's Comentary on Matthew page 294. this is deleted Object The Doctrine of the Church is in all things infallible Answ First this was a personall promise made onely to the Apostles and so cannot be extended to all the Church if we will speak according to the words properly according to their immediate sense 39. Passages deleted against the Impositions Tyranny and Dissimulation of Kings see Arbitrary power c. page 289. IN Doctor Clarks Sermons page 224. instead of legall imposts the Licenser hath put peaceable imposts Ibid page 225. instead of Subjects are not Tributaries the Licenser hath altered it to good subjects need not to be Tributaries c. And instead of not that in Samuel he puts if not that in Samuel Ibidem after jus Regis the Licenser hath blotted out these words A plea abused to corrupt good Kings Ibidem Not Samuel's Tollet is made If not Samuel's Tellet Ibidem page 336. l. 4. these words at all are added by the Licenser and these that follow Or if you will not lawfull in a compulsory way but in a consultory it wils due respect and discretion The Author wrote thus Kings are uncontrolable who will say saith Job to a King thou art wicked that shewes that it is not safe to censure them not 't is not lawfull men may doe that they dare not doe c. And page 452. after unto another this is expunged It was a King a most Christian King that taught his sonne happily all the Latine that he had Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare he cannot reigne that cannot faigne c. In Master Wards Comentary on Matthew page 145. written copy this sentence â—s expunged Subjects are not actively to obey Kings when they command what God forbids in his Word 40. Passages deleted that the Law of God is possible to be fulfilled by men as the Papists hold and That men are damned for Originall sinne as well as Actuall IN Master Ward 's Comentary on Matth. 11. 5. page 227. this is obliterated How is the fulfilling of the Law impossible Answ First negatively not because the works therein contained in their owne nature transcend the power of the mind or body or Organs for man in Paradise had strength enough to obey the whole Law and the Saints in Heaven doe perfectly fulfill it Secondly affirmatively the Law is impossible for man to fulfill First the judgement of the mind is so depraved that we know not how to doe any spirituall or morall work aright so as we ought to doe it and Secondly because the affections are so corrupted that we are not able to governe them or to curb or restraine the malice and depravation of them Quest 2. Why are so many or any damned perpetually Answ Not onely for their actuall sinnes but even also for their originall corruptions and depravation of nature Ephes 2. 1 2. for sinners shall be beaten with stripes and with more stripes Luke 12. 47. c. that is First they shall have plura verbera more stripes and more grievous torments in hell for their actuall sinnes But Secondly they shall also have verbera stripes eternall condemnation and torments though not equall with the former who never committed actuall sinne but onely dyed in their naturall estate their originall corruption not being washed away by or in the blood of Christ Observ Secondly by grace in Christ we are enabled to walk in the wayes of God and to work his work for Christ doth give unto all those whom he cals power in some measure to obey him for he gives not onely velle power to will and desire but also posse power to doe that which he commands Phil. 2. 13. Quest 3. How doth this appeare for none seem and that especially to themselves more weak then the children of God Answ It most evidently appeares by these particulars viz. First because we are called unto the glory of God Phil. 2. 15. c. and to hold forth the Lamp of a pure life Mat. 5. 16. and therefore certainly those whom God cals shall from him receive grace and power to performe good works Secondly because Religion is the path-way to Heaven and therefore undoubtedly those whom the Lord cals unto that inheritance he will enable in some measure to walke in the wayes of Religion and to giue unto him religious worship read Deut. 5. 33. Josh 22. 5. Mat. 3. 8. 10. 7. 20. Luke 11. 28. Rom. 2. 7. Gal. 5. 16. Thirdly because Christ unto those whom he cals gives the holy comforter even a bright shining light whereby we are assured of the love of God which love of his worketh a threefold effect in us namely First it makes us love the Lord againe and to returne love for love and although we cannot love him in that measure and degree that he loveth us his love
of Gods vvord 3. to the practice of piety 4. to the opposing and resisting of iniquity and all manner of vvickednesse and 5. to the strengthning and corroborating of our faith by the Word and Sacraments Fourthly vve must principally exercise our patience and labor that it may have its perfect vvorke in us Who can be alwayes patient or indure patient in persecution and affliction unto the end They can vvho have not placed their hope in this life or any thing therein but live in Christ and place all their hope and confidence in him Colos 3. 3. 4. In the same Comentary on Mat. p. 277. writen copy this whole discourse is obliterated The words in this place The gates of hell shall never prevaile against it serâ—e us as a strong rocke to build perseverance of grace and faith upon both against the Papists Pelagians Socinians and others For here our Saviour plainly promiseth that against those which build their faith upon this rock Christ the gates of hell and power of satan shall never prevaile To this Socinus in tractatu de loco tu es Petrus answers That these words of Christs are not so to be understood as though the Devill could not prevaile against any of the members of the true Church of Christ but that so long as they are the true members thereof it is impossible that they should be hardned by Satan or hell that is he promiseth to the Church so long as it remaines the Church of Christ that the power of death shall not so prevaile against it that it come into condemnation but he doth not understand by the gates of hell the craft deceit and fraud of Satan whereby he labours to seduce and enthrall some Hereunto we answer first whatsoever is an adversary to the building of the Church upon the Rock or to the constant adhering of the Church unto Christ that is understood by the prevailing gates of hell for in these words he removes the contrary of that which before he had laid downe upon this Rock will I build my Church but the fraudulent and crafty temptations of Satan which are effectuall or of force to seduce or enthrall the faithfull are principall enemies to this building of the Church and constant adhering unto Christ and therefore these crafty and subtile tentations are understood by the gates of hell Secondly whatsoever comes out of the gates of hell or hath its beginning from thence that is here understood by this phrase of the gates of hell but the temptations of Satan are hatched in hell and come from thence therefore they are here ment by the gates of hell Thirdly if the condemnation of the faithfull onely be understood here by the gates of hell then this promise may stand with the totall failing or falling away of the Church militant for then he should promise nothing to the militant members of the Church but onely to the dead who dye in faith but this is repugnant to the intention of Christ in this place and to the interpretation of all Writers and the opinion of all Christians Fourthly Saint Peter himselfe unto whom our Saviour here speakes seems otherwise to interpret these words then Socinus doth 1 Pet. 2 7 8. where the Apostle teacheth that unbeleevers and disobedient persons who stumble at Christ and are offended with him doe belong unto those gates which doe impugne and assault that building which consists of living stones and is founded upon the corner stone and true rocke Jesus Christ Fiftly the proportion or analogy ought to be observed which our Saviour here intimates and implyes betwixt two Cities the one of heaven which hath her gates and keyes verse 19. and the other of hell which by the gates of her plots practises and provocations doe seek the ruine of the heavenly city Now in this place our Saviour promiseth and would have us to beleeve it upon his word that none of the plots projects assaults or batteries of the gates of hell shall prevaile against the heavenly City the Church And therefore seeing one City is opposed to the other and the gates of the one to the gates of the other and the one viz. the Church is considered in the state and condition of her present building it is very requisite that the other should respect her present impugning and assaulting of the other and consequently the craft deceit and fraud of Satan whereby he labors to seduce enthrall and deceive the members of the Church Ibidem p. 201. Christ is Never the Licenser makes it semetimes absent from his children and then blots out this ensuing clause For he loves them unto the end Joh. 13. 1 yea promiseth to be with them unto the end Mat. 28. 20. yea dwels in them by his spirit 1 Cor. 3. 16. â— Cor. 6. 16. but yet he seemes sometimes to be absent And pa. 57. Professors are odious unto the world and derided scoffed and taunted at by the world but the comfort is that they are dear unto God and precious in the sight of Christ who will acknowledge them to be his when he doth deny and utterly disclaime those their mockers and despisers And thus the Lord hath particular consolations for all particular sorts of his servants And 12. lines after They stand or fall to their owne Master yea they shall stand and none neither sinne or Satan shall be able to plucke them out of Christ's hand John 10. 18. 57. Passages purged out against the Popish Pyx and Transubstantiation IN Master Ward 's Comentary on Matth. page 341. there is this deletion Que. Who may be ment there or to whom may these words be fitly applyed Answ These words of our Saviours doe neerly touch the Papists for they can point with their fingers and say here is Christ and there is Christ Behold in this Pyx are three Christs in that five in that seuen in that more therefore it is likely that Christ giveth us this speciall watch-word and such others Beleeve them not Quest What doth our Saviour forewarne us of here Answ We have in this verse a charge from Christ that if those Impostors the Papists should say unto us of him behold he is in secret places or closets we should not beleeve it and this is most appliable unto them who tell us that Christ is to be found in a Pyx and think that they have him in safe custody under lock and key 59. Passages deleted against Prayer to Saints Popish Prayers the Merit of Prayer praying first for spirituall things and praying towards the East In Doctor Clerks Sermons page 140. l. 12. after yea and then the Licenser hath expunged this following sentence The Papists are foulely befoold who have prayed so long to Saints being but damned spirits and all in hell Ibid. page 219. l. 6. after that word mostly this is deleted Frayers Papists say Saints pray they want naught themselves but pray for us they there fore pray to them proofe from Scripture they presse
parte intererit salutem Cum vacante â—uper sede Episcopi Cicestren per mortem naturalem vltimi Episcopi ejusdem ad humilem petitionem Decani Capituli Ecclesiae nostrae Cathedralis Cicestr per Literas Nostras petendi licentiam concesserimus alium sibi eligendum in Episcopum pastorem sedis pradicti iidem Decanus Capitulum vigore obtentu licentiae nostrae perdilectum nobis in Christo Richardum Mountague sacrae Theologia Baccalaurum sibi et Ecclesia praedicta elegerunt in Episcopum pastorem prout per literas suas sigillo corum communi sigillatas Nobis inde direstas plenius liquet apparet Nos electionem illam acceptantes eidem electioni Regium nostrum assensum adhibuimus pariter et faverem et hoc vobis tenore praesentium significamus Rogantes ac in side et dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter precipiendo mandautes quatenus vos eundum Richardum Mountague in Episcopum et pastorem Ecclesiae Cathedralis nostrae Cicestren pradictae fie vt praefertur electum electionemque praedict confirmare et cundem Episcopum et pastorem Ecelesiae Cathedralis predictae consecrare ceteraque omnia et singula peragere quae vestro in hac parte incumbunt officio pastorali juxta formam statutorum et legum Regni nostri Angliae in hac parte editâ— et provis velitis cum diligentia favere effectu In cujus rei c. This conteineth your Majesties Royall Assent for Richard Mountague Batchelar in Divinity to be Bishop of Chichester voyde by the death of the last Incumbent By order of the Lord Bishop of London After this he so far honoured him as to be present at his consecration Witnesse this passage in his Diary penned with his own-hand August 23. 24. 1628. Saturday Saint Bartholmeus Eve the Duke of Buckingham slain at Portsmouth by one Lieutenant Felton about 9. in the morning the Newes of his death came to Croydon where it found my selfe and the Bishops of Winchester Ely and Carlisle at the consecration of Bishop Mountague for Chichester with my Lords Grace In the year 1638. upon the Translation of Bishop Wren to Ely this Archbishop preferred him to the See of Norwich witnesse Bishop Mountagues Letter to the Archbishop thus endorsed with his own hand Rec. Martii 29. 1638. Bishop of Ghichesters submission of his Bookes to me c. Found in his Study at Lambeth and attested by Master Prynne May it please your Grace By Mr Bray I sent your Grace another part of my Altar Relations as my between-times of sicknesse would give me leave to transcribe the rest as I can dispatch it I will send after with Gods helpe In the last there is much of the Churches sacrifice faithfully related out of Antiquity not positively by me asserted I am but a Narrator and so the lesse offensive Howsoever I give your Grace Power to dispose of what I write as will fit the Church and State For we are I know of the same Religion drive to the same end though not the same way So much I related to Master Bray and Mr Deane of Christ-Church The remaynes of my Ague are worse then the Ague it selfe so that I cannot waite upon your Grace as I would Yesterday I took a Purgation which I hope will doe me good but hath much weakened mee and Phisitians in expelling the remaynes and restoring health unto the castle of strength say they must tuto pede movere I cannot learn that my Lord of Norwich is yet fully translated till when I suppose there is no issuing of my Conge D'esleer I must humbly intreat your Grace that you would be pleased to informe me when and what I should doe in both which I am so ignorant God make me profitable to his Church to which I can bring nothing but honesty and Industry which I will promise and to your Grace thankefullnesse for your long-continued extraordinary Favours in which vote I rest Your Graces poor Servant and Brother Rich. Cicist For the most Reverend my Lord of Canterbury his Grace this By this Letter it is most apparent First that Bishop Mountague made the Archbishop acquainted with his Bookes before he printed them and submitted them to his censure and how full of Popery they are you have already heard Yea after they were printed he presented him with printed Coppies of them curiously bound up and guilded produced and read formerly at the Lords Barre Secondly That Canterbury and he were of the same religion and did drive at the same end and what was that but the erecting of Altars the introducing of Popery and reconciling us to Rome as this Letter and the foregoing evidence manifest Thirdly That his promotions were by the Archbishops long-continued extraordinary favours for which he returnes him thankes in this Letter And no wonder was it that Bishop Mountague was his speciall Favourite for if we beleeve the Pamphlet intituled The Popes Nuncio p. 11. 14. 16. first published in Italian by the Venetian Embassadour this great confident of the Archbishop was very intimate with Panzain the Popes first Legate frequently visited him and very passionately desired a Reconciliation of us and the Church of Rome Yea Godfrey Goodman Bishop of Glocester in his Letter to the Archbishop whiles they were both prisoners in the Tower dated August 30. 1642. the originall whereof was seised on by M. Prynne writes That at that instant when he dissented from the New Canons by Bishop Mountagues encouragement An. 1640. he could have proved how that in his person he did visit and held correspondency with the Popes Agent and received his Letters in behalfe of his Sonne who was then travelling to Rome who by his Letters he had extraordinary entertainment there This Bishop Mountague would ascribe to the favour and credit which he had gotten by his writings If so it seemes they were very well approved of at Rome And this is not onely probable but reall as appeares by an originall Letter under Bishop Mountagues own hand to Secretary Windebanke dated from Aldingburne Jan. 26. wherein he desires this Popish Secretary to give his son leave to goe to Rome in his travell which he is desireous to do and I writes he AM DESIROVS HE SHOVLD desiring him to acquaint his GRACE therewith and remember his duty to him His Graces advancement then of such an Arminian and Romish Prelate so intimate with the Popes Legate and much favoured at Rome must certainly favour of a Romish designe to corrupt our Church subvert our Religion set up Popery and reduce us back to Rome Doctor Roger Manwaring Vicar of Saint Giles in the fields a man very Popishly affected and intimate with Papists who abounded in his Parish upon a complaint and Impeachment of the Commons in Parliament for two Sermons preached before his Majestie the third year of his reigne in Justification of the Lawfulnesse of the Kings imposing Loues and Taxes on his People without consent
Popery and Arminianisme which this Bishops creatures excepted against and speedily informed him off Dr T. Cumber then Vice-Chancellor informs him of this Sermon in a Letter of his May 22. 1632. wherein he writes in this manner I cannot but further advertise your Lordship in a word that here was one Mr Bernard a discontinuer and a Preacher as I hear about London who uttered some offensive words concerning some Ceremonies and Rites used in some Churches in a Sermon of his at Saint Maries and as I have heard in some other Church before I gave a decree to the Beadle to convent him but he could not be found To which the Bishop returned this answer written with Mr Dells hand and thus endorsed May 27. 1630. A clause of my Letter to Dr Cumber concerning Mr Bernard c. I AM sorry you have been troubled at Cambridge with the distempered speeches of any men in the Pulpit And I must confesse I heard of both the particulars you mention before I received your Letter That in St. Johns it seemes they have punished and you doe very worthily to joyn with them in case any thing for the publique shall be further requisite And as for Mr Bernard I am the more sorry for him because he is in London within my Charge Neverthelesse if he have done unworthily I shall be very ready to assist you and the Vniversity in what I may be able And since you gave a Decree to the Beadle to convent him and he slipt away the while I will do the best I can to send him backe there to be answerable to the Government against which he hath offended And if he shall refuse so to do without giving better reason then I thinke he can I shall certainly suspend him till hee do it So in hast I leave you c. W. London Before this Doctors Letter the Bishop had received an information of the heads of his Sermon from others thus endorsed with his own hand May 6. 1932. Notes of Mr Bernards Sermon at Cambridge the particulars whereof are hereafter expressed more at large in his own words Soone after Mr Bernard by this Bishops prosecution was brought into the High Commission Court and forced to deliver in a Copy of his Sermon to the Bishop which he did who excepted against these Passages in it for which he was articled against Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship are the glory of any Nation By Gods Ordinances here I understand chiefly the Word Sacraments and Prayer which if blended and adulterated with any Superstitious Innovations of men cease to bee Gods Ordinances and he ownes them no longer It is not the single having of Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship but the having of them in their purity and integrity that dignifies a Nation Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship in their Purity and Integrity are a sure shield between a Nation and publike ruine and desolation For proofe whereof I challenge all Recordes both divine and humane to produce one instance wherein God punished any part of his Church with any Nationall ruine and destruction before they had either departed from or corrupted his Ordinances The Apostle Rom. 1. 16. affirmeth of the preaching of the Word that it is the power of God to salvation It is the meanes by which God manifesteth his omnipotent and irresistible power in the conversion and salvation of all those who from eternity were ordained thereunto by Gods absolute and immutable Decree This seemes to confute their errour who think meanly and basely of these Ordinances of God which we have proved to be the glory of that Nation where they are in their purity and integrity These men turn their glory into shame for is there not a generation of prophane men among us who are afraide and ashamed to preach twice on the Lords day to preach plainly powerfully and spiritually to the soules and consciences of their people least they should be accounted Puritans Many who are afraide to hear too often especially on the weeke dayes least they should be accounted Bible-bearers and gadders after Sermons Many who are as much afraide to performe holy duties in their families and to speake like Christians as Peter was who that his speech might not betray him began to curse and swear Many who complain that there is too much preaching and that it was never merry since Many who esteem very meanly of prayer especially of the publike prayers of the Church Some that have scorufully called the sirging of a Psalme a Geneva Iigge But the principall exception was for this ensuing Discourse in the close of his Sermon Further I will not deny that God hath his true invisible Church among those Nations as he had in Israel in the dayes of Ahab and Eliah nay I see no reason why in a large yet true sence we may not call the Church of Rome Italy or Spain a particular visible Church of Christ as Israel in the Reign of Jeroboem was a Church of God though Idolatrous and Apostaticall Yet I say that it is imposible that any should be saved living or dying without repentance in the doctrine and Idolatrous worship of the Church of Rome as the late Tridentine Councell hath decreed it My reason is this Hee that thinkes to go to heaven any other way then by faith in Christ onely shall never come there But he that dyes without repentance in the Doctrine of the Church of Rome as the Councell of Trent hath decreed it thinkes to go to heaven another way then by faith in Christ onely as namely by the merits of his own workes Ergo such a one shall never come there Thirdly if Gods Ordinances for his publike worship in their purity are the glory of a nation then it followes that they who go about to deprive a Nation of any of Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship either in whole or in the best part of them idest in their purity and integrity they go about to make that Nation base and inglorious and if so then are they enemies to that Nation and Traytors to it if it be their own Nation for Treason is not limited to the royall blood as if he only could be a Traitor who plotteth and attempteth the dishonour and shedding thereof but may be and is too oft committed against the whole Church and nation which last is by so much the worst of them two by how much the end is better then the meanes and the whole of greater consequence then any other part alone Whereby we may learn what to account of those among our selves if any such be which is better known to you then to mee who endeavour to quench the light and abate the glory of our Israel by bringing in their Pelagian errours into the Doctrine of our Church established by Law and the Superstitions of the Church of Rome into our warship of God as high Altars Crucifixes and bowing to them id est in plain English
the year 1626. some godly Persons in and about London to promote the preaching of the Gospel and set up a Preaching Ministry to instruct the people in divers great Towns and Parishes impropriate where they wanted means to maintain Preaching of which they had long been destitute in former times resolved to lay their purses together and chuse out of themselves four Divines four Common Lawyers and four Citizens of note who should be Feoffees in trust to purchase in these Impropriations and with the profits of them to set up and maintain a constant preaching Ministery in places of greatest need and eminency whereupon they made choice of Dr W. Gouge Dr R. Sibbs C. Ofspring I. Davenport Divines Ralph Eyre S. Brown of Lincolas Inne C. Sherland of Greyes Inne J. White of middle Temple Esquires Common Lawyers Iohn Geering Richard Davis George Harwood and Francis Bridges Citizens to be Feoffees for this purpose who with their own monyes and the contributions of other well-affected persons in 2 or 3 years space purchased in the Impropriations of Hartford Dunstable Cirencester with others and set up able preaching conformable Ministers authorized by the Bishops of the Diocesse there in many other places where they had never any before as likewise at Bridgenorth Clarely and had they not been interrupted in this good work would in very few years in all probability have purchased in most of the great Towns noted Parishes Impropriations of England in Lay-mens hands where Preaching was most wanting and meanes to maintain it No sooner had this Malignant Prelate notice of this pious religious work but out of his enmity to Preaching and the good of ignorant peoples souls whom he would rather have still keept in blindnesse and the chaines of Sathan then instructed with the Gospels light and brought under the Scepter of Jesus Christ he presently projects not only the obstruction but utter subvertion of this pious designe which none but a Devill incarnate or Enemy of all goodnesse could dislike many even of the worser sort of Bishops yea Courtiers applauding it as a very necessary and godly work That he himself projected the overthrow of these Feoffees was proved out of his own Diary where thus he writes in the close of it Things which I have projected to do if Godblesse me in them the third whereof is this To overthrow the Feofment dangerous both to Church and State going under the specious pretence of buying in Impropriations Over against which he writes in the Margin DONE which fights point-blanke with his very next project of a quite contrary nature justifying these Feoffees acts namely To procure King CHARLES to give all the Impropriations yet remaining in the Crown within the Realme of Ireland to that poor Church Against which he writes in the Margin Done and settled there though to the impairing of that Crownes revenues and that by power of the Councell Table in an arbitrary forcible and illegall way to the undoing of many as appears by sundry Originall Letters thence whereas the Feoffees buying in Impropriations did no wayes lessen the Kings revenues and was done in a just and legall way To overthrow this pious work he caused Mr Noy the Kings Atturney Generall by the Kings command to exhibit a Bill against these Feoffees in the Eschequer Chamber to confiscate their purchased Impropriations to the King by a Decree of that Court and so dissolve all they had done which Bill was prosecuted with all violence To set on the prosecution with more edge he suborned his flattering creatures to declaime against these Feoffees and their design in the Pulpit both at Court and elsewhere Among others his great Minion Peter Heylin preaching at Saint Maryes in Oxford before the whole Vniversity at the publike Act there on Sunday in the afternoon the 11th of July 1630. discharged his venome against Lecturers and these Feoffees in these bitter Invectives p. 38 39 Planting of Pensionary Lectures in so many places where it needs not and upon dayes of common labour will at the last bringing forth of fruites appear to be a tare indeed though now no wheat be counted fairer c. Wee will proceed a little further in the proposall of some things to be considered The Corporation of Feoffees for buying in Impropriations to the Church Doth it not seeme in the appearance to be an excellent peece of Wheat A noble and gracious point of Piety Is not this Templum Domini Templum Domini But blessed God that men should thus draw near unto thee with their mouths yet be far from thee in their hearts For what are those intrusted in the managing of this great businesse Are they not the most of them the most active and the best affected men in the whole cause et magna partis momenta chiefe Patrons of the faction And what are those whom they prefer Are they not most of them such as must be serviceable to their dangerous Innovations And will they not in time have more preferments to bestow and therefore more dependances then all the Prelates in the Kingdome c. Yet all this while we sleep and slumber and fold our hands in sloath and see perhaps but dare not note it This Sermon he presented to this Bishop in writing bound up in Velome who thus endorsed it with his own hand S. Mat. 13 25. Master Peter Heylin and reserved it as a monument in his study where it was seised by Mr Pryn and Mr Bendy who produced and attested it Feb. 13. 1632. this cause came to hearing and sentence in the Exchequer Chamber where the Feoffees and their good designe were utterly overthrowne of which the Bishop made this speciall Memento in his Diary in these termes Feb. 13. 1632. Wednesday the Feoffees that pretended to buy in Impropriations were dissolved in the Chequer Chamber They were the main Instruments for the Puritane faction to undoe the Church The Criminall part reserved John White of the Middle Temple Esquire a member of the House of Commons deposed at the Lords Barre that he attending this Archbishop then of London at London House as a Councellour about a right of Patronage to Chingford in Essex after the hearing of the businesse the Bishop demanded of him Whether he were not one of the Feoffees for buying in Impropriations to which he answered he was whereupon the Bishop fell upon him with much bitternesse of spirit calling him An enemy of the Church an underminer of Religion and vehemently affirmed that this worke of his and his fellow-Feoffees was mischeivous to the Church and destructive to Religion and that he would see him and his fellows shortly called to an Account for it and stop them from proceeding in that work That some few dayes after he attended this Bishop again at Fulham upon the former cause where he took occasion to discourse with him at large about the Feoffees proceedings enforming him that their onely ayme and end in purchasing in Impropriations was for the
Preacher shall bring any other Minister to preach for him in time of his sicknesse absence or other necessary employment but such as for whose Conformity to the Church and Government here he will be answerable 7. That if any Minister being a Subject of the Kings in the Low-Countreys or any other place beyond the Seas shall in any other Auditory as well as before the Regiments or the Merchants preach or publish or in any other way by publike Speech Writing or Printing divulge any thing derogatory to the Doctrine or Discipline established in the Church of England or otherwise prejudiciall to the Temporall State and Government His Majesties Agent there shall use the best meanes he can to discover him or them so offending and having found them shall presently certifie the State here that so they may be recalled by Privy Seale to answer it And if they then refuse to come that the Law in that case passe upon them 8. That no man shall be chosen or sent over by the Merchants here either to Delf or any other place of their residence beyond the Seas whensoever any such place or places shall become voyd but such a man as is conformable to the Church of England both in Doctrine and Discipline and such as will be carefull to see that they which are under his Governments shall observe all such Church Duties as are expressed and required in any the former Articles And that some of the chiefe Merchant-Adventurers here be sent for to the Board and be made acquainted with this Article And farther that at every time and times that they send a new Deputy Governour to any place of their Residence they present the said Deputy to the Lords and give them assurance of his fitnesse and sufficiency for that Charge At which time the said Deputy may have such Directions given him by their Lordships as the present times and occasions require And that there be like care taken for other good Officers there as for the Deputy Governour himselfe 9. That whensoever the Merchant-Adventurers shall become suitors to His Majesty to renew or confirme their Patent as in most Kings times it is usuall so to doe that then there be a Clause inserted into their Patent to binde them to the observance of all or so much of these Instructions as shall bee thought fit by his Majesty and the Lords 10. That the present Agent as also all others that shall succeed in that employment have these Instructions given them in Charge and that once a yeare they be required to give the Board an Account what the Proceed of the businesse is That so His Majesties Subjects aswell abroad as at home may be kept in orderly obedience to the Honour of His Majesties Government and the better uniting of the hearts of his People to God His Majesty and one to another In which will consist the strength as well as the Honour of the Kingdom 11. I conceive it no way fit that the Ministers which are His Majesties Subjects in Holland should have any Classicall Meetings allowed them as it seemes they pretend some grant since the yeare 1622. especially that they be not suffered to assume power of Ordination for then it will be a perpetuall Seminary to breed and transplant men ill-affected to the Government into this Kingdom It is to be observed that the French and High Germane Congregations in the Low-Countreys doe all observe the Liturgy of their own Mother Churches only the English observe neither their owne nor any other uniformity Concerning the second that is the French and Dutch Churches as they now stand in many parts of this Kingdom I as humbly represent first the Danger then the probable Remedy For the Dangers I humbly submit but conceive as followeth 1. It was Honour and Piety in this State when at the first way was given for those Churches both in London and some other parts of this Kingdome Because at that time there was persecution upon them in their owne Countreys And the Peace with which God then blessed this Kingdom was their safety 2. I conceive it was never the meaning and purpose of this State then or at any other time that they living and continuing here marrying and having wives and children and many of them plentifull fortunes and Lands And their children and childrens children being now Natives and his Majesties borne Subjects should live like an absolute divided Body from the Church of England established which must needs work upon their affections and alienate them from the State or at least make them ready for any Innovation that may sort better with their humour 3. It is likewise considerable what an entire and divided body they keep themselves For few or none of them marry with any of us but only one with another Upon which it must needs follow that as they encrease and multiply they which are now a Church within a Church will in time grow to be a kinde of another Common-wealth within this and so ready for that which I hold not fit to expresse any farther 4. It is likewise of great consequence that these men living with their entire Families divided from the present Government of Church and Common-wealth are many and have got their Residence and settlement in all or most of the Haven Townes especially such as lie fittest for France and the Low-Countreys And were occasion offered God knowes what advantage they may take to themselves or make for others 5. Their Example is of ill consequence in Church affaires especially to the Subject of England For many are confirmed in their stubborne wayes of disobedience to the Church-Government seeing them so freely suffered in this great and populous City 6. Last of all I think it very just not to suffer French or Dutch Church differing from us in Discipline to be otherwise or longer tolerated in any part of this Realme then the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England shall among the Subjects of this Crowne be tolerated in those severall parts beyond the Seas whither they have cause to resort and abide For the Remedies likewise I humbly submit but conceive they may be these 1. I think it fit their Number in all places of this Kingdome bee made knowne as fully as may be that your Lordships may the better judge both of them and the way to reduce them into one Body with this Kingdome in which they are borne Subjects 2. I conceive the best way to know their Number is by a Command from the State it selfe and to have it avowedly taken in all places where they reside with a Certificat either presently or when your Lordships shall think fit which are the men of Credit and Wealth among them And this may be done really for their good and so sweetned as that they may apprehend it for a benefit as indeed it is 3. It is fit if they will continue as a divided Body from both State and Church that they be used as
Master Pryme IF you heare Fa. Francis his Booke or person touched let them know that we understand assuredly that it proceeds from the Jesuits most likely also by this last Letter of Mr. Midleton to the Archbishop who imploy others in it as they did against Father Leanded till it cost him his life and if that upon their informations they proceed against such persons who THOUGH IN ALL THINGS CATHOLIKE yet are more discrect and temperate and not intermedling in matters of State THE KING WILL BE MUCH OFFENDED Thus much for this Book of Sancta Clara and the Author of it The fifth Evidence we shall pitch upon to prove a designe to reconcile and reduce us back to Rome is the Popes and his Agents promises tenders of Cardinals Caps and Places to some prime English men and to this Archbishop himselfe in particular the end whereof could be no other but to enthrall us againe to the superstitious jurisdiction of the Papall See The first proffer we find of a Cardinals Cap made to any English Prelat since the Reformation was to this Archbishop who thus records the time and manner thereof with his owne hand in his Diary Aug. 4. 1633. Sunday news came to Court of the Lord Archbishop of Canterburies death and the King RESOLVED PRESENTLY to give it me which he did Aug. 6. That very morning at Greenwich there came one to me seriously and THAT AVOWED ABILITY TO PERFORME IT AND OFFERED ME TO BE A CARDINALL I went presently to the King and acquainted him both with the thing and person It is very considerable that Master Anthony Mildmay deposed that Con the Popes Nuncio told him at Rome before Archbishop Abbots death that Bishop Laud should succeed him and that he would be more favourable to the Catholikes then Abbot By which it appeares that Bishop Laud was long before Abbots death designed to the place if not at the solicitation yet at least by the approbation of the Roman party No sooner comes newes to Court of Archbishop Abbots death but the King presently resolves that Bishop Laud should succeed him and no sooner is this known at Court but that very morning as himselfe records he is thus seriously offered to be a Cardinall by one who avowed ability to performe it and that at Greenwich in the Kings own Court. Who it was that made this offer were worth the discovery but this mystery he couceales The Plot against the King discovered to him by Habernfield informes us That Con the Popes Nuncio had a command to offer A CARDINALS CAP TO THE ARCHBISHOP in the name of the Pope of Rome and that he should allure him also with greater promises but this first offer was before Con's arrivall here Were the person an English Subject of what rank soever this proffer of his to to revive this popish dignity of a Cardinall among us and to receive it from the Popes exploded forraigue power which drew Cardinall Woolsey into a Premunire if not under the guilt of high Treason though this honour was procured him not only by King Henry the 8th his assent but solicitation deserved the severest exemplary punishment especially since it tended to engage the Primate and Metropolitan of all England most obliged by his place and office against all Popish power offices superstitious doctrines to submit unto them and become the Popes sworne vassall If the Popes owne Nuncio Panzani which is probable or any other forraigne Agent the affront had been so great both to the Archbishops person place had he been cordial to our Church our Religion being both a Privy Counsellour the Kings grand favorite and he who steard our Churches helm to the honour of our Church Religion of the King himselfe and his Royall Court that it could not patiently be put up or pretermitted without some eminent satisfaction But be the person one or other certaine it is he was never once questioned or molested by the Archbishop for this proffer who took it so well at the parties hands or rejected it so coldly that on the 17. day of the same Moneth he had a second serious offer made to him of the selfe-same dignity most probably by the same person which himselfe thus Registreth in his Diary Aug. 17. 1633. Saturday I had A SERIOUS OFFER MADE ME AGAIN TO BE A CARDINALL I was then from Court but so soon as I came thither which was August 21 I acquainted his Majesty with it But my answer againe was that somewhat dwelt within me which would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is What it was that dwelt within him which made him not absolutely but for the present only to refuse this offer till Rome was other then it is we may learn from Sir Hen. Mildmay's Mr. Anth. Mildmay's Mr. Challoner's depositions forementioned and his owne Reply to Fisher pag. 171. to wit an ambitious Papall spirit he would like his worthy Predecessor Saint Anselme so he stiles him be both in Title and Jurisdiction Papa alterius Orbis Pope of our British world and Vniversall Patriarch of all the Churches within his Majesties Realmes and Dominions which Rome as it then was and the Jesuiticall party there as these witnesses have deposed distiked and would not suffer and for this cause onely he refused this dignity which would have more enthralled him to the Popes and Romes jurisdiction not to their Religion then his ambitious spirit could well brook This double serious proffer of a Romish Cardinalship to the Archbishop is an infallible Argument First that the Pope and his Conclave at Rome had an extraordinary good opinion of his favour his good affection to Popery and their Antichristian Church else they would not have profered him such a dignity incompatible to any Protestant English Prelat Secondly that they deemed him the aptest activest Instrument to reconcile and re-unite us to Rome of all other in respect of his favour at Court power with the King and inclination to Popery as Sir Henry Mildmay Master Anthony Mildmay Master Challoner have attested therefore they would honour him with a Cardinals Hat to the end that as his Predecessor Cardinall Poole Archbishop of Canterbury the last English Cardinall of any of our Prelats reconciled our revolted Kingdom to Rome in Queen Maries dayes as appeareth at large by the Statute of 1. 2. Phil. Mary ch 8. So he invested with the same Papall dignity and fitting in the self-same See might once more as easily reduce us to the bosome of the Roman Church in the dayes of this Queen Mary as Popish as the former as he did then As this Archbishop so Master Walter Mountague not long after had good hopes given him at Rome to be made a Cardinal as the Archbishop himself was informed by Mr. Middleton's forecited Letter which dignity he should have lately received thence had he not been imprisoned if Sir Kenelme Digbies Letter may be credited to help on this work
troubles they both most desperately perswaded his Majesty without the privity of the other Lords to raise an Army among the Papists in Ireland to subdue the Scots by force because they durst not trust the English in regard the puritan party was so great and beld correspondency with the Scots which advice was held most dangerous and pernicious councell by our States-men as two Jesuits G. T. Talbot the Jesuit and William Hewill writ to their Father Superiour at Parisâ—nne â—nne 28. 1631. as appears by their intercepted Letters found among Secretary Windebanks sequestred papers If any should object than this Archbishop had no power or charge at all in Ireland to suppresse the Papists there We answer it appears by hundreds of papers Letters found in his Study sent from thence to him that nothing at all was there acted concerning any Church affairs but by his direction who swayed all things disposed of all Church preferments there at his pleasure and likewise did what he pleased there in most state businesses by reason of his power with the King and interest in the Deputy insomuch that the very naming of him at the Counsell Table there was like a Gorgons head to amaze all opposites and strike them mute or into a shaking fit as the Primate of Armagh informed him in two severall Letters from thence Wherefore we cannot but from all the premises conclude this very Archbishop guilty of being not only privy but aiding to the re-establishing of popery in Ireland and reuniting it to the Church of Rome which Realm being farthest out of sight was thought the meetest Theater for the Pope and his Instruments to act their designs and parts upon with most advantage security and least opposition The seventh particular which most evidently manifests the Pope's with his Agents designes and studious endeavour to reconcile us to Rome and our domestick compliance therewith is the Popes sending of divers Nuncioes successively from Rome into England a thing never formerly heard of since the Reformation who kept their residence and were entertained as Nuncioes to him in London Westminster had frequent accesse to Court and held correspondency with divers of our Nobility more especially with Secret Windebank and Bishop Mountague this Archbishops chief Creatures seconded with our avowed entertainment of popish Agents at Rome of purpose to reduce and reconcile us to it The first of these Nuncioes was Gregorio Panzani who arrived at London Decem. 25. 1634. where he was received welcomed treated with both by King and Queen who continuing here till the yeer 1636. and then returning Seignior Georgio Con a Scot who departed from Rome towards England May 20. 1636. arrived here about the end of that moneth bringing a great Breve and many Reliques of Saints Meddals and pieces of gold and silver with the Popes picture stamped on them who was courteously entertained by the King and Queen at Hombly in Northamptonshire where he found them and afterwards kept his residence in Westminster neer the New Exchange He after three yeers and two moneths stay here in England aspiring to a Cardinals Cap returned towards Rome laden with great store of Jewels and gifts worth many thousand pounds After him Count Rossetti a Noble man of Ferrara was sent over hither as Nuncio who continued his Negotiation here and found great respect at Court till he was driven hence by this Parliament wherin were many complaints against him about July 1641. as we have elswhere manifested And as the Pope had his Nuncio's here so had we our reciprocall Agents at Rome The first of them was Master Walter Mountague who arrived there about August 1633. to whom succeeded Serj. Major Bret who arrived at Rome about Decemb. 1635. After him succeeded Sir William Hamilton a Scot dangerous Papist who came to Rome about the end of May 1636. and continued Agent there till this present Parliament Of all which this Archbishop had exact intelligence as appears by Master Midleton's Letters to him and Habernfields Discovery found among his owne papers endorsed by himself The eighth particular is the Popes and his Congreations de Propaganda side aâ— Rome sending over infinite swarms of Seminary Priests Jesuits Fryars of all sorts into England to seduce us their erecting of a popish Hierachy societies of Jesuits Monasteries of Monks Nuns and other popish Locusts secretly among us and holding a generall Counsell at London whereof Con the Popes Nuncio was President to raise arms forces monies against the Scots to advance the Catholikes cause all which we have elswhere related proved at large and was very well know to this Prelat by the manifold Remonstrances Petitions of the Parliament against this dangerous encrease of Papists Priests Jesuits Popery which Petitions he still opposed These five particulars thus proved premised infallibly demonstrating a dangerous design and prosecution of it in the Pope and his Instruments to reduce subject us to the Church of Rome of which this Archbishop was most fully informed and wherewith in a great measure he complied with them we shall now proceed to demonstrate that instead of counterworking opposing resisting this known design and practice of theirs according to his trust and duty he did most traiterously and wickedly combine confederate with them to the utmost of his wit and power to advance accomplish this their design and project by sundry Jesuiticall practises some whereof we have formerly proved pressed at large and therefore shall only recapitulate now to re-fresh your memories and then proceed to further evidence First of all he began to usher into our Cathedrals Churches Chappels Universities by inches and degrees one after another Altars Images Crucifixes Tapers Copes consecrated Basons Altar-cloths bowing to Altars Popish consecrations of Churches Chappels Church-yards Flagons Vestments Credentiaes Corporals turning and railing in Communion Tables Altarwise kneeling at the new Rails standing up at Gloria Patri praying toward the east reading second service at the Altar with other popish Innovations formerly mentioned at first he introduced them only as things tolerable or indifferent at last enjoyed them as expedient and necessary Secondly he proceeded to introduce divers Arminian Tenents as a bridge to popery first in Pulpits discourses then in printed authorized books prohibiting suppressing all preaching printing and books against them under severe penalties Thirdly he next went on to countenance authorize maintain confirm both in Pulpit and Presse divers erronious positions contrary to the general straine and tenent of our own and forraign Protestant Writers of chiefest note tending towards a reconciliation between us and Rome We shall instance in these few particulars maintained by himself both in his speeches and writings First that the Church of Rome is a true Church Secondly that she never erred in fundamentals in the worst times but only circa fundamentalia both which he publikely maintained in the High Commission at Doctor Bastwicks censure as Master Burton and Master Lane a Minister deposed Thirdly that the Religion of
Pope corrupt Ordinances Sacraments and a meere Idolatrous supersticious wil-worship Thirdly no true Ministry nor government of Christs institution Fourthly she yeelds no true Subjection nor Obedience to Christ his laws word spirit but opposeth him and them in all Fiftly she is over-spread with a Leprosie of damnable Errours in Doctrine corruptions in Faith Manners Ordinances Government Sixtly the definition of a true visible Church in our Homilies and Writers agrees not to her Seventhly our Homilies Writers define her to be a false Church not a true who are all mustered up together by Master Burton in his Babell no Bethell where she is largely proved to be no true Church For his distinction that she is a true Church Veritate Entis though not Moris as a Thiefe is a true man it is a meere childish evasion For it is not the meere entity and being of a company of men that makes up a Church or true Church for if so the Turks Pagans or any assembly else should be a true Church as well as the Protestants but a company of men rightly qualified to wit professing the true Christian Faith among whom the Word of God is truly Preached and the Sacraments duly administed To set then the distinction and comparison right If one should demand of the Archbishop Whether a Theefe be a true man or no as this phrase true man in our ordinary language signifies an honest just-dealing man with reference to his qualities morals not his Entity or being as a meer man himself grants that he is no true man but a false one in this sense in this very distinction and to answer that he is a true man in regard of his essence therefore a true man in respect of his Morals were a meer impertinency Nonsequitur By the selfe-same reason when we demand of him Whether the Church of Rome be a true Church and he answers She is so Veritate entis for she consists of a company of persons or reall men not veritate moris for that they are not so truly qualified in those Morals or rather supernaturall principles which makes them to be a true Church Himselfe must needs grant that his distinction is fallacious in applying this veritas entis to them as they are a Church not men or else yeeld that they are a false but no true Church because his not veritate Moris can be applyed to nothing else but to such morall and divine qualifications as should make them a true Church so as his owne distinction directly subverts this his false conclusion of her being a true Church and his charging her with grosse Corruptions Errors Superstitions to the endangering of salvation doth the like Secondly it was retorted that his distinction of her erring onely circa fundamentalia not in Fundamentalibus was a falshood For first her affirming the Church to be built upon Peter and the Pope not Christ the chiefe corner-stone Her denying the Scriptures to be Scriptures but as they are grounded on confirmed and expounded by the Authority of the Church and Pope Her making Apochryphall Scriptures Canonicall and so adding to the Scriptures Her giving the Pope power to null and dispence with things against the Scriptures Her resolving the foundation of all our Faith into the Church To beleeve as the Church beleeves not into the Scriptures themselves Her deifying of the Virgin Mary Saints Images in praying to and adoring them with divine worship Her joyning of Saints Merits and Mediations with Christs and making them joynt Saviours Mediators Advocates with him Her turning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper into a Propitiatory Massing Sacrifice of as great or greater Merit as Christs own Sacrifice on the crosse adoring the consecrated Bread as their Lord God and Christ himselfe Her taking away the Sacramentall Cup from the Laity point-blanke against Christs owne Institution Her giving Christ an ubiquitary body on earth instead of a glorified body in heaven her tying people to pray to God in an unknown tongue with her creating a new head of the Church in Christs stead the Pope who hath the Keyes of Heaven Hell and Purgatory too and can pardon sins release Soules out of Hell and Purgatory at his pleasure with her abolishing the second Commandement out of the Decalogue What are they all but Fundamentall Errors nullifying that Church which maintaines them and not Errors onely about the foundation For his foure instances that circumstances may undermine and destroy the Foundation We answer First that neither of all these instances concerne the Papists or Church of Rome the subject in question therefore altogether impertinent Secondly they are not meer circumstantials but fundamentals because directly contrary to the expresse words of Scripture and Articles of our Faith of which they are unseparable parts which if false in any part may and will be false in the whole and no ground of Faith at all For the rule of the Schools we agree it but how he applyes it to his distinction or the Church of Rome we cannot yet discerne Thirdly it was replyed That the Religion of the Church of Rome and England is not one and the same For that which they repute the maine part of their Religion is no Christian Religion at all nor part of the Christian Religion but meere Antichristian Errour Superstition corruption Idolatry And in his Booke he doth no more charge her with some grosse corruptions endangering Salvation then she chargeth us as the perusall of his words demonstrates Fourthly his justifying salvation to be had in this false Antichristian Church and Religion denying the foundation is contrary to the opinion of all Otthodox Protestants who make her damnable Errours the ground of their separation from her And though some affirme that divers in the Church of Rome are saved yet none are saved by being of that Church or by that Faith and Doctrine which she properly cals her Faith and Religion wherein she differs from us but by their relying onely on Christs merits which she disclaimes Fiftly his deleting all phrases clauses calling or intimating the Pope to be the Antichrist is a cleer evidence that he holds him not to be so Else his sinne fault will prove the greater in purging out that as Heterodox and scandalous which himselfe beleeves to be a truth For our Statutes Homilies Writers they define the Pope either in direct termes or equivalent expressions to be Antichrist and our Church yea State in them at leastwise in our forecited Statutes and the Subsidy Act 3. Jac. penned by the Convocation As for the Articles of Ireland though they bind us not yet being taken out of the Articles and Homilies of England they sufficiently declare the resolution of our Church as well as theirs that the Pope is Antichrist and Doctor Vsher Primate of Armagh in a Letter of his to the Archbishop himselfe Jan. 4. 1635. the very day of his birth writes That this conceit is so rife in the minds and mouths of the Papists
Declaration before the 39 Articles wrested to propagate Arminianism and suppresse truth p. 120 to 164. His Proclamation for calling in and suppressing Sales his Popish Book how procured mistaken to abuse the world and justifie Laud and Heywood p. 186 187. His Instructions concerning Lectures and preaching how procured abused p. 370 to 474. 478 to 488 His Letter to the Archbishop and Bishops concerning Ordination penned by Laud how much abused to suppresse preaching and keep out good men from the Ministry p. 382 to 385. 537 538 539 His Voyage into Spain of purpose to seduce him in his Religion which was there attempted by the Pope his Nuncio the Jesuits Buckingham and Digby and King James his Instructions to him before he went concerning his writing that the Pope was Antichrist Lauds privity and assistance to the Voyage Match Instructions and the Match with France plotted by the Popish party to seduce the King p. 416 to 419 547 to 550 His command to judge Richardson to St. revoke his Order against Wakes and Revels p. 151 c. St. Clara his Book Dedicated to him to reconcile him and us to Rome p. 423. Ana Fustidius Dedicated to him by Cardinal Barbarino Ibid. Bishop of Calcedon Lauds intimacy with him and Windebanks use of him p. 454 455. Catechizing in the Afternoon a meer pretence to suppresse Preaching and what form must be used p. 368 369 370 372 374 376 378 Chaplains in private houses suppressed p 369 371 372. Mistris Charnocks testimony p. 69. Christs Epistle to a devout Soul a Popish Book Licensed p. 186 187 195 c. Church maintained to be alwayes visible The Church of Rome to be a true Church to have the same Religion with in not to have erred in Fundamentals the Reformed Protestant Churches to be no Churches if they want Lord Bishops and not to be of our Religion by Laud and his adherents who endeavoared to suppresse the Dutch French and Walloon Churches here and purged out clauses concerning the Church and building Churches East and West p. 27 30 207 293 296 to 300 388 to 409. 441. 530 531 532. High Commission Lauds design to advance its power p. 369. St. Clara his intimacy with Canterbury and Book to reconcile us to Rome p. 39 423 to 432 550 557 to 560. Dr. Clerks Sermons miserably gelded purged by Lauds Chaplains p. 254 to 376 John Cooks testimony against Canteroury p. 452 453. Mr. Cooks recantation in Oxford p. 176 Consecrations of Flagous Altar-clothes Churches Chappels Church-yards meerly Popish introduced used justified by Canterbury whose Arguments for them are examined refuted p. 65 114 to 128 217 218. 497 to 506. Considerations compiled and presented by Laud to the King to suppresse Preaching Lectures Lecturers p. 368 to 376. 536 537 477. Con the Popes Nuncio p. 413 440. Contrition Popish passages against it expunged p. 308. Copes introduced enjoyned by Laud p. 64 71. 76 80 81. 468 469 476 to 490. Mr. Corbets testimony and trouble for not bowing to the Altar by Bishop Laud and his Visitor p. 71. 477. Earl of Corks Tomb in Ireland ordered by Laud to be taken down for standing in the place of the Altar and Letters thence concerning it p. 82 to 88. Dr. J. Cosin a Popish Innovator at Durham Cambridge advanced protected by Laud p. 72 73 78 355 356. 532. Councels Evangelical to perfection justified in new printed Books p. 209 210. Passages against them expunged p. 300. Councellors that are ill passages against them purged out of new Books by Laud and his Agents p. 245 301 302. Creed-Church how consecrated by Laud p. 113 114 598 503. Credentia a Popish Innovation and Vtensil introduced by Laud in his Chappel p. 63 464 468. Crowlyes Answer to Champenyes p. 69 Croxton recommended by Laud to the Lord Deputy Wentworth by him advanced in Ireland his Letter to the Archbishop and practise of auricular confession publiquely there p. 194 195. Crucifixes erected by the Archbishop and his Agents in his own and the Kings Chappels Cathedrals and elsewhere p. 59 to 57. 205 205 216. 462 to 490. Iustified by him p. 464 465. Mr. Culmer suspended by Laud for not reading the Declaration for Sports on the Lords day p. 146. 506. Dr. Cumber his justification of Auricular Confession and Letter to Laud with his Answer thereunto touching Mr. Bernards Sermon p. 193. 363 364. 535. D Dancing and other Pastimes on the Lords day justified in late printed Books condemned by Fathers Councels Calvin others p. 222 to 226 372. 504 505 506. Davis his Petition to Laud concerning Contributions to rail in the Altar p 90. Deans Arminian and Popish preferred by Laud p. 356 532 533. Declaration for Sports enlarged reprinted and pressedon Ministers by Lauds Practise p. 128 156 382. Decree of God passages concerning it deleted p. 333 364 365. Decree of Star-chamber concerning licensing and reprinting Books illegall procured abused by Laud to the prejudice of our Religion and the advancement of Poperty and Arminianisme p. 198 to 210 512. to 516. Barron Denham his Orders against Wakes Revels Churchals p. 126 127 153 154 513 515. Master Dell Lauds Secretary his Letter to silence Master Leigh p. 388. His intimacy with Priests and Jesuits and answer to the Pursevants p. 450 451 453. Master Deuxels testimony of Priests liberty in their prisons p. 450. Master Dow advanced his popish Booke p. 207 357. Bishop Downhams Book against the Arminians and falling from Grace called in by Lauds meanes both in England and Ireland p. 171 172 508 510. His Protestation against toleration of popery in Ireland p. 434. Doctor Duppa an Arminian made Vice-Chancellour of Oxford and promoted by Laud 176 p. 354 359 360. Master Dury his reordination and attempts to reconcile the Calvinists and Lutherans p. 340 539 541 Dutch and French reformed Churches in England prosecuted and deprived of their priviledges by Laud accounted no true Churches nor of our Religion p. 27 33 388 to 409 539 to 543. E King Edward VI. his Patent to the Dutch and French to enjoy Churches of their owne Discipline in England p. 394 395. his times depressed p. 420 421. Election Universall and from foreseen Faith and Works maintained passages against it deleted p. 303 to 307 309 to 312. Egerton his testimony against Laud p. 453. Equivocation clauses against it expunged p. 307. F Faith alone doth not justifie but Charity and Works maintained passages against it the nature of faith and growth in it deleted p. 209 307 314 315 341. Falling from Grace maintained in many late printed Books and passages against it expunged p. 219 279 to 287 314 315 316 425. Fast Booke purged of passages against popery by Laud p. 250. Passages against popish Fasting deleted p. 307. Fastidius his Booke printed and dedicated to the King by Cardinall Barbarino p. 423 Feares carnall passages against them and the feare of God expunged p. 388 341. Dr. Featlies testimony against Laud and the purging of his Sermons