carie this style in their superscription To the Students at Zurich But behold their names Robert Horne Richard Chambers Thomas Leaver Nicolas Karvile John Mullings Thomas Spenser Thomas Bentham William Cole John Parkhurst Roger Kelke Robert Beamont Laurence Humsrey Henry Cockraft John Pretio 6. Frankford on the Meine Where they found the State very favourable unto them And this was the most visible and conspicuous English Church beyond the seas consisting of c Tr. of Fr. pag. 20. 25. Iohn Bale Edmond Sutton Iohn Makebraie William Whittingham Thomas Cole William Williams George Chidley William Hammon Thomas Steward Thomas Wood. Iohn Stanton William Walton Iasper Swyft Iohn Geofric Iohn Graie Mighell Gill. Iohn Samford Iohn wood Thomas Sorby Anthonie Cariar Hugh Alford George Whetnall Thomas Whetnall Edward Sutton Iohn Fox Laurence Kent William Kethe Iohn Hollingham Here we omit their petty Sanctuaries having like d 1 Sam. 30. 31 David places where himself and his men were wont to haunt Deesburgh VVormes c. Where their stragling numbers amounted not to the constitution of a Church If these Congregations be compared together Emden will be found the richest for substance there the Merchants which bear the bagg VVeasel the shortest for continuance Arrow the slenderest for number Strasburgh of the most quiet temper Zurich had the greatest scholars and Frankford had the largest priviledges Nor let any wonder if some in these Catalogues assigned to one colonie were afterwards found in another seeing the Apostles e Heb. 13. 14. expression VVe have here no biding City hath in it a single truth in time of peace and at least a double one in time of persecution men slitting from place to place as they were advised by their own security Know also that besides these the first founders of these severall Congregations many additional persons coming afterwards out of England joyned themselves thereunto 42. Come we now to set down the sad troubles of Frankford A brief introduction to the troubles of Frankford rending these banished exiles asunder into severall factions This I dare say if the Reader takes no more delight in perusing than I in penning so dolefull a subject he will shew little mirth in his face and feel less joy in his heart However we will be somewhat large and wholy impartial in relating this sorrowfull accident the rather because the penn-knives of that age are grown into swords in ours and their writings laid the foundations of the fightings now adayes 43. The English exiles came first to Frankford Iune the 24 th A Church at Faankford first granted to the English and on the 14 th of Iuly following by the speciall favour and mediation of M r. Iohn Glauberg one of the chief Senatours of that State had a Church granted unto them yet so as they were to hold the same in Coparcenie with the French-Protestants they one day and the English another and on Sunday alternately to chuse their hours as they could best agree amongst themselves The Church was also granted them with this proviso a Tr. of Fr. pag. 6. That they should not dissent from the French in doctrine or ceremonie lest thereby they should minister occasion of offence On the 29 th of the same moneth our English with great joy entred their new Church and had two Sermons preached therein to their singular comfort About which time they constituted their Church choosing a Minister and Deacons for a time and out of conformity to the French abrogated many things formerly used by them in the Church of England as namely 1. They concluded that the answering aloud after the Minister should not be used 2. The Letanie Surplice and other ceremonies in Service and Sacraments they omitted both as superstuous and superstitious 3. In place of the English Confession they used another adjudged by them of more effect and framed according to the b Tr. of Fr. pag. 7. State and Time 4. The same ended the people sung a Psalme in meeter in a plain tune 5. That done the Minister prayed for assistance of Gods Spirit and so proceeded to the Sermon 6. After Sermon a generall prayer for all States and particularly for England was devised which was ended with the Lords prayer 7. Then followed a rehearsall of the Articles of Belief which ended the people sung another psalme as before 8. Lastly the Minister pronounced the blessing The peace of God c. or the like and so the people departed What is meant by framing their Confession according to the State and Time I understand not must our confessions as our clothes follow the fashions of the State and place we live in except it be this that it was made more particularly not only for sinners but for exiles acknowledging their present banishment justly inflicted on them for their offences The prayer devised after Sermon according to the genuine sense of the word seems no extemporary prayer then conceived by the Minister but a set forme formerly agreed upon by the Congregation Thus have we a true account of their Service conceive it onely of such things wherein they differed from the English Liturgy not of such particulars wherein they concurr'd therewith the cause as I conceive why no mention of reading of psalms and chapters in their Congregation These certainly were not omitted and probably were inserted betwixt the Confession and singing the first psalme 44. Thus setled in their Church Other English Congregations invited to Frankford their next care was to write letters Dated August the first to all the English Congregations at Strasburgh Zurich Weasel Emden c. to invite them with all convenient speed to come and joyne with them at Frankford This is the Communion of Saints who never account themselves peacably possessed of any happiness untill if it be in their power they have also made their fellow-sufferers partakers thereof However this their invitation found not any great entertainment amongst the other English Church-Colonies all delaying and some denying to come but especially those of Zurich were most refractory and shewed least inclination to repair to Frankford 45. This occasioned severall reiterated letters from Frankford Those of Zurich quickned by importunity pressing and requiring those of Zurich deeply to weigh this matter of Gods calling and the necessity of uniting themselves in one Congregation Let none say that Frankford might as well come to Zurich as Zurich to Frankford because the English-Zurichians though not in number in learning and quality equalled if not exceeded those of Frankford For Frankford was neerer to England and more convenient for receiving intelligence thence and returning it thither Besides all Christendome met at Frankford twice a yeer the vernal and autumnal mart and grant there was more learning at Zurich there were moe books at Frankford with conveniences to advance their studies But chiefly at Frankford the Congregation enjoyed most ample priviledges and it was conceived it would much conduce to the
any such offence and if some particular man have disliked it as many and as eminent have manfested their approbation thereof 3. M r Calvin is but one man Besides he spake against the first draught of the Liturgie Anno 1. of King Edw. the sixth which afterwards was reviewed in that Kings Reign and again in the first of Queen Elizabeth 4. The same charge lieth against the Directorie appointing though not the words to be prayed with the matter to be prayed for Poor liberty to leave the spirit only to supply the place of a Vocabulary or a Copia Verborum And seeing Sense is more considerable then Language the prescribing thereof restraineth the Spirit as much as appointing the words of a prayer 5. It complieth with the Papists in what they have retained of Antiquity and not what they have superadded of Idolatry and therefore more probably may be a means of converting them to our Religion when they perceive us not possessed with a Spirit of opposition unto them in such things wherein they close with the Primitive Times 6. The Vsers of the Liturgie have also laboured in Preaching Catechtsing and study of Divine Learning Nor doth the Directorie secure any from Laziness seeing nothing but Lungs and sides may be used in the delivery of any extemporary prayer Against the Liturgie For the Liturgie 7. It is tedious to the people with the unnecessary length Anno Dom. 1645. taking up an hour at least Anno Regis Carol 21. in the large and distinct reading thereof 8. Many Ceremonies not only unprofitable but burthensome are therein imposed on peoples consciences 9. Diverse able and faithful Ministers have by the means of the Liturgie been debar'd the exercise of their Ministry and spoiled of their livelihood to the undoing of them and their family 7. Some observers of the Directorie to procure to their parts and persons the repute of ability and piety have spent as much time in their extemporary devotions 8. This is disproved by such who have written volums in the vindication thereof But grant it true not a total absolution but a reformation therof may hence be inferred 9. The Directorie if enforced to subject the refusers to penalties may spoil as many and as well deserving of their Ministry and livelihood Such as desire to read deeper in this Controversie may have their recourse to the manifold Tractats written on this subject 9. But leaving these disquiets A query for conscience sake the Common-Prayer daily decreased and Directorie by the power of Parliament was advanced Here some would fain be satisfied whether the Abolishing of the main body of the Common-Prayer extendeth to the prohibition of every expression therein I mean not such which are the numerical words of Scripture whereof no question but other ancient passages which in the Primitive Times were laudably not to say necessarily put in practice 10. I know a Minister who was accused for using the Gloria Patri conforming his practice to the Directorie in all things else A word in due season and threatned to be brought before the Committee He pleaded the words of M r Cartwright in his defence * His reply against Whitgift p. 107. Sect. 4. confessing the Gloria Patri founded en just cause that men might make their open profession in the Church of the Divinity of the Son of God against the detestable opinion of Arrius and his Disciples But now saith he that it hath pleased the Lord to quench that fire there is no such cause why those things should be used But seeing said the Minister it hath pleased God for our sins to condemn us to live in so licentious an age wherein the Divinity both of Christ and the Holy-Ghost is called frequently and publickly into question the same now by M r Cartwrights judgement may lawfully be used not to say can well be omitted I remember not that he heard any more of the matter 11. It is now high time to take our farewel of this tedious subject A farewell to the subject and leave the issue thereof to the observation of Posterity The best Demonstration to prove whether Daniel and his Fellows the Children of the Captivity should thrive better by plain pulse to which formerly they had been used or the new diet of diverse and dainty dishes was even to put it to the Trial of some * 1 Dan. 1. 13. dayes experiment and then a Survey taken of their Complexions whether they be impaired or not so when the Directorie hath been practised in England ninty years the world lasting so long as the Liturgie hath been then Posterity will be the competent Judge whether the Face of Religion had the more lively healthful and chearful looks under the one or under the other 12. The next news engrossing the talk of all tongues Arch-Bishop Williams strangely altered was about D r Williams Arch-Bishop of York no less suddenly than strangely metamo phosed from a zealous Royalist into an active Parliamentarian being to relate the occasion thereof we will enter on the brief history of his life from the cradle to the grave repeating nothing formerly written but only adding thereunto 13. None can question the gentility of his extraction Born in Wales of good parentage finding him born at Aberconway in Carnatvon-shire in Wales of a family rather ancient than rich His Grandfather had a good estate but aliened it seems by his heirs so that this Doctor when Lord-Keeper was fain to repurchase it Surely it was of a considerable value because he complaineth in his * Cabala pag. letter to the Duke who encouraged him to the purchase that he was forced to borrow money and stood indebted for the same 14. He was bred in S t Johns Colledge in Cambridge Bred in Saint Johns and Proctor of Cambridge to hold the scales even with S t Johns in Oxford wherein Arch-Bishop Land had his education D r Gwin was his tutor his chiefest if not his only eminency and afterwards the occasion of his preferment For as this Tutor made his Pupil Fellow this Pupil made the Tutor Master of the Colledge Next was M r Williams made Proctor of the University excellently performing his Acts for the place in so stately a posture as rather but of duty thereby to honour his Mother-Vniversity than desire to credit himself as taking it only in his passage to an higher employment 15. He was Chaplain or Councellor shall I say to Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellor The Lord Egerton his hoon to this his Chaplain who imparted many mysteries of that place unto him Here an able Teacher of State met with as apt a Scholar the one not more free in powring forth then the other capable to receive firm to retain and active to improve what was infused into him So dear was this Doctor to his Patrone that this Lord dying on his death-bed desired him to choose what most acceptable legacy he should bequeath
roundly told him of his notorious Incontinency proving both by Scripture and Reason the Hainousnesse of that Sin and heavy Iudgements of God upon it In fine Anno Dom. 735 this wrought so farre on the King 's good Nature that he not onely reformed himself but with Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury called a solemn Synod at Cloves-Ho or Clives-at-Ho for the Reformation of others 21. But where this Cloves-Ho should be Cliff in Kent probably the ancient Cloves Ho. Authours make much Inquiry It is generally conceived the same with Cliff near Gravesend in Kent Though a learned a Camden's Brit. in Kent Authour will hardly consent thereunto and his Intimations to the contrary are of no great Validity For whereas he alledgeth that this Cliff is in Kent whilest Ethelbald who called this Synod was King of Mercia He minded not mean time what no doubt he knew well that this Ethelbald is stiled in the b Extant in S t. Henry Spelman's Councils pag. 233. Letter of Boniface Arch-bishop of Ments unto him Inclyta Anglorum Imperii sceptra gubernans Ruling the famous Sceptre of the English Empire And whereas he objecteth the Site of that place inconvenient for such an Assembly It seems fit enough though confessed dirty in Winter and unhealthy at all times for the Vicinity thereof to London and Canterbury the residing places of the King and Arch-bishop the two Persons in this Synod most concerned Nor doth the modern Meanness of the place make any thing against it it might be a Gallant in that Age which is a Beggar now-a-dayes And though we confesse there be many Cliffs in the In-land Shires properly belonging to Mercia yet the addition of Ho or Haw speaketh the maritime positure thereof So that Clives-Ho c Plimmouth Haw See Speed his Survey of London the meaning of Haw The chief Canons of this Synod or Haw seems to be a Cliff near the Sea well agreeing to the Situation of Cliff in Kent aforesaid 22. But the Acts of this Synod are more certain then the Place thereof being generally accounted one and thirty Canons although some small Variation in their Number and Order all extant at large in d De Gestis Pont. lib. 1. in Cuthberto Malmesbury and of which we take notice of these four as of most Concernment 1. That the Priests e Discant doceant Malmesbury learn and teach to know the Creed Lords Prayer and words of Consecration in the Masse or Eucharist in the English tongue It seems Learning then ran low that the Priests themselves had need to learn them yet Ignorance was not then so high but that the people were permitted to be taught them 2. That the Lords Day be honourably observed We understand it not so as if the Sanctity of that Day depended onely upon Ecclesiasticall Constitutions or that the Command thereof in Scripture is so infirm in point of right to oblige mens Consciences that it needs the title of mans Power ad corroborandum Onely Humane Authority was here cast in as over-weight for the better Observation of the day Carnalmen being more affected and affrighted with Corporal Penalties of mans inflicting as nearer unto them then with Eternal Punishments which Divine Iustice at distance denounceth against them 3. That the sin of Drunkennesse be avoided especially in the Clergy Indeed it was high-time to suppresse that Sin which was grown so rife that as Boniface Arch-bishop of Ments doth observe in his Letter to f Extant in S t. Henry Spelman's Councils p. 241. Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury the English Bishops were so farre from punishing it that they were guilty of the same Moreover he addeth Ebrietas speciale malum nostrae Gentis hoc nec Franci nec Galli nec Longobardi nec Romani nec Graeci faciunt Drunkennesse is a speciall Evill of our Nation namely of the Saxons of which Country this Boniface was a Native for neither Franks nor Gauls nor Lombards nor Romans nor Greeks understand him anciently for we know the modern Proverb of a merry Greek are guilty thereof 4. That Prayers be publickly made for Kings and Princes An excellent Canon indeed because Canonicall Scripture and long before made by g 1 Tim. 2. 1. S t. Paul himself I exhort therefore that Supplications be made for all men for Kings c. This Synod being finished Anno Dom. 747 with the Royall Assent all the Bishops their Subscriptions thereunto Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury with wonderfull Celerity returned the Canons concluded therein by Rinebert his Deacon to Boniface Arch-bishop of Ments who was affected with great Joy at the sight thereof 23. At this time flourished Egbert Arch-bishop of York Egbert Arch-bishop of York famous in severall respects famous in his Generation for First his Royall Extraction being Brother to Eadbert King of Northumberland both of them lovingly lying buried together in the Porch of the Church of York For in that Age the greatest Princes and Prelates their Corpses came no nearer then the Church-Porch and as I may say onely knocked at the Church-Doors though in after-Ages the Bodies of Meaner persons were admitted into the Church and buried therein Secondly for his procuring the Archiepiscopal Pall to his See For after the Departure or rather the Banishment of Paulinus from York his Successours were content with the plain Title of Bishop untill this Egbert to do something extraordinary proportionable to his Princely Extraction procured the Restitution of his Pall which ipso facto re-advanced his Church into an Arch-bishoprick Thirdly for furnishing the same with a plentifull Library highly commended by Alcuinus in his Epistle to Charles the Great wishing France had the like which though exceeding England in Paper till of late years ever came short of it in Books Fourthly 750 for his Canons for the regulating of his Province Whereof one sort is called Egbert his a At large in S t. Henry Spelman's Councils pag. 258. The beastly Canons of Egbert Excerptions out of Fathers and is generally good the other intituled Canons for the remedie of Sin and are fraught with abundance of abominable Beastlinesse and Superstition 24. I will give the Reader onely a Taste or rather a Distasie of these Canons by which he may guesse the rest If a Lay-man hath carnal knowledge of a Nun let him doe Penance for two yeares c. she three If a Child be begotten betwixt them then four yeares if they kill it then seven yeares b See Sr. Hen. Spelman's Councils pag. 282. Penance Penance also is provided for Bestiality and Sodomie in the same Canons Thus where God in Scripture denounceth Death c Gen. 9. 6. Whoso sheddeth mans Bloud by man shall his bloud be shed they now changed it into Penance and in after-Ages commuted that Penance into Money so by degrees making the word of God of none effect by their paltry Canons See we here also how forced Virginity was the Mother
wife conform themselves ad Ecclesiam Catholicam nor admit or receive Canonices probatos Authores but will have their own fancies and inventions preached and set forward 15. Item That Images of Saints are not in any wife to be neverenced And that it is plain idolatry and abomination to set up any lights before any Images or in any place of the Church the time of Divine Service as long as the Sun giveth light 16. Item That it is idolatry to make any Oblations 17. Item That it is as lawfull to Christen a Childe in a Tub of water at home or in a Ditch by the way as in a Font-stone in the Church 18. Item That the Water in the Font-stone is alonely a thing conjured 19. Item That the Hallowed oyl is no better than the Bishop of Rome his grease or butter 20. Item That Priests crowns be the Whores marks of Babylon 21. Item That the Stole about the Priest's neck is nothing else but the Bishop of Rome's rope 22. Item That Images Ann. Regis Hē 8. 28. as well of the Crucifix as of other Saints are to be put out of the Church and the Reliques of Saints in no wise to be reverenced And that it is against God's commandment that Christian men should make courtesie or reverence to the Image of our Saviour 23. Item That it is no sin or offence to eat white meats eggs butter cheese or flesh in the Lent or other Fasting-daies commanded by the Church and received by consent of Christian people 24. Item That it is lawfull to eat flesh on Good-Friday as upon Easter-day or other times in the year 25. Item That the sinner offending in the Lent or other high Feasts of the year is worthy no more punishment that he that transgresseth in any other time 26. Item That Confession auricular Absolution and Penance are nother necessary nor profitable in the Church of God 27. Item That auricular Confession is onely invented and ordained to have the secret knowledge of mens hearts and to pull money out of their purses 28. Item That the ghostly Father cannot give or enjoyn any penance at all 29. Item That it is sufficient for a man or woman to make their confession to God alone 30. Item That it is as lawfull at all times to confesse to a Lay-man as to a Priest 31. Item That confession is but a whispering in a Priests care and is as well to be made a multitude being present as secretly 32. Item That it is sufficient that the sinner doe say I know my self a sinner 33. Item That Bishops Ordinaries and Ecclesiastical Judges have no authority to give any sentence of excommunication or censure ne yet to absolve or lose any man from the same 34. Item That it is not necesssary or profitable to have any Church or Chappel to pray in or to doe any divine service in 35. Item That the Church was made for no other purpose but other to keep the people from winde and rain other else that the people upon Sondaies and Holy-daies should resort thither to have the Word of God declared unto them 36. Item That buryings in Churches and Church-yards be unprofitable and vain 37. Item That the rich and costly ornaments in the Church are rather high displeasure than pleasure or honour to God 38. Item That it is pity that ever the Mass Mattens Evensong or any other Divine Service was made or suffered to be read said or sung within any Church because it is onely to the deluding of the people 39. Item That Saints are not to be invocated or honoured and that they understand not nor know nothing of our Petitions nor can be Mediatours or Intercessours betwixt us and God 40. Item That our Lady was no better than another woman and like a bag of pepper or saffron when the spice is out and that she can doe no more with Christ than another sinfull woman 41. Item That it is as much available to pray unto Saints as to hurl a stone against the winde and that the Saints have no more power to help a man than a man's wife hath to help her husband 42. Item That Dirige Commendations Masse Suffrages Prayers Alms-deeds or Oblations done for the souls of them that be departed out of this world be but vain and of no profit 43. Item That the Souls departed goe straight to Heaven other to Hell 44. Item That there is no mean place between heaven and hell wherein souls departed may be afflicted 45. Item That if there be a place where they be punished God is not yet born nor he that shall redeem the world 46. Item That Prayers Suffrages Fasting or Alms-deeds doe not help to take away any sin 47. Item That there is no distinction of sins after this sort sin to be venial and sin to be mortal 48. Item That all sins after that the sinner be once converted are made by the merits of Christ's passion venial sins that is to say sins clean forgiven 49. Item That Almighty God doth not look for nor yet require of a sinner after his conversion from sin any fasting alms-deed or any other penance but only that the sinner be sorry for his sins amending his life and sinning no more 50. Item That hallowed-water hallowed-bread hallowed-candles hallowed-ashes hallowed-palm and such like ceremonies of the Church are of none effect and to be taken as trifles and vanities to seduce the people 51. Item That Holy-daies ordained and instituted by the Church are not to be observed and kept in reverence inasmuch as all daies and times be like and that servile works as plowing and carting may be done in the same without any offence at all as in other ferial daies 52. Item That the singing or saying of Masse Mattens or Even-song is but a roreing howling whistleing mumming tomring and jugling and the playing at the Organs a foolish vanity 53. Item That pilgrimage fasting alms-deeds and such like are not to be used and that a man is not bound to the Church but onely to the preaching 54. Item That it is sufficient and enough to believe though a man doe no good works at all 55. Item That men be not content to preach of certain abuses found in pilgrimages in fasting in prayer in invocation of Saints in reverencing of Images in alms-deeds but they will have needs the thing self taken away and not enough the abuses to be reformed 56. Item That by preaching the people have been brought in opinion and belief that nothing is to be believed except it can be proved expresly by scripture 57. Item That it is preached and taught that forasmuch as Christ hath shed his blood for us and redeemed us we need not to doe any thing at all but to believe and repent if we have offended 58. Item That there is of late a new Confiteor made after this form Confiteor Deocoeli terrae peccavi nimis cogitatione locutione opera mea culpa Ideo
us and with us unto Almighty God after this manner All holy Angels and Saints in heaven pray for us and with us unto the Father that for his dear son Jesu Christ his sake we may have grace of him and remission of our sins with an earnest purpose not wanting ghostly strength to observe and keep his holy commandements and never to decline from the same again unto our lives end And in this manner we may pray to our blessed Lady to Saint John Baptist to all and every of the Apostles or any other Saint particularly as our devotion doth serve us so that it be done without any vain superstition as to think that any Saint is more mercifull or will hear us sooner than CHRIST or that any Saint doth serve for one thing more than another or is parrone of the same And likewise we must keep Holy-daies unto God in memory of him and his Saints upon such daies as the Church hath ordained their memories to be celebrate except they be mitigated and moderated by the assent and commandment of Us the Supreme Head to the Ordinaries and then the Subjects ought to obey it Of Rites and Ceremonies As concerning the Rites and Ceremonies of Christ's Church as to have such vestments in doing Gods service as be and have been most part used as sprinkling of Holy water to put us in remembrance of our Baptism and the blood of Christ sprinkled for our redemption upon the Cross Giving of Holy-bread to put us in remembrance of the Sacrament of the Altar that all Christian men be one body mystical of Christ as the bread is made of many grains and yet but one loaf and to put us in remembrance of the receiving of the holy Sacrament and body of Christ the which we ought to receive in right charity which in the beginning of Christ's Church men did more often receive than they use now adaies to do Bearing of Candles on Candle-mas-day in memory of Christ the spiritual Light of whom Siemeon did prophecie as is read in the Church that day Giving of Ashes on Ash wednesday to put in remembrance every Christian man in the beginning of Lent and penance that he is but ashes and earth and thereto shall return which is right necessary to be uttered from henceforth in our Mother-tongue alwaies on the Sunday Bearing of Palms on Palm-Sunday in memory of the receiving of Christ into Hierusalem a little before his death that we may have the same desire to receive him into our hearts Creeping to the Crosse and humbling our selves to Christ on Good Friday before the Crosse and there offering unto Christ before the same and kissing of it in memory of our redemption by Christ made upon the Crosse Setting up the Sepulture of Christ whose body after his death was buried The hallowing of the Font and other like exorcismes and benedictions by the Ministers of Christs Church and all other like laudable Customes Rites and Ceremonies be not to be contemned and cast away but to be used and continued as things good and laudable to put us in remembrance of those spiritual things that they doe signifie not suffering them to be forgotten or to be put in oblivion but renewing them in our memories from time to time but none of these Ceremonies have power to remit sinne but onely to stirre and lift up our mindes unto God by whom onely our sinnes be forgiven Of Purgatorie Forasmuch as due order of charity requireth and the Book of Macca bees and divers antient Doctours plainly shewen That it is a very good and charitable deed to pray for Souls departed and forasmuch also as such usage hath continued in the Church so many years even from the beginning We will that all Bishops and Preachers shall instruct and teach Our people committed by us unto their spiritual charge that no man ought to be grieved with the continuance of the same and that it standeth with the very due order of charity a Christian man to pray for Souls departed and to commit them in our prayers to God's mercy and also to cause other to pray for them in Masses and Exequies and to give alms to other to pray for them whereby they may be relieved and holpen of some part of their pain But forasmuch as the place where they be the name thereof and kinde of pains there also be to us uncertain by Scripture therefore this with all other things we remit to Almighty God unto whose mercy it is meet and convenient for us to commend them trusting that God accepteth our prayers for them referring the rest wholy to God to whom is known their estate and condition Wherefore it is much necessary that such abuses be clearly putaway which under the name of Purgatorie hath been advanced as to make men believe that through the Bishop of Rome's Pardons Souls might clearly be delivered out of Purgatorie and all the pains of it Or that Masses said at Scala coeli or otherwhere in any place or before any Image might likewise deliver them from all their pain and send them straight to heaven And other like abuses 36. Nothing else of moment passed in this Convocation The Convocation dissolved and what acted in Parliament save that on the 20 of July Edward Bishop of Hereford July 20. brought in a Book containing the King's Reasons conceiving it unfit in Person or by Proxie to appear at the General Councel lately called by the Pope at Mantua afterward removed to Trent and then the Convocation having first confirm'd the King's Reasons was dissolved It was transacted in relation to Church or Church-men in the contemporary x See them in the Statutes at large Parliament 1. That Felons for abjuring Petty Treason should not have y Cap. 1. Clergie 2. That every Ecclesiastical and Lay-Officer shall be sworn to renounce the Bishop of Rome and his authority and to resist it to his power and to repute any Oath taken in the maintenance of the said Bishop or his authority to be void And the refusing the said Oath being tendered z Cap. 10. shall be adjudged High Treason 3. That Fruits during the vacation of a Benefice shall be restored to the next Incumbent a Cap. 11. whose charge for first shall begin from the first vacation 4. Which Spiritual persons shall be resident upon their Benefices and which not and for what causes 5. Release of such who have obtained Licences from b Gap 16. the See of Rome But all these are set down at large in the printed Statutes and thither we referre the Reader for satisfaction as to our History of Abbies to be informed about the Rebellion in the North occasioned in this year by these alterations in Religion 37. Towards the end of this year The birth bâ—eeding frist persecution far travelling of William Tyndal the faithfull servant of God Ann. Dom. 1536. Octob. 7. William Tyndall alià s c Balcus de script
though perchance wisely for the State not warily for himself Indeed it is impossible for such Officers managing not onely multitudes but multiplicity of matters but that in some things they must mistake As in c Prov. 10. 19. many words there wanteth not iniquity so in the Actours of many affairs faults are soon found out He was also accused to set at liberty certain persons not capable of it for granting Licenses and Commissions destructive to the King's authority for being guilty of Heresie himself and favouring it in others Trayterous speeches were also charged upon him spoken two years before in the Church of S. Peter's in the Poor in Broad street the avouchers thereof pretending that as hitherto they had concealed them for love of themselves fearing Cromwel's greatnesse so now for the love of the King they revealed the same Indeed on the first manifesting of the King's displeasure against him the foes of Cromwel had all their mouthes open and his friends their mouthes shut up 24. The mention of S. Peter's in Broad-street An injurious Act to many poor people charged on the Lord Cromwell mindeth me of a passage not unworthy to be recited of an injury offered by this Lord Cromwell to many poor men in the same Parish And because every one is best able to tell his own tale take it in the words of John d Survey of London p. 187. Stow being himself deeply concerned therein The Lord Cromwell having finished his house in Throgmorton-street in London and having some reasonable plot of ground left for a garden caused the pales of the gardens adjoyning to the North part thereof on a sudden to be taken down two and twenty foot to be measured forth-right into the North of every man's ground a line there to be drawn a trench to be cast a foundation laid and an high brick-wall to be builded My father had a garden there and there was an house standing close to his South-pale this house they loosed from the ground and bare upon rowlers into my father's garden two and twenty foot ere my father heard thereof no warning was given him nor other answer when he spake to the Surveyors of that work but that their Master Sir Thomas commanded them so to doe no man durst goe to argue the matter but each man lost his land and my father paid his whole rent which was six sâ—illings eight pence the year for that half which was left Thus much of mine own knowledge have I thought good to note that the sudden rising of some men causeth them to forget themselves I am moved the rather to believe our Authour herein because elsewhere he alloweth this Lord his deserved praise for his virtues and especially his Hospitality affirming e Survey of London p. 74. he had often seen at the Lord Cromwell's gate above two hundred persons served twice every day with meat and drink sufficient Nor can I see what may be said in excuse of this oppression except any will plead that Abimelech's servants violently f Gen. 21. 26. took away the wells from Abraham and yet Abimelech himself never knew more or lesse thereof 25. As for the passionate expressions of Cromwell The worst passionate Speech objected against him a g Sir I. Strode of Parubam in Dorcet-shire Knight aged well-nigh eighty whose Mother was Daughter to the Lord Cromwell's Son hath informed me That the principall passage whereon the Lord's enemies most insisted was this It being told the L. Cromwell that one accused him for want of fidelity to the King Cromwell returned in passion Were he here now I would strike my dagger into his heart meaning into the heart of the false Accuser and therein guilty of want of charity to his fellow-subject not of loyaltie to his Sovereign But seeing the words were a measuring cast as uttered though not as intended to whom they should relate the pick-thank Repeater avowed them uttered against the King Himself So dangerous are dubious words and ambiguous expressions when prevalent power is to construe and interpret the meaning thereof 26. Ten daies after his Arrest His Speech on be scaffold he was attainted of high Treason in Parliament and brought on the Scaffold the next week to execution Here he spake the following words unto the people which the Reader is requested the more seriously to peruse July 19. that thereby he may be enabled to passe if concerned therein his verdict in what Religion this Lord died I Am come hither to die 29. and not to purge my selfe as some think peradventure that I will For if I should so doe I were a very wretch and miser I am by the law condemned to die and thank my Lord God that hath appointed me this death for mine offence For since the time that I have had years of discretion I have lived a sinner and offended my Lord God for the which I aske him heartily forgivenesse And it is not unknown to many of you that I have been a great traveller in this world and being but of base degree I was called to high estate and since the time I came thereunto I have offended my Prince for the which I aske Him heartily forgivenesse and beseech you all to pray to God with me that he will forgive me And now I pray you that be here to bear me record I die in the Catholick Faith not doubting in any Article of my faith no nor doubting in any Sacrament of the Church Many have slandered me and reported that I have been a bearer of such as have maintained evil opinions which is untrue But I confesse that like as God by his Holy Spirit doth instruct us in the truth so the Devil is ready to seduce us and I have been seduced but bear me witnesse that I die in the Catholick Faith of the Holy Church And I heartily desire you to pray for the King's Grace that He may long live with you in health and prosperity and that after Him His son Prince Edward that goodly impe may long reign over you And once again I desire you to pray for me that so long as life remaineth in this flesh I waver nothing in my faith And so making his Prayer c. The generall terms wherein this his Speech is couched hath given occasion for wise men to give contrary censures thereof Fox in his Marginall Note on this Speech pag. 515. A true Christian Confession of the Lord Cromwell at his death Lord Herbert in the Index of his History under C. Cromwell died a Roman-Catholick notwithstanding he had been such a destroyer of the Church True it is so warie were Cromwell's expressions that Luther and Bellarmine might in their own persons have said the same without any prejudice to their own principles and many conceive that the most which these his words amount to will but make him an six-Articles Protestant 27. But let Cromwell's politick Speech be in part expounded by
them how much they have profited in the study of holy Scripture 21. That in the time of High Masse be that sayeth or singeth a Psalm shall read the Epistle and Gospel in English and one Chapter in the New Testament at Mattens and another at Evensong and that when nine Lessons are to be read in the Church three of them shall be omitted with Responds And at Evensong the Responds with all the Memories 22. That to prevent in Sick persons the damnable vice of Despair They shall learn and have alwaies in readinesse such comfortable places and sentences of Scripture as doe set forth the mercy benefits and goodnesse of God Almighty towards all penitent and believing persons 23. To avoid all contention and strife which heretofore have risen amongst the Kings subjects by challenging of Places in Procession no Procession hereafter shall be used about the Church or Church-yard but immediately before high Masse the Letany shall be distinctly said or sung in English none departing the Church without just cause and all ringing of Bells save one utterly forborne 24. That the Holy-day at the first beginning Godly instituted and ordained be wholly given to God in hearing the Word of God read and taught in private and publick prayers in acknowledging their offences to God and amendment in reconciling themselves to their Neighbours receiving the Communion visiting the sick c. Onely it shall be lawfull for them in time of harvest to labour upon Holy and Festival-daies and save that thing which God hath sent and that scrupulosity to abstain from working upon those daies doth grievously offend God 25. That no Curate admit to the Communion such who are in ranchor and malice with their neighbours till such controversies be reconciled 26. That every Dean Arch-Deacon c. being a Priest preach by himself personally twice a year at least 27. That they instruct their people not obstinately to violate the Ceremonies of the Church by the King commanded to be observed and not as yet abrogated And on the other side that whosoever doth superstitiously abuse them doth the same to the great perill of his souls health 28. That they take away and destroy all Shrines covering of Shrines Tables Candlesticks Trindills or rolls of Wax Pictures Paintings and other Monuments of fained Miracles so that no memory of them remain in Walls or Windows exhorting their Parishioners to doe the like in their severall houses And that a comely Pulpit be provided in a convenient place 29. That a strong Chest be provided with a hole in the upper part thereof with three Keyes thereunto belonging be provided to receive the charity of people to the poor and the same at convenient times distributed unto them in the presence of the Parish 30. That Priests be not bound to go to visit Women lying in Child-bed except in times of dangerous sicknesse and not to fetch any Coarse except it be brought to the Church yard 31. That to avoid the detestable sin of Simonie the Seller shall lose his right of Patronage for that time and the Buyer to be deprived and made unable to receive Spirituall promotion 32. That because of the lack of Preachers Curats shall read Homilies which are or shall be set forth by the Kings Authority 33. Where as many indiscreet persons doe uncharitably contemn and abuse Priests having small learning his Majesty chargeth his Subjects that henceforth they be reverently used for their Office and Ministration sake 34. That all persons not understanding Latine shall pray on no other Primmer but what lately was set forth in English by K. Henry the eighth and that such who have knowledge in Latine use none other also and that all Craces before and after meat be said in English and no Grammer taught in Schools but what is set forth by Authority 35. That Chantery Priests teach youth to read and write 36. That when any Sermon or Homily shall be had the Prime and Houres shall be omitted ⧠The form of bidding the Common Prayers YOu shall pray for the whole Congregation of Christs Church and specially for this Church of England and Ireland wherein first I commend to your devout prayers the Kings most excellent Majesty Supreme Head immediately under God of the spirituality and temporalty of the same Church And for Queen Katharine Dowager and also for my Lady Mary and my Lady Elizabeth the Kings sisters Secondly You shall pray for my Lord Protectors grace with all the rest of the Kings Majesties Councell for all the Lords of this Realm and for the Clergie and the Commons of the same beseeching Almighty God to give every of them in his degree grace to use themselves in such wise as may be to Gods glory the Kings honour and the weal of this Realm Thirdly You shall pray for all them that be departed out of this world in the faith of Christ that they with us and we with them at the Day of Judgment may rest both body and soul with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the kingdome of heaven Observations on the Kings Injunctions Let us here admire Gods wisdome in our first Reformers The wisdome of our Reformers who proceeded so moderately in a matter of so great consequence To reform all at once had been the ready way to reform nothing at all New wine must be gently powred into old bottles lest the strenght of the liquor advantaged with the violence of the infusion break the vessel Iacob could not keep pace with Esau presumed fleet on foot as used to hunting whilest he had in his company the * Gen. 33. 13. tender children and flocks with young which if over driven one day would die And though no doubt he himself was foot-man enough to go along with his Brother yet he did lead on softly according as the cattle and children were able to endure Thus our wise Reformers reflected discreetly on the infirmities of people long nouzled in ignorance and superstition and incapable of a sudden and perfect alteration On this account in the third Injunction they reduced Candles formerly sans number in Churches to two Onely two lights left upon the high Altar before the Sacrament these being termed lights shews they werenot luminacaeca but burning Know also that at this time there was an universall dilapidation of Chancells and men had seen so many Abbey-Churches pluckt down that they even left Parish-Churches to fall down on themselves now to repair them all at once would have stopt the holes in the Chancells and made one in the states of the Ministers It was therefore in the sixteenth Injunction ordered That a fift part of their means should be imployed therein whereby the work was effectually done without any great dammage to the Repairers By Memories appointed to be omitted What meant by Memories Injunction 21. we understand the Obsequia for the dead which some say succeeded in the place of the Heathen Roman Parentalia The abolishing Processions is politickly
a voluntary or free motion one giving another Intelligence as occasion served sometimes by letters and sometimes by word of mouth 3 Interrog Who were Moderators in them and what their Office Answer That he remembred not who where Moderators in any meeting particularly saving once at Northampton when M r Johnsâ—n was admonished and that was either himself or M r Snapes he knew not well whether 4 Interrog What things were debated in those meetings or Assemblies Answer That the things Chiefly and most often considered of in those Assemblies were these First The subscription to the Book of common-Common-Prayer how farr it might be yielded unto rather then any should forgoe his Ministery Secondly The Book of Discipline was often perused discussed c. Thirdly Three petitions or supplications were agreed upon to be drawn First to her Majesty Secondly to the Lords of the Councell Thirdly to the Bishops The things debated of in particular he remembred not more then these First the pâ—rfecting of the Book of Discipline and purpose to subscribe to it at Cambridge Secondly this question disputed whether it were convenient for M r Cartwright to reveal the Circumstances of the Conference a little before he was committed Thirdly The admonishing of M r Johnson once at Northampton Fourthly The debating of this question whether the Books called Apocrypha were warrantable to be read publickly in the Church as the Canonical Scriptures 5 Interrog Whether any Censures were exercised what kinds when where upon whom by whom for what cause Answer That he never saw any Censure exercised saving admonition once upon M r Johnson of Northampton for miscarrying himself in his conversation to the Scandall of his Calling neither was that used with any kinde of Authority but by a voluntary yielding unto it and approving of it as well in him that was admonished as in him which did admonish 6 Interrog Whether any of the said Defendents had moved or perswaded any to refuse an Oath and in what case c Answer That he never knew any of the Defendents to use words of perswasion to any to refuse an Oath only M r Snape sent him down in writing certain reasons drawn out of the Scripture which moved him to refuse the generall Oath ex officio which I stood perswaded that he sent to none other end but to declare that he refused not to swear upon any contempt but only for Conscience sake I have insisted the longer on this Deposition because the first and fullest that I finde in the kinde thereof conteining their Classes more formally setled in Northampton-shire then any where else in England For as the west part of that shire is observed to be the highest place of England as appeareth by the Rivers rising there and running thence to the four winds so was that County a probable place as the middest of the land for the Presbyterian Discipline there erected to derive it self into all the quarters of the kingdom 40. The reasons why Mr. Stone made this confession againâ— the hope and expectation of the Breth But when the news of Mr. Stones answer was brought abroad he was generally censured by those of his party as well such as were yet at liberty conceiving themselves endangered by his discovery as by those already in prison complaining that he added affliction to their bonds Yea his embracing a different course from the rest cast an Aspersion on others of his side as less sound in Judgement or tender in conscience because peremptorily concealing what he thought fitting to confess Many that highly esteemed him before hereafter accounted him no pretious but a counterfet stone So that he found it necessary in his own vindication to impart the reasons of his Confession to such as condemned him if not for a Traytor at least for a Coward in the Cause 1. a Carefully by me transcribed out of his own Letters to his friends He judged it unlawfull to refuse an oath limitted and bounded within the compass of the conferences being required before a lawfull Magistrate in a Plea for the Prince to a lawfull end 1. to trie out the truth in a doubtfull fact suspected and feared to be dangerous both to Church and Common-Weal but such was that oath which was tendered to him ergo 2. He being lawfully sworn judged it unlawfull to be mute much more to speak any untruth 3. If he had not been urged by oath to reveal yet did he judge that silence unlawfull which justly causeth suspition of evill as of Treason Rebellion Sedition c. 4. He judged that concealment unlawfull which was not only scandalous but also dangerous as this that might occasion and incourage wicked persons to hide their Complices in their worst attempts 5. He judged that the clearing of a doubtfull fact requireth the clearing of the Circumstances which cannot be cleared till they be known 6. He judged that silence unlawfull which leaveth the truth friendless or few friends when she hath need of many 7. He judged it a point or note of Puritanisme for any to stand so upon the integrity of their own Actions as that they should not be doubted of suspected examined censured c. 8. He saw no probability nor possibility in reason to have the circumstances longer concealed 1. Because many of them are already made known partly by the letters and writings of the B. in Bonds which have been intercepted partly also by certain false brethren and lastly by certain faithfull but weak brethren whose confessions are to be seen under their own hands 2. Because the Magistrate is resolutely set to search them out and lastly because divers are to be called and to answer upon Oath which approve not the concealing of them 9. He judged the inconveniences which come by the concealing to be if not moe in number yet greater in weight and nore inevitable then those that come by revealings which as it may appear in some of the former Reasons alledged to prove the unlawfulness of concealing so may it further appear in these that follow 10. The good name and credit of any of a Minister much more ought to be dearer to him and to all those that love him then his liberty c. but by this concealing the credit of many good Ministers is eclipsed 11. This concealing hath caused the continuance of some in bonds and imprisonment hitherto would cause others to be committed and withall causeth suspition of evills Treason Rebellion Sedition c. and thereby also evill report slander c. 12. As by concealing the aforesaid suspition and slander lieth still upon us all which have been in these actions so doth the same grow every day more grievous by the wicked attempts of hypocrites and prophane persons which carry the name of Puritans Precisians c. as those of late in Cheap-side 13. Although it be very like that the revealing will bring punishment upon the rest yet is it not certain nor necessary but the concealing doth
justifie much like as it was practized in the Primitive Church against the Christians yea they are not ashamed to lay their owne and all other men disobedient and wicked acts of what profession soever it be upon our backs to the end cunningly to purchase favour and credit to themselves and to make us seeme monstrous and detestable before the Magistrates and the common people every where for that we and the doctrine of H. N. might without any indifferent tryall and lawfull or orderly proceedings as heretofore hath been used in the Christian Church in such eases for confuting and condemning of Heresie be utterly rooted out of the Land with divers other most cruell practices proceeding out of their bitter and envious hearts towards us tending to the same unchristian and mercilesse purpose the which we will here omit to speak of because we have already been overâ—tedious to your Highnesse and most humbly crave your most gracious pardon and patience therein in respect we speak to cleare our selves of such matters as may touch our lives and liberties which are two of the chiefest jewels that God hath given to Mankinde in this world and also for that we have few friends or any other meanes than this to acquaint your Highnesse with the truth and state of our cause whereof we think your Majesty is altogether ignorant but have very many Enemies whom we do greatly suspect will not be slack to prosecute their falfe and malitious purpose against as unto your Highnesse even like as they have accustomed in times past to doe unto our late Soveraign Queen through which prevailing in their slanderous defacing of us and our cause divers of us for want of friends to make is rightly known unto her Majestie have sundry times been constrained to endure their injurious dealing towards us to our great vexation and hindrance Wherefore most gratious Soveraign this is now our humble suit unto your Highness that when your Kingly affairs of importance which your Majestie hath now in hand shall be well overpast for the prosperous performance whereof we will as duty bindeth us daily pray unto Almighty God that then your Highnesse will be pleased because we have alwaies taken the same Authors work aforesaid to proceed out of the great grace and love of God and Christ extended towards all Kings Princes Rulers and People upon the universal earth as he in many of his works doth witness no lesse to their salvation unity peace and concord in the same Godly love to grant us that favour at your Majesties fit and convenient time to peruse the Books your self with an impartiall eye conferring them with the holy Scriptures wherein it seemeth by the Books that are set forth under your Highnesse name that you have had great travell and are therefore better able to judge between Truth and Falshood And we will whensoever it shall please your Highnesse to appoint the time and to command and licence us thereto doe our best endeavours to procure so many of the Books as we can out of Germany where they be Printed to be delivered unto your Majestie or such Godly Learned and indifferent men as it shall please your Majestie to appoint And we will also under your Highnesse lawfull Licence and commandement in that behalf doe our like endeavour to procure some of the Learned men in that Countrey if there be any yet remaining alive that were well acquainted with the Authour and his Works in his life time and which likewise have exercised his works ever since to come over and attend upon your Majestie at your appointed time convenient who can much more sufficiently instruct and resolve your Highnesse in any unusuall words phrase or matter that may happily seem dark and doubtfull to your Majestie that any of us in this your Land are able to doe And so upon your Highnesse advised consultation and censure thereupon finding the same Works hereticall or seditious and not agreeable to Gods holy Word and testimonies of all the Scriptures to leave them to take them as your Majesties Laws shall therein appoint us having no intent or meaning to contend or resist there-against however it be but dutifully to obey thereunto according to the Counsel of Scriptures and also of the said Authors work And our further humble suit unto your Highnesse is that of your gracious favour and clemency you will grant and give order unto your Majesties Officers in that behalf That all of us your faithfull loving Subjects which are now in Prison in any part of this your Realme for the same cause may be released upon such Bail or Bond as we are able to give and that neither we nor any of that company behaving our selves orderly and obediently under your Highnesse lawes may be any further persecuted or troubled therein untill such time as your Majestie and such Godly learned and indifferent men of your Clergie as your Highnesse shall appoint thereto shall have advisedly consulted and determined of the matter whereby we may not be utterly wasted by the great Charge of Imprisonment and Persecution and by the hard dealing of our Adversaries for we are but a People few in number and yet most of us very poor in worldly wealth O sacred Prince we humbly pray that the Almighty will move your Princely heart with true judgment to discerne between the right and the wrong of our cause according to that most certain and Christian Rule set down by our Saviour Christ unto his Disciples Matth 7. 12. Ye shall know the tree by the fruit and in our obedience peaceable and honest lives and conversation to protect us and in our disobedience and misdemeanour to punish us as resisters of Gods Ordinance of the Kingly Authority and most high Office of Justice committed to your Majestie to that purpose towards your Subjects Rom. 13. And gracious Soveraigne we humbly beseech your Highnesse with Princely Regard in equity and favour to ponder and grant the humble suit contained in this most lowly supplication of your loyall true hearted faithfull subjects And to remember that your Majestie in your Book of Princely grave and fatherly advice to the happy Prince your Royall Son doth conclude Principis est parcere subjectis debellare superbos and then no doubt God will blesse your Highnesse with all your Noble Off-spring with peace long life and all honours and happinesse long to continue over us for which we will ever pray with incessant prayers to the Almighty I finde not what effect this their Petition produced whether it was slighted and the Petitioners looked upon as inconsiderable or beheld as a few frantick folk out of their wits which consideration alone often melted their Adversaries Anger into Pity unto them 19. The main design driven on in the Petition is to separate themselves from the Puritans as persons odious to King JAMES that they might not fare the worse for their Vicinity unto them The Familists will in no wise
Barrett summoned before the Consistory Fellow of Gonvile and Caius Colledge April 29. preached ad Clerum for his degree of Bachelour in Divinity in St. Maryes wherein he vented such Doctrines May 5. for which he was summoned six daies after before the Consistory of the Doctors and there enjoyned the following Recantation PReaching in Latine not long since in the University-Church Right Worshipfull many things slipped from me His solemn Recantation both falsly and rashly spoken whereby I understand the mindes of many have been grieved to the end therefore that I may satisfie the Church and the Truth which I have publickly hurt I doe make this publick Confession both repeating and revoking my Errors First I said That no man in this transitory world is so strongly underpropped at least by the certainty of Faith that is unlesse as I afterwards expounded it by revelation that he ought to be assured of his own Salvation But now I protest before God and acknowledge in my own conscience that they which are justified by Faith have peace towards God that is have reconciliation with God and doe stand in that Grace by Faith therefore that they ought to be certain and assured of their own Salvation even by the certainty of Faith it self Secondly I affirmed That the faith of Peter could not fail but that other mens may for as I then said our Lord prayed not for the faith of every particular man But now being of a better and more sound judgment according to that which Christ teacheth in plain words John 17. 20. I pray not for these alone that is the Apostles but for them also which shall believe in me through their word I acknowledge that Christ did pray for the faith of every particular Believer and that by the virtue of that prayer of Christ every true Believer is so stayed up that his faith cannot faile Thirdly Touching perseverance unto the end I said That that certainty concerning the time to come is proud forasmuch as it is in his own nature contingent of what kinde the perseverance of every man is neither did I affirm it to be proud onely but to be most wicked But now I freely protest that the true and justifying Faith whereby the faithfull are most neerly united unto Christ is so firm as also for the time so certain that it can never be rooted out of the mindes of the faithfull by any tentations of the flesh the world or the Devill himself so that he who hath his Faith once shall ever have it for by the benefit of that justifying Faith Christ dwelleth in us and we in Christ therefore it cannot be but increased Christ growing in us daily as also persevere unto the end because God doth give constancy Fourthly I affirmed That there was no distinction in Faith but in the persons believing In which I confesse I did erre now I freely acknowledge That temporary faith which as Bernard witnesseth is therefore fained because it is temporary is distinguished and differeth from that saving Faith whereby Sinners apprehending Christ are justified before God for ever not in measure and degrees but in the very thing it selfe Moreover I adde that James doth make mention of a Dead Faith and Paul of a Faith that worketh by Love Fiftly I added That Forgivenesse of Sins is an Article of Faith but not particular neither belonging to this man nor to that man that is as I expounded it that no true faithfull man either can or ought certainly to believe that his Sins are forgiven But now I am of another minde and doe freely confesse that every true faithfull man is bound by this Article of Faith to wit I believe the forgivenesse of Sins certainly to believe that his own particular sins are freely forgiven him neither doth it follow hereupon that that Petition of the Lords Prayer to wit Forgive us our Trespasses is needlesse for in that Petition we ask not onely the Gift but also the increase of Faith Sixtly These words escaped me in my Sermon viz As for those that are not saved I doe most strongly believe and doe freely protest that I am so perswaded against Calvin Peter Martyr and the rest That Sin is the true proper and first cause of Reprobation But now being better instructed I say That the Reprobation of the wicked is from everlasting and that the saying of Augustine to Simplician is most true viz If Sin were the cause of Reprobation then no man should be elected because God doth foreknow all men to be defiled with it and that I may speak freely I am of the same minde and doe believe concerning the Doctrine of Election and Reprobation as the Church of England believeth and teacheth in the Book of the Articles of Faith in the Article of Predestination Last of all I uttered these words rashly against Calvin a man that hath very well deserved of the Church of God to wit that he durst presume to lift up himself above the High and Almighty God By which words I confess that I have done great injury to that most learned and right Godly man and I doe most humbly beseech you all to pardon this my rashness as also that I have uttered many bitter words against Peter Martyr Theodore Beza Jerome Zanchius Francis Junius and the rest of the same Religion being the Lights and Ornaments of our Church calling them by the odious names of Calvinists and other slanderous terms branding them with a most grievous mark of Reproach whom because our Church doth worthily Reverence it was not meet that I should take away their good name from them or any way impaire their credit or dehort others of our Countrey-men from reading their most learned Works I am therefore very sorry and grieved for this most grievous offence which I have publickly given to this most famous University which is the Temple of true Religion and sacred receptacle of Piety And I doe promise you that by Gods help I will never hereafter offend in like sort and I doe earnestly beseech you Right Worshipfull and all others to whom I have given this offence either in the former Articles or in any part of my said Sermon that you would of your courtesie pardon me upon this my Repentance This Recantation was by the Doctors peremptorily enjoyned him Maii 10. That on Saturday following immediately after the Clerum he should go up into the Pulpit of S. Maryes where he had published these Errors and there openly in the face of the University read and make this Recantation which by him was done accordingly but not with that remorse and humility as was expected for after the reading thereof he concluded thus Haec dixi as if all had been orall rather than cordiall Yea soon after he departed the University got beyond Sea turned a Papist returned into England where he led a Lay mans life untill the day of his death Iohn Iegon Vicecan 1595-96 Ezech
more than they are able whereby their gifts become suckers impairing the root of the Foundation Sir Iohn his gift was so left at large for the disposall thereof that it became a gift indeed and really advanced the good of the Colledge 29. This Colledge continued without a Chappell some years after the first founding thereof A Chappell added after some years untill at last some good mens charity supplied this defect Some have falsely reported that the now-Chappell of the Colledge was formerly a Stable whereas indeed it was the Franciscans antient Dormitory as appeareth by the concavities still extant in the walls places for their severall reposure But others have complained that it was never ceremoniously consecrated which they conceive essentiall thereunto whilst there want not their equalls in learning and religion who dare defend that the continued series of Divine duties Praying Preaching administring the Sacrament publickly practised for more than thirty yeares without the least check or controul of those in Authority in a Place set apart to that purpose doth sufficiently consecrate the same 30. It is as yet but early daies with this Colledge A Childes prayer for his Mother which hath not seen sixty yeares yet hath it been fruitfull in worthy men proportionably to the Age thereof and I hope it will daily increase Now though it be onely the place of the Parents and proper to him as the greater to blesse his c Heb. 7. 6. Childe yet it is the duty of the Child to Pray for his Parents in which relation my best desires are due to this Foundation my Mother for my last eight years in this University May her lamp never lack light for the oyle or oyle for the light thereof Zoar is it not a little one Yet who shall despise the day of small things May the foot of sacriledge if once offring to enter the gates thereof stumble and rise no more The Lord blesse the labours of all the Students therein that they may tend and end at his glory their own salvation the profit and honour of the Church and Common-wealth Iohn Iegon Vicecan 1596-97 William Moon Richard Sutton Proct. 39. Robert Wallis Major John Iegon Vicecan 1597-98 Nathaniel Cole William Rich Proct. 40. James Robson Major 31. The young Schollars conceiving themselves somewhat wronged by the Townsmen CLUB LAW acted in Clare-Hall the particulars whereof I know not betook them for revenge to their wits Ann. Dom. 1597-98 as the weapon wherein lay their best advantage Ann. Regi Eliz. 39. These having gotten a discovery of some Town privacies from Miles Goldsborrough one of their own Corporation composed a merry but abusive Comedy which they call'd CLUB-LAW in English as calculated for the capacities of such whom they intended spectatours thereof Clare-Hall was the place wherein it was acted and the Major with his Brethren and their Wives were invited to behold it or rather themselves abused therein A convenient place was assigned to the Townsfolk riverted in with Schollars on all sides where they might see and be seen Here they did behold themselves in their own best cloathes which the Schollars had borrowed so livelily personated their habits gestures language lieger-jests and expressions that it was hard to decide which was the true Townsman whether he that sat by or he who acted on the Stage Sit still they could not for chasing go out they could not for crowding but impatiently patient were fain to attend till dismissed at the end of the Comedy 32. The Major and his Brethren soon after complain of this libellous Play to the Lords of the Privie Councell Complain'd of by the Townsmen to the Councell Table and truly aggravate the Scollars offence as if the Majors Mace could not be played with but that the Scepter it selfe is touched therein Now though such the gravity of the Lords as they must maintain Magistracy and not behold it abused yet such their goodness they would not with too much severity punish Wit though waggishly imployed and therefore only sent some slight and private check to the principall Actors therein 33. There goeth a tradition How declined many earnestly engaging for the truth thereof that the Townsmen not contented herewith importunately pressed That some more severe and publick punishment might be inflicted upon them Hereupon the Lords promised in short time to come to Cambridge and because the life in such things is lacking when onely read they themselves would see the same Comedy with all the properties thereof acted over again the Townsmen as formerly being enjoyned to be present thereat that so they might the better proportion the punishment to the fault if any appeared But rather than the Townsmen would be witnesses again to their own abusing wherein many things were too farre from and some things too near to truth they fairly fell off from any farther prosecution of the matter 34. Upon the death of William Cecill Lord Burghly Robert Earle of Essex made Chancellour Robert Devereux Earl of Essex was chosen Chancellour of the University Comming to Cambridge he was entertained in Queens Coll where the Room he lodged in is called Essex Chamber to this day and where the pleasant Comedy of LELIA was excellently acted before him Robert Soame Vicecan 1598-99 William Boise Randal Woodcock Proct. 40. John Yaxley Major Iohn Iegon Vicecan 1599-600 Iohn Goslin Geo 41. Mountain Proct. Ieremy Chase Major Iohn Duport Vicecan 1600-â—â— Rob Naunton Tho 42. Morison Proct. Iohn Ienkinson Major Sir Robert Cecill principall Secretary of Estate Ann. Dom. 1600-01 was chosen Chancellour of the University Ann. Regi Eliz. 42. and did greatly befriend it on all occasions Sir Robert Cecill chosen Chancellour He was afterward Earle of Salisbury and Lord Treasurer of England Will Smith Vicecan 1581-2 Richard Trim John Forthenho Coll Trin Proct. 43. Edward Potto Major John Cowell Vicecan 1682-3 Nathaniel Wiburn Edward Barwel Coll Christi Proct. 44. Hen Jackson Major 35. King IAMES removed by many small journeys and great feastings from Scotland to London 1592 3. Alwaies the last place He lodged in Ann. Reg. Jac. 1. seemed so compleat for entertainment that nothing could be added thereunto K. James his matchlesse Entertainment at Hinchinbrooke And yet commonly the next Stage April 27. exceeded it in some stately accession Untill at last His Majesty came to Hinchinbrooke nigh Huntington the House of Master Oliver Cromwell where such His reception that in a manner it made all former entertainments forgotten and all future to despair to doe the like All the pipes about the house expressed themselves in no other language than the severall sorts of the choisest wines The Entertainer being so rich a Subject and the Entertained so renowned a Sovereign altered the nature of what here was expended otherwise justly censurable for prodigality to be deservedly commended for true