hath wickedly and traiterously advised His Majestie that he might at his owne will and pleasure leavie and take money of his Subjects without their consent in Parliament and this hee affirmed was warrantable by the Law of God 2. Hee hath for the better accomplishment of that his traiterous designe advised and procured Sermons and other discourses to be preached printed and published in which the Authoritie of Parliaments and the force of the Lawes of this Kingdome have beene denyed and absolute and unlimited power over the persons and estates of His Majesties subjects maintained and defended not onely in the King but in himselfe and other Bishops against the Law And he hath beene a great protector savourer and promoter of the publishers of such false and pernicious opinions 3. Hee hath by Letters Messages Threats and promises and by diverse other wayes to Judges and other Ministers of justice interrupted and perverted and at other times by meanes aforesaid hath endeavoured to interrupt and pervert the course of Justice in His Majesties Courts at Westminster and other Courts to the subversion of the Lawes of this Kingdome whereby sundry of His Majesties Subjects have been stopt in their just suits deprived of their lawfull righte and subjected to his tyrannicall will to their ruine and destruction 4. That the said Archbishop hath traiterously and corruptly told ustice to those who have had causes depending before him by colour of his Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction as Archbishop High Commissioner Referree or otherwise and hath taken unlawfull gifts and bribes of His Majesties Subjects and hath as much as in him lies endeavoured to corrupt the other Courts of justice by advising and procuring His Majestie to sell places of Judicature and other Offices contrary to the Laws and Statutes in that behalfe 5. He hath traiterously caused a booke of Canons to be composed and published without any lawfull warrant and authoritie in that behalfe in which pretended Canons many matters are contained contrary to the Kings Prerogative to the fundamentall Lawes and Statutes of this Realme to the right of Parliament to the propriety and libertie of the Subject and matters tending to sedition and of dangerous consequence and to the establishment of a past unlawfull and presumptuous power in himselfe and his successors many of which Canons by the practise of the said Archbishop were surreptitiously passed in the late Convocation without due consideration and debate others by feare and compulsion were subscribed by the Prelates and Clerkes there assembled which had never beene voted and passed in the Convocation as they ought to have beene And the said Archbishop hath contrived and endeavoured to assure and confirme the unlawfull and exorbitant power which he hath usurped and exercised over His Majesties Subjects by a wicked and ungodly oath in one of the said pretended Canons injoyned to be taken by all the Clergie and many of the Laitie of this Kingdome 6. He hath trayterously assumed to himselfe a papall and tyrannicall power both in Ecclesiasticall and Temporall matters over his Majesties Subjects in this Realme of England and in other places to the disherison of the Crowne dishonour of His Majestie and derogation of his supreme authoritie in Ecclesiasticall matters And the said Archbishop claimes the Kings Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction as incident to his Episcopall Office and Archiepiscopall in this Kingdome and doth deny the same to bee derived from the Crowne of England which he hath accordingly exercised to the high contempt of his Royall Majestie and to the destruction of divers of the Kings liege people in their persons and estates 7. That he hath traiterously indeavoured to alter and subvert Gods true Religion by Law established in this Realme and in stead thereof to set up Popish superstition and Idolatrie And to that end hath declared and maintained in Speeches and printed books diverse popish doctrines and opinions contrary to the Articles of Religion established by Law Hee hath urged and injoyned diverse popish and superstitious Ceremonies without any warrant of Law and hath cruelly persecuted those who have opposed the same by corporall punishments and Imprisonments and most unjustly vexed others who refused to conforme thereunto by Ecclesiasticall censures of Excommunication Suspension Deprivation and Degradation contrary to the Lawes of this Kingdome 8. That for the better advancing of his traiterous purpose and designe he did abuse the great power and trust His Majestie reposed in him and did intrude upon the places of diverse great Officers and upon the right of other His Majesties Subjects whereby he did procure to himselfe the nomination of sundry persons to Ecclesiasticall Dignities Promotions and benefices belonging to His Majestie and divers of the Nobilitie Clergie and others and hath taken upon him the commendation of Chaplaines to the King by which meanes he hath preferred to His Majesties service and to other great promotions in the Church such as have been Popishly affected or otherwise unsound and corrupt both in doctrine and manners 9. Hee hath for the same trayterous and wicked intent chosen and imployed such men to be his owne Domesticall Chaplaines whom he knew to be notoriously disaffected to the reformed Religion grosly addicted to popish superstition and erroneous and unsound both in judgement and practise and to them or some of them hath he committed the Licensing of Bookes to be printed by which meanes divers false and superstitious bookes have beene published to the great scandall of Religion and to the seducing of many His Majesties Subjects 10. Hee hath traiterously and wickedly endeavoured to reconcile the Church of England with the Church of Rome and for the effecting thereof hath consorted and confederated with diverse Popish Priests and Jesuites and hath kept secret intelligence with the Pope of Rome and by himselfe his Agents and instruments treated with such as have from thence received authoritie and instruction hee hath permitted and countenanced a Popish Hierarchie or Ecclesiasticall government to bee established in this Kingdome by all which trayterous and malicious practises this Church and Kingdome hath beene exceedingly indangered and like to fall under the Tyrannie of the Roman See 11. He in his owne person and his Suffragans Visitors Surrogates Chancellors and other Officers by his command have caused divers learned pious and Orthodox Ministers of Gods Word to be silenced suspended deprived degraded excommunicated and otherwise grieved without any just and lawfull cause and by diverse other meanes he hath hindered the preaching of Gods Word caused divers of His Majesties loyall Subjects to forsake the Kingdome and increased and cherished Ignorance and profanenesse amongst the people that so hee might the better facilitate the way to the effecting of his owne wicked and traiterous designe of altering and corrupting the true religion here established 12. He hath traiterously endeavoured to cause division and discord betwixt the Church of England and other reformed Churches and to that end hath supprest and abrogated the Priviledges and Jmmunities which
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
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
them all the dayes of my life so farre as they concerne me as any man hath and since I came into place I have followed them and byn as much guided by them as any man that sate where I had the honour to sitte And of this I am sory I have lost the testimony of the Lord Keeper Coventry and other Persons of Honour since dead And the Councell which attended at the Councell Board can witnesse some of them here present that in all references to the Board or debates arising at the Board I was for that part of the cause where I found Law to be and if the Councell desired to have the cause left to the Law well I might move in some cases Charity or Conscience to them but I left them to the Law if thither they would goe And how such a carriage as this through the whole course of my life in private and publique can stand with an intention to overthrow the Lawes I cannot yet see Nay more I have ever beene of opinion That Lawes binde the conscience and have accordingly made conscience of observing them and this doctrine I have constantly preached as occasion hath beene offered me and how is it possible I should seek to overthrow those Lawes which I held my selfe bound in conscience to keep and observe As for Religion I was borne and bred up in and under the Church of England as it stands established by Law I have by Gods blessing growne up in it to the yeares which are now upon me and to the place of preferment which I now beare I have ever since I have understood ought in my profession kept one constant tenor in this my profession with out variation or shifting from one opinion to another for any worldly ends And if my conscience would have suffered me to doe so I could easely have slid through all the difficulties which I have prest upon me in this kinde But of all diseases I have ever held a Palsey in Religion most dangerous well knowing and remembring that disease often ends in a dead Palsie Ever since I came in place I have laboured nothing more then that the externall publique worship of God so much slighted in divers parts of this Kingdome might be preserved that with as much decency uniformity as might be for I evidently saw that the publique neglect of Gods service in the outward face of it and the nasty lyeing of many places dedicated to that service had almost cast a dampe upon the true and inward worship of God which while we live in the body needs exteriall helps and all little enough to keepe it in any vigor And this I did to the uttermost of my knowledge according both to Law and Canon and with the consent and likeing of the people nor did any command issue out from mee against the one or without the other Further my Lords give me leave I beseech you to acquaint you with this also that I have as little acquaintance with Recusants as I beleeve any man of my place of England hath or ever had sithence the Reformation and for my kindred no one of them was ever a Recusant but Sir William Web grandchild to my Vnkle Sir VVilliam VVeb sometimes Lord Major of London and since which some of his Children I reduced back againe to the Church of England On this one thing more I humbly desire may be thought on That I am fallen into a great deale of obloquie in matter of Religion and that so farre as appeares by the Articles against me that I have indeavored to advance and bring in Popery Perhaps my Lords I am not ignorant what party of men have raised these scandalls upon me nor for what end nor perhapps by whom set on but howsoever I would faine have a good reason given me if my conscience stood that way and that with my conscience I could subscribe to the Church of Rome what should have kept me heere before my imprisonment to indure the libelling and the slaunder and the base usage that hath beene put upon me and these to end in this question for my life I say I would know a good reason for this First my Lords is it because of any pledges I have in the world to sway me against my conscience No sure for I have neither Wife nor Children to cry out upon me to stay with them And if I had I hope the calling of my conscience should be heard above them Is it because I was loth to leave the honour and profit of the place I was risen too Surely no for I desire your Lordships and all the world should know I do much scorn the one and the other in comparison of my conscience Besides it cannot be imagined by any man but that if I should have gone over to them I should not have wanted both honour and profit and suppose not so great as this I have here yet sure would my conscience have served my self of either lesse with my conscience would have prevailed with me more than greater against my conscience Is it because I lived here at ease and was loth to venture the losse of that not so neither for whatsoever the world may be pleased to think of me I have led a very painfull life and such as I would have been content to change had I well known how and would my conscience have served me that way I am sure I might have lived at far more ease and either have avoyded the barbarous Libelling and other bitter grievous scornes which have been put upon me or at least been out of the hearing of them Not to trouble your Lordships too long I am so innocent in the businesse of Religion so free from all practise or so much as thought of practise for any alteration unto Popery or any blemishing the true Protestant Religion established in England as I was when my mother first bore me into the world And let nothing be spoken but truth and I do here challenge whatsoever is between Heaven or Hell that can be said against me in point of my Religion in which I have ever hated dissimulation And had I not hated it perhaps I might have been better for worldly safety then now I am but it can no way become a Christian Bishop to halt with God Lastly if I had any purpose to blast the true Religion established in the Church of England and to introduce Popery sure I took a wrong way to it for my Lords I have staid more going to Rome and reduced more that were already gone then I believe any Bishop or Divine in this Kingdome hath done and some of them men of great abilities and some persons of great place and is this the way to introduce Popery My Lords if I had blemished the true Protestant Religion how could I have brought these men to it And if I had promised to introduce Popery I would never have reduced
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
and Metropolitan of all England concerning Orders to be observed by all the Bishops of that Province To the severall Articles of which Jnstructions I Matthew Lord Bishop of Norwich thus humbly make Answer and in Order VVe finde this observable Answer given To the 12. Article That upon enquiry at my Visitation whether the Kings Majesties Declaration for lawfull sports had beene published I found it had not beene done in very many places of the Diocesse having therefore about 60. Bookes at hand I caused them to bee proposed to such persons as I had most doubt of but many of them refused to publish the same and were suspended for their refusall yet divers of them presently promised conformity and so were absolved So that now in the whole Diocesse consisting of about 1500. Clergie men there are not passing twice 15. Excommunicated or suspended whereof some so stand for contumacie in not appearing at the Visitation and Synod and still refuse to submit some for obstinate denying to publish the Kings Declaration By the Title and answer of which it is most evident That the Archbish sent severall Articles of Instructions in his Majesties name though made by himselfe to all the Bishops of his Province who were to return an Annuall account of them unto him in writing whereof this was one That they should inquire whether the Declaration for sports had beene published in every parish Church by the Minister and directed them to excommunicate or suspend all such who refused to read it Which how barbarously and unchristianly it was executed in most places needs no further evidence then that already produced and what all men know Now wee appeale to all Ecclesiasticall Histories from Christs Nativity till this instant whether there was ever such a monstrous impiety or persecution as this heard of in the Christian world that Archbishops and Bishops who professe themselves the very Fathers of the Church and Pillars of Religion should thus impiously First of all abuse a Christian Prince so farre as to publish a Declaration for the free use and encouragement of such sports and Pastimes on the Lords-Day as are some of them unlawfull on any day and constantly prohibited condemned by Fathers Councells Imperiall Lawes Edicts of most Christian Emperors Kings Princes States and the whole torrent of Christian Writers as altogether unsufferable on the Lords Day Secondly to injoyne Bookes expresly tending to the prophanation of the Lords day by sports and pastimes to be publikely read in Churches by the Ministers to their Congregations on this very day to encourage authorize them though over-prone thereto without any such instigation to prophane it 3. To suspend sequester excommunicate censure persecute deprive even hundreds of Godly Ministers as capitall Offenders for refusing meerely out of Conscience towards God and love to their owne and peoples soules to contribute their voyces or personal assistances to such a publication and against all Law Justice Piety to silence Ministers three or foure yeares together from preaching Gods Word to their people for the salvation of their soules according to their duties because they durst not publish this Declaration for Lords-Day sports unto them to further the damnation of their soules both against their duties and consciences Such a Monster of most desperate unparalled impiety profanenesse persecution as this was never borne in the Christian world till this Ghostly Father Archbishop Laud begot and nourished it in our Church for which how well hee demerited the Popes Titles of YOUR HOLINES and MOST HOLY FATHER let the Vniversity of Oxford and Mr. Croxton seriously consider who bestowed them on him severall times Doubtlesse his more then Popish superstition in Consecrating Churches Church-Yards Chappell 's and prohibiting all prophannations of them by Enterludes Dancing Musters Leets teaching of Schollers and the like might have lessoned him to have beene as zealous against prophaning Sacred dayes as places with unholie Pastimes or secular Negotiations But because the Lords-Day Sabbath was not hallowed by Bishops themselves as Churches Chappell 's or Church-Yards were according to the Modell of the Roman Pontificall but by Christ and his Apostles who never authorized Bishops or any else to Consecrate Churches or other places in this sort they presume to authorize men thus openly to prophane the one without check or punishment but not the other under the severest Anathema Maranatha Enough eternally to stigmatize this Arch-Prelate with the blackest brand of Arrogancy and Impiety who made but a meere sport of prophaning Gods owne day with sports and silencing Godly Ministers for not being so prophane in this kinde as himselfe was who used to play at bowles on this very day a pretty Archipiscopall Sabbath Recreation or so prophane as he would have them to be against the dictate of their owne Consciences We have given you in a very full and copious evidence of the Archbishops endeavours practises to subvert our established Protestant Religion and usher in Popery among us by introducing severall Popish Innovations superstitious Ceremonies Idolatrous impieties practises and prophanations into our Church being all meere matters of fact notoriously visible to the world and eyes of all men We shal now proceed in the second place to discover his atempts and manifest his proceedings in this kinde by bringing in Popish Tenents and doctrines by degrees wherein we shall so fully uncase this Romish Fox as notwithstanding all his shifts and subterfuges to evidence him the most Pestilent Jesuiticall underminer subverter of the established doctrines of the Church of England the Archest advancer of the Erroneous Positions of the Church of Rome that ever breathed in our English Ayre And here we meet not onely with a Narrow Episcopall See but vast boundlesse Ocean of evidence to saile in That there hath bin for many yeares last past a secret plotted Conspiracy and serious endeavour between sundry pretended members of the Church of England and reall Sonnes of the Church of Rome to extirpate the Protestant Religion and instead therof to set up Popish superstition and Idolatry hath beene already abundantly manifested to the World in A necessary Introduction to the History of the Archbishop of Canterbury his Tryall by sundry forraigne and domestick evidences how farre this Archbishop was an Arch-agent in promoting this conspiracie in point of Doctrinall Popery and by what Jesuiticall Policies and degrees he proceeded in it comes now in Order to bee proved wherein wee shall steare the course of our evidence according to the compasse and method of his proceedings It is the common Policy of all wise experienced Commanders when they intend to undermine any strong well-fortified defensible Fortresse not desperately to begin their Mines at the very foundation of the Workes at first for feare of discovery danger prevention but at a competent distance and then to make their approaches by insensible degrees till at last they have undermined or blowne up the very Walls and Workes themselves The selfe-same Policy was used by
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
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.
ever your Graces in all humility CHR. POTTER Octob. 6. 1634. Queens Coll. To which the Arch-bishop returned this answer as was manifested by the Letter it selfe thus indorsed with his owne hand found in his Study and attested by Master Prynne Octob. 18. 1633. Doctor Potter A second Impression of his booke and my Answer to it BUt to the last clause of your Letter about the re-printing of your booke I have done that which you so have desired as you will see by this inclosed paper they are but a few scattered phrases and I put them to your consideration as much for conveniency and charitable expression as for truth Doo what you will with them so you mistake not me in that which your selfe have caused me to doe but in that place page 26. where you say it may viz. Mat. 11. 17. be understood of any Assembly as well civill as Ecclesiasticall doe you not thereby give as much power to the Parliament as to the Church in Church affaires I read in haste and it may be a mistake but you shall doe very well to consider it so in haste I leave you to the grace of God c. WIL. CANT The principall purgations mentioned in the inclosed paper appeare to be these written with the Arch-bishops owne hand which was produced Page 4. beleeve in the Pope the Idol of Rome page 15. onely in the Catholique Church page 26. that in Saint Matthew c. 18. v. 17. tell the Church which may be understood of any Assembly as well civill as Ecclesiasticall page 97. never any Church so farre as Rome page 2. page 8. the Scripture by its owne light c. all which were left out in the second Edition as that notable passage in Theodoret concerning Lay-mens reading the Scriptures in the first Edition of this Doctors Sermon at the consecration of the Bishop of Carlile London 1629. was quite expunged out of the second Impression belike by this Prelate direction as well as these forementioned The fifth purgations and alterations of highest consequence for the introducing of sundry Popish doctrines ceremonies Transubstantiation and the Masse it selfe were by this Arch-prelat made in that Common-prayer-booke which he endeavoured to inforce upon the Church of Scotland all written with his owne hand already mentioned at large in A necessary Introduction to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury his Tryall page 156. to 164. to which the Reader may resort for satisfaction herein which are so palpably popish and destructive to our Religion that this Prelate had no other plea or fence against them when they began to be pressed upon him but onely the Act of Pacification and Oblivion which he peremptorily insisted on though the Committee of the Commons House who managed the Evidence alleadged that they were cleerly without this Act that they insisted on them only as Evidences to prove his endeavours to introduce Popery and his good affection thereunto in maitainance of the seventh and tenth originall Articles of his impeachment not to prove him an Incendiary between both Kingdomes in justification of the twelfth originall Article to which he onely pleaded the Act of Oblivion We shall next proceed to other purgations made by his Chaplaines and Creatures no doubt by his speciall direction Beginning first with a booke written by Sir Anthony Hungerford who being a Papist in his younger dayes and afterwards upon better consideration converted to our Religion did thereupon write a Treatise to his Mother then a Roman Catholike to disswade her from that Religion intituled The Advice of a Sonne professing the Religion established in the present Church of England to his deare Mother a Roman Catholike containing an acknowledgement of God his great mercy in bringing him to the profession of the true religion established in the Church of England and advising exhorting his children to persevere therein Sir Edward Hungerford his Sonne a Member of the House of Commons deposed upon Oath that about the yeere 1635. he carried this Book writ by his Father Sir Anthony to the Arch-bishops Chaplaine Doctor Bray to license for the Presse for the satisfaction and conversion of other seduced Romanists who perusing the same took exceptions at some harsh passages as he termed them against Popes and Popery in the 8. 14. 15. 17. and 62. pages thereof which he told him must be quite expurged or else the Treatise must not passe the Presse The passages were these p. 8 Yet even those truths they recommended unto us upon as perilous and false a ground as if a man should therefore beleeve Christ Jesus to be the sonne of the living God because the devil did confesse it page 14. 15. They will acknowledge that the Pope may be as wicked a man in life as any other in the world and by experience it hath been found that sundry of them have scarce had matches in this kind as for instance of one Pope Alexander the sixth whom Guicciardine though himselfe a Papist doth thus decipher His manner and customes were dishonest little sincerity in his Administrations no shame in his face small truth in his words little faith in his heart and lesse religion in his opinions all his actions were defaced with unsatiable covetousnesse immoderate ambition barbarous cruelty he was not ashamed contrary to the custome of former Popes who to cast some colour over their infamy were went to call them their Nephewes to call his sonnes his children and for such to expresse them to the world The bruit went that in the love of his daughter Lucretia were concurrent not onely his two sonnes the Duke of Candy and the Cardinall of Valence but himselfe also that was her Father who as soone as he was chosen Pope tooke her from her husband and married her to the Lord of Pesare but not able to suffer her husband to be his corrivall he dissolved that marriage also and tooke her to himselfe by vertue of Saint Peters Keyes and it was amongst other graces his naturall custome to use poysonings not onely to be avenged of his enemies but also to dispoyle the wealthy Cardinals of their riches and this he spared not to doe against his dearest friend till at the last having a purpose at a Banquet to poyson divers Cardinals and for that end appointed his Cup-bearer to give attendance with Wine made ready for the nonce who mistaking the bottle gave the poysoned cup to him was thus himselffe dispatched by the just judgement of God that purposed to murther his friends that he might be their Heir Thus farre the Historian page 17. I dare presume it shall be made evidently to appeare unto you in the presence of any that would oppose it that their principle concerning the Popes infallibility being the maine supporter of all Religion at this day in the Church of Rome is not so ancient by so many ages in the world as is the Alcoran of that accursed Mahomet if the foundation be proved new what rule can they propose to
the Church of England was ready to ring the Changes and insinuating unto his Auditory that there was cause to fear an Alteration of Religion saying that Religion and the Gospel stood on tiptoes ready to be gone that divers good Ministers were silenced and that they should beware of a relapse unto Popery In this censure the Archbishop had the chiefest hand as was proved by the High Commission Bookes and Mr Wardes Submission which was drawn up by Sir Iohn Lambe and sent to this Archbishop who endorsed it with his owne hand This severe sentence utterly ruined this famous painfull preacher who lay long in prison and soone after ended his dayes in great grief and sorrow In April 1630. Articles were exhibited against Mr Charles Chancy a Reverend learned painfull Minister living at Ware for preaching against the Bacchanales and disorders used by many in the Christmas holy-dayes the increase of Popery Arminianisme and using these expressions in a Sermon of his charged against him in his Articles in Ianuary before That Idolatry was admitted into the Church and that not only the prophets of Baal but Baal himselfe is received and houses multiplyed for the entertainment of them and with all saying that the preaching of the Gospel would be suppressed That there wanted men of courage to tell the Superiours in the Church of their neglect for that there was increase of much Atheisme Popery Arminianisme and Heresie in our Church since the reformation of it as at this time wherein Heresies were not onely broached but maintained whereby he raised a fear among the people and insinuated to them that some alteration of Religion would ensue and be brought in and scandalized the whole Church of England and Government thereof To these Articles Mr Chancy gave in his answer upon Oath in the High Commission the 21 of the same April and the very next day by Order of that Court the whole cause was referred to this Bishop then of London being his ordinary provided that if Mr Chancy did not submit himselfe to performe his Lordships order therein that then his Lordship if it seemed good unto him might transferre the cause backe again to be censured in this Court Whereupon Mr Chancy made a Submission to his Lordship in Latin and soon after was enforced to desert the Kingdome and set sayle for New England to avoyd further persecution All which is manifest by the Originall Articles and Mr Chancyes answer to them found among Sir John Lambes sequestred Writings by Mr Prynne and by the Order of Reference and M. Chancyes Submission endorsed with the Bishops own hand the chiefe Prosecutor of this cause To these we could add M. Cotton M. Hooker M. Davenport M. Wells M. Peters M. Glover and sundry other Ministers driven into New England and other Plantations those that fled over into Holland to avoyd his prosecution with some hundreds of Ministers questioned in the High Commission and else-where by his meanes and there suspended silenced for not publishing the Booke of Sports or not submitting to his Popish Innovations M. Salisbury was questioned and troubled by this Prelate for these passages in his Sermon on Math. 24. 6. How many thousands have made shipwrack of faith a good conscience renounced our true Church stepp'd aside to Arminianisme and from thence as it is the widest gate that opens towards Rome relapsed to Popery Thus are wee scattered in our Jacob and divided in our Israel The Low Countryes not long since if not still sighed as deeply and mourned as strongly to finde herselfe as imperceivably to be overgrowne with Arminianisme And what a faction is like to be in our deplorable England between Popery and Arminianisme together except God be more mercifull and our State the more vigilant and mindfull We shall see sooner then tell and feel sooner then see Doctor Staughton D. Sibbes D. Taylor D. Gouge M. White of Dorchester M. Rogers of Dodham with sundry more of our most eminent preaching orthodox Divines were brought into the High Commission and troubled or silenced for a time by his procurement upon frivilous pretences But in truth because they were principle Props of our Protestant Religion against his Popish and Arminian Innovations But omitting these we shall conclude this head with one memorable instance more which comes very home Mr Nathaniel Bernard Lecturer at Sepulchers in London preaching at Antholins Church in May 3. 1629. used this expression in his prayer before his Sermon Oh Lord open the eyes of the Queenes Majestie that shee may see Iesus Christ whom shee hath peirced with her Infidelity Superstition and Idolatry This Archbishop then of London was presently informed of this passage attested by Walter Kirby an Atturney of Bernards Inne Iohn Browne of Durham Minister and some others Whereupon the Bishop brought him into the High Commission where after long attendance upon his Submission this ensuing Order was framed Die Jovis viz. xxviii die mensis Januarii Anno Domini juxta c 1629. Coram Commissionariis Regiis apud Lambeth Judicialiter sedentibus presente Thoma Mottershed Registrarij Regij Deputat Officum Dominorum contra Nathanielem Bernard Clericum Prima Sessio Termini Hillarij HIS appearance by bond was respited untill this day at which day and place the said Nathaniel Bernard appeared personally and then it being objected unto him by the Court that he had in a Sermon lately by him preached or otherwise delivered some Scandalous and undutiful speeches derogatory to some particular person of most eminent place which the Court desired not to have there repeated and for that the said Mr Bernard had acknowledged his error in that kinde as some of the Commissioners there unto whom he had submitted himself reported and himselfe confessed the Court was inclined upon his submission being a young scholler and a student in Divinity to accept his submission and enclined to deal mercifully and favourably with him yet considering that his scandalous and undutifull speeches were of such high nature as could not be well remitted or pardoned by this Court without the approbation and the good liking of his most Excellent Majestie the Court desired the Lord Bishop of London to acquaint his Majestie therewith and if his Majestie upon understanding of the Cause would be graciously pleased to pardon him and leave it to the Court that then this Court would take such further order for his dismission as they should think meet Mottershed The Copy of this Order with another Paper conteining the words were both endorsed with the Bishops own hand and found among his Papers by Mr Prynne who produced them Mr Bernard not long after upon his submission was dismissed the Court After which repairing to the University of Cambridge to visit his friends he fortuned to preach at Saint Maries Church there on the 6. of May 1632. in the afternoon wherein he let fall divers Passages concerning preaching the purity of Gods Ordinances worship and against the Introducers of
Apostates and perswaded them to submit themselves to the Antichristian yoak and to renounce or dissemble the profession of the true Religion would have quite crossed or frustrated his Design Therfore out it must and be obliterated whatever comes of it Finally observe his imbittered malice to the Protestant Churches but grand affection to the Pope and Church of Rome most evidently displayed by this expunction the first in deleating those clauses which style theirs the true Religion c. the latter in expunging this expression in favour of the Roman Church and Pontife only if they would have submitted themselves to THE ANTI-CHRISTIAN YOAK which we have elsewhere dilated upon In briefe He that thus would have the Protestant Churches no Churches at all of God or Christ their Ministers no Ministers their Religion not the true Religion nor the same with ours must certainly expresse abundance of malice and disaffection to these Churches endeavour to cause discord and division between the Church of England and them the very charge in the Article and proclaime himselfe a greater friend to the Church of Rome and her Religion then to the Protestant Churches and the true Religion in them professed yea a Trayterous endeavourer to subvert the true Religion established in our English Church which is the same with theirs And the rather may we beleeve this of the Archbishop because shortly after he caused a Book entituled A Declaration of the Faith and Ceremonies of the Palsgraves Churches printed first in Dutch but afterwards in English Anno 1637. to be strictly called in and seized by his Pursevants in high affront of the Prince Palatine then newly arrived in England and of his Churches because it declared those Churches Orthodox judgement and censure against sundry Arminian and Popist Errours Innovations Ceremonies which hee and his Confederates then laboured to introduce among us as was attested upon Oath by Michael Spark senior and Mr Prynne when as we never heard of any Popish Books as Sancta Clara and others here printed either called in or seized by his speciall voluntary command but countenanced yea restored by him or his Agents when seised by the Searchers and Stationers Let all the world then judge by this prime peece of our Evidence what manner of Protestant this Archbishop was and how ill he stood affected to the Protestant Religion 3. These premises considered no wonder if he endeavoured by all his policy and power to suppresse nay abrogate the Priviledges Immunities of the Dutch and French Churches in this Kingdom granted to them by his Majesty and his Royall Ancestors which he in part accomplished to their prejudice the next part of his Charge in the twelfth Article of which we shall present you this summary accompt King Edward the sixth by his Letters Patents dated the 24 day of Iuly in the fourth yeare of his Reigne granted this ensuing Patent to the Dutch and French Protestants then living in exile in London establishing their Church and Presbyterian Government among themselves exempt from all Episcopall Iurisdiction appointing a Superintendent over them and Ministers of their own Which Patent for the rarity thereof and the better understanding of this Charge we shall at large transcribe EDwardus Sextus Dei Gratia Angliae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fidei Defensor in terra Ecclesiae Anglicanae Hiberniae supremum Caput omnibus ad quos praesentes literae pervenerint salutem Cum magnae quaedam graves considerationes Nos ad praesens specialiter impulerunt Tum etiam cogitantes illud quanto studio charitate Christianos Principes in Sacrosanctum Dei Evangelium Religionem Apostolicam ab ipso Christo inchoatam institutam traditam animatos perpensos esse conveniat sine qua haud dubio politia civile regimen neque consistere diu neque nomen suum tueri potest nisi Principes caeterique praepotentes viri quos Deus ad regnorum gubernacula sedere voluit id imprimis operam dent ut per totum Reipublicae corpus casta sinceraque religio diffundatur Ecclesia in vere Christianis Apostolicis opinionibus ritibus instituta adulta per sanctos ac carui mundo mortuos Ministros conservetur pro eo quod Christiani Principis officium esse statuimus inter alias gravissimas de regno suo bene splendideque administrando cogitationes etiam religioni religionis causae calamitate fractis afflictis exulibus consulere Sciatis quod non solum praemissa contemplantes Ecclesiam à Papatus tyranide per Nos vindicatam in pristina libertate conservare cupientes verumetiam Exulum Peregrinorum conditionem miserantes qui jam bonis temporibus in Regno nostro Angliae commorati sunt voluntario exilio Religionis Ecclesiae causa mulctati quia hospites exteros homines propter Christi Evangelium ex patria sua profligatos ejectos in Regnum nostrum profugos praesidiis ad vitam degendam necessariis in Regno nostro egere non dignum esse duximus cujus liberalitas nullo modo in tali rerum statu restricta clausave esse debet At quoniam multi Germanae nationis homines ac alii peregrini qui confluxerunt in dies singulos confluunt in Regnum nostrum Angliae ex Germania aliis remotioribus partibus in quibus Papatus dominata Evangelii libertas labefactari premi coepta est non habent certam sedem locum in Regno nostro ubi conventos suos celebrare valeant ubi inter suae gentis moderni idiomatis homines Religionis negotia res Ecclesiasticas pro patrio titu more intelligenter obire tractare possint Idcirco de Gratia Nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia mero metu nostris nec non de avisamento Concilii nostri volumus concedimus ordinamus quod de caetero sit erit unum Templum sive sacra Aedes in Civitate nostra London quod vel quae vocabitur Templum Domini Iesu ubi Congregatio conventus Germanorum aliorum peregrinorum fieri celebrari possit ea intentione proposito ut à Ministris Ecclesiae Germanorū aliorumque peregrinorum Sacrosancti Evangelii incorrupts interpretatio Sacramentorum juxta verbum Dei Apostolicam observationem administratio fiat Templū illud sive sacram Aedem illam deuno Superintendente quatuor verbi Ministris erigimus creamus ordinamus fundamus per praesentes Et quod idem Superintendens Ministri in re nomine sint erunt unum corpus corporatum politicum de se per nomen Superintendentis Ministrorum Ecclesiae Germanorum aliorum peregrinorum ex fundatione Regis Edwardi Sexti in Civitate London per praesentes incorporamus ac corpus corporatum politicum per idem nomen realiter ad plenum creamus erigimus ordinamus facimus constituimus per praesentes Et quod successionem
shall pretermit for brevity sake only we shall insert the Copy of his owne Letter to the Merchants at Delfe found in his study dated Iune 17. 1634. AFter our hearty Commendations c. We are commanded by his Majesty to signifie unto you that this Bearer Mr Beaumont chosen by joynt consent of your Company to be your Preacher at Delfe or where else you shall at any time reside is a man learned sober and conformable to the Doctrine and Discipline established in the Church of England And that you are to receive him with all decent and curteous usage fitting his Person and Calling and to allow him the usuall ancient stipend which Mr Forbes lately or any other before him hath received And farther we are to let you know that it is his Majesties expresse Command that both you the Deputy and all and every other Merchant that is or shall bee residing in those parts beyond the Seas doe conforme themselves to the Doctrine and Discipline setled in the Church of England And that they frequent the Common Prayers with all religious Duty and Reverence at all times required as well as they doe Sermons And that out of your Company you doe yearly about Easter as the Canons prescribe name two Church Wardens and two Sidesmen which may look to the Orders of the Church and give an Accompt according to their Office And Mr Beaumont himselfe is hereby to take notice that his Majesties expresse pleasure and Command to him is that he doe punctually keep and observe all the Orders of the Church of England as they are prescribed in the Canons and the Rubricks of the Liturgy And that if any of your Company shall shew themselves refractory to this Ordinance of his Majesty which we hope will not be he is to certifie the name of any such Offender and his offence to the Lord Bishop of London for the time being who is to take order and give remedy accordingly And these Letters you are to register and keep by you that they which come after may understand what care his Majesty hath taken for the well ordering of your Company in Church affaires And you are likewise to deliver a Copy of these Letters to Mr Beaumont and to every Successor of his respectively that he and they may know what his Majesty expects from them and be the more inexcusable if they disobey Thus not doubting but that you will shew your selves very respectfull of these his Majesties Commands we leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your very loving friend W. Cant. By all which premises compared with his forementioned judgement of the Forraign Churches that they were no true Churches of Christ because they had no Bishops their Ministers no Ministers and their Religion not the same with ours it is infallibly evident that his designe was to suppresse and subvert the Dutch and French Churches by degrees at home and to embroyle them and our English Congregations abroad for the better advancement of the Roman Catholike Church and Religion both at home and in Forraign parts And so we have fully made good the twelfth Originall Article against him in all particulars Our eigth and last Evidence to prove his trayterous design to subvert the Protestant Religion and bring in Popery is comprised in the 13 Originall Article That he hath trayterously and trecherously plotted and endeavoured to stirre up warre and enmity betwixt his Majesties two Kingdoms of England and Scotland and to that purpose hath laboured to introduce into the Kingdom of Scotland divers Innovations both in Religion and Government all or the most part of them tending to Popery and Superstition to the great grievance and discontent of his Majesties Subjects of that Nation and for their refusing to submit to these Innovations he did trayterously advise his Majesty to subdue them by force of Arms c. Nay joyned in confederacy with the Papists Priests Iesuites and employed Popish Captains and Commanders to make warre against them all which we can abundently prove by sundry Papers under his own hand by Originall Letters found in his study and sundry Additions Alterations in the New Scottish Liturgy elsewhere recorded the Originall Copy whereof we have ready to produce under his own hand But because he hath pleaded the Act of Pacification and Oblivion made since his Impeachment in barre of this Article and the Scottish Liturgy which doubtlesse it extends not to and thereby hath tacitely acknowledged the truth of this Article of which he dares not abide the triall we shall forbeare to give any evidence thereon till his plea be over-ruld which the Commons did not presse the Lords to do because they would avoyd expence of time and conceived their forementioned evidence very full to convict him guilty of the first branch of his first generall Charge abundantly proved by all the premises That he hath trayterously endeavoured to subvert Gods true Religion by Law established in this Realm and instead thereof to set up Popery Superstition and Idolatry The second BRANCH of the first generall CHARGE concerning the ARCH-BISHOPS endeavours to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of ROME WEE shall now passe on to the second Branch of the Arch-bishops first generall impeachment touching Religion thus expressed in the tenth originall Article That he hath traiterously and wickedly endeavoured to reconcile the Church of England with the Church of Rome and for the effecting thereof hath confederated with divers popish Priests and Jesuits and hath kept secret intelligence with the Pope of Rome and by himselfe his Agents and Instruments treated with such as have from thence received authority and instructions he hath permitted and countenanced a popish Hierarchy or Ecclesiasticall government to be established in this Kingdome by all which traiterous and malicious practises the Church and Kingdome hath been exceedingly endangered and hath been like to fall under the tyranny of the Roman Sea Which is somewhat amplified in the seventh additional Article which we shall conuex thereto To prove this Article we shall lay downe and make good two ground-workes which the precedent Evidence hath sufficiently cleered First that this Arch-bishop hath beene generally reputed a Person popishly affected and a Papist in heart both whiles he was resident in the University of Oxford and ever since and that he was beleeved reported to be such a one by the popish party both at Rome and elswhere beyond the Seas No wonder therefore if he endeavoured to reconcile and reduce the Church of England to the Church of Rome To prove the Arch bishop a reputed Papist whiles he was resident in Oxford we shall produce two Witnesses of credit who knew him very well there and have had some neere relation to him since The first is Doctor Danel Featly who deposed viva voce at the Barre That the Arch-bishop whiles he was remaining in Oxford was generally reputed to be popishly affected and one addicted to the popish party and that he
under his owne hand-writing that Doctor Abbot and the whole University in the yeer 1615. reputed and accounted him a Papist a Papist indeed at leastwise partly Romish and partly English or a mongrell and a compound of a Papist and Protestant one ready upon all occasions to step over to the Papists A Papist in the Doctrine of freewill justificaiian by works inherent righteousnesse concupiscence no sinne after Baptisme certainly of salvation and the Doctrine of the Sacrament and that the papists beyond the seas could say he was WHOLLY THEIRS and the Recusants at home make their brags of him This his temper was the cause of Doctor Hals Letter to W. L. William Laud as is generally conceived long since printed Anno 1608. in the third Decad of his Epistles Epist 5. page 55. for which his works were lately threatned to be called in or this Leter expunged out of them wherein he thus expostulates with him for his unsetlednesse and newtrality in Religion and inclining to the popish party I would I knew where to find you then I could tell how to take a direct ayme whereas now I must rove and conjecture to day YOU ARE IN THE TENTS OF THE ROMANISTS to morrow in ours the next day betweene both against both Our adversaries think you ours WEE THEIRS Your conscience finds you with both and neither I flatter you not this of yours is the worst of all tempers how long will you walk in this indifferency resolve one way and know at last what you doe hold that you should cast off either your wings or your teeth and loathing this Batlike nature be either a bird or a beast c. We shall conclude this part of our Evidence with the deposition of Francis Harris a converted Priest examined upon oath before the Lords who being in the Parliaments Army could not possibly be procured viva voce of which oath was made and thereupon his deposition was read as followeth The Examination of FRANCIS HARRIS of Christ-Church London taken Jan. 9. 1643. before the Lords Committee appointed to take the Examinations in the Cause of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury THis Deponent saith that he being at Paris in France about 24. yeers since meeting with one Ireland who had formerly bin one of the chief School-Masters of Westmin School and then a Priest and discoursing familiarly with this Deponent the said Ireland told him that the now Arch bishop of Canterbury and he were intimate friends and that he had discovered unto him when they were in the University together that the said Arch-bishops resolution was to leave the Kingdome and to reconcile himselfe to the Church of Rome and that he knew him to be a Papist in his heart and wondred why he staid so long behind saying that perchance honores mutant mores And this Deponent further saith That one Leander a Benedictine Fryar and Doctor of the Chaire at Doway by the common report of Papists and Priests both abroad and in England was very familiar with the said Arch-bishop and came over on purpose into England where this Deponent since saw him to negotiate with the said Arch-bishop about matters of Religion to make a reconciliation between the Church of Rome and England And this Deponent was bred up a Roman Catholike and a scholler and a secular Priest and upon better advice reconciling himselfe to the Church of England did often solicite and petition the said Archbi for some mean imployment in the Ministery as having done very good service in discovering Priests and Jesuits to the Messengers appointed to apprehend them but the Archbishop never gave hau any encouragement or countenance This Examination taken before Us Kent Lincolne Francis Harris That he hath been reputed a Papist in heart opinion and practise ever since he left the University is so notoriously knowne to all that we shall produce no witnesses many having been publikely censured and privately questioned by his power for calling and reporting him such a one and many publike papers being pasted up and scattered about the City and Court from time to time proclaiming him such a one of vvhich we have at least a dozen found among his owne and Secretary Windebankes writings and that our English popish priests and Roman Catholikes as well as Protestants beasted of him to be theirs vve have many instances vvhich vve could produce did vve need such evidence and the testimony of tvvo Priests to boot But vve shall rather informe and prove to your Lordships vvhat repute the papists had of him in foraigne parts yea even in Rome it selfe since himselfe hath chalked â—â— out the vvay and furnished us vvith this kind of proofe by procuring Sir Henry Mildmay a Member of the House of Commons very unseasonably and unhappily to testifie for him in this kind vvhat a hard opinion they had of him and hovv much he vvas hated in Rome by the Jesuits and others more then any man breathing the manner of enforcing vvhose testimony is very remarkable The Arch-bishop some fevv dayes before his tryall petitioned the House of Commons that Sir Henry Mildmay of the Jewell House one of their Members might be examined in his behalfe as a speciall witnesse for him how much he was hated and spoken against above all men at Rome for opposing the Popes and Papists designes in England Which being granted the Arch-bishop moved tvvo or three times very unseasonably that Sir Henry might be called to give in his testimony in this kind vvho being then out of Tovvn and not appearing the Committee of Commons who managed the Evidence promised to send for and cause him to appeare the next day at the Lords Bar vvhich he did to wit on June 11. 1644. Whereupon the Archbishop desired him to acquaint the Lords Whether he had not been of late yeers at Rome and what opinion they held of himself there Whether Sir Henry upon his return from thence dining with him at Lambeth did not tell him of his own accord he was the most odiousman of any at Rome and therefore certainely the furthest of any from setting up popery and endeavouring to reconcile us to Rome Whereupon Sir Henry said My Lords it is true J was some few yeers since at Rome not upon any message or designe at all but being somewhat infirme in body J was advised by my physicians to travell for a time into forraign parts to recover my health Wherupon J first travailed into France from thence into Italy and being there to satisfie my owne curiosity and recover my health J travelled to Rome During my abode there J was very inquisitive to know what opinion they had of us in England and of the great men there especially of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and I observed there were some there that were against the Arch-bishop and spake ill of him others that spake very well of him and so much I informed him at Lambeth upon my returne from thence but I deny that ever I
That he had been the impeacher and disturber of due and direct correction of Errours and Heresies by reason whereof they crept more abroad and tooke greater place being highly to the danger and perill of the whole body and good Christian people of this Realme All which this Archbishop is guilty in an higher measure in respect of Popery Priests and Jesuits then ever this Cardinall was in regard of the Lutheran Sect and Opinions Fifthly it is evident that the Archbishop had a hand in assisting the Papists Priests and Jesuits in the dispersing of their popish Books to seduce his Majesties Subjects contrary to an expresse Statut whereas he used all possible diligence to suppresse the printing dispersing importing Orthodox Books and those he stiled Puritannicall both at home and beyond the Seas Finally the Archbishop complyed with the Papists Priests Jesuits in concealing their very treasonable plots and conspiracies against the King Kingdome Church and all professors of the Protestant Religion we shall instance but in two particulars The first is in the case of Mistresse Anne Hussey who deposed at the Lords Barre to this effect That William O Conner an Irish Priest servant to the Queen Mother soon after Easter in the yeer 1640. among other discourses told her at the house of one Master Hill neer the Strand in Westminster That there were many private houses about London wherein they used to have Masse said that there were 7000. men in private pay ready to ayde the Catholicks and to cut the Protestants throats that should resist them After which he comming to her in great haste at Mistresse Pinocks house about the end of July 1640. told her That he was then in great haste for he had Letters from the Queen Mother to be delivered to three Embassadours the Spanish the Venetian the French to send to the Pope to know from himselfe or his Legat when to begin the subduing of the Protestants that the Queen his Lady was no foole and that if the King joyned with the Protestants they would cut him off if not by the sword yet by some other way that if no other hand would doe it his hand should kill the King and that he would kill an Heretick at any time for the advancement of the Mother Church of Rome swearing by Saint Francis and Saint Dominick that he would doe it All which he spake to her in Irish she counterfeiting her selfe to be a Roman Catholick desirous to become a Nunne He likewise confessed That he had been a servant long to the Queen Mother and imployed by her in businesse to all the Princes of CHRISTENDOME Whereupon she according to her duty and alleagiance complained of this Priest revealing this discomse and treason of his to the Lords of the Privy Counsell attesting her information upon oath and producing a Letter of this Priests to her under his owne hand with some other witnesses to confirme her testimony in point of circumstance of time place and this Priests resort unto her But the Archbishop of Canterbury to discourage and take her off from this discovery reviled and gave her many ill words and threats told her she was mad and that she was hired by the Londoners to make this accusation demanding how she durst be so bold as to utter or discover ought which had any the least reflection upon the Queen Mother threatning to have her punished and caused her to be committed to one of the Sheriffes of Londons house whereas the other Lords gave her good words and committed the Priest to the Gate-house and so the businesse was smothered without further prosecution till she revived it this Parliament in the Commons House who released her of her restraint We shall close all with the most desperate plot of Cardinall Barbarino the Popes Nuncio the society of the English and Scottish Jesuits with their confederates to subvert the Protestant Religion usher in Popery raise a Warre between England and Scotland subvert the government both of Church and State yea to poyson the King himselfe if he crossed this designe and then to seize and traine up the Prince in the Popish 〈◊〉 This plot being discovered at first only in generally by a chief Actor in it sent from Rome to Andreas ab Habernfield Sir Wil. Boswell by them by Letters from the Hague to the Archbishop he conceiving it to be a plot only of the Puritanes to destroy the King and himself too revealed it to the King and prosecuted the further discovery with all earnestnesse as appeares by sundry Originall Lettâ—ers concerning it seized and attested by Master Prynne produced at the Barre But no sooner received he the large particular discovery of it which fastned the treason onely upon Cardinall Barbarino the Popes Nuncio the Jesuits with their confederates Sir Toby Matthew Sir Kenelme Digby Sir John Winter Endimion Porter Secretary Windebanke Master Walter Mountague the Countesse of Arundel and others but he presently smothered it yea though he received the full discovery of it but on the 14. of October 1640. not many dayes before the beginning of this present Parliament yet he he never revealed it to both or either Houses of Parliament or any members thereof for the preservation of our Religion Church State King thereby and the executing condigne punishment on these Arch-traitos and Conspirators then present in London and Westminster nor yet so much as disclosed it when Sir Toby Matthew Sir John Winter and others were questioned in the Commons House about the Popish Parliament kept in London and the levying of moneys against the Scots among the Papists nor when Secretary Windebank was questioned for releasing Priests and Jesuits against Law and the negotiation of the Popes Nuncio debated in the Commons House but concealed these papers from the Parliaments knowledge till Master Prynne unexpectedly seized them in the Archbishops Cabinet in the Tower of London From all which particulars we conceive we have abundantly manifested most substantially proved his correspondency confederacy with the Pope and his instruments of all sorts in their most desperate treasons to extirpate our Religion introduce popery reconcile reduce the Church of England to the Church of Rome and most satisfactorily justified the first Branch of our charge of high treason against him in every particular wherupon we most humbly pray in the name of the Commons of England the Judgment of an Arch-traitor to be given against him as one who hath declared himself a professed Traitor not only to our Laws Liberties Parliament Kingdoms but to our very Religion Church souls the highest treason of all others especially in a Clergyman an Archbishop of Canterbury who is by title office Primate and Metropolitan of all England yea Confessor chiefe Curate and Ecclesiasticall Vicegerent to the King himselfe who entrusted him wholly if not solely with the care of our Religion which he hath most perfidiously undermined betrayed sundry wayes as all the premises demonstrate The Archbishops
the hearing And whereas he pretends he was not present at his censure which he proves not we know he was vertually if not personally present thereat yea his unjust suppression of his tendred Answer and defence was the onely cause of his censure which if received were so learned solid satisfactory that prophanenesse and injustice it selfe could not have imposed such a censure on him Thirdly annuall Feasts of Dedication of Churches are not so ancient but that we know their Originall The Feast of Dedication of the Altar instituted by Judas Maccabeus was the first of this kind we read of Indeed Solomon kept a Feast for seven dayes space when the Temple was dedicated And Constantine the great with some others in his dayes when Churches were dedicated made a great Feast but that those Feasts continued annuall in perpetuity I find no mention in any approved Antiquity These annuall Feasts of dedication were first invented by the spurious popish Decrees of Pope Felix and Gregory thus recorded by Gratian Solennitates dedicationum Ecclesiarum Epissoporum Saterdotum per singulos annos sunt celebrandae Solennitates Ecclesiarum dedicationum Sacerdotum per singulos annos solenniter sunt celebrandae ipso Domino exemplum dante qui ad festum dedicationis Templi omnibus id faciendi dans formam cum reliquis populis eandem festevitatem celebraturus venit sicut scriptum est Facta sunt Encoenia in Hieru olymis hyems erat ambulabat Jesus in Temple in porticu Solomonis Quod autem octo diebus encaenia sint celebrando in libro Regum perfecta dedicatione Templi cernas Other Decrees then these of these two Popes the latter whereof is built upon cleer mistakes of Scripture cannot be produced These Bacanalian feasts are thus censured by Aretius Problem 126. Hodie verò Solennitates instituuntur tote die bibitur tote die luditur saltatur lascivi cantus audiuntur quae omnia magis spirant Bacchi quoddam festum à Maenadibus celebrandum quam piam Christianismi antiquitatem And were wholly abolished among us by the Injunctions of King Henry the eighth and Statute of 6 Edw. 6. c. 3. by reason of the idlenesse excesse and great mischiefes they produced to mens soules Yea many Judges riding the Westerne Circuit suppressed the Wakes and Revels kept upon them from time to time for these abuses and other weighty Reasons Yet this prophane Arch-prelate revives re-establisheth them by this DECLARATION causeth those Judges Orders to be reversed with a strong Hand by a Plot and Certificate from Bishop Pierce and others checks nay punisheth Chiefe Justice Richardson removes him from that Circuit and le ts loose the Reines to all Licentiousnesse prophanenesse whereby infinite mischiefs ensued as we have fully proved So that this whole Charge sticks still upon him Ninthly from these ceremoniall and practicall they proceed to doctrinall innovations in matters of Religion wherein I am charged First with an endeavour to introduce and propagate Arminianisme in our Church the rediest inlet to Popery and a part thereof though I knew it to be a plot of the Jesuits to subvert our Religion as appears by the Jesuits Letter and that principally First in being a common Patriot of Arminians together with their Books Tenets and a preferrer of such by name of Bishop Mountague and his Appeale complained of in Parliament Doctor Jackson and others for which I was taxed by a Declaration of the Commons in Parliament Secondly in censuring the Commons Declaration in Parliament against the Arminians and their Vote too Thirdly in calling in and suppressing Books against Arminianisme though licensed and questioning censuring the Authors Printers dispersers of them in the high Commission as Bishop Carltons and Bishop Downames Books Doctor Featlies Doctor Goads Master Rouses Doctor Sutcliffes Master Prynnes Master Burtons Books and others when as the Arminian Authors went unquestioned and their Books printed by authority as Doctor Jacksons Book and the Historicall Narration licensed by my owne Chaplaine Doctor Martin Fourthly In abusing his Majesties Proclamation his Declaration before the 39. Articles of our Church with the subsequent Instructions prohibiting controversies against the Article especially in the controverted points of Arminianisme to suppresse all preaching against Arminian errours and punish such as durst oppose them by silencing suspending censuring them in the high Commission or elswhere and conniving at the Arminians to vent and preach their errours freely under pretext thereof without restraint or opposition both in the University and City Fiftly for purging passages against Arminianisme and Arminians out of Books tendred to the Presse and particularly out of Bishop Hals and Bishop Davenants Letters with some other incident particulars which fall under these heads Sixtly in repealing the Articles of Ireland against Arminianisme which King James declaimed against as damnable heresie To this I answer in generall that I never endeavoured to introduce Arminianisme into our Church nor ever maintained any Arminian opinions For the Jesuits Letter it is nothing at all to me it layes nothing to my charge in particular and it was lawfull for me to read and keep it it containes many strange vile things in it against the Parliament which I approve not but detest To the particulars I answer First that I did neither protect nor countenance the Arminians persons books or tenets for Bishop Mountague I had no hand in his Book I countenanced it not it was suppressed and called in by Proclamation he was preferred by Sir Dudly Carltons meanes not mine who was then a stranger to me True is is I was in a Declaration of the Commons house taxed as a favourer advancer of Arminians and their opinions without any particular proofe at all which was a great slander to me Secondly I answer that being publickly traduced in that Declaration I did returne an answer to vindicate my owne innocency as was necessary for me to doe to free my selfe from that scandall without any derogation to the Parliaments authority Neither did I this till I was expresly commanded by the King himselfe as appeares by the endorsment whose command it was lawfull yea necessary for me to obey and I durst not have done it without such his Royall command After which I penned it with all due respect to the Parliament and it was never published For my answer to the Parliaments Vote it was onely a private paper kept in my Study and communicated to none written for my owne private satisfaction and derogating noting from the power of Parliaments it belonging properly to the Convocation and Church of England by the Lawes and Statutes of the Land to make Canons and settle controversies in Religion as the Statute of 25. Hen. 8. c. 19. 1. Eliz. c. 1. evidence Thirdly the calling in and suppressing of these Books and prosecuting the Authors Printers of them in the High Commission was the Courts act not mine For Bishop Carltons Book it was called
he purged it out because it intimated the Pope to be Antichrist and subjection to him an Antichristian Yoke of bondage both which compared with his Purgations out of Bishop Hals Book of Episcopacy to the same effect proves him a Papist with a witnesse and a speciall friend to the Popes Holinesse of whose honour among us he is extraordinary tender That the Pope is the Antichrist all Forraign Domestick Protestant Divines and some Papists too unanimously agree except Mountague and Shelford his creatures And whereas he pretends no Councill hath so determined We answer that the Synod of Gape in France Anno 1603. the whole Synod and Convocation in Ireland Ann. 1615. in the very Articles of their Religion Num. 80. with the whole Convocation and Parliament of England in the Act for the Subsidy of the Clergy 30 Jacobi to omit others define the Pope to be the Antichrist and Popery Antichristian more fully then those Letters-Patents and why these new Letters-Patents should not determine them to be such as well as the old ones both in King James and in King Charles their Reignes but must now be revoked after they had passed the great Seale of England because this Archbishop would have it so transcends any mans capacity to guesse at any other probable reason except onely this Prelats affection both to the Pope and Popery or enmity against the reformed Churches and their Religion For his incivilities to Master Ruly by reason of this clause our Witnesses testimoniall will outsway his bare deniall of them Fiftly the premises abundantly manifest to all that the Archbishop invaded diminished the ancient Immunities and Priviledges of the Dutch and Walloon Churches in all parts not their pretended encroachments onely upon our Churches Priviledges and that he was so farre from being their friend that they esteemed him then their greatest enemy If they formerly returned him any thanks by way of Court-complement for not taking away all their priviledges as well as some of them after many yeers hot contest we are certaine they justly complained of him ten times more for invading depriving them of sundry of their ancient Immunities which almost brought their Churches to utter ruine In few words his owne forecited Papers and Monsieur Bulteels Booke of the manifold troubles of those Churches by this Arch-Prelats prosecution will abundantly falsifie this his pretended friendship towards them and remaine as a lasting Record against him to Posterity All which considered the whole Bulk and every particle of all the proofs and evidences produced by us to make good the first branch of the Commons first generall Charge of High-treason against him remaine altogether unshaken unavoyded maugre all his sophisticall evasions protestations and shifting answers to them And so much for the first branch of his first generall Charge The Archbishops Defence and Answers to the COMMONS Evidence in the maintenance of the Second Branch of their first Generall Charge touching his Endevours to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome and the Commons Reply thereunto I Proceed now to the Archbishops Defence against the Second Branch of the Commons first Generall Charge to wit his Endevours to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome To this he gave some general Answers in his Generall Defence at the Lords Barre Septemb. 2. 1644. to this effect My Lords said he I am charged for endevouring to introduce Popery and reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome I shall recite the sum of the Evidence and Arguments given in for to prove it First I have in my first Speech nominated divers persons of Eminency whom I reduced from Popery to our Church And if this be so then the Argument against me is this I converted many from Popery Ergo I went about to bring in Popery and to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome Secondly I am charged to be the Author of the c. Oath in the New Canons parcell of which Oath is to abjure Popery and that I will not subject the Church of England to the Church of Rome A more strict Oath then ever was made against Popery in any age or Church And then the argument against me is this I made and tooke an Oath to abjure Popery and not to subject the Church of England to the Church of Rome Therefore I was inclinable to Popery and endeavoured to subject the Church of England to the Church of Rome Thirdly the third Canon of the late New ones was made by me which is against Popery and then the Argument is I made a Canon against Popery Ergo I was inclinable to and endevoured to introduce it Fourthly I was twice seriously offered a Cardinalship and I refused it because I would not be subject to the Pope and Church of Rome Ergo I was addicted to Popery and endevoured to reduce the Church of England into subjection to the Church of Rome Fiftly I writ a Booke against Popery in Answer to Fisher the Jesuit and then the Argument is this I writ a Book against Popery Ergo I am inclinable to Popery and laboured to introduce it Sixtly it is alledged I concealed and cherished the Plot of the Jesuits discovered by Habernfeild and therefore I intended to bring in Popery and reduce the Church of England to the Church of Rome I amswer either this Plot was not reall and if so then Romes Masterpeece is quite blowne up and published in vaine Or else it was reall then I was really in danger of my life for opposing Popery and this Plot. Then the Argument from it must be this I was in danger of my life for cherishing the Jesuites Plot of reducing the Church of England to the Church of Rome Ergo I cherished and endevoured to effect this Plot. Seventhly I laboured to make a reconciliation between the Lutherans and Calvinists Ergo I laboured to introduce Popery and make a reconciliation between the Church of England and the Church of Rome This generall defence and scoffing answer of his at the Lords Barre seemed very specious to some ignorant Auditors who took these feined objections of his owne forging to be the arguments and maine strength of the Commons Evidence produced to convict him of a serious endeavour to subvert the Protestant Religion introduce popery and reconcile the Church of England unto Rome when as the Commons made no such objections from the Evidence and proofs against him Wherupon they replyed that he did but fight with his owne shadow and absurd arguments of his owne framing as he did in his Sear-chamber Speech instead of repeating and answering their reall Objections and proofs against him transforming his owne defence into their Charge and Evidence a meer sophisticall Jesuiticall practice of which he made use throughout his Tryall to which we shall reply in order First the Commons never objected that ever he reduced any from popery but that many were seduced
Ireland that he knew of the great growth and power of Papists there even in the yeer 1626. two yeers before his Answer to the Commons Remonstrance which lyes on him substantially to prove that it was made by the Kings command as to this particular not yet attempted by him his owne bare endorsment being no proofe in his owne case The Letters Papers afterwards received by him from Ireland most cleerly manifest his exact intelligence of popish Priests and Papists dangerous encrease and proceedings there without the least opposition from him or complaint against them The smalnesse of their Monasteries Nunneries there erected is no extenuation of his guilt Small evils not suppressed will prove grand universall mischiefes in short time as those their Monasteries and Nunneries there have done For the Lord Deputies Letters it 's true he could not hinder the directing and sending of them to him but he might have hindered prevented the execution of his desperate popish project related in them and have crushed it in the shell which he never did To the seventh was answered that his extraordinary former power both with the King and Queen might and should have engaged him so farre as to prevent those Roman Nuncioes arrivall here and our Agents at Rome whom he never so much as once opposed for ought appeares but complied with by his Agents Bishop Mountague and Secretary Windebank as we have fully manifested when as he should rather have lost his Archbishoprick liberty life then have any way consented to it in the least degree and openly resisted it to his utmost power The third Objection against me is my compliance with the popish party and endeavours to introduce Popery advance the Papists Designes and reduce us back to Rome by seven particulars formerly insisted on and now onely recapitulated with reference to the former proofs To most of all these I have given full answers before and therefore shall be the briefer in giving further answers to them now The first second fourth fifth sixth and seventh instances I deny in the sense they are pressed and have acquitted my selfe from them in the premises To the third I shall give some further Answer First it is there objected that I maintaintained the Church of Rome to be a true Church and that she erred not in Fundamentals no not in the worst times bue onely Circa Fundamentalia And that I justified Chownaeus his Book who maintained the same I answer that I did doe maintain her to be a true Church Veritate entis not Moris though corrupt erronious in some points as a thief is a true man though a thiefe And in my Book against Fisher I charge her with some grosse corruptions errours to the very endangering of salvation and with superstition too Secondly I am charged that I did maintaine at Doctor Bastwicks censure that she erred not in Fundamentalibus but Circa Fundamentalia this distinction I shall still maintaine There is a great difference between Fundamentalia and Superstructoria and yet some circumstantials may destroy the foundation For example First Quid What it is a man beleeves if a man beleeves the Trinity without the Unity or the Unity without the Trinity this plucks up the Foundation Secondly Vbi the circumstance of place for if any should deny that Christ was borne or took his flesh in Judea this grates upon the very foundation Thirdly Quibus Auxiliis we beleeve convert and doe works of piety by nature or grace If by the strength of nature onely as the Pelagians held this endangers the foundation Fourthly Quando as to deny that Christ is not already come in the flesh this subverts the foundation though but a circumstance And it is a rule in the Schools Aliqua circumstantia dat speciem morali actioni and in this sense the Church of Rome doth erre about fundamentals Thirdly it is alleaged that I hold the Religion of the Church of England and Rome is both one Conference with Fisher page 576. I answer that it is one and the same Religion in the generall to wit the Christian Religion But yet I there write That we differ in the same Religion though we set not up a different Religion and the difference is in certaine grosse corruptions to the very endangering of salvation which each side sayes the other is guilty of Fourthly that I maintain people may be saved in the Roman Church and Religion I answer that other learned Protestants are of the same opinion not generally of all but of those among them who want meanes of better instruction yet I hold it is very dangerous to continue in that Church and Religion for any who have means to come out of them Fiftly that I hold the Pope is not the Antichrist and therefore I caused this Title given him to be expunged authorized received printed Books denying him to be Antichrist as Shelfords and others contrary to our Homilies Writers and the Articles of Ireland I answer that no man can charge me that I hold the Pope not to be Antichrist It is a great question even among learned Protestants whether he be so oâ— not The Church of England hath not positively resolved him to be so The Homilies define him not to be Antichrist and the Articles of Ireland binde not us here My expunging of this Title and others of that nature was upon other grounds However it is no such undoubted Article of Faith as Powell in his Booke De Antichristo with others make it As for the objected Books I neither Licensed nor approved them though I had them in my Study Sixtly it is objected that I hold the Pope to be supreame head of the Church Though Francis Sales and others stile him so they must answer for it it s nothing at all to me who hold it not As for his titles given me by Croxton the University of Oxford in their Letters it was without my privity I could not hinder it and the same Titles have been usually given to Bishops in former ages as appeares by the Epistles of Saint Cyprian Augustine and others Seventhly for Pocklingtons and Bishop Mountagues deriving my Succession from Augustin Gregory and Saint Peters Chaire at Rome it was without my privity It is no more then Master Mason hath proved long before my time and the Papists would give you harty thanks could you disprove this lineall Succession of our Bishops To this was replyed in generall that all the seven objected particulars prove a most apparant designe in him to introduce Popery and reconcile us to Rome and that all his Answers to them had been formerly disproved as false and impertinent In particular That the Church of Rome was no true Church at all but a false Antichristian as well as a corrupt Church for First it hath no true Foundation being not built upon the Apostles Prophets and Christ the corner-Stone Secondly no true Head Ordinances Sacraments Worship but a false adulterous head the
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
Throne whereon he was shortly to receive a Crown even the most glorious Crown of MARTYRDOME After which he stiles him A glorious Martyr his blood Innocent blood yea thou extols his Innocency and Canonizeth him for a Saint in a Poeticall Elegie especially in these ensuing lines Through the hand Of base detraction practise to defame Thy spotlesse Virtues yet impartiall fame Shall do thee all just honour and set forth To all succeeding times thy matchlesse worth No Annalls shall be writ but what relate Thy happy influence both on Church and State Thy zeal to publike Order thy great parts For all affairs of weight thy love to Arts And to our shame and his great glory tell For whose dear sake by whose vile hands he fell A death so full of Merits of such price To God and man so sweet a sacrifice As by good Church-Law may his name prefer To a fixt Rubrick in the Calender And let this silence the pure Sects complaint If they make Martyrs we may make a SAINT c. And not onely these Anonymous Pamphleters but King Charles himself who not long before had given him an ample Pardon as a Traytor under his great Seal of England forgetting what he had done herein doth in his own Letter to the Queen dated Jan. 14. 1644. cry up this headlesse Arch-bishop for a Martyr yea deems his blood so meritorious so Innocent that being totally the Parliaments he beleeves it no presumption hereafter to hope that Gods hand of Justice for the Parliaments just effusion of his blood must be thence-forth heavier upon them and lighter upon him and his Anti-parliamentary Partie looking now upon their cause having passed by their faults If his blood so lately shed by the axe of Justice be already become so meritorious as to ballance the scales of Gods Justice in this manner we may justly fear it will in few years more grow into as great esteem at Court as Thomas of Beckets his Trayterly predecessors blood did in former times among the Prelatical Popish party who attributed more efficacy to it then to Christs and therfore presumed most blasphemously to pray to Christ himselfe to save them by his own but this Arch-Traytors blood in this distick Tu per Thomae Sanguinem quem prote impendit Fac nos Christe scandere quo Thomas ascendit But as the manifold glorious Victories miraculous Successes of the Parliaments Forces since his Execution have experimentally frustrated this his Majesties groundlesse Hope and Presumption that Gods hand of Iustice would be heavier upon the Parliaments Party but lighter upon him and his by reason of his crying blood it being never lifted up so extraordinarily so visibly for the Parliament before nor falling so heavily upon the King and his Partizans as since his beheading and the Kings overconfident relying on the Merits of the Blood of such a Traytot for successe in his warrs against the Parliament So I presume the setting forth of this History of his Tryall will soon Un-Martyr Un-Saint Uncrown this Arch-Imposter by presenting him in his Proper Colours stript of all Disguises and render him so desperately criminall so transcendently Trayterous in all respects especially in point of undermining the Protestant Religion wherein himself and his Parasites have endeavoured most of all to vindicate his Innocency that all Generations will unaminously pronounce him the Archest Enemy to the most active universall Underminer of the Protestant Religion established among us that ever breathed in English ayre and readily acknowledge that no Ecclesiasticall Annalls ever recorded his Paralell for multiplicity of desperate cunning Jesuiticall Stratagems secretly to subvert that Orthodox Reformed Religion which himselfe pretended to professe nay propagate and patronize It is far below the Magnanimity of my Spirit in the least measure maliciously to blast the Fame or revengefully to triumph over to trample upon the Ashes of a Vanquished Enemy whom I never dreaded or slandered all his life forgave and pittied both before and at his death the Memory of whose Capital crimes should have expired with his breath and been eternally buried in oblivion with his Corps by me had not Your Honors superiour Commânds necessitated me to revive record them to Posterity since his death as well as to give them in evidence at his Tryall for Vindication of Your untainted Justice and the Common Good to deter all others in future Ages from the like Trayterous Practises If any therefore deem my Expressions concerning him or his actions over-lavish malicious or revengefull let them impartially compare them with his Criminall Offences here recorded which they hardly equalize or fall far short of and then if they warrant not the harshest Epithites the blackest Characters here bestowed on him let me eternally bear the blame and shame but if they be scarce proportionate to his Treasons his grand Misdemeanors which must be blazoned and set forth in language suitable to their transcendent Hainousnesse not minced not extenuated by over-diminutive expressions I hope none will or can be so injurious as to charge me with Calumny much lesse Scurrility or Revenge who never yet particularly demanded received the least farthing Recompence from him or any of his for all the barbarous Cruelties Oppressions Imprisonments great Losses Dammages I sustained eight years space together onely for discovering opposing countermining to the utmost of my skill and power all Popish Plots Innovations Proceedings of this Arch-Prelate and his confederates to undermine our Religion re-establish Popery among us by degrees and set up an arbitrary Papall power the better to effect the same the onely reall cause of all my former sufferings Yet three things there are I foresee may possibly be objected against me by his complices which need some Answer to prevent their causelesse Calumnies The first is That in this History of his Tryall I have at large inserted some particular papers passages especially in the Catalogue of the Arminian Popish Errours vented in and of the clauses against them purged out of late new Printed Books which were not actually or at least fully read at the Lords Bar Therefore I am guilty of partiality and unfaithfulnesse in relating the Evidence given in against him at the Bar by these additions to it To which I answer First that all the Evidence Passages here at large recited with many more were prepared and ready by me at the Bar yea the effect of every Paper passage here recorded was in generall terms opened pressed at the tryall though not all fully read and particularly urged for want of time which I have here more largely inserted for clearing the truth and satisfying the Reader the most materiall passages being onely read at large the rest of like nature but briefly referred to in generall to avoyd prolixity and husband time Secondly that I have largely recorded none of these Passages here by way of New Additionall Evidence requiring answer but onely for illustration or corroboration of the old fully given
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
Commons of England and to desire that hee may bee forthwith sequestred from Parliament and be committed and that within some convenient time this House will resort to their Lordships with particular acsations and Articles against him Mr. Hollis is appointed to goe up to the Lords with this Message Vpon this his accusation diverse notable Speeches were made against him in the Commons House among others one by Master Grymstone published soone after in print which I shall here subjoyne Master Grymstones Speech IN PARLIAMENT Vpon the Accusation and Impeachment of William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury of High TREASON Mr. Speaker THere hath beene presented to the House a most faithfull and exact Report of the conference wee had with the Lords Yesterday together with the opinion of the Committees that were imployed in that service That they conceived it fit the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury should hee sequestred I must second the motion and with the favour of the House I shall bee hold to offer my reasons why I conceive it most necessary wee should proceed a little further than the desire of above sequestration Master Speaker long introductions are not sutable to weighty businesses we are falne upon the great man the Archbishop of Canterbury Looke upon him as hee is in his Highnesse and hee is the stye of all pestilent filth that hath infected the State and Government of the Church and Common Wealth looke upon him in his dependanties and hee is the man the onely man that hath raised and advanced all those that together with himselfe have beene the Authors and causers of all the raines miseries and calemities we now groane under Who is it but he onely that hath brought the Earle of Strafford to all his great place and imployments a fit instrument and spirit to act and execute all his blouay designes in these Kingdomes Who is it but he onely that brought in Secretary Windebanke into the place of Secretary and trust the very Broker and Pander to the Whore of Babylon VVho is it Master Speaker but hee onely that hath advanced all Popish Bishops I shall name some of them Bishop Manwaring the Bishop of Bath and Wells the Bishop of Oxford and Bishop Wren the least of all but the most uncleane one These are men that should have sed Christs Flocke but they are the Wolves that devoured them the Sheepe should have fed upon the Mountaines but the Mountaines have eaten up the Sheepe It was the happinesse of the Church when the zeale of Gods House did eate up the Bishops glorious and brave Martyrs that went to the flaks in defence of the Protestant Religion but the zeale of these Bishops hath beene to eate up and persecute the Church VVho is it Master Speaker but the great Archbishop of Canterbury that hath set at the Helme to guide and steere them to all the managing of their Projects that have beene sit on foote in this Kingdome these tenne yeares last past and rather than hee would stand out hee hath most unworthily trucked and chaffered in the meanest of them As for instance that of Tobacco wherein thousands of poore people have beene stripped and turned out of their Trades for which they have served as Apprentises wee all know hee was the Compounder and contractor with them for the Licences putting them to pay Fines and Fee-Farme rents to use their Trades Certainely Master Speaker hee might have spent his time better and more for his Grace in the Pulpit then thus sharking and raking in the Tobacco shoppe Mr. Speaker we all know what he hath beene charged withall heere in this House Crimes of a dangerous consequence and of transcendent nature no lesse than the subversion of the Government of this Kingdome and the alteration of the Protestant Religion and this not upon bare information onely but much of it comes before us already upon cleare and manifest proofes and there is scarce any businesse Grievance or Complaint come before us in this place wherein we doe not finde him intermingled and as it were twisted into it like a busie and angry Waspe his sting is in the taile of every thing VVe have this day heard the report of the Conference yesterday and in it the Accusations which the Scottish Nation hath charged him with all And we doe all know he is guilty of the same if not more in this Kingdome Mr. Speaker he hath beene and is the common enemy to all goodnes and good men and it is not safe that such a Viper shall be neere to his Majesties person to distill his poyson into his sacred eares nor is it safe for the Common-wealth that hee should sit in so eminent place of government being thus accused We know what we did in the Earle of Straffords case This man is the corrupt Fountaine that hath infected all the streames and till the Fountaine be purged we cannot expect to have any cleare Channels I shall be bold therefore to offer my opinion and if I erre it is the error of my Iudgment and not my want of zeale and affection to the publicke good I conceive it most necessary and fit that we should now take up a Resolution to doe somewhat to strike whilst the Iron is hot And goe up to the Lords in the name of this House and in the name of the Commons of England and to accuse him of high Treason and to desire their Lordships his person may be sequestred and that in convenient time we may bring up the Charge After the House had this day voted the Arch Bishop a Traitor Mr. Hollis the same day was sent up to the Lords to accuse him of High Treason which he did immediatly in the generall without any particular charge assuring the Lords that in convenient time there should be a particular charge exhibited against him by the Commons to make good the accusation Wherefore he desired the Lords that the Arch Bishop might be sequestred from the House and committed hereupon he was forthwith committed to the Gentleman Vsher but yet permitted to goe in his company to Lambeth for some books to read in and such Papers as pertained to his defence against the Scotts charge And what papers of greatest consequence he then conveyed away thence burned or defaced is worthy inquiry Master Hollis his report from the Lords I finde thus entred in the Commons Iournall 18. December 1640. Master Hollis reported that according to the command of this House hee had delivered to their Lordships the Message that my Lord Keeper said Their Lordships had considered of the Message and accordingly they had sequestred the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury from Parliament and had committed him in safe custody to the Gentleman Vsher of their House The Lords Order for his commitment is thus entered in their Journall 18. December 1640. It is this day Ordered that the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury being accused of high Treason by the house of Commons in their owne names and in the name of
sacred function of the Ministry which was ordained for instruction of mens soules in the wayes of God should be so abused that the Ministers are become the Trumpets of Sedition the promoters and defenders of violence and oppression 3. In the third Article my Lords you have the Judges who under his Majesty are the dispersers and distributers of Justice frequently corrupted by feare and solicitation you have the course of Justice in the execution of it shamefully obstructed And if a wilfull Act of in justice in a Iudge be so high a crime in the estimate of the Law as to deserve death under what burthen of guilt doth this man lye who hath been the cause of great numbers of such voluntary and wilfull acts of injustice 4. In the fourth Article hee will be found in his owne person to have sold justice in Causes depending before him And by his wicked councell endeavouring to make his Majesty a Merchant of the same commodity only with this difference that the King by taking money for places of judicature should sell it in grosse whereas the Archbishop sold it by retaile 5. In the fift Article there appeares a power usurped of making Canons of laying obligations on the Subjects in the nature of Law and this power abused to the making of such Canons as are in the matter of them very pernitious being directly contrary to the prerogative of the King and the liberty of the people In the manner of pressing of them may be found fraud and shuffling in the conclusion violence and constraint men being forced by terrour and threatning to subscribe to all which power thus wickedly gotten they labour to establish by perjury injoyning such an Oath for the maintenance of it as can neither be taken nor kept with a good conscience 6. In the sixth Article you have the King robbed of his Supremacy you have a Papall power exercised over his Majesties Subjects in their consciences and in their persons You have Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction claimed by an Incident right which the Law declares to proceed from the Crowne And herein your Lordships may observe that those who labour in civill matters to set up the King above the Lawes of the Kingdome doe yet in Ecclesiasticall matters endeavour to set up themselves above the King This was first procured by the Arch-bishop to be extrajudicially declared by the Judges and then to be published in a Proclamation In doing whereof he hath made the Kings Throne but a footstoole for his owne and their pride 7. You have my Lords in the seventh Article Religion undermined and subverted you have Popery cherished and defended you have this seconded with power and violence by severe punishment upon those which have opposed this mischievous intention and by the subtile and eager prosecution of these men hath the power of Ecclesiasticall Commissioners of the Starre-Chamber and Councell Table beene often made subservient to his wicked designe My Lords 8. You may observe in the eighth Article great care taken to get into his owne hand the power of nominating to Ecclesiasticall Livings and promotions you have as much mischeivous as much wicked care taken in the disposing of these preferments to the hinderance and corruption of Religion And by this meanes my Lords the Kings sacred Majestie instead of Sermons fit for spirituall instructours hath often had invectives against his people incouragement to injustice or to the overthrow of the Lawes Such Chaplaines have beene brought into his service as have as much as may be laboured to corrupt his owne houshold and beene eminent examples of corruption to others which hath so farre prevailed as that it hath exceedingly tainted the Vniversities and beene generally disperst to all the chiefe Cities the greatest Townes and Auditories of the Kingdome The grievous effects whereof is most manifest to the Commons House there being diverse hundred complaints there depending in the House against scandalous Ministers and yet I believe the hundred part of them is not yet brought in 9. The ninth Article sets out the like care to have Chaplaines of his owne that might bee promoters of this wicked and trayterous designe Men of corrupt judgments of corrupt practice extreamely addicted to superstition and to such mens cares hath been committed the Licencing of Bookes to the Presse by meanes whereof many have beene published that are full of falshood of scandals such as have beene more worthy to be burnt by the hand of the Hangman in Smithfield as I thinke one of them was than to be admitted to come into the hands of the Kings people 10. In the tenth Article it will appeare how he having made these approaches to Popery comes now to close and joyne more neerely with it he confederates with Priests and Jesuites He by his instruments negotiates with the Pope at Rome and hath correspondence with them that he authorized from Rome here He hath permitted a Roman Hierachie to be set up in this Kingdome And though he hath bin so carefull that a poore man could not goe to the neighbour Parish to heare a Sermon when he had none at home could not have a Sermon repeated nor prayer used in his own Family but he was a fit subject for the High Commission Court yet the other hath beene done in all parts of the Realme and no notice taken of it by any Ecclesiasticall Judges or Courts My Lords 11. You may perceive preaching suppressed in the eleventh divers godly and Orthodox Ministers oppressed in their persons and Estates you have the Kings loyall subjects banished out of the Kingdome not as Elimelecke to seeke for bread in forraigne Countries by reason of the great scarcity which was in Jsrael but travelling abroad for the bread of life because they could not have it at home by reason of the spirituall Famine of Gods Word caused by this man and his partakers And by this meanes you have had the trade the Manufactury the industry of many thousands of his Majesties subjects carried out of the Land It is a miserable abuse of the spirituall Keyes to shut up the doores of heaven and to open the gates of Hell to let in prophanenesse ignorance superstition and errour I shall neede say no more These things are evident and abundantly knowne to all 12. In the twelfth Article my Lords you have a division endeavoured betweene this and the forraine reformed Churches The Church of Christ is one body and the Members of Christ have a mutuall relation as members of the same body Vnity with Gods true Church every where is not only the beauty but the strength of Religion of which beauty and strength he hath sought to deprive this Church by his manifold attempts to breake this union To which purpose hee hath suppressed the priviledges granted to the Dutch and French Churches He hath denyed them to be of the same Faith and Religion with us and many other wayes hath he declared his malice to those Churches 13. In the thirteenth Article
of that Court caused Execution upon the satd Judgment to be stayed and being moved therein and made acquainted with the bad life and conversation of the said Person he said that he had spoken to the Judges for him and that he would never suffer a Iudgment to passe against any Clergy-man by nihil dicit 5. That the said Archbishop about eight yeares last past being then also a privy Councellor to his Majesty for the end and purpose aforesaid caused Sir Iohn Corbet of Stoak in the County of Salop Baronet then a Iustice of peace of the said County to be committed to the Prison of the Fleet where he continued Prisoner for the space of halfe a yeare or more for no other cause but for calling for the Petition of Right causing it to be read at the Sessions of the peace for that County upon a just and necessary occasion And during the time of his said imprisonment the said Archbishop without any colour of right by a writing under the Seale of his Archbishopricke granted a way parcell of the Glebe land of the Church of Adderly in the said County whereof the said Sir Iohn Corbet was then patron unto Robert Vscount Kilmurrey without the consent of the said Sir Iohn or then the incumbent of the said Church which said Viscount Kilmurrey built a Chappel upon the said parcell of Glebe land to the great prejudice of the said Sir Iohn Corbet which hath caused great suits and dissentions betweene them And whereas the said Sir Iohn Corbet had a judgment against Sir Iames Stonehouse Knight in an action of Waste in his Majesties Court of Common Pleas at Westminster which was afterwards affirmed in a writ of Error in the Kings Bench and Execution thereupon awarded yet the said Sir Iohn by meanes of the said Archbishop could not have the effect thereof but was committed to Prison by the said Archbishop and others at the Councell Table untill he had submitted himselfe unto the order of the said Table whereby he lost the benefit of the said Judgment and Execution 6. That whereas divers gifts and dispositions of divers summes of money were heretofore made by divers charitable and well disposed persons for the buying in of divers Impropriations for the maintenance of preaching the word of God in severall Churches the said Archbishop about eight yeares last past wilfully and maliciously caused the said gifts feoffements and conveyances made to the uses aforefaid to be overthrowne in his Majesties Court of Exchequer contrary to Law as things dangerous to the Church and State under the specious pretence of buying in Appropriations whereby that pious worke was suppressed and trodden downe to the great dishonour of God and scandall of Religion 7. That the said Archbishop at severall times within these ten yeares last past at Westminster and else where within this Realme contrary to the knowne Lawes of this Land hath endeavoured to advance Popery and Superstition within the Realme And for that end and purpose hath wittingly and willingly received harboured and relieved divers popish Priests and Iesuits namely one called Sancta Clara alias Damport a dangerous Person and Franciscan Fryer who having written a Popish and seditious Booke intituled Deus natura gratia wherein the thirty nine Articles of the Church of England established by Act of Parliament were much traduced and scandalized The said Archbishop had divers conferences with him while he was in writing the said Booke and did also provide maintenance and entertainment for one Mounsieur St. Giles a Popish Priest at Oxford knowing him to be a Popish Priest 8. That the said Archbishop about foure yeares last past ut Westminster aforesaid said that there must be a blow given to the Church such as hath not beene yet given before it could be brought to conformity declaring thereby his intention to bee to shake and alter the true Protestant Religion established in the Church of England 9. That in or about the month of May 1641. presently after the dissolution of the last Parliament the said Archbishop for the ends and purposes aforesaid caused a Synod or Convocation of the Clergie to be held for the severall Provinces of Canterbury and Yorke wherein were made and established by his meanes and procurement diverse Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiasticall contrary to the Lawes of this Realme the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament the Liberty and propriety of the Subject tending also to seditior and of dangerous consequence And amongst other things the said Archbishop caused a most dangerous and illegall Oath to be therein made and contrived the tenor whereof followeth in these words That I A. B. doe sweare that I do approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to salvation And that I will not endeavour by my selfe or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that which is so established Nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Government of this Church by Archbishops Bishops Deanes and Arch-Deacons c. as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand Nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpations and superstitions of the Sea of Rome And all these things I doe plainly and sincerely acknowledge and sweare according to the plaine and common sense and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mentall evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And this I do heartily willing and truely upon the saith of a Christian So helpe mee God in Jesus Christ Which Oath the said Archbishop himselfe did take and caused diverse other Ministers of the Church to take the same upon paine of suspension and deprivation of their livings and other severe penalties And did also cause Godfrey then Bishop of Gloucester to be committed to prison for refusing to subscribe to the said Canons and to take the said Oath and afterward the said Bishop submitting himselfe to take the said Oath he was set at liberty 10. That a little before the calling of the last Parliament Anro 1640. a Vote being then passed and a resolution taken at the Councell Table by the advice of the said Archbishop for assisting of the King in extraordinary wayes if the said Parliament should prove peevish and refuse to supply His Majestie the said Archbishop wickedly and malitiously advised His Majestie to dissolve the said Parliament and accordingly the same was dissolved And presently after the said Archbishop told his Majesty that now he was absolved from all rules of Government and left free to use extraordinary wayes for his supply For all which matters and things the said Commons assembled in Parliament in the name of themselves and of all the Commons of England doe impeach the said Archbishop of Canterbury of high Treason and other crimes and misdemeanours tending to the subversion of our Religion Lawes and Liberties and to the utter ruine of this Church and Common-Wealth And
answer all his Charge together not each dayes Evidence by Peece-meale To which Master Maynard in the behalfe of the Commons answered 1. That if the Archbishops memory were so bad as he pretended it would be far worse for him to charge it with answering many particulars and the whole evidence against him together then to answer every particular Charge each day as it should be given in against him whiles it was fresh in memory 2ly That it might and would be a great inconvenience to have witnesses crosse-examined upon other dayes then those whereon they gave in their testimony against the Prisoner 3ly That the Lords themselves would finde it difficult to passe their judgements upon all the Charge together without hearing his punctuall answer to every particular proof as it should be given in evidence whiles it was fresh in their memories 4ly Because else all the witnesses which were very many must of necessity attend and be kept in Town from the first to the last day of his Tryall which would be a very great Charge and inconvenience 5ly In the Earle of Straffords case this very Parliament he was put to answer every day to the particular Evidence given against him on the same day Upon which reasons the House of Peers ordered that the Archbishop should make his particular Answer to every particular Charge on the same day it was given in against him Then the Archbishop desired that the House of Commons would sever the Articles which were Treason from those other Articles which were matters of crime and Misdemeanour only but not Treason that so he might know which of them were Treason and which not To which Master Maynard answered That this they might not doe because they were now onely to try the matters of fact not Lavv and because all the Articles taken together not each or any particular Article by it self made up the Treason wherewith he was charged to wit his endeavours to subvert and destroy Religion the fundamentall Lawes of the Land and government of the Realme and to bring in Popery and an arbitrary tyrannicall Government against Law After which Master Serjeant Wilde by way of Introduction to the Archbishops charge with abundance of elegancy and zeale related the Heads of his Offences to the House of Peeres in these ensuing straines My LORDS THis great cause of the Archbishop of Canterbury after a long and painefull traâ—aise is now come to the Birth of which it may be truly said as it was in a like case Râ—pertum est hodierno die facinus quod nec Poeta fingere nec Histrio sonare nec Mimus imitare potuerit For if all the oppressions all the pernitious practises and machinations which have beene in each time to ruinate our Religion Lawes and Liberties were lost I thinke here they might bee found and drawne out againe to the life So that your Lordships who have beene the great Assertors of our Liberties and stood so fast to the rules and principles of your Noble Progenitors which others have ignobly deserted may after a long conflict with so many great and marchiesse difficulties say now as a great Commander once did upon an extraordinary danger Tandem par animo meo periculum video Here is a cause proportionable to your selves apt and proper for the justice and power of this honourable Court Had they beene faults of common frailty error or incogitancy which this man hath committed wee should gladly have stepped backe and cast a Cloake over them but being so wilfull so universall so distructive to the Lawes of God and man so comprehensive of all the evills and miseries which now we suffer the sin would lye upon our owne heads if wee should not call for justice which that it hath beene so long uncalled for not deferred or delayed I suppose no man will thinke strange who considers the present distractions the death and dispersion of our witnesses the losse of some of our Members who have beene imployed and taken paines in this businesse the multitude of diversions which we have had and have daily occasioned by the Acts and influences of this Meteor But the truth survives and matter enough survives so copious and so full of variety that if all the particulars should be examined for his three yeares imprisonment which he complaines off there would be three yeares time of tryall and hearing of the heavy charge that lyes against him A charge of High Treason Treason in all and every part Treason in the highest pitch and altitude for what greater Treason can there be then to betray the whole Realme and to subvert the very foundations leaving nothing for posterity but a curse upon him that shall goe about to build again That which of it selfe is so haynous is much more enhanced and aggravated by the quality of the person A Church-man a great Prelate a man in great trust place and Authority in Church and Common-wealth A man indued with so great guifts of nature and so many of grace and favour from His Majesty and for al these to be perverted to a contrary end even to the destruction of the publike and the ruine of the Wombe that bare him how deepe a dye doe these impose upon this foule crime How Church-men in all ages as hath beene often observed should come to be the Archest Seedsmen of mischiefe and principall Actors in all the great distractions and alterations that have hapned is a destinie that may seeme strange But the reason is ex bono Thealogo malus Medicus their intermedling with temporall things and matters hererogeneall to their calling wherein God is pleased to finite them with blindnesse and to infatuate their Councell whereof a perfect patterne wee have in this great Prelate who by abusing his profession and making the businesse of State the customary subject of all his endeavours became the Author of all the illegall and Tyrannicall proceedings in the Starre-Chamber High Commission Court and other Courts of all the Innovations in Doctrine and Discipline of the suppressing of godly Ministers and preaching of the advancing of others who were the promoters of Popery and Arbitrary power and indeed of all the concussions and distractions in Church and State whereby Religion hath beene jusâ—ed out Lawes and Parliaments trodden downe with contempt For matter of Religion surely those times were happy when by the magnanimity of Princes and the wisdome and piety of our Predecessors that Antichristian Yoke of Popery was shaken off And now after so many bloudy Massacres in France such fiery persecutions here in Queene Maries dayes so many treacherous conspiracies in time of Queen Elizabeth that execrable and horrid Powder-Plot in the late time of King James such streames and Rivers of bloud in Germany and Ireland and other parts of the Christian world ever since by those restlesse and cruell fire-brands of all mischiefe for any man now to goe about to rebuild these walls of Iericho and to reduce us to those rotten
Fleece All these Idolatrous superstitious Popish Pictures lately broken and defaced by the Souldiers placed in Garison in Lambeth House by reason of the great scandall they gave unto them were thus repaired and set up as new by the Arch-Bishops owne speciall direction at his proper charges in his Chappell at Lambeth in the Yeare 1634. as appeares by the Glasiers Bills found in his owne Study at Lambeth indorsed with the word Payd Master Pember the Glasier deposed that the Archbishop caused his Master to repaire the said Chappell Windowes and set up all those Pictures paying him for that worke Mr. Dell the Archbishops Secretary at tested that the Archbishop thought fit to repaire them they being formerly defaced and thereupon gave order for their reparation And the Archbish himselfe in answering this charge confessed justified the fact alleaging that the Chappell at his comming to Lambeth lay so nastily and the Windowes were so peeced and quite out of Order and reparation that it grieved his very heart to see it in such a condition so as he could not resort unto it to worship God with any comfort whereupon hee gave Order for repairing renewing these Glassewindowes and out of his fragments of the old painted Glasse remaining in them not by the help of the Pictures in his printed Masse-Booke he made a shift as well as he could to make up the stories and representations formerly defaced without any addition but only of New-Glasse in leiu of the old that was demolished Besides Browne his Joyner being examined at the Lords Barre against his will confessed upon his Oath that in the Chappell at Croyden there was an old broken Crucifix in the Window which he by the Archbishops direction caused to bee repaired and made compleate which Picture was there remaining very lately for which worke Master Pryn found the Glafiers Bill discharged by the Archbishop himselfe among other of his Papers Now that this Archbishop being by his place Primate and Metropolitan of all Engl. principally intrusted with the care of Religion who should of all other men be most vigilant against all Popish Idolatrous Innovations even in his owne principall Chappell at Lambeth whether many of the Nobility Judges Clergy and persons of all sorts as well strangers as Natives usually resorted and where most of our New Bishopâ— were commonly Consecrated should thus studuously and professedly repaire adore and set up a fresh those Idolatrous Superstitious Blasphemous Romish Pictures which were by vertue of our Statutes Homilies Injunctions purposly defaced and broken down as Monuments of Popish Superstition Idolatry contrary to the Word of God and the established Doctrine of our Church in the very beginning of Reformation which had thus continued defaced during all his Protestant Predecessors times without the least renovation restauration and that by the helpe and president of the very Masse-Booke making the Pictures in it the very Patterne to shape his Chappell windowes by even after sundry complaints against such practises in and by sundry late Parliaments and one Remonstrance in Parliament of this kinde against himselfe Anno 1628. in open affront of our Lawes Homilies Articles Injunctions Parliaments Writers to the great incouragement of Papists the infinite scandall of all sincere Protestants and ill example of diverse others both Clergy and Laity who generally imitated his example in repairing or new erecting in their Churches Chappell 's Colledges Houses the like unlawfull Popish Idolatrous Images it can doubtlesse proceed from no other roote but a rotten Idolatrous Romish heart and Traiterous endeavour to alter or subvert oun establishd Protestant Religion in a more audacious open way then ever any Protestant Prelate before him durst attempt But was this all the Popish superstition and furniture in this Archbishops Chappell Truly no all other parts of it must bee sutable to the windowes else there would neither be uniformity nor decency in it according to his corrupt opinion Wherefore 2ly As he new moulded his Chappell Windowes so he likewise altered the ancient Communion Table standing with the ends East and West some distance from the Wall Table-wise even from the beginning of Reformation till his comming to the Arch-Bishopricke without any Rayle about it into a New Altar placed Altar-wise against the Wall with the ends North and South hedged in with a new costly Raile Attested by Doctor Featly Sir Nathaniell Brent and Master Pryn. 3ly Vpon this new Altar he had much superstitious Romish furniture never used in his Predecessors dayes as namely two great Silver Candlestickes with Tapers in them besides Basons and other Silver Vessels with a costly Common Prayer-Bocke standing on the Altar which as some say had a Crucifixe on the bosses with the Picture of Christ receiving his last Supper with his Disciples in a peece of Arras hanging just behind the midst of the Altar and a Crucifix in the Window directly over it expresly taken out of the very Caremoniale Romanum found in the Archbishops study who was very well versed in it reformed by Pope Clement the 8. Parisijs 1633. l. 1. c. 12. p. 69. 60. which prescribes thus Supra vero in planitie Altaris adsunt Candelabra argentea si haberi possunt sin minus ex Aurichalco aut Cupro aurato pulchre fabricata c. Et super illis Cerei albi in quorum medio locabitur Crux ex eodem Metallo opere praealta ita ut pes Crucis aequet altitudinem vicinorum candelabrarum Crux ipsa tota Candelabris superemineat cum imagine sanctissimi Crucifixi versa ad anteriorem Altaris faciem Quod si Altare parieti adhareat applicari poterit ipsi Parieti supra Altare pannus aliquis caeteris nobilior speciosior ubi intextae sint DOMINI NOSTRI JESU CHRISTI aut gloriosae Virginis vel Sanctorum IMAGINES nisi jam in ipso pariete essent depictae decenter ornatae Pag. 71. Habeant quaelibet Altaria DUO CANDELABRA CUM CEREIS in medio CRUCEM CUM IMAGINE CRUCIFIXI c. Out of Pontificale Romanum set forth by Pope Clement the 8. Antuerpiae 1626. pag. 57. In the Rubricke De Consecratione Electi in Episcopum Paratur Altare cum Cruce duobus Candelabris super illud Missale Pontificale pluviale album c. Page 280. 281. Vestiunt Altare tobaleis ornamentis benedictis ponentes desuper Crucem alia Ornamenta And out of the Canons of the Popish Councell of Aix An 1583. The only Canon I have met with for railing in Altars from which the Archbishop borrowed both the Railes and furniturne of his New-erected Altar which prescribes thus Unumquoaque Altare ubi Commode Episcopus fieri posse judicarit SEPI ATUR OMNINO septo ferreo vel lapideo vel saltem LIGNEO Quod septum ab Altari distet saltem polices septem Nec vero septum illud Laicus ingrediatur dum Missae sacrificium fit Habeat unumquodque Altare propriam superlectilem ornamenta decentia
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
skrine the Decalogue shal befairely painted and the Communion Table shall bee placed close to the same more decently then it hath beene which being performed the Quire will be much beautified and the celebration of divine service for sight and audience better accommodated then heretofore That Quire to omit the example of Christ-Church the other Cathedrall Church in this Citie and of Saint Paule in London if I bee not mistaken representing in a lesser modell the patterne of Westminster Abbey where there is a skrine enclosing some monuments and a way on each hand to the Chappell adjoying Your Grace may bee pleased also to understand that the Earle obtained Licence to erect his Monument in that place by the unanimous consent of the Deane and Chapter of that Church and that they are Honourable personages whose memory is preserved in that monument the one being Lord Iustice and Lord Chancellour of this Kingdome the other principall Secretary of State both Ancestors to his most pious and Vertuous Lady lately deceased And finally Your Grace is intreated to take Your consideration the meritts of this Noble Earle his zeale for the advancement of true Religion declared by his suppressing forreign jurisdictions and presumptions by building of Churches in severall places and erecting Schoole-houses and Almeshouses at his owne charge besides his publike workes for the common-Wealth raising structures of great strength and expence in places of importance and planting of English Colonyes to the great security and settlement of Peace and civility within those parts all which considered hee may be justly deemed worthy of Honourable memory in the Church Thus much by opening the truth I have written at the Earles request who is exceeding desirous to purge himselfe to Your Grace from giving any scandall to the Church whereupon he hopeth to gaine Your Graces approbation of his blamelesse carriage which I also humbly beseech on his behalfe ever remaining To doe Your Grace Service La Dubline Talloch 17. Feb 1633. To which Letter of the Archbishop of Dublin this Arch-Prelate returned this waspish insolent answer writ with Master Dells but endorsed with his owne hand found in his Study with the former Originalls in the very beginning whereof you may discerne his most palpable dissimulation and falshood S. in Christo My very good Lord IT is most true that I have taken offence at a Tombe erected by the Earle of Corke in the Cathedrall of Saint Patrick but I did not take that Offence lately onely but before ever my Lord Deputy that now is was named to the place And I took that offence by a complaint thence sent unto me for I was never there though I cannot recall who it was that complaind And I am sure the complaint came then unto mee with a full cry that it was built in the place where the High-Altar first stood and the Communion Table afterwards Your Lordship at the Earles entreaty hath signified to me your knowledge for so you say that the Tombe stands in a great Arch at the end of the Quire which was plaistered up to keepe out the Winde and that the High Altar stood at the end of the Lady Maries Chappell which is beyond it and that the East Window is at the top of the Arch and not darkened My Lord it will be hard for mee to speake any thing contrary to Your Lordship who hath beene so often upon that place where I never was yet I shall deale freely and tell Your Lordship what I thinke And first my Lord I am satisfied that the Tombe darkens none of the East-Window But I am no way satisfied that the Altar stood at the upper end of the Lady Maries Chappell That an Altar stood there I easily grant for in those times there were diverse Altars in one Cathedrall and every by Chappell had one at least But that the High-Altar did ever stand in any Cathedrall in other place then the East end of the Quire is quite out of my knowledge nor did I ever heare it till now by Your Lordships Letters That the place before the Arch was an earthen Floore and often troubled with a fresh I doe againe really believe Your Lordship And the Earle hath done very well to raise it and pave it with stone But that the swelling of the Tombe The Iron Grate before it The taking in of some ancient Monuments on either side The erecting of a Skrine before which you say the Communion Table should stand would take off little or no Roome from the Quire that I must confesse I doe not very well understand Your Lordship addes that when the Skrine is built and the Communion Table placed before it it will much beautifie the Quire and be like other Cathedralls To that I can say nothing but must leave it to their eye-sight and judgement that are upon the place And whereas Your Lordship sayes that my Lord had leave of the Deane and Chapter with their unanimous consent to erect a Monument in that place if the place be fit for a Monument the consent was very well askt and given But if it appeare the place were inconvenient then my Lord of Corke did not very well to aske a consent and the Deane and Chapter did very ill to grant it and the more unanimous the consent was the worse And whereas you write that there are other Honourable Personages whose memory is preserved in that Monument to that I say if the Monument stand where it ought God forbid it should be toucht If it stand where it ought not it may be fairely and decently removed and set up in some convenient place upon the side of the Quire or elsewhere where it will as well preserve the memory of those Honourable Personages which you mention as now it doth And God forbid any violence should be offered to that in any kinde And last of all whereas Your Lordship desires I should take into consideration the merits of that Noble Earle I am very willing to doe that And first I am very glad to heare from Your Lordship his zeale for the advancement of true Religion but I may not conceale from Your Lordship that I have likewise heard from others and that some yeares since that hee hath gotten into his hands no small proportion of the Churches meanes And if that be so any man may see his end in advancing true Religion But such a Zeale that poore Church hath little need of and God blesse every part of the Church from it As for his Lordships building of Churches Schooles and Hospitalls I know nothing of that and can say as little to it Only this I can say that if he take from the Church in one place to build Church Schoole or Hospitall in another t is no zeale nor the way which Christian bounty uses to tread And if his Lordship hath done any Publike worke for strength and fortification to the Kingdom I pray God that bee not done with the Churches
have any Image of any Saint especially of our Saviour in his house is unlawfull and that if any man kept such pictures in his house if it were not flat Idolatry yet it was little better This was the maine charge against him to which was added that he used some harsh expressions against lacivious mixt dancing especially on the Lords day citing only the words of the Waldenses in their censure against Dancing borrowed frō Vincentius Belvacensis Gulielmus Peraldus two Popish Writers of great note and justified by Bishop Babington in his exposition upon the seventh Commandement and that he prayed for the States of Holland the King of Sweden and other Generals beyond the seas in his prayer before he prayed for the King that now is over us which was but according to the usuall course of all or most Ministers who first prayed for the whole Catholick Church in generall next for the Protestant Churches and Princes beyond the seas and then for the Church and King of England and agreeable to the forme of the very Common-prayer-book in the prayer for the whole state of Christs Church c. which runs thus We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings Princes and Governours which comprehends all foreine Princes in the first place and especially thy servant Charles our King c. who is remembred last of all but yet in a more speciall manner But these two last particulars though mentioned in his sentence were no inducements to it but only the first passage against Images which M. Workman justified out of divers of our owne English Authors and the very Homilies against the perill of Idolatry Part. 3. p. 41. to 631. which determine thus That no Jmage of God or the Trinity or of Christ may or ought to be made that such Images are not only defects but lyes and teach nothing of God or Christ but lyes and errours That Images placed publickly in Temples cannot possibly be without danger of worshipping and idolatry wherefore they are not publickly to be or suffered in Temples and Churches c. We infer and say for the Adversative that all our Images of God our Saviour Christ and his Saints publickly set up in Temples and Churches places peculiarly appointed to the true worship of God be not things indifferent nor tolerable but against Gods law commandment taking their own interpretation and exposition of it First for that all Images so set up publickly have bin worshipped of the unlearned and simple sort shortly after they had been publickly so set up and in conclusion of the wise and learned also Secondly for that they are worshipped in sundry places now in our time also And thirdly for that it is impossible that Images of God Christ or his Saints can be suffered especially in Temples and Churches any while or space without worshipping of them and that Idolatry which is most abominable before God cannot possibly be escaped and avoided without the abolishing and destruction of Images and Pictures in Temples and Churches for that Idolatry is to Images specially in Temples and Churches an inseparable accident as they tearm it so that Images in Churches and Idolatry go alwayes both together and that therefore the one cannot be avoided except the other specially in all publick places be destroyed Wherefore to make Images and publickly to set them up in the Temples and Churches places appointed peculiarly to the service of God is to make Images to the use of Religion and not only against this precept Thou shalt make us manner of Images but against this also Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them for they being set up have been be and ever will be worshipped c. That it is not possible if Images be suffered in Churches and Temples either by the preaching of Gods Word or by any other means to keep the people from worshipping of them and so to avoid idolatry c. What can we do I say or bring to passe to the stay of Idolatry or worshipping of Images if they be allowed to stand publickly in Temples and Churches And if so many so mighty Emperours by so severe Lawes and Proclamations so rigorous and extreame punishments and executions could not stay the people from setting up and worshipping of Images what will ensue thinke you when men shall commend them as necessary books of the Laymen Let us therefore of these latter dayes learn this lesson of the experience of ancient Antiquity That Idolatry cannot possibly be separated from Images any long time but that as an unseparable accident or as a shadow followeth the body when the Sunne shineth so Idolatry followeth and cleaveth to the publick having of Images in Temples and Churches And finally as Idolatry is to be abhorred and avoided so are Images which cannot be long without Idolatry to be put away and destroyed Besides the which experiments and proof of time before the very nature and origine of Images themselves draweth to Idolatry most violently and mens nature and inclination also is bent to Idolatry so vehemently that it is not possible to sever or part Images nor keep men from Idolatry if Images he suffered publickly c. For if the origine of Images and worshipping of them as it is recorded in the eight Chap. of the Book of Wisdom began of a blind love of a fond father framing for his comfort an Image of his Sonne being dead and so at the last men fell to the worshipping of him whom they did know to be dead how much more will men and women fall to the worshipping of the Image of God our Saviour Christ and his Saints if they be suffered to stand in Churches and Temples publickly For the greater the opinion is of the majesty and holinesse of the person to whom an Image is made the sooner will the people fall to the worshipping of the said Image Wherefore the Images of God our Saviour Christ the Blessed Virgin Mary the Apostles Martyrs and other of notable holinesse are of all other Images most dangerous for the perill of Idolatry and therefore greatest heed to be taken that none of them be suffered to stand publikely in Churches and Temples For there is no great dread least any should fall to the worshipping of Images of Annas Caiphas Pilate or Judas the Traitor if they were set up But to the other it is already at full proved That Idolatry hath been is and is most like continually to be committed Now as the Nature of mari is none otherwise bent to worshipping of Images if he may have them and see them then it is bent to whordome and Idolatry in the company of an harlot And as a man given to the lust of the flesh seeing a wanton harlot sitting by her and imbracing her it profitteth little for one to say beware of fornication God will condemne fornicators and adulterers for neither will he being overcome with greater intisements of
to the Church either for that they are so sore blinded that they understand nothing of God godlinesse and care not with divelish example to offend their neighbours or else for that they see the Church altogether scowred of such gay-gazing sights as their grosse phantasie was greatly delighted with because they see the false religion abandoned and the true restored which seemeth an unsavoury thing to their unsavoury taste as may appear by this that a woman said to her neighbour Alas Gossip what should we now do at Church since all the Saints are taken away since all the goodly sights wee were wont to have are gone since wee cannot hear the like piping singing chaunting and playing upon the Organs that we could before But dearly beloved we ought greatly to rejoyce and give God thanks that our Churches are delivered out of all those things which displeased God so sore and filthily defiled his holy House and his place of prayer for the which he hath justly destroyed many Nations according to the saying of Saint Paul If any man defile the Temple of God God will him destroy And this ought we greatly to praise God for that such superstitious and idolatious manners as were utterly naught and defaced Gods glory are utterly abolished as they most justly deserved and yet those things that either God was honoured with or his people edified are decently retained and in our Churches comely practised c. Mr. Workman by all these and such other passages in our Homilies ratified and subscribed unto by all our Ministers in the 35 Article of our Church as containing a godly and wholesome doctrine necessary for these times and established by the statute of 13 Eliz. ca. 12. which confirmes the Articles justifyed every syllable in his Sermons against Images in which he used only the words of our Homilies yet notwithstanding by the Archbishops violence against him who went highest in his sentence on the 25 of April 1635. in the High Commission held at Lambeth was Suspended from the execution of his office and function in the Ministery excommunicated ordered to make his submission and recantation of his eronious and scandalous doctrine at Lambeth the next Court day in such manner and forme as should be set down by the Commissioners and delivered to him in writing under the Registers hand of the Court and after this submission made publickly in Court the same to be sent down to Glocester and there openly published in the Cathedrall Church of Glocester and in the Church of S. Michaels immediately after Divine Service ended when as the Congregation shall be then and there assembled and condemned in costs of suit to be taxed the next Court day and likewise imprisoned Which sentence of his for the cause a foresaid was proved by the Register-Book of the High Commission out of which it was read at the Lords Barre by the testimonies of Mr. Thomas Pury a Member of the House of Commons and of Mr. John Langley late Schoole master of Glocester and now of Pauls-Schoole in London who further witnessed upon oath That Mr. Workman having been a most painfull diligent Preacher of Gods Word in the City of Glocester for above 15 years and a man of singular piety learning wisdome and moderation as the Archbishop himself confessed the Corporation of Glocester to help support his great charge of children in consideration of his great paines in preaching and visiting the sick about September 1633. granted him an Annuity of 20 l. per annum under their Common Seale with one unanimous consent a little before his troubles in the High Commission For which act of justice and charity Iohn Buckston the then Mayor Master Wise the Town Clerk and some other of the Aldermen of that City were by the Archbishops procurement sent for by a Pursevant to appear before the Counsell Table as Delinquents where they appearing were fully heard concerning the granting of this Annuity before the King himselfe and his Councell who seemed fully satisfied approving of their grant and were ready to dismisse them from thence as seeing no just cause for their molestation Whereupon the Archbishop moved that they might be transmitted from thence to the High Commission which by his means was ordered accordingly After which in January following Mr. Pury himself together with M. Henry Browne Mr. William Prise Aldermen Mr. Anthony Edwards and others were arrested by a Messenger out of the High Commission who exacted and received 20 Marks in Fees from them to whom they gave bonds to appear in that Court the Terme following which they did Where they were then articled against for consenting to the grant of the said Annuity to Mr. Workman to which Articles they answered and the cause being brought to hearing not long after their Counsell alleaged That the said grant of 20 l. per annū to M. Workman ought first to be proved illegall or obtained by illegal practise and the whole Corporation whose act it was under whose Seal it was granted to be made parties to the suit before these Defendants sued only as private men ought as they conceived to be censured for consenting thereunto or the said deed made void and cancelled yet notwithstanding the said Mr. Edwards one M. Nelme for consenting to this grant only were fined 10 l. a piece and the grant ordered to be cancelled which was done accordingly and thereupon a 100. l. expence the rest were dismissed the Court and M. Workman deprived of his Annuity After which M. Workman himself being censured and put from his Ministery and imprisoned by the High-Commission for Preaching against making and setting up the Images of the Trinity and of Christ and Saints in Churches having after some moneths Imprisonment with much solicitation obtained his Liberty to support himself his wife and many small children from perishing was necessitated to teach children in private having no other livelihood left him after his former Annuity granted him by the City of Glocester was by the Arch-bishops potency unjustly wrested from him of which the Arch-bishop being informed inhibited him to teach any children at all in publike or private as he would answer the contrary at his perill whereupon he fell to practise Physicke for his necessary support which being informed of to the Arch-bishop he thereupon prohibited him likewise to practise Physick Whereupon he having no meanes of subsistance left and being debarred to Preach teach School or administer Physick to maintain himself and his charge was so afflicted with these tyrannicall and unjust pressures of which he oft complained to Master Langley and others that they drew on crasinesse and sicknesse of body upon him and as his most intimate friends were verily perswaded shortned his dayes and precured his death to the great griefe and losse of that City So zealous was this Arch-Prelate in defence of Idolatrous Images as thus most unjustly and tyrannically to ruine a most godly painfull Minister with his family and destroy this
He pronounced many curses upon all those which should hereafter any way prophane that holy and sacred place by any Musters of Souldiers or keeping any prophane Law-courts or carrying burdens through it At the end of every curse which were some 20. or 30. in number he bowed himselfe lowly towards the East or Table saying Let all the people say Amen When the Curses were ended he then pronounced the like number of Blessings to all those that had any hand in the culture framing and building of that holy sacred and beautifull Church and pronounced Blessings to all those that had given any Challices Plate Ornaments or Vtensills and that should here-after give any At the end of every Blessing hee also bowed downe himselfe towards the East Saying Let all the people say Amen After this followed the Sermon which was worthily performed by Dr. Stephen Dennyson he taking for his theame the 19 of Luke 46. wherein he bitterly inveighed against setting up Pictures and Images in Churches saying it was Popish and heathenish Superstition and Idolatry Which Sermon after-wards when Bishop Laud came to the high chaire of Canterbury he remembred at Dr. Dennysons censure in the high Commission upon another occasion and passed a heavy Censure upon the said Dr. under which he hath ever since groaned After the Sermon which was but short the Bishop and two fat Doctors consecrated and administred the Sacrament with a number of bowings duckings and cringeings in manner following As first when the Bishop approached neare the Communion Table he bowed with his nose very neare the ground some six or seven times Then he came to one of the corners of the Table and there bowed himselfe three times then to the second third and fourth corners bowing at each corner three times but when he came to the side of the Table where the bread and wine was he bowed himselfe seven times and then after the reading of many praiers by himselfe and his two fat chaplins which were with him and all this while were upon their knees by him in their Sirplisses Hoods and Tippits he himself came neare the Bread which was cut and laid in a fine napkin and then he gently lifted up one of the corners of the said napkin and peeped into it till hee saw the bread like a boy that peeped after a bird-nest in a bush and presently clapped it downe againe and flew backe a step or two and then bowed very low three times towards it and the Table when he beheld the bread then he came neare and opened the napkin againe and bowed as before then he laid his hand upon the gilt Cup which was full of wine with a cover upon it so soone as he had pul'd the Cupp a litle neerer to him he lett the Cupp goe flew backe and bowed againe three times towards it then hee came neere againe and lifting up the cover of the Cupp peeped into it and seeing the wine he let fall the cover on it againe and flew nimbly backe and bowed as before After these and many other Apish Anticke Gesturs he himselfe received and then gave the Sacrament to some principall men onely they devoutly kneeling neere the Table after which more praiers being said this Sceane and Enterlude ended Mr. Hope likewise deposed the same that Mr. Willingham did in all particulars touching the manner of the Archbishops consecrating Creed-Church at which consecration he was present and tooke speciall notice thereof Upon which evidence the Committee of the house of Commons observed and urged before the Lords First that it appeared by the praiers used by the Archbishop that he consecrated this Church rather for a Churchyard or a burying place then for an Oratory or place of praier and preaching using the same praiers in substance as are prescribed in the Roman Pontificall at the consecration of a Church-yard to inter dead bodies in Secondly that the consecration of Churches after this sort is a meere Popish and Superstitious Ceremony prescribed onely by Popes and Popish Councels Canonists for their owne gaines and luchre and not by any Protestant Canons Synodes Authors witnesse Gratian De Consecratione Distinct 1. and the Glosses on it Summa Hostiensis lib. 3. Tit. De Consecratione Ecclesiae et Altaris Angelus De Clavasio his Summa Angelica Tit. Consecratio Ecclesiae Summa Rosella Tit. Consecratio Iuo Carnotensis Decretalium pars 3. De Ecclesia C. 8. to 38. Bochellus Decreta Ecclesiae Gallicanae lib. 4. Tit. 1. Iohannis De Aton Constitutiones Ecclesiasticae Tit. 1. De Consecratione Ecclesiarum with divers other Popish Canonists Thirdly that the forme and manner of consecrating Churches was no where to be found but in the Roman Pontificall set out by the Popes authority wherein it is at large described P. 209. to 280. Cap. De Ecclesiae Dedicatione seu Consecratione and not extant in the Booke of Common-praier or of the Ordinition of Ministers or in any other Records or Rituals of our Church which abollished the Roman Pontificall and Ceremony of consecrating Churches by the Statutes of 2. 3. E. 6. C. 1. 3. 4. E. 6. C. 10. 1. Eliz. C. 1. 8. Eliz. C. 1. Fourthly That the very forme the Archbishop used in consecrating Creed-Church was taken from the Roman Pontificall published by command of Pope Clement the eight found in this study P. 214. 217. 219. where the Bishop comming to the doore of the Church he is to consecrate Percutit illud semel cum inferiori parte baculi pastoralis super luminare dicens intelligibili voce Attollite portas Principes vestras et apperiamini portae aeternales et introibit Rex gloriae c. The very words the Archbishop now used and then entring the Church pronouneeth it holy and blessed in the name of the Father Sonne holy ghost After which he useth many Praiers Psalmes bowings Ceremonies and Vnus ex Ministris spargit cinerem per pavimentum in modum crucis as this Archbishop did who followed the Roman Pontificall in all the particulars he there practised exceeding it in his blessings and cursings which are not so fully expressed in the Pontificall and in his reconsecration of this Church upon the repairing onely of the wals in which case the forecited Canonists all accord it is not to be reconsecrated but the wal onely to be exorcised and sprinkled with holy water Fiftly That our owne Protestant Bishops and writers condemne the consecration of Churches Chappels and Church-yards by Bishops to make them holier then other places as a meere Popish Iewish ridiculous and absurd practise The first they instanced in was reverend Dr. Pilkington a fugitive for Religion in Queene Maries and Bishop of Durham in he beginning of Queene Elizabeth reigne in his Exposition of Aggens c. 1. v. 7. 8. cap. 2. v. 2. 3. where he determines thus IT IS POPISH TO BELEEVE that which the Bishops doe teach That place to be more holy then the rest which they have
promises as they be generally set forth to Vs in the holy Scriptures and the Generall meaning of the Articles of the Church of England according to them And that no man hereafter shall either print or preach to draw the Article aside any way but shall submit to it in the plaine and full meaning thereof and shall not put his owne sense or Comment to be the meaning of the Article but shall take it in the litterall and Grammaticall sense That if any publike Reader in either our Universities or any Head or Master of a Colledge or any other person respectively in either of them shall affix any new sense to any Article or shall publikely read determine or hold any publike disputation or suffer any such to be held EITHER WAY in either the Vniversities or Colledges respectively or if any Divine in the Vniversities shall preach or print any thing EITHER WAY other then is already established in Convocation with our Royall Assent He or they the Offenders shall be lyable to Our displeasure and the Churches censure in our Commission Ecclesiasticall as wel as any other We will see there shal be due execution upon them c. That this Declaration was made by this Bishops instigation procurement and so generally reputed not only at home but abroad is evident by this passage of Doctor Barons Letter of Aberdean concerning the pacifying of the 5. Articles sent to this Arch-Bishop and found in his Study endorsed with his owne hand dated the 20. of Aprill 1634. Piam hanc Ampl tuae de Pace Ecclesiae tuenda conservanda sollicitudinem illustri specimine JAMPRIDEM NOTAMOMNIBVSET TESTATAM fecisti cum Majestas Regia TE AVTHORE ET SVASORE exitialiisti dissidio de Praedestinatione annexis Articulis quo or bis hic Britannicus fere collidebatur sua authoritate finem imposuit impetuosas exulceratorum animorum motus ita compescuit ut dispersis dissipatis rixarum indies gliscentium nebulis nunc optato pacis sudo fruamur c. By coulour of this Declaration and pretended Amnestie of silencing both sides the Anti-Arminian truths and received Doctrines of our Church came to be totally silenced suppressed in Presse Pulpit Schooles Vniversities and the Arminian Errors found free passage in them all without any or very little opposition this being the highest conquest the Arminian faction could aspire to yea more then they could hope for in so short a space Hereupon their prevailing party having greatest power at Court and in the High Commission Archbishop Abbot being then by their power and policy sequestred from both and from his Archiepiscopall authority delegated to Bishop Land and others of the Arminian combination by colour and abuse of this Declaration all Bookes against the Arminians were suppressed the Authors prosecuted in the High Commission those who preached or disputed against them in the Vniversities City Court or Country silenced suspended banished imprisoned enforced to recant or ruined at least kept from all preferments on the contrary those of the Arminian confederacy were advanced applauded countenanced protected and freely tolerated to vent their Erronious Tenets every where in Presse Pulpit Court both Vniversities without any reall convention or suspention as we shall prove anon And to set on this designe with greater advantage to the Arminian party His Majestie being pressed to publish a Proclamation for the calling in of Bishop Mountagues Booke no lesse than three yeares after its publication upon sundry complaints made against it in 3. successive Parliaments after all the books dispersed vented and out of all danger of seisure hee so ordered the matter that there was no execution of it in regard of the Booke this Proclamation was so cunningly and partially penned that Mountagues Popish and Arminians opinions were no wayes censured nor his Books condemned to the fire by it for feare of hindering the project then in hand so that all intelligent men might at first view discerne the main end of it was not to suppresse and call in the Book or discredit the Author who was then advanced to a Bishopricke for his paines by Lauds recommendations but meerly to suppresse all Bookes in answer of it and silence all preaching writing disputes against the Arminian Errors as unnecessary questions and needlesse controversies which appeares by the Proclamation it selfe thus endorsed with the Archbishops owne hand who had the penning or correcting of it Janu. 17. 1628. A Proclamation for calling in Bishop Mountagues Booke A Proclamation for the suppressing of a Booke INTITVLED Appello Caesarem or An Appeale to Caesar WHereas Wee out of Our care to conserve and maintaine the Church committed to Our Charge in the unity of true Religion and the bond of Peace and not to suffer unnecessary disputes which may trouble the quiet both of Church and State have lately caused the Articles of Religion to be reprinted as a rule for avoiding of diversities of opinion and for the establishing of consent in true Religion We continuing Our desire to compasse this wished effect and considering that the Book written by Richard Mountague now Bishop of Chichester then but Batechelor of Divinity intituled Appello Caesarem or an Appeale to Caesar and published in the Yeare 1625. was the first cause of those disputes differences which have sithence much troubled the quiet of the Church have thought it fitting to take away the occasion by calling in the said Booke And therefore We do hereby will and straightly command all and singular persons whatsoever who have or shall have any of them in their hands or custody that upon paine of Our high displeasure and the consequence thereof they doe deliver the same presently upon this publication to the Lord Bishop of the Diocesse or his Chancellor if it bee out of the Universities or if it be in either of the two Universities to the Chancellour or Vice-Chancellor there whom We straightly command to suppresse the same hoping thereby that men will no more trouble themselves with these unnecessary questions the first occasion being taken away But if We shall be deceived in this Our expectation and that by reading preaching or making Bookes either pro or contra concerning these differences men begin a new to dispute We shall take such Order with them and those Books that they shall with they had never thought upon these needlesse Controversies Given at Our Court at White-Hall The seventeenth day of Ianuary in the fourth Yeare of Our Reigne of Great Britaine France and Ireland The Commons then Assembled in Parliament discovering both the sinister end and abuse of this His Majesties Declaration and Proclamation in favour of the Arminians drew up a notable Declaration to His Majestie concerning the increase of Popery and spreading of Arminianisme c. concerning the latter whereof they made this following complaint wherein they charged this Prelate then Bishop of Bath and Wells with favouring Arminians and their opinions As our feare concerning
Change or Subversion of RELIGION is grounded upon the daily increase of Papists the only professed Enemies thereof for the reasons formerly mentioned so are the hearts of Your Subjects no lesse perplexed when with sorrow they behold a daily growth and spreading of the faction of the Arminians that being as Your Majestie well knowes but a cunning way to bring in Popery and the professors of those opinions the common disturbers of the Protestant Churches and Incendiaries of those States wherein they have gotten any head being Protestants in shew but Jesuites in Opinion and practise which caused Your Royall Father with so much pious wisdome and ardent zeale to endeavour the suppressing of them as well at home as in our Neighbouring Countries and Your Gratious Majestie inimating his most worthy example have openly and by your Proclamations declared your mislike of those persons and of their opinions who notwithstanding are much favoured and advanced not wanting friends even of the Clergie neere to Your Majestie namely Doctor Neale Bishop of Winchester and Doctor Laud Bishop of Bath and VVells who are justly suspected to bee unsound in their opinions that way And it being now generally the way to preferment and promotion in the Church many Schollers do bend their Studies to maintaine these Errours their Bookes and opinions are suffered to be printed and published and on the other side the impressions of such as are written against them and in defence of the Orthodox Religion are hindered and prohibited and which is a boldnesse most incredible this restraint of Orthodox Bookes is made under colour of Your Majesties formerly mentioned Proclamation the intent and meaning whereof we know was quite contrary c. To which Declaration Bishop Laud returned a Peremptory answer in His Majesties Name written and endorsed with his owne hand the Originall whereof attested by Master Prynne was reade at the LORDS Barre in these following words so farre as concerned the charge of Arminianisme THe next feare is the daily growth and spreading of the Arminian faction called a cunning way to bring in Popery But We hold this charge as great a wrong to Our selfe and Our Government as the former For our People must not bee taught by a Parliament Remonstrance or any other way that We are so ignorant of Truth or so carelesse of the profession of it that any opinion or faction or what ever it be called should thrust it selfe so far so fast into Our Kingdomes without Our knowledge of it This is a meere dreame of them that wake and would make Our Loyall and loving People thinke We sleepe the while In this charge there is great wrong done to two eminent Prelates that attend Our Person for they are accused without producing any the least shew or shaddow of proofe against them and should they or any other attempt Innovation of Religion either by that open or any cunning way we should quickly take other order with them and not stay for Your Remonstrance To helpe on this Our People are made believe there is a restraint of Bookes Orthodoxall But wee are sure since the late Parliament began some whom the Remonstrance calls Orthodox have assumed to themselves an unsufferable liberty in printing Our Proclamation commanded a restraint on both sides till the passions of men might subside and calme and had this beene obeyed as it ought wee had not now been tossed in this tempest As for any distressing or discountenancing of good Preachers Wee know there is none if they be as they are called good But Our good people shall never want that spirituall comfort which is due unto them And for the preferments which VVee bestow Wee have ever made it our great care to give them as rewards of desert and paines but as the preferments are ours so will wee bee Judge of the desert our selfe and not bee taught by a Remonstrance After which the Commons in pursuance of their Opposition against the growing Arminian Faction On the 28. of January 1628. but 11. dayes after the forementioned Proclamation concerning Mountagues Booke and prohibiting books against it passed this notable Vote in Parliament after a large debate which the Archbishop in his indorsment on it stiles The Challenge of the lower House in matters of Religion An Order made by the lower House of PARLIAMENT the 28th of IANVARY 1628. WEE the Commons now Assembled in Parliament doe claime professe and avow for Truth the sence of the Articles of Religion which were established in Parliament the thirteenth yeare of Queene Elizabeth which by the publike Acts of the Church of England and the generall and currant exposition of the Writers of our Church have beene delivered unto Vs and we reject the sence of the Iesuites Arminians and all others wherein they doe differ from Vs. To which Challenge of theirs this pragmaticall Bishop then returned this bold peremptory answer written with his owne hand produced attested by Master Pryn and read at the Lords Barre in Evidence against him 1. The publique Acts of the Church in matters of Doctrine are Canons and Acts of Councells as well for expounding as determining the Acts of the High Commission are not in this sence publike Acts of the Church not the meeting of few or more Bishops Extra Concilium unlesse they be by lawfull Authority called to that worke and their decision approved by the Church 2. The Currant exposition of writers is a strong probable Argument de sensu Canâ—nis Ecclesiae vel Articuli yet but probable The Currant exposition of the Fathers themselves hath sometimes missed sensum Ecclesiae 3. Will ye reject all sence of lesuit or Arminian may not some be true may not some be agreeable to our writers and yet in a way that is stronger then ours to confirme the Article 4. Is there by this Act any Interpretation made or declared of the Articles or not If none to what end the Act If a sence or Interpretation be declared what authority have lay-men to make it for Interpretation of an Article belongs to them only that have power to make it 5. T is manifest there is a sence declared by the House of Commons the Act sayes it wee avow the Article and in that sence and all other that agree not with us in the aforesaid sence wee reject these and these goe about misinterpretation of a sence Ergo there is a Declaration of a sence yea but it is not a new sence declared by them but they avow the old sence declared by the Church The publike authenticke Acts of the Church c. yea but if there be no such publique authenticke Acts of the Church then here 's a sence of their owne declared under pretence of it 6. It seemes against the Kings Declaration 1. That sayes we shall take the generall meaning of the Articles this Act restraines them to consent of VVrighters 2. That sayes the Article shall not be drawne
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
man and shall live and die in the suffrage of that Reverend Synod and doe confidently a vow that those other opposed opinions cannot stand with the Doctrine of the Church of England But if for the composing of our differences at home which your Lordship knowes to be far different from the Netherlandish there could have beene tendered any such faire propositons of accordance as might be no prejudice to Gods Truth I should have thought it an holy and happy project wherein if it bee not a fault to have wished a safe peace I am innocent In my Lord Bishops of SARVMS Answer Dated Ianuary 30. 1628. This passage was expunged AS for the aspertions of Arminianisme I can testifie that in our joynt imployment at the Synod of Dort you were as farre from it as my selfe And I know that no man can imbrace it in the Doctrine of Pradestination and Grace but he must first desert the Articles agreed upon by the Church of England nor in the Point of Perseverance but he must vary from the common Tenet and received opinion of our best approved Doctors in the English Church I am assured that you neither have deserted the one nor will vary from the other and therefore be no more troubled with other mens groundlesse suspirions then you would be in like case with their idle Dreames Thus I have c. Nathaniell Butter the Stationer perceiving these two letters not only extreamly mutilated but made altogether uselesse and his Book lesse vendible by these Purgations of the Licencer adventured to print these expunged passages in them whereupon he was apprehended and brought before Bishop Laud by a Pursevant committed Prisoner by him to the Fleet without Baile or maineprize contrary to the Petition of Right though he tendred baile his Bookes seized and afterwards Articled against in the High Commission and there almost ruined only for printing those deleted Passages in two of our owne Bishops Letters as was proved by the Testimony of Master Henry Burton and Michaell Sparkes senior committed to the Fleet by the Bishop at the same time by the Warrant of his commitment under the Bishops owne hand the Articles in the High Commission against Butter Artic. 4. 5. and his Answer thereunto produced in Court About the same time Nathaniell Carpenter Chapline to Archbishop Vsher published a Book intitled Achitophel or the Picture of a wicked Polititian printed at Oxford by Lycence wherein were divers passages against Arminianisme averring it to be planted among us by Iesuiticall Polititians to undermine our Religion by degrees and covertly to introduce Popery it selfe which Booke was presently called in and all the Passages against Arminianisme expunged by this Bishops Agents which done it was reprinted at London without them Anno 1629. to the great injury both of the truth and Author as was attested by Mr. Prynne Michaell Spark Senior and evident to all who will compare these two Editions What other passages against the Arminians and their Tenet have beene expunged in other Authors shall be given in evidence elsewhere We shall next produce some memorable Instances what countenance was given to Arminian Bookes and Sermons notwithstanding his Majesties Declarations and Proclamations to the contrary by this Archbishops meanes Doctor Thomas Jackson Chapline in Ordinary to his Majesty even sitting the Parliament soone after the Kings Declaration and Proclamation published A Treatise of divine Essence and Attributes part first printed at London 1628. for John Clerke Licensed by this Prelates Chaplaine dedicated to the Right honourable William Earle of Pembrooke in the very Epistle Dedicatory to this Noble Peere hee professeth himselfe AN ARMINIAN and Patron of their Tenets And Chap. 8. to 20. he professedly maintaines A mutability in Gods eternall Decrees of Election and Reprobation depending upon the actions and wills of men Universall Grace and Redemption with other Arminian Errors This Book though publikely complained of was never called in by the Bishop but the second part thereof printed by Licence An. 1629. and the Author of it advanced to the Presidentship of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford by this Bishop yea by him designed to bee Doctor of the Chaire though he missed that preferment to poyson the Vniversity of OXFORD with his Arminian Drugges An. 1630. Doctor Brookes of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Writ an Arminian Treatise of Predestination with which he acquainted Bishop Laud who encouraged him in the worke recommending it to the perusall of Doctor Lindsey and Doctor Beale two great Arminians promising to peruse it himselfe as appeares by sundry Letters Whereupon Doctor Brookes returned this answer to him concerning it in Answer of this Bishops Letter to him seized in his Study by Mr. Prynne dated from Cambridge Dece 15. 1630. wherin there is this desperate passage worthy Observation MY LORD c. I Dare say That their doctrine of Predestination is the roote of Paritanisme and Puritanisme the roote of all rebellions and disobedient intractablenesse in Parliament c and of all Schisme and Saucinesse in the Country nay in the Church it selfe this hath made many thousands of our people and to great a part of the Gentlemen of the Land Laytons in their hearts Besides where nothing is done the weeds will over-grow the Corne as they doe For last Parliament they left their word Religion and the cause of Religion and began to use the name of Church and our Articles of the Church of England c. and wounded our Church at the very heart with her owne name And by pretence of putting downe Arminianisme and defence of that Church against which indeed they tooke up Armes so that now they that hold the very opinions of Penry and Wâ—gington of Hacket and Coppinger in their beginning and others of whom some were hangd most imprisoned many deprived and some censured in the Starre-Chamber for seditious persons and Enemies to the Church of England they I say that hold the same opinions cry out now the Church of England and will have the Church of England to be theirs I could justifie this and much more but your Lordship knowes these things to be so better then I c. What grosse aspersions he here casts upon the Parliament and Anti-Arminians is so apparent as needs no explanatory or aggravating Commentary On the 27. of Novem. 1630. Doctor Martin this Bishops houshold Chaplaine a professed Arminian licensed a Booke for the Presse intituled An Historicall Narration of the judgment of some must learned and Godly English Bishops holy Martyrs and others concerning Gods Election and the Merits of Christs death set forth by I. A. of Ailward a late Seminary Priest and printed for Samuell Nealand 1631. The whole scope of this Book was to prove the Martyrs and first Reformers of our Church in K. Ed. the 6. and Q. Maries dayes and the beginning of Q. Elizabeths Raigne to be Arminians and Arminianisme the established Doctrine of our Church The first 66 pages of this Booke
His Majesties Commissioners to this strict authority that J cannot say but sure J am that till that time the Lords day never had attained such credit as to be thought an Article of the faith though of some mens fancies Nor was it like to be of long continuance it was so violently followed THE WHOLE BOOKE BEING NOW CALLED IN and in the place thereof the Articles of the Church of England confirmed by Parliament in that Kingdome Anno 1634. Vniformity with the Church of England was the pretence for revoking these Articles but the reall cause was because they defined in terminis The Pope to be Antichrist the Church of Rome to be no true Church the Lords day to be totally sanctfied and all the Arminian Tenets to be erronious contrary to the established Doctrine both of the Church of England and Ireland Grand obstacles to this Arch-Preltats Popish designes and therefore necessary to bee sette aside These Articles being thus repealed the Archbishop soon after sent over Master Chapple the most notorius seducing Arminian in the whole Vniversity of Cambridge into Jreland to be President of the Colledge of Dublin there to poyson that Vniversity with his Arminian Drugs which he there publikely vented as Dr. Hoyle Divinity Reader in that Vniversity attested upon Oath who had frequent contestations with him concerning the same This Chapple joyning with Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to the Lord Deputy Wentworth a professed Arminian who managed all the Ecclesiastical affaires of that Church under the Archbishop and Lord Deputy raised a great party there to oppose and suppresse the truth What influence this Arch-Prelate likewise had upon the Prelates and Clergy of Scotland and how farre he proceeded in introducing Arminianisme by it Popery into the Church of Scotland is so largely demonstrated by M. Baily in his Canterburians selfe-conviction the last Edition that we shall not here insist upon it And thus we have given you a true and Copious Evidence of this Arch-Prelates endeavours to undermine our established Religion by introducing fomenting dangerous Arminian Errors in all our three Kingdomes of purpose to Vsher Popery into them by insensible degrees through this Iesuiticall devise We shall now proceed to his varius attemps and endeavours to undermine the established Protestant and advance the Romish Religion in our Churches by introducing broaching maintaining printing publishing all kind of Doctrinall points of Popery by suppressing Bookes and purging out Passages against them in old and new writers by promoting protecting the Propugners discouraging persecuting the oppugners of Popish Assertions Sermons Pamphlets and sundry other practises The Authorizing Printing dispersing Popish Bookes Doctrines and prohibiting contrary Impressions to refute them being the most pernitious destructiue prevalent project of all others to undermine Religion seduce corrupt both the present and future Generations with Popish Errors and set up Popery in its full vigor we shall begin with this Archbishops various practises concerning the Authorising printing dispersing of Popish prohibiting suppressing purging corrupting Orthodox Bookes against Popery wherein he directly traced the Popish Prelates Jesuites footsteps The Pope with Popish Prelates and Jesuites being Masters of the printing Presses in most parts had foure principall wayes to advance Popery and suppresse the Protestant Religion in relation only to printing The first was to License and print sundry Books and Discourses from time to time upon al occasions in defence of their Erronious Popish Tenets against the Protestants The second to prohibit sundry speciall Treatises against Popery to bee printed reprinted dispersed or read and to seize on and suppresse them in all places with greatest diligence when printed The third to purge out the principall Passages Motives Invectives against Popery and its abuses in all old printed Books ere they should bee reprinted and out of all new Bookes tendred to the Presse before they could gaine License to passe it The fourth to punish the Authors Printers dispersers of any prohibited or unlicensed Books against Popery with the severest censures all which is abundantly evident by their severall Indices Librorum Prohibitorum and Librorum Expurgandorum by the Provinciall Councell of Sennes Anno 1528. Apud Surium Concil Tom. 4. p. 718. to 723. Laurentius Bochellius Decreta Ecclesia Gall lib. 1. Tit. 10. De Libris vetitis cap. 1. to 29. The Statute of 34 and 35. H. 8. c. 1. Master Fox his Acts and Monuments the old Edition pag. 536. 573. 680. 450. 1335. c. Dr. Iames his Index Generalis Librorum prohibitorum a Pontifieijs c. Oxon 1627. Antonij Posseâ—ini Bibliothesa selecta with sundry others The Arch-bishop in imitation of this their policy first of all ingrossed the sole power of licensing all new Bookes of Divinity into his owne his Chaplaines and Creatures hands so as nothing could passe the Presse with publique approbation but by his or their precedent approbation without danger of ruine to the Authors Printers Stationers Venders Dispersers And because he feared and experimentally discerned that when Stationers or Printers were restrained to print new Bookes against Popery they would presently fall to reprint old ones formerly licenced by Authority to prevent this inconvenience to the Popish party he procured this ensuing Decree of his owne contriving to be ratified by the Lords in the Starre-Chamber then sent it to the Stationers to print and commanded them punctually to observe it whereby he Monopolized the sole power of authorizing Divinity Bookes for the Presse to himselfe and his Agents and restrained the reprinting of all Books though formerly printed by Authority without a speciall review and relicencing of them by him and his Chaplaines This Decree was intituled A Decree of Star-Chamber concerning Printing made the first day of July 1637. Imprinted at LONDON by Robert Barker c. 1637. This Decree in the Printed Order of Star-chamber prefixed thereunto is Expresly alleaged to be drawne and Penned by the advice of the most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London Lord High Treasurer of ENGLAND and of the Lord Keeper the Lord chiefe Justices and Lord chiefe Barron when it was the Archbishops project only who sent it to the Presse the others names being used only for conformity as M. Walley others attested upon Oath We shall rehearse only such clauses thereof as are most observable pertinent to our purpose 2. Jtem That no person or persons whatsoever shall at any time print or cause to be imprinted any Booke or Pamphlet whatsoever unlesse the same Booke or Pamphlet and also all and every the Titles Epistles Prefaces Proems Preambles Introductions Tables Dedications and other matters or things whatsoever thereunto annexed or therewith imprinted shall be first lawfully licenced and authorized only by such person and persons as are hereafter expressed and by no other and shall be also first entred into the Registers Booke of the Company
acquitted by the Court. 3ly That when he could not have his will of this innocent Gentleman one way he meditared present revenge another way proclamed it in open Court charging him with raising a Faction in the High-Commission Court when as his fellow Commissioners would not concur with him in his Factious prosecution to gratifie the Papists 4ly That hee bare an extraordinary affection to Popish but an extreame inveterate malice to true Protestant Saints and Martyers because hee was so farre incensed against Mr. Gillibrand and his Almanacke onely for omitting the names of false Popish Saints and Martyres and placing the names of our reall Protestant Martyres in their stead the truth whereof was then further manifested at the Bar by a memorable Passage in Doctor John Pocklingtons Altare Christianum licenced by Doctor Bray the Archbishops owne houshold Chaplaine as appeares by the printed Approbation prefixed to it and perused by the Archbishop himselfe who ordered it to be printed of which booke there being two editions Mr Pryn found both of them curiously guilded and bound up in the Archbishops Study at Lambheth in both of which this Passage remained uncorrected unexpunged wherein the Calender before the Booke of Martyres which Mr. Gellibrand imitated with our Godly Martyres are most grosly railed against censured traduced as Traytors Murderers Rebells Heretickes and the Popish Saints in whose places they were inserted proclaimed to be the holy Martyres and Confessors of Iesus Christ whose names are written in heaven in these very tearmes which you may find in the first Edition Pag. 92. and Edit 2. Pag. 114. This was the holy and profitable use of these Diptickes much like the List of persons CENSVRED BY HOLY CHVRCH called WITH SOME REPROACH OF TRVTH AND CHRISTIAN RELIGION Catalogus testium Veritatis collected into one volume by Flacius Illericus and enlarged since by others And as unlike a KALENDER that I have seene to wit that before Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments wherein THE HOLY MARTYRS AND CONFESSORS OF JESVS CHRJST who had not only place sometimes in these Dipticks but WHOSE NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN ARE RASED OVT AND TRAITORS MVRDERERS REBELS AND HERETICKS SET IN THEIR ROOMES so as if Penry Hacket or Legat had come in time they might have challenged as orient and scarlet a dye as some of them Certainly more venome and malice could never have beene couched or Vented in fewer words against Mr. Fox his authorized Kalender to his Acts Monuments against our own English Martyres the Professors of the Protestant Religion in all ages so by consequence against our Religion it selfe then is comprised vented in these lines twice published in print in these Editions by this Arch-Prelates his Chaplaines speciall approbation without the least retractation of purpose to please the Popish party offended with Mr. Gellebrands Almanacke which this Bishop would have Martyred and burned for an Hereticke as our Martyres were to gratifie the Popish party much offended at it by which the whole World may clearely discerne his strong inclination his cordiall affection to them and their his palpable disaffection to us and our Religion We shall now proceed to other evidence About the latter end of the yeare 1636. Master Prynne being certainly informed of the Archbishops intention to procure a Decree in Starchamber prohibiting the reprinting of all old Bookes of Divinity unlesse they were first reviewed purged new Licenced by his Chaplaines or Agents before this Decree was ratified sent for Michael Spark Senior and perswaded him to reprint some three or foure old Bookes of speciall use against Popery ere this Decree should passe by name Thomas Beacons Display of the Popish Masse and his Reliques of Rome as being then most seasonable opposite to the Archbishops Romish designes formerly printed cum privilegio in Queen Elizabeths Reigne An. 1560. yea dedicated to all the Bishops of England and highly approved by them Hereupon he caused Mistresse Anne Griffin to begge leave of the Company of Stationers who were owners of those Coppies to reprint these Bookes which being granted she printed off his Display of the Popish Masse and began to Print his Reliques of Rome No sooner was the first of them published abroad but a Papist seeing one of them newly printed lying to be sold in a Book-sellers shop in Paules Church-yeard reading the Title thereof grew very angry at the Booke being a very solid learned Treatise against the Popish Masse with the Ceremonies accompaning it and said hee wondered much that the Archbishop would suffer such Bookes to be Printed in this Age adding that perchance he knew not of it and therefore he would goe over to Lambheth and informe him thereof to the end it might be suddainly called in ere it were dispersed which it seemes he performed accordingly for the very next morning the Archbishop called in this Booke very strictly sending his Pursevants and Officers to seize on all of them they could meete with and understanding that Mistresse Griffin printed it he sent for her to Lambheth where he in a very angry manner demanded of her why she did reprint this book against the Masse NOW above all other times whether she could find no other time but this to print it To which she answered she did it for want of other work to imploy her servants who else must sit still seeing they could get no good New bookes Licenced Then he demanded of her how shee durst reprint it without a new License she answered She did it by leave of the Company of Stationers and knew of no order to the contrary After which he threatned her with the high Commission and told her that if she printed any more old Books though formerly licensed without a review and new licensing of them by his Chaplaines he would put downe her printing House and she should never print againe though there was then no Order to the contrary whereupon she durst not proceed to print his Reliques of Rome but gave it over All which was fully proved by the severall Oathes of Mr. Prynne Michaell Spark senior Anne Griffin such an Arch-favourer of Popery was this Prelate then grown that he would not permit this Treatise against the verry Popish Masse it selfe to be reprinted though formerly oft printed cum Privilegio growes angry at the printing of it causeth it presently to be suppressed upon a Papiste Information and thus checks the Printer Was not Popery grown to a strong head among us when not so much as one small old Booke against the Masse and Idolatry of it might passe the Presse but it must presently be suppressed by this Arch bishops speciall command and the Printer thus threatned for it Yet he forsooth if wee dare believe his Protestations was then as averse from as great an Enemy to Popery as any mortall breathing About the same time a Booke intituled The Palsegraves Religion containing the Faith and Confession of the Churches of the Palatinate formerly
printed in Latine and then reprinted in English was called in and suppressed by this Archbishops order because it over-boldly refuted some points of Popery and Arminianisme as was Attested by the Oathes of Master Pryune and Michaell Sparke Senior Master Walley Clerke of Stationers Hall and Master Downes deposed that after the Decree for printing was made there were divers old Bookes against Popery formerly Licenced as the Booke of Martyres Bishop Jewells Workes some parts of Doctor Willets Workes and others which the Archbishops and Bishop of Londons Chaplaines refused to new License where upon they repaired to Sir Iohn Bramston then Lord chiefe Justice and desired leave from him that good Bookes formerly licenced and printed might be reprinted without new Licence else they should be undone for want of Bookes seeing they could not procure these Chaplaines to License any good Bookes whether old or new Who answered them that he could do nothing in it but they must go and attend the Archbishop who had the chiefe hand in making this Decree Mr. John Vicars Schoole-Master of Christ-Church soone after this Decree repaired to Doctor Baker the Archbishops great Creature House-hold Chaplaine to the Bishop of London for a New license of his History of the Gunpouder Treason formerly printed by License which he had since enlarged with some pertinent Additions But Doctor Baker absolutely refused to Licence it Master Vicars admiring at it demanded of him the reason why he would not license a Booke of such a subject as this against the Gun-pouder Treason an act so odious and detestable who answered him that we were not so angry with the Papists now as we were about 20. yeares since and that there was no need of any such Bookes as these to exasperate them there being now an endeavour to winne them to us by fairenesse and mildnesse By these with sundry other instances of this kinde which we pretermit we conceive it is most apparent that one principall end of the Archbishops usurping the power of Licensing Bookes and publishing this Decree concerning the restraint of reprinting any Old Licensed books against Popery and the grossest errors in it was that Popery might againe creep in among us by degrees without the least opposition or impeachment Secondly As he and his instruments prohibited the reprinting of old Orthodox Bookes so they refused to Licence sundry new ones especially against Popery and Arminianisme suppressing them when printed by Licence of others This was evidenced by the forecited Remonstrance of the Commons in Parliament Anno 1628 by the forementioned Bookes against the Arminians suppressed and called in by this Archbishops means and by these ensuing Depositions Master Prynne deposed that in the Yeare 1627. Doctor Cosen 's published a Booke intituled A Collection of private Devotions Or the houres of Prayer fraught with Popery and Popish Superstitions which gave great offence whereupon at the importunity of diverse well'-affected persons he Writ a Refutation thereof intituled A Briefe Survey and Censure of Master Cosens his Cosening Devotions which by this Bishops meanes and his Confederates was refused License at London House but afterwards licenced at Lambeth House by Doctor Featly and printed sitting the Parliament in the Yeare 1628. for writing which Booke only against Doctor Cosens his Popery hee was immediately after the Parliament ended questioned in the High-Commission by this Bishops procurement and thence delivered by a Prohibition to the Bishops great griefe Master Henry Burton deposed That he writ a Book against Cosens his Devotions which was called in by the Bishops meanes after which he compiled and published another Booke intituled The Bayting of the Popes Bull licensed by Doctor Goade for which hee was called before the Councell Table by this Archbishops instigation who was then present spake much against the Booke and called it a Libell although penned and written only against the Pope and his seditious dangerous Bull. That he printed by lycence a Book called A Plea to an Appeale in refutation of diverse Popish and Arminian Errors broached by Mountague in his Appello Casarem which Book though licensed was yet called in and suppressed by this Bishops procurement After which he writ another Booke against Popery Intituled The pouring out of the 7. Vialls for which hee was called into the High Commission Court by the Bishop and the Booke suppressed That hee likewise writ another Booke called Babell no Bethell wherin he proved the Church of Rome no true visible Church for which book this Prelate being then Bishop of London sent for him by a Pursevant committed him immediately to prison in the Fleet contrary to the Petition of Right then newly passed refusing to accept any bayle which he tendred suspended him from his living prosecuted him in the High Commission and suppressed the Book Michaell Sparke Senior deposed That himselfe together with William Iones Nathantell Butter Mr. Bowler and others were committed to prison and vexed severall times in the High Commission by this Archbishops means only for printing Bookes against the Papists and Arminians that the Bishop and his Chaplaines refused to License diverse Bookes against Popery tendred to them and purged sundry others of the chiefe Passages against Popery as we shal prove anon in so much that the Stationers and Printers generally complained that they could get no good Orthodox Bookes but only Popish and Superstitious ones licensed so as they were like to bee undone for want of trading and that this was the generall complaint of the whole Company which other Stationers likewise affirmed Particularly the Bishop though he pretended much friendship to Sir Humfrey Linde that learned Knight the Author of Via Tuta and Via Deuia which were answered by a Jesuite in a scurrilous rayling manner yet he absolutely refused to license his elaborate Reply thereunto Intituled A Case for the Spectacles upon no other pretence but that Sir Humfrey was a Lay-man but in verity because hee was unwilling to have him vindicate himselfe and the truth against a rayling Jesuite of which Injustice Sir Humfrey oft complained to Mr. Pryn Dr. Featly and others of his friends Yet his Chaplaine could license Chunaeus his Collectiones Theologicae Dedicated to the Archbishop himselfe though compiled by a Layman of much instriot parts and learning to Sir Humfrey in justification of Popery A minianisme and the Church of Rome Thirdly He with his Chaplaines Agents by his instigation or command compiled Authorized imprinted published diverse Bookes Treatises Sermons in defence of Popish Errors Superstitious Ceremonies practises almost to the totall corruption and subversion of our Religion Of which we shall give you a briefe Catalogue and then proceed to the Popish Passages errors broached justified authorized in and propagated by them The BOOKES are these The Archbishops own SPEECH in Star-Chamber Printed at Lond. An 1637. The Book of Common Prayer for the use of the Church of Scotland printed at Edinburgh 1637. Richard Mountague his New Gagge for an old Goose London
non a loramus Tantummodo taxamus in imaginibus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 usum utilitatem non sollicitamus ullo pacto Christiani omnes adoramus Christum Imagine Simulacro An verò ad intuitum Invitationem constituerentur in lccis Sacris Sacratis conventibus destinatis sunt qui negant ex Origine Arnobio Minutio Faelice sed non persuadent Sir Tho. Ridley in his View of the Civill Law printed at Oxf. with Annotations 1634 p. 52. and 192. Hath these passages added in the Margin concerning the erecting of Crucifixes in Churches That which followeth in the Euchologe discovereth the forme manner of setting up the Crucifix which the Law called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then the Crucifix must bee sent to the place where the Church is to be erected and there the Bishop by whom it is conveied saith the forenamed service and when he maketh the Consecration the Crosse must be set up behinde the holy Altar c. Doctor John Pocklington in his Altare Christianum licensed by the Archbishops Chaplaine by his owne speciall direction hath these passages justifying the placing of Crucifixes upon the Altar and against demolishing Images pag. 143. The Crosse of Christ alwayes used to stand upon the Altar Christians had no other Images in their Churches Preter quam Crucis signum super Aram ad Ortentem versum erigerent ut mentem oculosque in caelum ubi Pater est omnium expinsis manibus but only the Crosse of Christ which stood upon the Altar And it is not also said that the Altar which stood in former Princes times continued in Q. Elizabeths Chapell with the Crosse upon it Pag. 87. Besides the Altar so furnished there are to be seene many goodly Pictures which cannot but strike the beholders with thoughts of Piety and devotion at their entrance into so holy a place as the Picture of the Passion and likewise of the holy Apostles together with a faire Crucifix and our blessed Lady and St. Iohn set up in painted Glasse in the East Window just over the holy Table or sacred Altar so that I must needs say as I think all good men besides will that who so lives in his Lordships Diocesse must be condemned of great impiety that wil desert his Lord and not follow him usque ad Aras Pag. 139. The Magistrate may proceed against Delinquents that Violate the Lords Table standing Altarwise or breake or deface the Picture of Christ or of the Saints in Church-Windowes or Crosses and the like upon the Statute if any should so offend which God forbid I shall close up this with Francis Sales his Introduction to a devout life where he intimates to us what use we ought to make of Pictures and Crucifixes P. 158. Sometimes kisse reverently his blessed Image and say unto him these words of Jacob I will not leave thee untill thou give me thy blessing Pag. 159. Stirre up thy heart with corporall gestures of outward devotion and prostrating thy selfe upon the ground laying thy Armes a Crosse before thy brest Imbracing his Image c. 8. That the Pope or Papacy is not Anti-Christ nor Anti-Christ yet come BIshop Mountague in his Appello Caesarem determines thus Page 140. 141. That hee the Pope is Magnus ille Antichristus is neither determined by the publique Doctrine of the Church nor proceed by any good Argument of private men I professe ingeniously I am not of opinion that the Bishop of Rome personally is that Anti-christ nor yet the Bishops of Rome successively are that Anti-christ Doctor Heylyn in his Moderat answer to Henry Burton thus seconds him page 126. The Pope not Antichrist for any thing resolved by the Church of England Page 127. 128. 129. You tell us that by the Doctrine of our Church in the Homilies and else where it is resolved that the Pope is Antichrist Your elsewhere I am sure is no where Saint Iohn hath given it for a Rule that every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God but is that spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard c. So that unlesse you can make it good as I thinke you cannot that the Pope of Rome confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh you have no reason to conclude that hee is Antichrist Christopher Dowe in his Jnnovations unjustly charged writes thus Page 53. To the third That the Pope is not Antichrist I answere that though many of the learned of our Church especially at the beginning of our Reformation when the greatest heat was stricken betweene us and Rome have affirmed the Pope to be Antichrist and his whole Religion to be Antichristian and that some Bookes exceeding the bounds of Moderation in this point have passed a broad that with the license of Authority yet to them that calmely and seriously consider it it may not without good reason be disputed as doubtfull whether the Popes or any of them in his Person or the Papall Hierarchy be that great Antichrist which is so much spoken of Robert Shelford in his five Treatises resolves thus Page 284. That Rome at this day is not the Beast is manifest because the Pope there now sheddeth no bloud Page 293. That the Pope is not to beheld for Antichrist I prove from Saint Iohns description Who soever is not of Antichrists spirit cannot bee Anti-christ But the Pope is not of Anti-Christs Spirit therefore he cannot bee Anti-Christ Page 297. The Church hitherto hath neither declared the Pope nor any other to be the great Antichrist Therefore as yet he is to come 299. And were there no other Argument to free the Pope from being the Antichrist among the Fathers this is sufficient for that he maintaineth Images Yea the very subject matter of his largest Treatise is this and thus intituled That the Pope is not Antichrist and that Antichrist is not yet come One of his Bookes of this Subject he presented to the Archhishop who received yea reserved it in his Study without check or contradiction and was so farre from disliking this Opinion that he gave speciall Command to purge all passages out of old and new printed Bookes which either directly J tearmed or intimated the Pope to be Antichrist or that man of sinne and repealed the Articles of Reland for defining him to be so as we shall hereafter manifest 9. That there is a Purgatory and Limbus Patrum CHrists Epistle to a Devout Soule P. 130. But when thou art come to perfection and prayest lying prostrate at the feete of my Majesty thou shalt desire to satisfie my Justice with that small ability which resteth in thee and shalt offer thy selfe for my Glory unto PVRGATORY and to suffer for the fulfilling of my will whatsoever it shall be my will to lay upon thee and the fulfilling of my will shall please thee more then the escape of Pudgatory Mountague his Gagge Page 176. They Quarter out Hell into foure Regions Hell of
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
Dedicated to the Archbishop and Licensed by Heywood his Chaplain August 26. 1634. cap. 16. p. 45. 46. determines thus Quaenam sit Romana Ecclesia Cum constet Romanam Ecclesiam in primariis temporibuss velut inter ignes Luna Minores caeteris Ecclesiis praeluxisse caeterisque Maechantibus castam pudicam veritatis conservatricem extitisse nec in pessimis usque eo degenerasse censemus ut in primariis fundamentalibus Religionis capitibus aberrasse videatur quidniquamvis in caeteris forsan vitiatam temeratam Ecclesiae tamen nomine honestandam censeam c. This passage Doctor Bastwick taking exception against at his censure in the High-Commission read it openly in Court where the Arch-bishop publikely justified it in his speech affirming That the Church of Rome was a true Church and that it never erred in fundamentalls in which we differ not but onely circa fundamentalia This distinction of his was afterwards thus justified in Print by Christopher Dome in his Innovations unjustly charged pag. 48. Nor is it an absurd distinction as he unreverendly and absurdly termed it that a great Prelate used in the High-Commission at the censure of Doctor Bastwick when he said That we and the Church of Rome differ not in fundamentalibus but circa fundamentalia pag. 49. The distinction is not absurd but it may most truely and fitly be said that we may and do differ about and not in fundamentals which Doctor Heylin likewise seconds in his Moderate Answer to Henry Burton p. 6. 124. 125. No difference between the Church of Rome and England in fundamentalls Suppose a great Prelate in the High-Commission 〈…〉 had said openly that we and the Church of Rome differ not in â—â—â—â—amentalibus yet how comes this to be an Innovation c. The Church of Rome hath done more against the Heretickes of this age than you or any of your Divines be he whom he will But for the Church of Rome it is a true Church and that we differ not from them in fundamentalls see the Reconciler Doctor Potter in his booke which he submitted to the Arch-bishops censure concludes thus pag. 62. 77. The most necessary and fundamentall truths which constitute a Church are on both sides unquestioned We hope well of those holy souls who in former ages lived and dyed in the Church of Rome c. Nay our charity reacheth further to all those this day who in simplicity of heart beleeve the Roman Religion and professe it Doctor Pocklingtons Altare Christianum pag. 114. Termes Rome by the name of Holy Church and applauds her canonized Popish Saints stiling them The Holy Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ whose names are written in heaven And our Protestant Martyrs Traytors Murderers Rebels and Hereticks The Archbishop himselfe was a professed maintainer of the truth and visibility of the faith and Church of Rome not only in his Speech in the high Commission at Doctor Bastwicks censure there and in his Speech in Star-chamber pag. 36. but likewise in his late Reply to Fisher Epist Ded. p. 16. And were not this so we should never be troubled with that idle and impertinent question of theirs Where was your Church before Luther For it was just there where theirs is now One and the same Church still no doubt of that one in substance but not one in condition of State and purity Their part of the same Church remaining in corruption and our part of the same Church under Reformation In the Reply it selfe pag. 370. 371. Rome but with all particular Churches and no more than other Patriarchall Churches was and is radix existentiae the roote of the Churches existence The Church of Rome and every other particular Church c. Indeed Apostolike she is as being the See of one and he a prime Apostle but not the onely Apostolike Visible I may not deny God hath hitherto preserved her And p. 376. Secondly if the Religion of the Protestants be in conscience a known false Religion then the Romanists Religion is so too for their Religion is the same Nor do the Church of Rome and the Protestants set up a different Religion for the Christian Religion is the same to both but they differ in the same Religion and their difference is in certain grosse corruptions I shall close up this with a publike Recantation drawn up and prescribed by Godfry Goodman Bishop of Glocester to one Mr. Ridler Minister of Little Deane about 7. miles from that City who having many Papists in his Parish and preaching in a Sermon there That Papists as Papists were damned and that the true Protestant Religion was the onely true and safe way to Salvation he was upon the complaint of some Papists convicted before this Bishop and by him enjoyned to make this following Recantation prescribed to him in writing in the Cathedrall Church at Glocester on Jan. 2. 1636. and for refusing to make it he was afterwards on the 5. of March next following suspended from his living IHS IN the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Amen Whereas I did deliver in a Sermon lately preacht in this Diocesse That if we are saved the Papists are damned I am right heartily sorry that I should deliver any such doctrine wherein I must acknowledge mine owne errour and my great fault and offence First against his Majesties Instructions thus rashly and unadvisedly to affirme That Papists are damned Secondly it is an offence against the laws of the Kingdome For in the eye of the Law we are still one with the same Catholike Church for were we of a distinct or severall Church Then our Church could claim no right or Title to those Priviledges Charters Foundations and Revenues which it enjoyes at this day for these were granted to Papists and for many hundred yeares possessed by them and since there hath beene no new Law for transferring them upon a different or contrary Church But this is made much more manifest by the expresse words of the Statute as it appeares by the Act of Parliament which was made upon the first breach with the Papists the words are these That they do not thereby intend to seperate themselves from Gods Catholike Church but onely for some politicall respects to preserve the Kingdome from Ruine This was made the 25. of Hen. 8. and it is in force at this day so that to make such a difference between these two Churches as is between damnation and salvation certainly is against the Common Lawes and the Statute Law of this Kingdome besides many acts of State which being above my element I will not presume to touch upon Thirdly against the Church of England It is imposible there should be any greater offence in regard of the affinity that is between both Churches for we have the same Holy Orders the same Church Service the same Ceremonies the same Fasts the same Festivals and we have generally the same Canon Lawes and therefore
Majesties warrant to each of them so that herein I averre I did not offend unlesse that I gave not these men notice of it or asked them leave to obey the King To which it was answered First that the Arch-bishop confeseth clearly in his Speech and publisheth it to all the world in print That he made the alterations in this prayer which neither of his Predecessors Bancroft or Abbot durst once to think of or attempt Secondly That he esteemed Master Burtons and Master Prynnes dislike of him for making these alterations in extentation of the horrid Gunpowder-plot and favour of trairerous Jesuits Priests Romanists and the popish Religion a most transcendent crime worthy the severest bloodiest censure that ever was inflicted on any person in the Star-chamber as appeared by their herbarous Sentence there for which he heartily thanked the Lords in the close of his speech whereas his offence was certainly ten thousand times greater in making these alterations then theirs in charging him with them when himselfe confesseth and just fieth them or disliking them when made for such sinister popish ends Thirdly that his reasons to justifie these alterations to be fit and necessary were very absurd discovering the rottennesle of his heart with his extraordinary affection to popery and Papists His first reason that it was fit and necessary to make these Alterations to avoyd scandall and offence to Papists in calling their religion Rebellion c. was very unreasonable and absurd For since this clause had continued un-altered un-excepted against neer thirty yeers space together and was never deemed scandalous by K. James K. Charle's our subsequent Parliaments or Church which approved and confirmed it no solid reason can be given why it should grow unseasonable or scandalous only now so an as to call for a necessary alteration but that the Arch bishop and his confederates had now a new resolved plot to reconcile us to Rome and her Religion which former ages never had to which designethis clause might happily prove seandalous and obstructive Besides he could not but conclude the alteration of it after so many yeers continuance of purpose to gratifie Papists priests and Jesuits the sole contrivers of that marchlesse excerable Gunpowder-plot would give extraordinary seandall offence to all the whole Church State and cordiall protestants of Engl. and lay a secret tax if not a publike censure on them and on K. James for injuring the papists and their Religion even in these publike prayers neer thirty yeers spice together yet this zealous Romish Agent would rather scandalize censure injure our whole Church State parliaments King Iames with all true-hearted English protestants then give the lest scandall to the papists or suffer this just imputatation of Rehellion to continue upon their religion Moreover the whole parliament of 3. Iacobs in the Oath of Alleagiance then enjoyned with all our parliaments prelats Peers who since have approved it The second part of our authorized Homilies for Whit-sunday with our Homilies against wilful rebellion Bishop B â—â—on in his True difference between Christian Subjection and unchristian Rebellion Bishop Iewel in his Defence of the Apology of the Church of England part 4. p. 439. to 470. Doctor Iohn White in his Sermon at Pauls-Crosse and in his Defence of the Way ch 6. 11. Doctor Crakenthorp's Treatise of the Popes temporall Monarchy Deus Rex Haddon contra Osorium and generally all our Writers against the Popes supremacy at home and in the reformed Churches abroad resolve unanimously in their writings the Romanists Religion and Faith in the poynts of deposing excommunicating murthering Christian Princes Kings Emperours of absolving subjects from their alleagiance arming them against their Soveraigns by the Popes authority and command for not submitting to his tyrannicall or Antichristian Edicts it is meere Rebellion and Faction For this Arch-prelate then thus publikely to averre it a scandalous imputation to them and their religion and upon this ground to make these alterations in this prayer and not in all those Statutes Homilies Authors too is a most false absurd scandalous suggestion and in truth a meer evasion to colour his affection to papists their Antichristian Religion His second reason that it wil be of dangerous conquence sadly to avow that the Papists Religion is Rebelion because it is Christian religion and the same with ours is both fals fallacious for popish religion as popish is not Christian but Antichristian and though papists hold many points of Christian Religion as they are Christians yet not one point of it as Papists popery truly so called being no part of Christian Religion but deviations from or paradoxes against it Yea himselfe confessing That some opinions of theirs teach rebelion That 's apparently true which opinions of theirs are that part of their Religion which this prayer cals Rebellion refutes his owne Objection His third reason that if you make their religion to be rebelion then you make their religion and rebelion to be all one and that is against the ground both of State and Law c. which never put any man to death for Religion but for Treason and Rebellion onely is a meere childish fallacy For their Religion is not any actuall treason or rebellion for which only they suffered death but doctrinall and habituall rebelion prone to produce actuall rebellions and the mother of them in which sense onely this prayer stiles it Rebellion yet such for which no Romanist ever dyed unlesse he reduced it into some treasonable and rebellious action and then he suffered onely for the act not the Religion or opinion which induced him thereunto he might well then have spared these three irrationall reasons for this Alteration with this assertion of his p. 39. I took it my duty to lay it before you that the King had not onely Power but Reason to command it which onely aggravate not extenuate or justifie his fact his justification then rests solely upon the Kings command and warrant but this will not excuse his guilt For we have nothing but his own bare word in his own case to which no faith can be given having so often bin taken tardy in this kind to prove first that himselfe did not move the King to command these alterations to be made which is more than probable by his aleaging the reasons whereupon they were made and his activity in other changes of this nature Secondly that himself did not procure the Warrant for these Alterations after they were made and printed being written with his own hand and having no witnesse but himself to prove the date as he hath done in other cases Thirdly admit the command and warrant proceeded originally from the King himselfe not him yet he being by his place and office principally entrusted with the care honour safety of our Religion and Church so much concerned in these alterations it had been his duty to have disobeyed this command and disswaded his Majesty from such a
dishonourable scandalous and offensive act which would scandalize and disgust all his wel-affected protestant Subjects dishonour his owne royall Father King James our Parliaments Church State who all authorized approved used this prayer for thirty yeeres space together encourage Papists Priests Jesuits to such like horrid treasons and exceedingly animate elevate the popish faction causing them to deride if not to insult over the Protestants and our Church which must now alter retract her own approved Collects to gratifie them and their Antichristian Religion But so farre is he from this that he readily obeyes the first command without the lest disswasion resistance without advising with or giving notice thereof to any other of his Brethren the Privy-Counsell Judges and other publike persons as much concerned in it as himselfe to whom he ought to have given notice and asked their leave at least opinions herein ere he obeyed the King though not Master Burtons and Master Prynnes being more ready to obey than his Majesty to command them Finally admit his Majesty had commanded him to make these alterations yet for him in his owne cause in an open Court of Justice where by Law he ought not to have been present or spoken as a Judge to lay all the Odium of these alterations with all his other Innovations in Religion only on his Majesty to render him odious to his people to cloke his own shame extenuate his own guilt and then to publish it in print to all the World to his perpetuall dishonour when there was no necessity and that by pretext of his Majesties speciall command was such a disloyalty and transcendent aggravation of his crime as no age can paralell no punishment expiate but that which the Gunpowder Traytors justly suffered Besides this after the publication of his â—peech in Star-chamber he specially imployed Doctor Heylin to iustifie these alterations to the world in print in his Moderate Answer to the seditious and scandalous chalenges of Henry Burton as he stiles them written by his * speciall command and licensed by his Chaplaine p. 150. to 157. and ordered Christopher Dowe to second him herein in his Innovations unjustly charged upon the present Church and State p. 136 to 14â— where thus he writes Secondly I say that the alteration of those Prayers being done by the same authority that first set them forth it is neither for him nor me nor anyother of inferiour ranke to question them but with humble reverence to submit to their judgements and to think them wiser and farre more fit to order those things that belong to then places than we whom it neither concernes nor indeed can know the reasons that move them either to doe or alter anything But more particularly that which he objecteth against the former is that they would not hereby have all Jesuits and Papists termed a Babylonish and Antichristian Sect but restraine it to some few of them and mentally transferre it to those Puritanes who cry downe with Babylon that is popery But what then what if out of a charitable respect to those which in that Religion are peaceable and honest men as no doubt but some of them whatsoever Master B. beleeves of them are such they are not willing nor think it fit to pray for the rooting up and confusion of all Papists indiscriminatim under those harsh termes surely charitably minded Christians cannot but approve such an alteration if there were no other ground than that for it As for any mans transferring it to Puritanes that is as meer a surmise as it is a false slander that any of those whom he intimates doe call Rome Jerurusalem or Popery the true Catholique Religion Yet I know not why such furious cryers downe of popery as Master B. hath shewed himselfe may not be accounted of a Baby lonish and Antichristian Sect as well as any Jesuit in the world nor why we may not pray and that with better reason than Master B. would have men to doe and under those titles against the Hierarchy of our church that God would root them out of the Land c. Wherein he makes zealous opposers of popery those the world then stiled Puritanes more dangerous persons and fitter to be rooted out of the Land as a Babylonish Antichristian Sect than papists or Jesuits Now thus to justifie this alteration in so daring impudent a manner in favour of popery priests Papists Jesuits what a transcendent crime it is and of what a rotten popish spirit it savours let all impartiall persons determine The third purgation made by himselfe discovering the hidden popery of his heart is his purging out this notable clause against popery in the first Collect of the publike book of prayers appointed at the generall Fast for ceasing the Plague in the yeere 1636. Thou hast delivered us from Superstition and Idolatry wherein we were utterly drowned and hast brought us into the most cleare and confortable light of thy blessed Word by which we are taught how to serve and honouor thee and how to live orderly with our Neighbours in truth and verity The King by his Proclamation Anno 1636. commanded that the Booke of prayers for the Fast formerly set forth by authority should be reprinted re-published and likewise used in all Churches and places at the publike meetings during this Fast The Arch-bishop instead of re-printing the book formerly set forth by authority purgeth this clause out of it in the new impression though used in the Fast-books upon like occasions in Queen Elizabeths and King James their severall reignes and in that of 1. Caroli and that upon these very grounds which should have moved him to retaine it still had his heart been upright or sincere to God and our Religion because it layes a just censure and blemish upon popery by stiling it superstition and idolatry and thankfully recites Gods goodnesse to us in delivering us from Popish superstition and idolatry wherein we were utterly drowned and bringing us into the most cleare and comfortable light of his holy Word by which we are taught how to serve and honour him c. A clause so pious so just and equitable that it is almost a miracle how any but a most inveterate Papist could except against it yet this Arch bishop is so irreconcileably angry with it that it must be wholy obliterated and quite omitted out of this new impression and that without any speciall order or command from his Majesty which he pleaded for the former alterations in the Gunpowder-treason book or any suggestion from Papists Priests or Jesuits who were scandalized with it for he doth not so much as pretend any such thing in his justification of this purge but by his owne papall authority contrary to his Majesties Proclamation out of his own metro popish genius which perswades us that the former alcerations in the book for the fift of Novem. proceeded originally from himself too as well as this however he would translate it to the
should wonder both at the mans selfe and at the mans men not at the Jesuits onely and the Seminary Priests you shall not know them to make them the wonderment But the Recusant Papist yea every profest Papist let us wonder at them too They wax in number and in spirit and their mouthes speak presumptious things Think you they censure that treason from their heart surely I will think that he that sayes as the Pope sayes will also doe as the Pope does Say he comes to Church and hold the Kings supremacy tamen Romanus est as Segismond the Emperour said of a Cardinall yet he is a Papist nullus est fidus eorum affectus quorum est diversa fides therefore trust not that man that holds any Popery if he kisse like a Serpent he sure will sting too his peace is with thee but rebus sit stantibus he is that womans Son he thirsts for blood even thy blood that embraceth him he sayes with Esau in his heart the dayes of mourning for Isaac will come one day then I will kill my Brother Iaâ—cob but let us wonder Ibid. page 286. l. 10. these words are expunged Instance but in the Pope he is but one Serpent but a great one Draco magnus in the Apocalipse He curseth Kings and States by his Bâ—le that is his Hisse murders and massacres by his Jesuits they are his sting page 416. l. 25. I will not say the Jew but surely the Gentile before the Jesuit page 420. l. 14. Rome is no Court of Arches to license the Jesuit to teach where he will page 427. l. 6. No Papist no right Papist is a right Israelite for there is guile in him page 435. l. 5. The Epieâ—re Jesuits and Stoick Priests call these Calvinists bablers others of them say they set forth strange gods for they preach to the people Iesus sola sides a Male God and a Female may we not know what this doctrine this new doctrine whereof these Calvinists speak is we will know what these things doe meane Unhappy Recusants Page 348. l. 6. To so many hearers so intelligent little need application yet the times crave it Is not this Land a limbe of this Ierusalem of Jerusalem it is but not of this not of David's Ierusalem you heare Jerusalem taxt roughly by the Prophet both for murther and adultery for shedding Saints blood and serving strange gods England is no persecutor but it is an halter between two Religions Dagon affronts Gods Arke here 's both Eucharist and Masse Babylon is in Ierusalem It 's not unworthy the observing that Jerusalem in the Originall tongue is of the Duall number there are two Ierusalems David bidâ— pray for Ierusalems peace but whether Ierusalem that surely which he here describes where is Unity v. 2. Religion v. 4. and Justice v. 5. Ierusalem is a City that is at Unity within it self thither goe up the Tribes to prayse the Lord and there are our seats of judgement Is our Jerusalem such schisme in the Church and faction in the State shew there is no Unity Popery and Atheisme spread over the whole Land prove there is small Religion and impunity lesse Justice and may we pray for peace on this Ierusalem we may but yet it must be by some other Text pray we may for any Moses did for Israel though fallen greivously Samuel for Saul though a grand sinner we may well curse though happily in vaine for God sayes non est pax there 's no peace to the wicked sinne at length captiv'd Israel sackt the City raced the Temple nunc seges est grasse growes at Ierusalem Yet despaire not daughter Zion return our Sullamite there 's no peace to the wicked cease we to doe evill sorry we for sinnes heartily weep we pray we God for peace we shall have peace the prodigious pride of women their wanton vanities censured often by preachers but in vaine they will come with them to Church in spite of us I think in spite of Angels too who are ever present in our Church and the drunkennesse of men their whoredomes and blasphemies draw downe divine revenge on our Jerusalem France will be Gods â—od and Spaine will be his hammer to scourge and beat Ierusalem to powder mature repentance will preuent all and peace will be on Israel And page 445. 446. Jesuits must speak for Mammon he is their god There are seekers of soules a phrase frequent in Scripture seekers of blood Iesuits are such seek fooles they should Iesus selfe did it he sought to save them Iesuits doe but to destroy them They Querere animas but not in Christs sense in Satane sense to devour them they seek carefully for they will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do as the devil does walk about the world to doe that worke There are seekers of lyes v. 42. The Church of Rome swarmes with such seekers That 's from below too another of Satans seekers whom Christ cals father of lyes These passages are all deleted by the Lincenser as heterodox In Master Ward 's Comentary upon Matthew these clauses were purged out by the Licenser fol. 120. Thirdly Fishes i. e. men not onely rich men but all men and therefore the Monks are but bad fishers who fish onely for great and rich men labouring onely to draw them into their nets Fol. 148. First my servants shall drink and ye shall be thirsty and therefore it is a great insolency in the Papists thus diametrally to contradict the direct promises of God Secondly Aliquando bonus dormit Homâ—rus wise men may play the foole sometimes and subtle Sophisters dispute absurdly as our witty country-man Stapleton doth in this present Argument disputing thus c. Secondly if our country-man Stapleton had not been a professor of Divinity and a teacher of others he might have gone to the Logick professor to learne to frame a better Argument this thus framed by him being so absurd Those that desire temporall things are wicked therefore those who want temporall things are not happy he had need look well to this Syllogisme or Argument least with its foure feet it runne away from him Fol. 154. Secondly there is an anlawfull Hospitality which is shewed to Traytors Jesuits popish Priests Fourthly they are faulty here who give unto the rich as the Papists who plentifully feast the fat Monks and send large presents to the Jesuits and Capâ—chins Secondly there are sowers of discord in Kingdomes viz. those who instigate others unto warres as the Cardinals and Jesuits upon every occasion doe whisper in the eares of Princes to make warre upon their Neighbours when they perceive any advantage to be had thereby Fol. 212. Secondly adde nothing to the Word of God Neither first the chaffe of superstition with the Papists Nor secondly Machavillinisme and unwarrantable policy with some Statists Neither thirdly New opinions c. Fol. 213. Secondly that is no true sense of Scripture which doth make any sentence in Scripture false as the Papists
obliteterated and not suffered to passe the Presse transcends our capacities to apprehend but onely that they somewhat thwart the Papists 11. Passages deleted against Auricular Confession of our Sinnes to Popish Priests IN Doctor Clerks Sermons page 443. this passage is expunged Saint James is flat for that Auricular confession Apostolicall too was it not to the Priests that Iudas said peccavi confest he had sinned in betraying innocent blood In Master Wards Comentary on Matthew written copy f. 10. this is deleted First the Papists answer hereunto that the parts of repentance are three to wit first contrition or as some of them say Attrition secondly Auricular confession Thirdly Satisfaction of Merit Idem fol. 125. Secondly confesse and make knowne thy temptations to some pious and faithfull friend Here we blame Auricular popish confession first because it doth discover lascivious and wanton women secondly because it is ordinarily enjoyned and thirdly held to be a work deserving pardon opere operato But first if men not women would confesse themselves and secondly not alwayes but in a case of conscience when his corruptions are likely to prevaile against him yea thirdly not the sinnes committed already but onely the temptations and provocations and assaults unto sinne and fourthly not to confesse to every one but to some pious prudent discreet and grave friend or Minister c. we blame it not Idem fol. 227. Ans 4. A wounded conscience is of all burthens the heaviest to a circumcised heart thy sinnes be forgiven thee we see Christ here neither requires confession nor demands or reserves satisfaction of this sick man but wholly takes away his sinnes to teach us that Christ pardons our sinnes truly Heb. 8. 12. Ier. 31. 31. c. Isa 43. 25. Heb. 10. 17. Answ 4. Popish auricular confession we tax for three things namely first ob coactionem c. secondly ob enumerationem thirdly ob finem falsum because the end propounded therein by the Papists is false for they teach men to confesse their sinnes that by the peoples confession and the Priests absolution their sinnes may be taken away and pardoned by God opere operato even by the bare work wrought The Papists command Confession for these two ends viz. First that their confession may take away sinnes with God and this they labour and dispute strongly for and relate many fables to prove it if the studious Reader desire a view of their Fables he may find some in Antidot Anim pag. 145. Col. 3. 149. Col. 3. 2. they have worse ends of their confession then these and that is to reveale whores whoredomes and the like read Antidot Anim. p. 145. Col. 3. 4. Ibidem part 1. pag. 115. Quest 5. seeing that it is lawfull and in some cases requisite that some persons should sometimes confesse some sinnes unto their Pastors and that the Pastor should admonish and advise them hereunto as was shewed Mat. 3. 6. when their consciences are troubled with any sinne then whether ought Ministers to take an oath of secresie the rather to induce men to confesse freely An. There are two things here to be considered of for the resolution of this question viz. First whether it be lawfull And 2. whether it be expedient First we must consider whether it be lawfull to take such an Oath of secresie or not First I thinke no man denies except the Anabaptists that in generall it is lawfull by Gods law to take an oath either first assertory secondly promissory upon weighty cause though it be not before a Magistrate Secondly although the positive law threaten a Premunire to him who imposeth an oath without authority yet I know no danger to him who assumes it willingly and voluntarily But thirdly whether this particular Oath be against our lawes I want skill to determine for on the one side concealment in some cases makes a man accessary though after the fact and what may not be performed must not be promised especially by oath On the other side the ancient Canons of the Church forbid upon great penalty to reveale confessions and our Law 1. Eliz. confirme all the Canons that are not opposite to the Word of God as I suppose this not to be Secondly we must consider whether it be expedient or not to take such an Oath This is the greater Question and must be resolved by the grounds moving it for whatsoever is lawfull in this must be judged fit or unfit Hypothesi according to the fit or unfit circumstances which cloth it first therefore if first the confitent being burdened in conscience and desirous to unfold his sore be hindred by feare or shame of publike discovery and secondly if there be no other end in the pastor but to free him from this feare I see no reason why he may not by such a reverend protestation assure him of that whereto his own office and conscience bind him for as the Canons cōmands concealment so Zozomen speaking of the times within three hundred yeers of Christ saith such men as are burthened in conscience and desire to unfold their griefes must choose for their Confessor a man upright of life prudent and secretorum tenacem a faithfull concealer of secrets But Secondly if the Minister use such an oath as an assuring bait to draw unwilling men to confesse for the satisfying of his own curiosity or private ends non laudo it can neither be defended commended nor excused But Thirdly I must adde that seeing temptations lurk secretly in the heart it is safer to leave them to the hearts great searcher then to condemne them upon ungrounded suspition unlesse made evident by some disclosing circumstances wherein it is both more commendable and charitable to suspect a great deale too little then a little too much hoc est consilium fidele verax c. 12. Passages deleted against the Arbitrary Tyrannicall power of Kings disobedience to their unjust popish and wicked commands resisting their tyranny and the mortality of Kings IN Master Wards Comentary upon Matthew f. 324. in the written copy the Licenser obliterated this ensuing discourse on Mat. 22. 21. Give unto Caesar the things which are Caesars Quest Whether is it altogether unlawfull to resist civill power when it is wicked and unjustly oppresseth the Church and Common-wealth and compelleth Subjects to commit adultery and persecutes true Religion with fire and faggot Answ 1. First it is lawfull for Ministers to reprehend and rebuke the sinnes of all who are under their charge and consequently Kings Princes Peers and Magistrates when they offend as is evident both by the examples of the Apostles and Prophets and also from these places 1 Tim. 5. 20. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Heb. 13. 17. In which place it is said that Pastors shall give account for those Magistrates which perish under their charge Secondly it is lawfull for the inferiour and subordinate Magistrates to defend the Church and Common-wealth when the supreame Magistrate degenerates and falleth
that the Licenser changed this passage in Doctor Jones his Comentary on the Hebrewes page 106. We have begun in pure and sound Religion let us not END in Popery into let us not end in prophanenesse yet behold these purgers ending not only in Popery but Libertinisme and prophanensse too in the highest degree as their expunging these clauses to omit hundreds of like nature evidence In Mr. Ward 's Comentary on Matthew p. 161. they deleted this period Thirdly they Professors must be carefull to stop the mouthes of morall civill honest men who usually object that they are not so proud covetous idle revengefull angry and selfe-conceited as Professors are for they are Pharises toward others and little better then Publicans in themselves Let those therefore who call upon the Name of the Lord depart from all iniquity and let them labour to abound in all vertues both morall and Theologicall that so our profession may be praised both of prophane and civill men Page 147. in the same Author Thirdly another reason why we must never sinne at all is because sinne is like Penalopes Webbe and therefore to admit of one were to cast our selves as farre back as ever we were wherefore we must so runne that we may attaine and so follow Gods Plough that we look not backe the sow who after her washing turnes her selfe to her former wallowing becomes as filthy as ever and man by a willing running or falling into sinne becomes as far off from God and odious unto him as ever and therefore we must take no liberty unto sinne at all And page 217. Secondly those are here blame-worthy who after a generall call to the profession of the gospel live wickedly turning the grace of God into wantonnesse Jude 4. and ending in the flesh though they began in the Spirit Gal. 5. 19 certainly these are the worst of all in the Lords esteem this not being the perswasion of him who called them TO these purgations infinite others might be accumulated enough to make many whole Folio Volumes but for brevitie sake we shall pretermit them all these here mentioned for the Readers fuller satisfaction clearer discovery of this prelats popish intentions not being read at large at the Lords Bar but onely the principall of them the rest but pointed at though all there actually produced in generall collections of them to husband time and avoyd tediousnesse in this kind of evidence Now we appeal to all the world and every mans conscience who shal impartially peruse these severall orthodox passages expunged out of new licensed books by the Archb. and his Agents before they could passe the Presse the like whereof was never heard of in any Protestant Church but onely in Romish Babel and compare them with the severall forementioned Popish Doctrines Superstitions Errours Clauses authorized by them in other late printed Pamphlets to corrupt the People whether they be not a most full satisfactory experimentall irrefragable Evidence to convince your Lordships and all gainesayers of the Arch-bishops reall Endeavours utterly to subvert the Protestant Religion and introduce the whole body of popery with arbitrary power and tyranny among us without any publike opposition notwithstanding all his meer verball protestations to the contrary most apparently contradicted refuted by these his popish purgations uncapable of any justification or excuse unparalleld by any Protestant Prelates unheard of in any Protestant Church or in our own before his cominâ—ering in it unpractised by any but onely popish Inquisitors in their Indices Expurgatorâ—y wherein we find the very selfe-same passages in substance yea and some of them in terminis deleted out of Classicall Authors which this Arch-bishop and his Chaplaines have obliterated out of our Protestant Writers as you may evidently discerne by these few particular instances in the Index Librorum expurgatorum by Gasper Quiroga Cardinall and Arch-bishop of Toledo and generall Inquisitor for Spaine Salmuri 1601. wherein I find these with sundry other like clauses expunged out of the Index to Saint Augustine's Works set out by Froben The Annotations to the Bible of Robert Stephanus Erasmus and others Eucharistiam non esse sacrificium sed sacrificij memoriam Fides sola justificat Justi summus sola fide Justos ab injustis fides discernit non opera Imaginum usus prohibitus Matrimonium omnibus concessum qui continere non volunt Opera nostra noe non salvare Peccata venialia damnant Qui Sabbathum observat sanctificat Sacra sunt venalia Romae Culum est venale Densque Roma ipsa Lupanar Facta est toto execrabilis orbe Christus solâ—â— pacificator justificator Non meremur beatitudinem de condiguo Vult Dominus Altare terreum nos autem marmoreum construâ—mus Episcopus non differt a Presbytere Sacerdos Episcopus olim idem Monachi olim non fuerunt siâ—ut hodis c. Voterum nulla vincula apud veteres Monaches Boatissime pater audit Romanus Pontifexâ— Tuin euim glorificatur nomen Dei cum nihil nosiris meritis sed totum tribuitur illius â—isericordiae Templorum supervacaneus ornatus Alienis meritis operibus nemo juvetur Fides etiam in tentatione manet Summum malum est in operibus nosiris meritis confidere hoc cum est meritum Christi blasphâ—mâ—re Confitenda Deo peccata non homini Scripturae divinae omnibus voleutibus perviae faciles Seripiuras legere omnibus etiam mundâ—nis praeceptum Sanctorum invocationem pracavit Joâ—nnes Salut non ex Meritis Imagines pictas contra Religionem esse scribit Epiphanus Imagines vel siaâ—uas Dei cultores adorarâ— non debent c. What affinity there is between these purgations of this popish Spanish Inquisitor and those of this English Archprelate his Agents you may easily discern by comparing both together therupon necessarily conclude that their intentions were alike popish because their Practises Purgations are so parallell Only there are these remarkable differences between them First that these purgations made by him and his Agents are far more grosse in sundry particulars then any we find in this or any other Romish Inquisitors Index Expurgatorem Secondly that they were made by this Arch-prelat and his Chaplaines who professed himselfe a zealous Protestant and who in respect of his very calling supreame authority in our Church and the great trust reposed in him ought rather to have authorized then purged out these passages especially in such times when we were all generally running headlong unto popery and apostatizing unto Rome when as all these other deleatures were made by professed papists only in popish Kingdomes Churches when they were falling off to the protestant Religion which they endeavovred to prevent By this Card you may see and suppresse what compasse this Arch-director and Corrector of our Church did sayle by and what forraigne port he was making to The precedent branch of the Evidence against the Arch-bishop hath given most ample proof of the seventh and ninth Originall Articles
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
frequent disputes a defender and setter up of Images and Altars That he said in his hearing That none but ignorant Calvinist Bishops did put down Altars at the beginning of reformation and that they were worse then Jesuites That he was much offended with the Homilyes against the Perill of Idolatry against setting up Images in Churches and said that he would have these Homilyes put out of the Homily-Book and wondred why they were suffered to continue in it so long A fit Cathedralist to make a Bishop afterwards and a great companion and friend of Sancta Clara. In Octob. 1631. Peter Heylin this Arch-Prelates great Creature and Votary who resigned himselfe to his directions and command in all things as appeares by an Epistle in a Manuscript Sermon of his found in the Archbishops study was by his order and procurement presented to the Rectory of Hemingford and in November following to a Prebendary in Westminster and in November 1632. he procured him a Presentation to the Rectory of Haughton in the Diocesse of Durham In September 1631. Dr Thomas Bletchenden by his order and procurement was promoted to a Prebends place in the Cathedrall of Canterbury and Dr William Bray to another Prebendary in the same Church November 13. 1637. by his order too Mr Thomas Lushington was by his order presented to a Prebendary in the Cathedrall Church of Sarum in June 1931. Dr John Weekes in December 1633. was by his order presented to a Prebendary in the Cathedrall of Bristol Dr Brian Duppa Jan. 1633. was by his order presented to the Chancellorship of Sarum and the Prebendary of Bridgenorth thereto annexed and May 19. 1638. to the Rectory of Petworth Dr Iohn Bramhall June 1632. was by his order presented to a Prebendary in York Cathedrall Dr William Beale Octob. 1637. was by his order and procurement presented to the Rectory of Pauls Perry of which two others were unjustly deprived in the High Commission to make way for his promotion to it Dr William Brough Jan. 19. 1938. by his order was presented to a Prebends place in the Church of Windsor In May 1639. by his order Dr Samuel Baker was preferred to a Prebends place in the Cathedrall of Canterbury and Tho. Brown to a Prebends place in the Collegiate Church of Windsor July 29 1640. Dr Mumford by his order was presented to the Rectory of Anesby what other Arminian Popish Superstitious Scandalous Persons were advanced to livings by him and how he poysoned our Church with such almost in every place the World may see at large in Mr John Whites first Century of Scandalous Ministers We shall only add this one thing more that even after his Commitment for high Treason he still interposed in preferring Superstitious Episcopall Clergy men of his faction to his Majesties livings as well as to those in his own gift as we shall evidence by this Letter of his to the King seised by Mr Prynne among his other Papers all written and thus endorsed with his own hand For the Kings most Excellent Majestie which was answered by the King himselfe in the Margent with his own hand in this ensuing forme May it please your Majestie I Conceive the Great Seal being left as it is your Majestie will bestow all such livings as shall be voyde and were usually in the gift of the Lord Keeper of what value soever they be You are right This I tooke my duty to put your Majestie in minde of since it in part belongs to the service which your Majestie was wont to trust me with And I am the more bold to put your Majestie in minde of this because by this meanes if you please to make use of it you may the sooner provide both for the Scottish-men which suffer and for other men which have served your Majesty at sea At this time I am informed that the Rectory of Ashen in Northamptonshire is voyd and in your Majesties gift It is thought not to exceed one hundred pound a year The Bishop of Brechen hath a sonne if your Majestie please that is ready to take Orders and may be fit for it Give Order accordingly C. R. And by that meanes may be some helpe to his father who certainly needes it If your Majestie like of this and let me know so much I shall give warrant for it accordingly But I submit all this and my own unhappy condition to Gods will and your Majesties Your Majesties most humble servant though unfortunate W. Cant. Jan. 3. 1640. What a Plague and Poyson these Arminian Popish Prelates Deanes Prebends Heades of houses Parsons and Vicars thus advanced by him proved to our Church how near they had reduced us back to Rome and how much they endangered the utter extirpation of our Protestant Religion is so experimentally knowne to all men so plentifully evidenced in the premised proofes that we may confidently averr had not God himself miraculously from heaven by the late Scottish Troubles and happy convention of this present Parliament retarded prevented and utterly frustrated their dangerous proceedings and Jesuiticall designes in these three kingdomes in all probability we had long ere this been totally over-run with Popery and the zealous Professors of the Protestant Religion in all three been either totally extirpated and massacred as some hundred thousands of them have been of late in Ireland or banished their own Countrey into forraigne Climes or left to the mercy of the bloody Papists and these their Popish Confederates whose tender mercies are but cruelties This crime then of his is no lesse then treasonable and capitall being so destructive both to Church and Kingdome As he thus preferred Popish and Arminian Clergy men to the chiefe Ecclesiasticall preferments in our Church so on the contrary following the counsell of Contzen the Mogountine Jesuit in his Politicks he discountenanced suspended silenced suppressed censured imprisoned persecuted most of the prime orthodox diligent preaching Ministers in the Realme and forced many of them to fly into America Holland and other forraigne places to avoyd his fury only for opposing his Popish Innovations and expressing their feares of the change of our religion by the encrease of Popery and Popish Superstitions Not to trouble you with any forementioned instances of Master Peter Smart Mr Henry Burton Mr Snelling and others we shall instance in some fresh examples Mr Samuel Ward of Ipswich a most reverend orthodox and learned Minister of speciall eminency was by this Archbishops meanes on the 26. of Novemb. 1635. as appeares by the High Commission Records censured in the High Commission at Lambeth and there suspended from his Lecture and Ministry and every part thereof till absolved by his Majesty enjoyned a publike submission and recantation such as the High Commissioners should prescribe condemned in expences and costs of suite and committed to prison For preaching in some of his Sermons at Ipswich against Bowing at the name of Iesus the Booke of sports on the Lords day and saying that
worshipping them whereby they Symbolize with the Church of Rome very shamefully to the irreparable Shipwracke of many soules who split upon this rocke The Papists teach that it is impossible to be saved in our Church and our Religion Some of ours at least in outward profession teach that it is possible to be saved in the Romish Religion and Church hence an unsettled judgement concludes if we may agree in Heaven why do we not agree and meet each other halfe way on earth And hence we have many Cassanders among us who meditate and wish a reconciliation between the Church of Rome and ours and to be sure say the unsettled it is the safest way to be members of that Church wherein both sides agree that salvation is to be had then of that Church in which one side onely affirmes it and that a party And this fills Rome with English proselites What can we thinke lesse of those men who by their Symbolizing with the Church of Rome in Doctrine and Worship give occasion thereunto then that they are enemies to this Church and Nation I say they are enemies and therefore let us take up armes against them But what armes Preces Ecclesiae sunt arma Ecclesiae let us pray these men either to conversion if it be Gods blessed will or to their destruction fiat justitia pereant illi And let us use that prayer against them which David used against Achitophell with which I will conclude all O Lord turne the councell of all these crafty Achitophells into folly who go about to lay the honour of this Church and Nation in the dust by depriving us of the purity of any of thy Ordinances for thy publique Worship which are the glory of this our Israel For these clauses Mr Bernard was most severely sentenced in the High Commission by this Bishops violent Prosecution Suspended his Ministry excommunicated fined a thousand pounds imprisoned condemned in costs of suite committed prisonet to the new Prison where he lay sundry moneths being most barbarously used and almost starved for want of necessaries of which he complained to the Bishop by sundry Letters and Petitions found in his study with Mr Bernards Sermon and the informations against him endorsed with the Bishops own hand and produced at the Barre but could find no reliefe unlesse he would make this ensuing Recantation sent to him by the Bishop and thus endorsed with his own pen Septem 11. 1632 A Copy of a Recantation tendered to Mr Bernard Lecturer of Sepulchers about a Sermon that he preached at Cambridge He refused this Recantation Mr. Bernards RECANTATION WHereas in a Sermon made by me in this place the sixt of May last upon this Text. The glory is departed from Israel because the Arke of God was taken 1 Sam. 4. 21. I had this Passage And the Apostle Rom. 1. 16. affirmeth of the preaching of the Gospel that it is the power of God to salvation Idest it is that meanes by which God manifesteth his omnipotent and irresistable power in the conversion and salvation of all those who from Eternity were ordained thereunto by Gods absolute and immutable Decree And I do here publikely acknowledge that hereby contrary to his Majesties command in his Declaration lately published and printed with the Articles of Religion I did go beyond the generall meaning of that place of Scripture and of the said Articles And draw the same to maintaine the one side of some of these ill raised differences which his Majesties said Declaration mentioneth And this I did rather out of a desire to thrust in some-what into my said Sermon in affirmation of one side of the said differences then any wayes occasioned by the Text I then preached of For which I here publikely professe my hearty sorrow and do humbly crave pardon of God Almighty of his Majestie and of this Congregation And whereas in the same Sermon I had this passage If Gods Ordinances for his publique 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 publique Worship either in whole or in the best part of them id est 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 bee their own Nation for Treason is not limited to the royall blood as if he only could be a Traytor who plotteth and attempteth the dishonour or 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 one part alone Whereby we may learne what to account of those among our selves if any such bee which is better knowne to you then to mee who endeavour to quench the light and abase 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 Worship of God as high Altars Crucifixes and bowing to them id est in plain English Worshipping them whereby they symbolize with the Church of Rome very shamefully to the irreparable Shipwracke of many soules who split upon this rocke I doe now upon better information finde that mary erronious and daungerous assertions and consequences unfitting to bee here expressed may bee collected and inferred out of the said Wordes And I doe therefore hereby publiquely recant all the said wordes as they are an use or inference and application used by me to be very rashly and inconsiderately uttered and to be very undutifull towards his Majestie I doe humbly referre and submitt my selfe to his Majesties Clemency and gracious acceptance for the interpretation of my meaning of the same And I am heartily sorry and doe humbly crave pardon that wordes and applications so scandalous to the present state of the Church of England and so dangerous proceeded from mee Thirdly whereas in the same Sermon I had this passage By Gods Ordinances here I understand chiefely the word Sacraments and Prayer in that purity and integrity wherein the Lord Christ left them not blended and adulterated with any Superstitious Inventions of man for then they cease to be Gods Ordinances and hee ownes them us longer I desire that this passage may be taken and understood as I spake and meant it and not otherwise That is not that I hold all humane Inventions added to Gods Ordinances to be Superstiticus for I account that tenet not onely false but palpably absurd and foolish But to exclude all those humane Inventions which may hinder the preservation of the Doctrine and Discipline of this Church of England in that Purity and Integrity wherein through Gods gracious goodnesse by his Majesties Lawes Ecclesiasticall we doe enjoy them Fourthly and lastly whereas by
some other passages in my said Sermon I was as I understand conceived by some not onely to cast aspersions upon the present State of our Church and some principall Members and parts thereof thereby to bring it and them into scandall and dislike But even under some ambiguous words to move to take up armes for redresse although with recalling or restraining the same in termes afterward and saying thus Let us pray these men either to conversion if it be Gods blessed will or to their destruction Fiat justitia pereant illi and calling them crafty Achitophells c. I doe here acknowledge and professe I had no such Intentions neither doe I know any cause why my selfe or any other should so bitterly invay against any in our Church I am therefore heartily sorry that I gave cause to any of the hearers to conceive so And I humbly crave pardon for it For refusing to make this strange prescribed Recantation this godly Minister though he in generall termes professed his syncere sorrow and penitency for any Oversights and unbeseeming Expressions in his Sermon both in his Petitions and Letters to the Bishop which would not suffice was for a long time deteined in the New Prison there miserably abused by the Keepers of which he oft complained without redresse and in conclusion utterly ruined for speaking out the truth Wee shall close this branch of our Evidence with this observation That as Rewards and Punishments rightly distributed are the greatest incentives to vertue piety learning and retractives from vice error superstition so when they are perverted misplaced they become the grandest discouragements to Piety Religion the strongest attractives to Heresie Popery and all kinde of Superstitions Schollers commonly looke most of all after preferments yea make it their principall study to comply with those mens Opinions and Practifes who are the chiefe Bestowers of them No wonder therefore that our poor Church was sodainly overspread with a generation of Arminian Popish Superstitious Ceremonious prophane Prelaticall Clergy-men when all or most Ecclesiasticall preferments were in this Arch-Prelates disposall who for the most part advanced none but such but discountenanced suppressed persecuted kept back from preferments most orthodox zeal us preaching Divines who would not comply with his Popish Innovations and Designes It is very observable that the Archbishop himselfe records in his Diary April 5. 1625. How he presented to the Duke of Buckingham by his command a Schedule wherein the Names of Ecclesiasticall persons were written under the Letters O. that is orthodox in his sence to wit Arminians or persons addicted to Popish Errors and Superstitions and P. that is Puritans who was to deliver them to King CHARLES Ever since which time Mountague Manwaring Wren with such like unorthodox Clergy-men have been advanced and all Puritans as they termed them kept from preferment And it is as considerable what Mr Chaloner deposed to this purpose That being in Rome about five yeares since Friar John the great agent there for our English Benedictines and Catholiques was very inquisitive and demanded seriously of him Whether the Archbishop of Canterbury had not the bestowing of all Ecclesiasticall preferments and livings in England especially those in the Kings gift Seeming to be confident they were all then in his dispose and thereupon assuring himselfe that he would advance such persons to them as should be most favourable most plyable to Popery and Papists to drive on their designes as they did indeed with a witnesse till this Parliament imployed their diligence and power to weed them out by Degrees And therefore his advancement of such unsound corrupt Popish Clergy-men on the One and suppressing good Orthodox Preaching Ministers on the other side must necessarily import a most desperate design in him to supplant our established Religion by such a Generation of Vipers who would eat out the very bowells of their own Protestant Mother Church and Religion by Degrees The sixth Branch of the Commons Evidence to make good their first Generall Charge of the Archbishops endeavours to subvert our Religion and introduce Popery WEE shall now advance our progresse from this to the sixth Branch of our Evidence to make good our generall Charge of this Archbishops Traytorous Practises and Endeavours to subvert our true Protestant Religion and introduce Popish Superstition and Idolatry to wit His Iesviticall Practises Plots and Proceedings by himselfe and his Instruments to suppresse the frequent and powerfull Preaching of the Gospel on Lords-dayes Weeke-dayes with all Lecturers and Lectures throughout the Kingdome and the Feoffees for Impropriations a principall meanes to maintaine the same and his silencing suspending many godly Ministers in all parts upon frivilous illegall Pretences that so Popish Errours Superstitions might flow in and grow up the faster with none or little publique Opposition This is fully charged against him in the eleventh Originall Article and sixth Additionall which were read upon this occasion The first and most pernicious Plot this Prelate layd to suppress Preaching Lectures and Lecturers was drawn up by himselfe under his own hand soon after the Parliaments dissolution in tertio Caroli and presented by him to the King under this specious title which he gave it Considerations for the better settling of the Church-Government The Originall draught whereof written with his own hand and found in his study by Mr Prynne was produced and read in forme following Considerations for the better settling of the Church-Government That his Majesty would be graciously pleased 1. TO Command the Lords the Bishops to their severall seas excepting those which are in attendance at Court 2. That none of them reside upon his Land or Lease that he hath purchased or on his Commendam if he hold any but in one of his Episcopall Houses And that hee wast not the woods where any are left 3. That they give charge in their Tryenniall Visitations and at other times both by themselves and the Archdeacons that the Declaration for settling the questions in difference be strictly observed 4. That a speciall Charge be given them against frequent and unworthy Ordinations 5. That a speciall Care be had over the Lecturers in every Diocesse Which by Reason of their pay are the peoples creatures and blow the Bellowes their way Sedition For the abating of whose power these wayes may be taken 1. That the afternoon Sermons in all Parishes may be turned into Catechising by Questions and Answers according to an Order set out by King Iames of blessed Memory If this cannot be then 2. That every Bishop ordain in his Diocesse that every Lecturer doe read Divine service in his Surplisse before the Lecture 3. That where a Lecture is set up in a Market Town it be read by a Combination of grave and orthodox Divines neer adjoyning 4. That if an Incorporation do maintain a Lecturer he be not suffered to preach till he take upon him Curam Animarum within that Incorporation 6. That the Bishop do
complaints which have been made unto him by the Lords and other men of quality concerning the multitude or both unlearned and unworthy Ministers which pester the Church and are alwayes the Causes of great scandall and too often of Schism and Divisions therein And some of them are forced to the shame of themselves and their Calling for want of means to begg for their Living and yet are daily made in great numbers and that directly against the Canon of the Church which require's That no man should be made a Minister sine Titulo For remedy of this great abuse and wrong to the Church his Majestie hath directed his Letters to me and by them required me to call all such Bishops to me as were then in or about the City and after consultation with them to send my Letters to every severall Bishop within the Province to require obedience to the Canon of the Church and his Majesties directions according to it The Tenor of his Majesties Letter followeth as before ACcording to these Letters I am to pray and require you that at all times of Ordination you be very carefull to admit none into Holy Orders but such men as for life and learning are fit and which have a Title for their Maintenance according to the Lawes and ancient practise of the Church And his Majesty hath farther commanded me to advertise your Lordship that He will not faile to call for an Accompt of these his Letters both of me and you Thus not doubting but you will have a speciall care both of the good of the Church and his Majesties contentment herein I leave you to the Grace of God and rest Your Lordships very loving Friend and Brother W. Cant. In this Letter we find this Paper inclosed writ with Mr Dells but endorsed with the Archbishops hand declaring what shall be a Title So upon the matter these Titles are named in the Canon He that is ordained must have 1. A Presentation to some Ecclesiasticall Preferment 2. Or A Certificate undoubted that he is provided of some Church voyde there 3. Or A Grant of some Petty Canons place or the like in a Cathedrall or Collegiate Church 4. Or A Fellow or in the right of a Fellow in some Colledge in Oxford or Cambridge 5. Or A Conduct or Chaplain in some Colledge in Oxford or Cambridge 6. Or A Master of Artes of 5. years standing living at his own charge in either of the Universities 7. Or The intention of the Bishop that ordaines shortly to admit him to some Benefice or Curates place then voyde And I think the Canon intends that after a Man is once admitted a Curate the Parson or Vicar of the place should not have power to put them off at pleasure but only for such criminall unworthinesse as might deprive him of his Benefice if hee had one So I conceive under favour the Order may go briefly thus And farther his Majesties expresse Command is that this Canon be strictly observed by all Bishops in their severall Diocesses respectively and that none presume to ordeine any man to be a Deacon Priest or Minister under the penalty injoyned in the Canon or any other which his Majesties just displeasure may inflict upon him These Letters primâ facié seem very faire necessary but latet Anguis in herba there was a dangerous designe couched under them For first no Lecture whatsoever was admitted to be a Canonicall Title and so all ordination of Ministers to supply Lectures was totally secluded which was one chiefe end of this designe Secondly no Chaplainship to any Noblemans or Gentlemans family was allowed to be a sufficient Title and this gave a fatall blow to all such young Chaplains ordinations unlesse they had some better Title and Livelihood for the future which was likewise formerly aimed at in the precedent Considerations and Instructions And by this device many yong Divines were in a manner quite excluded out of such Religious Gentlemens Families which might season them with the practicall power of godlinesse or any principles which the Prelates held to be Puritanisme or Precisenesse Thirdly by this device all young Students in Divinity were made more dependent on more obsequious to the Bishops less dependent on the Nobility Gentry people as the Letters insinuate Fourthly under pretent of these Letters a kinde of new subscription was imposed on all such who were to be ordained especially if suspected to be orthodox or precise to sundry Arminian Popish Errours and Superstitions upon which they were interrogated to sound their inclinations and denyed Orders in case of disaâ—â—ent As namely Whether Bowing at the name of Jesus and to or towards the Altar at their approaches to it or ingresse to or egresse out of the Church were lawfull commendable Whether all baptized Infants were not truly regenerated Whether Episcopacy and the Hierarchy of Bishops were not of divine Right Whether the Church of Rome were not a true Church Whether Altars Copes Organs Tapers Crucifixes and Images were not lawfull Whether truly regenerate men might not totally and finally fall from Grace and the like By which Interrogations and many new Ceremonies introduced at ordinations sundry godly Schollers and Students of Divinity were deterred from taking Orders and a Superstitious Popish prophane Episcopall generation of New ordained Priests zealous to promote embrace the very groslest Doctrines and Superstitions of Rome engeadred and scattered among us in most places all powerfull soul-saving preaching banished or quite layd aside and the people every where poysoned with Popish and Arminian drugs By these and such like practises as likewise by preaching and printing against frequent Preaching formerly touched there ensued a great famine of the pure powerfull preaching of Gods Word of godly Preachers in our Kingdome and a monstrous increase of Popish Priests Jesuites Fryars Papists Popery Superstition Prophanesse Ignorance Impiety which have involved us in those miseries and distractions under which we now languish and are almost ruined His Fourth Device to suppresse preaching was the subversion of the Feoffees for buying in Impropriations particularly charged against him in the 6. Additionall Article in these words That whereas divers gifts and dispositions of divers summes of mony were heretofore made by divers charitable and well-disposed persons for the buying in of divers Impropriations for the maintenance of preaching the word of God in severall Churches the said Archbishop about eight years last past wilfully and maliciously caused the said gifts feofments and contrivances made to the uses aforesaid to be overthrown in his Majesties Court of Exchequer contrary to law as things dangerous to the Church and State under the specious pretence of buying in Impropriations whereby that pious worke was suppressed and trodden down to the great dishonour of God and scandall of Religion This Article informes us briefly what these Feoffees were we shall only add who they were what they did and how they were proceeded against by this Archbishop About
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
authorized by his Chaplain Dr Bray presented to and accepted by himselfe when published as appears by two faire gilded printed copies thereof with his Archiepiscopall Armes engraven on the Covers found in his study by Mr Pryune printed An. 1640. since these Propositions of Bishop Hall were sent him resolving that there can be not only no Church but no Ministers at all without Bishops to ordain them in these terms Non est Sacerdotium nisi in Ecclesia non est Ecclesia sine Sacerdotio Illud autem intelligo per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Episcopalem ordinariam Neque euim admittenda consneus extraordinariam aliquam sen vocationem seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nisi miraculosam Oportet omnino miraculis agant suam confirment functionem signo aliquo qui non ab Episcopis derivata ab Apostolis per successionem institutione in Ecclesiam inducuntur sed velorti à sese vel nescio unde intrusi sese ingeruâ—t Nâ—m quod pretendunt ordinariam vocationem retinendam adhibendam eique adherescondum nisi in casu necessitatis absurdum est suppositione innititur impossibilitatis Neque enim talis casus an t extitit aliquando aut contingere potest nisi fallat not Dominus qui promisit Porta inferorum non pravalebunt Ecce sum vobiscum ad consummationem mundi By which Position the forraigne Protestant Churches are resolved concluded to be no Churches their Ministers no Ministers their Sacraments no Sacraments their Ordinances no Ordinances of Christ which perchance made Mr John Dury ordained in one of those Churches to be re-ordained a Minister here by the Bishop of Exeter Dr Hall before he was admitted to his Benefice as appeares by their severall Original Letters found in the Archbishops study And then what are they but meere Pagan Conventicles farre worse then Papists and the Church of Rome We shall only adde to this that whereas Bishop Hall in his Treatise of Episcopacy pag. 18. excused the forraign Protestant Churches from being unchurched by these Positions only in this regard that the reason why they renounced Bishops was meerly out of necessity because their Bishops would not suffer them to enjoy the Gospel Adding pag. 19. That it is very considerable whether the condition they were in doth absolutely warrant such a proceeding which is somewhat too hard a censure of them yet the Archbishop in his forecited Letter to Bishop Hall taxeth him for this his overmuch lenity towards them in these termes You are a little more favourable to the forraigne Churches and their Authors then our cause will beare and yet in the very same Letter he mislikes and blames this Bishop for his overmuch sharpnesse towards the Pope in his second Book for bestowing the Title of Antichrist upon him wherewith he was so highly offended that out of a zeal to his Holinesse he presently complaines to the King himselfe of this indignity offered to the Pope and procures a speciall Mandate from his Majesty to Bishop Hall to qualifie his expressions in this particular with his owne pen which he did accordingly Notwithstanding the Generall confessions of all forraign Protestant Churches The authorized Impressions of all their eminentest Writers Our own Homâ—lies Writers of all sorts and the very Act of Parliament for the Confirmation of the Subsidies granted by the Clergy 3. Iac. penned by all the Prelates and Clergy of England in full Convocation give the Pope this Title and stile the Iesuites and their Adberents THE UNSHAMEFACT BROOD OF ANTICHRIST This his indulgence therefore to the Pope Priests and Church of Rome and professed emnity against the forraigne Reformed Churches in unchurching them in making their Ministers no Ministers at all and them no Christians nor Christian Assemblies discovers his very Intrals and inward bent of his soule to Popery to the Church of Rome yea his inveterate hatred to these Protestant Churches and their Religion too The next thing wee shall fully evidence 2. Though this Archbishop was so zealous an Advocate for the Church of Rome as both in his publick Speeches Writings to maintaine That her Religion is the same with ours as we have formerly proved yet he could by no meanes endure that the Religion of the forraign Protestant Churches and Ours should be termed one and the same Whereupon he presumed to countermand alter and purge his Majesties Letters Patents under the Great Seale for a Collection for the poore distressed Ministers of the Palatinate Ann. 1634. because it termed their Religion The true Religion which we together with them professe to maintain This wee shall make good by two substantiall witnesses and the printed Letters Patents themselves The witnesses are Mr Wakerly then Secretary to Mr Secretary Cook and Mr Hartlib who deposed at the Lords Barre upon Oath That in the yeare 1634. the Queen of Bohemia sent over one Mr Ruly a Palatinate Minister into England with Letters of recommendation to the Archbishop to desire his mediation and assistance to the King to grant Letters Patents under the great seale for a generall Collection towards the reliefe of the exiled Ministers of the Palatinate and their families who were then in great distresse which Letter Mr Ruly presenting to the Archbishop among whose Papers Mr Prynne found the very Originall after the reading thereof the Archbishop promised out of respect to the Queen of Bohemia who writ to him with her own hand to move the King in it which he did and then informed him that it was the Kings pleasure there should be Letters Patents drawn for a generall collection for those Ministers as was desired Wherupon Mr Ruly requested the Archbishop in regard he was a stranger and knew not our proceedings to give him some directions how to get the Letters Patents drawn and sealed who answered that he needed no instructions herein for it was a thing of usuall course and willed him to repaire to the Officers of the King his Secretaries and Attorney generall who would draw and procure them to be sealed Whereupon he repaired to Mr Wakerly who went with him to the other Officers and procured Letters Patents to be drawn according to former Presidents both in King James and King Charles reignes and namely verbatim according to Letters Patents for a like Collection dated 29 Ian. 3. Caroli which being drawn engrossed and passed the Great Seal of England without any scruple the Lord Keeper both reading and approving the same before the sealing Mr Ruly carried the Patent over to Lambeth to desire the Archbishops assistance for the printing dispersing and promoting therof where meeting with Mr Dell his Secretary he acquainted him with his businesse and shewed him the Patent who casting his eye thereon took some exceptions thereat because it made our and their Religion to be both one saying Are your Church and Religion and ours one which done he carried the Patent to the Archbishop who after he had perused it calling for Mr Ruly demanded
of him in a very angry manner What have you brought me here Mr Ruly replied His Majesties Letters Patents At which answer he fell into a great passion rating and reviling Mr Ruly with very ill language threatned and called him ill names protested that that Patent should not passe though it were under the Great Seale and made Mr Dell write something out of it Mr Ruly shaking for feare excused himselfe that it was drawn by the Officers to whom his Grace had directed him and if there were ought offensive in it he was altogether ignorant and not guilty of it Whereunto the Archbishop replied that were it not for his respect and engagements to the Queen of Bohemia they should have no collection at all and that he could finde in his heart to quash it but however he would suppresse that Patent which he detained by him and would have one drawn in another forme Whereupon Mr Ruly leaving him to his angry mood departed and acquainted Secretary Cook the Lord Keeper Coventry and other his friends with the Premises who all wondred and were very inquisitive what was the cause of all this anger The Archbishop presently after repaires to the King and complaines much against this Patent Secretary Cook and the Lord Keeper for passing it who being both sent for by the King about it acquainted his Majesty that it was made verbatim accorcording to former Presidents that they had his Majesties hand and Royall assent thereto and it was now passed the Seale and so could not be altered To which the King answers that it must be altered for that the Archbishop would have it so and another must be drawn according to his minde Upon this the Patent was recalled and a new one drawn according to the Archbishops direction and prescript which being compared with the former by these Deponents and others who were very inquisitive what it was did so much enrage his Grace they found it was only this ensuing clause which he caused to be quite purged out with little or no alteration else from that he suppressed Whose cases are more to be deplored for that this extremity is fallen upon them for their sincerity and constancy IN THE TRVE RELIGION which WE TOGETHER WITH THEM DO PROFESSE and WHICH WE ARE ALL BOVND IN CONSCIENCE TO MAINTAINE TO THE VTMOST OF OVR POWERS Whereas these Religious and Godly Persons being involved amongst others their Countrey-men might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other backsliders in the times of Triall they would have submitted themselves to the ANTI-CHRISTIAN YOAK and have renounced or dissembled the Profession of THE TRVE RELIGION In lieu whereof he only inserts That they suffered FOR THEIR RELIGION as if our Religion and theris were contra-distinct and different one from another and theirs not the true Which Secretary Cook when he saw affirmed would make a Schism a Division betwixt us and the forraign Protestant Churches by intimating that they professed neither our nor yet the true Religion as Mr Wakerly deposed and gave great scandall and offence to the Deponents yea to the forraign Churches and Protestants here who took speciall Notice of it In this notable peece of Evidence we shall desire your Lordships and the world to take notice of these remarkable particulars First of this Archbishops insufferable Insolency in daring to presume so farre as to stop suppresse the Kings own Letters Parents when approved by his Royall Signature allowed by the Lord Keeper and actually passed under the Great Seale of England Secondly his extraordinary over-ruling power with the King who against his own Iudgement Signe Manuall Seale and former Presidents must have this Patent altered in this clause only because the Archbishop would have it so and for no other reason Thirdly that this alteration proceeded meerly from the Archbishops own motion not from any Priests or Iesuits instigation much lesse from the King as he pretended the alterations of the Prayer-Book for the fifth of November did Fourthly that he was exceeding passionate and enraged at this clause insomuch that this charitable Collection and Patent must totally be quashed rather then this clause tolerated whereas his Chaplaines authorized Books in commendation of Popery Popish Errours yea pleading for Rome and her Religion as true and one with ours Fiftly that this very clause had passed both the Broad Seal and Presse too without the least exceptions in a Patent 29 Ian. 3. Caroli not full seven yeares before even in King Charles his own Reign and in another Generall Collection granted under the Privy Signet the seventeenth of Iune in the sixteenth year of King James Anno Dom. 1618. for reliefe of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wesell then printed by Authority together with Archbishop Abbots directions concerning the same to the severall Bishops under him dated June 25. 1618. wherein we finde these following expressions That that City had been a place of succour and reliefe to many afflicted strangers such as have been exiled for THE TRVE RELIGION That they were not able any longer to sustaine the charge neither of the Ministry nor of the Free-schoole which heretofore they have erected for the propagation of THE TRVE RELIGION c. which should excite us to enlarge the Bowels of compassions toward them which cannot be better expressed of our parts then by having compassion and a fellow-feeling of them MAKING THE SAME PROFESSION OF FAITH THAT WE DO yet doe suffer such adversity c. which are the same in terminis with those in this expunged Patent What then was the cause that this Clause should be thought so insufferable so impassible by this Archprelate now Certainly there must be some great mystery of Iniquity in it he and his Predecessor Abbot had not the selfe-same opinion of the Protestant Churches and their Religion Abbot deemed both their Churches and Religion true and the same with ours but Laud deemes them no Churches at all their Religion not the true Religion nor the same with ours at this time though formerly one and the same with it And why so because himselfe had altered perverted yea almost quite subverted it both in Design and Execution intending to set up Popery as the only old and true Religion therefore to suffer such a Patent to passe both the Great Seal and Presse in his Majesties name as should proclaim their Religion to be the true Religion which we together with them do professe and we are all bound in conscience to maintain to the uttermost of our power when he and his Confederates bent all their might to suppresse it and to commend their sincerity and constancy in the true Religion when as they might have enjoyed their estates and fortunes if with other backsliders in the times of Tryall they would have submitted themselves to the Antichristian Yoak and have renounced or dissembled their profession of the true Religion in these dayes when he with his Confederates endeavoured to make men Backsliders
been allowed to them in the time of Queen Elizabeth or since The Order of King James under his signet the 13 of Iune These are therefore to will and command all our Courts of Iustice and other our loving Subjects to permit and suffer the said strangers members of the Out-landish Churches and their children to enjoy the continuance of our favours before declared in this behalfe Considering the loving kindenesse and good entertainment which our Subjects and their children doe receive and finde beyond the Seas The Order of the Privy Councell for the Walloones of Norwich the 10 of October Those of Norwich although borne in the Kingdome shall continue to be of the said Church and Society and shall be subject to such Discipline as hath been by all the time of fifty five yeares practised among them And if any shall be refractory they shall be bound to appeare at this Board The gracious Answer of King Charles to the Deputies of the Forraigne Churches the 30 of April I thank you for this and I assure you that I will continue unto you the same favour which the King my father did shew unto you And I hope that my marriage shall not be any dammage unto you but rather an occasion of much good to your Countrey men The Order of King Charles for all strangers the 13 of Novemb. We will and command our Iudges c. to permit and suffer the said strangers members of the Out-landish Churches and their children quietly to enjoy all and singular such Priviledges and Immunities as have been formerly granted unto them without any troubles arrests or proceedings by way of information or otherwise considering the faire usage and good entertainment which our Subjects and their children doe receive beyond the Seas The Order of the Privy Councell for the Dutch of Norwich the 7 of Ianuary That all those that are now or hereafter shall be members of the Dutch Congregation although borne within this Kingdome shall continue to be of the said Church and Society so long as his Majesty shall be pleased without any prejudice to their Priviledges and Birth-right and shall be subject to all such Discipline as hath beene all the time aforesaid usually practised amongst them and from time to time contribute to the maintenance of the Ministry and poore and the defraying of all other necessaries charges of the same Congregation as they shall be assessed and occasion shall in that behalfe require By vertue of this Patent Orders Grants the Dutch and French Churches in London and other Diocesse enjoyed the free exercise of their Religion Discipline exempt from all Archiepiscopall and Episcopall Iurisdiction from Edward the sixths time till Ann. 1634. without any interruption But no sooner was this Prelate warme in his Archiepiscopall chaire but he begins to disturb their peace and threaten their totall subvertion throughout his Province as in Canterbury Sandwich Maidstone Norwich Colchester London Southampton and likewise in Yorkeshire Axholme and elsewhere which he had formerly projected in this manner On March 22. Ann. 1632. this Bishop upon his own motion procured a reference to himselfe from the Lords of the Councell concerning the English living in forraigne parts and the forraigne Protestant Churches in England concerning which he drew up and presented two severall Papers to the Lords found in his study under Mr Dells hand thus endorsed with his owne Concerning the Dutch and French Churches in England c. here necessary to be inserted though not read at large VVHereas I was commanded by your Lordships upon Friday March 22. 1632. First to represent to His Gracious Majesty the great and Honourable care you had to preserve the unity and Government of the Church of England as it stands now established by Law Which care was very great and pious and according to my duty in the Name of the Church I humbly thank your Lordships for it And have in pursuance of your Commands faithfully acquainted His Majesty with as many particulars as I could carry away safe in my memory Secondly I was commanded by your Lordships to take into farther consideration such Heads as might best conduce to the rectifying of such his Majesties Subjects as reside at Hamborough or elsewhere beyond the Seas but especially in the Low-Countreys either in Merchandize or in use and exercise of Armes under the Colonells there As also what might be thought fit to be done concerning the French and Dutch Churches as they now stand and are used at this present within this Realme but at such time as your Lordships in your wisdome shall best approve Concerning the first of these viz. the English living in Forraigne parts I humbly recommend to your Lordships Wise dome as followeth 1. Whether it be not fit I had almost said necessary that the severall Colonels in the Low-Countreys should entertaine no Minister as Preacher to their Regiments but such as shall conforme in all things to the Church of England established And be commended unto them from your Lordships by advise of the Lords Archbishops of Canterbury or York for the time being 2. That the Company of Merchants residing there or in any other Forraigne Parts shall admit no Minister as Preacher to them but such as are so qualified and so commended as aforesaid 3. That if any Minister having by feigned carriage gotten to be so recommended either to any of the severall Colonells or to the Deputy Governour and Body of the Merchants there shall after be found unconformable and will not mend upon warning given him by the Colonell or Deputy Governour of the Merchants shall within three months after such warning given and refused be dismissed from his service that a more orderly and peaceable man may be sent unto them 4. That every Minister or Preacher with any Regiment of souldiers that are his Majesties borne Subjects or with the Company of Merchants there or elsewhere shall read Divine Service Christen children Administer the Sacrament of the Lords Supper marry instruct the younger or more ignorant sort in the Catechisme visit the sick bury the Dead and doe all other Duties according as they are prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer maintained in the Chuch of England and not otherwise And that he which will not conforme himselfe so to doe shall not continue Preacher either to any Regiment of English or Scottish or to the Merchants 5. That if any Minister or Preacher being the Kings Subject shall with any bitter words or writings in print or otherwise defame the Government of the Church of England established His Majesties Embassador or Agent in those parts for the time being is to be informed of it and upon notice given from him to the State he or they so offending shall be commanded over by Privy Seale or otherwise to answer their offence or offences here 6. That no Colonell of any severall Regiment or Deputy Governour of the Merchants shall give way that their Minister or
meeting a Pupill of his at Paris in France when he waited on Sir Thomas Edmonds as his Chaplaine there which Pupill had turned a Papist discoursing with him concerning this Arch-bishop then resident in Saint John's Colledge in Oxford he told him that Doctor Laud his Tutor was against the Popes supremacy but did maintaine many Catholike points of their Religion The second is Sir Nathaniel Brent his owne Vicar-generall who deposed at the Barre that this Arch bishop while he continued in Oxford was there generally reputed to be popish that he and others conceived him so not upon any fained but upon very probable grounds one whereof then generally taken notice of was that when he did his exercise for Batchelour of Divinity he tooke his supposition almost verbation out of Bellarmine which he remembers the better because one Mr. Dale then Proctor his Opponent who took exceptions at it shewed him his supposition in Bellarmines Works concerning the necessity of Baptisme which was consonant to the tenent of Rome Another ground of this opinion of him was that he held acquaintance and most familiarly conversed with those in the University who were most addicted to Popery and reputed Papists and had sundry differences bickerings disputes with many sound Divines about points in Religion particularly he had very intimate acquaintance with and oft frequented the company of one Browne reputed a Papist in his life and found to be so after his death there being a manuscript writ with his owne hand and thought to be his owne found in his Study in defence of popery and maintaining among other things that one might be a Minister officiate and actually remaine in the Church of England and yet be actually reconciled to the Church of Rome This book King James hearing of sent for it which being brought to him when he had read this passage he said if this position of his were true he could not now tell whom to trust And that there was such a generall report of the Arch-bishop then he thought himselfe would not deny and for that he had seen that book of Browns a petition of this Bishops in a great mans hands to whom King James delivered them wherein healleaged that he was traduced to be a Papist but desired his Majesty not to think so of him To these testimomies we shall adde a notable passage in Doctor Abbot's Sermon at Saint Peters in Oxford on Easter-day Anno 1615. formerly touched on p. 155. on which you may reflect That some were partly ROMISH partly English as occasion served them that a man might say unto them Nosteres an adversariorum who under pretence of truth and preaching against the Puritan strike at the heart and root of the faith and Religion new established among us c. That they cannot plead they are ACCOUNTED PAPISTS because they speak against the puritan but because BEING INDEED PAPISTS they speak nothing against them If they doe at any time speak against the papists they doe but beat a little about the Bush and that but softly too for fear of waking and disquieting the birds that are in it they speak nothing but that wherein one Papist will speake against another as against Equivocation the Popes temporall authority and the like and perhaps some of their blasphemous speeches But in the point of Freewill Justification Concupiscence being a sinne after Baptisme inherent righteousnesse and certainty of salvation THE PAPISTS BEYOND THE SEAS CAN SAY THEY ARE WHOLLY THEIRS AND THE RECUSANTS AT HOME MAKE THEIR BRAGS OF THEM AND IN ALL THINGS THEY KEEP THEMSELVES SO NEERE THE BRINK THAT UPON ANY OCCASION THEY MAY STEP OVER TO THEM Now for this speech that the Presbyterians are as bad as the Papists there is a sting in the speech which I wish had been left out for there are many churches beyond the seas which contend for the Religion established among us which yet have approved and admitted the presbytery and this is to make them as bad as the papists Besides there have lived among us many reverend and worthy men which have not rejected the presbytery taking it even for Lay-Elders and among the rest Doctor Nowell late Deane of Pauls in his Larger Catechisme pag. 29. 71. affirmeth that in every well-governed Church there was a Presbytery and yet this Catechisme by the late reverend Arch-bishop of Canterbury was commanded to be had in every Grammar Schoole Which surely he would not have done if the presbyterians were as daâ—rous or bad as the papists And now that I have cleered my selfe from this imputation of being for the presbytery it will lye upon them to CLEARE THRMSELVES IF THEY CAN FROM THEIR SUSPITION OF POPERY For as Saint Hierom speakes In crimine haereseos patientem esse non decet And for their speech of preferment it s not that I look for I make account I have lived to the end of a Students life and God forbid that now for the hope of a little preferment I should betray the cause of Christ I have been ever of this mind if there be no preferment on earth there is enough in Heaven And my desire is while I live here to walk in sincerity and truth If I should doe otherwise how should I look my Saviour in the face might he not say uto me what art thou ROMISH or English PAPIST or PROTESTANT or what art thou A MONGRELL OR COMPOUND OF BOTH A Protestant by Ordination A PAPIST in the point of Freewill inherent Righteousnesse and the like A Protestant in receiving the Sacrament A PAPIST in the Doctrine of the Sacrament What doe you thinke are there two Heavens If there be get you to the other and place your selves there for into this where I am yee shall not come These Notes of Doctor Abbots Sermon were found in this Arch-bishops Study written with his owne hand produced and attested by Master Prynne inclosed in a copy of a Letter of his to the then Bishop of Lincolne under his owne hand too thus indorsed by him April 18. 1615. The copy of a Letter which I sent to the Lord Bishop of Lincolne concerning a Sermon in which Doctor Abbot HAD WRONGED ME IN THE UNIVERSITY In which Letter he inclosed these Notes for his Lordship to peruse complaining thus therein I came time enough to be at the rehearsall of this Sermon upon much perswasion I went to Church where I was faine to sit patiently and heare my selfe abused almost an hour together yet I was pointed at as I sate for this present abuse I would have taken no notice of it but that THE WHOLE UNIVERSITY APPLIES IT TO ME and my owne friends tell me I shall sink my credit if I answer not Doctor Abbot in his own kind Neverthelesse in a businesse of this kind I will not be swayed from a patient course Onely I desire your Lordship to vouchsafe me some direction what to doe c. By which it is cleere
and there discoursing with an English Gentleman who had been an ancient traveller touching the then late rooting out of sundry English able and orthodox Ministers for not complying with the Bishops in divers new idolatrous ceremonies this Gentleman assured me that he had often heard of strange reports of matters likely to befall England both from English and Irish papists which he gave no heed unto supposing them to speake rather as they would have it then as it was in verity But now that he had heard so much from me he did much suspect that there was some plot in hand to change the Religion in Eng. wherof he would diligently enquire assuring me that he had as good means to know it as any man of our Nation that lived on that side of the Seas At our next meeting he told me that he had dived into the plot That ere long we must all of necessity be papists in Eng. that the best wits both in Eng. and on that side of the Seas were interested therein That it was so politickly laid that he did not see how in the judgment of man it could possibly be prevented That the Archb. and some other Bishops were of the plot and that the rest of the Bishops and Clergy partly for feare of losing what they had partly for hopes of geting more would undoubtedly comply That the refusers if they could not be corrupted were to be turned out of their livings banished imprisoned or forced to live in obscurity That it was to be done by gradations to bring in this point of Popery in one quarter of a yeer and the rest in another and if not direct popery yet so neer thereunto as the common people themselves would slide into it unawares that nothing but the King of Sweden's prosperity did hinder the sudden effecting of it Lastly that if we resisted not we should be cheated and cozened of our Religion and if we resisted we should be compelled thereto perforce I replied that I thought the Papists in England were not of any considerable number to effect their ends by force and that they were also dis-armed He told me the Papists were more in number and better armed then I conceived them to be many going now to Church who would then declare themselves papists besides a world of Newters who for hopes of preferment would be easily drawne to their party that they vvere all united and besides armed with authority He affirming that for many yeers vve had vvholly been governed by Papists most men in highest authority being either vvholly so or at least as serviceable unto them for private ends as if they vvere so indeed I replied that if we should be compelled to defend our Religion by force their authority would not be regarded He told me the Irish vvould be brought in I answered that I had spent some yeers in Ireland and knew them to want both courage and meanes to effect so great a businesse so that unlesse they were backed by the King of Spaine in a better manner then I conceived he was able at that time to doe they durst not undertake it He told me they should have a better back and more encouragement then the King of Spaine could give them and that both France and Spain should assist therein I replied that I thought France and Spaine were likely to disagree and therefore unfit for such a businesse He told me that since J vvould needs have it the greatest introducers of popery should be the Protestants themselves Whereat vvhen J vvondred as seeming to me a paradox he told me that the vvar should be so disguised under false notions and pretences as the Protestants should ignorantly become the Jesuits servants and by the effusion of their ovvne blood set up popery by force Thirdly that being in Rome seven or eight yeers since one Father John of the Order of Saint Benet was very tnquisitive of me to knovv vvho bestovved the livings in England and vvhether the Arch bishop did not doe it I answered that the livings were in the donation of such as had the Advousons of them whether it were the King Arch bishops Bishops Deanes and Chapters Colledges Corporations Noble men Gentlemen or others He asked me if the Arch-bishop did not bestow the Kings livings I said no but the Lord Keeper if they were under such a value if above the King himselfe He seemed very much agrieved that the Arch-bishop did not bestow them and told me that he did not despaire of seeing England to be very suddenly Catholike And though be were by reason of his Order tyed more strictly to the Pope then others were yet he was carefull to have both Kings and Kingdomes priviledges preserved and more particularly that the Benefices in England might not be bestowed upon Italians as formerly but that the Arch-bishop should have the ordering thereof All this I have oft related some yeers since to divers persons of quality for which I incurred some trouble by the Jesuits and this Arch-bishops meanes This Testimony is so home and punctuall that we shall adde no more thereto it informs us of a long since plotted and actuated confederacy between this Archbishop and other English Prelats and the Popes Instruments at Rome and in other forraigne parts to introduce popery and reduce us back to Rome It chalks out to us the manner and method of their proceedings in all particulars and the politick contrivances of all sorts to effect their intended designe all which we have by wofull experience seen punctually acted pursued accordingly to this very moment in which pursuit this Archbishop hath been the Archinstrument since then we visibly behold these reports of theirs verefied to the view of all the world we must no longer look upon them is empty rumours or discourses but as reall Evidences beyond all exceptions The second groundwork we shall lay and prove is this That there hath been for many yeers last past a dangerous damnable Plot and serious endeavour of the Pope and his Instruments to reduce and reconcile the Church of England to the Church and Sea of Rome and that this Arch-bishop was privy to and had notice of it This Plot was first laid about the yeer 1617. when the Spanish Match was set on foot and King Charles then Prince of Wales fent into Spaine of purpose to reconcile him and in him our Kingdomes to the Church of Rome the prime end the Pope and Catholikes intended in that Match and Treaty as appeares by the severall Articles passages and proceedings in it well knowne to this Prelate by the Popes Letter to the Prince whiles in Spaine to reconcile him to Rome and make him a dutifull Sonne of that Church by the Popes Letter to his Nuncio the Bishop of Conchen when the Prince was in Spaine to endeavour his conversion to their Church upon this occasion by a Jesuits Oration to induce his Highnesse to that Religion and by the
yet be expresly prohibited to pray for the Queens conversion in particular to whom we have so neere relation the want of whose conversion hath brought so many mischiefs wars on our Church and Kingdomes Certainly this was an Act of the greatest impiety that ever was committed by any christian Prelat if he really beleeved the Queen to live in a false Religion and may justly brand him for an Atheist being diametrally contrary to Gods precept 1 Tim. 3. 1 2. I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made FOR ALL MEN for Kings and ALL THAT ARE IN AVTHORITY that we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty Therefore he must needs beleeve her popish Religion to be the true ours the false else he would have encouraged rather then prohibited Ministers to pray for her conversion unto us and our Religion whom it seems by this inhibition he would have converted to her and hers Thirdly this inhibition manifests at the least that the Archbishop was a very cordiall friend servant not onely to her Majesties person but her popish Religion too that he desired her un-interrupted continuance in it without the least opposition not onely by way of dispute but prayers too Fourthly this publike prohibition in his own Metropoliticall visitation was of it self a great encouragement to a strong confirmation of her Majesty and all the popish party in their false Religion giving them great advantages to seduce others to it as the true because this Injunction intimated it to be the true Religion wherein they might safely persevere But did this Prelate stop here only openly to inhibit men thus to pray for her Majesties conversion No verily for both before and after this he imprisoned questioned and censured some in the High Commission for such prayers Master Bernard as we proved formerly was questioned censured in the High Commission as a grand offender for such a Prayer Master Hugh Peter was apprehended by a Pursevant imprisoned for a time in the New-prison silenced here from his Ministry and forced into Holland by the Arch-bishop onely for praying at Sepulchers Church for the Queen in these words That as shee came into a Goshen of safety so the light of Goshen might shine into her soule that shee might not perish in the day of Christ as himselfe and sundry others will depose But we shall insist onely on two other instances in the High Commission The first is one Master William Jones a Gloucestershire Minister who as Master Prynne attested upon oath was brought into the High Commission Anno 1636. and there prosecuted by the Arch-bishops meanes for not reading the Booke of Sports and for praying thus for the Queen in his Pulpit to God To shew unto the Queene the light of Goshen and to bring her to his true worship What worship said the Arch-bishop to him as if her popish worship were Gods true worship Nor did he onely persecute and trouble Ministers thus for praying for the Queens illumination and conversion to Gods true worship but likewise for praying to God to keep the Prince from the infection of popery witnesse the case of one Master John How Minister of Loughborough in the County of Leicester who on the sixth day of November 1634. as was proved by the Register book of the High Commission Court there produced and read was censured in that Court where the Archbishop was chiefe Judge and Dominus fac totum attached committed during his Majesties pleasure suspended from the execution of his Ministry and every part thereof fined five hundred pounds to the Kings use ordered to make a submission to the Court and condemned in expences and costs of suit onely for praying but once in the Pulpit That the young Prince might not be brought up in Popery whereof there was great cause to feare for that as was alleaged these words did much derogate from his Majesties known approved Religious care in maintaining propagating the true Religion here established professed within this Realme and caused a causelesse jealousie of the education of the young Prince his Sonne in the popish Religion When as he onely intended it of the danger of his education in respect of the Queen his Mother and those many seducing Priests Papists then about her who by many policies devices endeavoured as much in them lay to draw him to and educate him in the popish Religion it being provided by the sixteenth Article of the Kings marriage with France That the children which shall by reason of the said marriage be borne and live shall be nurst and brought up NEER THE SAID LADY AND QUEEN from the time of their birth untill they come to the age OF FOURTEEN YEERS In respect whereof there was great cause to feare the Princes infection by and seducement unto Popery without Gods extraordinary mercy and therefore great need of our frequent prayers to prevent it His rigorous proceedings therefore against these Ministers on the one hand for praying for the Queens illumination with and conversion to our Religion and his severe censuring them on the other hand for praying That the young Prince might not be brought up in Popery compared with his intimacy favour with the Queen his redinesse to serve her Majesty upon all speciall services and commands are a most pregnant evidence not onely of his conusance of but powerfull concurring assistance in promoting this grand dangerous designe of introducing Popery and reconciling us to the Church of Rome And that which may further satisfie your Lordships and the world herein is his extraordinary dignifying of Queen Maries his depressing King Edward the sixth his Reigne in his very Preface to the new Statutes compiled by him for the Vniversity of Oxford the Originall whereof was produced and this clause read out of it Edwardo sexto ad clavem sedente novo sundatum est molimine c. Prascribente Rege lenocinante NOVITATE primo visum opus admitti c. Paulo post potiente rerum Maria sub Cardinalis Poli auspicijs idem recruduit labor Novae exindè data leges sed pari cum prioribus angustiâ Interim tamen inter incerta vacillans Statuta viguit Academia colebantur studia enituit Disciplina OPTANDA TEMPORUM FAELICITATE Tabularum defectum resarcivit innatus Candor quicquid legibus deerat Moribus suppletum est Decurrente temporum serie vitijs legibus pariter laboratum est In which passage he brands King Edwards dayes of Reformation with Flattering Novelty applauds Queen Maries under the government of Cardinall Pool as those wherein the University of Oxford did most eminently flourish in learning Discicipline manners and magnifies the desirable felicity of those times under another Qu. Mary of the same Religion depressing Queen Elizabeths reign and her successors as more abounding with vice and more defective of good laws and government in our Oxford University at least then Queene Maries This
engaging the King in a bloody warre against the Scots and working him to their party and in case they could not doe it then to give him a poysoned sigge as his Father was poysoned and seize upon the Prince whom they would educate in the Romish Religion This Plot was discovered meerly out of remorse of conscionce by one who was a chiefe actor in it sent from Rome to assist Con the Popes Lagat in his Negotiations in England to one Andreas ab Habernfield Physitian to the Queen of Bohemia who disclosed it to Sir William Boswell the Kings leager at the Hague who from thence by sundry Letters revealed it to this Arch-bishop in whose chamber at the Tower the whole plot and originall Letters concerning it were seized on by Master Prynne who attested and produced them at the Barre and published them at large to the world by order of Parliament in Romes Master-piece where the principall Agents in this plot and their proceedings therein are particularly related many of them as Secr Windebank the Earle and Countesse of Arundell Mr. Porter of the Bed-chamber and Sir Toby Matthew being the Arch-bishops intimate friends and familiars Of this Plot the Arch-bishop took such speciall notice that he acquainted the King himselfe with it as appeares by his owne Letter to the King and his Majesties Answer to it with his owne royall hand to it in the margin sent from York to Lambeth Yet for all this he was so far from crossing this their Jesuiticall designe that he confederated and joyned with the Jesuits and popish party in fomenting maintaining the war against the Scots and revived it when it was ceased by perswading the King to break the first pacification and denounce a second war against them The third particular we shall produce to prove an endeavour of the Pope and Cardinall Barbarino at Rome to reconcile reduce us back to them and that this Arch-bishop had notice of it is a Letter found in his Study attested by Master Prynne written to him by one Master John Greaves from Ligonne March 3. 1639. indorsed with his owne hand thus Rece Mar. 27. 1640. Fastidius printed at Rome Wherein Master Greaves hath this clause I humbly beseech your Grace to pardon my presumptions and this other Information which I shall give your Grace They have printed at Rome a Book of Fastidius a Britaine Bishop De Vitâ Christianâ WHICH THE CARDINALL FRANCISCO BARBARINO INTENDS TO DEDICATE TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY a Book of singulan devotion and piety and of great Antiquity the Author being a Bishop in England about three hundred yeers after our Saviour Lucas Holstenius a very learned man hath the care oft the Edition but hath not I thinke as yet finished the Annotations upon it For the Text he and I compared the Manuscript which was also very ancient with the printed Copy and I find it exactly to agree Now what other meaning could there be for this Cardinall to print this book at Rome to dedicate it publikely to our King and to use Master Greaves himselfe in comparing the printed Copy with the Manuscript but to insinuate himself into the Kings affections thereby to reduce both him and his Dominions unto the bosome of the Church of Rome which the forementioned discovery of this and the Jesuits Plot by Andreas ab Habernfield more largely demonstrates this Cardinall sending over sundry Statues Pictures Antiquities and other vanities from Rome to his Majesty to incline him to the Roman party as we have elsewhere manifested The fourth particular Evidence we shall insist on which addes luster and vigor to all the former is the Book intituled Deus Natura Gratia Vbi ad trutinam Fidei Catholicae examinatur Confessio Anglicana ad singula puncta quid teneat qualiter differat execuitur Accessit Paraphrastica Exposit to reliquorum Articulorum Confessionis Anglicae per Fr. Franciscum â Sancta Clara olim apud Duacenses in Collegio B. Bon aventurae Provinciae ANGLIAE F. F Minorum S. Theolog. Lectorem primarium Printed Lugduni 1634. Cum Privilegio Regis approbatione Doctorum This Book was dedicated to our King Charles with a Dedicatory Epistle to seduce his Majesty in his Religion and induce him to establish the Romish Religion amongst us by his Royall authority as this close of the Epistle manifests Periculosum nobis admodum atquè etiam miserabile est tot nunc fides existere quot voluntates c. Contremiscunt ossa mea dum hoc recogito Morbus ubi spiritus vitales opprimuntur nempè ut fides radix vitae corrumpitur difficilime sanatur Hic morbus noster Remedium tamen illud efficax à Samaritano nostro designatum reperimus nec aliud nisi illud DIC ECCLESIAE Dico Ecclesiae definitiones Majestati Vestrae propono Sanctorum Patrum Venerabilium Doctorum expositiones Novorum ineptijs praepono quas dum modestè retego in Christo â—ego saniem non-scalpendo sed suavitèr lambendo lavo ut abluam SACRO VESTRO IMPERIO OPUS QUIPPE UT EXECUTIONI MANDETUR quod ab Ecclesia Sanctis Patribus sancitum est secundum illud Justiniani Constit 42. Haec decrevimus Sanctorum Patrum canones secuti HOC TUA MAJESTATE DIGNUM hoc dignitati causae consonum HOC SALUTI ANIMARUM PRORSUS NECESSARIUM ET OMNIS POPULUS DICET AMEN Sacrae suae Majestatis Devotissimus Subditus Fr. Fran. â S. Clara. The scope of the whole Book in the composing and publishing was to reconcile reduce both our King Church and the Articles of our Religion which iâ— coments upon to the Church of Rome This we shall evidence First by the Authors owne expresse confession pag. 338. Instudui ut vides pie Lector RECONCILIARE Articulos Confessionis Anglicae DETERMINATION IBUS ECCLESIAE CATHOLICAE NON ECCLESIAM IPSIS ex quâ collapsi sunt SED IPSOS ECCLESIAE in qua Dei opitulante Gratia salvandi sunt DUCENDOS CENSUI Corticem verborum subinde censurâ graviori dignum censebis sensum ocrò latitantem quem elicui non adeò veritati dissonum nisi alio detorquere malint recte judicabis his tamen verborum Novitatibus Christum lacerum inspexi tunicam inconsuâ—ilem dissutam dissectam reperi quis non condoleret quis non REDINTEGRATIONEM SUADERET omnibus modis si posset PERSUADERET HIC UNICUS SCOPUS MEUS c. Omnia Ecclesiae ejus sub Christo capiti the Pope quâ del eo reverentiâ submitto Vltro obtestor Deum Sanctos ejus me in hoc qualicunque Opello nostro animarum salutem PER FIDEI REDINTIGRATIONEM intendere Quod Deus per viscera Domini Nostri Jesu Christi ad intercessionem omnium beatorum opportunè efficiat ET SERENISSIMUM REGEM NOSTRUM PRO OMNIUM CATHOLICORUM VOTIS AD UTRAMQUE FAELICITATEM PERDVCAT Secondly by the censures and judgements of the Doctors and Divines who are twelve in number prefixed by way of
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
of our reducement to Rome yea the discovery of Andreas ab Habernfield to the Archbishop informes both him and ns That one of Endimion Porters Sonnes of the Bed-chamber now in armes against the Parliament was promised a Cardinals Hat if this designe succeeded well and that Sir Kenelme Digby Master Walter Mountague and other active Instruments who promoted that designe among us attended the sixteen Cardinals Caps that were vacant which were therefore detained vacant for some yeers to impose a vaine hope on those who expected them And Master Widford in his Letters from Rome to Secretary Windebank Novemb. 10. 1640. informes him that Master Sommerset and Master Brudenell were come to Florence aiming at our English Cardinals Caps which then by reason of the Popes Catarre were like to be disposed of All which particulars are a most cleere demonstration of the Pope and his Conclaves endeavours to reduce us back to Rome and of this Archbishops privity to if not assistance in it The sixth Evidence we shall mention to prove the Archbishops not onely intelligence of but compliance with the Popes and his Instruments Plots and proceedings to usher in Popery and reduce our Kingdomes to the Antichristian Religion and Church of Rome is his conusance and furtherance of this their design in Ireland which we shall thus demonstrate The House of Commons June 11. 1628. presented a Remonstrance to the King concerning the extraordinary encrease and growth of Popery of Papists both in England and Ireland and the extraordinary favour which they found from some great persons in his Court wherein they had this notable clause concerning Ireland IT doth not a little also encrease our dangers and feares this way to understand the miserable condition of your Kingdome of Ireland where without controle the Popish Religion is openly professed and practised in every part thereof Popish jurisdiction being generally exercised and avowed Monasteries Nunneries and other superstitious houses newly erected re-edified replenished with men and women of severall Orders and in a plentifull manner maintained in Dublin and most of the great Townes and divers other places of that Kingdome Which of what ill consequence it may prove if not seasonably repressed we leave to your Majesties wisdome to judge But most heartily beseech you as we assure our selves you doe to lay the serious consideration thereof to your Royall pious heart AND THAT SOME TIMELY COURSE MAY BE TAKEN FOR REDRESSE HEREIN Had this pious prudent timely advice been then harkned to and followed to purpose it might no doubt through Gods concurrence with it have prevented that horrid Rebellion those bloody Massacres of some hundred thousands of poor English Protestants in and devastation of that distressed Kingdom which have broken forth and been perpetrated there of late almost to the utter extirpation of the English and Irish Protestants the ruine of that Kingdome and infinite losse yea eminent danger of this our Realme to boot But this Popish Prelate though he then certainly knew this Remonstrance to be most true out of an inveterate hatred to the Parliament and a desire to promote the Catholikes designes there instead of perswading his Majesty to hearken to this true information and wholesome advice of his faithfull Commons drew up a most pernitious malepert Answer with his owne hand in his Majesties name against this Remonstrance which he presented to his Majesty wherein he incensed him against the Commons charging them not onely with misinforming but traducing his Majesties government by this clause concerning Ireland in this dishonourable language produced and read under his owne hand out of the Originall draught attested by Master Prynne FOR Ireland We think in case of Religion 't is not worse then Queen Elizabeth left it and for other affaires 't is as good as we found it nay perhaps better and We take it a great disparagement of Our government that it should be urged that new Monasteries Nunneries and other superstitious houses are erected and replenished in Dublin and other great Townes in this Our Kingdome for we assure Our Selves Our Deputy and Our Counsell there will not suffer God and Our government so to be dishonoured but We should have had some account of it from them and We may not endure thus to have Our good People misled with shewes Which in plaine tearmes is but a giving the House of Commons the Lye and a slandering of them as false Informers both to the King and people By which wicked practice their Remonstrance was rejected as a slanderous Libell and their Councell not pursued the dolefull effects whereof we now experimentally feele and rue That this Prelate when he made this Answer certainly knew of the grand encrease of the Papists in Ireland and that they had then upon the matter obtained a publike toleration will appeare by a paper found in his Study produced at the Barre thus endorsed with this Archbishops own hand 1626. The Bishops of Ireland about a Toleration feared The Judgement of the Arch-bishops and Bishops of Ireland concerning toleration of the Papish Religion by publike Protestation THE Religion of Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous their Faith and Doctrine erronious and hereticall their Church in respect of both Apostaticall to give them therefore a toleration of Religion or to consent that they may-freely exercise their Religion and professe their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sinne and that in two respects First it is to make our selves accessary to their superstitious Idolaries Heresies and in a word to all the abominations of popery but also which is a consequent of the former to the perdition of the seduced people which perish in the deluge of the Catholike Apostacy Secondly to grant them a toleration in respect of any money to be given or contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it the soules of the people whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious blood And as it is a great sinne so it is a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideration whereof we leave to the wise and judicions beseeching the zealous God of truth to make those who are in authority zealous of Gods glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and couragious against all Popery Superstition and Idolatry There were likely to be granted to the Papists in Ireland many priviledges and withall a toleration for their Religion in the consideration of the payment of a great summe of mony This Easter tearme 1626. there was a great meeting of all the chiefest of the whole Kingdome and the Archbishops and Bishops c. and it was likely to be concluded Doctor Dâ—wanm Bishop of London-Derry April 11. preached at Dublin before the Lord Deputy and the State his Text was Luke 1. at the 79. In the midst of his Sermon he openly read this Protestation above written subscribed by the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland and at the end he boldly said And
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
Papists and Protestants is one and the same Fourthly that men may be saved in the Church of Rome and Romish Religion therefore we need not pray for any Papists conversion no not for the Queens which he specially prohibited and questioned those who thus prayed for her Fifthly that the Pope is not Antichrist nor ought to have this title given him which he expunged both out of the publike Books of our Church and private mens impressions Sixtly that the Pope is supream head of the Church the first and greatest Patriarch and to make this doctrine passe more current he suffered the Popes own Titles of Sanctitatis Vestrae Sanctissime Pater Spiritus Sancti effusissime plenus Optimus Maximusque in terris Ille quo rectior non-stat Regula quo Prior est corrigenda Religio to be attributed to him successively in sundry Letters from the University of Oxford Master Croxton and others without controll and proclaims himself a Patriarch in his own book against Fisher pag. 171. Seventhly his own Chaplain Doctor Bray by his speciall direction in two Books of Doctor Pocklingtons severally printed and reprinted with authority proclaimed that he derived his lineall succession and Episcopacy from Pope Gregory and Saint Peters Chair at Rome and that our Church was miserable if he could not doe so which Doctor Heylen by his speciall command seconded in print which Bishop Mountague thus trebles in his Originum Ecclesiasticarum Tomi Priorus pars posterior pag. 465. In Pontificali seu libro quam vocamus Ordinationum Episcopus AB AUGUSTINO LEGITIME DERIVATA SUCCESSIONE ET GREGORIO ROMANO DEDUCTUS Sacros Ordines secundum veteris Ecclesiae Cannores conferens Ordinandum Sacerdotem sic affatur Accipe Spiritum Sanctum c. Deriving not only this Archbishop but all our other Bishops successions and Episcopacy from Augustine the Monk and Pope Gregory of Rome a goodly Romish pedegree to be much insisted on directly reducing us back to Rome from whence it was derived as to our Mother Church Fourthly he with his Instruments and Chaplains vented authorized not only in the Pulpit but Presse all manner of popish erronious doctrines never heard amongst us in former yeers comprizing the whole body of Papistry of purpose to reduce us back to Rome the particulars whereof you have heard refusing suppressing orthodox Books written against popish errours and purging the chiefest passages against the Church Pope Prests Jesuits and errours of Rome out of all old reprinted and new licensed books before they could passe the Presse as we have abundantly proved inserting popish pictures and a popish Index into our very Bibles the more easily to seduce men to Popery Fiftly he advanced the most corrupt popish superstitious persons of all sorts to Bishopricks Deaneries Prebendaries Head-ships of houses in the University Chaplains to the King and Prince and the greatest Benefices suppressed silenced deprived censured banished the most zealous preaching orthodox Ministers in all places and kept them from preferment the better to facilitate and effect this design Sixthly he caused sundry books tending to Reconciliation of us to Rome to be printed and published especially Bishop Mountague's Appeal and other Books since of which Sancta Clara took speciall notice and made bold to proclaim a peace and reconciliation in most points between us Seventhly he suppressed all Lectures and after-noon Sermons on the Lord's day in most places that the people through ignorance might be more easily seduced and instead of strict sanctification of the Lords day the principall means of encreasing piety knowledge and keeping men off from popery and prophannesse he caused a new Declaration to be printed and published in his Majesties name for the use of prophane sports and pastimes even on Gods own day and under pretext thereof caused hundreds of our most consciencious Ministers whom otherwise he could not tax or quarrell to be silenced suspended imprisoned yea driven out of the Realm to forreign Countries and Plantations that so these grand obstructions of our reconciliation with Rome being removed we might without any great difficulty or opposition be reduced reconciled to her and least any impediment should arise to crosse this Unity from the Dutch French or Walloon Churches in our Realms not any ways poysoned with his popish drugs and Romish innovations he attempted their extirpation too and had almost effected it All which particulars we have already proved We shall now proceed to some further evidence manifesting his compliancy intelligence and concurrence with the Pope and his Instruments in this hellish plot what evidence of this kind common fame and report both at home at Rome and elswhere hath given in against him Sir Henry Mildmay Master Anthony Mildmay Master Challoner and others have already attested what reall evidence we have yet remaining to make good this fame we shall now produce It had been too grosse too palpable an oversight in such a politician as this Archbishop was reputed and very prejudiciall to his designs considering the place he sustained his pretended profession of the Protestant Religion his dislike of Rome and the many vigilant eyes that were continually fixed on his actions to have held any open or immediate intelligence with the Pope or his known Agents here and therefore it can not reasonably be expected from us to produce direct proofs of any such grosse intelligence what then he could not act publikely and immediatly in person he contrived to effect more courtly and mediatly by fitting instruments who held strict correspondence with the Roman Pontife and his Negotiators The two trustiest persons he could call out for such a purpose were Master Francis Windebank a lay man and Richard Mountague a Divine who had other associates joyned with them to accomplish this reducement To enable them the better to carry on this work with more advantage to the Catholike cause he procured Mountague in despight of severall Parliaments opposition to be made a Bishop heaped sundry preferments on him in our Church of which he so ill deserved as we have already proved and shall not here insist on As for Windebank he advanced him to one of the greatest places of trust and secrecy in the Kingdom making him a principall Secretary of State to his Majesty which he thus expresseth with his own hand in his Diary June 15. 1632. Master Fancis Windebank MY OLD FRIEND was sworn Secretary of State WHICH PLACE I OBTAINED FOR HIM of my gracious Master King CHARLES so that he was a creature of his own advancing No sooner was he setled in this place of honour and trust but he presently fals to his designed work he protects releaseth popish Priests Jesuits Fryars and held familiar correspondency with them entertaining them in his house Study Coach Garden and feasting them at his Table imprisons molests reviles the Messengers who by office duty were bound to apprehend them suspends the execution of all penall laws against them and popish Recusants by his Letters and Warrants of
sentire corpus quod suo simillimum videt c. Paulo post Plus valent simulaâ—hra ad curvandam infaelicâ—m animam quodos ooulos aures pedes habent quà m ad corrigendam quòd non lequuntur neque vident neque audiunt neque ambulant Haec sanè videtur causa esse cur Johannes non tantùm à simulachrorum cultu sod ab ipsis quoque simulachris cavere nos voluerit Et nos horribili insania quae ad totius ferè pietatis interituÌ„ orbem ante hac occupavit plus nimio sumus experti simulatque in templis collecantur imagines quasi signum idololatriae erigi quia sibi temperare non potest hominum stultitia quin protinus ad superstitiosos cultâ—m delabatur Quòd si nec tantum periculi immineret quam tumen expendo in quem usum destinata sint templa nescio quomodo indignum mihi videtur eorum sanctitate ut alias recipiant imagines quà m vivas illas iconicas quas verbo suo Dominiâ— consecravit Baptismum intelligo Coenam Domini â—um aliis ceremoniis quibus oculos nostros studiosius detineri vividius affici convenit quà m ut alias hominum ingenio fabrefactas requirant En incomperabile imaginum bonum quod nulla pensatione resarciri potest si Papistis creditur This Author hath many such like Passages in his other works and therefore the Archbishops citing of him to justifie his Chappel Images argues either extreme Ignorance or Falshood Sixthly Whereas he would pray in ayd from our Homilies to justifie the Historical use of these Images in his Chappel The Homilies are so point-blank against it as we have proved that Impudency it self would blush to cite them to such a purpose especially since the Third Part of the Homily against the Peril of Idolatry pag. 41 42 43. expresly resolves it unlawful to make the picture of Christ or any person in the Trinity much lesse to set them up in Churches Seventhly That the Primitive Christians approved of Images and had the picture of Christ in their Churches and engraven on their Chalices is a most notorious Falshood For Justine Martyr Clemens Alexandrinus Irenaeus Tertullian Minutius Felix Origen Arnobius Cyprian Lactantius Geegory Nyssan Athanasius Ambrose Epiphanius Eusebius Hierome Augustine Hilary Chrysostome Theodoret Theophylact and other Ancients unanimously agree That the Primitive Christians had no Images at all in their Churches together with the Councels of Eliberis Constantinople Toledo Francford and Constantine the Great Constantinus Caballinus Nicephorus Stauratius Philipicus Anthemius Theodosius the second Leo Armenus Valens Michael Balbus Theophylus Charls the Great with sundry other godly Emperors utterly demolished and cast them out of Churches as Ecclesiastical Authors our own Homilies Writers prove at large against the Papsts Lactantius and other Primitive Christians write expresly That without doubt there can be no Religion at all in that place wheresoever any Image is whereupon Epiphanius rent the Image of Christ or some other Saint which he found in a Church painted in cloth out of holy indignation as contrary to the Authority of the Scriptures In few words Our own Homilies against the peril of Idolatry part 2. p. 38. expresly resolve That when Images began to creep into the Church they were not onely spoken and written against by godly and learned Bishops Doctors and Clerks but also condemned by WHOLE COVNCELS OF LEARNED MEN assembled together yea the said Images by many Christian Emperors and Bishops were defaced broken and destroyed Which Mr. Calvin in the place objected by the Bishop affirms likewise And therefore it is a most desperate Impudency in the Archbishop thus falsly to affirm the contrary point-blank against our Homilies and his own subscription to them And whereas he cites Tertullian to prove that the Christians in his dayes had the picture of Christ upon their Chalices We Answer That if the Book de Pvdicitia be Tertullians own of which some doubt yet his words import no such thing which are these A parabolis licebit incipias ubi est evis perdita à Domino acquisita humeris ejus revecta Procedant ipsae PICTVRAE CALICVM VESTRORVM not nostrorum si volle nillis perlucebit interpretatio pecudis illius utrumne Christiano vel Ethnico peccateri de restitutione colliniet If this place intimate any thing it is onely this That the Phychici and other Hereticks against whom he writ this Book not the Orthodox Christians as this Prelate dreams had the picture of the lost sheep graven on their cups will it therefore follow hence Ergo The Orthodox Christians had Crucifixes and Images of Christ God the Father the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary in their Churches in their Chappelss as he hath set up in his Lambeth Chappel windows Certainly this is a grosse Nonsequitur Yet this is his learned Argument from this Authority rightly stated And that he hath most grosly abused Tertullian your Lordships and his Auditory in alleadging Tertullian for defence of Images and their use among the Primitive Christians certainly Tertullian is so far from any such opinion that he hath written a whole Book de Idololatria next before this de Pudicitia wherein he expresly condemns not onely the having but making of any Image or Picture for any use and the very Arts of carving and painting Images as contrary to the second Commandment as the * Jews Iosephus Philo and others did before him the very Turks and Persians at this day Take but this Sentence of his insted of many Omnis forma vel formula Idolum se dici exposcit Idolum TAM FIERI quam coli Deus prohibet Quanto praecedit ut fiat quod coli possit tantò prius est NE FIAT si coli non licet Propter hanc causam ad eradicandum scilicet materiam Idololatriae lex divina proclamat Ne feceris Idolum conjungens Neque similitudinem eorum quae in coelo sunt quae in terra quae in mari TOTO MVNDO EJVSMODI ARTIBVS INTERDIXIT SERVIS DEI. Artifices statuarum Imaginum DIABOLVS seculo notulit c. Which he prosecutes at large throughout this eloquent Book And therefore his Impudency and Sophistry in citing Tertullian for defence of Images in Churches who is thus point-blank against the making of any Image whatsoever even for civil uses is an intolerable inexcusable Boldnesse Eighthly Whereas he Answers That the setting up of these Glasse-Images is no High-Treason by the Statute We grant it not to be so simply in it self neither do we urge it to be so but as it tends to subvert our Religion Laws and set up Popery concurs with his other practises of this nature so it may and will prove High Treason The second Part of the Homily against the peril of Idolatry Page 37. assures us That the maintenance of Images hath brought in a sea of mischiefs horrible Schisms Rebellions TREASONS and his maintaining of them hath
as Archbishop as himself both pretended pleaded and he must needs not only hear of but see it too when he was in Oxford Therefore the blame thereof must be his alone As for the bowing and praying to it Mr. Nixon swears it directly and was not mistaken as he would surmise to excuse the odiousnesse of this new erected Oxford Idol which gave such publike scandal 7. It s true that Latin Prayers on Ashwednesday onely were formerly used in Oxford before the Batchellors of Art but he enjoyned such Prayers all the Lent long in stead of English which was never done before to usher in Latin Service by degrees in an unknown tongue divers Townsmen resorting to the English Prayers in Lent who could not understand these new Latin ones which he introduced 8. This Statute enjoyning reading and chanting in solemn Processions was made in time of Popery and Popish processions and renewed in these New Statutes made by this Archbishop Therefore certainly meant of such processions not of perambulations only which are not used by the University And the objected subsequent Statute is but a blinde to delude the simple for the present the Doctrine and Discipline of our Church in the Vniversities judgement being only written in his brest quo rectior non stat regula quo prior est corrigenda Religio as they write unto him in their Letter of November 9. 1640. the last recorded in their Register 9. Whereas he would assoil himself from the Popish Innovations in Cambridge Vniversity the guilt of them must originally rest on him alone for these reasons 1. Because they were introduced by his instruments favourites creatures there advanced by him as Dr. Martin Dr. Cosens Dr. Beal Dr. Lany Dr. Stern 2. Introduced in imitation of those Crucifixes Images Copes Altar-furniture Genuflexions which himself had introduced at Lambeth Chappel to which they were subsequent not antecedent 3. Because though he was not Chancellor yet he pretended to be Visitor of this Vniversity and that of Oxford too as he was Archbishop of Canterbury and procured a solemn Decree and Patent for it to himself and his successors Therefore since he did not prohibit correct suppresse them as Visitor according to Law and duty they will prove his proper Innovations the rather because he permitted countenanced nay enjoyned the like at Oxford by new Statutes where he was both Visitor and Chancellor which was never done in Cambridge That he should have no notice of those Popish Innovations there which were so notorious to all the Kingdom so publikely spoken of in every place when as he had constant weekly intelligence from thence as appears by sundry Letters of all transactions there and was so conversant with the chief Authors of them is not only improbable but impossible Therefore he still lyes under the guilt of this intire charge concerning the Popish Innovations in our Vniversities Fifthly from the Vniversities I was next traced to Cathedrals and Collegiat Churches where I am charged with introducing enjoyning sundry Innovations tending to Popery by my visitors Injunctions and new Cathedral Statutes As 1. Copes 2. Altars some of them made of Marble stone 3. Turning and railing in Communion Tables Altar wise 4. Bowing to and towards the Altar and Lords Table which I enjoyned to sundry Cathedrals by new Statutes as namely to the Cathedralists of Canterbury as Dr. Jackson and Dr. Bletchenden deposed and divers others 5. Crucifixes and Images 6. Candlesticks Basons Altar-clothes with other Altar Ornaments and they instanced in sundry particular Cathedrals as Canterbury Gloncester Durham Winchester Chichester Hereford Worcester where these Innovations were introduced by my Injunctions and new Statutes to make way for them in Parish Churches who must imitate these their Mother Churches To the first of these I Answer that the use of Copes in Cathedral and Collegiat Churches is enjoyned by the 24 Canon made in Convocation An. 1603. therefore it was lawful and no Popish Innovation for me to enjoyn them as I have formerly proved To the second that Altars both the name and thing were in use among the Primitive Christians and Churches who were far from Popery and long before it yea are found both in the Old and New Testament as divers learned men have largely proved To the third that my Injunctions for rayling in of Altars and Lords Tables Altarwise with the sides against the East wall of the Quire is consonant to the Queens Injunctions to the practise of approved Antiquity all Altars and Lords Tables being generally so placed in Churches in ancient times both in this and other Churches of Christendom as well East as West and that there is no matter of Popery in placing and rayling in Lords Tables in this manner as I have proved at large in my printed Speech in Starchamber To the fourth that I did in the very Statutes for the Cathedral-church of Canterbury and others enjoyn the Prebends and Members of the Cathedral Summa reverentia adorare Deum versus Altare which bowing to worship God towards the Altar as Dr. Bletchenden attested upon oath was used before the new Statutes of Canterbury were made yea approved practised by Dr. Jackson himself as readily as by any other Prebends who hath given a greater testimony against himself then me After which he produced his Secretary Mr. Dell to testifie without oath that in the perusal of the old Statutes for the Cathedral of Canterbury divers superstitions were put out by the Archbishop and by name Prayer for the soul of King Henry the 8. after his decease Then he concluded his Answer thus That the 95 Psalm did command this kinde of bowing at our entrance into the Church and that the Knights of the Honourable Order of the Garter were bound by a Chapter-Order to bow to God towards the Altar when they offered at it in their solemnities and did still practise it without guilt or suspition of Popery Therefore himself might use enjoyn and others practise it without any guilt of Popery at all as well as they To the fifth that Crucifixes and Images were not simply unlawful being used in the Kings own Chappel That Images in Churches had been long in use even in Constantine the Great his Raign and long before therefore no Popery could be couched in them To the sixth that those are no other then what the King used in his own Chapple and had been long time used in the Church for greater Ornament lustre it being a disparagement to our Religion to have God served slovenly and meanly as many desired he should be under pretence of shunning superstition To this was Replyed 1. That neither our Common Prayer Book nor Book of Ordination nor Homilies confirmed by Parliament the only Canons in force to direct us nor Queen Elizabeths Injunctions in the first year of Her Raign enjoyn any Copes in Cathedrals more then in other Churches but condemn seclude them alike out of all our Churches and that the
evasions that this Picture was conceived to bee the picture of God the Father as Master Caryl deposed not a picture of him in truth It is a most childish evasion for the Scripture is expresse That God being a spirit an invisible infinite Essence can have no true pillure likenesse or similitude made of him by any corporall visible representation Isay 40. 18. to 27. c. 46. 5 6 Acts 17. 29. Rom. 1. 23. 24 25. whence every such Image of God is tearmed a lye in Scripture Isay 44. 20. Hab. 2. 18. Rom. 1. 25. c. And if ever any Image of God were a lye then certainly this as hath bin proved Now whereas he pretends it appeared not it was adored and idolozed till the hearing it is certaine it appeared to Mr. Sherfield long before the hearing or demolishing of it as he deposed in his answer and this appearing by witnesses upon Oath to the Bishop and whole Court when the cause was heard made his unjust and heavy censure farre more abominable to God and man Eghtly Mr. Workman was principally censured for his preaching against Images though his expressions were the very words of our Homilies The other particulars vvere all justifiable true no wayes censurable except the sixt which was pretended but not proved Therefore his censure most unjust and his censuring of some of those of Gloucester that joyned in a grant of Annuity to him under the City Seale though the Fine was but small and afterwards remitted was far more unjust 1. Because the grant of this Anpuity was not only an act of Charity but justice and equity punishable by no Law and highly to bee commended 2ly Because they were censured in their privat naturall Capacity for what they acted only in their politique as Members of the Corporation under their Common Seale wherein the whole City were engaged as much as they 3ly Because they damned this grant of which they had no cognisance to starve a faithfull Minister and his Family who had no other Livelyhood As for his prohibiting him to teach Schoole to practise Phisick when he had put him from his Ministry without any just cause it was a treble tyrany and oppression he being enforced to take this course only to supply himselfe and his family for which the Law of God and nature enjoynes him to provide unlesse he will be worse then an Infidell and doubtlesse he must needs be worse then any Infidell who had the heart to do it upon such a poore pretence that he might infect others with his opinions to wit of the unlawfullnesse of Images in Churchs or private houses the very approved resolved Doctrine of our Statutes Homilies Injunctions Writers Church 9ly For that he alleageth by way of justification and excuse touching the most barbarous censures of Mr. Prynne Mr. Burton Dr. Bastwick We reply 1. That his hand was to all the Warrants for their Illegall commitments crose imprisenments before their censures That the Books for which they were questioned were neither scandalous Seditious nor Schismaticall but necessary Apologies Pleas against his unjust tyrannicall proceedings in the High Commission and Popish Innovations in the Church to subvert our Religion That himselfe in his Starchamber Speech and Heylin and Dove after him confesseth justifieth the truth of these Innovations wherewith those Bookes did charge him all which the former and this present Parliament have unanimously complained off and voted to be illegall Popish destructive to our Religion Therewere these Bookes were neither Scandalous nor Libellous 3ly Both the proceedings and sentence against them are voted adjudged by both Houses to be altogether illegall unjust barbarous contrary to Magna Charta the Lawes of the Land and liberty of the Subject and unparralel'd in any age therefore ordered to be utterly rased and taken off the file as unfit to remaine upon record to prejudice posterity 4ly Their prosecution proceeded principally from him the Orders for shutting them up close prisoners denying them pen inke paper and speech with one another were procured by him The Orders for denying them liberty to put in their Answers under their owne hands taking them pro confesso were made when himselfe sate and Voted in Court being both prosecutor party and Iudge the sentence was given He sitting in Court though particularly excepted against though he gave no Vote in the Censure it selfe yet al knowe he was the cause and contriver of it before it was given yea he approved and thanked the Lord for it in his Speech when it was given caused it to he most seveerly executed when given against the will of those that gave it instigating his Majesty to the bloudy execution of it afterwards when executed denyed Mr. Pryns servant liberty upon Rayle to attend him during his wounds set his hand first to all the Warrants for sending them to and close imprisoning them in remote Castles and after that for banishing them into forraigne Islands where they were so strictly mewed up that neither freind Wife Children could have the least accesse unto them for their releife nor they procure liberty of pen inke or paper to write unto them for necessaries Yea had not he ingaged his extraordinary power and malice in their prosecution neither the Court Iudges Officers nor Lords had bin so extravagant so unjust in their proceedings Censures Executions against them nor their Councell so over-awed as they were nor they denyed liberty to answer for themselves and to impeach their Opposites by a Crosse Bil which if admitted as it ought of right and justice it would have prevented their heavy Censure elsewhere which probably would have falne short of this he is now likely to incurre All which considered this part of the charge stickes fast upon him in each particular 7ly Himselfe sent for Dr. Featly and commanded him to carry his Sermons to his Chaplin to peruse who thereupon expunged this and other passages out of them after they were printed to please his Lord and his Chaplains Act in this case is his own And though other passages against Images remained yet no reason can be given for expunging this being the direct words of the Homily but his complyancy with the Papists Yea Dr. Featlie sweares expresly that he did complaine of it to Sir Edmond Scot who told him it would bee bootlesse to complaine to the Archbishop who would undoe nothing his Chaplaine had altered 8ly For the Popish pictures we have proved them printed in London by the Archbishops own authority and direction that himselfe saw and approved them whiles in printing being the very same with those his Chapell windowes the Masse-Booke and Boetius a Bolswort found in his study That they were ordinarily bound up in Bibles and sold in shops of which the Stationers complaining to him he thereupon gave them the foresaid answer himselfe But that the Lords of the Counsel gave any such order he produceth no proofe at all In few words if the pictures were lawfull to bee
and that was no extravagancy As for the consecrating of Churches only repaired or somwhat enlarged we know no Law nor Canon in our Church to warrant it And to take sees for it is both Symony and extortion For the restoring of them it is only affirmed not proved and to take them illegally to bestow them on the poore is but to rob Peter to cloath Paul Thirdly For the consecration of Chappell 's and meere private Oratoties there is no president in Antiquity yea Gratian himselfe and the Roman Pontificall allow the use of them without any consecration Therefore to consecrate them is to exceed even Popery and Papists in Superstition As for his Chapell of Aberguilly his owne Diary proclaimes his Superstition both in its consecration and denomination of it For the Patterne and furniture of it his owne notes and papers clearly prove it was the same with that of Bishop Andrews whose forme of conscration himselfe alleageth he punctually pursued And if this were the true patterne furniture of Bishop Andrews owne Chapell Anno 1623. all the world may justly censure him for a professed Papist his Chapell Altar and their furniture being as Popish Superstitious Idolatrous every way as the Pops in Rome yea exceeding the very Roman Ceremoniall and Pontificall For Wafers they are directly contrary to the Rubrick at the end of the Communion in the Book of Common prayer we wonder therefore with what face this Prelate dares justify them That a Bishops breath puts only a badge of reverence not holinesse on Churches is diametrially contrary to what he formerly affirmed Perchance he now remembers that Quicquid effecit tale est magis tale and therefore Bishops cannot make other things holy with their breath who have little or no holinesse at all in their hearts For his solemne consecration prayer at the laying the first stone of Hammersmith Chappell it hath neither Scripture Law Canon Antiquity but the Roman Pontificall to warrant it Therefore it is meerly Popish Wheras he objects by way of jeare that he hopes the consecration of Churches and Chapells is no Treason we answer that we do not charge it to be so in it selfe But we have proved it to be a branch of Popery and a grosse one too and being introduced by him among other things to set up Popery and subvert Religion it will prove Treason in this respect as we shall manifest in due time And so this intre charge remaines unavoyded in any the least particle 8ly The next Charge urged against me Is The Kings Declaration for the use of sports on the Lords day prescribing the observation of Revells Wakes Feasts of Dedication likewise formerly suppressed where I am accused 1. For causing this Booke to be enlarged reprinted in his Majesties name to prevent the petition of the Iustices in Somersetshire and make way for Mr. Prynnes censure 2. For pressing Ministers to read it in their Churches without any Warrant suppressing of Sermons censuring those who refused to publish it as Mr. Wilson Master Player Master Heiron Mr. Snelling with sundry others encouraging other Bishops to suspend silence many Godly preaching Ministers for this cause pressing this Book and ordering Churchwardens to present such who refused to publish it by Visitation Oathes and Articles 3ly For reviving disorder by wakes Revels and causing the Iudges Orders to be reversed To the first of these I answer That the Kings Declaration for sports was printed and published by his Majesties speciall command Yea I had a Warrant under his hand to see it printed and there is no proofe at all that it was printed published or enlarged by my procurement Besides the Declaration is but for the use of lawful Sports and that only after evening prayer ended and the cause of publishing it at that time was partly Barbourous Book of the Sabbath who would revive the Iewish Sabbath and the Iewish rigidities positions of others touching the Lords day whose positions drew Brabourne into that Error In Geneva it self as I have bin ceedibly informed by Travellers they use shooting in peeces long bowes Crosse Bowes Musters and throwing of the bowle too on the Lords day as well before as after Sermons ended and allow all honest recreations without reproofe of their Ministers yea Mr. Calvin the great professor there Instit l. 2. c. 8. sect 34. blames those who infected the people in former ages with a Iudaicall opinion that the morality of the 4th Commandement to wit the keeping of one day in 7. did still continue which what else is it then in dishonour of the Iews to change the day and to affix as great a sanctity to it as the Iewes ever did And that those who adhored to their constitutions who broached this Doctrine Crassa carnalique Superstitione Judaeos ter superant Men may be too strict as wel as prophaneherein Yet I for my part have ever strictly observed the Lords day in point of practise And whereas it was attested by Mr. Prynne that this Declaration was published to prevent the Petition of Somersetshire for the reviving of Iudge Richardsons forecited order Sir Robert Philips and many other Gentlemen of that County complained against the order to the King whereupon the Iudge was ordered to reverse it and the Declaration was not published till after the reversall 2ly The Declaration was ordered to be published in the Church and that was sufficient warrant to enjoyne Ministers to publish it there although no penalty be prescribed in it to such who should refuse to publish the same yet it is implyed otherwise the command were idle in case of disobedience That it was published with intent to suppresse afternoon Sermons that so the people might â—ave more time for Sports This could not be since none were to use any Recreations till after Evening Prayer ended That I gave my Visitor command to suspend those who refused to read it was only within my Diocesse of Canterbury not in my Metropoliticall Visitation throughout my province I suspended but three Ministers in my whole Diocesse who had first time of consideration granted them to wit Mr. Wilson Mr. Culmer and Mr. Player only suspended ob officio for their contumacy being men of factious Spirits For Mr. Wilson and others being brought into the High Commission for not reading this Declaration it was the act of the Court not mine As for Mr. Snelling he was excommunicated by Dr. Woode not me and he was questioned in the High Commission for not bowing at the name of Iesus and as well as not reading this Book Besides I was not present at his censure there neither did I expunge his answer Nor did I presse the reading of the Declaration in my Visitation Articles if other Bishops did it t is nothing to me themselves must answer for it not I. 3ly Feasts of dedication have beene of great Antiquity and in generall use in some Coutries and there is a lawfull use of them for Hospitality and increase of
the Lawes concerning it meer Engines of State to draw reward for toleration dispensation and connivance c. his excuse is most miserable and ridiculous For first it is generally agreed by all Protestant Writers that Popery trencheth upon the first Commandement by advancing the Virgin Mary Pope to omit the Bredden Wafer into the very Throne of God himselfe and Deifying them both with divine Titles Adorations Attributes Epithites Orisons and the like therefore no reason to delete this clause that it trencheth on the first Commandement the rather because Paul himselfe affirmes it in direct termes 2 Thes 2. 3 4. as all orthodox Expositors resolve Secondly it s agreed by all Protestants yea by this Arch-Prelat himselfe in shew at least when his reputation seemed to be somewhat blasted as if he were devoted to Popery and expresly resolved by our Homilies against the perill of Idolatry that Popery expresly trencheth upon the second Commandement sundry wayes as by adoring Crucifixes Images Saints Angels Reliques Altars the consecrated Hoast yea by invocation of Saints departed and introduction of sundry Idolatrous Superstitious Rites Ceremonies formes of Worship invented by Popes Priests Fryars into the Worship of God Therefore had he deleted its intrenchment upon the first Commandement as dubious yet since there is no question of their transgressing the second in all these particulars his abolition thereof is inexcusable and displayes his popish disposition Thirdly however had he deleted this likewise yet his obliterating that which followes against connivance at and suspention of Lawes against Popery and Papists for luchre sake least God make the gaine gotten by this dividing betwixt him and Idols to be like that of Solomons which was recompenced with the losse and dividing of his Kingdome betwixt his Sonne and a Stranger c. the sad effects whereof we have lately felt with all other passages whatsoever against Popery especially at this juncture of time when all forraigne popish Princes had confederated to extirpate the Protestant Religion in forraigne parts as the first deleted passage informes us is such an unsufferable execrable crime in one who pretends himselfe a Protestant Bishop and had then no legall authority to correct or license Books for the Presse as deserves the highest censure yea displays to all the world the hidden Popery of his heart if not his secret correspondency with the Romish party to replant their false superstitious Religion and Idolatry in our Church and from this originall purgation of his we may visibly discover that all succeeding expunctions of this kind made by his owne chaplains and other Agents at Lambeth or London-house proceeded primarily from himself as the originall cause and Author of them The second Objection of this kind is my alterations of the Prayers appointed for the fift of November in some particular causes in the Impression of them Anno 1635. To this I answer First that these alterations were not made by me but the Prayers were sent unto me altered by the King himselfe who commanded me to see them printed according to those alterations and I have here the Books with his Majesties hand and Warrant to each of them for what I did Secondly that the expressions were somewhat overharsh and fit to be altered terming their very Religion Rebellion being but the Christian Religion and the same with Ours as I have proved at large in my Speech in Star-chamber to which I must referre where I have rendred reasons for it which gave generall satisfaction then and I hope will doe so to your Lordships now To which was replied First that the Archbishop shewes his great undutifulnesse here in casting this and other his unwarrantable popish actions on the King himselfe Secondly that for ought appeares he procured from the King this Warrant since the alterations were printed yea complained of and that by circumvention Thirdly that it had been his duty to have disswaded the King from giving way to such scandalous alterations in favour of Jesuits Papists Traitors and their bloody Religion Fourthly that himselfe in his Speech page 33 34. confesseth he made the Alterations himselfe by the Kings command Therefore the Book was not sent him altered by the King or any other as now he falsly pretends Fiftly as for the grounds of the most grosse alteration mentioned in his Speech we have already refuted them at large in the Charge therefore we shall not actum agere but refer you thereunto The third objected Purgation made by my selfe is of some clauses appointed in the Book for the Fast Anno 1636. To which I answer First that it is not proved that I made these Purgations Secondly that I have given a full answer to and shewed there was reason for the making of them in my SPEECH in Star-chamber where they were objected To this was replied First that himselfe doth both confesse and justifie thèse purgations in his said Speech to be made by himselfe and his confederated brethren to whom the care of this Fast was committed therefore he much forgets himselfe here in denying it to be proved when we undeniably evidenced it by his owne printed Confession Secondly we have already refuted his reasons for those purgations mentioned in his Speech discovering their absurdity and fully proving that they were made meerly in favour of Popery to which he hath not returned the least shadow of answer therefore we shall acquiesse therein without further reply The fourth objected alterations and purgations ascribed to my selfe are in Doctor Potters Book entituled Want of Charity c. the second Edition To which I answer First that he writ to me of his own accord to alter or correct any thing I thought meet in the second Impression of his Book and what I did therein was upon his owne request Secondly that the expressions I advised him to amend were either such as were very harsh as Beleeve in the Pope or somewhat obscure as The Idol of Rome c. Thirdly that his exposition of Matth. 18. 17 11. Dic Ecclesiae c. concernes not the Parliament but the Sanhedrin or Civill Court of the Jewes And whereas it is urged that I writ his Exposition of it seemes to give as much power to the Parliament as to the Church or Convocation in Church affaires which is a derogation to the Parliaments Jurisdiction I conceive it to be none since it appeares by the Statute of 1. Eliz. c. 1. that the Parliament cannot determine any thing in matter of Religion without assent of the Clergy in their Convocation this Act providing That the High Commissioners shall not in any wise adjudge any matter to be Heresie but onely such as hath beene heretofore determined ordered or adjudged to be Heresie by the authority of the Canonicall Scriptures or by the first foure generall Councels or any of them c. or such as shall be hereafter ordered judged or determined to be Heresie by the high
true mans cloathes on his backe or sparing his life will justifie or extenuate the taking away of his purse or the leaving a few Cottages standing excuse the burning of a whole City besides That Doctor Weekes and Doctor Heywood joyned in expunging these Sermons proves their confederacy onely not lessens but aggravates their iniquity As for Doctor Weekes he was his owne Chaplaine as well as the Bishop of Londons as appeares by his owne hand and Diary therefore he must answer for his misdemeanours in this kinde for purging both Doctor Clorkes Sermons and Master Wards Commentary For Doctor Baker he was his owne great favourite advanced by him to a Prebendary as appeares by the Docquet Booke Therefore his Index Expurgatorius on Doctor Jones his Commentary proceeding doubtlesse from this Archbishops antecedent directions must remaine upon his score notwithstanding all his shifting evasions To the particular passages purgged out of these Authors he returned no answer at all onely by these his severall answers to these Purgations all the world may clearly discover his shamelesse impudence and Popery in justifying them his brain-sick folly in his extenuations of them his palpable Romanizing in practising many of them himselfe and the whole weight of all the Branches in this charge falling heavily upon him notwithstanding all his shifts to ward them off The twelfth charge objected against me is my connivance at the importation of popish Books and restoring them to the owners when seized by the Customers and Searchers contrary to the Statute of 3. Jacobi e. 5. To this I answer I never connived at their importation and that the restoring of them when seized was not by any direction of mine but by order of the High Commission Court To which was replied First that he doth not so much as once alleage he ever gave any order for seizing any Popish Books imported whereas the Customers Searchers Pursivants and other Officers had strict Warrants and speciall Commands from him to seize all imported Bibles with Notes with all Books savouring any way of Puritanisme as he deemed it or tending against Arminianisme and popish Innovations Secondly he confesseth that popish Books when seized were usually restored by order of the High Commission Court to the owners contrary to the Statute whereas that Court never restored any Bibles with Notes or Books against Arminianisme or popish Innovations seized by their order but burnt them privately or otherwise destroyed them Thirdly he proves not that any of them were restored by Order of Court whereas Egerton sweares that Mottershead averred they were restored by the Archbishops owne order without the Courts But be it by order of Court yet his crime is still the same since himself sate President and chiefe Controller in the High Commission and consented to these Orders if not commanded them to be made whereas in duty he should have crossed them that Court not daring to make any such Orders of Restitution without his consent who had such an over-ruling power in it The thirteenth particular objected against me is my advancing of Arminians and Clergy-men superstitiously and popishly affected to Bishopricks Deaneries Headships of Houses Prebendaries and all other Ecclesiasticall preferments yea Chaplainships not onely about my selfe but about his Majesty and the Prince with my encroachments herein upon the Lord Keeper the Lord High Chamberlaine Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries and my disgracing persecuting godly Orthodox Ministers and keeping them from preferment for opposing Arminianisme popery and popish Innovations of both which they have given sundry particular instances to the chiefe whereof I shall returne such answers as I am â—ble in due place 〈◊〉 this I shall answer something in generall First that to my remembrance 〈◊〉 preferred no such persons to Bishopricks or any Ecclesiasticall livings and preferments secoÌ„dly if any of those preferred by me were such at the time of their preferments it was unknown to me and if they turned such afterwards I could neither foresee nor prevent it Thirdly on the contrary I have preferred divers worthy orthodox Ministers free from all exceptions as Master Taylor of Clapham now one of the Assembly Master John Downham Bishop Hall and sundry others To which was replied First that we had proved the generallity of those he preferred to be addicted inclined to Arminianisme Popery or both and so knowne to be when he advanced them no doubt to himselfe better then others and this their inclination was one chiefe cause of their preferment Secondly that his preferment of Master John Downham and Master Taylor orthodox men to petty Benefices and no higher preferments was but a meer stale to blind some peoples eyes or stop their mouths for his advancing of so many rotten corrupt popish Clergy-men to Bishopricks Deanaries Prebendaries Arch-deaconries Masterships of Colledges and the fattest Benefices but no justification nor extenuation of his preferring of so many such Thirdly for his advancement of Bishop Hall viz. from one Bishoprick to another it is yet a meer non liquet to us onely averred not proved by himselfe but if true it was rather to corrupt and draw him over to his party then preferre him for his owne or the Churches benefit and how that worthy Prelate hath degenerated declined since in case of Episcopacy the Scottish Warres the new Canons the Et cetera Oath popish Ceremonies Innovations of all sorts and pressing the book of Sports upon the Lords day we have already manifested by his owne Letters in part and the residue is so experimentally knowne to most of his Diocesse that it needs no proofe However his preferring of above twelve Judas-Bishops to one true Apostle is a grand disservice to our Church our Religion and no justification nor extenuation of his offence therein For particulars the first thing I am charged with is for advancing Master Mountague Doctor Manwaring Bishop Neale Bishop Wren Doctor Lindsey and others to Bishopricks men publikly complained against one of them censured in Parliament and disabled from all preferments in our Church which was proved by the Docquet Books To this I answer First that Master Mountague was not preferred by me to any Bishoprick neither is the Docquet Book any good proofe thereof but he was preferred to it by Sir Dudly Carltons meanes true it is I was at his consecration but that was by command and I could not refuse or resist it Besides he was a great Scholler therefore thought worthy of preferment by the King Secondly for Doctor Manwaring I did not preferre him but it was his Majesties pleasure to bestow a Deanary and after that a Bishoprick on him in regard of his sufferings for his service notwithstanding his sentence and he commanded me to consecrate him which command I had no power to withstand or oppose being bound by Law and the duty of my Place to obey it Thirdly for Bishop Neale he was a worthy man free from Popery and
of their complaint That it would introduce a Ministery independent on the Bishops is a false surmise since none were recommended to officiate or preach at any of the purchased Impropriations but by speciall license of the Bishops in whose they were and none were presented to them but conformable men free from all just exceptions if he could justly except against ought in their proceedings Master White deposeth he offered that he himselfe should rectifie it so as the work might proceed but this would not content him but they must be suppressed and criminally proceeded against That he did it in a legall way is no justification nor excuse since those who work and accomplish mischiefe by colour of Law are worse then open Tyrants For the sentence no doubt it was most unjust and so the Earle of Dorset who was present at it told the King himself affirming the buying in of Impropriations to be the best work that ever was set on foot for the Churches good his owne beging the Impropriations in Ireland from the Crowne for the pretended good of the Church proves it infallibly against himselfe But that the Judges onely must answer for this unjust sentence not he is a meer Nonsequitur because the Law resolves that Plus peccat Author quà m Actor and the Judges had never given such an unjust sentence in this cause had not he by his violence power fraud interressing the King himselfe against the Feoffees over-awed swayed the Judges to swarve from the rules of Piety and Justice That some of the revenues of purchased Impropriations were contributed towards the maintainance of Saint Antholins Lecturers is true but that it was a mis-imploying by them contrary to trust or that any unworthy or unconformable Ministers were put into them is a grosse falshood disproved by Master White upon Oath However had it been true he should then have reformed the abuse not utterly destroyed the good work so much conducing to Gods glory and the peoples edification For Heylins Sermon it was presented to retained approved yea himselfe advanced by him and no doubt he preached it by his direction As for Master Foxly he did not onely check but persecute imprison and most barbarously handle him to his undoing onely for his promoting this pious project even after he had quite overthrowne it and openly vaunted of this his wickednesse All which considered each branch of this charge sticks most immovably upon him notwithstanding all his evasions to shake it off The sixteenth charge urged against me is That I have endeavoured to cause division and discord between the Church of England and other reformed Churches and endeavoured to suppresse the Priviledges Immunities of the reformed Dutch and French Churches in this Kingdome wherein it was objected First that I esteemed them no Churches of God or Christ at all because they â—â—nted Bishope which they endeavoured to prove by mine owne Conference with Fisher Bishop Hals Propositions approved by me and Bishop Mountagues Book authorized by my Chaplaine Secondly that I deemed their Religion and ours not to be one but different and their Religion not to be the true Religion Upon which ground I grew angry with Master Ruly and caused the Letters-Patents granted by the King for a Collection for the Palatinate Ministers to be revoked after they had passed the great Seale and a clause in them to be expunged to their great injury and scandall as Master Wakerly and Master Hartlib attested Thirdly that I caused the Declaration of the Faith and Ceremonies of the Pals 〈◊〉 Church to be called in and suppressed Fourthly That I molested the DUTCH FRENCH and WALLOONE reformed Churches in England sundry yeers and infringed their ancient Priviledges by my Injunctions in divers particulars To this I answer in generall that I deny both the Charge and Article and that I have endeavoured to promote and preserve peace between the Protestant Churches abroad and encouraged Master Dury who was imployed to make a reconciliation between the Calvinists and Lutherans beyond the Seas as I could evidence by sundry of his Letters therefore I had a good affection to these Churches and no intent to make any discord between them To the objected particulars I answer First that in my Conference with Fisher I cite only St Jeroms words to prove a difference in order and degree between a Bishop and ordinary Presbyter and inferre from his words as his opinion not mine so even with him no Bishop no Church But it hath been objected that Bish Mountagues Book determines expresly that there can be no Church without Bishops nor Ministers but such who are ordained by Diocesian Bish distinct from an ordinary Minister and that no Minister no not in case of necessity can be ordained by any other therefore the forraign Protestant Churches which have no such Bishops and their Ministers being not ordained by Bishops but other Presbyters can be no Churches nor Ministers I answer that this Book and opinion of his concernes not me being none of mine but the Authors Yea but I maintained and approved the same opinion in effect in Bishop Hals Propositions touching Episcopacy to which I endeavoured to procure a generall subscription pressing it upon others and therein I determine That there was no Church of Christ upon earth ever since the Apostles times governed otherwise then by Bishops and that this government is unalterable and ought to be perpetuated in the Church to the end of the world Which doth wholly unchurch all the reformed Churches and resolve them to be no Churches of Christ I answer that these Propositions were sent me by Bishop Hall of his owne accord that what I did in them was by his consent neither were any pressed to subscribe them nor they propounded concludingly And though Episcopacy be not alterable yet it may be regulated That it is unalterable Bishop Bilson hath proved it long since it continuing so in all Churches at least fifteen hundred yeers after Christ and is allowed approved by the Book of Ordination yea Master Calvin himselfe on that of John As my Father sent me so send I you acknowledgeth the perpetuity of Bishops in the Church Secondly I deny that I esteem the Reformed Churches Religion ours not to be the same true it is we they differ in some particular points of Doctrin as wel as in Disciplin but this makes us not wholly to differ in Religion nor did I deny their Religion to be true As for Master Ruly I used him very civilly with all respect and promoted the Collection for the Palatinate all I could having received a Letter from the Queen of Bohemia for that purpose True it is I caused the objected clause in the first Patent of the Collection to be altered but it was by the Kings direction who gave order for it upon my acquainting him therwith and I conceive there was ground enough to doe it First because some of the Palatinate Divines as Paraus upon the
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
Prince and Bishop of Conchen when in Spaine the Articles of the Duke of Buckingham against the Lord Digby and the Lord Digbies against him in full Parliament Anno 1626. To which they Object I was privy because I was Confessor to the Duke and his Cabinet Counsell at that time and because my Letter to Bishop Hall my owne Diary and Letters to and from the Duke whiles in Spaine with the Note in my Masse Booke discover and confirme it Secondly by the French Match with the Queen promoted purposely to usher in Popery and to reconcile us unto Rome to which they Object I was privy and assistant as my Letters to the Duke my intimacy and compliance with the Queen my inhibitng Ministers to pray and punishing them for praying for the Queens conversion my censuring of Master How for praying That the young Prince might not be brought up in Popery with my magnifying of Queen Maries dayes and depressing King Edwards and Queen Elizabeths demonstrate Secondly by sundry particular instances as First Ludovicus a Sancta Maria his Conclusiones Theologicae Secondly the Plot discovered to me by Haberufield Thirdly the Dedicating of Fastidius his Works to the King by Cardinall Barbarino Fourthly Sancta Clara his Deus Natura Gratia writ of purpose to reconcile us to Rome with which I was acquainted and maintained the Author of it Saint Giles a most dangerous seducing Priest in the University of Oxford Fifthly the proffers of Cardinalships to English men and twice to my selfe Sixthly the strange encrease and proceedings of Papists Priests Jesuits and the Popish Hierarchy in Ireland to which I was privy yet denied it and incensed the King against the Commons for complaining of it Seventhly the Popes sending of divers Nuncioes successively into England where they resided and were publickly entertained with our reciprocall sending and maintaining Agents at Rome to work a Reducement of us back to that Antichristian See To this I answer First that I was neither the Author nor Fomenter of the Spanish Match nor of the Kings Voyage into Spaine which was charged on the Duke and the Lord Dighy It is true my Lord Duke was pleased to enter into a neer familiarity with me and to make me his Confessor and that I writ Letters to him into Spaine and received Letters from him thence but this proves not that I was privy to that Plot as for the Popes Letters to the Prince and the Bishop of Conchen in Spaine to pervert him in his Religion they are nothing to me and my Letter to Bishop Hall was many yeers after that Match broken off Secondly there is no proofe of my furthering the Match with France or that the end of it was to reduce us back to Rome the respects and services I did for the Queen were no more then in civility and duty I ought to performe out of the duty I bare to the King my Master whose Consort and Wife she is her gracious favour towards me proceeded only from her owne gracious disposition not from my deserts or seeking and I had no reason to reject it because it would be a meanes for me to work the more effectually upon her Majesty For my giving Order in my Metropolitical Visitation to my Visitor to inhibit Ministers to pray for the Queens conversion or questioning any for praying for it I absolutely deny it and for Master How he was justly censured for his prayer it being scandalous to his Majesty in questioning his care of the Princes education in the true Religion and infusing jealousies into the peoples heads of his education in Popery and inclination to it As for my pretended magnifying of Queene Maries dayes and depressing of King Edwards and Queene Elizabeths in the Preface to the OXFORD STATUTES I answer that that Preface is none of mine nor proved to be so and if it were yet the words relate to the State and Statutes of the Vniversity of Oxford only in their dayes not of our Church and Religion Secondly to the particular Instances I answer that the first second and third of them concerne not me I was neither the cause nor author of nor privy to them nor could I hinder them and the second of them is a strong evidence for me For the fourth of them Sancta Clara his Book it was printed at Lyons not at London and Saint Giles was not the Author of it but another Fryar I had no hand in it nor was privy to it yet it was disliked by many of the Papists because it gave much advantage to our Church and Religion For his being at Oxford it was much against my will by the Kings speciall Warrant for which I have his hand and I maintained him not there but the King To the fifth the proffer of Cardinals Caps to others is nothing to me and for the offer of a Cardinalship to my selfe two severall times as I could not hinder the offers so I rejected them and acquainted the King both with the person and thing which is all I could doe expressing the cause of my refusall thereof to be That something dwelt within me that would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is as appeares by my owne Diary The strongest Evidence that can be to acquit me from any compliancy with Rome To the sixth I answer that the encrease and proceedings of the Papists in Ireland mentioned in the Objected Letters and Papers are nothing to me I was not the cause nor author thereof the Monasteries and Nuâ—meries mentioned in them were but poor little houses My answer to the CoÌ„mons Remonstrance was penned by the Kings speciall command as appears by the endorsment I knew not of these Irish papers nor of the encrease of popery there wheÌ„ I returned an answer to the Remonstr An. 1628. these Proclamations letters papers being dated since that time for the Deputies letters they are nothing to me I could not hinder the writing and directing of them to me and himselfe hath already been impeached condemned for his Actions for which I am not to answer To the seventh I say it was not in my power to hinder the Popes sending his Nuncioes hither which the King condiscended to upon the Queens earnest desire to accommodate and satisfie her Majesty in some things which concerned her in her Religion For the Agents sent and residing in Rome they were hers not mine sent thither by her Majesty without my privity and against my liking To this was replied First that the forementioned Evidence fully demonstrats that the Archbishop was both privy consenting assisting to the Spanish Match Voyage and to the very Instructions given to the Prince before he went into Spaine how he ought to satisfie the Pope about King James his proving him to be the Antichrist in his publique writings therefore the Popes Letter to the Prince and Bishop of Conehen to pervert the Prince in his Religion with the Dukes and Lord Digbies attempts there to
expertnesse and diligence in discovering priests and assisting other Messengers to apprehend them for this hainous crime alone Windebanke complained of him to the Queen and for this very cause Thatcher is specially charged by the Arcishop himselfe not to keep company with him under paine of being turned out of his place and Goldsmith deposeth that the Archbishop himselfe gave a publick charge to all the Messengers of the High Commission not to keep company with Gray any more for if they did he would lay them by the heels pull their Coats off their backs and turne them out of their places Committed he was to the Fleet upon the Archbishops complaint only for using words implying his coldnesse in prosecuting priests hoping to see better times a very poor cause to imprison him so long His own hand as we proved is to the Warrant for his commitment He oft times petitioned for his enlargement by his wife but his petitions were still rejected with scorn He answers He will have nothing to doe with that Priest-catching knave proved by two Witiesses Elizabeth Gray and Goldsmith Vbi dolor ibi digitus here was the cause of all the malice against Gray this was his grand crime he was a priest-catcher and a knave for catching them strange language from an Archbishop But what followes his favourite Windebank must come in to act the second part and close up the Tragedy Gray must not be enlarged after many moneths imprisonment till he put in baile never to discover or prosecute Priests more and then they should all be quiet in short time with our prelats and popish Clergies concurrence quickly reduce us all to Rome This is the upshot of the Designe which this evidence concerning Gray most cleerly discovers and proves too Eightly for Egertons testimony concerning his restoring of popish Books it is more then a report it was from the mouth of Mottershead a sworne Officer to the Archbishop now dead who durst not report an untruth of this nature and the Archbishop himselfe confesseth the many Books forementioned were restored by order of the High Commission Court whereof himselfe was a chiefe member therefore by him a cleer confirmation of Mottersheau's words Egerton's testimony and Master Jones his papers Ninthly for the liberty of Priests Jesuits and their saying Masse in prisons it was his owne negligence and connivance the Keepers being under his command the High Commissioners who could look narrowly enough to Puritans and godly Ministers and indeed their commitment thither to secure them from our common Goales and all legall prosecutions was but a meer fallacy to delude the people and advance the Catholick cause with greater facility and lesse suspition Tenthly Mayoes testimony and Thatchers are so farre from extenuating that they aggravate his offence their Warrants and imployments being meer dissimulations and shadowes to gull the people for naught was done upon the intelligence of the one to whom he refused to grant a Warrant because he was too hot against Priests and no Priests apprehended by the other who had his Warrant upon this condition Not to imploy or keep company with Gray the onely man that could discover Priests and Jesuits to him and help him in their apprehending Finally his owne objected confession in his Epistle to the King God forbid I should ever offer to perswide a persecution in any kind or practice it in the least c. against Priests and Jesuits coupled with the premises when as he was so terrible so bloody a persecutor of Orthodox godly Ministers and zealous Protestants unanswerably proues his connivance at his protection of and confederacy with them to re-enthrall us in their Romish bondage So that this whole charge however he conceives he hath shaken it quite off and laid it in the dust recoiles upon him with greater vigor and rests heavier on his back then ever The last charge of this nature against me is that I complyed with Papists Priests and Jesuits in concealing their very Treasonable plots and conspiracies both against our State Church and Religion to reduce us unto Rome for which they produce two instances my threatning and committing Mistris Hussey for discovering a dangerous plot of the Queen Mother and others to cut the Protestants throats and my concealing of Habernfields plot discoverd to me not prosecuting or revealing it to the Parliament or Lords to fift it to the bottome To this I answer that I did not conceale nor discourage the discoverers of either of these two plots For the first of them I conceived it very improbable and I thought Anne Hussey to be crazy when she revealed it and so much I told her For her commitment to the Sheriffes it was at her owne desire for her greater safety and there was as strict an examination as possible of this conspiracy but no cleer evidence For the latter plot as soon as I received intelligence of it I presently revealed it to the King as appeares by my Letter and the Kings Answer to it in the margin under his owne hand which Master Prynne hath printed and the subsequent Letters prove that I did all I could therein but could make nothing of it This I beleeve a noble Lord here present well remembers to whom I disclosed it to wit the Earle of Northumberland who presently replyed he did remember no such thing However it is one of the greatest evidences that can be of my steadfastnesse in the protestant Religion and opposition against popery if the plot were reall and if but counterfeit then no crime to conceale it To which was replyed First that all the premises abundantly prove that he was privy and assistant to many Jesuiticall plots and devices to usher in popery and reduce us to Rome therefore it is no wonder that he opposed not nor prosecuted but smothered them all he could Secondly that the first of the plots which he then conceived improbable hath since experimentally proved reall both in England and Ireland yea his b Owne with Straffords dangerous advice to the King To bring in an Army of Irish Papists at that time to subdue the Scots because they durst not trust the English was cozen Germane to this plot which she discovered and probably a branch thereof For his deeming and calling her Mad-woman when she spake both punctually and rationally with his reviling terrifying words to her his laying an imputation on the whole City of London that she was hired by them to make this discovery with his menaces to have her punished c. were unsufferable abuses in such a case as this to smother a most execrable Treason and such a terrifying of a Witnesse as we shall not read the like especially when all the other Lords encouraged and gave her good words As for the further examination of the businesse afterwards and commitment of the Priest it proceeded only from the other Lords not him who did all he could to dant the Witnesses and conceal the
Conspiracy which if fully prosecuted at that time might have prevented the bloody Massacres which have since been made in Ireland and England in prosecution of the same Designe to advance the Catholick Cause and reduce us back to our prestine Romish thraldome and superstitions Thirdly for Habernfields plot it is true upon the first discovery of it to him in the generall onely when he deemed it to be a conspiracy plotted prosecuted onely by Puritans he acquainted the King therewith which we confesse in our Evidence but as soon as he received the full discovery of it found the parties engaged in it to be Papists Priests Jesuits and some of his owne creatures confederates therein particularized as Secretary Windebanke Sir Toby Matthew and others about the Court he presently sets downe proceeds no farther in it conceales his papers to himselfe not discovering them to King Counsell Parliament nor endeavouring to apprehend examine the parties named in it when present and some of them questioned yea impeached in Parliament for some particulars relating to it Which concealment of his of a most desperate Treason and Conspiracy thus circumstantiated in a case of such grand concernment to the safety of the King Kingdome Church and Protestant Religion we conceive to be a high and treasonable offence tending onely to advance those popish Designes to subvert our Religion and subject us unto Rome which have ever since been prosecuted by the selfe-same parties faction with an higher hand and more open face of late then ever heretofore That this plot was not a fiction unlesse onely in that which concernes himselfe wherein he knew there were some mistakes he being not so odious at Rome as it seemes to make him but a reall truth in all or most particulars which concern our Religion his owne Diary his endorsments on it together with our dear-bought experience late Discoveries concurring with it fully evidence His own cōviction therfore of its reality should have enduced him if not to prosecute yet at leastwise to have revealed itto the Parliament that they might have fifted it to the Bran which he never did Master Prynnes seizing it in his Chamber to his great griefe being the onely meanes to bring it unto light His argument that it makes most of any thing for the justification of his sincerity to our Religion and opposition to Popery aggravates not extenuates his offence in concealing it because then he had more reason to disclose it as well for his owne vindication from scandal as the publike safety of our King Church Religion but his engagements to this confederated Popish party and the Advancment of their cause were such that he preferred them before his owne private pretended justification or the safety of all these coupled together Wherefore he still remaines under the guilt weight of this and all other the Commons forementioned particular charges notwitstanding all his Answers Defences to enervate or elude them And therefore upon this first generall Branch of his Charge the Commons prayed Judgement against him from the House of Peers as the Archest Traytor the cunningest Vnderminer Subverter of of our established Religion the greatest Advancer of Popery and most sedulous Agent to reduce us back to Rome of any Archbishop or pretender to the Protestant Religion that our English Soile or the Christian world have ever bred concluding in the Poets words Dij talem terris avertite Pestem The remaining Branches of whose Charge and Tryall we shall God willing contract into a lesser Volume and publish with convenient speed in each Branch whereof he will appeare as Criminall as Treasonable as Arch a Malefactor as in this wherein he most protested most laboured to assert his Innocency against so many pregnant Evidences and cleer Demonstrations of his guiltinesse as will render him most execrable to all true Protestants for eternity however some have already enrolled him in their lying Legends for a most glorious Martyr and more meritorious Saint then ever his traiterous Predecessor Becket was whose Treasons and other grand Misdemeanours were farre inferiour both in quantity quality and a trocity unto his FINIS THE TABLE OF THE Principal matters contained in this History some Pages whereof being over-cast and twice set others misprinted wherethey are twice paged thou shalt finde that in the later which is not in the former and the other in the corrected that is not in the mistaken pages Dr. Robert Abbots testimony of Lauds inclination to Popery in a publique Sermon in Oxford p. 155 410 411. 545 546. Absolution of Priests but declarative expunged p. 207. 350 to 357. Ferdinando Adams Excommunicated and vexed by Lauds Officers for not removing the Lords Table and setting up a place of Scripture near the Commissaries Court p. 101. 488 489 494. Mr. Adams his Sermon in defence of Auricular Confession p. 192 193. Adoring the Eucharist passages concerning it and against Popish Adorations expunged p. 271. Altars erected justified as Christs Throne furnished with Candlesticks Tapers and other Popish Trinckets railed in bowed to by Lauds Example and Injunctions and justified to be necessary p. 62 63 64 67 68 71. 72 76. 102 113 114 101 to 125 148 191 199 200 217 218. 473 to 490. Passages against Altars expunged p. 279. Placed anciently in the midst not East end of the Quire p. 480 to 490. Bishop Andrews his Popish Chappel opiions and Altar-furniture p. 121 to 125. 424 425 499. Angel Gardians Invocation maintained in late printed Books p. 213. 214. Antichrist by our own Statutes Homilies Writers resolved to be the Papacy and Pope yet denied by Laud and his Confederates who purged out the Name and Title thereof when applied to the Pope with King James his opinion concerning Antichrist and Bishop Ushers p. 178 206 207 260 to 279,542 551 to 555. Apostacy see falling from grace Arbitrary Government passages against it expunged p. 289 290. Arminianism a Plot of the Jesuits it and Arminians countenanced promoted by Laud passages against them purged out Books against them suppressed their Errors countenanced in Presse Pulpit p. 159 to 178 284 285. 507 to 517 530 to 537. See Election Predestination Universal Grace Articles of Ireland against Arminianism and the Pope suppressed by Lauds means p. 177 178 272. 509. 512. Assurance of salvation passages deleted out of new Books in defence thereof by Lauds Agents p. 287 to 291 Ave Maries use and practise justified in new printed Books p. 213 214. Auricular Confession maintained in Print Pulpit practise passages against it expunged by Laud and his instruments p. 188 to 196. 288 289. Dr. Aylets Letter concerning the rayling in Lords Tables and receiving at the Rails p 121. B Baker an Arminian advanced by Laud a Licenser of Popish Books and purger of passages against Popery and Arminianism his Answer concerning the Gunpowder Treason p. 184 186. 256 to 300. sparsim 360. 528. Baptism passages against the Papists and Popish Ceremonies used in it deleted p. 292 295
373. Rome justified by Laud and his complices to be a true Church not to have erred in fundamentals that men may be saved in it that her Religion is the same with ours and that our Bishops derive their succession from it p. 220 221 239 to 243 364 365 390 391 393 441 551 to 555. Rossetti the Popes Nuncio committed to Sir Toby Matthewes tuition by the Popes Bull p. 445 446. Master Ruly Bishop Lauds harshnesse towards him and why p. 391 392. S Sabbath Books written by Lauds instigation against the morality and strict sanctification of it sports works pastimes authorized and used by his meanes clauses for its sanctification morality the very name of Sabbath expunged opposers of its prophanation suspended prosecuted censured p. 128. to 155. 223. to 226 246. 337 338. 376 377. 382. 504 505 506 521. Sacraments ex opere operato convey not grace deleted p. 338 339. Sacrifice of the Masse Altar maintained passages against it deleted p. 201 202 225. 279. 339. 425. Saints Invocation and popish Saints justified passages against it deleted p. 213 214 293 425. Sales his popish Booke licensed by Lauds Chaplaine called in and burnt by Proclamation p. 186 187 188. the 513 514 515. popish poynts in it p. 191 195 to 215 Master Salisburies Sermon against popery and Arminianisme questioned by Laud p. 362. Satisfaction popish passages against it deleted p. 340. Second Service at the Altar enjoyned p. 378 379. Scriptures themselves expunged passages against their light and common peoples reading of them deleted p. 341. Shelfords popish Book opinions p. 186 196 199 209 210 225 226 c. Master Sherfields censure in Star-chamber for breaking an idolatrous popish Image and Lauds bitternesse against him for it p. 102 103 488 489 491 494 495. Doctor Sibthorps Sermon purged by Laud himselfe p. 245 246. 521 522. Sinne passages against living and continuing in it expunged p. 347. Skinner an Arminian made Bishop of Bristoll by Lauds meanes p. 354. Master Peter Smarts case and testimony p. 93 353 360 481 493 530. Smith a dangerous Jesuit and Smith Bishop of Calcedon intimate with Laud and Windebank who protected him p 448 to 456 557 to 562. Master Snellings censure in the High Commission by Lauds meanes for not reading the Declaration for sports p. 151 152. 504 505. Sparroes Sermon in justification of Confession p. 186 189 190 211. Anthony Staffords popish Booke Deifying the Virgin Mary justified by Laud p. 212 216 217 218 513 514 515 Doctor Sterne a popish and Arminian Divine preferred by Laud his defence of Confessions and Priests obsolution p. 193 396 359. Succession personall of Bishops made a Note of the Church and our Bishops lineally derived from Rome p. 220 221. Superstition passages against it deleted p. 294 295 296. Master Sparks testimony p. 183 184 243. T Baron Tanfields Order against Churchales p. 153. Tertullian mis-recited perverted by Laud for the use of Images who expresly condemnes all Images and the very art of making them p. 463 465. Master Thatchers testimony of Lauds favouring Priests c. p. 413. Master Thornes expulsion out of Oxford for opposing Arminianisme p. 174 175. Toleration of Papists passages against it deleted p. 245 246 342. Doctor Towers Letter to Sir John Lambe to prevaile with Laud to make him a Bishop and Orders for Lectures when made Bishop p. 354 378 379. Traditions justified p. 213. Transubstantiation and reall presence of Christs body in the Sacrament justified in new Books and by Laud himselfe passages against it deleted p. 35 202 203 204 322 323 324 332 333 342 514 515 526. Trent Councill magnified in printed Books p. 243. Master Bernard questioned for dispraising it p. 364. Treason against the Church and State as well as against the King c. held dangerous seditious Doctrine by Laud who questioned Master Bernard for it p. 364 365 366. Doctor Turners Letter of information to Laud against Doctor Prideaux in behalfe of Master Mountague p. 157 158. V Master Valentines suspention for not reading the Book for-Sunday-sports p. 382. Master Udney a Lecturer his permission by Abbot complained of to Laud p. 373. Veniall sins maintained in printed Books p. 211. Passages against them deleted out of orthodox Books p. 343. Veron his answer to Clampneyes p. 169 184. Master Vicars History of the Gun-powder Treason denied license p. 184. Vocation effectuall passages concerning it deleted p. 341 342. Vowes of Poverty and perpetuall Virginity Justiâ—â—cal and clauses against them deleted p. 222 225 325. Bishop Usher his strange speech to Sir Charles Coot and want of zeale to maintaine the Protestant Religion in Ireland Epist Dedic Very great with Laud Ibid. His Letter to Laud concerning the calling in of Bishop Downhams Book against the Arminians p. 172. concerning the Popes being Antichrist and the Papists brags of our Apostacy towards Rome p. 554. W Master Waddesworths testimony against Laud p. 449 559 561. Master Wakerlies testimony of Lauds carriage in purging the Kings Patents and ill opinions of the Protestant Churches p. 391 392. Wakes Churchales and Feasts of Dedication suppressed by the Judges revived by Laud and justifies their mischiefe and his pretences for them answered p. 128 to 149 505 to 507. Master Wallies testimony p. 184 109 110. Mr. Sam. Wards censure for preaching against popish Innovations and the encrease of popery by Lauds meanes p. 361. Mr. Rich. Wards Comentary on Matthew strangely purged p. 255 to 348. Dr. Weeks Lauds Chaplain denied by him yet proved under his hand a licenser of popish and purger of orthodox books p. 184 to 350. 357 528. Mr. Joh. White one of the Feoffees for Impropriations his testimony of Lauds carriage in this businesse p. 386 387. Master Thomas White his testimony touching the purging of Doctor Clarkes Sermons p. 254 255. Serjeent Wildes Speech at the beginning of Lauds Tryall p. 51 52. 53. Doctor Willets Works denied to be reprinted p. 134. Bishop Williams orders concernieg railing in Communion Tables p. 100. Master Willinghams testimony p. 109 110. 113 114. Mr. Th. Wilson suspended by Laud for not reading the book for sports p. 199 505 506. Wil-worship passages against it deleted p. 345 364. Secretary Windebank advanced by Laud intimate with the Popes Nuncioes Agents respected and his sons entertained at Rome by Cardinall Barbarino and others Panzani Father Joseph Father Phillips and his sons Letters to him a great protector enlarger of Priests Jesuits and Lauds instrument herein his imprisonment of Pursevants till they promised never to discover or prosecute Priests any more p. 443 to 452 554 to 562. Cardinall Woolseys charge for suffering innovations in Religion p. 458. Word of God passages for the reading hearing and diligent preaching of it deleted p. 345 346. See Preaching and Ministers Works passages that they merit not and are imperfect expunged p. 313 to 318 346 4â—5 Master Workmans censure in the High commission and Lauds most viollent barbarous proceedings against him for
in by the High Commission and attested onely by Master Sparke a single Witnesse Bishop Downhams Book was called in by the Kings speciall command both in England and Ireland because published contrary to the his Royall Proclamation and Declaration For Master Prynnes Perpetuity I doe not know that it was burnt in private if it were it was by the censure of the Court there being some things in it liable to just exceptions Doctor Sutcliffes Book is not proved to be called in by me For Master Prynne Master Burton and those that printed their Books they were not censured in the High Commission but dismissed thence without censure For Doctor Jackson he was a learned discreet man I licensed not his Book nor doe I know he professed himselfe an Arminian True it is the Historicall Narration was licensed by my Chaplaine Doctor Martin without my privity for which I turned him out of my service and the Book it selfe was called in and suppressed Fourthly the Kings Proclamation and Declaration before the Articles were his owne not mine both published to settle peace in the Church by silencing those controversies which disturbed it by printing or preaching which unquiet spirits would not submit to and the Authors of the Books forementioned among others with some other Preachers about the City and University for which they were justly questioned suspended and some that broached Arminian Tenets in Oxford were brought in question and ordered to recant as well as those that preached against it The censure of Master Ford and his complices in Oxford was by the King and Counsell upon a solemne hearing at Woodstock not by me and they well deserved it for kindling such a fire in the University as was like to set all in combustion For the University of Cambridge I medled not with it The considerations was not my paper but Bishop Harsnets who drew them and I did but transcribe them and the end of them was not to supresse preaching against Arminianisme but to preserve peace and order in the Church For the Instructions they were the Kings not mine and they were sent to me in a Letter by my Predecessor Archbishop Abbot and brought to me by his Secretary Master Baker with command to see them put in execution within my Diocesse of London to prove which I have produced the testimony of Master Dobson who affirmed it to be true Fiftly for the purging some passages out of Bishop Hals and Bishop Davenants Letter and imprisoning Master Butter for printing them I answer that the same was done by my Chaplaine as being contrary to his Majesties Proclamation and Declaration and Bishop Hall himselfe at last consented to it and was well satisfied upon the reason given him by my Chaplaine that it was for the quiet of the Church and therefore for the Printer of his owne head to put it in deserved exemplary punishment Sixtly there is no proofe that the Articles of Irreland were reversed by my procurement it was done by the Convocation there where I was not present To this was replied in generall That his endeavours to introduce Arminianisme were so fully cleered by the premised evidence and his protection both of the Authors and fomenters of it that impudency it selfe would blush to deny it That the Jesuits Letter which he had in his custody endorsed with his owne hand did fully discover to him that the planting and introducing Arminianisme here in England was their Plot and chief Engine to subvert our Religion And though it makes no particular mention of him yet it informes their Superiour and others that the Arminians had locked up the Dukes eares already a Periphrasis of himselfe the Dukes Earwig as he was then stiled who had his eare more then any His compliance therefore with the Arminians notwithstanding they were but the Jesuits instruments to drive on their designes as he certainly knew by this Letter much agravates his crime and makes exceedingly against him True it is there are some strange passages concerning Parliaments in this Letter but himselfe hath as bad or worse in his Diary and Answer to the Remonstrance of the Commons Anno 1628. therefore certainly he disliked not these in this Letter Particularly this replication was retorted to these his answers First that he was a professed patriot of the Arminians persons Books Tenens and particularly of Bishop Mountagues of whose cause he was most anxious and inquisitive whom he acquainted with his Majesties speciall favour to him while he lay under the cloud of the Parliaments displeasure his receiving all informations or speeches against his Erronious booke whose proceedings in Parliament when there questioned were daily represented to and reserved carefully by him whose ill book and opinions were in sundry conferences particularly justified by him whose preferments proceeded originally from him and with whom he held most intimate correspondency till his death as the forecited passages in his owne Diary and alleaged evidence proves most fully For his advancement by Sir Dully Carltons meanes it is but a bare surmise contrary to the Dockquet Book to excuse himselfe The Proclamation for calling in his book proceeded from the Parliaments prosecution of him not from this Bishops care who ordered it so that it proved the chiefe instrument of promoting Arminianisme by hindring all writing and preaching against it what in him lay he informing the world in the very Proclamation it selfe that the Author was punished onely with a good Bishoprick for writing this Book highly advanced maugre three severall Parliaments complaints and opposition In briefe the Commons Remonstrance is a sufficient evidence of his guilt and no slander at all as he slanderously tearmes it being verified by so many proofs Secondly his answer to the Remonstrance of the Commons is full of bitternesse sawcinesse scandals against the Parliament charging them with untruths in the highest degree onely for speaking that which was most true That he was commanded to returne this answer to it by the King himselfe without any suit of his owne is very improbable and rests on him to prove which he hath not done However he proves not that he did exceed his Commission And whereas he alleageth by way of excuse that his answer to it was never published truly this was his griefe as appeares by his owne endorsment of it and no act of his who desired to have it printed then Whereas he pretends he durst not have answered it had not the King commanded him certainly he that durst controll the Kings owne Letters Patents under his Seale as he did in the case of the collection for the Palatinate and sundry other particulars given in evidence against him revoke the Kings own pardons and prohibitions to the high Commission saying they should not serve the turn yea deprive the King of his Soveraignty that he should not relieve nor pardon any man censured in the high Commission though never so unjustly that hath presumed so frequently to break off Parliaments yea to