point of Reliefe and Punishment hath beene the chiefe support of Our Parliaments Honour and of the peoples love and assistance to Parliaments It is one of the principall clauses in * Magna Charta wch Our Ancestors and your Honours have so much contended for and we all have lately Covenanted to maintaine viz. We shall deny NOR DEFERRE TO NO MAN IVSTICE OR RIGHT Let it therfore be put in present reall execution that so none may have cause to take up this mournfull complaint of Solomon I returned and considered all the Oppressions that are done under the Sun and beheld the teares of such as were Oppressed and they had no Comforter Wherefore I praised he dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive c. And this through Gods blessing will bee the speediest way to put a period to our Wars Distractions Grievances and gaine Your Honours highest Reputation Grace Favour with God and all good men Now the good God strengthen both Your hearts and hands to execute speedy * Iustice and Iudgement for all that are oppressed that the man of the earth may no more oppresse and Crowne all your publike Councells Enterprises with such happie successe as may occasion all succeeding Generations to blesse God for You as the best-deserving Parliament ever yet Assembled which is the Cordiall Prayer of Your Honours most devoted SERVANT William Prynne A BREVIATE Of the LIFE of WJLLJAM LAVD Archbishop of CANTERBVRIE Extracted out of his owne DIARIE BEfore any entrance made into the relation of the Impeachment or Triall of the Archbishop of Canterburie it will bee neither impertinent nor unnecessary to present the World with a Summary of his life extracted for the most part out of his owne Diary written with his own hand and found in his Pocket upon search of his Chamber in the Tower May 31. 1643. Some passages whereof objected against him at his Triall are here totally omitted and reserved for their proper place to avoyd Repetitions HEE was borne at Redding in Barkshire Octob. 7. 1573. of poore and obscure Patents in a Cottage just over against the Cage which Cage since his comming to the Arch-bishopricke of Canterbury upon complaint of Master Elveston that it was a dishonour the Cage should be suffered to stand so neare the House where so great a Royall Favourite and Prelate had his birth was removed to some other place and the Cottage pulled downe and new built by the Bishop In his Infancie he was like to perish of a disease as he writes but that God reserved him to be a future scourge yea plague to this Church and STATE and for another kinde of Death July 1589. Hee came a poore Scholler to Oxford June 1590. hee was chosen a Scholler of Saint John Baptists Colledge June 1593. hee was admitted a Fellow thereof June 1594. hee proceeded Batcheler of Arts and July 1589. Master of Arts June 4. 1600. He was made Deacon and Aprill 5. 1601. he was made a Priest by Doctor Young Bishop of Rochester Anno 1602. He read a Divinitie Lecture in Saint Johns Colledge maintained by Mistris May May 4. 1603. He was chosen Proctor of the Universitie and on September third next ensuing hee became Chaplaine to the Earle of Devonshire which after proved his great happinesse and gave him hopes of greater preferments as himselfe records July 1604. He proceeded Batchelour in Divinitie His supposition when he answered in the Divinitie Schooles for this degree concerning the efficacie of Baptisme was taken verbatim out of Bellarmine and he then maintained there could bee no true Church without Diocesan Bishops for which Doctor Holland then Doctor of the Chaire openly reprehended him in the Schooles for a seditious person who would un-Church the reformed Protestant Churches beyond the Seas and sow division betweene us and them who were brethren by this novell popish position Decem. 26. 1605. He being the Earle of Devonshires Chaplaine married this Earle to the Lady Rich another mans Wife at Wansteed in Essex which day he puts into the Catalogue of dayes of speciall observance to him both in his Diary and the Manuscript booke of his private devotions October 26. 1606. Docter Ayry of Queenes Colledge questioned him for a Sermon then preached by him at Saint Maries as conteining sundry scandalous and popish passages in it Novem. 16. 1607. He was invested into the Vicarage of Stanford in Northamptonshire Anno 1608. He proceeded Doctor in Divinitie and that yeare August 5. he was made Chaplaine to Doctor Neale then Bishop of Rochester Septem. 17. 1609. he preached his first Sermon to King James at Theobalds October 28. 1609. he was inducted into West-Tilburie in Essex for which he exchanged his Advowson of North-Kilworth in Leicestershire to be neare his Lord of Rochester Dr. Neale who on May 25. 1610. gave him the Rectory of Cuckston in Kent October 2. 1610. He resigned his fellowship in Saint Johns Colledge in Oxford and the same moneth fell sicke of a kentish Ague caught at his new benefice which held him two moneths whereupon he left Cuckston and Novem. 1610. was inducted into Norton by Proxy In the midst of this sicknesse the suite about the Presidentship of Saint Johns began in which there was great Towsing Christmas 1610. The Lord Chancellour Elsmeer complained against him to King James being incited thereunto by Docter Abbot then Archbishop of Canterburie as he writes who alwayes opposed him as foreseeing he would prove a dangerous fire-brand both in Church and State and a bitter Enemy to the Protestant Religion being then commonly reputed in Oxford a man cordially addicted to Poperie and a Papist in heart keeping companny with those who were most Popishly affected May 10. 1611. Hee was chosen President of Saint Johns Colledge by one casting voyce after much canvasing which election was questioned and heard for three houres space before King James at Tichburne August 29. being the day of beheading Saint John Baptist Novem. 3. Hee was sworne the Kings Chaplaine April 18. 1614. Doctor Neale Bishop of Lincolne gave him the Prebend of Bugden and after that the Arch-Deaconrie of Huntington Decemb. 1. 1615. Nov. 1616. King James gave him the Deanerie of Glocester and in March following he set forward with the King into Scotland and returned a little before him August 2. 1617. hee was inducted into Ibstocke in Leicestershire in his returne from Scotland Iune 1618. He set up a great Organ in Saint Johns Chappell and April 2d 1619 He fell suddainly dead for a time at Wickham in his returne from London to Oxford Ian. 22. 1620. He was installed Prebend of Westminster having had the advouson of it ten yeares before June 3. 1622. He writes thus in his Diarie The Kings Gracious speech unto mee concerning my long service He was pleased to say Hee had given me nothing but Glocester which
RIght Reverend Father in God Right trustie and well beloved Councellour We greet you well whereas it hath pleased God of infinite grace and goodnesse to vouchsafe unto Us a Sonne borne at our Manour of Saint Jamses the 29th day of this present moneth of May to the great comfort not only of our selves in particular but to the generall joy and contentment of all our loving Subjects as being a principall meanes for the establishment of the prosperous estate and peace of this and other our Kingdomes whose welfare wee doe and will ever preferre before any other earthly blessing that can befall us in this life We therefore according to the laudable Custome of Our Royall Progenitors in like case heretofore used have thought fit to make knowne unto you these glad Tydings being well assured that with all dutifull and loving affection you will imbrace whatsoever may make for the prosperous advancement of the publike good And to this purpose We have sent these our Letters unto you by Our trustie and welbeloved Servant Sir William Segar Knight of the Garter principall King of Arms being an Officer of Honour specially by Us hereunto appointed for the more Honourable expression of Our good affection to You Given under Our Signet at Our Pallace of Westminster the last day of May In the Sixth yeare of Our Raigne Ex per Kirkham To the Right Reverend Father in God Our Right Trustie and Well beloved Councellour William Lord â—â—th of LONDON Sunday May 27. I had the honour as Deane of the Chappell my Lords Grace of Canterburie being infirme to Christen Prince Charles at Saint Jamses Hora fere quinta pomeridiana Sunday Aug. 22. I preached at Fulham c. Wednesday Octo. 6. I was taken with an extreame Cold and lamnesse as I was waiting upon St. George his Feast at Windsor and forced to returne to Fulham where I continued ill about a weeke Friday Octo. 29. I removed my Family from Fulham to London House Thursday Novem. 4. Leighton was degraded at the High Commission Tuesday 9. of Novem. That night Leighton broke out of the Fleete The Warden sayes he got or was helped over the wall The Warden professes he knew not this till Wednesday noone he told it not me till Thursday night he was taken againe in Bedfordshire and brought backe to the Fleete within a fortnight Novem. 26. Friday part of his sentence was executed upon him at Westminster Tuesday Decem. 7. The King swore the peace with Spaine Don Carlo Coloma was Ambassadour December 25. I preached to the King Christmas day Ianuary 16. Sunday I consecrated Saint Katharin Creed-Church in London Janu. 21. The Lord Wentworth Lord president of the North and I c. In my little Chamber at London House Friday Janu. 23. I consecrated the Church of Saint Giles in the Fields Febr. 23. Ashwensday I preached in Court at White-Hall March 20. Sunday His Majestie put his great Case of Conscience to me about c. which I after answered God blesse him in it March 27. 1631. Coronation day and Sunday I preached at Saint Pauls Crosse Easter Munday Aprill 10. I fell ill with the great paine in my throat for a weeke It was with cold taken after heate in my service And then with an Ague A fourth part almost of my Family were sicke this spring Tuesday June 7. I Consecrated the Chappell at Hamer-Smith Saturday June 26. My nearer acquaintance began to settle with D. S. I pray God blesse us in it Janu. 26. My businesse with L. T. c. about the Trees which the King had given me in Shotover towards my building in Saint Johns at Oxford which worke I resolved on in Novemb. last And published it to the Colledge about the end of March This day discovered unto me that which I was sorry to find in L. T. Weston and P. C. Cottington sed transeat July 23. The first stone was layd of my building at Saint Johns Aug. 23. In this June and July were the great disorders in Oxford by appealing from Doctor Smith then Vice chanceler The chiefe Ring-leaders were Master Foord of Magdalen-Hall and Mr. Thorne of Bailiell Colledge The Proctors Master Atherton Bruch and Master John Doughtie receaved their appeales as if it had not beene Perturbatio pacis c. The Vicechancelor was forced in a Statutable way to appeale to the King The King with all the Lords of his Councell then present heard the Cause at Wood-stocke Aug. 23. 1631. being Tuesday in the afternoone the sentence upon the hearing was That Foord Thorne and Hodges of Exeter Colledge should be banished the Vniversitie and both the Proctors were commanded to come into the Convocation House and there resigne their Office that two others might be named out of the same Colledges Dr. Prideaux Rector of Exeter Colledge and Doctor Wilkinson Principall of Magdalen-Hall receaved a sharp admonition for their mis-behaviour in this businesse Munday Aug. 29. I went to Brent-Wood and the next day began my Visitation there and so went on and finished it Friday Nov. 4. The Lady Mary Princes borne at Saint Jamses inter horas quintam sextam matutinas It was thought she was borne three weekes before her time Decemb. 25. I preached at Court Febr. 15. I preached at Court Ashwednesday Febr. 19. D.S. came to my Chamber troubled about going quite from Court at Spring 1. Sunday in Lent after Sermon April 1. 1632. I preached at Court Saturday May 26. Trinitie Sunday Eve I consecrated the Lord Treasurers Chappell at Roehampton May 29. Tuesday my meeting and setling upon expresse termes with K.B. in the Gallerie at Green-witch In which businesse God blesse me June 15. Master Francis Windebanke my old friend was sworne Secretarie of State which place I obtained for him of my Gratious Master King Charles June 18. Munday I married my Lord Treasurer Westons eldest sonne to the Lady Francis Daughter to the Duke of Lenox at Roehampton June 25. D. S. with me at Fulham Cum Ma c. July 10. Doctor Juxon the Deane of Worcester at my suite sworne Clarke of His Majesties Closet That I might have one that I might trust weare His Majestie if I grew weake or infirme as I must have a time July 17. I consecrated the Church at Stanmore Magna in Middlesex built by Sir John Walstenham Decemb. 2. Sunday The Small-Poxe appeared upon His Majestie but God be thanked he had a very gentle disease of it Decemb. 27. Thursday the Earle of Arundell set forward toward the Low-Countries to fetch the Queene of Bohemia and her Children Decemb. 25. I preached to the King Christmas day Janu. 1. My being with K. B. this day in the afternoone troubled me much God give mee a good issue out of it January 15. K. B. and I unexpectedly came to some clearer Declaration of our selves which God blesse c. Febr. 11. Munday night till Tuesday morning the great fire upon London Bridge many Houses burnt
betweene the King and the Scottish Rebells God make it safe and Honourable to the King and the Kingdome Jun. 28. Friday I sent the remainder of my Manuscripts to Oxford being in number 576. and about 100. of them were Hebrew Greeke Arabicke and Persian I had formerly sent them above 700. Volumes Aug. 1. Thursday His Majestie came backe from his Northerne Journey to Theobalds and to White-Hall on Saturday Aug. 3. Many varieties since the Assembly held and ended in Scotland The Bishops thrust out the Parliament there sitting Oct. 11. and 12. Friday and Saturday the Spanish Navie was set upon by the Hollanders in the Downes The fight began to be hot when they were past Dover They were in all neare 60. Sayle The Spaniards suffered much in that fight not without our dishonour that they should begin the fight there But this is one of the effects of the Scottish dareings Munday December 2. A. Sh My Chirurgion in trust gave me great and unexpected ease in my great infirmitie But after the weakenesse continued Thursday Decemb. 5. The King declared His resolution for a Parliament in case of the Scottish Rebellion The first movers to it were my Lord Deputie of Ireland my L. M. Hamilton and my selfe And a resolution voted at the boord to assist the King in extraordinary wayes if the Parliament should prove peevish and refuse c. Friday Janu. 24. At night I dreamed that my Father who dyed 46. yeares since came to me and to my thinking he was as well and as cheerfull as ever I saw him He asked mee what I did there And after some speech I asked him how long hee would stay with me he answered he would stay till he had me along with him I am not moved with Dreames yet I thought fit to remember this Janu. 26. Sunday I received the Queenes Gracious assurance of Her favour in the businesse which His Majestie had committed to me with othess Aprill 13. 1640. Munday The Parliament sate downe called about the Rebellion of Scotland Aprill 14. Tuesday The Convocation began at Saint Paules Aprill 28. Friday The hot contestation in the Lords House which should have praecedence the Kings supply or the Subjects greivances voted in the upper house for the King May 5. Thursday The Parliament ended and nothing done the Convocation continued May 9. Saturday A paper pasted upon the Old Exchange animating Prentises to sacke my house upon the Munday following early May 11. Munday night at midnight my house at Lambeth was beset with 500 persons of the Rascall Routous multitude I had notice strengthened the house as well as I cold God be blessed I had no harme since I have got Canons fortified my house as well as I can hope all may be safe But yet Libells are continually set up in all places of note in the City May 21. Thursday One of the Chiefe being taken was condemned at Southwark hanged quartered on Saturday morning following May 13. but before this May 15. some of these mutinus people came in the day time and brake the White-Lyon Prison and let loose their fellowes both out of that Prison and the Kings Bench and the other Prisoners also out of the White-Lyon May 29. Friday The Convocation sate after the ending of the Parliament till May 29. and then ended having made in that time 17. Canons which I hope will be usefull to the Church May 29. The Bishop of Glocester Godfrey Goodman suspended for notorious scandall to the Church in refusing First to subscribe to the Canons and after to professe a reservation Hee had long before beene suspected as inclining to popery The Canons were all Voted Nemine Dissentiente Save this Bishop who had in generall consented before July 10. Friday I tooke my Oath to the new Canons at the Councell Table and so did my Lord Bishop of London and after him the Bishop of Glocester submitted himselfe and tooke the Oath and was released out of prison by the Kings command July 22. I Christned the Kings young sonne Henry at Oatlands the Queene was there happily delivered of him on Wednesday July 8. being the day of the solemn Fast about 6. of the Clocke in the Evening Aug. 20. Thursday His Majestie took his journey towards the North in hast upon information that the Scots were entred the Munday before into England and ment to be at New-Castle by Saturday Aug. 22. Saturday a Libell was brought mee found in Coven-Garden animating the Apprentices and Souldiers to fall upon mee in the Kings absence Septem. 21. I received a Letter from one Iohn Rocket a name and person unknowne to me He was among the Scotts as he travelled through the Bishopricke of Durham he heard them enveigh and raile at me exceedingly and they hoped shortly to see me as the Duke was slaine by one least suspected His Letter and advise to me to looke to my selfe Sept. 24. A great Councell of the Lords were called by the King to York to consider what way was best to be taken to get out the Scotts and this day the meeting began at Yorke and continued till October 28. Octo. 22. Thursday the High Commission sitting at Saint Pauls because of the troubles of the times very neere 2000. Brownists made a tumult at the end of the Court toare downe all the Benches in the Consistorie And cryed out they would have no Bishop nor no High Commission October 22. Tuesday Simon and Judes Eve I went into my upper studdie to see some Manuscripts which I was sending to Oxford In that studdie hung my picture taken by the life and comming in I found it fallen downe upon the face and lying on the flowre the string being broken by which it was hanged against the wall I am almost every day threatned with my Ruine in Parliament God grant this be no OMEN Tuesday the Parliament began the King did not ride but went by water to kings staires and thorough Westminster Hall to the Church and so to the House Wednesday the Convocation began at Saint Paules Wednesday Thomas Viscount Wentworth Earle of Strafford accused to the Lords by the House of Commons for high Treason and restrained to the Vsher of the House Wednesday November 22. He was sent to the Tower December 2. Wednesday a great debate in the House that no Bishop should be so much as of the Committee for preparatory Examinations in this Cause as accounted Causa sanguinis put of till the next day December 3. Thursday the debate declined Friday December 4. The King gave way that His Councell should be examined upon Oath in the Earle of Straffords Case I was examined this day Wednesday Decem. 16. The Canons condemned in the House of Commons as being against the Kings Prerogative the fundamentall Lawes of the Realme the libertie and proprietie of the Subject and containing diverse other things tending to sedition and of dangerous consequence Vpon
downe Wednesday Febr. 13. The Feoffees that pretended to buy in impropriations were dissolved in the Chequer Chamber They were the maine instruments for the Puritan faction to undoe the Church The Criminall part reserved Febr. 18. Thursday Master Chancellour of London Doctor Ducke brought me word how miserably I was slandered by some seperatists I pray God give me patience and forgive them March 6. Ashwensday I preached at White-Hall Aprill 13. 1633. The great meeting at the Counsell Table c. when the Earle of Holland made his submission to the King May 13. Munday I set out of London to attend King Charles into Scotland May 24. The King was to enter into Yorke in State June 6. I came to Barwicke that night I dreamed that K. B. sent to mee in Westminster Church that hee was now as desirous to see me as I him and that hee was then entring into the Church I went with hope but met another in the middle of the Church who seemed to know the businesse and laughed but K. B. was not there June 8. Whitsun Eve I received Letters from K. B. unalterable c. By this if I returne I shall see how true or false my Dreame is c. Saturday June 15. I was sworne Councellor of Scotland June 18. Tuesday after Trinitie Sunday K. Charles Crowned at Holy-rood Church in Edenborough I never saw more expressions of joy then were after it c. June 19. Wednesday I received second Letters from K. B. no changling c. within three houres after other Letters from K. B. believe all that I say c. June 29. Friday Letters from K. B. no D. true if not to my contentment c. June 30. I preached to His Majestie in the Chappell in Holy-rood House at Edenborough July 1. Munday I went over Forth to Brunt Iland July 2. Tuesday to Saint Andrewes July 3. Wednesday over Taye to Dundee July 4. Thursday to Faukland July 7. Sunday to S. Johnston July 8. Munday to Dumblaine Stirling my dangerous cruel Journey crossing part of the Hilands by Coach which was a wonder there July 9. Tuesd to Lithcoe and so to Edenborough July 10. Wednesday His Majesties dangerous passage from Brunt Iland to Edenborough July 11. Thursday I began my Journie from Edenburgh towards London July 13. Friday that night at Anderweeke I dreamed that L. L. * the Bishop of Lincolne came and offered to sit above me at the Councell Table and that L. H. came in and placed him there July 20. Saturday the King came from Scotland to Greenwich having come Post from Barwicke in foure dayes Friday July 26. I came to my House at Fulham from Scotland July 28. Sunday K. B. and I met all the strange discourses mistaken I went away much troubled but all setled againe well Aug. 3. Saturday following Sunday Aug. 4. 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. Aug. 4. That very morning at Greenwich there came one to me seriously and that avowed abilitie to performe it and offered mee to bee a Cardinall I went presently to the King and acquainted him both with the thing and person Aug. 7. Wednesday Absolute settlement betweene me and K B. after I had made knowne my case at large God blesse me in it Aug. 14. Wednesday A report brought me that I was poysoned Aug. 17. Saturday I had a serious offer made me againe to be a Cardinall I was then from Court but so soone as I came thither which was Wednesday Aug. 21. I acquainted His Majestie with it But my answer againe was that some what dwelt within mee which would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is Aug. 25. Sunday My Election to the Archbishopprick was returned to the King then being at Wood-stocke Sep. 19. I was translated to the Archbishopricke of Canterburie the Lord make me able c. The day before when I first went to Lambeth my Coach-Horses and men sunke to the bottome of the Thames in the Ferry-Boate which was over laden but I praise God for it I lost neither man nor Horse Novem. 13. Wednesday Richard Boyer who had formerly named himselfe Lodowick was brought into the Starre-Chamber for most grossely misusing me and accusing me of no lesse then Treason c. He had broke prison for Felony when he did this His censure is upon record And God forgive him About the beginning of this moneth the Lady Davis prophesie against me that I should very few dayes out-live the Fift of Novem. And a little after that one Greene came into the Court at Saint Jamses with a great sword by his side swearing the King should doe him Justice against me or he would take another course with me All the wrong I ever did this man was that being a poore Printer I procured him of the Company of the Stationers five pounds a yeare during his life God preserve mee and forgive him Hee was committed to New-Gate Sunday Novem. 24. in the afternoone I Christned King CHARLES His second sonne James Duke of YORKE at Saint Jamses Decem. 10. 29. twice or thrice in the interim I advertised His Majestie of the false-hood and practise that was against me by L. T. c. This brake out then March 30. 1634. Palme Sunday I preached to the King at White-Hall May 13. I received the seales of my being chosen Chanceller of the Vniversity of Dublin in Ireland to which office I was chosen September 14. 1633. There were now somewhat before great factions in Court and I doubt many private ends followed to the prejudice of publicke service Good Lord preserve me Iune 11. Wednesday Master Pryn sent me a letter about his censure in the Starre Chamber for his Histriomastix and what I said at that Censure in which he hath many wayes hath no wayes mistaken me and spoken untruth of me Iune 16. I shewed this letter to the King and by his Command * sent it to Master Atturney Noye June 17. Master Atturney sent for Mr. Pryn to his Chamber shewed him the letter asked him whether it were his hand Mr. Pryn said he could not tell unles he might read it the letter being given into his hand * he tare it into small peeces threw it out at window fearing it seemes an Ore tenus For this Iune 18. Mr. * Atturney brought him into the Star-Chamber where all this appeared I there forgave him Iuly 26. I received word from Oxford that the Statutes were accepted and published according to my letters in the Convocation house that weeke August 9. Saturday Master William Noy his Majesties Attorney Generall died at Brainford circa horam noctis decimam And Sunday morning August 10. his servant brought me word of it to Croyden before I was out of my bed * I have lost a deare freind of him and the Church the
a mind I hope this letter may be pardoned You have now a short Historicall View of the Arch-bishops life written for the most part with his owne hand in which you may observe 1. How many Benefices Bishopricks and other Ecclesiasticall Preferments he passed through in his dayes at most of which he was never Resident nor did any good to Soule or body 2. By what meanes he procured most of his preferments to wit by unlawfull Actions as by marying the Lady Rich to the Earle of Devon by his base flatterie of and obsequiousnesse to the Duke of Buckingham by incensing his Majesty against Parliament invading the Subjects Properties Liberties c. as will more fully appeare in the Relation of his tryall 3. What a superstitious observer and diligent Register he was of his owne idle dreames and how ominous some of them have proved 4. How great a Creature Instrument assistant Advocate he hath beene to the Duke of Buckingham who first brought him into favour at Court What a friend to Strafford and malicious Enemy to the Bishop of Lincolne 5. What extraordinary transcendent favour and power he obtained with the King whom he oft miscouncelled to the publique prejudice and what ill instruments and creatures of his owne he placed about his Majesty as Windebanck and others to effect his owne designes 6. What a great favorite and Instrument he was to the Queene and Popish faction and how grand an Enemy a Persecuter of the zealous Protestant partie under the name of Puritans 7. What a bitter Enemy he hath beene to Parliaments and their proceedings and how odious he became both to Parliaments and people for his Tyranny Oppressions Popish Ceremonies Innovations in Religion and unjust proceedings 8. What an Arch-Incendiary he hath shewed himselfe betweene his Majesty and his people both in England and Scotland 9. What a busie body he hath beene in all kinds of secular affaires incomparible with his spirituall function 10. How sedulous he hath shewed himselfe to exalt the Power Pompe Authority of Bishops and the Clergie to advance them above exempt them from all secular powers jurisdictions and to ingrosse the greatest temporall Offices into their hands that so they might Lord it over all men 11. That he hath beene exceedingly devoted to and promoted Popish Ceremonies and greatly favoured advanced men Popishly affected as Windebancke Mountague Manwaring and others 12. That he tooke speciall notice of sundry * Dreames Presages and Omens of his owne downfall to which for a Close to this Breviate of his life some other memorable ominous presages yet unmentioned shall be added The first is his pulling downe of the Parish Church of Saint Gregories to repaire Pauls and sending the Parishioners to Christ-Church which being related by Captain Hungerford to Master Prynne during his close imprisonment in Iersey he thereupon presently replyed that this seemed to him a most certaine presage that the Arch-Bishop the Sea of Canterbury Popery should have a speedy fall in England for Pope Gregory to whose memory this Demolished Church was dedicated was the * first founder of the Archbishopricke and Sea of Canterbury from whom it derived both its being and precedency and Austine the Munke sent over by him the first Archbishop of this Sea who introduced the first dreggs of Popery into our British Church seing therefore the Arch-Bishop was now growne so unthankfull as to demolish Saint Gregory his owne founder from whom Doctor * Pocklington in his late printed bookes derived his Lineall succession that himselfe and his Sea of Canterbury could not stand long after since the building must needs fall to ground when the foundation is rased and the sending of the people from Pope Gregories Church to Christs Church was a good Omen that the Popes Church and party in England should be deminished demolished and Christs Church replenished reedified all which we now visibly behold in a great measure fulfilled The 2. is That when the Archbishop kept his Metropoliticall visitation Anno. 1635. c. he concluded it at Barkin Church next to the Tower of London gate which Master Prynne then a Prisoner in the Tower observing told the Lieutenant of the Tower and others that the Archbishop had now visited all places within the province of Canterbury as well those exempt as not exempt except only the Tower which was reserved for his last visitation and that he doubted not but he should see him a Prisoner in the Tower ere long and himselfe a freeman which accordingly came to passe The Archbishop sitting at Church in the Tower Chappell in the same seat where Master Prynne usually sate dureing his imprisonment The 3. is this which is most remarkable being a miraculous Omen from Heaven it selfe of his owne and his Seas downfall by his meanes * The Prebends of Canterbury Anno 1639. hearing of the pacification with the Scottes and being falsely informed that they had condescended to entertaine Bishops did for joy of these glad-tidings in the hight of their Prelaticall glory set up foure great Iron Vanes upon the 4. Pinnacles of their highest Cathedrall Tower called Bell-harry Steple on which the Coat-Armes of the King Prince Church and Arch-bishop of Canterbury were severally guilded But on Innocents day following very early in the morning being the 27th of December in the midest of their Christmas Iovialities and Cathedrall Gamballs the Vane which had the Archbishops Armes in it had a tumbling cast from the Toppe of the Steeple being strucke downe by a stroke from Heaven in a fearefull tempest The Archbishops Armes in the fall pulled downe the toppe of the Pinnacle which upheld them and being carried partly against the wind a good distance from the Steeple on which they stood fell upon the roofe of the Cloyster in the concave and lower part whereof the Armes of the Archbishopricke of Canterbury were Carved in Stone which Armes in the Cloyster were dashed and broken in peeces by the Armes that fell from the Steeple The Armes of the present Archbishop of Canterbury breaking downe the Armes of the Archbishopricke and Sea of Canterbury The fall was so violent that it brake through the Leads plankes Tymber Stone-Arch of the Cloyster and made an impression in the pavement of the Cloyster as if it had beene done with a Canon shot which is partly to be seene at this very day though repaired being very neere the place where that proud Arch-prelate of Canterbury Thomas Becket was cast downe headlong in that Cathedrall for his Treason and Rebellion The Cathedralists hereupon tooke downe the other three Vanes and repaired the Cloyster withall speed and secrecy that so lesse notice might be taken of this remarkable ruine Neither was this sad Omen singular but seconded with others both at Lambeth and Croyden the selfe-same night as appeares by this passage in the Archbishops Diary under his owne hand December 27. 1639. Friday being Saint Iohns day at night betweene 12. and 2. of the Clocke
the next morning the greatest winde that ever I heard blow many of the Watermen at Lambeth had their Boats tumbled up and downe and broken to peeces as they lay on the Land One of my servants went to London and durst not come home that evening the weather was so foule that night the Shafts of two Chimnies at Lambeth were blowne downe upon the roofe of his Chamber and beat downe both the Lead and Rafters upon his bed where had hee beene that night he must have perished At Croyden one of the Pinnacles fell from the Steeple beat downe the Lead and the roofe of the Church neere 20. Foote square All which compared with the sincking of the Lambeth Ferry-boat with the Archbishops Coach-horses Coach and men to the bottome of Thames Sept. 19. 1633. the very first day he removed from Fulham to Lambeth house was no doubt an ominous presage of his owne and the Archbishopricks sincking through his pride and violence The 4th is this That his Majesty in the Moneth of February 1641. casually passing through the Citie of Canterbury with the Queene to Dover did in Saint Augustines Abbey of Canterbury the first Archbishop of that Sea signe the Act of Parliament against the Bishops Votes in Parliament which Act unlorded our Lordly Prelates and gave them a fatall overthrow such as strucke proud Canterbury dead at heart and undermined all his Prelaticall designes to advance the Bishops Pompe and Power The last is his owne fatall Dreame at Oxford long since published and lately attested from his owne mouth at his Tryall in the Lords House the summe whereof is this That when he was a young Scholler in Oxford he dreamed one night that he came to farre greater preferment in the Church and power in the State then ever any man of his birth and Calling did before him in which greatnesse and worldly happines he continued many yeares but after all this hapinesse before he awaked he dreamed he was hanged The first part of this Dreame hath been long since really verified and the conclusion of it is in all probability like to be speedily accomplished upon the close of his Tryall The exact Compleate Relation whereof may God assisting and the Parliament commanding hereafter follow in its order wherein the criminall part of his life will appeare most foule and detestable in all the Particulars of his impeachment FINIS Errata P. 3. l. 3. r. saint l· 41. K.r. D. p. 4. l. 45. them me p. 8. l. 3. then them p. 9. l. 25. of on l. 55. City cap. P. 1. l. 29. r. 1598. p. 19. l. 56. finished * Psal. 31.12 Psal. 88.5 6. * Chap. 29. Eccl. 4.1.2 * Psa. 103.6 Psal. 10.18 Anno. 1573 Anno. 1589 Anno. 1600 Anno. 1602 Anno. 1603 Anno. 1604 Anno. 1605 Anno. 1606 Anno. 1607 Anno. 1608 Anno. 1609 Anno. 1610 Anno. 1611 Anno 1614. Anno. 1616 Anno. 1617 Anno. 1618 1619. An. 1620. An. 1622. An. 1692. NOTE An. 1623 An. 1624. NOTE An. 1624. NOTE NOTE An. 1626. NOTA NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE A. nno 1627 NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE An. 1628. NOTE NOTE * Marquesse was first writen but he being made Duke whiles he continued in Spaine Marquesse was blotted out and Duke put in over head * See the Earle of Bristolls Article of Impeachment against the Duke May 1. 1626. The Spanish Iourney The Isle of Ree 1627. NOTE NOTE An. 1629. NOTE NOTE Anno. 1631 Anno 1632. NOTE NOTE NOTE Anno. 1633. * The Lord of Holland NOTE NOTE NOTE Anno. 1634 * But it was with somewhat a sharp letter the Coppy whereof was found amongst his papers * But it was with somewhat a sharp letter the Coppy whereof was found amongst his papers * And Mr. Atturney going to his close stoole needing a paper for that purpose * Because nothing was there proved for Mr. Atturney knew not how to proceed NOTE Anno 1635. NOTE NOTE Anno. 1636 NOTE An. 1637. NOTE Anno. 1638 NOTE NOTE Anno 1639. NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE Anno. 1640 NOTE NOTE NOTE NOTE * VVhere he then burned most of his privy Letters and Papers NOTE NOTE NOTE Anno. 1641 NOTE NOTE Anno. 1642 NOTE NOTE NOTE Anno. 1643 1. Cor. 15.33 * December 26. 1605. Dies erat Jovis et festum S. Stephani Co Devon E. M. Anno. 1609. July 28. 1617. Die Luna E. B. Martij 6. 1642. * This he hath attested under his hand and would have deposed it the Triall if pertinent Septembr 26 1617. Die Veneris Ignis et piriculum inde Feb. 5. 1628. Die Martij Comp. Juliano Tendonem fregi iterum Mar. 6. die Solis inter ambulandum in cubiculo in Turri Lond. Anno 1642. Maij 11. 1640 My House at Lambeth beset with violent and base people * The premises and charge will informe you Dece 18. 1640 I was accused by the House of Commons of High Treason * Page 221.232 * See the 13. Article the Scots impeachment A Prayer for the Kings Majestie in the Northerne expedition 1639 * How could he doe this when hee had such a Councellour of war and disturbance neare him For the King in his Northerne Expedition 1640. * NOTE * As appeares by the forementioned passages Ian. 31. 1628. Sept. 19. 1633 Feb 12. 1638. Oct. 27. 1640. * See malmesb. de Gostis Pontif. l. 1. Antiquitates Ecclesiae Brit. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops in the life of Augustine Camdens Britania Kent Sir Henry Solemans Concilia Tom. 1. p. 66. to 127. * Sunday no Sabbath p. 3.48 Altire Christianum p. 144. * See Mr. Culmers Cathedrall Newes from Canterbury p 13.14