out thence Now amongst the fruitfull generation of Jayles in London there were though never a better some lesse bad amongst them I take the Marshalls-see to be in those times the best for usage of prisoners But oh the misery of Gods poor Saints in Newgate under Alexander the Jaylour more cruell than his namesake the copper-smith was to S t. Paul in Lollards-Tower the Clinke and Bonners Cole-house a place which minded them of the manner of their death first kept amongst coles before they were burnt to ashes 31. It is more then suspicious Dr. Gefferie his illegâ—l proceedings that many of these silly souls were hurried to the stake even against those laws which then stood in force in the Realm before the Writ De Haeretico comburendo was issued out against them For what the Jews said to g John 18. 31. Pilate It is not lawfull for us to put any man to death The Ecclesiastical censures may say to the Secular Power in England We have no power of life or limbe but the inflicting punishments on both must be devolv'd to the civill Magistrate Yet D r. Gefferie Chancellour of Sarisburie stood not on such legal niceties but hastned them to the a Fox Vol. 3. pag. 896. stake more minding the end to which than the justice of the proceedings whereby he sent them thither 32. All who met at last in final constancy All the Martyrs not a like chearfull manifested not equal intermediate chearfulness Some were more stout bold and resolute others more faint fearfull and timorous Of the later was Arch-Bishop Cranmer who first subscribed a recantation but afterwards recanted his subscription and valiantly burned at the stake Thus he that stumbleth and doth not fall down gaineth ground thereby as this good mans slip mended his pace to his martyrdome It is also observable that married people the parents of many children suffered death with most alacrity M r. Rogers and D r. Taylour may be the instances thereof The former of these if consulting with flesh and blood had eleven strong reasons to favour himself I mean a wife and ten children all which abated not his resolution 33. Besides these who were put to death Of those who died in prison some scores not to say hundreds dyed or rather were kill'd with stinch starving and strait usage in prison I am not satisfied in what distance properly to place these persons Some perchance will account it too high to rank them amongst Martyrs and surely I conceive it too low to esteem them but bare Confessours The best is the Herauldry of heaven knows how to marshall them in the place of dignity due unto them where long since they have received the reward of their patience 34. Miraculous was Gods providence Q. Maries death life to many in protecting many which were condemned to the stake It is part of the praise of his power b Psa 102. 20. To hear the groaning of the prisoner to loose those that are appointed to death In Davids expression c 1 Sam. 20. 3. There was but a step between them and death which step also had been stepped had not one instantly stepp'd aside I mean the seasonable death of Queen Mary She melancholicke in minde unhealthfull in body little feared of Her forraigne foes less beloved by Her native Subjects not over-dear to Her own Husband unsuccessefull in Her treaties for peace and unfortunate in Her undertakings for warr having deceived the Gentrie of Norfolke and Suffolke by Her false promises was deceived Her self by a false conception and having consumed so many of Gods Saints by fire dyed Her self by water an hydropicall Tympanie 35. Observable was the mercy of the Protestants to these persecutours Protestants mercy for Papists malice after the power was delivered into their hands under the Reigne of Queen Elizabeth by whom none of the aforesaid Tyrants were prosecuted or molested for any act of cruelty done by them in the dayes of Queen Mary Nor suffered they in the least degree on their former account except they ran on a new score of contempt against the Queen and State As such Bishops who in the first of Her Reigne refused the Oath of Supremacy Otherwise all such as conformed to Her Government were not onely permitted to enjoy their old but admitted to new preferment Witnesse M r. Binsley Chancellour of Peterborough who condemned John Kurde of Northampton yet in Queen Elizabeths dayes had the Arch-Deaconry of Peterborough conferred upon him Thus while Papists heap fagots on Protestants Protestants according to Solomons d Pro. 25. 22. counsell heap coals on them courtesies and civilities to melt them if possible into remorse 36. But though the Protestants shewed much mercy to the Papists Gods judgments must warily be dealt with their persecutours yet the God of the Protestants manifested much justice in their wofull and wretched deaths I confesse Gods best servants sometimes have had sad and suddain ends witness good Eli himself who e 1 Sam. 4. 18. fell down and brake his neck I confess likewise that some wicked men who have liv'd like Lions have died to use the common countrie phrase like Lambs or to use the expression of the Psalmist f Psal 73. 4. They have no bands in their death Anno Dom. 1555. so fairly Anno Regin Mar. 3. and quietly do they expire It is not good therefore to be over tampering in this particular our Saviour himself retrenching the censoriousness of the Jews for falling so heavy on the memories of those on whom the tower of Siloe g Luke 13. 5. fell and infallibly to inferr from their fatal death their final damnation However when a remarkable death suddenly follows a notorious wicked life even such passengers as are posting in the speed of their private affairs are bound to make a stand and solemnly to observe the justice of Gods proceedings therein The rather because Bellarmine our adversary h De notis Ecclesiae lib. 4. cap. 17. affirmeth that Infelix exitus Adversariorum the unhappy end of the Adversaries thereof is one of the marks of the true Church These cautions premised take a few of many signal fatalities of these wicked persecutours 37. Morgan Gods hand visible on many of the persecutours Bishop of S t. Davids who sentenced Farrar his predecessour not long after was striken in so strange a sort that his meat would rise up sometimes out of his mouth sometimes out of his nose most horrible to behold but more terrible to endure and so continued till his death Judge Morgan who condemned the Ladie Jane soon after ran mad and sodied having all ways in his mouth Lady Jane Lady Jane Dunning the bloody Chancellour of Norwich died suddenly taken as some say sitting in his chair Berrie the remorsless Commissarie in Norfolk fell down suddenly to the ground with an heavie grone and never stirred after Thornton the Suffragan of Dover looking
displicuisse videatur idque non tam praesract â voluntate quam tenera conscientiâ cujus tantam esse vim magni authores optimi quique viri scripserunt ut quicquid eâ vel reclamante vel errante vel haesitante fiat non leve peccatum esse statuerint Acut quod verum est ingenuè humiliter attendamus illud omnium qued unum agitur vel necessario silentio vel voluntariâ oblectatione obruamus Si laudabile est vitam non modo abomni crimine sed suspicione criminis liberam traduxisse traduxit si bonestum Religionem ab omni non modo Papistica corruptela sed à schismatica pravitate integram conservare conservavit si Christianum non modo propter justitiam persecutionem passum esse sed per caeter as nationes propter Evangelium oberrasse passus est oberravit Quae cum ita sint Regina Clementissima omnes hae nostrae voces ad Celsitudinem Tuam profectae hoc unum demississimè quà m fieri potest subjectissimè comprecantur idque per singularem naturae Tuae bonitatem per anteactae Tuae vitae consuetudinem per pietatem Regiam in subditos per charitatem Christianam in inimicos perque eam qua reliquos omnes privatos Principes excellis lenitatem ut velis Majestatem Tuam mansuetudine justitiam misericordiâ iramplacabilitate offensionem indulgentiâ mitigare Archiepiscopum maerore sractum debilitatum non modo extollere jacentem sed Ecclesiam ipsi ipsum Ecclesiae Tuis civibus suis fratribus exteris nationibus denique pijs omnibus tandem aliquando restituere Quod si fecerit Majestas Tua vel potiùs cùm fecerit quod enim summè cupimus summè etiam sperare jucundum est non dubitamus quin illum Reverendissimum Patrem supplicem abjectum non tam à pedes quà m ad nutûs Tuos perpetuò sis habitura Ita Celsitati Tuae persanctè pollicemur nobis neque in Ecclesia constituenda curam neque in Religione propagandâ studium neque in Schismatibus tollendis diligentiam neque in hoc beneficio praecipuè recolendo memoriam neque in ferendo quas debemus gratias gratam animi benevolentiam ullo unquam tempore defuturam Dominus Jesus Majestatem Tuam ad Reipublicae tranquillitatem ad Ecclesiae conservationem ad suae veritatis amplificationem omni foelicitatis genere diutissimè prosequatur This petition though presented with all advantage found no other entertainment than delays which ended in a final deniall it being daily suggested to the Queen that Grindal was a great patrone of prophesyings now set up in severall parts of the land which if permitted to take place would in fine prove the bane of the Church and Commonwealth 2. These prophesyings were founded on the Apostles a 1 Cor. 14. 13. precept The model and method of prophesyings For ye may all prophesie one by one that all may learn and all be comforted but so as to make it out they were fain to make use of humane prudential additions modelling their prophesyings as followeth 1. The Ministers of the same precinct by their own appointment not strictly standing on the old division of Deanries met at the principal place therein 2. The junior Divine went first into the pulpit and for halfe an hour more or less as he could with clearness contract his meditations treated upon a portion of Scripture formerly by a joynt-agreement assigned unto him After him foure or five moe observing their seniority successively dilated on the same text 3. At last a grave Divine Anno Dom. 1580. Anno Regin Eliza. 23. appointed on purpose as Father of the Act made the closing sermon somewhat larger then the rest praising the pains and performance of such who best deserved it meekly and mildly reproving the mistakes and failings of such of those if any were found in their Sermons Then all was ended as it was begun with a solemn prayer and at a publick refection of those Ministers together with many of the Gentry repairing unto them the next time of their meeting was appointed text assigned Preachers deputed a new Moderator elected or the old one continued and so all were dissolved This exercise proved though often long seldome tedious and peoples attentions though travelling farr were little tired because entertained with much variety 3. However The inconveâ—â—â—â—s of 〈◊〉 â—e yings 〈◊〉 or suspected some inconveniences were seen and more foreseen by wise or at least suspected by fearfull men if these prophesies might generally take place in the land 1. Many modest Ministers and those profitable Preachers in their private Parishes 〈◊〉 were loath to appear in this publick way which made them underservedly sleighted and neglected by others 2. Many young men of more boldness than learning readiness than solidity carried away the credit to the great disheartning of those of more age and ability 3. This consort of Preachers kept not always time and tune amongst themselves much jarring of personal reflections often disturbing their harmony 4. Many would make impertinent excursions from their text to inveigh against the present discipline and government of the Church Such-Preachers being more plausible to the people generally best pleased with them who manifest their displeasure against the present authority 5. A wise person was often wanting to moderate the Moderator partially passing his censures rather according to affection than judgement 6. People factiously cried up some one Minister some another to the disgrace of Gods Ordinance 7. These prophesyings being accounted the faires for spiritual merchandizes made the weekly markets for the same holy commodities on the Lords day to be less respected and Ministers to be neglected in their respective Parishes 8. In a word the Queen was so perfectly prepossessed with prejudice against these prophesyings as if they foretold the rise of schisme and faction that she was implacably incensed against Arch-Bishop Grindal as the principal Patrone and promoter thereof However the good Arch-Bishop to vindicate himself and state the usefulness of these prophesyings wrote a large letter to the Queen and allthough we cannot exactly tell the just * To the day and moneth being confident this was the year time thereof yet knowing it will be welcome to the pious reader at any time here we present the true copie thereof WIth most humble remembrance of bounden duty to your Majesty The most remarkable letter of Arch-Bishop Grindall in defence of Prophesies and Church jurisdiction It may please the same to be advertized that the speeches which it pleased you to deliver unto me when I last attended on your Highness concerning the abridging the number of Preachers and the utter subversion of all learned exercises and conferences amongst the Ministers of the Church allowed by the Bishops and Ordinaries have exceedingly dismayed and discomforted me not so much for that the said speeches founded very hardly against my own person
which was worse a prison liv'd in him being streightned in his own bowels towards himself For pretending poverty he denied himself necessaries being afterwards discovered to carry a Key about his Neck which opened to infinite treasure so that none would lavish pitty on him who starv'd in store and was wilfully cruel to himself 5. A f Sir John Davys in his Irish report case 〈◊〉 Praemunite fol. 87 89. learned lawyer hath observed The Popes first 〈◊〉 of the Crown of England that the first encroachment of the Bishop of Rome upon the liberties of the Crown of England was made in the time of King William the Conqueror For the Conqueror came in with the Popes Banner and under it won the battle which got him the Garland and therefore the Pope presumed he might boldly pluck some flowers from it being partly gain'd by his countenance and Blessing Indeed King William kindly entertained these Legats sent from Rome so to sweeten the rank savor of his coming in by the sword in the nostrils of religious men pretending what he had gotten by power he would keep by a pious compliance with his Holiness But especially he did serve the Pope to be served by him that so with more ease and less envie he might suppress the English Clergie But although this politick Prince was courteous in his complemental addresses to the See Apostolick Yet King William invested ecclesiastical pesons yet withall he was carefull of the main chance to keep the essentials of his Crown as amongst others by these four remarkable particulars may appear 6. First he g Annal Eccl. 〈◊〉 M. S. 〈◊〉 Mr Gelden in his â—ntes on 〈◊〉 pag. 14. retained the ancient custom of the Saxon Kings investing Bishops and Abbots by delivering them a Ring and a Staff whereby without more ado they were put into plenary possession of the power and profit of their place Yea when Arch-Bishop Lansrank one so prevalent that he could perswade King William to any thing provided that the King himself thought it fitting requested William to bestow on him the donation of the Abbey of Saint Augustine in Canterbury the King refused saying that he would keep all pastoral h Gervasius Dorobernensis M. S. cited ibid. Staves in his own hand Wiser herein then his successors who parted with those Staves wherewith they themselves were beaten afterward 7. Secondly being demanded to do Fealty for his Crown of England 1078. to Gregory the seventh Pope of Rome And refuseth to do Fealty to the Pope he returned an answer as followeth 12. In English EXcellentissimo i M S codex epislolarum Lansranci cited by Sr John Davys in his Irish reports of Praemunire fol 89. Sanctae Ecclesiae Pastori Gregorio gratia Dei Anglorum rex dux Normannorum Willielmus salutem cum amicitia Hubertus Legatus tuus Religiose Pater ad me veniens ex tua parte me admonuit quatenus tibi successoribus tuis fidelitatem facerem de pecunia quam antecessores mei ad Romanam ecclesiam mitere solebant melius cogitarem Vnum admisi alterum non admisi Fidelitatem facere nolui nec volo quia nec ego promisi nec antecessores meos antecessoribus tuis id fecisse comperio Pecunia tribus sermè annis in Galli is me agente negligenter collecta est Nunc vero divina misericordia me in regnum meum reverso quod collectum per praefatum Legatum mittitur Et quod reliquum est per Legatos Lanfranci Archiepiscopi fidelis nostri cum opportunum fuerit transmittetur Orate pro nobis pro statu Regni nostri quia antecessores vestros dileximus vos prae omnibus sincerè diligere obedienter audire desideramus TO Gregory the most excellent Pastor of the holy Church William by the grace of God King of the English Duke of the Normans wisheth health and desireth k Or remembreth his love to him his friendship Religious Father your Legat Hubert coming unto me admonished me in your behalf in asmuch as I should do fealty to you and your successors and that I should take better care for the payment of the money which my predecessors were wont to send to the Church of Rome One thing I have granted the other I have not granted Fealty I would not do nor will I because I neither promised it neither do I finde that my predecessors ever did it to your predecessors The money for almost three years when I was abroad in France hath been but negligently collected But now seeing by divine mercy I am returned into my Kingdom what is gathered is sent by the aforesaid Legat and the arrears which remain shall be sent by the messengers of Lanfrank our faithful Arch-Bishop in time convenient Pray for us and for the good state of our Kingdom because we have loved your predecessors and do desire sincerely to love and obediently to hear you above all others It is strange on what pretence of right the Pope required this Fealty was it because he sent King William a consecrated Banner that under the colour thereof he endeavoured to display his power over all England as if the King must do him homage as a Banneret of his creation or because he had lately humbled Henry the fourth the German Emperour he thought that all Kings in like manner must be slaves unto him the Pope being then in his Vertical height and Dog-dayes of the heat of his Power But wee need no further inquiry into the cause of his Ambition when we read him to be Gregory the seventh otherwise Hisdebrand that most active of all that sate in that Chair Surely he sent this his demand rather with an intent to spie then hope to speed therein so to sound the depth of King William whom if he found shallow he knew how to proceed accordingly or else he meant to leave this demand dormant in the Deck for his successors to make advantage thereof who would claim for due whatsoever they challenged before However so bold an asker never met with a more bold denier Soon did King William finde his spirits who formerly had not lost but hid them for his private ends England's Conqueror would not be Romes Vassal and hee had Brain enough to deny what the other had Brow to require and yet in such wary language that he carried himself in a religious distance yet politick parity with his Holiness 8. Thirdly King William ordereth the power both of Pope and Arch-Bishop in his own Dominion King William would in no wife suffer any one in his Dominion to acknowledge the Bishop of Rome for Apostolical without his a Eadmerus Hist Nov. lib. 1. pag 6. command or to receive the Popes Letters except first they had been shewed unto him As for the Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY Primate of England though by his own authority he might congregate Councels of Bishops and fit President in them
shall be requisite In pursuance of these their Instructions the Kings Commissioners in their respective Counties recovered much and discovered more of Church-wealth and Ornaments For some were utterly imbeziled by persons not responsible and there the King must lose his right More were concealed by parties not detectable so cunningly they carried their stealths seeing every one who had nimmed a Church-Bell did not ring it out for all to hear the sound thereof Many potent persons well known to have such goods shufled it out with their greatnesse mutually connived at therein by their equalls fellow-offenders in the same kinde However the Commissioners regained more than they expected confidering the distance of time and the cold scent they followed so many years after the Dissolution This Plate and other Church-Utensils were sold and advanced much money to the Exchequer An * Sir John Hayward Authour telleth us That amongst many which they found they left but one silver Chalice to every Church too narrow a proportion to populous Parishes where they might have left two at the least seeing for expedition sake at great Sacraments the Minister at once delivereth the wine to two Communicants But they conceived one Cup enough for a small Parish and that greater and richer were easily able to purchase more to themselves 2. All this Income rather stayed the stomack Durham Bishoprick dissolved than satisfied the hunger of the Kings Exchequer For the allaying whereof the Parliament now sitting conferred on the Crown the Bishoprick of Durham This may be called the English Herbipolis or Wirtz-burge it being true of both Dunelmia sola judicat Ense Stola The Bishop whereof was a Palatine or Secular Prince and his Seal in form resembleth Royalty in the Roundnesse thereof and is not Oval the badge of plain Episcopacy Rich and entire the revenues of this See such as alone would make a considerable addition to the Crown remote the scituation thereof out of Southern sight and therefore if dissolved the sooner out of mens mindes Besides Cuthbert Tunstall the present Bishop of Durham was in durance and deprived for his obstinacy so that so stubborn a Bishop gave * yet the Duke of Northumberland either was or was to be possessour thereof the State the fairer quarrell with so rich a Bishoprick now annexed to the Kings revenue 3. Well it was for this See Afterwards restored by Qu. Mary though dissolved that the lands thereof were not dispersed by sale unto severall persons but preserved whole and entire as to the main in the Crown Had such a dissipation of the parts thereof been made no lesse than a State miracle had been requisite for the recollection thereof Whereas now within two years after Queen Mary restored Tunstall to this Bishoprick and this Bishoprick to it self re-setling all the lands on the same 4. By this time A wood rather a wildernesse of the Popes Canons such Learned men as were employed by the King to reform the Ecclesiastical Laws had brought their work to some competent perfection Let me enlarge my self on this subject of concernment for the Readers satisfaction When the Pope had ingrossed to his Courts the cognizance of all causes which either looked glanced or pointed in the least degree at what was reduceable to Religion he multiplied Laws to magnifie himself Whose principal designe therein was not to make others good but himself great not so much to direct and defend the good to restrain and punish the bad as to ensnare and entangle both For such the number of their Clementines 〈◊〉 Intrd. Extravagants Provincialls Synodalls Glosses Sentences Chapters Summaries Rescripts Breviaries long and short Cases c. that none could carry themselves so cautiously but would be rendred obnoxious and caught within the compasse of offending Though the best was for money they might buy the Popes pardon and thereby their own innocence 5. Hereupon Two and thirty Regulatours of the Canon-Law when the Popes power was banished out of England his Canon-Law with the numerous Books and branches thereof lost its authority in the Kings Dominions Yet because some gold must be presumed amongst so much drosse grain amongst so much chaffe it was thought fit that so much of the Canon Law should remain as was found conformable to the Word of God and Laws of the Land And therefore King Henry the eighth was impowred by Act of Parliament to elect two and thirty able persons to reform the Ecclesiastical Laws though in His Reign very little to good purpose was performed therein 6. But the designe was more effectually followed in the daies of King Edward the sixth Contracted to eight by King Edward the 6. reducing the number of two and thirty to eight thus mentioned in His Letters Patents dated at Westminster the last year Novemb 11. Bishops Thomas Cranmer of Canterbury Thomas Goodrich of Elie. Divines Peter Martyr Richard Cox Civilians and Canonists Dr. William May. Dr. Rowland Taylor of Hadley Common Lawyers John Lucas Rich Goodrick Esquires It was not onely convenient but necessary that Common Lawyers should share in making these Church Constitutions because the same were to be built not onely sure in themselves but also symmetricall to the Municipall Lawes of the Land These Eight had power by the Kings Patents to call in to their assistance what persons they pleased and are said to have used the pens of Sir John Cheeke and Walter Haddon Dr. in Law to turn their Lawes into Latine 7. However Laws no Laws not stamped with Royall Authority these had onely a preparing no concluding power so that when they had ended their work two things were wanting to make these Ecclesiastical Canons thus by them composed have the validity of Laws First an exact review of them by others to amend the mistakes therein As where * Titulo de Divinis Officiâ—s cap. 6. they call the Common Prayer Book then used in England proprium perfectum omnis divini cultus judicem magistrum a title truly belonging onely to the Scripture Secondly a Royall ratification thereunto which this King prevented by death nor any of His Successours ever stamped upon it Indeed I finde in an * Iohn 〈◊〉 at the end of his Preface to his Book intituled Reformation no enemy to Her Majesty Author whom I am half-ashamed to alledge that Doctor Haddon Anno 12 or 13 Elizabeth delivered in Parliament a Latine Book concerning Church-Discipline written in the daies of King Edward the sixt by Mr. Cranmer Sir John Cheek c. which could be no other than this lately mentioned Which Book was committed by the House unto the said Mr. Haddon Mr. George Bromley Mr. Norton c. to be translated I conceive into English again and never after can I recover any mention thereof save that some thirteen years since * Anno 1640. A silent Convocation it was printed in London 8. A Parliament was called in the last of this Kings
favoured that they were made as capable of Degrees as if admitted Gremials in the University Anno Regin Mar. 6. At this day S t. Iohns hath a President Anno Dom. 1558. fifty Fellows and Schollars a Chaplain and a Clarke besides Servants Commoners and other students being in all an hundred and twenty 46. Queen Mary every day waxed more and more melancholy Calis lost the Queen melancholy whereof several causes are assigned Some conceive her Sorrowing that by negligence the Key of France Calis was slipt from her girdle which her predecessours wore by their sides more then two hundred yeers But now it is gone let it Goe it was but a beggerly Town which cost England ten times yearly more then it was worth in keeping thereof as by the a and in a manuscript of Sr. Robert Cottons own making Her grief at her husbands absence accounts in the Exchequer doth plainly appear 47. Others ascribe her sadness to her Husbands absence which had many and made more occasions to go and stay beyond the Seas after he had found England and not so usefull as he expected as having neither power therein nor profit thereby though as much as on the Articles of marriage was promised Him halfe so much as He had promised to himself Besides Queen Mary her Person was no gainer scarce a saver of Affection having her Fathers feature a face broad and big with her mothers colour a somewhat swarthy complexion 48. As Queen Mary was not over fair And death of a Dropsie King Philip was not over-fond especially after he began to despair of Issue from her Nov. 17. Indeed her Physitians hoped her to be with Childe till her misconceived pregnancy proved a Dropsy at the last whereof she died having reigned five years and odd moneths As for the suggestion of Osorius the Spaniard that the English Protestants attempted to poison her a learned b Haddon contra Osorium lib. 1. fol. 25. Author returns Nihil hujusmodi dictum nec scriptum fictum nec pictum being the bare Inventions of his scandalous Tongue 49. Within few howres after her death The death of Cardinal Poole died Cardinal Poole Arch-Bishop of Canterbury One who the longer He lived in England the less He had of an English-man daily more and more Italianating Himself and conversing most with the Merchants of that country Practising the principles of Italian thrift his Pompe was rather gawdy then costly and attendance ceremonious more than expensive By Bils of Exchange He made over much mony to Venice and Rome and fearing a banke in England if Queen Mary should faile provided Himself a banke beyond the Seas He procured of the Queen the Patronage of c Ant. Brit. in vita Poli. nineteen Benefices unto his Sce promised and intended to repair the Palace at Canterbury He was buried in His own Cathedral with this short and modest Epitaph on his plain Monument DEPOSITVM CARDINALIS POLI. 50. He alwayes had a favourable inclination to Protestants His good inclinations to be a Protestant though to wipe off the aspersion of Lutheranisme at last he grew somewhat severe against them but expressing it rather in wronging the Dead whose bones He burnt than hurting the Living The Papists accuse him for too much Indulgence to the married Clergy because only parting them from their Wives and depriving them from their Livings But soon afterwards d Sanders de schis Ang. lib. 2. pag. 307. preferring the same persons to Benefices of farr better Revenue He was an absolute Protestant in the point of justification much offended with the Proud errour of Osorius therein thus expressing himself e Haddon contra Osorium lib. 2. fol. 58. non potest viribus humanis nimium detrahi nec addi Divine Gratiae Too much cannot be taken away from mans power nor given to Gods Grace 51. He left Aloisius Priol Leaveth all his Estate to Italians a Gentleman of Venice his sole executor to dispose of his estate to pious uses chiefly on the relief of forrainers In England He had no want of neer Kindred and some of them for all their high birth neer a kin to want yet He passing them by ordered that his whole Estate should be conferred on Italians Some condemning some commending him for the same as a deed of Gratitude because those of that Nation had formerly for many yeers relieved his necessities His Executor so honestly discharged his Trust therein that he freely disposed the whole estate to the True Intent of the Testator In so much that he left not any thing thereof unto himself save onely two small Books viz. a a Antiq. Brit. in vita Poli. Breviary and a Diurnall for a meer Memoriall Thus died Cardinall Poole neither of Italian Physick willfully taken by himself as an English b Mr. Fox Acts Mon. pag. 2102. Author insinuats nor of Poison given to him by the Protestants as a c Pitzaeus de scrip Ang. Cent. pag. Spanish writer suggests Paul Osorins but of a quartan feaver then epidemicall in England and malignant above the ordinary nature of that Disease 52. The Funerals of Queen Mary were performed with much Solemnity and true sorrow of those of her own religion Queen Maries double funeral sermons d Pitz de scrip Ang. Cent. pag. White Bishop of Winchester preached the Sermon taking for his Text Ecclesiastes 9. 4. A living Dog is better then a dead Lion One not present at the Place might easily tell whom he made the Lion and whom the Dog Indeed he strawed all the flowers of his Rhetorique on Queen Mary deceased leaving not so much as the stalkes to scatter on her surviving sister This White being a Tolerable Poet for so * Camb. in his Eliz. in Anno 1559. p. 23. one charactereth him was an Intollerable Fatterer and made use of his Poetical Licence in the praise of Popery More modest and moderate was the Sermon of Feckenham Abbot of Westminster taking for his Text. Ecclesiastes 4. 2. I praise the Dead rather then the Living who preached also the â— Obsequies of Queen Mary either that he did it as an act of Supeerrogation or because it was conceived the more state for so great a Prince to have a Duplicate of such solemnities The best is the Protestants of that Age cared not how many so it be Funeral Sermons were preached for her 3. However Her deserved Praise take Queen Mary in her self abstracted from her Opinions and by her self secluded from her bloody councellours and her Memory will justly come under Commendation Indeed she knew not the Art of being popular and never cared to learn it and generally being given more to her Beads then her Book had less of learning or Parts to get it then any of her Fathers children She hated to equivocate in her own Religion and alway was what she was without dissembling her judgement or Practise for fear or
flattery Little beloved of her subjects to whom though once she remitted an intire Subsidie yet it little moved their affections because though liberall in this Act she had been unjust in another her Breach of promise to the gentry of Norfolke and Suffolk However she had been a worthy Princesse had as little Cruelty been done under her as was done by her Her Devotion alwayes commanded her Profit and often times did fill the Church with the emptying of her own Exchequer 54. Take one instance of many Her and her Ladies Bounty to the Hospitals of the Savoy The Hospitall of the Savoy in the Strand founded by her grandfather King Henry the seventh and since Dissolved was by her Erected again And whereas the Utensells thereof had lately been Embezelled the house being left as bare as the poore people which were brought therein her maids of Honour out of their own Wardrope furnished it with * Stow in his survey of London pag. 491. Beds Blankets and Sheets Were any of those Ladies still alive I would pray for them in the language of the * Psal 41. 3. Psalmist The Lord make all their bed in their sicknesse And he is a good Bed-maker indeed who can and will make it fit the person and please the patient But seeing such long since are all deceased it will be no Superstition to praise God for their piety and Commend their practise to the imitation of Posterity 55. Her Body was enterred in the Chappell of King Henry the seventh The place of her Burial In the Isle on the North-side thereof and afterwards the Corps of her sister Queen Elizabeth were buried in the same Vault Over Both King James afterwards erected a most sumptuous monument though the Epitaph inscribed thereon taketh noe notice at all of Queen Mary as destined and designed soly to the memory of Queen Elizabeth But Maryes name still surviveth in many Roman Catholick families being though never mother her self Godmother to many of her Servants Sons giving her own Anthony Maria Edward Maria c. as an addition to their Christian names 56. Many great persons Q. Eliz. 1. chiefly of the Clergy followed her into another world God paveth the way for Q. Elizabeths coming to the crown a communis quaedam lues ex ardore febrium per universos Angliae ordines â—ermeabat in illis maxime divites honorantes personas de populabatur Haddon contra Osorium fol. 25. whether out of a politick Sympathic that being raised by her they would fall with her or that fore seeing alteration of religion and their own ruine they died to prevent death heart-broken with sorrow Besides at this time there was a strange mortality different from other infections not sweeping but choosing which did principally single out men of wealth and quality Whil'st such as make uncharitable applications parallel this to the plague of the Israelites b Psal 71. 32. which slew the wealthest of them we will onely conceive that God intending to plant in Queen Elizabeth first cleared the ground by removing such as probably would oppose her Neither was it a small advantage unto her that the Parliament sat at her sisters death after which they onely continued so long as joyntly and publiquely to proclaim Elizabeth Queen Nov. 18. and then they were c Holinshed pag. 1170. dissolved Now though her Title was free from doubt yet it it was not so clear from cavils but that one considering the power of the English Papists at this time and their activity at all times will conclude they might have though not hurt troubled and though not hindred disturb'd her succession Whereas now being so solemnly proclaimed it gave much countenance and some strength to her right being done by the whole State in so weighty a manner that it crush't in pieces all hopes of private oppositions Thus those whom God will have to rise shall never want hands to lift them up THE Church-History OF BRITAINE THE NINTH BOOK Containing the Raign of QUEEN ELIZABETH SIC OMNI TEMPORE VERDO To the Honourable GEORGE BERKLEY Sole Son to the Right Honorable GEORGE Baron of BERKLEY I have ever dissented from their opion who maintain that the world in was created a levell Champian Mountains being only the product of NOAHS flood where the violence of the waters aggested the earth goared out of the hollow valleys For we reade how in that deluge * Gen. 7. 20. the mountains were not then as upstarts first caused but as old standards newly covered As much do I differ from their false position who affirme that all being equall in the loynes of Adam and wombe of Eve honour was onely the effect of humane ambition in such whose pride or power advanced themselves above others Whereas it was adequate to the creation as originally fixed in Eldership or Primogeniture and afterwards by Divine providence the sole fountain thereof confer'd on others Either out of love by nothing lesse than his express Commission for their good or hatred by somewhat more than his bare Permission for their ruine The three Sons of David serve us for the threfold division of honour 1. Absolon said * 2. Sam. 15. 4. O that I were made Judge in the land 2. Adoniah exalted himself saying * 1 King 1. 5. I will be King 3. Solomon said nothing But * 1 King 1. 17. David said and God confirmed his words Assuredly he shall reign after me The first sought by secret ambition to surprise his fathers subjects The second went a mere bold and blunt way to work by open usurpation but both finally miscaried The Third reached not at all at Honor but only happily held what was put into his hands But when outward Greatnesse as in the last instance is attended with inward Grace all Christian beholders thereof are indebted to a double tribute of respect to that person whose Honour is martialled according to the * Rom. 2. 12. Apostolicall equipage BUT GLORY HONOUR AND PEACE See how it standeth like a Shield in the middle with GLORY and PEACE as supporters on each side And this is that Honor the zealous pursute whereof I humbly recommend unto you Nor will you be offended at this my counsel as If it imported a suspition of your present practise who know well what St. paul * 1 Thes 5. 1â— saith Edifie one another EVEN AS YE DOE It is no tautologie to advise good people to do what they do Such precepts are prayses such counsels commendations And in this notion do I tender my humble advice to your consideration Remember the modesty of * Psal 27. 4. David in asking One thing have I desired of the Lord Viz. to be constantly present at his publique service And behold the bounty of * 1 Cor. 29. 28 God in giving three for one And he died in a good old age full of dayes riches and honor Such measure may you
so far as to disclaim the treacherous part and principles thereof This is most visible in the Secular Priests the Queens lenity so working on many of them that both in writing and preaching they have detested and confuted all such traiterous practices as against the laws of God 7. The rather Anno Dom. 1581. Anno Regin Eliza. 24. because no Jesuite is put to death for his religion but rebellion they are never examined on any article of their faith nor are their consciences burdened with any interrogatories touching their belief but only practices against the State are charged upon them 7. The death of Jesuits in such cases may fitly be stiled the childe of their rebellion but the grand-childe of their religion which is removed but a degree farther For their obedience to their superiours putteth them on the propagation of their religion and by all means to endeavour the same which causeth them out of an erroneous conscience to do that which rendereth them offenders to our State Now in all ages such as have suffered for their consciences not only immediately and in a direct line but also at the second hand and by implication receive pity from all such as behold their sufferings whether as a debt due or as an almes given unto them let others dispute and therefore such putting of Jesuits unto death will but procure unto them a general commiseration These and many other reasons too many and tedious to be here inserted were brought and bandied on both sides every one censuring as they stood affected 11. In the execution of these laws against Jesuits The execution of this law moderated Queen Elizabeth embraced a middle and moderate way Indeed when a new rod is made some must be whipped therewith though it be put in terrorem of others When these Statutes were first in the state or magisteriality thereof they were severely put in practice on such offendours as they first lighted on But some years after the Queen and Her Judges grew remiss in the execution thereof Witness the only confining of many of themto Wisbidge Castle where they fell out amongst themselves And in King James His dayes this dormant law against Jesuits only awakened some once in foure or five years to shew the world that it was not dead and then fairely fell asleep again being very sparingly put in execution against some notorious offenders 12. The worst was Worst of essenders scape best the punishment hap'ned heaviest on those which were the least offenders For whereas the greatest guilt was in the Senders all the penalty fell on the Messengers I mean on such novices which sent hither at their Superiours commands and who having lost their sight beyond the seas by blinde obedience came over to lose their lives in England Now Jesuitisme is a weed whose leaves spread into our land may be cut off but the root thereof is out of reach as fixed in Rome and other forrain parts For in the mean time their Superiours staying at Rome ate slept wrote rail'd complain'd of persecution making of faces and they themselves crying out oh whilest they thrust the hands of others of their own religion into the fire 13. A loud Parliament is alwayes attended with a silent Convocation Anno Regin Eliza. 23. as here it came to pass The activity of the former in Church-matters left the later nothing to do Anno Dom. 1580. Only this account I can give thereof out of our records First Arch-Bishop Grindal appeared not at all therein The acts of a silent Convocation age blindness and disgrace keeping the good father at home Jan. 17. Secondly John Elmer Bishop of London was appointed his locumtenens or Deputy Thirdly this Convocation began in S t. Pauls where it continued without any removal with reading the Letany vulgari sermone in the English tongue Fourthly the Bishops commended three namely D r. Humsries Dean of Winchester D r. * So called by mistake in Records otherwise his name was William George Day Dean of Windsor and D r. Goodman Dean of Westminster to the inferiour Clergy to chose one of them for their Referendary or Prolocutor Fiftly D r. Day was elected and presented for that office Sixtly motion was made of drawing up some articles against the dangerous opinions of the Family of love a sect then much encreasing but nothing was effected Seventhly Marc. 25. at several Sessions they met 1581 and prayed and confer'd and prorogued their meeting and departed Lastly the Clergy granted a Subsidie afterwards confirmed by the Parliament and so the convocation was dissolved 14. Now can I not satisfie my self on my strictest enquiry what Jesuite Quere on whom the law was first hanselled or Priest had the first hansell of that severe Statute made against them Indeed I finde a Priest 31. John Pain by name executed at Chelmsford March the 31. which was but thirteen dayes after the dissolution of the Parliament for certain speeches by him uttered but cannot avouch him for certainly tried on this Statute May 28. More probable it is that Thomas Ford John Shert and Robert Iohnson Priests executed at London were the first-fruits of the States severity 15. No eminent Clergy-man Protestant died this year The death of Bp. Berkelay save Gilbert Berkelay 25. May 8. Bishop of Bath and Wells 1582 who as his Armes do attest was alliXed to the ancient and honourable familie of the Berkelays 16. The Presbyterian party was not idle all this while A meeting of the Presbyterians at Cockfield but appointed a meeting at Cockfield M r. Knewstubs Cure in Suffolke where three-score Ministers of Norfolke Suffolke and Cambridge-shire met together to conâ—eâ—r of the Common-Prayer-Book what might be tolerated and what necessary to be refused in every point of it apparrel matter forme days fastings injuctions c. Matters herein were carried with such secrecy that we can see no light thereof but what only shineth thorough one crevise in a private letter a Mr. Pigg in his letter to Mr. Field dated May 16. of one thus expressing himself to his friend Concerning the meeting I hope all things were so proceeded in as your self would like of as well for reverence to other brethren as for other matters I suppose before this time some of the company have told you by word for that was permitted unto you 17. We are also at as great a loss Another at Cambridge what was the result of their meeting at the Commencement at Cambridge Iuly 2. this being all we finde thereof in a b Idem Ibidem letter of one to his private friend concerning the Commencement I like well the motion desiring it might so come to pass and that it be procured to be as generall as might be which may easily be brought to pass if you at London shall so think well of it and we here may understand your minde we will
make out to the Kingdome of England However much mischief was done hereby many Papists paying their good wishes where they were not due and defrauding the Queen their true creditòr of the allegiance belonging unto her 43. Now did the Queen summon a Parliament Anno Regin Eliza. 30. Anno Dom. 1587. wherein her Majesty appeared not in person An Act without precedent But passed over the presidentship of that her great Councel unto John Whitgift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury William Cecill Lord treasurer and to the Earle of Darby A thing done without precedent when the King at home and in health But the pleasure of so powerful a Princess might create a leading case in things of this nature 44. Wonder not if the Nonconformists were very quiet in this Parliament Good reason why the Nonconformists were quiet Beholding the Arch-Bishop their great adversary in so great power and place However their activity in the next will make their party amends for their stilness in this Session 45. This year ended the doleful life of a distressed Lady The death of Mary Queen of Scotland Mary Queen of Scots whose Triall and Death belongeth to the State Historian She was aged fourty six years passing the last twenty in Imprisonment One of a sharp Wit undaunted Spirit comely person beautiful Face Majestick presence one Reason why Queen Elizabeth declined what the other so much desired a personal conference with Her as unwilling to be either out-shone or even-shone in her own Hemispheare For her morals the belief of moderate men embraceth as middle Courts betwixt Buchanan aspersing and Causinus his Hyperbolical Commending her because zealous in his own Religion 46. She was an excellent Poet Her Poetry both Latine and English of the former I have read a distick made and written by her own hand on a Pane of Glass at Buxton well Buxtona quae calidae celebraris nomine Lymphae * So it is in the Glass I had in my hand though it be celebrabere in Cand. Brit. in Derby-shire Forte mihi posthac non adeunda Vale. Buxton who dost with waters warme excell By me perchance never more seen Farewell And at Fotheringhay-Castle I have read written by Her in a window with a pointed Diamond From the Top of all my Trust Mishap hath lai'd me in the dust But her Adversaries conceive had she not been laid there the happiness of England had been prostrated in the same place She was buried in the Quire of Peterborough and Doctor Wickham Bishop of Lincolne preached her funeral sermon causelessly carped at by the Martin Mar-Prelate as too favourable concerning her final condition though he uttered nothing inconsistent with Charity and Christian discretion 47. Some twenty years after Her Body removed to Westminster King James caused her Corps to be solemnly removed from Peterborough to Westminster where in the south-side of the Chappel of King Henry the seventh he erected a stately monument to her memory and thereon this Epitaph wherein such cannot but commend the Piety of her Son who will not believe all the praises of his Mother D. O. M. MAriae Stuartae Scotorum Reginae Franciae Dotariae Jacobi V. Scotorum Regis Filiae Haeredis unicae Henrici VII Ang. Regis ex Margareta majori Natu Filia Jacobi IIII Regi Scotorum matrimonio copulata proneptis Edwardi IIII. Angliae Regis ex Elizabetha Filiarum natu maxima abneptis Francisci II. Gallorum Regis conjugis Coronae Angliae dum vixit certae indubitatae haeredis Jacobi magnae Brittanniae monarchae potentissimi matris Stirpe verè Regiâ antiquissima prognata erat Anno Dom. 1587. maximis Totius Europae Principibus Agnatione Cognatione conjuncta Anno Regin Eliza. 30. exquisitissimis Animi corporis dotibus ornamentis cumulatissima Verum ut sunt variae rerum humanarum vices postquam annos plus minus viginti in custodia detenta fortiter strenuè sed frustrà cum malevolorum obtreclationibus timidorum suspitionibus inimicorum capitalium insidijs conflictata esset tandem inaudito infesto Regibus exemplo securi percutitur Et contempto mundo devicta morte lassato Carnifice Christo Servatori animae salutem Jacobi Filio spem Regni posteritatis universis caedis infaustae spectatoribus exemplum patientiae commendans piè intrepidè Câ—rvicem Regiam securi maledictae subjecit vitae caducae sortem cum coelestis Regni perennitate commutavit Besides this there is a long inscription in verses one distich whereof I remember because it is the same in effect with what was made of Maud the Empress On Maud Magna Ortu majorque Viro sed maxima Partu Hic jacet Henrici Filia sponsa Parens On Queen Mary Magna Viro major Natu sed maxima Partu Conditor hic Regis Filia sponsa Parens So that it is no disgrace for a Queen to weare part of an Epitaph at the second hand with some little alteration 48. About this time it was A designe propounded that some Privie Councellors endeavoured to perswade Queen Elizabeth to raise and foment a difference betwixt the Pope and King of Spain and to assist the former not as Pope but temporal Prince by her shipping to regain Naples detained from him by the Spanish King They alledged the designe advantagious to work a diversion of Spanish forces and prevent an invasion of her own Land 49. But her Majesty would not listen to the motion to entertain Compliance in any capacity And blasted by the Queen on any Conditions with the Pope as dishonourable in her self distastful to the Protestant Princes nor would she touch Pitch in jest for fear of being defiled in earnest but crushed the designe in the birth thereof 50. A first onset was now made by the Nonconformists against the Hierarchie Conformity to the height though the more they opposed it the more the Queen did Countenance their persons and preserve their power In so much that she would not in Lent feed on any fish as forbidden by the Canons of the Church until she had first attained a solemn * Camdens Eliz. Manuscript shortly likely to be Printed Licence from the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and every year of her life renew'd the same 51. The power of the high Commission began now to extend far and penalties to fall heavie on offenders Whereupon the favourers of the Nonconformists much opposed it in their printed books some questioning the Court as not warranted by Law others taxing their proceedings as exceeding their Commission but hear their Arguments on both sides Against the High Commission It is pretended founded on the Statute primo Elizabethae wherein the Parliament impowered the Queen by her Letters patents to appoint Commissioners to punish Offendors in Ecclesiastical Causes But no mention therein of Temporall penalties and therefore the Commissioners are to confine themselves to Church Censures by Excommunicating
and Chancellour Hatton with other of the Privie Councellors pretending himself sent from Heaven to reform Church and State and bring in a new discipline into both by extraordinary means 35. Proclaimed by his two Prophets Afterwards he gave it out that the principall spirit of the Messias rested in him and had two Attendants Edmund Coppinger the Queens servant and one of good descent for his prophet of mercy July 16. And Henry Arthington a York-shire Gentleman for his prophet of Judgment These proclaimed out of a Cart in Cheap-side that Christ was come in Hacket with his fan in his hand to purge the godly from the wicked with many other precedent concomitant and consequent impieties For who can otherwise conceive but such a prince-principall of Darkness must be proportionably attended with a black guard of monstrous Opinions and expressions They cryed also Repent England Repent Good counsell for all that heard but best for them that gave it With much adoe such the press of people they got home to broken-wharf where Hacket lay and next day all three were sent to Bridewell though some conceived Bedlam the more proper place for them And some dayes after Hacket being solemnly arraigned before the Judges at Westminster demeaned himself very scornfully but was found guilty on a double inditement and condemned 36. An adventure with more boldness then discretion During his imprisonment in Bridewell one D r. Childerly Rector of S t. Dunstans in the East repaired unto him and proffered to gripe arms with him and try the wrists which Hacket unwillingly submitted to do Though otherwise boasting himself invulnerable and impenetrable The Doctor though with some difficulty Hacket being a foul strong lubber yet fairly twisted his wrists almost to the Breaking thereof but not to the bowing of him to any confession or remorse Whilst the other presently hasteth home to his house lock'd himself up in his Study and with fasting and prayer beg'd pardon of God for his pride and boldness that having neither promis'd precept or precedent for his practise in scripture he should adventure on such a triall wherein justly he might have been worsted for his presumption and discreet men will more commend the relenting tenderness of his heart then the slight and strength of his hands 37. 〈…〉 Hacket was brought to the Gibbet near to the Cross in Cheap-side and there 〈◊〉 forth most blasphemous execrations till the halter stopped his breath I know what one Lawyer pleadeth in his behalf though it be little credit to be the Advocate of such a Client That the Bishops had made 〈◊〉 mâ—dd with persecuting of him Sure it was if he were madd not any 〈◊〉 but overmuch pride made him so and sure it is he discovered no distemper in other particulars personating at least wise if not performing all things with a composed gravity But there is a madness which Physicians count most uncurable and call it Modesta Insania when one is mad as to one particular point alone whilst serious and sober in all other things Whether Hacket were not toucht with this or no I will not decide but leave him to stand or fall to his own master Coppinger died in Bridewell starving himself as it is said by wilfull abstinence Arthington the prophet of judgment lived to prove the object of Gods and the Queens mercy and printed a plain book of his hearty repentance Happy herein that he met with a generall belief of his serious sorrow and sincere amendment 38. 〈…〉 This businesse of Hacket happened very unseasonably for the Presbyterians True it is they as cordially detested his blasphemies as any of the Episcopall party And such of them as loved Hacket the Nonconformist abhorred Hacket the Heretick after he had mounted to so high a pitch of Impiety But besides the glutenous nature of all aspersions to stick where they light they could not wash his odium so fast from themselves but their Adversaries were as ready to rub it on again This rendred them at this time so hated at Court That for many moneths together no Favourite durst present a petition in their behalf to the Queen being loath to lose himself to save others so offended was her Majesty against them 39. Mr Stone by his confession discovereth the meeting of the Brethren with the circumstances thereof The same day wherein Hacket was executed Thomas Stone Parson of Warkton in Northampton-shire by vertue of an Oath tendered him the day before by the Queens Atturney and solemnly taken by him was examined by the Examiner for the Starr-Chamber in Grayes Inne from six of the clock in the morning till seaven at night to answer unto thirty three Articles but could only effectually depose to these which follow faithfully by me transcribed out of a confession written with his own hand and lately in my Possession 1. Interrog Who and how many assembled and met together with the said Defendents T. C. H. E. E. S. c. all or any of them where when how often c The answer of T. S. to the Interrog touching the Circumstances of 1 Places of meeting 1 Greater 2 Lesse 1 In London 2 In Cambridge S t Johns College 1 Travers 2 Egertons 3 Gardeners 4 Barbers Houses 1 In Northampton 1 Johnsons 2 Snapes Houses 2 In Kettering or near it 1 Dammes 2 Stones Houses 2 Times 1 Since the beginning of the last Parliament 2 Sundry times at London how oft he remember'd not 3 Sundry times at Northampton how oft not remembred 4 Sundry times at Kettering how not remembred 5 Once at Cambridge about Sturbridge fair time was 1. or 2. years 6 Once at London a little before M r Cartwright was committed at M r Gardeners house 7 Once at this Deponents house the certain time not remembred 3 persons 1 Meeting in London joyntly or severally M r Travers M r Chark M r Egerton M r Gardener M r Barber M r Brown M r Somerscales M r Cartwright M r Chatterton M r Gyfford M r Allen M r Edmands M r Gyllybrand M r Culverwell M r Oxenbridge M r Barbon M r Fluddâ— This Deponent 2 Meeting in Camb. M r Chatterton and others of Cambridge M r Cartwright M r Gyfford M r Allen M r Snape M r Flâ—dde This Deponent 3 persons 3 Meeting in Northampton joyntly or severally M r Johnson M r Snape M r Sybthorpe M r Edwards M r Fludde This Deponent M r Spicer M r Fleshware M r Harrison M r Littleton M r Williamson M r Rushbrook M r Baxter M r Barbon M r King M r Proudtome M r Massie M r Bradshaw 4 Meeting at Kettering or nere to it M r Dammes M r Pattison M r Okes M r Baxter M r Rushbrook M r Atkinson M r Williamson M r Massie This Deponent 2 Interrog Who called these Assemblies by what Authority how or in what sort Answer That he knew not by whom they were called neither knew he any other Authority therein saving
Vircrum Illustrium Spectacles to read the smallest Print 3. William Perkins who was born in the first and died in the last of Q. Eliz. so that his Life as n In the Holy State where see hiâ— Life at large we have elsewhere observed to which we remit the Reader running parallel with this Queens Reign began continued and ended therewith 4. Gregory before his entrance into Religion Robert Sayer bred in Cambridge then leaving the University fled beyond sea where he became a Benedictine Monk of the Congregation of S. Justin in Padua He lived in severall parts of Europe as at Phemes Rome Montcasie Venice where he died and was buried o Puzeus de 〈◊〉 Anglick Aetate Detima septima p. 801. the 30. of Octob. having written many Volumes in great esteem with men of his Profession 5. William Harris as Obscure among Protestants as Eminent with the Popish Party A Master of Art of Lincoln Colledge in Oxford whence leaving the Land he fled beyond-sea living at Doway and afterwards he came over into p â—â—em ibidem England where it seemes he had the Hap to escape the Queenes Officers and to die in his Bed His Book called THE THEATRE OF THE MOST TRUE AND ANTIENT CHURCH OF ENGLAND is highly accounted of Roman Catholiques 11. About this time the low Estate of the City of Geneva the Nursery of the Reformed Religion was lively represented to the Prelates Relief sent to the City of Geneva Clergy and Well-disposed Persons of England being for the Present in a very Dolefull condition Long since it had been undone but because it had so many Enemies to undoe it So that by Gods providence q Judg. 14. 14. Out of the Devourer came Meat such Neighbouring Princes and States which were both Willing and Able to swallow up this Zoar did preserve it For rather than Savoy should suppresse it Venice Florence the Popish Cantons in Switzerland and France it self would support But for all this politick Geometry wherewith long it had hung safe betwixt severall Competitours it was lately shrewdly shaken by the Puissance of the Duke of Savoy who addicted to the Spanish Faction had banished all Protestants out of his Dominâ—ons Arch-bishop Whitgift whose hand was ever open to any Pious Design led with his liberall Example and the rest cheerefully followed so that large summes of money were seasonably made over for the Reliefe of Geneva 12. Queen Elizabeth The death of Q. Elizabeth the mirrour of her Sex and Age having above 40 years to the Admiration of Envy it selfe managed this Kingdome finding when she began few Friends that durst help and leaving no Foes that could hurt her exchanged her Earthly for a Heavenly Crowne who as she lived and died an unspotted Virgin so her Maiden memory is likely in this respect to remaine sole and single seeing History affords no Prince to be marched to her Fame in all considerable Particulars Her Corps were solemnly interred under a fair Tomb in Westminster Ann. Reg. 45. the lively Draught whereof Ann. Dom. 1602 is pictured in most London many Countrey Churches every Parish being proud of the shadow of her Tomb and no wonder when each Loyal Subject erected a mournfull Monument for her in his heart But soon after all English Soules were employed equally to divide themselves betwixt Exclamations of Sorrow for her Death and Acclamations of Joy for K. James his succeeding her 13. And now it is strange with what Assiduity and Diligence King Ja. 1. the two Potent Parties the Defenders of Episcopacy and Presbytery K James sends a Welcome message to the Episcopall Party with equall Hopes of Successe made besides Private and Particular Addresses Publique and Visible Applications to King James the first to continue the later to restore or rather set up their Government So that whilest each Side was Jealous his Rival should get the Start by early stirring and rise first in the Kings favour Such was their Vigilancy that neither may seem to go to Bed Incestantly diligent both before and since the Queens Death in dispatching Posts and Messages into Scotland to advance their severall Designes We take notice of two principall M. Lewis Pickering a Northampton shire Gentleman and zealous for the Presbyterian Party was the third Person of quality who riding incredibly swift good Newes makes good Horsemen brought King James the Tydings of Queen Elizabeths Death But how farre and with what Answer he moved the King in that Cause is uncertaine Doctour Thomas Nevill Deane of Canterburte came into Scotland some dayes after him except any will say that he comes first that comes really to effect what he was sent for being solemnly employed by s Sir G Pauls in the Archbishops Life Numb 126. Arch bishop Whitgift to his Majesty in the name of the Bishops and Clergy of England to tender their Bounden Duties and to understand his Highnesse Pleasure for the ordering and guiding of Ecclesiasticall Causes He brought back a welcome Answer to such as sent him of his Highnesse purpose which was to uphold and maintain the Government of the late Queen as she left it setled 14. Soone after followed the Treason of William Watson on this occasion Watson's â—lly Treason This Watson Secular Priest had written a bitter Book against the Jesuits as being one knowing though not so secret of their faults as their owne Confessours taxing them with truth so plaine they could not deny so foule they durst not confesse it Now such is the charity of Jesuits that They never owe any man any ill will making present payment thereof These Holy Fathers as Watson intimated on the d Stowes Chronicle p. 831. Scaffold at his Death and forgave them for the same cunningly and covertly drew him into this action promoting him who was ambitious though pretending to much Mortification treasonably to practise his own preferment 15. Watson with William Clark another of his own profession having fancied a notionall Treason imparted it to George Brooks one angry with Nature His moâ—tly Compliceâ— not so much for making him lame as a younger Brother These break it to Brook his Brother the L. Cobham to the Lord Gray of Whaddon and Sir Walter Rawleigh the one a known Protestant the other a reputed Puritan the third an able Statesman Besides some other Knights displeased with their present Fortunes how quickly is Discontent inflamed into Disloyalty because since the turning of the Wheele at the Queenes Death on the wrong Side of Preferment Watson devised an Oath of Secrecy for them all which was no more than needfull considering their different Interests rather pieced than united patched than pieced together 16. Had one lost his Religion he might have found it though I confess a Treason is but a bad place to seeke it in in this Conspiracy Their wild meanes whereby to attaine a mad end wherein men of all perswasions were engaged Their Parts were as
witnesses Henceforward 〈…〉 all his first information which from this day sunk 〈◊〉 silence and employed all his power on the proof of Subornation That 〈…〉 too hard for his Teeth to enter and fastned his fangs on a softer place so to pinch the Bishop to purpose yea so expensive was the suit that the Bishop well skilled in the charge of charitable works might with the same cost have built and endowed a small Colledge 84. Some daies before she hearing a Noble Lord of his Majesties Councell In 〈…〉 with the King the Bishops great Friend interposed himself to compound the matter prevailing so farre that on his payment of two thousand pound the Suit should be superseded in the Star-Chamber and he freed from further molessation But at this Lords return the price was risen in the market and besides the aforesaid 〈◊〉 it was demanded of him that to procure his peace he must part with his Deanery of Westminster Parsonage or Walgrave and Prebend of Lincoln which he kept in commendam To this the Bishop answered that he would in no base forgoe those few remainders of the favour which his dead master King James had conferred 〈◊〉 him 85. Not long after another bargain was driven frustrated therein by his great Adversary by the well intended endeavours of the same Lord that seeing his Majesty at that time had much occasion of moneys if he would but double the former summe and lay down four thousand pounds he should be freed from further trouble and might goe home with all his 〈◊〉 about him The Bishop returned that he took no delight 〈◊〉 at law with his Soveraign and thankfully embracing the motion prepared himself for the payment When a great Adversary stepping in so violented his Majesty to a Tryall that all was not onely frustrated but this afterwards urged against the Bishop to prove him conscious of a crime from his forwardness to entertain a composition 86. The day of censure being come July 11. Tuesday Sir John Finch Lord chief Justice fined the Bishop ten thousand pound for tempering to suborn Witnesses His heavy censure Secretary Windebank concurred with that little Bell being the lowdest and shrillest in the whole peaâ— as who alone motioned to degrade him which was lustily pronounced by a Knight and Layman having no precedent for the same in former ages The other Lords brought the fine downe to eight thousand pound and a thousand marks to Sir John Munson with suspension ab officio et beneficio and imprisoning him during the Kings pleasure The Earl of Arundell added that the cause in its self was extraordinary not so much prosecuted by the Atturney as immediately by the King himself recommended to their justice Manchester Lord privy Seal said that this was the first precedent wherein a Master had undone himself to save his Servant 87. The Archbishop of Canterbury did consent thereunto To which the Archbishop of Canterbury did concurre aggravating the fault of subornation of perjury with a patheticall speech of almost an houre long shewing how the world was above three thousand years old before ripe enough to commit so great a wickedness and Jesabell the first in Scripture branded with that infamie whose false Witnesses the holy Spirit refused to name otherwise than under the Character of Men of Belial Wherefore although as he said he himself had been five times down on his knees to his Majesty in the Bishops behalf yet considering the guilt so great he could not but agree with the heaviest censure And although some Lords the Bishops Friends as Treasurer Weston Earl of Dorset c. concurred in the fine with hope the King should have the sole honor of the mitigation thereof yet his Majesties necessaries meeting with the person adjudged guilty and well known for solvable no wonder if the utmost penny of the fine was exacted 88. At the same time were fined with the Bishop Three of his Servants fined with 〈◊〉 George Walker his Secretary Cadwallader Powell his Steward at three hundred pounds a piece and Thomas Lund the Bishop his Servant at a thousand 〈◊〉 all as 〈◊〉 in the same cause yet none of them was imprisoned save Lund for a few weeks and their fine never called upon into this day which the Bishop said was commuted into such Office as hereafter they were go doe in the favour of Kilvert 7. To make this our History entire The complaints against the unjust proceedings against him put in by the Bishop into the Parliament the matter in this particular suite Be it therefore known to the Reader than some foure years after 〈◊〉 1640 when this Bishop was fetch out of the Tower and restored a Peer in Parliament he there in presented severall grievances concerning the indirect prosecution of this cause against him whereof these the principall First that his Adversaries utterly waâ—ed and declined the matter of their first Information about revealing the Kings secrets as hopeless of success therein and sprung a new mine to blow up his credit about perjury in the examination of Witnesses Whereas he conceived it just that all accidentalls and occasionalls should sink with the substance of the accusation otherwise suits would be endless if the branches thereof should still survive when the root doth expire * These complaints I extracted out of the Bishop his Originall Secondly that he was deprived of the benefit of bringing in any exceptions against the Testimonies of Sir John Lambe and Dr. Sibthorp to prove their combination against him because they deposing pro Domino Rege nonâ— must impeach the credit of the Kings Witnesses who must be reputed holy and sacred in what they 〈◊〉 in so much that after Briefs were drawn by Counsells on both sides the Court was moved to expunge those Witnesses which made most against the King and for the Defendant Thirdly that Kilvert used all wayes to menace and intimidate the Bishop his Witnesses frighting them as much as he could out of their own consciences with dangers presented unto them To this purpose he obtained from Secretary Windebank that a Messenger of the Star-chamber one Pechye by name was directed to attend him all along the speeding of the Commission in the Country with his Coat of Armes upon him with power to apprehend and close imprison any person whom Kilvert should appoint pretending from the Secretary Warrants for matters of State and deep consequence so to doe by vertue whereof in the face of the Commission he seised on and committed George Walker and Thomas Lund two materiall Witnesses for the Bishop and by the terror thereof chased away many more whose Depositions were necessary to the clearing of the Bishop his integrity yet when the aforesaid two Prisoners in the custody of the Messenger were produced before Secretary Winebank he told them he had no matters of State against them but turned them over to Kilvert wishing them to give him satisfaction and were not permitted
Henrici 8. 1 according to their Advise created D r. Whitakers Master of S t. Iohns in his own Chamber by vertue of the Queens Mandate This done he re-advanceth to S t. Iohns and with as I may say a POSSE ACADEMIAE demands Admission The Iohnians having Intelligence by their Emissaries that the property of the Person was altered and D r. Whitakers invested in their Mastership and knowing the Queen would maintain her power from her Crown to her Foot took VVit in their Anger and peaceably received him However great the Heart-burnings in this House for many years after and I will run the Hazard of the Readers Displeasure in transmitting the following Story to Posterity 18. A Senior Fellow of S t. Iohns of the opposite Faction to the Master in the presence of D r. VVhitakers A Rake-hell to be chosen before a Dunce falling on this Subject proper enough to his Text what Requisites should qualifie a Scholar for a Fellowship concluded that Religion and Learning were of the Quorum for that Purpose Hence he proceeded to put the Case if one of these Qualities alone did appeare whether a religious Dunce were to be chosen before a learned Rake-hell and resolved it in Favour of the later 19. This he endeavoured to prove with two Arguments The first reason whereof this the first Because Religion may but Learning cannot be counterfeited God onely can discover the gracious Heart but men may descry an able Head He that chuseth a learned Rake-hell is sure of something but whoso electeth a religious Dunce may have nothing worthy his Choise seeing the same may prove both Dunce and Hypocrite 20. His second Reason was Second Reason because there was more probability of a Rake-hells Improvement unto Temperance then of a Dunces Conversion into a Learned man seeing such an one radicated and habituated is unchangeable without Miracle 21. Common-place ended An ingenuous master well met D r. VVhitakers desired the company of this Fellow and in his Closet thus accosted him Sir I hope I may say without Offence as once Isaac to Abraham here is VVood and a Knife but where is the Lambe for the Burnt-offering You have discovered much Keeneness of Language and Fervency of Affection but who is the Person you aime at who hath offered Abuse to this Society 22. The other answered with an ingenuous fellow If I may presume to follow your Metaphor know Sir though I am a true Admirer of your most eminent VVorth you are the Sacrifice I reflected at in my Discourse For whilst you follow your Studies and remit matters to be managed by others a Company is chosen into the Colledge of more Zeal then Knowledge whose Iudgements we certainly know to be bad though others charitably believe the Goodness of their Affections And hence of late a generall Decay of Learning in the Colledge 23. The Doctour turned his Anger into Thankfulnesse Well spoken well taken and expressed the same both in loving his Person and practising his Advise promising his own Presence hereafter in all Elections and that none should be admitted without his own Examination which quickly recovered the Credit of this House replenished with hopefull Plants before his Death 24. And thus I take my Farewell of S t. Iohns Colledge Confess and be forgiven having first confessed a Mistake formerly committed in my Holy State a In the life of Dr. Medcalfe in making D r. VValter Haddon Master of the Requests to Queen Elisabeth a Member of this Colledge being originally of Kings Colledge afterward of Trinity Hall The Errour arose because Roger b In his Epistles Askham of this House commonly calleth him nostrum Haddonum where I mistook their Familiarity for Membership in the same Society Thomas Tompson Anno Dom. 1509-10 Vice-Chan Iohn Samson Iohn Scot Proctours Anno Regis Henrici 1. 2 Iohn Bury Major Doct. of Physick 2 Bac. of Divin 5 Mast of Arts 29 Gram. 1 Bac. of Law 16 Arts 42 Seeing the Vice-Chancellours are chosen in November so that in their Office they partake of two yeres of the Lord though otherwise but one annuall Imployment I thought fit henceforward to divide them in our Chronologie into two years Thomas Tompson 1510-11 Vice-Chan 3 George Tomson Chris Ducket Proctours Iohn Erlich Major Doct. of Divin 5 Incorp 1 Doct. of Can. Law 7 Civ Law 2 Bac. of Divin 11 Mast of Arts 26 Bac. of Law 22 Arts 44 Iohn Fawne 1511-12 Vice-Chan 4 Richard Standbank William Chaundler Proctours Iohn Bell Major Doct. of Divin 3 Civ Law 1 Bac. of Divin 5 Mast of Arts 21 Bac. of Law 16 Arts 32 Iohn Fawne 1512-13 Vice-Chan 5 Roger Collinwood Richard Master Proctours Wil. Barber Major Doct. of Divin 2 Civ Law 1 Bac. of Divin 5 Mast of Arts 21 Bac. of Law 7 Arts 52 Iohn Eccleston 1513-14 Vice-Chan 6 Richard Norris Thomas Marten Proct. Hugh Chapman Major Doct. of Divin 3 Civ Law 1 Bac. of Divin 10 Mast of Arts 25 Bac. of Law 10 Arts 24 Gram. 1 Iohn Eccleston 1514-15 Vice-Chanc 7 Iohn Cotting Tho. Goodrick Proct. Hugh Chapman Major Doct. of Divinity 1 Can. Law 3 Bac. of Divin 5 Mast of Arts 14 Bac. of Law 13 Mus 1 Arts 30 Gram. 2 Robert Dussin 1515-16 Vice-Chanc 8 Rowland Bodron Reinald Bainbrigg Proct. Hugh Raukin Major Doct. of Divin 10 Can. Law 2 Civ Law 2 Bac. of Divin 18 Mast of Arts 42 Gram. 3 Bac. of Law Mus Arts Edmond Nateres 1516-17 Vice-Chan 9 Iohn Copinger Gilbert Latham Proctours Iohn Bury Major Doct. of Divin 5 Civ Law 2 Phys 1 Bac. of Divin 13 Mast of Arts 29 Bac. of Law 14. Arts 43 Edmond Nateres Anno Regis Henrici 8. 10 Vice-Chan William Cocks Roger Ashe Proctours VVil. Barber Anno Dom. 1517-18 Major Doct. of Divin 3 Can. Law 2 Civ Law 1 Bac. of Divin 4 Mast of Arts 13 Bac. of Law 11 Arts 41 25. About this time one Peter de Valence a Norman was a Student in Cambridge Peter de Valence excommunicated when the Papist Indulgences were solemnly set upon the School-gates over which he wrote these Words Beatus vir cujus est Nomen Domini Spesejus non respexit Vanitates Insanias falsas istas Inquiry was made about the Party but no Discovery could be made Whereupon Bishop Fisher Chancellour of the University solemnly proceeded to his Excommunication which he is said to perform with Teares and great Gravity 26. This Peter afterward applyed himself to D r. Goodrich Bishop of Ely Many yeares after he confesseth his fault and became his Servant but as the Papists report could never be quiet in his Mind untill many years after he had publickly confessed his Folly therein and upon the same place of the School-gates a See the life of Bishop Fisher lately printed p. 23. fixed a Paper with these words Delicta Iuventutis
the glass that these Lattices did fence them on the outside Item Paid for a Bay Nagge given to M r Henry Denny for the Abby wall three pound seventeen shillings This Nagge was rather a thankful acknowledgment of M r Denny his propriety then a just valuation of what the Parish received from him for it followeth Item To Labourers which did undermine the said wall fourty five shillings nine pence What then may the materials of that wall be presumed worth in themselves I conceive this was a building which ranged East beyond the old Steeple the demolishing whereof brought much profit to the Parish whole Wardens for some years drave a great trade in the sale Lead Stone and Timber all devoured in the roofing flooring and finishing of their Steeple Anno 1563. Eliz. 6â—â— Imprimis For an old house in the old Market-place thirteen pound six shillings eight pence This Tenement low-rented yielded annually nine shillings Now the Parish sold it and another house in West-street outright letting Leases also of their other Church-lands for twenty one years such bargains made a Feast for the present age and a Famine for posterity Item For the old timber in the little Vestiary of S t Georges Chappel fifteen shillings In vain have I enquired for the scituation hereof long since demolished c Philippâ—l Melan 〈◊〉 Apologia Articule 21. confessions Augustane and no wonder if S t George his Chapple cannot be found when S t George himself is affirmed by a some as one never existent in rerum natura Item Received M r Denny for one Cope of Cloth of gold three pound six shillings eight pence Item For two Altar-Cloaths of Velvet and silk two pound It seemeth the Parish did not part with all their gallantry at once but made several stakes thereof and parcelled them out as their necessities did require Item Received of M r Tamworth twenty loads of timber ready hewed which he gave to the Parish This Gentleman by his bounty to the Publick seems better known to God then to me having neither heard nor read of any of his name living in or near to Waltham Item For taking down the stairs in the Abby seven shilling eight pence This was part of the Nag-purchase whereby we collect that a large structure Was by this bargain conveyed to the Parish Item For taking down the Lead from the Charnel-house and covering the Steeple eighteen shillings The Steeple was conceived above the Charnel-house as in height so in honour Wherefore now the Lead taken from it was translated to the covering of the Steeple Which is now but tiled Call this removing of this metal from on part of the Church to another onely the borrowing of S t Peter to lend to S t Paul Item For the Arch-Deacons man coming for a Record of all the Inhabitants of the Parish four pence I know not on what Canon this was founded It may be her Majestie in those dangerous times desired not out of Pride but necessary Policy to know the number of her Subjects and might enjoyn the Arch-Deacons in their respective Visitations to make this inquiry But Day begins to dawn and the light of our Age to appear matters coming within the memory of many alive We will therefore break off Waltham since affording no peculiar observables Onely will add that S t Edward Grand-childe to S t Anthony Denny was created by King James a Candens Brit. in Eslex Baron of Waltham and since made by King Charles Earl of Norwich A Noble person High time to knock off who setled on the Curate of Waltham to whom before a bare Stipend of Eight pound did belong one hundred pound per annum with some other considerable accommodations tying good Land for the true performance thereof The Abby is now the Inheritance of this Earls Grand-childe by Honorw his daughter James Hay Earl of Carlile who Married Margaret Daughter to Francis Earl of Bedford by whom as yet he hath no Issue James Earle of Carlile present owner of Waltham Nicholas the most civinent Abbot of Waltham for the continuance of whole happiness my prayers shall never be wanting The Reader may justly expect from me a Catalogue of all the Abbots of this Monastery But to do it falsly I dare not lamely I would not perfectly I cannot and therefore must crave to be excused Onely let me observe That Nicholas Abbot of Waltham was most triumphant in power of any in his place he flourished in the Reign of King Richard the second and was b Hen de Knigbton de eventibus Angl. lib. v. pag 2687. one of the fourteen Commissioners chosen by Parliament to examine the miscariages in that Kings Reign since the death of his Grand-father Amongst the Natives of Waltham for Stutes-men John de Waltham bears away the bell He was keeper of the Privy Seal in the Reign of King Richard the second being the third in number chosen amongst the fourteen Commissioners aforesaid John de Waltham impowred to examine all misdemeanours of State And now was not Waltham highly honoured with more then a single share when amongst those fourteen two were her Gremials c Hen Knigh. ton ut prius Pag. 2685. Roger Waltham a learned writer the forenamed Nicholas living in Waltham and this John having his name thence because birth therein But amongst Scholars in our Town Roger Waltham must not be forgotten Canon of S t Patils in London and a great favourite to Fulk Busset Bishop thereof He wrote many learned books whereof two especially one called d Bale de seript Brit. cent 4 pag. 302. Compendium Morale the other Imagines Oratorum commond his parts and pains to posterity Pase we from those who were Born to eminent persons Buried therein Here we first meet with Hugh Nevile a Minton of King Richard the first he Was Interred in Waltham Church saith my Mat. Paris in Anno 1222. page 315. and also Robert Passe lew Author in Nobili Sarcophago Marmoreo insculpto in a Noble Coffin of Marble engrav'd If a Coffin be call'd Sarcophagus from consuming the Corps surely Sacriledg may be named Sarcophago-phagus which at this day hath devoured that Coffin and all belonging thereunto We spoil all if we forget Robert Passellew who was Dominus fac totum in the midle and fac nihil towards the end of the Reign of Henry the third Some Parasites extolled him by allusion to his name Pass-le-eau that is passing the pure water the Wits of those dayes thus descanting upon him f Collect. of Mr. Camb. M. S. in Sr. Tho. Cottons Librdry Est aqua lenis est aqua dulcis est aqua clara Tu praecellis aquam nam leni lenior es tu Dulci dulcior es tu clara clarior es tu Mente quidem lenis re dulcis sanguine clarus But such who flattered him the fastest whilest in favour mocked him the most in misery and at last he