though Gregory the great was perswaded the prohibition was in it self injurious and unlawfull yet he did In i Lib. 2. Ep. 61. diversas terrarum partes transmittere legem quia erat subjectus Ejus jussionibus Convinced with these Reasons some Ministers not with any delight in the Message but in Duty to the Authority which sent intended if put to the trial sadly and unwillingly to publish the Declaration A third sort took up a resolution to read the Declaration A third sort resolve on a strange expedient or suffer it to be read and presently after to preach against the contents of what they had published hoping so warily to avoid the danger of disobedience in refusing to promulgate it and of profaneness in seeming to approve it But whether by this middle way setting God and the King as openly opposite they would have declined or contracted more odium it is hard to determine 62. But now Laucashire Ministers more scared than hurt after so long and many diversities of Opinions and Arguments on severall sides their own fear proved at last their onely foe The KING's goodness taking away the subject of their jealousie so that no Minister in the County was enjoyned to read the Book in his Parish wherewith they had so affrighted themselves However their Arguments may be kept cold and laid up provisionally against the time they had use thereof especially for such who survived till the seventh of King CHARLES when the Declaration for Liberty on the Lords-day was injoyned though not by the KING the Ministers to publish clean through the Land 63. However A third sort read it with approbation of the contents therein there wanted not many both in Lancashire and elswhere who conceived the Declaration came forth seasonably to suppresse the dangerous endeavour of such who now began in their Pulpits to broach the dregs of Judaism and force Christians to drink them So that those legal Ceremonies long since dead buried and rotten in the grave of our Saviour had now their ghosts as it were walking frighting such people with their terrible apparitions who were perswaded by some Preachers to so rigorous observation of the Sabbath that therein it was unlawful to dresse meat sweep their houses kindle the fire or the like Yea and the Papists in Lancashire especially a frontier Countrey as I may term it of Papists and Protestants where the Reformed Religion had rather a truce than a peace standing on its guard and posture of defence I say in Lancashire the Romanists made advantage of this strictness to pervert many to Popery perswading them That the Protestant Religion was the School of Tyrannus where no lawful liberty was allowed And no wonder if many common people were hereby fetcht off unto them starting aside as a broken bow chiefly because over-bent for lack of lawfull recreation But enough hereof and too much if not pressed thereunto in pursuance of our History and yet ere long we must have more on the same sad subject 64. Now of the Broakers of Judaisme The Heretical Opinions of John Thraâ—ke John Thraske was a principall Whether ever he sucked on the breasts of either University or onely was brought up by hand in some petty-School I know not This I know that secking to be made Deacon or Minister by James Bishop of Bath and Wells Doctor Samuel Ward then Poser and the Bishops Chaplain refused him as altogether insufficient However afterwards he got Orders and then began to vent his Opinions That the Lords-day was to be observed with the same strictnesse by Christians as it was by Jewes and That all Meats and Drinks forbidden in the Leviticall Law bound Christians to the same observance thereby opening a dore to let in the rabble of all Ceremonies Thus he brought in a constant Lent of his own making And whereas Divines can forbid no meat as unlawfull though Politicians may as unthrifty for the State and Physicians as unhealthfull for the body because CHRIST hath given us that Licence To the clean all things are clean yet he seduced many souls with his Tenets and his own Wife amongst many others For these he was censured in the Star-Chamber but afterwards recanted his Opinions and lived as unsetled in judgment as place in several parts of the Kingdome I have heard him preach a Sermon nothing relating to the aforesaid Doctrine and when his Auditors have forgotten the matter they will remember the loudness of his stentorious voice which indeed had more strength than any thing else he delivered He afterwards relapsed not into the same but other Opinions rather humerous than hurtfull and died obscurely at Lambeth in the Reign of King CHARLES Nor must we forget that his Wife could never be unperverted again but perished in her Judaism because as our Saviour k Mat. 13. 15. observeth Proselytes in generall are twofold worse than their Leader and her Sex as pliable to receive as tenacious to retain had weaknesse enough to embrace an error and obstinacy too much to forsake it 63. At this time began the troubles in the Low-Countreys about matters of Religion heightned between two opposite parties Remonstrants and Contra-Remonstrants their Controversies being chiefly reducible to five points Of Predestination and Reprobation Of the Latitude of Christ's death Of the power of mans Free will both before and after his conversion and Of the Elects perseverance in grace To decide these difficulties the States of the United Provinces resolved to call a National Synod at Dort And to give the more lustre and weight to the determinations thereof desired some forreign Princes to send them the assistance of Their Divines for so pious a work Especially they requested our KING of Great Britain to contribute His aid thereunto being Himself as forward to doe as they desire any thing conducible to GOD's glory and the Churches good Who out of His own Princely wisdome and free favour made choice of George Carleton Doctor of Divinity then Bishop of Landaff and afterward Bishop of Chichester Joseph Hall Doctor of Divinity then Dean of Worcester and afterward Bishop of Exeter and Norwich John Davenant Doctor of Divinity then Margaret-Professour and Master of Queens-Colledge in Cambridge afterwards Bishop of Salisbury Samuel Ward Doctor of Divinity then Master of Sidney-Colledge in Cambridge and Arch-Deacon of Taunton These These Instructions I saw transcribed out of Dr. Davenant his own Manuscript according to their summons repairing to His MAJESTY at New-Market received from Him there these following Instructions concerning their behaviour in the Synod 1. OUr will and pleasure is That from this time forward upon all occasions you inure your selves to the practice of the Latine Tongue that when there is cause you may deliver your mindes with more readinesse and facility 2. You shall in all points to be debated and disputed resolve amongst your selves before-hand what is the true State of the Question and jointly and uniformly agree thereupon
but fit that Founders should please their own fancie in the choice of the first Professour This Doctour was a Dutchman very much Anglized in language and behaviour However because a forreigner preferred to that Place his Lectures were listened to with the more critical attention of Cambridge-Auditours 17. Incomparable Tacitus he chose for his subject Dr. Dorislaus why accused and had not yet passed over those first words Urben Romanam primò Reges habuere when some exception was taken at his Comment thereon How hard is it for liquors not to resent of the vessels they are powred thorough for vessels not to tast of that earth they are made of Being bred in a popular aire his words were interpreted by high Monarchicall eares as over-praising a State in disgrace of a Kingdome Hereupon he was accused to the King troubled at Court and after his submission hardly restored to his place This is that Doctor Dorislaus Cambridge Professour of History in his life who himself was made an history at his death slain in Holland when first employed Ambassadour from the Common-wealth unto the States of the United Provinces 18. A great scarcity followed after the plenty Countrey penury Cambridge plenty in and Mens unthankfulness for it the former year insomuch that Wheat was sold in Cambridge-Market for Ten shillings the bushell whereby a great improvement was made to the Fellowships of the old Foundations which the more plainly appears by perusing the words of Master Bradford written some 80 years before when Fellow of Pembrook-Hall * in his Letter to Mr. Traves Fox Acts and Mon p. 1664. My Fellowship here is worth vij pound a yeare for I have allowed me xviij pence a week and as good as xxxiij shillings four pence a year in Money besides my Chamber Launder Barbour c. If since Fellows be sensible of the grand encrease of their Places let them thank God for Sir Thomas Smith and thank his Memory for procuring Rent-corn unto them Matthew Wren Vicecan 1628-29 Richard Love Michael Honywood Proct. 5. Iohn Badcock Major 19. A tough suit betwixt the University and Town-Chaundlers The Candlesuit with the Towns-men chiefly on the account whether Candles came within the compasse of Focalia and so to have their price reasonably rated by the Vice-Chancellour The Towns-men betook themselves to their Lawyers the Scholars to the Lords plying the Privie-Councill with learned Letters by whose favour they got the better and some refractory Towns-men by being discommoned were humbled into obedience Henry Buts Vicecan 1629-30 Thomas Goad William Roberts Proct. 6. Samuel Spalding Major 20. The plague brake forth in Cambridge The plague in Cambridge The University in some sort was dissolved and Scholars dispersed into the Countrey three hundred forty seven of the Town-folke died of the infection Anno Dom. 1629-30 As Gods hand was just upon Anno Regis Car. 1. 6. mans was mercifull unto the Town of Cambridge and the signall bounty of London amounting to some thousands of pounds deserves never to be forgotten But this corruption of the aire proved the generation of many Doctours graduated in a clandestine way without keeping any Acts to the great disgust of those who had fairly gotten their degrees with publick pains and expence Yea Dr. Collins being afterwards to admit an able man Doctour did according to the pleasantnesse of his fancy distinguish inter Cathedram pestilentia Cathedram eminentiae leaving it to his Auditours easily to apprehend his meaning therein 21. After the return of the Scholars Good counsell one of the first that preached in S. Maryes minded the University of gratitude to God who had dealt with them said he as the Children Sons of Kings are used whose servants for the more state are beaten when their young Masters are in fault the plague light on the Townsmen though Scholars ought to examine themselves whether they were not the chief offenders Henry Buts Vicecan 1630-31 Peter Ashton Roger Hockstater Proct. 7. William Holland Major Henry Buts Tho Cumber Vicecan 1631-32 Tho Tyrwhit Lionel Gatford Proct. 8. Tho Purchas Major 22. King Charles and Queen Mary came to Cambridge were entertained at Trinity Colledge with Comedies and expressed candid acceptance thereof 23. Thomas Adams then Citizen Master Adams founds an Arabick Pâ—ofessourship since Lord Major of London deservedly commended for his Christian constancy in all conditions founded an Arabian Professourship on condition it were frequented with competency of Auditours And notwithstanding the generall jealousie that this new Arabie happy as all novelties at the first would soon become desart yet it seems it thrived so well that the salarie was setled on Abraham Whelock Fellow of Clare-Hall His industrious minde had vast stoäge for words and is lately dead whose longer life had in probability been very advantageous to the new Edition of the Bible in many Languages An excellent work and may it be as happily performed as it is worthily undertaken 24. A grave Divine A smart passage in a Sermon preaching before the University at S. Maryes had this passage in his Sermon that As at the Olympian Games he was counted the Conquerour who could drive his Chariot-wheels nearest the mark yet so as not to hinder his running or to stick thereon metaque fervidis Evitatarotis So he who in his Sermons could preach neer Popery and yet no Popery there was your man And indeed it now began to be the generall complaint of most moderate men that many in the University both in the Schools and Pulpits approached the opinions of the Church of Rome nearer than ever before 25. Mr. Bernard Mr. Bernard gives distast with his preaching a Discontinuer May 6. and Lecturer of S. Sepulchers in London preached at S. Maryes in the afternoon his Text 1 Sam. 4. 21. The glory is departed from Israel c. In handling whereof he let fall some passages which gave distast to a prevalent party in the University as for saying 1. God's Ordinances when blended and adulterated with innovations of men cease to be God Ordinances and he owneth them no longer 2. That its impossible any should be saved living and dying without repentance in the doctrine of Rome as the Tridentine Councel hath decreed it 3. That Treason is not limited to the Blood Royall but that he is a Traytour against a Nation Anno Dom. 1631-32 that depriveth it of Gods Ordinances Anno Regis Car. 1. 8. 4. That some shamefully symbolize in Pelagian errours and superstitious ceremonies with the Church of Rome Let us pray such to their conversion or to their destruction c. 26. Dr. Cumber Convented in he high Commission refuseth to recant and dieth Vice-Chancellour gave speedy notice hereof to Dr. Laud Bishop of London though he so quick his University intelligence had information thereof before Hereupon he was brought into the High Commission and a
solace his Soul with the consideration of the Purity and Soundnesse of Religion in their Countryes But now alas the Gangrene of that Heresy began to spread it self into this Island So that what the c Acts 17. 6. Iewes of Thessalonica said unjustly of S t. Paul and his Followers the Britans might too truly affirm of Arrius and his Adherents Those that have turned the VVorld upside-down are come hither also Hear how sadly Gildas complaineth Mansit namque haec Christi Capitis membrorum consonantia suavis donec Arriana Perfidia atrox ceu Anguis transmarina nobis evomens Venena Fratres in unum habitantes exitiabiliter faceret sejungi c. So that the words of Athanasius totus mundus Arrianizat were true also of this peculiar or divided World of Britain Naturallists dispute how VVolves had their first being in Britain it being improbable that Merchants would bring any such noxious Vermin over in their Ships and impossible that of themselves they should swim over the Sea which hath prevailed so farre with some as to conceive this now an Island originally annexed to the Continent but here the Quaere may be propounded how these Hereticks mystical Wolves not d Acts 20. 29. sparing the Flock first entered into this Island And indeed we meet neither with their Names nor manner of Transportation hither but only with the cursed Fruit of their Labours And it is observable that immediately after that this Kingdome was infected with Arrianisme the Pagan e Ammianus Marcellinus in the beginning of his twentieth Book maketh this Irruption to happen Anno 360 which continued many yeares after Maximus usurping the empire expelleth the Scots out of Britain Picts and Scots out of the North made a general and desperate Invasion of it It being just with God when his Vine-yard beginneth to bring forth VVild-Grapes then to let loose the VVild Boar to take his full and free repast upon it 22. In this wofull Condition 379 vain were the Complaints of the Oppressed Britans for Assistance unto Gratian and Valentinian the Roman Emperours who otherwayes employed neglected to send them Succour This gave occasion to Maximus a f Zosim Histor l. 4. Spaniard by Birth though accounted born in this Island by our home bred g Gildas H. Hunting Histor lib. 1. Galfrid Monmouth and before the three later Ethelwerdus Chronic. lib. 1. Authors to be chosâ—n Emperour of the West of Europe by a predominant Faction in his Army who for a time valiantly resisted the Scots and Picts which cruelly invaded and infested the South of Britain For these Nations were invincible whilest like two Armes of the same Body they assisted each other But when the Picts the Right Arme being most strong and active suffered themselves to be quietly bound up by the Peace concluded the Scots as their own h John Fordon Scoto-Chronic lib. 2. cap. 45. Authors confesse were quickly conquered and dispersed But Maximus whose main Design was not to defend Britain from Enemies but confirm himself in the Empire sailed over with the Flower of the British Nation into France where having conquered the Natives in Armorica he bestowed the whole Country upon his Souldiers from them named at this day Little Britain 23. But Ireland will no wayes allow that Name unto it 383 pleading it self to be anciently called the Lâ—sser Britain Britain in France when conquered and why so called in Authertick i Ptolemie calles it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. cap. 6. p. 31. Ed. Craeâ— Authors and therefore this French Britain must be contented to heare that Name with the Difference of the third Brother except any will more properly say that the French Britain is the Daughter of our Britain which Infant when she asks her Mother Blessing doth not jabber so strangely but that she is perfectly understood by her Parent Although one will hardly believe what is generally reported namely that these French Britans were so ambitious to preserve their native Language Anno Dom. 383 that marrying French Women they cut out their Wives â—â—ilin's â—â— in the â—â—ption of 〈◊〉 Tongues for feare they should infect their Childrens Speech with a Mixture of French Words Here the Britans lived and though they had pawned their former Wives and Children at home they had neither the Honesty nor Affection to return thither to redeem the Pledges left behind them Strange that they should so soon forget their Native Soil But as the Load-stone when it is rubb'd over with the Juice of Onions forgetteth it's Property to draw Iron any longer so though we allow an attractive Vertue in ones own Country yet it looseth that alluring Quality when the said place of ones Birth is steeped in a Sad Sorrowful Condition as the State of Britain stood at this present And therefore these Travellours having found a new Habitation nearer the Sunne and further from Suffering there quietly set up their Rest 24. But not long after Maximus slain in his march towards Italy Maximus marching towards Italy 388 was overcome and killed at Aquilegia A Prince not unworthy of his Great Name had he been lifted up to the Throne by a regular Election and not tossed up to the same in a tumultuous manner This makes S t. b In Oratione Funebri de exitu Theodosii Ambrose Gildas and other Authors violently to inveigh against his Memory notwithstanding his many most c Sulpitius Severus Dialogo secundo cap. 7. honourable Atchievements This Difference we may observe betwixt Bastards and Usurpers the former if proving eminent are much bemoaned because merely Passive in the Blemish of their Birth whilest Usurpers though behaving themselves never so gallantly never gain general good will because actually evil in their Original as it fared with Maximus who by good Using could never make Reparation for his bad Getting of the Empire Surely Britain had cause to curse him for draining it of her Men and Munition so leaving it a Trunk of a Commonwealth without Head or Hands Wisedome or Valour effectually to advise or execute any thing in it's own Defence all whose Strength consisted in Multitudes of People where Number was not so great a Benefit as Disorder was a Burden which encouraged the Picts the Truce expired to harrasse all the Land with Fire and Sword The larger Prosecution whereof we leave to the Chronicles of the State onely touching it here by way of Excuse for the Briefnesse and Barrennesse of our Ecclesiastical History the Sadnesse of the Commonwealth being a just Plea for the Silence of the Church 25. We conclude this Century Frequent Pilgrimages of the Brità ns to Jerusalem whil'st S. Keby lived'quietly in Anglesey when we have told the Reader 390 that about this time the d Hieronymus To. 1. Ep 17. Palladius Galata Hist Lausiat cap. 119. Fathers tell us how Pilgrimages of the Britans began to be frequent as farre as Ierusalem there
choak a man but that Stone can never stop his Throat which cannot enter into his Mouth 31. In very deed The maâ—lacre of the Monks at Winchester very little at this time was ever reported of Church-matters 495 For a Drought of Christian Writers in the Heat of Persecution caused a Dearth of all History Now it was that Cerdicus first King of the West-Saxons having overcome the Britans at Winchester kill'd all the Monks belonging to the Church of e VVintoniâ—â—sis Ecc. Hist cap. 9. S t. Amphibalus turned the same into a Temple of Idolatry Also Theon Archbishop of London seeing the Pagan Saxons to prevail left his See and f But Matth. Florilegus designeth the yeare 586. about this time may be presumed to have fled into Wales I say about this time For what Liberty is allowed to Prognosticatours of Weather to use all favourable Correctives and Qualifications like to be rain inclined to rain somewhat rainy c. the same Latitude we must request in relating actions past in point of Chronologie his fere temporibus per haec tempora circa circiter plus minus c. And what we take upon Trust in this kind let the Reader be pleased to charge not on the Score of our Ignorance but on the Uncertainty of that Ages Computation As for S t. Petrock Son to the King of Cumberland we remit him to the next Age because though Budding in this full Blown in the next Century 32. This Age is assigned by Authors for that Famous Ambrose Merlin differing from Sylvester Merlin the Scot though it be doubtfull whether ever such a man in rerum natura Merlin left in a twilight whether that Magician was an Impostor or his whole Story an Imposture put upon credulous posterity it being suspicious First Because he is reported born at Caer-merthen that City so denominated from him Whereas it is called Maridunum by Ptolemie many yeares before Thus it is ominous to begin with a Lie Secondly Because it was said his Mother was a Nun got with Child by a Devil in the form of an Incubus perchance such a one as Chaucer describes It seems that as Vestall Virgins when they had stollen a Great Belly used to entitle some Deity to the getting of their Child so did the Mother of Romulus and Remus whereby they both saved themselves from Shame gained Reputation so Nuns in this Age when with child unable to perswade people as the Poets feign of the Spanish Mares that they were impregnated by the Wind alone made the World believe that some Spirit had consorted with them This makes the whole Story of Merlin very doubtfull and as for all his Miracles Prophesyes they sink with the Subject For sure the same Hand which made the Puppet gave it all it's Motions and suited his Person with Properties accordingly May the Reader be pleased to take notice of three ancient British Writers 1. Aquila Septonius or the Eagle of Shaftsbury whether He or She. 2. Perdix Praesagus or Partridge the prophesier 3. Merlin Ambrose All three Birds of a Feather and perchance hatch'd in the same Nest of ignorant Credulity nor can I meet with a fourth to make up the Messe except it be the Arabian Phaenix But because it is a Task too great for a Giant to encounter a received Tradition let Merlin be left in a Twi-light as we found him And surely no judicious man will censure the Mention of Merlin whose Magicall Pranks and Conjurations are so frequent in our Sories to be a Deviation from the History of the Church who hath read both of Simon Magus and Elymas the Sorcerer in the Acts of the Apostles THE SIXTH CENTURY Anno Dom. To Douse Fuller of Hampshire Esquire I Cannot say certainly of you as Naomi did of Boaz * * 2 Ruth 20. He is near of kin unto us having no Assurance though great Probability of Alliance unto you Hovvever Sir if you shall be pleased in Courtesy to account me your Kinsman I vvill endeavour that as it vvill be an Honour to me it may be to you no Disgrace 1. QUestionlesse we shall not be accounted Trespassers 501 though onely Ecclesiasticall Businesse be our right Road to go a little in the By-way of State-matters because leading the shortest Passage for the present to our Church-story The most miserable estate of the British Common-wealth Most miserable at this time was the British Common-wealth crouded up into barren Corners whil'st their Enemies the Pagan Saxons possest the East and South if not the greatest the best part of the Island Much ado had Vter Pen-dragon the British King with all the sinews of his Care and Courage to keep his disjoynted Kingdome together whose onely desire was to prolong the Life it being above his hopes to procure the Health of that languishing State And though sometimes the Britans got the better yet one may say their Victories were spent before they were gain'd being so farre behind-hand before that their Conquest made no Shew swallowed up in the discharging of old Arrearages Needs then must Religion now in Britain be in a dolefull condition For he who expects a flourishing Church in a fading Common-wealth let him try whether one side of his Face can smile when the other is pinched 2. Pen-dragon dying 508 left the British Kingdome to Arthur his Son King Arthur's actions much discredited by Monkish fictions so famous in History that he is counted one of the Nine VVorthies and it is more then comes to the Proportion of Britain that amongst but Nine in the whole World Two should prove Natives of this Island Constantine and Arthur This later was the British Hector who could not defend that Troy which was designed to destruction and it soundeth much to his Honour that perceiving his Countrey condemned by Gods Justice to Ruine he could procure a Reprieve though not prevail for the Pardon thereof More unhappy was he after his Death Hyperbolicall Monks so advancing his Victories above all reach of Belief that the twelve pitch't Battels of Arthur wherein he conquered the Pagan Saxons find no more credit then the twelve Labours of Hercules Belike the Monks hoped to passe their Lies for current because countenanced with the mixture of some Truths whereas the contrary came to passe and the very Truths which they have written of him are discredited because found in company with so many Lies Insomuch that learned Leland is put to it to make a Book for the asserting of Arthur Many are unsetled about him Anno Dom. 508 because Gildas his Country-man living much about his Age makes no mention of him though such may be something satisfied if considering the principall Intent of that Querulous Authour is not to praise but to reprove not greatly to grace but justly to shame his Country his Book being a bare Black Bill of the Sins and Sufferings Monsters and Tyrants of Britain keeping no
Miracles which the Papists confidently report to be done by him after his Death in curing Sick people of their severall Maladies For such Souls which they fancy in Purgatory are so farre from healing others that they cannot help themselves Yea f Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 12. Bede calleth this Oswald jam cum Domino regnantem now reigning with the Lord. Yet the same g Lib. 3. cap. 2 Authour attesteth that even in his time it was the anniversary Custome of the Monks of Hexam to repair to Heofen-feld a place hard by where Oswald as aforesaid obtained his miraculous Victory and there to observe Vigils for the Salvation of his Soul plurimaque Psalmorum laude celebrata victimam pro eo mane sacrae oblationis offerre A Mongrel Action betwixt Good-will and VVill-worship though the eyes of their Souls in those Prayers looked not forward to the future petitioning for Oswald's Happinesse but backward to what was past gratulatory to the Blisse he had received Purgatory therefore cannot properly be founded on such Suffrages for the dead However such over-Officiousnesse though at first it was like the Herb in the Pot which doth neither good nor ill in after-Ages became like that wild a 2 King 4. 40 Gourd Anno Dom. poysoning mens Souls with Superstition 644 when they fell to down-right Praying for the departed 79. This year Paulinus The death of Paulinus late Arch-Bishop of York since Bishop of Rochester ended his Life and one Ithamar succeeded him born in Kent and the first English-man Bishop all being Forrainers before him As he was the first of his Nation I believe him the second of his Name meeting with no moe save onely b Exod. 6. 23. Ithamar the youngest Son of Aaron High-Priest of Israel 80. After King Oswald his Death 645 four Christian contemporary Kings flourished in England Most Christian King Oswy First Oswy King of Northumberland more commendable for the Managing then the Gaining of his Kingdome except any will say that no good Keeping can make amends for the ill Getting of a Crown seeing he defeated Ethelwald Oswald's Son and the true Heire thereof Bede c Lib. 3. c. 21. termeth him Regem Christianissimum The most Christian King a Stile wherewith the present Majesty of France will not be offended as which many years after was settled on his Ancestours Long had this Oswy endeavoured in vain by Presents to purchase Peace from Penda the Pagan King of Mercia who miserably harassed his Country and refused any Gifts though never so rich and great which were tendered unto him At last saith my d Idem Authour Oswy resolved VVe will offer our Presents to such a King who is higher in Command and humbler in his Courtesie as who will not disdain to accept them Whereupon he devoted his Daughter to God in her perpetuall Virginity and soon after obtained a memorable Conquest over his Enemies and cleared the Country from his Cruelty 81. Secondly Sigebert the too good Sigebert King of Essex and the Restorer of Religion in his Kingdome which formerly had apostatized after the Departure of Mellitus valiant and pious though taxed for his contumacious Company-keeping contrary to his Confessours command with an Excommunicated Count in whose House he was afterward murdered by two Villains Who being demanded the Cause of their Cruelty why they killed so harmlesse and innocent a Prince had nothing to say for themselves but they did it because his e Beda lib. 3. cap. 22. Goodnesse had done the Kingdome hurt such his pronenesse to pardon Offenders on their though but seeming Submission that his Meeknesse made many Malefactours But I hope and believe that the Heirs of Sigebert though the Story be silent herein finding his Fault amended it in themselves and exercised just Severity in the Execution of these two damnable Traitours 82. Anna may be accounted the third Successour to Sigebert 654 and happy in a numerous and holy Off-spring Anna happy in an holy issue Yea all his Children save Firminus the eldest slain with his Father in a Fight against Pagan Penda were either Mitred or Vailed when Living Sainted and Shrined when Dead as Erkenwald Bishop of London Ethelred or Audrey and Sexburga successively Foundresses and Abbesses of Elie VVithgith a Nun therein and Ethilburg Abbesse of Beorking nigh London 83. Peada 656 Prince of Mercia The conversion of the Mercians to Christianity under Prince Peada may make up the Quaternion who married Alfrede Daughter of Oswy King of Northumberland and thereupon renouncing Paganisme embraced Christianity and propagated it in his Dominions Indeed Penda his Father that Persecuter of Piety was still alive and survived two yeares after persisting an Heathen till Death but mollified to permit a Toleration of Christianity in his Subjects Yea Penda in his Old-age used an expression which might have beseemed the Mouth of a better man namely That he hated not Christians but onely such who f Beda lib. 3. cap. 21. professed Christ's Faith without his VVorks accounting them contemptible who pretended to Believe in God without Obeying him 84. A brace of Brethren St. Cedde and St. Chad. both Bishops both eminent for Learning and Religion now appeared in the Church so like in Name they are oft mistaken in Authours one for another Now though it be pleasant for Brethren to live together in Vnity Anno Dom. 656 yet it is not fit by Errour they should be jumbled together in Confusion Observe their Difference therefore S t. Cedde in Latine Ceddus I believe the elder born at a Flores Sanctorum pag. 35. London where afterward he was Bishop bred in Holy Island an active promoter in making the East-Saxons Converts or rather Reverts to the Faith He is remembred in the Romish Kalendar Ianuary the seventh S t. Chad in Latine Cedda born in b Idem p. 224. Northumberland bred likewise in Holy Island and Scholar to Aidanus He was Bishop of Lichfield a milde and modest man of whom more hereafter His death is celebrated in the Kalender March the second and the Dust of his Tombe is by Papists reported to cure all Diseases alike in Man and Beast I believe it might make the dumb to see and the lame to speak The later of these was as the Longest Liver so the most eminent in his Life who made many Christians and amongst the rest VVulfade and Rufine Sons to Wulphere King of Mercia succeeding Peada therein who was suddenly slain and his untimely Death was a great Loss to Religion 85. Look we now on the See of Canterbury Fridona first English Arch-bishop where to our comfort we have gotten one of our own Country-men into the place Fridona a Saxon. Yet for the more State of the businesse he assumed the name of Deus-dedit We know Arch-Bishops of his See are termed Alterius orbis Papae and such changing of Names was fashionable with the Popes He was
the Roman Rite To conclude let not the Reader expect the like exemplification of all Articles in following Synods so largely as here we have presented them For this Synod Stapleton b In his translation of Bede fol. 118. calls the first of the English Nation understand him whose Canons are completely extant and therefore more Patrimony is due to the Heir and Eldest Son then to the younger Brethren who shall be content to be confined to their Pensions I mean to have their Articles not exemplified but epitomized hereafter 97. Theodorus He envieth Wilfride Bishop of York Arch-Bishop of Canterbury beheld VVilfride Bishop of York one of great Parts and greater Passions with envious eyes and therefore to abate his Power he endeavoured that the Diocese of York might be divided VVilfride offended hereat goes over to Rome to impede the Project and by the way is tossed with a grievous Tempest It is an ill wind whicch bloweth no man Profit He is cast on the Shoar of Freezland in Belgia where the Inhabitants as yet Pagans were by his Preaching converted to Christianity This may be observed in this Wilfride his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were better then his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his casuall and occasionall were better then his intentionall Performances which shews plainly that Providence acted more vigourously in him then his own Prudence I mean when at Ease in Wealth at home he busied himself in Toyes and Trifles of Ceremonious Controversies but when as now and afterwards a Stranger and little better then an Exile he effectually promoted the Honour and Glory of God 98. And as it is observed of Nightingales The South-Saxons as formerly the Freezlanders converted by Wilfride that they sing the sweetest 679 when farthest from their Nests so this VVilfride was most diligent in God's Service when at the greatest distance from his own Home For though returning into England he returned not unto York but stayed in the Pagan Kingdome of the South-Saxons who also by God's Blessing on his Endeavours were perswaded to embrace the Christian Faith 99. These South-Saxons The first the last of all the seven Kingdomes were the last which submitted themselves to the perfect Freedome of God's Service and yet their Country was in Situation next to Kent where the Gospel was first planted Herein it was verified Many that are first shall be last and the last first Yea the Spirit which bloweth where it listeth observeth no visible Rules of Motion but sometimes taking no notice of those in the middle reacheth to them which are farthest off Indeed Edilwalch their King was a little before Christened by the perswasion of VVolphere King of Mercia who was his Godfather and at his baptizing gave him for a Gift the Isle of VVight provinciam a Bede lib. 4. cap. 13. Meanuarorum in gente Occidentalium Saxonum but his Country still remained in Paganisme And although Dicul a Scot with some six of his Brethren had a small Monastery at Bosenham in Sussex yet they rather enjoying themselves then medling with others were more carefull of their own Safety then their Neighbours Conversion And indeed the Pagans neither heeded their Life nor minded their Doctrine 100. However Pagan obstinacy punished with famine these South-Saxons paid for their Stubbornnesse in standing out so long against the Gospel for they alwayes were a miserable people and at this present afflicted with a great Famine caused by three years Drought so that fourty men in arow holding hand in hand used to throw themselves into the Sea to avoid the misery of a Lingering Death In this wofull Condition did VVilfride Bishop of York find them when he first preached the Gospel unto them and on that very day wherein he baptized them as if God from Heaven had powred water into the Font he obtained store of Rain which procured great Plenty Observe though I am not so ill-natured as to wrangle with all Miracles an Apish Imitation of Elijah who carried the Key of Heaven at his Girdle to lock or unlock it by his Prayer onely Elijah gave Rain after three yeares and six moneths VVilfride after bare three yeares it being good manners to come a little short of his Betters 101. South-Saxons first taught to fish Also saith my b Bede ibidem Authour he taught the people who till then knew not how to catch any Fishes but Eeles how to take all kind of Fish in the Sea and Rivers Strange that thus long they should live in Ignorance of so usefull a Trade being though Infidels no Idiots especially seeing mens Capacities come very soon to be of age to understand their own Profit and the Examples of their Neighbours might have been Tutours unto them But Wilfride afterward wanted no Hearers Anno Dom. 680 People flocking unto him as when Christ made his Auditours his Guests they followed after him because they ate of the Loaves and were filled The Priests Eappa Padda Bruchelin and Oidda assisted in baptizing the common people and King Edilwalch gave VVilfride a piece of Land containing eighty nine Families at Selsey where he erected a Bishops See since translated to Chichester 102. Amongst other good deeds A double good deed VVilfride freed two hundred and fifty men and maid-Servants both out of Soul-Slavery and Bodily Bondage For having baptized them he procured their Liberty of their Masters which they no doubt chearfully embraced according to S t. Paul's a 1 Cor. 7. 21. counsel Art thou called a Servant care not for it but if thou maist be made free use it rather And thus by God's Blessing in the space of eighty and two yeares from five hundred ninety seven to six hundred seventy nine was the whole Saxon Heptarchie converted to Christianity and did never again relapse to Paganisme 103. Godfathers used to men of nature Age. Mention being b Parag. 99. lately made of VVolphere the Mercian King his being Godfather unto Edilwalch King of the South-Saxons some will much admire that one arrived at yeares of Maturity able to render an Account of his Faith should have a Godfather which with Swadling-clouts they conceive belong to Infants alone Yet this was very fashionable in that Age not onely for the greater state in Kings Princes and Publick Persons but in majorem cautelam even amongst Private people For such Susceptors were thought to put an Obligation on the Credits and by reflection on the Consciences of new Christians whereof too many in those dayes were baptized out of civile Designes to walk worthy of their Profession were it but to save their Friends Reputation who had undertaken for their Sincerity therein 104. Cadwallader Cadwallader founds a VVelsh Hospital at Rome the last King of VVales wearied out with Warre Famine and Pestilence left his own Land and with some small Treasure fled to Alan King of Little Britain But Princes are welcome in forrain parts when Pleasure not Need brings them
Several censures on this sad accident others suspect the Devil therein not for a Lyer but a Murtherer and this Massacre procured by Compact with him a third sort conceived that Dunstan who had so much of a Smith had here something of a Carpenter in him and some Devise used by him about pinning and propping of the Room It renders it the more suspicious because he disswaded King Edward from being present there pretending his want of Age though he was present in the last Council and surely he was never the younger for living some Moneths since the same Assembly If truely performed Dunstan appears happier herein then Samson himself who could not so sever his Foes Anno Dom. 977 but both must die together Anno Regis Edvardi Martyris 4 Sure I am no ingenuous Papist now-a-dayes will make any uncharitable Inference from such an accident especially since the Fall of Black Friers 1623. enough to make all good men turn the Censuring of others into an humble Silence and pious Adoring of Divine Providence 38. But the Monks made great Advantage of this Accident Seculars outed and Monks advanced conceiving that Heaven had confirmed their Cause as lately by VVord at VVinchester so now by VVork in this Council at Caln Hereupon Secular Priests are every where outed and Monks substituted in their Room Indeed these later in civil respect were beheld as more beneficiall to their Convents because Secular Priests did marry and at their deaths did condere Testamenta make their VVills and bequeathed their Goods to their Wives and Children whilest Monks having no Issue which they durst own made their Monastery Heir of all they had It was also objected against the Priests that by their Loosnesse and Lazinesse left at large in their Lives they had caused the generall declination of Piety at this time whilest it was presumed of the Monks that by the strict Rules of Observance to which they were tied they would repair the Ruines of Religion in all places 39. It appears not Priests hardly dealt with what Provision was made for these Priests when ejected and they seem to have had hard Measure to be dispossessed of their civil Right Except any will say it was no Injury to them to loose their places so soon but a great Favour that they enjoyed them so long living hitherto on the free Bounty of their Founders and now at the full Dispose of the Church and State Little can be said in excuse of the Priests and lesse in commendation of the Monks who though they swept clean at the first as new Besomes yet afterwards left more Dust behind them of their own bringing in then their Predecessours had done Thus the Hive of the Church was no whit bettered by putting out Drones and placing Wasps in their room Yea whereas formerly Corruptions came into the Church at the Wicket now the broad-Gates were opened for their Entrance Monkery making the way for Ignorance and Superstition to overspread the whole World 40. Another Humour of the former Age to make one Digression for all still continued The prodigious prodigality in building and endowing of Abbeys and encreased venting it self in the fair Foundations and stately Structures of so many Monasteries So that one beholding their Greatnesse being Corrivals with some Towns in receipt and extent would admire that they could be so neat and considering their Neatnesse must wonder they could be so great and lastly accounting their Number will make all three the object of his Amazement Especially seeing many of these were founded in the Saxon Heptarchy when seven Kings put together did spell but one in effect So that it may seem a Miracle what invisible Indies those petty Princes were Masters of building such Structures which impoverish Posterity to repair them For although some of these Monasteries were the fruit of many Ages long in ripening at several times by sundry persons all whose Parcels and Additions met at last in some tolerable Uniformity yet most of them were begun and finished absolute and entire by one Founder alone And although we allow that in those dayes Artificers were procured and Materials purchased at easie Rates yet there being then scarceness of Coin as a little Money would then buy much Ware so much Ware must first in exchange be given to provide that little Money all things being audited proportionably the Wonder still remains as great as before But here we see with what eagernesse those Designes are undertaken and pursued which proceed from blind Zeal every Finger being more then an Hand to build when they thought Merit was annexed to their Performances Oh with what might and main did they mount their Walls both day and night erroniously conceiving that their Souls were advantaged to Heaven when taking the Rise from the top of a Steeple of their own erection 41. But it will not be amisse Caution to our Age. to mind our forgetfull Age that seeing Devotion now better informed long sithence hath desisted to expresse it self in such pompous Buildings she must find some other means and manner to evidence and declare her Sincerity Except any will say that there is lesse Heat required where more Light is granted and that our Practice of Piety should be diminished because our Knowledge thereof is increased God no doubt doth justly expect that Religion should testifie her Thankfulnesse to him by some eminent way and Works and where the Fountain of Piety is full it will find it self a Vent to flow in though not through the former Chanels of Superstition 42. King Edward went to give his Mother-in-law at Corfe-Castle a respectfull Visit 6 when by her contrivance he was barbarously murthered 979 so to pave the way for her Son Ethelred his Succession to the Crown King Edward murthered alias martyred But King Edward by losing his Life got the title of a Martyr so constantly called in our Chronicles Take the term in a large acception otherwise restrictively it signifies such an one as suffers for the Testimony of the Truth But seeing this Edward was cruelly murthered and is said after death to work Miracles let him by the Courtesie of the Church passe for a Martyr not knowing any Act or Order to the contrary to deny such a Title unto him 43. Ethelred Ethelredi cognom the Unready 1 Edward's half-Brother King Ethelred prognosticated unsuccessfull succeeded him in the Throne One with whom Dunstan had a Quarrel from his Cradle because when an Infant he left more Water in the Font then he found there at his Baptizing Happy Dunstan himself if guilty of no greater Fault which could be no Sin nor properly a Slovennesse in an Infant if he did as an Infant Yet from such his addition Dunstan prognosticated an Inundation of Danes would ensue in this Island which accordingly came to passe But Ethelred is more to be condemned for the Bloud he shed when a man it being vehemently suspected that
by him Prophet is become dross and here was the change of Glaucus and Diomedes made as in the sequel of the History will appear 14. Yet we find not that this Fee-farme of a thousand Marks was ever paid either by K. John or by his Successours but that it is all runne on the score even unto this present day Not that the Pope did remit it out of his free bounty but for other Reasons was rather contented to have them use his power therein Perchance suspecting the English Kings would refuse to pay it he accounted it more honour not to demand it then to be denied it Or it may be his Holiness might conceive that accepting of this money might colourably be extended to the cutting him off from all other profits he might gain in the kingdome The truth is he did scorn to take so poor a revenue per annum out of two kingdoms but did rather endeavour to convert all the profits of both Lands to his own use as if he had been seised of all in Demesnes 15. At the same time The proud carriage of Pandulphus to the King King John on his knees surrendred the Crown of England into the hands of Pandulphus and also presented him with some money as the earnest of His subjection which the proud Prelate trampled under his d Matt. Paris pag. 237. feet A gesture applauded by some as shewing how much his Holinesse whom he personated slighted worldly wealth caring as little for King Johns coin as his Predecessour Saint e Acts 8. 20. Peter did for the money of Simon Magus Anno Dom. 1213. Others Anno Regis Joh. 14. and especially H. Arch-Bishop of Dublin then present were both grieved and angry thereat as an intolerable affront to the King and there wanted not those who condemn'd his pride and hypocrisie knowing Pandulphus to be a most greedy griper as appeared by his unconscionable oppression in the Bishoprick of Norwich which was afterwards bestowed upon him And perchance he trampled on it not as being money but because no greater summe thereof Five dayes namely Ascension-day and four dayes after Pandulphus kept the Crown in his possession and then restored it to King John again A long eclipse of Royall lustre and strange it is that no bold Monk in his blundring Chronicles did not adventure to place King Innocent with his five dayes reigne in the Catalogue of English Kings seeing they have written what amounts to as much in this matter 16. Now all the dispute was Peter the prophet hanged whether unjustly disputed whether Peter of Wakefield had acquitted himself a true prophet or no The Romiz'd faction were zealous in his behalf Iohn after that day not being King in the same sense and Soveraignty as before not free but feodary not absolute but dependent on the Pope whose Legate possess'd the Crown for the time being so that his prediction was true in that lawfull latitude justly allowed to all Prophesies Others because the King was neither naturally nor civilly dead condemn'd him of forgery for which by the Kings command he was dragg'd at the horse-tail from Corf-Castle and with his sonne a Matt. Paris Vt prius hang'd in the Town of Wareham A punishment not undeserved if he foretold as some report that none of the line or linage of King Iohn should after be crowned in England of whose off-spring some shall flourish in free and full power on the English Throne when the Chair of Pestilence shall be burnt to ashes and neither Triple-Crown left at Rome to be worne nor any head there which shall dare to wear it 17. Next year the Interdiction was taken off of the Kingdom The Interdiction of England relaxed and a generall Jubilee of joy all over the Land 1214. Banish'd Bishops being restored to their Sees 15. Service and Sacraments being administred in the Church as before But small reason had King Iohn to rejoyce being come out of Gods Blessing of whom before he immediately held the Crown into the Warm Sunne or rather scorching-heat of the Popes protection which proved little beneficiall unto him 18. A brawl happened betwixt him The Popes Legate arbitrates the arrears betwixt the King and Clergy and the banished Bishops now returned home about satisfaction for their Arrears and reparation of their damages during the Interdiction all which terme the King had retained their revenues in his hands To moderate this matter Nicolas a Tusculane Cardinal and Legat was imployed by the Pope who after many meetings and Synods to audit their Accounts reduced all at last to the gross summe of fourty thousand Marks the restoring whereof by the King unto them was thus divided into three payments 1. Twelve thousand Marks Pandulphus carried over with him into France and delivered them to the Bishops before their return 2. Fifteen thousand were paid down at the late meeting in Reading 3. For the thirteen thousand remaining they had the Kings Oath Bond and other Sureties But then in came the whole crie of the rest of the Clergy who stayed all the while in the Land bringing in the Bills of their severall sufferings and losses sustained occasioned by the Interdiction Yea some had so much avarice and little conscience they could have been contented the Interdiction had still remained untill all the accidentall damages were repaired But Cardinall Nicolas averred them to amount to an incredible summe impossible to bee paid and unreasonable to be demanded adding withall that in generall grievances private men may be glad if the main be made good unto them not descending to petty particulars which are to be cast out of course as inconsiderable in a common calamity Hereupon and on some other occasions much grudging Anno Regis Joh. 16. and justling there was Anno Dom. 1214. betwixt Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Legat as one in his judgement and carriage too propitious and partiall to the Kings cause 19. The remnant of this Kings Reign The Barons rebel against King John afforded little Ecclesiastical Story but what is so complicated with the Interest of State that it is more proper for the Chronicles of the Common-wealth But this is the brief thereof The Barons of England demanded of King John to desist from that arbitrary and tyrannical power he exercised and to restore King Edwards Laws which his great Grand-father King Henrie the first had confirmed to the Church and State for the general good of his Subjects yea and which he himself when lately absolved from the sentence of Excommunication by Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterburie had solemnly promised to observe But King John though at the first he condescended to their requests afterwards repented of his promise and refused the performance thereof Hereupon the Barons took up Armes against him and called in Lewis Prince of France son to Philip Augustus to their assistance promising him the Crown of England for his reward 20.
Henry so quickly recovered his Kingdom he recovered the entire possession of his Kingdom many things concurring to expedite so great an alteration First the insolency of the French disobliging the English by their cruelty and wantonness Secondly the inconstancy of the English if starting loyalties return to its lawful Soveraign may be so termed who as for their own turns they call'd in Lewis so for their turns they cast him out Thirdly the innocence of Prince Henry whose harmless age as it attracted love to him on his own account so he seemed also hereditarily to succeed to some pitty as the Son of a suffering Father Fourthly the wisdom and valor counsel and courage of William Earl of Pembroke Anno Regis Hen. 3 1. his Protector who Anno Dom. 1217. having got the French Lewis out of his covert of the City of London into the champion field so maul'd him at the fatal battel of Lincoln that soon after the said Lewis was fain by the colour of a composition to qualifie his retreat not to say his flight into the honour of a departure Lastly and chiefly the Mercy of God to an injured Orphan and his Justice that detained right though late yet at last should return to its proper owner 26. But it were not onely uncivil Our Principal design in writing this Kings life but injurious for us to meddle with these matters proper to the pens of the civil Historians We shall therefore confine our selves principally to take notice in this Kings Reign as of the unconscionable extortions of the Court of Rome on the one side to the detriment of the King and Kingdom so of the defence which the King as well as he could made against it Defence which though too faint and feeble fully to recover his right from so potent oppression yet did this good to continue his claim and preserve the title of his priviledges until his Son and Successors in after-ages could more effectually rescue the rights of their Crown from Papal usurpation 27. Indeed at this time many things imboldened the Pope not over-bashful of himself to be the more busie in the collecting of money Occasions of the Popes intolerable extortions First the troublesomness of the times and best fishing for him in such waters Secondly the ignorance of most and the obnoxiousness of some of the English Clergie Now such as had weak heads must finde strong backs and those that led their lives loose durst not carry their purses tied or grudg to pay dear for a connivence at their viciousness Thirdly the minority of King Henry and which was worse his non-age after his full-age such was his weakness of spirit and lowness of resolution Lastly the Pope conceiving that this King got his Crown under the countenance of his excommunicating his enemies thought that either King Henrie's weakness could not see or his goodness would winke at his intolerable extortions which how great soever were but a large shiver of that loaf which he had given into the Kings hand Presuming on the premisses Gualo the Popes Legat by his Inquisitors throughout England collected a vast summe of money of the Clergie for their misdemenours Hugo Bishop of Lincoln paying no less for his share then a thousand a Mat. Paris pag. 299. marks sterling to the Pope and an hundred to this his Legat. Yet when this Gualo departed such as hated his dwelling here grieved at his going hence because fearing a worse in his room chusing rather to be suck'd by full then fresh flies hoping that those already gorg'd would be afterwards less greedy 28. And being now to give the Reader a short account of the long Reign of this King A new design I shall alter my proceedings embracing a new course which hitherto I have not nor hereafter shall venture upon Wherein I hope the variation may be not onely pleasant but profitable to the Reader as scientifical and satisfactory in it self namely I will for the present leave off consulting with the large and numerous Printed or Manuscript Authors of that Age and betake my self only to the Tower-Records all authentically attested under the hands of William Ryley Norroy keeper of that pretious Treasury 29. When I have first exemplified them Good Text what ere the Comments I shall proceed to make such observations upon them as according to my weakness I conceive of greatest concernment being confident that few considerables in that Age which was the crisis of Regal and Papal power in this Land will escape our discovery herein 30. Onely I desire a pardon for the premising of this Touch of State-matters Serenity in the State At this instant the Common-wealth had a great serenity as lately cleared from such active spirits who nick-named the calme and quiet of Peace a sloth of Government Such Falcatius de Brent and others Anno Dom. 1214. who had merited much in setting this Henry the third on the Throne and it is dangerous when Subjects conferr too great benefits on their Sovereigns Anno Regis Hen. 3 7. for afterwards their mindes are onely made capable of receiving more reward not doing more duty These were offended when such Lands and Castles which by the heat of War had unjustly been given them by Peace were justly took away from them finding such uprightness in the King that his Power of Protection would not be made a wrong doer But now the old stock of such male-contents being either worne out with age or ordered otherwise into Obedience all things were in an universal tranquillity within the first seven years of this Kings Reign THOMAE HANSON Amico meo Anno Regis Anno Dom. DIsplicet mihi modernus Scribendi Mos quo Monumenta indies exarantur Literae enim sunt fugaces ut quae non stabili manu penitus Membranis infiguntur sed currente Calamo summam earum Cuticulam vix leviter praestringunt Hae cum saeculum unum alterum duraverint vel Linceis oculis lectu erunt perdifficiles Haud ita olim Archiva in Turre Londinensi Rotulis Scaccario c. deposita in quibus ingens Scribarum cura justa Membranarum firmitas Atramentum vere Aethiopicum integra Literarum lineamenta ut Calamus Praeli Aemulus videatur Ita adhuc vigent omnia in illis quae trecentis ab hinc Annis notata ut Is cui Characteris Antiquitas minus cognita nuperrime descripta judicaret Ex his nonnulla decerpsi ad Rem nostram facientia ea Tibi dedicanda curavi quem omnes norunt Antiquitatis Caniciem venerari Quo in Ducatus Lancastrensis Chartulis custodiendis nemo fidelior perlegendis oculatior communicandis candidior HEre we begin with the Kings Precept to the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Henriâ— 3. 7 considerable for the Rarity thereof 1214 though otherwise but a matter of private concernment A remarkable writ of the King to the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Vic. Bucks
thy sorceries and the great abundance of thine inchantments And it seemes they still retained their old wicked wont Secondly Poisoning To give the Jews their due this was none of their faults whilest living in their own land not meeting with the word in the whole Bible It seems they learnt this sin after their disperson in other Nations and since are grown exquisite in that art of wickedness Thirdly Clipping of money Fourthly Counterfeiting of Christians hands and seals Fifthly Extortion A Jew occasioned a mutiny in London by demanding from a poor Christian above two shillings for the use of twenty shillings for one week being by proportion no less then five hundred and twenty pounds per annum for every hundred Sxthly Crucifying of the children of Christians to keep their hands in ure always about Easter So that the time pointed at their intents directly in derision of our Saviour How sufficiently these crimes were witnessed against them I know not In such cases weak proofs are of proof against rich offenders We may well believe if their persons were guilty of some of these faults their estates were guilty of all the rest 47. Now although it passeth for an uncontrolled truth Jews say others not cast out but craved leave to depart that the Jews were by the King violently cast out of the Land yet a great a Sir Ed. Coke Lawyer states the case much otherwise viz. that the King did not directly expel them but only prohibit them to put money to use which produced a petition from them to the King that they might have leave to depart the Land a request easily granted unto them some will say it is all one in effect whether one be starved or stabbed death inevitably following from both as here the Jews were famished on the matter out of England usury being their meat and drink without which they were unable longer to subsist However this took off much from the Odium of the act that they were not immediately but only indirectly and consequentially banished the Realm or rather permitted a free departure on their own petition for the same As for the sad accident that some hundreds of them being purposely shipped out of a spightful design in a leaking vessel were all drowned in the Sea if true it cannot but command compassion in any Christian heart 48. It is hardly to be believed The King gets incredible wealth forfeited by the Jews what vast sums of wealth accrewed to the King 1293 by this call it ejection 21. or amotion or decesion of the Jews He allowed them only bare viaticum to bear their charges and seised on all the rest of their estates Insomuch that now the King needed not to listen to the counsel of William Marsh Bishop of Bath and wells 1294 and Treasurer of England but therein speaking more like a Treasurer then a Bishop advising him 22. if in necessity to take all the plate and money of Churches a Polydore Virgil and Monasteries therewith to pay his souldiers The poor Jews durst not go into France whence lately they had been solemnly banished but generally disposed themselves in Germany and Italy especially in the Popes territories therein where profit from Jews and Stews much advance the constant revenues of his Holiness 49. King Edward having done with the Jews King Edward arbitrator betwixt Bailiol and Bruce began with the Scots and effectually humbled them and their country This the occasion Two Competitors appearing for the Crown of Scotland John Bailiol and Robert Bruce and both referring their title to King Edward's decision he adjudged the same to Bailiol or rather to himself in Bailiol For he enjoyned him to do homage unto him and that hereafter the Scotish Crown should be held in fealty of the English Bailiol or his necessity rather his person being in King Edward's power accepted the condition owning in England one above himself that so he might be above all in Scotland 1295 But 23. no sooner was he returned into his own Kingdom and peaceably possessed thereof but instantly in a Letter of defiance he disclaimeth all former promises to King Edward appealing to the Christian world whether his own inforced obedience were more to be pitied or King Edward's insolence improving it self on a Princes present extremitics more to be condemned 50. Offended hereat He proveth Malleus Scotorum King Edward 1297 advanceth into Scotland 25. with the forces he formerly intended for France Power and policy make a good medly and the one fareth the better for the other King Edward to strengthen himself thought fit to take in the title of Robert Bruce Bailiols corrival hitherto living privately in Scotland pretending to settle him in the Kingdom Hereupon the Scots to lessen their losses and the English victories b G. Buchanan 〈◊〉 Scot. libro octavo 〈◊〉 affirm that in this expedition their own Country-men were chiefly conquered by their own Country-men the Brucian party assisting the Englsih Sure it is that King Edward took Barwick Dunbar Sterling Edenbrugh the Crown Scepter and out of Scone the Royal Chair and prophetical Marble therein And though commonly it be observed that English valour hopefully budding and blossoming on this side of Edenburgh-Frith is frost-bitten on the North thereof yet our victorious Edward crossing that sea took Montross and the best Counties thereabout In a word he conquered almost all the Garden of Scotland and left the wilderness thereof to conquer it self Then having fetled Warren Earl of Survey Vice-Roy thereof and made all the Scotish Nobility Doughty Douglas alone excepted who was committed to prison for his singular recusancy swear homage unto him and taking John Bailiol captive along with him he returned triumphantly into England The End of the Thirteenth CENTURY CENT XIV TO CLEMENT THROCKMORTON the Elder OF Haseley in Warwick-shire Esq LEt other boast of their French bloud whilest your English family may vie Gentry with any of the Norman Extraction 1. For Antiquity four Monosyllables being by common pronuntiation crouded into your name THE ROCK MORE TOWN 2. For Numerosity being branched into so many Counties 3. For Ingenuity charactered by †Brit. in Warwick shire Camden to be FRUITFUL OF FINE WITS whereof several instances might be produced But a principal consideration which doth and ever shall command my respect unto your person is your faithful and cordial friendship in matters of highest concernment whatever be the success thereof to the best of my Relations which I conceived my self obliged publickly to confess 1. AMidst these cruel Wars Ed. 1. 29. betwixt the English and Scots 1301. Pope Boniface the eighth The Pope challengeth Scotland as peculiar to himself sent his Letters to King Edward requiring him to quit his claim and cease his Wars and release his prisoners of the Scotch Nation as a people exempt and properly pertaining to his own Chappel Perchance the Popes right to
moderate the execution thereof 31. This year The institution of the Knights of the Garter Authors generally agree some few making it later 1350 viz. 25 after John K. of France was taken prisoner K. Edward instituted the Order of the Garter consisting of 1. One Chief Guardian or Soveraign being the King of England 2. Five and twenty Knights whereof the first set were termed Founders and their Successors ever since called Fellows or Companions of the Order 3. Fourteen Canons resident being Secular Priests 4. Thirteen Vicars or Chorol Priests 5. Twelve Military Gentlemen of the meaner sort decayed in age and estate commonly called the poor Knights of Winsor 6. One Prelate of the Garter being alwaies the Bishop of Winchester 7. One Chancelour thereof being antiently the Bishop of Salisbury in whose Diocesse Winsor is but lately a Lay-Person The truly Honourable and well experienced Statesman and Traveller Sir Thomas Row if I mistake not was the last Chancelour of the Garter 8. One Register being alwaies the Dean of Winsor 9. One Usher who is one of the Ushers of the King his Chamber called the Black Rod. 10. A chief Herald added for the more Solemnitie by K. Henry the 5. and called Garter This Order the K. founded within his Castle of Winsor to the honour of Almighty God and the blessed Virgin Mary and of the glorious Martyr St. George and to the exaltation of the holy Catholick Faith 32. Four Essentials are requisite in the Persons Eligible into this Order The qualification of these Knights that they be Gentlemen of Name and Arms by Fathers and Mothers side for three descents Secondly that he be without spot or foule reproach understand it not convicted of Heresie or attainted of Treason Thirdly that he have a competent estate to maintain the dignity of the Order Fourthly that he never fled in the day of battle his Soveraign Lord or his Lieutenant in being in the field 33. Their habiliments are either ordinary Their habits as a Blew Ribbon with the picture of St. George appendent and the Sun in his Glory on the left shoulder of their Cloak added as some say by King charles being for their daily wearing or extraordinary as their Collar of S. S. their Purple Mantle their Gown Kirtle Chaperon and chiefly their Garter This being made of Blew is with Hony Soit qui male pense in Golden Letters enchased with precious stones fastened with a Buckle of Gold and worn on the left leg of the Fellows of this Order 34. They take an Oath Their Oath that to their power during the time that they are Fellows of the Order they shall defend the honour quarrel rights and Lordships of their Soveraign that they shall endeavour to preserve the honour of the Order and without fraud or Covin well observe the Statutes thereof This is taken absolutely by the Natives of this Kingdom but by Forrainers relatively and in part with their reference to some former Order 35. They oblige themselves Other Rites they are bound to observe first to be personally present without a just cause specified to and accepted by the Soveraign or his Deputy at Winsor on the Festival of St. George Secondly that if coming within two miles of that place except hindered by some important businesse they repair thither Anno Regis Ed. tertii 26. put on their Mantles Anno Dom. 1350. lying constantly Liegers there proceed to the Chappel and there make their Offering Thirdly that they be never openly seen without their GEORGE'S which they shall neither engage alien Fell nor give away on any necessity whatsoever Lastly that they take order their Garter at their death be safely and solemnly sent back to the Soveraign to confer the same on one to succeed him in the Order 36. I have done when I have told that their places may be vacated Order how voided on three occasions First by death which layeth this as all other honour in the dust Secondly by deprivation on the persons misdemeanour or want of the foresaid qualifications Thirdly by cession or surrender when a Forraign Prince entreth into enmity with this Crown is pleased to send his Garter back again 37. Excesse in Apparel began now to be great in England Excesse in apparel restrained which made the State take order to retrench it Some had a project that mens Cloatthes might be their signs to shew their Birth Degree or Estate so that the quality of an unknown person might at the first sight be expounded by his Apparrel But this was soon let fall as impossible Statesmen in all Ages notwithstanding their several laws to the contrary being fain to connive at mens Râ—ot in this kind which maintaineth more poor people than their charity However the ensuing passage must not be omitted 38. Item that the Clerks which have a degree in a Church 37 Cathedral 1361 Collegial or in Schools Rot. Tur. Lon. anno Ed. ter 37. and the Kings Clerks which have such an estate that requires Fur do and use according to the constitution of the same and all other Clerks which have above two hundred marks rent per annum use and do as Knights of the same rent And other Clerks under that rent use as Squires of an hundred pound rent * Pellure in the French Original And that all those aswell Knights as Clerks which by this Ordinance may use Fur in Winter by the same manner may use it in Summer 39. Passe we now from soft Furr Clergy-men injoyned to take up arms to hard Steel I mean a command from the King for the arming of all Clergy-men 40. And besides this 43 the King commands 1368 and requires all the Prelates there assembled Rot. in Tur. Londin anno Ed. tertii that in respect of the great danger and damage which perhaps might happen to the Realm and Church of England by reason of this war in case his Adversary should enter the Kingdom to destroy and subvert the same that they will put to their aid in defence of the Kingdom and cause their Subjects to be arraied aswell themselves and their religious men as Parsons Vicars and other men of holy Church whatsoever to abate the malice of his Enemies in case they should enter the Kingdom which Prelates granted to do this in aid and defence of the Realm and holy Church And so the Parliament ended Here we see More seâ—â—ed then hurt In hostes publicos omnes homo miles none are dispenced with to oppose an invading enemy But where were these Forraign Foes France and Scotland being now both of them ordered into a defensive posture whose invasion was expected Possibly these dangers were represented thorough State-Multiplying Glasses to quicken the care and continue the Taxes on the English Nation 41. The Lords and Commons in Parliament began now to find themselves much agrieved A petition against Clergy mens imployment in Secular places
posterity This task Leland performed with great pains to his great praise on the King's purse who exhibited most bountifully unto him as himself confesseth in these his Latine verses Antè suos Phoebus radios ostendere mundo Desinet claras Cynthia pulchra faces Ante fluet rapidum tacitis sine piscibus aequor Spinifer nullam sentis habebit avem Antè sacrae quercus cessabunt spargere ramos Floráque sollicitâ pingere prata manu Quà m Rex dive tuum labatur pectore nostro Nomen quod studiis portus aura meis The Sun shall sooner cease his shine to show And Moon deny her lamp to men below The rapid seas shall sooner fishless slide And bushes quite forget their birds to hide Great okes shall sooner cease to spread their bowers And Flora for to paint the meads with flowers Than Thou Great King shalt slip out of my breast My studies gentle gale and quiet rest Pity is is that Leland's worthy Collections were never made publick in print and some justly to be praised for care in preserving may as justly be taxed for envy in ingrossing such monuments of Antiquity But let us a little trace Leland's Itineraries after he in writing had finished the same First his Collections came into the hand of Sir John Cheek School-master then Secretary to King Edward the sixt leaving the same to Henry Cheek his eldest son Secretary to the Counsell in the North. Here our great Antiquary who afterwards described Britain got a sight and made a good use thereof it being most true Si Lelandus non laborâsset Camdenus non triumphâsset From Mr. Cheek by what transactions I know not four of Leland's Works came into the possession of William Burton as he confesseth in his Description of d Pag. 39 40. Leicester-shire and by him were bestowed on the Publick Library at Oxford where the Original â—emaineth and scarce so many Copies of them as properly may be called some are at this day in private mens possessions 9. This Leland Read and be thankfull Godwin in Henry the 8. Anno 1525. after the death of King Henry the eighth his bountifull Patron fell distracted and so died uncertain whether his braines were broken with weight of worke or want of wages the latter more likely because after the death of King Henry his endevours met not with proportionable encouragement By the way we may sadly observe that two of the best Scholars in this King's Reign loved and preferred by Him died both mad and bereft of their wits Richard Pacie Dean of S. Paul's and this Leland Which I mark not our of ill will to the dead to lessen their memory amongst men but of good will to the living to greaten their gratitude to God Especially to Scholars that God may preserve them in a sound e 2 Tim. 1. 7. minde both in the Apostles high sense and in the common acception thereof The rather because the finer the string the sooner if overstrained is it broken 10. He maintained many learned youths on great cost and charges Intelligencers bred by Him beyond the seas in all forraigne Courts and Countreys For this was the fashion in His Reign to select yearly one or moe of the most promising pregnancies our of both Universities and to breed them beyond the seas on the King's exhibitions unto them Sir Thomas f Cambd. Eliz. in An. 1577. Smith bred in Queens-Colledge in Cambridge and afterward principal Secretary to Queen Elizabeth was one of the last educated in this manner These young men proved afterwards the pick-locks of the Cabinet-Counsels of forraigne Princes no King having better intelligence than King Henry from beyond the seas 11. Lastly He justly paid a great yearly summe of money to many Monks and Nuns during their lives the manner and condition of which Pensions we will now at large relate Of the many and large Pensions constantly paid by King Henry to Monks and Nuns during their lives 1. IT was in those daies conceived highly injurious The good nature of K. Henry herein to thrust Monks and Nuns out of house and home without assigning them any allowance for their subsistence Alas many of them dig they could not and to beg they were ashamed Their fingers were either too stiffe by reason of their old age to begin now to bow to a manual trade or hands too soft because of their tender breeding to take pain in a laborious vocation And although there wanted not some to perswade the King to out them without any maintenance it being but just they should practice reall who had professed seeming poverty yet the King better natur'd herein than some Courtiers allowed and duly paid to some large to most competent to all certain annuities 2. Indeed High injustice to detain promised pensions there cannot be an higher piece of unjustice than for a King or State publickly to promise pensions to necessitous persons and never perform the same so that poor people shall have some hundreds in common report and not one peny in reall and effectuall payment For first the grant raiseth and erecteth the spirits of such Pensioners for the present which soon after tyranny so to torture them sink and settle down on the non-performance thereof Secondly such expectations often make people proportion their present expences according to those their hopes to their great damage and detriment yea sometimes to their utter undoing Thirdly such noise of pensions granted takes off from them the charity of their kinred and friends as needlesse to persons presumed able to subsist of themselves Not to speak how much it lessens the reputation of a State rendring them justly censurable either of indiscretion in granting pensions where not deserved or injustice in not paying them when granted 3. Yet all persons were not promiscuously capable of the King's pensions The first qualification of His Pensioners but onely those who were qualified accordingly Namely first such as at the dissolution of their Abbeys were not preferred to any other dignity or Benefice By the way this was a temptation to the King and Chancellor oft-times to preferre mean men which formerly had been Monks and Friers to no mean Livings because beside the generall want of able Ministers such Incumbents being so provided for their pensions ceased and the Exchequer was disburdened from future paving them any exhibition 4. These pensions of the King were confirmed to the Monks and Nuns by his Letters Patents under the Broad Seal A Copie of the Kings Letters Patents for Pensions and Registred in the Court of Augmentations One Copie whereof we here insert having seen some hundreds of them all the same in essentialls not conceiving it impertinent to translate the same desiring the Lawyers not to laugh at us if we misse the Legall terms whilst we hit the true meaning thereof HENRICUS Octavus Dei gratia Angliae et Franciae Rex fidei defensor Dominus Hiberniae
The Queen made Sir Tho Tresham Lord Prior of this Order who the thirtieth of November 1557 received the Order of the Crosse at Westminster and was solemnly inducted into his place He was of an antient family and large estate and had done the Queen Knights service proclaiming Her in the highest contest with Queen Jane If the dimension of his Body may be guessed by his finger and his finger by his Ring which have seen in the possession of his Kinsman William Tresham Esq of Newton in Northampton-shire he was a little Gyant and farre greater than his pourtraicture on his Monument almost demolisht in Rushton-Church in the same County But Alexander's souldiers were not in proportion so big as their shields left in India and possible that Ring of State serving for a Seale was rather borne about him than worn on his finger 7. Re-edified by devout persons It is out of doubt that Papists contributed many pretious Utensils unto these Orders as also that they were bountifull in repairing their decayed Houses to fit them for their habitation but by Sanders his leave No visible refunding of land doth appear Which if he had known of no doubt he would have told posterity as tending according to his principles so much to the credit of those persons I say again though Queens Examples carry a kinde of Mandamus in them yet herein Her best Subjects and Servants were so unmannerly as to suffer Her Grace to go alone by Her self in this Act without any attendants as to the restitution of any entire Religious house to its former Order No not Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute though formerly solemnly employed in an Ambassy to the Pope to reconcile the Church of England to Rome would part with his rich Abbey of Battaile in Sussex or poor Priory of Barnewell nigh Cambridge c. but kept all his pluralities in that nature though otherwise we believe him most bountifull to those of his own Religion 8. The Catholick Princes Meaning Philip and Mary and surely though we cannot insist on the particulars that Kings inclinations are sufficiently known zealous for the promoting of His own Religion However it is almost incredible what a qualme on this occasion came over the hearts of the stoutest Abbey-land Mongers in England fearing in processe of time a reverting of them to their former use the rather because Cardinall Poole in that Act in this Queens Reign to secure Abbey-lands to their Owners without the passing whereof to pacifie so many persons concerned Papistry could not have been restored in that Parliament did not as some think absolve their consciences from restitution But onely made a palliate cure the Church but suspending that power which in due time she might put in execution 3. This made many suspect that such edifices of Abbeys A generall jealousie of Abbey-holders which still were extant entire looked lovingly on their antient Owners in hope to be restord unto them In prevention whereof such as possest them for the present plucked out their eyes by levelling them to the ground and shaving from them as much as they could all Abbey-Characters disguising them as much as might be in a Lay-habit matching and mingling them with lands in another Tenure because on this very motion Abbey lands sunk two years purchase in the common valuation 4. Nor must I forget one passage in Derby-shire Nimianon cautela Non nocet a certain information whereof I have received from that skilful Antiquary and my respected Kinsman Samuel Roper of Lincolnes-Inne how one Thacker being possessed of Repingdon Abbey in Derby-shire alarumed with this news that Q. Mary had set up these Abbeys again and fearing how large a reach such a precedent might have upon a Sunday belike the better day the better deed called together the Carpenters and Masons of that County and plucked down in one day Church-work is a cripple in going up but rides post in coming down a most beautifull Church belonging thereunto adding He would destroy the Nest for fear the Birds should build therein again 5. And now when a Papist have done commending Q. Mary The best work of Q. Mary a Protestant may begin I say Her setting up the Hospitall of the Savoy was a better work than any instanced in by Sanders for the relief of poor people First because poor qua poor may be said to be Jure Divino * Prov. 22. 2. The rich and poor meet together and the Lord maketh them both Not onely as Creatour of their persons but Assigner of their conditions Besides the Poor is a continuall Order in the Church by the words of our Saviour * John 12. 8. The poor ye have alwaies with you but more properly hereof in the Reign of Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth demolisheth the new-erected Convents Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown Violent alterations dangerous was not over-busie at the first but for some moneths permitted all things to remain in statu quo priùs Insomuch that in the first Parliament of Her summoning She sent Her Writs to the aforesaid Lord Prior Tresbam and Abbot Feckenham to make their appearance with the rest of Her Barons in Her Great Councell Whither they repaired and wherein they took their places accordingly 2. Sir Thomas as Lord Prior above but the Abbot beneath all the a See a List of them sitting in Sir Tho Cottons Library Temporal Lords being the lag of the House and placed under Oliver Lord S. John of Blet netsho lately made the second Baron of Queen Eliz Her creation But they had hardly set down on their seats before they were raised up and dissolved with all the rest of the late-restored Orders 3. I have not met to my best remembrance with any Statute A Quaere to the learned in Law enacted in the Reign of Queen Mary whereby She was legally empowred for the re-erection of these Convents done it seems by Her Prerogative by connivance not concurrence of the Parliament Nor can I finde in the first year of Queen Elizabeth any particular Statute wherein as in the Regin of King Henry the eighth these Orders are nominatim suppressed this probably being supposed needlesse as I conceive with submission to the Learned in that Profession their Houses having no Legal settlement Or else when the general Statutes against Superstition were layed like the Ax to the root of the Tree these Orders are under-branches fell of themselves by virtue of the Queens Commission for the same 4. I intended by way of a farewell-Corollary to present the Reader with a List of the Lord Priors of S. Iohn's An imperfect List better than none from Iordanus Briset their first Founder But their Records being all burnt in that fire which was kindled by Straw in his commotion it is impossible to compleat the Catalogue At and since which difaster such as we can recover are not contiguous in times and distanced with many years betwixt them though perhaps
Lord Rich smiled not at his relation as sadly sensible of the mistake and delivery of the Letter to the Duke of Norfolke no great friend of his and an utter enemy to the Duke of Somerset 41. Wonder not if this Lord rose early up the next morning The Lord Rich resigneth his Chancellors place who may be presumed not to have slept all night He higheth to the Court and having gotten admittance into the Bed Chamber before the King was risen up fell down on his knees and desired that his old age might be eased of his burthensome Office pleading That there ought to be some preparatory interval in States men betwixt their Temporall businesse and their Death in order to which he desired to retire into Essex there to attend his own Devotions Nor would he rise from the ground till the King had granted his request And thus he saved himself from being stript by others by first putting off his own clothes who otherwise had lost his Chancellours place for revealing the secrets of the Councell Board Some daies after the Scale was solemnly fetcht from him and conferred on Doctor Goodrich Bishop of Elie. 42. The Impeachment of the Duke went on neverthelesse The Duke of Somâ—rseâ— impeached of Treason and two Nets were laid to catch him Dec. 1. that if one brake the other might hold He was indicted of Treason and Fellonie the former was onely to give the report the latter to discharge the bullet So great a Peer could not be accused of lesse than High Treason that the offence might appear proportionable to the Offender However he was acquitted of Treason whereat the people in Westminster-hall gave such a shout that though the same was intercepted and circumscribed by the house it is reported to be heard as farre f Stowes Annals p. 606. as Long-Acre 43. But this sound was seconded with a sad silence when he was condemned for Felony Sad silence by a new made Statute for plotting the death of a Privie Counsellour namely the Earle of Warwick Here a strange oversight was committed that he craved not the benefit of the Clergie which could not legally be denied him on the granting whereof the ensuing punishment had certainly been remitted and not long after he was beheaded on Tower-hill with no lesse praise for his piety and patience than pity and grief of the Beholders 44. Posterity is much unsatisfied in the justnesse of his suffering A Quae for posterâ—â—y and generally doe believe That he himselfe was the sheep who was here condemn'd for the slaughter A good Author tells us That he lost his life for a small crime and that upon a nice * 〈◊〉 Brit. in Somerâ—etsâ—ire point subtilly devised and packt by his enemies And yet that the good King Himselfe was possessed of his guilt may appeare by His ensuing Letter * Tâ—â—nscribed out of the Oâ—iginall written with His own hand to a dear Servant of His as followeth To Our well-beloved servant Barnaby Fitz-Patricke one of the Gentlemen of Our Chamber EDWARD LIttle hath been done since you went but the Duke of Somerset's arraignment for felonious Treason and the Musters of the new-erected Gendarmery The Duke the first of this Moneth was brought to VVestminster-hall where sate as Judge or High Steward my Lord Treasurer twenty six Lords of the Parliament went on his Triall Indictments were read which were severall some for Treason some for trayterous Felony The Lawyers read how Sir Thomas Palmer had confessed that the Duke once minded and made him privie to raise the North after to call the Duke of Northumberland the Marquesse of Northampton and the Earle of Pembroke to a Feast and so to have slain them And to doe this thing as it was to be thought had levied men a hundred at his house at London which was scanned to be Treason because unlawfull Assemblies for such purposes was Treason by an Act made the last Sessions Also how the Duke of Somerset minded to stay the Horses of the Gendarmery and to raise London Crane confessed also the murdering of the Lords in a Banquet Sir Miles Partridge also confessed the raising of London Hamman his man having a Watch at Greenwich of twenty weaponed men to resist if he had been arrested and this confessed both Patridge and Palmer He answered That when he levied men at his House he meant no such thing but onely to defend himself The rest very barely answered After debating the matter from nine of the clock till three the Lords went together and there weighing that the matter seemed only to touch their lives although afterward more inconvenience might have followed and that men might think they did it of malice acquitted him of High Treason and condemned him of Felony which he seemed to have confessed He hearing the Judgment fell down on his knees and thanked them for his open Triall After he asked pardon of the Duke of Northumberland the Marquesse c. whom he confessed he meant to destroy although before he swore vehemently to the contrary Thus fare you well ¶ From Westminster the 20 th of December 1551. Dec. 10. Anno Domini 1551. Hereby it plainly appeareth that the King was possessed with a perswasion of His Uncles guiltiness whether or no so in truth God knoweth and generally Men believe Him abused herein And it seemeth a wonder to me that six weeks from December the 1 to January the 22. interceding betwixt the Dukes condemnation and execution no means were made during that time to the King for his pardon But it is plain that his foes had stopped all accesse of his friends unto the King 45. The Duke of Somerset was religious himself The Dukes character a lover of all such as were so and a great Promoter of Reformation Valiant fortunate witnesse his victory in Musleborrough field when the Scots filled many carts with emptinesse and loaded them with what was lighter than vanity it self Popish Images and other Trinkets wherein they placed the confidence of their Conquest He was generally beloved of Martiall men yet no marvell if some did grumble against him seeing there is no Army save that of the Church Triumphant wherein the Souldiers at some time or other doe not complain against their Generall Nor is the wonder great if he sometimes trespassed in matters of State seeing the most conscientious Polititian will now and then borrow a point of Law not to say take it for their due even with an intent never to pay it He was better to perform than plot doe than design In a word his self-hurting innocence declined into guiltinesse whose soule was so farre from being open to causlesse suspitions that it was shut against just jealousies of danger 46. He built Somerset-house His great buildings where many like the workmanship better than either the foundation or materials thereof For the Houses of three Bishops Landaffe Coventry and Litchfield and Worcester
into the Congregation 4. Here I omit many animosities The Senate of Frankford interpâ—se for Knox. and intermediate bickerings betwixt the opposite parties especially at one conference wherein D r. Cox is charged to come with his inartificial argument ab authoritate Ego b Tr. of Fr. pag. 40. volo habere I will have it so In fine Knox his party finding themselves out-voted by D r. Cox his new recruits out of England got one voice on his side which was louder and stronger then all the rest I mean the authority of the Senate of Frankford interposing on his behalf and M r. Iohn Glauberg principal procurer of their Congregation as is aforesaid publiquely professed that if the reformed order of the congregation of Frankford were not therein observed c Tr. of Fr. pag. 43. As he had opened the Church-door unto them so would â—e shut it againe 5. The wringing of the nose saith wise d Pro. 30. 33. Agur bringeth forth blood so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife Mr. Knox accused of high treason and departs from Frankford See here the Coxan party depressed embrace a strange way to raise themselves and accuse Knox to the State for no less than high treason against the Emperour in an English book of his intitled An admonition to Christians first privately preached in Buckingham-shire and now publiquely printed to the world Eight places therein were laid to his charge the seven last may well be omitted the first was so effectuall to the purpose wherein he called the Emperour no less an enemy to Christ then was Nero. Strange that words spoken some yeers since in another land and language against the Emperour to whom Knox then owed no natural allegiance though since a casual and accidental one by his removall into an imperiall City should in this unhappy juncture of time be urged against him by exiles of his own religion even to no lesse than the indangering of his life But what said Rachel of Leah a Gen. 30. 8 With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister and I have prevailed with great rather than good wrestlings Such too often is the badnesse of good people that in the heat of passion they account any play to be fair play which tends to the overturning of those with whom they contend Hereupon the State of Frankford as an Imperial Town highly concerned to be tender of the Emperours honour willed Knox to depart the City who on the 25 th of March March 25. to the great grief of his friends 1556. and followers left the Congregation 6. After the departure or rather the driving away of M r. Knox Officers chosen in the new modell Congregation D r. Cox and his adherents clearly carried all and proceeded to the election of officers in their Congregation But first for fit title for him that was to take charge of their souls then for a proper person for that title 1. Bishop though first in nomination was b Troubles of Frankford pag. 31. declined as improper because here he had no inspection over any Diocess but onely a cure of a Congregation on which very account M r. Scorie though formerly Bishop of Chicester when preacher to the Congregation of Emden took upon him the title of Superintendent 2. Superintendent was here also waved as the same in effect onely a bad Latine word instead of a good Greek 3. Minister also was mislik'd for the principal Preacher though admitted to signifie his assistants perchance as a terme of too much complyance with the opposite party 4. Pastour at last was pitched upon as freest from exception most expressive of the office and least obnoxious to offence Then was M r. Whitehead c Ibid. pag. 52. chosen their Pastour yet so as two Ministers foure Elders and foure Deacons were joyned to assist him And because this was then aswell an Universitie as a congregation of the English M r. Horne was chosen Reader of the Hebrew M r. Mullings of the Greek and M r. Traherne was made Lecturer of Divinity In this-new modell'd Congregation I finde no office by name assigned unto D r. Cox more honour for him to make all than to be any officer who was vertually influent upon all and most active though not in the doctrinal in the prudential part of Church-government 7. As for the oppressed Congregation so their opposites stile themselves it was headed by William Whittingham Whittingam heads the opposite partie one though of less authority yet of as much affection to the cause as Knox himself This partie continued their dislike of the Liturgie calling it the d Ibid. pag. 40. Great English Book offended it seems with the largeness thereof And they affirmed may the report lie on the reporters to avouch it how Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did present a book of prayer Q. Marie 4. an hundred times more e Ibid pag. 43 perfect than the Liturgie used in King Edwards dayes yet the same could not take place because he was matched with so wicked a Clergie in Convocation with other enemies Besides this their old grudge against the Common Prayer they were grieved afresh in this election of new officers in the English Congregation that their old officers were neither legally continued nor fully discharged nor friend-like consulted with nor fairely asked their consent but no notice at all taken of them In a word never arose there a greater murmuring of the Grecians against the f Acts 6. 1. Hebrews because their widdows were neglected in their daily ministration than here an heart-burning in the Wittingamian against the other party for the affront offered to their old officers Arbitration refused by the party of Dr. Cox in this new election 8. Here a moderate motion was made that the difference might be compremised Anno Dom. 1556. and referr'd to Arbitrators Anno Regin Mar. 4. which should be equally chosen on both sides To this D r. Cox his party would in no wise consent Whether because those pretended Arbiters would be no Arbiters but parties and widen the wound by dressing of it or because being already posesd of the power they would not divest themselves of the whole to receive but part again from the curtesie of others However this party lost much reputation by the refusall For in all controversies that side recusant to submit it self to a fair arbitration contracts the just suspition either that their cause is faulty or the managers thereof froward and of a morose disposition In fine as when two swarmes of bees daily fight in the same hive the weakest grow so wise as to seek themselves a new habitation so here Whittingam and his adherents resolve to depart and to seek their severall providences in another place 9. But alas these two sides had a sad parting-blow The two parties put asunder The oppress'd Congregation complained that instead of their Vale they had a
in her Religion And yet some not more knowing of Councells but more daring in Conjectures than others who love to feiga what they cannot finde that they may never appear to be at a loss avouch that the Pope promised to revoke the Sentence against her mother Anne Bollens marriage to confirme our English Lithurgie by his authority to permit the English the Communion under both kinds provided she would own the Popes Primacy and cordially unite her self to the Catholike Church Yea some thousands of Crowns but all in vain were promised to the effectors thereof wherein his holinesse seemingly liberal was really thrifty as knowing such his Sums if accepted would within one year return with an hundred fold increase 41. Scipio a Gentleman of Venice The contents of Scipio his Letter to Mr. Iewell formerly familiar with M r. Jewel whilst he was a student in Padua wrot now an expostulating letter unto Him being lately made Bishop of Sarisbury Wherein he much admired that England should send no Embassadour nor message or letter to excuse their Nations absence from the general appearance of Christianity in the Sacred Councell of Trent He highly extolled the antiquity and use of General Councels as the only means to decide controversies in Religion and compose the distractions in the Church concluding it a Superlative Sin for any to decline the authority thereof 42. To this M r. Jewel returned a large and solemn answer Anno Dom. 1563. Now although he wrote it as a private person Anno Regin Eliza. 5. yet because the subject thereof was of publick concernment The sum of Mr. Jewels answer take the principall Heads thereof a See it at large at the end of the History of the Councell of Trent First That a great part of the world professing the name of Christ as Greeks Armenians Abessines c. with all the Eastern Church were neither sent to nor summoned to this Councell Secondly That Englands absence was not so great a wonder seeing many other kingdoms and free-free-states as Denmarke Sweden Scotland Princes of Germany and Hanse-Towns were not represented in this Councel by any of their Embassadors Thirdly That this pretended Councell was not called according to the ancient custome of the Church by the Imperiall Authority but by Papall usurpation Fourthly That Trent was a petty place not of sufficient receit for such multitudes as necessarily should repair to a generall Councell Fifthly That Pope Pius the fourth by whose command the Councel was re-assembled purchased his place by the unjust practises of Simony and bribery and managed it with murder and Cruelty Sixthly That repairing to Councells was a free-act and none ought to be condemned of Contumacy if it stood more with their conveniency to stay at home Seventhly That anciently it was accepted as a reasonable excuse of holy Bishops absenting or withdrawing themselves from any Councell if they vehemently suspected ought would be acted therein prejudiciall to the Truth lest their though not active included concurrence might be interpreted a countenancing thereof Eightly Our English Bishops were imployed in feeding their flocks and governing their Churches and could not be spared from their charge without prejudice to their consciences Ninthly The members of the Councell of Trent both Bishops and Abbots were by oath pregaged to the Pope to defend and maintain his authority against all the world Lastly in what capacity should the English Clergy appear in this Councell They could not as free-persons to debate matters therein beeing pre-condemned for Hereticks by Pope Julius They would not come as Offendors to hear the Sentence pronounced against themselves which they had heard of before What effect this Letter produced I finde not sure I am no Papists as yet have made an effectuall refutation of the reasons rendered therein 43. The Bells of S t. Peters in Westminster had strangely rung the changes these last thirty yeers Westminster Col. Church re-sounded by Q Eliz. Within which time first it was a stately and rich Covent of Benedictine Monks Secondly it was made a Collegiate Church of Dean and Prebendaries by King Henry the eighth Thirdly by the same King is was made an Episcopall See and Thomas Thirby who having roasted the Churches Patrimony surrendred it to the spoile of Courtiers the first and last Bishop thereof Fourthly Queen Mary re-seated the Abbot and Monks in the possession thereof who were outed after her Death Lastly this yeer Queen Elizabeth converted it again into a Collegiate Church founding therein maintenance for one Dean twelve Prebendaries as many old souldiers past service for Almsmen and fourty Scholars who in due time are preferred to the Universities so that it hath proved one of the most renowned Seminaries of Religion and learning in the whole nation 44. Pope Pius though unsuccessfull in his addresses last yeer to the Queen 1561 yet was not so disheartened The Pope trieth again in â—am to reduce the Queen but that once more he would try what might be effected therein To which purpose he imployed the Abbot of Martinegi with most loving letters unto her desiring leave to come over into England But the Queen knowing it less difficulty and danger to keep him Anno Dom. 1562. then to cast him out of her Dominions forbad his entrance into the Realme as against the Laws of the Land So that he was fain to deliver his Errand and receive his answer and that a deniall at distance in the Low-Countries As little successe had the Bishop of Viterbo the Popes Nuncio to the King of France secretly dealing with S r. N. Throgmorton the Queens Agent there to perswade her to send Embassadors to the Councell of Trent which for the reasons afore mentioned was justly refused 45. S r. Edward Carne the Queens Leger at Rome The death of Sr. Edward Carne Doctor of Civill Law Knighted by the Emperour Charles the fifth pretended that as the Queen would not suffer the Popes Nuncio to come into England so the Pope would not permit him to depart Rome Whereas indeed the cunning old man was not detained but detained himself so well pleased was he with the place and his office therein Where soon after he died the last Leger of the English Nation to Rome publickly avowed in that imployment 46. This yeer the Spire of Pauls-Steeple covered with lead strangely fell on fire Pauls Steeple burnt down attributed by severall Persons to sundry Causes Some that it was casually blasted with lightning others that it was mischevously done by Art Magick And others and they the truest done by the negligence of a Plummer carelessly leaving his coals therein The fire burnt for five full hours in which time it melted all the lead of the Church only the stone Arches escaping the fury thereof but by the Queens bounty and a Collection from the Clergy it was afterwards repaired only the blunt Tower had not the top thereof sharpned into a Spire as before 47.
we trust as we can further it M r. Allen liketh well of the matter 18. The year proved very active The activity of the Presbyterian especially in the practices of Presbyterians who now found so much favour as almost amounted to a connivence at their discipline For whilest the severity of the State was at this time intended to the height against Iesuites some lenity of course by the very rules of opposition fell to the share of the Non-conformists even on the score of their notorious enmity to the Iesuitical party 19. The city of Geneva was at this time reduced to great difficulties by the Savoyard her potent adversary Beza's letter to Travers in the behalf of Geneva and forced to purchase peace on dear an bitter termes saving that extremity sweetens all things and her present condition was incapable of better conditions Hereupon M r. Beza Anno Dom. 1582. Anno Regin Eliza. 25. the tongue and pen of that State to forrain parts addressed himself by letter to M r. Walter Travers whom I may terme the neck allowing M r. Cartwright for the head of the Presbyterian party the second in honour and esteem then Chaplain to the Lord Treasurer and of whom more hereafter The tenour of the letter is here inserted subscribed by Beza's own hand and in my possession which though it be of forain extraction carries much in it of English concernment Gratiam pacem à Domino Si quoties tui et C. nostri sum recordâ—tus Mi Frater toties ad te scripsissem jam pridem esses literis meis obrutus Nullus enim dies abit quin de vobis Vâ—strisqae rebus solicâ—tè cogitem quod ita pastulare non amicitia modo vetus nostra sed etiam rerum ipsarum de quibus laboratis magnitudo videatur Sed cùm in ea tempora nos incidisse viderem quibus silere me quam nob is scribere praestaret silentium adhuc mihi invitissimo indixi Nunc verò quum illum quorundam ardorem â—udiam per Dei gratiam deseruisse nolâ—i hunc nostrum absque meis ad te literis pervenire quibus tundem esse me qui fui testâ—rer abs te peterem ut me vicissim de rebus vestris certiorem facere ne graveris Sed alia sese praebuit scribendi occasio hujus videlicet Reip maximae imo tantae difficultates ut nisi aliunde sublevetur parva nobis admodum tuendae inconsueto statu Ecclesiae ac scholae spes supersit quod ita esse vel ex eo cognosses quòd haec planè in verecunda consilia capere cogamur Nam concessae quidem nobis sunt per Dei gratiam aliquae induciae sed parum ut apparet firmae futurae tantis veluti redemptae sumptibus ut in aeris etiam alieni velati freto jactati non temerè nausragium metuamus Amabo te igitur mi frater Precibus assiduis nos juvare perge siquid praetereà apud nonnullos anthoritate vales quantùm nos ames in Domino quacunque honesta ratione poteris ostende Scripst verò etiam ego vestris plerisque proceribus episcoporum quoque collegium ausi sunius communibus literis hac de re compellare verùm quod sit mearum literarum Pondus futurum vel ex eâ— conjicio quod cùm Oxoniensi Scholae superiore vere meam sim observantiam misso venerandâ— planè vetustatis novi testamenti graeco-latini codice testatus qui publicae bibliothecae consecraretur ne literulam quidem inde accepi ex qua meam hanc voluntatem ipsis non ingratam fuisse cognoscerem Cujusmodi etiam am quiddam apudunum alterum ex prioribus vestris sum expertus sed hoo quaeso inter nos dictum esto Ego verò frustra etiam quidvis tentare quà m officio in hanc Rempub Ecclesiam ac scholam deesse tam necessario tempore malui Bene vale mi carissime frater D. Iesus tibi magis ac magis omnibus ipsius gloriam serio cupientibus benedicat Genevae Octobris 1582. * * The figure of the day not legible Tuus Beza aliena jam manu saepe uti coactus sua ipsius vâcillante Grace and peace from the Lord. If as often dear brother as I have remembred thee and our Cartwright so often I should have written unto thee long since you had been overwhelm'd with my letters For there not passes aday wherein I do not carefully think both of you and your matters which not only our ancient friendship but also the greatness of those affairs wherein you take pains seemeth so to require But seeing I perceive we are fallen into those times wherein my silence may be safer for you then my writing I have though most unwillingly commanded my self silence hitherto But now seeing that I hear that the heat of some men by Gods grace is abated I would not have this my friend come to you without my letters that I may testifie my self still the same unto you what formerly I was and that I may request of you not to think much at his return to certifie me of your affairs Also another occasion of writing offereth it self namely the great straits of his common wealth yea so great that except it be relieved from other parts very small hope remaineth unto us to maintain the Church and University in the former state thereof That these things are so you may know from hence that we are forced to adventure on these bold and unmannerly courses for our support For by Gods grace a kinde of peace is granted unto us but as it seems not likely to last long and that also purchased at so great a price that tossed as it were in the Sea of a great debt we have great cause to fear shiprack therein I beseech thee therefore my brother both proceed to help us with thy daily prayers and besides if you have any power to prevail with some persons shew us by what honest means you may how much you love us in the Lord. I also have written to most of your noble men and we have been bold with our publick letters to accquaint your Colledge of Bâ—shops of this matter but what weight my letters are likely to bear I can guess by this that when last spring I testified my respects to the University of Oxford by sending them a new testament greek and latine truly of venerable antiquity which should be kept in their publick library I did not so much as receive the least letter from them whereby I might know that this my good will was acceptable to them And some such requital also I have found from one or two of your noble men but this I pray let it be spoken between us alone For my part I had rather try any thing though in vain then to be wanting in my duty to this State Church and University especiall in so necessary a juncture of time Farewell my
as did creep in to the said Book through private mens affections without authority Therefore that argument is against them and only used by them as it seemeth in contempt the rest is frivolous and argueth their presumption in writing this to so honourable a Board of so worthy and godly a Book which hath an hundred learned men to justifie it for one that will impugne it And thus much concerning them which I have written rather to satisfie your Lordships then that I thought the matter worthy my labour The complaint which those of Kent being of my own Diocess and by oath bound to me in Canonicall obedience have exhibited unto your Lordships doth make me more to wonder that they most of them being unlearned and young such as I would be loath to admit into the Ministry if they were not already admitted thereunto much less to allow as Preachers dare presume to bring my doings against them into question before your Lordships seeing I have done nothing but that which God the Law her Majesty and my duty forceth me unto dealing with them not as an Arch-Bishop with the Inferiour sort of the Clergy nor as a master of a Colledge with his fellows nor as a Magistrate with his inferiours but as a Friend and a Brother which as I think hath so puffed them up and caused them to be so presumptuous They came to me unsent for in a multitude which I reproved because it imported a conspiracy and had the shew of a Tumult or unlawfull Assembly Notwithstanding I was content to hear their complaint I spent with them the whole afternoon from two of the clock till seven and heard their Reasons whereof some were frivolous and childish some irreligious and all of them such as gave me occasion to think that they rather sought quarrel against the Book then to be satisfied which indeed is true as appeareth by some of their own confessions which I am able to shew when I shall be thereunto urged The two whole dayes following I spent likewise for the most part in dealing severally with them requiring them to give unto me the Chief and principal of their Reasons which moved them not to subscribe meaning to hear them in the rest if I could have satisfied them in it or else not to spend any further time which reasons if I may so term them they gave unto me and I have and mean to make known when occasion shall serve Whereas they say in their bill that the publick administration of the Sacraments in this Land is as touching the substance of it lawfull c. They say no more then the Papists themselves do confess and in truth they say nothing in effect to that wherewith they are charged And yet therein they are contrary to themselves for they have pretended matter of substance against the Book But of what spirit cometh it that they being no otherwise then they are dare to the greatest Authority in this land next to her Majesty so boldly offer themselves thus to reason and dispute as in their bill they vaunt against the State established in matters of Religion and against the book so learnedly and painfully penned and by so great Authority from time to time confirmed It is not for me to sit in this place if every Curate within my Diocess or Province may be permitted so to use me neither is it possible for me to performe forme the duty which her Majesty looketh for at my hands if I may not without interruption proceed in execution of that which her Highness hath especially committed unto me The Gospell can take no success neither the number of Papists be diminished if unity be not procured which I am not in doubt in short time to bring to pass without any great adoe or inconvenience at all if it be not hindred The number of those which refuse to subscribe is not great in most parts of my Province not one in some very few and in some none whereof many also and the greater part are unlearned and unwornthy the Ministry In mine own little Diocess in Canterbury threescore Preachers and above have subscribed whereas there are not ten worthy the name of Preachers which have as yet refused and most of them also not allowed Preachers by lawfull Authority and so I know it to be in all other Diocesses within my Province the Diocess of Norwich only excepted Wherein nevertheless the number of disordered is far less then the number of such as are obedient and quietly disposed Now if these few disordered which the Church may well spare having meeter men to place in their rooms shall be countenanced against the best the wisest in all respects the worthiest and in effect the whole state of the Clergy it will not only discourage the dutifull and obedient persons but so encrease the schism that there will never hereafter be hope of appeasing the same This disordered flocking together of them at this time from divers places and gadding from one to another argueth a Conspiracy amongst them and some hope of incouragement and of prevailing which I am perswaded is not meant nor shall ever be by me willingly consented unto Some of them have already as I am informed bruted abroad that your Lordships have sent for me to answer their complaints and that they hope to be delivered wherein I know they report untruly as the manner is for I cannot be perswaded that your Lordships have any such intent as to make me a party or to call my doings into question which from her Majesty are immediately committed unto me and wherein as I suppose I have no other Judge but her self And for as much as I am by God and her Majesty lawfully without any ordinary or extraordinary or unlawfull means called to this place and function and appointed to be your Pastor and to have the greatest charge over you in matters pertaining to the soul I am the more bold to move and desire you to aid and affist me in matters belonging to my office namely such as appertain to the quietness of the Church the credit of religion established and the maintenance of the laws made for the same And here I do protest and testifie unto your Lordships that the three Articles whereunto they are moved to subscribe are such as I am ready by learning to defend in manner and form as they are set down against all mislikers thereof in England or elsewhere And thus desiring your Lordships to take this my answer in good part and to forbear my comming thither in respect of this advantage that may be taken thereof by these wayward persons I beseech Almighty God long to prosper you Your good Lordships in Christ John Cantuar. Who this M r. Beal was who brought these letters is worthy our inquiry I finde his Christian name Robert his office Clark of the Councell his abilities very great The character of Mr. Beal who brought the Bills as may appear by the publick
any of its Ancestors which went before it Let me add also and no unhappier than its successors that shall come after it It being observed that meetings of this nature before or after this time never produced any great matter on persons present thereat who generally carry away the same judgement they brought with them And yet the Lords were pleased to say their judgements were satisfied in the point on the Bishops behalf not conceving their adversaries arguments so slight and triviall as now they appeared This was in some of them but a Court-Complement who afterwards secretly acted against the Arch-Bishop in favour of the other party 14. Whitgift finding this first way unsuccessfull Subscription severely pressed fell from other reasoning to a flat argument from Authority enjoyning all admitted to the Ecclesiasticall Orders and Benefices the subscription of the following Articles 1. That the Queen had supream authority over all persons born within Her Dominions of what condition so ever they were and that no other Prince Prelate or potentate hath or ought to have any jurisdiction Civil or Ecclesiasticall within Her Realms or Dominions 2. That the Book of Common-Prayer and the Ordination of Bishops Priests and Deacons containeth nothing contrary to the Word of God but may lawfully be used and that they will use that and none other 3. That the Articles of Religion agreed in the Synod holden at London in the year of our Lord 1562. and published by the Queens authority they did allow of and beleeve them to be consonant to the Word of God The severe inforcing of subscription hereunto what great disturbance it occasioned in the Church shall hereafter by Gods assistance be made to appear leaving others to judge whether the offence was given or taken thereby 15. Now came forth the Rhemish Translation of the New Testament The Rhemish Translation comes forth A Translation which needeth to be translated neither good Greek Latine or English as every where bespeckled with hard words pretended not renderable in English without abatement of some expressiveness which transcend common capacities Besides it is taxed by our Divines as guilty of abominable errours therein It was printed in large paper with a fair letter and margent all which I have charity enough to impute to their desire to do it for the more dignity of Gods word whilest others interpret it that thereby purposely they inhaunced the price to put it past the power of poore mens purses to purchase it Another accident raised the dearness thereof because so many books being seized on by the Queens Searchers the whole price of the Edition fell the more heavie on the remainder But suppose a poor Lay-Catholick so rich through his industry as secretly to purchase one of these Rhemish Testaments he durst not avouch the reading thereof without the permission of his Superiors licensing him thereunto 16. Secretary Walsingham Cartwright invited to answer it by his letters solicited M r. Thomas Cartwright to undertake the refuting of this Rhemish Translation and the better to enable him for the work sent him an-hundred a See â—he preface to Cartwrights book pounds out of his own purse A bountifull gift for one who was though a great Statesman a man of small estate contracting honourable b Camdens Elizabeth Anno 1590. poverty on himself by his expence on the publick as dying not so engaged to his private creditors as the whole Church and State was indebted to his endeavours Walsingham his letters to Cartwright were seconded by another from the Doctours and Heads of Houses and D r Fulke amongst the rest at Cambridge besides the importunity of the ministers of London and Suffolk solliciting him to the same purpose Hereupon Cartwright buckled himself to the employment and was very forward in the pursuance thereof 17. No sooner had Whitgift gotten notice Whitgift stoppeth his book what Cartwright was a writing but presently he prohibited his farther proceeding therein It seems Walsingham was Secretary of State not of Religion wherein the Arch-Bishop overpowred him Many commended his care not to intrust the defence of the Doctrine of England to a pen so disaffected to the Discipline thereof Others blamed his jealousie to deprive the Church of so learned pains of him whose judgement would so solidly and affections so zealously confute the publick adversary Distastfull passages shooting at Rome but glancing at Canterburie if any such were found in his book might be expunged whilest it was pity so good fruit should be blasted in the bud for some bad leaves about it Dishartened hereat Cartwright desisted but some years after encouraged by a Honourable Lord resumed the work but prevented by death perfected no further then the fifteenth chapter of the Revelation Many years lay this worthy work neglected and the copy thereof mouse-eaten in part whence the Printer excused some defects therein in his edition which though late yet at last came forth Anno 1618. A book which notwithstanding the foresaid defects is so compleat Anno Dom. 1584. Anno Regin Eliza. 27. that the Rhemists durst never return the least answer thereunto 18. Mean time whilest Cartwright his refutation of the Rhemish was thus retarded D r. William Fulke Master of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge entered the list against them judiciously and learnedly performing his undertaking therein His daughter and as I take it the only surviver of his children lately set forth the fourth and fairest edition of this his Confutation and dedicated it to King Charls 19. The Rhemists profess in their preface to the New Testament that the Old Testament also lieth by them for lack of good means to publish the whole in such sort Dr. Fulke first effected it as a work of so great charge and importance requireth which seemeth strange to a judicious consideration For had a voluminous legend of Saints-lives with pictures as costly as superstitious been to be set forth a mass a mint a mine of mony could easily be advanced to defray the expences thereof Thus Papists can be poor or rich as they please themselves Some behold this their promise to set forth the Old Testament as not really intended A promise never performed but given out to raise mens expectations which in process of time would fall of it self and the profer by degrees be forgotten Others interpret their resolutions real but purposely revoked seeing the ill success of their New testament so canvassed and confuted by the Protestant Divines Perceiving that their small pinace which they first set forth met at sea with such boisterous weather wisely they would not adventure a greater vessel after it but rather left it to rot on the dock than they would lanch it forth in such danger A third sort behold this their promise as a modest and manerly alià s a crafty and cunning begging of a contribution of the Catholick party for setting forth of the same which never as yet came into publick view Yea the Old
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 yet in way of recovering health by changing of Aire of study for a time in thâ— Vniversity of mortall enmity borne by some in the parish of prosecution of Law or of being imployed in publick Affairs they cannot be wholy abrogated That there were in England foure thousand five hundred Benefices with Cure not above ten and most of them under eight pounds in the first fruits-book which cannot be furnished with able Pastors as the Petitioners desire because of the smallness of their livings Moreover he affirmed that what ever was pretended to the contrary England at that time flourished with able Ministers more then ever before yea had more then all Christendome besides 3. The Lord Grey rejoyned to this Assertion of more learned Ministers in the Church of England then ever heretofore The Lord Gray his rejoynder nay then in all the reformed Churches in Christendome this That it was not to he attributed to the Bishops or their actions but to God who now opened the hearts of many to see into the truth and that the Schools were better observed 4. The Lord Treasurer Burghley seeming to moderate betwixt them The Lord Treasurer his moderation after a long and learned oration concluded that he was not so scrupuleus as absolutely to like of the bill against Pluralities without any exception for he did favour both learning and wished a competent reward to it And therefore could like and allow a learned man to have two Benefices so they were both in ene parish that is to say in one Diocess and not one in the Diocess of Winchester and another in the North where the severall Diocesans would have no regard of them whereas being both in one Diocess the Bishop would look unto them 5. Here it was signified that her Majesty was acquainted with the matter Others interpret and that she was very forward to redress the faults and therefore required the Bishops not to binder her good and gracious purpose for that her Majesty would conferr with them 6. The Lord Gray again said The Lord Grays quere whether of Withen or what most probable of Ruthen afterwards Earl of Kent replyed he greatly wondred at her Majesty that she would make choice to conser with those who were all enemies to Reformation for that it meerly touched their freeholds and therefore he thought it good the house should make choice of some to be joyned with them Also he wished the Bishops might be served as they were in in King Henry the 8 th dayes when as in the case of praemunire they were all thrust out of doores 7. Then the Lord Treasurer said that the Bishops if they were wise would themselves be humble suiters to her Majesty to have some of the Temporall Lords joyned with them 8. The Lord Chamberlain utterly disliked the Lord Grayes motion alledging that it was not to be liked of that the Lords should appoint her Majesty any to confer withall but that it should be left to her own election 9. Matters flying thus high the Arch-Bishop with the rest of the Clergy The Bishops providently petition the Queen conceived it the safest way to apply themselves by Petition to the Queen which they presented as followeth To the Queens most excellent Majesty THe wofull and distressed state whereinto we are like to fall forceth us with griâ—f of heart in most humble maner to crave your Majesties most soveraign Protection For the pretence being made the maintenance and increase of a learned ministry when it is throughly weighed decryeth learning spoâ—leth their livings taketh away the sâ—t form of prayer in the Church and is the means to bring in confusion and Barbarisme How dangerous innovations are in a setled estate whosoever hath judgemeâ—t perceiveth Set dangers apart yet such great inconviniences may ensae as will make a state lamentable and miserable Our nâ—ighbours miseries might make us fearfull but that we know who tales the same All the reformed Churches in Europe cannot compare with England in the number of learned Ministers These benefits of your Majesties most sacred and are fall Government with hearty joy we feel and humbly acknowledge senceless are they that repâ—ne at it and careless wâ—o lightly regard it The respect hereof made the Prophet to say Dii estis All the faithfull and discreet Clergy say ô Dea certè Nothing is impossible with God Requests without grounded reasons are lightly to be rejected We therefore not as directors but as humble Remembrancers beseech your Highness favourable beholding of our present state And what it will be in time to come if the Bill against Pluralities should take any place To the Petition were annexed a catalogue of those inconveniences to the State present State to come Cathedrall Churches Universities to her Majesty to Religion in case pluralities were taken away here too large to be inserted So that in effect nothing was effected as in relation to this matter but things left in staâ—u quo prius at the dissolution of this Parliament 10. Amongst the mortalities of this year The death of Bp Barns most remarkable the death of Richard Barnes Bishop of Durham one commendable in himself but much suffering for the * See the life of Bernard Gilpin p. 190. corruption and viciousness of John Barnes his brother and Chancellour This Bishop was bred in Brasen-nose Colledge made Suffragan of Nottingham the last I beleeve who wore that title and behaved himself very gravely in his Diocess A great friend at last to Bernard Gilpin though at first by some ill instruments incensed against him and seeing they were loving in their lives their memories in my Book shall not be divided though I confess the later died some three years before 11. This Bernard Gilpin And of Bernard Gilpin born of a right worshipfull family at Kentmirâ— in Westmerland had Cuthbert Tonstali Bishop of Durham for his great Vncle he was bred first in Queens Colledgs then Christs-Church in Oxford and no doubt the prayers of Peter Martyr conduced to his conversion to be a Protestant For he hearing this Gilpin dispute cordially on the Popish party desired of God that so good affections might not be misguided and at last obtained his desire 12. He Weathered out the Raign of Queen Mary Hardly escaped in Queen Maries dayes partly with his travels beyond the seas Anno Dom. 1587. chiefly residing at Lovain Anno Regin Eliza. 30. and Paris partly after his return by the favour of his Uncle Tonstall Before whom he was often cited chiefly about the Eucharist but was discharged by confessing the reall presence and that the manner thereof transcended his apprehension Tonstall not inforcing him to the particularity of Transubstantiation as using himself to complain on Pope Innocent for defining de modo to be an article of faith However his foes so hardly beset him that once he ordered his servant to provide for him a long shroud not for his
Queens officers as they had just cause more strick in searching as her Judges more severe in punishing the Papists Hereupon the Seculars complained that such proceedings against them tearmed persecution by them and justice by our State was caused by the Jesuits and that Parsons especially though he had kindled the fire left others to bear the heat thereof Yea which was more he was not himself contented to sleep in a whole skinn at Rome but lashed others of his own Religion and having got his neck out of the collar accused others for not drawing weight enough taxing the Seculars as dull and remiss in the cause of Religion and to speak plainly they differed as hot and cold poison the Jesuits more active and pragmatical the Seculars more slow and heavie but both maintaining treacherous principles destructive to the common-Wealth 31. If we look now on the Non-Conformists A general calm we shall finde them all still and quiet After a storm comes a calm wearied with a former blustering they began now to repose themselves in a sad silence especially since the executions of Vdal and Penry had so terrified them that though they might have secret designes we meet not their open and publick motions so that this Century affordeth little more then the mortalities of some eminent men 32. We begin with Richard Fletcher Bishop of London The death of Bp Fletcher and Bishop Coldwell bred in Bennet Colledge in Cambridg one of a comly person and goodly presence qualities not to be cast away in a Bishop though a Bishop not to be chosen for them he lov'd to ride the great horse and had much skill in managing thereof condemned for very proud such his natural stately garb by such as knew him not and commended for humility by those acquainted with him he lost the Queens favour because of his second unhappy match and died suddainly more of grief then any other disease with him let me couple another heart-broken Bishop John Coldwell of Salisbury D r of Physick S t Luke we know was both an Evangelist and Physician who never enjoyed himself after he had consented though little better then surprised thereunto to the alienation of Sherborn Manor from the Bishoprick 33. Here I am at a loss for the date of the death of Laurence Humphry The death of Laurence Humfry but confident I hit the but though miss the mark as about this time He was a consciencious and moderate Non-conformist condemned for luke-warm by such as were scalding-hot Dean of Winchester and Master of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford to which he bequeathed a considerable Summ of Gold left in a chest not to be opened except some great necessity urged thereunto But lately whilst D r John Wilkinson was President of the Colledge this Gold was shar'd between him and the fellows And though one must charitably beleeve the matter not so bad as it is reported yet the most favourable relation thereof gave a general distast 34. Sure I am A great Antiquaries good intention discouraged a great Antiquarie lately deceased rich as well in his state as learning at the hearing hereof quitted all his intentions of benefaction to Oxford or any place else on suspition it would be diverted to other uses On the same token that he merrily said I think the bestway for a man to perpetuate his memory is to procure the Pope to Canâ—nize him for a Saint for then he shall be sure to be remembred in their Calender Whereas otherwise I see all Protestant charity subject to the covetousness of posterity to devour it and bury the donor thereof in oblivion 35. M r Baltazer Zanches a Spaniard The charity of a Spanish Protestant born in Sherez in Estremadura founded an alms-house at Totnam high-cross in Middlesex for eight single people allowing them competent maintenance Now seeing Protestant Founders are rare Spanish Protestants rarer Spanish Protestant Founders in England rarest I could not pass this over with silence nor must we forget that he was the first confectioner or comfit-maker in England bringing that mystery to London and as I am informed the exactness thereof continues still in his family in which respect they have successively been the Queens and Kings confectioners 36. A Parliament held at Westminster The acts in the Parliament 1597. 40. wherein the deprivation of Popish Bishops in the first of this Queens Reign was declared legall Some will wonder what need is of this Statute at so many years distance but the Preface intimates the necessity thereof The Legality also of our Bishops and their Officers were again by act of Parliament confirmed And whereas there was a pretended concealment of some lands of the Bishoprick of Norwich the same by act of Parliament were setled on that See and the Exchange of Lands ratified made in the Reign of King Henry the Eight The contemporary convocation did nothing of moment 37. Thomas Stapleton this year ended his life The death of Tho. Stapleton 1598. 41. and was buried at S t Peters Church in Lovain it is written in his Epitaph qui Cicestriae in Anglià nobili loco natus where Cicestriae is taken not for the City but Diocess of Chicester having otherwise good assurance that he was born at Hemfield in Sussex the same year and moneth wherein * See Pitzaeus in his life S r Thomas Moore was beheaded observed by the Catholicks as a grand providence he was a most learned assertor of the Romish Religion wanting nothing but a true cause to defend On one account I am beholding unto him viz. for disswading * Idemibidem Pitzaeus from being a Souldier to be a Scholler whose History of our English writers hath so often been usefull unto me 38. Richard Cosine D r of the Law and Dean of Archeys this year ended his life The death of Dr Cosine One of the greatest Civilians which our Age or Nation hath produced a most moderate man in his own nature but most earnest assertor of the Ecclesiastical discipline as by his printed works doth appear 39. Robert Turner his death was now much bemoaned by the Papists The death of Rob. Turner 1599. 42. he was born at Barstable in Devon bred for a while in Oxford whence flying beyond the Seas he became Canon of Breslaw in Silesia and at the same time Privie Councellor to the Duke of Bavaria falling afterward into his displeasure probably because more pragmatical then became a forrainer however Ferdinand of Gratz afterwards Emperor took him from the Duke to be his own Secretary for the Latine tongue wherein he excelled as by his printed Orations doth appear he lieth buried at Gratz under a handsom Monument 40. Great was the grief of Protestants for the decease of Richard Hooker Anno Regin Eliza. 42. Anno Dom. 1599. The death of Rich. Hooker Turners Country-man as born also in Devon-shire and bred in Corpus-Christi
shine on Earth as long as the Sun that faithful Witness endureth in Heaven Being more confident that my desire herein will take effect considering the Honourable Governous of this Hospital are Persons so Good they will not abuse it themselves and so Great they will not suffer it to be abuâ—ed by others 22. England at this time enjoying abundance of Peace Nov. 6. The death and prayâ— of Pr. HENRY Plenty and Prosperity in full speed of her Happiness was checkt on a soddain with the sad News of the death of Prince HENRY in the rage of a malitious extraordinary burning-Feaver He was generally lamented of the whole Land both Universities publishing their Verses in print and give me leave to remember four made by Giles Fletcher of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge on this PRINCES plain Grave because wanting an Inscription and it will be Honour enough to me if I can make thereof a Translation Si sapis attonitus sacro decede Sepulchro Nec cineri quae sunt nomina quaere novo Prudens celavit Sculptor nam quisque rescivit Protinus in lachrymas solvitur moritur If wise amaz'd depart this holy Grave Nor these New-ashes ask what Names they have The Graver in concealing them was wise For who so knows strait melts in tears and dies Give me leave to adde one g Made by Mr. George Herbert more untranslatable for its Elegancy and Expressivenesse Vlteriora timens cum morte paciscitur Orbis And thus we take our leave of the Memory of so Worthy a PRINCE never heard by any alive to swear an Oath for which Archbishop Abbot commended Him in his Funerall Sermon the PRINCE being wont to say That He knew no Game or Value to be won or lost that could be worth an Oath 23. One generation goeth and another generation cometh Feb. 14. The Marriage of the Palatine but the earth remaineth for ever the Stage stands the Actors alter Prince HENRY's Funerals are followed with the Prince PALATINE's Nuptials solemnized with great State in hopes of happiness to both Persons though sad in the event thereof and occasioning great revolutions in Christendome 24. Expect not of me an account of the Divorce of the Lady Fra Howard from the Earl of Essex 11. 1613. Essex his Divorce discussed and of her re-marriage to Robert Carre Earl of Somerset which Divorce divided the Bishops of the Land in their judgments Against it George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury John King Bishop of London Alledging the common same of Incontinency betwixt Her and the Earl of Somerset For it Thomas Bilson Bishop of Winchester Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Elie. Rich Neale BP of Coventry and Litchfield These proceeded secundùm allegata probata of the Earls inability quoad hanc and the Ladies untainted Virginity 25. Onely I will insert one passage A memorable Speech of Bishop King Bishop Overall discoursing with Bishop King about the Divorce the later expressed himself to this effect I should never have been so earnest against the Divorce Ann. Dom. 1613. Ann. Reg. Jac. 11 save that because perswaded in my conscience of falshood in some of the depositions of the Witnesses on the Ladies behalf This sure I am from her second Marriage is extracted as chaste and virtuous * Anne Countess of Bedford a Lady as any of the English Nation 29. Nicholas Wadham Wadham-Colledge sounded Esquire of Merryfield in the County of Somerset did by his last Will bequeath Four hundred pounds per annum and Six thousand pounds in money to the building of a Colledge in Oxford leaving the care and trust of the whole to Dorothy his Wife One of no lesse learned and liberall than Noble extraction A Sister to John Lord Peters and Daughter to Sir William Peters Secretary to four Kings and a worthy Benefactour to All-Souls Colledge In her life-time she added almost double to what her Husband bequeathed whereby at this day it is become one of the most Uniform buildings in England as no additionall result at severall times of sundry fancies and Founders but the entire product all at once of the same Architect 30. This year the same was finished Where formerly a Monastery of Augustineâ—s built in a place where formerly stood a Monastery of the Augustine Friers who were so eminent for their abilities in disputing that the University did by a particular Statute impose it as an Exercise upon all those that were to proceed Masters of Art that they should first be disputed upon by the Augustine Fryers which old Statute is still in force produced at this day for an Equivalent exercise yet styled Answering Augustines The Colledge hath from its beginning still retained something of its old Genius having been continually eminent for some that were acute Philosophers and good Disputants Wardens Bishops Benefactors Learned Writers Doctor Wright admitted 1613. Dr. Flemming admitted 1613. Dr. Smith 1616. Dr. Escott 1635. Dr. Pitt 1644. Dr. Joh. Wilkins 1648. Robert Wright Bishop of Bristoll then Coventrie and Lichfield Philip Bisse Doctor of Divinity Canon of Wells and Arch-deacon of Taunton gave 1849 Books for their Librarie valued at 1200 pounds Humphrey Sydenham a very eloquent Preacher So that very lately r viz. An. 1634. there were in this Colledge one Warden fifteen Fellows fifteen Scholars two Chaplains two Clerks besides Officers and Servants of the Foundation with many other Students the whole number 120. As for Dr. John Wilkins the present Warden thereof my worthily respected friend he hath courteously furnished me with my best intelligence from that University 31. A Parliament was called A Parliament suddenly called soon dissolved wherein many things were transacted nothing concluded In this Parlament Dr. Harsenet Bishop of Chichester gave offence in a Sermon preacht at Court pressing the word Reddite Caesari quae sunt Caesaris as if all that was leavied by Subsidies or paid by Custome to the Crown was but a redditum of what was the Kings before Likewise Doctor Neale Bishop of Rochester uttered words in the House of the Lords interpreted to the disparagement of some reputed Zealous Patriot in the House of Commons both these Bishops were questioned upon it and to save them from the storm this was the occasion chiefly as was supposed of the abrupt breaking up of the Parliament 32. Anthony Rudde The death of Bishop Rudde Bishop of S. Davids ended his life He was born in Yorkshire bred in Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge where he became Fellow A most excellent Preacher whose Sermons were very acceptable to Qu. ELIZABETH Hereon dependeth a memorable Story which because but defectively delivered by Sir John Harrington I request the Readers Patience and require his Belief to this large and true Relation thereof 33. Bishop Rudde preaching in his course before Queen ELIZABETH at White-hall Ann. Reg. Jac. 12 Ann. Dom. 1614. A remarkable 〈◊〉 Her Majesty was highly affected with his Sermon in so
had in a manner been fast'ned to their chairs and desks thought it a right due to themselves that when their work was ended they might begin their recreation Wherefore they viewed the most eminent Cities in the Low-Countreys and at all places were bountifully received Leiden only excepted Wonder not that they who had most learning should shew least civility especially having Professours of Humanity amongst them seeing generally the great ones of that University at this time being Remonstrants were disaffected to the decisions of this Syond This gave occasion to that passage in the speech of Sir Dudlie Carleton the English Ambassadour when in the name of his Master he tendred the States publick thanks for their great respects to the English Divines using words to this effect That they had been entertained at Amsterdam welcome at the Hague cheerfully received at Roterdam kindly embraced at Utreich c. and that they had seen Leiden 3. But Their Letter to K. James how high an esteem the STATES-GENERAL had of these our English-mens serivce will best appear by Their Letter which They sent to King JAMES as followeth Serenissime REX Qvemadmodum hoc unicè propositum Nobis fuit ut quae in Civitatibus Provinciisque nostris ante annos aliquot exortae erant infelices de Religione contentions eruditorum ac piorum hominum judicio legitimè tolli ac componi possent ut conscientiis eorum quibus Nos praeesse Deus Immortalis voluit ipsique pariter Reipublicae suâ in Religione ac pietate simul ratio constaret tranquillitas ita nos benïgnè is respexit cui hactenus curae fuimus Qui Conventui nostro Nationali quem ex omnibus idem sentientibus Ecclesiis convocavimus ita benedixit ut re tantâ ad felicem atque optatum exitum perductâ domum ad suos se conferant Quibus benedictionem Domini studium nostrum in promovendo pietatis negotio consensum planè cum aliis Ecclesiis unanimem indicabunt Inter quos cum praecipui consilio loco fuerint Magnae Britanniae Theologi quos pro singulari divino in Nos Ecclesias nostras affectu ad Nos mittere dignata est Majestas Tua curae Nobis fuit ut quantopere hujus beneficii magnitudinem aestimemus ex nobis intelligeret Majestas Tua Est verò illud Rex Serenissime etiamsi cum reliquis quae infinita sunt conferatur tantò majus quantò uberiores sunt fructus quos ex Dei causa expectamus quantòque id Majestatis Tuae nomini est convenientius Qui cùm nullâ re externâ atque humanâ quae potissimùm aliis Principibus conciliant dignitatem quoquam Rege sit inferior Fidei Defensionem tanquam Dei Ecclesiaeque Patronus in his terris sibi meritò assumit Neque dubitare possumus quin Majestatis Tuae Regna tot tanta reliquaeque quae in hoc nego io Nobis operam navârunt Ecclesiae magnam utilitatem ex hoc instituto nostro percepturae sint quae exemplo nostro discent quanto periculo conjunctum sit quae bene in Religione constituta sunt temerè movere quùm sint felices atque fortunatae quamdiu simili remedio opus non habebunt cui hactenus abundè Majestatis Tuae curâ atque vigilantiâ prospectum fuit In Theologis porrò utriusque Regni Vestri omnibus singulis quorum agmen ducit verè Reverendissimus Dominus Georgius Landavensis Episcopus imago atque expressa virtutis effigies eam eruditionem pietatem pacis studium eumque zelum deprehendimus ut cum ipsius beneficii causâ Majestati Tue multum debamus magna pars ipsius beneficîi Nobis videatur quod ipsi ad Nos missi fint Deus immortalis Majestati Tuae Rex Serenisime ita benedicat ut illius benedictionis partem Orbis Christianus ex diuturniate Regni Tui Ecclesiae defensione diu percipat 4. With these Testimonial Letters over they came into England The British Divines return into England and first presented themselves to King JAMES Who seeing them out of a window when first entring the Court Here comes said He my good Mourners alluding to their black habit and late death of Queen ANNE Then after courteous entertaining of them He favourably dismissed them and afterward on three of them q Removing Carleton to Chcbester prefering Davenant to Salisbury and bestowing the Mastership of the Savoy on Balcanquall bestowed preferment So returned they all to their severall professions Bishop Carleton to the carefull governing of his Diocesse Doctor Davenant besides his Collegiate Cure to his constant Lectures in the Schools Dr. Ward to his discret ordering of his own Colledge Dr. Goad to his diligent discharging of Domestical duties in the family of his Lord and Patton and Mr. Balcanquall to his Fellowship in Pembroke-Hall 5. Since it hath been the successe of this Synod This Synod diversly censured Iohn 7.12 to have the decisions thereof to be approved applauded magnified by some vilified contemned condemned by others If men were divinded in their censures about Christ some saying He is a good man others way but he deceiveth the people no wonder if ever since all Conventions of Christians be subject to variety of mens verdicts upon them Of such as dislike the Synod none falls heavier upon it than a London ſ M. Iohn Goodwin in his Redemption Redeem'd cap. 15. parag 24. pag. 395. Divine charging the Synodians to have taken a previous Oath to condemn the opposite party on what termes soever But take him in his own words Farre be it from me to subscribe the report or information of those who charge the respective Members of this Synod with suffering themselves to be bound with an Oath at or before their admission thereunto to vote down the Remonstrants and their Doctrines howsoever Yet when Iread and consider 1. How learnedly solidly and substantially they quit themselves and argue whilst they goe along with the Remonstrants and declare wherein they agree with them in the points controverted betwixt them 2. How feebly and unlike themselves they reason when they come to the quick of the difference 3. and lastly How neer at very many turns even in those things wherein they pretend to differ they come unto them as if they had a very good minde to be no more two but one with them when I say I consider all these things methinks I see the intrest and obligation of an oath working much after the same manner as sometimes it did in Herod when for his oath sake contrary to his minde and desire otherwise he caused John the Baptist ' s head to be given to Herodias in a t Mat. 14.9 platter See here how this Suggester though at the first he takes water and washeth his hands with a Farre be it from me to subscribe the report c. yet afterwards he crucifies the credit of a whole Synod and makes them all
bowed all waies was adjudged unfit to make a beam or raster either in Popish or Protestant Church And now what would not make timber to build must make fewel to burn to which end he came at last But for some years he lived at Rome on a pension which Pope Gregory assigned him out of his own revenues untill there arose a new Pope who never knew Spalato with the least knowledge of approbation viz Urban the eighth brought in by the antifaction of the French He finding his revenue charged with a pension paid to his adversary thrift is a floure even in the Triple Crown prohibits the future issuing out of the same His pension being stopped Spalato's mouth is open and passionately discourseth reputed heresie in severall companies 16. There was residing at Rome Cardinal Clesel's neglected friendship destructive to Spalato one Cardinal Clesel an High Germane betwixt whom and Spalato formerly great familiarity whilst Clesel was the Pope's Legate de Latere with the Emperour at Vienna where Spalato negotiated business for the State of Venice This Cardinal expected Spalato's applications unto him after he was returned to Rome which he refused being belike too high in the instep or rather too stiffe in the knees to bow to beg a kindnesse Clesel perceiving his amity made contemptible resolved to make his enmity considerable yet dissembling friendship for the better opportunity of revenge he invites Spalato to supper and a train of discourse being laid at a liberal meal Spalato is as free in talking as in eating and le ts fall this expression that though divers had endevoured it no Catholick had as yet answered his Books De Republica Ecclesiastica but adding moreover That he himself was able to answer them Presently his person is clapt into prison his study seised on wherein many papers were found speaking heresie enough his Adversaries being admitted sole Interpreters thereof 17. As for his death Spâ—lato's body burnt after his death some moneths after some say he was stifled others strangled others stabb'd others starv'd others poyson'd others smothered to death but my intelligence from his own Kinred at Venice informs me that he died a natural death adding moreover non sine praeveniente gratiâ not without God's preventing grace for had his life been longer his death had been more miserable Yea they say the Pope sent four of his sworn Physicians to recognize his corps who on their oath deposed that no impression of violence was visible thereon However after his death his excommunicated corps were put to publick shame and solemnly proceeded against in the Inquisition for relapsing into heresie since his return to Rome His Kinred were summoned to appear for him if they pleased but durst not plead for a dead man for fear of infection of the like punishment on themselves Several Articles of heresie are charged upon him and he found convict thereof is condemned to have his body burnt by the publick Executioner in the field of Flora which was performed accordingly Such honour have all Apostates 18. We must not forget The word Puritane how first abused by Spalato that Spalato I am confident I am not mistaken therein was the first who professing himself a Protestant used the word PURITANE to signifie the defenders of matters doctrinal in the English Church Formerly the word was onely taken to denote such as dissented from the Hierarchie in Discipline and Church-Government which now was extended to brand such as were Anti-Arminians in their judgments As Spalato first abused the word in this sense so we could wish he had carried it away with him in his return to Rome Whereas now leaving the word behinde him in this extensive signification thereof it hath since by others been improved to asperse the most orthodox in doctrine and religious in conversation 19. He was of a comely personage His unpartial character tall stature gray beard grave countenance fair language fluent expression somewhat abdominous and corpulent in his body Of so imperious and domineering spirit that as if the Tenant were the Land Lord though a stranger he offered to controll the Archbishop of Canterbury in his own house An excellent Preacher every first Sunday in the moneth to the Italian Nation at Mercers-Chappel as his Sermon called Scopleos or the Rocks doth plentifully witnesse wherein he demonstrates That all the Errors of the Roman Church proceed from their pride and covetousness And under the Rose be it spoken if the great ship of Rome split it self on these Rocks Spalato his own pinnace made m 1 Tim. 1. 19. shipwrack of the faith on the same which were his bosome-sins In a word he had too much Wit and Learning to be a cordial Papist and too little Honesty and Religion to be a sincere Protestant 20. About the same time three other Italians made their escape into England Three other Italian juglers One Antonio as I take it a Capuchian who here married a Wife and was beneficed in Essex The other two Benedictines living the one with the Archbishop of Canterbury the other with the Archbishop of Yorke All these three were neither good dough not good bread but like Ephraim n Hos 7. 8. a cake not turned though they pretended to true conversion The first of these being kinne to Spinola the Low-Countrey-General was by him on what terms I know not trained over and reconciled to Rome The other two onely racking no thorough-paced Protestants watched their opportunity to run away Yet let not this breed in us a jealousie of all Italianâ— Converts seeing Vergerius Peter Martyr Emanuel Tremellius c. may reconcile us to a good opinion of them and to believe That God hath p Revel 3. 4. a few names even in Sardis where the Throne of the Beast is erected And indeed Italian Converts like Origen where they doe well none better where ill none worse 21. All mens mouthes were now fill'd with discourse of Prince CHARLES his match with Donna MARIA the Infanta of Spaine The Spanish Match the discourse general The Protestants grieved thereat fearing that this marriage would be the funeralls of their Religion and their jealousies so descanted thereon that they suspected if taking effect more water of Tiber than Thames would run under London-bridge The Churchâ—Catholicks grew insolent thereat and such who formerly had a Pope in their belly shewed him now in their tongues and faces avouching their Religion which they concealed before Yet at last this Match so probable brake off Heaven forbidding the Banes even at the third and last asking thereof 22. Count Gondomar was the active Instrument to advance this Match Gondomaâ— procures the inlargment of all Iesuâ—s who so carried himself in the twilight of jest-earnest that with his jests he pleased His MAJESTY of England and with his earnest he pleasured his Master of Spaine Having found out the length of King JAMES's foot he fitted Him with so easie a shooe which
soever under the degree of a Bishop or Dean at the least doe from henceforth presume to preach in any popular Auditory deep points of Predestination Election Reprobation or of the Universality Efficacy Resistibility or Irresistibility of GODS grace but leave those themes rather to be handled by the Learned men and that moderately and modestly by way of Use and Application rather than by way of Positive Doctrines being fitter for the Schools than for simple Auditories 4. That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever from henceforth shall presume in any Auditory within this Kingdome to declare limit or bound out by way of Positive Doctrine in any Lecture or Sermon the Power Prerogative and Jurisdiction Authority or Duty of Sovereign Princes or otherwise meddle with matters of State and the differences between Princes and the People than as they are instructed and precedented in the Homilies of Obedience and the rest of the Homilies and Articles of Religion set forth as before is mentioned by publique Authority but rather confine themselves wholly to those two heads of faith and good life which are all the subjects of the antient Sermons and Homilies 5 That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever shall presume caussesly or without invitation from the Text to fall into bitter investives and undecent railing speeches against the persons of either Papists or Puri tans but modestly and gravely when they are occasioned thereunto by the Text of Scripture free both the Doctrine and the Discipline of the Church of England from the aspersions of either Adversaries especially where the Auditory is suspected to be tainted with the one or the other infection 6. Lastly that the Archbishops and Bishops of the Kingdome whom His Majestie hath good cause to blame for their former remisness be more wary and choice in their licensing of Preachers and revoke all Grants made to any Chancellour Official or Commissary to passe Licences in this kinde and that all the Lecturers throughout the Kingdome of England a new body severed from the antient Clergy as being neither Parsons Vicars nor Curates be licensed henceforward in the Court of Faculties but onely from a Recommendation of the party from the Bishop of the Diocese under his hand and seale with a Fiat from the L. Archbishop of Canterbury a Confirmation under the Great Seal of England And that such as doe transgresse any one of these Directions be suspended by the Bishop of the Diocesse or in his default by the Archbishop of the Province ab Officio Beneficio for a year and a day untill his Majestie by the advice of the next Convocation shall prescribe some farther punishment 5. No sooner were these the Kings Declarations dispersed into every Diocesse Various censures on the Kings Letters but various were mens opinions thereof Some counted it a cruell act which cut off half the preaching in England all afternoon-ermons at one blow Others thought the King did but Uti jure suo doing not onely what in justice He might but what in prudence He ought in this juncture of time But hear what I have heard and read in this case Objections Answers 1. Christ grants Ministers their Commission Go teach all Nations S. Paul corroborates the same Preach the word be instant in season out of season Man therefore ought not to forbid what God enjoyns 2. This is the way to starve soules by confining them to one meale a day or at the best by giving them onely a messe of milk for their supper and so to bed 3. Such as are licensed to make Sermons may be intrusted to choose their own Texts and not in the Afternoons to be restrained to the Lords Prayer Creed and ten Commandements 4. In prohibiting the preaching of Predestination man makes that the forbidden fruit which God appointed for the tree of life so cordial the comforts contained therein to a distressed conscience 5. Bishops and Deans forsooth and none under their dignity may preach of Predestination What is this but to have the word of God in respect of persons As if all discretion were confined to Cathedral men and they best able to preach who use it the least 6. Papists and Puritans in the Kings Letters are put into the same ballance and Papists in the prime scale first named as preferred in the Kings care chiefly to secure them from Invectives in Sermons 7. Lecturers are made such riddles in the Kings Letters reduceable to no Ministerial function in England Whereas indeed the flower of piety and power of godlinesse flourished most in those places where such Preachers are most countenanced 1. Ministers if commanded not at all to speak or teach in the name of Jesus are with the Apostles to obey God rather than man But vast the difference betwixt a total prohibition and as in this case a prudential regulation of preaching 2. Milk catechetical Doctrine is best for babes which generally make up more than a moyety of every Congregation 3. Such restraint hath liberty enough seeing all things are clearly contained in or justly reducible to these three which are to be desired believed and performed 4. Indeed Predestination solidly and soberly handled is an antidote against despair But as many ignorant Preachers ordered it the cordial was turned into a poyson and therefore such mysteries might well be forborn by mean Ministers in popular Congregations 5. It must be presumed that such of necessity must be of age and experience and may in civility be believed of more than ordinary learning before they attained such preferment Besides Cathedrall Auditories being of a middle nature for understanding as beneath the University so above common City and Country Congregations are fitter for such high points to be preached therein 6. The Kings Letter looks on both under the notion of guilty persons Had Puritans been placed first such as now take exception at their post-posing would have collected that the King esteemed them the greatest offenders 7. Lectures are no creatures of the Church of England by their original like those mixed kinds little better than monsters in nature to which God as here the State never said multiply and encrease and therefore the King had just cause to behold them with jealous eyes who generally supplanted the Incumbents of Livings in the affections of their Parishioners and gave the greatest growth to Non-conformity These Instructions from His Majestie were not pressed with equall rigour in all places seeing some over-active Officials more busie than their Bishops tied up Preachers in the Afternoon to the very letter of the Catechisme questioning them if exceeding the questions and answers therein as allowing them no liberty to dilate and enlarge themselves thereupon 6. Expect not of me a particular account of the politick intricacies touching the Spanish Match A needlesse subject waved or no Match rather First because Spanish and so alien from my subject Secondly because the passages thereof are so largely and publickly in print
Toleration But that motion was crusht by the Bishops opposing it and chiefly by Bishop Dounhams sermon in Dublin on this Text Luke 1. 74. That we being delivered from the hands of our Enemies might serve him without fear 57. Many a man Hopes to spring in England sunk in his Estate in England hath happily recovered it by removing into Ireland whereas by a contrary motion this project bankrupt in Ireland presumed to make it self up in England Where the Papists promised to maintain a proportion of Ships on the aforesaid condition of free exercise of their Religion Anno Regis Car. 1. Anno Dom. Some were desirous the King should accept their tender who might lawfully take what they were so forward to give seeing no injury is done to them who are willing 58. It was urged on the other side But is rejected that where such willingness to be injured proceeds from the Principle of an erroneous conscience there their simplicity ought to be informed not abused Grant Papists so weak as to buy Protestants should be more honest than to sell such base wares unto them Such Ships must needs spring many leaks rig'd victualed and manned withil-gotten money gained by the sale of Souls And here all the objections were revived which in the reign of King James were improved against such a Toleration 59. Here Sir John Savil interposed Sir John Savil his motion that if the King were pleased but to call on the Recusants to pay thirds legally due to the Crown it would prove a way more effectual and less offensive to raise a mass of Money it being but just who were so rich and free to purchase new Priviledges should first pay their old Penalties This motion was listned unto and Sir John with some others appointed for that purpose in the Counties beyond Trent scarce a third of England in ground but almost the half thereof for the growth of Recusants therein But whether the Returns seasonably furnished the Kings occasions is to me unknown 60. It is suspicious that all such Projects to quench the thirst of the Kings necessities proved no better then sucking-bottles 4 1628 A Parliament cal'd which proves full of troubles soon emptied but cold the liquor they afforded Nothing so naturall as the milk of the breast I mean Subsidies granted by Parliament which the King at this time assembled But alas to follow the Metaphor both the breasts the two Houses were so sore with several grievances that all money came from them with much pain and difficulty the rather because they complained of Doctrines destructive to their propriety lately preached at Court 61. For towards the end of this Session of Parliament Dr. Manwaring was severely censured for two Sermons he had preached and printed about the power of the Kings Prerogative Mr. Pimm's Speech against Dr. Manwaring Such is the precipice of this matter wherein each casual slip of my Pen may prove a deadly fall that I had rather the Reader should take all from Mr. Pimm's mouth than from my hand who thus uttered himself Master a Transcribed out of his Manuscript Speech Speaker June 9 I am to deliver from the Sub-Committee a Charge against Mr. Manwaring a Preacher and Doctor of Divinity but a man so criminous that he hath turned his titles into accusations for the better they are the worse is he that hath dishonoured them Here is a great Charge that lies upon him it is great in it self and great because it hath many great Charges in it Serpens qui Serpentem devorat fit Draco his Charge having digested many Charges into it is become a Monster of Charges The main and great one is this A plot and policie to alter and subvert the frame and fabrick of this State and Commonwealth This is the great one and it hath others in it that gains it more greatness For to this end he labours to infuse into the conscience of his Majesty the perswasion of a power not bounding it self with Laws which King James of famous memorie calls in his Speech in Parliament 1619 Tyrannie yea Tyrannie accompanied with Perjurie 2. Secondly He endeavours to perswade the consciences of the Subjects that they are bound to obey illegal commands yea he damns them for not obeying them 3. Thirdly He robs the Subjects of the propertie of their goods 4. Fourthly He brands them that will not lose this propertie with most scandalous and odious titles to make them hatefull both to Prince and People so to set a division between the Head and Members Anno Dom. 1628 Anno Regis Caroli 4 and between the Members themselves 5. Fifthly To the same end not much unlike to Faux and his fellows he seeks to blow up Parliaments and Parliamentarie Power These five being duly viewed will appear to be so many Charges and withall they make up the main and great Charge A mischievous Plot to alter and subvert the frame and Government of this State and Commonwealth And now that you may be sure that Mr. Manwaring though he leave us no propriety in our Goods yet he hath an absolute propriety in his Charge Audite ipsam belluam heare Mr. Manwaring by his own words making up his own Charge Here he produced the Book particularly insisting on pag. 19. 29. and 30. in the first Sermon pag. 35. 46. and 48 in the second Sermon All which passages he heightned with much eloquence and acrimonie thus concluding his Speech I have shewed you an evill Tree that bringeth forth evill Fruit and now it rests with you to determine whether the following sentence shall follow Cut it down and cast it into the fire 62. Four daies after the Parliament proceeded to his censure The severe censure on the Doctor June 13 consisting of eight particulars it being ordered by the House of Lords against him as followeth 1. To be imprisoned during the pleasure of the House 2. To be fined a thousand pounds 3. To make his submission at the Bar in this House and in the House of Commons at the Bar there in verbis conceptis by a Committee of this House 4. To be suspended from his Ministerial function three yeers and in the mean time a sufficient preaching man to be provided out of the profits of his living and this to be left to be performed by the Ecclesiastical Court 5. To be disabled for ever hereafter from preaching at Court 6. To be for ever disabled of having any Ecclesiastical Dignity in the Church of England 7. To be uncapable of any secular Office or preferment 8. That his Books are worthy to be burned and his Majesty to be moved that it may be so in London and both the Universities But much of this censure was remitted in consideration of the performance of his humble submission at both the Bars in Parliament 63. Where he appeared on the three and twentieth of June following His humble submission
mutually censure each other yet many complained that this ceremony though left indifferent as hereafter to salvation was made necessary as here to preferment Yea this knee-mark of bowing or not bowing would be made the distinguishing character that hereafter all such should be condemned as halting in conformity who were not through paced in these addition all ceremonies 25. Many took exception at the hollownesse of the Oath in the middle thereof Second exception having its bowells puffed up with a windie c. a cheverel word which might be stretched as men would measure it Others pleaded for it as only inserted to save the enumeration of many mean Officers in the Church whose mention was beneath the dignity of an Oath and would but clog the same Yea since some have endeavoured to excuse the same by the interpretative c. incorporated into the body of the Covenant whereby people are bound to defend the priviledges of Parliament though what they be is unknown to most that take the same 26. But most took exception against that clause in the Oath Third and greatest exception we will never give any consent to alter this Church-government as if the same were intended to abridge the liberty of King and State in future Parliaments and Convocations if hereafter they saw cause to change any thing therein And this obligation seemed the more unreasonable because some of those Orders specified in the Oath as Archbishops Deans Archdeacons stand only established jure humano sive Ecclesiastico and no wise man ever denied but that by the same power and authority they are alterable on just occasion 27. Yet there wanted not others Endeavoured to be excused who with a favourable sense endâ—avoured to qualify this suspicious clause whereby the taker of this Oath was tied up from consenting to any alteration These argued that if the Authority Civil or Ecclesiasticall did not herein impose an Oath binding those that took it hereafter to disobey themselves and reject such orders which the foresaid Civil or Ecclesiastical power might afterwards lawfully enact or establish For seeing in all oaths this is an undoubted Maxime Quacunque forma verborum juratur Deus sic juramentum accipit sicut ille cui juratur intelligit none can probably suppose that the governors in this oath intended any clause thereof to be an abridgment of their own lawfull power or to debar their inferiours from consenting and submitting to such alterations as by themselves should lawfully be made Wherefore these words We will never give any consent to alter are intended here to be meant only of a voluntary and pragmaticall alteration when men conspire consent labour and endeavour to change the present government of the Church in such particulars as they doe dislike without the consent of their superiours 28. But the exception of exceptions against these Canons The â—ver activity of some Bishops is because they were generally condemned as illegally passed to the prejudice of the fundamentall liberty of the Subject whereof we shall hear enough in the next Parliament Mean time some Bâ—shops were very forward in pressing this Oath even before the time thereof For whereas a liberty was allowed to all to deliberate thereon untill the feast of Michael the Archangel some presently pressed the Ministers of their Diocesses for the taking thereof and to my knowledge enjoyned them to take this oath kneeling A ceremony to my best remembrance never exacted or observed in taking the Oath of Supremacy or Allegiance which some accounted an essay of their activity if providence had not prevented them 29. Many impressions of English-Bibles The importation of false printed Bibles printed at Amsterdam and moe at Edinburgh in Scotland were daily brought over hither and sold here Little their volumes and low their prices as beeing of bad paper worse print little Margent yet greater then the care of the Corrector many most abominable errata being passed therein Take one instance for all Jer. 4. 17. speaking of the whole â—nstead of because she hath been rebellious against mee saith the Lord. Common-wealth of Judah it is printed Edinburgh 1637. because she hath been religious against mee saith the Lord. Many complaints were made especially by the company of Stationers against these false printed Bibles as giving great advantage to the Papists but nothing was therein effected For in this juncture of time came in the Scotish Army and invaded the Northern parts of England What secret solicitations invited them hither is not my work to enquire Many beheld them as the only Physitians of the distempered State and believed that they gave not their Patient a visit on pure charity but having either received or being well promised their fee before 30. Soon after began the long lasting Parliament Parliament and Convocation bâ—gin so known to all posterity for the remarkable transactions therein The King went to the House privately by water many commending his thrift in sparing expences when two Armies in the bowels of the Land expected their pay from his purse Others distinguishing betwixt needlesse Pomp and necessary State suspected this might be misinterpreted as if the Scotch had frighted him out of that Ceremony of Majesty and some feared such an omission presaged that Parliament would end with sadnesse to him which began without any solemnity Abreast therewith began a Convocation though unable long to keep pace together the latter soon tyreing as never inspirited by commission from the King to meddle with any matters of Religion Mr. Warmistre a Clark for Worcester made a motion therein that they should endeavour according to the Leviticall Law to cover the pit which they had opened and to prevent their adversaries intention by condemning such offensive Canons as were made in the last Convocation But it found no acceptance they being loath to confesse themselves guilty before they were accused 31. This day hapned the first fruits of Anabaptisticall insolence The insolence of Anabaptists 1640-41 Jan. 18. when 80 of that Sect meeting at a house in St. Saviours in Southwark preached that the Statute in the 35. of Eliz. for the administration of the Common-Prayer was no good Law because made by Bishops That the King cannot make a good Law because not perfectly regenerate That he was only to be obeyed in Civill matters Being brought before the Lords they confessed the articles but no penalty was inflicted upon them 32. About this time Mr. Prinn The 3 Exiles brought home in Triumph Dr. Bastwick and Mr. Burton were brought out of durance and exile with great Triumph into London it not sâ—fficing their friends to welcome them peaceably but victoriously with bayes and rosemary in their hands and hats Wise men conceived that their private returning to the Town had signifyed as much gratitude to God and lesse affront to authority But some wildnesse of the looks must be pardoned in such who came suddenly into the light out of long darknesse
degrees whereby the Bishops declined in Parliament some whereof we will recount that posterity may perceive by what degrees they did lessen in the House before they lost their Votes therein First whereas it was customary that in all Commissions such a number of Bishops should be joyned with the temporall Lords of late their due proportions were not observed The Clark of the Parliament applying himselfe to the prevalent party in the reading of Bills turned his back to the Bishops who could not and it seems he intended they should not distinctly hear any thing as if their consent or dissent were little concerned therein When a Bill passed for exchange of Lands betwixt the Bishop of London and Sir Nicolas Crispe the temporall Lords were offended that the Bishop was styled Right Honourable therein which at last was expung'd and he intitled one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell the honour being fixed upon his State imployment not Episcopall function On a solemn Fast in their going to Church the temporall Lords first took precedency of the Bishops who quietly submitted themselves to come behind on the same token that a The young Lord Spencer afterwards E. of Sunderland one of the Lay-Lords said Is this a day Humiliation wherein we shew so much pride in taking place of those to whom our ancestors ever allow'd it But the main matter was that the Bishops were denied all medling even in the Commission of preparatory examinations concerning the Earl of Strafford as causa sanguinis and they as men of mercy not to deal in the condemnation of any person The Bishops pleaded though it was not proper for them to condemn the guilty yet they might acquit the innocent and such an one as yet that Earl was charitably presumed to be untill legally convicted to be otherwise They alledged also in their own behalf that a Commission was granted in the reign of Queen Elizabeth to certain Privy-Counsellors for the examination of the Queen of Scots Anno Dom. 1640 even to her condemnation if just cause appear'd b Camdens Eliz in An. 15â—6 and John Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury first named therein All would not prevaile the Bishops being forbidden any interposing in that matter 11. It must not be forgotten Bishops refus willingly to resigne their Votes how about this time the Lord Kimbolton made a motion to perswade the Bishops willingly to depart with their Votes in Parliament adding that if the same would surrender their suffrages the temporall Lords who remained in the House were obliged in honour to be more tender of and carefull for the Bishops preservation in their Jurisdictions and Revenues An instrument was imployed by the Earl of Essex or else he imployed himself conceiving the service acceptable who dealt privately with severall Bishops to secure themselves by prevention to surrender that which would be taken away from them But the Bishops persisted in the negative refusing by any voluntary act to be accessarie to their own injury resolving to keep possession of their Votes till a prevalent power outed them thereof 12. Now no day passed Multitudes of petitions against Bishops wherein some petition was not presented to the Lords or Commons from severall persons against the Bishops as grand grievancers causing the generall decay of trade obstructing the proceedings in Parliament and what not In so much that the very Porters as they said were able no longer to undergoe the burden of Episcopall tyranny and petitioned against it But hitherto these were but blunt petitions the last was a sharp one with point and edg brought up for the same purpose by the armed Apprentices 13. Now A land-tide of Apprentices flow to Westminster seeing mens judgments are at such a distance about the nature of this their practice some terming it a tumult Anno Dom. 1441. mutiny riot others calling it courage zeal and industry some admiring them as acted with a publique spirit above their age and education others condemning them much their countenancers more their secret abetters and contrivers most of all I say when men are thus divided in point of judgement it will be safest for us to confine our selves meerly to matter of fact Wherein also we meet with much diversity of relation though surely what a c John Vicars in his God in the Mount or Parliamentarie Chronicle lib. 1. pag. 58. Parliatary Chronicler writes thereof must be believed Now Decem. 26. see how it pleased the Lord it should come to passe some of the Apprentices and Citizens were again affronted about Westminster-Abbey and a great noise and hubbub fell out thereabouts Others some of them watched as it seems by the sequell the Bishops coming to the Parliament who considering the disquiet and great noise by land all about Westminster durst not come to Parliament that way for fear of the Apprentices and therefore intended to have come to Parliament by water in Barges But the Apprentices watched them that way also and as they thought to come to land they were so pelted with stones and frighted at the sight of such a company of them that they durst not land but were rowed back and went away to their places Thus the Bishops were fain to shelter themselves from the showre of stones ready to fall upon them and with great difficulty made their escape Who otherwise on St. Stephans day had gone St. Stephans way to their graves 14. As for the hubbub at Westminster Abbey lately mentioned The manner of the tumult at Westminster Abby and White-Hall belongs to the pens of State Historians eye-witnesses have thus informed me of the manner thereof Of thoses Apprences who coming up to the Parliament cryed No Bishops no Bishops some rudely rushing into the Abby Church were reproved by a Virger for their irreverent behaviour therein Afterwards quitting the Church the doors thereof by command from the Dean were shut up to secure the Organs and Monuments therein against the return of Apprentices For though others could not foretell the intentions of such a tumult who could not certainly tell their own yet the suspicion was probable by what was uttered amongst them The multitude presently assault the Church under pretence that some of their party were detained therein and force a pane out of the North door but are beaten back by the officers Scholars of the Colledge Here an unhappy tile was cast by an unknown hand from the leads or battlements of the Church which so bruised Sir Richard Wiseman conductor of the Apprentices that he died thereof and so ended that dayes distemper 15. To return to the Bishops Why no more then 12 of the Bishops present at the Protest the next day twelve of them repaired to Jerusalem-Chamber in the Deans lodgings and if any demand where were the rest of them to make up twenty six take this account of their absence 13 Dr. Laud Archbishop of Cant. was in the Tower 14 Dr. Juxon Bishop
other body and doe nothing beneficiall thereunto cannot fall under a milder term The Common-wealth subsists by Lawes and their execution and they that have neither head in the making nor hand in the executing of them confer not any thing to the being or well being thereof And can such be called members unless most unprofitable ones only fruges consumere nati Me thinks it springs from nature it self 3. or the very depths of justice that none should be tyed by other lawes then himself makes for what more naturall and just then to be bound only by his own consent to be ruled by anothers will is meerly tyrannicall Nature there suffers violence and man degenerates into beast The most flourishing Estates were ever governed by Lawes of an universall constitution witnesse this our Kingdome witnesse Senatus Populusque Romanus the most glorious Common-wealth that ever was and those many others in Greece and elsewhere of eternall memory Some things 4. my Lords are so evident in themselves that they are difficult in their proofs Amongst them I reckon this conveniency I have spoken of I will therefore use but a word or two more in this way The long experience that all Christendome hath had hereof for these 1300. yeers is certainly argumentum ad hominem Nay my Lords I will goe further for the same reason runs through all Religions never was there any Nation that imployed not their religious men in the greatest affairs Anno Regis Caroli 16 But to come to the businesse that now lyes before your Lordships Bishops have voted here ever since Parliaments began and long before were imployed in the publique The good they have done your Lordships all well know and at this day enjoy for this I hope ye will not put them out nor for the evill they may doe which yet your Lordships doe not know and I am confident never shall suffer A position ought not to be destroyed by a supposition à posse ad esse non valet consequentia My Lords I have done with proving of this positively I shall now by your good favours doe it negatively in answering some inconveniences that may seem to arise For the Text Object 1. No man that wars intangles himself with the affairs of this life which is the full sense of the word both in Greek and Latine it makes not at all against them except to intermeddle and intangle be terms equivalent Besides my Lords though this was directed to a Church-man yet it is of a generall nature and reaches to all Clergy and Laity as the most learned and best expositors unanimously doe agree To end this Argumentum symbolicum non est argumentativum It may be said that it is inconsistent with a spirituall vocation Object 2. Truly my Lord Grace and Nature are in some respects incompatible but in some others most harmoniously agree it perfects nature and raises it to a height above the common altitude and makes it most fit for those great works of God himself to make lawes to doe Justice There is then no inconsistency between themselves it must arise out of Scripture I am confident it doth not formally out of any place there nor did I ever meet with any learned writer of these or other times that so expounded any Text. But though in strict terms this be not inconsistent Object 3. yet it may peradventure hinder the duty of their other calling My Lords there is not any that sits here more for preaching then I am I know it is the ordinary means to salvation yet I likewise know there is not that full necessity of it as was in the primitive times God defend that 1600 yeers acquaintance should make the Gospell of Christ no better known unto us Neither my Lords doth their office meerly and wholly consist in preaching but partly in that partly in praying and administring the blessed Sacraments in a godly and exemplary life in wholsome admonitions in exhortations to vertue dehortations from vice and partly in easing the burthened conscience These my Lords compleat the office of a Churchman Nor are they altogether tyed to time or place though I confesse they are most properly exercised within their own verge except upon good occasion nor then the omission of some can be termed the breach of them all I must add one more an essentiall one the very form of Episcopacy that distinguisheth it from the inferiour Ministery the orderly and good government of the Church and how many of these I am sure not the last my Lords is interrupted by their sitting here once in 3 yeers and then peradventure but a very short time and can there be a greater occasion than the common good of the Church and State I will tell your Lordships what the great and good Emperour Constantine did in his expedition against the Persians he had his Bishops with him whom he consulted about his military affairs as Eusebius has it in his life lib. 4. c. 56. Reward and punishment are the great negotiators in all worldly businesses Object 4. these may be said to make the Bishops swim against the stream of their consciences And may not the same be said of the Laity Have these no operations but only upon them Has the King neither frown honour nor offices but only for Bishops Is there nothing that answers their translations Indeed my Lords I must needs say that in charity it is a supposition not to be supposed no nor in reason that they will goe against the light of their understanding The holinesse of their calling their knowledge their freedome from passions and affections to which youth is very obnoxious their vicinity to the gates of death which though not shut to any yet alwayes stand wide open to old age these my Lords will surely make them steer aright But of matter of fact there is no disputation Object 5. some of them have done ill Crimine ab uno disce omnes is a poeticall not a logicall argument Some of the Judges have done so some of the Magistrates and Officers and shall there be therefore neither Judge Magistrate nor Officer more A personall crime goes not beyond the person that commits it nor can anothers fault be mine offence If they have contracted any filth or corruption through their own or the vice of the times cleanse and purge them throughly But still remember the great difference between reformation and extirpation And be pleased to think of your Trienniall Bill which will save you this labour for the time to come fear of punishment will keep them in order if they should not themselves through the love of vertue I have now my Lords according to my poor ability both shewed the conveniences and answered those inconveniences that seem to make against them I should now propose those that make for them As their falling into a condition worse then slaves not represented by any and then the dangers and inconveniences that
Bishop of Ely Baliol first founded and endowed 1262 the 46 of Hen. the 3. by John Baliol. Merton Col. first founded and endowed 1274 the 2 of Edward the 1 by Walter Merton Bishop of Rot. The unpartial result is this Peter house was founded before any but endowed by the same founder after two Colledges in Oxford Yet because in such doubtfull Casts it is good reason Cambridge should measure to her own most advantage we may safely say that Peter-house is the first Colledge endowed though not the first endowed Colledge in England and by consequence in Christendime 36. The Students of Peter-house performed their Divine service Three places for the Petreans Devotions since their first foundation in three severall places namely In 1. St. Peters Church adjoyning which fell down to the ground about the year 1350. 2. The Church of Beata Maria de Gratia commonly called little St. Maries whence the Colledge also is so called and written for some hundreds of yeares hardly recovering its own name 3. A beautifull new Chappell consecrated March the 17. anno 1632. A thousand pounds were spent in the building thereof and the Contributers names affixed in a Catalogue therein Hitherto we have had but a disultory and incertain succession of Chancellors but henceforward we may presume on more assurance herein Andrew de Gisleham 12 Chancellor 1283 A benefactor to the Universitie Thomas Shermingham 15 Chancellor 1286 He defended the rights of the Universitie against the Prior of Barnwell Stephanns de Hepworth 16 Chancellor 1287 Ralph de Lecester 17 Chancellor 1289 No good blood betwixt him and the Universitie about the distinction of seates Galfridus de Pakenham 18 Chancellor He first paved the Town 1290 towards the doing whereof King Edward granted him to take the toll of Cambridge for six years The Church of St. Maries was this year much defaced with fire 19 At what time the Jews 1291 whom I will not accuse as the causers thereof were forced to forsake the Towne where they had a great Synagogue Henry de Boyton 21 Chancellor 1293 He stoutly g Manuscrip M. W. defended the right of the University for thirty acres of ground and four Messuages in Cambridge which Roger de Beddingfield gave for ever to the Master and Scholars to defend their State and priviledges The King came this year to Cambridge Anno Dom. 1294 and lodged two days in the Castle Anno Regis Edw. 1. 22 It was ordered that the Chancellor should not imprison or banish any Regent without the consent of the Regent house nor should he omit the same if they so appointed it A contest betwixt the Chancellor and the other Doctors is compounded before the Officiall of the Bishop of Ely John de Bradenham 1295 Chancellor 23 Thomas de Sheringham 1296 Chancellor 24 Stephen de Hebworth 1299 Chancellor 27 Stephen de Haselfield 1300 Chancellor 28 The King granted by his Charter that Scholars might summon Towns men to appear before the Chancellor in any personall actions A braul began betwixt the University men on the one side 1303 the Dominicans and Franciscans on the other 31 This increased from words to violence and Stephen the Chancellor as a valiant Champion thundered his excommunications both generall and speciall whereby his Episcopall power plainly appeareth against the Friers yea two of the most active of them Nicholas de Dale and Adam de Hoddon seem to be expelled the University Hereupon the Friers appeale to the Pope of Rome and both parties appointed their Proctors to solicite their Suit For the University For the Dominicans For the Franciscans Stephen de Segrave Thomas Kyningham John de Westerpeld Peter de Ruda Richard Lisle John of Ipswich But taking wit in their way considering the costliness of that Court and the long journey thither they remitted the matter at Burdeaux to Thomas Cardinall of St. Sabine who accorded them on the following b Hare first volume fol. 29. and 30. conditions 1. That the Chancellor of Cambridge should retract his excommunications in the same place wherein they were denounced 2. That no act of the Regent-house should extend to derogate from the rights of the Friers 3. That though by the statutes of the University onely the Chancellor or some by him assigned were to preach on the first Advent Septuagesima and Ash-wednesday yet nevertheless the Friers might freely preach the same dayes and hours in their own Covenrs 4. That Frier Nicholas de Dale and Adam de Hoddon if pleased to reassume their places in the University should quietly be admitted and should have their remedy against such who had offered violence unto them as in such cases is usual against the disturbers of the peace 5. That whereas all Bachelors inceptors in Divinity are bound by the statutes to preach ad clerum in St. Maries the aforesaid Friers might preach such Sermons in their own Covents first acquainting the Chancellor with the day they chose for the same Some conceive this was a drawn Battel betwixt them whilest others apprehend that the Friers finding the most favor came off Conquerors as keeping the field and making good their ground in this contention Stephen de Segrave 1306 Chancellor 34 in whose absence Richard de Ashton was his substitute Edw. 2. Stephen de Haselfield 1307 Chancellor 1 Richard de Ashton 1315 Chancellor 9 John the 21. Pope of Rome at the request of King Edward the 2. granted the ensuing Bull to the University which the reader is requested seriously to peruse the sense whereof is the subject of some difference betwixt us and Oxford Joannes Episcopus servus servorum Dei dilectis filiis Universitatis Cantabrigiae Elâ—ensis Dioecesis salutem Anno Regis Edw. 2 Apostolican benedictionem Anno Dom Inter singula quae grat â nos oblectatione letificant grandi cor nostrum reficitur gaudio latitia exultat exoptata cum cos qui coelesti sunt providentiâ praediti ad populoruÌ„ regimen regnoruÌ„ ad coÌ„munem subjectorum suorum profectum intentos aspicimus ipsosque ad publice utilitatis bonum solicitos intuemur sane charissimus in Christo filius noster Edwardus Rex Angliae prudenter attendens quòd multitudo sapientum salue est regnorum quodque non minùs prudentum consilio quà m fortium strenuitate virorum regentium regnorum moderamina disponaniur apud Cantabrigiam Eliensis Dioecesis locum in regno suo multis commoditatibus praeditum insignem desiderat vigere studium generale quod à doctoribus docendis in posterum frequentetur humiliter postulavit à nobis ut studium ab olim ibi or dinatum privilegia à Romanis Pontificibus praedecessoribus nostris vel Regibus qui fuerint pro tempore eidem concessa Apostolico curemus munimine reborare Nos igitur suae
magnificence 36. But it was the banquet Where the Doctors of Cambridge wait on His Majesty which made the feast so compleat Hither came the Heads of the University of Cambridge in their scarlet Gowns and corner Caps where Mr. Rob Naunton the Orator made a learned Latin Oration wherewith His Majesty was highly affected The very variety of Latin was welcome to His ears formerly almost surfeited with so many long English Speeches made to Him as He passed every Corporation The Heads in generall requested a Confirmation of their Priviledges otherwise uncourtlike at this present to petition for particulars which His Highnesse most willingly granted Here one might have seen the King passing over all other Doctors for His Seniours apply Himselfe much in His discourse to Dr. Montague Master of Sidney Colledge This was much observed by the Courtiers who can see the Beams of Royall favour shining in at a small cranny interpreting it a token of his great and speedy preferment as indeed it came to passe 37. Within the compasse of this last year The death of Mr. Perkins but in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth died that worthy and painfull servant of Jesus Christ Mr. William Perkins whose life I have f in my Holy State formerly written and therefore forbear any repetition He was buried in his own Parish-Church of S. Andrews in Cambridge Only I will adde it sadded me lately to see that Church wherein this Saint was interred ready to fall to the ground Iacob said of Bethel the house of God g Gen 28. 17. How dreadful is this place I am sorry it may in a farre different sense be said of this S. Andrews filling such as approach to it with fear of the ruins thereof I say no more but as David was glad to go up into the house of the Lord all good men may be sorrowfull to behold Gods ruinous House comming down to them Iohn Cowell Vicecan 1603-4 Iohn Andrews Major 2. Richard Claton Vicecan 1604-5 John Edmonds Robert Wallis Major It was enacted in Parliament Recusants Presentations given to the Universities That the Chancellour Anno. Reg. Jac. 3. and Scholars of the University of Cambridge shall have the Presentation Ann. Dom. 1604-05 Nomination Collation and Donation of and to every such Benefice Prebend or Ecclesiaticall Living School Hospital and Donative as shall happen to be void during such time as the Patrone thereof shall be and remain a Recusant convict in the Counties Of Essex Hartford Bedford Cambridge Huntington Suffolke Norfolke Rutland Leiceister Lincolne Derbie Nottingham Shrop shire Chesshire Lancaster Yorke Bish of Duresme Northumberland Cumberland Westmorland Radnor Denbigh Flint Carnarvon Merianith Glamorgan Anglesey The other moyety of Counties was bestowed on Oxford In this division the greater half of the Land fell to the share of Cambridge whether we reckon the number of Shires being more or measure the extent of Ground being greater or consider the main matter herein that Recusant-Patrones were most numerous in the Northern parts of the Kingdome 38. However The Statute how frequently frustrated by Recusants I have heard it oft complained of That this Statute took not effect according to the true intent thereof either because many Bishops were very backward in giving Institutions on the Presentations of the University wherein we are willing to believe the fault not in them but their Officers Or because it is so hard a thing to prove or convict the legal conviction of a Papist Or Recusant-Patrons before their conviction had such sleights by pre-conveyances to make over their Advowsances to others Hence it was that many Clerks presented by the University were wearned ou◠with vexatious suits overpoised with the weight of Popish-Patrons purses and forced at last either totally to relinquish their title or to make an hard not to say sometimes an unworthy composition 39. About this time also it was Burgesses granted the Universities that the two Universities were honoured by the King to have their respective Burgesses to represent them in Parliament Samuel Harsnet Vicecan 4 Mil Raven Edward Sent Proct. 1605-06 John Edmonds Major Roger Goad Vicecan 5. Will Barton Sam Tindall Proct. 1606-07 William Arthur Major 40. Thomas Playfer The death and high Epitaph of Dr. Playfer D. D. Fellow of S. Johns Coll and Margaret Professour died this year and was buried in the Chancell of S. Buttolfs Church where this is part of his Epitaph Minister ille Triados enthei logii Oraculum patronus artium parens Sciarum concionum Rex sacrae Cathedrae Imperator fulmen tonitru scholae Suadae maritus ac gemellus Ingenî Ardor eorum exterae gentis stupor c. Should this Epiteph come under the hands of those Grecian Officers deputed to proportion mens Monuments to their merits it is suspitious they would make bold to pare part therof though indeed the Doctor was one of excellent parts and a great commander of the Latine Tongue Ann. Dom. 1606-07 Doctor John Davenant succeeded in the Professours place Ann. Reg. Jac. 5. Robert Soame Thomas Iegon Vicecan George Dearing Thomas Cecill Proct. 1606-08 Jeremy Chase Major 6. John Duport Vicecan 1608-09 Richard Bridges Anth Disborough Proct. 7. Thomas French Major Fogg Newton Vicecan 1609-10 Abraham Bidle Leonard Mawe Proct. 8. Thomas French Major Barnab Gouge Vicecan 1610-11 John Aungier Will Adison Proct. 9. Thomas French Major 41. About this time William Amese Fellow of Christs Colledge in Cambridge Master Amese troubled about his Sermon in S. Maryes on S. Thomas his day had to use his own * in a Letter I have of his to his friend expression the place of a Watch-man for an hour in the Towre of the University and took occasion to inveigh against the liberty taken at that time especially in such Colledges who had Lords of misrule a Pagan relique which he said as * Lib. 5. cap. 2. Polidore Virgil obserueth remaineth onely in England 42. Hence he proceeded to condemn all playing at Cards and Dice Against all playing at Cards and Dice affirming that the later in all Ages was accounted the device of the Devil that as God invented the one and twenty letters whereof he made the Bible the Devil saith an * Antonius Author found out the one and twenty pricks of the Die that Canon Law forbad the use thereof seeing * Langecruchius inspeculo Inventio Diaboli nullâ consuetudine potest validari 43. His Sermon gave much offence to many of his Auditors He leaveth the Colledge the rather because in him there was a concurrence of much non-conformity insomuch that to prevent an expulsion from Doctor Cary the Master he fairly forsook the Colledge which proved unto him neither losse nor disgrace being not long after by the States of Freezland chosen Professour in their University Valentine Cary Vicecan 1611-12
Thomas Miriall John Williams Proct. 10. Thomas Smart Major Clemens Corbet Vicecan 1612-13 Richard Tompson Stephen Paget Henry Bird Proct. 11. Edward Cropley Major Samuel Harsenett Vicecan 1613-14 Arthur Iohnson Richard Anguish Proct. 12. Iohn Wicksted Major Owen Gwin Vicecan 1614-15 Tho Kitchin Iohn Dod Proct. Thomas French Major 13. Iohn Hill Vicecan Ann. Reg. Jac. 15. Andrew Pern Thomas Smith Proct. Robert Lukin Major 44. Edward Sympson a very good scholar Fellow of Trinity Coll Mr. Sympson his Sermon and Recantation preached a Sermon before King Iames at Royston taking for his Text Iohn 3. 6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh Hence he endevoured to prove that the commission of any great sin doth extinguish grace and Gods Spirit for the time in the man He added also that S. Paul in the 7 th Chapter to the Romans spake not of himself as an Apostle and Regenerate but sub statu Legis Hereat His Majesty took and publickly expressed great distaste because Arminius had lately been blamed for extracting the like exposition out of the works of Faustus Socinus Whereupon He sent to the two Professours in Cambridge for their judgment herein who proved and subscribed the place ad Romanos 7 mo to be understood of a Regenerate man according to S. Augustine his later opinion in his Retractations and the Preacher was injoyned a publick Recantation before the King which accordingly was performed Nor doth such a Palinodie sound any thing to his disgrace having S. Augustine himself for his precedent modestly retracting what formerly he had erroneously written therein John Richardson Vicecan 16. John Browne George Ramsey Proct. 1617-18 Henry King Major Will Branthwait John Goslin Vicecan 17. Iohn Smithson Alex 1618-19 Read Proct. Sir Edw Hinde Knight Major 45. The neighbouring Gentry of Cambridge The first and last Knight Major of Cambridge being very pleasant at a merry-meeting resolved in a frolick to be made Free-men and so successively to take their turns in being Major thereof The Towns men promised themselves great matters hereby betwixt whom and the University some petty animosities at present when persons of such state and quality should Head their Corporation Sir Edward Hinde of Madingley Knight lead the dance and kept His Majestie in Cambridge expecting others in order to follow him who considering the expensivenesse of the place with some others no lesse politick than thrifty considerations receded from the resolution and let the good Knight alone to possesse that honour by himself Towns-men as formerly succeeded him therein SECT VIII Anno Dom. THOMAE PLAYER Armigero Anno Regis Jacob. Camerarii LONDINENSIS primogenito TAndem aliquando DEO Duce post varios anfractus vias in vias ad Historiae finem perventum est Nec diffiteor me non fessum modò sed lassum cùm mihi ita deficiant vires ut nunc cùm pes sit figendus vix possim me continere ne pronus corruam Opus mihi igitur jam concludenti PATRONO non forti minùs qui possit quà m miti qui velit me nutantem sustentare vel fortè labascentem erigere Hîc Tu mihi Occurris exoptatissimus qui tam mentis quà m corporis dotibus es spectabilis Spero igitur Finem Opus meum certus scio Nomen Tuum finem Operis Coronaturum HEre we have omitted to confesse and amend a fault Henry Howard Chancellour of Cambridge is pardonable how after the decease of Robert Cecil Earle of Salisbury one no lesse willing than able on all occasions to befriend the University dying Anno 1612. Henry Howard Earl of Northhampton was chosen Chancellour of Cambridge He was Son to Henry Earle of Surrey beheaded 1546. for a meer State-nicety and succeeded as to his name to his excellent parts and industry being bred in Kings Colledge where he attained to a great degree of eminency for learning 2. He told his intimate * Mr. George Penny Secretary who related it to me that his Nativity at his Fathers desire was calculated by a skilfull Italian Astrologer Sometimes it hiâ—s who told him That this his infant-son should tast of much trouble in the midst of his life even to the want of a Meals meat but his old age should make amends for all with a plentifull estate which came to passe accordingly For his Father dying in his Infancy no plentifull provision was made for him and when his eldest Brother Thomas Duke of Northfolke was executed his condition was much impaired insomuch that once being in London not overstockt with money when his Noble Nephews the Earle of Arundle and the Lord Thomas Howard were out of the City and loath to pin himself on any Table univited he was sain to dinâ— with the chaire of Duke Humphrey Anno Dom. 1616-17 but other not to say better company viz Anno Regis Jacob. 15. reading of Books in a Stationers shop in Pauls Church-yard But K JAMES coming to the Crown and beholding the Howards as His Mothers Martyrs revived them with His favours and this Lord attained under Him to great wealth honour and command 3. However this Lord gave little credit to His Learned Book and placed lesse confidence in such Predictions as appeared by a Learned Worke he hath written of that subject He died Anno 1614. and his Nephew Thomas Howard Earle of Suffolke succeeded him in the Chancellours place of the University John Richardson Vicecan 1617-18 John Smithson Alexander Read Proct. 16. John Durant Major 4. On the 29 of January died Mr. William Butler The death of Dr. Butler the Aesculapius of our Age as by the Inscription on his Marble Tombe in the Chancel of St. Maries will appear Nil proh marmor agis Butlerum dum tegis illum Si splendore tuo nomen habere putas Ille tibi monumentum iudigner is ab illo Butleri vivis munere marmor iners Sic homines vivus sic mirâ mortuus arte Phoebo chare Senex vivere saxa facis But the Prose is higher than the Verse and might have served for Joseph of Arimathea to have inscribed on the Monument of our Saviour whereof this is a part Abi Viator ad tuos reversus dic te vidisse Locum in quo salus jacet He gave to Clare Hall whereof he was Fellow a Chalice with a cover of beaten-gold weighing and worth three hundred pounds besides other Plate and Books to the value of five hundred pounds Will 1618-19 Branthwait John Goslin Vicecan 17. Henry Goch Tho Horseman Proct. Richard Foxton Major 5. The Title of the Earledome of Cambridge which as we have formerly observed The Marquesse of Hamilton made Earle of Cambridge was onely conferred on Forreigne Princes or those of the English blood-Royall had now lyen dormant since the death of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke and eighth Earle of Cambridge It was now
England reconciled to Rome wherein she parted with her Supremacy to the Pope and Poole by his power Legatine solemnly reconciled England to the Church of Rome that is set it at open oddes and enmity with God and his Truth Then did he dispense with much irregularity in severall persons confirming the Institution of Clergie-men in their Benefices legitimating the Children of forbidden marriages ratifying the Processes and Sentences in matters Ecclestasticall and his Dispensations were confirmed by Acts of Parliament as in the Statutes at large appear Then was Anthonie Brown Vicount Mountacute Thirleby Bishop of Eli and Sr. Edward Carne sent on a gratulatorie Embassie to Pope Paul the fourth to tender Englands thanks for his great favours conferred thereon A sad and certain presage of heavie persecution which immediately did ensue SECTION II. Anno. Dom. 1555 To Mr. THOMAS BOWYER of the Old Jury Merchant Anno Regin Mar. 3. YOu may with much joy peruse this sad story of Persecution presented unto you whose Grandfather Francis * * Afterward Sheriffe of London Anno. 1577. Bowyer brought no fewel to these flames but endeavoured to quench them The Church is indebted to him for saving reverend Dr. Alexander Nowel then School master of Westminster designed to Death by Bonner and sending him safe beyond the Seas Thus he laid a good foundation to which I impute the firm-standing of your family it being rare to see as in yours the third Generation in London living in the same Habitation May many more of the stock succeed in the same the desire of your obliged friend T F. 1. WE come now to set down those particular Martyrs that suffered in this Queens Reigne The disposing of the future matter But this point hath been handled already so curiously and copiously by Mr. Fox that his industry herein hath starved the endeavours of such as shall succeed him leaving nothing for their penns and pains to feed upon a Eccles 2. 12. For what can the man doe that cometh after the King even that which hath been already done saith Solomon And Mr. Fox appearing sole Emperour in this subject all posterity may despair to adde any remarkable discoveries which have escaped his observation Wherefore to handle this subject after him what is it but to light a candle to the Sunn or rather to borrow a metaphor from his book to kindle one single stick to the burning of so many faggots However that our pains may not wholy be wanting to the Reader herein we will methodize these Martyrs according to the several Diocesses and make on them some brief observations 2. In the Diocesse of Exeter containing Cornwall and Persecution in the Diocess of Exeter Devonshire I finde but one Martyr namely Agnes b Fox 2052. Priest condemned by William Stanford then Judge of the Assise of Lanceston but burned at Exeter The tranquility of these parts is truly imputed c Holinshed pag. 1309. to the good temper of James Turbervile the Bishop one as gentilely qualified as extracted and not so cruel to take away the lives from others as carefull to regain the lost livings to his Church and indeed he recovered to him and his successours the Fee-farme of the Manour of Crediton Yet to shew his sincerity in Religion that he might not seem to do nothing he dipp'd his fingers in this poor womans blood but did not afterwards wash his hands in the persecution of any other Protestant for ought we can finde in any history 3. The like quiet disposition of Gilbert Bourn In the Diocess of Bath and Wells Bishop of Bath and Wells secured Somerset shire Indeed he owed his life under God to the protection of a Protestant for Mr. Bradford at Pauls-crosse saved him from a dagger thrown at him in a tumult and this perchance made him the more tender to Protestants lives Yet in the Register of his Church we meet with one a Fox pag. 2004. Richard Lash condemned by him though his execution doth not appear and yet it is probable that this poor Isaac thus bound to the Altar was afterward sacrificed except some intervening Angel staied the stroak of the sword 4. So also the Diocess of Bristol In the Diocess of Bristol made up of Dorset-shire and part of Glocester-shire enjoyed much quietnesse John Holyman the Bishop did not for ought I can finde prophane himself with any barbarous cruelty But Mr. Dalby b Fox pag. 2052. his Chancellour as an active Lieutenant to a dull Captain sent three namely Richard Sharpe Thomas Benton and Thomas Hale to the stake at Bristol for the testimony of the truth This Dalby knowing himself to be low in parts and learning and despairing otherwise to appear in the world thought the onely way to recommend himself to mens notice was to do it by his cruelty 5. More sparks of persecution flew into the Diocess of Sarisbury In the Diocess of Sarisburie in Wiltshire and Barkshire under John Capon the Bishop and Dr. Geffray his Chancellour for this Dâ—eg was worse then Saul himself At Nubery he sent three Martyrs to heaven in the same charriot of fire c Fox pag. 1940. Jalius Palmer John Gâ—in and Thomas Askin Yea this was but a light flourish in respect of that great blow he intended had not heaven prevented him and many others of his bloody crew by the death of Queen Mary whereby to use Davids phrase God smote them d Psal 3. 7. on the cheek-bone and brake the teeth of the ungodly 6. In the Diocess of Winchester In the Diocess of Winchester consisting of Hantshire and Surrey I finde no great impression from Stephen Garainer the Bishop and much marvell thereat It may be this politician who managed his malice with cunning spared his own Diocess fox-like preying farthest from his own den Indeed he would often stay behind the traverse and send Bonner upon the stage free enough of himself without spurring to do mischief to act what he had contrived Yea I may say of Gardiner that he had an head if not an hand in the death of every eminent Protestant plotting though not acting their destruction And being Lord Chancellour of England he counted it his honour to flie at stout game indeed contriving the death of the Ladie Elizabeth and using to say that it was vain to strike at the branches whilest the roote of all Hereticks doth remain And this good Lady was appointed for the slaughter and brought to the shambles when the seasonable death of this butcher saved the sheep alive 7. However as bloody as he was for mine own part The Authours gratitude to Stephen Gardiner I have particular gratitude to pay to the memory of this Stephen Gardiner and here I solemnly tender the same It is on the account of Mrs. Clarke my great Grandmother by my mothers side whose husband rented Farnham-Castle a place whither Bishop Gardiner retired in Surrey as belonging
to his Sea This Bishop sensible of the consumptionous state of his body and finding physick out of the Kitchin more beneficiall for him then that out of the Apothecaries shop and speciall comfort from the Cordialls she provided him did not onely himself connive at her Heresie as he termed it but also protected her during his life from the fury of others Some will say this his curtesie to her was founded on his kindenesse to himself But however I am so far from detaining thanks from any deserved on just cause that I am ready to pay them where they are but pretended due on any colour 8. Sussex smarted more than all the forenamed Counties together In the Diocess of Chichester under John Christopherson Bishop of Chichester This man was well learned and had turned Eusebius his Ecclesiasticall History into latine Anno. Dom. 1553-1554 with all the persecutions of the Primitive Christians What he translated in his youth he practised in his age turning Tyrant himself and scarce was he warme in his Bishoprick when he fell a burning the poor Martyrs Ten in one fire at a Fox pag. 2003. pag. 2024. Lewis and seaventeen others at severall times in sundry places 9. In the Diocess of Canterbury In the Diocess of Canterbury Cardinal Poole appeared not personally active in the prosecution of any to death Whilest others impute this to his statelinesse not stooping to so small matters we more charitably ascribe it to his favouring of the Protestant party having formerly lost the Papacy under that imputation But seeing it is a true Maxime which an heathen man layeth down it is enough for a private man that he himself do no wrong but a publique person must provide that those under him do no injury to others I see not how the Cardinal can be excused from the guilt of that innocent blood which Thornton his Suffragan and Harpsfield his Arch-Deacon shed like water in and about the City of Canterbury 10. The Diocess of Rochester containing the remainder of Kent was of small extent In the Diocess of Rochester But that stock must be very little indeed out of which the ravenous Wolfe cannot fetch some prey for himself Morris the Bishop played the tyrant therein being the first in Queen Maries dayes that condemned a woman Margery Polley by name to be burnt for religion with many moe who at Dartford or Rochester sealed the truth with their lives 11. Crosse we the Thames to come into Middlesex In the Diocess of London under Bonner and Essex the Diocess of London under Bishop Bonner whom all generations shall call Bloody St. Paul b 1 Cor. 15. 32 mentioneth his fighting with beasts at Ephesus after the manner of men which some expound his encountering with people men for their shape and sex but beasts for their cruell mindes and manners In the same sense we may say that Lion Tiger Wolfe Bear yea a whole forest of wilde beasts met in Bonner killing two hundred in the compasse of three yeers And as if his cruelty had made him Metropolitan of all England he stood not on distinction of Diocesses but martyred all wheresoever he met them Thus Mr. Philpot belonged to Gardiners Jurisdiction and often pleaded in vain that Bonner was none of his Ordinary yet Bonner Ordinary or Extraordinary dispatch'd him who cared not whence men came but onely whither he sent them No sex quality or age escap'd him whose fury reached from John Fetty a lad of eight yeers old by him scourged to death even unto Hugh Laverock a Creeple sixty eight yeers old whom he caused to be burnt 12. * quer for he is not in B. Godwins catologue Dr. Story Dean of Pauls must not be forgotten Under Dr. Story being under Bonner a most cruell persecutour Was not this false Herauldry cruelty on cruelty Well So it seemed good to Divine Providence as conducing most to the peace of the Church that one place rather then two should be troubled with such damnable Tyrants Bonner persecuted by whole-sale Story by Retail the former enjoyned the later attended the execution What Bonner bade Story beheld to be performed Yea sometimes he made cruel additions of his own invention As when he caused a faggot to be tossed in the face of Mr. Denlie the Martyr when he was ready to be burnt How he was rewarded afterwards for his cruelty by Gods blessing in due place 13. Under the same Torrid Zone of persecution but a little more temperate lay Norfolke In the Diocess of Norwich and Suffolke in the Diocess of Norwich Bishop Hopton was unmercifull in his Visitations but Downing the Chancellour plai'd the Devill himself enough to make wood deare in those parts so many did he consume to ashes whose several examinations are at large set down in the Book of Martyrs 14. Elie Diocess Cambridge-Shire succeeds In the Diocess of Elie. whose Bishop Dr. Thyrlby was a learned discreet and moderate man witnesse his meek behaviour at the degrading of Arch-Bishop Cranmer shedding plentifull tears thereat But can water and fire weeping and burning come from the same person Surely so it did here for afterwards he singled out John Hullier as the Representative for all the Protestants in his Diocess whom he caused to be burnt at Cambridge The shedding his blood was as giving carnest of his zeal in the Popish cause though afterward he made no farther payment in this kinde justly offending the Protestants for doing so much yet scarcely pleasing the Papists because he did no more As for the execution of William Woolsey and Robert Pigot in this Diocess Thurlby was no whit interested therein but the guilt thereof must be shared betwixt Dr. Fuller the Chancellour and other Commissioners 15. In Peterborough Diocess consisting of North-hampton-shire In the Diocess of Peterborough and Rutland I finde but one John Kurde a Shooe-maker burnt at Northhampton But this his death I cannot charge on the account of David Poole the Bishop as consenting thereunto because William Binsley Batchelour of law and Chancellour of Peterborough was onely his active Prosecutor 16. Lincolne Diocess is next In the Diocess of Lincolne the largest of the whole Kingdome containing Lincolne Leicester Huntington Bedford and Buckingham besides parts of Hartford and Warwick-shires Now according to the rules of proportion who could expect otherwise but the moe men the moe Martyrs The greater the Province the more grievous the persecution But it fell out the clean countrary finding but one Martyr in all that space of ground a * Fox Volum 3. pag. 706. Merchants servant burnt at Leicester Frivolous is their reason who impute this to the disposition of White Bishop of this Diocess the first half of Queen Maries Reign whom they behold as poetically given of more phansie then fury which vented it self in verses more pleased to lash the Hereticks with a Satyr then suck their blood by destructive courses As little