RIght Reverend Father in God Right trustie and well beloved Councellour We greet you well whereas it hath pleased God of infinite grace and goodnesse to vouchsafe unto Us a Sonne borne at our Manour of Saint Jamses the 29th day of this present moneth of May to the great comfort not only of our selves in particular but to the generall joy and contentment of all our loving Subjects as being a principall meanes for the establishment of the prosperous estate and peace of this and other our Kingdomes whose welfare wee doe and will ever preferre before any other earthly blessing that can befall us in this life We therefore according to the laudable Custome of Our Royall Progenitors in like case heretofore used have thought fit to make knowne unto you these glad Tydings being well assured that with all dutifull and loving affection you will imbrace whatsoever may make for the prosperous advancement of the publike good And to this purpose We have sent these our Letters unto you by Our trustie and welbeloved Servant Sir William Segar Knight of the Garter principall King of Arms being an Officer of Honour specially by Us hereunto appointed for the more Honourable expression of Our good affection to You Given under Our Signet at Our Pallace of Westminster the last day of May In the Sixth yeare of Our Raigne Ex per Kirkham To the Right Reverend Father in God Our Right Trustie and Well beloved Councellour William Lord â—â—th of LONDON Sunday May 27. I had the honour as Deane of the Chappell my Lords Grace of Canterburie being infirme to Christen Prince Charles at Saint Jamses Hora fere quinta pomeridiana Sunday Aug. 22. I preached at Fulham c. Wednesday Octo. 6. I was taken with an extreame Cold and lamnesse as I was waiting upon St. George his Feast at Windsor and forced to returne to Fulham where I continued ill about a weeke Friday Octo. 29. I removed my Family from Fulham to London House Thursday Novem. 4. Leighton was degraded at the High Commission Tuesday 9. of Novem. That night Leighton broke out of the Fleete The Warden sayes he got or was helped over the wall The Warden professes he knew not this till Wednesday noone he told it not me till Thursday night he was taken againe in Bedfordshire and brought backe to the Fleete within a fortnight Novem. 26. Friday part of his sentence was executed upon him at Westminster Tuesday Decem. 7. The King swore the peace with Spaine Don Carlo Coloma was Ambassadour December 25. I preached to the King Christmas day Ianuary 16. Sunday I consecrated Saint Katharin Creed-Church in London Janu. 21. The Lord Wentworth Lord president of the North and I c. In my little Chamber at London House Friday Janu. 23. I consecrated the Church of Saint Giles in the Fields Febr. 23. Ashwensday I preached in Court at White-Hall March 20. Sunday His Majestie put his great Case of Conscience to me about c. which I after answered God blesse him in it March 27. 1631. Coronation day and Sunday I preached at Saint Pauls Crosse Easter Munday Aprill 10. I fell ill with the great paine in my throat for a weeke It was with cold taken after heate in my service And then with an Ague A fourth part almost of my Family were sicke this spring Tuesday June 7. I Consecrated the Chappell at Hamer-Smith Saturday June 26. My nearer acquaintance began to settle with D. S. I pray God blesse us in it Janu. 26. My businesse with L. T. c. about the Trees which the King had given me in Shotover towards my building in Saint Johns at Oxford which worke I resolved on in Novemb. last And published it to the Colledge about the end of March This day discovered unto me that which I was sorry to find in L. T. Weston and P. C. Cottington sed transeat July 23. The first stone was layd of my building at Saint Johns Aug. 23. In this June and July were the great disorders in Oxford by appealing from Doctor Smith then Vice chanceler The chiefe Ring-leaders were Master Foord of Magdalen-Hall and Mr. Thorne of Bailiell Colledge The Proctors Master Atherton Bruch and Master John Doughtie receaved their appeales as if it had not beene Perturbatio pacis c. The Vicechancelor was forced in a Statutable way to appeale to the King The King with all the Lords of his Councell then present heard the Cause at Wood-stocke Aug. 23. 1631. being Tuesday in the afternoone the sentence upon the hearing was That Foord Thorne and Hodges of Exeter Colledge should be banished the Vniversitie and both the Proctors were commanded to come into the Convocation House and there resigne their Office that two others might be named out of the same Colledges Dr. Prideaux Rector of Exeter Colledge and Doctor Wilkinson Principall of Magdalen-Hall receaved a sharp admonition for their mis-behaviour in this businesse Munday Aug. 29. I went to Brent-Wood and the next day began my Visitation there and so went on and finished it Friday Nov. 4. The Lady Mary Princes borne at Saint Jamses inter horas quintam sextam matutinas It was thought she was borne three weekes before her time Decemb. 25. I preached at Court Febr. 15. I preached at Court Ashwednesday Febr. 19. D.S. came to my Chamber troubled about going quite from Court at Spring 1. Sunday in Lent after Sermon April 1. 1632. I preached at Court Saturday May 26. Trinitie Sunday Eve I consecrated the Lord Treasurers Chappell at Roehampton May 29. Tuesday my meeting and setling upon expresse termes with K.B. in the Gallerie at Green-witch In which businesse God blesse me June 15. Master Francis Windebanke my old friend was sworne Secretarie of State which place I obtained for him of my Gratious Master King Charles June 18. Munday I married my Lord Treasurer Westons eldest sonne to the Lady Francis Daughter to the Duke of Lenox at Roehampton June 25. D. S. with me at Fulham Cum Ma c. July 10. Doctor Juxon the Deane of Worcester at my suite sworne Clarke of His Majesties Closet That I might have one that I might trust weare His Majestie if I grew weake or infirme as I must have a time July 17. I consecrated the Church at Stanmore Magna in Middlesex built by Sir John Walstenham Decemb. 2. Sunday The Small-Poxe appeared upon His Majestie but God be thanked he had a very gentle disease of it Decemb. 27. Thursday the Earle of Arundell set forward toward the Low-Countries to fetch the Queene of Bohemia and her Children Decemb. 25. I preached to the King Christmas day Janu. 1. My being with K. B. this day in the afternoone troubled me much God give mee a good issue out of it January 15. K. B. and I unexpectedly came to some clearer Declaration of our selves which God blesse c. Febr. 11. Munday night till Tuesday morning the great fire upon London Bridge many Houses burnt
point of Reliefe and Punishment hath beene the chiefe support of Our Parliaments Honour and of the peoples love and assistance to Parliaments It is one of the principall clauses in * Magna Charta wch Our Ancestors and your Honours have so much contended for and we all have lately Covenanted to maintaine viz. We shall deny NOR DEFERRE TO NO MAN IVSTICE OR RIGHT Let it therfore be put in present reall execution that so none may have cause to take up this mournfull complaint of Solomon I returned and considered all the Oppressions that are done under the Sun and beheld the teares of such as were Oppressed and they had no Comforter Wherefore I praised he dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive c. And this through Gods blessing will bee the speediest way to put a period to our Wars Distractions Grievances and gaine Your Honours highest Reputation Grace Favour with God and all good men Now the good God strengthen both Your hearts and hands to execute speedy * Iustice and Iudgement for all that are oppressed that the man of the earth may no more oppresse and Crowne all your publike Councells Enterprises with such happie successe as may occasion all succeeding Generations to blesse God for You as the best-deserving Parliament ever yet Assembled which is the Cordiall Prayer of Your Honours most devoted SERVANT William Prynne A BREVIATE Of the LIFE of WJLLJAM LAVD Archbishop of CANTERBVRIE Extracted out of his owne DIARIE BEfore any entrance made into the relation of the Impeachment or Triall of the Archbishop of Canterburie it will bee neither impertinent nor unnecessary to present the World with a Summary of his life extracted for the most part out of his owne Diary written with his own hand and found in his Pocket upon search of his Chamber in the Tower May 31. 1643. Some passages whereof objected against him at his Triall are here totally omitted and reserved for their proper place to avoyd Repetitions HEE was borne at Redding in Barkshire Octob. 7. 1573. of poore and obscure Patents in a Cottage just over against the Cage which Cage since his comming to the Arch-bishopricke of Canterbury upon complaint of Master Elveston that it was a dishonour the Cage should be suffered to stand so neare the House where so great a Royall Favourite and Prelate had his birth was removed to some other place and the Cottage pulled downe and new built by the Bishop In his Infancie he was like to perish of a disease as he writes but that God reserved him to be a future scourge yea plague to this Church and STATE and for another kinde of Death July 1589. Hee came a poore Scholler to Oxford June 1590. hee was chosen a Scholler of Saint John Baptists Colledge June 1593. hee was admitted a Fellow thereof June 1594. hee proceeded Batcheler of Arts and July 1589. Master of Arts June 4. 1600. He was made Deacon and Aprill 5. 1601. he was made a Priest by Doctor Young Bishop of Rochester Anno 1602. He read a Divinitie Lecture in Saint Johns Colledge maintained by Mistris May May 4. 1603. He was chosen Proctor of the Universitie and on September third next ensuing hee became Chaplaine to the Earle of Devonshire which after proved his great happinesse and gave him hopes of greater preferments as himselfe records July 1604. He proceeded Batchelour in Divinitie His supposition when he answered in the Divinitie Schooles for this degree concerning the efficacie of Baptisme was taken verbatim out of Bellarmine and he then maintained there could bee no true Church without Diocesan Bishops for which Doctor Holland then Doctor of the Chaire openly reprehended him in the Schooles for a seditious person who would un-Church the reformed Protestant Churches beyond the Seas and sow division betweene us and them who were brethren by this novell popish position Decem. 26. 1605. He being the Earle of Devonshires Chaplaine married this Earle to the Lady Rich another mans Wife at Wansteed in Essex which day he puts into the Catalogue of dayes of speciall observance to him both in his Diary and the Manuscript booke of his private devotions October 26. 1606. Docter Ayry of Queenes Colledge questioned him for a Sermon then preached by him at Saint Maries as conteining sundry scandalous and popish passages in it Novem. 16. 1607. He was invested into the Vicarage of Stanford in Northamptonshire Anno 1608. He proceeded Doctor in Divinitie and that yeare August 5. he was made Chaplaine to Doctor Neale then Bishop of Rochester Septem. 17. 1609. he preached his first Sermon to King James at Theobalds October 28. 1609. he was inducted into West-Tilburie in Essex for which he exchanged his Advowson of North-Kilworth in Leicestershire to be neare his Lord of Rochester Dr. Neale who on May 25. 1610. gave him the Rectory of Cuckston in Kent October 2. 1610. He resigned his fellowship in Saint Johns Colledge in Oxford and the same moneth fell sicke of a kentish Ague caught at his new benefice which held him two moneths whereupon he left Cuckston and Novem. 1610. was inducted into Norton by Proxy In the midst of this sicknesse the suite about the Presidentship of Saint Johns began in which there was great Towsing Christmas 1610. The Lord Chancellour Elsmeer complained against him to King James being incited thereunto by Docter Abbot then Archbishop of Canterburie as he writes who alwayes opposed him as foreseeing he would prove a dangerous fire-brand both in Church and State and a bitter Enemy to the Protestant Religion being then commonly reputed in Oxford a man cordially addicted to Poperie and a Papist in heart keeping companny with those who were most Popishly affected May 10. 1611. Hee was chosen President of Saint Johns Colledge by one casting voyce after much canvasing which election was questioned and heard for three houres space before King James at Tichburne August 29. being the day of beheading Saint John Baptist Novem. 3. Hee was sworne the Kings Chaplaine April 18. 1614. Doctor Neale Bishop of Lincolne gave him the Prebend of Bugden and after that the Arch-Deaconrie of Huntington Decemb. 1. 1615. Nov. 1616. King James gave him the Deanerie of Glocester and in March following he set forward with the King into Scotland and returned a little before him August 2. 1617. hee was inducted into Ibstocke in Leicestershire in his returne from Scotland Iune 1618. He set up a great Organ in Saint Johns Chappell and April 2d 1619 He fell suddainly dead for a time at Wickham in his returne from London to Oxford Ian. 22. 1620. He was installed Prebend of Westminster having had the advouson of it ten yeares before June 3. 1622. He writes thus in his Diarie The Kings Gracious speech unto mee concerning my long service He was pleased to say Hee had given me nothing but Glocester which
to be attendant observant and obedient to you and every of you in the execution and performance of this our Royall Will and Command as they and every of them will answer the contrarie at their uttermost perills Neverthelesse wee doe hereby declare our Royall pleasure to bee That they the said Sir Henry Marten Sir Charles Caesar Sir Thomas Ridley and Nathaniell Brent in their severall Offices and places aforesaid and all other Registers Officers and Ministers in the severall Courts Offices and Jurisdictions appertaining to the said Archbishop shall quietly and without interruption hold use occupie and enjoy their severall Offices and Places which they now hold by the Grant of the said Archbishop or of any other former Archbishop of Canterbury in such manner and forme and with those benefits priviledges powers and authorities which they now have hold and enjoy therein or there out severally and respectively they and every of them in their severall places being attendant and obedient unto you the said George Bishop of London Richard Bishop of Durham John Bishop of Rochester John Bishop of Oxford and William Bishop of Bath and Wells or to any foure three or two of you in all things according to the Tenor of this our Commission as they should or ought to have beene unto the said Archbishop Himselfe if this Commission had not beene had or made IN WITNESSE whereof wee have caused these Our Letters to be made Patents Witnesse Our selfe at Westminster the ninth Day of October in the third yeare of Our Raigne Edmondes Per ipsum Regem Octo. The Dean of Canterburies speech that the businesse could not goe well in the Isle of Re there must be a Parliament some must be sacrificed that I was as like as any spoken to Doctor W. The same speech after spoken to the same man by Sir Dudly Diggs I tould it when I heard it doubled let me desire you not to trouble your selfe with any reports till you see me forsake my other friends c. Ita Ch. R. The retreat out of the Isle of Re November My Lord D. returned to Court The Countesse of Purbecke censured in the High Commission for Adultery December 25. I preached to the K. at Whit-Hall Ianuary 29. Tuesday A resolution at the Councell Table for a Parliament to begin March 17. If the shires goe on with levying mony for the Navy Ianuary 30. Wednesday My L. D. of Buckinghams sonne was borne New Moone die 26. The L. George Feb. 5. Tuesday The straining of the backe sinew of my right leg as I went with his Majesty to Hampton Court I kept in til Feb. 14. saving that upon Tuesday Saint Valentines day I made a shift to goe and Christen my L.D. sonne the L. George at Wallingford House March 7. I preached at the opening of the Parliament but had much a doe to stand I continued lame long after Iune 1. An. 1628. Whitsunday I preached at Whit-Hall Iune 11. my L.D. of Buckingham voted in the House of Commons to be the cause or causes of all grievances in the Kingdome Iune 12. Thursday I was complaind of by the House of Commons for warranting D. Manwarings Sermons to the Presse Iune 13. D. Manwaring answered for himselfe before the Lords and the next day being Saturday Iune 14. was censured after his censure my cause was called to the report The same day the house of Commons were making their Remonstrance to the King One head was Innovation of Religion therein they named my Lord the Bishop of Winchester and my selfe one in the House stood up and said now we have named these Persons le ts thinke of some causes why we did it Sir Edward Cooke answered have we not named my Lord of Buckingham without shewing a cause and may we not be as bold with them This Remonstrance was delivered to the King Tuesday Iune 17. Thursday Iune 26. the session of Parliament ended and was proroged to Oct. 20. Tuesday Iuly 1. my conge deslier was signed by the King for the Bishopprick of London Iuly 15. Saint Swithin and faire with us I was translated to the Bishoprick of London the same day the L. Weston was made Lord Treasurer Saturday August 9. A terrible salt rhume in my left eye had almost put me into a Feaver Tuesday August 12. my L. D. of Buckingham went towards Portsmouth to goe for Rochell Saturday August 23. Saint Bartholemews Eve the D. of Buckingham slaine at Portsmouth by one Leiutenant Felton about 9. in the morning August 24. The newes of his death came to Croyden where it found my selfe and the Bishops of Winchester Elye and Carlile at the consecration of Bishop Mountague for Chichester with my Lords Grace What a professed Votary and Creature this Bishop was to the D. of Buckingham will appeare by these his speciall Prayers for him written with his owne hand in his booke of privat Prayers and Devotions found in his Chamber at the Tower P. 164.165.166 much used as is evident by the fouleing of the leaves with his fingers Pro Duce Buckinghamiae GRacious Father I humbly beseech thee blesse the * Duke of Buckingham with all spirituall and temporall blessings but especially spirituall make and continue him faithfull to his Prince serviceable to his Country devout in thy truth and Church A most happy Husband and a blessed Father filled with the constant love and honour of his Prince that all thy blessings may flow upon himselfe and his posterity after him Continue him a true-hearted freind to me thy poore servant whom thou hast honoured in his eyes make my heart religious and dutifull to thee and in and under thee true and secret and stout and prudent in all things which he shall be pleased to commit unto me Even so Lord and make him continually to serve thee that thou maist blesse him Through Jesus Christ our only Lord and Saviour Amen That he was privy to his Iourney into Spaine with Prince Charles now our Soveraign which voyage was * purposly plotted to pervert him in his Religion and reconcile him to Rome is apparent by this insuing prayer annexed to the former O Most mercifull God and gratious Father the Prince hath put himselfe to a great adventure I humbly beseech thee make cleare way before him give thine Angells charge over him be with him thy selfe in mercy power and protection in every step of his Journey in every moment of his time in every consultation and addresse for Action till thou bring him backe with safety honour and contentment to doe thee service in this place BLesse his most trusty and faithfull servant the Lord Duke of Buckingham That he may be diligent in service provident in businesse wise and happy in Councell for the honour of thy name the good of the Church the preservation of the Prince the contentment of the King the satisfaction of the State preserve him I humbly beseech thee from all envy that attends him And
greatest she had of his condition since she needed any such August 11. One Robert Seale of Saint Albons came to me at Croydon and told me somewhat wildly about a Vision he had at Shrovetide last about not preaching the word sincerely to the people And a hand appeared unto him and death and a voyce bid him goe tell it the Metropolitan of Lambeth and made him sweare he would do so and I beleive the poore man was over-growne with phansie So I troubled my selfe no further with him or it Aug. 30. Saturday at Oatelands the Queene sent for me and gave me thankes for a businesse with which she trusted me her promise then that she would be my freind and that I should have immediate addresse to her when I had occasion September 30. I had almost fallen into a Feaver with a cold I tooke and it held me about three weekes December 1. Munday my Ancient freind E. R. came to me and performed great kindnesse which I may not forget Dec. 4. Ian. 8 I maried the Lord Charles Harberts and the Ladie Marie Daughter to the Duke of Buckingham in the Closet at White-Hall February 5. Thursday I was put into the great Committee of trade and the Kings revenew c. Sunday March 1. The great businesse which the King Commanded me to thinke on and give him account and L. T. Saturday March 14. I was named one of the Commissioners for the Exchequer upon the death of Richard Lord Weston Lord High Treasurer of England That evening K. B. sent to speake with me at White-Hall a great deale of free and cleare expression if it will continue Munday March 16. I was called against the next day into the forraign Committee by the King March 22. Palme Sunday I preached to the King at White-Hall Apr. 9. An. 1635. And from thence forward all in firme Kindnesse between K.B. and me May 18. Whitsunday at Greenwitch my account to the Queene put off till Trinity Sunday May 24. then given her by my selfe And assurance of all that was desired by me c. May Iune Iuly In these moneths the troubles at the Commission for the Treasurye And the difference which hapned betweene the Lord Cottington and my selfe c. Saturday July 11. Wednesday Iuly 22. two sadde meetings which K. B. and how occasioned July 12. Sunday at Theobalds the sope businesse was ended and settled againe upon the new Corporation against my offer for the old sope-boylers yet my offer made the Kings profit double two Yeres after the new Corporation was raised how it is performed let them looke to it whom his Majesty shall be pleased to trust with his Treasurers staffe In this businesse and some other of great consequence during the Commission for the Treasury My old friend Sir F. W. forsooke me and joyned with the Lord Cottington which put me to the exercise of a great deale of patience c. September 2. Wednesday I was in attendance upon the King at Woodstocke and went thence to Cudsden to see the House which Doctor Iohn Bancroft then Lord Bishop of Oxford had there built to be a house for the Bishops of that sea for ever He having built that house at my perswasion September 3. Thursday I went privatly from the Bishop of Oxfords house at Cudsden to Saint Iohns in Oxford to see my building there and give some directions for the last furnishing of it and returned the same night staying there not two houres Sept. 23. I went to Saint Pauls to view the building and returned that night to Croyden September 29. The E. of Arundell brought an old man out of Shropshire He was this present Michalmas day shewed to the King the Lords for a man of 152. or 153. yeares of Age October 26. Munday this morning betweene foure and five of the Clocke lying at Hampton Court I dreamed that I was going out in hast and that when I came into my outer Chamber There was my servant W. Pennell in the same riding suit which he had on that day senight at Hampton Court with me me-thoughts I wondered to so him for I left him sick at home and asked him how hee did and what he made there And that he answered me he came to receive my blessing and with that fell on his knees that hereupon I layed my hand on his head and prayed over him and therewith awaked When I was up I told this to them in my Chamber and added that I should find Pennell dead or dying my Coach came and when I came home I found him past sence and giving up the Ghost so my prayers as they had frequently before commended him to God Nov. 22. Saturday Charles Elector Palatine came to White-Hall to the King November 30. Saint Andrews day Munday Charles Prince Elector Palatine the Kings Nephew was with me at Lambeth and at solemne Evening prayer December 14. Munday Charles Prince Elector came suddenly upon me and dined with me at Lambeth December 25. Christmas day Charles Prince Elector received the Communion with the King at White-Hall He kneeled a little beside on the left hand He sate before the Communion upon a stoole by the wall before the Traverse and had another stoole and a Cushine before him to kneele at December 28. Munday Jnnocents Day about 10. at night the Queene was delivered at Saint Iamses of a Daughter Princesse Elizabeth I Christened her on Saturday following Ianuary 2. Tuesday February 2. Candlemas day my nearer care of I. S. was professed and his promise to be guided by me and absolutly setled on Friday after February 5. February 28. I consecrated Doctor Roger Manwaring Bishop of Saint Davids March 6. Sunday William Iuxon Lord Bishop of London made Lord High Treasurer of England no Church-man had it since Henry the 7ths time I pray God blesse him to carry it so that the Church may have honour and the King and the State service and contentment by it And now if the Church will not hold up themselves under God I can doe no more Aprill 7. 1636. Thursday the bill came in this day that two dyed of the plague at White-Chappell God blesse us through the yeare May 16. Munday the settlement between L. M. St. and me God blesse me May 17. Tuesday I visited the Deane and Chapter of Saint Paules London c. May 19. Thursday the Agreement between me and L. K. Ch which began very strangly and ended just as I thought it would Iune 21. Tuesday my hearing before the King about my right to visit both the Vniversities Iure Metropolitico It was ordered with me The hearing was at Hampton Court Iune 22. Wednesday the Statuts of Oxford finished and published in Convocation August 3 Wednesday night towards the morning I dreamed that L. M. St. came to me the next day and shewed me all the kindnesse I could aske And that Thursday August 4. He did come and was very kind towards me somnijs
and lamed him so that he was forced to stay a weeke longer in the Country then he intended September 9. 1624. my Lord Duke of Buckingham consulted with me about a man that offered him a strange way of cure for himselfe and his Brother At that time I delivered his Grace my Copies of the two little Bookes which he desired me to write out September 25. My Lord Dukes proposall about an Army and the meanes And whether Suttons Hospitall might not c. October 10. I fell at night in passionem Iliacam which had almost put me into a feaver I continued ill 14. dayes October 13. I delivered up my Answere about Suttons Hospitall November 26. I went to my L. Keeper and had a Messenger sent to bring up a Salt-Peeter man who had digged in the Colledge Church at Brecknock being too bold upon his Commission to answere that sacrilegious abuse He prevented his punishment by death December 23. I delivered my Lord Duke a littele Booke about Doctrinall Puritanisme in some ten heads which his Grace had spoken to me that J would draw for him that he might be acquainted with them Ian. 5. My L. Duke of Buckingham shewed me two letters of c. the falshood of c. Ian. 15. The speech which I had with my L. Duke at Wallingford House January 21. The businesse of my Lady Purbecke made knowne unto me by my Lord Duke January 23. The discourse which my Lord Duke had with them about Witches and Astrologers January 25. I acquainted my Lord Duke with my hard hap in my businesse with L. C. D. for which I had beene so often blamed Jan. 28. I tooke my leave of my Lord Duke His wish that he had knowne K. L. sooner but c. An 1625. March 27. Advent Sunday I preached at White-Hall when I went into the Pulpit there was a prevayling Rumour that King Iames was dead being called away with the dolor of the Duke of Buckingham I broke off my Sermon in the midst The King died that day of a Tertian Ague at Theobalds Prince Charles that day was proclaimed King Aprill 3. I delivered into the hands of the Duke of Buckingham briefe Annotations upon the life and death of most renouned King Iames which he Commanded me to describe The Copy whereof found in the Bishops Study under his owne hand is here inserted The Memorables of our late deare and Dread Soveraigne King IAMES of famous memory 1. HE was a King almost from his Birth 2. His great Clemency that he should Raigne so long and so moderatly that knew nothing else but to raigne 3. The difficult times in Scotland during his Minority as much perplexed with Church as State factions 4. His admirable patience in those younger times and his wisedome to goe by those many and great difficulties till God opend him the wayes to his just Inheritance of this Crowne 5. His peaceable entry into this Kingdome contrary to the feares at home and the Hopes abroad not without Gods great blessing both on him and us 6. His ability as strong in Grace as Nature to forgive some occurrences 7. The continuance of full 22. yeares Raigne all in peace without war from forraine Enemy or Rebellion at home 8. The infinit advantage which people of all sorts might have brought to themselves and the enriching of the State if they would have used such a government with answerable care and not made the worst use of peace 9. Gods great mercy over him in many deliverances from private conspirators and above the rest that which would have blowne up his posterity and the state by Gunpouder 10. That in all this time of his Raigne of England he tooke away the life of no one Noble man but restored many 11. That the sweetnesse of his nature was scarce to be paralleld by any other 12. It is little lesse then a miracle that so much sweetnesse should be found in so great a hart as besides other things sicknes and death it selfe shewed to be in him 13. Clemency Mercy Justice and holding the State in peace have ever bin accounted the great vertues of Kings And they were all eminent in him 14. He was not only apreserver of peace at home but the great peace maker abroad to settle Christendome against the Common Enemy the Turke which might have beene a glorious worke if others had beene as true to him as he was to the Common good 15. He was in privat to his servants the best Master that ever was and the most free 16. He was the Justest Man that could sit betwene parties and as patient to heare 17. He was bountifull to the highest pitch of a King 18. He was the greatest Patron to the Church which hath been in many ages 19. The most learned Prince that this Kingdome hath ever knowne for matters of Religion 20. His Integrity and soundnesse in Religion to write and speake Beleeve and doe Live and die one and the same and all Arthodox 21. His tender love to the King his son our most gratious Soveraigne that now is and his constant reverence in performance of all duties to his Father the greatest blessing and the greatest example of this and many Ages 22. The education of his Majesty whome we now enjoy and I hope and pray that we may long and in hapinesse enjoy to be an able King as Christendome hath any the very first day of his Raigne The benefit whereof is ours and the honour his 23. His sicknesse from the begining more grevious then it seemed A sharp Melancholy humour set on fire though usherd in by an ordinary Tertian Agu 24. He was from the begining of his sicknesse scarce out of an opinion that hee should dye and therefore did not suffer the great affaires of Christendome to move him more then was fit for hee thought of his end 25. His devout receiving of the blessod sacrament 26. His Regall sensure of the moderate Reformation of the Church of England and particulerly for the care of retayning of absolution the comfort of distressed soules 27 His continuall calling for prayers with an assured confidence in Christ 28. His death as full of patience as could be found in so strong a death 29. His rest no Question is in Abrahams bosome and his Crowne changed into a Crowne of Glory Aprill 6. 1625. I gave the Duke a Schedule wherein the names of Ecclesiasticall persons were described under the Letters O. Orthodox and P. Puritans The Duke of Buckingham himselfe commanded that I should thus digest then to shew them as he said to King Charles Aprill 9. The Duke of Buckingham most venerable to mee by all Titles certified mee that some body I know not out of what envy had blemished my name with King Charles his most Excellent Majesty taking occasion from the error into which I know not by what fate I fell heretofore in the case of Charles Earle of Devon December 26. 1605. The same day I
blesse him that his eyes may see the Prince safely delivered to the King and State And after it live long in hapinesse to doe them and thee service through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen After this upon the Dukes unhappy voyage to Ree which lost Rochell and all the Protestant Townes in France he made this speciall prayer for him O Most gratious God and mercifull Father Thou art the Lord of Hosts all victory over our Enemies all safety against them is from thee I humbly beseech thee goe out with our Armies and blesse them Blesse my deare Lord the Duke that is gone Admirall with them that Wisedom may attend all his Councells and courage and successe all his enterprises That by his and their meanes thou wilt be pleased to bring safety to this Kingdome strength and Comfort to Religion victory and reputation to our Country And that he may returne with the Navy committed to him and with safety honour and love both of Prince and People Grant this for thy deare sonnes sake Jesus Christ our Lord Amen When this Duke was slaine he made this speciall prayer on that occasion much daubed through frequent use with his fingers O Mercifull God thy Judgements are often secret alwayes just At this time they were temporally heavey upon the poore Duke of Buckingham upon me upon all that had the honour to be neare him Lord thou hast I doubt not given him rest and light and blessednesse in thee give also I beseech the comfort to his Ladie blesse his Children uphould his freinds forget not his servants Laye open the bottome of all that irreligious and gracelesse plot that spilt his blood Blesse and preserve the King from danger and from security in these dangerous times And for my selfe O Lord though the sorrowes of my heart are inlarged in that thou gavest this most honourable freind into my bosome and hast taken him againe from me yet blessed be thy name O Lord that hast given me patience I shall now see him no more till we meet at the Resurrection O make that joyfull to us and all thy faithfull servants Even for Jesus Christ his sake Amen But to returne to his Diary where he proceeds thus Wednesday August 27 Mr. Elphinston brought me a very gratious Message from his Majesty upon my Lord Duks death August 30. As I was going out to meete the Corps of the Duke which that night was brought to London Sir W. Fleetwood brought me very gratious letters from the K. Majesty written with his owne hand Tuesday September 19. The first time that I went to Court after the death of the D. of Buckingham my deare Lord The gratious speech which that night the King was pleased to use to me Saturday Sept. 27. I fell sicke and came sicke from Hampton-Court Tuesday September ult. I was sore plucked with this sicknesse c. Munday October 20. I was forced to put on a Trusse for a rupture I know not how occasioned unlesse it were with swinging of a booke for my exercise in private November 29. Felton was executed at Tiborne for killing the Duke and afterwards his body was sent to be hanged in Chaines at Portsmouth It was Saturday and Saint Andrewes even and he killed the Duke upon Saturday Saint Bartholmews even December 25. I preached at Whit-Hall Wednesday December 30. The Statutes which I had drawne for the reducing of the factious and tumultuary election of Proctors in Oxford to severall Colledges by course and so to continue were passed in Convocation at Oxford no voyces dissenting Munday Ianuary 26. The 240. Greeke Manuscrips were sent to London House these I got my Lord of Pembrooke to buy and give to Oxford Saturday night Ianuary 31. I lay in Court I dreamed that I put of my Rochet all save one sleeve and when I would have put it on againe I could not finde it Friday February 6. Sir Thomas Roe sent to London House 20. Manuscripts in Greeke to have a Catalogue drawne and the Bookes to be for Oxford Munday March 2. the Parliament to be disolved declared by Proclamation upon some disobedient passages to his Majesty that day in the House of Commons March· 10. Thursday the Parliament dissolved the King present The Parliament which was broken up this March 10th laboured my ruine March 29. 1629. Sunday two papers were found in the Deane of Paules his Yeard before his house the one was to this effect concerning my selfe Laud looke to thy selfe be assured thy life is sought as thou art the fountaine of all wickednesse repent repent thee of thy monstrous sinnes before thou be taken out of the world c. And assure thy selfe neither God nor the world can endure such a vile Counceller to live or such a whisperer or to this effect The other was as had as this against the Lord Treasurer Master Deane delivered both papers to the King that night Lord I am a grevious sinner but I beseech thee deliver my soule from them that hate me without a cause Aprill 2 Maunday Thursday as it came this yeare about three of the clocke in the morning the Lady Dutches of Buckingham was delivered of her sonne the Lord Francis Villiers whom I Christened Tuesday 21. I preached Wednesday May 13. this morning about three of the clocke the Queene was delivered before her time of a sonne he was christened and dyed within short space His name Charles This was Ascention Eve May 14. The next day being Ascention day paulo ante mediam noctem I buried him at Westminster If God repaire not this losse I much feare it was Descention Day to this State August 14. dies erat veneris I fell sicke upon the way towards the Court at Woodstooke I tooke up my*lodging at my Ancient freinds house Master Francis Windebancke there I lay in a most grevious burning Feaver till Munday September 7. on which day I had my last fit I was brought so low that I was not able to returne towards my owne house at London till Tuesday October 20. I went first to present my humble dutie and service to his Majesty at Denmarke house Munday October 26. After this I had divers plunges and was not able to put my selfe into the service of my place till Palme sunday which was March 21. Aprill 10. The Earle of Pembrooke Lord Steward being Chancellor of the Vniversity of Oxford dyed of an Apoplexy Aprill 12. The Vniversity of Oxford chose me Chauncellor and word was brought me of it the next morning Wednesday Aprill 28. The Vniversity came up to the Ceremony and gave me my Oath Saturday May 29. Prince Charles was borne at Saint Iames paulo ante horam primam post merediem I was in the house three howres before and had the honour and the happines to see the Prince before he was full one hower old The King sent this Letter to him under the Privy signet to give him notice of the Princes Birth Charles Rex
downe Wednesday Febr. 13. The Feoffees that pretended to buy in impropriations were dissolved in the Chequer Chamber They were the maine instruments for the Puritan faction to undoe the Church The Criminall part reserved Febr. 18. Thursday Master Chancellour of London Doctor Ducke brought me word how miserably I was slandered by some seperatists I pray God give me patience and forgive them March 6. Ashwensday I preached at White-Hall Aprill 13. 1633. The great meeting at the Counsell Table c. when the Earle of Holland made his submission to the King May 13. Munday I set out of London to attend King Charles into Scotland May 24. The King was to enter into Yorke in State June 6. I came to Barwicke that night I dreamed that K. B. sent to mee in Westminster Church that hee was now as desirous to see me as I him and that hee was then entring into the Church I went with hope but met another in the middle of the Church who seemed to know the businesse and laughed but K. B. was not there June 8. Whitsun Eve I received Letters from K. B. unalterable c. By this if I returne I shall see how true or false my Dreame is c. Saturday June 15. I was sworne Councellor of Scotland June 18. Tuesday after Trinitie Sunday K. Charles Crowned at Holy-rood Church in Edenborough I never saw more expressions of joy then were after it c. June 19. Wednesday I received second Letters from K. B. no changling c. within three houres after other Letters from K. B. believe all that I say c. June 29. Friday Letters from K. B. no D. true if not to my contentment c. June 30. I preached to His Majestie in the Chappell in Holy-rood House at Edenborough July 1. Munday I went over Forth to Brunt Iland July 2. Tuesday to Saint Andrewes July 3. Wednesday over Taye to Dundee July 4. Thursday to Faukland July 7. Sunday to S. Johnston July 8. Munday to Dumblaine Stirling my dangerous cruel Journey crossing part of the Hilands by Coach which was a wonder there July 9. Tuesd to Lithcoe and so to Edenborough July 10. Wednesday His Majesties dangerous passage from Brunt Iland to Edenborough July 11. Thursday I began my Journie from Edenburgh towards London July 13. Friday that night at Anderweeke I dreamed that L. L. * the Bishop of Lincolne came and offered to sit above me at the Councell Table and that L. H. came in and placed him there July 20. Saturday the King came from Scotland to Greenwich having come Post from Barwicke in foure dayes Friday July 26. I came to my House at Fulham from Scotland July 28. Sunday K. B. and I met all the strange discourses mistaken I went away much troubled but all setled againe well Aug. 3. Saturday following Sunday Aug. 4. news came to Court of the Lord Archbishop of Canterburies death and the King-resolved presently to give it me which he did Aug. 6. Aug. 4. That very morning at Greenwich there came one to me seriously and that avowed abilitie to performe it and offered mee to bee a Cardinall I went presently to the King and acquainted him both with the thing and person Aug. 7. Wednesday Absolute settlement betweene me and K B. after I had made knowne my case at large God blesse me in it Aug. 14. Wednesday A report brought me that I was poysoned Aug. 17. Saturday I had a serious offer made me againe to be a Cardinall I was then from Court but so soone as I came thither which was Wednesday Aug. 21. I acquainted His Majestie with it But my answer againe was that some what dwelt within mee which would not suffer that till Rome were other then it is Aug. 25. Sunday My Election to the Archbishopprick was returned to the King then being at Wood-stocke Sep. 19. I was translated to the Archbishopricke of Canterburie the Lord make me able c. The day before when I first went to Lambeth my Coach-Horses and men sunke to the bottome of the Thames in the Ferry-Boate which was over laden but I praise God for it I lost neither man nor Horse Novem. 13. Wednesday Richard Boyer who had formerly named himselfe Lodowick was brought into the Starre-Chamber for most grossely misusing me and accusing me of no lesse then Treason c. He had broke prison for Felony when he did this His censure is upon record And God forgive him About the beginning of this moneth the Lady Davis prophesie against me that I should very few dayes out-live the Fift of Novem. And a little after that one Greene came into the Court at Saint Jamses with a great sword by his side swearing the King should doe him Justice against me or he would take another course with me All the wrong I ever did this man was that being a poore Printer I procured him of the Company of the Stationers five pounds a yeare during his life God preserve mee and forgive him Hee was committed to New-Gate Sunday Novem. 24. in the afternoone I Christned King CHARLES His second sonne James Duke of YORKE at Saint Jamses Decem. 10. 29. twice or thrice in the interim I advertised His Majestie of the false-hood and practise that was against me by L. T. c. This brake out then March 30. 1634. Palme Sunday I preached to the King at White-Hall May 13. I received the seales of my being chosen Chanceller of the Vniversity of Dublin in Ireland to which office I was chosen September 14. 1633. There were now somewhat before great factions in Court and I doubt many private ends followed to the prejudice of publicke service Good Lord preserve me Iune 11. Wednesday Master Pryn sent me a letter about his censure in the Starre Chamber for his Histriomastix and what I said at that Censure in which he hath many wayes hath no wayes mistaken me and spoken untruth of me Iune 16. I shewed this letter to the King and by his Command * sent it to Master Atturney Noye June 17. Master Atturney sent for Mr. Pryn to his Chamber shewed him the letter asked him whether it were his hand Mr. Pryn said he could not tell unles he might read it the letter being given into his hand * he tare it into small peeces threw it out at window fearing it seemes an Ore tenus For this Iune 18. Mr. * Atturney brought him into the Star-Chamber where all this appeared I there forgave him Iuly 26. I received word from Oxford that the Statutes were accepted and published according to my letters in the Convocation house that weeke August 9. Saturday Master William Noy his Majesties Attorney Generall died at Brainford circa horam noctis decimam And Sunday morning August 10. his servant brought me word of it to Croyden before I was out of my bed * I have lost a deare freind of him and the Church the