〈◊〉 service there is no more reason for that then for any of the rest for so long as they live in the City and 〈◊〉 their trades both Native and Alien must ratably serve the King and the State and I hope the repairing of the Natives to the English 〈◊〉 cannot take off any of 〈◊〉 duty and to the City it is all one so the severall 〈◊〉 be payed whether they be paid in a lump from the whole congregation or part from the particular men which are 〈◊〉 and partly from the congregation which remaines yet as Aliens In all these respects though I have at your 〈◊〉 made knowne to his Majesty and the Lords all that you have suggested in your Petition yet a Mediator for you 〈◊〉 cannot be in these particulars which are so disserviceble both to Church and State neither would I ever have made my Injunctions if I had not formerly weighed them well and found them sit to be put in practice 〈◊〉 are therefore to let 〈◊〉 know that my Injunctions must be 〈◊〉 and that I shall goe 〈◊〉 on with them and therefore doe hereby pray and require you the 〈◊〉 and Governours of that city to second all these things in all faire and due proceedings for the 〈◊〉 of uniforme government as well concerning those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as any other and to let them to know that this is the resolution of the Lords as well as of my selfe and I doubt not but that the strangers themselves may live they and their posterity to 〈◊〉 the State for this care taken of them so I leave you all to the grace of God and rest Lambeth May 25. 1635. Your very loving Friend W. Cant. This Answer was communicated to the French Congregation by their Ministers and in May the Deputies presented themselves before the Commissioners in the Consistory who were the Deane and Doctor 〈◊〉 who told the Deputies namely the Ministers of the three forraigne Churches 〈◊〉 Sandwich and Maidston of the respit my Lord did give till the first of July if they desired it who answered they desired it and a longer respit too if it might be obtained who 〈◊〉 they wished it might be in their power to doe it and so dismissed them The Deputies wrote to the Coetus in London how matters passed and thought it sitting to send some to London the Coetus returned their answer that they were sorry to heare of my Lord's resolution 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Churches in the sending of their 〈◊〉 and would be 〈◊〉 to give them their best counsell and help The Deputies of Canterbury Sandwich Maidston went up to London and so much the 〈◊〉 because the time would be quickly expired the first day of July was at hand the King would goe shortly his progresse and my Lord of Canterbury would after the Tearme goe to his House of Croydon so they went to the Assembly of the French and Dutch Ministers and Elders of London assembled together in Coetus and made a Narration of what had passed the 〈◊〉 couched an 〈◊〉 these tearms Master 〈◊〉 in the name of the French 〈◊〉 of Canterbury that the Major of the said towne had presented a Petition unto my Lord 〈◊〉 of Canterbury in favour of the said Church unto the which he had received no favourable answer On this relation advice hath been demanded of this company what order they shall take and how they shall proceed to 〈◊〉 the churches under covert of the tempest that threatneth them whereupon it 〈◊〉 been found good to communicate all that which is past in Lord the Duke of 〈◊〉 and to the Lord 〈◊〉 Knight Ambassador of the States of the united 〈◊〉 of the Low 〈◊〉 and to intreat them to give their advice how they are to govern themselves in these extremities and to aske the said advice have been named Mr. 〈◊〉 Mr Gasparus Mr. Primrose Pastors and Master Host and Master 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elders Who went to the said Duke and Lord and they advised the Deputies of Kent to addresse themselves unto the King and the said Lord Duke offered himselfe to represent unto the King whatsoever they found good and fitting This relation being made to the 〈◊〉 by the Deputies it was thought fit that they should goe first to my Lord of Canterbury to give him a cleere interpretation concerning some 〈◊〉 of the petition which was presented unto him by the Major of Canterbury and to use such complements towards him as they shall judge fit using in the meane time such generall termes without saying any thing to the prejudice of their Churches On the 17. of June the Deputies of Kent were with my Lord there were divers waited to speak to him about businesse J. 〈◊〉 observed his time seeing my Lord in a merry humour stept to him accompanied with the Deputies my Lord said he might well perceive he had much 〈◊〉 and he would hold him long who returned to my Lord this answer that he would not hold him long and contracted his intended speech in these 〈◊〉 Most Reverend Father in God We come to your grace tothank you most humbly for the favour you have shewed to our Churches in giving them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we 〈◊〉 your Grace to be 〈◊〉 to continue it and permit them to enjoy those priviledges and 〈◊〉 which they have had hitherto under our most gracious Soveraigne 〈◊〉 the which the families will be divided the poore no maintained and the Churches ruined But he interrupted him in the midst of his 〈◊〉 and said he would not call back that which he had begun bat would goe forwards with it that he would not put an heavier burden on them then on the rest and that he would goe through all England if he lived but of necessity must begin with them Now because J. R. saw that he might not be long with my Lord he did contract his speech as brlesly as possible he could and told him that in the Petition which the Major of Canterbury had made to his Grace there were two mistakings the one touching the trade amongst them as if no English man had knowledge or interrest in them whereas it was well knowne that they refused none to teach them the trades and that many had learned the trade and French tongue among them The other mistake was the summe of 〈◊〉 l. which notwitstanding was 〈◊〉 l. which the Church had expended on the poore of their Congregation that yeere and that sometimes they had spent 50 l. a moneth yea and more Concerning the ponre it was told him it was 〈◊〉 they could be maintained if the the Natives went to their 〈◊〉 because besides the seizing there were voluntary contributions the one at the Church doo e at every meeting of the Assembly to heare the Sermons whether on the Lord's day or on the week dayes the other extraodinary collections when the Churches were in arrerages He answered that the Scripture made not mention of any contribution at the doore of the Church and
〈◊〉 quieto progressu in occupationibus suis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eis per protectionem regiam si 〈◊〉 fuerit obtinendam firmando 〈◊〉 Commissarij eosdem ministros seniores cum seria 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad obedientiam suam in hac parte alacriter exhibendam decedere permiserunt dimiserunt 〈◊〉 tunc ibidem praeter not arium publicum antedictum Henrico Jenken Willielmo Somner juniore Thoma Wilcoxon notarys publicis multis alijs testibus literatis c. Conćordat cum Originali Willielmus Somner Registrarius But what reason had the Arch-bishop to make a division in many families and a divorce between the parents and children in the publike exercises of Religion and what equity and justice was there to enjoyn yea compell them to contribute to the Churches whereof they might be no members to cause them to be of the English parishes and contribute to forraigne Churches let the world judge After Sir Nathaniel's departure from Canterbury the Company 〈◊〉 the Declaration in French according as they found it fitting omitting some things that were in the Norwich Declaration it was published by Master Anthony the Notary on the Lords day Octob. 11. in the afternoon after Sermon and prayer before the Psalme sung in the French Church which is thus translated into English Beloved in the Lord 〈◊〉 are a 〈◊〉 that the worshipfull Commissary Sir Nathaniel 〈◊〉 with other Commissioners of my Lord of Canterbury his Grace hath commanded in the name of the said Lord Arch-bishop with approbation of his Maiesty and of his most honourable Privy-Counsell to signifie unto you That it is not his Majesties intent nor of the Counsell of State to dissolve our congregations And to that end his Maiesty is content to permit that the Natives of the first degree to continue members of our congregation as before but the Natives in this church after the first descent are enjoyned to obey my Lord Arch-bishops Iniunction which is to conforme themselves to the english discipline and 〈◊〉 every one in his parish without inhibitting them not 〈◊〉 but that they may resort sometimes to our Assemblies My Lord Arch bishop of 〈◊〉 Grace meanes notwithstanding that the 〈◊〉 Natives shall continue to contribute to the maintainance of the 〈◊〉 and of the poore of the church for the subsisting thereof and 〈◊〉 to obtaine an 〈◊〉 from the 〈◊〉 if 〈◊〉 be and they require it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉 their manufactures against those that would trouble them by informations All which is notified unto you that none may pretend ignorance and thereby fall into inconveniences Now although the Archbishop would make the world beleeve that what he did was by command of the King State yet it might easily appeare that he was the 〈◊〉 primum mobile or all the designs J. B. wrote a word or two to Master Gasparus minister of the Duth Church of Sandwich about some particular businesse and gave him a touch what they had done about the Declaration deuring him to certifie him what they had done and to send him their Declaration else they should be faine to give theirs alone to Master Sumner and translated into 〈◊〉 according to his desire who answered that they had done at Sandwich as had beene done at Canterbury on the same day and the same manner adding nothing nor taken any thing away nor changed a word 〈◊〉 translated the Declaration that was sent them into Franch for a 〈◊〉 or modell into Dutch thinking it was not needfull to write having promised to publish it So the Declaration of the Injunction was delivered in English to Master Sumner by two French Elders in the name of both the Churches Some two moneths after the Churches subsisting in peace a small time there were some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either ignorant or malictous no great good wishers to the stranger Churches desirons to curry favour with my Lord or otherwise who might perhaps have a charge to learne whether the Injunction was obeyed for Doctor 〈◊〉 on one of the Commissioners read a letter to the Ministers from the Vicar generall 〈◊〉 he wrote that my Lord was infolmed that his Injunction was not obeyed and therefore commandeo some of the Dutch Church of Sandwich and of the French of Canterburie to be cited to appeare in a 〈◊〉 manner in his Consistory at Canterbury and to have the Deane and some Prebends there present and if the Relation were 〈◊〉 that the Injunction was not observed nei her at Sandwich and much 〈◊〉 at Canterbury that the Ministers should be 〈◊〉 and the Church 〈◊〉 shut up c. The two Ministers of the French Church told him that they were sorry that my Lord was so 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 and that he used such threa nings as if they were 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 of any such consure or that my Lord had any such power and authority to doe any such thing to them who had 〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉 that he would not 〈◊〉 with theirChurches but only with those that were Natives and the Kings Subjects and there was no more reason that they the Ministers should be silenced or the Elders 〈◊〉 if those that were Natives came to their Church no more then 〈◊〉 Ministers should be silenced 〈◊〉 church wardens censured or the doors of churches shut up which was never seen nor executed because some of other 〈◊〉 came to their churches that the publication had been made openly in the 〈◊〉 on the Lords day in the audience of the congregation that the Ministers were not guilty of their 〈◊〉 who as sheep desired to heare the voyce of their old Pastors understanding better the French then the English tongue divers of them besides living in parishes where were no Sermons at all the Ministers whereof some could not preach at all some would not or very rarely and they might come as well to the French church as to any other parish that was not their owne that it was not for them to present those that did not obey but the church wardens of the parishes where they dwelt were to doe it that Sir Nathaniel Brent had been entreated not to treat theirs worse then the English that he had promised none should he presented before he had notice of it that this informing of my Lord by such malicious 〈◊〉 who did it to ingratiate themselves with my Lord and my Lord's facile credit to such rumours and his menaces with 〈◊〉 and ands were a great deale more then a presentment and many other things that were said at that time with much eagernesse the Doctor told them he was sorry that matters went so he was but a commissioner and servant to my Lord told them some passages that had happened between my Lord and their Cathedrallchurch About the same time J. B. visited the Major of the City who had beene at Landon and at Lombeth with my Lord and enquired of him if my Lord had made any 〈◊〉 of their church who answered that by occasion he spake of
second petition to his Majesty who without doubt would bring an answer whereas if the Deputies gave it they might he as long without an answer as they had been before but if the Duke of Soubise found it not fitting to doe it then to entreat one or two of the Gentlemen of the Kings Bed chamber to tender it and if they refused to do it as it may be they 〈◊〉 not tender it least they should incurre the Lord Arch-bishop's indignation then the Deputies themselves were to present it to the King the petition to be tendered and the short speech to be made by J. B. The Deputies went to Duke Soubise and beseeched him that he would continue his good affection towards their Churches and those good offices he had begun and that he would be pleased to tender unto the Kings Majesty their second petition and if possible to have an answer knowing that none of the Kings Subjects no not any Noble-man would venture to doe it though some of them were familiar with the King and gracious in his eyes and affected the forraigne Churches and 〈◊〉 them well and told to some of the Deputies that if their cause came to a hearing before the King at the Counsell-board they would speak their mindes and doe some good offices to the Churches but durst not oppose the Arch-bishop under board in that businesse least they should incurre the Kings indignation for his sake who was so potent and gracious with the King The Duke of Soubise Noble-man of a curteous disposition who took to heart the cause of the Churches and pittied their case was very willing to accept of that charge and goe to the King and present him the petion the Deputies offered to goe with him to the Court if he thought good according to the charge given them by the Company and wait on him yea and speak to the King if need were but the Duke found it not convenient they should goe with him for some reasons but went himselfe even that day to the King as having accesse unto him at any time waited in the chamber of presence the Kings returne from dinner and delivered this petition unto him in writing The second petition of the three forraigne Churches of Kent delivered to the Duke of Soubise beseeching his Highnesse that he would be pleased to present it to the Kings Majesty To the KINGS most excellent Majesty The humble Petition of the forraigne Churches of Canterbury Sandwich and Maidston Humbly shewing to your sacred Majesty that the time limited by the most reverend Father in God the Lord Arch bishop of Canterbury his grace concerning the injuctions on Sunday next expireth and your Majesty as yet hath not signified your pleasure upon their petition delivered about fifteen dayes past your sacred Majesty is most humbly prayed to give order that the execution of the said Injunctions be respited and deferred untill their cause may be heard as in all humility they desired And as in duty bound they will daily pray for your Majesties long and prosperous reigne My Lord Soubise delivered this Petition unto the King desired his Majesty to read it which he did the King answered him Je ne puis faire cela and when the Duke said si vostre Majeste ne le fait point l'execution seta rude dure aux Eglises his Majesty replyed l'execution ne seta pas si rude qu'ils craignent and many other words that passed in French betweene the King and the Duke So having taken his leave of the King he told the Deputies what had passed who related it to the Synod The Company seeing the King gave no answer at all or at least not dearely to the Petition of prorogation of time untill his Majesty had leasure to heare them and that the time approached and that there was no appearance to have any other answer from the King thought it convenient to send some of the Company to my Lord of Canterbury who seemed over-swayed the King to know the Kings minde and pleasure and his owne which was also the opinion of a Councellour of State the Deputies therefore of the three forraigne Churches in Kent whom it concerned primarily by the advice and votes of the Sinod went to Sir Nathaniel Brent Vicar generall and told him that my Lord of Canterbury gave them permission to goe to the King which they had done and now came to him to know the Kings pleasure and answer they told him besides that they had studied the case better since they were with my Lord for they had kept the principall arguments in the reare and desired to speake to him againe and to shew him some reasons which he had not seene as yet they told him also that the time of the execution of the Injunction was neere to wit the first of March that they could not returne to their Churches at the appointed time because they had not as yet the Kings answer and hoped that their Churches might continue their accustomed order Sir Nathaniel told them that he would speake to my Lord about it who was not so straight 〈◊〉 for a weeke or two He went to my Lord on some occasion and returned told them they should doe well to goe to my Lord either at Whitehall or Lambeth to know his pleasure concerning the time he would appoint to heare them The Deputies went to Lambeth and expected his comming from the Councell somewhat late for there was a cry in the Hall Hats off and lights for my Lords grace is at hand where in the Hall they met my Lord I.B. told him that his Vicar generall had told them that his grace was content to heare them againe and therefore they came to know his pleasure desiring a time when they might be heard He told them their motions did not please him because they were not according to his judgement that he was full of businesse and knew not when he should be at leisure but that Sir Nathaniel might pitch upon a probable time he might be at leasure and so dismissed them It might have beene returned to him his judgement did not please them because it was not according to their motion but he held his peace So when the Archbishop said here above mentioned that their Discipline and Bishops were jure 〈◊〉 they might have answered him that though Bishops are indeed jure divino that is to say Ministers who are Bishops are jure divino yet there is but one Archbishop jure divino who is Christ 1 Pet. 5.4 named there the chiefe Shepheard but though that was true yet they did not use such tearmes because they had no order and durst not goe beyond the commission The Deputies sent word to the Vicar generall my Lords minde who esteemed Saturday in the afternoone the fittest day Doctor Primrose and I. B. went to the Duke of 〈◊〉 that day and there dined where they had much discourse together about that businesse and the said Lord thought it