different as their Opinions some of them being conceived too wise to begin and others too weak to finish so dangerous a Designe The ends they propounded to themselves as they were charged therewith were to kill the King raise Rebellion alter Religion at least gaine a Toleration and procure a forraign Invasion with many more things which may be spoken easier in a Minute than done in an Age especially their Interest being not much at home and nothing abroad Ann. Dom. 1602 They ante-divided all Offices of State betwixt themselves Ann. Reg. Jac. 1. Lord Marshall to one Treasurer to another Master of the Horse to a third Secretary to a fourth c. onely Sir Walter Rawleigh able to discharge any had no particular Office assigned unto him Watson was to be Lord Chancelour being very fit for the place had he but as much skill to decide Causes as write Quodlibets There wanted nothing to estate them in all these Offices but onely their getting of them 17. Wonder not that this Treason was discovered so soon The two Priests executed but covered so long The two Priests alone Nov. 29. with G Brook were executed who to use the words of King Iames in his Letter to Sir Benjamine Tichbourne Sheriff of Hantshire for the Plague being in London Terme was removed to Winchester where they were tried Vaire the principall Plotteris and Intisaris of all the rest to the embracing of the saidis treasonabil Machinations The rest were pardoned their Lives not their Lands We must not forget that the Priests pleaded the silliest for themselves of all that were arraigned alledging that their Practise against the King could not be Treason because done against him before he was crowned Watson instancing in Saul who was anoynted in e 1 Sam. 10. 1. Ramah and afterward made King in f Ibid. ver 24. Mizpeh Clark insisted on Rehoboam as being no King till the People had g 1 King 12. 1 made him so Not remembering what our Lawyers there minded them of the difference betwixt successive Kings deriving their claime from their Ancestors and one newly elected the English Crowne also being as incapable of an Inter-regnum as Nature of a Vacuitie Mean time the Jesuits looked on and laughed at Watson's Execution to see how bunglingly Secular Priests went about a Treason resolving in the next platforme thereof which now they were contriving to rectifie the errours Watson had committed not to ingage in a squint-ey'd company where two did not look the same way but to select a competencie of cordial Catholiques for the purpose 18. No sooner was King Iames setled on the English Throne Mr Cartwright dedicates a Book to King James but Mr. Cartwright presented unto him his Latin Coment on Ecclesiastes thankfully mentioning in his Dedication how he had some twenty yeares before been chosen to be Professour in a Scotch University though declining the acceptance thereof because of his Pastorall Charge being then Minister to the English Congregation at Antwerp Thanks perchance not so proper to the person of King Iames though in Loyalty and good Manners justly tendred unto him as due rather to those who in his minority steered the affaires of Scotland Nor let any wonder that an English man should be proffered preferment in Scotland seeing it was but one for another remembring that I have read in the life of Mr. Knox that he was offered an English Bishoprick in the reigne as I take it of K. Edw the 6. and likewise refused the same 19. But Mr Cartwright survived not long after otherwise Mr. Cartwright his Death no doubt we should have heard of him in Hampton Court-Conference Dec. 27. as the Champion of his Party who died at the age of sixty on the 27. of December following To what we have formerly largely writ of his Character we now onely adde that he was born in Hartford shire Camden in his Eliz. and married the Sister of M. Stubbs whose hand was struck off for writing an interpreted Libel against Queen Elizabeths Marriage with Monsieur This I dare boldly say She was a most excellent Wife if she proved like her Brother whom Mr. Cambden no great friend of Puritans cordially commendeth for a right honest man generally beloved whilest living and lamented when dead He was afflicted towards his old Age with many Infirmities insomuch that he was forced continually to studie upon his * See his Life lately set forth by M. Clark knees My Eares shall be dear to the uncharitable inference of those who impute this extraordinary painfull posture as a just punishment upon him in that he had so bitterly inveighed against the gesture of those as superstitious who reverently received the Sacrament on their knees M. Dod preached his Funerall Sermon 20. And now The Presbyterian Petition to K. Parl. because there was a generall expectation of a Parliament suddenly to succeed the Presbyterian Party that they might not be surprised before they had their tackling about them Ann. Dom. 1603 went about to get hands of the Ministers to a Petition which they intended seasonably to present to the K. and Parl M. Arthur Hildersham and M. Stephen Egerton with some others were chosen and chiefly intrusted to manage this important businesse This was called The millenary Petition as One of a thousand w See M. Hildersam's 〈◊〉 set forth by Mr. Clark though in indeed there were but seven hundred and fifty Preachers hands set thereunto But those all collected onely out of five and twenty Counties However for the more rotundity of the number and grace of the matter it passeth for a full thousand which no doubt the Collectours of the names if so pleased might easily have compleated I dare not guesse what made them desist before their number was finished whether they thought that these were enough to doe the deed and moe were rather for oftentation than use or because disheartned by the intervening of the Hampton-Court Conference they thought that these were even too many to petition for a Deniall It is left as yet uncertaine whether this Conference was by the Kings favour graciously tendered or by the mediation of the Lords of his Counsell powerfully procured or by the Bishops as confident of their cause voluntarily proffered or by the Ministers importunity effectually obteyned Each Opinion pretends to Probability but the last most likely 1603 And by what meanes soever this Conference was compassed Hampton-Court was the Place the 14 of January the Time and the following Names the Persons which were employed therein For Conformity Moderator Against Conformity Arch bish of Canterbury Whitgift Biashops of London Bancroft Durham Mathew Winchester Bilson Worcester Babington St. Davids Rudd Chicester Watson Carleil Robinson Peterbor Dove Deans of The a Though all these Deanes were summoned by Letters and present in the Presence Chamber yet onely five viz. of the Chappel Westminister Pauls Chester and Sarisbury
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
to be accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as of great performances for the generall Good expended 3000. pound of his own in altering and enlarging the old and adding a new Court thereunto being at this day the Stateliest and most uniform Colledge in Christendom out of which may be carved three Dutch Vniversities Masters Bishops Benefactours Livings in the Coll. gifts 1 Iohn Redman 2 VVilliam Bill 3 Iohn Christopherson 4 VVilliam Bill restored by Q. Elizab. 5 Rob. Beamont 6 Io. Whitgift 7 Iohn Still 8 Tho. Nevyle 9 Iohn Richardson 10 Leonard Maw 11 Sam. Brooks 12 Tho. Cumber 13 Tho. Hill 14 Iohn Arrowsmith 1 Io. Christopherson B p. of Chichester 2 Iohn VVhitgift Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 3 Iohn Still Bishop of Bath and Wels. 4 Gervase Babington B p. of VVorcester 5 VVilliam Redman Bishop of Norwich 6 Anthony Rud Bishop of S t. Davids 7 Godfrey Gosborrough Bishop of Glocester 8 Robert Bennet Bishop of Hereford 9 Martin Fotherby Bishop of Sarisbury 10 Godfrey Goodman Bish of Glocester 11 Leonard Maw Bishop of Bath and VVells 11 Iohn Bowle Bishop of Rotchester 12 Adam Lofius Arch-bishop of Dublin 12 Doct. Hampton Arch-bishop of Dublin in Ireland 1 Tho. Allen Clark 2 S r. Edward Stanhop who gave 900. l. to the Library 3 The Lady Bromley 4 George Palin Girdler 5 The Lady Anne VVeald 6 Roger Iesson Haberdasher 7 M rs Elizbeth Elwis 8 Doct. Bill 9 D r. Beaumont 10 D r. Whitgift Masters of this House 11 D r. Cosins 12 D r. Barrow 13 D r. Skevington 14 Wil. Cooper Es 15 Peter Shaw 16 S r. VVilliā Sidley Knight Baronet 17 S r. Thomas Lake 18 S r. Iohn Sucklin Knights 19 D r. Robert Bankworth Fellow 20 S r. Ralph Hare Knight 21 M r. Silvius Elwis still in the Coll. S t. Maries the great in Cambridge S t Michaels in Cambridge Chesterton Vic. Eely val 10. 12. 03. Orwell Rect. Eely val 10. 07. 07 1 2. Kendal Vic. Carlile val Barington Vic. Eely val 7. 14. 04. Blythe Vic. York Dioc. val 14. 09. 04. Gryndon Vic. Peterb val 8. 00. 00. Felmersham Vic. Lincoln val 13. 13. 04. Ware Vic. London val 20. 08. 11. Thunridge Vic. London val 6. Swinsted Vic. Lincoln val 14. 00. 09. Chedull R. Cove Lich. val 12. 09. 00. See the Livings in Michael-House and Kings-Hall So that at this day there are therein maintained Anno Regis Henrici 8. 38 one master Anno Dom. 154 5 6 sixty Fellows sixty seven Scholars four Conducts three publick Professours thirteen Poor-Scholars twenty Almes-men besides lately a Master of the Choristers six Clerks and ten Choristers with the Officers Servants of the Foundation and other Students in all four hundred and fourty 20. It is not much above an hundred years since the first sounding of this House and see how marvellously God hath blessed it with eminent men in all Professions besides the Bishops afore-mentioned States-men Divines Criticks Poets 1 S r. Francis Bacon Lord Chancellour of England 2. S r. Edw. Coke Lord-Chief Justice 3 S r. Edward Stanhop Vicar-Generall 4. Richard Cosin D r. L. Deane of the Arches 5. S r. Robert Naunton 6 Sir Iohn Cooke Principle-Seeretaries of State both 7. M. Iohn Facker Secretary to the Duke of Buckingham 8. S r. Francis Nethersole Secretary to the Q. of Bohemia 1 Thomas Cartwright 2 Walter Travers 3 VVilliam Whitaker 4 Matth. Sutcliffe Founder of Chels Coll. D. of Exeter 5 Io. Layfield 6 Tho. Harison 7 Will. Dakings All three Translatours of the Bible 1 Edward Lively one of the best Linguists in the World 2 Philemon Holland an industrious Translatour 3 William Alabaster most skilfull in Cabalisticall learning 4 Edward Simson who hath wrote a large History the Mythologicall part whereof is most excellent 6 Robert Creiton 1 Walter Hawksworth an excellent Comedian 2 Giles Fletcher of Christs Victory 3 George Herbert whose Piety Poëtry cannot be sufficiently commended 4 Tho. Randolph D r. Comber the twelfth Master of this House must not be forgotten of whom the most learned a In Animad in Censuram Exercitationum Ecclesiasticarum Pentateucum Samaritanum pag. 419. Morinus makes this honourable mention Alius praeterea codex Samaritanus celebratur dicitur esse Archiepiscopi Armachani ab eo è Palaestina in Hiberniam exportatus qui Leydensibus Academicis nonnullo tempore fuit commodatus Istum codicem vir clarissimus Thomas Comberus Anglus quem honoris officii reddendi causa nomino cum textu Judaico verbum è verbo imo literam cum liter a maxima a diligentia indefesso labore comparavit differentiasque omnes juxta capitum versuum or dinem digestas ad me misit humanissime officiosissime 21. Besides many worthies still alive With many moe living Iohn Hacket Doctour of Divinity whose forwardnesse in farthering these my Studies I can onely deserve with my prayers Doctour Henry Ferne whose pen hath published his own worth Master Herbert Thornedyke so judicious and indistrious in setting forth the many Languaged-Bible M r. Iames Duport so much the more priced by others for his modest undervaluing his own worth with many moe whose number God daily encrease 22. King Henry the eighth with Trinity Colledge Kings Professours founded founded also publick Professours For formerly the Vniversity had but two one of Divinity founded by the Lady Margaret Countess of Richmond allowing him Salary of twenty Marks and another for Phisick at the Cost of Thomas Linacre that exellent Critick Tutour to Prince Arthur and afterwards Doctor of Physick But now King Henry added to these a Regius Professour in Divinity Law Hebrew and Greek allowing them 40. pounds per annum and increasing the stipend of Physick Professour now acknowledged as onely of the Kings foundation But see the Catologue Lady-Margarets-Professours Kings Professours in Divinity Kings Law-Professours Iohn Fisher President of Queens Col. Bishop of Rochester Erasmus Roterodamus Thomas Cosin D. D. Master of Corpus-Christi Coll. Iohn Fawn D. D. President of the Vniversity Thomas Ashley D. D. Fellow of Kings Coll. William Sket D. D. Fellow of Kings Coll. Robert Beaumont D. D. Master of Trini Coll. Matthew Hutton D. D. M r. of Pembroke Hall Iohn Whitgift D. D. Master of Trin. Coll. William Chaderton D. D. President of Queens Coll. Thomas Carwright Master of Arts Fellow of Trinity Coll. Iohn Hanson Master of Arts Fel. of Trin. Col. Iohn Still D. D. Master of Trinity Coll. Peter Baro a Frenchman D. D. of Trinity Col. Thomas Playford D. D. Fell. of S t. Iohn ' s Col. Iohn Davenant D. D. President of Q. Coll. Samuel Ward D. D. Master of Sidney Suffex Coll. Rich Holdsworth D. D. M r. of Emanuel Coll. Rich. Love D. D. M r. of Corpus-Christi Coll. Doctor Wiggin Martin Bucer D. D. D r. Sedgwick Leonard Pilkington D. D. Master of Saint Iohn ' s Coll. Matthew Hutton D. D. Fellow of Trinity Col. Iohn Whitgift D. D. fellow of S t.
and what the just measure of his judgment Many phrases heretical in sound would appear orthodox in sense Yea some of his poysonous passages dress'd with due caution would prove not onely wholsome but cordial truths many of his expressions wanting not granum ponderis but salis no weight of truth but some grains of discretion But now alas of the a Aeneaâ— Sylvius Hâ—â—â— Bohem pag. 78. two hundred books which he wrote being burnt not a tittle is left and we are sain to b So Jo. Bale contelleth Cent. 6. p. 451. borrow the bare titles of them from his adversaries from whom also these his opinions are extracted who winnow his works c Luke 22. 31. as Satan did Peter not to finde the corâ—â— but the chaff therein And how can did some Papists are in interpreting the meaning of Protestants appears by that cunning d See the book called Calvino Turcismus Chymist who hath distilled the spirits of Turcisme out of the books of Calvin himself 8. Now a Synod was called by Simon Sudbury 50. Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1376 at Paul's in London the Parliament then sitting at Westminster whither Wicliffe was summoned to appear Wicliff appears before the Synod in Saint Pauls who came accordingly but in a posture and equipage different from expectation Four Fryers were to assist the Lord Piercy to usher John Duke of Lancaster to accompany him These Lords their enmity with the Prelates was all Wicliffes acquaintance with them whose eyes did countenance hands support and tongues encourage him bidding him to dread nothing nor to shrinke at the company of the Bishops for they are all unlearned said they in respect of you Great was the concourse of people as in populous places when a new sight is to be seen there never lack looke is on and to see this manbaiting all people of all kindes flock'd together 9. The Lord Piercy The brawle betwixt the Bishop and the Lords in the Church Lord Marshal of England had much ado to break thorow the croud in the Church so that the bustle he kept with the people highly offended the Bishop of London profaning the place and disturbing the Assembly Whereon followed a fierce contention betwixt them and left their interlocutions should hinder the intireness of out discourse take them verbatim in a Dialogue omitting onely their mutual railing which as it little became persons of honour to bring so it was flat against the profession of a Bishop to return who by the Apostles e 1 Tim. 3. 3. precept must be patient not a brawler Bish Courtney Lord Piercy if I had known before hand what maisteries you would have kept in the Church I would have stopt you out from coming hither Duke of Lancast He shall keep such masteries here though you say nay Lord Piercy Wicliffe sit down for you have many things to answer to and you need to repose your self on a soft seat Bish Courtney It is unreasonable that one cited before his Ordinary should sit down during his answer He must and shall stand Duke of Lancast The Lord Piercy his motion for Wicliffe is but reasonable And as for you my Lord Bishop who are grown so proud and arrogant I will bring down the pride not of you alone but of all the Prelacy in England Bish Courtney Do your worst Sir Duke of Lancast Thou bearest thy self so brag upon thy f His Father Hugh Courtney Earl of Devon-shire parents which shall not be able to help thee they shall have enough to do to help themselves Bish Courtney My confidence is not in my Parents nor in any man else but onely in God in whom I trust by whose assistance I will be bold to speak the truth Duke of Lancast Rather then I will take these words at his hands Anno Dom. 1376. I 'de pluck the Bishop by the hair out of the a Fox Martyr pag. 303. Harpsfield in Hist Wicliffiana cap. 5. pag. 683. Church Anno Regis Ed. 3. 50. These last words though but softly whispered by the Duke in the ear of one next unto him were notwithstanding over-heard by the Londoners who inraged that such an affront should be offered to their Bishop fell furiously on the Lords who were fain to depart for the present and for a while by flight and secresie to secure themselves whilest what outrages were offered to the Dukes palace and his servants Historians of the State do relate 10. Wonder not that two persons Why the Arch-Bishop and Wicliffe silent the while most concerned to be vocal were wholly mute at this meeting namely Simon the Arch-Bishop and Wicliffe himself The former rather acted then active in this business seeing the brawl happened in the Cathedral of London left the Bishop thereof to meddle whose stout stomach and high birth made him the meeter match to undertake such noble adversaries As for Wicliffe well might the Client be silent whilest such Councel pleaded for him And the Bishops found themselves in a dangerous Dilemma about him it being no pity to permit nor policy to punish one protected with such potent patrons Yea in the issue of this Synod they onely commanded him to forbear hereafter from preaching or writing his doctrine and how far he promised conformity to their injunctions doth not appear 11. In all this Synod Wicliffâ— opinions marvellously spread and why though Wicliffe made but a dumb shew rather seen then heard yet the noise of his success sounded all over the Kingdom For when a suspected person is solemnly summoned and dismissed without censure vulgar apprehensions not onely infer his innocence but also conclude either the ignorance or injustice of his adversaries In publique assemblies if the weaker party can so subsist as not to be conquered it conquers in reputation and a drawn battel is accounted a victory on that â—ide If Wicliffe was guilty why not punished if guiltless why silenced And it much advantaged the propagating of his opinions that at this very time happened a dangerous discord at Rome long lasting for above fourty years and fiercely followed begun betwixt Vrban the 6 th and Clement the 7 th One living at Rome the other residing at Avignon Thus Peters Chair was like to be broken betwixt two sitting down at once Let Wicliffe alone to improve this advantage pleading that now the Romish Church having two had no legal head that this monstrous apparition presaged the short life thereof and these two Anti-Popes made up one Anti-Christ In a word there was opened unto him a great door of utterance made out of that crack or cleft which then happened in this seasonable schisme at Rome 12. Edward The death character of King Edward the third the third of that name 1377 ended his life 51. having reigned a Jubilee ful fifty years A Prince no less succesful then valiant like an Amphibion He was equally active on water and land Witness
examin all the Lords in Parliament as well Spiritual as Temporal severally and all the States of the Parliament how they think of the cases aforesaid which be so openly against the Kings Crown and in derogation of his Regalitie and how they will stand in the same cases with our Lord the King in upholding the rights of the said Crown and Regalitie Whereupon the Lords Temporal so demanded have answered everie one by himself that the cases aforesaid be clearly in derogation of the Kings Crown and of his Regalitie as it is well known and hath been of along time known and that they will be with the same Crown and Regalitie in these cases especially and in all other cases which shall be attempted against the same Crown and Regality in all points with all their power And moreover it was demanded of the Lords Spiritual there being and the procurators of others being absent their advise and will in all these cases which Lords that is to say the Arch-Bishops Bishops and other Prelates being in the said Parliament severally examined making protestations that it is not their minde to denie nor affirm that the Bishop of Rome may not Excommunicate Bishops nor that he may make translation of that if any Execution of Processes made in the Kings Court as before be made by any and censures of Excommunication to be made against any Bishops of England or any other of the Kings liege people for that they have made execution of such commandments and that if any executions of such translations be made of any Prelates of the same Realm which Prelates be very profitable and necessarie to our said Lord the King and to his said Realm or that the sage people of his Councel without his assent and against his will be removed and carried out of the Realm so that the substance and treasure of the Realm may be consumed that the same is against the King and his Crown as it is contained in the petition before named And likewise the same procurators every one by himself examined upon the said matters have answered and said in the name and for their Lords as the said Bishops have said and answered and that the said Lords Spiritual will and ought to be with the King in these cases in lawfully maintaining of his Crown and in all other cases touching his Crown and his Regalitie as they be bound by their Liegeance Whereupon our said Lord the King by the assnt aforesaid and at the request of his said Commons hath ordained and established that if any purchase or pursue or cause to be purchased or pursued in the Court of Rome or elsewhere any such translations processes sentences of Excommunications Bulls Instruments or any other things whatsoever which touch the King against him his Crown and his Regalitie or his Realm as is aforesaid and they which bring within the Realm or them receive or make thereof notification or any other execution whatsoever within the same Realm or without that they their notaries procurators maintainers abbettors fantors and councellors shall be put out of the Kings protection and their Lands and Tenements Goods and Chattels forfeit to our Lord the King and that they be attached by their bodies if they may be found and brought before the King and his Councel there to answer to the cases aforesaid or that process be made against them by Praemunire facias in manner as it is ordained in other Statutes of Provisors and other which do sue in any other Court in derogation of the Regality of our Lord the King 43. Something of the occasion The occasion of this Statute name and use of this Statute the first is notoriously known from the Papal encroachments on the crown No Bishoprick Abathie Dignitie or Rectorie of value in England was likely to fall but a successour in reversion was by the Popes provisions fore-appointed for the same To make sure work rather then they would adventure to take the place at the first rebound Anno Dom. 1392. they would catch it before it light on the ground Anno Regis Ric. 2 16. This was imputed to the Popes abundance yea superfluity of care 〈◊〉 â—etur vacuum in the Church and rather then a Widow Benefice should mourn it self to death a second husband had his License for marriage before the former was deceased But great parishes where small the profit and numorous the people and where indeed greatest care ought to be had of their soules were past by in the Popes Bulls His Holiness making no provisions for those Livings which Livings had no provisions for his Holiness 35. Some will have it called Praemunire Why called Praemunire from fencing or fortifying the Regal power from forain assaults as indeed this was one of the best bulworks and sconces of Soveraignty Others that Praemunire signifieth the Crown fortified before the making of this Statute as fixing no new force therein but onely declaring a precedent and forgoing just right and due thereof Others conceive the word Praemonere turned by corruption of barbarous transcribers interpreters and pronouncers into Praemunire Others alledg the figure of the effect for the cause and the common Proverb Praemonitus Praemunitus Most sure it is that Praemunire sacias are operative words in the form of the Writ grounded on the Statute which may give denomination to the whole 36. It may seem strange such a Statute could pass in Parliament where almost sixty Spiritual Barons Popes covetousness odious to the Clergy Bishops and Abbots Voted according to Papal Interest except any will say that such who formerly had much of a Pope in their bellies had now more of Patriots in their breast being weary of Romes exactions Indeed no man in place of power or profit loves to behold himself buried alive by seeing his successour assigned unto him which caused all Clergy-men to hate such superinductions and many friends to the Pope were foes to his proceedings therein 37. This Law angred all the veines in the heart of his Holiness The Popes Letter against this Statute the Statute of Mortmain put him into a sweat but this into the sit of a fever The former concerned him onely mediately in the Abbies his darlings this touched him in his person and how cholerick he was will appear by the following Letter here inserted though written some fifty years after to make the story entire MArtinus Episcopus The Original of this Bill was in the Study of Sir Nichol. Bacon L. C ancellor whence the Arch-Bish of Armagh had this his Copy from which that of S Robert Cottons is derived servus servorum Dei 1393. Dilecto filio nobili viro Jobanni 16 Duct Bedsord Salutem Apostolicam Benedictionem Quamvis dudum in regno Anghae jurisdictio Romanae Ecclesiae liberatas Ecclesiastica suerit oppressa vigore illius Execrabilis Statuti quod omni divinae humanae rationi contrarium est Tamen adhuc non
an injurious and violent degradation deprived him not of his Episcopal indeleble character so that still in right he remained a Bishop 41. Eight Cavil God send valour at last He failed more in his Martyrdome by reason of his cowardly recantation thorow hopes of life and restitution to his former dignity then any of his fellow Martyrs Answer It is confessed But his final constancy may well cover his intermediate failings Better it is faintly and fearfully to bear in our body the marks of our Lord Jesus then stoutly and stubbornly to endure the brands of our own indiscretion 42. Last Cavil Remember not what God had forgotten He was condemned for high Treason for an act done by him as an Arch-Bishop and Councellor of State for which he professed both his sorrow a Mr Pryn 134. and repentance Did he so indeed by the confession of this his adversary The more unworthy man his accusor after this his sorrow and repentance to upbraid him therewith M r Pryn might also remember that the two Lord chief Justices were in the same Treason whose Education made them more known in the Laws of the Land and our Cranmer was last and least in the fault it being long before he could be perswaded to subscribe to the disinheriting of Queen Mary 43. We appeal to the unpartial Reader upon the perusal of the premisses whither an ordinary charity might not yea ought not to have past by these accusations and whether the memory of Arch-Bishop Cramner may not justly say of M r Pryn as once the King of b An appeal to any indifferent Israel of the King of Syria wherefore consider I pray you and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me Indeed so great is his antipathy against Episcopacy that if a Seraphim himself should be a Bishop he would either finde or make some sick feathers in his wings 44. Cranmer was now setled in his Arch-Bishoprick Cranmer Divorceth King Henry and the first eminent act of his office was exercised in the Kings Divorce A Court is called in the Priory of Dunstable in Bedford-shire as a favourable place indifferently distanced but five miles from Amphil where Queen Katharine resided With Cranmer were the Bishops of London Winchester Bath and Lincoln with many other great Prelates These summoned Queen Katharine to appear before them full fifteen dayes together on whose refusal they not onely adjudged her contumacious but also pronounced her match with the King as null and unlawful by Scripture and soon after it was proclaimed that hence forward none should call her Queen but the Dowager of Prince Arthur And thus a few dayes had dispatched that Divorce which had depended many years in the Court of Rome 45. And now I cannot call King Henry a Batchelor Who Marrieth a Lady and a Bollen because once married nor a married man because having no wife nor properly a widower because his wife was not dead But he therefore a single or rather a separated person remaining so if at all but a very short time as soon after solemnly married to the Lady Anna Bollen of whom largely hereafter 46. Now began Elizbeth Barton to play her tricks The Imposture of Elibeth Barton commonly called the holy Maid of Kent though at this day of Kent alone is left unto her as whose Maiden-ship is vehemently suspected and holiness utterly denied she was famous on a double account First for knowing secrets past and indeed she could tell any thing which was told her conversing with Fryers her familiars and other folks Confessors who revealed many privacies unto her Secondly she was eminent for foretelling things to come and some of her predictions hit in the mark procured to the rest the reputation of prophecy with credulous people She foretold that King Henry should not be King a full twelve moneth except he reassumed Queen Katharine to be his Wife 47. I am heartily sorry that the gravity of John Fisher Fisher More befooled by her forgery Bishop of Rochechester should be so light and the sharp sight of S r Thomas More so blinde as to give credit to so notorious an Impostrix which plunged them both into the Kings deep displeesure As for Elizabeth Bvrton soon after she was executed with many of her complices and complotters The Papist at this day unable to defend her forgery and unwilling to confess her cheating seek to salve all by pleading her to be distracted Thus if succeeding she had been praised and perchance Canonized for her devotion now failing she must be pardoned and pittied for her distraction 48. We may remember Bish Fisher imprisoned for refusing the Oath of Supremacy how not long since the Clergie did own and recognize King Henry the eighth for Supreme Head of the Church which was clearly carried by a plurality of voices in the Convocation John Fisher Bishop of Rochester was the onely eminent Clergy-man who openly opposed it One obnoxious to the Kings dispeasure on a threefold account first for engaging so zealously above the earnestness of an Advocate against the Kings Divorce Secondly for tampering with that notable Impositrix the holy maid of Kent Thirdly for refusing the Oath of Supremacy for which he was now imprisoned Indeed this Bishop lost himself both with his friends and his â—oes by his inconstancy at the first seeing he who should have been as staid as the Tower was as wavering as the Weather-cock neither complying with the King nor agreeing with himself but would and would not acknowledge the Kings Supremacy But at last he fixed himself on the negative and resolutely continued therein till the day of his death of whom more largely hereafter 49. The Clergie in the Province of York did also for a long time deny the Kings Supremacy The Convocation of York denies the Kings Supremacy Indeed the Convocation of York hath ever since struck Talies with that of Canterbury though not implicitly unanimously post-concurring therewith But here they dissented not because more Knowing in their judgments or tender in their consciences but generally more superstitious and addicted to Popery Insomuch that they sent two LETTERS to the King I conceive them written one from the upper the other from the lower house of Convocation wherein they acquainted his Highness with their judgments interlacing many expressions of general submission and their Reasons in a large discourle why they could not acknowledg him to be Supreme Head of the Church 50. Give me leave to suspect Edward Lee Edw. Lee Arch-Bishop of York a furious Papist De Scriptoribus Drit in Edwardo Sexto Arch-Bishop of York for a secret fomentor of this difference He was a virulent Papist much conceited of his own Learning which made him to write against Erasmus and a persecutor of Protestants witness John Bale convented before him for suspicion of heresie who in vain earnestly pleaded Scripture in his own defence till at last he casually made use of a
onely spared the Church in Peterborough but also advanced it into a Cathedral If so it was civilly done of Him not to disturb Her in Her grave whom He had so disquieted in Her bed The news of Her departure was not unwelcome to Queen Anna Bollen who though too good a Christian to desire Her death was too wife a woman to be over-sorrowfull for the same seeing formerly She was the King's Wife but by sequestration the true possessour of His bed being yet alive whereas now c Gen. 26. 22. Rehoboth She conceived God had made room for her 20. This Anna Bollen was great-grand-childe to a Citizen The character of Queen Anna Bollen Sir Jefferie Bollen Lord Major of London grand-childe to Sir William Bollen Knight who lived respectedly in his Countrey daughter to Thomas Bollen Earle of Wiltshire a great Courtier and she had Her birth in England blood by her d Daughter to Thomas Earl of Ormond Grand-mother from Ireland and breeding in France under Mary the French Queen so that so many relations meeting in Her accomplished Her with an acceptable behaviour to all qualities and conditions of people Of an handsome person and beautifull face and therefore that e Sanders de Schismate Anglicano pen that reports Her lean-visaged long-sided gobber-toothed yellow-complexioned with a wen in her neck both manifests his malice and disparageth the judgement of King Henry whom all knew well read in books and better in beauties who would never have been drawn to so passionate a love without stronger load-stones to attract it This Queen remembring how Her Predecessour lost the King's love with her over-austerity tuned Her self to a more open and debonaire behaviour even generally to all with whom She conversed Which being observed by Her adversaries was improved by them to Her overthrow so that She but for a very short time had the sole and peaceable possession of Her Husband In a word She was a great Patronesse of the Protestants Protectour of the persecuted Preferrer of men of merit among whom Hugh Latimer a bountifull Reliever of the poor and the happy Mother of Queen Elizabeth 21. On the eighth of June began a short The first reformed Convocation but sharp Parliament dissolved the eighteenth of July following effecting much in little time June 8. matters it seems being well prepared afore-hand 9. and the House assembled not to debate but doe the King's desires The parallel Convocation began the day after being one new-modelled and of a fashion different from all former Convocations Therein the Lord Cromwell prime Secretary sate in state above all the Bishops as the King's Vicar or Vicegerent-Generall in all spirituall matters Deformi satis spectaculo saith my f Godwâ—â—â—'s Annals Anno Dom. 1536. Authour indocto Lacio coetui praesidente sacratorum Antistitum omnium quos ante haec tempora Anglia unquam habuisset doctissimorum In one respect that place had better become the person of King Henry than this Lord His Proxie all allowing the King a very able Scholar But Cromwell had in power and policie what he lacked in learning if he may be said to lack it who at pleasure might command the borrowing thereof from the best brains and pens of those of his own partie in the Convocation 22. This Convocation consisted of two Houses The silence in the Abbots of the Convocation the Lower of the Clerks and Proctours of their respective Cathedrals and Diocesses with the Deans and Arch-Deacons therein the Upper of the Bishops with the Lord-Abbots and Priors I mean so many of them as voted as Barons in Parliament as may appear by their several g Concordatum erat per Honorandum virum Cromwell Reverendos Epiâ—copos Abbates Priores Domus superioris Acta Convocationis celebrat An. 1536. fol. antepenul â— subscriptions However I finde not the Abbots active in any degree in canvassing matters of Religion Whether this proceeded from any desire of ease their laziness being above their learning or out of humility counting it more proper to permit such disputes to the sole disposall of the Bishops as most concern'd therin or out of fear loth to stickle on religion knowing on what ticklish terms they stood For in this very Parliament all Abbies which could not dispend 200 li. a year were dissolved and bestowed on the King and those rich Abbots which had more than so many thousands yearly knew that Maxime in Logick to be true Magis minùs non variant speciem More and lesse doe not alter the kinde and might say with him on the Crosse They were in the same condemnation though as yet the sentence was not passed upon them 23. We will observe the daily motions in this Convocation The Diurnal of this Convocation as with mine own hand I have faithfully transcribed them out of the Records Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester June 16. made the Latine-Sermon taking for his Text h Luke 16. 8. The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light On the Friday following Richard Gwent Arch-Deacon of London was presented and confirmed Prolocutour in this Convocation On the same day Master William Peter Doctor of the Laws came into the House as deputed from his Master the Lord Cromwell who could not be present because of his greater employment in Parliament This Dr. Peter claimed the highest place in the House as due to his Master the Lord Cromwell i Records of Cant. An. Dom. 1536. fol. 9. petiit dictum locum sibi tanquam Procuratori dicti Magistri and he shall I say requested or required the same precedencie as due to him being his Proctour and obtained it accordingly without any dispute Though some perchance might question whether a Deputie's Deputy as one degree farther removed might properly claim His place 21. who was primitively represented Next Wednesday came in the Lord Cromwell in person and having judiciously seated himself above all tendred unto them an Instrument to be publickly signed by all the Convocation concerning the nullitie of the King's marriage with the Lady Anna Bollen 24. Some ten daies before Cranmer solemnly divorceth Anna Bollen from the King Archbishop Cranmer at Lambeth had held an open Court in the presence of Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke and most of the Privie Councel Wherein the King and Queen were cited to appear as they did by their Proxies Doctor Richard Sampson being the Kings and Doctor Nicholas Wootten the Queens Then proceeded the Archbishop to discusse the validity of their marriage and at the last by his definitive Sentence pronounced the same invalid frustrate and of none effect No particular cause is specified in that Sentence still extant in the Record and though the Judge and Court seemed abundantly satisfied in the Reasons of this Nullitie yet concealing the same unto themselves they thought not fit to communicate this treasure to
represent And seeing Sir Thomas More would have his own jests when dying no wonder if he makes others to jeer when dead 6. These two Supplications pressing both together for audience and reception The first Supplication best received that of the Beggars on earth found the best entertainment Whether because it came first which we know is great advantage in Beggars first come first served Or because these Terrestrial beggars were neerer at hand and so best able to manage their own suit whilst those in Purgatory were conceived at a greater distance Or chiefly because their Supplication suggested matter of profit to the King and His Courtiers and such whispers sound loud and commonly meet with attentive ears And as an introduction to the dissolution of all Abbeys spies were sent forth to make strict discovery of mens behaviours therein Indeed the Lord Cromwell Scout-Master-Generall in this designe stayed at the Court whilst his subordinate Emissaries men of as prying eyes as afterwards they proved of gripple hands sent unto him all their intelligence in manner and form as in due time shall ensue The lesser Monasteries bestowed on the King NOW because some moneths were imployed in that service before a perfect account was returned to the Lord Cromwell The suppressing of the smaller Monasteries may here seasonably be inserted For in the twenty seventh of the King's Reign Anno 1539 a motion was made in Parliament A gainfull motion made for the King That to support the King's States and supply His wants all Religious Houses might be conferred on the Crown which were not able clearly to expend above Two hundred pounds a year 2. Some may report Reported by mistake opposed by Bishop Fisher that John Fisher Bishop of Rochester earnestly though pleasently opposed the motion by alledging an Apologue out of Aesope That the Helve of the Axe craved a Handle of the wood of Oaks onely to cut off the Serebowes of the Tree but when it was a complete Instramentall Axe it felled down all the wood Applying it That the grant of these smaller Houses would in fine prove destructive to all the rest But Fisher being now in his grave this could not be spoken in this Parliament which with more probability was formerly urged by him against Cardinal Wolsey in dissolving the forty Houses whereof before 3. This Proposition found little opposition in either Houses Easily passed in Parliament Henry the eighth was a King and His necessities were Tyrants and both suing together for the same thing must not be denied besides the larger thongs they cut out of other mens leather the more intire they preserved their own hide which made the Parliament to ease their own purses by laying the load on those lesser Houses which they accordingly passed to the Crown 4. The Lord Herbert in his a Of Henry 8 pag. 376. Historie complaineth and that justly That this Statute for dissolution of the lesser Monasteries doth begin very bluntly A Preamble of importance restored out of the Records to the Printed Statute without any formall Preamble in the Printed Books they are Published It seemeth that herein he never searched the Record it self otherwise industrious in that kinde to which a solemn Preface is prefixed shewing some Reasons of the dissolution and pious uses to which they were attained In form as followeth The Preamble is this Forasmuch as manifest sin vitious carnall and abominable living is daily used and committed commonly in such little and small Abbeys Priories and other religious houses of Monks Canons and Nuns where the Congregation of such religious persons is under the number of twelve persons whereby the Governours of such religious Houses and their Covent spoile destroy consume and utterly waste as well the Churches Monasteries Priories principall Houses Farms Granges Lands Tenements and Hereditaments as the ornaments of the Churches and their goods and Chattels to the high displeasure of Almighty God slander of good Religion and to the great infamy of the King's Hignesse and the Realm if redresse should not be had thereof And albeit that many continuall Visitations hath been heretofore had by the space of two hundred years and more for an honest and charitable reformation of such unthrifty carnall and abominable living yet neverthelesse little or no amendment is hitherto had but their vitious living shamefully increaseth and augmenteth and by a cursed custome so grown and infested that a great multitude of the religious persons in such small Houses do rather choose to rove abroad in Apostasie than to conform themselves to the observation of good Religion so that without such small Houses be utterly suppressed and the Religion therein committed to the great and honourable Monasteries of Religion in this Realm where they may be compelled to live religioussly for reformation of their lives there can else be no redresse nor reformation in that behalf In consideration whereof the King 's most royall Majesty being Supreme head in earth under God of the Church of England daily studying and devising the increase advancement and exaltation of true doctrine and virtue in the said Church to the onely glory and honour of God and the totall extirping and destruction of vice and sin having knowledge that the premises be true as well by the compts of his late visitations as by sundry credible informations considering also that divers and great solemn Monasteries of this Realm wherein thanks be to God Religion is right well kept and observed be destitute of such full numbers of religious persons as they ought and may keep have thought good that a plain Declaration should be made of the premises as well to the Lords spirituall and Temporall as to other His loving Subjects the Commons in this present Parliament assembled WHEREUPON the said Lords and Commons by a great deliberation finally be resolved That it is and shall be much more to the pleasure of Almighty God and for the honour of this His Realm that the possessions of such small religious Houses not being spent spoiled and wasted for increase of maintenance of sin should be used and converted to better uses and the unthrifty religious persons so spending the same to be compelled to reform their lives And hereupon most humbly desire the King's Highnesse that it may be enacted by authority of this present Parliament That His Majesty shall have to Him and to Hit Heirs for ever all and singular such Monasteries His Majesty shall have and enjoy c. As it foloweth in the printed b Cap. 28. Statute In this Preamble two principles are laid down of infallible truth Two principles which must not be questioned and posterity must not be so presumptuous as to question them 1. The smallest Convents were the greatest sinners and they who had the least lands led the leudest lives 2. It was harder to reform little Covents than those that were greater It seems such small Houses like little fishes could not be caught with the
but onely regulate and remove it from the Strand to Fleet street or rather took away with one hand what was abused and restored it with the other to such as would better employ the same Queen Mary on her own cost restoreth some Convents Queen Mary Qu. Mary imparts Her intents to four Counsellors a Princesse more Zealous according to her devotion than politick resolved by way of Essay and Triall to restore certain dissolved Convents and endow them with competent maintenance in order hereunto She called four of Her principall Counsellours most interested in money-matters viz William Marquesse of Winchester Lord Treasurer Sir Robert Rochester Controller of Her House Sir William Peter Secretary and Sir Francis Inglefield Master of the Wards and by a long Speech acquainted them with Her intentions therein Now though the Lord Pawlet as Treasurer much being the want of money of this present might dislike the motion yet as Courtier he complied with the Queens desires the rather because it was in vain to withstand them so really strong were Her resolutions but it is worth our attention to hear Her Oration YOV a Hollinshed in Q Mary Anno Dom. 1555. pag. 1127. are here of Our Councell and We have willed you to be called to Vs to the intent ye might hear of Me my Conscience and the resolution of My minde concerning the Lands and Possessions as well of Monasteries as other Churches whatsoever being now presently in My possession First I doe consider that the said Lands were taken away from the Churches aforesaid in time of Schisme and that by unlawfull means such as are contrary both to the law of God and of the Church For the which cause My Conscience doth not suffer Me to detain them and therefore I here expresly refuse either to claim or to retain the said Lands for Mine but with all My heart freely and willingly without all paction or condition here and before God I doe surrender and relinquish the said Lands and Possessions or Inheritances whatsoever and doe renounce the same with this minde and purpose that order and disposition thereof may be taken as shall seem best liking to our most holy Lord the Pope or else his Legate the Lord Cardinall to the honour of God and wealth of this Our Realm And albeit you may object to Me again that considering the state of My Kingdome the Dignity thereof and My Crown Imperiall cannot be Honourably maintained and furnished without the Possessions aforesaid yet notwithstanding I set more by the salvation of My soul than by ten Kingdomes and therefore the said Possessions I utterly refuse here to hold after that sort and title and give most hearty thanks to Almighty God which hath given Me an Husband likewise minded with no lesse good affection in this behalf than I am my self Wherefore I charge and command that My Chancellour with whom I have conferred My minde in this matter before and you four to morrow doe resort together to the most reverend Lord Legate and doe signifie to him the premises in My name and give your attendance upon him for the more full declaration of the state of My Kingdome and of the aforesaid Possessions accordingly as you your selves doe understand the matter and can inform him in the same 2. In this matter the words of b Desâ—his Ang. lib. 2 pag. 309. Sanders ought to be observed Several Orders re erected by Her presuming him best knowing in these Acts of restitution then performed by Her Majesty and that he would lose nothing for the measuring which might tend to the Queens credit Collegia nova amplissimâ dote fundantur Coenobia Benedictinorum Carthusianorum Brigitensium Dominicanorum Observantium ac aliorum Ordinum à devotis personis re-adificantur Catholicis Regibus in hoc genere pietatis subditis omnibus pralucentibus New Colledges are founded with a most ample endowment Convents of Benedictines Carthusians Brigitteans Dominicans Observants and other Orders are re-edified by devout persons The Catholick Princes out-shining all their Subjects in this kinde of piety Now seeing this passage is the best torch we meet with to direct us in this dark subject we will severally weigh his words and impartially comment upon them 1. Benedictines When Westminster Church was turned into an Abbey and John Feckenham made Abbot thereof installed therein on the 21 November 1557. But this was done without any cost to the Crown onely by altering the property of the place from a late made Cathedrall to an Abbey and turning the Prebendaries into sixteen black Monks which were all at the present could be found having that Order and willing to wear that Habit upon them 2. Carthusians These were fixed at Shene nigh Richmond in Surrey over against Sion 3. Brigitteans At Sion in Middlesex This indeed with the former cut two good collaps out of the Crown land though farre short this second endowment of what formerly they possessed It was some difficulty to stock it with such who had been veyled before it being now thirty years since their dissolution in which time most of the elder Nuns were in their graves and the younger in the arms of their husbands as afterwards imbracing a married life However with much adoe joyning some new ones with the old they made up a competent number 4. Dominicans These were seated in Smith field in London The best was they being Mendicants little stock would serve to set up Beggars their restoring could not be very expensive to the Queen besides the site of an house for their dwelling and some other necessary accommodations 5. Observants These were Fryers like the former being Franciscans reformed and therefore not over-costly their restitution Their house was at Greenwich founded by King Henry the seventh plucked down by King Henry the eighth as largely before one of the first of all other Convents because the Fryers therein were so obstinate against the King and such sticklers for the legality of Queen Katherine's marriage In gratitude whereunto and honour of Her own extraction Queen Mary re-seated them in their habitations 6. And other Orders Sanders for the more credit of the matter politickly winds up all these indefinite words though in the remaining Orders were not so many as to make up a number Of which the most eminent were the Hospitallers of St. John's of Jerusalem in Clerkenwell a place in a pitifull plight when now they were first restored for the Bell-Tower of the Church was undermined and blowne up with Gun-powder that the stones thereof might build Somerset-house in the Strand Now where the Steeple was shattered the Church must needs be shaken as here the body and c Stowes Surv. of London pag. 483. side-Iles thereof were by that fatall blow finally confounded onely part of the Quire remaining with some side Chappels which Cardinall Poole caused to be closed up on the West-end and repaired And this served the Hospitallers for their devotions the short time they continued therein
free Soc. to be held as of the Manour of East Greenwich sine reditu  George Bridges Lord Shandois St. Edmunds-Bury in Suffolke Q. o 2 parte rot 13. Elizabeth in the second year of her Reign Feb. 14. Iohn Eye Esquire of the payment of four hundred pound in free Soccage to be held as of the Queens Manour of East Greenwich sine reditu   St. Albans in Hertfordshire Q. p 4 part rot 52. Elizabeth in the sixt of her Reign May 6. Christopher Smith Esq Thomas Broughton Gent. of the payment for it and other lands in the Grant of 1703 li. 1s 4d in free and common Soccage sine reditu   Hitherto we have proceeded on the most authentick authority out of Records And although we are confident of the truth of such as follow yet wanting the like assurance in the Dates Tenures and Considerations we thought fit to rank them by themselves 2. Battel-Abbey in Sussex was bestowed by King Henry the eighth on Sir Anthony Browne Knight of the Garter and Master of His Majesties Horse enjoyed by his heir-male in a direct line at this day 3. Thorney-Abbey in Cambridge-shire was conferred by King Henry the eighth on Iohn Lord Russell and is possessed by his Abnepos William Earle of Bedford in a lineall descent 4. S. Iohn's Priory in Coventry was given by King Henry the eighth to Hales Esquire Clerk of the Hanaper at this day in possession of one of his name and lineage 5. Eversham-Abbey in Worcester-shire I finde not to whom first granted but by a long Lease it was in the possession of one Mr. Andrewes father and son whose Grandchilde living now at Berkhampsteed in Hertford shire hath better thrived by God's blessing on his own industry than his Father and Grandfather did with Evesham-Abbey The sale of the stones whereof he imputeth a cause of their ill successe Lately it was Sir William Curteens and I know not to whom his Sonne sold it 6. The Abbey of S. Bennet's in the Holme in Norfolke was never sold Bennet in the Holme changed with the Bishop of Norwich but onely changed in the two and thirtieth of King Henry the eighth with the Bishop of Norwich as appeareth by the printed Statute which affirmeth That the lands setled by the King on the Bishoprick were of a greater yearly value than the Lordships and Manours given to his Grace Which might be so seeing all profit consists not in annuall revenue but much in casualties of Fines Indeed generally Coronets did gain but Miters lose in their exchanges with the Crown 7. S. Maryes in Yorke with Selby S. Maryes in Yorke how disposed the onely Mitred Abbey beyond Trent was kept in the Crown to be the Kings Palace when repairing into those parts Since called the Manour where the Lord President of the Councell in the North held his residence At this day it is in the hands of the States as excepted by name in the Ast for the sale of Kings lands and one was allowed a Fee for the carefull keeping thereof 8. My enquire cannot attain to whom S. Maryes in Shrewsburie was passed As for Augustine's in Canterbury I conceive it never aliened from the Crown reading in my worthy * Will Somner in his Antiq. of Canterbury pag. 60. friend that the remaining ruines thereof are made subject to publick uses And thus we have a perfect account of all the Mitred English-Abbeys The Reader well remembring what we have formerly written at large of S. Iohn's of Ierusalem and Waltham as also of Glocester Peterborough and Westminster advanced into Cathedrals save that the last was afterwards altered into a Collegiate-Church 9. we may observe that the greatest Abbeys founded in Cities were of the least profit Countrey Abbeys largest in profit because so streight-laced with streets and houses round about them that they could not grow to any extraordinary bulk for ground continued thereunto so that the Sites were but Sites as in S. Albans S. Edmunds-Bury Hyde c. Whereas Monasteries in Countrey-Towns let loose at more liberty to dilate themselves had generally a large Manour and ample Demesnes annexed unto them 10. Wise men have informed me Present gaine future losse that had succeeding Princes followed King Henry's pattern generally granting Abbeys only in Capite that such lands though passed gratis from the Crown under small rents would notwithstanding in some part have returned thither again as affording Respit of Homage Reliefs Wardships Fines for alienation for a constant revenue Whereas being afterwards granted in free soccage whilst the tenure onely advanced the present sale the Crown was deprived of much Emolument and more obligation 11. Richard Williams aliàs Cromwell Esquire A solemn Tilting proclaimed to whom Ramsey Abbey was partly given partly sold was one of the five who in the thirty second year of Henry the eighth made the bold challenge at Justs to all comers that would in France Flanders Scotland and Spain Here it was expected that some of our Knights Hospitallers whose House by Act of Parliament was dissolved but a month before should appear valiantly in their vindication if conceiving any injustice offered unto them But they kept themselves close probably not so much for fear of all the Challengers as of one of the Spectatours viz King Henry Himself as sure if Conquerours of the King's anger and others envy if worsted of their own disgrace Besides by the laws of their Order they were not to Tilt against Christians but onely to spend their spears against Pagans and Infidels Lastly the challenge seemed only confined to forraigners 12. This Richard Williams aliàs Cromwell came into the place an Esquire The noble atchievements of Rich. Cromwell but departed a Knight dubbed by the King for his valour clearly carrying away the credit overthrowing Mr. Palmer * Stow in the reign to Hen. 8. pag. 580. in the field at Justs one day and the next serving Mr. Culpepper at Barriers in the same manner Hereupon there goeth a Tradition in the Familie that King Henry highly pleased with his prowesse Formerly said He thou wast My Dick but hereafter shalt be My Diamond and thereat let fall His Diamond-Ring unto him In avowance whereof these Cromwells have ever since given for their Crest a Lyon holding a Diamond-Ring in his Fore-paw 13. Some conceive these Abbey-Lands more unsuccessfull than any other Censure on Abbey-Lands and infectious to the third Generation Yea Papists would perswade us that as Bucephalus cast all his Riders till backed by Alexander his Lord and Master so these skittish-Lands will dismount all that bestride them untill forsooth they be as they hope restored to their proper Owners And this they impute to the curse of their Founders denounced to such who should alienate them from their first institution Others maintain that no certainty can be concluded from such casualties but that all things come to passe alike to all As dye
antient amongst the Barons to the degree and dignity of Viscounts wherein that it may long flourish in plenty and happinesse is the daily prayer of Your Honours most obliged Servant THOMAS FVLLER THE Church-History OF BRITAIN KING HENRY the eighth Jan. 28. though dying excommunicate in the Church of Rome The hopefull beginning of King Edward had notwithstanding His Obsequies solemnly performed at Paris in France 1546. 7. by the command of Francis the French a Godwin in Edvardo â—exto pag. 158. King presuming so much on His own power and the Pope's patience otherwise such courtesie to His friend might have cost Him a curse to Himself Then began King Edward His Son Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 1. to reign scarce ten years old Ann. Dom. full of as much worth as the model of His age could hold No pen passeth by Him without praising Him though none praising Him to His full deserts Yea Sanders himself having the stinch of his railing tongue over-sented with the fragrant ointment of this Prince's memory though jeering His for His want of age which was God's pleasure and not King Edward's fault and mocking Him for His Religion the others highest honour alloweth Him in other respects large commendations 2. No sooner was He come to the Crown Peace and prosperity to the Protestants in England but a peaceable dew refreshed Gods inheritance in England formerly patched with persecution and this good Angel struck off the fetters from many Peters in prison preserving those who were appointed to die Onely Thomas Dobbie Fellow of S. Johns in Cambridge committed to the Counter in Bread street and condemned for speaking against the Masse died of a natural death in respect of any publick punishment by Law inflicted on him but whether or no any private impression of violence hastened his end God alone knoweth His speedy death prevented the b Fox Acts Mon. Vol. 2. pag. 655. pardon which the Lord Protectour intended to send him Divine Providence so ordering it that he should touch not enter see not taste behold not reap benefit on earth of this Reformation Other Confessours which had fled beyond sea as John Hooper Miles c Senders de Schis Anglic. lib. 2. pag. 230. Coverdale c. returned with joy into their Countrey and all Protestants which formerly for fear had dissembled their religion now publickly professed the same Of these Archbishop Cranmer was the chiefest who though willingly he had done no ill and privately many good offices for the Protestants yet his cowardly compliance hitherto with Poperie against his conscience cannot not be excused Ann. Dom. 1546-47 serving the times present in his practice Ann Reg. Ed. 6 1. and waiting on a future alteration in his hopes and desires 3. Edward Semaure Commissionners sent into several Counties with Instructions to reform the King's Uncle lately made Lord Protectour Jan. 28. and Duke of Somerset ordered all in Church and State He by the King's power or if you please the King in his protection took speedy order for Reformation of Religion And being loth that the people of the Land should live so long in errour and ignorance till a Parliament should be solemnly summoned which for some Reasons of State could not so quickly be call'd in the mean time by His own Regall power and authority and the advise of His wise and honourable Counsell chose Commissioners and sent them with Instructions into severall parts of the Kingdome for the rooting out of superstition the substance whereof thirty six in number we have here presented The King's Injunctions 1. That all Ecclesiasticall persons observe the Lawes for the abolishing the pretended and usurped power of the Bishop of Rome and confirmation of the Kings authority and supremacie 2. That once a Quarter at least they sincerely declare the Word of God disswading their people from superstitious fancies of Pilgrimages praying to Images c. exhorting them to the works of faith mercy and charitie 3. That Images abused with Pilgrimages and offerings thereunto be forthwith taken down and destroyed and that no more wax-Candles or Tapers be burnt before any Image but onely two lights upon the high Altar before the Sacrament shall remain still to signifie that Christ is the very light of the world 4. That every Holy day when they have no Sermon the Pater noster Credo and Ten Commandements shall be plainly recited in the Pulpit to the Parishioners 5. That Parents and Masters bestow their Children and Servants either to learning or some honest occupation 6. That such who in Cases exprest in the Statute are absent from their Benefices leave learned and expert Curates 7. That within three Months after this Visitation the Bible of the larger volume in English and within twelve Months Erasmus his Paraphrase on the Gospel be provided and conveniently placed in the Church for people to read therein 8. That no Ecclesiasticall persons haunt Ale-houses or Taverns or any place of unlawfull gameing 9. That they examine such who come to confession to them in Lent whether they can recite their Creed Pater noster and ten Commandements in English before they receive the blessed Sacrament of the Altar or else they ought not to presume to come to Gods board 10. That none be admitted to preach except sufficiently licensed 11. That if they have heretofore extolled Pilgrimages Reliques worshipping of Images c. they now openly recant and reprove the same as a common errour groundlesse in Scripture 12. That they detect and present such who are Letters of the Word of God in English and Fautours of the Bishop of Rome his pretended power 13. That a Register-Book be carefully kept in every Parish for Weddings Christnings and Burialls 14. That all Ecclestasticall persons not resident upon their Benefices and able to dispend yearly twenty pounds and above shall in the presence of the Church-Wardens or some other honest men distribute the fourtieth part of their revenues amongst the poor of the Parish 15. That every Ecclesiasticall person shall give competent exhibition to so many Schollers in one of the Universities as he hath hundred pounds a year in Church promotions 16. That the fift part of their Benefices be bestowed on their Mansion-houses or Chancells till they be fully repaired 17. That he readeth these Injunctions once a Quarter 18. That none bound to pay Tithes detain them by colour of Duty omitted by their Curates and so redoub one wrong with another 19. That no person henceforth shall alter any Fasting-day that is commanded or manner of Common Prayer or Divine Service otherwise then specified in these Injunctions untill otherwise ordered by the Kings authority 20. That every Ecclesiasticall person under the degree of Batchelour of Divinity shall within three Months after this Visitation provide of his own the New Testament in Latine and English with Erasmus his Paraphrase thereon And that Bishops by themselves and their Officers shall examine
to oppose and the flattery of the Courtiers most willing to comply matters were made as sure as mans policy can make that good which is bad in it self But the Commons of England who for many yeers together had conn'd loyalty by-heart out of the Statute of Succession were so perfect in their lesson that they would not be put out of it by this new started designe so that every one proclaimed Mary next Heir in their consciences and few daies after King Edwards death all the project miscarried of the plotters whereof some executed more imprisoned most pardoned all conquered and Queen Mary crowned Thus though the streame of Loyalty for a while was violently diverted to runne in a wrong channell yet with the speediest opportunitie it recovered the right course again 2. But now in what manner this Will of King Edwards was advanced The truth of the carriage of Sr. Edward Mountagu in his drawing up the Will of King Edw. the sixth that the greatest blame may be laid on them who had the deepest guilt the following answer of Sr. Edward Mountagu Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas accused for drawing up the Will and committed by Queen Mary to prison for the same will truly acquaint us The original whereof under his own hand was commnuicated unto me by his great grandchilde Edward Lord Mountagu of Boughton and here faithfully exemplified SR Edward Mountagu Knight late Chief-Justice of the Common Pleas received a letter from Greenwich dated the eleventh day of June last past signed with the hands of the Lord Treasurer the Duke of Northumberland John Earl of Bedford Francis Earl of Shrewsburie the Earl of Pembroke the Lord Clynton the Lord Darcie John Gate William Peter William Cecill John Cheke whereby he was commanded to be at the Court on the morrow by one of the clock at after-noon and to bring with him Sr. John Baker Justice Bromley the Attorney and Solicitour General and according to the same all they were there at the said hour of one of the clock And after they were brought to the presence of the King the Lord Treasurer the Marquesse of Northampton Sr. John Gate and one or two more of the Councill whose names he doth not now remember were present And then and there the King by His own mouth said that now in His sicknesse he had considered the state of this His Realm and Succession which if He should decease without Heir of His body should go to the Lady Mary who was unmarried and might marry a stranger-borne whereby the Lawâ— of this Realm might be altered and changed and His Highnesse proceedings in Religion might be altered Wherefore His pleasure was that the state of the Crown should go in such forme and to such persons as His Highnesse had appointed in a Bill of Articles not signed with the Kings hand which were read commanded them to make a Book thereof accordingly with speed And they finding divers faults not onely for the incertainty of the Articles but also declaring unto the King that it was directly against the Act of Succession which was an Act of Parliament which would not be taken away by no such devise Notwithstanding His Highnesse would not otherwise but that they should draw a Book according to the said Articles which he then took them and they required a reasonable time of His Highnesse for the doeing thereof and to consider the Laws and Statutes made for the Succession which indeed were and be more dangerous then and of them they did consider and remember and so they departed commanding them to make speed And on the morrow all the said persons met and perusing the said Statutes there grew this question amongst them whether it were presently treason by the words of the Statute of Anno primo Edvardi Sexti or no treason till it were put in execution after the Kings death because the words of the Statute are the King His Heirs and Successours because the King can have no Successours in His life but to be sure they were all agreed that it were the best and surer way to say to the Lords that the execution of this devise after the Kings decease was not onely treason but the making of this devise was also presently treason as well in the whole Councell as in them and so agreed to make their report without doing any thing for the execution thereof And after Sr. William Peter sent for the said Sr. Edward to Eely-place who shewed him that the Lords required great speed in the making of the said Book and he told him there were none like to be made for them for the danger aforesaid And after that the said S. Edward with the rest of his company went to the Court and before all the Council the Duke of Northumberland being not in the Council-chamber made report to the Lords that they had considered the Kings Articles and also the Statutes of Succession whereby it appeared manifestly that if they should make any Book according to the Kings commandment they should not onely be in danger of treason but also their Lordships all wherefore they thought it their bounden duties to declare the danger of the Laws unto them and for avoiding of the danger thereof they had nothing done therein nor intended to doe the Laws being so dangerous and standing in force The Duke of Northumberland having intelligence of their answer either by the Earle of Huntington or by the Lord Admiral cometh into the Council-Chamber before all the Council there benign in a great rage and fury trembling for anger and amongst his ragious talk called the said Sr. Edward Traitour and further said that he would fight in his shirt with any man in that quarrel as all the whole Council being there will report whereby the said Sr. Edward with the rest were in great fear and dread in special Mr. Bromley and the said Sr. Edward for Mr. Bromley told the said after that he dread then that the Duke would have striken one of them and after they were commanded to go home and so departed in great fear without doing any thing more at that time wishing of God they had stood to it as they did then unto this time And after the said Sr. Edward received another letter dated at Greenwich the 14 th of June last past signed with the hands â—f the Lord Treasurer the Earl of Bedford the Marquesse of Northampton the Earle of Shrewsburie the Lord Clynton the Lord Cobham the Lord Darcy William Peter John Gate John Cheeke whereby he was commanded to bring with him Sr. John Baker Justice Bromley and Mr. Gosnolde and to be at the Court on the morrow by one of the clock at after-noon where all they were at the same houre and conveyed into a chamber behinde the Dining-Chamber there and all the Lord looked upon them with earnest countenance as though they had not known them So that the said Sr. Edward with the other might perceive there
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
pained Him not no not when He was troubled with the gout this cunning Don being able to please Him in His greatest passion And although the Match was never effected yet Gondomar whilst negotiating the same in favour to the Catholick cause procured of His MAJESTY the enlargement of all Priests and Jesuits through the English Dominions 23. The actions of Princes are subject to be censured A malicious Comment on a mercifull Text. even of such people who reap the greatest benefit thereby as here it came to passe These Jesuits when at liberty did not gratefully ascribe their freedome to His MAJETIE's mercy but onely to His willingnesse to rid and clear His gaoles over-pestered with prisoners As if His Majestie if so minded could not have made the gallows the besome to sweep the gaole and as easily have sent these prisoners from Newgate up westward by land as over Southward by Sea What moved King JAMES to this lenity at this time I neither doe know nor will enquire Surely such as sit at the stern and hold the helm can render a reason why they steer to this or that point of the compasse though they give not to every mariner much lesse passenger in the ship an account thereof I being onely by my place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a rower or minister in the vessel content my self in silence with the will of the Master thereof But let us exemplifie the Lord Keeper's Letter to this purpose To the Judges AFter my hearty commendations to you His Majesty having resolved out of deep Reasons of State and in expectation of the like correspondence from forraign Princes to the profession of our Religion to grant some grace and connivency to the imprisoned Papists of this Kingdome hath commanded me to passe some Writs under the Broad Seal to this purpose Requiring the Judges of every Circuit to enlarge the said Prisoners according to the tenour and effect of the same I am to give you to understand from His Majesty how His Majesties Royal pleasure is that upon receipt of these Writs you shall make no nicenesse or difficulty to extend that His Princely favour to all such Papists as you shall finde Prisoners in the Gaols of your Circuits for any Church Recusancy whatsoever or refusing the Oath of Supremacy or dispersing Popish Books or hearing saying of Masse or any other point of Recusancie which doth touch or concern Religion only and not matters of State And so I bid you farewell Westminster-Colledge August 2. 1622. Your loving friend John Lincolne Now although one will easily believe many Priests and Jesuits were set at liberty Yet surely that p Mr. Prâ—â— in loc Gentleman is no true accomptant if affirming to fewer than four thousand to be set free at this time Especially considering that q Jo Gee in his Foot out of the snare one who undertakes to give in a perfect list of all the Jesuits in England and is since conceived rather to asperse some Protestants than conceal any Papists cannot mount their number higher than two hundred twenty and five To which if such whom he detects for Popish Physicians with all those whom he accuses for Popish Books be cast in they will not make up the tithe of four thousand 24. However Bitter Complements betwixt Gondomar and the Earl of Oxford most distastful was Gondomar ' s greatnesse to the English antient Nobility who manifested the same as occasion was offered as by this one instance may appear Henry Vere Earle of Oxford chanced to meet with Count Gondomar at a great entertainment The Don accosted him with high Complements vowing That amongst all the Nobility of England there was none he had tendred his service with more sincerity than to his Lordship though hitherto such his unhappiness that his affections were not accepted according to his integrity who tendred them It seems replied the Earle of Oxford that your Lordship had good leisure when stooping in your thoughts to one so inconsiderable as my self whose whole life hath afforded but two things memorable therein It is your Lordships modesty returned Gondomar to undervalue your self whilst we the spectators of your Honours deserts make a true and unpartiall estimate therof Hundreds of Memorables have met in your Lordships life But good my Lord what are those Two signall things more conspicuous than all the rest They are these two said the Earl I was Born in the Eighty Eight and Christned on the Fift of November 25. Henry Copinger Dec. 21. The death of Master Henry Câ—pinger formerly Fellow of S. John's Coll in Cambridge Prebendary of Yorke once Chaplain to Ambrose Earl of Warwick whose funeral Sermon he preached made Master of Magdalene Colledge in Cambridge by Her MAJESTIES Mandate though afterwards Resigning his Right at the Queens shall I call it request to prevent trouble ended his religious life He was the sixth Son of Henry Copinger of Bucks-Hall in Suffolke Esquire by Agnes Daughter of Sir Thomas Jermyn His Father on his death-bed asking him what course of life be would embrace He answered he intended to be a Divine I like it well said the old Gentleman otherwise what shall I say to Martin Luther when I shall see him in heaven and he knows that GOD gave me eleven Sons and I made not one of them a Minister An expression proportionable enough to Luther's judgement who r Pantalcon de Illustribus Germaniae in Vitae Lutheri p. 82. maintained some houres before his death That the Saints in heaven shall knowingly converse one with another 26. Laneham Living fell void A free Patrone and faithfull Incumbent well met which both deserved a good Minister being a rich Parsonage and needed one it being more than suspicious that Dr. Reinolds late Incumbent who ran away to Rome had left some superstitious leaven behinde him The Earl of Oxford being Patrone presents Mr. Copinger to it but adding withall That he would pay no Tithes of his Park being almost half the land of the Parish Copinger desired to resigne it again to his Lordship rather than by such sinfull gratitude to betray the Rights of the Church Well! if you be of that minde then take the Tithes saith the Earl I scorn that my Estate should swell with Church-goods However it afterwards cost Master Copinger Sixteen hundred pounds in keeping his questioned and recovering his detained rights in suit with the Agent for the next minor E. of Oxford and others all which he left to his Churches quiet possession being zealous in Gods cause but remisse in his own 27. He lived forty and five years the painfull Parson of Laneham His long and good life in which Market-Town there were about nine hundred Communicants amongst whom all his time no difference did arise which he did not compound He had a bountiful hand plentiful purse his paternal inheritance by death of elder Brothers and others transactions descending upon him bequeathing Twenty pounds
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
any such offence and if some particular man have disliked it as many and as eminent have manfested their approbation thereof 3. M r Calvin is but one man Besides he spake against the first draught of the Liturgie Anno 1. of King Edw. the sixth which afterwards was reviewed in that Kings Reign and again in the first of Queen Elizabeth 4. The same charge lieth against the Directorie appointing though not the words to be prayed with the matter to be prayed for Poor liberty to leave the spirit only to supply the place of a Vocabulary or a Copia Verborum And seeing Sense is more considerable then Language the prescribing thereof restraineth the Spirit as much as appointing the words of a prayer 5. It complieth with the Papists in what they have retained of Antiquity and not what they have superadded of Idolatry and therefore more probably may be a means of converting them to our Religion when they perceive us not possessed with a Spirit of opposition unto them in such things wherein they close with the Primitive Times 6. The Vsers of the Liturgie have also laboured in Preaching Catechtsing and study of Divine Learning Nor doth the Directorie secure any from Laziness seeing nothing but Lungs and sides may be used in the delivery of any extemporary prayer Against the Liturgie For the Liturgie 7. It is tedious to the people with the unnecessary length Anno Dom. 1645. taking up an hour at least Anno Regis Carol 21. in the large and distinct reading thereof 8. Many Ceremonies not only unprofitable but burthensome are therein imposed on peoples consciences 9. Diverse able and faithful Ministers have by the means of the Liturgie been debar'd the exercise of their Ministry and spoiled of their livelihood to the undoing of them and their family 7. Some observers of the Directorie to procure to their parts and persons the repute of ability and piety have spent as much time in their extemporary devotions 8. This is disproved by such who have written volums in the vindication thereof But grant it true not a total absolution but a reformation therof may hence be inferred 9. The Directorie if enforced to subject the refusers to penalties may spoil as many and as well deserving of their Ministry and livelihood Such as desire to read deeper in this Controversie may have their recourse to the manifold Tractats written on this subject 9. But leaving these disquiets A query for conscience sake the Common-Prayer daily decreased and Directorie by the power of Parliament was advanced Here some would fain be satisfied whether the Abolishing of the main body of the Common-Prayer extendeth to the prohibition of every expression therein I mean not such which are the numerical words of Scripture whereof no question but other ancient passages which in the Primitive Times were laudably not to say necessarily put in practice 10. I know a Minister who was accused for using the Gloria Patri conforming his practice to the Directorie in all things else A word in due season and threatned to be brought before the Committee He pleaded the words of M r Cartwright in his defence * His reply against Whitgift p. 107. Sect. 4. confessing the Gloria Patri founded en just cause that men might make their open profession in the Church of the Divinity of the Son of God against the detestable opinion of Arrius and his Disciples But now saith he that it hath pleased the Lord to quench that fire there is no such cause why those things should be used But seeing said the Minister it hath pleased God for our sins to condemn us to live in so licentious an age wherein the Divinity both of Christ and the Holy-Ghost is called frequently and publickly into question the same now by M r Cartwrights judgement may lawfully be used not to say can well be omitted I remember not that he heard any more of the matter 11. It is now high time to take our farewel of this tedious subject A farewell to the subject and leave the issue thereof to the observation of Posterity The best Demonstration to prove whether Daniel and his Fellows the Children of the Captivity should thrive better by plain pulse to which formerly they had been used or the new diet of diverse and dainty dishes was even to put it to the Trial of some * 1 Dan. 1. 13. dayes experiment and then a Survey taken of their Complexions whether they be impaired or not so when the Directorie hath been practised in England ninty years the world lasting so long as the Liturgie hath been then Posterity will be the competent Judge whether the Face of Religion had the more lively healthful and chearful looks under the one or under the other 12. The next news engrossing the talk of all tongues Arch-Bishop Williams strangely altered was about D r Williams Arch-Bishop of York no less suddenly than strangely metamo phosed from a zealous Royalist into an active Parliamentarian being to relate the occasion thereof we will enter on the brief history of his life from the cradle to the grave repeating nothing formerly written but only adding thereunto 13. None can question the gentility of his extraction Born in Wales of good parentage finding him born at Aberconway in Carnatvon-shire in Wales of a family rather ancient than rich His Grandfather had a good estate but aliened it seems by his heirs so that this Doctor when Lord-Keeper was fain to repurchase it Surely it was of a considerable value because he complaineth in his * Cabala pag. letter to the Duke who encouraged him to the purchase that he was forced to borrow money and stood indebted for the same 14. He was bred in S t Johns Colledge in Cambridge Bred in Saint Johns and Proctor of Cambridge to hold the scales even with S t Johns in Oxford wherein Arch-Bishop Land had his education D r Gwin was his tutor his chiefest if not his only eminency and afterwards the occasion of his preferment For as this Tutor made his Pupil Fellow this Pupil made the Tutor Master of the Colledge Next was M r Williams made Proctor of the University excellently performing his Acts for the place in so stately a posture as rather but of duty thereby to honour his Mother-Vniversity than desire to credit himself as taking it only in his passage to an higher employment 15. He was Chaplain or Councellor shall I say to Thomas Egerton Lord Chancellor The Lord Egerton his hoon to this his Chaplain who imparted many mysteries of that place unto him Here an able Teacher of State met with as apt a Scholar the one not more free in powring forth then the other capable to receive firm to retain and active to improve what was infused into him So dear was this Doctor to his Patrone that this Lord dying on his death-bed desired him to choose what most acceptable legacy he should bequeath
Henry had already attained both by his partial Reformation Power by abolishing the Pope's usurpation in His Dominions Profit by seizing on the lands and goods of suppressed Monasteries And thus having served His own turn His zeal wilfully tired to goe any farther and onely abolishing such Popery as was in order to his aforesaid designes He severely urged the rest on the practice of His Subjects 16. Herein he appeared like to Jehu King of Israel Compared with King Jehu who utterly rooted out the forraign Idolatry of BAAL fetcht from the Zidonians and almost appropriated to the family of Ahab but still worshipped the CALVES in DAN and BETHEL the state-Idolatry of the Kingdome So our Henry though banishing all out-landish superstition of Papall dependance still reserved and maintained home bred Popery persecuting the Refusers to submit thereunto 17. For The six bloody Articles by the perswasion of Bishop Gardiner in defiance of Archbishop Cranmer and the L. Cromwell with might and main opposing it it was enacted 1. That in the Sacrament of the Altar after consecration no substance of bread or wine remaineth but the naturall body and blood of Christ 2. That the Communion in both kindes is not necessary ad salutem by the law of God to all persons 3. That Priests after Orders received may not Marry by the Law of God 4. That Vows of Chastity ought to be observed 5. That it is meet and necessary that private Masses be admitted and continued in Churches 6. That auricular Confession must be frequented by people as of necessity to salvation Laws bad as penned worse as prosecuted which by some Bishops extensive interpretations were made commensurate to the whole body of Popery 18. Indeed The L. Cromwel's designe miscarrieth the Lord Cromwell unable to right his own had a designe to revenge himself on the opposite party by procuring an Act That Popish Priests convict of Adultery should be subject to the same punishment with Protestant Ministers that were married But Gardiner by his greatnesse got that law so qualified that it soon became lex edentula Ann. Reg. Hē 8. 32. whilst the other remained mordax death being the penalty of such who were made guilty by the six Articles though Nicholas Shaxton of Salisbury Ann. Dom. 1540. and Hugh Latimer of Worcester found the especial favour to save themselves by losing of their Bishopricks 19. And now began Edmond Bonner 〈…〉 aliàs Savage most commonly called by the former but too truly known by the later name newly made Bishop of London to display the colours of his cruelty therein which here I forbear to repeat because cited at large by Mr. Fox For I desire my Church-History should behave it self to his Book of Martyrs as a Lieutenant to its Captain onely to supply his place in his absence to be supplemental thereunto in such matters of moment which have escaped his observation 20. Match-makers betwixt private persons seldome finde great love for their pains Cromwell fal's into the Kings displeasure and peoples hatred betwixt Princes often fall into danger as here it proved in the L. Cromwell the grand contriver of the King's marriage with Anne of Cleve On him the King had conferred Honours so many and so suddainly that one may say The crudities thereof lay unconcted in his soul so that he could not have time to digest one Dignity before another was poured upon him Not to speak of his Mastership of the Jewel-house he was made Baron Master of the Rolls the Kings Vicar-general in spiritual matters Lord Privie-Seale Knight of the Garter Earle of Essex Lord Great Chamberlaine of England And my b Camdens Brit. in Essex p. 454. Authour observeth that all these Honours were conferred upon him in the compasse of five years most of them possessed by him not five moneths I may adde and all taken from him in lesse than five minutes with his life on the scaffold 21. This was the cause why he was envied of the Nobility and Gentry Why Cromwel was deservedly envied being by birth so much beneath all by preserment so high above most of them Besides many of his advancements were interpreted not so much Honours to him as Injuries to others as being either in use improper or in equity unfit or in right unjust or in conscience unlawfull for him to accept His Mastership of the Rolls such who were bred Lawyers conceived it fitter for men of their profession As for the Earldome of Essex conferred upon him though the title lately became void by the death of Bourchier the last Earl without Issue-male and so in the strictnesse of right in the King 's free disposal yet because he left Anne a sole Daughter behinde him Cromwel's invading of that Honour bred no good blood towards him amongst the kinred of that Orphan who were honourable and numerous His Lord great Chamberlainship of England being an Office for many years Hereditary in the Antient and Honourable House of Oxford incensed all of all that Family when beholding him possessed thereof His Knighthood of the Garter which custome had appropriated to such who by three degrees at least could prove their Gentile descent being bestowed on him did but enrage his Competitours thereof more honourably extracted As for his being the King's Vicar-General in Spiritual matters all the Clergie did rage thereat grutching much that K. Henry the substance and more that Cromwell His shadow should assume so high a Title to himself Besides Cromwel's name was odious unto them on the account of Abbies dissolved and no wonder if this Sampson plucking down the pillars of the Popish-Church had the rest of the structure falling upon him July 9. These rejoiced when the Duke of Norfolke arrested him for Treason at the Councel-Table whence he was sent Prisoner to the Tower 22. And now to speak impartially of him Cromwell's admirable parts though in prison If we reflect on his parts and endowments it is wonderfull to see how one quality in him befriended another Great Scholar he was none the Latine Testament gotten by heart being the master-piece of his learning nor any studied Lawyer never long-living if admitted in the Inns of Court nor experienced Souldier though necessity cast him on that calling when the Duke of Burbone besieged Rome nor Courtier in his youth till bred in the Court as I may call it of Cardinal Wolsey's house and yet that of the Lawyer in him so helped the Scholar that of the Souldier the Lawyer that of the Courtier the Souldier and that of the Traveller so perfected all the rest being no stranger to Germany well acquainted with France most familiar with Italy that the result of all together made him for endowments eminent not to say admirable 23. It was laid to his charge Articles charged upon the Lord Cromwell First that he had exceeded his Commission in acting many things of high conseqsence without acquainting the King therwith dealing therein
though perchance wisely for the State not warily for himself Indeed it is impossible for such Officers managing not onely multitudes but multiplicity of matters but that in some things they must mistake As in c Prov. 10. 19. many words there wanteth not iniquity so in the Actours of many affairs faults are soon found out He was also accused to set at liberty certain persons not capable of it for granting Licenses and Commissions destructive to the King's authority for being guilty of Heresie himself and favouring it in others Trayterous speeches were also charged upon him spoken two years before in the Church of S. Peter's in the Poor in Broad street the avouchers thereof pretending that as hitherto they had concealed them for love of themselves fearing Cromwel's greatnesse so now for the love of the King they revealed the same Indeed on the first manifesting of the King's displeasure against him the foes of Cromwel had all their mouthes open and his friends their mouthes shut up 24. The mention of S. Peter's in Broad-street An injurious Act to many poor people charged on the Lord Cromwell mindeth me of a passage not unworthy to be recited of an injury offered by this Lord Cromwell to many poor men in the same Parish And because every one is best able to tell his own tale take it in the words of John d Survey of London p. 187. Stow being himself deeply concerned therein The Lord Cromwell having finished his house in Throgmorton-street in London and having some reasonable plot of ground left for a garden caused the pales of the gardens adjoyning to the North part thereof on a sudden to be taken down two and twenty foot to be measured forth-right into the North of every man's ground a line there to be drawn a trench to be cast a foundation laid and an high brick-wall to be builded My father had a garden there and there was an house standing close to his South-pale this house they loosed from the ground and bare upon rowlers into my father's garden two and twenty foot ere my father heard thereof no warning was given him nor other answer when he spake to the Surveyors of that work but that their Master Sir Thomas commanded them so to doe no man durst goe to argue the matter but each man lost his land and my father paid his whole rent which was six sâ—illings eight pence the year for that half which was left Thus much of mine own knowledge have I thought good to note that the sudden rising of some men causeth them to forget themselves I am moved the rather to believe our Authour herein because elsewhere he alloweth this Lord his deserved praise for his virtues and especially his Hospitality affirming e Survey of London p. 74. he had often seen at the Lord Cromwell's gate above two hundred persons served twice every day with meat and drink sufficient Nor can I see what may be said in excuse of this oppression except any will plead that Abimelech's servants violently f Gen. 21. 26. took away the wells from Abraham and yet Abimelech himself never knew more or lesse thereof 25. As for the passionate expressions of Cromwell The worst passionate Speech objected against him a g Sir I. Strode of Parubam in Dorcet-shire Knight aged well-nigh eighty whose Mother was Daughter to the Lord Cromwell's Son hath informed me That the principall passage whereon the Lord's enemies most insisted was this It being told the L. Cromwell that one accused him for want of fidelity to the King Cromwell returned in passion Were he here now I would strike my dagger into his heart meaning into the heart of the false Accuser and therein guilty of want of charity to his fellow-subject not of loyaltie to his Sovereign But seeing the words were a measuring cast as uttered though not as intended to whom they should relate the pick-thank Repeater avowed them uttered against the King Himself So dangerous are dubious words and ambiguous expressions when prevalent power is to construe and interpret the meaning thereof 26. Ten daies after his Arrest His Speech on be scaffold he was attainted of high Treason in Parliament and brought on the Scaffold the next week to execution Here he spake the following words unto the people which the Reader is requested the more seriously to peruse July 19. that thereby he may be enabled to passe if concerned therein his verdict in what Religion this Lord died I Am come hither to die 29. and not to purge my selfe as some think peradventure that I will For if I should so doe I were a very wretch and miser I am by the law condemned to die and thank my Lord God that hath appointed me this death for mine offence For since the time that I have had years of discretion I have lived a sinner and offended my Lord God for the which I aske him heartily forgivenesse And it is not unknown to many of you that I have been a great traveller in this world and being but of base degree I was called to high estate and since the time I came thereunto I have offended my Prince for the which I aske Him heartily forgivenesse and beseech you all to pray to God with me that he will forgive me And now I pray you that be here to bear me record I die in the Catholick Faith not doubting in any Article of my faith no nor doubting in any Sacrament of the Church Many have slandered me and reported that I have been a bearer of such as have maintained evil opinions which is untrue But I confesse that like as God by his Holy Spirit doth instruct us in the truth so the Devil is ready to seduce us and I have been seduced but bear me witnesse that I die in the Catholick Faith of the Holy Church And I heartily desire you to pray for the King's Grace that He may long live with you in health and prosperity and that after Him His son Prince Edward that goodly impe may long reign over you And once again I desire you to pray for me that so long as life remaineth in this flesh I waver nothing in my faith And so making his Prayer c. The generall terms wherein this his Speech is couched hath given occasion for wise men to give contrary censures thereof Fox in his Marginall Note on this Speech pag. 515. A true Christian Confession of the Lord Cromwell at his death Lord Herbert in the Index of his History under C. Cromwell died a Roman-Catholick notwithstanding he had been such a destroyer of the Church True it is so warie were Cromwell's expressions that Luther and Bellarmine might in their own persons have said the same without any prejudice to their own principles and many conceive that the most which these his words amount to will but make him an six-Articles Protestant 27. But let Cromwell's politick Speech be in part expounded by