beseech you take into your Religious consideration and vouchsafe me such a favourable resolution as the meritts of the cause requireth It is so that Doctor Robert Weston sometimes one of the Lords Justices for the Government of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of the same Realme Grandfather to my deceased Wife and great Vncle to the now Lord Treasurer of England whose memory yet lives by being stiled the good Lord Chancellor of Ireland was buried in the upper end of the Chancell in Saint Patrickes Church whose Daughter Sir Iefferey Fenton maried he having beene principall Secretary of State to Queene Elizabeth and King Iames for many yeares and lived and died in great honour whose onely Daughter I tooke to Wife and hee was buryed in the same grave My Wife drawing towards her end made her last request unto me that her Grandfather her Father and her selfe might be buried together and that I would be at the charge to erect some Monument in memoriall of them all Whereupon in accomplishment of her dying desire who was the Mother of my fifteene Children I propounded unto the Lord Archbishop of Dublin and to the Deane and Chapter of Saint Patricks to purchase a place where I might erect a Tombe over them And they assigned me the ground under an Arch to make a Seller or Vault in to receive dead bodies and three foote of the Chancell adjoyning to the Grave where the Lord Chancellor and Sir Iefferey Fenton had beene buried for which I payd them a Fyne with Rent and other reservations towards the reparation of the Church and by their unanimous consent have a Deed in due forme of Law perfected under their Chapter Seale and so being by generall consent legally interested therein I made a Vault of hewed stone under ground with conveighances therein to free the Church from the waters with which floods and great raynes it was before often anoyed withall and where there was then but an earthen flower at the upper end of the Chancell which was often overflowne I raysed the same three steps higher making the Staires of hewen stone and paving the same through out of the same whereon the Communion Table now stands very dry and gracefully In that Seller I have placed the Corps of my Wives Grandfather her Father and her selfe with a Daughter of mine since deceased that was married to the Lord Digbie and over the Vault I have caused a Tombe of foure storyes to be erected which reacheth two and thirtie foot from the ground which hath cost me a thousand pounds at the least and is the greatest ornament and beautie to that Church that ever was placed therein that being seated under an Arch that in former time was only a passage into the Saint Mary Chappell at the East end of which Chappell the high Altar stood and when that Chappell which hath two other wayes into it the one on the right hand the other on the left fell into ruine that Arch wherein the Tombe is placed to keepe the winde and weather out of the Chancell was made up with slight timber and lathes and plaistred with Clay white lymed over whereon the Commandements were lately written It is three yeares since this my worke was finished and neither during the time of the worke nor since till now of late did I ever heare of any mouth opened against it but many in commendations of it as a great beautie and ornament to that Chancell neither doth it take away or hide any of the lights of the Chancell for they are all above this Fabricke Neither is there any remembrance nor can the oldest man living say that there ever was any Altar placed neere this passage Yet of late it hath pleased my honourable Lord the Lord Deputy to command me to give Your Grace satisfaction herein or else to declare that the Tombe must be defaced which to have done would bee the greatest dishonour and affliction that could bee layed upon me And the more for that before I heard any thing of Your Graces distant thereof I had in the presence of the Lord Prymate given order to the Deane at my ovvne charges for a stately Skrene to be erected within the Quire and upon the pavement raised by my selfe upon which the tenne Commandements are to bee engraven to the great beautifying of Gods House Vpon that notice from the Lord Deputy I made suite to the Lord Prymate and the Lord Archbishop of Dublin to view the place which they vouchsafed together with the Deane and Chapter to doe And doe humbly offer to your Grace their opinions herein which I beseech Your pious consideration of and that you will be pleased to returne me such an answer as may encourage me to proceed herein and in other like building and charitable workes wherein I spend a great part of my estate and time as all that know me and my actions â—an testifie The great God of Heaven blesse Your Grace with a long and happie life in this world and everlasting glory in the world to come vvhich is and ever shall be the prayer of Your Graces most humble and faithfull Servant R. Caâ—he Dublin 20. Febr. 1633. May is please Your Grace VNderstanding from the Earle of Corke that Your Grace hath intimated unto the Right Honourable the Lord Deputie your offence taken against a Tombe lately built by his Lordship in the quire of Saint Patrikes Church neere this Citie of Dublin being informed that it should be situate in the place where the High-Altar anciently stood and that it should darken the East Window of the Quire upon his Lordships earnest request unto mee I have made bold to declare unto your Grace my knowledge thereabouts which is that the place where the Tombe is erected is a spatious Arch which in former times as I conceive served for a passage into the Marie Chappell adjoyning at the East end vvhereof the High Altar stood This Arch was closed up and plastered to keepe the winde as I imagine out of the Quire Saint Marie Chapell being somevvhat decaied upon the plaistering the Declalogue was fairely painted these vvere done before my promotion to this See or comming into this Kingdome The windovves which were of old somevvhat high over the Arch are no way darkened by his Lordships monument but remaine as they were formerly and the monument is so wrought and contrived what in the Arch and the Wall that vvith the grate before it it doth not much diminish the length of the Quire The Earle hath raised that end of the Quire three-steppes higher then it vvas and hath paved it with faire hevven stones being formerly a floore of earth many times upon a fresh drovvned vvith water where novv the Communion Table iâ— placed vvith more decency then in former times And his Lordship is in hand to set up a faire skrine of timber somewhat distant from the monument so that it may take in some other monuments heretofore erected on either side in the which
have beene by His Majestie and his Royall Ancesters granted to the Dutch and French Churches in this kingdome And divers other wayes hath expressed his malice and disaffection to these Churches that so by such disunion the Papists might have more advantage for the overthrow and extirpation of both 13. Hee hath malitiously and traiterously plotted and endeavoured to stirre up warre and enmity betwixt his Majesties two Kingdomes of England and Scotland and to that purpose hath laboured to introduce into the Kingdome of Scotland divers Innovations both in Religion and Government all or the most part of them tending to Popery and superstition to the great grievance and discontent of his Majesties Subjects of that Nation and for their refusing to submit to such Innovations hee did trayterously advise his Majesty to subdue them by force of Armes and by his owne Authority and Power contrary to Law did procure sundry of his Majestyes Subjects inforced the Clergie of this Kingdome to contribute towards the maintenance of that war And when his Majesty with much wisdom Justice had made a Pacification betwixt the two Kingdomes the said Archbishop did presumptuously censure that pacification as dishonourable to his Majesty and by his councells and endeavours so incensed his Majesty against his said Subjects of Scotland that he did thereupon by advice of the said Archbishop enter into an offensive warre against them to the great hazard of his Majesties person and his Subjects of both Kingdomes 14. That to preserve himselfe from being questioned for these and other his trayterous courses he hath laboured to subvert the rights of Parliament and the ancient course of Parliamentary proceeding and by false and malitious slanders to incense his Majesty against Parliaments By which words counsels and actions he hath traiterously and contrary to his allegiance laboured to alienate the hearts of the Kings liege people from his Majesty and to set a devision betweene them and to ruine and destroy his Majesties Kingdomes for which they doe impeach him of High Treason against our Soveraigne Lord the King his Crowne and Dignity The said Commons do further averre that the said William Archbishop of Canterbury during the times that the crimes aforementioned were done and committed hath beene a Bishop or Archbishop of this Realme of England one of the Kings Commissioners for Ecclesiasticall matters and one of his Majesties most honourable Privie Councell and hath taken an oath for his faithfull discharge of the said Office of Councellor and hath likewise taken an oath of supremacy and Allegeance And the said Commons by protestation saving to themselves the liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter any other accusation or impeachment against the said Archbishop and also of replying to the Answers that the said Archbishop shall make unto the said Articles or to any of them and of offering further proofe also of the Premises or any of them or of any other impeachment or accusation that shall be exhibited by them as the cause shall according to the course of Parliament require do pray that the said Archbishop may be put to answer to all and every the premises and that such proceedings examination tryall and Judgment may be upon every of them had and used as is agreeable to Law and Justice The Articles being read Mr. PYMME proceeded in his Specch as followeth My Lords THere is an expression in the Scripture which I will not presume either to understand or to interpret yet to a vulgar eye it seemes to have an aspect something sutable to the Person and Cause before you It is a description of the evill Spirits wherein they are said to be spirituall wickednesses in high places Crimes acted by the spirituall faculties of the Soule the Will and the Vnderstanding exercised about spirituall matters concerning Gods Worship and the Salvation of Man seconded with power authority learning and many other advantages do make the party who commits them very sutable to that description Spirituall wickednesses in high places These crimes My Lords are various in their Nature heynous in their quality and universall in their extent If you examine them Theologically as they stand in opposition to the truth of God they will be found to be against the rule of Faith against the power of godlinesse against the meanes of Salvation If you examine them Morally as they stand in opposition to the light of Nature to right reason and the principles of humane society you will then perceive pride without any moderation such a Pride as that is which exalts it selfe above all that is called God Malice without any provocation Malice against vertue against innocencie against piety injustice without any meanes of restitution even such injustice as doth robbe the present times of their possessions the future of their possibilities If they be examined My Lords by Legall Rules in a Civill way as they stand in opposition to the Publique Good and to the Lawes of the Land Hee will be found to be a Traytor against his Majesties Crown an Incendiary against the Peace of the State he will be found to be the highest the boldest the most impudent Oppressour that ever was an Oppressor both of King and People This Charge my Lords is distributed and conveyed into 14. severall Articles as you have heard and those Articles are only generall It being the intention of the House of Commons which they have commanded me to declare to make them more certaine and particuler by preparatory Examinations to be taken with the helpe of your Lordships house as in the Case of my Lord of Strafford I shall now runne through them with a light touch only marking in every of them some speciall point of venome virulency and malignity 1. The first Article my Lords doth containe his endeavour to introduce into this Kingdome an Arbitrary power of Government without any limitations or Rules of Law This my Lords is against the safety of the Kings Person the honour of his Crowne and most destructive to his people Those Causes which are most perfect have not only a power to produce effects but to conserve and cherish them The Seminary vertue and the Nutritive vertue in vegetables do produce from the same principles It was the defect of justice the restraining of oppression and violence that first brought Government into the World and set up Kings the most excellent way of Government And by the maintenance of justice all kinds of Government receive a sure foundation and establishment It is this that hath in it an ability to preserve and secure the Royall power of Kings yea to adorne and encrease it 2. In the second Article your Lordships may observe absolute and unlimited power defended by Preaching by Sermons and other discourses printed and published upon that subject And truly my Lords it seemes to be a prodigious crime that the truth of God and his holy Law should be perverted to defend the lawlesnesse of men That the holy and
and the Silver extrasted put into the Treasurie of the Church 14. The Kings Schollers being 40. usually coming tumultuously into the Chore ordered to come in bimatim and to doe reverence towards the Altar Moreover the Archbishop in his Injunctions to the Dean Chapter of the Cathedrall Church of Chicester made in his Metropoliticall Visitation there An. 1635. orders thus in his 6. Injunction Item That you provide Copes fitting for the service of your Cathedrall by one a year untill you be sufficiently furnished with them as was proved by the Injunctions found in his own Study attested by Mr. Prynne an Altar with all its furniture and adorations towards it being there likewise provided and used The like Innovations were introduced and prescribed by his Injunctions and new statutes in all or most Cathedralls in England and Wales to the great rejoycing of the Popish Party and scandall of all true zealous Protestants and any default in them was reputed a crime presentable as appeared by this Passage of an Abstract of the Abuses in the Diocesse of Lincolne 1634. in my Metropoliticall visitation endorsed with the Archbishops hand and found in his study Lincolne August 9. 1634. The Communion Table is not very decent and the Raile before it is worse the Organs old and naught The Copes and Vestments are embeselled and none remaine c. And in another Abstract concerning his Metropoliticall Visitation in other Diocesses particulars concerning the same indorsed likewise with his own hand there are these passages Norwich the hangings of the Quire are naught the Copes are fair but want mending In the Cathedrall as Worcester they have no Copes but are ordered to buy some before the feast of the Annuntiation In the Cathedrall at Gloucester many things amisse No Copes c. in Winchester Cathedrall they have no Copes some do not bow when they come into the Quire nor at the blessed name of Iesus Litchfield the furniture of the Altar c. very meane Therefore care must be taken for more costly furniture Whence this Archbishop took his Commission and president for adorning our Cathedrall and Collegeat Churches thus above others with these Romish Ornaments superstitious Innovations which in truth defiled them is worthy our speciall observation it being in taken from the very Roman Ceremoniall set forth reformed by the Command of Pope Clement the 8. lib. 1. cap. 12. De ornatu Ecclesiae p. 64. which prescribes thus Sic MAJOR ETIAM â—VRA adhibenda erit IN ORNATV ECCLESIAE CATHEDRALJS AVT COLLEGJATAE quae numerosum clerum habeat supellectilem amplam que congrué situata suis partibus apté distincta COMMODJOREM ORNANDI PRAEâ—EAT FACVLTATEM after which it prescribes Altars Altar-clothes Candlestickes Tapers Crucifixes Jmages Copes Rich hangings for the Altar and Quire with Jmages of Christ our Lady and Saints bowing to the Altar and Crucifix and that all Altars should have at least two Candlestickes with Tapers and a Crosse of Silver or of some other mettall placed on the midst of the Altar with the Image of Christ crucified on it as you may there read at large This Arch Prelate not content to propagate these Innovations in England like an Vniversall Patriarch over all his Majesties Realms endeavoured the introducing of them with an high hand into all the Cathedralls Churches and Chappell 's in Ireland by the then Lord Deputy Wentworthes power his great Creature of which we shall give you this briefe accompt Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to this Lord Deputy by his Command August 10. 1633. sent over an Account of the state of the Church of Jreland to this Prelate as he found it and what Alterations hee had already made in it seized in the Archbishops study by Mr. Prynne wherein are these observable clauses RIght Reverend Father My most honoured Lord presuming partly upon your licence but especially directed by my Lord Deputies commandes I am to give your Father-hood a briefe account of the present state of the poore Church of Ireland such as our short Intelligence here and your Lordship weightier imployments there will permit c. In Christ Church the principall Church in Ireland withor the Lord Deputy and Councell repaire every Sunday the Table used for administration of the blessed Sacrament in the MIDST OF THE QVIRE is made an ordinary seat for Maidons and Apprentices J cannot omitte the glorious Tombe in the other Cathedrall Church of saint Patrike in the proper place of the Altar just opposite to his Majesties seat having his Fathers name subscribed upon it as if it were contrived on purpose to gaine that worship and reverence which the Chapter and whole Church are bound by speciall statute to give towards the East and either the soyle it selfe or a Licence to build and bury and make a Vault in the place of the Altar under Sealetant which is tantamount is passed to the Earle and his heires Credimus esse Deos. This being the case in Dublin your Lordship will Judge what we may expect in the Country The Earle of Corke holdes the whole Bishopricke of Lismore at the Rate of fortie shillings or five markes by the yeare For the remedying of these evills next to God and his sacred Majesty I know my Lord depends upon your Fatherhoods wisedom and zeale for the Church my duty binds me to pray for a blessing upon both your good endeavours for the present my Lord hath pulled down the Deputies seat in his owne Chapell and restored the Altar 〈◊〉 ancient place which was thrust out of dores the like is done in Christs Church This testimony I must give of his care that it is not possible for the intentions of a mortall man to be more serious and sincere then his in those things that concerne the good of this poore Church Your Lordships daily â—â—â—dsman and devoted servant Iohn Bramhall Dublin Castle Aug. 10. 1643. Vpon this Information the Archbishop signifyed his dislike of erecting this Monument by the Earle of Corke in the place where the High Altar as was misinformed anciently stood and gave some directions for removing it Whereupon the Earle of Corks and Archbishop of Dublin writ these ensuing Letters to satisfie his Grace in this particular which were seconded with other Letters from Archbishop Vsher and the Deane and Prebends of Saint Patrickes Church to like effect over-tedious to recite My Gracious Lord. I Vnderstand that upon suggestions made unto your Grace you conceive that a Tombe which I have lately caused to be erected in Saint Patrickes Church neere Dublin is prejuditiall to the lights of the Chancell and seated in the place where the High Altar stood And as I have alwayes by my best desires and actions endeavored to invest my selfe in your Graces good opinion and have not willingly done any act that might prejudice me therein So in this particular I make humbly bold to deliver my justification to your Grace as followeth which I
skrine the Decalogue shal befairely painted and the Communion Table shall bee placed close to the same more decently then it hath beene which being performed the Quire will be much beautified and the celebration of divine service for sight and audience better accommodated then heretofore That Quire to omit the example of Christ-Church the other Cathedrall Church in this Citie and of Saint Paule in London if I bee not mistaken representing in a lesser modell the patterne of Westminster Abbey where there is a skrine enclosing some monuments and a way on each hand to the Chappell adjoying Your Grace may bee pleased also to understand that the Earle obtained Licence to erect his Monument in that place by the unanimous consent of the Deane and Chapter of that Church and that they are Honourable personages whose memory is preserved in that monument the one being Lord Iustice and Lord Chancellour of this Kingdome the other principall Secretary of State both Ancestors to his most pious and Vertuous Lady lately deceased And finally Your Grace is intreated to take Your consideration the meritts of this Noble Earle his zeale for the advancement of true Religion declared by his suppressing forreign jurisdictions and presumptions by building of Churches in severall places and erecting Schoole-houses and Almeshouses at his owne charge besides his publike workes for the common-Wealth raising structures of great strength and expence in places of importance and planting of English Colonyes to the great security and settlement of Peace and civility within those parts all which considered hee may be justly deemed worthy of Honourable memory in the Church Thus much by opening the truth I have written at the Earles request who is exceeding desirous to purge himselfe to Your Grace from giving any scandall to the Church whereupon he hopeth to gaine Your Graces approbation of his blamelesse carriage which I also humbly beseech on his behalfe ever remaining To doe Your Grace Service La Dubline Talloch 17. Feb 1633. To which Letter of the Archbishop of Dublin this Arch-Prelate returned this waspish insolent answer writ with Master Dells but endorsed with his owne hand found in his Study with the former Originalls in the very beginning whereof you may discerne his most palpable dissimulation and falshood S. in Christo My very good Lord IT is most true that I have taken offence at a Tombe erected by the Earle of Corke in the Cathedrall of Saint Patrick but I did not take that Offence lately onely but before ever my Lord Deputy that now is was named to the place And I took that offence by a complaint thence sent unto me for I was never there though I cannot recall who it was that complaind And I am sure the complaint came then unto mee with a full cry that it was built in the place where the High-Altar first stood and the Communion Table afterwards Your Lordship at the Earles entreaty hath signified to me your knowledge for so you say that the Tombe stands in a great Arch at the end of the Quire which was plaistered up to keepe out the Winde and that the High Altar stood at the end of the Lady Maries Chappell which is beyond it and that the East Window is at the top of the Arch and not darkened My Lord it will be hard for mee to speake any thing contrary to Your Lordship who hath beene so often upon that place where I never was yet I shall deale freely and tell Your Lordship what I thinke And first my Lord I am satisfied that the Tombe darkens none of the East-Window But I am no way satisfied that the Altar stood at the upper end of the Lady Maries Chappell That an Altar stood there I easily grant for in those times there were diverse Altars in one Cathedrall and every by Chappell had one at least But that the High-Altar did ever stand in any Cathedrall in other place then the East end of the Quire is quite out of my knowledge nor did I ever heare it till now by Your Lordships Letters That the place before the Arch was an earthen Floore and often troubled with a fresh I doe againe really believe Your Lordship And the Earle hath done very well to raise it and pave it with stone But that the swelling of the Tombe The Iron Grate before it The taking in of some ancient Monuments on either side The erecting of a Skrine before which you say the Communion Table should stand would take off little or no Roome from the Quire that I must confesse I doe not very well understand Your Lordship addes that when the Skrine is built and the Communion Table placed before it it will much beautifie the Quire and be like other Cathedralls To that I can say nothing but must leave it to their eye-sight and judgement that are upon the place And whereas Your Lordship sayes that my Lord had leave of the Deane and Chapter with their unanimous consent to erect a Monument in that place if the place be fit for a Monument the consent was very well askt and given But if it appeare the place were inconvenient then my Lord of Corke did not very well to aske a consent and the Deane and Chapter did very ill to grant it and the more unanimous the consent was the worse And whereas you write that there are other Honourable Personages whose memory is preserved in that Monument to that I say if the Monument stand where it ought God forbid it should be toucht If it stand where it ought not it may be fairely and decently removed and set up in some convenient place upon the side of the Quire or elsewhere where it will as well preserve the memory of those Honourable Personages which you mention as now it doth And God forbid any violence should be offered to that in any kinde And last of all whereas Your Lordship desires I should take into consideration the merits of that Noble Earle I am very willing to doe that And first I am very glad to heare from Your Lordship his zeale for the advancement of true Religion but I may not conceale from Your Lordship that I have likewise heard from others and that some yeares since that hee hath gotten into his hands no small proportion of the Churches meanes And if that be so any man may see his end in advancing true Religion But such a Zeale that poore Church hath little need of and God blesse every part of the Church from it As for his Lordships building of Churches Schooles and Hospitalls I know nothing of that and can say as little to it Only this I can say that if he take from the Church in one place to build Church Schoole or Hospitall in another t is no zeale nor the way which Christian bounty uses to tread And if his Lordship hath done any Publike worke for strength and fortification to the Kingdom I pray God that bee not done with the Churches
have any Image of any Saint especially of our Saviour in his house is unlawfull and that if any man kept such pictures in his house if it were not flat Idolatry yet it was little better This was the maine charge against him to which was added that he used some harsh expressions against lacivious mixt dancing especially on the Lords day citing only the words of the Waldenses in their censure against Dancing borrowed frō Vincentius Belvacensis Gulielmus Peraldus two Popish Writers of great note and justified by Bishop Babington in his exposition upon the seventh Commandement and that he prayed for the States of Holland the King of Sweden and other Generals beyond the seas in his prayer before he prayed for the King that now is over us which was but according to the usuall course of all or most Ministers who first prayed for the whole Catholick Church in generall next for the Protestant Churches and Princes beyond the seas and then for the Church and King of England and agreeable to the forme of the very Common-prayer-book in the prayer for the whole state of Christs Church c. which runs thus We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings Princes and Governours which comprehends all foreine Princes in the first place and especially thy servant Charles our King c. who is remembred last of all but yet in a more speciall manner But these two last particulars though mentioned in his sentence were no inducements to it but only the first passage against Images which M. Workman justified out of divers of our owne English Authors and the very Homilies against the perill of Idolatry Part. 3. p. 41. to 631. which determine thus That no Jmage of God or the Trinity or of Christ may or ought to be made that such Images are not only defects but lyes and teach nothing of God or Christ but lyes and errours That Images placed publickly in Temples cannot possibly be without danger of worshipping and idolatry wherefore they are not publickly to be or suffered in Temples and Churches c. We infer and say for the Adversative that all our Images of God our Saviour Christ and his Saints publickly set up in Temples and Churches places peculiarly appointed to the true worship of God be not things indifferent nor tolerable but against Gods law commandment taking their own interpretation and exposition of it First for that all Images so set up publickly have bin worshipped of the unlearned and simple sort shortly after they had been publickly so set up and in conclusion of the wise and learned also Secondly for that they are worshipped in sundry places now in our time also And thirdly for that it is impossible that Images of God Christ or his Saints can be suffered especially in Temples and Churches any while or space without worshipping of them and that Idolatry which is most abominable before God cannot possibly be escaped and avoided without the abolishing and destruction of Images and Pictures in Temples and Churches for that Idolatry is to Images specially in Temples and Churches an inseparable accident as they tearm it so that Images in Churches and Idolatry go alwayes both together and that therefore the one cannot be avoided except the other specially in all publick places be destroyed Wherefore to make Images and publickly to set them up in the Temples and Churches places appointed peculiarly to the service of God is to make Images to the use of Religion and not only against this precept Thou shalt make us manner of Images but against this also Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor worship them for they being set up have been be and ever will be worshipped c. That it is not possible if Images be suffered in Churches and Temples either by the preaching of Gods Word or by any other means to keep the people from worshipping of them and so to avoid idolatry c. What can we do I say or bring to passe to the stay of Idolatry or worshipping of Images if they be allowed to stand publickly in Temples and Churches And if so many so mighty Emperours by so severe Lawes and Proclamations so rigorous and extreame punishments and executions could not stay the people from setting up and worshipping of Images what will ensue thinke you when men shall commend them as necessary books of the Laymen Let us therefore of these latter dayes learn this lesson of the experience of ancient Antiquity That Idolatry cannot possibly be separated from Images any long time but that as an unseparable accident or as a shadow followeth the body when the Sunne shineth so Idolatry followeth and cleaveth to the publick having of Images in Temples and Churches And finally as Idolatry is to be abhorred and avoided so are Images which cannot be long without Idolatry to be put away and destroyed Besides the which experiments and proof of time before the very nature and origine of Images themselves draweth to Idolatry most violently and mens nature and inclination also is bent to Idolatry so vehemently that it is not possible to sever or part Images nor keep men from Idolatry if Images he suffered publickly c. For if the origine of Images and worshipping of them as it is recorded in the eight Chap. of the Book of Wisdom began of a blind love of a fond father framing for his comfort an Image of his Sonne being dead and so at the last men fell to the worshipping of him whom they did know to be dead how much more will men and women fall to the worshipping of the Image of God our Saviour Christ and his Saints if they be suffered to stand in Churches and Temples publickly For the greater the opinion is of the majesty and holinesse of the person to whom an Image is made the sooner will the people fall to the worshipping of the said Image Wherefore the Images of God our Saviour Christ the Blessed Virgin Mary the Apostles Martyrs and other of notable holinesse are of all other Images most dangerous for the perill of Idolatry and therefore greatest heed to be taken that none of them be suffered to stand publikely in Churches and Temples For there is no great dread least any should fall to the worshipping of Images of Annas Caiphas Pilate or Judas the Traitor if they were set up But to the other it is already at full proved That Idolatry hath been is and is most like continually to be committed Now as the Nature of mari is none otherwise bent to worshipping of Images if he may have them and see them then it is bent to whordome and Idolatry in the company of an harlot And as a man given to the lust of the flesh seeing a wanton harlot sitting by her and imbracing her it profitteth little for one to say beware of fornication God will condemne fornicators and adulterers for neither will he being overcome with greater intisements of
should wonder both at the mans selfe and at the mans men not at the Jesuits onely and the Seminary Priests you shall not know them to make them the wonderment But the Recusant Papist yea every profest Papist let us wonder at them too They wax in number and in spirit and their mouthes speak presumptious things Think you they censure that treason from their heart surely I will think that he that sayes as the Pope sayes will also doe as the Pope does Say he comes to Church and hold the Kings supremacy tamen Romanus est as Segismond the Emperour said of a Cardinall yet he is a Papist nullus est fidus eorum affectus quorum est diversa fides therefore trust not that man that holds any Popery if he kisse like a Serpent he sure will sting too his peace is with thee but rebus sit stantibus he is that womans Son he thirsts for blood even thy blood that embraceth him he sayes with Esau in his heart the dayes of mourning for Isaac will come one day then I will kill my Brother Iaâ—cob but let us wonder Ibid. page 286. l. 10. these words are expunged Instance but in the Pope he is but one Serpent but a great one Draco magnus in the Apocalipse He curseth Kings and States by his Bâ—le that is his Hisse murders and massacres by his Jesuits they are his sting page 416. l. 25. I will not say the Jew but surely the Gentile before the Jesuit page 420. l. 14. Rome is no Court of Arches to license the Jesuit to teach where he will page 427. l. 6. No Papist no right Papist is a right Israelite for there is guile in him page 435. l. 5. The Epieâ—re Jesuits and Stoick Priests call these Calvinists bablers others of them say they set forth strange gods for they preach to the people Iesus sola sides a Male God and a Female may we not know what this doctrine this new doctrine whereof these Calvinists speak is we will know what these things doe meane Unhappy Recusants Page 348. l. 6. To so many hearers so intelligent little need application yet the times crave it Is not this Land a limbe of this Ierusalem of Jerusalem it is but not of this not of David's Ierusalem you heare Jerusalem taxt roughly by the Prophet both for murther and adultery for shedding Saints blood and serving strange gods England is no persecutor but it is an halter between two Religions Dagon affronts Gods Arke here 's both Eucharist and Masse Babylon is in Ierusalem It 's not unworthy the observing that Jerusalem in the Originall tongue is of the Duall number there are two Ierusalems David bidâ— pray for Ierusalems peace but whether Ierusalem that surely which he here describes where is Unity v. 2. Religion v. 4. and Justice v. 5. Ierusalem is a City that is at Unity within it self thither goe up the Tribes to prayse the Lord and there are our seats of judgement Is our Jerusalem such schisme in the Church and faction in the State shew there is no Unity Popery and Atheisme spread over the whole Land prove there is small Religion and impunity lesse Justice and may we pray for peace on this Ierusalem we may but yet it must be by some other Text pray we may for any Moses did for Israel though fallen greivously Samuel for Saul though a grand sinner we may well curse though happily in vaine for God sayes non est pax there 's no peace to the wicked sinne at length captiv'd Israel sackt the City raced the Temple nunc seges est grasse growes at Ierusalem Yet despaire not daughter Zion return our Sullamite there 's no peace to the wicked cease we to doe evill sorry we for sinnes heartily weep we pray we God for peace we shall have peace the prodigious pride of women their wanton vanities censured often by preachers but in vaine they will come with them to Church in spite of us I think in spite of Angels too who are ever present in our Church and the drunkennesse of men their whoredomes and blasphemies draw downe divine revenge on our Jerusalem France will be Gods â—od and Spaine will be his hammer to scourge and beat Ierusalem to powder mature repentance will preuent all and peace will be on Israel And page 445. 446. Jesuits must speak for Mammon he is their god There are seekers of soules a phrase frequent in Scripture seekers of blood Iesuits are such seek fooles they should Iesus selfe did it he sought to save them Iesuits doe but to destroy them They Querere animas but not in Christs sense in Satane sense to devour them they seek carefully for they will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 do as the devil does walk about the world to doe that worke There are seekers of lyes v. 42. The Church of Rome swarmes with such seekers That 's from below too another of Satans seekers whom Christ cals father of lyes These passages are all deleted by the Lincenser as heterodox In Master Ward 's Comentary upon Matthew these clauses were purged out by the Licenser fol. 120. Thirdly Fishes i. e. men not onely rich men but all men and therefore the Monks are but bad fishers who fish onely for great and rich men labouring onely to draw them into their nets Fol. 148. First my servants shall drink and ye shall be thirsty and therefore it is a great insolency in the Papists thus diametrally to contradict the direct promises of God Secondly Aliquando bonus dormit Homâ—rus wise men may play the foole sometimes and subtle Sophisters dispute absurdly as our witty country-man Stapleton doth in this present Argument disputing thus c. Secondly if our country-man Stapleton had not been a professor of Divinity and a teacher of others he might have gone to the Logick professor to learne to frame a better Argument this thus framed by him being so absurd Those that desire temporall things are wicked therefore those who want temporall things are not happy he had need look well to this Syllogisme or Argument least with its foure feet it runne away from him Fol. 154. Secondly there is an anlawfull Hospitality which is shewed to Traytors Jesuits popish Priests Fourthly they are faulty here who give unto the rich as the Papists who plentifully feast the fat Monks and send large presents to the Jesuits and Capâ—chins Secondly there are sowers of discord in Kingdomes viz. those who instigate others unto warres as the Cardinals and Jesuits upon every occasion doe whisper in the eares of Princes to make warre upon their Neighbours when they perceive any advantage to be had thereby Fol. 212. Secondly adde nothing to the Word of God Neither first the chaffe of superstition with the Papists Nor secondly Machavillinisme and unwarrantable policy with some Statists Neither thirdly New opinions c. Fol. 213. Secondly that is no true sense of Scripture which doth make any sentence in Scripture false as the Papists
a dead lift since his troubles Charles R. CAnterbury Master Saint Giles by serving Vs and this State hath lost all his hopes in France and desires to spend his time here at his private studies I would have you think upon some way for his maintainance and to place him in Oxford that he may have use of that Library which he much desires And he may so order it that his profession in Religion may doe no harme What the service was that this Fryar had done for the King and State for which he lost his hopes in France we could never learne unlesse it were the penning and publishing of this book which some Jesuits and their faction onely disliked What it was that this Archbishop did for him upon this warrant as he pretends is thus expressed in a paper written with his own hand by way of excuse seized by Master Prynne in the Tower and by him produced at the Lords Barre where it was read as followeth MAster Saint Giles was a man well reputed of in France and placed about the Queens Majesty at her Majesties first comming hither After upon some services and those in a very faire way done to this State he lost ground in France and when some other French men were sent away from the Queens service he durst not goe thither but chose to live here in a very low condition for safeties sake rather then adventure thither All this while the man was unknowne to me but comming one day to wait upon his Majesty at Saint Jamses his Majesty was pleased to ask me Whether I knew Master Saint Giles I answered I did not Hereupon his Majesty tooke occasion to tell me the condition of the man and his wants and withall told me which way he conceived some reliefe might be given to his necessities and prescribed me a way how to order it that he might receive for his maintainance a hundred Marks a yeere This in obedience to his Majesty I did and I have his Majesties Warrant for it But I never allowed or gave him one penny of my owne Not long after this partly that the poore man being a stranger might live the cheaper and partly that he might have the use of the publike Library resolving as he pretended to follow metaphisicall learning and not engage himselfe in the controversies of the times His Majesty moved me againe that he might live in Oxford and in some Colledge or Hall there In this I humbly besought his Majesty to pardon me because it would be dangerous to the youth bred in that Colledge and scandalous to his Majesty this Church and the Vniversity and bring danger upon my selfe being Chancellour there After much importunity used by me his Majesty was gnaciously pleased to be satisfied that he should not be admitted to live in any Colledge or Hall among the Students but required me not to hinder his going to Oxford and the making use of the Library provided that he kept no company with any young Schollers that he lived privately in some Towne-house and that he did not presume to exercise his Priestly function or doe any thing against the lawes This he undertook to performe and I could never find by any the spies which I put upon him that he brake this in any particular but lived there without offence given to any In all times of his recourse to me for his pension I never spent one houre with him nor had I ever any discourse with him at all but once onely and that was about a dangerous opinion of Pompanatius At that time he told me he had a desire to labour in that Argument and to confute him I told him I could not approve any medling with that question in these times for that I thought few would be able to understand the subtilty of that dispute and that the stirring of it in these times would doe a great deale of mischiefe and this is all that ever past between him and me all my life This Saint Giles by this Prelats meanes continued in the University of Oxford sundry yeers and had the use of the Libraries there where he did much mischiefe Master Broad of Oxford deposed that Saint Giles continued in Oxford foure yeers or more that he was a very dangerous insinuating person that Doctor Turner Doctor Johnson and others of the Vniversity usually resorted to him and familiarly conversed with him though he were there knowne to be a popish Priest that when Master Prynne Master Burton and Doctor Bastwick suffered at Westminster on the Pillory this Saint Giles speaking of their sufferings told this Deponent in whose Kinswomans house he lay that though the Archbishop and other Bishops WERE CORDIALL FOR THE ROMISH RELIGION yet he doubted their cruelty would rather hurt then further their cause because it lost them much in the affections of the people Now what a capitall offence it was for this Archprelat to harbour such a dangerous seducing Priest reputed one of the greatest Schollers among the Papists in this famous University to seduce the Students there and as the Queens Apothecary a great Papist reported of purpose to instruct the Doctors there as Master Godfrey a quondam converted popish Priest averred and to lay the blame of it thus wholly on his Majesty to excuse himselfe we humbly submit to your Lordships consideration To prove this Saint Giles now Priest to the Venetian Ambassadour resident in London where he doth much mischiefe the Author of Deus Natura Gratia c. what repute it had among Papists abroad how the Archbishops Agents applauded made use of it and certified him from time to time how it was entertained by Papists in forraigne parts what they thought of him and other great persons in England how they stood affected to popery we shall produce two Originall Letters from Master William Middleton then Chaplaine to the Lord Fielding Ambassadour at Venice sent thence to the Archbishop in whose Study they were found by Master Prynne endorsed by Master Dell and the Archbishop the first of them beares date in Septemb. 1635. and was received by the Archbishop Octob. 9. wherein he thus writes Right Honourable and most Reverend I Thought it no little happinesse I had performed that duty of writing it pleased your grace â—o lay upon me c. While I was writing there came a Franciscan Fryar to my selfe his businesse was this A mind he told me he had to leave these parts and with them the Religion here in use that I should doe him a great favour would I procure him a passage to England either by Sea or Land that there he had formerly beene and was in love with place persons and Church as there ordered and established Vpon which words how I dealt with him I will relate to your Grace I asked him how long he had been of this resolution and what moved him to it He answered the time since he had taken this resolution was two monethes and
of our reducement to Rome yea the discovery of Andreas ab Habernfield to the Archbishop informes both him and ns That one of Endimion Porters Sonnes of the Bed-chamber now in armes against the Parliament was promised a Cardinals Hat if this designe succeeded well and that Sir Kenelme Digby Master Walter Mountague and other active Instruments who promoted that designe among us attended the sixteen Cardinals Caps that were vacant which were therefore detained vacant for some yeers to impose a vaine hope on those who expected them And Master Widford in his Letters from Rome to Secretary Windebank Novemb. 10. 1640. informes him that Master Sommerset and Master Brudenell were come to Florence aiming at our English Cardinals Caps which then by reason of the Popes Catarre were like to be disposed of All which particulars are a most cleere demonstration of the Pope and his Conclaves endeavours to reduce us back to Rome and of this Archbishops privity to if not assistance in it The sixth Evidence we shall mention to prove the Archbishops not onely intelligence of but compliance with the Popes and his Instruments Plots and proceedings to usher in Popery and reduce our Kingdomes to the Antichristian Religion and Church of Rome is his conusance and furtherance of this their design in Ireland which we shall thus demonstrate The House of Commons June 11. 1628. presented a Remonstrance to the King concerning the extraordinary encrease and growth of Popery of Papists both in England and Ireland and the extraordinary favour which they found from some great persons in his Court wherein they had this notable clause concerning Ireland IT doth not a little also encrease our dangers and feares this way to understand the miserable condition of your Kingdome of Ireland where without controle the Popish Religion is openly professed and practised in every part thereof Popish jurisdiction being generally exercised and avowed Monasteries Nunneries and other superstitious houses newly erected re-edified replenished with men and women of severall Orders and in a plentifull manner maintained in Dublin and most of the great Townes and divers other places of that Kingdome Which of what ill consequence it may prove if not seasonably repressed we leave to your Majesties wisdome to judge But most heartily beseech you as we assure our selves you doe to lay the serious consideration thereof to your Royall pious heart AND THAT SOME TIMELY COURSE MAY BE TAKEN FOR REDRESSE HEREIN Had this pious prudent timely advice been then harkned to and followed to purpose it might no doubt through Gods concurrence with it have prevented that horrid Rebellion those bloody Massacres of some hundred thousands of poor English Protestants in and devastation of that distressed Kingdom which have broken forth and been perpetrated there of late almost to the utter extirpation of the English and Irish Protestants the ruine of that Kingdome and infinite losse yea eminent danger of this our Realme to boot But this Popish Prelate though he then certainly knew this Remonstrance to be most true out of an inveterate hatred to the Parliament and a desire to promote the Catholikes designes there instead of perswading his Majesty to hearken to this true information and wholesome advice of his faithfull Commons drew up a most pernitious malepert Answer with his owne hand in his Majesties name against this Remonstrance which he presented to his Majesty wherein he incensed him against the Commons charging them not onely with misinforming but traducing his Majesties government by this clause concerning Ireland in this dishonourable language produced and read under his owne hand out of the Originall draught attested by Master Prynne FOR Ireland We think in case of Religion 't is not worse then Queen Elizabeth left it and for other affaires 't is as good as we found it nay perhaps better and We take it a great disparagement of Our government that it should be urged that new Monasteries Nunneries and other superstitious houses are erected and replenished in Dublin and other great Townes in this Our Kingdome for we assure Our Selves Our Deputy and Our Counsell there will not suffer God and Our government so to be dishonoured but We should have had some account of it from them and We may not endure thus to have Our good People misled with shewes Which in plaine tearmes is but a giving the House of Commons the Lye and a slandering of them as false Informers both to the King and people By which wicked practice their Remonstrance was rejected as a slanderous Libell and their Councell not pursued the dolefull effects whereof we now experimentally feele and rue That this Prelate when he made this Answer certainly knew of the grand encrease of the Papists in Ireland and that they had then upon the matter obtained a publike toleration will appeare by a paper found in his Study produced at the Barre thus endorsed with this Archbishops own hand 1626. The Bishops of Ireland about a Toleration feared The Judgement of the Arch-bishops and Bishops of Ireland concerning toleration of the Papish Religion by publike Protestation THE Religion of Papists is Superstitious and Idolatrous their Faith and Doctrine erronious and hereticall their Church in respect of both Apostaticall to give them therefore a toleration of Religion or to consent that they may-freely exercise their Religion and professe their Faith and Doctrine is a grievous sinne and that in two respects First it is to make our selves accessary to their superstitious Idolaries Heresies and in a word to all the abominations of popery but also which is a consequent of the former to the perdition of the seduced people which perish in the deluge of the Catholike Apostacy Secondly to grant them a toleration in respect of any money to be given or contribution to be made by them is to set Religion to sale and with it the soules of the people whom Christ our Saviour hath redeemed with his most precious blood And as it is a great sinne so it is a matter of most dangerous consequence the consideration whereof we leave to the wise and judicions beseeching the zealous God of truth to make those who are in authority zealous of Gods glory and of the advancement of true Religion zealous resolute and couragious against all Popery Superstition and Idolatry There were likely to be granted to the Papists in Ireland many priviledges and withall a toleration for their Religion in the consideration of the payment of a great summe of mony This Easter tearme 1626. there was a great meeting of all the chiefest of the whole Kingdome and the Archbishops and Bishops c. and it was likely to be concluded Doctor Dâ—wanm Bishop of London-Derry April 11. preached at Dublin before the Lord Deputy and the State his Text was Luke 1. at the 79. In the midst of his Sermon he openly read this Protestation above written subscribed by the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland and at the end he boldly said And
let all the people say Amen And suddenly all the whole Church almost shook with the sound that their loud Amen made c. The Lord Deputy called from the Bishop of Derry a Copy both of his Sermon and Protestation to send to the King The learned and couragious Bishop gave this Answer that there was nothing he either spake or read in the Pulpit but he would willingly justifie it before his Majesty and feared not who read or saw it So now by Gods mercy nothing may yet be done or will be till the Lord Deputy heare from the King That this information of the Commons to his Majesty was then most true reall and that this Bishop knew it to be so in every particular we shall manifest by this printed Proclamation found in his Study thus endorsed with his owne hand not long after his Answer to the Commons Remonstrance April 1. 1629. A Proclamation concerning the growth of Popery in Ireland c. which was read as followeth By the Lord DEPUTY and COVNSELL Henry Falkland FOrasmuch as We cannot but take notice that the late intermission of legall proceedings against popish pretended or titulary Archbishops Bishops Abbots Deanes Vicars generall Jesuits Fryars and others of that sort that derive their pretended Authority and Orders from the See of Rome hath bred such an extraordinary insolence and presumption in them as that they have dared here of late not onely to assemble themselves in publike places to celebrate their superstitious services in all parts of this Kingdome but also have erected houses and buildings called publike Oratories Colledges Masse-houses and convents of Fryars Monks and Nunnes in the eye and open view of the State and elsewhere and doe frequently exercise jurisdiction against his Majesties Subjects by authority derived from the See of Rome and by colour of teaching and keeping Schooles in their pretended Monasteries and Colledges doe train up the youth of this Kingdome in their superstitious Religion to the great derogation and contempt of his Majesties regall power and authority and great offence of many of his Majesties good Subjects contrary to the Lawes and Ecclesiasticall government of this Kingdome and the impoverishment of his Majesties Subjects in the same These are therefore to will and require and in his Majesties name straightly to charge and command all and all manner such pretended or titulary Archbishops Bishops Deanes Vicars generall Arch-deacons and others deriving any pretended authority power or jurisdiction from the See of Rome that they and every of them forbeare from henceforth to exercise any such power jurisdiction or authority within this Kingdome and that all such Abbots Pryors Jesuits Fryars Munks Nunnes and others of that sort as aforesaid doe forthwith break up their Convents in all houses of Fryars Colledges Monasteries and other places wheresoever they are or shall be conventually or collegiatly assembled together within this Kingdome and to relinquish the same and to disperse and separate themselves And that all and every of the Orders before named and other Priests whatsoever doe from henceforth forbeare to preach teach or celebrate their Service in any Church Chappell or other publike Oratory or publike place or to teach any School in any place or places whatsoever within this Kingdome And We doe further straightly charge and command all and singular the owners of such houses of Fryars Colledges Monasteries Schooles Oratories Masse-houses and Nunneries that they and every of them respectively in default of the persons before named their voluntary relinquishing of the said houses of Fryars Colledges Monasteries Schooles Oratories Masse-houses and Nunneries doe forthwith expell and thrust forth all and singular such Fryars Jesuits and other Monasticall persons out of the same and to convert the same to other more lawfull uses upon paine to have their said houses seized to his Majesties use and both the one and the other to be proceeded against for their unlawfull assemblies and maintainance of such unlawfull Conventicles and corrupt nurture of children in the severest manner that by the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome and Ecclesiasticall government of the same may be had or extended whereof they and every of them are to take notice and to veeld due obedience thereunto as they and every of them will avoid his Majesties high indignation and the consequence thereof Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin the first day of Aprill 1629. Adam Loftus Canc. T. Baltinglasse Wil. Parsons Ja. Armachanus R. Dillon Rich. Bolton Hen. Valentia Ant. Midensis Dud. Norton Moâ—re Hen. Docwra Ad. Loftus Here we have a confitentem reum the Bi. himself under his own handwriting endorsed on this Proclamation justifying the Parlia Remonstrance to be true and his Answer to it a malicious slander to advance the Papists designes After which he had further intelligence from time to time by severall Letters and Papers out of Ireland elsewhere published at large of the dangerous growth encrease and insolencies of the Papists there notwithstanding this Proclamation and that there was a popish Hierarchy there exercised and University erected without controle We shall instance onely in two remarkable Letters written to him from Doctor Beadle Bishop of Kilmore and Ardagh found in his Study endorsed with his owne hand and read at the Lords Barre The first of them he thus endorseth April 1. 1630. From Doctor Beadle Lord Bishop of Kilmore and Ardagh about the state of the Church in his Diocesse and the Papists in Ireland Who writes thus thereof Right Reverend Father my Honourable good Lord SInce my comming to this place which was a little before Michaelmas till which time the setling of the State of the Colledge and my Lord Primates visitation deferred my consecration I have not been unmindful of your Lordships commands to advertise you as my experience should informe of the state of this Church which I shall now the better doe because I have been about my Diocesses and can set downe out of my knowledge and view what I shall relate and shortly to speak much ill matter in a few words it is very miserable The Cathedrall Church of Ardagh one of the most ancient in Ireland and said to be built by Saint Patrick together with the Bishop's house there downe to the ground the Church here built but without Bell or Steeple Font or Chalice The Parish Churches all in a manner rained or unroofed and unrepaired the people saving a few British planters here and there which are not the tenth part of the remnant obstinate Recusants a Popish Clergy more numerous by farre then we and in the full exercise of all jurisdiction Ecclesiasticall by their Vicars-generall and Officials who are so confident as they excommunicate those that come to our Courts even in Matrimoniall causes which affront hath been offered my selfe by the popish Primates Vicar-generall for which I have begun a processe against him the Primate himselfe lives in my Parish within two mile of my house the Bishop
in mother part of my Diocesse farther off every Parish hath his Priest and some two or three apiece and so their Masse-houses also in some places Masse is said in the Churches Fryars there are in divers places who goe about though not in their habit and by their imporâ—â—â—ate begging empoverish the people Who indeed are generally very poore as from that cause so from their paying double Tithes to their owne Clergy and ours from the dâ—â—th of Corne and the death of their Cattle these late yeers which the 〈◊〉 to their souldiers and their agents and which they forget not to reckon among other causes the appression of the Court Ecclesiastiasticall which in very truth any Lord I cannot excuse and doe seek to reforme For our owne there are some seven or eight Ministers in each Diocesse of good sufficiency and which is no small cause of the continuance of the people in popery still English which have not the tongue of the people nor can performe any divine offices or converse with them and which hold many of them two three foure or more Vicarages apiece even the Clerkships themselves are in like manner conferred upon the English and sometimes two or three or more upon one man and ordinarily bought and sold or let to farme c. His Majesty is now with the greatest part of this Country as to their hearts consciences King but at the Popes discretion c. Your Lordships most obliged servant in Christ Jesu WILL. KILMORE and ARDREN Kilmore the 1. of April 1630. His second Letter to the Lord Deputy of Ireland about the maintainance of the Army and the Cavan Petition which he sent inclosed in an other Letter to the Archbishop is somewhat more full and observable wherein there is this memorable passage concerning the encrease and insolencies of the Papists in Ireland which Letter he received thence Decemb. 4. 1633. Right Honourable my good Lord c. IN the midst of these thoughts I have been advertised from an honourable friend in England that I am accused to his Majesty to have opposed his service and that my hand with two other Bishops onely was to a writing touching the monies to be levyed on the Papists here for maintainance of the men of warre c. Indeed if I should have had such ad intention this had been not only to oppose the service of his Majesty but to expose with the publike peace mine own neck to the sâ—eans of the Romish Cut-throats I that know that in this Kingdome of his Majesty the Pope hath another Kingdome farre greater in number and as I have heretofore signified to the Lords Justices and Counsell which is also since justified by themselves in print constantly guided and directed by the Order of the new Congregation de propaganda side lately erected at Rome transmitted by the meanes of the Popes Nuncioes residing at Bruxels or Paris that the Pope hath here a Clergie if I may guesse by my owne Diocesse double in number to us the heads whereof are by corporall Oath bound to him to maintaine him and his Regalities contra omnem hominem and to execute his Mandates to the utmost of their forces which accordingly they doe stiling themselves in print Ego N. Dei c. Apostolicae Sedis gratia Episcopus Fermien Ossorien c. I that know there is in this Kingdome for the moulding of the people to the Popes obedience a rabble of irregular Regulars commonly younger Brothers of good houses who are growne to that insolency aâ— to advance themselves to be Members of the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchy in better ranke then Priests in so much as the censure of the Sorbon is faine to be implored to curbe them which yet is called in againe so tender is the Pope of his owne Creatures I that know that his Holinesse hath erected a new Vniversity at Dublin to confrant his Majesties Colledge there and to brâ—ed up the youth of this Kingdome to his devotion of which Vniversity one Paul Harris the Author of that infamous Libell which was put forth in print against the Lord Armaths Wansted Sermon stileth himselfe in print to be Deane I that know and have given advertisement to the State that these Regulars dare erect new Fryeries in the Country since the dissolving of those in the Citys that they have brought the people to such a sottish senselesnesse as they care not to learne the Commandements as God himselfe spake and writ them but they flock in great members to the preaching of new superstitious and detestable doctrines such as their owne Priests are ashamed of and at these they levy collections three four five six pound at a Sermon Shortly I that know that these Regulars and this Clergie have at a generall meeting like to a Synod as themselves stile it holden at Drogheda decreed that it is not lawfull to take the Oath of Alleagiance and if they be constant to their own doctrine doe account his Majesty in their hearts to be King but at the Popes discretion In this estate of this Kingdome to think the bridle of the Army may be taken away it should be the thought not of a brain-sick but brainlesse man c. The day of our deliverance from the popish Powder-plot Your Lordships in all duty WILLIAM KILMORE By these two Letters it is most apparent that this Arch-Prelat was from time to time acquainted with the extraordinary encrease and insufferable insolencies of the Papists in Ireland as likewise of their popish Arch-bishops and Bishops audacious proceedings in that Kingdome which he was more fully informed of by two printed papers sent to him by Archbishop Vsher the one in Latin the other in English found in his Study endorsed thus with his Secretary Dels hand May 3. 1632. Protestations of the Secular Priests in Ireland against Thomas Flemming Arch-bishop of Dublin one whereof was read at the Lords Barre To all the most Illustrious Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland but more particularly to those of the Province of Dublin their honourable Lords David Bishop of Ossory John of Fernes Rosse of Kildare and Matthew Vicar Apostolicall of Lagblem MOST Illustrious Lords and Reverend Bishops the Priests of Dublin make their complaint before you that the most Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis without alleaging my cause against them onely for his will and at his pleasure useth to exile and banish Priests out of his Diocesse and they protest that in so doing he exerciseth a tyranny over the Clergie contrary to the Canons of holy Church and the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome Most Illustrious Lords and Reverend Fathers in Christ the aforesaid Priests doe make their complaints that the same most Illustrious Arch-bishop of Dublin Thomas Flemming of the Order of Saint Francis though humbly sought unto and desired doth refuse to doe them justice in their causes neither yet will be permit the Clergie to follow their
of England and Baron Denham riding the Western Circuit in the Lent Vacation 7º Caroli there being at the Assises in the County of Sommerset many persons indicted for murthering Bastard children begotten at Wakes and Revels with sundry other grand disorders occasioned by these intemperate meetings the Justices of that County earnestly importuned the Judges to make a severe Order for the suppression of these disorderly Wakes and Revels as divers of their Predecessors had done without which they could never keep the Country in good Order nor prevent the multitude of Bastards murthers bloodsheds drunkennesse quarrels and other disorders occasioned by them whereupon these Judges made this ensuing Order in the publike Assises An Order made by the Judges of the Assises for the suppressing of all Ales and Revels the nineteenth day of March Anno Regis Caroli nunc Ang. c. Sept. WHereas divers Orders have been made heretofore by the Judges of the Assise for the suppressing of all Ales and Revels the same Order is now confirmed at this Assises and again Ordered by the Court In regard of the infinite number of inconveniences dayly arising by means of Revels That such Revels Church-Ales Clerks-Ales and all other publick Ales be henceforth utterly suppressed and if hereafter it shall be known to the Justices of the Peace within this County of such to be set up hereafter to be used That then the Justices of Peace within their severall divisions take course as well for the speedy apprehending and punishing of Idle and lewd persons drawing together at such places as also for the binding over of such persons using tipling inflicting such punishment upon all offenders in such places as the Law doth inflict And to the end this Order may be the better observed it is further Ordered That the Clerk of the Assises shall leave Coppies hereof with the under-Sheriffe and from the under-Sheriffe every Constable of the hundred shall take a Coppy for his severall Hundred and Liberty and shall deliver a Coppy to the Minister of every Parish within his severall Hundred and Liberty and shall take a note of every Minister under his hand the day when he received it and shall publish it yearly within the Parish Church the first Sunday in February and likewise the two Sundayes before Easter yearly And it is further Ordered That every Constable every Lent-Assises present unto the Judges of the Circuit a note of the same Order under the hands of the said Ministers And for the avoyding the concourse of idle people it is further Ordered That Minstrels and such other persons as usually carry up and down Bulls and Beares to bate being Rogues by the Statute shall be punished as Rogues for the further preventing of such inconveniences as usually hapneth at such meetings This is a Copyy of the Order To Lawrence Musgrave Constable The now Arch-Bishop being informed of this good Order was very much netled at it both in regard of the subject matter of it the suppression of Church-Ales Wakes Revels commonly kept on the Lords Day and likewise of the manner of publishing it by the Ministers in the Church which he conceived to be an Vsurpation upon the Bishops Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction and an injury to the Church Upon which grounds he had formerly quarrelled with Sir Nicholas Rainton when he was Lord Mayor of London for prohibiting an Apple-woman to sell Apples on the Lords Day within Pauls Church-yard threatning to complaine of him to the King and his Councell for usurping on his Jurisdiction and telling him she should sell Apples there on the Sunday notwithstanding his Command to the contrary and let him punish her if he durst as he likewise excepted against this pious Order of Richard Deane Lord Mayor of London Anno 1629. found in his study by Master Prynne thus endorsed with his own hand Aprill 20. 1629. The Lord Mayor of London his Warrant against breakers of the Sabbath MY JVRISDICTION INTERESSED WHereas J am credibly informed that notwithstanding divers good Laws provided for the keeping of the Sabbath day holy according to the expresse Commandement of Almighty God divers Jnhabitants and other persons of this City and other places having no respect of duty towards God and his Majesty or his Laws but in contempt of them all do commonly and of custome greatly prophane the Sabbath day in buying selling uttering and venting their Wares and Commodities upon that day for their private gain Also Jnholders suffering Markets to be kept by Carriers in most rude and prophane manner in selling Victuals to Hucsters Chandlers and all other commers also Carriers Carmen Clothworkers Water-bearers and Porters carrying of burthens and Watermen plying their Fares and divers others working in their ordinary callings And likewise that J am further informed that Vintners Alehousekeepers Tobacco and strong Water sellers greatly prophane the Sabbath day by suffering Company to sit drinking and bibbing in their houses on that day And likewise divers by cursing and swearing and such like behaviour contrary to the expresse Commandement of Almighty God his Majesties Laws in that behalf and all good Government For the Reformation whereof J do hereby require and in his Majesties name straightly Command all his Majesties loving subjects whatsoever and also all Constables Headboroughs Beadles and all other Officers whatsoever to be ayding and assisting to I. S. the bearer hereof in finding out and apprehending all and every such person and persons as shall be found to offend in any of these kinds and them and every of them to bring before me or some other of his Majesties Justices of the Peace to answer to all such matters as shall be objected against them and to put in good security for their good behaviour whereof fail you not as you or any of you will answer at your perill Dated Aprill 20. 1629. To all Constables and other his Majesties Officers Ministers whatsoever within the City of London and liberties thereof and to every of them Rich. Deane Major The Arch-bishop much vexed at the Judges forementioned Order against Ales and Revels complained of the Judges and it to his Majestie as he had formerly done of the Lord Mayor of London and procured a Commission to some Divines of that County and Bishop Pierce to enquire of the manner of publishing this Order in Churches and what was done therein and of the Lord Chiefe Justice Richardsons carriage in this businesse Notwithstanding which Commission this chiefe Justice the next Assizes gave a strict charge against these Ales and Revels required an Account of the publication and execution of the foresaid Order and punished some disorderly persons for breach thereof Wherewith the Archbishop then of London being acquainted by Sir Robert Philips and others he thereupon complained again to the King of the Judges and writ the ensuing letter to the Bishop of Bath and Wels to make the better way for the publike authorizing of Wakes and Revels even on the Lords own Day and his
Majesties subsequent Declaration for sports and Ales to be kept thereon of which Christopher Dowe his Champion in his Innovations unjustly charged upon the present Church and State or An Answer to the most materiall passages of a Libellous Pamphlet made by Mr. Henry Burton and Intituled An Apology of an Appeal c. London 1637. chap. 5. p. 75. writes thus I beleeve his Grace holds it no dishonour to be the meanes of procuring or urging obedience to any Act that so just and religious a King shall avow to be His. Propounding and justifying these five Propositions at at large concerning this Declaration and the urging of it p. 77. c. 1. That the Declaration is no inlet to prophannesse or irreligion or hinderance of the due Sanctification of the Lords Day 2. That ehe sports permitted by it to be used are Lawfull and are not prohibited either by Gods Law or the Law of the Land 3. That it is no means of breaking the fift Commandement nor doth alow any contempt of Parents or Masters Authority over their children and servants 4. That the reading of it by Ministers in their severall Congregations was injoyned and intended by his Majesty and that it is a thing that may lawfully be done by them 5. That such as refuse to publish it accordingly are justly punished and their punishment no cruelty or unjust persecution The Extract of the Letter sent to the Bishop of Bath and Wels was as followeth S. in Christo My very good Lord c. MY Businesses concerning my Translation are now almost over and those of Tearme ready to begin And in the interim I am commanded by His Majesty to put you to a little paines There hath been of late some noyse in Somersetshire about the Feasts of the Dedications of Churches commonly called the Wakes and it seemes the Judges of Assiize formerly made an Order to prohibit them and caused it to be published in some or most of the Churches there by the Minister without my Lord the Bishops consent or privity The pretence of this hath been that some disorders derogatory from Gods service and the Government of the Common-wealth are committed at those times by which argument any thing that is abused may be quite taken away It seemes there hath been some heate strucke in the Countrey about this by the carriage of the Lord Chiefe Justice Richardson at the two last Assizes especially the last with which His Majesty is not well pleased And for the preventing of outrages or disorders at those Feasts no man can be more carefull than His Majesty but He conceives and that very rightly that all these may and ought to be prevented by the care of the Justices of Peace and not leave the Feasts themselves to be kept for the Neighbourly meetings and Recreations of the people of which he would not have them debarred under any frivilous pretences And farther His Majesty hath been lately informed by men of good place in that Countrey that the Humourists increase much in those parts and unite themselves by banding against the Feasts which course as His Majesty no way likes so He hath been informed also for this last yeare since warning was given there have not been any noted disorders at any of those Feasts kept in those parts Yet for His better satisfaction He hath commanded me to require you which I here do by these Letters to send for some of the gravest of your Clergy and such as stand best affected to the Church and Government in the severall parts of your Diocesse and by them to informe your selfe how these Feasts havs been ordered for this last yeare and how free they have been from disorders and to send me up an accompt of it such as I may shew to His Majesty of which you must not fayle And He doubts not but that you will performe the same like a wise and a prvdent Governour Thus leaving this businesse to your care and desiring you to make as much convenient haste with it as you can I commend you to Gods Grace and rest Your Lordships very loving Friend and Brother W. Cant. Lambeth Octob. 4. 1633. To which Letter the Bishop of Bath and Wells made this returne thus endorsed with the Archbishops own hand Rece November 11 1633. My Lord of Bathes Certificate about the Wakes and other Feasts in Somersetshire c. found in his Study with his own forecited Letter MOst Reverend Father in God and my very Honourable good Lord my humble service presented to your Grace I received upon the 12th of October last a Letter from your Grace dated the 4th of the same Moneth wherein your Grace hath required me by a commandment from His Majesty to send for some of the gravest of my Clergie and such as stand best affected to the Church and Government out of the severall parts of my Diocesse and by them to inform my selfe how the annuall Feasts of the Dedications of their Churches have beene kept within their severall Parishes this last yeare and how free they have beene from disorders Now according to His Majesties pleasure and Commandment herein presently after receipt of your Graces Letter I sent forth my Letters into all the several Deaneries within my Diocesse for some of the better* sort of Clergy out of every Division part and corner of Somersetshire to come unto me and so they did upon certaine dayes appointed by me And I finde by the severall Answers of threescore and twelve Ministers Benificed men in whose Parishes these Feasts are kept as followeth First that they have been kept not onely this last yeare but also for many years before as long as they have lived in their severall Parishes without any disorders Secondly that upon the Feast dayes which are for the most part every where upon Sundayes the Service of the Church hath bin more solemnly performed and the Church hath bin better frequented both in the Forenoons and in the Afternoons than upon any Sunday in the yeare Thirdly that they have not known or heard of any disorders in the Neighbouring Towns where the like Feasts are kept Fourthly that the people do very much desire the continuance of those Feasts Lastly that all these Ministers are of opinion that it is fit and convenient these Feast dayes should be continued for a memoriall of the Dedications of their severall Churches for the civilizing of people for their lawfull Recreations for the composing of differences by occasion of the meeting of friends for the increase of love and unity as being Feasts of Charity for the reliefe of the poore the richer sort keeping then in a manner open house and for many other reasons This is the summe of their severall free and voluntary Answers which I have in writing under their owne hands and will be ready to shew if they be required which course I tooke because it might not bee given our hereafter by those who condemne these Feasts that I