the Pope to absolve people from Usury Symonie Theft Manslaughter Fornication Adultery and all crimes whatsoever saving Smiting of the Clergie and conspiring against the Pope and some few cases reserved alone to his Holiness This Gigies gat for himself the rich Bishoprick of Worcester yea we observe that in that See a Team of Four b Godwin in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Nor. p. 5â—0 Italians followed each other 1. John Giglis 2. Silvester Giglis 3. Julius Medices afterwards Clement the 7 th 4. Hieronymis de Negutiis Thus as weeds in a garden once got in hardly got out as sowing themselvess so these Italians having planted themselve in that rich place were never gotten out pleading as it were prescription of almost fourty years possession till the power of the Pope was partly banished England and then Hugh Latimer was placed in the Bishoprick 22. Arch-Bishop Morton 10. as one much meriting from the Pope 1494 was not noely honoured with a Cardinals Hat Rochester Bridg repaired by Pardons of the title of S t Anastatius but also privileged from his Holiness to visit all places formely exempt from Archiepiscopal jurisdiction Impowring him also to dispense his Pardons where he saw just cause Hereupon Rochester Bridge being broken down Morton to appear a Pontifex indeed bestowed remission from c Antiquit. Brit. p. 298. Purgatory for all sins whatsoever committed within the compass fourty dayes to such as should Bountifully contribute to the building thereof 23. The King had more then a moneths minde keeping seven years in that humour to procure the Pope to Canonize King Henry the sixth for a Saint The King desired King Henry then the sixth to be Sainted For English Saint-Kings so frequent before the Conquest were grown great dainties since that time France lately had her King Saint Lewis and why should not England receive the like favour being no less beneficial to the Church of Rome Nor could the unhappiness of our King Henry because Deposed from his Throne be any just bar to his Saintship seeing generally Gods best servants are most subject to the sharpest afflictions His Canonizing would add much Lustre of the Line of Lancaster which made his Kinsman and mediate successor King Henry the seventh so desirous thereof Besides well might he be made a Saint who had been a Prophet For when the Wars between Lancaster and York first began Henry the sixth beholding this Henry the seventh then but a Boy playing in the Court said to the standers by See this youth one day will quietly enjoy what we at this time so much fight about This made the king with much importunity to tender this his request unto the Pope A request the more reasonable because it was well nigh fourty years since the death of the Henry so that onely the skeletons of his virtues remained in mens memories the flesh and corruption as one may say of his faults being quite consumed and forgotten 24. Pope Alexander the sixth The requisiteâ— to a Canonization instead of granting his request acquainted him with the requisites belonging to the making of a Saint First that to confer that honour the greatest on earth was onely in the power of the Pope the proper judg of mens merits therein Secondly that Saints were not to be multiplied but on just motions Anno Dom. 1494 lest commonness should cause their contempt Anno Regis Hen. 7 10. Thirdly that his life must be exemplarily holy by the testimony of credible witnesses Fourthly that such must attest the truth of reall Miracles wrought by him after death Fifthly that very great was the cost thereof because all Chaunters Choristers * The Latin is Parafrenarii Bell-ringers not the least clapper in the steeple wagging except money was tied to the end of the rope with all the officers of the Church of Saint Peter together with the Commissaries and Notaries of the Court with all the officers of the Popes Bed-chamber to the very Lock-smiths ought to have their several fees of such cononization Adding that the total summe would amount to fifteen hundred Duckets a Antiq. Brit. pag. 229. of Gold Tantae Molis erat Romanum condere Sanctum Concluding with that which made the charges though not infinite indefinite that the costs were to be multiplied secundum Canonizati Potentiam according to the power or dignity of the person to be Canonized And certain it was the Court of Rome would not behold this Henry the sixth in the notion he died in as a poor prisoner but as he lived a King so long as he had this Henry his Kinsman to pay for the same 25. Most of these requisites met in King Henry sixth in a competent measure These applied to King Hen. 6. First the holiness of his life was confessed by all save that some sullen persons suggested that his simplicity was above his Sanctity and his life pious not so much out of hatred as ignorance of badness As for Miracles there was no want of them if credible persons might be believed two of whose Miracles it will not be amiss to recite 25. Thomas Fuller A brace of Miracles wrought by King Hen. 6. a very honest b Harpâ—field Hist Ecclesiastica saeculo decimo quinto pag. 646. man living at Hammersmith near London had a hard hap accidentally to light into the company of one who had stolen and driven away Cattle with whom though wholly innocent he was taken arraigned condemned and executed When on the Gallows blessed King Henry loving justice when alive and willing to preserve innocence after death appeared unto him so ordering the matter that the halter did not strangle him For having hung an whole hour and taken down to be buried he was found alive for which favour he repaired to the Tomb of King Henry at Chertsey as he was bound to do no less and there presented his humble and hearty thanks unto him for his deliverance The very same accident mutatis mutandis of place and persons with some addition about the apparition of the Virgin Mary hapned to Richard Boyes dwelling withing a mile of Bath the story so like all may believe them equally true 26. All the premisses required to a Saint appearing in some moderate proportion in Henry the sixth especially if charitably interpreted Saints themselves needs some favour to be afforded them it was the general expectation that he should be suddenly Canonized But Pope Alexander the sixth delayed and in effect denied King Henry's desire herein yea Julius his next successor of continuance not to mention the short liv'd Pius the third continued as sturdy in his denial 27. Men variously conjecture why the Pope in effect should deny to Canonize King Henry the sixth a witty Reasons why King Hen. 6. was not Sainted but tart reason is rendred by a Noble c The Lord Bacon pen because the Pope would put a difference betwixt a Saint and an
Lands should revert to the true Heirs of the said Founders if then in beeing 8. But such consider not that such a Reservation would have favoured more of wildnesse than wisdome in that Age Basily confuted as well might one have sought to secure himself with a shelter against the falling of the skies as equally probable as the diverting of Abbey-Lands to other intentions Besides such a jealous clause might be interpreted hereticall to put into peoples fancies a feizability of such alterations Yea I have heard it questioned by the Learned in the Law whether such a conditionall settlement with such a clause were Legall or no many maintaining that such Donations must be absolute But suppose such a Clause in their Foundations it had not much befriended them at this time seeing Cables are as easily cut off as Twine-threads by power of Parliament when disposed to make such a dissolution 9. Now some conceived it just Abbey-Lands should have been restored to the Heirs of their Founders Strong faith to believe so much of King Henry's charity but seeing the most and greatest Abbeys were built and endowed before the Conquest it was hard to finde out their Heirs if extant Besides this would minister matter of much litigiousnesse equally to share them amongst their many Benefactors Wherefore the King the Founder Generall of them all mediately or immediately in himself or in His Subjects as who in His person or Ancestors confirmed consented or at least connived at their Foundations may charitably be presumed to seize them all into His own hands so to cut off the occasion of dangerous division amongst His subjects about the partition of those Estates SECTION V. To the Right Honourable The Lady ELIZABETH POWLET of St. George-Hinton MADAM THere be three degrees of gratitude according to mens severall abilities The first is to requite the second to deserve the third to confesse a benefit received He is a happy man that can doe the first no honest man that would not doe the second a dishonest man who doth not the third I must be content in reference to your favours on me to sit down in the last Form of thankfulnesse it being better to be a Lagge in that School than a Trewant not at all appearing therein Yea according to our Saviours counsell and comfort the lowest place is no hindrance to a * * Luke 14. 10. higher when the Master of the houshold shall be pleased to call him up When this is done and God shall ever enable me with more might my gratitude shall wait on your Lady-ship in a greater proportion Mean time this Present having otherwise little of worth may plead somthing of propernesse therein seeing Somerset-shire is the chief subject of this Section the same County which receiveth honour from You by Your Birth and returneth it to You by Your Baronry therein God blesse You in all Your relations and make Your afflictions which are briers and thistles in themselves become sweet-brier and holy-thistle by sanctifying them unto You. Of Miracles in generall to which Monasteries did much pretend RIGHT is the Rule of what is So A true Miracle described and what is otherwise We will therefore premise the description of a true Miracle A Miracle is a work of God passing the power of nature done for the confirmation of Faith on the Mission generally of a new Ministry 1. Worke of God a Psalm 72. 18. who onely doth wondrous things For though He sometimes useth men as Morall instruments whereby yet never as Naturall causes to effect Miracles 2. Passing the power of Nature Hence it is that it is not done by leisure but presently not by degrees but perfectly God's Cures are never subject to Relapse once healed and ever healed except the party run on the score of a new guilt Thou art b John 5. 14. made whole sinne no more left a worse thing befall thee 3. Done for the confirmation of faith God will not make his works cheap by prostituting them meerly for the satisfaction of mans curiosity 4. On the Mission generally of a new Ministery For although some sprinkling of Miracles on other occasions yet their main body was done by Moses a new Law-giver to the Jewes by Elias and Elisha two grand Restorers adequate almost to a Giver of the Law in a generall-visible defection to Idolatry by Christ and his Apostles as the first Preachers of the Gospel In this our description no mention of the rarity of Miracles because the same resulteth from the premises frequencie abating from the due wonder thereof 2. Now that such Miracles long since are ceased Miracles long since are ceased appears by the confession of antient Fathers and most ingenious Romanists S. Chrysost 23 Hom on S. John thus expresseth himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For even now there be Seekers and Sayers wherefore also now are not Miracle done for if thou beest a Believer as thou oughtest to be and dost love Christ as thou oughtest to love him thou hast no need of Miracles For Miracles are given to unbelievers 3. S. Augustine passing his Censure on the Miracles of his Age By Saint Angustine's confession had so low an opinion of their truth that he ranked them under two c De Unitate Ecclesiae cap. 16. heads 1. Figmenta mendacium hominum Forgeries of lying men 2. Portenta fallacium spirituum Prodigies of deceitfull Devils 4. Bishop Fisher himself writing against d De Captivitate Babylonica cap. 11. Luther and occasionally treating of the power of Miracles Cujus effectum nune nullum cernimus of which saith he we now see no effect which addeth to the wonder that so wise a man should engage in the foolish wonder of the holy Maid of Kent 5. The true cause of the ceasing of Miracles is not any want of Divine power to effect them Why Miracles ceased as if that infinitenesse could ever like Naomi be superannuated and effoete to have no more true wonders in the womb thereof but because Miracles are the swadling cloathes of infant-Churches And when Doctrines are once established and received in a Church Miracles are impertinent yea it is no better than a tempting of God after such assurance given long since to the Truth still to expect a miraculous confirmation thereof 6. Wherefore when the importunity of Papists presseth us to produce Miracles to atrest our Religion The Magazine of Protestant Miracles we return unto them That ours is an old Faith founded long since on the Scriptures and we may justly lay claim to all the Miracles in the New Testament to be ours because done in demonstration of that Doctrine which we at this day doe defend and are the Seals of that Instrument the writing wherein we desire and endeavour to maintain and practice 7. Such forgery must needs be an high and heinous offence If the counterfeiting of the Mark Tokens Counterfeiting Miracles a heinous offence and
unable to goe on so ashamed to break off scarce having had of a full Hundred Years so many Words of solid History But as I find little so I will feign nothing time being better spent in Silence then in Lying Nor do I doubt but clean Stomacks will be better satisfied with one drop of the Milk of Truth then foul Feeders who must have their Bellies ful with a Trough of VVash mingled with the water of Fabulous Inventions If any hereafter shall light on more History of these times let them not condemn my Negligence whilest I shall admire their Happinesse THE FOURTH CENTURY Anno Dom. To Theophilus Bidulph of London Esquire OF all Shires in England Stafford-shire vvas if not the soonest the largest sovvn vvith the Seed of the Church I mean the bloud of primitive Martyrs as by this Century doth appear I could not therefore dedicate the same to a fitter person then your self vvhose Family hath flourished so long in that County and vvhose Favours have been so great unto your thankfull Friend T. F 1. DArk and tempestuous was the Morning of this Century 303 which afterward cleared upto be a fair Day First persecution in Britain under Diocletian It began with great Affliction to Gods Saints The Spirit saith to the Church of Smyrna a Revel 2. 10. Ye shall have Tribulation ten dayes This is commonly understood of the Ten generall Persecutions over all the Christian world But herein Divine Mercy magnified it self towards this Island that the last Oecumenicall was the first Provinciall Persecution in Britain God though he made our Church his Darling would not make it a Wanton she must taste of the Rod with the rest of her Sisters The Fiery b 1 Pet. 1. 12. Triall spoken of by the Apostle now found out even those which by water were divided from the rest of the World This tenth Persecution as it was the last so it was the greatest of all because Satan the shorter his Reign the sharper his Rage so that what his Fury lacks in the Length it labours to gaâ—â— in the Thickness thereof 2. In this Persecution Alban the British S t. Stephen how a Citizen of Rome the first Britan which to Heaven led the Van of the noble Army of Martyrs was Alban a wealthy Inhabitant of Verolam-cestre and a Citizen of Rome for so Alexander c In his Poem on Verulam Neccham reports him Hic est Martyrii roseo decoratus honore Albanus Cives inclyta Roma tuus Here Alban Rome thy Citizen renow'nd With rosy Grace of Martyrdome was crown'd None need stop much lesse stumble at this seeming Contradiction easily reconciled by him that hath read S t. Paul in one place proclaiming himself an d Philipp 3. 5. Hebrew of the Hebrews and e Acts 22. 25. elsewhere pleading himself to be a Roman because born in Tarsus a City of Cilicia and Roman Colony as Verolam-cestre was at this time enfranchised with many Immunities Thus Alban was a Britan by Parentage a Roman by Priviledge naturally a Britan naturallized a Roman and which was his greatest Honour he was also Citizen of that spiritual Hierusalem which is from above 3. His Conversion happened on this manner The manner of Alban's Conversion Amphibalus a Christian Preacher of Caer-lion in VVales was fain to fly from persecution into the Eastern parts of this Island and was entertained by Alban in his house in Verulam Soon did the Sparks of this Guests Zeal catch hold on his Host and inflamed him with love to the Christian Religion Anno Dom. 303 Herein our Saviour made good his promise a Matth. 10. 41. He that receiveth a Righteous man in the name of a Righteous man shall receive a Righteous mans reward And the Shot of Amphibalus his Entertainment was plentifully discharged in Alban's sodain and sincere Conversion Not long after a search being made for Amphibalus Alban secretly and safely conveighed him away b Beda lib. 1. cap. 7. exchanging Cloaths with him offered himself for his Guest to the Pagan Officers who at that instant were a sacrificing to their Devil-Gods where not onely Alban being required refused to sacrifice but also he reproved others for so doing and thereupon was condemned to most cruell Torments But he conquered their Cruelty with his Patience and though they tortured their Brains to invent Tortures for him he endured all with Chearfulnesse till rather their Wearinesse then Pity made them desist And here we must bewaile that we want the true Story of this mans Martyrdome which impudent Monks have mixed with so many improbable Tales that it is a Torture to a discreet Eare to heare them However we will set them down as we find them the rather because we count it a thrifty way first to gult the Readers belief with Popish Miracles that so he may loath to look or listen after them in the sequele of the History 4. Alban being sentenced to be beheaded The miraculous Martyrdom of Alban much people flockt to the place of his Execution which was on a Hill called c Understand 〈◊〉 so called afterwards in the time of the Saxons Holm-hurst to which they were to go over a River where the narrow Passage admitted of very few a-breast Alban being to follow after all the Multitude and perceiving it would be very late before he could come to act his Part and counting every Delay half a Denial who wil blame one for longing to have a Crown by his Prayer obtained that the River parting asunder afforded free Passage for many together The corrupted Copy of Gildas calls this River the d Thames is wanting in the Manuscript Gildas in Cambridge Library Thames But if the Miracle were as farre from Truth as Thames from Verulam being 16 Miles distant it would be very hard to bring them both together The sight here of so wrought with him who was appointed to be his Executioner that he utterly refused the Imployment desiring rather to Die with him or for him then to offer him any Violence Yet soon was another substituted in his place for some cruel Doeg will quickly be found to do that Office which more mercifull men decline 5. Alban at the last being come to the Top of the Hill A new spring of Water at Alban's summons appears in the top of a Hill was very dry and desirous to drink Wonder not that he being presently to tast of Ioyes for evermore should wish for fading Water Sure he thirsted most for God's Glory and did it only to catch hold of the handle of an occasion to work a Miracle for the good of the Beholders For presently by his Prayer he summoned up a Spring to come forth on the top of the Hill to the amazement of all that saw it Yet it moistened not his Executioners Heart with any Pity who notwithstanding struck off the Head of this worthy Saint May 23 Aliter Iune
all due and wonted Ecclesiasticall monition declared so requiring it conceived it to belong unto us to provide for the eternall Salvation both of our selves and such as are committed to our charge by all means possible for us to obtain Wherefore stirred up by the examples of our Predecessours who have lived in the like times that faith which in the Articles under-written we believe to be true and from our souls profess to the praise and honour of God and the discharge of our duty and such souls as are commited unto us we thought in these presents publiquely to insert affirming and avowing as God shall helpe us in the last day of judgement First that in the Sacrament of the Altar by the vertue of Christs assisting after the word is duly pronounced by the Priest the naturall Body of Christ conceived of the Virgin Mary is really present under the species of bread and wine also his naturall bloud Item that after the Consecration there remains not the substance of Bread and Wine nor any other substance save the substance of God and man Item that the true body of Christ and his true bloud is offered a propitiatory sacrifice for the Quick and Dead Item that the supreme power of feeding and governing the militant Church of Christ and of confirming their Brethren is given to Peter the Apostle and to his lawfull Successours in the See Apostolike as unto the Vicars of Christ Item that the Authority to handle and define such things which belong to faith the Sacraments and Discipline Ecclesiasticall hath hitherto ever belonged and only ought to belong unto the Pastors of the Church whom the holy spirit hath placed in the Church of God and not unto lay-men Which our Assertion Affirmation and faith We the lower Clergy aforesaid so represent the aforesaid considerations unto your Fatherhoods by the Tenor of these Presents humbly requesting that because we have not liberty otherwise to notifie this our Judgement and intention to those which in this behalf are concerned you who are Fathers would be pleased to signifie the same to the Lords in Parliament wherein as we conceive you shall performe an office of Charity and Piety and you shall provide as it is meet for the safety of the flock committed to your charge and shall discharge your duty towards your own soul This remonstrance exhibited by the lower house of Convocation to the Bishops was according to their Requests presented by Edmond Bonner B p. of London to the Lord Keeper of the broad Seal of England in the Parliament Marc. 3. and as the said Bishop in the eighth Session reported he generously and gratefully received it But we finde no further news thereof save that in the 10. Session an account was given in by both Universities in an Instrument under the hand of a Publique Notary 10. wherein they both did concur to the Truth of the aforesaid Articles the last only excepted 10. But we may probably conceive that this Declaration of the Popish Clergy hastened the Disputation appointed on the last of March in the Church of Westminster The Disputations betwixt the Papists and Protestants at Westminster wherein these questions were debated 1. Whether Service and Sacraments ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue 2. Whether the Church hath not power to alter Ceremonies so all be done to edification 3. Whether the Mass be a propitiatory sacrifice for the Living and the Dead Popish Disputants Moderators Protestant Disputants * There is some difference in the Number and Names of Both Parties Mr. Fox neither agreeth with Mr. Camden nor with himself White Watson Baynes Scot. Bps. of Winchester Lincolne Covent and Lichfield Chester D r. Cole Deane of Pauls D r. Langdale D r. Harpsfield D r. Cheadsey Arch-Deac of Lewes Canterbury Middlesex Nicholas Heath B p. of York S r. Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seal John Scory late B p. of Chichester David Whitehead Robert Horne Edmond Gwest Edwine Sands John Aelmer Edmond Grindall John Jewell The passages of this Disputation whereof more Noise then fruit and wherein more Passion then Reason Anno Dom. 1458. Cavils then Arguments are largely reported by M r. Fox It was ordered that each side should tender their Judgements in writing to avoid verball extravagancies as also in English for the better information of the Nobility and Gentry of the house of Parliament their Auditors and that the Papists should begin first and the Protestants answer them But in the second dayes disputation this order was broken by the Popish Bishops who quitting their Primacy to the Protestants stood peremptorily upon it that they themselves would deliver their Judgements last Alledging in their behalf the fashion of the Schools that because they had the negative on their side the others ought first to oppose Citing also the Custome of the Courts at Westminster where the plaintiffe pleadeth before the defendant conceiving themselves in the nature and notion of the Later because maintaining those opinions whose Truth time out of minde were established Chester more open then the Rest plainly confessed that if the protestants had the last word they would come off cum Applausu Populi with applause of the People which themselves it seems most desired Whereby it appears what Wind they wished for not what was fittest to fanne the truth but what would blow them most reputation In this Refusal to begin Winchester and Lincolne behaved themselves faucily and scornfully the rest stiffly and resolutely only Feckenham Abbot of Westminster who it seems the second day was added to the Popish Disputants carried it with more meeknesse and moderation Hereupon the Lord Keeper cut off this conference with this sharp Conclusion Seeing my Lords we cannot now hear you you may perchance shortly hear more of us 11. Yet need we not behold the frustration of this meeting The Papists complain of partial usage as a private Doome peculiarly to this conference alone but as the generall Destiny of such publike Colloquies which like Sicamore-trees prove barren and which the larger the Leaves of the Expectation the less the fruits of Successe The Assembly dissolved it were hard to say which were lowder the Papists in Complaining or the Protestants in Triumphing The former found themselves agrieved that they were surprised of a sudden having but two dayes warning to provide themselves That Bacon the Moderator though well skil'd in matters of Equity ignorant in matters of Divinity was their Zealous Enemy to whom the Arch-Bishop was added only for a stale That to call such fundamentall points of Doctrine into question would cause an unsetlednesse in Religion of dangerous consequence both to single souls and to the Church in generall That it was unlawfull for them owing obedience to the Sea Apostolike without leave of his Holinesse first obtained to discusse these truthes long since decided in the Church 13. The Protestants on the other side slighted the Papists Plea of want
Anthony his fire that it is mortall if it come once to clip and encompasse the whole body So had the North-East Rebels in Norfolke met and united with the South-East Rebels in Devonshire in humane apprehension desperate the consequence of that conjuncture 61. The second forme of Homilies As also those in Q Eliz. are those composed in the Raign of Queen Elizabeth amounting to one and twenty concluding with one against Rebellion For though formerly there had been one in King Edwards dayes for obedience yet this was conceived no superfluous tautologie but a necessary gemination of a duty in that seditious age wherein dull schollers needed to have the same lesson often taught unto them 62. They are penned in a plain stile The use of Homilies accommodated to the capacities of the Hearers being loth to say of the Readers the Ministers also being very simple in that age Yet if they did little good in this respect they did no harme that they preached not strange Doctrines to their people as too many vent new darknesses in our dayes For they had no power to broach Opinions who were only employed to deliver that liquor to them which they had received from the hands of others better skilled in Religion then themselves 63. However some behold these Homilies Their authenticall necessity questioned as not sufficiently legitimated by this Article to be for their Doctrine the undoubted issue of the Church of England alledging them composed by private men of unknown names who may probably be presumed at the best but the Chaplains of the Arch-Bishops under whom they were made Hence is it that some have tearmed them Homely Homilies others a popular * Mr. Mountuga in his appello Caesarem discourse or a Doctrine usefull for those times wherein they were set forth I confesse what is necessary in one age may be less needfull in another but what in one age is godly and wholsome Doctrine characters of commendation given by the aforesaid Article to the Homilies cannot in another age be ungodly and unhealthfull as if our faith did follow fashions and truth alter with the times * 2 Sam. 17. like Aâ—hitophell his Counsell though good in it self yet not at some seasons But some are concerned to decry their credits as much contrary to their judgement more to their practise especially seeing the second Homily in the second book stands with a spunge in one hand to wipe out all pictures and a hammer in the other to beat down all Images of God and Saints erected in Churches And therefore such use these Homilies as an upper garment girting them close unto or casting them from them at pleasure allowing and alledging them when consenting denying and disclaiming them when opposite to their practise or opinions 64. The Religion in England being setled according to these Articles which soon after were published Rastall writes against Bp. Jewel the first Papist that fell foule upon them was William Râ—stall Nephew to S r. Thomas More by Elizabeth his Sister and a great Lawyer Yet we beleeve not him * Pitzaeus de Ang. Scriptor pag. 764. that telleth us he was one of the two Chief justices as knowing the * See Sr. Henry Spelmâ—n his glâ—â—sary in Indic contrary However he was very knowing in our common law Witnesse his collections of statutes and comments thereon with other works in that faculty But this veteranus Jurisconsutus was vix Tyro Theologus shewing rather zeal to the cause then ability to defend it in those Books which he set forth against BP Jewell 65. No eminent English Protestant died this yeer The death of Dr. Smith but great grief among the Romanists for the loss of D r. Richard Smith Kings professour of Divinity in Oxford till outed by Peter Martyr Whereupon he forsook the land returned in the Raign of Queen Mary went back after her death into the Low-Countries where he was made Dean of S t. Peters in Doway and appointed by King Philip the second first Divinity professor in that new erectd Vniversity His * Pitzaeus de Ang. Script pag. 761. party much complain that his strong parts were disadvantaged with so weak sides and low voice Amo Regin Lliza 5. though indeed too loud his railing against the truth as appears by his Books 66. The English Bishops conceiving themselves impowered by their Canons The Original of Puritans began to shew their authority in urging the Clergy of their Diocess to subscribe to the Liturgie Ceremonies and Discipline of the Church and such as refused the same were branded with the odious name of Puritanes 67. A name which in this notion first began in this yeer The Homonymie of the tearm 1564 6. and the grief had not been great if it had ended in the same The Philosopher banisheth the term which is polysaemon that is subject to several senses out of the Predicaments as affording too much Covert for cavill by the latitude thereof On the same account could I wish that the word Puritan were banished common discourse because so various in the acceptions thereof We need not speak of the ancient Cathari or Primitive Puritans sufficiently known by their Hereticall opinions Puritan here was taken for the Opposers of the Hierarchie and Church-service as resenting of Superstition But prophane mouths quickly improved this Nick-name therewith on every occasion to abuse pious people some of them so far from opposing the Liturgie that they endeavoured according to the instructions thereof in the preparative to the Confession to accompany the Minister with a PURE heart and laboured as it is in the Absolution for a life PURE and holy We will therefore decline the word to prevent exceptions which if casually slipping from our pen the Reader knoweth that only Non-conformists are thereby intended 68. These in this age were divided into two ranks Mr. Fox a moderate Nonconformist Some milde and moderate contented only to enjoy their own conscience Others fierce and fiery to the disturbance of Church and State Amongst the former I recount the Principall Father John Fox for so Queeu Elizabeth termed him summoned as I take it by Arch-Bishop Parker to subscribe that the generall reputation of his piety might give the greater countenance to Conformity The old man produced the new-Testament in Greek to this saith he will I subscribe But when a subscription to the Canons was required of him he refused it saying I have nothing in the Church save a Prebenâ— a Salisbuâ—y and much good may it do you if you will take it away from me However such respect did the Bishops most formerly his Fellow-Exiles bear to his age parts and pains that he continued his place till the day of his death who though no friend to the Ceremonies was otherwise so devout in his carriage that as his nearest relation surviving hath informed me he never entred any Church without expressing solemn reverence therein 69.
stipend if every flock might have a preaching pastor which is rather to be wished then hoped for then were reading of Homilies altogether unnecessary but to supply that want of preaching Gods word which is the food of the soul growing upon the necessities before mentioned both in your brothers time and in your time also certain Homilies have been devised that the people should not altogether be destitute of instruction for it is an old proverb better a loaf then no bread Now for the second point which is concerning the learned exercises and conferences amongst the ministers of the Church I have consulted with divers of my brethren the Bishops who think of the same as I do a thing profitable to the Church and therefore expedient to be continued and I trust your Majesty will think the like when your Majesty shall have been informed of the matter and order thereof what authority it hath of the scriptures what commodity it bringeth with it and what discommodities will follow if it be clean taken away The authors of this exercise are the Bishops of the Diocess where this same is used who by the law of God and by the Canons and Constitutions of the Church now in force have authority to appoint exercise to their inferiour Ministers for encrease of learning and knowledge in the Scriptures as to them seemeth most expedient for that pertaineth ad disciplinam clericalem the time appointed for this exercise is once in a moneth or once in twenty or fifteen dayes at the discretion of the Ordinary The time of this exercise is two hours the place the Church of the 〈◊〉 appointed for the Assembly the matter entreated of is as followeth some text of Scripture before appointed to be spoken is interpreted in this order First the occasion of the place is shewed Secondly the end Thirdly the proper sence of the place Fourthly the property of the words and those that be learned in the tongues shewing the diversity of interpretations Fiftly where the like phrases are used in scriptures Sixtly places of scripture that seem to repugne are reconciled Seventhly the arguments of the text are opened Eightly it is declared what vertues and vices are therein couched and to which of the commandements they do appertain Ninâ—hly how the like hath been wrested by the adversary if occasion so require Tenthly and lastly what doctrine of faith and manners the said text doth contain the conclusion is with a prayer for your Majesty and all estates as is appointed by the book of Common-Prayer and a psalm These orders â—ollowing are also observed by the said exercise First two or three of the gravest and best learned pastors are appointed of the Bishops to be Moderators in every Assembly no man may speak unless he be first allowed by the Bishop with this proviso that no lay man be suffered to speak at any time no controversy of this present time and state shall be moved and dealt withall if any attempt the contrary he is put to silence by the Moderator none is suffered to glance openly or covertly at persons publick or private neither yet any one to confute one another if any man utter a wrong sence of scripture he is privately admonished thereof and better instructed by the Moderators and other his fellow Ministers if any man use immoderate speeches or unreverend gesture or behaviour or otherwise be suspected in life he is likewise admonished as aforesaid if any man do vilify or break these orders he is presented to the Bishop to be corrected The ground of this or like exercises is of great and ancient authority for Samuel did practise such like exercises in his time at Naioth in Ramath and Bethel 1 Sam. 10. 2 19. So did Elizeus the prophet at Jerico which studious persons in those dayes were called filij Prophetarum the disciples of the Prophets that being exercised in the knowledg and study of the scriptures they might be able men to serve in Gods Church as that time required St. Paul also doth make express mention 1 Cor. 14. that the like in effect was used in the primitive Church and giveth order for the same that 2 or 3 should speak by course he meaneth and the rest shall keep silence That exercise in the Church in those dayes St. Paul calleth Prophetia and the speaker Prophetas terms very odious in our dayes to some because they are not rightly understood for indeed propheta in that and like places of the same Paul doth not as it doth sometimes signifie prediction of things to come which thing or which gift is not now ordinary in the Church of God but signifieth thereby the assent and consent of the scriptures And therefore doth St. Paul attribute unto these that be called Prophetae in that chapter doctrinam ad aedificationem exortationem consolationem This gift of expounding and interpreting the scriptures was in St. Pauls time given unto many by a speciall miracle without study so was also by miracle the gift to speak strange tongues which they had never learned But now miracles ceasing men must attain to the Hebrew Greek and Latine tongues c. by travell and study God giveth the encrease so must men also attaine by the like means to the gifts of expounding and interpreting the scriptures and amongst other helps nothing is so necessary as these above named exercises and conferences amongst the ministers of the Church which in effect are all one with the exercises of students in Divinity in the Vniversities saving that the first is done in a tongue understanded to the more edifying of the learned hearers Howsoever report hath been made to your Majesty concerning these exercises yet I and others of York whose names are noted as followeth 1. Cantuariensis 2. London 3. Winc. 4. Bathon 5. Litchfield 6. Glocester 7. Lincolne 8. Chester 9. Exon. 10. Meneven al 's Davids Hereof as they have testified unto me by their letters have found by experience that these profits and commodities following have ensued of them 1. The ministers of the Church are more skillfull and more ready in the scriptures and more apt to teach their flocks 2. It withdraweth them from idleness wandring gaming c. 3. Some afore suspected in doctrine are brought to the knowledge of the truth 4. Ignorant ministers are driven to study if not for conscience yet for shame and fear of discipline 5. The opinion of lay men touching the ableness of the Clergy is hereby removed 6. Nothing by experience beateth down popery more then that 7. Ministers as some of my brethren do confess grow to such knowledge by means of those exercises that where afore were not able Ministers not 3 now are 30 able and meet to preach at Pauls cross and 40 or 50 besides able to instruct their own Cures so as it is found by experience the best means to encrease knowledge in the simple and to continue it in the learned only backward men in religion and
negotiations wherein he was imployed for he was joyned with S r. William Winter Anno 1576 in a Commission to the Zealanders about their reprisalls And again Anno 1583 he was sent to the Queen of Scots Sharply to expostulate with her concerning some querulous letters Well knew Queen Elizabeth what tools to use on knotty timber our a Camden in his Elizabetha pag. 359. Author giving M r. Beal this Character that he was Homo vehemens austerè acerbus a Eager man and most austerely bitter His affections were wholy Presbyterian and I behold him as one of the best friends of the second Magnitude that party had What he wanted in authority he had in activity on their sides And what influence sometimes the Hands have on the Head I mean Notaries on the Judges themselves at Councell Board others may conjecture He either compiled or countenanced a Book made against the Bishops and the reader may receive a further confirmation of his Character herein from the following Complaint To the Lord Treasurer My singular good Lord I have borne much with M r. Beals intemperate speeches Arch Bishop Whiâ—gift his Letter complaining of Beals insolent carriage towards him unseemly for him to use though not in respect of my self yet in respect of her Majesty whom he serveth and of the laws established whereunto he ought to shew some duty Yesterday he came to my house as it seemed to demand the book he delivered unto me I told him that the book was written to me and therefore no reason why he should require it again especially seeing I was assured that he had a Copie thereof otherwise I would cause it to be written out for him whereupon he fell into very great passions with me which I think was the end of his coming for proceeding in the execution of his Articles c. and told me in effect that I would be the overthrow of this Church and a cause of tumult with many other bitter and hard speeches which I heard patiently and wished him to consider with what spirit he was moved so to say for I said it cannot be by the spirit of God because the spirit of God worketh in men humility patience and love and your words declare you to be very Arrogant proud impatient and uncharitable Moreover the spirit by God moveth men to hear the word of God with meekness c. And you have alomst heard with disdain every sermon preached before her Majesty this lent gibing and jesting openly thereat even in the sermon time to the offence of many and especially at such sermons as did most commended her Majesty and the State and moved the Auditory to obedience which he confessed and justified accusing some of the Preachers of false Doctrine and wrong allegations of Scripture c. Then he began to extol his book and said we were never able to answer it neither for the matter of Divinity not yet of Law I told him as the truth is that there was no great substance in the book that it might be very soon answered and that it did appear neither his Divinity nor Law to be great I further wished him to be better advised of his doings and told him indeed that he was one of the principall causes of the waywardness of divers because he giveth incouragement to divers of them to stand in the matter telling them that the Articles shall be shortly revoked by the Councell and that my hands shall be stopped c which saying is spread abroad already in every place and is the only cause why many forbear to subscribe which is true neither could he deny it All this while I talked with him privately in the upper part of my Gallery my Lord of Winchester and divers strangers being in the other part thereof But M r. Bâ—al beginning to extend his voice that all might hear I began to break off then he being more and more kindled very impatiently uttered very proud and contemptuous speeches in the justifying of his book and condemning of the orders established to the offence of all the hearers whereunto being very desirous to be rid of him I made small answer but told him that his speeches were intolerable that he forgat himself and that I would complain of him to her Majesty whereof he seemed to make small account and so he departed in great heat I am loth to hurt him or to be an accuser neither will I proceed therein further then your Lordships shall think it convenient but I never was abused more by any man at any time in my life then I have been by him since my coming to this place in hardness of speech for doing my duty and for all things belonging to my charge Surely my Lord this talk tendeth only to the increasing of the contention and to the animating of the wayward in their waywardness casting out dangerous speeches as though there were likelihood of sometumult in respect thereof Whereas in truth God be thanked the matter growth to greater quietness then I think he wisheth and will be soon quieted if we be let alone and they not otherwise encouraged It seemeth he is some way discontented and would work his anger no me The tongues of these men tast not of the Spirit of God your Lordship seeth how bold I am to impart unto you my private causes Truly if it were not that my conscience is setled in these matters and that I am fully perswaded of the necessity of these proceedings in respect of the peace of the Church and due observation of Gods laws and that I received great comfort at her Majesties hand as I did most effectually at my last being at the Court and that I were assured to your Lordships constancie in the cause and of your unmoveable good will towards me I should be hardly able to endure so great a burden which now I thank God in respect of the premises seemeth easie unto me neither do I doubt but God will therein prosper me Thus being desirous to impart this matter to your Lordship to whose consideration I leave it I commit you to the tuition of Almighty God John Cantuar. Nor have I ought else to say of this M r. Beal but that afterwards I finde one of his name and quality a Robert Beal Esabque Stow his survey of London pag. 183. dying 1601 and buried in London at Athallows in the wall who by all probability should be the same person Now that the Presbyterian party was not unfriended at the Councell Board but had those there which either out of Dictates of their conscience or reasons of State or reflections on their private interests endeavoured to mitigate the Arch-Bishops proceedings against them Let their ensuing letter to him be perused AFter our hearty commendations to both your Lordships although we have heard of late times sundry complaints out of divers Countries of this Realm of some proceedings against a great number of Ecclesiasticall persons
consequence thereof which encreased the Secular Opposition against this leading case of Jurisdiction 17. He will not stand to the determination of a grave priest chosen Umpire About this time came to Wisbich an aged Priest who had given great Testimony of the Ability of his judgement and ardency of his affections to the Catholick Cause being the Generall Collector of the charitable contributions unto the Prisoners In which place he had been so diligent in gathering secret in conveying faithfull in delivering unpartiall in dispensing such sums committed unto him that deservedly he had purchased reputation to himself Who as he had been a Benefactor to both Parties so now he was made an Arbitrator betwixt them with promise of both sides to rest satisfied with his decision He condemneth the Jesuits guilty of a scandalous separation and that Weston ought to desist from his Supriority But the Jesuits would not stand to his sentence confessing their separation Scandalous but only per accidens and therefore not to be left off And whereas the aforesaid Priest had determined that that separation could not be continued without sin the Jesuits in derision demanded of him whether he meant a venial sin or a mortall and so the whole business took no effect 18. At last is forced by letters from his provincial to leave off his Agency Some moneths after two reverend Priests often sent for by both sides were by joynt consent made Judges in this Cause who resolved that Westons Agency should be abolished as the original of evill and seminary of much discord and because Weston refused to obey their order these two Priests posted up to London where Garnet the Jesuits Provincial did lodge and from him with much adoe obtained peremptory letters to Weston presently to leave off his pretended superiority A message which went to the proud Jesuits heart who was formerly heard to say that he o Declaratio motuum ac c. pag. 20. had rather throw himself headlong from the Castle wall then desist from his office But now there was no remedy but he must obey desiring only he might make a speech to his society exhorting them to unity and concord and in the midst of his Oration as if he would have surrendred his soul and place both together he fell speechless into a p Ibidem swoond and hardly recovered again so mortall a wound it is to a proud heart to part with Authority Thus ended Westons Agency the short continuance whereof was the best commendation of his command 19. The Schism notwithstanding continues and increases But this was but a palliate cure to skin the sore over which festered within the enmity still continued Seculars complaining that the Jesuits traduced them to Lay-Catholicks as cold and remiss in the cause only dull to follow beaten paths not active to invent more compendious wayes for the advance of Religion Anno Regin Eliza. 38. Anno Dom. 1595. The Jesuits also boasted much of their own merit how their order though last starting had with its speed overtook and over-run all before them Indeed they are excellent at the art of self-praising not directly but by certain consequence for though no man blazed his own praise for one to be a herauld to commend himself the same on the same is false blazon as well against the rules of modesty as prudence yet every one did praise his partner laying an obligation on him to do the like who in justice must do as much and in bounty often did more gratefully repaying the commendations lent him with interest And thus mutually arching up one another they fill'd the ears of all Papists with loud relations of the transcendent Industry Piety Learning of the men of their society to the manifest derogation of all other orders But more of these discords in the year following 20. The strickt keeping of the Sabbath first revived About this time thorowout England began the more Solemne and strickt observation of the Lords day hereafter both in writing and preaching commonly called the Sabbath occasioned by a Book this year set forth by one P. Bound Doctor of Divinity and enlarged with Additions Anno 1606. wherein these following opinions are maintained 1. That the commandement of Sanctifying every seventh Day as in the Mosaicall Decalogue is morall and perpetual 2. That whereas all other things in the a Dr Bounds BOOK of the Sabbath p. 91. Jewish Church were taken away Priesthood Sacrifices and Sacraments this Sabbath was so changed that it still remaineth 3. b pag. 247. That there is a great reason why we Christians should take our selves as streightly bound to rest upon the Lords day as the Jews were upon their Sabbath it being one of the morall Commandements where all are of equall Authority 4. c pag. 124. The rest upon upon this day must be a notable and singular rest a most carefull exact and precise rest after another manner then men are accustomed 5. d pag. 163. Schollers on that day not to study the liberall Arts nor Lawyers to consult the case nor peruse mens evidences 6. e pag. 164. Sergeants Apparitours and Sumners to be restrained from executing their offices 7. f pag. 166. Lustices not to examine Causes for the conservation of the peace 8. g pag. 102. That ringing of more bell's then one that day is not to be justified 9. h pag. 206. 209. No Solimâ— feasts nor wedding dinners to be made on that Day with permission notwithstanding of the same to i pag. 211. Lords Knights and Gentlemen of Quality which some conceive not so fair dealing with him 10. k pag. 102. All honest recreations and pleasures lawfull on other dayes as shooting fencing bowling on this day to be forborn 11. l pag. 272. 275. No man to speak or talk of pleasures or any other worldly matter It is almost incredible how taking this Doctrine was partly because of it's own Purity and partly for the eminent piety of such persons as maintained it so that the Lords Day especially in Corporations began to be precisely kept people becoming a Law to themselves forbearing such sports as yet by statute permitted yea many rejoycing at their own restraint herein On this day the stoutest fencer laid down the buckler the most skillful Archer unbent his bow counting all shooting besides the Marke Mâ—y-games and Morish-dances grew out of request and good reason that Bells should be silenced from gingling about mens leggs if their very Ringing in Steeples were adjudged unlawful some of them were ashamed of their former pleasures like children which grown bigger blushing themselves out of their rattles and whistles Others forbear them for fear of their Superiors and many left them off out of a Politick Compliance least otherwise they should be accounted licentious 21 Yet learned men were much divided in their judgements about these sabatarian Doctrines some embraced them as ancient truths consonant
to Scripâ—ure long difused and neglected now seasonably revived for the encrease of piety Others conceived them grounded on a wrong bottome but because they tended to the manifest advance of Religion it was pitty to oppose them seeing none have just reason to complain being deceived into their own good But a third sort flatly fell out with these positions as galling mens necks with a jewish yoak against the liberty of Christians That Christ as Lord of the Sabbath had removed the Rigour thereof and allowed men lawfull recreations That this Doctrine put an unequall Lustre on the Sunday on set purpose to eclipse all other Holy dayes to the derogation of the authority of the Church That this strickt observance was set up out of Faction to be a Character of Difference to brand all for libertines who did not entertain it 22. Tho Rogers first publickly opposeth Dr Bounds opinions However for some years together in this controversie D r Bound alone carried the Garland away none offering openly to oppose and not so much as a feather of a quill in print did wag against him Yea as he in his second edition observeth that many both in their Preachings Writeings and Disputations did concurr with him in that argument and three several profitable treatises one made by M r Greenham were within few years successively written by three godly learned a Dr Bound in his preface to the Reader 2 edition Ministers But the first that gave a check to the full speed of this doctrine was Thomas Rogers of Horningâ—r in Suffolk in his preface to the Book of Articles And now because our present age begins to dawn and we come within the view of that Truth whose footsteps heretofore we only followed at distance I will interpose nothing of my own but of an historian only turn a Notarie for the behoof of the Reader faithfully transcribing such passages as we meet with in order of time Notwithstanding what the b Rogers preface to the Articles Parag. 20. Brethren wanted in strength and learning they had in wiliness and though they lost much one way in the general and main point of their Discipline yet recovered they not a little advantage another way by an odde and new device of theirs in a special Article of their Classical instructions For while worthies of our Church were employing their engins and forces partly in defending the present Government Ecclesiastical partly in assaulting the Presbyterie and new discipline even at that very instant the Brethren knowing themselves too weak either to overthrow our holds and that which we hold or to maintain their own they abandoned quite the Bulwarks which they had raised and gave out were impregnable suffering us to beat them down without any or very small resistance and yet not careless of their affairs left not the Warrs for all that but from an odde corner and after a new fashion which we little thought of such was their cunning set upon us a fresh again by dispersing in Printed Books which for tenn years space before they had been in hammering among themselves to make them compleat their Sabbath speculations and Presbyterian that is more then either kingly or Popely Directions for the observation of the Lords day And in the next page he c Idem Parag. 23. proceedeth It is a comfort unto my soule and will be till my dying hour that I have been the man and the means that the Sabatarian errors and impieties are brought into light and knowledge of the state whereby whatsoever else sure I am this good hath ensued namely that the said Books of the Sabbath comprehending the above-mentioned and many moe such fearfull and heretical assertions hath been both called in and forbidden any more to be printed and made common Your Graces predecessor Arch-Bishop Whitgift by his letters and officers at Synods and Visitations Anno 1599. did the one and S r John Popham Lord chief Justice of England at Bury S t Edmonds in Suffolk Anno 1600. did the other But though both Minister and Magistrate joyntly endeavoured to suppress Bounds Book with the Doctrine therein contained yet all their care did but for the present make the Sunday set in a cloud to arise soon after in more brightness As for the Arch-Bishop his known opposition to the proceedings of the Brethren rendered his Actions more odious as if out of envie he had caused such a pearl to be concealed As for Judge Popham though some conceived it most proper for his place to punish fellonious Doctrines which robbed the Queens subjects of their lawfull liberty and to behold them branded with a mark of Infamie yet others accounted him no competent Judge in this controversie And though he had a dead hand against offenders yet these Sabbatarian Doctrines though condemned by him took the priviledge to pardon themselves and were published more generally then before The price of the Doctors Book began to be doubled as commonly Books are then most called on when called in and many who hear not of them when printed enquire after them when prohibited and though the Books wings were clipt from flying abroad in print it ran the faster from friend to friend in transcribed Copies and the Lords day in most Places was most stricktly observed The more liberty people were offered the less they used it refusing to take the freedom Authority tendered them For the vulgar sort have the Actions of their Superiors in constant jealousie suspecting each gate of their opening to be a Trap every Hole of their Diging to be a Mine wherein some secret train is covertly conveyed to the blowing up of the Subjects liberty which made them almost afraid of the recreations of the Lords day allowed them and seeing it is the greatest pleasure to the minde of man to do what he pleaseth it was sport for them to refrain from sports whilst the forbearance was in themselves voluntary arbitrary and elective not imposed upon them Yea six years after Bounds Book came forth with enlargements publickly sold and scarce any comment Catechism or controversie was set forth by the stricter Divines wherein this Doctrine the Diamond in this Ring was not largely pressed and proved so that as one saith the Sabbath it self had no rest For now all strange and unknown writers without further examination passed for friends and favourites of the Presbyterian party who could give the word and had any thing in their Treatise tending to the strict observation of the Lords day But more hereof God willing in the 15 th year of K. JAMES 23. Now also began some opinions about Predestination The Articles of Lambeth Freewill Perseverance c. much to trouble both the Schools and Pulpit Whereupon Arch-Bishop Whitgift out of his Christian care to propagate the truth and suppress the opposite errours caused a solemn meeting of many grave and learned Divines at Lambeth where besides the Arch-Bishop Richard Bancroft Bishop of London Richard Vaughan
to affirm that those Articles of Lambeth were afterwards forbidden by publick Authority but when where and by whom he is not pleased to impart unto us And strange it is that a publick prohibition should be whispered so softly that this Author alone should hear it and none other to my knowledge take notice thereof 27. How variously forraign Divines esteemed of them As for forrain Divines just as they were biased in judgement so on that side ran their Affections in raising or decrying the esteem of these Articles some a Thysias twice printed them at Hardâ—ovick Anno 1613. printed set forth and b Bogerman in his 107. 108. notes on the second part of Grotius cited them as the sence of the Church of England others as fast slighted them as the narrow positions of a few private and Partial persons As for Corvinus as we know not whence he had his intelligence so we finde no just ground for what he reporteth that Arch-Bishop Whitgift for his pains incurred the Queens displeasure and c In his answer to the notes of Bogerman 2 part pag. 566. and so forward to pag. 570. a Praemunire We presume this forrainer better acquainted with the Imperial Law and locall customes of Holland then with our municipal Statutes and the nature of a Praemunire Indeed there goes a tradition that the Queen should in merriment say jestingly to the Arch-BP My Lord I now shall want no mony for I am informed all your goods are forfeited unto me by your calling a Councel without my consent but how much of truth herein God knows And be it referred to our learned in the Law whether without danger of such a censure the two Arch-Bishops by vertue of their place had not any implicite leave from the Queen to assemble Divines for the clearing declaring and asserting of difficult Truths provided they innovate or alter nothing in matters of Religion 28. And now I perceive These Articles excellent witnesses of the general doctrine of England I must tread tenderly because I goe not as before on mens graves but am ready to touch the quick of some yet alive I know how dangerous it is to follow Truth too nere to the heels yet better it is that the teeth of an Historian be struck out of his head for writing the the Truth then that they remain still and rot in his Jaws by feeding too much on the sweet-meats of flattery All that I will say of the credit of these Articles is this That as Medalls of Gold and Silver though they will not pass in payment for currant coyne because not stamped with the Kings Inscription yet they will goe with Goldsmiths for as much as they are in weight So though these Articles want Authentick Reputation to pass for Provinciall Acts as lacking sufficient Authority yet will they be readily received of Orthodox Christians for as far as their own purity bears conformity to Gods word And though those learned Divines be not acknowledged as competent Judges to pass definitive Sentence in those Points yet they will be taken as witnesses beyond exception whose testimony is an infallible evidence what was the generall and received doctrine of England in that Age about the forenamed controversies 29. This year ended the life Bp. Wickham Dr Whitakers Dan. Halsworth and Râ—b Southwell end their lives First of Doctor William Wickam bred in Kings Colledge in Cambridge first Bishop of Lincoln after of Winchester whose namesake William Wickham in the Reign of King Edward the third sat in the same See more years then this did weeks Indeed we know little of his life but so much of his death as we must not mention it without some pitty to him whil'st in pain and praise to God for our own health such was his torture with the stone before his death that for d Bp Goodwin in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Winchester 14 days together he made not water Secondly Worthy Doctor William Whittakers whose larger character we reserve God-willing for our History of Cambridge And amongst the Romanists Daniel Halseworth who as e De Angliae scriptoribus Aetate â—6 pag. 794. Pitzaeus describes him Papists give no scant measure in praising those of their own Party was well skill'd in Latin Greek and Hebrew and Elegant Poet Eloquent Orator acute Philosopher expert Mathematician deep-studied Lawyer and excellent Divine flying from England he lived successively in Savoy Rome and Millain having too many professions to gather wealth and with all his Arts and Parts both lived in Poverty and died in Obscurity More eminent but more infamous was the death of Robert Southwell a Jesuite born in f Idem ibidem Suffolk bred beyond the Seas where he wrote abundance of Books who returning into England was executed March the third for a Traitor at London and honoured for a Martyr amongst men of his own Religion 30. The Secular Priests continued their complaints Anno Regin Eliza. 39. Anno Dom. 1596. The complaint of the Seculars against the Jesuits and principally against Parsons as against Jesuits in general so particularly against Robert Parsons This Parsons about 18 years since was in England where by his statizing and dangerous activity he had so incensed the Queens Councell that the Secular Priests made him a main occasion why such sharp laws were so suddenly made against a DeclaratioÌ„ motuum ad Clementein ecitaâ—um pag. 24. Catholicks in England But no sooner did danger begin to appear but away went Parsons beyond the Seas wherein some condemned his cowarliness and others commended his policy seeing such a commander in chief as he was in the Romish cause ought to repose his person in safety and might be never the less vertually present in the fight by the issuing out of his orders to meaner officers Nor did Parsons like a wheeling Cock turn aside with intent to return but ran quite out of the Cockpit and then crowed in triumph when he was got on his own dunghil safely resident in the City of Rome Here he compiled and hence he dispatched many letters and libels into England and amongst the rest that Book of the succession to the English entit'ling the Spaniard thereunto setting it forth under the false name of b Camdens Eliz. in Anno 1594. p. 72. Dolman an honest harmless Secular Priest and his professed Adversary And surely Parsons was a fit fellow to derive the pedigree of the Kings of England who might first have studied to deduce his own descent from a lawfull Father being himself otherwise called Cowback c Watsons Quâ—â—libets p. 109 236. filius populi et filius peccati as Catholicks have observed Many letters also he sent over full of threats and assuring his party that the land would be invaded by forrainers writing therein not what he knew or thought was but what he desired and endeavoured should be true Some of these letters being intercepted made the
second Temple such must needs be sad which consider the disproportion betwixt what was performed and what was projected in this Colledge Save that I confesse that the destruction of beautifull buildings once really extant leave greater impressions in mens mindes than the miscarriages of onely intentional structures and the faint Ideas of such future things as are probably propounded but never effected 24. And here we will insert the number The first Provost and Fellows and names of the Provost and first Fellows and some of them probable to be last Fellows as still surviving as they were appointed by the King Himself Anno 1610. May 8. Matthew Sutcliffe Dean of Exeter Provost 1. John Overal Dean of S. Pauls 2. Thomas Morton Dean of Winchester 3. Richard Field Dean of Glocester 4. Robert Abbot Doctors of Divinity 5. John Spenser 6. Miles Smith 7. William Covitt 8. John Howson 9. John Layfield 10. Ben Charrier 11. Martin Foâ—herbie 12. John Boys 13. Richard Bret 14. Peter Lilie 15. Francis Burley 16. William Hellier Arch-Deacon of Barstable 17. John White Fellow of Manchester-Colledge William Cambden Clarenceaux Historians John Haywood Doctor of Law See here none who were actuall Bishops were capable of places in this Colledge And when some of these were afterwards advanced to Bishopricks others translated to heaven King JAMES by His now Letters Patents 1622. Novemb 14. substituted others in their room Amongst whom the Archbishop of Spalato but no more than Dean of Windsor in England was most remarkable 25. To advance this work The King his Letters to â—he Archbishop and his to the Bishops His Majestie Anno 1616. sent His Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury to stirre up all the Clergie in his Province to contribute to so pious a work according to the tenour thereof here inserted WHereas the enemies of the Gospel have ever been forward to write and publish Books for confirming of erroneous doctrine and impugning the truth and now of late seem more carefull than before to send daily into Our Realms such their writings whereby Our loving Subjects though otherwise well-disposed might be seduced unless some remedy thereof should be provided We by the advice of Our Councel have lately granted a Corporation and given Our allowance for erecting a Colledge at Chelsey for learned Divines to be imployed to write as occasion shall require for maintaining the Religion professed in Our Kingdomes and confuting the Impugners thereof Whereupon Doctour Sutcliffe designed Provost of the said Colledge hath now humbly signified unto Us that upon divers promises of help and assistance towards the erecting and endowing the said Colledge he hath at his own charge begun and well proceeded in building as doth sufficiently appear by a good part thereof already set up in the place appointed for the same We therefore being willing to favour and farther so religious a work will and require you to write your Letters to the Bishops of your Province signifying unto them in Our name that Our pleasure is they deal with the Clergie and others of their Diocesse to give their charitable be nevolence for the perfecting of this good work so well begun And for the better performance of Our desire We have given order to the said Provost and his Associates to attend you and others whom it may appertain and to certifie Us from time to time of their proceeding A copie of this His Majesties Letter was sent to all the Bishops of England with the Archbishops additionall Letter in order as followeth NOw because it is so pious and religious a work conducing both to Gods glory and the saving of many a soul within this Kingdome I cannot but wish that all devout and well affected persons should by your self and the Preachers in your Diocesse as well publickly as otherwise be excited to contribute in some measure to so holy an intendment now well begun And although these and the like motions have been frequent in these later times yet let not those whom God hath blessed with any wealth be weary of well-doing that it may not be said That the idolatrous and superstitious Papists be more forward to advance their falshoods than we are to maintain Gods truth Whatsoever is collected I pray your Lordship may be carefully brought unto me partly that it passe not through any defrauding hand and partly that His Majestie may be acquainted what is done in this behalf Yet for all these hopefull endevours and collections in all the Parishes of England slow and small were the summes of money brought in to this work Many of them were scattered out in the gathering them up the charges of the Collectours consuming the profit thereof If as it is vehemently suspected any of these collections be but detained by private persons I conceive it no trespasse against Christian charity to wish that the pockets which keep such money may rot all their suites that wear them till they make true restitution thereof 26. Various are mens conjectures as directed by their own interest what obstructed so hopefull proceedings Divers opininions touching the non-proceeding of the Colledge and it is safer for me to recite all than resolve on any of them Some ascribe it to 1. The common fatality which usually attends noble undertakings As partus octimestres children born in the eighth moneth are alwaies not long liv'd so good projects quickly expire 2. The untimely death of Prince HENRY Our principal hope f Continuation of Stow's Survey of London pag. 533. and the chief authour of this designe If so Erubuit Domino firmius esse suo The modest Colledge blushed to be stronger Than was its Lord He dead it liv'd no longer But upon my serious perusall of the Records of this Colledge I finde not so much as mention of the name of Prince HENRY as in any degree visibly contributive thereunto 3. The large loose and lax nature thereof no one prime person Sutcliffe excepted whose shoulders sunk under the weight thereof zealously engaging therein King JAMES His maintenance amounting to little more than countenance of the work Those children will have thin chaps and lean cheeks who have every body and yet no body nurses unto them 4. The originall means of the Colledge principally founded on the fluid and unconstant element unstable as water the Rent of a New River when made which at the best thus imployed was beheld but as a religious Monopoly And seeing that designe then took no effect though afterwards in another notion and nature it was perfected no wonder if the Colledge sunk with the means thereof 5. Some of the * This fift and sixt obstruction signifie nothing to discreet men however they must passe for company-sake and are alledged by some as very materiall greatest Prelates how much self is there in all men though seemingly forward really remisse in the matter Suspecting these Controversiall Divines would be lookt on as the principall Champions of Religion more serviceable in the
Court hoped hereby to make him fall totally and finally from the Kings favour though missing their mark herein as in fine it did appear 15. Two daies after he was called before the Privie Councell For which he is convented before the Councell where he presented himself on his knees and so had still continued for any favour he found from any of his own function there present But the Temporall Lords bad him arise and stand to his own defence being as yet only accused not convicted Dr. Harsenet Archbishop of York managed all the businesse against him Bishop Laud walking by all the while in silence spake not one word making a long oration uttered with much vehemency to this effect First He magnified King James his bounty unto him Anno Regis Caroli 6 Anno Dom. 1630-31 who from a private Master of a Colledge in Cambridge without any other immediate preferment advanced him by an unusuall rise to the great and rich Bishoprick of Salisbury Secondly He extolled the piety and prudence of King Charles in setting forth lately an usefull Declaration wherein he had commanded that many intricate questions tending more to distraction then edification of people should utterly be forborn in preaching and which had already produced much peace in the Church Thirdly He aggravated the hainousnesse of the Bishops offence who so ill requited his Majesties favour unto him as to offer in his own presence in so great an Auditorie to break his Declaration inviting others by his example to doe the like Fourthly that high contempt was the lowest tearm could be given to such an offence seeing ignorance could in no probability be pretended in a person of his reputed learning and eminent Profession What the other answered hereunto will best appear by his own letter writen to his worthy friend Doctor Ward giving him an exact account of all proceedings herein in manner as followeth 16. As for my Court businesse Bishop Davenant his relation of the whole matter in his letter to Doctor Ward though it grieved me that the established Doctrine of our Church should be distasted yet it grieved me the lesse because the truth of what I delivered was acknowledged even by those which thought fit to have me questioned for the deliverie of it Presently after my Sermon was ended it was signified unto me by my L. of York and my L. of Winchester and my L. Chamberlain that his Majesty was much displeased that I had stirred this question which he had forbidden to be medled withall one way or other My answer was that I had delivered nothing but the received Doctrine of our Church established in the 17 Article and that I was ready to justify the truth of what I had then taught Their answer was the Doctrine was not gainsaid but his Highnesse had given command these questions should not be debated and therefore he took it more offensively that any should be so bold as in his own hearing to break his royall commands And here my L. of York aggravated the offence from many other circumstances My reply was only this That I never understood that his Majesty had forbid a bandling of any Doctrine comprised in the Articles of our Church but only raising of new questions or adding of new sense thereunto which I had not done nor ever should doe This was all that passed betwixt us on Sunday night after my Sermon The matter thus rested and I heard no more of it till coming unto the Tuesday Sermon one of the Clerks of the Councell told me that I was to attend at the Councell-Table the next day at two of the clock I told him I would wait upon their Lordships at the hour appointed When I came thither my L. of York made a speech welnigh of half an hour long aggravating the boldnesse of mine offence and shewing many inconveniences that it was likely to draw after it And he much insisted upon this what good effect his Majesties Declaration had wrought how these controversies had ever since been buried in silence no man medling with them one way or other When his Grace had finished his speech I desired the Lords that since I was called thither as an offender I might not be put to answer a long speech upon the suddain but that my Lords grace would be pleased to charge me point by point and so to receive my answer for I did not yet understand wherein I had broken any commandement of his Majesties which my Lord iâ— his whole discourse took for granted Having made this motion I gave no further answer and all the Lords were silent for a while At length my Lords Grace said I knew well enough the point which was urged against me namely the breach of the Kings Declaration Then I stood upon this Defence that the Doctrine of Predestination which I taught was not forbidden by the Declaration First because in the Declaration all the Articles are established amongst which the Article of Predestination is one Secondly because all Ministers are urged to subscribe unto the truth of the Article and all Subjects to continue in the profession of that as well as of the rest Upon these and such like grounds I gathered it could not be esteemed amongst forbidden curious or needless Doctrines and here I desired that out of any Clause in the Declaration it might be shewed me that keeping my selfe within the bounds of the Article I had transgressed his Majesties command but the Declaration was not produced nor any particular words in it onely this was urged that the Kings will was that for the peace of the Church these high questions should be forborne My answer then was that I was sorry I understood not his Majesties intention which if I had done before I should have made choice of some other matter to intreat of which might have given none offence and that for the time to come I should conform my self as readily as any other to his Majesties command The Earle of Arundell seemed to approve of this my answer and withall advised me to proceed no further in my defence This in substance all which was done or said in this matter and so I was dismissed The Lords said nothing either in approbation of what I had alleadged to shew that I had not wittingly broken the Kings known command or in confirmation of the contrary urged against me by my Lords Grace At my departure I intreated their Lordships to let his Majesty understand that I had not boldly or wilfully and wittingly against his Declaration medled with the forenamed point and that now understanding fully his Majesties minde and intenâ—ion I should humbly yeeld obedience thereunto This business thus ended I went the next day to my L. Chamberlain and intreated him to doe me the favor that I might be brought to kisse the Kings hand before I went out of Town which his Lordship most readily promised and performed When I came in his Majesty declared his
language of one of their Grandees c c Responsio Jo. Norton pag. 114. Actus regiminis à Synodis debent porrigi non peragi the latter belonging to the liberty of several Congregations Their Adversaries object that none can give in an exact account of all their opinions daily capable of alteration and increase Whilst such Countries whose unmoveable Mountains and stable Valleys keep a fixed position may be easily surveyed no Geographer can accurately describe some part of Arabia where the flitting sands driven with the winds have their frequent removals so that the Traveller findeth a hole at his return where he left a hill at his departure Such the uncertainty of these Congregationalists in their judgements only they plead for themselves it is not the winde of every d d Mr Cotton his preface to Mr Nortons Book are always for new lights Doctrine but the Sun of the Truth which with its New lights makes them renounce their old and embrace new resolutions 42. Soon after a heavie Schism happened in the Church of Roterdam d Eph. 4. 15. A Schism in Roterdam Church betwixt M r Bridge and M r Simson the two Pastors thereof Insomuch that the latter rent himself saith one e e Mr Edwards ut prius p. 35. from M r Bridge his Church to the great offence thereof though more probable as another f f Mr John Goodwin in answer to Mr Edwards pag. 238. reporteth M r Simson dismissed with the consent of the Church However many bitter letters passed betwixt them and more sent over to their Friends in England full of invectives blackness of the tongue alwayes accompanying the paroxismes of such distempers g pag. 245. Their Presbyterian Adversaries make great use hereof to their disgrace If such Infant-Churches whilst their hands could scarce hold any thing fell a scratching and their feet spurning and kicking one another before they could well goe alone how stubborn and vexatious would they be when arrived at riper years 43. This Schism was seconded with another in the same Church A second Schism in the same Church wherein they deposed one of their Ministers M r Ward I conceive his name which was beheld as a bold and daring deed especially because herein they consulted not their Sister-Church at Arnhein which publickly was professed mutually to be done in cases of concernment Here the Presbyterians triumph in their conceived discovery of the nakedness and weakness of the Congregational way which for want of Ecclesiastical Subordination is too short to reach out a redress to such grievances For seeing par in parem non habet potestatem Equalls have no power over their Equalls the agrieved party could not right himself by any appeal unto a Superior But such consider not the end as well as the beginning of this difference wherein the Church of a a Apol. Nar. pag 21. Arnhein interposing not as a Judge to punish Offenders but as a Brother to check the failings of a Brother matters were so ordered that M r Ward was restored to his place when both he and the Church had mutually confessed their sinful carriage in the matter but enough if not too much hereof seeing every thing put in a Pamphlet is not fit to be recorded in a Chronicle 44. More concord crowned the Congregation at Arnheim The practice of Arnhein Church where M r Goodwin and M r Nye were Pastors wherein besides those Church-Ordinances formerly mentioned actually admitted and exercised some others stood Candidates and fair Probationers on their good behaviour namely if under Tryal they were found convenient Such were 1. The b b 1 Cor. 16. 20. Holy Kiss 2. Prophesyings c c 1 Cor. 14. when Private Christians at fit times made publick use of their parts and gifts in the Congregation 3. Hymns d d Eph. 5. 19. Col 3. 16. and which if no better Divinity then Musick might much be scrupled at 4. Widdows e e 1 Tim. 5. 9. as Essential She-Ministers in the Church which if it be so our late Civil-Wars in England have afforded us plenty for the place 5. Anointing of dying people as a standing Apostolical f f James 5. 14. Ordinance 45. Other things were in agitation The five Exiles return home when now the news ariveth that the Parliament sitting at Westminster had broken the yoak of Ceremonies and proclaimed a year of Jubilee to all tender consciences Home then they hasted with all convenient speed For only England is England indeed though some parts of Holland may be like unto it Over they came in a very good plight and Equipage which the Presbyterians and those I assure you are quick-sighted when pleased to prie took notice of Not a hair of their head singed nor any smell of the fire of persecution upon their Clothes However they were not to be blamed if setting their best foot forward in their return and appearing in the handsomest and chearfullest fashion for the credit of their cause and to show that they were not dejected with their sufferings 46. Presently they fall upon gathering of Congregations Gather Churches in England but chiefly in or about the City of London Trent may be good and Severn better but oh the Thames is the best for the plentifull taking of fish therein They did pick I will not say steal hence a Master thence a Mistress of a Family a Son out of a Third a Servant out of a Fourth Parish all which met together in their Congregation Some prevented calling by their coming of OLD Parishioners to become NEW Church-Members and so forward were they of themselves that they needed no force to compell nor art to perswade them Thus a new Inne never wanteth Guests at the first setting up especially if hanging out a fair Signe and promising more cleanness and neatness then is in any of their Neighbours 47. The Presbyterians found themselves much agrieved hereat The Presbyterians offended They accounted this practise of the Dissenting Brethren but Ecclesiastical felonie for at the best that they were but Spiritual Interlopers for the same They justly feared if this fashion continued the falling of the Roof or foundring of the Foundations of their own Parishes whence so many Corner Stones Pillars Rafters and Beams were taken by the other to build their Congregations They complained that these new Pastors though slighting Tithes and set maintenance yet so ordered the matter by gathering their Churches that these gleanings of Ephraim became better then the Vintage of Abi-ezer 48. Not long after when the Assembly of Divines was called these five Congregationalists were chosen members thereof Dissenting Brethren crave a Toleration but came not up with a full consent to all things acted therein As accounting that the pressing of an exact occurrence to the Presbyterian Government was but a kinde of a Conseience-Prison whilst accurate conformity to the Scotch Church was the very Dungeon thereof
Domini nostri Regis Anno vicesimo septimo 56. These Injunctions relate as Additionalls to former Injunctions of the Kings King Henry his injunctions to the University of Cambridge too tedious here to exemplifie But take the substance thereof 1. He beginneth with bemoaning the Barbarisme and Ignorance which so lately spread in the University protesting his desire to promote Piety and extirpate Heresy Superstition Idolatry c. 2. He exhorteth all the Members in the University to the embracing of Christs Doctrine in Spirit and Truth recommending M r. Cromwell their Chancellour to be their Visitour therein 3. He requires their renouncing all Obedience to the Pope of Rome and that his Royall Authority be received as supreme under God 4. He inciteth them to the studie of Tongues because sensum alicujus rei non potest ille assequi qui rudis est Idiomatis quo traditur 5. He enjoyneth them to found on the joynt Cost of all the Colledges two Lectures the one of Latine the other of Greek to be daily read and by consequence heard on great Penalties 6. That no Authours hereafter be publickly read who have written on the Master of the Sentences but that all Lectures be made on some part of the Scripture 7. That it should be permitted to all freely to read Gods Word in their private Studies repair to any publick place where the same is preached 8. That hereafter none in the University take any Degree in the Canon-Law 9. He did make void and abolish all Ceremonies and Observances which any wayes did hinder the Studie of Scholars or bonam valetudinem studio amicam 10. He ordered that the Youth to be educated in the Arts should read Aristotle Rodulphus Agricola Philip Melancthon Trapezuntius c. 11. He forbad the reading of the frivolous Questions and obscure Glosses of Scotus Burleus Anthony Trombet Bricot Bruliferius c. 12. He pronounceth all Statutes of the University or private Colledges void if repugnant to the Premises 13. That all Masters of Colledges be bound by their solemn Oath to the effectuall observation of these his Injunctions 14. Reserving alwayes to the aforesaid Thomas Cromwell their Chancellour and his Vicar-general or to his lawfull Surrogate in that kind full power to examine adde and alter any thing according to his Discretion confident of his care herein for the good of the Vniversity Observe by the way that at this instant the Vniversity of Cambridge was very full of Students as may appear by that Passage in the Kings Injunctions For he reckoneth up the severall Colledges ubi confluunt diversantur frequentant Scholares Studiosi ex omni Dioecesi qualibet parte hujus Regni nostri Angliae tam ex Wallia quam ex Hibernia So that it seemeth here was then an universall Confluence of Scholars from all parts of the Kings Dominions 57. Three dayes after Doctour Legh had set forth his Injunctions The submission of the Master and Fellows of Gonvil Hall to the Kings Injunctions the Colledges made their respective Submissions thereunto solemnly subscribing the same We assure our selves they used the same form for the Essentialls one Copy whereof we have here inserted that the rest may be measured thereby Invictissimo ac pientissimo in Christo Principi Domino nostro HENRICO OCTAVO Dei gratia Angliae Franciae Regi fidei Defensori Domino Hiberniae ac in terris supremo Ecclesiae Anglicanae sub Christo Capiti Vestri humiles Subditi devotissimi Oratores WILLIELMUS BUCKENHAM M r. sive custos Collegii dicti Gonvil Hall CANTABRIG ejusdem Loci socii reverentiam obedientiam tam excellenti prepotenti principi debitas condignas cum omni subjectione honore NOverit Majestas vestra regia quod nos Magister socii predicti non viaut metu coacti dolove aut aliqua alia sinistra machinatione ad hec inducti sive seducti sed ex nostris certis scientiis animis deliberatis merisque spontaneis Voluntatibus pure sponte absolute in verbo Sacerdotii profitemur spondemus ac ad sancta Dei Evangelia per nos corporaliter tacta juramus vestrae illustrissimae Regiae Majestati singulari ac summo Domino nostro patrono Henrico Octavo Deigratia Angliae Franciae Regi fidei Defensori Domino Hiberniae ac in terris Ecclesiae Anglicanae Supremo immediate sub Christo Capiti quod posthac nulli externo Imperatori Regi Principi ant Prelato nec Romano Pontifici quem Papam vocant fidelitatem aut obedientiam verbo vel scripto simpliciter vel sub juramento promittemus aut dabimus vel dari curabimus sed omni tempore casu conditione partes vestrae Regiae Majestatis ac successorum vestrorum sequemur observabimus pro virili defendemus contra omnem hominem quem vestrae Majestati aut successoribus Vestris adversarium cognoscemus suspicabimur Solique vestrae Regiae Majestati velut supremo nostro principi Ecclesiae Anglicanae capiti ac successoribus vestris fidelitatem obedientiam sincere ex animo prestabinus Papatum Romanum non esse adeo in sacris Literis ordinatum profitemur sed humanitus traditum constanter assirmamus palam declaramus ac declarabimus ut alii sic publicent diligenter curabimus Nec tractatum cum quoqunque mortalium privatim aut publice inibimus aut Consentiemus quod Pontifex Romanus aliquam authoritatem jurisdictionem amplius hic habeat aut exerceat aut ad ullam posthac restituatur Episcopumque Romanum Episcopum modernum aut ejus in illo Episcopatu successorem quemcunque non Papam non summum Pontificem non universalem Episcopum nec sanctissimum Dominum sed solum Romanum Episcopum vel Pontificē ut priscis mos erat scienter publice asseremus Juraque statuta hujus regni pro extirpatione sublatione Papatus auctoritatis ac Jurisdictionis dicti Romani Episcopi quandocunque edita sive fancita edendaque sive sancienda pro viribus scientia ingeniolis nostris ipsi firmiter observabimus ab aliis sic observari quantum in nobis fuerit curabimus atque efficiemus nec posthac dictum Romanum Episcopum appellabimus aut appellanti consentiemus nec in ejus curia pro jure aut justitia agemus aut agenti respondebimus nec ibidem Accusatoris vel Rei personam sustinebimus si quid dictus Episcopus per nuncium vel per literas nobis significaverit qualecunque id fuerit illud quam citissime commode poterimus aut vestrae Regiae Majestati aut vestris à secretis Consiliariis significabimus aut significari faciemus nosque literas aut nuncium aut eundem Romanum Episcopum vel ejus Curiam nec mittemus nec mitti faciemus nisi vestra Majestate conscia consentiente aut vestro Successore quod dictae literae vel nuncius ad eum deferatur Bullas brevia