home and abroad so was he particular in minding his special Friends before the Lord and the spirituall welfare of his children was so much upon his heart that he daily desired to lodge them in Gods bosome yea he seldome gave thanks either before or after meat especially towards the end of his life without some touch of tendency towards his children in reference unto whom this was one constant Petition That they might never seek great things for themselves in this world And his own practice from his youth proved the sincerity of his heart in this suit because he never looked after nor would entertain any motion of removing for wealth or worldly promotion though his charge was great and his eminency both in ministerial and scholastical gifts with the power of godlinesse which did shine in his whole conversation gained him many Friends and rendred him in their account a man more meet for a place of publique note and resort then the village where he dwelt When the Prelatical opposition against the Non-conformists was hot and high he spake thus unto a Neighbour-Brother Be confident that although all who are now known Non-conformists were dead and gone yet God would rather raise some out of our ashes to protest against Episcopacy and the Ceremonies then suffer that cause to fall unto the ground He would say The Fathers wanted some of our light but we want more of their heat He was exemplarily carefull to preserve Gods Ordinances from pollution and contempt and therefore did alwaies take great pains with his people to prepare them for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper In his Sermons he was wont to tell his Auditours that their persecuting impoverishing imprisoning and thrusting daggers into their Ministers bodies would not be more grievous then their unworthy communicating at the Lords Table and their unanswerable walking unto the Ordinances of grace dispenced amongst them And when Parents presented their children in the Congregation to be baptized he would very affectionately lay open their duty pressing Sacramental ingagements home to their hearts with strong Arguments and authority ministerial Though no man was known by his Friends who more dis-relished the corruptions in Church-Government and in administrations of holy worship yet he hath sufficiently published unto the world his great dislike of the way of separation from our Church-Assemblies upon such pretences Thus he spake unto a Friend who had moved him to maintain our Church-communion against the Separatists How little am I beholding unto you who drew me from more profitable studies to peruse those sapless speculations He much lamented in his Prayers before God the first breakin gs out of Independency in England both in respect of the present offence and the wofull consequences thereof whereof he was much afraid yea he did very often tell his Friends both in the time of his health and last sicknesse that if God should give opportunity and hopes of Church-reformation that we might be eased of our present grievances the Brethren of the new separation would be found the greatest obstructers thereof His remembrance of the History of former Separations with which he was fully acquainted and his prudential fore-sight of the diducts which would necessarily follow from their Principles viz. Anabaptisme c. together with his wise insight into the dispositions of some persons who then appeared therein these were the grounds of his foretelling the confusions the spreading of pernicious errours and hinderances of Reformation which we since have sadly suffered under These Reasons of his Prediction which is noised abroad are expressed lest any should imagine him to have inclined to regard injections and impulsions of spirit which some cry up as prophetical His distaste whereof may be evidenced by this one instance viz. Being asked by one who much pretended unto immediate inspirations besides Scripture whether he at any time had experience thereof in his own heart His answer was this No I blesse God and if I should ever have such phantasies I hope God would give me grace to resist them When there was discourse concerning the new or rather the renewed errours which were broached he would ordinarily say A good Treatise of the sufficiency of the Scriptures would put an end unto these matters His exceeding love to study and his great modesty caused unwillingnesse to go far from home or to appear publique in any kind And if the extraordinary importunity of some much esteemed Friends had not conquered this aversnesse he would in probability never have printed any thing in his own name or have come into the company of persons of chief place and quality yea God was pleased in both these waies to make him serviceable For besides the profit which many have received from his printed Books he was happily instrumentall by conference to preserve some men of chief esteem in regard of their Piety Parts and places of command in the Countries where they lived from warping towards the waies of new separation upon the sollicitation of such who were busie sticklers therein Upon the calling of the Parliament in the year 1640. some hopes being conceived that he might be an instrument of publique benefit to the Church by dealing with some Parliament-men that if further Reformation of things wofully out of order could not be procured men unconformable to the Ceremonies might not be thrust out and kept out of the Ministry in that regard He thereupon took a journey into London with his neighbour and endeared Brother Master Langley but receiving small encouragement to his hopes and endeavours in that kind he returned home with sorrow upon his heart complaining of the many symptomes of Gods displeasure which he saw ready to break out against poor England and resolved to do what service he could in any other way And being convinced that his labours might be profitable to the Church both in the present and succeeding ages he was resolved to lay forth himself for publique service in any kind as his good Friends should advise and in pursuance hereof he designed these three works viz. 1. A Treatise of the Church 2. An Exposition of obscure Scriptures out of all the original Languages 3. A more full Systeme of Divinity by the enlarging of his Catechism For all which he had much good Provision under hand when the Lord saw cause to put an end to his labours And here all those must silence their hearts who knowing him may be apt to judge his removall at this time to be unseasonable with these words which were much in his mouth when God checked hopes by crosse Providences The Lord is wisest God is most wise Many conflicts he had with men of greatest strength as was imagined to maintain the new pathes into which divers had stepped aside But the truth is never was any of them able to stand up under his Arguments Though God was pleased to take him away whom some in scorn called
he contracted great debts taking up money upon use to enable him to it yea he pawned his very Wives Jewels Bracelets Rings and other rich furniture thereby to furnish himself with money by which means he did so weaken his estate that in the end of this third Civil Warre he was forced in a Councel of the Princes to move for some allowance wherewith to sustain his Family About this time he wrote another Letter to his Sons and the Sons of his Brother Andelot who were still at Rochel under the same Tutor the tenour whereof was this Truly it would be very gratefull unto me if I had opportunity to see you and to speak face to face but seeing I am deprived of that happiness I thought fit by this Epistle to admonish you alwaies to set Piety and the fear of God before your faces especially at this time when you find by experience that there is no trusting to those things which are called Goods Our hope must be placed elsewhere then in this world and other things must be sought after then those which we see with our eyes and handle with our hands but because to do that is not in our own powers we must earnestly pray unto God that he would lead us in that way which is most sure and safe neither yet must you expect that that way will prove pleasant and delicate and abounding with worldly felicity For Christ himself who hath gone before us and is our Captain and Ensign bearer must be imitated by us Men indeed have dispoiled us of those things which are fading and transitory but if we be willing and carefull to submit to the will of God we shall be happy and it shall be well with us at the last for those men have wronged you not for any injury you ever did them but out of a hatred against me which also proceeds from hence because the Lord is pleased to honour me by being an Instrument of assisting has afflicted Church and therefore if for this cause we suffer losse and inconveniences we have no reason to grieve for it but rather to assure our selves that he will give us such a reward as men shall not be able to take from us I have many other things to write to you of if I had leasure but for the present I have enough if I may admonish and request you for Gods sake that you go on valiantly in the study of vertue and that in all your words and actions you shew an aborrency of all vices be obedient to your Master and your other Governours that though I seldom see you yet I may hear that you increase in Piety and good Manners To conclude I pray if it be the will of God that whatsoever further befals us either in our estates or persons we may have it sanctified to us for our spiritual good and I heartily pray to God that he will be a refuge and help unto you and a defence in this your minority Fare you well From Xantone Octob. 16. 1568. Castellonius The Admirall and all the Commanders of his Army having often consulted about their future proceedings resolved to strengthen all their garrisons and so with their light Horse to go into Tholouse where they of the Religion held Montalban a place very strong both by Nature and Art who also had gotten together a good summe of money for paying the German Auxiliaries besides they hoped by passing over the two Rivers of Garone and Lotters to joyn to themselves those forces which were under the command of Mongomry a man of great authority by reason of his skill and experience in military affairs who also had lately by the assistance of his forces quieted Berne that belonged to the Prince of Navarr This journey by reason of the roughnesse of the way proved very difficult and painfull especially considering that the enemies had Garrisoned all the Cities and broken down all the Bridges where they were to passe yet at length with much difficulty they came to Montalban from whence the Admirall sent to the King and Queen-mother in in his own and in the names of all that were with him humbly intreating them that they would not suffer so many valiant and gallant men as were in both Armies mutually to shed the blood each of other but that rather out of their clemency they would put an end to those mischiefs that the contrary was the counsell of some Cardinals and Bishops that never came into the field to try the miseries of Warre or else of certain Italians that rejoyced in the ruines of France and that it was extream madnesse to suppose that two huedred thousand Protestants to whom so many of the Nobility had joyned themselves could so easily be suppressed and destroyed Besides also it could not be but in those Warres many Papists must be great sufferers as well as the Protestants some in their persons and others in their estates and Families That the speeches of the Courtiers were unworthy the Kings Majesty who used commonly to say That the King would not spare his Popish Subjects so he might destroy his adversaries For it was the voice of a Tyrant not of a King to say Pereant amici dum unà in mici intercidant Let my friends perish whilst mine enemies fall together with them That the conditions of Peace were easie viz. That the Decrees made by the States of Orleance and the Edicts of Paris might be renewed and established whereby the Protestants were allowed certain places for publique Worship These Messengers being dispatched away they presently resolved to passe the River Oaronna which was between theirs and Mongomries forces but the passage seemed very difficult by reason of the breadth depth and swiftnesse of the River whereupon the Admirall resolved to take in the Town of Marian which stands upon the Rivers bank which he also did and Mongomry coming to the other bank the Admirall intended to make a Bridge which also with admirable art and industry he effected and so in two daies space passed the German horse over it but the night after a Ship coming swiftly along the stream brake down the Bridge so that they were forced to make a new one of Boats whereby Mongomries Army came over safe to them and the German horse also which brought up his rear and so having stayed there two daies for the refreshing of his men he led his Army to Tholouse and took in all the neighbouring Towns either by storm or surrender though he had only two great Guns in his Train which he brought with him from Montalban And the Protestant Army was the more incensed against them of Tholouse because say they they have been violent to burn them of our Religion They beheaded Captain Rapin who carried them the Edict of Peace from the King they have also committed many other insolencies which now cry for vengeance and God hath put an opportunity into our hands which we must not neglect
though the wound might seem quite cured and he never so much engage forbearance yet frequent apparitions would redintegrate Et nihil facilius quam amor recrudescit Sir Arthur was a very wise man and had experience of the world thanks Master Preston for his faithfulnesse pretends Sir Capel wanted something and desires his Tutor to give him leave to stay a little while untill he could be furnished and then he should be sent to which the Tutor easily consented and so the rest went home and after a while the old man tels Sir Capel he grew in bignesse and it would be fit for him to travell before he setled and he prevails with him to be content But what saies Mistresse Newcomb who is robb'd by this means of her vowed and resolved servant and her crafty Father that beholds so good a morsell snatched from between his teeth do ye think he had forgotten this when Master Preston came to preach within his Jurisdiction Pulvere qui laedunt sed laesi marmore scribunt other injuries perhaps may be forgotten but losse of money is not ploratur lachrymâ—s amissa pecunia veris. Master Preston was not altogether a stranger at the Court however now there was no remedy when he came to New-market he found that Bishop Andrews then Bishop of Ely was chief and that his Jurisdiction in the Commissary was it that was pretended to be affronted and therefore applied himself to him and told him that he did not purpose to offend but being ingaged for to preach at that time could not with honour disappoint the Auditory if he suspected him for any thing desired he would examine him and satisfie himself The Bishop told him the King was told he was an enemy to Formes of Prayer and held no Prayer lawful but conceived and therefore being popular his judgment and opinion might do hurt Master Preston answered that it was a slander for he thought Set Formes lawfull and refused not on all occasions to be present at the Colledge-Prayers and when it was his turn to read them The Bishop answered that he was glad and would inform the King and do him all the good he could and bad him wait a while and then repair again to him for satisfaction in it and so time passed on and there was nothing done There were some at Court that wished well to Master Preston Sed lapsuro assistere formidant were loth to undertake a drooping cause only there was one Doctor Young an honest Scotchman that was Dean of Winchester and he told Master Preston plainly that Bishop Andrews was his greatest adversary and though he gave him good words yet had assured the King that if Master Preston were not for this expeld the University Lord Bishops would not long continue but because Master Preston was accounted and not without cause a learned man he was not willing to appear against him but desired the punishment might be inflicted where the fact was done and that was in the University Master Preston saw now that the Bishop was a Courtier and could give words where deeds were not intended and therefore goes again unto the Bishop and tels him plainly that he or none must put a period to his attendance and that either he would speak unto the King in his behalf or tell him plainly that he would not that he might know whence all this trouble flowed The Bishop paused a while on this bold carriage and at the last bad him come to him such a time again and he would deal with the King in his behalf So he goes unto the King and tels him that however Master Preston was very dangerous and it would be a very great security if he were handsomely expelled yet he doubted it would not hear well if it should be done for this offence for he would be absolved in the opinions and minds of men and be owned and applauded as their Martyr and might perhaps recover and live to be revenged and therefore thought it would be better for to enjoyn him to declare his judgment about Forms of Prayer for that would be accounted a recantation and however would weaken his reputation with the Puritans which would be enough for if they could divide him from his Party they should not fear him for he said his carriage argued confidence in some assistance which when they had removed they should be strong enough at single hand All that the Bishop spake was as if ex tripode and order presently was drawn and sent to the Vice-Chancellor that Master Preston should in Buttolphs Church declare his judgment concerning Formes of Prayer on such a Sunday or else they should immediately proceed against him according to their first instructions Master Preston was glad there was a way out but sensible of the hard hand that had been carried towards him but now there was no remedy and it was vain to strive against the stream but before he could come home the news was all about the Town that Master Preston was to preach a Recantation Sermon at Buttolphs Church on such a day This was good sport to the brave blades who now came crowding as fast as any for to hear and it was no sin now for any body to be from Prayers and indeed there was a very great Assembly though he did all he could to have concealed it So he went on upon his former text and preached a very profitable Sermon concerning growing in grace and directed Prayer as a speciall meanes to make men grow in grace Now that he said was of two sorts either that which was suddain extemporary and conceived or set enjoyned and prescribed before not only for the sense and scope but also words and phrases And whereas some thought this was to stint the spirit he said there was a liberty to use conceived Prayer at other times wherein the spirit might expatiate and inlarge it self and also the intention of the mind though not in extension and variety of language The Blades that came to laugh had no great cause to do it for this passage was at the very close and the Sermon all along before was sharp and searching both sides were silent and went home not without some prints of good upon their spirits Optimus Orator censendus non qui meruit auditorum judicium sed qui abstulit He makes the best speech that binds his Hearers rather to think what was said then who said it The good fellows were nothing so merry at the end as at the beginning of the Sermon Indifferent Hearers praised all and were confirmed in a good opinion of the Preacher Good men were glad he came so well off and was at liberty to preach again where they might hear him himself was troubled lest any thing he said should be mistaken or mis-interpreted as he was apt to be But there were many eyes upon this action and all men waited to see the issue The Courtiers did not like it that after all
readily condescended thereunto The Master thereupon charged him by the authority of his place to bring him all Master Darrels Books that he had in his hands and to go presently with him unto the Vicechancellour which without farther reply he yeelded unto But while he was gone to fetch the Books the Vicechancellour sent his servant to the Master desiring him to come to himself and the Master his man to Master Bradshaw charging him to stay within untill he returned At his return Master Bradshaw of his own accord repaired to him who then charged him at twelve of the clock to repair to his Chamber that he might take his Answer and a Bond for his forth-coming But Doctor Barwell Master of Christs Colledge in the mean space coming to him whether about that business or upon some other occasion uncertain by his advice it seems the Master altered his mind and in likelihood the rather after much mutual consultation and better consideration past between them because both the Masters had themselves bought of the Books for he sends for Master Wright and now tells him that it would be the best course for Master Bradshaw to go out of the way which accordingly he did The Bishop of London not long after wrote again to the Vicechancellour to imprison Underwood and to make farther enquiry after Master Bradshaw concerning whom the Master being by the Vicechancellour demanded made answer that he was not in the Colledge whereunto he replied that it was best so for him not willing as may be deemed to be used as an instrument in molesting him if it might be avoided The carriage of this business together with the several overtures and circumstances of it is out of a Narrative of his own the more particularly related to shew both the discreet and modest and yet ingenuous and couragious disposition of this Servant of God and the remarkeable passages of Gods Providence in a concurrence of occurents so unexpectedly managed that he should thereby be kept out of the clutches of those that were so exceeding thirsty to seize on him and so fiercely bent against him Master Bradshaw being thereof informed by some Friends and considering how the Bishop persisted in enquiry after him conceived that Cambridge for the present could be no safe or quiet place for him and having therefore withdrawn himself though retaining his place still there he spent his time for the space of some moneths partly with Master Pigot at Abington and partly at Morden with Master Martine in which places he had formerly exercised his Ministry and as occasion required so still did Thus there hovering in a Letter to a speciall Friend whose good opinion of him he much valued he thus writes I fear it will be somewhat offensive unto you and that you will condemn me for being too rash and indiscreet in this matter But I trust you will consider that the thing I have done was to pleasure most good and Christian Friends that the cause it is the cause of God and the glory of God hath been much increased by it by reason of the truth of God shining therein unto which I could not perform a less duty there being nothing in the Books as I am perswaded against the State howsoever there are many hot words that might have been spared though none that have not been deserved I wish they had past my poor censure before the coming forth of them they should not then have given so much advantage to the enemies of the truth I will God willing flie the danger as much as I can especially in these troublesome and tragicall times which seem of purpose to be chosen that they might do the more injury and the speech may be the less And in another to the same party My danger for Master Darrel troubleth me not a whit I thank God neither do I repent of any thing I have therein done so long as you think never the worse of me other matters trouble my mind more yet such is the goodness of God that though they distract my mind from other studies needfull for me to wade into yet when I come to exercise my poor Ministry and to study for my Sermons my mind is free enough Thus is the Lord wont in more special manner to support the spirits of his servants for such particular imployments as he hath more specially assigned them unto The matter that more troubled him was concerning his entrance into any setled place for the exercise of his Ministry which he supposed would be and upon some triall indeed found every way so obstructed that albeit places of imployment enough were offered and his imployment in them much desired yet he could not conceive how it might be cleared in regard of the tenderness of his conscience and scruple of some things that he stuck at which were like to be tendred unto him and pressed upon him before admission thereunto and that the rather in probability in regard of the prejudice now had of him for the business concerning those Books For he had been offered the Rectory of Abington by Master Pigot the Patron who would have compounded with the present Incumbent for the bringing of him in And Master Wendy likewise a Religious Gentleman in those parts had together with some others been endeavouring to bring him in at Basingborn but neither of them took effect He was invited also to New-Castle in Staffordshire whither also he repaired but found not matters to his liking there and after unto Yarmouth to be Lecturer with them with assurance of a liberall maintenance from them for they very much affected him But that their design was crossed by the Bishop of the Diocesse having a jealous eye as well on them as on him and being desirous to prefer and place a Chaplain of his own therefore there To the Colledge he returned again after some time spent abroad the storm seeming now to be over-blown and howsoever there he met with no renewed molestation about the fore-mentioned business yet had he no heart at all there to continue partly in regard of the departure thence of a special friend whom he intirely affected of whose return thither being now elsewhere setled he was wholly out of hope and partly because he perceived that the Master did not then so affect him as formerly he had done Amidst these distractions a Preachers place falling vacant at Chatham in Kent where a great part of the Navy Royal and Officers of the same attending did usually reside the business of supplying them with an able and faithfull Teacher was by general consent referred to Master Chaderton being at that time in Kent not far from thence thither drawn over from Cambridge about the consummating of a marriage between that reverend man of God Master Josias Nicols who had passed many sharp bickerings and brunts in those times and the relict of that famous worthy Doctor Whitaker deceased He commended Master Bradshaw to them Concerning whom the
please your grace to pardon me that I do not personally attend you but presume to write I make bold to become suitor to your grace for your favour to a young man being one that I hold my self interessed in and to whom I owe my best help to further him to some place of employment and maintenance which causeth me to become an humble suitor for him to you not without a special regard to that people who so Christianly thirst after knowledge and instruction The man for whom I sue is one Master Bradshaw a Master of Arts of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge The matter I sue for your graces favour and allowance that he may preach the place where his labours are desired is at Chatham And I most humbly beseech your grace that however you may find or bear that he is fearfull to do some things that may be urged on him yet seeing he is well qualified with gifts and of honest carriage sitting for his calling let not his fearfulness prejudice him with your Lordship but vouchsafe him liberty to bestow his talent and I will undertake to your grace for him that he shall not offer any disturbance to the peace of our Church either in word or action but shall painfully bestow himself in that place to preach Christ crucified and to arm his people with some measure of knowledge to stand Christianly and couragiously for the truth of Christ and to resist all Errours broached against that holy Doctrine And the rather I make hold to tender this suit to your grace for him because I find plenty of practising by Seminaries and Jesuites to corrupt and pervert the peoples hearts both in knowledge and obedience and that through penury of preaching in some places it may prove dangerous I never heard the young man preach my self but I hear his gifts greatly commended and I know him to be learned and painfull also and carefull in that he taketh in hand And though I know the tendernesse of his Conscience some waies yet I dare engage my credit again as before to your grace for him that he shall walk dutifully wisely and discreetly in the whole course of his preaching without all offer of disturbance to the peace of the Church And so longing to hear that my suit may find my desired success with your grace I commend mine humble duty to you and commit your grace and all your godly proceedings to the protection and directian of the Lord Almighty Subscribed Your graces most bounden and ready to be commanded Francis Hastings What Answer the Noble Knight had from the Arch-bishop or what effect this his Letter had with him we cannot certainly say but by what followed it may well be deemed that of the Archbishop it was not very well relished who in cases of this kind was seldome wont to do ought without the advice of Bancroft another Bonner as well in regard of place as of disposition and practice in eager pusuit of many of Gods faithfull Ministers in those times so far as the power of his place would permit in whose stomack the memory of Master Darrels business stuck still and of Master Bradshaws act about his Books For not without some animation in likelihood from above those Master Bradshaws back-friends who had before dealt in the dark did shortly after begin to disclose themselves and to manifest their malice which had formerly lain hid as embers raked up in the ashes The first of them that openly appeared in the business was one Master Bearblock Minister at Strowd a Town or Village adjoyning to Rochester a man of very mean parts for learning and of a very scandalous life but one of those whom the Prophet Jeremy speaketh of that had a singular faculty of slicking and smoothing his tongue to sooth men up in their sinnes This man among other vexed at the concourse of people that repaired from the places adjacent to Master Bradshaws teaching although Master Bradshaw desirous to comply so far forth as without offence he might with him used to frequent his week-dayes Lecture stuck not both in private meetings to tax Master Bradshaw for delivering heretical Doctrine and publikely also in a Sermon on the Lords Day so to charge him therewith that the Auditory though he named him not might well know whom he meant Now albeit the man himself were of no esteem and his censure consequently little to be regarded yet Mr. Bradshaw deemeed that a publick charge of that nature should not be let pass with silence Howbeit not willing nor esteeming it meet to pester the Pulpit with Apologies he chose rather to deal with this his Opponent and Traducer by a Letter which it will not be amiss here to insert Master Bearblock I was informed by some of your Christian Auditours at Strowd that in your forenoons Exercise you took occasion in the repetition of your former Sermon to adde thereto something in bitter terms against some Heretical Doctrine lately broached in some neighbour-neighbour-Church which divers of your most charitable and the most of your judicious hearers conceived to be directed against me At the first I had no cause easily to entertain the report because I was no way guilty to my self so much as of the least shew of any occasion given unto you to break out in that manner against me and did presume you had better learned the Laws of Charity then in such an open manner to traduce a fellow Minister of the Gospel before you were better possessed of the cause Besides I thought that reproachfull reports that have been bruited against your self should have taught you if you be innocent that a Minister of the Gospel may be much abused and mis-reported of both for life and doctrine and therefore that you would not teach by your own practice me or any other thus in open manner to make the reports of men a sufficient Text to preach against your life as you have made them to preach against my Doctrine But since that time I am given to understand that you have given it out at one Master Morelands Table that I was the man that you then before God and his holy Angels endicted and arraigned and that of no lesse a crime then gross Heresie and that some of your Congregation were purposed to proceed in Law against me for it You know there was a Law and it were well if it were now in force to bridle distempered tongues that if one were accused of a crime which could not be proved the Accuser should suffer the punishment due to that crime and then Master Bearblock if heresie deserve a punishment if you should but accuse me of that which methinks you have already condemned me of your back should bear the punishment of two Heresies For first it is most untrue that I have taught any such Doctrine and secondly if you could not prove that Doctrine as I know you cannot this you here so tax to be heresie your
length drawn unto and that the rather because Master Johnson had fetcht some Arguments from grounds laid by him in that Treatise against Conformity which it stood Master Bradshaw upon therefore to consider of and give satisfaction unto that which was drawn up by him after perusall and approbation of some on whose judgment he much relied was by their advice sent over to Master Ames who with an Epistle of his own prefixed caused it to be printed in those parts where he then abode Neither was there any Reply ever returned unto it in defence of Master Johnson either by himself while he lived or by any other in his behalf so long as Master Bradshaw survived only many years after Master Bradshaws decease an attempt was made against it by one Master Can of Amsterdam which was not long after returned back upon its Author by a Friend of the deceased And indeed to Separation he was ever very adverse and to withdrawing from the publick places of Assembly or from any part of Gods Worship there used To which purpose shall be related out of his papers in his own words the ensuing passages delivered by him in a Sermon at Longford on Matth. 5.1 It is the great mercy of God toward us that we have no cause to seek the word in deserts and wildernesses in woods and caves and desolate mountains but such worthy edifices as these to assemble in dedicated only to this use And where Gods people have by publick authority such places as these appointed and allowed ordinarily to assemble and meet in we are fouly at least to suspect those Assemblies and the worship done therein which forsake those places and fly into woods and deserts It is true that among the Jews at this time there was the Temple and besides sundry Synagogues answeriing to these Churches of ours and which is more the doors of the Pulpits were generally open to Christ himself and yet our Saviour often taught in other places but this was upon extraordinary occasions such as seldome or never fall out with us and so carried by our Saviour that there was no Schisme or Separation made by him or any of his speciall Disciples or followers from the Assemblies then established And after concerning the places of Assembly themselves It is indeed an honour that those which are in Authority and ability should do to the Worship of God to see that comely and seemly places be dedicated and separated from other common uses thereunto and it is a disgrace and contempt to Gods Worship when men that may remedy it care not how base and contemptible the place of Gods Worship is when men have not that care of the place where the holy Assembly of God meets as they have of their barns and stables As also concerning some circumstances of Gesture used in them From Christ sitting to teach we learn in such externall behaviour to follow our Saviours example that is in matters not doubtfull and controversal at least to conform our selves to such outward fashions as are generally used in those times and that Church wherein we live For example in the like case It is the general custom in our Church that the Ministers preach standing in a seat higher then the People and bare-headed and this gesture is no peculiar gesture but borrowed from the common practice of Orators and such persons as make speeches to solemn Assemblies It 's meet therefore in such cases that we should not be singular and odde but conform to the received fashion of the Church So that if we should sit and preach as Christ did we should not conform to Christ because we should cross that which was the ground why Christ sate Lastly concerning repair to all parts of Gods service from those words And his Disciples came to him c. This also is a matter of order that as much as may be divine Worship should begin when the Congregation is assembled and come together Therefore the Members of an Assembly should make more conscience then usually they do of coming together sooner I urge this the rather because it is a general fault in our Assemblies not committed only by them that care not which end of Religion goeth forward but generally of most that so they come to some part of Gods Worship it is well enough especially if they can come time enough to the beginning of the Sermon Hence many times the Minister with the Clerk are fain to perform a great part of the publick Worship of God alone or with one or two at the most and the rest of the Church come dropping in one after another at their own leasure as though the publick prayers of the Church and reading the Scriptures were a Worship that concerned the Minister and Clerk only and not the whole Church This is the rather related and here inserted because not published to manifest the moderation of the man notwithstanding so much hard measure as he sustained from the hands of those who so grievously abused the power they had in those times Thus have you a rude and crude delineation of this blessed and faithfull Servant of Gods course and race whose life was indeed as a continuall peregrination here upon earth extracted partly from Letters written to him by others communicated for the better making up of this module by Master Samuel Hildersham Pastor of the Church at West-Felton in Shropshire Sonne to that famous man of pious memory Master Arthur Hildersham and Master John Bradshaw at present Minister of the Word at Echingham in Sussex Sonne to this worthy Champion of Christ Jesus both genuine heirs of their Parents best parts and partly from relations of his own and others of good credit his Letters especially to a bosome Friend whom he was wont from time to time thereby to acquaint with most occurrents of note that befell him or did any way concern him while they lived at a distance It might have been more exactly and intirely performed had not some Letters of his been lost and a bundle of others to him miscarried torn by Rats in his absence from the place where they lay the losse whereof in a Letter he much laments and wishes that as many of his Books to save them had undergone the like ill-usage His death was much lamented as by all that knew his parts and how usefull he might farther have been to Gods Church had the Lord been pleased to lengthen out the line of his life so more especially by the well-affected of that Family whereunto he had adhered but in a degree farre above the rest by the head thereof Mistresse Katharine Redich the relict of Master Alexander Redich deprived now of a second stay and principal support for spiritual helps especially since her Husbands decease a very tender-hearted Gentlewoman much addicted to hospitality and of very remarkeable devotion and piety reported by those who were inwardly acquainted with her more retired courses to have been wont constantly to spend privately
benefit of night some escaped By this time Cossen with some Swissers of the Duke of Anjou's guard had removed the chests and were come up the stairs One Beheme a German was the first that entred the chamber who seeing the Admirall sitting there said Are not you the Admirall I am quoth he but you young man should have regard to my hoary head and old age But Beheme exchanging no more words struck him with his Sword and first embrued himself in the Admirals blood then Cossen Atinius and the rest followed and slew him with many wounds This Atinius reported afterwards that he never saw a man in so present a danger to have born out death with so great a constancy Then did the Duke of Guise from below ask if the businesse were done answer was made that it was But said he the Duke of Engolisme will not believe it except he see him himself therefore cast down his body out at the window with that they hurled it down headlong into the Court all defiled with gore blood whereupon the bastard of Engolisme wiping the blood from his face with his handkerchief and thereby knowing him kicked him in a scornfull manner Some say it was the Duke of Guise that did it Then one of the Duke of Nevers servants cut off his head and carried it to the King and Queen-Mother who caused it to be embalmed and sent it as a present to the Pope and the Cardinall of Lorrain to assure them of the death of their capitall enemy The people fell upon his Corps as mad men one cuts off his hands another his feet another his privy members and for three daies space drag his poor carcasse about the streets with all indignity Then some boyes would have thrown it into the River Seine but others dragged it to the gallows at Mountfaucon where they hung it up by the thighs and the shoulders downward but within few daies Francis Monmorency who had seasonably withdrawn himself from the danger caused some trusty persons to take it down by night and bury it in the Chappell at Contilia This was the end of this brave man who was the very first Noble man in all France that durst professe himself a Protestant and a helper of them He was marvellous zealous in performance of the exercises of Religion He used to rise very early and then putting on his night-gown and calling his Servants about him he went to prayer with them Then he set time apart to hear the Deputies of the Churches which were sent to him or for such like publique businesses Each other day in the forenoon he had a Sermon preached before him after which he returned to his businesse till dinner which being ready his Servants came in and there the Admirall standing by the Table and his Wife by his side one of David's Psalms were sung and a blessing craved upon the meat which course he did not only observe at his own house but every day in his Camp without intermission When the cloth was taken away he presently arose and standing with his Wife by him either himself or his Chaplain returned thanks At supper-time the same was done both with Prayers and Psalms And because he found it difficult to get all his Servants together at bed-time in regard of their various employments he caused them all to come in presently after supper where after a Psalm he went to prayer with them By this his excellent example very many of the French Nobility were enduced and encouraged to use the same discipline in their Families the Admirall often admonishing them that if they would embrace godlinesse in the life and power of it it was not enough for the Master of the Family to hear Sermons and to order his life in an holy and religious manner unlesse by his authority and example he brought all his houshold to joyn with him in the same When the time for receiving the Lords Supper approached he used to call his Friends and all his Family to him and shewed them that he must render an account to God for them as well as for himself If any discord was between them he reconciled it If any were ignorant he took care that they should be better instructed If any were obstinate he plainly gave them notice that it was better for them to remain at their own homes then for him to maintain such ungodly persons in his retinue He alwaies esteemed the carefull education of Children in good Schools a singular benefit of God and he called it the Seminary of the Church saying that ignorance of good letters was the cause of errour both in Church and State and that Popery crept in and kept in by that means Hereupon he erected a fair School at Chattilion under his Castle in a pleasant and wholesome place and bestowed great cost on it where he maintained Learned Interpreters of the Hebrew Greek and Latine tongues he maintained also many poor boyes and young men in that School He was modest and moderate in his desires after the world for though he had great Honours and Offices conferred upon him whereby he might much have enriched himself yet he added not so much as one Lordship or plough-land to the Inheritance left him by his Fathers He husbanded his estate and houshold affairs frugally yet having very many Noblemen and Gentlemen that resorted to him upon publique business he gave them free and hearty entertainment whereby he spent all that he saved at other times by his frugality Yea his extraordinary expences were so great that he left his Heir in debt no lesse then fourty thousand Crowns paying to his creditors yearly use-money no less then six thousand Crowns There was such incredible love and concord betwixt him and his two Brethren that all three seemed but to have one mind betwixt them He lived fifty three years six moneths and eight daies and was slain Aug. 24. 1572. He was of a middle stature of a ruddy colour his members equall and well compacted of a mild and cheerfull countenance of a small and pleasant voice yet somewhat slow and gentle of a healthy constitution of a comely gate and gesture abstemious in the use of Wine of a moderate diet and sleep for he never used to sleep above seven hours at the most After the Edict for Pacification he suffered no day to passe but before he went to bed he set down the things in his journall which fell out in the Civil Warres and were of any moment which being found after his death was carried to the King and admired by his very adversaries who thereby saw his quiet constant and composed mind in the midst of his greatest businesses When the Warre was finished and he was retired to Rochel no day passed over his head wherein he did not morning and evening read over one of Calvin's Sermons upon Job which History he used to call