THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF Great Britain FROM THE Birth of our SAVIOUR untill the Year of our LORD 1667. With an exact Succession of the Bishops and the memorable Acts of many of them TOGETHER With an Addition of all the English Cardinals and the several Orders of English Monks Friars and Nuns in former Ages Historia vitae nostrae Magistra Bodin LONDON Printed for Philip Chetwin and to be Sold by most Book-sellers 1674. Honoratissimis D no. HENRICO TVLSE Aequiti Aurato Senatori Vicecomiti Londonensi JACOBO READING PETRO RICH. RICâ—ARDO HOW JOHANNI SHORTER In Agro Surriensi Armigeris Viris summi Candoris Pietatis ac Literarum fautoribus hunc Librum in perpetuum observantiae Testimonium D. D. D. G. G. TO THE READER THere is no greater Priviledge bestowed by the Lord upon one Nation above others than in the free use of the Sacred Scriptures and Ordinances Israel had much advantage above the Gentiles chiefly or principally because unto them were committed the Oracles of God the word of grace the Covenant of life and peace Rom. 3. 2. S. Paul els-where reckoning up the Priviledges of Israel mentioneth this in several expressions as a prime Priviledge The Covenants the giving of the Law and the Promises Rom. 9. 4. all which are comprehended under the Oracles and word of God So saith the Psalmist Psal 147. 19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgements unto Israel he hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgements they have not known them He make's no mention of the Tabernacle or Temple the Ark of the Covenant the altar of burnt-offering the golden altar of incense the Ordinance of Circumcision c. though in these they were priviledged above other Nations but he singleth out this as a prime priviledge that he shewed them his word his statutes and judgements How deeply then is this nation of ours even England indebted to God to whom the Lord hath committed his holy Oracles how much are we bound to him for this unspeakable gift And herein the singular goodness of God to this nation is much to be observed not enely in visiting it with the Gospel for these last hundred years and more but also in giving it the light of the Gospel very early even in the Apostles dayes Divers Writers of good credit do testifie that even in those dayes the Britan's in our Isle did consent to Christian Religion and pulickly professed it in their Churches as well as other parts of the World The Authors of the Theatre of Great Britain speaking of Theatr. Magn. Brit. the Antiquity of the Christian Faith in Britain testifie in this manner As we have searched the first foundation of our Faith so neither want we Testimonies concerning the continuance of the same in this Land until following Posterities although the injury of Time and War have consumed many Records for the Britan's that were daily strengthened in their received Faith by the Doctrine of many Learned and godly Men left not their First-love with the Church of Ephesus but rather took hold of the Skirts as the Prophet speaketh Zech. 8. 23. until the Tortures of Martyrdom cut them off by death And those Fathers even from the Disciples themselves held a Succession in Doctrine notwithstanding some Repugnancy was made by the Pagans and Preached the Gospel with good success even till the same at length went forth with a bolder countenance by the favourable Edicts of Adrian Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius Euseb Eccl. Hist l. 4. c. 9. Emperours of Rome as Eusebius hath Noted and in Britain was established by King Lucius so called as some Learned Men have observed because a Prince of great lustre and glory the Light of the Gospel breaking forth in this our Isle in such a perspicuoâ—s manner by his Conversion that all Christian Churches took notice thereof Of whom a great Antiquary thus speaketh Lucius in Christum credit Christoque dicatas Vsserius de Brit. Eccles Primord P. 56. Ecclesias dotat distinctas ordinat urbes Geoffery of Monmouth tells us that King Lucius being Baptized together with his Subjects destroyed the Temples of Idols and Dedicated them to the onely living God enlargeing and augmenting them Bishop Godwin saith we have Godwin de de convers Britan. great cause with all thankfulness to Celebrate the Memory of that Excellent Prince King Lucius by whom God did not onely bless this Land with so clear knowledge of the truth but in such sort did it as thereby He hath purchased unto the same the Title of Primogenita Ecclesiae the most Antient and first begotten of all the Churches in the world for that although Christ was Preached els-where privately in many other Nations long before the time of King Lucius yet of all Nations Britain was the first that with publick approbation of Prince and State received the Profession of Christian Religion Of the Teachers of those times John Bale hath these verses Sic ut erat Celebris c. As were the Britan's famous for their Zeal To Gentile Gods whilst such they did adore So when the Heavens to Earth did Truth reveal Blest was that Land with Truth and Learnings store Whence British Plains and Cambreas desart-ground And Cornwal's Crags with glorious Saints abound The common consent of our Protestant Writers is that in this time I now speak of and from the beginning of Christianity here Britain never wanted Preachers of the true Faith And when the persecuting Emperour 's Reigned and persecution raged not onely in the Eastern parts but in Italy France and other Countreys in the Continent near unto us this our Island as another world was almost quite free thereof both before and after until the nineteenth year of Dioclesian in which there was a general persecution of Christians as Gildas and others after him do witness in that it Gild. lib. de excid Conqu Brâ—tan ever had Kings not so depending on the persecuting Emperours and so far from the Name and Nature of persecutors that they ever were friends and favourers of Christians And for this cause many that were persecuted for Christianity in other Countries fled hither for refuge where for themselves they might more quietly enjoy the Liberty of their Conscience and Religion and for others desirous to be instructed in the Truth thereof and not kept back with such terrours of persecution as in other Countries they might with more confidence and boldness and with great hope of fruit and encrease Preach and Teach it unto them This was a preparative to a more general Conversion of this Nation to Christianity which followed afterwards This Island was also the more quiet in respect of the situation remote distance and separation from the rest of the chief commanding places of the Roman Empire The Name England some derived from the manner of the situation of this Island in the West and North for that Eng in the Antient
Oath to Mawd solemnly Crowned Stephen shewing himself thereby perjured to his God disloyal to his Princess and ingrateful to his Patroness by whose special favour he had been preserved The rest of the Bishops to their shame followed his example hoping to obtain from an Usurper what they could not get from a Lawful King traiterously avowing That it was baseness for so many and so great Peers to be subject to a Woman King Stephen sealed a Charter at Oxford Anno 1136. the Tenor whereof is That all Liberties Customs and Possessions granted to the Speeds Chron. Church should be firm and in force That all Persons and Causes Ecclesiastical should appertain onely to Ecclesiastical Judicature That none but Clergy-men should ever intermeddle with the Vacancies of Churches or any Church-mens goods That all bad usages in the Land touching Forrests Exactions c. should be utterly extirpate the antient Laws restored c. The Clergy perceiving that King Stephen performed little of his large promises to them were not formerly so forward in setting him up but now more ready to pluck him down and sided effectually with Mawd against him Stephen fell violently on the Bishops who then were most powerful in the Land He imprisoned Roger Bishop of Sarisbury till he had surrendered unto him the two Castles of Shirburn and the Devizes for the which Roger took such thought that he died shortly after and left in ready Coin forty thousand Marks which after his Death came to the King's Coffers he also uncastled Alexandeâ— of Lincoln and Nigellus of Ely taking a great Mass of Treasure from them The Dean and Canons of Pauls for crossing him in the choice of their Bishop tasted of his fury for he took their Focariaes and cast them into the Tower of London where they continued many dayes till at last their liberty was purchased by the Canons at a great price Roger Hoveden tells us plainly that these Focariae were those Canons Concubines See here the fruit of forbidding Marriage to the Clergy against the Law of God and Nature Albericus Bishop of Hostia was sent by Pope Innocent into England called a Synod at Westminster where 18 Bishops and thirty Abbots met together Here was concluded That no Priest Deacon or-sub-deacon Fuller Church History should hold a Wife or Woman within his House under pain of degrading from his Christendom and plain sending to Hell That no Priest's Son should claim any Spiritual Living by heritage That none should take a Benefice of any Lay-man That none should be admitted to Cure which had not the letters of his Orders That Priests should do no bodily labour And that their Transubstantiated God should dwell but eight dayes in the Box for fear of worm-eating moulding or stinking In this Synod Theobald Abbot of Becco was chosen Archbishop of Canterbury in the place of William lately Deceased The most considerable Clergy-man of England in this Age for Birth Wealth and Learning was Henry of Blois Bishop of Winchester and Brother to King Stephen He was made by the Pope his Legat for Britain In this Council where William of Malmesbury was present there were three parties assembled with their attendance 1. Roger of Sarisbury with the rest of the Bishops grievously complaining of their Castles taken from them 2. Henry Bishop of Winchester the Pope's Legat and President of the Council with Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury pretending to Umpire matters moderately 3. Hugh Archbishop of Roan and Aubery de Vere Ancestor to the Earl of Oxford as Advocate for King Stephen This Aubery de Vere was Learned in the Laws being charactered by my Author Homo causarum varietatibus exercitatus a man well versed in the windings of Causes This Synod brake up without any extraordinary matter effected For soon after Queen Mawd came with her Navy and Army out of Normandy which turned Debates into Deeds and Consulations into Actions There were many Religious Foundations built and endowed in the troublesom Reign of King Stephen not to speak of the Monastery of St. Mary de Pratis founded by Robert Earl of Leicester and many others of this time the goodly Hospital of St. Katherines nigh London was founded by Mawd Wife to King Stephen So stately was the Quire of this Hospital that it was not much inferior to that of St. Pauls in London when taken down in the dayes of Queen Elizabâ—th by Doctor Thomas Wilson the Master thereof and Secretary of State Yea King Stephen himself erected St. Stephen's Chappel in Westminsâ—eâ— He builâ— also the Cistertians Monastery in Feversham with an Hospital nâ—ar the West-gate in York The King earnestly urged Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury to Crown his Son Eustace But Theobald stoutly refused though proscribed for the same and forced to fly the Land till after some time he was reconciled to the King Eustace the King's Son died of a Frenzy as going to plunder the Lands of Bury-Abbey Hereupon an agreement was made between King Stephen and Henry Duke of Normandy Son of Mawd the Empress the former holding the Crown during his Life and after his Death setling the same on Henry his adopted Son and Successor At this time Nicholas Breakspear an English-man born near Vxbridge 〈◊〉 iâ— Adriano IV. came to be Pope called Adrian the fourth he was not inferior to Hildebrand in Pride Shortly after he had Excomunicated the Emperor he walked with his Cardinals to refresh himself in the Fields of Anagnia and coming to a Spring of Water he would taste of it and with the Water a Fly entreth into his Throat and choaketh him In the latter end of his Dayes he was wont to say There is not a more wretched Life than to be Pope To come into the seat of St. Peter by Ambition is not to succeed Matth. Paris Peter in Feeding the Flock but unto Romulus in Paracide seeing that Seat is never obtained without some Brother's Blood King Stephen died and was buried with his Son and Wife at Feversham in Kent in a Monastery which himself had Erected At the Demolishing whereof some to gain the Lead wherein he was wrapped cast his Corpse into the Sea King Henry the second succeeded him a Prince Wise Valiant and generally Fortunate He presently chose a Privy-Counsel of Clergy and Temporalty and refined the Common Laws yea toward the latter end of his Reign began the use of our Itinerant Judges He parcelled England into six divisions and appointed three Judges to every Circuit He razed most of the Castles of England to the ground the Bishops being then the greatest Traders in those Fortifications He disclaimed all the Authority of the Pope refused to pay Peter-pence and interdicted all Appeals to Rome At that time Philâ—p de Brok a Canon of Bâ—dford was questioned for Murther he used reproachful speeches to the King's Justices for which he was Censured and the Judges complained unto the King that there were many Robberies and Rapes and Murthers to the number of an
of Lincoln was Canonized a The translation and enshrining of Thomas Becket Saint by the procurement of the Archbishop He likewise caused his Predecessor Thomas Becket to be Translated Enshrined and Adored with great Solemnity Most of the English many of the French Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Clergy and of other Countries were by the Archbishop's invitation present aâ— Thomas Becket's Translation The King by the Legat's and his Council's advice changed the Heathenish and long-continued Trials in criminal Causes by Fire and Water into other ways of Trial and Punishments by Imprisonment or abjuring the Realm Benedict Bishop of Rochester Richard Bishop of Sarum Hugh Bishop of Lincoln William Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury Richard Bishop of Durham Henry Abbot of Ramsey and other Clergy-men were all made Justices Itinerants this year Henry Bishop of Landaff dying thereupon Pandulphus the Pope's Legate conferred it upon William Prior of Goldcliff William de Marisco Bishop of London of his own accord resigning his Bishoprick Eustachius de Faâ—cumberge then Treasurer of the Exchequer was chosen Bishop of London whose Election was confirmed by the Legate Pandulâ—hus This Legate sent a Letter to Peter Bishop of Winton and Hugh de Burgh to prohibit and suppress the Usury of the Jews taken from Christians and to stay a Suite brought by a Jew against the Abbot and Covent of Westminster before the Justices of the Jews wherein he exacted usury from them to the great scandal of Christianity and the King's dishonour and to joyn some discreet Persons with the Sheriff in each County for the collection of Amerciaments to prevent their Malice and Extortions About this time was taken an Impostor at Oxford having five wounds in his Body and Members sc in his Side Hands and Feet who counterfeited himself to be Christ with two Women his followers counterfeiting themselves to be the Virgin Mary the Mother of Christ and Mary Magdalen They were immured together with him without any Victuals and starved to Death Then was a Council held at Oxford under Archbishop Stephen where many Constitutions were made most of them being very useful to reform Extortions Abuses Procurations in Visitations the taking of any Fees for Letters of Order Funerals or Administring any Sacrament as also against Pluralities Non-residence and other abuses of Clergy-men Soon after this the Archbishop and the Bishop of Lincoln commanded by their Injunctions That none should sell any victuals to the Jews nor have any communion with them of which the Jews complaining the King issued a Writ to the Majors of Canterbury Oxford and Norwich to countermand the Bishop's Injunctions that all should sell victuals and other necessaries to them and that they should imprison every one refusing to do it till further order Then the Prior of St. Patrick of Dune in Ireland sent a Petition to the King to grant him and others some small Cell to reside in in England their Houses in Ireland being frequently burnt in the Wars for St. Patrick's and other Irish Saints sake whose Relikes he then sent to the King for a present The King to satisfie the Archbishop wrote a Letter to the Pope to give way for the return of his Brother Simon Langton into England out of which he was formerly banished as well as Excommunicated and deprived of all his Ecclesiastical Benefices for adhering to Lewis and contemning the Pope's Excommunications But we find not that the Pope consented to this request Our Kings by reason of their manifold Affairs in the Court of Rome relating to the Pope and other Forreign States usually constituted sometimes general otherwise special Proctors by their Letters Patents to implead and defend in their Names and Rights all matters there depending for or against them of which there are many different Formes in our Records King Henry standing in need of a subsidy from the Bishops and Clergy Pope Honorius thereupon sent his Bull to the Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors and Clergy entreating them to grant him a competent subsidy to be disposed of by common consent onely for publick benefit of the Realm leaving the grant free to the Bishops and Clergy to impose and proportion it This year sâ— 1225. the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Suffragans instead of granting the King a subsidy or punishing leacherous Clearks passed severe Decrees against their Concubines onely principally intended against the Wives of Clergy men whom they stiled Concubines in that Age. The Bishop of Cork in Ireland having obtained the King's Royal assent at the Pope's request to be Archbishop of Cassel taking a journey to Rome to procure it received his Writ for the restitution of his Temporalties after his return Then the Pope dispatched Otto his Legate into England with Letters to the King for his own filthy lucre The King assembling a Parliamentary Council of his Nobles and Prelates Otto read the Pope's Letters and Proposals wherein the detestable Avarice Extortion and Rapine of the Pope and Court of Rome were clearly discovered related by Matthew Paris Otto pursuing his Rapines in England by exacting Procurations from Matth. Paris Hist Angl. the Clergy was by the Archbishop's means suddenly recalled thence by the Pope to his great discontent and the prosecuting the Pope's former proposals committed to the Archbishop This year Pope Honorius the third sent his Bull to Geoffry de Lizimaco the King 's sworn Vassal absolutely subverting all Papal dispensations with Subjects just Oaths to their Sovereignes The Pope also sent prohibitory Letters to the King of England to stop his intended Military Voyage into France to recover his just Rights Then the King paid ten thousand Marks being all the Arrears of the sum granted by King John to the Pope by his Charter Richard de Marisco Bishop of Durham dying suddenly at Peter-borough-Abbey â—â—dwin Catal of Bish p. 515. 516. as he was posting to London with a great troop of Lawyers to prosecute his Suits against the Monks of Durham thereupon they bestowed this Epitaph upon him Culmina qui cupi tis Laudes pompasque siti tis Est sedata si Si me pensare veli Qui populos regi Memores super omnia si Quod mors immi Non parcit honore poti Vobis praeposi Similis fueram bene sci Quod sum vos eri Ad me currendo veni Upon his Death there grew a great difference between King Henry the third and the Monks of Druham about the election of a Successor There was an Appeal about this Election pending before the Archbishop of York before whom the King constituted his Proctor by Patent But after two years expensive contests the Monks election of William Archdeacon of Worcester a Man Learned and honest saith Matthew Paris was cancelled at Rome Luke the King's Chaplain put by and Richard Bishop of Salisbury Elected Bishop by the Pope's favour the Pope onely gaining by such contests The Emperor Frederick the third being justly incensed with the publication of divers Libellous and Scandalous
Leonards in York in Commenda with his Bishoprick during his life out of his free Gift and special Grace confirmed it by his Patents so as this Dispensation should noâ— prove prejudicial to him or his Heirs The Monks of Battel-Abbey by ancient Charters having the custody of the Abby and Lands during the vacancy upon their Abbot's death the King issued a Writ to restore them to their custody Mr. Prynne observeth and relateth diverse things of this year 1. That the Contests between the Archbishop Abbots and Monks of Prynne's Hist of Popes Uâ—urpations Toâ— 3. Canterbury about Exemptions Priviledges and Jurisdictions was a great cause of advancing the Pope's usurped Jurisdiction over them both and over the Rights Prerogative of the Crown and Church of England 2. The Pope's Insolency in exempting the Abbots and Monks of Canterbury and all their Lands Hospitals Churches Impropriations Priests Tenants from all Archiepiscopal and other Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and subjecting them solely to the See of Rome as likewise in subjecting the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of London and Rochester to the commands and censures of the Abbots of Westminster Waltham and St. Edmond 3. The pride of the Abbots in erecting Deanaries Officials Ecclesiastical Consistories and in prescribing Oaths of Canonical obedience upon the Priests and Curats of their Churches belonging to their Monastery 4. The strange injustice and contradiction of Popes Bulls nulling repealing each other by Non obstantes with all former Priviledges granted by themselves and Contracts made or ratified by others through bribery and corruption CENT XIV IN the beginning of this Century King Edward the First waged cruel Wars against the Scots Then Pope Boniface the Eighth sent his Letters Fox Acts and Monum lib. 1. p. 444 445. to the King to quit his claim to Scotland to cease his Wars and release his Prisoners of the Scotch Nation as a people exempt and properly belonging to his own Chappel He grounded his Title thereunto because it was said Scotland was first converted by the Relicks of S. Peter to the unity of the Christian Faith Hereupon King Edward called a Council of his Lords at Lincoln where he returned a large Answer to the Pope's Letter endeavouring by evident Reasons and ancient Precedents to prove his propriety in the Kingdom of Scotland This was seconded by another from the English Peerage subscribed with all their hands declaring that the King ought by no means to answer in judgment in any case or should bring his Rights into doubt and ought not to send any Proctors or Messengers to the Pope c. The Pope foreseeing the Verdict would go against him wisely non-suited himself Then Pope Boniface sent forth a Declaration in favour of the Archbishop Chron. 〈◊〉 Thorn col 1997. ad 2003. and proceeded so violently against the Abbot Monks and their Adherents by Excommunications Interdicts c. that he enforced them to submit and sue unto him for Absolution and a friendly agreement between them After the death of Henry de Newark Thomas Corbridge being elected Archbishop of York repaired to Rome for his Confirmation where he was forced to resign his right of Election into the Pope's hands and to receive the Archbishoprick from him by way of provision who thereupon not only confirmed but consecrated him Archbishop at Rome and gave him his Pall and the King restored his Temporalties upon receipt of the Pope's Bull. Thomas Stubs tells us of an high Contest that happened soon after betwixt the King and him about the Chappel of St. Sepulchres in York for which the King seized his Temporalties and detained some of them till his death for obeying the Pope's Provision and Commands before the King 's Writ in reâ—using to admit his Clerk to this Chappel and to remove the Pope's Clerk whom he had placed therein by his Papal Provision This Archbishop's Liberties in Beverley were seized into the King's hands Anno 29. of his Reign for a contempt committed by him in the King's presence The King's Daughter Mary being a Nun professed at Ambresbury the King granted her forty Oaks each year â—wenty tun of Wines and several Manors of above the value of two hundred pounds a year for her maintenance In the thirtieth year of tâ—â— Reign of King Edward the French King Philip with all the Peers Earls Barons Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Clergy University of Paris and the Citieâ— and Commonalty of France did Appeal and Article against Popeâ— Boniface the Eighth his Person Crimes Interdicts Excommunications to the next General Council in the ruffe of his Papal pride as a most detestable 〈◊〉 Acts and Monuments Vol. 1. p. 450 451. Heretick Simoniack Adulterer Sorcerer and Monster of Impiety and soon after seized imprisoned and brought him to a shameful Tragical end The particular Articles are recorded by Mr. Fox Of this Pope a certain Versifier wrote thus Ingreditur Vulpes Regnat Leo sed Canis exit Re tandem vera si sic fuit ecce chimera Alter vero sic Vulpes intravit tanquam Leo Pontificavit Exiit utque Canis de divite factus inanis Then was the Bishop of Ostia created Pope and called Benedict the Eleventh Of whom one saith A te nomen habe bene dic bene fac Benedicte Aut rem perverte maledic malefac Maledicte The Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Winchelsey having plotted Treason with some others of the Nobility against the King projecting to depose him and set up his Son Edward in his Room lurked in a Covent at Canterbury till fourscore Monks were by the King's Command thrust out of their places for relieving him out of their Charity and were not restored till the Archbishop was banished the Kingdom In the year 1305. the King sent a Letter to the Pope for the Canonizing of Thomas de Cantelupe late Bishop of Hereford deceased famous for sundry Miracles as was suggested that so he and his Realm might enjoy the benefit of his Intercession for them in Heaven according to the Superstition of that blind Age. After the death of Pope Benedict Pope Clement was no sooner elected and enthroned in France but he began to exercise his new Rapines in England by complying with King Edward in granting him a two years Disme from his Clergy for his own use though pretended for the aid of the Holy Land that himself might more easily exact the First-fruits of vacant Ecclesiastical Benefices to fill his own Coffers though out of his Dominions Which occasioned these Satyrical Verses to be made of him and the King this year Ecclesiae navis titubat Regni quia navis Errat Rex Papa facti sunt unica Capa Hoc faciunt do des Pilatus hic Alter Herodes This is the first president of any Pope's reserving or exacting Annates When First-fruits were first broughâ— into England or First-fruits of all Ecclesiastical Dignities and Benefices throughout England extant in our Histories which though reserved but for two years by this
the words Jesus said be Printed in a different Character Mr. Knewstubs took exceptions at the Cross in baptism and said it is questionable whether the Church hath power to institute an outward significant sign The Bishop of London answered The Cross in Baptism is not used otherwise than a Ceremony His Majesty desired to be acquainted about the Antiquity of the use of Cross Dr. Rainolds said it hath been used ever since the Apostles time but the question is how Ancient the use thereof hath been in Baptism The Bishop of Winchester said in Constantine's time it was used in Baptism His Majesty replied it so I see no reason but we may continue it Mr. Knewstubs said put case the Church may add significant signs it may not add them where Christ hath already ordained them which is as Derogatory to Christ's Institution as if one should add to the great Seal of England His Majesty answered the case is not alike seeing the Sacrament is fully finished before the use of the Cross Mr. Knewstubs demanded then how far the Ordinance of the Church bindeth without impeaching Christian Liberty The King answered I will have one Doctrine one Discipline one Religion in substance and in Ceremony Never speak more to that point how far ye are bound to obey Doctor Rainolds wished that the Cross being Superstitiously abused in Popery were abandoned as the Brazen-serpent was stamped to powder by Hezekiah because abused to Idolatry His Majesty answered Inasmuch as the Cross was abused to Superstition in time of Propery it doth plainly imply that it was well used before He said he detested their courses who peremptorily disallow of all things which have been abused in Popery and know not how to answer the Objections of the Papists when they charge us with Novelties but by telling them we retain the Primitive use of things and onely forsake their Novel corruptions Secondly no resemblance between the Brazen-Serpent a material visible thing and the sign of the Cross made in the Air. Thirdly Papists did never ascribe any spiritual grace to the Cross in Baptism Lastly material Crosses to which people fell down in time of Popery as the Idolatrous Jews to the Brazen-serpent are already demolished as you desire Mr. Knewstubs proceeded excepting at the wearing of the Surplice a kind of garment said he used by the Priests of Isis His Majesty answered he did not think till of late it had been borrowed from the Heathen because commonly called a Rag of Popery And seeing we border not upon Heathens c. I see no reason said he but for comeliness sake it may be continued Dr. Rainolds said I take exception at these words in Marriage With my body I thee worship His Majesty answered I find it an usual English Term A Gentleman of Worship and it agreeth with the Scriptures Giving honour to the wife The Dean of Sarum said some take exception at the Ring in Marriage Dr. Rainolds said he approved it well enough Then said he some take exceptions at the Churching of women by the name of Purification His Majesty said I allow it very well Unto Doctor Rainolds his last exception against committing Ecclesiastical censures to Lay-chancellors His Majesty answered that he had conferred with the Bishops about that point and such order should be taken therein as was Convenient Doctor Rainolds desired That according to certain Provinâ—ial Constituions the Clergy may have meetings every three weeks 1. In Rural Deaneries therein to have prophecying as Archbishop Grindal and other Bishops desired of her late Majesty 2. That such things as could not be resolved on there might be referred to the Archdeacons Visitations 3. And so to the Episcopal Synod to determine such points before not decided His Majesty answered If you aim at a Scottish Presbytery it agreeth as well with Monarchy as God and the Devil Then Jack and Tom c. shall meet and censure me and my Council Then the King asked the Doctor whether they had any thing else to say He answered No more if it please your Majesty If this be all your party have to say said the King I will make them conform or else I will harry them out of the Land or do worse Thus ended the second dayes Conference The third began on the Wednesday following many Knights Civilians and Doctors of the Law being admitted thereunto because the High-commission was the principal matter in debate His Majesty thus began I understand that the parties named in the High-commission are too many and too mean and the matters they deal with base such as Ordinaries might censure in their Courts at home Archbishop of Canterbury Were not their number many I should oftentimes sit alone I have often complained of the meanness of matters handled therein but cannot remedy it for though the offence be small that the Ordinary may yet the Offender oft-times is so great that the Ordinary is forced to crave help at the High-commission to punish him A nameless Lord said The proceedings in that Court are like the Spanish Inquisition wherein men are urged to subscribe more than Law requireth and by the Oath Ex officio forced to accuse themselves being examined upon many Articles on a sudden and for the most part against themselves The Lord Chancellor said There is necessity and use of the Oath Ex officio in divers Courts and Causes His Majesty said That it is requisite that fame and scandals be looked unto in Courts Ecclesiastical and yet great moderation is to be used therein And here he soundly deseribed the Oath Ex officio for the ground thereof the wisdom of the Law therein the manner of proceeding thereby and profitable effect from the same After much discourse between the King the Bishops and the Lords about the quality of the Persons and Causes in the High Commission rectifying Excommunications in matters of less moment punishing Recusants providing Divines for Ireland Wales and the Northern borders the four Preachers were called in and such alterations in the Liturgy were read unto them which the Bishops by the King's advice had made unto which by their silence they seemed to consent Then the King said to Doctor Rainolds and his Associates I expect obedience and humility from you the marks of honest and good men and that you would perswade others abroad by your example Doctor Rainolds answered We here do promise to perform â—ll duties to Bishops as Reverend Fathers and to joyn with them against the common Adversary for the peacâ— of the Church Thus ended the three dayeâ— Conference Doctor Sparks soon after set forth a Treatise of Unity and Uniformity This Conference produced some alterations in the Liturgy Womens baptising formerly frequent hereafter forbidden in the Rubrick of Absolution Remission of sins inserted Confirmation termed also an Examination of Children and some words altered in the Dominical Gospels with a resolution for a new translation of the Bible Henceforward many that wavered before for the future
Letters which they sent to King James written in Latin With whicâ— Letters they came over into England and presenâ—ed themselves to the King at Court where after courteous entertaining of them he favourably dismissed them Removing Bishop Câ—rleton to Chichester preferring Dr. Davenant to the Bishopriâ—k of Salisbury and bestowing the Mastership of the Savay upon Balâ—anqual The decisions of this Synod have been since approved applauded Joh. Goodwin in his Redemption Redeemed c. 15. parag 24. magnified by some vilified condemned by others Of such as dislike the Synod none falls heavier upon it than Mr. John Goodwin charging the Synodians to have taken a previous Oath to condemn the opposite party on what termes soever Mr. Fuller desirous to be rightly informed herein wrote a Letter to Bishop Hall who was pleased to return him this answer Whereas you desire from me a just relation of the carriage of the business of the Synod of Dort and the conditions required of our Divines there at or before their Admission to that Grave and Learned Assembly I whom God was pleased to employ as an unworthy Agent in that great work and to reserve still upon Earth after all my Reverend and Worthy Associates do as in the presence of that God to whom I am now daily expecting to yield up my account testifie to you and if you will to the World that I cannot without just indignation read that slaunderous Imputation which Mr Goodwin in his Redemption Redeemed reports to have been raised and cast upon those Divines eminent both for Learning and Piety That they suffered themselves to be bound with an Oath at or before their Admission into that Synod to vote down the Remonstrants howsoever so as they came deeply preingaged to the decision of those unhappy differences All the Oath that was required of us was this After that the Moderator Assistents and Scribes were chosen and the Synod formed and the several members allowed there was a solemn Oath required to be taken by every oâ—e of that Assembly which was publickly done in a grave manner by every person in their order standing up and laying his Hand upon his heart calling the great God of Heaven to witness that he would uâ—partially proceed in the judgement of these Controversies which should be laid before him onely out of and according to the written Word of God and no otherwise so determining of them as he should find in his Conscience most agreeable to the holy Scriptures Which Oaâ—h was punctually agreed to be thus taken by the Articles of the States concerning the Indiction and ordering of the Synod as plainly appeareth in their tenth Article and this was all the Oath that was either taken or required c. The same year died Dr. James Mountague the worthy Bishop of Winchester son to Sir Edward Mountague of Boughton in Northamptonshire highly favoured by King James preferring him to the Bishopriâ—k first of Bath and Wells then to Wincâ—ester In Bath he lies buried under a fair Tomb though the whole Church be his Monument which his Bounty repaired Anno 1619. died John Overal Bishop of Norwich accounted one of the most Learned Controversial Divines of those days Anno 1620. the Protestant States of the Upper and Lower Austria upon the approach of the Bavarian Army seeing nothing but manifest ruin renounce their Confederacy with the Bohemians and submit to the Emperor saving to themselves their Rights and Priviledges in Religion Râ—shworth Histor Collâ—ctions And the Elector of Saxony assists the Emperor and executes the Ban against the Palatine King James soon after receives the news of the Palsgrave's overthrow After the Assembly at Segenbergh the Palatine and his Princess took their journey into Holland where they found a refuge and noble entertainment with the Prince of Orange The Ambassage of Weston and Conway prevailed little More Princes of the union reconcile themselves to the Emperor The Imperial Protestant Towns Strasburgh Worms and Norembergh subscribe to conditions of Peace The reconciled Princes and States intercede for the Elector Palatine but in vain In England the Parliament petition the King for the due execution of Laws against Jesuites Seminary Priests and Popish Recusants On July 10. 1621. John Williams D. D. and Dean of Westminster was sworn Keeper of the Great Seal of England Then the King was sollicited from Spain and Rone to enlarge his favours to Popish Recusants The House of Commons presented to the King a petition and Remonstrance which laid open the distempers of those times with their Causes and Cures They Represented to Him I. The Vigilancy and Ambition of the Pope of Rome and his dearest Son the one aiming at as large a Temporal Monarchy as the other at a Spiritual Monarchy II. The devilish Doctrines whereon Popery is built and taught with Authority to their followers for advancement of their Temporal ends III. The miserable estate of the professors of true Religion in forreign parts IV. The disastrous accidents to his Majestie 's children abroad c. V. The strange confederacy of Popish Princes c. VI. The interposing of forreign Princes and their Agents in the behalf of Popish Recusants c. VII Their usual resort to the Houses and Chappels of forreign Ambassadors VIII Their more than usual concourse to the City and their frequent Conventicles and conferences there IX The education of their Children in several Seminaries and Houses of their Religion in forreign parts appropriated to the English fugitives X. The licentious Printing and dispersing of Popish and Seditious Books even in the time of Parliament XI The swarms of Priests and Jesuites dispersed in all parts of the Kingdom From these Causes they offered to his Majesty what dangerous Effects they foresaw would follow I. The Popish Religion is incompatible with ours in respect of their positions II. It draws with it an unavoidable dependancy on forreign Princes III. If once it get but a connivency it will press for a Toleration c. Then they propounded Remedies against these some whereof were That for securing the peace at home his Majesty would be pleased to review the parts of their petition formerly delivered to him and to put in execution by the eare of choice Commissioners to be thereunto appointed the Laws already and hereafter to be made for preventing of dangers by Popish Recusants That the Children of the Nobility and Gentry of this Kingdom and of others suspected in their Religion now beyond the Seas may be forthwith called home That the Children of Popish Recusants c. be brought up during their minority with Protestant School-masters That his Majesty will be pleased to revoke all former Licenses for such Children to travel beyond the Seas and not grant any such License hereafter c. The House had sufficient Cause to set forth the danger of true Religion when besides the great wound made in Germany and the cruelties of the prevailing House of Austria the Protestants in France were almost ruined
for all Wales at Ty-quin or the White House The Canons therein were wholly in favour of the Clergy enacting this amongst the rest That the presence of a Priest and a Judge constitute a legal Court as the two persons only in the Quorum thereof There were then seven Episcopal Seats in Wales 1. S. Davids 2. Ismael 3. Degenian 4. Vsyl 5. Teylaw 6. Tâ—uledauc 7. Kenew King Edgar died peaceably leaving his Crown to Edward his Son wâ—om being under Age he committed to the tuition of Dunstan In this King's reign three Councils were successively called to determine the difference between Monks and Secular Priests The first was at Winchester where the Priests being outed of their Convents earnestly pressed for restitution Polydor Virgil writes that in the Synod it was concluded that the Priests should be restored But a voice was immediately heard from the wall as coming from a Crucifix behind Dunstan saying They think amiss that favour the Priests That was received as a Divine Oracle and the Priests were secluded from their Benefices and Monasteries A second Council was called at Kirtlington now Catlage in Cambridgeshire but to little effect The same year a third Council was called at Caln in Wilt-shire hither came Priests and Monks in great numbers Beornelm a Scottish Bishop defended the cause of the Priests with Sâ—â—ipture and Reason But on a sudden Dunstan by his Art caused the Beams or Joists of the Room where they were assembled to break and fall many were wounded most of the Secular Priests were slain and buried under the ruines thereof only Dunstan was safe with his Chair that was fixed on a Pillar So the controversie was ended with devilish cruelty It appears not what provision was made for these Priests when ejected King Edward went to Corff-Castle where at that time his Mother-in-Law with her Son Egelred lay and by her contrivance he was barbarously murthered as he was drinking on Horse-back and was buried at Wareham and Ethelred Edward's half-brother succeeded him in the Throne Dunâ—â—an died and was buried on the South-side of the high Altar in the Church of Canterbury After his death the Monks were cast ouâ— of the Convent of Canterbury by reason of their misdemeanours Siricius the next Archbishop of Canterbury endeavoured the re-expulsion of the Priests which by Elfrick his Successor was effected By him a Sermon was appointed to be read publickly on Easter-day before the Communion The same Author hath two other Treatises one directed to Wolfsin Bishop of Shirburn and another to Wulfstan Bishop of York about the Sacrament Soon after the Danes by a firm Ejection outed the Monks before they were well warm in their Nests Their fury fell more on Convents than Castles England for these last sixty years had been freed from their cruelty which now returned more dreadful than ever before These Danes were also advantaged by the unactiveness of King Ethelred who with ten thousand pounds purchased a present Peace with the Danes The multitude of Monasteries invited the Invasion and facilitated the Conquest of the Danes over England Holy Island was forsaken by the fearful Monks affrighted with the approach of the Danes and Alhunus the Bishop thereof removed his Cathedral and Convent to Durham an Inland place of more safety The Danes having received and spent their Money invaded England afresh according to all Wise mens expectation CENT XI IN the beginning of this Century certain Danes fled into a Church at Oxford hoping the Sanctity thereof according to the devout Principles of that Age would secure them But by command from King Ethelred they were all burned in the place whose blood remained not long unrevenged The Danish fury fell fiercest on the City of Canterbury with fire and sword destroying eight thousand people therein Swanus the Dane tithed the Monks of S. Augustine's Abbey killing nine by cruel torment and keeping the tenth alive for slaves They slew there of Religious men to the number of nine hundred And when they had kept the Bishop Elphege in strait prison the space of eight months because he would not agree to give them three thousand pounds after many villanies done unto him at Greenwich they stoned him to death Next year a nameless Bishop of London was slain by them and a great part of the City of London was wasted with fire The Danes burnt Cambridge to ashes and harassed the Country round about King Ethelred sent his Wife Emma with his two Sons Alfred and Edward to Richard Duke of Normandy which was Brother to the said Emma with whom also he sent the Bishop of London whither also himself went after he had spent a great part of the Winter in the Isle of Wight whither he was chased of the Danes Swanus hearing that Egelred was departed out of the Land imposed great Exactions upon the people and among other he required a great sum of money of S. Edmond's Lands which the people there claiming to be free of all King's tribute denied to pay Hereupon Swanus entred the Territory of St. Edmond and wasted the Countrey threatening to spoil the place of his burial The men of the Countrey fell to fasting and prayer and soon after Swanus died suddenly crying and yelling among his Knights In fear whereof Canutus his Son and Successor ditched the Land of St. Edmond with a deep Ditch and granted to the Inhabitants thereof great Immunities quitting them from all Tribute and after builded a Church over the place of his Sepulture ordained there an House of Monks and endowed them with rich possessions After that time the Kings of England when they were crowned sent their Crowns for an offering to St. Edmond's Shrine and redeemed them afterward with a condign price After the death of Egelred great contention was in England for the Crown some were for Edmond Ironside the Son of Egelred and some for Canutus After many bloody Fights both parties agree to try the quarrel betwixt them two only in sight of both Armies they make the Essay with Swords and sharp strokes in the end upon the motion of Canutus they agree and kiss one another to the joy of both Armies and they covenant for parting the Land during their lives and they lived as Brethren Within a few years a Son of Edrik Duke of Mercia killed Edmond traiterously and brought his two Sons unto Canutus who sent them to his Brother Swanus King of Denmark willing him to dispatch them But he abhorring such a fact sent them to Solomon King of Hungary who married Edwyn to his Daughter and soon after died Edward married Agatha the Daughter of the Emperour Henry the Third Swanus King of Denmark died and that Land fell to Canutus who anon after sailed thither and took the possession and returned into England and married Emma late Wife of Egelred and by her had a Son called Hardiknout He assembled a Parliament at Oxford wherein was agreed that English men and Danes should hold the Laws made
the Nobility and Clergy so that there should be no Bishop in England but one Archbishop which should be himself and that there should not be above two Religious persons in one house and their possessions should be divided among the Lay-men for the which Doctrine they held him as a Prophet But he was executed at St. Albans William Wickham about this time finished his Beautiful Colledge in Oxford called new Colledge which giveth the Armes of Wickham viz. two Cheverons betwixt three Roses each Cheveron alluding to two beams fastned together called couples in building to speak his skill in Architecture There is maintained therein a Warden seventy Fellows and Scholars ten Chaplains three Clerks one Organist sixteen Choristers besides Officers and Servants of the Foundation with other Students being in all one hundred thirty five Within few years after the same Bishop finished the Colledge at Winchester wherein he established one Warden ten Fellows two Schoolmasters and seventy Scholars with Officers and Servants which are all maintained at his charge out of which School he ordained should be chosen the best Scholars always to supply the vacant places of the Fellows of this Colledge Anno 1391. There was a Synod in England which because many were vexed for causes which could not be known at Rome ordained That the authority of the Pope of Rome should stretch no farther than to the Ocean Sea and that who so Appealed to Rome besides Excommunication should be punished with loss of all their goods and with perpetual imprisonment Then came the Parliament wherein was Enacted the Statute called the Statute of Praemunire which gave such a blow to the Church of Rome The Statute of Praemunire that it never recovered it self in this Land The Statute of Mortmain put the Pope into a sweat but this put him into a Fever That concerned him onely in the Abbies his darlings this touched him in his person About this time died that faithful Learned and aged Servant of God John de Trevisa born at Crocadon in Cornwal a Secular Priest and Vicar of Berkley painful in Translating the Old and New Testament into English with other great Books The History of William Swinderby Priest in the Diocess of Lincoln whereunto be was forced by the Friars the Process of John Tresnant Bishop of Hereford into whose Diocess he removed had against him in the cause of Heretical pravity as the Papists call it the Articles that were exhibited against him with his protestation and answer to the same The Process against William Swinderby with his answer and declaration to certain Conclusions the Bishop's sentence against him and his Appeal from the Bishop to the King with the causes thereof together with Swinderby's letter to the Parliament may be read at large in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments of the Church Then were there Articles exhibited against Walter Bruâ—e of the Diocess of Hereford a Lay-man and Learned touching the cause of Heresie as they called it unto the Bishop of Hereford his examination and answer is also largely described by Mr. Fox 〈…〉 2. Then were there two Bulls sent out by Pope Boniface the ninth one against the Lollards another to King Richard the second Queen Anne Wife to King Richard at the same time had the Gospels in English with four Doctors upon the same King Richard wrote a notable Letter to the Pope wherein he sheweth That the election of the Pope was not as before comparing the Popes to the Souldiers that crucified Christ That Secular Princes are to bridle the outrages of the Pope and seemeth to Prophecy of the desolation of the Roman Pope King Richard was not long after deposed and barbarously murdered at Pomfret-castle In the time of the conspiracy against King Richard among all the Bishops onely Thomas Merks Bishop of Carlisle was for him For when the Lords in Parliament not content to depose King Riâ—hard were devising more mischief against him up steps the foresaid Bishop and thus expresseth himself There is no man here worthy to pass his sentence on so great a King as to whom they have obeyed as their lawful Prince full two and twenty years This is the part of Traitors Cut-throats and Thieves None is so wicked none so vile who though he be charged with a manifest crime we should think to condemn before we heard him And you do ye think it equal to pass sentence on a King anointed and Crowned giving him no leave to defend himself How unjust is this But let us consider the matter it self I say nay openly affirm that Henry Duke of Lancaster whom you are pleased to call your King hath most unjustly spoiled Richard as well his Sovereign as ours of his Kingdom More would he have spoken but the Lord Marshal enjoyned him silence and the other Bishops said he discovered having 〈◊〉 a Monk more Covent-devotion than Court-discretion in dissenting from his Brethren yet at that time no punishment was imposed upon him But the next year 1400. when some discontented Lord 's arose against King Henry the fourth this Bishop was taken prisoner and judicially arraigned for high Treason for which he was condemned and sent to St. Albans The Pope gave unto him another Bishoprick in Samos a Greek Island But before his translation he died CENT XV. KIng Henry the fourth held a Parliament at Westminster during which Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury had convocated a Synod which was held in St. Paul's Church to whom the King sent the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland who declared to the Trussel in vit Henrici IV. Clergy That they were from the King to acquaint them that the King resolved to confirm all their Priviledges unto them and to joyn with them as they should desire him in the punishment of all Hereticks and opposites to their Religion received for which so doing he craved but their supplications to God for him and his posterity and prosperity of the Kingdom which was by all there present religiously promised In the second year of his Reign King Henry ordained That if any person should obtain from the Bishop of Rome any provision to be exempt from obedience Regular or Ordinary or to have any Office perpetual in any House of Religion he should in our the pains of Praemunire He also gave authority unto Bishops and their Ordinaries to imprison and fine all Subjects who refuse the Oath ex Officio In the same Parliament it was The Statute made pro Haeretico comburâ—â—do ordained That all Lollards that is those who professed the doctrine which Wickliff had taught should be apprehended and if they should remain obstinare they should be delivered to the Bishop of the Diocess and by him unto the secular Magistrate to be burnt This Act was the first in this Island for burning in case of Religion and began to be put in execution Anno 1401. The first on whom his cruel Law was hanselled was William Sautre formerly Parish-priest of St.
great encrease of vitiousness in all sorts of men So that it was not without cause that it was called for so earnestly by Bishop Latimer in a Sermon Preached before the King Bring into the Church of England saith he the open Discipline of Excommunication that open sinners may be stricken withal Then upon the Complaint of Calvin to Archbishop Cranmer and Peter Martyr's bemoaning the miserable condition of the Church for want of Preachers it was ordained by the advice of the Lords of the Council that of the King 's six Chaplains which attended in Ordinary two of them should be always about the Court and the other four should travel in Preaching abroad About this time Sermonâ—â—t Court were encreased also Then followed the taking down of Altars by pâ—blick A 〈…〉 This being resolved on a Letter cometh to Bishop 〈…〉 of the King subscribed by Sommerset and other of the Lords of the Council concerning the taking down of Altars and setting up Tables in the stead thereof He appointed the form of a right Table to be used in his Diocess and caused the wall standing on the back-side of the Altar in the Church of S. Paul's to be broken down for an example to the rest No universal change of Altars was there into Tables in all parts of the Realm till the repealing of the first Liturgy in which the Priest is appointed to stand before the midst of the Altar in the Celebration and the establishing of the second in which it is required that the Priest shall stand on the North-side of the Table had put an end to the Dispute About this time David's Psalms were Translated into English metre by Thomas Sternhold Esq and of the Privy Chamber to King Edward the sixth John Hopkins Robert Wisdom c. and generally permitted to be Sung in all Churches Bishop Gardiner having been a Prisoner in the Tower almost two years the Lord Treasurer the Earl of Warwick and some others are sent with certain Articles Signed by the King and Lords of the Council unto him According to the tenour hereof he is not only to testifie his consent to the establishing the Holy-dayes and Fasting-days by the King's Authority the allowance of the publick Liturgy and the abrogating of the Statute for the six Articles but to subscribe the confession of his fault in his former obstinacy after such form and manner as was there required To which Articles he subscribed but refused to put his hand to the said Confession Then a Book of Articles is drawn up containing all the alteration made by the King and his Father as well by Act of Parliament as their own injunctions of all which doings he is required to signifie his approbation to make Confession of his fault with an acknowledgment that he had deserved the punishment which was laid upon upon him but no such submission and acknowledgment being made as was required on Feb. 14. 1550. he was deprived and so remitted to the Tower Notwithstanding this severity yet some of the Bishops were so stiff in their old opinions that neither terrour nor perswasions could prevail upon them eiâ—her to approve of the King's proceedings or otherwise to advance the King's commands And some complyed so coldly with the King's commands as that they were laid open to the spoil though not to the loss of their Bishopricks of which last sort were Kitching Bishop of Landaff Salcot Bishop of Salisbury and Sampson of Coventry 〈◊〉 Hist â—â—w VI. and Lichfield Heath of Worcester Voysie of Exeter Day of Chichester and Tonstal of Durham would not any way comply Voisy made such havock of his Lands before he was brought under a deprivation that he left but seven or eight of the worst mannours and those let out into long Leases and those charged with pensions and not above two houses both bare and naked He was deprived a sew moneths after Gardiner but lived to be restored again as Gardiner also was in the time of Queen Mary Day and Heath were both deprived October 10. and were both restored in Queen Maries Reign Tunstal was cast into the Tower December 20. and was there kept until the dissolution of his Bishoprick by Act of Parliament To Gardiner in the See of Winchester succeeded Doctor John Poynet Bishop of Rochester To Voisy in the See of Exeter succeeded Doctor Miles Coverdale one who had formerly assisted Tyndal in translating the Bible into English and for the most part lived at Tubing an University belonging to the Duke of Saxony where he received the degree of Doctor Scory being Consecrated Bishop of Rochester in the place of Poynet on the thirtieth of August in the next year following succeeded Day of Chichester Of which Bishoprick he was deprived in the time of Queen Mary and afterwards preferred by Queen Elizabeth to the See of Hereford in which place he died The Bishoprick of Worcester was given in Commendam to Bishop Hooper The Princess Mary having been bred up in the Romish Religion would not change her mind And although the King and the Lords of his Council wrote many Letters to her to take off those affections which she bear to the Church of Rome yet she keeps up her Mass with all the Rites and Ceremonies belonging to it and suffers divers persons besides her own domestick Servants to be present at it By the Emperor's mediation her Chaplains were permitted to celebrate the Mass but with this Restriction that they should do it in her presence only For the transgression of which bounds Mallet and Barkley her two Chaplains were imprisoned Then a Plot is laid to convey the Princess Mary out of the Realm by stealth but the King being secretly advertised of the design puts a stop thereunto She is brought to the King and appointed to remain with him but none of her Chaplains permitted to have any access unto her And notwithstanding the mediation of the Emperor in her behalf and his threatening War in case she were not permitted the free exercise of her Religion and although the Lords of the Council generally seemed very inclinable thereunto yet the King would not be perswaded thereunto And when the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London sent by the Lords to the King used divers Arguments to perswade him he declared a Resolution rather to venture life and all things else that were dear unto him than to give way to any thing which he knew to be against the Truth Then the King burst forth into a flood of tears and the Bishops on sight thereof wept as fast as He. The Bishops thereupon withdrew admiring at such great Abilities in so young a King and blessed God for giving them a Prince of such eminent piety Then the reviewing the Liturgy and the composing of a Book of Articles were brought under consideration This last for the avoiding diversities of Opinions and for the establishing consent touching true Religion the other for removing such offences as had been taken by
Queen and Her Council finding both the Jesuites and the Secular 〈◊〉 Baâ—â—â—â— Chron. Priests dangerous to this Common Wealth both the one and the other commandeth them to depart out of the Kingdom presently The last Parliament in this Queen's Reign was now begun at Westminster and dissolved the Moneth next following In this Parliament it was Enacted That overseers of the poor should be nominated yearly in Easter-week under the Hand and Seal of two Justices of peace and that these with the Church-wardens should take care of the poor binding out of Apprentices c. As also That the Lord Chancellor should award Commissions under the great Seal into any part of the Realm as cause should require to the Bishop of every Diocess and his Chancellor c. to enquire by oathes of twelve men into the misemployment of any lands or goods given to pious uses Francis Godwin D. D. Subdean of Exeter son of Thomas Godwin Bishop of Bath and Wells was made Bishop of Landaff He was born in the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth and was made a Bishop within Her Reign Anno 1601. Now came forth a notable book against the Jesuites written Scholastically by Watson a secular Priest consisting of â—en Quodlibets each whereof is subdivided into as many Articles which discovereth the Jesuites in their Colours Anno 1602. died Herbert Westphaling Bishop of Hereford being the first Bishop of that foundation a man very pious and of such gravity that he was scarce ever seen to laugh There died also Alexander Nowel D. D. and Dean of S. Paul's in London He fled into Germany in the Reign of Queen Mary and was the first of English exiles that returned in the days of Queen Elizabeth an holy and Learned Man He bestowed two hundred pound a year rent on Brazen-nose Colledge wherein he was educated for the maintenance of thirteen Students He died at ninety years of age a single man fresh in his youthful Learning his eyes were not dim nor did he ever make use of Spectacles Mr. William Perkins who was born in the first died also in the last year of Queen Elizabeth Gregory Sayer also and William Harris two Popish Writers bred the one at Cambridge the other at Oxford died this year beyond the Seas At this time the City of Geneva was in a low estate for the Duke of Savoy addicted to the Spanish faction had banished all Protestants of his Dominions By the Liberal example of Archbishop Whitgift large summes of Money were Collected and seasonably sent over for the Relief of Geneva Queen Elizabeth the mirrour of her Sex and Age died having Reigned over this Kingdom above fourty years Her Corps were Solemnly interred under a fair Tomb in Westminster Abbey Now the Defenders both of Episcopacy and Presbitery with equal hopes of success make besides private and particular Addresses publick and visible Applications to King James the first to continue the last to set up their Government Dr. Thomas Nevil Dean of Canterbury sent by Archbishop Whitgift to his Majesty in the name of the Bishops and Clergy of England brought back a well-come answer which was to uphold the Government of the Late Queen as she left it setled Then Watson a Secular Priest with William Cleark another of his Profession having fancied a notional Treason impart it to George Brook These break it to Brook's brother the Lord Cobham to the Lord Gray of Wilton and Sir Walter Rawleigh besides some other discontented Knights Watson devised an Oath of secreâ—y for them all The ends they propounded to themselves were to kill the King raise Rebellion alter Religion and procure a Forreign invasion c. The treason was discovered The two Priests alone with G. Brook were executed the rest were pardoned No sooner was King James setled on the English throne but Mr. Cartwright presented unto him his Latine Comment on Ecclesiastes and died soon after Mr. Dod Preached his funeral Sermon Now there being a general expectation of a Parliament to succeed the Presbterian party went about to get hands of the Ministers to a petition which they intended seasonably to present to the King and Parliament A conference was appointed at Hampton-Court which began on January 14. 1603. The names of the Persons which were employed therein are as follow For Conformity Archbishop of Canterbury Whitgift Bishops of London Durham Winchester Worcester S. David's Chichester Carlile Peterborow Bancroft Mathew Bilson Babington Rudd Watson Robinson Dove Deans of The Chappel Christ-Church Worcester Westminster S. Paul's Chester Sarisbury Windsor Doctor Field King Against Conformity Doctor Reinolds Sparks Master Knewstubs Chadderton Moderator King James Spectators All the Lords of the Privy Council On the first dayes Conference the Bishops and five of the Deans were called in severally by themselves then the King reduceth some special points wherein he desireth to be satisfied to three Heads 1. Concerning the Book of Common Prayer c. used in the Church 2. Excommunication in Ecclesiastical Courts 3. The providing of fit and able Ministers for Ireland In the Common-prayer-book he required satisfaction about three things 1. About Confirmation 2. Absolution 3. Private Baptism Touching Confirmation he said he abhorred the abuse wherein it was made a Sacrament or Corroboration to Baptism As for Absolution he said he had heard it likened to Pope's Pardons And Concerning Private Baptism he would be satisfied if called private from the place or if so termed that any besides a Lawful Minister may Baptize which he disliked Concerning excommunication he offered two things to be considered of 1. The Matter 2. The Persons For the first whether it were executed in light Cases which causeth the undervaluing thereof For the persons he would be resolved why Chancellors and Commissaries being lay men should do it and not rather the Bishops themselves c. As for providing Ministers for Ireland he said he would refer it in the last dayes Conference to a Consultation The Archbishop of Canterbury answered that Confirmation hath been used in the Catholick Church ever since the Apostles The Bishop of London That it is an Apostolical Institution named in express words Heb. 6. 2. The Bishop of Carlile Learnedly urged the same And the Bishop of Durham urged something out of S. Mathew for the Imposition of hands on Children The Conclusion was this for the fuller explanation that we make Confirmation neither a Sacrament nor a Corroboration thereof their Lordship should consider whether it might not without alteration be entitled an Examination with a Confirmation As for Absolution the Archbishop told His Majesty that it is clear from all Superstition as it is used in the Church of England as will appear on the Reading both of the Confession and Absolution following it in the beginning of the Communion-book Here the King perused both liked and approved them The Particular and Personal Absolution in the Visitation of the sick was also Read by the Dean of the Chappel and approved by the King
Bishop might be sent over into England there to ordain Priests give Confirmation and exercise Episcopal jurisdiction Among others Matthew Kellison and Richard Smith were presented Not long after Pope Vrban the Eighth created Richard Smith Bishop of Calcedon and sent him into England with Episcopal Authority over the Priests within the English Dominions King James after he had been troubled with a Tertian Fever four weeks at Theobalds called unto him his onely Son Prince Charles to whom he recommended the protection of the Church of England c. and died on the seven and twentieth day of March He Reigned twenty two years and three days The sad news of King James his death was brought to White-hall when Dr. Laud Bishop of St. David's was Preaching therein This caused him to break off his Sermon in the midst thereof out of civil compliance with the sadness of the Congregation And the same day was King Charles Proclaimed at Whitehall Shortly after King James his death Bishop Laud delivered to the hands of the Duke of Buckingham brief memorables of the Life and Death of King James On May fourteenth following King James his Funerals were performed very solemnly in the Collegiate-church at Westminster King Charles in his own person mournfully attended the Funerals of his Father Dr. Williams Lord Keeper and Bishop of Lincoln Preached the Sermon taking for his Text 2 Chron 9. 29 30 and part of vers 31. containing the happy Reign quiet Death and stately Burial of King Solomon In this Sermon he made a parallel between two peaceable Princes King Solomon and King James adding that Solomon's vices could be no blemish to King James who resembled him onely in his choycest vertues Doctor Preston still continued and increased in the favour of the King and the Duke of Buckingham Then a Book came forth called Apello Caesarem made by Mr. Mountague then Fellow of Eaton upon this occasion He had lately written Satyrically enough against the Papists in confuâ—ation of The Gagger of the Protestants Now two Divines of Norwich Diocese Mr. Yates and Mr. Ward inform against him for deserting our Cause instead of defending it Mr. Mountague in his own Vindication writes a second Book licensed by Francis White Dâ—an of Carlile finished and partly Printed in the Reign of King James Many bitter passages in this his Book gave great exception At that time a Schedule was delivered to the Duke wherein the names Rushw Collect An. 162â— â— of Ecclesiastical persons were written under the letters of O and P O standing for Orthodox and P. for Puritans for the Duke commanded that the names of eminent persons to be presented unto the King should be thus digested under that partition On Sunday June 12. Queen Mary landed at Dover Next day the King coming from Canterbury met her at Dover Thence his Majesty conducted the Queen to Canterbury and the same Evening the Marriage was there consummated On June 16. the King and Queen came both to London A Chappel at Sommerset-house was built for the Queen and her Family with conveniences thereto adjoyning for Capuchin Friers who were therein placed and had permission to walk abroad in their Religious habits Then began a Parliament at London wherein the first Statute agreed upon was for the more strict observation of the Lord's day Sir Edward Coke went to the House of Peers with a message from the Commons desiring their concurrence in a petition concerning Religion and against Recusants which being agreed to and presented to the King his Majesty answered That he was glad that the Parliament was so forward in matters of Religion and assured them they should find him as forward Mr. Richard Mountague was brought to the Bar of the Commons House for his Book fore-mentioned which was Printed and dedicated to King Charles But the King resâ—ued him from the House of Commons by taking Mr. Mountague's business into his own hand The Plague increasing in London the Parliament removed to Oxford where Doctor Chalenor died of that infection The Parliament to prevent the growth of Popery presented a petition to his Majesty containing sixteen particulars to which they received a satisfactory answer from the King Mr. Mountagues cause was recommended to the Duke of Buckingham by the Bishops of Rochester Oxford and St. Davids as the cause of the Church of England They affirm boldly that they cannot conceive what use there can be of Civil Government in the Common-wealth or of external Ministry in the Church if such fatal Opinions as some are which are opposite to those of Mr. Mountague be publickly taught and maintained But other Learned men were of a different judgement At Oxford in a late Divinity disputation held upon this Question Whether a Regenerate man may fall away totally and finally from Grace The Opponent uâ—ging the Appeal to Caesar the Doctor of the Chair handled the Appellator very roughly saying That he was a man that studied phrases more than matter That he understood neither Articles nor Homilies or at least perverted both That he attributed he knew not what vertue to the sign of the Cross and concluded with an Admonition to the Juniors That they should be wary of reading that and the like Books The King according to his late answer to the Parliament at Oxford issued out a Commission to the Judges to see the Law against Recusants put in Execution This was read in all the Courts of Judicature at Reading where Michaelmas Term was kept and a letter directed to the Archbishop of Canterbury to take special care for the discovery of Jesuites Seminary Priests c. within his Province In this and the next year many Books from persons of several abilities and professions were written against Mr. Mountague by Dr. Sutcliff Dean of Exeter Mr. Henry Burton Mr. Yates a Minister of Norfolk his Book he entitled Ad Caesarem ibis Dr. Carleton Bishop of Chichester Anthony Wotton Divinity-professor in Gresham Colledge and Mr. Francis Rowse a Lay-man His Majesty sensible of his Subjects great distast at Mr. Mountague's Book resolved to leave him to stand or fall according to the justness of his Cause The Duke imparted as much to the Bishop of St. David's who conceived it of such ominous concernment that he entred the same in his Diary viz. I seem to see a cloud arising and threatning the Church of England God for his mercy dissipate it The King issued forth a Proclamation Whereby he commanded the return within limited time of all such Children of Noble-men and other his natural Subjects who were now breeding up in Schools and Seminaries and other Houses of the Popish Religion beyond the Seas That their Parents Tutors and Governors take present order to recal them home and to provide that they return by the day prefixt at the utmost severity of his Majestie 's Justice He commanded further That no Bishop Priest or any other person having taken Orders under any Authority derived from the See of
by Hamilton for such as were Assessors to him took up all their time betwixt their first meeting and their dissolution which was by proclamation solemnly declared on the twenty ninth of the same month But notwithstanding the said dissolution the Members of the said Assembly continued their Session and therein passed many Acts for the utter overthrow of the Polity and Government of the Church They not only excommunicated the Bishops and their Adherents but condemned the very Function it self to be Antichristian and utterly to be abolished out of the Church The like censure also they passed on the Service-book and the Canons with the five Articles of Perth and all the Arminian Tenets in case of Predestination and declared all men subject to excommunication and all other censures of the Church who should refuse to yield obedience to all their determinations And albeit his Majesty by the same Proclamation had commanded all his Subjects not to yield obedience to any of their Acts and Ordinances yet those of the Assembly were resolved to maintain their Authority and not only the Bishops and Clergy but also as many of the Laity as had refused to subscribe to the Acts thereof were deprived of their Offices and Preferments banished their Country and forced to fly into England or other places the King being unable to protect them from the power and malice of their Adversaries The King now thinks of raising an Army against the Scots and a Sir Rich. Bakerâ—s Chron. Loan for the King's assistance against the Scots is subscribed by many Lords of the Council and Bishops c. Cardinal Richlieu was no small Incendiary in this business betwixt the King and Scots who sent his Chaplain and Almoner Mr. Thomas Chamberlain a Scotch-man to assist the Confederates in advancing the business and to attempt all wayes of exasperation and not to depart from them till he might return with good news in this project About the latter end of this year died John Spottiswood Archbishop of St. Andrews at London and was buried near unto King James in the Abbey-church of Westminster The King began his journey towards the North on March twenty seven his Army being advanced before the chief command whereof was committed to the Earl of Arundel The Scots presented a Petition to the King at his Camp near Berwick And Commissioners being on both sides appointed they came at last to this conclusion on June 17. viz. first That his Majesty should confirm whatsoever his Commissioner hath already granted in his Majesties name and that from thenceforth all matters Ecclesiastical should be determined by the Assemblies of the Kirk and all matters civil by the Parliament and to that end a General Assembly to be indicted on the sixth of August and a Parliament on the twentieth of the same month in which Parliament an Act of Oblivion was to pass for the common peace and satisfaction of all parties that the Scots upon the publication of the accord should within forty eight hours disband all their Forces discharge all pretended Tables and Conventicles restore unto the King all his Custles Forts and Ammunition of all sorts the like restitution to be made to all his good Subjects of their liberties lands goods c. taken and detained from them since the late pretended General Assembly at Glascow that thereupon the King should presently recal his Fleet and retire his Land-forces and cause restitution to be made to all persons of their goods detained and arrested since the first of February But as for the proceedings of the Assembly at Glascow they seem to have been left in the same condition in which they stood before his Majesties taking Arms. And the King doing nothing to the abrogating of them when he was in the Head of a powerful Army he could not expect that the Scots could yield to any such abrogation when he had no such Army to compel obedience And this immediately appeared on his Majesties signing the Agreement and discharging his Army thereupon For the Covenanters upon the declaration of this accord produced a Protestation First Of adhering to their late General Assembly at Glascow and to all the proceedings there especially the sentences of Deprivation and Excommunication of the sometimes pretended Bishops of that Kingdom as they were termed Secondly Of adhering to their solemn Covenant and declaration of the Assembly whereby the Office of Bishops is abjured Thirdly That the Bishops have been malitious Incendiaries of his Majesty against this Kingdom by their wicked calumnies and that if they return to this Kingdom they be esteemed and used as accursed c. Fourthly That all the entertainers of the excommunicated Bishops should be orderly proceeded against with Excommunication conform to the Acts and Constitutions of this Kirk They continued their Meetings and Consultations as before they did maintained their Fortifications at Leith the Port-town to Edenborough and kept their Officers and Commanders in continual pay His Majesty hereupon sent for some of the Chiefs of them to come unto him to Berwick but was refused in his Commands The Earls of Kinnoul and Traquair Chief Justice Elphinston and Sir James Hamilton all Privy Counsellors were pulled violently out of their Coach on a suspition that some Bishops were disguised among them that the King might have some cause to suspect that there could be no safety for him in such a place and among people so enraged notwithstanding his great clemency toward them in the pacification In this condition of Affairs his Majesty returned toward London in the Heylin's Hist of Archbish Laud. part 2. end of July 1639. leaving the Scots to play their own game as they listed having first nominated Traquair as his High-Commissioner for managing both the Assembly and the following Parliament In the first meeting of the two they acted over all the parts they had plaid at Glascow to the utter abolition of Episcopacy and the ruine of all that adhered to it their actings in it being confirmed in his name by the High-Commission The news whereof caused the King to send for the Lord Wentworth out of Ireland who was presently made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and not long after with great solemnity created Earl of Strafford in the County of York As Lord Lieutenant he had power to appoint a Deputy that he might the better attend the service here without any prejudice to that Kingdom which Office he committed to Wansford a York-shire Gentleman whom he had took along with him into Ireland at his first going thither His Majesty was pleased to commit the conduct of the Scottish Affairs to a Juncto of three namely the Archbishop of Canterbury the Earl of Strafford and the Marquiss of Hammilton These three move his Majesty to call a Parliament and it was concluded that a Parliament should be called on April 13. 1640. In the mean time the Lord Lieutenant held a Parliament in Ireland and so governed the affair that an Army of eight thousand
those that disliked his doings about some points in the Sacrament Doctor Cox Chancellour of the University assisted by Mr. Morrison a right learned man being Moderators declared that Martyr had sufficiently answered all Arguments which were brought against him by Chadsey the chief of the opponents and the rest of those who disputed with him Bucer came not over till June and being here receives letters from Mediis consiliis vel Authoremesse vel Approbatorem Calvin Epist. ad Bucer Calvin by which he was advised to take heed of his old fault for a fault he thought it which was to run a moderate course in his Reformations The first thing that Bucer did after his coming hither was to acquaint himself with the English Liturgy translated for him into Latine by Alexander Alesius a Learned Scot and generally well approved of by him as to the main Frame and Body of it Of this he gives an account to Calvin Having received a courteous entertainment from the Lord Protector and being heartily well-commed by Archbishop Cranmer he is sent to take the Chair at Cambridge But he had not held that place long when he left this life deceasing on January 19. Anno 1550. to the great loss and grief of that University Calvin writes to the Protector to this effect That the Papists would grow more insolent every day than other unless the difference were composed about the Ceremonies But how not by reducing the Opponents to Conformity but by encouraging them rather in their opposition John Rogers Lecturer in S. Paul's and John Hooper Vicar of S. Sepulchres The Founders of Non-conformity were founders of Non-conformity This John Hooper was bred in Oxford well-skilled in Latine Greek and Hebrew and afterwards travelled over into Switzerland He was preferred to be Bishop of Glocester by the favour of his Paâ—ron John Earl of Warwick afterwards Duke of Northumberland But when Hooper came to be consecrated Bishop of Glocester he scrupled the wearing of certain Episcopal Ornaments Rochet Chimere Square Cap c. producing a letter from the Eaâ—l of Warwick that he might be favourably dispensed with therein The King also thirteen dayes after wrote to Archbishop Cranmer to the same effect All would not do Resolute Bishop Ridley stood stiffly to his tackling and here was bandying of the business betwixt them and arguments urged on both sides The Earl of Warwick deserted his Chaplain and Hooper was sent to prison and kept sometime in durance till he condescended to conform himself in his habit and so was consecrated Bishop of Glocester After this Hooper bare a great grudge against Ridley who enforced him thereunto but God's providence sanctified their sufferings afterwards into an agreement We must not forget that this earnest contest was not about the vocation but about the vestments of Bishops Thus we have the first beginning of that opposition which hath continued ever since against the Liturgy c. and other Rites and Usages of the Church of England About this time John a Lasco free Baron of Lasco in Poland with his Congregation of Germans and other strangers took Sanctuary this year in England hoping that here they might enjoy that liberty of conscience and safety for their goods and persons which their own Countrey had denyed them The King gratiously vouchsafed to give them both entertainment and protection assigned them the west part of the Church belonging to the late dissolved house of Augustine-friars for the exercise of Religious Worship made them a Corporation consisting of a Superintendent and four other Ministers with power to fill the vacant places by a new Succession whensoever any of them should be voyd by death or otherwise the parties by them chosen to be approved by the King and Council He commanded the Lord Mayor of London the Aldermen and Sheriffâ— thereof as also the Archbishop of Canterbury and all other Bishops of this Realm not to distrub them in the free exercise of their Religion and Ecclesiastical Government although they differed from the government and forms of Worship established in the Church of England All which he granted by his Letters Patents This John a Lasco quickly publisheth a book Entitled Forma Ratio totius Ecclesiastici Ministerii wherein he maintains the use of sitting at the Holy Communion contrary to the custom of the Church of England to the encouragement of those who impugned her Orders A controversie moved by Bishop Hooper touching the Episcopal Habit was presently propagated among the rest of the Clergy touching Caps and Surplices And in this quarrel John a Lasco engageth countenancing those that refused to wear them and Writing to Martin Bucer to declare 〈◊〉 Hist 〈◊〉 VI. against them But that Moderate and Learned Man severely reprâ—hended him and solidly answered all his Objections Which being sent to him in the way of letter was afterward Printed and dispersed for keeping down that opposite humour This controversie was countenanced by Peter Martyr for besides his judgement which he gives of these things in some of his Epistles about things of this nature he hath told us of his own practice in one of his Epistles Dated at Zurick Novemb. 4. 1559. being more than five years after he had left this Kingdom That he had never used the Surplice when he lived in Oxford though he were then a Canon of Christ-church and frequently present in the Quire While this controversie was on foot between the Bishops and the Clergy John Rogers one of the Probends of S. Paul's and Divinity Reader of that Church then newly return'd from beyond the Seas could never be perswaded to wear any other than the round cap when he went abroad And being further pressed unto it he thus declared himself That he would never agree to that point of Conformity but on this condition that if the Bishops did require the Cap and Tippet c. then it should also be declared that all Popish Priests for a distinction between them and others should be constrained to wear upon their sleeves a Chalice with an Host upon it Nay such peccancy of humour began then to break out that it was Preached at Pauls Cross by one Steven Curate of Katherine Cree-Church Stow's Chro. Edw. VI. That it was fit the names of Churches should be altered and the names of the dayes in the Week changed that Fish-dayes should be altered and the Lent kept at any other time except onely between Shrovetide and Easter John Stow saith that he had seen the said Steven to leave the Pulpit and Preach to the People out of an high Elm which stood in the midst of the Church-yard and that being done to return into the Church again The wings of Episcopal Authority had been so clipped that it was scarce able to fly abroad the sentence of Excommunication had not been in use since the first year of this King which occasioned not onely these disorders among the Ministers of the Church but also tended to the