a great Contemner of others that were not of his mind And although the Learning and Qualities of any were never so mean yet if he affected Master Cartwright and his Opinions he should be in great estimation with him according to the saying of the Poet Praecipui sunto sitque illis aurea barba But if he were against him in his fanciful Conceits though he were never so good a Scholar or so good a Man he could not brook or like of him as of Dr. Whitaker and others And although in their Elections of Scholars into that College they made as good choise as any other either before or in their time yet could he never afford the Electors nor Parties elected a good word unless they sided with him in his Fancies 20. And that he might the better Cartwright went to Geneva affected the Discipline of that Church feed his Humour with these conceited Novelties he travailed to Geneva where observing the Government and Discipline of that Church to be by certain Ecclesiastical Superintendents and Lay-Elders or Presbyters as they called them he was so far carried away with an affection of that new devised Discipline as that he thought all Churches and Congregations for Government Ecclesiastical were to be measured and squared by the practice of Geneva 21. Therefore when he returned His opposition to the Established church-Church-Government in England home he took many exceptions against the Established Government of our Church disallowing the Vocation of our Archbishops Bishops Archdeacons and other Ecclesiastical Officers the Administration of our Holy Sacraments and observation of our Rites and Ceremonies and buzzing these Conceits into the Heads of divers young Preachers and Scholars of the University he drew after him a great number of Disciples and Followers And upon a Sunday Doctor Whitgift being from home Master Cartwright with some of his Adherents made three Sermons in that one day wherein they so vehemently inveighed amongst other Ceremonies of our Church against the Surpless as those of Trinity College Preacheth against the Surpless were so moved therewith that at Evening Prayer they cast off their Surplesses though against the Statutes of the House and were all placed in the Chappel without Surplesses three only excepted Doctor Legge Mr. West and the Chaplain By reason of which Stirs both that private College was greatly distracted and the whole University much perplexed and troubled 22. For these his Opinions were now broached not only at home in their College Sermons and Domestical Common-Places but by Master Cartwright himself and his Adherents in the publick Church of the whole University wherein they mightily declamed against the Ordination of our Priests and Deacons and greatly traduced the Heads and Governors of the Colleges because they attended the Service of those Places The Reverend Bishops and Fathers of the Church for their due observing Ecclesiastical Rules and Constitutions were by them much perstringed the Established Church paralling as they termed it the Romish Hierarchy was also much reproached and disgraced 23. Dr. Whitgift after that Master Whitgift preacheth against Cartwright ' s Opinions Cartwright and his Complices had broached this his dangerous Doctrine would always the Sunday following in the same Church answer and confute their Opinions with such commendation and applause as thereby he much quieted and setled the judgment of many that otherwise were enclining to this Innovation and gained a singular opinion of the most Learned and Judicious throughout the whole University 24. When by this course he had Cartwright and his Followers oppose Whitgist somewhat appeased these Stirs Master Cartwright did not yet cease but by secret Instigations set on others of his own humour to continue them who in their College Exercises which they call Common-places and also in their open Sermons would prick at him with the Swords of their Tongues and otherwhiles uncharitably through the Sides of others pierce and wound him sometimes furiously without regard of duty shame or modesty would strike downright at him For it then was and I pray God it still be not a thing too frequent with that Generation to tax their Superiors and to accuse their Government as also to asperse them and it with many unjust Calumniations 25. Notwithstanding so far was he from entring into any rigorous course of proceeding against them as justly he might have done by the Statutes of the College and publick Laws of the State as that with great sufferance he winked at and passed by many of Whitgift ' s gentleness these Wrongs and Enormities and instead of revenge he by gentleness and goodness heaped coals upon the Adversaries heads as also for rough and unseemly Speeches he breathed nothing but sweet breath of love and peace often exhorting them to call to God for Grace that they might have more sober consideration and better judgment of Orders established which then they mistook to be amiss For as a Learned man truly saith of them those fervent Hooker ' s Eccles Policy lib. 5. reprehenders of things established by publick Authority are always confident and bold spirited men but their confidence for the most part riseth from too much credit given to their own Wits for which cause they are seldom free from Errors 26. The state of the University being The State of the University disturb'd by Cartwright in this sort mervailously disquieted by Master Cartwright and his Abettors Doctor Whitgift wisely foresaw that these sparks of Sedition if in time they were not quenched would grow to a great flame to the endangering not only of the University but of the whole Church as every one knoweth it afterward fell out and therefore to cure this Evil if it might be in the beginning he oftentimes sent to Master Cartwright Whitgift adviseth him to be quiet and in friendly and kind manner advised him to surcease from those Courses But finding him always wilfully bent and finally obstinate to prevent further mischief he with the Seniors of the House called him in question Calls him in question and having sufficient matter of Expulsion against him for uttering some Errors in his Lectures and not recanting nor expounding them being by the Master and Seniors so appointed and for exercising the Function of a Minister having no Letters of Orders which he had either torn or suppressed for that he thought it not lawful by his own Doctrine to use them and for transgressing the Statutes of the House in divers other Points he expelled him the House Expells him the House and deprives him of the Lady Margaret's Lecture and being Vice-Chancellor caused him likewise to be deprived of the Lady Margaret's Lecture which then he read 27. Before which course of proceeding with him Doctor Whitgift understanding that Master Cartwright had given it out that his dangerous Assertions were rather repressed by Authority than refelled by Truth and strength of Reason wished him to forbear such disturbance of the publick
rather by gentle Persuasions and kind Usages to win them than as the Law and his Place required to pronounce Sentence or lay any sharp Censure upon them Hath he not many a time when Sentence hath been ready to be given by consent of all the Commissioners found some occasion to delay the Sentence to another Court-day and in the mean time so plied the Delinquents and set on others to persuade them as thereby many of them were won which otherwise would never have been brought unto Conformity Wherein he was of Antoninus Pius his mind who Opus de temporibus mundi in vita Antonini Pii said when he was taxed by Aurelius for like Remisness and Lenity That he had rather save one Citizen of Rome than kill a thousand Enemies And yet they knew this Archbishop had Courage enough in him and Credit and Authority to back him if he would have extended it unto severity 87. But it was truly noted in him by The Earl of Salisbury's Observation on him a great Counsellor in the Star-chamber when Pickering was there censured for libelling against him after his death That there was nothing more to be feared in his government especially toward his latter time than his mildness and clemency And he said that which was most true for did he not after that Udall and others were condemned unto death draw upon him the dislike of his dear and honourable Friend * Sir Christopher Hatton in making earnest Suit and never ceased until he had obtained pardon for them at her Majesty's hands And besides the dismission of Master Cartwright and his Consorts out of the Star chamber did not divers Gentlemen of special note find the like favour there by his Intercession and were eased both of Many favoured and eased by the Archbishop's intercession Fine and Punishment for entertaining the Presses and Printers before-mentioned The very truth is I cannot sufficiently express his singular Wisdom and Clemency albeit some Younger Spirits were of opinion that he was much to blame in that kind and imputed it unto his Years and want of Courage and sometimes would be bold to tell him that he knew not his own strength with her Majesty 88. But he knew the Court well and that Queen Elizabeth was the wisest The wisdom of the Queen in her moderate Government Governor of any Prince then living and that she had always entreated her Subjects graciously and ruled with all mildness and moderation and that she brought her Subjects oftentimes rather by gentle means to yield unto her just and profitable Demands than enforce them thereunto by Rigour and Authority which peradventure she would have used considering her absolute Sovereignty and great Occasions had she not found out of her singular Wisdom and long Experience in Government that she was the more observed and reverenced of her People by intermingling and tempering her Authority and Sovereignty with Mildness and Lenity And this her Highness's Example The Archbishop follows her Example Plutarch in vit the Archbishop followed agreeable to that which was said of Pericles That he would steer and govern the Commonwealth with two principal Rudders Fear and Hope bridling with the one the fierce and insolent rashness of the common People when they were in prosperity and in their jollity and reviving and comforting with the other their discontented Spirits by giving way for the time unto their Humour and Passion And happy surely was it for that crasy state of the Church for so it was at this Archbishop's first coming and a long time after not to meet with too rough and boisterous a Physician for he preserved it with Conserves and Electuaries and some gentle Purges which with strong Purgations in all likelihood might have been much more endangered so that it may be very well verified of him which Ennius wrote of Fabius Maximus Unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem Ennius Torent Annal. lib. 1. Ergo postque magisque viri nunc gloria claret 89. As you may perceive his Clemency towards the irregular sort so towards the Conformable he was carried with an exceeding tender respect and kindness He loved a learned Minister vertuous and honest with all his heart framing himself unto that Rule of Aristotle which directeth a good Magistrate Aristot Polit. lib. 1. to be as careful in encouraging good men according to their merits as in punishing the bad according to the quality of their offences If he found a Scholar of extraordinary Gifts or Hopes that out The Archbishop a great lover and encourager of Learned and Virtuous Clergy of wants grew discontented and enclined to Popery or Puritanism as most of their discontentments and waywardness proceeded thence him would he gain both with supplies of Money out of his Purse and Preferments of his own gift or otherwise as opportunity served 90. Now as our own Countrymen of all sorts had daily taste of the kind disposition of this our Archbishop so was it not wanting unto sundry Men of Learning Was bountiful to Foreigners of Learning and Quality and Quality of Foreign Countries whom he entertained both with his Love and his Bounty He sent sundry times much Mony to Master Beza out of his own Purse besides the general Collections and Contributions to Geneva which he also greatly furthered Upon which occasion many Letters passed betwixt them especially towards his latter time In some of which Letters Master Beza confesseth That in his Theod. Beza his Letters to the Archbishop March 8. 1591. Approving the Policy of the English Church Writings touching the church-Church-government he ever impugned the Romish Hierarchy but never intended to touch or impugn the Ecclesiastical Policy of this Church of England nor to exact of us to frame our selves or our Church to the Pattern of their Presbyterial Discipline and that as long as the substance of Doctrine were uniform in the Church of Christ they may lawfully vary in other matters as the circumstance of Time Place and Persons requireth and as prescription of Antiquity may warrant And to that end he wisheth and hopeth that the sacred and holy College of our Bishops for so he calleth them will for ever continue and maintain such their right and title in the Church's government with all equity and Christian moderation Yea so far was he from denying our Church to be a Church that often and in most pithy manner he confesseth That as Queen Beza his high commendation of the Church of England Elizabeth was the true nursing Mother of the Church of Christ so England and our English Church was both the harbour of all the godly and the preserver of all other reformed Churches So far was he also from esteeming the Archbishop an Antichristian Prelate as he never omitted to term him A most Reverend Father in His great respect to the Archbishop Christ and his most honoured good Lord. I wish that our Disciplinarians who seem to
These Stirs set on foot at the time of the Spanish Invasion 1588. Ib. The Archbishop's preparation for Defence of his Prince and Country 64 The whole Clergy of his Province Armed Ib. Cartwright the Head of the Puritan Party Ib. Hacket Coppinger and Arthington resort to him 65 Penry and Udall his Consorts Ib. Cartwright's words in the Articles in the Star-Chamber Ib. The Disciplinarians Decree about Books to be printed Ib. Barrow and Greenwood infected by Cartwright 66 Bishop Ravis's Conference with Barrow and Greenwood 1592. Ib. Bishop Androws and Bishop Parrey with others their Conference with Barrow and Greenwood 67 Barrow's Vain-glorious Answer 68 The danger of Innovation Ib. Cartwright withdraws privately 69 Brown the Author of a New Sect of that Name 70 His Positions little differing from Barrow and Greenwood Ib. The Archbishop suppresseth many Schisms and also Controversies in the Universities Ib. He procures Cartwright's Pardon of the Queen Ib. Cartwright's Letters March 24. 1601. acknowledging the Archbishop's Favour 71 The Archbishop tolerates Cartwright to preach publickly without Conformity Ib. The Queen requires his Subscription 72 Cartwright dies Rich Ib. The Earl of Essex favours the Puritans as far as he durst Ib. Upon timely execution of the Laws the state of the Church at quiet 73 Sir Christopher Hatton died Novemb. 20. 1591. Ib. Lord Buckhurst chosen Chancellor of Oxford on the Queen's Letters Ib. Earl of Essex offended at it is pacified by the Archbishop Ib. The Queen justifies the Archbishop to Essex 74 She makes them firm Friends 75 Sir Francis Walsingham died Apr. 6. 1590. Ib. The Archbishop's firmness to Essex in his Troubles Ib. The Archbishop fears on the Lord Chancellor's death Ib. New Pamphlets dispersed by the Puritans 76 Attempts in Parliament on their behalf Ib. The Queen comforts the Archbishop with fresh Assurances of her Countenance and Favour to the Church Ib. Sir John Puckering Lord Keeper June 4. 1592. Ib. Upon Hatton's death the Queen offered the Archbishop his Place But he declined it because of his Age and Ecclesiastical Business 77 Sir Thomas Egerton made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. 1596. Ib. He is a constant Friend to the Church before and after his Advancement Ib. The Archbishop cherished and strengthened by union of many Friends 78 The Queen throws the whole care of the Church upon him Ib. He disposeth of Bishopricks and all other Ecclesiastical Promotions Ib. His great Humility and Lenity Ib. The Earl of Salisbury's Observation on him 80 Many favoured and eased by the Archbishop's intercession Ib. The wisdom of the Queen in her moderate Government 81 The Archbishop follows her Example Ib. The Arcbishop a great lover and encourager of Learned and Virtuous Clergy 83 Was bountiful to Foreigners of Learning and Quality Ib. Theod. Beza his Letters to the Archbishop March 8. 1591. Ib. Approving the Policy of the English Church Ib. Beza his high commendation of the Church of England 84 His great respect to the Archbishop Ib. The Archbishop's kindness and charity to Foreign Divines of the Reformation 85 His backwardness to censure other mens Gifts and Performances 86 The Archbishop a constant Preacher when publick Affairs would admit 87 Had an excellent Tallent in Preaching Ib. Learned eloquent and judicious Ib. His Gesture grave and decent without affectation Ib. Of great Integrity and unspotted Life 88 He wrote the Notes of his Sermons Ib. Disapproved trusting only to Memory Ib. When at Worcester he treated the Recusants mildly and won many of them over 89 When he came to be Archbishop he dealt with the Learnedst of them by Authority Ecclesiastical Ib. He kept a straight hand over the Seminary Priests and subtle Papists 90 He is unjustly traduced by the Sectaries 91 He hated Ingratitude Ib. Is firm in his Friendships Ib. Censured for his affection to the Earl of Essex 92 The Queen displeased at his intercession for the Earl which much grieved him Ib. Earl of Essex apprehended Feb. 8. 1600. Ib. The Archbishop arms his Servants for the Queen's defence 93 Well taken at Court Ib. Earl of Essex brought to Lambeth-house then sent to the Tower Ib. The Archbishop in the Qucen's good opinion and favour to her dying-day 94 Queen Elizabeth died March 24. 1602. Ib. The Archbishop Dr. Bancroft Dr. Watson Dr. Parry attend the Queen in her Sickness Ib. The Faction take heart on the Queen's death 95 King James proclaimed King of England March 24. 1602. 96 The People are pleased at the Archbishop's presence in proclaiming the King Ib. Archbishop a lover and incourager of Liberal Arts Ib. His Liberality great 97 He kept many poor Scholars in his House Ib. And maintained divers in the Universities Ib. Is an incourager of Military Exercises Ib. His House a little Academy 98 His Chaplains promoted Ib. The Archbishop's care and wisdom in determining Causes 99 His Resolution in Judgment 100 An Instance 101 He upholds the Dignity of the High Commission-Court Ib. His dispatch of Causes to great satisfaction 102 His great Hospitality 103 His State Ib. His entertainment of the Queen Ib. He was always honourably received by the Gentlemen of the Country 104 His first journey into Kent July 1589. with pomp and solemnity 105 A Romish Intelligencer accidentally lands he admires the Appearance and owns a mistaken prejudice concerning the meanness of our Church Ib. The Intelligencer had private speech with Secretary Walsingham 106 The Archbishop's good nature 108 His good Works in Lincoln Worcester Wales Kent Surry 110 Boys Sisi the French Embassador his opinion and speech of Archbishop Whitgift 111 His love to Croydon for retirement 112 Chearful and affable in his Family Ib. Liberal to his Servants Ib. Bountiful to the industrious Poor and to the Disabled and Necessitous 113 After the manner of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln his usage of his Kinsman Ib. Dr. Nevill Dean of Canterbury sent by the Archbishop and Clergy into Scotland to King James 115 The King's Answer that he would uphold the Church comforts the Archbishop Ib. Queen Elizabeth's Funeral Apr. 28. 1603. very sumptuously performed Ib. The Archbishop the chief Mourner 116 King James gives him personal assurance of preserving the setled State of the Church Ib. King Jame's Coronation July 25. 1603. by the hands of the Archbishop Ib. Queen Ann also crown'd at the same time Ib. The Conference at Hampton-Court Jan. 14. 1603. betwixt the Bishops and the Puritans in the King's presence 117 The King satisfied with the Bishops Reasonings Ib. And orders the reprinting the Liturgy Ib. A Parliament comes on 118 The Bishops have a meeting at Fulham Ib. The Archbishop 73 years old is seized with a Cold on the Water Ib. Goes to Court has speech with the King about Affairs of the Church 119 Is taken with a dead Palsey Ib. Conveyed to Lambeth Ib. The King visits him Ib. He earnestly recommends the Church to his Royal Care 120 He departs this Life Feb. ult 1603. 121 He was Bishop
lighted heavily upon them for which they highly esteemed him as their Patron and Protector and said he was sent amongst them to deliver them from the oppression of the Mighty and corruption of the Wicked yea such was their opinion and conceit of him that if he had imprisoned whipped or inflicted any other grievous Punishment upon them they would have undergone it with patience confessing their Offences and lauding his Uprightness and Justice 49. Her Majesty out of her experience He is made Commissioner by the Queen for reforming the Disorders in the Cathedrals of Lichfield and Hereford of his wise and prudent Government was pleased upon complaint made unto her of the many Discords and Disorders that were in the two Cathedral Churches of Lichfield and Hereford to make choice of him alone amongst a number of worthy Prelates for redress thereof directing two Commissions unto him for the visiting of the said Churches which accordingly he did and reformed them both being very far out of order and ordained them Statutes for their better and more peaceable government afterwards 50. These his Courses thus held for his government and reforming both of Church and People gained him so general an opinion and liking in the life-time and disgrace of Archbishop Grindall that her Majesty designed him The Queen designs him for Archbishop of Canterbury in the room of Grindall then in disgrace Archbishop of Canterbury as was signified unto him and earnestly wished by some of his honourable Friends about the Queen and also by Archbishop Grindall himself much desired who out of the great estimation he had conceived of his government and other his many Virtues and worthy Parts and by reason of his own Years and Infirmity laboured him in like earnest manner presently to accept thereof being himself well contented to shake off those Cares and receive from her Majesty some yearly Pension which Bishop Whitgift utterly refused He utterly refuseth it during Grindall's Life the Queen is contented and in presence of the Queen her self besought pardon in not accepting thereof upon any condition whatsoever in the lifetime of the other Whereupon the Queen commiserating the good Old man's Estate being a grave and learned Father of the Church and at that time blind with years and grief was graciously pleased to say That as she had made him an Archbishop so he Grindall dies should die an Archbishop as he did shortly after 51. Upon whose decease Bishop Whitgift sent for to Court Whitgift receiving Letters from a great Counsellor for his repair unto the Court and the Speech thereof together with the report of Archbishop Grindall's death being spread abroad you would have wondred to have seen the repair and flocking of Gentlemen and others unto him both out of Worcestershire and the Marches of Wales not to congratulate his Advancement which they upon such his preparation to the Court conjectured was to follow but to express their true love and hearty affection towards him and to beseech him not to depart from thence and so with tears and sobs took their leave of him as kind natured Children use to part from their Parents whose Face they are out of hope ever to see again Plutarch observeth that it falleth out very seldom with Magistrates and those who are in Authority that they should please the multitude or be acceptable to the common People because they striving still to reform the disordered do grieve them as much as Surgeons do their Patients when they bind up their Aches with Bands to cure them For though by that binding they restore and bring to their natural places again the broken Bones and Members out of joint yet put they the Patient to great pain But this Bishop was not so boisterous a Surgeon for he had learned the Art of curing the Diseases of a Commonwealth from a more skilful Surgeon even from him that taught that as Wine was to be poured into the Wound to search so Oil was also necessary to supple but both expedient for the Cure And therefore as he always resolutely endeavoured the redress of the ill-affected so with an excellent Temper of rare Mildness he ever effected it without exasperation of those whose good he was desirous to procure For which singular mixture of two so requisire Virtues in a Magistrate he was most worthily and most happily both for the Church and Commonwealth advanced from the Bi Is translated to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury Septemb. 24. 1583. shoprick of Worcester to the Archbi shoprick of Canterbury September 24. 1583. 52. AT his first entrance he found the Archbishoprick surcharged Finds the Bishoprick overvalued gets an abatement in the First-fruits for him and his Successors in the valuation and procured an Order out of the Exchequer for the abatement of One hundred pounds for him and his Successors in the Payment of his First-fruits He also shortly after recovered from the Queen as Recovers Lands that had been detained part of the Possessions of the Archbishoprick Long-Beachwood in Kent containing above a thousand Acres of Land which had been many years detained from his Predecessor by Sir James Croft then Comptroller of her Majesty's Houshold Farmer thereof to her Majesty In letting Leases of his Impropriations if he found the Curates Wages Amends Curats Wages where small but small he would abate much of his Fine to encrease their Pensions some Ten pounds by the year some more some less as at Folkstone Maidstone and others 53. But to leave these particular Affairs The Queen jealous of the Puritans charges the Archbishop to see strict Conformity observed to the Established Church and Government and to come to those publick Imployments for which he was specially made Archbishop her Majestly fearing the danger that might ensue by the assembly of divers Ministers to Exercises and Prophecying as they termed it straightly charged him to be vigilant and careful for the reducing of them and all other Ministers by their subscription and conformity to the setled Orders and Government adding that she would have the Discipline of the Church of England formerly established of all men duly to be observed without alteration of the least Ceremony conceiving belike that these Novelists might have wrought the same mischief here which the turbulent Orators of Lacedemonia did in that Common-wealth so wisely setled by Lycurgus his Laws which whilst they took upon them to amend they miserably defaced and deformed The inconvenience of which kind of reforming that Prudent and Judicious Queen had learned out of the Poet Aratus his Answer to one Diog Laert. de vita Philosoph lib. 90. who asked him How he might have Homer ' s Poems free from Corruptions and Faults Get saith he an old Copy not reformed For curious Wits labouring to amend things well done commonly either guite mar them or at least make them worse 54. The Archbishop endeavouring His care of the Queen's Command to perform this her
therewithal recommended unto them Sir Christopher He recommends Sir Christopher Hatton who is chosen He is the Archbishop's constant Assistant in bridling the Puritan Faction Hatton being sometime of that University whom accordingly they did chuse for their Chancellor and whom the Archibishop ever found a great Assistant in bridling and reforming the in temperate Humour of these Novelists who by the Countenance of the aforesaid Great Personages E. Leicester c. were now grown to a strong head 61. For in the Year 1588. came Martin Marprelate and other Libels published 1588. forth those hateful Libels of Martin Marprelate and much about the same time the Epitome the Demonstration of Discipline the Supplication Diotrephes the Minerals Have you any work for a Cooper Martin Junior alias Theses Martinianoe Martin Senior More work for the Cooper and other such like Bastardly Pamphlets which might well be Nullius filii because no man durst A Private Puritan Press erected at Kingston and afterwards removed to several Places father their Births All which were printed with a kind of wandring Press which was first set up at Moulsey near Kingston upon Thames and from thence conveyed to Fausly in Northamptonshire and from thence to Norton afterwards to Coventry from thence to Welstone in Warwickshire from which place the Letters were sent to another Press in or near Manchester where by the means of Henry that good Earl of Derby the The Press discovered at Manchester Press was discovered in printing of More work for a Cooper Which shameless Libels were fraughted only with odious and scurrilous Calumniations against the Established Government and such Reverend Prelates as deserved honour with uprighter Judgments 62. Some of the Printers whilst they were busied about the last Libel The Printers apprehended prosecuted and fined in the Star-chamber On their submission and the Archbishop's Mediation were released and Fines remitted Penry and Udall Authors of the Libels were apprehended who with the Entertainers and Receivers of the Press were proceeded against in the Star-chamber and there Censured but upon their submission at the humble Suit of the Archbishop were both delivered out of Prison and eased of their Fines The Authors and Penners of some of these Libels were John Penry and John Udall the chief Disperser of them was Humphrey Newman a Cobler a choice Broker for such sowterly Wares and in regard of his Hempenly Trade a fit Newman a Cobler Disperser Person to cherish up Martin's Birds who as Pliny writeth do feed so greedily upon Hemp-seed that they be oftentimes choaked therewith Such was the unfortunate end of some of his Martin Birds as appeareth upon Record in the King's-Bench against John Penry Clerk John Penry condemned 1593. Udall pardoned Termino Pasch 1593. and at an Assize in Surrey against John Udall whose Pardon the Archbishop afterwards obtained 63. Thus the factious Ministers zealous of pretended Discipline having with these seditious Libels as the Forerangers and Harbingers of their further Designs made way in the hearts of the Vulgar who ever are apt to entertain Novelties though it be with danger and detriment to themselves and specially if it have a shew of restraining the Authority of their Superiors they thought it the fittest time to prosecute their Projects And while one sort of them were maliciously busied in slandering Thomas Cartwright with others proceeded with in the Star-chamber for their Conventicles 1591. and for publishing their Book of New Discipline the State of the Church already setled the other were as seditiously imployed in planting the Discipline which they had newly plotted Whereupon shortly after Thomas Cartwright and Edmund Snape with others were called in question and proceeded withal in the Star-chamber for setting forth and putting in practice without Warrant or Authority a new Form of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Presbyterial Discipline The particularities of which their dangerous Plots and Positions though most secretly carried amongst men only of their own combination were by Doctor Bancroft first discovered and by the Archbishop and the Lord Chancellor farther brought to light as the Records themselves in the Star-chamber do testify and may at large appear in Doctor Bancroft's Survey of the Pretended Discipline and dangerous Positions under Dr. Bancroft writes two Books against the Disciplinarians and their dangerous Practices and Positions pretence of Reformation Wherein also you shall see these Disciplinarians to exceed other Ministers from whom they have their Presbyterial Platform in Threatning Railing and undutiful Speeches against their Sovereign the High Court of Parliament the most Honourable Privy Council the Archbishops and Bishops the Reverend Judges of the Land and Lawyers of both Professions And generally against all Magistrates and other inferior Ministers of Justice and Officers under them that do maintain the present Government of the Church of England and withstand their desire 64. It was therefore high time for the Archbishop and State to look strictly to The Archbishop and State 's vigilant watch upon them these Perturbers of our Churches happy quiet But if we shall take a further view of those enormous and desperate Courses which after ensued tho' all Branches growing out of the same Root we shall be far from accusing either the Archbishop of too much Vigilancy or the Civil Magistrates of overmuch Severity in cutting off some of those outragious and unbridled Sectaries 65. Three Principal there were among them deeply infatuated with this reforming Spirit William Hacket Yeoman Edmund Coppinger and Henry Arthington Gentlemen all of them strongly possessed at the first with an earnest desire of the late invented Discipline and carried violently with the strength of their erroneous Fancy into a desperate and lamentable Course whereof though I will suppose that many are innocent who were led with the same Spirit and desire of Reformation with them in the beginning yet I am induced by just and weighty Reasons to conceive that unless the Vigilancy of the Magistrates had timely prevented their Courses the intemperate Zeal of these Novelists finding no certain ground to stay it self upon nor any determinate end where it might finally rest would have broken out into some like Combustion and Flame as these aforenamed did whereof I will give you but a little taste Two of these Edmund Coppinger and Henry Arthington Coppinger and Arthington their preaching in a Cart in Cheapside Julii 16. 1591. That Hacket represented Christ and Themselves Prophets from God came into Cheapside and there in a Cart proclaimed News from Heaven to wit That one William Hacket Yeoman represented Christ by partaking his glorious Body in his principal Spirit and that They were two Prophets the one of Mercy the other of Judgment called and sent of God to assist him in his great work c. But because the weight of the Matter requireth a larger Discourse than is fit to be inserted in this Work I refer the Reader
much more glorious than any of theirs because they had the mark of Antichrist in their hands Thus he in Newgate at that time in the presence of many with great insolency did triumph 75. Men therefore not partially affected The danger of Innovation may hereby observe and conceive what danger Innovation bringeth to the People and what hazard to a State when by little and little it encreaseth like the swelling or flowing of the Sea which if it surpass the bounds wherewith it was confined or gain never so small a Breach it spreadeth it self over a whole Country and groweth to that violence and stream that it cannot by any contrary force be kept back but without pity or mercy putteth all things to wreck where it rageth Which as it seemeth Master Cartwright himself did now find when after his first Conference he perceived how impossible it was for him to make up the Breach which he had unfortunately begun for that Barrow like a tempestuous Surge would have forced him by finding his own oversight and Errors back again from his former Positions or drawn him inevitably to his Conclusions 76. And therefore observable it is Cartwright withdraws privately that Master Cartwright having upon his first discontentment as hath been delivered made a desperate assault and breach in Sion's peaceable and blessed City now like a sly Captain did steal away secretly after Summons given from his own Siege fearing upon his entry by the force and press of his own Soldiers to be environed and kept within the Walls as Pyrrhus was to the loss of his life or doubting belike the outrage and violence of his Army whose Fury he could not have appeased when he list but have been enforced as Titus was to see his Soldiers sack spoil and burn the Holy City of Jerusalem though he vehemently laboured and with great earnestness cried out unto them whom yet himself first set on work to save the Sanctuary of the Lord but could not be heard or at least was not able to stop their rage and fury until it was with fire consumed and destroyed 77. Not much differing from the said Positions of Barrow and Greenwood Brown the Author of a New Sect of that Name were the Opinions of Robert Brown sometimes of Bennet Colledge in Cambridge from whom that Sect beareth the Name even to this day But because His Positions little differing from Barrow and Greenwood in this Archbishop's time the said Brown was changed from those Fancies and afterwards obtained a Benefice called Achurch in Northamptonshire where he became a painful Preacher I will not much insist upon him 78. I let pass many like Schisms in The Archbishop suppresseth many Schisms and also Controversies in the Universities other parts of the Realm which this good Archbishop suppressed and the Controversies in both Universities which by his Wisdom were appeased as also the reverend Opinion which divers honourable Personages had of him for his great temper and moderation in handling these Businesses toward some of great Place whose Reputations if he would he might have blemished with her Majesty for favouring the aforesaid Libellers and Libels which He procures Cartwright's Pardon of the Queen had stowage and vent in their Chambers as also in procuring at her Majesty'y hands both pardon and dismission for Master Cartwright and the rest out of their Troubles 79. For which and sundry other his Favours Master Cartwright held himself much obliged unto him as he confessed in his Letters written with his own hand to that effect In which Letters he is also pleased to vouchsafe him the stile of a Right Reverend Father in God Cartwright's Letters March 24. 1601. acknowledging the Archbishop's favour and his Lord the Archbishop's Grace of Canterbury Which Title of Grace he also often yieldeth him throughout his Letters acknowledging his bond of most humble duty so much the straighter because his Grace's favour proceeded from a frank disposition without any desert of his own Yea the Archbishop hath been heard to say That if Master Cartwright had not so far ingaged himself as he did in the beginning he thought verily he would in his latter time have been drawn to Conformity For when he was freed from his Troubles he often repaired to the Archbishop who used him kindly and was contented to tolerate his Preaching in The Archbishop tolerates Cartwright to perach publickly without Conformity Warwick divers years upon his Promise that he would not impugn the Laws Orders and Government in this Church of England but persuade and procure so much as he could both publickly and privately the estimation and peace of the same Which albeit he accordingly performed yet when her Majesty understood by others that Master Cartwright did preach again tho temperately accordingly to his Promise made to the Archbishop she would by no means indure his Preaching any longer without Subscription and The Queen requires his Subscription grew not a little offended with the Archbishop for such connivency at him Not long after Master Cartwright died rich as it was said by the benevolence Cartwright dies Rich. and bounty of his Followers 80. After these Stirs thus suppressed they began to tamper with the Earl of Essex who was grown into a great height of favour with the Queen and by reason that sundry of his Kindred The Earl of Essex favours the Puritans as far as he durst and Allies were inclined that way they so far prevailed with him that he did privily and far as he durst for fear of the Queen's displeasure give way and countenance to them But upon better consideration finding by the heady Courses of some of them the danger that thereby was like to grow to her Majesty and the State and the Resolution had of all hands to cut them off by the Law aforesaid he grew very calm and was careful how to carry himself uprightly betwixt both And yet the Archbishop had still a vigilant Eye over him that he could not though he would do any great hurt 81. For to say the truth by this Upon timely execution of the Laws the state of the Church at quiet due execution of Laws in the beginning and the provident Courses of the Archbishop with the Assistance and painful Endeavours of Doctor Bancroft and Doctor Cosin and the publishing of their learned and unanswerable Books the state of the Clergy was in good quiet especially so long as Sir Christopher Hatton the Lord Chancellor did live 82. Immediately after whose death Sir Christopher Hatton died Nov. 20. 1591. Lord Buckhurst chosen Chancellor of Oxford on the Queen's Letters the Archbishop attending upon her Majesty and advising with her who was fittest to succeed him in the Chancellorship of Oxford found her graciously enclined toward the Lord Buckhurst in whose behalf she presently dispatched her Letters to the University and prevailed Whereat the Earl of Essex was Earl of Essex offended at
good Archbishop Whereunto not unaptly may be applied that which Plutarch reporteth Plutarch in vita of Cato Utican When he was Praetor For he would oftentimes go on foot bare legged and without his Gown unto his Praetorian Chair and there give sentence of life and death whereby he rather defaced and impaired the majesty and dignity of his Office than gave it countenance by his manner of proceeding although otherwise he were a good Commonwealth's man and ministred justice uprightly unto all 112. But I return unto our Archbishop His dispatch of Causes to great satisfaction again He gave audience unto Suitors twice a day and afforded them set hours for their dispatch at which time he would so courteously entreat them giving them so mild and gentle Answers that even they that sped not of their Suits did depart without discontentment Wherein I may justly compare him unto Titus qui neminem Sueton. in vita unquam à se tristem dimisit he dismissed no man sorrowful from his presence Wherefore he gave also express commandment unto his Officers that Suitors and Strangers should ever be courteously entertained as well for expedition of their Suits as for Hospitality sake 113. He had a desire always to keep His great Hospitality a great and bountiful House and so he did having the same well ordered and governed by his head Officers therein and all things in plentiful manner both for his own service and entertainment of Strangers according to their several Qualities and Degrees He often feasted the Clergy Nobility and Gentry of his Diocess and Neighbourhood And at Christmas especially his Gates were always open and his Hall set twice or thrice over with Strangers Upon some chief Festival-days he was served with great solemnity sometime upon the Knee as well His State for the upholding of the State that belonged unto his Place as for the better education and practice of his Gentlemen and Attendants in point of service 114. Every Year he entertained the His entertainment of the Queen Queen at one of his Houses so long as he was Archbishop and some Years twice or thrice where all things were performed in so seemly an order that she went thence always exceedingly well pleased And besides many publick and gracious Favours done unto him she would salute him and bid him farewell by the name of Black Husband calling also his Men her Servants as a token of her good contentment with their attendance and pains 115. Every third Year he went into He was always honourably received by the Gentlemen of the Country Kent unless great occasions hindred him where he was so honourably attended upon by his own Train consisting of Two hundred Persons and with the Gentlemen of the Country that he did sometimes ride into the City of Canterbury and into other Towns with Eight hundred or a Thousand Horse And surely the Entertainment which he gave them and they him was so great that as I am verily persuaded no Shire in England did or could give greater or with more chearful minds each unto other The Fatherly care which he had of his Clergy whom he never charged with visitation but once in twenty Years his Affability amongst the Gentlemen and courteous usage of his Tenants gained him so great a love that he might very far prevail with them yea they never denied him any request that he made unto them 116. At his first Journey into Kent His first journey into Kent July 1589. with pomp and solemnity he rode to Dover being attended with an hundred of his own Servants at least in Livery whereof there were forty Gentlemen in Chains of Gold The Train of Clergy and Gentlemen in the Country and their Followers was above Five hundred Horse At his entrance A Romish Intelligencer accidentally lands he admires the Appearance and owns a mistaken prejudice concerning the meanness of our Church into the Town there happily landed an Intelligencer from Rome of good Parts and Account who wondred to see an Archbishop or Clergy-man in England so reverenced and attended But seeing him upon the next Sabbath day after in the Cathedral Church of Canterbury attended upon by his Gentlemen and Servants as is aforesaid also by the Dean Prebendaries and Preachers in their Surplesses and scarlet Hoods and heard the solemn Musick with the Voices and Organs Cornets and Sagbuts he was overtaken with admiration and told an English Gentleman of very good quality who then accompanied him That Sir Edward Hobby they were led in great blindness at Rome by our own Nation who made the People there believe that there was not in England either Archbishop or Bishop or Cathedral or any Church or Ecclesiastical Government but that all was pulled down to the ground and that the People heard their Ministers in Woods and Fields amongst Trees and bruit Beasts But for his own part he protested that unless it were in the Pope's Chappel he never saw a more solemn sight or heard a more heavenly sound Well said the English Gentleman I am glad of this your so lucky and first sight ere long you will be of another mind and I hope work miracles when you return to Rome in making those that are led in this blindness to see and understand the truth It is said the Intelligencer the chief cause of my coming to see with mine own eyes and truly to inform others Whereupon the said English Gentleman accompanied him to London and so to the Court where he saw and heard many things to confirm the Gentleman's report for the government of the Church and civil carriage of the People in their obedience to the Clergy and Magistrates in the Commonwealth Afterwards this Intelligencer had private The Intelligencer had private speech with Secretary Walsingham speech with Sir Francis Walsingham then principal Secretary to her Majestey who related all this to the Archbishop with due approbation of his Kentish Journy confessing that he should reverence and honour him therefore while he lived And although he were one of the honourable Counsellors before mentioned that seemed to favour the precise Faction yet undoubtedly he was after this time a kind Friend to the Archbishop and did him many good Offices with the Queen 117. Howbeit some of near alliance unto Sir Francis bearing themselves very boldly upon his favour would oftentimes handle the Archbishop very roughly and much provoke him by vain Speeches and brags of their own worth and scholarship and being meer Lay-men would very unmannerly compare themselves with the best conformable Divines for true knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures But the Archbishop smiling at their Vanities would notwithstanding courteously handle and entreat them in his own House according to the true Rule of Hospitality not unlike unto Pericles who being reviled by a leud Plutarch â—n vit Fellow in the Market-place all the day long returned no bad languge but dispatched his Affairs
born Anno 1530. at Grimsby in Lincolnshire Ib. First instructed by his Uncle Robert Whitgift Abbot of Wellow in Lincolnshire 3 Sent up to London Ib. Narrowly escaped the Plague Ib. Sent back to Grimsby for refusing to go to Mass Ib. Sent to Cambridge first of Queen's College then of Pembroke-Hall 4 Chosen Fellow of Peter-House May 1555. Ib. Had a grievous Sickness Ib. Dr. Pearne's special Care of him 5 Recovering his Health determined to Travel Ib. Disswaded by Dr. Pearne Ib. Commenced Batchelor of Arts 1553. Master of Arts 1556. Batchelor of Divinity 1562. Doctor of Divinity 1569. Ib. His Act-Sermon at St. Mary's 1560. on Rom. 1. 16. Ib. Made Master of Pembroke-Hall Chaplain to the Bishop of Ely Prebendary of Ely Parson of Teversam 7 Divinity Reader Ib. Queen's Professor Ib. Read upon the Apocalyps and the Hebrews Ib. Sent for to preach before the Queen 8 Was made Master of Trinity College July 4. 1567. and the Queen's Chaplain Ib. Found Divisions in the College 9 Wisely appeased them Ib. Cartwright's first discontent Ib. His Self-conceit 10 Cartwright went to Geneva affected the Discipline of that Church 11 His opposition to the Established church-Church-Government in England Ib. Preacheth against the Surpless 12 Whitgift preacheth against Cartwright's Opinions 13 Cartwright and his Followers oppose Whitgift Ib. Whitgift's Gentleness 14 The State of the University disturb'd by Cartwright 15 Whitgift adviseth him to be quiet Ib. Calls him in question Ib. Expells him the House and deprives him of the Lady Margaret's Lecture 16 Offers him a Conference which Cartwright refuseth Ib. This recorded in the Register of the University Ib. The Disciplinarians publish An Admonition to the Parliament 19 Whitgift answers it 1572. Ib. Cartwright replies 20 Whitgift defends his Answer Ib. Cartwright's Second Reply Ib. Mr. Whitaker's Letters concerning Mr. Cartwright's Reply and his censure of him 21 Whitgift made Dean of Lincoln 22 Several Noblemen c. his Pupils 23 Their respects towards him Ib. He holds the Scholars strictly to their Exercises and Devotion Ib. Procures amendment of the University Statutes 24 His Wisdom and Courage 25 His Moderation Ib. Mr. Hooker's Character of him in his Eccles Policy Ib. Whitgift's esteem with the Queen Ib. Consecrated Bishop of Worcester April 21. 1577. Ib. Takes leave of the University with an Exhortation to Peace and Unity 26 His Farewel-Text 2 Cor. 13. 11. Ib. Sets out for Worcester June 1597. attended with the Heads of Houses c. Ib. The Queen forgives his First-fruits and gives him the disposal of all the Prebends of that Church Ib. He finds the Bishoprick impaired by Grants of long Leases 27 Particularly the Rent-Corn of Two of the best Mannors Hollow and Grimley Ib. He questions the said Lease Ib. Has great Friends at Court 28 Satisfies the Queen Ib. Recovers the said Rent-Corn paying 300 l. out of his own Purse Ib. He has great respect from the Gentlemen and People in the Country 29 Is a great Peace-maker among them 30 Makes up a Remarkable Quarrel betwixt Sir John Russell and Sir Henry Barkeley Ib. Is made Vice-President of the Marches of Wales 31 He had great experience in Government yet backward to bear sway 32 Has a special watch over his own Family and Attendants to avoid all colour of corruption 33 Is highly esteemed by the People of Wales Ib. His great Integrity Justice and mild Government 34 He is made Commissioner by the Queen for reforming the Disorders in the Cathedrals of Lichfield and Hereford Ib. The Queen designs him for Archbishop of Canterbury in the room of Grindall then in disgrace 35 He utterly refuseth it during Grindall's Life the Queen is contented Ib. Grindall dies 36 Whitgift sent for to Court Ib. Is translated to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury Septemb. 24. 1583. 37 Finds the Bishoprick overvalued gets an abatement in the First-fruits for him and his Successors 38 Recovers Lands that had been detained Ib. Amends Curats Wages where small Ib. The Queen jealous of the Ruritans charges the Archbishop to see strict Conformity observed to the Established Church and Government Ib. His care of the Queen's Command 39 Decemb. 1584. For satisfaction of some great Persons he with two other Bishops received the Reasons of some Ministers for their Nonconformity 40 They sufficiently answer the same Ib. A Conference at Lambeth and a further debate of the Controversy to the seeming satisfaction of those Great Personages 41 The Archbishop perplexed with Oppositions is grieved Ib. Writes his mind 42 After which he is in strict league with Sir Christopher Hatton by means of Dr. Bancroft 48 Lord Treasurer Burley his firm Friend Ib. The Archbishop sworn of the Privy Council Ib. Lord Buckhurst his faithful Friend 49 He has free access to the Queen Ib. His Oppositions abated Ib. Sir Thomas Bromely Lord Chancellor died April 12. 1587. Ib. The Queen disposed to make the Archbishop Lord Chancellor Ib. He excuses himself and recommends Sir Christopher Hatton Ib. Sir Christopher Hatton made Lord Chancellor April 29. 1587. 50 The Earl of Leicester died September 4. 1588. Ib. Oxford desire the Archbishop for their Chancellor in the Earl's room Ib. He recommends Sir Christopher Hatton who is chosen He is the Archbishop's constant Assistant in bridling the Puritan Faction 51 Martin Marprelate and other Libels published 1588. Ib. A Private Puritan Press erected at Kingston and afterwards removed to several Places Ib. The Press discovered at Manchester 52 The Printers apprehended prosecuted and fined in the Star-Chamber Ib. On their submission and the Archbishop's Mediation were released and Fines remitted Ib. Penry and Udall Authors of the Libels Ib. Newman a Cobler Disperser Ib. John Penry condemned 1593. 53 Udall pardoned Ib. Thomas Cartwright with others proceeded with in the Starchamber for their Conventicles 1591. and for publishing their Book of New Discipline Ib. Dr. Bancroft writes two Books against the Disciplinarians and their dangerous Practices and Positions 54 The Archbishop and State 's vigilant watch upon them 55 Coppinger and Arthington their preaching in a Cart in Cheapside July 16. 1591. 56 That Hacket represented Christ and Themselves Prophets from God Ib. Conspiracy for Pretended Reformation wrote by Dr. Cosin Ib. Barrow and Greenwood their Schismatical and Seditious Positions 58 The Ringleaders on being convened make shew of Conformity but afterwards go back 59 Were re-committed July 1588. and proceeded against March 1592. Ib. An Act of Abjuration and Banishment made against Schismaticks Ib. Only four Persons prosecuted of a very great Number 60 Great Troubles in Germany just cause of Fears here from like Principles and Pretences of Reformation Ib. The Discipline decreed in their Assemblies to be put in Practice 61 The Queen's Authority Ecclesiastical to be restrain'd Ib. Cartwright's Seditious Doctrines 62 Cartwright's charitable Prayer for the Bishops in his Sermons at Banbury 1589. Ib. Penry's Supplication to the Parliament threatning them with Plagues Ib. Udall's Threats against the Resisters of the Presbytery 63
then of Pembroke-Hall much profited in his Learning sent him by the advice and direction of his Uncle the Abbot to Cambridge where he was first of Queen's College but liking not the Education and Disposition of some there went to Pembroke-Hall Dr. Ridley afterwards Bishop of London being there Master who hearing by Mr. Bradford his Tutor of his great towardliness and small means by reason of his Father's Losses at Sea made him Scholar and then Mr. Gurth became his Tutor from thence he was Chosen Fellow of Peter-House May 1555. chosen Fellow of Peterhouse Dr. Pearne being then Master there 7. Whilst he was Fellow of that Had a grievous Sickness House he fell grievously Sick and was by commandment of Dr. Pearne who much tendred him in regard of his good Parts carried to an House near the College whither Dr. Pearne came often to visit him and willed the Woman Dr. Pearne's special Care of him of the House that he should want nothing neither should she spare any cost for his good and the recovery of his Health saying that if he lived he would be able to defray the Charge himself but if he died the said Dr. Pearne would satisfy her and pay for all things 8. When it pleased God to restore him to his former Health he determined Recovering his Health determined to Travel to Travel beyond the Seas purposely to avoid certain Visitors sent in Queen Mary's time to the University to establish Popery and to enjoyn the young Fellows and Scholars to take Primam tonsuram being their first entrance into Popish Orders 9. Dr. Pearne hearing of this his purpose Disswaded by Dr. Pearne talked with him and found him resolute in his Religion yielding as Dr. Pearne often acknowledged afterwards many good and sound Reasons therefore whereupon the Doctor willed him to be silent and not troublesome in uttering his Opinion whereby others might take occasion to call him in question and he for his part would wink at him and so order the matter that he might continue his Religion and not travel out of the University which accordingly the good old Man justly performed For which his Favour the Archbishop carried a loving faithful and true heart towards him unto his dying Day 10. He Commenced Batchelor of Commenced Batchelor of Arts 1553. Master of Arts 1556. Batchelor of Divinity 1562. Doctor of Divinity 1569. Arts in the Year 1553. Master of Arts 1556. Batchelor of Divinity 1562. Doctor of Divinity 1569. at which time he answered the Divinity Act publickly in the Commencement wherein he maintained this Position Papa est Ille Antichristus 11. After he was entered into the Ministry which was upon the Year 1560. being to Preach his first Publick Sermon in St. Mary's he chose His Act-Sermon at St. Mary ' s 1560. on Rom. 1. 16. for his Text that excellent saying of St. Paul I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ c. wherein his singular Method choice of Matter and judicious handling thereof were such that his whole Auditory especially the chief of the University grew into great admiration of those great Parts in so young Years 12. From being Fellow of Peter-house Made Master of Pembroke-Hall Chaplain to the Bishop of Ely Prebendary of Ely Parsâ—n of Teversam he succeeded Dr. Hutton late Archbishop of York in the Mastership of Pembroke-Hall being then Chaplain to Dr. Cox Bishop of Ely by whose means he had a Prebend in Ely and the Parsonage of Teversam near Cambridge 13. He was also chosen Divinity Divinity Reader Reader of the Lady Margaret's Lecture which he discharged with so great liking of the whole University that for his sake they encreased the Stipend from Twenty Marks to Twenty Pounds and afterwards he was made the Queen's Queen's Professor publick Professor of Divinity 14. Whilst he read these two Lectures the publick Schools were frequented with throngs of Students in Divinity Young and Old such was his diligence great learning and extraordinary gifts shewed in the reading thereof insomuch as many of the precise Faction were his daily Auditors and the Lectures themselves so highly accounted of especially those which he read upon the Apocalyps and the Read upon the Apocalyps and the Hebrews Epistle to the Hebrews that through the importunity of divers his honourable Friends then his Pupils and others of great learning and judgment he was persuaded to set down those his Lectures in writing which are like shortly for their excellency and worth to be published for the common benefit 15. His singular and extraordinary 1567. gift in preaching caused him upon the recommendation of Sir Nicholas Bacon the then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England and Sir William Cecill principal Secretary afterwards Lord Treasurer of England to be sent for to preach before Her Majesty who took Sent for to preach before the Queen so great liking of him for his method and matter that hearing his Name to be Whitgift she said he had a whitegift indeed And as his Gifts were then esteemed white so his Fortune afterwards proved white and happy his good Name and Reputation white and spotless so that it may be properly said of him that he was gallinae filius albae 16. Her Majesty within four Months Was made Master of Trinity College July 4. 1567. and the Queen's Chaplain after that he was Master of Pembroke-Hall made him Master of Trinity College and caused him immediately after to be sworn her Chaplain 17. IN the College at his first entrance Found Divisions in the College he found much division especially amongst such as laboured innovation in the Church being begun and headed in the government of his Predecessor Master D. Beaumont Yet did he in short time wisely appease these Wisely appeased them Stirs and governed for five years space with great quietness both of the whole Company and himself until Master Thomas Cartwright a Fellow of that College his last return from beyond the Seas 18. The first discontentment of the Cartwright ' s first discontent said Master Cartwright grew at a Disputation in the University before Queen Elizabeth because Master Preston then of King's College and afterward Master of Trinity Hall for his comely Gesture and pleasing Pronunciation was both liked and rewarded by her Majesty and himself received neither reward nor commendation presuming of his own good Scholarship but wanting indeed that comely grace and behaviour which the other had This his no small grief he uttered unto divers of his inward Friends in Trinity College who were also very much discontented because the honour of the Disputation did not redound unto their College 19. Mr. Cartwright immediately after His Self-conceit her Majesty's neglect of him began to wade into divers Opinions as that of the Discipline and to kick against her Ecclesiastical Government he also then grew highly conceited of himself for Learning and Holiness and
Majesty's Commandment had notwithstanding much ado and many conflicts with them For they had gotten such strength by his Predecessor's connivency that many of them were then planted both within his Province and particular Diocess In whose favour sundry Gentlemen of the chiefest account there came to entreat the Archbishop and some of the younger sort would needs argue and dispute matters in controversy on their behalf But he gave so good satisfaction unto them all by his mild and temperate Answers albeit he yielded not unto their Requests that they loved him after some of the chiefest of them preferring their Sons unto him and the rest performing many kind Offices and Services towards him 55. The next Year following for Decem. 1584. For satisfaction of some great Persons he with two other Bishops receive the Reasons of some Ministers for their Non-conformity They sufficiently answer the same farther satisfaction of some of the greatest and most honourable Counsellors of State in these Points the two Archbishops and the Bishop of Winchester were pleased to hear the Reasons of some Ministers that refused to conform themselves unto the Orders of the Church established At which time albeit the said learned Prelates sufficiently cleared all their Doubts and Exceptions yet after this these honourable Personages affying much in the Sufficiency and Scholarship of some others not yet dealt withal and supposing that they had been able to have said much more in defence of themselves and the impeaching of the Ecclesiastical Government established for so they were born in hand were desirous to hear at Lambeth the Controversies A Conference at Lambeth and a further debate of the Controversy to the seeming satisfaction of those Great Personages further debated on both Sides Whereunto the Archbishop for their satisfaction yielded and after four hours Conference spent these Honourable Personages professed that they would not have believed that the Archbishops Grounds and Reasons had been so good and strong and the Others so weak and trivial but that they heard them once and again with their own Ears and so they said they would inform her Majesty seeming to be there well resolved and also persuaded the Ministers to Conformity 56. Howbeit afterwards when those Honourable Personages saw that they might not sway as formerly in the restraint of Archibishop Grindall and prefer The Archbishop perplexed with Oppositions is grieved whom they listed unto Ecclesiastical Promotions they with some others linked themselves against the Archbishop and gave him being yet no Counsellor of State many thwarts at the Council board wherewith he was so much perplexed and grieved to see things thus carried as thereupon advising with some of his Honourable Friends whose assistance he knew might avail him if their Affections were not otherwise overswayed by the potency of so great Personages he thus imparted his mind in several Letters Writes his mind as followeth GOD knoweth how desirous I have been from time to time to have my Doings approved by my ancient and honourable Friends For which cause since my coming to this Place I have done nothing of importance against these Sectaries without good Advice I have risen up early and sate up late to yield Reasons and make answer to their Contentions and their Seditious Objections And shall I now say I have lost my labour Or shall my just dealing with disobedient and irregular Persons cause my former professed and ancient Friends to hinder my just Proceedings and make them speak of my Doings yea and of my Self what they list Solomon saith that an old Friend is better than a new I trust those that love me indeed will not so lightly cast off their old Friends for any of these new fangled and Factious Sectaries whose fruits are to make division and to separate old and assured Friends In mine own private Affairs I know I shall stand in need of Friends but in these publick Actions I see no cause why I should seek Friends seeing they to whom the care of the Common-wealth is committed ought of duty therein to join with me And if my honourable Friends should for sake me especially in so good a Cause and not put their helping hand to the redress of these Enormities being indeed a matter of State and not of the least moment I shall think my coming unto this Place to have been for my punishment and my hap very hard that when I think to deserve best and in a manner consume my self to satisfy that which God her Majesty and the Church requireth of me I should be evilly rewarded Sed meliora spero It is objected by some that my desire of Uniformity by way of Subscription is for the better maintenance of my Book They are mine Enemies that say so but I trust my Friends have a better opinion of me Why should I seek for any confirmation of my Book after twelve years approbation or what shall I get thereby more than already I have And yet if Subscription may confirm it it is confirmed long ago by the Subscription almost of all the Clergy of England before my time Mine Enemies likewise and the slanderous Tongues of this uncharitable Sect report that I am revolted become a Papist and I know not what But it proceedeth from their lewdness and not from any desert of mine I am further burthened with Wilfulness I hope my Friends are better persuaded of me to whose Consciences I appeal It is strange that a man of my Place dealing by so good warrant as I do should be so encountred and for not yielding be counted wilful But I must be content Vincit qui patitur There is a difference betwixt Wilfulness and Constancy I have taken upon me by the Place which I hold under her Majesty the defence of the Religion and the Rites of the Church of England to appease the Schisms and Sects therein to reduce all the Ministers thereof to Uniformity and to due obedience and not to waver with every wind which also my Place my Person my Duty the Laws her Majesty and the goodness of the Cause do require of me and wherein the Lords of her Highness's most Honourable Privy Council all things considered ought in duty to assist and countenance me But how is it possible that I should perform the Charge which I have undertaken after so long liberty and lack of Discipline if a few Persons so meanly qualified as most of these Factions Sectaries are should be countenanced against the whole State of the Clergy of greatest account both for Learning Years Staidness Wisdom Religion and Honesty and open Breakers and Impugners of the Law young in Years proud in Conceipt contentious in Disposition should be maintained against their Governors seeking to reduce them to Order and to Obedience Haec sunt initia Haereticorum ortus atque conatus Schismaticorum malè cogitantium ut sibi placeant ut praepositum superbo tumore contemnat Sic de Ecclesia receditur sic Altare profanum
worse with them than that famous Bishop of Lincoln Robert After the manner of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln his usage of his Kinsman Grosthead dealt with his poor Kinsman in whose behalf when he was sollicited to advance him and thereupon enquiring what course of life he followed and receiving answer that he was an Husbandman Why then quoth he if his Plough be broken I will repair it or rather than fail bestow a new one upon him whereby he may go on in his course of life but so to advance him as to make him forsake his Trade or Condition in which he was brought up that mean I not to do 125. I fear lest I have held the Reader too long in these private matters therefore I will for brevity sake omit to speak of the fair Library which he left behind him with many other memorable things worthy the observation and return again unto his publick Affairs 126. THE Archbishop respecting the welfare of the Church and publick Cause albeit he was very confident of the King 's Princely wisdom by the experience he had thereof being now an ancient Counsellor and well understanding the passages of Matters betwixt his Majesty and state of our Country whereby he did conceive that it was not probable so wise and learned a Prince could be overcome with the Conceits of such Innovators whose Fancies could not stand but with hazard of the State yet he held it most expedient to send that Reverend Gentleman Master Doctor Nevill Doctor Nevill Dean of Canterbury sent by the Archbishop and Clergy into Scotland to King James Dean of Canterbury into Scotland to his Majesty in the name of the Bishops and Clergy of England to tender their bounden Duties and to understand his Highness's pleasure for the ordering and guiding of Clergy Causes The Dean brought a most gracious Answer of his Highness's purpose which was to uphold and maintain the Government of the late Queen as she left it setled Which Answer did much The King's Answer that he would uphold the Church comforts the Archbishop comfort the Archbishop and the rather because it did yield full satisfaction unto some others who peradventure might conceive some doubt of alteration by reason of the Puritan brags and their affections unto the Presbyterial Government in Scotland 127. In this mean while the preparations Queen Elizabeth's Funeral April 28. 1603. very sumptuously performed were great for solemnization of the late Queen's Funeral which being performed very sumptuously as became the dignity of so great a Prince the Archbishop as he was the principal in the Custody of the Kingdom and chief in all Councils of State under his Majesty in his absence for there is no interregnum in England as Watson the Priest did trayterously pretend so in this last Solemnity of Obsequy unto his ever honoured Sovereign and Mistress he was the most eminent Person of the whole Land and principal Mourner The Archbishop the chief Mourner who received the Offering and had the Banners presented unto him 128. After this when at his Majesty's King James gives him personal assurance of preserving the setled State of the Church first entrance into England the King had spoken with him at Theobalds whereby he more fully conceived his religious pleasure touching the Affairs of this Commonwealth he was therewith put into heart especially when after his coming to London he did again perceive his Resolution for the continuance of the well setled state of the Church which made him more chearfully prepare himself for performance of his Duty as a thing belonging unto King James's Coronation July 25. 1603. by the hands of the Archbishop his Place against the day of Coronation July 25. 1603. 129. At which time the Archbishop with all due Ceremonies and observances for so great a Solemnity crowned and anointed his Sacred Majesty King JAMES in the Collegiate Church of Westminster Then also and there he crowned our most noble and gracious Queen ANN his Majesty's Queen Ann also crown'd at the same time happy and fruitful Wife whose blessed Seed God grant so to encrease and continue as there may never be wanting thereof to rule and reign in this Kingdom 130. The Puritan Faction did not surcease until by their importunity they obtained a Conference before his The Conference at Hampton-Court Jan. 14. 1603. betwixt the Bishops and the Puritans in the King's presence The King satisfied with the Bishops reasonings And orders the reprinting the Liturgy Highness which continued for three days His Majesty having now at full heard their Objections and the Bishops Answers the weakness of the one and the foreible Reasons of the other much confirming his Royal mind in his former Opinion was pleased immediately thereupon to signify publickly his Resolution for the continuance of the Religion and Ecclesiastical Government formerly established highly commending the Wisdom Care and Constancy of his Sister the late Queen Elizabeth in constituting and maintaining all things so well as also approving the Bishops Learning Wisdom and endeavour to uphold so godly and well governed a Church which himself by God's assistance would ever advance and defend Likewise he gave present command touching the new printing of the Common-Prayer-book for the further ratifying of the Liturgy and Orders of our Church 131. The Parliament now growing A Parliament comes on on the Archbishop that he might be the better prepared did appoint a meeting at Fulham at the Bishop of The Bishops have a meeting at Fulham London's House to confer with some of the Bishops and Judges of his Court concerning the Affairs of the Church which were then to be treated upon As he was thus going in his Barge upon an extaordinary cold day and having his Barge-cloath tied up as his custom was to the top of the Bales the Wind blew very sharply so that the young Gentlemen shaking with cold desired to have the Cloath down which he would by no means permit because the Water was rough and he would therefore see his way By reason whereof the flashing of the Water and sharpness of the Air did so pierce the Archbishop being above Threescore and The Archbishop 73 years old is seized with a cold on the Water thirteen years of Age that he complained the same night of a great cold which he had then taken in the mould of his Head 132. Notwithstanding which distemperature for performance of his accustomed duty unto the King's Majesty as formerly unto the Queen he went upon the next Sabbath following being the first Sunday in Lent over unto the Court at Whitehall where Goes to the Court has speech with the King about Affairs of the Church meeting the then Bishop of London they both had long speech with his Highness about the Affairs of the Church both before and after his Majesty's coming from the Chappel For which cause staying long at the Court and having fasted until it was near
with the Widow whom he married whose hap was very hard to match with him albeit he made more of her than she desired for he made the uttermost peny For then he begun He pretended to a Prophetick Spirit and to miraculous Works in order to erecting the Discipline with counterfeit Holiness to set out himself amongst such of the simpler sort as had zeal without knowledge to be a man indued with an extraordinary and singular Spirit such as in old time the Prophets and Holy Men of God were making shew withall as if he had some peculiar Gifts and Qualities to be able even to tell Secrets and work Miracles which many believed whereof some did attribute them to Sorcery and Enchantments but the simpler sort unto his rare Spirit and Holiness For he trusted by this persuasion to get such credit with the unstable Multitude as that by their hands he might one day be able whosoever should withstand it to bring his Purposes about for erecting of such pretended Discipline to his own great estimation and advancement In this vain and seducing Humour he is reported I know not how truly to have travelled in the North parts unto York For among the simpler People where he was not known he hoped by the Vizard of Holiness and Religion not a little to prevail in setting forward his Designments For which purpose he took upon him there the Office and Spirit of St. John Affirmed at York to have the Office and Spirit of John Baptist Baptist affirming that he was sent thither by God to prepare the way of the Lord before his second coming to judgment But the counterfeit holiness and lewd seducing purpose of the Varlet being discovered unto some in Authority he was welcomed not with loss of his Head as that holy man unjustly was whom he wickedly counterfeited Being detected he was whipped out of the City but was well whipped and after banished that City This Medicine wrought not so effectually with him as that it could terrify him wholly from the like Attempts For it is reported that after this he assayed again to put on the like Person or Mask at Lincoln where Had the same usage afterwards at Lincoln he also found the same Cheer and Entertainment for his pains as he received afore at York But this erroneous Opinion whereby through self-love and illusion of the Devil he thought that he was reserved of God for Fancied himself reserv'd of God for some great Work some great and excellent Work being blown forward by the shew of zeal and of an earnestness for such a Reformation could not thus easily be quenched and rooted out of him the rather for that by use and imitation of such as he most followed and conversed with though wholly otherwise he were unlettered he had grown to such a dexterity in conceiving of Extemporal Prayers with bumbasted and thundering words as that Was an illiterate Fellow but had acquired a great dexterity in Extempore Prayers he was thereby marvailed at and greatly magnified by some Brethren and Sisters as a man greatly vouchsafed with God and adorned with rare and singular Endowments from Heaven so that through admiration of such supposed Excellencies in him he still continued to fancy unto himself that he had rare Gifts and an extraordinary Calling For he gave out to divers that he was a Prophet Was much admired and affirm'd himself a Prophet of God's Vengeance of God's Vengeance where his Mercy is refused Saying That if Reformation be not established in England this present Year three great Plagues shall fall upon it the Sword Pestilence and Famine He pretended also that God had revealed unto him most wonderful things Which he would he said utter to none but such as himself knew to be very resolute in God's Cause But he told unto Arthington and Coppinger that there should be no more Popes hereafter Upon confidence of which Spirit and Gifts in himself in Places of his resort with an intemperate and fanatical boldness With Fanatical boldness utter'd seditious Speeches against the Queen c. even as if he had sufficient warrant for it he dared oftentimes to utter most vile lewd and seditious Speeches both of the Queen's Majesty and of certain the greatest Subjects whom he thought to be hinderers of his Practices Which his Outrages being once or twice brought unto the Ears of certain in Authority in Northamptonshire and elsewhere not sufficiently acquainted with the strange Humours of such Anabaptistical Wizards and Fanatical Sectaries and perhaps unwilling to let his words be drawn so far against him as they justly might they were therefore content to attribute them to some spice of phrensy in him and in that Was corrected in Northamptonshire as Phrantick quality to be corrected rather than to construe them to have proceeded from any setled and advised malice as the event hath since made most manifest they did For in the whole course besides of other the Speeches and Actions of his Life both before and after no alienation of mind or madness could be noted in him At one of the times that he was brought in question for his Seditious and indeed Treasonable Speeches it happened that he was convented before that honourable Counseller Sir Walter Mildmay who commanded him for more safegard to be watched the night before he was to be conveyed to Northampton Gaol at what time the counterfeit dissembling Wretch willed Put into Northampton Gaol his Wife to let him lie alone in the Chamber that was to be watched for that he had to confer with one that would come unto him that night Insinuating unto her as if he were to have at that time some special Conferences with God or some Angel Whereupon Pretended to have conference with God or some Angel it was straightway blown abroad thereabouts amongst the credulous multitude of those that either favoured him for supposed Zeal or feared him for Sorceries that albeit there were no Candles used yet there was a great light that night seen shining in his Chamber so that by this Tale the erroneous Opinions afore conceived of him were greatly encreased After he had lien in Northampton Gaol a good space and was come unto his Trial in the absence of Sir Walter from thence the matter is thought to have been so handled by some who in favour of his forwardness would needs interpret his Felonies to be but Follies as that no Evidence being given against him he was dismissed for that pull upon Bond entred for his appearance when he should be called for again Now Hacket a man thus qualified as ye Wigginton brings him acquainted with Coppinger hear was of all other men thought by Wigginton most fit and worthy to be recommended and straightly linked unto Coppinger's Familiar acquaintance as most aptly consorting with his humorous Conceit long ere this apprehended by him whereof it seemeth Wigginton was not ignorant nor misliked Their acquaintance
Note Coppinger ' s Letter to Cartwright about some special service to God and his Church he fancied himself call'd for of the Letter unto T. C. is in mine Opinion meet to be here inserted in many respects viz. Right Reverend Sir I have with much grief been put back from doing some special service to God and to his Church which I hope time will manifest that I am appointed for Which if it had been done by Enemies it should not much have troubled me But being done by Persons as much regarded by me as flesh and blood can regard men it goeth near unto me From you I received this Message That I should attempt nothing but by advice of those whom you would procure to counsel me This was done from you in the name of the Lord of Heaven and Earth and therefore I obey it with great care and conscience expecting at your hands that Monday being the day appointed for conference that it may hold that I may be justified in my course or condemned The danger that Note some stand in for their lives is not unknown And if I had not been letted I durst have ventured my life to have procured their release ere now God help us I see Wisdom Zeal Courage and Love are seen but in few and those who would gladly use those Graces and Gifts which God hath given them cannot But God seeth what is best to be done and he will by contrary effects bring to pass whatsoever pleaseth him If you will answer my last Questions there may much use be made of them I desire them as much in regard of others as my self who are resolved of divers things whereof I crave to be resolved which I do to good purpose And as you commanded me in the name of God to be wise and circumspect and to deal by counsel so as I may I command you in the name of God that you advise the Preachers to deal speedily and circumspectly lest some blood of the Saints be Note shed which must needs bring down vengeance from Heaven upon the Land Return this Letter I beseech you to me that I may shew it amongst other things when the meeting shall be and commend me and my Purposes to God in your holy Prayers that they may so far be blessed as himself is the director of them God keep us ever his this 14th of February There is also this Postscript I am so full of worldly business as I have no time to attend this weighty Action but do only weight upon God for the direction of his Spirit saving my heart and soul are still mindful hereof and to morrow by God's grace I will humble my self before his Majesty in fasting and prayer and hope that God will stir up some other to join with me in spirit though few or none in person do only one I am assured of the Prisoners know it I leave it to them to join or Note not as God moves them but if ever men will fast and pray I think it is now more than time to do it The Superscription was this To my very loving and reverend Friend Master C. He dealt also about this matter with another Gentleman of the Laity in one of J. T. a Lay Gentleman his Letter to Coppinger intimating caution about some singular Course or special Practice whose Letters written in answer to Coppinger's the 18th of the fifth Month meaning thereby May I find these words of some mark I confess saith he I heard some buz abroad of a sole and singular course that either you or some other had plotted in his head And a little after thus I would wish you and all that bear good will to the holy Cause in this perilous Age of ours to take both your eyes in your hands as they say and to be sure of your ground and Strive to put in execution warrant before you strive to put in execution Besides these and some others he instanted both by word and Letters in Easter Term last about this business a certain Gentleman In his first Letter to the said Gentleman dated the 19th of May last Coppinger promiseth to him in the name of the Coppinger comforteth a Gentleman censured in Star-chamber for the Cause Lord a recompence in the life to come for that in the Star-chamber he feared God more than Man in such a glorious Action so pleasing to God so behoveful to his Church which shall also remain of record here to all posterity And a little after thus If after your own holy private Prayer you find any desire of speech with me let me intreat you either to send this Letter to M. Cartwright or rather if you can carry it unto him c. The second Letter which he writ to the said Lawyer the 21st of May they having in the mean time conferred together was thus word by word Let thy Spirit O gracious Father direct us now and for ever in all our ways especially in those whereby greatest honour may redound to thy glorious Majesty most benefit to thy Church and most danger to thine Enemies Good Sir and my loving Brother in the Lord though such as are admitted to consult with God and have by prayer and meditation much familiarity and acquaintance with his holy Majesty need not doubt of good success in all things which he setteth them a work in though Satan and his Vassals cross their course and hinder their labour by all the means they can yet is it also necessary that while we remain in the fellowship and communion of the Saints that we communicate one with another that as loving Children we may all join together to help each other to be doers of our heavenly Father's will here on Earth as the Angels do it in the Heavens The conscience which I had hereof enforced me to write unto you lately and the like moved you to speak with me upon that Letter And truly I did observe many things in that little time we spent together were said and done which might move either of us to praise our good God and to cheer us up to further so holy an Action as now is in Note hand which must needs speed well in the end because it is the Lord 's own work And if we adventure our selves to do him service here he will reward elsewhere You may be bold for you have the warrant of the Word the allowance of the State and you walk in your own Calling But I am to be fearful and circumspect because the Dangers I enter into be infinite my Course misliked though unknown because it is extraordinary which Callings be ceased in all mens opinion of judgment and have not of long time been heard of or to be hoped for but where the Word is not preached at all or the Church in a great waste which no body dare affirm our Church of England to be Wherefore it seemeth that every step that I shall
alledged Whereby upon that which he heard and knew is confessed that he is verily persuaded Hacket menat her Majesty should have been deprived both of Kingdom and Life which he also gathered by Coppinger's Letters albeit he denieth that he was ever made acquainted by what special means it should be done Thus having in some part described the Qualities Persuasions in Opinion Familiarity Inducements unto mutual crediting one of another Exercises and Designments of these Persons It resteth to go on with the Narration of the rest of the Action for better perfiting up of this History Hacket on a time recounting up unto the other two his Torments which he pretended to have endured told how amongst others one Pigg a Preacher did so beat him with Rods at a place in Hartfordshire whilst he lay bound there in a Sink-hole that this cost him the said Hacket more dear than all the rest of his Torments because thereby he was enforced to suffer for all Hypocrites also adding thereunto that all their best Preachers so they term such as thirst after and persuade Innovations were no better in very truth than Hypocrites nevertheless he They account their Puritanical Preachers Hypocrites and Idolaters for their conformity to the Laws of the Church would he said daily hear them preach Hereupon Arthington took occasion to tell him that he could prove all such Preachers to be Hypocrites and Idolaters both albeit of ignorance because they do yield in some sort to the Commandments of the Governors and unto the Laws of this Church that they may be tolerated to preach This pleased Hacket so exceedingly well as that he began highly to esteem of Arthington and hereby the rather he thought good that Arthington should be made acquainted with their Letters For about ten days before their rising Arthington saith that Coppinger did greatly importune him to read the Letters which he and Hacket had written if it were but to see the stile assuring him they tended to nothing else but to make a way to acquaint her Majesty with their Secrets So that when Arthington saw so great Counsellors so resolutely thereby charged with matter of so high quality by Coppinger especially her Majesty's sworn Servant he was induced to believe it and to think they had some very good ground thereof Arthington also with great contentment unto Hacket framed certain Syllogisms I believe in a lewd Mode and in an unperfect and fond Figure to prove forsooth one of the said honourable Counsellors whom he and Coppinger villanously afterward proclaimed Traitors to be such as they do charge him to be This worthy work of Syllogisms therefore being first finished his other Treatise to prove those Preachers to be Hypocrites and Idolaters was straightway set upon the stocks and began to be built on the Monday before their rising after they all had for obtaining good success in this and the rest of their business humbled themselves on the Lord's day Fasting and Prayer on the Lord's-day before the Insurrection afore in fasting and prayer for so be their words This latter Treatise Arthington finished up the Thursday morning next after and termed it A Prophecy of Judgments against England whose skill in this precipitate kind of Pistling the other two so magnified as that they termed him by a Title mentioned in a Psalm viz. The pen of a ready writer Whereas wiser men think they might have looked a little lower and he have better compared it as the Wiseman doth the like where he saith A word in a fool's mouth is like an arrow in a dog's leg because he will never leave wrinching and fisking till he have got it out In this Prophecy he first setteth down Arthington's Prophecy the Third Commandment inferring what Plagues shall light on himself if he offend therein Then cometh he to his nine several Assertions adding to every one of them The Lord to confound him viz. that if he think not himself to be the vilest sinful Wretch living If he take not himself to be the most ignorant in God's Book of any man that hath professed the Gospel so long If he acknowledge not himself most unfit and unworthy of all men to serve the Lord Jesus If nevertheless he be not extraordinarily called to do the Message of God more faithfully than any Preacher in England hitherto hath done If the Scripture do not justify extraordinary Callings before the ends of the World If he know not two Persons within the City of London that have greater extraordinary Callings than himself videlicet Edmund Coppinger and William Hacket If the former be not a Prophet raised up of the Lord to bring a Message of great Mercy to the Land if all the People truly repent of their Sins If the latter be not the holiest Man and of the greatest power to bring fearful Judgments upon the whole Earth that ever was born Christ Jesus excepted If the said Hacket as the Messenger of God's Vengeance where mercy is refused do not bring such great Plagues upon this Realm of England the like whereof was never seen In these and in every of these several Cases he prayeth the Lord to confound His dreadful Imprecations him Whereupon he inferreth that having thus denounced so many fearful Woes against his own Soul as would sink it into the bottomless Pit of Hell if he were guilty in any one of them Then thereupon with chearfulness he cometh to declare his Message to England accusing it to be the most rebellious though it have been most blessed of all other Nations Then he affirmeth the City of London and the Courts of Justice at Westminster and the counterfeit Worship of God with Cross and Surpless to be worse than Sodom and Gomorrah or the Purple Whore of Rome or else desireth to be confounded Nay he preferreth Rome before London because at Rome they sin only of ignorance Of her Majesty he saith she is least guilty of the common Sins but most abused of any Prince that ever was by those whom she hath most advanced Then he speaks to three great Counsellors C. C. T. daring them to protest for their innocencies against themselves as deeply as he hath done and then if they be not swallowed up quick he is contented to be hanged up in Chains at Paul's-Cross Then he threatneth them that they three shall be otherwise Note detected ere long and all those that are their Partakers when her Majesty shall reign and live to see better days if God give her true repentance Then he saith he will leave all other of the Clergy as sufficiently detected already save such as pretend to seek Reformation who he saith are as guilty in two points as any of the other The first point for not crying out continually against Archbishops Bishops Deans Archdeacons and others as wicked Usurpers in the House of God The second for not crying out against the wicked Magistrates of this Land because they keep out the Elderships
him see that they were all as drunken men and Fools without wit That in the end they should throw all their Books away and be at a great confusion one with another That afterward viz. about the beginning of Easter Term last the Lord brought him to London and how he was made acquainted with Coppinger at that time as hath been afore declared How after his departing out of the City from Coppinger he could not but remember him in his Prayers desiring the Lord to reveal himself extraordinarily to him so that he might be encouraged to go forward in the Action Whereupon as the said Coppinger affirmed he had two extraordinary Seals in very short space after Hacket ' s departure and was wonderfully strengthened to proceed in the Cause Then is told how the Lord commanded him to go from one place to another in and about the City for two days space and how he was commanded to rail against the said two great Counsellors in divers places where he came How being in that time commanded to see the Lyons in the Tower he took the fiercest of them by the Head and had none harm Then is told what Preachers in the City he heard and that going to hear one he saw a Surpless lie in the Church whereupon he would not stay there That he went to certain Preachers in Prison to command them to deal faithfully in the Lord's business And how he was commanded by God to deface the Arms of England in Kaye's House in Knight-Rider's-street Lastly It is said that God hath appointed two others to deal for and with Hacket whom it will stand upon to deal faithfully for the Lord for they know what Hacket is and what shall follow if their Counsels and Directions be not followed Now if any shall marvail how such an absurd and ridiculous lying Legend should seduce men of any consideration so earnest for a supposed Reformation and so exercised in praying and fasting let him remember not only the effectual but the efficacy it self of illusion and the spirit of slumber falling by God's secret yet always just Judgment upon the Children of disobedience such as be wise in their own conceits and not wise with sobriety that they might believe Lies because they have not believed the Truth And that they might ask and not obtain because they ask not as they ought After Arthington On Thursday morning had ended his aforesaid Treatise of Prophecy being the very day before their rising Coppinger told him that God the night before had enlightned him the said Coppinger who they all three were saying that Arthington had unawares prophesied truly for he was the greatest Prophet of God's Judgments against the whole World that ever was but that they both were greater than he for Coppinger himself was he said the greatest that ever was and last Prophet of mercy and that he must describe the new and holy Jerusalem with the several places of joy that the Elect should enjoy after this Life and that they the said Coppinger and Arthington were ordained to separate the Lambs from the Goats before the Lord Jesus at the last day Whereat it is said they were both astonished considering their own unworthiness and unfitness crying out against themselves and their Sins yet submitting themselves to the direction of God's Spirit which they were assured should sufficiently furnish them to do him that service which himself did command Then Coppinger proceeded to tell further That Hacket was greater than either of them and that they two must obey him in whatsoever he commanded but told not then what nor how great he was other than King of Europe which Title was afore this time concluded of amongst them Hereupon according to Coppinger's commandment Arthington offered to honour Hacket with his Title of the King of Europe and to demean himself toward him accordingly But Hacket himself herein dispensed with him until the time should come that he was to honour him before others bidding him withal to be of good cheer for faith he I serve a good Captain who makes so dear accompt of me that all the Devils in Hell nor Men in Earth cannot take my life from me Then Coppinger for confirmation of the like unto them two also said that Arthington and himself were possessed not only with Prophetical but also with Angelical Spirits which Arthington taking to be true by a great burning that he felt in himself after that time did thereupon fancy to himself that no power in Earth nor Hell could hurt either of them because they had the spirit of Angels and they were subject to no Power but to God alone And that God being the master of the whole Work all things should prosper with them they only seeking his glory which he faith he vowed with himself and to deal throughly in his Office to rebuke the World of Sin and to denounce Judgments against whomsoever the Spirit should move him without fear or favour of Men or of Devils in Hell which Spirit he faith then moved him according to his hatred afore conceived against them and his opinion that they were Trayors against the Queen's Majesty to utter and to declare his detestation he had against the aforesaid three worthy Counsellors being by their places the greatest Subjects in the Land But herein may be said with the Poet Quis tulerit Gracchos de seditione querentes Verrem de furto Who can with any patience indure such Seditious Companions as these to appeach others of Treason but especially so Loyal Honourable and Worthy Counsellors as they three are known to the World to be By the way we may note the subtil managing and carriage of this Action by Hacket and Coppinger in this one principal Point which Arthington himself also now observeth Videlicet in that they opened not at any time Hacket's chief pretended Office unto Arthington videlicet to represent and to participate with Jesus Christ's Office of severing with his Fan the good from the bad until the very time they were to go into the Streets to do the Message that Hacket enjoyned them For hereby they prevented a doubt of driving Arthington back who seemed a Man so serviceable for their purpose as that he was worthy to be still retained by them and the rather for that he had not yet finished the writing up of Hacket's History that was to be annexed to the Prophecy until late that Thursday night which was afore their rising for they might have feared if leisure had served him to have considered of it and examined it at full how this could be lest it might have made him at least to stagger and be doubtful of it Besides Hacket kept as Arthington now gathereth that honour wholly to himself to proclaim it to them both together as it were by a Voice from Heaven at that very instant when they should receive their charge of him and thereby have no time to reason against it being straightway to go forward as
obedient Persons to him in all things Thus that Thursday passed on On Friday morning Coppinger sent his Man Emerson by Five of the Clock in the morning unto Arthington's Lodging but his Wife would not then awake him so he sent for him again at Six and they two then went together unto Coppinger Then Coppinger and Arthington determined that Friday morning being the 16th day of July last between Six and Seven of the Clock in the forenoon to go unto a certain Gentleman's House about the City of good behaviour and they forsooth to honour him to be chief Governor under her Majesty which they also did that Morning and promised unto him accordingly that he should so be Leaving also with him both the said Prophecy and Hacket's History to peruse but the good Gentleman was unwilling to deal either with them or their Papers any way They flayed not there above half an hour From thence they came betwixt Eight and Nine of the Clock in the Morning unto Wigginton's Chamber being Prisoner in the Counter in Woodstreet with whom having much speech and conference part whereof is touched before among other things they signified unto him as Arthington confesseth that they were provoked to pronounce him the holiest Minister of all others for dealing so plainly and resolutely in God's Causes above all Ministers which God would manifest one day to his comfort Wigginton at his examination confesseth such Conference by him at that time to have been had with them and as he was enjoined by those who examined him hath reported it by writing somewhat largely He therein also setteth down a Conference had by him about the same matters with Hacket himself coming to him thither alone as he saith the self-same Friday morning some while after the other two were departed from him It may be gathered by his own Narration that betwixt the time of Coppinger and Arthington's talk with him Wigginton had set down Article-wise and distincted with number the several Heads of their Speeches had with him And after he also enquired and set down in writing Hacket's Opinion likewise unto every of the said Articles severally And albeit it need not be questioned but that both for Circumstance and Matter he would set it down the least that might be either to his own or any his Complices disadvantage yet may it serve for the fuller understanding of the whole Action and for necessary observation besides to touch some chief Points of those Conferences though it be but as himself telleth them The principal Points of Wigginton's Wigginton ' s Report of his Conference and Speeches with Coppinger Arthington and Hacket own Report touching Conference and Speeches had by him to and fro with Coppinger and Arthington and afterward with Hacket the 16th day of July in the Morning 1591. He saith That Coppinger and Arthington came unto him about Eight or Nine of the Clock of the 16th day of July in the Morning full of courage and comfort saying unto him thus We are come to you now to bring you certain News of great comfort which is this viz. That we have 1. seen Jesus Christ this day in lively and extraordinary shape or fashion presented unto us not in his Body for so he sitteth at the right hand of God in Heaven until the last Judgment but in his effectual or principal Spirit whereby he dwelleth in William Hacket more than in any Creature upon the Earth When Hacket came not long after their departure that Morning unto him Wigginton saith That he examined him about the whole Speeches of Coppinger and Arthington uttered before unto him whereunto Hacket answered first generally thus That he approved them no further than he saw they had warrant for their doings but particularly to this first Article thus viz. Hacket's Answer thereof unto Wigginton To the first That he knew not of that their Vision but he accounted himself to be a chief Messenger of God in such sort as followeth Coppinger and Arthington's Speeches to Wigginton That the said William Hacket is the very same Angel forespoken of by the Scriptures who should come before the last Judgment of Christ with a Fan or Sheephook in his hand to separate the Goats from the Sheep Hacket's Answer To the second That he was the only principal Man sent of God to decide the Controversies of the Gospel of Christ in the World or in England or in Europe into which Controversies some bad Persons being Enemies to him and to the Gospel in England and some of them being great Personages had drawn him to enter by their Cruel Unjust and Extraordinary Practices and Treacheries or Sorceries used against him and that by him as by a principal Angel of God with his Fan in his hand God would now separate the Sheep from the Goats and that God would establish the Gospel by him generally either by his death or by his life but quoth he as it were correcting himself by my life it must be Coppinger and Arthington's Speeches That Hacket is a Man dearer or nearer unto God in some respects than Moses or John the 3. Divine who wrote the Revelation because he must as it were bring an accomplishment unto their Prophesies and hath a more excellent spirit or work to do than they in some respects Hacket's Answer To the third That God would do a greater Work by him the said William Hacket than ever he did by any of all the Prophets for the establishment of his Gospel to the confusion of Satan and Antichrist Coppinger and Arthington's Speeches That the said Hacket had laid two several Charges in the name of Christ upon them two 4. which they must needs perform or execute the one upon Arthington of Prophecy concerning the end of the World the other upon Coppinger of painting out the good and bad in the World or in these parts of the World and one of them had in purpose or charge to read over the whole Bible for proof of their Office and Business Hacket's Answer To the fourth That God had sent Arthington to be the said Hacket his Writer or Pen and the said Coppinger to be the Expounder of his Mind or Deliverer of his Message to the old Magistrates which were almost gone and to the New and to the World Coppinger and Arthington's Speeches That they had some sight of the glory of the 5. World to come where they found that the Queen was highly in God's favour because she had cut off much of Antichrist's Force or Train but c. That M. Cartwright had done more against 6. Antichrist than any in the World before him since the Apostles time and that Wigginton was Mutuùm muli scabunt comparable unto him and M. Lancaster meaning a Schoolmaster in Shoe-Lane was above them both in the state of heavenly glory because he had kept himself undefiled from the common Corruptions of these Times and had a most single heart to God Hacket's Answer
to be bridled When he was brought to the place of Execution and saw no hope of Escape which before he hoped for he grew to be At his Execution is dejected and poplexed very much dejected and perplexed in Mind insomuch as without help of a Godly Prince which then stood by he could not repeat so much as the Articles of his Christian faith I shall not need to dwell long in the application The Story applied to our Disciplinarians and the Parallel alike in all particulars and resemblance of these points unto this late Tragedy the very reading of them over giving sufficient Light unto the same For the sharp and angry Zeal of some unadvised Preachers which pretend neither to like of the Pope nor of the present state of the Church for want of some purity as they fansy Hath it not incensed and made to boil over not only the foul Mouths of Martinists but also the traiterous actions of these Conspirators And albeit the common multitude whom the Disciplinarians brag to be already inflamed with Zeal ready to lend a hundred thousand hands for the advancement of their Cause and by whom they hope and say such Reformation must at last be brought in did better keep themselves out of this Action than was expected Yet the danger thereof was as great and if it had once taken head would happily as hardly as the other have been subdued Were not the Treaties of these men also in private Houses at Night-Fasts and the Consultations concerning it at Classical Conventicles and like Assemblies Did not these likewise shoot at the Overthrow of the whole State Ecclesiastical and at the displacing of her Majesty's most Honourable Council and that under pretence of Reformation and to advance the preaching of the Gospel in every Congregation throughout this Land Made not these the like Complaints of wicked Counsellors Noblemen and Magistrates for keeping out the Discipline for persecuting sincere Preachers and afflicting God's People like Lyons and Dragons And do they not pretend this to be a special Grievance of theirs That the common people of every Congregation may not elect their own Ministers That the People are brought under the Yoak of the Law Ceremonial by paying Tythes c. and is not the hand and head of Satan as plainly in this Action to seek the overthrow of sound Professors by others of the same Profession under pretence of greater Sincerity Do not these likewise almost appropriate to themselves and their Favourites the Terms of God's Church of Christian Brethren and of true and reformed Preachers Is any Speech more rise in their mouths than that they will only be tried and judged by God's Book and by his Spirit Do they not tax all other men not so far gone as themselves of loose Lives of Antichristianism of Hypocrisy and Idolatry in the mean time never looking at their own Treasons Disloyalties and other Vices Make they not great Ostentation of Love and Fidelity to her Majesty's Person and of Care of her Safety even when they secretly nourished a fancy of Forfeiture of her Crown and sought to over-rule her by Hacket their imagined Sovereign King of Europe Had they not their Cabinet Preachers their Table-end Teachers their Guides of Fasts c. that teach pray for and attend extraordinary Callings by Visions Dreams Revelations and Enlightnings Was not Giles Wigginton and some others unto them as Thomas Muncer and Phifer were to the Germans men of supposed great Austerity of Life Holiness Favour with God Resoluteness in his Cause Singleness and Uprightness of heart Did not Wigginton resolve them by Examples he gathered touching Extraordinary Callings in these days by reason of the great Waste of this Church of England Had not he and they likewise learned of the same Devil in the Prayers at Fasts to ask Signs and Seals of God for their extraordinary Callings Doth not Arthington say that he importuned God in his Prayers And Coppinger That he had leave given to talk more familiarly with God than afore Did not Hacket in praying for the pretended possessed Gentlewoman sawcily expostulate with God and charge him with his Promise as if he dealt not well with him Did he not at his Arraignment and Execution shew such Anger in his Prayers against God thinking belike as those did to be excused by his Fervency of Zeal Did not both he and Coppinger pretend Conference with God by sundry Revelations and Dreams Do not they and the rest of the Disciplinarian Humour Fenneritheol exact and seek to square out even in Hypothesi all Civil Policies and Judgments in Causes Criminal especially unto the Judicials of Moses given for the People of the Jews Is there any thing they stand more upon or condemn the contrary deeper than to have an Equality among all Persons Ecclesiastical Do they not inveigh sharply against Prince and Nobles for upholding the State Ecclesiastical and in this respect intended to have them brought to Repentance when their Opinions grew to a Ripeness Was not this their principal pretended purpose to plant the Gospel and their Reformation by rooting out wicked Magistrates and Counsellors as they judged and by setting others in their places Did Hacket's fancied Fan instead of Christ to sever the good from the bad import any thing else or should it have served any other turn than for the killing up of all that thought not well of their Discipline and Reformation Did they not pretend the Will of the Lord so to be And was it not plainly meant this to be effected by tumult of the common people Did not these likewise bear one another in hand that all things should succeed and prosper with them that no violence could harm them nor any man had power to hurt them as having Angelical Spirits and being in most high favour with God And Hacket accordingly even in going to execution did he not call for and expect a miraculous deliverance from heaven out of the hands of those whom he called his enemies Did he not likewise for a certain sign of his favour with God make Coppinger believe that he could and did obtain rain and could stay it at his pleasure Was not the chiefest of their plots and conspiracies detected by their letters found with them Did not they likewise when they were convented before the Magistrate stoutly and resolutely defend their dealings and maintain that the Princess had for seited her right and was now to be bridled and over-ruled by others and lastly Was not that impious Wrech Hacket as irresolute dejected and base-minded towards his death as Muncer or any man either could be or as so bad a cause might procure Not long after those former Rebellions in Another like Commotion of the Anabaptist's in Munster Germany another strange and memorable Commotion happened in Munster the principal City of Westphalia a Province also of Germany which is not unmeet to be in some points also touched in this place for the