Gospells from the shoulders of the â—nsecrated But this maketh not much to the â—rpose it being onely as I haue saied a Ceremonie and not essentiall to the Consecration of a Bishop and that true and vndouted Bishops were made before the Gospells were written Otherwise the wholâ— Church then euer after and now and eueâ— had wanted it and had no Ecclesiastical Order at all Which is the lamentable and desperate condition of such as persecute a truâ— Bishop and Priest for their Order and power thereby confessing their want both of thaâ— which is essentiall in this high office as alsâ— consecratours to performe it consecrat truâ— Priests or confer any Ecclesiasticall Ordeâ— or degree at all not the meanest in that kinâ— to any person 20. All Authors agree euen Protestants iâ— their Catalogues of British and English Biâ—hops that we had continuall succession oâ— such here in great numbers vntill Queen Elizabeth by her supreamacie depriued anâ— deposed them And to keepe it farre from thâ—â—â—me of an Innouation to haue one such Bishop Successour to so many if we haue thaâ— libertie in time of Persecution when Bishop are driuen from their Sees vsuall in histories to remember and honour them in Exiâ— and Persecution we haue still kept a Succesion of Bishops in or of this nation Of thoâ—â— which were depriued of their Bishop pricke we haue Richard Pates Bishop of worcheste who subscribed to the Councell of Trent hâ— being there present by this Title Richardâ— Patus wigornieÌ„sis Episcopus Thomas Goldwell Bishop Godw. Catal. of Bish. in Worcest in Ric. Pates in S. Asaph in Thom. Goldwell of Asaph liued at Rome 20. yeares after that deposing Thomas watson Bishop of Lincolne was committed to prison in the I le of Elie and died about the yeare 1584. Thus the Protestants themselues deliuer and moreouer they deliuer much praise and commendatioÌ„s of theÌ„ and all others our renowned Bishops 14. or more in number who were deposed and persecuted by Queene Elizabeth yea far more and greater theÌ„ they doe of those which were intruded into their places Before or soone after the death of Bishop Waâ—son of Lincolne Owen Lew is of this our Nation was consecrated Bishop of Cassan in whose life-time our most Illustrious Cardinall William Allan was honoured with that dignitie and consecrated Archbishop of Maâ—kâ—en who liued with these honours vntill the 16. day of October in the yeare of Christ 1594. â—n his time William Gifford was by Pope Clement the eight made Deane Ecclesiae Diui Petri Insulensis Of Saint Peters Church at Lile And afterward he was ordained Archbishop of Rhemes in Champaine in France where he lately liued And whilst he liued Archbishop both VVilliam of Chalcedon and Richard also who is now so persecuted were by highest Papall authoritie coÌ„secrated ad sent into England And what man of ordinarie knowledge Iudgement or vnderstanding will aduenture to saie but all these were renowned men as also diuerse of our renowned Priests most worthie of Episcopall honour aÌ„d dignitie in equall times honourably stiled and registred for all posteritie not onely as great glories of their CouÌ„trie England but the whole Church of Christ Therefore to haue one of such worthie men a Bishop in his natiue Countrie bearing for auoyding offence his Title of a place so farre hence which froÌ„ the first Conuersion thereof to Christ had 3. Archbishops aÌ„d many Bishops aboue 1400. yeares past should not in the new English Religion teaching the Church of God neuer wanted Bishops and acknowledging both him and all Catholikely consecrated Bishops and Priests to be true and lawfull Bishops and Priests vndoubtedly by right ordination be offensiue but desired such Order Function and dignitie being by their publike testimonies most needefull excelleÌ„t and honourable with all true Professours of Christian Religion 21. Thus we see a Succession of English Bishops though not all in England but in other CouÌ„tries some of them consecrated and remaining a thing not vnusuall in times of Persecution and bannishment of Bishops as in the great lights in their time of Gods Church S. Hilarius S. Athanasius S. Chrysostome and others loÌ„g time exiled yet thereby did not interrupt a continuall Succession in their Sees What least exception then can be taken against our renowned Bishop of Chalcedon for Order and degree so honourable and eminent by all testimonies for his owne worthines and worthily therefore to be had in high reuerence euen with his Persecutours he bringeth able witnesses with him his knowne loue aÌ„d honour to our king Queene and CouÌ„trie his owne holy life and conuersation his learned works and writings with all at home and abroad he hath euer piously and gratefully conuersed and with honour defended and iustified himselfe against Maleâ—olants Among all English Catholickâ— oâ— Protestants few are to be found which haue more defeÌ„ded the honour of our Soueraigne â—one more acceptable to his Maiesties frieds â—nd Allyes in marriage no maÌ„ among so maâ—y renowned Priests of England worthie of â—reatest honour in equall times adiudged so â—t to supply such place by that highest Paâ—or which hath shewed great care and loue four king Queene and hoped Posteritie â—nd Countrie And since Persecution and â—roclamation against him what could such a â—an in Persecution doe more then he hath â—one in decreeing and Ordering that all â—riests and Catholiks should daily with deâ—otion praie for our king Queene State and Countrie And both since the comming in of â—im and VVilliam of Chalcedon of happie â—emorie his Predecessour as likewise before â—e Catholiks of England haue bene and now â—e knowne to be the most loyall dutifull and liuing Subiects in our dearest Countrie of England THE VI. CHAPTER That our English Priests who teach alâ— things with the Apostolicall Religioâ— are truely coÌ„secrated worthie men anâ— are to be honoured and not persecuted 1. Hauing redeemed Episcopall Ordâ—â— and dignitie conferred by the Sâ— of Rome from all Imputation of wickâ— obloquies and made it knowne to be so higâ— and honourable we might spare all furthâ— labour for exemption and defence of Prieâ—â—lie Function seeing euery Bishop of neceâ—sitie must be a Priest and whatsoeuer of thâ— calling is noble and glorious in a Bishop must needs be such in Priests Episcopal hâ—nour and consecration addeth an higher aâ— greater worthinesse to him that was beforâ— Priest but cannot take away or diminish aâ— excellencie or renowne he had before Tâ— Protestants of Scotland doe confesse whiâ—â— all knowe that after Catholike ReligioÌ„ wâ— ouerthrowne there they had not any preteâ—ded Bishops before King Iames accordiâ—â— to his manner of making such gaue suâ— Titles to them And their Knoxe Buchanan Forbs Bale and others both of England â—nd Scotland are not ashamed to saie that â—efore the sending of Saint Palladius thither â—y Saint Celestine Pope about the yeare 430. â—lonckes who were onely Priests supplied â—he place of that dignitie with that People â—ut malice to Episcopall worthinesse and â—ower their owne
of England and died â— of â—t Abbot Fecknam by Moncks and â— dâ—ed in the yeare 1585. And then by â—â— Monckes and all mens confession there liued here in England of the old English Monkes onely F. Buckley no great Preacher or learned man So this onely such Moncke could not abâ—e that proposition There nâ—â—er hath bene any Interruption of Benedictine Preachers and teaâ—â—eâ—â— in England One no Preacher cannot be such and in the plurall number 23. And that Author made no more menâ—ion in particular of Benedictine Moncks â—hen of other Religious Orders all oâ— them â—ailing in learned Priests except of â—he Clerâ—ie to â—heach and defend true Râ—â—igion He â—id not meane there was not any one either â—earned or vnlearned If any such thing is â—here printed it was the printers and not his â—oing neither can any of equaâ—l Iudgement â—inke otherwise for that authour well kâ—ew â—at Father Sebert Buckley was theÌ„ liuinâ— he â—eing well and very louingly acquainâ—eâ— with â—aister Sadler and maister Mahu Priests â—hich first ioyned with that F. Buckley heaâ—ng from them the manner thereof And he â—ath seene vnder one of their hanâ—s more â—en euer he wrote or held That it was â—oubted whether that father Buckley was a â—rofessed Moncke or no and the reasons of â—ch doubt are thus set downe written with â—ne of their hands Quia hoc neque per scripturam â—e publicum Instrumentum neque per testem quirem â—sam nouerat probatum vidit Because he had noâ—â—ne this prooued by writing or puâ—like Instrument nor witnesse that knew it This is more then my friend needeth in this matter or this case now requireth And he euer thought he was a Monke So doe I and honour the Order of S. Benedict and all other Religious Orders and loue and honour all my worthie frieÌ„ds and acquaintance of them as much as euer I did which some of them know to be very much and as they can wish or desire and euer shall yet veritaâ— vincit THE VII CHAPTER That the Catholikes of England taughâ— and directed by such guides in Religioâ— as our Priests be are not to be persecuted but protected defended and imployed as true and faithfull subiectâ— in all things 1. THe honour dignitie glorie and renowne of consecrated Bishops anâ— Priests being thus great ample excelleÌ„t anâ— necessarie among all true beleuing Christianâ— Instituted and ordained by Christ himselfe aÌ„â— according to his owne most holy Order foâ— all professours of his faith and Religion in aâ— â—nd places vntill this life and world is to end and that the publik Sacrifice they offer and celebrate is so holy and heauenly the Religion generally which they professe preach and â—eache vndoubtedly true and that the highest spirituall power by which their Mission is so certaine so aâ—ntiently honourable and honoured and without manifest and vnexcusable offence both to the greatest authoritie on earth or in heauen so to be receiued and reuereuced of all twyce happie blessed and honourable is then your state cause and condition Most Noble and Renowned Confessours of the Nobilitie Gentrie and other Catholike laietie of England in chosing in such times such guides of your soules professing such Religion and which giueth you a second and greater felicitie to be for such a cause so persecuted in your Natiue Countrie of your owne Countriemen kindred and called Christians 2. To suffer Persecution for Iustice is a blessednesse and bringeth to eternall blisse But to endure it in such measure and manner as you haue done and doe it will eleuate you â—o the highest and neuer fading ioyes your â—osse may be of temporarie but your purâ—hase thereby will be of much better and euer â—uting things Terreane glorie flattering and deceitfull honour is often valued bought and solde at too deare a rate but that which Persecution for the cause you suffer in will for euer endowe you with will farre exceede the worth of any price you can bestowe to possesse it Id enim quod in praesenti saieth â— ad Cor. 4. Saint Paule est momentaneum leue tribulationis nostrae supra modum in sublimitate aeternum gloriae pondus operatur in nobis non contemplantibus nobis quae videntur sed quae non videntur Quae enim videntur temporalia sunt quae autem non videntur aeterna sunt For that our tribulation which presently is momentarie and light worketh aboue measure exceedingly an eternall weight of glorie in vs we not considering the things that are seene but that are not seene For things that be seene are temporall but those that be not seene are eternall And c. 5. in an other place he addeth Scimus enim quoniam si terrestris domus nostra huius habitationis dissoluatur quod aedificationem ex Deo habemus domum â—on manufactam aeternam in caelis For we know that if our earthly house of this habitation be dissolued that we haue a building of God a house nâ—â— made with hand eternall in heauen Your liues your lands your liberties honours and what soeuer in things temporall and to be forsakeÌ„ or spoyled and depriued off deare vnto you were lent giuen and but for a time bestowed vpon you as also his most pretious blood and life was after many other Miserie 's sustained for your Ransome aÌ„d RedeÌ„ption by him for whose right and cause you stand and patiently endure afflictions for the same so often so much and so long time Thus he himselfe founde the way and returned to his owne kingedome and glorie immense and eternall and he said at his departure hence to his heauenly throane vnto his blessed Apostles Disciples to you and all that shall serue and suffer for him to the end of the world In domo Patris mei Io 1â— mansiones multae sunt vado parare vobis locum Et â—â— abiero praeparauero vobis locum iterum venio accipiam vos ad meipsum vt vbi sum eg vos sitis Et quo ego vado scitis viam sâ—â—â—is In my fathers house there be many mansions I goe to prepaâ—e you a place I come againe and will take you to my sâ—lfâ— that where I am you also may be And wither I goe you knowe and the way you knowe Euery Mansion in heauen in the howse of God farre surpasseth all Pallaces and pleasures of this world and to be with Christ in eternall glorie infinitely exceedeth all delights and honours here And the glorie and reward of them that come nearest to Christ in sufferings here â—â—ll be â—he highest and greatest with him there in loyes for euer Ecce Tabernaâ—ulum Dei cum hominibus Apoâ—al â—1 habitabit cum eis ipsi populus â—ius erunt ipse Deus cum eis erâ—t coruÌ„ Deus Eâ— absterget Deus omnem Lachrymam ab oculis eorum mâ—rs vltrà non erit neque luctus neque clamor neque dolor erit vltrà quae prima abierunt Behold the Tabernacle of
had S. Cyprian his learned â—eale and S. Chrysostome his golden mouth or pen to laye downe the worth and due oâ— you all most renowned Teachers Learnes and Sufferers in this cause the cause of Christ For although the most reuerâ—nd Father in God Richard Bishop of Chalcedon and the holy learned reuered Priests of England arâ— not in person those greatest or others among the Apostles yet they all both ouâ— Bishop and Priests in their Episcopall anâ— Priestlie Order Preaching and teaching a they did and deriuing Succession both iâ— doctrine and dignitie fâ—â—m them if we maâ— beleeue the Apostles and Apostolike meâ— Clem. Româ—â— Cost Apost l 2. â—â—5 and witnesses doe supplie theâ—r pâ—ace and aâ—â— so to be obeyed Presbyteri si assiduè in studio decend verbum Dei laborauerint Apostolorum locuâ— tenent Sacerdoâ—es sunt omnes Domini Apostoli qâ— nâ—que agros neque domos haeteaitant hic sed sempeâ— Altarâ— Deo seruiunt If Priests will continually labour in the studie of teaching the word of God the sâ—all inioye the plaâ—e of the Apostles Priests are all tâ—â— Apostles of our Lord who inheriteth here neithâ— feilâ—s nor houses but alwâ—yes they serue God and thâ—â— neighbour Eis qui in Ecclesia sunt Presbyteris obediâ— â—rinaeus l. 4. c. 20. 43. oportet his qui successionem habent ab Apostolis qâ— cum Episcâ—patus successione Charisma certum secunduâ— plaâ—â—tum paâ—ris acceperunt Those Priests which aâ— in the Church ought to be obeyed who haue their Sucession from the Apostles and with the Succession Iustâ—â— Diâ—â— 5. 〈◊〉 Tâ—i 〈◊〉 Bishoprikes haue receaued the certaine gift accordiâ— to the will of the Father Neque vero à quoquam Deâ— hostias accipit nisi à suis Sacerdotibus Neither indeeâ— â—oth God Accept of Sacrifices of any 〈◊〉 of his Priests â—here we see the honour which ought to â—e done to our preaching and Sacrificing â—ishop and Priests â— And the holy Scrâ—â—turs pronounce and â—clare them worâ—â—◠〈…〉 1. 〈◊〉 5. â—nour Qui 〈…〉 habeantur maximè 〈…〉 doâ—â—â The Priests tâ—at 〈◊〉 wâ—ll let them be esteemed â—râ—hie of duble honour â—â—specially they that labour in â— word and doâ—trine â—nd I may auerre that hoâ— conuersatioÌ„ whâ—â—â— you with so many difâ—ulties possesse â—n forsaking all to follow â—rist to teach preach and doe other â—esslie functions to be the Apostolicall life â—d calling Our Protestant persecutours alwhich doe acknowledge you for true and â—full Priests and doe attribute so much to â—aching and most highly dâ—e commend â—r holy Apostolicke predecessours Priests â— Monckes who liued as you doe in the â—e of the Britons before all of the Reliâ—us Protest Thâ—â—tor of great Brit. God Win. Conueâ—s â—f Brit. Orders that came hither in the SaxoÌ„s â—e should not otherwise vse you then â—h honour and respect especially when alâ—es euen from the begining of Christiaâ—e here they finde it so â— In the very first age yea in the Aâ—les time they auoâ—ch that S. Ioseph and Associates our first Religious discontiâ—d their Monasticall life to preach the â—h Abbot Fecknam did alleage out of S. Gildas in the fiâ—st Parliament of Queene Elizabeth that Pope Elutherius in his time sent from their Monasticall life such hither to preach S. German and S. Lupus Religious of Lycinum Monasterie were sent hither into Britonie by S. Celestin before they werâ— Bishops to the same end and purpose Wheâ— our renowned English Apostle S. Gregoriâ— tooke religious Monckes S. Augustine anâ— others out of his owne Monastarie to senâ— them hither to preach to the vnbeleeuinâ— Saxons and hey terrified with the labouâ— and perils of such an Apostolicall life desred rather to returne to their quiet Monastâ—call conuersation he vrged them and seâ— them forward because this Apostolicall liâ— was most perfect and had greatest reward â— heauen Omniinstantia omnique seruore quae iâ— Gregorius Epist ad Monachos in Angl. destinâ—nd Bed hiâ—â—or â—ccle l. 1. c. 23. choastis Deo authore peragite sciences quod laborâ— magnum maior retribution iâ— gloria sequitur With forâ—e and seruour finish that you haue by the moâ—â— of God begun assuring your selues that after your grâ— labour eternall reward shall followe And the Berdictine Monckes in their Trithemius aâ— others doe glorie much and not withoâ— cause of the many Bishops Archbishoâ— Cardinals and Popes of their Order by tâ— title of Apostolicall Mission Our Benectines also of the English Congregation snites Dominicans Franciscans and Carâ—lites with dispenâ—â—tion from his Holines hâ— left the rigour of their Rule and Order â— better to applie themselues here in our countrie for the conuerting of souleâ— as in a vocation of greater merite and higher perfection preferring the Apostolicall preaching life in â—his time and place before the exact and proâ—essed obseruation of their owne particular Orders thereby to notifie vnto vs and all â—hat this Apostolicall priestlie life euer from â—he beginning of Christianitie here or in the â—orld was the most perfect and most excelâ—nt calling and profession pleasing to God â—rofitable to his Church and honourable in â—he professours therof 7. All our old holy Bishops Colledges Monasteries Seminaries or Schooles of learâ—ed Christians such as by our Protestants â—onfession were here extant in euery age â—uouis saeculo extiterunt and longe before Matth. Parker Antiquit. Britun Ion. Iosilin hist Eccles manuscript Gregorie was Pope or that he did or could â—nd any Monckes of what Order soeuer inâ— EnglaÌ„d or any part of Britonie sent most â—oly and learned priests by allowance of the â—e Apostolike to preach in France Gerâ—anie Denmarke Friseland Bauaria Norâ—ay Ireland Greenland and into other â—rts of the world diuers times and in great â—mber as it shall be hereafter more largly â—clared Knowing both by holy Scriptures â—d the testimonie of Christ himselfe that â—is Apostolicall condition a signed by him his dearest Apostles first taught and praâ—ised in himselfe not onely to forsake all externall wordlie thinges as Religious men doe or be bound to doe but â—or a man to denie himselfe the sauing of his health libertie and life daily exposing them to losse and ofteÌ„ loosing them for the loue of Christ truely following him in sauing many soules that were in danger otherwise eternally to perish is the most absolutly perfect calling and profession in the Church of God 8. Monasticall life by abnegation is a State of perfection and a safe way to saue the professers soule but to saue both his owne and many others by a more perfect abnegation must needs be the greatest perfection and following of Christ Si quis vult post me venire abneget Luc. â— semetiâ—sum tollat crucem suam quoâ—idiè sequatur me If any man will come after me let hiâ— denie himselfe and take vp his crosse dayly and follow me And our Sauiour when he demande of Saint Peter his greatest and most louinâ— Apostle Diligis me plus his Loues â—hou me more
westminster saith it was in thâ— yeare 753. by which accompt his Abbots iâ— England must needs be professed in the oâ— British Order 7. Marianus Scotus a Scot by Nationâ— and liuing in a strict discipline a Moncke â— Germanie with in 200. yeares of S. Bonifâ—cius his time though he acknowledgeth hiâ— to be an English man Anglus yet very ofteÌ„â— calleth him Sâ—otus a Sâ—ot in no other respeâ— then for his being of the Scotish Order and iâ— that regard calleth these Monasteries Monastria Sanâ—torum Scotorum Sancti Galli Sancti Bonfacij Monasteries of the â—cotish Saints S. Gallus aâ— S. Bonâ—fâ—ce VVhen it is certaine and he wâ— knew that neither of them was a Scot by Nâ—tion but onely in profession He proueâ— further that euen in his timâ— there weâ— Monckes of the Scotish old Order there whâ— â—ad a peculiar Monasterie in Colen where â—e Abbot with others were Scots Helias Scoâ—s abbas Who professed a strict Religion and â—n the opinion of men giuen to more liberâ—e ouer greaâ—e Discipline Religionem diâ—ictam disciplinamque niâ—â—am and God did miâ—culously approue it This was also the conâ—ition of S. Benedict Biscope Master to Saint â—ede beâ—ng a childe this the condition of â—â—eolfrâ—dus and Easterwinus whâ—m S. Boâ—face constituted Abbots in his absence in â—s Monasâ—eries 8. Waâ—es had seuen Bishops with an â—rchbishop others with their Clergie were â—ed thither out of England and yet diuers â—mained still in other parts with many Chriâ—ians euen Vniuersites as that of Cambridge â—ee then as they saie from all errour and neâ—r Manuscript antiq in vit S. Dauidâ—s Capgrau in cod censured by Saint Gregorie as some were â—heir difference from the Church of Rome â—as not in Questions of faith but others tolâ—rable and tollerated and this had not beene â—ng for in S. Dauidâ— time a litle before all â—greed in all things with Rome Omnes Britanâ—ae Matth. wâ—st in chronic an 794. Stows histor in Mercelâ—â— Ecclesiae modum Regulam Romana authoritate â—ceperunt All the Churcheâ— of Britanie toocke their â—anner and Rule by Roman authoritie 9. The greate Kingedome of Northumâ—erland bounded with Trent and Scotland â—ere thus conuerted The greatest kingedome â—f Mercia which then comprehended 23. â—hyres in 20. tribus Prouinâ—ijs quas Angli Shiras 〈◊〉 â—â—s conuerted by the old renowned Clergie men Bishops Priests anâ— Monckes that were of our old British Ordeâ— they in their Auncestors receiuing Conuersion from such our Britans and theÌ„selueâ— also liuing within the limits and boundes oâ— Britanie or England now for their Iland aâ— Saint Bede and others witnesse belonged to our Countrie Insula Hydesti cuius Monasteriâ— â—ed Eccl. hist. l. 3. cap. 3. in 〈◊〉 penè Septentrionalium Scotorum omniuâ— Pictorum Monâ—sterijs non paruâ— tempore Arcem tenebat regendisque eorum populis praeerat Quae videlâ— ceâ— Insula ad ius quidem Britanniae pertinet non magno ab ea sâ—eâ—o discreta Whose Monasterie in the Ileâ— Hydestine was nâ— small â—imâ— the chiefe house of alâ— the Monasteries Allmost of all the Northeren Scoâ— and of the Abbeys of all the Redâ—hankes and had thâ— soueraintie in ruling of then people VVhich I le iâ— very deede belongeth to the right of Britanie beinâ— seuâ—red from it with a narrâ—w sea Sebert King oâ— the East Angles was conuerted in Burgundieâ— and brought ouer with him who was consecrated after Bishop of his Countrie Sainâ— Felix and he so honoured the Priests of ouâ— old British Order that Saint Furseus onâ— thereof comming hither and with his allowance and donation building a Monasteriâ— of that Order King Sebert himself entered into Monasticall life and was professed â— Monâ—ke therein Regni negotijs cognato suo Egriâ— commendatis in Monasterio à sancto Furseo sibi constructo habitum Monachalem suscepit Committing thâ— affaires of his Kingdome to his Kinsman â—greâ—k he betoocke himselfe to Monasticall habit in a Monasterie â—ounded by S. Furseus 11. Concerning the Kingedome of the East Saxons â—igebert their King ioyned herein with the Northumbers and â—as baptized by Bishop Finan of the Scotish Order ad Bishop of his Countrie Câ—d that was of the same order and consecrated by S. Finan he in all his dominions consecrated Priests and Deacons in all places of Essex but especially at â—thancester and Tilberie For although King Seber's sonne of Sledda was a ChristiaÌ„ before â—et he dying the Countrie vnder his sonnes â—erred and Sigbert deadly enemies to Chriâ—tian profession was till then in Infideliâ—ie 12. To come to the west Saxons although â—hey receiued the faith by Saint Birinus sent â—rom Rome yet at the Baptisme of their King Kinegillus S. Oswald King of NorthuÌ„â—erland was Godfather vnto him and he â—arried King Oswald his daughter and Doâ—auerunt ambo Reges both these Kings gaue him â—orchester sixe miles from Oxford to settle â—here his Episcopall See And in the yeare â—35 He instituted there Canonicâ—s seâ—ulares secuâ—r Canons VVe reade in the Manuscript of the â—ntiquities of winchester that he builded â—gaine the old Monasterie of winchester â—ounded in king Lucius time and did restore â—nto or in it againe holy Monckes which were not long if at all before Saint Augustines comming driuen thence for we are assured that in the time of Constantine kinsmaÌ„ to king Arthur killing the sonne of Mordred Gildus l. de excid â—ritan Matth. â—â—estm Chronic. an 586. before the Altar of that Monasterie they were there and without doubt in king Careticus his time in the yeare â—â—6 when and not before Bishops Priests and Moncks fled into wales So the Moncks placed there could be no others but such as had beene Bed hâ—sto Eccles lib. 4. cap. 13 Manuscrâ—pâ— antiq â—â— vit S. VVilfridi Capgrau â—n catal in â—od driuen from thence before who still in themselues or succession of that order continued in those parts as in the Scotish and British Order in the Monasteries of Bosenham wheâ—e Dicul a Scot was Abbot in Redford vnder Abbot Kinebertus at Malmesburie vnder Meildulphus a Scotish Moncke Natione Scoto eruditione phylosopho professione Monacho By nation a Scot in lerning a Pâ—ylosopher in profession a Moncke VVho was so famous there that he gaue the old name Maildulfesburch to that Guliel Malmesb. Lâ—ntherius Saxoniae Episcop in chart â—â— 675. place where and vnder whom in the same discâ—pline S. Aldelme after Abbot there was brought vp A primo aeuo infantiae from his childâ—ood Bishop Eleutherius in his graunt to that house dated 675. proueth there were many Abbots and Abbies in these places in that time 13. VVilliam of Malmesburie with the Antiquities of Glastâ—â—burie assureth vs that in our â—enowned Abbey of Glastenburie after Saint Augustines comming and during his â—eing here in the yeare 601. we had our old Moncks in quiet and peace their Abbot was â—alled Morgret the Bishop vnder whom they â—hen liued Manuto Manuto Episcopus and their King Rex Domnoniae whose name by the
oldâ—esse of the Record is not remeÌ„bred Quis isâ—e Rex fuit scedulae veâ—ustas negat scire he was their Beâ—efactour and gaue them or confirmed to â—hem Inswitrin Terram quae appellatur Inswitrin â—d Ecclesiam veâ—ustam concessit ad petitionem Morâ—ret â—iusdem loci Abbatis The land which is called â—nswitrin he granted to the old Church by the pâ—tiâ—ioÌ„ of Morgret Abbot of that place and their Bishop Manuto wrote and coÌ„firmed it Ego Manuto Episâ—opus hanc chartam scripsi I Bishop Manute wrote tâ—iâ—â—aper 14. Besides this Bishop England had then â—t Saint Augustines coÌ„ming diuers Bishops â—ere ordered or sent by the Popes authoriâ—ie Saint Asaph in the west S. Iuo in Hunâ—ingtonsyhre S. Lethard in Kent and others not vnprobably in other places besides ouâ— British Bishops in VVales and those of Scotâ—and And to remember but the names of our first Bishops in England after S. Augustines comming besides Kent and London where â—he and his Associats were Bishops all which vndoubtedly by all writers Catholike and Protestant old or new Monasticall or others either were of our British old Order or ioyned with them that were at that time here 15. VVe haue in the North Saint Aidanâ— Finan Colman Tuda Eata Cuthbert Foâ— Yorke S. Paulinus the first by Marianus waâ— ex Francia and staied but onely 6. yeares after him S. Cedda S. Wilfride Bosa Sainâ— Iohn called of Beuerlaie brought vp in Sainâ— Hilda her old Monasterie At winchester wâ— had S. Birinus spoakeÌ„ of before who restored in that Monasterie our old MoÌ„ckes and ioyâ—ned with the Northumbers Agilbertus â— Frenchman who preached long in Ireland ioyned â—lso with the Northumbers VVinâ— also a Frenchman and Eleutherius remembred before In Liâ—hfeild we had Diuma oâ— Dwyna a Scot hauing all Middle England for his Dioces so had sixe or seuen of his Successours all such vntill the yeare 678. Cellacâ—â— Scot Trumhere Ianuman Cedda winfride Saxulf I passe ouer all the old Sees iâ— wales knowne and confessed by all to haue had none but such Bishops 16. Such also was the ordinarie aÌ„d vniuersall pietie and sanctitie of our old holy Priestâ— and Preachers of that time before any later Order was receiued euen of the laie people conuerted and taught by them as the learned Saint Bede then liuing much be waileth the great change and alteration saying In tantum Beda l. 3. Hist â—ccles Angl. cap. 5. auâ—â—m vita illâ—us Aidani à nostri temporis segnitia distâ—bat vt omnes qui cum eo incedebant siue aettonsi â—â—ue laici meditari debeâ—ent id est aut legendiâ— Scripturis aut Psalmis discendis S. Aidan his lifâ— â—as so farre different from the slouthfulnesse of our â—e that all those which went with him wheather â—onckes or Laickes were to meditate that is they â—ere to bestowe their time either in reading Scripture â— learning the Psalmes And in an other place â—â—aieth thus of Bishop Colman who dispuâ—d with Saint VVilfrid and of his Predeâ—ssours Bed histâ— ecclesiast l. 3. ca. 26. Quantae autem parsimoniae â—uiusque contiâ—tiae fueriâ— ipse cum praedecessoribus suis testabatur â—am ipse locu quem regebaâ— Of how great abstinenâ— and continencie he was with his Predecessours the â—ce it selfe which he ruled did witnesse where â—en they went away very few howses besides the â—urch remained and these howses onely without â—ch ciuill conuersation could not continue They had â—onie nothing but cattell If they receiued any moâ— of the riche presently they gaue it to the poore All care of those Doctours then was to serue God and not worlde All their desire was for the soule and noâ—â—bellie wherevpon in that time the habite of Reliâ— was in greate reuerence so that wheresoeuer â—â—st or Moncke did come he was ioyfully receiued â—ll as the Seruant of God And if any trauailing â—eir iornie did meete him a Priest bending â—selues they reioyced to be signed with his hande â—ssed by his mouth They gaue diligent eare to his â—rtatioÌ„s VpoÌ„ the sondayes they flocâ—ed to the Church â—onasteries to be instructed in the word of God If Priest chanced to come into a villadge the Inhaâ—ts presently came together and desired to receiue â—ord of life from him For there was no other cause â—riests or Ecclesiasticall men to goe to villadges but to speake briefely to â—uer soules And they were so 〈◊〉 from all infection of couetousnesse that they would nâ— except compelled by the riche men of the world â—â—ceiue lands or possessions to build Monasteâ—ies Whiâ— custome was genâ—rally obserued in the Churcâ—es of tâ—â—ingdome of Northumberland sometime afâ—erwardâ— Thus of Saint Aidan their first Apâ—stâ—e anâ— of his Disâ—iples and people by him conueâ—ced and although he kept Easter otherwiâ— then those did which came from Rome yâ— he was and worthily beloued of all euen â— the Archbishop of Canterburie Honoriâ— for his workes of faith pietie and charitiâ— and during his life that difference was patieâ—tly endured And this was not an errour câ—mon to all Scots but to some of theÌ„ for Roâ— and others impugned it And wheÌ„ it was roâ—ted out it was not done by MoÌ„ckes or otheâ— Bed l. 3. 4. 5. Guliel Malmesb. Matth. Westm Floren. â—â—igâ—rn from Rome but as Saint â—ede and otheâ— prooue either by the Poâ—es admonitioÌ„ as â— Ireland by Bishop Agilbertus and Saiâ— Wilfride in Northumberland and in othâ— place by Saint Egbertus Adamnanus aâ— others of their old owne Order and profâ—sion 17. In this I haue the longer insisted â—â— onely for the glorie and honour of those oâ— Fathers in Christ not iustly to be takâ— from them to be giuen vnto others and tâ— it is the honor of our English Priests aâ— Catholiks to be heires successours aâ— children to such Antecessours and parentâ— Religion But because it is the most common Dauid Pâ—wâ—ll â—â— annoâ—aâ— in l. 2. â—â—raldi CaÌ„bren de 〈◊〉 Cambr. Io. Bal. in Act. Râ—man poâ—â—ific l. 2 â—â— Gâ—egor 1. Francis Godwin conuers of Bâ—iâ— p. 4â— Fulk answ 〈◊〉 cont Cain p 4 Middlâ—to papist pag. 202. Foxe Aâ—â— and Meâ— pag. 463. edit an 1576. Io. Gâ—sâ— lin Hâ—â—â—or eâ—clesiast Matth. parker Antiquiâ— Brit. pag. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. receiued allowed and approued opinion and confession of our English Protestants and those their best learned in their estimatioÌ„ to write in their owne very words At the comming of Augustine there florished with â—he Britans the preaching of the truth sincere doâ—trine liuelie faith and the pure worship â—f God â—uch as from the Apostles themselues was by Gods coÌ„â—aundement deliuered to the Churches The Britans â—efore Augustines comming continued in the â—aith of â—hrist euen from the Apostles time After the Britans â—mbraced the saith of Christ they neuer forsooke iâ— neiâ—er when Augustine came into the Iland So many â—nd so great a number of the old names of Priests â—oncks Abbots Prelates Bishops Churches Abâ—eyes and Sees which haue beene in euery age doth â—fficieÌ„tly
lands and â—onours determinable onely by our tempoâ—all lawes with others cannot come to his auâ—â—ence except such imaginaries could aâ—d â—ould put Ministers out and Priests into â—e Benifices of England A secret and consioable ending of many of these matters amoÌ„g â—atholikes though iuridically can be no â—ore daunger in a Bishop then in a Regulaâ—â—rieste If diuersitie of Iudgments should â—me time happen in the Iudgment of one a â—shop giuen in priuate the inconuenience â—uld be lesse the now it is by the Iâ—dgemeÌ„ts â— many Priests all of them as much differing â—m the Protestants Censures and â—ribunals as those by a Bishop would be Yet these fewâ— cases would chance but seldome We see the Queenes Priests of France and Sotland to be permitted by the king and state to deaâ—e with English Catholâ—ks â—ome times brâ—nging such caâ—es So are all Priests of all Orders litle pleasing vnto the necessitated to doe so But seeing there can be no daunger by sucâ— secret procedings none can take that officâ— from a learned Bishop and leaue it to euerâ— Priest learned or not 9. Such or greater difficulties were froâ— the Apostles time and therein in them anâ— Bishops their Successours among Ethnicâ— and Pagan Princes yet the holy Scripturs before and Apostolike men haue taught aâ— men obedience vnto Bishops euen in suâ— daies and all good Christians did so obâ— them Saint Peter in Scripture strangely eâ— communicated Ananias and Saphira So dâ— S. Paul Hymineus Alexander and the inceâ—tuous Corinthian So did the other Apostlâ— among Pagans exercise spirituall Iurisdâ—ction So did all Bishops among Infidels vâ— till the Emperours and Princes more differiâ— from Catholiks the Protestants should weâ— conuerted yet at that time they exercised spâ—rituall IurisdictioÌ„ and the Christians obeyâ— them And now at this time and long vndâ— the Turks Tartars Chinenses and other eâ—mies to Catholiks Catholik Bishops doe eâ—ercise their Iurisdiction among the Christiâ— and all obeye â—t This is the case of Catholiks vnder their Bishop in Holland among the Protestant Hoâ—landers And in his Maiesties Dominion in â—reâ—and where Bishops are and doe exeâ—cise tâ—eir Iuâ—isdictiâ—n Catholiks obeying them And it is Christs ordâ—nance that â—â— they should doe God forbid any bearing the name Catholike in England â—o renowned for holy Conâ—essouâ—s of true Religion in this time should be wanting in â—uch dutie or any other 10. But because our Protestant Persecuâ—ours pretend most exception against the Bishop of Chalcedon for dâ—riuing Iurisdiâ—tion from the â—ee of Rome we must needs â—ith all antiquitie deliuer vnto them that in â—uery age from Christ we here in Britaniâ—â—aue receiued Bishops and Pastours with â—heir Iurisdiction from the Sâ—e oâ— Rome and â—hat highest Papall power and authoritie â—Ve haue spoakeÌ„ before how in the fiâ—st Age â—aint Peter the first Pope oâ— Rome consecraâ—d Bishops and Priâ—sts and founded â—hurches here We aâ—de â—urther how our Proâ—stants eueâ— king Iames himselfe and others â—y his and their greatest authoritie conâ—sse of the Apostolik Church It is our motâ—er â—urch And Adde Est capuâ— Roma quatenus ab ea â—ffasum est Euangâ—lium in reliquas tâ—â—â—us O 〈◊〉 â—clâ—sias in muâ—â—as Orienâ—â—s aâ—que in â—arâ—arâ—â— etiâ—â—â—tra Râ—manum Impeâ—â—um Nationes Rome iâ— the â—d as sâ—â— it the Gospell is diâ—â—used into the rest of the Churches of all the west and into many of the East as also into Barbarous Nations out of the RomaÌ„ Empiere Peter preached in no place but he there orâ—ained Bishops and teachers and founded Churches The Apostle Peter did in euery Prouince appoint one Archbishop whome all other Bishops of the same Prouince should obey The Archbishop of Britanie was Aristobulus S. Clement his Successour Pope in the later end of this and in the beginning of the second age writeth of him concerning Britanie Sanctus Clemens and other CouÌ„tries Episcopos persingulas Ciuitates quibus ipse non misâ—rat perdoctos nobis miâ—â—ere praecepit Quod facere inchoauimus Domino opeâ— ferente faecturi sumus He commaunded vs to send veâ— learned Bishops vnto all Cities to which he had nâ— sent any Which we haue begun to doe and by Gâ— his healpe shall doe 11. In the second age also Pope Eleuthâ—rius sent hither S. Damianus and Phaganâ— his legats with others who consecrated anâ— VVestm an â—85 seated here three Archbishops with 28 Biâ—hops Templa qua in honorem plurimorum Deoâ—â— fundata fueranâ— vni Deo eiusque Sanctis dedicarunt diueâ—sisque Ordinatorum coetibus repleueruâ— The Churches which were builded in the honour of â—ny Gods they dedicated to one God aÌ„d his Saints aÌ„d fâ—led theÌ„ with diuers â—sseÌ„blies of such as had takeÌ„ Ordeâ— And afterwards they being by King Luciâ— sent to Rome to haue those things confirmâ— Idem an 186. by the Pope which here in Britanie thâ— had done Quibus peractis redierunt in Britannâ— praefati Doctores cum alijs quamplurimis quorum â— â—rina gens Britonum in fide Christi fundata refulsit VVhich being ended the foresaied Doctours accomâ—nied with many others returned againe into Britanie whose doctrine in a short time the Britans grounâ—ed the faith of Christ florished And although in this â—onuersion of Britanie that holy Pope subâ—cted the Countrie now called Scotland not â—mporally subiect to king Lucius of Britanie Bedalib 1. hist. Angl. c. â— â— the Romans vnto our Archbishop of â—rke Susceptamque fidem Britanm vsque in tempora â—ocletiani Principis inuiolatam integramque quieâ—a in â—e seruabant The Britans did with peace keepe the â—th they â—ad receiued whole and inuiolate vntill the â—e of Dioclesianus the Emperour Yet in the beâ—nning Hector Boeth lib. 6 Scote Histor fol. 86. B. of the third age Saint Victor then â—ing Pope of Rome Donaldus king there â—ud Victorem Pontificem per Legatos obâ—inuit vt â—i doctrinà Religone insignes in Scotiam ab eo â—si se cum liberis coniuge Christinomen profitenâ— hapâ—ismate insignirent Regis exemplâ—m Scotica â—bilitas secuta auersata impietatem Christique Reâ—onem complexa sacro fonte est abluta Donaldus â—n King by Legats abtained from Pope Victor that â—â—hie men both for lerning and Religion might from â— be sent into Scotland who might baptize himselfe â— and Childrne professing the name of Christ The â—ish Nobilitie following the Kings example did cast â—y impietie embraced the Christian Religion and â— baptiâ—ed And those Scots or Britans were â—ructed both in learning and Religion Ibidem those Priests and Preachers which Pope â—tor sent Incaepere tum primum sacras colere literas Saâ—erdotiâ—us Praeâ—â—ptoribus ques Victor Pontifâ— Maximus ad Christi dogma propalandum in exâ—â—mam miserat Alâ—ionem Then first of all they bâ—gun to studie the holy Scripturs vnder the Priâ—â— their maisters which Victor the Pope had sâ— into the farthest Albion to diuulge the doctrine Christ 12. When the Persecution of Diocâ—esiâ— raged here 9. yeares many of our Britiâ— Clergie sent
froÌ„ Rome wenâ— into those pâ—â— wâ—eâ—e the Scots now be aÌ„â— whether the Perâ—cutioÌ„ did not cumâ— aÌ„d there they ioyned wâ— those of Pope Victors Mission And in tâ— Persecution among so many Archbishops aâ— Bishops placed here by Papall authoritie â— finde fewe if any at all then put to death â— suruiuing after to haue consecrated Prieâ— dedicated Churches and performed other â—piscopall duties and offices as the Prieâ— and others did theirs also Bilustro supra â— turbinis neâ—dum ad Iâ—â—egrum expleto emarcesâ—â—â— busque nece suorum authorum nesarijs decretis laeâ—â—â—minibus omnes Christs Tyrones quasi post hiemaleâ— prolixâ—m noctem temperiem lâ—cemque serenam â— coeâ—estis excipiâ—nt renouant Ecclesias ad solum vsâ— destructâ—â— Bâ—siâ—itas Sanctorum Martyrum fundâ— construunt perfiâ—â—unt ac veluâ— Victricia signa paâ—â— propalâ—nt dieâ—sâ—stos celebrant sacra mundo corde â— que â—onficiunt omnes exultant filij gremio ac si Mâ— Ecclesiae câ—nsoâ—i Mâ—nsit namque haec Christs caâ— membroâ—uÌ„ consonantia 〈◊〉 donec Ariâ—norum pâ—dia intrauit Tenue yeares of the foresaiâ—d Troubleâ— â—ing as yet altogether compleate and the wicked deâ—es decaying in the dâ—th of their authouâ—s all the folâ—ers of Christ wiâ—h iâ—yâ—ull lâ—ghâ—â—â— as â—f aâ—tâ—r a â—â—ng â— er night they had receiued light aÌ„â—â—pleasant tâ—peâ—ure of heauâ—nâ—â—e aâ—re they â—neweâ— the 〈◊〉 â—â—ich were fallen to the ground they â—oâ—nded builded â— finished Cathedrall Churches of 〈…〉 â—â—â—ly did set forth as it were signes of Victorâ— thâ—y â—eâ—rated feastes thâ—y saied Masses with pure heart and 〈◊〉 All â—â—ildren in their mother 〈…〉 â—hey were begotten of the mother the Church and vâ—â—â— the wickednesse of the Arâ—â—â—â—â—red this swâ—â—te vâ—â—n of the members of Christ the head reâ—aâ—â—ed So Gild as S. Bede and other great witnesses â—d yeâ— when Arianâ—sme was diâ—ated â—aâ—â—t â—han â—sius S. Hâ—lary and other authorities â—e cleare Britanie as much as any nation â—roÌ„â— at insectâ—â— For it remaâ—nâ—â— â—â—me and coÌ„â—nt obedience to the Popes â—â— Roâ—e in that â—werth age both in Princes Bishops and â—hers Great Constantine our Emperour â—ng and borne in Britanie with S. Helenâ—â—â— Mother a Briâ—an and Emâ—â—â—sse hâ—noâ—râ—d â—e See of Rome in the highâ—st maner They â—d no doubt diueâ—s of our British Bishops â— the Councelâ— at Roâ—â— of 284 westeâ—â—â—â—shops were present and assenâ—ed when iâ—â—â— decreed Nâ—â—◠〈◊〉 it primâ—m sedem quoâ—m omnes â—eâ—es a 〈…〉 dâ—sidâ—rant 〈◊〉 Neque aâ— Augusto reâ—ue 〈…〉 Râ—gihus neque à popâ—â—â— Iudex 〈…〉 â— 4. Episâ—opâ— 4. 5. Presbytâ—rs 5. Diaconiâ—â— duo sequentes Augustus Constantinus Mater eiâ— Helena None shall iudge the first See for all Sees doâ— desire that iustice be moderated by the first See neither by Augustus neither by the whole Clergie neither by Kings nor by the people the Iudg shall be Iudged Aâ— heare vnto subscribed 2 4. Bishops 45. Priestes â— Deacons and the two which followeth Constantine â—â— Emperour and Helena his mother 13. VVe had our Bishops present and subscribing with generall assent of Britanie â— the great Councell of Sardie assembled oâ— of 37. Prouinces where the Popes Supreamâ— spirituall power in all places is decreed aâ— confirmed in two seuerall Canons and Aâ—peales to be made to him as highest Iudgâ— The Pope then did not onely rule the conueâ—ted Christians But also sent Apostolike mâ— Saint Ninian a Britan instructed at Româ— with others to conuert the Pagan Picts â— this Nation Audiens Pontifex Romanus quosdâ— in Occiduis Britanniâ— partibus necdum fidem Châ—â— suscepisse ad Episcopatus gradum Ninianum consecâ—uit Concreditum à Deo â—alâ—nâ—um per Britannorâ—â— Scotorum Australium Pictorum terras ad seniâ— vsâ—ue latissimè profudit Ordinauit Presbyteros Epâ—â—opos consecrauit totam terram per certas Paâ—chias diuisit Pontifex Romanus Ninianum praemâ—â—genti datâ bene lictione Apostolum destinauit Tâ— Pope vnderstanding that some in the westerne parteâ— Britanie had not as yet receiued the saith of Christ consecratâ—d Ninianus Bishop which Talent giâ— vnto him from God he powred forth largly vntill wes agâ—d through all Britanie Scotland and the Southerne Picts He made Priests coÌ„secrated Bishops and â—nto certaine Parishes he denide the whole Land The Bishop of Rome sent Ninianus Apostle to the foresaied people giuing him his benediction 14. In the fiâ—â—e age Saint Celestine Pope sent S. Paâ—ladius to the Irish and Scots S. Patrick after him to the Irish S Germanus Lupus and Seuerus to the Britans to roote out Pelagianisme to quiet and settle the Ecclesiasticall state here which they did consecrating Bishops Prâ—ests and what else necessary in these Contries VVhich by their power Legatine they so happily performed that Protestants themselues so testifying among the Scots â—alladius in hodres num diem Scotorum Apostolus appellatur Palladius vnto this day is called Apostle of the Scots Among the Irish Patricius incredibili spiritus feruore EuangeliuÌ„ Hibernis praedicans ad sinceram Christi fidem eos per 60. annos in vineâ Domini laborans conuertit Profanâ— Deorum destruxit templa Ecclesias sundauit verbi ministros ordinauit Patrike preaching the Gospell to the Irish with incredible feruour of spirit laboring in the viniard of our Lord for the space of 60. yeares tenuerted them to the true faith of Christ the prophaine temples of the Gods â—â— dâ—stroied he builded Churches he ordained Ministers of the word Old Nennius liuing soone after saith Ecclesias fundauit 365. Ordinauit Nenniuâ— Episcopos 365. aut amplius in quibus spiritus Deminâ— eâ—at Presbyteros autem vsque ad â—riâ— milliae ordinauit He founded 365. Churches he ordained â—65 Bishops or more in which was the Spirit of ouâ— Lord but Priestes he made 3000. VVhich must needs be done as the Popes Legate for other Countriâ—s also besides Ireland S. Germanus with Saint Lupâ—s at the first and second time wâ—th Saint Seuerus reformed all things amoÌ„g the Britans be made Bihops and Priestes aÌ„d among the rest S. Dubritius Aâ—â—hbishop â—eauing him to be the Popes Legate here after their going hence 15. In the Sixt age Saint Dabritius still liued who resigning his Bâ—â—hoprike S. Dauid succeeded him both as Archbishop and Legate reforming all things and Ownes Briâ—anniae Eâ—clâ—sia modum Râ—gulam Râ—manâ—â—uthoritate acceperunt All the â—hurcheâ— of Britaniâ— by Roman authoritie receiued both then manner and Rule The Pope sent Saint Iuo an Archbishop inâ—o Britanie or then England who liued and died here Saint Kentegern Bishop receiued Power and Approbation from the Pope of Rome going thiter seuen times And Sanctus Papa illuÌ„ virum Dei Spiritus sanctâ— graâ—iaÌ„ plenuÌ„ intelligens in â—pus ministerij à Spirita Sancto illi iniunâ—â—i destinauit The holy Pope vnderstanding him â—o be a man of God â—eplenished with the grace of the holy Ghoste he sent him into the worke of the ministerie â—hâ—ch was enioyned him by the holy Ghoste So renowned was this holy Apostolicall Legate here and in all
Missaâ—que celebrare tâ—pro viuis quâ— pro deâ—â—eris in nomine Domini And the prayer being endea taking the holy oyle he shall make a Crosse â—â— both the haÌ„ds of the Priests saying Thou shalt vouchsafeÌ„â— Lord to conseâ—â—t and sanctifie these hands by this holy â—yntement and our benediâ—â—ion that whatsoeuer they shall censâ—â—rat may be â—onsecrated and whatsoeuer they shall â—lesse may be blessed and sanctified in â—he name of our Lord Iâ—sus Christ â—â— is finished â—e sâ—all take the patten with the hoste â—nd Chalâ—â—e with the wine and shall giue it 〈…〉 saying â—ake yea power to offer Sacrifice to God â—nd saye masse as well for the liuing aâ—â—r the dead in the name of our Lord. â—his is the most auntient Pontificall which â—tiquitie hath preserued and delâ—â—ered vnto â— vniformely agreeing with the now vsed â—ntificall in the Roman Church which difâ—eth not from but agâ—eath with the most â—ntient Manuscript Copies and Examplare â—tant in the most renowned Labraries And â—erefore our old British Antiquities deliuer Manusâ—â— antiq Capâ—â— in 〈…〉 Histor. 〈…〉 Arthur dipâ— apâ—â— Cam. â— for a receiued Tradition aÌ„d custome here in other places for the Priests thereof acâ—â—ding to their Office and Consecration to â—er Sacrifice both for the liuing aÌ„d the dead â—t consuetudo tam pro viâ—â— quâ—â— defunctis hoâ— Dâ—o immolare And this was so generall a â—â—ued truth and custome in the whole â—â—ch from the Apostles time and Tradition â—â— them that is was and iustly adiudged Heresie the Protestants thus acknowleging â—ngl Protest in Feild â—â—okeâ— of the Church â— 3. ca. 25. pag. â—â—8 Ciuâ—◠〈◊〉 pag 〈…〉 to denie it Aerius condemned the custome of the Church in naming tâ—â— dead at the Altar and â—ffering the Sacrifice of 〈◊〉 â—or them and for this his rashâ— and inconsideraâ—â—â—oldnesse and presumption in condemning tâ—e â—â—â—â—eâ—sall Câ—urch of Câ—rist â—â— was 〈◊〉 â—o â—â—emned So S. Epiphanius S. Augustine Isodorus Damaâ—câ—nus and others demonstrate 10. And for England where holy Priests anâ— Priestâ—ood are so greuously persecuted wâ— thus sucâ—â—ssâ—uely and without any Interruptiâ— deduce it in aâ—â— times and changes to theâ— daies Saint Peter a massing Prieste Bishopâ— and Apostle preaching and consecratiâ—â— Priests and Bishops here could consecrat aâ—â— ordaine no others but such as were to be â— his owne Order So Saint Câ—ement his confeâ—sed massing and Sacriâ—icing Sucessor dircted to seâ—d such into these parts Pope Eleâ—â—herius who by his holy Mission of Prieâ— and Bishops hither conuerted this kingdome being also a Massing Priest and Popâ— could send no other Pâ—â—ests but such And â— Churches and sacrificing Massing Altars eâ—ctâ—d in them all to such vse and end conâ—sed by all wriâ—ers Caâ—holiâ—s and Protestaâ— doe so demonstrate All agree we â—ad qâ—iâ—â—essesse 〈…〉 Religâ—â— and agreemeâ—◠〈◊〉 vntill Dâ—oclâ—lian his Persecution whâ—n â—â—oâ—g others persâ—â—uâ—â—ed the holy Prâ—â—â— Massinâ— Priâ—sts as Saint Gildas before â—â— proued and others 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Electi Sacerdotes trucidati and they which escaped did as often as they could saiâ— Masse in places whether they fled to escape daâ—â—ger as in Scotland whether the Persecution did not come â—t not being vnder the Romans We had many Massing Priests as Saint Amphâ—labus â—odocus Priseus Calanus Ferranus Amâ—ianus Carnoâ—us â—d others who â—â—â—ed thithâ—â—â—ut of our Britanie now England and were maintained by king Crathâ—â—â—â—en to â—aâ—e Masse â—ho founded all things necessarie to such â—urpose Churches Altars Chalâ—â—â— Pâ—â—ens â—adlesticks and all things else Seâ— Crathlintâ—us â—ex sacram Antistitis adem munâ—â—ibus ornauiâ— anâ—â—â—ssiniâ—s Hect. Boeth 〈◊〉 6 Scoâ— Hist fol. 99. â—â— Calicibâ—â—s Patenis Candelabris alâ—â—sque sâ—â—â—libâ—â— ad sacrorum â—vsum commodis ex argenâ—o aurâ—â—e fabrefactis Altarique cupro are claâ—â—â—o â—â—prouenâ—â—s ad caâ—x agris in sacrae aedis vicinâ—â— constituâ—â— But â—â— King Crathline adornâ—d the Sacred house of the Bisâ—p with most ample gifts Chalices Patens Candâ—stikes and such like necessaries made of â—â—lâ—er and â—ld for the vse of the Church with an Altar also eâ—â—ased in Copper and Brâ—se to doe all which he allotteâ—â—yearely rents of the fields neare adioyning to that sâ—â—a house 11. Britanie after this vntill the Pelagian â—â—resiâ— was quiet for Religion and theâ—â—â—pe Caelestine who was so â—arre a Massing â—pe and Priest that although the Masse waâ—â—pisticall before as he Protestants acknowâ—lge yet he added the Introiâ—â— Graduall â—sponsorie Tract and Oâ—â—eâ—torie vnto it strictly commaunding that Priests shoulâ— knowe the Popes â—anoâ— ad â—e sent such Maâ—sing Bishops and Pâ—â—est with them inâ—o theâ—â— kingdomâ—◠〈◊〉 gâ—â—d Sâ—otland and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—troâ—um 〈◊〉 responsorium â—raâ—â—◠〈…〉 insâ—ruit atque vt 〈◊〉 codâ—â—e◠〈◊〉 Caâ—ones scirent arâ—â—e prâ—cepâ— Cermanâ—m in 〈◊〉 Palladium in Scottâ—â—â— â— Pâ—â—râ—â—ium cum quodâ—◠〈◊〉 in â—iberniam â—â— Pâ—lagianas â—aerâ—ses 〈◊〉 Eâ—iscopos misiâ— Caelestinâ—â—â—d aâ—de to the 〈◊〉 all â—asse the Introite Câ—aâ—usâ— Respâ—nsoriâ— Traâ—â—â— and Offertorie and be stricâ— câ—mmaunded that the Priests should knowe the Caâ—â—â— of the Bishops He sent Bishops â—ermâ—nus into 〈◊〉 Paâ—â—â—â—ius into â—â—otland and Patricius with one Segeâ— into â—reland that they migâ—t extirpate theÌ„ce the Pâ—gia â—â—erisse All mâ— acknowledge that these wâ—â— Massing Priests and Bishops and that tâ—â— conâ—ecrated Such in great numbers botâ— England Scotland and Ireland Neâ—â—usuing neare or in the time of Saint Patriâ— writeth thus of him Ordinauit Episcopoâ— treâ—â—â— fexagintâ— quinâ—ue aut amplius in quibus spâ—â—itus ◠〈◊〉 â—rat Pâ—â—sbiteros auâ—em vsâ—ue ad trâ—a 〈◊〉 â—inâ—â—it He conseâ—raâ—ed more then 365. Biâ—hops whome waâ— the spâ—â—it of our Lord but Pâ—â—â—sts 〈◊〉 â—cd â—000 And of Theâ—â— diuers weâ—t so â—a as to Ameriâ—a â—d there eâ—ecuâ—ed their Priâ—â—â—e Oâ—der â—n oâ—â—ering the sacred bodie aâ—blâ—â—od of Christ at Mâ—â—se on consecraâ—ed â—â—arâ— in one place of America were lâ—uing 〈◊〉 the time of Saint 〈◊〉 〈…〉 â—is life and trauailes allmost 1000. yeareâ—â—ast 24. Priests which were Saint Patricks â—isciples daily hauing Masâ—e amâ—ng them â—nd others in other pâ—aces Immolaâ—â—nt agnuâ—â—a â—maculaâ—um â—mnes ad communionem venâ—â—bant â—â—entes Hoâ— sacrum corpus Domâ—nâ— Saluatoris sâ—â—â—ite sanguinem voâ—â—s in vitam â—ternamâ— They sacriâ—ed the immaâ—ulate Lawbeâ— and all came to the Comâ—union saying Taâ—e yea this bodie and blood of our â—â—d and Sauiour which will be to you lâ—se euerlaâ—â—g And to manifest vnto all the vndoubted â—uth of Saint Bâ—â—ndans trauaiâ—es and relaâ—n of these things iâ— is set downe in memoâ—ble Antiquities diuers hâ—ndredâ— of â—eares fore the Spaâ—iards or Porâ—ugals enterance to America that there it was thus Propheâ—ally reuealed vnto him Post 〈◊〉 Anneruâ—â—â—â—culâ— dâ—â—larabitur istâ— teâ—râ— vestris Successoâ—â—â—us 〈◊〉 Christianoâ—â—â—n superâ—eneâ—i◠〈◊〉 After â—â— yeares this land shall be discouered â—â— your Suâ—â—urs whâ— Pâ—rsâ—â—â—tion â—hall come 〈◊〉 the Christians 2. That S. German S. Lupus S. Seueâ—â— S. Paladius and all thâ—se which S. Ceâ—â—ne that Massing Popâ— sâ—nt hither into Brâ—â—â—ie were Massing Bishops and Priests as alâ—â—
thâ—t were coâ—sâ—crated by theÌ„ is confesâ— by all VVe haue the most worthie wiâ—â—â—e of our old Bâ—â—tish antiquities written â—ut 1000 yeares since intituled euen by â—estants glosses Prima â—nstitutiâ— varuâ—as â—siastiâ—â— seruitij The first Institution and varâ—etie â—â—â—ch sâ—ruâ—ce The Masse and publike officâ— which in the time of S. German S. Lupus and S. Patricke was by theÌ„ and others vsed in Britanie Scotland and Ireland was the â—ame which was composed by Saint Marke the Euangelist And thus it continued here so long as the Britans ruled and after they were expelled by the Saxons with the which remained in wales ad Cornewall and theâ— Scots and Irish. All our Archbishops both oâ— London Yorke and Caâ—rlegion Theonus Dubritiâ—s Sampson Dauid and the resâ— with all Bishops and Priests vnder them werâ— sacrificing and Massing Priests Altars foâ— Masse were in all Churches and one tâ—â— thâ— sacrifice of Christs bodie and blood was offered in Masse All which appeareth in â—annâ— histories and their destructioÌ„ by the Pagaâ— SaxoÌ„s in all Churches doth witnesse it Ecclâ—â— Ecclesiastica omnia ad soluÌ„ vsâ— destruebaÌ„â— Sacerdâ—â—es iuxta aâ—iaria trucidabaÌ„t They destroyed euen to â—â— ground the Câ—urcâ—es and all Ecclesiasticall tâ—ings tâ—e â—illed the Priests at the Alâ—ars Such were the Prâ—lats Bishops Priests Abbots and their Seâ—â— Monasteries and Churches where Maâ—â— was vsed in great number and aboundancâ— in euery age â—y the â—rotestants confession â—o Goâ—â—olin histor Eccles Matth. Parker Antiquis Britannis pag. 8. Tot tantâ—quâ— Presâ—â—â—â—rorum Mâ—nacâ—orum Praesuluâ— Episcoporum Ecclesiarum Coenobiorum Sâ—diumâ— vetusta nomina quae quosâ—â— saculo extiterunt Se 〈◊〉 old names of Priests Monckes Prelats Bisâ—oâ— Churches Monastericâ— and Episcopall Seâ—s were in â—uery â—â—ge extante 13. And among the Saxons the first Christian Priests that were permitted here were Massing Priests their Sacrifice was the sacrifice of Masse their Church at Canterburie had Altars and Saint Leâ—hard the Bishop which came hither with the Fâ—enth Cathoâ—ike Christian Ladie Queene Bertha married â—o the Saxon king Etheâ—bert of kent and the Priests with him were all Massing Priests and â—aied Masse in that Church allotted to theÌ„ to â—hat end In antiquissima sancti Pâ—aesulis Marâ—inâ— Ecclesiâ sub vrbe sua beato Pontisiâ—e Lethardâ— praesiâ—ente frequentabat Regina Missarum Oraâ—ioâ—um â—acra cum suorum coâ—itum samiliâ— Christianâ— â—â— the auncient Chuâ—ch of Saint Mâ—rtin cituâ—â—d neare vnto the citie Lethardus the Bishop gouerâ—ng it the Queene wiâ—h her Christian samilâ—â— heard â—asse frequently This was diuers yeares before â—aint Gregâ—riâ— that most holy and â—â—arned â—ope Gregoriâ—s magnus Romanus omnium â—ontisiâ—m Romanorum doctrinâ— vitâ prâ—stantissimuâ— â—egorie the greate a Roman the worthiest of ad the â—oman Bishops in doctrin and life As Protestants â—le him sent Saint Augustine with his holy â—mpanie hither and king Ethelbert as these â—otestants saie by the persuasion of Queene â—rtha his wise and her Clergie receiued the â—ole Roman Religion Conuâ—rsus vxoris Berâ— persuasione Ethelberius Rex Romanismum susceâ— And Saint Augustine brought in among â—her things Altars holy vestiments and â—sselâ— Relicks bookes of Ceremonies the Sacrafice of Masse and in a Councell assembled commaunded the Roman customes to be obserued euery where Introduxit Altaria vestimenta Vasa sacra Reliquias Ceremoniarum codices Prinum corum Studium erat cirâ—a Missarum oblationes Sedes â—piscopalâ—â— ac deâ—imas coactà Syno do maÌ„dauit Romanas vâ—iq câ—sâ—ctuâ—inâ—s sâ—ruari And the Masse which S. Augustinâ— brought hither fâ—om â— Gâ—egoâ—ie was the same which S. Gregoâ—â—e and the Roman Church then vsed and the present Râ—man Church and Catholikeâ— of England doe vse at this time and the very same which was in vse before Saint Gregorie He onely addâ—â—â— vnto it as the Protestants themâ—elues confesse â—ew things not questioneâ— by them as 〈…〉 Lord haue mâ—â—â—ie â—pon â—â— to be diuers times â—â—iâ—erated which they confesse the Greeke Church dâ—d vse long before He added also Diâ—sque â—ostros in â—uâ pace diâ—â—onas And dâ—spose our daiâ—s in thy peace And commaund we â—e deliuered froÌ„ euerlasting damnatioÌ„ and numbred in the sâ—ock of thy electâ— But the Protestants allow and vse all these aâ— also where they saâ—e he hadded Alleluia somâ— times to be vsed it being vsed in Scripture and the saying or singing our Lords prayeâ— Pater noster ordained by Christ and by Protestants confessâ—oÌ„ vsed in Masse in the Apostleâ— time S. Aldeâ—me our holy Bishop and Countrie mâ— who calâ—eth S. Gregorie his Maâ—â—â— writeth that he added in the daily Canon wâ—â— the solenities of Masâ—e are celebrated in the Câ—â—alogue of â—â—â—tyrâ— S. 〈…〉 ioyning the 〈◊〉 S. 〈◊〉 S. Anasâ—â—siâ— and â—thers Qâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Agatha â—Luâ—ia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noster Gregoâ—â—â—â—n Canone 〈…〉 â—mâ—â—a celeâ—râ—tur â—opulâ—sse 〈…〉 â—â—â—logo 〈…〉 â—gaâ—â—a Luciâ— VVhich S. 〈…〉 and Pedagoge â—regorie â—s 〈…〉 in the dâ—â—ly Canon 〈…〉 them after this mâ—ner 〈◊〉 Catalogue 〈…〉 Anastâ—siâ— Agaâ—â—a 〈…〉 Saint Gregorie added no 〈…〉 to the holy Masse For hereby 〈…〉 the whole Canon was vsâ—d before an◠〈◊〉 Saint Agatâ—a and Saint Lucia to the oâ—hâ—r holy women Martyrs proueth enough 〈◊〉 â—is Act to be holy by former authoâ—â—tie and â—xample those oâ—â—er holy Martyrs being by â—he Church of Christ placed and 〈◊〉 in â—he Canon before S. Gregorie hâ—s 〈◊〉 and S. â—gatha and Sâ—inâ— Lucia in the Caâ—â—â—ders of Protestants 〈◊〉 acknowledged and 〈◊〉 holy 〈◊〉 Saints and Martyrs For Saiâ—â— Greâ—oâ—â—e to ioyne Saints to Saints in honour â—ould â—e no â—nsainctlike Act in him Nâ—ither â—hâ— Priests of Engâ—and doe dâ—serue suâ—h peâ—alâ—ies punishments and peâ—sâ—â—uciors as â—hey naâ—e long suffered and now full â—oe â—ndâ—â—e â—or exeâ—cising their most honourablâ— Functiâ— â—n offering their most diuine Sacriâ—iâ—e instituted by Christ offered by him his â—oly Apostles and in all Ages after in this so approued and receiued Order and forme oâ— Masse vntill it was first here disallowed by king Edward 6 a child and made so penall by Queenes Elizabeths strang proceedings in such affaires For king Henry 8. though otherwise a most strang Enimie to Christs â—oly Church yet concerning Massing Priests anâ— Masse he ordained by his laste will and Testament as is still to be seene Massâ—â— That they should continue in England to the â—nd of the worlâ— willing and charging Prince Edward his sonne aâ— his Executors all his heires and Successours thâ— should be kings of this Realme â—s they will answear before allmightie God at the dreadfull daie of IudgmeÌ„t that they and euery of theÌ„ dreseâ— it performed Neitheâ— euer was there in England before that yoâ— kings time or in any other nation wheâ— Protestant Communion hath in these theiâ— late daies opposed against Catholike Relâ—gion Priests and Masse any other Churcâ— seruice but Catholike Masse and Sacriâ—ieâ— founde heard off or remembred in Antiquities 14. Therefore seeing the honour and dignitie of holy Priesthood in the respect oâ— the most sacred and heauenlie
in the heauens and â—hatsoeuer yee shall loose on earth shal be loosed in â—e heauens God hath subiected to the hands of the â—riests the Regall head theaâ—hing vs that this Prince greater theÌ„ that The thronâ— power authoritie â—nd dignitie of Priests is aboue Regall this â—leth onely in things temporall the Priest â— heauenly The king of heauen hath giuen his power to his Priests and hath subiected â—e Regall head to thâ— hands of the Priests â—eclaring vnto vs that this is a greater Prince â—en he Neither hath he giueÌ„ such power vnto â—ngels or Archangels as to Priâ—sts Saâ—erdotibâ—â—â—â—um est vt potestatem habâ—ant quam Deus neque Chrysâ—st lib. 3. de Sacerdotio â—ngelis neque Archangelâ—s datam esse voluit Neque â—im ad illos dictum est Quaeâ—unque alligaueritis in â—rrâ erunt alligata in coelo Et quaecunque solueretiâ—â— terrâ erunt soluta in â—oelâ— It is giuen to Priests â—at they shall haue power which God would haue â—uen neither to Angells nor Arâ—hangeâ—â—s For it is not â—ed to them Whatsoeuer you â—hall bind vpon earth â—all be bound also in heauen and whatsoeuer you shall â—ose on earth shall be loosed in heauen The power â—f binding which is in Princes is onely ouer â—odies that of Priests ouer soules and extenâ—eth to heauen Habent terrestres Principes vinâ—li potestatem verum corpâ—rum solum Id autem quod Chrysoâ—â— ibideâ— â—â—o Sacordotum vinculum ipsam eâ—iam animam conâ—ngitatque ad coelos vsque peruadit Terreane Princes â—lso haue the power of fetters but of the bodie onely â—ut that which I saie the bonds of Priests toucheth the â—ule it selfe and passeth vnto the heauens This is the doctrine deliuered by Christ so expâ—â—nded both by the Grâ—â—ke and â—â—â—ine Church in Britaniâ— and all places with all persons all good Emperours Kinges and Princeâ— of England and which the whole Christian worlde haâ—e euer profâ—ssed and declared 17. And the world will witnesse euery where against persecuting England that the Cathâ—likâ— Pâ—iest and Clergie thereof be as leâ—â—ned â—â—ly religious and as saâ—â— fâ—â—m exception and eueâ— haue bene since they were persecuted â—â—mber for number as any â—â—â—giâ—â—â— all Châ—â—stian reâ—owned Naâ—ions And of all Engâ—â—â—h people they haâ—e most â—oâ—oâ—red â—nâ—â—east 〈…〉 offended their Pâ—inces or 〈…〉 Câ—â—â—crie Most of them be and 〈…〉 of noble or 〈◊〉 familiâ—â— and alâ—â—â—bred â—â— and discended that thâ—y haâ—e 〈◊〉 at home and abroad without 〈…〉 or huâ—e They 〈◊〉 left 〈…〉 places i◠〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Englâ—â—d 〈…〉 and all They 〈…〉 Bâ—shoprâ—cks 〈◊〉 or 〈…〉 but leaue 〈◊〉 to thâ—â—â—r 〈…〉 any 〈◊〉 Tribâ—â—es or 〈…〉 From their Aduersaâ—ies The Catholikeâ— of â—nglan◠〈◊〉 these â—o 〈…〉 more the Protestants doe 〈…〉 or many 〈◊〉 Presentations and 〈◊〉 which beâ—oâ—ged 〈◊〉 their â—o â—â—ll into the lapse for the Protestant Bishops to bestowe as thâ—y will Ouâ— Catholikâ— Priests haue no wiues or children to trouble the CoÌ„mon â—ealth withâ—ll Pariâ—heâ—â—nd pâ—aces of birth be not postered or charged with any â—uâ—h nâ—r Schoâ—â—erships or Felâ—owships in Vnâ—uersitieâ— which are not orâ—ained for Ministerâ— childrenâ— Tenanâ—s are â—ot put out of their liuings nor the Church Riâ—ches and liuings horded vp beggars made â—ut not releeued for any 〈◊〉 of Priests â—r Priests fauourers All that be of their acâ—uintance in Religion are instructed in dutie â—o God and Prince and be most true and â—utifull Subiectâ— to â—heir king â—n all occasioÌ„s â—hâ—se caÌ„not be the 〈◊〉 of a bad Religion 18. Their Religion vnder preâ—enâ—e whereâ—f they are presecuted they haue ofâ—eÌ„ in pubâ—shed bookes proued in euery point and â—rticle to be onely true and now doe coÌ„â—â— it â—â—t to pâ—eâ—se which will so demonstrate 〈◊〉 euery Article of thâ— Pâ—â—seâ—utours Reâ—ion euen by the Apostleâ— and Apoâ—olike men and Fathers of that age in â—hich they liued holy Scripturs and Proâ—stants themselueâ— and they haue often â—ade most earnest and huÌ„bâ—e petitions lateâ— pâ—blished in print to the Parlament 〈◊〉 publickly euen with vnequall condiâ—ons to themselues and their causâ—â—â— dispute â—d mâ—intainâ— all and euery part of the doâ—ine they hold and 〈◊〉 against the best â—arned Protestant Bishops or 〈◊〉 their Persecutours And yet if meÌ„ would or should speake doe and proceede consequently as they which takâ—â—pon them to be teachers instructours and Reformers in Religion of all men in all times and places ought and without vtterly disabling themselues therein are bound A Prieste or Bishop that saieth Maâ—se absolueth penitents or reconciâ—eth men to the Catholike faith by power authoritie or Iurisdiction from Rome is no more guiltie of so â—ermed treason by the ParlameÌ„t Protestant Acts and lawes then all other Ecclesiasticall ParlameÌ„t an 〈◊〉 Elizab. Statute 2. Parlam 1. Iacob Parlam â— Carâ—li personâ— dâ—acons or others inferiours Religious of what name title or degree soeuer as SubdeacoÌ„s Acolythists Exorcists or others wanting all such power as is euident by that oâ— Queene Elizabeth receiued and prosecuteâ— by king Iames aÌ„d king Charles Priests therefore are not or should not be so prosecuteâ— for their Priestlie functions God forbyd any English minded man or louer of Englanâ— should thinke or wish it a thing so penall anâ— capitall for any InhabitaÌ„t of England or English man to be borne abid or remaine in hiâ— beloued natiue Countrie of England thougâ— he weâ—e a meaner and more vnworthie maâ— then any meanest Priest of England is 19. The Protestants thus deriue our Clergâ—â— Succession Thâ— first Parlament of Qâ— Câ—mbd Annal pag 36. â—â—izabeth being ended the Oath of thâ— Queens supreamacie was proposed to the Catholike Bishops and Ecclesiasticall Persons many as refused to sweare were depriued their benefices dignities and Bishopriks â— Rulers of Churches 50. Prebendaries 5. â—isters of Colledges 12 Archdeacons 12. â—anes and 14. Bishops all that then â—emaiâ— except one Anthonie Bishop of Landaffe â— calamitie of his See and â—ome commitâ—ed prison in the Tower Fleete Marshallea â— kings Bench. How reuerend and learned â—n those of our Clergie then weâ—e and they â—ch immediately ioyned with the and coÌ„tiâ—d a SuccessioÌ„ of renowned Clergie Priests â— memorable bookes and writings of very â—y of them in defence of Catholike Reliâ—n ther honour therby registred among â— must worthie writers and their glorie in whole Church of Christ are warrant to posteritie I am an vnworthie witnesse â— many older and of more frequeÌ„t conuersaâ— with Priests then I can better testifie that â—hin 25 yeares of the Reigne of Queene Eâ—beth when so many from our Seminaries â— come hither that at one time there were â— of them Prisoners in the Marshallea and â—y of them put to death There were then â—y of Queene Maries Priests depriued and â—secuted by Queene Elizabeth still liuing â— labouring here in this holy cauâ—e and â—st of them were very learned as they were â— which were sent from our Seminaries to â—plie their number and ioyne with them as â—ers published bookes from them their
petitions and challendges of dâ—sputatioÌ„ boâ— in the Marshal sea and Tower and their cofuting and confounding their Protestant auersaries doe sufficiently â—estifie 20. Wâ— may take some proportion of thâ— labours and worâ—hinesse â—ere if we call â— minde the sâ—aâ—e of such affair in Engâ—and â— the time of Qâ—eene Elizabeâ—h before aâ—y Râ—ligious men came â—â—ther the Cleâ—gâ—e Prieâ— heing here aâ—lmost alone without other asistance and compare it with the present câ—dition when so many Orders of them â—sides the old Clergie be and haue bene hâ— diuers yeares and we shall not finde feaer the auntient Nobilitie scarceâ—y more of â— chiefest gentrie and not many more otheâ— Catholikes now then in those daies Tâ— which be old may remember it others â— Iudgment in histories and Records may fiâ— it so the time of Persecution threatning â— commaundeth vnto me silence in particulâ— Yet all that are so desirous to examine ◠〈◊〉 Annâ—l pâ— 27. 21. 22. 36. 39. Rowâ—s preface historicall in Quâ—ene Elâ—â—â—beth Stowes 〈◊〉 yeare of Q. 〈◊〉 comparison may easily prooue that moâ—â— I am not in error if they will but readâ—â— Protestant Historicall relations Caâ—dâ— Howes Stowe and others they will sâ—e wâ— Pollicie was vsed to put downe Catholâ— ReligioÌ„ aÌ„d by theÌ„ it will also appeare how â—â—tholike CouÌ„cellours were â—â—moued Catholâ— Iudges Sherifes Iustices of peace and othâ—â— were displaced and Protestants put in tâ— places fiue nowe Protestant Lords made iâ— â—ounties Protestant Bâ—â—gesses chosen for â—rlament Plures è Protestantibuâ— datâ operâ è â—nitatibus tum è â—iuitatibâ—â— Burgis fuisse electos â—ny of the Protestants of set purpose were chosen one 〈◊〉 Counties as well out of Cities as Townes And â—hough the Caâ—holike Bishops were also â—cluded from that Parlament that so Proâ—tant Religion might be the more easily esâ—lished by Parlament yet the Pâ—oâ—estant â—tie exceeded onely in Sixe voices the Caâ—olikes who there profâ—sâ—ed themselues to â—uch and all for the most part of them for â—ong time remained so The Queene herâ—e openly then in that Parlament protested â—â—â—he would neuer vexe or trouble the Roman Caâ—ikes concerning any difference in Religion â—ough we found and felt since how farre â—he â— altered froÌ„ this theÌ„ her intetion ad deternatioÌ„ What I haue saied is found to be true all the opinionâ— of friends and aduersaries 21. And this sufficiently argueth a true â—st lawfull and neuer defectiue knowne sucâ—ion of worthie and learned Priests of the â—ular Clergie who defended in all times â—holy cauâ—e of God in this our Countrie â— conserued still the Catholike Religion in hearts of the Nobilitie gentrie and others â—ll soâ—ts No Order of the Religious can â— so The Iesuits came first of all the Reliâ—us hither but they were not heare before â— went away againe not returning of some â—res The DominicaÌ„s and Franciscans came â—er before the Benedictins but neither they nor any other â—id or could make this claiâ— For our secular Priests haue as is beâ—â— often declared continued alwaies their sâ—cesâ—ion and in this last persecution sheâ— the way and broaken the ice vnto all â— Religious by their Mission of Priests hithâ— from their Colledges beyond the sâ— which I speacke not with any intention dishonour our Reuerend Religious buâ— honour the Secular Clergie and to defend Authour of the ProtestaÌ„s Plea and Petition tâ— ParlameÌ„t for Catholikes Against whom a certâ— Benedictine Moncke in his prefatorie Epâ— to Saint Augustins Meditations Soliloqâ— and Manuall translated by him into Engâ— writeth I here neuer hath beene any Interrupâ— Benedictine Preachers and Teachers in England â— to prooue this his assertion he reciteth â—ly three such Monâ—kes Abbot Fecknam aâ— Moncke to vse his wordâ— whole name was â—rie Stile as I take it Who though bliâ— bodie yet cleare sighted in minde in the Châ—â—â— Westminster publiâ—ly and â—â—outely confuted in an â— none Sermon a precedent railâ—ng Sermon â— D. Horne by appointment of the Councell sâ—â— in the eares of the people to disgrace the profesâ—â— Monckes and Catholike Religion and D. Sâ—â— Buckly and he seemeth to be offendâ—d â— the foresaied Author of the Plea as thougâ— had done wrong to their Order in suppâ—sing D. Abbot Fecknam his namâ— say â—e might haue remembred the famous and â—â— â— Abbot Fecknam But aâ—as this is farre froÌ„ accusing truely that Author or excusing himselfe or prouing what he said before For that Author in that very booke maketh twice an honourable memorie of that noble Abbot in one plâ—ce setting downe to his honour the Oratâ—â—â— he made in the first Parlament of Q. Elizabeth in defence of Religion And â—hat Author of the Plea was so farre and â—till is from being otherwise then a loâ—ing friend and no enimy to the Order of â—aint Benedict that in the time of Q. Elizaâ—eth before any Monckes came hither He â—rote in honour thereof in his Apologie for Catholiks to the Councell of Q. Elizabeth Apolog. â—pâ—st â—o Q Elizab Councall prius an 601. pag 83. â— these words The onely order of Saint Benedict so â—nowned in our Nation hath had abouâ— twentiâ— kings â—d Emperours aboue an hundred grâ—â—t Princes many â—opes sixteene hundâ—ed Archbishops 4000. Bishops â—000 famous men and 15600. most honourable caâ—nised Saints Thus farre ranne his penne with â—eir Moncke and most commender Tritheâ—ius 22. When the first Moncks from Spaine â—me hither about the death of Q Elizabeth â—d had no Faculties this Author at the reâ—iest of one of them his deare frâ—eÌ„d wrote efâ—ctually to the then Archpriest Maister â—ack well to giue them ordinarie Faculties â—hich he did and these were the first Faculâ—s that Congregation in my memorie as â—e Moncks themselues confessed had in England vntill more ample were afterwards and otherwise procured vnto them And that Author hath euer liued ingreat peace loue vnitie and concorde with all the worthiest oâ— that and other Orders of his acquaintance but to that excepting Moncke he â—as noâ— knowne And now at this time and 〈◊〉 afteâ— both that Author and I that write as his anâ— their louing friend will be so farre froâ— being an enimy vnto the Moncks of Sainâ— Benâ—dicts Order that except their auntienâ— learned Moncks Historians and such as theâ— accompt most fauouring to their Order iâ— matter of Historie shall offend and be againâ— them of this time we will not offend theâ— bringing nothing but from these men theâ— selues and such But yet that assertion Tâ— there neuer hath beene any Interruption of Benediâ—â—â— Preachers and teachers in England cannot be sâ— by Moncks and this Moncks owne confâ—sion For if it had bene a thing lawfull foâ— Moncke or any Catholâ—ke to goe twise â—â— day to a Protestant Church where once â— goe iâ— dâ—mnable such a Moncke could not â— a truâ— Preacher and Catholike otherwise aâ— learned man vnder pretente to coÌ„fute Proâ—stants by word or writing might goe to theâ— Churches and deliuer themselues from pâ—â—alties Further this Moncke as they confeâ— went soone after out
God with men and he will dwâ—ll with them And they shall be â—is people and he God with them shall be their â—od And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes and death shall be no more nor mourning nor crying neitâ—er shall there be sorrow any more which first things are gone All you shall or can giue or raâ—her lend for such a recompence of sure Inheritance for euer was giuen you by him that for but lending him the same againe for a time will with so great honour returne you all againe yâ—a an huÌ„dred for one Omnis qui reliquerit domuÌ„ velfraâ—â—es aut sorores aut Patrem aut Matrem aut vxoâ—em aut filios aut agros propter nomen Matth. 19. meum cenâ—â—plum acâ—â—piâ—t vitam â—â—ernam possidebit Euâ—ry one that haâ—â— lâ—ft house or bretherne or sisters or father or mother or wife or childrne or â—andâ—â— for my sake shâ—ll â—eâ—eiue on hundreâ— fold and shall possesâ— life euerlasting 3. You that be great and Noble and Noble Cathoâ—â—kes be not troubled â—or not enioying such â—â—mpoâ—all and fading honours in Court or Countrie which your equals or inferiours enâ—oye not being of your Religion but rather pâ—rsecuting it are exalted or that you haue lost or let any such for this holy cause If there was danger you could not exercise â—uch without offence to God or hurting his Sâ—ruants it is your honour and securitie in conscience to want or loose them Qui amat pericuâ—um in illo peribit Coringrediens duâ—◠〈◊〉 3. â—â—as non habebit successâ— He that lâ—ueth danger shall peâ—ish in it A â—eart that goeth two waâ—es sâ—all not haue Successe And God hath prouided better Lâ—euâ—enanciâ—s and Offices for you in a bettâ—r kingedome Iudicabunt Nationes domâ—nâ—â—untur 〈◊〉 3. populis regnabit Dominus illorum in perpetuum They shall iudge Nations and haue dominion ouer peoples and their Lord shall reigne for euer Let it be your comfort that neuer had the that if you had enioyed such you would as your holy Religion teacheth you haue performed them to you vttermost power to the honour of God our king and Countrie as they which had and lately loste them did euer most faithfull and dutifull to our king in his commaunds and as readie as any Protestants to doe him all seruice and supplies they could by themselues or other meanes they might or were able to procure and more then diuers Protestants did well approue or commend in them for such duties which all Catholikes without exception generally and vpon all occasions in their degree most readily and willingly performed Let it not be a griefe vnto you that you are driuen out of Parlaments whose chiefest and onely members you with the Catholike Bishops and some priuiledged Abbots were with the kings of England long before any howse of Commonâ— was in power Your lawfull and iust refusalâ— of an Oathe made and as it was expounded by king Iames by greatest spirituall power vnlawfull to be taken giueth you lawfull excuse from all assent to Acts of persecution England euer was a noble Nation your Auncestors and of vs all that be truely English came by all Antiquities from a most honourable people and progenitors Saint Gregorie the great so called and in great parte our Apostle and Father in Christ compared them not onely for name but endowments of nature vnto Angells and the liues and conuersation of many thousands of your holy Auncesters when England was holy England were Angelicall and you now with other Catholikes made for profession of your faith a spectacle to the world Angells and men shall 1. Cor. 4. be for your rewarde thus perseuering as Angells Matt. 22. of God in heauen sicut Angeli Dei in caelo Your renowned Priests haue giuen you example in the highest degree of perfection in this kinde and cause in forsaking all at once and with his Apostles following Christ with an Ecce reliquimus omnia secuti sumus te Behold we haue Matt. 19. lâ—fâ— all things and haue followed thee So depriued and persecuted onely in England because we are Priests and borne in England Be not afraide to followe such guides with some hazard losse or diminution of your honours esteeme with carnall mindes Ritches and reuenewes for the like cause aÌ„d for that you are Catholikes of EnglaÌ„d For others both Priests and Catholikes not of England are otherwise entertained here in England not onely â—n times of peace but in times of open hostilitie betweene England and their Countries from whence they are of such by some some Ielousie might be made of English Priests and Catholikes no possible place is left to inuent the least suspition Our Priests haue so long and voluntarily professed pouertie and liued therein that no man of vpright Iudgment can thinke they would disorderly or vniustly seeke for Ritches with hazard of their friends And if his Maiesty should allowe to laie Catholikes which receiue no spirituall good from Protestant Ministers to paie Tithes to others of their Religion this would not be offesiue to God nor hinder but rather further a noble great Nation hauing now more neede of chaste then married of such sorte 5. If we had not preferred our loue of England before all earthly things no doubt but both the Bishop of Calcedon and diuers renowned Priests of England might haue founde farre greater amitie fauour and wordly preferment in other parts then they could euer expect or looke for in their owne Countrie We neuer had hand or singer in these late warrs and contenuons or euer â—aue the least occasion of any daunger difficultie or hazard our dearest Countrie is subiect or exposed vnto as diuers publick Proâ—lamations and other Protestant Relation publish We neuer were of Counsaile or acquaintance with any great Councellour oâ— Courtier dead or liuing full at this time oâ— any such which as many Protestans or â—uritans haue thought did not good offiâ—â—s to this kingedome We were and are 〈◊〉 to all meÌ„ or womeÌ„ Courtiers or others which haue bene suspected to haue furthered the driuing â—â— the French Bishop Priests Ladies and others from the Queene and placed theÌ„selues â—â—â—riends for them the beginning of daba ewith France We are as Innocent of the breath with Spaine either Maâ—â—iage or peace oâ— with any other Prince We haue not disturbed it at â—ome or abâ—oad The rebellion of the Netherlanders Hungarians Austrians 〈◊〉 Luâ—atians Sileâ—ians Moranianâ— French and whatsoeuer Protestants against their Princes were by Protestants not Catholiks allowing but allwayes condemning them As in England in all oppositions of Parlamentarie Protestants against our king hindering or witholding duties from him euen in his times of needs and wants the Catholiks euer yelded to and most readily performed all allthough by Parlament they were charged with double subsidies without any freedome or release of any penalties for Religion All Priests of the Clergie Bishop and others haue vtterly condemned the deniers
vntrue by their owne Parlaments testifying that in the very Primatiue Church and allwaies it was often ministred in one kinde onely Then no commandment of Christ contrary ca be brought to condemne all Churches times and places for such practise 8. Their 31. Article of the one oblation of Christ finished vpon the crosse denyâ—ng against the whole Church of Christ in all ages and places and thereby depriuing God of all externall sacrifice contrary to scripture and all authoritie will not by the Rule of proportion giue more or so much honour vnto earthlie kings then Catâ—oliks doe giuing this tribute and Sacrifice to the king of heauen and all that is belonging or was euer giuen to their terrene Princes 9. Their 32. Articâ—e of the Marriage of Priests hath married this kingedome to many miseries it did not feele or know before The posteritie proceeded by such lawe or allowaÌ„ce hath brought vs to number hundreds of thousands more then Britanie or England if it had remained Catholike should haue euer seene Many thousands of these are left vnprouided for and not a few are turned or wrested out of their possessions to furnish these Ministers children many of whom also haue fallen to such extreame wants that many of them haue taken desperate courses which the Catholike practise and Religion would haue preuented 10. Their 33. Article Of excommunicate persons how they are to be auoided Differeth not froÌ„ Cathoâ—ikes but that Protestants commit the businesse of excommunication and absolution to such as Catholikes hold haue no power therein when both Catholikes and Protestants confesse that men assigned to such offices by Catholikes haue true lawfull and vndoubted authoritie 11. Their 34 Article Of Traditions of the Church is wholy Ceremonious by their owne expositioÌ„ and no man caÌ„ be so singular in this or any such matter but to thinke any particular Church or kingedome the more it agreeth with the vniuersall or most florishing Christian kingedomes to be more honourable and secure thereby then such as fall into Nouelties and singularities 12. Their 35. Article of homelies is nothing to this purpose And their 36. Article intituled Of Consecration of Biâ—hops and Ministers To whom they commit spirituall Businesse preaching ministring Sacraments and to excommunicate absolue and whatsoeuer in like kinde they take vpon them to practise is quite ouerthrowne by themselues before in their 22. Article where they saie that Order as they vse it Is no Sacrament or effectuall signe of grace and hath noâ— any visible signe or ceremonie ordained of God Then not receiuing or hauing grace or such spirituall power it cannot coÌ„ferre aÌ„d giue it vnto others or so exercise it especially in so many things as is required from truely and lawfully consecrated persons such as they acknowledg the Bishopâ— and Priests of the Roman Church to be 13. Their 37. Article intituled of the ciuill Magistrate doth giue to teÌ„porall Princes supreamacie euen in spirituall things and denieth all Iurisdiction to the Pope of Rome in thiâ— Realme in such affaires Of this sufficient is said before And euery equall minded man may easily see whether the temporall state of England was not more honourable noble powerfull and secure when the Popes Iurisdiction in spirituall thinges ruled here then now it is and euer since it hath beene and yet the Ritches and wealth which fell to our kings and Princes hands and commauÌ„de at such chang were as infinite and so great that king Henrie 8 to haue licence or assent to suruâ—y them to make vse thereby promised to speake in Protestant witnesses words He would create anâ— maintaine 40. Earles 60. Barons Edw. howe 's historicall pref in Henr. â— three thousand knights and fourtie thousand souldiers with skilfull Captaines and competent maintenance for tâ—em all for euer ouâ— of the auntieÌ„t Church reuenewes Neither should the people be any more charged with loane Subfidies and Fifteenes Since wâ—iâ—h time there â—auâ— bâ—ene more statuts lawes subfidies and Fifteenes then in fiue hundred yeares before Thus in the publicke Protestant Historie in the yeare 1614. dedicated to our king now the Prince Charles Since we haue heard and tasted in EnglaÌ„d more matters of this nature And yet if we should make but Robin-hoods penâ—worthes and estimate of what hath beene taken away from holy constant Catholikes for proâ—â—ssing their true and Apostolike Religâ—â—n in the Reigne oâ— Queene Elizabeth king Iames and king Charles euen since he married a Queene prosessing for herselfe Catholike Religion It will amount to more then would haue deliuered a farâ—e meaner king and kingedome then ours of England haue beenâ— accoÌ„pted from such complaintes of feares wants needs dislikes and variaâ—â—â—â— tâ—erein if God had well approued of such proceedingâ— and such means of proceeding against his Catholike SeruaÌ„ts our kings most faithfull 〈◊〉 14. And the spirituall Supreamacie assumed by oâ—r Princes king Henry 8. king Edward 6 and Queene Elizabeth confirmed againe in this Article had wrought so good effects in so short time within 4. yeares of Q. Elizabeths obtaining the Crowne that Protestants in such order or rather disorder and number denied teÌ„porall power in Princes here to put any Rebell or whatsoeuer most greeuious offender to death and they weÌ„t further affirming that Protestants might not fight in defence of their Countrie though the Prince commaunded it wherevpon they were enforced to declare in this Article in this maner against such Protestant Brethren The lawes of the Realme may punish Christian men with death for heinous and greuious offences Is it lawfull for Christian men at the commaundment oâ— the Magistrate to weare Armes and serue in the warrs And there were among them teaching and holding communitie of goods noâ— theft spoiling or Roberie to be punished no iustice or lawe to be executed or Oath to be taken in Iudgement all Courts and Consistories to cease as is euident by the two last Articles 38. and 39. thus following the former intituled Of Christian mens goods which are not common And thus declaring The Riches and goods of Christians are not common as touching the right Title and possession of the same as certaine Anabâ—ptists Protestants doe beast And the last â—9 Article intituled of a Christian mans Oath And thus enacting and declaring We Iudge thaâ— Christian Religion doth not prohibit but that a man may sweare when the Magistrate requireth in a cause of faith and charitie so it be done according to the Prophets teaching in Iustice Iudgment and truth This suffiâ—â—enâ—â—y witnesseth wâ—at goodly coÌ„mon-wealths-meÌ„ their Protestant Religion euâ—n 〈◊〉 Infancie thereof had brought forth in this kingdome THE IX CHAPTER That true and obedient Catholikes be the truest and most obedient subiects 1. And in conclusion to come to the particulare Sâ—ate and Regalitie oâ— our most honoured King Charles and king Iames before him There neuer were any Protestants in England in their times or before which so truely and ducifully carried themselues towards their Monarchicall true Title Right