Saint Austin hath continued euer since vnto our time in all our Bishopps Prelats Pastors Deuines and Cleargie except Wiclife and his small crue by the example of their heades the Archbishopes of Canterburye whom I shew to haue bene in number sixtie nyne Likvvise all our laitie and in religion perfect Romane Catholiques The like I shewe of the Queenes ladies Princes Dukes Earles Nobles gentile and commons and generally of all the laytie by the example of their heades the kinges and princes of this land who sucessiuely besides Seauentie more who raygned in some parte of England whiles this land was deuided into many kingdomes haue bene in number sixtie three and in religion as perfect Roman Catholickes as may be See infra lib. 1. c. 21. In so much that it is confessed by Protestants that they knew not so much of Protestancie as that which they tearme the head fountayne and soule therof Amongst whom you shall see the ancient and renowned kinge Inas of the Saxons lib. 1. c. 23. professinge S. Peters supremacie all most nyne hundred yeares agoe and that by letters engrauen in stone buildinge a Seminarie in Rome for his subiectes ther Henrie 2. led P. Alexāders horsse Hen. 5. sued to haue his Countrie accounted a nation that ovveth deuotion to the Church of Rome lib. 1. cap. 25. 26. and makinge his kingdome tributarie to S. Peter And of the Normans blood you shall see the most victorious Prince Edward the third professinge by publicke letters that it is heresie to denie the Popes supremacie or as the kinge speaketh that the Popes iudgment omni humanae praesidet cecatura Amongst them you shall see the auncient and worthie kinge Ethelred so deuout to masse as he would rather aduenture the losse of his armie of his kingdome life than he would misse the hearinge of a whole Masse lib. 1. c. 26. And yet by his deuotion miraculously puttinge his enemies to flight lib. 1. c. 2. 3. You shall see that wise Prince Henry the third to heare many Masses euery day to kisse Preists handes at Masse time cap. 26. and preferre the seinge as he said of his Sauiour ther before the hearinge of the best preacher speaking of him finallie to omitt many other euident testimonies heerafter rehearsed not onelie of their assured Romayne Religion cap. 2◠but also of ther zeale and feruour therin And as many Queenes fourteene of them euen in the two hundred yeares after the conuersion of our Nation surrendred ther scepters Crownes and kingdomes and became either Monkes at home or trauelled in pilgrimage to Rome Lib. 2. cont Iulian. cap 10. 10. And were all these Archbishopps and their clargie were all these kings and ther people blind And hath time to imitate Saint Austins wordes in the like case so changed all things vpside downe that light is accounted darknes and darknes light that to omitt very many others confessed of Protestants to be profound diuines as you shall see herafter S. Austin S. Theodor Lanfrancke and S. Anselme who were the very lights of the land and of Christendome also in ther time for learninge and vertue were blind and Cranmer Parkar Grindall and VVhitgift men of meane learninge and as litle vertue did see what in Gods name should make any thinke so for number we haue all most seauentie for fower for continuance all most a thousand yeares for fiftye for learninge we haue profound knowledge euen by Protestantes confession against meane skill for vertue we haue famous and confessed sanctitie against ordinarie if not vicious life If therfore either number or time or learninge helpe any thinge to finde out Gods truth our Catholique Archbishopes are far more like to see and espie it than the Protestant Prelates or if vertuous life moue God to reueale his truth surelie the Catholique Archbishops are more like to know it than the Protestants And in the like sort touching Princes for two which Protestants can produce we can bring aboue one hundred and twentie for their child of Nyne yeares old and ther woman we can produce aboue an hundred mature graue and wise men who haue they in valour comparable to our Kinge Egbert first authour of our English monarchie to Kinge Alfred the great vanquisher of the daines and deliuerer of his Countrie to our Kinge VVilliam Conqueror of England to our Edward the first Edward the third Henrie the fift and many moe most valiant and victorious Princes whom in magnanimitie haue they aunswerable to our Kinge Ethelstan to our Kinge Edgar King Canute Kinge Richard Ceur de lyon and diuers others who in largenes of Dominion to our Kinge Canute our Kinge Henery the second King Richard the first and others who in learning to our Kinge Ethelwolf Kinge Alfred the great Kinge Henrie sirnamed beuclarke others who in wisdome to Kinge Inas Kinge Alfred Kinge VVilliam conquerour Kinge Henry the first second fourth and Seauenth whom finallie haue they to compare for vertue and sanctitie with Kinge Ethelbert Kinge Edmund the two Edwards Henrie the sixt and very many more 11. And shall we thinke that one child and a woman in so short time should espie that diuine truth which so many Princes in a thousand yeares could not finde That the infancie of a child and weaknes of a woman should discouer that which the rare learninge wisedome and iudgement of so many graue Princes could not attayne vnto That the fruitles life of a child and the ordinarie if not farre worse life of a woman should deserue of God to haue that reuealed vnto them which the rare vertue and holynes of so many excellent Princes who preferred his seruice before their kingdomes could not obtayne what were this but in matter of religion and euerlastinge saluation to giue that iudgment and make that choyce which in no other matter we would do for who is ther if it lay in daunger of leasing liuinges libertie or life would not make choice to follow rather seauentie then fower an hundred rather than two men than children and women and men of famous and confessed learninge wisedome and vertue than others of meane learninge and ordinarie if not naughtie liues And will we when it is daunger of losse of soule and saluation make the contrarie choyce what defence or excuse can we make of this proceedinge either before God or man will we say it is prudence in monye matters and temporall affaires to follow many rather then few men then children and women learned wise and vertuous before others lesse qualified and not to trust to much to our owne iudgments And can we thinke it prudence to obserue the contrarie course in matters of religion and eternall saluation doth the matter so alter the case Is prudence become contrarie to it selfe or is Gods religion so against all reason wisdome and iudgment Can we not become christians but we must leaue to be reasoable men admitt Christes faith but we must
goodly monastery at Beulieu erected a Nonry at Godstow to pray saith Camb. Brit. p. 329 for his Fathers soule for that perswasion had then possessed the minds of all men And in his Charter to Batel Abbey commandeth all his Iustices to defend the Possessions of that monastery sicut saith he nostra propria as our owne And Regist Buriense saith he gaue a great Saphir and a Ruby to S. Edmunds Shrine Fiftly when Grecians came to dispute against his faith he would not hear them Bale Cent. 3. cap. 37. ex Paris Sixtly Fox Acts. pag. 253. writeth that King Iohn submitted himselfe to the Court of Rome and as Bale saith Cent. 3. cap. 75. Acknowledged the Pope to be head of all Christians And though he disobeyed for a time the Pope yet that he did not for a difference in religion but because the Pope would make an Archb. of Canterb. whome the King misliked And as Cooper saith Anno 1201. For vvhat cause K. Ihon disobeyed the Pope for a time did this not vpō iudgment to set vp true religion saith he but vpon couetousnes and of a forward mind Finally vpon his deathbed saith Fox Acts pag. 256. he much repented his former life and had saith Stow pag. 262. a Confessor at his death and receaued the Sacrament at the hands of the Abbot of Crocston and died with these words VVestmon An. 1216. Deo sancto VVolstano animam meam commendo I commend my soul to God and S. VVolstan Paris pag. 389. Of the manner of his death Fox Acts. pag. 256. writeth thus Some write that he died of sorrow as Polidor K. Ihon dieth in profession of the Cathol saith some of surfeting as Redinger some of a bloodie flux as Houed some of a burning ague some of a colde sweat some of eating apples some of eating peares some plummes c. yet saith he most writers agree that he was poisoned by the Monke Symon of Swinfled But who those were he writeth not nor could name one besides a nameles Author of that Chronicle which because Caxton printed it is cald Caxtons Chronicle And it is as Stow well saith pag. 494. a fabulous booke And therfore Bale Cent. 3. cap. 75. referreth this to report saing Vt serunt as men report But who will not beleeue rather Paris pag. 389. Westmon Anno 1216. and others liuing in that same time or sone after who say he died of surfit sorrow then a Chronicle accounted by Protestants themselues a fabulous booke or writen by a nameles Author long after that time In this Kings time Saints died that glorious Saint Saint Hugh Bishop of Lincolne and Carthusian Monke whome Godwin in his life calleth Saint And saith By his integritie of life and conuersation and the opinion of diuers Miracles wrought by him hath purchased vnto him selfe the honor and reputation of a Saint He addeth also that S. Hugh Grew very famous far and neere for his extraordinarie abstinence and austeritie of life And that king Iohn and king William king of Scotts for great reuerence they bare to his holines helped to carry his Corps from the gate of the Cittie vntill it came to the Church dore King Henrie the III. XL. 9. IN the yeare 1216. succeded king Henrie 3. sonne to king Iohn and reigned 56. yeares dyed Anno. 1273. He was saith Cooper Anno. 1218. of nature gentle VVisdom and pietie of King Henrie 3. of minde sage and wise And so pious as Leolin Prince of Wales saith Fox Acts pag. 280. protested that he feared more his almes than his puissance And Westmon Anno 1272. speaking of this king saith Of how great innocencie of how great patience and of how great deuotion he was in obeying his Sauiour our Lord knoweth and they which faithfully adhered to him and of how great merit he was with God the miracles after his death testifie His Rom. Religion The Roman religion of this vertuous king is manifest First because as Fox saith in his Acts pag. 257. He was crowned by Swall the Popes Legat and Stow addeth pag. 263. Being crowned the gouernment of the King and his Kingdome was committed to the Legat to the Bishop of VVinchester c. Secondly because Continuator of Paris who then liued saith pag. 1349. K. Henrie 3. daily heard 3. sung Masses and Walsingham in Edward 1. pag. 19. Euery day he was accustomed to heare three songe Masses and desirous to heare moe serued daylie Priests celebrating priuatly and when the Priest did eleuat our Lords bodie he vsed to hould the Priests arme Deuotion of King Hen. 3. Bal. Cent. 4 cap. 46. and to kisse it And when that Lewis king of France said vnto him that he should oftner heare sermons he answered I had rather see my freind often than heare an other speake of him though neuer so wel Thirdly his Confessor was a Dominican Frier named Iohn Dorlington A. Quene a Nonne Bale Cent. 4. cap. 56. and Walsing in Edward 1. pag. 7. His Queene also after his death became a Nonne Walsing pag. 14. Fourthly in this Kings time came into England diuers orders of Friers as the Dominicans to whome Diuers kinds of Friers enter into England saith Stow pag. 268. the King assigned a house in Oxford The Gray Friers Cooper Anno 1222. The Croochet Friers Anno. 1244. Bale Centur. 4. cap. 3. The Austins Friers Anno. 1252. Centur. 4. capit 17. to whome cap. 46. he addeth the Paulins the Friers of Armenia the Friers de poenitentia the Friers de Viridi Valle and the Bonhomes Which last order Rodulphus l. 2. de Saincto Francisco saith was instituted by Richard Earle of Cornwall and brother to King Henrie Fiftly when the Pope sent a Legat into England saith Paris pag. 589. the King met the Legat most dutifully at the Sea coast and bowing his head to his knees cōducted him most respectiuely to the inermost parts of his Kingdome when he departed brought him with great honor to the Sea Stow Chron. Anno 1241. Sixtly because as is to be seene in Fox Act. 287. others He wrote to the Pope thus Sanctissimo in Christo Patri c. To his most holy Father Lord in Christ Innocent K. Henrie 3. calleth the P Lord in Christ offereth to kisse his feet by the grace of God cheefe Bishop health and kisses of his blessed feete And in the letter May it please your Fatherhood we beseech yow that our lawes and liberties which yow may righly repute none other but your owne yow will receaue to your tuitiō to be cōserued whole sound Vpon which words Fox maketh this note The K. in too much subiection to the Pope And in a letter in Paris pag. 839 The K. professeth to the Pope that In all the time of our reign we haue submirted ourselues our kingdom in all through all things to the wil of your Father hood And pag. 863. he citeth letters of
1366. He was saith Godwin Doctor of Law a verie frugal man and built the Colledg of Canterb. in Oxford which is now a part of Christchurch His Roman religion is vndoubted His Rom. Religion For as Godwin writeth the Pope bestowed the Archbishoprick vpon him And in his Epitaph S. Peter is professed Princeps Apostolorum The prince of the Apostles Simon Langhorn Archbishop LVI 25. THe 56. Archbishop was Simon Langhorn elect an 1366. and continewed but two yeares He was saith Godwin first a Monke then Prior lastly Abbot of Westminster Thence elected Bishop of London then of Ely and lastly of Canterburie Rom. religion of Archb. Langhorn How Roman a Catholick he was appeareth by Godwin who writeth that the Pope remoued him from Ely to Canterburie sent his Pal and lastly made him Cardinal and Legat into England as appeareth by his Epitaph In this Archbishops time Wicklef began to be angry saith Godwin with the Pope VVhy vviclef reuolted from the Cathol faith Archbishops and Monks because this Archbishop displaced him out of Canterb. Colledg And the better to wreak his anger vpon them went out of the Church and began his heresies VVilliam VVitlesley Archbishop LVII 26. THe 57. Archbishop was William Wittlesley Great learning of Archb. vvitlesley elected an 1368. and died an 1374. He was saith Godwin Doctor of Law and preached in Latin verie learnedly He was a Roman Catholick as the same Godwin declareth saying that he was aduanced by the Popes onely authoritie His Rom. Religion Simon Sulburie Archbishop LVIII Notable learning and qualities of Archb. Sudburie 27. THe 58. was Simon Suldburie elected an 1375. and died an 1381. He was saith Godwin a noble Prelat verie wise learned eloquent liberal merciful and preached in Latin very learnedlie Stow Chron. pag. 458. saith he was eloquent man and wise beyond all wise men of the Realme and fulfilled most worthie martirdom being slaine of the rebellious commons His Rom. Religion His Roman religion is notorious For as the said Godw. writeth he was houshould Chaplin to Pope Innocent and one of the Iudges of his Rota who bestowed vpon him the Archbishoprick and sent him his Bulls VVilliam Courtney Archb. LIX Noblenes and great learning of Archb. Courtney 28. IN the yeare 1381. succeded William Courtney and deceased an 1396. He was writeth Godwin sonne to hugh Courtney Earle of Deuonshire and was a great Lawyer His Rom. Religion As for his Roman religion ther can be no doubt For as Godwin saith the Pope bestowed the Archbishoprick vpon him sent him his Pal and as Walsingham writeth made him Cardinal And Eox Acts pag. 505 saith He set King Richard 2. Vpon the poore Christians of VVicklefs side condemned some made diuers abiure and do pennance Thomas Arundel Archbishop LX. 29. IN the year 1396. succeded Thomas Arundel Noblenes and vvorthines of Archb. Arundel and died 1413. He was saith Godwin sonne to Robert Earle of Arundel and VVarren was vndoubtedly saith he a worthy Prelat wise and very stout And Walsinghan who them liued Hist pag. 432. saith he was eminentissima turris Ecclesiae c. A most eminent Tower and inuincible Champion of the Church of England His Rom. Religion As for his Roman religion there can be no doubt therof For Godwin writeth that by the Popes prouision he was made Archb of Canterb and receaued his Pal. Fox Acts pag. 524. citeth his Constitution wherin he professeth S. Peters supremacie and pag. 507. saith He was a great enemy of English Wicklefian bookes and the Authors of them Bale Cent. 7. cap. 50. saith he imprisoned the Wiclefists and made them abiure their haeresie Henrie Chichley Archbishop LXI The learning and vvorthines of Archb. Chichley 30. THe 61. Archb was Henrie Chichley in the yeare 1414. and departed this wordl An. 1443. He was as Godwin writeth Doctor of lawe much employed in Embassages of the King wherin he euer behaued him self wisely and to the kings good liking He alwaies enioyed his Princes fauor was wise in gouerning his See laudably bountiful in bestowing his goods to the good of the common vvelth and lasly stout and seuere in administration of iustice In Hiham Feris he built a goodly Colledg and also an hospital and in Oxford two Colledges and called one Bernards Colledg an other Al soules His Rom. religion As for his Roman religion there can be no question of it For as the said Godwin writeth the Pope bestowed the Archb. vpon him sent him his Pal and made him Cardinal and his Legat in England And Bale Cent. 7. cap. 50. accounteth him a persecuter of Wicklefists And as is said in the Epitaph of his Tombe was made Bishop by the Popes owne hands Iohn Stafford Archbishop LXII 19. IN the yeare 1443. succeded Iohn Stafford and died Nobilitie and great learning of Archb. Stafford His Rom. Keligion 1452. He vvas saith Godwin in the Bishops of Bathe a man very noble and no les learned sonne vnto the Earle of Stafford and Doctor of Lavve As for his Roman religion that is manifest because as Godwin writeth he was made Archb. by the Popes absolute authoritie and before obtained of Pope Martin the Bishoprick of Bathe Iohn Kemp Archbishop LXIII 15. IN the yeare 1452. succeded Iohn Kemp and deceased An. 1453. He was saith Godwin Doctor of Lavve And his Roman religion is certain for as Godwin writeth The learning and religion of Archb. Kemp. The Pope bestowed the Archb. vpon him sent him his Pal and after made him Cardinal which also testifieth Bale Cent. 11. cap. 55. Thomas Bourchier Archbishop LXIIII. Nobilitie and learning of Archb. Bourchier 33. THe 64. Archb was Thomas Bourchier elect An. 1454 and deceased An. 1486. He was sonne to Henrie Bourchier Earle of Essex brought vp in Oxford of which Vniuersitie he was Chancelor Bale Cent. 11. cap. 75. saith he was a man honorable for his learning vertue and the blood of the Earles of Essex His Rom. religion His Romane Religion is manifest by Godwin Iohn Morton Archbishop LXV 34. THe 65. Archb was Iohn morton An 1487. and dyed An. 1500. He vvas saith Stow Chron. Eccellent learning and vertue of Archb. Morton pag. 789 of excellent vvit learning and vertue Godwin saith he was Doctor of lavv had manifould good partes great learning in the lavv vvisdom discretion and other vertues notable loyaltie and faithfulnes to his Prince Bale Cent. 11. cap. 85. Vir moribus c. A famous man in that age for vertue and learning seuere and a louer of iustice A man that in his time surpassed all the Prelats of England in vvisdome and grauitie As for his Roman religion that is manifest His Rom. religion For he was elected by the Monks confirmed redily by the Pope and made also Cardinal and procured Saint Anselm to be canonized Henrie Dean Archbishop LXVI 35. THe 66. Archb. was Henrie Dean An. 1501. and died
royal ex Beda lib. 4. cap. 23 A great miracles for Confirmation of masse And in this Kings time also An. 679. befel that great miracle for the approouing of Masse and praying for the dead which S. Beda recounteth lib. 4. cap. 22. of a Priest Who thincking his brother had bene slaine in a battel but indeede was taken prisoner did often times saith Beda cause Masse to be said for his soule By the saying of which Masses it came to passe that no man could bind him but he was streight loosed again about eight a clock in the morning when Masses began to be sayd This miracle fel not out vpon an obscure person but in one that serued Queene Edelred and in an Earles house and not in Englād onely but in Frisland also whither the man at last was sould And many saith Beda that heard these things of this man were stirred in faith and godly deuotion vnto prayer almes and and charitable deedes and to offer vnto our Lord hosts of the holy oblation and sacrifice for the deliuerie and releefe of their freinds that were departed This same saith he was tould me of them that heard it of the very man on whome it was done And therfor knowing it to be true and certain I doubted no whit to put it into this our Ecclesiastical Historie Which words of this great Doctor and Saint then liuing may suffice to con-found the incredulitie of any Minister In the same Kings time also as Beda recordeth lib. 4. cap. 4. was a great mortalitie stayed by the intercession of S. Oswald Plagne ceaseth by intercession of Saints and Masses said to giue God thancks therfor at the apointment of S. Peter and Paul appearing in a vision Which vision to be true Tvvo Queens nonns appeared by the miraculous effects folowing In this Kings time also liued Sexburg Queene of Kent who hauing left her Princly state became a Nonne vnder her sister Saint Edelred in Ely and succeeded her in the Abbesseship And Also as Beda saith lib. 4. cap. 26. Eanfled Queene of Northumberland wife to King Oswin with her daughter Elfled in the Monasterie of Whitbie King Cedwalla VI. 9. IN the yeare 686. succeded king Cedwalla who saith Beda lib. 5. cap. 7. held it two yeares The valiantnes of K. Cedvvalla and leauing it An. 688. as Beda hath in Epit. was baptized of the Pope at Rome on Easter euen An. 689. and there died He was as Beda writeth lib. 4. cap. 15. a valiant yong man Subdued Sussex and the I le of wite And as Malmsb. addeth lib. 1. Reg. cap. 2. often times ouercame the Kentish men His. Rom. Religion His Roman religion is vndoubted For as Beda hath lib. 5. cap. 7. being not yet Christened he left his Kingdome and Contrie and went to Rome thincking it to be singuler glorie and renowne to him to be regenerat at the Sea Apostolick with the Sacrament of baptisme And withall hoped that as sone as he was clensed from sinne he should depart this world Both which saith Beda by the prouidence of God were fullfilled For he was baptised by Pope Sergius and named Peter that he might beare his name whose Tombe he came to see and died while he wore his white aparrell of innocencie was buried honorably in S. Peters Church where in our tyme his body was found neere to S. Peters Sepulcher Saint Cutbert and his religion and miracles In this Kings time dyed S. Cutbert For as S. Beda saith lib. 4. cap. 27. He was consecrat Bishop An. 685. hauing bene two yeares Bishop soone after died and was wont as there and sequ Beda writeth to heare mens confessions to offer sacrifice to God and whose body eleuen yeares after his death was as S. Beda saith who then liued found whole and sound and the Iointes and sinowes soft and pliable and many miracles wrought therby Deuotion of Eng◠people In this time saith Beda lib. 4. cap. 27. it was the maner of the people of England when any of the Clergie or any Priest came to a Village they would all by and by at his calling come to gether to heare the word and willingly harken to such things as were sayd and more willingly follow in works such things as they could heare and vnderstand King Ina. VII 10. THe 7. Christian king was Ina who began his Reign An. 688. as appeareth by S. Beda in Epit. Malmsb. in Fastis and held his kingdome as Beda lib. 5. cap. 7. and all testifie 37. yeares He was saith Malmsb. lib. 1. Reg. c. 2. fortitudinis vnicum specimen The admirable vertues of K. Ina. Malmsb. The onely mirror of fortitud the Image of wisdom and his lik in religion yow could not finde How worthie he was in the affaires of God the lawes may witnesse which he made for correcting of the peoples maners wherein to this day appeareth a liuely representation of his pietie Bale Cent. 1. cap. 97. saith Balc magni consilij fortunae homo a man of profund iugment and great fortune Fox Acts. pag. 127. Fox A worthy and valiant King Cooper An. 687. Cooper Ina of great power and wisdome and ther with valiant and hardie and in feats of armes very expert To which Stow Chron pag. 96. addeth that he was the patern of strength and manlines Stovv an Image of wisdome and his like of no man known at that time for religion and framing his life therafter These high praises for religion Valor and wisdom three singuler properties of a Prince do both Catholicks and Protestants giue to this renowned Prince His Rom. Religion Now let vs see what his religion was First his Bishop was S. Aldelm a notorious Papist as is shewed before whose commādements saith Malmsb. L. cit audiebat humiliter ad-implebat hilariter He humbly listened vnto and cheerfully fullfilled Secondly he built saith Stow loc cit and others Glassenburie Abbey and erected also a Chappell of gould and siluer so termed of the ornaments with ornamentes and vessels of gould and siluer Chlaices Images of gold and siluer gaue to the Altare 264. pounds of gould a Chalice with a Paten of ten pounds of gould a Censor of 8. pounds a holy water bueket of 20. pound of siluer Images of our Lord and our Ladie and the 12. Apostles of 175. poundes of siluer and 28. pounds of gould a Pall for the Altar c. Thre Queens nonns Thirdly his wise Queene Ethelburga liued a Nonne at Berking as Fox saith Acts pag. 125. and others His sister Queene Cuthburga of Northumberland a Nonne at Winborn as Camb. in Brit. pag. 182. and Likwise an other sister of his called Quen-burga as writeth Florent An. 718. K Ina pilgrim to Rome and granteth the Peter Pence Westmon and others Fourthly him selfe as Fox saith pag. 125. setting a side all the pompe and pride of this wordl associated him self in the fellowship of poore
at is shrine in these words Kenulphus Dei misericordia Rex c. Kenulph by the grace of God King c. The King and Q. of England faire say vvere eye-vvitnesses of S. Guthlacs miracles Be it known to all men that our Lord hath magnified his Saint the most blessed Confessor of Christ S. Guthlac who corporally resteth in Crowland Monasterie with most famous signes and worthy wonders yea with fresh and in numerable miracles as both I and my Queene haue seene with our owne eyes in our Pilgrimage English Pilgrims vvith images of Saints in their hats And there the king freketh all Pilgrims that come to S. Guthlac cum signis eius in caputijs aut capellis with his images in their hatts or capps from all tax and tole And to this Charter subscribe the said king kenulph and Cuthred king of kent Celwal â—rother to King Kenulph Testimonie of K. Burdred for Saint Guthlacs miracles Wilfrid Archb. of Canterb. two Bishops and one Abbot and diuers others And he setteth doune an other Charter of king Burdred in which he testifieth that Crowland Pro frequentibus miraculis c. In respect of the frequent miracles of the most holy Confessor S. Guthlac is alwaies a fertil mother amongst the vinyards of Engaddi And that God by apparant myracles of S. Guthlac hath vouch saffed to shew his mercie To which Charter subscribe the king An. 851. with the whole consent as he saith of the Parliament then gathered against the Danes Archb. Ceolreth six Bishops two Duks three Earles and diuers others And Ingulph addeth that in the ParliameÌ„t the Archb. Ceolreth and diuers others Manie cured miraculously in the Parliament as well Prelats as Nobles were sodenly and miraculously cured of a kinde of palsie which at that time much offended England and ther vpon omnes ad visitandum c. All presently bound them selues in conscience by a most strict vowe to visit in a deuout Pilgrimage with all possible speede the most sacred tombe of the most blessed Saint Guthlac at Crowland The vvhole parliament vovveth pilgrimage What now will Fox say against this cloud of witnesses omni exceptione maiores Will he say as Ministers vse to say of Priests and Monks that they forged these miracles for gaine But this were madnes to say of such great Kings and Princes or will he say that they were deceaued Fox his confusion But some of them were eye witnesses and some of them were such in whome the miracles were wrought as the Archbishop and Bishop of London who testifie the same in their subscription But by this the indifferent Reader may both perceaue what credit he may giue to the miracles of other Saints and with what impudence without any testimony to the contrary they are denyed of Fox and such like And therfore I will not make any more Apology hereafter for the miracles which I shall rehearse but only cite my Authors from whome I haue them King Ethelard VIII 13. KIng Ina going to Rome An. 728. as Florent hath Chron. left his Kingdome to Ethelard Valour of K. Ethelard who held it most quietly saith Malmsb. lib. 1. c. 2. 14. yeares he was saith Malmsb. Cosin to King Ina and a valiant Prince His Rom. Religion His roman religion appeareth both by that King Ina so notorious a Papist chose him to whome he would commit his kingdome as appeareth by Beda lib. 5. cap. 7. and also by other things which are by Protestants confessed of the religion of this time In this Kings time died S. Egbert Priest Anno 729. Saints Ex Beda lib. 3. cap. 27. vvho led saith he his life in great perfection of humility and meeknes continency innocencie and righteousnes and conuerted the Scotts to the right obseruation of Easter And S. Beda himselfe that glorious doctor of our English Church the flower of Christianity at that time for vertue and learning of whose high praises giuen to him by Protestants and of his perfect roman Religion I haue said ynough before Here only I will adde the Elogy of Malmsb. lib. 1. cap. 3. Bedam saith he mirari facilius c you may sooner admire then vvorthly praise Beda vvho liuing in the farthest corner of the vvorld vvith the flash of his doctrine haue a light to all Nations Here vvit faileth vvords are vvanting vvhile I cannot tell vvhat most to commend vvhither the muâ—â—â—tude of his volums Florent VVestmon Anno. 734. Huntingt lib. 4. or the sobriety of his stile For doubtles the diuine vvisdome had vvith no sparing draught giueÌ„ him to drinck that in so short a scaÌ„tling of his life could perfect so huge voluÌ„es The report of his name vvas so famous that the cheefest in Rome had neede of him for the resoluing of doubtfull questions And much more there of his holines VVriters Procure their vvorks to be approued of the Pope Where also he addeth that he died anoiled and hovvseled The like hath Florent and Westmon Anno 734. and Hunting lib. 4. Caius de antiq Canterb. pag. 138. proueth that Beda went to Rome and there read his bookes coram Romana Ecclesia Before the Church of Rome and then gaue them to other to copie forth vvhich vvas saith he ordinarie in the Ecclesiasticall vvriters of that age to deliuer their vvorks first to the Pope of Rome to be examined K. Ceolvvolph a Monke In this Kings time Anno 737. as is in the Epitome of Beda Ceolwolfe King of Northumberland to whome Beda dedicated his history left his Kingdome and became a Monke And as Malmsb. 1. Reg. cap. 3. florished with miracles And about the same time Frigedida Queene of the west-Saxons went to Rome Hunting lib. 4. pag. 340. Q Frigedida a pilgrim Godwin in the Bish of Salsbery which at that time saith Beda lib. 5. cap. 4. And Hunting Deuotion of English in going to Rome l. cit many English men both of the nobilitie and coÌ„mons spirituall teÌ„poral vvere wont to vse vvith 〈◊〉 emulation In this Kings time also about the year 730. as Godwin hath in the Bishops of Oxford though Capgraue in her life say 750. liued the holy Virgin S. Frideswid S. Fridesvvida who flying to saue her maydenhood from Prince Algarus he was miraculously strooke blind Cambd. in Brit p. 331. and she after became Abbesse of a nonry built by her Father DidaÌ„ These dayes were so far from Protestancy and so manifestly Catholicke as Bale Cent. 1. cap. 93. saith they were pessima tempora pubescente Antichristo Very bad time vvhen Antichrist grevv to riper yeares And Centur. 2. cap. 6. writeth of Cymbertus an English Bishop of S. Bedas time After the custome of the rest in the same age he taught and coÌ„mended the Roman customs to be obserued in his Churches And Fulke Annot. in Hebr. 10. saith Beda liued in a superstitious time long after Antichrist did opeÌ„ly shevv himself And 1. Petri
Earles And that I may say so saith Ethelwerd almost all the chiefest youth of the Barbarians that nether befor nor after was there such a slaughter heard of since the English entred Britanie England defended by deuotion to Masse See yow heere this meruailous and miraculous victorie cōfessed by Fox to be obtained by the grace of God and the deuotion of the King to his seruice But what seruice this was which God would thus approue by so miraculous a victorie and by which England was then defended from destruction of Danes Fox was ashamed to tell But our ancient Historiographers Florent VVestmon An. 871. Houed part 1. pag. 416. saith plainly it vvas Masse said by a Priest K. Ethelreds Rom Religion Which alone sufficeth both to shew that this King was a Roman Catholicke and that Masse is diuine seruice Saints Besides that Malmsb. writeth that this King entred battel cruce Dei consignatus Signed vvith the crosse of God And as Fox saith and Godwin in the Bishops of Exeter he builded the Abbey of Exeter In this Kings time An. 870. ex Malmsb. vvas holy King Edmund Cooper saith Anno. 869. slaine of the Danes because he vvould not forsake the faith of Christ VVestmon 870. K. Edmūd His brother Edvvald The same hath Fox pag. 140. Florent Anno 870. Of his great miracles wrought after his death yow may see in his life in Surius Tom. 6. His brother and heire Edwald saith Fox l. cit and Capgraue in vit Edwald became an heremit Duke Fremūd Fremūd also saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 22. sonne of Algarus Duke of the VVest-Saxons a beutifull yong man and only sonne relinquished the gouernment of the common welth which his parents left him that he might follow Burchard the Monke and was after as Capgr saith in his life slaine of the same Danes which slew S. Edmund Chastitie of S. Ebbe and her Nonnes In this time also S. Ebbe saith Stow Chron. p. 101. Abbesse of Couldingham cut of her nose and vpper lippe and perswaded all the sisters to do the like to keepe her virginitie from the Danes VVestmon An. 870. who therupon burnt the Abbey and Nonnes therin King Alfred the great XVIII 6. THe next K. was Alfred the fourth sonne of K. Ethelwolfe who as Malm. hath l. 2. c. 4. begā his reign An. 872. ruled 28. years a half The vvorthines of K Alfred crovvned of the Pope He alone of all our Kings saith Fox l. 3. p. 141. took his crown vnctiō of the Pope And that we may see how God blessed him whome his vicar crouned and anointed he alone for his admirable deedes both in war peace is sirnamed the Great And the praise which not onely Catholicks but also Protestants giue vnto him in all kinde of vertues surpasse in my iudgement the praises of all Christian kings that euer haue bene But for breuitie sake I will content my self with the praises giuen to him by Protestants who yow may be assured knowing him to be so manifest a Roman Catholick as shall appeare anon would giue him no more than he deserueth Cambden Cambd. in Brit. pag. 243. and 331. calleth him Clarissimum pientissimum Regem Bale A most renouned and godly King Bale Cent. 2. cap. 26. saith he was Egregiae indobis formae adolescens A yong man of a notable towardnes and bewtie born vnto learning and vertue He called for the best learned men to be his Counsellers and instructers Eight howers euery day he spent in reading writing and disputing He gouerned all things with an excceeding good wit and with singular prouidencie He was esteemed an Architecter and most perfect Geometrian a Gramarian a Philosopher a Rhethorician an Historian Musitian and no vulgar Poet. Three Colledges he founded at Oxford one for Gramarians an other for Philosophers the third for Diuines Of studyes and the common welth he best deserued Cooper An. 872. Of faire stature and comely personage and no lesse renowned in martiall pollicie than ciuil gouernment Stow Chron. pag. 105. Victorious Prince studious prouident for widowes Orphans and poore people endued with wisdome iustice fortitude and temperance a most discreete sercher of truth a most vigilant and deuout Prince in the seruice of God and deuided the day and the night into three equal portions wherof the one he spent in studie prayer and such things as belonged to his minde and soule the other in eating sleeping and other excercise of the body the third in the affaires of the common VVelth Fox Fox lib. 3. pag. 141. saith Amongst all the Saxon Kings hitherto is found none to be preferred or all most to be cōpared with this Alfred for the great and singuler qualities in this King worthie of high renown whither we behould his valiant acts and manifould trauells for his Contrie or his godly and excellent vertues ioyned with a publick and tender care of the weale publick or whither we respect his notable knowledg of good letters with a feruent desire to set forth the same throughout all his Realme And p. 143. 145. giueth him high praises for continence valour and learning concluding thus This valiant vertuous and learned Prince Christianly gouerned his realme And much more with great admiration of this King which yow may read in him and in Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 4. Hunting lib. 5. Ethelwerd lib. 4. Ingulfe Florent pag. 309. VVestmon Chron. Houed p. 417. and others His learning 7. Onely I will out of them note some of his vertuos Fortitude Of his great learning is spoken before For his valour Bale Cent. 3. cap. 43. saith he fougt 57. tymes with the Danes Cambd. in Brit. pag. 213. Nobili praelio contudit and pag. 444. VVisdom Danos contudit ad libitum He repressed the Danes at his pleasur And as Malmsb. and others testifie made them become Christians or forswere the Realme Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 4. VVestmon An. 892. For his gouernment saith Caius de Antiq. Cantab. pag. 328. Christianissimas leges scripsit promulgauit He writ and promulgated most Christian lawes and caused such peace as he made braslets of gould be hung vp in the high way vvhich none durst touch Chastitie For his chastitie it was such that as Cooper An. 872. after many Catholick writters testifieth he desired of God sicknes that he might not offend against chastitie As for his pietie and deuotion it was such as Florent Westmon An. 871. and others write Missam audire quotidie Deuotion The religion of K. Alfred That he daylie heard masse and sayd his houres and Matins and in the night season vnknovvn to all his seruāts he frequēted Churches to heare seruice Which alone sufficeth to shew his Catholick Roman religiō But besids this Bale Fox l. cit Stow p. 99. Caius l. cit p. 325. confesse he was crowned anoinred of Pope Leo as Bale saith
the words of the Sacraments he which knew his grāmer was a wonder and a miracle to the rest Monks vvere fine in apparell and had euery kinde of meat indifferent making a mockerie of their rule The nobles giuin to glutonie and Venerie did not go to Church in the morning after the maner of Christians but in their chambers dalying vvith their wiues heard onlie the solemnization of their wiues heard onely the solemnization of Mattins and Masse by a Priest making much hast therin Euery one commonly was giuen to tippling continewing in this exercise nights as wel as dayes wheron vices ensued companions of dronkenes But I would not haue these sayinges to be vnderstood of all I knew many of the clergie at that time walked the path of sanctitie in true simplicitie I knew many Laymen of all sorts and conditions within this same Contrie pleased God Hunting also lib. 6. writeth that before the Conquest a man of God tould them that for their sinnes in murder and treason and because they were giuen to drunkenes and carelesnes of the seruice of God ther should come from France a Lord that should depresse them for euer and not onely they but the Scotts also should rule ouer them to their deserued confusion S. Edmund also prophesied of this cōquest of England which though Fox pag. 165. call but a dreame yet the euent following sheweth it was too true a vision CHAP. XXV That the Kings of England from the Conquest to King Edward 3. time were Roman Catholicks proued in particuler 1. THe 33. King of England was William the Conqueror who entred this Land An. 1066. and reigned 21. yeares He got the crowne of this Realm partly by dint of sword and conquest partly by the graunt of King Edward Confessor whose cosin German remoued he was For as him selfe saith in his Charter in Cambd. in Brit. pag. 111. VVhat right K. VVill. had to the Crovvne of England He got the Kingdome by the help of the graunt of God and of his cosin glorious King Edward who apointed him his adopted heir to the Kingdom of England And Guitmundus in oratione ad Regem saith He got England by the gift of God and by the freindship of Edward his Kinsman And Ingulph who then also liued saith An. 1065. Edward chose VVilliam and sent Robert Archb. of Canterb. who should declare it vnto him And pag. 911. In the Kindred and consanguinitie of Edward our famous King VVilliam framed his conscience to inuade England Paris pag. 1057. It is sayd that blessed S. Edward gaue the Kingdom to VVilliam as a Legacie on his death bed The like hath Walsing ypodigm pag. 28. Houed pag. 609. and others Finally Fox Acts pag. 165. King Edward thought to make Edgar Adeling his heire but fearing partly the mutabilitie of English men partly the malice and pride of Herold and others perceauing therby that be should not so well bring his purpose to passe directed solemne Embassadors to the Duke of Normandie assigning and admitting him to be his lawfull heire next to succeed him after to the Crowne And King William trusting to the right of this title offered Herold as Fox pag. 166. 167. and others write to trye their two titles before the Pope but Herold refusing William neuerthelesse sent and got his title approued by the Popes iudgment This King saith Hunting lib. 6. pag. 370. was wise Valour and vertues of K. VVilliam Conq. but crafty rich but couetous vain-glorious but louing his reputation louing to the seruants of God hard to this withstanders the onely author of peace that a little girle loaden vvith gould might passe tbrough Englād vntouched The like hath Malmsb. lib. 3. and Cooper An. 1067 Bale Cent. 2. cap. 56. addeth that he was of great corage and excellent in the knowledg of warlick affaires His Rom. religion His Roman religion is manifest First because as Westmon An. 1085. and others write Paris An. 185. Euery day he vvas present at Masse heard mattins Lauds Euensong vvith the Canonicall houres K. VVill. Conq. heard euery daie Masse mattins and Houre◠nether vvould he suffer euen vpon most vrgent and difficult affaires him self to be hindred In the meane season he ceassed not to kneele and to pray deuoutly Secondly because as sone as he had gotten the victorie he sent Herolds Standerd to the Pope Stow in Herold Cambd. in Brit. Thirdly he built two Monasteries one at Battel in Sussex Vt orarent that they might pray saith Westmon An. 1067. Paris 1066. Pro ibi mortuis for the dead there And an other at Cane in Normandie Fourthly he made his daughter Cecilia a Nonne K. VVill. daughter a Nonne Paris An. 1075. Stow. pag. 177. S. Osmund was so inward with this King as Bale saith Cent. 13. cap. 14. That he could not be absent scarce any time from King VVilliams presence And yet as he both there saith and Fox Acts pag. 184. Godwin in the Bishop of Salsburie this Osmund in the yeare 1076. was author of the office or maner of saying Masse mattins and administring Sacraments after the vse of Sarum which saye they was afterward in a manner receaued through all England Wales and Ireland Sixtlie Pope Alexander writing to him ep 10. saith Among the Princes and rulers of the world we vnderstand the notable forme of your religion and writeth to him to persist in the study of most Christian deuotion And Pope Greg. 7. whome Protest call Hilddebrand Loue betvvene P. Hildebrand and K. VVilliliam and hate most of all the Popes lib. 1. ep 31. calleth King William the most louing and principall sonne of the Roman Church And ep 69. saith That King William reioised in his promotion and shewed all the affection of a good sonne from his hart And l. 6. ep 30. VVe loued alwaies King VVilliam peculierlie amongst the rest of that dignity And lib 7. ep 26. saith that his Queene Mathildis offered him what soeuer we would haue of theirs he might haue it without delay And lib. 7. ep 5. saith That the King of England although that in some things he behaued himselfe not so religiouslie notwithstanding because he would not consent to enter into league against the Sea Apostolicke with some that were enemies to the Crosse of Christ being requested therto but compelled by oath the Priests to leaue wiues the lay men to pay the tenths which they detayned is praysworthie sufficientlie and more to be honored than other Kings This thus Pope that then liued Seuenthlie King William although he deposed almost all the old English nobilitie yet he tooke not vpon him to depose anie one Bishop or Abbot but procured Pope Alexander to send down two Legats to do it Eightlie K. VVill. Conq. tooke not vpon him to depose Bishops or dispose of Bishopricks King William preferred Lanfrank to the Archbishoprick of Canterburie as all know whome the protestants confesse to haue bene a notorious Papist Ninthlie he glorieth in
began saith Fox Acts pag. 201. appellations from Councells to the Pope by Henrie Bishopp of Winchester brother to the King In this Kings time Anno 1137. saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 63. began in England the Monkes called Robertins of Robert their beginner But Capgraue in the life of Robert saith these Monks were Cistertians Monks enter into Englâ—nd In this time saith Bale ibidem entred into England the Moncks called Praemonstratenses Anno 1145. And Anno 1147. began the Gilbertin Monks and Nonnes founded by S. Gilbert Lord of Sempringham Cambd. Brit. p. 475. Neubrig l. 1. c. 16. Capgraue in Gilberto And this time Nicolas Breackspear an English Monke and Cardinall afterward Pope conuerted Norway sayth Bale l. cit ad Papismum to Papistrie And so manifestly were the times vnder King Stephen Papisticall as Bale cent 2. c. 74. speaking of them saith here we vnderstand that there was great want of the pure doctrine of Christ Iesus And cap. 73. saith it was a most corrupt age In this Kings time died also Saint William Archbishop of York Kinsman to King Stephan a man saith Godwin in his life very noble by birth but much more noble in vertue and good maners Saints Miracles many miracles writeth he are said to be vvrought at his Tombe King Henrie II. XXXVII 6. IN the yeare of our Lord 1155. King Henrie second grandchild by the Empresse Maude to Henri 1. succeded and reigned 33. yeares The vvorthines of King Henrie 2. He was saith Fox Acts pag. 234. Eloquent learned manly and bould in chiualrie The like hath Cooper Anno. 1155. and Stow pag. 216. Cambd. pag. 247. hath much of his praise out of Catholick writers of that time Vnder him saith Fox Acts pag. 224. the Dominion of England extended so far as hath not bene seene before VVhom Histories record to haue possessed vnder his rule First Scotland to whome VVilliam King of Scots with his Lords temporall and spirituall did homage both for them and their successors the seale wherof remaineth in the Kings Tresurie as also Ireland England Normandie Guiens Aquitan vnto the mountains of Pirenei He was offered also to be King of Ierusalem by the Patriarch and Maister of the Hospitall Now let vs see what was the religion of this potent King His Rom. Religion and of England when her Dominion was the largest that euer it was First Fox Acts pag. 234. telleth how this King heard Masse Secondly Stow pag. 232. telleth how he built the Nonrie of Font Euerard the Priorie of Stoneley of S. Martin in Douer and of Basing weck To which Cambd. in Brit. pag. 488. addeth Newsted in Nottingham shier and pag. 321. Circester in Glostershier Carthusiian Monks come into England Thirdly he brought Carthusians into England and built them a house at Withan Godwin in vit Hugonis Lincoln Houed saith this was An. 1186. Bale Cent. 2. cap. 63. saith it was 1180. And after Carthusians saith he came in Kinghts of Rhodes and of the Temple And Cambd. Brit. pag. 728. saith the Carmelits were brought in at this time Fourthly saith Stow pag. 216. he was directed cheefely by Thomas Becket in all things Fiftly saith the same Stow pag. 218. He obtained of Pope Adrian 4. both to haue Dominion of the Irish people Bal. Cent. 2 p. 180. and also to instruct them in the â—udiments of faith And the Pope in the letters of the grant calleth him a Catholick Prince Sixtly he Lewis King of France going on foote performing the office of lackeis and houlding the bridel of his horse on the right and lefâ— side Baron tom 12. conducted Pope AlexaÌ„der with great pompe through the Cittie Taciac vnto the riuer of Loir Robert Monten Genebre in Chron. Bale Cent. 2 c. 94. Neubrigen l. 2. c. 14. Thom. Cant. in Ep. ad Henr. 2. Seuenthly Houed p 502. setteth doune the letter of Gilbert Bishop of London to the Pope in which the Bishop writeth that the K. neuer auerted his minde from the Pope nor euer ment it but would loue him as a Father and reuerence the Church of Rome as his mother and had assisted the Pope in all his necessities with all his hart and strength And pag. 550. relateth a letter of Cardinals who writ of the King how obedient he shewed him selfe to the Church of which said they in this our short relation it is not needfull to relate Eightly Fox pag. 227. Cooper An. 1072. and others write that he agreed with the Pope that he should not hinder appeales to Rome and that nether the King nor his sonne should departe from Pope Alexander so long as he should count him or his sonne for Catholicks Bale Cent. 3. cap. 4. saith He permitted Appeals to the Pope and willingly submitted him selfe and his Kingdom to the Popes pleasure And English men came into greater subiection of Antichrist than euer at any tyme before Ninthly he persecuted certain German Hereticks whome Bale Cent. 2. cap 95. calleth Christians and others whome Bale cap. 97. calleth preachers of Gods word And Houed pag. 1573. reporteth that he and the King of France purposed to goe in person against the Albigenses whome Protestants commenly acount brethrem of their Church Finally his death was thus Cùm eger esset saith Houed pag. 654. VVhen he was sick vnto deathe he caused him self to be caried into the Church before the Altar and there he deuoutly receaued the communion of the body blood of our Lord confessing his sinnes And being absolued by the Bishop and Clergie he died And the times of this King were so manifestly Roman Catholick See more of this K. Rom. relig in Baron tom 12. as Fox Acts pag. 224. saith This age was all blinded and corrupted with superstition And yet pag. 225. affordeth it then the name of a Christian Realme that had the word of God And p. 227. noteth the blind and lamentable superstition and ignorance of these dayes Bale Cent. 3. cap. 14. cryeth out that sub Honorio 2. vnder Honorius 2. The life of man was corrupted vpon earth by Antichristian Traditions Saints In this Kings time liued the holy Eremit S. Gudrig Vir saith Cambd. Brit. p. 668. antiqua Christiana simplicitate totus Deo deuotus A man of ancient Christianlie simplicitie wholly deuoted to God Whose holines is described by diuers Capgraue Houed Miracles Anno. 1169. VVestmon Anno. 1171. Neubrigen lib. 2. c. 20. and 28. In his time also liued and died glorious S. Thomas of Canterb. of whose miracles Fox Acts pag. 225. saith he hath seene a booke to the number of 270. of curing all diseases belonging to man or Woman amongst which he nameth one most subiect as he thought by reason of the matter to laughter But who considereth that all the membres of our body were alike created of God may as wel be restored by him again when they are lost and weigheth the testimony which Fox bringeth him self
Progenitors the Kings of England haue done whilst they liued And Fox himselfe Acts pag. 383. setteth downe a letter of the K. and nobles to Pope Clement Anno 1343. thus To the most holy Father in God Lord Clement by the grace of God of the holy Church of Rome and of the vniuersall Church cheefe and high Bishop his humble and deuout children the Princes Dukes Earles Barons Knights Citizens and Burgesses and all the communalty of England assembled at the Parliament houlden at VVestminster the 15. day of May deuout kissing of his feete with all humble reuerence and humility The vvhole Parlament calleth the Pope head of the vniuersal Church Most holy Father yow being so high and holy a Prelat and head of the holy Church by whome the holy Vniuersall Church and people of God ought to be as by the Son beames illightened c. Behould the whole Parlament calling the Pope head and Bishop of the Vniuersall Church and offering to kisse his feete with all humilitie and reuerence And again Fox pag. 387. setteth downe an other letter of King Edwards to Pope Clement in this sort Most holy Father K. Edvv. 3. plainly professeth the Popes supremacie we desire your holines and in as much as lieth in vs require the same that yow that supplie the place of the sonne of God on earth and haue the gouernment of all Christen men c. What could be more clearly spoken for the spirituall supremacie of the Pope And this same Roman religion of his is euident by many other waies For he founded saith Stow pag. 439. the new Abbey neere to the Tower of London where he placed white Monks to the honor of God and our Ladie according to a vow by him made being on the Sea in great perill And a Nonrie at Detford Cambden addeth pag. 333. a Frierie of Carmelits He instituted also the order of the garter in honor of God and Saint Georg and among other rules apointed that when any of the Knights died the Kinge should make a thousand Masses to be saide for his soule and others many hundreds according to their Degree He offered saith Fox pag. 396. after the blind saith he superstition of those dayes in the Church of VVestminster the Vestments wherin Saint Peter did celebrat Masse His Confessor was Thomas Bradwardin whome Bale Centur. 5. cap. 87. accounteth a Papist Finally as Walsingham An. 1376. writeth he dyed thus The Catholik end of K. Edvvard 3. The King when he could not speake with verie great reuerence taking the Crosse did kisse it most deuoutly somtimes stretching forth his hand in signe of crauing pardon and other times also letting fall from his eyes plenty of teares and kissing most often the feete of the Crucifix And after his death Pope Greg. 11. lit in Walsingham Anno 1378. calleth him Catholicum Principem Pugilem fidei A Catholick Prince and Champion of the faith And so euidently was this King and the Realm in his time Roman Catholick Protest confesse K. Edvv 3. time to haue bene Cathol as Fox Acts pag. 377. vpon a letter of the King to the Nobles of France maketh this note Note the ignorance of the time And pag. 396. The blinde superstition of those daies And pag. 424. This is out of all doubt that at vvhat time all the world was in most vilde and desperat estate and that the lamentable ignorance of Gods truth had ouershadowed all the earth VVicklef stept forth c. Behould here manifest that before Wicklef there was not one Protestant in the whole world And how ill a Protestant he was shall hereafter appeare All the vvorld ignorant of Protestancie And pag. 425. In this so horrible darknes of ignorance saith Fox at what time there seemed in a manner to be no one so little a sparke of pure doctrine left In a maner no one litle spark of Protestancie VViclef first raised forsooth the vvorld VViclef sprong vp through whome the Lord would first raise vp again the world which was drowned in the depth of human traditions In like sort Bale Cent. 5. cap. 85. saith This age was shadovved vvith the darknes of great ignorance and blinded with more than Diabolicall fooleries And Cent. 6. cap. 1. the midnight of errors and a dim vvorld And cap. 8. In these times darknes of great ingnorance possessed the vvorld cap. 23. The common blindnes of the time vvas in aduancing the Idolatrie of the Popish Masse As for the discontentment which some time this king had with the Pope that was not for any matter of religion but because as Cooper saith Anno. 1343. VVhy K. Edvv. 3. some time discontented vvith the Pope The Pope gaue diuers Bishopricks and Benefices in England which the king thought not expedient for his temporall estate And as for the fauour which VVicklef found in his time that proceeded rather from the Duke of Lancaster who gouerned all in the olde age of the King and for a time vpheld VVicklef not vpon any liking of his heresie but to spite therby some of the Bishops whome he hated as Stow Anno. 1376 wtih whome Fox agreeth p. 393. testifieth in these words VVhy the D. of lancaster a vvhile fauored VViclef The Duke of Lancaster laboring as vvel to ouerthrovv the liberties of the Church as of the Cittie of Lōdon called vnto him VVicklef c. And when these contentions betwene the Duke and others were appeased He commanded saith Fox pag. 400. Edit 1596. VVicklef to submit him self to his Ordinarie The Cath. religion of the D. of lancaster Which clearly ynough declareth the Roman religion of that Duke which also other wise were euident by the honor wherwith he was receaued by the Cardinals and Bishops in the Popes Courte Stow pag. 399. And by his Confessor Iohn Kinningham a Carmelit who saith Bale Cent. 6. cap. 4. first impugned Wicklef And Cent. 7. cap. 26. saith that Gualter Disse than who none in Antichristi negotijs actuosior more busie in the rules of Antichrists Confessor to the Duke perswaded him for the loue at least of Papistrie to make war in Spaine which then fauored an Anti-pope to which purpose Pope Vrban sent the Duke a standard and made his Confessor his Legat and gaue him authoritie to preach the Crosse with many Indulgences for all them that would follow the Duke At what time writeth Bale out of Purney a wiclefist thē liuing Inualuit tunc Antichristi furor prae caeteris temporibus Antichrists furie preuailed more than in other times More ouer Polidor lib. 19. saith that two Hereticks were burnt in London in this Kings time whome Bale Cent. 5. cap. 74. calleth seruants of Christ In this Kings time liued the vertuous Ladie Mary Countesse of Saint Paule a woman saith Stow pag. 437 of singuler example for life Saints who builded Pembrooke hall in Cambridge and S. Iohn of Bridlinghton of whome we will speake in the next kings time
giuen saith Florent Anno. 855. Vniuersali Papae Apostolico To the Vniuersall Apostolicke Pope The same hath Fox lib. 3. p. 136. Fourthly he gaue saith Fox to holy Church and religious men the tenth of his goods and Lands in VVest-Saxons with liberty and fredom from all seruice and ciuil charge And Fox setteth downe his Charter in these wordes Ego Ethelwolphus c. The faith of King Ethelvvolph and his Nobleâ— I Ethelwolph King of the VVest Saxons with the coÌ„sent of my Prelats Nobles will grant an hereditarie portion of my land to be foreuer possessed by God the blessed S. Marie and all the Saints of God Behould how the King by the aduise of his Bishops and Nobles giueth Land to God and his Saints and to what purpose himselfe declareth in these words following For the redemption of our soules Good deeds for remission of sinnes for the remission of our sinnes Which intention as yow heard before out of Abbots Fox is contrary to the Protestants Gospell And therfore Fox vpoÌ„ these words saith Note the blind ignorance and erroneous teaching in these dayes and addeth that they were led with pernicious doctrine to set remission of sinnes and remedie of soules in this donation and such other deedes of their deuotion And further the King saith VVestmon An â—54 as Malmsb. testifieth lib. 2. cap. 2. Placuit Episcopis cum c. It hath pleased the Bishops with the Abbots and the seruants of God to apoint that all our brethren and sisters in euery Church shall sing on wensday in euery weeke fifty psalmes K. Ethelvvolph requireth Masses for him aliue and dead and euery Priest two Masses one for King Ethelwolph another for his Dukes coÌ„senting to this gift for their reward remissioÌ„ of their trespasses And for the K. liuing let them say Oremus Deus qui iustificas c. For the Duke also liuing also PraeteÌ„de Domine c But after their death for the K. alone for the Dukes deceassed iointly together this be so firmly ordained throughout al the daies of Christianitie euen as their libertie is established so loÌ„g as faith increaseth in the English Nation This Charter of Donation was written in the yeare of our Lords Incarn 844. Indict 4. the fift day of Nouemb. in the Citie of VVinchester in the Church of S. Peter before the head Altar And this they did for the honor of S. Michael the Archangell also for the blessed Marie Q. the glorious mother of God of S. Peter the Prince of the Apostles and in like maÌ„ner of our most holy Father Pope Greg. and of all Saints In this Chapter I note how K. Ethelvvolph coÌ„manded not in spiritual matters not the King but Bish apoint Priests to pray say Masses for him and that S. Peter is called Prince of the Apostles the other points of Papistry therin are more euideÌ„t than that I neede to point to them All England Papist in K Ethelvvolhps time And yet as Ingulph saith p. 862. to this chapter subscribed all the Archb. Bishops of England K. Bardred King Edmund after martyr and Princes of a part of EnglaÌ„d vnder King Ethelwolph Abbots Abbesses Dukes Countes and nobles of the whole LaÌ„d innumerable multitude of other people By which we may see the vniuersall faith of our Contry of that time And in a Charter of King Berthulphus in Ingulph p. 861. The King praieth God Quatenus pro intercessione Guthlaci c That through the intercessioÌ„ of S. Guthlack and all the Saints he would forgiue me all my people our sinnes Pardon of sinnes asked by intercession of Saints In this Kings time An. 850. S. WolstaÌ„ nephew to two KK was vniustly murdered and afterward honored by God with miracles FloreÌ„t Chronic. Saints Also S. Ieron an English Priest martyred in Holand An. 849. Bale Cent. 13. cap 75. In this K. time also liued one Offa K. of Eastengland who leauing his Kingdome and trauailing to the holy land in ould Saxonie from whence our Nation came into England elected S. Edmund for his heire and sent him into EnglaÌ„d Capgraue in vit Edmundi Florent An. 855. Houed pag. 415. Stow pag. 76. King Ethelbald XV. 3. THe 15. K. was Ethelbald eldâ—st sonne to K. Ethelwolph who began his reign An. 857. and reigned fiue yeares He was at first dissolut and naught as yow may see in Malmsb. lib. 2 cap. 3. But peracta poenitentia saith Westmon Anno. 859. Hauing done pennance all the time he liued after he gouerned the Kingdom with peace and iustice Wherfore Hunting lib. 5. pag. 348. calleth him optimae indolis aeuenem a youth of very great towardnes saith that all England bewailed his death King Ethelbert XVI 4. THe 16. king was Ethelbert brother to the former begaÌ„ his raigne An. 862. as Malmsb. hath in Fastis and held the gouerment fiue yeares He was saith Ingulph pag. 863. Valour of K. Ethelbert Validissimus adolescens A most valiant yong man and an inuincible triumpher ouer the Danes he stoutly for fiue yeares space gouerned the Kingdome Malmsb. 2. Reg. cap. 3. saith he ruled strenuè dulciterque Manfully and sweetly Houed pag. 405. saith pacifice amabiliter peaceably and gently In this Kings time died S. Swithin Anno 862. Florent Westmon in Chron. Saints As for the Roman religion of these two Princes His Rom. Religion that appeareth both by what hath bene said of their Father and what shal be said of their two brothers King Ethelred XVII 5. THe 17. king was Ethelred 3. sonne to king Ethelwolfe Who began his reign saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 3. Anno 867. and reigned 5. yeares as his brothers did Fortitude and pietie of K Ethelred Of him and his brethren Malmsb. saith They bouldly and stoutly entred battel for their Country and addeth that this king besides ordinary skirmishes fought 9. picht Battels in one yeare against the Danes nine battells in one yeare was oftener Conqueror And that he slewe one king of them 9. Earlers and innumerable people which also testify Ethelwerd lib. 4. cap. 12. Hunting lib. 5. Cambd. in Brit. saith He was Princeps longe optimus Couper Anno 863. satih he was among his subiects mild gentle pleasant against his aduersaries seuere fierce and hardie Of this Fox lib. 3. pag. 141. telleth that being to ioine batell with the Danes Miracle in confirmation of Masse his brother Alfred gaue the onset while the King saith Fox was at seruice and meditations and albeit word were brought him that his brother had the worst yet would he not saith Fox stir one foote before the seruice was fully coÌ„plet And addeth that through the grace of God and their godly manhood the King coÌ„ming from his seruice recouered the victory slew as Ethelwerd who as himself saith desceÌ„ded of that K. lib. 4. c. 2. saith one King Marueilous victorie fiue