by our Master Christ Jesus we are taught in these words In vain Do they worship mee teaching for Doctrines the precepts of men So without respect of men those did cleave unto the Word of God and did iudge What soever is without the Word either in doctrine or religious worship or in Ecclesiastical discipline can not be accepted of God as service when he requires it not But England upon account that those who had been enured with Popish doctrine and superstitions might be the more easily allured to forsake that doctrine if the rites and discipline were retained and hoping as is hinted in the former part that by time a more perfect Reformation might be attained took this prudential course as it is called trusting especially that bishops and priests might be the more easily enduced to joyn with the Reformation So both in the Confession in King Edwards time and in the articles of the Convocation An. 1564. or according to the English Style 1563. they allowed liberty unto dissenting judgements and made large expressions and capacious words being loath to drive off from the communion any who differing in the branches meet in the main grounds of religion Those things that were retained upon such plausible motives had a twofold influence Such is the nature of humane corruption to wit 1. one superstition draweth-on another as a link of a chain If this may be used why not that 2. what was at first retained by way of toleration condescension was afterwards pressed upon mens consciences by authority that men must conform in practise of rites and to the opinion of Superiors or suffer punishment The first particular exception was made by the Papists against the The Head of the Church and Supream Iudge in al causes title The Head of the Church which was given unto King Henry and The Supream Iudge in causes Ecelesiastical which was given unto Queen Elisabet They excepted against this alwayes but the first that hath written of it was Harding in his pretended refutation of Englands Confession Bishop Jewell answereth him in his Defence of the Apolog. part 6. cap. 11. divis 1. saying Concerning the title The supream head of the Church wee need not search the Scriptures to excuse it For 1. We devised it not 2. We use it not 3. our Princes at this time claim it not Your Fathers first enrituled that noble Prince King Henry VIII with that unused and strange Style as it may wel be thought the rather to bring him into the talk and slander of the world Howbeit that the Prince is the highest Iudge and Governor over all his subjects whatsoever alswel priests as laymen without exception c. He insists at length upon this purpose as also Doct. Fulk against the Rhemists Annotations on Matth. 22. and others I shall add the Answer of Thom. Bilson sometime Warden of Wincester unto the Jesuits Apolog. Lib. 2. where the Iesuit or Philander saith You would have our faith and salvation so to hang on the Princes will and lawes as if there could be no nearer way to religion then to believe what our temporal Lord and Master list He answereth It is a cunning when you can not confute your adversaries at least to belie them that you may seem at least to say somwhat against them indeed your fourth chapter is wholly spent in refelling this position which we detest as much as you Philander replieth You begin to shrink from your former teaching He answereth in name of Theophilus You will never shrink from your former facing Did ever any man on our side affirm the Princes will to be the rule of faith have we not earnestly written and openly taught that religion must not depend on the pleasure of men Have not thousands here in England and elsewhere given our lifes for the witnes and confession of Gods Truth against Princes Lawes and Popes decrees In Spain France and Italy and other places at this day do we not endure all the torments you can devise because we will not believe what temporal Lords and Masters will your conscience knowes it is ttue that we say Why do you then charge us with this wicked assertion from which we be farther off then you For you hold opinion of Popes they can not err we do not of Princes Why do you Father your fancies upon us why do you purposely pervert the question heaping absurdities and alledging authorities against that which we do not defend Philander The oath which yee take yourselves and exact of others induces us thus to think of you for there you make Princes the only supream Governors of all persons in all causes aswell spiritual as temporall utterly renouncing all forrain jurisdictions and Superiority Upon which word mark what an horrible confusion followes If Princes be the only Governors in ecclesiasticall matters then in vain did the Holy Ghost appoint Pastors and Bishops to govern the Church If they be Supream then are they Superior to Christ himself and in effect Christs Masters If in all things and causes spiritual then they may prescribe unto the Priests and Bishops what to preach and which way to worship and serve God how and in what form to Minister the Sacraments and generally how men shall be governed in soul If all forrain jurisdiction be renounced then Christ and his Apostles because they were and are forrainers have no jurisdiction nor authority over England Theophilus VVake you or dream you That in matters of no less weight then your duty to God and the Prince you fall to these childish and pelting sophisms VVhat kind of concluding call you this Princes only bear the sword to command and punish Ergo Bishops may not teach and exhort Princes are not subject unto the Pope Ergo Superiors to Christ They may by their laws establish what Christ hath commanded Ergo they may change both Scripture and Sacraments No forrainer at this this day hath jurisdiction over this Land ergo Christ and his Apostles 1500. years ago might not preach the gospell Philand We make no such reasons Tâ—eop The former propositions are the true contents of the oath we take the later are the very absurdities which you infer upon us fortaking the oath ..... Philan. Do you not make Princes supream Governors of all spiritual things Theoph. you reason as if we did but ourwords since you will rest upon words are not so Philan. What are they then Theoph. We confess them to be supream governors of their realms and dominions Philan. And that in all spiritual things and causes Philan. Not of all spiritual things and causes Philan. What difference between those two speeches Theoph. Just as much as excludes your wrangling we make them not governors of the things them selves but of their subiects which I trust you dar notwithstand Philan. I grant they be Governors of their subjects bur not in ecclesiastical things or causes ..... Theoph. Where we profess that her highness is the only Governor of
predestinate only Son On Cap. 12. Our mind is renewed by the exercises of godliness and meditation of God's word and understanding of his law and how much one makes progress from reading the Scriptures and how much his understanding doth highly ascend in so much he is a new man and daily becomes more and more new On Gal. 3. It must needs be that beleevers are saved by only faith on Christ On Phil. 3. Because ye are perfect in faith ye are perfect in conversation placing your hope in the only faith of Christ and walking in a heavenly conversation Catal. test ver lib. 11. 8. The Danes had received the Christian faith about the year 750 by the Conversion of some Nations preaching of Heridag but liberty of religion continued among them some were Christians and some were Heathens all did acknowledge that Christ is God but the Heathens said that other Gods were more ancient and of more power Alb. Crantz in Saxon. lib. 3. cap. 25. sheweth that they rebelled against the Emperour Otho the I. and in the end he and they did agree that the Danes should accept Bishops thorow all their Country and they were the more easily induced hereunto because their King Harald being the son of a Christian Tira a daughter of the King of England was baptized and at this time the Queen Gunhilda and her son Zueno with a great many of the Nobility received the faith and were baptized Otho was present at the baptism of the Prince and called him Zuenotto Harald continued faithfull unto death but Zuenotto did forsake the faith in his fathers life time yet afterward he imbraced it again When Otho had so agreed with the Danes he turned against their neighbours the Wandals At that time Wagrii Winuli Obotriti and Polabi were dwelling along the Coast of the German sea all under one name and language called Wandali His father had subdued them but when they rebelled Otho forced them unto obedience to pay tribute and to accept the Christian religion then inumerable people were baptized and Churches were built thorow Wandalia but they abode not constant untill the daies of Otho the III. and he made Magdeburgh or Virginopolis the first Bishop-seat of the Wandals Likewise Otho the I. sent Aldebert to preach the faith unto the Pruteni and other barbarous people Northwards where the holy man was Crowned with Martyrdom saith Theod. Ã Niem About the year 965 the Polonians received the Christian faith their King Miecislaus was baptized and at his command the idols were broken down and he crected two Arch-Bishopricks and nine Bishopricks Io. Pappus in histor convers gent. About the year 966. Pilgrin Bishop of Patavium and Wolfgang Bishop of Ratisbona went into Hungary to establish religion under King Diezo the father of Stephen of whom it follows to speak in the next Century About the year 988. Vladomir Duke of Russia married Anna sister of the Eastern Emperour Basilius and was baptized at Constantinople and returning home he established the Christian religion according to the discipline and rites of the Greeks thorow his Dominions Io. Pappus ibid. Fascic temp hereupon hath this observation So so while one Nation falleth another riseth that no Nation may glory before the Father of lights CHAP. IV. Of BRITAIN 1. ABout the year 901. Edward the elder King of England expelled the The power of Law-making belongs to the King and not to the Pope Danes out of Essex Mercia and Northumberland At that time the authority of investing Bishops and other Ecclesiastical Benefices as also of prescribing Laws unto Church men as well as to the Laity was in the power of the King and not of the Pope as is evident both by the Laws of Alfred King of England and Guthurn the Danish King of Northumberland and by the election of seven Bishops and the division of five Diocies into ten in one Synod by authority of this Edward as is at length in Sir Hen. Spelman Concil but the Pope would be medling in such matters by way of confirmation Nevertheless the Pope's authority did not derogate from Kings or Princes their power of ruling all matters both Ecclesiastical and Civil within their own Dominions The like is seen in the Laws of his son Ethelstan as is written loc cit and by M. Fox in Act. monime thus I Ethelstan King by advice of Vifelm my Arch-Bishop and of other Bishops command all the Prelates of my Kingdom in the name of our Lord and of all the Saints that first of all they out of my own things pay the Tithes unto God as well of the living Beasts as of the Corns of the ground and the Bishops do the like in their property and the Elder-men .... This I will that Bishops and other head-men declare the same unto such as be under their subjection and that it â—e accomplished before the term of Saint John Baptist Let us remember what Jacob said unto the Lord ..... Seeing by this Law I have bountifully bestowed on you all things belonging unto you take ye heed unto your selves and to them whom ye ought to admonish that none of you transgress against God nor me .... Every Bishop should promote all righteousness both of God and the word c. He ordained that in every Burrough all measures and weights should be confirmed by the Bishop's advice and testimony Spelman in Concil pag. 405. In pag. 411. Hoel King of Wales made a Law that no Church-man should be a Judge in Civil affairs 2. In the year 913. Constantine the III. King of Scots gave unto Malcolm A circumstance is changed in the succession of the Scottish Kings the son of Donald the V. the Lands of Cumberland and Westmerland as unto the appearing successour of the Crown hereby making a preparative that these Lands were given by the King unto him which should be next King as afterwards the successour of the Empire was installed King of the Romans prejudging the liberty of suffrages Here by the way it is to be marked that from the first King Fergusius untill Kenneth the III. the King of Scots was by election from among only them of the Blood Royal. In the daies of King Constantine Ethelstan King of England made invasion upon these lands and did so great harm unto the Scots that the King renounced the Crown and would live a Monkish life at Saint Andrews amongst the Culdees Edmund King of England being pestered by the Danes made a League with Malcolm An. 945. and restored the above-named Lands upon condition that the Heir of the Crown should acknowledge the King of England to be Supream Lord of Cumberland and Westmerland even as afterwards the King of England did unto the French King for Normandy c. This designation of a successour was occasion of great troubles for Kenneth the III. made Malcolm the son of King Duffus Governour of those Lands and afterwards he would have preferred his own son unto the Crown but the
Zona This heresie spread into Bulgaria as afterwards they were called Bulgari Slavonia Lombardie and France nor could it be restrained by Decrees of Popes nor power of Arms saith Sylvius in Europ c. 16. The Emperor Henry caused to be hanged a number of them ann 1062. and some of them were burnt in sundry places Their errors were They condemned marriage and eating of flesh they dispise the Old Testament and some parts of the New they held that there were two Creators one good Creator of things invisible and another ill of visible things they deny baptism and the resurrection from death Vsser de Ecles statu c. 8. ex Rad. Arden Homil. 8. post Trinit They were divided into divers Sects different in some other opinions and they had their own Bishops 15. All this time since the last mention of the Turks and Saracens the Of the Turks Turks as is said lived under the Saracens subject unto them and their Religion and living by pasturage without any Ruler of their own Nation In this age they became Princes of Babylon and Persia and within a short space they were Lords of all Asia unto Pontus and the Euxine Sea which is called Turcomannia untill this day When the Saracens were divided among themselves especially the Sultan of Persia Hircania or Sogdiana and Media fell at variance with the Calipha of Babylon he sent for the Turks by whose hand he prevailed and when he refused to pay them they robbed him of his Kingdom and were advanced more and more in both the Armenios Cappadocia Bithymia c. In the year 1009. the Turks conquered Jerusalem from the Saracens not long thereafter the Saracens of Egypt were Masters of it again and kept it till the coming of Godifrid About the year 1028. the Calipha of Egypt spoiled the Church of Jerusalem and after twenty years the Emperor of Constantinople made a league with Deber Calipha and by his permission he built the Church again ann 1051. The Turks compel the Calipha of Babylon to create their Prince Tangrolipex Zadok King of Asia Then they made a league with the Calipha of Egypt and reigned peaceably forty and six years At that time Peter an Eremite who was wont to say his Pater Noster by a role of Beads and from whom the Romans have their Gades Pol. Vergil de inven rer li. 5. c. 9. came The first Gades into Rome and reports the miseries of Christians under the Infidels Whereupon the Popes dealt with the Princes to go unto their aid And Pope Urban II. perswaded many Princes at Claremont to recover the Holy The Holy Wars Land as they called it out of the power of Turks and Saracens The Princes took the sign of the Cross for their cognisance and several Nations did vary the colour or situation or some circumstance of that badge to the end the Soldiers might know their own Prince when they had occasion to go into these wars and hence are so many sundry sorts of Crosses in Europe In the first interprise Godifrid Duke of Bullion Prince of Lorain was their General he sold his Dutchy unto the Bishop of Leodium that he might amass the more money with him were his two Brothers Baldwin and Eustachius Bohemund Duke of Apulia Raymond Earl of Tolouse Robert Earl of Flanders Robert Duke of Normandy and Son to William the Conqueror Hugh Brother of Philip King of France c. Two Armies went before Godifrid one under the conduct of Peter the Eremite and the other was commanded by Gotteschalk a Presbyter they were both spoiled for their plundering some in Hungaria and some in Bulgaria and some arriving into Bethynia went abroad without order and were killed by Solyman ann 1096. The Princes went by Sea from Venice and when they did meet with the remnants of the former Companies they were mustered about six hundered thousand of foot and one hundred thousand horse They did first assault Nicomedia and were repulsed by strong fortifications of the City and for want of victuals and the Turks and Saracens joyned against the Christians Alexius Emperor of the Greeks sent aid unto the Christians and then the Turks were forced to yield up Nice ann 1097. After that was an open fight wherein forty thousand Infidels were slain and the Christians with small loss took Iconium the head City of Lycaonia then they gained Heraclea and Tursus appointing the Government of these Cities unto Baldwin who thereafter subdued Antiochia Edessa Cilicia and Comagena c. After all this Ierusalem was taken on the thirty ninth day of the siege and Robert Duke of Normandy was chosen King of all the Conquest and Jerusalem was appointed the chief City of the Kingdom but Robert hearing that his Brother William King of England was dead would not accept it Then Godifrid was proclamed first King of Jerusalem ann 1099. This expedition was begun with a good intention that the Land might be purged from Idolatry and Christians might be freed from grievous tharldom but it was continued by the craft of Popes for enlarging their Dominion abroad and for weakening the Empire and the hinderers of their usurpation that themselves might promove their power with the more facility at home and often that they might gather great sums of money under this plausible pretext as follows very plainly and especially after the 1200. year At the first some did smell the vanity of the Expedition for Anselm of whom in the next Chapter writing unto one William intending thither said I admonish advise pray beseech and command thee as one whom I love that thou leave off thy going to Jerusalem which is not now The vision of peace but of tribulation and leave these treasures of Constantinople and Babylon unto the robbery of bloody hands and think upon heavenly Jerusalem and walk in the way unto it which truly is the vision of peace Lib. 2. Epist 19. Out of these few words appears what was his judgement and also what was the intention of many in that voyage 16. By degrees were the Legati à latere brought in Authority among the Legati à latere Nations and they did enlarge the Popes Phylacteries At first because Rome was the chief City of the Empire from thence as from a Seminary were Preachers sent to sundry Nations to preach and plant the Gospel or to confute Heresies thereafter to provide vacant Benefices and to supply the Bishop of Rome his absence in Synods in all which they did no other thing but as other Bishops might have done and also did But when the Bishops of Rome were made Patriarchs and became ambitious these Legates did the same offices at some times but therewith they began craftily to enjoyn unto Arch-Bishops and Metropolitans to execute some things which by the Word of God they were commanded to do and they would give them power within their own Diocies as if Bishops were Vicars of the Roman Patriarch or his Legate These Primates did gladly
obey whether he will or not The King in this strait submitteth himself and resigneth the Crown of England and Ireland from him and his heirs for ever upon condition that he and his heirs should have again the same Dominions from the Pope for paying yearly unto the See of Rome 1000. marks of Silver Then he kneeled and gave his Crown unto Pandulf the Legate who kept it five days as a seizing of these two R ealms and the King confirmeth the same by his Charter obligatory Here by way of anticipation it is marked in the Histories that no King of England did acknowledge this subjection nor pay the farm Pol. Virgil. in Hist Anglor lib. 15. Matth. Parisien saith It is reported by many that this detestable Charter was burnt in the chamber of Pope Innocentius the IV. An. 1245. when he caused his own wardrobe to be burnt to the end he might obtain a new taxation from the Bishops which were conveened at the general Councel and after the Councel he sent a Charter with a command unto all the Bishops of England to subscribe it and King Henry was not onely enraged against the Bishops for subscribing it but did also swear that he would stand for the freedom of his Kingdom and would not pay tribute to the Court of Rome so long as he breathed But to return at that time some of the Priests and Abbots consented not unto this shameful action of whom some came afterwards like blinde idiots unto Pandulf and begged remission the baser sort was forgiven and the heads as fattest and fittest for the Pope's mouth were sent to Rome In the mean time Innocentius was holding his Latronal Councel and there did excommunicate Otho the Emperor John King of England Peter King of Arragon Raymund Earl of Tolouse c. Then Stephen Langton was sent and absolved King John and immediately he called many Bishops Abbots Earls and Barons unto London and perswadeth them into a league against the King unless he will renounce all title unto vacant Benefices wards of marriages c. Then Innocentius sent Nicolaus Bishop of Tusculo and he began to intrude persons into vacant Benefices of Canterbury as it pleased him The Arch-Bishop refused and appealed to Rome and sundry Nobles took part with him alledging that they would defend the Liberties of their Countrey Innocentius approveth generally all that his Legate had done The Bishop and Lords stood for their Liberties The King began to think how to be relieved of his new tribute and sent unto the Pope requesting him to excommunicate the Bishop of Canterbury who had been the occasion of all these broils with some of the Lords and he would never intend exemption of his fue-duty and with his Letter he sent a sum of money But this stir was soon calmed but by and by that faction did conveen again and did force the King to yield unto all their above named demands The King then sendeth unto the Pope and sheweth how they had wrested his power from him and craveth his aid for recovery The Pope sendeth his excommunication against them all his Nuntio chargeth Stephen to publish the excommunication he refuseth and posteth toward Rome where after he was heard he was suspended and another sentence of excommunication was directed against all the Nobles and Barons which had conspired against the Pope's beloved Son and remission of sins was proclaimed to all the subjects of the Kingdom which will take part with the King and the Legate against the Lords and all the Bishops were commanded to publish this excommunication under no less pain then to be in the same danger Then the Lords Matth. Parisien calleth them Londoners to wit because of their league made in London were in despair and knew no more whither to turn then the King did before but they cried out in reproach of the King saying Wo to thee John the last of Kings the abomination of English Princes and confusion of our Nobility Alas thou hast wasted England and more wilt thou be wasted alas England England c. Then twenty four of them in name of the rest went unto Philip King of France and intreated him to give them his eldest Son to be their King The Pope understanding this motion sent Wallo Cardinal of St. Martin and chargeth Philip to desist from so rash attempts and to defend his vassal John and the Lands of the Church against those Traitors Philip did judge this an insolency and he hoped that the Lords would stand to their promise and partly he trusted in the league lately renewed with Alexander King of Scots and therefore he answered The Kingdom of England was never a part of Peter's patrimony nor shall it be hereafter no Prince may pledge or give away his Kingdom without the consent of his Barons which are tied to defend it If the Pope shall bring this preparative into Christendom he will set at naught all Kings and Kingdoms I love not this example which is begun in these days and therefore I cannot allow what John hath done though he be my utter enemy and I lament that he hath so ruined that noble Realm The Peers standing by cried as in a fury with one voice We will stand to this Article though to the losing of our lives let John do as he willeth no King can put his Land under tribute and so make his Nobility slaves Lewes said The Barons of England have elected me for their Lord and King surely I will not lose my right but will fight for it unto death I doubt not but I shall obtain it for I have friends among them his Mother was Sister of King John At this time John was going from place to place possessing himself of the Noble mens Lands yet fearing their attempts he came to Dover expecting aid from forraign Countries and many came to him from Flanders Braband and Holland on the one side and from Guien Gascony and Poictiers on the other and a most wonderful number of men from other Countries for the report went that the Pope had written unto them to assist King John Wallo the Legate followed Lewis into England An. 1216. and renewed the curse against him for usurping against John and against Simon Langton and other English which had excited Lewis and against Alexander the II. King of Scots with a wonderful solemnity causing all the bells to be tolled candles lighted Church-doors opened and committing them all to the Divel for their contumacy Lewis caused the curse to be proclaimed null and was accepted at London as King He made Simon high Chancellor King Alexander wasted the North parts of England And every one said The Bulls were of no force since the ordering of temporal affairs did not belong unto the Pope and what hath the Bishop of Rome to do with our wars behold he will be the Successor of Constantine and not of Peter Matth. Parisien ad An. 1216. It happened at that time that the Viscount of Mandevil who
bodily pains in this world which after their own sayings are far less and the Pope may go down to hell as another man and whereas he taketh upon him to absolve any man without inward repentance he extolleth himself above God This complaint is at length in the Act. Monim written by Io. Fox and these are the chief heads of it 11. In the twenty fifth year of King Edward the III. which was 1364. Laws against the power of the Pope Statutes were made If any procured from Rome a provision to any Abbey Priory or Benefice in England which is said to be in destruction of the Realm and holy Religion or if any man sued out of the Court of Rome any process or procured any personal citation upon causes whose cognifance and final discussion pertaineth to the King's Court these shall be out of the King's protection and their lands goods and cattels shall be forfeited unto the King The narrative of the Act sheweth the cause of it and the King and Commons of the Realm had oft complained that his Realms were impoverished by the Pope giving Benefices to strangers which never dwelt in England the King and Nobility were robbed of their right of patronage the cure was not served and the will of the first founders was not followed The King had oft complained but in vain therefore he resolved to make his Kingdom free from this bondage Morn in Myster pag. 480. sheweth that when Pope Gregory the XI heard of it he cried This enterprise is a renting of the Church a destroying of Religion and usurpation of his right and priviledge Wherefore he sent immediately unto Edward requiring him to annul these Acts. But when the Schism arose no Pope did insist in it until Pope Martin the V. sent more sharp Letters unto King Henry the VI. And he answered An Act of Parliament cannot be annulled but by another Parliament and he would assemble a Parliament within a short space for the same cause but he did it not saith Pol. Virg. Hist lib. 19. In the thirteeth year of Richard the II. this Act was revived in these words If any person within or without the Realm shall seek from the Court of Rome preferment to any Benefice of Cure or without Cure the preferment shall be null and the person shall be banished and his goods shall appertain unto the King and the same punishment shall strike against them which receive or entertain any such person As also it was ordained If any person shall bring or send any summons sentence or excommunication or if any shall make execution of any such summons sentence or excommunication against any person whatsoever shall forfeit all his lands and goods for ever and himself shall be imprisoned and incur the pain of death yea although such a person had obtained the King's licence for petitioning at the Court of Rome he shall sorfeit a years rent It is also observed that before the year 1367. the high offices in England Offices of State as the Lord Chancellor the Lord Treasurer the Lord Privy Seal c. were wont to be for the most part in the hands of the Clergy as also in Scotland until the Reformation but about that time the English Nobility procured that all these offices should be given unto temporal Lords 12. At that time God raised up John Wickliff a couragious witness of Iohn Wickliff truth he was Fellow of Merton Colledge and Master of Baliol Colledge in Oxford and Reader of Divinity there about the year 1370. He began first to oppose in questions of Logick and Metaphysick but such as strawed the way to other things which he intended When he set upon controversies of Divinity he protested publickly in the Schools that his aim was to bring the Church from Idolatry to some amendment In his book entituled The path-way to perfect knowledge near the end he sheweth what travel he had in translating the Bible into English he gathered many old Latine Bibles for saith he the late books are very corrupt and he conferred the translations with the ancient Doctors and common Glosses and especially he was helped by the late translation of Lyra in the old Testament and the fourth time he employed many cunning men at the correcting of his fourth translation Then he wrote that book which I have now named wherein he giveth the sum of every book of the old Testament with some general and useful observations He reckoneth the books according to the Hebrew and sheweth also some use of the Apocrypha for examples of piety patience constancy c. and denieth that they are for proof of faith In chap. 2. he saith The truth of the Gospel sufficeth to salvation without keeping the ceremonies made of God in the old Law and much more without keeping the ceremonies of sinful and unknowing men that have been made in time of Antichrist and unbinding of Satan as it is Apocal. 20. and he calleth it heresie to say otherwise In chap. 1. he saith Christian men and women old and yong should study fast in the new Testament for it is of full authority and open to the understanding of simple men as to the points that be most needful to salvation and the same sentence in the darkest places of holy writ is both open and dark which sentence is in the open places and each place of holy writ both open and dark teacheth humility and charity and therefore he that keepeth humility and charity hath the true understanding and perfection of all holy writ as Augustine proveth in his Sermon of praising charity therefore no simple man of wit should be feared unmeasurably to study the text of holy writ for they are the words of everlasting life as Peter said to Christ Iohn 6. and the holy Ghost stirred holy men to speak and write the words of holy writ for the comfort and salvation of meek Christian men as Peter in his Epistles and Paul Rom. 15. witness And no Clark should be proud of the very understanding of holy writ for that very understanding without charity which keepeth God's hests maketh a man deeper damned as Christ Jesus and James witness and the pride and covetousness of Clarks is the cause of their blindeness and heresie In chap. 10. Though Kings and Lords knew no more of holy writ then three stories of 2 Chron. that is of Jehoshaphat Hezekiah and Josiah they might learn sufficiently to live well and govern their people well by God's Law and eschew all pride and idolatry and other sins But alas alas alas whereas King Jehoshaphat sent his Princes Deacons and Priests to each City of his Realm with the Book of God's Law to teach openly God's Law unto the people ..... some Christian Lords send general Letters unto all their Ministers and Liege-men that the pardons of the Bishop of Rome which are open lies for they grant many hundred years of pardons after doomsday be preached generally in their Realms
of evill that may follow The Pope inclineth the first way and commandeth that all be buried in silence Nevertheless the Cardinall of Capuasent these heads into Germany which some say was done by advice of the Pope to the end many might conceive hope of a Reformation in Rome Pe. Soave ibid. When November was approaching the Pope by his Bull nameth Vicentia to be the place of the Councell and because winter is at hand he nameth the first day of May in the year 1538. to be the first day of assembling At that time he sent his Legats to Vincentia and he went to Nice in Liguria under shew to make concord between the Emperour and Francis but as some said to persuade them both to quit Millain unto his son He dealt with them to send Prelats unto the Councell they had excuses and he was easily contented When he could effectuat nothing he returns and recals his Legates from Vicentia and by his Letters dated July 28. he prorogated the Councell unto Easter in the next year Pope Paul had been oft advised by the Cardinals to accurse King Henry VIII but he judged it safer to keep up his sword than draw it when he knew it could not pierce as certainly it is effectuall according as men do conceive of it But now King Henry had not only beheaded Cardinal Fisher this was an eye-sore to all the Cardinals and published books twice against the Popes authority of calling the Councell but lately also he had summoned Saint Thomas archb of Canterbury who had suffered death in defense of Papall authority and was Canonized by Pope Alexander III. and since the year 1171. had been worshipped in the Romane Church to appeare in Court had condemned him for treason and in pursuite of the condemnatory Sentence had caused the hang-man to take up his reliques and burn them and throwe the ashes into the river and had escheated all the treasure and ornaments that were dedicated unto S. Thomas And the Pope having now some hope by conference with the King of France at Nice that if he had peace with Caesar he wold invade England Upon Decemb. 17. An. 1538. accurseth Henry and ordaines that all his favourers shall be deprived of all honours and goods he commandeth all his subjects that they acknowledge him not as their Lord and all forreiners that they have not any commerce with English men and all Princes to rise in arms against him and take his King om and goods for their prey But what place this curse had it appeares saith Pe. Soave by the Leagues that the Emperour the French King and other Princes made with King Henry not long thereafter When the Pope heard that the Germanes were seeking a Conference of Divines he propoundeth this unto his Consistory and said It was necessary to determine some thing concerning the Councell Some Cardinals said Nothing could be concluded untill the Princes were reconciled Others more politick said There was more danger to be feared from Nationall Conferences than from the Councell and therefote it is more safe not to cast off a Councell but to suspend it at the Popes will indefinitely and so if any danger were appearing from any Nationall Councell or Conference he might prevent it by appointing time and place And so Juny 11. by a published Bull the Councell was suspended til the Pope should appoint time and place In the year 1541. he promised unto the Emperour to hold a Councell the next year and he would send a Legate unto the Diete at Spira to advise of the time and place and he shewed his opinion to name Vicentia He acquaintes the Venetians with this purpose They refuse because they had lately made peace with the Turke and if they consent that the Councell be within their bounds where they will treat of warr against him he will say that they conspire against him When the Emperour came into Italy Paul meets him at Busset by Parma and dealeth with him to give the Dutchy of Millain unto his son's son which had married Margarite the Emperours base Daughter and if he would do this the Pope profered to enter into league with him against France to give 150000. crowns yearly for some years and make some Cardinals of his nomination The Emperour demandeth 1000000. crowns presently and as many within a short space This he refuseth The Emperour spake not of the Councell because he had made it cleare that the stay was not his fault and he thought on other remedies after the warr They parted in shew of friendship but from that time he enclined more to aid France While he is so full of doubts he understandes that the Emperour had made a league with Henry VIII against Francis then he thinks it necessary to joyn with France The Emperour is informed how hardly the Pope had taken with his league sent him answer that Francis had made a league with the Turk and by his aid the Turks Navie had spoiled the sea-townes of Naples and why may he not then make a league of just defence with him who is a Christian albeit he deny the Pope to be the head of the Church yea and with the Popes expresse consent Francis had sought aid of the Protestants which are more adverse unto the Pope than the King of England is The Pope should ex officio have accursed the French King when he heard of his league with the Turke but it is cleare that he is an accepter of persons for when the Turkish Navy did assaile and spoile other parts of Italy they did no harme unto the dominions of the Pope and when they came to Ostia for fresh water and the Romans were amazed at the report thereof the Cardinall of Carpo who at that time of the Popes absence was his Vicar told the Citizens they needed not to feare But it did provoke the Pope yet more that the Emperour would not permit his Legate Cardinall Farnesius to go unto the Diet at Spira and had decreed concerning religion wâ—thout his knowledge yea to the evident contempt of Papall authority And again more that when in September An. 1544. Charles and Francis were reconciled Charles propounded this condition that they should both restore the old religion and amend the Court of Rome whence as from the fountain all these evills had flowed and to this effect they should force the Pope to assemble the Councell But the Pope did not feare their purpose to reform the Court because he knew they had contrary ends and he knew how to divide them when they came to the point and to make his own advantage Only this did vexe him that it shall be said They did force him to assemble a Councell Therefore he resolves to dissemble all his offences and prevented their solicitation by proclaming the Councell at Trent against March 15 and in the same Bull he exhortes the whole Church to give thanks for the peace between the two Monarchs whereby they may the
be said on holy and unholy daies and the other belongeth unto the yearly recourses of Easter and other movable feasts and Pope Pius had perfected and published the former and the other had been oft attempted by Pope Pius but could not be effectuat untill Anton. Lilius a Doctor of Medecin brought now unto the Pope a book written by his brother Aloisius wherein is a new Calendary which the Pope had caused to examin and found it to be perfect Therefore the Pope by his authority dischargeth all men from using the old calendare any more Under pain of Gods indignation and of bl Peter and Paul c. This Bull is prefixed unto that Calendare Hence began the difference of Stylo vetere novo or Gregoriano which do differ in this age in ten daies for exemple the elleventh day of January in stylo novo is the first day in the old style and so forth of all other dayes and ther is more uncertain difference in the movable feasts Hence many contentions arose and different opinions for some find faults in both Some said The Pope had no warrant from God to charge men to forsake the old and accept the new Vnder pain of Gods wrath some said the change would make many confusions in civill contracts and negotiatioÌ„s Especially when the Emperour Rodulph at command of the Pope did commend this calendare unto the Princes and Estates of the Empire they of the Reformed Church refused it not that they would disobey Caesar but because of the Popes Bull which they would not acknowledge He died Anno 1585. III. SIXTUS V as if he had a purpose to reform the Romane Church enjoynes residence to Bishops and he ordaines that adulterers shall be beheaded and gave hope in other particulares to reduce the Church into antient purity But he had been Generall of the Franciscanes and Head of the Inquisition in Spain and in the year 1587. he caused renue the Ligasancta or ungodly and bloudy league wherein he and his confoederates did engage themselves to destroy all Protestants VVhereupon the King of Spain by aid of the Pope made that attempt agaâ—nst England Scotland in the year 1588. The Pope did blesse that Navy and God did curse it The Councell of Trent had declared the old Translation of the Bible to be only authenticall and albeit there were many different editions of it yet it was not declared what edition they did approve Before the Councell many had published the old Latine with severall alterations after the Councell the Vniversity of Lovan corrected it by adding many words on the margine whereof some are noted by W. Whitaker de Scriptura controver 1. qu. 2. c. 10 and he calleth that the latest edition of the Bible Then Pope Sixtus taking into consideration that there were abroad above 60 sundry editiones of it each differing from other therefore by advice of his Colledge he causeth compare severall copies and out of them publisheth one which he straitly commandeth to be received as the only true Vulgare Translation and by his bull abolishes all others that did not exactly agree with that Edition ad literam Under pain of his curse He died An. 1590. August 26. IV. URBAN VII was elected Septemb. 15 and died on â—he 27 day of the same month V. GREGORIE XIV was crowned Decemb. 5 and died October 15 in the year 1591. VI. INNOCENTIUS IX Sate two months and died Decemb 29. These were so soon taken away not without suspicion of poison for many were ambitious of the triple mitre VIII CLEMENS VIII Observes many defects and faults in the Edition of the Bible that was authorized by Sixtus V therefore he publisheth another edition with a new declaration whereby he authorizeth his own edition So that now all Papists ly under the curse of the one Pope or the other and are involued into a pitifull necessity either to use no Bible or then to ly under one Popes curse I have seen an edition at Antwerp whereunto is added a catalogue of the differences betwixt these editions of the two Popes to the number of some hundreds the author professes to have collected them for the use of Printers and to discern what books shall afterward be corrupt but he clearly demonstrats the opposition of the two Popes and how they both condemned the canon of TreÌ„t in establishing the edition that was then in use In clemens time Alfonso Count d'Este died without Children and left the Dutchy of Ferraria unto his brothers bastard sonne Caesar a Cardinall but clemens as supreme Lord of the fue would not consent wherefore these two took armes An. 1598 but the Cardinal was fain to yeeld and a peace was concluded that the Pope shall have Ferraria and give the other the lands of Mutina Regium Lepidi c. With the tittle Duke of Mutina About Marsiles great whales troubled the sailers that they durst not go to the sea the Chanons of that City sent unto Clemens and craved that all the whailes may be excommunicated The Pope grants the petition and sendeth unto the Bishop of Marsiles a power to excommunicate the whales but whither the fishes understood of this overture it is not great matter yet they were seen no more In the beginning of the year 1660. Tibris did overflow and did much harm unto the City wherefore the Pope sent Monsorius a priest to say some prayers and cast a hostie into the river but the inundation was not so obedient He keeped the Jubilee the same year and received into the hospitall of Rome 1400. men and women coming to buy indulgences some Cardinals and others of good quality and noble matrones served the strangers but they excommunicate all which will not worship the Beast Among others Pet. Mendoza Master of Malta come to kisse the Popes foot When the year was ended the Pope commanded to shut the golden porte where he had given the Indulgences he said the last Masse of that yeare and layd the first stone at the shutting of the porte and die Concordiae he gave his blessing unto all who sought the grace of the Jubilee many came from that place creeping on their knees Hee sate 13 years CHAP. IJ. Of EMPEROVRS â— MAXIMILIAN II. before his election was thought to be alienated from the See of Rome therefore Cardinal Marcus altemps Pope Pauls nephew was directed to persuade him unto obedience with tender of honor especially of the Empire after his father which else he could not attain He answered His souls savety was dearer unto him than all the world This was called a Lutheran answer Pe Soavâ— in hist Conc. Tride Lib. 5. Again when he was crowned King of the Romanes An. 1563 the Pope demanded that he should swear obedience as other Emperours had done before He answered other Emperours had their own difficulties for which they did swear what the Popes did require but he would consent to nothing in prejudice of his successours and to swear
61. e Germanus Bishop of Constantinople seeketh union with the Latines by a Councel 430 No Goodness is in man of himself 27. m. 132. m The Goths in Spain renounce Arianism 51. A Good cause giveth confidence 6. True Grace is by inspiration of the holy Ghost 89. m We are prevened and saved by Grace only 178. m. 211. e. 215. m. 222. m. 295. m. 331. m. S. 7. m The Greek Empire was possessed by the Latines sixty years 405 407 the Tenets of the Greek Church 259 261. Some Greek Preachers came into England 441. b Gratian's Decrees 365. Pope Gregory I. his Faith 26 29. Gregory King of Scots gave some Priviledges unto Church men and conquered three North Provinces of England 186. The Grievances of England against the Pope that were sent unto the Councel of Lions 445. m Some of the hundred Grievances of Germany S. 80. m A Letter of Grindal Bishop of Canterbury unto Queen Elizabeth S. 333. Gunther Bishop of Colein and Thietgaud Bishop of Trevers with their Synod despise the sentence of Pope Nicolaus the I. refuse to communicate with him and content themselves with the communion of the Church c. 155. H Halelujah in the Mass 143. e The Church hath not two Heads nor two Husbands 386. e The title Head of the Church agreeth to none but unto Christ S. 329. e Effectual Hearing is by God touching the heart 294. e The Emperour Henry the IV. is basely abused 235. 238 The Emperour Henry the VII would not swear fealty un to the Pope and was poisoned with Wine of the Mass 462. Henry the I. King of England denied that the Pope is successor of St. Peter 375. m Henry the II. King of England discharges Appeals to Rome and judged Church-men for crimes 376. m Henry the VIII King of England is called Defensor Fidei S. 73. a narration of his divorcement S. 173 he forsakes the Pope S 174. he enacteth Statutes against the Pope S. 175. he made some steps of Reformation S. 177. he opposeth Reformation S. 178. In Helvetia were tumults for Reformation S. 100. m. the latter confession of Helvetia is subscribed by the Church of Scotland S. 347. e A Heretick having power is a persecutor 7. Hereticks do wrest Scripture 103. e Heresies corrupt manners 212. m A bundle of Heresies concerning the Natures and Offices of Jesus Christ 96. m Herman Bishop of Cole in would have reformed his Diocy and was deprived S 120 The use of the book of English Homilies S. 334. 335. Hungary becomes Christian 94. m. 254 b. 269. 270. Hungary is reformed S. 353. I James the VI. Kâ—ng of Scotland his Declaration concerning the Religion S. 482. m. his Letters unto Queen Elizabeth in favour of the imprisoned Anti-Episcopal Ministers S 485 Janus Monluc Bishop of Valentia his Oration at Fountainbleau for a reformation S. 134. James Gibson a Minister was deposed for his speeches against the King 475 476 478. JESUS CHRIST wrought no miracles before his baptism 213. m. He diâ—d for them that shall be saved 37. m. 162. m. 176. e. 180. m. 192 m. the Beleevers before his incarnâ—tion were saved by him 97. b. 372 e the reasonableness of his incarnation and sufferings 297. 302. The issue of the expedition unto Jerusalem 434 e The Order of the Jesuites began their Tenets S. 324. Jerom of â—râ—gue is commended 569 he is summoned to Constance 565. he recants 568. m. be revokes his recanâ—ation and suffered couragiously 569. The contention between the Greek Emperours and the Bishops of Rome for Images 68. e 69 e Images should not be worshipped 40 42 105. e. 113. m. 130. b m. 131 m. 132 b. 183. m. 277. e. 330. m 500. b 505. b Indifferent things must not be Universal but used according to expediency 25. e. 336 e. S. 92 b The Indices Expurgatorii condem and wrest books 182. m. 263. b 297 m 549 m. S. 18. m. 19. e. 23. m Indulgences depend upon Purgatory 32 b. 418 m. their original and progress 58 290 e. they were preclaimed to Souldâ—ers 251 252. they are the cause of sin 462. b. 492. b they are condemned 550 m. 552. m S. 3. e. 6. S. 19. e The pride and blasphemy of Pope Innocentius the III 385. There is but one Interâ—â—ssor 97 e. 131 b. 223. e 331. e. Intercession of Saints is but â— fable 69 e John King of Englaâ—d is tosâ—ed by the Pope and forced to give up his Crown unto the Legate and as a Vassal receives it again 440. seqq John Cisca or Zisca the victorious Bohemian 520. John an English Cardinal his admonition to Pope Innocentius 446 b John Cumâ—n'â— falshood against Robert Bruce 493. John Hunniades Prince of Transilvania 524. 525. John Huss his doctrine 530. he is forbidden in the Pope's name and appeals unto the Pope being better advised 530. e. then two other Preachers taught It is an error to withhold the cup from the people 331. b John sends to Rome and could not be heard but was excommunicated 531. m. the Bohemians then call the Pope the Antichrist and were divided into parâ—ies 53â— e. John is sâ—mmoned unto Co stance and prepares himself with testimonies and instruments of protestation then takes his journey 532. before he was heard particularly he was imprisoned and being sick in prison the Councel gives order to proceed against him nor will grant him the liberty of a Proctor 533. they proceed against him and when he is recovered they will not grant him access 534 they give him access but will not hear him speak 535. they let him speak but will not argue and urge him to recant he proâ—esses to recant iâ— they will convince him of error 336. he is degraded 537. and burnt 538. his Vision of Reformaâ—ion 539. the articles laid unto his charge 566. John Knox is accused by Queen Mary and his answers S. 226 235. he is accused the third time before the Privy-Council S. 238 239. his Letter unto the National Assembly S. 370. his exhortations and other words before his death 377. John Bishop of Sarisbury his judgement of the Roman Church and Pope 380. John Semeca his Glossa was variously censured by the Popes 437. 438. John de Wesalâ—a his articles and examination 546. Ireland is made subject unto England 377. e The first Jubilee at Rome 397. m. it is reduced to the 50. year and the Rites of it 457. m. it is appointed to be every 25 year 506 b. some will have it every 33. year 460 e. and then it was in the 17. year 462. Some sparks of truth in Italy S. 153 154. K A good advice unto a King 204. S. 170 171. None may judge a King S. 167. Legislative power belongs unto the King within his own Realm and not unto the Pope 225. The power of Kings in Church affairs S. 290. e. 330. m In what sense a King is Supream Judge in all causes S 239. How Kings may rule well 502.
and so they adore glorifie and praise the hosty as the only living and true God Now who hath made this change and when particularly it was changed I think it can as hardly be pointed as who did sow the Tares amongst the Wheat but every one may see that an abhominable change is made there Raban knew not this rubrick and adoration nor Io. Beleth neither is any mention of it in any of the forms of Mass recorded by Cassander CHAP. IV. Of BRITAIN 1. IN the Year of our Lord 824. the Danes were Lords of Northumberland and raised wars against Edmund King of England they took him and because he would not deny Christ they tied him unto a Tree and shot at him till he died then they cut off his head and cast it among the bushes His own Subjects did bury him both head and body at Halesdon which from thence was called Edmunds burrow 2. In the Synod held at Celicyth in England about the year 816 the fourth Canon is Let no Scot be permitted to administer Divine Service within any of our Diocies because as no Bishop nor Presbyter should meddle with another Diocy without consent far less should any people receive any Service from them of another Nation which give no honour unto Metropolitans nor other Bishops Sir Hen. Spelman in Concil Hence it is clear by the testimony of that Synod that at that time Scotland did not acknowledge Bishops Of this more hereafter in Cent. XI 3. In the year 832. Hungus King of Peichts died and left his son Dorstorlorg to be his Successour and he was killed by his brother Egan Egan did think to establish himself in the Kingdom by distributing his Fathers treasure amongst the Nobles and by marrying his brothers wife Brenna lest she thinking her self degraded would excite her father the King of Merchis against him Nevertheless she murthered him in revenge of the murther of her husband Then Dongal King of Scots sent unto the Peichts and craved their Crown unto Alpin son of Achajus and the sister-son of Hungus and so the nearest heir They returned answer No Prince of another blood might by their Laws reign over them and they were accustomed to transfer the Crown from one house to another as they had judged expedient and for the present they had chosen Feredeth their King neither by their Laws could they deprive him during his life Dongal sent a second message with certification that if they did refuse to do justly unto the only heir he would invade them by Battel The Peichts sent some armed men to inhibit the Messengers from coming nearer under pain of death Wherefore the Ambassadours did presently denounce Wars in the name of King Dongal and Alpine Boeth lib. 10. cap. 7. Then King Feredeth took unto his proper use all the riches and jewels which others had given unto the Churches and he bereft Church-men of all the Tithes and their possessions and he gave their lands unto his domesticks the Nobles condescending and esteeming all things to be but as fallen into an enemies hand which had been given unto the Church In the mean time Dongal levieth an Army and by the way he died in the water Spey by force of the stream Then Alpine was crowned King of Scots and led forward the Army at Restennet he slue Feredeth with many of his Nobles Bruda then was King of Peichts but injoied not the Kingdom many moneths his son Feredeth had as bad success Then the Scots were careless as if the Peichts could make no more resistance But another Brudus amasseth all their forces to fight not so much for lands and liberty as for life and children In Anguise they had the victory and Alpine was taken and brought with his hands bound unto the next village where he was beheaded in the fourth year of his Reign and his head was fixed on a pole upon the Walls of Camelon in token of their Victory Then Brudus conceived it easie to root the Scots out of the Island and to this end he levied an Army but in the field variance fell amongst them so that Brudus was constrained to dismiss them Within three moneths he died and his brother Drusken succeeded At this time some young Gentlemen pretending themselves to be Merchants came into Camelon and brought away Alpine's head unto his son Kenneth He was desirous to revenge his fathers death and to recover his own right but the Nobility said It was more expedient to delay without war or peace because the wisest and valiantest were slain At last they were perswaded to take Arms and when the Armies came near they joined without the command of their Leaders and fought cruelly In the end the Peichts sought peace and the Scots would not hear of it wherefore Drusken gathered all his strength and in Fife was utterly overthrown many Peichts were slain none of them almost remained in their land some did escape into Northumberland and some into Denmark The Scots from thenceforth possessed all the land on the North of Adrian's wall and Edinburgh became the Headburgh of Scotland Boeth saith They who did take the Tithes from the Church had neither Tithes nor Land within less space then ten years for this was An. 839. At that time the Bishops seat of the Peichts was translated from Abernethy by Earn unto Saint Andrews and that was called the Bishop-seat of the Scots for before that time Scotland had no Bishop and Ministers were chosen by the suffrages of the people after the manner of Asia saith Io. Bale in Catal. Illustr cent 14. cap. 6. And Iohn Mayr in Hist lib. 2. cap. 2. saith The Scots were instructed in the faith by Priests and Monks without Bishops Boeth lib. 6. cap. 5. speaking of the Emperour Decius saith In this time the Scots were very profound in Theology and Holy Writ by the doctrine of certain Monks which in those daies were called Culdei that is the honourers of God for then all Priests that honoured God were called Culdei Here it is clear that I. Mayr and Boeth do speak after the manner of their own times of Monks and Priests and they use both these terms and in ancient times the only term was Culdei for the Teachers of the word but more of this when we come to the erection of Bishops 4. Constantine the son of Kenneth convened his Nobles at Scone about the year 862 ordained that Church-men should attend Divine Service diligently and abstain from all civil affairs they should live content with the Patrimony of their Churches they should preach the Word of God unto their people and live as they teach they should be free from all charges of Wars they should not feed Horse nor Hounds for pleasure they should bear no weapons nor judge in civil actions if they do they should pay for the first fault a sum of money and for the second they should be degraded He made also other Laws for bringing the people unto their old frugality and
Peter-pence unto any of the Collectors This vexeth the Romane Court and all their thoughts were upon remedies Many would proceed with censures against the king and interdict all Nations to have commerce with England but they took a more moderate course to serve the time and by intercession of France to compose the business And Francis undertooke it and sent the Bishop of Parise unto Rome with tolerable propositions and in the mean while they went on slowly at Rome that they would decern nothing unless Cesar would either first ot at the same time revenge by the sword his cousin's wrong The plea was branched into 23 articles as 1. whether Prince Arthur had carnall copulation with Catherin The half of Lent was spent on this question then March 19 Newes were brought to Rome that a famous libell was published in England against the Pope and all his Court and that before the king was a comâ—dy to the great reproach of the Pope and the Cardinals Then all were in a rage and March 24 they pronounce sentence that the marriage betwixt Henry Catharin was lawfull and unless he hold her for hiâ— wife he shall he reputed as excommunicated This praecipitation pleaseth not the Pope for within sixe dayes Letters come from France shewing that Henry is content to submitt unto their judgement and obey the Pope if such Cardinals were secluded of whom he was jealous and such as were free of suspicion were sent to Camerac and there determine the plea and Francis sent Oratours for tâ—is effect Thâ—n Clemens adviseth on pretenses to suspend the Sentence and recover a lost cause But Henry said Their Sentence was nothing unto him he is the only Lord of his own kingdom as the Pope is the only Bishop of Rome and he will do as the Easterne Church did of old He renunceth the Pope and takes his power unto himself in England to wit he will keep the Christian faith and cast-off the Popes authority nor will he suffer that the Lutheran or any other heresy have place in his â—ealm And so he did for he publisheth an Edict whereby he declares himself The head of the Church of England and chargeth upon pain of death that no man assâ—ribe any power unto the Pope within Englâ—nd and commandeth all the Collectors of Peter-pence to be gone All those were confirmed by ordinance of the Estates which they call the Parliament And it was also Acted that the archb of Canterburry shall invest all the bb of England and that the Churchmen shall pay yearly unto the King 150000 pounds for defence of the kingdom against whatever enemy Various were the judgements of men concerning this action of the King some said it was done prudently that he had cast of the Romane See without any alteration of religion without any sedition among his subjects and without appeal of his cause unto a Councel for if he had permitted it unto the judgement of a Councel he saw that he could not carry it without difficulty and the issue might have been dangerous for a Councel consisting of Church-men would without doubt have maintained the Papal power seing albeit they be in some respect obnoxious unto Emper. and Princes yet they do prefer the eminency of the Pope nor among the Churchmen is any but the Pope that carrieth sway having no Superour in degree of honour But the Roman Court argueth it could not be affirmed that he had made no change in religion â—hen the chief and first article of their faith concerning the Primacy of the Pope was changed for which alone they should have kindled the fire of sedition as if all had been changed and the event did confirm this seing the King was driven by necessity of maintaining this edict to punish severely his formerly dearest minions Nor can it be easily told how great offense and sadness not only at Rome but every where this departure of so great a Prince from the obedience of the Pope wrought in the â—earts of Churchmen Certainly â—t was a cleare document of humane frailty whereby it often hapneth that what things were most advantagious turn at last to the greatest A wicked policy of the bb loss and harm For the Romish PP by dispensations of marriages and sentences of divorces either granted or denied were wont to make great advantages under the name of Christs Vicar as under a shadow covering those Princes which thought it expedient either by some incestuous marriage or by violating one and contracting another to make new purchase of other Landes or to cut away the rights and titles of diverse competitours and that made sure friendship among them The Pope and the Princes when his authority did serve to maintain their power without which the actions of Princes being unlawfull had been clearly condemned hindered nor only unto these Princes but unto all their children which might have been called to prove the lawfulness of their birth So far Pe. Soave in hist Conâ— Trid. Lib. 1. Others shew what was done in England Card. Wolsey archb of York had advised the King unto that divorcement but when he understood of his affection toward Anna Bolen he changeth his mind because she was infected so he spoke with Lutheranisme and he wrote unto the Pope that for this cause he would not consent unto the divorce Thus we see that in all these variations both at Rome and in England the Pope and his Cardinals look not to any Rule either of Gods word or of reason but are moved by the Spring of their own interest When the King understood of these Letters by his Agent lying at Rome he was highly displeased and displaceth Wolsey of his office of Chanceller in France and of two bishopricks for he had three York Duresme Winchester and at last â—e sent the Captain of his Gaird to bring him to London but he died by the way of a flixe When the king was married with Queen Anna he entangleth all the Clergy by the law Praemunire for assisting the Popes Legate They submitt themselves namely the Prelates profer for discharge of that law to give unto the king 100000 pounds out of Canterburry and 18840 pounds out of York and in their submission they call the King the head of the Church In the Parliament An. 24. of his reigne in January following he annulleth some former Acts that were made against hereticks and ordaineth that none shall be in danger for speaking against the Popes pretented authority or his Decrees or lawes which are not grounded on the holy Scriptures Item An. 25 ch 39 he appointed 32 judges out of the higher lower houses whereof 16 should be of the clergy and 16 of the temporality and all at his own nomination to examine the Synodal Canons and to determine of them either to stand in strength or to abrogat them at their discretions Item the Clergy should promise on the word of a priest never to assemble without the Kings
conferre with the Moderator upon the purposes to be treated in the assembly and to form the Acts before they were read in the assembly This was like unto that which in the Councell of Trent was called The Congregation Within some years all matters were debated and concluded in the Privy Conference and the body of the assembly had litle to do namely after the year 1597. such men were named to be on the Privy Conference who for the most part were known to favour the purpose intended and one or two whom the chief leaders knew to be contrary minded were also named to be there to the end they might know what the contrary party would object and when the acts were in voting and penning these two or mo could do nothing by their few votes and when their conclusions were propounded in the open assembly it was called presumption to oppose what was debated and concluded by the Priuy conference especially after the erection of Bishops the Archbishop of Santandrews by his power did name the Privy conference and so were things carried both in the Generall and Episcopall or Diocesane Synods 2. The Authour of Vindiciae Philadelphi Pag. 53. Shewes that Patrick adamson was a Minister soon after the reformation and because of the small stipends at that time left the Ministry and went to France to study the lawes and when he returned he became an Advocat thereafter he turned again into the Ministry at Paisly from that he removed to be Chaplain unto the Court that so he might attain a Bishoprick for then the Courtiers sought men unto the name of Bishops whom they could find contented with a cheap portion and he accounted that portion better then a Ministers stipend he gote the Bishoprick of Santandrews when he knew that the assemblies were going to abolish that Office and wee have heard before from The historicall narration how he distinguished the three sorts of Bishops At that time when he was summoned before these Commissioners he dissembled his mind and promised to obey whatsoever the Church shall decern of Episcopacy and nevertheless did so far as he could undermine what the Church was a doing In the year 1582. he was taken with a lingring sicknes and sought the aid of a witche when he had keept within doores almost a year scarcely having recovered health he in a Sermon before the King did inveigh bitterly against the Order of the Church assemblies to wit being guilty of his offences he both privatly and publickly did strive against the Church as his mortall enemy So far there and more followes afterwards In the next Assembly at Edinburgh Octber 25. David Lindsay was chosen Modarator and the Privy Conference The 32. Assembly set as is said before 1. The assembly directes some Ministers unto the Lord Regent entreating his presence or Commssioners in his name Three severall dayes they sent and his answer still was that he was so taken up with publick affaires that the could not be present but he willed them to continue in the matter of the Policy and put it to an end 2. What was done in that matter was propounded in the second Session and all men were required to declare the next day any other head or particulare if they knew any meedfull to be disputed These heads but no new ones were disputed again and again in severall dayes 3. Patrick adamson brings from the Lord Regent a Letter which was sent unto him from the Queen of England shewing that a Councell was to be at Magdeburg for establishing the Augustan Confession and craving the advice of the assembly whither they think good to sent thither any Ministers of this Nation and whom they will name The next day were named And. Melvin Patrick adamson David Cuningham George Hay David Lindsay William Cristeson Alex. arbuthnot and Rob. Pont John Craig was sent to shew this nomination unto the Regent that he may choose any two or three of them for that end After two days John Craig reports that the Regent was well pleased they had given him the choice and in his opinion Androw Melvin George hay and Alexander arbuht not were meet yet craving the advice of the assembly herein that thereafter he may resolve with the Counsell Three were sent again to know the Regents will concerning Andrew melvin George hay and â—â— as he would appoint the Modefiers of the Ministers stipendâ— to conveen for ordering the Roles They report he was pleased with these two and had appointed the Modefiers to conveen 4. In Session 13 the heads of the Policy of the Church were read publickly and agreed upon except that head De Diaconatu as also that they shall be presented unto the Regent as agreed upon as said is without prejudice of further reasoning So James Lowson Rob. Pont David Lindsay and the Clerk of the Assembly are ordered to put them in mundâ— according to the originall and John Duncanson David â—â—rguson and John Erskine of Dunâ—are appointed to revise them and being found conform â—nto the originall the first three are ordered to present them with a Supplication in name of the Assembly And if the Regent will crave conference upon these heads the Assembly nameth Patrick adamson John Erskin of Dun John Craig John Row Alexander arbuthnot Andrew meluin James Lowson Ro. pont David Lindsay An. Hay Geo. Hay and John Duncanson to wait upon the Conference when the Regent shall advertise XV. The Assembly conveenes at Edinb 24. 1578. And. Melvin is chosen The 34. Assembly Moderator 1. Some are sent unto the King and Counsell to petition that he would send Commissioners in his Ms name to assist the assembly with their presence and counsell The answer was Two shall be deputed the next day 2. It is appointed that Bishops and all others bearing ecclesiasticall function shall be called by their own names or Brethren 2. The Brethren that were appointed by the preceeding Assembly declare that as they were ordered they had presented unto the L. Regent the book of Policy and the Supplication and a day appointed for a Conference but the alteration of Authority hath interveened and for preventing corruption in the the beginning of his Ma s Government they had presented unto his Ma. and Counsell a Supplication with four articles one for observing the Act of Parliament concerning these who beare Office in the realm another for putting order to the late murder in Sterlin a third for the policy of the Church and a fourth for support against the appearing famine The Lord Heres and the Abbot of Deir who were sent by the Counsell were asked their opinion concerning these Articles They answer They were sent not to vote or conclude but to heare and see the proceedings of the Assembly and they would insist at the hands of the Counsell for answer unto their Articles In the next Session some were directed unto the Lord Heres and the Abbot to put them in remembrance of the