part of its glory renown that it provides best for Government and obedience for the security of Princes and the peace of the people of any perswasion under Heaven is the Reverend person instanced in many of its Theorems and principles especially Rom. 13. a Pet. 2. to which I had my replies ready from the several discourses in justification of the late War and the Kings death still extant and still someting mens dangerous and discontented thoughts especially the sermons before the Parliament from 1641. to 1649. 3. The third and so much the more cogent argument as Fear is more prevailing then Conscience and a care of our selves of more force with us then a sense of our duty was the dreadful event of all attempts against Government mentioned in Holy Scripture which the good man urged with much earnestness and power As Had Zimri peace that flew his Master Can a man touch the Lords Annointed and be guiltless My Son fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them who are given to change for their calamity shall arise suddenly and who knoweth the ruine of them both Whosoever loveth Rebellion a cruel Messenger shall be sent unto him Curse not the King no not in thy thought for a Bird of the air shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter The terrour of which words was yet much allayed by the immunity and indulgence we already had and might alwaies expect only one day considering with my self that the events and issues of things in the World were exactly correspondent with the Prophecies and predictions in the Scripture that Heaven and Earth might pass away and the Government of the Creation be altered and not one jot or title of the Word of God should fall to the ground I resumed the last argument examined those sayings of Scriptures aforementioned comparing them with what happened upon that occasion in the World and particularly recollected such Memoires and observations of that nature as occurred in the English Nation from the time of William the Conquerer to our Age out of which to my great astonishment I gathered this great Conclusion which I think it the interest of this present age and posterity to take notice of that as the Scriptures have foretold some 3000. years Since so we find it true in every age that Government is so secured by the ordinance and providence of God that all attempts against it have come to nought and all open and secret conspiraties and plots have had only this remarkable issue That they ended in the â—â— ine of those that were engaged in them § 1. It is now near 600. since the Government and Monarchy of this Kingdome was after the barbarousness of the Brittains and Romans the confusion and unsettledness of the Saxons the Incursions and Intervalls of the Danes setled upon the Foundation it now stands upon by William Duke of Normandy In the year 1074. Edgar Æthelin King Harolds Son with his Mother Agatha and his two Sisters Margaret and Christine all of the Blood Royal retyred in discontent to Scotland Our ancient and most desperate enemy followed by the great Earles Edwyn and Morchor his Uncles the two Arch-Bishops Stigand and Aldred and many other Lords where first by alliance with the King of Scots who married Margaret 2. By a correspondence with the Danes they procured an invasion that made the North for 60. miles desolate 3. And by their Agents in England raised Insurrections in Exceter Oxford the Isle of Ely the issue of which notwithstanding the dangerous combination was first the ruine of the King of Scots who submitted to King William's mercy 2. The Imprisoument of Edgar and his Lords during the Kings pleasure and the settlement of the Government by the Curfeau bell the Law against the peoples Armes and the provision against the Clergies temporal Jurisdiction § 2. But restless discontent notwithstanding those dreadful examples foregoing of the ill success of Rebellion goeth ou for the year 1079. Waltheoff Earle of Northumberland with the Earls of Bologn Norfolk and Hereford with the King of Scotland and the Princes of Wales whom the Kings of Denmark and Ireland asisted with 265. sail of Ships contrived a most dangerous plot to seize the Kings Castles and Sea-Towns while the King was engaged in the Siege of Dole in France a conspiracy that threatned another change when behold Lanfrank to whom Waltheoff had communicated the design discovereth the whole to the King who prevented their uniting and engaging them one by one overcame them all putting Waltheoff to death sequestring imprisoning banishing all the rest Who are observed never after to prosper in any thing they undertook § 3. In the year 1087. King William leaving his Dukedome to his eldest Son Robert and his Kingdome to his youngest Son William Robert making use of the Bishop of Bayeux and many other Lords grudges against his Brothers Government especially his Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Lanfranke with their assistance surprizeth the North as furthest from Loudon divides the Kings Councel raiseth some disturbances in the South and West thereby dist acting the King so that he knew not where to begin nor where to turn himself the King having the Arch-Bishop and the Bishop of Winchester of his side and obliging his people by some Acts of grace defeated all the Rebells made his Brother abjure the Realm and be contented with a Pension and ruined 700. Families that were concerned in that Conspiracy And a while after hearing that Mans in Normandy was besieged as he was at Supper the King asked which way it lay and immediately commanded Masons to make way for him thither through the Wall and when his Lords entreated him to stay untill his people were ready he replied That they who loved him would immediately follow him and a Tempest arising when he was at Sea he commanded the Master of the Ship to go on notwithstanding For said nt never was King drowned Thus he came suddenly to Mans raised the siege dispersed the Rebells undid 652. Families that were of the Confederacy and left a fatal Monument of conspirators success behind to late Posterity § 4. Anno 1100. no sooner had Henry the first succeeded his brother William who died Childless and compounded with his brother Robert of Normandy but Robert de Belesm Earle of Shrewrbery and the Earle of Cornwall in discontent made a general Insurrection about Wales and the borders surprize the Castle of Bridgenorth stop Trade gathered the people together who no sooner heard that the King was drawing towards them but they fled and left their traiterous Leaders at the mercy of an incensed Soveraign who seized their Estates banished their Persons and put a period to their Names Honours and Families in England § 5. Although Steven invaded the Kingdome against the right of
Oxford he called upon his Father the Duke of York and having in his bosome the Indenture of Consederacy his Father as they sat at Dinner espyed it and asked what it was to whom his Son answering that it was nothing that concerned him by S. George saith his Father but I will see it and so snatched it from him and reading the Contents called for his Horse to ride to his Majesty now at Windsor whether his Son was before him asking pardon when the old Man knocked at Door The King not coming the Lords at Oxford suspected themselves discovered and so they stand upon their guards set up a mock King Richard one Magdalen very like him who they pretended so escaped out of Prison send to the King of France always ready to assist the Rebels of the King of England they raise an Army pursue King Henry now unprovided to London what became of them think ye why they are amazed and sometimes would do one thing sometimes another and at last nothing they march up and down they knew not whether until at Cirencester the very Townsmen were able to overthrow them so weak is guile and feare their counterfeit King is hanged the Lords are beheaded the whole Army by a rumour is dispersed in which Rebellion 916. Lords and Gentlemen perished and 16000. Families brought to a morsel of Bread the Abbot of Westminster upon the News fell suddainly between his Monastery and his House into a dead Palsey and shortly after miserably ended his life And another who had contrived to lay an Iron with three sharp pikes standing upright in the Kings Bed that when he laid Himself down he might thrust himself through with them came to this sad end a String was tyed about his neck and privy Members and so he was hanged up with a great Stone upon his Belly that broke his back bone Yet men cannot be quiet for Owen Glendover upon a private grudge between himselfe and the Lord Grey of Ruthen and a publick ambition to be Prince of Wales in the divided times of England raised all Wales and the borders of England and with the advantage of a Scots Invasion at the same time and the French Auxiliaries prospered a while but that 's well that ends well Owen is at last as all Traytors abandoned by his Followers the people are altered in their Resolutions Owen himself was famished in the Woods and Wales made desolate But at the same time Treason had all the faire and promising circumstances imaginable for the unhappy King had not only France and Scotland our old friends and Wales to deale with but the Percies of Northumberland and Worcester and Henry Hotspur who upon some private discontents enter in a leagure offensive and desentive with Glendover and an Indenture Tripartite wherein all Wales were asligned to Glendover all England South and East of Trent to the Earle of March and the rest to Northumberland a formidable design but comes to nothing Henry Hotspur is slain their Army is defeated 6000. of them left dead upon the place the chief of them are executed and 7016. Families undone in this undertaking Northumberland and others who had been pardoned ingratefully engaging again upon Yorks-wold Downes against his Soveraign where he was surprized by the Earle of Westmerland in this manner The Earle sends to know their Grievances which when they sent him he alloweth of and promiseth to joyne with them seemeth to pitty their Souldiers and his own and perswadeth them to disband as he would do himself which they no sooner do but he arresteth the chief of them who were executed at York and Durham where Northumbarland after he had wandred up and down Scotland Wales France about a year was slain likewise and 13000. Families of the Revolt were upon this sad occasion exterminated and rooted out of England Such dreadful consequence of Rebellion as awed the Lords and Commons to peace and allegiance all King Henry the Fifths Reign and the first sixteen years of Henry the Sixths § 14. When the Duke of York now aspiring to the Crown takes his opportunity to whisper and suggest to the people that the King was weak and easie the Queen was of a malignant spirit the Privy Councel was ill inclined wherewith the Common people were possessed when one Mortimer the Dukes Agent promiseth them a Reformation of all abuses freedome from Taxes who styling himself Captain Mend-all marcheth to Blackheath there exerciseth them sends their grievances to the Parliament complaining that the Kings Revenue is lavished away that he burdeneth the people that he takes their Commodities from them by his Purveyors and their Estates by his Courtiers that legal proceedings were stopped by Letters from above that extraordinary fees were exacted that freedome of Elections were denyed and Parliament men chosen by Court Letters that the faithful Counsellors the Dukes of York Exceter Buckingham Norfolk were discountenanced by the undue practices of some corrupt Courtiers and their Favourites The Parliament countenanceth them the Privy Counsel receiveth their Petition and if any plot ever prospered this was like to be one Yet see how the King though never so generally hated so considerable a thing is Royalty under the greatest disadvantages gathereth an Army of 15000. the Rebells defeat him come to London command the City to provide them Horse and Armes and other Necessaries behead the Lord Say and Sir James Cromer carry all before them when on a sudden some old Souldiers from the Tower surprize them the Rebells look about them and consider their danger are weary of their service and upon the Kings pardon submit and leave Jack Cade to shift for himself who fled away in a disguise and Proclamation being made that whosoever should bring him dead or alive should have a thousand Markes for his paines a while after was attached by one Eden and making resistance in a Garden at Hothfield in Sussex was there slain his Body was brought to London beheaded Quartered his Head set upon London Bridge his Quarters dispersed in divers places in Kent and his Followers to the number of 500. arraigned to the utter ruine of 4000. Families who perished in this gain-saying of Kore as did the Prentices and Commons of London of whom 2000. died in a commotion the year following the Duke of York flieth to Ireland Owen Teuther and divers Welsh Gentlemen are beheaded and the King who had usurped the Throne never prospered and the Duke of York slain at Wakefield and his Head put over the great Hall of York § 15. Edward the 4th is Crowned but with cares and troubles for the Kingdome was in a Combustion King Henry was at the Head of 40000. to try it with him for that Crown seconded both by the French and Scots but see the fate of Rebellion the Armies approach each other the Lord Fauconbridge gives the Archers direction upon a signal given by him to shoot every Man a flight Arrow
for that purpose provided and then to fall back three strides and stand the Northern men in the mean time plyed their Bowes till all their Sheaves were empty but their Arrowes fell short of the Enemy threescore yards doing them little and themselves a great deale of harm for their Arrowes being spent and coming to hand blowes their own Arrowes sticking in the ground galled their shins and pierced their feet ten houres the Battle continued wherein fell 36000. Rebels among whom were the Earle of Northumberland the Lords Beaumont Gray Dacres Welts c. the Earle of Devonshire only surviving to an execution whom the Earle of Oxford the Duke of Sommerset followed his Son and the Earle of Pembrooke living beyond Sea in great misery as little better then Vagabonds their Estates and Lands with the possessions of 6000. of their Followers who are now undone being divided among King Edwards Followers Yet a while after all this is forgot and the people are up in Yorkeshire for the breach of a Custome to give the people of St. Leonards in York some quantitie of grain and the Northamptonshire men for Liberty the Captain of the one party Robert Huldorne is beheaded and the other is boyled in an hot Cauldron the Lord Wells and Sir Tho. Dymock are executed 10000. Rebells are slain Sir Rob. VVells their Leader is hanged the Earle of VVarwick flyeth for it and at last the Usurper Edward was glad to be a Vagabond in France and afterwards he and his Rival Henry both by turnes suffered the vengeance due to treason and Rebellion the great Earle of VVarwick is slain with many more Rebells to the number of 16000. who are signal Monitors to late Posterity to study to be quiet and to follow their own business for why should they meddle to their hurt Queen Margaret is taken Prisoner her Son Edward was murthered the Duke of Sommerset is beheaded Fauconbridge the Pyrat after his dangerous tumult about London in the head of 17000. and his Captaines Spicing and Quintine that assailed Algate and Bishopsgate were hanged drawn and quartered and their heads placed on Poles upon those Gates and by a Commission of Oyer and Terminer many both in Essex and Kent were arraigned and condemned for this Rebellion and more fined the Arch-Bishop of York was kept close Prisoner to his dying day as were the Earles of Oxford Pembroke and Richmond whose Ladies begged their bread while their Estates were disposed to King Edwards Courtiers the Duke of Exeter being reduced to that penury that he run by the Duke of Burgundies Coach begging his Bread for Gods sake and was found dead upon the shore of Dover Thus bloody and deceitful men lived not out half their dayes they love mischief and it happeneth unto them they hated peace and it is far from them § 16. Well! Richard Duke of Glocester after his Brothers death aspires to the Crown to that purpose procures himself made Protector dismisseth his Nephew Edw. 5th Guard removeth from him his faithfull friends and kinsmen gets his Brothers out of the Sanctuary contriveth it so that the young Princes should be declared and preached Bastards that the Lords of the Counsel should Petition him considering the necessities of the Kingdome by reason of the late misgovernment to take upon him the administration of the Soveraignty that the Cities pulse should be felt by a long Speech of the Duke of Buckingham and upon their sullenness and silence some of Richards servants in the croud should cry King Richard King Richard that himself should be married the Relict of Prince Edward Henry the 6th Son and with his Queen Crowned very solemnly murthereth the two Princes makes love to the Lady Elizabeth the Rightfull Heire of the Crown and flourisheth Men seeing this oppression and violent perverting of judgment and justice in this Province marvelled at the matter but he that was higher then the highest regardeth and there be higher then they for this prosperous Usurper never had a quiet mind but was troubled with fearfull dreames the King of France rejects his Embassadours the Duke of Buckingham who set him up plotteth with Bishop Morton of Ely House to depose him The Earle of Richmond afterward K. H. the 7th is set up by the French and Welch landeth at Milford Haven the Earles of Pembrooke and Shrewsbury joyne with him the Lord Stanley secretly favoureth him as Sir Jo. Savage Sir Simon Digby and others did more openly at Bosworth he meets King Richard where the Earle of Northumberland deserted him the Duke over-powers him 6000. of his followers dye upon the place and himselfe left dead and naked in the Field untill a Pursivant at Armes brought him behind him like a Calfe his Head and Armes hanging down one side of the Horse and his Legges on the other to the Gray-friersChurch within the Town of Leicester where he lay a miserable Spectacle of the sad issue of Treason and Rebellion untill for pitty the Friers buried him his Agents coming all to a like shamefull end as Sir James Tyrrel who was executed Miles Forrest rolled alive James Dighton lived and dyed unpittied the great Duke of Buckingham who raised him was beheaded by him and Bannister who betrayed him to Richard was afterwards hanged whose eldest Son hanged himself his youngest Son was drowned and his Daughter smitten with a Leprosy because sentence against evil doers is not executed speedily therefore the heart of the Sons of Men is fully set in them to do evil though sinners do evil an hundred times and their days be prolonged it shall not be well with the wicked neither shall they prolong their dayes which are as a shadow because they feared not before God § 17. Anno 1485. The Usurper thus suppressed Treason and Rebellion thus avenged King Henry by Conquest by marriage by choice setled upon his Throne with a strong Guard about him never known before in England some discontents appeared in the North where the Lord Lovell was in the Head of an Army before the King was aware but upon Proclamation of Pardon the Rebels disperse and Lovell with his Complices flie for their Lives which they afterwards loose shamefully upon Tower-Hill the place of Execution Not long after a Priest named Symond sets up one Lambert Symnel for Edward Earle of VVarwicke who was lately escaped out of Prison and pretends him King of England he is countenanced in Ireland encouraged by the Lady Margaret Countess of Burgoign and assisted by an Army under the Earle of Lincolne but what came of this Plot why the true Earle of VVarwicke was shewed abroad the Earle of Lincolne and many Lords are slaine at Stokes 500. Families are undone by this Treason and the King more firmly established A Subsidy is granted the King in the 4th year of his Reign towards his French Warres and it was agreed that every Man should pay the tenth penny of his goods the Northern Men refuse to pay it the
Princes that looked towards Reformation Mr. Hooker Your advice we highly value as esteemed by us the most learned and wise man that ever the French Church did enjoy since the hour it enjoyed you yet you must understand that it did not become you to obtrude upon the Church of England a new way you had found out for the City of Geneva agreeable to the temper of that people and that time so disagreeing with our temper and our time especially since you could not bring that way to Geneva it self without the consent of the people Two things of principal note there are which deservedly procure you honour throughout the Christian World 1. Your exact institutions of Christian Religion 2. Your no less industrious exposition of Scripture according to those institutions in which two things whosoever bestowed their labour after you you gained the advantage of prejudice against them if they gainsaid you or of glory above them if they consented yea that which you did in the establishment of your way was harmless as being necessary but what you have taught for the countenance of it established is blame-worthy because out of love to your own prudent invention you endeavour to perswade the World that what you found out as yesterday was established by God since the beginning of Christianity we take it not well that what you with much ado imposed upon your own people by your own should be imposed upon us as from Divine Authority and that you should to that purpose disparage the antient Rites of the Church as Ineptiae nugae trifles and I know not what O Mr. Calvin Mr. Calvin There will come a time when three words uttered with charity and moderation shall receive a far more blessed reward then three thousand Vollumes written with disdainful sharpness of wit We wonder that you who said That you did highly approve a Forme of Prayer Doctrine and established Administration of Sacraments which it should not be lawful for the Ministers themselves to neglect that Provision might be made for the ignorant and unskilful 2. That the consent of the Churches might be more apparent 3. That Order may be taken against the desultory levity of them who delight in Innovations We wonder that you should encourage some Zelots at home and abroad to procure so many alterations of and enemies to the Common Prayer in the year 1547. and 3. of King Edward the sixth in so much that Reverend Father Latimer was faine to say in a Sermon before King Edward a little before his Death That the Admiral was gone I heard say he was a seditious man a contemner of Common Prayer I would there were no more in England well he is gone I would he had left none behind him Bish. Bancroft Mr. Calvin was not the only man that disturbed the peace of our Church by countenancing these Innovations and practising in Court City Country and Universities by his Agents till he had laid the first Foundation of the Zuinglian faction who laboured nothing more then Innovation in Doctrine and Discipline Court We pray you Sir what was the maine engine that Mr. Calvin used to bring his way into so much credit and esteeme among us Bish. Bancroft By insinuating to some men well affected the practise of the poor reformed Churches who not being able to set up the Primitive were over-ruled by his authority to comply with his way and gaining an improvident Indulgence unto John a Lasco with a mixt multitude of Poles and Germans to have the Priviledge of a Church for him and his distinct in Government and Worship from the Church of England by Letters Pattents in St. Augustine neer Broadstreet to be hereafter called the Church of the Lord Jesus whence we may observe 1. Of what consequence it is totolerate any people though never so inconsiderable in a way of separation Mr. Durel Dr. Basile Whereas it was suggested by several that most Reformed Churches walked in the way of Calvin and that the Church of England must submit to that way to preserve its Communion with other Churches We will make it appear that there is no Rite Ceremony or order of the Church of England but is observed in some of the Reformed Churches and some of them are observed in all Court Thus encouraged from abroad and indulged at home that party began to appear more publickly And you Mr. Bucer and Dr. Peter Martyr must needs seruple at some Ceremonies Vestments the one as Kings professor at Cambridge the other as Margaret professor and Cannon of Christ-Church in Oxford though with such moderation as that we have no more to say to you but that we are sorry the oversight of those times furnished the Universities and filled up the Chaires with men of your Principles to lay up in those nurseries of Religion and Learning the seed of a separation dissent and chisme that may continue as long as this Church stands we are sorry to hear that you Doctor Bucer refused some Ceremonies at Cambridge especially that you would not use a square Cap because forsooth your head was Round We are sorry likewise that you Dr. Martyr should encourage the Nonconformists in your Letter July 1. 1550. by saying that You thought it most expedient to the good of the Church that they and all others of that kind should be taken away when the next opportunity should present it self for say you as we iudge unchariteably Where such Ceremonies are so stiftly contended for as are not warranted and supported by the word of God there commonly men are less sollicitous of the substance of Religion then they were of the cicumstances of it and that you say in your Letter of the 4. Nov. 1559. that you never used the Surplice when you lived in Oxford though you were then a Cannon of Christ-Church and frequently present in the Qaire And for your part John a Lasco you might have been contented with the great indulgence of a gracious Soveraign to set up a Church with an express order to all the Bishops of the Realm not to disturbe you in the free exercise of your Religion and Ecclesiastical Government notwithstanding that you differed from the Government and formes of Worship established in the Church of England and not have abused his Majesties goodness so far as to appear in favour of the several factions which then began more openly to shew themselves against the established orders and laudable Customes of the Church and to write that scandalous Book called Forma Oratio totius Ecclesiastici Ministerij much to their encouragement who impugned all Order and Discipline and you must countenance those that refuse to wear the Cap and Surplice and to write to Dr. Bucer to declare against them for which you were severely reproved by that moderate and Learned man Doctor Martyr Doctor Bucer and John a Lasco Truly we are very sensible of the great favours we
I shall informe your Honours what I know in this matter Court Where did they meet Mr. Stone 1. At London in Travers Egertons Gardiners and Barbers House 2. in Cambridge at St. Johns 3. in Northampton at Mr. Johnsons and Snapes house 4. at Kettering in Mr. Dammes and my House Court When did they meet Stone 1. Since the beginning of the last Parliament of which they had great hopes Court Who met Stone Cartwright Travers Egerton Clark Gardiner Brown Barber Somerscales Chatterton Gyfford Allen Edmunds Gellibrand Culverwell Oxenbridge Barbon Flud Snap Johnson Sibthorpe Edwards Spicer Fleshwore Harrison Littleton Williamson Rushbrook Baxter King Proudtome Mastre Bradshaw Dammes Pallison Okes Atkinson and my Self and several Schollars of Oxford and Cambridge Court This is ingenuously done of you Mr. Stone and we look upon you as a man in whom there is no guile Stone I can do nothing against but for the Truth let Truth and Justice take place et ruet Mundus L. B. L. Thus one Linke being slipped out the whole chaine was quickly broken and scattered this one discovery marred all their meetings there being none now that could trust or be trusted Court Yet they were not quiet but being disappointed one way they attempted another for one Travers ordained beyond Sea and of so great repute among that party that with Mr. Cartwright he was invited to be a professor at St. Andrews upon Mr. Melvins motion being setled at the Temple a Lecturer endeavoured to gaine the great Interest of the Law on his side and there opposed Mr. Hooker about predestination the Church of Rome c. with a design as some think to make parties there for other purposes untill he was silenced by the Arch-Bishop 1. because he was not lawfully ordained 2. because he preached without Licence 3. because he had disturbed the peace and that wholsome order of Her Majesties That no Opinions should be publickly refuted but that notice should be given to the Ordinary to hear and determine such cases to prevent publick disturbance L. B. C. It was that he looked for that he might as he did afterwards in a supplication to the Councel set his Patron Cecil and others to revive the Good old Cause which if opposed by others as he knew they would be would be Patrons to that Cause if not for conscience yet for their honour Court He knew that if once great men be inveigled to appear they will go through with It. What became of this Master Travers L. B. W. When he could not prevaile in England he went to try whither he might reforme Ireland and to that purpose very cunningly got to be Priest of Trinity Colledge neer Dublin where he might have the advantage to instill his Principles into the Youth of that Nation and so secure to himself and Part if not this yet the next Generation Court Now it may be presumed that the Church of England had rest round about P. H. Not so for these men finding that people were weary of small diffences about Cap Surplice c. that they might have some just occasion to oppose the Church one Dr. Bound set up Judaisme in a Book asserting that Christians are bound to as strict an observation of the Sabbath as the Jewes by a precise rest from all recreations feasts study and whatsoever but praying hearing reading and holy conference which Doctrine was very taking for its own purity and their piety that owned it Court The cunning of these men while the Bishops are providing for Ecclesiastical authority against their Discipline they leave that as not so considerable among the vulgar and set up extraordinary directions for the Lords day which while the Church opposed it was looked upon as ungodly and prophane and now it was that this party got the opinion of purity and holiness among the people which was no small advantage to their Cause the piety of the persons being a fair way to perswade the world of the truth of their opinions but how were these men maintained when they were suspended P. H. Mr. Cartwright had a Catalogue of sixteen hundred sixty three Patrons who allowed the least of them five pounds a year towards the maintainance of that way and it is observed of him that he was very rich and it s known that Mr. Travers left Zion Colledge an excellent Library with 60 l. worth of Plate Court Some of them gained more by their private conferences then by their publick preaching they could otherwise have expected CHAP. IV. King James Reign COurt But now Queen Elizabeth was dead these men thought they were sure of King James who was alwaies bred under them and frighted to their way in his Mothers belly what was their carriage upon that alteration Sand. One Mr. Pickering a Northamptonshire Gentleman a favourer of that way rid post with the newes of Queen Elizabeths death to King James and no doubt took his occasion to urge something in favour of the Nonconformists but how far and with what answer he moved the King is uncertain But Dr. Tho. Nevill Dean of Canterbury sent by Whitgist brought back a wellcome answer of his Majesties purpose to uphold and maintaine the Government of the late Queen as she left it setled Court King James foresaw the dismal things the World was to look for from those men as appeares by his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He knew that a Presbytery as well agreeth with Monarchy as God and the Devil they are his own words He knew no Bishop no King L. B. C. Yet Mr. Cartwright dedicates his Comment on Ecclesiastes to King James and the Presbyterians prepared a Petition before hand against the Parliament sat managed by Mr. Hildersham Mr. Egerton which though called the millenary Petition yet with seven hundred and fifty two Preachers hands was it presented to the King and Parliament Court How did the King like this canvasing for hands L. B. E. His Majesty foreseeing that they were likely to trouble him and the next Parliament granted them a Conference at Hampton Court where Dr. Reynolds Sparkes and Mr. Knewstubs and Chadderton appeared on the one hand Bishops Bancrost Mathew Bilson Babington Rudd Watson Robinson and Dove Dr. Andrews Overall Borlow and Bridges Field and King appeared Court What did they desire Dr. R. 1. That the Doctrine of the Church of England should be kept pure for now to make us more odious they quarelled with our Doctrine 2. That good Pastors might be planted in all Churches to teach the same 3. That Church Government might be sincerely ministred according to Gods Word 4. That the Book of Common Prayer might be fitted to more increase of Piety Court What would they have altered in the Doctrine A. They would have predestination and perseverance more clearly held forth Court By all meanes and the Church must be now looked upon as unsound in Doctrine as it was afore corrupt in Discipline yea the nine Lambeth Articles and all the controversies about them
so much opposed A. No it was for some smart truths concerning that party which they were not willing to hear of Court What did wisemen judge of that stir the Commons kept with Mr. Mountagues Book A. My Lord of Canterbury hath entred it in his Diary thus ' I seem to see a cloud arising and threatning the Church of England God for his mercy dissipate it Court What was the Danger A. It was this That the Nonconformists under pretence of suppressing Arminianisme were able to be revenged of Master Mountague for some tart expressions against them notwithstanding his Majesties protection of his own Chaplain so that the King was faine to leave him to himself and to stand or fall as he told the Duke of Buckingham who sounded him to that purpose according to the justice of his Cause C. How went they on P. H. As the great Champions of truth forsooth they procure two conferences at Yorkehouse before the Duke of Buckingham by the mediation of R. E. of VVarwick between Dr. Buckridge Dr. VVhite Mr. Mountague on the one hand and Bishop Morton and Dr. Preston on the other where their design was to divide the Nobility Clergy and Gentry and get as many as they could on their side against Arminianisme until they had got such a party as might be able to carry all before them for they knew that those learned Gentlemen and Ministers who were of their mind in some points would being provoked by their adversaries be of their mind in all C. But do they stay here L. No but being intent upon their Design and knowing that the King was well setled and resolved against all Innovations they intend to weaken his power and to that purpose they retrenched his Prerogative by many Laws and Statutes and questioned Dr. Manwaring for preaching up his Prerogative being resolved to put all power in the Parliaments hands who were too well affected to their way F. Yea they were so bold as to employ two persons Humphreys and Jones to hinder Bishop Mountagues Confirmation by alledging against him some frivolous exceptions so much did they prevaile now they had joyned themselves to the discontented the Antiarminian c. S. But while the wisemen of this party were driving on their design covertly and politickly one Leighton was to break the Ice and feel the pulse of the times and to that purpose he sets out a Book called Zions Plea rayling against the Queen as Idolatrous and exhorting men to kill the Bishops and to smite them under the fifth rib C. Was he suffered A. No when his party saw that he was not suffered they let him shift for himself and they go on in a more prudent method Court How F. That they might engage the Clergy to themselves they set up a Committee for buying in impropriations viz. Dr. Gouge Sibbs Mr. Offspring Davenport c. who were to buy so many Livings to be bestowed on the Favourers of the new way whereby of nine thousand Ministers three thousand and nine hundred might be sure to their side beside those presented by the many Patrons that were devoted to their party Court Here they took care to prefer their friends how did they bring men up still in their way notwithstanding the discouragement of publick authority P. H. When they had preferment they were sure to have friends yet they had persons of their way in both Universities very vigilant for their Interest as appeared in Oxford where one Thorne of Baliol and Ford of Magdalen Hall broke out into bitter invectives in their Sermons on this Text Numb 14. 4. Let us make us a Captain and let us return into Egypt 1 King 13. 2. And be cried against the Altar in the word of the Lord and said O Altar Altar Court It was a notable way to buy out impropriations to set up Lecturers knowing that they who hold the helm of the Pulpit in England alwaies steer peoples hearts whether they please whereby they might have more Chaplains depending upon them then either King or Bishops but the great plot lay in securing the Universities where if young men were tainted with their way they would not depart from it when they were old But did any Countenance these persons A. Yes the Proctors and Dr. Prideaux with Dr. Wilkinson untill the King appeared against them at Woodstock Court Now the King interposed his authority we may presume this faction was quite dashed E. G. By no meanes for the expelling of these Preaches expelled not but encreased the differences in Oxford which burnt the more for blazing the less Court How came Dr. Prideaux to favour such persons A. H. His love to the Predestinarian way which these men promoted in an high degree this was these mens policy to joyne with some eminent men in some opinions that they might have their favour and assistance in other things Court What was their next project A. W. They set up the Sbabatarian controversies again by one Bradbourne which if the Church allowed of she went against her own judgement if she disallowed she was looked upon as an enemy of Godliness and a friend to all prophaneness yea so high did they raise these controversies that they made a difference between the Judges and the Bishops the one allowing a liberty on the Lords day the other punishing it And when the Church declared her judgement moderately they procured underhand many reproaches and hard speeches to be cast upon her as if she intended to destroy that Godliness which she taught and to undermine that Religion she professed Court Not a word all this while of their Discipline A. No for they resolved upon other wayes of undermining the Church of England and upon her fall they would raise themselves but some hot-headed persons as Bastwicke Burton and others break out to some excesses for which they are severely punished Court What is the reason that they are so fierce now F. M. Upon Bishop Abbots death who was over-indulgent to them the Arch-Bishop pressed conformity very severely whereupon they who hid themselves under other pretences discovered themselves against Altars kneeling at the Sacrament holiness of Churches c. L. C. M. Let me tell you that there was one accident happened that helped this party very much Court What was that L. C. M. The Bishop of Lincolnes discontent who said that all flesh in England had corrupted their wayes and maintained many private correspondencies dangerous to Church and State L. C. N. The design of these men growing now ripe as they had by Lectures and private conferences debauched many here so they go abroad for aid to the brethren of Scotland who are at their Devotion and ready upon their call to disturbe the peace of England Court How durst Scotland stir J. C. The people in England having kept the King bare put him upon some displeasing courses to furnish himself and maintaine the peace of the Kingdome who should oppose this his Majesties course but the
fall in and improve the design to the ruine of Church and State C. When this failed what course did they take R. L. They scribled as Crofton they petitioned and engaged the Grandees c. and left no stone unturned untill the Parliament closed up all disputes by several wholsome Acts for the security of the Kings person and Government for suppressing of all Pamphlets and unlearned writings for prevention of all tumultuous Petitions and for submission to the present Government requiring them to declare their Covenant illegal and unjust their Warr against the King-rebellious and that the Discipline Ceremonies Worship which they had so long opposed was according to the Word of God C. What did they after the enacting of these wholsome Lawes R. L. Many of them endeavoured by the mediation of potent friends to have the execution of them suspended untill his Majesty and Councel satisfied them there was no suspending of Lawes so much conducing to the peace and welfare of the Nation C. Yet it was observed that they were so confident of success in this attempt that they writ to several not to subscribe for his Majesty would allow an Indulgence What other wayes might they use L. 1. They offer his Majesty 500000 l. a temptation to his necessities like that of the Devils to our Saviour when hungry and taking of the stones of the Church for bread to confirme the sale of Bishops Lands with the Deanes and Chapters for 99. years reserving the old Rents to the Church Which the noble Prince to his eternal memory be it recorded refused with scorn and disdain suitable to his Fathers piety who said he had rather live upon the Almes of the Church as some of his Predecessors Kings of England had done then put the Church to depend upon the charity of the people C. Alas who could be so bold as to offer his Majesty a motion to sacriledge F. L. Even Dr. Burgess who had written that Sacriledge was no sin in a Book and case he writ for the sale of Church Lands whereof the good man had to his own share no less then seven hundred pound a year C. Well! his Sacred Majesty did graciously appoint a way to satisfie all parties in point of Interest But what do they do in point of Conscience F. L. They make the best friends that could be made with words or money ever andanon you should have a Lord drop into their Church at Aldermanbury Walbrook c. a great encouragement no doubt and you would meet half a douzen or half a score of the reverend Pastours walking at Court as demurely as I have seen so many spirits walking before my Lord Maiors Banqueting house and to the same purpose of haunting too here is first offered an advantage to be head of a party to any that is ambitious 2. Here is money for any that is covetous 3. Here is the good old cause to move the well affected C. What is their success J. B. Having very large promises they go home and republish the old Principles to the number of 3000. Copies to keep up the spirit of Reformation they write for the necessity of it they plead for the Ministers that were in sequestrations they cry up directly or indirectly the obligation of the Covenant some by writing as Mr. Crofton and others by hinting scarce any Sermon being preached without an use of perseverance to be stedfast and unmoveable as Mr. V. concluded with his beloved Congregation C. Was there any more done I. B. Yes there was a book much applauded that was gathered out of the Papers of a studious man that was formerly Minister in Bedfordshire they say since his death by a young man with others assistance that litle understood the compass or merit of that controversie to prove that there is no Church Government of divine right the wary Sirs being contented the cryed up divine right of Presbytery should be waved a while that the same right of Episcopacy be suppressed altogether rather then the legal government should be established they will wave the settlement of their own C. He was a bold fellow that would publish any thing of his own or of other mens to dispute that which the Church by Bishop Hall so clearly asserted which its Books so punctually pressed which his late Majesty so excellently disputed and he with his eminent Divines at the Isle of Wight so irrefragably proved But what did he that writ or he that set out that Book mean did they resolve to make good what Mr. Hooker said that when we had disputed on both sides our selves a weary a third party would come in and with our mutual arguments against and concessions to each other overthrow us both or did they intend to remove all Religion from its basis of divine right and six it as Mr. Hobbes doth upon humane Constitution for although this Book instanceth only in Church Government yet the arguments to those that graspe and understand them which I fear the publishers did not would reach any point of Religion whatsoever and would make up the strangest piece of Adiaphorisme that ever was in the World since the interim of Germany but they stick here J. B. No no this was only to trouble the waters and keep men irresolved as to the publick constitutions while they confirmed the brethren in their private opinions and are un Bishoping Timothy and Titus bidding men beware of Diotrepheses and those that Lorded it over Gods heritage insinuating they desired not rooos a year Lordships Baronies c. but the liberty of their Ministry and what was the issue of all this they extorted from the Government an Indulgence in order to a mutual coalition good understanding and peace C. What use did they make of that J. B. When it was expected they should have complied with his Majesties incomparable design of charity they go home and preach against the coming in of Popery against Covenant breaking against the prophaness that was breaking in upon us and they put out and discusse in Print these Queries about the interest of England 1. Whether the Presbyterian party should in justice or reason be rejected and depressed or protected and encouraged since they forsooth brought the King in 2. Whether the Presbyterian party may be protected and encouraged and the Episcopal not deserted nor disobliged 3. Whether the upholding of both parties by a just and equal accommodation be not in its self more desireable and more agreeable to the state of England then the absolute exalting of the one party or the total subversion of the other Bold questions you will say being indeed no other then thus much viz. Whether the particular and private humours of a discontented party is as considerable as the publick and general constitution of a well setled state C. This is downright but is this all J. B. Not so neither for we have our slanting and back-strokes that are more effectual as to pass by many others they
to Archippus I mean did you not see a Book called so wherein they were stirred up by all the arguments in the world to invade their Pulpits and the Newes yonder yonder at London was so stronge that some of their Reverences they say took Coach very demurely to Whiteball to wipe off forsooth that aspersion although many of them creep up into some careless mens Pulpits and you know how Mr. Calamy Preached boldly at his own Church and how he made it a Moot-point whether he had offended or no. C. Was the late plot in the North a general one B. D. They would not a great while believe it was any yea and that was the main plot to perswade others that it was none yet in the mean time how insolent how busie are they what riding what posting what writing We will be in Chester the 24. of the sixth Moneth saith one Tell brother Owen we are 6000. stronge of our own friends c. How sullen how dogged are they here as well as some of our wel-wishers abroad untill the design was broken which in the breaking discovered a Committee here in London that united all interests and managed all affaires Now the question will be whether the dissenting brethren considering their carriage and behaviour since the fancy began in King Henry the Eighths time of which we have given an exact account to this hour are to complain if they are restrained by laws and kept from meeting or acting by publick constitutions For answer to this it is the observation of all men 1. That private men must be checked rather then the publick Government violated 2. That it is not safe or reasonable for any private opinion or fancy to controule or guide a publick authority 3. That the King must either violate his own Conscience and so not have the liberty of it which they insist on for themselves or else check their pretences of theirs 4. That they were never satisfied with any thing that was granted them he that allowed them a little doth but give them a power to take more Could all the late Kings concessions keep them from his blood first its Liberty but at last it is a Warr they are a party not to be gained by Obligations 5. That neither Scotland nor England had an houres peace or quiet since Knox set footing in the one or they who had conferred notes with him in the other but that blood rapine violence malice animosities and plots have been the attendants of the good old cause since it was in the cradle 6. That the Law must not be ruled by a faction and yet that the question is now whether they who overthrowed the Law formerly may now controule and they who raised a Warr against it may be free from it in peace 7. That the indulging of men because they are many is rather an encouragement to Villany then a provision for tenderness 8. That to ask liberty of Conscience is to ask liberty to what they please which they may call conscience for who shall judge what is really Conscience and what is really malice 9. That to grant these people what they desire is to allow the reason of the reason of their requests and so at once to reward one injury and justifie another 10. That the late Warr begun with calling that Christian liberty which the Law calleth treason that Religion which the Church calleth Schisme 11. That no Oathes or Vowes but one to rebell can tye these people 12. That they would never trust others with the least indulgence 13. That they are a people that rather then submit expostolate whose Addresses look like mutinies and their Petitions like threats 14. That the whole business and bustle is but a contest between a Law and a Faction And now considering these things we must conclude that either the Government must be again banished or the Faction that either the King for upholding the Church according to Law must be an exile or they for supporting Conventicles against the Law must be proscribed and which is fittest let the World judge THE History of Plots OR ALL The Plots against the Government of England since the Conquest to this day which are 247. in Number unsuccessfull In a continued Series of them from year to year to this present of February 1663. Concluding with an Exact Narrative of the Plot in York-shire History is the knowledge of things past whereby we may judge of things present and guess at things to come Dionys. Pet. Pref. WHen I had taken up perswasions that Interfered with the established Religion of this Nation the publick Laws laid hold upon me as well for my former engagements under the late Revolutions as for my present sentiments of the state of things that now prevailes those unruly lusts of pride ambition envy covetousness and looseness that remain in the best assisted with prejudice discontent and sufferings and all improved by those vehement impulses of conscience and a desire of liberty that all men are sensible of transported my impatience not only to murmuring to speak evil of Dignities to despise Dominions to entertain evil thoughts of the Rulers of my people but so endlesse and boundlesse are the workings of a foule heart under fouler temptations to some dangerous Considerations how necessary how lawfull how easy and how successfull an attempt more upon this Government might be all the Principles and Grounds of our late Engagements that are scattered in our Remonstrances Apologies Declarations Propositions and States of the Case immediately offering themselves unto me then prepared for such Impressions yea the Scripture it self wherein I was much conversant in my solitudes to my apprehension exactly answering my thoughts and inclinations and with those glosses upon it thee lay before me there twenty years looking like one great remonstrance for the good old Cause so that my exceptions of things being before hand wrapped in Scripture notions I saw my own mind there so clearly that I was resolved that an undertaking for the alteration of the present frame of things was not only my interest but also my duty not only a kindness to my self and our common cause but some service to my God under these temptations a reverend and a most excellent person endeavoured to relieve me with three sorts of arguments 1. The first whereof was from the concernment of private persons in the publick peace and welfare and the great advantages men had from all Governments in general and every English mans Interest under this Government in particular which I easily evaded with the maximes of a Commonwealth which possess more men then are publickly observed and carry them to the affront and weakening of all the rules lawes and principles of Monarchy that are now extant in the world 2. The second was from the great Obligations laid upon men to peace and obedience in great rules and examples by Christianity above all the Religions in the World it being not the least
Maud the Empress the Oath of Allegiance which the people had taken to her was countenanced by very few at his Coronation yet such is the futality of conspiring against a setled Government that divers Lords having the Empress of their side to justisie and Scotland without which no Rebellion can prosper in England to assist them several Castles to secure them a general discontent to second them all England in a combustion to advantage them were yet strangely suppressed by the Usurper their Castles dismantled their Children disinherited their heads taken off no less then 3000. Families undone in their cause the Empress Maud is streightned at Oxford and the whole combination dispersed King Steven dying quietly in his Bed § 6. Upon Stevens death King Henry the Second the right Heir is established upon the Throne but troubled first with the Welsh who cunningly invited all the Male-contents of England to their inaccessible Mountaines where his Majesty no sooner sheweth his Sword but they desert their Leaders who are utterly ruined and their Country made Tributary to England And then by Robert Earle of Leicester who thought to have surprized the Generals at their own houses and his Majesty at Court when poor man he was overthrown himself and though afterward he was furnished by the French King who waiâ—ed all opportunities to invade England with an Army yet he perished and 12000. men with him as did Biggot and Ferris who tried the old way of Scotland in the head of 16000. Scots who with all their Confederates threw themselves upon the Kings mercy § 7. In the year 1189. Richard the First succeeding his Father with the consent and applanse of all his people had you some desperadoes who would teach the World what providence alwaies secures Government and what disasters and mischiefes attend Rebellion for proud Long shorope Bishop of Ely in the Kings absence who was now deep in the Holy Warr made a faction in the Kingdome entertained all the discontented complaints of ill Councellors promiseth liberty and 〈…〉 to the people sets up for the Pope and Religion is opposed by the Lord St. John trepanned by two Women banished his native Country derided by the French and comes to a miserable end § 8. Anno 1199. King John upon Richards death usurped the Crown yet none durst contradict him dispossessed Arthur yet none durst say to him What dost thou peoples business being the performance of their own duties rather then discourses of other mens Titles The English more troubled with his Tyranny 〈…〉 his Usurpation suborne the Welsh and Irish to perplex him as the embroyling of Ireland or Scotland is the surest way to gain England the plot is discovered to him he sends his own Courtiers to ripen it they discover to him all the methods steps and proceedings of it so that he surprized the Welsh putteth 3000. of them to the Sword taketh 28. Pledges of the best Families among them for their good behaviour for the future with whom upon their second Revolt he was so angry that the day he heard of it he would not dine untill the 28. pledges were hanged before his face But the Barons forsooth stand for the Liberty of the Subjects assert the ancient Franchises of England make a general party debauch the whole Nation secure all the stronge Holds engross all the Treasure draw over the French King to their party yet the odious weak King John so sacred a thing is Soveraignty in the meanest person recovereth their Castles excommunicates their persons layeth wast their Estates undoeth their adherents cutteth off their posterity and makes them wander up and down poor and destitute exiles in the Earth § 9. Anno 1216. King Henry the Thrid though a Child had that success against Rebells that were not that sin a sin of Witchcraft no such thing as treason would ever shew its self in the world for although the Child could not secure the government to weak he was yet the Government protected the Child so sacred that is Lewis the Fair King of France indeed as it was his interest set up some Lords against this Child viz. the Bishops of Winchester Salisbury and Chester the Earles of Salisbury Ferrers and Albemarle who bore great sway in the Kingdome stopped Trading were favoured by the Pope yet they and their French Auxiliaries were cooped up in Lincoln before which City the Kings Forces doubling their Ensignes appeared twice more then they were awed the besieged brought to an humble submission to the Kings mercy who at that time degraded 18. Barons 300. Knights ruined 6000. Families who were sad instances of the miserable event and issue of Rebelsion and treason King Henry disposeth of Barhainstead Castle which belonged to the Duke of Cornwall to a Dutchman whereupon the Duke in revenge consults with the Earle Marshall the Earles of Chester Glou ester Hereford and Warwicke who declare for their Liberties the great Charter and the Charter of the Forrest with whom some great Officers lately displaced joyne themselves they gain the whole Kingdome win over all the people declare against evil Counsellors yet the King providence still appearing in the behalf of that great Ordinance of God sends for a few Poutovins Summons a Parliament at Oxford to which the Lords refuse to come and another at Winchester whither they will not come neither they are proclaimed Out-lawes their Estates are seized the Earle Marshall is trepanned into Ireland to save his own stake and there circumvented and slain the other Lords are won over by the Bishops with money the Earle of Pembrook is dispossessed of his Estate money is raised by force the King put by the peevishness of his Subjects upon rigour tyranny and strange Levies so that 4000. Families are undone The great Earle of Leicester with other Lords declare for the Liberty of the Subject indeed they prevaile a little against the King but at last the Earles of Gloucester and Leicester fall out the Rebells are divided the Earle of Leicester and 7000. of his Followers fall at a pitch battel near Evesham his Sons flee the Kingdome his Estate is confiscated all his complices undone and most of the Rebellious Barons disinherited and the whole Kingdome desolate § 10. King Henry is dead his Son Edward is absent in the Holy Land Leolin Prince of Wales disputes his Homage but see how his dear Lady is taken by the English and he glad to submit for her sake upon any termes after her death he revolteth again goeth on and prospereth untill the Earle of Pembroke slew him before his own House at Bere Castle and a Common Souldier brought his Head to the King who Crowned it with Ivy and set it upon the Tower of London And not long after his brother David is taken in Wales and judged in England to that ignominious death that Traytors usually come to And as alwaies Subjects lose and Princes gain by Rebellion all Wales was
brought upon that occasion under an English Prince who established the Government thereof according to the Lawes of England § 11. Edward the Second goeth on in his Fathers exorbitant wayes entertaineth evil Councellors viz. Gaveston and Spencer to the great grievance of the Lords and Kingdome Upon this the Lords arme and rebell the Pope writes to them they would not read his Letters saying That they were men of the Sword the Bishops treat with them but they would not hear affronts are put upon the King by the Lords as that of the mad woman who brought him all his faults in Writing and upon the Lords by the King as that of the Duke of Lancaster's Wife being challenged from him by an ugly fellow who made it good he was Married to her the Lord Baldesmers Keeper is hanged and his Wife and Children in prison for holding the Castle of Leedes against the King many of the Barons fall off and submit to his Majesty the whole Kingdome is dissatisfied yet the King defeates Lancaster takes him and many of his Followers prisoners condemnes and beheads him as he doth the Lord Clifford the Lord Lisle the Lords Tuchet Cheyney Mowbray Danell Teyes Aldenham Baddlesmore the last of whom with many noble Knights are hanged drawn and quartered as thousands more upon that occasion came to a miserable end And afterwards when the Queen and the Barones by a joynt interest prevailed so far as to depose the King yet first within three years after was she in Parliament voted uncapable of her Jointure put to a Pension of a 1000 l. a year and kept a Prisoner 30. years to her dying day 2. And her Minion Mortimer seized after this manner the King her Son takes a Torch light and two or three to attend him and steales privately under ground into the Queens Chamber about Bed time where the Wanton undressing himself for her Bed they immediately carry him away notwithstanding the Queen shreeks Bel fils bel fils ayes pity du Gentile Mortimer good Son good Son pitty Gentle Mortimer he is commited to the Tower and hanged drawn and Quartered by Tyburn where his body remained two dayes an opprobrious espectacle to all Beholders And in a word so remarkable were the disasters that befell those that contrived any thing against the Government in this Kings Reign that we hear of no more treasons in the others who lived fifty years in perfect peace all men looking upon the former examples Seeing and fearing and not daring to do any more presumptuously § 12. Untill the beginning of Richard the Seconds Reign when by reason of some extravagances by the exactors of Poll-money the common people at Deptford and indeed all over the Kingdome rising as one man Upon this occasion a Collector of Pollmoney comes to one John Tylers house demands Pollmoney of his Wife for her Daughter and she saying that her Daughter was not of age to pay the rude fellow said he would see whether that were so or not and thereupon forcibly turned up her Cloaths whereat the Mother cryed out the Father being at Work hard by upon that comes in and with a Lathingstaffe which he had in his hand knocked the fellow on the head upon Tylers complaint among his Neighbours and one Ball a Priests seditious discourses of Liberty levelling c. whose saying was When Adam dug and Eve span where was then the Gentleman the Commons of Kent Essex Hertfordshire Sussex Suffolk Norfolk Cambridgeshire are up 100000. declaring for the King and the Commons and resolving to have no King John entered the City besiege the Duke of Lancasters house at the Savoy abuse the Kings Mother in the Tower behead the Lord Chancellour and the Lord Treasurer the Lord Chief Justice they pull down Lawyers houses they compell many Noblemen and Gentlemen to ride with them their Leaders keep the state of Kings they resolve to destroy all Knights and Gentlemen But what was the issue 1. Two and thirty of them are burnt in the Duke of Lancasters Cellar 2. Fear and trembling siezed on several of them who deserted their brethren 3. Their Leader is stabbed to death by the Lord Mayor Sir W. Walworth for whose sake the Dagger is in the City Armes to this day 4. The rest of them laying down their Armes upon Sir Rob. Kuolles his approach to them submitted to the Kings mercy who executed 1500. of them in divers places in which exploit 25000. Families perished Not long after the City of London that dares do any thing for a Riot against the Lord Treasurers servants in pretence but indeed a plot against the Kings Government had their Liberties seized on their Charter taken from them their Lord May or removed and a Warden set over them and a fine of 15000 set upon them All this would not allay the discontents and ambitions of men for the Duke of Glocester and other Lords upon an Abbots Vision of the Destruction of the Kingdome by the misgovernment of King Richard and was there ever Treason without a Clergy man consult about seizing and deposing K. R. and executing the Lords of the Councel at Arundel Castle where they received the Sacrament and took upon it an Oath of Secrecy by the hands of the A. B. Canterbury now the Earle Marshall Deputy of Callice discovered all the Plot to the King who thereupon by a stratagem devised by his Counsel took the Duke of Glocester a Bed who hearing of his coming cast his Cloak about his shoulders and with all reverence bid him welcome the King courteously requesting him to make himself ready to ride with him a little way within a mile of his House he was arrested by the hands of the Earl Marshall and sent to Callice where he dyed a miserable death the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury is banished the Earle of Arundel and the Lord Treasurer are beheaded and 1500. Families of their brethren and adherents perished § 13. Anno 1399. Henry the 4th was in full Parliament declared King of England but having let fall an expression to this purpose when he was Earle of Darby viz. That Princes had too little and religious men too much the politick Abbot of Westminster laid hold of the words and inviting to his House the discontented Dukes of Surrey Exeter Albemarle the Earles of Salisbury and Glocester with many more communicated their grievances to each other and lay a Plot to invite his Majesty to asolemn Just at Oxford where he was to be murthered by an unknown hand in the heat of the pleasure and action taking oaths of secrecy and sealing Indentures Sextipartite for the performance of Conditions on all sides the Justs are proclaimed the King is invited and promiseth to come secrecy on all hands kept most firmly to that very day but there is a God in Heaven that revealeth secrets unto Kings for it happened that as the Duke of Albemarle rid to
Earle of Northumberland President of the North Parts collecteth it by force but he is murthered an insurrection is made and in defence of their Liberties the people would give the King Battle what followed Liberty No the multitude is discomfited by the Earle of Surrey their Leader with many of his accomplices hanged drawn and quarted at Yorke and 3564. Families turned upon this occasion out of doors to the wide World This device failing one worth two of it is thought upon by the Countesse of Burgundy and that is that one Perkin VVorbecke should counterfeit Richard the younger Son of Edward the 4th who was now dead and could not be shewed to the people as the Earle of VVarwicke was and being Brother to the Queen could not be prejudiced in his right by her this Perkin is entertained by the King of France flocked to by the English Malecontents the people of England generally respect him Sir Rob. Clifford and Rob. Barley are sent to attend him the Lord Fitzwater Sir Simon Montford Sir Tho. Thwaits Doctor Richford Doctor Sutton Doctor VVorsky conspired with him he gets an Army marrieth the Earl of Huntleyes Daughter and engageth the King of Scots in his Quarrel he goeth to Ireland landeth in Cornwall with very considerable Forces Doth he prosper no his Confederates are discovered by King Henryes espialls in Flanders and executed particularly Sir VVilliam Stanley Sir Simon Montford c. an hundred and sixty of his Followers were hanged drawn and quartered in London and along the Sea-Coast Scotland is laid waste his friends leave him he submits to the Kings mercy and upon his attempt to escape out of the Tower three times was hanged drawn and quartered at Tyburn and Edward Earle of VVarwicke for his sake is beheaded In these troublesome times the people refuse to pay their Subsidies and in Cornwall they rise under one Flammocke a Lawyer and Joseph a Smith and draw a formidable Company towards London upon Black-heath do they now ease themselves and their fellow subjects no they are invironed by the Kings Forces three thousand of them perish upon the place my Lord Audley Flammocke and Joseph were hanged drawn and quartered their Estates bestowed among the Courtiers and some hundreds of Families bound to curse them to this day To which we may adde the dismal end of VVillford another pretender set up by an Augustin Frier who was hanged drawn and quartered and made an example to rash and inconsiderable Traytors for the following Generations as were Sir James Tyrrell Sir John Windam the Earle of Suffolke and others in the following year to the ruine of many Families who rued their Treasons many years after § 18. In the 8th year of King Henry the 8th there happened in London an Insurrection against strangers especially Artificers who exercised Handicraft and vented Wares to the great dammage of the Kings Subjects the Prentices and others assembled cryed up Privileges Privileges what was the end of it twelve of them were hanged and four hundred more drawn in their shirts with Ropes and Halters about their Necks to Westminster to submit to the Kings mercy as VVeakely did many of all Professions hearken to the enthusiasmes of the holy Maid of Kent who would needs perswade men that King Henry could not continue long who lived to hang her and to ruine five hundred of her Complices But Religion is altered and Treason that hereto served the Interest of Men is now hallowed and become the cause of God K. Henry sets forth injunctions for translating the Lords Prayer the Creed the ten Commandments into the English Tongue and requiring all Parsons and Curates to teach them so translated to their Parishioners this Innovation was not to be endured twenty thousand assemble at Lincolne and forty thousand at York taking Armes as they said for the faith of Christ and deliverance of the Holy Church now oppressed sixty thousand in Lancashire 15000. at Hull indeed all the Kingdome here is a general Plot and this Plot for Conscience sake but doth God blesse it or doth the spreading nature of it prevaile nothing lesse for thirteen of the Ringleaders at Lincolne 300. of the chief at York and the Northern parts 60. of the principal at Hull were hanged drawn and quartered and the rest undone by the Lords Derby Shrewsbury Pembrooke and others to the number of 6000. Families besides the Lords Darcey and Husley both executed Sir Rob. Constable who was hanged in Chaines at Hull and Sir Jo. Bulmers Laly who was burned in Smith-field Henry Marquesse of Exeter H. Lord Mountacute Sir Nicolas Carew Sir VVill. Nevill who came all to miserable ends upon the same score § 19. But the Reformation of Religion proceedeth in King Edward the Sixths dayes and the people are more and more enraged for Conscience sike the Kings Commissioners were stabbed the multitude arme themselves and commit many outrages they increase to the number of 50000. a terrible number they declare for Religion against Inclosures Lawyers Courts c. besiege rich Cities as Exeter Norwich c. but to what end they are defeated before those Cities most of them slain upon the place 500. of them were executed at London and as many with their Ringleaders hanged up and down the Country But there was a Prophecy that the time should come when there should be no King when the Nobility and Gentry should be destroyed when the kingdome should be ruled by four Governours elected by the Commons c. and now sure was that time Up must Ombler a Gentleman and Dale a Parish Clerk with 5000. more to fulfill this Prophecy but was this Prophecy fulfilled no such matter they found to their sorrow a King Nobility Gentry and a Government that brought them to Justice executed sevenscore of them and brought 600. Families deeply engaged in the Rebellion to a morsel of Bread The King I mean Edward the Sixth is a dying and Religion is like to die with him for the glory of God the preservation of the Gospel the Ladies Mary and Elizabeth are put by their known right and the Lady Jane Grey set next his Majesty in the Royal Succession the King makes his Will the Privy Councel confirme it the Mayor and Aldermen swear Allegiance to the Lady Jane who is proclaimed Queen the Privy Councel refuse Queen Mary they sent an Army against her under the Duke of Northumberland but see the end of it the Privy Councel notwithstanding their protestations to the Duke of Northumberland relent and proclaime Queen Mary the Earle of Huntington entrusted by the said Duke with four thousand men deserts him the people all over the Kingdome discountenance him six Ships ordered to Intercept the Lady Mary he revolts to her yea the Duke of Northumberland himself is glad to proclaime her Queen Jane and the said Duke are arraigned and executed § 19. Queen Mary altereth Religion again the Earle of Suffolk Sir Tho. Wyat and others for
Conscience sake and to remove ill Councellors raise 26000. men they come to London terrifie all before them but mark the event the City is shut against them the Court is in Armes behind them they are most of them cut off the Duke of Suffolk Wyat the Lord Grey the Lady Jane Grey are executed at Towerhill as one Fetherstone a Miller who acted Edward the 6th was afterwards hanged at Ty-burn and all the good they did was to ruine several Families and exasperate the Queen to those severe Courses against the Reformed Professors which we read of in the Acts and Monuments of those times § 20. Anno 1558. Queen Elizabeth succedeth who now the fourth time altereth the publick Profession in this Nation the Pope excommunicateth her the Queen of Scots sets up her own Title against her Margaret Countess of Lenox and her Husband Arthur Pool and Anthony Fortescue favour that Queen the Papists were underhand stirred up by Ridolph a Florentine Commissioned to that purpose by the Pope The Duke of Norfolk consults with the Bishop of Roste about a Marriage with the Queen of Scots the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland and the Lord Dacres are up in Armes 1. That the Religion of their fore-fathers might be restored 2. That wicked Councellours might be removed from the Queen to great purpose you may be sure for first the Queen upon these practices was enforced to make those severe Lawes under which the Catholikes groan to this day 2. The Queen of Scots falls to very great troubles and hath not where to lay her head but in the Dominions of Queen Elizabeth the Duke of Norfolk comes to a miserable end the Earles of Northumberland Westmerland and many other Lords are proscribed and many hundred Families upon this account dispoyled of all they had in the World no less then twelve score of them being hanged drawn and quartered in London York Durham and the other seats of their Rebellion Felton that set up the Popes Bull upon the Bishop of Londons Gate was hanged drawn and quartered and they who attempted and conspired to release the Queen of Scots out of Prison fasten her more irremediably'in and brought themselves to sad ends no less then 37. being at once executed upon that occasion Campian and Parsons are hanged drawn and quartered Throgmorton is racked and hanged but the Papists go on write Books and perswade the Queens servants to kill her as Judith did Holophernes but to what end to their own ruine for the Authors and dispersers perish and the Government endureth Mendoza the Spanish Embassadour who procured the Catholikes much favour he was thrust hereupon out of England the Papists would have married the Queen of Scots to an English Catholike but that hastened her death and her friends ruine the Earle of Westmerland dieth miserably in exile Dr. Parry would kill the Queen at a Feast in his house but he brings himself to a wretched end the Male-contents contrive against the Queen and the Lords associate in her behalf particularly one Savage was by Dr. Gifford encited to kill the Excommunicated Queen when to make the Queen and Councel secure there was a Book written by the Papists exhorting their brethren to attempt nothing against their Prince to use only the Christian Arms of fasting prayers and teares Ballord is joyned with Savage who having consulted with Mendoza and others comes over in a Souldiers habit and under another name discovereth himself to Babington who drew into the Plot many zealous Catholikes as Tho. Salisbury Edward VVindsor c. and one Polly who discovered their progress of the Plot to VValsingham day by day but Gifford relented and opened to the Secretary the whole matter the Secretary sent him to the Queen of Scots to keep on his correspondence with her that he might betray her Letters which VValsingham perused sealed up again and sent to the respective persons to whom they were directed all their design was laid open the persons apprehended and fourteen of them executed the Queen of Scots Closets searched and Boxes secured and she her self after all her infortunate medling arraigned condemned and not withstanding the Intercession of France Scotland of the one whereof she was Queen Dowager of the other Queen Mother beheaded To prevent the Queen of Scots death about this time L' Aubespine the French Embassadour deales with one Stafford a needy young Gentleman whose Mother was of the Bed-Chamber to Queen Elizabeth Trappes and Moddy to dispatch the Queen while they are disputing whether it should be done by Poyson in her Meat and Cloaths or by Gun-powder under her Bed or by a Blunderbush as the Prince of Aurange was slain Stafford reveales all to the Lords of the Councel upon this the Queen seals a Warrant for that unfortunate Ladies execution and this was the fate of all these treasons that they hastened those mischiefes which they were designed to prevent as never taking any effect but in the downfall of the Authors The Catholikes conspire again the King of Spain invades us the World gave England over for lost in 88. when beyond expectation the King of Spains great Navy comes to naught abroad the Papists answer for their lives at home and a Law is upon this occasion enacted That none should entertain Popish priests upon pain of the Queens displeasure Yet the Papists are at work still to this purpose hire one Lopez the Queens Physician to make the Queen away by poyson and one Cullen an Irish man to do it with a Rapier both which Conspiracies are discovered by intercepted Letters and the persons are hanged drawn and quartered at Tyburn as Yorke and VVilliams were the year following for being bribed to kill the Queen a Traytor hitherto seldome escaping an extraordinary death But Treason is restlesse and about this time one Squire Groom of the Queens Stable poysons the Earle of Essex his Chaire and the Queens Saddle neither the one nor the other came to any effect save that the Traytor being discovered by VVallpoole his ghostly Father who upon the failure of his successe doubted his fidelity is arraigned and severely executed The Papists did not contrive more designes to overthrow the Reformation than some well-meaning Protestants did to promote it even beyond the established Laws they Petition they make Cecill Leicester and others friends at Court they hold meetings at Cambridge London Oxford Northampton and Leicester they draw up their Discipline they admonish the Parliament and make many friends in both Houses they write against the Queens marriage with Papists against the established Government and worship of this Church but what came of it why 1. Stubs for writing against the Queens marriage had his right hand cut off 2. The Authors Printers and Dispersers of Martyn Marre Prelate and Sions Plea with other Bookes are executed Penry and Barrow are hanged Mr. Cartwright Mr. Udall and others are Confined Suspended Silenced and Discountenanced severe Injunctions are upon their
intermedling made against them and the Queen at last so incensed that she would not to her dying day heare any in their behalfe To mention no more Conspiracies in her Reign the Earle of Essex a popular and powerfull Man that had some pretence in that variety of claimes to the Crown that were layed in the latter end of her reign to the Throne that was Governour of Ireland and General of England had a great Army at his command and a great Interest to serve him for 158. Lords favour him and the people generally love him this upon some affronts in the declining age of the Queen sets up a plot to remove ill Councellors keepes open house for all comres entertaines silenced Ministers to preach to great throngs of people every day engageth the Lord Mayor and Aldermen resolves to seize VVhitehall by Water and by Land under the pretence of a Shew what success I pray Why the City fail him his Complices disclose him the Queens Councel surprizeth him with a summons and a Message the Nobility follow him to the City proclaime him Traytor he flieth to his house he is there besieged taken and secured in the Tower whence he is brought forth to Trial and Execution with 20. more of his Complices in whose busi-300 good Families were utterly undone and ruined § 21. Anno 1603. King James is setled on the Throne of his Ancestors by all the establishments that are as yet discovered to the World when the Lord Cobbam Sir VValter Rawleigb the Lord Grey of VVilton and others some Protestants some Papists some Priests some Lay-men some upon discontent some for Conscience some Noble-men some Knights some Gentlemen and these backed by the Popes Bull seconded by the Kings of France and Spaine endeavoured to alter Religion and change the Government but with what fortune why their Plot is discovered they themselves are apprehended arraigned and condemned VVatson Clarke and Brooke are executed and the rest come to miserable ends within a while after Yet the discontented will take no warning for not long after Catesby Percy VVinter Sir Everard Digby Garnet contrive to blow up the Royall Family the Clergy Nobility and Gentry of Great Brittain sitting in Parliament they are encouraged by the Pope set on by their own Ghostly Fathers assisted from Spain take an Oath of secresie hire a convenient Room under the Parliament House furnish it with Materials for the blow as Powder Faggots Iron the Villain is ready his Candle and his Match light but doth it succeed No the Parliament is twice adjourned and the very night before they were to sit a Letter must be sent from one of the Conspirators to the Lord Mounteagle to save himself yet the Court understood not the Letter but the King laying hold upon some odde expressions as this There is no danger as soon as the Letter is burned c. ordereth a more diligent search the store-house is found 36. Barrels of Pouder are discovered Faux that should have fired them is apprehended the other Catholiques that made the Hunting match to surprize the Lady Elizabeth are amazed at the discovery and commit Outrages are pursued by the high Sheriffes of Warwick and Worcestershire Catesby and Piercy are slain the rest are hanged drawn and quartered several Lords are fined the Government is firmely setled the Oath of Allegiance is devised two thirds of Papists Estates are forfeited to the King most severe Lawes are made against the Papists who lye under the dismal consequences of this treason to this day § 22. Anno 1625. King James dieth and leaves King Charles an empty Treasure a Warr abroad an incensed Parliament and People at home envied and hated persons of his Councel his necessities put him upon calling Parliaments the Kingdomes discontents debauched those Parliaments they demurre his Supplies they draw up remonstrances they clip the Prerogative they question his Favourites and Servants they set the Ministers of State one against another as Digby and Buckingham they raise some petit disturbances in Lancashire and thereabouts and occasion some ill resented Proclamations upon those disorders some Favourites are murthered Parliaments are dissolved in discontents many great men are laid aside the King is necessitated to take some displeasing courses for Money daring offendors provoke his Majesty to severe courses and those severe courses make more daring offendors a dark Cloud hangs over the face of the Nation Scotland armes Ireland Rebells England could not remedy either without a Parliament after twelve years discontinuance and grievances all the ill humour of the Nation meets in Parliament as in the Common-Shore where some would reforme Religion others would reforme Grievances all would embroyle the State the King parts with his most faithful Councellours it becomes dangerous to serve him he gives away his Prerogative the Tower the Militia of London a power to the Parliament to sit as long as they pleased suffers the Scots to rage and domineer leaves the City the whole Kingdome is up against him for Religion Law Liberty and the removal of ill Councellors the Treasure the Magazines and Militia is in his enemies hands with whom yet he contested four or five years When they prevailed they seized on the whole Kingdome imprison the King defeat all the attempts for his release and at last put him to death reduce his three Kingdomes under their Tyranny Banish all his Family and notwithstanding all forreign assistance all endeavours at home all the resolutions of Scotland and Ireland and Holland with thirty thousand men to restore his Son at several times as 1649. 1650. 1651. 1654. 1655. 1657. 1658. they settle first a Commonwealth then a Protectorship the first Protector carryeth all before him dieth a natural death and succeeded by his Son Credimus esse deos And now you will say Treason prospereth and Rebellion thrives but alas nothing less the first party is divided into Presbyterians and Independents they are first jealous of one another the Presbyterian Officers are displaced as Essex c. they plot against one another in the House the Old Officers fall off the City of London and the old Puritans revolt close with the Kings party for peace Duke Hamilton marcheth in order to that peace in the head of 30000 men Waller Brown and Massey correspond with him the Ministers preach against the present Proceedings the Scotch stand by the K. Son the Presbyterians are all discontent neither are the Independents unanimous an evil spirit of division creepes into the Army Cromwell takes the Government upon him and so disobligeth the Commonwealths men and the Long Parliament aimes at a succession and displeaseth the great Officers they watch the opportunity of his death and with the countenance of the people lay aside his Son and Interest they Quarrel among themselves call in General MONK who suppresseth them all makes way for his most Excellent Majesty and puts a period to twenty years Treason what was the effect