Book of Nature and Scripture This Knowledge excelleth all other and without it who knoweth not the saying Omnem Scientiam magis obesse quam prodesse si desit scientia optimi that all other Knowledge does us more hurt than good if this be wanting Notwithstanding he met with some discouragements to take upon himself the Profession of a Divine for what reasons it is hard for me to conjecture but its certain at first he fonnd some reluctancy within himself whether for the difficulties that usually attend this deep mysterious Science to natural reason incomprehensible because containing many matters of Faith which we ought to belâ—…eve and not to question though now Divinity is the common mystery of Mechanicks to whom it seems more easie than their manual Trades and Occupations or whether because it drew him off from his former delightful Studies more probably I believe his fears and distrusts of himself were very great to engage in so high a Calling and Profession and run the hazards of it because the like Examples are very frequent both in Antiquity and modern History however so timerous he was upon this account lest he should rush too suddenly into the Ministry although his abilities at that time transcended many of elder years that he exhibited a Certificate of his Age to the President of the Colledge and thereby procured a Dispensation notwithstanding any local Statutes to the contrary that he might not be compelled to enter into holy Orders till he was twenty four years old at which time still his fears did continue or at least his modesty and self-denyal wrought some unwillingness in him till at last he was overcome by the Arguments and powerful Perswasions of his Learned Friend Mr. Buckner after whose excellent Discourses with him he followed his Studies in Divinity more closely than ever having once tasted the sweetness of them nothing can ravish the Soul more with pleasure unto an Extasie than Divine Contemplation of God and the Mysteries in his holy Word which the Angels themselves prye into and for which reason they love to be present in Christian Assemblies when the Gospel is preached as the Apostle intimates to us That by continual study and meditation and giving himself wholly to read Theological Books he found in himself an earnest desire to enter into the holy Orders of Deacon and Priest which he had conferred upon him at distinct times in St. Aldates Church at Oxon by the Reverend Father in God Bishop Howson At the time when he was ordained Priest he preached the Ordination Sermon upon the words of our Saviour to St. Peter Luke 22. 32. And when thou art converted strengthen thy Brethren An apposite Text upon so solemne Occasion Being thus ordained to his great satisfaction and contentment the method which he resolved to follow in the Course of his Studies was quite contrary to the common Rode of young Students for he did not spend his time in poring upon Compendiums and little Systems of Divinity whereby many young Priests â—…hink they are made absolute Divines when perhaps a Gentleman of the â—…ish doth oftentimes gravel them in an ordinary Argument But he fell upon the main Body of Divinity by studying Fathers Councils Ecclesiastical Histories and School-men the way which King James commended to all younger Students for confirming them in the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England that is most agreeable to the Doctrine of the Primitive Church By this time his Book of Geography in the first Edition bought up by Scholars Gentlemen and almost every Housholder for the pleasantness of its reading was reprinted and enlarged in a second Edition and presented again to his Highness the Prince of Wales who not only graciously accepted the Book but was pleased to pass a singular Commendation upon the Author But afterward the Book being perused by his Royal Father King James the second Solomon for Wisdom and most Learned Monarch in Christendom the Book put into his Majesties hand by Dr. Young then Dean of Winton and Mr. Heylyn's dear Friend the Kings peircing Judgement quickly spyed out a fault which was taken no notice of by others as God always endows Kings his Vice-gerents with that extraordinary gift the Spirit of discerning above other Mortals Sicut Angelus Dei est Dominus meus Rex saith the holy Scripture as an Angel of God so is my Lord the King who lighting upon a Line that proved an unlucky Passage in the Author who gave Precedency to the French King and called France the more famous Kingdom with which King James was so highly displeased that he presently ordered the Lord Keeper to call the Book in but this being said in his Anger and Passion no further notice was taken of it in the mean time Dr. Young took all care to send Mr. Heylyn word of his Majesties displeasure the News of which was no small sorrow to him that he was now in danger to lose the Kings Favour Nil nisi peccatum manitestaque culpa falenda est Paenitet ingenij judiciique mei that Mr. Heylyn could have wished them words had been left out Dr. Young advised him to repair to Court that by the young Prince's Patronage he might pacifie the Kings Anger but not knowing whethâ—… the Prince himself might not be also offended he resided still in Oxford and laid open his whole grief to the Lord Danvers desiring his Lordships Counsel and best advice what Remedy he should seek for Cure according to the good Lord's Counsel he sent up an Apology to Dr. Young which was an Explanation of his meaning upon the words in question and then under Condemnation The Error was not to be imputed to the Author but to the Errata of the Printer which is most ordinary in them to mistake one word for another and the grand mistake was by printing is for was which put the whole Sentence out of joynt and the Author into pain if it had been of a higher Crime than of a Monosylable it had not been pardonable for the intention of the Author was very innocent Quis me deceperit error Et culpam in facto non scelus essemeo The words of his Apology which he sent up to Dr. Young for his Majesties satisfaction are these that followeth That some Crimes are of a nature so injustifiable that they are improved by an Apology yet considering the purpose he had in those places which gave offence to his sacred Majesty he he was unwilling that his Innocence should be condemned for want of an Advocate The Burdens under which he suffered was a mistake rather than a Crime and that mistake not his own but the Printers For if in the first Line of Page 441. was be read instead of is the Sense runs as he desired it And this appears from the words immediately following for by them may be gathered the sense of this corrected reading When Edward the third quartered the Arms of France and England he gave
few days after Mr. Heylyn was presented by the King to the Rectory of Hemingford in the County of Huntington Soon after he applyed himself to the Bishop of Lincoln for Institution which was not only denyed him but the Bishop more boldly than did befit his Lordship disputed his own Title against his Soveraign and fell upon Mr. Heylyn with most foul opprobrious Language because he presumed to defend the Kings right against his Lordship which he proved by the Instruments of Conveyance made from the other Party at which the Bishop was the more highly offended with him that such a young Divine should have so great knowledge of the Law and especially to argue the Case with his Lordship But this was not the main business Latet Anguis in herba there was a Snake in the Garden for his Lordship had a subtile design under disguise or otherwise he would have easily waved his right of presentation pro hac vice to pleasure the King in the preferment of his Chaplain or at least preserving his own right bestowed the Living upon Mr. Heylyn But then here lyeth the matter his Lordship had been crossed in his wonted method that is to give with one hand and take away with the other which he could not for shame do with a Kings Chaplain For when he bestowed a Living upon any Person as he had many in his Gift being both Lord Bishop and Lord Keeper he would tye the Incumbent to pay an annual pension out of it to be disposed to such charitable and pious uses as he thought fit so that the stream of his Charity flowed out of other mens Purses and not his own at the best he robbed Peter to pay Paul which the Incumbents felt by dear Experience whom he kept at a low pittance that for the most part they lived but poorly for the heavy Taxations laid upon them By this means he had more Penâ—…ers than all the Noble men and Bishops in the Land together And though he made no particular benefit to himself out of those Livings then his Name cryed up for a noble Benefactor in all other things to fill his own Coffer he was so covetous and extremely tenacious that he would never let go what once he had laid hold on for at the same time he was both Bishop Dean Lord Keeper Parson of Walgrove and held the poor Prebendary of Asgarby in which last I have the honour to succeed his Lordship The King hearing the News of Mr. Heylyn's rough Entertainment at Bugden how his Royal Presentation was slighted and his Chaplain with ill words abused was not a little offended with the Bishop on whom he had heaped so many Dignities one upon another both in Church and State I will not say undeservedly if his Lordships Loyalty and Integrity had been answerable to his other great Abilities But his Majesty was pleased for the comfort of his poor Chaplain so disapointed and badly treated by the Bishop to send him this gracious Message by the Attorny general Mr. Noy not usual with Kings to private Persons That he was sorry he had put him to so much charge and trouble at Bugden but it should not be long before he would be out of his Debt Nor long it was for within a Week after a Prebendship in the collegiate Church of Westminster where the Bishop of Lincoln was Dean fell void by the Death of Mr. Darrel which the King bestowed upon Mr. Heylyn and with it sent a most gracious message by Mr. Noy again That he bestowed that Prebendary on him to bear the charges of his last Journy but he was still in his Debt for the Living So that he is now entred into one of the fairest Preferments that hath all the accommodations and pleasures which a Scholars heart can wish a learned Society a well furnished Library a magnificent Church that hath an excellent Quire in it for a Chorus of heavenly Voices the one enough to stir up the coldest heart to Devotion and the other to the veneration of Antiquity where so many ancient Monuments of Kings and Queens in Henry 7. Chappel have their Sepulture The most accurate pile of building in Europe by some called the wonder of the World near which the Courts of Judicature the High Court of Parliament and not far from thence his Majesty's Pallace-royal at White-hall that if one would converse with all sorts of famous Men Divines Lawyers States-men and other Persons of Quality he could not find out a Place more sutable to the hearts desire besides situated healthfully upon a firm gravelly Foundation and pleasantly on the River Thames about whose Banks may be seen along that River for many Miles most princely Buildings stately Palaces fair Towers and Fields as an old German Poet describeth whose Verses are thus translated by the Doctor himself in his Cosmography Tot campos silvas tot regia tecta tot hortos Artifici excultos dextra tot vidimus arces Ut nunc Ausonio Thamesis cum Tibride certet He saw so many Woods and princely Bowers Sweet Fields brave Palaces and stately Towers So many Gardens dress'd with curious Art That Thames with Tyber strives to bear a Part. Therefore Mr. Heylyn was happily disappointed of his former Expectations as Providence ordained to embrace a more noble Preferment that he might say now rejoycingly as Chaerea did Ecquis me vivit hodie fortunatior cui tam subito tot congruerint commoda Or rather in the Scripture words The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places yea I have a goodly Heritage for certainly he could not be seated in a better manner all those delightful conveniences considered and yet to add more pleasure to them he spared no cost to beautifie and enlarge his Prebends house in the mean time his Wife lived in the Country with his Brother Mr. Edward Heylyn at Minster Lovel in Oxfordshire and sometimes with his Uncle Raynton at Shilton in Barkshire a man of a good Estate who was afterward High Sheriff of the same County So soon as he was settled in his Prebends house several of his Friends about Town came to visit him and give him joy Amongst others of most noble Acquaintance that he had gained by his frequent attendances in White-hall the right Honourable Lord Falkland was pleased first to honour him with a Visit and brought along with him a Miles gloriosus one Mr. Nelson an old Sea-Captain with whom his Lordship seemed to be mightily delighted for his new way of Discovery to find out the Longitude of the Sea with which the Captain had troubled all the Mathematicians about Town who generally dissented from his Opinion that at last by his Majesties Order the decision of this Sea-question was referred to Mr. Heylyn as a Person thought fit to determin it but he could neither satisfie the Captain nor the Lord with any further answer at present than That his Majesty was mistaken in him for his skill and knowledge did lye more in
the historical than philosophical part of Geography At which the Lord Falkland seemed to be much displeased thinking that he had spoken thus either out of slight to his old Captain or through some aversness in himself to be engaged in the business but Mr. Heylyn quickly satisfied his Lordship to the contrary that he intended to use all possible means by his own study and consult with others more learned than himself in this point non conamur tenues grandia and afterward give the King and his Lordship a full account of the whole matter Several Letters passed betwixt his Lordship and Mr. Heylyn but in one partienlarly his Lordship commended the honest old Captain to his judicious care and consideration telling him that in the credibility of that phaenomenon his Majesties resolution would be much guided by his judgment which he found would be of special Authority with him that he press'd the point oftner to him because he conceived it a Duty which he owed to the Truth it self to have it made manifest one way or other that is either to be freed from the Captains imposition and pretence if upon Tryal it appeared to be fallacious or else to be approved and declared for right and perfect if such it be to the silencing perpetually of all milicious Impugners thereof that the World may be deprived no longer of the participation and use of so publick and common a benefit After the receipt of his Lordships Letter Mr Heylyn who was ever forward to promote any probable Notion in Learning and as ready to obey his Lordships Commands he both studied the point himself and conferred with the learned Mr. Oughtred who was a person most likely for his admired abilities in this kind of Learning to give satisfaction but his Judgement ran quite contrary to the Sea-Captain with whom he discoursed about his Hypothesis and â—…wed him his Error of which he gave a full account to Mr. Heylyn in a Letter as followeth I asked him the Ground whereon he went and told him the difficulties which others found His Ground he said was by the Nodes of the Moons Circle because the Moon accompanied the Earth having it the Center of her Orb. The difficulties which others imagined was the finding out the place of the Node or ☊ upon the Superficies of the Earth His Principle I determine to omit till more leasure for I had but one whole day to stay in London The difficulty of the place of ☊ I saw factible at Sea and accordingly let him understand it Now being at London I desired conference with him and thus I proceeded You require for the Discovery of the Longitude the distance of ☊ upon the Earth Well imagin you were now at Sea in an unknown place and that I gave you in degrees of Longitude the distance of ☊ from that Place where you are what will you conclude He was entring into I know not what by demands of if this and if that But I held him to the Question in the Hypothesis telling him he had what he required At last he answered Why methinks you have already done it your self You have the distance of ☊ in the degrees of Longitude of the ☊ from an unknown place and therefore the difference of the ☊ is also unknown except in that place only But we require the distance from the other known place which you promised to argue At last he began to be sensible of his mistake and I advised him to desist from such undertakings and being of so great an Age to labour the discovery of another Voyage or rather only labour to attain to the blessed end thereof being already opened to us by our Saviour And this was the end of our Communication and will be I suppose of that business also I wonder how for these twelve years wherein he hath mused upon this Subject and hath had conferrence with so mamy learned men would receive no Answer But it seems they gave him too much liberty of digression and he having a very ill expression of his confused conceipts entangled himself more and more in perplexities Thus at last the old Captain was weaned from his dear Opinion which he had doted upon for so many years but to his further grief and worthily to be lamented by others followed the Death of his Friend and learned Lord who was the honour of his time and degree And had his Lordship but lived unto these times of ours since the Institution of the Royal Society unto whom he had commended the Hypothesis their profound Learning and exquisite Knowledge rare Invention and Judgement by which they have made so many wonderful Discoveries of things would have quickly satisfied his Lordships scrupulosity which was more to be regarded than the Captains Fancy For this noble Society has made particular Enquiries of Tides Currents and Depths of the Sea since their first foundation having a vast number of Experiments a new Instrument saith Dr. Sprat to sound the Depth of the Sea without a line The Seas longitude is easie once taken under their consideration Mr. Heylyn being released of this troublesome Captain and the Seas longitude which was out of Mr. Heylyn's reach and proper Element he thought it more useful and necessary to study the Statutes of the Land the Laws and Customes of this Nation Acts of Parliament old Statutes and Records to compare them with the times and circumstances occurring in story whereby he might inable himself by this means to do better service both to Church and State And this was a most profitable as well as delightful diversion from his other studies His Improvements appeared to be so great therein that afterward he utterly confounded the utter Barister and Scribler against the State Mr. William Pryn of Lincolns-Inn who being called to question for his Histrio-mastix Mr. Heylyn was sent for to the Council-Table where his Majesty commanded him to read over that seditious Book and collect thence all such passages as were scandalous and dangerous to the King and State and write them down in such Logical Inferences as might naturally arise and follow upon the Premises All which Mr. Heylyn exactly performed and delivered his Copy to the Attorny General Mr. Noy who presented the same to the King and Lords of the Council of whom it was observed that they urged not any thing against Mr. Pryn upon his Tryal but what was contained in Mr. Heylyns Papers of Collection who took occasion at the same time to publish a Book touching the punishments due by Law and in point of Practice against such notorious Offenders as Pryn Bastwick and Burton the Triumviri of Sedition For this and other good services which with wonderful Prudence as well as Diligence Mr. Heylyn faithfully performed his Majesty was graciously pleased to requite him as Caesar did those Servants who best merited he bestowed upon them Riches and Honours saith Sueton Quanto quis servitio promptior opibus honoribus
when he thought it would digest The Scruple troubled all the rest Notwithstanding this scrupulosity in them the World knows their hypocritical Practices under all those zealous Pretences how light they are in the Ballance and how extraordinary a thing it is to find from their hands downright honesty and plain dealing they are too much like the Scribes and Pharisees who by godly shews of long Prayers sad Countenances Justification of themselves that they were the only Righteous and all others Sinners played the Hypocrites most abominably to deceive the vulgar sort they made Religion a meer mock and empty show 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith our Saviour to be seen like Stage-players in a Theater Nam tota actio est histrionica as Erasmus well observeth their whole carriage was dramatick to make a feigned Pageantry and Ostentation of Piety Yet John Lord Bishop of Lincoln in compliance with this Sect out of discontent and revenge because deprived of the great Seal and commanded by the King to retire from Westminster transformed himself into one of these Angels of new Light and made himself the Archangel and Head of their Party First of all by writing his pretended Letter to one Titly Vicar of Grantham against the holy Communion Table standing Altar-wise to which Dr. Heylyn made a sudden and sharp reply in his Book entituled A Coal from the Altar to which the Bishop within a Twelve-month after he took time enough for the Work did return an Answer under the Title of The Holy Table Name and Thing pretending withal that this was written long ago by a Minister in Lincolnshire against Dr. Cole a Divine in Queeu Marys Reign No sooner the King heard of this new Book but he sent a Command to Dr. Heylyn to write a speedy Answer to it and not in the least to spare the Bishop Neither did the Doctor baulk the grand Sophos but detected all his false Allegations and answered them that were true which the Bishop had wrested to a contrary sense if we will look into the Doctors Book called by him Antidotum Lincolniense All this while the Bishop as it must be confest being a man of Learning writ against his own Science and Conscience so dear is the passion of revenge to gratifie which some men wilfully sin against the Light of their own Souls therefore the Bishop according to the Apostles word was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 condemned of himself For look upon him in the point of practice and we shall find the Communion Table was placed Altar-wise in the Cathedral Church of Lincoln whereof he was Bishop and in the Collegiate Church of Westminster of which he was Dean and lastly in the private Chappel of his own house as Dr. Heylyn saith in whieh it was not only placed Altar-wise but garnished with rich Plate and other costly Utensils in more than ordinary manner By all which the Bishop needed no further refutation of his Book than his own Example that in those places where he had Authority the Holy Table did not stand in Gremio and Nave of the Quire as he would have it fixed but above the Steps upon the Altar close to the East end of the Quire ex vi catholicae consuetudinis according to the ancient manner and custom in the Primitive Catholick Church But hinc illae lachrymae ever since this mischief followed his Book that in most Country Churches to this day the Table is set at the hither end of the Chancel whithout any Traverse or Rails to fence it Boys fling their Hats upon it and that which is worse Dogs piss against it Country Juries write their Parish accounts Amerciaments By-Laws c. all which is a most horrible profanation and not to be suffered But now John Lord Bishop of Lincoln who would have removed the holy Communion Table from its proper place and had displaced his Prebends of their ancient Seat was himself at this time Anno Dom. 1637. thrown out of his Episcopal Chair by sentence of the Star-Chamber for endeavouring to corrupt the Kings Evidence in a Cause of Bastardy brought before his Majesties Justices of Peace at Spittle Sessions in the County of Lincoln which business afterward came to a hearing before the Lords in Star-Chamber by whose definitive sentence the Bishop was suspended ab Officio Beneficio deprived of all his Ecclesiastical Preferments deeply fined and his Complices with him and afterward committed to the Tower of London where he continued Prisoner for three years and in all that space of time his Lordship did never hear Sermon or publick Prayers to both which he was allowed liberty but instead thereof he studied Schism and Faction by his own Example and his Pen disguisedly During the time of his Lorships Imprisonment Dr. Heylyn was chosen Treasurer for the Church of Westminster in which Office he discharged himself with such diligence and fidelity that he was continued in it from year to year till the Bishops release out of tâ—…e Tower and his removal back again to Westminster While he was Treasurer he took care for the repairs of the Church that had been neglected for many years First of the great West-Isle that was ready to fall down was made firm and strong and of the South-side of the lower West-Isle much decayed he caused to be new timbred boarded and leaded but chiefly the curious Arch over the preaching place that looketh now most magnificently he ordered to be new vaulted and the Roof thereof to be raised up to the same height with the rest of the Church the charge of which came to 434 l. 18 s. 10 d. He regulated also some disorders of the Quire perticularly the exacting of Sconses or perdition mony which he divided among them that best deserved it who diligently kept Prayers and attended upon other Church Duties Whilest he was Treasurer his Brethren the Prebendaries to testifie their good affections to him presented him to the Parsonage of Islip near Oxford a very good Living worth about 200l per Annum then by the death of Dr. King made void but by reason of the distance from Alresford though standing most conveniently to taste the sweet pleasures of the University he thought fit to exhange it for another nearer hand the Rectory of South-warnborough in the County of Hampshire that was in the gift of St. Johns Colledge in Oxon to which exchange he was furthered by the Arch-Bishop who carried a great stroke in that Colledge of which he had been President It pleased God soon after to visit him and his Family at Alresford with a terrible fit of Sickness of which none escaped the Disease was so contagious but the Cook 's boy in the Kitchen who was then Master Cook for the whole Family and he performed his part so well in making their broths and other necessaries that he was the best Physitian among the Doctors for by his Kitchen Physick the Sick was cured No sooner Dr. Heylyn recovered of the
the Convocation still continued sitting notwithstanding the dissolution of Parliament And when this was scrupled at by some of the house the Doctor resolved their doubts and rid them of their fears by shewing them the distinction betwixt the Kings Writ for calling a Parliament and that for assembling a Convocation Their different forms and independence of one upon another Finally it was determined by the King himself and his learned counsel in the Law That the Convocation called by his Majesties Writ was to be continued till it was dissolved by his Writ notwithstanding the dissolution of Parliament This benefit the King got by their fitting six subsidies under the name of Benevolences which the Clergy payd to him On Friday May 29 the Canons of that Convocation were unanimously subscribed unto by all the Bishops and Clergy No one of them dissenting but the Bishop of Glocester for which he was deservedly suspended who afterward turned Papist and was the only renegado Prelat of this Land Of this Convocation Sir Edward Deering to shew his wit which he dearly payd for after in one of his speeches to the house of Commons was pleased to say that every one that had a hand in making their Ganons should come unto the Bar of the House of Commons with a Candle in one hand and a book in the other and there give fire to his own Canons which good fortune afterward fell upon his own book of speeches NecLex est justior ulla which by order of the House of Commons was burnt in the Fire by the hand of the common Hang-man A publick disgrace that he worthily deserv'd for his proud Eloquence in often pratling against the King and Church In another of his speeches he tells them That if they câ—…uld bring the Lords to sit in the House of Commons and the King to be but as one of the Lords then the work was done And finally in a nother he so abuseth all the Cathedrals in the Kingdom with so foul a mouâ—… as if he had licked up the filth of all the former Libells to vomit it at once upon them And yet this Gentleman afterward as Doctor Heylyn saith made it his earnest suit to be Dean of Canterbury which being denied him by the King in a great discontent he returned to the Parliament c. But lastly to consider the sad condition of that Convocation before they were dissolved the Doctor as one of their fellow members speaks most feelingly during all the time of their sitting they were under those horrid fears by reason of the discontents falling upon the Parliaments dissolution that the King was fain to set a Guard about Westminster-Abby for the whole time of their fitting Poor men to what a distress were they brought in danger of the Kings displeasure if they rose of the peoples fury if they sate in danger of being beaten down by the following Parliament when the work was done and after all obnoxious to the Lash of censorious tongues for their good intendments for notwithstanding their great care that all things might be done with decency and to edification every one must have his blow at them For Pryn published the unbishoping of Timothy and Titus and his other Libel of news from Ipswich wherein he called the Arch-Bishop of Cant. Arch-Agent of the Devil that Belzebub himself had been Arch-Bishop and all the Bishops were Luciferian Lords The like reproaches were thundered out of the Pulpit by Burton in his Sermon on Pro. 24. v. 22. where he abused the Text and Bishops sufficiently calling them instead of Fathers Step-Fathers for Pillars Cater-Pillars limbs of the Beast Factors for Antihcrist and antichristian Mushromes Bastwick laid about him before in his Flagellum Episcoporum Latialium when he had worn out that Rod took another in his Litany Finally the Rabble had a cursed Song among them to affront the poor Clergy with as they met them saying Your Bishops are bite-Sheep Your Deans are Dunces Your Preists are the Preists of Baal The Devil fetch them all by bunches And now the Fire smothering in the Embers at last broke forth into an open flame at the Session of the next Parliament which was fatall both to Chureh and State and finally to themselves that with scorn they were turn'd out of doors by their own Servants who became their Masters The first fitting of them was on a dismal day notable and infamous Novemb. 3d. when Henry 8 began the dissolution of Abbyes and Papists with Protestants were laid both on one hurdle and burnt together at the same Stake the King then promised his people should for ever be acquitted of Taxes ut facilius illi monasteia concederentur saith Sanders that Monasteries and Religious houses might be more easily granted to him The Parliment opening on that critical day Arch-Bishop Laud was advertised in a letter to move the King that for good luck sake their Session might be put off to another day but this being looked upon by his Lordship as a superstitious conceit he waved the motion of it to the King which proved afterward the fall of himself and the Hierarchie At the opening of this long Parliament a general Rumor was spread abroad that Doctor Heylyn was run away for fear of an approaching storm that was like to fall on his own head as well as on his Lordships Grace the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury but he who was ever of an undaunted Spirit would not pusillanimously desert the Cause of the King and Church then in question but speedily hastned up to London from Alrèsford to coufute the common Calumny and false report raised on him by the Puritan faction that he appeared the next day in his Gown and Tippet in Westminster Hall and in the Church with his accustomed formalities of Cap Hood and Surplice employed also his Pen boldly in defence of the Bishops right when the temporal Lords began to shake the Hierarchy in passing a vote that no Bishop should be of the Committee for examination of the Earl of Strafford being causa sanguinis upon which the Doctor drew up a breif and excellent discourse full of Law and History entituled de jure paritatis Episcoporum The Bishops right of Peerage so consequently that they ought to sit in that Committee their priviledge and right are maintained by him which by Law or ancient custom doth belong unto theâ—… It is worth our while to see what he hath written upon this point in the cause of Bloud many years after the first discourse of the Bishops Peerage when there was little hopes of ever their returning again into the House of Peers That the Bishops were disabled by some ancient Canons saith he from sentencing any man to death and it may be from being present when any such sentences was pronounced I shall easily grant but that they were disabled from being assistants in such case from taking the examinations or hearing the depositions of Witnesses or
that the dear Saints in England had their Nose and their Ears slit for the profession of the Gospel The Parliament then might pretend the revenge of Mr. Pryns sufferings by a retaliation of a worse punishment upon Dr. Heylyn but the real cause that exasperated them was the good Doctors Loyalty to his King and fidelity to his Arch-Bishop the two great Pillars of the Church to whom all true Sons of the Church of England ought to be faithful And finally the many Books the Doctor had written and still likely to write more against the Puritan Faction was the grand cause of all his flights and sufferings in the time of War Est fuga dicta mihi non est fuga dicta Libellis Qui Domini paenam non meruere sui Though I am forc'd to fly my Books they are not fled No reason for my sake they should be punished At what Friends house he was now secured from danger though I have heard it named indeed I have forgot but from thence he travelled to Doctor Kingsmil a Loyal Person of great worth and ancient Family where he continued and sent for his Wife and Daughter from Winchester to him and from thence removed to Minster-Lovel in Oxfordshire the pleasant Seat of his elder Brother in the year An. Dom. 1648. which he farmed of his Nephew Collonel Heylyn for six years Being deprived of his Eâ—…astial Preferments he must think of some honest way for a Livelihood Fruges lustramus agros Ritus ut a prisco traditus extat aevo Yet notwithstanding he followed his studies which was his chief delight for though the 〈◊〉 Powers had silenced his Tongue from preaching they could not withold his Pen from writing and that in an acute and as sharp a stile as formerly after he had done with his frequent visits of Friends and long perambulations For the publick good of the Church to uphold her ancient maintenance by Tithes being rob'd then of all her other dues and dignities though himself was sequestred of both his Livings and made inâ—…apable of receiving any benefit by Tithes yet for the common cause of Christianity and in mere compassion of the Presbyterian Clergy though his profest Enemies he published at that time when Tithes were in danger to be taken away from them an excellent little Tract to undeceive the People in the point of Tithes and proveth therein That no man in the Realm of England payéth any thing of his own toward the maintenance of his Parish Minister but his Easter Offerings At the same time he enlarged his Book of Geography into a large Folio which was before but a little Quarto and intitâ—…led it with the name of Cosmography of which it may be truly said it does contain a world of Learning in it as well as the Description of the World and particularly sheweth the Authors most excellent Abilities not only in History and smoothness of its style that maketh the whole Book delightful to the Reader but in Chronology Genealogy and Heraldry in which last any one may see that he could blazon the Arms and describe the Descent and Pedigree of the greatest Families in Europe In which pleasing study while he spent his time his good Wife a discreet and active Lady looked both after her Housewifery within doors and the Husbandry without thereby freeing him from that care and trouble which otherwise would have hindred his laborious Pen from going through so great a work in so short a time And yet he had several divertisements by company which continually resorted to his House for having God be thanked his Temporal Estate cleared from Sequestration by his Composition with the Commissioners at Gold-Smiths Hall and this Estate which he farmed besides he was able to keep a good house and relieve his poor Brethren as himself had found relief from others Charity that his House was the Sanctuary of sequestred men turned out of their Livings and of several ejected Fellows out of Oxford more particularly of some worthy persons I can name as Dr. Allibone Mr. Levit Mr. Thornton Mr. Ashwel who wrote upon the Creed who would stay for two or three Months at his House or any other Acquaintance that were suffering men he cheerfully received them and with a hearty welcom they might tarry as long as they pleased The Doctor himself modestly speaks of his own Hospitality how many that were not Domesticks had eaten of his Bread and drunk of his Cup. A Vertue highly to be praised and most worthy of commendation in it self for which Tacitus giveth this Character of the old Germanes Convictibus Hospitiis non alia gens Effusius indulget Greater Hospitality saith he and Entertainment no Nation shewed more bountifully accounting it as a cursed thing not to be civil in that kind according to every mans ability and when all was spent the good Master of the House would lead his Guest to the next Neighbours House where he though not invited was made welcom with the like courtesie Among others kindly entertained Mr. Marchamont Needham then a zealous Loyalist and Scourge to the Rump Parliament was sheltered in the Doctors House being violently pursued till the Storm was over the good Doctor then as his Tutelar Angel preserved him in a high Room where he continued writing his weekly Pragmaticus yet he afterward like Balaam the Son of Beor hired with the wages of Unrighteousness corrupted with mercinary Gifts and Bribes became the only Apostate of the Nation and writ a Book for the pretended Common-wealth or rather I may say a base Democracy for which the Doctor could never after endure the mention of his name who had so disobliged his Country and the Royal Party by his shameful Tergiversation The good Doctors Charity did not only extend it self to ancient Friends and Acquaintance but to mere Strangers by whom he had like to run himself into a Premunire For word being carried to him in his Study there was a Gentleman at the door who said he was a Commander in the Kings Army and carâ—…estly desired some relief and harbour the Doctor presently went to him and finding by his Discourse and other Circumstances what he said was true received him into his House and made him very welcom the Gentleman was a Scotch Captain who having a Scotch Diurnal in his Pocket they read it fearing no harm thereby but it proved otherwise for one of the Doctors Servants listning at the door went straight way to Oxford and informed the Governour Collonel Kelsey that his Master had received Letters from the King whereupon the Governour sent a Party of Horse to fetch him away Strange News it was knowing his own Innocency to hear that Soldiers had beset his House so early in the Morning before he was out of Bed But go he must to appear before the Governour and when he came that treacherous Rogue his Man did confidently affirm that he heard the Letters read and was sure
Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit Nulli flebilior quam mihi When will they find another such his Fall Was most by me lamented much by All God Almighty had blessed him with eleven Children four of which are still living His Monument is erected on the North side of the Abbey in Westminster over aganst the Sub-Deans Seaâ—… with this following Epitaph which the Reverend Dean of the Church then Dr. Earl did himself compose in honour of his Memory DEPOSITUM MORTALE PETRI Heylyn S. â—… P. Hujus Ecclesiae Prebendarii Subdecaniâ—…s Viri plane memorabilis Egregiis dotibus instructissimi Ingenio acri faecundo Judicio subacto Memoria ad prodigium tenaci Cui adjunxit incredibilem in studiis patientiam Quae cessantihus oculis non cessarunt Scripsit varia Plurima Quae jam manibus hominum teruntur Et argumentis non vulgaribus Stylo non vulgari suffecit Constans ubique Ecclesiae Et. Majestatis Regiae assertor Nec florentis magis utriusque Quam afflictâ—… Idemque perduellium Schismâ—…ticae factionis Impugnator acerrimus Contemptor invidiae Et animo infracto Plura ejusmodi meditanti Mors indixit silentium Ut sileatur Efficere non potest Obiit Anno Etat 63. In English A Monument of Mortality Of Peter Heylyn Doctor of Divinity Prebendary and Sub-Dean of this Church A man truly worthy of remembrance Endowed with excellent parts Of sharp and pregnant Wit A solid and clear Judgement A memory tenacious to a Miracle Whereunto he added an incredible Patience in Study And therein still persisted when his Eye sight ceased He Writ many Books upon various Subjects that are now in mens hands containing in them nothing that 's Vulgar either for Style or Argument On all occasions he was a constant Assertor of the Churches Right and the Kings Prerogative as well in their afflicted as prosperous estate Also he was a severe and vigorous opposer of Rebels and Schismaticks A despiser of Envy and a man of undaunted Spirit While he was seriously intent on these and many more like Studies Death commanded him to be silent but could not silence his Fame He died in the Sixty third year of his Age. A Catalogue of such Books as were written by the Learned Doctor SPurius a Tragedy M. S. 1616. Theomachia a Comedy M. S. 1619. Geography printed at Oxon twice A. D. 1621. and 1624. in Quarto and afterwards in A. D. 1652. inlarged into Folio under the Title of Cosmography An Essay called Augustus 1631. since inserted into his Cosmography The History of St. George Lond. 1631. reprinted 1633. The History of the Sabbath 1631. reprinted 1636. An Answer to the Bishop of Lincoln's Letter to the Vicar of Grantham 1636. twice reprinted An Answer to Mr. Burton's two Seditious Sermons A. D. 1637. A short Treatise concerning A Form of Prayer to be used according to what is enjoyned in the Fifty fifth Canon written at the request of the Bishop of Winchester 1637. Antidotum Lincolniense or an Answer to the Bishop of Lincolns Book entituled Holy Table Name and Thing 1637. reprinted 1638. An uniform Book of Articles fitted for Bishops and Arch-Deacons in their Visitations 1640. De Jure paritatis Episcoporum or concerning the Peerage of Bishops 1640. M. S. A Reply to Dr. Hackwel concerning the Sacrifice of the Eucharist M. S. 1641. The History of Episcopacy first under the Name of Theoph. Churchman afterwards in his own Name reprinted 1657. The History of Liturgies written 1642. A Relation of the Lord Hoptons Victory at Bodmin A View of the Proceedings in thâ—… â—…est for a Pacification A Letter to a Gentleman in Lincolnshire about the Treaty A Relation of the Proceedings of Sir John Gell. A Relation of the Queens Return from Holland and the Siege of Newark The Black Cross shewing that the Londoners were the Cause of the Rebellion The Rebels Chatechism All these printed at Oxon. 1644. An Answer to the Papists groundless Clamor who nick-name the Religion of the Church of England by the Name of a Parliamentary Religion 1644. A Relation of the Death and Sufferings of Will. Laâ—…d Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1644. The stumbling Block of Disobedience removed written 1644. printed 1658. The Promised Seed in English Verse Theologia Veterum or an Exposition of the Creed Fol. 1654. Survey of France with an account of the Isles of Guernsey and Jersey 1656. Quarto Exâ—…men Historicum or a Discovery and Examination of the Mistakes Falsities and Defects in some Modern Histories Lond. 1659 Certamen Epistolare or the Letter-Combat managed with Mr. Baxter Dr. Bernard Mr. Hickman Oct. Lond. 1659. Historia Quinque-Articularis Quarto Lond. 1660. Respondet Petrus or the Answer of Peter Heylyn D. D. to Dr. Bernard's Book entituled the Judgment of the late Primate c. Quarto Lond. 1658. Observations on Mr. Hamond L' Estrange's History of the Life of King Charles the First 1648. Extraneus Vapulans or a Defence of those Observations Lond. 1658. A short History of King Cbarles the First from his Cradle to his Grave 1658. Thirteen Sermons some of which are are an Exposition of the Parable of the Tares printed at London 1659. and again 1661. A Help to English History containing a Succession of all the Kings Dukes Marquesses Earls Bishops c. of England and Wales first written in the year 1641. under the 〈◊〉 of Robert Hall but now enlarged and in Dr. Heylyn's Name Ecclesia Vindicata or the Church of England justified c. Quarto 1657. Bibliotheca Regia or the Royal Library Octavo Ecclesia Restaurata or the History of the Reformation Folio Lond. 1661. Cyprianus Anglicus or the History of the Life and Death of William Laud Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Folio Aerius Redivivus or the History of the Presbyterians Folio FINIS S. Jer. Com. in cap. 2. Esdr. Instit. lib. 1. cap. 9. Pref. to Hist. of Ref. Hor. de Ar. po Berâ—… Epis 135. Mart. Piaut His Preface Preface Pag. 59 60 61 62 63. Pag. 101. 102. 103. 104. Cic. de orat ftom p. 67 to 89. from p. 212 to p. 227. from p. 228 to 236. p. 61 to 174. pag. 241. Plat. in Parmen p. 38. p. 35. p. 123. p. 31. p. 120. pag. 13. Arist. Eth. lib. cap. 10. A. Gell. lib. 12. cap. 11. pag. 32. pag. 14. Pag 43. Pag. Epist. deep Jact lib. 7. c. 14. pag. 1. pag. 7. pag. 2. Chr. Astrol. lib. 1. cap. 11 pag. 2. Diog. Laer in vit Tacit. Annal lib. 6. Trith de Scrip. Eccl. pag. 86. Suid. Hist. Luth. colliq Vindicat. of the sincerity of the Prot. Rel. p. 11 12. Arch Bish. Life p. 5 6. At the Tryal of Pickering Groâ—… and Ireland 1678. David Par. Comment in Evang. S. Mat. Cap. 23. Maph in vita Ign. Oplat l. 5. c. 29. Lact. Instit. lib. 4. cap. 30. Thu. Hist. l. 22. Theod. Bez. de Minist Evang. Grad Pag. 91. Thu. Hist. â—… 13. Chr. Ocland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sive Elizab. Diodor. Sicul l. 3. Tacit. l.
distemper but he betook himself from his Bed to his Book and fell upon a more than ordinary piece of study The History of the Church of England since the Reformation An easie matter for others to tread the Path when he had found out the Way Though he is dead he yet speaketh and the truth of things without respect of persons not to ingratiate himself with the Parliament and Presbyterian party to make our Religion it self Parliamentary which Papists and Presbyterians affirm he spared no pains nor cost to search into old Records Registers of Convocation Acts of Parliament Orders of Council Table and had the use of Sir Robert Cottons Library to take out what Books he pleased leaving a pawn of Mony behind for them In all his other Writings what a faithful Historian he hath appeared to the World is sufficiently known and will be shewed in this particular In the mean while let not men be too credulous of anothers Transcriptions that are under question an verbum de verbo expressum extulit Whether they are copyed out exactly from the originals wherein lyes the main controversie in matter of fact which I am not bound nor other men to believe till we are convinced by our own Eyes besides it is an inglorious encounter to fight with a mans Ghost after he has been dead near twenty years with whom the late Historian nor any other whilst he was living durst venture with him in the point The Heathens scorn'd to rake in the Ashes of the dead but as Tacitus says of Agricola ut in loco Piorum manibus destinato placide quiescat that he might rest without disturbance in the place appointed for Souls However the Doctors Learning and Fidelity in History is so publickly known that it is not in the power of any Scot or English Aristarchus to blast his good Name And let this suffice at present Magnus Aristarcho major Homerus erat Whilst he was so intent upon the History of Reformation he found little encouragement to go on in these studies for the discontents that boyled in this Nation and the Commotions then begun in Scotland upon pretence of the Common-prayer imposed upon them And a mere pretence indeed it was for herein was nothing done but with the consent and approbation of their own Scottish Bishops who made what Alterations in the Liturgy they pleased to which they had his Majesties Royal Assent but the blame was wholly laid upon the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who only commended the Book to them spe quidem laudabili sed eventu pessimo as the learned Dr. Bates said the success being improsperous though the enterprise commendable the Arch-Bishop unjustly censured for it he caused Dr. Heylyn to translate the Scotch Liturgy into Latin and his Lordship intended to set out his own Apology with the Book to vindicate himself from those aspersions thrown upon him that the World might be satisfied with his Majesties Piety and Goodness and his Lordships own care and readiness to serve that Nation but their hasty Rebellion to which they were ever precipitant put an end to the Bishops Apology and the Doctors Translation Hamilton whom Dr. Burnet doth so highly applaud had a party that not only opposed this Liturgy but betrayed the King on all occasions nay some of the Bed-Chamber who were Scots were grown so sawcy and impudent that they used to ransack the good Kings Pockets when he was in Bed to transcribe such Letters as they found and send the Copies to their Country-men in the way of Intelligence To speak the matter in a word he was grown of Scots in Fact a King though not in Title His Majesty being looked on by them as a Cypher in the Arithmatick of State The Scotch Covenanters after the unhappy War was begun called it Bellum Episcopale the Bishops War raised only to uphold their Hierarchy but the truth is as the Doctor proveth Though Liturgy and Episcopacy were made the occasions yet they were not the causes of the war Religion being but the Vizard to disguise the business which Covetousness Sacriledge and Rapine had the greatest hand in for the King resolving to revoke all grants of Abby Lands the Lands of Bishopricks and Chapters and other Religious Corporations which have been vested in the Crown by Act of Parliament were conferred on many of the Nobility and Gentry in his Fathers Minority when he was under Protectors whence the Nobility of Scotland made use of discontented and seditious Spirits under colour of the Canons and Common prayer to embroyl that Kingdom that so they might keep their Lands and hold up their Power and Tyranny over the people To appease the Tumults in Scotland and quench the sparks of Sedition that began to kindle in England the King called a Parliament and issued out his Writ for Clerks in Convocation at which time the Doctor was chosen by the Colledge of Westminster their Clerk to sit in Convocation where he proposed a most excellent expediency which would be of happy use if still continued for the satisfaction of some scrupolous Members in the House of Commons about the Ceremonies of our Church That there might be a mutual conference by select Commitees between the House of Commons and the lower House of the Convocation that the Clergy might give the Commons satisfaction in the point of Ceremonies and all other things relating to the Church which motion from him was well accepted and generally assented thereto And no doubt a most happy success would have followed upon it not only to take away all scruples but to beget a Reverence and Love from the Commons to the Clergy by such a mutual Conference and Conversation But this Parliament being then suddenly dissolved put a period to that and all other business at the news of which brought unexpectedly to the Doctor while he was bufie then at the election for the School of Westminster his pen fell from his hand himself struck dumb with admiration Obstupuit steteruntque comae vox fancibus haesit A sad and unfortunate day it was saith the Doctor and the news so unpleasing brought hiâ—… by a friend whilst he was writing some dispatches it so astonished him though he â—…ad heard some inkling of it the night before that suddenly the Pen fell out of his hand and long it was before he could recollect his Spirits to give an answer The Convocation usually endeth in course the next day after the dissolution of Parliament But the Doctor well knowing that one great end of calling Parliaments is to raise the King money for the publick concerns he therefore went to Lambeth and showed the Arch-Bishop a preced ent in the reign of Queen Elizabeth for granting subsidies or a benevolence by Convocation to be levyed upon the Clergy without the help of a Parliament whereby the Kings necessities for mony might be supplyed and so it successfully fell out the Arch-Bishop acquainting the King with this present expediency