or Unlawfulnesse thereof 35. Thus Eadbald becomes a Christian all black and blew Laurentius repaireth to Eadbald King of Kent and presenteth himself unto him in that sad Condition The King much amazed thereat demands who durst offer such Violence to so Good a man Whereby it plainly appears that though Eadbald himself refused Christianity yet he afforded Civility and Protection to Laurentius and to all in Kent of his Religion He largely relates what had happened unto him and in fine so prevailed on Eadbald that he not onely put away his VVife-Mother-VVhore but also embraced Christianity and at his desire Iustus and Mellitus returned again into England 36. Rochester readily received Iustus their Bishop Iustus received at Rochester and Mellitus rejected at London being a little Place of few Persons and they therefore the easier all to be brought to be of one Mind But large London though then for Greatnesse but the Suburbs to the present City I say London then was even London then as wanton in the Infancy as now wayward in the Old-age thereof where generally the People long radicated in Wickednesse refused to entertain their good Pastour returning unto them But here my good a Mr. Wheelock on the place in Bede Friend in his Notes on this Passage makes an ingenious Reservation that though the major part must be confessed peevish in all populous places London in all Ages afforded eminent Favourers of Learned and Religious men And would I could being the meanest of Ministers as truly entitle my self to the foresaid Qualifications as I heartily concurre with him in my gratefull Confession that I have effectually found plenty of good Patrons in that Honourable Corporation Mellitus thus rejected was glad to lead a private life in London till that after the * 619 Feb. 3. Death of Laurentius he succeeded him in the Church of Canterbury 37. A grave Mellitus his character and good man but much afflicted with the Gout and highly meriting of his See of Canterbury especially if true what Bede * Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 7. reports that when a grievous Fire happened in that City Mellitus accosted the very Fury thereof with faithfull Prayer and his own bare Hands strange that no modern Monk hath since in his Relation put a Crucifix or Holy-Water-sprinkle into them and so presently quenched the Raging of the Flames Say not why could he not as easily have cured his own Gout as quenched this Fire seeing Miracles are done not for mens ordinary Ease but God's solemn Honour Yea the Apostles themselves were not at pleasure Masters of their miraculous Power for their personal use seeing S t. Paul could neither cure the b 1 Tim. 5. 23. often Infirmities of his dear Son Timothy nor remove the acute desperate Disease wherewith he himself in c 2 Cor. 1. 8. Asia was afflicted Five years sate Mellitus in Canterbury after whose * 624 April 24. Death Iustus Bishop of Rochester succeeded him and had his Pall solemnly sent him by Pope Boniface 38. By the way What a Pall is the Pall is a Pontificall Vestment considerable for the Matter Making and Mysteries thereof For the Matter it is made of Lambs Wooll and Superstition I say of Lambs VVooll d Flores Sanctorum Maii 26. pag. 506. as it comes from the Sheeps Back without any other artificiall Colour spun say some by a peculiar Order of Nunnes first cast into the Tombe of S t. Peter taken from his Body say e Latine Camden in Kent pag. 238 others surely most sacred if from both and superstitiously adorned with little black Crosses For the Form thereof the f Flores Sanctorum ut prius Breadth exceeded not three Fingers one of our Bachelours Lamb-skin Hoods in Cambridge would make three of them having two Labells hanging down before and behind which the Arch-Bishops onely when going to the Altar put about their Necks above their other Pontificall Ornaments Three Mysteries were couched therein First Humility which beautifies the Clergy above all their costly Copes Secondly Innocency to imitate Lamb-like Simplicitie And thirdly Industry to follow g Camden ut prius Luke 15. him who fetched his wandring Sheep home on his Shoulders But to speak plainly the Mystery of Mysteries in this Pall was that the Arch-Bishops receiving it shewed therein their Dependence on Rome and a Mote in this manner ceremoniously taken was a sufficient Acknowledgement of their Subjection And as it owned Rome's Power so in after-Ages it encreased their Profit For though now such Palls were freely given to Arch-Bishops whose Places in Britain for the present were rather cumbersome then commodious having little more then their Paines for their Labour Anno. Dom. 624 yet in after-Ages the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie's Pall was a Godwin's Cat. Episc pag. 225. sold for five thousand b A Florene is worth 4 s. 6 d. Florenes so that the Pope might well have the Golden Fleece if he could fell all his Lambs-Wooll at that rate Onely let me adde that the Authour of c A Manuscript in Trin. Hall Library in Cambridge Canterbury-Book stiles this Pall Tanquam grande Christi d Mr. Wheelock on Bede pag. 99. Sacramentum It is well tanquam came in to help it or else we should have had eight Sacraments But leaving these Husks to such Palats as are pleased to feed on them we come to the Kernell of Religion how the same was propagated in other Parts of England And first of the Preparative for the Purge of Paganisme out of the Kingdome of Northumberland 39. Edwine Edwine his preparatory promise to Christianity the King thereof was Monarch of all England with the Isles of Man and Anglesey more puissant then any of His Predecessours And this saith e Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 9. Bede was In auspicium suscipiendae Fidei in good Handsell of the Faith he was hereafter to receive God first made him Great and after Gracious that so by his Power he might be the more effectuall Instrument of his Glory Now he had married Edelburge daughter of Ethelbert King of Kent to whom he not onely permitted free Exercise of Religion to her self and her Servants 625 but also promised himself to embrace it if on Examination it appeared the most Holy and fittest for Divine Service In the Court of this Queen was one Paulinus a pious Bishop who with much Pains and little Profit long laboured in vain to convert the Pagans God hereby both humbling him and shewing that the Hour of his Mercy shall not be ante-dated one Minute by any humane Endeavours However Paulinus seeing he could not be happy to gain would be carefull to save and daily plyed the Word and Sacraments thereby to corroborate his owne People in Piety 40. Now it happened that one Eumere His condition performed and yet he demurres a Swash-buckler a Contemner of his own life 626 and thereby Master of
some Purposes at the day of his Birth in which respect he may sue out his Liveries for the Dukedome of Cornwall and this perchance may somewhat mend the matter 59. But enough of this matter Conclusion with prayer which some will censure as an Impertinency to our Church-History and scarcely coming within the Church-yard thereof My Prayers shall be that each University may turn all Envy into generous yea gracious yea glorious Emulation contending by laudable means which shall surpasse other in their Serviceablenesse to God the Church and Common-wealth that so Commencing in Piety and Proceeding in Learning they may agree against their two generall Adversaries Ignorance and Profanenesse May it never be said of them what Naomi e Ruth 1. 12. said of her self that she was too old to bear Sons may they never be superannuated into Barrennesse but like the good Trees in Gods Garden They shall still bring forth Fruit in their old age they shall be fat and flourishing 60. Seasonably Sigebert erected an University at Cambridge 632 thereby in part to repair the late great Losse of Christianity in England when the year after Edwine Edwine King of Northumberland slain King of Northumberland was slain in f Beda Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 10. Battel by Cadwald King of VVales and Penda King of the Mercians After whose Death his whole Kingdome relapsed to Paganisme and Paulinus Arch-Bishop of York taking with him Queen Ethelburge returned into Kent and there became Bishop of the then vacant Church of Rochester Mortified man he minded not whether he went up or down hill whilest he went on strait in his Calling to glorifie God and edifie others sensible of no Disgrace when degrading himself from a great Arch-Bishop to become a poor Bishop Such betray much Pride and Peevishnesse who outed of eminent Places will rather be Nothing in the Church then any thing lesse then what they have been before 61. After the death of King Edwine The unhappy year his Kingdome of Northumberland was divided into two parts Anno Dom. 632 both petty Kingdomes 1. Bernicia reaching a Camden's Brit. pag. 797. from the River Tees to Edenburgh Frith whereof Eanfrith was King 2. Deira whence say some Deirham or Durham lay betwixt Tees and Humber whereof Osrick was King These both proved Apostates from the Christian Faith and God in his justice let in Cadwald King of the Britans upon them who slew them harassed their Countrey 633 and made a lamentable Desolation within the compasse of one year without respect to Age or Sex untill Oswald bred and brought up in Scotland next of the Bloud-Royall came to be King of Northumberland whom God sent to redeem that miserable Country from the hands of their Enemies and many eminent Victories he obtained 62. The fatall year A lost year well found wherein so many Outrages were committed on the Apostate Northumberlanders by Cadwald King of the Britans is detested by all Saxon Chronologers And therefore all the Annalists and writers of Histories in that Age by joynt-consent universally resolved to damn and drown the Memoriall of that Annus infaustus as they call it Vnlucky year but made so by Vngodly men Yea they unanimously b Bede Eccles Hist lib. 2. c. 1. agreed to allow those two Apostate Kings no yeares reign in their Chronicles adding the time subtracted from them to Oswald their Christian Successour accounting him to have reigned c Idem lib. 3. cap. 9. nine yeares which indeed were but eight of his own and one of these Historians their Adoption Yet is it no news even in Scripture it self to bury the reign of Tyrants under the Monument of a good Prince succeeding them Thus when Ehud is d Iudg. 3. 30. said to have judged the land fourscore year those eighteen e Vers 14. yeares are included wherein Eglon the Moabite oppressed Israel 63. Amongst the many Victories atchieved by this Oswald A victory given from heaven one most remarkable was gained by him near Hexam in Northumberland 635 against the Pagans against whom he erected the Standard of the Crosse in a place which time out of mind was called Heafen-feld Haledon at this day by a Prolepsis not answering the name thereof untill this time Hence a Poet writing the life of Oswald Tunc primum scivit causam cur nomen haberet Heafen-feld hoc est coelestis campus illi Nomen ab antiquo dedit appellatio Gentis Praeteritae tanquam belli praesaga futuri Then he began the reason first to know Of Heafen-feld why it was called so Nam'd by the Natives long since by foresight That in that field would hap an heavenly fight Thus it is generally reported that the place nigh Lipsick where the King of Sweden got one of his signal Victories was time out of mind termed by the Dutch f Swedish Intelligencer Gots Acre or Gods ground And thus as Onesimus and Eutychus were so called from their Infancy but never truely answered their Names till after the g Philem. v. 11 Conversion of the one and Reviving of the h Acts 20. 12. other so Places whether casually or prophetically have Names anciently imposed upon them which are sometimes verified many Ages after 64. About this time Honorius the Pope sent his Letter to the Scotch Nation Pope Honorius his ineffectual letter advising them to an Uniformity with the Church of Rome in the Celebration of Easter His main Reason is thought to have more of State then Strength humane Haughtinesse then holy Divinity in it Namely he counselleth them Ne paucitatem suam in extremis terrae finibus constitutam sapientiorem omnibus Christi Ecclesiis aestimarent This is that Honorius of whom Leo the second Anno Dom. 635 his Successour complaineth in his a Tom. 2. Decret Epist ed. Romae 1591. pag. 654. Epistle to the Bishops of Spain Flammam haertici dogmatis non ut decuit Apostolicam authoritatem incipientem extinxit sed negligendo confovit By his negligence he did countenance the heretical Opinions meaning of the Monothelites then beginning afresh to spring up again which he ought to have suppressed Thus he who could stickle about the Ceremony of keeping Easter could quietly connive at yea interpretatively consent to the depraving of the Doctrinall part of Religion But his Letter to the Scotch took little effect who kept their Easter not one Minute the sooner or later for all his writing unto them 65. In a better Work Birinus converts the VVest-Saxons to the faith and with better Successe was Birinus employed an Italian by Birth sent over by Pope Honorius for the Conversion of the remainder of England and to that purpose that his Preaching belike might be the more powerfull made a Bishop before his b Bede lib. 3. cap. 7. coming over by Asterius Bishop of Genoa Here I am at a losse Bishop of what Where was his Diocese or
Venerable Bede 167 14 Henry of Erphurt 169 15 Annals of Lichfield 175 16 Marianus Scotus 177 17 Ralph de Balduâ— 178 18 Iohn Bale 179 19 Polydor Virgil. Anno Dom. 108 182 20 Chron. Brit. Abbrev. 183 21 Roger de VVendover 184 22 Matth. Paris Westminster 185 23 Hector Boethius 187 24 Martin Polonus 188 25 Saxon Annals 189 26 Iohn Harding 190 Here is more then a Grand-Iury of Writers which neither agree in their Verdicts with their Fore-man nor one with another there being betwixt the first the last Paulus Iovius Iohn Harding ninetie years distance in their Account This with other Arguments is used not onely to shake but shatter the whole reputation of the Story And we must endeavour to clear this Objection before we go farther which is shrewdly pressed by many For if the two Elders which accused Susanna were condemned for Liars being found in two Tales the one laying the Scene of her Incontinency under a a Susanna verse 54. and 58. Mastick-tree the other under an Holme-tree why may not the Relation of Lucius be also condemned for a Fiction seeing the Reporters thereof more differ in Time then the forenamed Elders in Place seeing when and where are two circumstances both equally important and concerning in History to the Truth of any action 3. But we answere The History of K. Lucius not disproved by the dissension of Authors concerning the time thereof That however Learned men differ in the Date they agree in the Deed. They did set themselves so to heed the Matter as of most moment being the Soul and Substance of History that they were little curious not to say very careless in accurate noting of the Time which being well observed doth not onely add some lustre but much strength to a relation And indeed all Computation in the Primitive time is very uncertain there being then and a good while after an Anarchy as I may terme it in Authours their reckoning of years because men were not subject to any one soveraign Rule in accounting the year of our Lord but every one followed his own Arithmetick to the great confusion of History and prejudice of Truth In which age though all start from the same place our Saviour's Birth yet running in severall ways of account they seldome meet together in their dating of any memorable Accident Worthie therefore was his work whoever he was who first calculated the Computation we use at this day and so set Christendome a Copy whereby to write the date of actions which since being generally used hath reduced Chronology to a greater Certainty 4. As for their Objection Lucius might be a British King under the Roman Monarchy That Lucius could not be a King in the South of Britain because it was then reduced to be a Province under the Roman Monarchy It affects not any that understand how it was the Roman b Veâ—us jampridem recepta populi Romani consuetudo ut haberet instrumenta â—ervitutis Reges Tacitus in vita Agricolae custome both to permit and appoint Pettie Kings in several Countries as Antiochus in Asia Herod in Iudea Dtotaurus in Sicilie who under them were invested with Regal Power Dignity And this was conceived to conduce to the state and amplitude of their Empire Yea the German Emperour at this day Successour to the Roman Monarchy is stiled Rex Regum as having many Princes and particularly the King of Bohemia Homagers under him As for other inconsistents with truth which depend as Retainers on this Relation of King Lucius they prove not that this whole Story should be refused but refined Which calleth aloud to the Discretion of the Reader to fan the Chaffe from the Corne and to his Industry to rub the Rust from the Gold which almost of necessity will cleave to matters of such Antiquity Thus conceiving that for the main we have asserted King Lucius we come to relate his History as we finde it 5. He being much taken with the Miracles which he beheld truly done by pious Christians Lucius sendeth to the Bishop of Rome to be instructed in Christianity fell in admiration of 167 and love with their Religion and sent Elvanus and Meduinus men of known Piety and Learning in the Scriptures to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome with a Letter requesting several things of him but principally that he might be instructed in the Christian Faith The reason why he wrote to Rome was because at this time the Church therein was she can ask no more we grant no less the most eminent Church in the World shining the brighter Anno Dom. 167 because set on the highest Candle-stick the Imperial City We are so far from grudging Rome the Happiness she once had that we rather bemoan she lost it so soon degenerating from her primitive Purity The Letter which Lucius wrote is not extant at this day and nothing thereof is to be seen save onely by reflection as it may be collected by the Answer returned by Eleutherius which such an one as it is it will not be amisse here to insert 6. Ye require of us the Roman Laws This translation of the letter of Eleutherius is transcribed out of Bishop Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops and the Emperours to be sent over unto you which you would practice and put in ure within your Realm The Roman Laws and the Emperours we may ever reprove but the Law of God we may not Ye have received of late through Gods mercy in the Kingdom of Britain the Law and Faith of Christ Ye have with you within the Realm both parts of the Scriptures out of them by Gods grace with the Councell of the Realm take ye a Law and by that Law through Gods sufference rule your Kingdome of Britain There is some variety between this and that of M r. Fox For you be God's Vicar in your Kingdom The Lords is the Earth and the fulness of the world and all that dwell in it And again according to the Prophet that was a King Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity therefore God hath anointed thee with the Oile of gladness above thy fellows And again according to the same Prophet O God give Iudgement unto the King and thy Righteousness unto the Kings Sonne He said not the judgement and righteousness of the Emperour but thy Iudgement and Righteousness The Kings Sonnes be the Christian people and folk of the Realm which be under your Government and live and continue in peace within your Kingdome As the Gospel saith Like as the Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings so doth the King his people The people and the folk of the Realm of Britain be yours whom if they be divided ye ought to gather in concord and peace to call them to the Faith and Law of Christ to cherish and a In the Latin it is Manu tenere maintain them to rule and govern them so as
Bedfordshire It began Anno 575 under King Vffa and lay most exposed to the Cruelty of the Danish Incursions 5. Of MERCIA so called because it lay in the middest of the Island being the Merches or Limits on which c Lambert's Descript of Kent all the residue of the Kingdomes did bound and border It began Anno 582. under King Cridda and contained the whole Counties of Lincoln Northampton with Rutland then and long since part thereof Huntingdon Buckingham Oxford Worcester Warwick Darby Nottingham Leicester Stafford and Chester Besides part of Hereford and Salop the Remnant whereof was possess'd by the Welsh Gloucester Bedford and d Idem ibid. Lancaster In view it was the greatest of all the seven but it abated the Puissance thereof because on the VVest it affronted the Britans being deadly Enemies and bordering on so many Kingdomes the Mercians had work enough at home to shut their own Doors 6. Of NORTHUMBERLAND corrivall with Mercia in Greatnesse though farre inferiour in Populousnesse as to which belonged whatsoever lieth betwixt Humber and Edenborough-Frith It was subdivided sometimes into two Kingdomes of Bernicia and Deira The later consisted of the Remainder of Lancashire with the intire Counties of York Durham VVestmorland and Cumberland Bernicia contained Northumberland with the South of Scotland to Edenborough But this Division lasted not long before both were united together It began Anno 547 under King Ida. 7. Of the WEST-SAXONS who possessed Hantshire Berkshire Wiltshire Somerset Dorset and Devonshire part of Cornwall and Gloucestershire yea some assigne a Moiety of Surrey unto them This Kingdome began Anno 519 under King Cerdicus and excelled for plenty of Ports on the South and Severn Sea store of Burroughs stoutnesse of active men some impute this to the Naturall cause of their being hatch't under the warm Wings of the South-VVest VVind which being excellent VVrastlers gave at last a Fall to all the other Saxon Kingdomes So that as the seven Streams of Nilus loose themselves in the Mid-land Sea this Heptarchy was at last devoured in the VVest-Saxons Monarchy The reason that there is some difference in VVriters in bounding of these severall Kingdomes is because England being then the constant Cock-pit of Warre the Limits of these Kingdomes were in daily motion sometimes marching forward sometimes retreating backward according to variety of Successe We may see what great difference there is betwixt the Bounds of the Sea at High-water and at Low-water Mark and so the same Kingdome was much disproportioned to it self when extended with the happy Chance of Warre and when contracted at a low Ebb of Ill Successe And here we must not forget that amongst these seven Kings during the Heptarchie commonly one was most puissant over-ruling the rest who stiled himself a Camden's Brit. pag. 139. King of the English Nation 18. But to return to the British Church and the year of our Lord 449 wherein S t. Patrick Irish S. Patrick said to live and die at Glassenbury the Apostle of Ireland is notoriously reported to have come to Glassenbury where finding twelve old Monks Successours to those who were first founded there by Ioseph of Arimathea he though unwilling was chosen their Abbot and lived with them 39 yeares observing the Rule of S t. Mark and his Aegptian Monks the Order of Benedictines being as yet unborn in the world Give we here a List of these 12 Monks withall forewarning the Reader that for all their harsh Sound they are so many Saints least otherwise he should suspect them by the ill noise of their Names to be worse Creatures 1. Brumbam 2. Hyregaan 3. Brenwall 4. VVencreth 5. Bantom-meweng 6. Adel-wolred 7. Lowar 8. VVellias 9. Breden 10. Swelves 11. Hinloemius 12. Hin But know that some of these Names as the 3. 6. and 9. are pure plain b First observed by Mr. Camden and since by the Arch-bishop of Armach He is made Co-partner in the Church with the Virgin Mary Saxon words which renders the rest suspected So that whosoever it was that first gave these British Monks such Saxon Names made more Haste then good Speed preventing the true Language of that Age. 19. So great was the Credit of S t. Patrick at Glassenbury that after his Death and Buriall there that Church which formerly was dedicated to the Virgin Mary alone was in after-Ages jointly consecrated to her and S t. Patrick A great Presumption For if it be true what is reported that at the first by direction of the Angel c See 1. Cent. 11. Parag. Gabriel that Church was solely devoted to the Virgin Mary surely either the same or some other Angel of equall Power ought to have ordered the Admission of S t. Patrick to the same to be match'd and impaled with the Blessed Virgin in the Honour thereof In reference to S t. Patrick's being at Glassenbur severall Saxon Kings granted large Charters with great Profits and Priviledges to this Place 20. But now the Spight is that an unparallel'd d James Usher de Brit. Ecc. Primord pag. 875. 883 894. 895. Yet the Credit of Patrick's being at Glassenbury shrewdly shaken Critick in Antiquity leaves this Patrick at this time sweating in the Irish Harvest having newly converted Lempster to the Faith and now gone into the province of Munster on the same Occasion Yea he denies and proveth the same that this Patrick ever liv'd or was buried at Glassenbury But be it known to whom it may concern that the British are not so over-fond of S t. Patrick as to ravish him into their Country against his will and the consent of Time Yea S t. Patrick miss'd as much Honour in not being at Glassenbury as Glassenbury hath lost Credit if he were never there seeing the British justly set as high a Rate on that Place as the Irish do on his Person See but the Glorious Titles which with small Alteration might serve for Ierusalem it self given to Glassenbury and seeing now the Place is for the most part buried in it's own Dust let none envy these Epithets for the Epitaph thereof Here lies the a Or Borough City vvhich once vvas the b In the Charter of King Ina and also in King Edgar's Fountain and Originall of all Religion built by Christs Disciples c Malmesbury MS. de Antiq. Eccles Glaston consecrated by Christ himself and this place is the d So called in the Charter of King Kenwin MOTHER OF SAINTS We are sorry therefore for S t. Patrick's sake if he was never there To salve all some have found out another Patrick called Seniour or Sen Patrick a nice difference equall with the Irish Apostle in Time and not much inferiour in Holinesse who certainly liv'd at Glassenbury The plain truth is that as in the e Plautus his Amphitruo Comoedian when there were two Amphitruo's and two Sosia's they made much fallacious Intricacy and pleasant Delusion in the eyes of the Spectatours So
Miracles which the Papists confidently report to be done by him after his Death in curing Sick people of their severall Maladies For such Souls which they fancy in Purgatory are so farre from healing others that they cannot help themselves Yea f Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 12. Bede calleth this Oswald jam cum Domino regnantem now reigning with the Lord. Yet the same g Lib. 3. cap. 2 Authour attesteth that even in his time it was the anniversary Custome of the Monks of Hexam to repair to Heofen-feld a place hard by where Oswald as aforesaid obtained his miraculous Victory and there to observe Vigils for the Salvation of his Soul plurimaque Psalmorum laude celebrata victimam pro eo mane sacrae oblationis offerre A Mongrel Action betwixt Good-will and VVill-worship though the eyes of their Souls in those Prayers looked not forward to the future petitioning for Oswald's Happinesse but backward to what was past gratulatory to the Blisse he had received Purgatory therefore cannot properly be founded on such Suffrages for the dead However such over-Officiousnesse though at first it was like the Herb in the Pot which doth neither good nor ill in after-Ages became like that wild a 2 King 4. 40 Gourd Anno Dom. poysoning mens Souls with Superstition 644 when they fell to down-right Praying for the departed 79. This year Paulinus The death of Paulinus late Arch-Bishop of York since Bishop of Rochester ended his Life and one Ithamar succeeded him born in Kent and the first English-man Bishop all being Forrainers before him As he was the first of his Nation I believe him the second of his Name meeting with no moe save onely b Exod. 6. 23. Ithamar the youngest Son of Aaron High-Priest of Israel 80. After King Oswald his Death 645 four Christian contemporary Kings flourished in England Most Christian King Oswy First Oswy King of Northumberland more commendable for the Managing then the Gaining of his Kingdome except any will say that no good Keeping can make amends for the ill Getting of a Crown seeing he defeated Ethelwald Oswald's Son and the true Heire thereof Bede c Lib. 3. c. 21. termeth him Regem Christianissimum The most Christian King a Stile wherewith the present Majesty of France will not be offended as which many years after was settled on his Ancestours Long had this Oswy endeavoured in vain by Presents to purchase Peace from Penda the Pagan King of Mercia who miserably harassed his Country and refused any Gifts though never so rich and great which were tendered unto him At last saith my d Idem Authour Oswy resolved VVe will offer our Presents to such a King who is higher in Command and humbler in his Courtesie as who will not disdain to accept them Whereupon he devoted his Daughter to God in her perpetuall Virginity and soon after obtained a memorable Conquest over his Enemies and cleared the Country from his Cruelty 81. Secondly Sigebert the too good Sigebert King of Essex and the Restorer of Religion in his Kingdome which formerly had apostatized after the Departure of Mellitus valiant and pious though taxed for his contumacious Company-keeping contrary to his Confessours command with an Excommunicated Count in whose House he was afterward murdered by two Villains Who being demanded the Cause of their Cruelty why they killed so harmlesse and innocent a Prince had nothing to say for themselves but they did it because his e Beda lib. 3. cap. 22. Goodnesse had done the Kingdome hurt such his pronenesse to pardon Offenders on their though but seeming Submission that his Meeknesse made many Malefactours But I hope and believe that the Heirs of Sigebert though the Story be silent herein finding his Fault amended it in themselves and exercised just Severity in the Execution of these two damnable Traitours 82. Anna may be accounted the third Successour to Sigebert 654 and happy in a numerous and holy Off-spring Anna happy in an holy issue Yea all his Children save Firminus the eldest slain with his Father in a Fight against Pagan Penda were either Mitred or Vailed when Living Sainted and Shrined when Dead as Erkenwald Bishop of London Ethelred or Audrey and Sexburga successively Foundresses and Abbesses of Elie VVithgith a Nun therein and Ethilburg Abbesse of Beorking nigh London 83. Peada 656 Prince of Mercia The conversion of the Mercians to Christianity under Prince Peada may make up the Quaternion who married Alfrede Daughter of Oswy King of Northumberland and thereupon renouncing Paganisme embraced Christianity and propagated it in his Dominions Indeed Penda his Father that Persecuter of Piety was still alive and survived two yeares after persisting an Heathen till Death but mollified to permit a Toleration of Christianity in his Subjects Yea Penda in his Old-age used an expression which might have beseemed the Mouth of a better man namely That he hated not Christians but onely such who f Beda lib. 3. cap. 21. professed Christ's Faith without his VVorks accounting them contemptible who pretended to Believe in God without Obeying him 84. A brace of Brethren St. Cedde and St. Chad. both Bishops both eminent for Learning and Religion now appeared in the Church so like in Name they are oft mistaken in Authours one for another Now though it be pleasant for Brethren to live together in Vnity Anno Dom. 656 yet it is not fit by Errour they should be jumbled together in Confusion Observe their Difference therefore S t. Cedde in Latine Ceddus I believe the elder born at a Flores Sanctorum pag. 35. London where afterward he was Bishop bred in Holy Island an active promoter in making the East-Saxons Converts or rather Reverts to the Faith He is remembred in the Romish Kalendar Ianuary the seventh S t. Chad in Latine Cedda born in b Idem p. 224. Northumberland bred likewise in Holy Island and Scholar to Aidanus He was Bishop of Lichfield a milde and modest man of whom more hereafter His death is celebrated in the Kalender March the second and the Dust of his Tombe is by Papists reported to cure all Diseases alike in Man and Beast I believe it might make the dumb to see and the lame to speak The later of these was as the Longest Liver so the most eminent in his Life who made many Christians and amongst the rest VVulfade and Rufine Sons to Wulphere King of Mercia succeeding Peada therein who was suddenly slain and his untimely Death was a great Loss to Religion 85. Look we now on the See of Canterbury Fridona first English Arch-bishop where to our comfort we have gotten one of our own Country-men into the place Fridona a Saxon. Yet for the more State of the businesse he assumed the name of Deus-dedit We know Arch-Bishops of his See are termed Alterius orbis Papae and such changing of Names was fashionable with the Popes He was
the Roman Rite To conclude let not the Reader expect the like exemplification of all Articles in following Synods so largely as here we have presented them For this Synod Stapleton b In his translation of Bede fol. 118. calls the first of the English Nation understand him whose Canons are completely extant and therefore more Patrimony is due to the Heir and Eldest Son then to the younger Brethren who shall be content to be confined to their Pensions I mean to have their Articles not exemplified but epitomized hereafter 97. Theodorus He envieth Wilfride Bishop of York Arch-Bishop of Canterbury beheld VVilfride Bishop of York one of great Parts and greater Passions with envious eyes and therefore to abate his Power he endeavoured that the Diocese of York might be divided VVilfride offended hereat goes over to Rome to impede the Project and by the way is tossed with a grievous Tempest It is an ill wind whicch bloweth no man Profit He is cast on the Shoar of Freezland in Belgia where the Inhabitants as yet Pagans were by his Preaching converted to Christianity This may be observed in this Wilfride his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were better then his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his casuall and occasionall were better then his intentionall Performances which shews plainly that Providence acted more vigourously in him then his own Prudence I mean when at Ease in Wealth at home he busied himself in Toyes and Trifles of Ceremonious Controversies but when as now and afterwards a Stranger and little better then an Exile he effectually promoted the Honour and Glory of God 98. And as it is observed of Nightingales The South-Saxons as formerly the Freezlanders converted by Wilfride that they sing the sweetest 679 when farthest from their Nests so this VVilfride was most diligent in God's Service when at the greatest distance from his own Home For though returning into England he returned not unto York but stayed in the Pagan Kingdome of the South-Saxons who also by God's Blessing on his Endeavours were perswaded to embrace the Christian Faith 99. These South-Saxons The first the last of all the seven Kingdomes were the last which submitted themselves to the perfect Freedome of God's Service and yet their Country was in Situation next to Kent where the Gospel was first planted Herein it was verified Many that are first shall be last and the last first Yea the Spirit which bloweth where it listeth observeth no visible Rules of Motion but sometimes taking no notice of those in the middle reacheth to them which are farthest off Indeed Edilwalch their King was a little before Christened by the perswasion of VVolphere King of Mercia who was his Godfather and at his baptizing gave him for a Gift the Isle of VVight provinciam a Bede lib. 4. cap. 13. Meanuarorum in gente Occidentalium Saxonum but his Country still remained in Paganisme And although Dicul a Scot with some six of his Brethren had a small Monastery at Bosenham in Sussex yet they rather enjoying themselves then medling with others were more carefull of their own Safety then their Neighbours Conversion And indeed the Pagans neither heeded their Life nor minded their Doctrine 100. However Pagan obstinacy punished with famine these South-Saxons paid for their Stubbornnesse in standing out so long against the Gospel for they alwayes were a miserable people and at this present afflicted with a great Famine caused by three years Drought so that fourty men in arow holding hand in hand used to throw themselves into the Sea to avoid the misery of a Lingering Death In this wofull Condition did VVilfride Bishop of York find them when he first preached the Gospel unto them and on that very day wherein he baptized them as if God from Heaven had powred water into the Font he obtained store of Rain which procured great Plenty Observe though I am not so ill-natured as to wrangle with all Miracles an Apish Imitation of Elijah who carried the Key of Heaven at his Girdle to lock or unlock it by his Prayer onely Elijah gave Rain after three yeares and six moneths VVilfride after bare three yeares it being good manners to come a little short of his Betters 101. South-Saxons first taught to fish Also saith my b Bede ibidem Authour he taught the people who till then knew not how to catch any Fishes but Eeles how to take all kind of Fish in the Sea and Rivers Strange that thus long they should live in Ignorance of so usefull a Trade being though Infidels no Idiots especially seeing mens Capacities come very soon to be of age to understand their own Profit and the Examples of their Neighbours might have been Tutours unto them But Wilfride afterward wanted no Hearers Anno Dom. 680 People flocking unto him as when Christ made his Auditours his Guests they followed after him because they ate of the Loaves and were filled The Priests Eappa Padda Bruchelin and Oidda assisted in baptizing the common people and King Edilwalch gave VVilfride a piece of Land containing eighty nine Families at Selsey where he erected a Bishops See since translated to Chichester 102. Amongst other good deeds A double good deed VVilfride freed two hundred and fifty men and maid-Servants both out of Soul-Slavery and Bodily Bondage For having baptized them he procured their Liberty of their Masters which they no doubt chearfully embraced according to S t. Paul's a 1 Cor. 7. 21. counsel Art thou called a Servant care not for it but if thou maist be made free use it rather And thus by God's Blessing in the space of eighty and two yeares from five hundred ninety seven to six hundred seventy nine was the whole Saxon Heptarchie converted to Christianity and did never again relapse to Paganisme 103. Godfathers used to men of nature Age. Mention being b Parag. 99. lately made of VVolphere the Mercian King his being Godfather unto Edilwalch King of the South-Saxons some will much admire that one arrived at yeares of Maturity able to render an Account of his Faith should have a Godfather which with Swadling-clouts they conceive belong to Infants alone Yet this was very fashionable in that Age not onely for the greater state in Kings Princes and Publick Persons but in majorem cautelam even amongst Private people For such Susceptors were thought to put an Obligation on the Credits and by reflection on the Consciences of new Christians whereof too many in those dayes were baptized out of civile Designes to walk worthy of their Profession were it but to save their Friends Reputation who had undertaken for their Sincerity therein 104. Cadwallader Cadwallader founds a VVelsh Hospital at Rome the last King of VVales wearied out with Warre Famine and Pestilence left his own Land and with some small Treasure fled to Alan King of Little Britain But Princes are welcome in forrain parts when Pleasure not Need brings them
it for the single life of one man except in some case of Extremity to help against Famine Invasion of Foes or for obtaining of Freedome 8. That things dedicated to God remain so for ever 9. That the Acts of all Synods be fairly written out with the Date thereof and name of the Arch-bishop President and Bishops present thereat 10. That Bishops at their death give the full Tithe of their Goods to the Poor and set free every English-man which in their life-time was a Slave unto them 11. That Bishops invade not the Diocese prists the Parish neither the Office of another save onely when desired to baptize or visit the Sick The Refusers whereof in any place are to be suspended their Ministery till reconciled to the Bishop 12. That they pour not water upon the Heads of Infants but immerge them in the Font in imitation of Christ who say they was thrice c See Sr. Hen. Spelman pag. 331. so washed in Iordan But where is this in Scripture Anno Dom. 816 The manifestation indeed of the Trinity plainly appears in the a Matth. 3. 16 17. Text Anno Regis Egberti 16 Father in the Voice Son personally present Holy Spirit in the Dove but as for thrice washing him altum silentium However see how our modern Sectaries meet Popery in shunning it requiring the person to be plunged though Criticks have cleared it that Baptize doth import as well Dipping as Drenching in water 5. And now we take our farewell of King Kenulph Egbert proclaimed Monarch of England who for all his great Bustling in Church-matters for the first twenty yeares in this Century was as genus subalternum amongst the Logitians a King over his Subjects yet but a Subject to King Egbert 820 who now at Winchester was solemnly crowned Monarch of the Southern and greater Moiety of this Island 20 enjoyning all the people therein to term it Engelond since England that so the petty Names of seven former distinct Kingdomes might be honourably buried in that general Appellation 6 Some will wonder Seven Kingdomes swallowed up in Engelond seeing this Narion was compounded of Saxons Iuites and Angles why it should not rather be denominated of the first as in Number greatest and highest in Reputation Such consider not that a Grand Continent in Germany was already named Saxony and it was not handsome for this Land to wear a Name at second hand belonging to another Besides England is a name of Credit importing in Dutch the same with the Land of b Verstegan of decayed intelligence Angels And now the Name stamped with the Kings Command soon became currant and extinguished all the rest For Kent Essex Sussex Northumberland though remaining in common Discourse shrunk from former Kingdomes into modern Counties VVestsex Mercia and East-Angles were in effect finally forgotten It will not be amisse to wish that seeing so great a Tract of Ground meets in one Name the People thereof may agree in Christian Vnity and Affections 7. King Egbert was now in the Exaltation of his Greatnesse Danes disturb King Egbert But never will humane Happinesse hold out full Measure to mans Desire Freed from home-bred Hostility he was ready to repose himself in the Bed of Ease and Honour when the Danes not onely jogged his Elbows but pinched his Sides to the disturbance of his future Quiet 831 They beat the English in a Navall Fight at Carmouth in Dorsetshire 31 which proved fatall to our Nation For an Island is never an Island indeed untill mastered at Sea cut off from Commerce with the Continent Henceforward these Pagans settled themselves in some part of the Land though claiming it by no other Title then their own Pride and Covetousnesse and keeping it in no other Tenure then that of Violence and Cruelty 8. Athelwolphus his Son succeeded King Egbert in the Throne Athelwolphus his universal grant of Tithes to the Church a Prince not lesse commended for his Valour 837 then Devotion Ethelwolphi 1 and generally fortunate in his Undertakings though much molested all his life-time by the Danes But nothing makes him so remarkable to Posterity as the granting of this Charter or rather the solemn passing of this Act ensuing c Ex Ingulph Malmesb. Gest Reg. lib. 2. cap. 2. Regnante Domino nostro Iesu Christo in perpetuum Dum in nostris temporibus bellorum incendia direptiones opum nostrarum nec non vast antium crudelissimas depraedationes hostium barbarorum Paganarumque gentium multiplices tribulationes ad affligendum usque ad internecionem cernimus tempora incumbere periculosa Quamobrem ego Ethelwolphus Rex Occidentalium Saxonum cum consilio Episcoporum ac Principum meorum consilium salubre atque uniforme remedium affirmavi Vt aliquam portionem terrarum haereditariam antea possidentibus omnibus gradibus sive famulis famulabus Dei Deo servientibus sive laicis semper decimam mansionem ubi minimum sit tamen partem decimam in libertatem perpetuam perdonari dijudicavi ut sit tuta at munita ab omnibus secularibus servitutibus nec non regalibus tributis majoribus minoribus sive taxationibus quod nos dicimus Witereden Sitque libera omnium rerum pro remissione animarum nostrarum ad serviendum Deo soli sine Expeditione pontis instructione arcis munitione ut eo diligentius pro nobis ad Deum preces sine cessatione fundant quo eorum servitutem in aliqua parte levigarius Placuit etiam Episcopis Alhstano Schireburnensis Ecclesiae Swithuno Wintoniensis Ecclesiae Anno Dom. 837 cum suis Abbatibus servis Dei consilium inire ut omnes fratres sorores nostrae ad unamquamque Ecclesiam omni hebdomada die Mercurii hoc est Weddensday cantent quinquaginta psalmos unusquisque Presbyter duas Missas unam pro rege Ethelwolpho aliam pro ducibus ejus huic dono consentibus pro mercede refrigerio delictorum suorum pro Rege vivente dicant Oremus Deus qui justificas pro ducibus etiam viventibus Praetende Domine postquam autem defuncti fuerint pro Rege defuncto singulariter pro principibus defunctis communiter Et hoc sit tam firmiter constitutum omnibus Christianitatis diebus sicut libertas illa constituta est quamdiu fides crescit in gente Anglorum This Athelwolphus was designed by his Father to be Bishop of Winchester 11 bred in a Monastery 848 alias 855 after taken out and absolved of his Vows by the Pope and having had Church-education in his Youth 18 retained to his Old-age the indeleble Character of his affections thereunto In expression whereof in a solemn Council kept at Winchester he subjected the whole Kingdome of England to the Payment of Tithes as by the foregoing Instrument doth appear He was the first born Monarch of England Indeed before his time there were
he pleased Lastly on pious Princes whose blind Zeal and misled Devotion thought nothing too precious for him in which from we rank this Edward the Elder then King of England And it is worth our observing that in point of Power and Profit what the Popes once get they ever hold being as good at keeping as catching so that what one got by Encroching his Successour prescribed that Encrochment for a Title which whether it will hold good in matter of Right it is not for an Historian to dispute 3. But to return to our Story The Pope pleased and England absolved again We are glad to see Malmesbury so merry who calleth this Passage of the Popes interdicting England Iocundum memor atu pleasant to be reported because it ended so well For Pleigmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury posted to Rome bringing with him honorifica munera such Ushers will make one way through the thickest Croud to the Popes Presence informing his Holinesse that Edward King of England in a late-summoned Synod had founded some new and supplied all old vacant Bishopricks Pacified herewith the Pope turned his Curse into a Blessing and ratified their Elections The worst is a learned b Sir Henry Spelman in Conciliis pag. 389. Pen tells me that in this Story there is an inextricable Errour in point of Chronology which will not suffer Pope Formosus and this King Edward the Elder to meet together And Baronius makes the Mistake worse by endeavouring to mend it I have so much Warinesse as not to enter into that Labyrinth out of which I cannot return but leave the Doubt to the Popes Datarie to clear proper to him as versed in such matters The same c Idem ibidem Pen informs me that the sole way to reconcile the Difference is to read Pope Leo the fifth instead of Pope Formosus which for Quietnesse I am content to do the rather because such a Roaring Curse best beseems the mouth of a Lion 4. Hear now the names of the seven Bishops which Pleigmund consecrated in one day Vacant Bishopricks supplied and new erected a great dayes-work and a good one if all were fit for the Function Fridstan Bishop of Winchester a Learned and Holy man Werstan of Shireburn Kenulfe of Dorchester Beornege of Selsey Athelme of VVells Eadulfe of Crediton in Devon and Athelstan in Cornwall of S t. Petrocks These three last VVestern Bishopricks were in this Council newly erected But S t. Petrocks had never long any settled Seat being much in motion translated from Bodman in Cornwall upon the wasting of it by the Danes to S t. Germans in the same County and afterward united to Crediton in Devonshire This Bishoprick was founded principally for the reduction of the rebellious Cornish to the Romish Rites who as they used the Language so they imitated the Lives and Doctrine of the ancient Britans neither hitherto King Edward in a new Synod confirms his fathers constitutions nor long after submitting themselves to the See Apostolick 5. A Synod was called at Intingford where Edward the Elder and Guthurn King of the Danes in that part of England which formerly belonged to the East-Angles onely confirmed the same d Lambert in his Saxon Laws and Sir Henry Spelman in his Councils pag. 390. ecclesiasticall Constitutions which Alured Edwards Father with the said Guthurn had made before Here the curious Palats of our Age will complain of Crambe that two Kings with their Clergy should meet together onely actum agere to do what was done to their hands But whilest some count all Councils idle which do not add or alter others will commend their Discretion Anno Regis Edvardi Sen. 5 who can discern what is well ordered already Anno Dom. 906 approve their Policie in enjoyning such things unto others and principally praise their Piety for practising them in themselves And whosoever looks abroad into the world with a judicious Eye will soon see that there is not so much need of New Laws the Multitude whereof rather cumbers mens Memories then quickens their Practise as an absolute necessity to enforce Old Laws with a new and vigorous Execution of them 6. And now King Edward 14 remembring the pious Example of his Father Alfred in founding of Oxford 915 began to repair and restore the University of Cambridge Cambridge University repaired by King Edward For the Danes who made all the Sea-coasts of England their Haunt and kept the Kingdome of the East-Angles for their Home had banished all Learning from that place Apollo's Harp being silenced by Mars his Drum till this Kings Bounty brought Learning back again thither as by his following Charter may appear In a a Charta extat in MS. codice qui Cantabrigiae est in Aula Clarensi ejusdem meminit Tho. Rudburn nec non Ioh. Rossus nomine D. Iesu Christi Ego Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Anglorum divino compulsus amore praecepto Joannis Apostolicae Sedis Episcopi ac Pleigmundi Cantuar. Archiepisc consilio omnium Sacerdotum Principum meae Dominationis universa singula Privilegia Doctoribus Scholaribus Cantabrigiae nec non servientibus eorundem uti ab olim viguit indesinenter Mater Philosophiae reperitur in praesenti Fons Clerimoniae à me data seu ab Antecessoribus meis quomodo libet concessa stabili jure grata rata decerno durare quamdiu vertigo Poli circa Terras atque Aequora Aethera Syderum justo moderamine volvet Datum in Grantecestria anno ab Incarnatione D. 915. venerabili Fratri Frithstano Civitatis Scholarium Cantabrig Cancellario Doctori per suum c. The Credit of this Charter is questioned by some because of the barbarous Stile thereof as if an University were disgraced with honourable Priviledges granted unto it in base Latine But know that Age was so poor in Learning it could not go to the Cost of good Language Who can look to find a fair Face in the hotest parts of Aethiopia Those Times were ignorant and as it is observed of the Country-people born at the Village of b Camden's Brit. in Leicestershire pag. 517. Carlton in Leicestershire that they have all proceeding from some secret cause in their Soil or Water a strange uncouth VVharling in their Speech so it was proper to the persons writing in this Age to have a harsh unpleasant grating Stile and so much the sowrer to Criticall Eares the more it is sweetned with an affected Rhythm though a Blemish yet a Badge of their genuine Deeds which were passed in those times 7. Hear also what Iohn Rouse an excellent Antiquary The Testimony of Iohn Rouse concerning K. Edward's repairing of Cambridge furnished by King Edward the fourth with Privacy and Pension to collect the Monuments of this Land alleageth to this purpose Who being bred in Oxford and having written a Book in confutation of those which deduce the Foundation of this Vniversity from
Cruelty to himself if unwillingly was it Dunstan's Fire or his Faith that fail'd him that he could hold out against him no longer But away with all Suspicions and Queries none need to doubt of the truth thereof finding it in a Sign painted in Fleet-street near Temple-barre 16. During Dunstan's abode in his Cell Aelsgine Dunstan's bountifull friend he had to his great Comfort and Contentment the company of a good Lady Aelfgine by name living fast by No Preacher but Dunstan would please her being so ravisht with his Society that she would needs build a little Cell for her self hard by him In processe of time this Lady died and by her last Will left Christ to be the Heir and Dunstan the Executor of her Estate Enabled with the accession thereof joyned to his paternall Possessions which were very great and now fallen into his hands Dunstan erected the Abbey of Glassenbury and became himself first Abbot thereof a Title till his time unknown in England he built also and endowed many other Monasteries filling them with Benedictine Monks who began now to swarm in England more then Magots in a hot May so incredible was their Increase 17. After the death of King Athelstane 16 Dunstan was recalled to Court in the reign of King Edmund 939 Athelstan's Brother Recalled to Court and re-banished thence and flourished for a time in great Favour But who would build on the brittle Bottome of Princes Love Soon after he falls into the Kings Disfavour Edmundi 1 the old Crime 940 of being a Magician and a Wanton with Women to boot being laid to his charge Surely Dunstan by looking on his own Furnace might learn thence there was no Smoak but some Fire either he was dishonest or undiscreet which gave the Ground-work to their generall Suspicion Hereupon he is re-banisht the Court and returned to his desired Cell at Glassenbury but within three dayes was solemnly brought back again to Court if the ensuing Story may be believed 18. King Edmund was in an eager pursuit of a Buck King Edmund his miraculous deliverance on the top of a steep Rock whence no Descent but Destruction Down falls the Deer and Dogs after him and are dashed to pieces The King follows in full speed on an unruly Horse whom he could not rein is on the Brink of the Brink of the Precipice yet his Prayers prove swifter then his Horse he but ran whilst they did fly to Heaven He is sensible of his Sin in banishing Dunstan confesseth it with Sorrow vowes Amendment promiseth to restore preferre him Instantly the Horse stops in his full Career and his Rider is wonderfully preserved 19. Thus farre a strong Faith may believe of the Story Fy for shame lying Monk but it must be a wild one which gives credit to the remainder a Ross Histor Matt. West Iob. Capgr Osbernus Cervus Canes reviviscunt saith the impudent Monk The Deer Dogs revive again I remember not in Scripture that God ever revived a brute Beast partly because such mean subjects are beneath the Majesty of a Miracle and partly because as the Apostle faith brute Beasts b 2 Pet. â— 12. are made to be taken destroyed Well then might the Monk have knockt off when he had done well in saving the Man and Horse and might have left the Dogs Deer to have remained dead on the place the Deer especially were it but to make Venison Pasties to feast the Courtiers at the solemnizing of their Lord and Masters so miraculous Deliverance 20. Dunstan returning to Court was in higher Favour then ever before 6 Edredi 1 Nor was his Interest any whit abated by the untimely Death of King Edmund slain by one Leoff a Thief seeing his Brother Edred 946 succeeding to the Crown King Edred a high Patron of Dunstan continued and increased his Kindness to him Under him Dunstan was the Doe-all at Court Anno Dom. 946 being the Kings Treasurer Anno Regis Edredi 1 Chancellour Counsellour all things Bishopricks were bountifully profered him pick and chuse where he please but none were honoured with his Acceptance Whether because he accounted himself too high for the place and would not stoop to the Employment or because he esteemed the place too high for him unable conscientiously to discharge it in the midst of so many Avocations Mean time Monasteries were every where erected King Edred devoutly resigning all his Treasure to Dunstan's Disposall Secular Priests being thrust out of their Convents and Monks substituted in their rooms 21. But after Edred's Death But King Edwine his profest Enemy the Case was altered with Dunstan falling into Disgrace with King Edwin his Successour 954 This King on his Coronation-day was said to be incestuously imbracing both Mother Daughter 9 Edwini 1 when Dunstan boldly coming into his Bed-chamber after bitter Reproofs stoutly fetcht him thence and brought him forth into the company of his Noblemen An heroick act if true done with a Iohn Baptist spirit and no wonder if Herod and Herodias I mean this incestuous King and his Concubines were highly offended with Dunstan for the same 22. But good men Who though wronged by the Monks was a worthy Prince and grave Authours give no belief herein conceiving King Edwin how bad soever charactered by the Monks his malicious Enemies to have been a worthy Prince In witnesse whereof they produce the words of a Hist lib. 5. pag. 357. Henry Huntington a learned man but no Monk thus describing him Edwin non illaudabiliter regni insulam tenuit Et rursus Ed win rex anno regni sui quito cum in principio regnum ejus decentissime flor eret prospera laetabunda exordia mors immatura perrupit Edwin was not undeserving of praise in managing the Sceptre of this Land And again King Edwin in the fifth year of his Reign when his Kingdome began at first most decently to flourish had his prosperous and pleasant Beginnings broken off with untimely Death This Testimony considered makes many men think better of King Edwin and worse of Dunstan as guilty of some uncivil Intrusion into the Kings Chamber for which he justly incurred his royall Displeasure 23. Hereupon Dunstan is banished by King Edwin He banisheth Dunstan and dieth heart-broken with grief not as before from England to England from the Court to his Cell at Glassenbury but is utterly expelled the Kingdome and flieth into Flanders Where his Friends say that his Fame prepared his Welcome the Governour of Gaunt most solemnly entertained him 956 Mean time 3 all the Monks in England of Dunstan's Plantation were rooted up and Secular Priests set in their places But soon after happened many Commotions in England especially in Mercia and Northumberland The Monks which write the Story of these Rebellions conceive it unfit to impart to Posterity the Cause thereof which makes wise men to
of Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury in this manner Coming to the Arch-bishop he saith Da mihi Basium that is Give me a Buss or a Kisse an usuall Favour from such a Prelate The Arch-bishop returns Dotibi Basium kissing him therewith An holy Kiss perchance as given but a crafty one as taken for Godwin presently posts to Boseham and takes possession thereof And though here was neither real Intention in him who passed it away nor valuable Consideration to him but a mere Circumvention yet such was Godwin's Power and the Arch-bishops Poornesse of spirit that he quietly enjoyed it Nor have I ought else to observe either of Berkley or Boseham but that both these rich and ancient Mannours Earle Godwin his brace of Cheats and distant an hundred miles each from other are now both met in the Right Honourable George Berkeley as Heir apparent thereof the paramount Mecoenas of my Studies whose Ancestors as they were long since justly possessed of them so I doubt not but their Posterity will long comfortably enjoy them 21. The Monks that wrote this King Edward's life A miracle reported done by King Edward had too heavy a hand in over-spicing it with Miracles which hath made the Relation too hot for the Mouth of any moderate Belief A poor Cripple chanced to come to him one who might have stockt a whole Hospitall with his own Maladies It was questionable whether the Difficulty of his Crawling caused more Pain or the Deformity thereof more Shame unto him The sight of him made all tender Beholders Cripples by Sympathie commiserating his sad Condition But it seems this weak Wretch had a strong Fancy and bold Face who durst desire the King himself to carry him on his Back into the Church on assurance as he said that thereby he should be recovered The good King grants his Desire and this Royal Porter beares him into the Church where so strange an Alteration is said to happen Qui venit quadrupes decessit bipes He that came on all four departed straight and upright 22. The Church into which the King carried the Cripple 19 was S t. Peter's in VVestminister 1061 built by him on this Occasion Westminster Church rebuilt by him King Edward had made a Vow to visit the Reliques of S t. Peter in Rome and because his Subjects could not safely spare him out of his own Country the Pope dispensed with him for the Performance thereof Now although he went not to S t. Peter S t Peter came to him and in severall Apparitions advised him to build him a Church in the place now called Westminster then Thornie because desolate and overgrown with Thorns and Briars Nor is it any news that populous Cities at this present were anciently Woods and Bushie plots What else was Ierusalem it self in the dayes of Abraham but a Thornie when in the middest thereof on Mount Moriah a Ram was caught by the a Gen. 22. 13. Horns in a Thicket This Church many yeares before had been dedicated to and as the Monks say consecrated by S t Peter till destroyed by the Danes King Edward raised it from the Ruines endowing it with large Priviledges and rich Possessions 23. Next to St. Peter A Ring said to be sent from St. Iohn to King Edward our Edward's Darling he is said to be most in Favour with S t. Iohn the Apostle who is reported to have appeared unto him in the shape of a Begging Pilgrim the King not having at the present Money to supply his Wants pluckt off his Ring from his Finger and bestowed it upon him This very Ring some yeares after S t. Iohn sent him back again by two Pilgrims out of Palestine but withall telling him that he should die within six moneths after a Message more welcome then the Ring to such a mortified man If any doubt of the truth thereof it is but riding to Havering in Essex so called as b Camden's Britan. in Essex they say from this Ring where no doubt the Inhabitants will give any sufficient Satisfaction therein 24. Amongst the many Visions in this Kings Reign A Vision worth observing one I will not omit because seeming to have some what more then mere Monk therein One being inquisitive what should become of England after King Edward's Death received this Answer The Kingdome of England belongeth to God himself who will provide it a King at his pleasure Indeed England is Gods on severall Titles First as a Country the Earth is his and the Fulnesse-thereof Secondly as an Island which are Gods Demesnes which he keeps in his own hand of his daily Providence Thirdly as a Kingdome on which he hath bestowed miraculous Deliverances Seeing then England is his own we know who said c Mat. 20. 15 Is it not lawfull to doe what I will with mine own May he dispose of his own to his own Glory and the good of his own Servants 25. Amongst the many resplendent Vertues in King Edward King Edward's contempt of wealth Contempt of Wealth was not the least whereof some bring in this for an Instance The King lay on a Pallet surrounded with Curtains by him stood a Chest of Silver which Hugolin his Treasurer called away on some sudden Occasion had left open In comes a thievish Courtier takes away as much Money as he could carry and disposeth thereof Then cometh he the second time for a new Burden little suspecting that the unseen King saw him all the while and having laden himself departed Some adde he returned the third time Be content quoth the King with what you have lest Anno Dom. 1061 if Hugolin come in and catch you Anno Regis Edvardi Confessoris 19 he take it all from you Soon after the Treasurer returning and fretting for loss of the Money Let him have it quietly said the King he needeth it more then we do Words which spake him a better man then King as accessary to his own Robbing who if pleased to have made this pilfering Fellow to have tasted of the Whip for his pains had marred a pretty Jast but made a better Earnest therein 26. Posterity conceived so great an opinion of King Edward's Piety King Edward's Wardrobe put into the Regalia that his Cloath were deposited amongst the Regalia and solemnly worn by our English Kings on their Coronation never counting themselves so fine as when invested with his Robes the Sanctity of Edward the first Wearer excusing yea adorning the modern Antiquenesse of his Apparell Amongst these is the Rod or Sceptre with a Dove on the Top thereof the Emblem of Peace because in his Reign England enjoyed Halcyon dayes free from Danish Invasions as also his Crown Chair Staffe Tunick close Pall a See Mills his Catalogue of honour p. 59. Tuisni hosen Sandalls Spurres Gloves c. Expect not from me a Comment on these severall Cloaths or reason for the wearing of them In generall it was to mind our
thereof improve the Popes power by invading the undoubted priviledges of King John The Monks soberly excused themselves that they durst not proceed to an election without the Kings consent but affrighted at last with the high threats of his Holiness menacing them with Excommunication Stephen Langton was chosen accordingly One that wanted not ability for the place but rather had too much as King John conceived having his high spirit in suspition that he would be hardly managed 4. Then two Letters were dispatch'd from the Pope The Pope sends two Letters of contrary tempers to the King to the King 1207. The first had nothing of business 10. but complement and four gold Rings with several stones desiring him rather to minde the mysterie then value the worth of the present wherein the Round form signified Eternity their Square Number Constancy the green Smaragd Faith the clear Saphir Hope the red Granat Charity the bright Topaz good works How pretious these stones were in themselves is uncertain most sure it is they proved Dear to King John who might beshrow his own fingers for ever wearing those Rings and as my * Mat. Paris in Anno 1207. pag. 223. Author saith soon after gemmae commutatae in gemitus For in the second Letter the Pope recommended Stephen Langton to the Kings acceptance closely couching threats in case he refused him 5. King John returned an answer full of stomach and animosity King Johns return raising his voice to too high a note at first that this was an intolerable encroachment on his Crown and Dignity which he neither could nor would digest to have a stranger unknown unto him bred in forrein parts familiar with the French King his sworn enemy obtruded upon him for an Arch-Bishop He minded the Pope that he had plenty of Prelates in the Kingdome of England sufficiently provided in all kind of knowledge and that he need not to go abroad to seek for judgement and justice Anno Regis Job 10. intimating an intended defection from Rome Anno Dom. 1207. in case he was wronged Other passages were in his letter which deserved memory had they beeâ— as vigorously acted as valiantly spoken Whereas now because he fouly failed at last judicious ears hearken to his words no otherwise then to the empty brags of impotent anger and the vain evaporations of his discontentment However he began high not onely banishing the Monks of Canterbury for their contempt out of his Kingdome but also forbidding Stephen Langton from once entring into England 6. Hereupon Pope Innocent Three Bishops by command from the Pope Interdict the whole Kingdome the third employed three Bishops William of London Eustace of Ely and Mauger of Worcester to give the King a serious admonition and upon his denial or delaying to receive Stephen Langton for Arch-Bishop to proceed to Interdict the Kingdome of all Ecclesiasticall service saving Baptisme of Children Confession and the Eucharist to the dying in case of necessity which by them was performed accordingly No sooner had they Interdicted the Kingdome but with Joceline Bishop of Bath and Giles of Hereford they as speedily as secretly got them out of the Land like adventurous Empiricks unwilling to wait the working of their desperate Physick except any will compare them to fearfull Boyes which at the first tryall set fire to their squibs with their faces backwards and make fast away from them but the worst was they must leave their lands and considerable moveables in the kingdome behind them 7. See now on a sudden the sad face of the English Church Englands sad case under Interdiction A face without a tongue no singing of service no saying of Masse no reading of Prayers as for preaching of Sermons the lazinesse and ignorance of those times had long before interdicted them None need pity the living hearing the impatient complaints of Lovers for whose marriage no licence could be procured when he looks on the dead a Corpora defunctorum more Canum in Bivijs fossatis sine orationibus sacerdotum ministerio sepelibantur Matt. Paris pag. 226 who were buried in ditches like dogs without any prayers said upon them True a well informed Christian knows full well that a corps though cast in a bogge shall not stick there at the day of judgement thrown into a Wood shall then finde out the way buried by the high wayes side is in the ready Road to the Resurrection In a word that wheresoever a body be put or plac'd it will equally take the Alarum at the last Trumpet Yet seeing these People beleeved that a Grave in consecrated ground was a good step to Heaven and were taught that prayers after their death were essentaill to their Salvation it must needs put strange fears into the heads and hearts both of such which deceased and their friends which survived them And although afterwards at the intreaty of Stephen Langton the Pope indulged to conventuall b Antiq. Brit. in Steph Langton pag. 159. Churches to have Service once a Week Yet Parish Churches where the Peoples need was as much and number far more of souls as dear in Gods sight were debar'd of that benefit 8. Some Priests were well pleased that the Interdiction for a time should continue Two grand effects wrought by this Interdiction as which would render their persons and places in more reputation and procure a higher valuation of Holy mysteries Yea this fasting would be wholesome to some souls who afterwards would feed on Divine Service with greater appetite Hereby two Grand effects were generally produc'd in the Kingdom One a terrible impression made in mens mindes of the Popes Power which they had often heard of and now saw and felt whose long arm could reach from Rome all over England and lock the doors of all Churches there an Emblem that in like manner he had or might have bolted the Gates of Heaven against them The second an Alienation of the peoples hearts from King John all being ready to complain O cruell Tyrant over the souls of his Subjects whose wilfulnesse depriveth them of the means of their salvation King Johns innocence the Popes injustice in these proceedings 9. However if things be well weighed King John will appear meerly passive in this matter suffering unjustly because he would not willingly part with his undoubted right Besides suppose him guilty what equity was it that so many thousands in England who in this particular case might better answer to the name of Innocent then his Holinesse himself should be involved in his punishment God indeed sometimes most justly punisheth subjects for the defaults of their Soveraignes as in the case of the plague destroying the people for Davids numbring of them But it appears in the a Compare the 2 Sam. 74. 1 with the 1 Chron. 21. 1 Text that formerly they had been offenders and guilty before God as all men at all times are But seeing
the English at this present had not injured his Holinesse by any personall offence against him the Pope by Interdicting the whole Realme discovered as much emptinesse of Charity as plenitude of Power But some will say his bounty is to be praised that he permitted the People some Sacraments who might have denied them all in rigour and with as much right yea 't is well he Interdicted not Ireland also as a Countrey under King Johns Dominion deserving to smart for the perversnesse of their Prince placed over it 10. But after the continuance of this Interdiction King John by name excommunicated a year and upwards 1209. the horrour thereof began to abate 10. Use made ease and the weight was the lighter born by many shoulders Yea the Pope perceived that King John would never be weary with his single share in a generall Burden and therefore proceeded Nominatim to excommunicate him For now his Holinesse had his hand in having about this time excommunicated Otho the German Emperour and if the Imperiall Cedar had so lately been blasted with his Thunderbolts no wonder if the English Oak felt the same fire He also Assoiled all English subjects from their Allegiance to King John and gave not onely Licence but Incouragement to any Forreigners to invade the land so that it should not onely be no sinne in them but an expiating of all their other sinnes to conquer England Thus the Pope gave them a Title and let their own swords by Knight-service get them a Tenure 11. Five years did King John lie under this sentence of Excommunication Yet is blessed with good successe under the Popes curse in which time we find him more fortunate in his Martiall Affairs 1210. then either before or after 11. For he made a successefull voyage into Ireland as greedy a Grave for English Corps as a bottomlesse Bag for their Coin and was very triumphant in a Welsh Expedition and stood on honourable termes in all Foraine Relations For as he kept Ireland under his feet and Wales under his elbow so he shak't hands in fast friendship with Scotland and kept France at arms end without giving hitherto any considerable Advantage against him The worst was not daring to repose trust in his Subjects he was forced to entertain Forainers which caused his constant anxiety as those neither stand sure nor go safe who trust more to a staffe then they lean on their legs Besides to pay these Mercenary Souldiers he imposed unconscionable Taxes both on the English Clergy especially and Jews in the Kingdom One Jew there was of b Mat. Paris in Anno 1210. pag. 229 Bristoll vehemently suspected for wealth though there was no cleer Evidence thereof against him of whom the King demanded ten thousand Marks of silver and upon his refusall commanded that every day a Tooth with intolerable torture should be drawn out of his head which being done seven severall times on the eight day he confessed his wealth and payed the fine demanded who yeelding sooner had sav'd his teeth or stubborn longer had spar'd his money now having both his Purse and his Jaw empty by the Bargain Condemn we here mans cruelty and admire heavens justice for all these summes extorted from the Jews by temporall Kings are but paying their Arrerages to God for a debt they can never satisfie namely the crucifying of Christ 12. About the same time The Prophesie of Peter of Wakefield against K John one Peter of Wakefield in Yorkshire a Hermit 1212. prophesied that John should be King of England 13. no longer then next Ascension-day after which solemn Festivall on which Christ mounted on his glorious Throne took possession of his heavenly Kingdom this Oppose of Christ should no longer enjoy the English Diadem And as some report he foretold that none of King Johns linage should after him be crowned in the Kingdom Anno Regis Joh. 13. The King called this Prophet an a Fox Martyr pag. 229. Idiot-Knave Anno Dom. 1212. which description of him implying a contradiction the King thus reconciled pardoning him as an Idiot and punishing him as a Knave with imprisonment in Kors-Castle The fetters of the prophet gave wings to his prophesie and whereas the Kings neglecting it might have puft this vain Prediction into wind men began now to suspect it of some solidity because deserving a wise Princes notice and displeasure Farre and neer it was dispersed over the whole Kingdom it being b Cominaeus faith that the English are never without some Prophesie on foot generally observed that the English nation are most superstitious in beleeving such reports which causeth them to be more common here then in other Countries For as the Receiver makes the Thief so popular credulity occasioneth this Propheticall vanity and Brokers would not set such base ware to sale but because they are sure to light on chapmen 13. Leave we the person of this Peter in a dark Dungeon 14. and his credit as yet in the Twilight 1213. betwixt Prophet and Impostor to behold the miserable condition of King John King Johns submission to the Pope perplexed with the daily preparation of the French Kings Invasion of England assisted by many English Male-contents and all the banish'd Bishops Good Patriots who rather then the fire of their Revenge should want fuel would burn their own Countrey which bred them Hereupon King John having his soul battered without with forrain fears and foundred within by the falsenesse of his Subjects sunk on a sudden beneath himself to an act of unworthy submission and subjection to the Pope For on Ascenision Eve May 15. being in the town of Dover standing as it were on tip-toes on the utmost edge brink and labell of that Land which now he was about to surrender King John by an Instrument or Charter sealed and solemnly delivered in the presence of many Prelates and Nobles to Pandulphus the Popes Legat granted to God and the Church of Rome the Apostles Peter and Paul and to Pope Innocent the third and his Successours the whole Kingdom of England and Ireland And took an Estate thereof back again yeelding and paying yeerly to the Church of Rome over and above the Peter-pence a thousand Marks sterling viz. 700. for England and 300. for Ireland In the passing hereof this ceremony is observable that the Kings Instrument to the Pope was * Both Instruments for the present were but sealed with Wax and the next yeer solemnly embossed with mettall in the presence of Nicholas the Popes Legat. sealed with a seal of Gold and the Popes to the King which I have beheld and perused remaining amongst many rarities in the Earl of Arundels Library was sealed with a seal of Lead Such bargains let them look for who barter with his Holinesse alwayes to be losers by the contract Thy silver saith the c Isai 1. 22. The Rent never paid the Pope nor demanded
thy sorceries and the great abundance of thine inchantments And it seemes they still retained their old wicked wont Secondly Poisoning To give the Jews their due this was none of their faults whilest living in their own land not meeting with the word in the whole Bible It seems they learnt this sin after their disperson in other Nations and since are grown exquisite in that art of wickedness Thirdly Clipping of money Fourthly Counterfeiting of Christians hands and seals Fifthly Extortion A Jew occasioned a mutiny in London by demanding from a poor Christian above two shillings for the use of twenty shillings for one week being by proportion no less then five hundred and twenty pounds per annum for every hundred Sxthly Crucifying of the children of Christians to keep their hands in ure always about Easter So that the time pointed at their intents directly in derision of our Saviour How sufficiently these crimes were witnessed against them I know not In such cases weak proofs are of proof against rich offenders We may well believe if their persons were guilty of some of these faults their estates were guilty of all the rest 47. Now although it passeth for an uncontrolled truth Jews say others not cast out but craved leave to depart that the Jews were by the King violently cast out of the Land yet a great a Sir Ed. Coke Lawyer states the case much otherwise viz. that the King did not directly expel them but only prohibit them to put money to use which produced a petition from them to the King that they might have leave to depart the Land a request easily granted unto them some will say it is all one in effect whether one be starved or stabbed death inevitably following from both as here the Jews were famished on the matter out of England usury being their meat and drink without which they were unable longer to subsist However this took off much from the Odium of the act that they were not immediately but only indirectly and consequentially banished the Realm or rather permitted a free departure on their own petition for the same As for the sad accident that some hundreds of them being purposely shipped out of a spightful design in a leaking vessel were all drowned in the Sea if true it cannot but command compassion in any Christian heart 48. It is hardly to be believed The King gets incredible wealth forfeited by the Jews what vast sums of wealth accrewed to the King 1293 by this call it ejection 21. or amotion or decesion of the Jews He allowed them only bare viaticum to bear their charges and seised on all the rest of their estates Insomuch that now the King needed not to listen to the counsel of William Marsh Bishop of Bath and wells 1294 and Treasurer of England but therein speaking more like a Treasurer then a Bishop advising him 22. if in necessity to take all the plate and money of Churches a Polydore Virgil and Monasteries therewith to pay his souldiers The poor Jews durst not go into France whence lately they had been solemnly banished but generally disposed themselves in Germany and Italy especially in the Popes territories therein where profit from Jews and Stews much advance the constant revenues of his Holiness 49. King Edward having done with the Jews King Edward arbitrator betwixt Bailiol and Bruce began with the Scots and effectually humbled them and their country This the occasion Two Competitors appearing for the Crown of Scotland John Bailiol and Robert Bruce and both referring their title to King Edward's decision he adjudged the same to Bailiol or rather to himself in Bailiol For he enjoyned him to do homage unto him and that hereafter the Scotish Crown should be held in fealty of the English Bailiol or his necessity rather his person being in King Edward's power accepted the condition owning in England one above himself that so he might be above all in Scotland 1295 But 23. no sooner was he returned into his own Kingdom and peaceably possessed thereof but instantly in a Letter of defiance he disclaimeth all former promises to King Edward appealing to the Christian world whether his own inforced obedience were more to be pitied or King Edward's insolence improving it self on a Princes present extremitics more to be condemned 50. Offended hereat He proveth Malleus Scotorum King Edward 1297 advanceth into Scotland 25. with the forces he formerly intended for France Power and policy make a good medly and the one fareth the better for the other King Edward to strengthen himself thought fit to take in the title of Robert Bruce Bailiols corrival hitherto living privately in Scotland pretending to settle him in the Kingdom Hereupon the Scots to lessen their losses and the English victories b G. Buchanan 〈◊〉 Scot. libro octavo 〈◊〉 affirm that in this expedition their own Country-men were chiefly conquered by their own Country-men the Brucian party assisting the Englsih Sure it is that King Edward took Barwick Dunbar Sterling Edenbrugh the Crown Scepter and out of Scone the Royal Chair and prophetical Marble therein And though commonly it be observed that English valour hopefully budding and blossoming on this side of Edenburgh-Frith is frost-bitten on the North thereof yet our victorious Edward crossing that sea took Montross and the best Counties thereabout In a word he conquered almost all the Garden of Scotland and left the wilderness thereof to conquer it self Then having fetled Warren Earl of Survey Vice-Roy thereof and made all the Scotish Nobility Doughty Douglas alone excepted who was committed to prison for his singular recusancy swear homage unto him and taking John Bailiol captive along with him he returned triumphantly into England The End of the Thirteenth CENTURY CENT XIV TO CLEMENT THROCKMORTON the Elder OF Haseley in Warwick-shire Esq LEt other boast of their French bloud whilest your English family may vie Gentry with any of the Norman Extraction 1. For Antiquity four Monosyllables being by common pronuntiation crouded into your name THE ROCK MORE TOWN 2. For Numerosity being branched into so many Counties 3. For Ingenuity charactered by †Brit. in Warwick shire Camden to be FRUITFUL OF FINE WITS whereof several instances might be produced But a principal consideration which doth and ever shall command my respect unto your person is your faithful and cordial friendship in matters of highest concernment whatever be the success thereof to the best of my Relations which I conceived my self obliged publickly to confess 1. AMidst these cruel Wars Ed. 1. 29. betwixt the English and Scots 1301. Pope Boniface the eighth The Pope challengeth Scotland as peculiar to himself sent his Letters to King Edward requiring him to quit his claim and cease his Wars and release his prisoners of the Scotch Nation as a people exempt and properly pertaining to his own Chappel Perchance the Popes right to
that the Clergy ingrossed all Secular Offices and thereupon presented the insuing Petition to the King according to this effect insisting only in the substance thereof 42. And because that in this present Parliament it was declared to our Lord the King 45 by all the Earls 1370 Barons Ex Rot. Parl. in Turr. Lond. in 45. Ed. tertii and Commons of England that the Government of the Kingdom hath been performed for a long time by the men of Holy Church which are not * Justifiables in the French Originals 〈◊〉 whether whether not able to do justice or not to be justified in their imployment as improper for it justifiable in all cases whereby great mischiefs and damages have happened in times past and more may happen in time to come in disheriting of the Crown and great prejudice of the Kingdom for divers causes that a man may declare that it will please our said Lord the King Anno Dom. 1370 that the Laymen of the said Kingdom which are sufficient and able of estate Anno Regis Ed. tertii 45. may be chosen for this and that no other person be hereafter made Chancelour Treasurer Clerk of the Privy Seale Barons of the Exchequer Chamberlains of the Exchequer Controler and all other great Officers and Governours of the said Kingdom and that this thing be now in such manner established in form aforesaid that by no way it may be defeated or any thing done to the contrary in any time to come Saving alwaies to our Lord the King the Election and removing of such Officers but that alwaies they be Lay-men such as is abovesaid 43. To this Petition the King returned The Answer in effect a denial that he would ordain upon this point as it shall best seem to him by the advice of his good Councel He therefore who considereth the present power of the Clergy at the Councel-Table will not wonder if all things remained in their former Condition till the Nobility began more openly to favour John Wickliff his Opinions which the next Book God willing shall relate 44. We will close this with a Catalogue of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury Simon Mepham Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Contemporary with King Edward the third and begin with Simon Mepham made Arch-Bishop in the first year of his reign so that the Crown and the Mitre may seem in some sort to have started together only here was the odds the King was a young yea scarce a man whereas the Arch-Bishop was well stricken in years Hence their difference in holding out the King surviving to see him buried and six more whereof four Simons inclusively heart-broken as they say with grief For when John Grandison Bishop of Exeter making much noise with his Name but more with his Activity refused to be visited by him the Pope siding with the Bishop Mepham so resented it that it cost him his life 45. John Stratford was the second John Sratford his successor Consecrated first Bishop of Winchester on the Lords day whereon it was solemnly sung many are the afflictions of the Righteous whereof he was very apprehensive then and more afterwards when his own experience had proved a Comment thereon Yet this might comfort him whilst living and make others honour his memory that a good Conscience without any great crime generally caused his molestation For under King Edward the second he suffered for being too loyall a Subject siding with the King against the Queen and her Son and under King Edward the third he was molested for being too faithfull a Patriot namely in pittying his poor Countreymens taxations for which he was accused for correspondency with the French and complying with the Pope Pope and King of France then blowing in one Trumpet whereat King Edward was highly incensed 46. However Stratford did but say what thousands thought His last his best dayes viz. that a peace with France was for the profit of England especially as proffered upon such honourable conditions This the Arch-Bishop was zealous for upon a threefold accompt First of Pietie to save the effusion of more Christian blood Secondly of Policie suspecting successe that the tide might turn and what was suddenly gotten might be as suddenly lost Thirdly on Charity sympathizing with the sad condition of his fellow Subjects groaning under the burthen of Taxes to maintain an unnecessary war For England sent over her wealth into France to pay their victorious Souldiers and received back again honour in exchange whereby our Nation became exceeding proud and exceeding poor However the end as well as the beginning of the Psalm was verified of this Arch-Bishop the Lord delivereth them out of all dying in great honour and good esteem with the King a strong argument of his former innocence 47. The third was Tho. Bradwardine Tho. Bradwardine the third Arch-bishop whose election was little lesse then miraculous For Commonly the King refused whom the Monks chose the Pope rejected whom the Monks and King did elect whereas all interests met in the choise of Bradwardine Yea which was more the Pope as yet not knowing that the Monks and the King had pre-elected him of his own accord as by supernaturall instinct appointed Bradwardine for that place who little thought thereon Thus Omne tulit punctum and no wonder seeing he mingled his profitable Doctrines with a sweet and amiable conversation Camden in Eliz. indeed he was skilled in School Learning which one properly calleth Spinosa Theologia and though some will say can figgs grow on thorns yet his thorny Divinity produced much sweet devotion 48. He was Confessor to king Edward the third whose miraculous victories in France The best Arch-Bishop of that See some impute more to this mans devout prayers Then either to the Policy or Prowess of the English Nation He died before he was inthronized few moneths after his consecration though now advanced on a more Glorious and durable Throne in Heaven where he hath received the Crown from God who here defended the * He wrote de Causae Dei Cause of God I behold him as the most pious man who from Anselm not to say Augustine to Cranmer sat on that Seat And a better St. Thomas though not sainted by the Pope then one of his predecessors commonly so called 49. Simon Islip was the fourth Simon Islip next Arch-Bishop a parcimonious but no avaricious man thrifty whilst living therefore clandestinely Inthronized and when dead secretly interred without any solemnity Yet his frugality may be excused if not commended herein because he reserved his estate for good uses founding Canterbury Colledge in Oxford Excipe Merton Colledge Thus generally Bishops founders of many Colledges therein denominated them either from that Saint to whom they were dedicated or from their See as Exeter Canterbury Durham Lincoln putting thereby a civil obligation on their Successors to be as Visitors so Benefactors thereunto This Canterbury Colledge is now
Deductions Divisions and Sub-divisions of these Orders which have no foundation in the Scripture Yea hear what c Matth. Park An. Dom. 1257. pag. 949. Matthew Paris being a Monk of S. Albans saith Tot jam apparuerunt Ordines in Angliâ ut ordinum confusio videretur inordinata It is possible then for my best diligence to commit an Errour and impropriety in Reckoning them up For what wonder is it if one be lost in a wood to which their numerous Orders may well be resembled though in all this wood there appears not one plant of God's planting as one of their own f Rob. Witgift Abbot of Wellow Abbots most remarkably did observe In a word when the g Exod. 8. 13 14. Frogs of Aegypt died out of the houses out of the villages and out of the fields They gathered them together upon heaps c. And give us leave in like manner confusedly to shovel up these Vermin now dead in England 2. First Benedictines the primitive Monks in England come forth the Benedictines or Black Monks so called from S. BENEDICT or BENET an Italian first Father and Founder of that Order Augustine the Monk first brought them over into England and these black Birds first nested in Canterbury whence they have flowen into all the parts of the Kingdome For as h Clem. Reyner De antiq Ordin is S. Benedict one rightly observeth all the Abbeys in England before the time of King William the Conquerour and some whiles after were filled with this Order Yea all the Abbeys in England of the first magnitude which had Parliamentary Barons abate onely the Prior of the Hospitallers of S. John's in London were of this Order and though the Augustinians were their Seniors in Europe they were their Juniors in England Now as Mercers when their old Stuffes begin to tire in Sale refresh them with new Names to make them more vendible So when the Benedictines waxed stale in the world the same Order was set forth in a New Edition corrected and amended under the names first of CLUNIACKS these were Benedictines sifted through a finer search with some additionals invented and imposed upon them by Odo Abbot of Cluni in Burgundy who lived Anna Domini 913. But these Cluniacks appeared not in England till after the Norman Conquest and had their richest Covents at Barnestable in Devon-shire Pontefract and Meaux in Yorkshire c. 2. CISTERCIANS so called from one Robert living in Cistercium in Burgundy aforesaid he the second time refined the drossie Benedictines and Walter Especk first established their Brotherhood in England at Rivall in York-shire besides which they had many other pleasant and plentifull habitations at Warden and Woburne in Bedford shire Buckland and Ford in Devon shire Bindon in Dorset-shire c. The Bernardine Monks were of a younger House or under-Branch of the Cistercians 3. Of GRAND-MONT which observed S. Benet's Rule were brought into England Anno 1233 and were principally fixed at Abberbury in Shropshire The Family of these Benedictines taken at large with their Children and Grand-Children of under-Orders springing from them were so numerous and so richly endowed that in their Revenues they did match all the other Orders in England especially if the Foundations of Benedictine Nuns be joyned in the same reckoning I doubt not but since these Benedictines have had their crudities deconcocted and have been drawn out into more slender threds of sub-divisions For commonly once in a hundred years starts up some pragmaticall person in an Order who out of novelty alters their old Rules there is as much variety and vanity in Monks Cowles as in Courtiers Cloaks and out of his fancie adds some observances thereunto To crie quits with whom after the same distance of time ariseth another and under some new Name reformeth his Reformation and then his late new now old Order is looked on as an Almanack out of Date wanting the Perfection of new and necessary Alterations 3. A scandal hath lately been raised Scandalum Benedictinorum much in dishonour of these Benedictines viz That all the antient English Monks before the Conquest were onely of the Order of S. Equitius Some highly concerned to confute this Report wrote over to our Antiquaries in England for their Judgments herein from whom they received this following Answer a Extant in Clem Reynere de Apostolatu Benedictinorum in Angliâ— pag. 202. QUoniam hâc nostra aetate exorta est controversia de Monachatu Gregorii magni Augustini Cantuariensis Sociorúmque ejus quos Gregorius in Angliam de sâ—o Monasterio praedicandi Evangelii causa destinâsse legitur quibusdam ipsos ordini Benedictino addicentibus quibusdam vero id acriter pernegantibus ipsos Ordini S. Equitii sive alicui alii ascribentibus Nos qui multum temporis in rebus vetustis tam civilibus quà m sacris atque iis imprimis quae ad Britanniam nostram potissimum spectant impendimus rogati ut testimonium perhiberemus veritati cum neutrius partis prejudiciis simus obnoxii Dicimus affirmamus nos duo solùm Monachorum genera in primis Saxonicae apud majores nostros Ecclesiae temporibus unum eorum qui Aegyptiensium mores secuti in hac Insulâ florebant ante adventum Augustini alterum eorum qui Benedictini Augustino itineris erant comites Hanc traditionem à patribus ad filios derivatam esse testamur atque ita derivatam ut non levibus innitatur fabulis aut ambitiosis partium conjecturis quin eam ipsam vetusta signatae fidei exhibent apud nos monumenta Ab Augustino insupper ad Henricum octavum per petuo in hac Insulâ viguit Benedictina Institutio nec Augustino recentiorem ejusve originem originisve recentioris vestigium ullibi comperimus Tantum abest Equitianum aliquem in hâc Insula fuisse Ordinem ut nulla omnino hujusmodi neque ordinis neque nominis mentio in vetustis quibus versamur tabulariis habeatur Sanè aliorum fere omnium in hâc Insulâ origines ita observavimus ut unius cujusque etiam minimi ingressum suo anno consignatum habeamus solius Benedictini ordinis originem ante Augustini saeculum non invenimus ipsius saeculo floruisse apertè re reperi mus Unde exploratissimum nobis esse profitemur non alterius ordinis fuisse ipsum sociósque ejus quam Benedictini qui ideo proculdubiâ— tam altas radices in Anglia egerit quoniam primi illi Monachi à Gregorio in Insulam destinati Regulae Benedictinae professores extiterunt Robertus Cotton Johannes Seldenus Henricus Spelman Gulielmus Cambdenus England may see 400 years yet not behold 4 such Antiquaries her Natives at once the four wheels of the Triumphant chariot of truth for our British History This Quaternion of Subscribers have stick'n the point dead with me that all antient English Monks were Benedictines Which Order lasting above one thousand years in this Land hath produced about
well as the single Arrows seeing perchance other Societies led lives not more religious but lesse examined 4. But the first terrible blow in England given generally to all Orders The first stroke at the root of Abbeys was in the Lay Parliament as it is called which did wholly Wicclifize kept in the twelfth year of King Henry the fourth wherein the c Thomas Walsingbam Nobles and Commons assembled signified to the King that the temporal possessions of Abbots Priors c. lewdly spent within the Realm would suffice to finde and sustain 150 Earls 1500 Knights 6200 Esquires 100 Hospitals more than there were But this motion was maul'd with the King 's own hand who dashed it personally interposing Himself contrary to that character which the jealous Clergie had conceived of Him that coming to the Crown He would be a great d Being heard to say That Princes had too little and Religious men too much Holinshed pag. 514. enemy to the Church But though Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster was no friend to the Clergie perchance to ingratiate himself with the people yet the same Henry King of England His interest being altered to strengthen Him with the considerable power of the Clergy proved a Patron yea a Champion to defend them However we may say that now the Axe is laid to the root of the tree of Abbeys and this stroke for the present though it was so farre from hurting the body that it scarce pierced the bark thereof yet bare attempts in such matters are important as putting into peoples heads a feasibility of the project formerly conceived altogether impossible 5. Few yeares after The objection of covetousness against Abbeys though not answered â—vaded by Archb. Chichesly namely in the second year of King Henry the fift another shreud thrust was made at English Abbeys but it was finely and cleverly put aside by that skilfull State-Fencer Henry Chichesly Archbishop of Canterbury For the former Bill against Abbeys in full Parliament was revived when the Archbishop minded King Henry of His undoubted Title to the fair and flourishing Kingdome of France Hereat that King who was a spark in Himself was enflamed to that designe by this Prelates perswasion and His native courage ran fiercely on the project especially when clapt on with conscience and encouragement from a Church-man in the lawfulnesse thereof An undertaking of those vast dimensions that the greatest covetousnesse might spread and highest ambition reach it self within the bounds thereof If to promote this project the Abbeys advanced not onely large and liberall but vast and incredible summes of money it is no wonder if they were contented to have their nails pared close to the quick thereby to save their fingers Over goes K. Henry into France with many martiall spirits attending him so that putting the King upon the seeking of a new Crown kept the Abbots old Mitres upon their heads and Monasteries tottering at this time were thank a politick Archbishop refixed on the firm foundations though this proved rather a reprieve than a pardon unto them as will afterwards appear Of the suppression of alien Priories NExt followed the dissolving of alien Priories The originall of Pâ—ioâ—â—es aliens of whose first founding and severall sorts something must be observed When the Kings of England by Conquest or Inheritance were possessed of many and great Territories in France Normandy Aquitaine Picardy c. many French Monasteries were endowed with lands in England For an English kitchen or larder doth excellently well with a French hall And whilst forreigners tongues slighted our Island as barren in comparison of their own Countrey at the same time they would lick their lips after the full-fare which our Kingdome afforded 2. Very numerous were these Cells in England relating to forreign Abbeys scattered all over the Kingdome One John Norbury erected two for his part the one at Greenwich the other at Lewesham in Kent Yea e Cambd. Brit. in Lancashire Roger de Poictiers founded on in the remotest corner of the Land in the Town of Lancaster the richest of them all for annuall income was that which f Idem in Lincoln-shire Tuo Talbois built at Spalding in Lincoln shire giving it to the Monks of Angiers in France g Harpsfield in Catal. religiosarum â— Edium fol. 761. valued at no lesse than 878 lib. 18s 3d. of yearly revenue And it is remarkable that as one of these Priories was granted before the Kings of England were invested with any Dominion in France namely Deorhirst in Glocester shire h Camb Brit. in Glocester-shire assigned by the Testament of Edward the Confessour to the Monastery of S. Denis neer Paris so some were bestowed on those places in forreign parts where our English Kings never had finger of power or foot of possession Thus we read how Henry the third annexed a Cell in Thredneedle-street in i Harpsfield ut priùs pag 763. London to S. Anthony in Vienna and neer Charing-Crosse there was another annext to the Lady Runciavall in Navarre Belike men's devotion in that Age look'd on the world as it lay in common taking no notice how it was sub-divided into private Principalities but proceeded on that rule k 1 Cor. 10. 28. The earth is the Lord's and the fulnesse thereof and Charity though wandring in forreign parts counted it self still at home because dwelling on its proper pious uses 3. These alien Priories were of two natures some had Monks with a Prior resident in them Alien Priories of two natures yet not Conventuall but dative and removable ad nutum of the forreign Abbey to which they were subservient Others were absolute in themselves who though having an honorary dependence on and bearing a subordination of respect unto French Abbeys yet had a Prior of their own being an intire body of themselves to all purposes and intents The former not unlike Stewards managing profits for the behoof of their Master to whom they were re sponsible The later resembling retainers at large acknowledging a generall reference but not accomptable unto them for the revenues they received Now both these kindes of Priories peaceably enjoyed their possessions here even after the revolt of those Principalities from the Crown of England yet so that during open hostility and actuall warre betwixt England and France their revenues were seised and taken by the King and restored again when amity was setled 4. But King Richard the second and King Henry the fourth not so fair as their predecessours herein not onely detained those revenues in time of peace but also diverted them from their proper use and bestowed them on some of their Lay-servants So that the Crown was little enriched therewith especially if it be true what Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury averred in the house of Commons to the face of the Speaker That these Kings l Antiq. Brit. pag. 274. were not half a mark the wealthier for those rents thus
others grumbling at it as too much for what by them was performed And now what place more proper for the building of Sion as they propounded it then the Chamber of Jerusalem the fairest in the Deans Lodgings where King Henry the fourth died and where these Divines did daily meet together 7. Be it here remembred The superadded Divines that some besides those Episcopally affected chosen to be at this Assembly notwithstanding absented themselves pretending age indisposition c. as it is easie for able unwillingness to finde out excuses and make them probable Fit it was therefore so many evacuities should be filled up to mount the Meeting to a competent number and Assemblies as well as Armies when grown thin must be recruited Hence it was that at severall times the Lords and Commons added more Members unto them by the name of the Super-added Divines Some of these though equall to the former in power were conceived to fall short in parts as chosen rather by the affections of others then for their own abilities the Original members of the Assembly not overpleased thereat such addition making the former rather more then more considerable 8. One of the first publick Acts The Assemblies first petition for a fast which I finde by them performed was the humble presenting of a Petition to both Houses for the appointing of a solemn fast to be generally observed And no wonder if their request met with fair acceptance and full performance seeing the Assemblies Petition was the Parliaments intention and this solemn suite of the Divines did not create new but quicken the old resolutions in both Houses presently a Fast is appointed July 21. Frid. and accordingly kept on the following Friday M r Boules and M r Newcomen whose sermons are since printed preaching on the same and all the rest of the particulars promised to be taken into speedy consideration 9. It was now projected to finde out some Band or Tie The Covenent entreth England for the streighter Vnion of the English and Scotish amongst themselves and both to the Parliament In order whereunto the Covenant was now presented This Covenant was of Scottish extraction born beyond Tweed but now brought to be bred on the South-side thereof 10. The House of Commons in Parliament The Covenant first taken and the Assembly of Divines solemnly took the Covenant at S t. Margarets in Westminster 11. It was ordered by the Commons in Parliament that this Covenant be forthwith printed and published Commanded to be printed 12. Divers Lords Taken by Gentlemen Knights Gentlemen Collonels Officers Souldiers and others Sept. 27. Wed. 29. Frid. then residing in the City of London met at S t Margarets in Westminster and there took the said Covenant M r Coleman preaching a Sermon before them concerning the piety and legality thereof 13. It was commanded by the authority of both Houses Enjoyned all in London that the said Covenant on the Sabbath day ensuing Frid. Octo. 1. Sund. should be taken in all Churches and Chappels of London within the lines of Communication and thoroughout the Kingdom in convenient time appointed thereunto according to the Tenour following A Solemn league and Covenant for Reformation and defence of Religion the honour and happiness of the King and the peace and safety of the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland WE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospel and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdom of England Scotland and Ireland by the providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our eyes the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the honour and happiness of the Kings Majesty and his posterity and the true publick liberty safety and peace of the Kingdom wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to minde the Treacherous and Bloody Plots Conspiracies attempts and Practises of the enemies of God against the true Religion and the professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time encreased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdom of England the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick Testimonies We have now at last after other means of Supplications Remonstrances Protestations and sufferings for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practises of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of Gods people in other nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutual solemn League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himself with our hands lifted up to the most High God do swear That we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavour in our several places and callings the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common enemies the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith form of Church-Government directory for Worship and Catechizing That we and our posterity after us may as Brethren live in faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacie that is Church-government by Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-Deacons and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchie Superstition Heresie Schism Prophaneness and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of godliness lest we partake in other mens sins and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues and that the Lord may be one and his name one in the three Kingdomes We shall with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our several Vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and priviledges of the Parliaments and the due liberties of the kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesty his person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and liberties of the Kingdoms that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatness We shall also with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill instruments
and liking of the King they began an Universitie Here they met with many Oxford-men who on the like occasion had deserted Oxford and retreated hither to studie I commend their judgment in the choice of so convenient a place where the aâ—e is cleaâ—e yet not over sharpe the earth fruitfull yet not very dirtie water plentifull yet far from any fennish annoyance and wood most wanting now of dayes conveniently sufficient in that age But the main is Northampton is neer the center of England so that all travellers coming thither from the remotest parts of the land may be said to be met by the Town in the middest of their journey so unpartiall is the situation thereof in the navell of the Kingdome 50. But this Universitie never lived to commence Bachelor of Art 49 Senior Sophister was all the standing it atâ—ained unto 1265 For foure years after the King apprehending that Northampton Universitie would be prejudiciall to Oxford neer to which it lay within thirtie miles and therefore as a true honourer of antiquitie loth that a novice-start-up should empaire so ancient a foundâ— recalled the Scholars of Cambridge by these his ensuing letters And dissolved Rex Majorâ— civibus suis Northampton salutem Occasione cujusdam magnae contentionis in villa Cantabrigiensi triennio jam elapso subortae ammulli Clericorum tunc ibidem studentium unanimiter ab ipsa villa recessissent se usque ad villam nostram praedictam Northam transferentes ibidem studiis inhaerendo novam eonstruere Universitatem cupientes Nos illo tempore credentes villam illam ex hoc posse meliorari nobis utilitatew non modicam inde proveâ—ire votis dictorum clericorum ad eo rum requisitionem annuebamus in hac parte Nunc autem cum ex relaiu multorum fide dignorum veraciter intelleximus quòd ex hujusmodi Universitate si permaneret ibidem municipium nostrum Okon quod ab antiquo creatum est à progenitoribus nostris Regibus Augliae confirmatum ac ad commoditatem studentium communiter approbatum Anno Dom. 1265 non mediocriter laederetur Anno Regis Hen. 3. 49 quod nulla ratione vellemus maximè cum universis Episcopis terrae nostrae ad honorem Dei utilitatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae profectum Studentium videatur expedire quòd Universitas amoveatur à villa praedicta sicut per literas suas patentes accepimus Vobis de consilio magnatum nostrorum firmiter inhibemus ne in villa nostra de caetero aliquam Universitatem esse nec aliquos studentes ibidem manere permittatis aliter quà m ante creationem dictae Universitatis fieri consuevit Teste Rege apud Westmon primo die Febr. anno Regni xlix o ✚ Ex Rotulo Claus de anno xlix Regis Henrici tertii membr 10 in dorso in Turre London Ex. per Guil. Ryley There is still in Northampton a place called the Colledge but whether in relation to these students I know not Sure it is that on the Kings letters Patents Northampton was un-universitied the Scholars therein returning to the place from whence they came 51. Here I can hold no longer Mr. Brian Twine justly condemned but must fall out and be the Reader the Judge betwixt us with M r. Brian Twine the writer of Oxford-Antiquities I honour him as an industrious though no methodical Antiquarie his book being rather an heap than a pile I commend his affection to his Mother had it been without detraction to his Aunt and his example shall quicken my dutie in my filial relation where I owe the same Lastly because he is and I know not how soon I may be 〈◊〉 I shall deal the more mildly with him For he that falls heavie on a ghost or shadow will in fine give the greatest blow and bruise unto himself Yet something must be said against him in vindication of the truth 52. First For injecting caus◠〈◊〉 suspicions on all occasions he is buzzing jealousies into the heads of the Readers to shake the credit of such Authors who write any thing in the honour of Cambridge Thus when Matthew Parker Archbishop of Canterburie reports how many deserting Oxford removed to Cambridge he squibs in this Parenthesis Si illis m Apol. Acad. Oxon. lib. 3. pag. 279. standum sit historiis quas Matthaeus Parker Cant. Archi. edidit dashing as much as lyeth in his power the unstained reputation of those his worthy endeavours And again n Ibid pag 280 speaking of the same Archbishops setting forth of Matthew Paris he squirts in this passage Sivera sit Matthaei Cant. editio suggesting some suspicion of falshood and forgerie in the same Such IFS against great persons are more than IFS and such suspicions if they be not Scandala Magnatis against so great a Peer can not be less than breach of Canonical obedience against the memorie of so grave and godly a Prelate Especially seeing neither Twine himselfe with all the help of Oxford-Librarie nor all the world could ever since finde any fault in that edition as faithfully agreeing with the most authentick Manuscripts 53. But these his slenting and suppositive His needless Cavil confuted are nothing to his direct and downright traducing of the Records of Cambridge Take him in his own Latin words which I have translated to this purpose that such ingenuous English men never bred in either Universitie and therefore the more unpartiall Judges but understanding the strength of common sense and reason may indifferently umpire the matter and finde the verdict as they shall hear things alledged and proved Brian Twine Antiquitatis Academiae Oxoniensis Apologia lib. 3. pag. 280. numero 76. Non ignoro tamen in Memorabilibus Universitatis Oxon. à Roberto Haro collectis unde hanc chartam desumpsi in exordio diplomatis Cantabrigiae mentionem fieri quasi illa contentio triennio tum elapso Cantabrigiae non Oxoniae accidisset nova Universitas ea Northamtonensis à Cantabrigiensibus non Oxoniensibus fuisset inchoata Eam tamen lectionem si nihil aliud certe adulterata ipsius vocis o o Mendum in transerâ—tto Roberti Hari Twine in the maâ—gent Cantabrigiae loco Oxoniae scriptura charactere à caeteris dissimillimo toto exarandi genere diverso corruptissimam prodit Ubi enim occurrit Anno Dom. 1246. apud bonos vetustae fidei autores tantas fuisse Cantabrigiae discordias quae studentes Northamptonian arcerent Yet I am not ignorant that in the Memorables of the Universitie of Oxford collected by Robert Hare whence I have taken this Charter in the beginning of the Patent there is mention made of Cambridge as if this contention had happened three yeers since at Cambridge and not at Oxford that new University at Northampton begun of Cambridge not of Oxford men Yet if nothing else truly the adulterated writing of the word Cambridge in stead of Oxford and in a
Rome Cent. 2. ¶ 5. EMDEN a Congregation of English Exiles therein in the Reign of Q. Mary under I. Scory their Superintendent b. 8. Sect. 2. ¶ 41. Q. EMMA the miraculous purgation of her chastity Cent. 11. ¶ 14 15. EAST-ANGLES their Kingdome when begun how bounded Cent. 5. ¶ 27. converted to Christianity Cent. 7. ¶ 44. EAST-SAXONS the beginning and bounds of their Kingdome Cent. 5. ¶ 17. converted to Christianity by Mellitus Cent. 7. ¶ 23. after their apostasy reconverted under King Sigebert ¶ 81. ENGLAND when and why first so called Cen. 9. ¶ 5 6. the Kingdome thereof belongeth to God himself Cent. 11. ¶ 24. ENGLISHMEN drunk when conquered by the Normans b. 3. ¶ 1. EOVES a Swine-heard hence Eovesham Abbey is so called Cent. 8. ¶ 8. ERASMUS Greek Professour in Camb. complaineth of the ill Ale therein Hist of Camb. p. 87. his Censure of Cambridge and Oxford p. 88. too tart to Townsmen ibid. ERASTIANS why so called and what they held b. 11. p. 21. ¶ 55. and 56. favourably heard in the assembly of Divines ¶ 57. ERMENSEWL a Saxon Idoll his shape and office b. 2. Cent. 6. ¶ 6. ETHELBERT King his Character b. 2. Cent. 6. ¶ 6. c. converted to Christianity ¶ 11. his death and the decay of Christianity thereon Cent. 7. ¶ 32. ETHELBERT the VVest-Sixon Monarch his pious valour Cent. 9. ¶ 23. King ETHELRED his Fault in the Font Cent. 10. ¶ 43. why Surnamed the unready ¶ 49. EXCOMMUNICATING of Q. Elizab. by Pius quintus displeasing on many accounts to moderate Papist b. 9. p. 59. ¶ 25. EXETER the description thereof b. 7. p. 393. ¶ 4. Loyall and Valiant against the Rebells though oppressed with faction p. 394. ¶ 7. and famine p. 396. ¶ 12. seasonably relieved p. 397. ¶ 14. F. FAGANUS sent by Eleutherius Bishop of Rome to King Lucius to instruct him in Christianity Cent. 2. ¶ 8. FAMILIE of LOVE their obscure original b. 9. p. 112. ¶ 36. worse in practise then opinion p. 113. ¶ 39. their Abjuration before the privy Councell Their tedious petition to King James b. 10. ¶ 18. desire to separate themselves from the Puritans to whom their looseness had no relation ¶ 19. turned into Ranters in our dayes ¶ 22. John FECKNAM Abbot of Westminster the Chronicle of his worthy life his courtesie and bounty b. 9. p. 178 179. FELIX Bishop of Dunwich instrumentall to the Conversion of the East-Angles Cent. 7. ¶ 45. and to the founding of an University in Cambrid ¶ 48. Nicholas FELTON Bishop of Ely his death and commendation b. 11. ¶ 77. FENNES nigh Cambridge Arguments pro and con about the feacibility of their drayning Hist of Camb. p. 70. 71. The design lately performed to admiration ibid. p. 72. FEOFFES to buy in impropriations b. 11. p. 136. ¶ 5. hopefully proceed p. 137. ¶ 6. questioned in the Exchequer and overthrown by Arch-bishop Laud p. 143. ¶ 26 c. The FIFTH PART ordered by Parliament for the Widows and children of sequestred Ministers b. 11. p. 229. ¶ 34. severall shifts to evade the payment thereof p. 230. John FISHER Bishop of Rochester tampereth with the holy Maid of Kent b. 5. p. â—8◠¶ 47. imprisoned for refusing the Oath of supremacy ¶ 47. his pitifull letter out of the Tower for new Cloaths p. 190 ¶ 12. the form of his inditement p. 191 ¶ 19. made Cardinal p. 201. ¶ 1. the whole Hist of his birth breeding death and burial p. 202 203 204 205. Barnaby FITZ-PATRICK proxy for correction to King Edward the sixth b. 7. p. 411. ¶ 47. the said Kings instruction unto him for his behaviour in France ibidem FLAMENS in Britain mere flammes of J. Monmouths making Cent. 2. ¶ 9. FOCARIAE of Priests who they were b. 3. p. 27. ¶ 40. FORMOSUS the Pope interdicteth England for want of Bishops Cent. 10. ¶ 1. On good conditions absolveth it again ¶ 3. Richard FOX Bishop of VVinchester foundeth Corpus Christi Colledge b. 5. p. 166. ¶ 11. John FOX flies to Franckford in the Reign of Q. Mary b. 8. Sect. 2. ¶ 41. Thence on a sad difference removes to Basil Sect. 3. ¶ 10. returning into England refuseth to subscribe the Canons b. 9. ¶ 68. Is a most moderate Non-conformist ibidem his Latine Letter to Queen Elizabeth that Anabaptists might not be burnt p. 104. ¶ 13. another to a Bishop in the behalf of his own Son p. 106. ¶ 15. his death p. 187. ¶ 63. FRANCISCAN Friers b. 6. p. 270. ¶ 16. their frequent Subreformation ¶ 17. admit boyes into their order Hist of Camb. p. 54. ¶ 46 47 48. whereat the University is much offended ibid. FRANCKFORD the Congregation of English Exiles there in the Reign of Q. Mary b. 8. Sect. 2. ¶ 41. They set up a new discipline in their Church ¶ 42 43. invite but in vain all other English Exiles to ioyn with them ¶ 44. 45. FREEZLAND converted to Christianity by VVilhid a â—axon Bishop Cent. 7. ¶ 97. FRIDONA the first English Arch-Bishop C. 7. ¶ 85. FRIERS and Monks how they differ b 6. p. 269. FRIGA a Saxon Idoll her name shape and office b. 2. Cent. 6. ¶ 6. John FRITH his Martyrdome b. 5. p. 190 ¶ 11. Tho. FULLER unjustly hang'd and saved by miracle b. 4. p. 154. ¶ 25. John FULLER Doctor of Law pitifull when alone but when with others a persecutor b. 8. p. 22. ¶ 28. see Jesus Colledge of which he was master Nich. FULLER a Common Lawyer prosecuted to death by Bishop Bancroft b. 10. p. 55 56. ¶ 29 30. leaves a good memory behind him ibid. Nicholas FULLER a Divine his deserved commendation b. 11. ¶ 15. Robert FULLER last Abbot of Waltham a great preserver of the Antiquities thereof History of VValt p. 7. passeth Copt-Hall to King Henry 8. p. 11. his legacy to the Church p. 14. Thomas FULLER Pilot who steered the Ship of Cavendish about the world b. 11. p. 231. G. GANT COLL. in Flanders for English fugitives b. 9. p. 91. STEPHAN GARDINER Bishop of Winchester getteth the six bloudy Articles to be enacted b. 5. p. 2â—0 ¶ 17 18. bringeth in a List of Latine words in the N. Test which he would not have translated p. 238. for his obstinacie first sequestered then deposed from his Bishoprick b. 7. p. 400. and 401. a politick plotting Persecuter b. 8. Sect. 2. ¶ 6. yet courteous in sparing Mistris Clerk the Authors great Grandmother ¶ 7. his threatning of the English Exiles Sect. 3. ¶ 22. dieth a Protestant in the point of Iustification ¶ 42. Henry GARNET Iesuite his education and vitiousnesse b. 10 p. 39. ¶ 45. canvased in the Tower by Protestant Divines ¶ 46 c. overwitted with an equivocating room ¶ 48. his arraignment and condemnation p. 40. 49. dejected carriage at his death 50. his Straw-Miracle confuted ¶ 51. c. GENEVA such English who deserted the Church at Frankford settled there b. 8. p. 52.
Abbeys Hist of Ab. 314. visiteth the University of Camb. Hist Cam. of p. 109. ¶ 55. his injunctions to the University ibidem Baithol LEGATE burnt for an Arrian b. 10. p. 62. ¶ 6 7 8. c. Dr. LEIGHTON his railing book severely censur'd b. 11. p. 136. ¶ 3. recovered after his escape and punished ¶ 4. The first LENT kept in England C. 7. ¶ 74. Jo. LEYLAND an excellent Antiquary fellow of Christs Coll. Hist of Cam. p. 90. ¶ 7. wronged in his works by Polydore Virgil and another namelesse Plagiary b. 5. p. 198 ¶ 54. imployed by King Henry 8. to collect and preserve Rarityes at the dissolution of Abbeys b. 6. p. 339. ¶ 8. died distracted ¶ 9. LICHFIELD bestrewed with the dead bodies of Martyrs C. 4. ¶ 8. made the See of an Arch-bishop by King Offa b. 2. p. 104. ¶ 34 the builders of the present almost past Cathedral b. 4. p. 174. the praise and picture thereof p. 175. LIEGE Coll. in Lukeland for English fugitives b. 9. p. 91. William LILLY the first schoolmaster of Paul's b. 5. p. 167 ¶ 17. the many Editions of his Grammar p. 168. ¶ 18. LISBON a rich Nunnery for Engl. Bridgitines b. 6. p. 262. ¶ 5 6 c. LITURGIE an uniformity thereof when prescribed all over England b. 7. p. 386. three severall editions thereof with the persons employed therein ibid. Bishop Latimer his judgment against the contemners thereof p. 426. LONDON why so called C. 1. ¶ 2. layeth claime to the birth of Constantine the Emperour C. 4. ¶ 18. the walls thereof built with Jewish stones b. 3. p. 86. ¶ 42. the honourable occasion of an Augmentation in their Armes b. 4. p. 141. ¶ 21. William LONGCAMPE Bp. of Ely his pride b. 3. p. 43. ¶ 24. his parallell with Cardinal Wolsey ¶ 28 c. LOVAINE Colledge in Brabant for English fugitives b. 9. p. 90. a nunnery or rather but halfe a one therein for Engl. women b. 6. p. 364. ¶ 2. LINCOLN Coll. in Oxford founded by Richard Fleming b. 4. p. 168. the Rectors Bps. c. thereof p. 1691 William LINWOOD writeth his Provincial constitutions his due praise b. 4. page 175. ¶ 71. c. LUCIUS the different dates of his conversion C. 2. ¶ 1. do not disprove the substance of his story ¶ 3. might be a British King under the Romans ¶ 4. several Churches in Britain said to be erected by him ¶ 13. confounded by unwary writers with Lucius a German preacher in Suevia ¶ 14. said to be buried in Gloucester with his Dunsticall Epitaph C. 3. ¶ 1. LUPUS assisteth Germanus in his voyage into Britain to suppresse Pelagianisme C. 3. ¶ 4. M MADRID Coll. in Spain for English fugitives b. 9. p. 90. MAGDALEN Coll. in Ox. founded by William Wainfleet b. 4. p. 188. ¶ 24. scarce a Bp. in England to which it hath not afforded one prelate ¶ 25. sad alterations therein by the Visitors in the first of Q. Mary b. 8. ¶ 8. the character of this Coll. with the violence of rigid non-confâ—rmists therein presented in a latine letter of Mr. Fox b. 9. p. 106. ¶ 14 15. MAGDALEN Colledge in Cambridge founded by Thomas Lord Audley History of Cambridge p. 120. ¶ 8 c. MALIGNANT whence derived and first fixed as a name of disgrace on the Royall party b. 11. p. 195. ¶ 32. Roger MANWARING charged by Mr. Pym in Parliament b. 11. ¶ 61. for two Sermons preached ibidem his censure ¶ 62. and submission ¶ 63. MARRIAGE of the Priests proved lawfull b. 3. p. 20 21 22 23. MARRIAGE of a Brothers Wife is against Gods Word and above Papal dispensation b. 5. p. 179 180 181. Tho. MARKANT Proctor of Cambridge made and gave a rare Book of her priviledges to the university which was lost found lost found lost Hist of Caâ—b p. 65. ¶ 33 34. Q. MARY quickly recovereth the Crown in right of succession b. 8. ¶ 1. in her first Parliament restoreth Popery to the height ¶ 20 21. makes a speech in Guild-Hall ¶ 30. her character S. 2. ¶ 34. valiant against the Pope in one particular S. 3. ¶ 41. very Melancholy with the causes thereof ¶ 46 47. dyes of a Dropsey ¶ 48. two Sermons preached at her funerall ¶ 52. her deserved praise ¶ 53. for refounding the Savoy ¶ 54. her buriall ¶ 55. MARY Queen of Scots flies into England and is there imprisoned b. 9. S. 2. ¶ 13. her humble letter to Pope Pius the fifth ibidem her second letter unto him b. 9. p. 99 her death Poetry buriall removal to Westminster and wel-Latined Epitaph p. 181. Queen MARY Wife to King Charles her first landing at Dover b. 11. ¶ 9. delivered of a Son by a fright before her time b. 11. p. 135. ¶ 1. Toby MATTHEW Arch-bishop of York dying yearly dyes at last b. 11. ¶ 74. his gratitude to God ¶ 75. MAUD for four descents the name of the Queens of England b. 7. p. 25. ¶ 28. MAXIMUS usurpeth the Empire and expelleth the Scots out of Britain C. 4. ¶ 22. draineth the Flower of the British Nation into France ¶ 23. slain in Italy ¶ 24. his memory why inveighed against ibidem Mr. MAYNARD his learned speech against the late Canons b. 11. p. 180. ¶ 77. MEDUINUS sent by King Lucius to Eleutherius Bishop of Rome C. 2. ¶ 5. MEDESHAMSTED Monastery burnt by the Danes C. 9. ¶ 20. MELLITUS Bishop of London converteth the Kingdome of Essex C. 7. ¶ 23. departeth England and why ¶ 33. returneth ¶ 35. and is rejected at London 36. his character 37. MERCIA a Saxon Kingdome when begun how bounded C. 5. ¶ 17. converted to Christianity under Prince Peada C. 7. ¶ 83. Thomes MERKES Bishop of Carlile his bold speech in the behalf of King Richard the second b. 4. p. 153. ¶ 55. tried for Treason not by his Peers but a Common Iury p. 154. ¶ 57 58. his life spared and he made Bishop of Samâ—s in Greece ¶ 59. MERLIN two of the name C. 5. ¶ 20. his magicall Pranks ¶ 26. questionable whether ever such a man ¶ 32. fitted with two of her fawles of the same Feather ibidem MERTON Coll. in Oxford founded by Walter Merton b. 9. p. 75. ¶ 7 c. Wardens Bishops Benefactours and thereof ¶ 8. a by-foundation of Post-masters therein p. 76. happy in breeding Schoolmen p. 99. ¶ 27. a petty rebellion therein supprest by Arch-bishop Parker b. 9. p. 71. ¶ 47 48 not founded before Peter-house in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 32. ¶ 33 c. Sr. Walter MILDMAY foundeth Emanuel Colledge Hist of Cam. p. 146. ¶ 11 12. c. The MILLENARIE petition b. 10. p. 22. the issue thereof p. 23. ¶ 25 26. the Millenarie is equivocall p. 24. MINSHULLS their honourable Armes aâ—chieved in the Holy War b. 3 p. 42. ¶ 19. MIRACLES their Description b. 6 p. 329. ¶ 1. long since ceased p. 330. ¶ 2. and why ¶ 5. yet counterfeited by
this unlawfull Copulation a pious Son S t. Faustus was born to shew that no Crosse-barre of Bastandy though doubled with Incest can bolt Grace out of that Heart wherein God will have it to enter Germanus having settled Britain in good Order went back to his own Country where presently upon his return he died Anno Dom. 449 as God useth to send his Servants to Bed when they have done all their Work and by Gods blessing on his Endeavours that Heresie was so cut down in Britain that it never generally grew up again 14. Mean time the South of this Island was in a wofull condition In vain the Britans petition to the Roman Emperour for help against the Picts caused by the daily Incursions of the Picts As for the Picts Wall built to restrain them it being a better Limit then Fortification served rather to define then defend the Roman Empire and uselesse is the strongest Wall of Stone when it hath Stocks only upon it such was the Scottish Lazinesse of the Britans to man it a Nation at this time given over to all manner of Sin insomuch as a In Prologo libri de Excid Brit. Gildas their Country-man calls them Aetatis Atramentum the Inke of the Age. And though God did daily correct them with Inroads of Pagans yet like restife Horses they went the worse for Beating And now the Land being exhausted of the Flower of her Chivalry transported and disposed in Roman Garrisons as farre as Iudaea and b See Notitia Provinciarum Aegypt it self could not make good her ground against the Picts and was fain to request first Theodosius the younger then Valentinian the third Roman Emperour whose Homagers the British Kings were untill this time for their Assistance They dispatch Petition after Petition Embassie on Embassie representing their wofull estate Now the Barbarians beat them to the Sea the Sea repelled them to the Barbarians and thus bandied betwixt Death and Death they must either be kill'd or drowned They inforced their Request for Aid with much Earnestnesse and Importunity all in vain seeing Whisperings and Hollowings are like to a Deaf Eare and no Answer was returned Had they been as carefull in bemoaning their Sins to God as clamorous to declare their Sufferings to the Roman Emperour their Requests in Heaven had been as graciously received as their Petitions on Earth were carelesly rejected 15. What might be the Cause of this Neglect True Reasons why the Romans neglected to send Aid to the Britans Had the Imperial Crown so many Flowers that it might afford to scatter some of them Was Britain grown inconsiderable formerly worth the Conquering now not worth the Keeping or was it because they conceived the Britans Need not so much as was pretended and Aid is an Almes ill-bestowed on those Beggars who are lame of Lazinesse and will not work for their Living Or was the Service accounted desperate and no wise Physician will willingly undertake a Disease which he conceives incurable The plain truth is the Roman Empire now grown Ruinous could not repair it's out-Rooms and was fain to let them fall down to maintain the rest and like Fencers receiving a blow on their Leg to save their Head exposed the Remote Countries of Spain France and Britain to the Spoil of Pagans to secure the Eastern Countries near CONSTANTINOPLE the Seat of the Empire 16. Here Vortiger The sad successe of the Pagan Saxons invited by King Vortiger into Britain forsaken of God and man and left to himself Malice could not wish him a worse Adviser resolves on a desperate Project to call in the Pagan Saxons out of Germany for his Assistance under Horsus and Hengistus their Captains Over they come at first but in three great Ships a small Earnest will serve to bind a great Bargain first possessing the Island of Thanet in Kent but following afterwards in such Swarms that quickly they grew formidable to him that invited them over of Guests turning Sojourners then In mates and lastly Land-lords till they had dispossessed the Britans of the best of the Island the entertaining of mercenary Souldiers being like the administring of Quick-silver to one in Hiaca Passio a Receipt not so properly prescribed by the Physician to the Patient as by Necessity to the Physician If hired Aid do on a sudden the Work they are sent for and so have a present Passage to be discharg'd sovereign use may be made of them otherwise if long tarrying they will eat the Entralls and corrode the Bowells of that State which entertains them as here it came to passe 17. For soon after the Saxons erected seven Kingdomes in Britain And because their severall Limits conduce much to the clear understanding of the following History and we for the present are well at Leisure we will present the Reader with the Description of their severall Principalities The respective bounds of the Saxon Heptarchie The Partition was made by mutuall Consent thus farre forth that every King caught what he could and kept what he caught and there being amongst them a Parity of high-spirited Princes who more prized an absolute Sovereignty over a little then a Propriety with Subjection in never so much they erected seven severall Kingdomes in little more then but the third part of this Island A thing which will seem no wonder to him who hath read how the little Land of a Iosh. 12. 24. CANAAN found room at the same time for one and thirty Kings But let us reckon them up 1. The first was the Kingdome of KENT which began Anno 4 5 7. under King Hengist It contained the County of Kent as it is at this day bounded without any notable difference And though this Kingdome was the least of all as consisting but of one intire County without any other addition yet was it much befriended in the Situation for Traffick with France and Germany Besides it being secured on three Sides with Thames and the Sea and fenced on the fourth with Woods this made their Kings naturally defended at home more considerable in their Impressions on their Neighbours 2. Of the SOUTH-SAXONS comprising Sussex and Surry both which till very lately were under one Sheriff And this Kingdome began Anno 491 under King Ella and was the weakest of all the seven affording few Kings and fewer Actions of moment 3. Of the EAST-SAXONS comprehending Essex Middlesex and so much of Hartfordshire as is under the Bishop of London's Jurisdiction whose Diocese is adequate to this Kingdome A small Ring if we survey the little Circuit of Ground but it had a fair Diamond in it the City of London though then but a Stripling in Growth well thriving in Wealth and Greatness This Kingdome began in Erchenwin about the year 527. 4. Of the EAST-ANGLES containing Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgeshire with the Isle of Ely and as it seems faith a Reverend b Usher de Brit. Ecc. Primord p. 394. Writer part of
choak a man but that Stone can never stop his Throat which cannot enter into his Mouth 31. In very deed The maâ—lacre of the Monks at Winchester very little at this time was ever reported of Church-matters 495 For a Drought of Christian Writers in the Heat of Persecution caused a Dearth of all History Now it was that Cerdicus first King of the West-Saxons having overcome the Britans at Winchester kill'd all the Monks belonging to the Church of e VVintoniâ—â—sis Ecc. Hist cap. 9. S t. Amphibalus turned the same into a Temple of Idolatry Also Theon Archbishop of London seeing the Pagan Saxons to prevail left his See and f But Matth. Florilegus designeth the yeare 586. about this time may be presumed to have fled into Wales I say about this time For what Liberty is allowed to Prognosticatours of Weather to use all favourable Correctives and Qualifications like to be rain inclined to rain somewhat rainy c. the same Latitude we must request in relating actions past in point of Chronologie his fere temporibus per haec tempora circa circiter plus minus c. And what we take upon Trust in this kind let the Reader be pleased to charge not on the Score of our Ignorance but on the Uncertainty of that Ages Computation As for S t. Petrock Son to the King of Cumberland we remit him to the next Age because though Budding in this full Blown in the next Century 32. This Age is assigned by Authors for that Famous Ambrose Merlin differing from Sylvester Merlin the Scot though it be doubtfull whether ever such a man in rerum natura Merlin left in a twilight whether that Magician was an Impostor or his whole Story an Imposture put upon credulous posterity it being suspicious First Because he is reported born at Caer-merthen that City so denominated from him Whereas it is called Maridunum by Ptolemie many yeares before Thus it is ominous to begin with a Lie Secondly Because it was said his Mother was a Nun got with Child by a Devil in the form of an Incubus perchance such a one as Chaucer describes It seems that as Vestall Virgins when they had stollen a Great Belly used to entitle some Deity to the getting of their Child so did the Mother of Romulus and Remus whereby they both saved themselves from Shame gained Reputation so Nuns in this Age when with child unable to perswade people as the Poets feign of the Spanish Mares that they were impregnated by the Wind alone made the World believe that some Spirit had consorted with them This makes the whole Story of Merlin very doubtfull and as for all his Miracles Prophesyes they sink with the Subject For sure the same Hand which made the Puppet gave it all it's Motions and suited his Person with Properties accordingly May the Reader be pleased to take notice of three ancient British Writers 1. Aquila Septonius or the Eagle of Shaftsbury whether He or She. 2. Perdix Praesagus or Partridge the prophesier 3. Merlin Ambrose All three Birds of a Feather and perchance hatch'd in the same Nest of ignorant Credulity nor can I meet with a fourth to make up the Messe except it be the Arabian Phaenix But because it is a Task too great for a Giant to encounter a received Tradition let Merlin be left in a Twi-light as we found him And surely no judicious man will censure the Mention of Merlin whose Magicall Pranks and Conjurations are so frequent in our Sories to be a Deviation from the History of the Church who hath read both of Simon Magus and Elymas the Sorcerer in the Acts of the Apostles THE SIXTH CENTURY Anno Dom. To Douse Fuller of Hampshire Esquire I Cannot say certainly of you as Naomi did of Boaz * * 2 Ruth 20. He is near of kin unto us having no Assurance though great Probability of Alliance unto you Hovvever Sir if you shall be pleased in Courtesy to account me your Kinsman I vvill endeavour that as it vvill be an Honour to me it may be to you no Disgrace 1. QUestionlesse we shall not be accounted Trespassers 501 though onely Ecclesiasticall Businesse be our right Road to go a little in the By-way of State-matters because leading the shortest Passage for the present to our Church-story The most miserable estate of the British Common-wealth Most miserable at this time was the British Common-wealth crouded up into barren Corners whil'st their Enemies the Pagan Saxons possest the East and South if not the greatest the best part of the Island Much ado had Vter Pen-dragon the British King with all the sinews of his Care and Courage to keep his disjoynted Kingdome together whose onely desire was to prolong the Life it being above his hopes to procure the Health of that languishing State And though sometimes the Britans got the better yet one may say their Victories were spent before they were gain'd being so farre behind-hand before that their Conquest made no Shew swallowed up in the discharging of old Arrearages Needs then must Religion now in Britain be in a dolefull condition For he who expects a flourishing Church in a fading Common-wealth let him try whether one side of his Face can smile when the other is pinched 2. Pen-dragon dying 508 left the British Kingdome to Arthur his Son King Arthur's actions much discredited by Monkish fictions so famous in History that he is counted one of the Nine VVorthies and it is more then comes to the Proportion of Britain that amongst but Nine in the whole World Two should prove Natives of this Island Constantine and Arthur This later was the British Hector who could not defend that Troy which was designed to destruction and it soundeth much to his Honour that perceiving his Countrey condemned by Gods Justice to Ruine he could procure a Reprieve though not prevail for the Pardon thereof More unhappy was he after his Death Hyperbolicall Monks so advancing his Victories above all reach of Belief that the twelve pitch't Battels of Arthur wherein he conquered the Pagan Saxons find no more credit then the twelve Labours of Hercules Belike the Monks hoped to passe their Lies for current because countenanced with the mixture of some Truths whereas the contrary came to passe and the very Truths which they have written of him are discredited because found in company with so many Lies Insomuch that learned Leland is put to it to make a Book for the asserting of Arthur Many are unsetled about him Anno Dom. 508 because Gildas his Country-man living much about his Age makes no mention of him though such may be something satisfied if considering the principall Intent of that Querulous Authour is not to praise but to reprove not greatly to grace but justly to shame his Country his Book being a bare Black Bill of the Sins and Sufferings Monsters and Tyrants of Britain keeping no
another man's sent from Guichelm King of the VVest-Saxons with an envenomed Dagger sought to kill King Edwine when Lilla one of his Guard foreseeing the Blow and interposing himself shielded his Sovereign with his own Body yea deaded the Stroak with his own Death Loyalty's Martyr in a Case which is likely to find moe to commend then imitate it on the like occasion Edwine notwithstanding slightly hurt was very sensible of the Deliverance and promised that if he might conquer the treacherous VVest-Saxon King with his Adherents he would become a Christian And though there be no indenting and conditional capitulating with God who is to be taken on any terms yet this in a Pagan was a good step to Heaven and Paulinus was glad he had got him thus far especially when in Earnest of the Sincerity of his Resolution he consigned over his infant-Daughter f Idem ibidem Eansled to be baptized whom Paulinus christened with twelve moe of the Queen's Family Well the VVest-Saxon King was quickly overcome and all his Complices either killed or conquered and yet King Edwine demurred to embrace Christianity But he communicated with the sagest of his Counsell with whom he had daily Debates being loth rashly to rush on a matter of such Moment And truly that Religion which is rather suddenly parched up then seasonably ripened doth commonly ungive afterwards Yea he would sit long alone making company to himself and silently arguing the Case in his own Heart being partly convinced in his Iudgement of the Goodnesse of the Christian Religion and yet he durst not entertain Truth a lawfull King for fear to displease Custome a cruell Tyrant 41. Amongst the many Debates he had with his Counsell about altering his Religion The speech of Coify the Priest two Passages must not be forgotten whereof one was the Speech of Coify the prime Pagan-Priest Surely said g Bede Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 13. he these Gods whom we worship are not of any Power or Efficacy in themselves for none hath served them more conscientiously then my self yet other men lesse meriting of them have received moe and greater Favours from their hand and prosper better in all things they undertake Now if these were Gods of any Activity they would have been more beneficiall to me Anno. Dom. 626 who have been so observant of them Here the Reader will smile at Coify his Solecisme wherein the Premisses are guilty of Pride as the Inference thereon of Errour and Mistake If he turn Christian on these termes he will be taught a new Lesson how not onely all outward things happen alike to good and bad to a Eccles 9. 2. him that sacrificeth as to him that sacrificeth not but also that b 1 Pet. 4. 17. Iudgement beginneth at the house of God and the best men meet with the worst Successe in Temporal matters However God was pleased to sanctifie this mans Errour as introductory to his Conversion and let none wonder if the first Glimmering of Grace in Pagans be scarce a degree above Blindnesse 42. Better The Courtier 's Comparison in my opinion was the plain Comparison which another namelesse Courtier made at the same time Mans life said c Idem ibid. he O King is like unto a little Sparrow which whilest your Majesty is feasting by the Fire in your Parlour with your royall Retinue flies in at one VVindow and out at another Indeed we see it that short time it remaineth in the House and then is it well sheltred from VVind and VVeather but presently it passeth from Cold to Cold and whence it came and whither it goes we are altogether ignorant Thus we can give some account of our Soul during it's abode in the Body whilest housed and harboured therein but where it was before and how it fareth after is to us altogether unknown If therefore Paulinus his Preaching will certainly inform us herein he deserveth in my opinion to be entertained 43. Long looked for comes at last 627 King Edwine almost three yeares a Candidate at large of Christianity Edwine converted and baptized cordially embraceth the same and with many of his Nobles and Multitudes of his Subjects is solemnly baptized by Paulinus in the little Church * Bede Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 14. of S t Peters in York hastily set up by the King for that purpose and afterward by him changed into a firmer and fairer Fabrick Thus as those Children which are backward of their Tongues when attaining to Speech pronounce their words the more plainly and distinctly so Edwine long yea tedious before his turning to Christianity more effectually at last embraced the same And when it was put to the Question what Person most proper to destroy the Heathen Altars Coify the chief Priest tendered his Service as fittest for the purpose solemnly to demolish what he had before so superstitiously adored Down go all the Pagan Altars and Images at God-mundingham now Godmanham a small d Camden's Britannia Village in the East-Riding of Yorkshire and those Idols with their Hands were so far from defending themselves that their mock-Mouths could not afford one word to bemoan their finall Destruction 44. VVhen thou art converted The East-Angles converted to Christianity strengthen thy Brethren was the personall Precept given to e Luk. 22. 32. Peter but ought generally to be the Practice of all good men as here it was of King Edwine restlesse untill he had also perswaded Earpwald King of the East-Angles to embrace the Christian Faith Indeed Redwald Earpwald's Father had formerly at Canterbury to ingratiate himself with King Ethelbert professed Christianity but returning home he revolted to Paganisme at the instance of His f Bede Hist Ecc. l. 2. c. 15. Wife So great is the Power of the Weaker Sex even in matters of Religion For as Bertha and Edelburge the Queens of Ethelbert and Edwine occasioned and expedited the Conversion of their Husbands Kingdomes so here a Female-instrument obstructed that holy Design Yea Redwald afterwards in the same Church set up a g 2 Kings 17. 41. Samaritane-mongrel-Religion having Altare h Bede ut prius Arulam a Communion-Table and an idolatrous Altar in the same Temple You cannot be partakers saith the i 1 Cor. 10. 21. Apostle of the Lords Table and of the table of Devils that is You cannot lawfully conscionably comfortably but de facto it may be done was done by Bedwald in this his miscellaneous Religion 45. But three yeares after 630 the Conversion of the East-Angles was more effectually advanced by King Sigebert The Religion and learning of King Sigebert Brother and after the death of Earpwald his Successour in the Kingdome This Sigebert had lived an Exile in France Anno. Dom. 630 and got the benefit of Learning by his Banishment For wanting accommodations to appear in Princely Equipage he applyed himself the more close to his Studies seeing that
Bishoprick Were not Bishop and Bishoprick so correlated in that Age that they must be together the trick of making Titular Bishops not as yet being used in Rome It is impossible that Bishops here should import no more then a plain Priest and that he onely took Orders before he came over into England Well commend me to the Memory of this man who first was made Bishop and then made himself a Bishoprick by earning it out of the Pagan English whom he intended to convert to Christianity Yea he passed his solemn Promise in the presence of the Pope that he would preach the Gospel in the heart of the c Idem ibid. uttermost coasts of England meaning the Northern parts thereof whither no Teacher had at any time gone before him Minded herein like d 2 Cor. 10. 16. S t. Paul not to boast in another mans line of things made ready to his hand 66. This his Promise Birinus 636 though he literally brake A broken promise well kept Virtually kept for he chanced to land amongst the West-Saxons then called Gevises in the South-VVest part of England where as yet the Inhabitants were pure-impure Pagans Having here found a fit subject for his Pains why should he go farther to seek the same Is not Providence the best Herauld to marshal us and ought we not to sit down where it disposeth us Besides according to Military Rules it was best to clear the Coasts as he went and not to leave a Pagan-Foe behind his back Moved herewith Birinus here sets up his Staffe Episcopal fixeth himself falls a preaching converts many and amongst the rest Kyngils the VVest-Saxon King whom he baptized Oswald King of Northumberland chanced to be e Bede Eccles Hist l. 3. cap. 7. present at that time and was first God-Father then Father in Law to King Kyngils to whom he gave his Daughter to Wife 67. Dorchester not the Town which denominates Dorsetshire Dorchester made a Bishops See but an old City in Oxfordshire not in Barkshire as Stapleton f In his translation of Bede Pol. 82. mistakes it was made the Seat of Birinus his Bishoprick Bede faith Donaverunt autem ambo Reges eidem Episcopo civitatem quae vocatur Dorinca c. Both the Kings Oswald and Kynglls gave to the said Bishop the City Dorinca or Dorchester Both of them Hence observe first that Oswald whose Concurrence in this Grant was required though particular King of Northumberland was also Monarch of all England To justifie our former Observation that amongst the seven Saxon Kings alwayes one was paramount above the rest Secondly that this Dorchester though it lay North of Thames in Oxfordshire which properly belonged to the Kingdomes of Mercia pertained now to the VVest-Saxons beyond the ordinary Limits assigned to that Kingdome 68. In this year Honorius Arch-Bishop of Canterbury divided England understand 637 so much thereof as was Christian into Parishes England divided into Parishes But that most exquisite g Mr. Selden in his Hist of Tithes cap. 9. pag. 256. Antiquary seems very unwilling to admit so early and ancient Parishes in the modern proper Acception of the word Who knoweth not that Parochia at large signifieth the Diocese of the Bishop and two new Dioceses Anno Dom. 637 Dunwich and Dorchester were erected under Honorius in the Province of Canterbury But whether Parishes as usually understood for places bounded in regard of the Profits from the people therein payable onely to a Pastour incumbent there I say whether such Parishes were extant in this Age may well be questioned as inconsistent with the Community of Ecclesiastick Profits which then seemed joyntly enjoyed by the Bishop and his Clergy 69. No sooner was Oswald whom we formerly mentioned settled in his Kingdome of Northumberland A morose Preacher little the edifieth but his first Princely Care was to provide Pastours to instruct his People in Christianity In order where unto he sends into Scotland where he had his own Education for some Eminent Preachers Unusuall the Sun should come out of the North to enlighten the South as here it came to passe One Preacher was sent him thence whose Name we find not but thus much of his Nature that being over-rigid and severe his Sermons made no Impression on his English Auditory Hard with hard saith the Proverb makes no VVall and no Wonder if the spirituall Building went on no better wherein the Austerity and Harshnesse of the Pastour met with the Ignorance and Sturdinesse of the People Home he returns complaining of his ill Successe and one Aidan of a Milder temper and more Discretion a Grace which none ever spake against but such as wanted it was sent back in his room 70. Aidan coming into England Aidan his due commendation settled himself at Lindisfern or Holy-Island in Northumberland a place which is an Island and no Island twice in twenty four hours as divided by the Tide from so conjoyned at Low-water to the Continent His exemplary Life was a Pattern for all pious Pastours First he left to the Clergy Saluberrimum abstinentiae vel continentiae exemplum though we read not he vowed Virginity himself or imposed in on others He lived as he taught and whatsoever the Bounty of Princes or great Persons bestowed on him he gave to the Poor He seldome travelled but on Foot and when invited to large Feasts at Court used to arise after a short Refection and betake himself to his Meditations He redeemed many Slaves from Captivity making them first Free-men then Christians 71. Bede his allay All these his excellent Practices Bede a Eccles Hist lib. 3. cap. 3. dasheth with this Allay that He had a Zeal of God although not fully according to Knowledge merely because he dissented from the Romish Church in the Celebration of Easter But whether those words of b Rom. 10. 2. S t. Paul spoken of his Country-men the Iews in reference to their Stumbling at Christ the Saviour of Mankind be fitly appliable to Aidan onely differing in an outward Ceremony let others decide True it is this Aidan was a prime Champion of the Quartadecimans as who had been brought up under or with S t. Colme in Ireland The writer of the Life of this S t. Colme let this be inserted by the way reports how the said Saint had a Revelation c Arch-Bishop Usher in the Religion of the Irish p. 99. of the Holy Ghost which prophesied unto him of this Discord which after many dayes should arise in the Church about the diversity of the Feast of Easter Yet he telleth us not that the Holy Ghost reproved this Colme whose Example animated others against the Roman Rite for his Errour as if God cared not which of both Sides carried the Controversie 72. But all which Bede speaketh in Diminution of Aidan Lay-mens diligence in reading Scripture may freely be forgiven him were it but for his faithfull recording
the Prior in the Vestiary Leth win the Sub-Prior in the Refectory Pauline in the Quire Herbert in the Quire VVolride the Torch-Bearer in the same place Grimketule and Agamund each of them an hundred yeares old in the Cloisters These faith my c Iugulphus pag. 866. Author were first examinati tortured to betrary their Treasure and then exanimati put to death for their Refusall The same VVriter seems to wonder that being killed in one place their Bodies were afterwards found in another Surely the Corse removed not themselves but no doubt the Danes dragged them from place to place when dead There was one ChildMonk therein but ten yeares old Turgar by name of most lovely Looks and Person Count Sidroke the younger pittying his tender yeares all Devills are not cruell alike cast a Danish d In Latine Collobium Peterbarough Monks killed Monastery burned Coat upon him and so saved him who onely survived to make the sad Relation of the Massacre 20. Hence the Danes marched to Medeshamsted since called Peterborough where finding the Abbey-gates locked against them Anno Regis Etheltedi 4 they resolved to force their Entrance Anno Dom. 870 in effecting whereof Tulba Brother to Count Hubba was dangerously wounded almost to Death with a Stone cast at him Hubba enraged hereat like another Doeg killed Abbot Hedda and all the Monks being fourscore and four with his own hand Count Sidroke gave an Item to young Monk Turgar who hitherto attended him in no wise to meet Count Hubba for fear that his Danish Livery should not be found of proof against his Fury Then was the Abbey set on Fire which burned fifteen dayes together wherein an excellent Library was consumed Having pillaged the Abbey and broke open the Tombes and Coffins of many Saints there interred these Pagans marched forwards into Cambridgeshire and passing the River Nine two of their VVagons fell into the Water wherein the Cattell which drew them were drowned much of their rich Plunder lost and more impaired 21. Some dayes after A heap of Martyrs the Monks of Medeshamsted were buried altogether in a great Grave and their Abbot in the middest of them a Crosse being erected over the same where one may have four yards square of Martyrs Dust which no place else in England doth afford Godric Successour to Theodore Abbot of Crowland used annually to repair hither and to say Masses two dayes together for the Souls of such as were entombed One would think that by Popish Principles these were rather to be prayed to then prayed for many maintaining that Martyrs go the nearest way to Heaven sine ambage Purgatorii so that surely Godric did it not to better their Condition but to expresse his own Affection out of the Redundancy of his Devotion which others will call the Superfluity of his Superstition 22. The Danes spared no Age The cruel Martyrdome of King Edmond Sex Condition of people such was the Cruelty of this Pagan unpartial Sword With a violent Inundation they brake into the Kingdome of the East-Angles wasted Cambridge and the Countrey thereabouts burnt the then City of Thetford forced Edmond King of that Countrey into his Castle of Framling ham who perceiving himself unable to resist their Power came forth and at the Village of Hoxon in Suffolk tendered his Person unto them hoping thereby to save the Effusion of his Subjects Blouds Where after many Indignities offered unto him they bound him to a Tree and because he would not renounce his Christianity shot him with Arrow after Arrow their Cruelty taking Deliberation that he might the better digest one Pain before another succeeded so distinctly to protract his Torture though Confusion be better then Method in matters of Cruelty till not Mercie but want of a Mark made them desist according to the a Camden's Britan in the description of Suffolk Poets Expression Iam loca Vulneribus desunt nec dum furiosis Tela sed hyberna grandine plura volant Room wants for Wounds but Arrows do not fail From Foes which thicker fly then winter Hail After-Ages desiring to make amends to his Memory so over-acted their part in shrining sainting and adoring his Relicks at Bury S t. Edmonds that if those in Heaven be sensible of the Transctions on Earth this good Kings Body did not feel more Pain from the Fury of the Pagan Danes then his Soul is filled with holy Indignation at the Superstition of the Christian Saxons 23. However the VVest-Saxon King Ethelbert behaved himself bravely fighting King Ethelbert his prayer-victory with various Successe nine b William Malmesbury De Gestis Regum Anglorum lib. 2. pag. 42. Battels against the Danes though ninety nine had not been sufficient against so numerous an Enemy But we leave these things to the Historians of the State to relate We read of an c Gen. 31. 52. Heap of Stones made between Iacob and Laban with a mutuall Contract that neither should passe the same for Harm Thus would I have Ecclesiasticall and civil Historians indent about the Bounds and Limits of their Subjects that neither injuriously incroach on the Right of the other And if I chance to make an Excursion into the matters of the Common-wealth it is not out of Curiosity or Busybodinesse to be medling in other mens Lines but onely in an amicable way to give a kind Visit and to clear the mutuall Dependence of the Church on the Common-wealth Yet let me say that this War against the Danes was of Church-concernment for it was as much pro aris as pro focis as much for Religion as civil Interest But one War must not be forgotten Importunate Messengers brought the Tidings that the English were dangerously ingaged with the Danes at Essendune haply Essenden now in surrey and likely to be worsted King Ethelhert was at his Devotions which he would not omit nor abbreviate for all their Clamour No suit would he hear on Earth till first he had finished his Requests to Heaven Then having performed the part of pious Moses in the a Exod. 17. 11 Mount he began to act valiant Ioshua in the Valley The Danes are vanquished leaving Posterity to learn that time spent in Prayer is laid out to the best Advantage 24. But alas King Ethelbert heart-broken with grief this Danish Invasion was a mortal VVound 871 Dedecus Saxonica fortitudinis 5 the Cure whereof was rather to be desired then hoped for Ease for the present was all Art could perform King Ethelbert saw that of these Pagans the more he slew the more they grew which went to his valiant Heart Grief is an heavy Burthen and generally the strongest Shoulders are able to bear the least proportion thereof The good king therefore withered away in the Flower of his Age willingly preferred to encounter rather Death then the Danes for he knew how to make a joyfull End with the one but endless was his Contest with the other according
to the Observation of the English b Malemesburiensis ut prims King Alfred's exemplary Character Historian that the Saxon-Kings in this Age magis optabant honestum Exitum quam acerbum Imperium 25. In this sad condition God sent England a Deliverer namely King Alfred or Alured born in England bred in Rome where by a Prolepsis he was anointed King by Pope Leo though then but a private Prince and his three elder Brothers alive in auspicium futuriregnt in hope that hereafter he should come to the Crown Nor did this Vnction make Alfred ante-date his kingdome who quietly waited till his foresaid Brothers successvely reigned and died before him and then took his Turn in the Kingdome of the VVest-Saxons The worst was his Condition was like a Bride-groom who though lawfully wedded yet might not bed his Bride till first he had conquered his Rival and must redeem England before he could reign over it The Danes had London many of the in-land moe-of the maritime Towns and Alfred onely three effectuall Shires Somerset Dorset and VVilts yet by Gods Blessing on his Valour he got to be Monarch of all England Yea consider him as a King in his Court as a Generall in his Camp as a Christian in his Closer as a Patron in the Church as a Founder in his Colledge as a Father in his Family his Actions will every way appear no lesse excellent in themselves 872 AIfredâ— sen Aâ—luredi 1 then exemplary to others 26. His most daring Design was Alfred as a fidler discovereth the Danish designes when lying hid about Athelney in Somerset-shire 876 and disguised under the habit of a Fidler being an excellent Musician he adventured into the Danish Camp Had not his spirit been undaunted 5 the sight of his armed Foes had been enough to have put his Instrument out of Tune Here going unsuspected through their Army he discovered their Condition and some of their Intentions Some would say that the Danes deserved to be beaten indeed if they would communicate their Counsels to a Fidler But let such know Alfred made this generall Discovery of them that they were remisse in their Discipline lay idle and carelesse and Security disarmes the best-appointed Army Themistocles said of himself that he could not fiddle but he knew how to make a little city great But our Alfred could fiddle and make a little City great too yea enlarge a petty and contracted Kingdome The Danish ships left water-bound into a vast and absolute Monarchy 27. But as the Poets feign of Anteus the Son of the Earth who fighting with Hercules Anno Regis Alfredi seu Aluredi 5 and often worsted by him recovered his Strength again every time he touched the Earth Anno Dom. 876 revived with an addition of new Spirits so the Danes which may seem the sons of Neptune though often beaten by the English in land-Battels no sooner recovered their Ships at Sea but presently recruiting themselves they returned from Denmark more numerous and formidable then before But at last to follow the Poeticall Fancy as Hercules to prevent Antaeus his farther reviving hoised him aloft and held him strangled in his Armes till he was stark dead and utterly expired so to secure the Danes from returning to the Sea who out of the Thames had with their Fleet sailed up the River Ley betwixt Hartfordshire and Essex Alfred with Pioneers divided the grand Stream of Ley into severall Rivulets so that their Ships lay Water-bound leaving their Mariners to shift for themselves over land most of which fell into the hands of their English Enemies so that this proved a mortal Defeat to the Danish Insolence 28. Alfred having thus reduced England to some tolerable terms of Quiet The general ignorance in England made most of the Danes his Subjects by Conquest the rest his Friends by Composition encountred a fiercer Foe namely Ignorance and Barbarisme which had generally invaded the whole Nation Inso much that the writeth that South of Thames he found not any that could read English Indeed in these dayes all men turned Students but what did they study onely to live secretly and safely from the Fury of the Danes And now that the next Age might be wiser then this Alfred intended the founding of an University at Oxford 29. Indeed Ancient Schools at Crekelade and Lechlade there were anciently standing on the Banks of Isis which in due time commenceth Thamisis two Towns one Crekelade or Greeklade in Wiltshire the other Lechlade or Latinlade in Gloucestershire In the former of these many yeares since things time out of mind must not be condemned as time out of truth the Greek Tongue as in the later the Latine Tongue are said to be publickly professed by Philosophers But where was Hebrew-lade the Hebrew Tongue being more necessarie then both the former for the understanding of the Old Testament Alas in this Age it was banished not onely out of England but out of Christendome As in the ordinary method of Nature the more aged usually die first so no wonder if Hebrew generally presumed the oldest Language in the world expired first in this Age of Ignorance utterly abolished out of the Western Countries Yea it is well the other two learned Tongues were preserved in these places Grekelade and Lechlade being then Cities of eminent Note shrunk now to mean Towns and content with plain English where Latine and Greek were formerly professed 30. But now the Muses swam down the Stream of the River Isis 11 to be twenty miles nearer to the rising Sun 882 and were by King Alfred removed from Crekelade and Lechlade The University first founded by Alfred at Oxford to Oxford where he founded an University Yet some say Alfred did find and not found Letters therein seeing there was a sprinkling of Students therein before though Learning was very low and little therein till this considerable Accession when Alfred founded therein three Colledges one for Grammarians a second for Philosophers a third for Divines Take a List of their primitive Professours In Divinity S t. Grimbal S t. Neoth In Grammar Asserius a Monk In Logick Iohn of S t. Davids In Mathematicks Ioannes Monachus It is credibly reported that what is now called Vniversity-Colledge was then one of King Alfred's Foundations as the Verses written in their Hall under his Armes do attest Nobilis Alfredi sunt haec Insignia cujus Primum constructa est haec pietate domus And from this time Learning flourished here in great Plenty and Abundance though oft-times abated Anno Dom. 882 the Universities feeling the Impressions of the Common-wealth Anno Regis Alfredi seu Aluredi 11 31. At the same time wherein King Alfred built Vniversity Colledge in Oxford Kings-Hall founded by King Alfred he also founded Another House called Kings-great-Hall intimating a lesser hard by now included within the compasse a Rex Platonicus pag. 211. of
the third are commonly without any date Grace in like manner will arise so early in your heart advantaged by your Godly Birth and Breeding that you shall not remember the beginning thereof However to make sure work it will be safest to examine your self when arrived at Age what eminent accessions and additions of Grace you can remember with the Place and Time when the same were effectually wrought in your Soul and what bosome-sin you have conquered Especially take notice of your solemn Reconciling to God after Repentance for some sin committed David no doubt in some sort may be said to be born good God being his hope when in the * Psal 22. 10. Womb when on the Breasts of his Mother * Psal 71. 5. Trusting in him and * Psal 71. 17. Taught by him from his Youth Now though probably he could not remember his first and general Conversion he could recount his Reconversion after his foul Offences of Adulterie and Murder as by his Penitential Psalm doth plainly appear Otherwise such who boast themselves Converted before Memorie by the priviledg of their pious Infancy if they can recover no Memorials of their Repentance after relaps and produce no time nor tokens thereof are so far from being good from their Cradle it is rather suspicious they will be bad to their Coffin if not labouring for a better spiritual estate And now my Lord let me recommend to your Childhood the Reading of the HOLY SCRIPTURES as the * 2 Tim. 3. 15. Apostle termeth them holy in the fountain flowing from the holy Spirit inditing them holy in the Conduit pipe derived through * 2 Peter 1. 21. holy men penning them holy in the Liquor teaching and directing to Holiness holy in the Cisterne working Sanctity in such as worthily receive them and making them wise unto Salvation Now next to the Study of the Scriptures History best becometh a Gentleman Church-History a Christian the British History an Englishman all which qualifications meeting eminently in your Honour give me some comfortable assurance that these my weak endeavours will not be unwelcome unto you by perusing whereof some profit may probably accrew to your self and more honour will certainly redown to The meanest and unworthiest of your Lordships Servants THOMAS FULLER THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE Anno Regis Gul. Conq 1. CENT XI Anno Dom. 1067. 1. WIlliam Duke of Normandy being thus arrived Octo. 14. soon conquered Harold with an army of Normans The drunken English conquered by the Normans and foundeth Battle-Abbey as far beneath the English in Number as above them in temperance For the English being revelling before had in the morning their brains arrested for the arrearages of the indigested fumes of the former night and were no better then drunk a Mane adhuc ebrii contra hostes incunctanter procedunt when they came to fight But these things belong to the Historians of the State to relate whilest it is proper to us to observe that King William to testifie his gratitude to God for the victory founded in that place Battel-Abby endowing it with revenues and large immunities The b Combdens Brit. in Sussex Abbot whereof being a Baron of Parliament carried a pardon in his presence who casually coming to the place of Execution had power to save any Malefactor The Abbey-Church was a place of safety for any Fellon or Murtherer though such Popish sanctuaries themselves if accused as unlawful can finde no refuge in Scripture precepts or presidents for their justification seeing the very Horns of the Altar by divine command did push away those wilful offenders which fled unto them and impunity being the greatest motive to impiety made their Covent the Center of sinners Here the Monks flourished in all affluence William Crowned by the Arch-Bishop of York whilest many of the English Clergie flie into Scotland as the Old world in the dayes of Noah they ate they drank they bought they fold would I might add they married wives and were given in marriage for want whereof they did worse till in the dayes of King Henry the eight they were all drowned in the general Deluge of the Dissolution 2. Now it was proper to the place of Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to perform the Solemnities of King Williams Coronation but he declined that imployment pretending Williams unlawful title Anno Regis Gul. Conq and loath to pour the sacred oyl on his Head whose Hands had shed so much innocent bloud The other accounting himself to have a better title to the Crown by conquest then the Arch-Bishop had to his Miter by Simony disdained his service and accepted the Crown from the hands of Aldred Arch-Bishop of York who first required an Oath of him to defend the Church minister justice and amongst other things to use English-men as favourably as Normans Notwithstanding which Oath he made the Normans his Darlings and the English his Drudges insomuch as many English Bishops and Abbots unable to comport themselves with his harshness and conceiving it more credit and safety to go then to be driven away fearing by degrees they should all be quarrelled out of their places unwillingly willing quitted their preserments and fled into Scotland Here King Malcolme Canmore who had married Margaret Niece to Edward the Confessor freely received them He himself had formerly lived fourteen years in England and now of a grateful Guest became a bountiful Host and courteously harboured these Exiles And as at this time England began to turn France imitating the language Garbe and manners thereof so Scotland began now to turn England the Families transplanted thither transporting the English customes fashions and Civilities along with them 3. About this time Doomes-day-book was made Dooms-day book made containing an exact survey of all the houses and land in the Kingdom 1068 unpartially done with rigorous severity Octo. 2. They omitted Nec lucum nec lacum c Ingulphi Historia fol. 516. nec locum so accurate they were in the very fractions of the land and therefore it may seem a miracle that the Monks of Crowland should finde a courtesie peculiar to themselves belike out of veneration to their Covent that their lands were rated nec ad spatium nec ad d idem ibid. praecium neither so much in quantity nor so high in value as indeed they were worth This book of the General Survey of England though now begun did take up some years e Florentius Wigorniensis Higdâ—n make it finished Anno 1078. before it was compleated 4. King William called a Synod of his Bishops at Winchester 1070 wherein he was personally present 4. with two Cardinals sent thither from Rome Here Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was deposed for several uncanonical exorbitances and Lanfrank a lordly Lombard substituted in his room Sugand deposed in a couned at Winchester Stigand liv'd some years after in a Prison and
which was worse a prison liv'd in him being streightned in his own bowels towards himself For pretending poverty he denied himself necessaries being afterwards discovered to carry a Key about his Neck which opened to infinite treasure so that none would lavish pitty on him who starv'd in store and was wilfully cruel to himself 5. A f Sir John Davys in his Irish report case 〈◊〉 Praemunite fol. 87 89. learned lawyer hath observed The Popes first 〈◊〉 of the Crown of England that the first encroachment of the Bishop of Rome upon the liberties of the Crown of England was made in the time of King William the Conqueror For the Conqueror came in with the Popes Banner and under it won the battle which got him the Garland and therefore the Pope presumed he might boldly pluck some flowers from it being partly gain'd by his countenance and Blessing Indeed King William kindly entertained these Legats sent from Rome so to sweeten the rank savor of his coming in by the sword in the nostrils of religious men pretending what he had gotten by power he would keep by a pious compliance with his Holiness But especially he did serve the Pope to be served by him that so with more ease and less envie he might suppress the English Clergie But although this politick Prince was courteous in his complemental addresses to the See Apostolick Yet King William invested ecclesiastical pesons yet withall he was carefull of the main chance to keep the essentials of his Crown as amongst others by these four remarkable particulars may appear 6. First he g Annal Eccl. 〈◊〉 M. S. 〈◊〉 Mr Gelden in his â—ntes on 〈◊〉 pag. 14. retained the ancient custom of the Saxon Kings investing Bishops and Abbots by delivering them a Ring and a Staff whereby without more ado they were put into plenary possession of the power and profit of their place Yea when Arch-Bishop Lansrank one so prevalent that he could perswade King William to any thing provided that the King himself thought it fitting requested William to bestow on him the donation of the Abbey of Saint Augustine in Canterbury the King refused saying that he would keep all pastoral h Gervasius Dorobernensis M. S. cited ibid. Staves in his own hand Wiser herein then his successors who parted with those Staves wherewith they themselves were beaten afterward 7. Secondly being demanded to do Fealty for his Crown of England 1078. to Gregory the seventh Pope of Rome And refuseth to do Fealty to the Pope he returned an answer as followeth 12. In English EXcellentissimo i M S codex epislolarum Lansranci cited by Sr John Davys in his Irish reports of Praemunire fol 89. Sanctae Ecclesiae Pastori Gregorio gratia Dei Anglorum rex dux Normannorum Willielmus salutem cum amicitia Hubertus Legatus tuus Religiose Pater ad me veniens ex tua parte me admonuit quatenus tibi successoribus tuis fidelitatem facerem de pecunia quam antecessores mei ad Romanam ecclesiam mitere solebant melius cogitarem Vnum admisi alterum non admisi Fidelitatem facere nolui nec volo quia nec ego promisi nec antecessores meos antecessoribus tuis id fecisse comperio Pecunia tribus sermè annis in Galli is me agente negligenter collecta est Nunc vero divina misericordia me in regnum meum reverso quod collectum per praefatum Legatum mittitur Et quod reliquum est per Legatos Lanfranci Archiepiscopi fidelis nostri cum opportunum fuerit transmittetur Orate pro nobis pro statu Regni nostri quia antecessores vestros dileximus vos prae omnibus sincerè diligere obedienter audire desideramus TO Gregory the most excellent Pastor of the holy Church William by the grace of God King of the English Duke of the Normans wisheth health and desireth k Or remembreth his love to him his friendship Religious Father your Legat Hubert coming unto me admonished me in your behalf in asmuch as I should do fealty to you and your successors and that I should take better care for the payment of the money which my predecessors were wont to send to the Church of Rome One thing I have granted the other I have not granted Fealty I would not do nor will I because I neither promised it neither do I finde that my predecessors ever did it to your predecessors The money for almost three years when I was abroad in France hath been but negligently collected But now seeing by divine mercy I am returned into my Kingdom what is gathered is sent by the aforesaid Legat and the arrears which remain shall be sent by the messengers of Lanfrank our faithful Arch-Bishop in time convenient Pray for us and for the good state of our Kingdom because we have loved your predecessors and do desire sincerely to love and obediently to hear you above all others It is strange on what pretence of right the Pope required this Fealty was it because he sent King William a consecrated Banner that under the colour thereof he endeavoured to display his power over all England as if the King must do him homage as a Banneret of his creation or because he had lately humbled Henry the fourth the German Emperour he thought that all Kings in like manner must be slaves unto him the Pope being then in his Vertical height and Dog-dayes of the heat of his Power But wee need no further inquiry into the cause of his Ambition when we read him to be Gregory the seventh otherwise Hisdebrand that most active of all that sate in that Chair Surely he sent this his demand rather with an intent to spie then hope to speed therein so to sound the depth of King William whom if he found shallow he knew how to proceed accordingly or else he meant to leave this demand dormant in the Deck for his successors to make advantage thereof who would claim for due whatsoever they challenged before However so bold an asker never met with a more bold denier Soon did King William finde his spirits who formerly had not lost but hid them for his private ends England's Conqueror would not be Romes Vassal and hee had Brain enough to deny what the other had Brow to require and yet in such wary language that he carried himself in a religious distance yet politick parity with his Holiness 8. Thirdly King William ordereth the power both of Pope and Arch-Bishop in his own Dominion King William would in no wife suffer any one in his Dominion to acknowledge the Bishop of Rome for Apostolical without his a Eadmerus Hist Nov. lib. 1. pag 6. command or to receive the Popes Letters except first they had been shewed unto him As for the Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY Primate of England though by his own authority he might congregate Councels of Bishops and fit President in them
setled them in London Norwich Cambridg Northampion c. In what capacity these Jews came over I finde not perchance as plunderers to buy such oppressed English mens goods which Christians would not meddle with Sufficeth it us to know that an invasion by Conquest such as King William then made is like an Inn entertaining all adventurers and it may be these Jewish bankers assisted the Conquerour with their coin These Jews though forbidden to buy land in England grew rich by usury their consciences being so wide that they were none at all so that in the barest pasture in which a Christian would starve a Jew would grow fat hee bites so close unto the ground And ever low down their backs is part of Gods curse upon the Jews And crook-back'd men as they eye the earth the center of wealth so they quickly see what straight persons pass by and easily stoop to take up that they finde thereon and therefore no wonder if the Jewish nation whose souls are bowed down with covetousness quickly wax wealthy therewith King William favoured them very much and Rusiu his Son much more especially if that speech reported of him be true that he should swear by S t Lake's face his common oath if b Slows Survey of London pag. 288. the Jews could overcome the Christians he himself would become one of their sect 25. Now was the time come of King Williams death 22. Sept. 9. ending his dayes in Normandy 1088 But see the unhappiness of all humane felicity The death of King Wilâ—â— with the difficulty of his burial for his breath and his servants forsook him both together the later leaving him as if his body should bury it self How many hundreds held land of him in Knights-service whereas now neither Knight nor Esquire to attend him At last with much ado his corps are brought in mean manner to be interred in Cane As they were prepared for the earth a private person forbids the burial till satisfaction was made unto him because the King had violently taken from him that ground on which that Church was erected Doth not Solomon say true A living dog is better then a dead lion when such a little curr durst snarle as the corps of a King and a Conqueror At last the Monks of Cane made a composition and the body was buried And as it was long before this Kings corps could get peaceable possession of a grave so since by a firm ejection he hath been outed of the fame When French souldiers c Stows Chron. at the death of King William Anno Domini 1562. amongst whom some English were mingled under Chattllion conducting the remnant of those which escaped in the battel of Dreux took the City of Cane in his way out of pretence forfooth to seek for some treasure supposed to be hid in his Tomb most baratously and cowardly brake up his coffin and cast his bones out of the same 26. William the Conquerour left three sons Sept. 9. Robert 1087 William The three sons of the Conqueror how denominated and Henry and because hereditary sir-names were not yet fixed in families they were thus denominated and distinguished 1. The eldest from his goods of fortune to which cloaths are reduced Robert Curthose from the short hose he wore not onely for fancy but sometime for need cutting his coat according to his cloath his means all his life long being scant and necessitous 2. The second from the goods of his body viz. a ruddy complexion William Rufus or Red. But whether a lovely and amiable or ireful and cholerick Red Anno Dom. 1087. the Reader on perusal of his life Anno Regis Ruf. 1. is best able to decide 3. The third from the goods of his minde and his rich abilities of learning Henry Beauclerke or the good scholar The middlemost of these William Rufus presuming on his brother Roberts absence in Normandy and pretending his Father got the Crown by Conquest which by will he bequeathed unto him his eldest brother being then under a cloud of his Fathers displeasure adventured to possess himself of the Kingdom 27. On the Twentie sixth of September King William Rufus crowned Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with good Wolstan Bishop of Worcester assisting him Crowned Rufus King of England though but his Fathers second son And indeed the known policy of the former and the reputed piety of the latter were the best supporters of his title Jacob we know acted with a prophetical spirit guiding his a Gen. 48. 14. hands wittingly laid his right on Ephraim the yonger and his left on Manasseth the elder brother but what warrant these Bishops had to invert and transpose natures method by preferring the yonger brother before the elder was best known to themselves Under Lanckfranck he had his education who b Mat. Paris pag. 14. made him a Knight though it had been more proper for his Tutors profession yea and more for his credit and his Pupils profit if he as the instrument had made him a good Christian 28. He began very bountifully His covetousness and inconstancy but on another mans cost 1088 not as a Donor Sept. 2. but a Dealer thereof and Executor of his Fathers Will. To some Churches he gave c Chronicon Johannis Brom. 〈◊〉 pag. 983. ten mark to others six to every country village five shillings besides an hundred pound to every County to be distributed among the poor But afterward he proved most parcimonious though no man more prodigal of never performed promises Indeed Rehoboam though simple was honest speaking to his Subjects though foolishly yet truly according to his intent that his d 1 King 12. 11. finger should be heavier then his fathers loins Whereas Rufus was false in his proceedings who on the imminence of any danger or distress principally to secure himself against the claim of his brother Robert instantly to oblige the English promised them the releasing of their taxes and the restoring of the English Laws but on the sinking of the present danger his performance sunk accordingly no letter of the English Laws restored or more mention thereof till the returning of the like Statestorme occasioned the reviving of his promise and alternately the clearing up of the one deaded the performance of the other 29. This year died Lanckfranck His enriching himself by Church livings Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1089. after whose death 3. the King seised the profits of that See into his own hand and kept the Church vacant for some years knowing the emptiness of Bishopricks caused the fulness of his coffers Thus Arch-Bishop Rufus Bishop Rufus Abbot Rufus for so may he be called as well as King Rufus keeping at the same time the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury the Bishopricks of Winchester and Durham and thirteen Abbies in his hand brought a mass of money into his Exchequer All places which he parted with was upon present payment
is a great deal when it must be taken from a new-shorne sheep so pilled and polled were all people before with constant exactions Such whom his hard usage forced beyond the seas were recalled by his Proclamation So that his heavy leavies would not suffer them to live here and his hard Laws would not permit them to depart hence And when the Clergy complain'd unto him to be eased of their burdens I beseech you said he have ye not coffins of gold and silver for dead mens bones intimating that the same treasure might otherwise be better imployed 36. The streams of discord began now to swell high variance between the King and Anselme betwixt the King and Arch-Bishop Anselme flowing principally from this occasion At this time there were two Popes together so that the Eagle with two heads the Arms of the Empire might now as properly have fitted the Papacy for the present Of these the one Guibertus I may call the Lay-Pope because made by Henry the Emperor the other Vrban the Clergy-Pope chosen by the Conclave of Cardinals Now because like unto like King William sided with the former whilest Anselme as earnestly adhered to Vrban in his affections desiring to receive his Pall from him which the King resused to permit Hereupon Anselme appealed to his Pope whereat King William was highly offended 37. But Their several pleadings and present reconcilement because none are able so emphatically to tell their stories and plead their causes as themselves take them in them in their own words The King Objected The custome from my Father's time hath been in England that no person should appeal to the Pope without the Kings license He that breaketh the customs of my Realm violateth the power and Crown of my Kingdom He that violateth and taketh away my Crown is a Traytor and enemy against me Anselme Answered The Lord hath discussed this question Give unto Cesar the things that are Cesars and unto God the things that are Gods In such things as belong to the terrene dignities of temporal Princes I will pay my obedience but Christ said Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church c. Whose Vicar he ought to obey in spiritual matters and the fetching of his Pall was of that nature At last an expedient was found out that Anselme should not want his Pall nor fetch it himself from Rome being by the King's consent brought to him by Gualter Pope Urban's Legate whom the King at last was fain to acknowledg and so all things for the present reconciled 38. But the wound betwixt them was rather skinned over They disagree again then perfectly healed and afterwards brake out again the King taking occasion of displeasure at Anselmes backwardness to assist him in his expedition into Wales Whereupon Anselme desired a second journey to Rome there to bemoan and probably to relieve himself by complaint to the Pope But the King stopt his voyage affirming that Anselme had led so pious a life he need crave no absolution at Rome and was so well stored with learning that he needed not to borrow any counsel there Yea said the King Vrban had rather give place to the wisdom of Anselme then Anselme have need of Urban In fine after much contesting Anselme secretly stole out of the Realm and the King seized all his goods and lands into his own coffers Three years was he in exile somtimes at Lions sometimes at Rome welcome wheresoever he came and very serviceable to the Church by his pious living painfull preaching learned writing and solid disputing especially in the general Councel of Bar where he was very useful in confuting and condemning the errours of the Greek-Church about the Procession of the Holy Spirit 39. King Rufus was a hunting in New-Forest 14. Aug. 2. which was made by King William 1100 his Father King Rufus his death not so much out of pleasure or love of the game as policy to clear and secure to himself a fair and large landing-place for his forces out of Normandy if occasion did require Here then was a great devastation of Towns and Temples the place being turned into a wilderness for Men to make a Paradise for Deer God seemed displeased hereat for amongst other Tragedies of the Conquerors family acted in this place Rufus was here slain by the glancing of an arrow shot by S r Walter Tirrel An unhappy name to the Kings of England this man casually and another wilfully S r James Tirrel employed in the murthering of King Edward the fifth having their hands in royal bloud Now it is seasonably remembred that some yeers since this King William had a desperate disease whereof he made but bad use after his recovery and therefore now Divine Justice would not the second time send him the summons of a solemn visitation by sickness but even surprized him by a sudden and unexpected death 40. Thus died King William Rufus His hurial and character leaving no issue and was buried faith my a John Bromton pag. 997. Author at Winchester multorum Procerum conventu paucorum verò planctu many Noble-men meeting but few mourning at his funerals Yet some who grieved not for his death grieved at the manner thereof and of all mourners Anselme though in exile in France expressed most cordial sorrow at the news of his death A valiant and prosperous Prince but condemn'd by Historians for covetousness cruelty and wantonness though no woman by name is mentioned for his Concubine probably because thrifty in his lust with mean and obscure persons But let it be taken into serious consideration that no pen hath originally written the life of this King but what was made by a Monkish pen-knife and no wonder if his picture seem bad which was drawn by his enemy And he may be supposed to fare the worse for his opposition to the Romish usurpation having this good quality to suffer none but himself to abuse his Subjects stoutly resisting all payments of the Popes imposing Yea as great an enemy as he was conceiv'd to the Church he gave to the Monks called De Charitate the great new Church of S t Saviours in Bermondsey with the Manor thereof as also of Charlton in Kent 41. Henry Beauclarke Henry the first succeedeth Rufus and is crowned his brother succeeded him in the Throne one that crossed the common Proverb The greatest Clerks are not the wisest men being one of the most profoundest Scholars and most politick Princes in his generation He was Crowned about four dayes after his brothers death Anno Dom. 1100. At that time Anno Regis Hen. 1. the present providing of good swords was accounted more essential to a Kings Coronation then the long preparing of gay clothes Such preparatory pomp as was used in after-ages at this Ceremony was now conceived not onely useless but dangerous speed being safest to supply the vacancy of the Throne To ingratiate himself to
to receive large summes of money for his leave after whose faculties obtained if such marriage were against the Law of God men did sin not with less guiltiness but more Expences 26. That the Bodies of the Dead be not carried to be buried out of their own Parishes so that the Parish Priest should lose his due unto him 27. That none out of a rash novelty which we know to have happened exhibit reverence of Holiness to any Bodies of the Dead fountains or other things without Authority from the Bishop 28. That none persume hereafter what hitherto men used in England to sell Men like bruite Beasts Anno Dom. 1102. This Constitution as all others which concerned the Subjects Civil right found not general obedience in the Kingdom For the proceedings of the Canon Law were never wholly received into practice in the Land but so as made subject in whatsoever touched temporals to secular Laws and national Customs And the Laytie at pleasure limited Canons in this behalf Nor were such sales of servants being mens proper goods so a See Mr Selden spicileg ad Eadmerum pag. 208. weakned with this prohibition but that long after they remained legal according to the Laws of the Land 29. That the sin of Sodometry both in Clergie and Laytie should be punished with heavy Censures Remarkable that the same Synod which forbad Priests Marriage found it needful to punish Sodometry an Italian Vice beginning now to be naturaliz'd in England For those who endeavour to make the way to heaven narrower then God hath made it by prohibiting what he permits do in event make the way to hell wider occasioning the committing of such sins which God hath forbidden We may further observe that the plaister now applied to the rotten sore of Sodometry was too gentle too narrow and too little time laid on Too gentle for whereas the sin is conceived to deserve death it was onely slubber'd over that the party convict of this Wickedness if in Orders was admitted to no higher honour and deposed from what he had till restored again on his repentance Too narrow if it be true what one observes that b Bale in the Acts of English Votaries second part chap. 74. MONKS as neither merely Lay nor Priests were not threatned with this Curse where all was hidden in Cloysters Lastly too little time laid on for whereas at first it was constituted that such Excommunication of Sodomites convicted should solemnly be renewed every Lords Day this short-liv'd Canon did die in the birth thereof and Anselme himself c Eadmerus ut prius postponi concessit suffered it to be omitted on pretence that it put beastly thoughts into many mens mindes whose corruption abused the punishment of sin in the provocation thereof whilest others conceive this relaxation indulged in favour to some great offenders who hardened in Conscience but tender in Credit could not endure to be so solemnly publickly and frequently grated with the shame of the sin they had committed So much for the Constitutions of that Synod wherein though Canons were provided for Priests Cap a Pe from the shavnig to the shooes yet not a syllable of their instructing the people and preaching Gods word unto them We must not forget that men guilty of Simony in the first Canon are not taken in the Vulgar acception for such as were promoted to their places by money but in a new coyned sence of that word for those who were advanced to their Dignities by investiture from the King which gave occasion to the long and hot Broil happening betwixt King Henry and Anselme which now we come to relate 4. The King commanded him to Consecrate such Bishops 4. as he lately had invested 1103 namely An selme refuseth to consecrate the Kings Bishops William of Winchester Roger of Hereford c. which Anselme refused because flatly against the Canon newly made in the Councel of Rome by Pope Vrban that any who had their entrance by the Authority of temporal Princes should be admitted to Bishopricks Hereupon the King enjoyned Gerard Arch-Bishop of York to Consecrate them who out of opposition to Anselme his Competitour was as officious to comply with the King King as the other was backward Anno Dom. 1105. hoping thereby to hitch his Church a degree the higher Anno Regis Hen. 16. by help of his Royal Favour Here hapned an unexpected accident For William Bishop of Winchester refused Consecration from the Arch-Bishop of York and resigned his staff and ring back again to the King as illegally from him This discomposed all the rest For whereas more then the moity of Ecclesiastical persons in England were all in the same condemnation as invested by the King the very multitude of offenders would have excused the offence if loyal to their own cause Whereas now this defection of the Bishop of Winchester so brake the ranks and maimed their entireness that their cause thereby was cast by their own confession and so a party raised among them against themselves 5. Soon after Anselme sent to Rome the King was contented that Anselme should go to Rome to know the Popes pleasure herein But one none of the Conclave without a prophetical spirit might easily have foretold the resolution of his Holiness herein never to part with power whereof how injuriously soever though but pretendedly possessed Anselme for his complyance with the Pope herein is forbidden to return into England while the King seiseth on his temporalities 6. However The king parts with his investing of Bishops not log after 1106. by mediation of friends 7. they are reconciled the King disclaiming his right of Investitures a weak and timerous act of so wise and valiant a Prince whose Predecessors before the Conquest held this power though some time loosely in their own hands and his Predecessors since the Conquest grasp'd it fast in their fist in defiance of such Popes as would finger it from them Whereas now he let it go out of his hand whilest his Successors in vain though with a long arme reach't after it to recover it And now Anselme who formerly refused consecrated all the Bishops of vacant Sees amongst whom Roger of Sarisbury was a prime person first preferred to the Kings notice because he began prayers quickly and caded them speedily for which quality he was commended as fittest for a Chaplain in the Camp and was not unwelcome to the Court on the same account 7. Anselme having devested the King of investing Bishops one of the fairest roles in his Ward-robe did soon after deprive the Clergie of one half of themselves Anselme forbids Priests marriage For in a solemn Synod he forbad Priests Marriage wherein 1107 as charitably we believe 8. his intentions pious and commendable and patiently behold his pretences specious and plausible so we can not but pronounce his performance for the present injurious and culpable and the effects thereof
places which time out of minde hath decided the precedency to Canterbury Yorks Title 1. When Gregory the great made York and Canterbury Archiepiscopal Sees he affixed precedency to neither but that the Arch-Bishops should take place according to the seniority of their consecrations Until Lanckfranck Chaplain to King William thinking good reason he should conquer the whole Clergie of England as his Master had vanquished the Nation usurped the superiority above the See of York 2. If Antiquity be to be respected long before Gregories time York was the See of an Arch-Bishop whilest as yet Pagan Canterbury was never dream'd of for that purpose Lucius the first Christian Brittain King founding a Cathedral therein and placing Sumson in the same who had Taurinus Pyrannus Tacliacus c. his successors in that place 3. If the extent of jurisdiction be measured York though the lesser in England is the larger in Britain as which at this time had the entire Kingdom of Scotland subject thereunto Besides if the three Bishopricks viz. Worcester Lichfield Lincoln formerly injuriously taken from York were restored unto it it would vie English Latitude with Canterbury it self This controversie lasted for may years it was first visibly begun passing by former private grudges betwixt Lanckfrank of Canterbury and Thomas of York in the Reign of the Conqueror continued betwixt William of Canterbury and Thurstan of York in the dayes of King Henry the first increased betwixt Theobald of Canterbury and William of York at the Coronation of Henry the second and now revived betwixt Richard of Canterbury and Roger of York with more then ordinary animosity 4. Some will wonder that such spiritual persons should be so spiteful How much carnality in the most spiritual that they who should rather have contended de pascendis ovibus which of them should better feed their flocks should fall out de lana caprina about a toy and trifle onely for Priority Yet such will cease to wonder when they consider how much carnality there was in the Disciples themselves Witness their unseasonable contest just before our Saviours * Luke 22 24. death quis esset major which of them should be the greater when then the question should rather have been quis esset maestior not who should be the highest but who should be the heaviest for their departing Master 5. Here the Pope interposed The Popes decision gives final satisfaction and to end old Divisions made a new distinction Primate of all ENGLAND and Primate of ENGLAND giving the former to Canterbury the latter to York Thus when two Children cry for the same apple the indulgent father divides it betwixt them yet so that he giveth the bigger and better part to the Childe that is his Darling York is fain to be content therewith though full ill against his will as sensible that a secondary Primacy is no Primacy and as one stomaching a Superiour as much as Canterbury disdained an Equal Yea on every little occasion this controversie brake out again The last flash which I finde of this flame was in the Reiga of King Edward the first when William Wickham Arch-Bishop of York at a Councel at Lambeth for Reformation would needs have his Cross carried before him which John Peckam Arch-Bishop of Canterbury would in no case permit to be done in his Province Wherefore the said Peckam inhibited all from selling b Mr Jackson out of Florilegus in his Chronologie Anno 1280. victuals to him or his family so hoping to allay his stomach by raising his hunger and starve him into a speedy submission which accordingly came to pass Since York was rather quiet then contented pleasing it self that as stout came behinde as went before But at this day the Clergie sensible of Gods hand upon them for their Pride and other offences are resolved on more humility and will let it alone to the Layetie to fall out about Precedency 6. To return to King Henry The far extended English Monarchie in this Kings Reign never did the branches of the English Monarchy sprout higher or spread broader before or since as in the Reign of this King so large and united his command though in several capacities For by right of inheritance from his Mother Maud he held England and the Dukedom of Normandy Anno Dom. 1277. by the same title from his Father Anno Regis Hen. 2. 23. Geffery Plantagenet he possessed fair lands in Anjou and Maine by Match in right of Queen Elranor his Wife he enjoyed the Dukedoms of Aquitane and Guien even to the Pyrenean Mountains by Conquest he lately had subdued Ireland leaving it to his successors annexed to the English Dominions and for a time was the effectual King of Scotland whilest keeping William their King a Prisoner and acting at pleasure in the Southern parts thereof The rest of Christendom he may be said to have held by way of Arbritration as Christiani orbis arbiter so deservedly did Foreign Princes esteem his wisdom and integrity that in all difficult controversies he was made Vmpire betwixt them 7. Yet all this his greatness could neither preserve him from death Could not make him fortunate in his own Family nor make him when living happy in his own house so that when freest from Foreign foes he was most molested in his own Family his Wife and Sons at last siding with the King of France against him the sorrow whereat was conceived to send him the sooner to his grave I meet with this Distick as parcel of his Epitaph Cui * Mat. Paris pag. 151. satis ad votum non essent omnia terrae Climata terra modo sufficit octo pedum He whom alive the world would scarce suffice When dead in eight foot earth contented lies He died at Chinon in Normandy 1289. and was buried with very great solemnity 39. Rich. 1. in the Nunnery of Font-Everard in the same Countrey A Religious House of his own Foundation and Endowment 8. It is confidently a Mat. Paris at prius reported Disobedience endeavoured to be expiated by superstition that when Richard Son and Successor to King Henry approached his Fathers dead Corps they bled afresh at the Nostrils whence some collected him the cause of his death But whilest natures Night-councellors treading in the dark causes of hidden qualities render the reason of the salleying forth of the bloud on such occasions let the learned in the Laws decide how far such an accident may be improved for a legal evidence For surely that Judg is no better then a Murderer who condemneth one for Murder on that proof alone However on the bleeding of the Fathers Nostrils the Sons heart could not but bleed as meeting there with a guilty Conscience And therefore according to the Divinity and Devotion of those dayes to expiate his disobedience he undertook with Philip Augustus King of France a long Voyage against Sultan Saladine to recover CHRIST his grave
by him Prophet is become dross and here was the change of Glaucus and Diomedes made as in the sequel of the History will appear 14. Yet we find not that this Fee-farme of a thousand Marks was ever paid either by K. John or by his Successours but that it is all runne on the score even unto this present day Not that the Pope did remit it out of his free bounty but for other Reasons was rather contented to have them use his power therein Perchance suspecting the English Kings would refuse to pay it he accounted it more honour not to demand it then to be denied it Or it may be his Holiness might conceive that accepting of this money might colourably be extended to the cutting him off from all other profits he might gain in the kingdome The truth is he did scorn to take so poor a revenue per annum out of two kingdoms but did rather endeavour to convert all the profits of both Lands to his own use as if he had been seised of all in Demesnes 15. At the same time The proud carriage of Pandulphus to the King King John on his knees surrendred the Crown of England into the hands of Pandulphus and also presented him with some money as the earnest of His subjection which the proud Prelate trampled under his d Matt. Paris pag. 237. feet A gesture applauded by some as shewing how much his Holinesse whom he personated slighted worldly wealth caring as little for King Johns coin as his Predecessour Saint e Acts 8. 20. Peter did for the money of Simon Magus Anno Dom. 1213. Others Anno Regis Joh. 14. and especially H. Arch-Bishop of Dublin then present were both grieved and angry thereat as an intolerable affront to the King and there wanted not those who condemn'd his pride and hypocrisie knowing Pandulphus to be a most greedy griper as appeared by his unconscionable oppression in the Bishoprick of Norwich which was afterwards bestowed upon him And perchance he trampled on it not as being money but because no greater summe thereof Five dayes namely Ascension-day and four dayes after Pandulphus kept the Crown in his possession and then restored it to King John again A long eclipse of Royall lustre and strange it is that no bold Monk in his blundring Chronicles did not adventure to place King Innocent with his five dayes reigne in the Catalogue of English Kings seeing they have written what amounts to as much in this matter 16. Now all the dispute was Peter the prophet hanged whether unjustly disputed whether Peter of Wakefield had acquitted himself a true prophet or no The Romiz'd faction were zealous in his behalf Iohn after that day not being King in the same sense and Soveraignty as before not free but feodary not absolute but dependent on the Pope whose Legate possess'd the Crown for the time being so that his prediction was true in that lawfull latitude justly allowed to all Prophesies Others because the King was neither naturally nor civilly dead condemn'd him of forgery for which by the Kings command he was dragg'd at the horse-tail from Corf-Castle and with his sonne a Matt. Paris Vt prius hang'd in the Town of Wareham A punishment not undeserved if he foretold as some report that none of the line or linage of King Iohn should after be crowned in England of whose off-spring some shall flourish in free and full power on the English Throne when the Chair of Pestilence shall be burnt to ashes and neither Triple-Crown left at Rome to be worne nor any head there which shall dare to wear it 17. Next year the Interdiction was taken off of the Kingdom The Interdiction of England relaxed and a generall Jubilee of joy all over the Land 1214. Banish'd Bishops being restored to their Sees 15. Service and Sacraments being administred in the Church as before But small reason had King Iohn to rejoyce being come out of Gods Blessing of whom before he immediately held the Crown into the Warm Sunne or rather scorching-heat of the Popes protection which proved little beneficiall unto him 18. A brawl happened betwixt him The Popes Legate arbitrates the arrears betwixt the King and Clergy and the banished Bishops now returned home about satisfaction for their Arrears and reparation of their damages during the Interdiction all which terme the King had retained their revenues in his hands To moderate this matter Nicolas a Tusculane Cardinal and Legat was imployed by the Pope who after many meetings and Synods to audit their Accounts reduced all at last to the gross summe of fourty thousand Marks the restoring whereof by the King unto them was thus divided into three payments 1. Twelve thousand Marks Pandulphus carried over with him into France and delivered them to the Bishops before their return 2. Fifteen thousand were paid down at the late meeting in Reading 3. For the thirteen thousand remaining they had the Kings Oath Bond and other Sureties But then in came the whole crie of the rest of the Clergy who stayed all the while in the Land bringing in the Bills of their severall sufferings and losses sustained occasioned by the Interdiction Yea some had so much avarice and little conscience they could have been contented the Interdiction had still remained untill all the accidentall damages were repaired But Cardinall Nicolas averred them to amount to an incredible summe impossible to bee paid and unreasonable to be demanded adding withall that in generall grievances private men may be glad if the main be made good unto them not descending to petty particulars which are to be cast out of course as inconsiderable in a common calamity Hereupon and on some other occasions much grudging Anno Regis Joh. 16. and justling there was Anno Dom. 1214. betwixt Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Legat as one in his judgement and carriage too propitious and partiall to the Kings cause 19. The remnant of this Kings Reign The Barons rebel against King John afforded little Ecclesiastical Story but what is so complicated with the Interest of State that it is more proper for the Chronicles of the Common-wealth But this is the brief thereof The Barons of England demanded of King John to desist from that arbitrary and tyrannical power he exercised and to restore King Edwards Laws which his great Grand-father King Henrie the first had confirmed to the Church and State for the general good of his Subjects yea and which he himself when lately absolved from the sentence of Excommunication by Stephen Arch-Bishop of Canterburie had solemnly promised to observe But King John though at the first he condescended to their requests afterwards repented of his promise and refused the performance thereof Hereupon the Barons took up Armes against him and called in Lewis Prince of France son to Philip Augustus to their assistance promising him the Crown of England for his reward 20.
Yet the Pope endeavoured what lay in his power 16. to disswade Prince Lewis from his design 1215. to which at first he encouraged him Lewis Prince of France invited by the Barons to invade England and now forbad him in vain For where a Crown is the Game hunted after such hounds are easier laid on then either rated or hollowed off Yea ambition had brought this Prince into this Dilemma that if he invaded England he was accursed by the Pope if he invaded it not forsworn of himself having promised upon oath by such a time to be at London Over comes Lewis into England and there hath the principal learning of the Land the Clergie the strength thereof the Barons the wealth of the same the Londoners to joyn with him Who but ill requited King John for his late bounty to their City in first giving them a a Granted to the City Anno Dom. 1209. Grafton fol. 59. Mayor for their governour Gualo the Popes new Legat sent on purpose bestirr'd himself with Book Bell and Candle Excommunicating the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with all the Nobility opposing King John now in protection of his Holiness But the commonness of these curses caused them to be contemned so that they were a fright to few a mock to many and an hurt to none 21. King John thus distressed An unworthy Embassie of King John to the King of Morocco sent a base degenerous and unchristian-like embassage to Admiralius Murmelius a Mahometan King of Morocco then very puissant and possessing a great part of Spain offering him on condition he would send him succour to hold the Kingdome of England as a vassal from him and to receive the Law b Mat. Paris pag. 245. placeth this two years sooner viz. An. 1213. of Mahomet The Moor marvellously offended with his offer told the Embassadors that he lately had read Pauls Epistles which for the matter liked him very well save onely that Paul once renounced that faith wherein he was born and the Jewish profession Wherefore he neglected King John as devoid both of piety and policie who would love his liberty and disclaim his Religion A strange tender if true Here whilest some alledg in behalf of King John that cases of extremity excuse counsels of extremity when liberty is not left to chuse what is best but to snatch what is next neglecting future safety for present subsistence we onely listen to the saying of Solomon c Eccles 7. 7. Oppression maketh a wise man mad In a fit of which fury oppressed on all sides with enemies King John scarce compos sui may be presumed to have pitched on this project 22. King John having thus tried Turk and Pope and both with bad success sought at last to escape those his enemies 17. whom he could not resist 1216. by a far The lamentable death of King John and fast march into the North-eastern Counties Where turning mischievous instead of valiant he cruelly burnt all the stacks of Corn of such as he conceived disaffected unto him doing therein most spight to the rich for the present but in fine more spoil to the poor the prices of grain falling heavy on those who were least able to bear them Coming to Lin he rewarded the fidelity of that Town unto him with bestowing on that Corporation his own a Camd. Brit. in Norfolk sword Anno Dom. 1216. which had he himself but known how well to manage Anno Regis Joh. 17. he had not so soon been brought into so sad a condition He gave also to the same place a faire silver Cup all gilded But few dayes after a worse Cup was presented to King John at Swinshed Abbey in Lincoln-shire by one Simon b Wil. Caxton in his Chron. called Fructus temp lib. 7. a Monk of poisoned wine whereof the King died A murther so horrid that it concerned all Monks who in that age had the Monopoly of writing Histories to conceal it and therefore give out sundry other causes of his death c Mat Paris pag. 287. Some report him heart-broken with grief for the loss of his baggage and treasure drowned in the passage over the washes it being just with God that he who had plagued others with fire should be punished by water a contrary but as cruel an element d Compare Mr Fox Martyr pag. 234. with Holynshed pag. 194. Others ascribe his death to a looseness and scouring with bloud others to a cold sweat others to a burning heat all effects not inconsistent with poyson so that they in some manner may seem to set down the symptomes and suppress his disease 23. It is hard to give the true character of this Kings conditions King Johns character delivered in the dark For we onely behold him through such light as the Friers his foes show him in who so hold the candle that with the shaddow thereof they darken his virtues and present onely his vices Yea and as if they had also poisoned his memory they cause his faults to swell to a prodigious greatness making him with their pens more black in conditions then the Morocco-King whose aid he requested could be in complexion A murtherer of his Nephew Arthur a defiler of the wives and daughters of his Nobles sacrilegious in the Church profane in his discourse wilful in his private resolutions various in his publick promises false in his faith to men and wavering in his Religion to God The favourablest expression of him falls from the pen of Roger Hoveden Princeps quidem magnus erat sed minùs felix Atque ut Marius utramque fortunam expertus Perchance he had been esteemed more pious if more prosperous it being an usual though uncharitable error to account mischances to be misdeeds But we leave him quietly buried in Worcester Church and proceed in our storie 24. Henry Henry the third under Tutors and Governors the third of that name Hen. 3 1. Octob. 2◠his Son succeeded him being but ten years old and was Crowned at Glocester by a moiety of the Nobility and Clergie the rest siding with the French Lewis Now what came not so well from the mouth of Abijah the son concerning his father Rehoboam posterity may no less truly and more properly pronounce of this Henry even when a man e 2 Chro. 16. 7. He was but a childe and tender-hearted But what strength was wanting in the Ivie it self was supplied by the Oaks his supporters his Tutors and Governours first William Mareshall Earl of Pembroke and after his death Peter Bishop of Winchester But of these two Protectors successively a sword-man and a Church-man the latter left the deeper impression on this our King Henry appearing more Religious then resolute devout then valiant His Reign was not onely long for continuance fifty six years but also thick for remarkable mutations happening therein 25. Within little more then a twelvemonth By what means King
Henry so quickly recovered his Kingdom he recovered the entire possession of his Kingdom many things concurring to expedite so great an alteration First the insolency of the French disobliging the English by their cruelty and wantonness Secondly the inconstancy of the English if starting loyalties return to its lawful Soveraign may be so termed who as for their own turns they call'd in Lewis so for their turns they cast him out Thirdly the innocence of Prince Henry whose harmless age as it attracted love to him on his own account so he seemed also hereditarily to succeed to some pitty as the Son of a suffering Father Fourthly the wisdom and valor counsel and courage of William Earl of Pembroke Anno Regis Hen. 3 1. his Protector who Anno Dom. 1217. having got the French Lewis out of his covert of the City of London into the champion field so maul'd him at the fatal battel of Lincoln that soon after the said Lewis was fain by the colour of a composition to qualifie his retreat not to say his flight into the honour of a departure Lastly and chiefly the Mercy of God to an injured Orphan and his Justice that detained right though late yet at last should return to its proper owner 26. But it were not onely uncivil Our Principal design in writing this Kings life but injurious for us to meddle with these matters proper to the pens of the civil Historians We shall therefore confine our selves principally to take notice in this Kings Reign as of the unconscionable extortions of the Court of Rome on the one side to the detriment of the King and Kingdom so of the defence which the King as well as he could made against it Defence which though too faint and feeble fully to recover his right from so potent oppression yet did this good to continue his claim and preserve the title of his priviledges until his Son and Successors in after-ages could more effectually rescue the rights of their Crown from Papal usurpation 27. Indeed at this time many things imboldened the Pope not over-bashful of himself to be the more busie in the collecting of money Occasions of the Popes intolerable extortions First the troublesomness of the times and best fishing for him in such waters Secondly the ignorance of most and the obnoxiousness of some of the English Clergie Now such as had weak heads must finde strong backs and those that led their lives loose durst not carry their purses tied or grudg to pay dear for a connivence at their viciousness Thirdly the minority of King Henry and which was worse his non-age after his full-age such was his weakness of spirit and lowness of resolution Lastly the Pope conceiving that this King got his Crown under the countenance of his excommunicating his enemies thought that either King Henrie's weakness could not see or his goodness would winke at his intolerable extortions which how great soever were but a large shiver of that loaf which he had given into the Kings hand Presuming on the premisses Gualo the Popes Legat by his Inquisitors throughout England collected a vast summe of money of the Clergie for their misdemenours Hugo Bishop of Lincoln paying no less for his share then a thousand a Mat. Paris pag. 299. marks sterling to the Pope and an hundred to this his Legat. Yet when this Gualo departed such as hated his dwelling here grieved at his going hence because fearing a worse in his room chusing rather to be suck'd by full then fresh flies hoping that those already gorg'd would be afterwards less greedy 28. And being now to give the Reader a short account of the long Reign of this King A new design I shall alter my proceedings embracing a new course which hitherto I have not nor hereafter shall venture upon Wherein I hope the variation may be not onely pleasant but profitable to the Reader as scientifical and satisfactory in it self namely I will for the present leave off consulting with the large and numerous Printed or Manuscript Authors of that Age and betake my self only to the Tower-Records all authentically attested under the hands of William Ryley Norroy keeper of that pretious Treasury 29. When I have first exemplified them Good Text what ere the Comments I shall proceed to make such observations upon them as according to my weakness I conceive of greatest concernment being confident that few considerables in that Age which was the crisis of Regal and Papal power in this Land will escape our discovery herein 30. Onely I desire a pardon for the premising of this Touch of State-matters Serenity in the State At this instant the Common-wealth had a great serenity as lately cleared from such active spirits who nick-named the calme and quiet of Peace a sloth of Government Such Falcatius de Brent and others Anno Dom. 1214. who had merited much in setting this Henry the third on the Throne and it is dangerous when Subjects conferr too great benefits on their Sovereigns Anno Regis Hen. 3 7. for afterwards their mindes are onely made capable of receiving more reward not doing more duty These were offended when such Lands and Castles which by the heat of War had unjustly been given them by Peace were justly took away from them finding such uprightness in the King that his Power of Protection would not be made a wrong doer But now the old stock of such male-contents being either worne out with age or ordered otherwise into Obedience all things were in an universal tranquillity within the first seven years of this Kings Reign THOMAE HANSON Amico meo Anno Regis Anno Dom. DIsplicet mihi modernus Scribendi Mos quo Monumenta indies exarantur Literae enim sunt fugaces ut quae non stabili manu penitus Membranis infiguntur sed currente Calamo summam earum Cuticulam vix leviter praestringunt Hae cum saeculum unum alterum duraverint vel Linceis oculis lectu erunt perdifficiles Haud ita olim Archiva in Turre Londinensi Rotulis Scaccario c. deposita in quibus ingens Scribarum cura justa Membranarum firmitas Atramentum vere Aethiopicum integra Literarum lineamenta ut Calamus Praeli Aemulus videatur Ita adhuc vigent omnia in illis quae trecentis ab hinc Annis notata ut Is cui Characteris Antiquitas minus cognita nuperrime descripta judicaret Ex his nonnulla decerpsi ad Rem nostram facientia ea Tibi dedicanda curavi quem omnes norunt Antiquitatis Caniciem venerari Quo in Ducatus Lancastrensis Chartulis custodiendis nemo fidelior perlegendis oculatior communicandis candidior HEre we begin with the Kings Precept to the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Henriâ— 3. 7 considerable for the Rarity thereof 1214 though otherwise but a matter of private concernment A remarkable writ of the King to the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Vic. Bucks
wearisome Though a Royall Guest with often coming his Royalty made not his Guestship the more accepted but the notion of a Guest rendred his Royalty the lesse to be esteemed Indeed his visits of Abbeys at first did wear the countenance of Devotion on which account this King was very eminent but afterwards they appeared in their own likeness the dimmest eye seeing them to proceed from pure Necessity 37. Soon after began the Civill Warrs in England No part of Church-work with various success sometimes the King and sometimes the Barons getting the better till at last an indifferent Peace was concluded for their mutuall good as in the Historians of the Common-wealth doth plentifully appear 38. The later part of the reigne of King Henry was not onely eminent in it self Bettered by affliction but might be exemplary to others He reformed first his own naturall errours then the disorders in his Court the Expence whereof he measured by the just rule of his proper Revenue The rigour and corruption of his Iudges he examined and redressed by strict commission filled the seats of Iudgement and Counsell with men nobly born sate himself daily in Counsell and disposed affairs of most weight in his own person 39. And now the Charta Magna was very strictly observed Charta Magna first fully practised being made in the ninth year of this Kings reign but the practice thereof much interrupted and disturbed with Civill Wars it is beheld by all judicious men as like the aurea Bulla or golden Bull of Germany the life of English Liberty rescued by the bloud and valour of our Auncestours from Tyrannicall incroachment giving the due bounds to Prerogative and Propriety that neither should mutually intrench on the others lawfull Priviledges And although some high Royallists look on it as the product of Subjects animosities improving themselves on their Princes extremities yet most certain it is those Kings flourished the most both at home and abroad who tyed themselves most conscientiously to the observation thereof 40. Two Colledges in Oxford were founded in the Reign of this King Bailiol Colledge built by a banisht Prince One Bailiol Colledge 46 by Iohn Bailiol and Dervorguill his Lady of Bernads Castle in the Bishoprick of Durham 1262 banisht into England and Father of Bailiol King of Scotland Wonder not that an Exile should build a Colledge Charity being oftentimes most active in the afflicted willingly giving to others a little of that little they have witness the Macedonians whose deep a 2 Cor. 8. 2. poverty abounded to the riches of their Liberality 41. True it is Great revenues for that Age. the ancient revenues of this Colledge were not great allowing but b Roger Walden in his History eight pence a week for every Scholar therein of his Foundation whereas Merion Colledge had twelve pence and yet as c Bri. Twine antiq Acad. Ox. in Appendice Endowed with more land then now it possesseth one casteth up their ancient revenues amounted unto ninety nine pounds seventeen shillings ten pence which in that Age I will assure you was a considerable Summe enough to make us suspect that at this day they enjoy not all the Originall lands of their foundation 42. Indeed I am informed that the aforesaid King Bailiol bestowed a large proportion of Land in Scotland on this his Fathers Foundation The Master and Fellows whereof petitioned King Iames when the Marches of two Kingdomes were newly made the middle of one Monarchy for the restitution of those Lands detained from them in the Civil Warres betwixt the two Crowns The King though an affectionate lover of Learning would not have his Bounty injurious to any save sometimes to himself and considering those Lands they desired were long peaceably possessed with divers Owners gave them notice to surcease their Suit Thus not King Iames but the infeacibility of the thing they petitioned for to be done with justice gave the denyall to their Petition 43. Being to present the Reader with the Catalogues of this The Authours request to the learned in Oxford and other worthy Foundations in Oxford I am sorry that I can onely build bare Walls erect empty Columns and not fill them with any furniture which the ingenuous Reader I trust will pardon when he considers first that I am no Oxford-man secondly that Oxford is not that Oxford wherewith ten years since I was acquainted Wherefore I humbly request the Antiquaries of their respective Foundations best skill'd in their own worthy Natives to insert their own observations which if they would return unto me against the next Edition of this work if I live it be thought worthy thereof God shall have the Glory they the publick thanks and the world the benefit of their contribution to my endeavours 44. The Catalogue of Masters we have taken with an implicite faith Four necessary things premised out of M r. Brian Twine who may be presumed knowing in that subject untill the year 1608. where his work doth determine Since which time we have supplyed them as well as we may though too often at a losse for their Christian names If M r. Twine his Register be imperfect yet he writes right who writes wrong if following his Copy 45. The List of Bishops hath been collected out of Francis Godwine Bishop of Hereford Whence the Bishops are collected whose judicious paines are so beneficiall to the English Church Yet Godwinus non vidit omnia and many no doubt have been omitted by him 46. As for the Roll of Benefactours Whence the Benefactours I who hope to have made the other Catalogues true hope I have made this not true upon desire and confidence that they have more then I have or can reckon up though following herein I. Scot his printed Tables Anno Dom. 1262 and the last Edition of Iohn Speed his Chronicle Anno Regis Henrici 3. 46 47. The column of learned Writers I have endeavoured to extract out of Bale and Pitts Whence the learned writers Whereof the later being a member of this University was no lesse diligent then able to advance the Honour thereof 48. Let none suspect that I will enrich my Mother No wilfull wrong done by rebbing my Aunt For besides that Cambridge is so conscientious she will not be accessary to my Felony by receiving stollen goods Tros Tyriusque mihi nullo discrimine habetur A Trojan whether he Or a Tyrian be All is the same to me It matters not whether of Cambridge or Oxford so God hath the Glory the Church and State the Benefit of their learned endeavours 49. However Adde and mend I am sensible of many defects and know that they may be supplied by the endeavours of others Every man knows his own land better then either Ortelius or Mercator though making the Maps of the whole world And the members of respective Colledges must be more accurate in the
Private Chappels wherein particular persons claim a propriety of sepulture at their own charges 3. The Chauncel at the expence of the Parson However in all these such respect is had to the custom of the place time out of minde that it often over-ruleth the premisses Quaere Whether the Fences of the Church-yard be to be made on the Parish-charges or on the purse of the several persons whose ground surroundeth it or abutteth on the same * Oblations and Tythes It is a question which I believe will never be decided to the contentment of both Parties in what notion Tythes belong to the Court-Christian 1. The Canonists maintaine That Originally and ex sua natura they are of Ecclesiastical cognizance as commonly avouched and generally believed due Jure Divino Besides such the near relation of the Church and its maintenance that to part the oyl from the lamp were to destroy it They produce also the Confession in the Statute of the first of Richard the second That pursuit for Tythes ought and of ancient time did pertain to the Spiritual Court 2. The Common-Lawyers defend That Tythes in their own nature are a civil thing and therefore by Britton who being Bishop of Heresord and learned in the Laws of this Realm was best qualified for an unpartial Judg herein omitted when treating of what things the Church hath cognizance They * Bracton lib. 5. fol. 401. affirm therefore that Tythes were annexed to the Spirituality Thus they expound those passages in Statutes of Tythes anciently belonging to Court-Christian as intended by way of concession and not otherwise But the Canonists are too sturdy to take that for a gift which they conceive is their due left thanks also be expected from them for enjoying the same and so we leave the question where we found it 27. Mortuary Because something of history is folded up in this word which may acquaint us with the practice of this age we will enlarge a little hereon and shew what a Mortuary was when to be paid by whom to whom and in what consideration 1. A Mortuary a Linwood Constit lib. 1. fol. 11. c. de Consuetudine was the second best quick cattel whereof the party died possessed If he had but two in all such forsooth the charity of the Church no Mortuary was due from him 2. It was often bequeathed by the dying but however alwayes payed by his Executors after his death thence called a Mortuary or Corse-present 3. By whom No woman under Covert-Baron was lyable to pay it and by proportion no children unmarried living under their Fathers tuition but Widows and all possessed of an Estate were subject to the payment thereof 4. To whom It was paid to the Priest of the Parish where the party dying received the Sacrament not where he repaired to prayers and if his house at his death stood in two Parishes the value of the Mortuary was to be divided betwixt them both 5. It was given in lieu of small or personal Tythes Predial Tythes are too great to be casually forgotten which the party in his life-time had though ignorance or negligence not fully paid But in case the aforesaid Mortuary fell far short of full satisfaction for such omissions Casuists maintain the dying party obliged to a larger restitution So much of Mortuaries as they were generally paid at the present until the time of Henry the sixth when learned Linwood wrote his Comment on that Constitution How Mortuaries were after reduced to a new regulation by a Statute in the twenty first of Henry the eighth pertains not to our present purpose 28. For laying violent hands on a Priest The Ecclesiastical Judg might proceed ex officio and pro salute animae punish the offender who offered violence to a Priest but dammages on Action of Battery were onely recoverable at Common-Law Note that the arresting of a Clergy-man by Process of Law is not to be counted a violence 29. And in cause of Defamation Where the matter defamatory is spiritual as to call one Heretick or Schismatick c. the plea lay in Court-Christian But defamations with mixture any matter determinable in the Common-Law as Thief Murderer c. are to be traversed therein 30. Defamation it hath been granted From this word granted Common-Lawyers collect let them alone to husband their own right that originally defamations pertained not to the Court-Christian From the beginning it was not so until the Common-Law by Acts of Parliament granted and surrendred such suits to the Spirituality 31. Thus by this Act and Writ of Circumspectè agatis No end can end an everlasting difference King Edward may seem like an expert Artist to cleave an hair betwixt the spiritual and temporal jurisdiction allowing the premisses to the former and leaving whatever is not specified in this Act to the Cognizance of the Common-Law according to the known and common Maxime Exceptio firmat regulam in non exceptis However for many years after there was constant heaving and shoving betwixt the two Courts And as there are certain lands in the Marches of England and Scotland whilest distinct Kingdomes termed Battable-grounds which may give for their Motto not Dentur justiori but Dentur fortiori for alway the strongest sword for the present possessed them So in controversial cases to which Court they should belong sometimes the Spirituality sometimes the Temporality alternately seized them into their Jurisdiction as power and favour best befriended them See more hereof on Articuli Cleri in the Reign of Edward the second But generally the Clergie complained that as in the blending of liquors of several colours few drops of red will give tincture to a greater quantity of white so the least mixture of Civil concernment in Religious matters so discolourated the Christian candor and purity thereof that they appeared in a temporal hue and under that notion were challenged to the Common-Law Sad when Courts that should be Judges turn themselves Plaintiffs and Defendents about the bounds of their Jurisdiction 32. We long since mentioned the first coming in of the Jews into England brought over by William the Conqueror and now are come this year to their casting out of this Kingdome A transition to the entire story of our English Jews having first premised some observables concerning their continuance therein 1290. If hitherto we have not scattered our History with any discourse of the Jews 18. know it done by design that as they were enjoyned by our Laws to live alone in streets by themselves not mixing in their dwellings with Christians so we purposely singled out their story and reserved it by it self for this one entire relation thereof 33. They were scattered all over England Their principal residence in London In Cambridg Bury Norwich Lin Stanford Northampton Lincoln York and where not But their principal aboad was in London where they had their Arch-Synagogue at the North corner of the Old-Jury as opening
into Lothbury After their expulsion their Synagogue was turned into the Covent of the Friers of the Sack or De Poenitentia Jesu and after their supression it became successively the house first of a Lord then of a Merchant since of any man for his money being turned into a Tavern with the sign of the a Stow his Survey of London pag. 288. Wind-mill A proper sign to express the moveableness of that place which with several gales of success hath been turned about from so many owners and to so many uses 34. As for the civil government of Jews in England The Justicer of the Jews the King set over them one principal Officer called the Justicer of the Jews whose place in honor was next to the Barons of the Exchequer His office was to be the Patron Protector of the Jews in their just rights to decide all suits betwixt Christians and them and to keep the seal of the Jews their Corporation with the keys of their Treasury I conceive of such moneys as they paid as Tribute to the King otherwise the Jews had age enough to keep the Keys of their own coffers themselves and wit too much to trust them with others S r Robert de Hoo and S r Philip Luvel afterward Treasurer of England men of signal Nobility successvely discharged this place These Justicers often acted very high in defence of their Clients the Jews insomuch as I finde it b Additamenta Matthaei Parisiensis p. â—02 complained of by the English Clergy as a great grievance that when a Jew was convented before the Ecclesiastical Judg for his misdemeanours as Sacriledg violence offered to some Priest adultery with a Christian woman c. their own Justicer would interpose and by a Prohibition obtained from the King obstruct all legal proceedings against such a Jew as onely responsible in his own jurisdiction 35. In their spiritual government they were all under one Pontifex The High Priest or Presbyter of the Jews or High Priest We finde his name was Elias who Anno 1254. had that office He was also called the Presbyter of the Jews whose place was usually confirmed at least if not constituted by the King who by his Patent granted the same as may appear by this copie of King Johns as followeth REX a Ret. Cart. 1 Reg. Joh. part 1. memb 28. Cart. 171. omnibus fidelibus suis Anno Regis Ed. 1. 18. omnibus Judaeis Anno Dom. 1290. Anglis salutem Soiatis Nos concessisse praesenti Chartâ nostrâ confirmasse Jacobo Judge de Londoniis Presbyterio Judaeorum Presbyteratum omnium Judaeorum totius Angliae babendum tenendum quamdiu vixerit liberè quietè bonorificè integre its quòd nemo ei super hoc molestiam aliquam aut gravamen inferre praesumat Quare volumus firmiter praecipimus quod eidem Jacobo quoad vixerit Presbytoratum Judaeorum per totam Angliam garantetis manu teneatis pacificè defendatis si quis ei super eo foriffacere praesumserit id ei sine dilatione salva nobis emenda nostra de forisfactura nostra emendari faciatis tanquam Dominico Judaeo nostro quem specialiter in servitio nostra retinuimus Prohibemus etiam ne de aliquo ad se pertinente ponatur in placitum nisi coram Nobis aut coram Capitali Justitia nostra sicut Charta Regis Richardi fratris nostri testatur Taeste S. Bathomensi Episcopo c. Dat. per manus H. Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi Chancellarii nostri apud Rothomagum 31. die Julii Anno Regni nostri primo I have transcribed this Patent the rather for the rarity thereof it being a strange fight to see a Christian Arch-Bishop date an Instrument for a Jewish Presbyter 36. Their livelihood was all on Usury Jews griping Usurers One Verse in b Deut. 23. 20. Deuteronomy with their Comment thereon was more beneficial unto them then all the Old Testament besides Vnto a stranger thou maiest lend upon usury but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury Now interpreting all strangers who though neighbours at the next door were not of their own nation they became the universal Usurers of all England and did our Kingdom this courtesie that because all hated the Jews for their Usury sake all also hated Usury for the Jews sake so that Christians generally disdained to be guilty thereof Now seeing there are two wayes to wealth one long and sure by saving at home the other short but not so certain because probably it may meet with detection and punishment by oppressing abroad no wonder if the Jews using both wayes quickly arrived at vast estates 37. For Their rapaciousness and tenaciousness first for their fare it was course in the quality and yet slender in the quantity thereof Insomuch that they would in a manner make pottage of a flint Swines-flesh indeed they would not eat but dogs-meat they would I mean beef and mutton so poor and lean that the refuse of all Christians was the Jews choice in the Shambles Clothes they wore so poor and patch'd beggars would not take them up to have them Attendants they kept none every one waiting on himself No wonder then if easily they did over-grow others in wealth who basely did under-live themselves in all convenient accommodations Nor were they less gripple in keeping then greedy in catching of goods who would as soon lose their fingers as let go what they had clutched therein 38. I was of the opinion and perchance not without company in my mistake that the Jews were not permitted to purchase Lands in England Jews might purchase houses I thought onely the ground of their graves generally buried without Cripplegate in the Jews garden on the West side of S t Gyles's Church-yard now turned into Tenements in Red-cross-street could be termed theirs But since I am informed that Benomy c Stows Survey pag. 288 and 289. Mittun a Jew as certainly many moe besides him was possessed of much Land and many houses in several parishes in London Surely their purchases were limited within some restrictions But the Jews generally more fancied letting-out of money then buying in of Land as which made their estates less subject to discovery more plentiful in their encreasing and more portable in the removing thereof 39. It was an usual punishment legally inflicted on these Jews Lay-excommunication what it was for their offences not capital to Excommunicate them Thus such Jews should be Excommunicated who contrary to the Laws kept Christian-nurses a Additamentaâ— Matthaei Pari. pag 202. in their houses or who cast off that badg or cognizance which they ought to have worn over their upper garment Anno Dom. 1290. to be distinguished from Christians Anno Regis Ed. 1. 18. Surely such Excommunication was no Ecclesiastical censure needless to keep the Jews out of our Churches who hated all coming into them Rather it
from the Pope and why where having been so great a stickler for his Holiness insomuch that his present disfavour with the King was originally caused by his activity for the Pope he might rationally have expected some courtesie But though he had used both his hands to scrape treasure for the Church of Rome the Pope would not lend his least finger to his support but suspended him from office and benefit of his place till he should clear himself from the crime of Treason wherewith he was charged Whether done to procure reputation to the Justice of the Court of Rome where in publick causes men otherwise privately well deserving should finde no more favour there then they brought innocence thither Or because which is most probable the Pope loved the Arch-Bishoprick better then the Arch-Bishop and knew during his suspension both to increase his profit and improve his power in England by such cunning Factors as he imployed in the business namely William de Testa and Peter Amaline both strangers to whom the Pope committed the sequestration of Canterbury whilest the cause of Wincelsey did as yet depend undetermined 8. These by Papal Authority A signal piece of Justice don by forein Sequestrators summoned before them John Salmon Bishop of Norwich for exacting the first-fruits of vacant Benefices from the Clergie of his Diocess The case was this Some sixty years since Pandulph an Italian and Popes Legat a perfect Artist in progging for money being Bishop of Norwich c Harpsfield Hist Eccl. Aug. in Seculo 13. cap. 15. pretending his Church to be in debt obtained of his Holiness the first-firuits of vacant Benefices in Norfolk and Suffolk to discharge that engagement This Grant to him being but personal local and temporary was improved by his Successors to a constant revenue yea covetousness being an apt Scholar and profit an easie lesson this example was followed by other English Bishops in their respective Diocesses Behold here a piece of exemplary Justice Who could have look'd for less the illegality of these payments appearing but that the Clergie should be eased of them Whereas these forein Sequestrators did order that generally throughout England the first-fruits of all spiritual promotions falling void next for three years should be paid over to the Popes Chamber at Rome onely d Antiquitates Britan. p. 208. Cathedral and Conventual-Churches were excepted herein No reason is rendered why the burden fell on Parish-Churches except any will say that the Ass must bear more then the Horse and the load is best laid on that beast which hath least mettle to kick it off and throw it down Englands gald backâ—â— changes a full flie for an hungry one the poor Parochial Clergie being most unable to resist the usurpation of his Holiness 9. Afterwards this William Testa who according to his name came over an empty shell but departed with the kernel of the English wealth complained of for his extortion a Câ—ntra intemperantem Testa 〈◊〉 publiâ—e in Parliamentâ— querlae quod Clerum immoderatè emuâ—geret Harpssield p. 431. to the Parliament was called home and Peter a Spanish Cardinal sent in his room where he concluded and celebrated a marriage betwixt Prince Edward and Isabel the King of France his Daughter Towards the bearing of his charges this Cardinal required twelve mark of all Cathedrals and Convents and of Parish-Churches eight pence out of every mark of their yearlie revenue But the King made him content with the moity of his demand 10. Mean time intollerable were the taxes which the English Clergie paid to Rome The infinite wealth Rome yearly drained from England The Poets faigne Arethusa a River in Armenia to be swallowed up by the earth and running many miles under the Ocean in Sicilie they say it vents it self up again But without any fiction the wealthy streams flowing from a plentiful spring in England did suddenly disappear and being insensibly conveyed in invisible chanels not under but over the Sea were found far off to arise afresh at Rome in the Popes Treasury where the Italians though being themselves bred in a clear and subtile Climate they scorn'd the dulness of the wits and hated the gross ayre of this Island yet hugg'd the heaviness of the gold thereof this Kingdom being one of the best places for their profit Although proud b In Consut Apolog Harding saith that the Popes yearly gains out of England were but as a GNAT to an ELEPHANT Oh the over-grown Beast of Romes Revenues 11. The death of King Edward the first The death character of K. Edward the first gave a great advancement to the Popes incroaching A worthy Prince he was 1307 fixed in his generation betwixt a weak Father 35. and son as if made wise and valiant by their Antiperistasis Equally fortunate in drawing and sheathing the sword in war and peace having taught the English loyaltie by them almost forgotten and the Welsh subjection which they never learn'd before In himself religiously disposed founded the famous c Camd. Brit. in Cheshire Abbey of Val-royal for the Cistercians in Cheshire and by Will bequeathing thirty two thousand pounds to the Holy War Obedient not servile to the See of Rome A soe to the pride and friend to the profession of the Clergie whom he watered with his bounty but would not have to spread so broad as to justle or grow so high as to overtop the Regal Authority Dying in due time for himself almost seventy year old but too soon for his Subjects especially for his Son whose giddy youth lack'd a guide to direct him In a word As the Arm of King Edward the first was accounted the measure of a yard generally received in England so his actions are an excellent model and a praise-worthy platform for succeeding Princes to imitate 12. Edward his Son Wincelsey at the request of K. Edward the second restored to his Arch. Bishoprick by Letters to the Pope requested that Robert Wincelsey might be restored to his Arch-Bishoprick which was done accordingly though he returned too late to Crown the King which solemnity was performed by Henry Woodlock Bishop of Winchester Here let the peaceable Reader part two contrary reports from fighting together both avowed by Authors of credit d Harpsfield Hist Ecc. Aug pag. 440. Some say Wincelsey after his return receiv'd his profits maim'd and mangled scarce amounting to half and that poor pittance he was fain to bestow to repair his dilapidated Palace Others report his revenues not less'ned in quantity and increas'd in the intireness were paid him all in a lump insomuch that hereby having learn'd thrift in exile to live of a little he speedily became the richest of all his e Antiq. Brit pag. 209. ex Adame Mumâ—â—ten Predecessors so that he gained by losses and it was his common Proverb that There is no hurt in adversity where there hath been no iniquity and many make his
name And this in effect is confessed by the most learned and ingenious Orator b Sir Isaac Wake in his Rex Platonicus pag. 2â—9 210. of that University Indeed we finde one Robert Bacon who died Anno One thousand two hundred fourty eight a Learned Doctor and Trithemius stileth John Baconthorpe plain Bacon which addeth to the probability of the former assertion However this confounding so many Bacons in one hath caused Anticronismes in many Relations For how could this Bacon ever be a reader of Philosophy in Brasen-Nose Colledg Founded more then one Hundred years after his death so that his Brasen head so much spoken of to speak must make time past to be again or else these inconsistences will not be reconciled Except any will salve it with the Prolepsis of Brasen-Nose Hall formerly in the place where the Colledg is now erected I have done with the Oxford Bacons only let me add that those of Cambridg Father and Son Nicholas and Francis the one of Bennet and the other of Trinity Colledg do hold absit in vidia the Scales of desert even against all of their name in all the world besides 19. John Duns Scotus succeeds Duns Scotus why so called who some will have called Scotus ob c Sixtut Senensis profundi ssimam dicendi obscuritatem from his profound obscurity in writing Indeed there was one Heracletus to whom cognomen Scotinon d Seneca in Epist fecit orationis obscuritas but others conceive him so called either from Scotland his Country or John Scott his father Nor was he called Duns as some will have it contractedly from Dominus but from the place of his Nativity though three Kingdoms earnestly engage to claim him for their Country-man England It is thus written at the end of his Manuscript works in Merton Colledg in Oxford Three Kingdoms lay claim to his birth whereof he was Fellow Explicit a Camd. Brit. in Northumberland Lectura a Subtilis in Vniversitate Parisiensi Doctoris Joannis Duns nati in quadam villula parochiae de Emidon vocata Dunston in Comitatu Northumbriae pertinente Domui Scholarium de Merton-hall in Oxonia Scotland Although John Scott dissembled himself an English-man to finde the more favour in Merton Colledg living in an age wherein cruel Wars betwixt England and Scotland yet his Tomb erected at Colen is bold to tell the truth whereon this Epitaph b Arch-Bish Spotswood in his History of the Church of Scotland Scotia me genuit Anglia suscepit Gallia edocuit Germania tenet Besides the very name of Scotus a voweth him to be a Scotch-man Ireland He is called Joannes Duns by abbreviation for Dunensis that is born at * Hugh Cavel in vita Scoti Dounâ— an Episcopal See in Ireland where Patricius Dubricius and S t Columba lie interred And it is notoriously known to Criticks that Scotus signifieth an Irish-man in the most ancient exception therof I doubt not but the Reader will give his verdict that the very Scotiety of Scotus belongeth to England as his Native Country who being born in Northumberland which Kingdom in the Saxon Heptarchie extended from Humber to Edenburgh Frith it was a facile mistake for Foreiners to write him a Scotch-man on his Monument As for the name of Scotus it is of no validity to prove him that Country-man as a common-Sir-name amongst us as some four years since when the Scotch were injoyned to depart this Land one M r English in London was then the most considerable Merchant of the Scotch Nation The sad manner of Scotus his death is sufficiently known who being in a fit of a strong Apoplexie was by the cruel kindness of his over-officious friends buried whilest yet alive and recovering in the grave dashed out his brains against the Coffin affording a large field to such wanton wits in their Epigrams who could make sport to themselves on the sad accident of others 20. I had almost over-seen John Baconthorpe Low but learned Baconthorpe being so low in stature as but one remove from a Dwarfe of whom one saith Ingenio c Johannes Trissa Nemausensis in libro de viris illustribus magnus corpore parvus erat His wit was Tall in body small Insomuch that Corpus non tulisset quod ingenium protulit his body could not bear the Books which his brain had brought forth Coming to Rome being sent for by the Pope he was once hissed d Baleus in ejus vita at in a Publick Disputation for the badness forsooth of his Latin and pronunciation but indeed because he opposed the Popes power in dispencing with Marriages contrary to the Law of God whose e Jacobus Calcus Papiensis judgment was afterwards made use of by the defenders of the divorce of King Henry the eight 21. William Occam sided with Lewis of Bavaria against the Pope Occam a â—â—list 〈◊〉 maintaining the Temporal power above the Spiritual he was fain to flie to the Emperour for his safety saying unto him Defende me gladio ego te defendam verbo Defend me with thy sword and I will defend thee with my word This Occam was Luthers chief if not sole School-man who had his works at â— is fingers end loving him no doubt the better for his opposition to the Pope 22. Robert Holcot was not the meanest amongst them Holcots sudden death who died of the Plague at Northampton just as he was reading his Lectures on the seventh of Ecclesiasticus wherein as many Canonical truths as in any Apocrypha chapter and although as yet in his publick reading he was not come to the last verse thereof so proper for mortality wee may charitably believe he had seriously commented thereon Bale descript 〈◊〉 Cent. fift pag. 434. in his private meditations Whatsoever thou takest in hand remember the end and thou shalt never do amiss 23. Thomas Bradwardine bringeth up the rear The just praise of Tho. Bradwardine though in learning and piety if not superiour equal to any of the rest witness his worthy book against Pelagianisme to assert the freeness of Gods grace in mans conversion which he justly intituleth De causa Dei of Gods cause for as God is a Second in every good cause so he is a Principal in this wherein his own honour is so nearly concerned And though the Psalmist saith plead thine own cause O Lord yet in this age wherein Miracles are ceased God pleadeth his cause not in his Person but by the proxie of the tongues and pens hands and hearts of his Servants This Bradwardine was afterwards Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and how highly esteemed let Chaucer * In the Nuns Prieststale tell you But I ne cannot boult it to the bren As can the holy Doctour S t Austin Dr Boece or the Bishop Bradwardin This testimony of Chaucer by the exact computation of time written within forty years after Bradwardines death which addeth much to his honour
Edward the Fourth procured of him the Priory of Sherbourn in Hampshire and Queen Mary by her intercession prevailed with King Charles for the perpetual Patronage of certain Benefices in the same County 23. Nor let not our Virgin Queen be forgotten Queen Elizabeths singular bounty as in effect Refoundresse of this from the third year of her reign being informed that the Title of the Foundation thereof with the lands thereunto belonging were in question and subject to eviction by Act of Parliament conferred a sure Estate of the same 24. I meet in the Records of the Tower Rouls This Colledg parted between two Arch-bishops with a passage concerning this Colledg and though I do not perfectly understand I will exemplifie it And * Ex Rot. Parl. Henrici quarti anno 13. a little after upon divers matters moved between the said Arch-bishop and the Arch-Bishop b Henry Bowet of York upon certain priviledges pretended by the said Arch-Bishop of York in the Colledge called QUEEN-HALL in the Vniversity of Oxford The said Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in presence of the King and of the Lords promised a Tho. Arundel that if the said Arch-Bishop of York could sufficiently show any Priviledge or specially of Record wherefore the said Arch-Bishop of Canterbury ought not to use his Visitation of the said Colledge he would then abstain Saving to himself alwaies the Visitation of the said Schollars abiding in the said Colledge according to the judgement and decrees made and given by K. Richard the second and by our Lord K. Henry that now is as in the * See this recorded at larg in the next Book p. 164. Record thereof made thereof more plainly is declared It seems hereby so far as I can apprehend this Colledge was so parted betwixt the two Metropolitans that the dead Moity viz. the Lands and Revenues thereof belonged to the inspection of the Arch-Bishop of York whilst the living half namely the Schollars especially in matters concerning their Religion pertained to the Visitation of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Provosts Anno Regis Ed. tertii 12. Richard de Retteford John de Hotham Henry Whitfield Thomas de Carlile Roger Whelndale Walter Bell. Rowland Byris William Spenser Thomas Langton Christ Bainbridge Edward Rigge John Pantry William Denyse Hugh Hodgeson Thomas Francis Lancelot Shaw Alane Scot. Barthol Bowse field Henry Robinson Henry Airy Barnabas Petter Christopher Potter Gerard Langbain Benefactors Anno Dom. 1346 Robert Langton Thomas Langton Edmund Grindal Christo Bainbridge William Fettiplace Henry Robinson Henry Ayrie Bishops Henry Baufort Bp. of Winchester and Cardinall of St. Eusebias Christopher Bainbridge Arch-Bishop of York and Cardinal of St. Praxes Henry Robinson Bp. of Carlile Barnabas Potter Bp. of Carlile Learned Writers 1 John Wickliffe Bailiol Merton and Queens colledges claim him and all perchance rightly at several times 2 John de Trevisa of whom hereafter anno 1397. This house hath lately been happy in learned Lawyers Sir John Banks Sir Ro. Berkley Sir Tho. Tempest Atturney General of Ireland Judg Atkins courteous to all men of my profession and my self especially Sr. Thomas Overbury Christopher Potter in his excellent work of Charity Mistaken * Eminent for his review of the Council of Trent GERARD LANGBAIN THOMAS BARLOVV So that at this present are maintained therein one Provost fourteen Fellows seven Schollars two Chaplains two Clerks and other Students about 160. 25. In the mean time the Pope was not idle The Pope makes use of the Kings absence but laid about him for his own profit Knowing King Edward could not attend two things at once And therefore whilest he was busied about his wars in France his Holinesse bestirred him in England cropping the flowers of the best Livings in their bud before they were blown Yea in a manner he may be said to seethe the Kid in the Mothers milk So that before Livings were actually void He provisionally pre-provided Incumbents for them and those generally Aliens and his own Countreymen 26. Though late 15 the King got leisure to look on his own Land 1343 where he found a strange alteration The Statute of provisions reasonably made for as France lately was made English by his Valour England was now turned Italian by the Popes Covetousnesse In prevention therefore of future mischief this Statute of Provision was made whereby such forestalling of Livings to Forrainers was forbidden 27. Our Authors assign another accidentall cause of the Kings displeasure with the Pope Mans anger worketh Gods pleasure namely That when his Holinesse created twelve Cardinals at the request of the King of France He denied to make one at the desire of this King of England Surely it was not reasonable in proportion that his Holinesse giving the whole dozen to the King of France might allow the advantage to the King of England However betwixt both this statute was made to the great enriching of the Kingdom and contentment of the Subjects therein 28. Yet this Law Statures of Provisions not presently obeyed of Provisions as all others did not at the first making meet with present and perfect obedience The Papal party did struggle for a time till at last they were patient per-force finding the Kings power predominant True it is this grievance did continue and was complained of all this and most of the next Kings Reign till the Statute of praemunire was made Anno Dom. 1345. which clinted the naile which now was driven in Anno Regis Ed. tertii 15. So that afterwards the Land was cleared from the incumbrance of such Provisions 29. A good Author tells us Papal power in England declines Habent Imperia suos Terminos huc cùm venerint sistunt retrocedunt ruunt Empyres have their bounds whither when they come they stand still they go back they fall down This is true in respect to the Papal power in England It went forward untill the Statute of Mort-maine was made in the reign of King Edward the first It went backward slowly when this Statute of provisions swiftly when this Statute of Praemunire was made It fell down when the Papacy was abolished in the reign of King Henry the eighth 30. Three years after the statute against the Popes Provisions was made The Pope takes wit in his anger the King presented unto him Thomas Hatlife to be Bishop of Durham 1346 one who was the Kings Secretary 21 and when this is all is said that can be in his commendation as utterly devoid of all other Episcopal qualifications However the Pope confirmed him without any dispute or delay and being demanded why he consented to the preferment of so worthlesse a person he answered that rebus sic stantibus if the King of England had presented an Ass unto him he would have confirmed him in the Bishoprick Indeed as yet his Holiness was in hope that either the K. would revoke the foresaid statute or else
moderate the execution thereof 31. This year The institution of the Knights of the Garter Authors generally agree some few making it later 1350 viz. 25 after John K. of France was taken prisoner K. Edward instituted the Order of the Garter consisting of 1. One Chief Guardian or Soveraign being the King of England 2. Five and twenty Knights whereof the first set were termed Founders and their Successors ever since called Fellows or Companions of the Order 3. Fourteen Canons resident being Secular Priests 4. Thirteen Vicars or Chorol Priests 5. Twelve Military Gentlemen of the meaner sort decayed in age and estate commonly called the poor Knights of Winsor 6. One Prelate of the Garter being alwaies the Bishop of Winchester 7. One Chancelour thereof being antiently the Bishop of Salisbury in whose Diocesse Winsor is but lately a Lay-Person The truly Honourable and well experienced Statesman and Traveller Sir Thomas Row if I mistake not was the last Chancelour of the Garter 8. One Register being alwaies the Dean of Winsor 9. One Usher who is one of the Ushers of the King his Chamber called the Black Rod. 10. A chief Herald added for the more Solemnitie by K. Henry the 5. and called Garter This Order the K. founded within his Castle of Winsor to the honour of Almighty God and the blessed Virgin Mary and of the glorious Martyr St. George and to the exaltation of the holy Catholick Faith 32. Four Essentials are requisite in the Persons Eligible into this Order The qualification of these Knights that they be Gentlemen of Name and Arms by Fathers and Mothers side for three descents Secondly that he be without spot or foule reproach understand it not convicted of Heresie or attainted of Treason Thirdly that he have a competent estate to maintain the dignity of the Order Fourthly that he never fled in the day of battle his Soveraign Lord or his Lieutenant in being in the field 33. Their habiliments are either ordinary Their habits as a Blew Ribbon with the picture of St. George appendent and the Sun in his Glory on the left shoulder of their Cloak added as some say by King charles being for their daily wearing or extraordinary as their Collar of S. S. their Purple Mantle their Gown Kirtle Chaperon and chiefly their Garter This being made of Blew is with Hony Soit qui male pense in Golden Letters enchased with precious stones fastened with a Buckle of Gold and worn on the left leg of the Fellows of this Order 34. They take an Oath Their Oath that to their power during the time that they are Fellows of the Order they shall defend the honour quarrel rights and Lordships of their Soveraign that they shall endeavour to preserve the honour of the Order and without fraud or Covin well observe the Statutes thereof This is taken absolutely by the Natives of this Kingdom but by Forrainers relatively and in part with their reference to some former Order 35. They oblige themselves Other Rites they are bound to observe first to be personally present without a just cause specified to and accepted by the Soveraign or his Deputy at Winsor on the Festival of St. George Secondly that if coming within two miles of that place except hindered by some important businesse they repair thither Anno Regis Ed. tertii 26. put on their Mantles Anno Dom. 1350. lying constantly Liegers there proceed to the Chappel and there make their Offering Thirdly that they be never openly seen without their GEORGE'S which they shall neither engage alien Fell nor give away on any necessity whatsoever Lastly that they take order their Garter at their death be safely and solemnly sent back to the Soveraign to confer the same on one to succeed him in the Order 36. I have done when I have told that their places may be vacated Order how voided on three occasions First by death which layeth this as all other honour in the dust Secondly by deprivation on the persons misdemeanour or want of the foresaid qualifications Thirdly by cession or surrender when a Forraign Prince entreth into enmity with this Crown is pleased to send his Garter back again 37. Excesse in Apparel began now to be great in England Excesse in apparel restrained which made the State take order to retrench it Some had a project that mens Cloatthes might be their signs to shew their Birth Degree or Estate so that the quality of an unknown person might at the first sight be expounded by his Apparrel But this was soon let fall as impossible Statesmen in all Ages notwithstanding their several laws to the contrary being fain to connive at mens Râ—ot in this kind which maintaineth more poor people than their charity However the ensuing passage must not be omitted 38. Item that the Clerks which have a degree in a Church 37 Cathedral 1361 Collegial or in Schools Rot. Tur. Lon. anno Ed. ter 37. and the Kings Clerks which have such an estate that requires Fur do and use according to the constitution of the same and all other Clerks which have above two hundred marks rent per annum use and do as Knights of the same rent And other Clerks under that rent use as Squires of an hundred pound rent * Pellure in the French Original And that all those aswell Knights as Clerks which by this Ordinance may use Fur in Winter by the same manner may use it in Summer 39. Passe we now from soft Furr Clergy-men injoyned to take up arms to hard Steel I mean a command from the King for the arming of all Clergy-men 40. And besides this 43 the King commands 1368 and requires all the Prelates there assembled Rot. in Tur. Londin anno Ed. tertii that in respect of the great danger and damage which perhaps might happen to the Realm and Church of England by reason of this war in case his Adversary should enter the Kingdom to destroy and subvert the same that they will put to their aid in defence of the Kingdom and cause their Subjects to be arraied aswell themselves and their religious men as Parsons Vicars and other men of holy Church whatsoever to abate the malice of his Enemies in case they should enter the Kingdom which Prelates granted to do this in aid and defence of the Realm and holy Church And so the Parliament ended Here we see More seâ—â—ed then hurt In hostes publicos omnes homo miles none are dispenced with to oppose an invading enemy But where were these Forraign Foes France and Scotland being now both of them ordered into a defensive posture whose invasion was expected Possibly these dangers were represented thorough State-Multiplying Glasses to quicken the care and continue the Taxes on the English Nation 41. The Lords and Commons in Parliament began now to find themselves much agrieved A petition against Clergy mens imployment in Secular places
whthout knots tied thereon ready to disburse such summes as should be demanded Indeed the Clergie now contributed much money to the King having learned the Maxime commended in the Comedian b Terent Adelph Pecuniam in loco negligere maxumum interdum est lucrum And perceiving on what ticklish termes their state stood were forced to part with a great proportion thereof to secure the rest c Vide infrà in hist of Abbeys lib. 2. cap. 1. the Parliament now shrewdly pushing at their temporal possessions For although in the first year of King Henry the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland came from him to the Clergie with a complement that the King onely d Antiq. Brit. pag. 273. Harpsfield hist Ang. pag. 618. out of whom the following table of Synods is composed desired their prayers and none of their money Kingdoms have their honey-moon when new Princes are married unto them yet how much afterwards he received from them the ensuing draught of Synods summoned in his dayes doth present Place President Preacher Text. Money granted the King The other Acts thereof 1. Saint Pauls in London The Prior and Chapter of Canterbury in the Arch-Bishops absence William Bishop of Rochester Cor meum diligit Principes Israel Nothing at this time but the Clergies prayers required The King at the request of the Universities promised to take order with the Popes Provisions 1399 provensions 1. that so learned men might be advanc'd St Gregory his day made holy 2. Saint Pauls in London 2 Thomas Arundel 1400  A Tenth and half For a single Tenth was first profered him and he refused it Nothing else of moment passed save Sautres condamnation 3. Ibidem 4 Idem 1402.  At the instance of the Earl of Somerset of Lord Ross the Treasurer a Tenth was granted The Clergy renewed their Petition of Right to the King that they should not be proceeded aganist by temporal Judges nor forced to sell their goods for provision for the Kings Court No answer appears 4. Ibidem 6. Henry Bishop of Lincoln 1404 the Arch-Bishop being absent in an Embassie  A Tenth towards the Kings charges in suppressing the late Rebels Constituted that the obsequies of every English Bishop deceased should be celebrated in all the Cathedrals of the Kingdom 5. Ibidem 7. Thomas Arundel 1405  A Tenth when the Laity in Parlian t. gave nothing Nothing or consequence 6. Ibidem 8. Henry Beaufort Bish 1406 of Winchest the Arch-Bishop being absent Thomas Bishop of Carlile Magister adest vocat te A Tenth Nothing of moment 7. Ibidem 10. Thomas Arundel 1408 John Monke of S t Augustine in Canterbury Faciet unusquisque opussuum  This Synod was principally employed in suppressing of Schism and the following Synod in the same year to the same purpose 8. Saint Pauls in London Idem Anno Dom. 1408. John Botel general of the Franciscans Vos vocati estis in uno corpore   9. Ibidem Anno Regis Hen. 4 10 Henry Bishop of Winchester the Arch-Bishop being abroad in an Embassie John Langdon Monk of Canterbury Stellae dederunt lumen A Tenth and a Subsidy granted saith a Antiq. Brit. p. 274. Matthew Parker but b Harpsfield Ecc. Ang pag. 616. others say the Clergie accused themselves as drained dry with former payments Also the Popes Agent progging for money was denied it 1411. Little else save some endeavours against Wicliffs opinions 13. 10. Ibid. Thomas Arundel John God-mersham Monk of Canterbury Diligite lumen sapientiae omnes qui praeestus A Tenth 1412. The Clergie compained to the King of thier grievances but received no redress The Popes Rents sequestred into the Kings hands during the Schisme betwixt Gregory the 12 th and Benedict 14. We will not avouch these all the conventions of the Clergie in this Kings Reign who had many subordinate meetings in reference to their own occasions but these of most publick concernment Know this also that it was a great invitation not to say an inforcement to make them the more bountiful in their contributions to the King because their leaders were suspicious of a design now first set on foot in opposition to all Religious Houses as then termed to essay their overthrow Which project now as a Pioneer onely wrought beneath ground yet not so insensibly but that the Church-Statists got a discovery thereof and in prevention were very satisfying to the Kings Pecuniary desires Insomuch that it was in effect but ask and have such their compliance to all purposes and intents The rather because this King had appeared so zealous to arm the Bishops with terrible Laws against the poor naked Lollards as then they were nick-named 9. Now we pass from the Convocation to the Parliament Anno Regis Hen. quart 14. onely to meddle with Church-matters therein Anno Dom. 1412. desiring the Reader to dispense in the Margin with a new Chronology of this Kings Reigne A new Crhonologie assuring him that whatsoever is written is taken out of the Authentick Records of the Parliament in the Tower 10. It was moved in Parliament A severe motion against the Welch that no Welch-man Bishop or other be Justice Chamberlain Chancellor Treasurer Sheriff Constable of a Castle Receiver Escheator Coroner or chief Forester or other Officer whatsoever or * Ex rot Par. in tur Lond. in hoc anno Keeper of Records or Lieutenant in the said Offices in any part of Wales or of Councel to any English Lord not withstanding any Patent made to the contrary Cum clausula non obstante Licet Wallicus natus 11. It was answered that the King willeth it except the Bishops Moderated by the King and for them and others which he hath found good and loyal lieges towards him our said Lord the King will be advised by the advise of his Councel 12. Such as wonder why the Parliament was so incensed against the Welch The cause of his auger seeing Henry Prince of Wales was their own Country-man born at Monmouth may consider how now or very lately Owen Glendowre a Welch Robber advanced by the multitude of his followers into the reputation of a General had made much sepoil in Wales Now commendable was the King's charity who would not return a national mischief for a personal injury seing no man can cause the place of his Nativity though he may bemoan and hate the bad practises of his own Nation 13. The Kings courteous exception for the Welch Bishops The Quaternion of welch Bps. who and what at this time putteth us upon a necessay enquiry who and what they were placed in Sees at this time S t Davids Landaffe Bangor S t Asaph Guido de Dona. Thomas Peberell Richard Yong. John Trebaur Or of Anglesey A true Briton by birth witness'd by his Name He was at the present Lord
a Godwin Catal of Bps. in S. Davids Treasurer of England In whom the King much confided though T. Walsingham be pleased to dash his Memory that he was the cause of much mischief His Sir-Name speaks him English by extraction and he was of no remarkable activity He might be English or Welch by his Name but I believe the latter A man of merit sent by the King into Germany to give satisfaction of King Henries proceedings Second of that Christian and Sirname Bishop of that See a Welchman no doubt he was sent saith T. Walsangham to Spain to give account of the Kings proceedings Very loyal at the present but after his return home he sided with Owen Glendowre But though the English at this time were so severe against the Welch King Henry the seventh born in the bowels of Wales at Pembroke and assisted in the gaining of the Crown by the valour of his Country-men some years after plucked down this partition-wall of difference betwixt them admitting the Welch to English Honours and Offices as good reason equality of merits should be rewarded with equality of advancement 14. Sir John Tiptoff made afterwards Earl of Worcester put up a Petition to the Parliament The Petition of the Lords and Commons to the King against Lollards touching Lollards which wrought so on the Lords that they joined a Petition to the King Anno Regis Hen. 4 14. according to the Tenour following To our most redoubted and gracious Soveraign the King YOur humble * * Contracted by my self exactly keeping the words out of the Original Son HENRY PRINCE OF WALES and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in this present Parliament humbly shew That the Church of England hath been and now is endowed with temporal possessions by the gifts and grants as well of your Royal Progenitours as by the Ancesters of the said Lords Temporal to maintain Divine Service keep Hospitality c. to the Honour of God and the souls health of your Progenitors and the said Lords Temporal Yet now of late some at the instigation of the Enemy against the foresaid Church and Prelates have as well in publick Sermons as in Conventicles and secret places called Schools stirred and moved the people of your Kingdom to take away the said temporal Possessions from the said Prelates with which they are as rightly endowed as it hath been or might be best advised or imagined by the Laws and Customes of your Kingdom and of which they are as surely possessed as the Lords Temporal are of their inheritances Wherefore in case that this evil purpose be not resisted by your Royal Majestie it is very likely that in process of time they will also excite the people of your Kingdom for to take away from the said Lords Temporal their possessions and heritages so to make them common to the open commotion of your people There be also others who publish and cause to be published evilly and falsly among the people of your Kingdom that Richard late King of England who is gone to God and on whose soul God thorow his Grace have mercy is still alive And some have writ and published divers false pretended prophecies to the people disturbing them who would to their power live peaceably Serve God and faithfully submit and obey you their Liege Lord. Wherefore may it please your Royal Majestie in maintenance of the honour of God conservation of the Laws of the holy Church as also in the preservation of the estate of You your Children Anno Regis Hen. quart 14. and the Lords aforesaid and for the quiet of all your Kingdom to ordain by a Stature in the present Parliament by the assent of the Lords aforesaid and the Commons of your Kingdom that in case any man or woman of what estate or condition they be preach publish or maintain hold use or exercise any Schools if any Sect or Doctrine hereafter against the Catholick faith either preach publish maintain or write a schedule whereby the people may be moved to take away the Temporal Possessions of the aforesaid Prelates or preach and publish that Richard late King who is dead should still be in full life or that the Fool in Scotland is that King Richard who is dead or that publish or write any pretended Prophesies to the commotion of your people That they and every of them be taken and put in Prison without being delivered in Bail or otherwise except by good and sufficient mainprise to be taken before the Chancellour of England c. 15. See we here the Policy of the Clergie The Prince made a party against Wicklivites who had gained Prince Henry set as a Transcendent by himself in the Petition to their side entring his Youth against the poor Wicklivites and this Earnest engaged him to the greater Antipathy against them when possest of the Crown 16. Observe also the Subtilty of the Clergie in this medley Petition Complication or Royal and Prelatical interest interweaving their own interest with the Kings and endeavouring to possess him that all the Adversaries to their Superstitions were Enemies also and Traytors to his Majesty 17. Now as Conventicles were the Name of disgrace cast on Wicklivists their Schools Schools was the terme of Credit owned by the Wicklivists for the place of their meeting Whether because f Acts 19. 9. the School of Tyrannus wherein S t Paul disputed was conceived by them Senior in Scripture to any material Church Or that their teaching therein was not in intire discourses but admitted as in the Schools of interlocutory opposition on occasion 18. By Lollards all know the Wicklivites are meant Lollards why so called so called from h Trithemius in Chron. Anno 1315. Walter Lollardus one or their Teachers in Germany and not as the i Of S. Aug. Cont. M. S. Anno 1406. Monk alluded quasi lolia in ar â Domini flourishing many years before Wickliffe and much consenting with him in judgment As for the word Lollard retained in our Statutes since the Reformation it seems now as a generical name to signifie such who in their opinions oppose the setled Religion of the Land in which sense the modern Sheriffs are bound by their Oath to suppress them 19. The Parenthesis concerning King Richard Who is gone to God and on whose Soul God through his Grace have Mercy is according to the Doctrine of that Age. For they held all in Purgatory gone to God A charitable parenthesis because assured in due time of their happiness yet so that the suffrages of the Living were profitable for them Nor feared they to offend King Henry by their charitable presumption of the final happy estate of King Richard his professed Enemy knowing he cared not where King Richard was so be it not living and sitting on the English Throne 20. As for the report of King Richards being still alive King Richard why believed alive it is strange any
fall accordingly not by the death of those in Kings Colledg but their advancement to better preferment in the Church and Common-wealth 15. If we cast our eyes on the Civil estate All quickly lost in France we shall finde our Foraign Acquisitions in France 1447 which came to us on foot 25. running from us on horse-back Nulla dies sine Civitate fearce a day escaping wherein the French regained not some City or place of importance so that the English who under King Hen. 6. had almost a third of France besides the City of Paris another third in its self for Wealth and Populousness soon lost all on the Continent to the poor pittance of Calice and a little land or if you will some large suburbs round about it 16. Yet let not the French boast of their Valor Occasioned by the English discords but under Gods providence thank our sins and particularly our discords for their so speedy recoveries There were many Clefts and Chaps in our Councel-board factions betwixt the great Lords present thereat and these differences descended on their Attendants and Retainers who putting on their Coats wore the Badges as well of enmities as of the Armes of their Lords and Masters but behold them how coupled in their Antipathies Deadly feud betwixt Edmund Beaufort Anno Regis Hen 6 37. Duke of Somerset Anno Dom. 1459. Richard Plantagenet Duke of York Humbhrey Plantagenet Duke of Glocester Henry Beaufort Cardinal Bishop of Winchester Deadly feud betwixt William Delapole Duke of Suffolk John Holland Duke of Exeter Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick Humphrey Plantagenet Duke of Glocester William Delapole Duke of Suffolk Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick Betwixt the three last there was as it were a battel Royal in this Cockpit each of them hating and opposing another In all these contests their ambition was above their covetousness it being every ones endeavour not so much to raise and advance himself as ruine and depress his adversary 17. Two of the aforesaid principal persons left the world this year The death of Humphry Duke of Glocester and in the same moneth First Humphrey Duke of Glocester Son to King Henry the fifth Uncle and Gardian to King Henry the sixth A great House-keeper Hospitality being so common in that Age none were commended for the keeping but condemned for the neglecting thereof He was much opposed by Queen Margaret who would have none rule the King her husband save her self and accused of a treacherous design insomuch that at a packt Parliament at Bury he was condemned of high Treason and found dead in his bed not without rank suspicion of cruel practises upon his person 18. His death is suspended betwixt Legal execution and murder A fit work for a good pen. and his memory pendulous betwixt Malefactor and Martyr However the latter hath most prevailed in mens belief and the Good Duke of Glocester is commonly his character But it is proper for some Oxford man to write his just Vindication A Manuel in asserting his memory being but proportionable for him who gave to their Library so many and pretious voluminous Manuscripts As for those who chewing their meat with their feet whilest they walk in the body of S t Pauls are commonly said to Dine with Duke Humphrey the saying is as far from truth as they from dinner even twenty miles off seeing this Duke was buried in St Albans to which Church he was a great Benefactor 19. The same Moneth with the Duke of Glocester The death of the rich Cardinal died Henry Beaufort Bishop of Winchester and Cardinal One of high discent high spirit and high preferments hardly to be equalled by Cardinal Wolsey otherwise but a pigmy to him in birth for wealth and magnificence He lent King Henry the 5 th at once twenty thousand pounds who pawned his Crown unto him He built the fair Hospital of St Cross near Winchester and although Chancellor of the University of Oxford was no grand Banefactor thereunto in proportion to his own wealth commonly called the Rich Cardinal or the practises of his predecessours Wickham and Wainesleet 20. The Bishops * The Clergie move in vain against the Statute of Praemunite assembled in Parliament laboured the recalling of the Act of Praemunire and no wonder if gall'd horses would willingly cast off their saddles but belike they found that statute girt too close unto them The Lords and Commons stickling stoutly for the continuance thereof And because this is the last time we shall have occasion to mention this Statute and therefore must take our farewell thereof it will not be amiss to insert the ensuing passage as relating to the present subject though it happened many years after 21. One a Su Jo. Davies in his Caâ—â— of Praemunire fol. 83. Robert Lalor An eminent instance in Ireland of a priest indiâ—ted on the Statute of Praemunire Priest a Native of Ireland to whom the Pope had given the titulary Bishoprick of Kilmore Anno Dom. 1447 and made him Vicar-general of the See Apostolick Anno Regis Hen. 6 25. within the Arch-Bishoprick of Dublin c. boldly and securely executed his pretended jurisdiction for many years was indicted at Dublin in Hillary Terme Quarto Jacobi upon this Statute of Praemunire made two hundred years before being the sixteenth of Richard the second His Majesties learned Councel did wisely forbear to proceed against him upon any latter Law whereof plenty in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth because Recusants swarming in that Kingdome might have their judgments convinced That long before King Henry the eighth banished the Usurpation of the Pope The King Lords and Commons in England though for the most part of the Romish Religion made strict Laws for the maintenance of the Crown against any foraign Invasion Whereupon after the party indicted had pleaded at large for himself The Jury departed from the Bar and returning within half an hour found the prisoner guilty of the contempts whereof he was indicted whereupon the Sollicitor General moved the Court to proceed to judgement and b Idem fol 99. S r ' Dominick Sarsfield one of the Justices of his Majesties chief Pleas gave judgment according to the form of the Statute whereupon the Endictment was framed Hence it plainly appears that such Misdemeanours of Papists are punishable at this day by vertue of those Ancient Statutes without any relation to such as were enacted since the Reformation 22. About this time Jack Cade raised his Rebellion Cade Straw like and unlike like and unlike to the former commotion of Jack Straw 1450 Like 28. first because Jacks both I mean insolent impudent domineering Clowns Secondly Both of them were Kentish by their extractions Thirdly both of them pressed upon London and there principally plaied their pranks Fourthly both of them after they had troubled the Land for a short time were
Catalogue of the Benefactors of S t. John's Colledg in Cambridg understand it by his Executors otherwise the first Brick of that House was laid nine years after the Arch-Bishops death Now as this was a sad year at Canterbury wherein their good Arch-Bishop departed so was it a joyful year at Rome for the coming in of that Jubilee which brought men and money there yet many went to Rome in effect which staied in England by commuting their journey into money which was equally meritorious the Popes Officers being come over to receive the same The End of the Fifteenth CENTURY THE Church-History OF BRITAINE The Fifth Book CONTAINING THE REIGN OF KING HENRY THE EIGHTH SIC OMNI TEMPORE VERDO LONDON Printed in the Year M.DC.LV. To the Right Honourable LIONEL CRANFIELD EARL of MIDDLESEX Anno Regis BARON CRANFIELD OF CRANFIELD c. Anno Dom. SAint PAUL gave a great charge to * 2 Tim. 4. 13. Timothy to bring the Cloak which he left at Troas but especially the Parchments Here we have the Inventory of a Preachers estate consisting of a few Cloathes and Books what he wore and what he had written But the Apostles care was not so much concerned in his Cloathes which might be bought new as in his Writings where the damage could not be repaired I am sadly sensible though far be it from me to compare Scribling with Scripture what the loss of a Library especially of Manuscripts is to a Minister whose Books have passed such hands which made riddance of many but havock of more Was it not cruelty to torture a Library by maiming and mangling the Authors therein neither leaving nor taking them intire Would they had took less that so what they left might have been useful to others Whereas now mischievous Ignorance did a prejudice to me without a profit to its self or any body else But would to God all my fellow Brethren which with me bemoan the loss of their Books with me might also rejoyce for the recovery thereof though not the same numerical Volumes Thanks be to your Honour who have bestow'd on me the Treasure of a Lord-Treasurer what remained of your Fathers Library Your Father who was the greatest Honourer and Disgracer of Students bred in Learning Honourer giving due respect to all men of merit Disgracer who by his meer natural parts and experience acquired that perfection of invention expression and judgment to which those who make learning their sole study do never arive It was a Gift I confess better proportioned to your Dignity then my deserts too great not for your Honour to bestow but for me to receive And thus hath God by your bounty equivalently restored unto me what the Locusts and the Palmer worme c. have devoured so that now I envy not the Popes Vatican for the numerousness of Books variety of Editions therein enough for use being as good as store for state or superfluity for magnificence However hereafter I shall behold my self under no other notion then as your Lordsships Library-keeper and conceive it my duty not onely to see your Books dry'd and rubb'd to rout those moaths which would quarter therein but also to peruse study and digest them so that I may present your Honour with some choice Collections out of the same at this ensuing History is for the main extracted thence on which account I humbly request your acceptance thereof whereby you shall engage my daily prayers for your happiness and the happiness of your most Noble Consort I have read how a Roman Orator making a Speech at the Funeral of his deceased Mother in law affirmed that he had never been Reconciled unto her for many years Now whilest his ignorant auditors condemned their mutual vindicativeness the wiser sort admired and commended their peaceable dispositions because there never happened the least difference between them needing an agreement as that bone cannot be set which was never broken On which account that never any reconciliation may be between your self and other self is the desire of Your Honours most bounden Beadsman THOMAS FULLER THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE BOOK V. 1. GOD hath always been ambitious to preserve and prefer little things Poor professours still preserved by Gods providence the Jews the least of all Nations Hen. 7. 17. DAVID their King 1501 least in his fathers family little Benjamin the Ruler little Hill of Herman the Virgin Mary the lowliness of thy handmaiden Gods children severally are stiled his little ones and collectively make up but a little flock And surely it renders the work of grace more visible and conspicuous when the object can claim nothing as due to it self A pregnant proof hereof we have in Divine Providence at this time preserving the inconsiderable pittance of faithful professors against most powerful opposition This handful of men were tied to very hard duty being constantly to stand Sentinels against an Army of enemies till God sent Luther to relieve them and the work was made lighter with more hands to do it as in the sequel of our story God willing will appear Mean time we must remember that Henry Dean succeeded in the place of Arch-Bishop Morton lately deceased and enjoyed his honour but two years then leaving it to William Warham one well qualified with learning and discretion 2. Now it is no small praise to Buckingham-shire 22. that being one of the lesser Counties of England 1506 it had more Martyrs and Confessors in it Some burnt some branded for the profession of the truth before the time of Luther then all the Kingdom besides where William Tylsworth was burnt at Amersham the Rendezvous of Gods children in those dayes and Joan his onely daughter Anno Dom. 1506 and a faithful woman Annos Regis Hen. 7 22. was compelled with her own hands to set fire to her dear a Fox his Acts and Monuments I. Volume p. 1010. father At the same time sixty professors and aboue did bear fagots for their penance and were enjoyned to wear on their right sleeves for some years after a square piece of cloath as a disgrace to themselves and a difference from others But what is most remarkable a new punishment was now found our of branding them in the cheek The b Fox 1011. manner thus Their necks were tied fast to a post with towels and their hands holden that they might not stir and so the hot Iron was put to their checks It is not certain whether branded with L for Lollard or H for Heretick or whether it was onely a formless print of Iron yet nevertheless painful this is sure that they c Gal. 6. 17. bare in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus And no doubt they had so well learned our Saviours d Mat. 5. 39. precept that rather then they would have revenged themselves by unlawful means to them that smit them on the one cheek they would have turn'd the
Abbey Nor must it be forgotten that a Text X pierced through with a dash is fixed in the navill of the Crosse Now though I have read * Accidence of Armes Letters to be little honourable in Armes this cannot be disgracefull partly because Church-Heraldrie moveth in a sphere by it self partly because this was the Letter of Letters as the received character to signifie Christus 9. S. Augustines in Canterbury gave Sable a Cross-Argent Of S. Augustine 10. Crosse we now the Thames Of Gloucester where Westward we first fall on S. Peters in Gloucester whose Dedication to that Apostle sufficiently rendreth a reason for the Armes thereof viz AZure two Crosse Keyes or two Keyes Saltire Or. 11. Teuxbury gave Gules Of Teuxbury a Cross of an antick form Or a border Argent 12. I will not adventure on the blazoning of the Armes of Winchcombe having much conformity therein with Mortimers Coat but leave the Reader to satisfie his own eyes in the inspection thereof Of Winchcomb 13. I should be thankfull to him who would inform me of the Armes of Cirencester Of Cirencesâ—er which hitherto I cannot procure 14. * S. Maryes in Coventry had no Armes in their Seale as my good friend Mr. Dugdale informed me St. Albans gave Azure a Cross Saltire Or. Of S. Albanâ— 15. Westminster-Abbey gave Azure a Cross flurt betwixt five Marteletts Or and this I humbly conceive were antiently the entire Armes of that Abbey being in effect the same with those of King Edward the Confessour the first Founder thereof But afterwards their Conventuall Seale was augmented with the Armes of France and England on a Chiefe Or betwixt two Roses Gules plainly relating to King Henry the seventh enlarging their Church with his Chappell 16. The Prior of St. John of Jerusalem gave Gules a Cross Argent Of S. Johns of Jerusalem which the Lord Priot sometimes a Thus Sir Tho. Tressam impayled with but before his own Coate and b Thus Sir Tho. Dockwray sometimes bare it in a Chiefe about it 17. The Armes of Waltham Abbey in Essex appear at this day neither in glass wood Of Waltham nor stone in or about the Town or Church thereof At last we have recovered them Unus home nobis out of a faire Deed of Robert Fullers the last Abbot though not certain of the mettall and colours viz Gules as I conjecture two Angels can they be lesse than Or with their hands such we finde of them in c Mat. 4. 6. Scripture holding betwixt them a Cross Argent brought hither faith our d Gamd. Brit in Essex Antiquary by miracle out of the West whence Waltham hath the addition of Holy Cross 18. The Arms of S. Johns in Colchester Of Colchester I leave to the eye of the Reader 19. Burie gave Azure three Crowns Or Of Bury The Armes of the Kings of the East-Angles assumed in the memory of King Edmund to whom this Abbey was dedicated martyred by the Danes when his Crown of Gold thorough a Crown of Thorns or Arrows rather was turned into a Crown of Glory 20. St. Benet's in the Holme Of S. Benets in Norfolke gave Sable a Pastorall Staffe Argent picked below and reflexed above intimating the Abbots Episcopal Jurisdiction in his own precincts betwixt two Crowns-Or pointing at England and Norway the two Kingdomes of Canutus the Founder thereof The aforesaid Staffe was infulated that is adorned with an holy Lace or Label carelesly hanging down or cast a crosse such with which their Mitres used formerly to be fastned 21. Thorney-Abbey in Cambridge shire gave Azure three Crosses crossed fitchee Of Thorny betwixt three Pastoral Staves Or. 22. Ramsey in Huntingdon-shire gave Or three Rams Heads couped Argent Of Ramsey 〈◊〉 Bend Azure The rest of the Rams must be supposed in the blue Sea the Fennes appearing such when overflown Besides such changes were common here whereof Melibaeus complaineth in the Marishes * Virgil. Eâ— log 9. of Mantua Non bene ripae Creditur ipse Aries etiam nunc vellera siccat There is no trusting to the foundring bank The Ramme still dries his fleece so lately dank But since the draining of the Fennes hath I hope secured their Cattell from casualties 23. The very name of Peterborough unlocks the reason why that Abbey gave Gules Of Peterborough two crosse Keyes betwixt four Crosses crossed fitchee Or. 24. Crowland Abbey gave quarterly three call them long Knives Of Crowland or short Swords bladed Argent hasted or pomelled or Azure three Whips stringed and knotted Or the second like the third the fourth like the first Instruments of cruelty relating to their Monks massacred by the Danes Anno 870. Ingulphus pag. 866. whereof their Historian gives us this account That first they were examinati tortured see there the Whips and then exanimati killed see there the Swords But if any will have those Whips to relate to the Whip of S. Bartholomew the most remarkable Relique of that Monastery I will not appose 25. The Armes of Evesham Abbey in Worcester-shire Of Evesham I cannot recover but possibly may before the conclusion of this Work 26. Shrewsbury gave Azure Of Shrewsbury a Lyon Rampant over a Pastorall-staffe Bendwayes so that both the ends thereof are plainly discovered 27. Crosse we now North of Trent Of Selby where onely two remain Selby founded by William the Conquerour which gave Sable three Swans Argent membred Or alluding as I believe to the depressed scituation of the place where the neighbouring River of Ouse affordeth such Birds in abundance 28. St. Maryes in Yorke gave Argent a Crosse Of Yorke Gules and a Key in the first Quarter of the same In the midst of the Crosse a King in a circle in his Robes of state with his Scepter and Mound Yet hath he onely a ducall Cap and no Crown on his head I humbly conceive under favour of better judgments this King-Dukes picture to relate partly to King VVilliam Rufus partly to Alan Duke of Britain and Richmond the principall Co-Founders of that Monastery The Lord Darcy his Extraction justly vindicated AMongst the principal persons who suffred for their zeale in defending of Abbeys was the lately mentioned Thomas Lord a vide supra pag. 313. parag 5. Darcy A causlesse aspersion grounded on passion whose extraction I finde foully aspersed by the pen of that passionate Prince K. Henry the eighth for when the Rebels boasted of the many Noblemen who sided with them in confutation thereof King Henry returned a Letter to them interlined with His own hand wherein this passage b Speeds Châ—â— in his 1 â—dit pag. 776. Others as the Lord Marney and Darcy are but mean scarce well-born Gentlemen and yet of no great Lands till they were promoted by Us and so made Knights It cannot be denied but that K. Henry too much consulted
antient amongst the Barons to the degree and dignity of Viscounts wherein that it may long flourish in plenty and happinesse is the daily prayer of Your Honours most obliged Servant THOMAS FVLLER THE Church-History OF BRITAIN KING HENRY the eighth Jan. 28. though dying excommunicate in the Church of Rome The hopefull beginning of King Edward had notwithstanding His Obsequies solemnly performed at Paris in France 1546. 7. by the command of Francis the French a Godwin in Edvardo â—exto pag. 158. King presuming so much on His own power and the Pope's patience otherwise such courtesie to His friend might have cost Him a curse to Himself Then began King Edward His Son Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 1. to reign scarce ten years old Ann. Dom. full of as much worth as the model of His age could hold No pen passeth by Him without praising Him though none praising Him to His full deserts Yea Sanders himself having the stinch of his railing tongue over-sented with the fragrant ointment of this Prince's memory though jeering His for His want of age which was God's pleasure and not King Edward's fault and mocking Him for His Religion the others highest honour alloweth Him in other respects large commendations 2. No sooner was He come to the Crown Peace and prosperity to the Protestants in England but a peaceable dew refreshed Gods inheritance in England formerly patched with persecution and this good Angel struck off the fetters from many Peters in prison preserving those who were appointed to die Onely Thomas Dobbie Fellow of S. Johns in Cambridge committed to the Counter in Bread street and condemned for speaking against the Masse died of a natural death in respect of any publick punishment by Law inflicted on him but whether or no any private impression of violence hastened his end God alone knoweth His speedy death prevented the b Fox Acts Mon. Vol. 2. pag. 655. pardon which the Lord Protectour intended to send him Divine Providence so ordering it that he should touch not enter see not taste behold not reap benefit on earth of this Reformation Other Confessours which had fled beyond sea as John Hooper Miles c Senders de Schis Anglic. lib. 2. pag. 230. Coverdale c. returned with joy into their Countrey and all Protestants which formerly for fear had dissembled their religion now publickly professed the same Of these Archbishop Cranmer was the chiefest who though willingly he had done no ill and privately many good offices for the Protestants yet his cowardly compliance hitherto with Poperie against his conscience cannot not be excused Ann. Dom. 1546-47 serving the times present in his practice Ann Reg. Ed. 6 1. and waiting on a future alteration in his hopes and desires 3. Edward Semaure Commissionners sent into several Counties with Instructions to reform the King's Uncle lately made Lord Protectour Jan. 28. and Duke of Somerset ordered all in Church and State He by the King's power or if you please the King in his protection took speedy order for Reformation of Religion And being loth that the people of the Land should live so long in errour and ignorance till a Parliament should be solemnly summoned which for some Reasons of State could not so quickly be call'd in the mean time by His own Regall power and authority and the advise of His wise and honourable Counsell chose Commissioners and sent them with Instructions into severall parts of the Kingdome for the rooting out of superstition the substance whereof thirty six in number we have here presented The King's Injunctions 1. That all Ecclesiasticall persons observe the Lawes for the abolishing the pretended and usurped power of the Bishop of Rome and confirmation of the Kings authority and supremacie 2. That once a Quarter at least they sincerely declare the Word of God disswading their people from superstitious fancies of Pilgrimages praying to Images c. exhorting them to the works of faith mercy and charitie 3. That Images abused with Pilgrimages and offerings thereunto be forthwith taken down and destroyed and that no more wax-Candles or Tapers be burnt before any Image but onely two lights upon the high Altar before the Sacrament shall remain still to signifie that Christ is the very light of the world 4. That every Holy day when they have no Sermon the Pater noster Credo and Ten Commandements shall be plainly recited in the Pulpit to the Parishioners 5. That Parents and Masters bestow their Children and Servants either to learning or some honest occupation 6. That such who in Cases exprest in the Statute are absent from their Benefices leave learned and expert Curates 7. That within three Months after this Visitation the Bible of the larger volume in English and within twelve Months Erasmus his Paraphrase on the Gospel be provided and conveniently placed in the Church for people to read therein 8. That no Ecclesiasticall persons haunt Ale-houses or Taverns or any place of unlawfull gameing 9. That they examine such who come to confession to them in Lent whether they can recite their Creed Pater noster and ten Commandements in English before they receive the blessed Sacrament of the Altar or else they ought not to presume to come to Gods board 10. That none be admitted to preach except sufficiently licensed 11. That if they have heretofore extolled Pilgrimages Reliques worshipping of Images c. they now openly recant and reprove the same as a common errour groundlesse in Scripture 12. That they detect and present such who are Letters of the Word of God in English and Fautours of the Bishop of Rome his pretended power 13. That a Register-Book be carefully kept in every Parish for Weddings Christnings and Burialls 14. That all Ecclestasticall persons not resident upon their Benefices and able to dispend yearly twenty pounds and above shall in the presence of the Church-Wardens or some other honest men distribute the fourtieth part of their revenues amongst the poor of the Parish 15. That every Ecclesiasticall person shall give competent exhibition to so many Schollers in one of the Universities as he hath hundred pounds a year in Church promotions 16. That the fift part of their Benefices be bestowed on their Mansion-houses or Chancells till they be fully repaired 17. That he readeth these Injunctions once a Quarter 18. That none bound to pay Tithes detain them by colour of Duty omitted by their Curates and so redoub one wrong with another 19. That no person henceforth shall alter any Fasting-day that is commanded or manner of Common Prayer or Divine Service otherwise then specified in these Injunctions untill otherwise ordered by the Kings authority 20. That every Ecclesiasticall person under the degree of Batchelour of Divinity shall within three Months after this Visitation provide of his own the New Testament in Latine and English with Erasmus his Paraphrase thereon And that Bishops by themselves and their Officers shall examine
them how much they have profited in the study of holy Scripture 21. That in the time of High Masse be that sayeth or singeth a Psalm shall read the Epistle and Gospel in English and one Chapter in the New Testament at Mattens and another at Evensong and that when nine Lessons are to be read in the Church three of them shall be omitted with Responds And at Evensong the Responds with all the Memories 22. That to prevent in Sick persons the damnable vice of Despair They shall learn and have alwaies in readinesse such comfortable places and sentences of Scripture as doe set forth the mercy benefits and goodnesse of God Almighty towards all penitent and believing persons 23. To avoid all contention and strife which heretofore have risen amongst the Kings subjects by challenging of Places in Procession no Procession hereafter shall be used about the Church or Church-yard but immediately before high Masse the Letany shall be distinctly said or sung in English none departing the Church without just cause and all ringing of Bells save one utterly forborne 24. That the Holy-day at the first beginning Godly instituted and ordained be wholly given to God in hearing the Word of God read and taught in private and publick prayers in acknowledging their offences to God and amendment in reconciling themselves to their Neighbours receiving the Communion visiting the sick c. Onely it shall be lawfull for them in time of harvest to labour upon Holy and Festival-daies and save that thing which God hath sent and that scrupulosity to abstain from working upon those daies doth grievously offend God 25. That no Curate admit to the Communion such who are in ranchor and malice with their neighbours till such controversies be reconciled 26. That every Dean Arch-Deacon c. being a Priest preach by himself personally twice a year at least 27. That they instruct their people not obstinately to violate the Ceremonies of the Church by the King commanded to be observed and not as yet abrogated And on the other side that whosoever doth superstitiously abuse them doth the same to the great perill of his souls health 28. That they take away and destroy all Shrines covering of Shrines Tables Candlesticks Trindills or rolls of Wax Pictures Paintings and other Monuments of fained Miracles so that no memory of them remain in Walls or Windows exhorting their Parishioners to doe the like in their severall houses And that a comely Pulpit be provided in a convenient place 29. That a strong Chest be provided with a hole in the upper part thereof with three Keyes thereunto belonging be provided to receive the charity of people to the poor and the same at convenient times distributed unto them in the presence of the Parish 30. That Priests be not bound to go to visit Women lying in Child-bed except in times of dangerous sicknesse and not to fetch any Coarse except it be brought to the Church yard 31. That to avoid the detestable sin of Simonie the Seller shall lose his right of Patronage for that time and the Buyer to be deprived and made unable to receive Spirituall promotion 32. That because of the lack of Preachers Curats shall read Homilies which are or shall be set forth by the Kings Authority 33. Where as many indiscreet persons doe uncharitably contemn and abuse Priests having small learning his Majesty chargeth his Subjects that henceforth they be reverently used for their Office and Ministration sake 34. That all persons not understanding Latine shall pray on no other Primmer but what lately was set forth in English by K. Henry the eighth and that such who have knowledge in Latine use none other also and that all Craces before and after meat be said in English and no Grammer taught in Schools but what is set forth by Authority 35. That Chantery Priests teach youth to read and write 36. That when any Sermon or Homily shall be had the Prime and Houres shall be omitted ⧠The form of bidding the Common Prayers YOu shall pray for the whole Congregation of Christs Church and specially for this Church of England and Ireland wherein first I commend to your devout prayers the Kings most excellent Majesty Supreme Head immediately under God of the spirituality and temporalty of the same Church And for Queen Katharine Dowager and also for my Lady Mary and my Lady Elizabeth the Kings sisters Secondly You shall pray for my Lord Protectors grace with all the rest of the Kings Majesties Councell for all the Lords of this Realm and for the Clergie and the Commons of the same beseeching Almighty God to give every of them in his degree grace to use themselves in such wise as may be to Gods glory the Kings honour and the weal of this Realm Thirdly You shall pray for all them that be departed out of this world in the faith of Christ that they with us and we with them at the Day of Judgment may rest both body and soul with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the kingdome of heaven Observations on the Kings Injunctions Let us here admire Gods wisdome in our first Reformers The wisdome of our Reformers who proceeded so moderately in a matter of so great consequence To reform all at once had been the ready way to reform nothing at all New wine must be gently powred into old bottles lest the strenght of the liquor advantaged with the violence of the infusion break the vessel Iacob could not keep pace with Esau presumed fleet on foot as used to hunting whilest he had in his company the * Gen. 33. 13. tender children and flocks with young which if over driven one day would die And though no doubt he himself was foot-man enough to go along with his Brother yet he did lead on softly according as the cattle and children were able to endure Thus our wise Reformers reflected discreetly on the infirmities of people long nouzled in ignorance and superstition and incapable of a sudden and perfect alteration On this account in the third Injunction they reduced Candles formerly sans number in Churches to two Onely two lights left upon the high Altar before the Sacrament these being termed lights shews they werenot luminacaeca but burning Know also that at this time there was an universall dilapidation of Chancells and men had seen so many Abbey-Churches pluckt down that they even left Parish-Churches to fall down on themselves now to repair them all at once would have stopt the holes in the Chancells and made one in the states of the Ministers It was therefore in the sixteenth Injunction ordered That a fift part of their means should be imployed therein whereby the work was effectually done without any great dammage to the Repairers By Memories appointed to be omitted What meant by Memories Injunction 21. we understand the Obsequia for the dead which some say succeeded in the place of the Heathen Roman Parentalia The abolishing Processions is politickly
other strangers in London to have and to hold for them their heirs and successours in Frank Almonage to be a meeting-place for them therein to attend God's Word and Sacraments He ordered also that hereafter it should be called by the new name of the Church of the Lord IESUS and incorporated the said Superintendent Ministers and Congregation to be a body politick for all purposes and intents empowering them from time to time in the vacancy of a Superintendent to chuse name and substitute any able and fit person in that place provided that the person so chosen be first presented to the King His Heirs and Successours to be approved and confirmed by them in the Office of the Ministerie enjoyning all Archbishops Bishops and other Officers Quòd permittant praefatis g The Letters are kept in the Dutch Church and exemplified in Iohannes Utenbovius in his narration of the Dutch Congregation pag. 13. c. Superintendenti Ministris Sucessoribus suis liberè quietè frui gaudere uti exercere ritus ceremonias suas proprias disciplinam Ecclesiasticam propriam peculiarem non obstante quòd non conveniant cum ritibus ceremoniis in Regno nostro usitatis That they permit the foresaid Superintendent and Ministers and their Successours freely and quietly to hold enjoy use and exercise their own proper rites and ceremonies and their proper and peculiar Church-discipline notwithstanding that they agree not with the rites and ceremonies used in Our Kingdome 34. Now followed the fatall tragedy of the Duke of Somerset Womens brawles Mens thralles and we must recoile a little to fetch forward the cause thereof Thomas Seymour Baron of Sudely and Lord Admirall the Protectours younger Brother had married the Lady Katharine Parre the Relict of King Henry the eighth A contest arose betwixt their Wives about place the Protectresse as I may call her refusing to give it to the Kings Dowager Yet was their precedencie no measuring cast but clear in the view of any unpartiall eye Nor needed other Herauld to decide the controversie than the Kings own Injunctions a Vide supra in the first of this King wherein after prayer for His own Royall person Ministers were commanded to pray for the Queen Dowager even before the Kings Sisters Mary and Elizabeth the Protectour under whom his Lady must claim place being placed last in the List of their Devotions 35. The Womens discords derived themselves into their Husbands hearts Lord Thomas â—eymour executed for Treason Whereupon not long after followed the death of the Lord Thomas Seymour arraigned for designing to traslate the Crown to himself though having neither Title to pretend unto it nor effectual Interest to atchieve the same Let b 1 King 2. Adonijah and this Lord's example deterre Subjects from medling with the Widows of their Soveraigns left in the same match they espouse their own danger and destruction This Lord thus cut off the Protectour stood alone on his own bottome at which his enemies daily endevoured to undermine 36. Soon after the Lords of the Councel resolved to accuse him of many high offences A tripartite accusation Of these Lords some were Lawyers as the Lord Wriothesley lately the Lord Rich then Lord Chancellour Sir Edward Montague Chief Justice c. some Martialists as S r Ralph Sadler Treasurer to the Army and some meer Statesmen as William Pawlet Lord Treasurer and their accusations participated of the severall conditions of the Accusers The Lawyers charge him for bringing Westminster-hall into Somerset-house keeping there a Court of Request and therein determining Titles of Land to the apparent injury of the Subject Military men taxed him for his Sumptuous buildings having their Morter tempered with the tears of Souldiers Wives and Children whose wages he detained and for betraying Bolloigne and other places in France to the Enemy States-men chiefly insisted on his engrossing all power to himself that whereas by the constitution of the Protectourship he was to act nothing without the advice of King Henry's Executours he solely transacted matters of the highest consequence without their privity 37. Here I must set John Dudley Earl of Warwick as a Transcendent in a form by himself Earle of Warwick the Proectors grand enemy being a competent Lawyer Ann. Dom. 1551. Son to a Judge known Soldier Ann Reg. Ed 6 5. and able States man and acting against the Protector to all these his capacities Indeed he was the very soul of the Accusation being all in all in every part thereof And seeing the Protector was free spirited open hearted humble hard to distrust easie to forgive The other proud suttle close cruell and revengefull it was impar congressus betwixt them almost with as much disadvantage as betwixt a naked and an armed person 38. Hereupon The Protector accused and imprisoned yet restored he was imprisoned at Windsor in a place antiently called c Fox Acts Mon. pag. Beauchamp's Tower it seems by a sad Prolepsis but never verified till now when this Vâ—count Beauchamp by his original honour was therein consined and hence was he removed to the Tower of London However although all this happened in the worst juncture of time viz in the disjuncture of his best Friend the Lord Russell Privie Seal then away in the West yet by his own innocence his other Friends endeavour the Kings interposing and Divine Providence he was acquitted and though outed his Protectorship restored and continued Privie Counsellour as in the King's Diarie was formerly observed 39. But after two years and two months Accused the second time his enemies began afresh to assault him hoping that as the first stroak shak'd the next would fell him to the ground Indeed Warwick who had too powerfull an influence upon all the Lords could not erect his intended Fabrick of Soveraignty except he first cleared the ground work from all obstructive rubbish whereof this Duke of Somerset was the Principall In whose absence the Lords met at the Councell Table where it was contrived how all things should be ordered in relation to his Arraignment 40. R. Rich Lord Chancellor then living in great S. Bartholomews though outwardly concurring with the rest Lord Rich his Servants dangerous mistake began now secretly to favour the Duke of Somerset and sent him a Letter therein acquainting him with all passages at the Councell Board superscribing the same either out of haste or familiarity with no other direction save To the Duke enjoying his Servant a raw attendant as newly entred into the family safely to deliver it The man made e This story attested to me by his great grand childe the Earl or Warwick more haste than good speed and his Lord wondring at his quick return demanded of him where the Duke was when he deliver'd him the Letter In Charter-house said his Servant on the same token that he read it at the window and smiled thereat But the
with the Church of St. Mary le Strand were pluckt down to make room for it The stones and timber were fetcht from the Hospitall of S. Johns This Somerset house is so tenacious of his name that it would not change a Dutchie for a Kingdome when solemnly proclaimed by King James Denmarke-house from the King of Denmarke's lodging therein and His Sister Queen Anne her repairing thereof Surely it argueth that this Duke was wel belov'd Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 6. because his name made such an indelible impression on this his house whereof he was not full five years peaceably possessed Ann. Dom. 1552. 47. We lately made mention of Barnaby Fitz-Patrick The Kings Instructions to Fitz-Patrick for his behaviour in France to whom the King directed His Letter as who was bred and brought up with Him from His infancy though somewhat the older He was Prince Edward's PROXIE for CORRECTION though we may presume seldome suffering in that kinde such the Princes generall innocence and ingenuity to learn His book Yet when such execution was done as Fitz-Patrick was beaten for the Prince the Prince was beaten in Fitz-Patrick so great an affection did He bare to His Servant Towards the end of His Reign He maintained him in the Court of France both to learn fashions there and send intelligence thence And it will not be amisse to insert the King's private Instructions unto him how he should behave himself in the French Court partly for the rarity partly for the certainty thereof having it transcribed out of the Originall of the King 's own hand as followeth 1. First he shall goe in the Lord Admirals Company and at the same Lords departing he shall have a Letter to the French King which the Lord Admirall shall deliver and present him to the French King and if it shall chance that the French King will give him any Pension entertainment or reward at his being there for the time he tarrieth there he shall receive it and thank His Majesty for it and shall serve when he shall be appointed Neverthelesse when he is out of the Court he shall be most conversant with Mr. Pickering * Afterwards Knighted and supposed suâ—â—er to Qâ—liz 2. And at his setting forth shall carry with him four Servants and if the wages amount to any great summe more than I give him that the French King giveth him to live there after that proportion advertising Me of the same 3. Also all this Winter he shall study the Tongue and see the manner of the Court and advertise Me of the occurrences he shall hear and if he be desirous to see any place Notable or Town he may goe thither asking leave of the King And shall behave himself honestly more following the company of Gentlemen than pressing into the company of the Ladies there and his chief pastime shall be Hunting and Riding 4. Also his Apparell he shall wear it so fine as shall be comely and not much superfluous And the next Sommer when either the King goeth or sendeth any man of name into the Warres to be His Lieutenant or to lead an Army he shall desire to goe thither and either himself or else shall will Mr. Pickering to declare to the French King how he thinketh not himself to have fully satisfied nor recompensed neither His Majesties good entertainment nor Mine expectation who had sent him over if he should return having so delicately and idlely almost spent the time without he did at this time of service be desirous to goe himself into the Warres by the which thing he might at this time doe His Majesty service and also learn to doe Me service hereafter yea and His Majesty to if the case so required And therefore seeing this Nobleman shall now goe that his request is to have leave to goe with him 5. Having said this to the French King he shall depart into the Warres waiting on this Nobleman that shall be sent and there he shall mark the divers fortifications of places and advantages that the enemy may take and the ordering and conduct of the Armies As also the fashion of the skirmishes battles and assaults and the plats of the chief Towns where any enterprises of weight have been done he shall cause to be set out in black and white or otherwise as he may and shall send them hither to Me with advertisement of such things as have passed 6. Furthermore he shall at all times when he taketh money advertise Me of it and I shall send him And so the next year being well spent upon further advertisement and taking leave of the French King he shall return 7. And if there arise or grow any doubt in any matter hereafter in the which be shall need advise he shall advertise by the Post and shall have Anser thereof This Barnaby Fitz-Patrick after his return out of France was created by the King Baron of upper Ossery in Ireland and died a most excellent Protestant as hereafter we shall shew in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth 48. On the 15 th of April Little Church-work in this Parliament the Parliament ended which had sate three Moneths at Westminster April 15. though therein nothing of Church-matters determined save a Penalty imposed on such who should strike or draw weapon in Church or Church-yard with the abolishing of the generall Holy daies of S. Mary Magdalen and S. Geroge yet so that it should be lawfull for the latter to be solemnly celebrated by the Knights of the Right honourable Order of the Garter The Orders of which Order were about this time reformed and purged from some antient superstitions An ill presage 49. Six k Bishop Godwins Annals in this year Dolphins were taken in the Thames three neer Quinborough and three above Greenwich where the Thames is scarce tainted with brackishnesse in so much that many grave men dispensed with their wisdome and beheld them with wonder as not seen before on our shores A fish much loving man and musick swifter than all other fishes and birds too yea than the Swallow it self if Pliny l Nat. Hist l. 9. cap. 8. say true though all their celerity besteaded them not here to escape the nets of the fisher-men Their coming up so farre was beheld by Mariners as a presage of fowl weather at Sea but by States-men as a prodigious omen of some tempestuous mutations in our Land And particularly they suspected the Kings death though for the present He was very pleasant and merry in His progresse about the Countrey Aug. 22. as by his ensuing Letter to His former favourite written in the next August doth appear EDWARD THE cause why we have not hitherto written unto you have partly been the lack of a convenient Messenger partly because we meant to have some thing worthy writing ere VVe would write any thing And therefore being now almost in the midst of Our journey which VVe have undertaken this Sommer VVe have thought
convenient time And of their doings in this behalf to certifie Her Majesties privie-Councell or the Councell in the Sarr-Chamber at Westminster that order may be taken herein Given at Windsor the 19 th of September the second year of Her Majesties raign Her Princely care took this desired effect that it stopped the main stream of Sacriledge herein though some by-rivolets thereof ran still in private Churches in defiance of all orders provided to the contrary 37. May the Reader take notice The death and character of Bp. Bale that henceforward God willing we will set down at the end of every year the deaths of such eminent Divines who deceased therein though we finde no funeralls of any prime Protestant in the two first yeers of the Queens raigne Her coming to the Crown inspirited the weakest and oldest with vigorousnesse and vivacity for a time and Divine Providence preserved them from blasting who were but newly replanted in their places Only we conjecture that John Bale Bishop of Ossorie died about this time we finding no future mention of his activity which if alive could not conceal it self Pity it is we cannot give the exact date of his death who was so accurate in noting the deeeases of others For this John Bale was he who besides many other books enlarged Leland and continued the Lives of the English Writers Borne at Covy near Dunwich in Suffolke bred in Cambridge afterwards a Carmelite in Norwich and ignorantly zealous in their superstitions He was first converted to the knowledge of the Gospel as himself a De Scriptor Britan Centur 8. confesseth by the care of that worthy Lord Thomas Lord Wentworth of Nettlested in Suffolke Whereupon to use his own expression he was transported from his barren mount Carmel to the fair and fruitfull vale of the Gospel 38. Presently comes persecution The persecutions which in his life he suffered For his preaching of the Gospell he is drag'd from the Pulpit to the Consistory before Lee Arch-Bishop of Yorke and for the same cause was afterwards convented before Stokesley Bishop of London but the Lord Cromwell much affected with the facetiousness of such Comedies as he had presented unto him rescued him from their paws by his power After eight yeers exile in Germany he was recalled by King Edward and made Bishop of Ossâ—rie in Ireland where he remained but a short time For after the Kings death he hardly escaped with his own life some of his servants being slain cast by tempest into Cornewall taken by pirates dearly redeemed with much difficulty he recovered London with more danger got over into Germany Whence returning in the first of Queen Elizabeth about this time he ended his life leaving a Scholars Inventory moe books many of his own making than mony behinde him 39. His friends say Bales passion endeavoured to be excused that Bale his pen doth zealously confute such as are strangers to him conceive it doth bitterly enveigh and his foes say it doth damnably raile on Papists and their opinions though something may be pleaded for his passion Old age and ill usage will make any man angry When young he had seen their superstition when old he felt their oppression Give losers therefore leave to speak and speakers to be cholerick in such cases The best is Bale railes not more on Patists then Pits employed on the same subject on Protestant Writers and even set me against the other whilest the discreet reader of both paring off the extravagances of passion on each side The Pope tampereth to reconcile the Queen to the Church of Rome may benefit himself in quietness from their loud and clamorous invectives 40. Pius the fourth 1560. being newly setled in the Papal chaire 3. May. 5. thought to do something no less honourable than profitable to his See in reducing Queen Elizabeth a wandring sheep worth a whole flock to the Church of Rome In order whereunto he not only was deaf to the importunity of the Count of Feria pressing him for a private grudge to excommunicate Her but also addressed Vincent Parpalia Abbot of S t. Saviours with courteous letters unto her The tenour whereof ensueth To our most dear Daughter in Christ Elizabeth Queen of England DEar daughter in Christ health and Apostolical benediction How greatly we desire our Pastoral charge requiring it to procure the salvation of your soule and to provide likewise for your honour and the establishment of your Kingdom withall God the searcher of all hearts knoweth and you may understand by what we have given in charge to this our beloved son Vincentius Parpalia Abbot of S t. Saviours a man well known to you and well approved by us Wherefore we do again and again exhort and admonish your Highnesse most dear daughter that rejecting evil Councellours which love not you but themselves and serve their own lusts Anno Dom. 1562. you would take the fear of God into Counsel with you Anno Regin Eliza. 4. and acknowledging the time of your visitation shew your selves obeâ—ient to our fatherly perswasions and wholsome Counsells and promise to your self from us all things that may make not only to the salvation of your soul but also whatsoever you shall desire from us for the establishing confirming of your Princely dignity according to the authority place and office committed unto us by God And if so be as we desire and hope you shall return into the bosome of the Church we shall be ready to receive you with the same love honour and rejoycing that the Father in the Gospel did his Son returning to him although our joy is like to be the greater in that he was joyfull for the salvation of one Son but you drawing along with you all the people of England shall hear us and the whole company of our brethren who are shortly God willing to be assembled in a generall Councell for the taking away of heresies and so for the salvation of your self and your whold nation fill the Vniversal Church with rejoycing and gladnesse Yea you shall make glad heaven it self with such a memorable fact and atchieve admirable renown to your name much more glorious than the Crown you wear But concerning this matter the same Vincentius shall deal with you more largely and shall declare our fatherly affection toward you and we intreate your Majesty to receive him lovingly to hear him diligently and to give the same credit to his speeches which you would to our self Given at Rome at S. Peters c. the fifth day of May 1560. in our first yeer What private proposals Parpalia made to her Majesty on condition she would be reconciled to Rome is unknown Some conceive the Pope might promise more then He meant to perform but would He perform more than He did promise nothing herein had been effected A Bargain can never be driven where a Buyer can on no terms be procured Her Majesty was resolute and unmoveable
in her Religion And yet some not more knowing of Councells but more daring in Conjectures than others who love to feiga what they cannot finde that they may never appear to be at a loss avouch that the Pope promised to revoke the Sentence against her mother Anne Bollens marriage to confirme our English Lithurgie by his authority to permit the English the Communion under both kinds provided she would own the Popes Primacy and cordially unite her self to the Catholike Church Yea some thousands of Crowns but all in vain were promised to the effectors thereof wherein his holinesse seemingly liberal was really thrifty as knowing such his Sums if accepted would within one year return with an hundred fold increase 41. Scipio a Gentleman of Venice The contents of Scipio his Letter to Mr. Iewell formerly familiar with M r. Jewel whilst he was a student in Padua wrot now an expostulating letter unto Him being lately made Bishop of Sarisbury Wherein he much admired that England should send no Embassadour nor message or letter to excuse their Nations absence from the general appearance of Christianity in the Sacred Councell of Trent He highly extolled the antiquity and use of General Councels as the only means to decide controversies in Religion and compose the distractions in the Church concluding it a Superlative Sin for any to decline the authority thereof 42. To this M r. Jewel returned a large and solemn answer Anno Dom. 1563. Now although he wrote it as a private person Anno Regin Eliza. 5. yet because the subject thereof was of publick concernment The sum of Mr. Jewels answer take the principall Heads thereof a See it at large at the end of the History of the Councell of Trent First That a great part of the world professing the name of Christ as Greeks Armenians Abessines c. with all the Eastern Church were neither sent to nor summoned to this Councell Secondly That Englands absence was not so great a wonder seeing many other kingdoms and free-states as Denmarke Sweden Scotland Princes of Germany and Hanse-Towns were not represented in this Councel by any of their Embassadors Thirdly That this pretended Councell was not called according to the ancient custome of the Church by the Imperiall Authority but by Papall usurpation Fourthly That Trent was a petty place not of sufficient receit for such multitudes as necessarily should repair to a generall Councell Fifthly That Pope Pius the fourth by whose command the Councel was re-assembled purchased his place by the unjust practises of Simony and bribery and managed it with murder and Cruelty Sixthly That repairing to Councells was a free-act and none ought to be condemned of Contumacy if it stood more with their conveniency to stay at home Seventhly That anciently it was accepted as a reasonable excuse of holy Bishops absenting or withdrawing themselves from any Councell if they vehemently suspected ought would be acted therein prejudiciall to the Truth lest their though not active included concurrence might be interpreted a countenancing thereof Eightly Our English Bishops were imployed in feeding their flocks and governing their Churches and could not be spared from their charge without prejudice to their consciences Ninthly The members of the Councell of Trent both Bishops and Abbots were by oath pregaged to the Pope to defend and maintain his authority against all the world Lastly in what capacity should the English Clergy appear in this Councell They could not as free-persons to debate matters therein beeing pre-condemned for Hereticks by Pope Julius They would not come as Offendors to hear the Sentence pronounced against themselves which they had heard of before What effect this Letter produced I finde not sure I am no Papists as yet have made an effectuall refutation of the reasons rendered therein 43. The Bells of S t. Peters in Westminster had strangely rung the changes these last thirty yeers Westminster Col. Church re-sounded by Q Eliz. Within which time first it was a stately and rich Covent of Benedictine Monks Secondly it was made a Collegiate Church of Dean and Prebendaries by King Henry the eighth Thirdly by the same King is was made an Episcopall See and Thomas Thirby who having roasted the Churches Patrimony surrendred it to the spoile of Courtiers the first and last Bishop thereof Fourthly Queen Mary re-seated the Abbot and Monks in the possession thereof who were outed after her Death Lastly this yeer Queen Elizabeth converted it again into a Collegiate Church founding therein maintenance for one Dean twelve Prebendaries as many old souldiers past service for Almsmen and fourty Scholars who in due time are preferred to the Universities so that it hath proved one of the most renowned Seminaries of Religion and learning in the whole nation 44. Pope Pius though unsuccessfull in his addresses last yeer to the Queen 1561 yet was not so disheartened The Pope trieth again in â—am to reduce the Queen but that once more he would try what might be effected therein To which purpose he imployed the Abbot of Martinegi with most loving letters unto her desiring leave to come over into England But the Queen knowing it less difficulty and danger to keep him Anno Dom. 1562. then to cast him out of her Dominions forbad his entrance into the Realme as against the Laws of the Land So that he was fain to deliver his Errand and receive his answer and that a deniall at distance in the Low-Countries As little successe had the Bishop of Viterbo the Popes Nuncio to the King of France secretly dealing with S r. N. Throgmorton the Queens Agent there to perswade her to send Embassadors to the Councell of Trent which for the reasons afore mentioned was justly refused 45. S r. Edward Carne the Queens Leger at Rome The death of Sr. Edward Carne Doctor of Civill Law Knighted by the Emperour Charles the fifth pretended that as the Queen would not suffer the Popes Nuncio to come into England so the Pope would not permit him to depart Rome Whereas indeed the cunning old man was not detained but detained himself so well pleased was he with the place and his office therein Where soon after he died the last Leger of the English Nation to Rome publickly avowed in that imployment 46. This yeer the Spire of Pauls-Steeple covered with lead strangely fell on fire Pauls Steeple burnt down attributed by severall Persons to sundry Causes Some that it was casually blasted with lightning others that it was mischevously done by Art Magick And others and they the truest done by the negligence of a Plummer carelessly leaving his coals therein The fire burnt for five full hours in which time it melted all the lead of the Church only the stone Arches escaping the fury thereof but by the Queens bounty and a Collection from the Clergy it was afterwards repaired only the blunt Tower had not the top thereof sharpned into a Spire as before 47.
Spirit and present them spotlesse and unblameable to their Saviour In discharge of which function We which are by Gods goodnesse called to the government of the aforesaid Church do spare no pains labouring with all earnestness that Unity and the Catholick Religion which the Author thereof hath for the triall of his childrens faith and for our amendment suffered with so great afflictions might be preserved uncorrupt But the number of the ungodly hath gotten such power that there is now no place left in the whole world which they have not assayed to corrupt with their most wicked Doctrines Amongst others Elizabeth the pretended Queen of England the servant of wickedness lending thereunto her helping hand with whom as in a Sanctuary the most pernicious of all have found a refuge This very woman having seised on the Kingdom and monstrously usurping the place of Supreme Head of the Church in all England and the chief authority and jurisdiction thereof hath again brought back the said Kingdom into miserable destruction which was then newly reduced to the Catholick Faith and good fruits For having by strong hand inhibited the exercise of the true Religion which Mary the lawfull Queen of famous memory had by the help of this See restored Anno Dom. 1570. Anno Regin Eliza. 13. after it had been formerly overthrown by Henry the eighth a revolter therefrom and following and embracing the errours of Hereticks She hath removed the Royall Councell consisting of the English Nobility and filled it with obscure men being Hereticks suppressed the embracers of the Catholick Faith placed dishonest Preachers and Ministers of impieties abolished the sacrifice of the Mass Prayers Fastings Choice of meats Unmarried life and the Catholick Rites and Ceremonies commanded Books to be read in the whole Realm containing manifest Heresie and impious mysteries and institutions by Her self entertained and observed according to the prescript of Calvin to be likewise observed by Her Subjects presumed to throw Bishops Parsons of Churches and other Catholick Priests out of their Churches and Benefices and to bestow them and other Church-livings upon Hereticks and to determine of Church-causes prohibited the Prelates Clergy and People to acknowledge the Church of Rome or obey the Precepts and Canonicall Sanctions thereof compelled most of them to condescend to Her wicked Laws and to abjure the authority and obedience of the Bishop of Rome and to acknowledge Her to be sole Ladie in temporall and spirituall matters and this by oath imposed penalties and punishments upon those which obeyed not and exacted them of those which perserved in the unity of the faith and their obedience aforesaid cast the Catholick Prelates and Rectors of Churches in prison where many of them being spent with long languishing and sorrow miserably ended their lives All which things seeing they are manifest and notorious to all Nations and by the gravest testimony of very many so substantially proved that there is no place at all left for excuse defence or evasion We seeing that impieties and wicked actions are multiplied one upon another and moreover that the persecution of the faithfull and affliction for Religion groweth every day heavier and heavier through the instigation and means of the said Elizabeth because We understand Her minde to be so hardened and indurate that She hath not only contemned the godly requests and admonitions of Catholick Princes concerning Her healing and conversion but alas hath not so much as permitted the Nuncioes of this See to cross the seas into England are constrained of necessity to betake our selves to the weapons of justice against Her not being able to mitigate our sorrow that We are drawn to take punishment upon one to whose Ancestors the whole state of all Christendome hath been so much bounden Being therefore supported with His authority whose pleasure it was to place Us though unable for so great a burden in this supreme throne of justice We do out of the fulnesse of Our Apostolick Power declare the aforesaid Elizabeth being an Heretick and a favourer of Heresies and Her adherents in the matters aforesaid to have incurred sentence of Anathemaâ— and to be cut off from the unity of the body of Christ And moreover We do declare Her to be deprived of Her pretended title to the Kingdom aforesaid and of all Dominion Dignity and Priviledge whatsoever and also the Nobility Subjects and People of the said Kingdom and all other which have in any sort sworn unto Her to be for ever absolved from any such oath and all manner of duty of Dominion Allegiance and Obedience As We do also by authority of these presents absolve them and do deprive the same Elizabeth of Her pretended title to the Kingdom and all other things above-said And We do command and interdict all and every the Noble-men Subjects People Anno Regin Eliza. 12. Anno Dom. 1569. and others aforesaid that they presume not to obey Her or Her monitions mandates and laws and those which shall do the contrary We do innodate with the like Sentence of Anathem And because it were a matter of too much difficulty to convey these presents to all places wheresoever it shall be needfull Our will is that the copies thereof under a publick Notaries hand and sealed with the seal of an Ecclesiastical Prelate or of his court shall carry together the same credit with all people judicially and extrajudicially as these presents should do if they were exhibited or shewed Given at Rome at S t. Peters in the year of the incarnation of our Lord one thousand five hundred sixty nine the fifth of the Kalends of March and of Our Popedom the fifth year Cae Glorierius H. Cumyn 25. The principall persons The different opinions of English Catholicks concerning this excommunication whose importunity solicited the Pope to thunder out this excommunication were D r. Harding D r. Stapleton D r. Morton and D r. Web. And now the news thereof flying over into England variously affected the Catholicks according to their several dispositions 1. Some admired and applauded the resolution of His holinesse expecting all persons should instantly start from the infectious presence of the Queen and that that virgin-rose so blasted should immediately wither 2. Others would not believe that there was any such excommunication at all but that it was a mere slander devised by the common enemy to make all Catholicks odious 3. Others accounted such Excommunication though denounced of no validity a Watsons Qâ—â—dlibets pag. 262. because the reasons which moved the Pope thereunto were falsely and surreptitiously suggested to His Holiness 4. Others did question the lawfulnesse of all excommunications of Princes according to the rule of S t. Thomas Princeps multitudo non est excommunicanda where the uncertain profit which might follow could not countervail the certain mischief which would ensue 5. Others did condemne the present excommunication pro hic nunc as unexpedient probable to incense and exasperate the
Fecknam whence he fetcht his name Bred a Benedictâ—ne Monke in the Abbey of Evesham where he subscribed with the rest of his Order to the resignation of that house into the hands of King Henry the eighth Afterwards he studied in Oxford then applied himself first to Bell Bishop of Worcester and after his death to Bonner of London where he crossed the Proverb like Master like Man the Patron being Cruel the Chaplain Kinde to such who in Judgement dissented from him he never dissembled his religion being a zealous Papist and under King Edward the sixth suffered much for his Conscience 35. In the Reign of Queen Mary His Courtesy to Protestants he was wholy imployed in doing good offices for the afflicted Protestants from the highest to the lowest The Earle of Bedford and who afterwards were of Warwick and Leicester tasted of his kindnesse so did S r John Cheek yea and the Lady Elizabeth her self So interposing his interest with Queen Mary for her enlargement that he incurred her Graces displeasure Hence it is that Papists complain that in the reign of Queen Elizabeth he reaped not a Cropp of Courtesie proportionable to his large seed thereof in the dayes of Queen Mary 36. Queen Mary afterwards preferred him from being Dean of Pauls Made Abbot of Westminster a Sanders de schismate Ang. in the Reign of Q. Mary to be Abbot of Westminster which Church she erected and endowed for Benedictine Monks of which order fourteen only could be found in England then extant since their dissolution which were unmarried unpreferred to Cures and unaltered in their opinions These also were brought in with some difficulty at first and opposition for the Prebendaries of Westminster legally setled in their places would not resigne them till Cardinall Poole partly by compulsion partly by compensation obteined their removall 37. Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown Q. Elizabeth send eth for him and prossers him preferment sent for Abbot Fecknam to come to her whom the messenger found setting of Elmes in the Orchard of Westminster Abbey But he would not follow the messenger till first he had finished his Plantation which his friends impute to his soul imployed b Reinerius in Apost Bened. pag. 235. in mysticall meditations that as the Trees he there set should spring and sprout many years after his decease So his new Plantation of Benedictine Monks in Westminster should take root and flourish in defiance of all opposition which is but a bold conjecture of others at his thoughts Sure I am those Monks long since are extirpated but how his Trees thrive at this day is to me unknown Coming afterwards to the Queen what discourse passed betwixt them they themselves knew alone some have confidently guessed she proffered him the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury on condition he would conform to her laws which he utterly refused 38. In the Treaty between the Protestants and Papists primo Elizabethae Kindly used in restraint he was present but in what capacity I cannot satisfie my self Surely more then a Disputant amongst whom he was not named Yet not so much as a Moderator And yet his judgement perchance because Abbot and so principall man in that place was c â—Fox Acts Mon. asked with respect and heard with reverence His Moderation being much commended Now although he was often confined sometimes to the Tower sometimes to friends houses and died it seems at last in restraint in Wisbeeich Castle Yet generally be found fair usage from the Protestants He built a Conduit in Holborn and a Crosse in Wisbeeich and relieved the poor wheresoever he came So that Flies flock not thicker about spilo honey then beggars constantly crouded about him 39. Abbot Fecknam thus being dead A recruit of English Benedictines made after Fecknams death the English Benedictines beyond the seas began to bestirr themselves as they were concerned about the continuation of their Order we know some maintain that if any one species or kinde of Creatures be utterly extinct the whole Univers by Sympathy therewith and consciousnesse of its own imperfection will be dissolved And the Catholicks suspected what a sad consequence there would be if this Ancient Order of English Black Monks should suffer a totall and finall defection The best was Vnus homo Nobis there was one and but one Monke left namely Father Sigebert Buckley and therefore before his death provision was made for others to succeed him and they for fear of failing disposed in severall Countries in manner following In Rome 〈…〉 In Valladolit in Spain 1. Father Gregory Sayer 2. Father Thomas Preston 3. Father Anselme of Manchester 4. Father Anthony Martin commonly called Athanasius 1. Father Austine S t. John 2. Father John Mervin 3. Father Marke Lambert 4. Father Maurice Scot. 5. Father George Gervis From these nine new Benedictines the whole Order which hung formerly on a single string was then replenished to a competent and since to a plentifull number 40. Hitherto our English Papists affectionately leaned not to say fondly doâ—â—d on the Queen of Scots 〈…〉 promising themselves great matters from her towards the advancing of their Religon But now they began to fall off in their 〈◊〉 partly because beholding her a confined person unable to free her self and more unlikely to help others partly because all Catholicks come off with losse of life which practized her enlargement As for her Son the King of Scots from whom they expected a settlement of Popery in that land their hopes were lately turned into despairs who had his education on contrary principles 41. Whereupon hereafter they diverted their eyes from the North to the West Unto the King of Spain expecting contrary to the course of nature that their Sun should rise therein in magnifying the might of the King of Spain and his zeal to propagate the Roman Catholick faith And this was the practise of all Jeâ—uites to possess their English proselytes with high opinions of the Spanish power as the Nation designed by Divine providence to work the restitution of their Religion in England 42. In order hereunto Pretending a 〈◊〉 the Crown of England and to hearten their Countrimen some for it appears the result of severall persons employed in the designing and effecting thereof drew up a Title of the King of Spains to the English Crown are much admired by their own party as slighted by the Queen and her Loyall Subjects for being full of falsehoods and forgeries Indeed it is easie for any indifferent Herauld so to derive a pedigree as in some seeming probability to intitle any Prince in Christendome to any Principality in Christendome but such will shrink on serious examination Yea I beleeve Queen Elizabeth might pretend a better Title to the Kingdoms of Leon and Castile in Spain as descended by the house of Yorke from Edmond Earl of Cambridge and his Lady Coheir to King Peter then any Claime that the King of Spain could
a voluntary or free motion one giving another Intelligence as occasion served sometimes by letters and sometimes by word of mouth 3 Interrog Who were Moderators in them and what their Office Answer That he remembred not who where Moderators in any meeting particularly saving once at Northampton when M r Johnsâ—n was admonished and that was either himself or M r Snapes he knew not well whether 4 Interrog What things were debated in those meetings or Assemblies Answer That the things Chiefly and most often considered of in those Assemblies were these First The subscription to the Book of Common-Prayer how farr it might be yielded unto rather then any should forgoe his Ministery Secondly The Book of Discipline was often perused discussed c. Thirdly Three petitions or supplications were agreed upon to be drawn First to her Majesty Secondly to the Lords of the Councell Thirdly to the Bishops The things debated of in particular he remembred not more then these First the pâ—rfecting of the Book of Discipline and purpose to subscribe to it at Cambridge Secondly this question disputed whether it were convenient for M r Cartwright to reveal the Circumstances of the Conference a little before he was committed Thirdly The admonishing of M r Johnson once at Northampton Fourthly The debating of this question whether the Books called Apocrypha were warrantable to be read publickly in the Church as the Canonical Scriptures 5 Interrog Whether any Censures were exercised what kinds when where upon whom by whom for what cause Answer That he never saw any Censure exercised saving admonition once upon M r Johnson of Northampton for miscarrying himself in his conversation to the Scandall of his Calling neither was that used with any kinde of Authority but by a voluntary yielding unto it and approving of it as well in him that was admonished as in him which did admonish 6 Interrog Whether any of the said Defendents had moved or perswaded any to refuse an Oath and in what case c Answer That he never knew any of the Defendents to use words of perswasion to any to refuse an Oath only M r Snape sent him down in writing certain reasons drawn out of the Scripture which moved him to refuse the generall Oath ex officio which I stood perswaded that he sent to none other end but to declare that he refused not to swear upon any contempt but only for Conscience sake I have insisted the longer on this Deposition because the first and fullest that I finde in the kinde thereof conteining their Classes more formally setled in Northampton-shire then any where else in England For as the west part of that shire is observed to be the highest place of England as appeareth by the Rivers rising there and running thence to the four winds so was that County a probable place as the middest of the land for the Presbyterian Discipline there erected to derive it self into all the quarters of the kingdom 40. The reasons why Mr. Stone made this confession againâ— the hope and expectation of the Breth But when the news of Mr. Stones answer was brought abroad he was generally censured by those of his party as well such as were yet at liberty conceiving themselves endangered by his discovery as by those already in prison complaining that he added affliction to their bonds Yea his embracing a different course from the rest cast an Aspersion on others of his side as less sound in Judgement or tender in conscience because peremptorily concealing what he thought fitting to confess Many that highly esteemed him before hereafter accounted him no pretious but a counterfet stone So that he found it necessary in his own vindication to impart the reasons of his Confession to such as condemned him if not for a Traytor at least for a Coward in the Cause 1. a Carefully by me transcribed out of his own Letters to his friends He judged it unlawfull to refuse an oath limitted and bounded within the compass of the conferences being required before a lawfull Magistrate in a Plea for the Prince to a lawfull end 1. to trie out the truth in a doubtfull fact suspected and feared to be dangerous both to Church and Common-Weal but such was that oath which was tendered to him ergo 2. He being lawfully sworn judged it unlawfull to be mute much more to speak any untruth 3. If he had not been urged by oath to reveal yet did he judge that silence unlawfull which justly causeth suspition of evill as of Treason Rebellion Sedition c. 4. He judged that concealment unlawfull which was not only scandalous but also dangerous as this that might occasion and incourage wicked persons to hide their Complices in their worst attempts 5. He judged that the clearing of a doubtfull fact requireth the clearing of the Circumstances which cannot be cleared till they be known 6. He judged that silence unlawfull which leaveth the truth friendless or few friends when she hath need of many 7. He judged it a point or note of Puritanisme for any to stand so upon the integrity of their own Actions as that they should not be doubted of suspected examined censured c. 8. He saw no probability nor possibility in reason to have the circumstances longer concealed 1. Because many of them are already made known partly by the letters and writings of the B. in Bonds which have been intercepted partly also by certain false brethren and lastly by certain faithfull but weak brethren whose confessions are to be seen under their own hands 2. Because the Magistrate is resolutely set to search them out and lastly because divers are to be called and to answer upon Oath which approve not the concealing of them 9. He judged the inconveniences which come by the concealing to be if not moe in number yet greater in weight and nore inevitable then those that come by revealings which as it may appear in some of the former Reasons alledged to prove the unlawfulness of concealing so may it further appear in these that follow 10. The good name and credit of any of a Minister much more ought to be dearer to him and to all those that love him then his liberty c. but by this concealing the credit of many good Ministers is eclipsed 11. This concealing hath caused the continuance of some in bonds and imprisonment hitherto would cause others to be committed and withall causeth suspition of evills Treason Rebellion Sedition c. and thereby also evill report slander c. 12. As by concealing the aforesaid suspition and slander lieth still upon us all which have been in these actions so doth the same grow every day more grievous by the wicked attempts of hypocrites and prophane persons which carry the name of Puritans Precisians c. as those of late in Cheap-side 13. Although it be very like that the revealing will bring punishment upon the rest yet is it not certain nor necessary but the concealing doth
Watsons Quodâ—â—bets pag 97. Venitè â—ratres mei Ostendam vobis Alanum which the Author thus translates or rather Comments on Come my brethren and I will shew you a man in England born to whom all Europe may give place for his high prudence reverend Countenance and purport of Government His loss was much lamented by the Catholicks not without cause whose Gravity and Authority had done many good offices in composing the Grudgings which began to grow betwixt Secular Priests and Jesuits which private heart-burnings soon after his death blazed out in the prison of Wisbich into an open Scandal as now we come to Report 13. A sad subject to write of Christian discords Here I protest though uncertain how far to finde belief 1595. 38. that I take no delight in relating these discontents much less shall my pen widen the wound betwixt them for though I approve the opinions of neither yet am I so much friend to the persons of both parties as not to make much to my self of their Discords The rather because no Christian can heartily laugh at the factions of his fiercest enemies because that sight at the same time pincheth him with the sad remembrance that such divisions that have formerly do at the present or may hereafter be found amongst those of his own profession such is the frailty of humane Nature in what side soever However hereafter let not Papists without cause or measure vaunt of their unity seeing their pretended Ship of S t Peter is not so solidly compacted but that it may spring a Leake Nor let them boast so confidently of their sufferings and blame our severity unto them as if enduring such hard usage in their imprisonment Surely like f Psal 105. 18. Joseph their feet were not hurt in the Stocks the Iron did not enter into their Soul neither with g Ier. 38. 6. Jeremy were they cast into a dirty dungeon where they sunk in mire nor with h Acts â—2 6. Peter were they bound with two Chains nor with i Acts 16. 24. Paul and Silas were they thrust into the inner prison and made fast but had in their Durance Liberty List and Leasure to begin foment and prosecute this violent Schisme betwixt themselves 14. The beginning of the Schism betwixt the Seculars and the Iesuits Untill this time the prime Catholicks in Wisbich Castle had lived there in restraint with great Unity and Concord And the Papists do brag that then and there the English Church was most visible until one Father Weston alias Edmonds a Jesuite coming thither erected a government amongst them making certain Sanctions and Orders which all were bound to observe secretly procuring subjects to himself and claiming a Superiority over all the Catholicks there Yet so cunningly he contrived the matter that he seemed not ambitiously to affect but religiously to accept this Authority profered unto yea seemingly forced upon him For one of his friends writes to Father Henry Garnet Provincial then living in England to this effect Good Father Weston in the humility of his heart lies on his bed like the man sick of the Palsie in the Gospel Nor will he walk confidently before others in the way of the Righteous except first he be let down through the Tiles and it be said unto him from the Provinciall arise take up thy Bed and walke Yet if the Seculars may be beleeved he did not only arise but run before that word of Command given him by Garnet and put his Jurisdiction in execution Besides those of his own society many of the Secular Priests submitted themselves unto him seduced say k Declaratio moâ—uum ac turbationum c. ad Clem. octavum exhibita pag. 12. some by the seeming sanctity of the Jesuits and having their Judgements bribed to that side by unequal proportions of mony received besides promising themselves that in case the land was invaded by the activity of the Jesuits all power and preferment would be at their dispose and so they should be sooner and higher advanced 15. The Seculars refuse to obey Weston and why But the greatest number and learned sort of the Secular Priests stoutly resisted his superiority affirming how formerly it had been offered to Thomas Watson Bishop of Lincolne late prisoner amongst them and he refused it as inconsistent with their present Condition affliction making them equalls and a Prison putting a parity betwixt them if any order might pretend to this Priority it was most proper for the Benedictines extant in England above a thousand years agoe that the Jesuits were Punies and if all Orders should sit down as Jacobs children at the Table of Joseph l Gen. 34. 33. the eldest according to his Age and the yongest according to his Youth the last and least place of honour was due unto them That the Secular Priests had borne the heat of the day in preaching and persecution some of them having endured above twenty years imprisonment for conscience sake as M r Bluet for m Watsons Quodlibets pag. 4. one before some of the Jesuits knew what durance meant That Weston was not eminent for Learning Religion or any prime quality save only the affecting that place which his betters had declined That it was monstrous that he being a Jesuite and so a member of another society should be made a head of their body The Lay-Catholicks were much offended with the Schisme some withheld others threatning to withhold their charity from both parties conceiving it the ready means when maintenance was detained from both sides to starve them into agreement 16. Weston imployed but as a Scout to discover the temper of the secular priests One might admire why father Weston should so earnestly desire so silly a dominion having his power as well as his own person confin'd within the walls of Wisbich Castle a narrow Diocess only to dominere over a few Prisoners The Goaler yea the very Turnkey being his superior to controll him if offering to exceed that compass But Oh the sweetness of Superemacy though in never so small a Circuit It pleased his pride to be Prior of a Prison but n Declaratio motuum c. pag. 17. Agent was the Title wherewith he stiled himself Indeed the English Jesuits both abroad in England and beyond the Seas made use of Westons forwardness to trie the temper of the Secular Priests and to make this bold Jesuite to back and break a Skittish Colt for further designes If Weston were unhors'd his fall would be little lamented and he might thank his own boldness in adventuring and the ill managing of his place if he sat the beast and it proved tame then others would up and ride and Father Garnet Provincial of the Jesuits intended in like manner to procure from the Pope a Superiority over all the Secular Priests in England Wisbich Prison would be enlarged all over the kingdom and the Precedent would reach farr in the
that point that he any way went about to abridge her Royall Authority 5. Secondly And filly taxing of his train he taxeth him for his extraordinary traine of above sixty men-servants though not so extravagant a number if his person and place be considered who were all trained up to martiall affaires and mustred almost every week his stable being well furnished with store of great Horses But was it a fault in those martiall dayes when the invasion of a Forraign Foe was daily suspected to fit his Family for their own and the Kingdomes defence Did not * Gen. 14. 14. Abraham that heavenly Prophet and holy Patriarch arme his Trained Servants in his owne house in his victorious expedition against the King of Sodome Yea if Church-men of an Anti-prelaticall spirit had not since tampered more dangerously with training of Servants though none of their owne both Learning and Religion had perchance looked at this day with a more cheerefull countenance 6. Whereas it intimates Whitgifts care of and love to Scholars that this Arch-bishop had been better imployed in training up Scholars for the Pulpit than Souldiers for the Field know that as the Latter was performed the former was not quitted by him Witnesse many worthy preachers bred under him in Trinity Colledge and more elsewhere relieved by him Yea his Bounty was too large to be confined within the narrow Seas Beza Drusius and other forraigne Protestant Divines tasting freely thereof Nor was his Liberality onely a Cisterne for the present age but a running River from a fresh Fountaine to water Posterity in that Schoole of Croydon which he hath beautifully built and bountifully endowed More might be said in the vindication of this worthy Prelate from his reproachfull penne But I purposely forbeare the rather because it is possible that the learned Gentleman since upon a serious review of his own Work and experimentall Observation of the passages of this Age may be more offended with his owne writing herein than others take just exception thereat 7. Arch-bishop Whitgift was buried at Croydon His buriall and Successour 1604. Mar. 27. March 27. The Earle of Worcester and Lord Zouch his Pupills attending his Herse and Bishop Babington his Pupill also made his Funerall Sermon chusing for his Text 2 Chron. 24. 15 16. and paralleling the Arch-bishops life with gracious Jehoida Ann. Reg. Jac. 2 Ann. Dom. 1604. Richard Bancroft Bishop of London brought up in Jesus Colledge succeeded him in the Arch-bishoprick whose actions in our ensuing History will sufficiently deliver his character without our description thereof 8. Come we now to the Parliament assembled A beneficiall Statute for the Church amongst the many Acts which passed therein none more beneficiall for the Church than that which made the King himselfe and his Successors incapable of any Church-land to be conveyed unto them otherwise than for three lives or twenty one years Indeed a Statute had formerly been made the thirteenth of Queen Eliz. which to prevent finall Alicnation of Church-land did disable all subjects from accepting them But in that Statute a Liberty was left unto the * Because it was noâ— forbidden in the Statute in expresse words Crown to receive the same It was thought fit to allow to the Crown this favourable exception as to the Patron generall of the whole English Church and it was but reason for the Soveraign who originally gave all the Loafe to the Church on occasion to resume a good Shiver thereof 9. But he who shuts ninety nine gates of Thebes A conâ—rivance by the Crowne to wrong the Church and leaveth one open shuts none in effect Covetousnesse shall I say an apt Scholar to learne or an able Master to teach or both quickly found out a way to invade the Lands of the Church and evade the Penalty of the Law which thus was contrived Some Potent Courtier first covertly contracts with a Bishop some whereof though spirituall in Title were too temporall in Truth as more minding their Private Profit than the Publique good of the Church to passe over such a proportion of Land to the Crowne This done the said Courtier begs the Land of the Queen even before her Highnesse had tasted thereof or the lipps of her Exchecquer ever touched the same and so an Estate thereof is setled on him and his Heires for ever And thus Covetousnesse came to her desired end though forced to go a longer journey and fain to fetch a farther compasse about 10. For instance Two eminent instances of former Alienation of Bishopprick-Lands Doctor Coldwell Doctor of Physique and Bishop of Sarisbury gave his Sea a very strong Purge when he consented to the Alienation of Shiâ—bourn Manour from his Bishoprick Indeed the good old man was shot between Wind and Water and his consent was assaulted in a dangerous joincture of time to give any deniall For after he was elected Bishop of Sarisbury and after all his Church-preferments were disposed of to other persons yet before his election was confirmed past a possibility of a legall reversing thereof Sir W. Rawleigh is importunate with him to passe Sherborne to the Crowne and effected it though indeed a good round rent was reserved to the Bishoprick Presently Sir Walter beggeth the same of the Queen and obtained it Much after the same manner Sir Killegrew got the Mannour of Crediton a bough almost as big as all the rest of the Body for the Church of Exeter by the consent of Doctor Babington the Bishop thereof 11. To prevent future wrong to the Church in that kinde Severall censuâ—es on this new Statute it was now enacted That the Crowne it selfe henceforward should be incapable of any such Church-land to be conveyed unto it Yet some were so bold as to conceive this Law void in the very making of it and that all the obligation thereof consisted not in the strength of the Law but onely in the Kings and his Successors voluntary obedience thereunto Accounting it injurious for any Prince in Parliament to tye his Successors who neither can nor will be concluded thereby farther than it stands with their owne convenience However it was to stand in force till the same power should be pleased to rescind it But others beheld this Law not with a Politick but Religious Eye conceiving the King of Heaven and the King of England the Parties concerned therein and accounting it Sacriledge for any to alienate what is given to God in his Church 12. Thus was the King graciously pleased to binde himself for the liberty of the Church K. JAMES a great Churchlover He knew full well all Courtiers and especially his owne Countrey-mens importunity in asking and perhaps was privy to his owne impotency in denying and therefore by this Statute he eased himselfe of many troublesome Suitors For hereafter no wise man would beg of the King what was not in his power to grant and what if granted could
second Temple such must needs be sad which consider the disproportion betwixt what was performed and what was projected in this Colledge Save that I confesse that the destruction of beautifull buildings once really extant leave greater impressions in mens mindes than the miscarriages of onely intentional structures and the faint Ideas of such future things as are probably propounded but never effected 24. And here we will insert the number The first Provost and Fellows and names of the Provost and first Fellows and some of them probable to be last Fellows as still surviving as they were appointed by the King Himself Anno 1610. May 8. Matthew Sutcliffe Dean of Exeter Provost 1. John Overal Dean of S. Pauls 2. Thomas Morton Dean of Winchester 3. Richard Field Dean of Glocester 4. Robert Abbot Doctors of Divinity 5. John Spenser 6. Miles Smith 7. William Covitt 8. John Howson 9. John Layfield 10. Ben Charrier 11. Martin Foâ—herbie 12. John Boys 13. Richard Bret 14. Peter Lilie 15. Francis Burley 16. William Hellier Arch-Deacon of Barstable 17. John White Fellow of Manchester-Colledge William Cambden Clarenceaux Historians John Haywood Doctor of Law See here none who were actuall Bishops were capable of places in this Colledge And when some of these were afterwards advanced to Bishopricks others translated to heaven King JAMES by His now Letters Patents 1622. Novemb 14. substituted others in their room Amongst whom the Archbishop of Spalato but no more than Dean of Windsor in England was most remarkable 25. To advance this work The King his Letters to â—he Archbishop and his to the Bishops His Majestie Anno 1616. sent His Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury to stirre up all the Clergie in his Province to contribute to so pious a work according to the tenour thereof here inserted WHereas the enemies of the Gospel have ever been forward to write and publish Books for confirming of erroneous doctrine and impugning the truth and now of late seem more carefull than before to send daily into Our Realms such their writings whereby Our loving Subjects though otherwise well-disposed might be seduced unless some remedy thereof should be provided We by the advice of Our Councel have lately granted a Corporation and given Our allowance for erecting a Colledge at Chelsey for learned Divines to be imployed to write as occasion shall require for maintaining the Religion professed in Our Kingdomes and confuting the Impugners thereof Whereupon Doctour Sutcliffe designed Provost of the said Colledge hath now humbly signified unto Us that upon divers promises of help and assistance towards the erecting and endowing the said Colledge he hath at his own charge begun and well proceeded in building as doth sufficiently appear by a good part thereof already set up in the place appointed for the same We therefore being willing to favour and farther so religious a work will and require you to write your Letters to the Bishops of your Province signifying unto them in Our name that Our pleasure is they deal with the Clergie and others of their Diocesse to give their charitable be nevolence for the perfecting of this good work so well begun And for the better performance of Our desire We have given order to the said Provost and his Associates to attend you and others whom it may appertain and to certifie Us from time to time of their proceeding A copie of this His Majesties Letter was sent to all the Bishops of England with the Archbishops additionall Letter in order as followeth NOw because it is so pious and religious a work conducing both to Gods glory and the saving of many a soul within this Kingdome I cannot but wish that all devout and well affected persons should by your self and the Preachers in your Diocesse as well publickly as otherwise be excited to contribute in some measure to so holy an intendment now well begun And although these and the like motions have been frequent in these later times yet let not those whom God hath blessed with any wealth be weary of well-doing that it may not be said That the idolatrous and superstitious Papists be more forward to advance their falshoods than we are to maintain Gods truth Whatsoever is collected I pray your Lordship may be carefully brought unto me partly that it passe not through any defrauding hand and partly that His Majestie may be acquainted what is done in this behalf Yet for all these hopefull endevours and collections in all the Parishes of England slow and small were the summes of money brought in to this work Many of them were scattered out in the gathering them up the charges of the Collectours consuming the profit thereof If as it is vehemently suspected any of these collections be but detained by private persons I conceive it no trespasse against Christian charity to wish that the pockets which keep such money may rot all their suites that wear them till they make true restitution thereof 26. Various are mens conjectures as directed by their own interest what obstructed so hopefull proceedings Divers opininions touching the non-proceeding of the Colledge and it is safer for me to recite all than resolve on any of them Some ascribe it to 1. The common fatality which usually attends noble undertakings As partus octimestres children born in the eighth moneth are alwaies not long liv'd so good projects quickly expire 2. The untimely death of Prince HENRY Our principal hope f Continuation of Stow's Survey of London pag. 533. and the chief authour of this designe If so Erubuit Domino firmius esse suo The modest Colledge blushed to be stronger Than was its Lord He dead it liv'd no longer But upon my serious perusall of the Records of this Colledge I finde not so much as mention of the name of Prince HENRY as in any degree visibly contributive thereunto 3. The large loose and lax nature thereof no one prime person Sutcliffe excepted whose shoulders sunk under the weight thereof zealously engaging therein King JAMES His maintenance amounting to little more than countenance of the work Those children will have thin chaps and lean cheeks who have every body and yet no body nurses unto them 4. The originall means of the Colledge principally founded on the fluid and unconstant element unstable as water the Rent of a New River when made which at the best thus imployed was beheld but as a religious Monopoly And seeing that designe then took no effect though afterwards in another notion and nature it was perfected no wonder if the Colledge sunk with the means thereof 5. Some of the * This fift and sixt obstruction signifie nothing to discreet men however they must passe for company-sake and are alledged by some as very materiall greatest Prelates how much self is there in all men though seemingly forward really remisse in the matter Suspecting these Controversiall Divines would be lookt on as the principall Champions of Religion more serviceable in the
willing hereafter in our particular History of Oxford We will proceed to Report a memorable Passage in the Low-Countreys not fearing to lose my way or to be censured for a wanderer from the English Church-story whilst I have so good a Guide as the Pen of King JAMES to lead me out and bring me back again Besides I am affraid that this Alien Accident is already brought home to England and though onely Belgick in the Occasion is too much British in the Influence thereof SECTION IV. To EDWARD LLOYD Esq RIvers are not bountiful in Giving but just in Restoring * * Eccles 1. 7. their Waters unto the Sea However they may seem gratefull also because openly returning thither what they Secretly received thence This my Dedication unto you cannot amount to a Present but a Restitution wherein onely I tender a Publick acknowledgment of your Private courtesies conferred upon me KING JAMES took into His Princely care the seasonable suppression of the dangerous Doctrines of Conradus Vorstius Dangerous Opinions broached by Conradus Vorstius This Doctor had lived about 15 years a Minister at Steinford within the Territories of the Counts of TECKLENBOURG BENTHEM c. the Counts whereof to observe by the way were the first in Germany not in dignity or Dominion but in casting off the Yoke of Papacie and ever since continuing Protestants This Vorstius had both written and received severall Letters from certain Samosetenian Hereticks in Poland or thereabouts and it hapned that he had handled Pitch so long that at last it stuck to his Fingers and became infected therewith Hereupon he set forth two Books the one entit'led TRACTATUS THEOLOGICUS DE DEO dedicated to the Land-Grave of Hessen the other EXEGESIS APOLOGETICA printed in this year and dedicated to the States both of them facred with many dangerous Positions concerning the Deity For whereas it hath been the labour of the Pious and Learned in all Ages to mount Man to God as much a smight be by a Sacred adoration which the more humble the more high of the Divine Incomprehensiblenesse this Wretch did Seek to Stoop GOD to Man by debasing his Purity assigning him a materiall Body confining his Immensity as not being every where shaking his Immutability as if his will were subject to change darkning his Omnisciency as uncertain in future Contingents with many more monstrous Opinions fitter to be remanded to Hell than committed to writing Notwithstanding all this the said Vorstius was chosen by the Curators of the University of Leyden to be their Publick Divinity-Professour in the Place of Arminius lately deceased and to that end his Excellency and the States Generall by their Letters sent and sued to the Count of TECKLENBOURG and obtained of him that Vorstius should come from Steinford and become Publick-Professour in Leyden 2. It hapned that His Majesty of Great Britain Reasons moving K. James to Oppose him being this Autumne in His hunting-Progresse did light upon and perused the aforesaid Books of Vorstius And whereas too many doe but Sport in their most serious Employment He was so serious amidst His Sports and Recreations that with Sorrow and Horrour He observed the Dangerous Positions therein determining speedily to oppose them moved thereunto with these Principall Considerations First the Glory of God seeing this e In His Declaration against Vorflius p. 365. ANTI-St JOHN as His Majesty terms him mounting up to the Heavens belched forth such Blasphemies against the Divine ineffable Essence and was not a King on Earth concerned when the King of Heaven was dethroned from his Infinitenesse so farre as it lay in the Power of the treacherous Positions of an Heretick Secondly charity to His next Neighbors and Allies And lastly a just fear of the like Infection within His own Dominions considering their Vicinity of Situation and Frequency of intercourse many of the English Youth travelling over to have their Education in Leyden And indeed as it hath been observed that the Sin of Drunkenness was first brought over f See Camden's Elizabeth anno 1581. into England out of the Low Countries about the midst of the Reign of Queen ELIZABETH before which time neither generall Practice nor legall punishment of that vice in this Kingdome so we must Sadly confesse that since that time in a Spiritual Sense many English Souls have taken a cup too much of Belgick wine Whereby their Heads have not onely grown dâ—zie in matters of lesse moment but their whole Bodies stagger in the Fundamentals of their Religion 3. Hereupon King JAMES presently dispatched a Letter to Sir Ralph Winwood The States entertain not the motion of K. James against Vorstius according to just expectation his Ambassadour resident with the States willing and requiring him to let them understand how Infinitely he should be displeased if such a Monster as Vorstius should receive any advancement in their Church This was seconded with a large Letter of His Majesties to the States dated October the 6 to the same effect But neither found that Successe which the KING did earnestly desire and might justly expect considering the many Obligations of the Crown of England on the States the Foundation of whose Common-wealth as the Ambassadour told them was first cemented with English blood Several Reasons are assigned of their non-concurrence with the KING's motion The Curators of Leyden-University conceived it a disparagement to their Judgments if so neer at hand they could not so well examine the Soundnesse of Vorstius his Doctrine as a forraign Prince at such a distance It would cast an aspersion of Levity and Inconstancy on the States solemnly to invite a Stranger unto them and then so soon recede from their Resolution An Indignity would redound to the Count of Tecklenbourg to slight that which so lately they had sued from him The Opposition of Vorstius was endevoured by a male-contented Party amongst themselves disaffected to the Actions of Authority who distrusting their own strength had secretly solicited His Majesty of Great Britain to appear on their Side That as King JAMES his motion herein proceeded rather from the Instance of others than His own Inclination so they gave out that He began to grow remisse in the matter carelesse of the Successe thereof That it would be injurious yea destructive to Vorstius and his Family to be fetcht from his own home where he lived with a sufficient Salarie promised better Provisions from the Landgrave of Hessen to be Divinity Professour in his Dominions now to thrust him out with his Wife and Children lately setled at Leyden That if Vorstius had formerly been faulty in unwarie and offensive Expressions he had since cleared himself in a new Declaration 4. For Vorstius gives no satisfaction in his new Declaration lately he set forth a Book entituled A Christian and modest Answer which notwithstanding by many was condemned as no Revocation but a Repetition of his former Opinions not lesse pernitious but more plausible
and writing I am almost pined away otherwise his fat cheeks did confute his false tongue in that expression 7. Amongst other of his ill qualities The jeerer jeered he delighted in jeering and would spare none who came in his way One of his sarcasmes he unhappily bestowed on Count Gondomar the Spanish Ambassador telling him That three turns at Tiburne was the onely way to cure his Fistula The Don highly offended hereat pained for the present more with this flout than his fistula meditates revenge and repairs to King JAMES He told His MAJESTY that His charity an errour common in good Princes abused His judgment in conceiving Spalato a true convert who still in heart remained a Roman Catholick Indeed His Majesty had a rare felicity in discovering the falsity of Witches and forgery of such who pretended themselves possessed but under favour was deluded with this mans false spirit and by His Majesties leave he would detect unto Him this his hypocrisie The KING cheerfully embraced his motion and left him to the liberty of his own undertakings 8. The Ambassadour writeth to His Catholick Majesty Spalato his hypocrisie discovered He to his Holinesse Ann. Dom. 1622. Ann. Regis Ja. 20 Gregory the fifteenth that Spalato might be pardoned and preferred in the Church of Rome which was easily obtained Letters are sent from Rome to Count Gondamar written by the Cardinal Millin to impart them to Spalato informing him that the POPE had forgiven and forgotten all which he had done or written against the Catholick Religion and upon his return would preferre him to the Bishoprick of Salerno in Naples worth twelve thousand crowns by the year A Cardinals Hat also should be bestowed upon him And if Spalato with his hand subscribed to this Letter would renounce and disclaim what formerly he had printed an Apostolical Breve with pardon should solemnly be sent him to Bruxels Spalato embraceth the motion likes the pardon well the preferment better accepts both recants his opinions largely subscribes solemnly and thanks his Holinesse affectionately for his favour Gondamar carries his subscription to King JAMES who is glad to behold the Hypocrite unmasked appearing in his own colours yet the discovery was concealed and lay dormant some daies in the deck which was in due time to be awakened 9. Now it happened a false rumour was spread He is incensed â—â—th a repulse that Tobâ—e Matthew Archbishop of Yorke who died yearly in report was certainly deceased Presently posts Spalato to Theobalds becomes an importunate Petitioner to the KING for the vacant Archbishoprick and is as flatly denied the KING conceiving He had given enough already to him if gratefull too much if ungratefull Besides the KING would never bestow an Episcopal charge in England on a forraigner no not on His own Countrey-men some Scotish-men being preferred to Deanries none to Bishopricks Spalato offended at this repulse for he had rather had Yorke than Salerno as equal in wealth higher in dignity neerer in place requests His MAJESTY by his Letter to grant His good leave to depart the Kingdome and to return into Italy Pope Paul his fierce foe being now dead and Gregory the fifteenth his fast friend now seated in the Chair The Copie of whose Letter we have here inserted To the high and mighty Prince JAMES by the Grace of God King of Great Britaine c. Defender of the Faith c. M. Anthonie de Dominis Archbishop of Spalato wisheth all happinesse THose two Popes which were most displeased at my leaving of Italy and coming into England Paulus Quintus and he which now liveth Gregory the Fifteenth have both laboured to call me back from hence and used divers Messages for that purpose to which notwithstanding I gave no heed But now of late when this same Pope being certified of my Zeal in advancing and furthering the union of all Christian Churches did hereupon take new care and endevour to invite me again unto him and signified withall that he did seek nothing therein but Gods glory and to use my poor help also to work the inward peace and tranquillity of this Your Majesties Kingdome Mine own conscience told me that it behoved me to give ready eare unto his Holiness Besides all this the diseases and inconveniences of old age growing upon me and the sharpness of the cold aire of this Countrey and the great want I feel here amongst strangers of some friends and kinsfolks which might take more dâ—ligent and exact care of me make my longer stay in this Climate very offensive to my body Having therefore made an end of my Works and enjoyed Your Majesties goodness in bestowing on me all things needfull and fit for me and in heaping so many and so Royal benefits upon me I can doe no lesse than promise perpetual memory and thankfulness and tender to You my continuance in Your Majesties service wheresoever I goe and will become in all places a reporter and extoller of Your Majesties praises Ann. Reg. Ja. 19 Now if my business proceed Ann. Dom. 1621 and be brought to a good end I well hope that I shall obtain Your Majesties good leave to depart without the least diminution of Your Majesties wonted favour towards me I hear of Your Majesties late great danger and congratulate with Your Majesty for Your singular deliverance from it by Gods great goodness who hath preserved You safe from it as one most dear unto him for the great good of his Church I hope Jan. 16. From the Savoy Jan. the 16. 1621. Farewell the glory and ornament of Princes Your Majesties ever most devoted Servant Ant. de Dominis Archbishop of Spalato To this Letter no present Answer was returned 21. but five daies after the Bishops of London and Duresme with the Dean of Westminster by His MAJESTIES direction repaired to this Archbishop propounding unto him Sixteen Quaeres all arising out of his former Letter 31. and requiring him to give the explanation of five most material under his hand for His MAJESTIES greater satisfaction which he did accordingly yet not so clearly but that it occasioned a second meeting wherein more interrogatories were by command propounded unto him which with his Answers thereunto because publickly printed are purposely omitted and notwithstanding all obstructions Spalato still continued his importunity to depart 10. He pretended many Reasons for his return Reasons pleaded for his return First Longing after his own Countrey Who so iron-hearted as not to be drawn home with the load-stone of his native Land Secondly To see his Friends Kinred Nephews but especially his beloved Neice a story hangs thereon and it is strange what was but whispered in Italy was heard over so plain into England In the Hebrew Tongue Nephews and Nieces are called Sons and Daughters but the Italian Clergie on the contrary often term their Sons and Daughters Nephews and Nieces Thirdly The late-pretended-discovery of many errors in our English Church how
soever under the degree of a Bishop or Dean at the least doe from henceforth presume to preach in any popular Auditory deep points of Predestination Election Reprobation or of the Universality Efficacy Resistibility or Irresistibility of GODS grace but leave those themes rather to be handled by the Learned men and that moderately and modestly by way of Use and Application rather than by way of Positive Doctrines being fitter for the Schools than for simple Auditories 4. That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever from henceforth shall presume in any Auditory within this Kingdome to declare limit or bound out by way of Positive Doctrine in any Lecture or Sermon the Power Prerogative and Jurisdiction Authority or Duty of Sovereign Princes or otherwise meddle with matters of State and the differences between Princes and the People than as they are instructed and precedented in the Homilies of Obedience and the rest of the Homilies and Articles of Religion set forth as before is mentioned by publique Authority but rather confine themselves wholly to those two heads of faith and good life which are all the subjects of the antient Sermons and Homilies 5 That no Preacher of what title or denomination soever shall presume caussesly or without invitation from the Text to fall into bitter investives and undecent railing speeches against the persons of either Papists or Puri tans but modestly and gravely when they are occasioned thereunto by the Text of Scripture free both the Doctrine and the Discipline of the Church of England from the aspersions of either Adversaries especially where the Auditory is suspected to be tainted with the one or the other infection 6. Lastly that the Archbishops and Bishops of the Kingdome whom His Majestie hath good cause to blame for their former remisness be more wary and choice in their licensing of Preachers and revoke all Grants made to any Chancellour Official or Commissary to passe Licences in this kinde and that all the Lecturers throughout the Kingdome of England a new body severed from the antient Clergy as being neither Parsons Vicars nor Curates be licensed henceforward in the Court of Faculties but onely from a Recommendation of the party from the Bishop of the Diocese under his hand and seale with a Fiat from the L. Archbishop of Canterbury a Confirmation under the Great Seal of England And that such as doe transgresse any one of these Directions be suspended by the Bishop of the Diocesse or in his default by the Archbishop of the Province ab Officio Beneficio for a year and a day untill his Majestie by the advice of the next Convocation shall prescribe some farther punishment 5. No sooner were these the Kings Declarations dispersed into every Diocesse Various censures on the Kings Letters but various were mens opinions thereof Some counted it a cruell act which cut off half the preaching in England all afternoon-ermons at one blow Others thought the King did but Uti jure suo doing not onely what in justice He might but what in prudence He ought in this juncture of time But hear what I have heard and read in this case Objections Answers 1. Christ grants Ministers their Commission Go teach all Nations S. Paul corroborates the same Preach the word be instant in season out of season Man therefore ought not to forbid what God enjoyns 2. This is the way to starve soules by confining them to one meale a day or at the best by giving them onely a messe of milk for their supper and so to bed 3. Such as are licensed to make Sermons may be intrusted to choose their own Texts and not in the Afternoons to be restrained to the Lords Prayer Creed and ten Commandements 4. In prohibiting the preaching of Predestination man makes that the forbidden fruit which God appointed for the tree of life so cordial the comforts contained therein to a distressed conscience 5. Bishops and Deans forsooth and none under their dignity may preach of Predestination What is this but to have the word of God in respect of persons As if all discretion were confined to Cathedral men and they best able to preach who use it the least 6. Papists and Puritans in the Kings Letters are put into the same ballance and Papists in the prime scale first named as preferred in the Kings care chiefly to secure them from Invectives in Sermons 7. Lecturers are made such riddles in the Kings Letters reduceable to no Ministerial function in England Whereas indeed the flower of piety and power of godlinesse flourished most in those places where such Preachers are most countenanced 1. Ministers if commanded not at all to speak or teach in the name of Jesus are with the Apostles to obey God rather than man But vast the difference betwixt a total prohibition and as in this case a prudential regulation of preaching 2. Milk catechetical Doctrine is best for babes which generally make up more than a moyety of every Congregation 3. Such restraint hath liberty enough seeing all things are clearly contained in or justly reducible to these three which are to be desired believed and performed 4. Indeed Predestination solidly and soberly handled is an antidote against despair But as many ignorant Preachers ordered it the cordial was turned into a poyson and therefore such mysteries might well be forborn by mean Ministers in popular Congregations 5. It must be presumed that such of necessity must be of age and experience and may in civility be believed of more than ordinary learning before they attained such preferment Besides Cathedrall Auditories being of a middle nature for understanding as beneath the University so above common City and Country Congregations are fitter for such high points to be preached therein 6. The Kings Letter looks on both under the notion of guilty persons Had Puritans been placed first such as now take exception at their post-posing would have collected that the King esteemed them the greatest offenders 7. Lectures are no creatures of the Church of England by their original like those mixed kinds little better than monsters in nature to which God as here the State never said multiply and encrease and therefore the King had just cause to behold them with jealous eyes who generally supplanted the Incumbents of Livings in the affections of their Parishioners and gave the greatest growth to Non-conformity These Instructions from His Majestie were not pressed with equall rigour in all places seeing some over-active Officials more busie than their Bishops tied up Preachers in the Afternoon to the very letter of the Catechisme questioning them if exceeding the questions and answers therein as allowing them no liberty to dilate and enlarge themselves thereupon 6. Expect not of me a particular account of the politick intricacies touching the Spanish Match A needlesse subject waved or no Match rather First because Spanish and so alien from my subject Secondly because the passages thereof are so largely and publickly in print
Thirdly because in fine it proved nothing though kept on foot so long till K. James by endeavouring to gain a Daughter-in Law had in effect lost His own Daughter Her Husband and Children being reduced to great extremities 7. Truly K. James never affected his Son in Law 's acceptance of the Bobemian Crown A Crown not joyed in nor promised Himself any good successe thence though great the hope of the German Protestants therein Indeed some of them were too credulous of a blinde Prophesie commonly currant amongst them POST TER VIGINTI CESSABIT GLORIA QUINTI Expecting the ending of the Austrian Family sixty years being now expired since the death of Charles the fift but discreet persons slighted such vanities and the Quinti had like to have proved the extirpation of Frederick fift of that name Palatine of Rhyne had not God almost miraculously lately countermanded it 8. Yea K. Iames accused by some K. James privately foretold to some principal persons that this matter would prove the ruine of his Daughter There want not some who say That he went about to virefie his own Prediction by not sending seasonable succours for their assistance who had He turned His Embassies into Armies might probably have prevented much Protestant misery 9. Others excuse K. James Defended by others partly from the just hopes He had to accommodate all interests in a peaceable way partly from the difficulty of conveying effectual forces into so farre distant a Countrey 10. Mean time both the Palatinates were lost Both the Palatinates lost the Upper seized on by the Emperour the Neather but higher in value by the King of Spaine the City of Heidelberg taken and plunder'd and the inestimable Library of Books therein carried over the Alpes on Mules backs to Rome Each Mule laded with that learned burthen had a silver-plate on his forehead wherein was engraven FERO BIBLIOTHECAM PRINCIPIS PALATINI Now those Books are placed in the Popes Vatican entituling Protestants to visit the place who one day may have as good successe as now they have just right to recover them 11. As for the Palatinate Land of Promise Now Land of Performance Satyricall tongues commonly called it the Land of Promise so frequently and so solemnly was the restitution thereof promised to King James fed only with delayes which amounted to mannerly denials Since it hath pleased God to turn this Land of Promise into a * The nether Palatinate Land of Performance the present Palatine being peaceably possessed thereof 12. Prince Charles Prince Charles goes to Spain with the Duke of Buckingham lately went privately through France where He saw the Lady whom afterwards He married into Spain It is questionable whether then more blamed K. James for sending him or afterwards blessed God for his safe return Sumptuous his entertainment in the Spanish Court where it was not the Kings fault but Kingdomes defect that any thing was wanting He quickly discovered the coursness of fine-pretending wares at distance are easily confuted neer hand that the Spanish State had no minde or meaning of a Match as who demanded such unreasonable Liberty in education of the Royall Off-spring in case any were born betwixt them and other Priviledges for English Papists that the King neither could nor would in honour or conscience consent thereunto However Prince Charles whose person was in their power took his fair farewell with courteous compliance 12. Though He entred Spain like a private person His return * Sept. 12. He departed it like Himself and the Son of his Father * The Reader is requested to pardon our short setting back of time a stately Fleet attending Him home Foul weather forced them to put in at the Isse of Syllie the parings of England South-west of Cornwall where in two daies they fed on more and better flesh than they found in Spain for many moneths Octob. 5. 6. Soon after He arrived at Portesmouth and the next day came to London to the great rejoicing of all sorts of people signified by their bonefires ringing of bells with other externall expressions of joy 13. King James now despaired of any restitution The Palatinate beheld desperate especially since the Duke of Bavaria was invested in the upper Palatinate and so His Son-in-Laws Land cantoned betwixt a Duke a King and an Emperour Whose joynt consent being requisite to the restoring thereof One would be sure to dissent from the seeming-consenting of other two Whereupon King James not onely broke off all treaty with Spaine but also called the great Councill of his Kingdome together 14. Indeed An happy Parliament the Malecontents in England used to say That the King took Physick and called Parliaments both alike using both for meer need and not caring for either how little time they lasted But now there hapned as sweet a compliance betwixt the King and his Subjects as ever happen'd in mans memory the King not asking more than what was granted Both Houses in the Name of the whole Kingdome promising their assistance with their lives and fortunes for the recovery of the Palatinate A smart Petition was presented against the Papists and order promised for the education of their Children in true Religion 15. As for the Convocation contemporary with this Parliament The Convocation large Subsidies were granted by the Clergie otherwise no great matter of moment passed therein I am informed Doctor Joseph Hall preached the Latine Sermon and Doctor Donne was the Prolocutor 16. This is that Doctor Donne Doctor Donne Prolocutor born in London but extracted from Wales by his Mother-side great-great Grandchilde to Sir Thomas More whom he much resembled in his endowments a great Traveller first Secretary to the Lord Egerton and after by the perswasion of K. James and encouragement of Bishop Morton entred into Orders made Doctor of Divinity of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge and Dean of S. Pauls whose Life is no lesse truly than elegantly written by my worthily respected friend Mr. Isaac Walton whence the Reader may store himself with further information 17. A Book was translated out of the French Copie A Book falsly fathered on I. Casaubon by Abraham Darcye intituled The Originall of Idolatry pretended made by Dr. Isaac Casaubon dead ten years before dedicated to Prince Charles but presented to King James and all the Lords of the Councill A Book printed in French before the said Isaac Casaubon was born whose name was fraudulently inserted in the Title-page of the foregoing Copie 18. Merick Casaubon his Son then Student of Christs-Church The falshood detected by Letter informed King James of the wrong done to his Father by making him the Authour of such a Book contrary to his Genius and constant profession being full of impertinent allegations out of obscure and late Authors whom his Father never thought worthy the reading much lesse the using their Authority His Majestie was much incensed hereaâ— and Doctor
according to their intentions which here are interpretable according to other Mens inclinations The Archbishops adversaries imputed this not to his charity but policy Fox-like preying farthest from his own den and instigating other Bishops to doe more than he would appear in himself As for his own Visitation-Articles some complained they were but narrow as they were made and broad as they were measured his under-officers improving and enforcing the same by their enquiries beyond the letter thereof 42. Many complain that Mans badness took occasion to be worse Licentiousness increaseth under the protection of these sports permitted unto them For although liberty on the Lords-day may be so limited in the notions of learned men as to make it lawfull it is difficult if not impossible so to confine it in the actions of lewd people but that their liberty will degenerate into licentiousness 43 Many moderate Men are of opinion Conceived by some a concurring cause of our civil Warrs that this abuse of the Lords day was a principall procurer of Gods anger since poured out on this land in a long and bloody civil war Such observe that our fights of chief concernment were often fought on the Lords-day as pointing at the punishing of the profanation thereof Indeed amongst so many battells which in ten yeers time have rent the bowels of England some on necessity would fall on that day seeing we have be-rubrick'd each day in the week almost in the yeer with English blood and therefore to pick a solemne providence out of a common-casualty savours more of curiosity than conscience Yeâ— seeing Edge-hill-fight which first brake the peace and made an irreconcileable breach betwixt the two parties was fought on that day and some battells since of greatest consequence there may be more in the observation than what many are willing to acknowledge But whatsoever it is which hence may be collected sure I am those are the best Christians who least censure others and most reform themselves 44. But here it is much to be lamented A sad alteration that such who at the time of the Sabbatarian controversie were the strictest observers of the Lords-day are now reeled by their violence into another extreme to be the greatest neglecters yea contemners thereof These Transcendents accounting themselves mounted above the Predicament of common piety averr they need not keep any because they keep all days Lords-dayes in their elevated holinesse But alas Christian duties said to be ever done will prove never done if not sometimes solemnly done These are the most dangerous Levellers equalling all times places and persons making a generall confusion to be Gospell-perfection Whereas to speak plainly we in England are rebus sic stantibus concerned now more strictly to observe the Lords-day than ever before Holy-daies are not and Holy-eves are not and Wednesday and Friday-Letanies are not and Lords-day eves are not and now some out of errour and others out of profaneness goe about to take away the Lords-day also all these things make against Gods solemn and publique service Oh let not his publique worship now contracted to fewer chanells have also a shallower stream But enough of this subject wherein if I have exceeded the bounds of an Historian by being to large therein such will pardon me who know if pleasing to remember that Divinity is my proper profession 45. At this time miserable the maintenance of the Irish Clergy Irish impropriations restored where Scandalous means made Scandalous Ministers And yet a Popish Priest would grow fat in that Parish where a Protestant would be famished as have not their lively-hood on the oblations of those of their own Religion But now such Impropriations as were in the Crown by the King were restored to the Church to a great diminution of the Royall-Revenew though his Majesty never was sensible of any loss to himself if thereby gain might redound to God in his Ministers Bishop Laud was a worthy Instrument in moving the King to so pious a work and yet this his procuring the restoring of Irish did not satisfy such discontented at his obstructing the buying in of English Impropriations thus those conceived to have done hurt at home will hardly make reparations with other good deeds at distance 46. A Convocation concurrent with a Parliament was called and kept at Dublin in Ireland The 39 Articles received in Ireland wherein the 39. Articles of the Church of England were received in Ireland for all to subscribe unto It was adjudged fit seeing that Kingdome complies with England in the Civill government it should also conform thereto in matters of Religion Mean time the Irish Articles concluded formerly in a Synode 1616. wherein Arminianisne was condemned in terminis terminantibus and the observation of the Lords day resolved jure Divine were utterly excluded 47. A Cardinals-Cap once and again offered by the Pope Bishop Laud refuseth a Cardinalls-Cap to Bishop Laud was as often refused by him The fashion thereof could not fit his Head who had studied and written so much against the Romish Religion He who formerly had foiled the Fisher himself in a publick disputation would not now be taken with so filly a bait but accquainted the King therewith timuit Roman vel donaferentem refusing to receive anything from Rome till she was better reformed 48. Doctor William Juxon Bishop of London March 6 1635 Bishop Juxon made Lord Treasurer was by Bishop Lauds procurement made Lord Treasurer of England entring on that Office with many and great disadvantages Anno Dom. 1635 Anno Regis Caroli 10 First because no Clergy-man had executed the same since William Grey Bishop of Ely almost two hundred yeare agoe in the raign of King Edward the fourth Secondly because the Treasury was very poor and if in private houses bare walls make giddy Hous-wives in Princes Palaces empty Coffers make unsteady Statesmen Thirdly because a very Potent I cannot say Competitor the Bishop himself being never a Petitor for the Place but desirer of this Office was frustrated in his almost assured expectation of the same to himself 49. However so discreet his carriage in that place His comendable carriage it procured a generall love unto him and politick malice despairing to bite resolved not to bark at him He had a perfect command of his passion an happiness not granted to all Clergy-men in that age though privy-Counsellors slow not of speech as a defect but to speak out of discretion because when speaking he plentifully payed the principall and interest of his Auditors expectation No hands having so much money passing thorough them had their fingers less soiled there with It is probable his frugality would have cured the consumption of the Kings Exchequer had not the unexpected Scotch commotion put it into a desperate relapse In this particular he was happy above others of his order that whereas they may be said in some sort to have left their Bishopricks
to have their liberty untill after long close imprisonment they were forced to confess under their own hands Crimes against themselves and the Bishop which afterwards they denyed and revoked upon their Oathes Lastly and chiefly that the Judges privately overruled his Pleas so that what shame and the honour of the Court with the inspection of so many eyes would not permit to be done publickly in the Sun-shine of Justice was posted over by a Judge privately in a corner These and many more Kilvertismes as he calls them did the Bishop complain of in Parliament who so far tendered his innocency therein that they ordered all the Records of that Suit in the Star-chamber to be obliterated Yâ—a we may justly conceive that these Grievances of the Bishop did much hasten if not chiefly cause the suppression of that Court. 8. Thirteen dayes after he was suspended by the High-commission Is examined again in the Tower and imprisoned in the Tower for almost four years during whose durance therein two Bishops and three Doctors were sent thither unto him to take his answer to a Book of Articles of twenty foure Sheets of papes writen on both sides They proffered him the Bible to take the oath thereon which he utterly refused claiming the priviledge of a Peer adding moreover that being a Bishop it was against law and Precedent in Antiquity that young Priests his Graces and some who had been his own Chaplains and Lay Doctors should sit as Judges of a Bishop his Doctrine with power to deprive him of his Bishoprick if disliking the same This was overruled and he as one of the Kings Subjects required to make his answer 9. First the article that all Books licenced by his Graces Chaplaines as Chune his Whether some Books were orthodox and Sala his Book with Doctor Mannering his Sermons are presumed by all true Subjects to be orthodox and agreeable to sound Religion This the Bishop utterly denyed and wondered at their impudencie to propound such an Article unto him 10. Secondly they alleadged that no Bishop but his Grace Who had power to license them the Lord of London and their Chaplains had power to allow Bookes This the other denyed saying that all Bishops who were as learned as they had as much power as they citing for the same the Councell of Lateran under Leo the tenth Reformatio Cleri under Cardinall Poole Queen Elizabeth her injunctions and the Decree of the Star-chamber relating to all these He also stoutly averred the priviledge to belong onely to the Bishops and not to their Servants howbeit his Grace had shuffled in his Chaplaines to the last printed Star-chamber decree More frivolous were the ensuing Articles whereon he was examined That he called a Book intitled A cole from the Altar a Pamphlet That he said that all flesh in England had corrupted their wayes That he said scoffingly he had heard of a Mother-Church but not of a Mother-Chappell meaning the Kings to which all Churches in ceremonies were to conform That he wickedly jested upon St. Martins hood That he said that the people are not to be lashed by every mans whip That he said citing a nationall Councell for it that the people are Gods and the Kings and not the Priests people That he doth not allow Priests to jeere and make invectives against the People 11. To all which the Bishop made so warie an answer His cautious answer that no advantage could be gained tâ—ereby yea though some dayes after they returned to re-examine him upon the same Articles to try as he thought the steddiness of his memory or else to plunge him into some crime of perjury if in any materiall point he dissented from his former depositions but the Bishop like a good boy said his Lesson over again and again so that no advantage could be taken against him thereupon they gave him leave to play proceeding no further in this cause only they painted him out in an ugly shape to the King as disaffected to the present government and God willing we shall hear more of their proceedings against him hereafter 12. But now we are summoned to a sadder subject Transition to a sad Subject from the sufferings of a Private Person to the miseries and almost mutuall ruin of two Kingdomes England and Scotland I confesse my hands have alwaies been unwilling to write of that cold Countrey for fear my fingers should be frost bitten therewith but necessity to make our story intire puts me upon the imployment Miseries caused from the sending of the Book of Service or new Lituâ—gy thither which may sadly be termed a RUBRICK indeed died with the blood of so many of both Nations slain on that occasion 95. It seemes the designe began in the reign of King James The project of a publick Prayer-book began in the reign of King James who desired and endeavoured an uniformity of publique Praiers through the Kingdome of Scotland In order whereunto an Act was passed in the generall Assembly a The Kings large Declaration concerning the tumults in Scotland pag. 16 at Aberdeene 1616 to authorise some Bishops present to compile and frame a Publique form of Common Praier and let us observe the motions thereof 1. It was committed to the Bishops aforesaid and principally to the Archbishop of St. Andrews * See the life of Archbishop Spoâ—swood and William Cooper Bishop of Galloway to draw up the order thereof 2. It was transmitted into England to King James who punctually perused every particular passage therein 3. It was remitted with the Kings Observations Additions Expunctions Mutations Accommodations to Scotland again But here the designe sunk with the suddain death of King James and lay not only dormant but dead till some yeers after it was awakened or rather revived again 96. In the reign of King Charles Why a difference betwixt the Scotch and English Liturgy the project being resumed but whether the same book or no God knoweth it was concluded not to send into Scotland the same Liturgy of England Totidem verbis left this should be misconstrued a badge of dependence of that Church on ours It was resolved also That the two Liturgies should not differ in substance b Kings Declaration pag. 18 left the Romane party should upbraid us with weighty and materiall differences A Similitude therefore not Identity being resolved of it was drawn up with some as they termed them insensible alterations but such as were quickly found and felt by the Scotch to their great distaste These alterations are of two natures First ingratiating which may be presumed made to gain the affection of that Nation Secondly distasting which if not in the intent in the event proved the great grievance and generall cause that the book was hated and rejected We will insist on three of the first sort First Canonicall Scripture only used in the Scotch Liturgy Whereas there was an ancient complaint That so much of the
Scotland and the people dwelling by have an old Rythme If * Camdens Brit. in Cumber p. 7â—7 Skiddaw hath a Cap Scrussle wotâ—s full well of that Meaning that such the vicinity and as I may say sympathy betwixt these two Hills that if one be sick with a mist of clouds the other soon after is sad on the like occasion Thus none seeing it now foul weather in Scotland could expect it fair sunshine in England but that she must share in the same miseries as soon after it came to passe 10. Let those who desire perfect information hereof March 27. satisfy themselves The Reader referred to other Authors from such as have or may hereafter write the History of the State In whom they shall find how King Charles took his journey Northward June 17. against the Scottish Covenanters How some weeks after on certain conditions a Peace was concluded betwixt them How his Majesty returned to Londons and how this palliated cure soon after brake out again more dangerous than ever before 11. In these distracted times a Parliament was called with the wishes of all April 13 Monday and hopes of most that were honest A Parliament and Convocation called yet not without the feares of some who were wise what would be the successe thereof With this Parliament began a Convocation all the mediate transactions for ought I can finde out are embezled and therein it was ordered that none present should take any private notes in the House whereby the particular passages thereof are left at great uncertainty However so far as I can remember I will faithfully relate being comforted with this consideration that generally he is accounted an unpartial Arbitratour who displeaseth both sides 12. On the first day thereof Dr. Turner Doctor Turneâ— his text and Sermon Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury 14. Tuesd made a Latine Sermon in the Quire of St. Pauls His text Matth. 10. 16. Behold I send you forth as Sheep in the mid'st of Wolves In the close of his Sermon he complained that all Bâ—shops held not the reins of Church-discipline with an even hand but that some of them were too easie and remiss in the ordering thereof Whereby whiles they sought to gain to themselves the popular praise of meeknesse and mildnesse they occasionally cast on other Bishops more severe then themselves the unjust imputation of rigour and tyranny and therefore he advised them all with equall strictness to urge an universal conformitie The effect of the Archbishopâ— Latâ—n speech Sermon ended we chose Dr. Stewart Dean of Chichester Prolocutor 13. 17. Friday Next day of sitting we met at Westminster in the Chappell of King Henry the seventh both the Houses of Convocation being joyned together Anno Dom 1640 when the Archbishop of Canterbury entertained them with a Latin Speech Anno Regis Caroli 16 welnigh three quarreâ—s of an hour gravely uttered his eies oft-times being but one remove from weeping It consisted most of generals bemoaning the distempers of the Church but concluded it with a speciall passage acquaining us how highly we were indebted to his Majesties favour so far intrusting the integrity and ability of that Convocation as to empower them with his Commission the like whereof was not granted for may yeers before to alter old or make new Canons for the better government of the Church 14. Some wise men in the Convocation began now to be jealous of the event of new Canons The just suspicions of wise men yea became fearfull of their own selves for having too great power lest it should tempt them to be over tampering in innovations They thought it better that this Convocation with its predecessors should be censured for lazinesse and the solemn doing of just nothing rather than to runne the hazard by over activity to doe any thing unjust For as waters long dammed up oft-times flownce and flâ—e out too violently when their sluces are pulled up and they let loose on a sudden so the judicious feared lest the Convocation whose power of meddling with Church-matters had been bridled up for many yeers before should now enabled with such power over-act their parts especially in such dangerous and discontented times Yea they suspected lest those who formerly had outâ—runne the Canons with their additionall conformitie ceremonizing more then was enjoyned now would make the Canons come up to them making it necessary for others what voluntarily they had prepractised themselves 15. Matters began to be in agitation The Parliament suddenly dissolved May 5 when on a sudden the Parliament wherein many things were started nothing hunted down or brought to perfection was dissolved Whilest the immediate cause hereof is commonly cast on the King and Court demanding so many Subsidies at once England being as yet unacquainted with such prodigious payments the more conscientious look higher and remoter on the crying sinnes of our Kingdome And from this very time did God begin to gather the twiggs of that rod a civill warr wherewith soon after he intended to whip a wanton nation 16. Next day the Convocation came together Yet the Convocation still continues 6 as most supposed meerly meeting to part and finally to dissolve themselves When contrary to generall expectation it was motioned to improve the present opportunity in perfecting the new Canons which they had begun And soon after a new Commission was brought from his Majesty by virtue whereof we were warranted still to sit not in the capacity of a Convocation but of a Synod to prepare our Canons for the Royall Assent thereunto But Doctor Brownrigg Doctor Hacket Doctor Holesworth Master Warmistre with others to the number of thirty six the whole House consisting of about six score earnestly protested against the continuance of the Convocation 17. These importunately pressed that it might sink with the Parliament A party dissents and protests against the continuance thereof it being ominous without precedent that the one should survive when the other was expired To satisfy these an Instrument was brought into Synod signed with the hands of the Lord Privy-Seal the two chief Justices and other Judgâ—s justifying our so sitting in the nature of a Synod to be legal according to the Lawes of the Realm It ill becometh Clergy-men to pretend to more skill in the Lawes then so learned Sages in that profession and therefore unpartiall judgements may take off from the fault of the followers and lay it on the leaders that this Synod sate when the Parliament was dissolved This made the aforesaid thirty six dissenters though solemnly making their orall protests to the contrary yet not to dissever themselves or enter any act in Scriptis against the legality of this Assembly the rather because they hoped to moderate proceedings with their presence Surely some of their own coat which since have censured these dissenters for cowardly compliance and doing no more in this cause would have
by hindering the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from his people or one of the Kingdomes from another or making any faction or parties amongst the people contrary to this League and Covenant that they may be brought to publick trial and receive condign punishment as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve or the supream Judicatories of both Kingdoms respectively or others having power from them for that effect shall judge convenient And whereas the happiness of a blessed peace between these Kingdoms denied in former times to our progenitours is by the good providence of God granted unto us and hath been lately concluded and setled by both Parliaments we shall each one of us according to our place and interest endeavour that they remain conjoyned in a firme peace and union to all posterity and that justice may be done upon the wilfull opposers thereof in manner expressed in the precedent Article We shall also according to our places and callings in this common cause of Religion liberty and peace of the Kingdoms assist and defend all those that enter into this league and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof and shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terrour to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Conjunction and union whether to make defection to the contrary part or to give our selves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of God the good of the Kingdomes and honour of the King but shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly endeavour to continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to our power against all lets and impediments whatsoever and what we are not able of our selves to suppress or overcome we shall reveal and make known that it may be timely prevented or removed All which we shall do as in the sight of God And because these Kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against God and his Son Jesus Christ as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers the fruits thereof We profess and declare before God and the world our unfeined desire to be humbled for our own sins and for the sins of these Kingdoms especially that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts nor to walk worthy of him in our lives which are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us and our true and unfeined purpose desire and endeavour for our selves and all others under our charge both in publick and in private in all duties we owe to God and man to amend our lives and each one to goe before another in the example of a real reformation that the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavie indignation and establish these Churches and Kingdoms in truth and peace And this Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to perform the same as we shall answer at the great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his Holy Spirit to this end and to bless our desires and proceedings with such success as may be deliverance and safety to his people and encouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under or in danger of the yoak of Anti-Christian Tyranny to joyn in the same or like Association and Covenant to the glory of God the enlargement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the peace and tranquillity of Christian Kingdoms and Commonwealths We listen not to their fancy who have reckoned the words in the Covenant six a Rev. 13. 19. hundred sixty six Preface and Conclusion as only circumstantial appendants not accounted and esteeme him who trieth it as well at leisure aliàs as idle as he that first made the observation Much less applaud we their paralel who the number in branches agreeing compare it to the superstitious and cruel Six Articles enacted by King Henry the Eighth But let us consider the solid and serious exceptions alledged against it not so light and slight as to be puffed away with the breath of the present age but whose weight is likely to sink them down to the consideration of posterity 14. First Exceptions general to the whole seeing this Covenant though not as first penned as Prosecuted had heavie penalties inflicted on the refusers thereof such pressing is inconsistent with the nature of any Contract wherein consent not constraint is presumed In a Covenant men should go of their own good 〈◊〉 or be led by perswasions not drawn by frights and fears much less driven by forfeits and punishments 15. Secondly Made without the Kings consent Subjects are so far from having the express or tacit consent of the King for the taking thereof that by publick Proclamation he hath forbidden the same Now seeing Parents had power by the b Num. 30. 6. law of God to rescind such vows which their children made without their privity by the equity of the same law this Covenant is void if contrary to the flat command of him who is Parens Patriae 16. Many words occur in this Covenant Full of doubtful words some obsure others of doubtfull meaning viz. Common enemies Best-Reformed-Churches Malignants Highest Judicatories of both Kingdomes c. Untill therefore the obscure be cleared the doubtfull stated and fixed the same cannot as it ought be taken in judgement Exceptions to the Preface Therein it is suggested that Supplications Remonstrance Protestations to the King were formerly used which proving ineffectual occasioned the trying of this Covenant Anno Dom. 1643. Anno Regis Carol. 19. as the last hopefull means to preserve Religion from ruine c. Now seeing many joyned neither with their hands nor hearts in presenting these writings such persons scrupled this Covenant which they cannot take in truth because founded on the failing of the aforesaid means to the using whereof they concurred not in the laast degree 17. It is pretended in the Preface Pretended ancient yet unprecedented that this Covenant is according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times Whereas indeed it is new in it self following no former Precedents a grand Divine a a Phil. Nye Covenant with Narrat pag. 12. of the Parliament-party publickly professing that We read not either in Divine or Hamane Histories the like Oath extant in any age as to the matter persons and other circumstances thereof Exceptions to the First Article 18. They are unsatisfied to swear Cannot be taken knowingly to maintain the Preservation of the Reformed Religion of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government as being ignorant such their distance thence and small intelligence there of the particulars thereof
They are loath therefore to make a blind promise for fear of a lame performance 19. As for the Reforming of Religion which necessarily implies a changing thereof of England Nor without a double scandal and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government they cannot consent thereunto without manifest scandal both to Papists and Separatists For besides that they shall desert that just cause which many pious Martyrs Bishops and Divines of our Church have defended both with their inke and blood writings and sufferings hereby they shall advantage the cavils of Papists against our Religion taxing it of uncertainty not knowing where to fix our feet as allways altering the same Yea they shall not only supply Papists with pleas for their Recusancy Sectaries for their Separation acknowledging something in our Church-Doctrine and Service not well agreeing with Gods-word but also shall implicitly confess Papists unjustly punished by the Penal-Statutes for not conforming with us to the same Publick-Service wherein somethings are by our selves as well as them misliked and disallowed 20. Nor can they take this Covenant without injury and perjury to themselves Injury to themselves Injurie by insnaring their consciences credits and estates if endeavouring to reform Religion under the notion of faulty and vicious to which formerly they had subscribed enjoyned thereto by the b b 13. Eliz. cap. 12. Law of the Land not yet abrogated never as yet checked by the regrets of their own consciences nor confuted by the reasons of others for the doing thereof 21. Perjury Perjury to their souls as contrary to the Protestation and solemn vow they had c c May the 5. 1641. lately taken and Oath of Supremacy swearing therein to defend all the Kings Rights and Priviledges whereof His Spiritual Jurisdiction in reforming Church-matters is a principal Now although a latter oath may be corroborative of the former or constructive of a new obligation consistent therewith yet can it not be inductive of a tie contrary to an oath lawfully taken before Exceptions to the Second Article 22. It grieveth them therein to see Prelacy so unequally yoak'd Ill but forc'd 〈◊〉 of Prelacy Popery being put before it Superstition Heresie Schisme and Prophaneness following after Such the pleasure of those that placed them though nothing akin in themselves But a captive by the power of others may be fettered to those whom he hates and abhorres Consent they cannot to the extirpation of Prelacy Foure reasons against extirpation of Prelacy neither in respect Of 1 The thing it self being perswaded that neither Papal Monarchie nor Presbyterian Democracie nor Independant Anarchie are so conformable to the Scriptures as Episcopal Aristocracy being if not of Divine in a strict sence of Apostolical Institution confirmed with Church-practice the best Comment on Scripture when obscure for 1500 years and bottomed on the same foundation with Infants-Baptisme National Churches observing the Lords-day and the like 2 Themselves of whom 1 All when taking degrees in the University 2 Most as many as are entred into Holy-Orders 3 Not a few when lately petitioning the Parliament for the continuing of Episcopacy 4 Some being members of Cathedral and Collegiate Churches have subscribed with their hands and with their corporal oaths avowed the justification and defence of that government 3 Church of England fearing many mischiefs from this alteration felt sooner than seen in all great and sudden changes especially because the Ecclesiastical Government is so interwoven in many Statutes of the land And if Schisms so encrease on the Suspension what is to be expected on the Extirpation of Episcopacy 4 His Majesty as contrary to their Oath of Supremacy wherein they were bound to maintain His Priviledges amongst which a principal is that He is Supreme moderator over all Causes and Persons Spiritual wherein no change is to be attempted without his consent Dignity The Collations of Bishopricks and Deanries with their profits in their vacancies belonging unto Him and the First-fruits and Tenths of Ecclesiastical Dignities a considerable part of the Royal Revenue Here we omit their Plea whose chief means consisting of Cathedral preferment alledge the like not done from the beginning of the world that men though deserving deprivation for their offences should be forced to swear sincerely seriously and from their souls to endeavour the rooting out of that whence their best livelihood doth depend Exceptions against the Third Article 23. It grieveth them herein to be sworn to the Preservation of the Priviledges of Parliament and liberties of the Kingdom at large and without any restriction being bound in the following words to defend the Kings person and Authority as limited in the preservation and defence of true Religion and the Liberties of the Realm enlarging the former that the later may be the more confined 24. They are jealous what should be the cause of the inversion of the method seeing in the Solemn Vow and Protestation the Defence of the Kings Person and Authority is put first which in this Covenant is postposed to the Priviledges of Parliament However seeing the Protestation was first taken the Covenant as the younger cannot disinherit the elder of the possession which it hath quietly taken in mens consciences Exceptions to the Fourth Article 25. They are unsatisfied whether the same imposeth not a necessity for children to prosecute their Parents even to death under the notion of Malignants against all rules of Religion and humanity For even in case of Idolatry children under the old * * Deut. 13. 6. law were not bound publickly to accuse their Parents so as to bring them to be stoned for the same though such unnaturall cruelty be foretold by our * * Mat. 10. 21. Saviour to fall out under the Gospell of those that shall rise up against their Parents and cause them to be put to death Exceptions to the Fifth Article 26. They understand not what is meant therein by the happiness of a blessed peace betwixt these Kingdoms whereof Ireland must needs be one whilest the same is rent with a wofull warr and the other two lands distracted with homebred discords whereof no settlement can be hoped untill first all interests be equally stated and the Kings Authority Priviledges of Parliament and Liberties of Subjects justly bounded and carefully preserved Exceptions to the Sixth Article 27. They are unsatisfied therein as wholy hypothetical supposing what as yet is not cleared by solid arguments viz. that this is the common cause of Religion Liberty and peace of the Realms c. And if the same be granted it appeareth not to their conscience that the means used to promote this Cause are so lawfull and free from just objections which may be raised from the Laws of God and man Exceptions to the Conclusion 28. They quake at the mention that the taking of this Covenant should encourage other Churches groaning under the yoak of Antichristian Tyranny to joyn in the same fearing the dangerous consequences
backward in Time to make our History the more entire Die Martis August 19. 1645. Directions of the Lords and Commons after advice had with the Assembly of Divines for the election and chusing of Ruling Elders in all the Congregations and in the Classical Assemblies for the City of London and Westminster Anno Regis Carol. 22. and the several Countries of the Kingdom Anno Dom. 1646. For the speedy setling of the Presbyteriall Government Die Lunae Oct. 20. 1645. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons together with Rules and Directions concerning suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in cases of Ignorance and Scandal Also the names of such Ministers and others that are appointed Triers and Judges of the ability of Elders in the twelve Classes with the Province of London Die Sabbathi March 14. 1645. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for keeping of scandalous persons from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the enabling of the Congregation for the choice of Elders and supplying of defects in former ordinances and directions of Parliament concerning Church Government Die Veneris June 5. 1646. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the present setling without further delay of the Presbyterial Government in the Church of England Die Veneris August 28. 1646. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the Ordination of Ministers by the Classical Presbyters within their respective bounds for the several Congregations in the Kingdom of England Die Sabbathi Jan. 29. 1647. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the speedy dividing and setling of the several Counties of this Kingdom into distinct Classical Presbyteries and Congregational Elderships 34. Great now was the clamorous importunity of the Wives and Children of Ministers sequestred An order for the fift part for Ministers Wives and Children ready to starve for want of maintenance I had almost called them the Widdows and Orphans of those Ministers because though their Fathers were living to them their Means were not living to their Fathers and they left destitute of a livelihood Indeed there was an Ordinance of Parliament made 1644 impowring their Commissioners in the Country to appoint means not exceeding a fift part to the Wives and Children of all sequestred Persons but seeing Clergie-men were not therein expressed by name such as enjoyed their Sequestrations refused to contribute any thing unto them Whereupon the House of Commons compassionately reflecting on the distresses of the foresaid complainers made an Order in more particular manner for the Clergy and seeing it is hard to come by I conceive it a charitable work here to insert a Copy thereof Die Jovis Nov. 11. 1647. That the Wives and Children of all such Persons as are or have been or shall be sequestred The Copy thereof by Order of either Houses of Parliament shall be comprehended within the Ordinance that alloweth a fift part for Wives and Children and shall have their fift part allowed unto them and the Committee of Lords and Commons for sequestration and the Committee of plundered Ministers and all other Committees are required to take notice hereof and yeeld Obedience hereunto accordingly H. Elsing Clericus Parliamenti Domus Communis 35. But Covetousnesse will wriggle it self out at a small hole Several ways endeavoured to srustrate this order Many were the Evasions whereby such Clergie-men possest of their livings do frustrate and defeat the effectual paiment of the fift part to the aforesaid Wives and Children Anno Dom. 1647. Some of which starting-holes we will here present Anno Regis Carol. 23. not to the intent that any should unjustly hide themselves herein but that for the future they may be stopped up as obstructing the true performance of the Parliaments intended Curtesie 36. First they plead that Taxes being first deducted First evasion Tythes are so badly paid they cannot live and maintain themselves if they must still pay a fift part out of the remainder Such consider not if themselves cannot live on the whole Grist how shall the Families of such sequestred Ministers subsist on the Tole 37. Secondly Second evasion if the foresaid Minister hath a Wife without Children or Children without a Wife or but one Child they deny paiment as not within the Letter though the Equity of the Order though one Child is as unable to live on nothing as if there were many more 38. Thirdly Third evasion if the sequestred Minister hath any temporal means of his own or since his sequestration hath acquired any place wherein he officiateth though short of a comfortable subsistence they deny paiment of a fift part unto him 39. Fourthly Fourth Evasion they affright the said sequestred Minister threatning to New article against for his former faults Whereas had he not been reputed a malignant not a fift part but all the five parts were due unto him 40. Fiftly Fift Evasion many who have livings in great Towns especially Vicarages disclaim the receiving of any Benefits in the nature of Tithes and accept them only in the notion of Benevolence Then they plead nothing due to the sequestred Minister out of the free gratuities which only are bestowed upon them 41. Sixtly Sixt Evasion they plead that nothing can be demanded by vertue of the said Ordinance longer then the sitting of the said Parliament which made it which long since is dissolved now though this be but a dilatory plea themselves enjoying the foure parts by vertue of the same Order yet though it doth not finally blast it doth much set back the fift part and whilst the same groweth the Ministers Wives and Children starve 42. Lastly Seventh Evasion of late since the setting forth of the Proclamation that all who disquiet their peaceable possession who are put into livings by the Parliaments Order should be beheld as enemies to the State Such sequestred Ministers who only sue the refusers to pay the fift part unblameable in all things else are threatned though they humbly conceived contrary to the true intent of the Proclamation with the foresaid penalty if they desist not in their suite Many more are their subterfugies besides vexing their wives with the tedious attendance to get Orders on Orders so that as one truly and sadly said the fifts are even paid at sixes and sevens 43. I am sorry to see the pittiful and pious intentions of the Parliament Remember the Poor so abused and deluded by the indirect dealings of others so that they cannot attain their intended ends for the relief of so many poor people seeing no doubt therein they desired to be like the best of beings who as closely applieth his lenitive as corrasive plasters and that his mercy may take as true effect as his justice Sure if the present Authority when at leisure from higher imployment shall be pleased to take the groans of these poor souls into its confideration the voice of their hungry bowels will quickly be turned to
our Lord 1655. To the Honourable BANISTER MAINARD Esq Sonne and Heire to the Right Honourable WILLIAM Lord MAINARD Baron of Estaynes in England and Wicklow in Ireland THERE is a late generation of People professed enemies to all humane Learning the most moderate amongst them accounting it as used in Divinity no better then the barren a Luke 13. 7. Fig-tree Cut it downe why cumbreth it the ground whilest the more furious resemble it to the wilde b 2 Kings 4. 40 Gourd in the Pottage of the Children of the Prophets deadly and pernicious Thus as Wisdome built c Prov. 9. 1. her an house with seven Pillars generally expounded the Liberal Sciences Folly seeketh but I hope in vaine to pluck down and destroy it The staple place whereon their ignorance or malice or both groundeth their error is on the words of the Apostle d Colos 2. 1. Beware lest any man spoyle you through Philosophy and vain deceipt or which is the same in effect vain and deceitfull Philosophy VVhich words seriously considered neither expresse nor imply any prohibition of true Philosophy but rather tacitly commend it Thus when our Saviour saith e Mat. 7. 15. Beware of false Prophets by way of opposition hee inviteth them to beleeve and respect such as true-ones Indeed if we consult the word in the notation thereof consisting of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to love and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wisdom nothing can bee cavilled thereat The childe of so good Parents cannot bee bad and the compound resulting thence viz. Philosophy or the love of Wisdom is the same so commended by f Prov. 29. 3. Solomon Who so loveth Wisdom rejoyceth his Father True Philosophy thus considered in it selfe is as Clemens Alexandrinis termeth it Aeternae veritatus sparagmon a Sparke or Splinter of Divine truth Res Dei Ratio saith Tertullian God himselfe being in a sort the great Grand father of every Philosophy Act. But wee confesse there is a great abuse of Philosophy making it vain and deceitfull according to the Apostles just complaint when it presumeth by the principles of Reason to crosse and controll the Articles of Faith then indeed it becometh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vain or empty as wherein nulla impletio multa inflatio nothing to fill man's minde though too much to puffe it up which is true both of Philosophy in generall and of all the parts thereof Thus Logick in it selfe is of absolute necessity without which Saint Paul could never have g Act. 19. 9. disputed two yeeres no nor two houres in the School of Tyrannus so highly did the Apostle prize it that hee desired to be free'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from men who have no Topicks from absurd men who will fixe in no place to bee convinced with reason But Logick thus usefull may bee abused and made deceitfull either in doubtfull Disputations where the Questions can never bee determined or k 1 Tim. 6. 5. in perverse disputings of men where the Disputants are so humorous and peevish that they are unwilling to understand each other making wrangling not satisfaction the end of their dispute Ethicks in like manner are of speciall use in Divinity though not to bee beleeved where they crosse Christianity namely where they exclude Humility from being a virtue on the erroneous account that it is destructive to Magnanimity which is the Christians Livery Bee ye clothed l 1 Pet. 5. 5. with Humility and the m Mica 6. 8. Third part of all which God in this world enjoyneth us to performe Natural Philosophy must not bee forgotten singularly usefull in Divinity save when it presumes to control the Articles of our Creed it is one of the four things for which the Earth is n Pro. 30. 22. moved A Servant when hee Reigneth and intolerable is the pride of Natural Philosophy which should hand-maid it to Divinity when once offering to rule over it Your Honors worthy Grandfather William Lord Maynard well knew the great conveniency yea necessity of Logick for Divines when hee founded and plentifully endowed a Professors place in the Vniversity of Cambridge for the Reading thereof Of Cambridge which I hope ere long you will grace with your presence who in due time may become a â—tudent and good Proficient therein Learning being no more prejudiciall to a Person of Honor then moderate ballaste to the safe-sayling of a Ship Till which time and ever after the continuance and increase of all Happinesse to you and your relations is the daily prayer of Your Honours humble Servant THOMAS FULLER THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF Cambridge Since the CONQVEST ⧠Preface ALthough the foundation of this Vniversity was far ancienter yet because what before this time is reported of it is both little and doubtfull and already inserted into the Body of our Ecclesiasticall History it is early enough to begin the certain History thereof Farre be it from me to make odious comparisons between a 1 Kings 17. 21. Jachin and Boaz the two Pillars in Solomons Temple by preferring either of them for beauty and strength when both of them are equally admirable Nor shall I make difference betwixt the Sisters Coheires of Learning and Religion which should be the Eldest In the days of King Henry b Ex bundello Petitionâ—m Parliamenti Anno 23 Hen. 6 num 12. the sixth such was the quality of desert betwixt Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham and Henry Beauchampe Duke of Warwick that to prevent exceptions about Priority it was ordered by the Parliament That they should take precedency by turns one one yeare and the other the next yeare and so by course were to checquer or exchange their going or setting all the years of their life Sure I am there needeth no such pains to be took or provision to be made about the preeminence of our English Universities to regulate their places they having better learned Humility from the Precept of the c Rom. 12. 10 Apostle In honour preferring one another Wherefore I presume my Aunt Oxford will not be justly offended if in this Book I give my own Mother the upper hand and first begin with her History Thus desiring God to pour his blessing on both that neither may want Milk for their Children or Children for their Milk we proceed to the businesse 1. AT this time the fountain of learning in Cambridge was but little Anno Regis Will. the Conq. 1 and that very troubled Anno Dom 1066 For of late the Danes who at first The low condition of Cambridge at the Conquest like an intermitting Ague made but inroads into the Kingdom but afterwards turn'd to a quotidian of constant habitation had harraged all this Countrey and hereabouts kept their station Mars then frighted away the Muses when the Mount of Parnassus was turn'd into a Fort and Helicon derived into a Trench And at this present Anno Dom. 1070 King William
character most unlike from the rest and different in the whole kinde for the fashion thereof betrayeth it to be most corrupted For where doe we finde that in the year of our Lord 1246 amongst good Authors and of ancient faith there were so great discords in Cambridge as to drive the Students to Northampton Here is too much for me to manage at once we will parcel it for the more effectuall examination thereof this being the first time that I have to doe with this adventurous Author Wee know that if a Merchants Bill be once protested against in the Exchange he will scarce ever after recover his credit and if at first we can discover the falshood of this our adversary it will for ever give a mortal wound to his reputation and ease us of much trouble hereafter 54. First he mentioneth Oxford-monuments transcribed by Robert Hare Quick eyes to finde a fault where none is This Hare was an Esquire of good worship and wealth a great lover and preserver properties never parted of Antiquities He carefully collected the precious monuments of both Universities caused them fairly to be transcribed and freely bestowed a Duplicate or double copie on each of them A gift worthy the giver and the receiver as of no less cost and pains to the one than credit and profit to the other Now it seemes Brian Twyne with his piercing sight is the Columbus who by the different character hath discovered a new not world but word namely Cambridge in the Kings letter to Northampton put in stead of Oxford This he calls as well he may mendum a fault in Hares Transcript which indeed was a falshood and if wilfully done a forgery and the doer thereof if detected deserving to be Pilloried for his pain 55 But 49 when and how 1265 I pray Answer this Dilemma came this Cambridge to be surreptitiously inserted in stead of Oxford into that Transcript of Hare Was it done by himself or some other originally I mean before those Manuscripts were bestowed on the universitie To allow this were to offer an injurie to the honestie or vigilancie of that worthy Antiquary Or was the false inscription made cunningly by some Cambridge-man since those Manuscripts came into the possession of Oxford If so shame on the careless keepers of so pretious a treasure I presume our Muniments at Cambridge are more safely preserved 56. I pass not what is or is not written in Hare his Transcript The Tower Records clear the cavill He that may with as much ease goe to the fountain and yet will drink of the durty River deserveth no pity if choaked or rather if choaking himself with the mud thereof I appeale to the Records of the Tower of London whence Hare his writings were copied out which are the Author of Authors for English History because 1. They may be said to have lived in the time and place wherein all things are acted 2. They are impartiall not Osier-like bowing to any Interest but standing like a firm pillar to support the truth 3. They are safely preserved and long may they be in defiance of barbarous Anarchy which otherwise would make a bone fire or new light of those precious monuments I say I repaired to the Records in the Tower where I searched for and found out the aforesaid Kings letter by us lately exemplified that the troubles of Cambridge three years since were the cause of the founding of the University at Northampton This letter I got transcribed compared attested by Mr. William Ryley the elder Keeper of those Records and Norroy King of Armes Who like a Prince indeed freely gave me his pains which I commend to the Reader his thankfull notice because otherwise I must have charged the cost on his account raising the rate of my Book to make my self a saver thereby 57. But our Adversary proceeds A needlesse question declined and demandeth where we read in any good Author that in the year 1246 such discords happened at Cambridge as should drive the Scholars to Northampton We answer First we Cambridge-men are not ambitious of such discords let us but retain the Scholars and let any place that pleaseth take those differences to themselves Secondly we never said nor thought that such broyles were in Cambridge anno 1246 but this we affirm That three years since p An half year over of under breaks no square namely in the 46 th of Henry the third which falls out to be the year of our Lord 1262 cruel bickerings were betwixt the Northern and Southern men in our University and perchance the like might be by secret Sympathy in Oxford which as we have proved before caused the departure of many to Northampton 58. Some will say Why Oxford more prejudiced than Cambridge by Northampton University seeing only mention is made in the Kings Letters to null Northampton-University because probable to prove prejudicial to Oxford it seems thereby that Cambridge at this time was not considerable at least wise the King not so carefull for the preservation thereof It is answered The erection of an University at Northampton by reason of the position of the place must needs be a greater hurt to Oxford than hindrance to Cambridge for Cambridge lieth conveniently for the North and East parts Oxford commodiously for the South and West parts of England Now Northampton lying within twenty nine scruples of the same degree of longitude with Oxford would almost share equally with Oxford in the Western division of the land whilest Cambridge-quarters as on the other side of the Kingdome would be clear and little prejudiced thereby But enough hereof We proceed in our History Reverendissimo Antistiti JACOBO USSERIO ARCHIEPISCOPO ARMACHANO DOMINO suo colendissimo CVm mihi * * Pag 752. qui annos varia doctrina judicio longe superat Camdeni Britanniam perlegenti locus occurreret ubi meminit Jacobi Usserii tunc Cancellarii sancti Patricii Dublinensis supra aetatem docti variis de causis me primûm invasit tandem absorpsit admiratio Quòd tua indoles tantùm festinaret quâ juvenis id assecutus es quod vel viris paucissimis datur Quòd cùm communis querela sit optima ingenia minimè diurnare Tu Dei favore adhuc superstes es quinquaginta annis à quo hoc Camdeniano elogio decoratus fuisti Quòd Caleb alter nostri seculi Tibi hucusque judicium firmum ingenium vividum memoria tenax animus integer UTinam idem licuisset de corpusculo Tuo dicere quod nimiis studiis maceratum senio aliquantulum cedere incipit At adhuc superest summus admirationis meae gradus tua in tanta eruditione suspicienda humilitas cum ferè fit ut illi omnes quibus aliquid inest sublime praecellens protinus inflentur alios facilè contemnant dum Tu tenuitatem meam favore Tuo beâsti in qua nihil quod alliceret plurima quae Te depellerent
ut accepi tu olim Litteris incubuisti ABout this time Henrici 6. 15 for I cannot attain the certain year some considerable persons of our Nation undertook the draining of the Fennes near to Cambridge 1436 They wanted not Dutchmen out of the Low-Countries to assist them Cambridge Fennes endeavoured to be drained where each Peasant is born a Pioneer and vast summes were expended in making of Ditches and Banks impregnable as conceived against all assaults of Inundation 2. But in the next being a wet All in vain Windy Winter down comes the Baliffe of Bedford so the Country-people commonly call the overflowing of the River Ouse attended like a person of his quality with many servants the accession of tributary Brooks and breaks down all their paper-banks as not water-shot-free reducing all to the former condition 3. This Accident put the VVits of that Arguments pro and on Pen-draâ—ning and succeeding Ages upon the dispute of the feacibility of the design and let us summe up the Arguments against and for this undertaking 1. Argument 1. Answer Some objected that God saith to the water a Iob 38. 11. hitherto thou shall come and no further it is therefore a Trespasse on the Divine Prerogative for Man to presume to give other Bounds to the Water then what God hath appointed Even the heathen b Pausanias in Corinth man was so Christian as to say Rebus divinitus constitutis manus non est injicienda The Argument holdeth in application to the Ocean which is a VVild-Horse only to the broak back'd and bridled by him who is the Maker thereof But it is a false and a lazy principle if applied to Fresh-Waters from which humane Industrie may and hath rescued many considerable parcels of ground 2. Argument 2. Answer Many have attempted but not effected it None ever wrastled with it but it gave them a foyl if not a fall to the bruising if not breaking of their Backs Many have burnt their fingers in these waters and instead of draining the â—ennes emptied their own estates It hath bin almost as unsucces full as the letting of the Red into the Midland-Sea to the Kings of Egypt who endeavoured it Many mens undertaking thereof insinuates the possibility of the project Otherwise it is unlikely so many discreet persons would befool themselves in seeking what is not to be found The failing is not in the unfeacibility of the Design but in the accidentall defaults of the Vndertakers wanting either Heads discretion or hearts resolution or hands assistants or purses performance of pay to people imployed therein 3. Argument 3. Answer Morton Bishop of Ely one of the wealthiest who ever sate in that See almost wasted his estate by cutting a water-passage known by the name of the New Leam welnigh beggered himself in hope to enrich his Town of VVisbich with trading thereby It is confessed a Burden too heavy for the back of any single person how great soever And therefore it calls for a Corporation of Wise and wealthy persons to undertake the same 4. Argument 4. Answer An Alderman of Cambridge choser a Burgesse in Parliament affirmed the Fennes to be like a crust of bread swimming in a dish of water So that under eight or ten soot earth it is nothing but mere water In possible therefore the draining thereof if surrounded by that liquid element both above and beneath Interest betrayed his judgement to an evident errour And his brains seemed rather to swim instead of this fâ—oting â—arth For such as have scunded as I may say the depth of that ground find it to be terrafirma and no doubt as solid to the Center as any other earth in England 5. Argument 5. Answer The River Grant or Cam call it as you please running by Cambridge will have it's stream dried up by the draining of the Fennes now as Cambridge is concerned in it's River so that whole County yea this whole Kingdome is concerned in Cambridge No reason therefore that private mens particular Profit should be preferred before an Vniversal good or good of an Vniversity It is granted the water by Cambridge kindles and keeps in the Fire therein No hope of sufficient fuel on reasonable rates except care be takeâ— for preserving the River Navigable which may be done and the Fennes drained neverthelesse To take away the Thief is no Wasting or Weakning to the Wiek of the Candle Assurance may be given that no damage shall redound to the Stream of Grant by stopping other superfluous waters 6. Argument 6. Answer The Fennes preserved in their present property afford great plenty and variety of Fish and Fowl which here have their Seminaries Nurseries which will be destroyed on the draining thereof so that none will be had but at excessive prices A large first makes recompence for the shorter second Course at any mans Table And who will not preferre a tame Sheep before a Wild Duck a good fat Oxe before a well grown Eele 7. Argument 7. Answer The Fennes afford plenty of Sedge Turfe and Reed the want whereof will be found if their nature be altered The commodities are inconsiderable to ballance the profit of good Grass Grain which those grounds if drained would produce He cannot complain of wrong who hath a suit of Buckram taken from him and one of Velvet given in lieu thereof Besides provision may bemade that a sufficiency of such Ware-trash may still be preserved 8. Argument 8. Answer Many thousands of poor people are maintained by fishing and fouling in the Fennes which will all be at a losse of Livelihood if their Barns be burnt that is if the Fennes be drained It is confest that many whose hands are becrampt with Laziness live and onely live as never gaining any estates by that employment But such if the Fennes were drained would quit their Idleness and betake themselves to more lucrative Manufactures 9. Argument 9. Answer Grant the Fennes drained with great difficulty they will quickly revert to their old condition like to the a Camden ' s Brit. in Cambridgeshire Pontine Marishes in Italy This disease of the Dropsy if aqua super cutem as well as intercutis may be so called will return to the Fennes again If a Patient perfectly cured will be carelesse of his Health none will pitty his Relapse Moderate cost with constant care will easily preserve what is drained the Low-Countries affording many proofs thereof 10. Argument 10. Answer Grant them drained and so continuing as now the great Fishes therein prey on the lesse so then Wealthy men would devour the poorer sort of people Injurious partage would follow upon the enclosures and rich men to make room for themselves would justle the poor people out of their Commons Oppression is not essentiall either to draining or inclosing though too often a concomitant of both Order may be taken by Commissioners of quality impowered for that purpose that such a Proportion of Commons
but fit that Founders should please their own fancie in the choice of the first Professour This Doctour was a Dutchman very much Anglized in language and behaviour However because a forreigner preferred to that Place his Lectures were listened to with the more critical attention of Cambridge-Auditours 17. Incomparable Tacitus he chose for his subject Dr. Dorislaus why accused and had not yet passed over those first words Urben Romanam primò Reges habuere when some exception was taken at his Comment thereon How hard is it for liquors not to resent of the vessels they are powred thorough for vessels not to tast of that earth they are made of Being bred in a popular aire his words were interpreted by high Monarchicall eares as over-praising a State in disgrace of a Kingdome Hereupon he was accused to the King troubled at Court and after his submission hardly restored to his place This is that Doctor Dorislaus Cambridge Professour of History in his life who himself was made an history at his death slain in Holland when first employed Ambassadour from the Common-wealth unto the States of the United Provinces 18. A great scarcity followed after the plenty Countrey penury Cambridge plenty in and Mens unthankfulness for it the former year insomuch that Wheat was sold in Cambridge-Market for Ten shillings the bushell whereby a great improvement was made to the Fellowships of the old Foundations which the more plainly appears by perusing the words of Master Bradford written some 80 years before when Fellow of Pembrook-Hall * in his Letter to Mr. Traves Fox Acts and Mon p. 1664. My Fellowship here is worth vij pound a yeare for I have allowed me xviij pence a week and as good as xxxiij shillings four pence a year in Money besides my Chamber Launder Barbour c. If since Fellows be sensible of the grand encrease of their Places let them thank God for Sir Thomas Smith and thank his Memory for procuring Rent-corn unto them Matthew Wren Vicecan 1628-29 Richard Love Michael Honywood Proct. 5. Iohn Badcock Major 19. A tough suit betwixt the University and Town-Chaundlers The Candlesuit with the Towns-men chiefly on the account whether Candles came within the compasse of Focalia and so to have their price reasonably rated by the Vice-Chancellour The Towns-men betook themselves to their Lawyers the Scholars to the Lords plying the Privie-Councill with learned Letters by whose favour they got the better and some refractory Towns-men by being discommoned were humbled into obedience Henry Buts Vicecan 1629-30 Thomas Goad William Roberts Proct. 6. Samuel Spalding Major 20. The plague brake forth in Cambridge The plague in Cambridge The University in some sort was dissolved and Scholars dispersed into the Countrey three hundred forty seven of the Town-folke died of the infection Anno Dom. 1629-30 As Gods hand was just upon Anno Regis Car. 1. 6. mans was mercifull unto the Town of Cambridge and the signall bounty of London amounting to some thousands of pounds deserves never to be forgotten But this corruption of the aire proved the generation of many Doctours graduated in a clandestine way without keeping any Acts to the great disgust of those who had fairly gotten their degrees with publick pains and expence Yea Dr. Collins being afterwards to admit an able man Doctour did according to the pleasantnesse of his fancy distinguish inter Cathedram pestilentia Cathedram eminentiae leaving it to his Auditours easily to apprehend his meaning therein 21. After the return of the Scholars Good counsell one of the first that preached in S. Maryes minded the University of gratitude to God who had dealt with them said he as the Children Sons of Kings are used whose servants for the more state are beaten when their young Masters are in fault the plague light on the Townsmen though Scholars ought to examine themselves whether they were not the chief offenders Henry Buts Vicecan 1630-31 Peter Ashton Roger Hockstater Proct. 7. William Holland Major Henry Buts Tho Cumber Vicecan 1631-32 Tho Tyrwhit Lionel Gatford Proct. 8. Tho Purchas Major 22. King Charles and Queen Mary came to Cambridge were entertained at Trinity Colledge with Comedies and expressed candid acceptance thereof 23. Thomas Adams then Citizen Master Adams founds an Arabick Pâ—ofessourship since Lord Major of London deservedly commended for his Christian constancy in all conditions founded an Arabian Professourship on condition it were frequented with competency of Auditours And notwithstanding the generall jealousie that this new Arabie happy as all novelties at the first would soon become desart yet it seems it thrived so well that the salarie was setled on Abraham Whelock Fellow of Clare-Hall His industrious minde had vast stoäge for words and is lately dead whose longer life had in probability been very advantageous to the new Edition of the Bible in many Languages An excellent work and may it be as happily performed as it is worthily undertaken 24. A grave Divine A smart passage in a Sermon preaching before the University at S. Maryes had this passage in his Sermon that As at the Olympian Games he was counted the Conquerour who could drive his Chariot-wheels nearest the mark yet so as not to hinder his running or to stick thereon metaque fervidis Evitatarotis So he who in his Sermons could preach neer Popery and yet no Popery there was your man And indeed it now began to be the generall complaint of most moderate men that many in the University both in the Schools and Pulpits approached the opinions of the Church of Rome nearer than ever before 25. Mr. Bernard Mr. Bernard gives distast with his preaching a Discontinuer May 6. and Lecturer of S. Sepulchers in London preached at S. Maryes in the afternoon his Text 1 Sam. 4. 21. The glory is departed from Israel c. In handling whereof he let fall some passages which gave distast to a prevalent party in the University as for saying 1. God's Ordinances when blended and adulterated with innovations of men cease to be God Ordinances and he owneth them no longer 2. That its impossible any should be saved living and dying without repentance in the doctrine of Rome as the Tridentine Councel hath decreed it 3. That Treason is not limited to the Blood Royall but that he is a Traytour against a Nation Anno Dom. 1631-32 that depriveth it of Gods Ordinances Anno Regis Car. 1. 8. 4. That some shamefully symbolize in Pelagian errours and superstitious ceremonies with the Church of Rome Let us pray such to their conversion or to their destruction c. 26. Dr. Cumber Convented in he high Commission refuseth to recant and dieth Vice-Chancellour gave speedy notice hereof to Dr. Laud Bishop of London though he so quick his University intelligence had information thereof before Hereupon he was brought into the High Commission and a
breeding b. 11. p. 219. ¶ 85. his peaceable disposition ¶ 86. improving of piety p. 220. ¶ 87 c. an innocent deceiver ¶ 90. excellent Hebrician ¶ 91. last of the old Puritans ¶ 92. DOGGES meat given to men b. 3. p. 29. ¶ 46 DOMINICAN Friers their first coming over into England b. 6. p. 270. ¶ 15. after their expulsion set up again by Q. Mary p. 357. the learned men of this order who were bred in Cambrid Hist. of Cam. p. 30. De DOMINIS Marcus Antonius see SPALATO John DONNE Dean of St. Pauls prolocutour in the Convocation b. 10. p. 112. ¶ 15. his life excellently written by Mr. Isaack Walton ¶ 16. DOOMES-DAY Book composed by the command of Will the Conquerour b. 3. ¶ 3. DORT Synod b. 10. p. 77. ¶ 63. four English Divines sent thither ibidem King James his Instructions unto them p. 77 78. Oath at their admission into it p. 78. ¶ 66. liberall allowance from the State p. 77. ¶ 77. various censures on the decisions thereof p. 84. ¶ 5 c. The DOVE on King Charles his Sceptre ominously broken off b. 11. ¶ 16. Thomas DOVE Bishop of Peterborough his death b. 11. p. 41. ¶ 17. DOWAY COLL. in Flanders for English fugitives b. 9. p. 85. A Convent there for Benedictine Monks b. 6. p. 365. And another for Franciscan Friers 366. DRUIDES their office and imployment amongst the Pagan Britans C. 1. ¶ 3. The DUTCH Congregation first set up in London b. 7. p. 407. ¶ 33. priviledges allowed them by King Edward the sixth ibidem under Queen Mary depart with much difficulty and danger into Denmark b. 8. p. 8. ¶ 13. DUBLIN University founded by Queen Elizabeth b. 9. p. 211. ¶ 44. the severall benefactours whereof Mr. Luke Chaloner a chief p. 212. no rain by day during the building of the Colledge ibidem The Provosts therof p. 213. ¶ 47. DUBRITIUS Arch-bishop of Caer-lion a great Champion of the truth against Pelagius C. 6. ¶ 3. ADUCATE worth about four shillings but imprinted eight b. 5. p. 196 ¶ 37. Andrew DUCKET in effect the founder of Queens Colledge in Cambridge Hist of Cambridge p. 80. ¶ 33. St. DUNSTAN his story at large Cent. 10. ¶ 11. c. his death and burial in Canterbury ¶ 44. as appeared notwithstanding the claim of Glassenbury by discovery ¶ 45 46. DUNWOLPHUS of a swine-heard made Bishop of VVinchester C. 9. ¶ 41. DURHAM the Bishoprick dissolved by King Edward the sixth b. 7. p. 419. ¶ 2. restored by Queen Mary ¶ 3. VVil. DYNET the solemn abiuration injoyned him wherein he promiseth to worship Images b. 4. p. 150. E. EASTER-DAY difference betwixt the British Romish Church in the observation thereof Cent. 7. ¶ 5. the Controversie stated betwixt them ¶ 28. reconciled by Laurentius ¶ 30. the antiquity of this difference ¶ 31. spreads into private families ¶ 89. A counsell called to compose it ¶ 90. setled by Theodorus according to the Romish Rite ¶ 96. EATON COLLEDGE founded by K. Henry the sixth b. 4. EDGAR King of England Cent. 10. ¶ 24. disciplined by Dunstan for viciating a Nun. ¶ 26. The many Canons made by him why in this book omitted ¶ 29. A most Triumphant King ¶ 30. his death ¶ 34. EDMUND King of the East Angles cruelly Martyred by the Danes Cent. 9. ¶ 22. EDWARD the Elder calls a Councell to confirm his Fathers acts Cent. 10. ¶ 5. gives great Priviledges to Cambridge ¶ 6. EDWARD the Martyr Cent. 8. ¶ 34. Barbarously murthered ¶ 42. EDWARD the Confessour his life at large Cent. 11. ¶ 11 c. King EDWARD the first his advantages to the Crown though absent at his Fathers death b. 3. p. 74. ¶ 3. his atchievements against the Turkes ¶ 4. Casteth the Iews out of England p. 87. ¶ 47. chosen arbitratour betwixt Baliol Bruce claiming the Kingdome of Scotland p. 88. ¶ 49. which Kingdome he conquereth for himself ¶ 50. stoutly maintaineth his right against the Pope p. 90. ¶ 2. humbled Rob. Winchelsey Arch-bishop of Cant. ¶ 4 5. the Dialogue betwixt them 6. his death and character p. 92. ¶ 11. his Arme the standard of the English yard ibid. King EDWARD the second his character b. 3. p. 93. ¶ 13. fatally defeated by the Scots ¶ 14. his vitiousnesse p. 100. ¶ 28. accused for betraying his Priviledges to the Pope ¶ 29. his deposing and death p. 103. King EDWARD the third a most valiant and fortunate King both by Sea and Land foundeth Kings Hall in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 39. ¶ 36. his death and Character b. 4. p. 136. ¶ 12. King EDWARD the fourth gaineth the Crown by Conquest b. 4. p. 190. ¶ 46. Beaten afterwards in Battel by the Earle of VVarwick p. 191. ¶ 31. escapeth out of prison flyeth beyond the Seas returneth and recovereth the Crown ¶ 32 33. A Benefactour to Merron Coll. in Oxford b. 3. p. 75. ¶ 7. but Malefactour to Kings Coll. in Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 76. ¶ 19. his death b. 4. p. 199. ¶ 4◠King EDWARD the fifth barbarously murthered by his Vncle Richard Duke of York b. 4. p. 196. ¶ 5. King EDWARD the sixth his Injunctions b. 7. ¶ 3. observations thereon p. 374. his severall proclamations whereof one inhibiteth all Preachers in England for a time p. 388 389. his TEXT ROYAL and our observations thereon p. 397 398. c. Giveth an account by letter to B. Fitz-Patrick of his progresse p. 412 413. severall letters written by him p. 423 424. his diary p. 425. ¶ 14. quick wit and pious prayer ¶ 17. at his death ibid. EDWIN King of Northumberland and in effect Monarch of England after long preparatory promises Cent. 7. ¶ 39 c. at last converted and baptised ¶ 43. slain by the Pagans in Battel ¶ 60. EGBERT Arch-bishop of York famous in severall respects b. 2. p. 101. ¶ 23. his beastly Canons ¶ 24. EGBERT first fixed Monarch of England Cent. 8. ¶ 41. First giveth the name of England Cent. 9. ¶ 5 6. Is disturbed by the Danes ¶ 7. ELEUTHERIUS Bishop of Rome his Letter to King Lucius Cent. 2. ¶ 6. pretendeth to an ancienter date then what is due thereunto ¶ 7. sends two Divines into Britain ¶ 8. ELIE Abbey made the See of a Bishop b. 3. p. 23. ¶ 23. the feasts therein exceed all in England b. 6. p. 299. ¶ 11. Q. ELIZABETH proclaimed b. 8. p. 43. ¶ 56. assumeth the title of supream head of the Church b. 9. p. 152. ¶ 4. defended therein against Papists p. 53. ¶ 5 6. c. Excommunicated by Pope Pius quintus b. 9. p. 93 94. Her farewell to Oxford with a Latine Oration b. 9. p. 223. ¶ 7 8. Her well-come to Cambridge with a Latine Oration Hist of Cambridge p. 138. her death b. 10. p. 4. ¶ 12. Iohn ELMAR Bishop of London his death and Character b. 9. p. 223. ¶ 10. ELVANUS sent by King Lucius to Eleutherius Bishop of
favoured by W. Rufus ibid. had a chief Justicor â—ver them p. 84. ¶ 33. a High priest or Presbyter ¶ 35. their griping usurie p. 85. ¶ 36 c. unfortunate at Feast and Frayes p. 86. ¶ 40. eruelly used by K. Henry the 3d. ¶ 43. Misdomeanours charged on them p. 87. ¶ 46 cast out of the land by K. Edward the first 47. though others say they craved leave to depart ibid c. ILTUTUS abused by Monkish for geries C. 6. ¶ 8. IMAGE-WORSHIP first setled by Synod in England C. 8. ¶ 9 10. injoyned point-blank to poore people to practice it b. 4. p. 150. ¶ 40. IN A King of the West-Saxons his Ecclesiasticall Laws C. 7. ¶ 106. he giveth Peter-Pence to the Pope C. 8. ¶ 13. INDEPENDENTS vide dissenting Brethren Sr. Fra. INGLEFIELD a Benefactour to the English Coll. at Valladolit b. 9. p. 87. yea to all English Papists p. 108. ¶ 20. St. JOHNS COLLEDGE in Cambridge founded by the Lady Margaret Hist of Cam. p. 94. ¶ 11. the Masters Bishops c. thereof p. 94 95. St. JOHNS COLL. Oxford founded by Sr. Tho. White b. 8. S. 3. ¶ 44. The Presidents Bishops Benefactours c. thereof ¶ 45. King JOHN receives a present from the Pope b. 3. p. 48. ¶ 4. returns him a stout answer 5. for which the whole Kingdome is interdicted p. 49. ¶ 6 7 c. his Innocency to the Popes injustice ¶ 9. by whom he is excommunicated by name ¶ 10. yet is blessed under his curse ¶ 11. his submission to the Pope p. 51. ¶ 13. resigning his Crown ibid. his unworthy Embassey to the King of Morocco p. 53. ¶ 21. lamentable death ¶ 22. and character ¶ 23. JOSEPH of ARIMATHEA said to be sent into Britain C. 1. ¶ 11. his drossy History brought to the Touch ¶ 12. severall places assigned for his buriall ¶ 14. the Oratours of Spain in the councill of Basel endeavour to disprove the whole story b. 4. p. 180. ¶ 8. whose objections are easily answered p. 181. ¶ 9. IRELAND excludeth their own Articles and receiveth the 39 Articles of England b. 11. p. 149. ¶ 46. ITALIANS had in England seventy thousand Marks a year of Ecclesiasticall revenues b. 3. p. 65. ¶ 29. held the best livings and kept no Hospitalitie b. 4. p. 138. ¶ 17. William JUXON Bishop of London made Lord Treasurer b. 11. p. 150. ¶ 48. his commendable carriage ¶ 49. K. Q. KATHARINE de Valois disobeyeth her Husband b. 4. p. 170. ¶ 46. therefore never buried ¶ 47 48. Q. KATHARINE Dowager for politick ends married to King Henry the eighth b. 5. p. 165. ¶ 6. on what score the match was first scrupled by the King p. 171. ¶ 36 37 c. her Speech p. 173. her character and death b. 5. p. 206. ¶ 19. KATHARINE HALL founded by Robert Woodlark Hist of Camb. p. 83. ¶ 40. in strictnesse of Criticisme may be termed Aula bella ¶ 41. KEBY a British Saint fixed in Anglesey C. 4. ¶ 25. KENT the Saxons Kingdome therein when beginning how bounded C. 5. ¶ 17. first converted to Christianity by Augustine the Monk b. 2. C. 6. ¶ 11. the Petition of the Ministers of Kent against subscription b. 9. p. 144. KENULPHUS King of the West-Saxons his Charter granted to the Abbey of Abbington proving the power of Kings in that Age in Church matters b. 2. p. 101. ¶ 25. notwithstanding Persons his objections to the contrary ¶ 26. putteth down the Arch bishoprick of Lichfield KETTS Robert and William their Rebellions b. 7. p. 339. ¶ 2. their execution p. 397. ¶ 15. The KINGS EVILE a large discourse of the cause and cure thereof C. 11. p. 145 146 147. John KING Dean of Christ-Church b. 5. p. 170. present at Hampton-Court conference b. 10. p. 7. when Bishop of London graveleth Legate the Arrain p. 62. ¶ 8. condemneth him for a Heretick p. 63. ¶ 10. his cleare carriage in a cause of great consequence p. 67. ¶ 24 25. his death p. 90. ¶ 31. and eminencies in defiance of Popish falshood ¶ 32. 33. Henry KING made Bishop of Chichester b. 11. p. 194. KINGS HALL built by King Edward the third Hist of Camb. p. 39. ¶ 46. three eminences thereof ¶ 47. KINGS COLLEDGE founded by K. Henry the sixth Hist of Camb. p. 73. John KNEWSTUBS minister of Cockfield in Suffolk b. 9. p. 135. ¶ 16. a meeting of Presbyterians at his house ibidem against conformities at Hampton-Court conference b. 10. p. 7. his exceptions propounded p. 16 and 17. shrewdly checkt by King James p. 20. a Benefactour to Saint Johns Colledge Hist of Camb. p. 95. ¶ 15. KNIGHTS of the Garter their Institution qualifications hubilliments Oath and orders by them observed how their places become vacant b. 3. p. 116. KNIGHTS anciently made by Abbots b. 3. p. 17 18. untill it was forbidden by Canon ibidem Mr. KNOT the Jesuit his causelesse Cavills at Mr. Sutton confuted b. 10. p. 65. ¶ 17 c. John KNOX chosen their minister by the English Exiles at Frankford b. 8. S. 3. ¶ 1. opposed in his discipline by Dr. Cox ¶ 3 4. accused for treacherous speeches against the Emperour ¶ 5. forced to depart Frankford to the great grief of his party ibidem L. Arthur LAKE Bishop of Bath and Wells his death and character b. 11. ¶ 45. LAMBETH Articles by whom made b. 9. p. 229. ¶ 23. nine in number p. 230. various judgements of them p. 231. ¶ 24 c. LANCASTER and York houses the Battels betwixt them for the Crown Place Time number slain and Conquerour b. 4. p. 186 and 187. LANCK-FRANCK made Arch-bishop of Canterbury b. 3. ¶ 4. most kindly treated by the Pope ¶ 17. to whom he accuseth Thomas elect of York and Remigius elect of Lincoln ¶ 18 19. his return and imployment ¶ 20. Hugh LATIMER a violent Papist History of Cambridge p. 102. ¶ 33. converted by Bilney ¶ 34. his Sermon of Cards p. 103. ¶ 38. preacheth before the Convocation b. 5. p. 207. ¶ 23. deprived of his Bishoprick of Worcester p. 231. ¶ 18. why he assumed it not again in the Reign of King Edward the sixth b. 7. p. 405. ¶ 28. his judgement of the contemners of common prayer p. 426. ¶ 17. William LAUD made Bishop of St. Davids b. 9. p. 90. ¶ 30. a great Benefactour to St. Johns in Oxford b. 8. p. 40. ¶ 45. accused by the Scotch for making their Liturgy b. 1â— p. 163. prepares for his death b. 11. p. 215. ¶ 68. his Funerall speech and burial p. 216. ¶ 69 70. his birth breeding and character p. 216 217 218 219. LAURENTIUS Arch-bishop of Cant. reconcileth the British to the Romish Church in the Celebration of Easter C. 7. ¶ 27. intending to depart England iâ— rebuked in a vision ¶ 34 35. LECHLADE or LATINELADE a place where Latine was anciently taught Cent. 9. ¶ 30. Thomas LEE or LEAH a prime Officer imploied in the dissolution of
the Silver-tongu'd b. 9. p. 142. ¶ 3 4. Rich. SMITH â—â—eularie Bishop of Chaâ—â—edon b. 11. ¶ 72. some write for others against him Episcopizethin England b. 11. p. 137. ¶ 7. opposed by Nicholas Smith and defended by Dr. Kelison both zealous Papists ¶ 8 9 c. SOBRIQUETS what they were b. 3. p. 30. ¶ 52 fifteen principall of them ibid. SODOMITRY the beginning thereof in England b. 3. p. 19 ¶ 29. with too gentle a Canon against it ibid. SOUTH SAXONS their Kingdome when begun how bounded C. 5. ¶ 17. converted to Christianity by Wilfride C. 7. ¶ 98 c. taught by him first to fish ¶ 101. SPALATO his coming over into England with the whole story of his stay here departure hence and burning at Rome for a Heretick after his death b. 10. p. 93. unto the 100. King STEPHEN usurpeth the Crown b. 3. p. 24. ¶ 28. by the perjury of the Clergy p. 25. ¶ 29. variety of opinions and arguments pro and con about him ¶ 30 31 c. the Clergy revolt from him p. 27. ¶ 39. appeareth as some say in person summoned to a Synod in Winchester p. 28. ¶ 43. a founder of Religious houses p. 29. ¶ 46. his death p. 30. ¶ 51. STEWES suppressed by statute b. 5. p. 239. ¶ 38. their Original ¶ 39. and Constitution p. 140. ¶ 40. arguments pro and con for their lawfulness ¶ 41 42. STIGANDUS Arch-bishop of Cant his Simony b. 3. ¶ 2. and covetousness ¶ 4â— Simon STOCK living in a trunk of a tree esteemed a Saint b. 6. p. 272. ¶ 21. STONEHENGE the description and conceived occasion thereof C. 5. ¶ 26. Tho. STONE a conscientious Non-conformist discoverth the Anatomy of the disciplinarian meetings p. 207 c. his sixteen Reasons in his own defence against his accusers herein p. 209 c. J. STORY a most bloody persecuter b. 8. s. 2. ¶ 12. with a fine design trained into England b. 9. p. 84. ¶ 20. executed his revenge on the executioner ibid. STRASBURGH the congregation of English Exiles therein in the Reign of Q. Mary b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 41. Jack STRAW his rebellion b. 4. p. 138. ¶ 18. his rabble of Rebells in Rhythme p. 139. ¶ 19. their barbarous outrages p. 140. ¶ 20. and ruin ¶ 21. See Wat Tyler STURBRIDGE FAIRE the Originall thereof Hist of Camb. p. 66. ¶ 36. SUBSCRIPTION first pressed by the Bishops b. 9. p. 76. ¶ 66. and more rigorously p. 102. ¶ 3. Simon SUDBURY Arch-bishop of Canterbury why silent in the conference at St. Paul's b. 4. p. 136. ¶ 10. slain by the rebells under Jack Straw ¶ 20. being one hundred thousand ¶ 21. founded whilst living Canterbury Colledge in Oxford b. 5. p. 169. ¶ 28. Matthew SUTCLIFFE Dean of Exeter his bounty to Chealfey Colledge b. 10. p. 51. ¶ 22. the Lands of that Colledge restored to his heirs generall p. 55. ¶ 27. Richard SUTTON his death b. 10. p. 75. ¶ 15. the severall mannours bestowed by him on Charter-house ¶ 16. the Cavils of Mr. Knot ¶ 17. his constant prayer p. 66. ¶ 20. SWEATING sicknesse in Cambridge the cause and cure thereof Hist of Camb. p. 128. Edward SYMPSON an excellent Criticks Hist of Camb. p. 123. ¶ 20. enjoyned a recantation before King James p. 160. ¶ 44. SYON nunnes their notorious wantonnesse b. 6. p. 318. ¶ 8. T. Adam TARLETON Bishop of Hereford his life and death letter b. 3. p. 107. ¶ 28. thrice arraigned for his life yet escapeth p. 108. Mr. TAVERNOUR high Sheriff of Oxford part of his Sermon preached at St. Maries b. 9. p. 65. ¶ 35. TAVISTOCK in Devon the last mitred Abbot made by King Henry the eighth few years before the dissolution b. 6. p. 293. ¶ 5. TAURINUS how by mistake made the first Bishop of York C. 2. ¶ 1. TAXERS in Cambridge their original His of Camb. p. 10. ¶ 36 37 c St. TELIAU his high commendation C. 6. ¶ 12. TEMPLES of heathen Idols converted into Christian Churches C. 2. ¶ 11. our Churches succeed not to the holinesse of Solomons Temple but of the Jewish Synagogues b. 11. p. 150. ¶ 51. TENTHS their Original why paid to the Pope b. 5. p. 226. ¶ 1. commissioners being unquestioned Gentlemen imployed by King Henry the eighth to rate them ¶ 2. their Instructions ¶ 3. Tenths remitted by Q. Mary p. 228. ¶ 6. resumed by Q. Elizabeth ¶ 7. in vain heaved at at the present in our state ¶ 8. A TERRIER made of all Glebe Lands b. 3. p. 113. New TESTAMENT severall Bishops assigned to peruse the translation of the several Books thereof b. 5. p. 233. Gardiner gives in a List of Latine words which he would not have translated p. 238. why p. 239. ¶ 35. TEUXBURY Abbot in Glocestershire controverted whether on no a Baron in Parliament b. 6. p. 294. ¶ 12. THE ODORUS Arch-bishop of Cant. C. 7. ¶ 95. settleth Easter according to the Romish Rite ¶ 96. the Canons of a Councill kept by him at Hartford ibidem Tho. THIRLEBY Bishop of Ely sent to Rome to reconcile England to the Pope b. 8. ¶ 42. no great persecuter in his Diocess in the dayes of Q. Mary S. 2. ¶ 14. found favour under Q. Elizabeth b. 9. ¶ 18. being a Prisoner to be envied ibidem though reputed a good man wasted the lands of Westminster Church whereof he the first and last Bishop b. 9. ¶ 43. Thomas TISDALE founder of Pembrook Colledge in Oxford b. 11. ¶ 41. TYTHES first given to the Clergie C 9. ¶ 8 c. by King Athelwolphus The objections against his grant answered c. ibidem confirmed by the Charter of King William the Conquerour b. 3. ¶ 12. three orders exempted from payment of them b. 6. p. 283. ¶ 3. THOR a Saxon Idol his name shape and office b. 2. C. 6. ¶ 6. John THRASK censured for his Iudaicall opinions b. 10. p. 76. ¶ 64. George THROGMORTON an Oxford man challengeth all Cambridge to dispute on two questions Hist of Cambridge p. 104. ¶ 44. the ill successe thereof ¶ 45 c. TOLERATION of Papiss set a-foot in the Reign of King James with the arguments pro and con b. 10. p. 106 and 107. resumed 〈◊〉 rejected in the Reign of K. Charles â— 11. ¶ 56 57 58. Rob. TOUNSON Bishop of Salisbury his death b. 10. p. 91. ¶ 35. TRANSLATOURS of the Bible their names and number b. 10. p. 45 46. instructions given by King James p. 47 their work finished p. 58. and defended against causelesse Cavils ibidem TRINITY COLL. in Oxford founded by Sir Tho. Pope b. 8. S. 3. ¶ 43. being the first that gained by Abbey lands and made a publick acknowledgement in charitable uses ibidem The Presidents Bishops Benefactours c. of that Colledge TRINITY COLL. in Cambridge founded by King Henry the eighth Hist of Cambridge p. 121. ¶ 17. enriched by Queen Mary p. 122. ¶ 18. and enlarged by Dr. Nevile ¶ 19.
Monarchs of the Saxon Heptarchie but not successive and fixed in a Family but fluctuating from one Kingdome to another Egbert father to this Athelwolph was the first that atchieved this Monarchie and left it to this his Son not Monarcha factus but natus and so in unquestionable Power to make the foresaid Act obligatory over all the Land 9. Indeed Former Acts for Tithes infirme before his time many Acts for Tithes are produced which when pressed will prove of no great Validity Such are the Imperiall Edicts in Civil Law never possessed of full power in England as also the Canons of some Councils Popes never admitted into plenary Obedience by consent of Prince and People Adde to these first such Laws as were made by King Ina and Offa Monarchs indeed of England in their turns as I may say but not deriving the same to the Issue of their Bodies So that their Acts as personall may by some froward Spirits be cavilled at as determining with their own Lives Joyn to these if produceable any Provinciall Constitutions of an English Arch-bishop perchance Egbertus of York those might obey them who would obey being otherwise not subject to any civil Penalty But now this Act of Athelwolphus appears entire in all the Proportions of a Law made in his great Council equivalent to after Parliaments not only cum consilio Episcoporum with the Advice of his Bishops which easily may be presumed willingly to concurre in such a matter of Church-advancement but also Principum meorum of my Princes saith he the Consent of Inferiour persons not being required in that Age. 10. However Objections against this Act answered noting can be so strong but it may meet with Cavills though not to destroy to disturb the Validity thereof as this Act hath and we will severally examine the Defects charged upon it 1. Obj. Some object that Althelwolphus was but King of the West-Saxons as appears by his Stile Rex occidentalium Saxonum and not universall Monarch of England whose Act onely is obligatory to his own Subjects Let those of Cornwall Devon Somerset Dorset Hants VVilts and Berks pay Tithes by vertue of this Command other Parts of the Land are freed from the same because nihil dat quod non habet none can derive that to others which they enjoy not themselves being King but of a Part he could not lay this Law upon all the Land Ans He is tearmed eminently not exclusively King of the VVest-Saxons being fondest of that Title as his Fathers first Inheritance before he acquired the Monarchy of the whole Land There were indeed at this time two other Royalets as onely Kings by his leave viz Beorred King of Mercia and Edmond King of East-Angles who as it plainly appears by a Exemplified in S r. Henry Spelman's Councils pag. 348. Ingulphus were present at his Council and consented to the Acts thereof 2. Obj. The Consideration was superstitious Anno Dom. 855 to say so many Masses for the Souls of this King and his Captains when deceased Anno Rigis Ethelwolphi 18 Ans A double Consideration is mentioned in this Grant The first generall so pious in it's self no Exception can be taken thereat viz. to divert the imminents Iudgements of God from the Land hourly fearing the Invasion of fierce forraign Pagans so the better to secure the Nine parts thereof to himself and his Subjects by setting apart resigning and surrendring a Tenth to God the supreme Land-lord of all in such as attended his daily Service The second Consideration is more restrictive and particular and resents indeed of the Ignorance of that Age but yet is proportionable to the best Devotion those dayes produced and easily may an accidentall Abuse be purged by the pious Use intended and designed generally to Gods Glory 3. Obj. The King onely granted Tithes of his own Crown-land non in Dominio sed in Domintco suo not in all his Dominions but onely in his Demesnes Ans There needed no such solemn Consent of the Council of the Land for the passing away of his Private Bounty And that the Grant extended to the Kingdome in Generall appears by a Hen Hunting Hist l. 5. pag. 348. other Authours on the same Adelwolphus decimonono anno regni sui qui totam terram suam ad opus Ecclesiarum decimavit propter Amorem Dei c. More plainly another Authour In eodem anno decimavit Athulf rex de omni possessione sua in partem Domini in universo regimine sui Principatus sic constituit 11. Here we insist not on the many Arguments out of Old and New Testament Store no sore to prove Tithes to be Iure Divino which in due time may be produced when all Tempests of Tumultuous Spirits are allayed and when what the Town-Clerk of Ephesus promised to the Citizens thereof the Question may be determined b Acts 19. 39. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in a lawfull and ordinary Assembly without fear of Force and suspicion of Violence For two Strings to a Bow do not amisse being no Hinderance to the Archer for the better hitting of the Mark who may wind up one and use that for the present which he sees most for his own Conveience Mean time most true it is that men are not so conscientious to obey the Laws of God as fearfull to resist the Edicts of Men and therefore though farre be it from the Clergy to quit their Title to Tithes by Divine Right they conceive it the surest way sometimes to make use of Humane Injunctions as having the most potent Influence on mens Affections especially in this Age when the love of many both to God and Goodnesse beginneth to wax cold 12. A Reverend Doctour in Cambridge A pleasant passage and afterwards Bishop of Sarisbury was troubled at his small living at Hogginton with a peremptory Anabaptist who plainly told him It goes against my Conscience to pay you Tithes except you can shew me a place of Scripture whereby they are due unto you The Doctour returned Why should it not go as much against my Conscience that you should enjoy your Nine parts for which you can shew no place of Scripture To whom the other rejoyned But I have for my Land Deeds and Evidences from my Fathers who purchased and were peaceably possessed thereof by the Laws of the Land The same is my Title saith the Doctour Tithes being confirmed unto me by many Statutes of the Land time out of mind Thus he drave that Nail not which was of the strongest Metall or sharpest Point but which would go best for the present It was Argumentum ad hominem fittest for the person he was to meddle with who afterwards peaceably payed his Tithes unto him Had the Doctour ingaged in Scripture-Argument though never so pregnant pertinent it had been endelesse to dispute with him who made Clamour the end of his Dispute whose Obstinacy and Ignorance made him uncapable
the Crown of Scotland is written on the back-side of Constantines Donation And it is strange that if Scotland be the Popes peculiar Demeanes it should be so far distant from Rome his chief Mansion house he grounded his Title thereunto because a Fox Acts Monuments lib. 1. p. 444 and 445. Scotland was first converted by the reliques of S t Peter to the unity of the Catholick faith But it seemes not so much ambition in his Holiness made him at this present to start this pretence but the secret solicitation of the Scots themselves Anno Dom. 1301. who now to avoid the storme of the English Anno Regis Ed. 1. 29. ran under this Bush and put themselves in the Popes protection 2. Hereupon King Edward called a Councel of his Lords at Lincoln 〈…〉 where perusing the contents of the Popes prescript he returned a large answer where in he endeavoured by evident reasons and ancient predceents to prove his propriety in the Kingdom of Scotland This was seconded by another from the English Peerage subscribed with all their hands the whole a 〈…〉 the first pag. 311. tenor whereof deserves to be inserted but this passage must not be omitted being directed to no meaner then his Holiness himself Wherefore after treaty had and diligent deliberation of the contents of your foresaid Letters this was the common agreement and consent with one minde and shall be without fail in time to come by Gods grace that our foresaid Lord the King ought by no means to answer in judgement in any case or should bring his foresaid rights into doubt nor ought not to send any Proctors or messengers to your presence Especially seeing that the premisses tend manifestly to the disheriting of the Crown of England and the plain overthrow of the State of the said Realm and also hurt of the Liberties Customes and Laws of our Fathers for the keeping and defence of which we are bound by the duty of the Oath made and we will maintain them with all power and will desend them by Gods help with all our strength The Pope perceived he had met with men which understood themselves and that King Edward was no King John to be frighted or flattered out of his Right he therefore was loath to clash his Keys against the others sword to trie which was made of the hardest mettal but foreseeing the Verdict would go against him wisely non-suited himself Whereas had this unjust challenger met with a timerous Defendant it had been enough to have created an undeniable title to him and his successors The best is Nullum tempus occurrit Papae no process of time doth prejudice the Popes due but whensoever he pleaseth to prosecute his right One condemned for a traitor for bringing the Popes Bull. Scotland lieth still in the same place where it did before 3. About this time a subject brought in a Bull of Excommunication against another subject of this Realm 1302 and published it to the Lord Treasurer of England 30. and this was by the ancient a Brook tit pâ—aemuntre p. 10. Common-Law of England adjudged Treason against the King his Crown and dignity for the which the offender should have been drawn and hanged but at the great instance of the chancelour and Treasurer he was onely abjured the Realm for ever And this case is the more remarkable because he was condemned by the Common-Law of England before any particular c â— part of Sir Ed. Cokes Reports de jure Reg. Ecc. fol. 12. Statute was enacted in that behalf The Arch-Bishop of Canterbury humbled by the King 4. But the Courage of the King Edward most appeared in humbling and ordering Robert Wincelsey 1305 Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 33. He was an insolent man hated even of the Clergie because though their champion to preserve them from Civil and Secular burdens yet the Popes Broker to reserve them for his unconscionable exactions as if keeping Church-men to be wrong'd by none but himself Long had the King looked on him with an angry eye as opposite to his proceedings and now at the last had him at his mercy for plotting d Annal. Eccl. August Cant. Guiltiness makes proud men base Treason with some others of the Nobility against him against him projecting to depose him and set up his Son Edward in his Room 5. The Arch-Bishop throwing himself prostrate at the Kings feet with tears and e Antiq Brita p 20◠〈…〉 Wâ—â—singham lamentation confessed his fault in a posture of cowardly dejection descending now as much beneath himself as formerly he had arrogantly insulted over others f Haâ—pssield Hist Eccl. Aug. pag. 446. some are loath to allow him guilty of the crime objected Worthily see Goâ—dwin de Archiepisâ— Cantâ—â—riens p. 145. others conceive him onely to have done this Anno Regis Ed. 1. 33. presuming on the Kings noble disposition for pardon Anno Dom. 1305. But such must yield him a Traitor either to the Kings Crown or to his own innocence by his unworthy acknowledging his offence Thus that man who confesseth a debt which he knows not due hoping his Creditor will thereupon give him an acquittance scarce deserveth pitty for his folly if presently sent to prison for non-payment thereof Then he called the King his Master a terme wherewith formerly his tongue was unacquainted whom neither by word or letter he would ever acknowledg under that nation tendering himself to be disposed at his pleasure 6. No Quoth the King The remarkable Dialogue betwixt the King and Arch Bish I will not be both party and judg and proceed against you as I might by the Common-Law of the Land I bear more respect to your order whereof you are as unworthy as of my favour having formerly had experience of your malice in smaller matters when you so rigorously used my Chaplains attending on me in their ordinary service beyond the Seas â— Antiquitates Britiannicae ut prius so that though I sent my Letters unto you you as lightly regarded what I wrot as what they pleaded in their own behalf Wincelsey having but one guard for all blows persisted in his submission desiring a president unparalle'd that the King would give him his blessing No said the King it is more proper that you should give me your blessing But well I will remit you to your own great Master the Pope to deal with you according to your deserts But the Arch-Bishop loath belike to-go-to Rome and staying longer in England then the Kings command and perchance his own promise lurk'd in a Covent at Canterbury till fourscore b Annal. Eccl. August Cant. Monks were by the Kings command thrust out of their places for relieving him out of their charity and were not restored till the aforesaid Arch-Bishop was banished the Kingdom 7. Not long after he appeared before Pope Clement the fift at Burdeaux Wincelsey finds no â—avour