Robert Barns Doctor of Divinity Thomas Abley Thomas Gerard Rich Fetherston William a Godwin in Henry the 8. pag. 131. Jerom Bachelours of Divinity This caused was by the difference of Religions in the King 's Privie Councel wherein the Popish party called for the execution of these b Fox in his Book of Martyrs 2 volume p. 529. Protestants whilest the Protestant Lords in the Councell out of policy to represse the others eagernesse or if that failed out of desire to revenge it cried as fast that the Laws might take effect on the Papists And whilest neither side was able to save those of their own opinions both had power to destroy those of their opposite party They were dragged on hurdles coupled two and two a Papist and a Protestant cattel of different kindes yoked to draw or rather to be drawn together insomuch as a c Sanders de schismate Angl. lib. 1. pag. 192. Romanist professeth that to the three Papists this their unequal matching was to them ipsâ morte gravlus intolerabilius more heavy and intolerable than death it self But the Protestants exprest no such distast hereat not angry out of principles of pride for the joyning of their bodies together but grieved out of the grounds of charity that their souls soon after should so farre be parted asunder A stranger standing by did wonder as well he might what Religion the King was of his sword cutting on both sides Protestants for Hereticks and Papists for Traytors of whom in the same moneth Laurence Cooke Prior of Doncaster and six others were sent the same way for the same offence 34. But to return to such Acts of the Parliament as concern the Church A Statute made for recovery of Tithes therein a Statute was made commanding every man d 32 Hen. 8. cap. 7. fully truly and effectually to divide set out yield or pay all and singular Tithes and Offerings according to the lawfull customes and usages of the Parishes and Places where such Tithes or Duties shall grow arise come or be due And remedy is given for Ecclesiastick persons before the Ordinary and for Lay-men that claimed appropriated Tithes by grant from the Crown in the Secular Courts by such actions as usually Lay-possessions had been subject to The occasion of which Statute is intimated in the Preamble thereof because in few years past many presumed more contemptuously and commonly than in times past had been seen or known to substract and withdraw their lawfull and accustomed Tithes Incouraged thereunto for that that divers Lay-persons having Tithes to them and their beires had no due remedy by order and course of the Ecclesiastical Laws to recover their right And no wonder seeing their Soveraign had set them so large and so late a president in destroying of Abbies if subjects thought that in their distance and proportion they might also be bold to detain the Rites of the Church especially because it seemed unreasonable that they should receive wages who did no work and that the hire of the labourers in the vineyard should be given to lazie lookers on This Statute in favour of Lay-impropriators was beneficiall to the Clergie to recover their prediall Tithes at Common-Law being equally advantaged by that which was not principally intended for them because of the concurrence of their interest in case of Tithes A e 32 Hen. 8. cap. 38. Statute also made That it was lawfull for all persons to contract marriage who are not prohibited by Gods law For although Gregory the great who had not lesse learning but more modesty than his successours did not flatly forbid the marriage of Cousin Germans as unlawfull but prudentially disswade it as unfitting yet after-Popes prohibited that and other degrees further off thereby to get money for Dispensations What a masse these amounted unto their own Auditors can onely compute seeing f 1 Kings 10. 22. Solomon himself sent ships but every third year to Ophir for gold whereas his Holinesse by granting such faculties from those Indies made annuall returns of infinite profit And this Law came very conveniently to comply with King Henry's occasions who had the first fruits thereof and presently after married Katharine Howard Cousin Germane to Anna Bollen his second Wife which by the Canon-Law formerly was forbidden without a speciall Dispensation first obtained 35. But now to step out of the Parliament into the Convocation Acts of this yeares Convocation a place more proper for our employment there we shall finde Archbishop Cranmer landing in his Barge at Pauls-wharfe and thence proceeding on foot with the Cross carried before him into the Quire of Pauls where at the high Altar Bishop Bonner officiated if I speak properly a Masse of the Holy Ghost Doctor Richard Cox Archdeacon of Ely preached a Latine Sermon on this text Vos estis salterrae Richard Gwent Doctor of Law and Archdeacon of London was chosen Prolocutor Then intimation was given that the KING allowed them liberty to treat of matters in Religion to peruse the Canons de simonia vitanda with other Ecclesiasticall constitutions to continue the good ones and make new ones protemporis exigentiâ In the third Session on Friday severall Bishops * Transcribed with my owne hand out of the Records of Canterbury were assigned to peruse severall Books of the Translation of the New Testament in order as followeth 1 Archbishop Cranmer 1 Matthew 2 John g Longland Lincolne 2 Mark 3 Stephen h Gardiner Winchester 3 Luke 4 Thomas i Goodrick Elie 4 John 5 Nicholas k Heath Rochester 5 Acts of the Apostles 6 Richard l Sampson Chichester 6 Romans 7 John m Capon Sarum 7 ◠Corinthians 8 William n Barlow S. Davids 8 Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 9 John o Bell. Worcester 9 1 2 Thessalonians 10 Robert p Parsew S. Asaph 10 Timothy Titus Philemon 11 Robert q Holgate Landaffe 11 1 2 Peter 12 John r Skip Hereford 12 Hebrews 13 Thomas ſ Thyrlby Westminster 13 James 1 2 3 John Jude 14 John t Wakeman Glocester 14 Revelation 15 John u Chambers Peterborough 15 Why Edmond Bonner Bishop of London then and there present had no part in this perusall allotted him as I finde no reason rendred thereof so I will not interpose my own conjecture 39. In the sixth Session Words in the Testament which Gardiner desired might be preserved intire in the Translation Gardiner publickly read a Catalogue of Latine words of his own collection out of the Testament and desired that for their genuine and native meaning and for the majesty of the matter in them contained these words might be retained in their own nature as much as might bee or be very fitly Englished with the least alteration being in number and order here inserted Ecclesia Poenitentia Pontifex Ancilla Contritus * Acta Synod Cant. an 1541. pag. 48 49. Olacausta
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
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
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
conscience Yea for the present such the reverence to his integrity no punishment was imposed upon him 57. Merks was conceived in the judgment of most moderate men Activity will he tampering abundantly to have satisfied his conscience with his speech in Parliament But how hard is it to stop an active soul in its full speed He thought himself bound not onely to speak but do yea and suffer too if called thereunto for his Soveraign This moved him to engage with Henry Hot-spur and other discontented Lords against King Henry on whose defeat this Bishop was taken prisoner and judicially arraigned for high Treason 58. This is one of the clearest distinguishing characters A Bishop not triable by his Peers betwixt the Temporal and Spiritual Lords that the former are to be tried per pares by their Peers being Barons of the Realm the later are by Law and custome allowed a Trial onely by a Jury of able and substantial persons Such a Mr Selden in a late small Treatise of Parliaments men found Bishop Merks guilty of Treason for which he was condemned and sent prisoner to S t Albans 59. The King would gladly have had a fair riddance of this Bishop A seasonable expedient whom he could not with credit keep here nor send hence As to deprive him of life it was dangerous in those dayes when some Sacredness was believed inherent in Episcopal persons Here his Holiness helpt the King with an handsom expedient to salve all matters by removing Merks to be Bishop of b Godwin in his Bishops Samos in Grecia I finde three Grecian Islands of the same name and a critick c Carolus Stephanus in dictionario poetico complaineth they are often confounded The best is it is not much material of which of them Merks was made Bishop having onely a Title to sterve in state without a penny profit thereby But before his translation was compleated he was translated into another world The End of the Fourteenth CENTURY SECT II. Anno Regis TO Sir GERRARD NAPIER OF Dorcet-shire Anno Dom. BARONET I Have read that a Statute was made to retrench the number of great mens keeping their Reteiners in the Reign of King Hen. 7 th and that politickly done in those nutinous times to prevent Commotions lest some popular person should raise a little Army under the covert of his great Attendance A Law improved to Rigor though certainly as all other penal Statutes intended but to terrour insomuch that the Earl of Oxford more meriting of King Hen. 7 th then any other subject was even * Lord Verulum in his Life p. 211. delivered to the Kings Atturney and as report saith Fined fifteen thousand Marks for exceeding the proportion legally allowed I confess we live in as dangerous dayes and affording as great jealousies as those But I have cause to be right glad as deeply concerned therein that though a Statute hath forbidden many to depend on one none hath prohibited one to depend on many Patrons But any Author of a Book may multiply them Sance-number as driving on no hurtful design but onely the protection of his own endeavours On this account I tender these my Labours unto you knowing the very Name of NAPIER acceptable to all Scholars ever since the Learned Laird of Marchistowne no stranger to your bloud as I am informed by his Log-arithmes contracted the pains and so by consequence prolonged the time and life of all imployed in Numeration 1. KIng Henry being conscious that he had got and did keep the Crown by a bad Title Hen 4 10. counted it his wisest way 1408. to comply with the Clergie King Henry bloudy against â—oor Christians yt 〈◊〉 his Regal power against the Popes encroachments whose present power was not onely useful but needful for him To gain their favour he lately enacted bloudy Laws for the extirpation of poor Christians under the false notion of Hereticks a Statute 2 of Hen. 4. c. 15. condemning them to be burnt A torment unheard of in such cases till that time and yet it appeareth that the Pope in this Age was not possest of so full power in England whatsoever the Catholicks pretend but that this politick Prince kept the reins though loose in his own hand For in this b 1 Henry 4 th fol. 19. time it was resolved that the Popes Collector though he had the Popes Bull for that purpose had no jurisdiction within this Realm and that the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of England Anno Dom. 1408. were the Spiritual Judges in the Kings behalf Anno Regis Hen. 4. 10. As it was also a Statute 2 Hen. 4. cap. 3. enacted if any person of Religion obtained of the Bishop of Rome to be exempt from obedience regular or ordinary he was in a premunire Yea this very Statute which gave power to a Bishop in his Diocess to condemn an Heretick plainly proveth that the King by consent of Parliament directed the proceedings of the Ecclesiastical Court in cases of Heresie so that the Pope even in matters of Spiritual cognizance had no power over the lives of English subjects 2. The first on whom this cruel Law was hanselled William Sautre the protomertyr of English protestants was William Sautre formerly parish Priest of S t Margaret in the town of Lin but since of S t Osith in the City of London This was he whose Faith fought the first Duell with Fire it self and overcame it Abel was the first Marry of men S t Stephen the first of Christian men S t Alban the first of British Christians and this Sautre the first of English Protestants as by Prolepsis I may terme them Scriveners use with gaudy flourishes to deck and garnish the initial characters of Copies which superfluous pains may be spared by us in adorning this leading letter in the pattern of patience seeing it is conspicuous enough in its self died red with its own bloud Some charge this Sautre with fear and fickleness because formerly he had abjured those Articles for which afterwards he died before the Bishop of Norwich But let those who severely censure him for once denying the truth and do know who it was that denied his Master thrice take heed they do not as bad a deed more then four times themselves May Sautre's final Constancy be as surely practised by men as his former Cowardliness no doubt is pardoned by God Eight Errours were laid to his charge in order as followeth 1. Imprimis He saith that he will not worship the Cross on which Christ suffered but onely Christ that suffered upon the Cross 2. Item That he would sooner worship a temporal King then the aforesaid wooden Cross 3. Item That he would rather worship the bodies of the Saints then the very Cross of Christ on which he hung if it were before him 4. Item That he would rather worship a man truly contrite then the Cross
net of Reformation as slipping through the holes thereof and therefore no way to represse their faults except by suppressing their foundation All I will adde is God first punished great Sodome and spared little Zoar though probably also in fault here Zoar was first punished let great Sodome beware and the larger Monasteries look to themselves 5. And now adieu all religious Houses in England that could not cleerly spend above Two hundred pounds per annum Exact measuring to the standard of dissolution and we must not believe any finister dealing was used by favour to wrack the revenues of some above and out of dislike to shrink the rents of others beneath the standard of dissolution when Twenty shillings a year under or over the aforesaid summe might save or destroy a small Monastery As for such if any in that posture who had just Two hundred pounds and no more they were obnoxious to the Statute whilst Five shillings more saved all as that is a fair ball in the Tennis-Court which toucheth the line yet goeth over it 6. Ten thousand persons were by this dissolution sent to seek their fortunes in the wide world Many aged persons at a losse for livelihood some indeed had Fathers or Friends to receive them others none at all some had Twenty shillings given them at their Ejection and a new Gown which needed to be of strong cloath to last so long till they got another Most were exposed to want I see no such certainty for a comfortable livelihood as a lawfull calling for Monkish profession was no possession and many a young Nun proved an old Beggar I pity not those who had hands and health to work but surely the gray hairs of some impotent persons deserved compassion and I am confident such had they come to the doors of the charitable Reader hereof should have had a meals meat and a nights lodging given unto them 7. A clear Revenue of Thirty thousand pounds per annum Abbey-lands politickly scattered among many puâ—chasers was here advanced to the Crown besides Ten thousand pounds in plate and moveables though the King enjoyed it but a short time as passing it away by grant sale and exchange to His Subjects This was done by the politick counsell of the wise Lord Cromwell not hoping that these small morsels to so many mouthes should satisfie their hunger but onely intending to give them a taste of the sweetnesse of Abbey-lands And here Papists plentifully rail upon him in scattering these Lands all abroad that if any should be so scrupulous as to finde fault with the fact a general guiltinesse should amount unto innocence Thus say they there is no fear that a man shall be condemned for felony who hath so many receivers in the County that scarcely a Judge can sit and surely no Jury can be impanelled upon him saving such who had been parties with him 8. No fewer than Three hundred seventy five Covents as Sanders doth account them were dissolved at this time sure I am The number of the lesser Monasteries none was left standing in the whole Diocesse of Bangor where no Foundation was valued c See Speed his Catalogue of Valuations at full seventy pounds per annum 9. We must not forget how in the foresaid Preamble Why the King cajoleth the great Monasteries the King fairly claweth the great Monasteries wherein saith He Religion thanks be to God is right well kept and observed though He clawed them soon after in another acceptation The truth is King Henry could not suppresse the lesser Abbeys but by the consent of the greater Abbots whereof twenty six as Barons voted in the Parliament who mollified them by this Commendation into a Concurrence with His desire 10. However Specious uses pretended on heavy penalties most specious uses were pretended though few perchance had faith firm enough to believe their full performance That all should be done to the pleasure of Almighty God and for the honour of the Realm And particular care is taken in the Statute as it is printed for the reservation of many Rents and Services Corrodice and Pensions to Founders Donours and Benefactors Order also was taken that those to whom Abbey-lands were passed should keep or cause to be kept a continual House and Houshold in the same Site or Precinct They were also to occupy yearly as much of the demeans in Tilledge as the Abbots did or their Farmers under them within the time of twenty years next before this Act otherwise forfeiting to the King's Highnesse for every Moneth so offending 6 lib. 13s 4 d. to be recovered to His use in any of His Courts of Record The arrears whereof if rigoroussly exacted would amount to a vast summe from such Offenders whose hospitality was contracted to a Shepheard and his Dog neither relieving those that would work by industry nor such who could not work by their charity 11. These penalties stood in full force above eighty years Such penalties graciously repealed by King Iames. viz untill the 21 of King Iames when by Act of Parliament they were repealed Indeed such who are obnoxious to penall Statutes are onely innocent by courtesie and may be made guilty at their Princes pleasure And though such Statutes may be dormant as disused they are never dead till revoked seeing commonly Princes call on such Statutes when themselves are called on by their necessities Many of the English Gentry knew themselves subject to such penalties when instead of maintaining Tillage had converted the Granges of Abbeys into inclosures And therefore provided for their own safety when they * See the Statutes the 21 of K. James c. 28. wrought the King to a revocation of those Statutes 12. But the Courtiers grudged at this Grant and great Indulgence given by the King without any valuable compensation some sticking not to say Some grudge at so great a grant That hereby the King at once gave His Subjects more than ever they gave Him in Subsidies Benevolences Contributions or any other way whatsoever all the time of His Reign Which if so Let no mans eye be evil because the King 's was so good to His Subjects The Northern Rebellion occasioned by this dissolution WHen all in the School are equally guilty Northern Rebellion and the Master beginneth at the bottome to correct the least boyes first no wonder if those in the highest form begin to shake as here no doubt the bigger Abbeys did except some few who to follow the Metaphor like sturdy striplings counting themselves above correction began to prepare themselves to make resistance hence presently arose the Northern Rebellion wherein all the open Undertakers were North of Trent though no doubt many secret Compliers South of Thames were ingaged 2. This Commotion began first in Lincoln shire begun suppressed punished where the Rebels presented six Articles to the King in the last whereof they complained That divers Bishops of England of
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
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
33. As Bishop Williams and Mr. Osbaston Dr Pocklinton and Dr. Bray censured were the two first Clergy-men who found the favour of this Parliament being remitted their finâ—s and restored to their livings and liberty so Doctor Pocklington and Doctor Bray were the two first that felt their displeasures The former for preaching and printing the latter for licencing two books one called Sunday no Sabbath the other The Christian altar Bishop Williams moved that Dâ—ctor Bray might recant seven errours in the first four and twenty in the second Treatise Soon after both the Doctors deceased for grief say some that they had writen what they should not for shame say others that they had recanted what they would not though a third sort more charitably take notice neither of the one nor the other but meerly impute it to the approach of the time of their dissolution 34. Anno Dom. 1640. Doctor Cosen soon after was highly accused Superstitions charged on Dr. Coseâ— for superstition and unjust proceedings against one Mr. Smart on this occasion The Doctor is charged to have set up in the Church of Durham a Marble Altar with Cherubins which cost two thousands pounds with all the appurtenances thereof namely a Cope with the Trinity and God the Father in the figure of an old man another with a Crucifix and the Image of Christ with a red Beard and blew Cap. Besides he was accused for lighting two hundred wax Candles about the Altar on Candlemas day For forbidding any Psalmes to be sung before or after Sermon though making an Anthem to be sung of the three Kings of Collen by the names of Gasper Balthazar and Melchior and for procuring a consecrated Knife only to cut the Bread at the Communion 35. Mr. Smart a prebendary of the Church Cruel usage of Mr. Smart one of a grave aspect and reverend presence sharply enveyed in a Sermon against these innovations taking for his text I hate all those that hold superstitious vanities but thy law doe I love 36. Hereupon he was kept prisoner four moneths by the high Commission of York before any Articles were exhibited against him and five moneths before any Proctor was allowed him Hence was he carried to the High-Commission at Lambeth and after long trouble remanded to York fined 500. pounds committed to prison ordered to recant and for that neglect thereof fined again excommunicated degraded and deprived his damage as brought in amounting to many thousand pounds 37. But now Mr. Rows of the House of Commons Relieved by Parliament bringing up the charge to the Lords against Doctor Cosen termed Mr. Smart the Proto martyr of England in these latter dayes of persecution and large reparations was allowed unto him though he lived not long after to enjoy them 38. Now though none can excuse and defend Doctor Cosen his carriage herein Dr. Cosen his due praise yet this must be reported to his due commendation Some yeers after getting over into France he neither joyned with the Church of French Protestants at Charentoun nigh Paris nor kept any communion with the Papists therein but confined himself to the Church of old English Protestants therein Where by his pious living and constant praying and preaching he reduced some recusants to and confirmed more doubters in the Protestant Religion Many his incounters with Jesuits and Priests defeating the suspicions of his foes and exceeding the expectation of his Friends in the successe of such disputes 39. The Commons desired the Lords to joyn with them to finde out Jan. 23 Goodman a Priest handled betwixt life and death who moved the King to reprieve John Goodman a seminary Priest who as they said had been twice condemned and now the second time reprieved whilest the Parliament sate 40. The King sent a message by the Lord Privy-Seal Jan. 25 that Goodman was not as the Commons were informed condemned and banished but only sentenced for being a Priest and therefore that in reprieving him he shewed but the like mercy which Queen Eliz. and King James had shewed in the like cases 41. The Lords joyned with the Commons in their desire concerning Goodman Jan. 27 that the Statutes might speedily be executed upon him as necessary in this juncture of time wherein Papists swarmed in all parts presuming on indemnity With what credit or comfort could they sit to enact new Lawes whilst they beheld former Statutes dayly broken before their eyes 42. The King acquainted the Houses that though Queen Eliz. and King James never condemned Priest meerly for Religion Feb. 3 yet rather then he would discontent his Subjects he left him to the judgment of both Houses to be disposed of at their pleasure 43. Goodman petitioned the King that like Jonah the Prophet Anno Dom 1640 Anno Regis Caroli 16 he might be cast into the Sea Yet he escapeâ—â— with lâ—fe at last to still the tempest betwixt the King and his People conceiving his blood well spent to cement them together But in fine he escaped with his life not so much by any favour indulged him as principally because the accusations could not be so fully proved against him Febr. 4. 44. About this time was the first motion of a new Protestation The first mention of the Protestation to be taken all over England the Copy whereof is omitted as obvious every where which some moneths after was generally performed as containing nothing but what was lawfull and commendable therein Yet some refused it as suspecting the adding of new would substract obedience from former oâ—thes men being prone to love that best which left the last relish in their souls and in fine such new obligations of conscience like suckers would draw from the stock of the old oathes of supremacy and alleagiance 45. March began very blusteringly March 1. on the first day whereof Archbishop Laud was in Mr. Maxfeild his Coach carried to the Tower A Committee of the Lords to settle religion and not long after the Lords appointed a Committee of their own Members for settling of peace in the Church What hopefull opinion the aforesaid Archbishop had of their proceedings will appear by the following note which he entred into his a March 21. pag. 24. Diarie A Committee for Religion settled in the upper house of Parliament Mond 21. Ten Earles ten Bishops ten Barons So the Lay-Votes will be double to the Clergy This Committee will meddle with Doctrine as well as Ceremonies and will call some Divines to them to consider of the businesse as appears by a Letter hereto annexed sent by the Lord Bishop of Lincoln to some Divines to attend this service upon the whole matter I believe this Committee will prove the Nationall Synod of England to the great dishonour of the Church And what else may follow upon it God knowes 46. At the same time the Lords appointed a Sub-committee A Sub-Committee for the
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
you may reign everlastingly with him whose Vicar you are which with the Father and the Sonne c. 7. Now we have done our Threshing A preparative for the examining the truth of this letter we must begin our Winnowing to examine the Epistle For the trade of counterfeiting the Letters of eminent men began very early in the Church Some were tampering with it in the Apostles time which occasioned S t. Paul's b 2 Thess 2. 2. Caution That ye be not soon shaken in minde or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter as from us Since men then but Apprentices are now grown Maisters in this Mysterie wherefore it will be worth our examining whether this Epistle be genuine or no. Say not this doth betray a peevish if not malicious disposition and argues a vexatious spirit in him which will now call the title of this Letter in question which time out of minde hath been in the peaceable possession of an authentick reputation especially seeing it soundeth in honorem Ecclesiae Britannicae and grant it a Tale yet it is smoothly told to the credit of the British Church But let such know that our Church is sensible of no Honour but what resulteth from truth and if this Letter be false the longer it hath been received the more need there is of a speedy and present Confutation before it be so firmly rooted in mens belief past power to remove it See therefore the Arguments which shake the credit thereof 1. The date of this Letter differs in several Copies and yet none of them light right on the time of Eleutherius according to the Computation of the best-esteemed Authours 2. It relates to a former Letter of King Lucius wherein he seemeth to request of Eleutherius both what he himself had before and what the good Bishop was unable to grant For what need Lucius send for the Roman Laws to which Britain was already subjected and ruled by them At this very time wherein this Letter is pretended to be wrote the Roman Laws were here in force and therefore to send for them hither was even actum agere and to as much purpose as to fetch water from Tiber to Thames Besides Eleutherius of all men was most improper to have such a suit preferred to him Holy man he little medled with Secular matters or was acquainted with the Emperours Laws onely he knew how to suffer Martyrdome in passive obedience to his cruel Edicts 3. How high a Throne doth this Letter mount Lucius on making him a Monarch Who though Rex Britannicus was not Rex Britanniae except by a large Synecdoche neither sole nor supreme King here but partial and subordinate to the Romans 4. The Scripture quoted is out of S t. Hierom's Translation which came more then an hundred years after And the Age of Eleutherius could not understand the language of manu tenere for to maintain except it did ante-date some of our modern Lawyers to be their Interpreter In a word we know that the a Ioshua 9. 12. Gibeonites their mouldy Bread was baked in an Oven very near the Israelites and this Letter had its original of a later b See S â— Hen. Spelman in Councells p. 34. c. where there is another copy of this letter with some alterations and additions King Lucius baptized date which not appearing any where in the World till a thousand years after the death of Eleutherius probably crept out of some Monks Cell some four hundred years since the true answer of Eleutherius being not extant for many years before 8. But to proceed Eleutherius at the request of King Lucius sent unto him c Aliter Phaganus Duvianus Faganus and Derwianus or Dunianus two holy men and grave Divines to instruct him in the Christian Religion by whom the said King Lucius called by the Britans Lever-Maur or the Great Light was baptized with many of his Subjects For if when private d Act. 16. 15. 32. Persons were converted Cornelius Lydia c. their Housholds also were baptized with them it is easily credible that the example of a King embracing the Faith drew many Followers of Court and Country Soveraigns seldome wandring alone without their Retinue to attend them But whereas some report that most yea e Ita ut in brevi nullus infidelis remaneret Matth. Paris Westm all of the Natives of this Island then turned Christians it is very improbable and the weary Traveller may sooner climbe the steepest Mountains in Wales then the judicious Reader believe all the hyperbolical reports in the British Chronicles hereof 9. For Ieffery Monmouth tells us I. Monmouth his fiction of Flamens and Arch-Flamens that at this time there were in England twenty eight Cityes each of them having a f Monmouth de geâ—lis Britannor lib. 2. cap. 1. fol. 33. Flamen or Pagan Priest and there of them namely London York and Caer-lion in Wales had Arch-Flamens to which the rest were subjected and Lucius placed Bishops in the room of the Flamens and Arch-Bishops Metropolitans in the places of Arch-Flamens All which saith he solemnly received their Confirmation from the Pope But herein our Authour seems not well acquainted with the propriety of the word Flamen their Use and Office amongst the Romans who were not set severally but many together in the same City Nor were they subordinate one to another but all to the Priests Colledge and therein to the Pontifex Maximus Besides the British g Ja. Armach de Brit. Eccl. prim p. 17. Manuscript which Monmouth is conceived to have translated makes no mention of these Flamens Lastly these words Arch-Bishop and Metropolitan are so far from being current in the days of King Lucius that they were not coined till after-Ages So that in plain English his Flamens and Arch-Flamens seeme Flamms and Arch-Flamms even notorious Falshoods 10. Great also is the mistake of h Giraldus Cambrensis de Sedis Menevensis dignitate apud D. Joh. Prise pag. 75. another British Historian A gross mistake affirming how in the days of King Lucius this Island was divided into five Roman Provinces namely Britain the First Britain the Second Flavia Maximia and Valentia and that each of these were then divided into twelve Bishopricks sixtie in the whole a goodly company and more by halfe then ever this Land did behold Whereas these Provinces were so named from Valens Maximus and Flavius Theodosius Romane Emperors many years after the death of Lucius Thus as the Damosell convinced S t. Peter to be a Galilean for said she i Mark 14. 70. Thy speech agreeth thereunto so this five-â—old division of Britain by the very Novelty of the Names is concluded to be of far later date then what that Authour pretendeth 11. But it is generally agreed Pagan Temples in Britain converted to Christian Churches that about this time many Pagan Temples in Britain had their Property
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
where suddenly drawing out their Seaxes concealed under their long Coats being crooked Swords the Emblem of their indirect Proceedings they made their innocent Guests with their bloud pay the Shots of their Entertainment Here Aurelius Ambrosius is reported to have erected that Monument of Stone-Henge to their mentory 26. It is contrived in form of a Crown Anno Dom. 463 consisting of three Circles of stones set up Gate-wise The description of Stone-henge some called Corse-stones of a Camden's Britann in Wiltshire 12 Tunne others called Cronets of 7 Tuns weight those haply for greater and these for inferiour Officers and one Stone at distance seems to stand Sentinel for the rest It seems equally impossible that they were bred here or brought hither seeing no navigable water near such voluminous bulks are unmanageable in Cart or Wagon As for the Tale of Merlin's conjuring them by Magick out of Ireland and bringing them aloft in the Skies what in Charles VVain 't is too ridiculous to be confuted This hath put Learned men on necessity to conceive them artificall Stones consolidated of Sand. Stand they there in Defiance of Wind Weather which hath discomposed the method of them which if made of any Pretious matter a Bait to tempt Avarice no doubt long since had been indited of Superstition whereas now they are protected by their own Weight Worthlesness 27. Vortiger the British King fled into VVales 466 to his Castle Genereu Vortiger burning in lust burnt to ashes impregnable for Situation which he mann'd and woman'd conveying a multitude of his Whores into it and there lived surfeiting in Lust while his Land lay sweltering in Bloud Here Aurelius Ambrosius setting fire on his Castle burnt him and his to Ashes This gave occasion to the Report so constantly affirmed by many Authours and men are prone to believe Prodigious Deaths of such as led Licentious Lives that Vortiger's Palace like another Sodom was burnt by Fire from Heaven Indeed in a secondary sense it was true as all Exemplary Punishments more visibly proceed from Divine Vengeance But otherwise the first Raisers of this Fable did apparent Wrong to the Attribute of Gods Truth in pretending to do extraordinary Right unto his Justice 28. This Aurelius Ambrosius is said to be extracted of the Roman Race Aurelius causelesly slandred by an Italian who having done this Execution on Vortiger the Tyrant was a singular Champion of the British against their Enemies One composed of Valour and Religion wholly imploying himself in time of Peace to raise new Churches repair old and endow both unworthy therefore the Libell of an b Gotefrid Viterbiensis Chro. part 18. Italian Author who on no other Evidence then his own bare Assertion traduceth this Ambrosius to have been a favourer of Iudaisme Arrianisme Manicheisme and a Persecuter of the Professours of true Religion Thus the greatest Vertue is Sanctuary too small to secure any from the pursuit of Slanderous Pens and thus some humorous Authors leaving the Road of true Reports because common go a Way by themselves of different Relation so to entitle themselves to more immediate and peculiar Intelligence as if others being onely of Truth 's Councell had not received such private Instructions as themselves being Cabinet-Historians 29. Leave we this Ambrosius bickering with the Saxons The Academy of Learned men under Dubritius with interchange of Successe much commended for his Constancy in all Conditions For sometimes his Valour was the Hammer upon sometimes his Patience was the Anvil beneath his Enemies but alwayes he bravely bare up his Spirits and as the Sun looks biggest on the Earth when he is nearest to set so he carried it out with the boldest appearance in the lowest Declination of his Fortune If we behold the Church in his time the most visible estate thereof presents it self to us in the Academy which Dubritius kept near the River Wye in Monmouthshire His Father say c Iohan. Tinmuthensis in ejus vita some was unknown others make him to be son to d Chro. colleg Warwicensis Pepiau a Petty King in this Age it being observable that in this and the next Century all men eminent for Learning and Religion are either made without known Fathers or Sons to Kings no Mean betwixt these Extremes as by many instances may appear so that such as consider the Narrownesse of the Principality will admire at the Number of British Princes This Dubritius taught many Scholars for seven yeares together in Humane Divine Learning being Himself in his Life a Book of Piety of the best Edition for his Pupils to peruse amongst whom the chiefest Theliau Sampson Vbelin Merchiguin Elguored c. for the Reader had better believe then read the e Vid. Armach de Brit. Ecc. primord pag. 445. Names of the rest remarkable onely for Length and Hardnesse without any other Information Afterward Dubritius removed to Warwick haply mistaken for a Vid. Speed's map of that County Werwick Ann. Dom. 469 a Village some two miles from Cardigan and from thence it seemes returned to Moch-Rhos that is the Place of a Hog because he was admonished in a Vision in his Sleep there to build a Chappel or Oratory where he should find a white b Vid. Armach ut prius Sow lodging with the Hogs a clean Conceit and as full of Wit as Devotion It seems the Friar Father of this Fable had read as farre as the eighth Book of Virgil's Aeueids where the River Tiber in a Dream advised Aeneas to erect an Altar and sacrifice to Iuno in the place where he should find the Sow lying with the Pigs and from this Pagan Hint was advantaged for a Popish Legend 30. Here we cannot but renew our former Complaint Forged lies obtruded on posterity in heu of lost truths and it is some Mitigation to our Misery as perchance some Ease to the Reader if we can but vent our old Grievances in new Expressions how in stead of true History devoured by Time prodigious Tales of impudent brazen-fac'd Monks are obtruded upon us Thus when the Golden Shields of King Solomon were taken away c 1 Kings 14. 27. Rehoboam substituted Shields of Brasse in their room though not so Good perchance more Gawdy especially to ignorant eyes viewing them at distance and wanting either the Skill or Opportunity to bring them to the Touch. Amongst which the Tale of Cungarus the Eremite otherwise called Docâ—wyn but first let the one Man be allowed before his two Names be admitted may challenge a principall place being reported Son of a Constantinopolitan Emperour and d Joh. Capgrave in vita S. Cungari Luciria his Empresse A Name un-owned by any Grecian Historians The best is that unconscionable Liars though they most hurt themselves do the least harm others whose Loud Ones are both the Poison the Antidote seeing no Wise man will believe them Small Griet and Gravell may
Catalogue of the VVorthies of this Island so that neither Lucius Constantine nor Arthur are once named by him But the best evidence that once Arthur lived in Britain is because it is certain he died in Britain as appeared undeniably by his Corps Coffin and Epitaph taken up out of his Monument in Glassenbury in the reign of King Henry the second whereof a Giraldus Cambrensis an eye-witnesse Camden ' s Brit. in Somersetshire Caer-lion a principall Staple of Learning Religion many Persons of Quality were eye-witnesses 3. The entire Body of the British Church at this time was in VVales where Banchor on the North and Caer-lion on Vsk in Monmouthshire on the South were the two Eyes thereof for Learning and Religion The later had in it the Court of King Arthur the See of an Arch-Bishop a Colledge of b Thomas James out of Alexander Elsebiensis 200 Philosophers who therein studied Astronomie and was a Populous place of great extent But Cities as well as their Builders are mortall it is reduced at this day to a small Village But as Aged Parents content and comfort themselves in beholding their Children wherein their Memories will be continued after their Death so Caer-lion is not a little delighted to see herself still survive in her Daughter c Camden's Brit. in Monmouthshire Newport a neighbouring Town raised out of the Ruines of her Mother Whil'st the other stood in Prime there was scarce an Eminent man who did not touch here for his Education whom we will reckon in order the rather because all the Church-History of this Age seems confined to some principall Persons Dubritius afore-mentioned was the Father and Founder of them all late Bishop of Landaffe now Arch-Bishop of Caer-lion a great Champion of the Truth against Pelagius and he had the honour here to crown two Kings Vter and Arthur Being very old 516 he resigned his Arch-bishoprick to David his Scholar and that he might be more able and active to wrastle with Death he stript himself out of all worldly employment and became an Anchoret in the Island of d Fra. Godwin in Episc Menevensibus pag. 600. Bardsey Six hundred yeares after namely May the 20 1120 his Bones were translated to Landaffe and by Vrban Bishop thereof buried in the Church towards the North side thereof 4. David S. David an advancer of Monastick life the next Arch-Bishop of Royall Extraction was Uncle to King Arthur He privately studied the Scriptures 10 years before he would presume to preach 519 and alwayes carried the Gospels about him He kept a Synod against the Pelagian Errour a second Edition whereof was set forth in his time and confirmed many wavering Souls in the Faith By leave obtained from King Arthur he removed the Archiepiscopall Seat from Caer-lion to Menevea now called S t. Davids in Pembrokeshire In which exchange his Devotion is rather to be admired then his Discretion to be commended leaving a Fruitfull Soile for a bleach Barren e Giraldus Cambrensis place though the worse it was the better for his purpose being a great promoter of a Monasticall life And though the place was much exposed to the Rapine of f Camden's Brit. in Pembrokeshire Pirats yet this Holy man laid up his heavenly Treasure where Thieves do not break through nor steal 5. Yet I am sensible that I have spent to my shame so much precious time in reading the Legend of his Life One paramount miracle of S. David that I will not wilfully double my guiltinesse in writing the same and tempt the Reader to offend in like nature This g Flowers of the English Saints p. 222. Miracle I cannot omit David one day was preaching in an open Field to the Multitude and could not be well seen because of the Concourse though they make him four h Balaeus Cent. prima Nu. 55. Cubits high a man and half in Stature when behold the Earth whereon he stood officiously heaving it self up mounted him to a competent Visibility above all his Audience Whereas as our a Matth. 5. 1. Saviour himself Anno Dom. 519. when he taught the people was pleased to chuse a Mountain making use of the advantage of Nature without improving his Miraculous Power He died aged 146 yeares on the first of March still celebrated by the Welsh with * Several reasons hereof assigned by Authours wearing of a Leek perchance to perpetuate the memory of his Abstinence whose contented mind made many a savoury Meal on such Roots of the Earth 6. A wonder it is to see how many Methusalahs extreme Aged men these times did produce Reasons why men in this Age lived so long S t. Patrick b See Balaeus in their general lives died aged 122 Sampson aged 120. David 146. Gildas Badonicus 90 c. Some Reason whereof may be alleaged because living Retired in a Contemplative way they did not bruise their Bodies with embroiling them in Worldly Affairs or it may be ascribed to their Temperate Diet whil'st many of our Age spill their Radicall Moisture through the Leaks of their own Luxury Nor is it absurd to say that God made these great Tapers of a more firm and compacted Wax then ordinary that so they might last the longer in burning to give Light to his Church and bestowed on them an especiall strong naturall Constitution 7. About the same time Accurateness in computing years is not to be expected The discreet devotion of Cadocus for never were more Doublings and Redoublings made by a hunted Hare then there are Intricacies in the Chronology of this Age going backward and forward flourished Cadocus Abbot of Llancarvan in Glamorganshire Son of the Prince and Toparch of that Countrey This godly and learned man so renounced the World that he c Ioan. Tinmuthensis in ejus vitae reteined part of his paternall Principality in his possession whereby he daily fed three hundred of Clergy-men Widows and Poor people besides Guests and Vistants daily resorting to him He is equally commended for his Policy in keeping the Root the Right of his Estate in his own hands and for his Piety in bestowing the Fruit the Profits thereof in the relieving of others It seems in that Age wilfull Poverty was not by vow entail'd on Monasticall life Nor did this Cadocus as Regulars in after-times with open hands scatter away his whole Means so foolishly to grasp his First full of Popular Applause He is said afterwards to have died at Beneventium in Italy 8. Iltutus comes next into play Iltutus abused with Monkish forgeries a zealous man and deep Scholar who not far from Cadocus at Llan-lwit in Glamorganshire contractedly for Llan-iltut preached Gods Word and set up a Colledge of Scholars being himself a great observer of a Single Life It is reported of him that when his Wife repaired to him for due Benevolence or some ghostly Counsell he d Balaeus de
daily trample 8. Besides these All these antiquated by Christianity they had other Lesser Gods of a Lower Form and Younger House as Helmsteed Prono Fridegast and Siwe all which at this day to use the a I saiah 2. 20. Prophets Expression are cast to the Moles and the Bats fit Company for them which have Eyes and see not Blind to the blind like all those which put Confidence in them And as the true and reall b Exod. 7. 12. Serpent of Aaron did swallow up and devour the seening Serpents which Iannes and Iambres the Aegyptian Inchanters did make so long since in England the Religion of the true God hath out-lived and out-lasted consuted and confounded all false and â—eigned Deities To conclude this Discourse I have heard of a man who being Drunk rode over a Narrow Bridge the first and last that ever passed that Way as which in likelyhood led him to imminent Death and next morning viewing how he had escaped he fell into a Swound with acting over again the Danger of his Adventure in his bare Apprehension So should England now thanks be to God grown sober and restored to her self seriously recollect her sad Condition when Posting in the Paths of Perdition being intoxicated with the Cup of Idolatrie she would fall into a Trance of Amazement at the consideration of her desperate state before Christianity recovered her to her right Senses the manner whereof we now come to relate 9. When Augustine the Monk as is afore said landed in Thanet The character of King Ethelbert Ethelbert was then King of Kent One who had very much of Good Nature in him of a Wild Olive well civilized and a Stock fit to be grafted upon Yea he was already with c Acts 26. 28. King Agrippa though not in the same sense almost a Christian because his other half d Bede Hist Eccles lib. 1. cap. 25. Queen Berhta daughter to the King of France was a Christian to whom he permitted the free use of her Religion allowing her both Luidhard a Bishop for her Chaplain and an old Church in Canterbury formerly dedicated by the Romans to S t. Martin to exercise her Devotion therein Besides at this time this Ethelbert was in effect Monarch of England whilest his Person had Residence chiefly in Kent his Power had Influence even to Humber all the rest of the Saxon Kings being Homagers unto him which afterward much expedited the passage of the Gospel in England Thus each officious Accident shall dutifully tender his Service to the advance of that Design which God will have effected 10. Then Augustine acquainted this Ethelbert with his Arrivall Augustine's addresses and Ethelbert's answer informing him by his Messengers that he brought the best Tidings unto him which would certainly procure eternall Happinesse in Heaven and endless Reigning in Bliss with the true God to such as should entertain them Soon after Ethelbert repaired into Thanet to whom Augustine made his addresse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a deal of spiritual carnall Pompe e Beda ut prists having a Silver Cross carried before him for a Banner the Image of our Saviour painted in a Table and singing the Letanie in the way as they went King Ethelbert desired all things betwixt them might be transacted in the open Aire refusing to come under a Roof for fear of Fascination And indeed a Stranger who had never seen the like before beholding Augustine with such abundance of Trinkets about him being formerly jealous might hereby have his Suspicion encreased that he went about some strange Machination However Ethelbert returned him a civil Answer That their Promises were fair and good but because new and uncertain he could not presently assent unto them and leave the ancient Customes of the English which had been for so long time observed But because they were Strangers coming from Far Countries to communicate to him and his such things as they conceived were good and true he would not forbid any Converts whom their Preaching could perswade to their Opinion and also would provide them Necessaries for their comfortable Accommodation 11. Hence Augustine 597 with his Followers Ethelbert and others converted to the Christian Faith advanced to Canterbury to the aforesaid old Church of S t. Martin's Here they lived so piously prayed so fervently fasted so frequently preached so constantly wrought Miracles so commonly that many people of Inferiour Rank and at last King Ethelbert himself was baptized and embraced the Christian Religion The same Ethelbert also ordered that none should be a Bede Hist Eccles lib. 1. cap. 26. forced into Religion having understood that Christs Service ought to be voluntary and not compelled And if his Courtiers had been as cautious not to embrace Religion for Fashion as the King was carefull they should not receive it for Fear there had not at that time been made so many Christians for Conveniency probably rather then for Conscience who soon after returned again to Paganisme However as it is rendered a reason in the dayes of Hezekiah why the Iews at so short warning so unanimously kept the Passeover God had prepared the People for the thing was done suddenly so on the same account it came to passe that in so little a time besides temporary Believers so many true and sincere Converts embraced the Christian Faith 12. Then Augustine by his Letters informed Gregory of the Progresse Gregorie's answer to Augustine's letters and Proficiency of his Paines in England Gregory returned him a discreet Answer rejoycing with him and advising of him not to be puffed up by Pride for the great Miracles wrought by him but timendo gaudere gaudendo pertimescere He minded him how when the Disciples triumphed at their b Luke 10. 17 casting out of Devils Christ more spirituallized their Joy rather to rejoyce that their Names were written in Heaven And indeed as some eminent in Piety never attained this Honour c Iohn 10. 41. Iohn Baptist did no miracle so many finally disavowed of God as unknown unto him shall plead for themselves and truly no doubt d Matt. 7. 22. in thy Name have we cast out Devils Yet this Admonition of Gregory is with me and ought to be with all unprejudiced persons an Argument beyond exception that though no discrect man will believe Augustine's Miracles in the latitude of Monkish Relations he is ignorantly and uncharitably peevish and morose who utterly denies some Miracles to have been really effected by him About the sametime S t. Gregory sent from Rome Mellitus Iustus Paulinus and Ruffinianus to be Fellow-labourers with Augustine in the English Harvest 13. Thus was Kent converted to Christianity 600 For such as account this a Conversion of all England Conclusion of this Century to make their words good do make use of a long and strong Synecdoche a Part for the Whole farre more then Half of the Land lying some yeares after
Augustine Not c See his answer to Augustine's third question to proceed too rigorously in the Alteration of Ceremonies but to allow a Latitude according to Time and Place Oh for a little in him of S t. Paul's Temper who was d 1 Cor. 9. 22. made all things to all men that by all means he might gain some Had Augustine's Joynts been suppled with the Oyl of Humility one bended Knee might probably have bowed many Hearts unto him whereas now he lost their Affections Pride being an unwinning Quality rendering the Proud party scorned by his Betters hated by his Equals feared perchance by his Inferiours but loved by None Had not he who is said to have cured the Blind need to have his own Eies opened herein Who though he be commonly called Augustine the lesse in distinction from his Name-sake Father S t. Augustine of Hippo yet may be allowed Augustine the great if a Measure be taken from the Dimensions of his Pride and Haughtinesse 8. We passe now from this Augustine's Pride Augustine's Prophesie to his Prophesie who enraged at the British Bishops for denying Subjection unto him flatly fell a menacing them that seeing they would not submit to his Motion and joyn with him in Preaching to the Saxons soon after they should feel the force of their Enemies Sword and be suddenly confounded by those whom they would not endeavour to convert Which accordingly came to passe 9. For not longafter 603 alias Ethelfride the Pagan King of Northumberland The massacre of the Monks of Baugor having conquered Chester invaded VVales and bade the Britans battel Amongst them was a Regiment of the Monks of Bangor 605 all naked and unarmed save with Tears and Pâ—ayers whole Vollies whereof they discharged to Heaven for the good Successe of their Country-men being all by themselves upon an Advantage of Ground and one Brockmaile a Britan as Captain of their Life-guard had a Company of Souldiers to defend them Ethelfride being informed that these Monks prayed against him concluded them to be his effectual Enemies though otherwise offering him no Hostility and fiercely falling on them put twelve hundred of them to the Sword fifty onely escaping Brockmaile most basely deserting them whom he was set to defend 10. But here some Birds sing a different Note from the rest Augustine suspected to be their murderer which must be listened unto namely such Authours considerable for their Number Antiquity Gravity and Learning who accuse this Augustine for the Designer of the Death and Destruction of these innocent British Monks so that he cunningly foretold what he himself cruelly intended to fulfill Thus well might Iezabel who a Revel 2. 20. calleth herself a Prophetesse certainly foreshew the death of Naboth for denying his Vine-yard to Ahab when she had purposely before-hand packed and plotted the same An heavy Accusation if true that Augustine to use my b M r. Abraham Wheelock is his notes on Bede pag. 115. Friend's Expression Gregorii Vicarius should be Gregis sicarius Ecclesiae futurae Anglicanae Conversor should be praesentis Britannicae everfor so that instead of a Prophets Reward he deserved the Punishment of a Murderer But to clear this point conceive we a Grand-Jury of four and twenty judicious Readers empannelled before whom the Memory of Augustine is indicted of Murder and Witnesses produced on both Sides Let none censure me if in these Proceedings my Pen failes in legal Formalities such Exactnesse not being by me intended but onely some general Conformity with a Law-triall to fix the History in our Fancies with more Pleasure and Delight 11. The Bill first was solemnly read Witnesses produced against him running to this effect That Augustine the Monk commonly called the English Apostle not having the Feare of God before his Eyes out of fore-thought Malice feloniously did plot project and contrive the Murther of twelve hundred Monks of Bangor by soliciting Ethelbert the Christian King of Kent to move Ethelfride the Pagan King of Northumberland with force of Armes to kill and slay the Monks aforesaid c. An Accusation so hainous that at first it filled the whole Jury with Silence Horrour and Amazement till afterwards they recollected themselves to attend unto the following Witnesses 1. Ieffery Monmouth whose Welsh Bloud was up as concern'd in the Cause of his Country-men Ethelbert King of Kent said c Manuscript in pub lib. Cantab pag. 167. he when he saw the Britans disdaining to yield Subjection to Augustine and that they scorned to be subject to himself stirred up the Northumberlanders and other Saxon Princes that gathering a great Army against the City of Bangor they should go forth to destroy the Abbot Dionoth and the other Clergy who had formerly slighted them 2. Thomas Gray an old d Cited in Iewel 's Apolog part 1. pag. 11. Chronicler as it is written in French brought in this Evidence That Augustine being refused of the Christian Britans enflamed Ethelbertus King of Kent to levy his Power and to war against them himself being also in company as in the old Abstract of Chronicles is recorded and marching with him towards the Slaughter Where they had no more regard of Mercy then a Wolf hath upon a Sheep 3. Nicolus Trivet Anno Dom. 603 a Dominican who wrote some three hundred years since a Sir Henry Spelman's Councills pag. 111. deposed That Ethelbert King of Kent being highly offended incited Ethelfride King of Northumberland and other petty Saxon Kings because they had contemned Augustine in the Council c. 4. Elsebiensis Monachus commenting on those words of Merlin Delebitur iterum Religio Religion shall again be destroyed thus b Manusâ—r in Bennet Coll. Librar Camb. expoundeth them This was afterwards fulfilled either by Gormund or by Augustine who caused twelve hundred Monks to be slain at Bangor in Wales because they obeyed him not in a Councill These Testimonies much moved the Jury who notwithstanding reserved their other Eare as it became Honest men to hearken to the Depostions in Augustine's behalf 12. Amongst these Testimonies in his behalf that of c Eccles Hist lib. 2. cap. 2. editione VVholochiana Bede was most materiall Sicque completum est praesagium sancti Pontificis Augustini quamvis ipso jam multo antè tempore ad coelest a regna sublato ut etiam temporalis interitus ultionem sentirent perfidi quòd oblata sibi perpetuae salutis consilia spreverant Which words for it is seasonably remembred all Pleas must now be in English may thus be translated And so the prophesy of holy Bishop Augustine was fulfilled although himself long before that was taken out of this Life to the Kingdome of Heaven that also the treacherous People might feel the Revenge of Temporal Ruine because they had despised the Counsells of Eternall Salvation offered unto them 13. Much Difference arose hereabouts The Paragraph in Bede's testimony questioned the rather because
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
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-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
of the following Passage in Aidan's Life and take it with Stapleton's own Translation thereof Omnes qui cum eo incedebant sive Attonsi sive Laici meditari deberent id est aut legendis Scripturis aut Psalmis discendis operam dare All they which went with him were they professed into Religion or were they Lay-brethren gave themselves continually to Contemplation that is to say bestowed all their time in reading Scripture or learning the Psalter Bede speaking hereof addeth moreover tantum vita illius à nostri temporis segnitia distabat so much differed his life from the Lazinesse of our Age taxing those of his Time for Neglect of the Scriptures And the Ignorance bemoaned in his Age continued and encreased after his Death 73. When Aidan came first into England The royall interpreter he was not perfect in the Language of our Country For although the Speech of the modern Southern Scot be onely a Dorick Dialect of no distinct Language from English yet Aidan who naturally spoke Irish was not intelligible of his English Congregation Wherefore King Oswald a better Scotch-man as bred amongst them then Aidan was English-man interpreted to the People what the other preached unto them Thus these two put together made a perfect Preacher And although some will say Sermons thus at the Second-hand must lose much of their Life and Lustre yet the same Spirit working in both the Ordinance proved effectuall to the Salvation of many Souls 74. This year the first Lent was kept in England 640 conceive it in those Parts thereof which obeyed the Roman Celebration of Easter The first Lent in England Otherwise it is suspicious that the Quartadecimans were no good Quadragesimarians and no such conscientious Observers of Lent on the Romish Account Surely if people were taught in Lent to fast as from Flesh so from a proud and false opinion of Meriting thereby Policy would be well pleased and Piety not offended at the Observing thereof whilest Continent-Countries might keep it without any Losse to their Souls and Islands with great Gain to their Estates 75. Oswald 642 King of Northumberland The ill successe of good Kings at Maserfield since Oswastree in Shropshire against Penda the Pagan Prince of Mercia was overthrown slain and his Body most barbarously abused and chopped in Pieces Yea it is observable that such Saxon Kings which were first converted to Christianity and such who were the most active Restorers of Religion after a generall Apostasie commonly came to Violent Deaths by the hands of Heathens As Edwine first Christian King of Northumberland slain by Pagan Penda Anno 632. Erpenwald first Christian King of East-Angels slain by his own People Anno 639. Peada first Christian King of Mercia slain by his own Wife Anno 659. Edelwald or Ethelwald first Christian King of Sussex slain likewise Oswald the most Religious Restorer of Christianity in Northumberland slain Anno 642. Anna the most Pious King of the East-Angels slain by Penda Anno 654. Edmond the most Devout King of the East-Angels martyred by the Danes Anno 870. Inquiring into the Causes hereof we find First that the Lustre of their Lives shining before men made them the fairer Mark for their malicious Enemies Secondly Satan accounting them Traitours against his Kingdome of Darknesse left no stone unturned thereby to bring them to Temporall Destruction the greatest Hurt which his Power could inflict Thirdly God to try the Patience of his Infant-Church acquainted them with Afflictions from their very Cradle Such therefore are mistaken who make Prosperity a note either of Piety in particular Persons or Verity in a whole Church seeing take it one time with another and it misseth the Mark oftner then it hits is As for our Oswald Legions of Miracles are attributed unto him after Death all which we willingly omit insisting onely on One as most remarkable 76. The Story goes thus Oswald's hand said never to putrifie On an Easter-day Oswald was sitting in his Palace at Dinner with Bishop Aidan when in comes one of his Servants and informeth him that abundance of Poor people from all parts fate in the Streets expecting some Almes for their Relief Presently King Oswald commands not onely that the Meat set before him should be given them Anno Dom. 642 also that the large Silver-Charger holding the same should be broke in pieces and in want perchance of present Coin parted betwixt them Whereupon Aidan laying hold on Oswald's right Hand and that alone we know ought to be the a Matth. 6. 3. Almoner May this hand said he b So Stapleton translateth what is Bede is inveterascat never be consumed which is said accordingly to come to passe So that when all the other Members of King Oswald's Body torn asunder by his barbarous Enemies were putrified his right Hand alwayes remained unconsumed Nullo c Camden ' s Brit. in Lincolnshire Verme perit nulla Putredine tabet Dextra viri nullo constringi Frigore nullo Dissolvi Fervore potest sed semper eodem Immutata statu persistit mortua vivit No Worm no Rottennesse taints his right Hand Corruption-free in vain the Cold doth strive To freeze or Heat to melt it which doth stand Still at one stay and though dead is alive But it is not enough for us that we have the Poets Pen for it if we also had Oswald's Hand to shew for the same much might be wrought on our belief herein 77. For my own part Mystically true I conceive that Aidan his words to Oswald that his Handshould never wax old or be consumed were spiritually spoken in a Mysticall Meaning parallel to those Scripture-expressions The Righteous shall be in d Psal 112. 6. everlasting Remembrance even when the name of the VVicked shall e Prov. 10. 7. rot The bountifull hand never consumes neither actually it never wastes nor empairs an Estate God so ordering it that the more he giveth the more he hath nor passively it is not consumed the Acts thereof remaining in a perpetuall Memoriall here and hereafter But grant this Miracle of Oswald's Hand literally true in the Latitude thereof I desire any ingenuous Papist to consider the Time wherein it was acted It was Easter-day yea such an Easter-day as was celebrated by the Quartadecimans Aidan being present thereat contrary to the time which the Canons of Rome appointed Now did not a Divine Finger in Oswald his miraculous Hand point out this Day then to be truly observed Let the Papists produce such another Miracle to grace and credit their Easter Roman-stile and then they say something to the Purpose 78. It plainly appears Over officiousnesse occasioned purgatory that the Survivers had not onely a charitable Opinion but a comfortable Presumption yea an infallible Perswasion that the Soul of King Oswald was possessed of Heavenly Happinesse instantly after his Death What better Demonstration of his present being in perfect Blisse then those many
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
yet the King permitted him to appoint or prohibit nothing but what was according to His own will and pleasure and what the King had b Idem ibid. ordained before 9. Lastly Barons not to be excommunicated without the Kings command King William suffered no Bishop to excommunicate any of his Barons or Officers for adultery incest or any such hainous crime except by the Kings Command first made acquainted with the same Here the word Baron is not to be taken in that restrictive sense to which the modern acception hath confined it onely for such of the higher Nobility which have place and Votes in Parliament but c J. Selden Sptcilegium ed Eadmeium pag 168. generally for such who by Tenure en cheef or in Capite as they term it held land immediately of the King And an English d Robert of Glocester Poet counted the Virgil of his age and the Ennius in ours expresseth as much in his Rythmes which we here set down with all the rust thereof without rubbing it off remembring how one e Camdens Elizabeth Anno 1584. John Throkmorton a Justicer of Cheshire in Queen Elizabeth's dayes for not exhibiting a judicial Concord with all the defects of the same but supplying or filling up what was worn out of the Authentical Original was fined for being over officious and therefore take them with their faults and all as followeth The berthe was that noe man that of the King huld ought In Chief or in eni Servise to Manling were throught Bote the wardenis of holy Chirch that brought him thereto The King lede or his Bailifes wat he had misdoe And loked verst were thei to amendment it bring And bote by wolde by their lebe doe the Manling And a grave f Radulphus de diceto sub Anno 11â—3 Author gives a good reason why the King must be inform'd before any of his Barons be excommunicated lest otherwise saith he the King not being certified thereof should out of ignorance unawares communicate with persons excommunicated when such Officers of His should come to kiss His hand be called to his Councel or come to perform any personal attendance about Him Hitherto we have seen how careful the Conqueror was in preserving His own right in Church-matters We will conclude all with the Syllogisme which the g L. Cooks Reports fift part de Jure Regis Ecclesiastico fol. 10. Oracle of the Common-Law frameth in this manner It is agreed that no man onely can make any appropriation of any Church having cure of souls being a thing Eccelesiastical and to be made to some person Ecclesiastical but he that hath Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction But William the first of himself without any other as King of England made appropriation of Churches with cure to Ecclesiastical persons as by many instances may appear Therefore it followeth that He had Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction And so much concerning King William's policy in doing justice to His own power Proceed we now to His bounty confirming old and conferring new favors upon the Church and Clergie 10. First whereas before his time the Sheriff and Bishop joyntly kept their Courts together especially at the two solemn times Bishops jurisdictions first severed from the Sheriffs about Easter and Michaelmas King William in favour of the Clergie assigned the Bishops an a See this cleared by Mr Selden in his notes on Ead. merus pag. 167. entire jurisdiction by themselves wherein they should have cognizance of all causes relating to Religion I say relating to Religion a latitude of a cheverel extension adequate almost to the minde of him that will stretch it out and few Ecclesiastical Judges would lofe what might be got by measuring Now formerly whilest the power of Sheriff and Bishop went hand in hand together in the same Court neither could much outstrip other but but since they were severed the Spiritual power far outwent its old mate improving his own by impairing the Secular Courts and henceforward the Canon-law took the firmer footing in England Date we from hence the squint-eies of the Clergie whose sight single before was hereafter divided with double looks betwixt two objects at once the Pope and the King to put him first whom they eyed most acting hereafter more by forrain then domestick interest 11. A learned pen makes a just complaint The contest betwixt Commen and Canon Law how onely to be reconciled that b Lord Bacen in his advancement of Learning pag. 463. Aphorisme 96. Courts which should distribute peace do themselves practice duels whilest it is counted the part of a resolute Judge to enlarge the priviledge of his Court A grievance most visible in contest betwixt the Common and the Canon Law which as if they were stars of so different an Horizon that the elevation of the one necessitated the depression of the other lie at catch and wait advantages one against another So that whilest both might continue in a convenient and healthful habitude if such envious corrivalitie were deposed now alternately those Courts swell to a tympany or waste to a consumption as their Judges finde themselves more or less strength'ned with power or befriended with favour A mischief not to be remedied till either that mutual consent or a predominant power to both impartially state their jurisdictions rightly seting down the land-marks thereof and binding their proceedings not to exceed their bounds which would both advance learning and expedite the execution of Justice 12. To return to King William King William his Charter to the Clergie As He conferred power on so he confirmed profit to the Clergie Witness his c See it at large in Mr. Selden of tythes cap. 8. pag. 225. Charter granting them thorowout England tythes of calves colts lambs milk butter cheese woods meadows mills c. Which Charter is concluded 't is the strong hem keeps all the cloth from reveling out Qui decimam detinuerit per justitiam Episcopi Regis si necesse fuerit ad redditionem d Others read it adigatur Let him be compelled â—rguatar Who shall detain his tythes by the power of the Bishop and King if need be let him be argued into the payment thereof And Kings arguments we know are unanswerable as aâ— authoritate carrying power and pehalties with them This Charter might seem to give the tenth loaf of all the bread in the land into the hands of the English Clergie But the municipal laws which were afterwards made did so chip and pare this loaf with their Modus decimandi that in many places Vicaridges especially a small shiver of bread fals to the share of the Minister not enough for his necessary maintenance 13. And here Two contrary characters of King William to make a short but needful digression I finde in eminent Writers two contrary characters of King William Some make him an arrand Tyrant ruling onely by the Magna Charta of his own will oppressing all English without cause
worse did he finde it witness Leland thus praising him Praedicat Algerum meritò Florentia Dantem Italia numeros tota Petrarche tuos Anglia Chaucerum veneratur nostra Poëtam Cui veneres debet patria lingua suas Of Alger Dants Florence doth justly boast Of Petrarch brags all the Italian coast England doth Poet Chaucer reverence To whom our language ows its eloquence Indeed Verslegan a learned a In his restitution of de caied intelligence p. 203. Antiquary condemns him for spoiling the purity of the English tongue by the mixture of so many French and Latin words But he who mingles wine with water though he destroies the nature of water improves the quality thereof 49. I finde this Chaucer fined in the Temple two shillings A great enemy to Friers for striking a Franciscan Frier in Fleet-street and it seems his hands ever after itched to be revenged and have his penniworths out of them so tickling Religious-Orders with his tales and yet so pinching them with his truths that Friers in reading his books know not how to dispose their faces betwixt crying and laughing He lies buried in the South-Isle of S t Peters Westminster and since hath got the company of Spencer and Drayton a pair-royal of Poets enough almost to make passengers feet to move metrically who go over the place where so much Poetical dust is interred 50. Since the Abjuration last exemplified A short quiet in the Church we meet in this Kings Reign no more persecution from the Bishops We impute this not to their pity but other imployment now busie in making their applications to the new King on the change of government King Richard being now deposed 51. He was one of a goodly person The character of King Rich the second of a nature neither good nor bad but according to his company which commonly were of the more vicious His infancy was educated under several Lord Protectours successively under whom his intellectuals thrived as babes battle with many nurses commonly the worse for the change At last he grew up to full age and empty minde judicious onely in pleasure giving himself over to all licentiousness 52. As King Richard was too weak to govern Conspired against by Hen. the fourth so Henry Duke of Lancaster his Cousin-germane was too wilful to be governed Taking advantage therefore of the Kings absence in Ireland he combined with other of the discontented Nobility and draws up Articles against him some true some false some both as wherein truth brought the matter and malice made the measure Many misdemeanors mo misfortunes are laid to his charge Murdering the Nobility advancing of worthless Minions sale of justice oppression of all people with unconscionable taxations For such Princes as carry a forke in one hand Anno Regis Hen. 4 1. must bear a rake in the other and must covetously scrape to maintain what they causlesly scatter 53. Loosness brings men into streights at last And resigneth the Crown as King Richard may be an instance thereof Returning into England he is reduced to this doleful Dilemma either voluntarily by resigning to depose himself or violently by detrusion to be deposed by others His misery and his enemies ambition admit of no expedient Yea in all this Act his little judgment stood onely a looker-on whilest his fear did what was to be done directed by the force of others In hopes of life he solemnly resigneth the Crown but all in vain For cruel thieves seldom rob but they also kill and King Henry his Successour could not meet with a soft pillow so long as the other wore a warm head Whereupon not long after King Richard was barbarously murdered at Pomfret-Castle But of these transactions the Reader may satisfie himself at large out of our civil Historians 54. Onely we will add The baseness of the disloyal Clergy that the Clergy were the first that led this dance of disloyaltie Thomas Arundel now Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in the room of William Courtney deceased made a Sermon on Samuels words Vir dominabitur populo He shewed himself a Satyrist in the former a Parasite in the later part of his Sermon a Traitor in both He aggravated the childish weakness of King Richard his inability to govern magnifying the parts and perfections of Henry Duke of Lancaster But by the Arch-Bishops leave grant Richard either deservedly deposed or naturally dead without issue the right to the Crown lay not in this Henry but in Edmond Mortimer Earl of March descended by his mother Philippa from Lionel Duke of Clarence elder son to Edward the third This the Arch-Bishop did willingly conceal Thus in all State-alterations be they never so bad the Pulpit will be of the same wood with the Councel-board And thus ambitious Clergy-men abuse the silver trumpets of the Sanctuary who reversing them and putting the wrong end into their mouthes make what was appointed to sound Religon to signifie Rebellion 55. But whilest all other Churches in England rung congratulatory peales to King Henry his Happiness The couragious conscience of the Bishop of Carlile one jarring bell almost marr'd the melody of all the rest even Thomas Merks Bishop of Carlile For when the Lords in Parliament not content to Depose King Richard were devising more mischief against him up steps the aforesaid Bishop formerly Chaplain to the King and expresseth himself as followeth There is no man present worthy to pass his sentence on so a Bishop Gedwin in the Bishops of Carlile great a King as to whom they have obeyed as their lawful Prince full two and twenty years This is the part of Traitors Cut-throats and Thieves None is so wicked none so vile who though he be charged with a manifest crime we should think to condemn before we heard him And you do ye account it equal to pass sentence on a King anointed and Crowned giving him no leave to defend himself How unjust is this But let us consider the matter it self I say nay openly affirm that Henry Duke of Lancaster whom you are pleased to call your King hath most unjustly spoiled Richard as well his Soveraign as ours of his Kingdom More would he have spoken when the Lord Marshal enjoyned him silence for speaking too much Truth in so dangerous a time Since it seems some Historians have made up what more he would have said spinning these his Heads into a very large Oration though tedious to none save those of the Lancastrian faction 56. Here Innocency the lest Armour if ever did the Proverb take effect Truth may be blam'd but cannot be sham'd for although the rest of the Bishops being guilty themselves condemned him as discovering more Covent-devotion who originally was a Monk of Westminster then Court-discretion in dissenting from his Brethren Yet generally he was beheld as Loyalties a Confessor Anno Dom. 1400. speaking what became his calling Anno Regis Ric. 2 2. in discharge of his
should believe it if it be true that his Corps for some dayes were at London expos'd to open view understand it done at distance lest coming too near might discover some violence offered on his person It is probable that the obscurity of his burial huddled into his grave at Langley in Hertford-shire gave the lustre to the report that he was still alive believed of those who desired it 21. Whereas this Law against Lollards No Woman Lollard Martyr extended to Women though many of the weaker Sex were in trouble upon that account Yet on my best enquiry I never found any one put to death Anna Ascough being the first who in the reign of King Henry the Eight was burnt for her Religion 22. A g Nector Boetius lib. 16. Scotch Writer tells us Who meant by the fool in Scotland that King Richard fled disguised into Scotland discovered himself to and was honourably entertained by Robert the King thereof Adding that Richard who would no more of the world gave himself wholly to Contemplation livd dy'd and bury'd at Sterling possibly some Mimick might personate him there and is the Fool mentioned in this Petition 23. Hereupon it was that the poor Lollards were prosecuted Cruel persecution with such cruelty that the prisons were full of them many forced to abjure and such who refused used without mercy as in M r Fox is largely related 24. Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop Arundel going to Visit Oxford Arch-Bishop of Canterbury came to Oxford with a pompous train accompanied with many persons of Honour and particularly with his Nephew Thomas Fitz-Allen Earl of Arundell His intent was juridically to Visit the Vniversity expecting to be solemnly met and sumptuously entertained according to his place and dignity 25. But see the spite of it Is resisted by the Chancellour Richard Courtney the Chancellor of Oxford whom by his Sir-name and high Spirit I should guess descended from the Earls of Devonshire with Benedict Brent and John Birch the two Proctors denied the Arch-Bishop entrance into the Vniversity under the notion of a Visitor though as a Stranger great Prelate and Privy Councellor all welcome was provided for him and his Retinue Arundell was angry with the affront and finding force both useless the Scholars siding with the Chancellor and inconsistent with his gravity was fain fairly to retreat re infectâ to London the rather because the Chancellour had submitted the cause in controversie to the hearing and determining of his Majestie 26. King Henry at the joynt instance of both parties The King determines the cause for the Arch-Bishop summoned them to Lambeth to hear and determine the controversie the Chancellour of Oxford produceth an Army of large Bulls of the Pope Arch-Bishop Arundell brought forth one Champian viz. An Instrument in the Reign of King Richard the second wherein the King adjudged all their Papall Priviledges void as granted to the dammage of the Crown and much occasioning the increase of Lollards not that it was so done intentionally by his Holiness for who can suspect the Pope turn Lollard but accidentally it came to pass that thy Vniversity of Oxford freed from Archiepiscopal Visitation by vertue of those Bulls the Wicklivists therein escaped from Consistorian censure Hereupon King Henry pronounced sentence on the Arch-Bishops side Febr. 9. Friday as by the ensuing Instrument will plainly appear ET ulterius tam anctoritate sua regia quà m virtute submissionis praedictae sibi factae adtune ibidem arbitratus fuit ordinavit consideravit decrevit adjudicavit quod Praedictus Archiepiscopus Successores sui in perpetuum habeant Visitationem Jurisdictionem in Vniversitate praedictâ tam Cancellarii Commissariorum quà m Procuratorum ejusdem Vniversitatis qui pro tempore fuerint nec non omnium Doctorum Magistrorum regencium non-regencium ac Scholarium ejusdem Vniversitatis quorumeunque eorumque Servientium aliarnmque personarum cujuscunque status condicionis extiterint etiam ejusdem Vniversitatis ut Vniversitatis quod Cancellarius Commissarii Procuratores Vniversitatis praedictae qui pro tempore fuerunt eorumque Successores omnes alii in dicta Vniversitate pro tempore commorantes futuris temporibus eidem Archiepiscopo Successoribus suis in visitatione Jurisdictione Vniversitatis praedictae etiam ut Vniaersitatis in omnibus pareant obedient Et quod nec dictus Cancellarius Commissarii nec Procuratores Vniversitis praedictae nec eorum Successores nec aliquis alius in Vniversitate praedicta aliquod privilegium seu beneficium exemptionis ad excludendum praefatum Archiepiscopum seu Successores suos de Visitatione Jurisdictione praedictis in Vniversitate antedicta colore alicujus Bullae seu alterius tituli cujuscunque erg a praedictum Archiepiscopû seu Successores suos clament habeant seu vendicent ullo modo in futuruÌ„ Et quod quotiens Cancellarius Commissarii vel locum-tenens ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum vel Procuratores dictae Vniversitatis qui pro tempore fuerint vel eorum Successores sive aliquis eorum impedierint vel impedierit praefatum Archiepiscopum vel Successores suos aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam aut ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum Commissarium vel Commissarios de hujusmodi Visitatione sive jurisdictione dictae Vniversitatis vel in aliquo contravenerint vel aliquis eorum contravenerit dictis arbitrio ordinacioni sive judicio per praefatum Ricardum nuper Regem factis sive arbitrio judicio decreto considerationi vel ordinacioni ipsius Domini nostri Regis Henrici in hoc casu vel si aliquis dictae Vniversitatis in futurum impedierit dictum Archiepiscopum vel Successores suos aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam aut ipsorum vel alicujus ipsorum Commissarium vel Commissarios de Visitatione sua aut jurisdictione antedicta vel in aliâ—uo contravenerit dictis arbitrio ordinacioni sive judicio per praefatum Ricardum nuper Regem in forma praedictâ factis vel arbitrio judicio decreto considerationi vel ordinationi ipsius Domini nostri Regis Henrici Et quòd Cancellarius Commissarii vel Procuratores Vniversitatis praedictae tunc non fecerint diligentiam posse eorum ad adjuvandum dictum Archiepiscopum vel Successores sous aut Ecclesiam suam praedictam seu Commissarium vel Commissarios suos in hujusmodi casu ac etiam ad puniendum hujusmodi impediments resistenets Quòd totiens omnes Franehesiae libertates omnia privilegia ejusdem Vniversitatis in manus Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum seisiantur in eisdem manibus ipsorum Domini Regis vel haeredum suorum remansura quousque praedictus Archiepiscopus vel Successores sui pacificam Visitationem jurisdictionem in sorma praedicta in dicta Vniversitate habuerit vel habuerint etiam tociens Cancellarius Commissarii Procuratores ejusdem Vniversitatis qui pro tempore fuerint eorum Successores ac
Vniversitas praedicta solvant teneantur folvere ipsi Domino nostro Regi Henrico haeredibus suis mille Libras legalis Monetae Angliae Concordat cum Originali GULIELMUS RYLEY Afterwards the King confirmed the same with the consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament as in the Tower Rouls doth plainly appear 27. See we here the grand difference The effect of the Statute of Praemunire betwixt the Popes power in England before and after the Statute of Praemunire Before it his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was authentical and his Bulls received next to Canonical Scripture Since that Statute hath broken off their best Seals wherein they crosse the Royall Power and in all things else they enter into England mannerly with good King by your leave Sir or else they were no better then so much waste Parchment 28. This doth acquaint us with a perfect Character of King Henry the fourth Farwell to K. Henry the fourth who though curteous was not servial to the Pope And * Fourth book of his Instit of the Jurisd of Courts page 228. S r Edward Cook accounteth this his Oxford action though unwilling to transcribe the Instrument for the tediousness thereof a noble act of Kingly power in that Age and so we take our farwell of King Henry the fourth not observed as all English Kings before and after him to have erected and endowed any one intire house of Religion as first or sole Founder thereof though a great Benefactor to the Abby of Leicester and Colledg of Fotheringhay in Northamptonshire his Picture is not so well known by his Head as his Hood which he weareth upon it in an antick fashion peculiar to himself 29. At the Commons Petition to the King in Parliament Chaumberdakyns banished England that all Irish begging-Priests Hen. 5 1413 called * Rotuli in Turre in hoc anno The death of T. Arundel Chaumberdakyns should avoid the Realm before Michaelmas next 1. they were ordered to depart by the time aforesaid upon pain of loss of goods and imprisonment during the Kings pleasure 30. I had almost forgotten that just a moneth before the death of King Henry the Fourth Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishops of Canterbury expired famished to death not for want of food but a throat to swallow it such the swelling therein that he could neither speak nor eat for some dayes I may safely report what others observe how he who by his cruel Canons forbad the food to the soul and had pronounced sentence of condemnation on so many innocents was now both starv'd and strick dumb together Henry Chichely succeeded him in the place whose mean birth interrupted the Chain of Noble Arch-Bishop his two predecessors and successors being Earls sons by their extraction 31. The Prelates and Abbots especially The Clergie jealous of King Henries activity began now to have the activesoul of King Henry in suspition For working heads are not so willing to follow old wayes Hen. 5 1414. 2. as well-pleased to find out new ones Such a medling soul must ne sent out of harms-way If that the Clergie found not this King some work abroad he would make them new work at home Had his humor happend to side with the Lollards Anno Regis Hen. 2 8. Henry the fifth would have saved King Henry the Eight much pains in demolishing of Monasteries Anno Dom. 1414. 32. Hereupon the Clergie cunningly gave vent to his Activity Divert it on a war in France by divertting it on a long warre upon the French where his Victories are loundly sounded forth by our State Historians A warre of more credit then profit to England in this Kings Reigne draining the Men and Money thereof Thus Victorious Bayes bear onely barren Berries no whit good for food and very little for Physick whilst the Peaceable Olive drops down that precious liquor making the face of man to shine therewith Besides what this King Henry gained his Son as quickly lost in France Thus though the Providence of Nature hath priviledged Islanders by their entire position to secure themselves yet are they unhappy in long keeping their acquisitions on the Continent 33. Now began the Tragedy of Sir John Oldcastle The sad story of Sir John Oldcastle so largely handled in Mr. Fox that his pains hath given Posterity a Writ of Ease herein He was a vigorous Knight whose Martiall Activity wrought him into the affections of Jone f Camd. Brit. in Kent D la Pole Baronesse of Cobham the Lord whereof he became sed quaere whether an Actuall Baron by her Marriage 34. As for the Opinions of this Sir John Oldcastle His belief they plainly appear in his Belief which he drew up with his own hand and presented it first to the King then to the Archbishop of Canterbury wherein some things are rather coursely then falselie spoken He knew to speak in the Language of the Schools so were the meetings of the Wicklivists called but not scholastically and I believe he was the first that coyned and last that used the distinction of the Church Militant divided into Priest-hood Knight-hood and Commons which had no great harm therein as he explained it As for * In his 3 conversion Persons his charging him with Anabaptistical Tenets it is pitty that the words of a plain meaning man should be put on the Wrack of a Jesuites malice to extort by deduction what never was intended therein 35. But a worse accusation is charged on his Memory He is charged of Treason that he was not onely guilty of Herese but Treason But by the way it appeareth that Lolardisme then counted Heresie was made Treason by Statute and on that account Heresie and Treason signifie no more then Heresie and then Heresie according to the abusive language of that Age was the best serving of God in those dayes But besides this a very formal Treason is laid to this Lords account in manner following It is laid to his charge that though not present in the person with his Councel he encouraged an Army of Rebels no fewer then twenty thousand which in the dark thickets expounded in our Age into plain pasture of S t Giles Fields nigh London intended to seize on the Kings Person and his two Brothers the Dukes of Bedford and Glocester Of this numerous Army thirty six are said to be hang'd and burnt though the Names of three are onely known and S r Roger Acton Knight the onely person of quality named in the design 36. For mine own part The Author intricated I must confess my self so lost in the Intricacies of these Relations that I know not what to assent to On the one side I am loath to load the Lord Cobhams memory with causless crimes knowing the perfect hatred the Clergie in that Age bear'd unto him and all that look d towards the reformation in Religion Besies that 20000 men should be brought into the field
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
distinction out of Scotus which the Arch-Bishop more valued then all which he had before more pertinently alledged out of the Old and New Testament 51. King Henry wrote a fair and large Letter to the Convocation of York King Henry his answer to York Convocation too long here to be inserted though otherwise I have a good a Communicated unto me by my good friend Dr Littleton Copy thereof wherein the King began mildly to make the passage for his Supremacy into their consciences by a Rational and Argumentative way He disclaimed all design by fraud to surprize or by force to captivate their judgments but onely to convince them of the Truth and Equity of what he desired He b It is printed in the second part of the Cabal declavered the sence of Supreme Head of the Church though offensive in the sound to ignorant ears claiming nothing more thereby then what Christian Princes in the Primitive times assumed to themselves in their own Dominions so that it seems he wrought so far on their affections that at last they consented thereunto 52. Here I wonder at the cavil of the Papists A couseless cavil which being so causleses should be so clamorous accusing us to have a c Harding against Jewel Parliament Religion a Parliament Faith a Parliament Gospel and d Scultingus another addeth Parliament Bishops and a Parliament Clergy Whereas upon serious examination it will appear that there was nothing done in the Reformation of Religion save what was acted by the Clergy in their Convocations or grounded on some Act of theirs praecedent to it with the advice counsel and consent of the Bishops and most eminent Church-men confirmed upon the Postfact and not otherwise by the Civil Sanction according to the usage of the best and happiest times of Christianity 53. By the same proportion in the dayes of Queen Mary the Popish Religion The Cavil retorted might have been stiled a Parliament Religion because after the same had been debated on and concluded of in the Convocation it was confirmed by the Queen Lords and Commons by the Act of Parliament SECT III. Anno Regis To the Right Worshipful Anno Dom. Sir RICHARD SHVGBOROVGH OF SHUGBOROUGH in Warwick-shire MAster Haward returned this answer to Queen Mary demanding the causes of his coming to Court that it was partly to see Her Highness and partly that Her Highness should see him an answer which though more witty then Court-like yea more blunt then witty she took in good part You will not be offended at this my Dedication partly that I may know you partly that I may be known unto you Besides being informed that you love to have your Hospital Table handsomly attended with Ancient Servitors I presumed that this Section containing much of memorable Antiquity would not be unwelcome unto you 1. NOw though nothing was done in matters of Religion Hen. 8 25. but what was fairly and largely discussed 1533 first by the most Learned of the Clergy The Clergie bind themselves to the King yet this year the Clergy in the Convocation so submitted themselves to the King that each one severally promised in verbo Sacerdotis never henceforth to presume to alledg claim or put in ure any new Canons unless the Kings most Royal Assent might be had unto them and this soon after the same was ratified by Act of Parliament 2. And here it will be worth my pains A fourfold sort of Convocations and the Readers perusal to observe the differences between English Synods or Convocations which may eminently be distinguished into four ranks such as were 1. Called before the Conquest Anno Regis Hen. 25 2. Called since the Conquest but before the Statute of Praemunire was made 3. Called after the aforesaid Statute but before another made in the Reign of King Henry the eighth wherein the Clergie were bound up for doing ought without the Royal assent 4. Called after the twenty fifth year of the Reign of King Henry the eighth These did plainly differ in the several manners of their meeting and degrees of power of their acting in Spiritual matters 3. As for Councels Kings Acted in Church matters before the Conquest called before the Conquest whilest the Popes power had not as yet Lorded it over the Kings of England the Kings ever were if not in person in power present thereat as by perusing S r Henry Spelmans Councils plainly doth appear Yea matters both of Church and Common-wealth were often dictated and concluded in the same Meeting Communi consensutam Cleri quam a Sir Henry Spelman Anno 605. pag. 118. Populi Episcoporum procerum comitam nec non omnium Sapientum Seniorum populorumque totius Regni 4. For the second sort called after the Conquest Of the second sort of Convocations but before the Statute of Praemunire the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury or York used-upon all extraordinary and immergent cases toties quoties as their own discretions adjudging necessary or convenient to assemble the Clergie of their respective Provinces at what place they pleased dontinuing Convocations in them so long or dissolving them as soon as they pleased And this they did either as Metropolitans or Primates or as Legati Nati to the Pope of Rome without any leave from the King afore obtained and such Canoas and Constitutions then and there concluded on were in that Age without any further Ratification obligatory to all subjected to their jurisdiction Such were all the Synods from Lanckfranck to Thomus Arundel in whose time the Satute of Praemunire was enacted 5. A Third sort of Convocation succeeds For after the Statute of Praemunire was made Of the third sort of Convocations which did much restraine the Papal power and subject it to the Laws of the Land when Arch-Bishops called no more Convocations by their sole and absolute command but at the pleasure of the King as oft as his necessities and occasions with the distresses of the Church did require it Yea now their meetings were by vertue of a Writ or Precept from the King and it will not be amiss here to exemplifie the form thereof 6. REX The form of ancient Writs of Convocations c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri A. Canturiensi Archiepiscopo totius Angliae primati Apostolicae sedis legato salutem Quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis defensionem securitatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae ac pacem tranquillitatem bonum publicum desensionem Regni nostri subditorum restrorum ejusdem concernentibus vobis in fide dilectione quibus nobis tenemini rogando mandamus quatenus praemissis debito intuitu attentis ponderatis universos singulos Episcopos nostrae Provinciae ac Decanes Praecores Ecclesiarum Cathedralium Abbates Priores alios Electivos Exemptos non Exemptos Nec non Archidiaconos Conventus Capitula Collegia totumque Clerum cujuslibet Dioeceseos
ejusdem Provinciae ad conveniendum eorum vobis in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli London vel alibi prout melius expedire videritis cum omni celeritate accommoda modo debito convocari faciatis Ad tractandum consentiendum concludendum super praemissis aliis quae sibi clarius proponentur tunc ibidem exparte nostrâ Et hoc sicut nos statum Regni nostri honorem utilitatem Ecclesiae praedictae diligitis nullatenus omittatis Teste me ipso c. 7. In this Writ we may observe first Observations thereon that from the word Convocari faciatis the word Convocation took its denomination being formerly called Synods as lately since our Scotizing termed Assemblies Secondly that clause in Ecclesia Sancti Pauli London vel alibi prout melius expedire videritis pointeth at a power placed or rather a Liberty left to the Arch-Bishops to call their Synods elsewhere in case they adjudged it more convenient But because the Arch-Bishops and Bishops might the better attend their business in Parliaments henceforward commonly kept at the same time with Convocations S r Pauls in London was generally preferred for the place of their convention Thirdly this Writ was used even after the Reformation mutatis mutandis namely the title of Apostolical Legate to the Arch-Bishop being left out as also the names of Priors and Abbots are extinguished Lastly of this third Sort of Convocations was all those kept by Thomas Arundel and the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury his successors unto Thomas Cranmer or if you will from the sixteenth of Richard the second unto the twenty fifth of King Henry the eighth These Convocations did also make Canons as in Lynwood his Constitutions do appear which were binding although none other then Synodical authority did confirm them 8. The last sort of Convocations remains The last sort of Convocations called since the Statute the twenty fifth of King Henry the eighth that none of the Clergie should presume to attempt alledge claim or put in ure any Constitutions or Ordinances Provincial or Synodals or any other Canons Constitutions or Ordinances Provincial by whatsoever name or names they may be called in their Convocation in time coming which alwayes shall be assembled by the Kings Writ unless the same Clergie may have the Kings most Royal Assent and Licence to make promise and execute such Canons Constitutions and Ordinances Provincial or Synodical upon pain of every one of the said Clergie doing the contrary to this Act and thereof convicted to suffer imprisonment and making Fine at the Kings will Since this year from Arch-Bishop Cranmer to Arch-Bishop Laud all Convocations so long as they lasted are born tongue-tied till the King did cut the string thereof with his Letters Patent allowing them leave to debate on matters of Religion Otherwise what they conclude are arrows without piles daggers without points too blunt to pierce into the practise of others but sharp enough to wound themselves and bring them within the compass of a Praemunire Yea even such Convocations with the Royal assent subject not any for recusancy to obey their Canons to a civil penalty in person or property until confirmed by Act of Parliament 9. This I humbly conceive to be the difference betwixt the three kindes of Convocations The Authors submission submitting what I have written to the censure and correction of the Learned in the Law conscious of my own ignorance therein as indeed such skill neither is to be expected or required in one of my profession who am ready with willingness yea with cheerfulness yea with thankfulness to God and man publickly to recall and retract what any such convince me to have mistaken herein hoping that my stumbling in so dark a subject may prevent the failing of others 10. There goeth a tradition taken up by many without examination that anciently the Clergie sat as one body with the Parliament A vulgar Errour and were not divided till in the Reign of King Henry the eighth as a * Calebut Downing modern Author hath written in a Tract But when I asked of Him where he had read the same he cited a French Letter of Cardinal Sadolets Strange that a Foraigner should be more seeing herein then any of our Native Authors and Records that I ever could behold But it may be the Error had its Original hence because anciently Bishops sitting in the Parliament did not alwayes appear personally or by the proxie of men of their own order but sometimes sent one or more of the inferiour Clergie to represent them if it be true what I have read in a small English book bearing the name of M r Selden but I question whether avowed by him of the proceedings in Parliament 11. John Fryth sealed the Truth with his bloud The Martyrdom of John Fryth one who justly may be said aged sixty at six and twenty so young was he Martyred such his learning Anno Dom. 1533 gravity Anno Regis Hen. 8 25. and constancy It was chiefly charged on him that he denyed the believing of the real presence in the Sacrament understand him de modo thereof to be an Article of the Faith though confessing Christ really present in the bread so he might not be compelled to the worshipping thereof But these things are set down largely in M r Fox Onely I will add that persons out of groundlesse suggest two scandals on this good man and his wives memory One that he was guilty of some practise against the State meerly because he was committed to the Tower The other that his wife being beyond the Seas with M r Tyndal expressing himself content with the will of God that for her sake she would not have the glory of God hindered desired to be rid of her husbands life that M r Tyndal might the more freely enjoy her company Thus this Jesuite being himself a Bastard measureth others by the chastity of his own Parents Indeed the aforesaid Tyndal much exhorted Fryth to patient suffering but not as those Cowardly Captains which encourage others to fight and themselves forsake the field because afterwards he valiantly brought up the rear and suffered for the same cause two years after 12. John Fisher Bishop of Rochester Bishop Fishers Letter for new cloaths and a Confessour was now prisoner in the Tower 1534 where he was but coursely used as appears by a Letter to M r Secretary Cromwel 26. a a Ex literis in Bibliothecâ Cottoniana FUrthermore I beseche yow to be gode Master unto me in my necessitic for I have neither Shirt nor Sute nor yet other Clothes that ar necessary to me to weare but that be ragged and torn to shamefully And now in mine Age my stomake may not away but with a few kind of meats which if I want I decay forthwith and fall into coffs and diseases of my body and cannot keep my selfe in health And as our Lord knoweth I
but exacted them in the notion of a Rent and Tribute due to the Pope his Master 52. This is that Polidore Virgil Be-lawrelleth the Quire of Wells who was Dignitary of the Cathedral of Wells and as I take it Archdeacon of Taunton on the Quire whereof he bestowed Hangings flourished with the Lawrel Tree and as I remember wrote upon them SUNT POLIDORI MUNERA VIRGILII But would he had spared his benefaction to the Church of Wells on condition he had been no Malefactor to the Church of England yea to Religion and Learning in generall if it be true what commonly is reported 53. For he wrote a Latine History of Britain A Malefactour to Posterity for burning MS. from the Original of the Nation untill Anno Dom. 153. the yeare of King Henry the eighth out of many rare Manuscripts which he had collected together Now partly to raise the reputation of his own Writings that he might seem no lazie Transcriber partly to render himself out of the reach of confutation being suspected not over-faithfull in his Relation he is said to have burnt all those rare Authours which he could compasse into his possession Thus Tyrant-like he cut down those stairs whereby he ascended the Throne of his own knowledge If this be true the World may thank Polidore Virgil for his work de Inventione Rerum but have cause to chide not to say curse his Memory for his Act de Perditione Librorum 54. I have met with a paper of Verses Two-edged Verses which like a two-edged Sword cut on both sides plainly at Polidore Virgil but obscurely at a later Plagiary and in my opinion not unworthy to be inserted Leyland's supposed Ghost Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's Ghost Complain of wrong sustained after death As Virgil's Polidore accus'd his host The Tracian King for cruell breach of Faith And Treasures gain'd by stopping of his breath Ah greedy Gardian t' enjoy his goods Didst plunge his Princely Ward into the floods Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's spirit Complain with th' Ghosts of English Notaries Whom Polidorus Virgil robb'd of merit Bereft of Name and sacks of Histories While wetch he ravisht English Libraries Ah! wicked Book-thief whosoever did it Should One burn all to get one single Credit Am I deceiv'd or doth not Leyland's spirit Make heu cry for som Book-treasure stealth Rifling his works and razing Name Merit Whereby are smother'd a Prince-given wealth A Learned Writer's Travel Wits and Health All these he spent to doe his Countrey pleasure O save his name the world may know his treasure I am deceivd for Leylands ghost doth rest From plaints crys with souls of blessed men But Heaven and Humane Laws cannot digest That such rare fruits of a laborious Pen Came to be drown'd in such a thanklesse Den. Thus Heaven and all Humanity doth sue That Leyland dead may have his Titles due Who this second Plagiarie was complained of for plundering Leyland if the Reader cannot conjecture I will not tell such the honour I bear to his admirable performances though herein not to be excused 55. Papal power thus extinguished in England How Papal power in England was cantoned it is worth our enquiry where the same for the future was fixed which we finde not intirely setled in any One but according to justice and equity divided amongst many Sharers therein 56. And first God first had his share Give unto God the things which are Gods What the Pharisees said was true in the Doctrine though false in the Use thereof as applied to our Saviour whom they mistook for a meer man * Mark 7. Who can forgive sins but God alone This paramount power no lesse blasphemously than arrogantly usurped by the Pope claiming an absolute and authoritative pardoning of Sins was humbly and justly restored to the high God of Heaven 57. Restitution was made to the second Person in the Trinity Christ his due of that Universal jurisdiction over the whole Church as belonging to Christ alone 1 Pet. 2. 25. who is the Sheepherd and Bishop of our souls and a badge of Antichrist for the Pope proudly to assume the same 58. To the Holy Ghost was restored that Infallibility The holy Spirit his portion which to him doth properly pertain as being the Spirit of Truth which neither will deceive nor can be deceived John 15. 26. 16. 23. and which hath promised to lead his Church in generall into all Truth but never fixed any inerrability on any particular person or succession of single persons whatsoever 59. And now give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's The King comes to claim His own right The King assumes his share what the Kings of Judah his Predecessours in Soveraignty had by the Word of God and Christian Emperours by the practise of the Primitive times did possesse In order whereunto the Parliament did notifie and declare that Ecclesiastical power to be in the King which the Pope had formerly unjustly invaded Yet so that they reserved to themselves besides other priviledges which we leave to the Learned in the Law the confirming power of all Canons Ecclesiastical so that the person or property of Refusers should not be subjected to temporal penalty without consent of Parliament 60. Of this power thus declar'd in the King part thereof He kept in Himselfe as to call and dissolve Convocations at His pleasure to grant or deny them Commission to debate of Religion to command Archbishops and Bishops to be chosen in vacant Sees to take order for the due Administration of the Word and Sacraments 61. The other part of power Ecclesiastical the King passed over to the Archbishop of Canterbury as His Substitute first to grant Faculties in cases not repugnant to the Law of God necessary for Honour and Security of the King formerly wont to be remedied in the See of Rome Secondly to determine Causes Ecclesiastical in his Court whence lay an Appeal to the Court of Delegates c. 62. The representative Clergie had power by the King's leave to make Canons and Constitutions whilst each Bishop in his respective Diocesse Priest in his Parish were freer than formerly in execution of their Office acquitted from Papal dependance 63. Lastly every English Lay-Man was restored to his Christian Birth right namely to his judgment of practical discretion in perusing the Scriptures in his own Language formerly swallowed up in the Ocean of the Pope's Infallibility Thus on the depluming of the Pope every bird had his own feather in the partage whereof what he had gotten by sacriledge was restored to God what by Usurpation was given back to the King Church and State what by Oppression was remitted to particular Christians SECTION III. Ann. Reg. TO Master HENRY BARNARD Ann. Dom. LATE OF LONDON Merchant THough lately you have removed your habitation into Shropshire My pen is resolved to follow after and finde you out Seeing the
onely spared the Church in Peterborough but also advanced it into a Cathedral If so it was civilly done of Him not to disturb Her in Her grave whom He had so disquieted in Her bed The news of Her departure was not unwelcome to Queen Anna Bollen who though too good a Christian to desire Her death was too wife a woman to be over-sorrowfull for the same seeing formerly She was the King's Wife but by sequestration the true possessour of His bed being yet alive whereas now c Gen. 26. 22. Rehoboth She conceived God had made room for her 20. This Anna Bollen was great-grand-childe to a Citizen The character of Queen Anna Bollen Sir Jefferie Bollen Lord Major of London grand-childe to Sir William Bollen Knight who lived respectedly in his Countrey daughter to Thomas Bollen Earle of Wiltshire a great Courtier and she had Her birth in England blood by her d Daughter to Thomas Earl of Ormond Grand-mother from Ireland and breeding in France under Mary the French Queen so that so many relations meeting in Her accomplished Her with an acceptable behaviour to all qualities and conditions of people Of an handsome person and beautifull face and therefore that e Sanders de Schismate Anglicano pen that reports Her lean-visaged long-sided gobber-toothed yellow-complexioned with a wen in her neck both manifests his malice and disparageth the judgement of King Henry whom all knew well read in books and better in beauties who would never have been drawn to so passionate a love without stronger load-stones to attract it This Queen remembring how Her Predecessour lost the King's love with her over-austerity tuned Her self to a more open and debonaire behaviour even generally to all with whom She conversed Which being observed by Her adversaries was improved by them to Her overthrow so that She but for a very short time had the sole and peaceable possession of Her Husband In a word She was a great Patronesse of the Protestants Protectour of the persecuted Preferrer of men of merit among whom Hugh Latimer a bountifull Reliever of the poor and the happy Mother of Queen Elizabeth 21. On the eighth of June began a short The first reformed Convocation but sharp Parliament dissolved the eighteenth of July following effecting much in little time June 8. matters it seems being well prepared afore-hand 9. and the House assembled not to debate but doe the King's desires The parallel Convocation began the day after being one new-modelled and of a fashion different from all former Convocations Therein the Lord Cromwell prime Secretary sate in state above all the Bishops as the King's Vicar or Vicegerent-Generall in all spirituall matters Deformi satis spectaculo saith my f Godwâ—â—â—'s Annals Anno Dom. 1536. Authour indocto Lacio coetui praesidente sacratorum Antistitum omnium quos ante haec tempora Anglia unquam habuisset doctissimorum In one respect that place had better become the person of King Henry than this Lord His Proxie all allowing the King a very able Scholar But Cromwell had in power and policie what he lacked in learning if he may be said to lack it who at pleasure might command the borrowing thereof from the best brains and pens of those of his own partie in the Convocation 22. This Convocation consisted of two Houses The silence in the Abbots of the Convocation the Lower of the Clerks and Proctours of their respective Cathedrals and Diocesses with the Deans and Arch-Deacons therein the Upper of the Bishops with the Lord-Abbots and Priors I mean so many of them as voted as Barons in Parliament as may appear by their several g Concordatum erat per Honorandum virum Cromwell Reverendos Epiâ—copos Abbates Priores Domus superioris Acta Convocationis celebrat An. 1536. fol. antepenul â— subscriptions However I finde not the Abbots active in any degree in canvassing matters of Religion Whether this proceeded from any desire of ease their laziness being above their learning or out of humility counting it more proper to permit such disputes to the sole disposall of the Bishops as most concern'd therin or out of fear loth to stickle on religion knowing on what ticklish terms they stood For in this very Parliament all Abbies which could not dispend 200 li. a year were dissolved and bestowed on the King and those rich Abbots which had more than so many thousands yearly knew that Maxime in Logick to be true Magis minùs non variant speciem More and lesse doe not alter the kinde and might say with him on the Crosse They were in the same condemnation though as yet the sentence was not passed upon them 23. We will observe the daily motions in this Convocation The Diurnal of this Convocation as with mine own hand I have faithfully transcribed them out of the Records Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester June 16. made the Latine-Sermon taking for his Text h Luke 16. 8. The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light On the Friday following Richard Gwent Arch-Deacon of London was presented and confirmed Prolocutour in this Convocation On the same day Master William Peter Doctor of the Laws came into the House as deputed from his Master the Lord Cromwell who could not be present because of his greater employment in Parliament This Dr. Peter claimed the highest place in the House as due to his Master the Lord Cromwell i Records of Cant. An. Dom. 1536. fol. 9. petiit dictum locum sibi tanquam Procuratori dicti Magistri and he shall I say requested or required the same precedencie as due to him being his Proctour and obtained it accordingly without any dispute Though some perchance might question whether a Deputie's Deputy as one degree farther removed might properly claim His place 21. who was primitively represented Next Wednesday came in the Lord Cromwell in person and having judiciously seated himself above all tendred unto them an Instrument to be publickly signed by all the Convocation concerning the nullitie of the King's marriage with the Lady Anna Bollen 24. Some ten daies before Cranmer solemnly divorceth Anna Bollen from the King Archbishop Cranmer at Lambeth had held an open Court in the presence of Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke and most of the Privie Councel Wherein the King and Queen were cited to appear as they did by their Proxies Doctor Richard Sampson being the Kings and Doctor Nicholas Wootten the Queens Then proceeded the Archbishop to discusse the validity of their marriage and at the last by his definitive Sentence pronounced the same invalid frustrate and of none effect No particular cause is specified in that Sentence still extant in the Record and though the Judge and Court seemed abundantly satisfied in the Reasons of this Nullitie yet concealing the same unto themselves they thought not fit to communicate this treasure to
improved by her Officers in the Exchequer who sometimes have none of the softest palms to those that fall into their hands that many Ministers were much vexed thereby Yea one u M. Parker Ant. Brit. in vitâ Reginalldi Peli observeth that the courtesie intended to the Clergie by Q. Mary in remitting their tenths proved in event an injury to many so vexed about their arrears 8. In vain have some of late beaved at this Office which is fastned to the State The state profit and policy of this Office with so considerable a revenue as it advanced thereunto by tenths and first-fruits The former certain the latter casuall as depending on the uncertain deaths of Iucumbents and such as succeed them Many indeed accuse such payments as Popish in their original But could that be superstitious which was pluckt down by Queen Mary and set up again by Queen Elizabeth Besides suppose them so in their first foul fountain since being shifted yea strained through the hands of Protestant Kings Tenths have their old property altered and acquire no doubt a new purity to themselves And the Advocates for this Office doe pertinently plead that there ought to be a badge of subjection * Some say such a vectigal from the Clergie is mentioned in Bede of the Clergie to the Secular power by publick acknowledgement of their dependence thereon which by such payments is best performed 9. John Lambert John Lambert condemned and why aliàs Nicolson bred in Cambridge had lately been much persecuted by Archbishop Warham about some opinions he held against the corproal presence in the Sacrament And now being fallen into fresh troubles on the same account 1538. to make the quicker work following the precedent of S. Paul appealing to Caesar he appeals to the King Who having lately taken upon him the title of the Supreme head of the Church of England He. 8. 20. Nov. 10. would shew that head had a tongue could speak in matters of Divinity In White-hall the place and day is appointed where an ACT-ROYAL was kept the King himselfe being the Opponent and Lambert the Answerer and where His Highnesse was worsted or wearied Arch-bishop Crammer w Fox Acts Mon. supplied His place arguing though civilly shrodely against the truth and his own private judgment 10. Was not this worse than keeping the clothes of those who killed S. Stephen Cranmer's unexcusable cowardly dissimulation seeing this Archbishop did actually cast stones at this Martyr in the Arguments he urged against him Nor will it excuse Cranmer's cowardise and dissimulation to accuse Gardiner's craft and cruely who privily put the Archbishop on this odious act such Christian courage being justly expected from a person of his parts and place as not to be acted by another contrary to his own conscience I see not therefore what can be said in Cranmer's behalf save onely that I verily hope and stedfastly believe that he craved God's pardon for this particular offence and obtained the same on his unfained repentance And because the face of mens faults is commonly seen in the glasse of their punishment it is observable that as Lambert now was burnt for denying the corporal presence so Cranmer now his Opponent was afterwards condemned and died at Oxford for maintaining the same opinion which valour if sooner shewn his conscience had probably been more cleared within him and his credit without him to all posterity 11. A match being now made up by the Lord Cromwel's contrivance Dutch-men broach strange opinions betwixt King Henry and the Lady Anne of Cleve Dutch-men flockt faster than formerly into England Many of these had active souls so that whilest their hands were busied about their manufactures their heads were also beating about points of Divinity Hereof they had many rude notions too ignorant to manage them themselves and too proud to crave the direction of others Their mindes had a bystream of activity more than what sufficed to drive on their Vocation and this waste of their souls they imployed in needlesse speculations and soon after began to broach their strange opinions being branded with the general name of Anabaptists 24. These Anabaptists for the main are but Donatists now dips and this year their name first appears in our English Chronicles for I * Stoe in his Chron p. 576. read that four Anabaptists three men and one woman all Dutch bare faggots at Paul's Crosse and three daies after a man and woman of their sect was burnt in Smithfield 12. It quickly came to the turn of Queen Anne of Cleve to fall Queen Anne of Cleve why divorced if not into the displeasure out of the dear affection of King Henry the eighth 27. Hē 8. 31. She had much of Katharine Dowager's austerity 1539. little of Anna Bollen's pleasant wit lesse of the beauty of Jane Seamour Some feminine impotency that She answered not Her creation was objected against Her though onely Her precontract with the Son of the Duke of Lorraine was publickly insisted on for which by Act of Parliament now sitting She was solemnly divorced 13. King Henry durst not but deal better with Anne of Cleve than with such His Wives The reparations the King made her which were His native Subjects not so much for love of Her Ann. Dom. 1539. as for fear of Her Brother the Duke of Cleve Ann. Regis Hē 8. 31. considerable if not much in Himself in His union with the Protestant Princes of Germany Wherefore He restored Her all Her Jewels assigned Her precedencie above all English save His own that should be Queen and Children graced Her with a new-devised stile of His adopted Sister by which from henceforward He saluted Her in His Letters and She in Answer subscribed Her self allotted Her Richmond-House for Her retirement with an augmentation of means for Her maintenance And now let Her be glad that She escaped so well seeing all which had reference to King Henry's bed came off gainers if savers of their own lives and reputations She returned no more into Her own Countrey but living and dying Anno a Stow's Funerall Monuments p. 513. 1557. in England was buried in Westminster Church at the head of King Sebert in a Tomb not yet finished none other of King Henry's Wives having any and this Anne but half a Monument 14. In the last Parliament Reformation goes backwards Reformation running a race with Superstition hardly carried it by the heads-length but it was hoped that in this new Parliament now sitting true Religion would run her Rivall quite out of distance Whereas alas it not onely stood still but went backwards the SIX ARTICLES being therein enacted that whip with six knots each one as heavily laid on fetching blood from the backs of poor Protestants 15. K. Henry was much blamed for passing this Act. King Henry justly blamed Indeed Power and Profit being the things politick Princes chiefly desire King
and the Constables and Bayliffes were every week to search the same They were not to sell Bread Ale Flesh Fish Wood Cole or any Victuals This was done partly because they should not engrosse those Trades being the livelihood of more honest people and partly left simple Chapmen in seeking for such necessaries should be inveigled into sin d Stow us priùs Such women living and dying in their sinfull life were excluded Christian buriall and had a plot of ground farre from the Parish-Church appointed for them called The single-womans Church-yard 41. These Cautions and Constitutions could not make them The impossibility to Legitimate what in it self is unlawfull who are bad in themselves to be good though happily keeping some who were bad from being worse Such a toleration of sin being utterly unlawful For though Naturall poysons may by Art be so qualified and corrected to make them not onely not noxious but in some cases as wisely applied cordiall Yet Morall poysons I mean things sinfull of themselves can never be so ordered and regulated but that still they will remain pernitious and unlawfull The onely way to order and amend being to remove and extirpate them 42. Yet there wanted not those better idle than so imployed who endevoured with Arguments to maintain some so shamelesse the necessity Argument pro and con about Stewes but more the conveniency of such Brothel-houses No wonder if wanton wits pleaded for wanton women Whoredome like the Whores was painted over with politick Reasons for the permission thereof which may easily be washed away if the following Parallel be but seriously perused 1. Mans infirmity herein since his Naturall corruption is grown so generall it is needfull to counive at such Houses as a kinde of remedy to prevent worse incontinency with Married women the whole land being the cleaner for the publick Sincks or Sewer of the Stewes 2. As Moses c Mark 10. 5. permitted Divorcement to the Jewes Stewes may be connived at on the same accompt for the hardnesse of mens hearts Ann. Reg. HeÌ„ 8 37. 3. Ann. Dom. 1545. Strange women were no strangers in Israel it self under their best Kings two of that trade publickly known pleaded before King f I Kings 3.16 Solomon These were publickly repaired unto and known by the attire g Prov. 7.10 of an Harlot 4. Many great Familie were preserved thereby whose younger Brethren abstaining from Marriage did nont cumber the same with numerosity of Children 5. Such Stewes are Fashionable in forreigne Nations yea in Rome it self 6. The suppressing of Stewes would not make men more chaste but more close not more sincerely honest but secretly wanton In all populous places male-incontinency will meet with a female counterpart and so reciprocally 1. It is absurd to say and belibelleth Divine Providence That any thing is really Needfull that is not Lawfull Such pretended necessity created by bad men must be annihilated by good Laws Let Marriage run in its proper channell being permitted to all persons and then no need of such noysome sinks which may well be dammed up The malady cannot be accounted a remedy For whilest Matrimony is appointed and blessed by God to Cool the heat of Lust Whoredome doth double the drought thereof 2. Christians ought not so much to listen to Moses his permission as to Christ his reprehension thereof Besides some faults had a cover for them in the twi-light of the Law which have none in the sun-shine of the Gospel 3. Christians must conform themselves to the necessary members and commendable Ornaments of the Jewish Common-wealth f 1. Kings 3. 16. but not to the wennes and ulcers thereof f Prov. 7. 10. 4. Where Harlots have preserved one house they have destroyed an hundred Besides we must not doe Evil that Good may come thereof Nor can many Children be accompted evils to men which are blessings from God 5. Let the Paramount Whore tolerate Whores which as a branch of Popery was now banished England more honour it is for us to go before forraign Nations in Reformation than to follow them in their Corruptions 6. This undeniable truth is sodly granted Perchance there may now be moe English-folk Adulterers but England was then an Adultresse so long as Stewes were openly licensed It was a Nationall sin when publickly permitted which now is but personall though too generally committed Thus Chastity by the countenance of Authority got at last a finall conquest of Wantonness Indeed formerly in the one and twentieth year h Râ—b Fabian in his Chronicle Anno 1506. of Henry the seventh for a time the Stewes were closed up but afterwards opened again though reduced from sixteen to twelve but now by the King's commandment this regiment of sinners was totally and finally routed the Kings pleasure herein proclaimed by sound of Trumpet and their Houses peopled with other Inhabitants of honest conversation 43. We lately mentioned the exchange of land Prelates their loss by pomp betwixt the King and the two Archibishops On which account be it remembred though I finde not the exact year Otford in Kent was given the King whereof thus our great i Camden in his Brit. in Kent Pag. 328. Antiquary William Warrham Archbishop of Canterbury built Otford for himself and his successours so sumptuously that for to avoid envy Cranmer who next succeeded him was constrained to exchange it with King Henry the eighth Could the Clergie have found out the mean betwixt baseness bravery too sordid too sumptuous they might have fixed themselves therein with the more security Whilest their Palaces built so big as to receive and so beautifull as to invite the King an His Court made especially if lying neer London covetousnesse to long after them And although some competent consideration was given in exchange yet politick Prelates disliked such commutations as which gaged the root of Episcopal lands from their first property and antient foundation 44. The last person of quality The character of Anne Ashcough which suffered martyrdome in this Kings Reign June 2. was Anne Ashcough alià s Kyme She was worshipfully extracted Ann. Dom. 1546. the Daugther of Sir William Ashcough of Kelsay in Lincoln-shire of the age of twenty five years Whose wit beauty learning and religion Ann. Dom. 1546. procured her much esteem on the Queens side of the Court Ann. Regis HeÌ„ 8. 38. and as much hatred from the Popish persecuting Bishops But the k Parsonâ— in his Exam. of Jc. Fâ—x hisSâ—â—â—s in the mâ—â—â—th of Jane Jesuite condemns her for leaving her Husband at home and gadding to Gospel and gossip it at Court alwaies subscribing her self not by her married but maiden surname the rather because being often examined what reason she could give of forsaking her Husband she refused to answer to any save to the King alone Master Fox turneth off the whole matter to John Bale and I having his Manuscript in my
hand thought fit to insert this his following account thereof though not knowing whether the same will give the Reader satisfaction 45. A match was made Her plea for leaving her husband by the power of their Parents betwixt Mr. Kyme his Son in Lincoln shire and Sir William Ashcough his eldest Daughter who chanced to die before the completing thereof Sir William loth to lose so rich an Heir and having payed part of her Potion for lucrâ—s sake compelled this Anne his second Daughter to supply her Sisters place and to marry him against her own will and consent notwithstanding the marriage once past she demanded her self like a Christian Wife l Bales Manuscript p 91 92. and bare him two Children In processe of time by oft reading of the sacred Bible she cleerly fell from all Papistrie to a perfect belief in Jesus Christ Whereupon her Husband was so offended that by suggestion of the Priests he violently drove her out of his house And she on this occasion sought from the Law a Divorce and because of his cruell usage would not return unto him again thinking her self free from that uncomely kinde of coacted marriage by the doctrine of Saint Paul m 1 Cor. 7.15 But if the unbelieving depart let him depart A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases But God hath called us to peace This is the effect of what our Authour speaketh in moe words Now whether this rule laid down by Saint Paul betwixt Christian and Heathen be also commensurate betwixt Protestant and Papist is not my work to decide Perchance she would only answer to the King for her behaviour towards her Husband as hoping for some tendernesse from His Highnesse because of some general conformity in the first part of her Case with the Kings as Who for by respects was first married to then divorced from His Brothers Wife 46. Her several examinations are largely penned by her self extant in Mr. Fox She is first rached and then burnâ— where the Reader may finde them But be it remembred that whereas heresie onely was charged upon her without the least suspition of Treason yet was she rackt to detect some Court Ladies of her opinion by the Lord Wriothisly the then and Sir Robert Rich the n Fox p. 1239 next Lord Chancellour But whether it was noble in these Lords or legall in these Lawyers or conscientious in these Chancellours to rack one already condemned to death belongeth to others to determine Their cruelty extorted no discovery from her whose constancy now made recompense for her former infirmities If it be true what is charged upon her that before she had twice subscribed the Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Altar but zealously died at last in the earnest deniall thereof being amongst those who according to the precept in the o Isa 24.15 Prophet glorified the Lord in the sires Her suffering in Smithfield was most solemnly performed where three men Nicolas Belevian Priest of Shropshire John Lacells Gentleman of the Houshold of King Henry the eighth and John Adams a poor Taylor of London were all burnt together Three couple of qualities meeting together in four persons Clergy and Laity Male and Female Gentle and Simple made the fewell of the same fire 47. John Bale registers this Anne Ashcough Her Prose and Poâ—â—â—y amongst the number of his English learned Writers for her Examinations Letters and Poems wrote with her own hand though the p Parsons utpriùs Jesuite jeers him for his pains as if no works save those of the needle became her sex I have seen a Manuscript of her Verses afterwards printed at Marpurge in Germany and must confesse I better approve her Charity in the four last than her Poetry in all rest Yet Lord I thee desire Ann. Reg. HeÌ„ 8.38 Let them not taste the hire For that they doe to me Of their iniquity However those that have drunk deeper than she of Helicon Ann. Dom. 1546. would be loth to pledge her in the bitter cup of Martyrdome So I take my leave of her memory 48. Now began the troubles of Queen Katharine Parr The King marrieth KatbarineParr whom the King married some two years since For He either being or believing Himself wronged by His last Wife whom He married for a Maid resolved now to take a Widow to Wife who had given proof of her chastity and loyalty to her former Husband and thereupon married this Katharine the Daughter of Sir Thomas Parr of Kendall the Relict of John Nevill Lord Latimer one of great piety beauty discretion Next to the Bible She studied the Kings disposition observing Him to Her utmost And need She had of a nimble soul to attend at all times on His humour whose Fury had now got the addition of Frowardness thereunto She was rather Nurse than Wife unto Him who was more decayed by sickness intemperance than old age 49. Yet sometimes She would presume to discourse with the King about points of Religion The conspiracy of Her enemies against Her defending the Protestant-Tenents by Scripture and reason and sometimes would hold up the King very close hard at it This displeased Him who loved loosness and liberty in His clothes arguments and actions and was quickly observed by Gardiner and others who were the Queens enemies Hereupon taking advantage of an unhappy juncture of time Gardiner drew up Articles against Her and had got them subscribbed with the Kings own hand to remove Her to the Tower Whither had She been sent Vestigia nulla retrorsum without doubt She had followed the way of His former Wives in that place 50. But Divine Providence ordereth all things to fall out for the good of Gods children Chancellour Wriothesly put the paper of those Articles pretious jewels in no worse cabinet than his own bosome Hence it casually fell out By Gods Providence defeated was taken up by one of the Queens servants and brought to Her Grace who on Her sicknesse and submission to the King obtained His pardon signed ad sealed unto Her with may kisses and embraces As for such Her enemies who came at the present to attach Her intending by virtue of the Kings Warrant to send Her the shortest way to Her long home they were sent back with what made worse rumbling than a flea in the eare even the taunts and threats of the enraged King against them 51. And yet Pasons tell q In his Exam. of Fox his Martyrs in June c. 10 p. 433 us that not with standing the King purposed to have burned Her if He had lived Parsons his wild intelligence I know not whence he derived this his strange intelligence and therefore justly suspect the truth hereof The rather because I finde Her in great grace with the King as appeareth by the good language and great Legacie He gave Her in His Will which here we thought fit to transcribe both for the
gathered together to live under one Roof because their Company would be Cheerfull in Health and Needfull in Sicknesse one to another Hence these two words though contrary to sound signifie the same Monasterium Coenobium A place containing men living Alone In common For though they were sequestred from the rest of the World yet they enjoyed mutuall Society amongst themselves And again though at solemn times they joyned in their Publick Devotions and Refections yet no doubt they observed howers by themselves in their Private Orisons Of these some were Gardeners like Adam Husbandmen like Noah caught Fish with Peter made Tents with Paul as every man was either advised by his Inclination or directed by his Dexterity and no Calling was counted Base that was found Beneficiall Much were they delighted with making of Hives as the Embleme of a Covent for Order and Industry wherein the Bees under a Master their Abbot have severall Cells and live and labour in a regular discipline In a word they had hard hands and tender hearts sustaining themselves by their labour and relieving others by their Charity as formerly hath been observed in the Monks of Bangor 3. Take a tast of their Austerity who lived at Vall Rosine The discipline of British 〈◊〉 under S. David since called Minevea in Pembroke-shire under the Method of S. David They were raised with the crowing of the a 〈◊〉 Hist Eccl. Angl. p. 40. Cock from their beds and then betook themselves to their prayers and spent the rest of the day in their severall calling when their task was done they again bestowed themselves in prayers meditations reading writing and at night when the heavens were full of starres they first began to feed having their temperate repast to satisfie hunger on bread water and herbs Then the third time they went to their prayers and so to bed till the circulation of their daily employment returned in the Morning A spectacle of virtue and continence who although they received nothing or any thing very unwillingly of others yet were so farre from wanting necessaries that by their pains they provided sustenance for many poor people Orphans Widows and Strangers 4. Here as we cannot but highly commend the integrity of their Hearts herein Superstition unawares occasioned by them so we must withall bemoan that what in them was intentionally good proved occasionally evill hatching Superstition under the warmth of their Devotion For though even these as yet were free from humane Ordinances and Vows yet Will-worship crept in insensible in the next Age Tares are easier seen grown than growing and error and vitlousnesse came in by degrees The Monks afterwards having sufficiency turned lazie then getting wealth waxed wanton and at last endowed with superfluity became notoriously wicked as hereafter shall appear Thus as Pliny reporteth of the GAGATE-stone that set a fire it burneth more fiercely if water be cast on but is extinguished if oyle be poured thereupon So the zeal of Monastick men was inflamed the more with the bitter water of affliction whilst in prosperity the oyle of plenty quenched their piety So ill a Steward is humane corruption of outward happinesse oftner using it to the Receivers hurt than the Givers glory Of Superstition which was the fundamentall fault in all Abbeys THis was one main fault in all English Abbeys Abbeys built on the sand of superstition that the Builders did not dig deep enough to lay the Foundation as grounded on the foundred and mouldring bottome of superstition For every Monastery was conceived a magazine of merit both for the Founder his Ancestors and Posterity And although all these Dotations did carry the title of pure Alms yet seriously considered they will be found rather forced than free as extorted from men with the fear of Purgatory one flash of which fire believed is able to melt a miser into charity yea which is worse many of their foundations had their morter tempered with innocent blood For which we may conceive afterwards they sped never a whit the better To give some instances of many 2. Wolpher Peterborough Abbey founded to expâ—ate murder King of the MERCIANS having murdered Wolphald and Rufine his own Sons with cruell and barbarons Immanity because they had devoted themselves unto Christ and embraced his Religion afterwards turning Christian himself b Cambd. Brit. in Northampton-shire MiddletoÌ„ being on the same occasion Idem in Dorceâ— to wash away the stain of his impiety built that famoâ—s Abbey since known by the name of Peterborough 3. King Athelstance drowned his brother Edwine having put him into a little Wherry or Cockboat without any tackling or furniture thereunto to the end he might impute his wickedness to the waves and afterwards as a satisfaction to appease his Ghost built the fair Abbey of Middleton in Dorset-shire 4. To joyn to these two houses of Monks So also the Nunnery of Ambresbury one of Nuns such society hath not been unacceptable Aelfrith second Wife to King Edgar having contrived the death of Edward her Son-in-law King of England murdered him by a company of Hacksters and Villains at her appointment at Corfe-Castle in Dorset-shire to pave the way for the Succession of her Son Etheldred to the Crown afterwards built the stately Nunnery of c Harpsfield Hist Eccl. Angl. saec 10. p. 188. Ambresbury with some other religious Houses 5. It is confest Suspitious therein might be a great fault herein that wilfull murder may be pardoned in Christ and they who deny it are guilty as much as lies in their power of a worse soul-murder in their uncharitable opinion Yet this we say that all the chantings of the Monks and Nuns in their Covents could not drown the noise of innocent blood And if these Founders of Abbeys thought that their murder could be expiated by raising such beautifull buildings their most polished marble and costly carved pieces were in the expression of the Prophet but d Ezck. 22. 28. dawbing over their damnable sins with untempered morter But though Abbeys long since have been demolished we leave their Founders to stand or fall to their own Maker when his all-seeing Eye hath discerned betwixt the Errours of their Judgment and Integrity of their Affections endevouring that which they conceived was to the glory of God and advance of true Religion Of the severall Orders of Monks and Nuns in England SO much of the Superstition of the Founders An heap of Monkish Orders in England come we now to their Superstition and other notorious sins who lived in these foundations But first we will premise their severall Orders Herein we pretend not to any criticall skill For though every Minister of God's Word whereof I am the meanest is a spirituall Herald to derive and deduce the Pedigrees and Genealogies of any Institution which hath its Originall in God's Word yet they are not bound not to say it is a learned Ignorance to be skilled in the
The Queen made Sir Tho Tresham Lord Prior of this Order who the thirtieth of November 1557 received the Order of the Crosse at Westminster and was solemnly inducted into his place He was of an antient family and large estate and had done the Queen Knights service proclaiming Her in the highest contest with Queen Jane If the dimension of his Body may be guessed by his finger and his finger by his Ring which have seen in the possession of his Kinsman William Tresham Esq of Newton in Northampton-shire he was a little Gyant and farre greater than his pourtraicture on his Monument almost demolisht in Rushton-Church in the same County But Alexander's souldiers were not in proportion so big as their shields left in India and possible that Ring of State serving for a Seale was rather borne about him than worn on his finger 7. Re-edified by devout persons It is out of doubt that Papists contributed many pretious Utensils unto these Orders as also that they were bountifull in repairing their decayed Houses to fit them for their habitation but by Sanders his leave No visible refunding of land doth appear Which if he had known of no doubt he would have told posterity as tending according to his principles so much to the credit of those persons I say again though Queens Examples carry a kinde of Mandamus in them yet herein Her best Subjects and Servants were so unmannerly as to suffer Her Grace to go alone by Her self in this Act without any attendants as to the restitution of any entire Religious house to its former Order No not Anthony Browne Viscount Montacute though formerly solemnly employed in an Ambassy to the Pope to reconcile the Church of England to Rome would part with his rich Abbey of Battaile in Sussex or poor Priory of Barnewell nigh Cambridge c. but kept all his pluralities in that nature though otherwise we believe him most bountifull to those of his own Religion 8. The Catholick Princes Meaning Philip and Mary and surely though we cannot insist on the particulars that Kings inclinations are sufficiently known zealous for the promoting of His own Religion However it is almost incredible what a qualme on this occasion came over the hearts of the stoutest Abbey-land Mongers in England fearing in processe of time a reverting of them to their former use the rather because Cardinall Poole in that Act in this Queens Reign to secure Abbey-lands to their Owners without the passing whereof to pacifie so many persons concerned Papistry could not have been restored in that Parliament did not as some think absolve their consciences from restitution But onely made a palliate cure the Church but suspending that power which in due time she might put in execution 3. This made many suspect that such edifices of Abbeys A generall jealousie of Abbey-holders which still were extant entire looked lovingly on their antient Owners in hope to be restord unto them In prevention whereof such as possest them for the present plucked out their eyes by levelling them to the ground and shaving from them as much as they could all Abbey-Characters disguising them as much as might be in a Lay-habit matching and mingling them with lands in another Tenure because on this very motion Abbey lands sunk two years purchase in the common valuation 4. Nor must I forget one passage in Derby-shire Nimianon cautela Non nocet a certain information whereof I have received from that skilful Antiquary and my respected Kinsman Samuel Roper of Lincolnes-Inne how one Thacker being possessed of Repingdon Abbey in Derby-shire alarumed with this news that Q. Mary had set up these Abbeys again and fearing how large a reach such a precedent might have upon a Sunday belike the better day the better deed called together the Carpenters and Masons of that County and plucked down in one day Church-work is a cripple in going up but rides post in coming down a most beautifull Church belonging thereunto adding He would destroy the Nest for fear the Birds should build therein again 5. And now when a Papist have done commending Q. Mary The best work of Q. Mary a Protestant may begin I say Her setting up the Hospitall of the Savoy was a better work than any instanced in by Sanders for the relief of poor people First because poor qua poor may be said to be Jure Divino * Prov. 22. 2. The rich and poor meet together and the Lord maketh them both Not onely as Creatour of their persons but Assigner of their conditions Besides the Poor is a continuall Order in the Church by the words of our Saviour * John 12. 8. The poor ye have alwaies with you but more properly hereof in the Reign of Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth demolisheth the new-erected Convents Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown Violent alterations dangerous was not over-busie at the first but for some moneths permitted all things to remain in statu quo priùs Insomuch that in the first Parliament of Her summoning She sent Her Writs to the aforesaid Lord Prior Tresbam and Abbot Feckenham to make their appearance with the rest of Her Barons in Her Great Councell Whither they repaired and wherein they took their places accordingly 2. Sir Thomas as Lord Prior above but the Abbot beneath all the a See a List of them sitting in Sir Tho Cottons Library Temporal Lords being the lag of the House and placed under Oliver Lord S. John of Blet netsho lately made the second Baron of Queen Eliz Her creation But they had hardly set down on their seats before they were raised up and dissolved with all the rest of the late-restored Orders 3. I have not met to my best remembrance with any Statute A Quaere to the learned in Law enacted in the Reign of Queen Mary whereby She was legally empowred for the re-erection of these Convents done it seems by Her Prerogative by connivance not concurrence of the Parliament Nor can I finde in the first year of Queen Elizabeth any particular Statute wherein as in the Regin of King Henry the eighth these Orders are nominatim suppressed this probably being supposed needlesse as I conceive with submission to the Learned in that Profession their Houses having no Legal settlement Or else when the general Statutes against Superstition were layed like the Ax to the root of the Tree these Orders are under-branches fell of themselves by virtue of the Queens Commission for the same 4. I intended by way of a farewell-Corollary to present the Reader with a List of the Lord Priors of S. Iohn's An imperfect List better than none from Iordanus Briset their first Founder But their Records being all burnt in that fire which was kindled by Straw in his commotion it is impossible to compleat the Catalogue At and since which difaster such as we can recover are not contiguous in times and distanced with many years betwixt them though perhaps
Reign wherein no Church-matter was medled with save that therein a Subsidie granted by the Clergy was confirmed Such moneys being the Legacie of course which all Parliaments fairly coming to a peaceable end bequeath to their Sovereign As for the Records of this Convocation they are but one degree above blanks scarce affording the names of the Clerks assembled therein Indeed they had no Commission from the King to meddle with Church-businesse and every Convocation in it self is born deaf and dumb so that it can neither hear complaints in Religion nor speak in the redresse thereof till first Ephata be thou opened be pronounced unto it by Commission from Royall Authority 9. Now The true reason thereof the true reason why the King would not intrust the diffusive body of the Convocation with a power to meddle with matters of Religion was a just jealousie which He had of the ill affection of the major part thereof Ann. Dom. 1553. who under the fair rinde of Protestant profession Ann. Reg. Ed. 6. 7. had the rotten core of Romish superstition It was therefore conceived safer for the King to relie on the ability and fidelity of some select Confidents cordiall to the cause of Religion than to adventure the same to be discussed and decided by a suspitious Convocation 10. However Forty two Articles of Religion and the Kings Catechisme this barren Convocation is intituled the parent of those Articles of Religion fourty two in number which are printed with this Preface Articuls de quibus in Synodo Londinensi Anno Domini 1552. inter Episcopos alios eruditos viros convenerat With these was bound a Catechisme younger in age as bearing date of the next year but of the same extraction relating to this Convocation as authour thereof Indeed it was first compiled as appears by the Kings Patent prefix'd by a single Divine * ◠pio quodam crudito viro conscipto in the Kings Patent Consented and not consented to by the Convocation charactred pious and learned bu◠afterwards perused and allowed by the Bishops and other learned men understand it the Convocation and by Royall Authority commended to all Subjects commanded to all School Masters to teach it their Scholars 11. Yet very few in the Convocation ever saw it much lesse explicitly consented thereunto but these had formerly it seems passed over their power I should be thankfull to him who would produce the originall instrument thereof to the select Divines appointed by the King in which sense they may be said to have done it themselves by their Delegates to whom they had deputed their authority A case not so clear but that it occasioned a cavill at the next Convocation in the first of * See more thereof in the next year Queen Mary when the Papists therein assembled renounced the legality of any such former transactions Pretious King Edward the sixt now changed his Crown of Gold for one of Glory July 6. we will something enlarge our selves The death of K. Edward the sixt who was not cut out of His Mothers belly as is commonly reported to give posterity His true Character never meeting more virtues in so few years For His Birth there goeth a constant tradition that Caesar-like He was cut out of the belly of His Mother Jane Seymour though a great person of Honour deriving her Intelligence mediately from such as were present at Her Labour assured me of the contrary Indeed such as shall read the calm and serene style of that Letter which I have seen written though not by for that Queen and signed with Her own Signet after Her delivery cannot conjecture thence that any such violence was offered unto Her But see the Letter RIght trusty and welbeloved Queen Ianes Letter after Her Delivery to the Lords of the Councell We greet you well and forasmuch as by the inestimable goodnesse and grace of Almighty God We be delivered and brought in Childe-bed of a PRINCE conceived in most lawfull Matrimony between my Lord the Kings Majestie and Vs. Doubting not but that for the love and affection which you bear unto Vs and to the Common-wealth of this Realm thi◠knowledge shall be joyous and glad tidings unto you We have thought good to certifie you of this Iame To the intent ye might not onely render unto God condigne thanks and praise for so great a benefice but also continually pray for the long continuance and preservation of the same here in this life to the honour of God joy and pleasure of my Lord the KING and Vs and the universall weal quiet and tranquility of this whole Realm a a Extant in Sir Tho. Cottons Library sub Ner. cap. 10. ¶ Given under our Signet at my Lords Manour of Hampton-Court the 22 day of October And although this Letter was soon after seconded with b Extant ibid. another of a sadder subject here inserted subscribed by all the Kings Physitians yet neither doth that so much as insinuate any impression of violence on Her person as hastening Her death but seems rather to cast the cause thereof on some other distemper THese shall be to advise your Lordships of the Queens estate Yesterday afternoon She had a natural Lax A sadder Letter of Her Physitians unto them by reason whereof She began to lighten and as it appeared to amend and so continued till towards night All this night She hath been very sick and doth rather appare than amend Her Confessour hath been with Her Grace this morning and hath done that to his office appertaineth and even now is preparing to minister to Her Grace the Sacrament of Unction ¶ At Hampton-Court this Wednesday morning at eight a clock Your Lordships at Commandement Thomas Cutland Robert Karhold Edward Bayntam John Chambers Priest William Butts George Owen Impute we here this Extreme Unction administred to Her partly to the over-officiousness of some superstitious Priest partly to the good Ladies inability perchance insensible what was done unto her in such extremity otherwise we are confident that Her judgment when in strength and health disliked such practices being a zealous Protestant Which Unction did her as little good as the twelve Masses said for Her soul in the City of London at the Commandement of the Duke of Norfolk whether he did it to credit their Religion with the countenance of so great a Convert or did it out of the Nimiety of his own Love and Loyaltie to the Queen expressing it according to his own judgment without the consent if not against the will of the Queens nearest kindred 12. But leaving the Mother Prince Edw. towardlinesse in learning let us come to the Son who as he saith of himself in the Manuscript of His Life was for the first six years bred and brought up amongst the Women and then consigned to masculine Tuition under Doctor Richard Cox and Sir John Cheekè who taught Him Latine and John Belmain who
Land yet because these pretend to a Prophetical spirit and there may be one in due time their words are considerable Lord here your Honour with those many persons your Peers are concerned Judge in this place the shooe pinches them because they * Rom. 13. 4. bear the Sword to punish Offendors Officers I suppofe either Civil or Military if they allow of the destinction No mention here of Ministers It seems THOU and THEE is too good language for us who are Cains and Balaams and Dogs and Devils in their mouths The best is the sharpest railing cannot pierce where Guiltiness in the person railed on hath not first wimbled an hole for the entrance thereof Their Principall Argument for their Practice is drawn from many places in * Exod-33 12 five times in one verse Scripture where THOU and THEE are used by God to Man and Man to God and Man to Man which cannot be denid In Opposition whereunto we maintain that THOU from Superiors to inferiors is proper as a Signe of Command from equals to equals is passable as a note of Familiarity but from Inferiors to Superiors if proceeding from Ignorance hath a smack of Clownishness if from Affectation a tang of Contempt But in answer to their Objection from Scripture we return foure things First THOU is not so distastful a term in Hebrew and Greek as it is in the English custom of every Country being the grand Master of Language to appoint what is honourable and disgraceful therein The Jews had their * Matth. 5. 26. Racha or terme of contempt unknown to us we our THOU a signe of slighting unused by them Secondly It followeth not because THOU and THEE only are set down that therefore no other Additions of Honour were then and there given from Inferiors to their Superiors A negative Argument cannot be framed in this Case that more respect was not used because no more exprest in scripture it being the designe of Histories chiefly to represent the substance of deeds not all verbal Formalities Thirdly What Inferiors in Scripture wanted in words they supplied in Postures and Gestures of Submission even to * Gen. 33. 3 King 1. 16 23. as also 1 King 18. 7. Prostration of their bodies which would be condemned for Idolatry if ussed in England Lastly There are extant in Scripture expressions of respect as when Sarah termed her Husband Lord which though but * 1 Pet 3. 6. once mentioned in the text was no doubt her constant Practise or else the holy Spirit would not have took such notice thereof and commended it to others imitation But they follow their Argument urging it unreasonable that any should refuse that Coine in common discourse which they in their solemn Devotions pay to God himself THOU and THEE are Currant in the Prayers of Saints clean thorough the Scipture as also in our late admired Liturgy we Praise THEE we Belss THEE we Worship THEE we Glorifie THEE we give THEE Thanks for THY great Glory It is answered those Attributes of Greatness Goodness c. given to God in the Beginning of every Prayer do Vertually and Effectually extend and apply themselves to every Clause therein though for Brevities sake not actually repeated Thus OURFATHER in the Preface of the Lords Prayer relateth to every Petition therein OURFATHER hallowed be thy Name Our FATHER thy Kingdom come Our FATHER thy will be done c. And this qualifieth the harshness and rudeness of THOU THEE and THY when for expedition and expressiveness sake they are necessarily used Your Honour will not wonder at the Practise of these QUAKERS having read in the Prophetical Epistles of * 2 Pet. 2. 10. S. Peter and * Jude 8. S. Jude last placed because last to be performed that towards the end of the world some shall NOT BE AFFRAID to speak evil of Dignities These Feare where no feare is and QUAKE where they need not but feare not where feare is being bold and impudent where they ought not They are NOTAFRAID not only to speak against Dignities which in some case may be done where they are Vitious men but against Dignities the lawful useful needful Ordinances of God himself God grant these may seasonably be suppressed before they grow too numerous otherwise such who now quarel at the Honour will hereafter question the wealth of others Such as now accuse them for Ambition for being higher will hereafter condemne them for Covetousness for being broader then other yea and produce Scripture too proper and pregnant enough for their purpose as abused by their Interpretation In a word it is suspicious such as now introduce THOU and THEE will if they can expel Mine and Thine disolving all propriety into confusion And now my Lord how silly a thing is that Honour which lies at the mercy of such mens mouths to tender or deny the same The best is Mens Statures are not extended or contracted with their shaddows so as to be stretched out into Giants in the morning shrunk up into Dwarfes at Noone and stretch'd out at Night into Giants again Intrinsecal worth doth not increase and abate Wax and Waine Ebb and Flow according to the Fancy of others May your Lordship therefore labour for that true Honour which consisteth in Vertue and God's Approbation thereof which will last and remain how furiously soever the wicked rage and imagine vain things against it Here I presume to present your Honour the Lives and Deaths of some worthies contrary to those QUAKERS in their Practise and Opinion I mean the Martyrs in the Reign of Queen Mary These despised not their Superiors giving due Reverence to those who condemned them honouring lawfull Authority though unlawfully used These cast not off their Cloaths but modestly wore their Linnen on them at their Suffering These counterfeited no Corporall QUAKING standing as firme as the stake they were fastned to though in a Spirituall sense working out their salvation with Feare and Trembling Whos 's admirable Piety and Patience is here recommended unto your Lordships consideration by Your humble Servant to be commanded in all Christian Offices THOMAS FULLER THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITAINE CENT XVI 1. July 6. KIng Edward Queen Mary in despight of the Duke of Northumberland's opposition crowned tender in yeers and weak with sicknesse Anno Regin Mar. 1. was so practiced on by the importunitie of others that Anno Dom. 1553 excluding His two Sisters he conveyed the Crown to the Ladie Jane His Kinswoman by that which we may we call the Testament of King Edward and the Will of the Duke of Northumberland Thus through the piousintents of this Prince wishing well to the Reformation the Religion of Queen Marie obnoxious to exception the ambition of Northumberland who would do what he listed the simplicity of Suffolke who would be done with as the other pleased the dutifulnesse of the Ladie Jane disposed by her Parents the fearfulnesse of the Judges not daring
in as well by the Duke of Northumberland on the one day as by the King on the other day Also it is to be considered the Kings commandment upon their allegiance by His own mouth and the Articles signed with His Highnesse own hand and also His Commission license and commandment under His Great Seal to the said Sr. Edward and others for the making of the said Booke Also the Kings pardon signed with His Highnesse hand Also it is to be considered that the said Books were made in the Kings life seaven or eight dayes before His death and the Queens Highnesse being Successour by Act of Parliament to the Crown and having the same as a Purchaser may not lawfully by the Laws of the Realme punish the said offence done in the Kings time Also the said Sr. Edward hath humbly submitted himself to the Queen Highnesse and to the order of the Commissioners Which Commissioners have ordered the said Sr. Edward to pay to Her Highnesse a thousand pounds who hath already paid thereof five hundred pounds and the other five hundred pounds are to be paid at the Feast of All-Saints come Twelve-moneth And also to surrender his letters Patents of lands to the yeerly value of fifty pounds called Eltyngton which he had of the gift of King Edward the Sixth which was all the reward he had of the said King Edward for his service costs and expences Also it is to be considered that the said Sr. Edward is put from his office of the Chief Justice-ship of the Common-Pleas being of the yeerly value of six hundred marks which office the most noble King of famous memorie King Henry the Eighth gave him in consideration of his long service and also had six weeks imprisonment Also it is to be considered that the same Sr. Edward hath seaventeen children viz. eleven Daughters and six Sons whereof one of the said Sons had his legge striken off by the knee in Scotland at Muscleborough-field the Duke of Sommerset being there And his Son and Heire by his commandment served the Queens Highnesse with twenty men to the cost of the said Sr. Edward of one hundred pounds as the Gentlemen of Buckingham-shire can report SO far the late Judge with his own hand Wherein he affirmeth that he medled not with the Councell in any thing afterward as may appear by his not subscribing the letter of the Lords to Queen Mary enjoying shall I say or advising Her to desist from claiming the Crown whereto all the Privie * See them exant in Mr. Fox Act. Mon-Anno 1553. Councellours subscribed onely the hand of Sr. Edward Mountagu is wanting And seeing in the whole transaction of this matter the obedience rather then invention of Judge Mountagu was required not to devise but draw things up according to Articles tendred unto him I cannot believe his * Sr. John Heywood in his Edward 6 report report relating that the King used the advise of Justice Mountagu in drawing up the Letters Patents to furnish the same with reasons of Law as Secretary Cicil with arguments from Policie 3. Some will wonder that no mention herein of Sr. Roger Cholmley Sr. R. Chomley comes off with losse Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench and in dignity above Sr. Edward Mountagu at this time but Judge of the Common-Pleas that he was not employed to draw up the Book But it seems Judge Mountagu his judgement was more relied on who had been formerly Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench and deserted it Yet the said Sr. Roger Cholmley was imprisoned for bare subscribing this Will and as it seems lost his place for the same For Justice Bromley though equally guilty with the rest so far favour extends in matters of this nature was not onely pardoned but from an inferiour Judge * See Sr. H. Spelman Glossary in Justiciarius p. 417. Sr. Jam's Hales his honesty advanced to be successour to Sr. Roger Cholmly and made Judge of the Kings-Bench 4. Whereas Sr. Edward saith that all the Judges were sent for and that many put their hands to the Book it intimateth that all did not but that some refused the same it being eminently known to the everlasting honour of Sr. James Hales that no importunity could prevail with him to underwrite this will as against both law and conscience 5. Eight weeks and upwards passed between the proclaiming of Mary Queen Contest betwixt two Religions and the Parliament by her assembled during which time two religions were together set on foot Protestantisme and Poperie the former hoping to be continued the later labouring to be restored And as the Jews Children a Neh. 13. 24. after the captivity spake a middle language betwixt Hebrew and Ashdod so during the aforesaid interim the Churches and Chappels in England had mongrell celebration of their Divine services betwixt Reformation and Superstition For the Obsequies for King Edward were held by the Queen in the Tower August the seaventh Aug. 7. with the Dirige sung in Latin and on the morrow a masse of Requiem and on the same day his Corps were buried at Westminster with a sermon service and Communion in English No small iustling was there betwixt the zealous Promoters of these contrary Religions The Protestants had possession on their side and the Protection of the Laws lately made by King Edward and still standing in free and full force unrepealed Besides seeing by the fidelity of the Suffolk and Norfolke Protestant Gentry the Queen was much advantaged for the speedy recovering of her Right they conceived it but reason that as she by them had regained the Crown so they under her should enjoy their Consciences The Papists put their Ceremonies in Execution presuming on the Queen her private practice and publique countenance especially after she had imprisoned some Protestant and enlarged some Popish Bishops advancing Stephen Gardiner to be Lord Chancelour Many which were Newters before conceiving which side the Queen inclined would not expect but prevent her authority in Alteration So that Superstition generally got ground in the Kingdome Thus it is in the Evening Twi-light wherein light and darknesse at first may seem very equally matcht but the later within little time doth solely prevail 6. What impressions the Comming in of Queen Mary made on Cambridge Mr. Jewell pens the first Congratulatory letter to the Queen shall God willing be presented in our particular History thereof The sad and sudden alterations in Oxford thereby are now to be handled Ma. John Jewel was chosen to pen the first Gratulatorie Letter to the Queen in the Name of the Vniversity an office imposed on him by his enemies that either the refusall thereof should make him incurre danger from his foes or the performance expose him to the displeasure of his friends Yet he so warily penned the same in Generall termes that his Adversaries missed their marke Indeed all as yet were confident that the Queen would maintain the Protestant
conceived that Vicit vanitas was a truer Conclusion of the Disputation though indeed there could be no proper victory where there was no fair Fight things not being methodized with Scholasticall Formality but managed with tumultuous Obstreperousnesse See all at large in Mr. Fox to transcribe which would be tedious excribe something imperfect Contract all obscure may the reader therefore be remitted thither for his perfect Satisfaction Onely I will adde this Disputation was but a preparative or Prologue to the Tragedy of these Bishops Deaths as it were to drie their Bodies the more afore-hand that afterwards they might burn the brighter and clearer for the same 19. But we leave the prosecution hereof with the impression made by the Alteration of Religion on every severall Colledge in Oxford Some Oxford man invited to undertake a proper task to some learned men of that Vniversity as an office proper for them to performe having as their education therein so their advantage thereby in consulting the Registers of their severall Colledges I have hitherto and shall hereafter be the shorter in Matters of this Vniversity remembring two profitable Precepts for this purpose the one Minus notis minus diu insistendum the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Being a stranger be not over-busie Who confesse my selfe bred in another Seminary of learning Wherefore if my tongue long acquainted with CAMBRIDGE Siboleth have or shall chance to faulter in pronouncing the termes of Art or Topicall Titles proper to this Vniversity I hope the Readers Smile shall be all the writers Punishment For as I heartily protest the fidelity of my Affections to my Aunt and humbly request that my Weaknesse or want of Intelligence may no way tend to her Prejudice so I expect that my Casuall mistakes should meet with a Pardon of Course And if any of her own Children which is much to be desired Will hereafter write a particular History of Oxford I should be joyfull if the best Beames I can bring will but make him Scaffolds and the choicest of my Corner-stones but serve to fill up the Walls of his more beautifull Building 20. We have something trespassed on time to make our Story of Oxford intire Protestant Bishops withdraw themselves from the Parliament and must now go a little backward The Queen being crowned on the first of October her first Parliament began the fifth day following wherein Godwot a poor appearance of Protestant Bishops For Cranmer of Cant. was in the Tower for treason Ridley of London and Poynet of Winchester were displaced on the restitution of Bonner and Gardiner Holegate of Yorke Bush of Bristoll Bird of Chester Hooper of Worcester and Gloucester Barlow of Bath and Wells Scory of Chicester Ferrar of St. Davids Coverdale of Exeter were already deprived either for being married or delivering some displeasing doctrines Onely two Protestant Bish os viz. John a Fox Acts Mon pag. 1410. Taylour of Lincolne and John Harley of Hereford on what score I know not found the favour to be last undone as remaining un-deprived at the beginning of the Parliament where they presented themselves according to their duty took their place amongst the Lords But presently began solemne Masse after the Popish manner which these two good Bishops not abiding withdrew themselves and shortly both of them died their naturall deaths Providence graciously preventing their violent destructions Octob 1. 5. 21. All the rest of the Bishops present in Parliament Popery restored by the rest as Samson of Coventry and Litchfield Capon of Salsbury Thirleby of Norwich Bulkley of Bangor Parfew of St. Asaph b Ely and Oxfoord I conceive void at this time Kitchin of Landaffe though dissembling themselves Protestants in the dayes of King Edward now returned to their Vomit and the advancing of Popery No wonder then if all things were acted according to their pleasure the Statute of Premunire made by King Henry the Eight and many other goodlaws of Edward the Sixth repealed Masse and Latine service with the maine of Popery reestablished 22. But in the Convocation which began few dayes after 18. amongst all the Clergy therein assembled there were found but six which opposed the Reduction of Popery Viz. 1. Walter Philips Dean of Rochester Sixe Protestant Champions in the Convocation 2. Iames Haddon Dean of Exeter 3. Iohn Philpot Archdeacon of winchest 4. Richard Cheyney Archdeacon of Hereford 5. Iohn Ailmer Archdeacon of Stow. 6. One whose name is not recorded Of these Mr. Philpot one of a fervent spirit but not to any distemper as some suspect was so zealous against Transubstantiation that he offered to maintain the negative by Gods word and confound any six who should withstand him in that point 25. or else saith he c Foxe Acts Mon pag. 1413. let me be burned with as many fagots as be in London before the Court gates 23. But Weston the Prolocutor in the Convocation threatened him with the Prison Weston his railing on Mr. Philpot. adding that he was a mad man meeter to be sent to Bedlam then continue there Philpot returned he would think himself happy to be out of that company Nay lest you slander the house said Weston and say we will not suffer you to declare your minde we are content you come into the house as formerly on two conditions First that you be apparelled in a long gown and Tippet as we are 30. Decē 13. Secondly that you speak not but when I command you Then said Philpot I had rather be absent altogether and so it seems departed the place and soon after the Convocation ended having concluded all things to the hearts desire of the Papists therein 24. Afterwards Philpot was troubled by Gardiner for his words spoken in the Convocation Philpot fealeth the truth with his blood In vain did he plead the Priviledge of the Place commonly reputed a part of Parliament alledging also how Weston the Prolocutor once and again assured them that the Queen had given them leave and liberty fully and freely to debate of matters of Religion according to their own conscience Once at his Examination the Lord Rich d Foxe Acts Mon. pag. 1806. affirmed that the Convocation was no part of the Parliament House and we must believe him herein because a Lawyer and a Lord Chauncelour Otherwise we have the Statute 8. Hen. 6. That the Clergy of the Convocation shall have such liberty as they that come to the Parliament In fine Philpot in defence of the Truth acted the valiant part of a Martyr according to his promise though the Scene was altered from the Court-gates to Smithfield 25. The match of Queen Mary with Philip King of Spain was now as commonly talked of as generally distasted Janu. 20. To hinder the same Sr. Thomas Wyat a Kentish Knight took Armes with a great party assisting him 1553-1554 Saunders faith Wyats rising to hinder the Spanish match
of four thousand men marching with a large train of Artillery so that the Queen had notice thereof by the Kentish Fugitives sooner then by her own Scouts 34. But time soon gained by Wyat was as soon lost Wyat his march how retarded on the accident of a piece of Ordnance breaking its carriage Now whilst the Army waited the leasure of bringing up this broken piece an houre to Wyat being of greater consequence then the greatest Gun he came short of the time prefixed to such Citizens as were Fautours of his cause Otherwise he had been at London in the night taking his enemies napping before they dreamt of him and all terrour is most active in the darke when the lesse men see the more they suspect whereas now it was break of day before they had gotten to Knights-Bridge 35. Wyat had a double designe His double designe and performed them both alike One violently to take White-Hall the other peaceably to be taken into London Captain Vaughan with five hundred Welsh-men and one would wonder how they should straggle into Kent embraced the right-hand way towards Westminster and then wheeled away to White-Hall his men shooting their arrows regardlesse where they lighted into the windows of the Court but could not force their passage into it Wyat went directly to Charing-Crosse where he met with some opposition but continued his resolution for London 36. Here one might have observed Three tunes of London in three hours that within three hours the tongue of the multitude in London thrice altered their tunes First they cryed 1. A Wyat a Wyat every mouth giving the alarme to the next man he met The next note was 2. Treason Treason all suspecting that the Earle of Pembroke the Queens Generall had revolted because hovering aloofe in the fields he suffered Wyat his Van and main Battell cutting off some of the Reare to march undisturbed save with one shot Anno Dom. 1554 from Knights-Bridge to Charing Chrosse Anno Regin Mar. 3. Their next tune was 3. Downe with the Draggle tails Downe with the Draggle-tails And indeed no wonder if these Kentish-men marching in the darke to avoid discovery in the depth of winter through durty wayes were richly landed in their cloaths and well fringed with mire and mud about them 37. Wyat himself marched directly up the Strand and Fleetstreet with the losse of lesse then twenty men Wyat stopped at Ludgate and comming to Ludgate promised himself entrance into the City But there he found nothing forbid his admission save a strong gate close shut and well fortified against him with men and Amunition From that minuite he went backward both in motion and successe Returning to Fleetstreet He sate down on a Bench over against the Bell Savage an Inne so called because given by one Isabell * Stows survey of London Savage to the Company of Cutlers and there too late began to bemoan and accuse his own rashnesse Retreating to Temple-Barre he was faced with some horse and after a fight being moved by a Herauld to submit himself Then will I yeeld saith he to a Gentleman and so submitted himselfe say a Hallinshed Stow Speed most to Sr. Maurice Berkley say b Fox pag. 1419. others to Sr. Clement Parton being in neither of them mistaken for their Gentle extraction 38. Hence was he carried to White-Hall to be examined Penitent at his execution thence to the the Tower to be committed Entring therein Sr. John Bridges Livetenant thereof taking him by the collar with his Dagger in his hand c Holinshed Ah Traitour saith he I would stab thee my self but that I know thou wilt be executed to whom the other calmly replied Sr now it is no mastery Some dayes after he suffered penitently and patiently on the Scaffold condemning his own act and therefore we have spoken the lesse against him for speaking so much against himself Fiftly of his Complices were hanged four hundred led with ropes about their necks April 11. Q. Mary 2. pardoned by the Queen and all things stilled and quieted 39. Long since had Queen Mary sent for Cardinall Poole in Italie The Emperour why jealous of Cardinall Poole to come over into England But Charles the Emperour by the Popes power secretly retarded his return fearing it might obstruct the propounded marriage betwixt King Philip his Son and Queen Mary Indeed the Queen bare Poole an unfeighned affection and no wonder to him that considereth 1. Their age He being about tenn yeers older the proportion allowed by the Philosopher betwixt Husband and Wife 2. Parentage She being Daughter to King Henry the eighth He by his Mother Margaret Daughter to George Duke of Clarence Grandchild to Edward the Fourth 3. Education Both when young brought up together the aforesaid Lady Margaret being Governesse of Queen Mary in her infancy 4. Religion Both zealous Catholicks and suffering the Queen confinement the Cardinall exile for the same His person also and nature was such as might deserve love and though a Cardinall Deacon yet that shallow character might easily be shaved off by the Popes dispensation so that there was some probability of their marriage and Oh how Royally Religious would their Ofspring have been extracted from a Crown and a Cardinalls Cap. 40. But now when the marriage with Prince Philip was made up Poole at last gets leave for England Poole at last got leave for England and to wipe away all superstition of Lutheranisme wherewith he was formerly taxed he became a Cruell that he might be beleeved a Cordiall Papist For meeting in Brabant with Emanuel tremellius requesting some favour from him he not onely denyed him relief but also returned him railing termes though formerly he had been his familiar Friend Yea his Godfather d Antiq Brit. in Polo pag. 351. giving him his name at the Font when Tremellius from a Jew first turned Christian 41. Arrived in England Anno Regin Mar. 2. Marc. 22. 1555 he was first ordained Priest being but Deacon before and then consecrated Arch-Bishop of Canterbury by Heath Anno. Dom. 4. 1554-1555 Arch-Bishop of Yorke Is ordained Priest and consecrated Arch Bishop and sixe other Bishops the Queen her selfe being present thereat in the Franciscan Church at Greenwich one of those Bankrupt Covents which her grace had set up again Three dayes after he was dedicated in Bow Church in Cheapside where rich in costly-robes and sitting on a gulded Throne his Pall was presented unto him Adorned herewith Poole presently mounts the Pulpit and makes a Ant. Brit. in Polo pag. 353. a drie Sermon of the use and honour of the Pall without good language or matter therein may they all make such who take for their Text what is not in Scripture many much admiring the jejunenesse of his discourse as if putting off his parts when putting the Pall upon him 42. Now sate the second Parliament in this Queens Reigne
and Protestants wring their hands which our fathers found begun our selves see hightened and know not whether our children shall behold them pacified and appeased 4. But now a Parliament began at Westminster Alteration of Beligion enacted by the Parliament Wherein the Laws of King Henry the eighth against the See of Rome were renewed Jann 25. and those of King Edward the sixth in favour of the Protestants revived and the Laws by Queen Mary made against them repealed Uniformity of Prayer and Administration of Sacraments was enacted with a Restitution of first fruits Tenths c. to the Crown For all which we remit the Reader to the Statutes at large It was also enacted that whatsoever Jurisdictions Priviledges anâ— Spiritualls preeminences had been heretofore in Vse by any Ecclesiasticall Authority whatsoever to visit Ecclesiasticall men and Correct all manner of Errors Hereâ—es Schisms Abuses and Enormities should be for ever annexed to the Imperiall Crown of England if the Queen and her Successours might by their Letters patents substitute certain men to exercise that Authority howbeit with proviso that they should define nothing to be heresie but those things which were long before defined to be Heresies out of the Sacred Canonicall Scriptures or of the four Oecumenicall Councills or other Councills by the true and proper sence of the Holy Scriptures or should thereafter be so defined by authority of the Parliament with assent of the Clergy of England assembled in a Synod That all and every Ecclesiasticall Persons Magistrates Receivers of pensions out of the Exchequer such as were to receive degrees in the Vniversities Wards that were to sue their Liveries and to be invested in their Livings and such as were to be admitted into the number of the Queens servants c. should be tyed by oath to acknowledge the Queens Majesty to be the onely and supreme Governour of her Kingdoms the Title of Supreme head of the Church of England liked them not in all matters and causes as well spiritual as temporal all forrain Princes and Protestants being quite excluded from taking Cognizance of Causes within her Dominions 5. But the Papists found themselves much agrieved at this Ecclesiasticall Power Papists exceptions against the Queens Supremacy declared and confirmed to be in the Queen they complained that the simplicity of poore people was abused the Queen declining the Title Head and assuming the name Governour of the Church which though less offensive was more expressive So whil'st their ears were favoured in her waving the word their souls were deceived with the same sence under another Expression They cavilled how King a Sanders de Schismate Anglicano lib. 3. pag. 316. Henry the eighth was qualified for that Place and Power being a Lay-man King Edward double debarr'd for the present being a Lay-childe Queen Elizabeth totally excluded for the future being a Lay-woman b Hart against Rainolds pag. 673. They object also that the very c In Praefat. centur 7. writers of the Centuries though Protestants condemne such Headship of the Church in PRINCES and d Upon the 7. of Amos 3. The same how defended by Protestant Divines Calvin more particularly sharply taxeth Bishop Gardiner for allowing the same Priviledge to KING Henry the eighth 6. Yet nothing was granted the Queen or taken by her but what in due belonged unto her according as the most learned and moderate Divines have defended it For e Rainolds against Hart pag. 38. first they acknowledged that Christ alone is the Supreme Soveraign of the Church performing the Duty of an head unto it by giving it power of life feeling and moving and f Ephes 1. 22. him hath God appointed to be head of the Church and Col. 2. 19. by him all the body furnished and knit together by joynts and bands encreaseth with the encreasing of God This Headship cannot stand on any mortall shoulders it being as incommunicable to a Creature as a Creature is incapable to receive it There is also a peculiar Supremacy of Priests in Ecclesiasticall matters to preach the Word minister the Sacraments celebrate Prayers and practise the discipline of the Church which no Prince can invade without usurpation and the sin of Sacriledge for Incense it self did stink in the Nostrils of the God of heaven and h 2 Chr. 26. 19 provoked his Anger when offered by King Vzziah who had no calling thereunto Besides these there is that power which Hezekiah exercised in his Dominions Commanding the Levites and Priests to do their Duty and the People to serve the Lord. And to this power of the Prince it belongeth to restore Religion decayed reforme the Church Corrupted protect the same reformed This was that supremacy in Causes and over Persons as well Ecclesiasticall as Civil which was derived from God to the Queen annexed to the Crown disused in the dayes of her Sister whose blinde zeal surrendred it to the Pope not now first fixed in the Crown by this act of State but by the same declared to the Ignorant that knew it not cleared to the scrupulous that doubted of it and asserted from the Obstinate that denied it 7. As for Calvin How Dr. Rainolds answereth the exceptions to the contrary he reproveth not Reader it is D r. Rainolds whom thou readest the title of head as the Peotestants granted it but that sense thereof i against Hart pag. 673. which Popish Prelates gave namely Stephen Gardiner who did urge it so as if they had meant thereby that the King might do things in Religion according to his own will and not see them done according to Gods will namely that he might forbid the Clergie Marriage the laytie the Cup in the Lords Supper And the truth is that Stephen Gardiner was shamelessly hyperbolicall in fixing that in the King which formerly with as little Right the Pope had assumed Whether he did it out of mere flattery as full of adulation as superstition equally free in sprinkling Court and Church holy-water and as very a fawning Spaniel under King Henry the eighth as afterwards he proved a cruel Blood-hound under Queen Mary his Daughter Or because this Bishop being in his heart disaffected to the Truth Anno Dom. 1557. of set purpose betrayed it in defending it Anno Regin Eliza. 1. suting King Henries vast Body and Minde with as mighty yea monstrous a power in those his odious instances straining the Kings Authority too high on set purpose to break and to render it openly obnoxious to just exception The Centuriatoâ—s also well understood do allow and a Idem ibidem Confess the Magistrates Jurisdiction in Ecclesiasticall matters though on good reason they be enemies to this Usurpation of unlawfull power therein But I digresse and therein Transgresse seeing the large profecution hereof belongs to Divines 9. But Sanders taketh a particular exception against the Regular passing of this Act Sunders 〈…〉 Elizabeth shewing much Queen-Craft in
procuring the votes of the Nobility feeding the b 〈…〉 pag. 329. Earle of Arundell with fond hopes that she would marry him and promising the Duke of Norfolke a dispensation from his wife which he could not with such expedition obtain from the Pope and yet faith he when all was done it was carried in the house of Lords but by c Idem pag. 303. three voices Here not to mention how in the greatest Councells matters of most high concernment have been determined with as few as three clear decisive suffrages this suggestion of Sanders is a loud untruth for the Act having easily pass'd the house of Commons found none of the Temporall Nobility in the house of Lords to oppose it save only the d Camdens Elizabeth in this year pag 19. Earle of Shrewsbury And Anthony Brown Viscount Mountacute who had formerly been employed to reconcile the Kingdom of England to his Holiness As for the Bishops there were but fourteen and the Abbot of Westminster then alive of whom foure being absent whether Voluntarily or out of Sickness uncertain the rest could not make any considerable opposition If any other Artifice was used in cunning contriving the businesse the Protestants were not aforchand but just even with the Papists who had used the same subtilty in their own Cause in the first Parliament of Queen Mary 10. But now to remove into the Convocation The acts of this years Convocation which at this time was very small and silent For as it is observed in Nature When one Twinn is of an unusual Strength and bigness the other his partner borne with him is weak and dwingled away So here this Parliament being very active in matters of Religion the Convocation younger Brother thereunto was little imployed and less Regarded Only after a Mass of the Holy Ghost had been celebrated Edmond Bonner Bishop of London in the vacancie of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury President of the Convocation began with a speech to this effect That although it had been an ancient and laudable custome to begin such meetings of the Clergie with a Latine Sermon yet such now was not to be expected partly because the Arch-Bishop was Dead who was to designe the Preacher and partly because they had received a e Liber Synod Anno Dom. 1559. folio 15. mandate from the privy Councel that no such Sermons should be made in that Church till they were further informed by the Queeu and her Councel In the third Session on friday Nicholas Harpsfield Doctor of Law and Arch-Deacon of Canterbury was chosen f Ib. fol. 6. Referendary or Prolocutor for the Clergie a place of some Credit g fol. 8. but little pains to discharge seeing the only remarkable thing which passed in this Convocation was certain Articles of Religion Feb. 18. which they tendered to the * To the Bps. that they might present them to the Parli c. Parliament which here we both Transcribe and Translate requesting the Reader not to begrutch his pains to peruse them Considering they are the last in this kinde that ever were represented in England by a Legall Corporation in defence of the Popish Religion And though errour doth go out with a Stink yet it is a persume that it does go out We are so far from denying a grave to bury them that we will erect the * Copied by me out of the Original Monument over this ashes of these dead errours REVERENDI in Christo Patres ac Domini colendissimi Anno Dom. 1558 Quoniam fama publica referente ad nostram nuper notitiam pervenit multa Religionis Christianae Dogmata publice unanimi gentium Christianarum consensu hactenus recepta probata ac ab Apostolis ad nos usque concorditer per manus deducta prâ—esertim Articulos infra scriptos in dubium vocari Hinc est quod nos Cantuariensis Provinciae inferior secundarius Clerus in uno Deo sic disponente ac Serenissimae Dominae nostrae Reginae Decani Capituls Cant. mandato Brevi Parliamenti ac monitione Ecclesiastica solita declarata id exigente convenientes partium nostrarum esse existimavimus tunt nostrae tum eorum quorum cura nobis Committitur aeternae saluti omnibus quibus poterimus modis prospicere Quocirca majorum nostrorum exemplis Commoti qui in similia saepe tempora inciderunt fidem quam in Articulis infra Scriptis veram esse credimus ex animo profitemur ad dei Laudem honorem officiique aliarum nostrae curae commissarum exonerationem praentibus duximus publicè auferendam affirmantes sicut Deus nos in die Judicij Adjuvet asserentes Primò quod in Sacramento Altaris virtute Christi verbo suo à Sacerdote debitè prolato assistentis praesens est realiter sub speciebus panis vini naturale Corpus Christi Conceptum de Virgine Mariae Item naturalis ejus Sanguis Item quod post Consecrationem non remanet substantia panis vini neque alia ulla substantia nisi substantia Dei hominis Item quod in missa offertur verum Christi Corpus verus ejusdem sanguis sacrificium propitiatiorium pro vivis defunctis Item quod Petro Apostolo ejus legitimis successoribus in sede Apostclica tanquim Christi Vicariis data est suprema potestas pascendi regendi ecclesiam Christi militantem et fratres suos confirmandi Item quod Authoritas tractandi dissiniendi de ijs quae spectant ad fidem Anno Dom. 1457. Sacrantentum disciplinam ecclesiasticam hactenus semper spectavit spectare debet tantum ad Pastores Ecclesiae quos spiritus Sanctus in hoc in ecclesiam Dei Pasuit non ad Laicos Quam nostram assertionem affirmationem fidem Nos inferior Clerus praedictus considerationes praedictas Vestris Paternitatibus tenore presentium exhibemus humiliter supplicantes ut quia nobis non est copia hanc nostram sententiam intentionem aliter illis quos in hac parte interest notificandi Vos qui Patres estis ista superioribus Ordinibus significare velitis Qua in re Offictum charitatis ac Pietatis ut arbitramur praestabitis saluti gregis vestri ut par est Prospicietis vestras ipsi animas liberabisis REVEREND Fathers in Christ and our honourable Lords Whereas by the report of publique fame it hath come unto our knowledge that many Doctrines of the Christain Religion hitherto received and approved by the unanimous consent of Christian nations and with joynt agreement as by hands deduced from the Apostles unto us especially the Articles under-written are now called into question Hence it is that we the inferior and secondary Clergy of the Province of Canterbury assembled in one body God so disposing it and the Command of our Lady the Queens most excellent Majesty together with the mandate of the Dean and chapter of Canterbury the Parliament-Writ and
very yeer these three were cited to appear before Edmuna Grindall BP Their judgements of the Queen of London one who did not run of himself yea would hardly answer the spur in pressing conformity the BP asked them this question Have we not a godly Prince a The Register of 〈◊〉 pag. 33. speak is she evill To which they made their severall answers in manner following William White What a question is that the fruits do shew Thomas Rowland No but the Servants of God are persecuted under her Robert Hawkins Why this question the Prophet answereth in the Psalms How can they have understanding that work iniquity spoyling my peoplâ— and that extoll vanity Wonder not therefore if the Queen proceeded severely against some of them commanding them to be put into Prison though still their Party daily increased 11. Nicholas Wotton died this year Dean at the same time of Canterbury and Yorke The death of Dr. Wotton so that these two Metropolitan Churches so often contesting about their Priviledges were reconciled in his preferment He was Doctour of both Laws and some will say of both Gospels who being Privie Councellour to King Henry the Eighth Edward the Sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth never overstrained his conscience such his oylie compliance in all alterations However he was a most Prudent man and happily active in those many Embassies wherein he was employed 12. The Romanists were neither ignorant not to observe 9. 1568 Harding and Saunders Bishop it in England nor idle not to improve the advantage lately given them by the discords betwixt the Bishops and Nonconformists And now to strengthen their Party two most active fugitive Priests Thomas Harding and Nicholas Saunders return into England and that Episcopall power which they had lately received from the Pope they largely exercised on the Papists 1. Absolving all English in the Court of Conscience who returned to the bosome of their Church 2. Dispensing with them in cases of irregularity saving such which proceeded from wilfull murder 3. Even from irregularity of heresie b Camdens Eliz. in this year on condition that the Party to be absolved refrained three years from the Ministery of the Altar Very earnest they were in advancing the Catholick Cause and perverted very many to their own Erroneous opinions 13. Mary Queen of Scots 10. May 17. ill used at home by her own Subjects made an escape into England Q of Scots comes into England and landed at Wirkington in Cumberland the Statepart of whose sufferings we leave to Civill Historians confining our selves to the imprinted passages concerning Religion beginning with her letter to the Pope Most Holy Father Anno Dom. 1568. Anno Regin Eliza. 10. AFter the kissing of your most holy feet Her letter to Pope Pius Quintus hi herâ—o never printed the Copy whereof was as with many other rarities bestowed on me by James Arch-Bishop of Armagh I having been advertised that my Rebels and their Fautours that retain them in their Countries Nove 30. have wrought so effectually by their practises that it hath been related unto the King of Spain my Lord and good Brother that I am become variable in the Catholick Religion although I have within some dayes past written to your Holinesse devoutly to kiss your feet and recommending me unto you I do now again most humbly beseech you to hold me for a most devout and a most obedient Daughter of the Holy Catholick Roman Church and not to give faith unto those reports which may easily come or shall hereafter come to your ears by means of the false and calumnious speeches which the said Rebels and other of the same Sect have caused to be spread abroad that is to say that I have changed my Religion thereby to deprive me of your Holinesse grace and the favour of other Catholick Princes The same hath touched my heart so much that I could not fail to write again of new to your Holinesse to complain and bemoan my self of the wrongs and of the injuries which they do unto me I beseech the same most humbly to be pleased to write in my favour to the devout Christian Princes and obedient sons of your Holinesse exhorting them to interpose their credit and authority which they have with the Queen of England in whose power I am to obtain of her that she will let me go out of her country whither I came secured by her promises to demand aid of her against my Rebels and if neverthelesse she will retain me by all means yet that she will permit me to exercise my Religion which hath been forbidden to me for which I am grieved and vexed in this Kingdom insomuch as I will give you to understand what subtilties my Adversaries have used to colour these calumniations against me They so wrought that an English Minister was sometimes brought to the place where I am streightly kept which was wont to say certain prayers in the vulgar tongue and because I am not at my own liberty nor permitted to use any other Religion I have not refused to hear him thinking I had committed no errour Wherein neverthelesse most Holy Father if I have offended or failed in that or any thing else I ask misericordia of your Holinesse beseeching the same to pardon and to absolve me and to be sure and certain that I have never had any other will then constantly to live the most devout and most obedient Daughter of the Holy Catholick Roman Church in which I will live and die according to your Holinesse advises and precepts I offer to make such amends and pennance that all Catholick Princes especially your Holinesse as Monarch of the world shall have occasion to rest satisfied and contented with me In the mean time I will devoutly kiss your Holinesse feet praying God long to conserve the same for the benefit of his Holy Church Written from Castle a a The Lord Scroop his house in Yorke shire where Sr. Fra. Knowls was her keeper Boulton the last of November 1568. The most devout and obedient Daughter to your Holinesse the Q of Scotland Widdow of France MARIA I meet not with the answer which his Holinesse returned unto her and for the present leave this Lady in safe custody foreseeing that this her exchange of letters with Forraign Princes and the Pope especially will finally cause her destruction 14. Thomas Young Arch-Bishop of Yorke died at Sheffield June 26. Anno Regin 11. The death of T 〈◊〉 Arch 〈◊〉 of York and was buried in his own Cathedrall He plucked down the great Hall at Yorke built by Thomas his predecessour five hundred yeers before so far did plumâ—i sacra fames desire to gain by the leade prevail with him Yet one presumeth to avouch that all that lead in effect proved but dross unto him being a S. 〈◊〉 Harington in his addition to Bp. Godwins catalogue in fine defeated of the
majesty aside determine with your self to obey his voice and with all humility say unto him non mea sed tua voluntas fiat God hath blessed you with great felicity in your reign now many years beware you do not impute this same to your own deserts or policy but give God the glory and as to instruments and means impute your said felicity first to the goodness of the cause which you set forth I mean Christs true religion And Secondly to the sighs and groans of the Godly in fervent prayer to God for you which have hitherto as it were tied and bound the hands of God that he could not pour out his plagues upon you and your people most justly deserved Take heed that you never think of declining from God lest it be verified of you which is written of Joash 2 Cron. 24. who continued a Prince of good and godly government for many years together and afterwards cum corroboratus esset elevatum est cor ejus in interitum suum neglexit Deum You have done many things well but unless you persevere to the end you cannot be blessed for if you turn from God then will be turn his mercifull countenance from you and what remaineth then to be looked for but only a horrible expectation of Gods judgement and an heaping up of Gods wrath against the day of wrath But I trust in God your Majesty will alwayes humble your self under his mighty hand and goe forward in the godly and zealous setting forth of Gods true religion alwayes yeilding true obedience and reverence to the word of God the only rule of faith and religion And if you so doe although God hath just cause many wayes to be angry with you and us for our unthankfulness Yet I doubt nothing but for his own names sake he will still hold his mercifull hand over us shield and protect us under the shadow of his wings as he hath hitherto done I beseech God our heavenly Father plentifully to pour his principall spirit upon you and alwayes direct your heart in his holy fear Amen Amen What could be written with more spirit and less animosity more humility and less dejection I see a Lambe in his own can be a Lion in God and his churches Cause Say not that orbitas and senectus the two things which made the man speak so boldly a Plutarch Morals to the Tyrant only encouraged Grindall in this his writing whose necessary boldness did arise partly from confidence in the goodness of the cause for which partly from the graciousnes of the Queen to whom he made his address But alas all in vain Leicester had so filled her Majesties eares with complaints against him there was no room to receive his petition 4. Indeed Leicester cast a covetous eye on Lambeth-House Lambeth house Grindals guilt alledging as good arguments for his obtaining thereof as ever were urged by Ahab for Naboths-Vineyard Now Grindall though generally condemned for remisness in this kinde parting with more from his See then ever his successors thanked him for stoutly opposed the alienating of this his principal Palace and made the Leicestrian Party to malice him but more hereof b In Grindals character at his death hereafter Mean time may the Reader take notice that a great Scholar and Statesman and no Enemy to the Hierarchie in his c Sâ— Francis Bacon worthy considerations abuut Church-Government tendred to King James conceiveth that such Prophesyings which Grindall did favour might be so discreetly cautioned and moderated as to make them without fear of faction profitable for advancing of learning and Religion But so jealous were some Bishops of that Age of these Prophecyings as having too much Presbyterian Analogie and classical Constitution therein they decried the motion of them as Schismatical 5. I finde no mortality of Protestant Worthies this year The death of Cope and Bullock But amongst the Catholicks much moan for the death of Allan Cope Harpsfields great correspondent and Agent for those of his Religion at Rome where he died and was buried in the English Colledge and George Bullock bred in S t. Johns in Cambridge and after lived in Antwerpe in the Monastery of S t. Michaels 6. Now began Priests and Jesuites to flock faster into England Pepish Iecusis swarme iuto England than ever before having exchange of cloaths and names and professions He who on Sunday was a Priest or Jesuite was on Monday a Merchant on Tuesday a Souldier on Wednesday a Courtier c. and with the sheers of equivocation constantly carried about him he could cut himself into any shape he pleased But under all their new shapes they retained their old nature being akinn in their turbulent spirits to the wind pent in the subterranean concavities which will never be quiet untill it hath vented it self with a State-quake of those countries wherein they abide These distilled traiterous principles into all people wheresoever they came and endeavoured to render them disaffected to Her Majesty maintaining that She neither had nor ought to have any dominion over Her Subjects whilest She persisted in an heretical distance from the Church of Rome 7. Hereupon the Parliament Necessary severity of the Parliament against them which now met at Westminster was enforced for the security of the State to enact severe laws against them First Jan. 16. that it should be treason to draw any from that faith established in England to the Romish religion Secondly that it should be treason to be reconciled to the Romish religion Thirdly that to maintain or conceal any such person longer then twenty days should be misprision of treason Fourthly that saying mass should be two hundred marks penalty and one years imprisonment Fiftly hearing Mass should be one hundred marks penalty and one years imprisonment Sixtly absence from the Church one moneth fineable at twenty pounds Seventhly all they shal be imprisoned who will not or cannot pay the forfeiture Eightly it was provided that such should pay ten pounds a moneth who kept a School-master in their house who repaireth not to Church Where by the way we may mention that some since conceive themselves to have discovered a defect in this law because no order is taken therein against Popish School-mistrisses And although School-master may seem of the Common-gender and inclusive of both sexes yet by the letter of the law all She-teachers which did mischief to little children evaded the punishment Thus when authority hath carefully shut all doores and windows imaginable some little offenders will creep through the cranies thereof 8. When Sovereigns have made laws Many against 〈◊〉 mâ—lcts for 〈◊〉 Subjects sometimes take the boldness to sit in judgement upon them to commend them for just or condemne them for cruel as here it came to pass Some and those far enough from all Popery misliked the imposing of monie-mâ—lcts on mens consciences If the Mass were lawfull let it freely be permitted if
so far as to disclaim the treacherous part and principles thereof This is most visible in the Secular Priests the Queens lenity so working on many of them that both in writing and preaching they have detested and confuted all such traiterous practices as against the laws of God 7. The rather Anno Dom. 1581. Anno Regin Eliza. 24. because no Jesuite is put to death for his religion but rebellion they are never examined on any article of their faith nor are their consciences burdened with any interrogatories touching their belief but only practices against the State are charged upon them 7. The death of Jesuits in such cases may fitly be stiled the childe of their rebellion but the grand-childe of their religion which is removed but a degree farther For their obedience to their superiours putteth them on the propagation of their religion and by all means to endeavour the same which causeth them out of an erroneous conscience to do that which rendereth them offenders to our State Now in all ages such as have suffered for their consciences not only immediately and in a direct line but also at the second hand and by implication receive pity from all such as behold their sufferings whether as a debt due or as an almes given unto them let others dispute and therefore such putting of Jesuits unto death will but procure unto them a general commiseration These and many other reasons too many and tedious to be here inserted were brought and bandied on both sides every one censuring as they stood affected 11. In the execution of these laws against Jesuits The execution of this law moderated Queen Elizabeth embraced a middle and moderate way Indeed when a new rod is made some must be whipped therewith though it be put in terrorem of others When these Statutes were first in the state or magisteriality thereof they were severely put in practice on such offendours as they first lighted on But some years after the Queen and Her Judges grew remiss in the execution thereof Witness the only confining of many of themto Wisbidge Castle where they fell out amongst themselves And in King James His dayes this dormant law against Jesuits only awakened some once in foure or five years to shew the world that it was not dead and then fairely fell asleep again being very sparingly put in execution against some notorious offenders 12. The worst was Worst of essenders scape best the punishment hap'ned heaviest on those which were the least offenders For whereas the greatest guilt was in the Senders all the penalty fell on the Messengers I mean on such novices which sent hither at their Superiours commands and who having lost their sight beyond the seas by blinde obedience came over to lose their lives in England Now Jesuitisme is a weed whose leaves spread into our land may be cut off but the root thereof is out of reach as fixed in Rome and other forrain parts For in the mean time their Superiours staying at Rome ate slept wrote rail'd complain'd of persecution making of faces and they themselves crying out oh whilest they thrust the hands of others of their own religion into the fire 13. A loud Parliament is alwayes attended with a silent Convocation Anno Regin Eliza. 23. as here it came to pass The activity of the former in Church-matters left the later nothing to do Anno Dom. 1580. Only this account I can give thereof out of our records First Arch-Bishop Grindal appeared not at all therein The acts of a silent Convocation age blindness and disgrace keeping the good father at home Jan. 17. Secondly John Elmer Bishop of London was appointed his locumtenens or Deputy Thirdly this Convocation began in S t. Pauls where it continued without any removal with reading the Letany vulgari sermone in the English tongue Fourthly the Bishops commended three namely D r. Humsries Dean of Winchester D r. * So called by mistake in Records otherwise his name was William George Day Dean of Windsor and D r. Goodman Dean of Westminster to the inferiour Clergy to chose one of them for their Referendary or Prolocutor Fiftly D r. Day was elected and presented for that office Sixtly motion was made of drawing up some articles against the dangerous opinions of the Family of love a sect then much encreasing but nothing was effected Seventhly Marc. 25. at several Sessions they met 1581 and prayed and confer'd and prorogued their meeting and departed Lastly the Clergy granted a Subsidie afterwards confirmed by the Parliament and so the convocation was dissolved 14. Now can I not satisfie my self on my strictest enquiry what Jesuite Quere on whom the law was first hanselled or Priest had the first hansell of that severe Statute made against them Indeed I finde a Priest 31. John Pain by name executed at Chelmsford March the 31. which was but thirteen dayes after the dissolution of the Parliament for certain speeches by him uttered but cannot avouch him for certainly tried on this Statute May 28. More probable it is that Thomas Ford John Shert and Robert Iohnson Priests executed at London were the first-fruits of the States severity 15. No eminent Clergy-man Protestant died this year The death of Bp. Berkelay save Gilbert Berkelay 25. May 8. Bishop of Bath and Wells 1582 who as his Armes do attest was alliXed to the ancient and honourable familie of the Berkelays 16. The Presbyterian party was not idle all this while A meeting of the Presbyterians at Cockfield but appointed a meeting at Cockfield M r. Knewstubs Cure in Suffolke where three-score Ministers of Norfolke Suffolke and Cambridge-shire met together to conâ—eâ—r of the Common-Prayer-Book what might be tolerated and what necessary to be refused in every point of it apparrel matter forme days fastings injuctions c. Matters herein were carried with such secrecy that we can see no light thereof but what only shineth thorough one crevise in a private letter a Mr. Pigg in his letter to Mr. Field dated May 16. of one thus expressing himself to his friend Concerning the meeting I hope all things were so proceeded in as your self would like of as well for reverence to other brethren as for other matters I suppose before this time some of the company have told you by word for that was permitted unto you 17. We are also at as great a loss Another at Cambridge what was the result of their meeting at the Commencement at Cambridge Iuly 2. this being all we finde thereof in a b Idem Ibidem letter of one to his private friend concerning the Commencement I like well the motion desiring it might so come to pass and that it be procured to be as generall as might be which may easily be brought to pass if you at London shall so think well of it and we here may understand your minde we will
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
And yet in way of recovering health by changing of Aire of study for a time in thâ— Vniversity of mortall enmity borne by some in the parish of prosecution of Law or of being imployed in publick Affairs they cannot be wholy abrogated That there were in England foure thousand five hundred Benefices with Cure not above ten and most of them under eight pounds in the first fruits-book which cannot be furnished with able Pastors as the Petitioners desire because of the smallness of their livings Moreover he affirmed that what ever was pretended to the contrary England at that time flourished with able Ministers more then ever before yea had more then all Christendome besides 3. The Lord Grey rejoyned to this Assertion of more learned Ministers in the Church of England then ever heretofore The Lord Gray his rejoynder nay then in all the reformed Churches in Christendome this That it was not to he attributed to the Bishops or their actions but to God who now opened the hearts of many to see into the truth and that the Schools were better observed 4. The Lord Treasurer Burghley seeming to moderate betwixt them The Lord Treasurer his moderation after a long and learned oration concluded that he was not so scrupuleus as absolutely to like of the bill against Pluralities without any exception for he did favour both learning and wished a competent reward to it And therefore could like and allow a learned man to have two Benefices so they were both in ene parish that is to say in one Diocess and not one in the Diocess of Winchester and another in the North where the severall Diocesans would have no regard of them whereas being both in one Diocess the Bishop would look unto them 5. Here it was signified that her Majesty was acquainted with the matter Others interpret and that she was very forward to redress the faults and therefore required the Bishops not to binder her good and gracious purpose for that her Majesty would conferr with them 6. The Lord Gray again said The Lord Grays quere whether of Withen or what most probable of Ruthen afterwards Earl of Kent replyed he greatly wondred at her Majesty that she would make choice to conser with those who were all enemies to Reformation for that it meerly touched their freeholds and therefore he thought it good the house should make choice of some to be joyned with them Also he wished the Bishops might be served as they were in in King Henry the 8 th dayes when as in the case of praemunire they were all thrust out of doores 7. Then the Lord Treasurer said that the Bishops if they were wise would themselves be humble suiters to her Majesty to have some of the Temporall Lords joyned with them 8. The Lord Chamberlain utterly disliked the Lord Grayes motion alledging that it was not to be liked of that the Lords should appoint her Majesty any to confer withall but that it should be left to her own election 9. Matters flying thus high the Arch-Bishop with the rest of the Clergy The Bishops providently petition the Queen conceived it the safest way to apply themselves by Petition to the Queen which they presented as followeth To the Queens most excellent Majesty THe wofull and distressed state whereinto we are like to fall forceth us with griâ—f of heart in most humble maner to crave your Majesties most soveraign Protection For the pretence being made the maintenance and increase of a learned ministry when it is throughly weighed decryeth learning spoâ—leth their livings taketh away the sâ—t form of prayer in the Church and is the means to bring in confusion and Barbarisme How dangerous innovations are in a setled estate whosoever hath judgemeâ—t perceiveth Set dangers apart yet such great inconviniences may ensae as will make a state lamentable and miserable Our nâ—ighbours miseries might make us fearfull but that we know who tales the same All the reformed Churches in Europe cannot compare with England in the number of learned Ministers These benefits of your Majesties most sacred and are fall Government with hearty joy we feel and humbly acknowledge senceless are they that repâ—ne at it and careless wâ—o lightly regard it The respect hereof made the Prophet to say Dii estis All the faithfull and discreet Clergy say ô Dea certè Nothing is impossible with God Requests without grounded reasons are lightly to be rejected We therefore not as directors but as humble Remembrancers beseech your Highness favourable beholding of our present state And what it will be in time to come if the Bill against Pluralities should take any place To the Petition were annexed a catalogue of those inconveniences to the State present State to come Cathedrall Churches Universities to her Majesty to Religion in case pluralities were taken away here too large to be inserted So that in effect nothing was effected as in relation to this matter but things left in staâ—u quo prius at the dissolution of this Parliament 10. Amongst the mortalities of this year The death of Bp Barns most remarkable the death of Richard Barnes Bishop of Durham one commendable in himself but much suffering for the * See the life of Bernard Gilpin p. 190. corruption and viciousness of John Barnes his brother and Chancellour This Bishop was bred in Brasen-nose Colledge made Suffragan of Nottingham the last I beleeve who wore that title and behaved himself very gravely in his Diocess A great friend at last to Bernard Gilpin though at first by some ill instruments incensed against him and seeing they were loving in their lives their memories in my Book shall not be divided though I confess the later died some three years before 11. This Bernard Gilpin And of Bernard Gilpin born of a right worshipfull family at Kentmirâ— in Westmerland had Cuthbert Tonstali Bishop of Durham for his great Vncle he was bred first in Queens Colledgs then Christs-Church in Oxford and no doubt the prayers of Peter Martyr conduced to his conversion to be a Protestant For he hearing this Gilpin dispute cordially on the Popish party desired of God that so good affections might not be misguided and at last obtained his desire 12. He Weathered out the Raign of Queen Mary Hardly escaped in Queen Maries dayes partly with his travels beyond the seas Anno Dom. 1587. chiefly residing at Lovain Anno Regin Eliza. 30. and Paris partly after his return by the favour of his Uncle Tonstall Before whom he was often cited chiefly about the Eucharist but was discharged by confessing the reall presence and that the manner thereof transcended his apprehension Tonstall not inforcing him to the particularity of Transubstantiation as using himself to complain on Pope Innocent for defining de modo to be an article of faith However his foes so hardly beset him that once he ordered his servant to provide for him a long shroud not for his
different as their Opinions some of them being conceived too wise to begin and others too weak to finish so dangerous a Designe The ends they propounded to themselves as they were charged therewith were to kill the King raise Rebellion alter Religion at least gaine a Toleration and procure a forraign Invasion with many more things which may be spoken easier in a Minute than done in an Age especially their Interest being not much at home and nothing abroad Ann. Dom. 1602 They ante-divided all Offices of State betwixt themselves Ann. Reg. Jac. 1. Lord Marshall to one Treasurer to another Master of the Horse to a third Secretary to a fourth c. onely Sir Walter Rawleigh able to discharge any had no particular Office assigned unto him Watson was to be Lord Chancelour being very fit for the place had he but as much skill to decide Causes as write Quodlibets There wanted nothing to estate them in all these Offices but onely their getting of them 17. Wonder not that this Treason was discovered so soon The two Priests executed but covered so long The two Priests alone Nov. 29. with G Brook were executed who to use the words of King Iames in his Letter to Sir Benjamine Tichbourne Sheriff of Hantshire for the Plague being in London Terme was removed to Winchester where they were tried Vaire the principall Plotteris and Intisaris of all the rest to the embracing of the saidis treasonabil Machinations The rest were pardoned their Lives not their Lands We must not forget that the Priests pleaded the silliest for themselves of all that were arraigned alledging that their Practise against the King could not be Treason because done against him before he was crowned Watson instancing in Saul who was anoynted in e 1 Sam. 10. 1. Ramah and afterward made King in f Ibid. ver 24. Mizpeh Clark insisted on Rehoboam as being no King till the People had g 1 King 12. 1 made him so Not remembering what our Lawyers there minded them of the difference betwixt successive Kings deriving their claime from their Ancestors and one newly elected the English Crowne also being as incapable of an Inter-regnum as Nature of a Vacuitie Mean time the Jesuits looked on and laughed at Watson's Execution to see how bunglingly Secular Priests went about a Treason resolving in the next platforme thereof which now they were contriving to rectifie the errours Watson had committed not to ingage in a squint-ey'd company where two did not look the same way but to select a competencie of cordial Catholiques for the purpose 18. No sooner was King Iames setled on the English Throne Mr Cartwright dedicates a Book to King James but Mr. Cartwright presented unto him his Latin Coment on Ecclesiastes thankfully mentioning in his Dedication how he had some twenty yeares before been chosen to be Professour in a Scotch University though declining the acceptance thereof because of his Pastorall Charge being then Minister to the English Congregation at Antwerp Thanks perchance not so proper to the person of King Iames though in Loyalty and good Manners justly tendred unto him as due rather to those who in his minority steered the affaires of Scotland Nor let any wonder that an English man should be proffered preferment in Scotland seeing it was but one for another remembring that I have read in the life of Mr. Knox that he was offered an English Bishoprick in the reigne as I take it of K. Edw the 6. and likewise refused the same 19. But Mr Cartwright survived not long after otherwise Mr. Cartwright his Death no doubt we should have heard of him in Hampton Court-Conference Dec. 27. as the Champion of his Party who died at the age of sixty on the 27. of December following To what we have formerly largely writ of his Character we now onely adde that he was born in Hartford shire Camden in his Eliz. and married the Sister of M. Stubbs whose hand was struck off for writing an interpreted Libel against Queen Elizabeths Marriage with Monsieur This I dare boldly say She was a most excellent Wife if she proved like her Brother whom Mr. Cambden no great friend of Puritans cordially commendeth for a right honest man generally beloved whilest living and lamented when dead He was afflicted towards his old Age with many Infirmities insomuch that he was forced continually to studie upon his * See his Life lately set forth by M. Clark knees My Eares shall be dear to the uncharitable inference of those who impute this extraordinary painfull posture as a just punishment upon him in that he had so bitterly inveighed against the gesture of those as superstitious who reverently received the Sacrament on their knees M. Dod preached his Funerall Sermon 20. And now The Presbyterian Petition to K. Parl. because there was a generall expectation of a Parliament suddenly to succeed the Presbyterian Party that they might not be surprised before they had their tackling about them Ann. Dom. 1603 went about to get hands of the Ministers to a Petition which they intended seasonably to present to the K. and Parl M. Arthur Hildersham and M. Stephen Egerton with some others were chosen and chiefly intrusted to manage this important businesse This was called The millenary Petition as One of a thousand w See M. Hildersam's 〈◊〉 set forth by Mr. Clark though in indeed there were but seven hundred and fifty Preachers hands set thereunto But those all collected onely out of five and twenty Counties However for the more rotundity of the number and grace of the matter it passeth for a full thousand which no doubt the Collectours of the names if so pleased might easily have compleated I dare not guesse what made them desist before their number was finished whether they thought that these were enough to doe the deed and moe were rather for oftentation than use or because disheartned by the intervening of the Hampton-Court Conference they thought that these were even too many to petition for a Deniall It is left as yet uncertaine whether this Conference was by the Kings favour graciously tendered or by the mediation of the Lords of his Counsell powerfully procured or by the Bishops as confident of their cause voluntarily proffered or by the Ministers importunity effectually obteyned Each Opinion pretends to Probability but the last most likely 1603 And by what meanes soever this Conference was compassed Hampton-Court was the Place the 14 of January the Time and the following Names the Persons which were employed therein For Conformity Moderator Against Conformity Arch bish of Canterbury Whitgift Biashops of London Bancroft Durham Mathew Winchester Bilson Worcester Babington St. Davids Rudd Chicester Watson Carleil Robinson Peterbor Dove Deans of The a Though all these Deanes were summoned by Letters and present in the Presence Chamber yet onely five viz. of the Chappel Westminister Pauls Chester and Sarisbury
on the first day were called in Chappel Christ-Church Worcester Westminster Andrewes S. Pauls Overall Chester Barlow Sarisbury Bridges Winsor D. Field King KING JAMES Spectators All the Lords of the Privy Council whereas some at times interposed a few words Place A withdrawing Room within the Privy chamber Dr. Reynolds Sparks Mr. Knewstubs Chaderton These remaining in a Room without were not called in the first day To omit all gratulatory Preambles as necessary when spoken as needlesse if now repeated we will present onely the Substance of this Dayes Conference his Majesty thus beginning it It is no novel device but according to the example of all Christian Princes for Kings to take the first course for the establishing of the Church both in Doctrine and Policy To this the very Heathen related in their Proverb A Jove principium particularly in this Land King Henry the 8. towards the end of his Reign altered much King Edward the 6. more Queen Mary reversed all and lastly Queen Elizabeth of b Note his Majesty never remembred her but with some honourable Addition famous memory setled Religion as now it standeth Herein I am happier than they because they were faine to alter all things they found established Ann. Dom. 160 3 4 whereas I see yet no suchcause to change Ann. Reg. Jac. 1 as confirm what I finde well setled already For blessed be Gods gracious Goodnesse who hath brought me into the Promised Land where Religion is purely professed where I sit amongst Grave Learned and Reverend Men not as before elsewhere a King without State without Honour without Order where Beardlesse Boyes would brave us to the Face And I assure you we have not called this Assembly for any Innovation for we acknowledge the Government Ecclesiasticall as now it is to have been approved by manifold blessings from God himself both for the increase of the Gospel and with a most happy and glorious Peace Yet because nothing can be to absolutely ordered but that something may be added thereunto and corruption in any State as in the Body of Man will insensibly grow either thorough Time or Persons and because we have received many complaints since our first entrance into this Kingdome of many disorders and much disobedience to the Lawes with a great falling away to Popery Our purpose therefore is like a good Physitian to examine and try the Complaints and fully to remove the occasions thereof if scandalous cure them if dangerous and take knowledge of them if but frivolous thereby to cast a Sop into Cerberus his Mouth that he bark no more For this cause we have called you Bishops and Deans in severally by your selves not to be confronted by the contrary Opponents that if any thing should be found meet to be redressed it might be done without any visible Alteration Particularly there be some speciall Points wherein I desire to be satisfied and which may be renduced to three Heads 1. Concerning the Book of Common Prayer and Divine Service used in the Church 2. Excommunication in Ecclesiasticall Courts 3. The providing of fit and able Ministers for Ireland In the Common Prayer-book I require satisfaction about three things First about Coâ—firmation For the very name thereof if arguing a Confirming of Baptâ—sme as if this Sacrament without it were of no validity is plainly blasphemous For though at the first use thereof in the Church it was thought necessary that baptised Infants who formerly had answered by their Patrins should when come to yeares of discretion after their Profession made by themselves be confirmed with the blessing of the Bishop I abhorre the Abuâ—e wherein it is made a Sacrament or Corroboration to Baptisme As for Absolution I know not how it is used in our Church but have heard it likened to the Popes Pardons There be indeed two kindes thereof from God One generall all Prayers and Preaching importing an Absolution The other particular to speciall Parties having committed a Scandall and repenting Otherwise where Excommunication precedes not in my judgement there needs no Absolution Private Baptisme is the third thing wherein I would be satisfied in the Common Prayer If called Private from the Place I think it agreeable with the use of the Primitive Church but if termed private that any besides a lawfull Minister may baptise I utterly dislike it And here his Majesty grew somewhat earnest in his Expressions against the baptising by Women and Laicks In the second Head of Excommunication I offer two things to be considered of First the Matter Secondly the Persons For the first I would be satisfied whether it be executed as it is complainmed of to me in light Causes and that too commonly which causeth the undervaluing thereof For the Persons I would be resolved why Chancellours and Commissaries being Lay-men should do it and not rather the Bishops themselves or some Minister of Gravity and account deputed by them for the more dignity to so high and weighty a Censure As for providing Ministers for Ireland I shall refer it in the last daies Conference to a Consultation c He addressed himselfe to the King on his knee Ar-Bp of CaÌ„t. Confirmation hath been used in the Catholick Church ever since the Apostles and it is a very untrue suggestion if any have informed your Highnesse that the Church of England holds Baptisme imperfect without it as adding to the vertue and strength thereof BP of Lon. The Authority of Confirmation depends not onely on d Citing Cypr. Ep. 73. and Jer. Adversus Luciferiam Antiquity and the Practise of the Primitive Church but is an Apostolical Institution named in expresse words Heb. 6. 2. and so did Mr. Calvin expound the very place earnestly wishing the restitution thereof in the reformed Churches The Bishop of Carlile is said gravely and learnedly to have urged the same and the Bishop of Durham noted something out of S. Matthew for the Imposition of hands on Children The Conclusion was this For the fuller Explanation that we make Confirmation neither a Sacrament nor a Corroboration thereof their Lordships should consider whether it might not without Alteration whereof his Majesty was still very wary be intitled an Examination with a Confirmation Ar-B of CaÌ„t. As for the point of Absolution wherein your Majesty desires satisfaction it is clear from all abuse or superstition as it is used in our Church of England as will appear on the reading both of the Confession and Absolution following it in the beginning of the Communion Book Here the King perused both and returned His Majesty I like and approve them finding it to be very true what you say BP of Lond. It becometh us to deal plainly with your Majesty There is also in the Book a more particular and personall absolution in t he Visitation of the Sick Here the Dean of the Chappel turned unto it and read it These be severally cited BP of Lond. Not onely the Confessions of Augusts Boheme and Saxon
be admitted into the Ministerie but able and sufficient men and those to Preach diligently and especially upon the Lords day That such as be already entred and cannot Preach may either be removed and some charitable course taken with them for their reliese or else to be forced according to the value of their Livings to maintain Preachers That Non-Residencie be not permitted That King Edward's Statute for the lawfulnesse of Ministers Marriage be revived That Ministers be not urged to subscribe but according to the Law to the Articles of Religion and the Kings Supremacie onely III. For Church-Livings and Maintenance That Bishops leave their Commendams some holding Prebends some Parsonages some Vicarages with their Bishopricks That double beneficed men be not suffered to hold some two some three Benefices with Cure and some two three or foure Dignities besides That Impropriations annexed to Bishopricks and Colledges be demised onely to the Preachers Incumbents for the old rent That the Impropriations of Lay-mens Fees may be charged with a sixt or seventh part of the worth to the maintenance of the Preaching Minister IV. For Church-Discipline That the Discipline and Excommunication may be administred according to Christs owne Institution Or at the least that enormities may be redressed As namely That Excommunication come not forth under the name of Lay persons Ann. Reg. Jac. 2 Chancellors Officials c. That men be not excommunicated for trifles and twelve-peny matters That none be excommunicated without consent of his Pastour That the Officers be not suffered to extort unreasonable Fees That none having Jurisdiction or Registers places put out the same to Farme That divers Popish Canons as for restraint of Marriage at certaine times be reversed That the longsomnesse of Suits in Ecclesiasticall Courts which hang sometime two three foure five six or seven yeers may be restrained That the Oath Ex Officio whereby men are forced to accuse themselves be more sparingly used That Licenses for Marriage without Banes asked be more cautiously granted These with such other abuses yet remaining and practised in the Church of England we are able to shew not to be agreeable to the Scriptures if it shall please your Highnesse farther to heare us or more at large by Writing to be informed or by Conference among the Learned to be resolved And yet we doubt not but that without any farther processe your Majesty of whose Christian judgement we have received so good a taste already is able of Your selfe to judge of the equity of this cause God we trust hath appointed your Highnesse our Physician to heale these diseases And we say with Mordecai to Hester who knoweth whether you are come to the Kingdome for such a time Thus Your Majesty shall doe that which we are perswaded shall be acceptable to God honourable to your Majesty in all succeeding ages profitable to his Church which shall be thereby encreased comfortable to your Ministers which shall be no more suspended silenced disgraced imprisoned for mens traditions and prejudiciall to none but to those that seek their owne quiet credit and profit in the world Thus with all dutifull submission referring our selves to your Majesties pleasure for your gracious answer as God shall direct you we most humbly recommend Your Highnesse to the Divine Majesty whom we beseech for Christ his sake to dispose Your Royall heart to doe herein what shall be to his glory the good of his Church and your endlesse comfort Your Majesties most humble Subjects the Ministers of the Gospel that desire not a disorderly innovation but a due and godly Reformation 25. This calme The issue of this Petition and stil but deep Petition being as is aforesaid presented to the King it was given out that his Majesty lent it a favourable eare that some great ones about him gave it a consenting entertainment that some potent strangers I understand of the Scottish nation had undertaken the conduct and managing thereof Whether indeed it was so God knows or whether these things were made to make the people the Van pretending a victory that the Rere might follow the more comfortably Sure it is this Petition ran the Gantlop throughout all the Prelaticall party every one giving it a lash some with their Pens moe with their Tongues and the dumb Ministers as they terme them found their speech most vocall against it The Universities and justly found themselves much agrieved that the Petitioners should proportion a seaventh part onely out of an impropriation in a Lay-mans fee whilst those belonging to Colleges and Cathedralls should be demised to the Vicars at the old rent without fine without improvement Whereas Scholars being children of the Prophets counted themselves most proper for Church-revenues and this motion if effected would cut off more than the nipples of the breasts of both Universities in point of maintenance 26. Cambridge therefore began Universities justly netled thereat and passed a Grace in their Congregation that whosoever in their University should by Word or Writing oppose the received Doctrine and Discipline of England or any part thereof should â—ipso facto be suspended from their former excluded from all future degrees Oxford followed recompencing the slownesse of her pace with the firmenesse of her footing making a strong and sharp confutation of the Petition But indeed King James made the most reall refutation thereof not resenting it whatsoever is pretended according to the desires and hopes not to say the reports of such who presented it And after his Majesty had discountenanced it some hot-spurs of the opposite party began to maintaine many copies thereof being scattered into vulgar hands that now the property thereof was altered from a Petition into a Libel And such papers desamatory of the present Government punishable by the Statute Prime Elizabethae Under favour Other Millenary Petitions I conceive this Petition by us lately exemplified the proper Millenary Petition Otherwise I observe that Millenary Petition is vox aequivoca and attributed to all Petitions with numerous and indefinite subscriptions which were started this year concerning Church-Reformation Many there were of this kinde moving for more or lesse alteration as the promoters of them stood affected For all mens desires will then be of the same size when their bodies shall be of the same stature Of these one most remarkable required a subscription in manner as followeth We whose names are under written doe agree to make our humble Petition to the Kings Majesty that the present state of the Church may be farther reformed in all things needfull according to the rule of Gods holy Word and agreeable to the example of other reformed Churches which have restored both the Doctrine and Discipline as it was delivered by our Saviour Christ and his holy Apostles Two things are remarkable therein First that this was no present Petition but a preparative thereunto which in due time might have proved one if meeting with proportionable encouragement Secondly that it
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
not legally be conveyed to any Petitioner Ann. Dom. 1604 Ann Reg. Jac. 2 Thus his Majesty manifested his good will and affection to Religion and although this Law could not finally preserve Church-lands to make them immortall yet it prolonged their lives for many yeares together 12. Passe we now into the Convocation The Acts of this Convocation why as 〈…〉 recovered to see what was done there But here the History thereof as I may say is shot betwixt the joynts of the Armor in the intervall after Whitgift's death and before Bancroft's removall to Canterbury so that I can finde the Originall thereof neither in the Office of the Vicar-generall nor in the Registry of London not can I recover it as yet from the Office of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury where most probably it is to be had the Jurisdiction belonging to them in the Vacancy 13. Take this as the result thereof Many Canon made therein Bishop Bancroft sitting President A Book of Canons was compiled not onely being the summe of the Queens Articles Orders of her Commissioners Advertisements Canons of 1571. and 1597. which were in use before but also many more were added the whole number amounting unto 141. Some wise and moderate men supposed so many Lawes were too heavy a burden to be long borne and that it had been enough for the Episcopall party to have triumphed not insulted over their adversaries in so numerous impositions However an Explanation was made in one of the Canons of the use of the Crosse in Baptisme to prevent Scandall and learned Thuanus in his History taketh an especiall notice thereof 14. Motion being made in this Convocation Bishop Rudd why opposing the oath against Simony about framing an Oath against Simony to be taken by all presented to Churchpreferment Bishop Rudde of St. Davids as conscientious as any of his order and free from that fault opposed it chiefly because he thought it unequall that the Patron should not be forced as well as the Clerk to take that Oath Whereupon it was demanded of him whether he would have the King to take that Oath when he presented a Bishop or Dean and hereat the Bishop sate downe in silence 15. About this time the Corporation of Rippon in York-shire The Petition of the Town of Rippon to Queen Anne presented their Petition to Queen Anne on this occasion They had a faire Collegiate Church stately for the structure thereof formerly erected by the Nobility and Gentry of the Vicenage the meanes whereof at the dissolution of Abbies were seized on by the King so that small maintenance was left to the Minister of that populous Parish Now although Edwin Sands Arch-bishop of York with the Earle of Huntinton Lord Burgley and Sheaffield successively Presidents of the North had recommended their Petition to Qu. Elizabeth they obtained nothing but faire unperformed Promises whereupon now the Ripponeers humbly addressed themselves to Queen Anne and hear her answer unto them ANNA R. ANNE by the grace of God Qu. of England Scotland France and Ireland c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas there hath been lately exhibited and recommended unto us a frame and plat-forme of a Colledge Generall to be planted and established at Rippon in the County of Yorke for the manifold benefit of both the Borders of England and Scotland Upon the due perusing of the plot aforesaid hereunto annexed and upon signification given of the good liking and approbation of the chief points contained therein by sundry grave learned and religious parties and some other of honourable Place and Estate We have thought good for the ample and perpetuall advancement of Learning and Religion in both the borders of our aforesaid Realmes to condescend to yeild our favour and best furtherance thereunto And for the better encouraging of other honourable and worthy Personages to joyn with us in yeilding their bounty and benevolence thereunto We have and do signifie and assure and by the word of a sacred Princesse and Queen do expresly promise to procure with all convenient speed to and for the yearely better maintenance of the said Colledge All and every of the Requests specified and craved to that end in a small Schedule hereunto annexed In confirmation whereof we have signed these Presents by our hand and name above mentioned and have caused our privy Signet to be set unto the same July 4. Dated at our Honour at Greenwich July 4. An. Dom. 1604. and of our Reigne c. After the sealing thus subscribed Gulielmus Toulerius Secretarius de mandate serenissimae Annae Reginae Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae 16. Such need never fear successe King James his bountifull grant who have so potent a person to solicite their suite King James being forward of himselfe to advance Learning and Religion and knowing Christs precept Let your Light shine before Men knew also that Rippon was an advantagious place for the fixing thereof As which by its commodious position in the North there would reflect lustre almost equally into England and Scotland Whereupon he founded a Dean and Chapter of seven Prebends allowing them two hundred forty seven pounds a yeare out of his own Crowne-land for their maintenance 17. I am informed These Lands since twice sold that lately the Lands of this Church are by mistake twice sold to severall Purchasers viz. Once under the notion of Dean and Chapters Lands and againe under the property of Kings Lands I hope the Chapâ—men when all is right stated betwixt them will agree amongst themselves on their bargaine Mean time Rippon Church may the better comport with poverty because onely remitted to its former condition 18. The Family of Love or Lust rather at this time The Petition of the Family of Love to King James presented a tedious Petition to King James so that it is questionable whether His Majesty ever graced it with his perusall wherein they endeavoured to cleare themselves from some misrepresentations and by fawning expression to insinuate themselves into his Majesty's good opinion Which here we present To the King 's most excellent MAJESTY JAMES the first by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. MOst gracious and Sveraigne Lord whereas there is published in a Book written by your Highnesse as an instruction to your most noble * * In his Basilicon Doron Sonne whom Almighty God blesse with much Honour Happinesse and Long life of a People that are of a vile Sect among the Anabaptists called the Family of Love who doe hold and maintaine many proud uncharitable unchristian and most absurd Opinions unto whom your Highnesse doth also give the name of Puritans assuming in the said Book that divers of them as Brown Penry and others doe accord with them in their foule Errours heady and phantasticall Opinions which are there set downe at large by Your Majesty
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
mutually censure each other yet many complained that this ceremony though left indifferent as hereafter to salvation was made necessary as here to preferment Yea this knee-mark of bowing or not bowing would be made the distinguishing character that hereafter all such should be condemned as halting in conformity who were not through paced in these addition all ceremonies 25. Many took exception at the hollownesse of the Oath in the middle thereof Second exception having its bowells puffed up with a windie c. a cheverel word which might be stretched as men would measure it Others pleaded for it as only inserted to save the enumeration of many mean Officers in the Church whose mention was beneath the dignity of an Oath and would but clog the same Yea since some have endeavoured to excuse the same by the interpretative c. incorporated into the body of the Covenant whereby people are bound to defend the priviledges of Parliament though what they be is unknown to most that take the same 26. But most took exception against that clause in the Oath Third and greatest exception we will never give any consent to alter this Church-government as if the same were intended to abridge the liberty of King and State in future Parliaments and Convocations if hereafter they saw cause to change any thing therein And this obligation seemed the more unreasonable because some of those Orders specified in the Oath as Archbishops Deans Archdeacons stand only established jure humano sive Ecclesiastico and no wise man ever denied but that by the same power and authority they are alterable on just occasion 27. Yet there wanted not others Endeavoured to be excused who with a favourable sense endâ—avoured to qualify this suspicious clause whereby the taker of this Oath was tied up from consenting to any alteration These argued that if the Authority Civil or Ecclesiasticall did not herein impose an Oath binding those that took it hereafter to disobey themselves and reject such orders which the foresaid Civil or Ecclesiastical power might afterwards lawfully enact or establish For seeing in all oaths this is an undoubted Maxime Quacunque forma verborum juratur Deus sic juramentum accipit sicut ille cui juratur intelligit none can probably suppose that the governors in this oath intended any clause thereof to be an abridgment of their own lawfull power or to debar their inferiours from consenting and submitting to such alterations as by themselves should lawfully be made Wherefore these words We will never give any consent to alter are intended here to be meant only of a voluntary and pragmaticall alteration when men conspire consent labour and endeavour to change the present government of the Church in such particulars as they doe dislike without the consent of their superiours 28. But the exception of exceptions against these Canons The â—ver activity of some Bishops is because they were generally condemned as illegally passed to the prejudice of the fundamentall liberty of the Subject whereof we shall hear enough in the next Parliament Mean time some Bâ—shops were very forward in pressing this Oath even before the time thereof For whereas a liberty was allowed to all to deliberate thereon untill the feast of Michael the Archangel some presently pressed the Ministers of their Diocesses for the taking thereof and to my knowledge enjoyned them to take this oath kneeling A ceremony to my best remembrance never exacted or observed in taking the Oath of Supremacy or Allegiance which some accounted an essay of their activity if providence had not prevented them 29. Many impressions of English-Bibles The importation of false printed Bibles printed at Amsterdam and moe at Edinburgh in Scotland were daily brought over hither and sold here Little their volumes and low their prices as beeing of bad paper worse print little Margent yet greater then the care of the Corrector many most abominable errata being passed therein Take one instance for all Jer. 4. 17. speaking of the whole â—nstead of because she hath been rebellious against mee saith the Lord. Common-wealth of Judah it is printed Edinburgh 1637. because she hath been religious against mee saith the Lord. Many complaints were made especially by the company of Stationers against these false printed Bibles as giving great advantage to the Papists but nothing was therein effected For in this juncture of time came in the Scotish Army and invaded the Northern parts of England What secret solicitations invited them hither is not my work to enquire Many beheld them as the only Physitians of the distempered State and believed that they gave not their Patient a visit on pure charity but having either received or being well promised their fee before 30. Soon after began the long lasting Parliament Parliament and Convocation bâ—gin so known to all posterity for the remarkable transactions therein The King went to the House privately by water many commending his thrift in sparing expences when two Armies in the bowels of the Land expected their pay from his purse Others distinguishing betwixt needlesse Pomp and necessary State suspected this might be misinterpreted as if the Scotch had frighted him out of that Ceremony of Majesty and some feared such an omission presaged that Parliament would end with sadnesse to him which began without any solemnity Abreast therewith began a Convocation though unable long to keep pace together the latter soon tyreing as never inspirited by commission from the King to meddle with any matters of Religion Mr. Warmistre a Clark for Worcester made a motion therein that they should endeavour according to the Leviticall Law to cover the pit which they had opened and to prevent their adversaries intention by condemning such offensive Canons as were made in the last Convocation But it found no acceptance they being loath to confesse themselves guilty before they were accused 31. This day hapned the first fruits of Anabaptisticall insolence The insolence of Anabaptists 1640-41 Jan. 18. when 80 of that Sect meeting at a house in St. Saviours in Southwark preached that the Statute in the 35. of Eliz. for the administration of the Common-Prayer was no good Law because made by Bishops That the King cannot make a good Law because not perfectly regenerate That he was only to be obeyed in Civill matters Being brought before the Lords they confessed the articles but no penalty was inflicted upon them 32. About this time Mr. Prinn The 3 Exiles brought home in Triumph Dr. Bastwick and Mr. Burton were brought out of durance and exile with great Triumph into London it not sâ—fficing their friends to welcome them peaceably but victoriously with bayes and rosemary in their hands and hats Wise men conceived that their private returning to the Town had signifyed as much gratitude to God and lesse affront to authority But some wildnesse of the looks must be pardoned in such who came suddenly into the light out of long darknesse
other body and doe nothing beneficiall thereunto cannot fall under a milder term The Common-wealth subsists by Lawes and their execution and they that have neither head in the making nor hand in the executing of them confer not any thing to the being or well being thereof And can such be called members unless most unprofitable ones only fruges consumere nati Me thinks it springs from nature it self 3. or the very depths of justice that none should be tyed by other lawes then himself makes for what more naturall and just then to be bound only by his own consent to be ruled by anothers will is meerly tyrannicall Nature there suffers violence and man degenerates into beast The most flourishing Estates were ever governed by Lawes of an universall constitution witnesse this our Kingdome witnesse Senatus Populusque Romanus the most glorious Common-wealth that ever was and those many others in Greece and elsewhere of eternall memory Some things 4. my Lords are so evident in themselves that they are difficult in their proofs Amongst them I reckon this conveniency I have spoken of I will therefore use but a word or two more in this way The long experience that all Christendome hath had hereof for these 1300. yeers is certainly argumentum ad hominem Nay my Lords I will goe further for the same reason runs through all Religions never was there any Nation that imployed not their religious men in the greatest affairs Anno Regis Caroli 16 But to come to the businesse that now lyes before your Lordships Bishops have voted here ever since Parliaments began and long before were imployed in the publique The good they have done your Lordships all well know and at this day enjoy for this I hope ye will not put them out nor for the evill they may doe which yet your Lordships doe not know and I am confident never shall suffer A position ought not to be destroyed by a supposition à posse ad esse non valet consequentia My Lords I have done with proving of this positively I shall now by your good favours doe it negatively in answering some inconveniences that may seem to arise For the Text Object 1. No man that wars intangles himself with the affairs of this life which is the full sense of the word both in Greek and Latine it makes not at all against them except to intermeddle and intangle be terms equivalent Besides my Lords though this was directed to a Church-man yet it is of a generall nature and reaches to all Clergy and Laity as the most learned and best expositors unanimously doe agree To end this Argumentum symbolicum non est argumentativum It may be said that it is inconsistent with a spirituall vocation Object 2. Truly my Lord Grace and Nature are in some respects incompatible but in some others most harmoniously agree it perfects nature and raises it to a height above the common altitude and makes it most fit for those great works of God himself to make lawes to doe Justice There is then no inconsistency between themselves it must arise out of Scripture I am confident it doth not formally out of any place there nor did I ever meet with any learned writer of these or other times that so expounded any Text. But though in strict terms this be not inconsistent Object 3. yet it may peradventure hinder the duty of their other calling My Lords there is not any that sits here more for preaching then I am I know it is the ordinary means to salvation yet I likewise know there is not that full necessity of it as was in the primitive times God defend that 1600 yeers acquaintance should make the Gospell of Christ no better known unto us Neither my Lords doth their office meerly and wholly consist in preaching but partly in that partly in praying and administring the blessed Sacraments in a godly and exemplary life in wholsome admonitions in exhortations to vertue dehortations from vice and partly in easing the burthened conscience These my Lords compleat the office of a Churchman Nor are they altogether tyed to time or place though I confesse they are most properly exercised within their own verge except upon good occasion nor then the omission of some can be termed the breach of them all I must add one more an essentiall one the very form of Episcopacy that distinguisheth it from the inferiour Ministery the orderly and good government of the Church and how many of these I am sure not the last my Lords is interrupted by their sitting here once in 3 yeers and then peradventure but a very short time and can there be a greater occasion than the common good of the Church and State I will tell your Lordships what the great and good Emperour Constantine did in his expedition against the Persians he had his Bishops with him whom he consulted about his military affairs as Eusebius has it in his life lib. 4. c. 56. Reward and punishment are the great negotiators in all worldly businesses Object 4. these may be said to make the Bishops swim against the stream of their consciences And may not the same be said of the Laity Have these no operations but only upon them Has the King neither frown honour nor offices but only for Bishops Is there nothing that answers their translations Indeed my Lords I must needs say that in charity it is a supposition not to be supposed no nor in reason that they will goe against the light of their understanding The holinesse of their calling their knowledge their freedome from passions and affections to which youth is very obnoxious their vicinity to the gates of death which though not shut to any yet alwayes stand wide open to old age these my Lords will surely make them steer aright But of matter of fact there is no disputation Object 5. some of them have done ill Crimine ab uno disce omnes is a poeticall not a logicall argument Some of the Judges have done so some of the Magistrates and Officers and shall there be therefore neither Judge Magistrate nor Officer more A personall crime goes not beyond the person that commits it nor can anothers fault be mine offence If they have contracted any filth or corruption through their own or the vice of the times cleanse and purge them throughly But still remember the great difference between reformation and extirpation And be pleased to think of your Trienniall Bill which will save you this labour for the time to come fear of punishment will keep them in order if they should not themselves through the love of vertue I have now my Lords according to my poor ability both shewed the conveniences and answered those inconveniences that seem to make against them I should now propose those that make for them As their falling into a condition worse then slaves not represented by any and then the dangers and inconveniences that
concessions so that such yeelding unto them would not satisfie their hunger but quicken their Appetites to demand the more hereafter 30. The importunity of others pressed upon him Febr. that to prune off their Baronies But is importuned thereunto was the way to preserve their Bishopricks that his Majesty lately obnoxious to the Parliament for demanding the five Members would now make plenary satisfaction and give such assurance of his affections for the future that all things would answer his desired expectation This was set home unto him by some not the farthest relations insomuch that at last he signed the Bill as he was in St. Augustines in Canterbury passing with the Queen towards Dover then undertaking her voyage into the Low-Countries 31. Many expected Keep in thy calling and more desired that the Kings condescension herein should put a period unto all differences 18 1642 But their expectations were frustrate and not long after the King apprehending himself in danger by tumults deserted Whitehall went into the North erected his Standard at Nottingham Edge-Hill-field was fought and much English blood on both sides shed in severall battles But I seasonably remember that the Church is my Castle viz. that the writing thereof is my House and Home wherein I may stand on my own defence against all who assault me It was good counsell King Joash gave to King Amaziah * 2. Kings 14. 10. Tarry at home The practise whereof shall I hope secure me from many mischiefs 32. About this time the word Malignant Malignant first coyned was first born as to the Common use in England the deduction thereof being disputable whether from malus ignis bad fire or malum lignum bad fewell but this is sure betwixt both Anno Dom. 1642 Anno Regis Caroli 18 the name made a combustion all over England It was fixed as a note of disgrace on those of the Kings party and because one had as good be dumb as not speak with the Volge possibly in that sense it may occur in our ensuing Historie However the Royalists plead for themselves that Malignity a * Rom. 1. 29. Scripture word properly denoteth activity in doing evill whereas they being ever since on the suffring side in their Persons Credits and Estates conceive the name improperly applied unto them Which plea the Parliamentary-party smile at in stead of answering taking notice of the affections of the Royalists how Malignant they would have appeared if successe had befriended them 33. Contemporary with Malignant And the word Plunder was the word Plunder which some make of Latine originall from planum dare to levell or plane all to nothing Others make it of Duch extraction as if it were to plume or pluck the feathers of a Bird to the bare skin Sure I am we first heard thereof in the Swedish wars and if the name and thing be sent back from whence it came few English eyes would weep thereat 34. By this time ten of the eleven Bishops The Bishops in the Tower released formerly subscribing their protestation to the Parliament were after some moneths durance upon good bale given released two of them finding great favour in their fees from the Lieutenant of the Tower in respect of their great charge and small estate These now at liberty severally disposed themselves some went home to their own Diocesse as the Bishops of Norwich Oxford c. Some continued in London as the Bishop of Durham not so rich in Age as in all commendable Episcopall qualities Some withdrew themselves into the Kings quarters as Archbishop Williams c. Only Bishop Wren was still detained in the Tower where his long imprisonment being never brought in to a publick answer hath converted many of his adversaries into a more charitable opinion of him 35. The Bishops Votes in Parliament A query worth enquiring being dead and departed neither to be helpt with flatterie nor hurt with malice one word of enquiry in what notion they formerly voted in Parliament Whether as a distinct third Estate of the Clergy or Whether as so many single Barons in their temporall capacity This was formerly received for a trueth countenanced with some passages in the old Statutes reckoning the Lords spirituall and Lords temporall and the Commons to be the three Estates the King as Paramount of all not comprehended therein This is maintained by those who account the King the Lords and Commons the three Estates amongst which Lords the Bishops though spirituall persons appeared as so many temporall Barons Whose absence is no whit prejudiciall to the Acts past in Parliament Some of the Aged Bishops had their Tongues so used to the language of a third Estate that more then once they ran on that reputed Rock in their Speeches for which they were publickly shent and enjoyned an acknowledgement of their mistake 36. The Convocation now not sitting Divines consulted with in Parliament 1643 19 and matters of Religion many being brought under the Cognizance of the Parliament their Wisdomes adjudged it not only convenient but necessary that some prime Clergy-man might be consulted with In order whereunto they resolved to select some out of all Counties whom they conceived best qualified for their designe herein and the first of July was the day appointed for their meeting SECTION IX To Mr Giles Vandepit Clegat Peter Matthewes of London Merchants A Threefold Cable is not easily broken and a Triplicate of Friends may be presumed effectual to protect my endeavours Of whom two are of Dutch the third in the midst of English Extraction not falling there by casual confusion but placed by designed Conjunction Me thinks it is a good sight to behold the Dutch embracing the English and this Dedication may pass for the Emblem of the late Agreement which God long continue if for the mutual good of both Nations 1. WHen on this day the Assembly of Divines Anno Regis Caroli 19. Anno Dom. 1643. The first meeting of the Assembly to consult about matters of Religion met at Westminster in the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh Then the constitution of this Assembly July 1. Satur. as first elected and designed was to consist of about one hundred and twenty persons chosen by the Parliament without respect of Diocesses in relation to Shires two or more of a County They thought it not safe to entrust the Clergie with their own choice of whose generall corruption they constantly complained and therefore adjudged it unfit that the Distempered Patients should be or choose their own Physicians 2. These Elects were of foure severall natures The foure English quarters of the Assembly as the quarters of the same body easily distinguishable by these conditions or opinions First men of Episcopal perswasion as the Right Reverend James Vsher Arch-Bishop of Armagh Doctor Browmrig Bishop of Exeter Doctor Westfield Bishop of Bristol D r Daniel Featly D r Richard
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
is a good quickner of Attention hearing their own power enlarged thereby Anno Dom. 1644. and making use of their Erastiens for a Check Anno Regis Carol. 20. to such who pressed conformity to the Scotch Kirke in all particulars 58. Indeed once the Assembly stretched themselves beyond their own line The Assembly shrewdly checkt in medling with what was not committed by the Parliament to their cognizâ—nce and consultation for which they were afterward staked down and tied up with a shorter tedder For though the wise Parliament made use of the Presbyterian zeal and activity for the extirpation of Bishops yet they discreetly resolved to hold a strickt hand over them as not coming by their own power to advise but called to advise with the Parliament Nor were they to cut out their own work but to make up what was cut to their own hands and seeing a Praemunire is a rod as well for a Presbyter as a Praelate if either trespass on the state by their over activity though they felt not this rod it was shewed to them and shak'd over them and they shrewdly and justly shent for their over-medling which made them the wiser and warier for the time to come 59. Indeed the major part of the Assembly endeavoured the setling of the Scotch Government in all particulars that though Tweed parted their Countries The Scotch discipline in vain itrived for nothing might divide their Church Discipline and this was laboured by the Scotch Commissioners with all industry and probable means to obtain the same But it could not be effected nor was it ever setled by Act of Parliament For as in Heraldry the same seeming Lions in colour and posture rampaâ—t and langued alike are not the selfe-same if the one be armed with nails and teeth the other deprived of both so cannot the English be termed the same with the Scotch-Presbytery the former being in a manner absolute in it self the latter depended on the State in the Execution of the power thereof 60. Insomuch that the Parliament kept the Coercive power in their own hands Coercive power kept in the Parliament not trusting them to carry the KEYS AT THEIR GIRDLE so that the power of excommunication was not intrusted with them but ultimately resolved into a Committee of eminent persons of Parliament whereof Thomas Earl of Arundel presumed present because absent with leave beyond the seas is the first person nominated 61. A Treaty was kept at Vxbridge betwixt the Commissioners of the King and Parliament Vxbride fruitless Treaty many well meaning people promising themselves good success thereby whilst others thought this Treatie was born with a dying countenance 1544. Ann Regis Carol Feb. 5. saying there wanted a third to interpose to make their distances up by powerfull perswasion no hope of good in either without condescention in both parties One may smile at their inference who presumed that the Kings Commissioners coming to Vxbridg two parts of three to meet those of the Parliament would proportionably comply in their yieldings A weak Topical conjecture confuted by the formerly going of the Parliaments Commissioners clean through to Oxford and yet little condescention to their propositions 62. Here M r Christopher Love waiting on the Parliament Commissioners in a general relation gave great offence to the Roialists in his Sermon Mr Loves indisâ—retion shewing the impossibility of an agreement such the dangerous errors and malicious practiseâ— of the opposite party many condemned his want of charity more of discretiâ—n in this juncture of time when there should be a cessation from Invectives drives for the time being But mens censures must fall the more lightly upon his memory because since he hath suffered and so satisfied here for his saults in this or any other kinde 63. with the Commissioners on both sides The conference of Diviues certain Clergie-men were sent in their presence to debate the point of Church-government For the King D r Benjamin Henry Henry Steward Shelden Laney Hammond Ferne For the Parliament M r Steven Marshall M r Richard Vines These when the Commissioners were at leasure from civil affairs were called to a conference before them 64. D r Laney proffered to prove the great benefits which had accrewed to Gods Church in all Ages by the Government by Bishops Dr Laney might not be heard but the Scotch-Commissioners would in no wise heare him whereupon the Doctor was contentedly silent Some discourses rather then disputes passed betwixt D r Steward and M r Marshal leaving no great impressions in the memories of those that were present thereat 65. Only M r Vines was much applauded by his own party An argument ad homines if not ad causas for proving the sufficiency of ordination by Presbiters because Ministers made by Presbyterian Government in France and the Low-Countreys were owned and acknowledged by our Bishops for lawfully ordained for all intents and purposes both to Preach and Sacramentize and no reordination required of them Thus the goodness of Bishops in their charity to others was made use of against themselves and the necessity of the Episcopal function 66. To return to the Assembly the Monuments which they have left to posterity of their meeting Books made by the Assembly are chiefly these Articles of Religion drawn up by them and a double Catechism one the lesser the other the greater whereof at first very few were printed for Parliament men meaner folk not attaining so great a Treasure besides their Directory whereof hereafter 67. As for the conclusion of this Assembly it dwinled away by degrees The Assembly rather sinketh then endeth though never legally dissolved Many of them after the taking of Oxford returning to their own cures and others living in London absented themselves as disliking the managing of matters Such as remained having survived their great respect and being too few to maintain the dignity of an Assembly contented themselves with the notion of a Committee chiefly employed to examine their abilities and good affections who were presented to livings Till at last as in Philosphy accidentia non corrumpuntur sed definunt they vanish with the Parliament and now the execution of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury comes next under our pen whose triall being most of civill concernment is so largely done in a book of that subject that by us it may be justly omitted 68. Next followed the execution of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The Arch-Bishop prepares for death Sherif Chambers of London bringing over night the warrant for the same Anno Dom. 21. Anno Regis Carol. 1645. Jan. 10. and acquainting him therewith In preparation to so sad a work he betook himself to his own and desired also the prayers of others and particularly of D r Holdsworth fellow prisoner in that place for a year and half though all that time there had not been the least converse betwixt them On the morrow he was
his own possession 24. And now Meruit sub Parliamento in Wallia is the wonder of all men Condemned by all Royalists I confess he told his kinsman who related it to me that if he might have the convenience to speak with his Majesty but one half-houre a small time for so great a task he doubted not but to give him full satisfaction for his behaviour Sure it is those of the Royall Party and his own Order which could not mine into his invisible motives but surveyed only the sad surface of his actions condemn the same as irreconcileable with the principles he professed And though hereby he escaped a Composition for his estate in Goldsmiths-Hall yet his memory is still to compound and at what rate know not with many mouths before a good word can be afforded unto it But these perchance have never read the well latined Apologie in his behalf And although some will say that they that need an Apologie come too near to fault the word as commonly taken sounding more of excuse then defence yet surely in its genuine notation it speaks not guilt but allwayes greatness of enemies and opposers 25. Of all English Divines since the Reformation Humane inconstancy he might make the most experimental Sermon on the Apostles words By honour and dishonour by ill report and good report though the method not so applyable as the matter unto him who did not close and conclude with the general good esteem losing by his last compliance his old friends at Oxford and in lieu of them finding few new ones at London 26. Envie it self cannot deny His acts of charity but that whithersoever he went he might be traced by the footsteps of his benefaction Much he expended on the repair of Westminster-Abby-Church and his answer is generally known when pressed by Bishop Land to a larger contribution to S. Pauls that he would not rob Peter to pay Paul The Library of Westminster was the effect of his bounty and so was a Chappel in Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford having no other relation thereunto than as the name-sake * I believe He also was Visitor thereof of his Bishoprick so small an invitation will serve to call a coming charity At S. Johns in Cambridge he founded two Fellowships built a fair Library and furnished it with books intending more had his bounty then met with proportionable entertainment But Benefactors may give money but not gratefull minds to such as receive it 27. He was very chast in his conversation Purged from unjust aspersion whatsoever a nameless author hath written on the contrary Whom his Confuter hath stiled Aulicus è Coquinariâ or The Courtier out of the kitchin and that deservedly for his unworthy writings out of what Dripping-pan soever he licked this his sluttish intelligence For most true it is as I am certainly informed from such who knew the privacies and casualties of his infancy this Arch-Bishop was but one degree removed from a Misogynist yet to palliate his infirmity to noble females he was most compleat in his courtly addresses 28. He hated Popery with a perfect hatred A perfect Anti-Papist and though oft declaring freedom and favour to imprisoned Papists as a Minister of state in obedience to his office yet he never procured them any courtesies out of his proper inclinations Yea when D r 〈…〉 the new Bishop of Calcedon at the end of King James His Reign first arrived in England he gave the Duke of Buckangham * Cabala part 1. pag. 81. advice in case other circumstances conveniently concurred that the Judges should presently proceed against him and hang him out of the way and the King cast the blame on Arch-Bishop Abbots or himself prepared it seemeth to undergo his Royal displeasure therein 29. Not out of Sympathy to Non-conformists Favour of some Nonconformists but Antipathy to Bishop Laud he was favourable to some select persons of that opinion Most sure it is that in his greatness he procured for M r Cotton of Boston a toleration under the Broad Seal for the free exercise of his Ministry not withstanding his dissenting in Ceremonies so long as done without disturbance to the Church But as for this Bishop himself he was so great an honourer of the English Liturgie that of his own cost he caused the same to be translated into Spanish and fairely printed to confute their false conceit of our * Cabala part 1. pag. 79. Church who would not beleeve that we used any Book of Common-Prayer amongst us 30. He was of a proper persons The character of his person comely countenance and amiable complexion having a stately garbe and gate by nature which suppose him prouder then he should be made him mistaken prouder then he was His head was a well filled Treasury and his tongue the faire key to unlock it He had as great a memory as could be reconciled with so good a judgement so quick his parts that his extempore-performances equalized the premeditations of others of his profession He was very open and too free in discourse disdaining to lie at a close guard so confident of the length and strength of his weapon 31. Thus take we our farewell of his memory His savoury speech concluding it with one of his speeches as savourie I beleeve as ever any he uttered wherein he expressed himself to a grave Minister coming to him for Institution in a living I have saith he passed thorough many places of honour and trust both in Church and State more then any of my Order in England this seaventy years before But were I but assured that by my preaching I had converted but one soule unto God I should take therein more spiritual joy and comfort than in all the honours and offices which have been bestowed upon me 32. He died as I take it His death on our Lady-day Anno 1649. Sure I am on the 25. of March leaving a leading case not as yet decided in our Law whether his halfe years rents due after Sunrise should goe with his Goods and Chattels unto his Executor or fall to his Heir The best was such the Providence of the Parties concerned therein that before it came to a Suite they seasonably compounded it amongst themselves 33. Come we now to present the Reader with a List of the principal Ordinances of the Lords and Commons A list of Parliament Ordinances touching Religion which respected Church-matters 1646. I say principal 22. otherwise to recite all which wear the Countenance of an Ecclesiastical Tendency some of them being mingled with civil affairs would be over-voluminous Yea I have heard that a great * Sr. Simons D'ewes Antiquary should say that the Orders and Ordinances of this Parliament in bulke and number did not only equall but exceed all the Laws and Statutes made since the Conquest it will be sufficient therefore to recite Titles of those most material going a little
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
l. 5 s. 5 d. 5 Toft Monachorum Rectory in the Diocess of Norwich valued at 8 l. 6 Leisingham Vicaridgâ— in the Diocess of Norwich valued at 6 li. 7 Harsted Rectory in the Diocess of Norwich valued at 6 li. 10 s. 8 West-Rutham Vicaridge in the Diocess of Norwich valued at 7 li. 6 s. 8 d. 9 Prestcott Vicaridge in the Diocess of Chester valued at 24 li. 9 s. 10 Wotton Wowen Vicaridge in the Diocess of Coventry and Lichfield valued at 11 l. 9 s. 7 d. 11 Dowton Wallat Rectory in the Diocess of London valued at 16 l. Behold here the fruitfulness of one Vineyard a single Colledge and yet we have onely gathered the top-grapes such as were ripest in parts and highest in preferment How many moe grew on the under-boughs which were serviceable in Church and State Not to speak of many eminent persons still surviving amongst whom Mr. William Oughtred beneficed at Alberie in Surrey Prince of the Mathematicians in our age whose modestie will be better pleased with my praying for them than praising of them 16. Wonder not Why so few have been Benefactours to this House Reader that Benefactors are so few and benefaction so small to this royall foundation caused partly from the commpleteness thereof at its first erection partly from mens modestie that their meanness might not mingle it self with Princely magnificence Solomon f Eccles 2. 12 saith What can the man doe that cometh after the King It is petty Presumption to make addition to Kings workes and to hold benefaction in Coparcenarie with them 17. We read in John Rouse The instrumental advancers of so worthy a work how King Henry the fifth had a designe to build a Colledge in the Castle of Oxford the intended model whereof with the endowments to the same he affirmeth himself to have seen but prevented by death his son Henry performed his fathers will as to his general end of advancing Learning and Religion though exchanging the place from Oxford to Cambridge We read also in the Oxford g Brian Twine Antiq. Academ Oxon. pag. 318. Antiquarie how Henry Beaufort that pompous Prelate and Bishop of Winchester gave two thousand pounds to Henry the sixth for the advancing of this Colledge and how John Summerset Doctor of Physick to King Henry the sixth Sophister first in Oxford but afterwards graduated in Cambridge and twice Proctor thereof though not expressed in our Cambridge-Catalogue so imperfect is it was very active with his perswasions to King Henry and concurred much instrumentally to the foundation of this Colledge 18. He proceedeth to tell us Dr Sommerset said to be ingratefully used by Cambridge how the same Sommerset when aged fell into want and disgrace and coming to Cambridge for succour and support found not entertainment proportionable to his deserts Whereupon he publiquely complained thereof in eighty h Extraâ—t in Guil worcestr and cited by Brian Twine pag. 313. satyrical verses thus beginning Quid tibi Cantabriga dudum dulcissima feci Vultum divertis oh mihi dura nimis For mine own part I hate ingratitude be it in mine own mother but dare not here condemn her because ignorant of the cause of Sommerset's poverty Probably it might relate to the difference of the Crown and Lancaster interest so that in those dangerous days Cambridge her charity could not consist with her safety not daring to relieve him for fear of damnifyinging her self 19. How ticklish those dayes were King Edward the fourth a malefactour to this Colledge and with how evill an eye this Foundation from the line of Lancaster was looked upon by the House of York is too plaine in the practise of King Edward the fourth one whose love to learning and religion were much alike who at once took away from Kings Colledge a thousand pound land a year amongst which the fee-farme of the Manours of Chesterton and Cambridge Whereupon no fewer than i â—aius Hist Ac. Cant. pag. 68. fourty of the Fellowes and Scholars besides Conducts Clerkes Choristers and other Colledge-officers were in one day forced to depart the House for want of maintenance Indeed I have read that King Edward afterwards restored five hundred Marks of yearly revenue on condition they should acknowledge him for their Founder and write all their Deeds in his name which perchance for the present they were contented to performe However his restitution was nothing adequate to the injurie offered this Foundation insomuch that Leland complaines Grantam suam hanc jacturam semper sensuram That his Cambridge will for ever be sensible of this losse 20. One k Brian Twine Antiq. Acad. Ox. pag. 317. tells us An old debt well paâ—d that as Kings Colledge was first furnished from Eaton so Eaton was first planted from Winchester-School whence Henry the sixth fetcht five Fellows and thirty five eminenâ— Scholars to furnish his first foundation But let our Aunt know that this debt hath been honestly satisfied with plentifull consideration for the forbearance thereof For in the yeer of our Lord 1524. when Robert Shirton Master of Pembrooke-Hall was employed by Cardinal Wolsey to invite Cambridge-men some full blown in learning others but in the bud and dawning of their pregnancie to plant his foundation at Christ-Church Kings-Colledge afforded them many eminent Scholars then removed thither amongst whom were Rich. Cox afterwards School-master to King Edward the sixth John Frith afterward martyred for the truth John Frier a famous Physician of that age Hen. * MS. Hatcher of K. Coll. Anno 1518. Sumptner who at Christ-Church for his religion being hardly used died soon after with may moe eminent persons which l Vide infâ—â— Anno 1524. hereafter God willing shall be observed Thus Christ-Church in Oxford was first a Cambridge-Colonie Be this remembred partly that Cambridge may continue her original title to such worthy men and partly to evidence her return to her Sister of what formerly she had borrowed Otherwise it matters not on which of the two Branches learned men doe grow seeing all spring from one and the same root of the English Nation 21. I have done with this Foundation The Armes of Kings Colledge when I have told the Reader that King Henry the sixth under his great Seal by Act of Parliament confirmed a coat of Armes to this Colledge bearing in chief a flower of France and a Lion of England that it may appear to be the work of a King For my instructions herein I must direct my thankfulness partly to the memory of Mr. Thomas Hatcher who some seventy yeers since collected an exact catalogue of the Scholars Fellowes and Provosts of this house partly to Mr. Tho. Page of this house and Vice-Oratour of Cambridge who as he went over beyond the seas the credit of his Coll. and this University so God lending him life after his accomplishment in his travails is likely to return one of the honours of our Countrey 22. My Pen
account of his Opinions which he neither denied nor dissembled but under his own hand expressed in these words following 1. Archiepiscoporums Archidiaconorum nomina simul cum muneribus officiis suis sunt abolenda 2. Legitimorum in Ecclesia Ministrorum nomina Ann Reg Eliz. 12. qualia sunt Episcoporum Diaconorum Ann. Dom. 1570â—1 separata à suis muneribus in verbo Dei descriptis simpliciter sunt improbanda ad institutionem Apostolicam revocands ut Episcopus in verbo precibus Diaconus in panperibus curandis versetur 3. Episcoporum Cancellariis aut Archidiaconorum Officialibus c. regimen Ecclesia non est committendum sed ad idoneum Ministrum Presbyterum ejusdem Ecclesiae deferendum 4. Non oportet Ministrum esse vagum liberum sed quisque debet certo culdam gregi adjici 5. Nemo debet Ministerium tanquam candidatus petere 6. Episcoporum tantum Autboritate Potesate Ministri non sunt Creandi multo minus in musaeo ant loco quopiam clanculario sed ab Ecclesia electio fieri debet Hisce reformandis quisque pro sua vocatione studere debet vocationem autem intelligo ut Magistratus Authoritate minister verbo omnes precibus permoveant And because he persisted resolute in the defence thereof the Vice-Chancellout made use of his Authority and flatly deprived him of his Lecture and banished the University according to the tenour of the ensuing Instrument registred in Cambridge Whereas it is reported that Master Cartwright March 18. offering disputations and conference touching the assertions uttered by him and subscribed with his hand and that he could not obtain his request therein This is to testifie that in the presence of us whose names are here underwritten and in our hearing the said Mr. Cartwright was offered Conference of divers and namely of Mr. Doctor Whitgift who offered That if the said Mr. Cartwright would set down his Assertions in writing and his Reasons unto them he would answer the same in writing also The which Master Cartwright refused to doe Further the said Doctor Whitgift at such time as Mr. Cartwright was deprived of his Lecture did in our presence aske the said Mr Cartwright Whether he had both publickly and privately divers times offered the same Conference unto him by writing or not To which Mr. Cartwright answered That he had been so offered and that he refused the same Moreover the said Mr. Cartwright did never offer any disputation but upon these conditions viz. That be might know who should be his Adversaries and who should be his Judges meaning such Indges as he himself could best like of Neither was this kinde of disputation denied unto him but onely he was required to obtain Licence of the Queens Majesty or the Councell because his assertions be repugnant to the state of the Common wealth which may not be called into question by publick disputation without licence of the Prince or His Highnesse Councell Iohn Whitgift Vice-Chan Andrew Pearne William Chadderton Iohn Mey Henry Harvy Edward Hawford Thomas F Thomas B Thus was Mr. Cartwright totally routed in Cambridge and being forced to forsake the Spring betook himself to the Stream of whom largely in our History of the Church 4. Philip Baker Doctor of Divinity Dr. Baker Provost of Kings Collâ— flies for Religion Provost of Kings-Colledge being a zealous Papist had hitherro so concealed his Religion that he was not onely the first Ecclesiasticall person on whom Queen Eliz. bestowed preferment but also being Vice-Chancellour of Cambridge commendably discharged the Place without any discovery of his Opinions But now being questioned for his Religion not willing to abide the tryall he fled beyond the Seas Even such who dislike his judgment will commend his integrity that having much of the Colledge money and Plate in his custodie and more at his command ayming to secure not enrich himself he faithfully resigned all yea carefully sent back the Colledge-Horses which carried him to the Sea-side 5. Roger Goade was chosen in his place fetched from Guilford in Surrey where Roger Goade chosen in his Place he was a School-Master a pleasant sight to behold preferment seeking to finde out desert Forty years was he Provost of that House in which time he met with much opposition such as Governours must expect arising from the Antipathy betwixt youth and severity And no wonder if young Schollers swell'd against him who bound them hard to the observation of the Statutes However he alwaies came off with credit chiefly befriended with his own innocence Roger Kelke Vicecan 1571-72 Arthur Purifoy John Beacon Proct. William Bright Major 13. Doct. Theol. 1. Doct. Leg. 1. Bac. Theol. 8. Mag. Art 061. Bac. Art 185. Tho Bing Vicecan 1572-73 Walter Alleyn John Tracy Proct. Oliver Flint Major 14. Doc. Leg. 2. Med. 1. Bac. Theol. 8. Mag. Art 063. Bac. Leg. 007. Art 120. Iohn Whitgift Vicecan 1573-74 Richard Bridgwater Lancelet Browne Proct. Christoph Flecher Major 15. Doct. Leg. 02. Bac. Theol. 09. Mag. Art 57. Bac. Leg. 001. Med. 001. Art 146. Andrew Perne Vicecan 1574-75 Iohn Cragge Luke Gilpin Proct. Tho Kymbold Major 16. Doct. Theol. 6. Leg. 2. Bac. Theol. 013. Mag. Art 104. Bac. Art 130. Doctor Caius set forth his excellent History of Cambridge and took an exact account of all the Students therein amounting unto One thousand seven hundred eighty three and if any be so curious as to know how these numbers were divided betwixt the severall Colledges the ensuing Catalogue will inform them 1 Peter-House 096 2 Clare-Hall 129 3 Pemb Hall 087 4 Bennet Coll 093 5 Trinity-Hall 068 6 Gonvil and Caius-Coll 062 7 Kings-Coll 140 8 Queens-Coll 122 9 Katherine-Hall 032 10 Jesus-Coll 118 11 Christ-Coll 157 12 S. Johns-Coll 271 13 Magdalen-Coll 049 14 Trinity-Coll 359 Iohn Still Vicecan Ann. Reg. Eliz. 17. Thomas Randall David Yale Proct. Ann. Dom. 1575-76 Roger Slegge Major Doct. Theol. 03. Leg. 03. Med. 04. Bac. Theol. 16. Mag Art 070. Bac. Leg. 002. Med. 001. Art 174. 6. This year an Act passed in Parliament Rent-Corn first reserved to Colledges most beneficiall to both Universities whereby it was provided That a third part of the Rent upon Leases made by * see Pulâ—ons Collections of the Statutes 18 Eliz. cap. 6. Colledges should be reserved in Corn paying after the rate of six shillings eight pence the quarter ten pence a bushell for good Wheat and five shillings a quarter or under seven pence half-peny a bushell for good Malt generally dearer than Barley the pains of making it being cast into the price This Corn the Tenants were yearly to deliver to the Colledges either in kinde or in money after the rate of the best Wheat and Malt in the Markets of Cambridge and Oxford at the daies prefixed for the payment thereof 7. Sir Thomas Smith principle Secretarie of his state was the chief procurer of
Recantation tendered unto him which he refused to subscribe though professing his sincere sorrow and penitencie in his Petitions and Letters to the Bishop for any oversights and unbeseeming expressions in his Sermon Hereupon he was sent back to the new Prison where he died If he was miserably abused therein by the Keepers as some have reported to the shortning of his life He that maketh inquisition for blood either hath or will be a revenger thereof Benjamin Lany Vicecan 1632-33 Iohn Lothian Dan Chaundeler Proct. 9. George Saunders Major Richard Love Vicecan 1633-34 Henry Molle Luke Skippon Proct. 10. Robert Twelves Major 27. Now began the University to be much beautified in buildings Organserected in Chappels every Colledge either casting its skin with the Snake or renewing its bill with the Eagle having their Courts or at leastwise their fronts and Gate-houses repaired and adorned But the greatest alteration was in their Chappels most of them being graced with the accession of Organs And seeing Musick is one of the Liberal Arts how could it be quarelled at in an University if they sang with understanding both of the matter and manner thereof Yet some took great distant thereat as attendancie to superstition At this time I discontinued my living in the University and therefore crave leave here to break off my History finding it difficult to attain to certain intelligence However because I meet with much printed matter about the visitation of Cambridge in these trouble some times though after some years intervall I shall for a conclusion adventure to give posterity an unpartiall relation thereof 28. Richard Holdesworth being Vice-Chancellour 1641-42 The Masters and Fellows of all Colledges send their plate or money in lieu thereof to the King to Yorke Aug. ult many wishing that every ounce thereof were a pound for His sake Colledge-plate sent to the King conceiving it unfitting that they should have superfluities to spare whilest their Soveraigne wanted necessaries to spend 29. This was beheld by the Parliament as an Act unjust in it self The act aggravated and dangerous in the consequence thereof for the present Masters and Fellowes were onely Fiduciaries not Proprietaries of the Plate to keep and use it not to dispose thereof Was not this obliterating the Records of Gentlemens bounty who had conferred those costly Utensils on the Colledges Besides this was interpreted a somenting of the Civil War thereby encouraging and enabling the King against His Subjects 30. In vain did the Heads plead for themselves And excused that they affrighted at the plundering of the House of the Countesse of Rivers at Long-Melford the first-fruits of Rapine in our Age did suspect the like violence Plunderers have long Armes and can quickly reach out of Suffolke into Cambridge shire For prevention whereof they thought good to secure some of their Plate in a safe hand and could not finde a fitter than His Majesties Heire to His Ancestours the Founders paramount of all Houses Besides though the clouds look black with a louring complexion yet did it not rain warre downright betwixt King and Parliament Anno Dom. 1641-1642 Anno Regis Car. 1. Aug. it being some daies before the erecting of His Standard at Nottingham 31. Dr. Beale Dr. Martin and Dr. Stern Masters of S. Johns Queens Three Doctors imprisoned in the Tower and Iesus Coll are carried to London and imprisoned in the Tower for their activity in the Plate-businesse And Cambridge is made the Seat of the Committee for the Easterne Association which escaped the best of all parts in this Civil Warre the smoak thereof onely offending those Counties whilst the fire was felt in other places 32. Richard Holdesworth Vicecan Before his year expired he was seized on and imprisoned first in Elie-house then in the Tower for executting His Majesties command in printing at Cambridge such His Declarations as were formerly printed at Yorke Mar. 30. 33. The Vice Chancellour and Heads of Houses solemnly assembled in the Consistorie The Heads deny the Parliament mony were demanded to contribute to the Parliament so to redeem their forwardnesse in supplying the King Which performed by them would notwithstanding their former crooked carriage in the Cause bolster them upright in the Parliaments esteem But they persisted in the Negative that such contributing was against true Religion and a good conscience for which some of them were afterwards imprisoned in S. Iohns Colledge 34. Amongst these was Doctor Samuel Ward Master of Sidney Colledge The death of Dr. Ward and Divinity Professour Lady Margarets or the Kings shall I say in the University For though the former by his Foundation he may seem the later by his resolution Yet was he a Moses not onely for slowness of speech but otherwise meekness of nature Indeed when in my private thoughts I have beheld him and Dr. Collins disputable whether more different or more eminent in their endowments I could not but remember the running of Peter and John to the place where Christ was buried In which race John came first as the youngest and swiftest but Peter first entred into the Grave Doctor Collins had much the speed of him in quicknesse of parts but let me say nor doth the relation of a Pupill misguide me the other pierced the deeper into under-ground and profound points of Divinity Now as high windes bring some men the sooner into sleep so I conceive the storms and tempests of these distracted times invited this good old man the sooner to his long rest where we fairly leave him and quietly draw the curtains about him 35. Now approached the generall Doom of Malignant Members so termed in the University The Oath of Discovery tendred and refused the Earle of Manchester with his two Chaplains Mr. Ash and Mr. Good coming thither to effect a Reformation In preparation whereunto I read how an oath of * Quercla Cantabrigieusis pag. 20. Discovery was tendred to many and universally refused as against all Law and conscience as being thereby made to accuse their nearest and dearest Friends Benefactors Tutors and Masters and betray the Members and Acts of their several Societies contrary to their peaceable Statutes viz Non revelabis aliquod secretum Collegii nec malum aut damnum inferes cuilibet Sociorum Whereupon this Oath was generally denied 36. To be satisfied in the truth hereof Mr. Ash disaâ—oweth any such Oath I wrote to Mr. Ash whose face I had never seen requesting him to inform me such proceedings seeming very strange to my apprehension But heare his Answer TRuly Sir I am so great a stranger to that Oath of Discovery which you mention that I cannot call to minde the moving of any such matter by the Lord of Manchester or any who attended him And as for my selfe having been a Sufferer upon the dislike of the Oath Ex Officio I have all along my life been very tender in appearing as an
was afterwards to prevent wantonness to make the more expedition commuted into a new custome viz. A piece of wood or metall with Christ's picture thereon was made and solemnly tendred to all people to kiss This was called the Pax or Peace to shew the unity and amity of all there assembled who though not immediately by the Proxie of the Pax kissed one another Item For a pair of Censers copper and gilt nine shillings and eight pence These were pots in the which frankincense was burned perfuming the Church during Divine Service Item For a Stock of brass for the Holy-water seven shillings Which by the Canon must be of marble or metall and in no case of brick b Durantus de Ritibus Eccles num 6. pag. 173. lest the sacred liquor be suck'd up by the spunginess thereof Item For a Chrismatory of pewter three shillings four pence This was a vessel in which the consecrated oyl used in Baptisme Confirmation and Extreme Vnction was deposited Item For a yard silver Sarcenet for a cloth for the Sacrament seven shillings eight pence Here some Silkeman or Mercer must satisfie us what this was The price seems too low for Sarcenet inwoven with silver and too high for plain Sarcenet of a silver colour Item For a Pix of Pewter two shillings This was a Box wherein the Host or consecrated wafer was put arid preserved Item For Mary and John that stand in the Rood-left twenty six shillings eight pence Christ c John 19. 26. c. on the Cross saw his Mother and the Disciple whom he loved standing by In apish imitation whereof the Rood when perfectly made with all the appurtenances thereof was attended with these two images Item For washing eleven Aubes and as many Head-clothes six pence An Aube or Albe was a Priests garment of white linen down to their feet girded about his middle The thin matter denoted simplicity colour purity length deep d Durontus de Rititbus Eccles num 9. pag. 316. Divinitie perseverance and the cincture thereof signified the person wearing it prompt and prepared for Gods service Their head-clothes were like our Sergeants Coifes but close and not turned up Item For watching the Sepulchre eight pence Thus the price of that service but a groat in King Henries dayes was doubled However though Popery was restored to its kinde yet was it not re-estated in its former degree in the short Reign of Queen Mary for we finde no mention of the former six Obits anniversarily performed the lands-for whose maintenance were alienated in the Reign of King Edward and the Vicar of the Parish not so charitable as to celebrate these Obits gratis without any reward for the same Item For a Processioner and a Manual twenty pence Item For a Corporas-cloth twelve pence This was a linen cloth laid over or under the consecrated Host Item To the Apparitor for the Bishops Book of Articles at the Visitation six pence This Bishop was bloudy Bonner that corpulent Tyrant full as one said of guts and empty of bowels who visited his Diocese before it was sick and made it sick with his Visitation His Articles were in number thirty seven and John a Fox Acts Mon. pag. 1474. Bale wrote a book against them The Bishops chief care herein was the setting up of compleat Roods commonly called but when without his ear-reach Bonners Block-almightie If any refused to provide such blocks for him let them expect he would procure fagots for them Anno 1556. Mariae tertio Imprimis For coles to undermine a piece of the Steeple which stood after the first fall two shillings This Steeple formerly stood in the middle now East end of the Church and being ruined past possibilitie of repair fell down of it self onely a remaining part was blown up by underminers How quickly can a few destroy what required the age and industry of many in long time to raise and advance It soundeth not a little to the praise of this Parish that neither burthensome nor beholding to the Vicinage for a collection they re-built the Steeple at the West end of the Church on their own proper cost enabled thereunto partly by their stock in the Church-box arising from the sale as is aforesaid of the goods of the Brotherhood and partly by the voluntary contribution of the Parishioners This Tower-Steeple is eighty six foot high From the foundation to the battlements each b The thirty three foot on the top diffculty danger of climbing made it the dearer cost fourty shillings a foot as appeareth by the Church-wardens accounts Anno 1563. foot whereof besides the materials preprovided costing thirty three shillings four pence the building Three years passed from the founding to the finishing thereof every years work discernable by the discolouration of the stones and the Parish was forced for the perfecting of the building to fell their Bells hanging before in a wooden frame in the Church-yard so that Waltham which formerly had Steeple-less-Bells now had for some years a Bell-less-Steeple The condition of the Church from the beginning of Queen ELIZABETH to this day IN eleven full years viz. from the last of King Henry the Eighth Anno 1547. till the first of Queen Elizabeth 1558. this Church found four changes in Religion Papist and Protestant Papist and Protestant again The last turn will appear by the Wardens following accounts Anno 1558. Elizabethae primo Imprimis For the taking down of the Rood-lost three shillings two pence If then there living and able I hope I should have lent an helping hand to so good a work as now I bestow my prayers that the like may never in England be set up again Item Received for a suite of Vestments being of blew velvvet and another suite of Damask and an Altar-cloth four pound Item For three Corporasses whereof two white silk and one blew velvet two pound thirteen shillings four pence Item For two suits of Vestments and an Altar-cloth three pound Now was the superstitious Ward-robe dispersed and that no doubt sold for shillings which cost pounds They were beheld as the garments spotted with sin and therefore the less pity to part with them But see what followeth Anno 1562. Elizabethae quinto Item For a cloth of Buckeram for the Communion-Table and the making four shillings Having fold so much could they not afford a better Carpet Is there no mean betwixt painting a face and not washing it He must have a fixt aim and strong hand who hits decency and misseth gaudiness and sluttery But there is a generation of people who over-do in the spirit of opposition such conceive that a tressel is good enough for Gods Table and sucn a Table Covering enough for it self Item For Lattices for the Church-windows fifteen shillings Fain would I for the credit of our Church by Lattices understand Casements if the word would bear it Yet surely it was not for covetousness wholly to spare glazing but thrift to preserve
from cruelty covetousness and Popish inclinations 44. 45 46. his crossing a Court project 47. BANGOR the Monks therein massacred b. 2. ¶ 9. Peter BARO why leaving his Professours place Hist. of Cam. p. 125. ¶ 21. different judgements about his departure ¶ 22. William BARRET Fellow of Cajus Coll. His solemn recantation Hist of Cam. p. 150. BARDS their powerfull practices on the Pagan Britans Cent. 1. ¶ 94. BARNWELL nigh Cambridge the Original of Midsummer fair therein Hist of Cam. p. 3. ¶ 9. a Priory therein founded by Paine Peverell p. 7. ¶ 16. BASIL Councill English Ambassadours sent thither b. 4. p. 178. observations on their Commission p. 179 180. John BASTWICK his accusation b. 11. p. 151. ¶ 58. his plea 152. ¶ 64. his speech on the Pillory p. 155. ¶ 71. BATTEL ABBEY founded by King Will. the Conquerour b. 3. ¶ 1. the large Priviledges thereof Ibidem and ¶ 15. Thomas BECKET b. 3. p. 32. ¶ 57. Arch-bishop of Canterb. 58. stubborn in defending the Clergy 59 c. slain by 4 Knights in his own Church ¶ 66 67. the great supper stition at his shrine p. 36. ¶ 70. Biob BEALE Clark of the Councill zealus against Bishops b. ¶ p. 47. Arch-bishop Whitgift complains of his insolent carriage ibidem BEDE though sent for went not to Rome C. 8. ¶ 15. yet probably went out of his Cell ¶ 16. why ssur-named VENERABLE ¶ 17. the last â—laze going out of the Candle of his life ¶ 18. BENNET COLL in Cambridge the foundation thereof Hist of Cam. p. 43 44 c. Archb. Parker a par amount benefactor thereunto p. 46. ¶ 11. BENEDICTINE Monks b. 6. p. 266. ¶ 2. most anâ—cient of all orders in England p. 267 268. BERKLEY Nuns all with child at once c. 11. c. 19. and b. 6. p. 301. ¶ 2. BERKLEYS their Armes relating to their service in the Holy Land b. 11. p. 43. ¶ 23. their great Bonefaction to Abbeys Hist of Abb. p. 326. sers by their dissotution 327. Tho. L. BERKLEY Patron to John de Trevisa b. 4. p. 151. ¶ 43. at whose command he translated the Bible into English ¶ 44. BERTHA the Christian Wife of King Ethelbert as yet a Pagan a great Promoiresse of Religion b. 2. c. 6. ¶ 9. St. John of BEVERLEY his Miracles c. 8. ¶ 11. Theodorns BEZA his letter to Mr. Travers to crave contribution for the City of Geneva b. 9. p. 136 137. why coldly resented ibid. BIBLE three severall Translations thereof b. 7. p. 387. a fourth and best by the appointment of King James b. 10. p. 45 c. Vide Translatours BIRINUS converts the West-Saxons C. 7. ¶ 65. breaketh his promise yet keepeth it ¶ 66. made Bishop of Dorchester ¶ 67. BISHOPS their judisdictions first severed from the Sheriffs b. 3. p. 5. ¶ 10. BISHOP Sin the late long Parliament being charged with a Premunire for making the late canons b. 11. p. 183. ¶ 6. legally defend themselves ¶ 7. acquit themselves from Feculencie of Extraction wherewith a Lord aspersed them ¶ 8 9. symptomes of their dying power in Parliament p. 184. ¶ 10. being petitioned against p. 185. ¶ 12. and assaulted ¶ 13. twelve of them subscribe and present a protest p. 186. ¶ 16. forwhich they are imrisoned p. 188. ¶ 18. enlarged on bayle p. 196. ¶ 34. BISHOPRICKS when and why removed from small Towns to great Cities b. 3. ¶ 21. Five on the destruction of Abbies erected by King Henry the eighth b. 6. p. 338. ¶ 3. BLACKFRIERS the dolefull downfall or fatall Vespers thereof b. 10. p. 102. ¶ 29 30 c. Q. Anna BOLLEN hath amatorious Letters written unto her from king Henry the eighth b. 5 p. 175 ¶ 49. preserved as some say in the Vatican ibidem her character p. 206. ¶ 20. solemnly divorced from King Henry the eighth p. `207 ¶ 2. Robert BOLTON an eminent Divine his death b. 11. p. 143. ¶ 25. EDMUND BONNER Bishop of London begins to bonner it b. 5. p. 231. ¶ 19. deprived under Ed. 6. b. 7. p. 414. his cruell articles Hist of Walth p. 18. whom allgenerations shall call Bloudy b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 11. why imprisoned in the Marshalsey b. 9. ¶ 17. traverseth a suite with Horn Bishop of Winchesters S. 4. ¶ 1. his Counsells plea in his behalf ¶ 2 34. A drawn Baitel betwixt them occasioned by a provisoe in a new Statute ¶ 7. BONNES HOMMES why so called b. 6. 273 ¶ 24. Rich Eremites in pretended povertie ¶ 25. BOOKS embezeled at the dissolution of Abbies b. 6. p. 334. to the great lasse of learning ibidem BOOKS preparatory to reformation set forth by King Henry the eighth b. 7. p. 375. Gilb. BOURN Bishop of Bath and Wells why milde in the dayes of Q. Mary b. 8. S. 2. ¶ 3. his death b. 11. p. 144. ¶ 32. Theoph. BRADBURN his sabbatarian fancies b. 11. p. 144. ¶ 32. Thomas BRADWARDINE a great Schoolman c. 14. p. 98. ¶ 23. his just praise ibidem afterwards Arch-bishop of Canterbury BRANDONS Brothers successively Dukes of Suffolk die of the sweating sicknesse Hist of Cam. p. 128. ¶ 70. Bishop Parkhurst his Epitaph on them ibidem Thomas BRIGHTMAN his birth breeding b. 10. p. 49. ¶ 12. preferment ¶ 13. writings ¶ 14. good life ¶ 15. and sudden death ¶ 16 17. BRITANS their dolâ—full case whilst Pagans C. I. ¶ 1. their principall Idols ¶ 2. in vain they crave help of the Roman Emperour against the invasion of the Picts C. 4. ¶ 22. and C. 5. ¶ 14. 15. BRITAIN the causes hastning the Conversion thereof before other Countries nearer Palestine C. 1. ¶ 6. why the first Planters of Christianity therein are unknown ¶ 8. not beholden to Rome for her first Preachers ¶ 18. not divided into five Roman Provinces as Giraldus Cambrensis mistakes untill the time of Flavius Theodosits C. 2. ¶ 10. Christianity continued therein after the death of King Lucius C. 3. ¶ 2. by the Testimony of Gildas Tertullian and Origen ¶ 3. in defiance of Dempster a detracting writer ibid. Why so little left of the primitive Church-History thereof ¶ 6. and C. 4. ¶ 11. BRITISH CLERGIE refuse submission to the Pope of Rome C. 7. ¶ 3. the Dialogue betwixt them and an Anchoret ¶ 6. BRITISH LANGUAGE the commendation thereof C. 7. ¶ 17. vindicated from causlesse cavils ¶ 18. Robert BROWN his gentile Extraction b. 9. p. 166. ¶ 2. deserted by his own Father p. 167. his opinions p. 168. spared when his Followers were executed ¶ 45. the odd occasion of his imprisonment and death ¶ 46. BRUXELS Benedictine rich Nunnery for English Gentle-women with good portions b. 6. p. 363. Martine BUCER called to Cambridge History of Camb. p. 128. ¶ 32 33 34. the various dates of his death p. 130. ¶ 37. belyed by Parsons to die a Jew ¶ 38. his bones burnt by Card. Poole p. 135. ¶ 54. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE paramount for Martyrs b. 5. p. 163. ¶ 2. Dr.
PURGATORY not held in the Popish notion before the Conquest b. 2. p. how maintained in the Mungrell Religion under King Henry the eighth b. 5. p. 223. a merry Vision thereof b. 4. p. 107. PURITANS when the word first began in that odious sense b. 9. ¶ 67. vide Non-conformists The Arch-bishop of Spalato the first who abused the word to signifie the Defenders of matters Doctrinall Conformable Puritans by whom complained of b. 11. p. 144. ¶ 31. Q. QUEENS COLL. in Oxford founded by R. Eglesfield b. 3. p. 114 115. QUEENS COLL. in Cambridge founded by Q. Margaret History of Cambridge p. 80. ¶ 31. finished by Q. Elizabeth wife to King Edward the fourth ¶ 33. The Masters Benefactours Bishops ibidem R. READING a pleasant story between the Abbot thereof and King Henry the eighth b. 6. p. 299. ¶ 12 13. RECUSANTS for Papists when the name in England first began 809. p. 98. ¶ 29. Our REFORMATION under King Henry the eighth cleared from the aspersion of Schisme b. 5. p. 194 and 195. William REGINALD or Reinolds a zealous Papist his death and character b. 9. p. 224. ¶ 12. John REINOLDS against Conformity in Hampton-Court conference b. 10. p. 7 8 9 c. his death p. 47. ¶ 3. admirable parts and piety p 48. ¶ 5. desireth absolution at his death ¶ 6. RELICTS their abominable superstition and Forgery b. 6. p. 331. ¶ 10 11 c. RENT-CORN by statute reserved to Colledges History of Cambridge p. 144. ¶ 6. procured by Sr. Tho. Smith ¶ 7. to the great profit of both Universities ¶ 8. R. Lord RICH his servants sad mistake b. 7. p. 408. ¶ 40. which cost his master the losse of his Chancellours place ¶ 41. King RICHARD the first endeavoureth to expâ—are his undutifulnesse by superstition b 3. p. 40. ¶ 8. dearly ransomed p. 44. ¶ 28 29. made better by affliction p. 45. ¶ 30. his death burial and Epitaph ¶ 32 c. King RICHARD the second b. 4. p. 137. ¶ 12. his loose life p. 152. ¶ 51. conspired against by Duke Henry ¶ 52. forced to depose himself or be deposed p. 153. ¶ 53. his death ibid. King RICHARD the third his pompous double Coronation b. 4. p. 196. ¶ 4. barbarously murthered his brothers Sons ¶ 5. endeavoureth in vain to be Popular p. 197. ¶ 6 and 7. unjustly commended by a Modern Writer ¶ 8. beaten and killed in the Battel of Bosworth p. 194. ¶ 14. RIPPON Collegiat Church endowed by King James b. 10. p. 29. ¶ 16. their Land since twice sold ¶ 17. John ROGERS prime Patron of Non-conformity b. 7. p. 402. martyred b. 8. p. 23. ¶ 32. Thomas ROGERS writeth on the Articles of the Church of England b. 9. p. 172. ¶ 22. first opposeth the opinion of the Sabbatarians bitterly enough p. 228. ¶ 22. ROME COLLEDGE for English fugitives b. 9. p. 86. The ROODE what is was and why placed betwixt the Church and Chancell History of Walt. p. 16. in the first item S. The SABBATH the strict keeping thereof revived by Doctour Bound b. 9. p. 227. ¶ 20. learned men divided therein p. 228. ¶ 21 c. liberty given thereon by King James his Proclamation in Lancashire b. 10. p. 74. ¶ 58 59. reasons pro and con whether the same might lawfully be read p. 74. ¶ 56. ministeâ—s more frighted then hurt therein p. 76. ¶ 62. no reading of it enforced on them ibidem controversie revived in the Reign of King Charles b. 11. p. 144. ¶ 13 c. SAINTS Numerous and noble amongst the Saxons C. 8. ¶ 6. ridicliously assigned by Papists to the Curing of sundry diseases and patronage of sundry professions b. 6. p. 33. ¶ 13. SAMPSON an ancient British Bishop madef fine Titulo C. 6. ¶ 9. Thomas SAMPSON Dean of Christ-Church in Oxford the first that I find outed his place for Puritanisme b. 9. p. 77. ¶ 72. Edwin SANDYS Bishop of Worcester b. 9. p. 63. ¶ 31. Arch-bishop of York his death p. 197. ¶ 35. his Sermon before the Duke of Northumberland at Cambridge Hist of Camb. p. 131. ¶ 40. his ill usage for the same ¶ 43. SARDIS some representation of the British at the Generall Councill kept therein C. 4. ¶ 20. SARUM secundum usum thereof its originall and occasion b. 3. ¶ 23. William SAWTREE b. 4. p. 156. Articles against him ibidem degraded p. 157. ¶ 5. and the first man burnt for his Religion p. 158. SAXONS the first mention of them in Brit. C. 5. ¶ 9. unadvisedly invited over by King Vortiger ¶ 16. erect seven Kingdomes in Britain ¶ 17. The rabble of their Idols C. 6. ¶ 6. willfully accessorie to their own 〈◊〉 by the Danes C. 9. ¶ 17. SCHISME unjustly charged on the English Church in their Reformation and returned on Rome b. 5. p. 194 and 195 SCHOOL-MEN nine eminent all of England most of Merton Colledge C. 14. p. 94 95. their needlesse difficulties p. 98. ¶ 24. barbarous Latine ¶ 25. divisions in judgement ¶ 26. why their Learning lesse used in after ages ¶ 28. SCOTLAND challenged by the Pope as his peculiar C. 14. ¶ 1. stoutly denied by the English ¶ 2. SCOTCH Liturgie the whole story thereof b. 11. p. 160. ¶ 95 c. John SCOTUS Erigena his birth-place C. 9. ¶ 32 33 34. miserably murthered by his Scholars ¶ 35. unmartyred by Baronius ¶ 36. causlesly confounded with Duns Scotus ¶ 37. John DUNSSCOTUS why so called C. 14. p. 96. ¶ 19. his birth claimed by three Kingdomes ibidem SEATER a Saxon Idol his shape and Office b. 2. C. 6. ¶ 6. SECULAR Priests their contesting with Monks C. 8. p. 133 134. John SELDEN setteth forth his Book against Tithes b. 10. p. 70. ¶ 39 40. puzleth the Assembly of Divines with his queries b. 11. p. 213. ¶ 54. Richard SENHOUSE preacheth King Charles his Coronation and his own funerall b. 11. ¶ 18. Edward SEIMOUR Duke of Somerset Lord Protectour b. 7. p. 372. ¶ 3. his tripartite accusation p. 407. ¶ 36. imprisoned yet restored p. 408. ¶ 38. afterwards impeached of Treason ¶ 42. and executed p. 409. ¶ 43. unjustly saith a good Authour ¶ 44. though King Edward was possessed of his guiltiness as appeareth by his letter ibidem his character and commendation p. 410. ¶ 45. SIDNEY SUSSEX Colledge founded Hist of Camb. p. 153. ¶ 23 c. SIGEBERT King of the East-Angles his Religion and Learning C. 7. ¶ 45. reputed founder of the University of Camb. ¶ 46. the Cavils to the contrary answered ¶ 49 c. SIGEBERT the pious King of the East-Saxons C. 7. ¶ 81. SIMON ZELOTES made by Dorotheus to preach in Britain C. 1. ¶ 8. SIVIL COLLEDGE in Spain for English fugitives b. 9. p. 88. Mr. SMART termed proto-Martyr of England b. 11 p. 173. ¶ 35 c. Sr. Tho. SMITH Benefactour generall to all Scholards Hist of Camb. p. 81. ¶ 37 38. and also p. 144. ¶ 6 7 8. Henry SMITH commonly called