Cathedral News from Canterbury

Imprimatur,

I Have perused this Relation of Cathedral News, and therein observe, that the hand of providence hath, indeed, wrought a new thing in our Israel, worthy to be looked upon by all, with a due mixture of wonder, and thankfulness and therefore conceive it necessary to be published to the view of all.

CATHEDRALL NEWS FROM CANTERBVRY.

H Aving seen books of news from several places, as news from Hell, news from Rome, news from Court, news from Ipswich, &c. I have made this following historical Essay of news from the Cathedral in Canterbury, presented with what brevity I could, hoping that others will impart Cathedral news from York, London, &c.

The Cathedral, called Christ-Church, in Canterbury, being a Covent of Monks, at the time of the dissolution of Abbeys, in the reign of King Henry the eight, it was then (instead of Prior, and Covent) turned into Dean, and Chapter, that is, a Dean, and twelve Prebendaries, or Canons; to which were added Pettie-Canons, Substitutes, Lay-Clerks, Vesterers, &c. These Prelatical successors of the Idolatrous, proud, lazy, covetous Monks, as they succeeded them in place, so they followed them in practice, whereby they have a long time caused the godly near them to groan under their tyranny, superstition, and scandal. For remedy whereof, the ensuing Petition (being subscribed by very many well affected Citizens of Canterbury) was exhibited in Parliament, against those Cathedral Prelates, in the year 1640.

This Petition confirmeth this Character, or description of a Cathedral Corporation. A Cathedral is a nest of Non-Residents; an Epicurean College of riot and voluptuausnesse; A School for Complement in Religion; but a scourge upon the life and practice thereof; A refuge for superstition; but the bane of true peity: The shame of the Clergy, and the scorn of the Laity.

But this Petition, and Character is no Cathedral news, to those that live near the Canterburian Cathedral; the vast revenues whereof (which might advance Religion, Learning, and an able Ministry) have been so long time abused, to the maintenance of Ignorance, Superstition, Pride, Luxury, &c. Cathedral carding, dicing, dancing, swearing, drunkenness, and drabbing too, are no news: No wonder to see the Sacke-bottles keep rank, and file in their Studies; besides Tavern tospotting, and smoking.

It is no news to tell you, that Prince Ruperts health was drunk lately in that Cathedral. It is attested to the Honorable Committee concerning plundered Ministers; that Mr. &c.—upon the Fast day in the afternoon, at the Tavern with other Gentlemen, drunk about ten healths, and continued there until night, where he was left with the Dean of Canterbury. A Tavern-haunting Cathedral Doctor, is no wonder; reeling after a Malignant meeting, and being beholding to a supporter.

How did the Cathedral Prelates bestir themselves for their brave female Cathedralist; who was lately delivered of a child alone, secretly in a vault in that Cathedral, calling no help; & a few days after, she being discovered to have had a Child; (after search) the child was found dead in the Vault; there wanted Pope Gregory's Fish-pond. She was arraigned at the Sessions for the murder; but Malignant and Prelatical Justices (left the Cathedral should suffer with her, at the gallows) so bestirred themselves, that she was acquitted; though the Learned, and well-affected Judge said in open Sessions; that nothing but the Kings pardon could save her: And another Noble and valiant Patriot then sitting on the Bench, openly protested against that verdict, at her Trial. How flaunting is the garb of those Cathedral Prelates, and Prelatesses, all Lady-like (at least) in all accoutrements of House, habits, &c. So that I have heard it often averred upon experience, that the Cathedral pride and bravery, hath infected City, and Country, by marriages, and otherwise.

A most proud Cathedral Dame there, being to go to a great meeting, her Maid could not please her, in Starching her Ruffe, though she did it often in one day: The Maid brought it to her again at night, but she, in a rage, threw it down, and stamped it under her feet, and beat her Maid; charging her to sit up and starch it; but it being late, and the Maid out of hope to please her, went to bed, leaving the Ruffe flapt together, as her Mistress had stamped it: The next morning the Ruffe was found starchit, none knew how; she then brought it to her Mistress; who said, I marry! could you not have done it so before? This matter was most strictly examined, and it could not be found that any knew of the starching of it; though her husband bestir'd himself much to find out the truth: whereupon, in conclusion, he threw the Ruffe into the Fire, out of which itleap'd; until he held it in the Fire, with the Tonges, and so consumed it in the flame; so that it is famous in City and Country, that the Devil was the Cathedral Landresse.

On All-Saints day, 1639. a Cathedral Prelate, being at a Feast there, was asked if he would eat of such a dish? Tush said he, do you think I will eat any Butchers meat on All-Saintsday?

How often have Ministers left whole Parishes unprovided, on Sabbath days, and Fast days to preach in that Cathedral, for Lazy Prelates, who were sleepy Auditors, when they should have been the Preachers themselves? The Sabbath enjoyed but one Sermon in that Cathedral, amongst all those Cathedral preachers.

An able Orthodox Divine could not have a Living in those parts, until every Cathedral Canon or Prebend, had two or three, and every Petti-Cannon one, though a mere-Reading-Service-Book-Priest: This is one fruit of the Prelates Tyrannous Patronage of Livings; whereby they so much advanced Popery and Prelacy, and their Kingdom of darkness. There are but seven Parishes in the fruitful & pleasant Isle of Thanet, in Kent; and three of these seven, the now Arch-Bishop bestowed upon His Graces young Chaplain, beside a Prebendship of Canterbury: And all this, (no question) for his professed forwardness in the Arch-Bishops pious designs, which he put in execution with what speed he could: But his Parishioners at Mynster courageously opposed his Innovations there; yet he cut and defaced the Seats, and set up his Altar and Railes, and fell to Ducking; and threatened them with the Arch-Bishop, and High-Commission, if they would not come up and receive the Communion, kneeling before the Altar, at the Rail; and when they told him it grieved them that he should make their Parith a President to all others, of Popish Innovations: the Young Cathedral Doctor replied, and said, that he was the Arch-Bishop of Canterburies Chief Chaplain; and therefore would show his GRACE his forwardness in those things. All which, (and more too) divers Witnesses have testified to the Honorable Committee of Parliament for Plundered Ministers.

In the Yeere 1633. The Romish dressing, and bowing towards the High Altar, began in that Cathedral; and a while after, the Plague was very bot there, in many Cathedral Houses; so that the Prelates were driven from their Altar, and Cathedral too, which was left (in a manner) desolate.

Their Cathedral-Altar-Glory-cloth, before mentioned, was lately found out, where they had laid it in that Cathedral, and is now in the hands of the Honorable Committte, of Parliament for demolishing of Idolatrous monuments. That Glory, which is the shame of their Cathedral, is made of very rich Imbroydery of Gold and Silver, the name Jehovah on the top, in Gold, upon a cloth of Silver, and below it a semicircle of Gold, and from thence glorious rays and clouds, and gleames and points of rays, direct and waved, stream downwards upon the Altar, as if Jehovah (God himself) were there present in glory, in that Cathedral at the Altar; and all this to draw the people to look and worship towards the Altar, and thereby to usher in the breaden god of Rome, and Idolatry. The large pattern of that superstitious GLORY (being made of papers pasted together, which is now kept with the Glory) hath written on it, thus; Is not this circle too large? if so, it may best be mended (as we conceive) by enlarging the golden circle at the extremities of it, and by enlarging it inward. What think you of working the rays without clouds? If you can conceive it fitting, it will much lessen the charge: our fear is, the Clouds will not be well wrought, and then the rays will show far better without them. W. B. This was written on the pattern at London by a Cathedral Doctor of Canterbury, as John Rowell the Imbroiderer that made that Glory, hath lately testified upon his examination taken before the truly religious Sir Robert Harley, who, being in the Chair of that Committee, hath (beside that Glory) such Idolatrous Popish Pictures, and other Popish trinkets taken out of the Kings Chapel, and from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and else-where, that a true Protestant would be astonished to behold them, they are so abominable; but they are all appointed to the fire. And the said John Rowel testifieth that after the pattern was so written on, at London, it was carried to the Cathedral at Canterbury, and there the Prebendaries met and consulted about that Glory, and then the pattern was written on there, in answer to the former writing, thus: We conceive this Ovall-form would do better in a semicircle, and extend the Glory more on either side: These Clouds well shadowed, and well wrought, and pierced with rays will be most proper. We conceive also, that the Field should be more Azure, then Silver, which will soon tarnish. And the Imbroiderer further testifieth, that all the Prebendaries did approve of the making of that Glory for the Altar.

It is not long since our Queens Mother was led by these Prelates, to Arch-Bishop Thomas Beckets stone, in that Cathedral (the stone on which he fell when he was cast down headlong in that Cathedral, when he was executed for his treason and rebellion) and she came out of her Sedan, and bowed towards it; some say she kist it, as thousands of Papists have done before her, and it was then said to her, look on the crack in that stone, that mouth calls to heaven for vengeance on those that shed this holy Martyrs blood (a Traytour Martyr, I wis) a Saint fit for a Roman Calender, and a Cathedral shrine. When Queen Mary (her daughter) came to that Cathedral in her late journey to Dovor, when she went beyond Sea into Holland, she being entertained in that Cathedral, a Cathedral Prelate there said in his courting Oration to her, that that Cathedral Church (whatsoever some said to the contrary) was the gate of beaven. I saw the Dean and Prebendaries, (then the Arch-Bishops Commissioners) sitting in plena curia, in the Arch-Bishops Consistory Court in that Cathedral; when divers Kentish Ministers were brought to the Bar before them, and sentenced for refusing to publish the Profane Book for Sabbath Sports and Dancings, which is now justly contradicted, and condemned to the fire, by a late Sacred Ordinance of Parliament, for the better Observation of that Day.

The Nimrod of that Cathedral, a mighty Hunter, and Hawker too, was wont (very often) to hunt Hares, and Foxes on week days; but he hunted the GRAY, or Badger, on the Sabbath Day, about five years since. In plain terms thus: The Dean of Canterbury hearing that one Mr. GRAY, (a Godly and able Minister, now living in Effex) had Preached against the Prelates Popish proceedings, then on foot; and being informed that he was to Preach again (being a Stranger in those parts) the next Sabbath: the Dean, that Sabbath morning, rode out to find him, and Hunted from Shoulden to Ham, from Parish to Parish, at last (towards night) he came to Sandwich, where he had almost caught the Game he pursued, and persecuted: but the GRAY was crept through a secret Muse; whereupon the Dean caused the Town Gates to be shut, and Watchmen were set with Halbards at every corner; but the Preacher escaped them all: The persecuted Preacher went beyond the Bridge by the Wind-Mill, and escaped the wrath of that Cathedral Levi, who had a Simeon with him, in that Spanish Inquisition; The Preacher may say, Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruel. But the Prelate caused divers Godly men to be brought into the Town Hall at Sandwich, where they were questioned, and spoken against by him, in his Prelatical outrageous fury. Mr. Thomas Foach was bound over to the High Commission: Because the GRAY took earth or burrow in his Ground: But the Minister (having on a coloured Suite of Mr. John Foaches now living near Magnes Church at London-Bridge) escaped along the Sea Coast, by the conduct of Mr. Anthony Oldfield, to Lid, and so to Tenterden, and so to London.

Many other Ministers have (within few years) been persecuted in that Cathedral, or by some of those Cathedral Prelates; as, Mr. Huntley, Mr. Gardener, Mr. Partridge, Mr. Player, Mr. Hieron, and others; both Ministers and People, and especially Religious Churchwardens.

How often was the Bishops railing prayer, (or rather execration) against the Scots (when they stood up for their Religion, & Liberties, against the Tyrannous Prelates) read in that Cathedral, with a hundred Cathedral Bellowing and Bawling A-A-Amens, after that Prelatical Prayer? Some Soldiers being Listed to serve in the Bishops Wars against the Scots, they being Mustered at Barham-down in East-Kent, near Canterbury, on the fifth of April, 1639. I heard the Grandee, or Dean of that Cathedral encourage them in the open Field, at the Muster; and (amongst the rest) he said to them, Ha Blades! I hope to see you return every Man bravely, with Blew Scots Caps on your Heads, &c. And their Colonel said, you shall not need to ••• ht a stroke; but only to show yourselves a little: he said also, that the King would make the Scots glad to take Bishops, and Arch-Bishops, and Popes too; at which the Cathedralist laughed exceedingly.

Their Cathedral Sermons, what have they been (for the most part) these many years, but kickings against the power of Godlines, and Religion, and the advancing of Popery, Prelacy, Superstition, Prophanenesse, &c? So that good Men have long since, altogether abhorred, and deserted their Cathedral Preachments; and thereby we are deprived of much evidence against their strange Cathedral Sermonizings. And had it not been for one of that Society, (who though misled, yet now returned) hath been a constant Preacher, and (in that respect) their Cathedral Salt; that Cathedral Nest of Prelates had wholly stunke and sunk long before this time.

A Religious and well-affected Alderman of Canterbury, gave me lately a Transcript of a passage written with his own hand, in a spare leaf in his great Bible, which passage I have often read, its this: Christ-tide, 1633. was the first day of the High Altar, and Candlesticks on it, and Candles in them, and other dressings very brave, in Christ-Church, Canterbury: Doctor, &c.—did preach us such a conjuring Sermon, as I never heard before; his Text was, Mat. 2. 2. For we have seen his Star in the East, and are come to worship him: He told us the Names of the Wise Men, and their profession, Conjuring: And in the end told the people, that if they would find Christ, they must come to the ALTAR, and there they should find him really present, if anywhere. This is written in the Aldermans Bible; but in the Transcript he writ further to me, thus; But the Cathedral Doctor did so conjure, that I went away with my hair an end, and came no more to the Cathedral in eight years after, and I never could be in tune, till the coming of the Noble Scots: And the Parliament coming on, set me right again.

Another of those Cathedral Doctors, Preaching there, in the Choir, on the fifth of November 1639. compared the Scots to the Gun-Powder Traitors, because (as I conceive) they had blown the Bishops, and Popery out of Scotland: He said, The Gun-powder-Traitors had their powder in the barrels, but these in the Bandeleers; those would blow up, these would blow out, &c. These were the fire-hot fumes of a Cathedral Oven, yet their cake is dough.

The persecuting Speech of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, made at Westminster, in Star-chamber, against England's three Worthies, Mr. Burton, Dr. Bastwicke, and Mr. Prynne, did presently echo very many passages of it, in the Cathedral at Canterbury, where they were called in a Cathedral Sermon, black-mouthed-railing-Rabshakes, &c.

An ordinary Cathedral-turn-Preacher, who in his morning service (as is directed in the Mass Book) used to sing, Psal. 43. And when they sung, Then will I to thine Altar go, he presently went out of his seat, and did go up, ducking, to the Altar, to read Service there. This Altar-Priest Preacht in that Cathedral (which I heard) word for word thus: His name Jesus was given him by an Angel, his name Christ was given him by a Bishop, an Arch-bishop, Pontisex Maximus, as we say in English, a Pope, the first of all Popes, Saint Peter; thou art Christ: Its no marvel, if such men now malignantly side with Cavaleeres, Bapists, and Prelates, against the proceedings of Parliament.

Another Cathedral-turn-Preacher, who being questioned why he made not new Chancel rails for the Communion-Table, he replied, that those Railes were made of old Church wood, and Seats, which was consecrated stuff. This Cathedral Preacher, in his Visitation Sermon, Preached on the three and twentieth day of April 1639. Added to the Arch-bishops usual titles, calling him Our Good Lord, and Master, as they of old said of the Pope, Dominus Deus noster Papa; he then Preached in Folio Diocesan Bishops to be jure divine, affirming the Presbyterian government to be a Gemmy, a toy, or Gu-gaw; by Gemmy meaning the Scots (as was conceived) against whom he expressly inveyed, and (amongst the rest) said, Regi inimica meo, gens inimica Deo, A Nation at enmity with my King, a Nation at enmity with my God. The Busitaking-Sermon being ended, the Arch-deacon (being Prebend of that Cathedral) made an Oration to the Church-wardens, and then I heard him say, Is your Communion Table set up to the East end of the Chancel, and railed in? Let it beset up in the highest place in the Church, its fit Almighty God should have the highest room there; as if one invite a great man to his house, he will give him the chiefest room or seat.

One of those Cathedral Doctors, (Preaching there before the Kings Majesty, when he went with the Queen to Dovor) in his Sermon, cursed all those that went about to take away the Episcopal Government, and to bring in the Presbyterian; he affirmed then the Episcopal Government to be from Heaven, as was that of old, by the High Priests, &c. but (said he) I know not from whence the Presbyterian is, unless from Corah, Dathan, & Abiram.

Another Cathedral Doctor Preaching there, said, that there was now in this Land, a conspiracy against the King, to take away his life: and he compared those whom he called conspirators to Corah, Dathan, and Abiram: affirming that those that died at Keinton Battle, being of this Conspiracy, were the children of the Devil, and their blood was on their own heads; and that he hoped the people of the Land (though the City would not) would rise up and stay those Conspirators: But the People of the Land presently rose up (out of zeal to God, the King, Parliament, and Kingdom) against that Cathedral Incendiary: And although the Cathedral-gates were shut a day or two for his rescue, and defense against the Magistrate, and people; yet forces so increased round about the Cathedral, and did Peake and watch so closely; and the Posterne Bridge between the Cathedral, and he Abbey of Austin the Monk, being broken down; the Cathedralists themselves, (for fear of their own ruin) did in the night by Torch-light, deliver up their most Malignant Cathedral Brother, Into the hands of Justice, where he yet remains. This Prelate before that time Preachit there, a whole Cathedral Sermon, for absolute and blind Obedience; which Sermon began with Odi profanum Vulgus, that is, I hate the profane common People: He then published, that if the King command it, we must put to Sea in a Tempest, in a rotten Ship, without Masts, Sails, or Anchors: this was Preacht at the Arch-bishops of Canterburies first Metropolitical Visitation. If that, and all other Prelatical and Cathedral Sermons were extant, all England would see (though now 〈◊〉 enough) how little our Laws and Liberties are beholding to Tyrannous Prelacy, and Cathedrals; which may be seen also in a Printed Prelatical Sermons, Preacht by a Grandee of that Cathedral at Westminster, not long before the long sad Eclipse of Parliaments, Laws, and Liberties in England.

On Ascension Thursday (as they call it) 1642. Another Cathedral Doctor Preacht there, that it was a duty of the Text, that all that have Knees should bow them at the Name of Jesus. This Prelate that pleaded so for bowing, (hearing that some of the Parishioners of Andrew's in Canterbury did not kneel at the Communion) came and administered it there himself, and was so punctual for their Kneeling, that he looked very low, to see if the Females kneeled. That Learned, Religious, Good Society (as they style their Cathedral in their Prelatical Prayer) had a Sermon Preached on Trinity Sunday (as they call it) 1642. The Text was, and the Seraphinis cried one to another, Holy, &c. Upon which the Grandee, or Prior of that Cathedral Covent Preached, saying, hence is justified our Cathedral singing of Psalms from one side of the Choir to the other: And then he proceeded, upon that occasion, to a large Discourse in the behalf of Church Music and Organs: I never heard more pleading for Cathedral Piping; he was so vehement in his Discourse for Organes, that he was almost out of breath: It seems he feared the fall of Cathedral Choir-Service, and Organs, he was so earnest to uphold them, but in vain, as the event proves.

And this puts me in mind of a very little witty Girle in that Cathedral: who being with her mother lately, where a sick man lay groaning very loud: Mother, said she, why groans this man so? It was answered, It is because he hath a pain in his belly: This Girle being a little after with her mother, at their Cathedral-Choir-Service: and hearing the Dean roaring out the Base, in the Choir-Consort: Mother (said she) Hath Mr. Dean a pain in his belly he roars so? It was a few months since preached in that Cathedral, That all were revolted from the King, and must come, as Benhadad's servants did, with ropes about their necks. A volume would not contain the Malignant passages preached in that Cathedral, since the Parliament began. These following passages have been vented there after last Michael-tide 1643. O Lord give the King more hands to fight for him, Uriah was a generous Cavalier: Another preached there since; Men will excuse their sins; so pride is called handsomnesse; so an impious and rash vow, is called a holy Covenant; dethroning of Majesty, is called setting up Christ in his Throne; Fomenting of an unnatural civil War, is called advancing of the true Religion. Another since that, Bad zeal is a work of the flesh; such zeal have they who would pull down Bishops, Because (like the Heretic of old) they cannot attain to that place themselves: Like that of the Anabaptistical Reformers in Germany, who under pretence of Reformation, robbed and plundered. This (said he) is but a Jesuitical trick of those, who pretend to be most contrary to Jesuits. Another since that, preached there: saying, Priests are lights: If the Candle burn dim, men use to snuff it, not to put it out; those that are intoxicated, use to put out the Candle while they go about to snuff it: and the snuffs were consecrated too. And since that, a Cathedral Doctor preached there, of counterfeiting the Kings Great Seal, when the New great Seal legally came forth by authority of the Parliament, for the good of the Kingdom. And when some notorious Malignants and Incendiaries, both Priests and others, were secured in Canterbury. the same Cathedral Prelate preached at that time of some that were great Professors of Religion, yet were most forward to persecute their Brethren, and hale them to prison. And since that, when the Images in that Cathedral began to be demolished, the same Cathedralist preached the next Sabbath of Rifling, and Pillaging Churches, telling the people that such were worse then Jews and Turks, or Infidels, which (as is conceived) was a cause of the mutiny in Canterbury the next day. This man preached to his Parishioners after the Communion, saying, Those that came up to the Railes, should meet Christ in the Clouds; but those that came not up, Christ would say to them, Depart from me ye cursed &c.

And another passage of a Cathedral Sermon there, was this: There is a people come on shore, which think their own fancies to be the holy Spirit, and doubtless they will plead at the last day, We have defaced Churches and Chapels, O God, in thy name, we have robbed, and plundered in thy name, we have kept Conventicles in thy name, we have undervalued Superiorities and dignities in thy name.

The last vapor vented in that Cathedral, was, that it is Intemperate zeal, and fiery fury to reform before the enemy be subdued: The Prayer was, that God would make us sober Protestants. It seems the view of the Reformed Idolatrous Windowes of the Sermon-house did offend, or strange-cooling came in by the breaches in them. But it's hoped the burning of that rich Altar- Glory, will produce a result, that will begin the reparations there, to keep out such chilling vapors. To which may be added the (now discovered) rich silver Basin and Ewer, and other sumptuous common Plate of that Cathedral Corporation, used at Cathedral Feasts: and the Altar-Basin, and Candlesticks (if they be not conveyed to Oxford) will help that work. And as the Cathedral Sermons were none of the best, so those Cathedral Prelates kept godly Preachers far from them, by combined caution. The famous Rogers of Essex was wont to say; You talk of miracles: Is it not a miracle that Master Thomas Wilson of Canterbury should continue preaching so near the Throne of the Beast there? but all know they persecuted him, and railed on him, and accused him, but God found great means for his support in the Lions den.

But this is no Cathedral news; and if they be such now, being under a cloud, what were they in their High Cathedral splendor, when they swayed all by their PRELATIC ALL WILL? And if they be so malignant in public against the King and Parliament, and Kingdom, joining with Papists, bloody Irish Rebels, Damnee Ruffians, and plundering Cavaliers, and other common enemies of our Religion, Laws, and Liberties, what have been the private Counsels, and Actions of those Cathedral Prelates, to support Popery, Prelacy, and Tyranny?

Why then should any stomach the fall of Prelacy and Cathedrals? especially of the Canterburian Cathedral Babel? of whose sins you have heard a little, (and may see ten times more upon Record in this present Parliament) you shall now hear the Beginning of her plagues.

And here I shall begin with strange Cathedral news: yet such as is most true, and well known to all that live in, or near Canterbury: And, w ^ch the Cathedrallists themselves cannot deny: though living like boares in a paddock, or sty, they may grunt at the noise of it.

The Cathedral Prelates at Canterbury, hearing a rumour (though false) that the Scots had yielded to entertain Bishops, at the Pacification in the North, in the year 1639. they were overjoyed at that news, being before in a quaking fear, that having on each shoulder a steeple or two, and a Cathedral on their head, they should be eased of their beloved burden, by a Reformation, which they feared might reach from Edinburgh in Scotland, to Canterbury in England: well knowing, that Prelacy and Cathedrals were built upon the sandy foundation of Ignorance, Superstition, Ambition, and Covetousness, and had only custom, and human power to uphold them.

And to express their great triumph, at that news, they did then, in the Summer time, in the height of their Prelatical glory, set up, upon the four Pinnacles of their highest Cathedral steeple, called Bell-harry steeple, 4 great iron fanes, or flags, on which the Coat-Arms of the King, Prince, Church, and Archbishop of Canterbury were severally guilded, and painted: But in the end of December following, in the midst of their Cathedral Iovialities, and Christmas Gamballs, there was a Gamball plaid by the flag, which had the Archbishops arms on it, which had a tumbling cast from the top of the steeple, being stricken down by a stroke from heaven, in a fearful tempest, on Innocents day early in the morning: And the Archbishops arms pulld down the top of the pinnacle, which upheld them, and were carried (partly against the wind) a good distance from the steeple, on which they stood, and fell upon the roof of the Cloister, in which Cloister, the Arms of the Arch-Bishopric of Cant. were carved, & painted on the lower side, or concave of the Arch, or seeling of the Cloister; which Arms in the Cloister, were dashed in pieces by the Arms which fell from the pinnacle of the steeple; The Arms of the present Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, brake down the Arms of the Arch-Bishopric, or Sea of Canterbury: The fall was so violent, that it brake through the leads, plancks, timbers, and stone-Arch of the Cloister, and made an impression in the pavement of the Cloister, as if it had been done with Canon shot, which impression is partly to be seen at this day, though repaired. And this prodigious fall of the Arch-Bishops Arms, was very near the place, where that proud Prelate, Thomas Becket, Arch-Bishop of Canterbury. and Arch Traitor, was cast down headlong in that Cathedral, for his Treason and Rebellion; And very near the unparalleled Idolatrous window in that Cathedral. But the Prelates bestir'd themselves in the morning, and took away, in all smoking hast, the broken Arms, and rabbish, and swept all clean, that less notice might be taken of that lamentable ruin; And to hide the deformity of the crop-ear'd steeple, and to take away the observation, and remembrance of that downfall, which concerned their gracious Diocesan, and great Cathedral so much; they would not suffer the Arms of the King Prince, and Church to stand any longer, on the other three pinnacles, but took them all three down instantly: Those Arms of King, Prince, and Church, being untouched with the tempest, and standing all three firm, and glorious, on the other pinnacles of the steeple, without the help, or company of that tottering Prelate, who had left them at a pinch of need.

And the Cathedral men repaited the broken Cloister, gilding, & painting the Arch over head, as it was before: but they have made other Coat-Arms in the room of the Arms of the Arch-Bishopric, because they would conceal that strange ruin of those Arms.

And they have repaired the roof of their Idolatrous Choir, which, a little before the Arch-Bishops Arms fell down, was terribly rent, and broken also, in a wondrous tempest: That very night the Bishop of Oxford came to that Cathedral, to consecrate their new, brave, Cathadrall Font: And they mended the top of the broken pinnacle, but never hunge out their flaggs any more since. Alas poor Cathedral.

And because the new repaired pinnacle was white, diffring in color from the other three, they were at great cost to raise a huge Scaffold, only to white over the top of one other pinnacle: that their Arch-Prelate might not be pointed at, as singular, but they were deceived for the two new whited Pinnacles were seen, and pointed at a far off, and were said to have a pair of white lawne sleeves drawn over them, as a perpetual monument of their Arch-Prelates two broken Arms, and downfall. And it was then observed, as wonderfully ominous, foreshowing the utter downfall: and ruin of Prelicie, as these verses, then made thereupon, declare;

I have lately seen the Arch Bishop of Canterburies diary written with his own hand, as he, and his Secretary have confessed in the Lord's house in Parliament, which book Mr. Prynno found in his pocket in the Tower of London, some months since, and hath been often read in that House, since the Bishops trial, in which book the Arch-Bishop writes verbatins thus;

1639. Decemb. 27. Friday, being St. Johns day at night, between 12. and 2. of the clock the next morning, the greatest wind that ever I heard blow: many of the watermen at Lambeth had their boates tumbled up and down, and broken to pieces as they lay on the land: out of my servants went to London, and durst not come home that evening the weather was so foul: that night the shafts of two chimneyes as Lambath were beat down upon the roof of his chamber, and beat down both the lead and the rafters upon his bed, where had he been that night, he must have perished.

At Croydon one of the pinnacles fell from the steeple, and burst down the lead, and roof of the Church, 〈◊〉 20. foot square.

1633. September. 19. Thursday, I was translated to the Arch-Bishopprick of Canterbury. 18. The day before, when I went to Lambeth, my Coach-horses and men suncke to the bottom of the Thames in the Ferryboat, which was overladen.

1639. Tuesday Simon and Jude's Eve, I went into my upper Study to see some Manuscripts, which I was sending to Oxford: in that Study hung my picture, taken by the life, and coming in, I found it fallen down upon the face, and lying on the floor, the string being broken by which it was hanged against the wall: I am almost everyday threatened with my ruin, in Parliament, God grant this be no Omen. This the Archbishop hath written, and if any doubt of it, he may see the Book, which is now in Mr. Prin's custody. I read in Duplessis Mistery of iniquity, that when the Prelacie of Rome began to be •• aken, by Luther's thundering, and some Princes joining with him against the Pope, the Image of St. Peter (whose Successor the Pope falsely pretends to be) standing aloft with keys in his hand, the keys were struck out of the Images hand in a Tempest. And Sir Francis Bacon in his History of Henry the 7 ^th , tells us, that Philip the young King of Spain, who bare the Spread-Eagle in his Arms, being in London, the Gilded Eagle (a lane in form of an Eagle, standing on the (then) Spired Steeple of the Cathedral, called Paul's in London) fell down in a Tempest, and in the fall brake down the sign of the Eagle, hanging at a door in Paul's Church-yard, which was then much noted, as Ominous to that Prince, who not many days after fell from his Life and Kingdom: And not long after this Parallell fall of the Arch-Bishops Arms, the Arch-Bishop himself fell from as high as Lambeth, nay from the Lord's House in Parliament, as low as the Tower of London, for no less crime, then High Treason. And twelve other Bishops being high flown, above the high Court of Parliament, in their proud Protestation, did fall as low as that Tower also for their just deserts. And a little after that, Episcopacy it self began to fall, by that noble Act of Parliament against the High Commission Court, by which Act the iron teeth of the Beast were knocked out, and the Sting of abused Excommunication was plucked out of his Tayle. And since that (which makes the fore recited fall at Canterbury more observable, as predigious, and betokening the ruin of Prelacie, as proud Welsey, Cardinal, and Arch-Bishop said of the fall of his Crosier staff at York, a little before his own fall, and deserved death, malum omen, that is, ani'l token.) The Kings Majesty casually passing through Canterbury, in his Journey with the Queen to Dover, staying a little at Canterbury, did at Canterbury, and nowhere else in all England, sign the Bill against the Votes of Bishops in Parliament, which Act threw down our Lofty Lordly Prelates from the Pinacle of their ambition.

And this Bill was not only signed at Canterbury, where the Arms of the Primat, or prime Prelat of all England were so demolished, in the Metropolitan Cathredral, or prime Seat, or Throne of the Beast, called a Cathedral; but (which is most observable) it was signed at arained Abbey adjoining to that Cathredrall. And that Abbey, in which the very first Bill, and Act of Parliament against Bishops was signed by his Majesty, was the Abbey of Austin the Monk, who was the very first Arch-Bishop of Canterbury that ever was, and a most superstitious persecutor, and bloody Incendiary of Church, and State; which is Recorded to his Little LAUD; and was buried at Canterbury, in that Abbey, where Episcopacy itself hath now received a deadly wound, by the Royal assent to that Bill. And since that Bill was signed, another Bill hath passed Both Houses of Parliament, whereby all that cursed prelatical Hierarchy of Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Deans, Arch-Deacons &c. is cut down root and branch, and hath its final Doome and Down-fall: Prelate remember the Pincale. And as for the Canterburian Arch-Prelate, whose Coat-Arms, (Badges of Honor) were so cast down, his charge & Impeachment of high Treason now brings him to a dishonorable low posture, at the Bar of the highest Court of Justice, where it will shortly appear what these prodigious falls portended: a sparrow not falling to the ground without the divine providence.

I find in the recited Diary, or day-book written with the Arch-Bishops own hand, word for word, thus.

1628. Ian. 31. Saturday night, I lay in Court, I dreamed that I put off my Rochet all save one steeve, and when I would have put it on again I could not find it.

1638. Feb. 12. Tuesday night, I dreamed that K. C. was to be married to a Ministers Widow, and that I was called up to do it: no Service-book could be found, and in mine own book, which I had, I could not find the order for Marriage.

1639. Ianu: 24. Friday at night, I dreamed that my father, (who died 46. years since) came to me, and to my thinking he was as well, as ever I saw him: he asked me what I did here, and after some speech, I asked him how long he would stay with me, he answered, he would stay till he had me away with him: I am not moved with dreams, yet I thought fit to remember this.

All this may now be seen written with the Arch-Bishops own hand, in that book of his, now in Mr. Prinns custody. And the Arch-Bishop himself being at White-Hall in his jollity, and Ruffe, about 5. years since, told the Right Honorable the Earl of Pembrocks, and Earl of Monmouth, that when he was in Oxford, he dreamed that he should come to the highest, and greatest preferment in Church and State, that ever any Clergy man did, & that he should be in great favor, power, and authority, and make great changes and alterations in the Church, for sundry years, but yet, after all this, he should be hanged at last. At which the said Lord's falling into a great laughter: His Majesty that now is, hearing it, came into the room & demanded of them the cause of their mirth, that he might have a share of it: whereunto the truly noble Earl of Pembroke answered, that the reason of their laughter was, at a dream w ^ch the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury had newly told them; Whereupon the King demanded what the dream was, to which the Earl replied, that it was the Arch-Bishops own dream, & he was best able to relate it to his Majesty; upon which, the King (calling the Arch-Bishop to him) caused him in their presence, to tell the dream over again to the King himself.

But to return to my Cathedral news, to tell you what hath followed those observable alarums in that Cathedral. On their Candlemas day at night, 1641. Those Consecrated Images about their new Cathedral Font were all demolished, & taken away, they knew not how, nor by whom that purification was observed, without Candles: But a few days after, some of those Idols were found in that Cathedral, in a Pulpit, where a Sermon had not been preached near 20. years before: But were not those Images put into that Pulpit, to preach in that Cathedral, touching wooden Priests, and Idol-Shepherds? but of that business, the Prelates made no dumb complaint to the King himself, when he was last there, in his Journey with the Q 〈…〉 to Dovor: they carried him to the Font, and shown him the lamentable condition, and ruin of their new consecrated Font, and where those Images had stood about it. And indeed they could better endure the late felling of about 300. Episcopal and Cathedral Oaks in one year, for their own gain: then they could endure the pulling down of those 18. Idols of wood & stone: But the truth is, the Citizens of Canterbury had first complained of them in the rehearsed Petition, which lies heavier on their stomachs, then 3. Parish Churches, and a Cathedral. And besides that Petition, and pulling down their puppets: those Cathedrallists have been much crossed in their Popish, and idolatrous designs, (the Prelates pions work in hand) when some welaffected Citizens of Canterbury beheld, how those Cathedral Priests bowed, and crowched towards their Altar, although they did not serve the Priest, as he deserved, as the Arch Prelate of St. Andrew's in Scotland was served, when they hurled creckets, and stools and sticks at him, when he first read the new Scots Service-book in his Pontificabilus; But they cried out aloud in the time of the Cathedral Service, many Sabbath days; Leave your idolatry, leave your idolatry there. And one Sabbath day, when after the Sermon was ended in that Cathedral Choir, and the Psalm after Sermon was begun: the High Priest or Canon went before, and the low Priest, or Petti-canon behind him, & the Vergerer, or Usher before both: all three ducking, ducking, ducking, like wild-geese, head to rail, as they went from their seats in the Choir, up to the High Altar, where the Priests stood until the Organs, and Choir had ceased: and then the Altar-Priest began to read out of the Service-book, the Cathedral third Service, or Alter-Sermon-service: But the people sung on still, (the Organist having casually called the first part of the 119. Psalm:) Whereupon the Altar-Priest called the Petti-canon, a Priested Weaver that waited on him at the Altar, him the grand Priest sent down drom the Altar to bid the people leave singing. The Petti-canon called out aloud, leave your singing, leave your singing: but they sung on: then the Petti-canon called out to the Priest at the Altar, Sir they doit for the nonce, they doit for the nonce; then one pulled the Petti-canon by the Surplice behind, and cried out, you are a Weaver; another cried out, leave your Idolatry: but still the people sung on: All this time the Priest stood dumb at the Altar, with his Service-book, in his Surplice, Hood, and Tippet, and had lost his dinner, if he had not come down from the Altar, and gone home without reading anymore Altar Service at that time, and left the people singing, who when the Priest was gone from the Altar, and the Choir risen, did all depart home quietly: and after that time the Cathedrallists would preach no more in the Choir, but in the Sermon-house, as before.

One of the great Canons, or Prebends, in the very act of his low congying towards the Altar, as he went up to it, in Prayer time, was (not long since) resaluted by a huge mastiff dog, which leapt upright on him, once & again, & pawed him, in his ducking saluting progress, & posture to the Altar, so that he was fain to call out aloud, take away the dog, take away the dog.

At the election of Burgesses for Canterbury, upon the summons of the Parliament, in the year 1639. The Proctors, Fiddlers, Papsters, and other friends of the Cathedral, and Prelatical party, at Canterbury, were for the Arch-Bishops Secretary to be Burgess there, who came down before the day of election for that purpose, and prepared his foresaid friends to vote for him: and at the day of election, he came into the Guild-Hall of Canterbury, and there produced to the Citizens, letters written to them in his behalf, from his Lord and Master the Arch Bishop, and from the then Lord Keeper: and then the Secretary made a Speech to the Citizens to choose him Burgess; in which Oration he said, there is a picture hanging before you, of a great Benefactor to this City, the same man was the founder of the College in Oxford where I lived. The Citizens (heating this) cried out aloud: no pictures, no Images, no Papists, no Arch-bishops Secretary, we have too many Images and pictures in the Cathedral already: and after that they would not hear him speak a word more, but hist him down: and presently cried up others, whom they then chose Burgesses for that City. And a Petti canon of that Cathedral, being voting there, for the Arch-Bishops Secretary, one told him he was no Free man, and therefore could have no Vote there: He replied, I am a Free-man, I have my copy in my pocket; then one said, 'tis true indeed, he is a Weaver, he is free of that trade: Then there arose a loud cry amongst them, a Weaver, a Weaver, a Weaver, a Priested Weaver, in a Canonical coat.

The Grandes of that Cathedral, about two years since, having feasted some Malignants that came from the Downes, at Deale, where they would have seized on the Parliaments ships: after dinner, he, having accompanied them out of Town, in his Coach: at his return, his Coach overthrew into the Cōmon sewer, or broad stinking ditch, between the three Kings Tavern, and Kings bridge, in Canterbury: the great Cathedrallist crying out, help me, help me; The people laughing at their Land Shipwrack, and filthy pickle, and bedaub'd white Satin gown of the Famale Cathedrallist: The people said also, that the Prelates would have a greater fall, they hoped.

And since that, there was Cathedral news from Canterbury in print, in a letter, written by a Master of a College, an Arch-Deacon, two Pretends, & three Parsons, and yet but one man, a Canterburian Cathedrallist: which printed news some called the Cathedral lamentation for Dagon's downfall. The news was, that the Troopers sought with God himself in the Cathedral Quite at Canterbury. But the truth is, that on the 26. of August, 1642. Some zealous Troopers, after they had (by command) taken the powder and ammunition out of that Malignant Cathedral, they fought (it seems) with the Cathedral God's, named in that printed letter: namely Altars, Images, Service-book, Prickesong-book, Surplice, and Organs; for they hewed the Altar-ratles all to pieces, and threw their Altar ever, and ever, and ever, down the three Altar-stops, and left it lying with the heeks upward: they slasht some Images, Crucifixes, and Prickesong books, and one greasy Service-book, and a ragged smock of the where of Rome, called a Surplice, and began to play the tune of the zealous soldier, on the Organs, or case of whistles, which never were in tune since: But the Cathedrallists cried out for their great Diana & ran to the Commander in chief with all speed, who presently called off the S • uldiers, who afterwards sung Cathodrall Prick-song, as they rode over Barham- down towards Dover, with Prick-song leaves in their hands, and lighted their tobacco-pipes with them: such pipes, and Cathedral Prick-song did consort well together. But after this Cathedral Camisado, their Choir, which before had all the Pipes, both Service and Sermon, hath never since that time had once Service, or Sermon in it to this day. There are no Cathedral Seraphims heard tossing their Choir Service from one side of the Choir to the other, only plain Service-book Service is read in the Sermon-House. And they have never set up their Altar anymore since that dismal overthrow. They had removed it of themselves, not long after the Parliament began, according to the pious Order of Parliament; but they set it up again Altarwise that day the Sermon was preached there, before the King, when he staid at Canterbury in his late journey with the Queen to Dover: and so their Altar stood until those Reforming Troopers removed it with a vengeance. And as for their Altar-trinkets, their silver Basin and Candlesticks, the Prelates had hid them from the Troopers, but afterwards sold them to a Merchant in Canterbury, for fear they should be seized on for the public defense of the Kingdom. But when they heard that a sack posset was eaten out of their Cathredrall Altar-Basin, they were much offended, that a consecrated Basin should be so profaned, and thereupon bought again their Basin and Candlesticks, which some affirm, had tallow-candles in them while the sack-posset was in eating. But this was but a forerunner of a more orderly and through Reformation in that Cathedral, which (according to another pious Ordinance of Parliament for demolishing of Monuments of Idolatry) began upon the thirteenth day of December last, that very day in which the neck of the Hoptonians advance into Kent was broken, by that utter defeat given the Lord Crafords whole Regiment, at Alton, by the Religious and Valiant Sir William Waller, which defeat given on that day, made way for his taking of Arundel Castle, & for the absolute repulse of the enemy. God's providence fitted that day to begin that Deliverance, when that most idolatrous Cathedral first began to be purged of those abhominable Images of jealousy. The Cathedral men would not execute that Ordinance themselves, they loved their Cathedral Jezebel, the better because she was painted, which painted Cathedral Jezebel the recited Proctors Book calls Mother Church. But the worthy Major, and Recorder of Canterbury put on that blessed work of Reformation with their speedy warrant, according to that ORDINANCE. When the Commissioners entered upon the execution of that Ordinance, in that Cathedral, they knew not where to begin, the Images and Pictures were so numerous, as if that Superstitious Cathedral had been built for no other end, but to be a stable for Idols, At last they resolved to begin with the window on the East, of the high Altar, beyond that Sainted-Traitor, Arch-Bishop Beckets shrine, at which shrine to this day may be seen, how the stones of the pavement on the sides, and ends of that shrine, were worn with the kneeling of the Idolatrous people, which came on Pilgrimage, to offer there, to that Pope-holy Saint. But the Commissioners knew not what pictures were in that Eastmost window of that Cathedral and coming to it, the first picture they found there, was of Austin the Monk, who (as is said before) was the first Arch-Bishop of Canterbury that ever was, & so it casually fell out, that the Image of this Arch-Prelate of Canterbury was the first that was demolished in that Cathedral; many window-Images or pictures in glass were demolished that day, and many Idols of stone, thirteen representing Christ, and his twelve Apostles, standing over the West door of the Choir, were all hewed down, and 12. more at the North door of the Choir, and 12. Mytred-Saints sat aloft over the West door of the Choir, which were all cast down headlong, and some fell on their heads, and their Myters brake their necks: While this work was in hand, in comes a Prebends wife, and pleaded for the Images there, and jeered the Commissioners viraginously: but when she saw a picture of Christ demolished, she skreekt out, and ran to her husband, who (after she was gone) came in, and asked for their Authority to do those things: and being answered that there was the Ordinance of the KING and PARLIAMENT, he replied, not of the King, but of the Parliament if you will, he also pleaded for the Images there, and spake in justification of his bowing towards the Altar, yea he would maintain his bowing three times that way, because there were three Persons in the Trinity; a poor argument for a Cathedral Doctor, he might as well have argued, because he did give thanks for the three parishes or steeples he enjoyed. But after he had disputed a while with the Ministers, that assisted the Commissioners in that work: the grand Priest complained for want of breath, saying he was ready to faint, and desired to be let out: And indeed he looked very ill; 'tis true, he stood very near the place where Arch-Bishop Becket was cast over headlong; but this man had no cause of fear, not a distasteful, or disrepective word: and was quietly let out, as he desired. And then that work of Reformation went on; the Commissioners fell presently to work on the great Idolatrous window, standing on the left hand, as you go up into the Choir: for which window (some affirm) many thousand pounds have been offered by Out-landish Papists. In that window was now the picture of God the Father, and of Christ, besides a large Crucifix, and the picture of the Holy Ghost, in the form of a Dove, and of the 12. Apostles; and in that window were seven large pictures of the Virgin Marie, in seven several glorious appearances, as of the Angels listing her into heaven, and the Sun, Moon, and Stars under her feet, and every picture had an inscription under it, beginning with gaude Maria: as, gaude Maria sponsa dei, that is, Rejoice Mary thou Spouse of God. There were in this window, many other pictures of Popish Saints, as of St. George, &c. But their prime Cathedral Saint- Arch-Bishop Thomas Becket, was most rarely pictured in that window, in full proportion, with Cope, Rochet, Miter, Crosier, and all his Pontificalibus. And in the foot of that huge window, was a title, intimating that window to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In laudem & honorem beatissimae Virginis Mariae matris dei, &c. But you have a register of the Cathedral Idols in a late book mentioned in the recited Canterbury Petition: In that Prelatical book, thanks are given to the piety of these times, that the Altar in that Cathedral was so richly adorned, there is a project for a discovery to what Saint every parish Church is dedicated: that Church- Ales, & wakes, and parish- feasts may be better kept: This book was a card and compass to sail by, in that Cathedral Ocean of Images: by it many a Popish picture was discovered, and demolished. It's sure working by the book: But here is the wonder, that this book should be a means to pull down Idols, which so much advanceth Idolatry. But as that window was the superstitious glory of that Cathedral; as it was wholly superstitious, so now it is more defaced then any window in that Cathedral. Whilst judgment was executing on the Idols in that window: the Cathedrallists cried out again for their great Diana, hold your handss, holt, holt, heers Sir, &c. A Minister being then on the top of the City ladder, near 60. steps high, with a whole pike in his hand rattling down proud Beckets glassy bones, (others then present, would not adventer so high) to him it was said, 'tis a shame for a Minister to be seen there; the Minister replied, Sir, I count it no shame, but an honor, My Mr. whipt the living buyers & sellers out of the Temple; these are dead Idols, which defile the worship of God here, being the fruits and occasions of Idolatry: Some wisht he might break his neck, others said it should cost blood. But he finished the work, and came down well, and was in very good health when this was written. Many other Images were defaced in other windows there, several pictures of God the Father, of Crucifixes and men praying to Crucifixes, and to the Virgin Marie, and Images lay on the tombs, with eyes and hands lifted up, and right over them was pictured God the Father, embracing a Crucifix, to which the Image seemed to pray. There was a Cardinal's hat as red as blood, painted in the highest window in that Cathedral within Bell-Harry steeple, over the Choir door, covering the Arch-Bishops Arms, which Hat had not so much respect shown it, as Cardinal Wolseys hat had at Court, it was not bowed too, but ratled down: There were also many huge Crosses demolished, which stood without the Cathedral, four on Bell-Arundell steeple: and a great Idol of stone, which stood on the top of the roof of that Cathedral, over the South door, under Bell-Harry steeple, was pulled down by 100. men with a rope: in the fall it buried it self in the ground, it was so heavy, and fell so high. This Image held a great brazen Cross in his hand: it was the Satue of Michael the Arch-Angel, looking straight to a lane right over against it, in Cantrrburie, called Angel-lane. There was demolished also, a very large stone Image of Christ, over which was the Image of the holy Ghost, in the form of a Dove: this Idol stood right over the great Cathedral South-gate next the Bull stake: this Image was pulled down with ropes: at first the head began to shake and nod to and fro, a good while: at last it fell off two hours before the body, which was rivetted to the wall with iron bars. The Papists report it was a miracle, that the Image nodded the head to reprove those that pulled it down, one said then, it was a shame they should pull it down in such a base manner. This Image (amongst the rest) was the means of much Idolatry; men, now living, testify, that they have seen travellers kneel to it in the street, as they entered the Cathedral, which is continually visited by Outlandish Papists, who daily commit Idolatry in that Cathedral; And yet how many that profess love to true Religion, and hatred of Idolatry are now zealous for these Images, which are Monuments, and instruments, and occasions of Idolatry, the continuance whereof hath been our great sin, shame, and misery.

But (say some) the Windows and Monuments are precious: but we read, Deut. 13. 6. If any, (though never so near or dear unto us) move us to Idolatry, we are commanded by God himself, to stone them to death, our eye must not pity them: Must we not spare a living man, made little inferior to the Angels, but must rend, and maul him with stones, and shall we stomach the battering and defacing of dead Images, that are not only monuments of, but enticements to Idolatry? shall we glamour and clamour as they, that shall lament the final fall of Babylon, Rev. 18. 16. Alas, alas, that great City, that was clothed in fine linen, purple, & scarlet, & decked with gold & precious stones, shall we say alas that great Cathedral, oh the goodly painted windows, oh the golden Tabernacle work, oh the Glorious Glory cloth, oh the costly Copes, Basins, and Candlesticks, oh the rich Hangings, oh the Arch-Bishops consecrated Chair; Such clamours were heard when the Abbyes were defaced, but we read, Acts 19. 19. That they which believed, did quite abolish their superstitious devices, how curious and costly soever, though they were worth 50000. pieces of silver: let those that cry out against this Reformation, read these (and the like) places of Scripture, Exod. 24. 24. Num. 33. 52. Deut. 7. 5. 1 Kings 15. 12. 2 King. 18. 4. Isa 30. 22. 1 Joh. 5. 21. The last execution against the Idols in that Cathedral, was done in the Cloister, divers Crucifixes & Mytred Saints were slattered in pieces there: St. Dunstans Image pulling the Devil by the nose with a pair of tongs, was pulled down. Devil and all. When the Cathedral men heard that Ordinance of Parliament, against Idolatrous Monuments, was to be put in execution, they covered a complete Crucifix in the Sernion-house windows, with thin boards, and painted them, to preserve the Crucifix, but their juggling was found out, and the Crucifix demolisht. And as the monuments of Idolatry are in great part taken out of that Romish Cathedral. So that Cathedral nest of Prelatical Hornets, is almost dispersed and gone; God hath scattered the proud. Their old Dean is dead above a year since, and their new Dean (chosen at Oxford) died at Oxford; And a young Cathedral Doctor too, who first recanted here, & went to Oxford and died lately there: and many other of those Prelars being Incendiaries, and Delinquents, are kept in safe custody. Thus a vial is now poured out upon this Cathedra, or seat, or Throne of the Beast, and though they gnaw their tongues for pain, yet I do not hear that they repent them of their Prelatical and Malignant ways, to give God the glory, Revel. 16. 10.

And now to end (with very good Cathedral news from Canterbury) the Honorable House of Commens hath begun to settle an able & Orthodox Ministry in that Cathedral, where 2 Sermens are now preached every Lord's day, besides the week days preaching there: light comes in there through the windows, where the painted Images stood, and kept it out: now there is no such heterodex, and Malignant Cathedral stuff heard there, as before this blessed Reformation, now so happily begun there, by the care and labor of the Parliment, amidst so many difficulties: they remove the old rubbish, and build the Temple apace, though with the sword in one hand, & the Trowell in the other. And now the godly flock to that Cathedral again, in such numbers, that had not the Idolatrous windows in the Sermon-house been demolished as they are, the numerous Cathedral auditors would be much annoyed with extremity of heat. Thus we see the Canterburian Babel falls a pace: and Christ-Church Cathedral in Canterbury begins to be Christ-Church indeed: as that blessed Martyr Ridley wished (or rather prophesied) long ago, in a letter of his, which is recorded in the book of Martyrs.

And now least that Cathedral Abbey should prove another Lichfield, or Lincoln Cathedral-Close: for the enemy to fortify, and roost in: The huge City-like gates of that Cathedral Corporation are all taken down & laid aside, which was done when the Kentish Malignants began to rise against the King, Parliament and Kingdom: So that now when an act, or Ordinance of Parliament, or the Bill for the extirpation of Prelacy already passed both Houses of Parliament, being signed by the King, (which God grant) shall shortly root out all Prelacy, and Cathedral Covents, then all the Cathedral rabble at Canterbury, may (without knocking up their Cathedral Porter) pack away with all their Cathedral Bagg and Baggage, and Prelaticll Popish Trinkets, to Lambeth Faire.