Church History of Britain
49. Now began the heat, of the sad contest betwixt M r Richard Hooker Master, and M r Walter Travers Lecturer of the Temple. We will be the larger in the relating thereof, because we behold their actions not as the deeds of private persons, but the public Champions of their Party. Now as an Army is but a Champion diffused, so a Champion may be said to be an Army contracted. The Prelatical Party wrought to the height in and for Hooker, nor was the Presbyterian power less active in assisting M r Travers, both sides being glad they had gotten two such eminent Leaders, with whom they might engage with such credit to their cause.
50. Hooker was born in Devon-shire, bred in Oxford, Fellow of Corpus Christi College; one of a solid judgment, and great reading. Yea, such the depth of his learning, that his Pen was a better Bucket than his Tongue to draw it out. A great defender both by preaching and writing of the Discipline of the Church of England, yet never got (nor cared to get) any eminent dignity therein, conscience, not covetousness engaging him in the controversy. Spotless was his conversation, and though some dirt was cast, none could stick on his reputation. M r Travers was brought up in Trinity College in Cambridge, and because much of Church matter depends upon him, I give the Reader the larger account of his carriage.
51. Travers meeting with some discontents in the College after the death of D r Beomond (in whose time he was elected fellow) took occasion to travail beyond Seas, and coming to Geneva, contracted familiarity with M r Beza, and other foreign divines, with whom he by letters continued correspondency till the day of his death. Then returned he and commenced Bachelor of Divinity in Cambridge, and after that went beyond sea again, and at Antwerp was ordained minister, by the Presbytery there, whose Testimoniall I have here faithfully transcribed out of the Original.
QVam multis de causis sit & aequum & consultum unumquemque eorum qui ad verbi Dei ministerum asciscuntur, vocationis suae testimonium habere, Asserimus, coacta Antuerpiae ad 8. Maij 1578. duodecim Ministrorum verbi cum totidem fere senioribus Synodo, praest ntissimum pretate & eruditione virum ac fratrem reverendum Doctorem Gualterum Traverseum, omnium qui aderant suffragiis ardentissimis{que}, votis, consueto ritu fuisse in sancto verbi Dei ministerio institutum, precibusque ac ma • uum impositione confirmatum. Postero autem die post sabbatum b • llo in frequenti Anglorum coet • concionem, rogante eo qui a Synodo delegatus erat Ministro, propensissimisque totius Ecclesiae animis acceptum fusse. Quod quidem Domini ac fratris nostri celendi apud Anglos Ministerum, ut benignitate sua Deus omnipotence donorum suorum incremento & amplissimo functionis ejus fructu ornare dignetur, enixe precamur per Iesum Christum Amen.
Dat. Antwerpiae 14. Maij. 1578.
Det Logelerius Vilerius verbi Dei Minister & Johannes Hochelcus verbi Dei minister. Johannes Taffinus Verbi Dei Minister.
Thus put in orders by the Presbytery of a foreign Nation, he continued there some years, preached (with M r Cartwright ) unto the English factory of Merchants at Antwerpe, until at last he came over into England, and for seven years together became Lecturer in the Temple (refusing all presentative preferment to decline subscription) and lived domestic chaplain in the house of the Lord Treasurer Cicel, being Tutor for a time to Robert his son, afterwards Earl of Sarisbury. And although there was much heaving and shuffing at him (as one disaffected to the discipline) yet God's goodness, his friends greatness, and his own honesty, kept him, (but with much difficulty) in his ministerial employment.
52. Yea now so great grew the credit and reputation of M r Travers, that (by the advice of M r Andrew Meluin ) he and M r Cartwright were solemnly sent for, to be Divinity professors in the University of S t Andrew's, as by this autograph (which I have in my hands, and here think fit to exemplfie) may plainly appear.
MAgno quidem, fratres charissimi, gaudio nos afficit constantia vestra, & invicta illa animi fortitudo, quâ contra Satanae imperium & reluctantem Christi imperio mundi fastum armavit vos domini spiritus, in asserenda apud populares vestros Ecclesiae suae disciplina. Sed permelesium tamen nobis semper fuit, pertinaci inimicorum odio & violentia factum esse, ut cum latere & solum subinde vertere cogimini, minus aliquanto fructus ex laboribus vestris ad pios omnes perveniat, quam si docendo publice & concionando destinatam ecclesiae Dei operam navare licuisset. Hoc quia in patria vobis negatum videbamus, non aliud nobis magis in votis erat, quàm ut exulanti in vobis Christo hospitium aliquod in ultma Scotia praeberatur. Quod ut fieri non incommode possit, speramus longo nos conatu perfecisse.
Vetus est & non ignobilis apud nos Academia, Andreana; in quâ cùm aliae arts, tum philosophia imprimis ita hucasque culta fuit, ut quod ab exteris nationibus peteretur, parum nobis, aut nihil in eo genere deesset. Verum divina ilia sapientia, quam vel solam, vel praecipuam colere christianos decet, neglecta diu in scholis jacuit; quod à prima statim religions instauratione, summus omnium ardor exstaret in erudienda plebe; in aliis ad sacrum verbi ministerium instituendis paucissimi labor aerent: non leve ut periculum subesset, n • (quod propitius nobis Deus avertat) concionatorum aliquando inopia periret, quod tanta cum spe in hominum animos conjectum est verae pietatis semen.
Animadvertit hoc tandem ecclesiasticus Senatus, & cum rege regnique proceribus diligenter egit, ne hanc officij sui & solicitudinis partem desiderari amplius paterentur. Placuit & summo omnium applausu in proximis ordinum comitiis decretum est, ut quod amplitudine ceteris & opulentia collegium praestat theologiae perpetuo studiis consecretur: utque ad verbi Dei ministerium nemo admittatur, nisi linguarum, utriusque testamenti & locorum communium curriculo prius consecto: confiti autem quadriennii spacio à quinque professoribus posse. Ex hoc numero adhuc desunt Thomas Cartwrigtus & Gualterus Traversus: reliquos nobis domi ecclesia nostra suppeditabit. Messem hic videtis singulari vestra eruditione & pietate non indignam. Ad quam pius vos princeps & proceres nostri; ad quam boni vos omnes & fratres vestri; ad quam Christi vos ecclesia & Christus ipse operarios invitat. Reliquum est, ut humanissime vocantes sequi velitis; & ad docendi hanc provinciam, vobis honorificam, ecclesiae Dei salutarem maturetis; magnas à principe, majores à Christi ecclesia, maximas & immortales à maximo & immortali Deo gratias inituri. Quod ut sine mor a facere dignemini, per eum ipsum vos etiam atque etiam obtestamur, cui acceptum ferri debet, quod ecclesiae filii sui prodesse tantopere possitis.
Edinburgi.
- Ja Glasgney Academiae Cancelarius. Alaynus Rector.
- Thomas Smetonius Decanus
- Andreas Melvinus Collegij praefectus
- Mr David Wems minister Glascoviensis.
This proffer both jointly refused, with return of their most affectionate thanks, and such who know least are most bold in their conjectures, to adventure at the reasons of their refusal. As that they would not leave the Sun on their backs, and remove so far North, or they were discouraged with the slenderness of the salary assigned unto them. In plain truth they were loath to leave, and their friends loath to be left by them, conceiving their pains might as well be bestowed in their native Country; and Travers quietly continued Lecturer at the Temple till M r Hooker became the Master thereof.
53. M r Hooker his voice was low, stature little, gesture none at all, standing stone-still in the Pulpit, as if the posture of his body were the emblem of his mind, immovable in his opinions. Where his eye was left fixed at the beginning, it was found fixed at the end of his Sermon: In a word, the doctrine he delivered, had nothing but itself to garnish it. His style was long and pithy, driving on a whole flock of several Clauses before he came to the close of a sentence. So that when the copiousness of his style, met not with proportionable capacity in his auditors, it was unjustly censured, for perplexed, tedious, and obscure. His sermons followed the inclination of his studies, and were for the most part on controversies, and deep points of School Divinity.
54. M r Travers his utterance was graceful, gesture plausible, matter profitable, method plain, and his style carried in it indolem pietatis a Genius of grace flowing from his sanctified heart. Some say, that the congregation in the Temple, ebb'd in the fore noon, and flowed in the afternoon, and that the auditory of M r Travers was far the more numerous, the first occasion of emulation betwixt them. But such as knew M r Hooker, knew him to be too wise to take exception at such trifles, the rather because the most judicious is always the least part in all auditories.
55. Here might one on Sundays have seen, almost as many writers as hearers. Not only young students, but even the gravest Benchers (such as S t Edw, Cook and S t James Altham then were) were not more exact in taking instructions from their clients, then in writing notes from the mouths of their Ministers. The worst was, these two preachers though joined in affinity (their nearest kindred being married together) acted with different principles, and clashed one against another. So that what M r Hooker delivered in the forenoon, M r Travers confuted in the afternoon. At the building of Solomon's Temple 1 King. 6. 7. neither hammer, nor axe, nor tool of iron was heard therein. Whereas, alas in this Temple, not only much knocking was heard, but (which was the worst) the nails and pins, which one masterbuilder drave in, were driven out by the other. To pass by lesser differences betwixt them about Predestination.
Thus much disturbance was caused to the disquieting of people's consciences, the disgrace of the ordinance, the advantage of the common enemy, and the dishonor of God himself.
56. Here Arch-Bishop Whitgift interposed his power, and silenced Travers from preaching either in the Temple or anywhere else. It was lai'd to his charge: 1. That he was no lawful ordained Minister according to the Church of England. 2 l y. That he preached here without license. 3 l y. That he had broken the order (made in the 7 t h year of her Majesty's reign. Wherein it was provided, that erroneous Doctrine, if it came to be publicly taught, should not be publicly refuted, but that notice thereof should be given to the Ordinary, to hear and determine such causes, to prevent public disturbance.
57. As for Travers, his silencing, many which were well pleased with the deed done, were offended at the manner of doing it. For all the Congregation on a Sabbath in the after noon were assembled together, their attention prepared, the Cloath (as I may say) and napkins were laid, yea, the guests set, and their knives drawn for their spiritual repast, when suddenly as M r Travers was going up into the pulpit, a sorry fellow served him with a letter, prohibiting him to preach anymore. In obedience to Authority, (the mild and constant submission whereunto won him respect with his adversaries) M r Travers calmly signified the same to the Congregation, and requested them quietly to depart to their chambers. Thus was our good Zacchaeus struck dumb in the Temple, but not for infidelity, unpartial people accounting his fault at most but indiscretion. Mean time, his Auditory (pained that their pregnant expectation to hear him preach, should so publicly prove abortive, and sent sermonless home) manifested in their variety of passion, some grieving, some frowning, some murmuring, and the wisest sort, who held their tongues, shaked their heads, as disliking the managing of the matter.
58. Travers addressed himself by petition to the Lord's of the privy Council (where his strength lay, as Hookers in the Arch-Bishop of Cant, and high Commission) grievously complained that he was punished before he was heard, silenced (by him apprehended the heaviest penalty) before sent for, contrary to equity and reason. The Law condemning none before it hear him, and know what he hath done.
1. To the exception against the lawfulness of his Ministry, he pleaded that the communion of Saints allows Ordination legal in any Christian Church, Orders herein are like degrees, and a Doctor graduated in any University, hath his title and place granted him in all Christendom.
2. For want of license to preach, he pleaded that he was recommended to this place of the Temple by two letters of the Bishop of London the Diocesan thereof.
3. His Anti-preaching in the afternoon against what was delivered before; he endeavored to excuse by the example of S t Paul, Who gave not place to Peter, no not an hour, that the truth of the Gospel might continue amongst them.
But we are too tedious herein, especially seeing his petition is publicly extant in print, with M r Hooker his answer thereunto, whither we refer the reader for his more ample satisfaction.
59. By the way, it must not be forgotten, that in the very midst of the Paroxisme betwixt Hooker and Travers, the latter still bare (and none can challenge the other to the contrary) a reverend esteem of his adversary. And when an unworthy aspersion (some years after) was cast on Hooker, (if Christ was dashed, shall Christians escape clean in their journey to heaven) M r Travers being asked of a private friend, what he thought of the truth of that accusation, In truth, (said he) I take M r Hooker to be a holy man. A speech with coming from an adversary, sounds no less to the commendation of his charity who spake it, then to the praise of his piety of whom it was spoken.
60. The Council table was much divided about Travers his petition. All Whitgists foes were ipso facto made Travers his favorers, besides he had a large stock of friends on his own account. But Whitgifts finger moved more in Church matters, then all the hands of all the privy Counselors besides, and he was content to suffer others to be believed (and perchance to believe themselves) great actors in Church-government, whilst he knew, he could and did do all things himself therein. No favor must be afforded Travers on any terms. 1. Dangerous was his person, a Cartwright junior, none in England either more loving Geneva, or more beloved by it. 2 lie . Dangerous the place, the Temple being one of the Jnns (therefore a public) of Court (therefore a principal) place, and to suffer one opposite to the English discipline, to continue Lecturer there, what was it but in effect to retain half the Lawyers of England to be of Council against the ecclesiastical government thereof. 3 lie . Dangerous the Precedent this leading case would be presumed on for others to follow, and a ranks breaking, may be an armies ruining.
61. This was the constant custom of Whitgift, if any Lord or Lady sued to him to show favor for their sakes to Non-conformists, his answer to them was rather respectful to the requester, then satisfactory to the request. He would profess how glad he was to serve them, and gratify them in compliance with their desire, assuring them for his part all possible kindness should be indulged unto them; but in fine, he would remit nothing of his rigor against them. Thus he never denied any great man's desire, and yet never granted it, pleasing them for the present with general promises, and (in them not dissembling, but using discreet and right expressions) still kept constant to his own resolution. Hereupon afterwards the nobility surceased making more suits unto him, as ineffectual, and even left all things to his own disposal.
62. Thus M r Travers, notwithstanding the plenty of his potent friends, was overborn by the Arch-Bishop, and (as he often complained) could never obtain to be brought to a fair hearing. But his grief hereat was something abated, when Adam Loftus, Arch-Bishop of Dublin, and Chancellor of Ireland, (his ancient Colleague in Cambridge ) invited him over, to be Provost of Trinity-College in Dublin. Embracing the motion, over he went, accepting the place, and continued some years therein; till discomposed with the fear of their civil wars, he returned into England, and lived here many years very obscurely (though in himself a shining light) as to the matter of outward maintenance.
63. Yet had he Agurs wish, neither poverty, nor riches, though his enough seemed to be of shortest size. It matters not whether men's means be mounted, or their minds descend, so be it that both meet as here in him in a comfortable contentment. Yea, when the right Reverend, and Religious James Usher (then Bishop of Meath, since) Arch-Bishop of Armagh (brought up, under him, and with him agreeing in doctrine, though discenting in Discipline) proffered money unto him for his relief, M r Travers returned a thankful refusal thereof. Sometimes he did preach, rather when he durst, than when he would, debarred from all cure of souls by his non-conformity. He lived, and died unmarried, and though leaving many nephews (some eminent) Scholars, bequeathed all his books of Oriental languages (wherein he was exquisite) and plate worth fifty pounds to Ston-College in London. Oh! if this good man had had an hand to his heart, or rather a purse to his hand, what charitable works would he have left behind him? But in pursuance of his memory. I have intrenched too much on the modern times. Only this I will add, perchance the Reader will be angry with me for saying thus much, and I am almost angry with myself for saying no more of so worthy a Divine.
64. Return we to the year 1592, which we find in London filled with funerals, so that within twelve months, moe than ten thousand were swept away therein of the plague; And amongst them, reverend M r Richard Greenham, the reason why we find not the exact date of his death. In contagious times, the corpses of those who living were best beloved, are rather hurried, than carried to the grave; and in such confusions, those Parishes who have the best memories, prove forgetful, their Registers being either carelessly kept, or totally omitted. Thus our Greenham was mortally visited with the plague (whereof we find Munster, Franciscus Junius, Chimidontius, and other worthy Divines formerly deceased in Germany ) that patent of preservation against the pestilence A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee, running (as all other temporal promises) with this secret clause of revocation, if God in his wisdom were not pleased otherwise to countermand it.
65. It may be said of some persons in reference to their history, that they were born men, namely such of whose birth, and youth, we find no particular account. Greenham is one of these, for, for want of better intelligence we find him full grown at the first, when Anno Domini, he was admitted into Pembroke Hall in Cambridge. In which House some years after, the youth of M r Lancelot Andrew's (afterwards Bishop of Winchester ) was well acquainted with M r Greenham: and I dare boldly say, if Greenham gained any learning by Andrew's, Andrew's lost no religion by Greenham. He afterwards left the University, and became Minister three miles off at Drie-Draiton.
66. Drie-Draiton indeed, which though often watered with M r Greenhams tears, and oftener with his prayers, and preaching, moistened the rich with his counsel, the poor with his charity, neither produced proportionable fruitfulness. The generality of his Parish remained ignorant, and obstinate, to their Pastors great grief, and their own greater damage and disgrace. Hence the Verses,
67. He used often, at the entreaty of some Doctors to preach at S t Mary's in Cambridge, where sometimes so great his zeal in pressing important points, that he hath lost himself in the driving home of some application, even to the forgetting of his text (as himself would confess) till he recovered the same on some short recollection. He always bitterly inveighed against Non-Residents; professing, that he wondered how such men could take any comfort in their wealth. For, me thinks (saith he) they should see written on everything which they have, Pretium sanguinis, this is the price of blood. But his master-piece was in comforting wounded consciences. For, although Heavens hand can only set a broken heart, yet God used him herein as an instrument of good to many, who came to him with weeping eyes, and went from him with cheerful souls. The breath of his gracious counsel blew up much smoking flax, into a blazing flame.
68. Hereupon the importunity of his friends (if herein they proved so) persuaded him to leave his Parish, and remove to London, where his public parts might be better advantaged for the general good. They pleaded the little profit of his long pains to so poor and peevish a Parish. Pitie it was so good a fisher-man should cast his nets elsewhere, than in that ocean of people. What was Drie-Draiton but a bushel to hide, London an high candle-stick to hold up the brightness of his parts? Over-entreated by others (even almost against his own judgment) he resigned his Cure to a worthy successor, and repaired to London. Where, after some years preaching up and down in no constant place, he was resident on no Cure, but the curing of consciences. I am credibly informed, he in some sort repented his removal from his Parish, and disliked his own erratical, and planetary life, which made him fix himself Preacher at last at Christ-Church in London, where he ended his days.
69. He lived Sermons, and was most precise in his conversation; a strict observer of the Lord's-day, and a great advancer thereof thorough the whole Realm, by that Treatise which he wrote of the Sabbath. No book in that age made greater impression on people's practice, as one (then a great wit in the University, now a grave wisdom in our Church) hath ingeniously expressed.
On M r Greenhams book of the Sabbath.
Thus godly Greenham is fallen asleep: we softly draw the curtains about him, and so proceed to other matter.
SECTION VIII.
To the Lady Anne Archer of Tanworth in Warwickshire.
Madam,
YOu, being so good a Houswife, know, far better then I, how much strength and handsomness good hemming addeth to the end of a clothe. I therefore being now to put a period to this long and important Century, as big as the whole Book besides (but chiefly containing her Reign, the Honor of your Sex and our nation ) have resolved (to prevent the unraveling thereof,) to close and conclude it, with this Dedication to your Ladyship. On which account alone you are placed last in this Book, though otherwise the first and freest in encouraging my weak endeavors.
1. OF M r Vdals death come we now to treat, thorough some defect in the a Records (transposed, or lost) we cannot tell the certain day of M r Vdals condemnation, and death. But this appears in the office, that two years since ( viz. 32. of Eliz. July 23.) he was indicted and arraigned at Craydon for defaming the Queen Her government in a book by him written, and entitled, A Demonstration of the Discipline which Christ hath prescribed in his Word for the government of his Church, in all times and places, until the worlds end. But the mortal words (as I may term them) are found in though preface of his book, written to the supposed governors of the Church of England, Arch-Bishops, Bishops &c. and are inserted in the body of his Indictment as followeth.
Who can without blushing deny you to be the cause of all ungodliness? seeing your government is that which giveth leave to a man to be anything, saving a sound Christian. For, certainly it is more free in these days to be a Papist, Anabaptist, of the Family of love, yea any most wicked whatsoever than that which we should be. And I could live these twenty years any such in England (yea in a Bishops house it may be) and never be much molested for it; so true is that which you are charged with in a Dialogue lately come forth against you, and since burned by you, that you care for nothing but the maintenance of your dignities, be it to the damnation of your own souls, and infinite millions moe.
To this indictment he pleaded not guilty, denying himself to be the Author of the Book. Next day he was cast by the Jury, and submitted himself to the mercy of the Court, whereby he prevailed that judgment against him was respited till the next Assizes, and he remanded to the Marshalsey.
2. March following (the 33 d of Queen Elizabeth ) he was brought again to the Bar before the Judges, to whom he had privately presented a petition with all advantage, but it found no entertainment. Insomuch, that in this month of March (the day not appearing in the Records) he, at the Assizes, held in Southwark, was there condemned to be executed for a felon.
3. Various were men's censures on these proceedings against him. Some conceived it rigorous in the greatest (which at the best is cruel in the least ) degree, considering the worth of his person, and weakness of the proof against him. For he was a learned man, blameless for his life, powerful in his praying, and no less profitable, than painful, in his preaching. For as Musculus in Germany (if I mistake not) first brought in the plain, (but effectual) manner of preaching by Use and Doctrine: so Vdal was the first who added reasons thereunto, the strength and sinews of a Sermon. His English-Hebrew-Grammar he made whilst in prison, as appears by a subscription in the close thereof. The proof was not pregnant, and it is generally believed that he made only the preface (out of which his indictment was chiefly framed) and not the body of the book laid to his charge. Besides, it was harsh to inflict immediate, and direct death, for a consequential, and deductory felony, it being pen-housed out beyond the foundation, and intent of the Statute to build the indictment thereupon. Others thought that some exemplary severity was necessary, not only to pinion the wings of such pamphlets from flying abroad, but even thereby to crush their eggs in the nest. Surely the multitude of visits unto him, during his durance, no whit prolonged his life. For, flocking to popular prisoners in such cases, is as ominous a presage of their death, as the flying, and fluttering of Ravens, near, and about the house, and chamber of a sick body.
4. But an higher Judge had formerly passed another sentence on Vdals death, that his soul and body should not by shameful violence be forced asunder, but that they should take a fair farewell each of other. How long he lived after his condemnation we know not, (there being a tradition that S r Walter Rawleigh procured a Reprieve in a fair way to his pardon:) this is certain, that without any other sickness, save heart-broken with sorrow, he ended his days. Right glad were his friends, that his death prevented his death; and the wisest of his foes were well contented therewith, esteeming it better, that his candle should go, than be put out, lest the snuff should be unsavory to the survivers, and his death be charged as a cruel act on the account of the procurers thereof.
5. The Ministers of London flocked to his funerals, and he was decently interred in the Church-yard of S t George's in Southwark, not far from Bishop Bonners grave. So near may their bodies, when dead, in positure be together, whose minds, when living, in opinion were far asunder. Nor have I ought else to observe of him, save that I am informed, that he was father of Ephraim Vdal a solid and pious Divine, dying in our days, but in point of discipline of a different opinion from his father.
6. And now the Sword of Justice being once drawn, it was not put up again into the Sheath, before others were executed For Henry Barrow Gentleman, and John Greenwood Clerk, (who some days before were indicted of felony at the Sessions Hall without Newgate, before the L rd Major, and the two chief Justices, for writing certain Seditious Pamphlets) were hanged at Tyburn. And not long after John Penry a Welchman, was apprehanged at Stebunhith by the Vicar thereof, arraigned and condemned of felony at the Kings-Bench at Westminster, for being a principal penner and publisher of a libellous Book called Martin-mar-prelates, and executed at S t Thomas Waterings, Daniel Studely Girdler, Saxio Billot Gentleman, and Robert Bowley Fishmonger were also condemned for publishing scandalous Books, but not finding their execution, I believe them reprieved and pardoned.
7. About this time, if not somewhat sooner, (for my enquiry cannot arrive at the certain date ) Queen Elizabeth took her last farewell of Oxford, where a Divinity Act was kept before her, on this question, Whether it be lawful to dissemble in matters of Religion? One of the opponents endeavored to prove the affirmative by his own example, who then did what was lawful, and yet he dissembled in disputing against the Truth, the Queen being well pleased at the wittines of the Argument. D r Westphaling, (who had divers years been BP of Hereford ) coming then to Oxford, closed all with a learned determination wherein no fault, except somewhat too copious, (not to so say tedious ) at that time her Highness intending that night to make a Speech, and thereby disappointed.
8. Next day her Highness made a Latin oration to the Heads of Houses, (on the same token she therein gave a check to D r Reynolds for his non-conformity) in the midst whereof perceiving the old Lord Burileigh stand by, with his lame legs, she would not proceed till she saw him provided of a stool , and then fell to her speech again, as sensible of no interruption, having the Command as well of her Latin tongue, as of her loyal Subjects.
9. John Pierce Arch-Bishop of York ended his life, Dean of Christ-Church in Oxford, Bishop of Rochester, Sarisbury, and Arch-Bishop of York. When newly beneficed a young man in Oxford-shire, he had drowned his good parts in drunkenness, conversing with his country parishioners, but on the confession of his fault to a grave Divine, reformed his conversation, so applying himself to his studies, that he deservedly gained great preferment, and was highly esteemed by Queen Elizabeth, whose Almoner he continued for many years, and he must be a wise and good man whom that thrifty Princess would intrust with distributing her money. He was one of the most grave and reverent prelates of his age, and after his reduced life, so abstemious, that his Physician in his old age could not persuade him to drink wine. So habited he was in sobriety, in detestation of his former excess.
10. The same year died John Elmar Bishop of London, bred in Cambridge, well learned, as appeareth by his Book, titled the Harborough of Princes. One of a low stature, but stout spirit, very valiant in his youth, and witty all his life. Once when his Auditory began at sermon to grow dull in their attentions, he presently read unto them many verses out of the Hebrew Text, whereat they all started, admiring what use he meant to make thereof. Then shown he them their folly, that whereas they neglected English, whereby they might be edified, they listened to Hebrew, whereof they understood not a word. He was a stiff and stern champion of Church Discipline, on which account, none more mocked by Martin Mar-Prelate, or hated by Non-conformists. To his eldest son he left a plentiful estate, and his second, a D r of Div • nity was a worthy man of his profession.
11. But of the Romanists, two principal Pillars ended their lives beyond the Seas. First William Reginald, alias Rose, born at Pinho in Devon-shire, bred in Winchester School, then in New-College in Oxford. Forsaking his Country he went to Rome, and there solemnly abjured the Protestant Religion, and thereupon was permitted to read, (a favor seldom or never bestowed on such novices ) any Protestant Books, without the least restriction, presuming on his zeal in their cause. From Rome, he removed to Reims in France, where he became professor of Divinity and Hebrew, in the English College, where (saith my Author) with studying, writing, and preaching against the Protestants, perchance he exhausted himself with too much labor, and breaking a vein almost lost his life with vomiting of blood. Recovering his strength, he vowed to spend the rest of his life in writing against Protestants, and death at Antwerp ceased on him (the 24 th of August the 50 th year of his age) as he was a making of a book, called Calvino-Turcismus. which after by his dear friend, William Gifford, was finished, set forth and dedicated to Albert Duke of Austria.
12. William Allen, (commonly called the Cardinal of England ) followed him into another world, born of honest Parents, and allied to noble Kindred in Lancashire: Brought up at Oxford in Oriall College, where he was Proctor of the University, in the days of Queen Mary, and afterwards Head of S t Mary-Hall, and Canon of York. But on the change of Religion, he departed the land, and became Professor of Divinity at Douay in Flanders, then Canon of Cambray, Master of the English College at Reims, made Cardinal 1587. August the 7 th by Pope Sixtus Quintus, the King of Spain bestowing on him an Abby in the Kingdom of Naples, and nominating him to be Arch-Bishop of Machlin; But death arrested him to pay the debt to Nature October 16 th , and he was buried in the Church of the English College at Rome. This is that Allen whom we have so often mentioned, conceived so great a Ch • mpion for their Cause, that Pope Gregory the 13 th said to his Cardinals. Venite • ratres mei, Ostendam vobis Alanum: which the Author thus translates, or rather Comments on, Come my brethren, and I will show you a man, in England born, to whom all Europe may give place for his high prudence, reverend Countenance and purport of Government. His loss was much lamented by the Catholics, not without cause, whose Gravity, and Authority had done many good offices, in composing the Grudgings which began to grow betwixt Secular Priests and Jesuits; which private heart-burnings soon after his death blazed out in the prison of Wisbich, into an open Scandal, as now we come to Report.
13. Here I protest (though uncertain how far to find belief, ) that I take no delight in relating these discontents, much less shall my pen widen the wound betwixt them: for though I approve the opinions of neither, yet am I so much friend to the persons of both parties, as not to make much to myself of their Discords: The rather because no Christian can heartily laugh at the factions of his fiercest enemies, because that sight at the same time pincheth him, with the sad remembrance that such divisions that have formerly, do at the present, or may hereafter, be found amongst those of his own profession; such is the frailty of human Nature in what side soever. However hereafter let not Papists without cause or measure vaunt of their unity, seeing their pretended Ship of S t Peter, is not so solidly compacted, but that it may spring a Leake. Nor let them boast so confidently of their sufferings, and blame our severity unto them, as if enduring such hard usage in their imprisonment: Surely like Joseph their feet were not hurt in the Stocks, the Iron did not enter into their Soul; neither with Jeremy, were they cast into a dirty dungeon, where they sunk in mire: nor with Peter were they bound with two Chains; nor with Paul and Silas were they thrust into the inner prison, and made fast; but had in their Durance, Liberty, List, and Leasure, to begin, foment, and prosecute, this violent Schism betwixt themselves.
14. Untill this time the prime Catholics in Wisbich Castle, had lived there in restraint, with great Unity and Concord. And the Papists do brag that then and there the English Church was most visible, until one Father Weston alias Edmond's, a Jesuit, coming thither, erected a government amongst them, making certain Sanctions and Orders, which all were bound to observe; secretly procuring subjects to himself, and claiming a Superiority over all the Catholics there. Yet so cunningly he contrived the matter, that he seemed not ambitiously to affect, but religiously to accept this Authority proffered unto, yea seemingly forced upon him. For one of his friends writes to Father Henry Garnet, Provincial, then living in England, to this effect.
Good Father Weston in the humility of his heart, lies on his bed, like the man sick of the Palsy, in the Gospel. Nor will he walk confidently before others in the way of the Righteous, except first he be let down through the Tiles, and it be said unto him from the Provincial, arise, take up thy Bed and walk.
Yet if the Seculars may be believed, he did not only arise but run, before that word of Command given him by Garnet, and put his Jurisdiction in execution. Besides those of his own society, many of the Secular Priests submitted themselves unto him, seduced (say some ) by the seeming sanctity of the Jesuits, and having their Judgments bribed to that side by unequal proportions of money received, besides promising themselves that in case the land was invaded, by the activity of the Jesuits, all power and preferment would be at their dispose, and so they should be sooner and higher advanced.
15. But the greatest number, and learned sort of the Secular Priests stoutly resisted his superiority, affirming how formerly it had been offered to Thomas Watson Bishop of Lincoln, (late prisoner amongst them) and he refused it, as inconsistent with their present Condition, affliction making them equals and a Prison putting a parity betwixt them; if any order might pretend to this Priority, it was most proper for the Benedictines, extant in England above a thousand years ago: that the Jesuits were Punies, and if all Orders should sit down as Jacob's children, at the Table of Joseph, the eldest according to his Age, and the youngest according to his Youth; the last and least place of honor was due unto them; That the Secular Priests had borne the heat of the day, in preaching and persecution; some of them having endured above twenty years imprisonment for conscience sake, (as M r Bluet for one) before some of the Jesuits knew what durance meant. That Weston was not eminent for Learning, Religion, or any prime quality, save only the affecting that place, which his betters had declined. That it was monstrous, that he being a Jesuit, and so a member of another society, should be made a head of their body. The Lay-Catholics were much offended with the Schism some withheld, others threatening to withhold their charity from both parties, conceiving it the ready means, when maintenance was detained from both sides, to starve them into agreement
16. One might admire why father Weston should so earnestly desire so silly a dominion, having his power, as well as his own person confined within the walls of Wisbich Castle, a narrow Diocese, only to domineer over a few Prisoners. The Goaler, yea the very Turnkey being his superior to control him, if offering to exceed that compass. But Oh the sweetness of Superemacy, though in never so small a Circuit! It pleased his pride to be Prior of a Prison, but Agent was the Title, wherewith he styled himself; Indeed the English Jesuits both abroad in England, and beyond the Seas, made use of Westons forwardness to try the temper of the Secular Priests, and to make this bold Jesuit, to back and break a Skittish Colt for further designs. If Weston were unhors'd, his fall would be little lamented, and he might thank his own boldness in adventuring, and the ill managing of his place: if he sat the beast, and it proved tame, then others would up and ride: and Father Garnet Provincial of the Jesuits, intended in like manner to procure from the Pope a Superiority over all the Secular Priests in England. Wisbich Prison would be enlarged all over the kingdom, and the Precedent would reach far in the consequence thereof, which increased the Secular Opposition against this leading case of Jurisdiction.
17. About this time came to Wisbich an aged Priest, who had given great Testimony of the Ability of his judgment, and ardency of his affections to the Catholic Cause, being the General Collector of the charitable contributions unto the Prisoners. In which place he had been so diligent in gathering, secret in conveying, faithful in delivering, impartial in dispensing such sums committed unto him, that deservedly he had purchased reputation to himself: Who as he had been a Benefactor to both Parties, so now he was made an Arbitrator betwixt them; with promise of both sides to rest satisfied with his decision. He condemneth the Jesuits guilty of a scandalous separation, and that Weston ought to desist from his Supriority. But the Jesuits would not stand to his sentence, confessing their separation Scandalous, but only per accidens, and therefore not to be left off. And whereas the aforesaid Priest had determined, that that separation could not be continued without sin, the Jesuits in derision demanded of him, whether he meant a venial sin or a mortal; and so the whole business took no effect.
18. Some months after, two reverend Priests often sent for by both sides, were by joint consent made Judges in this Cause, who resolved that Westons Agency should be abolished as the original of evil, and seminary of much discord: and because Weston refused to obey their order, these two Priests posted up to London, (where Garnet the Jesuits Provincial did lodge) and from him with much ado, obtained peremptory letters to Weston, presently to leave off his pretended superiority. A message which went to the proud Jesuits heart, who was formerly heard to say, that he had rather throw himself headlong from the Castle wall, then desist from his office. But now there was no remedy but he must obey, desiring only he might make a speech to his society, exhorting them to unity and concord, and in the midst of his Oration, as if he would have surrendered his soul and place both together, he fell speechless into a swoond and hardly recovered again; so mortal a wound it is to a proud heart to part with Authority. Thus ended Westons Agency, the short continuance whereof was the best commendation of his command.
19. But this was but a palliate cure to skin the sore over, which festered within: the enmity still continued, Seculars complaining, that the Jesuits traduced them to Lay-Catholics, as cold and remiss in the cause, only dull to follow beaten paths, not active to invent more compendious ways, for the advance of Religion. The Jesuits also boasted much of their own merit, how their order though last starting, had with its speed overtook, and over-run all before them. Indeed they are excellent at the art of self-praising, not directly, but by certain consequence, for though no man blazed his own praise, (for one to be a herald to commend himself, the same on the same is false blazon, as well against the rules of modesty as prudence) yet every one did praise his partner, laying an obligation on him to do the like, who in justice must do as much, and in bounty often did more gratefully repaying the commendations lent him with interest. And thus mutually arching up one another, they filled the ears of all Papists with loud relations, of the transcendent Industry, Piety, Learning, of the men of their society, to the manifest derogation of all other orders. But more of these discords in the year following.
20. About this time throughout England, began the more Solemn and strict observation of the Lord's day, (hereafter both in writing and preaching, commonly called the Sabbath ) occasioned by a Book this year set forth by one P. Bound Doctor of Divinity (and enlarged with Additions Anno 1606.) wherein these following opinions are maintained.
1. That the commandment of Sanctifying every seventh Day, as in the Mosaical Decalogue, is moral and perpetual.
2. That whereas all other things in the Jewish Church were taken away, ( Priesthood, Sacrifices and Sacraments ) this Sabbath was so changed that it still remaineth.
3. That there is a great reason why we Christians should take ourselves as straitly bound to rest upon the Lord's day, as the Jews were upon their Sabbath, it being one of the moral Commandments, where all are of equal Authority.
4. The rest upon upon this day must be a notable and singular rest, a most careful exact and precise rest, after another manner then men are accustomed.
5. Scholars on that day not to study the liberal Arts, nor Lawyers to consult the case, nor peruse men's evidences.
6. Sergeants, Apparitours and Sumners to be restrained from executing their offices.
7. Lustices not to examine Causes for the conservation of the peace.
8. That ringing of more bell's then one that day is not to be justified.
9. No Solim • feasts, nor wedding dinners to be made on that Day [with permission notwithstanding of the same to Lord's, Knights, and Gentlemen of Quality, ] which some conceive not so fair dealing with him.
10. All honest recreations, and pleasures lawful on other days (as shooting, fencing, bowling, ) on this day to be forborne.
11. No man to speak or talk of pleasures, or any other worldly matter.
It is almost incredible how taking this Doctrine was, partly because of it's own Purity, and partly for the eminent piety of such persons as maintained it; so that the Lord's Day, especially in Corporations, began to be precisely kept, people becoming a Law to themselves, forbearing such sports, as yet by statute permitted; yea many rejoicing at their own restraint herein. On this day the stoutest fencer laid down the buckler, the most skillful Archer unbent his bow, counting all shooting besides the Mark; M • y-games and Morishdances grew out of request, and good reason that Bells should be silenced from jingling about men's legs, if their very Ringing in Steeples were adjudged unlawful: some of them were ashamed of their former pleasures, like children which grown bigger, blushing themselves out of their rattles, and whistles. Others forbear them for fear of their Superiors, and many left them off out of a Politick Compliance, least otherwise they should be accounted licentious.
21 Yet learned men were much divided in their judgments about these sabatarian Doctrines, some embraced them as ancient truths consonant to Scrip • ure, long difused and neglected, now seasonably revived for the increase of piety: Others conceived them grounded on a wrong bottom, but because they tended to the manifest advance of Religion, it was pity to oppose them, seeing none have just reason to complain, being deceived into their own good. But a third sort flatly fell out with these positions, as galling men's necks with a jewish yoke, against the liberty of Christians: That Christ as Lord of the Sabbath had removed the Rigour thereof, and allowed men lawful recreations: That this Doctrine put an unequal Luster on the Sunday on set purpose to eclipse all other Holy days to the derogation of the authority of the Church: That this strict observance was set up out of Faction to be a Character of Difference, to brand all for libertines who did not entertain it.
22. However for some years together in this controversy, D r Bound alone carried the Garland away, none offering openly to oppose, and not so much as a feather of a quill in print did wag against him. Yea as he in his second edition observeth, that many both in their Preachings, Writeings, and Disputations, did concur with him in that argument: and three several profitable treatises, (one made by M r Greenham, ) were within few years successively written, by three godly learned Ministers. But the first that gave a check to the full speed of this doctrine, was Thomas Rogers of Horning • r in Suffolk; in his preface to the Book of Articles. And now because our present age begins to dawn, and we come within the view of that Truth, whose footsteps heretofore we only followed at distance, I will interpose nothing of my own, but of an historian only turn a Notarie, for the behoof of the Reader, faithfully transcribing such passages, as we meet with in order of time.
Notwithstanding what the Brethren wanted in strength, and learning, they had in wiliness, and though they lost much one way in the general, and main point of their Discipline, yet recovered they not a little advantage another way by an odd and new device of theirs in a special Article of their Classical instructions. For while worthies of our Church were employing their engines and forces, partly in defending the present Government Ecclesiastical, partly in assaulting the Presbyterie, and new discipline, even at that very instant the Brethren, (knowing themselves too weak either to overthrow our holds, and that which we hold, or to maintain their own) they abandoned quite the Bulwarks which they had raised, and gave out were impregnable, suffering us to beat them down without any or very small resistance; and yet not careless of their affairs, left not the Warrs for all that, but from an odd corner and after a new fashion which we little thought of, (such was their cunning set upon us a fresh again, by dispersing in Printed Books which for ten years space before they had been in hammering among themselves to make them complete) their Sabbath speculations and Presbyterian, (that is more then either kingly or Popely, Directions for the observation of the Lord's day.
And in the next page he proceedeth. It is a comfort unto my soul, and will be till my dying hour, that I have been the man and the means that the Sabatarian errors, and impieties are brought into light and knowledge of the state, whereby whatsoever else, sure I am this good hath ensued, namely, that the said Books of the Sabbath, comprehending the above-mentioned, and many moe such fearful, and heretical assertions,) hath been both called in, and forbidden anymore to be printed and made common. Your Graces predecessor Arch-Bishop Whitgift, by his letters and officers at Synods and Visitations Anno 1599. did the one, and S r John Popham Lord chief Justice of England at Bury S t Edmond's in Suffolk Anno 1600. did the other.
But though both Minister and Magistrate jointly endeavored to suppress Bounds Book, with the Doctrine therein contained, yet all their care did but for the present make the Sunday set in a cloud to arise soon after in more brightness. As for the Arch-Bishop his known opposition to the proceedings of the Brethren, rendered his Actions more odious, as if out of envy he had caused such a pearl to be concealed. As for Judge Popham, though some conceived it most proper for his place to punish fellonious Doctrines (which robbed the Queens subjects of their lawful liberty) and to behold them branded with a mark of Infamie, yet others accounted him no competent Judge in this controversy. And though he had a dead hand against offenders, yet these Sabbatarian Doctrines (though condemned by him) took the privilege to pardon themselves, and were published more generally then before. The price of the Doctors Book began to be doubled, as commonly Books are then most called on, when called in, and many who hear not of them when printed, inquire after them when prohibited: and though the Books wings were clipt from flying abroad in print, it ran the faster from friend to friend in transcribed Copies; and the Lord's day in most Places was most strictly observed. The more liberty people were offered the less they used it, refusing to take the freedom Authority tendered them. For the vulgar sort have the Actions of their Superiors in constant jealousy, suspecting each gate of their opening to be a Trap, every Hole of their Diging to be a Mine, wherein some secret train is covertly conveyed, to the blowing up of the Subjects liberty, which made them almost afraid of the recreations of the Lord's day allowed them; and seeing it is the greatest pleasure to the mind of man to do what he pleaseth, it was sport for them to refrain from sports, whilst the forbearance was in themselves voluntary, arbitrary and elective, not imposed upon them. Yea six years after Bounds Book came forth, with enlargements publicly sold, and scarce any comment, Catechism, or controversy, was set forth by the stricter Divines, wherein this Doctrine (the Diamond in this Ring) was not largely pressed and proved; so that as one saith, the Sabbath itself had no rest. For now all strange and unknown writers, without further examination passed for friends and favorites of the Presbyterian party, who could give the word, and had any thing in their Treatise tending to the strict observation of the Lord's day. But more hereof God willing in the 15 th year of K. JAMES.
23. Now also began some opinions about Predestination, Freewill, Perseverance &c. much to trouble both the Schools and Pulpit. Whereupon Arch-Bishop Whitgift, out of his Christian care to propagate the truth, and suppress the opposite errors, caused a solemn meeting of many grave and learned Divines at Lambeth; where (besides the Arch-Bishop) Richard Bancroft, Bishop of London, Richard Vaughan, Bishop elect of Bangor, Humphry Tyndale, Dean of Eli, D r Whitaker Queens professor in Cambridge, and others were assembled; these after a serious debate, and mature deliberation, resolved at last on the now Following Articles.
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1. Deus ab Aeterno Praedestinavit quosdam advitam: quosdam reprobavit ad mortem. 2. Causa movens aut efficiens Praedestinationis ad vitam non est praevisio Fidei, aut Perseverantiae, aut bonorum Operum, aut ullius rei quae insit in personis praedestinatis, sed sola voluntas beneplaciti Dei. 3. Praedestinatorum praefinitus, & certus est numerus, qui nec augeri nec minui potest. 4. Qui non sunt praedestinati ad salutem, necessario propter peccata sua Damnabuntur. 5. Vera, viva & justificans fides, & spiritus Dei justificantis, non extinguitur, non excidit, non evanescit in Electis, aut finaliter, aut totalitor. 6. Homo vere fidelis, id est, fidei justificante praeditus, certus est plerophoria Fidei de remission peccatorum suorum, & salute sempiterna sua per Christum. 7. Gratia salutaris, non tribuitur, non excommunicatur, non conceditur universis hominibus, qua servari possint si velint. 8. Nemo potest venire ad Christum, nisi datum ei fuerit, & nisi pater eum traxerit, & omnes homines non trabuntur à Patre ut veniant ad filium. 9. Non est positum in arbitrio, aut Potestate unius cujus{que} hominis servari. |
1. God from eternity hath predestinated certain men unto life, certain men he hath reprobated. 2. The moving or efficient cause of Predestination unto life, is not the foresight of faith, or of Perseverance, or of good works, or of any thing that is in the person predestinated, but only the good will and pleasure of God. 3. There is predetermined a certain number of the predestinate, which can neither be augmented or diminished. 4. Those who are not predestinated to Salvation, shall be necessarily damned for their sins. 5. A true, living, and justifying faith, and the spirit of God justifying, is not extinguished, falleth not away, it vanisheth not away in the elect, either finally or totally. 6. A man truly faithful, that is, such an one who is endued with a justifying faith, is certain with the full assurance of faith, of the remission of his sins, and of his everlasting salvation by Christ. 7. Saving grace is not given, is not granted, is not communicated to all men, by which they may be saved if they will. 8. No man can come unto Christ unless it shall be given unto him, and unless the Father shall draw him; and all men are not drawn by the Father, that they may come to the Son. 9. It is not in the will or power of everyone to be saved. |
Matthew Hutton, the right Reverend Arch-Bishop of York, did also fully and freely in his judgment Concurr with these Divines, as may appear by his Letter here inserted.
ACcepi jam pridem literas tuas (Reverendissime Praesul) veteris illius Benevolentiae, & amoris erga me tui plenas, in quibus efflagitas opinionem meam de Articulis quibusdam nuper Cantabrigiae agitatis, non sine aliqua piorum offensione, qui graviter, molesteque ferunt Matrem Academiam, jam multitudine liberorum & quidem doctissimorum florentem, ca dissentione filiorum nonnihil contristatem esse, Sed ficri non potest, quin veniant Offendicula, neque desin • t immicus homo i • ter triticum Zizanta Seminare, donec cum Dominus sub pedibus contriverit. Legi Articulos & relegi, & dum parerem aliquid de singulis dicerc, visum est mihi multo potius de ipsa Electione & Rep • obatione, (unde i • la dissentio orta esse videtur) meam sententiam & opinionem pau is verbis explicare, quam singulis sigillatim respondens sratrum forsitan quorundum animas, (Quos in veritate diligo (exacerbare. Meminisse potes (ornatissime Antistes) cum Cantabrigiae unà essemus et sacras literas in Scholis publicis interpretaremur, eandem Regulam seculieam semper fuisse inter nos Consensionem in omnibus Religions Causis, & ne minima quidem vel dissentionis, vel simultatis suspicio unquam appareret. Igitur hoc tempore si judicio Dominationis tuae, id quod pingui Minerva scripsi probatum ire intellexero, multo mihi minus displacebo. Deus te diutissime servet in • lum • m, ut tum Reginae serenissimae & toti Regno fidelissimus Consilitarius, tum etiam Ecclesiae huic nostrae Anglicanae pastor Vtilissimus multos adhuc • nnos esse possis. Vale, e Musaeo meo apud Bishop- Thorp. Calend: Octob. Anno Dom. 1995.
24. But when these Articles came abroad into the world, men's Brains and tongues, as since their pens were employed about the Authority of the same, and the obedience due unto them; much puz'led to find the new place, where rightly to rank them in reputation; how much above the results, and resolutions of private Divines, and how much beneath the Authority of a Provincial Synod. Some there, that almost equalled their Authenticalness with the Acts a Synod, requiring the like Conformity of men's judgments unto them. They endeavored to prove that those Divines, met not alone in their private capacities, but also representing others, alleging this passage in a public letter from Cambridge, subscribed with the hands of the Heads of that University. We sent up to London by common Consent in November last, D r Tyndale, and D r Whitaker's (men especially chosen for that purpose) for conference with my Lord of Canterbury, and other principal Divines there &c.
25. Others maintain the contrary. For grant each man in this conference at Lambeth, one of a thousand for Learning and Religion, yet was he but one in Power and Place: and had no Proxy or deputation (the two Cambridge Doctors excepted) to appear in the behalf of others: and therefore their determinations, though of great use to direct, could be but of little Authority to conclude and command the consent of others.
26. But a third sort offended with the matter of the Articles, thought that the two Arch-Bishops, and the rest at this meeting, deserved censure for holding an unlawful Conventicle. For they had not express command from the Queen, to meet, debate, and decide such controversies. Those of the opopsite party, were not solemnly summoned and heard, so that it might seem rather a design to crush them, then clear the truth. The meeting was warranted with no legal Authority, rather a private action of Doctor John Whitgift, Doctor Matthew Hutton &c. then the public act of the Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York. One goeth further to affirm, that those Articles of Lambeth, were afterwards forbidden by public Authority; but when, where, and by whom he is not pleased to impart unto us. And strange it is, that a public prohibition should be whispered so softly, that this Author alone should hear it, and none other to my knowledge take notice thereof.
27. As for foreign Divines, just as they were biased in judgment. so on that side ran their Affections, in raising or decrying the esteem of these Articles; some printed, set forth, and cited them, as the sense of the Church of England, others, as fast slighted them, as the narrow positions of a few private and Partial persons. As for Corvinus, as we know not whence he had his intelligence, so we find no just ground for what he reporteth, that Arch-Bishop Whitgift for his pains incurred the Queens displeasure, and a Praemunire. We presume this forrainer better acquainted with the Imperial Law, and local customs of Holland, then with our municipal Statutes, and the nature of a Praemunire. Indeed there goes a tradition that the Queen should in merriment say jestingly to the Arch-BP. My Lord I now shall want no money, for I am informed all your goods are forfeited unto me by your calling a Council without my consent; but how much of truth herein God knows. And be it referred to our learned in the Law, whether without danger of such a censure, the two Arch-Bishops by virtue of their place had not any implicit leave from the Queen to assemble Divines, for the clearing, declaring and asserting of difficult Truths, provided they innovate or alter nothing in matters of Religion.
28. And now I perceive, I must tread tenderly, because I go not (as before) on men's graves, but am ready to touch the quick of some yet alive. I know how dangerous it is to follow Truth too nere to the heels: yet better it is that the teeth of an Historian be struck out of his head for writing the the Truth, then that they remain still and rot in his Jaws, by feeding too much on the sweet-meats of flattery. All that I will say of the credit of these Articles is this. That as Medalls of Gold and Silver, though they will not pass in payment for currant coin, because not stamped with the Kings Inscription, yet they will go with Goldsmiths for as much as they are in weight: So though these Articles want Authentic Reputation to pass for Provincial Acts, as lacking sufficient Authority, yet will they be readily received of Orthodox Christians, for as far as their own purity bears conformity to God's word. And though those learned Divines be not acknowledged as competent Judges to pass definitive Sentence in those Points, yet they will be taken as witnesses beyond exception; whose testimony is an infallible evidence, what was the general and received doctrine of England in that Age, about the forenamed controversies.
29. This year ended the life, First of Doctor William Wickam, bred in Kings College in Cambridge, first Bishop of Lincoln, after of Winchester, whose namesake William Wickham in the Reign of King Edward the third, sat in the same See more years then this did weeks. Indeed we know little of his life, but so much of his death, as we must not mention it without some pity to him, (whilst in pain) and praise to God for our own health, such was his torture with the stone before his death, that for 14 days together, he made not water. Secondly, Worthy Doctor William Whittakers, whose larger character we reserve God-willing for our History of Cambridge. And amongst the Romanists, Daniel Halseworth, who as Pitzaeus describes him (Papists give no scant measure in praising those of their own Party) was well skilled in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and Elegant Poet, Eloquent Orator, acute Philosopher, expert Mathematician, deep-studied Lawyer, and excellent Divine: flying from England, he lived successively in Savoy, Rome and Milan, having too many professions to gather wealth, and with all his Arts and Parts, both lived in Poverty, and died in Obscurity. More eminent, but more infamous, was the death of Robert Southwell a Jesuit, born in Suffolk, bred beyond the Seas, where he wrote abundance of Books, who returning into England, was executed March the third for a Traitor at London, and honored for a Martyr amongst men of his own Religion.
30. The Secular Priests continued their complaints, as against Jesuits in general, so particularly against Robert Parsons. This Parsons about 18 years since was in England, where by his statizing, and dangerous activity, he had so incensed the Queens Council, that the Secular Priests, made him a main occasion why such sharp laws were so suddenly made against Catholics in England. But no sooner did danger begin to appear, but away went Parsons beyond the Seas, wherein some condemned his cowarliness, and others commended his policy, seeing such a commander in chief, as he was in the Romish cause, ought to repose his person in safety, and might be never the less virtually present in the fight, by the issuing out of his orders to meaner officers. Nor did Parsons like a wheeling Cock turn aside, with intent to return, but ran quite out of the Cockpit, and then crowed in triumph, when he was got on his own dunghill, safely resident in the City of Rome. Here he compiled, and hence he dispatched many letters and libels into England; and amongst the rest, that Book of the succession to the English (entit'ling the Spaniard thereunto) setting it forth under the false name of Dolman, an honest harmless Secular Priest and his professed Adversary. And surely Parsons was a fit fellow to derive the pedigree of the Kings of England, who might first have studied to deduce his own descent from a lawful Father, being himself (otherwise called Cowback ) filius populi et filius peccati, as Catholics have observed. Many letters also he sent over full of threats, and assuring his party, that the land would be invaded by foreigners; writing therein not what he knew or thought was, but what he desired and endeavored should be true. Some of these letters being intercepted, made the Queens officers (as they had just cause) more strick in searching, as her Judges more severe in punishing the Papists. Hereupon the Seculars complained, that such proceedings against them (termed persecution by them, and justice by our State) was caused by the Jesuits, and that Parsons especially, though he had kindled the fire, left others to bear the heat thereof. Yea, which was more, he was not himself contented to sleep in a whole skinn at Rome, but lashed others of his own Religion, and having got his neck out of the collar, accused others for not drawing weight enough, taxing the Seculars as dull and remiss in the cause of Religion: and to speak plainly, they differed as hot and cold poison, the Jesuits more active and pragmatical, the Seculars more slow and heavy, but both maintaining treacherous principles, destructive to the common-Wealth.
31. If we look now on the Non-Conformists, we shall find them all still and quiet. After a storm comes a calm wearied with a former blustering, they began now to repose themselves in a sad silence, especially since the executions of Vdal and Penry had so terrified them, that though they might have secret designs, we meet not their open and public motions, so that this Century affordeth little more, then the mortalities of some eminent men.
32. We begin with Richard Fletcher Bishop of London, bred in Bennet College in Cambridge, one of a comely person, and goodly presence, (qualities not to be cast away in a Bishop, though a Bishop not to be chosen for them,) he loved to ride the great horse, and had much skill in managing thereof, condemned for very proud, (such his natural stately garb) by such as knew him not, and commended for humility by those acquainted with him, he lost the Queens favor because of his second unhappy match, and died suddenly more of grief then any other disease: with him let me couple another heartbroken Bishop, John Coldwell of Salisbury D r of Physic (S t Luke we know was both an Evangelist and Physician ) who never enjoyed himself, after he had consented (though little better then surprised thereunto) to the alienation of Sherborn Manor from the Bishopric.
33. Here I am at a loss for the date of the death of Laurence Humphry, but confident I hit the but, though miss the mark, as about this time. He was a conscientious and moderate Non-conformist, (condemned for lukewarm by such as were scalding-hot, ) Dean of Winchester and Master of Magdalene College in Oxford, to which he bequeathed a considerable Summ of Gold, left in a chest, not to be opened, except some great necessity urged thereunto. But lately whilst D r John Wilkinson was President of the College, this Gold was shar'd between him and the fellows. And though one must charitably believe the matter not so bad as it is reported, yet the most favorable relation thereof gave a general distaste.
34. Sure I am, a great Antiquarie lately deceased, (rich as well in his state, as learning) at the hearing hereof quitted all his intentions of benefaction to Oxford or any place else, on suspicion it would be diverted to other uses. On the same token that he merrily said, I think the bestway for a man to perpetuate his memory, is to procure the Pope to Can • nize him for a Saint, for then he shall be sure to be remembered in their Calender: Whereas otherwise I see all Protestant charity subject to the covetousness of posterity to devour it, and bury the donor thereof in oblivion.
35. M r Baltazer Zanches a Spaniard, born in Sherez in Estremadura, founded an alms-house at Totnam high-cross in Middlesex for eight single people, allowing them competent maintenance. Now seeing Protestant Founders are rare, Spanish Protestants rarer, Spanish Protestant Founders in England rarest, I could not pass this over with silence, nor must we forget, that he was the first confectioner or comfit-maker in England, bringing that mystery to London, and (as I am informed) the exactness thereof continues still in his family, in which respect they have successively been the Queens and Kings confectioners.
36. A Parliament held at Westminster, wherein the deprivation of Popish Bishops in the first of this Queens Reign, was declared legal. Some will wonder what need is of this Statute at so many years distance, but the Preface intimates the necessity thereof. The Legality also of our Bishops and their Officers, were again by act of Parliament confirmed. And whereas there was a pretended concealment of some lands of the Bishopric of Norwich, the same by act of Parliament were settled on that See, and the Exchange of Lands ratified, made in the Reign of King Henry the Eight. The contemporary convocation did nothing of moment.
37. Thomas Stapleton this year ended his life, and was buried at S t Peters Church in Lovain, it is written in his Epitaph, qui Cicestriae in Anglià nobili loco natus, where Cicestriae is taken not for the City, but Diocese of Chicester, having otherwise good assurance that he was born at Hemfield in Sussex, the same year and month wherein S r Thomas Moore was beheaded, observed by the Catholics as a grand providence, he was a most learned assertor of the Romish Religion, wanting nothing but a true cause to defend. On one account I am beholding unto him, viz. for dissuading Pitzaeus from being a Soldier to be a Scholar, whose History of our English writers hath so often been useful unto me.
38. Richard Cosine D r of the Law and Dean of Archeys this year ended his life; One of the greatest Civilians which our Age or Nation hath produced, a most moderate man in his own nature, but most earnest assertor of the Ecclesiastical discipline, as by his printed works doth appear.
39. Robert Turner his death was now much bemoaned by the Papists, he was born at Barstable in Devon, bred for a while in Oxford, whence flying beyond the Seas, he became Canon of Breslaw in Silesia, and at the same time Privy Counselor to the Duke of Bavaria, falling afterward into his displeasure, probably because more pragmatical then became a forrainer; however Ferdinand of Gratz (afterwards Emperor ) took him from the Duke to be his own Secretary for the Latin tongue, wherein he excelled, as by his printed Orations doth appear, he lieth buried at Gratz under a handsome Monument.
40. Great was the grief of Protestants for the decease of Richard Hooker, Turners Country-man, as born also in Devon-shire, and bred in Corpus-Christi College in Oxford, living and dying a single man, of whom largely before. His innocence survived to triumph over those aspersions which the malice of others (advantaged by his own dove-like simplicity ) had cast upon him I am informed S r Edwin Sands hath erected a monument over him, in his Parish-Church in Kent, where he lieth interred.
41. I cannot omit what I find in this year in M r Camden his manuscript-life of Queen Elizabeth. A report was cast out by our polititians in the midst of Harvest of the danger of a present foreign invasion, done out of design, to prevent the Popularity of the Earl of Essex, and to try the people's inclinations. Instantly all were put into a posture of defense, mowers, reapers, all harvest folk left their work, to be employed in musters. This afterwards appeared but a Court-project, whereat the country took much distaste, so ill it is to jest with edged tools, especially with Sythes and Sickles. My Author addeth, that people affirmed that such May-games had been fitter in the spring (when sports were used amongst the Romans to Flora ) and not in the Autumn when people were seriously employed to fetch in the fruits of the earth. But by his leave these Expressions flow from Critics, and fly far above the capacities of Country-men.
42. This Century Concluded the lives of two eminent Roman Catholics John Sanderson born in Lancashire, bred in Trinity College in Cambridge, where he set forth an excellent Logic, called Sandersons Logic, forty years ancienter then that, which his worthy name-sake of Oxford, (of a different judgment in religion) hath since printed on the same subject. From Cambridge he fled to Cambray in Artois, where he lived with good comfort, and died with great credit with those of his own persuasion. The other Thomas Case of S t Johns in Oxford, D r of Physic, it seems always a Romanist in his heart, but never expressing the same, till his mortal sickness seized upon him.
SECTION. I.
CENT. XVI.
1. FOr the first six weeks the Queen, and her wife council, suffered matters to stand in their former state, without the least change, as yet not altering but consulting what should be altered. Thus our Savior himself coming into the Temple, and finding it profaned with sacrilege, when he had looked round about upon all things, departed for the evening, contenting himself with the survey of what was amiss, and deferring the reformation thereof till the next morning. but on the first of January following being Sunday, (the best new-years-gift that ever was bestowed on England ) by virtue of the Queens Proclamation, the Litany was read in English, with Epistles, and Gospels, in all Churches of London, as it was formerly in her Graces own Chapel.
2. But some violent Spirits, impatient to attend the leisure (by them counted the laziness) of authority, fell before hand to the beating down of superstitious Pictures and images, and their forward zeal met with many to applaud it. For Idolatry is not to be permitted a moment; the first minuite is the fittest to abolish it. All that have power, have right to destroy it, by that Grand- charter of Religion, whereby everyone is bound to advance God's glory. And if Sovera • gns forget, no reason but Subjects should remember their duty. But others condemned their indiscretion herein: for though they might reform their private persons and families, and refrain to communicate in any outward act, contrary to God's word, yet public reformation belonged to the Magistrate, and a good deed was by them ill done for want of a calling to do it. However, the Papists have no cause to tax them with over-forwardness in this kind, the like being done by them, in the beginning of Queen Mary's reign; whilst the laws of King Edward the Sixth stood as yet in full force, when they prevented authority, as hath been formerly observed thus, those who are hungry, and have meat afore them, will hardly be kept from eating, though Grace be not said, and leave given them by their superiors.
3. Now the tidings of Queen Elizabeth's peaceable coming to the crown, was no sooner brought beyond the Seas, but it fitted the English Exiles with unspeakable glandness, being instantly at home in their hearts, and not long after with their bodies. I knew one right well, whose father amongst them, being desperately diseased, was presently and perfectly cured, with the cordial of this good news; and no wonder if this Queen recovered sick men, which revived religion itself. Now the English Church at Geneva, being the greatest opposer of ceremonies, sent their letter by William Ceth, to all other English Congregations in Germany, and especially to those of Frankford congratulating their present deliverance, condoling their former discords, counseling and requesting that all offenses heretofore given or taken, might be forgiven and forgotten, and that for the future, they might no more fall out about s • perfluous ceremonies. But this letter came too late, because the principal persons concerned in that controversy, with whom they sought a charitable reconciliation, were departed from Frankford, (I think towards England ) before the messenger arrived, and so the motion missed to take effect. Some suppose had it come in season, it might have prevailed much, that both parties in gratitude to God would in a bonfire of their general joy, have burnt this unhappy bone of dissention cast betwixt them. Others considering the distance of their principles, and difference of their spirits, conceive such an agreement neither could be wrought, nor would be kept betwixt them. For it is the property of cold to congregate together things of different kinds, and if the winter of want, pinching them all with poverty, could not freeze their affections together; less likely was it that the warmth of wealth, in their native So • le would conjoin them in amity, but rather widen them further asunder, as indeed it came to pass. For as the rivers of Danubius and Savus in Huagarie, though running in the same channel, yet for many miles keep different streams visible in their party-coloured waters, which do rather touch, then unite; yea the fishes, peculiar to one stream, are not found in another: So these opposite parties, returning home, though concurring in doctrine, under the general notion of Protestants, were so reserved in several disciplines to themselves with their private favorites and followers, that they wanted that comfortable communion, which some hoped, and all wished would be amongst them. Till at last they brake out into doleful and dangerous opposition, whereat all Papists clap, and Protestants wring their hands, which our fathers found begun, ourselves see hightened, and know not whether our children shall behold them pacified and appeased.
4. But now a Parliament began at Westminster, Wherein the Laws of King Henry the eighth against the See of Rome were renewed, and those of King Edward the sixth in favor 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, Privileges, an • Spiritualls, preeminences had been heretofore in Use by any Ecclesiastical Authority whatsoever, to visit Ecclesiastical men, and Correct all manner of Errors, Here • es, Schisms, Abuses, and Enormities should be forever annexed to the Imperial Crown of England; if the Queen and her Successors might by their Letters patents substitute certain men to exercise that Authority, howbeit with proviso, that they should define nothing to be heresy, but those things which were long before defined to be Heresies, out of the Sacred Canonical Scriptures, or of the four Ecumenical Councils, or other Councils, by the true and proper sense 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 Ecclesiastical Persons, Magistrates, Receivers of pensions out of the Exchequer, such as were to receive degrees in the Universities, 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 tied by oath to acknowledge the Queens Majesty, to be the only and supreme Governor 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 foreign Princes, and Protestants, being quite excluded from taking Cognizance of Causes within her Dominions.
5. But the Papists found themselves much agrieved at this Ecclesiastical Power, declared and confirmed to be in the Queen: they complained, that the simplicity of poor people was abused, the Queen declining the Title Head, and assuming the name Governor of the Church, which though less offensive was more expressive. So whilst their ears were favored in her waving the word, their souls were deceived with the same sense under another Expression. They cavilled how King Henry the eighth was qualified for that Place and Power being a Lay-man; King Edward double debar'd for the present, being a Lay-child, Queen Elizabeth totally excluded for the future, being a Lay-woman. They object also, that the very writers of the Centuries, though Protestants, condemn such Headship of the Church in PRINCES: and Calvin more particularly sharply taxeth Bishop Gardener, for allowing the same Privilege 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 first they acknowledged, that Christ alone is the Supreme Sovereign of the Church, performing the Duty of an head unto it, by giving it power of life, feeling, and moving: and him hath God appointed to be head of the Church and by him all the body furnished, and knit together, by joints and bands increaseth with the increasing of God. This Headship cannot stand on any mortal 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 Ecclesiastical matters, to preach the Word minister the Sacraments, celebrate Prayers, and practice the discipline of the Church, which no Prince can invade without usurpation and the sin of Sacrilege: for Incense itself did stink in the Nostrils of the God of heaven, and provoked his Anger, when offered by King Uzziah, 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, reform the Church Corrupted, protect the same reformed. This was that supremacy in Causes and over Persons as well Ecclesiastical as Civil, which was derived from God to the Queen, annexed to the Crown, disused in the days of her Sister (whose blind zeal surrendered 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, 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, which Popish Prelates gave, namely Stephen Gardener, 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 God's will, namely, that he might forbid the Clergy Marriage, the laytie the Cup in the Lord's Supper. And the truth is that Stephen Gardener was shamelessly hyperbolical 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, of set purpose betrayed it in defending it, suiting King Henries vast Body and Mind, 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 Centuriato • s also well understood, do allow and Confess the Magistrates Jurisdiction in Ecclesiastical matters, though on good reason they be enemies to this Usurpation of unlawful power therein. But I digress, 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, Elizabeth showing much Queen-Craft, in procuring the votes of the Nobility, feeding the Earl of Arundell with fond hopes, that she would marry him, and promising the Duke of Norfolk, 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 Lord's but by three voices. Here not to mention how in the greatest Councils, 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 passed the house of Commons, found none of the Temporal Nobility in the house of Lord's to oppose it, save only the Earl 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 four 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 business, the Protestants were not aforchand, but just even with the Papists, who had used the same subtlety in their own Cause in the first Parliament of Queen Mary.
10. But now to remove into the 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 employed and less Regarded. Only after a Mass of the Holy Ghost had been celebrated, Edmond Bonner Bishop of London (in the vacancy 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 custom to begin such meetings of the Clergy with a Latin Sermon, yet such now was not to be expected; partly, because the Arch-Bishop was Dead, who was to design the Preacher, and partly, because they had received a mandate from the privy Council, that no such Sermons should be made in that Church, till they were further informed by the Queeu and her Council. In the third Session on friday Nicholas Harpsfield Doctor of Law, and Arch-Deacon of Canterbury was chosen, Referendary or Prolocutor for the Clergy, a place of some Credit, but little pains to discharge, seeing the only remarkable thing which passed in this Convocation, was certain Articles of Religion, which they tendered to the 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 kind, that ever were represented in England, by a Legal Corporation in defense of the Popish Religion. And though error 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 Monument over this ashes of these dead errors.
REVERENDI in Christo Patres ac Domini colendissimi. Quoniam fama publica referente ad nostram nuper notitiam pervenit, multa Religions Christianae Dogmata publice & unanimi gentium Christianarum consensu hactenus recepta & probata, ac ab Apostolis ad nos usque concorditer per manus deducta, pr • 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 publice auferendam affirmantes, & sicut Deus nos in die Judicij Adjuvet asserentes.
Primo, quod in Sacramento Altaris virtute Christi verbo suo à Sacerdote debite prolato assistentis, praesens est realiter sub speciebus panis & vini natural Corpus Christi Conceptum de Virgin Mariae, Item naturalis ejus Sanguis.
Item, quod post Consecrationem, non remanet substantia panis & vini, ne{que} 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 seed 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, 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 honorable Lord's. Whereas by the report of public 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 joint 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 all due and wonted Ecclesiastical monition declared so requiring it) conceived it to belong unto us to provide for the eternal Salvation both of ourselves, and such as are committed to our charge, by all means possible for us to obtain. Wherefore stirred up by the examples of our Predecessors, who have lived in the like times, that faith which in the Articles under-written we believe to be true, and from our souls profess to the praise and honor of God, and the discharge of our duty, and such souls as are committed unto us, we thought in these presents publicly to insert, affirming and avowing as God shall help us in the last day of judgment.
First, that in the Sacrament of the Altar by the virtue of Christ's assisting, after the word is duly pronounced by the Priest, the natural Body of Christ conceived of the Virgin Mary is really present, under the species of bread and wine, also his natural blood.
Item, that after the Consecration, there remains not the substance of Bread and Wine, nor any other substance, save the substance of God and man.
Item, that the true body of Christ, and his true blood is offered a propitiatory sacrifice for the Quick and Dead.
Item that the supreme power of feeding and governing the militant Church of Christ, and of confirming their Brethren is given to Peter the Apostle, and to his lawful Successors in the See Apostolic, as unto the Vicars of Christ.
Item that the Authority to handle and define such things which belong to faith, the Sacraments, and Discipline Ecclesiastical, hath hitherto ever belonged, and only ought to belong unto the Pastors of the Church, whom the holy spirit hath placed in the Church of God, and not unto lay-men.
Which our Assertion, Affirmation and faith, We the lower Clergy aforesaid so represent the aforesaid considerations unto your Fatherhoods by the Tenor of these Presents, humbly requesting, that because we have not liberty otherwise to notify this our Judgment, and intention to those, which in this behalf are concerned, you who are Fathers would be pleased to signify the same to the Lord's in Parliament, wherein, as we conceive you shall perform an office of Charity and Piety, and you shall provide (as it is meet) for the safety of the flock committed to your charge, and shall discharge your duty towards your own soul.
This remonstrance exhibited by the lower house of Convocation to the Bishops, was according to their Requests presented by Edmond Bonner, B p . of London, to the Lord Keeper of the broad Seal of England in the Parliament, and (as the said Bishop, in the eighth Session reported) he generously and gratefully received it. But we find no further news thereof, save that in the 10. Session, an account was given in, by both Universities in an Instrument under the hand of a Public Notary, wherein they both did concur to the Truth of the aforesaid Articles, the last only excepted.
10. But we may probably conceive that this Declaration of the Popish Clergy hastened the Disputation appointed on the last of March in the Church of Westminster, wherein these questions were debated.
- 1. Whether Service and Sacraments ought to be celebrated in the vulgar tongue?
- 2. Whether the Church hath not power to alter Ceremonies, so all be done to edification?
- 3. Whether the Mass be a propitiatory sacrifice for the Living and the Dead?
| Popish Disputants. | Moderators. | Protestant Disputants. |
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The passages of this Disputation (whereof more Noise then fruit, and wherein more Passion then Reason, Cavils then Arguments) are largely reported by M r . Fox. It was ordered that each side should tender their Judgments in writing to avoid verbal extravagancies, as also in English for the better information of the Nobility and Gentry of the house of Parliament, their Auditors, and that the Papists should begin first, and the Protestants, answer them. But in the second days disputation, this order was broken by the Popish Bishops, who quitting their Primacy to the Protestants, stood peremptorily upon it, that they themselves would deliver their Judgments last. Alledging in their behalf the fashion of the Schools, that because they had the negative on their side, the others ought first to oppose; Citing also the Custom of the Courts at Westminster, where the plaintiff pleadeth before the defendant, conceiving themselves in the nature and notion of the Later, because maintaining those opinions, whose Truth, time out of mind were established. Chester, more open then the Rest, plainly confessed, that if the protestants had the last word, they would come off, cum Applausu Populi, with applause of the People, which themselves, it seems, most desired; Whereby it appears what Wind they wished for, not what was fittest to fan the truth, but what would blow them most reputation. In this Refusal to begin, Winchester and Lincoln behaved themselves faucily, and scornfully, the rest stiffly and resolutely; only Feckenham Abbot of Westminster, (who it seems the second day was added to the Popish Disputants) carried it with more meekness and moderation. Hereupon the Lord Keeper cut off this conference, with this sharp Conclusion. Seeing my Lord's we cannot now hear you, you may perchance shortly hear more of us.
11. Yet need we not behold the frustration of this meeting, as a private Doome, peculiarly to this conference alone, but as the general Destiny of such public Colloquies, which like Sicamore-trees prove barren, and which the larger the Leaves of the Expectation, the less the fruits of Success. The Assembly dissolved, it were hard to say, which were louder, the Papists in Complaining, or the Protestants in Triumphing. The former found themselves agrieved that they were surprised of a sudden, having but two days warning to provide themselves. That Bacon the Moderator (though well skilled in matters of Equity, ignorant in matters of Divinity) was their Zealous Enemy, to whom the Arch-Bishop was added only for a stale. That to call such fundamental points of Doctrine into question, would cause an unsettledness in Religion of dangerous consequence, both to single souls, and to the Church in general. That it was unlawful for them, owing obedience to the Sea Apostolic, without leave of his Holiness first obtained to discuss these truths long since decided in the Church.
13. The Protestants on the other side slighted the Papists Plea of want of Warning, seeing (besides that both sides were warned at the same time) that Party sent a challenge, and gave the first defiance in their late Declaration; and now it was Senselesse in them to complain that they were set upon unawares. That if the truths were so clear as they pretended, and their learning so great as was reputed, little Study in this Case was required. That Bacon was appointed Moderator, not to decide the matters Controverted, but to regulate the manner of their Disputation, whereunto his known Gravity and Discretion, without deep learning did sufficiently enable him. That it was an old Policy of the Papists to account everything fundamental in Religion, which they were loath should be removed, and that the receiving of erroneous principles into the Church, without examination, had been the mother of much ignorance, and security therein. For the preventing of the farther growth whereof, no fitter means then an impartial reducing of all Doctrines to the trial of the Scriptures. that their declining the Disputation, manifested the badness of their Cause, seeing no pay-master will refuse the touch or scales, but such as suspect their Gold to be base or light. That formerly Papists had disputed those points when power was on their side, so that they loved to have Syllogisms in their mouths, when they had swords in their hands.
14. It remaineth now, that we acquaint the reader, how the popish Bps. were disposed of, who now fell under a 4. fold division.
- 1 Dead,
- 2 Fled,
- 3 Deprived,
- 4 Continued.
There were nine of the first sort, who were of the Death-gard of Q. Mary, as expiring either a little before her decease. viz.
- John Capon.
- Robert Parfew.
- Maurice Griffin,
-
William Glyn.
-
B
p
.
of
- Sarisbury.
- Hereford.
- Rochester.
-
Bangor.
- These were Q. Mary her Vshers to her grave.
-
B
p
.
of
Or a little after her departure, as
- Riegnald Pole.
- John Hopton.
- John Brookes.
- John Holyman.
-
Henry Morgan.
-
B
p
.
of
- Canterbury
- Norwich.
- Gloucester.
- Bristol.
-
S. David's.
- These were Q. Mary's trainbearers to the same.
-
B
p
.
of
15. Three only made their flight beyond the seas, namely 1. Thomas Goldwell of S t . Asaph, who ran to Rome, and there procured of the Pope, the renewing of the indulgences, (for a set time) to such as superstitiously repaired to the well of S t . Winnifride. 2. Cuthert Scot of Chester, who afterwards lived and died at Lovain. 3. Richard Pates of Worcester, whose escape was the rather connived at, because being a moderate Man, he refused to persecute any Protestant for his difference in religion.
16. Be it here remembered, that the See of Worcester had nine Bishops successively.
-
whereof
- The four first, (being all Italians) none of them lived there.
- The five last, [Latimer, Bel, Heath, Hooper, Pates,] none of them died there as either resigning, removed or deprived, and all five were alive together in the reign of Q. Mary.
As for Pates, we find him thus subscribing the council of Trent, Richardus Patus Episcopus Wigorniensis, under-writing only in his private and personal capacity, having otherwise no deputation as in any public employment.
17. The third sort succeeds, of such who on the refusal of the oath of supremacy, were all deprived, though not restrained alike. Bonner was imprisoned in the Marshalsea, a Jaile being conceived the safest place to secure him from people's fury, every hand itching to give a good squeeze to that Spunge of Blood. White, and Watson, Bishops of Winchester and Lincoln, died in durance, their liberty being inconsistent with the Queens safety whom they threatened to excommunicate.
18. As for Bishop Tonstal, and Thyrlby, they were committed to Arch-Bishop Parker. Here they had sweet chambers, soft beds, warm fires, plentiful and wholesome diet, (each Bishop faring like an Arch-Bishop, as fed at his table) differing nothing from their former living, save that, that was on their own charges, and this on the cost of another. Indeed they had not their wonted attendance of supperfluous Servants, nor needed it, seeing a long train doth not warm but weary the wearer thereof. They lived in 〈◊〉 custody, and all things considered, custody did not so sour their freedom, as freedom did sweeten their custody.
19. The rest (though confined for a while) soon found the favor to live Prisoners on their Parole, having no other Jailor than their own promise. Thus Poole of Peterburgh, Turbervile of Exeter &c. lived in their own, or their friends houses. The like liberty was allowed though Heath Arch-Bishop of York, who (like another Abiathar sent home by Solomon to his own fields in Anathoth lived cheerfully at Chobham in Surry, where the Queen often courteously visited him.
20. Popish writers would persuade people, that these Bishops were cruelly used in their prisons, should their hyperbolical expressions be received as the just measure of truth. Carceribus varijsque cusodiis commissi, longo miseriarum taedio extincti sunt, saith Sanders, Confessor obiit in vmculis saith Pitzeus of White. A great cry and a little pain. Many of our poor Protestants in the Marian days said less, and suffered more. They were not sent into a complemental custody, but some of them thrust into the prison, of a prison, where the Sun shined as much to them at mid-night, as-at noon-day. Whereas Abbot Feckenham of Westminster (who as a Parliamentary Baron, may go in equipage with the other Bishops) may be an instance▪ how well the Papists were used after their deprivation. For He grew Popular for his alms to the poor, which speaks the Queens bounty to Him, in enabling him (a prisoner) to be bountiful to others.
21. Only one Bishop conformed himself to the Queens commands, and was continued in his place, viz. Anthony Kitchen, alias Dunstan of Landaffe. Camden calls him, Sedis s • ae calamitatem. The bane of his Bishopric, wasting the lands thereof by letting long leases, as if it were given to Binominous Bishops (such as had two Names to be the empairers of their Churches, as may appear by these 4. contemporaries in the reign of K. Henry the 8.
- John Capon
- John Voisey
- Robert Parfew
-
Anthony Kitchen
-
alias
- Salcot
- Harman
- Warton
-
Dunstan
-
spoiled
- Sarisbury.
- Exeter.
- S t . Asaph.
- Landaffe.
-
spoiled
-
alias
I know what is pleaded for them, that Physicians in desperate consumptions, prescribe the shaving of the Head, (which will grow again) to save the life, and that these Bishops, fearing the final alienation of their lands, passed long leases for the prevention thereof, though whether Policy or Covetousness most shared in them herein, we will not determine. Only I find a mediate successor of Kitchins (and therefore concerned to be knowing therein) much excusing him from this common defamation of wronging his See, because many forged leases are countenanced under the pretence of this passing the same.
22. As for the number of Recusants which forsook the land at this time, the prime of them were, Henry Lord Morley, S r . Francis Inglefield, Thomas Shelly, and John Gage Esqrs; As for the Nuns of Zion, and other Votaries wasted over, we have formerly treated of them in our History of Abbeys. Nor were there moe then eighty Rectours of Churches, fifty Prebendaries, fifteen Masters of Colleges, twelve Arch-Deacons, twelve Deans, with six Abbots, and Abbesses deprived at this time of their places throughout all England.
23. Now the Queen and Her Council, accounted it high time to supply the Church of Canterbury (which hitherto had stood Vacant a year, and three weeks) with an Arch-Bishop. D r . Matthew Parker is appointed for the place; borne in Norwich, bred in Cambridge, Master of, Benefactour to Bennet-College there, Chaplain to Queen Anne Bollen (a relation, which, next his own merits befriended him with Queen Elizabeth, for such high, and sudden advancement) then to King Henry the eighth, Dean of the College of Stoke juxta Clare, a learned, and religious Divine. He confuted that character which one gives of Antiquaries, that generally they are either superstitious, or supercilious, his skill in antiquity being attended with soundness of doctrine, and humility of manners. His Book called Antiquitates Britanicae hath indebted all posterity to his pen. Which work our great Critick cites as written by M r . Joscelin, one much employed in the making thereof. But we will not set the memories of the Patron, and Chaplain, at variance (who loved so well in their lives time) nor needeth any Writ of partition to be sued out betwixt them, about the authorship of this book, though probably one brought the matter, the other composure thereof.
24. The Queen had formerly sent order to D r . Wotton, Dean of Canterbury (an exquisite Civilian, and therefore one who may be presumed critical in such performances) and to the Chapter there, to choose Matthew Parker their Arch-Bishop, which within fourteen days after was by them accordingly performed. This done, She directeth Her Letters-Patents in manner, and form following,
Elizabetha Dei Gratia, &c. Reverendis in Christo Patribus, Antonio Landavensi Episcopo, Will, Barlow quondam Bath. & Well. Ep. nunc Cicestrensi electo, Joh, Scory quondam Cicestrensi Episcopo, nunc electo He • esor. Miloni Coverdalio, quondam Exoniensi Episcopo, Johanni Surffaganeo Bedford, Johanni Suffraganeo Thetford, Johanni Bale Osserensi Episcopo.
Quatenus vos, aut ad minus quatuor vestrûm, eundem Matthaeum Parkerum in Archiepiscopum, & Pastorem Ecclesiae Cathedralis, & Metropoliticae Christi Cantuariensis praedictae, sicut praefertur, electum, electionemque praedictum confirmare, & eundem Magistrum Matthaeum. Parkerum in Archiepiscopum, & Pastorem Ecclesiae praedictae consecrare, caeteraque omnia, & singula peragere, quae vestro in hac parte editorum, & provisorum, velitis cum effectu &c. Dat, sexto Decembris, Anno secundo Elizabethae.
But the old Bishop of Landaffe appeared not at the Consecration, terrified (say the Papists) by Bonners threats, so as to absent himself, which others do not believe. For, he that feared not the Lion out of the grate, would he be frighted with the Lion within the grate? If Bonner, when at liberty, could not deter him from taking the oath of Supremacy, improbable it is, that when now detained prisoner in the Tower, he could dissuade him from his obedience to his Sovereign. More likely it is, that his absence (as also Bishop Bale's, and the Suffragans of Thetford was occasioned by their indisposition of body, and infirmity of old age.
25. But the other four Bishops appeared, William Barlow, John Scory, Miles Coverdal, and John Hodgskins, by whom Matthew Parker was solemnly consecrated in manner, and form following. The East part of the Chapel of Lambeth was hung with tapestry, the floor spread with red cloth, chairs and cushions are conveniently placed for the purpose; morning prayer being solemnly read by Andrew Peerson, the Arch-Bishops Chaplain, Bishop Scory went up into the pulpit, and took for his text, The Elders which are among you I exhort, who also am an Elder; and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, &c. Sermon ended, and the Sacrament administered, they proceed to the Consecration: the Arch-Bishop had his Rochet on, with Hereford, and the Suffragan of Bedford, Chichester wore a silk cope, and Coverdal a plain cloth-gown down to his ankles. All things are done con • ormable to the book of Ordination, Litany sung, the Queens Patent for Parkers consecration audibly read by D r . Vale, he is presented, the oath of Supremacy tendered to him, taken by him, hands reverendly imposed on him, and all with prayers begun, continued, concluded. In a word, though here was no Theatrical pomp to make it a Popish pageant; though no sandals, gloves, ring, staff, oil, pall &c. were used upon him, yet there was ceremony enough to cloth his consecration with decency, though not to clog it with superstition.
26. This his consecration is avowed most legal, both according to Canon, and Common Law. In the latter it was ordered by King Henry the eighth, that an Arch-Bishops; should not be consecrated but by an Archbishop, and two Bishops; or by four Bishops, in case an Arch-Bishop was wanting, as here it was performed. Object not that one of these four was but a Suffragan, seeing such by the laws of the land (though not able to vote as Barons in Parliament) had Episcopal power to all purposes, and intents. Neither cavil, that Coverdale henceforward led a private life, being always a Bishop quoad characterem, and for the present quoad j • es & • itulum (Exeter, his former Bishopric being actually void by the deprivation of Turbervile though refusing to be so quoad possessionem. As for the canonical part of his consecration, six of the most eminent Doctors of that faculty England then afforded, gave it under their hands, that the same was exactly observed.
27. Yet notwithstanding all circumstances so solemnly performed, some impudent Papists have raised a lie, that Matthew Parker was consecrated Ad caput manni, At the Naggs-head, a tavern in Cheapside. Indeed they show a place therein, just against the bar, so anciently arched, that an active fancy (which can make anything of anything) may create to itself a top, or rester of a pulpit thereof, though the like thereunto may be seen elsewhere in the city. But that this lie of the naggs-head was bred in a knaves brains, doth plainly appear. For, why should a rich man be a thief: seeing all Churches in England were equally open unto them to pick, and choose at pleasure, why should they steal a clandestine consecration in a place so justly obnoxious to censure? Were not the Cana • nites, and Perizzites then in the land? Were not many prying Papists then mingled amongst Protestants? which consideration alone would command them to be cautious in their proceedings. Besides, that mock-pulpit shown at this day at the entrance of that tavern, was inconsistent with the secrecy (which is said to be their design) who would rather have made choice of an inner, and more remote room for that purpose. But, when once one Jesuit had got this shameless lie of the N • ggshead (I cannot say by the tail, but) by the ears, instantly Champn • y, • itzSimon Persons, Killison, Constable, and all the whole kennel of them, baule it out in their books to all posterity.
28. All the authority the Papists produce for their Naggs-head -Consecration, is ultimately resolved into the single testimony of one Thomas Neal, Chaplain to Bishop Bonner, and sometimes Hebrew-Professor in Oxford. But, was this Neal known, or unknown to the Bishops, pretended in this taverne-assembly? If known, as most probable he was ( Bonners Chaplains bearing their Masters mark, the indelible character of cruelty stamped upon them, as the Wolf is too well known to the sheep) it is utterly unlikely they would permit a person, vowing open opposition to their proceedings, to be present thereat. If Neal were unknown, the English Bishops (whom the Papists, though they call Heretics, do not count fools) would not admit a stranger to their privacies of such importance, seeing commonly in such cases, men's jealousies interpret every unknown face to be a foe unto them.
29. To the testimony of Neal, one endeavors to twist the witness of John Stow, to prove this Nags-head -consecration. A silent wittness, who says nothing herein, if either we consult his Chronicle of our Kings or his Survey of London, he neither speaks words, nor makes any signs thereof. But (saith the Jesuit) Stow, though prudently omitting to print it, told the same to some of his private friends. I pray, to whom? where? and when? and what credible witnesses do attest it? Be it refer'd to the ingenuity of our very adversaries, whether their bare surmises without any proof, be to be believed before the public Records, faithfully taken when the thing was done, carefully preserved ever since, entirely extant at this day, and truly transcribed here by us. Besides, Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham (not more famous for the Coronet of a Count, than the crown of old age) alive in the later end of the Reign of King James, being requested of a friend, whether he could remember Matthew Parkers consecration, gave an exact account of the same solemnly performed in Lambeth Chapel, being himself an eyewitness thereof, and an invited guest to the great feast kept there that day, therefore the more observant of all particular passages thereat, because the said Arch-Bishop was related to him as a kinsman. Let such as desire further satisfaction herein, consult learned Mason (whom King James justly termed a wise builder in God's house) who hath left no stones unturn'd to clear the truth, and stop the mouth of malicious adversaries. Let the Papists therefore not be so busy to cast dirt on our Bishops, but first fall on washing the face of their own Pope, even John the twelv'th, whom an excellent author reporteth to have ordained a Deacon in a stable, for which two Cardinals reproved him. And let these three stories be told together, that the Empress Hellen was the daughter of an Hostler; that Arch-Bishop Cranmer himself was an Hostler; and, that our first Bps. in Queen Elizabeth's days were consecrated in the Naggs-head. I say let these three be told together, because wise, and good men will believe them together, as all coming forth of the forge of falsehood, and malice.
30. Now though we are not to gratify our Adversaries with any Advantages against us, yet so confident is our innocence herein, that It may acquaint the world with that small foundation on which this whole report was bottomed: Every Arch-Bishop, or Bishop presents himself in Bow-Church, accompanied thither with Civilians, where any shall be heard, who can make any legal exceptions, against his Election. A Dinner was provided for them at the Naggs-head in Cheapside, as convenient for the Vicinity thereof, and from this Sparke hath all this Fire been kindled; to admonish posterity not only to do no evil but also in this Captious Age, to refrain from all appearance thereof.
31. Parker, thus solemnly consecrated, proceeded, with the assistance of the aforesaid Bishops, to the consecration of other grave Divines; and not (as Sanders lewdly lies) that these new elected Bishops, out of good fellowship, mutually consecrated one another; some whereof were put into Bishoprics void.
-
By the
- Natural death, as Sarisbury, Rochester, Gloucester, Bristol, Bangor, or,
- Voluntary desertion, as Worcester, and S t . Asaph, or,
- Legal deprivation of the former Bishops, as all other Sees in England.
Suffice it at this time to present a present Catalogue of their names, Sees, with the dates of their consecrations, referring their commendable characters, to be set down, when we come to their respective deaths.
|
consecrated, |
|
|
consecrated, |
|
The other Bishoprics were thus disposed of, Richard Cheiney held Bristol in Commendam with Gloucester; Barlow, and Scory, Bishops in King Edward's days, were translated, the one to Chicester, the other to Hereford. As for the Bishopric of Oxford, as it was void at this time; so it continued for some years after.
32. We must not forget how the Bishopric of Carlisle was first proffered to Bernard Gilpin, that Patriarchal Divine (Rectour of Houghton in the North as may appear by the ensuing letter of Edwin Sandys, Bishop of Worcester, wrote unto him.
MY much and worthily respected Cozen, having regard unto the good of the Church of Christ, rather than to your ease, I have by all the good means I could, been careful to have this charge imposed upon you, which may be both an honor to yourself, and a benefit to the Church of Christ. My true report concerning you hath so prevailed with the Queens Majesty, that she hath nominated you Bishop of Carlisle.
I am not ignorant that your inclination rather delighteth in the peaceable tranquility of a private life. But if you look upon the estate of the Church of England with a respective eye, you cannot with a good conscience, refuse this charge imposed upon you: so much the less because it is in such a place, as wherein no man is found fitter then yourself, to deserve well of the Church. In which respect I charge you before God, and as you shall answer to God herein, that, setting all excuses aside, you refuse not to assist your Country, and to do service to the Church of God to the uttermost of your power. In the meanwhile I give you to understand, that the said Bishopric is to be left untouched, neither shall anything of it be diminished (as in some others it is a custom) but you shall receive the Bishopric entire, as D r . Oglethorp hath left it.
Wherefore exhorting, and charging you to be obedient to God's call herein, and not to neglect the duty of our own calling, I commend both yourself, and the whole business to the Divine Providence.
Your Kinsman, and Brother, Edwin Worcester.
But M r . Gilpin desired to be excused, continuing immovable in his resolution of refusal. Not that he had any disaffection to the office (as some do believe themselves, and would willingly persuade others) but, because (as he privately confessed to his friends) he had so much kindred about Carlisle, at whom he must either connive in many things, not without hurt to himself; or else deny them, not without offense to them. To avoid which difficulties, he refused the Bishopric. It was afterward bestowed (as in our Catalogue) on D r . John Best, a grave, and learned Divine. But whether on the same terms (without any diminution to the Church) my author knew not, leaving us under a shrewd suspicion of the negative.
33. If any demand of me, why Barlow formerly Bishop of Bath, and Wells; and Scory Bishop of Chicester, were not rather restored to their own, than translated to other Bishoprics, As certainly I do not know, so willingly I will not guess at the cause thereof; though I have leisure to listen to the conjectures of others herein. Some impute it to their own desires (preferring fair paper before what was soiled with their ill success) rather to begin on a new account, than to renew their reckoning with those Bishoprics, where they had been interrupted with persecution. Others ascribe it to the Queen, herein showing her absolute power of disposition and transposition of all Prelates; at Her pleasure crossing Her hands, and translating Scory from Chichester to Hereford, Barlow from Bath and Wells to Chichester. A third sort resolve it on a point of the Queens frugality (a virtue needful in a Princess coming to a Crown in Her condition) to get new first-fruits by their new translations, which otherwise would not accrue by their restitutions. Sure I am, none of these Conjecturers were either of the Bedehamber, or Counc • ll-Board to the Queen, acquainted with Her intentions herein.
34. As for Miles Coverdale, formerly Bishop of Exeter, he never returned to his See, but remained a private Minister to the day of his death. Indeed it was true of him, what is said of others, He was as a fire-brand plucked out of the burning, being designed to death by Queen Mary, had not the seasonable, and importunate intercession of Frederick, King of Denmark, redeemed him. And, although his dissenting in judgment from some ceremonies in our Discipline, is generally alleged as the cause of his not returning to his Bishopric, yet more probable it is, it was caused by his impotency, as may appear by his Epitaph, which here we have thought fit to insert, as I took it from the brass-inscription of his marble-stone, under the Communion-Table in the Chancel of S t . Bartholomews behind the Exchange.
Now if Coverdale Anno 1568. was fourscore and one year of age, then at this very time when he consecrated Parker, was he seventy two years old, passing with Jesse for an old man; yea he had passed the age of man, and therefore henceforward, finding himself fitter for devotion, than action, refused the resumption of his Bishopric.
35. So much for the Bishops. As for the inferior Clergy under them, the best that could be gotten were placed in pastoral charges. Alas; tolerability was eminency in that age. A rush-candle seemed a torch where no brighter light was ere seen before. Surely preaching now ran very low, if it be true what I read, that M r . Tavernour, of Water-Eaton in Oxford-shire, High-Sheriff of the County, came in pure charity, not ostentation, and gave the Scholars a Sermon in S t . Mary's, with his gold chain about his neck, and his sword by his side, beginning with these words, .
Arriving at the mount of S t . Mary's, in the stony stage where I now stand, I have brougt you some fine biskets, baked in the oven of charity, and carefully conserved for the chickens of the Church, the sparrows of the Spirit, and the sweet swallows of salvation.
If England in our memory hath been sensible of a perfective alteration in her Churches; if since she hath seen more learning in the people's pews, than was then generally in the Readers deske, yea Preachers Pulpit; let God be more glorified in it, men more edified by it; seeing of late the Universities have afforded moe vine-dressers, than the Country could yield them vineyards. Yea, let us be jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy, lest our ingratitude make us to relapse into the like ignorance, and barbarism. For, want of bread was not so much the suffering of those days, as fullness thereof hath lately been the sin of ours.
36. Great abuses being offered to the monuments of the dead, the Queen thought fitting seasonably to retrench the increase of such impieties. And, although her Proclamation being printed, the printing of Her name thereunto had been of as much validity in itself, and of far more ease to Her Majesty, yet to manifest Her Princely zeal therein, She severally signed each copy (and those numerous to be dispersed throughout all Her Dominions) with Her own hand. And, seeing She begrutched not Her pains to superscribe Her name, I shall not think much of mine to transcribe the whole Proclamation.
Elizabeth.
THe Queens Majesty understanding, that by the means of sundry people, partly ignorant, partly malicious, or covetous; there hath been of •• te years spoiled and broken certain ancient Monuments, some of metal, some of stone, which were erected up as well in Churches, as in other public places within this Realm, only to show a memory to the posterity of the persons there buried, or that had been benefactors to the building, or dotations of the same Churches, or public places, and not tonourish any kind of superstition. By which means, not only the Churches, and places remain at this present day spoiled, broken, and ruinated, to the offense of all noble and gentle hearts, and the extinguishing of the honorable and good memory of sundry virtuous, and noble persons deceased; but also the true understanding of divers families in this Realm (who have descended of the blood of the same persons deceased) is thereby so darkened, as the true course of their inheritance may be hereafter interrupted, contrary to justice, besides many other offenses that do hereof ensue to the slander of such as either gave, or had charge in times past only to deface monuments of idolatry, and false feigned images in Churches, and Abbeys, And therefore, although it be very hard to recover things broken and spoiled: yet, both to provide that no such barbarous disorder be hereafter used, and to repair as much of the said monuments as conveniently maybe: Her Majesty chargeth and commandeth all manner of persons hereafter to forbear the breaking, or defacing of any parcel of any monument, or tomb, or grave, or other inscription, and memory of any person deceased, being in any manner of place; or to break any image of Kings, Princes or Nobles, Estates of this Realm, or of any other that have been in times past erected, and set up, for the only memory of them to their posterity in common Churches, and not for any religious honor: or to break down and deface any image in glass-windows in any Churches, without consent of the Ordinary: upon pain that whosoever shall be herein found to offend, to be committed to the next Goale, and there to remain without baile, or mainprise, unto the next coming of the Justices, for the delivery of the said Goale; and then to be farther punished by fine, or imprisonment (besides the restitution, or reedification of the thing broken) as to the said Justices shall seem meet: using therein the advice of the Ordinary; and, if need shall be, the advice of Her Majesty's Council in Her Starr-Chamber.
And for such as be already spoiled in any Church, or Chapel, now standing: Her Majesty chargeth, and commandeth all Arch-Bishops, Bishops, and other Ordinaries, or Ecclesiastical persons, which have authority to visit the Churches, or Chapels, to inquire by presentments of the Curates, Church-wardens, and certain of the parishioners, what manner of spo • les have been made sithence the beginning of Her Majesty's reign, of such monuments, and by whom; and if the persons be living, how able they be to repair, and readifie the same; and thereupon to convent the same persons, and to enjoin them under pain of Excommunication, to repair the same by a convenient day, or otherwise (as the cause shall farther require) to notify the same to Her Majesty's Council in the Sarr-chamber at Westminster. And, if any such be found, and convicted thereof, not able to repair the same; that then they be enjoined to do open penance two or three times in the Church, as to the quality of the crime, and party belongeth, under the like pain of excommunication. And if the party that offended be dead: and the Executours of the Will left having sufficient in their hands unadministred, and the offense notorious; the Ordinary of the place shall also enjoin them to repair, or re-edify the same, upon like, or any other convenient pain, to be devised by thesaid Ordinary. And when the offender cannot be presented, if it be in any Cathedral, or Collegiate Church, which hath any revenue belonging to it, that is, not particularly allotted to the sustentation of any person certain, or otherwise, but that it may remain in the discretion of the governor thereof, to bestow the same upon any other charitable deed, as mending of high-ways or such like; Her Majesty enjoineth, and straitly chargeth the governors, and companies of every such Church, to employ such parcels of the said sums of money (as any wise may be spared) upon the speedy repair, or reedification of any such monuments so defaced, or spoiled, as agreeable to the original, as the same conveniently may be.
And where the covetousness of certain persons is such, that as Patrons of Churches, or owners of the personages impropriated or by some other color, or pretence, they do persuade with the Parson and Parishioners, to take, or throw down the bells of Churches, and Chapels, and the lead of the same, converting the same to their private gain, and to the spoils of the said places, and make such like alterations, as thereby they seek a slanderous desolation of the places of prayer: Her Majesty (to whom in the right of the Crown by the ordinance of Almighty God, and by the laws of this Realm, the defense and protection of the Church of this Realm belongeth) doth expressly forbid any manner of person, to take away any bells, or lead, of any Church, or Chapel, under pain of imprisonment during Her Majesty's pleasure, and such farther fine for the contempt, as shall be thought meet.
And Her Majesty chargeth all Bishops, and Ordinaries to inquire of all such contempts, done from the beginning of Her Majesty's reign, and to enjoin the persons offending, to repair the same within a convenient time. And of their doings in this behalf, to certify Her Majesty's privy-Council or the Council in the Sarr-Chamber at Westminster, that order may be taken herein.
Given at Windsor the 19th. of September, the second year of Her Majesty's reign.
Her Princely care took this desired effect, that it stopped the main stream of Sacrilege herein, though some by-rivulets thereof ran still in private Churches, in defiance of all orders provided to the contrary.
37. May the Reader take notice, that henceforward God willing, we will set down at the end of every year, the deaths of such eminent Divines, who deceased therein, though we find no funerals of any prime Protestant in the two first years of the Queens reign. Her coming to the Crown inspirited the weakest, and oldest with vigorousnesse, and vivacity for a time; and Divine Providence preserved them from blasting, who were but newly replanted in their places. Only we conjecture, that John Bale Bishop of Ossorie, died about this time, we finding no future mention of his activity; which, if alive, could not conceal itself. Pity it is, we cannot give the exact date of his death, who was so accurate in noting the deeeases of others. For this John Bale, was he, who (besides many other books) enlarged Leland, and continued the Lives of the English Writers. Borne at Covy, near Dunwich in Suffolk, bred in Cambridge, afterwards a Carmelite in Norwich, and ignorantly zealous in their superstitions. He was first converted to the knowledge of the Gospel, as himself confesseth, by the care of that worthy Lord, Thomas Lord Wentworth, of Nettlested in Suffolk. Whereupon (to use his own expression) he was transported from his barren mount Carmel, to the fair and fruitful vale of the Gospel.
38. Presently comes persecution. For his preaching of the Gospel, he is dragged from the Pulpit to the Consistory, before Lee Arch-Bishop of York; and for the same cause, was afterwards convented before Stokesley, Bishop of London; but the Lord Cromwell (much affected with the facetiousness of such Comedies, as he had presented unto him) rescued him from their paws, by his power. After eight years exile in Germany, he was recalled by King Edward, and made Bishop of Oss • rie in Ireland, where he remained but a short time. For after the Kings death he hardly escaped with his own life (some of his servants being slain) cast by tempest into Cornewall, taken by pirates, dearly redeemed, with much difficulty he recovered London, with more danger got over into Germany. Whence returning, in the first of Queen Elizabeth, about this time he ended his life, leaving a Scholars Inventory, moe books (many of his own making) than money behind him.
39. His friends say, that Bale his pen doth zealously confute such as are strangers to him conceive, it doth bitterly inveigh; and his foes say, it doth damnably rail on Papists, and their opinions; though something may be pleaded for his passion. Old age, and ill usage will make any man angry. When young, he had seen their superstition; when old, he felt their oppression. Give losers therefore leave to speak, and speakers to be choleric in such cases. The best is, Bale rails not more on Patists then Pits (employed on the same subject) on Protestant Writers; and, even set me against the other, whilst the discreet reader of both, paring off the extravagances of passion on each side, may benefit himself in quietness, from their loud, and clamorous invectives.
40. Pius the fourth, being newly settled in the Papal chair, thought to do something, no less honorable, than profitable to his See, in reducing Queen Elizabeth (a wandering sheep worth a whole flock) to the Church of Rome. In order whereunto, he not only was deaf to the importunity of the Count of Feria, pressing him (for a private grudge) to excommunicate Her, but also addressed Vincent Parpalia, Abbot of S t . Savior's, with courteous letters unto her. The tenor whereof ensueth.
To our most dear Daughter in Christ, Elizabeth Queen of England.
DEar daughter in Christ, health and Apostolical benediction. How greatly we desire (our Pastoral charge requiring it) to procure the salvation of your soul, and to provide likewise for your honor, and the establishment of your Kingdom withal, God the searcher of all hearts knoweth and you may understand by what we have given in charge to this our beloved son Vincentius Parpalia, Abbot of S t . Savior's, a man well known to you, and well approved by us. Wherefore we do again and again exhort, and admonish your Highness, most dear daughter, that rejecting evil Counselors, which love not you, but themselves, and serve their own lusts, you would take the fear of God into Counsel with you, and acknowledging the time of your visitation, show yourselves obe • ient to our fatherly persuasions, and wholesome Counsels; and promise to yourself from us all things that may make not only to the salvation of your soul, but also whatsoever you shall desire from us for the establishing & confirming of your Princely dignity, according to the authority place, and office committed unto us by God. And if so be, as we desire and hope, you shall return into the bosom of the Church, we shall be ready to receive you with the same love, honor, and rejoicing, that the Father in the Gospel did his Son returning to him: although our joy is like to be the greater in that he was joyful for the salvation of one Son, but you, drawing along with you all the people of England, shall hear us and the whole company of our brethren (who are shortly God willing, to be assembled in a general Council, for the taking away of heresies, and so for the salvation of yourself, and your whold nation) fill the Universal Church with rejoicing, and gladness, Yea, you shall make glad heaven itself with such a memorable fact, and achieve admirable renown to your name, much more glorious than the Crown you wear. But, concerning this matter, the same Vincentius shall deal with you more largely, and shall declare our fatherly affection toward you: and we entreat your Majesty to receive him lovingly, to hear him diligently, and to give the same credit to his speeches, which you would to our self.
Given at Rome at S. Peters &c. the fifth day of May 1560. in our first year.
What private proposals Parpalia made to her Majesty, on condition she would be reconciled to Rome is unknown. Some conceive the Pope might promise more then He meant to perform, but would He perform more than He did promise, nothing herein had been effected. A Bargain can never be driven, where a Buyer can on no terms be procured. Her Majesty was resolute and immovable in her Religion. And yet some (not more knowing of Councils, but more daring in Conjectures than others) who love to feiga, what they cannot find, that they may never appear to be at a loss, avouch that the Pope promised to revoke the Sentence, against her mother Anne Bollens marriage, to confirm our English Lithurgie by his authority, to permit the English, the Communion under both kinds, provided she would own the Popes Primacy, and cordially unite herself to the Catholic Church. Yea some thousands of Crowns, (but all in vain) were promised to the effectors thereof, wherein his holiness, seemingly liberal, was really thrifty, as knowing such his Sums, if accepted, would within one year return with an hundred fold increase.
41. Scipio a Gentleman of Venice, formerly familiar with M r . Jewel (whilst he was a student in Padua ) wrote now an expostulating letter unto Him, being lately made Bishop of Sarisbury. Wherein he much admired that England should send no Ambassador, nor message, or letter to excuse their Nations absence from the general appearance of Christianity in the Sacred Council of Trent. He highly extolled the antiquity and use of General Councils, as the only means to decide controversies in Religion, and compose the distractions in the Church, concluding it a Superlative Sin for any to decline the authority thereof.
42. To this M r . Jewel returned a large and solemn answer. Now although he wrote it as a private person, yet because the subject thereof was of public concernment, take the principal Heads thereof.
First, That a great part of the world professing the name of Christ (as Greeks, Armenians, Abessines &c. with all the Eastern Church) were neither sent to, nor summoned to this Council.
Secondly, That England's absence was not so great a wonder, seeing many other kingdoms and free-states, (as Denmark, Sweden, Scotland, Princes of Germany and Hanse-Towns ) were not represented in this Council, by any of their Ambassadors.
Thirdly, That this pretended Council was not called according to the ancient custom of the Church, by the Imperial Authority, but by Papal usurpation.
Fourthly, That Trent was a petty place not of sufficient receipt for such multitudes, as necessarily should repair to a general Council.
Fifthly, That Pope Pius the fourth, by whose command the Council was re-assembled, purchased his place by the unjust practices of Simony, and bribery, and managed it with murder and Cruelty.
Sixthly, That repairing to Councils was a free-act, and none ought to be condemned of Contumacy, if it stood more with their conveniency to stay at home.
Seventhly, That anciently it was accepted as a reasonable excuse of holy Bishops, absenting, or withdrawing themselves, from any Council, if they vehemently suspected ought would be acted therein prejudicial to the Truth, lest their (though not active ) included concurrence might be interpreted a countenancing thereof.
Eighthly, Our English Bishops were employed in feeding their flocks, and governing their Churches, and could not be spared from their charge without prejudice to their consciences.
Ninthly, The members of the Council of Trent, both Bishops and Abbots, were by oath pregaged to the Pope to defend and maintain his authority against all the world.
Lastly, in what capacity should the English Clergy appear in this Council? They could not as free-persons to debate matters therein, being pre-condemned for Heretics by Pope Julius. They would not come as Offendors, to hear the Sentence pronounced against themselves, which they had heard of before. What effect this Letter produced I find not, sure I am no Papists as yet have made an effectual refutation of the reasons rendered therein.
43. The Bells of S t . Peters in Westminster had strangely rung the changes these last thirty years. Within which time, first it was a stately and rich Covent of Benedictine Monks. Secondly, it was made a Collegiate Church of Dean and Prebendaries by King Henry the eighth. Thirdly, by the same King, is was made an Episcopal See, and Thomas Thirby (who having roasted the Churches Patrimony, surrendered it to the spoil of Courtiers) the first and last Bishop thereof. Fourthly, Queen Mary re-seated the Abbot and Monks in the possession thereof, who were outed after her Death. Lastly, this year Queen Elizabeth converted it again into a Collegiate Church, founding therein maintenance for one Dean, twelve Prebendaries, as many old soldiers past service for Almsmen, and forty Scholars, who in due time are preferred to the Universities, so that it hath proved one of the most renowned Seminaries, of Religion and learning in the whole nation.
44. Pope Pius though unsuccessfull in his addresses last year to the Queen, yet was not so disheartened, but that once more he would try what might be effected therein. To which purpose he employed the Abbot of Martinegi with most loving letters unto her, desiring leave to come over into England. But the Queen knowing it less difficulty and danger to keep him, then to cast him out of her Dominions, forbad his entrance into the Realm as against the Laws of the Land, So that he was fain to deliver his Errand, and receive his answer, (and that a denial) at distance in the Low-Countries. As little success had the Bishop of Viterbo, the Popes Nuncio to the King of France, secretly dealing with S r . N. Throgmorton the Queens Agent, there to persuade her to send Ambassadors to the Council of Trent; which for the reasons afore mentioned was justly refused.
45. S r . Edward Carne the Queens Leger at Rome, Doctor of Civil Law, Knighted by the Emperor Charles the fifth, pretended that as the Queen would not suffer the Popes Nuncio to come into England, so the Pope would not permit him to depart Rome: Whereas indeed the cunning old man was not detained, but detained himself; so well pleased was he with the place and his office therein. Where soon after he died, the last Leger of the English Nation to Rome publicly avowed in that employment.
46. This year the Spire of Paul's -Steeple covered with lead strangely fell on fire, attributed by several Persons to sundry Causes. Some that it was casually blasted with lightning, others that it was mischevously done by Art Magic; And others (and they the truest) done by the negligence of a Plummer carelessly leaving his coals therein. The fire burnt for five full hours, in which time it melted all the lead of the Church, only the stone Arches escaping the fury thereof: but by the Queens bounty and a Collection from the Clergy, it was afterwards repaired, only the blunt Tower had not the top thereof sharpened into a Spire as before.
47. A petty rebellion happened in Merton College in Oxford (small in itself, great in the consequence thereof, if not seasonably suppressed) on this occasion. Some Latin superstitious Hymns formerly sung on Festivalls had by order of the late Warden Dr. Gervas been abolished, and English Psalms appointed in their place: now when M r . Leach a Fellow in the House on Allholland-day last had the Book in his hand ready to begin the Psalm: in springs one M r . William Hall a seniour Fellow offering to snatch it from him with an intent to cast it into the fire, adding moreover that they would no more dance after his pipe. This was done in the interval of the vacancy of the Wardenship: For though John Man was lawfully chosen to the place, yet Hall and his Popish faction (whereof M r . Potto, M r . Binnion, and S r . Appleby the Leaders ) opposed his admission. And whereas in this House great was the power of a Seniour-Fellow (especially in office ) over the young scholars, Hall raised such a persecution against them, that it was penal for any to be a Protestant.
48. Arch-Bishop Parker hearing hereof, summoneth Hall to appear before him, who cared so little for the same, that some of his Party plucked off the Seal from the citation, which was affixed to the gates of the College. Whereupon his Grace made a solemn visitation of that College, wherein all were generally examined. Man confirmed Warden, Hall justly expelled, his party publicly admonished, the Young Scholars relieved, Papists curbed, and suppressed, Protestants countenanced, and encouraged in the whole University.
49. A Parliament was called, wherein a Bill passed for the assurance of certain lands assumed by the Queen from some Bishoprics during their vacation. Another for the restitution in blood of the children of Thomas Cranmer late Arch-Bishop of Canterbury. Here fain would I be informed by some learned in the law, what needed the restoring of those Children, whose Father was condemned, and died only for Heresy; which is conceived a Personal crime, and not tainting the blood. For although this Arch-Bishop was first accused of high-Treason, yet it afterwards was waved, and he tried upon heretical opinions. Except any will say, that because not solemnly and formally pardoned, in majorem cantelam, such an Act was not amiss, or else done not so much for the use of the living Children as honor of their dead Father.
50. A third Bill passed for the Translating of the Bible into the Welsh tongue, which sicnce the Reformation may hitherto be said to have been read in Latin in their Congregations, English being Latin to them as in the most Parishes of Wales utterly un-understood. This some years after was performed, principally by the endeavors of William Morgan Doctor of Divinity, afterwards Bishop of Landaff, and thence preferred to S t Asaph, but worthy for his work of better advancement.
51. In the Convocation now sitting, wherein Alexander Nowel Dean of S t Paul's was Prolocutor, the nine and thirty Articles were composed. For the main they agree with those set forth in the Reign of King Edward the sixth, though in some particulars allowing more liberty to dissenting judgments. For instance, in this Kings Articles it is said, that it is to be be believed, that Christ went down to Hell [ to preach to the Spirits there, ] which last clause is left out in these Articles, and men left to a latitude concerning the cause, time, and manner of his Descent.
52. Hence some have unjustly taxed the Composers for too much favor extended in their large expressions, clean through the contexture of these Articles, which should have tied men's consciences up closer in more strict and particularizing propositions, which indeed proceeded from their commendable moderation, Children's clothes ought to be made of the biggest, because afterwards their bodies will grow up to their garments. Thus the Arcles of this English Protestant Church in the infancy thereof, they thought good to draw up in general terms, foreseeing that posterity would grow up to fill the same. I mean these holy men did prudently pre-discover, that differences in judgments would unavoidably happen in the Church, and were loath to unchurch any, and drive them off from an Ecclesiastical communion for such petty differences, which made them pen the Articles in comprehensive words to take in all, who differing in the branches, meet in the root of the same Religion.
53. Indeed most of them had formerly been sufferers themselves, and cannot be said in compiling these Articles (an acceptable service no doubt) to offer to God what cost them nothing,