Church History of Britain

CENT: XVII.

1.THe difference betwixt the Seculars and the Jesuits still continued and increased. Wherefore Bishop Bancroft, counting the Seculars the better but weaker side, afforded them countenance and maintenance in London-house, accommodating them with necessaries to write against their adversaries, hoping the Protestants might assault the Romish cause with the greater advantage, when they found a breach made to their hand by the others own dissensions. But such who bore no good will to the Bishop, beholding the frequent repairing and familiar conversing of such Priests in his house, made a contrary construction of his actions, and reported him Popishly affected. Thus those who publicly do things in themselves liable to offense, and privately reserve the reasons of their actions in their own bosoms, may sufficiently satisfy their consciences towards God, but will hardly avoid the censures of men, to which too unwarily they expose themselves. With more general applause was the bounty of Arch Bishop Whitgift bestowed, who now finished his Hospital founded and endowed by him at Croydon in Surrey, for a Warden, and eight and twenty Brethren: As also a Free-School, with liberal maintenance, for the education of Youth. God the best of Creditors) no doubt, long since hath plentifully re-paid what was lent to him, in his Members.

2. The last Parl. in this Queens reign was now begun at Westm, and dissolved the month next following. Of such things which at distance may seem to relate to Church affairs, in this Parl. it was Enacted, That Overseers of the Poor should be nominated yearly in Easter week under the Hand and Seal of two Justices of Peace, and that these with the Church wardens should take care for the relief of the Poor, binding out of Apprentices, &c. As also, That the Lord Chancellor should award Commissions under the Great Seal, into any part of the Realm, (as cause should require) to the Bishop of every Diocese, and his Chancellor; and any four or more persons of honest behavior, to inquire by oaths of twelve men, into the mis-employment of any Lands or Goods given to pious uses: and by their Orders, to appoint them to be duly and faithfully paid or employed to their true uses and intents. In pursuance of this Statute, much good was and is done to this day, in several parts of the Kingdom, the Law being very tender, that the true intentions of the Donour should take effect, as by this eminent instance may appear. By the rule of the Law, Copyhold Land cannot be aliened, but by Surrender; but yet if a man Devise such Land to a Charitable use, though it had not been surrendered, this is adjudged good, and shall be construed an appointment to a Charitable use within this Statute.

3. Now if we look into the Convocation, parallel to this Parliament, therein we shall find, that it began with a Latin Sermon of William Barlow Doctor of Divinity, and one of Her Majesty's Chaplains, (afterwards Bishop of Rochester, then of Lincoln ) Preaching on this Text, LUKE 19. 13. Negotiamini dum venio. In this Convocation, Matthew Sutcliffe, Doctor of the Law, and Dean of Exeter was chosen Prolocutor, but nothing save matters of course passed therein. Nor find I any eminent Divine deceased this year.

4. Francis Godwin doctor of Divinity, Sub-Dean of Exeter, Son of Thomas Godwin, Bishop of Wells, (like another Gregory Nazianzen a Bishop, Son to a Bishop ) was promoted to the Church of Landaff, he was borne in the fourth year of Queen Elizabeth, who was not a little sensible of, and thankful for God's favor unto her, in suffering her so long to hold the Helme of the English Church, till one borne within her reign was found fit to be a Bishop. He was stored with all polite Learning, both judicious and industrious in the study of Antiquity, to whom, not only the Church of Landaff (whereof he well deserved) but all England is indebted, as for his other learned Writings, so especially for his Catalogue of Bishops. He was translated Anno 1617. to Hereford, and died, many years after, a very old man in the reign of King CHARLES.

5. Now came forth a notable Book against the Jesuits, written in a Scholastic way, by one Watson a Secular Priest, consisting of ten quodlibets, each whereof is sub-divided into as many Articles. It discovereth the Jesuits in their colors, ferreting them out of all their burrowes of Equivocation and mental reservation, holding Proteus so hard to it, that in despite of his changing into many shapes, he is forced to appear in his own proper form. No entire Answer, for ought I can learn, was ever returned to this Book. The Jesuits (according to their old Trick ) slighting what they cannot confute, and counting that unworthy to be done, which they found themselves unable to do. Indeed, for matters of fact therein, they are so punctually reported with the several circumstances of time and place, that the guilty consciences of such as are concerned therein (though snapping and snarling at pieces and passages thereof) for the main may well give it over for unanswerable.

6. Yet the whole Book is written with an imbittered style, so that Protestant Charity hath a better conceit of Jesuits, than to account them altogether so bad. Take one passage of many. No, no, their course of life doth show what their study is, and that howsoever they beast of their perfections, holiness, Meditations and exercises, yet their platform is heathenish, tyrannical, sathanicall, and able to set ARETINE, LUCI • N, MACHIAVEL, yea, and DON LUCIFER in a sort to school, as impossible for him, by all the art he hath, to be-sot men as they do. This is the same Watson, who, though boasting of the obedience of the Secular Priests to their Sovereigns, and taxing the Jesuits for want thereof, was notwithstanding himself, afterwards executed for a Traitor in the reign of King James. It seems as well Seculars, as Jesuits, are so loaden with Loyalty, that both need the Gallows to ease them of the burden thereof.

7. Great at this time was the Calm in the English Church, the Brethren not endeavoring anything in Opposition to the Hierarchy. This some impute not to their Quienesse, but Wearinesse, because so long they had in vain seeked to cast off that Yoke from them: Besides, they did not so much practice for the Present, as project for the Future, to procure hereafter an Establishment of their Ecclesiastical Government. For they beheld the Queens old Age as a Taper of Virgin Wax now in the Socket, ready to be extinguished, which made them address and apply themselves with all diligence, to JAMES King of Scotland, the Heir apparent to the Crown, as to the rising Sun, whom they hoped will be more favorable to their Proceedings. Hopes not altogether groundless, whilst they considered the Power of the Presbytery in the Church of Scotland, where Bishops, though lately restored to their place, were so restrained in their Power, that small was their Command in Church-affairs, which made the Brethren in England thence to promise Great matters to themselves, but with what success shall be seen hereafter. As for Mr. Thomas Cartwright, the Chiefraine of that Party in England; we find him at this time growing rich in the Town of Warwick, (there Master of an Hospital) by the Benevolence and Bounty of his Followers, where he preached very temperately, according to his Promise made to the Arch-bishop.

8. Some ascribe this his Mildness to his old Age and Experience, it being commonly observed, that in Controversies of this kind, Men, when they consult with their own Gray hairs, begin to abate of their Violence. Others conceive that Arch-bishop Whitgift had conquered him with his kindness, having formerly procured him both his Pardon & Dismission out of all his Troubles, so that his Coals of Courtesies heaped on Mr. Cartwright 's Head, made the good Metall (the Ingenuity in him) to melt into Moderation. For in hs Letters written with his own hand, March 24. Anno 1601. he confesseth himself much obliged unto him, vouchsafing him the style of A RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD, AND HIS LORD THE ARCH-BISHOP'S GRACE OF CANTERBURY, which Title of GRACE, he also often yieldeth him throughout his Letters, acknowledging his Bond of most humble Duty so much the straiter, because his Grace's Favor proceeded from a frank Disposition, without any desert of his own. Others (and that not improbably) do think that Mr. Cartwright grew sensible with Sorrow, how all Sects and Schisms, being opposite to Bishops (Brownists, Barrowists, &c.) did shroud and shelter themselves under his Protection, whom he could neither reject with Credit, nor receive with Comfort, seeing his Conscience could not close with their enormous Opinions, and his Counsel could not regulate their extravagant Violences, which made him by degrees decline their Party. Yet, for all this, there want not those who will maintain, that all this while Mr. Cartwright was not more remiss, but more reserved in his Judgment, being still as sound, but not as sharp in the cause out of Politick intents, like a skillful Pilot in a great Tempest yielding to the Violence of a storm, therewith to be carried away, contrary to his intents for the present, but waiting when the Wind should soon turn about to the North, and blow him and his a prosperous Gale, according to their Desires.

9. What his opinions were, may appear by the Premises, and his life may be presumed most pious, it concerning him to be strict in his Conversation, who so stickled for the Reformation of all abuses in the Church. An excellent Scholar, pure Latinist (his Travels advantaging the ready use thereof) accurate Grecian, exact Hebraician, as his Comments on the Proverbs, and other Works, do sufficiently testify. But the Master-piece of all his Writings, was, that his Confutation of the Rhemish Translation of the New Testament into ENGLISH, at the Importunity of many Ministers of London and Suffolk, and Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queens Secretary, (Mr. Cartwright 's especial Patron) gave him an hundred pounds to buy him Books, and encourage him in that Work. However, the setting forth thereof, was stopped by Arch-bishop Whitgift; probably we may conceive, because some Passages therein did glance at and gird the Episcopal Discipline in England, and after it had lain thirty years neglected, it was first set forth Anno 1618. and then, without either Privilege or Licence, except any will say that Truth is a Licence for it self. In a word, no English Champion in that Age, did with more Valour or Success, charge and rout the Romish Enemy in matters of Doctrine. But when that Adversary sometimes was not in the field, then his active spirit fell foul in point of Discipline, with those which otherwise were of his own Religion.

10. The same year proved fatal to many other eminent Clergy-men, and I hope, without offense, I may join them together, their Bodies at the same time meeting at the Grave, though their minds before had parted in different Opinions.

• 1. Herbert Westphaling Bishop of Hereford (though perchance his Ambiguous Death is more properly referred to the last year) brought up in Christchurch in Oxford, being the first Bishop of that Foundation; a Man of great Piety of Life, and of such Gravity, that he was seldom, or never seen to laugh, leaving no great, but a well gotten Estate, out of which he bequeathed twenty pounds per annum to Jesus College in Oxford.
• 2. Alexander Nowell Doctor of Divinity, and Dean of S. Paul 's in London, borne in Lancashire, bred in Oxford, afterwards fled into Germany, in the reign of Queen Mary. He was the first of English Exiles, that returned in the days of Q. Elizabeth. And I have read how in a Parliament he was chosen Burgess of a Town of Cornwall: But his Election pronounced void, because he was a Deacon. A Man of a most Angelical Life, and Deep Learning. A great Defender of Justification by Faith alone, and yet a great Practiser of Good Works; witness two hundred pounds a year rent, for the maintenance of thirteen Students bestowed on Brazen-nose College, wherein he had his Education. A great honourer of the Marriage of the Clergy, and yet who lived and died single himself. An aged Man, of 90. years of age, yet fresh in his youthful Learning: yea, like another Moses, his eyes were not dim, nor did he ever make use of Spectacles to read the smallest Print.
• 3. William Perkins, who was born in the first, and died in the last of Q. Eliz. so that his Life (as we have elsewhere observed, to which we remit the Reader) running parallel with this Queens Reign, began, continued, and ended therewith.
• 4. Gregory (before his entrance into Religion Robert ) Sayer, bred in Cambridge, then leaving the University, fled beyond sea, where he became a Benedictine Monk, of the Congregation of S. Justin in Padua. He lived in several parts of Europe, as at Phemes, Rome, Montcasie, Venice, where he died, and was buried the 30. of Octob. having written many Volumes in great esteem with men of his Profession.
• 5. William Harris, as Obscure among Protestants, as Eminent with the Popish Party. A Master of Art of Lincoln College in Oxford: whence leaving the Land, he fled beyond-sea, living at Douay, and afterwards he came over into England, where it seems he had the Hap to escape the Queens Officers, and to die in his Bed. His Book called THE THEATRE OF THE MOST TRUE AND ANTIENT CHURCH OF ENGLAND, is highly accounted of Roman Catholics.

11. About this time the low Estate of the City of Geneva (the Nursery of the Reformed Religion) was lively represented to the Prelates, Clergy, and Welldisposed Persons of England, being for the Present in a very Dolefull condition. Long since it had been undone, but because it had so many Enemies to undo it: So that by God's providence, Out of the Devourer came Meat; such Neighbouring Princes and States, which were both Willing and Able to swallow up this Zoar, did preserve it. For rather than Savoy should suppress it, Venice, Florence, the Popish Cantons in Switzerland, and France itself, would support. But for all this politick Geometry, wherewith long it had hung safe betwixt several Competitours, it was, lately, shrewdly shaken by the Puissance of the Duke of Savoy, who, addicted to the Spanish Faction, had banished all Protestants out of his Domin • ons: Arch-bishop Whitgift (whose hand was ever open to any Pious Design) led with his liberal Example, and the rest cheerfully followed, so that large sums of money were seasonably made over for the Reliefe of Geneva.

12. Queen Elizabeth, the mirror of her Sex and Age, having above 40 years, to the Admiration of Envy it self, managed this Kingdom, finding when she began, few Friends that durst help, and leaving no Foes that could hurt her, exchanged her Earthly, for a Heavenly Crown; who, as she lived and died an unspotted Virgin, so her Maiden memory is likely, in this respect, to remain sole and single; seeing History affords no Prince to be marched to her Fame in all considerable Particulars. Her Corps were solemnly interred under a fair Tomb in Westminster; the lively Draught whereof, is pictured in most London, & many Country Churches, every Parish being proud of the shadow of her Tomb; and no wonder, when each Loyal Subject erected a mournful Monument for her in his heart. But soon after all English Souls were employed equally to divide themselves betwixt Exclamations of Sorrow for her Death, and Acclamations of Joy for K. James his succeeding her.

13. And now it is strange with what Assiduity and Diligence, the two Potent Parties, the Defenders of Episcopacy and Presbytery, with equal Hopes of Success, made (besides Private and Particular Addresses) Public and Visible Applications to King James, the first to continue, the later to restore, or rather set up their Government; So that whilst each Side was Jealous, his Rival should get the Start by early stirring, and rise first in the Kings favor. Such was their Vigilancy, that neither may seem to go to Bed: Incestantly diligent both before and since the Queens Death, in dispatching Posts and Messages into Scotland to advance their several Designes. We take notice of two principal, M. Lewis Pickering a Northampton shire Gentleman, and zealous for the Presbyterian Party, was the third Person of quality, who riding incredibly swift (good News makes good Horsemen) brought King James the Tydings of Queen Elizabeth's Death. But how far, and with what Answer he moved the King in that Cause, is uncertain. Doctor Thomas Nevill, Dean of Canterburte, came into Scotland some days after him, (except any will say, that he comes first, that comes really to effect what he was sent for) being solemnly employed by Arch bishop Whitgift to his Majesty in the name of the Bishops and Clergy of England, to tender their Bounden Duties, and to understand his Highness Pleasure for the ordering and guiding of Ecclesiastical Causes. He brought back a welcome Answer to such as sent him of his Highness purpose, which was to uphold, and maintain the Government of the late Queen, as she left it settled.

14. Soone after followed the Treason of William Watson on this occasion. This Watson, Secular Priest, had written a bitter Book against the Jesuits, as being one knowing (though not so secret of their faults, as their own Confessors, taxing them with truth so plain, they could not deny, so foul, they durst not confess it. Now such is the charity of Jesuits, that They never owe any man any ill will, making present payment thereof. These Holy Fathers (as Watson intimated on the Scaffold, at his Death, and forgave them for the same) cunningly and covertly drew him into this action, promoting him, who was ambitious, (though pretending to much Mortification) treasonably to practice his own preferment.

15. Watson, with William Clark another of his own profession) having fancied a notional Treason, imparted it to George Brooks, one angry with Nature, not so much for making him lame, as a younger Brother. These break it to ( Brook his Brother) the L. Cobham, to the Lord Gray of Whaddon, and Sir Walter Rawleigh, the one a known Protestant, the other a reputed Puritan, the third an able Statesman: Besides, some other Knights, displeased with their present Fortunes (how quickly is Discontent inflamed into Disloyalty! ) because, since the turning of the Wheel, at the Queens Death, on the wrong Side of Preferment. Watson devised an Oath of Secrecy for them all, which was no more than needful, considering their different Interests, rather pieced than united, patched than pieced together.

16. Had one lost his Religion, he might have found it (though I confess a Treason is but a bad place to seek it in) in this Conspiracy, wherein men of all persuasions were engaged. Their Parts were as different as their Opinions, some of them being conceived too wise to begin, and others too weak to finish so dangerous a Design. The ends they propounded to themselves, (as they were charged therewith) were to kill the King, raise Rebellion, alter Religion, at least gain a Toleration, and procure a foreign Invasion, with many more things which, may be spoken easier in a Minute, than done in an Age, especially their Interest being not much at home, and nothing abroad. They ante-divided all Offices of State betwixt themselves, Lord Marshall to one, Treasurer to another, Master of the Horse to a third, Secretary to a fourth, &c. only Sir Walter Rawleigh (able to discharge any) had no particular Office assigned unto him. Watson was to be Lord Chancellor, being very fit for the place, had he but as much skill to decide Causes, as write Quodlibets. There wanted nothing to estate them in all these Offices, but only their getting of them.

17. Wonder not that this Treason was discovered so soon, but covered so long. The two Priests alone, with G: Brook, were executed, who, to use the words of King James in his Letter to Sir Benjamin Tichbourne, Sheriff of Hantshire, (for the Plague being in London, Terme was removed to Winchester, where they were tried) Vaire the principal Plotteris and Intisaris of all the rest, to the embracing of the saidis treasonabil Machinations. The rest were pardoned their Lives, not their Lands. We must not forget that the Priests pleaded the silliest for themselves of all that were arraigned, alleging, that their Practice against the King could not be Treason, because done against him before he was crowned. Watson instancing in Saul, who was anointed in Ramah, and afterward made King in Mizpah. Clark insisted on Rehoboam, as being no King till the People had made him so. Not remembering (what our Lawyers there minded them of) the difference betwixt successive Kings, deriving their claim from their Ancestors, and one newly elected, the English Crown also being as incapable of an Inter-regnum, as Nature of a Vacuitie. Mean time, the Jesuits looked on, and laughed at Watson 's Execution, to see how bunglingly Secular Priests went about a Treason, resolving in the next platform thereof (which now they were contriving) to rectify the errors Watson had committed: not to engage in a squint-ey'd company (where two did not look the same way) but to select a competency of cordial Catholics for the purpose.

18. No sooner was King James settled on the English Throne, but Mr. Cartwright presented unto him his Latin Coment on Ecclesiastes, thankfully mentioning in his Dedication, how he had, some twenty years before been chosen to be Professor in a Scotch University, though declining the acceptance thereof, because of his Pastoral Charge, being then Minister to the English Congregation at Antwerp. Thanks, perchance, not so proper to the person of King James (though in Loyalty and good Manners, justly tendered unto him) as due, rather to those who in his minority steered the affairs of Scotland: Nor let any wonder that an English man should be proffered preferment in Scotland, seeing it was but one for another, remembering that I have read in the life of Mr. Knox, that he was offered an English Bishopric in the reign (as I take it) of K. Edw: the 6. and likewise refused the same.

19. But Mr Cartwright survived not long after (otherwise, no doubt, we should have heard of him in Hampton Court-Conference, as the Champion of his Party) who died at the age of sixty, on the 27. of December following. To what we have formerly largely writ of his Character, we now only add, that he was born in Hartford shire, and married the Sister of M. Stubbs, whose hand was struck off for writing an [interpreted] Libel against Queen Elizabeth's Marriage with Monsieur. This I dare boldly say, She was a most excellent Wife, if she proved like her Brother, whom Mr. Cambden (no great friend of Puritans) cordially commendeth for a right honest man, generally beloved whilst living, and lamented when dead. He was afflicted towards his old Age with many Infirmities, insomuch that he was forced continually to study upon his knees. My Ears shall be dear to the uncharitable inference of those, who impute this extraordinary painful posture as a just punishment upon him, in that he had so bitterly inveighed against the gesture of those as superstitious, who reverently received the Sacrament on their knees. M. Dod preached his Funeral Sermon.

20. And now, because there was a general expectation of a Parliament, suddenly to succeed the Presbyterian Party, that they might not be surprised, before they had their tackling about them, went about to get hands of the Ministers to a Petition, which they intended seasonably to present to the K. and Parl M. Arthur Hildersham, and M. Stephen Egerton, with some others, were chosen, and chiefly entrusted to manage this important business. This was called The millenary Petition, as, One of a thousand, though in indeed there were but seven hundred and fifty Preachers hands set thereunto: But those all collected only out of five and twenty Counties. However, for the more rotundity of the number, and grace of the matter, it passeth for a full thousand; which, no doubt, the Collectours of the names (if so pleased) might easily have completed. I dare not guess what made them desist before their number was finished; whether they thought that these were enough to do the deed, and moe, were rather for ostentation than use; or, because disheartened by the intervening of the Hampton-Court Conference, they thought, that these were even too many to petition for a Denial. It is left as yet uncertain, whether this Conference was by the Kings favor graciously tendered, or by the mediation of the Lord's of his Counsel powerfully procured; or by the Bishops, as confident of their cause, voluntarily proffered; or by the Ministers importunity effectually obtained. Each Opinion pretends to Probability, but the last most likely. And, by what means soever this Conference was compassed, Hampton-Court was the Place, the 14 of January the Time, and the following Names the Persons which were employed therein.

To omit all gratulatory Preambles, as necessary, when spoken, as needless, if now repeated, we will present only the Substance of this Days Conference, his Majesty thus beginning it.

Herein I am happier than they, because they were fain to alter all things

On Monday January the 16. they all met in the same place, with all the Deans and Doctors above mentioned; ( Patrick Galloway, Minister of Perth in Scotland, admitted also to be there) And hopeful Prince Henry sat on a stool by his Father.

The King made a pithy Speech to the same purpose which he made the first day, differing only in the conclusion thereof, being an address to the four Opposers of Conformity, there present, whom he understood the most grave, learned, and modest of the aggrieved sort, professing himself ready to hear at large what they could object, and willed them to begin.

This motion found an unanimous consent.

In proof hereof, he produced a Letter of an ancient honorable Counselor, An. 1584. verifying this usage to two Minsters in Cambridge shire.

Whereat He rose up to depart into an inner Chamber.

Thus ended the three days Conference, wherein how discreetly the King carried himself, Posterity (out of the reach of Flattery is the most competent Judge, such matters being, most truly discerned at distance. It is generally said, that herein he went above himself; that the Bishop of London appeared even with himself; and Dr. Reinolds fell much beneath himself. Others observed that Archbishop Whitgift spake most gravely; Bancroft (when out of passion) most politically; Bilson, most learnedly. And of the Divines, Mr. Reynolds most largely; Knewstubs most affectionately; Chaderton most sparingly. In this Scene, only Dr. Sparks was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 making use of his hearing, not speech, converted (it seems) to the truth of what was spoken, and soon after setting forth a Treatise of Unity and Uniformity.

But the Nonconformists complained, that the King sent for their Divines, not to have their Scruples satisfied, but his Pleasure propounded; not that he might know, what they could say, but they, what he would do in the matter. Besides, no wonder if Dr. Reynolds a little lost himself, whose eyes were partly dazzled with the light of the Kings Majesty, partly daunted with the heat of his displeasure. Others complain, that this Conference is partially set forth only by Dr. Barlow, Dean of Chester, their professed Adversary, to the great disadvantage of their Divines. And when the Israelites go down to the Philistines, to whet all their Iron Tooles, no wonder if they set a sharp edge on their own, and a blunt one on their Enemies weapons.

This Conference produced some alterations in the Liturgy, Womens baptising of Infants, formerly frequent, hereafter forbidden; in the Rubric of Absolution, Remission of Sins inserted, Confirmation termed also an Examination of Children; and some words altered in the Dominicall Gospels, with a resolution for a new Translation of the Bible. But whereas it was hitherto disputable, whether the North, where he long lived, or the South, whither he lately came, should prevail most, on the Kings judgment, in Church-government; this doubt was now clearly decided. Hence forward many cripples in conformity, were cured of their former halting therein, and such, who knew not their own, till they knew the Kings mind in this matter, for the future, quietly digested the Ceremonies of the Church.

We have formerly made mention of the Millemanus Petition for Reformation, which about this time was solemnly presented to His Majesty, and which here we have truly exemplified;

25. This calm, and still, but deep Petition, being (as is aforesaid) presented to the King, it was given out that his Majesty lent it a favorable ear; that some great ones about him gave it a consenting entertainment; that some potent strangers (I understand of the Scottish nation) had undertaken the conduct, and managing thereof. Whether indeed it was so, God knows, or, whether these things were made to make the people, the Van pretending a victory, that the Rear might follow the more comfortably. Sure it is, this Petition ran the Gantlop throughout all the Prelatical party, everyone giving it a lash, some with their Pens, moe with their Tongues: and the dumb Ministers (as they term them) found their speech most vocal against it. The Universities (and justly) found themselves much agrieved, that the Petitioners should proportion a seventh part only out of an impropriation in a Lay-man's fee; whilst those belonging to Colleges and Cathedrals, should be demised to the Vicars at the old rent, without fine, without improvement. Whereas Scholars being children of the Prophets, counted themselves most proper for Church-revenues; and this motion, if effected, would cut off more than the nipples of the breasts of both Universities, in point of maintenance.

26. Cambridge therefore began, and passed a Grace in their Congregation, that whosoever in their University, should by Word or Writing, oppose the received Doctrine, and Discipline of England, or any part thereof; should • ipso facto, be suspended from their former, & excluded from all future degrees. Oxford followed, recompensing the slowness of her pace, with the firmness of her footing, making a strong and sharp confutation of the Petition. But indeed King James made the most real refutation thereof, not resenting it (whatsoever is pretended) according to the desires and hopes (not to say the reports) of such who presented it. And after his Majesty had discountenanced it, some hot-spurs of the opposite party began to maintain (many copies thereof being scattered into vulgar hands) that now the property thereof was altered from a Petition into a Libel. And such papers desamatory of the present Government, punishable by the Statute, Prime Elizabethae.

Under favor, I conceive this Petition, by us lately exemplified, the proper Millenary Petition. Otherwise I observe, that Millenary Petition is, vox aequivoca, and attributed to all Petitions, with numerous and indefinite subscriptions, which were started this year concerning Church-Reformation. Many there were of this kind, moving for more, or less alteration, as the promoters of them stood affected. For all men's desires will then be of the same size, when their bodies shall be of the same stature. Of these, one, most remarkable, required a subscription in manner as followeth,

Two things are remarkable therein. First, that this was no present Petition, but a preparative thereunto, which in due time might have proved one, if meeting with proportionable encouragement. Secondly, that it went farther than the former, as not being for the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but for the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Not for the paring, pruning, and purging, but for the extirpating and abolishing of Bishops, and conforming Church-government to foreign Presbytery. Whether the Subscribers to this Petition, were, for the main, a recruit of new persons, or a resumption of those who under-writ the former, I dare not define. Probably many, sensible that before they were Petition-bound, enlarged themselves now in their additional desires. For, such who ask no more than what they would have, commonly receive less than what they ask; seeing Petitions of this nature are seldom granted in full latitude, without some aba • ement. They allowed therefore some over-measure in their requests, that the surplusage being defalked, the remainder might, in some manner, give them satisfaction.

Sure I am, the Prelatical party complained, that, to swell a number, the nonconformists did not choose, but scrape Subscribers; not to speak of the ubiquitarinesse of some hands, the same being always present at all Petitions. Indeed to the first, only Ministers were admitted, but to the latter brood of Petitions, no hand, which had five fingers, was refused. Insomuch, that Master George (since Lord ) Goring, who then knew little, and cared less for Church-government (as unable to govern himself) being then (fifty years since) rather a Youth than a Man; a Boy, than a Youth; set his hand thereunto ( in the right, I believe of his Mother, a good Lady, much addicted to that party) and King James would in merriment make sport with him, to know, what reasons moved him at that age, to this Subscription. But enough of these Petitioners. Perchance we shall hear more of them the next Parliament.

SECTION II.

TO MATTHEW GILLYE Esq.

SOlomon saith, And there is a Friend that is nearer than a Brother. Now, though I have read many Writers on the Text, your practice is the best Comment; which hath most truly Expounded it unto me. Accept this therefore as the Return of the Thanks of your respectful Friend.

CAuselesse jealousies attend old age, as appears by Arch-bishop Whitgift, who ended his Life, according to his own desire, that he might not live to see the Parliament; being more scared than hurt, as fearing some strange opposition therein, & an assault of Un-conformists on Church-Discipline, fiercer than his age▪ feebled body should be able to resist. Born he was of ancient Parentage at great Grimsby in Lincoln shire, bred in Cambridge, admitted in Queens College, removed Scholar to Pembroke Hall (where Mr. Bradford was his Tutor) translated Fellow to Peter-house, returned Master to Pembroke, thence advanced Master of Trinity College, successively Parson of Teversham, Prebend of Eli, Dean of Lincoln, Bishop of Worcester, where the Queen forgave him his first fruits, a rare gift for her, who was so good an Huswife of Her Revenues. Yea, she constantly called him, Her little black Husband: which favor nothing elated his gravity, carrying himself as one unconcerned in all worldly honor. He survived the Queen not a full year, getting his bane by going in a cold morning by Barge to Fulham, there to consult with the Bishops about managing their matters in the ensuing Parliament. And no wonder if those few sparks of natural heat, were quickly quenched witha small cold in him, who was then above seventy two years of age. He died of the Palsy, one of the worthiest men that ever the English Hierarchy did enjoy.

2. But a modern writer in his voluminous book against the practices of English Prelates, bitterly inveigheth against him whom be termeth, A Pontifical (meaneth he Paganish, or Popish?) Bishop, and chargeth him with many misdemeanors. Give me leave a little without bitterness, both to pass my censure on his book, and make this Archbishop his just defense, against his calumniation. First in general, behold the complexion of his whole book, and it is black and swarthie in the uncharitable Subject and Title thereof. An Historical collection of the several execrable Treasons, Conspiracies, Rebellions, Seditions, State-schisms, Contumacies, Anti-monarchical Practices, and oppressions of English Prelates &c. Thus he weeds men's lives, and makes use only to their disgrace, of their infirmities, mean time suppressing many eminent actions, which his own conscience knows were performed by them. What a monster might be made out of the best beauties in the World, if a Limmer should leave what is lovely, and only collect into one Picture, what he findeth amiss in them? I know there be white Teeth in the blackest Black-moore, and a black Bill in the whitest Swan. Worst men have something to be commended, best men something in them to be condemned. Only to insist on men's faults, to render them odious, is no ingenious employment. God, we know, so useth his fan, that he keepth the Corn, but driveth away the Chaff. But who is he that winnoweth so, as to throw away the good grain, and retain the Chaff only?

3. Besides it containeth untruths, or at the best uncertainties, which he venteth with assurance to posterity. For instance speaking of Walter Tyrrill, the French Knight, casually killing King William Rufus in new Forest, with an arrow glancing from a tree, he saith, that in all likelihood, Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury (our Whitgifts predecessor) with fore-plotted treason, hired Tyrill to murder the King in this manner. Now to condemn the memory of so pious and learned a man as Anselm was (though I will not excuse him in all things) five hundred years after the fact pretended on his own single bare surmise, contrary to the constant current of all authors (no one whispering the least suspicion thereof) hath (I believe) but little of Law, and nothing of Gospel therein. Let the glancing of Tyrrels arrow mind men how they bend their bows to shoot arrows, even bitter words at the memory of the deceased, lest it rebound back (not as his did to hit a stander by, but) justly to wound him, who unjustly delivered it.

4. But to come to our reverend Whitgift. First, he chargeth him for troubling the Judges, with his Contestations about Prohibitions, endeavoring to enlarge his Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. This being the Accusation but of a Common Lawyer, and that in favor of his own Courts, I leave to some Doctor of the Civil or Canon Law, as most proper to make answer thereunto. Only, whereas he saith, that Whitgift did it to the prejudice of the Queens Prerogative, surely She knew her own Privileges so well (besides those of her Council to teach her) that she would never have so favourably reflected on him, if sensible (wise Princes having a tender touch in that point) that he any way went about to abridge her Royal Authority.

5. Secondly, he taxeth him for his extraordinary train, of above sixty men-servants, (though not so extravagant a number, if his person and place be considered) who were all trained up to martial affairs, and mustered almost every week, his stable being well furnished with store of great Horses. But was it a fault in those martial days, when the invasion of a Foreign Foe was daily suspected, to fit his Family for their own, and the Kingdoms defense? Did not Abraham, that heavenly Prophet, and holy Patriarch, arm his Trained Servants in his own house, in his victorious expedition against the King of Sodom? Yea, if Churchmen of an Anti-prelatical spirit, had not since tampered more dangerously with training of Servants, (though none of their own) both Learning and Religion had (perchance) looked, at this day, with a more cheerful countenance.

6. Whereas it intimates, that this Arch-bishop had been better employed in training up Scholars for the Pulpit, than Soldiers for the Field; know, that as the Latter was performed, the former was not quitted by him. Witness many worthy preachers bred under him in Trinity College, and more elsewhere relieved by him. Yea, his Bounty was too large to be confined within the narrow Seas; Beza, Drusius, and other foreign Protestant Divines, tasting freely thereof. Nor was his Liberality only a Cistern for the present age, but a running River from a fresh Fountain, to water Posterity in that School of Croydon, which he hath beautifully built, and bountifully endowed. More might be said in the vindication of this worthy Prelate, from his reproachful pen: But I purposely forbear; the rather, because it is possible, that the learned Gentleman since, upon a serious review of his own Work, and experimental Observation of the passages of this Age, may be more offended with his own writing herein, than others take just exception thereat.

7. Arch-bishop Whitgift was buried at Croydon, March 27. The Earl of Worcester, and Lord Zouch, his Pupills attending his Herse, and Bishop Babington (his Pupil also) made his Funeral Sermon, choosing for his Text 2 Chron. 24. 15, 16. and paralleling the Arch-bishops life with gracious Jehoida. Richard Bancroft, Bishop of London, brought up in Jesus College, succeeded him in the Arch-bishopric; whose actions, in our ensuing History, will sufficiently deliver his character without our description thereof.

8. Come we now to the Parliament assembled, & amongst the many Acts, which passed therein, none more beneficial for the Church than that, which made the King himself, and his Successors incapable of any Church-land to be conveyed unto them, otherwise than for three lives, or twenty one years. Indeed a Statute had formerly been made the thirteenth of Queen Eliz. which to prevent final Alicnation of Church-land, did disable all subjects from accepting them: But in that Statute a Liberty was left unto the Crown to receive the same. It was thought fit to allow to the Crown this favorable exception, as to the Patron general of the whole English Church; and it was but reason for the Sovereign, who originally gave all the Loafe to the Church, on occasion to resume a good Shiver thereof.

9. But he who shuts ninety nine gates of Thebes, and leaveth one open, shuts none in effect. Covetousness (shall I say, an apt Scholar to learn, or an able Master to teach, or both) quickly found out a way to invade the Lands of the Church, and evade the Penalty of the Law, which thus was contrived. Some Potent Courtier first covertly contracts with a Bishop (some whereof, though spiritual in Title, were too temporal in Truth, as more minding their Private Profit, than the Public good of the Church) to pass over such a proportion of Land to the Crown. This done, the said Courtier begs the Land of the Queen (even before her Highness had tasted thereof, or the lips of her Exchecquer ever touched the same) and so an Estate thereof is settled on him and his Heirs forever. And thus Covetousness came to her desired end, though forced to go a longer journey, and fain to fetch a farther compass about.

10. For instance, Doctor Coldwell, Doctor of Physique, and Bishop of Sarisbury, gave his Sea a very strong Purge, when he consented to the Alienation of Shi • bourn Manor from his Bishopric. Indeed, the good old man was shot between Wind and Water, and his consent was assaulted in a dangerous joincture of time to give any denial. For, after he was elected Bishop of Sarisbury, and after all his Church-preferments were disposed of to other persons, yet before his election was confirmed, past a possibility of a legal reversing thereof; Sir W. Rawleigh is importunate with him, to pass Sherborne to the Crown, and effected it, though indeed a good round rent was reserved to the Bishopric. Presently Sir Walter beggeth the same of the Queen, and obtained it. Much after the same manner Sir— Killegrew got the Manor of Crediton (a bough almost as big as all the rest of the Body) for the Church of Exeter, by the consent of Doctor Babington the Bishop thereof.

11. To prevent future wrong to the Church in that kind, it was now enacted, That the Crown it self, henceforward, should be incapable of any such Churchland to be conveyed unto it. Yet some were so bold as to conceive this Law void in the very making of it, and that all the obligation thereof, consisted (not in the strength of the Law) but only in the Kings and his Successors voluntary obedience thereunto. Accounting it injurious for any Prince in Parliament to tie his Successors, who neither can, nor will be concluded thereby, farther than it stands with their own convenience. However, it was to stand in force, till the same power should be pleased to rescind it. But others beheld this Law, not with a Politick, but Religious Eye, conceiving the King of Heaven, and the King of England, the Parties concerned therein, and accounting it Sacrilege for any to alienate what is given to God in his Church.

12. Thus was the King graciously pleased to bind himself for the liberty of the Church. He knew full well all Courtiers (and especially his own Country-men's) importunity in asking, and perhaps was privy to his own impotency in denying, and therefore, by this Statute, he eased himself of many troublesome Suitors. For hereafter no wise man would beg of the King, what was not in his power to grant, and what (if granted) could not legally be conveyed to any Petitioner. Thus his Majesty manifested his good will and affection to Religion; and, although this Law could not finally preserve Church-lands, to make them immortal, yet it prolonged their lives for many years together.

12. Passe we now into the Convocation, to see what was done there: But here the History thereof, as I may say, is shot betwixt the joints of the Armor; in the interval, after Whitgift 's death, and before Bancroft 's removal to Canterbury, so that I can find the Original thereof neither in the Office of the Vicar-general, nor in the Registry of London; not can I recover it, as yet, from the Office of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, where most probably it is to be had, the Jurisdiction belonging to them in the Vacancy.

13. Take this as the result thereof. A Book of Canons was compiled, not only being the sum of the Queens Articles, Orders of her Commissioners, Advertisements, Canons of 1571. and 1597. which were in use before, but also many more were added, the whole number amounting unto 141. Some wise and moderate men supposed so many Laws were too heavy a burden to be long borne, and that it had been enough for the Episcopal party to have triumphed, not insulted over their adversaries in so numerous impositions. However, an Explanation was made in one of the Canons, of the use of the Cross in Baptism, to prevent Scandal; and learned Thuanus in his History taketh an especial notice thereof.

14. Motion being made in this Convocation, about framing an Oath against Simony, to be taken by all, presented to Churchpreferment. Bishop Rudde of St. David's (as conscientious as any of his order, and free from that fault) opposed it; chiefly, because he thought it unequal, that the Patron should not be forced, as well as the Clerk, to take that Oath: Whereupon it was demanded of him, whether he would have the King to take that Oath when he presented a Bishop or Dean, and hereat the Bishop sat down in silence.

15. About this time the Corporation of Rippon in York-shire, presented their Petition to Queen Anne on this occasion. They had a fair Collegiate Church, stately for the structure thereof, (formerly erected by the Nobility and Gentry of the Vicenage) the means whereof, at the dissolution of Abbeys, were seized on by the King, so that small maintenance was left to the Minister of that populous Parish. Now, although Edwin Sands, Arch-bishop of York, with the Earl of Huntinton, Lord Burgley and Sheaffield, (successively Presidents of the North ) had recommended their Petition to Qu. Elizabeth, they obtained nothing but fair unperformed Promises: whereupon, now the Ripponeers humbly addressed themselves to Queen Anne, and hear her answer unto them.

16. Such need never fear success, who have so potent a person to solicit their suite, King James being forward of himself to advance Learning and Religion, and knowing Christ's precept, Let your Light shine before Men; knew also that Rippon was an advantageous place for the fixing thereof; As which by its commodious position in the North, there would reflect luster almost equally into England and Scotland. Whereupon he founded a Dean and Chapter of seven Prebends, allowing them two hundred forty seven pounds a year, out of his own Crown-land, for their maintenance.

17. I am informed, that, lately, the Lands of this Church, are, by mistake, twice sold to several Purchasers, viz. Once under the notion of Dean and Chapters Lands; and again, under the property of Kings Lands. I hope the Chap • men (when all is right stated betwixt them) will agree amongst themselves on their bargain. Mean time, Rippon Church may the better comport with poverty, because only remitted to its former condition.

18. The Family of Love (or Lust rather) at this time, presented a tedious Petition to King James, so that it is questionable, whether His Majesty ever graced it with his perusal, wherein they endeavored to clear themselves from some misrepresentations, and by fawning expression, to insinuate themselves into his Majesty's good opinion: Which here we present.

I find not what effect this their Petition produced; whether it was slighted, and the Petitioners looked upon as inconsiderable, or beheld as a few frantic folk out of their wits, which consideration alone often melted their Adversaries Anger into Pity unto them.

19. The main design driven on in the Petition is to separate themselves from the Puritans (as persons odious to King JAMES) that they might not fare the worse for their Vicinity unto them; though these Familists could not be so desirous to leave them as the others were glad to be left by them. For if their opinions were so senseless, and the lives of these Familists so sensual, as is reported, no purity at all belonged unto them.

20. Some take exceptions at their Prayer for King JAMES; willing him, and his, Peace, long life, all honor, and happiness, without mentioning of Life Eternal and the Blessings thereof, whilst others are so much of the Family of Charity to this Family of Love, as to excuse the omission as casual, or else extend happiness as comprehensive of the World to come. Others are more justly offended to see God and Dung joined together, God's Word and the words of H. Nicholas equally yeaked by them as infallible alike. They confess in this book some unusual words which are Dark and Doubtfull, which at this day is affected by many Sectarists (whilst Truth is plain and easy) amusing People with mystical expressions, which their Auditors understand not, and perchance not they themselves. So that as one saith very well of their high soaring pretended spiritual language, That it is a great deal too high for this world, and a great deal too low for the world to come.

21. I find one in his Confutation of this Petition inveighing against our Bishops: That they were friends unto Familism, and favored the Promoters thereof, adding moreover, That sew of the Prelatical way refuted them. Now though the best friends of Bishops, yea, and the Bishops themselves will confess they had too many faults; Yet I am confident this is a false and uncharitable aspersion upon them: No better is that when he saith, That divers of the Court of Queen Elizabeth, and some Nobles, were Familists; wherein I am sure Plenty of Instances hath put him to such a Penury that he cannot insist upon any one. But I am inclined the rather to Pardon his Error herein, because the Author reporting this, is a Forreigner then living in Scotland; And should I trear of the Character of the Court of King JAMES at Edinburgh at the same time, possibly my Pen at so great a distance might commit far worse mistakes.

22. Some will say, where are these Familists nowadays? are they utterly extinct, or are they lost in the heap of other Sects, or are they concealed under a new name? The last is most probable. This Family (which shut their Dores before) keeps open house now: Yea, Family is too narrow a name for them they are grown so numerous. Formerly by their own Confession in this Petition they had three Qualities, Few, Poor, and Unlearned; for the last Billa vera, their Lack of Learning they still retain, being otherwise many, and some rich, but all under the name of RANTERS, and thus I fairly leave them, on condition they will fairly leave me, that I may hear no more of them for delivering Truth and my own Conscience in what I have written concerning their Opinions.

23. I find no Protestant tears dropt on the grave of any eminent Divine this year, but we light on two Romanists dying beyond Sea, much lamented: one, Richard Hall, bred in Christ's College in Cambridge, whence he ran over to Rome, whence he returned into the Low Countries, and died Canon, and Official of the Cathedral of S. Omer: The other, Humphrey Eli, an Herefordshire man by birth, Fellow of St. John 's in Oxford, whence going beyond sea, at Rome he commenced Doctor of Law, and afterwards died Professor thereof in the University of Ponta Mousan. He is charactred to be, Juris peritus doctus, pauper, & pacificus; A Lawyer learned, poor, and peaceable. And thus much my charity can easily believe of him: but the Distich (the Epitaph I take it on his Tomb) is damnable hyperbolical;

Or else the Poet lies who made the Verses. But his ashes shall not be disturbed by me.

24. The Romish Catholics, now utterly despairing, either by flattery to woo, or force to wrest, any free and public exercise of their Religion, some of them entered into a damnable, and devilish conspiracy, to blow up the Parliament-House with gun-powder. In this plot were engaged,

• 1. Robert Catesbie.
• 2. Thomas Percie.
• 3. Sir Everard Dighie.
• 4. Francis Tresham.
• 5. Robert Winter.
• 6. Thomas Winter.
• 7. John Wright.
• 8. Christopher Wright.
• 9. Ambrose Rookwood.
• 10. Robert Keys.
• 11. John Grant.
• 12. Thomas Bates, Catesbie's man.
• 13. Guido Faux.

Twelve, besides their Foreman, but, how honest and true, let their ensuing action declare. Surely all of resolute spirits, most of ancient families, some of plentiful fortunes, and Percie, though weak in purse himself, pretended to command the wealthiest coffers of another.

25. But, a treason without a Jesuit, or one of Jesuited principles therein, is like a dry wall, without either lime, or mortar: Gerard must be the cement, with the Sacrament of Secrecie, to join them together: Garnet and Tismond (whelps of the same litter) commended, and encouraged the design. But here an important scruple was injected, How to part their friends, from their foes in the Parliament, they having many in the House, of alliance, yea, of the same (in conscience a nearer kindred) Religion with themselves. To slay the righteous with the wicked, be it far from God, and all good men. And yet, as such an impartial destruction, was uncharitable: so an exact Separation seemed as impossible. Here Garnes, instead of untying, cut this knot asunder, with this his sharp decision; That in such a case as this, it was lawful to kill friend, and foe together. Indeed, the good husbandman in the Gospel, permitted the tares to grow for the corn 's sake; whereas here, by the contrary counsel of the Jesuit, the corn (so they reputed it) was to be rooted up for the tares sake.

26. This scruple in conscience, thus satisfied by Garnet, two other difficulties in point of performance, presented themselves. For, CHARLES, Duke of York, probably (by reason of His minority) would not be present, and the Lady ELIZABETH would certainly be absent from the Parliament-House. How then should these two (the next Heirs to the Crown) be compassed within their power? But for the first, Percie, proffered his service, promising to possess himself, by a fraudulent force, of the person of the Duke. Catesbie undertook the other difficulty, under a pretended Hunting-match (advantaged thereunto by the vicinitie of Ashbie, to the Lord Harrington 's, where the Princesse had Her education) to train Her into their command. All rubs thus removed, their way was made as smooth as glass, and as slippery too, as by the sequel may appear.

27. But first be it remembered, that, though these plotters intended at last with honor to own the action, when success had made all things secure; yet they purposed, when the blow was first given, and whilst the act was certain, but the success thereof doubtful, to father the fact on the Puritans. They thought, their backs were broad enough, to bear both the sin, and shame; and, that this saddle, for the present, would finely fit their backs, whose discontent (as these plotters would pretend) unable otherwise to achieve their desired alteration in Church-Government, had, by this damnable treason, effected the same. By transferring the fact on the then most innocent Puritans; they hoped, not only to decline the odium of so hellish a design, but also (by the strangeness of the act, and unsuspectednesse of the actors) to amuze all men, and beget an universal distrust, that every man would grow jealous of himself. And, whilst such amazement tied, in a manner, all men's hands behind them, these plotters promised themselves the working out their own ends, part by their home-strength, and the rest by calling in the assistance of foreign Princes.

28. They fall a working in the Vault. Dark the place, in the depth of the earth; dark the time, in the dead of the night; dark the design, all the actors therein concealed by oath from others, and thereby combined amongst them selves. Oh! how easy is any work, when high merit is conceived the wages thereof? In piercing thorough the wall nine foot thick, they erroneously conceived, that they thereby hewed forth their own way to heaven. But they digged more with their silver in an hour, than with their iron in many days; namely, when discovering a Cellar hard by, they hired the same, and these Pioneers saved much of their pains by the advantage thereof. And now all things were carried so secretly, no possibility of any detection, seeing the actors themselves had solemnly sworn that they would not, and all others might as safely swear, they could not make any discovery thereof.

29. But, so it fell out, that the sitting of the Parliament was put off from time to time; namely, from the seventh of February (whereon it was first appointed to meet) it was adjourned till the fifth of October, and afterward from the fifth of October, put off till the fifth of November, and accordingly their working in the vault (which attended the motion of the Parliament) had several distinct intermissions, and resumptions thereof. As if Divine Providence had given warning to these Traitors (by the slow proceeding, and oft adjourning of the Parliament) mean time seriously to consider, what they went about; and seasonably to desist from so damnable a design, as suspicious, at last it would be ruined, which so long had been retarded. But, no taking off their wheels will stay those chariots from drowning, which God hath decreed shall be swallowed in the Red sea.

30. Behold! here is fire, and wood, but where is the Lamb for the burnt offering? Alas! a whole flock of lambs were not far off, all appointed to the slaughter. The King, Prince Henry, Peers, Bishops, Judges, Knights, and Burgesses, all designed to destruction. Let me smite him (said Abishat of Saul ) even at once, and I will not smite him the second time. So here, a blow, so sound, secret, and sudden, was intended it would not need iteration: once, and ever, the first act would finish all in an instant. But, thanks be to God, nothing was blown up but the Treason, or brought to execution but the Traitors.

31. Indeed, some few days before the fatal stroke should be given, Master Keys, being at Tichmersh in Northampton-shire, at the house of Master Gilbert Pickering, his Brother-in-law (but of a different Religion, as a true Protestant ) suddenly whipped out his sword, and in metriment made many offers therewith, at the heads, necks, and sides of many Gentlemen and Gentlewomen then in his company. This then was taken as a mere frolic, and for the present passed accordingly; but afterwards (when the Treason was discovered) such as remembered his gestures, thought thereby he did act, what he intended to do (if the plot had took effect) hack, and hew; kill, and slay all eminent persons, of a different Religion from themselves.

32. Curse not the King, no not in thy thought—for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, As here such a discovery was made: with a Pen (fetched from the feather of a foul) a Letter was written to the Lord Mounteagle, in manner following:

A strange Letter, from a strange hand, by a strange Messenger: without date to it, name at it, and (I had almost said) sense in it. A Letter, which, even when it was opened, was still sealed, such the affected obscurity therein.

33. The Lord Mounteagle, as loyalty advised him, communicates the Letter to the Earl of Salisbury, he to the KING. His Majesty, on the second perusal, expounded the mystical Blow meant therein must be by Gun-powder, and gives order for searching the Rooms under the Parliament House, under pretence to look for lost Hangings, which were conveyed away. The first search about evening, discovered nothing but Percy 's Cellar, full of Wood, and Johnson his man (under that name was Faux disguised) attending therein. However the name of Percy, and sight of Faux so quickened the jealousy of the Lord Mounteagle, that this first slight Search led to a second scrutiny, more strictly, and secretly performed.

34. This was made at midnight by Sir Thomas Knevet, Gentleman of His Majesty's Privy Chamber, and others, into the Vault under the Parliament House. There the mystery of iniquity was quickly discovered; a Pile of Fewell, faced over with Billets, lined under with thirty six Barrels of Powder, besides Iron bars, to make the force of the fire more effectual. Guido Faux was apprehended in the outward Room, with a Dark Lantern in his hand (the lively emblem of their design, whose dark side was turned to man, whiles the light part was exposed to God) and three Matches, ready to give fire to the Train. This Caitiffe professed himself only grieved, that he was not in the inner room, to blow himself, and them, all up together: affirming moreover, that, not God, but the Devil made the discovery of the Plot.

35. Mean time, Catesbie, Percy, Rookwood, both the Wrights, and Thomas Winter, were hovering about London, to attend the issue of the matter. Having sat so long abrood, and hatching nothing, they began to suspect, all their eggs had proved addle. Yet betwixt hope, and fear, they and their Servants post down into the Country, thorough Warwick, and Worcester, into Stafford shire. Of Traitors they turn Felons, breaking up Stables, and stealing Horses as they went. But many of their own men (by a far more lawful felony) stole away from their Masters, leaving them to shift for themselves. The neighbouring Counties, and their own consciences, rise up against these riotous Roisters, as yet unknown for Traitors. At last Sir Richard Walsh, High Sheriff of Worcestershire, overtook them at Holbeck in Stafford shire at the house of Mr. Stephen Littleton; where, upon their resistance, the two Wrights were killed; Rookwood, and Thomas Winter shrewdly wounded.

36. As for Percy, and Catesbie, they fought desperately for their lives (as knowing, no quarter, but quartering, would be given unto them) and, as if they scorned to turn their backs to any but themselves, setting back to back, they fought against all that assaulted them. Many swords were drawn upon them, but gunpowder must do the deed, which discharged that bullet, which dispatched them both. Never were two bad men's deaths more generally lamented of all good men; only on this account, that they lived no longer, to be forced to a farther discovery of their secret Associates.

37. It must not be forgotten, how some hours before their apprehension, as these Plotters were drying dank gun-powder in an Jane, a Miller casually coming in (haply not heeding the black meal on the hearth) by careless casting on of a billet, fired the gun-powder: Up flies the Chimney, with part of the house: all therein are frighted, most hurt, but especially Catesbie and Rookwood had their faces soundly scorched; so bearing in their bodies, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the marks of our Lord Jesus Christ, but the print of their own impieties. Well might they guess, how good that their cup of cruelty was, whose dregs they meant others should drink, by this little sip, which they themselves had unwillingly tasted thereof.

38. The rest were all at London solemnly arraigned, convicted, condemned. So foul the fact, so fair the proof, they could say nothing for themselves. Master Tresham dying in the prison, prevented a more ignominious end.

• 1. Sir Everard Digbie, Robert Winter, Grant, and Bates, were hanged, drawn, and quartered, at the West end of S. Paul 's. Three of them, but especially Sir Everard Digbie, died very penitently, and devoutly; only Grant expressed most obstinacy at his end.
• 2. Thomas Winter, Ambrose Rookwood, Keies, and Faux were executed, as the former, in the Parliament-yard in Westminster, Keies followed Grant in his obstinacy; and Faux shown more penitency than all the rest.
• 3. Garnet, Provincial of the English Jesuits, was arraigned some weeks after, by four several names, and executed on the Saturday, which, he said, was called Institutio crucis; of whom largely in the next year.

They all craved testimony, that they died Roman Catholics; my pen shall grant them this their last, and so equal petition, and bears witness to all whom it may concern, That they lived, and died in the Romish Religion. And although the heinousness of their offense, might, with some color of justice, have angered severity into cruelty against them; yet so favourably were they proceeded with, that most of their Sons, or Heirs (except since disinherited by their own prodigality) at this day enjoy their Paternall possessions.

39. Heaven having thus defeated Hell of its desired success, Earth since hath endeavored to defraud Heaven of its deserved praise. A posthume report is brought forth into the world (nursed, as it is fit, by the mothers thereof) that King JAMES was privy to this Plot all along; and, that His observing ran parallel with the Traitors, acting therein, so that He could discover it, when He pleased, but was not pleased to discover it, until the Eve of the fifth of November, A fancy inconsistent with that ordinary piety, which all charitable men must allow King JAMES as a Christian; and with that extraordinary policy, which His adversaries admire in Him as a Statesman. Was it probable, that He would tempt God so profanely, as solemnly to thank him, for revealing that to Him, which he knew before? Would King JAMES his wisdom, not to say, His wariness, not to say, His fearfulness, dally so long with destruction, as to put it off to the last hour, when, Uno actu, tactu; ictu, nictu, all might have been confounded? Was it not hard for Him to equivocate before such a Master of equivocation, as Garnet the Jesuit was? who, certainly, if he had smelt any juggling of King JAMES therein; would, no doubt, have proclaimed it to all the world at his execution. I deny not, but, that the King, both by intelligence from foreign parts, and secret information from those secular Priests, that Bishop Bancroft secretly kept in his house, was advertised in general of some great Plot which the Jesuited Papists were hatching against the ensuing Parliament: but, for the particulars, that rid'ling Letter brought Him the first notice thereof, whatsoever is fancied to the contrary. But, if wild conjectures in such cases from obscure Authors, shall be permitted to justle for credit against received Records, all former unquestionable history, will be quickly reduced to an universal uncertainty. But there is a generation of people, who, to inhanse the reputation of their knowledge, seem not only, like moths, to have lurked under the carpets of the Counsel Table; but, even like fleas, to have leaped into the pillows of Princes bed-chambers, thence deriving their private knowledge of all things, which were, or were not ever done, or thought of. In defiance of whom I add, Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, and unto God the things that are God's. Let King JAMES by reading the Letter, have the credit of discovering this Plot to the world, and GOD the glory for discovering it unto King JAMES.

40. A learned Author, making mention of this Treason, breaketh forth into the following rapture:

A wish, which, in my opinion, hath more of Poetry, than of piety therein, and from which, I must be forced to dissent. For, I conceive not the credit of our Country-men concerned in this Plot; not beholding this as a national act, whose actors were but a party of a party, a desperate handful of discontented persons of the Papistical faction. May the day indeed be ever forgotten, as to the point of imitation, but be ever remembered to the detestation thereof. May it be solemnly transmitted to all posterity, that they may know, how bad man can be to destroy, and how good God hath been to deliver. That especially we English-men may take notice, how woeful we might have been, how happy we are, and how thankful we ought to be. In order whereunto the Parliament (first moved therein by Sir Edward Montague, afterward Baron of Boughton ) enacted an annual, and constant memorial of that day to be observed.

41. Certainly, if this Plot had took effect, the Papists would have celebrated this day with all solemnity, and it should have taken the upper hand of all other Festivalls. The more therefore the shame, and pity, that amongst Protestants, the keeping of this day (not as yet full fifty years old) begins already to wax weak, and decay. So that the red letters, wherein it is written, seem daily to grow dimmer, and paler in our English Calendar. God forbid, that our thankfulness for this great deliverance, formerly so solemnly observed, should hereafter be like the squibs, which the Apprentices in London make on this day; and which give a great flash, and crack at the first, but soon after go out in a stink.

42. Matthew Hutton Archbishop of York ended his religious life, descended from an ancient Family of Hutton Haell (as I take it, in Lancashire ) Fellow of Trinity College in Cambridge (to the enlarging whereof he gave an hundred marks ) afterwards Master of Pembroke Hall, and Margaret Professor, then Bishop of Durham, and Archbishop of York. One of the last times that ever he preached in his Cathedral was on this occasion: The Catholics in Yorkshire were commanded by the Queens Authority to be present at three Sermons, and at the two first behaved themselves so obstreperously, that some of them were forced to be gagged, before they would be quiet. The Archbishop preached the last Sermon most gravely and solidly, taking for his Text, Joh. 8. 47. He that is of God heareth God's words, ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

43. Here I must clear the memory of this worthy Prelate, from a mistake committed, surely not willfully, but through false intelligence, by a pen, otherwise more ingenuous, and professing respect to him, and some familiarity with him.

This worthy Prelate had but three Sons,

• 1. Mark, who died young,
• 2. Sir Timothy Hutton, Knighted Anno 1605. and Sheriff of Yorkshire.
• 3. Sir Thomas Hutton, Knight, who lived and died also respected in his own Country.

As for this Luke Hutton, he was not his, but Son to Doctor Hutton, Prebendarie of Durham.

This Archbishop was a learned man, excepted even by a Jesuit, (who wrote in disgrace of the English, as neglecting the reading of Fathers ) and another Matthew more, qui unus in paucis versare Patres dicitur. He founded an Hospital in the North, and endowed it with the yearly revenue of thirty five pounds.

44. Two other Bishops this year also ended their lives: In March, John Young Doctor in Divinity, once Master of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge, Bishop of Rochester, in which See he sat above twenty seven years. And Anthony Watson, Fellow of Christ's College in Cambridge, first Dean of Bristol, and afterwards Bishop of Chichester, whom Queen Elizabeth made Her Almoner, namely after Bishop Fletcher, at whose indiscr • et second marriage the Queen took distaste. Bishop Watson died in September, and always led a single life.

45. Father Henry Garnet was now most solemnly, and ceremoniously brought to the scaffold: who, because he is cried up by the Papists for so precious a piece of piety, we will be the larger in the delivery of his true character. For, although we will not cast dirt on the foulest face, it is fit we should wash off the paint of counterfeit holiness from the hypocritical pretenders thereunto. Bred he was in Winchester School, where, with some other Scholars, he conspired to cut off his School-Masters, Bilson 's right hand (early his enmity against Authority retrenching his riot) but that his design was discovered. Being Prepositour of the School (whose frown, or favor was considerable to those under his inspection) he sodomitically abused five , or six, of the handsomest youths therein. Hereupon his School-Master advised him, yea, he advised himself, rather silently to slink away, than to stand Candidate for a repulse in his preferment to New College. Over he fled to Rome, where, after some years, he so improved himself, that, from a Prepositour over boys, he was made Provincial over men, even the whole Order of English Jesuits.

46. Hence he returned into England, and was not only privy to, but a principal plotter of the Gunpowder-Treason. Being attached, and imprisoned in the Tower, the Earl of Sarisbury, and Doctor Overall, Dean of S. Paul 's, with other Divines, repaired unto him, charging it on his conscience, for not revealing so dangerous a conspiracy; Garnet pleaded for himself, that it was concredited unto him under the solemn seal of Confession; the violation whereof he accounted the highest impiety. This they disproved, because he had disccursed thereof frequently, and publicly, with Catesbie, Gerard, and Greenwood, circumstances inconsistent with the essential secrecy of Confession. Garnet sought to salve himself with a fine distinction (so fine that it brake to pieces in the spinning) that it was told him in viâ ad confessionem, in order to confession; which, though wanting some formalities thereof, did equally oblige his conscience to conceal it.

47. Dean Overall rejoined, that Confession was of antefacts, not postfacts; and, that it is not confession, but • enacing to impart to a Priest intended villainies. He farther urged, that their most conscientious Casuists allowed, yea, enjoined Priests discovery in such case, when a greater good accrued by revealing, than concealing such secrecies. I was minded (quoth Garnet) to discover the plot, but not the persons therein.

48. Here the Earl of Sarisbury interposed; and, who said he) hindered you from discovering the Plot? Even you yourself (answered Garnet) for I knew full well, should I have revealed the Plot, and not the Plotters, you would have racked this poor body of mine to pieces, to make we confess. And now we have mentioned the rack, Know, that never any rack was used on Garnet, except a wit-rack, wherewith he was worsted, and this cunning archer outshot in his own bow. For being in prison with Father Oldcorne, alias Hall, his Confessor, they were put into an equivocating room, (as I may term it) which pretended nothing but privacie, yet had a reservation of some invisible persons within it, ear-witnesses to all the passages be twixt them, whereby many secrecies of Garnet 's were discovered.

49. In Guild hall he was arraigned before the Lord Major, and the Lord's of the Privy Council, Sir Baptist Hicks (afterwards Viscount Camden ) being foreman of the Jury, consisting of Knights, Esquires, and the most substantial Citizens, whose integrities and abilities were above exception. I see therefore no cause why the defender of Garnet, after his death accuseth those men as incompetent, or improper for their place, as if he would have had him tried per pares by a Jury of Jesuits (and, would he have them all Provincials too?) which I believe, though summoned, would unwillingly have appeared in that place. Garnet, pleading little against pregnant proofs, was condemned, and some days after publicly executed in S. Paul 's Church-yard.

50. The Secretary of the Spanish Ambassador (for we charitably believe his Master honester, and wiser) writing into Spain, and Italy, what here he took upon hear-say, filled foreign Countries with many falsehoods concerning Garnet 's death, as namely,

Thus suffered Father Garnet, after whose death some subtle persons have impudently broached, and other silly people senselessly believed a certain miracle of his working, which we here relate as we find it reported:

51. John Wilkinson, a thorough-paced Catholic, living at S. Omers, posted over into England, as having a great desire to get, and keep some of Garnet 's relics. Great was his diligence in coming early before others to the place of his execution (which advantaged him near to Garnet 's person) and greater his patience in staying till all was ended, and the rest of the people departed. When, behold a straw be sprinkled with some drops of his blood (and having an ear of corn at the end thereof) leaped up on this Wilkinson, not taking the rise of its leap from the ground, he was sure, but whether from the scaffold, or from the basket wherein Garnet 's head was, he was uncertain: Was not this Wilkinson made of Jeat, that he drew this straw so wonderfully unto him? Well, however it came to pass, joyfully he departs with this treasure, and deposits the same with the Wife of Hugh Griffith, a Tailor (a Zealot of his own Religion) who provided a Crystal Case for the more chairie keeping thereof.

52. Some weeks after, upon serious inspection of this straw, the face of a man (and we must believe it was Garnet 's) was perceived therein, appearing on the outside of a leaf (which covered a grain within it) and where the convexitie thereof represented the prominencie of the face, with good advantage. Wilkinson, Hugh Griffith, and his wife, Thomas Laithwaith, and others beheld the same, though there be some difference in their depositions, whose eyes had the first happiness to discover this portraicture. Soon after, all England was belittered with the news of this straw, and Catholics cried it up for no less than a miracle.

53. There are two infallible touch-stones of a true miracle, which always is done 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 presently, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 perfectly. Neither of these on examination appeared here. For, when this straw salient leaped first up into Wilkinson 's lap, it is to be presumed, that he (having it so long in his possession) critically surveyed the same, the volume whereof might quickly be perused: and yet then no such effigiation was therein discovered, which some nineteen weeks after became visible, about the nineteenth of September following. Surely had this pregnant straw gone out its full time of forty weeks, it would have been delivered of a perfect picture indeed, whereas now miscarrying before that time, wonder not if all things were not so complete therein.

54. For the face therein was not so exact, as which might justly entitle heaven to the workmanship thereof. Say not it was done in too small a scantling to be accurate, for Deus est maximus in minimis, God's exquisitenesse appears the most in modells. Whereas when Witnesses were examined about this mock-miracle before the Archbishop of Canterbury, Francis Bowen deposed, that he believed that a good Artisan might have drawn one more curiously, and Hugh Griffith himself attested, that it was no more like Garnet, than to any other man who had a beard; and that it was so small, none could affirm it to resemble him; adding moreover, that there was no glory, or streaming rays about it, which some did impudently report.

55. However, this inspirited straw was afterward copied out, and at Rome printed in pomp, with many superstitious copartments about it (as a coronet, a cross, and nails) more than ever were in the original. Yea, this miracle (how silly, and simple soever) gave the ground-work to Garnet 's beatification by the Pope some months after. Indeed Garnet complained before his death, That he could not expect that the Church should own him for a Martyr, and signified the same in his Letter to his dear Mistress Anne (but for her surname call her Garnet, or Vaux, as you please) because nothing of religion, and only practices against the State were laid to his charge. It seemed good therefore to his Holiness, not to canonize