Church History of Britain

SECTION IV.

KING JAMES took into His Princely care the seasonable suppression of the dangerous Doctrines of Conradus Vorstius. This Doctor, had lived about 15 years a Minister at Steinford, within the Territories of the Counts of TECKLENBOURG, BENTHEM, &c. the Counts whereof, (to observe by the way) were the first in Germany, not in dignity or Dominion, but in casting off the Yoke of Papacie, and ever since continuing Protestants. This Vorstius had both written and received several Letters from certain Samosetenian Heretics, in Poland, or thereabouts; and it happened that he had handled Pitch so long, that at last it stuck to his Fingers, and became infected therewith. Hereupon, he set forth two Books, the one entit'led, TRACTATUS THEOLOGICUS DE DEO, dedicated to the Land-Grave of Hessen; the other, EXEGESIS APOLOGETICA, printed in this year, and dedicated to the States; both of them facred with many dangerous Positions concerning the Deity. For whereas it hath been the labor of the Pious and Learned in all Ages to mount Man to God, (as much a smight be) by a Sacred adoration, (which the more humble, the more high) of the Divine Incomprehensiblenesse, this Wretch did Seek to Stoop GOD to Man, by debasing his Purity, assigning him a material Body, confining his Immensity, as not being everywhere, shaking his Immutability, as if his will were subject to change, darkening his Omnisciency, as uncertain in future Contingents, with many more monstrous Opinions, fitter to be remanded to Hell, than committed to writing. Notwithstanding all this, the said Vorstius was chosen, by the Curators of the University of Leyden, to be their Public Divinity-Professor, in the Place of Arminius lately deceased: and, to that end, his Excellency, and the States General, by their Letters sent, and sued to the Count of TECKLENBOURG, and obtained of him, that Vorstius should come from Steinford, and become Public-Professor in Leyden.

2. It happened that His Majesty of Great Britain, being this Autumn in His hunting-Progress, did light upon and perused the aforesaid Books of Vorstius. And whereas too many do but Sport in their most serious Employment. He was so serious amidst His Sports and Recreations, that with Sorrow, and Horrour, He observed the Dangerous Positions therein, determining speedily to oppose them, moved thereunto with these Principal Considerations: First, the Glory of God; seeing this ANTI-St. JOHN, (as His Majesty terms him) mounting up to the Heavens, belched forth such Blasphemies against the Divine ineffable Essence: and was not a King on Earth concerned, when the King of Heaven was dethroned from his Infiniteness, so far as it lay in the Power of the treacherous Positions of an Heretic? Secondly, charity to His next Neighbors, and Allies. And lastly, a just fear of the like Infection within His own Dominions, considering their Vicinity of Situation and Frequency of intercourse; many of the English Youth, travelling over to have their Education in Leyden. And indeed, as it hath been observed, that the Sin of Drunkenness, was first brought over into England out of the Low Countries, about the midst of the Reign of Queen ELIZABETH, (before which time, neither general Practice, nor legal punishment of that vice in this Kingdom) so we must Sadly confess, that since that time, in a Spiritual Sense, many English Souls have taken a cup too much of Belgic wine: Whereby their Heads have not only grown d • zie, in matters of less moment, but their whole Bodies stagger in the Fundamentals of their Religion.

3. Hereupon King JAMES presently dispatched a Letter to Sir Ralph Winwood, his Ambassador, resident with the States, willing and requiring him to let them understand how Infinitely he should be displeased, if such a Monster as Vorstius should receive any advancement in their Church. This was seconded with a large Letter of His Majesty's to the States, dated October the 6, to the same effect: But neither found that Success which the KING did earnestly desire, and might justly expect, considering the many Obligations of the Crown of England on the States: the Foundation of whose Common-wealth, (as the Ambassador told them) was first cemented with English blood. Several Reasons are assigned of their nonconcurrence with the KING's motion. The Curators of Leyden -University conceived it a disparagement to their Judgments, if so near at hand, they could not so well examine the Soundnesse of Vorstius his Doctrine, as a foreign Prince at such a distance; It would cast an aspersion of Levity and Inconstancy on the States, solemnly to invite a Stranger unto them, and then so soon recede from their Resolution; An Indignity would redound to the Count of Tecklenbourg, to slight that which so lately they had sued from him. The Opposition of Vorstius was endeavored by a male-contented Party amongst themselves, disaffected to the Actions of Authority; who distrusting their own strength, had secretly solicited His Majesty of Great Britain to appear on their Side, That as King JAMES his motion herein, proceeded rather from the Instance of others, than His own Inclination, so they gave out, that He began to grow remiss in the matter, careless of the Success thereof. That it would be injurious, yea, destructive to Vorstius and his Family, to be fetched from his own home, where he lived with a sufficient Salarie, (promised better Provisions from the Landgrave of Hessen to be Divinity Professor in his Dominions) now to thrust him out with his Wife and Children, lately settled at Leyden; That if Vorstius had formerly been faulty in unwarie, and offensive Expressions, he had since cleared himself in a new Declaration.

4. For, lately he set forth a Book, entitled, A Christian and modest Answer, which notwithstanding by many was condemned, as no Revocation, but a Repetition of his former Opinions, not less pernicious, but more plausible, with sophistical Qualifications. So that he was accused to aim, neither at the Satisfaction of the Learned, whom he had formerly offended; nor the Safety of the Ignorant, whom he might hereafter deceive, but merely his own Security, for the present. His grand Evasion was this, That what he had wrote before, was but probably propounded, not dogmatically delivered. But, alas! how many silly Souls might easily be infected, mistaking his slenting Problemes for downright Positions. In a word, he took not out any Venome, but put in more Honey into his Opinions, which the corruption of Mans Nature would swallow with more greediness. And how dangerous it is for wit-wanton Men, to dance with their nice Distinctions, on such Mystical Precipices, where Slips in jest may cause deadly Downfalls in earnest, the Roman Orator doth in part pronounce, Mala est & impia consuetudo, contra Deum disputandi, sive serio id fit, sive simulate.

5. Now King JAMES being as little Satisfied in Judgment with the Writings of Vorstius in his own Defense, as ill pleased, in Point of Honor, with the doings of the States, in return to His Request, gave Instructions to His Ambassador to make Public Protestation against their Proceedings; which Sir Ralph Wynwood, in Pursuance of his Masters Command, most solemnly performed. Nor did His Majesty's Zeal stop here, with Joash King of Israel, (smiting only but thrice, and then desisting) but after His Request, Letter, and Protestation had missed • heir Desired effect, He wrote in French, a Declaration against Vorstius. A Work well beseeming the DEFENDOR OF THE FAITH; by which Title (to use His Ambassadors Expression) He did more value Himself, than by the Style of KING OF GREAT BRITAIN. Once I intended to present the Reader with a Brief of His Majesty's Declaration, till deterred with this Consideration, that although great Masses of Lead, Tinne, and meaner Metals, may by the extraction of Chymists be epitomized and abridged into a Smaller quantity of Silver, yet what is altogether Gold already, cannot without extraordinary damage, be reduced into a Smaller Proportion. And seeing each word in His Majesty's Declaration is so pure and precious, that it cannot be lessened without loss, we remit the Reader to the same in His Majesty's Works; And so take our Leave of Verstius for the present, whose Books, by the KING's Command, were publicly burnt at St. Paul 's Cross in London, and in both Universities.

6. But leaving this Outlandish, let us come to our English Vorstius (though of far less Learning, of more Obstinacy, and dangerous Opinions) I mean that Arian, who this year suffered in Smithfield: His name Bartholomew Legate, native County Essex, person comely, complexion black, age about forty years: Of a bold spirit, confident carriage, fluent tongue, excellently skilled in the Scriptures; and well had it been for him, if he had known them less, or understood them better; whose ignorance abused the Word of God, therewith to oppose God the Word. His conversation (for ought I can learn to the contrary) very unblameable; And the poison of Heretical Doctrine is never more dangerous, than when served up in clean cups, and washed dishes.

7. King JAMES caused this Legate often to be brought to Him, and seriously dealt with him to endeavor His conversion. One time the KING had a design to surprise him into a Confession of Christ's Deity (as His Majesty afterwards declared to a right reverend Prelate) by asking him, Whether or no he did not daily pray to Jesus Christ? Which, had he acknowledged, the KING would infallibly have inserted, that Legate tacitly consented to Christ's Divinity, as a searcher of the hearts. But herein His Majesty failed of His expectation, Legate returning, That indeed he had prayed to Christ in the days of his ignorance, but not for these last seven years. Hereupon the KING in choler spurn'd at him with His foot; Away base Fellow (saith He) it shall never be said, that one stayeth in My presence, that hath never prayed to our Savior for seven years together.

8. Often was he covented before the Bishops in the Consistory of St. Paul's, where he persisted obstimate in his Opinions, flatly denying the Authority of that Court. And no wonder that he slighted the power of earthly Bishops, denying the Divinity of Him, Who is The Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. The dispatation against him, was principally managed by John King, Bishop of London, who gravelled and utterly confuted him with that place of Scripture, John 17. 5. And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. This Text, I say, was so seasonably alleged, so plainly expounded, so pathetically enforced by the eloquence, and gravity of that Bishop (qualities wherein, he excelled) that it gave marvelous satisfaction to a multitude of people there present, that it is conceived, it happily unproselyted some inclinable to his Opinions; though Legate himself remained pertinatious, both against the impressions of Arguments, and Scripture, daily multiplying his enormous Opinions. It is the happiness nature indulgeth to monsters, that they are all barren; whereas on the contrary, monstrous positions are most procreative of the like, or worse than themselves.

9. Before we set down his pestilent Opinions; may Writer, and Reader sense themselves with prayer to God, against the infection thereof; lest otherwise, touching such pitch (though but with the bare mention) defile us, casually tempting a temptation in us, and awaking some corruption, which otherwise would sleep silently in our souls. And, if notwithstanding this our caution, any shall reap an accidental evil to themselves, by reading his damnable Opinions, my pen is no more accessory to their harm, than that Apothecary is guilty of murder, if others, out of a licourish curiosity, kill themselves with that poison, which he kept in his shop for sovereign use to make Antidotes thereof. His damnable Tenets were as followeth:

For maintaining these Opinions, Legate had long been in prison in Newgate, yet with liberty allowed him to go abroad; not contented wherewith, he openly boasted, and often threatened to sue the Court, which committed him, for reparations for false imprisonment; so that his own indiscretion in this kind, hastened his execution.

10. For hereupon Bishop King finally convented him in the Consistory of S. Paul 's. And that worthy Prelate, foreseeing that his proceedings herein would meet with many listening ears, prying eyes, and prating tongues, chose many reverend Bishops, able Divines, and learned Lawyers to assist him. So that the Consistory, so replenished for the time being, seemed not so much a large Court, as a little Convocation. By the counsel and consent of these, by his definitive sentence, he pronounced, decreed, and declared the foresaid Bartholomew Legate an obdurate, contumacious, and incorrigible Heretic. And by an Instrument called a SIGNIFICAVIT, certified the same into the Chancery, delivering him up unto the Secular power, the Church-Keys, in such cases craving the help of the Civil Sword. Whereupon, King JAMES, with His Letters, dated March 11, under the Privy-Seal, gave order to the Broad-Seal to direct the Writ de Haeretico comburendo, to the Sheriffs of London, for the burning of the foresaid Legate.

11. Now as the Bishop herein surrendered Legate to the Secular Power, my Ecclesiastical History in like manner resigns him to the Civil Historian, together with all the doubts, difficulties, and legal scruples attending on, or resulting from his Condemnation. Let the Learned in the Law consider on what Statute the Writ for his Burning was grounded, whether on those old Statutes enacted in the Reignes of RICHARD the II, and HENRY the IV; or on the branch of some other new Statute to that effect. Let them satisfy us, how far those Laws were repealed in 1 ^mo ELIZABETHAE, and how far they still stand in force; as, though not to [pretended] Lollardisme, yet to Blasphemy. Let them examine the Judgment of the Learned Fitz-Herbert, whether sound in his assertion, That Heretics, before the Writ of their burning be issued out against them, must first be convicted of Heresy before a Provincial Convocation; whilst others affirm, That they being convicted before their Ordinary, sufficeth: provided it be for such Opinions, which Convocations have formerly condemned for Heretical.

12. To Smithfield he was brought to be burned. See here, it is neither the pain, nor the place, but only the cause makes a Martyr. In this very Smithfield how many Saints in the Marian-days, suffered for the testimony of Jesus Christ? Whereas now one therein dieth in his own blood for denying him. Vast was the Conflux of people about him. Never did a scare-fire at midnight summon more hands to quench it, than this at noon-day did eyes to behold it. At last, refusing all mercy, he was burned to ashes. And so we leave him, the first that for a long time suffered death in that manner: And, oh that he might be the last to deserve it!

13. In the next month Edward Wightman of Burton upon Trent, convicted before Richard Neile Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, was burned at Litchfield for far worse Opinions (if worse might be) than Legate maintained. Mary Magdalene indeed was once possessed with seven Devils, but ten several Heresies were laid to Wightman 's charge; namely, those of Ebion, Cerinthus, Valentinian, Arius, Macedonius, Simon Magus, Manes, Manichaeus, Photinus, and of the Anabaptists. Lord! What are we when God leaves us? Did ever man maintain one Heresy, and but one Heresy? Chains of darkness, we see, have their links, and errors are complicated together.

14. God may seem well-pleased with this seasonable Severity. For the fire thus kindled, quickly went out for want of sewell. I mean, there was none ever after that openly avowed these Heretical Doctrines. Only a Spanish Arian, who, condemned to die, was notwithstanding suffered to linger out his life in Newgate, where he ended the same. Indeed, such burning of Heretics much startled common people, pitying all in pain, and prone to asperse justice itself with cruelty, because of the novelty and hideousnesse of the punishment. And the purblind eyes of vulgar judgments looked only on what was next to them, (the suffering itself) which they beheld with compassion, not minding the demerit of the guilt, which deserved the same. Besides, such being unable to distinguish betwixt constancy and obstinacy were ready to entertain good thoughts even of the Opinions of those Heretics, who sealed them so manfully with their blood. Wherefore King JAMES politically preferred, that Heretics hereafter, though condemned, should silently, and privately waste themselves away in the Prison, rather than to grace them and amuze others with the solemnity of a public Execution, which in popular judgments usurped the honor of a persecution.

15. I find no eminent Divine or Scholar deceased in this year: Only one, whose bounty made many of both kinds, ended his life; namely, Richard Sutton, the Phoenix of our Age, and sole Founder of Charter-Hospital, Esquire; born of Gentile Parentage at Knaith in Lincolnshire: In his youth bred a Soldier, gaining both wealth and credit by his valor; but afterwards embracing a more peaceable Profession of a Merchant. This his Foundation he called, The Hospital of King JAMES: all discreet Subjects having learned this lesson from politick Joab (calling Rabbah after the name of King David ) to entitle their Sovereign to the honor of their Atchievements, which are of extraordinary proportion. Children not yet come to, and Old men already past helping of themselves, have in this Hospital their souls and bodies provided for. The latter must be decayed Gentlemen, the most proper Objects of Charity, as whose ingenious spirits are most sensible of want, and most unable to provide for themselves.

16. It is utterly improbable that it will ever come within the compass of my power to found any place for pious uses. All, wherein my weak ability can express its forwardness, is to honor the Charity of others, and for the present Alphabetically to methodize the Manours which Master Sutton in several Counties settled for the maintenance of this his Hospital:

See here the most liberal Endowment made by one man. May it most truly be said of our London Merchants, as of those of Tyre, whose Merchants are Princes?

17. But no work so virtuous, which some malicious spirits will not endeavor to disgrace. One who writeth himself J. H. but generally conceived to be Mr. Knott the Jesuit, in his Answer to Doctor Potter 's Book of Charity mistaken, lets fly as followeth:

Do your Hospitals deserve so much as to be named? Have you anything of that kind in effect of particular Note, saving the few mean Nurseries of idle Beggars, and debauched People? Except (perhaps) Sutton 's Hospital, which [ as I have been informed ] was to take no profit till he was dead. He, who [ as I have also understood ] died so without any Children, or Brothers, or Sisters, or known Kindred, as that [ peradventure ] it might have escheated to the King. He, who lived a wretched and pe •• nious life, and drew that Mass of Wealth together by Usury, in which case, according to good conscience, his Estate, without asking him leave, was by the Law of God, obnoxious to Restitution, and ought to have been applied to Pious Uses. Whereas anciently in this Country, and at all times, and specially in this last Age, 〈◊〉 see abundance of Heroicall Actions of this kind performed in foreign parts. And if it were not for fear of noting many other great Cities, as if there were any want of most munificent Hospitals in them, wherein they abound; I could tell you of One called the Annunciata, in the City of Naples, which spends three hundred thousand Crowns per Annum; which comes to above fourscore thousand pounds sterling by the year: Which ever feeds and c • res a thousand sick persons, and pays for the nursing and entertaining of three thousand sucking Children of poor people, and hath fourteen other distinct Hospitals under it, where the persons of those Poor creatures are kept, and where they are defrayed of all their necessary charges every week. I could also tell you of an Hospital in Rome called S. Spirito, of h • ge Revenues, but it is not my meaning to enter into particulars, which would prove endless.

18. Before we come to the particular Examination of this his Accusation, it is observable how many Qualificatives, Correctives, and Restrictives ( Perhaps, as I have been informed, As I have also understood, peradventure ) he inserteth in this his Relation. Indeed such Qualifications are better than Equivocations, yet, what some may impute to Modesty, is his Policy, if well considered. For if any Protestant confute what he hath written, this Accuser will take Sanctuary under the protection of those Restrictions, defending himself that he delivered nothing positively, whilst ignorant Papists of his own profession (not heeding his doubting limitations) swallow all down for dogmatical truth.

19. More particularly the reformed Religion in England hath been the Mother of many brave Foundations: Many famous Hospitals (as that at Warwick built by the Earl of Leicester: Croydon by Archbishop Whitgift: Guildford by Archbishop Abbot: (not to speak of Christ-Church, and St. Thomas Hospital, built by King EDWARD the VI.) though none of them have thrived and battled so fast and so fairly as this of Sutton 's foundation. Whereas he chargeth him to have had no Children, it is confessed, seeing he died a Bachelor: Whose life (had he been of their Opinion ) had been cried up for a precious piece of Virginity. That he had no known Kindred, is false. Some of them afterwards, but in vain, endeavoring to overthrow his Will: though he made the Poor to be his Mother, and Sister, and Brother. As for his getting wealth by unlawful wales, I am not to justify the particular circumstances of any man's actions. Should a secret Scrutiny be made, how all Founders of Monasteries first came by their wealth, many would be found justly obnoxious to censure.

20. Indeed our Sutton began with a good Stock, had no Charge to burden him, lived to be very aged, 79 years: and by God's blessing on his Providence, Industry and Thrist, advanced the main of his Estate. This I can confidently report from the mouth of a credible Witness, who heard it himself, and told it to me, that Master Sutton used often to repair into a private Garden, where he poured forth his prayers to God, and amongst other passages, was frequently over-heard to use this Expression, Lord, thou hast given me a large and liberal Estate, give me also a heart to make use thereof; which at last was granted to him accordingly.

21. As for the over-grown Hospital of the Annuntiata at Naples, we envy not the wealth thereof; (though reports at such distance lose nothing in the relation.) Nor do we wonder that it cureth yearly a thousand sick persons, considering what disease first came from Naples, and was thence denominated. As for the three thousand Children nursed therein, it is to be feared many wanted Fathers to own them; and this not so much the fruit of charity as of wantoness. However, that Hospital hath at several times been advanced by a College of Benefactors, Whereas Sutton 's may stand peerless in this respect, that it was founded, finished, and endowed by himself alone; Disbursing 13000 li. (paid down before the ensealing of the Conveyance) for the ground whereon it stood, with some other • ppurtenances; befides 6000 li. expended in the building thereof; and that vast yearly Endowment, whereof heretofore. We mention not the large Summes bequeathed by him to Poor, to Prisons, to Colleges, to mending Highwaies, to the Chamber of London, besides Twenty thousand pounds left to the discretion of his Executors. What remaineth but that we pray, that according to his pious intentions the same may be continued to the Glory of God, Credit of the Protestant Religion, Comfort to the Poor, good Example to the Rich, and perpetual Memory of King JAMES the Honorary, and Mr. Sutton the effectual Founder thereof: That this Sun, amongst the lesser Lights of Protestant-Charities, may shine on Earth, as long as the Sun (that faithful Witness) endureth in Heaven. Being more confident that my desire herein will take effect, considering the Honorable Governous of this Hospital are Persons so Good, they will not abuse it themselves, and so Great, they will not suffer it to be abu • ed by others.

22. England at this time enjoying abundance of Peace, Plenty, and Prosperity, in full speed of her Happiness, was checked on a soddain with the sad News of the death of Prince HENRY, in the rage of a malicious extraordinary burning-Feaver. He was generally lamented of the whole Land, both Universities publishing their Verses in print: and give me leave to remember four made by Giles Fletcher of Trinity-College in Cambridge on this PRINCES plain Grave, because wanting an Inscription: and it will be Honor enough to me if I can make thereof a Translation:

Give me leave to add one more, untranslatable for its Elegancy, and Expressivenesse:

And thus we take our leave of the Memory of so Worthy a PRINCE, never heard by any alive to swear an Oath; for which, Archbishop Abbot commended Him in his Funeral Sermon, the PRINCE being wont to say, That He knew no Game or Value to be won or lost, that could be worth an Oath.

23. One generation goeth and another generation cometh, but the earth remaineth forever: the Stage stands, the Actors alter. Prince HENRY's Funerals are followed with the Prince PALATINE's Nuptials, solemnized with great State, in hopes of happiness to both Persons, though sad in the event thereof, and occasioning great revolutions in Christendom.

24. Expect not of me an account of the Divorce of the Lady Fra: Howard from the Earl of Essex; and of her re-marriage to Robert Carre Earl of Somerset; which Divorce divided the Bishops of the Land in their judgments:

25. Only I will insert one passage, Bishop Overall discoursing with Bishop King about the Divorce, the later expressed himself to this effect, I should never have been so earnest against the Divorce, save that because persuaded in my conscience of falsehood in some of the depositions of the Witnesses on the Ladies behalf. This sure I am from her second Marriage is extracted as chaste and virtuous a Lady as any of the English Nation.

29. Nicholas Wadham, Esquire, of Merryfield in the County of Somerset, did by his last Will bequeath Four hundred pounds per annum, and Six thousand pounds in money to the building of a College in Oxford, leaving the care and trust of the whole to Dorothy his Wife. One of no less learned and liberal than Noble extraction. A Sister to John Lord Peters, and Daughter to Sir William Peters, Secretary to four Kings, and a worthy Benefactour to All-Souls College. In her life-time she added almost double to what her Husband bequeathed, whereby at this day it is become one of the most Uniform buildings in England, as no additional result at several times of sundry fancies and Founders, but the entire product all at once of the same Architect.

30. This year the same was finished, built in a place where formerly stood a Monastery of the Augustine Friers, who were so eminent for their abilities in disputing, that the University did by a particular Statute impose it as an Exercise upon all those that were to proceed Masters of Art, that they should first be disputed upon by the Augustine Friars, which old Statute is still in force, produced at this day for an Equivalent exercise, yet styled, Answering Augustine's. The College hath from its beginning still retained something of its old Genius, having been continually eminent for some that were acute Philosophers and good Disputants.

So that very lately there were in this College, one Warden, fifteen Fellows, fifteen Scholars, two Chaplains, two Clerks, besides Officers and Servants of the Foundation, with many other Students, the whole number 120. As for Dr. John Wilkins, the present Warden thereof, my worthily respected friend, he hath courteously furnished me with my best intelligence from that University.

31. A Parliament was called, wherein many things were transacted, nothing concluded. In this Parliament, Dr. Harsenet, Bishop of Chichester, gave offense in a Sermon preached at Court, pressing the word Reddite Caesari quae sunt Caesaris, as if all that was leavied by Subsidies, or paid by Custom to the Crown, was but a redditum of what was the Kings before. Likewise Doctor Neal, Bishop of Rochester, uttered words in the House of the Lord's, interpreted to the disparagement of some reputed Zealous Patriot in the House of Commons: both these Bishops were questioned upon it, and to save them from the storm, this was the occasion chiefly (as was supposed) of the abrupt breaking up of the Parliament.

32. Anthony Rudde, Bishop of S. David's, ended his life. He was born in Yorkshire, bred in Trinity -College in Cambridge, where he became Fellow. A most excellent Preacher, whose Sermons were very acceptable to Qu. ELIZABETH. Hereon dependeth a memorable Story, which, because but defectively delivered by Sir John Harrington, I request the Readers Patience, and require his Belief, to this large and true Relation thereof.

33. Bishop Rudde preaching in his course before Queen ELIZABETH at White-hall, Her Majesty was highly affected with his Sermon; in so much that She commanded Archbishop Whitgift to signify unto him, That • e should be his Successor in case the Archbishopric ever fell in the Queens disposal.

34. Not long after the Archbishop meeting Bishop Rudde, Brother, said he, I bring good tidings to you, though bad to myself, for they cannot take full effect till after my death: Her Grace is so pleased with your last Sermon, She enjoined me to signify to you Her pleasure, That you shall be my Successor in Canterbury if surviving me. The Bishop modestly declined his words, desiring the long life of his Grace, and in case of his advancement to Heaven, confessed many other in England far fitter for the Place than his own unworthiness, adding after some other exchange of words, Good my Lord, might I be my • wn-Judge, I conceive I have preached better Sermons at Court, surely such as cost me more time and pains in composing them. I tell you, (replied the Archbishop) the truth is this, the Queen now is grown weary of the vanities of wit and eloquence, wherewith Her youth was formerly affected, and plain Sermons, which come home to Her heart, please Her the best. Surely his Grace was too mortified a man (though none naturally love their Successors whilst themselves are alive) intentionally to lay a train to blow up this Archbishop designed, though by the others unadvised practice of his words it proved so in the event.

35. For, next time when it came to the Bishop's Course to preach at Court, then lying at Richmond, Anno • 596. he took for his Text, Psalm 90. 12. O teach us to number our days, that we may incline our hearts unto wisdom: and in the close of his Sermon, touched on the Infirmities of Age, Ecclesiastes 12. When the grinders shall be few in number, and they wax dark that look out at the windows: personally applying it to the QUEEN, how Age had furrowed Her face, and besprinkled her hair with its meal. Whereat Her MAJESTY (to whom ingratissimum acroama to hear of death) was highly displeased. Thus, he not only lost his Reversion of the Archbishopric of Canterbury (which indeed never fell in the QUEENS days) but also the present possession of Her MAJESTIES favor.

36. Yet he justly retained the repute of a Reverend and godly Prelate, and carried the same to the grave: He wrought much on the Welsh by his wisdom, and won their affections; and by moderate thrift, and long staying in the same See, left to his Son, Sir Rise-Rudde Baroner, a fair estate at Aberglaseny in Carmarthenshire.

37. Some three years since, (on the death of King HENRY the fourth) Isaac Causabon, that learned Critick was fetched out of France by King JAMES, and preferred Prebendary of Canterbury. Thus desert will never be a drug, but be vented at a good rate in one Country or another, as long as the world affordeth any truly to value it. King HENRY is not dead to Causabon, as long as King JAMES is alive. He who formerly flourished under the Bayes, now thriveth altogether as well under the Olive. Nor is Causabon sensible that England is the colder Climate, whilst he finds the beams of His Majesty so bright and warm unto him, to whom also the lesser lights of Prelates and Peers contributed their assistance.

38. Presently he falls a writing, as natural (and almost as necessary) as breathing unto him: First, to Fronto-Duraeus his learned Friend. Then to Cardinal Peron, in the just Vindication of our English Church. After these, he began his Exercitations on Baronius his Ecclesiastical Annals, which more truly may be termed, the Annals of the Church of Rome. But alas! Death here stopped him in his full speed, and he lieth entombed in the South-I will of Westminster -Abbey. Not on the East, or Poetical Side thereof, (where Chaucer, Spencer, Draiton, are interred) but on the West or Historical Side of the I will, next the Monument of M ^r Camden. Both whose plain Tombs, made of white Marble, show the simplicity of their intentions, the candidnesse of their natures, and perpetuity of their memories. Mr. Causabon 's was erected at the cost of Thomas Moreton Bishop of Durham, that great lover of Learned men, dead or alive.

39. The KING comes to Cambridge in a sharp Winter, when all the world was nothing but Air and Snow. Yet the Scholers Wits did not Freez with the Weather, witness the pleasant Play of IGNORAMUS, which they presented to His Majesty. Yet whilst many laughed aloud at the mirth thereof, some of the graver sort were sad to see the Common Lawyers made ridiculous therein. If Gowns begin once to abase Gowns, Cloaks will carry away all. Besides, of all wood, the Pleaders Bar is the worst to make a Stage of. For, once in an Age, all Professions must be beholding to their patronage. Some conceive that in revenge Master John Selden soon after set forth his Books of Titbes, wherein he historically proveth, That they were payable jure humano, and not otherwise.

40. I cannot suspect so high a Soul, guilty of so low reflections, that his Book related at all to this occasion, but only that the latitude of his mind, tracing all paths of learning, did casually light on the rode of this Subject. His Book is divided into two parts, whereof the first is a mere Jew, of the practice of Tithing amongst the Hebrews; the second a Christian, (and chiefly an English-man ) of their customs in the same. And although many Divines undertook the Answer of this Book, as Mr. Stephen Nettles Fellow of Queens-Coll: in Cambridge, (applying himself to the Judaical part ) Dr. Tillesly, and Mr. Montague, (all writing sharply, if strongly enough) yet sure it is, never a fiercer storm fell on all Parsonage Barns since the Reformation, than what this Treatise raised up.

41. By this time Mr. Andrew Melvin, a Scotchman, got to be enlarged out of the Tower, whither he had been committed for writing some satyrical Verses against the Ornaments on the Altar (or Communion-Table ) in the Kings Chapel. When first brought into the Tower, he found Sir William Seymour (now the Right Honorable, most truly Noble, and religious Marquis of Hertford ) there imprisoned for marrying the Lady ARABELLA, so nearly allied to the Crown without the KING's consent. To whom, Melvin being an excellent Poet (but inferior to Buchanan his Master) sent this Distich:

As for his invective Verses against the Chapel-Ornaments, I conceive the following Copy most authentic, though there be various Lections of them, but all in the main agreeing together:

42. Mr. George Herbert of Trinity-Coll: in Cambridge, made a most ingenious retortion of this Hexastick, which as yet all my industry cannot recover. Yet it much contenteth me, that I am certainly informed, that the posthume Remains (shavings of Gold are carefully to be kept) of that not less pious, than witty writer, are shortly to be put forth into Print, when this his Anti—pelvi—Melvi— But now at last Melvin his liberty was procured by the intercession of the chief of the Reformed in France, and being released, he afterwards became Professor at Sedan in the Duke of • ovillion his Country. Here he ceased not to traduce the Church of England, against which he wrote a scroale of Saphicks, entitled TAMICHAMI-CATEGERIA.

43. This year Thomas Bilson, Bishop of Winchester, (who carried Prelature in his very aspect) ended his life: first School-Master, then Warden of Winchester, afterwards Bishop of Worcester, and lastly, of Winchester. A deep and profound Scholar, excellently well read in the Fathers, principally shown in his Defense of Christ his descent into Hell.

44. By the way, it is a falsehood what Campian writes confidently, that Cheney, Bishop of Gloucester, had affirmed unto him, Namely, that concerning this Article, it was moved in a Convocation at London. Quemad • odum sine tumultu penitus eximatur de Symbole, How it might without any noise be wholly taken out of the Creed. For no such debate appeateth upon Record in our Convocations, and as for Campian, his single affirmation is of no validity.

45. Marcus Antonius de Dominis, Archbishop of Split, came over into England, was here courteously welcomed, and plentifully preferred, of whose hypocrisy and ingratitude largely hereafter.

46. King JAMES went into Scotland to visit His native Country, with a Princely train. In his passage thither He was much affected with a Sermon which one of his Chaplains preached upon this Text, Gen. 13. 2, 3. And Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the South even to Bethel, to the place where his Tent had been at the beginning. As for His entertainment in Scotland, we leave it to their Historians to relate. For may my pen be plindered by the Borderers, or Mosse-Troopers, if offering to cross Tweed into another Country.

47. This year died Doctor William James, born in Cheshire, Master first of the University-College, then D • an of Christ-Church in Oxford, Chaplain to Robert Dudley Earl of Leitester, and Confessor to him at his death, and at last made Bishop of Durham. He expended much on the repairing of the Chapel of Durham-house in the Strand, and in his younger da • es was much commended for his hospitality.

48. Two other prime Prelates accompanied him to the other world, Dr. Henry Robinson, Provost of Queen-College in Oxford, Bishop of Carlisle, of great temperance, mild in speech, but weak in constitution. The other, Robert Bennet, Fellow of Trinity-College in Cambridge, Chaplain to the Lord Burleigh, termed by a great Divine, Eruditus Bene • ictus, Bishop of Hereford, well-deserving of his See, whose Houses he repaired.

49. Doctor Mocket, Warden of All-Souls in Oxford, Chaplain to George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, set forth a Book in pure Latin, containing

As for the Homilies, too tedious to be translated at large, he epitomized them into certain Propositions, by him faithfully extracted.

50. No sooner appeared this Book in print, but many faults were found therein. Indeed it fared the worse for the Author, the Author for his Patron the Archbishop, against whom many Bishops began then to combine. Some accused him of presumption for undertaking such a task without Commission from the KING, it being almost as fa • all for Private persons to tamper with such Public matters, as for a Subject to match into the blood-Royal without leave of his Sovereign. Others complained, that he enlarged the liberty of a Translatour into the license of a Commenter, and the Propositions out of the Homilies by him collected were made to lean to the judgment of the Collectour. James Montague, Bishop of Winchester, a potent Courtier, took exceptions that his Bishopric in the marshalling of them was wronged in the method, as put after any, whose Bishop is a Privy Counselor.

50. But the main matter objected against it, was, That this Doctor was a better Chaplain than a Subject, contracting the Power of his PRINCE to enlarge the Privilege of his Patron, allowing the Archbishop of Canterbury 's power to confirm the Election of Bishops in his Provinces, citing for the same the 6 • Canon of the first Nicene Council established by Imperial authority. If any be made a Bishop without the censent of his Metropolitan, he ought not to be a Bishop.

51. This was counted an high offense to attribute an obliging authority either to Canon or Civil Law, both which if crossing the Common Law of the Land, are drowned in their passage as they sails over from Calais to Dover, and K. JAMES justly jealous of his own Prerogative approved not such a confirming power in the Archbishop, wich might imply a Negative Voice in case he disliked such Elects as the KING should recommend unto him.

52. Hereupon, Doctor Mocket his Book was ceasured to be burned, which was done accordingly. Now although the imperfections and indiscretions of this Translatour might be consumed as dross in the fire, yet the undoubted truth of the Articles of the English Church therein contained as Flame-free and perfectly refined will endure to all eternity. The Doctor took this censure so tenderly, especially so much defeated in his expectation to find punishment where he looked for preferment, as if his life were bound up by sympathy in his Book he ended his days soon after.

53. Though his death much affected his friends in Oxford, yet far greater the grief of that University for the decease of Robert Abbot Bishop of Salisbury, who died this year. One of the honors, not only of that See, but of the Church of England, born at Guilford in Surrey, of religious Parents, as persevering in the Truth though persecuted for the same in the Reign of Queen MARY: Whose two younger Brothers George and Maurice, the one came to be Archbishop of Canterbury, the other was Lord Mayor of London, and the first Knight of King CHARLES his dubbing. This good Bishop his deserts, without any other Friend or Spokesman preferred him to all his Promotions. For

Upon his Oration made on Queen ELIZABETH her Inauguration, he was chosen Scholar (and afterwards Fellow and Master ) of Baliol -College.

• Upon a Sermon preached
  • At Worcester he was made Lecturer of that City.
  • At Paul 's Cross Master John Stanhoppe prefer'd him to the rich Benefice of Bingham in Nottingham-shire.
  • Before King JAMES he was nominated Successor to Doctor Holland in the Kings-Professor his place in Oxford.

Upon the same of his incomparable Lectures de potestate Regiâ, and other labors he was made Bishop of Salisbury,

In conferring which Place, the KING conquered all opposition, which some envious persons raised against him, witness His MAJESTIES pleasant speech: Abbot, I have had much to do to make • thee a Bishop, but I know no reason for it, unless it were because thou hast written a Book against a Popish Pre ••• e, meaning William Bishop, entitled by the Pope, the Nominall Bishop of the A • real Diocese of Calcedon, which enraged the Cour • Papists against him to obstruct his preferment. The hour-glass of his life (saith my Author ) ran out the sooner for having the sand or gravel thereof stopped; so great his grief of the stone, though even whilst his body was on the rack, his soul found ease in the assurance of salvation.

54. About this time, a Boy dwelling at Bilson in Stafford-shire, William Perry by name, not full fifteen years in age, (but above forty in cunning) was practiced on by some Jesuits (repairing to the house of Mr. Gifford in that County) to dissemble himself Possessed. This was done on design that the Priests might have the credit to cast out that Devil (which never was in) so to grace their Religion with the reputation of a Miracle.

55. But now the best of the jest (or rather the worst of the earnest, was) the Boy having gotten a habit of counterfeiting, leading a lazy life thereby, to his own ease and Parents profit (to whom he was more worth than the best Plough-land in the shire ) would not be undeviled by all their Exorcisms, so that the Priests raised up a spirit which they could not allay. At last, by the industry of Dr. Moreton Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, the juggling was laid open to the world by the Boys own confession and repentance: who being bound an Apprentice at the Bishops cost, verified the Proverb, That an untoward Boy may make a good Man.

56. Indeed all this KING's Reign was scattered over with Cheaters in this kind. Some Papists, some Sectaries, some neither, as who dissembled such possession, either out of malice to be revenged on those whom they accused of Witchcraft, or covetousness to enrich themselves, seeing such, who out of charity, or curiosity repaired unto them, were bountiful in their relief. But take a few of many.

See we this Catalogue consists most of the weaker sex, either because Satan would plant his Battery where easiest to make a Breach, or because he found such most advantaged for dissembling, and his Cloven-foot best concealed under Long coats. Indeed, some Feminine weaknesses made them more strong to delude the ruins of the Disease of the Mother being the best Foundation to build such Impostourie thereon.

57. K. James remembering what Solomon saith, It is the honor of a King to search out a matter, was no less dexterous than desirous to make discovery of these Deceits. Various were His ways in detecting them, awing some into confession with His presence, persuading others by promise of pardon and fair usage. He ordered it so, that a Proper Courtier made love to one of these be witched Maids, and quickly Cupid his Arrows drave out the pretended Darts of the Devil. Another there was, the Tides of whose Possession did so Ebbe and Flow, that punctually they observed one hour till the KING came to visit her. The Maid loath to be so unmannerly as to make His MAJESTY attend her time, antedated her Fits many hours, and instantly ran through the whole Zodiac of tricks which she used to play. A third, strangely-affected when the first verse of S. John's Gospel was read unto her in our Translation, was tame and quiet whilst the same was pronounced in Greek, her English Devil belike understanding no other language. The frequency of such forged Possessions wrought such an alteration upon the judgment of King JAMES, that he receding from what he had written in his Demonologie grew first diffident of, and then flatly to deny the workings of Witches and Devils, as but Falshoods and Delusions.

58. K. James having last year in His progress passed through Lancashire, took notice, That by the preciseness of some Magistrates, and Ministers, in several places of this Kingdom, in hindering people from their recreations on the Sunday, the Papists in this Realm being thereby persuaded, that no honest mirth or recreation was tolerable in our Religion. Whereupon, the Court being then at Greenwich, He set forth a Declaration to this effect, That for His good people's lawful recreations, His pleasure was, that after the end of Divine Service, they should not be disturbed, letted, or discouraged from any lawful recreations; Such as dancing either of men, or women; archerie for men, leaping, vaulting, or any such harmless recreations: Nor from having of May-games, Whitsun-ales, or Morice-dances, and setting up of May-poles, or other sports therewith used, so as the same be had in due and convenient time, without impediment, or let of Divine Service: and that women should have leave to carry rushes to the Church for the decoring of it, according to their old custom; withal prohibiting all unlawful games to be used on the Sundays only, as bear-baiting, bull-baiting, interludes, and (at all times in the meaner sort of people by Law prohibited) bowling.

59. But when this Declaration was brought abroad, it is not so hard to believe, as sad to recount what grief and distraction thereby was occasioned in many honest men's hearts, who looked on it, not as local for Lancashire, but what in process of time would enlarge itself all over England. Some conceived the recreations specified, impeditive to the observation of the Lord's day; yea, unsuitable and unbeseeming the essential duties thereof. But others maintained, that if private men's speeches must not be pressed to an odious construction, much more men were bound, candidly to interpret the Acts of Authority; and in charity must presume, and be persuaded, that religious Princes will command nothing, what they conceive either to be unjust, or not expedient, all things considered. They considered moreover (which was mainly material) that this Declaration was not dogmatical, or doctrinal, to say, or aver these things to be Theologically lawful, but it was Edictum Civile, what the King thought fit upon just reasons to permit, without restraint, or punishment. The hardness of men's hearts on one side, which will break loose though restrained, and the hope of gaining others on the other side, by a favorable allowance, might be just motives in Authority, to give way to things civiliter, that they may be done impune, and yet not prejudice any point of Religion, and not be done licite, as in Divorces extra casum adulterii, Usury, &c.

60. But the difficulty was increased, when Ministers daily feared to be urged upon their Canonical obedience, to promulgate, and publish the said Declaration in their Parish Churches, which some resolved flatly to refuse, especially such, who formerly had strictly preached, and pressed the observation of the Lord's-day, alleging for, and applying to themselves that place of Saint Paul , For, if I build again the things which I have destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. Besides this, they enforced the Reasons following for their Recusancy: Yea, though the KING Himself should enjoin them on their Alleageance.

• 1. That the publishing of this Declaration would be interpretative an approbation thereof, whereas on the contrary they are commanded, to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to reprove them.
• 2. That hereby they should draw a just woe upon them pronounced by the Prophet , Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed. Where (as the Learned interpret) even public Notaries, which are but instrumental, are threatened with a curse.
• 3. That the promulgation of a Law is de essentia Legis, so that people would neither take notice of this Declaration, nor liberty by it, till it were published, and so the Publisher should per se be a Promoter of a sin.
• 4. That Obedience to Authority obligeth only in licitis & honestis; and the Apostle confesseth, That he himself had power to edification, and not to destruction; whereunto the publishing thereof did manifestly tend.

61. On the other side, some learned and pious Ministers, who in their judgments were convinced, that some of the aforesaid recreations were incompatible with the sanctification of the Sabbath; notwithstanding, in case His MAJESTY should enjoin it, on serious deliberation resolved in obedience to the KING, publicly to read, or cause the reading of the Declaration, not looking at the contents therein, but at the Authority commanding the publication thereof; the rather, because no Subscription was required, or Vocall assent to approve, what therein was contained, to be just, or affirm it to be true; but a bare ministerial declaring of the KING's will and pleasure therein, which they conceived themselves bound in conscience to perform, for the Reasons ensuing:

• 1. The refusal, well observed, doth resolve into a principle, which would take away the necessity of Obedience universally, when the Partie commanded can pretend, the Magistrate ought not to command him any such thing; and, if the PRINCE must suspend His Edicts upon each Subjects doubt, He should never set forth any, considering the variety of judgments, and the distractions which are in His Subjects.
• 2. A Sheriff may, yea must, disperse the KING his Proclamations, which he liketh not; and a Clerk, at the command of his Master, a Justice of Peace, may lawfully write the Mittimus of that person to Prison, whom in his parricular judgment he conceiveth to be innocent: and (what is most proper to our purpose, because a religious instance) a Minister, without any sin, may safely pronounce an Excommunication, legally delivered unto him, though in his own private conscience he be convinced, that the Partie is unjustly excommunicated.
• 3. There are many precedents hereof in antiquity. A Father gives this censure, that when the Jews, commanded by Antiochus, gave up the Divine Books to His Officers, to be destroyed, it was, Peccatum imperantis, & minantis; non populi, cum dolore & tremore tradentis, A sin of Him that commanded, and threatened it; not of the people, who surrendered up those Volumes with fear, and sorrow. And Saint Augustine resolveth it in the case of a Christian Soldier, fighting under a sacrilegious Emperor; that, though he be not satisfied in the lawfulness of the commands, he may notwithstanding lawfully obey. Ita ut fortasse reum fa • iat Regem iniquitas imperandi, innocentem militem ostendat ordo serviendi. And, what is most apposite to the matter in hand (because the Edict of a godly Emperor, seriously distasted by a godly Bishop) Maurice set forth a command, That no Soldier should be admitted into a Monastery, and though Gregory the great was persuaded, the prohibition was in itself injurious and unlawful, yet he did, In diversas terrarum partes transmittere legem, quia erat subjectus Ejus jussionibus.

Convinced with these Reasons, some Ministers (not with any delight in the Message, but in Duty to the Authority which sent) intended (if put to the trial) sadly and unwillingly to publish the Declaration.

A third sort took up a resolution to read the Declaration, or suffer it to be read, and presently after to preach against the contents of what they had published; hoping so, warily to avoid the danger of disobedience, in refusing to promulgate it, and of profaneness in seeming to approve it. But, whether by this middle way, setting God and the King as openly opposite, they would have declined, or contracted more odium, it is hard to determine.

62. But now, after so long, and many diversities of Opinions and Arguments on several sides, their own fear proved at last their only foe: The KING's goodness taking away the subject of their jealousy; so that no Minister in the County was enjoined to read the Book in his Parish, wherewith they had so affrighted themselves. However, their Arguments may be kept cold, and laid up provisionally against the time they had use thereof, especially for such, who survived till the seventh of King CHARLES, when the Declaration for Liberty on the Lord's-day was enjoined (though not by the KING) the Ministers to publish clean through the Land.

63. However, there wanted not many, both in Lancashire, and elsewhere, who conceived the Declaration came forth seasonably, to suppress the dangerous endeavor of such, who now began in their Pulpits, to broach the dregs of Judaism, and force Christians to drink them. So that those legal Ceremonies, long since dead, buried, and rotten in the grave of our Savior, had now their ghosts, as it were, walking; frighting such people with their terrible apparitions, who were persuaded by some Preachers to so rigorous observation of the Sabbath, that therein it was unlawful to dress meat, sweep their houses, kindle the fire, or the like. Yea, and the Papists, in Lancashire especially (a frontier Country, as I may term it, of Papists and Protestants, where the Reformed Religion had rather a truce, than a peace, standing on its guard, and posture of defense ) I say, in Lancashire the Romanists made advantage of this strictness, to pervert many to Popery, persuading them, That the Protestant Religion was the School of Tyrannus, where no lawful liberty was allowed. And no wonder, if many common people were hereby fetched off unto them, starting aside as a broken bow, chiefly because overbent for lack of lawful recreation. But enough hereof, and too much (if not pressed thereunto in pursuance of our History) and yet ere long we must have more on the same sad subject.

64. Now of the Broakers of Judaism, John Thraske was a principal. Whether ever he sucked on the breasts of either University, or only was brought up by hand in some petty-School, I know not. This I know, that secking to be made Deacon, or Minister, by James Bishop of Bath and Wells; Doctor Samuel Ward then Poser, and the Bishops Chaplain, refused him as altogether insufficient. However, afterwards he got Orders, and then began to vent his Opinions; That the Lord's-day was to be observed with the same strictness by Christians, as it was by Jews; and, That all Meats and Drinks forbidden in the Levitical Law bound Christians to the same observance, thereby opening a door to let in the rabble of all Ceremonies. Thus he brought in a constant Lent of his own making. And, whereas Divines can forbid no meat as unlawful (though Politicians may as unthrifty for the State, and Physicians as unhealthful for the body) because CHRIST hath given us that Licence, To the clean all things are clean, yet he seduced many souls with his Tenets, and his own Wife amongst many others. For these he was censured in the Star-Chamber, but afterwards recanted his Opinions, and lived (as unsettled in judgment, as place) in several parts of the Kingdom. I have heard him preach a Sermon, nothing relating to the aforesaid Doctrine, and when his Auditors have forgotten the matter, they will remember the loudness of his stentorious voice, which indeed had more strength, than any thing else he delivered. He afterwards relapsed, not into the same, but other Opinions, rather humerous, than hurtful, and died obscurely at Lambeth in the Reign of King CHARLES. Nor must we forget, that his Wife could never be unperverted again, but perished in her Judaism; because, as our Savior observeth, Proselytes in general are twofold worse than their Leader: and her Sex (as pliable to receive, as tenacious to retain ) had weakness enough to embrace an error, and obstinacy too much to forsake it.

63. At this time began the troubles in the Low-Countries, about matters of Religion, heightened between two opposite parties, Remonstrants, and Contra-Remonstrants; their Controversies being chiefly reducible to five points; Of Predestination, and Reprobation; Of the Latitude of Christ's death; Of the power of man's Free will, both before, and after his conversion; and, Of the Elects perseverance in grace. To decide these difficulties, the States of the United Provinces, resolved to call a National Synod at Dort; And, to give the more luster, and weight to the determinations thereof, desired some foreign Princes to send them the assistance of Their Divines for so pious a work: Especially, they requested our KING of Great Britain, to contribute His aid thereunto (being Himself as forward to do, as they desire anything conducible to GOD's glory, and the Churches good ) Who, out of His own Princely wisdom, and free favor, made choice of

These, according to their summons, repairing to His MAJESTY at New-Market, received from Him there these following Instructions, concerning their behavior in the Synod:

Doctor Davenant, and Doctor Ward, presented themselves again to His MAJESTY at Royston, October the 8. Where His MAJESTY vouchsafed His familiar discourse unto them, for two hours together, commanding them to sit down by Him, and at last dismissed them with His solemn prayer. That God would bless their endeavors; which made them cheerfully to depart His presence.

66. Addressing themselves now with all possible speed to the Sea-side, they casually missed that Man of War, which the States had sent to conduct them over (though they saw him on Sea at some distance) and safely went over in a small Vessel, landing October 20 at Middleburgh. On the 27 of the same Moneth they came to Hague, where they kissed the hand of His Excellency GRAVE MAURICE, to Whom the Bishop made a short Speech, and by Whom they were all courteously entertained. Hence they removed to Dort, where November the 3, the Synod began, and where we leave them with the rest of their fellow-Divines, when first everyone of them had taken this Admission-Oath, at their entrance into the Synod:

I say, we leave them here with fellow-Divines. For, should my pen presume to sail over the Sea, it would certainly meet with a strom in the passage, the censure of such; who will justly condemn it for meddling with transmarine matters, especially Doctrinal points, utterly aliene from my present subject. Only a touch of an Historical passage therein, confining ourselves to our own Countrymen.

67. These four Divines had allowed them by the STATES Ten pounds sterling a day, Threescore and ten pounds by the week; an entertainment far larger than what was appointed to any other foreign Theologues; and politically proportioned, in grateful consideration of the Greatness of His MAJESTY who employed them. And, these English Divines, knowing themselves sent over, not to gain wealth to themselves, but glory to God, and reputation to their Sovereign, freely gave what they had freely received, keeping a Table general, where any fashionable Forreigner was courteously and plentifully entertained.

68. They were commanded by the KING to give Him a weekly account (each one in his several Week, according to their seniority) of all memorable passages transacted in the Synod. Yet it happened, that, for a month, or more, the KING received from them no particulars of their proceedings, whereat His Majesty was most highly offended. But afterwards, understanding, that this defect was caused by the countermands of an higher King, even of him who gathereth the wind in his fists, stopping all passages by contrary weather; no wonder if He, who was so great a peace-maker, was himself so quickly pacified: yea, afterwards highly pleased, when four weekly dispatches (not neglected to be orderly sent, but delayed, to be accordingly bought) came all together to His Majesty's hands.

69. On the 10 of December, Gwalther Balca • quall, Bachelor of Divinity, and Fellow of Pembroke-Hall, came into the Synod, where his Credential Letters from King JAMES were publicly read; Whose pleasure it was, that he should be added to the four English Collegues, in the name of the Church of Scotland. The President of the Synod welcomed him with a short Oration, which by Mr. Balcanquall was returned with another, and so was he conducted to his place; A place built for him particularly, as one coming after all the rest, so that his seat discomposed the uniformity of the building, exactly regular before. But it matters not how the seats were ordered, so that the judgments of such as sat therein, were conformed to the truth of the Scriptures.

70. Doctor Joseph Hall being at the Synod of Dort, and finding much indisposition in himself, the air not agreeing with his health, on his humble request obtained His Majesty's leave to return. Whereupon, composing his countenance With a becoming gravity, he publicly took his solemn farewell of the Synod, With this Speech following:

Thus returned Dr. Hall into his own Country; Since so recovered (not to say revived) therein, that he hath gone over the graves of all his English Collegues there, and (what cannot God, and good air do?) surviving in health at this day, three and thirty years after, may well with Jesse, go amongst men for an old man in these days. And living privately, having passed thorough the Bishop rickes of Exeter, and Norwich, hath now the opportunity in these troublesome times, effectually to practice those his precepts of patience, and contentment, which his pen hath so eloquently recommended to others.

71. On the seventh of January, Thomas Goad Doctor of Divinity, Chaplain to George Archbishop of Canterbury, came into the Synod, sent thither by His MAJESTY of Great Britain. The President entertained him with a soleman Oration, highly commending King JAMES's care, not recalling one Divine, till he had substituted another. The Doctor requited him with a pithy Oration, promising the utmost of his assistance to the general good. A promise by him well performed, giving afterwards ample testimony of his general learning and solid judgment in Divinity; nothing being wanting in him, but that he came hither so late to this employment.

SECTION V.

BEfore the end of the hundred forty fifth Session, April the 20th, in the forenoon, the Belgic Confession was brought into the Synod, containing matter both of Doctrine, and Discipline, and the public consent thereunto was required. Here the Bishop of Landaffe, in the name of all the rest, approved all the points of Doctrine. But as for matter of Discipline, that his Mother Church, and his own order might not suffer therein, and he seem by silence to betray the cause thereof, a Protest was entered by him, as Mouth for the rest, to preserve the same, as by the perusing the following passage will appear.

Interca tamen de Disciplina pancis monet. Nunquam in Ecclesia obtinuisse Ministrorum paritatem non tempore Christi ipsius, tanc enim duodecim Apostolos fuisse Discipulis superiores; non Apostolorum aetate, non subsecutis secu • lis. Nec valere rationem in hac Confessione usurpatam, Nempe quia omnes funt aeque Ministri Christi. Nam & septuaginta Discipuli, erant Ministri Christi aeque ac Apostoli, non tamen inde Apostolis aequales: & omnes omnino homines sunt aeque homines, non inde tamen homo homini non debet subesse. Haec, non ad harum Ecclesiarum • ssensionem, sed ad nostrae Anglicanae defensionem sese monuisse professus est.— Br tannorum interpellationi responsum ne gru quidem.

Not withstanding, in the mean time, he briefly gave his advice concerning Discipline. That the parity of Ministers never prevailed in the Church, no, not in the time of Christ himself; for, then the twelve Apostles were superior to the Disciples; not in the time of the Apostles, nor in the ages after them. Nor is that reason of any force alleged in their Confession, namely, Because all are equally the Ministers of Christ. For, even the seventy Disciples were equally Ministers of Christ with the Apostles, and yet it follows not thence, they were equal with the Apostles: and all men altogether are equally men, yet thence it cannot be inferred, that one man ought not to be subject to another. There things he professed himself to have hinted, not to offend these Churches therewith, but to defend their own Church of England—To this interpellation of the British Divines nothing at all was answered.

Hereby the equal Reader may judge how candidly Master Montague in his Appeal, dealeth with our English Divines, charging them, That the Discipline of the Church of England is in this Synod held unlawful. And again, The Synod of Dort in some points condemneth upon the by, even the Discipline of the Church of England. But, let such as desire farther satisfaction herein, peruse the joint Attestation, which those English Divines set forth, Anno 1626. to justify their proceedings herein.

2. On the 29 of April the Synod ended. The states to express their gratitude, bestowed on the English Divines at their departure, Two hundred pounds, to bear their charges in their return: besides, a golden Medall of good value was given to everyone of them, wherein the sitting of the Synod was artificially represented. And now, these Divines, who for many month had, in a manner, been fast'ned to their chairs, and desks, thought it a right due to themselves, that when their work was ended, they might begin their recreation. Wherefore they viewed the most eminent Cities in the Low-Countries, and at all places were bountifully received, Leiden only excepted. Wonder not, that they, who had most learning, should show least civility, especially having Professors of Humanity amongst them, seeing generally the great ones of that University at this time, being Remonstrants, were disaffected to the decisions of this Syond. This gave occasion to that passage in the speech of Sir Dudlie Carleton, the English Ambassador, when in the name of his Master he tendered the States public thanks, for their great respects to the English Divines, using words to this effect, That they had been entertained at Amsterdam, welcome at the Hague, cheerfully received at Roterdam, kindly embraced at Utreich, &c. and that they had seen Leiden.

3. But, how high an esteem, the STATES-GENERAL had of these our English-men's serivce, will best appear by Their Letter, which They sent to King JAMES, as followeth:

Serenissime REX,

Qvemadmodum hoc unice propositum Nobis fuit, ut, quae in Civitatibus, Provinciis{que} nostris, ante annos aliquot, exortae erant, infelices de Religion contentions, eruditorum, ac piorum hominum judicio, legitime tolli, ac componi possent; ut & conscientiis eorum, quibus Nos praeesse Deus Immortalis voluit, ipsi{que} pariter Reipublicae, suâ in Religion, ac pietate simul, ratio constaret, & tranquillitas; ita nos benïgne is respexit, cui hactenus curae fuimus, Qui Conventui nostro Nationali, quem ex omnibus idem sentientibus Ecclesiis convocavimus, ita benedixit, ut, re tantâ ad felicem, at{que} optatum exitum perductâ, domum, & ad suos se conferant. Quibus, benedictionem Domini, studium nostrum in promovendo pietatis negotio, consensum plane cum aliis Ecclesiis unanimem, indicabunt. Inter quos, cum praecipui & consilio, & loco, fuerint Magnae Britanniae Theologi, quos, pro singulari, & divino, in Nos, & Ecclesias nostras affectu, ad Nos mittere dignata est Majestas Tua; curae Nobis fuit, ut, quantopere hujus beneficii magnitudinem aestimemus, ex nobis intelligeret Majestas Tua. Est vero illud, Rex Serenissime, etiamsi cum reliquis, quae infinita sunt, conferatur, tanto majus, quanto uberiores sunt fructus, quos ex Dei causa expectamus, quanto{que} id Majestatis Tuae nomini est convenientius; Qui, cùm nullâ re externâ, at{que} humanâ quae potissimùm aliis Principibus conciliant dignitatem, quoquam Rege sit inferior, Fidei Defensionem, tanquam Dei, Ecclesiae{que} Patronus in his terris, sibi merito assumit. Neque dubitare possumus, quin, & Majestatis Tuae Regna tot, & tanta; reliquaeque, quae in hoc nego io Nobis operam navârunt, Ecclesiae, magnam utilitatem ex hoc instituto nostro percepturae sint, quae exemplo nostro descent, quanto periculo conjunctum sit, quae been in Religion constituta sunt temere movere, quùm sint felices, atque fortunatae, quamdiu simili remedio opus non habebunt: cui hactenus abunde Majestatis Tuae curâ, atque vigilantiâ, prospectum fuit. In Theologis porro utrius{que} Regni Vestri omnibus, & singulis, quorum agmen ducit vere Reverendissimus Dominus Georgius, Landavensis Episcopus, imago, atque expressa virtutis effigies; eam eruditionem, pietatem, pacis studium, eumque zelum deprehendimus, ut, cum ipsius beneficii causâ Majestati Tue multum debamus, magna pars ipsius beneficîi Nobis videatur, quod ipsi ad Nos missi fint.

Deus immortalis Majestati Tuae, Rex Serenisime, ita benedicat, ut illius benedictionis partem, Orbis Christianus, ex diuturniate Regni Tui, & Ecclesiae defensione, diu percipat.

4. With these Testimonial Letters, over they came into England, and first presented themselves to King JAMES. Who, seeing them out of a window, when first entering the Court, Here comes, said He, my good Mourners, alluding to their black habit, and late death of Queen ANNE. Then, after courteous entertaining of them, He favourably dismissed them, and afterward on three of them bestowed preferment. So returned they all to their several professions; Bishop Carleton to the careful governing of his Diocese Doctor Davenant besides his Collegiate Cure, to his constant Lectures in the Schools; Dr. Ward to his discret ordering of his own College; Dr. Goad to his diligent discharging of Domestical duties in the family of his Lord, and Patton; and Mr. Balcanquall to his Fellowship in Pembroke-Hall.

5. Since it hath been the success of this Synod, to have the decisions thereof to be approved, applauded, magnified by some: vilified, contemned, condemned by others. If men were divinded in their censures about Christ, some saying, He is a good man: others, way, but he deceiveth the people; no wonder, if ever since, all Conventions of Christians be subject to variety of men's verdicts upon them. Of such as dislike the Synod, none falls heavier upon it than a London Divine, charging the Synodians to have taken a previous Oath, to condemn the opposite party on what terms soever. But take him in his own words, Far be it from me to subscribe the report, or information of those, who charge the respective Members of this Synod, with suffering themselves to be bound with an Oath, at, or before their admission thereunto, to vote down the Remonstrants, and their Doctrines (howsoever) Yet, when Iread, and consider, 1. How learnedly, solidly, and substantially they quit themselves, and argue, whilst they go along with the Remonstrants, and declare wherein they agree with them, in the points controverted betwixt them. 2. How feebly, and unlike themselves they reason, when they come to the quick of the difference. 3. and lastly, How near, at very many turns, even in those things wherein they pretend to differ, they come unto them, as if they had a very good mind, to be no more two, but one with them, when (I say) I consider all these things, methinks I see the interest and obligation of an oath, working much after the same manner, as sometimes it did in Herod, when for his oath sake, contrary to his mind, and desire otherwise, he caused, John the Baptist' s head to be given to Herodias in a platter. See here, how this Suggester, though at the first he takes water, and washeth his hands, with a Far be it from me to subscribe the report &c. yet afterwards he crucifies the credit of a whole Synod, and makes them all guilty of no less than damnable perjury.

6. I could have wished, that he had mentioned in the margin, the Authors of this suggestion; whereas now the omission thereof will give occasion to some, to suspect him for the first raiser of the report; an heavy accusation, charging a whole Synod of injustice. When Festus, the heathen Magistrate, was so much Christian, as not to condemn an accused man before he hath license to answer for himself: could any Assembly of Christian Ministers to so heathen, as to bind themselves by an oath, right or wrong, with blind obedience, to beat down the opposite party?. Wherein they were all actually forsworn, having publicly taken so solemnan oath, to proceed impartially, according to God's Word, and their own conscience. What said Laban to Jacob? If thou shalt take other wives besides my daughters, no man is with us, see, God is witness between thee, and me: So, if these Divines, having betrothed their faith to God, and the world, in so open and public a manner; besides this Oath, did bind themselves with any other, taken before, or after, in a clandestine way, contrary to their public promise; would not God the sole judge herein, sensible of this affront offered to him, and his truth, heavily punish so heinous an offense? And, can any charitable-minded man believe, that learned men would, that godly men could be guilty of so deep, and damnable dissimulation?

7. Musing with myself on this matter, and occasionally exchanging Letters with the Sons of Bishop Hall, it came into my mind to ask them Joseph's question to his brethren, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake, is he yet alive? And, being informed of his life and health, I addressed myself in a Letter unto him, for satisfaction in this particular, who was pleased to honor me with this return herein inserted:

Let the Reader consider with himself, how the Suggester speaks by hear-say, of things done at distance, whereat himself not present, whose disassection to the decisions of that Synod, inclines him to credit ill reports against it. And yet, as afraid, though willing to speak out, in his methinks I see, vents but his own conjectural surmises. Let him also weigh in the balance of his judgment, how this purgation of this Synod is positive, and punctual, from one an ear-and eyewitnesse thereof, being such an one as Doctor Hall, and now aged; so that his testimonium herein, may seem testamentum; his witness, his will, and the truth therein delivered, a Legacy by him bequeathed to posterity. I say, the premises seriously considered, let the Reader procced to sentence, as God and his conscience shall direct him; and, either condemn a private person of slander, and salsity; or a whose Synod of injustice, and perjury.

8. My desire to make this History of the Synod entire, hath made me omit the death of James Montague, the worthy Bishop of Winchester, who left this life the last year: Son to Sir Ed: Montague of Boughton in Northampton-shire, bred in Christ's, afterwards Master of Sidney-College in Cambridge, highly favored by King JAMES, (whose Works he set forth) preferring him to the Bishopric first of Bath and Wells, then to Winchecter: in Bath he lies buried under a fair Tomb, though the whole Church be his Monument, which his bounty repaired, or rather raised out of the ruins thereof. One passage at his burial I must not forget, having received it from the mouth of his younger Brother Sir Sidney Montague, present at his Funeral solemnities.

9. A certain Officer of Bath-Church, being a very corpulent man, was upon the day of the Bishop's burial appointed to keep the doors: He entered on this his employment in the Morning whereon the Funeral was kept, but was buried himself before night, and before the Bishops body was put into the ground, because being bruised to death by the pressing in of people, his Corps required speedy interment; so needful it is for those to watch for their own change, who wait on the graves of others.

10. I cannot attain the exact date of the death of John Overall, carrying Superintendency in his Surname, the Bishop of Norwich; first, Fellow of Trinity. Coll: then Master of Katherine-Hall, and King's Professor of Divinity in Cambridge. One of a strong brain to improve his great reading, and accounted one of the most Learned Controversial Divines of those days.

11. A grand Grievance was now much complained of, but little redressed: some great Courtiers there were, to whom the KING had passed His Grants to compound with Papists for their Recusancy. Some of these Grantees abused the KING's favor, and Compounded with such persons for light sums, even before their legal Conviction, whereby the Offenders in that kind became the more backward to Conform themselves to the king's Laws, Hit Majesty not aiming at their punishment, but reformation. And although this indirect course was flatly forbidden by His Royal Declaration, set forth 1610: yet was this corruption connived at, and is conceived a main cause of the great and speedy increase of Popery.

12. About this time, a sad mischange besell George About Archbishop of Can terbury, in this manner, He was invited by the Lord Zouch to Bramshill in Hampshire to hunt and kill a Buck; The Keeper ran amongst the Herd of Deer to bring them up to the sairer mark, whilst the Archbishop litting on his Horse back, let loose a barded-Arrow from a Crosbow, and unhappily hit the Keeper: He was shot through the Enmontery of the left Arm, and the Arrow dividing those grand auxiliary vessels, he died of the flux of blood immediately. Nature having provided, that all the large Vessels are defended externally by bones: He never spake after, as the person still alive at Croydon, who brought off his body, informed me, and died not of the ill-dressing of the Wound, as some have printed it. This presently put an end to the sport that day, and almost to the Archbishops mirth to the last of his life.

13. The same of this man's death, flew faster than the Arrow that killed him: The Archbishops mischance, in many men met not with so sad a casualty did deserve: He was not much beloved by the inferior Clergy, as over-rigid and austere: Indeed, he was mounted to command in the Church, before he ever learned to obey therein; Made a Shepherd of Shepherds, before he was a Shepherd of Sheep; Consecrated Bishop, before ever called to a Pastoral Charge; which made, say some, him not to sympathize with the necessities and insirmities of poor Ministers. As for the superior Clerigie, some for his irregularity and removal expected preferment, as the second Boule is made first, and the third, second, when that nearest the mark, is violently removed.

14. It is strange to see, how suddenly many men started up Canonists and Casuists in their discourse, who formerly had small skill in that profession. In their ordinary talk they cited Councils and Synods: some had up S. Jerome's speech, Venatorem nunquam legimus sanctum: others were busy with the Decree of the Council of Orleans, (Gratian 49 B. distinct.34.) Episcopo Presbytero, ant Diacono canes ad venandum, ant accipitres habere non licet. Others distinguished of a three-fold hunting: 1. Oppressiva. 2. Arenaria. 3. Saltuosa. These maintained, that the two former were utterly unlawful, but the last might lawfully be used. Others distinguished of Homicide: 1. Exnecessitate. 2. Ex voluntate. 3. Excasu. the case in hand. In a word, this accident divided all great companies into pro and con, for or against the Archbishops irregularity on this occasion, yet all the force of their skill could not mount the guilt of this fact higher than the fountain thereof. When all was done it was but Casual Homicide, who sought not for the man, but God was pleased to bring the Man to his hand.

15. Sir Henry Savill, the Archbishops old acquaintance as his contemporary in Oxford, repaired on his behalf to the Oracle of the Law, Sir Edward Coke, whom he found a bowling for his recreation. My Lord, said he, I come to be satisfied of you in a point of Law. If it be a point of Common Law, (said sir Edward Coke) I am unworthy to be a Judge, if I cannot presently satissie you; but if it be a point of Statute Law, I am unworthy to be Judge, if I should undertake to satissie you; before I have consulted my Books. It is this, (said Sir Henry ) Whether may a Bishop Hunt in a Park by the Laws of the Realm? I can presently resolve you, said the Judge, He may bunt by the Laws of the Realm by this very token, That there is an old Law, (let the young Students in that profession find it out) that a Bishop, when dying, is to leave his pack of Dog's (called Muta canum) to the Kings free use and disposal.

16. The party, whom the Archbishop suspected his greatest Foe, proved his most firm and effectual Friend, even Lancelot Andrew's Bishop of Winchester: For when several Bishop inveighed against the irregularity of the Archbishop, laying as much (if not more) guilt, on the act, than it would bear, He mildly checked them: Brethren (said he) be not too busy to condemn any for Uncanonicalls according to the strictness thereof, left we render ourselves in the same condition. Besides we all know, canones, qui dicunt lapsos post actam poenitentiam, ad clericatum non esse restituendos, de rigor loquuntur disciplinae, noninjiciunt desperationem indulgentiae.

17. King James being Himself delighted in Hunting, was sorry any ill accident should betide the users thereof. But when He was assured, how deeply the Archbishop laid this casualty to his heart, He much pitied him, and said to a Lord, discoursing thereof, It might have been My chance or thine. So that not long after the Archbishop (who had lately retired himself to Guildford Alms-house of his own founding) returned to Lambeth, and to the performance of his Office, though some squeamish, and nice-conscienced Elects scrupled to be consecrated by him. He gave during his own life Twenty pounds a year to the Man 's Widow, which was not long a Widow, as quickly re-married. He kept a Monethly-Fast on a Tuesday, as the day whereon this casualty befell; in a word, this Keeper's death was the Archbishop's mortification.

18. At this time the KING's Exchequer grew very low, though Lionel Cransield Lord Treasurer, and Earl of Middlesex, neglected no means for the improving thereof. In order whereunto, (Reader, let this Story pass into thy belief, on my credit, knowing myself sufficiently assured thereof) a Projector, such necessary evils then much countenanced) informed His MAJESTY of a way whereby speedily to advance much Treasure. And how for sooth was it? Even that a new Valuation should be made of all Spiritual preferments, (which now in the King's Books passed at Under-tates) to bring them up to, or near the full value thereof. This would promote both the casual fines (as I may term them) of First-fruits, and the Annual rent of Tenths, to the great advantage of the Crown. The KING sent to the Lord Treasurer demanding his judgment thereof.

19. The Treasurer returned His MAJESTY an Answer to this effect, so near as I can remember from the mouth of a Noble person then present: Sir, You have ever been beheld, as a great Lover and Advancer of Learned men, and You know Clergy-men's education is chargeable to them, or their friends: Long it is before they get any preferment, which at last, generally, is but small in proportion to their pains and expenses. Let it not be said, that You gained by grinding them; other ways less obnoxious to just censure, will be found out, to furnish your occasions. The KING commended Cranfield, ( as doing it only for trial) adding moreover, I should have accounted thee a very knave, if encouraging Me herein: and so the project was blasted, for the present, as it was, when it budded again, propounded by some unworthy instrument in the Reign of King CHARLES.

20. I know, some will suspect the Treasurer, more likely to start than crush so gainful a design, as who by all ways & means sought to increase the royal Revenue. I know also, that some accuse him, as if making his Master's wings to molt, thereby the better to feather his own nest. Indeed, he raised a fair estate, and surely he will never be a good Steward for his Master, who is a bad one for himself. Yet on due and true enquiry it will appear, that though an High power did afterwards prosecute him, yet his innocence in the main preserved him to transmit a good estate to his posterity. So that much of truth must be allowed in his Motto, PERDIDIT FIDES, he was lost at Court for his fidelity to K. JAMES, in sparing His Treasure, and not answering the expensivenesse of a great Favorite.

21. A Parliament was called, wherein Francis Bacon L ^d Chancellor, was outed his Office for Bribery, the frequent receiving thereof by him, or his, was plainly proved. Yet for all his taking, just and unjust, he was exceedingly poor and much indebted. Wherefore, when motion was made in the House of Commons, of Fining him some thousand of pounds, a noble Member standing up, desired that for two Reasons his Fine might be mitigated into forty shillings: First, because that would be paid, whereas a greater sum, would only make a noise, and never be paid. Secondly, the shame would be the greater, when such his prodigality that he, who had been so large a taker in his Office, was reduced to such penury, that forty shillings should be conceived a sufficient Fine for his Estate. But it was fine enough for him to lose his Office, remitted to a mean and private condition.

22. None can character him to the life, save himself. He was in parts, more than a Man, who in any Liberal profession, might be, whatsoever he would himself. A great Honourer of ancient Authors, yet a great Deviser and Practiser of new ways in Learning. Privy Counselor, as to King JAMES, so to Nature itself, diving into many of her abstruse Mysteries. New conclusions he would dig out with mattocks of gold & silver, not caring what his experience cost him, expending on the Trials of Nature, all and more than he got by the Trials at the Barre, Posterity being the better for his, though he the worse for his own, dear experiments. He and his Servants had all in common, the Men never wanting what their Master had, and thus what came flowing in unto him, was sent flying away from him, who, in giving of rewards knew no bounds, but the bottom of his own purse. Wherefore when King JAMES heard that he had given Ten pounds to an under-keeper, by whom He had sent him a Buck, the KING said merrily, I and He shall both die Beggars, which was condemnable Prodigality in a Subject. He lived many years after, and in his Books will ever survive, in the reading whereof, modest Men commend him, in what they do, condemn themselves, in what they do not understand, as believing the fault in their own eyes, and not in the object.

23. All stood expecting who should be Bacon 's Successor in the Chancery. Sure he must be some man of great and high abilities, (otherwise it would seem a valley next a mountain ) to maintain a convenient and comely level in that eminent Place of Judicature. Now whilst in common discourse, some made this Judge, others that Sergeant Lord Chancellor, King JAMES made Dr. Williams, lately (and still) Dean of Westminster, soon after Bishop of Lincoln. Though the KING was the principal, the Duke of Buckingham was more than the instrumental advancer of him to the title of Lord Keeper, in effect the same in Place and Power with the Lord Chancellor.

24. The KING's choice produced not so much dislike as general wonder. Yet some cavilled at Doctor Williams his Age, as if it were preposterous for one, to be able for that Office before ancient, and as if one old enough for a Bishop; were too young for a Chancellor. Others questioned his abilities, for the Place. Could any expect to reap Law, where it was never sown? who can apply the remedy whilst he is ignorant in the malady? Being never bred to know the true grounds and reasons of the Common Law, how could he mitigate the rigor thereof in difficult cases? He would be prone to mistake the severity of the Common Law for cruelty, and then unequal equity, and unconscionable conscience must be expected from him. Besides the Place was proper not for the plain but guarded Gown, and the Common Lawyers prescribed for six Descents (a strong Title indeed) wherein only Men of their Robe were advanced thereunto.

25. Yet some of these altered their judgments, when considering his education, who for many years had been House Chaplain (yea, and more than Chaplain, intimate Friend-servant) to the old Lord Edgerton, who understood the Chancellor-Craft as well as any whoever sat in that Place; and who, whilst living, imparted many Mysteries of that Court; when dying, bequeathed many choice Books and directions unto him. His parts were eminent, who could make anything he read or heard his own, and could improve anything which was his own to the utmost. Besides, for a Clergy-man to be Lord Chancellor was no usurpation, but a recovery, seeing Ecclesiastics anciently were preferred to that Place, and Sir Nicholas Bacon, (Father to the last Chancellor ) received the Broad Seal from a Church-man, viz: Nicholas Heath, Archbishop of York.

26. Considering all disadvantages, he managed the Office to admiration. I know it is reported by his adversaries to his discredit, That never L. Keeper made so many Orders, w ^c h afterwards were reversed, w ^c h whether true or no, I know not. Sure it is that unpartial men of the best & clearest judgments highly commended him, and J. Yelverton himself hearing him in a case of concernment, ingenuously professed, This is a most admirable Man. Here he sat in the Office, so long, till disdaining to be a Dependent (as a Pent-house ) on the Duke 's favor, and desiring to stand an absolute structure on his own foundation, at Court; he fell, as God willing shall in due time be related.

27. Should we now look into the Convocation, we should find them on Wednesdays and Fridays devoutly at the Litany, otherwise having little employment, as impowered by no Commission to alter anything. So that sitting amongst the Tombs in Westminster Church, they were (as once one of their Prolocutors said) Viva cadavera inter mortuos, as having no motion or activity allowed unto them.

28. About this time Meric Casaubon set forth a Book in defense of his deceased Father, against whom many had spit their venom. First, Heribert Roswed, a Jesuit; and after him Andrew Schoppius, a renowned railer; one that is always incensed against Learning, and Honesty, wheresoever he finds them severally, but implacable against such a man in whom both meet together. It seems it is his policy thus to seek to perpetuate his memory, by railing against eminent persons; hoping, that he shall jointly survive with their worth, whereas their light shall burn bright, when his snuff shall be trodden underfoot. Then Julius Caesar Bullinger, and Andrew Eudemono Joannes, a vizard-name, composed to fright fools, and make wise men laugh at it. Yea, though he had formerly met with a quaternion of learned Confuters, Bishop Abbot, Doctor Prideaux, Doctor Collins, Master Burrhill; young Casaubon, then Student in Christ-Church, thought it his duty farther to assert his Fathers memory, and to give a brief account of his life, and conversation.

29. This is the benefit of Learned men's marriage, God oftentimes so blessing it, that they need not go out of themselves, for a champion to defend them, but have one springing from their own bowels. And his Son, though by reason of his age low in himself, is tall when standing on the advantage-ground of his Fathers grave, whose memory he is to maintain. Yea, God seems so well pleased with his piety, that his endeavors took such effect, that no railing Libels to that purpose came forth afterwards, which formerly had been so frequent. Whether because these curres, weary of their own barking, did even sneak away in silence; or because they had no more mind to challenge, seeing a Defendant provided to undertake them.

30. Upon the removal of Richard Milborne to Carlisle, William Laud, President of S. John 's College in Oxford, was made Bishop of S. David's. Of whom, because everyone speaks so much, I will say the less. The rather, because at this time, and during the extent of our History, this Bishop lived in a private way, bare no great stream, as being before that the tide of greatness flowed in upon him. Yea, as yet he took more notice of the world, than the world did of him. Indeed, as the matter, whereof China-dishes are made, must lie some Ages in the earth before it is ripened to perfection: so great persons are not fit for an Historian's use to write freely of them, till some years after their decease, when their memories can neither be marred with envy, nor mended with flattery. However his good deeds to S. John 's College in Oxford must not be forgotten; yea, that whole University (if afraid in English to speak in praise of his bounty) will adventure with safety to commend him in the Arabic tongue, whereof he founded them a Professor.

31. This year was fatal to many eminent Clergy-men, beside others of inferior note. We begin with John King, Bishop of London, formerly Dean of Christ-Church, who died on Good-Friday of the stone. Of ancient extraction, in cujus Genere vel Indole nihil reperio mediocre, nihil quod non praecellens, descended (saith the Survay of London ) from the Saxon Kings in Devonshire by his Father Philip King, sometimes Page to King HENRY the VIII, Nephew and Heir to Robert King last Abbot of Osney, and first Bishop of Oxford, who left him a great personal Estate, which it seems was quickly consumed, so that this Prelate used to say, He believed there was a Fate in Abbey-Money no less than Abbey-Land, which seldom proved Fortunate or of Continuance to the Owners.

32. He was Chaplain to Queen ELIZABETH, and as he was appointed by Her Council to preach the first Sermon at Court when Her Body lay In hearsed in the Chapel of White-Hall, so was he designed for the first Sermon to Her Successor King JAMES at Charter-House when He entered London, then sworn his first Chaplain; Who commonly called him [ the King of Preachers. ] And Sir Edward Coke would say of him, He was the best Speaker in Star-Chamber in his time. Soon after he was made Dean of Christ-Church, Oxford; and chosen one of the four Preachers in the Conference at Hampton-Court. Then advanced to the Bishopric of London: Where he let the world see his high Place of Government, did not cause him to forget his Office in the Pulpit; showing by his example, That a Bishop might Govern and Preach too. In which service he was so frequent, that unless hindered by want of health, he omitted no Sunday whereon he did not visit some Pulpit in London, or near it.

33. The Papists raised an aspersion, as false, as foul, upon him; That, at his death he was reconciled to the Church of Rome, sufficiently confuted by those eye • and ear-witnesses, present at his pious departure. These slanders are no news to such as have read, how Luther is traduced by Popish pens, to have died blaspheming. Caralostadius to have been carried quick by a Devil. And Beza to have apostated before his death. In all which, truth hath triumphed over their malicious forgeries. Something, Bp. King endeavored in the repairing of S. Paul 's; but alas! a private man's estate may be invisibly buried under the rubbish of the least Chapel therein. By order in his Will he provided, that nothing should be written on his plain Grave-stone, save only RESURGAM: and still he is alive, both in his memory, and happy posterity. George Mountain, Bishop of Lincoln, succeeded him in his See; who, when his great House-keeping, and magnificent entertaining of King JAMES, shall be forgotten, will longer survive for his bountiful benefaction to Queens-Coll: in Cambridge, whereof he was Fellow and Proctor.

34. Secondly, William Cotton, Bishop of Exeter, born in Cheshire, formerly Archdeacon of Louis: one of a stout spirit, and a great maintainer of Conformity against the opposers thereof in his Diocese: Valentine Carew, Dean of S. Paul 's, and Master of Christ-College in Cambridge, of a courtlike carriage, and stout spirit, succeeded him in Exeter, which place can give the best account of his behavior therein.

35. Thirdly, Robert Townson, born in Cambridge, Fellow of Queens-College, Dean of Westminster, of a comely carriage, courteous nature, an excellent Preacher: He left his Wife and many Children, neither plentifully provided for, nor destitute of maintenance, which rather hastened than caused the advancement of John Davenant, his Brother-in-law, to succeed him in the Bishopric of Sarisbury.

36. Therein also expired Andrew Willet, Doctor of Divinity, (God-son to Andrew Pearne, Dean of Eli, where he was born) brought up in Christ-College in Cambridge, who ended his pious life, being much bruised with a fall from his horse. A man of no little judgment, and greater industry, not unhappy in Controversies, but more happy in Comments, and one that had a large soul in a narrow estate. For, his charge being great (may his Children remember and practice their Father's precepts) and means small, as more proportioned to his desires, than deserts; he was bountiful above his ability, and doubled what he gave by cheerful giving it. He was buried in his Parish at Barlie in Hertford shire. Happy Village! which lost such a Light, and yet was not left in darkness, only exchanging blessings, Reverend Doctor Brou • rigge succeeding him.

37. Nor must we forget Richard Parry, Doctor of Divinity, Bishop of Asaph, who this year exchanged this life for a better. He was first bred in Christ-Church in Oxford, where he made plentiful proceeding in Learning, and Religion, and thence was advanced to the Deanrie of Bangor, on whom Bishop Godwin bestows this (call it complement, or) character: Cui eruditione, caeteris{que} Episcopalibus virtutibus utinam egomet tam illi essem aequalis, quàm ill mihi aetate, studiorúm{que} Academicorum tempore, locóque.