Appeal to the Parliament, Evidence · Part 7
7. Position proved.
NOw we come to the 7. grievance, where we endeavour to prove, that of all the evills inflicted, and of all the good hindred, since Anno 600. one or more of the Hierarchie have been a principall cause.
The proofe of this point must be by induction of particular instances, selected from the Histories of the Kingdome; wherein we may be the breifer, because we know your Honours, (by your owne industrie and experience) to be better acquainted with your owne Histories then we can make you.
To begin with Austine, of whom the Papists boast, that he is the Father of our Religion, called by the Lovanists, our English Apostle. Of his Fatherhood or Religion we have litle cause to boast, nam haeret lateri laethalis arundo; the splinters of his plantation, sticke yet in our sides. He may be called indeede with Gregory his M. Pater Ceremoniarum the Father of Ceremonies; which being sowne by him, like evill weedes they growe up with increase, and could never to this time be rooted up. Histories relate, how upon his arrivall he erected his Masters Coulers, namely, the banner of the Crosse, and having seated himself, would needes put his Popish rites upon the Britainnes and Scotts (for at that time they were free from Romish Ceremonies:) But not prevayling with them, (though the busines were backed with a legion of fained miracles) he insinuates himself another way, by procuring a Sinode, wherein his Pope like pride, being offensive to all, was checked and rejected of all, by which (his choller being raysed and inflamed with desire of revenge) he threatned them with the devouring sword of the Pagan, and he was as good as his word;Gulielm. Westmon. nam accersit ad caedem Athelfridum; he called that Pagan King of Northumberland, to the bloody massacre of Gods Ministers, and poore harmeles, & unarmed people. So it was not a Prophesie as some would colour it, but a bloody project; sorting very well with Romes new foundation in England.Gervasius Tilbiensis de otijs imperialib. Sanguine sanctorum, dorobornensis ecclesia primatiam obtinuit, the Church of Canterbury saith one obtayned her primacy, by shedding of the blood of the Saincts, Rome is layd in blood, & must bath and swell in blood, till her owne blood be given her to drinke, yet for all this it may be said of him, with some restriction as it was said of his Master, he was the best of that band that succeeded him, saue a very few, whose eyes God inlightened, and whose hearts God opened to see and hate the scarlett whoore, of whom some did seale their hatred with their blood. This will evidently appeare if we take but a viewe, as we meane to doe, of his successors the very Firebrands of the State, what combinations with forraigne powers, what vassalling of the State to forraigne jurisdiction, what treasons, what tossing and banding of Kings and Crownes have they been Authors of? what civill combustions? what bloody braules among themselves? what instigation of the subjects against their Princes? what alienation of Princes hearts from their subjects? what tiranny over Kings and people? what destruction of the State, what vexing, pininge and bloody bouchering of the Saints? what letts and impediments of all good in Church and common wealth hath growne and yet doe growe from this bitter Roote? yea what of all these have not their rise from it? so that it is verified of them, which is said of the Egyptian Peach tree the branches are worse then the roote. For neither was his pompe so gorgious; his attendance so great, nor his furniture so glorious, neither his servants such roarers, his traine so carried, nor his lettany so stuffed both for matter and manner with Popish devises, nor the ordinances of God so overlaide with the rubbish of Romish Ceremonies. So that verified is the Proverbe in an evill generation seldom cōmeth the better: yea our owne times proclayme it that the last of the Hierarchie be the worst. But to goe on with our proofe, wherein we must be breife to shun tediousnes.
Theodorus the seventh from Austin in nothing naturing his name, being gotten into the chayre, began to play the Rex, or (as one saith) all his reakes over his brethren, placing and displacing at his pleasure, in despight of the King, such as were placed by the King; here Romes right hand begun to worke against the Kings of England; By this Theodore was sett a foote, the latin Service, Masses, Ceremonies, Lettenies, with all the rest of the Romish trash.
Lambright, alias Ianbright, the 13. from Austin fell foule of treason against Offa the King,Lambert Pe…amb. Pag. 133. upon which he translated the Sea of Canterbury, to Lichfeild, these be the prankes of the Prelates.
In the times of the 7. Kings of the Saxons, which be but the beginings of higher attempts: For when Egbert had made of all the foresaid kingdoms, one intire Monarchie, the Lord stirred up the Danes a firey, barbarous and cruell nation (after some attempts) to seaze upō the kingdom which they brought to such a slaverie, as the like was never read off: and what was the cause why God gaue them up to such a fearfull judgment? the learned tell us for their idolatrie, and superstition, hatched and increased by the swelling prelates, whence issued all manner of profanesse, yet in both these they came short of ours, to shutte up this centurie: may your Honours be pleased to observe what a pickle this clergie had put the State into, by that oration of king Edgar whom Dunstane that notorious jugler and sorcerer by his lying dreames, and fained miracles seduced mightily, to the hurt of him and his subjects.
Now let us take a scantling of the last Centurie of Prelacy, from William the Conquerour to our times; wherein for further demonstration of our propounded greivance, we can shew them to bee the fewell, fire, and bellowes, of all our greatest evills.
To begin with the Conquest. As the Idolatrie and Superstition (as hath bene shewed) of their predecessors was the cause why God gave-up this nation to the Danish cruelty, so histories witnesse together with that vision, of king Edward a litle before his death, how the idlenes, avarice, dissolute life, and overlording of the clergie (whence proceeded all impietie, loosnesse, and iniquitie of the laity) were the verie cause why God gaue the nation up to the intollerable tyrannie of the Normans, whereby lawes, liberties, houses of Nobility, and all states and conditions were either raced, or inslaved; and if a body may be known by the head, let the practise of Stigandus and the men of his Sea speak in the first place for all, who being exceeding rich, and extreamly greedy invaded (as it is written) the Sea of Canterburie by Simonie, being both B. of Winchester and Abbot of an other place: but from him to Langfrank that conquering Prelate, for as a learned Antiquarie saith wittily, and truly, He thought it all reason, that he should make a Conquest of the English clergy as his Master had made a conquest of the Kingdome.
His successor Anselme, confirming that Doctrine of Devills, against Ministers mariage, affronted the King to his face, threatening to excommunicate him in his owne quarrell, yea for all the Kings witt and valour, he made him seeke all the corners of his saddle and iustled him from his right, for which feates of activitie, the Pope honoured him highly, in giving him to sitt at his right foote, with this Encomie, Includamus hunc in orbe nostro, tanquam alterius orbis Papam; Let us inclose this man within our owne spheare, as the Pope of an other World.
What dissention, war, and bloodshed overflowed the Land in the time of King Stephen, who invaded the Crowne contrary to his oath, given to Maude the Empresse daughter to King Henr. 1. and his owne Cousin, all this was from the advise of William Corveil, Archbishop of Canterbury, being backed by the Pope, the Father of such Children, this stickeling Prelate contrary to his faith given to the said Empresse, stole away the peoples hearts, from their Native Soveraigne, whence issued so much evill of sinne and judgment, as perjury, rapine, bloodshed, oppression, as made the Land a Map of misery.
Did not Thurstane Archb. work the King a great deal of mischeife & trouble, getting the Pope to threaten the King with excommunication, if he were not admitted to the Sea of Yorke upon his owne termes. And so entered, maugre the Kings resolution.
What a deale to doe made that proud Popeling Beckett to King Henry the second, and all the state; His cause (as his owne favorites affirme) being no better then patrocinie of murtherers, and other vile malefactors of the Clergie, whom he would not suffer (contrary to his owne edict and oath) to be tryed by the Laws of the Land, having committed (as it is recorded) in one yeare a 100. severall murthers upon the Kings subiects. To such as were arraigned of them, he tooke upon him to be asylum, or sanctuary, but as he brought himself unto diserved destruction (though the form of his executiō is not to be approved) so his pride and rebellion was transubstantiated by the Pope, (who can make every thing of any thing) unto an Idolatrous and blasphemous saint-ship. This plagued the Land worse then all the rest, for as it is treason against a King to entertayne his rebell under the name of an Honourable and Lawfull subject, so it is high treason against God, to make an Idoll of a Trayter, (as Beckett was) whose name of blasphemy so resounded every where, (as one saith well) that the name of Christ was quite forgotten.
Come we now to William B. of Ely (the Popes Legate and Vicar, first Chancellour of England, and then Viceroy in King Richards absence) what port he kept, what tyranny he exercised over all the Kings subiects, not forbearing the Kings owne brethren, Histories make plain, in so much as one saith well, that the Laitie found him more then a King, and the Clergie more then a Pope. As he devoured all where he came with his great pompous traine (no fewer then a 1000. or 1600: horse) so he had undone the State, if he had not been taken off.
Let Steven Langton take the next place, whom the Pope made choice of, ut virum strenuum (as one saith) such a one as would beard Kings, rob Churches, and keep the people in slaverie, whose entrance being resisted by King Iohn, both he and his realm were interdicted by the Pope, who enarmed the French King, with the pardon of all his sinnes, and the Crowne of England for his paines, if he would invade him in this strait.
The rest of the Popes lymbes (like traytors as they were) sided with the French King; the Nobilitie shrunke, and the commons wavered, not knowing what to do, whereupon the King (notwithstanding his Princely and magnanimious parts) was so mated with that miscreant and danted, partly with the feare of forraigne and domesticke foes, and partly with the jealousie of his fainting adherents, that he was forced to vassal himself, and his Kingdom at the Popes foote, wherein though the King shewed his weakenes, yet his heavy and many burdens plead hard for his excuse. And as we cannot read the story without much pittying that worthy, (though unhappy Prince) so we can not but abhorre these treacherous Prelats, and blame exceedingly the inconstancie and disloyaltie of his subjects. Hence be pleased to observe (right Honourable) what an evill thing it is for subjects through their pusillanimitie to leave their Soveraigne in the hands of wickednes, it maketh them often doe what they neither would nor should.
This instance of this abused and murthered King is the rather to be thought on, by reason of the French Kings resolution against the State, who unadvisedly brought him in, he resolved to destroy all the nobilitie and their howses that had taken part with him against their native Soveraigne, besides the other tyrannyes, which the French would have practised, so that we should take notice how that one brand out of the Popes Chimney had not onelyonly sett on fire, but had allmost consumed the Kingdom to ashes, if the Lord had not by an extraordinary discovery from a French Vicount on his death bed, delivered the Nation.
To come to Henry the thirds time, wherein that bloody Bishop (for so the story calleth him) Peter of Winchester, set himself, with one Peter Rivalis, the Kings Minion, to plott the overthrowe of the best deserveing states-men, yea of the King and state it self, instance his practise against the life and honour of that well deserveing worthy Hubert, Earle of Kent, and Lord cheife Iustice of England, the very sword and safeguard of his Prince, (as one calleth him) both against forreigne and domesticke foes, yet because he could not indure the pride & treachery of the Prelats by false & forged criminations, they brought him under the Kings displeasure. By reason whereof he suffered many greivous things, and was often in danger of his life, but the good hand of God was with him in extraordinary deliverances. And at last (being rid out of the way into Wales) that the Prelats might the more freely worke, they and others their Confederates, put the King upon such evill courses, as had almost undone himself, and the State of the Kingdome.
Concerning the aforesaid Peter of Winchester, one Roger Bacon moved a pretty question to the King, What things doe Sea-men most feare? Stormes and quickesands (said the King) or such like. No (saith Bacon) but Petrus de Rupibus, for they are the Rockes indeed that make Ship-wracke of the state.
Edward the first also and his government, wanted not his share of hard measure from the Prelats, for (besides that universall obedience which Robert Winchelsey Archb. of Cant. yealded to the Popes Edict, against contribution to the King in his Warres) he stood out with the King upon his owne termes of reconciliation, perswading absolute obedience to the Pope, and not to the King. Also after much intollerable tyranny exercised over the Kings people, and denying to call the King his Lord, in his letters, he plotted treason with sundry of the nobles, against the Kings person, intending to put him besides the Crowne, and to cast him in prison; whereof when he was accused from the Kings owne mouth, and could not deny it, he fell on his face with teares, begging pardon from the King.
In Edward the seconds time; the favourites had most of the domineering power in their hands, yet we read that the Bishop of Coventry was a great favourer and abetter of Gaveston.
As for Edward the third haveing great warres in hand, and standing in neede of ayde, he called a Parliament at Yorke, whereunto Iohn Stratford Archbishop of Canterburie, denied to come: neither would he suffer any of his Bishops, to make their appearance, & all for feare that he should not be suffered to erect his crosse; by which Popish peevish tricke and rebellious part, the King was frustrated of his ends, and the State therby endangered. It is true that this Edward was indeed (as he was called) Malleus Romanorum. Yet in his latter dayes that proud Courtney made litle account of him: and so disdainfully affronted his brother Duke of Lancaster, and the Earle of Northumberland (who took the defence of Iohn Wickliffe) that he enraged the madde people against the said noble men, so that they avenged themselves upon their houses and housholdstuffe.
Thus your Honours may see in what account the branches of the blood Royal are with bloodie & rebellious Prelats. Who will neither spare them (if they maintaine the Gospell) nor spare that good commoditie, which should save our soules.
Richard the 2. was no better served by the saucie Bishop of Norweidge in levying souldiers at the charge of the subjects to fight the Popes battles (contrarie to the Kings command) he was sent for by the King, but he refused to obay, affirming that going on & action were more necessarie, than to goe speake with the King, it might be to small purpose.
To goe on with Henry the 4. supported & put on by these men to disthrone his master a brave Prince, but much abused.
They laid hold on the occasion the rather, because he hearkened somwhat to Wickliffe and was not for Romes tooth. They first stirred up a rebellion in Ireland which the King went in person to suppresse, but before his return they had stolne away the hearts of his subjects, and set them upon his subject, the Earle of Darby, neither weighing the glorious memorie of the grandfather, nor the the unrepayable desert of the princely father; but thirsting for the blood of the saincts they advanced the said Earle to the crown: that by this they might both rid the King out of the way, and have a King for ever obliged to patronize their blooddie designs against Gods people. And this they did effect. For after the death of Richard they incited the King and prevailed with him to enact that blooddie inquisitiō oath, which became the very shambles & butchering house of Gods people.
Thus the supreame Magistrate (who should have been the breath of his people) was for the maintenance of an Earthlie Crowne, brought to bath in the blood of his best people.
This he would never have done, were it not for pleasing of cruell Arundell Archb. of Cant. and his crew, who vowed & sware that he would not leave one slip of Professors in this Land.
As some of the same discent (to their litle Land) have said litle lesse of the Puritanes (as they call them) th'aforesaid Arundel and his shavelings, the King feared more than God and his Word; And therefore it is an heavie yoke for Kings to be yoked with them. He saw no way in his carnal apprehension to make the Crowne sticke to him and his, but by sacrificieng the blood of Gods people to the persecutors of the saints. But for all this his owne makers thought to have marred him. For Richard Archbishop of Yorke waged warre against him, and thought to have taken both Crowne and life from him; but he mist of his purpose, and so left his head in pawne.
From the time of Henr. the 4. the Prelats (thus fleshed in the butcherie of Gods people) went on to a greater height of tyrannie, adding drunkennes to thirst.
They prevail'd with Henr. the 5. to make an unjust and mischeivous statute under pretence of treason against the servants of the most High, whom they called Heretickes. That statute in regard of the frame may be called Monstrous, and blooddie in respect of the end.
The preface of the statute standeth onelyonly upon treason: the bodie of the statute runneth all on Heresie, 2. Hen. 5. cap. 7.who list to look the statute may at the first view discerne the head or root discording with the bodie, and the branches of the bodie, opposing one an other (as ordinarily wicked decrees consist of non-sence and self-confusion) for so the wise God taketh the foolish in their owne Policie: To go no further;Anno 1603 witnesse our late Non-sence Canons (to say no more of them.) But to the said statute a little further, the purport and end whereof, was to insnare and calumniate the Professors of truth. For it is a common maxime amongst Romish forgers, to make the profession of the true Faith (which they call heresie) and treason to be convertible termes.
That the Prelates were the prime movers, yea the instigaters and procurers of this statute, it is clear from the matter, manner, preface, and end of the said statute: for neither could they instance anie such apparance of treason, nor did the King feare anie such treason; but onelyonly their hatred of Lolardy (as they called it) and feare of the truths prevailing was the ground of it; and the thing it selfe, a toade ingendred in the Bishops braines: witnesse that clause in the body of the statute, At the instance & request of the Ordinarie &c. but what commoditie or comfort had these two Kings from those suggested and inforced cruelties, by these firie Bishops? Surelie the evill overcame the supposed good, for they by these sinister means, indevouring to make the crown fast upon the heads of them and theirs, provoked the Lord in his blood-revenging-judgment, to take of their successors with Fishookes.
As for themselves, it may well be said of them, (especiallie of Henrie the 4.) that the stormes of their troubles, and fires of feares, were hotter and greater in life and death then the fires and fryings of the saincts wherein they were consumed to ashes. This may be a good caveat to all christian Princes, not to fasten their crownes, nor to fixe their tents by the cords of the prelates counsells: for it is remarkable and observed by sundrie, that never a King counselled nor State swayed by them, could stand or continue long in good temper or esteeme.
Astronomers observe and experience proves, that when Orion setteth with the sunne, and the Hyades rise with him (though it be in the begining of May) such nipping frosts, sharp haile, and tempestuous storms arise, that the season seemes to be changed, and that because these starrs be of a tempestuous nature, changing the ayre, and weakening the sweet & powerfull Influence of the Sunne, which till he be ridd of their opposition cannot manifest his vigour. Iust so the malignant and tempestuous power of the Prelacie, doth so impede and intercept the sweet influence of a Princely temperature and disposition, that doe what he can, all is like to be undone, till he leave Taurus or the house of the horned beast, which being forsaken, all distempers vanish & his gracious clemencie moves sweetly in the Gemini of the Church and common-wealth. Yea we can hardly number how many States and Kings, (besides our owne nation) they have brought either very lowe, or to utter ruine.
To go on then with Henr. 6. Left an infant, under the age of one yeare; upon whose harmelesse head God in his accustomary justice, laid the temporall judgment of the parents guilt. His very infancye, that Skarlett Cardinall Bishop of Winchester, besprinkled with the blood of Christs Martyrs. Yea, the more blood they drunke, the more they thirsted, as appeareth by the hott and cruell persecution in that Henries raigne. But somewhat lay in their way, namely that good Duke of Glocester, the Kings uncle, the very sword and shield of the King and State, whom they must of necessity have removed.
The Bishop of Winchester intended to have murthered him in the citty of London, but that not taking effect, a Parliament was called at Bury, where they aimed at his head, and so thy had it; but what was the cause? Surely nothing, (for all Sr. Thomas Moores Cogging) but onelyonly this, he was a just man and a good Patriott, hateing the Prelats haughtines, and deceiving villanies, loving the truth, and maintaining equity.
Where first may it please your Honours to observe the mettle of the Prelats, in fetching off so quickly & so easily, not the head of a Catelin or Scianus of a Spencer or Gaviston, but of a high and nigh Prince of the blood such an one, as well might be called Pater Patriae, the Father of the Country.
Secondly, all men may hence observe that piety & honestie, hath beene, is, and shallbe, matter enough for the Bishops to make the best fall, if they can find oportunity. But to the point this worthy … being removed the Bishops went on with their fiery persecutions, till the Lord sent the spirit of division upon the nation, stirring up these bloody intestine warrs betwixt the house of Yorke & Lancaster, wherof the like hath scarce been heard in any nation.
To omitt the particulars (as how many Princes of the blood, Nobles, Knights, Gentlemen, fell in that quarrell) In one Battle at Ferry Brigges were slaine (as men say) 30000. besides men of note. Thus the Lord in his justice made them instruments of his revenge one upon another, and who but the persecuting Prelats brought all this evill upon the Land, namely the blood of Gods people, as the provoking cause; the butchering one of another; the ruine of the King, and his race, and the shakeing of the state in peeces? That the Prelats hands were farre in this Kings miscarriage, and bloodie broyles ensuing, it is manifest by their never ceassing-desire, till the good Duke of Glocester (the Kings protectour indeed) was cut of. For it is their genuine disposition, to endure no trustie freind to God, the King or the State.
By this both King and State were open to those long enduring, and incomparable evills, tumultuous rebellions, raised by Cade & others.
In which troubles one thing is remarkable, as the very finger of God, that notwithstanding this intestine bloodshed in great abundance, gave fitt oportunity to forraigne invasion; yet that all-wise and just God restrained all forraignes from parting of them, till they had fully wrought the Lords revenge, in slaughtering one another. Hence let a nation addicted to Idolatrie and other sinnes observe. That the Lord will make one of them devoure an other, for a long time before he give them up to a forraigne enimie.Zacha. 11.6 And such a course the Lord seemeth to keep with us. But to hasten with the point from the beginning of that blooddie time, till the two houses of Yorke & Lancaster were united, there was half an houre silence in Heaven. Revell. 8.1.That is some small peace in the Church, partlie through the obscuritie of Professors, and partlie by the enimies working one upon an other. Notwithstanding the Prelats were still doing as they found occasion, instance the murthering of Peacocke Bishop of Chichester (as it is recorded) after his recantation.
Now to Henrie the 7. in whose time the Lord had no sooner given rest to the State, than they began to make warre upon the Saints, making the King himself an instrument, to subvert the faith of a poore Priest, by his awfull presence, and mandatorie persuasions, with whom the learnedst of their Clergie could not prevaile. Immediatlie upon this they carried the miserably seduced man to the fire and burned him. Was not this a fearfull evill against God and the State, against the soule of the King, against both the soule & bodie of the partie seduced? Was not this King (for all his great parts) much vassalled in the Honour of his Majestie, that he could not save (as we may thinke he promised) his supposed convert?
With their firie and blooddie courses they went on, to the exceeding great trouble of the King and Kingdome, as Histories discover at large. And howsoever that King heaped up much treasure, yet quicklie after his death it melted as snow against the Sunne.
We goe on with Henr. 8. the former part, of whose time they made an Aceldama or field of blood.
How he and all his subjects were abused and overrunne by the Prelats, as Gardiner, Bonner, & Woolsey, it is so obvious to everie one, and so fully laid downe in a bill of complaint, called the beggers petition, that it is not necessarie to be insisted upon.
There it is made plaine, that they were too strong against the King in Parliament, that no good lawes could passe against the wicked of the Land, nor no wicked law against the poore Gospellers could be stopped.
Winchester gott the King to sitt at the arraignment of holy Lambert, which he onelie did to humour these blooddie beasts, and to serve his owne ends.
To be breife, they made him exceedingly to transgresse, serving themselves with him, disturbing his peace, inward and outward, causing him undeservedlie to cut off his best Freindes, and trustiest servants, instance Cromwell, because they served God and him, against the Prelats pride and tyrannie.
As for Queene Mary, who set all in a flame, she had the fewe from them; that fed her distempered disposition against Gods people. What Honours and Possession, she lost, and how troublesome her State and burdensome her life was to her, it is more then evident.
But what is all this to our Bishops may some say, these were Popish Bishopps? For answer:
First, their doings have so farre proved the point. 2. Ours be no other for order (as we have proved) then Popish Bishops. They are garments cut out of the very same cloth; a paire of sheeres (as we say) went but betweene them; OnelyOnly divers hands have cut them out. And to say that our Lord Bishops with all their essentiall and integrall parts (whereof they consist) are not Popish Bs. is a contradiction in adiecto. They are installed after the same manner, created with the most of the same Ceremonies, they are trimed up in the same trappings, they have the like attendants, the like armes and observancy, they usurp the same power and jurisdiction, and exercise the like tyranny over Ministers and people.
But for further proofe of the point concerning their particulars, be pleased (right Honourable) to take a view of their proceedings.
To begin with Edward the sixt (a gracious plant, whereof our soyle was unworthy) who like an other Iosias setting himself with all his strength about reformation, did abhorre and forbid, that any Masse should be permitted to his owne sister. Further, he was desirous, not to leave a hoofe of the Romish Beast in his Kingdome, as he was taught by some of the sincerer sort.
But as he wanted Instruments to effect this good, so he was mightilie opposed in all his good designes, especially by the Prelats, which caused him out of a godlie zeale in the very anguish of his heart, to poure out his soule in teares.
Their suggestion of false feares to the King, and the seeking of their owne unlawfull standing, brought forth that revived spawne of the beast, kneeling in receiving of the Sacrament, for the greater reverence thereto whereby the Papists had contentment.
And certainly for this, and such like courses, the Lord tooke him away in wrath to this nation, that he might make the furnace of his indignation seaven times hotter against it, whereby he opened the eyes of some good men, who with remorse of heart confessed that sin of theirs against God, against the King, against holy men (resisting Roomes Reliques) and against themselves.
To come at last to Queene Elizabeth (of happie memorie) who having setled her estate, and subverted the profession of Popery, came in th'end to listen to a full reformation, whereunto she was moved (as we are credibly informed) by the Lord Protector of Scotland, called the good Regent.
As she honoured him very much and held his words and actions to be of great waight (whatsoever the mungrell Papists affirme to the contrarie) so she gave good respect to these particulars, which he laid downe to her for grounds:
1. The unvaluable benefit of a faithfull and free Ministry.
2. The excellencie of the puritie of Gods ordinance, &c.
3. The h…our and happines that would attend her Crown … State, upon the establishment of Christs government.
4. And lastly (though the least in esteeme, yet of no small moment to the good of her state) she might imploy the Prelates overfattening pastures to manie good and profitable uses, leaving the ministrie enough for their Honourable maintenance. As for their glorious and lordly pomp which was pretended much to honour a nation, it did not so indeed; for it justled out Gods honour which should be dearer to Princes then their crowns and liues. And grant that it were some complement of true honour; yet the saveing of one soule by the preaching of a powerfull minister was of more worth then all the pomp & glory of the world.
To this effect was his speach, which the Queene pondered well. But when the Prelates understood what an office he was about, they murmured exceedingly, and in revenge of that motion, he had unjust aspertions cast upon him, and hath to this day by some of their traine.
At a Parliament holden anno 13. of her Majesties reigne, some Prelates and others were sent from the Convocation house to exhibit to her a subsidie, according to the custom, her Majestie spake verie graciouslie concerning the good of Christs Church, affirming that she had heard of manie things in the Church needfull to be reformed, which if she could but come to understand, she would not give sleepe to her eies till she sett vponupon reformation, and would never give over till she had done it indeed; and if they, being the eies, would not reveale the truth, let the blame and blood be upon them.
But what was their answer to so worthie a motiō? even such as suited with their owne ends, seeking more than theire owne; and not that which is Christs: like false glasses they presented her Majestie with an Omnia bene. And thus they proved the bane of reformation frustrating the desires of a Prince worthy of so great a work.
After that, in processe of time, they caused a subtile insinuation of the disgrace of discipline to be suggested to the Queene, affirming, if discipline were sett on foot, that everie sillie fellow, or sit Iohn in a parish Church, might at his pleasure raile on the Queene, and also excommunicate her. Which (by the Bishops leave) is a verie calumnie, as if the government of Christ should not both knowe and use Kings better, than the government of Antichrist. But envie never spake well. In the meane time they neglected no oportunity to persecute such godly ministers as would not conforme, and from citing, vexing, suspending, and casting them out of their free-holds, they fell to pack with some atheistly Iudges; setting them so against the good men, that they did not onelyonly scoffe them, belye them and revile them, but also arraigne them and condemne them. Which when the Queene heard, it greived her soule; for she was so farre from having that high injurie put upon Gods Ministers, that she signified her mind in Parliament to the contrarie, namely …hat she would not have them vexed for non-conformity. What ever was mentioned in Parliament for the keeping of the first table, the Prelats ever crossed it. Witnesse that motion for the sanctifying of the Sabbath in the 37. Eliz. the passing whereof they hindred. So they sett themselves against that course of Sabbath-keeping and reformation of abuses, undertaken by the Magistracie of the citie of London, till at length (to their blame be it spoken) partlie through their owne indisposition to the busines, and partlie through the violence of the Prelats opposing; So high, necessarie and acceptable a duetie, was quite given over. Since which time, we may observe that the Lord hath smitten us in Citie and Countrey seaven times more in all conditions and affaires, so that things have prospered worse then ever they did before.
The like necessity was laid upon the Citie in the raign of Richard the second, to take the punishment of filthines upon them, (being rather increased then curbed or restrained by the clergies courses,) at which reformation they also grumbled.
What shall we say of the attempts of some of them (whereof some are dead, and some were lately alive) against his late Majesties succession to this Crowne, upon conceived feares and jealousy of Church reformation; witnesse the invectives of some in Sermons, & other writings; the disgracefull speeches & affronting passages & opposing practises of others against his royall persō. In so much that whē they heard he was proclaimd K. of Engl. they tore their hayre, being unable to resist, and without all hope of pardon. Yet the King (out of his gracious clemencye with much adoe, and after much importunate mediation) was content to pardon it. Yea we make bould under your Honours favour to put this quaere. Whether any of the Prelats for the time being, did affect his succession? Let them speake in conscience.
Come we further to consider the late Kings disposition at his first entry; for any thing we could perceive he was well affected to the Anti-episcopall government (with which he was trained up from his cradle, and which by word and writ he had maintained) and promised to preserve at his comming out of Scotland. His good thoughts also to such reverend men as these men scornfully called Disciplinarians, were lively expressed in his Basilicon Doron. Yea can it stand with naturall reason that a King should graciously pardon his professed foes; and not affect his dearest freinds, by whom (as by secondary meanes) he was kept and preserved from his very infancie?
But for all this so soone as they had him here, and had calmed the stormy feares of Prelat-splitting, against the rock of his displeasure, they began to shew him all the glory of the World, and to forge false accusations against the Brethren, as though they had been the troublers of Israell, whereby (it might be) his mind was somewhat exasperated: Yet not so, nor with such intent that the Ministers should be oppressed as they were indeed without any judgement; Witnesse his owne course of reasoning, with the non-conforming Ministers, seconded with commandement given, to deale with them by reason and dispute, and not with rigour. But how the Prelats obeyed, let the evill and base usage, the suspending, silencing, thrusting out of their livings, so many hundred Ministers, beare witnesse to the world. It is worthy your Honours observation that in Anno 1604. and 1605. 400. Ministers were silenced suspended, or thrust out by vertue of those wicked Canons, which were not concluded by the convocation (for D. Rud opposed them by an oration) but they were the Popish after-byrth of B. Bancroft then B. of London; Hatched as it is verily thought in the braines of his ghuests the Seminaries. This was not unlike that practise of Trent, in pressing of the Interim upon the Germane Ministers and other Protestants, for refusall whereof thy were removed, and many were banished.Sleydam Comment. Yet Harman B. of Colen would rather renounce his Bishops Sea, than be an Agent in it, who may stand up as a witnes against our Prelats. But what followed on this sylenceing of our Ministers even that Master-peece of Rome, the gunpowder plott brought to the very period of accomplishment. As God might in justice have punished the former evill with the latter (for our Kings and State have often smarted for the Prelats plaguegy courses:) so if you will be pleased to looke further into the conjunction of these evills, you may find them both to be poysonable fruites of the same tree of death. Yea happily it may probably appeare upon good inquiry, that he that was the maine agent in the former had his finger in the later.
1. For the better clearing whereof; may your Honours be pleased to enquire, whether Bishop Bancroft, retained not Watson the Priest for his owne private plotts; whom he suffered to divulge dangerous books against the State and right of the Crowne?
2. Also whether the said Bishop had not intelligence with the Popes Nuncio in Venice and the Low Countries? And whether Blackwell the Arch-Priest before his apprehension was not by the said B. protected?
3. What was the cause he posted on the filenceing of so many Ministers, to the number of 400. (as hath been shewed) immediatlie before the discovery of the gunpowder treason? After which discovery he wrote to the other Bishops, that they should not hould that course of silenceing manie at once, but that they should be silenced by one and one. For it seemes if that grand busines of Hell had taken effect the blame should have been laid on the harmlesse hoast of Gods Ministers, as though it had been done by Puritanes in revēge.
4. Let it be inquired whether one of the Popes speciall intelligencers, confessed to a seeming malecontent, that if the powder-plott had taken effect, B. Banc. should have been Pope, & Father Bluet, Cardinal of all England▪
5. Whether B. Banc. & others his accomplices had not correspondencie with the King of Spaine?
6. It is not unworthy the inquirie what became of Bluet, after the discoverie of the powder-treason? It's certaine, that with B. Banckroft he was, but what became of him no bodie knowes.
7. Whether B. Banc. his intimate confederates, were not speciall maintainers of the Prelacie, opposers of the Gospell, & good Ministers of God, yea & no good freinds to the State?
8. And lastlie, may your Honours be pleased to inquire, whether some of our present Prelats, use not Iesuites in the habite of gallants, as their familiars? and whether (looking for a change) some of them ayme not to be head, or at least to be as nigh the head as they can, that they may do their Mr. the more service?
1. For evidence of this, let their Popish Positions & practises, & maintaining of them in others (of which we can give too manie instances) speak in the first place.
2 Their cruel persecution of the Ministers doth evidence the same.
3. And lastlie, their breathing out of threatenings against conscionable (tho conforming Ministers) and these they meane to make good (because they cannot endure the Gospell) except the Lord make you to the same, a place of refuge & defence they mean to root it out. If they be left to the Prelats merciemercy, the woefull event will shew it to be no slaunder.
For 1. as hath beene shewed they cannot subsist with the continuance of a faithfull Ministrie.
2. They will provide for themselves in their kind.
3. They can do the Pope no greater service, and the Kingdome of Christ no greater injurie than in this particular.
If their places disposed them not for the Pope, they would never disarme the Kingdome of the States best forces, and the Popes greatest adversaries. Its true that there be some Prelats Rampant and some Prelats Conchāt, but your Honours know they be all the Popes Prelats. They have divers kinds of teeth, but all their teeth bite. In a word, as hath been shewed, the members must doe for the head, and in this they doe but their kinde. Therfore if you would save both them and us, alter the propertie from Lord Bishops to Ministers so shall you spoyle the Pope; preserve the State, and you shall have the Honour through the world that they are your converts.
But to go on a litle further with this disease of the Prelats evill, especiallie against the Ministerie.
Besides the injurye done to soules, it would make an heart of stone to relent to heare related the insolencies, scofferies, outrages, revileings and barbarous cruelties by them, and theirs put upon the faithfull Ministers of God, and their poore families. Though many sufferers in this busines be with God; yet there be some alive that can both relate, and witnesse the injuries done to themselves and others, by breaking into their howses; by draging themselves, Wives and Families to prison (and that without any warrant at all) the casting of them, & theirs out of doores, giving them scarce a ragge of their owne Cloathes to cover their childrens nakednes. We humbly intreate your Honours, not to passe by those crying injuries, which you will the rather observe and be sencible of, if you take a view of the fearefull by-past sequells of those evills.
At his late Majesties entry, the Lord (fore-knowing how little should be done for him, and how much against him) sent an admonitory persuing plague, for heat and continuance rarely matched, speaking to the eye of King and State, that there was some speciall plague to be removed; and what other and greater, and more worthy the care of a King and State, then Romish Idolls, in Gods worship, and Antichristian government? which evills increasing, (though the Lord removed the plague,) yet he hath smitten us seaven times more, in bodyes, states, and names, namely in the distemper of the Elements, in the change of seasons, in the languishing, groaneing and dying of the Creatures, under the burthen of our sinnes.
And above all temporall punishments, in taking away our Henry, that Paragon of Princes, who should have been, and would have been, (if our sinnes had not hindred) Malleus Episcoporum, which worke no doubt with Romes ruine in England our Great Charles, will accomplish, if his army of Princes, namely you great Senatours act your part. Now to draw to an end of their by-past mischeifs, let the subiects take notice, what high indignity they offerred to his late Maiesty, by whose perswasions, when some ministers had conformed, they used the said ministers (onelyonly for preaching the Gospel) seaven times worse than before, notwithstanding the Kings command to the contrary. Not unlike for cruelty (for we parallell not all) to the burning of that priest perswaded by Henry the seaventh, formerly spoken of.
Since this greivance then, is made good by undenyable proofs, give us leave (right honourable) by way of dutie, and by deserved retortion, to apologie for our selves from the aspersion of the Prelates and their children, in their venemous sermons, railings, and writings; we are (say they) seditious, tumultuous, factious, disobedient, rebellious, in a word the troublers of Israel: and they would gladly we were cut off, because we trouble them. But give us leave in homely phrase to set the saddle on the right horse, and to tell them, they and their fathers house, are the troublers of Israel. Let them never tell us of tirannizing over magistrates, by depriving them of their rights, by excommunication &c. Let them not object to us M. Vdall & M. Cartwright &c. as seditious fellowes, or traitours, if they had beene such, our late King would never have written his letters to Queen Elizabeth on their behalfe, as he verily did. Let them direct their speeches to the Bishops of London, Ely, Winchester, interdictors of the King, and the whole realme. Anselme against Rufus; Beckett vexeing Henry the second; Langton casting away King and State; Arundell, unkinging Richard the second; In plaine termes, these men were the traytors, and yet no Presbyterian Brethren, but Lord Bishops, whose brethren and successours our Prelats are.
The Bishop of Hereford, preaching at Oxford on the text: Oh my head! Oh my head aketh! (as the vulgar latin hath it, 2. Kings 4.19.) applyed it thus peremptorily against Ed. 2. That the Kings head must of necessity be taken of.
He might better have collected, that that which made the head ake, should have been taken off, and then he had hitt himself.
And so much for the proofe of this point, in the later part whereof we have been sparing of particular names in the passages of our proofes, because we love not to stigmatise any particular person, (dead or alive) since it is the evills of their callings, and not persons, which we oppose.