The History of the Church of Great Britain, Century 16 · Letter 1 – Letter 2

The History of the Church of Great Britain · Century 16 · Letter 1 – Letter 2

p. 195My dear brother, foraſmuch as I underſtand by your Books, that we throughly agree, and wholly conſent together in the ſubſtantial points of our Religion, againſt which the world now ſo furiouſly rageth, however in times paſt in certain circumſtances of Religion your wiſdom and my ſimplicity (I muſt confeſs) have a little jarred, each of us following the abundance of his own ſpirit. Now (I ſay) be aſſured, that even with my whole heart (God is my witneſs) in the bowels of Chriſt, I love you in the Truth, and for the Truth's ſake which abideth in us, as I am perſwaded, and by the Grace of God ſhall abide in us for evermore. And becauſe the world, as I perceive, Brother, ceaſeth not to play his pageant, and buiſily conſpireth againſt Chriſt our Saviour, with all poſſible force and power, exalting high things againſt the knowledge of God: let us joyn hands together in Chriſt, though we cannot overthrow, yet to our power, and as much as in us lieth, let us ſhake thoſe high Altitudes, not with carnal, but with ſpiritual weapons: and withal (brother) let us prepare our ſelves to the day of diſſolution, by that which after the ſhort time of this bodily affliction by the Grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt we ſhall triumph together with him in eternal glory.

Comforted with Reciprocal Letters of this holy nature, they both prepared themſelves for death, in which Hooper had the honour to lead the way, as hath been ſhewn.

It is memorable, that the ſame day in which Biſhop Ridley, and Latimer were burnt at Oxford, Stephen Gardiner Biſhop of Wincheſter, would not go to dinner till four oClock in the afternoon, though the old Duke of Norfolk was come to dine with him. The reaſon was, becauſe he would firſt hear of their being burnt. And as ſoon as word of that was brought unto him, he preſently ſaid, now let us go to dinner: where ſitting down, and eating merrily, upon a ſudden he fell into ſuch extremity, that he was fain to be taken from the Table, and carried to his bed, where he continued fifteen dayes without voyding any thing p. 196by Urine, or otherwiſe, which cauſed his Tongue to ſwell in his Mouth. He died at Whitehall, November the twelfth, from whence conveyed by water to his houſe in Southwark, his body was firſt lapt in Lead, kept for a ſeaſon in the Church of St. Saviours and afterwards ſolemnly interred, under a fair and goodly Monument, in his Cathedral. The cuſtody of the Great Seal, with the Title of Lord Chancellor, was, upon New-years-day, conferred upon Doctor Nicholas Heath, Archbiſhop of York. But the Revenues of the Biſhoprick were appropriated to the uſe of the Cardinal-Legat. But Doctor John White, Biſhop of Lincoln, having been born at Wincheſter, and educated in that School, of which he was afterward chief Maſter, and finally Warden of that Colledge, ſo far prevailed, by his Friends at Court, that, on the promiſe of an annual Penſion of a thouſand pounds, to the uſe of the Cardinal, he was permitted to enjoy the Title, with the reſt of the profits. But he was not actually tranſlated till the next year following. Voiſy, Biſhop of Exeter dies, and Doctor James Turbervil ſucceedeth him.

Queen Mary cauſed that clauſe of Prayer [That God would deliver the Kingdom from ſedition, Thuan… Hiſtor. lib. 13.and tyranny of the Church of Rome] to be blotted out of the Litany: and would not ſuffer her Father's name to be mentioned in publick Prayers, becauſe he had made Apoſtaſie from the Church.

She reſtored all Eccleſiaſtical Livings, aſſumed to the Crown, ſaying, That ſhe ſet more by the ſalvation of her Soul, than ſhe did by ten Kingdoms.

And ſhortly after John Fecknam, late Dean of St. Paul's, was made Abbot of Westminſter, and had poſſeſſion delivered him, and with him fourteen Monks received the Habit at the ſame time.

Doctor Henry Cole was made Dean of St. Paul's.

Beſides thoſe that ſuffered in the flames for the Goſpel, in this Queens dayes, ſixty four more were perſecuted for their Faith and Profeſſion, whereof ſeven were whipped,Fuller. Church Hiſtory. ſixteen periſhed in priſon, and were buried in dunghils: many lay in captivity condemned, but were releaſed by the happy entrance of Queen Elizabeth, and many fled the Land in thoſe dayes of diſtreſs; among whom were many perſons of Quality, as Katharine, Dutcheſs of Suffolk, laſt Wife of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, with her Husband, Richard Berty Eſquire, Sir John Cheeke, Sir Richard Moriſon, of Caiſhobury in Hertford-ſhire, Sir Francis Knollys, afterwards Privy Counſellor to Queen Elizabeth; Sir Anthony Cook, Father-in-law to Cecil, after Lord Burghley, and famous for his learned Daughters; Sir Peter Carew, renowned for his Valour in Ireland, where he died, Anno 1576. Sir Thomas Wroth, of Middleſex, the Lady Dorothy Stafford, afterwards of the Bed-chamber to Queen Elizabeth, and the Lady Elizabeth Berkley.

p. 197Some of the Engliſh Exiles ſeated themſelves at Emden in Eaſt-Frizland, a Staple Town of Engliſh Merchants. John Scory, late Biſhop of Chicheſter, was Superintendent of the Engliſh Congregation in Emden.

Some ſetled themſelves at Weaſel, then in the Dominions of the Duke of Cleve, but bordering on the Low Countries in the King of Spain's poſſeſſion: but they quickly left this place: ſome of them went to Arrow, a ſmall City in Switzerland, on the banks of the River Arrola, belonging to Bern. The moſt eminent Engliſh ſeated themſelves at Strasburgh, as James Haddon, Edwyn Sandys, Edmond Grindal, John Huntington, Guido Eaton, John Geoffry, John Peader, Thomas Eaton, Michael Raymuger, Auguſtine Bradbridge, Arthur Saule, Thomas Steward, Chriſtopher Goodman, Thomas Lakin, Humfrey Alcocſon, Thomas Crafton. Some went to Zuric, ſtiled the Students at Zuric, viz. Robert Horn, Richard Chambers, Thomas Leaver, Nicholas Carvil, John Mullings, Thomas Spencer, Thomas Bentham, William Cole, John Parkhurſt, Roger Kelk, Robert Beaumont, Laurence Humfrey, Henry Cockcraft, John Pretio.

At Franckford on the Meine was the moſt conſpicuous Engliſh Church beyond the Seas, conſiſting of John Bale, Edmond Sutton, John Makebray, William Whittingham, Thomas Cole, William Williams, George Chidley, William Hammon, Thomas Steward, Thomas Wood, John Staunton, William Walton, Jaſper Swift, John Geoffry, John Gray, Michael Gill, John Fox, Laurence Kent, William Kethe, John Hollingham, John Samford, John Wood, Thomas Sorby, Anthony Carier, Hugh Alford, George Whetnal, Thomas Whetnal, Edward Sutton.

Beſides theſe (the firſt Founders of theſe Congregations) many additional perſons, coming afterward out of England, joyned themſelves thereunto.

Now followed the ſad troubles of Frankford, rending theſe Exiles into divers Factions: The Engliſh had a Church granted unto them in coparcenie with the French Proteſtants, they one day, and the Engliſh another. Which was granted them with this proviſo, That they ſhould not diſſent from the French in Doctrine or Ceremony, leſt thereby they ſhould miniſter occaſion of offence.

The Engliſh conſtituted their new Church, chuſing a Miniſter and Deacons for a time, and, out of conformity to the French, abrogated many things, formerly uſed by them in the Church of England.

1. They concluded there ſhould be no anſwering aloud after the Miniſter.

2. That the Litany, Surplice, &c. ſhould be omitted.

3. Inſtead of the Engliſh Confeſſion, they uſed another, framed according to the ſtate and time.

p. 1984. The ſame ended, the people ſang a Pſalm in metre in a plain tune.

5. That done, the Miniſter prayed for the aſſiſtance of God's Spirit, and ſo proceeded to the Sermon.

6. After Sermon a general Prayer for all States, and particularly for England was deviſed.

7. Then followed a Rehearſal of the Articles of Belief, which ended, the people ſang another Pſalm.

8. Laſtly, The Miniſter pronounced the Bleſſing, and ſo the people departed.

Thus ſetled in their Church, they write Letters to all the Engliſh Congregations at Strasburgh, Zuric, Emden, &c. to invite them with all convenient ſpeed to joyn with them at Franckford. This occaſioned ſeveral reiterated Letters from Franckford, requiring thoſe of Zurich, to weigh the neceſſity of joyning themſelves in one Congregation. Thoſe of Zurich, by many dilatory Letters, excuſed themſelves from coming thither. But the main reaſon was, thoſe of Zurich were reſolved to recede no whit from the Liturgy uſed in England under King Edward the ſixth; and unleſs, coming thither they might be aſſured, they ſhould have the full and free uſe thereof, they utterly refuſed any Communion with their Congregation.

Then came Mr. John Knox from Geneva, and was choſen by the Congregation at Frankford for their Paſtor. At which time Mr. Chambers, and Mr. Edmond Grindal, came thither as Agents, with a Letter from the Congregation of Strasburgh. Troubles of Frankford. p. 24.Theſe made a motion, that they might have the ſubſtance of the Common-prayer-book, though ſuch Ceremonies, and things, which the Country could not bear, might well be omitted. But Knox and Whittingham were as much bent againſt the ſubſtance of the Book, as againſt any of the Circumſtantials which belonged to it. Hereupon Grindal and Chambers return back again to Strasburgh.

Knox, and others in Frankford, drew up, in Latin, a platform of the Engliſh Liturgy, and ſent it to Geneva, tendring it to the judgment of Mr. John Calvin: who anſwereth, that in the Engliſh Liturgy he had obſerved multas tolerabiles ineptias, many tolerable fooleries, adding, that there wanted that purity which was to be deſired in it, that it contained many Relicks of Popiſh dregs; that ſeeing there was no manifeſt impiety in it, it had been tolerated for a ſeaſon, becauſe at firſt it could not otherwiſe be admitted. But howſoever! though it was lawful to begin with ſuch beggarly rudiments, yet it behoved the learned, grave, and godly Miniſters of Chriſt, to endeavour further, and ſet forth ſomething more refined from filth and ruſtineſs.

This being ſent unto Knox and Whittingham, thoſe who formerly approved, did afterwards diſlike the Engliſh Liturgy. But in the end it p. 199was agreed on, that a mixt form, conſiſting partly of the order of Geneva, and partly of the Book of England, ſhould be digeſted, and received till the firſt of April.

In this condition of affairs, Doctor Richard Cox, the late Dean of Chriſt-church, and Weſtminſter, firſt School-maſter, and afterward Almoner to King Edward the Sixth, putteth himſelf into Frankford, March 13. accompanied with many Engliſh Exiles. Being a man of great learning, of great authority in the Church, and one that had a principal hand in drawing up the Liturgy by Law eſtabliſhed, he could not patiently bear theſe innovations in it. He thereupon firſt begins to anſwer the Miniſter, contrary to the order there agreed on, and the next Lord's-day after cauſeth one of his company to go into the Pulpit, and read the Litany. Againſt which doings of his Knox, in a Sermon the ſame day, inveigheth moſt bitterly, affirming many things in the Engliſh book to be imperfect, and ſuperſtitious: for which he is both rebuked by Cox, and forbidden to preach. Hereupon Whittingham procureth an Order from the Magiſtrates, requiring that the Engliſh ſhould conform themſelves to the Rules of the French.

Cox his party being depreſſed, they accuſe Knox to the State, for high Treaſon againſt the Emperor, in an Engliſh book of his, entitled, An Admonition to all Chriſtians, firſt privately preached in Buckinghamſhire, and now publickly printed to the world, wherein he called the Emperor no leſs an enemy to Chriſt, than Nero. Hereupon the State of Frankford willed Knox to depart the City, who on March 25. to the great grief of his Friends, left the Congregation, and retireth himſelf to Geneva. Whittingham and the reſt of his party were commanded to receive the Book of England, againſt which Order Whittingham, for a time, oppoſeth, encouraged therein by Goodman; but finding Cox and his party too ſtrong for them, they alſo left Franc…ford ſhortly after.

Then Doctor Cox and his Adherents proceed to elect Officers in the Congregation. Mr. Whitehead is choſen their Paſtor, yet ſo, as two Miniſters, four Elders, and four Deacons were joyned to aſſiſt him. And becauſe this was then an Univerſity, as …ell as a Congregation, of the Engliſh, Mr. Robert Horn was choſen to be Hebrew Reader, Mr. Mullings to read the Greek Lecture, and Mr. Trahern the Lecture in Divinity.

Here a moderate motion was made, that the difference might be compremiſed, and referred to Arbitrators; which ſhould be equally choſen on both ſides.

To this Doctor Cox his party would in no wiſe conſent, and loſt much reputation by the refuſal.

p. 200The Names of thoſe who ſeparated themſelves from this Congregation were as followeth.

William Williams.

William Whittingham.

Anthony Gilby.

Chriſtopher Goodman

Thomas Cole.

John Fox.

Thomas Wood.

William Kethe.

John Kelk.

John Hilton.

Chriſtopher Scothous.

Nicholas Purfote.

John Eſcot.

Thomas Grafton.

William Walton.

Laurence Kent.

John Hellingham.

Anthony Carier.

Of theſe Mr. Fox, with a few more, went to Baſil: the reſt ſetled themſelves at Geneva, where they made choice of Knox and Goodman for their conſtant Preachers, under which Miniſtry they reject the whole frame and fabrick of he Reformation made in England, conformed themſelves wholly to the faſhions of the Church of Geneva.

It was not long after the ſetling of the Liturgy at Franckford, before Whitehead left the Miniſtry of the Engliſh Congregation, which Cox obtained for Mr. Horn. That being done, he withdrew himſelf to Strasburg, there to enjoy the company of Peter Martyr, with whom he was well acquainted, while he lived in Chriſt-church.

By Doctor Cox his departure a new gap is open for another diſſention. Some words had paſſed, at a Supper, between Horn the Paſtor, and Aſhley, a Gentleman of note, intended rather for increaſe of charity, than breach of friendſhip. Aſhley is three dayes after cited to appear at the houſe of one of the Elders, to anſwer for ſome words he had ſpoken in contempt of the Miniſtry. But, from the Elders, he appeals to the Congregation, among whom he prevails ſo far, that they ſend a Meſſage, by two of their company, to the Paſtor, and Elders, to proceed no further in the cauſe. Horn being backed by Chambers, the publick Treaſurer, excepts againſt thi… …eſſage, as not decreed by the whole Congregation, and reſolves to maintain that authority, which had been conferred on him and the reſt o… the Elders, Aſhley, and his party, on the other ſide, proteſt againſt the Paſtor and Elders, as an adverſe party, and therefore not in a capacity to ſit as Judges in the preſent caſe, and do conſult about the making of a Book of Diſcipline for the curbing the exorbitant power (for ſo they thought it) of the Paſtors and Elders. Thereupon the Paſtor and Elders forſake their Offices, and on the next day of publick meeting take place among the reſt as private perſons. The Congregation full, but the Pulpit empty, which put the reſt upon a humour of electing others to take the Pulpit charge upon them. The noiſe p. 201of theſe diſorders awakens the Magiſtrates, who command Horn and Chambers to forbear the Congregation until further order, and afterwards reſtoring them to their former authority, by publick edict, were contradicted in it by Aſhley's party, who, having got ſome power into their hands, were reſolved to hold it.

In the mean time a Book of Diſcipline had been drawn, and tendred to the Congregation, according to the Rules, whereof the Supreme power, in all Eccleſiaſtical cauſes, was put into the hands of the Congregation,Heylin's Hiſt. of Q. Mary. and the diſpoſing the publick moneys committed to the truſt of certain Officers, by the name of Deacons. This makes the breach wider than before. The Magiſtrates write their Letters to Strasburg, deſiring Doctor Cox, Doctor Sandys, together with Robert Berty Eſquire, to undertake the cloſing of the preſent Rupture. To their arbitrament each party is content to ſubmit the controverſie. In the end a form of Reconciliation is drawn up by ſome of the Engliſh, who really ſought the peace of the Church. But thoſe, who ſtood for the new diſcipline, refuſed to ſubmit themſelves to any eſtabliſhment, by which the power of the diffuſive body of the Congregation might be called in queſtion. Whereupon Horn and Chambers depart to Strasburg, from whence Chambers writ his Letters to them twice, but to no effect. They had before elected ſome new Miniſters, and though Horn, and his party, oppoſed it, yet they concluded it for the preſent, and now they mean to ſtand to the concluſion, let Horn and Chambers go or tarry, as beſt pleaſed themſelves. Such were the troubles and diſorders in the Church of Frankford, occaſioned firſt by a diſlike of the publick Liturgy, before which they preferred the nakedneſs and ſimplicity of the French and Genevian Churches, (ſaith Doctor Heylin) and afterwards continued by the oppoſition made by the general body of the Congregation, againſt ſuch who were appointed to be Paſtors and Rulers over them.

And now it is time to return to England, and look back upon Cranmer, who had been cited to the Court of Rome; for nothing could be done againſt the perſon of a Metropolitan, before the Pope had taken cogniſance of the cauſe, and eighty dayes had ſeemingly been given to Cranmer, for making his appearance in the Court of Rome. And though the Pope knew well enough, as well the Archbiſhop's readineſs to appear before him, if he were at at liberty, as the impoſſibility of making any ſuch appearance, as the caſe then ſtood; yet at the end of the ſaid eighty dayes he is pronounced by the Pope, to be contumacious, and for his contumacy to be degraded, excommunicated, and finally delivered over to the ſecular Magiſtrate. According unto which Decree a Commiſſion is directed unto Edmond Bonner, Biſhop of London, and Thomas Thurlby, Biſhop of Ely, to proceed in the Degradation of the ſaid Archbiſhop, who cauſed him to be degraded. After this, and before his death, great pains was taken by a Spaniſh Frier, in the Univerſity, to perſwade p. 202him to a retraction of his former Opinions, by whom it was ſuggeſted to him, How acceptable it would be to the King and Queen, how gainful to himſelf, in regard both of his foul and of his temporal being, putting him in good hope, that he ſhould not only have his life, but be reſtored again to his ancient Dignity, &c. if he would but ſubſcribe his name to a piece of Paper, which was made ready for his hand.

By theſe and the like alluring temptations he was prevailed upon to ſign the Writing, in which were briefly comprehended the chief points of Doctrine defended in the Church of Rome, and by him formerly condemned, both in publick and in private. But all this could not ſave him from being made a Sacrifice to revenge and avarice.

The Queen had ſtill a vindicative ſpirit againſt him, for the injury which ſhe conceived had been done to her Mother: and the Cardinal (who hitherto had enjoyed the profits of the See of Canterbury as an Uſufructuary) was altogether as ſolicitous for getting a right and title to them as ſole proprietary. No way to pacifie one, and to ſatisfie the deſires of the other, but by bringing him (when he leaſt looked for it) to the fatal Stake. And thither they brought him; and firſt he retracts his retraction, and after puniſheth that hand which had ſubſcribed it, by holding it forth into the flame, and ſuffering it to be conſumed before the reſt of his body had felt the fire. The reſidue of his body being burnt to aſhes, his heart was found entire and untouched in the midſt of the cinders: which poſſibly may ſerve as a witneſs for him, that his heart ſtood faſt unto the Truth, though with his hand he had ſubſcribed ſome Popiſh errors.

Cardinal Pool received Conſecration to the See of Canterbury, the very next Sunday after Cranmer's death.

No fewer than two hundred are reported to have been burnt by bloody Bonner, the moſt eminent of all which number was Mr. John Philpot, Archdeacon of Wincheſter, who, though of Gardiner's Dioceſs, was condemned by Bonner, Gardiner being well enough contented to find out the Game, and leave it to be followed by that bloody Hunter. Dr. John Chriſtopherſon, Biſhop of Chicheſter, is recorded to have burnt ten in one fire at Lewis; and ſeventeen others at ſeveral times in ſundry places, among which was Richard Woodman, of Warbleton in Suſſex, that notable Martyr, and four at Mayfield, viz. John Hart, Thomas Ravenſdal, a Shoomaker, and a Collier. Harpfield, Archdeacon of London, and Thornton, the Suffragan of Dover, are ſaid to have poured out blood like water. The ſame is ſaid of Griffin of Rocheſter, and Downing, Chancellor of Norwich. The ſame character is given of Biſhop Bayn of Coventry and Litchfield, who burned many faithful Miniſters and others.

In all the Province of York I find none brought to the Stake but George Marſh of Cheſter, condemned thereto by Biſhop Coles. Beſides p. 203the burning of Biſhop Farrar, at Carmarthen, by Biſhop Morgan, and of Rawlins, and White, at Cardiff, by Biſhop Kitching: No great cruelty ſeems to have been acted in the four Welſh Dioceſſes. In the Dioceſs of Exeter, Wells, Peterborough, and Lincoln (though this laſt the greateſt in the Kingdom) I find mention but of one a piece: of two in that of Ely, and of no more than three apiece in that of Briſtol, and Sarisbury; for at Newbury were burnt that famous Julius Palmer, with two others. Doctor Tunſtal, Biſhop of Durham, was in Queen Maries time no great perſecutor, his Biſhoprick had dayes of quiet under him. When Mr. Ruſſel, a Preacher was brought before him, and Doctor Himner, his Chancellor, would have had him examined more ſtrictly, the Biſhop ſtayed him, ſaying, Hitherto we have had a good report among our Neighbours, I pray you bring not this mans blood upon my Head. The Biſhop of Carliſle alſo was a man of a moderate temper.

The Pope had publiſhed a Bull in print, Anno 1556. in which he threatened excommunication to all perſons that kept any Church-lands unto themſelves, as alſo all Princes and Magiſtrates, that did not put the ſame in execution. Which though it did not edifie much in the Realm of England, yet it found more obedience in that of Ireland, in which a Parliament being called, in June 1557. there paſſed an Act for repealing of Statutes, Articles, and Proviſions made againſt the See of Rome, ſince the twentieth year of King Henry the Eighth, and for aboliſhing of ſeveral Eccleſiaſtical poſſeſſions, conveyed to the Laity, as alſo for the extinguiſhment of Firſt-fruits and Twentieth parts (no more than the yearly payment of the Twentieth part, having been laid by Act of Parliament upon the Clergy of Ireland) in the firſt and laſt clauſe whereof, as they followed the example of the Realm of England, ſo poſſibly they might have given a dangerous example to it in the other point, if by the Queens death, which followed ſhortly after, King Philip, and the Popes, had not loſt all their power and influence on the Engliſh Nation; by means whereof there was no farther progreſs in the Reſtitution of the Abbeylands, no more re-edifying the old Religious houſes, and no intention for the founding any new.

Cardinal Poole, having viſited his own Dioceſs, and given out divers printed Articles, to ſhew his great care for the ſuppreſſing the growth of Hereſie, ſent his Commiſſioners to Cambridge, who interdicted the two Churches, wherein Martin Bucer, and Paulus Fagius, had been interred; and the Writ being taken out de comburendo Haeretico, and being come down, and ſent to the Mayor of Cambridge, on February 6. the two dead Bodies were taken out of their Graves, and being laid in their Coffins, on mens ſhoulders, were carried to the Market-place with a guard of men, well armed and weaponed, chained unto ſeveral poſts, as if ſtill alive, the wood and fire put to them, and their Bodies burned, together with ſo many of their Books as could be gotten, which were caſt into the ſame flames alſo.

p. 204Queen Mary now engageth in her Husband's quarrel, and King Philip having made up an Army of thirty five thouſand Foot, and twelve thouſand Horſe, beſides a thouſand Horſemen, four thouſand Footment, and two thouſand Pioners ſent out of England, under the command of the Earl of Pembrook, ſate down before St. Quintin, the chief Town of Piccardy. On Auguſt the tenth the Battels joyn, in which the French were vanquiſhed, and their Army routed, the Conſtable of France, the Prince of Mantua, the Duke of Montpenſier and Longueville, with ſix others of the prime Nobility, and many others of leſs note, being taken priſoners. The Duke of Anguien, the Viſcount Turin, moſt of the Foot-Captains, and the common Souldiers, to the number of two thouſand five hundred, were ſlain upon the place. King Philip ſtormed St. Quintin on the eighteenth day. After which ſervice, the Engliſh finding ſome neglect from King Philip, deſired to be diſmiſſed into their Country, which was indulged unto them. By whoſe diſmiſſion King Philip could do no action of importance in the reſt of the War.

But the Queen ſhall pay dearly for this Victory. The Engliſh were then poſſeſſed of the Town of Calais, with many other Forts thereabout, as Guiſneſs, Hames, Ardres, &c. together with the whole Territory, a Town ſituate on the mouth of the Engliſh Chanel, oppoſite to Dover, and diſtant not above twenty five miles from it. King Edward the Third, after a Siege of more than eleven months, became Maſter of it, Anno 1347. by whom it was firſt made a Colony of the Engliſh Nation, and after one of the Staple-Towns for the ſale of Wooll: kept with great care by his Succeſſors, who, as long as they had it in their hand, were ſaid to carry the Keys of France at their Girdle: a Town which, for more than two hundred years had been in poſſeſſion of the Engliſh. The Queen had broke the peace with France, and taken no care to fortifie this place in this time of War. Then the Duke of Guiſe, one of the beſt Souldiers of that Age, now called back out of Italy, being informed by the Governor of Bulloign, that the Town was neither ſo well fortified, nor ſo ſtrongly garriſoned, but that it might eaſily be taken, on New-years-day ſate down before it, and on Twelfth-day had it ſurrendred up unto him, by the Lord Deputy Wentworth, who had the chief government of it. Guiſneſſe, Hames, and all the other Forts in the County of Oye were reduced under the power of the French within few dayes after.

The Pope is diſpleaſed with Cardinal Pool, by whoſe perſwaſion, it was thought, that the Queen had broke her League with France, to take part with her Husband: therefore he deprives Pool of the Legantine power, confers the ſame upon Friar Peitow, an Engliſh-man by birth, and of good deſcent, whom he deſigns alſo to the See of Sarisbury, then void by the death of Capon. Karn, the Queens Agent with the Pope, advertiſeth her of theſe ſecret practices. Pool layes by the Croſs of his p. 205Legation, and abſtains from the exerciſe of his Bulls and Faculties. Peitow, the new Cardinal-Legat, puts himſelf on the way to England, when the Queen commandeth him, at his peril, not to adventure to ſet foot on Engliſh ground. Peitow died in April following, the rupture was made up again, and Pool was confirmed in the poſſeſſion of his former powers. And thereupon followed the burning divers perſons in the Dioceſs of Canterbury, whereof two ſuffered at Aſhford, and ſix in his own Metropolitan City. Theſe Godly Martyrs, in their prayers which they made before their Martyrdom, deſired God, that their blood might be the laſt that ſhould be ſhed, and ſo it came to paſs.

The number of prohibited Books increaſing every day more and more, a Proclamation was ſet forth on June the ſixth, to hinder the continual ſpreading of ſo great a miſchief. Which Proclamation, though it were very ſmart, yet not ſo full of rigour as another, which came out at the burning of ſeven perſons in Smithfield, publiſhed both at Newgate, where they were impriſoned, and at the Stake where they were to ſuffer, whereby it was ſtraitly charged and commanded, That no man ſhould either pray for, or ſpeak to them, or once ſay, God help them. Which Proclamation notwithſtanding, Bentham, the Miniſter of one of the London Congregations, ſeeing the fire ſet to them, turning his eyes unto the people, and cried, We know they are the People of God, and therefore we cannot chuſe but wiſh well to them, and ſay, God ſtrengthen them. And ſo he ſaid, Almighty God, for Chriſt's ſake ſtrengthen them. With that all the people, with one conſent, cried, Amen, Amen.

It was very admirable, that the Proteſtants ſhould have a Congregation under Bonner's noſe, yet ſo it was: and in one of thoſe Congregations, whereof Bentham was Miniſter, there aſſembled ſeldom under forty, many times an hundred and more: the Miniſters whereof ſucceſſively were Mr. Edward Scambler, after Biſhop of Peterborough, Mr. Thomas Foule, Mr. John Rough, convented and condemned by Bonner, and burnt for the Truth. After whom followed Mr. Auguſtine Bernher, a moderate and learned man, and finally Mr. Thomas Bentham forementioned, who continued in that charge till the death of Queen Mary, and was by Queen Elizabeth preferred to the Sea of Lichfield, Anno 1589.

And notwithſtanding all the care of the Queens Inquiſitors, many good Books of true Chriſtian Conſolation, and good Doctrine, did either find ſome Preſs in London, or were ſent over to their Brethren by ſuch learned men as had retired themſelves to their ſeveral Sanctuaries.

Then raged a contagious Fever in moſt parts of the Land, and no former Plague was thought to have deſtroyed a greater number, ſo that divers places were left void of Juſtices, and men of worth, to govern the Kingdom. At which time died alſo ſo many Prieſts, that a great number p. 206of Pariſh-Churches, in divers places, were unſerved, and no Curates could be gotten for money. Much corn was alſo loſt in the field for want of Workmen to get it in. Phyſitians died as well as the Patients, two of the Queens Doctors dying of it a little before the death of the Queen. It ſpared the Prelat no more than the Prieſt, inſomuch, that within leſs than the ſpace of twelve months almoſt one half of the Engliſh Biſhops had made void their Sees.

Now God put an end to thoſe calamities of his Children by the death of Queen Mary, who died of a Dropſie, November the ſeventeenth, 1558. Within few hours after her death, died Cardinal Pool, Archbiſhop of Canterbury. He procured of the Queen the Patronage of nineteen Benefices unto his See, promiſed, and intended, to repair the Palace at Canterbury. He was buried in his own Cathedral, with this ſhort and modeſt Epitaph upon his plain Monument, DEPOSITƲM CARDINALIS POLI.

The Parliament ſate at Queen Maries death, after which they only continued ſo long, as joyntly and publickly to proclaim Elizabeth Queen, and then they were diſſolved: Queen Maries body was enterred in the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh, in the Iſle on the North ſide thereof.

ELIZABETH, the only Child then living of King Henry the Eighth, ſucceeded her Siſter in the Throne, on November the ſeventeenth, Anno 1558. She was proclaimed by the King at Arms, firſt before Weſtminſter-hall door, in the preſence of the Lords and Commons, and, not long after, at the Croſs in Cheapſide, and other places in the City, in the preſence of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and principal Citizens, to the great joy of all peaceable and well-affected people.

The news whereof, being brought unto her by ſome of the Lords, ſhe removes from Hatfield on the nineteenth of that month, and with a great and royal Train ſets forward to London. At Highgate (four miles from the City) ſhe was met by all the Biſhops then living, who preſented themſelves before her upon their knees. In which addreſs, as ſhe expreſſed no ſmall contentment, ſo ſhe gave to each of them particularly her hand to kiſs, except only unto Bonner of London. At her firſt coming to the City, ſhe took her lodging in the Charter-houſe, where ſhe ſtaid ſome dayes, till all things in the Tower might be fitted for her reception. Attended by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, with a ſtately Train of Lords and Ladies, ſhe entreth by Cripple-gate into the City, paſſeth along the Wall till ſhe came to Biſhops-gate, where all the Companies of the City, in their ſeveral Liveries waited her coming, in their proper and diſtinct ranks, reaching from thence until the further end of Mark-lane, where ſhe was entertained with a peal of great Ordinance from the Tower. At her entrance into which place ſhe rendred her moſt humble p. 207thanks to Almighty God, for the great and wondrous change of her condition, in bringing her from being a priſoner in that place, to be the Ruler of her people, and now to take poſſeſſion of it as a Royal Palace. Here ſhe, emained till December the fifth, then next following, and from thence removed by water to Sommerſet-houſe. In each remove ſhe found ſuch infinite throngs of people, which flocked from all parts to ſee her, both by land and water, and teſtified their publick joy, by ſuch loud acclamations, as much rejoyced her heart to hear, and could not but expreſs it in her words and countenance.

As ſhe paſſed through London, the Bible was preſented to her at the little Conduit in Cheapſide, which ſhe received with both her hands; and kiſſing it, laid it to her breaſt, ſaying, That the ſame had ever been her delight, and ſhould be the rule by which ſhe meant to frame her Government.

She was crowned by Owen Oglethorp, Biſhop of Carliſle, Camden's Hiſt. of Q. Elizab.on January the fourteenth, for that the Archbiſhop of York, and the reſt of the Biſhops refuſed to perform that office, ſuſpecting her Religion, who had been firſt bred in the Proteſtants Religion, and alſo for that ſhe had very lately forbidden the Biſhop, in ſaying Maſs to lift up the Hoſt to be adored, and permitted the Li…any, with the Epiſtle and Goſpel, to be read in the vulgar tongue.

For the firſt ſix weeks things ſtood in their former ſtate, without the leaſt alteration. She being now twenty five years of age, and taught by Experience and Adverſity, had gathered wiſdom above age; the proof whereof ſhe gave in chuſing her Counſellors, which were as follow.

Nicholas Heath, Archbiſhop of York.

William Pawlet, Marqueſs of Wincheſter, Lord Treaſurer.

Henry Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel.

Francis Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury.

Edward Stanley, Earl of Darby.

William Herbert, Earl of Pembrook.

Edward, Lord Clinton, Lord Admiral of the Sea.

William, Lord Howard of Effingham, Lord Chamberlain.

Sir Thomas Cheiney.

Sir William Peter.

Sir John Maſon.

Sir Richard Sackvill.

Nicholas Wotton, Dean of Canterbury.

All theſe were Papiſts, and of Queen Maries Council.

p. 208To theſe ſhe joyned of her own,

William Par, Marqueſs of Northampton.

Francis Ruſſel, Earl of Bedford.

Edward Rogers.

Ambroſe Cave.

Francis Knollys.

William Cecil, who had been Secretary to King Edward the Sixth, and ſoon after Nicholas Bacon, whom ſhe made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal.

All theſe were of the Proteſtants Religion, and had been in no place under Queen Mary.

Proclamations came forth, that Preachers ſhould abſtain from queſtions controverted in Religion. Then care was taken for ſending new Commiſſions unto ſuch Ambaſſadors, as reſided in the Courts of ſeveral Princes, both to acquaint them with the change, and to aſſure thoſe Princes of the Queen's deſire to maintain all former leagues between them and the Crown of England.

To her Agent in the Court of Spain, it was given in charge, to repreſent to the King the dear remembrance which ſhe kept of thoſe many Humanities received from him in the time of her Troubles.

Inſtructions are ſent alſo to Sir Edward Karn, the late Queen's Agent with the Pope, and now confirmed by her in the ſame employment, to make the Pope acquainted with the death of Queen Mary, and her ſucceſſion to the Crown, not without ſome deſire, that all good Offices might be reciprocally exchanged between them. But the Pope anſwered, Heylin. Hiſt. of Q. Elizab. An. Reg. 1.That the Kingdom of England was held in Fee of the Apoſtolick See: That ſhe could not ſucceed, being Illegitimate. That He could not contradict the declaration of Clement the Seventh, and Paul the Third. That it was a great boldneſs to aſſume the Name, and Government of it, without him: yet being deſirous to ſhew a Fatherly affection, if ſhe would renounce her pretenſions, and refer her ſelf wholly to his free diſpoſition, He will do whatſoever may be done with the Honour of the Apoſtolick See.

The new Queen having performed this office of Civility to him, as ſhe did to others, expected no anſwer, nor took much thought of it when ſhe heard it.

p. 209Many who were impriſoned for Religion, ſhe reſtored to liberty at her firſt coming to the Crown: which occaſioned Rainsford, a Gentleman of the Court, to make a ſute to her in the behalf of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, who had been long impriſoned in a Latin Tranſlation, that they alſo might walk abroad (as formerly) in the Engliſh Tongue. To whom ſhe made anſwer, That he ſhould firſt endeavour to know the minds of the priſoners, who perhaps deſired no ſuch liberty as he demanded.

King Philip fearing leaſt he ſhould loſe the ſtrength and title of the Kingdom of England, and that the Kingdom of England, Scotland, and Ireland, would by Mary Queen of Scots be annexed unto France, dealt ſeriouſly with Queen Elizabeth, about a Marriage to be contracted with her, promiſing to procure a ſpecial diſpenſation from the Biſhop of Rome. The Queen weighing in her mind the unlawfulneſs of ſuch a Marriage, puts off King Philip by little and little, with a modeſt anſwer, but indeed out of ſcruple of Conſcience. And now ſhe thought nothing more pleaſing to God, than that Religion ſhould be forthwith be altered. Thereupon the care of correcting the Liturgy, was committed to Doctor Matthew Parker, Bill, May, Grindal, Whitehead, and Pilkinton, Learned and moderate Divines, and to Sir Thomas Smith Knight; the matter being imparted to no man, but the Marqueſs of Northampton, the Earl of Bedford, Sir John Grey of Pyrgo, and Sir William Cecil.

A Parliament was ſummoned to begin on January 25. which opened with an Eloquent and Learned Sermon, Preached by Dr. Cox. In the Houſe of Commons there were ſome furious Spirits, who eagerly oppoſed all propoſitions, which ſeemed to tend unto the prejudice of the Church of Rome. Of which number none ſo violent as Scory, Doctor of the Laws, and a Great Inſtrument of Bonner's Butcheries in Queen Mary's Reign: who being queſtioned for the cruelty of his Executions, declared himſelf to be ſorry for nothing more, That inſtead of lopping off ſome few boughes and branches, he did not lay his Ax to the Root of the Tree: Yet paſſed He unpuniſhed for the preſent, though Divine Vengeance brought him in the end to his juſt reward.

In this Parliament paſſed an Act for recognizing the Queen's juſt Title to the Crown, but without any Act for the validity of her Mother's Marriage, on which her Title moſt depended.

There paſſed an Act alſo for reſtoring the Tenths, and firſt Fruits, to the Crown; firſt ſetled thereon in the time of King Henry the Eighth, and afterwards given back by Queen Mary to the Pope.

They paſſed an Act alſo for the diſſolution of all ſuch Monaſteries, Convents, and Religious Orders, as had been Founded and eſtabliſhed by Queen Mary. By vertue of which Act Queen Elizabeth was repoſſeſſed of all thoſe Lands, which had been granted by her Siſter, to the p. 210Monks of Weſtminſter and Shen, the Knights Hoſpitallers, the Nuns of Sion, together with the Manſion houſes re-edified for the Obſervants of Greenwich, and the Black-friers in Smithfield.

In paſſing the Act of the Supremacy there was ſome trouble; it ſeemed to be a thing even abhorrent in Nature and Polity, that a Woman ſhould be declared to be the Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England. But the Queen declined the Title of Head, and aſſumed the name of Governor of the Church of England. This Act having eaſily paſſed the Houſe of Commons, found none of the Temporal Lords in the Houſe of Lords to oppoſe it, ſave onelyonly the Earl of Shrewsbury, and Anthony Brown Viſcount Montacute. As for the Biſhops, there were but fourteen, and the Abbot of Weſtminſter, then alive: of whom four being abſent, the reſt could not make any conſiderable oppoſition.

In the Convocation of the Clergy there paſſed certain Articles of Religion, which they tendered to the Parliament, which were theſe.

I. That in the Sacrament of the Altar, by the vertue of Chriſt aſſiſting, after the word is duly pronounced by the Priest, the natural Body of Christ, conceived by the Virgin Mary is really preſent, under the Species of Bread and Wine, alſo his natural Blood.

II. That after the Conſecration, there remains not the ſubſtance of Bread and Wine, nor any other ſubſtance, ſave the ſubſtance of God and Man.

III. That the true Body of Chriſt, and his true Blood is offered a propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and dead,

IV. That the ſupreme power of feeding and governing the Militant Church of Chriſt, and of confirming their Brethren, is given to Peter the Apoſtle, and to his lawful Succeſſors in the See Apoſtolick, as unto the Vicars of Christ.

V. That the Authority to handle and define ſuch things which belong to Faith, the Sacraments, and Diſcipline Eccleſiaſtical, hath hitherto ever belonged, and onelyonly ought to belong unto the Paſtors of the Church, whom the Holy Spirit hath placed in the Church of God, and not unto Lay-men.

This Remonſtrance exhibited by the lower houſe of Convocation to the Biſhops, was, according to their Requeſts, preſented by Edmond Bonner, Biſhop of London, to the Lord Keeper of the Broad-ſeal of England in the Parliament.

Both Univerſities did concur to the truth of the foreſaid Articles, the laſt onelyonly excepted.

p. 211This Declaration of the Popiſh Clergy haſtened the diſputation appointed on the laſt of March, in the Church of Weſtminſter, wherein theſe Queſtions were debated.

I. Whether Service and Sacraments ought to be celebrated in the vulgar Tongue?

II. Whether the Church hath not power to alter Ceremonies?

III. Whether the Maſs be a propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead.

Popiſh Diſputants.

White Biſhop of Wincheſter.

Watſon Biſhop of Lincoln.

Baynes Biſhop of Coventry and Litchfield.

Scot Biſhop of CHESTER.

Proteſtant Diſputants.

John Scory late Biſhop of Chicheſter.

David Whitehead.

Robert Horn.

Edmond Gweſt.

Edwyn Sandys.

John Elmer.

Edmond Grindal.

John Juel.

Moderators.

Nicholas Heath, Archbiſhop of York, Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal.

Beſides the Diſputants, there were preſent many of the Lords of the Queens Council, with other of the Nobility, as alſo many of the lower Houſe of Parliament. For the manner of their conference, it was agreed it ſhould be performed in writing, and that the Biſhops ſhould deliver their Reaſons in writing firſt. Many differences aroſe between them, ſo that the conference broke off, and nothing was determined. The Biſhops of Lincoln and Wincheſter thought meet, that the Queen and the Authors of this defection from the Church of Rome, ſhould be Excommunicated, who for this cauſe were impriſoned.

Then a Peace being made, was Proclaimed over all England, betwixt the Queen of England, the King of France, the Daulphin, and the Queen of Scots. The Parliament being diſſolved, by Authority of the ſame the Liturgy was forthwith brought into the Churches in the Vulgar Tongue; the Oath of Supremacy offered to the Popiſh Biſhops, and p. 212others of the Eccleſiaſtical profeſſion, which moſt of them had ſworn unto, in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth. All the Biſhops refuſed, except Anthony Biſhop of Landaff.

As many as refuſed, were turned out of their Livings, Dignities, Biſhopricks.

In the Sees of the Prelates removed were placed Proteſtant Biſhops: Matthew Parker was made Archbiſhop of Canterbury, who was Conſecrated by three that formerly had been Biſhops, namely, William Barlow of Bath and Wells, John Scory of Chicheſter, and Miles Coverdale of Exeter. And being Conſecrated himſelf, he afterward Conſecrated Edmond Grindal Biſhop of London, Richard Cox Biſhop of Ely, Edwyn Sandys Biſhop of Worceſter, Rowland Merick Biſhop of Bangor, Thomas Young Biſhop of St. David's, Nicholas Bullingham Biſhop of Lincoln, John Juel Biſhop of Salisbury, Richard Davis Biſhop of St. Aſaph, Edward Guest Biſhop of Rocheſter, Gilbert Barkley Biſhop of Bath and Wells, Thomas Bentham Biſhop of Coventry and Litchfield, William Alley Biſhop of Exeter, John Parkhurst Biſhop of Norwich, Robert Horn Biſhop of Wincheſter, Richard Cheiney Biſhop of Gloceſter, Edmond Scambler Biſhop of Peterborough, William Barlow Biſhop of Chicheſter, John Scory Biſhop of Hereford, Thomas Young Archbiſhop of York, James Pilkinton Biſhop of Durham, John Beſt Biſhop of Carlile, and William Dounham Biſhop of Cheſter.

Nicholas Health Archbiſhop of York, lived privately many years in his Mannor of Chobham in Surrey, never reſtrained to any one place, and died in great favour with the Queen, who beſtowed many gratious viſits upon him, during his retirement. Tonſtal of Durham ſpent the remainder of his time with Archbiſhop Parker, by whom he was kindly entertained, and honourably buried. The like civility was afforded to Thurlby Biſhop of Ely in the ſame houſe, and unto Bourn of Wells, by the Dean of Exon, in which two houſes they both died about ten years after. White, though at firſt impriſoned for his faults, after ſome cooling himſelf in the Tower of London, was ſuffered to enjoy his liberty, and to retire himſelf to what friend he pleaſed: Which favour was vouchſafed unto Turbervil alſo, who being a Gentleman by extraction, wanted not friends to give him good entertainment. Watſon of Lincoln, after a ſhort reſtraint, ſpent the remainder of his time with the Biſhops of Rocheſter and Ely; till having practiſed againſt the State, he was ſhut up in the Caſtle of VVisbich, where at laſt he died. Oglethorp died ſoon after his deprivation, of an Apoplexy, Bayn of the Stone, and Morgan in December following. Pool enjoyed the like freedom, and died in a good old age. Chriſtopherſon lived on his Eſtate. Bonner alone was doomed to a perpetual impriſonment; the priſon proving to that wretch (ſaith Dr. Heylin) his greateſt Sanctuary, whoſe horrid Butcheries had otherwiſe expoſed him to the popular fury.

p. 213We find no more to have been deprived of their preferments, than fourteen Biſhops, ſix Abbots, Priors, and Governors of Religious Orders, twelve Deans, and as many Archdeacons, fifteen Preſidents or Maſters of Colledges, fifty Prebendaries of Cathedral Churches, and about eighty Parſons or Vicars. The whole number not amounting to two hundred men, which in a Realm conſiſting of nine thouſand Pariſhes, and twenty ſix Cathedral Churches, could be no great matter.

But there was not a ſufficient number of Learned men to ſupply the Cures, which filled the Church with an Ignorant Clergy,Dr. P. Heylins Hiſtory of Queen Eliz. whoſe Learning went no further than the Liturgy, or the Book of Homilies, but otherwiſe conformable (which was no ſmall felicity) to the Rules of the Church. And on the other ſide many were raiſed to great preferments, who having ſpent their time of exile in ſuch Forreign Churches as followed the platform of Geneva; returned ſo diſaffected to Epiſcopal Government, unto the Rites here by Law eſtabliſhed, as not long after filled the Church with moſt ſad diſorders: On which account we find the Queens Profeſſor in Oxford, among the Non-conformiſts, and Cartwright the Lady Margaret's in Cambridge. VVhittingham the Ring-leader of the Franckfort dividers, was preferred to the Deanery of Durham: Sampſon to the Deanery of Chriſt-church, and within few years after turned out for a rigid Non-conformiſt. Hardiman, one of the firſt twelve Prebendaries of the Church of VVeſtminſter, deprived ſoon after for throwing down the Altar, and defacing the Veſtments of the Church.

Whether it were by the Pope's inſtigation, or by by the ambition of the Daulphin who had then Married the Queen of Scots, the Scottiſh Queen aſſumeth unto her ſelf the Style and Title of Queen of England, quartereth the Armes thereof upon all her Plate, and in all Armories and Eſchutcheons as ſhe had occaſion. A folly that Queen Elizabeth could never forget nor forgive; and this engaged her the more reſolutely in that Reformation ſo happily begun. And to that purpoſe ſhe ſets out by advice of her Council a certain Body of Injunctions, accommodated to the temper of the preſent time: wherein ſevere courſe was taken about Miniſters Marriages, the uſe of Singing, and the Reverence in Divine Worſhip to be kept in Churches; the poſture of the Communion-table, and the Form of Prayers in the Congregation.

By the Injunctions, ſhe made way to her Viſitation, Executed by Commiſſioners in their ſeveral Circuits, and regulated by a Book of Articles printed and publiſhed for that purpoſe. Proceeding by which Articles, the Commiſſioners removed all carved Images out of the Church, which had been abuſed to Superſtition, defacing alſo all ſuch Pictures, Paintings, as ſerved for the ſetting forth feigned Miracles. They enquired alſo into the life and doctrine of Miniſters, their diligence in attending their ſeveral Cures; the decency of their apparel, p. 214the reſpect of the Pariſhioners toward them;Heylin's Hiſt. of Q. Elizab. the reverent behaviour of all manner of perſons in God's Worſhip, &c. by means whereof the Church was ſetled and confirmed in ſo good an Order, that the work was made more eaſie to the Biſhops, when they came to Govern, than otherwiſe it could have been.

In London, the Viſitors were Sir Richard Sackvil, Father to Thomas Earl of Dorſet; Robert Horn, ſoon after Biſhop of VVincheſter; Doctor Huick, a Civilian; and one Salvage, a Common Lawyer; who calling before them divers Perſons of every Pariſh, gave them an Oath to enquire and preſent upon ſuch Articles and Injunctions as were given unto them. In purſuance whereof they burnt in St. Paul's Church-yard, Cheapſide, and other places of the City, all the Roods and other Images which had been taken out of the Churches. And in ſome places the Copes, Veſtments, Altar-cloathes, Books, Banners, Sepulchres, and Rood-lofts were burned altogether.

A Peace being concluded betwixt England and France, although Queen Elizabeth had juſt cauſe to be offended with the young King Francis the Second, for cauſing the Queen of Scots his Wiſe, to take upon her ſelf the Title and Armes of England, yet ſhe reſolved to beſtow a Royal obſequy upon the King deceaſed, which was performed in St. Paul's Church on the eighth and nineth of September in moſt ſolemn manner.

Kelliſon the Jeſuite, and Parſons from him, ſlaunderouſly affirmed, That Archbiſhop Parker was conſecrated at the Nags-head Tavern in Cheapſide. This ſlaunder was raiſed on this occaſion: In order to his Conſecration, the firſt thing to be done after the paſſing the Royal Aſſent for ratifying the election of the Dean and Chapter, was the confirming it in the Court of the Arches, according to the uſual form in that behalf;Maſon's Conſecration of Biſhops in the Church of England, lib. 3. cap. 4. Which being accordingly done, the Vicar General, the Dean of the Arches, the Proctors and Officers of the Court, whoſe preſence was required at this Solemnity, were entertained at a Dinner provided for them at the Nags-head Tavern in Cheapſide, for which though Archbiſhop Parker paid the ſhot, yet ſhall the Church be called to an after-reckoning. But the Records of the Archbiſhoprick declare, that he was Conſecrated in the Chappel, within his Mannor of Lambeth.

Theſe ſlaunderers knew right well, that nothing did more juſtifie the Church of England in the eye of the World, than that it did preſerve a Succeſſion of Biſhops, and conſequently of all other ſacred Orders in the Miniſtration; without which as they would not grant it to be a Church, ſo could they prove it to be none by no ſtronger Argument, than that the Biſhops (or the pretended Biſhops rather in their Opinion) were either not Conſecrate at all, or not Canonically Conſecrated as they ought to be.

p. 215And now we may behold the face of the Church of England, as it was firſt ſetled and eſtabliſhed under Queen Elizabeth. The Government of the Church by Archbiſhops and Biſhops. Theſe Biſhops nominated and elected according to the Statute in the twenty ſixth of King Henry the Eighth, and Conſecrated by the Ordinal, confirmed by Parliament, in the fifth and ſixth year of King Edward the Sixth, never appearing publickly but in their Rotchets, nor Officiating otherwiſe than in Copes of the Altar: the Prieſts not ſtirring out of doors in their ſquare Caps, Cowns, or Canonical Coats, nor Executing any Divine Service but in their Surplice.Heylin. Hiſt. of Q. Elizab. The Doctrine of the Church reduced unto it's antient purity, according to the Articles agreed upon in Convocation, Anno 1552. The Liturgy conform to the Primitive paterns. The Feſtivals preſerved in their former dignity, obſerved with their diſtinct Offices peculiar to them; the weekly Faſts, the time of Lent, the Embring weeks, and Rogation ſeverely kept, not now by vertue of the Statute, as in the time of King Edward, but as appointed by the Church in her publick Calendar before the Book of Common-Prayer. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper celebrated in a Reverend manner, the Table ſeated in the place of the Altar.

In the Court the Liturgy was officiated every day, both Morning and Evening, not onelyonly in the publick Chappel, but the private Cloſet, celebrated in the Chappel with Organs, and other Muſical Inſtruments, and the moſt excellent voices both of men and children that could be got in all the Kingdom. The Gentlemen and Children in their Surplices, and the Prieſts in Copes as oft as they attended the Divine Service at the Altar. The Altar furniſhed with rich Plate, two fair gilt Candleſticks with Tapers in them, and a Maſſy Crucifix in midſt thereof: Which laſt remained there for ſome years. The antient Ceremonies cuſtomably obſerved by the Knights of the Garter in their Adoration toward the Altar were by this Queen retained as formerly in her Father's time. The ſolemn Sermons Preached upon each Wedneſday, Friday, and Lordsday in the time of Lent, Preached by the choyceſt of the Clergy, ſhe devoutly heard, attired in black, according to the cuſtom of her Predeceſſors.

The Biſhoprick of Carlile was firſt profered to Bernard Gilpin, Fuller. Church Hiſtory of BritainRector of Houghton in the North, but Mr. Gilpin refuſed the offer, not that he had any diſaffection to the Office, but becauſe he had ſo much kinred about Carlile, at whom He muſt either connive in many things, not without hurt to himſelf, or elſe deny them, not without offence to them. It was afterward given to Dr. John Beſt, as was ſhewed before. As for Miles Coverdale, formerly Biſhop of Exeter, he hever returned to his See, but remained a private Miniſter to the day of his death.

p. 216Such of the Scots as deſired a Reformation of Religion, taking advantage by the Queen's abſcence, and want of power in the Queen Regent to ſuppreſs their practices, had put themſelves into a Body. Headed by ſome of the Nobility, they take unto themſelves the name of the Congregation, managing their own Affairs apart from the reſt of the Kingdom. They petition the Queen Regent, and the Lords of the Council, that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper might be adminiſtred in both kinds. That divine Offices might be celebrated in the vulgar Tongue, and that they might have the choice of their own Miniſters. The chief of the party well backed by the common people, put themſelves into Perth, the news whereof occaſioneth Mr. Knox to leave Geneva, and joyn himſelf to the Lords of the Congregation. At Perth he Preacheth againſt Images, Idolatry, and other Superſtitions of the Church of Rome ſo bitterly, that the people in a popular fury deface all the Images in that Church, and preſently demoliſh all Religious Houſes in that City. Thoſe of Couper hearing of it, forthwith deſtroyed all Images, and pulled down the Altars in that Church alſo. The like was done after his Preaching at Craile and St. Andrews, in thoſe places. They burnt down the rich Monaſtery of Scone, and ruined that of Cambuskenneth, demoliſhed all the Altars, Images, and Covents of Religious perſons in Sterling, Lithgow, Glaſcough, Edenburgh, which laſt they poſſeſs, and put up their own Preachers into all the Pulpits of that City, not ſuffering the Queen Regent to have the uſe of one Church onelyonly for her own devotions. They alſe deprive the Queen Regent of all place and power in the publick Government. But ſhe gathering Forces recovereth Edenborough, and the chief key of all that Kingdom gariſoned by the French. In their extremity Maitland and Melvin being diſpatched to the Court of England, imploring aid from Queen Elizabeth. And an Army is ſent into Scotland of ſix thouſand Foot and three thouſand Horſe, commanded by the Lord Gray. Some Ships were alſo ſent to block up the haven, and hinder all Relief which might come by Sea to the Town of Leith. At length after divers Articles ſigned and confirmed for both Kingdoms, the French take their leave of Scotland, and the Engliſh Army was diſbanded at Berwick.

As the Congregation was by the Queen put upon a preſent confidence of going vigorouſly on in their Reformation, ſo it concern'd them to proceed ſo carefully in purſuance of it, as might comply with the dependance which they had upon her.

Firſt, Therefore they bound themſelves by their ſubſcription to embrace the Liturgy, with all the Rites of the Church of England, which for a time remained the onelyonly form of Worſhip for the Kirk of Scotland.

In the next place, They cauſe a Parliament to be called in the monethmonth of Auguſt: for the Boroughs there appeared the accuſtomed number, p. 217but of the Lords Spiritual no more than ſix Biſhops of thirteen, with thirteen Abbots and Priors: and the Temporal Lords to the number of ten Earls, and as many Barons.

Three Acts were paſſed to the advantage of the Reformation.

The firſt, was for the aboliſhing the Pope's Juriſdiction and Authority within the Realm.

The ſecond, for annulling all Statutes made in former times for maintenance of Idolatry and Superſtition.

The third, for the puniſhing the Sayers and Hearers of the Maſs.

To this Parliament alſo ſome of the Miniſters preſented a Confeſſion of the Faith and Doctrine to be believed and profeſſed by the Proteſtants of the Kirk of Scotland: which being put to the Vote, was oppoſed but by three of the Temporal Lords. The Popiſh Prelates were ſilent in it: which being obſerved by the Earl Marſhal, he broke out into theſe words, Seeing (ſaith He) that my Lords the Biſhops, who by their Learning can, and for the zeal they ſhould have to the Truth, ought, as I ſuppoſe, to gainſay any thing repugnant to it, ſay nothing againſt the Confeſſion we have heard, I cannot think but that it is the very Truth of God, and that the contrary of it is falſe Doctrine.

The Queen was now as active in advancing the Reformed Religion in Ireland, as ſhe had been in either of the other Kingdoms. A Parliament is therefore held on January 12. where paſt an Act reſtoring to the Crown the ancient Juriſdiction over all Eccleſiaſtical and Spiritual Perſons. By which Statute were eſtabliſhed both the Oath of Supremacy, and the High Commiſſion, as before in England. There paſt alſo an Act for the Uniformity of Common-Prayer,Heylin's Hiſt. of Q. Elizab. &c. with a permiſſion for ſaying the ſame in Latin, in thoſe Churches where the Miniſter had not the knowledge of the Engliſh Tongue. The people by that Statute are required, under ſeveral penalties, to frequent their Churches, and to be frequent at the reading the Engliſh Liturgy, which they underſtand as little as the Maſs; by which means the Iriſh were kept in ignorance, as to the Doctrines and Devotions of the Church of England.

There alſo paſt another Statute for reſtoring to the Crown the firſtfruits, and twenty parts of all Eccleſiaſtical promotions within that Realm, as alſo of all Impropriate Parſonages. The like Act paſſed for reſtoring all ſuch Lands belonging to the Knights of St. John of Jeruſalem. An Act was alſo paſt for the recognition of the Queen's juſt Title to the Crown, as before in England. The Queen left the proſecution of the work to her Biſhops and Clergy: But they ſo diſſipated the Revenues of their ſeveral Biſhopricks, by long Leaſes, Fee-farmes, and plain Alienations, that to ſome of their Sees they left no more than a Rent p. 218of five Marks per annum, to others a bare yearly Rent of forty ſhillings, to the great diſhonour of God, diſſervice of the Church, and the perpetual Ignominy of themſelves.

Now Return we again to England, where we find Reverend Jewel, newly conſecrated Biſhop of Salisbury, to have Preached a Sermon at Paul's Croſs, on 1 Cor. 11.23. That which I delivered to you, I received of the Lord, &c. on March 30. 1560. There he publiſhed that memorable Challenge, which ſo much exerciſed the Pens and Studies of the Romiſh Clergy.

Biſhop Jewel's Chalenge.

If any Learned man of our Adverſaries, or all the Learned men that be alive, be able to bring any one ſufficient ſentence, out of any old Catholick Doctor, or Father, or General Council, or Holy Scripture, or any one Example in the Primitive Church, whereby it may be clearly and plainly proved, during the firſt ſix hundred years.

I. That there was at that time any private Maſs in the World.

II. Or that there was then any Communion miniſtred unto the people in one kind.

III. Or that the People had their Common-Prayer in a ſtrange Tongue.

IV. Or that the Biſhop of Rome was then called the Head of the Ʋniverſal Church.

V. Or that the People were then taught to believe, that Chriſt's Body is really, Subſtantially, Carnally, Corporally or Naturally in the Sacrament.

VI. Or that his Body is or may be in a thouſand places or more at one time.

VII. Or that the Priest did then hold up the Sacrament over his head.

VIII. Or that the People did then fall down and Worſhip it with godly honour.

IX. Or that the Sacrament was then, and now ought to be hanged up under a Canopy.

X. Or that in the Sacrament, after the words of Conſecration, there remained onelyonly the accidents and ſhews, without the ſubſtance of Bread and Wine.

XI. Or that then the Prieſts divided the Sacrament into three parts, and afterwards received Himſelf all alone.

XII. Or that whoſoever had ſaid the Sacrament is a Figure, a Pledge, a Token, or a Remembrance of Christ's Body, had therefore been judged for an Heretick.

XIII. Or that it was lawful then to have thirty, twenty, &c. Maſſes ſaid in one day.

p. 219XIV. Or that Images were then ſet up in the Churches to the intent the people ſhould worſhip them.

XV. Or that the Lay-people were then forbid to read the Word of God in their own Tongue.

XVI. Or that it was then lawful for the Priest to pronounce the words of Conſecration cloſely, or in private to Himſelf.

XVII. Or that the Priest had then authority to offer up Christ unto his Father.

XVIII. Or to receive the Sacrament for another as they do.

XIX. Or to apply the vertue of Christ's death to any man by the means of the Maſs.

XX. Or that it was then thought a ſound Doctrine to teach the People, that Maſs, Ex opere operato, is able to remove any part of our ſin.

XXI. Or that any Chriſtian man called the Sacrament of the Lord, his God.

XXII. Or that the People were then taught to believe, that the Body of Christ remaineth in the Sacrament as long as the Accidents of Bread and Wine remain there without corruption.

XXIII. Or that a Mouſe, or any other Worm or Beast, may eat the Body of Christ.

XXIV. Or that when Christ ſaid, Hoc eſt corpus meum, the word [Hoc] pointed not the Bread, but Individuum Vagum, as ſome of them ſay.

XXV. Or that the Accidents, Formes, or Shews of Bread and Wine, be the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood, and not rather the very Bread and Wine it ſelf.

XXVI. Or that the Sacrament is a Token, or ſign of the Body of Christ that lieth underneath it.

XXVII. Or that Ignorance is the Mother and Cauſe of true devotion.

The Concluſion is, That then I ſhall be content to yield and ſubſcribe.

This Chalenge being publiſhed in ſo great an Auditory ſtartled the Engliſh Papiſts both at home and abroad. The buſineſs was firſt agitated by the-exchange of friendly Letters betwixt Biſhop Jewel, and Dr. Henry Cole, the late Dean of St. Pauls; more violently followed in a Book of Raſtals; followed therein by Dorman and Marſhal: Dorman was well anſwered and foiled by Nowel, and the other by Calfhil. But the main encounter was between the Chalenger himſelf and Dr. John Harding, who had the better of the day will eaſily appear to any that conſults their Writings: But theſe Diſcourſes came not out till ſome years after.

Pope Paul the Fourth dying, Pope Pius the Fourth ſucceedeth him, who being moved to Excommunicate Queen Elizabeth, by the Count of p. 220Feria, takes a more moderate courſe, by ſending Vincent Parpalia, Abbot of St. Saviour's, with courteous Letters unto her. Parpalia was inſtructed to offer in the Name of the Pope, That the Engliſh Liturgy ſhould be confirmed, the uſe of the Communion in both kinds allowed of: And that all ſentences paſſed, in the Court of Rome, againſt her Mother ſhould be reſcinded, upon condition ſhe would own the Pope's Primacy, and cordially unite her ſelf to the Catholick Church: yea ſome thouſands of Crowns (but all in vain) were promiſed to the effecters thereof. But for all this the Abbot came no nearer than Bruxels with his Bulls and Faculties, not being ſuffered to ſet Foot on Engliſh ground.

Now another Enemy quarrels at the Rites and Extrinſecals of the Church: Thoſe that for Religion fled to Frankford in Queen Marie's days, after her death haſtened into England: followed not long after by the Brethren of the Separation, which retired from thence unto Geneva. Some Friends they had about the Queen, and Calvin make's uſe of all his power and credit, both with the Queen and Cecil (as appears by his Letters unto both) to advance their ends. And he was ſeconded therein by Peter Martyr. But the Queen reſolved to keep up the Church in ſuch outward ſplendor, as might make it every way conſiderable in the eye of the World: when therefore they ſaw the Liturgy impoſed by Act of Parliament, and ſo many Epiſcopal Sees ſupplied with able Paſtors, they began to revive the quarrels raiſed in King Edward's time, about Caps, and Surplices, &c. ſaith Dr. Heylin. And herein they were ſeconded (as before in King Edward's time) by the ſame Peter Martyr, as appears by his Letters to a nameleſs friend, bearing date at Zurich, November 5. 1560. to which he added his diſlike in another of his Letters, touching the Cap, the Epiſcopal Habit, the Churche's Patrimony: the manner of proceeding to be held againſt Papiſts; the Perambulation uſed in the Rogation week, &c. in which his judgement was deſired.

But theſe helps being too far off, another project was ſet on foot. Gryndal, the new Biſhop of London, was known to have a great reſpect to Calvin; the buſineſs therefore is ſo ordered, that by Calvin's Letters to Gryndal, and the friends they had about the Queen, way ſhould be given to ſuch of the French Nation, as had repaired hither, to enjoy the freedom of their own Religion, to have a Church unto themſelves, and in that Church not onelyonly to erect the Genevian Diſcipline, but to ſet up a Form of Prayer (ſaith Dr. Heylin) which ſhould hold no conformity with the Engliſh Liturgy. This was effected. And now there is another Church in London, as different from the Church of England in Government and Forms of worſhip, as that of John Alaſco was in the Auguſtine Friars.

p. 221Upon the news of which ſucceſs, divers both French and Dutch came into England, planted themſelves in the Sea-Towns, and openly profeſſed the Reformed Religion. But ſome of them proved to be Anabaptiſts, and others infected with corrupt Opinions of as ill a nature; which being made known to the Queen, ſhe commands them all by Proclamation to depart the Kingdom, whether they were Aliens, or natural-born Engliſh, within twenty days upon pain of impriſonment, and loſs of all their goods; yet notwithſtanding many of them lurked in England without fear of diſcovery, eſpecially after the erecting of ſo many French and Dutch Churches in the Maritime parts. The French and Dutch Churches in London were infected with their frenzies; and ſuch diſputes were among them on that account, that Peter Martyr interpoſed his Authority with them, to the compoſing of thoſe differences which had grown among them: for which ſee his Letter bearing date at Zurich, on February 15. next following after the date of the ſaid Proclamation (which ſeemeth to have been about September 16.) and ſuperſcribed, Ʋnto the Church of Strangers in the City of London.

By another Proclamation ſhe labours to reſtrain a ſacrilegious kind of people, which under pretence of aboliſhing Superſtition, demoliſhed antient Tomb…s, razed the Epitaphs, and Coat-armors of moſt Noble Familes, and other Monuments of venerable Antiquity, took the Bells out of Churches, and pluckt off the Lead from the Church-roofs.

The Abbey of Weſtminſter, moſt renouned for the Inauguration of the Kings of England, their Sepulture, and the keeping of the Regal Enſignes, ſhe converted to a Collegiat Church: and there ſhe inſtituted a Dean, twelve Prebendaries, a School-maſter, an Uſher, forty Scholars (called the Queen's Scholars, whereof ſix or more are preferred every year to the Vniverſities) Petit Canons and others of the Quire to the number of thirty, ten Officers belonging to the Church, and as many Servants belonging to the Colledge-diet, and twelve Almes-men, beſides many Officers, Stewards, and Collectors for keeping Courts, and bringing in of their Revenue. The principal of which (called the High Steward of Weſtminſter) hath ever ſince been one of the prime Nobility. The Dean intruſted with keeping the Regalia, honoured with a place of neceſſary ſervice at all Coronations, and a Commiſſioner for the peace within the City of Weſtminſter, and the liberties of it by Act of Parliament. The S holars annually preferred by election either to Chriſt-church in Oxford, or Trinity Colledge in Cambridge. Since this new Foundation of it, it hath given breeding and preferment to four Archbiſhops, two Lord Keepers of the Great Seal of England, twenty two Biſhops, and thirteen Deans of Cathedral-churches, beſides Archdeacons, Prebendaries, and other Dignitaries in the Church to a proportionable number.

p. 222The death of Francis the ſecond, the young King of France, who had married Mary Queen of Scots, encouraged the Scots to proceed boldly with their Reformation.

The Duke of Guiſe laboured with the Pope to fulminate his Excommunications againſt Queen Elizabeth, as one that had renounced his authority, apoſtatized from the Catholick Religion, and utterly exterminated the profeſſion of it out of her Dominions. But the Duke ſped no better in his negotiation than the Count of Feria did before.

About this time one Geoffrys was committed Priſoner to the Marſhalſey in Southwark, and More to the houſe of Mad-men (commonly called Bethlem) without Biſhop's-g… in London. More profeſſed himſelf to be Chriſt: Geoffrys believed him to be ſuch, and reported him ſo. Having remained a whole year in priſon, without ſhewing any ſign of their repentance, Geoffrys was whipt, on April 10. 1561. from the ſaid Marſhalſey to Bethlem, with a paper bound about his head, which ſignified, That this was William Geoffrys, a moſt blaſphemous Heretick, who denied Chriſt to be in Heaven At Bethlem he was whipt again in the preſence of More, till the laſh had extorted from him a confeſſion of his damnable error. After which More was ſtript and whipt in the open Streets, till he had made the like acknowledgment, confeſſing Chriſt to be in Heaven, and Himſelf to be a vile, ſinful man. Which being done, they were again remitted to their ſeveral priſons for their further cure.

On June the fourth, a lamentable fire about four a Clock in the afternoon, firſt ſhewed it ſelf near the top of the Steeple of St. Paul's Church in London, and from thence burnt down the Spire, to the Stone-work and Bells, and raged ſo terribly, that within the ſpace of four hours the Timber and Lead of the whole Church, and whatſoever elſe was combuſtible in it, was miſerably conſumed, to the great terror of all Beholders: Which Church ſaid to be the largeſt in all the Chriſtian World for all dimenſions, contains in length ſeven hundred and twenty foot, in breadth one hundred and thirty foot, and in height from the pavement to the top of the roof one hundred and fifty foot. The Steeple from the ground to the Croſs or Weather-cock, contained in height five hundred and twenty foot, of which the ſquare Tower onelyonly amounted to two hundred and ſixty, the Pyramide or Spire to as many more; which Spire being raiſed of maſſy Timber, and covered over with ſheets of Lead, as it was the more apt to be enflamed, ſo was the miſchief more incapable of a preſent remedy.

The Queen hereupon directed her Letters to the Lord Mayor and City of London to take care therein. In obedience to whoſe Royal Pleaſure the Citizens granted a Benevolence, and three Fifteens to be ſpeedily paid, beſides the great bounty of particular perſons, &c. The Queen p. 223alſo ſent in a thouſand Marks in ready money, and Warrants for one thouſand load of Timber to be ſerved out of Her Majeſties Woods. The Clergy of the Province of Canterbury contributing to this work the fortieth part of their Benefices which ſtood charged with firſt-fruits, and the thirtieth part of thoſe which had paid the ſame. The Clergy of the Dioceſs of London beſtowed the thirtieth part of ſuch of their livings as were under the burden of that payment, and the twentieth part of thoſe which were not. To which the Biſhop added at ſeveral times the ſum of nine hundred pound one ſhilling eleven pence, the Dean and Chapter one hundred thirty ſix pound thirteen ſhillings four pence. By all which, and ſome other little helps, the work was carried on ſo faſt, that before the end of April 1566. the Timber-work of the Roof was not onelyonly fitted, but compleatly covered.

And now the Pope's Nuncio being advanced already in his way to England as far as Flanders, expecteth the Queen's pleaſure touching his admittance: for the Pope could not be taken off from ſending his Nuncio to the Queen, with whom he conceived himſelf to ſtand upon termes of Amity. But the Queen perſevered in her firſt intent, affirming ſhe could not treat with the Biſhop of Rome, whoſe authority was excluded out of England by conſent of Parliament. The greateſt obſtacle to the Nuncio's coming was partly laid by the indiſcretion of ſome Papiſts in England, and partly by the precipitancy of the Pope's Miniſters in Ireland; for ſundry ill-diſpoſed perſons upon the noiſe of the Nuncio's coming, not onelyonly brake the Laws made againſt the Pope and his Authority, but ſpread abroad ſlaunderous reports, that the Queen was at the point to change her Religion, and alter the government of the Realm. Some alſo had practiſed with the Devil by Conjurations, Charms, and caſting of Figures, to be informed in the length of her Majeſties Reign. And on the other ſide the Pope's Legate being at the ſame time in Ireland, joyned himſelf to ſome deſperate Traitors, who ſtirred up rebellion there, and as much as in him was had deprived the Queen of all Right and Title to that Kingdom. Upon which grounds it was carried clearly at the Council-boord againſt the Nuncio, notwithſtanding the Interceſſion of the French, the Spaniard, or the Duke of Alva.

Yet notwithſtanding the Emperor Ferdinand ſends to perſwade the Queen to return to the old Religion, at leaſt that ſhe would ſet apart ſome Churches to the uſe of the Catholicks. To whom ſhe anſwered, That ſhe had ſetled her Religion on ſo ſure a Bottom, that ſhe could not eaſily be changed, And for granting Churches to the Papiſts, it did not conſiſt with the Polity and good Laws of the Land.

Then divers abuſes ariſing in the Church, Archbiſhop Parker found it neceſſary to have recourſe unto the power which was given to him by the Queen's Commiſſion, and by a clauſe of the Act of Parliament, For the Ʋniformity of Common-Prayer and ſervice in the Church, &c. As one of p. 224the Commiſſioners for cauſes Eccleſiaſtical, he was authorized with the reſt of his Aſſociates, To reform, redreſs, order, correct and amend all ſuch Errors, Hereſies, Schiſmes, Abuſes, Offences, Contempts, and Enormities whatſoever, as might from time to time ariſe in the Church of England.

And in the paſſage of the Act forementioned it was provided, That all ſuch Ornaments of the Church and the Miniſters thereof ſhould be retained, as were in the Church of England, by Authority of Parliament, in the ſecond year of King Edward the Sixth, untill further order ſhould be taken therein from the Queen's Majeſty, &c. And alſo if there ſhall happen any contempt or irreverence to be uſed in the Rites of the Church, by the miſuſing of the Orders of the ſaid Book of Common-Prayer, the Queen might by the adviſe of the Commiſſioners or Metropolitan, ordain or publiſh ſuch further Ceremonies or Rites, as ſhould be moſt for the advance of God's glory, the edifying the Church, &c. Hereupon the Archbiſhop, by the Queen's conſent, and the advice of ſome of the Biſhops, ſets forth a certain Book of Orders to be diligently obſerved, and executed by all perſons whom it might concern.

Heylin. Hiſt. of Q. Elizab. An. Reg. 3.In which it was provided, That no Parſon, Vicar, or Curate of any exempt Church, ſhould from thenceforth attempt to conjoyn, by ſolemnization of Matrimony, any not being of his or their Pariſh-church, without good Teſtimony of the Bains being ask'd in the ſeveral Churches where they dwell, or otherwiſe were ſufficiently Licenſed. That no other days ſhould be obſerved as Holy-days and Faſting-days, but onelyonly ſuch as be expreſſed in the Calendar, lately ſet forth by the Queen's Authority. That neither the Curates or Parents of Children which are brought to Baptiſm, ſhould anſwer for them at the Font, but that the antient uſe of Godfathers and Godmothers ſhould ſtill be retained; and that in all ſuch Churches in which the ſteps to the Altar were not taken down, the ſaid ſteps ſhould remain as before they did. That the Communion-Table ſhould be ſet in the ſaid place where the ſteps then were, or had formerly ſtood: and that the Table of the Decalogue ſhould be fixed upon the wall over the ſaid Communion-Table.

This year the Merchants Tailors School in London was founded, firſt by the Maſter, Wardens, and Aſſiſtants, of the Company of Merchants Tailors, whence it had the name, and by them founded for a Seminary to St. John's in Oxford, built and endowed at the ſole coſts of one of their Livery. But of a far more private nature was the Foundation of another Grammar School in the Town of Sandwich, built at the charge of Sir Roger Manwood, and endowed with forty pound per annum.

The Council of Trent being now opened, it was ſaid in that Council, that i… was good to let the Proteſtants alone, and not name them, alledging p. 225the danger of moving ill humors in a Body which was then quiet. To give a ſafe conduct to the Engliſh-men, which neither They nor any of them did require, were a great indignity. They were content it ſhould be given to the Scots, becauſe their Queen would demand it, but ſo as that the demand ſhould firſt be made. But the Engliſh Proteſtant Biſhops would not venture themſelves into that Council on ſuch weak aſſurance, conſidering how ill the ſafe conduct had been formerly kept to John Hus, and Jerom of Prague, at the Council of Conſtance. And the Queen kept the Papal party ſafe from gadding thither.

Then Scipio, a Venetian Gentleman (formerly acquainted with Maſter Jewel, whil'ſt he was a Student at Padua) wrote now an expoſtulating Letter unto him, being lately made Biſhop of Sarisbury, in which he much admireth, that England ſhould ſend no Ambaſſador, nor Letter, nor Meſſage, to excuſe their Nation's abſence from the General Appearance of Chriſtianity in that Council, &c. Biſhop Jewel returned him ſuch an Anſwer, that neither Scipio himſelf, nor any other of that party durſt reply upon him. The Anſwer is to be found at large at the end of the Hiſtory of this Council, Tranſlated by Sir Nathanael Brent.

At this time it was adviſed, by Lewis Prince of Conde, the Cardinal Chaſtilion, and other principal leaders of the Proteſtant party in France, that they ſhould put themſelves under the protection of the Queen of England, who had not long before ſo ſeaſonably relieved the Scots in the like diſtreſs.

The Queen had been ſecretly advertiſed of all paſſages there by Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, her Majeſtie's Reſident in that Kingdom.

It being agreed on between them, that the Queen ſhould ſupply the Prince of Conde, and his Aſſociates with a ſufficient quantity of Money, Corn, and Ammunition, for the ſervice of the French King, againſt the practices of the Houſe of Guiſe, and that the Town of New-haven ſhould be put into her Majeſtie's hands, to be garriſoned by Engliſh Souldiers. Immediately a manifeſt was publiſhed in the name of the Queen, wherein was declared, that ſhe had obſerved, how the Guiſian Faction, in the names of the Queen-Mother of France, and the young King, had endeavoured to root out the Profeſſors of the Reformed Religion, and what maſſacres had been made at Vaſſey, Paris, Sene, Tholouſe, Bloys, Touers, Angier, and other places; that there were thought to be Butchered no leſs than an hundred thouſand of the natural Franch, between the firſt of March and the twentieth of Auguſt then laſt paſt: that with the like violence they had cauſed to be ſpoiled and impriſoned ſuch of her Majeſtie's Subjects as Traded in the Ports of Bretaign, and ſuch as ſought to preſerve themſelves, to be killed, their goods and Merchandize to be ſeized, without charging any other crime upon them but that they were Hugonots; and that in conſideration of the premiſes ſhe could do no leſs p. 226than endeavour the preſerving the Reformed Religion, from an univerſal deſtruction, and the maintaining her own Subjects and Dominions in peace and ſafety. The ayd amounting to ſix thouſand men, was divided into two equal parts, of which the one was deſtined to the defence of Roven and Deep, then being in the hands of the Confederates, the other to take poſſeſſion of the Town of New-haven, which by the Inhabitants was joyfully ſurrend…ed to the Engliſh. The Lord Ambroſe Dudley, the eldeſt Son then living of the late Duke of Northumberland, ſhe ſent to command that place, whom on Decemb. 26. She had created Lord Liſle, and Earl of Warwick, where he was ſolemnly received with a peal of Ordnance.

A petit Rebellion hapned in Merton-colledge in Oxford. The Wardenſhip of that houſe being voyd by the death of Gervaſe, one Man is choſen to the place; one Hall and his Popiſh faction oppoſed his admiſſion, and raiſed ſuch a perſecution, that it was poenal for any to be a Proteſtant. Archbiſhop Parker hearing of it, ſummoneth Hall to appear before him, but the ſeal of the citation was torn off by ſome of that party. Hereupon the Archbiſhop made a ſolemn viſitation of that Colledge, wherein all were generally examined, Man confirmed Warden, Hall juſtly expelled, his party publickly admoniſhed; the young Scholars relieved, Papiſts curbed and ſuppreſſed, Proteſtants countenanced, and encouraged in the whole Univerſity.

Now many ſtrange whiſpers were abroad, and no ſmall hopes conceived by thoſe of the Popiſh faction, for ſuppreſſing the Proteſtants in all parts of the Kingdom, and ſetting up their own Religion as in former times: of the plot were Arthur Pool, younger brother to Reginald Pool the late Cardinal Legate, and Geoffry Forteſcue, who had married his ſiſter, and others. The ſubſtance of their charge was, a deſign of levying War againſt the Queen, &c. with a particular intention of advancing the Queen of Scots to the Crown of England, and Pool himſelf unto the Title of Duke of Clarence. All which they Confeſſed upon the Indictment, and did all receive the ſentence of death; but were all afterwards pardoned by the Queen, out of that great reſpect which ſhe bare to their Royal Extraction.

Then was that elegant diſcourſe publiſhed by Biſhop Jewel, Entitled, The Apology of the Church of England, firſt writ in Latine, tranſlated preſently into Engliſh, French, Italian, Dutch, and at laſt in Greek, to the publiſhing whereof he was much encouraged by Peter Martyr, with whom he had ſpent the greateſt part of his time when he lived in exile. But Martyr lived onelyonly to ſee the Book which he ſo much longed for, dying at Zurich on the twelfth of November following, and laid into his grave by the Magiſtrates and people of that City with a ſolemn funeral.

The five Biſhopricks erected by King Henry the eighth, were ſo p. 227impoveriſhed in this Queen's Reign that the new Biſhops were neceſſitated to require the benevolence of their Clergy at their firſt coming to them, to furniſh their Epiſcopal houſes, and to enable them to maintain ſome tolerable degree of Hoſpitality in their ſeveral Dioceſſes.

The Parliament called January 12. 1562. paſſed an Act for Aſſurance of the Queen's Royal power over all Eſtates and Subjects in her Dominions. In which it was provided, That no man Reſiding in the Queen's Dominions, ſhould from thence-forth either by-word or writing, &c. endeavour willingly to maintain the power and juriſdiction of the Biſhop of Rome heretofore uſurped within this Realm. It was alſo enacted, that none ſhould be admitted unto Holy Orders, or to any Degree in either of the Univerſities, or to be Barreſter, or Bencher in any of the Inns of Court, or to Practiſe as an Attourney, &c, till He or They ſhould firſt take the Oath of Supremacy on the Holy Evangeliſts; with a power given to every Archbiſhop and Biſhop within this Realm and the Dominions of the ſame, to Miniſter the ſaid Oath to all and every Spiritual Perſon in their proper Dioceſſes, as well in places exempt as elſ-where; It had been declared by the Biſhops and Clergy aſſembled at the ſame time in their Convocation, To be a thing plainly repugnant to the word of God, and the Cuſtom of the Primitive Church, to have publick Prayer in the Church, or to adminiſter the Sacraments in a Tongue not underſtood by the People: therefore it was Enacted, That the Biſhops of Hereford, S. David's, Bangor, Landaff and S. Aſaph, ſhould take care for Tranſlating the whole Bible with the Common-prayer book, into the Welch Tongue: The like care was alſo taken for Tranſlating the Books of Homilies.

Then were the Nine and thirty Articles (compoſed in the Convocation at London) publiſhed ſoon after both in Engliſh and Latine with this following Title,The 39. Articles compiled in Convocation. viz. Articles agreed upon by the Archiſhops and Biſhops of both Provinces, and the whole Clergy in the Convocation holden at London, Anno 1562. for the avoyding of Diverſities of opinions, and eſtabliſhing conſent touching true Religion.

Theſe Articles came forth much about the time that the Decrees of the Council of Trent were publiſhed. Many of which Decrees begin with lying, and all end with Curſing, threatening Anathema's to all diſſenters. Anno 1571. the Parliament confirmed theſe Articles ſo far, that every Clerk ſhould before Decemb. 25. next following ſubſcribe the ſame. And hereafter every perſon promoted to an Eccleſiaſtical living, ſhould within a time prefixed, in the time of Divine Service publickly read and profeſs his conſent to the ſame, on pain of deprivation ipſo facto, if omitted. This ſubſcription was extended only to men of Eccleſiaſtical Function.

After the return of the Queen of Scots out of France into Scotland, p. 228Beſides the Ratifying the Act of Oblivion, (formerly condeſcended to in the Treaty at Edenburgh) there were alſo paſt ſome other Acts, viz. one Act for repairing and upholding Pariſh Churches, and the Church-yards of the ſame for burial of the dead. Another againſt letting Parſonages, Gleabes, or Houſes, into long Leaſes or Fee. But on the other ſide no ſafety or Protection could be found for the Queen's own Religion, no not ſo much as the Chappel Royal, or the Regal City. In contempt whereof a force was violently committed in the monethmonth of Auguſt in the Chappel of the Palace of Holy-rood houſe, where certain of the Queen's ſervants were aſſembled for their own devotions, the doors broke open, ſome of the Company haled to the next priſon, and the reſt diſperſed, the Prieſt eſcaping with difficulty by a private paſſage, the Queen being then abſent in the North.

In France the City and Caſtle of Cane beſieged by the confederate forces both French and Engliſh, was finally ſurrendred to the Admiral Chaſtilion to the uſe of the Princes. After which followed the ſurrendry of Baieux, Faleiſe, S. Lod's, and divers other Towns and Caſtles. The Town of Hareflew on the Seine was gallantly taken by the help of the Engliſh of Newhaven on the tenth of March, and garriſoned by ſuch Souldiers and Inhabitants as were ſent from thence. Theſe ſucceſſes amazed the Guiſian faction, that they agreed, unto an Edict of Pacification, by the which the French forces were reſtored to the King's Favour, the Hugonots to the free exerciſe of their own Religion. But they muſt buy this happineſs by betraying the Engliſh, whom they had brought into the Countrey, and joyn their forces with the reſt to drive them out of New-haven, if they would not yield it on demand. The French cloſely beſiege the Town, and the Plague raging ſore among the Engliſh, they capitulate, and leave the Town to the French on July the twenty ninth, and carry the Plague with them into England.

The Pope was ſo incenſed againſt Queen Elizabeth, that he diſpatched a commiſſion to the Fathers of Trent, Hiſt. Concil. Trident.to proceed to an excommunication of the Queen of England. But the Emperour Ferdinand wrote Letters both to the Pope and to the Legates, in which he ſignified unto them, That if the Council would not yield that fruit which was deſired, at leaſt they ſhould not give occaſion to the Hereticks to unite themſelves more; which certainly they would do, in caſe they proceeded ſo againſt the Queen of England, by means whereof they would undoubtedly make a league againſt the Catholicks. Hereupon the Pope deſiſted at Rome; and revoked his Commiſſion ſent before to the Legates at Trent.

The Plague brought out of France by the Garriſon Souldiers of New-haven, had ſo diſperſed it ſelf, and made ſuch deſolation in many parts of England, that it ſwept away above twenty thouſand of the p. 229City of London, which was the greateſt at that time which any man living could remember. Soon after this the Queen makes peace with France.

Then the Queen went in progreſs to take the pleaſures of the Countrey, and viſited the Univerſity of Cambridge, where being with all kinds of honour received by the Students, and delighted with Comedies, Tragedies, and Scholaſtical diſputations, ſhe ſurvayed every Colledge: and in a Latine Oration takes her leave of Cambridge, giving them encouragement to purſue their Studies.

The Engliſh Biſhops being impowered by their Canons, began to ſhew their Authority in urging the Clergy of their Dioceſſes, to ſubſcribe to the Liturgy, Rites, and diſcipline of the Church; and ſuch as refuſed the ſame were branded with the name of Puritans.

The Non-conformiſts in this Age were divided into two Ranks: ſome mild and moderate, contented onelyonly to enjoy their own conſcience. Others fierce and fiery, to the diſturbance of Church and State, ſaith Fuller. Among the former was Father John Fox (for ſo Queen Elizabeth termed him) ſummoned to ſubſcribe by Archbiſhop Parker. The old man produced the New Teſtament in Greek, To this (ſaith he) will I ſubſcribe. But when a ſubſcription to the Canons was ſubſcribed of him, he refuſed it, ſaying; I have nothing in the Church ſave a Prebend at Salisbury: and much good may it do you, if you will take it away from me. However ſuch reſpect did the Biſhops (moſt formerly his fellow-exiles) bear to his Age, parts, and pains, that he continued his place till the day of his death. With Mr. Fox we may joyn his dear friend Laurence Humfery, who was Regius Profeſſor of Divinity in Oxford. But ſuch w…s his quiet carriage, that notwithſtanding his nonſubſcribing, he kept his Profeſſors place, and Deanery of Wincheſter as long as he lived.

A ſecond ſort of Non-conformiſts were fierce ſticklers againſt Church-diſcipline, we will begin with Anthony Gilby bred in Chriſt's Colledge in Cambridge. His fierceneſs againſt the Ceremonies take from his own pen, They are (ſaith he) known Liveries of Antichriſt, accurſed leaven of the blaſphemous popiſh Prieſt-hood, curſed patches of Popery and Idolatry &c. William Whittingham ſucceeds, who after his return from his exile in Germany, was made Dean of Duxham. Chriſtopher Goodman is the third, who wrote a book ſtuffed with much dangerous Doctrine, wherein he maintained, That Sir Thomas Wait was no Traitor, that his cauſe was God's, &c. Theſe three (ſaith Mr. Fuller) were the Anteſignani of the fierce Non-conformiſts: for David Whitehead is not mentioned with them. Yet find we none of them ſilenced; OnelyOnly we meet with Thomas Sampſon Dean of Chriſt-church in Oxford, who was diſplaced out of his Deanery for his Non-conformity. This Deanery was then conferred on Dr. Thomas Godwin, Chaplain in Ordinary to the p. 230Queen who was after advanced to the Biſhoprick of Bath and Wells, who was Father to Francis Godwin, late Biſhop of Landaff, the Author of the Catalogue of the Engliſh Biſhops.

Bullinger and Gualter, two Divines of Switzerland, men eminent in all points of Learning being ſollicited by ſome zealous brethren to ſignifie their judgement in the preſent controverſie about the Habit of the Clergy, return an approbation of it, but ſend the ſame encloſed to Sandy's, Horn, and Grindal.

Now the Queen thought fit to make a further ſignification of Her Royal Pleaſure, legally declared by Her Commiſſioners for cauſes Eccleſiaſtical, according to the Acts and Statutes made in that behalf. The Archbiſhop is thereupon required to conſult together with ſuch Biſhops and Commiſſioners as were next at hand upon the making of ſuch Rules and Orders as they thought neceſſary for the peace of the Church, with reference to the preſent eſtate thereof. Which being accordingly performed, preſented to the Queen, and by her approved, the ſaid Rules and Orders were ſet forth, and publiſhed in a certain Book Entitled, Advertiſements, partly for due Order in the publick Adminiſtration of the Common-prayers, and uſing the holy Sacraments; and partly for the Apparel of all Perſons Eccleſiaſtical, by vertue of the Queen's Majeſtie's Letters Commanding the ſame, January fifteenth, &c.

In this year 1564. died the Emperour Ferdinand, and Mr. John Calvin. What Peter Lombard was eſteemed to be in the Schools at Rome, the ſame was Calvin reckoned to be in all thoſe Churches which were Reformed according to the Zuinglian Doctrine in the point of the Sacrament.Heylin's Hiſt. of Q. Elizab. Yet the Royal and Prelatical Divines conceived otherwiſe of him (ſaith Dr. Heylin) and the learned Adrian Seravia (though by birth a Dutchman) Yet being once preferred in the Church of England, could not endure to be called Calvinian.

About the middle of February the Lord Darly came to the Court of Scotland, who being not fully twenty years old, of lovely perſon, ſweet behaviour, and a moſt ingenuous diſpoſition, exceedingly prevailed in ſhort time on the Queen's affections. About the middle of July the Marriage-Rites were celebrated in the Royal Chappel by the Dean of Reſtalrig, and the next day (the Queen having made him before Earl of Roſſe, and Duke of Rothſay) the new Duke was proclaimed King by ſound of Trumpet, and declared to be aſſociated with the Queen in the publick government. The news whereof being brought unto Queen Elizabeth, ſhe ſeemed more offended than indeed ſhe was. But never was marriage more calamitous to the parties themſelves, or more diſhonourable to that nation, or finally more ſcandalous to both Religions: in nothing fortunate but in the birth of James the ſixth, born in the Palace of Edenburgh on July 19. Anno 1566. Solemnly Crowned King of the Scots on the ſame day of the Month, p. 231Anno 1567. and joyfully received to the Crown of England on March 14. 1602.

Of ſuch a temper were the devotions of the Church of England at this time, that generally the Engliſh Papiſts,L. Coke's charg given at Norwich Aſſizes, 1606. and the Ambaſſadours of Forreign Princes ſtill reſorted to them. For the firſt ten years of Her Majeſtie's Reign, the Papiſts in general came to our Churches. In the beginning of the eleventh year of her Reign, Cornwallis, Beddingfield and Selyard were the firſt Recuſants.

Now we are come to the ſetling the Epiſcopal Government by as good Authority as could be given to it by the Lawes of the Land. By a Statute made in the laſt Parliament for keeping Her Majeſtie's Subjects in their due obedience, a power was given unto the Biſhops to tender and receive the Oath of Supremacy of all manner of perſons reſiding and dwelling in their ſeveral Dioceſſes. Bonner was then Priſoner in the Marſhalſey, which being within the Borough of Southwark, brought him within the Juriſdiction of Horn Biſhop of Wincheſter, by whoſe Chancellor the Oath was tendred to him. On the refuſal of which Oath he i… Indicted at the King's Bench upon the Stature, to which he appeared in ſome Term in the year foregoing, and deſires that Council be aſſigned to plead his cauſe. The Court aſſigns him Chriſtopher Wray, afterwards Chief-juſtice of the Common-Pleas, that famous Lawyer Edmond Ploydon, and one Mr. Lovelace.

But the buſineſs came under conſideration in the following Parliament; which began on September thirty, where the Legality of Horn's Epiſcopacy (which was objected againſt in the behalf of Bonner) was cleered by Statute, by which the Parliament did only publiſh, notifie, and declare the Legal Authority of the Engliſh Biſhops, whoſe call and Conſecration to their place was formerly performed.

In the year 1566. Queen Elizabeth came to Oxford, Honourably attended with Robert Dudley, lately made Earl, of Leiceſter, and Chancellor of Oxford, the Marqueſs of Northampton, the Lord Burleigh, and the Spaniſh Ambaſſadour. She was lodged in Chriſt-Church, where many Comedies were acted before Her. Many Acts were kept before Her in Philoſophy, and one moſt eminent in Divinity. She concluded all with a Latine Oration, which you may read in Fuller's Church Hiſtory, as it was taken by Dr. Laurence Humfrey, and by him Printed in the Life of Biſhop Jewel. Having ſtayed ſeven dayes, ſhe took Her leave of the Univerſity.

Anno 1567. Another Generation of Active Non-conformiſts ſucceeded the former. Of theſe Coleman, Button, Benſon, and Halingham, were the chief, inveighing againſt the eſtabliſhed Church-diſcipline, endeavouring to conform the Engliſh Church in all things to that of Geneva. To theſe three more may be added, viz. William White, Thomas Rowland, Robert Hawkins, all Beneficed within the Dioceſe of p. 232London. This year theſe three were cited to appear before Edmond Grindal Biſhop of London: one who was not very forward to preſs Conformity. The Biſhop asked them this queſtion,

Have we not a godly Prince? ſpeak is ſhe evil?

To which they made their ſeveral anſwers in manner following.

William White.]

What a queſtion is that? the fruits do ſhew.

Thomas Rowland.]

No, but the ſervants of God are perſecuted under Her.

Robert Hawkins.]

Why, this queſtion the Prophet anſwereth in the Pſalms, How can they have understanding that work iniquity, ſpoiling my people, and that extol vanity?

The Queen proceeded ſeverely againſt ſome of them, commanding them to be put in priſon, though ſtill their party daily encreaſed.

And now to ſtrengthen the Romiſh party, two moſt Active fugitive Papiſts, Thomas Harding, and Nicholas Saunders, return into England. Very earneſt they were in advancing the Catholick Cauſe, and perverted very many to their own erroneous opinions.

A monethmonth or two after the Prince of Scotland's baptizing, the King her Husband in the one and twentieth year of his age was in the dead time of the night, by bloody & barbarous hands, was ſtrangled in his bed, and thrown forth into an Orchyard, the houſe being blown up with Gun-powder. The Queen afterwards marrieth Earl Bothwel, but he is forced to fly out of Scotland. And the Queen is thruſt in priſon at Loch-levin. But what ſhould be done with Her the Conſpirators could not agree among themſelves. At length they extort from her a reſignation of her Kingdom to her Son, who was ſcarce thirteen moneths old. But ſhe being ill-uſed at home by her own Subjects, made an eſcape into England, and landed at Wirkington in Comberland, and the ſame day wrote a letter in French to Queen Elizabeth. The Counteſs of Lenox complaineth againſt her to Queen Elizabeth, … …liſt. Cent. ….and beſought her, that ſhe might be brought to her trial for the murther of her Son. The Queen of Scots wrote a letter to the Pope, to manifeſt her devotion to the See of Rome, written from Caſtle Boulton, Novemb. 30. 1568.

Then Thomas Piercy Earl of Northumberland, and Charles Nevil Earl of Weſtmorland brake out into open Rebellion againſt the Queen. Their p. 233firſt valour was to fight againſt the Engliſh Bible and Service-book in Durham, tearing them to pieces. They ſet up Maſs in moſt places where they came, Richard Norton an aged Gentleman carrying the Croſs before them, and others bearing in their banners the five wounds of Chriſt, or a Chalice, according to their different devices. But the Earl of Suſſex advancing out of the South with an Army to oppoſe them, they fled Northwards, and mouldered away to nothing. Northumberland fled into Scotland, lurked there awhile, was betrayed to Earl Murrey, ſent back into England, and beheaded at York. Weſtmorland fled into Flanders, where he long lived very poor, on a ſmall penſion. Many were executed by Sir Seorge Bowes Knight Marſhal, in every Market-town betwixt New-caſtle and Witherby. Leonard Dacres the next year laboured to raiſe a New Rebellion, but by the valour and vigilancy of the Lord Hunſdon, his de… was ſeaſonably defeated.

Commiſſioners were appointed by Queen Elizabeth to take cognizance of the cauſe of the Queen of Scots, Murrey cometh to York being the City appointed for that purpoſe, and with him ſeven of his Inwardeſt friends as Delegates for the Infant-King; and for the Queen of Scots Delegates alſo appeared. After Lidington's admonition to the Scots, and the Scots Proteſtation, the Delegates for the Queen delivered a Declaration in Writing. Some few dayes after Murrey the Regent, and the Delegates for the Infant-King gave in their Anſwer. To this the Queen of Scots Delegates renewing again their former Proteſtation, oppoſed their Replication. Murrey refuſeth to yield reaſons for depoſing the Queen. Then were the Engliſh Commiſſioners Revoked, and their Authority abrogated to the great rejoycing of the Duke of Norfolk, who had ever favoured the Queen of Scots Title to the Succeſſion to the Crown of England.

New Commiſſioners were appointed to hear and examine the matter: but the matter cometh to nothing. Murrey propoundeth to Norfolk a Marriage with the Queen of Scots, yet ſpreadeth rumours againſt her. The Queen of Scots was committed to the Earl of Shrewsbury. Camden's Hiſt. of Q. Elizab.Queen Elizabeth relieveth the Proteſtants in France, Edicts being publiſhed there, whereby the exerciſe of the Reformed Religion was utterly forbidden, the Profeſſors thereof removed from Publick Offices, and the Miniſters of the word commanded to depart the Realm within a prefixed time. She alſo gratiouſly received the Netherlanders, of whom a great multitude had withdrawn themſelves into England as into a Sanctuary, from the cruelty of the Duke of Alva.

John Story, Doctor of the Lawes, a great perſecutor in Queen Mary's dayes, being allured by a wile into a Ship, which was reported to have brought over Engliſh Merchandiſes and Heretical Books, the Maſter of the Ship preſently ſet Sail, and brought him into England, where afterwards p. 234he was executed as a Traytor to his Countrey, at Tyburn. Then were the Engliſh Merchants in the Netherlands and Spain, drawn into the Inquiſition, and condemned to the Galleys, and their goods confiſcate.

The old ſtore of Papiſts in England began now much to diminiſh, priſons conſumed many, Age more of their Prieſts, and they had no place in England whence to recruit themſelves. Hereupon they reſolved to erect Colledges beyond the Seas for Engliſh youth to have their education therein. This project begun Anno 1569. was ſo effectually proſecuted, that within the compaſs of fifty years nine Colledges were by them founded, and furniſhed with Students, and they with maintenance. Doway-colledge in Flanders was founded 1569. by Philip the ſecond King of Spain; all the Recuſants in E…gland were Benefactors to it. The firſt Rec…r was William Allen, afterwards Cardinal He died Anno 1594. The ſecond Thomas Worthington, Rector Anno 1609. The third Matthew Kelliſon, Rector 1624. Whereas the government of all other Engliſh Colledges belongs to Jeſuites; this onelyonly is ruled by Secular Prieſts.

The ſecond Colledge was at Rome, founded Anno 1579. Pope Gregory the thirteenth exhibited maintenance, firſt to ſix, then to fourteen, at laſt to threeſcore Scholars therein, to the yearly value of four thouſand Crowns. The Welch Hoſpital in Rome, founded and endowed many hundred years ſince by Cadwallader King of Wales for Welch Pilgrims, with the Rich Lands thereof, were conferred by the ſaid Pope on this Colledge. Now whereas Anno 1576. there were but thirty old Prieſts remaining in this Realm, theſe two Colledges alone within two years ſent above three hundred Prieſts into England. The firſt Rector was Dr. Maurice. The ſecond Ferdinando, a Neapolitan Jeſuite. The third Robert Parſons. The fourth Thomas Fitz-herbert. 1623.

The third Colledge was founded by Philip the ſecond, King of Spain at Valladolit in old Caſtile. Donna Luyſa de Caravaial, a rich Widow Lady in Spain, gave all her eſtate (being very great) to this Colledge, and came over into England, where ſhe died. Father Walpool by pretending to have gained Mr. Pickering Wotton (Son and Heir to the Lord Wotton) to the Romiſh Church, got above five hundred pounds to this Colledge. Sir Francis Inglefield, Privy Counſellor to Queen Mary, forſaking his fair eſtate in Berk-ſhire in the firſt year of Queen Elizabeth, was a bountiful Benefactor to this Colledge.

The fourth Colledge was of Sivil, founded by Philip the ſecond, King of Spain, Anno 1593.

The fifth was at S. Omers in Artois, founded 1596. by Philip the ſecond, who gave them a good Annuity, for whoſe ſoul they ſay every p. 235day a Maſs, and every year an Obitum. Their Rector generally is a Fleming, though this Colledge be of Engliſh only.

The ſixth Colledge is at Madrid, in new Caſtile, founded 1606. Joſeph Creſwel, the Jeſuite, with money of the two Colledges, of Valladolit and Sivil, bought an Houſe here, and built a Colledge thereon.

The ſeventh, a Colledge of Lovain in Brabant, founded 1606. by Philip the third, King of Spain, who gave a Caſtle, with a Penſion, to the Engliſh Jeſuits, to build them a Colledge therewith.

The eighth Colledge was at Liege in Lukeland, founded 1616. The Archbiſhop of Collen (being at this time alſo Biſhop of Liege) gave them a Penſion to live on, and leave to build a fair Colledge here. Many of the Engliſh Nobility and Gentry, under pretence of paſſing to the Spaw to recover their healths, dropped here much of their Gold by the way.

The ninth Colledge was of Gaunt in Flanders, founded 1624. by Philip the Fourth, who gave them a Penſion.

The Colledge of St. Omers generally is for Boyes to be taught in Grammar: Rome for Youths ſtudying the Arts; All the reſt for Men (Novices or profeſſed Jeſuits) ſave that Doway is for any, of what age or parts ſoever. It is incredible what a maſs of money was yearly made over out of England for the maintenance of theſe Colledges: having here their Provincials, Sub-provincials, Aſſistants, Agents, Coadjutors, Familiars, &c. who collected vaſt ſums for them.

The ſolemn Oath which each Student (arrived at man's eſtate) ceremoniouſly ſweareth, when admitted into one of theſe Colledges is as followeth:

I A. B. one bred in this Engliſh Colledge,Continuation of Sanders de Schiſmat. Anglicano. p. 116. conſidering how great benefits God hath beſtowed upon me, but then eſpecially when he brought me out of my own Countrey ſo much infected with Hereſie, and made me a member of the Catholick Church, as alſo deſiring with a thankful heart to improve ſo great a mercy of God, have reſolved to offer up my ſelf wholly to Divine ſervice, as much as I may, to fulfil the end for which this our Colledge was founded. I promiſe therefore, and ſwear, in the preſence of Almighty God, that I am prepared, from my heart, with the aſſiſtance of Divine grace, in due time to receive holy Orders, and to return into England, to convert the Souls of my Countrey-men and Kinred, when, and as often, as it ſhall ſeem good to the Superior of this Colledge, &c.

Now Pope Pius the Fifth thunders out his Excommunication againſt Queen Elizabeth, and the Hereticks (as he calleth them) adhering to her: wherein alſo her Subjects are declared abſolved from the Oath of Allegiance, and every other thing due unto her whatſoever: and thoſe, which from henceforth obey her, are innodated with the Anathema. p. 236The news thereof flying over into England, variouſly affected the Catholicks, according to their ſeveral diſpoſitions. John Felton, who faſtened the Pope's Bull to the Palace of London, being taken, and refuſing to fly, was hanged on a Gibbet before the Pope's Palace.

Then Hugh Price, Doctor of the Civil Law, procured the foundation of Jeſus Colledge in Oxford, on a Ground where White hall had been formerly ſituated; which with Edifices and Gardens thereto belonging, being then in the Crown, Queen Elizabeth gave to ſo pious an uſe, and therefore is ſtiled the Foundreſs in this Mortmain.

In the year 1570. Murray ſueth to have the Queen of Scots delivered unto him. But ſoon after he was ſhot with a leaden Bullet, beneath the Navil, at Lithguo, as he rode in the ſtreet. Hamilton, the murtherer, eſcaped into France. Then Matthew Lenox, the young King's Grandfather, was made Regent of Scotland.

Now began Popery to encreaſe, and the word [Recuſant] to be born and bred in mens mouths.

A Parliament ſate at Weſtminſter, which acted againſt Papiſts, That to write, print, preach, or affirm, that the Queen was an Heretick, Schiſmatick, &c. ſhould be ad…udged Treaſon. Alſo, That it ſhould be ſo accounted, and puniſhed, to bring, and put in execution, any Bulls, Writings, Inſtruments, &c. from the See of Rome from the firſt of July following.

A ſevere Act was made alſo againſt Fugitives (who being natural born Subjects of this Realm, departed the ſame without licenſe. Againſt Non conformiſts it was provided, That every Miniſter ſhould, before December the twenty fifth next following, in the preſence of his Dioceſan, or his Deputy, declare his aſſent to all the Articles of Religion, agreed on in the Convocation 1562. upon pain of deprivation on his refuſal thereof. Againſt covetous Conformiſts it was provided, That no Spiritual perſon, Colledge, or Hoſpital ſhall let, leaſe, other than for the term of one and twenty years, or three lives; the uſual rent, or more, reſerved payable yearly, during the ſaid Term.

Now began Queen Elizabeth's favour to decline toward the Queen of Scots, principally for practiſing with the Pope and forreign Princes.

Anno 1571. Queen Elizabeth went in Royal ſtate to ſee a moſt beautiful Burſe, which Sir Thomas Greſham Knight, Citizen of London, had built for the uſe of Merchants, and by the voice of the Crier, and the ſound of Trumpets, as it it were by way of Dedication, ſhe named it, The Royal Exchange.

A little before that, Florentine Ridolpho, who had for the ſpace of fifteen years exerciſed Merchandiſe at London, ſecretly conveyed Letters from the Pope to the Queen of Scots, wherein he promiſeth all kindneſs, and aid for advancing the Catholick Religion, and Her, &c. Ridolph… alſo, by his own Letters apart, prayeth the Queen to acquaint the Duke of Norfolk with theſe things, &c.

p. 237Anno 1572. died William Alley, Biſhop of Exeter, a diligent Preacher, and John Jewel, Biſhop of Satisbury.

The Canons made in 1563. were not for nine years after confirmed by Act of Parliament: but now being ratified by Parliamentary Authority, the Biſhops began the urging of them more ſeverely than before; which many diſſenters keep their private meetings in Woods, Fields, their Friends Houſes, &c. And now Thomas Cartwright (chief of the Non-conformiſts) preſents the Parliament with a Book called, An Admonition. This was ſeconded with another more importunate to the ſame effect. Great bandying there was of Books between two eminent Authors of oppoſite parties.

1. The Admonition firſt and ſecond made by Mr. Cartwright.

2. The Anſwer to the Admonition by Doctor John Whitgift.

3. The Reply to the Anſwer, by Mr. Thomas Cartwright.

4. The Defence of the Anſwer, by Doctor John Whitgift.

This laſt kept the field, and received no ſolemn refutation.

The Non-conformiſts, after the diſſolution of the Parliament,The firſt Presbytery in England. preſumed to erect a Presbytery at Wandſworth in Surrey. Eleven Elders were choſen therein, and their Offices, and general Rules (by them to be obſerved) agreed upon, and deſcribed, as appears by a Bill endorſed with the hand of Mr. Field, Lecturer (it is ſuppoſed) of that place, but living in London: Mr. Smith of… Micham, and Mr. Crane of Roughampton, are mentioned for approving all paſſages therein. This was the firſt-born of all Presbyteries in England.

Here were two ſorts of Miniſters.

Firſt Mr.

1. Field.

2. Wilcox.

3. Standen.

4. Jackson.

5. Bonham.

6. Seintloe.

7. Crane.

8. Edmonds.

Afterwards Mr.

1. Chark.

2. Travers.

3. Barber.

4. Gardiner.

5. Cheſton.

6. Crook.

7. Egerton.

The former of theſe were principally againſt Miniſters Habits, and the Common-prayer-book.

The latter endeavouring the modelling of a new Diſcipline.

But it was not long before both Streams uniting together, Non-conformity began to bear a great Channel in the City of London.

p. 238Then Roſs, the Queen of Scots Ambaſſador, and the Duke of Norfolk, were ſent to the Tower, for plotting againſt Queen Elizabeth. The Duke of Norfolk was arraigned and condemned by his Peers, and beheaded on Tower-hill.

This year happened a cruel Maſſacre in Paris, the Queen of Navar, and all the choiceſt of the Proteſtants being bidden thither to a Marriage, between Henry of Navar, and Madam Margarite, the King's Siſter. No ſooner was the Marriage ſolemnized, but there followed bloody Butcherings, committed upon men of all eſtates, throughout all the Cities of France. And Admiral Coligny (the Pillar of the Reformed Church) was ſlain in his Bed on Bartholomew-eve.

In November following a new Star was ſeen in the Conſtellation of Caſſiopeia, which continued full ſixteen months, being carried about with the daily motion of the Heaven, Theodor, Beza wittily applyed it to that Star, which ſhone at the Birth of Chriſt, and to the murthering of the Infants under Herod, and warned Charles the ninth, King of France, who had confeſſed himſelf to be the Author of the Maſſacre at Paris, to beware, in this Verſe.

Camden's Hiſtory of Queen Eliz.Tu Vero Herodes ſanguinolente cave.

And look thou, bloody Herod, to thy ſelf.

And he was not altogether deceived in his belief: for the fifth month, after the vaniſhing of this Star the ſaid Charles, after long and grievous pains, died of exceeding bleeding.

Now begin the Anabaptiſts to encreaſe in England: On Eaſter-day was diſcloſed a Congregation of Dutch Anabaptiſts, without Aldgate in London, whereof twenty ſeven were taken, and impriſoned, and four bearing Faggots at Paul's-croſs, ſolemnly recanted their Opinions. In the next month one Dutch-man, and ten Women, were condemned: of whom one Woman renounced her errors; eight were baniſhed the Land: Two more ſo obſtinate, that command was iſſued out for their burning in Smithfield, where they died in great horror, with crying and roaring.

Anno 1573. one Peter Burchet, who had perſwaded himſelf, that it was lawful to kill any that had oppoſed the truth of the Goſpel, drew his Dagger upon Hawkins, that famous Navigator, in the open ſtreet, and wounded him, ſuppoſing him to be Hatton, who was then in great favour with the Queen, whom he had heard to be one of the Innovators. Being caſt into the Tower of London, he ſlew one of his Keepers with a Billet, which be ſnatched up out of the Chimney, for which he was condemned of murther, had his right hand cut off, and nailed to the Gallows, and then he was hanged.

p. 239In the year 1574. certain Miniſters of London were deluded by a Maid, which counterfeited her ſelf to be poſſeſſed of the Devil.

So powerful was the party of the Non-conformiſts grown at this time, that Doctor Humfrey, then Preſident of Maudlins, and Mr. John Fox himſelf (both which ſcrupled ſubſcription in ſome particulars) were deſerted by them as luke-warm and remiſs in the cauſe. Coleman, Burton, Hallingham, Benſon, out-did all of their own Opinions. Then died Matthew Parker, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, an excellent Antiquary, a great Benefactor to Bennet-colledge in Cambridge, on which he beſtowed many Manuſcripts. Edmond Grindal ſucceeded him in his place.

Not long after died James Pilkinton, Biſhop of Durham. He was (as appeareth by many of his Letters) a great conniver at Non-conformity.

The ſame year died Edward Deering, an eminent Divine, born of an ancient Family in Kent, bred Fellow of Chriſt's-colledge in Cambridge, a pious and painful Preacher, but diſaffected to Biſhops and Ceremonies

Rowland Jenkes, a Popiſh Bookſeller, was indicted, at the Summer-Aſſizes in Oxford, for diſperſing of ſcandalous Pamphlets, defamatory to the Queen and State.

Then the Queen laboureth to compound the Netherland differences; but it had little effect. She relieveth the Eſtates and the Prince of Orange with twenty thouſand pounds of Engliſh money, upon condition they ſhould neither change their Religion, nor their Prince, nor receive the French into the Netherlands.

Then one Cuthbert Mayn, a Prieſt, was drawn, hanged, and quartered at Launſton in Cornwal, for his obſtinate maintaining of the Papal power: and Trugion, a Gentleman of that Countrey, which had harboured him, was turned out of his Eſtate, and condem ed to perpetual impriſonment.

In this year 1577. died Nicholas Bullingham, Biſhop of Worceſter. And the ſame year died William Bradbridge, Biſhop of Exeter, and Edmond Gueſt, Biſhop of Salisbury.

Anno 1579. died Richard Cheiney, Biſhop of Bristol. Robert Horn, Biſhop of Wincheſter, ſucceeded. Thomas Centham, Biſhop of Coventry and Litchfield, followed him. And not long after died Richard Cox, Biſhop of Ely.

Now the Sect (called The Family of Love) began to grow ſo numerous, that the Privy Council thought fit to endeavour their ſuppreſſion. They perſwaded their followers, That thoſe only were elected, and to be ſaved, which were admitted into that Family, and all the reſt Reprobates, and to be damned: and that it was lawful for them to deny, upon their Oath, before a Magiſtrate, whatſoever they liſt. Of this Fanatical vanity they diſperſed Books among their followers, tranſlated out of the p. 240Dutch Tongue into Engliſh, which they entitled, The Goſpel of the Kingdom; Documental Sentences; The Propheſy of the Spirit of Love; The publiſhing of Peace upon Earth: The Author was Henry Nicholas of Leyden, who blaſphemouſly ſaid, That he did partake of God, and God of his Humanity. This Man came over into England in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth, joyned himſelf to the Dutch Congregation in London, where he ſeduced many Artificers, and ſilly Women, among whom two Daughters of one Warwick (to whom he dedicated an Epiſtle) were his principal Perverts.The Abjuration may be read in Fu…ler. church Hiſt. ad An. 1580. Mr. Martin Micronius, and Mr. Nicholas Charineus, then the Miniſters of the Dutch Congregation, zealouſly confuted his errors, but it ſeems their Antidotes pierced not ſo deep as his Poyſons. The Privy Council now tendred unto them an Abjuration; but with what ſucceſs we find not. The Queen commanded by Proclamation, That the Civil Magiſtrate ſhould be aſſiſtant to the Eccleſiaſtical, for the timely ſuppreſſing of them, and that their Books ſhould be burnt.

Then divers Seminary Prieſts were ſent forth into ſeveral parts of England and Ireland, to adminiſter (as they pretended) the Sacraments of the Romiſh Religion, and to preach. But the Queen, and her Council found, that they were ſent under-hand, to withdraw the Subjects from their Allegiance, and Obedience, due to their Prince, to bind them, by Reconciliation, to perform the Pope's Commandements, to raiſe inteſtine Rebellion under the Seal of Confeſſion, and flatly to execute the Sentence of Pope Pius the Fifth againſt the Queen.

To theſe Seminaries, for as much as there were ſent daily out of England, from the Papiſts, very many Boys, and young Men of all ſorts, and admitted into the ſame, making a Vow to return; and others from thence crept ſecretly into England, there came forth a Proclamation in the month of June, That whoſoever had Children, Pupils, Kinſmen, or others, in the parts beyond the Seas, ſhould, after ten dayes, deliver their names to the Ordinary; and to thoſe which returned not, they ſhould not directly, or indirectly; ſupply any money. That no Man ſhould entertain in his houſe, or lodge, Priests ſent forth of the Seminaries, and Jeſuits, or cheriſh and relieve them: And whoſoever did the contrary, ſhould be accounted a favourer of Rebels, &c.

Camden's Hiſt. of Queen Eli. Anno 1580.But Robert Parſons, and Edmond Campian, Jeſuits, living at Rome, obteined of the Pope licenſe to come over into England. Parſons was born in Sommerſet-ſhire, of Baliol-colledge in Oxford, a man of a fierce nature, and rude behaviour, he profeſſed openly the Proteſtants Religion, until he was, for his diſhoneſty, expelled the Univerſity, then fled he to the Papiſts. Campian was born in London, and bred in St. John's-colledge in Oxford, one of a ſweet nature, and fluent tongue. Theſe two notably advanced the Roman cauſe, travelling up and down the Countrey ſecretly, and, to Popiſh Gentlemens houſes, in diſguiſed habit, p. 241ſometimes of Souldiers; ſometimes of Gentlemen; ſometimes of Miniſters of the Word; ſometimes of Apparitors. Campian, by a Writing ſet forth, challenged the Miniſters of the Engliſh Church to a Diſputation, and publiſhed a Book in Latin, of ten Reaſons, for maintenance of the Doctrine of the Church of Rome; and Parſons another virulent Book, in Engliſh, againſt Chark, who had written ſoberly againſt Campian's challenge. But to Campian's Reaſons Whitaker anſwered ſoundly. He was taken a year after, and put to the rack, and afterwards being brought forth to diſpute, hardly maintained the expectation raiſed of him. Parſons hardly eſcaping at Norwich in Cheſhire, politickly returneth to Rome.

This year Edmond Grindal, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, groaning under the Queens diſpleaſure, was forbidden acceſs to the Convocation. But a Petition was drawn up, in the name of the whole Convocation, for the reſtitution of the Archbiſhop, by Toby Matthew, Dean of Chriſt-church.

This Petition, after delayes, ended in a final denial; it being daily ſuggeſted to the Queen, that Grindal was a great Patron of Prophecyings (now ſet up in ſeveral parts of the Land) which, if permitted, would in fine prove the bane of the Church and State.

Theſe Prophecyings were thus modelled.

1. The Miniſters of the ſame Precinct, by their own appointment,Fuller. Church Hiſt. An. 1580. met at the principal place therein.

2. The Junior Divine went firſt into the Pulpit, and for about half an hour treated upon a portion of Scripture, formerly by a joynt agreement aſſigned unto him. After him four or five more obſerving their ſeniority, ſucceſſively dilated on the ſame Text.

3. At laſt a Grave Divine made the cloſing Sermon, ſomewhat larger than the reſt, praiſing the pains of ſuch who beſt deſerved it, and mildly reproving the miſtakes of ſuch of thoſe, if any were found in their Sermons. Then all was ended (as it was begun) with a ſolemn Prayer. And at a publick refection of thoſe Miniſters, together (with many of the Gentry repairing to them) the next time of their meeting was appointed, Text aſſigned, Preachers deputed, a new Moderator elected, or the one continued, and ſo all were diſſolved.

But ſome incoveniences were ſeen, and more foreſeen, if theſe Prophecyings might generally take place in the Land. However the Archbiſhop, to vindicate himſelf, wrote a large Letter to the Queen. But all in vain, for the Earl of Leiceſter had ſo filled the Queens ears with complaints againſt him, that there was no room to receive his Petition. Indeed Leiceſter caſt a covetous eye on Lambeth-houſe, and maliced him, becauſe he ſtoutly oppoſed the alienating this his principal Palace.

Now began Prieſts and Jeſuits to flock faſter into England than ever before, having exchange of clothes, names, and profeſſions. Hereupon p. 242the Parliament, now met at Weſtminſter, enacted ſevere Laws againſt them. John Pain, a Prieſt, was executed at Chelmsford, Thomas Ford, John Shert, and Robert Johnſon, Prieſts, were executed at London.

This year died Gilbert Berkley, Biſhop of Bath and Wells.

The Presbyterian party met at Cockfield (Mr. Knewſtub's Cure) in Suffolk, even ſixty Miniſters of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridge-ſhire, to confer of the Common-prayer-book, what might be tolerated, and what refuſed in every point of it, apparel, matter, form, dayes, faſtings, injunctions, &c. whilſt the ſeverity of the State was at this time great againſt Jeſuites, ſome lenity of courſe fell to the ſhare of the Non-conformiſts.

The City of Geneva being now reduced to great extremities by the Duke of Savoy, Beza addreſſed himſelf by Letters to Mr. Walter Travers, one of the chief of the Presbyterian party, then Chaplain to the Lord Treaſurer: in which Letter may be ſeen much of the ſecret ſympathy betwixt England and Geneva about Diſcipline; Geneva helping England with her Prayers, England aiding Geneva with her purſe.

The Duke of Anjou came into England, and was an earneſt Suitor to Queen Elizabeth. A Book was ſet forth againſt the Marriage, entitled, The Gulps wherein England will be ſwallowed by the French Marriage. The Queen, by open Proclamation, commended the Duke of Anjou's affection towards her, and the Proteſtants Religion, ſorrowed that ſo great an injury was offered to ſo high a Prince, ſhe condemned the Author of the Book, as a publiſher of Sedition, and commanded the Book to be burnt before the Magiſtrates face. From this time ſhe began to be more incenſed againſt the Innovators, from whom ſhe believed that theſe things proceeded. And within few dayes after, John Stubs, of Lincolns-Inn, (whoſe Siſter Mr. Cartwright, formerly mentioned, had married) the Author of this Book, William Page, who diſperſed the Copies, and Singleton, the Printer, were apprehended. Stubs and Page had their right hands cut off with a Cleaver driven through the wriſt with the force of a Beetle, upon a Scaffold, in the Market-place at Weſtminſter. The Printer was pardoned. Stubs having his right hand cut off, put off his hat with his left, and ſaid with a loud voice, God ſave the Queen.

The Queen alſo, to take away the fear which had poſſeſſed many mens minds, that Religion would be altered, and Popery tolerated, permitted that Edmond Campian, Jeſuite, Ralph Sherwin, Luke Kirby, and Alexander Briant, Prieſts, ſhould be arraigned they were condemned and executed for Treaſon. This was done during the abode of Anjou in England.

The Earl of Leiceſter improved his power (at this time very great with the Queen) to obtain great Liberty for the Non-conformiſts. Hence it was, that many Biſhops active in preſſing ſubſcription in their Dioceſs, when repairing to Court, were checked by this great Favourite, p. 243to their great diſcouragement. Hereupon the Brethren (who hitherto had no particular platform of Diſcipline among themſelves,The form of Diſcipline by the Brethren conſidered of in a ſolemn Synod with the Decrees thereof, may be read in Fuller. church Hiſt. Cent. 16. Anno 1582. as univerſally practiſed by their party) began, in a ſolemn Council held by them, to conclude on a certain form, as may be ſeen in their Decrees, faithfully tranſlated out of their Latin Copy. The Title thereof, Theſe be the things that (do ſeem) may well ſtand with the peace of the Church.

This year died three that ſeemed Pillars in the Romiſh Church. Friſt Richard Briſtow, born in Worceſter-ſhire, bred at Exeter-colledge in Oxford, whence he fled beyond the Seas, and by Cardinal Allen was made Overſeer of the Engliſh Colledge, firſt at Doway, then at Rhemes. For the recovery of his health, he returned into his native Land, and died quietly near London.

The ſecond Nicholas Harpsfield, bred firſt in Wincheſter-ſchool, then in New-colledge in Oxford, where he proceeded Doctor of Law, and after became Archdeacon of Canterbury: Under King Edward the Sixth he baniſhed himſelf: Under Queen Mary he returned, and was advanced: Under Queen Elizabeth impriſoned, for denying her Supremacy. Yet ſuch was his mild uſage in his Reſtraint, that he wrote much therein and among the reſt his Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory. He wrote alſo ſix Dialogues in favour of his own Religion. He ſet it forth under the name of Alan Cope. Yet cauſed he theſe Capital letters to be engraven at the end of his Book.

A. H. L. N. H. E. V. E. A. C.

Hereby myſtically meaning.

Auctor Hujus Libri Nicolaus Harpfeldus. Edidit Vero Eum Alanus Copus.

The third Gregory Martin, born at Mayfield in Suſſex, bred with Campian at St. John's-colledge in Oxford, Tutor to Philip, Earl of Arundel, eldeſt Son to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk. Afterwards he went over beyond Sea, and became Divinity Profeſſor in the Colledge of Rhemes, and died there.

Now as touching the Controverſie of Church-government, the Miniſters of Kent, having been called to ſubſcribe to certain Articles propounded to them by the Archbiſhop of Canterbury ſe…d their Petition to the Privy Council: Subſcribed thus; Your Honours daily and faithful Orators, the Miniſters of Kent, which are ſuſpended from the execution of their Miniſtry.

The Lords of the Council ſent this Petition, with another Bill of complaint, exhibited unto them, againſt Edmond Freak, Biſhop of Norwich, p. 244unto the Archbiſhop of Canterbury. What his Anſwer was thereunto, may be ſeen at large in Fuller's Church Hiſtory.

Doctor John Whitgift was now Archbiſhop of Canterbury, Anno 1583. who wrote a Letter to the Lord Treaſurer, complaining of Mr. Beal, Clerk of the Council, who brought theſe Letters to him, his inſolent carriage towards him.

Now that the Presbyterian party were befriended at the Council-board, who endeavoured to mittigate the Archbiſhop's proceeding againſt them, appeareth alſo from the Privy Counſellors Letter to the Archbiſhop, in favour of the Non-conformiſts. Signed W. Burleigh, G. Shrewſbury, A Warwick, R. Leiceſter, C. Howard, J. Croft, Ch. Hatton, Fr. Walſingham. But albeit Sir Chr. Hatton ſubſcribed among the Privy Counſellors for moderation to Non-conformiſts, yet that he was a great countenancer of Whitgift's proceedings againſt them, appeareth in an immediate Addreſs of the Archbiſhop unto him. As for the Lord Burghleigh, he was neither ſo rigid, as to have Conformity preſt to the height, nor ſo remiſs, as to leave Miniſters at their own liberty: He would argue the caſe, both in D…ſcourſe and Letters, with the Archbiſhop; and one Letter he wrote to the Archbiſhop for ſome Indulgence to the Miniſters; Mr. Travers ſeems to have an hand in all this, who being the Lord Burghleigh's Chaplain, by him much reſpected, and highly affected to the Geneva Diſcipline, was made the mouth of the Miniſters, to mediate to his Lord in their behalf. But the Archbiſhop's unmoveableneſs appeared by his Letter ſent to the Lord Treaſurer, at ſome paſſages whereof he took exception, and ſends a ſmart Letter to the Archbiſhop.

That which concerneth the Non-conformiſts therein is this.

I deny nothing that your Grace thinketh meet to proceed in, with thoſe whom you call factious; and therefore there is no controverſie between you and me, expreſſed in your Letter: the controverſie is paſſed in your Graces Letter in ſilence, and ſo I do ſatisfie. Your Grace promiſed me to deal, I ſay only with ſuch as violated Order, and to charge them therewith, which I allow well of. But your Grace not charging them with ſuch faults, ſeeketh, by examination, to urge them to accuſe themſelves; and then, I think, you will puniſh them. I think your Grace's proceeding is, I will not ſay rigorous or captious, but I think it is ſcant charitable, &c. If I had known the fault of Brown, I might be blamed for writing for him; but when by examination only it is to ſift him with twenty four Articles, I have cauſe to pity the poor man.

Your Grace's as friendly as any W. Burghleigh.

p. 245The Archbiſhop writes a calm Letter in anſwer to the Lord Treaſurer's Letter, ſending him encloſed therein certain Reaſons to juſtifie the manner of his proceedings, praying his Lordſhip not to be carried away, either from the cauſe, or from the Archbiſhop himſelf, upon unjuſt ſurmiſes, and clamours, leſt he be the occaſion of that confuſion which hereafter he would be ſorry for. Profeſſing that in theſe things he deſired no further defence, neither of his Lordſhip, nor of any other, than Juſtice and Law would yield unto him.

Sir Francis Walſingham was a good Friend to Non-conformiſts, he wrote a Letter to the Archbiſhop, to qualifie him for a Semi-Non-conformiſt, one Mr. Leverwood.

Grindal being ſenſible of the Queens diſpleaſure, had deſired to reſign his place, and confine himſelf to a yearly Penſion. This place was proffered to Whitgift, but he, in the preſence of the Queen, refuſed it: yet what he would not ſnatch, ſuddenly fell into his hands by Grindal's death, who out of his contempt of the world, left not much wealth behind him. That little he had, as it was well gotten, was well beſtowed in pious uſes in Oxford and Cambridge, with the building and endowing of a School at St. Bees in Cumberland, where he was born: yea he may be held as a Benefactor to this Nation, by bringing in Tamarix firſt over into England, that Plant being very excellent in mollifying the hardneſs of the Spleen.

Now Robert Brown, a Cambridge-man, and young Student in Divinity (of whom the Separatiſts in thoſe dayes, and long after, were called Browniſts) born in Rutland-ſhire of an ancient Family, near allied to the Lord Treaſurer Cecil, began, with one Richard Hariſon, a Schoolmaſter, to vent their Opinions. They ſet forth Books in Zealand, whither they travelled. Brown returning home, diſperſeth theſe Books all over England. But their Books were ſuppreſſed by the Queens Authority, confuted by Learned men; and two of his followers were executed one after another at St. Edmonds-bury. Brown coming to Norwich, there infected both Dutch and Engliſh, for which he was confined.

The Lord Treaſurer writes a Letter to the Biſhop of Norwich in his behalf. Brown being thus brought up to London, was wrought to ſome tolerable compliance, and being diſcharged by the Archbiſhop, was by the Lord Treaſurer ſent home to his Father, Anthony Brown, at Tolethorp in Rutland Eſquire. But, it ſeems, Brown's errors were ſo inlaid in him, no conference with Divines could convince him to the contrary, whoſe incorrigibleneſs made his own Father weary of his company.

He, and Hariſon, inveighed againſt Biſhops, Eccleſiaſtical Courts, Ceremonies, Ordination of Miniſters, fancying here on earth a platform of a perfect Church. Doctor Fulk learnedly proveth, that the Browniſts were, in effect, the ſame with the ancient Donatiſts.

p. 246Nicholas Saunders (more truly Slanders) died this year 1583. being ſtarved to death among the Bogs and Mountains in Ireland. Near the ſame time one John Lewis was burnt at Norwich for denying the Godhead of Chriſt, and holding other deteſtable Hereſies. At this time the Jeſuites ſet forth many ſlaunderous libels againſt her Majeſty; one of their principal Pamphlets, was a Treatiſe of Schiſm. William Carter, the Stationer, was executed at Tyburn for publiſhing it. Soon after five Seminaries, John Fen, George Haddock, John Munden, John Nutter, and Tho. Hemmerford, were hanged, bowelled, and quartered for Treaſon at Tyburn, and many others about the ſame time executed in other places. Yet at the ſame time the Queen by one Act of Grace pardoned ſeventy Prieſts, ſome of them actually condemned to die, all legally deſerving death.

Among theſe were, 1. Gaſper Haywood, Son to that eminent Epigrammatiſt, the firſt Jeſuite that ever ſet foot in England.

2. James Boſgrave.

3. John Hart a zealous diſputant.

4. Edward Ruſhton, an ungrateful wretch, who afterwards railed on the Queen in Print, who gave him his life.

In the year 1584. Two conferences were kept at Lambeth, about the Diſcipline and Ceremonies of the Church. For the ſame were the Archbiſhops of Canterbury and York, and Cooper, Biſhop of Wincheſter. Unconforming Miniſters againſt it. The Lords of the Privy Council, and ſome other Honorable perſons, Auditors thereof. This conference effected nothing on the Diſputants as to the altering their Opinions. Some of the Lords afterwards ſecretly acted againſt the Archbiſhop in favour of the other party.

The Archbiſhop now take's another courſe, enjoyning all admitted to the Eccleſiaſtical Orders and Benefices, the ſubſcription of the following Articles.

I. That the Queen had ſupreme Authority over all perſons born within her Dominions, of what condition ſoever they were. And that no other Prince, Prelate, or Potentate, hath, or ought to have, any Juriſdiction, Civil or Eccleſiaſtical, within her Realms, or Dominions.

II. That the Book of Common-Prayer, and the Ordination of Biſhops, Prieſts, and Deacons, containeth nothing contrary to the Word of God, but may lawfully be uſed; and that they will uſe that, and none other.

III. That the Articles of Religion agreed in the Synod holden at London, Anno 1562. and publiſhed by the Queens Authority they did allow of, and did believe them to be conſonant to the word of God.

p. 247Now came forth the Rhemiſh Tranſlation of the New Teſtament, every where beſpeckled with hard words, which tranſcend common capacities; taxed by our Divines as full of abominable errors.

Secretary Walſingham ſoliciteth Mr. Thomas Cartwright to undertake to refute this Rhemiſh Tranſlation; and ſent him an hundred pounds out of his own purſe, the better to enable him for the work. Walſingham's Letters, to Cartwright, were ſeconded by another from the Doctors and Heads of Houſes (and Dr. Fulk among the reſt) at Cambridge, beſides the importunity of the Miniſters of London, and Suffolk, to the ſame purpoſe. Cartwright prepares for the work. But Archbiſhop Whitgift having notice thereof, prohibiteth his further proceeding therein. Cartwright hereupon deſiſted. But ſome years after, encouraged by an honourable Lord, he reſumed the work, but prevented by death, he perfected no further than the fifteenth Chapter of the Revelation. Many years lay this worthy work neglected, and the Copy thereof Mouſe-eaten in part, at laſt came forth (though late Anno 1618. a Book to which the Rhemiſts never durſt return the leaſt anſwer. But whilſt Cartwrights work lay retarded, Dr. William Fulk, Maſter of Pembrook-hall in Cambridge, entred the liſt againſt the Rhemiſts, and Judiciouſly and Learnedly performed his undertaking therein.

This year came forth the Expoſition of Mr. Thomas Rogers, on the Articles of the Church of England; not onelyonly the two extremes, Papiſts and Schiſmaticks, but many Proteſtants of a middle temper were offended thereat. Mr. Rogers his reſtrictive Comment, ſhut out ſuch from their concurrence with the Church of England, which the diſcreet laxity of the Text admitted thereunto.

On November 23. 1585. The Parliament was begun and holden at Weſtminſter, wherein the Statute againſt Jeſuites and Prieſts, their departing out of England, and not returning thither, was made, with penalty for relieving them. A Convocation was kept in St. Pauls Church in London; and from hence removed to St. Peter's in Weſtminſter, where William Redman D. D. was choſen and preſented Prolocutor. An Aſſembly of Miniſters met at the ſame time: but the certain place of their meeting not known, being Clandeſtine, Arbitrary, and changeable, as adviſed by their Conveniences. Some Agents for them were all day at the door of the Parliament-houſe, and ſome part of the night in the Chambers of Parliament-men, effectually ſolliciting their buſineſs with them.

What impreſſion was made by the Agents of the Miniſters, may appear by an enſuing Letter ſent to her Majeſty, by Archbiſhop Whitgift, wherein he complaineth of ſeveral Bills that had, the day before the dating of his Letter, paſſed in the Houſe of Commons, in favour of the Non-conformiſts, about Marrying at all times in the year, concerning p. 248Eccleſiaſtical Courts, and Epiſcopal Viſitations, which (ſaith he) may reach to the overthrow of Eccleſiaſtical Juriſdiction, and ſtudy of the Civil Law. But the Queen would alter nothing material to Church-government.

The Parliament being diſſolved, the Convocation ended the next day after, having effected nothing of moment, ſave that in the ninth Seſſion thereof John Hilton Prieſt, made a ſolemn Abjuration of his blaſphemous Hereſies.

The Non-conformiſts now miſſing their mark, abated much of their former Activity; inſomuch as that Mr. Cartwright began to make by the mediation of the Earl of Leiceſter (who now deſign'd to make him Maſter of his new-built Hoſpital in Warwick) compliance with the Archbiſhop, though he not over-fond of his friendſhip, warily kept him at diſtance, as appears by the Earl of Leiceſter's Letter to the Archbiſhop, in Cartwright's behalf, and the Archbiſhop's anſwer thereto.

Now the Earl of Leiceſter went over into the Low Countries, commanding a great Army, with the Title of General of the Auxiliaries of the Queen of England; and the Non-conformiſts loſt their beſt friend in Court. And afterwards the Archbiſhop being ſworn one of the Privy Council, it fared worſe with them.

Three Proteſtant Biſhops died this year, viz. Richard Curteys, Biſhop of Chicheſter; Nicholas Robinſon, Biſhop of Bangor; and John Scory, Biſhop of Hereford. The ſame year alſo died John Fecknam, late Abbot of Weſtminſter.

The Jeſuites began now to poſſeſs their Engliſh Proſelites, with high Opinions of the Spaniſh power, as the Nation deſigned by God's providence to work their reſtitution in England: and they ſent into England (as Paſquier ſaith) one Samier, a man of their Society, to draw Noblemen, and Gentlemen to the Spaniards party, and to thruſt forward the Queen of Scots to dangerous practices, by telling her, That if ſhe were refractory, neither She nor her Son ſhould Reign: and by exciting the Guiſes her kinſmen to new ſtirs, againſt the King of Navar and the Prince of Conde, that they might not be able to ayd her.

In the year 1586. a firm League of Amity was concluded and ratified betwixt the Queen of England and James King of Scotland.

A dangerous conſpiracy againſt the Queen of England (begun by John Savage, but proſecuted by Anthony Babington and others) was diſcovered. The chief diſcover of this Conſpiracy was one Gifford, a Gentleman of a good houſe at Chellington in Stafford-ſhire, not far from Chartley, where the Queen of Scots was kept priſoner. He was ſent by the Engliſh fugitives in France, under the counterfit name of Luſon, to put Savage in mind of the vow which he had made, to kill Queen p. 249Elizabeth, and to convey Letters between them and the Queen of Scots. Gifford revealed the plot to Secretary Walſingham, who ſent him down into Stafford-ſhire to do the work he had undertaken.

Here Gifford bribing the Brewer of the houſe where the Queen of Scots lay, ſo contrived the matter with him, that by a hole in the wall, in which a looſe ſtone was put, he ſhould give in, and receive forth Letters, the which, by Meſſengers purpoſely laid by the way, came ever to Walſingham's hands, who broke them open, copied them out, and by the cunning of Thomas Philips, found out the meaning of the private Cyphers: and by the Art of Arthur Gregory ſealed them up again, ſo neatly, that no man could have imagined them to be opened, and ever ſent them to the parties to whom the ſuperſcription directed them. In like manner were the former Letters from the Queen of Scots to Babington intercepted; as alſo other Letters written at the ſame time to Mendoza the Spaniſh Ambaſſador, Charles Paget, the Lord Paget, the Archbiſhop of Glaſco, and Francis Englefied. Then Ballard was apprehended. Babington ſeeks to eſcape, and is taken. The Queen of Scots hath her Cloſets broken open, and her Boxes ſearched. Fourteen of the Conſpirators were Arraigned, Condemned of High-treaſon and executed. Afterwards in the Star-chamber ſentence was pronounced againſt the Queen of Scots. And in a Parliament preſently following, the Lords petition the Queen, that the ſentence paſſed againſt her may preſently be promulged. The King of Scots and the King of France ſollicit for her life. But when this would not prevail, L' Aubeſpine, the French Ambaſſador thinks no way ſo effectual, for ſaving the Queen of Scots life, as to take away the life of Queen Elizabeth. The plot was diſcovered. And at length the Sentence againſt the Queen of Scots was put in execution, and ſhe ended her doleful life at Fothringhay Caſtle. She was buried in the Quire of Peterborough, and Doctor Wickham Biſhop of Lincoln Preached her Funeral-ſermon. Some twenty yaars after King James cauſed her Corps to be ſolemnly removed from Peterborough to Weſtminſter, where in the South-ſide of the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh, he erected a ſtately Monument to her Memory.

The Earl of Leiceſter having raiſed great offence, is called home again into England by the Queen, giveth over his Government, and the free Adminiſtation of his Government is left to the States.

Now Conformity was preſſed to the height.Fuller. Church Hiſt. in An. 1587. The power of the High Commiſſion began to extend far, and penalties to fall heavy on offenders: whereupon the favourers of Non-conformiſts much oppoſed it in their Printed Books; ſome queſtioning the Court as not warranted by Law; others taxing their proceedings, as exceeding their Commiſſion. But the moſt general exception againſt the High Commiſſion was this, p. 251That proceeding, Ex Officio mero, by way of enquiry againſt ſuch whom they ſuſpected, they tendred unto them an Oath, which was conceived unjuſt, that in caſes criminal a party ſhould be forced to diſcover what might be penal to himſelf. The lawfulneſs of which Oath was learnedly canvaſſed with arguments on both ſides.

Becauſe many did queſtion the Legality and Authority of the High Commiſſion, Archbiſhop Whitgift ſo contrived the matter, that the moſt ſturdy Non-conformiſts (eſpecially if they had any viſible Eſtates) were brought into the Star-chamber, the power whereof was above diſpute; where ſome of them beſides impriſonment, had very heavy fines impoſed on them. And becauſe moſt of the Queens Council were preſent at the Cenſures, this took off the odium from the Archbiſhop.

This year died Mr. John Fox, the Induſtrious compiler of the Acts and Monuments of the Church, and was buried at St. Giles near Cripplegate in London. It is ſaid he foretold the deſtruction of the Invincible (ſo called) Spaniſh Armado, in the year 1588. which came ſo to paſs though he ſurvived not to ſee the performance of his own prediction.

Camd Brit. in Kent.About this time Mr. William Lambert finiſhed his Hoſpital at Greenwich, founded and endowed by him for poor people. He was the firſt Proteſtant who erected a charitable houſe of that nature, ſaith Camden: But King Edward the Sixth, founded Chriſt-church and St. Thomas Hoſpital.

Now the ſticklers againſt the Hierarchy appeared more vigorous, though for a time they had concealed themſelves.

The Parliament now ſitting at Weſtminſter, the Houſe of Commons preſented to the Lords a petition, complaining how many Pariſhes, eſpecially in the North of England and Wales, were deſtitute of Preachers, and no care taken to ſupply them. Sixteen were the particulars, whereof the ſix firſt were againſt in ſufficient Miniſters. Of all the particulars the Houſe fell moſt fiercely on the debate of pluralities, and Non-reſidents.

The Arch-biſhop pleads for Non-reſidency in divers caſes. He affirmed (whatever was pretended to the contrary) that England then flouriſhed with able Miniſters, more than ever before, yea had more than all Chriſtendom beſides. The Lord Grey rejoyned to this Aſſertion, ſaying, That England had more able Miniſters than all the Churches in Chriſtendom, was onelyonly to be attributed to God, who now opened the hearts of many to ſee into the truth, and that the Schools were better obſerved. The Lord Treaſurer ſeemed to moderate betwixt them. Matters flying thus high, the Archbiſhop with the reſt of the Clergy Petition the Queen: To the Petition were annexed a Catalogue of thoſe inconveniences to the State preſent, State to come, Cathedral p. 250Churches, Univerſities, to her Majeſty, to Religion, in caſe pluralities were taken away. Nothing was effected in relation to this matter, but things left, in ſtatu quo prius, at the diſſolution of this Parliament.

This year died Richard Barnes Biſhop of Durham.

In the year 1588. when there was a Treaty of Peace between England and Spain, out cometh their Invincible Navy and Army, perfectly appointed for both Elements, Land and Water, to Sayl and March compleat in all Warlike Equipage: but that great Fleet was wonderfully defeated by the Engliſh, and diſſipated by ſtormy Winds: and many of the Spaniards were Barbarouſly butchered by the Iriſh.

For the happy ſucceſs of this action Queen Elizabeth appointed Prayers and Thanksgivings over all the Churches in England: and ſhe with a great Train of the Nobility came into St. Pauls Church, (where the Banners taken from the Enemy were placed in view) and there in moſt humble manner gave thanks to Almighty God the giver of all Victory. About this time many Papiſts were committed to cuſtody in Wisbych Caſtle.

At this time many Libels flew abroad, thus named.

1. The Epitome.

2. The Demonſtration of Diſcipline.

3. The Supplication.

4. Diotrephes.

5. The Minerals.

6. Have ye any work for the Cooper.

7. More work for the Cooper.

8. Martin Senior Mar-prelate.

9. Martin Junior Mar-prelate.

The main drift of theſe Pamphlets was to defame the Engliſh Prelates, ſcoffing at them for their Garb, Gate, Apparel, Vanities of their Youth, natural Defects, and perſonal Infirmities. It is ſtrange how ſecretly they were Printed, how ſpeedily Diſperſed, how generally Bought, how greedily Read, how firmly Believed, eſpecially of the Common ſort. Some preciſe men of that ſide, thought theſe jeering pens well employed: but theſe Books were diſclaimed by the more deſcreet and devoutſort of men.

And how highly the State diſtaſted theſe Books, will appear, by the heavy cenſures inflicted on ſuch as were but acceſſary thereunto. To paſs by John Ʋdal and John Penry Miniſters accuſed for making ſome of them, together with the Printers, and Humfry Newman a Cobler, chief diſperſer of them. The Star-chamber deeply fined Sir Richard Knightly, and Sir … Wigſton, for entertaining and receiving the preſs Gentlemen. But upon their ſubmiſſion they had their liberty, and were eaſed of their fines.

p. 252A Synod of the Presbyterians of the Warwick-ſhire Claſſis was called at Coventry, wherein the queſtions brought the laſt year from the Brethren of Cambridge-Synod, were thus reſolved.

Bp. Bancroft's Book, called, Englands Scotizing for Diſcipline by practice.I. That private Baptiſm was unlawful.

II. That it is not lawful to read Homiles in the Church.

III. That the ſign of the croſs is not to be uſed in Baptiſm.

IV. That the faithful ought not to communicate with unlearned Miniſters, although they may be preſent at their ſervice, &c.

V. That the calling of Biſhops is unlawful.

VI. That as they deal in Cauſes Eccleſiaſtical, there is no duty belonging unto, nor any publickly to be given them.

VII. That it is not lawful to be Ordained Miniſters by them, or to denounce either Suſpenſions, or Excommunications ſent from them.

VIII. That it is not lawful to reſt in the Biſhop's deprivation of any from the Miniſtry, &c.

IX. That it is not lawful to appear in a Biſhop's Court, but with proteſtation of their unlawfulneſs.

X. That Biſhops are not to be acknowledged either for Doctors, Elders, or Deacons, as having no ordinary calling.

XI. That touching the reſtauration of their Eccleſiaſtical Diſcipline, it ought to be taught to the people as occaſion ſhall ſerve.

XII. That (as yet) the people are not to be ſolicited (publickly) to the practice of the Diſcipline, (till) they be better inſtructed in the knowledge of it.

XIII. That men of better underſtanding are to be allured privately to the preſent embracing of the diſcipline, and practice of it, as far as they ſhall be well able, with the peace of the Church.

Likewiſe in the ſame Aſſembly, the aforeſaid Book of Diſcipline was approved to be a draught eſſential and neceſſary for all times. And certain Articles (deviſed in approbation, and for the manner of the uſe thereof) were brought forth, treated of, and ſubſcribed unto by Maſter Cartwright and others, and afterwards tendred far and near to the ſeveral Claſſes for a general ratification of all the brethren.

After a ſolemn humiliation of the Miniſters at Northampton, one Mr. Johnſon, formerly a Non-conformiſt, but afterwards falling from that ſide, diſcovered many paſſages to their diſadvantage in the Highcommiſſion Court.

Watſon. Quod…ibus.This year alſo the Popiſh Clergy ſet forth a Book, called the Admonition, d…ſperſed among the Papiſts, and much cried up. But the Spaniſh Navy preſently miſcarying after it's publiſhing, Parſons procured the whole impreſſion to be burnt (ſave ſome few ſent abroad aforehand to his friends) that it might not remain a monument of their falſhood.

p. 253This year died Edwyn Sandys, Archbiſhop of York, an excellent Preacher, and of a pious Life: and Dr. Laurence Humfrey, Preſident of Magdalen Colledge.

On September 1. 1596. Mr. Cartwright was brought before the Queen's Commiſſioners, there to take his Oath, and give in his poſitive anſwer to divers Articles objected againſt him. The Articles were tendred to him in the Conſiſtory of St. Paul's before John Elmar Biſhop of London, the two Lord Chief Juſtices, Juſtice Gawdy, Serjeant Puckering, (afterward Lord Keeper) and Attorney General Popham. The Commiſſioners aſſured him on their credits, that by the Laws of the Realm he was to take his Oath, and to anſwer as he was required. But Mr. Cartwright pleaded, That he thought he was not bound by the Laws of God ſo to do. Hereupon he was ſent to the Fleet unto the reſt of his Brethren.

Now the main pillars of the Presbyterian party, being ſome in Priſon, more in Trouble, all in Fear, applied themſelves by their ſecret ſolicitors to James King of Scotland, and procured his Letter to the Queen in their behalf. But this Letter prevailed little. But Archbiſhop Whitgift, on Mr. Cartwright's general promiſe to be quiet, procured his diſmiſſion out of the Star-chamber and priſon wherein he was confined. And henceforward Mr. Cartwright became very peaceable.

Then one Hacket, born at Owndle in Northampton-ſhire undertook to be a diſcoverer of, and Informer againſt Recuſants, a confident Fellow, one that was great with Wigginton and that Faction. Always Inculcating, that ſome extraordinary courſe muſt be preſently taken with the obſtructors of the Genevian diſcipline. Once he deſperatley took his dagger, and violently ſtruck it into the picture of the Queen. He pretended alſo Revelations, Immediate Raptures, and Diſcourſes with God, as alſo to Buffetings of Satan, atteſting the truth thereof with moſt direful Oathes and Execrations. He raiſed alſo againſt Archbiſhop Whitgift, and Chancellor Hatton, with other privy Counſellors, pretending himſelf ſent from Heaven to reform Church and State. He gave it out, that the principal Spirit of the Meſſias reſted in him, and had two Attendants. Edmond Coppinger (the Queen's Servant, and one of good deſcent) for his Prophet of Mercy. And Henry Arthington, a York-ſhire Gentleman, for his Prophet of Judgment. Theſe Proclaimed in Cheap-ſide, That Chriſt was come in Hacket, with his fan in his hand, to purge the godly from the wicked, &c. They cried Repent, Repent, &c. The next day all three were ſent to Bridewel. Hacket was arraigned, drawn, hanged, and quartered, continuing even at his death his blaſphemous aſſertions. Coppinger ſtarved himſelf to death in priſon, Arthington made his Recantation in a publick writing, and became the object of the Queen's mercy.

p. 254This accident was unhappily improved againſt the Non-conformiſts, and rendred them ſo hated at Court, that for many months together, no favourite durſt preſent a petition in their behalf to the Queen, being loth to loſe himſelf to ſave others.

Fuller. Church Hiſt. Cent. 16. l. 9.The ſame day wherein Hacket was executed, Mr. Stone, Parſon of Warkton in Northampton-ſhire, by vertue of an Oath tendred him the day before by the Queen's Attorney, and ſolemnly taken by him, was examined by the Examiner for the Star-chamber in Grays Inn, from ſix a clock in the morning untill ſeven at night, to anſwer unto thirty three Articles, but could onelyonly effectually depoſe to ſome of them: but by his confeſſion he diſcovereth the meetings of the Brethren, with the circumſtances thereof, the Claſſes more formally ſetled in Northampton-ſhire, than any where elſe in England. When the news of Mr. Stone's anſwer was brought abroad, he was generally cenſured by moſt of his party: So that he found it neceſſary, in his own vindication, to impart the reaſons of his Confeſſion to ſuch as condemned him, if not for a Traitor, at leaſt for a coward in the cauſe. What ſatisfaction this gave to his party I know not. Certainly the Biſhop till his dying day beheld him as an ingenuous man, carrying his conſcience with the reaſon thereof in his own breaſt. He was permitted peaceably to poſſeſs his Parſonage (being none of the meaneſt) though he continued a ſtiff Non-conformiſt, onelyonly quietly enjoying his own opinion. He died an old man at Warkton, Anno 1617.

Stone's diſcovery marred for the future all their formal meetings, as Claſſically or Synodically methodized.

Then began the foundation of an Univerſity in Dublin in Ireland. Henry Ʋſher, then Archdeacon of Dublin (afterwards Archbiſhop of Armagh, and Unckle to James Ʋſher late Archbiſhop thereof) took a journey into England, and procured the Mortmain from Queen Elizabeth, who graciouſly granted it, naming the corporation, Collegium Sanctae ac Individuae Trinitatis, ex fundatione Reginae Elizibethae, juxta Dublin. The Lord Burgley is appointed firſt Chancellor of the Univerſity. Sir William Fitz-Williams, Lord Debuty of Ireland, iſſued out his Letters to all the Counties in Ireland to advance ſo good a deſign. The Iriſh Papiſts were very bountiful thereunto. The Mayor and Aldermen of Dublin: Sir Warham St. Leger, Sir Francis Shane, Robert D'eureux Earl of Eſſex, afterwards Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and ſecond Chancellor of this Univerſity, were Benefactors to it. King James confirmed the revenues of this Colledge in perpetuum, endowing it with good Lands in the Province of Ʋlſter. Adam Loftus, Archbiſhop of Dublin, and Chancellor of Ireland, was the firſt Maſter of the Colledge. Mr. Luke Chaloner received and disburſed the moneys, had the overſight of the Fabrick, which he faithfully procured to be finiſhed. The firſt ſtone in this foundation was laid, March 13. 1591. and in the p. 255year 1593. Scholars were firſt admitted: and the firſt of them James Ʋſher, ſince Biſhop of Armagh, that mirrour of Learning and Religion.

Now began a ſad conteſt betwixt Mr. Richard Hooker, Maſter, and Mr. Walter Travers, Lecturer of the Temple. Hooker was born in Devonſhire, bred in Oxford, Fellow of Corpus Chriſti Colledge: one of a ſolid Judgment, and great Reading. A great defender both by Preaching and Writing of the Diſcipline of the Church of England, yet never got (nor cared to get) any eminent dignity therein. Mr. Travers was bred up in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge. Travers travelling to Geneva, contracted familiarity with Beza, and other forreign Divines. Then returned He, and commenced Batchelor of Divinity in Cambridge, and after that went beyond Sea again, and at Antwerp was ordained Miniſter by the Presbytery there, where he continued ſome years and Preached (with Mr. Cartwright) unto the Engliſh Factory of Merchants, untill at laſt he came over into England, and for ſeven years together became Lecturer in the Temple (refuſing all preſentative preferment to decline ſubſcription) and lived Domeſtick Chaplain in the houſe of the Lord Treaſurer Cecil, being Tutor for a time to Robert, his Son, afterwards Earl of Sarisbury.

Yea now ſo great grew the credit of Mr. Travers, that (by the advice of Mr. Andrew Melvin) he and Mr. Cartwright were ſolemnly ſent for, to be Divinity-profeſſors in the Univerſity of St. Andrews. This proffer being joyntly refuſed, Travers quietly continued Lecturer in the Temple, till Mr. Hooker became the Maſter thereof. Mr. Hooker's voice was low, ſtature little, geſture none at all, ſtanding ſtill in the Pulpit. His ſtile was long and pithy, ſo that when the copiouſneſs of his ſtile met not with proportionable capacity in his Auditors, it was unjuſtly cenſured for tedious and obſcure. His Sermons were for the moſt part on Controverſies, and deep points of School-divinity.

Mr. Travers his utterance was graceful, geſture plauſible, matter profitable, and method plain. But theſe two Preachers acted with different Principles, and claſhed one againſt another: ſo that what Mr. Hooker delivered in the Fore-noon, Mr. Travers confuted in the After-noon. Here Archbiſhop Whitgift interpoſed his power, and ſilenced Travers from Preaching in the Temple or any where elſe; Travers Petitions the Lords of the Council: his Petition is publickly extant in Print, with Maſter Hoooker's anſwer thereunto. But Mr. Travers, notwithſtanding his friends at Court, was over-born by the Archbiſhop.

Adam Loftus, Archbiſhop of Dublin, and Chancellor of Ireland, invited him over to be Provoſt of Trinity Colledge in Dublin. Embracing the motion, he accepted the place, and continued ſome years therein, till for fear of their Civil Wars he returned into England, and lived here many years after very obſcurely.

p. 256In the year 1592. In London more than ten thouſand died of the Plague, and among them Reverend Mr. Richard Greenham. He was one that always bitterly inveighed againſt Non-reſidents, he ended his days at Chriſt Church in London.

Mr. Ʋdal was indicted, and arraigned at Croidon, for defaming the Queen her Government, in a Book by him written and entitled, A Demonſtration of the Diſcipline which Chriſt hath preſcribed in his Word for the Government of his Church in all times and places unto the World's end. But the mortal words (as they may be termed) are in the Preface of the Book, written, To the ſuppoſed Governours of the Church of England, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, &c. and are inſerted in the Body of his indictment.

To this Indictment he pleaded Not guilty, denying himſelf to be the Author of the Book. Next day he was caſt by the Jury, but was remanded to the Marſhalſey; March following he was brought again to the bar before the Judges, to whom he had privatelp preſented a Petition with all advantage, but it found no entertainment, inſomuch that in this monethmonth of March, he at the Aſſizes held in Southwark, was there condemned to be executed for a Felon.

Various were mens Cenſures on theſe proceedings againſt him. The proof was not pregnant (ſaith Mr. Fuller) and it is generally believed, that he made onelyonly the Preface, out of which his indictment was chiefly framed) and not the body of the Book laid to his charge. But without any other ſickneſs, ſave heart-broken with ſorrow, he died peaceably in his bed. The Miniſters of London flocked to his Funeral, and he was decently interred in the Church-yard of St. George in Southwark, not far from Biſhop Bonner's grave. He was Father to Ephraim Ʋdal, a pious and ſolid Divine, but in point of Diſcipline differing in Opinion from his Father.

Anno 1593. Henry Barrow Gentleman, and John Greemood Clerk, were condemned, and executed at Tyburn, for writing certain Seditious Pamphlets. And not long after, John Penry, a Welch-man, was arraigned and condemned of Felony, at the King's Bench Bar, for being a principal penner, and publiſher of a Libellous Book, called Martinmar-prelate, and executed at St. Thomas Waterings.

Sir John Haringt. addit. ſupply to Biſh. Godwin. p. 134.This year Queen Elizabeth took her laſt farewel of Oxford, where a Divinity-Act was kept for her. Next day her Highneſs made a Latin Oration to the Heads of Houſes, in which ſhe gave a check to Dr. Rainolds for his Non-conformity.

The ſame year died John Piers, Archbiſhop of York, highly eſteemed by Queen Elizabeth:, whoſe Almoner he was many years; and John Elmar, Biſhop of London. He was one of a low ſtature, but ſtout ſpirit, a witty man, a ſtiff-champion of the Church-diſcipline, on which account none was more mocked by Ma tin-mar-prelat, or hated by Non-conformiſts.

p. 257Of the Papiſts died, Anno 1594. two principal pillars beyond the Seas: firſt William Roſe, bred in Wincheſter-ſchool, then in New-colledge in Oxford. He went to Rome, and there ſolemnly abjured the Proteſtant Religion: from Rome he removed to Rhemes in France, where he became Profeſſor of Divinity and Hebrew in the Engliſh Colledge: He died at Antwerp in the fiftieth year of his Age, as he was making a Book, called Calvino-Turciſmus, which after by his dear friend, William Gifford, was finiſhed, ſet forth, and dedicated to Albert Duke of Auſtria. Cardinal William Allen died alſo the ſame year. The King of Spain beſtowed on him an Abbey in the Kingdom of Naples, and nominated him to be Archbiſhop of Machlin: but he died,Pitraeus de illuſtr. Angl. ſcript. p. 793. and was buried in the Church of the Engliſh Colledge at Rome. His loſs was much lamented by the Catholicks: for he had done many good offices in compoſing the grudgings which began to grow between the Secular Prieſts and Jeſuites. Untill this time the prime Catholicks in Wisbich Caſtle, had lived there in reſtraint, with great concord. And the Papiſts do brag, that then and there the Engliſh Church was moſt viſible, untill one Father Weſton, a Jeſuite coming thither, erected a Government among them, making certain Sanctions and Orders, which all were bound to obſerve, claiming a ſuperiority over all the Catholicks there. Beſides thoſe of his own ſociety, many of the Secular Prieſts ſubmitted unto him, though the greateſt number and Learned ſort of the Secular Prieſts reſiſted his ſuperiority. If any Order might pretend to this Priority, it was moſt proper for the Benedictines, extant in England above a thouſand years ago: one might admire why Father Weſton ſhould ſo earneſtly deſire ſo ſilly a Dominion, having his power, as well as his own perſon confined within the walls of Wisbich Caſtle.

Anno 1595. Began throughout England the more ſolem and ſtrict obſervation of the Lord's day, occaſioned by a Book then ſet forth by P. Bound. D. D. and enlarged with additions.

Anno 1606. Hereupon the Lord's day (eſpecially in Corporations) began to be preciſely kept, people forbearing ſuch ſports as yet by Statute permitted; yet Learned men were much divided in their Judgments about the Sabbatarian Doctrines. The firſt that publickly oppoſed Dr. Bounds Opinions, was Mr. Thomas Rogers of Horninger in Suffolk, in his Preface to the Book of Articles: yet notwithſtanding were theſe Sabbatarian Doctrines publiſhed more generally than before. The price of the Doctor's Book began to be doubled, as commonly Books are then moſt called on, when called in. Yea ſix years after Bounds book came forth, with enlargements publickly ſould.

Now alſo began ſome Opinions about Predeſtination, Free-will, Perſeverance, which much troubled the Schools and Pulpit. Wherein Archbiſhop Whitgift cauſed a ſolemn meeting of many Learned Divines at Lambeth, where (beſides the Archbiſhop) Richard Bancroft, p. 258Biſhop of London; Richard Vaughan, Biſhop of Bangor; Humfrey Tyndal, Biſhop of Ely; Dr. Whitaker, Queen's Profeſſor in Cambridge, and others were aſſembled. Theſe after a ſerious debate, reſolved on the now following Articles.

Fuller. Church Hiſt. An. 1595.I. God from eternity hath Predeſtinated certain men unto life, &c.

II. The moving cauſe of Predeſtination unto life, is not Faith and good Works foreſeen, &c. but onelyonly the good will and pleaſure of God.

III. There is predetermined a certain number of the predeſtinate, &c.

IV. Thoſe who are not predeſtinated to Salvation, ſhall be neceſſarily damned for their ſins.

V. A true, living, juſtifying Faith, &c. is not extinguiſhed, vaniſheth not away in the elect either finally or totally.

VI. A man truly faithful, i. e. ſuch a one who is endued with juſtifying Faith, is certain with the full aſſurance of Faith of the Remiſſion of his ſins, and of his everlaſting Salvation by Christ.

VII. Saving Grace is not given, granted, communicated to all men, by which they may be ſaved if they will.

VIII. No man can come unto Christ, Ʋnleſs it ſhall be givenll unto him, and unleſs the Father ſhall draw him. And as men are not drawn by the Father, that they may come to the Son.

IX. It is not in the will or power of every one to be ſaved.

Matthew Hutton, Archbiſhop of York, did alſo fully and freely in his judgement concur with thoſe Divines, as appeareth by a Letter of his ſent to a moſt Reverend Prelate.Mountague in his Appeal. p. 55.56, 71, 72.

When theſe Articles came abroad into the World, ſome had an high Opinion of them; others valued them at a low rate. Some flatly condemned both the Articles and the Authors of them. One affirmeth, that theſe Articles were forbidden by publick Authority, but when, where, and by whom, he ſaith nothing.

Forreign Divines raiſed, or decryed, the eſteem of theſe Articles juſt as they were biaſſed in judgment. Some Printed, ſet forth, and cited them, as the ſence of the Church of England; others as faſt ſlighted them as the narrow poſitions of a few private and partial perſons. Although thoſe Learned Divines be not acknowledged as competent Judges to paſs definitive ſentence in thoſe points, yet their teſtimony is an infallible evidence, what was the general and received Doctrine of England, in that Age, about the forenamed Controverſies.

p. 259This year died firſt Dr. William Wickham, bred in King's Colledge in Cambridge, firſt Biſhop of Lincoln, after of Wincheſter. Secondly, Worthy Dr. William Whitaker.

And among the Romaniſts, Daniel Haleſworth. More infamous was the death of Robert Southwel, a Jeſuite, who was executed for a Traitor at London.

In the year 1596. died Biſhop Fletcher of London, who died ſuddenly, and John Coldwel, Biſhop of Sarisbury.

About this time alſo died Doctor Laurence Humfrey, a moderate Non-conformiſt, Dean of Wincheſter, and Maſter of Magdalen Colledge in Oxford.

Maſter Baltazar Zanchez, a Spaniard, born in Eſtremadura, founded an Almes-houſe at Totnam-Highcroſs in Middleſex, for eight ſingle people, allowing them competent maintenance.

Thomas Stapleton this year ended his life at Lovain: he was born at Henfield in Suſſex, and was a Learned aſſertor of the Romiſh Religion.

This year alſo died Richard Coſins, Doctor of the Law, and Dean of Arches, one of the greateſt Civilians which our Nation hath produced.

The death of Robert Turner was now much lamented by the Papiſts. He was born at Barſtable in Devonſhire, bred for awhile in Oxford, whence flying beyond the Seas, he became Canon of Breſlaw in Sileſia, and at the ſame time Privy Councellor to the Duke of Bavaria. Ferdinand of Gratz (afterwards Emperor) took him from the Duke to be his own Secretary in the Latin Tongue. He lieth buried at Gratz under a handſom Monument.

In the year 1599. died Richard Hooker, of whom largely before. He was much lamented by Proteſtants.

Anno 1600. died two eminent Roman Catholicks; John Saunderſon, born in Lancaſter, bred in Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, from whence he fled to Cambray in Artois. The other Thomas Caſe of St. Johns in Oxford, Doctor of Phyſick; always a Papiſt in heart, but never expreſſing the ſame, till a little before his Death.