The History of the Church of Great Britain, Century 17 · Letter – Floating text 2

The History of the Church of Great Britain · Century 17 · Letter – Floating text 2

p. 270My Lord, out of the love I bear to ſome of your Friends, I have a care of your preſervation. Therefore, I would adviſe you, as you tender your life, to forbear your attendance at this Parliament: for God, and man, p. 271have concurred to puniſh the wickedneſs of this time. And think not ſlightly of this advertiſement, but retire your ſelf into your Countrey, where you may expect the event in ſafety: for, though there be no appearance of any ſtir, yet, I ſay, they ſhall receive a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet they ſhall not ſee who hurts them, This counſel is not to be contemned, becauſe it may do you good, and can do you no harm, for the danger is paſt as ſoon as you have burnt the Letter. And, I hope, God will give you the grace to make uſe of it, to whoſe holy protection I commend you.

The Lord Mounteag…e communicates the Letter to the Earl of Sarisbury, He to the King, who on the ſecond peruſal expounded the myſtical blow meant therein, muſt be by Gunpowder, and gives order for ſearching the Rooms under the Parliament Houſe. The firſt ſearch, about evening, diſcovered nothing but Percie's Cellar full of Wood, and Johnſon his man (under that name was Faux diſguiſed) attending therein. At midnight a more ſtrict and ſecret ſearch was made by Sir Thomas Knevet, Gentleman of his Majeſty's Privy Chamber, and others,Fuller. Church Hiſt. in the Vault under the Parliament Houſe. There was quickly diſcovered, a pile of fewel, faced over with Billets, lined under with thirty ſix Barrels of Powder, beſides Iron bars to make the force of the fire more effectual. Guido Faux was apprehended in the outward room, with a dark Lanthorn in his hand, and three Matches ready to give fire to the Train. Mean-time Catesby, Percy, Rookwood, both the Wrights, and Thomas Winter, were hovering about London, to attend the iſſue of the matter. They, and their Servants, poſt down into the Countrey, through Warwick-ſhire, Worceſter-ſhire, into Stafford-ſhire; Sir Richard Verney, High Sheriff of Warwick-ſhire, chaſed them from thence, and Sir Robert Walſh, Sheriff of Worceſter-ſhire, overtook them at Holbeck in Stafford-ſhire, the Houſe of Mr. Stephen Littleton, where, upon their reſiſtance, the two Wrights were killed, Rockwood, and Thomas Winter, grievouſly wounded. Percy, and Catesby, ſetting back to back, fought deſperately againſt all that aſſaulted them; after many Swords drawn upon them, they were both ſlain with one ſhot of a Muſquet. Francis Treſham was taken about the Court, and ſent to the Tower, where he confeſſed all, and within a few dayes after died of the Strangury.

The reſt were ſolemnly arraigned, convicted, condemned at London. Jan. 30.Firſt Sir Everard Digby, Robert Winter, Grant, and Bates, were hanged, drawn, and quartered at the Weſt-end of St. Paul's. Three of them (but eſpecially Sir Everard Digby) died very penitently. Grant expreſſed moſt obſtinacy at his death.

The next day Thomas Winter, Ambroſe Rookwood, Keys, and Faux, were executed, as the former, in the Parliament-yard in Weſtminſter. Keys followed Grant in his obſtinacy: and Faux ſhewed more penitency than all the reſt.

p. 272On March twenty eight following, Henry Garnet, Provincial of the Engliſh Jeſuites, was arraigned in Guild-hall, for concealing the foreſaid Treaſon, where he had judgment to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, and accordingly, on May the third, was drawn from the Tower to the Weſt-end of Paul's-church, and there executed. At his death he confeſſed his fault, asked forgiveneſs, and exhorted all Catholicks never to plot any Treaſon againſt King or State, as a courſe which God would never proſper.

The memory of this deliverance was perpetuated by Act of Parliament

Anno 1605. died that Religious Prelat, Matthew Hutton, Archbiſhop of York: one of the laſt times …e preached in his Cathedral was on this occaſion: The Papiſts in York-ſhire were commanded, by the Queens Authority, to be preſent at three Sermons, and at the two firſt were ſo uncivil, that ſome of them were forced to be gagged before they would be quiet. The Archbiſhop preached the laſt Sermon moſt gravely and ſolidly, taking for his Text, John 8.47. He that is of God, beareth God's Word: ye therefore hear them not, becauſe ye are not of God. Nor long after died John young, Biſhop of Rocheſter, and Anthony Watſon, Biſhop of Chicheſter.

The Parliament enacted many things for the diſcovering and repreſſing of Popiſh Recuſants. Whereof none was more effectual, than that Oath of Allegiance, which every Catholick was commanded to take. The Pope hereupon diſpatched two Breves into England, prohibiting all Catholicks to take this Oath, ſo deſtructive to their own ſouls, and the See of Rome, exhorting them to ſuffer perſecution, and manfully to endure Martyrdom. Notwithſtanding all which, this Oath being tendred to, was generally taken by Catholicks, without any ſcruple. And particularly, George Blackwell, Archprieſt of the Engliſh, being apprehended, and caſt into priſon, by taking this Oath wrought his own enlargement. This Oath was miniſtred immediately after the putting forth of a Proclamation, which commanded all Seminaries and Jeſuits to depart the Land.

Now the Alarm being given, whether this Oath was lawful or no, both parties, of Proteſtants and Papiſts, wrote againſt each other. King James wrote an Apology for the Oath of Allegiance, together with a Premonition to all moſt mighty Monarchs, Kings, free Princes, and States of Chriſtendom, effectually confuting the Pope's Breves. Biſhop Andrews wrote againſt Bellarmine, Biſhop Barlow againſt Parſons, Doctor Morton, Doctor Robert Abbot, Doctor Buckeridge, Doctor Collins, Doctor Burrel, Mr. Tomſon, Doctor Peter Du-moulin, maintain the legality of the Oath againſt Suarez, Eudaemon, Becanus, Coftetus, Peleterius, and others.

p. 273Anno 1607. That Religious deſign of King James, for a new Tranſlation of the Bible, was now effectually proſecuted; and the Tranſlators being forty and ſeven in number, were digeſted into ſix companies, and ſeveral Books were aſſigned them, according unto the ſeveral places wherein they were to meet, confer, and conſult together; ſo that nothing ſhould paſs without a general conſent.

Weſtminster X. The Pentateuch; the Story from Joſhua to the firſt Book of the Chronicles excluſively.

Doctor Andrews, then Dean of Weſtminſter, after Biſhop of Wincheſter.

Doctor Overal, then Dean of St. Pauls, after Biſhop of Norwich.

Doctor Saravia.

Doctor Laifield, Rector of St. Clement Danes: Being skilled in Architecture, his judgment was relyed on for the fabrick of the Tabernacle and Temple.

Doctor Leigh, Archdeacon of Middleſex, Parſon of Alhallows-Barking.

Mr. Burley.

Mr. King.

Mr. Tompſon.

Mr. Bedwel, Vicar of Tottenham, nigh London.

Oxford VII. The four great Prophets, with the Lamentations, and the twelve leſſer Prophets.

Doctor Harding, Preſident of Magdalen Colledge.

Doctor Rainolds, Preſident of Corpus Chriſti Colledge.

Doctor Holland, Rector of Exeter Colledge, and Regius Profeſſor.

Doctor Kilby, Rector of Lincoln Colledge, and King's Profeſſor.

Mr. Smith, after D. D. and Biſhop of Gloceſter.

Mr. Brett, of Quainton in Buckingham-ſhire.

Mr. Fairclough.

p. 274Cambridge VIII. From the firſt of the Chronicles, with the reſt of the Story and the Hagiographa, viz. Job, Pſalms, Proverbs, Canticles, Eccleſiaſtes.

Mr. Edward Lively.

Mr Richardſon, after D. D. Maſter firſt of Peter-houſe, then of Trinity Colledge.

Mr. Chaderton, after D. D. and Maſter of Emmanuel Colledge.

Mr. Dillingham of Chriſt's Colledge.

Mr. Andrews, after D. D. Brother to the Biſhop of Wincheſter, and Maſter of Jeſus Colledge.

Mr. Hariſon, Vice-maſter of Trinity Colledge.

Mr. Spalding, Fellow of St. John's in Cambridge, and Hebrew Profeſſor therein.

Mr. Bing, Fellow of Peter-houſe in Cambridge, and Hebrew Profeſſor therein.

Cambridge VII. The Prayer of Manaſſeh, and the reſt of the Apocrypha.

Doctor Duport, Maſter of Jeſus Colledge.

Doctor Branthwait, after Maſter of Gonvil and Caius Colledge.

Doctor Radclyffe, a Senior Fellow of Trinity Colledge.

Mr. Ward, after D. D. Maſter of Sidney Colledge, and Margaret Profeſſor.

Mr. Downes, Greek Profeſſor.

Mr. Boys, Fellow of St. John's Colledge, Parſon of Boxworth in Cambridge-ſhire.

Mr. Ward, Regal, after D. D. Rector of Biſhop's Waltham in Hampſhire.

Oxford VIII. The four Goſpels, Acts of the Apoſtles, Apocalypſe.

Doctor Ravis, Dean of Chriſt-church, after Biſhop of London.

Doctor George Abbot, Maſter of Ʋniverſity Colledge, afterwards Archbiſhop of Canterbury.

Doctor Eedes.

Mr. Tompſon.

Mr. Savil.

p. 275Doctor Peryn.

Doctor Ravens.

Mr. Harmer.

Weſtminſter VII. The Epiſtles of St. …aul, the Canonical Epiſtles.

Doctor Barlow, of Trinity-hall in Cambridge, after Biſhop of Lincoln.

Doctor Hutchinſon.

Doctor Spencer.

Mr. Fenton.

Mr. Rabbet.

Mr. Saunderſon.

Mr. Dakins.

The King's Inſtructions to the Tranſlators were theſe following.

I. The ordinary Bible read in the Church, to be followed, and as little altered, as the Original will permit.Fuller. Church Hiſtory. Anno 1607.

II. The names of the Prophets, and the holy Writers, with the other names in the Text, to be retained as near as may be, accordingly as they are vulgarly uſed.

III. The old Eccleſiaſtical words to be kept, &c.

IV. When any word hath divers ſignifications, that to be kept which hath been moſt commonly uſed by the moſt eminent Fathers, being agreeable to the propriety of the place, and the Analogy of Faith.

V. The diviſion of the Chapters to be altered, either not at all, or as little as may be, &c.

VI. No Marginal notes at all to be affixed, but only for the explanation of the Hebrew, or Greek words, which cannot without ſome circumlocution, ſo briefly and fitly be expreſſed in the Text.

VII. Such Quotations of places to be marginally ſet down, as ſhall ſerve for the fit reference of one Scripture to another.

VIII. Every particular man, of each company, to take the ſame Chapter, or Chapters; and having tranſlated or amended them ſeverally by himſelf, where he thinks good, all to meet together, confer what they have done, and agree for their part what ſhall ſtand.

IX. As any one company hath thus diſpatched any one Book, they ſhall ſend it to the reſt, to be conſidered of ſeriouſly and judiciouſly.

X. If any company, upon the review of the Book ſo ſent, ſhall doubt, or differ upon any places, to ſend them word thereof, note the places, and therewithall ſend their Reaſons: to which, if they conſent not, the p. 276difference to be compounded at the General meeting; which is to be of the chief perſons of each company at the end of the work.

XI. When any place of ſpecial obſcurity is doubted of, Letters to be directed by Authority, to ſend to any learned in the Land for his judgment in ſuch a place.

XII. Letters to be ſent from every Biſhop to the reſt of his Clergy, &c. to move and charge as many as, being skilful in the Tongues, have taken pains in that kind, to ſend his particular Obſervations to the company, either at Weſtminſter, Cambridge, or Oxford.

XIII. The Directors in each Company to be the Deans of Westminſter, and Cheſter, for that place; and the King's Profeſſors in the Hebrew and the Greek in each Univerſity.

XIV. Theſe Tranſlations to be uſed, when they agree better with the Text, than the Biſhops Bible ordinarily read in the Church: Viz.

Tindals.

Mathews.

Coverdales.

Whitchurch.

Geneva.

Three or four of the moſt grave Divines in either of the Univerſities, not employed in tranſlating, to be aſſigned by the Vice-Chancellor, upon Conference with the reſt of the Heads, to be Overſeers of the Tranſlations, as well Hebrew as Greek.

The untimely death of Mr. Edward Lively (much weight of the Work lying on his Skill in the Oriental Tongues) happening about this time, much retarded their proceedings.

On May 21. 1607. died Doctor John Rainolds, King's Profeſſor in Oxford, and one of thoſe Tranſlators of the Bible. So great was his Memory, that he could readily turn to all material paſſages in every Leaf, Page, Volume, Paragraph, in all his voluminous Books. A man of a ſolid Judgment, and great Humility. His diſaffection to the eſtabliſhed Diſcipline was not ſo great, as ſome Biſhops did ſuſpect, or as more Non-conformiſts did believe. He deſired the aboliſhing of ſome Ceremonies for the eaſe of others Conſciences, to which, in his own practiſe, he did willingly ſubmit, kneeling at the Sacrament, and conſtantly wearing Hood and Surplice. On his death-bed he deſired Abſolution, according to the form of the Church of England, and received it from Doctor Holland. Doctor Featly made his Funeral Oration in the Colledge, Sir Iſaac Wake in the Univerſity.

In this year died Richard Vaughan, D. D. ſucceſſively Biſhop of Bangon, Cheſter, and London: Mr. Thomas Brightman died the ſame year. He was born in the Town of Nottingham, bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge, where a conſtant oppoſition, in point of Judgment, about Ceremonies, was maintained betwixt him and Doctor Meryton, afterwards Dean of York. He died ſuddenly (according to his deſire) p. 277and was buried at Haunes in Bedford-ſhire, whereof he had been Miniſter fifteen years, Doctor Bulkley preaching his Funeral Sermon.

King James founded a Colledge at Chelſey, and beſtowed on the ſame, by his Letters Patents, the Reverſion of good Land in Chelſey, then in poſſeſſion of Charles Earl of Nottingham. Doctor Matthew Sutcliffe, Dean of Exeter, beſtowed on this Colledge,

The Farms of

Kingſton,

Hazzard,

Appleton,

Kramerland,

In the Pariſh of

1. Staverton.

2. Harberton.

3. Churchton.

4. Stoke-rivers.

All in the County of Devon, and put together worth 300 l. per Annum.

Beſides theſe, by his Will he bequeathed unto Doctor John Prideaux, and Doctor Clifford (as Feoffees in truſt to ſettle the ſame on the Colledge) the benefit of the extent on a Statute of four thouſand pounds, acknowledged by Sir Lewis Steukly, &c.

Here we will inſert the number and names of the Provoſt and firſt Fellows.

Matthew Sutcliff, Dean of Exceter, Provoſt.

1. John Overal, Dean of St. Paul's.

2. Thomas Morton, Dean of Wincheſter.

3. Richard Field, Dean of Gloceſter.

4. Robert Abbot. Doctor of Divinity.

5. John Spencer. Doctor of Divinity.

6 Miles Smith. Doctor of Divinity.

7. William Cevit. Doctor of Divinity.

8. John Hewſon. Doctor of Divinity.

9. John Layfield, Doctor of Divinity.

10. Benjamin Carrier, Doctor of Divinity.

11. Martin Fotherby, Doctor of Divinity.

12. John Boys, Doctor of Divinity.

13. Richard Bret. Doctor of Divinity.

14. Peter Lilie. Doctor of Divinity.

15. Francis Burley. Doctor of Divinity.

16. William Hellier, Archdeacon of Barſtable.

17. John White, Fellow of Mancheſter Colledge.

William Camden, Clarenceaux, Hiſtorians.

John Haywood, Doctor of Law, Hiſtorians.

To promote this Work, his Majeſty ſent his Letters to the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, to ſtir up all the Clergy in his Province to contibute to ſo pious a Work. The Archbiſhop ſent his additional Letter to his Clergy p. 278to the ſame intent: yet for all theſe endeavours, and Collections in all the Pariſhes of England, ſlow and ſmall were the ſums of money brought in to this Work, Many things obſtructed thoſe hopeful proceedings, eſpecially the untimely death of Prince Henry, the chief Author of this deſign, as ſome conceived.

At this preſent it hath but little of the caſe, and nothing of the Jewel, for which it was intended. Almoſt rotten before ripe, and ruinous before it was finiſhed.

Anno 1609. died William Overton, Biſhop of Coventry and Litchfield, Martin Heton, Biſhop of Ely, and Thomas Ravis, ſucceſſively Biſhop of Gloceſter, and London.

Anno 1610. Gervas Babington, Biſhop of Worceſter, ended his pious life. The ſame year expired Biſhop Bancroft, Archbiſhop of Canterbury. He bequeathed his Library, the confluence of his own Collections, with his Predeceſſors, Whitgift, Grindal, Parker, to Chelſey Colledge: and if that took not effect, to the publick Library in Cambridge, where at this day they remain. George Abbot ſucceeded him in the See of Canterbury.

Now after long expectation, and great deſire, came forth the new Tranſlation of the Bible, moſt beautifully printed, by a ſelect and competent number of Divines, appointed for that purpoſe; whoſe Induſtry, Skilfulneſs, Piety, and Diſcretion, hath therein bound the Church unto them in a debt of thankfulneſs, as Mr. Fuller well noteth.

The Romaniſts take exceptions at the ſeveral ſences of words noted in the Margin. And ſome Brethren complained of this Tranſlation, for lack of the Geneva Annotations. But thoſe Notes could no way be fitted to this new Edition of the Bible. And as ſome perchance over-valued the Geneva Notes, out of that ſpecial love they bear to the Authors, and place whence it proceeded; ſo on the other ſide, ſome without cauſe did ſlight, or rather uncharitably did ſlander the ſame: for about this time (Anno 1611.Fuller. Church Hiſtory. Anno 1611.) a Doctor in Oxford publickly, in his Sermon at St. Maries, accuſed them as guilty of miſinterpretation touching the Divinity of Chriſt, and his Meſſias-ſhip, as if ſymbolizing with Arrians and Jews againſt them both; for which he was afterwards ſuſpended by Doctor Robert Abbot, Propter conciones publicas minus orthodoxas, & offenſionis plenas.

This year King James was careful for the ſeaſonable ſuppreſſion of the dangerous Doctrines of Conradus Vorſtius. This Doctor had lived about fifteen years a Miniſter at Steinford, within the Territories of the Counts of TECLENBƲRG, BENTHAM, &c. the Counts whereof were the firſt in caſting off the Romiſh yoke, and ever ſince continuing Proteſtants. This Vorſtius had written to, and received Letters from certain Samoſatenian Hereticks in Poland, and became infected therewith. Hereupon he ſet forth two Books; the one entitled, IRACTATƲS p. 279THEOLOGICƲS DE DEO, dedicated to the Land-grave of HESSEN: the other EXEGESIS APOLOGETICA, dedicated to the States, both of them ſtuffed with many dangerous Poſitions concerning the Deity.

This Wretch debaſed the Purity of God, aſſigning him a material body, confining his Immenſity, as not being every where, ſhaking his Immutability, as if his Will were ſubject to change; darkening his Omniſciency, as uncertain in future contingents, with many more monſtrous Opinions. Notwithſtanding all this, the ſaid Vorſtius was choſen by the Curators of the Univerſity of Leyden, to be their publick Divinity-Profeſſor, in the place of Arminius lately deceaſed; and to that end the States General, by their Letters ſent, and ſued to the Count of TECKLENBOƲRGH and obtained of him, that Vorſtius ſhould come from Steinford, and become publick Profeſſor in Leyden.

King James being this Autumn in his hunting Progreſs, did light upon, and peruſed the aforeſaid Books of Vorſtius; he obſerved the dangerous Poſitions therein, determining ſpeedily to oppoſe them. Hereupon he preſently diſpatched a Letter to Sir Ralph Winwood, his Ambaſſador, Reſident with the States, requiring him to let them underſtand, how highly he ſhould be diſpleaſed, if ſuch a Monſter as Vorſtius, ſhould be advanced in their Church. This was ſeconded with a large Letter of his Majeſties to the States, dated October the ſixth, to the ſame effect. But the States entertain not the motion of King James againſt Vorstius, according to expectation. They ſaid, That if Vorſtius had formerly been faulty in offenſive expreſſions, he had ſince cleared himſelf in a new Declaration. For lately he ſet forth a Book, entitled, A Chriſtan and modeſt Anſwer, but he gave no ſatisfaction in his new Declaration.

King James therefore gave Inſtructions to his Ambaſſador, to make publick proteſtation againſt their proceedings, which Sir Ralph Winwood moſt ſolemnly performed. And after his Majeſties Requeſt, Letter, and Proteſtation, had miſſed their deſired effect; he wrote in French a Declaration againſt Vorſtius, which ſince, by his leave, hath been tranſlated into Engliſh, among his other Works. Vorſtius his Books were alſo, by the King's Command, publickly burnt at St. Paul's-croſs in London, and in both Univerſities.

The ſame year, in March, Bartholomew Legate, an Arrian, was burnt in Smithfield, for denying the Deity of the Son of God, and holding, that there are no Perſons in the Godhead, with many other damnable Tenets.

In the next month Edward Wightman, of Burton upon Trent, was burnt at Litchfield, for holding ten ſeveral Hereſies, viz. thoſe of Ebion Cerinthus, Valentinian, Arrius, Macedonius, Simon Magus, Manes, Manicheus, Photinus, and of the Anabaptiſts. Only a Spaniſh Arrian, who was condemned to die, was notwithſtanding p. 280ſuffered to linger out his Life in Newgate, where he ended the ſame.

This year died Richard Sutton, the Founder of Charter-houſe Hoſpital, Eſquire. The Manors which in ſeveral Counties he ſetled, for the maintenance of this Hoſpital, were theſe.

1. Balſham Mannor in Cambridge-ſhire.

2. Blaſtingthorp Mannor in Lincoln-ſhire.

3. Black-grove Mannor in Wilt-ſhire.

4. Broad-Hinton Land in Wilt-ſhire.

5. Caſtle-Camps Mannor in Cambridge-ſhire.

6. Chilton Mannor in Wilt-ſhire

7. Dunby Mannor in Lincoln-ſhire.

8. Elcomb Mannor and Park in Wilt-ſhire.

9. Hackney Land in Middleſex.

10. Hallingbury-Bouchers Mannor in Eſſex.

11. Miſſunden Mannor in Wilt-ſhire.

12. Much-Stanbridge Mannor in Eſſex.

13. Norton Mannor in Eſſex.

14. Salthrop Mannor in Wilt-ſhire.

15. South-minſter Mannor in Eſſex.

16. Tottenham Land in Middleſex.

17. Ʋfford Mannor in Wilt-ſhire.

18. Watelſcot Mannor in Wilt-ſhire.

19. Weſtcot Mannor in Wilt-ſhire.

20. Wroughton Mannor in Wilt-ſhire.

Anno 1612. On November the ſixth, died Prince Henry of a burning Fever. He was generally lamented of the whole Land, both Univerſities publiſhing their Verſes in print.

Prince Henry's Funerals are followed with the Prince Palatine's Nuptials, ſolemnized with great ſtate.

Anno 1613. Nicholas Wadham Eſquire, of Merrifield in the County of Sommerſet, bequeathed, by his Will, four hundred pounds per annum, and ſix thouſand pounds in Money, to the building of a Colledge in Oxford, leaving the care of the Whole to Dorothy his Wife: This year the ſame was finiſhed, built in a place where formerly ſtood a Monaſtery of the Auguſtine Friars. This year Anthony Rudd, Biſhop of St. Davids ended his Life,

Some three years ſince (on the death of King Henry the Fourth) Iſaac Cauſabon, that learned Critick, was fetcht out of France by King James, and preferred Prebendary of Canterbury. Preſently he wrote, Firſt to Fronto Duraeus, his learned Friend; then to Cardinal Perron, in the juſt vindication of our Engliſh Church.

p. 281After theſe he began his Exercitations on Baronius his Eccleſiaſtical Annals, which more truly may be termed, The Annals of the Church of Rome. He died, and was buried in the South-Iſle of Weſtminſter-Abby. His Monument was erected at the coſt of Thomas Morton, Biſhop of Durham.

Anno 1614. Mr. John Selden ſet forth his Book of Tithes, wherein he Hiſtorically proveth, that they were payable jure humano, and not otherwiſe. Many wrote in anſwer to his Book.

Anno 1616. Mr. Andrew Melvin was freed from his impriſonment in the Tower, whither he had been committed for writing ſome Satyrical Verſes againſt the Ornaments on the Altar in the King's Chappel. He afterwards became a Profeſſor at Sedan, in the Duke of Bovillon's Country. Here he traduced the Church of England, againſt which he wrote a Scroll of Saphicks, entitled, TAMI-CHAMI-CATEGERPA. When firſt brought into the Tower, he firſt found Sir William Seymour (afterwards Marqueſs of Hertford, and Duke of Sommerſet,) there impriſoned for marrying the Lady Arabella, ſo nearly allyed to the Crown, without the King's conſent: To whom Melvin ſent this Diſtick.

Cauſa mihi tecum communis carceris, Ara

Regia, Bella tibi, Regia ſacra mihi.

Anno 1615. died Thomas Bilſon, Biſhop of Wincheſter, a profound Scholar, well read in the Fathers.

Anno 1616. Marcus Antonius de Dominis, Archbiſhop of Spalato, came over into England.

The ſame year King James went into Scotland, with a Princely Train, to viſit his native Country.

This year died Doctor William James, Biſhop of Durham.

Two other prime Prelats alſo followed him, viz. Doctor Henry Robinſon, Biſhop of Carliſle, and Robert Bennet, Biſhop of Hereford, termed (ſaith Mr. Fuller) Eruditus Benedictus.

Doctor Mocket, Warden of All-Souls in Oxford, ſet forth a Book in pure Latin, containing,

The Apology of the Church of England.

The greater and leſſer Catechiſm.

The nine and thirty Articles.

The Common-prayer.

The Ordination of Biſhops, Prieſts and Deacons.

The Polity, or Government of the Church of England.

He epitomized the Homilies into certain Propoſitions faithfully extracted. The Book fared the worſe for the Author; the Author had for his p. 282Patron the Archbiſhop, againſt whom many Biſhops began then to combine. Dr. Mocket's Book was cenſured to be burnt, which was done accordingly: ſoon after he ended his life.

Anno 1617. died Robert Abbot, Biſhop of Salisbury, he died of the Stone, and was much lamented by the Univerſity of Oxford.

About this time William Perry, a Boy dweling at Bilſon in Stafford-ſhire, not full fifteen years of Age, was practiſed on by ſome Jeſuites (repairing to the Houſe of Mr. Gifford, in that County) to diſſemble himſelf poſſeſſed. But the Boy having gotten a habit of counterfeiting, leading a lazy life thereby, to his own eaſe and Parents profit, would not be undeviled by all their Exorciſmes ſo that the Prieſts raiſed up a Spirit which they could not allay. At laſt by the Induſtry of Dr. Morton, then Biſhop of Coventry and Litchfield, the jugling was laid open to the World by the Boys own confeſſion and repentance.

All this King's Reign was ſcattered over with Cheaters in this kind. Some Papiſts, ſome Sectaries; ſome neither.

Papiſts.

Sarah Williams.

Grace Sourbuts of Salmisbury in Lancaſhire.

Mary and Amy two Maids of Weſtminſter.

Edward Hance, a Popiſh Prieſt.

No Papiſts.

Richard Heydock, Fellow of New Colledge in Oxford, Preached in his dreams Latin Sermons againſt the Hierarchy. He recanted, and lived long after in Sarum, practiſing Phyſick, being alſo a good Poet, Limner, and Engraver.

Anne Gunt…r, a Maid of Windſor, had ſtrange exratick phrenſies, and gave out ſhe was poſſeſſed of a Devil.

A Maid at Standon in Hertford-ſhire, ſo perſonated a Demoniack, that ſhe deceived many.

The King having the laſt year in his progreſs, into Scotland, through Lancaſhire, obſerved, that by the ſtrictneſs of ſome Magiſtrates and Miniſters, in ſeveral places, people were hindered from their recreations on the Sunday, the Papiſts being thereby perſwaded that no recreation was tolerable in our Religion; whereupon the Court being at Greenwich, he ſet forth a Declaration for liberty on the Lord's day: When this Declaration came abroad, many were offended at it. But no Miniſter was enjoyned to read the Book in his Pariſh, wherewith they had ſo affrighted themſelves.

p. 283Yet many conceived, that the Declaration came forth ſeaſonably, to ſuppreſs the endeavour of ſuch, who now began to broach the dregs of Judaiſm, whereof John Thrask was a principal, who aſſerted, That the Lord's day was to be obſerved with the ſame ſtrictneſs by Chriſtians, as it was by Jews, and that all meats drinks forbidden in the Levitical Law bound Chriſtians to the ſame obſervance, thereby opening the door to led in the rabble of all Ceremonies. He ſeduced many ſouls with his Tenets, and his own wife among many others. For theſe he was cenſured in the Star-chamber, but afterwards recanted his Opinions.

He afterwards relapſed, not into the ſame, but other Opinions.Sclater. Expoſit. in 1 Theſ. ch. 1. v. 4.1 Thess 1:4 He aſſerted, That one may know Another's Election: or, That one that is the child of God may infallibly know the Election and Regeneration of Another. Dr. William Sclater, ſaith, That for his outragious behaviour he received publick ſtigmatical puniſhment.

At this time began the troubles in the Low Countries about matters of Religion, heightned between two oppoſit parties; Remonſtrants, and Contra-remonſtrants. Their controverſies being chiefly reducible to five points, Of Predeſtination and Reprobation, of the latitude of Chriſt's death; of the power of Man's free-will, both before and after his converſion; and of the Elect's perſeverance in Grace. To decide theſe difficulties, The States of the Ʋnited Provinces, reſolved to call a National Synod at Dort, deſiring ſome forreign Princes to ſend them the aid of their Divines for ſo pious a Work. Eſpecially, they requeſted our King of Great Britain, to contribute his aſſiſtance thereunto, who out of his Princely wiſdom made choice of,

George Carleton, D. D. then Biſhop of Landaff, and afterwards Biſhop of Chicheſter.

Joſeph Hall, D. D. then Dean of Worceſter, and after Biſhop of Exeter and Norwich.

John Davenant, D. D. then Margaret-Profeſſor, and Maſter of Queens Colledge in Cambridge.

Samuel Ward, D. D. then Maſter of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge, and Archdeacon of Taunton.

Theſe repairing to his Majeſty at New-market, received Inſtructions from him concerning their behaviour in the Synod; on October 27. they came to the Hague, where they kiſſed the hand of his Excellency, Grave Maurice, to whom the Biſhop made a ſhort ſpeech, and by whom they were all courteouſly entertained. Hence they removed to Dort, where November 3. the Synod began. Every one at his firſt entrance taking an admiſſion Oath. Theſe four Divines had allowed them by the week threeſcore and ten pounds; weekly Intelligence was communicated to the King from his Divines.

p. 284On December to Walter Dalcanqual B. D. and Fellow of Pembrookhall, came into the Synod, being added to the four Engliſh Colleagues in the name of the Church of Scotland. Dr. Hall finding that Air not agreeing with his health, on his humble requeſt, obtained his Majeſtie's leaue to returne whereupon with a Latin ſpeech gravely delivered, he publickly took his ſolemn farewell of the Synod, and returned into his own Countrey. On January 7. Dr. Thomas Goad, Chaplain to George Archbiſhop of Canterbury came into the Synod, ſent thither by his Majeſty of Great Britain.

April the twentieth, the Belgick Confeſſion was brought into the Synod, containing matter both of Doctrine and Diſcipline, and the publick conſent thereunto was required. Here Biſhop Carleton, in the name of the reſt, approved all the points of Doctrine. But as for matter of Diſcipline, that his own Order, and his Mother-church, might not ſuffer therein, and he ſeem by ſilence to betray the cauſe thereof, a Proteſt was entred by him as mouth for the reſt, to preſerve the ſame. Theſe things he profeſſed himſelf to have hinted, not to offend thoſe Churches therewith, but to defend their own Church of England. To this Interpellation of the Britiſh Divines, nothing at all was anſwered. And ſuch as deſire further ſatisfaction herein, may peruſe the joynt Atteſtation which thoſe Engliſh Divines did ſet forth, Anno 1626. to juſtifie their proceedings therein.

On April 29. the Synod ended. The States to expreſs their gratitude, gave to the Engliſh Divines two hundred pounds at their departure, to bear their charges in their return; beſides a Golden Medal of good value was given to every one of them, wherein the ſitting of the Synod was artificially repreſented. When their work was ended, they viewed the moſt eminent Cities in the Low Countries, and at all places were bountifully received,Fuller. Church Hiſt. Ad. An. 1618. Leiden onelyonly excepted: for the Great ones of that Univerſity, at this time being Remonſtrants, were diſaffected to the deciſions of the Synod. This gave occaſion to that paſſage in the ſpeech of Sir Dudley Carleton, the Engliſh Ambaſſador, when in the name of his Maſter he tendred publick thanks to the States for their Great reſpects to the Engliſh Divines, uſing words to this effect, That they had been entertained at Amſterdam, welcommed at the Hague, cheerfully received at Rotterdam, kindly embraced at Utrecht, &c. and that they had ſeen Leiden.

How high an eſteem the STATES GENERAL, had of our Engliſh Divines will appear by their Letters which they ſent to King James, written in Latin. With which Letters they came over into England, and preſented themſelves to the King at Court, where after courteous entertaining of them, he favourably diſmiſſed them, Removing Biſhop Carleton to Chicheſter, preferring Dr. Davenant to the Biſhoprick of Salisbury, and beſtowing the Maſterſhip of the Savoy upon Balcanqual.

p. 285The deciſions of this Synod have been ſince approved, applauded,Joh. Goodwin. in his Redemption Redeemed, c. 15. parag. 24. magnified by ſome; vilified, condemned by others. Of ſuch as diſlike the Synod, none falls heavier upon it, than Mr. John Goodwin, charging the Synodians to have taken a previous Oath to condemn the oppoſite party on what termes ſoever.

Mr. Fuller deſirous to be rightly informed herein, wrote a Letter to Biſhop Hall, who was pleaſed to return him this anſwer. Whereas you deſire from me a just relation of the carriage of the buſineſs of the Synod of Dort, and the conditions required of our Divines there, at, or before their Admiſſion to that Grave and Learned Aſſembly; I, whom God was pleaſed to employ, as an unworthy Agent in that great work, and to reſerve ſtill upon Earth, after all my Reverend and Worthy Aſſociates; do, as in the preſence of that God, to whom I am now daily expecting to yield up my account, teſtifie to you, and (if you will) to the World, that I cannot without juſt indignation read that ſlaunderous Imputation which Mr, Goodwin, in his Redemption Redeemed, reports to have been raiſed, and cast upon thoſe Divines, eminent both for Learning and Piety: That they ſuffered themſelves to be bound with an Oath, at, or before their Admiſſion into that Synod, to vote down the Remonſtrants howſoever; ſo as they came deeply preingaged to the deciſion of thoſe unhappy differences. All th… …ath that was required of us was this, After that the Moderator, Aſſiſtents, and Scribes were choſen, and the Synod formed, and the ſeveral members allowed, there was a ſolemn Oath required to be taken by every one of that Aſſembly, which was publickly done in a grave manner, by every perſon in their order, ſtanding up, and laying his Hand upon his heart, calling the great God of Heaven to witneſs, that he would unpartially proceed in the judgement of theſe Controverſies, which ſhould be laid before him, onelyonly out of, and according to the written Word of God, and no otherwiſe; ſo determining of them, as he ſhould find in his Conſcience most agreeable to the holy Scriptures. Which Oath was punctually agreed to be thus taken by the Articles of the States, concerning the Indiction, and ordering of the Synod, as plainly appeareth in their tenth Article; and this was all the Oath that was either taken or required, &c.

The ſame year died Dr. James Mountague, the worthy Biſhop of Wincheſter, ſon to Sir Edward Mountague of Boughton in Northamptonſhire, highly favoured by King James, preferring him to the Biſhoprick firſt of Bath and Wells, then to Wincheſter. In Bath he lies buried under a fair Tomb, though the whole Church be his Monument, which his Bounty repaired.

Anno 1619. died John Overal, Biſhop of Norwich, accounted one of the moſt Learned Controverſial Divines of thoſe days.

Anno 1620. the Proteſtant States of the Upper and Lower Auſtria, upon the approach of the Bavarian Army, ſeeing nothing but manifeſt p. 286ruin, renounce their Confederacy with the Bohemians, and ſubmit to the Emperor,Ruſhworth. Hiſtor. Collections. ſaving to themſelves their Rights and Priviledges in Religion. And the Elector of Saxony aſſiſts the Emperor, and executes the Ban againſt the Palatine. King James ſoon after receives the news of the Palſgrave's overthrow. After the Aſſembly at Segenbergh,, the Palatine and his Princeſs took their journey into Holland, where they found a refuge, and noble entertainment with the Prince of Orange. The Ambaſſage of Weſton and Conway prevailed little. More Princes of the union reconcile themſelves to the Emperor. The Imperial Proteſtant Towns, Strasburgh, Worms, and Norembergh, ſubſcribe to conditions of Peace. The reconciled Princes and States intercede for the Elector Palatine, but in vain.

In England the Parliament petition the King for the due execution of Laws againſt Jeſuites, Seminary Prieſts, and Popiſh Recuſants.

On July 10. 1621. John Williams D. D. and Dean of Weſtminſter, was ſworn Keeper of the Great Seal of England. Then the King was ſollicited from Spain and Rome, to enlarge his favours to Popiſh Recuſants.

The Houſe of Commons preſented to the King a petition and Remonſtrance, which laid open the diſtempers of thoſe times, with their Cauſes and Cures.

They Repreſented to Him,

I. The Vigilancy and Ambition of the Pope of Rome, and his deareſt Son, the one aiming at as large a Temporal Monarchy, as the other at a Spiritual Monarchy.

II. The deviliſh Doctrines whereon Popery is built, and taught with Authority to their followers, for advancement of their Temporal ends.

III. The miſerable eſtate of the profeſſors of true Religion in forreign parts.

IV. The diſaſtrous accidents to his Majeſtie's children abroad, &c.

V. The ſtrange confederacy of Popiſh Princes, &c.

VI. The interpoſing of forreign Princes and their Agents in the behalf of Popiſh Recuſants, &c.

VII. Their uſual reſort to the Houſes and Chappels of forreign Ambaſſadors.

VIII. Their more than uſual concourſe to the City, and their frequent Conventicles and conferences there.

IX. The education of their Children in ſeveral Seminaries and Houſes of their Religion in forreign parts, appropriated to the Engliſh fugitives.

p. 287X. The licentious Printing and diſperſing of Popiſh and Seditious Books, even in the time of Parliament.

XI. The ſwarms of Prieſts and Jeſuites diſperſed in all parts of the Kingdom.

From theſe Cauſes they offered to his Majeſty, what dangerous Effects, they foreſaw, would follow.

I. The Popiſh Religion is incompatible with ours, in reſpect of their poſitions.

II. It draws with it an unavoidable dependancy on forreign Princes.

III. If once it get but a connivency, it will preſs for a Toleration, &c.

Then they propounded Remedies againſt theſe, ſome whereof were,

That for ſecuring the peace at home, his Majeſty would be pleaſed to review the parts of their petition formerly delivered to him, and to put in execution, by the eare of choice Commiſſioners to be thereunto appointed, the Laws already, and hereafter to be made, for preventing of dangers by Popiſh Recuſants.

That the Children of the Nobility, and Gentry, of this Kingdom, and of others, ſuſpected in their Religion, now beyond the Seas, may be forthwith called home.

That the Children of Popiſh Recuſants, &c. be brought up during their minority with Proteſtant School-maſters.

That his Majeſty will be pleaſed to revoke all former Licenſes for ſuch Children to travel beyond the Seas, and not grant any ſuch Licenſe hereafter, &c.

The Houſe had ſufficient Cauſe to ſet forth the danger of true Religion, when beſides the great wound made in Germany, and the cruelties of the prevailing Houſe of Auſtria, the Proteſtants in France were almoſt ruined by Lewis the Thirteenth; being now beſieged in Montauban by the King, and in Rochel by Count Soiſons, and the Duke of Guiſe. And for their Relief the King of England prevailed nothing by ſending of Sir Edward Herbert, ſince Baron of Cherbury, and after him the Viſcount Doncaſter, Ambaſſador for Mediation.

About this time a ſad misfortune befel George Abbot, Lord Archbiſhop of Canterbury, for ſhooting at a Deer with a Croſs-bow in Bramshil. Park, belonging to the Lord Zouch; he caſually killed the Keeper. The King made choice of the Lord Keeper, the Biſhop, of London, Winton, Rocheſter, St. Davids, and Exeter, Sir Henry Hobart, Juſtice Dolleridge, Sir Henry Martin, and Doctor Stuart, to inform him of p. 288the nature of this cauſe, and the ſcandal that might ariſe thereupon, whether to an Irregularity, or otherwiſe. However this conſultation was managed, the Archbiſhop was not deprived. In this buſineſs, Biſhop Andrews proved the Archbiſhop's great friend. The Archbiſhop gave twenty pound a year to the man's Widow. He kept a monethly faſt on a Tueſday, as the day whereon this caſualty befell.

About this time young Merick Caſaubon ſet fort a Book in defence of his deceaſed Father, againſt Herbert Roſwed a Jeſuite; and Andrew Schoppius a notorious railer, Julius Caeſar Bullinger, and Andrew Eudemono Joannes. He thought it his duty to aſſert his Father's memory, and to give a brief account of his life and converſation.

Upon the remove of Richard Milborn to Carlile, Doctor William Laud, Preſident of St. John's Colledge in Oxford, was made Biſhop of St. David's. He founded in Oxford a Profeſſor in the Arabick Tongue.

This year died John King, Biſhop of London. He was ſworn firſt Chaplain to King James, who commonly called him, The King of Preachers. And Sir Edward Coke, ſaid of him, He was the beſt ſpeaker, in Star-chamber, in his time. When Biſhop of London, unleſs hindred by ſickneſs, he omitted no Lord's day, wherein he did not viſit ſome Pulpit in London, or near it. The Papiſts raiſed a falſe aſperſion upon him, That at his death he was reconciled to the Church of Rome: but this was ſufficiently confuted by thoſe eye and ear-witneſſes, preſent, at his pious departure. George Mountain, Biſhop of Lincoln ſucceeded him in his See.

The ſame year died William Cotton Biſhop of Exeter, whom Valentine Carew, Dean of St. Paul's, ſucceedeth. Robert Townſon Biſhop of Sarisbury dieth, whom John Davenant ſucceedeth. Therein alſo expired Dr. Andrew Willet, a man of great judgement and Induſtry, one that had a large ſoul in a narrow eſtate. The ſame year died alſo Richard Parry, Biſhop of St. Aſaph. We will conclude this year with the death of Mr. Francis Maſon, who wrote that worthy Book, De Miniſterio Anglicano.

Anno 1622. Multitudes of Prieſts and Popiſh Recuſants then impriſoned,Ruſhw. Hiſt. Collect. were releaſed, which the Spaniards profeſſed to be a great demonſtration of the King's ſincere affection, to confirm the amity between the Crowns. But a General offence was taken at this Indulgence to Papiſts.

The next year began with the end of that arrant Apoſtata in this Land, M. Antonius de Dominis, Anno 1622.Archbiſhop of Spalato, and his fair riddance out of it. He had fourteen years been Archbiſhop of Spalato in Dalmatia, under the State of Venice, and had now been five years in England. Conſcience in ſhew, and Covetouſneſs indeed, cauſed his coming hither. p. 289He wrote ſharply againſt the Pope,Fuller. Church Hiſt. An. 1622. out of a particular grudge againſt Pope Paul, who had ordered him to pay a yearly penſion of five hundred Crowns out of his Biſhoprick, to one Audrentius, a Suffragan Biſhop, which this Archbiſhop refuſed to do. The matter was brought to the Court of Rome, where the Archbiſhop, angry that he was caſt in his Cauſe, poſts out of Italy, through Germany into the Low Countries, and thence came over into England.

Here multitudes of people flocked to behold this old Archbiſhop, now a new Convert. Prelates and Peers preſented him with gifts of high valuation. He was Feaſted whereſoever he came, and both the Univerſities (when he viſited them) highly honoured him. But above all King James was moſt munificent to him. The King conſigned him to the Archbiſhop of Canterbury for his preſent entertainment, and as an earneſt of his bounty ſent him to Lambeth, a fair Baſon and Boll of Silver,Miſit mihi Rex Magnae Britanniae polubrum argenteum ad abſtergendas ſordes Romanae Eccleſiae, & poculum argenteum, ad imbibendam Evangelii puritatem. which Spalato received with this complement, The King of Great Britain hath ſent me a Silver Baſon, to waſh from me the filth of the Roman Church; and a Silver Cup to mind me to drink the purity of the Goſpel.

Preferment is quickly conferred upon him, as the Deanery of Windſor, and the Maſter-ſhip of the Hoſpital of the Savoy, with a good Parſonage at West-Ilſey in Berk-ſhire, being a peculiar belonging to the Epiſcopal juriſdiction of the Dean of Windſor, which Parſonage he collated on himſelf.

He improved the profits of his place to the utmoſt, and had a deſign to queſtion all his Predeceſſors Leaſes at the Savoy, and began to be vexatious to his Tenants: for which he was gravely and ſharply reproved by Dr. King, then Biſhop of London. Spalato complained to King James, who in ſome choler ſaid, Extraneus, extraneus es, relinque res ſicut eas inveniſti; You are a Stranger, you are a ſtranger, leave things as you found them. He would paſſionately perſwade others unto bounty to the poor, though he would give nothing himſelf.

He now perfects his Books, the Collections whereof were made by him at Spalato. His works (being three fair Folio's, De Republica Eccleſiaſtica) give ample teſtimony of his abilities.

He delighted in jeering; one of his Sarcaſms he unhappily beſtowed on Count Gondomar, the Spaniſh Ambaſſador, telling him, That three turns at Tyburn, was the onelyonly way to cure his Fiſtula. Gondomar hereupon meditates revenge, and tells King James, That his charity abuſed his Judgment, in conceiving Spalato a true Convert, who ſtill in heart remained a Roman Catholick. The Ambaſſador writes to the King of Spain, He to Pope Gregory the Fifteenth, that Spalato might be pardoned, and preferred in the Church of Rome, which was eaſily obtained. Letters are ſent from Rome to Count Gondomar, written by the Cardinal Millin, to impart them to Spalato, informing him of his pardon at Rome, and that upon p. 290his return the Pope would prefer him to the Biſhoprick of Salerno in Naples, worth twelve thouſands pounds by the year; and alſo that a Cardinal's Hat ſhould be beſtowed upon him. And if Spalato with his hand ſubſcribed to this Letter would renounce what formerly he had Printed, an Apoſtolical Breve, with pardon, ſhould ſolemnly be ſent him to Bruxels. Spalato embraceth the motion, recanteth his Opinions largely, ſubſcribes ſolemnly, and thanketh the Pope affectionately for his favour: Gondomar carrieth his ſubſcription to King James, who is glad to behold the Hypocrite unmasked.

Now died Toby Mathew, Archbiſhop of York; preſently poſts Spalato to Theobalds, becomes an Earneſt Petitioner to the King for the vacant Archbiſhoprick, and is as flatly denied. Spalato offended at this repulſe, requeſts his Majeſty by his Letter to grant him his good leave to depart the Kingdom. Five days after the Biſhops of London and Durham, with the Dean of Weſtminſter, by his Majeſtie's direction, repaired to Spalato, propounding unto Him ſixteen Queries, all ariſing out of his own Letter, and requiring him to give the explanation of five of the moſt material under his hand, for his Majeſtie's greater ſatisfaction, which he did accordingly: yet not ſo clearly, but that it occaſioned a ſecond meeting, wherein more interrogatories were propounded unto him, to all which he gave his anſwers. He pretended many reaſons for his return. In purſuance of which his deſire, he wrote a ſecond Letter to King James.

At length Spalato appears before the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, the Biſhops of Lincoln, London, Durham, Wincheſter, at Lambeth, where the Archbiſhop of Canterbury in a long Latin Speech, recapitulated the many miſdemeanors of Spalato, principally inſiſting on his changing of Religion, as appeared by his purpoſe of returning to Rome: and that contrary to the Laws of this Realm, he had held correſpondency with the Pope, without the privity of the King's Majeſty. To which charge when Spalato had made a ſhuffling excuſe, rather than a juſt defence, the Archbiſhop in his Majeſtie's name commanded him to depart the Kingdom within twenty days, and never to return again. To this he promiſed obedience, proteſting, he would ever juſtifie the Church of England for Orthodox in Fundamentals, even in the preſence of the Pope, or whomſoever, though with the loſs of his life.

However, he was loth to depart, and ſecretly deals with his Friends in the Engliſh Court, that his Majeſty would permit him to ſtay. But in vain, and therefore within the time appointed, he went over in the fame Ship with Count Swartenzburgh, the Emperor's Ambaſſador, rerurning hence into Flanders. Being come to Bruxels, he recants his Religion, and rails bitterly on the Engliſh Church. Here he ſtayed ſix moneths for the Pope's Breve, which at laſt was utterly denied him. Now he deſperately adventures to Rome, barely preſuming on promiſes, p. 291and the Friendſhip of Pope Gregory the Fifteenth, then Pope, formerly his Colleague, and Chamber-fellow. He lived at Rome not loved, and died unlamented. He was clapt into priſon, his ſtudy ſeized on, wherein many papers were found ſpeaking Hereſie enough, his Adverſaries being admitted ſole Interpreters thereof. He died ſome moneths after, and after his death his Excommunicated Corps were put to publick ſhame, and ſolemnly proceeded againſt, in the Inquiſition, for relapſing into Hereſie ſince his return to Rome. Fuller. Church Hiſt. Ad. Ar. 1622.Several Articles of Hereſie are charged upon him, and he found convict thereof, is condemned to have his body burnt by the publick Executioner in the Field of Flora, which was performed accordingly.

The Spaniſh Match was now the Diſcourſe general, but at laſt it brake off: Heaven forbidding the Banes (ſaith Mr. Fuller) even at the third and laſt asking thereof. King James falls off, and for a condition of the Marriage, demands the Reſtitution of the Palatinate. The Prince returns from Spain.

Then was there a conference entertained between Dr. White, and Dr. Featly, Proteſtants; Father Fiſher, and Father White, Jeſuites: Now hapned the fatal Veſpers at Black-friers in London, Father Drury a Jeſuite, of excellent Morals, Preached there in a great upper-room, next to the Houſe of the French Ambaſſador, where three hundred perſons were aſſembled. His Text Matth. 18.32. O thou ungratious ſervant, I forgave thee all the debt, becauſe thou deſiredſt me, ſhouldst not Thou alſo have had compaſſion on thy fellow-ſervant? In application whereof he bitterly inveighed againſt the Proteſtants. About the middle of his Sermon, and the day declining, on a ſudden the Floor fell down where they were aſſembled; many were killed, more bruiſed, all frightted. Ninety five perſons were ſlain, among whom Mr. Drury, Mr. Rodiat, Prieſts, with the Lady Webb, were of the chiefeſt note. Twenty of the poorer ſort were buried hard by in one Grave, and the reſt beſtowed by-their friends in ſeveral places of Sepulture.

Yet notwithſtanding this ſad Accident,The Letter may be read at large in Ruſhworth's Collect. and Fuller. Church Hiſtory. the Papiſts were very inſolent towards all true Engliſh men, the rather, becauſe it was generally reported, That his Majeſty intended a Toleration of Religion: which made the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, in a ſerious Letter, to preſent the King with his apprehenſions; beſeeching the King to conſider, Lest by this Toleration, and diſcountenancing of the true profeſſion of the Goſpel, wherewith God hath bleſſed us, and this Kingdom hath ſo long flouriſhed under it, God's heavy wr…th be not drawn upon this Kingdom, &c. What effect this Letter took is unknown, ſure it is, all mens mouths were filled with a diſcourſe of a Toleration, for, or againſt it: yea the Pulpits are loud againſt Toleration.

Now becauſe the peoples mouths were open, and ſome Preachers were two buſie, the King gave directions for the regulation of the Miniſtry, in p. 292his Letters directed to the Lord Archbiſhop of Canterbury: for many ſhallow Preachers handled the profound points of Predeſtination, &c. Sermons were turned into Satyrs againſt Papiſts, and Non-conformiſts. The King revived the primitive and profitable order of Catechizing in the after-noon. Various cenſures were paſſed on the King's Letters. But theſe Inſtructions from his Majeſty were not preſſed with equal rigour in all places.

Both the Palatinates were now loſt, the Vpper ſeized on by the Emperor; the Nether by the King of Spain; the City of Heidelberg taken and plundered, and the ineſtimable Library of Books therein carried over the Alpes on Mules backs to Rome. Now thoſe Books are placed in the Pope's Vatican. The Duke of Bavaria was inveſted in the upper Palatinate.

Anno 1624. The match with France was concluded, and in November the Articles were ſworn unto by King James, Prince Charles, and the French King. The Articles for Religion were not much ſhort of thoſe for Spaniſh match.

Count Mansfield was at this time in England, and the Forces raiſed in the ſeveral parts of the Kingdom for the recovery of the Palatinate, were put under his command. Dover was the place aſſigned for their Rendezvous, where the Colonels and Captains were to receive their ſeveral Regiments and Companies, from the Conductors employed by thoſe ſeveral Counties where the men were raiſed. Theſe being long pent up in their Ships, ſuffered the want of all neceſſaries, by which means a Peſtilence devoured many of them, ſo that ſcarce a Third part of the men were landed; the which alſo afterwards mouldred away, and the deſign came to nothing.

At this time upon the death of William, Titular Biſhop of Calcedon, moſt of the Engliſh Secular Prieſts did petition the Pope, that another Biſhop might be ſent over into England, there to ordain Prieſts, give Confirmation, and exerciſe Epiſcopal juriſdiction. Among others Matthew Kelliſon, and Richard Smith, were preſented. Not long after Pope Ʋrban the Eighth, created Richard Smith, Biſhop of Calcedon, and ſent him into England with Epiſcopal Authority over the Prieſts within the Engliſh Dominions.

King James, after he had been troubled with a Tertian Fever four weeks at Theobalds, called unto him his onelyonly Son, Prince Charles, to whom he recommended the protection of the Church of England, &c. and died on the ſeven and twentieth day of March. He Reigned twenty two years and three days.

The ſad news of King James his death was brought to White-hall, when Dr. Laud, Biſhop of St. David's, was Preaching therein. This cauſed him to break off his Sermon in the midſt thereof, out of civil compliance p. 293with the ſadneſs of the Congregation. And the ſame day was King Charles Proclaimed at Whitehall.

Shortly after, King James his death, Biſhop Land delivered to the hands of the Duke of Buckingham, brief memorables of the Life and Death of King James. On May fourteenth following, King James his Funerals were performed very ſolemnly in the Collegiate-church at Weſtminſter. King Charles in his own perſon mournfully attended the Funerals of his Father. Dr. Williams, Lord Keeper, and Biſhop of Lincoln, Preached the Sermon, taking for his Text, 2 Chron. 9.29, 30, and part of verſ. 31. containing the happy Reign, quiet Death, and ſtately Burial of King Solomon. In this Sermon he made a parallel between two peaceable Princes, King Solomon and King James, adding, that Solomon's vices could be no blemiſh to King James, who reſembled him onelyonly in his choyceſt vertues.

Doctor Preſton ſtill continued, and increaſed in the favour of the King, and the Duke of Buckingham.

Then a Book came forth, called Apello Caeſarem, made by Mr. Mountague, then Fellow of Eaton, upon this occaſion. He had lately written Satyrically enough againſt the Papiſts, in confutation of The Gagger of the Proteſtants. Now two Divines of Norwich Dioceſe, Mr. Yates, and Mr. Ward, inform againſt him for deſerting our Cauſe, inſtead of defending it. Mr. Mountague in his own Vindication writes a ſecond Book licenſed by Francis White, Dean of Carlile, finiſhed, and partly Printed in the Reign of King James. Many bitter paſſages in this his Book gave great exception.

At that time a Schedule was delivered to the Duke wherein the names of Eccleſiaſtical perſons were written, under the letters of O, and P, Ruſhw. Collect. An. 1625.O ſtanding for Orthodox, and P. for Puritans: for the Duke commanded that the names of eminent perſons to be preſented unto the King ſhould be thus digeſted under that partition.

On Sunday June 12. Queen Mary landed at Dover: Next day the King coming from Canterbury, met her at Dover, Thence his Majeſty conducted the Queen to Canterbury, and the ſame Evening the Marriage was there conſummated. On June 16. the King and Queen came both to London. A Chappel at Sommerſet-houſe was built for the Queen and her Family, with conveniences thereto adjoyning for Capuchin Friers, who were therein placed, and had permiſſion to walk abroad in their Religious habits.

Then began a Parliament at London, wherein the firſt Statute agreed upon was for the more ſtrict obſervation of the Lord's day. Sir Edward Coke went to the Houſe of Peers with a meſſage from the Commons, deſiring their concurrence in a petition concerning Religion, and againſt Recuſants, which being agreed to, and preſented to the King, his Majeſty anſwered, That he was glad, that the Parliament was ſo forward p. 294in matters of Religion; and aſſured them, they ſhould find him as forward.

Mr. Richard Mountague was brought to the Bar of the Commons Houſe, for his Book fore-mentioned, which was Printed, and dedicated to King Charles. But the King reſcued him from the Houſe of Commons, by taking Mr. Mountague's buſineſs into his own hand. The Plague increaſing in London, the Parliament removed to Oxford, where Doctor Chalenor died of that infection. The Parliament to prevent the growth of Popery, preſented a petition to his Majeſty, containing ſixteen particulars, to which they received a ſatisfactory anſwer from the King.

Mr. Mountagues cauſe was recommended to the Duke of Buckingham, by the Biſhops of Rocheſter, Oxford, and St. Davids, as the cauſe of the Church of England. They affirm boldly, that they cannot conceive, what uſe there can be of Civil Government in the Common-wealth, or of external Miniſtry in the Church, if ſuch fatal Opinions as ſome are, which are oppoſite to thoſe of Mr. Mountague, be publickly taught and maintained. But other Learned men were of a different judgement.

At Oxford in a late Divinity diſputation held upon this Queſtion, Whether a Regenerate man may fall away totally and finally from Grace? The Opponent u ging the Appeal to Caeſar, the Doctor of the Chair handled the Appellator very roughly, ſaying, That he was a man that ſtudied phraſes more than matter; That he underſtood neither Articles nor Homilies, or at least perverted both; That he attributed, he knew not what vertue to the ſign of the Croſs; and concluded with an Admonition to the Juniors, That they ſhould be wary of reading that and the like Books.

The King according to his late anſwer to the Parliament at Oxford, iſſued out a Commiſſion to the Judges, to ſee the Law againſt Recuſants put in Execution. This was read in all the Courts of Judicature at Reading (where Michaelmas Term was kept) and a letter directed to the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, to take ſpecial care for the diſcovery of Jeſuites, Seminary Prieſts, &c. within his Province.

In this and the next year many Books from perſons of ſeveral abilities and profeſſions, were written againſt Mr. Mountague, by Dr. Sutcliff Dean of Exeter; Mr. Henry Burton; Mr. Yates, a Miniſter of Norfolk, his Book he entitled, Ad Caeſarem ibis. Dr. Carleton, Biſhop of Chicheſter; Anthony Wotton, Divinity-profeſſor in Greſham Colledge, and Mr. Francis Rowſe, a Lay-man. His Majeſty ſenſible of his Subjects great diſtaſt at Mr. Mountague's Book, reſolved to leave him to ſtand or fall according to the juſtneſs of his Cauſe. The Duke imparted as much to the Biſhop of St. David's, who conceived it of ſuch ominous concernment, that he entred the ſame in his Diary, viz. I ſeem to ſee a p. 295cloud ariſing, and threatning the Church of England, God for his mercy diſſipate it.

The King iſſued forth a Proclamation, Whereby he commanded the return, within limited time, of all ſuch Children of Noble-men, and other his natural Subjects, who were now breeding up in Schools and Seminaries, and other Houſes of the Popiſh Religion beyond the Seas. That their Parents, Tutors, and Governors, take preſent order to recal them home, and to provide, that they return by the day prefixt, at the utmoſt ſeverity of his Majeſtie's Juſtice. He commanded further, That no Biſhop, Priest, or any other perſon, having taken Orders under any Authority derived from the See of Rome, do preſume to confer Eccleſiaſtical Orders, or exerciſe Eccleſiaſtical Function, or Juriſdiction toward any of his Natural Subjects, in any of his Dominions, &c.

On Candlemas-day King Charles was Crowned, Biſhop Laud had the chief hand in compiling the form of the Coronation, and had the honour to perform this Solemnity, inſtead of the late Lord Keeper Williams, who (through the King's di…favour) was ſequeſtred from this ſervice, which belonged to his place, as he was Dean of Weſtminſter. Dr. Senhouſe, Biſhop of Carlile, Preached at the Coronation. The Coronation Oath was tendred to the King by the Archbiſhop of Canterbury. The Ceremonies of the Coronation being ended, the Regalia were offered at the Altar by Biſhop Laud, in the King's Name, and then repoſited.

Biſhop Williams fallen into diſgrace, by the diſpleaſure of the Duke of Buckingham, beſought his Majeſty, That he would mitigate the Duke's cauſeleſs anger towards him; and that in his abſence in the Parliament, no uſe might be made of his Majeſtie's ſacred Name to wound the Reputation of a poor Biſhop, &c.

On Monday, February the ſixth, began the ſecond Parliament of the King's Reign. The Houſe of Commons began where they left at Oxford, with matters of Religion and publick grievances. They made ſtrict enquiry into what abuſes had been of the King's grace, ſince that time, and who were the Authors and Abbertors thereof; for they had been informed of many Pardons and Reprieves to Prieſts and Jeſuites. An Act was tendred againſt ſcandalous Miniſters. It was moved, that ſome proviſion might be made againſt ſcandalous Livings, as well as againſt ſcandalous Miniſters.

A Committee was named concerning Religion, and the Growth of Popery, and Mr. Mountague's [Appeal to Caeſar] was again brought in queſtion, This Book the Commons referred to the Committee for Religion, the contents whereof were reported from Mr. Pym to the Houſe, and the Houſe paſſed their Votes thereupon; That Mr. Mountague p. 296endeavoured to reconcile England to Rome, and to alienate the King's affections from his well-affected Subjects. Divers Articles were exhibited by the Commons againſt Mr. Mountague. They prayed, That the ſaid Mr. Mountague might be puniſhed according to his Demerits, and that the Book aforeſaid might be ſuppreſſed and burnt.

Many reſorting to hear Maſs at Durham houſe, in the Lodgings of a Forreign Ambaſſador, the Biſhop of Durham was required to apprehend ſuch of the King's Subjects as ſhould be preſent at the Maſs, and to commit them to priſon. There was alſo a Letter ſent from the Attorney General, to the Judges of the circuits, to direct their proceedings againſt Recuſants.

Fuller. Church Hiſt. An. 1626.During the ſitting of this Parliament, at the procurement of Robert Rich, Earl of Warwich, a conference was kept in York houſe, before the Duke of Buckingham and other Lords, betwixt Dr. Buckeridge Biſhop of Rocheſter, and Dr. White Dean of Carlile, on the one ſide; and Dr. Morton Biſhop of Coventry and Dr. Preſton on the other, chiefly, About the poſſibility of one elected to fall from grace. The paſſages of which conference are variouſly reported. Soon after a ſecond conference was in the ſame place, on the ſame points, before the ſame perſons, betwixt Dr. White Dean of Carlile, and Mr. Mountague on the one ſide, and Dr. Morton Biſhop of Litchfield, and Dr. Preſton on the other. But theſe conferences rather increaſed the differences, than abated them.

An old Hall in Oxford, formerly called Broad-gates-Hall, was this year turned into a new Colledge, and called Pembrook Colledge, partly in reſpect to William Earl of Pembrook, then Chancellor of the Univerſity. This Colledge conſiſteth of a Maſter, ten Fellows, and ten Scholars, with other Students and Officers to the number of one hundred ſixty nine.

Now Dr. Preſton decline's in the Duke's favour, and the Duke betakes himſelf to the oppoſit Intereſt. This year died Arthur Lake, Biſhop of Bath and Wells; and Lancelot, Andrews, who had been Dean of Weſtminſter, Biſhop of Chicheſter, Ely, and at laſt, of Wincheſter. Doctor Nicholas Felton, Biſhop of Ely, died ſome days after Biſhop Andrews.

About this time the Marſhal of Middleſex petitioned to the Committee of the Houſe of Commons touching his reſiſtance in ſeizing of Prieſts goods. A Warrant was made by Mr Attorney-General to John Tendring Marſhal of Middleſex, and all other therein named, to ſearch the priſon of the Clink, and to ſeize all Popiſh and ſuperſtitious matters there found. A Letter alſo was directed to Sir George Paul, a Juſtice of Peace in Surrey, to pray him to take care in expediting that ſervice. Upon ſearch four ſeveral Prieſts were found in the Clink, viz. Preſton, Candon, Warrington, Prator, Preſton was committed to the p. 297Clink about ſixteen years ſince, and diſcharged of his impriſonment about ſeven years ago, yet remained there in the Priſon ſtill, attended with two Women ſervants, and one Man ſervant, who as it was ſuſpected, had continued with him ever ſince the Gunpowder-Treaſon.Ruſhw. Collec. Anno 1626. Anno 1605. He kept there by himſelf apart from the Keeper of the priſon, and had for his lodging part of the Biſhop of Wincheſter's houſe, into which there was a paſſage made through the priſon-yard. There were found in his Chamber five or ſix Cart-loads of Books ſet up with ſhelves, as in a Library, or Book-ſeller's ſhop, ſuppoſed to be worth two thouſand pounds at leaſt: beſides which it was affirmed by the Keeper of the priſon, that he had a greater Library abroad. There were alſo found two Altars ready furniſhed for Maſs; one more publick in an upper Chamber, the other more private, in a Study, many rich Copes, Surplices, Wax-candles, Croſſes, Crucifixes very rich, Beads, Jewels, Chaines, Chalices of Silver and of Gold; five or ſix bags of money which were not opened, and looſe money to the quantity of an hundred pound thrown up and down in his Desk; abundance of Manuſcripts, and a pacquet of Letters bound up together with a thread.

In Candon's Chamber was found an Altar ready furniſhed with many Plates, Jewels, rich Pictures and Manuſcripts, Wax-candles, &c. with many Books in a Study. In another Study of his many curious Tools and Engines, three Rapiers, one Piſtol, and a Fowling piece, the pictures of Queen Elizabeth, King James, Queen Anne, and King Charles. He had alſo in his cuſtody all the Keeper's Warrants for committing of his priſoners, which were found in his Chamber, together with ſome ſtore of Plate, which he ſaid he kept for the Keeper's wife.

In Warrington's Chamber were found Books, Beads, Boxes of Oyl for extreme Unction, &c. But the wall thereof was broken down into another houſe adjoyning to the Priſon, through which it is conceived the reſt of Warrington's ſtuffe was convaied away in the Interim of the ſearch made in the two former Chambers.

Prator was firſt committed to Gloceſter Gaol, but a Warrant was procured by the Papiſts for his remove to the Clink, where he was found a priſoner. But a countermand was brought from the Archbiſhop, and Mr. Atturney, whereby the proceeding of that buſineſs was ſtaid, and the Marſhal prohibited to remove, or take any thing, ſo much as a paper. The Keeper and his Wife, and the Prieſts did grievouſly threaten the Marſhall and all his Aſſiſtants, with very high terms, eſpecially wi h Arreſts and Impriſonments for this action.

The Marſhall alſo informed the Committee, that upon the twenty ſecond of March laſt, by a like Warrant from the Lord Conway, he ſearched the Biſhop's priſon, called the New priſon in Maid…n-lane in p. 298London, where he found ſix ſeveral Prieſts in ſeveral Chambers, an Altar with all furniture thereto belonging, &c. as much as three Porters could carry away, it being in the hands of the Lord Conway.

The Houſe of Commons agreed upon a petition to his Majeſty concerning Recuſants, That he would give order to remove from all places of Authority and Government, all ſuch perſons, as are either Popiſh Recuſants, or juſtly to be ſuſpected. Here they named many Lords, Knights, and Eſquires, in divers Counties of England. But this Parliament was ſoon after diſſolved.

A general… Faſt was obſerved, July 5. in the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, and places adjacent, and on the ſecond of August, throughout the Kingdom, to implore a bleſſing upon the endeavours of the State, and the diverting of thoſe judgments which the ſins of the Land deſerved and threatned.

Divers Lords of the Council were appointed to repair into their ſeveral Countries, for the advancement of a Loan to the King. This buſineſs occaſioned a complaint to the Lords of the Council againſt the Biſhop of Lincoln, for publickly ſpeaking words concerning it, which was conceived to be againſt the King and Government. Whereupon Sir John Lamb, and Dr. Sibthorp, informed the Council to this purpoſe, That many were grieved to ſee the Biſhop of Lincoln give place to unconformable Miniſters, when he turned his back to thoſe that were conformable, and how the Puritans ruled all with him, &c. The Informations given againſt the Biſhop of Lincoln being tranſmitted to the Council-Table, were ordered to be ſealed up, and committed to the cuſtody of Mr. Trumbal, one of the Clerks of the Council: nevertheleſs the Biſhop of Lincoln got a copy of them.

Dr. Sibthorp publiſhed a Sermon in Print, Preached by him at Northampton, February 22. 1626. at Lent Aſſizes, entitled; Apoſtolick Obedience. This Book was Licenſed by the Biſhop of London, who approved thereof. It was dedicated to the King; it was brought forth upon his Majeſties Commiſſion for raiſing of moneys by way of Loan.

Dr. Roger Manwaring promoted the ſame buſineſs in two Sermons Preached before the King and Court at Whitehall. The Papiſts at this time were very liberal on this occaſion, that it was then ſaid, That in the point of Allegiance then in hand, the Papiſts were exceeding Orthodox, and the Puritans were the onelyonly Recuſants.

1627. Archbiſhop Abbot having been long ſlighted at Court, now fell under the King's high diſpleaſure, for refuſing to Licenſe Dr. Sibthorp's Sermon forementioned, and not long after was ſuſpended from his Office and confined to his Houſe at Ford in Kent, and a Commiſſion was granted to the Biſhops of London, Durham, Rocheſter, Oxford, and p. 299Doctor Laud Biſhop of Bath and Wells, to execute Archiepiſcopal Juriſdiction. The occaſion of this Commiſſion was not diſcovered otherwiſe than by what was expreſſed in the Commiſſion it ſelf, viz. That the ſaid Archbiſhop could not at that preſent in his own perſon attend thoſe ſervices, which were otherwiſe proper for his cogniſance and juriſdiction; and which as Archbiſhop of Canterbury he might and ought in his own Perſon have performed and Executed.

The Archbiſhop for a memorial of theſe proceedings left to poſterity a Narrative penned with his own hand. The City of London was filled with the report of his Confining, and divers men ſpake diverſly of it.

The Papiſts in Ireland proffer to pay five thouſand men, if they might but enjoy a toleration. But that motion was cruſhed by Biſhop Downham's Sermon in Dublin, on Luke 1.74.

After this, the King being reſolved upon the calling of a Parliament, Archbiſhop Abbot, the Earl of Briſtol, and the Biſhop of Lincoln, notwithſtanding the cloud they are under, are had in conſideration by the King and Council, and Writs are Ordered to be ſent unto them to ſit in the Houſe as Peers in the enſuing Parliament.

A little before the Parliament aſſembled, a Society of Recuſants was taken in Clarkenwel. Divers of them were found to be Jeſuites, and the houſe wherein they were taken was deſigned to be a Colledge of that Order.Vid. Ruſhw. Collects. Ad Anno 1627. Among their Papers was found a Copy of a Letter written to their Father Rector at Bruxels diſcovering their deſigns upon this State, and their judgement of the temper thereof, with a conjecture of the ſucceſs of the enſuing Parliament.

A Parliament aſſembleth March 17. which proveth full of troubles. Money came from them heavily to the ſupply of the King's neceſſities: the rather, becauſe they complained of Doctrines deſtructive to their Propriety Preached at Court. For towards the end of the Seſſion of this Parliament Mr. Rouſe brought in a charge againſt Dr. Manwaring, which ſome days after was ſeconded with a Declaration. He was ſeverely cenſured for two Sermons he had Preached and Printed about the power of the King's Prerogative.

Four days after, it was ordered by the Houſe of Lords againſt him.

I. To be impriſoned during the pleaſure of the Houſe.

II. To be fined a thouſand pounds.

III. To make his ſubmiſſion at the Bar in this Houſe.

IV. To be ſuſpended from his Miniſterial function three years.

V. To be diſabled for ever hereafter from Preaching at Court.

VI. To be uncapable of any Secular Office.

p. 300VII That his Books are worthy to be burnt, and His Majeſty to be moved that it may be ſo in London.

But much of this Cenſure was remitted, in Conſideration of the performance of his humble ſubmiſſion at both the Bars in Parliament, Where he appeared on June the three and twentieth following, and on his knees before both Houſes ſubmitted himſelf with much outward expreſſion of ſorrow.

1628On Thurſday May 26. 1628.ended this Seſſion of Parliament, wherein divers abuſes of the Lord's day reſtrained. All Carriers, Carters, Waggoners, Wainmen, Drovers of Cattle, forbidden to travel therein; on the forfeit of twenty ſhillings for every offence, &c. A Law was alſo made, that whoſoever goeth himſelf or ſendeth others beyond the ſeas, to be trained up in Popery, &c. ſhall be diſabled to ſue, &c. and ſhall loſe all his goods, and forfeit all his lands for life.

On July 20. died D. Preſton of a Conſumption, and was buried at Fawſley in Northampton-ſhire, Mr. Dod Preaching his Funeral-ſermon: an Excellent Preacher; a ſubtil Diſputant, and good Polititian. About this time George Carleton, that grave and godly Biſhop of Chicheſter, ended his Pious life. He was bred and brought up under that holy man M. Bernard Gilpin (whoſe life he wrote in gratitude to his memory) and retained his youthful and Poetical ſtudies, freſh in his old age. Mr. Richard Mountague, one of a differing judgement ſucceeded in his See. At the ſame time the Rich Parſonage of Stanford-rivers in Eſſex was conferred on Dr. Manwaring, as voyd by Biſhop Mountague's preferment.

A Proclamation came forth declaring the King's pleaſure for proceedings with Popiſh Recuſants, and directions to his Commiſſioners for making Compoſitions for two parts of three of their eſtates, which by Law were due to His Majeſty. Nevertheleſs (for the moſt part) they got off upon eaſie terms by reaſon of compoſitions at undervalues. Dr. Barnaby Potter is now made Biſhop of Carlile.

This was ſeconded with another Proclamation, commanding, that diligent ſearch be made for all Prieſts and Jeſuites (particularly the Biſhop of Calcedon) and others that have taken Orders by Authority from the See of Rome, that they be apprehended, and committed to the Gaol of that County where they ſhall be found. Smith the titular Biſhop of Calcedon hereupon conveyed himſelf over into France, where he became a confident of Cardinal Richlieu's.

This year died Toby Mathew Archbiſhop of York. George Mountain ſucceeded him, but died a few moneths after. During the ſitting of the Parliament, one Dr. Leighton a Scottiſh man preſented a Book unto them, exciting the Parliament and people to kill all the Biſhops, and p. 301to ſmite them under the fifth Rib. He bitterly inveighed againſt the Queen, calling her a Daughter of Heth, a Canaanite and Idolatreſs: and Zions plea was the ſpecious title of his Pamphlet, for which he was ſentenced in the Star-chamber to be whipt and ſtigmatized, to have his ears cropt, and noſe ſlit; which cenſure was inflicted on him.

On Auguſt 23. 1628. The Duke of Buckingham was Murthered at Portſmouth by one Lieutenant Felton. After the death of the Duke, the King highly favoured Dr. Laud Biſhop of London, to whom he ſent many gratious meſſages.

Some three years ſince, certain Feoffees were legally ſetled in truſt to purchaſe in Impropriations with their own and other well-diſpoſed perſons money, and with their profit to ſet up and maintain a conſtant Preaching Miniſtry in places of greateſt need, where the word was moſt wanting. The Feoffes were twelve in number diverſly qualified,

William Gouge Doctor in Divinity,

Richard Sibbs Doctor in Divinity,

Charles Off-ſpring.

John Davenport.

Ralph Eyre of Lincolns Inne.

Sa. Brown of Lincolns Inne.

C. Sherland of Grays Inne.

John Whitè of the Middle Temple.

John Gearing Citizen.

Richard Davis Citizen.

Geo. Harwood Citizen.

Francis Bridges Citizen.

It is incredible, what large ſumms were advanced in a ſhort time toward ſo laudable a work.

In March Biſhop Davenant preaching his courſe on a Sunday in Lent at White-hall before the King and Court; In his Sermon he was conceived to fall on ſome forbidden points, inſomuch that his Majeſty manifeſted much diſpleaſure thereat: for which he is convented before the Council, where Dr. Harfenet, Archbiſhop of York, aggravated his offence. His anſwer was, that he had delivered nothing but the received Doctrine of our Church eſtabliſhed in the ſeventeenth Article, and that he was ready to juſtifie the truth of what he had then taught. Their anſwer was the Doctrine was not gain-ſaid, but his Highneſs had given Command theſe queſtions ſhould not be debated; and therefore he took it more offenſively that any ſhould be ſo bold, as in his own hearing to break his Royal Commands. Here the Archbiſhop of York aggravated the offence from many other Circumſtances. His Reply p. 302was onelyonly this, That he never underſtood that his Majeſty had forbid a handling of any Doctrine compriſed in the Articles of our Church, but onelyonly raiſing of new queſtions, or adding of new ſenſe thereunto, which he had not done, nor ever ſhould do.

Anno 1630. died Thomas Dove, Biſhop of Peterborough. The Non-conformiſts complained of his ſeverity in aſſerting Eccleſiaſtical diſcipline. He was an aged man, being the onelyonly Queen Elizabeth's Biſhop that died in the Reign of King Charles.

Fuller. Church Hiſt. An. 1631.Anno 1631. began great diſcontents to grow in the Univerſity of Oxford. Many conceived that Innovations (defended by others for Renovations, and now onelyonly reduced as uſed in the primitive times) were multiplied in Divine Service. Whereat offended, they, in their Sermons, brake forth into (what was interpreted) bitter invectives. Dr. Smith Warden of Wadham-colledge convented Mr Thorn of Baliol-colledge, and Mr. Ford of Magdalen-hall, as offenders againſt the King's Inſtructions, and ordered them to bring in the Copies of their Sermons. Biſhop Laud procured the cauſe to be heard before the King at Woodſtock; and 1. The Preachers complained of were expelled the Univerſity. 2. The Proctors were deprived of their place for accepting their Appeal. 3. Dr. Prideaux and Dr Wilkinſon were ſhrewdly checked for engaging in their behalf. The expulſion of theſe Preachers encreaſed the Differences in Oxford.

This year died that eminent Preacher Mr. Arthur Hilderſam. After he had entred into his Miniſtry, he met with many troubles. He was ſilenced by the High Commiſſion in June Anno 1590. and reſtored by the High Commiſſion in January 1591. He was ſilenced by Biſhop Chaderton. April 24. 1605. reſtored by Biſhop Barlow in January 1608. Silenced by Biſhop Neile in November 1611. reſtored by Dr. Ridley June 20. 1625. Silenced by the Court at Leiceſter Mar. 4. 1630. reſtored by the ſame Court 1631. He was Miniſter of Aſhby de la Zouch forty and three years. The ſame year died Robert Bolton Miniſter of Broughton in Northampton-ſhire, an Authoritative Preacher.

Now a Bill was exhibited in the Exchequer-chamber by Mr. Noy the Attourney-general againſt the Feoffees for Impropriations. It was charged againſt them, that they diverted the Charity wherewith they were intruſted, to other uſes. That they generally preferred Non-conformiſts to the Lectures of their erection. The Court condemned their proceedings as Dangerous to the Church and State, pronouncing the Gifts, Feoffments, and contrivances made to the uſe aforeſaid, to be illegal, and ſo diſſolved the ſame, confiſcating their money to the King's uſe.

About this time died Samuel Harſenet Archbiſhop of York. He lies buried at Chigwel Church in Eſſex, where he built a School.

p. 303Now the Sabbatarian controverſie began to be revived. Theophilus Bradburn, a Miniſter of Suffolk, had five years before ſet forth a book, Entitled. A defence of the moſt ancient and Sacred Ordinance of God, the Sabbath-day. Francis White now Biſhop of Ely was employed by his Majeſty to confute Mr. Bradburn's erroneous opinion. In the writing whereof many ſtrict people were offended at ſome expreſſions dropping from his pen. Hereupon many Books were wrote, and controverſies on this ſubject were multiplied. Theſe were diſtinguiſhed into three ſeveral opinions.

Sabbatarians.

Moderate men.

Anti-ſabbatarians.

In Sommerſet-ſhire ſome of the Juſtices were offended at the keeping of Wakes, Church-ales, &c. on the Lord's day, which occaſioned many diſorders to be committed. They moved the Lord Chief-juſtice Richardſon, and Baron Denham then in their circuit in the Lent-vacation to make ſome order therein. Theſe in compliance with their deſire, make an Order to ſuppreſs ſuch Revels, in regard of the manifold inconveniences daily ariſing thereby,Sir. Rich. Baker's Chro. enjoyning the Conſtables to deliver a Copy thereof to the Miniſter of every Pariſh, who on the firſt Sunday in Feburary, and likewiſe the two firſt Sundays before Eaſter, was to pub iſh the ſame every year. This was looked upon by the Biſhops as an Uſurpation of Eccleſiaſtical juriſdiction, and they therefore procured a Commiſſion directed to the Biſhop of Bath and Wells, and other Divines, and to enquire into the manner of publiſhing this Order, and the carriage of the Judges in the Buſineſs. Notwithſtanding which, the Chief-juſtice at the next Aſſizes gave ſtrict charge againſt the Revels, requiring an account of the pub ication and execution of the former order, puniſhing ſome perſons for the breach thereof. This Order was af erward revoked; And hereupon, the Juſtices of that County made an humble ſupplication to the King for ſuppreſſing the foreſaid Aſſemblies.

In this juncture of time a Declaration for ſports on the Lord's day, publiſhed in the Reign of King James, was revived, and enlarged. This gave great diſtaſt to many, and ſome Miniſters were ſuſpended, and ſome deprived ab officio & beneficio; and more vexed in the High-commiſſion. All Biſhops urged not the reading of the Book with rigour alike, nor puniſhed the refuſal with equal ſeverity. The thickeſt complaints came from the Dioceſs of Norwich, and of Bath and Wells. Much was the Archbiſhop's moderation in his own Dioceſe, ſilencing but three (in whom alſo a concurrence of other Non-conformities) through the whole extent thereof.

p. 304Here it is much to be lamented, that ſuch who at the time of the Sabbatarian controverſie were the ſtrictect obſervers of the Lord's day, are now become (in another extreme) the greateſt neglecters, yea contemners thereof.

Now ſuch Iriſh Impropriations as were in the Crown, were by the King reſtored to the Church, to the great Diminiſhing of the Royal Revenue. And Archbiſhop Laud was a worthy Inſtrument in moving the King to ſo pious a work.

A Convocation (concurrent with a Parliament) was called, and held at Dublin in Ireland, wherein the Nine and thirty Articles of the Church of England were received in Ireland for all to ſubſcribe to.

Dr. William Juxon Biſhop of London, was made Lord Treaſurer of England, whoſe carriage was ſo diſcreet in that place, that it procured a general love to him.

Anno 1635. Archbiſhop Laud kept his Metropolitical Viſitation, and hence-forward Conformity was more vigorouſly preſſed than before: Now many differences about Divine Worſhip began to ariſe, and many Books were written pro and con. One controverſie was about the Holyneſs of our Churches. Another about Adoration towards the Altar. A Controverſie was alſo ſtarted about the poſture of the Lord's Boord, Communion-table, or Altar. This laſt controverſie was proſecuted with much needleſs animoſity. Indeed if moderate men had had the managing of theſe matters, the accommodation had been eaſie.

In June Anno 1636. Mr. Prynne, Dr. Baſtwick, and Mr. Burton, were ſentenced in the High-commiſſion-court. Some three years ſince Mr. Pyrnne ſet forth a Book, called Hiſtrio-maſtrix, for which he was cenſured to loſe his ears on the Pillory, and for a long-time (after two removals to the fleet) Impriſoned in the Tower: whence he diſperſed New Pamphlets, againſt the eſtabliſhed Diſcipline of the Church of England, for which he was indited in the Star-chamber.

Dr. John Baſtwick ſet forth a Book, Entitled Flagellum Pontificis, & Epiſcoporum latialium, in a fluent Latine Style. He was accuſed in the High-commiſſion, committed to the Gate-houſe, where he wrote a ſecond Book, taxing the injuſtice of the proceedings of the High-commiſſion, for which he was indited in the Star-chamber.

Mr. Burton Preached a Sermon on the laſt fifth of November. On Prov. 24.21. My ſon, fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are ſubject to change. This Sermon was afterwards Printed, charging the Prelats for Introducing ſeveral Innovations in Divine Worſhip, for which as a Libel, he was indited in the Star-chamber. Mr. P…ynne's Plea is rejected, and his anſwer refuſed; ſo is Dr. Baſtwick's: and Mr. Burton's is caſt out for imperfect. The Cenſure of the Court was, that they ſhould loſe their ears in the Palace-yard p. 305at Weſtminſter, fining them alſo five thouſand pounds a man to his Majeſty, and perpetual Impriſonment in three remote places. The Lord Finch added to Mr. Prynne's Cenſure, that he ſhould be branded in each Cheek with S. L. for a ſlanderous Libeller, to which the whole Court agreed. Two days after, three Pillories were ſet up in Palace-yard; or one double one, and a ſingle one at ſome diſtance, for Mr. Prynne, as the chief offender. Mr. Burton firſt ſuffered, making a long ſpeech in the Pillory, not entire; but interrupted with occaſional expreſſions; His ears were cut ſo cloſe, that the Head-artery being cut, the blood abundantly ſtreamed down upon the Scaffold, at which he did not ſhrink at all

Dr. Baſtwick ſucceeded him. His friends highly commended the erection of his mind over pain and ſhame. Others conceived, that anger in him acted the part of patience, as to the ſtout undergoing of his ſufferings.

The Cenſure was with all rigour executed on Mr. Prynne, commended more for his kindly patience than either of his Predeceſſors in that place. Not long after they were removed, Mr. Prynne to Carnarvan-caſtle in Wales; Dr. Baſtwick and Mr. Burton, the one to Lancaſter-caſtle; the other to Lanceſton in Cornwal. The two latter again were removed, one to the Iſle of Scilly; the other to the Iſle of Gernezey, and Mr. Prynne to Mount-orguile-caſtle in Jerſey.

Next came the Biſhop of Lincoln to be Cenſured in the Star-chamber.The Biſhop of Lincoln cenſured. After the great Seal ſome ten years ſince taken from him, he retired himſelf to Bugden in Huntington-ſhire, where he lived very hoſpitably, and had great concourſe. Among others, Sir John Lamb, Dean of the Arches, formerly a favourite of the Biſhop of Lincoln (fetcht off from being proſecuted in Parliament, and Knighted by his means) with Dr. Sibthorp, Allen and Burden, two Proctors, came to viſit him: and being at dinner with him there was much diſcourſe about Non-conformiſts. The Biſhop knowing theſe to be buſie men in the proſecution of ſuch, adviſed them to take off their heavy hand from them, informing them, that the King intended to uſe them hereafter with more mildneſs &c. adding that He had communicated this unto him by his own mouth.

A few years after Sir John Lamb upon ſome difference with the Biſhop, informed againſt him for revealing the King's ſecrets; whereupon an Information was put in againſt him in the Star-chamber, unto which Biſhop Williams by good advice of Counſel did plead and demurre, as containing no matter fit for the Cogniſance of that Court, as concerning words ſpoken of matters done in Parliament, and ſecrets pretended to be revealed by him, a Privy-counſellour, and Peer of Parliament, and therefore not to be heard but in that high Court. The Demurrer being rendred uſeleſs in the Biſhop's Defence, he put in a p. 306ſtrong plea, which likewiſe being argued and debated in open Court, came at laſt to the ſame fate with the demurrer, as referred to Judge Richardſon, and ſmothered by him in a Chamber.

This plea thus over-ruled, the Biſhop put in a ſpecial anſwer to the Information, declaring, how all was grounded by a Combination of the perſons named in the Bill, out of an intent to advance themſelves, &c. To this ſpecial anſwer, Attourney Noy rejoyned in iſſue, admitting the Biſhop to prove his ſpecial matters by his Witneſſes. After a while, the Attorney being ſomewhat remiſs in the proſecution, one Richard Kilvert, became the Biſhop's Proſecutor, who had found out, that one John Prigion, a Regiſter of Lincoln and Leiceſter, was a moſt material Witneſs in the Biſhop's defence, the credit of whoſe teſtimony he deſired to invalidate, by charging him with getting a Baſtard on one Elizabeth Hodſon. This Baſtard was by the Seſſions at Lincoln, ordered to be kept by Prigion, as the reputed Father thereof, but at a Seſſions following, the order was reverſed, and the Child fathered on one Bourn, and Prigion acquitted; and at a third Seſſions it is returned upon Prigion again. This laſt Order of Seſſions was again diſſolved as illegal, by the Judges of the King's Bench, and Prigion cleared from the Child charged on him: in the doing whereof it was ſaid, that Powel and Owen, two Agents of the Biſhops, did menace, and tamper, with the Witneſſes.

Hence-forward Kilvert let fall his firſt information in the Star-chamber, and employed all his power on the proof of Subornation, and therein he ſucceeded. The Biſhop was fined eight thouſand pounds, and a thouſand marks to Sir John Munſon, with Suſpenſion ab Officio, & Beneficio, and to be impriſoned during the King's pleaſure. All his Preferments in the Church were ſequeſtred to the uſe of the King; and the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, as Archbiſhop of the Province, exerciſed all kind of Eccleſiaſtical Juriſdiction throughout the Dioceſs of Lincoln, not only as an Ordinary of that Dioceſs, but as Viſitor of all thoſe Colledges, which had any dependance on that See. At the ſame time were fined, with the Biſhop, George Walker, his Secretary, Cadwallader Powel, his Steward, at three hundred pounds a piece, and Thomas Lund, the Biſhop's Servant, at a thouſand marks, all as Defendants in the ſame Cauſe; yet none of them was impriſoned, ſave Lund for a few weeks, and their fine never called upon to this day.

About four years after, viz. 1640. when this Biſhop was fetcht out of the Tower, and reſtored a Peer in Parliament he therein preſented ſeveral grievances, concerning the proſecution of this Cauſe againſt him. And the Parliament ordered all the Records of that Suit in the Star-chamber to be obliterated.

Sir Rich. Baker s Chron.In the year 1616. King James had obtained an Act of the General Aſſembly at Aberdeen, for the compiling a Liturgy, which was to be p. 307firſt preſented to the King, and, after his approbation, univerſally received throughout the Kingdom. This Book was framed, and ſent up to the King, who himſelf peruſed, reviſed it, referring it alſo to the conſideration of others, in whom he much confided. And after his own and their Obſervation, Additions, Expunctions, Mutations, &c. he returned it to Scotland, to be commended to that Church: but before a period was put to that buſineſs, the King died.

1637King Charles underſtanding his Father's intention, in compoſing a Liturgy for the Church of Scotland, ordereth the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, the Biſhop of Ely, together with divers other Biſhops of both Nations, to reviſe and correct (as they ſhould think meet) the Liturgy compiled in his Father's life-time (which very little differeth from that of England) ordereth it to be ſent to the Council in Scotland, to be made uſe of there.

On July twenty three, 1637. as the Dean of Edenborough began to read the Book in St. Giles his Church,Lambert Wood of the Life and Reign of King Charles. a ſudden uproar began by the women, and baſer ſort of people. The Biſhop appointed to preach, goes into the Pulpit, hoping to convince them of their irreverent carriage which nothing prevailed; for they were the more inſolent, flinging ſtools, ſtones, and whatever elſe came next to hand, at him, ſo that he hardly eſcaped with life. Divers other Churches were infeſted with the like fury: but by the Induſtry of the Archbiſhop of St. Andrews, Lord Chancellor, and other Magiſtrates, the tumult was appeaſed, ſome were afterwards apprehended, and endeavours made to find out the firſt beginner.

But not long after, a great concourſe of people, from all parts of that Kingdom, came to Edinborough, which occaſioned the Lords of the Council to put forth ſeveral Proclamations to prevent the like diſorders, but they nothing prevailed. For, the next day, the Biſhop of Galloway, going to the Council, was followed by a great multitude reviling him until he came to the Council-door, where he was no ſooner entred, but they beſet the Houſe with very great numbers, threatening deſtruction to all that were within. The Council require aid of the Provoſt, and other Magiſtrates of the City, who return anſwer, that they were in the like danger. The tumult ſtill increaſing, they of the City were forced, for the ſafeguard of their own lives, to ſubſcribe as followeth.

1. To joyn in oppoſition to the Service-book, and to petition againſt it,

2. To reſtore Ramſey and Rollock, two ſilenced Miniſters.

3. To receive in Mr. Henderſon, formerly ſilenced.

Which being ſigned, the Council thought was a good ſtep to ſuppreſs the tumult. But entring into the High-ſtreet, the Lord Treaſurer, and other Lords, were freſh aſſaulted, trodden underfoot, and p. 308brought back by violence to the Council-houſe; where being in great danger, they require aid of divers Noble-men, diſaffected to the Common-prayer-book, who promiſed, what aid they poſſibly could, and in the end returned home ſafe.

In the afternoon Proclamation was made at the Croſs at Ebenborough, to prevent the like diſorders, but to ſmall effect: ſome Citizens demanding the Reſtitution of the Miniſters, and the performance of what was ſubſcribed.

Suddenly two Petitions were preſented againſt the Common-prayer-book, and the Compoſers and Abettors of it; which Petitions were ſent to the King (with the narrative of the whole) who immediately ſent Inſtructions for adjourning the Term to Sterling, Lamb. Wood. Hiſtory King Charles.a ſtrong place, and to make Proclamation of ſevere penalties to be inflicted on the breakers of the peace, which was no ſooner proclaimed, but the Lord Hume, Lindſey, and divers others, proteſt againſt it, and in contempt of Authority compell'd the Heraulds to hear the Proteſt, or Covenant read.

Theſe troubleſome beginnings, did afterward occaſion the ſolemn League and Covenant, whereby the greateſt part of the Nation united themſelves to defend their Priviledges, as was pretended, and which laid the foundation of a long and woful War in both Kingdoms.

They erected a new Government among themſelves, which conſiſted of four Tables for the four Orders of the State,Heylin on the life of Archbiſhop Laud, part. 2. viz. the Noblemen, Barons, Burgeſſes, and Miniſters, Theſe fixed themſelves in Edenborough, leaving the Lords of Council and Seſſion to make merry at Sterling, where they had little elſe to do than to follow their pleaſures.

The Tables being formed, they reſolved upon renewing the ancient Confeſſion of that Kirk, with a Band thereunto ſubjoyned, but accommodated to the preſent occaſion, which had been ſigned by King James on January 28. Anno 1580. And by this Band they entred Covenant for maintenance of their Religion then profeſſed, and his Majeſty's perſon; but aiming at the contrary. And to this Covenant they required an Oath of all the Subjects, which was as great an Uſurpation of the Regal power, as they could take upon themſelves, for confirming their own authority, and the peoples obedience, in any project whatſoever, which ſhould afterwards iſſue from thoſe Tables.

Return we now to England, where we ſhall find things in a better condition, at leaſt to outward appearance. And now the Metropolitical viſitation having been carried into all parts of the Realm of England, and Dominion of Wales, the Archbiſhop of Canterbury began to caſt his eye upon the Iſlands of Guernſey and Jerſey, two Iſlands lying on the Coaſt of Normandy, to the Dukedom whereof they once belonged, and in the Right of that Dukedom to the Crown of England. As parts of Normandy they were ſubject in Eccleſiaſtical matters to the Biſhops of Conſtance p. 309in that Dukedom,Heylin's Hiſt. of Archbiſhop Laud. Ad An. 1637. and ſo continued till the Reformation of Religion here in England, and were then added to the Dioceſs and Juriſdiction of the Biſhops of Winchester.

But the Genevian Diſcipline being more agreeable to ſuch Preachers as came to them from France, they obtained the exerciſe thereof in the eighth year of Queen Elizabeth, Anno 1565. The whole Goverment diſtinguiſhed into two Claſſes, both meeting in a Synod every ſecond or third year, according to the order of their Book of Diſcipline (digeſted by Snape and Cartwright) in a Synod held at Guernſey, June 28. 1576.

In this manner they continued till King James his time, when the Churches in the Iſle of Jerſey, falling into ſome diſorder, and being under an immediate Governor, who was no great friend to Calvin's Platform, they were neceſſitated, for avoiding a great miſchief, to caſt themſelves into the Arms of the Church of England.

The principal Eccleſiaſtical Officer, whilſt they were under the Biſhops of Conſtance, had the Title of Dean, for each Iſland one; the ſeveral powers, both of the Chancellor and Archdeacon, being united in his Perſon.

This Office is reſtored again, his Juriſdiction marked out, his Fees appointed, his Revenue ſetled; but made accountable for his Adminiſtration to the Biſhop's of Wincheſter.

The Engliſh Liturgy is tranſlated alſo into French, to be read in their Churches: Inſtructions firſt, and afterwards a Body of Canons framed, for regulating both Miniſters and people in their ſeveral duties.

Now it was reſolved, that the Metropolitical viſitation ſhould be held in each of them at the next opening of the Spring. And the Archbiſhop had deſigned a Perſon for his principal Viſitor, who had ſpent ſome time in either Iſland, and was well acquainted with the Bailiffs, Miniſters, and Men of ſpecial note among them. But the Affairs of Scotland growing worſe, this Council was laid by.

But theſe Iſlands were not out of his mind. The Iſlanders uſed to breed ſuch of their Sons, as they deſigned for the Miniſtry, either at Saumur, or Geneva, from whence they returned well-ſeaſoned with Calviniſm. Therefore to allure the people to ſend their Children to Oxon, or Cambridge, he thought of providing ſome preferment for them in our Univerſities.

It now happened, that one Hubbard, the Heir of Sir Miles Hubbard, Citizen and Alderman of London, died, to whom, upon an Inquiſition taken after his death in due form of Law, no Heir was found, which could lay claim to his Eſtate. Which ſo unexpectedly fallen to the Crown, and being a fair Eſtate withall, the Archbiſhop perſwaded his Majeſty to beſtow ſome ſmall part thereof upon pious uſes. And ſo much was allotted out of it, as, for the preſent, ſerved ſufficiently to endow three Fellowſhips, p. 310for the perpetual education of ſo many of the Natives of Guernſey and Jerſey. Theſe Fellowſhips to be founded in Exeter, Jeſus, and Pembrook Colledges, that being diſperſt into ſeveral Houſes, there might be an increaſe both of Fellows, and Revenues of the ſaid Foundations. By means whereof he did (as Doctor Heylin obſerveth) both piouſly and prudently provide for thoſe Iſlands, and the advancement of Conformity among them for the future.

It is not to be thought, that the Papiſts were all this while aſleep. Pancani arriving in England, An. 1636.brought with him many pretended Relicks of Saints, Medals and pieces of Gold, with the Pope's Picture ſtamped upon on them, to be diſtributed among thoſe of the Party, but chiefly to the Ladies of the Court; and Countrey, to whom he made the greateſt part of his Applications. Then he practiſed upon ſome of the principal Lords, and uſed his beſt endeavours to be brought into the acquaintance of the Lord Archbiſhop of Canterbury. But his Grace neither liked the Man, nor the Meſſage he came about, and admitted him neither to complement, nor communication. However! the Popiſh faction multiplying in ſome numbers about the Court, reſorted more openly to the Maſſes at Sommerſet-houſe, where the Capuchins had obtained both a Chappel and Convent. Of this none bears the blame but the Archbiſhop, who is traduced in Libels, and common talk, for the principal Architect in the plot, and the contriver of the miſchief.

Awakened by ſo many Alarms, he had good cauſe to look about him, but more at the great noiſe not long after raiſed about the ſeduceing of the Counteſs of Newport, to the Church of Rome, effected by the practices of Walter Mountague, a younger Son of the Earl of Mancheſter, and the importunities of Toby Mathews (an undeſerving Son of a worthy Father.) Con interpoſing in it as he found occaſion. Wherefore he paſſionately beſought the King, that they might be barred, either from coming into the Court at all, or to give no offence and ſcandal to their misbehaviours. Hereupon Mountague, and Mathews, were diſcharged the Court, the one betaking himſelf to his Countrey-practice, the other for a time to his former Travels in France and Italy.

The next year he moved for a Proclamation, for the calling in of a Popiſh Book, written in French by Francis Sales, Biſhop of Geneva, tranſlated into Engliſh, entitled an Introduction to a holy life. The Printer was thereupon apprehended, and the Tranſlator diligently ſought for to be brought to Juſtice. His Majeſty cauſed the ſaid Book to be called in, and as many as could be ſeized on, to be publickly burned.

But that which did moſt generally vindicate the Archbiſhop's reputation, was the enlarging and re-printing of his Conference with Fiſher the Jeſuite, even then when the Libellers were moſt fierce againſt him, to which he had been moved by ſome private friends, and afterwards adviſed to it by the King himſelf at the Council-Table.

p. 311Now as he laboured by theſe means to preſerve the Church of England from the growth of Popery, ſo he took care for preventing the ſubverſion of it by the ſpreading of Socinian Hereſies. He alſo procured a Decree to paſs in Star-chamber, to regulate the Trade of Printing, and prevent all abuſes of that Excellent Art to the diſturbance of the Church.

Many Lecturers, who had been ſuper-inducted into other Men's Cures, had deſerted their Stations,Heylin's Hiſt. of Archbiſh. Laud. becauſe they would not read the Common-prayer in their Hoods and Surplices. And as for the poſition of the Communion-Table, it was no longer left to private Inſtructions, as it was at the firſt. It now began to be more openly avowed in the Viſitation Articles of ſeveral Biſhops and Archdeacons.

The people in many trading Towns, which were near the Sea, having been long diſcharged of the bond of Ceremonies, no ſooner came to hear of the leaſt noiſe of a Conformity, but they ſpurn at it. And finding that they had loſt the comfort of their Lecturers, and that their Miniſters began to ſhrink at the name of a Viſitation, it was no hard matter for thoſe Miniſters, and Lecturers, to perſwade them to remove their dwellings, and tranſport their Trades.

Among the firſt which ſeparated upon this account, were Goodwyn, Nye, Burroughs, Bridge, and Symſon, who taking ſome of their followers with them, betook themſelves unto Holland. Goodwyn and Nye retired to Arnheim, a Town of Gelderland; Symſon and Bridge fixed at Rotterdam: where Burroughs placed himſelf I am yet to ſeek. Theſe men embraced Robinſon's moddel of Church-government in their Congregations, conſiſting of a co-ordination of ſeveral Churches for their mutual comfort, not a ſubordination of one to the other in the way of direction or command. Hence came that name of Independents, continued unto thoſe among us, who neither aſſociate themſelves with the Pre… byterians, nor embrace the frenzies of the Anabaptiſts But Rotterdam grew too narrow a place for Bridge and Symſon, and Symſon was forced to leave it, and Ward, who ſucceeded him, tarried not long. More unity there was at Arnheim.

But the Brethren of the Separation in England, deſiring elbow-room, caſt their eye chiefly on New-England, a Countrey firſt diſcovered, to any purpoſe, by Captain Goſnold, Anno 1602. and in the next year ſurveyed more perfectly by ſome of Briſtol; afterwards granted by King James, Anno 1606. unto a Corporation of Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, to be planted and diſpoſed of for the Publick, under the direction of Chief Juſtice Popham, by whom a Colony was ſent thither in the year next following, at what time they built St. George's Fort to ſecure their Haven. It never ſetled into form till the building of New-Plinmouth, Anno 1620. New-Briſtol, New-Boſton, and New-Barnſtable, being quickly added to the other.

p. 312De Laet lib. 3. ca. 8.De Laet, a good Chorographer, informeth us, in his Deſcription of America, that the firſt Planters, and thoſe which followed after them, were altogether of that Sect, which in England were called Browniſts, many of which had formerly betaken themſelves to Holland, but afterwards departed thence to joyn with their Brethren in New-England. In this eſtate they ſtood, Anno 1633. when John de Laet gave that character of them.

Whatſoever were the cauſes of their ſeparation, Doctor Heylin ſaith, the crime was laid on the Archbiſhop of Canterbury: and among the Articles of his Impeachment by the Houſe of Commons, we find this for one, viz. That in his own perſon, and his Suffragans, Viſitors, Chancellors, &c. he had cauſed divers learned, pious, and orthodox Preachers of God's Word to be ſilenced, ſuſppended, deprived, excommunicated, or otherwiſe grieved, and vexed without any juſt cauſe, &c. and cauſed divers of his Majeſties Subjects to forſake the Kingdom. Hereupon (ſaith Doctor Heylin) ſo is the Judge to be accuſed for all thoſe miſchiefs, which the condemned Malefactors, when they once break priſon, may deſign, and execute. And (ſaith my Author further) the principal Bell-weathers of theſe Flocks were Cotton, Chauncy, Wells, Hooker, and perhaps Hugh Peters.

It was once under conſultation to ſend a Biſhop over to them, for their better government, and back him with ſome Forces to compel, if he he were not otherwiſe able to perſwade, obedience.

But this deſign was ſtrangled in the firſt conception, by the violent breakings out of the Troubles in Scotland, where the Covenanters now began to raiſe Arms, levy Souldiers, invite home their Commanders abroad, impoſe Taxes upon the people, ſeize ſome of the King's Caſtles, raiſe Fortifications, prepare for a War, and choſe old David Leſley for their General.

Saunderſon of the Reign of King Charles.To pacifie theſe diſtempers, Hamilton is deſigned for the King's High-Commiſſioner into Scotland. The Biſhops, and others, adviſed the King to have delegated the Marquiſs of Huntley for his High-Commiſſioner, to manage the Affairs of Scotland. Hamilton trifleth away the time from July 32. 1637. until June 6. 1638. with Declarations, Proclamations, Meſſages, Letters, while the Scots raiſed Officers, Arms, Ammunition from abroad: four months more in vain Diſputes, and three Journeys to the King, and back again, with the expence of ſo much money as might have reduced them by reward, or power. On May 26. he ſets forward for Scotland, and coming to Edenborough, puts himſelf into Holy-Rood-houſe, where the firſt thing he did was, the waving of his attendance at the reading of the Engliſh Liturgy. Then he publiſhed the King's gratious Proclamation for the nulling of Service-book and High-Commiſſion, promiſing an Aſſembly to be held at Glaſcow, November 21. 1638. and a Parliament at Edenborough, May 15. 1639. But nothing ſatisfied.

p. 313But before the Aſſembly at Glaſcow was indicted, the Covenanters had ſo laid the plot, that none but thoſe of their own party ſhould have ſuffrage in it, not ſuffering the Archbiſhops and Biſhops to ſit as Moderators in their Presbyteries, where the Elections were to paſs; and citing them to appear as Criminal perſons at the ſaid Aſſembly. The Archbiſhops, and Biſhops, in the name of themſelves and of all their Adherents, prepared their declinator, or proteſtation againſt the ſaid General Aſſembly, and all the Acts and Concluſions of it, as being void and null in Law to all intents and purpoſes whatſoever: The day being come, Hamilton marcheth to the place appointed for the Seſſion, in the equipage of an High-Commiſſioner, the Sword and Seal being carried before him, &c. The reading of his Commiſſion, the putting in and rejecting of the declinator, the chuſing of Henderſon to be Moderator of the Aſſembly, the conſtituting of the Members of it, and ſome debates touching Votes and Suffrages, challenged by Hamilton for ſuch as were Aſſeſſors to him, took up all their time, betwixt their firſt meeting and their diſſolution, which was by proclamation ſolemnly declared on the twenty ninth of the ſame month.

But notwithſtanding the ſaid diſſolution, the Members of the ſaid Aſſembly continued their Seſſion, and therein paſſed many Acts for the utter overthrow of the Polity and Government of the Church. They not only excommunicated the Biſhops and their Adherents, but condemned the very Function it ſelf to be Antichriſtian, and utterly to be aboliſhed out of the Church. The like cenſure alſo they paſſed on the Service-book and the Canons, with the five Articles of Perth, and all the Arminian Tenets in caſe of Predeſtination, and declared all men ſubject to excommunication, and all other cenſures of the Church, who ſhould refuſe to yield obedience to all their determinations. And albeit his Majeſty, by the ſame Proclamation, had commanded all his Subjects not to yield obedience to any of their Acts and Ordinances, yet thoſe of the Aſſembly were reſolved to maintain their Authority: and not only the Biſhops and Clergy, but alſo as many of the Laity as had refuſed to ſubſcribe to the Acts thereof, were deprived of their Offices and Preferments, baniſhed their Country, and forced to fly into England, or other places, the King being unable to protect them from the power and malice of their Adverſaries.

The King now thinks of raiſing an Army againſt the Scots:Sir Rich. Baker's Chron. and a Loan, for the King's aſſiſtance againſt the Scots, is ſubſcribed by many Lords of the Council, and Biſhops, &c. Cardinal Richlieu was no ſmall Incendiary in this buſineſs betwixt the King and Scots, who ſent his Chaplain, and Almoner, Mr. Thomas Chamberlain, a Scotch-man, to aſſiſt the Confederates in advancing the buſineſs, and to attempt all wayes of exaſperation, and not to depart from them till he might return with good news in this project.

p. 314About the latter end of this year died John Spottiſwood, Archbiſhop of St. Andrews, at London, and was buried near unto King James in the Abbey-church of Weſtminſter.

The King began his journey towards the North on March twenty ſeven, his Army being advanced before, the chief command whereof was committed to the Earl of Arundel.

The Scots preſented a Petition to the King at his Camp near Berwick. And Commiſſioners being on both ſides appointed, they came at laſt to this concluſion, on June 17. viz. firſt, That his Majesty ſhould confirm whatſoever his Commiſſioner hath already granted in his Majeſties name, and that from thenceforth all matters Eccleſiaſtical ſhould be determined by the Aſſemblies of the Kirk, and all matters civil by the Parliament: and to that end a General Aſſembly to be indicted on the ſixth of Auguſt, and a Parliament on the twentieth of the ſame month, in which Parliament an Act of Oblivion was to paſs for the common peace and ſatisfaction of all parties: that the Scots, upon the publication of the accord, ſhould within forty eight hours disband all their Forces, diſcharge all pretended Tables and Conventicles, reſtore unto the King all his Caſtles, Forts, and Ammunition of all ſorts: the like reſtitution to be made to all his good Subjects of their liberties, lands, goods, &c. taken and detained from them, ſince the late pretended General Aſſembly at Glaſcow: that thereupon the King ſhould preſently recal his Fleet, and retire his Land-forces, and cauſe reſtitution to be made to all perſons of their goods detained, and arreſted, ſince the firſt of February.

But as for the proceedings of the Aſſembly at Glaſcow, they ſeem to have been left in the ſame condition in which they ſtood before his Majeſties taking Arms. And the King doing nothing to the abrogating of them, when he was in the Head of a powerful Army, he could not expect, that the Scots could yield to any ſuch abrogation, when he had no ſuch Army to compel obedience.

And this immediately appeared on his Majeſties ſigning the Agreement, and diſcharging his Army thereupon.

For the Covenanters, upon the declaration of this accord, produced a Proteſtation.

Firſt, Of adhering to their late General Aſſembly at Glaſcow, and to all the proceedings there, eſpecially the ſentences of Deprivation, and Excommunication, of the ſometimes pretended Biſhops of that Kingdom, as they were termed.

Secondly, Of adhering to their ſolemn Covenant, and declaration of the Aſſembly, whereby the Office of Biſhops is abjured.

Thirdly, That the Biſhops have been malitious Incendiaries of his Majeſty againſt this Kingdom by their wicked calumnies; and that if they return to this Kingdom, they be eſteemed, and uſed, as accurſed, &c.

p. 315Fourthly, That all the entertainers of the excommunicated Biſhops ſhould be orderly proceeded againſt with Excommunication, conform to the Acts and Conſtitutions of this Kirk.

They continued their Meetings, and Conſultations, as before they did, maintained their Fortifications at Leith, the Port-town to Edenborough, and kept their Officers and Commanders in continual pay. His Majeſty hereupon ſent for ſome of the Chiefs of them to come unto him to Berwick, but was refuſed in his Commands. The Earls of Kinnoul, and Traquair, Chief Juſtice Elphinston, and Sir James Hamilton, all Privy Counſellors, were pulled violently out of their Coach, on a ſuſpition that ſome Biſhops were diſguiſed among them; that the King might have ſome cauſe to ſuſpect, that there could be no ſafety for him in ſuch a place, and among people ſo enraged, notwithſtanding his great clemency toward them in the pacification.

In this condition of Affairs his Majeſty returned toward London in the end of July 1639.Heylin's Hiſt. of Archbiſh. Laud. part. 2. leaving the Scots to play their own game as they liſted; having firſt nominated Traquair, as his High-Commiſſioner, for managing both the Aſſembly and the following Parliament.

In the firſt meeting of the two, they acted over all the parts they had plaid at Glaſcow, to the utter abolition of Epiſcopacy, and the ruine of all that adhered to it, their actings in it being confirmed in his name by the High-Commiſſion.

The news whereof cauſed the King to ſend for the Lord Wentworth out of Ireland, who was preſently made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and not long after, with great ſolemnity, created Earl of Strafford in the County of York. As Lord Lieutenant he had power to appoint a Deputy, that he might the better attend the ſervice here without any prejudice to that Kingdom: which Office he committed to Wansford, a York-ſhire Gentleman, whom he had took along with him into Ireland at his firſt going thither.

His Majeſty was pleaſed to commit the conduct of the Scottiſh Affairs to a Juncto of three, namely, the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, the Earl of Strafford, and the Marquiſs of Hammilton.

Theſe three move his Majeſty to call a Parliament: and it was concluded, that a Parliament ſhould be called on April 13. 1640. In the mean time the Lord Lieutenant held a Parliament in Ireland, and ſo governed the affair, that an Army of eight thouſand Horſe and Foot was ſpeedily raiſed, and money granted by the Parliament to keep them in pay, to furniſh them with Ammunition, Arms, and all other neceſſaries.

And the Lords of the Council here ſubſcribed largely for the carrying on of the War, until ſuch time as the Parliament ſhould convene.

p. 316The Scots being informed of the King's preparation for a War, ſent the Earl of Dumferling, the Lord London, Sir William Douglas, and Mr. Barkham, to repreſent the Affairs of their tranſactions, which were received by the King in a friendly manner.

Some dayes being unprofitably ſpent in theſe debates, the Archbiſhop, and the reſt of the Committee delegated for this buſineſs, made a report of the whole buſineſs to the reſt of the Council, who came to this reſult, That ſince the Scots could not be reclaimed to their obedience by other means, they were to be reduced by force.

Therefore the Scots as much beſtirred themſelves on the other ſide. Part of the walls of Edenborough-caſtle, with all the Ordnance upon it, had fallen down on the nineteenth of November laſt, being the Anniverſary day of his Majeſties birth, for the repair whereof they would neither ſuffer Timber, nor other Materials, to be carried to it: but on the contrary, they began to raiſe Fortifications againſt it, with an intent to block it up, and render it unuſeful to his Majeſties ſervice. Neither would they ſuffer the Souldiers to come into the Market to recruit their victuals. They made proviſions of great quantity of Artillery, Munition, and Arms, from forreign parts; laid Taxes of ten Marks in the hundred upon all the Subjects; ſcattered abroad many ſeditious Pamphlets, for juſtifying themſelves, and ſeducing others; ſome of which were burnt, in England, by the hand of the Hangman; fortified Inchgarvy, and other places; impriſoned the Earl of Southesk, and other Perſons of Quality, for their fidelity to the King: took to themſelves the government of Edenborough; and employed their Emiſſaries in England, to ſollicit them to aid them in maintaining the War againſt their Sovereign.

But their chief coreſpondence was with France, and Ireland. In France they had made ſure of Cardinal Richlieu, who governed all Affairs in that Kingdom. In Ireland they had a ſtrong party of natural Scots, planted in Ʋlſter by King James, upon the forfeited Eſtates of Tir-Owen, Tir-Connel, Odighirty, &c. But Wentworth cruſhed them in the beginning of the combination, ſeizing upon ſuch Ships and Men as came thither from Scotland, impriſoning ſome, fining others, and putting an Oath upon the reſt. By which Oath they were bound to abjure the Covenant, not to aid the Covenanters againſt the King, nor to proteſt againſt any of his royal Edicts, as their Brethren in Scotland uſe to do: for the refuſing of which Oath, he fined one Sir Henry Steward, and his Wife, at no leſs than five thouſand pound apiece, two of their Daughters, and one James Gray of the fame confederacy, at the ſum of three thouſand pound apiece, committing them to priſon for not paying the fines impoſed on them.

Some Scots having endeavoured to betray the Town and Caſtle of Carick fergus to a Noble-man of that Countrey, the principal Conſpirator was executed.

p. 317Finally, The Lord Lieutenant gave a power to the Biſhop of Down and Connor, and other Biſhops of that Kingdom, and their ſeveral Chancellors, to attach the bodies of all ſuch of the meaner ſort, who either ſhould refuſe to appear before them upon citation, or to perform all lawful Decrees, and Orders, made by the ſaid Biſhops, &c. and to commit them to the next Gaol, till they ſhould conform, or anſwer the contempt at the Council-Table. By means whereof the poorer ſort became very obedient to their ſeveral Biſhops.

In the mean time the Archbiſhop of Canterbury is intent on the preſervation of the Hierarchy, and the Church of England againſt the practices of the Scots, and Scotizing Engliſh: and no leſs buſied in digeſting an Apology for vindicating the Liturgy commended to the Kirk of Scotland. He took order for tranſlating the Scottiſh Liturgy into the Latin Tongue, that being publiſhed with the Apology which he had deſigned, it might give ſatisfaction to the world of his Majeſties Piety, and his own great care, the orthodoxy and ſimplicity of the Book it ſelf, and the perverſeneſs of the Scots in refuſing all of it. Which Work was finiſhed, and left with him: the preſent diſtemper of the times, and the troubles which fell heavily on him, putting an end to it in the firſt beginning.

He recommended to Doctor Hall, then Biſhop of Exon, the writing of a Book in defence of the Divine right of Epiſcopacy, in oppoſition to the Scots and their Adherents.

Exeter having undertaken it, ſent the firſt delineations of the Pourtracture to Lambeth in the end of October, which were generally well approved of by the Metropolitan: who having made ſome alterations, ſent them back with many kind expreſſions of a fair acceptance. And ſuch was the freedom he uſed in declaring his judgment in the caſe; and ſuch the Authority which his Reaſons carried along with them, that the Biſhop of Exon found good cauſe to correct his Opinon according to the Rules of theſe Animadverſions; agreeable unto which the Book was writ, and publiſhed not long after, under the name of Epiſcopacy by Divine right, &c.

Whilſt the Archbiſhop laboured to ſupport Epiſcopacy on the one ſide, ſome of the adverſe party laboured as much to ſuppreſs it, by lopping off the branches firſt, and afterwards by laying the Axe to the root of the Tree. Bagſhaw, a Lawyer of ſome ſtanding, of the Middle-Temple, began to queſtion the Biſhop's place and vote in Parliament, their Temporal power, and the authority of the Commiſſion. For being choſen Reader, by that Houſe for the Lent-vacation, he firſt ſelected for the Argument of his diſcourſings, the Statute of 25 Edw. 3. cap. 7. His main deſign was intended chiefly for the defence of ſuch Prohibitions, as formerly had been granted by the Courts in Weſtminſter-hall, to ſtop the proceedings of the Court-Chriſtian, and ſpecially of the High-Commiſſion, p. 318and in the next place to deny the Authority of the Commiſſion it ſelf, as before was noted. Hereupon the Archbiſhop informs his Majeſty both of the Man and of his deſign, how far he had gone in juſtifying the proceedings of the Scottiſh Covenanters, in decrying the temporal power of Church-men, and the undoubted right of Biſhops to their place in Parliament: his Majeſty hereupon gives order to Finch, the new Lord Keeper, to interdict all further Reading on thoſe points. Hereupon it was ſoon found, that nothing could be done therein without leave from the King, and no ſuch leave to be obtained without the conſent of the Archbiſhop. To Lambeth therefore goes the Reader, where he found no admittance till the third Addreſs, and was then told, That he was fallen upon a Subject neither ſafe nor ſeaſonable, which ſhould ſtick cloſer to him then he was aware of. Whereupon Bagſhaw haſteneth out of Town.

Short view of the life and reign of King Charles, p. 77.The Parliament came together on April 13. 1640. inſtead of acting any thing for his Majeſties ſervice, they were at the point of paſſing a Vote for blaſting his War againſt the Scots. To prevent which, his Majeſty was forced to diſſolve them on May 5. the Convocation ſtill continuing, who granted him a Benevolence of four ſhillings in the pound for all their Eccleſiaſtical promotions, to be paid ſix years together then next enſuing.

The Convocation ſate after the breaking up of the Parliament. A new Commiſſion was brought from his Majeſty, by vertue whereof they were warranted to ſit ſtill, not in the capacity of a Convocation, but of a Synod, to prepare their Canons for the Royal aſſent thereunto. But Doctor Brewnrigg, Doctor Hacket, Doctor Holdſworth, Mr. Warmſtrey, with others, to the number of thirty ſix (the whole Houſe conſiſting of about ſixſcore) proteſted againſt the continuance of the Convocation. To ſatisfie theſe, an Inſtrument was brought into the Synod, ſigned with the hands of the Lord Privy-ſeal, the two chief Juſtices, and other Judges, juſtifying their ſo fitting in the nature of a Synod, to be legal according to the Laws of the Realm. Now their diſjoynted meeting being ſet together again, they conſulted about new Canons.

I ſhall ſet down the number, and titles, of the ſeveral Canons.

1. Concerning the Regal power.

2. For the better keeping of the day of his Majeſties Inauguration.

3. For ſuppreſſing of the growth of Popery.

4. Againſt Socinianiſm.

5. Againſt Sectaries.

6. An Oath enjoyned for the preventing of all Innovations in Doctrine and Government,

p. 3197. A Declaration concerning ſome Rites and Ceremonies,

8. Of preaching for Conformity.

9. One Book of Articles of enquiry to be uſed at all Parochial viſitations.

10. Concerning the Converſation of the Clergy.

11. Chancellors Patents.

12. Chancellors alone not not to cenſure any of the Clergy in ſundry caſes.

13. Excommunication, and Abſolution, not to be pronounced but by a Prieſt.

14. Concerning the Commutations, and the diſpoſing of them.

15. Concerning ſome Concurrent Juriſdictions.

16. Concerning Licenſes to marry.

17. Againſt vexatious Citations.

The Oath it ſelf I ſhall ſet down, as I find it in the Life of Archbiſhop Laud, written by Doctor Heylin, in this form following, viz.

I A. B. do ſwear, That I do approve the Doctrine, and Diſcipline, or Government eſtabliſhed in the Church of England, as containing all things neceſſary to ſalvation; And that I will not endeavour by my ſelf, or any other, directly, or indirectly, to bring in any Popiſh doctrine, contrary to that which is ſo eſtabliſhed. Nor will I ever give my conſent to alter the Government of this Church by Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Deans, and Archdeacons, &c. As it ſtands now eſtabliſhed, and as by right it ought to ſtand; nor yet ever ſubject it to the uſurpations and ſuperſtitions of the See of Rome. And all theſe things I do plainly and ſeriouſly acknowledge and ſwear, according to the plain and common ſence and underſtanding of the ſame words, without any equivocation, or mental evaſion, or ſecret reſervation whatſoever. And this I do heartily, willingly and truly, upon the faith of a Chriſtian. So help me God in Jeſus Chriſt.

Toward the cloſe of the Convocation, Doctor Griffith made a motion, that there might be a new Edition of the Welſh Church-bible, ſome ſixty years firſt tranſlated into Welſh by the endeavours of Biſhop Morgan, but not without many miſtakes and omiſſions of the Printer. The matter was committed to the care of the Welſh Biſhops, but nothing was effected therein.

Near the ending of the Synod Godfrey Goodman, Biſhop of Gloceſter, privately acquainted the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, that he could not in his Conſcience ſubſcribe the new Canons. The Archbiſhop being preſent with the Synod in King Henry the Seventh his Chappel, ſaid unto him, My Lord of Gloceſter, I admoniſh you to ſubſcribe: and preſently p. 320after, My Lord of Gloceſter, I admoniſh you the ſecond time to ſubſcribe: and immediately after, I admoniſh you to ſubſcribe. To all which the Biſhop pleaded Conſcience, and returned a denial. Some dayes after he was committed to the Gate-houſe. Soon after the ſame Canons were ſubſcribed at York, and on the laſt of June following the ſaid Canons were publickly printed, with the Royal aſſent affixed thereunto.

Fuller. Church Hiſtory. ad An. 1640.Various were mens cenſures upon theſe Canons. But moſt took exception againſt that clauſe in the Oath, We will never give any conſent to alter this Church-governmet, as if the ſame were intended to abridge the liberty of King and State in future Parliaments, and Convocations, if hereafter they ſaw cauſe to change any thing therein. Yet others with a favourable ſence endeavoured to qualifie this ſuſpitious clauſe, whereby the taker of this Oath was tied up from conſenting to any alteration, ſaying, that theſe words, [We will never give any conſent to alter] are intended here to be meant only of a voluntary and pragmatical alteration, when men conſpire and endeavour to change the preſent Government of the Church, in ſuch particulars as they do diſlike, without the conſent of their Superiors.

Biſhop Goodman, on July the tenth, made acknowledgment of his fault before the Lords of the Council, and took the Oath enjoyned in the ſixth Canon, for preſerving the Doctrines and Diſcipline of the Church of England, againſt all Popiſh doctrines which were thereunto repugnant. Upon the doing whereof he was reſtored, by his Majeſty, to his former liberty. Yet in the time of his laſt ſickneſs, it is ſaid, that he declared himſelf to be a Member of the Church of Rome, and cauſed it ſo to be expreſſed in his laſt Will and Teſtament.

On December 27. 1639. at night, and the night following, there was ſuch a violent Tempeſt, that many of the Boats, which were drawn to Land at Lambeth, were daſhed one againſt the other, and were broke to pieces:Heylin's Hiſt. of Archbiſhop Laud. ad An. 1640. and that the ſhafts of two Chimneys were blown down upon the roof of the Archbiſhop's Chamber, and beat down both the Lead and Rafters upon his Bed, in which ruine he muſt needs have periſhed, if the roughneſs of the Water had not forced him to keep his Chamber at White-hall.

A like miſchance happened the ſame night at Croydon (a retiring place belonging to the Archbiſhop of Canterbury) where one of the Pinacles fell from the Steeple, beat down the Lead and Roof of the Church above twenty foot ſquare.

But that which was more remarkable than either of theſe, was that which happened the ſame night at Canterbury, in the Metropolitical Church, where one of the Pinacles upon the top of the Belfrey-Tower, which carried a Vane with this Archbiſhop's Arms upon it, was violently ſtruck down, but born a good diſtance from the Steeple, to fall upon the p. 321Roof of the Cloyſter, where the Armes of the Archiepiſcopal See it ſelf were ingraven in Stone: which Armes being broke to pieces by the fall of the other: on Friday night, January 24. 1639. he dreamed, that his Father (who died 46. years before) came to him, being to his thinking ſeemingly well and cheerful, that his Father asked him, what he did there: that after ſome ſpeech, he demanded of his Father how long he would ſtay there; and that his Father made this anſwer, he would ſtay till he had him along with him. Which made ſuch an impreſſion on him, that he thought fit to remember this in his Breviate.

A brute being ſpread abroad, That the late Parliament had been diſſolved by his procurement; a paper was paſted up at the Exchange, by John Lilburn, animating the Apprentices to ſack his Houſe at Lambeth, on the Monday following, and that night we was aſſaulted by five hundred of the Rabble, who ſtrove to force an entrance, but were repulſed. And having fortified his Houſe with ſome pieces of Canon, he with-drew to his Chamber at Whitehall till the Rage of the people was blown over. Some of the principal Actors in this Sedition being apprehended and committed to the Goal in Southwark, were forcibly delivered by others of their Accomplices, who brake open that and all other Priſons in that precinct, for which one Benſtead, one of the Ring, leaders was retaken, arraigned, condemned, hanged, drawn and quartered, on May 21. Yet for all this, Libels were ſcattered againſt the Archbiſhop in moſt parts of the City. And his Majeſty being then newly gone in perſon with an Army againſt the Scots, about the end of August a paper was dropt in Covent-garden, encouraging the Souldiers and Apprentices to fall upon him, yet was there no tumult raiſed upon it.

Then he gave order, that the High-commiſſion ſhould be kept at St. Paul's: and the Commiſſioners ſitting there, on October 22. were violently aſſaulted by a mixt multitude of Sectaries, to the number of two thouſand, crying out, They would have no Biſhops, nor High Commiſſion. In which tumult having frighted away the Judges, Advocates, and Officers of the Court, they brake down all the ſeats and benches which they found in the Conſiſtory; ſo that a guard was ſet upon that Church, as before at Weſtminſter, not onelyonly at the next ſitting of the ſaid Commiſſioners, but at the firſt meeting of the Convocation, which ſoon after followed.

The Scots were now entred the Realm in hoſtile manner: and having put by his Majeſties Forces at a place called Newbourn, they paſſed over the Tine, and preſently made themſelves Maſters of the ſtrong Town of New-caſtle, his Majeſties Forces not very far diſtant. Many of the King's own Souldiers in their marchings through the Countrey, brake into Churches, pulled up the Rayles, threw down the Communion Tables, defaced the Common-Prayer Books, tore the Surplices, &c.

p. 322The Scots ſet forth a Remonſtance, wherein it was declared, That their Propoſitions and deſires could find no acceſs unto the ears of the Gratious King, by reaſon of the powerful Diverſion of the Archbiſhop of Canterbury and the Deputy of Ireland, &c. who did onelyonly ſide in all matters of Temporal and Spiritual Affairs, &c. This Remonſtrance was ſeconded with another Pamphlet, called, The Intention of the Army. They ſignified therein, that they had no deſign to waſt the goods of the People of England, or ſpoil their Countrey; but onelyonly to become petitioners to his Majeſty to call a Parliament, and to bring the ſaid Archbiſhop and Lord Lieutenant to their condign puniſhments. And that the Engliſh might the better ſee whom they chiefly aimed at, a Book was publiſhed by the name of Laudenſium Autocatacriſis, or the Canterburians ſelf-conviction.

Heylin. Hiſt. of Archbiſh. Laud.Upon this his Majeſty was aſſaulted by a Petition from ſome Lords in the South, wherein complaint was made of the many inconveniences which had been drawn on this Kingdom, by the King's ingagings againſt the Scots, as alſo of the growth of Popery; of the preſſing of the preſent payment of Ship-money; the diſſolving of former Parliaments, Monopolies, Innovations, and ſome other grievances, among which the Canons which were made in the late Convocation, could not be omitted. For remedy whereof, His Majeſty is deſired to call a Parliament, &c. Subſcribed by divers of the Nobility, preſented to the King at York on September 3. and ſeconded by another from the City of London to the ſame effect.

The King therefore reſolves to hold a Parliament, and on November 3. 1640. that long laſting Parliament began. A Letter was writ to the A…chbiſhop of Canterbury, advertiſing, That the Parliament of the twentieth year of King Henry the Eighth, which began in the fall of Cardinal Wolſey, continued in the Diminution of the Power and Priviledges of the Clergy, and ended in the diſſolution of the Abbies and Religious Houſes, was begun on the third day of November: and therefore that, for good-luck-ſake, he would move the King to reſpite the firſt ſi…ting of it for a day or two longer. But the Archbiſhop hearkned not to this advertiſement, and the Parliament began at the time appointed.

On the morrow after began the Convocation at St. Paul's Church, hand ſelled at their firſt meeting by the news of the Deceaſe of Dr. Neile, Archbiſhop of York: But litle was done in this Convocation, but that a motion was made by Mr. Warmſtrey (a Clerk for Worceſter) That they ſhould endeavour (according to the Levitical Law) to cover the pit which they had opened, and to prevent their Adverſaries intention, by condemning ſuch offenſive Canons as were made the laſt Convocation. But they were loth to confeſs themſelves guilty before they were accuſed.

p. 223Soon after Mr. Prynne, Dr. Baſtwick, and Mr. Burton were diſcharged out of priſon, and brought with great Triumph into London. Biſhop Williams and Mr. Osbaſton, being remitted their fines, were reſtored to their Livings and Liberty. Doctor Pocklington, and Doctor Bray were cenſured; the former for Preaching and Printing, the latter for Licenſing two Books, one called Sunday no Sabbath: the other The Chriſtian Alter.

Not many days after the Earl of Strafford was impeached of High Treaſon, by Mr. Pym, in fourteen Articles. The Earl was forthwith Sequeſtred the Houſe, and committed to the Black Rod, and ſent not long after to the Tower.

December 18. Archbiſhop Laud, and Biſhop Wren, were voted by the Commons, Guilty of High Treaſon, and a charge was immediately brought in againſt Biſhop Laud, upon the Reading of which on March 1. he was ſent to the Tower.

The ſame monethmonth Alderman Pennington, with a great multitude out of London, petitioned the Houſe againſt Epiſcopal Government, and the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church. A Committee was appointed to conſider of matters of Religion, ſetled in the Upper Houſe of Parliament. Ten Earls, ten Biſhops, ten Barons. At the ſame time the Lords appointed a Sub-committee, to prepare matters fit for their cognizance (the Biſhop of Lincoln having the Chair in both) authorized to call together divers Biſhops and Divines, to conſult together for correcting what was amiſs, and to ſettle peace, viz.

The Archbiſhop of Armagh.

The Biſhop of Durham.

The Biſhop of Exeter.

Dr. Samuel Ward.

Dr. William Twiſſe.

Dr. Robert Sanderſon.

Dr. Daniel Featley.

Dr. Ralph Brownrigg.

Dr. Richard Holdſworth.

Dr. John Hacket.

Dr. Cornelius Burgeſſe.

Mr. John White.

Mr. Stephen Marſhall.

Mr. Edmond Calamy.

Mr. Thomas Hill.

The place of their meeting was Jeruſalem-chamber in the Dean of Weſtminſter's houſe, where they had ſolemn debates ſix ſeveral days.

Firſt they conſult on innovations in Doctrine. Then they enquire into Preter-canonical conformity, and innovations in Diſcipline; and concerning the Common-Prayer. Laſtly, they entred on the Regulating of Eccleſiaſtical Government, which was not brought in, becauſe the Biſhop of Lincoln had undertaken the draught thereof, but not finiſhed it, as employed at the ſame time in many weighty matters of State. This conſultation continued till the middle of May. But the B…ll againſt Deans and Chapters, put ſuch a diſtance between the foreſaid Divines, p. 324that never their Judgments (and ſcarce their perſons) met after together.

The Canons made in the late Convocation were condemned in the Houſe of Commons, as being againſt the King's Prerogative, the Fundamental Laws of the Realm, the Liberty and Property of the Subject, and containing divers other things tending to Sedition, and of dangerous conſequence.

Many things were charged againſt the Archbiſhop by the Scots Commiſſioners, viz.

That he had preſſed upon that Kirk, many Innovations in Religion, contained in the Liturgy and Book of Canons, contrary to the Liberties and Laws thereof.

That he had required Ballentine, Biſhop of Dumblane, and the reſt of the Biſhops to be preſent at the Divine Service in their Whites, and blamed the ſaid Biſhop for his negligence in it, &c.

That he gave order for the taking down Stone-walls and Galleries in the Churches of Edenborough, to no other end but for the ſetting up of Altars, and Adoration toward the Eaſt.

That for their Supplicating againſt theſe Novations, they were declared Rebels in all the Pariſh-Churches of England; and a War kindled againſt them by his Arts and Practices.

That their Covenant by him was called ungodly, and that divers Oathes were impoſed upon their Countrey-men to abjure the ſame.

That he in the preſence of the King ſpared not to rail againſt the General Aſſembly held at Glaſcow, and put his hand to a Warrant for impriſoning ſome of thoſe Commiſſioners ſent from the Parliament of Scotland, for the Peace of both Nations.

That when the late Parliament could not be moved to aſſiſt in the War againſt them; he had cauſed the ſame to be diſſolved, and continued the Convocation, to make Canons againſt them and their Doctrines, &c.

Such was the charge exhibited by the Scots Commiſſioners, in which many thought there was nothing criminal enough to deſerve Impriſonment, much leſs to menace him with death.

The Biſhop of Ely was impeached for many reputed miſdemeanours in the See of Norwich. That he deprived or baniſhed, within the ſpace of two years, fifty Godly, Learned, Painful Miniſters. His placing the Communion-Table Altar-wiſe, and cauſing a Rayl to be ſet before it. The practiſing of Superſtition in his own perſon, his bowing toward it; Conſecrating the Bread and Wine at the Weſt-ſide of the Table, with his back toward the people, and elevating the ſame above his Head, that the people might ſee it, cauſing the ſeats in all places to be ſo contrived, p. 325that the people muſt of neceſſity kneel towards the Eaſt. Appointing no Prayers to be uſed by Preachers before their Sermons, but that preſcribed by the Canon, &c.

1641In the midſt of theſe troubleſom times died Dr. John Davenant, Biſhop of Salisbury. A little before his death he prayed emphatically for half a quarter of an hour. Among many heavenly paſſages therein, He thanked God for this his fatherly correction, becauſe in all his life-time he never had any one heavy affliction, which made him often much ſuſpect with himſelf, whether he was a true child of God or no.

Deans and Chapters being now oppoſed by Parliament, the Cathedral-men endeavour to preſerve their Foundations; and by their friends obtain leave to be admitted into the Houſe of Commons, and to be heard what they could alledge in their own behalf. They made choice of Doctor John Hacket, Prebendary of St. Pauls to be the mouth for all the reſt.

He ſhewed,Fuller. Church Hiſt. Cent. 17. lib. 11. that to ſupply the defects of Prayer committed by private men, the publick duty thereof ſhould be conſtantly performed in ſome principal place (in imitation of the Primitive practice) and this is done in Cathedrals. He ſpake much alſo in praiſe of Church-muſick, when moderated to Edification. He took occaſion to reſell that ſlaunder, which ſome caſt on Lecture-preachers, as an upſtart Co…poration, alledging, that the local Statutes of moſt, or all Cathedral Churches, do require Lectures on the week-days. And in the name of his Brethren, he requeſted that Honourable Houſe, that godly and profitable Preaching might be the more exacted. Then he inſiſted on the advancement of Learning, as the proper uſe and convenience of Cathedrals, each of them being a ſmall Academy for the Champions of Chriſt's cauſe, againſt the Adverſaries, by their Learned pens. Here he proffered to prove by a Catalogue of their Names and Works, which he could produce, that moſt excellent labours in this kind (excepting ſome few) have preceeded from perſons preferred in Cathedrals: Now what a diſheartning would it be to young Students, if ſuch promotions were taken away. He alledged alſo, that the antient and genuine uſe of Deans and Chapters; was as Senatus Epiſcopi, to aſſiſt the Biſhop in his juriſdiction. He ſaid, that Cathedral-Churches were the firſt Monuments of Chriſtianity in England.

From things he paſſed to perſons, and began with the multitude of ſuch members, as had maintenance from Cathedrals, the total amounting to many thouſands; All which by the diſſolution of Deans and Chapters muſt be expoſed to poverty. Next, he inſtanced in their Tenants, who holding Leaſes from Deans and Chapters, are ſenſible of their own happineſs (as enjoying ſix parts of ſeven in pure gain) and therefore have petitioned the Houſe to continue their Antient Landlords. Moreover, ſuch Cities wherein Cathedrals ſtand (if Maritime) being p. 326very poor in Trade, are enriched by the hoſpitality of the Clergy, and the frequent reſort of Strangers unto them. Then he ſhewed, that divers of low degree, but generous Spirits, would labour by qualifying themſelves by Induſtry and Vertue, to attain a ſhare of Cathedral endowments, as the common poſſeſſion of the Realm, &c. He truſted their Honours would account it reaſonable, that the Clergy had in ſome ſort a better maintenance than in neighbouring reformed Churches, and not with Jeroboam's Prieſts to be the baſeſt of the people.

Then he inſtanced in ſome famous forreign Proteſtants, who had found relief by being inſtalled Prebendaries in our Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, as Dr. Saravia preferred by Queen Elizabeth, Dr. Caſaubon (Father and Son) by King James, Dr. Primroſe, Mr. Voſſius, in the reign of King Charles, and Dr. Peter Du-Moulin. And to deſtroy Deans and Chapters would highly gratifie Rome; for Sanders himſelf ſeemeth to complain, that Queen Elizabeth had left Provoſts, Deans, Canons, and Prebendaries in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, becauſe he foreſaw ſuch Foundations would conduce to the ſtability of Religion.

He went forward to ſhew how ſuch Lands paid greater ſums to the Exchequer for First-fruits, tenths and ſubſidies, according to the proportion, than any other Eſtates and Corporations in the Kingdom. He implored to find the antient and honourable Juſtice of the Houſe unto his Brethren, who were not charged, much leſs convicted of any Scandalous faults juſtly for the ſame to forfeit their eſtates. At laſt he ſet before them the Honour of God, to whoſe worſhip and ſervice ſuch Fabricks and Lands were dedicated, and barred all alienations with (which he ſaid, is termenda vox) curſes and imprecations. He minded them of the cenſures of Korah and his Complices, pronounced hallowed, becauſe pretended to do God ſervice therewith. He added that of Solomon, Prov. 20.25. It is a ſnare to a man that devoureth that which is holy. He added alſo that ſmart queſtion of St. Paul, Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit Sacriledge? and concluded, that on the ruines of the rewards of Learning, no ſtructure can be raiſed but ignorance, and upon the Chaos of ignorance, nothing can be built but Profaneneſs and Confuſion. This ſpeech was generally well-reſented, and wrought much on the Houſe for the preſent.

In the afternoon Dr. Cornelius Burgeſſe made a vehement Invective againſt Deans and Chapters, &c. He aggravated the debauchedneſs of Singing men, not onelyonly uſeleſs, but hurtful by their Vicious converſation: Yet he concluded with the utter unlawfulneſs to convert ſuch endowments to any private perſon's profit.

Then was a Bill brought up from the Commons to the Lords againſt Biſhops and Clergy-men: and it was Voted.

p. 327I. That they ſhould have no Votes in Parliament.

II. That they ſhould not be in the Commiſſion of the Peace, nor be Judges in Temporal Courts.

III. Nor ſit in the Star-chamber, nor be Privy Counſellors.

The laſt branches of this Bill paſſed by general conſent, not above two diſſenting. But the firſt branch was Voted by the Lords in the negative. But at laſt it was wholly caſt out.

The Archbiſhop adviſed the drawing of a Petition to both Houſes of Parliament in the name of the Univerſity of Oxford, not onelyonly for the preſervation of Epiſcopal Government, but of thoſe Foundations, as being both the encouragements and rewards of Learning. In which petition having ſpoken, in few words, of the Antiquity and Succeſſion of Biſhops, from the Apoſtles themſelves, they inſiſt more at large upon ſuch ſuggeſtions as might beſt juſtifie and endear the cauſe of Cathedral Churches. The like petition came from Cambridge, as much concern'd in this common cauſe as Oxon.

At a ſolemn Faſt, not long after, the Temporal Lords took precedence of the Biſhops, contrary to the cuſtom of their Predeceſſors in all times foregoing: which being obſerved by the Lord Spencer, Is this, ſaid he, a day of humiliation, wherein we ſhew ſo great a pride, in taking place of thoſe to whom it was allowed by all our Anceſtors?

The Bill againſt the High-commiſſion Court, was the third time read in the Houſe of Lords, and paſſed, which ſome days after was confirmed by his Majeſty. The Biſhop of Lincoln brought up a Bill to regulate Biſhops and their juriſdiction. This Bill was but once read in the Houſe, and no great matter made thereof. The Biſhops that were impeached for making Canons, craved time till Michaelmas Term. This was vehemently oppoſed by ſome Lords, and two queſtions were put.

I. Whether the Biſhops ſhould fit ſtill in the Houſe, though without voting (to which themſelves conſented) whilſt the circumſtance of time for their anſwer was in debate.

II. What time they ſhould have for their anſwer.

The firſt of theſe was carried for them by one preſent voice, and four Proxies; and for the ſecond, time was allowed them till the tenth of November, and Councel was permitted unto them. Biſhop Warner of Rocheſter is choſen by joynt conſent to ſolicit the cauſe, ſparing neither care nor coſt therein. Mr. Chute drew up a Demurrer in their behalf, that their offence in making Canons could not amount to a Praemunire: and now the cauſe ſunck in ſilence.

p. 328But the main matter was, that the Biſhops were denied all medling even in the Commiſſion of preparatory examinations concerning the Earl of Strafford, Cauſa ſanguinis; and they as men of mercy not to deal in the condemning of any perſon. The Biſhops againſt the perſwaſions of the Lord Kimbolton, and the Earl of Eſſex, reſolved to keep poſſeſſion of their Votes, till a prevalent power outed them thereof.

No day paſſed, wherein ſome petition was not preſented to the Parliament againſt the Biſhops, who durſt not come to the Parliament by Land for fear of the Apprentices, who were gathered together in great numbers to Weſtminſter. The Biſhops therefore intended to come to Parliament by water in Barges: but as they thought to come to Land, they were ſo pelted with Stones, and frighted at the ſight of ſuch a company of them, that they were rowed back, and went away to their places.

The next day twelve of the Biſhops repaired to Jeruſalem Chamber, in the Dean's lodgings, and drew up a Proteſtation, directed thus, To the King's most excellent Majeſty, and the Lords and Peers now aſſembled in Parliament. This Inſtrument they delivered to Biſhop Williams, now Archbiſhop of York, who at the next opportunity preſented it to his Majeſty; who wholly remitted the matter to the Parliament. The next morning a Privy Counſellor brought this Proteſtation into the Houſe: and the twelve ſubſcribers are impeached of High Treaſon, and Voted to be committed to the Tower, ſave that Biſhop Morton of Durham, and Biſhop Hall of Norwich, found ſome favour, ſo that they alone were ſent to the cuſtody of the Black Rod.

Now was the Bill againſt the Biſhops ſitting in Parliament brought up into the Houſe of the Lords, and the matter agitated ſo eagerly on both ſides. The Lord Viſcount Newark (afterwards Earl of Kingſton) made two notable ſpeeches in the Houſe, in defence of Epiſcopacy, which confirmed thoſe of the Epiſcopal party, making the Lords very zealous in Biſhops behalf. There were in the Houſe many other defenders of Epiſcopacy, as William Lord Marquis of Hartford; the Earl of South-hampton; the Earl of Briſtol, and the Lord Digby his Son; and that learned Lord, William Earl of Bath, and many other Lords voted for them.

About this time died Richard Mountague Biſhop of Norwich, and Doctor Joſeph Hall ſucceeded him in his See. Doctor John Prideaux, Regius Profeſſor in Oxford, was made Biſhop of Worceſter. Doctor Thomas Winniff, Dean of St. Pauls, was made Biſhop of Lincoln. Doctor Ralph Brownrigg, made Biſhop of Exeter. Doctor Henry King, made Biſhop of Chicheſter. Doctor John Weſtfield, made Biſhop of Briſtol; he died not long after. Theſe were as likely perſons to have kept up Epiſcopacy, if God's providence had ſo appointed, as any could have been culled out of England.

p. 2291642The Bill was again brought in againſt Biſhops Votes in Parliament, and it was clearly carried in the Negative, that Biſhops never more ſhould Vote as Peers in Parliament. The King was very unwilling to conſent to it, but at laſt, with much importunity, he ſigned the Bill, as he was, in St. Auguſtines in Canterbury, paſſing with the Queen towards Dover, then undertaking her voyage into the Low Countries.

Ten of the eleven Biſhops formerly ſubſcribing their Proteſtation to the Parliament, were after ſome moneths durance (upon good bale given) releaſed. Theſe now at liberty ſeverally diſpoſed themſelves. Some went home to their own Dioceſs, as the Biſhops of Norwich, Oxford, &c. The Biſhop of Durham continued in London. Some withdrew themſelves into the King's quarters, as Archbiſhop Williams, &c. Biſhop Wren within few moneths after he was diſcharged from the Tower, was ſeized on by a party of Souldiers at his houſe at Downham, and brought back again to the Tower, where he continued till the end of the year 1659. As for the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, as he firſt took poſſeſſion of that fatal lodging before any of the reſt came to him, ſo he continued there after their diſmiſſion, without hope of finding his paſſage out of it by any other door than the door of death: which as he did not look for before it came; ſo when it came he did not fear it, ſaith Doctor Heylin.

On October 23. in the year foregoing, the Houſe of Peers ſequeſtred his Juriſdiction from him, conferring it on Sir Nathanael Brent, and others of his under-officers, and ordered, That He ſhould beſtow none of the Benefices within his Gift, without acquainting them with the name and quality of the party whom he intended to prefer, leaving to them the approbation if they ſaw cauſe for it. And on October 15. 1642. (for ſo long he remained without further diſturbance) it was reſolved upon the Queſtion, That the Fines, Rents, and Profits of Archbiſhops, and Biſhops, ſhould be Sequeſtred for the uſe and ſervice of the Common-wealth. On the ninth of November following, the Archbiſhops houſe at Lambeth was forcibly poſſeſſed by a party of Souldiers, to keep it for the Publick ſervice; and ſeventy eight pounds of his Rents as forcibly taken from ſome of his Officers, by an order under the hands of ſome of the Lords. But upon his petition ſhortly after,Heylin. Hiſt. of Archbiſh. Laud. he had an order for ſecuring of his Books and Goods. Another order-came to bar him from any conference with any of the other priſoners; or ſpeaking with any other, but in the preſence of the Warder, who was appointed to attend him; and from having the liberty of the Tower; or from ſending any of his ſervants into the City, but on occaſion of providing victuals, and other neceſſaries. The Souldiers brake open the doors of his Chappel in Lambeth houſe, and began to ſpoil the Organs there: but their Captain put a ſtop to their fury. On December 21. his ſaddle-horſe was ſeized on by order from ſome members in the Houſe of Common; and on the p. 33023. Dr. Leighton, who had before been ſentenced in the Star-chamber for his libellous Pamphlets, came with an order from that Houſe to diſpoſſeſs the Souldiers of their quarters there, and turn his Houſe into a Priſon: his Wood and Coals ſeized on, without any permiſſion to make any uſe of them for himſelf. In the beginning of May the windows in his Chappel were defaced, and the ſteps torn up; his Books and Goods ſeized on by Leighton, and ſome others. And on the ſixteenth of the ſame monethmonth he was ſerved with an order of both Houſes, debarring him from beſtowing any of his Benefices, which either were or ſhould be vacant for the time to come. And on the thirty firſt, an order was directed unto Prynne and others, to ſeize on all his Letters and Papers, to be peruſed by ſuch as ſhould be Authorized to that end and purpoſe.

The entertaining of many petitions by the Houſes of Parliament viſibly tending to the abolition of Epiſcopal government, made it appear moſt neceſſary in the eyes of thoſe who wiſht well to it, to haſten the publiſhing of ſuch petitions, as had been preſented to the King in behalf thereof, and by his Majeſty had been ordered to be publiſhed accordingly. Among which none did plead the cauſe with greater fervency, than that which was tendred in the name of the Gentry and Clergy of the Dioceſs of Canterbury. To which petition there ſubſcribed no fewer than twenty four Knights and Baronets; Eſquires and Gentlemen of note, above three hundred; Divines one hundred and eight; Freeholders and Subſidy men eight hundred: Many petitions of like nature came from other Counties, where the people were at any liberty to ſpeak their own ſence. All which, with ſome of thoſe which had led the way unto the reſt, were publiſhed by order from his Majeſty, bearing date May 20. 1642. under the Title of A collection of the petitions of divers Countries, &c. Which petitions being drawn together, beſides many which were preſented after this Collection, amounted to nineteen in all, that is to ſay, two from the County of Cheſter, two from Cornwall, one from the Univerſity of Oxford, and another from the Univerſity of Cambridge; one from the Heads of Colledges and Halls. This from the Dioceſs of Canterbury; another from the Dioceſs of Exeter; one from the ſix Counties of North-wales; and one a piece from the Counties of Nottingham, Hereford, Huntington, Somerſet, Rutland, Stafford, Kent, Oxford, and Lancaſter. Theſe petitions came from thouſands of the moſt eminent ſubjects of the Realm. But nothwithſtanding the importunity of the Petitioners on the one ſide, and the moderation of the King's anſwer on the other, the prevailing party in both Houſes had long ſince reſolved upon the Queſtion, which afterwards they declared by their publick Votes: for on the eleventh of September the Vote paſſed in the Houſe of Commons, for aboliſhing Biſhops, Deans and Chapters; celebrated by the Citizens with Bells and Bonfires, the p. 331Lords not coming in till the end of January, when it paſt there alſo.

The War now begins to open. The Parliament had their Guards already, and the affront which Hotham had put upon the King at Hull, prompted the York-ſhire Gentlemen to become a guard to his Perſon. Both Houſes preſently Vote this to be a levying War againſt the Parliament, for whoſe defence not onelyonly the Trained bands of London muſt be in a readineſs, and the Good people of the Countrey required to put themſelves into a poſture of Armes; but Regiments of Horſe and Foot are liſted, a General appointed, great ſums of money raiſed. Hereupon the King haſtens from York to Nottingham, where he ſets up his Standard, inviting all his good Subjects to repair unto him, for defence of their King, the Laws and Religion of their Countrey. And marching with great Forces he was encountred at Edge-hill by the Parliaments Forces, where five thouſand men on both ſides were ſlain on the place, among which was the King's General. Yet the King kept the field, and made his way open, forced Banbury Caſtle, and entred triumphantly into Oxford with an hundred and twenty Colours taken in the Fight.

The King reſolves on his advance towards London, and goes forward as far as Brainford, out of which he beats two of their beſt Regiments, takes five hundred priſoners and ſinks their Ordnance. But underſtanding that the Earl of Eſſex joyning with the London-Auxiliaries lay in way before him at Turnham-Green near Chiſwick, he retreated toward Oxford, where he receives Propoſitions of Peace from the Houſes of Parliament. Among which I find this for one.

That his Majeſty would be pleaſed to give his Royal Aſſent, for taking away ſuperſtitious Innovations; and to the Bill for the utter aboliſhing and taking away all Archbiſhops, Biſhops, their Chancellors, Commiſſaries, Deans, Subdeans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, Deacons, Canons and Prebandaries; and all Chantors, Chancellors, Treaſurers, Sub-treaſurers, Succentors and Sacriſts, and all Vicars Choral and Choriſters, old Vicars, or new Vicars of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church, and all other their under-officers out of the Church of England. To the Bill against ſcandalous Miniſters: To the Bill against pluralities: And to the Bill for conſultation to be had with Godly, Religious, and Learned Divines: That his Majeſty would be pleaſed to paſs ſuch other Bills for ſetling of Church-government, as upon conſultation with the Aſſembly of the ſaid Divines ſhall be reſolved on by both Houſes of Parliament, and by them to be preſented to his Majeſty.

p. 332Which Propoſition with the reſt, being preſented to him on Candlemas-day, he referred to the following Treaty to be held at Oxford, but the Commiſſioners were ſo tyed to their Inſtructions, that nothing could be yielded by them.

Heylin. Hiſt. of Archbiſhop Laud.But the Parliament had now entred on the Rents and profits of all the Epiſcopal Sees and Capitular Bodies, which were within the power of their Armies, and ſequeſtred the Benefices of many under the common notion of ſcandalous Miniſters: who if they had tranſgreſſed the Laws of the Realm, by the ſame Laws were to have been proceeded againſt; that ſo being legally deprived, the vacant Churches might be left to be filled by the Patrons with more deſerving Incumbents. But this conſiſted not with the preſent deſign.

Moſt of the ſilenced Lecturers and Miniſters, which within ten years paſt had left the Kingdom for Inconformity, were put into theſe ſequeſtred Benefices: with which his Majeſty being made acquainted, he preſently ſignified his diſlike of it by his Royal Proclamation, bearing date May 15. 1643.

In which he complains, That divers of the Pious and Learned Clergy were forced from their Cures and Habitations, or otherwiſe ſilenced, &c. for no other reaſon, but becauſe (contrary to the Laws of the Land, and their own Conſciences) they would not pray against Him, and his Aſſiſtants, or refuſed to publiſh any Illegal orders for fomenting the War raiſed against him, but conformed themſelves according to the Book of Comon-Prayers, and preached God's Word according to the purity thereof, without any mixture of Sedition. Next, That many Factious and Schiſmatical perſons were intruded into them, to ſow Sedition, and ſeduce his good Subjects from their Obedience, contrary to the Word of God, and the Laws of the Land, amp;c. And thereupon he ſtraitly commandeth all his good Subjects to pay their Tythes to the ſeveral and reſpective Incumbents, or their Aſſignes without guile or fraud, notwithſtanding any Sequeſtration, pretended Orders, or Ordinances whatſoever, from one or both Houſes of Parliament, &c. Requiring all Church-wardens and Sides-men to be aſſiſtant in gathering and receiving their Tythes, Rents, and Profits; and to reſist all ſuch perſons (as much as in them lay) which were intruded into any of the Benefices or Cures aforeſaid.

But this rather ſerved to declare his Majeſties piety, than to ſtop the courſe of thoſe proceedings.

Then an infamous Pamphlet is diſperſed, Licenſed by John White, Chair-man of the Committee for Religion, called, The Committee for plundred Miniſters, under the Title of, The first Century of Scandalous and Malignant Prieſts, &c.

p. 3331643Their Commiſſioners were no ſooner returned from Oxford, but they called an Aſſembly of Divines by their own Authority, who met at Weſtminſter in King Henry the Seventh his Chappel. Theſe were of four ſeveral natures.

Firſt, Men of Epiſcopal perſwaſion, as the moſt Reverend James Ʋſher, Archbiſhop of Armagh: Doctor Ralph Brownrigg, Biſhop of Exeter: Doctor Weſtfield, Biſhop of Briſtol: Doctor Daniel Featly, Doctor Richard Holdſworth, &c.

Secondly, Such who in their judgements favoured the Presbyterian Diſcipline, &c. among whom we take ſpecial notice of theſe.

Doctor Hoyle Divinity Profeſſor in Ireland.

Cambridge.

Dr. William Gouge in Black-friers.

Dr. Peter Smith.

Mr. Oliver Bowles.

Mr. Thomas Gataker.

Mr. Henry Scudder.

Mr. Anthony Tuckney.

Mr. Stephen Marſhall.

Mr. John Arrow-Smith.

Mr. Herbert Palmer.

Mr. Thomas Thorowgood.

Mr. Thomas Hill.

Mr. Nathanael Hodges.

Mr. John Gibbon.

Mr. Timothy Young.

Mr. Richard Vines.

Mr. Thomas Coleman.

Mr. Matthew Newcomen.

Mr. Jeremiah Whitaker.

Mr. John Lightfoot. &c.

Oxford.

Dr. William Twiſſe.

Dr. Cornelius Burgeſſe.

Dr. Edmond Stanton.

Mr. John White of Dorcheſter.

Mr. Harris of Hanwel.

Mr. Edward Reynolds.

Mr. John Maynard.

Mr. Charles Herle.

Mr. Corbert of Merton Colledge.

Mr. Conant.

Mr. Francis Cheynel.

Mr. Obadiah Sedgewick.

Mr. Cartar Senior.

Mr. Cartar Junior.

Mr. Joſeph Caryl.

Mr. Strickland.

Mr. Thomas Baily. &c.

Thirdly, Some who formerly diſliking Conformity, removed themſelves beyond the Seas, now returned home at the beginning of this Parliament. Theſe afterward proved diſſenting Brethren to ſome tranſactions in the Aſſembly, as Thomas Goodwin, Philip Nye, Sidrach Symſon, Jeremiah, Burronghes, William Bridge.

Fourthly, Some Members of the Lords and Commons were mingled among them, and Voted joyntly in their Conſultations; as the Earl of p. 334Pembrook, the Lord Say: The moſt Learned Antiquary Mr. Selden, Mr. Francis Rouſe, Mr. Bulſtrode Whitlock, &c.

Commiſſioners from Scotland were alſo joyned with them, as the Earl of Lothian, the Lord Lauderdale, the Lord Warriſton, of the Nobility; others of the Clergy, as Mr. Alexander Henderſon, Mr. Gelaſpy, &c.

Fuller. Church Hiſt. Ad An. 1643.Doctor Twiſſe Preached the firſt Sermon, at the meeting of the Aſſembly, though the Schools, not the Pulpit, was his proper Element (witneſs his Controverſal writings) and in his Sermon he exhorted them Faithfully to diſcharge their high calling to the glory of God, and honour of his Church. He much bemoaned, That the Royal Aſſent was wanting to give encouragement to them: yet he hoped, That by the efficacy of their fervent Prayers it might in due time be obtained, and that a happy union might be procured betwixt him and the Parliament. Sermon ended, the Ordinance was read, by which was declared the Cauſe, Ground, and Intent of their Convention; namely to conſult with the Parliament for the ſetling of Religion and Church-government.

Of an hundred twenty elected, but ſixty nine appeared.

And of the firſt of Royaliſts, Epiſcopal in their judgements, very few appeared, and ſcarce any continued any time in the Houſe, ſave Doctor Daniel Feately, alledging privately ſeveral reaſons for their departure.

Dr. Twiſſe, is now choſen Prolocutor, and Mr. Henry Robrough, and Mr. Adoniram Bifield, their Scribes and Notaries: And now their good ſucceſs (next to the Parliament's) is publickly prayd for by the Preachers in the City, and Books dedicated unto them, under the Title of the moſt Sacred Aſſembly; and four ſhillings a day ſallary was allowed them: and the Chamber of Jeruſalem, the faireſt in the Deans lodgings (where King Henry the Fourth died) was the place where theſe Divines did daily meet together.

His Majeſty looks on this as a ſtrange and unparallell'd encroatchment on his Royal Prerogative, to which alone the calling of ſuch Aſſemblies did belong by the Laws of the Realm. And thereupon by his Proclamation of June 22 1643. being juſt ten days after the date of the Ordinance by which the Aſſembly was indicted.Bibl. Regia. p. 331. He inhibits all and every perſon named in that Ordinance (under ſeveral pains) from aſſembling together for the end and purpoſe therein ſet down, declaring the Aſſembly to be illegal, and that the Acts thereof ought not to be received by any of his good Subjects, as binding them, or of any Authority with them. Which Prohibition notwithſtanding, moſt of the Members authorized by that Ordinance aſſembled, as was before declared.

p. 335One of the firſt publick Acts which they performed, was the humble preſenting of a petition to both Houſes, for the appointing of a ſolemn Faſt to be generally obſerved. And preſently a Faſt is appointed, and accordingly kept on the following Friday, Maſter Bowles, and Maſter Newcomen, (whoſe Sermons were after Printed) Preaching on the ſame.

The King ſummons the Lords and Commons to Oxford, to attend there on January 22. then next following. Being come, ſcarce were they ſetled in their ſeveral Houſes, when they were entertained with an hot Alarum, made by the coming in of the Scots with a puiſſant Army. The Scots had thrived ſo well by the former ſervice, as made them not unwilling to come under the pay of ſuch bountiful Maſters. And knowing well in what neceſſity their dear Brethren in England ſtood of their aſſiſtance, they were reſolved to husband that neceſſity to their beſt advantage. The Engliſh muſt firſt enter into Covenant with them, for conforming of this Church with that, &c.

In the firſt branch of it, it was to be Covenanted between the Nations, That all endeavours ſhould be uſed for the preſervation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland, both in Doctrine, Diſcipline, and Government; Directory for worſhip and Catechizing.

And in the ſecond, That in like manner they endeavour without any reſpect of perſons, the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, that is, Church Government by Archbiſhops, Biſhops, their Chancellors and Commiſſaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and all other Eccleſiaſtical Officers depending on that Hierarchy, &c.

But by whomſoever it was framed, his Majeſty ſaw that it aimed at the ſubverſion of the preſent Government. Therefore looking on it as a dangerous combination againſt himſelf, the eſtabliſhed Religion; and the Laws of this Kingdom, for the bringing in of Forreign Forces to ſubvert them all (ſaith Doctor Heylin) interdicted all his Subjects from impoſing, or taking the ſame, as they would anſwer the contrary at their perils. Which Proclamation bearing date on October 9. came out too late to hinder the taking and enjoying of this Covenant, where the reſtraint thereof had been moſt neceſſary: for it had been ſolemnly taken by all the Members of the Houſe of Commons, and the Aſſembly of Divines at St. Margarets in Weſtminſter, on September 25. and within two days after it was Adminiſtred with no leſs ſolemnity to divers Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Colonels, Officers, Souldiers, and others; reſiding in and about the City of London; a Sermon being Preached by Mr. Coleman, to juſtifie the piety and legality of it: and finally enjoyned to be taken on the Sanday following, in all Churches and Chappels of London, within the lines of Communication; as afterwards by all the Kingdom in convenient time. No ſooner was this Covenant taken, but to let the Scots ſee that they were in earneſt, a further impeachment, p. 336conſiſting of ten Articles, were prepared againſt the Archbiſhop of Canterbury.

In the Aſſembly of Divines ſome concurred not with the major part, and were therefore ſtiled, Diſſenting Brethren, Theſe men crave a Toleration to be indulged them (who ſince their return out of the Low-countries had fallen upon gathering of Congregations in or about the City of London) and they excuſed for being concluded by the votes of the Aſſembly. But the Presbyterians highly oppoſed their Toleration; they tax the diſſenting Brethren for Singularity; and ſome moved their ejection out of the Aſſembly, except in ſome convenient time they would comply therewith.

The Diſſenters ſeaſonably preſented an Apologetical Narrative to the Parliament, ſtiled by them, The moſt ſacred refuge or Aſylum for miſtaken and misjudged innocence. Herein they petitioned pathetically for ſome favour, whoſe conſcience could not joyn with the Aſſembly in all particulars, concluding with that pityful cloſe, That they purſued no other Intereſt or deſign, but a ſubſiſtence (be it the pooreſt and meaneſt) in their own land, as not knowing where elſe with ſafety, health, and livelyhood to ſet their feet on earth, and ſubſcribed their names,

Thomas Goodwin.

Philip Nye.

Sidrach Symſon.

Jeremiah Burroughs.

William Bridge.

Theſe Petitioners found ſuch favour with ſome potent perſons in Parliament, that they were ſecured from farther Trouble, and afterwards grew able, not onelyonly to encounter, but invade all oppoſers; yea to open and ſhut the door of preferment to others.

Dr. William Twiſſe their Prolocutor died, and Mr. Charles Herle, Fellow of Exeter-colledge ſucceeded him in his place.

The Aſſembly met with many difficulties; ſome complained that Mr. Selden that Great Antiquary, advantaged by his skill in Antiquity, and the Oriental Tongues, ſtudied rather to perplex than inform the Members thereof, as appeared by the fourteen Queries he propounded; whoſe intent was, to give a check to the deſign of thoſe who held Presbytery to be Jure Divino. More trouble was cauſed to the Aſſembly by the opinions of the Eraſtians. And divers Parliament men hearing their own power enlarged thereby, made uſe of the Eraſtians for a check to ſuch who preſſed Conformity to the Scotch Kirk in all particulars.

Indeed the Major part of the Aſſembly endeavoured the ſetling the Scotch Government in all particulars: and this was laboured by the Scotch Commiſſioners with all Induſtry and probable means to obtein the ſame. But it could not be effected, nor was it ever ſetled by Act p. 337of Parliament, who kept the coercive power in their own hands, ſo that the power of Excommunication was not intruſted with them, but ultimately reſolved into a Committee of eminent perſons of Parliament.

On January 10. 1644. William Laud, Lord Archbiſhop of Canterbury, was beheaded on Tower-hill, after he had been kept four years a priſoner in the Tower. His charge was a conſtructive treaſon under ſeveral Heads, reducible into two particulars.

I. For endeavouring of the ſubverſion of the Laws of the Land.

II. And a like endeavour to overthrow the Proteſtant Religion.

His trial was at the Lords bar, and Mr. William Prynne, was his Proſecutor, but notwithſtanding all that could be ſaid, nothing that did amount to Treaſon could be proved againſt him. But the Scots who were at that time very prevalent would not be ſatisfied, unleſs he were put to death,Heylin's Hiſt. of the life of K. Charles, 1. pag. 113. to manifeſt thereby their zeal againſt the Epiſcopal Hierarchy, to uſher in the Presbyterian Government at the approaching Treaty: ſo that by an Ordinance of Lords and Commons he was adjudged guilty of High Treaſon, though at the paſſing thereof in the Houſe of Peers, there were but ſeven preſent.

In purſuance of ſeveral meſſages from the King for a Treaty, it was aſſented to by the Parliament, and at Ʋxbridge Commiſſioners met for the King on one part, and for the Parliament of England, and the Parliament of Scotland on the other. Maſter Chriſtopher Love (waiting on the Parliaments Commiſſioners in a general Relation) gave great offence to the Royaliſts in his Sermon, ſhewing the impoſſibility of an agreement. With the Commiſſioners on both ſides certain Clergy-men were ſent, in their preſence to debate the point of Church-government.

For the King.

Doctor Sheldon.

Doctor Steward.

Doctor Benjamin Laney.

Doctor Henry Hammond.

Doctor Henry Ferne.

For the Parliament.

Maſter Stephen Marſhal.

Maſter Richard Vines.

Theſe, when the Commiſſioners were at leaſure from Civil affairs, were called to a conference before them. But this Treaty proved ineffectual. The King complained of what came to paſs, the fruitleſs end of this Treaty, that his Commiſſioners offered full-meaſured reaſons, and the other Commiſſioners have ſtuck rigidly to their dem…nds, &c.foreign Chap. 18 The Treaty at Ʋxbridge (ſaith he) gave the faireſt hopes of an happy p. 338compoſure, had others applyed themſelves to it with the ſame moderation as he did, he was confident the war had been ended.

To return to the Aſſembly, the Monuments which they have left to poſterity of their meeting, are a new form of worſhip by the name of a Directory, Articles of Religion drawn up by them, and a double Catechiſm, one the leſſer, the other the greater.

This Aſſembly dwindled away by degrees, though never legally diſſolved. Many of them after the taking of Oxford returning to their own Cures, and others living in London abſented themſelves, as diſliking the managing of matters.

Anno 1645. died Mr. John Dod, a paſſive Non-conformiſt, as Mr. Fuller calleth him, a man much eſteemed among men of his own perſwaſion, one that loved not any one the worſe for difference in judgement about Ceremonies, but all the better for their unity of affections in grace and goodneſs. He uſed to retrench ſome hot ſpirits when inveighing againſt Biſhops, telling them how God under that Government had given a marvellous encreaſe to the Goſpel, and that Godly men might comfortably comport therewith, under which Learning and Religion had ſo manifeſt an Improvement. He was an excellent Scholar, and an exquiſite Hebrician, who with his Society and directions in one Vacation taught that Tongue unto Mr. John Gregory, that rare Linguiſt, and Chaplain of Chriſt-Church, who ſurvived him but one year, Mr. Dod was buried at Fauſly in Northampton-ſhire.

Saunderſon's Hiſt. of King Charles.Now comes ſtrange news, Dr. Williams, Archbiſhop of York, is no leſs ſuddenly than ſtrangely Metamorphoſed from a zealous Royaliſt into an active Parliamentarian: and deſirous to make his peace with the Parliament, he betakes himſelf to his houſe at Purin neer Aberconway in Wales, put a garriſon therein, and fortified the ſame, proteſting againſt the King's party, and diſſwading the County from paying Contribution to the King. And wrote to Colonel Mitton (of the Parliament's party) to aſſiſt him againſt the Lord Byron, who underſtanding of his Revolt, had ſent a party from Aber-conway to beſiege him. At length he lays ſiege to the Town and Caſtle of Aber-conway, reduceth them to the Service of the Parliament, & much of the Town to his own poſſeſſion. Hereby he ſaved his eſtate from Sequeſtration. But by his laſt complyance he loſt his old friends at Oxford, and in Lieu of them finding few new ones at London.

He expended much on the repair of Weſtminſter Abby-church. And when preſſed by Archbiſhop Laud to a larger contribution to S. Paul's, he anſwered he would not rob Peter to pay Paul. The Library of Weſtminſter was the effect of his bounty, and ſo was a Chappel in Lincoln-Colledge in Oxford. At S. John's in Cambridge he founded two fellowſhips, built a fair Library, and furniſhed it with Books. To a grave Miniſter coming to him for Inſtitution in a living, be thus expreſſed p. 339himſelf. I have (ſaith he) paſſed through many places of honour and truſt, both in Church and State, more than any of my Order in England theſe ſeventy years before, But were I but aſſured, that by my preaching I had but converted one ſoul to God, I ſhould take therein more ſpiritual joy and comfort, than in all the Honours and Offices which have been beſtowed upon me. He died on March. 25. 1649.

Now I will preſent the Reader with a liſt of the Principal Ordinances of the Lords and Commons which reſpected Church-matters, and to make this Hiſtory the more entire, muſt go a little backward in time.

November 8. 1644. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for the payment of Tythes by every perſon within the Realm of England and Wales

December 13. 1644. An Ordinance for the Ordination of Miniſters pro tempore within the County of Lancaſter, according to the Ordinance of the ſecond of October for the Ordination of Miniſters.

April 12. 1645. An Ordinance for the Regulating the Ʋniverſity of Cambridge, and for the removing of ſcandalous Miniſters in the ſeven Aſſociated Counties.

April 23. 1645. An Ordinance appointing Miniſters for certain Churches and Lectures,Hughe's Abridgement of ordinances of Parlament. Part 2. viz. Philip Goodwin to be Vicar of the Church of Watford in Hartfordſhire: and to receive to himſelf all Tythes, Oblations, &c. thereunto belonging, during his life. And Dr. Cornelius Burgeſs to have yearly allowance of four-hundred pounds paid unto him by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Court of Aldermen, to be paid quarterly out of the Houſes, Rents, Revenues of the Dean, Dean and Chapter of the Church of S. Paul's for and during the term of his life, he performing the Lectures in the ſaid Church, as by the Lords and Commons he was Ordered to do.

p. 340April 26. 1645. An Ordinance, that no perſon be permitted to Preach, who is not Ordained a Miniſter, either in this or ſome other Reformed Church; except ſuch as intending the Miniſtry, ſhall be allowed for the trial of their gifts by thoſe who ſhall be appointed thereunto.

Auguſt 19. 1645. Directions of the Lords and Commons (after advice had with the Aſſembly of Divines) for the electing and chuſing of Ruling Elders, in all the Congregations, And in the Claſſical Aſſemblies for the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, and the ſeveral Counties of the Kingdom; for the ſpeedy ſetling of the Presbyterial government.

Auguſt 21. 1645. Ordained, that the Knights and Burgeſſes of Parliament of the ſeveral Counties of England and Wales, ſhall ſend Printed books of the Directory of God's Worſhip fairly bound up in Leather to the Committees of Parliament reſiding in the ſeveral Counties, who ſhall ſend or cauſe the ſame to be delivered to the ſeveral Miniſters of every Pariſh, &c.

October 20. 1645, An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons, together with Rules and Directions concerning ſuſpenſion from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, in caſes of Ignorance and Scandal. Alſo the names of ſuch Miniſters and others, that are appointed Tryers and Judges of the Ability of Elders in the twelve Claſſes within the Province of London.

January 7. 1645. An Ordinance for making Covent-garden Parochical: and that the new erected Church within the Precinct of the ſaid new intended Pariſh ſhall be a Pariſh-Church for the ſaid Precinct, and that William Earl of Bedford, his Heirs and Aſſigns for ever ſhall have the Patronage of the ſaid Church, &c.

p. 341March 14. 1645. An Ordinance for keeping of ſcandalous Perſons from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, the enabling of the Congregation for the choyce of Elders, and ſupplying of defects in former Ordinances, and Directions of Parliament concerning Church-government.

June 5. 1646. An Ordinance for the preſent ſetling (without further delay) of the Presbyterial government in the Church of England.

Auguſt 28. 1646. An Ordinance for the Ordination of Miniſters by the Claſſical Preſbyters within their reſpective bounds for the ſeveral Congregations in the Kingdom of England.

January 29. 1647. An Ordinance for the ſpeedy dividing and ſetling of the ſeveral Counties of this Kingdom into diſtinct Claſſical Presbyteries, and Congregational Elderſhips.

February 9. 1647. An Ordinance for Reparation of Churches, and paying of Church-duties.

April 3. 1648. An Ordinance for union of Churches in the City of Gloceſter, and maintenance for Preaching Miniſters there.

May 2. 1648. An Ordinance for puniſhing Blaſphemies and Hereſies.

The King on April 17. 1646. In diſguiſe went out of Oxford, attended by Mr. John Aſhburnham, and one more. On May 6. His Majeſty came to the Scots Army which occaſioned the Scotch Commiſſioners to write to the Parliament about it. May 19. the Scots came with the King to New-caſtle.

p. 342A great diſpute was between the King and Mr. Alexander Henderſon about Church-matters,S…underſon's Hiſt. of King Charles p. 904. where after ſeveral Diſcourſes and meetings, many writings paſſed between them till July 16. concerning theſe matters by Authority of the Fathers, and Practice of the Primitive Church. His Majeſty concludeth, that to him it is incredible, that any cuſtome of the Catholick Church be erroneous, which was not Contradicted by Orthodox Learned men in the times of their firſt practice, as is eaſily perceived that theſe defections were which Henderſon mentions. And finally, that albeit He never eſteemed any Authority equal to the Scriptures, yet he thinks the unanimous conſent of the Fathers, and the Univerſal practice of the Primitive Church, to be the beſt and Authentical Interpreters of God's word, and conſequently the fitteſt Judges between him and Henderſon, until better may be found. Theſe diſputes were afterwards publiſhed in Print; to the everlaſting Honour of His Majeſty and his Cauſe.

On February 6. 1646. the Scots, according to agreement, quitted New-caſtle, and the Engliſh poſſeſſed it. The Parliament voted the King's remove to Holdenby-houſe, with reſpect to the ſafety of His Perſon. And the Commiſſioners appointed for receiving the King's Perſon came to Newcaſtle on June 22. The King deſireth two of his Chaplains to be with him, which was denied him, at which he is much troubled. His Majeſty reſolves to keep every Friday a day of Solemn Faſting and Humiliation.

After His Majeſty had been neer five moneths at Holdenby, near a Thouſand Souldiers commanded by Cornet Joyce came to Holdenby to the King, and told him, that they were come by command from the Army to remove him from that place. His Majeſty demanded, whether they would offer any violence to his Perſon. They all cried, None. He alſo deſired, that his Trunks and Papers might not be Riffled and tumbled. They promiſed to ſet a guard on them. Thirdly, he required ſuch ſervants to attend him, againſt whom there was no juſt exceptions. They anſwered, he ſhould. Laſtly he deſired, that nothing be impoſed on him contrary to his Conſcience. They anſwered, it was not their judgement to force any thing againſt Conſcience upon any one, much leſs on His Majeſty. So at one of the Clock His Majeſty went along with them.

On June 28. 1647. His Majeſty was brought to Hatfield, the Duke of Richmond attending him, and others: and from thence came to Caſam.

At this time the Parliament was jealous of the King and the Army, leſt they ſhould treat without the conſent of the Parliament. And the Army likewiſe deviſed as many jealouſies and fears of a private engagement, and Subſcribing in the City of London, and againſt the Army.

Then the Parliament Order their Votes of the Militia in the hands of p. 343the City to be Null, &c. The Apprentices clamour at the Houſes, and gather together in Weſtminſter-hall in ſuch multitudes, that the Commons were forced to unvote and null their laſt Orders.

Then the Army marcheth nearer London. Both Speakers and ſome Members fly the Army. On Auguſt 7. the General and the Army march in Triumph through the City. Sir Thomas Fairfax is made Conſtable of the Tower: and Titchburn: is made Lieutenant of the Tower. The King is brought firſt to Oatelands, and afterward to Hampton court, and his Children Ordered to be with him.

September 28. 1647. The Commons conſidered of ſeveral Propoſitions to ſend to His Majeſty, That about Religion being the main thing. They alſo Vote, that His Majeſty be deſired to give His conſent to ſuch Act or Acts of Parliament, as ſhall be preſented for ſetling of Presbyterian Government, according to the matter of ſeveral Ordinances of Parliament, for the Directory, or Church-government to continue for the ſpace of three years from the time that the King ſhall give his conſent to ſuch Acts. They likewiſe voted the Common-prayer book ſhall not be uſed in Private.

November 11. 1647. the King eſcaped from Hampton-court, and leſt on the Table three Papers, one to the Parliament, one to the Commiſſioners, a third to Colonel Whaley.

On October 15. Information was brought to the Houſe, that His Majeſty was ſafe at the Iſle of Wight, and had put himſelf into the Protection of Colonel Hammond, then Governour of the Iſland.

Come we now to the Church-part of the Treaty in the Iſle of Wight. Here appeared of the Divines choſen by the King, James Ʋſher, Archbiſhop of Armagh, Brian Duppa Biſhop of Sarum, Dr. Sheldon, Dr. Sanderſon, Dr. Fern. On the other ſide Mr. Stephen Marſhall, M. Richard Vines, Mr. Lazarus Seaman, and Mr. Joſeph Caryl, were there preſent by appointment of the Pa liament.

All things were tranſacted in ſcriptis. His Majeſty conſulted with his Chaplains when he pleaſed. The King's writings were publickly read before all by Mr. Philip Warwick: and Mr Vines read the Papers of his Fellow-divines.

As for the difference between Primitive Epiſcopacy and preſent Hierarchy, urged by the Parliament Divines, his Majeſty did not conceive, that the Additions granted by the favour of His Royal Progenitors for the enlarging the power and priviledges of Biſhops, did make the Government ſubſtantially to differ from what it was, no more than Arms and Ornaments make a Body really different from it ſelf, when it was naked and deveſted of the ſame. Whereas they beſought His Majeſty to look rather to the Original than to the ſucceſſion of Biſhops, he thought it needful to look at both, the latter being the beſt Clue in ſuch intrinſick caſes to find out the former. Laſtly, he profeſſed himſelf unſatisfied in p. 344their anſwer, concerning the perpetual and unalterable ſubſtantials of Church-government, as expecting from them a more particular Reſolution therein, than what he had received. Eleven days after the Parliament Divines put in their anſwer to his Majeſties laſt paper. Herein they affirmed, they ſaw not by what warrant the Writ of Partition of the Apoſtles Office was taken forth, that the Governing part ſhould be in the hands of the Biſhops, the Teaching and Sacramentizing in the Presbyters. They alſo ſaid that ſome Fathers acknowledged, that Biſhops were different from Presbyters onelyonly in matter of Ordination. They alſo returned, that His Majeſtie's Definition of Epiſcopal Government, is extracted out of the Biſhops of later date than Scriptu…e-time.

The darkneſs of the Hiſtory of the Church in the times ſucceeding the Apoſtles (ſaid they) had an influence on the Catalogue makers,Fuller's Chur. Hiſt. who derived the Series of ſucceſſion of Biſhops, taken much from Tradition and Reports. And it is a great blemiſh of their evidence, that the nearer they come to the Apoſtles times (wherein this ſhould be moſt clear to eſtabliſh the ſucceſſion at the firſt) they are moſt doubtful and contradictory one to the other.

They granted, that a ſucceſſion of men to feed and govern thoſe Churches, by Eccleſiaſtical writers in compliance with the Language of their own times, were called Biſhops, but not diſtinct from Presbyters. So that if ſuch a ſucceſſion from the Primitive times, Seriatim were proved, they would either be found more than Biſhops, as Apoſtles and extraordinary perſons; or leſs, as meerly firſt Presbyters, not having the three Eſſentials of Epiſcopal government inſiſted on by His Majeſty. They humbly moved His Majeſty, that the Regiments of Humane teſtimonies on both ſides might be diſcharged the field, and the point of diſpute tried alone by dint of holy Scripture.

They affirmed alſo, that the power of Epiſcopacy under Chriſtian and Pagan Princes is one and the ſame, though the exerciſe be not but acknowledging the ſubordination thereof to the Sovereign Power, with their accountableneſs to the Laws of the Land. They conclude with thanks to His Majeſtie's Condeſcenſion in vouchſafing them the Liberty and Honour in examining his Learned Reply, praying God, that a Pen in the Hand of ſuch Abilities might ever be employ'd in a ſubject worthy thereof. Some dayes after His Majeſty returned His laſt paper, wherein he not onelyonly acknowledgeth the great pains of theſe Divines to inform his judgement, according to their perſwaſions, but alſo took ſpecial notice of their Civilities of the Application, both in the Beginning and Body of their ſupply. However he told them, they miſtook his meaning about a Writ of Partition, as if His Majeſty had Cantoned out the Epiſcopal Government, one part to the Biſhops, another to the Presbyterians alone: whereas his meaning was, that the Office of p. 345Teaching is common to both alike; but the other of Governing peculiar to Biſhops alone.

The Lords and Commons vote their Commiſſioners return from the Treaty. The Commons debate of his Majeſties Propoſitions, and agree.

I. That he be in Honour, Safety, and Freedom, according to the Lawes.

II. That he have his Revenue as before, excepting the Dedications of ſuch Forts and Garriſons, as were of old accuſtomed to be allowed maintenance.

III. That he have compenſation for the Court of Wards.

IV. That an Act of Oblivion be past.

The King having granted the Parliament to diſpoſe of all great Offices for ten years, they vote it ſatisfactory.

On November 26. was preſented a Declaration of the Army to the Houſe of Commons, which was the day before ſubſcribed by the General; it contained twenty ſix ſheets of paper, ſhewing (as they termed it) the miſgoings of King and Parliament ſeverally, alſo in all Treaties betwixt them, eſpecially, that they are now in. They deſire, that the Parliament would reject thoſe demands of the King, eſpecially concerning his Reſtitution, and coming to London, with Freedom, Honour and Safety, and that they proceed againſt the King in way of Juſtice, &c. The Army on December 2. enter the lines of Communication, and at Whitehall quartereth the General, and the reſt of the Army at the Mews, St. James's, York-houſe, and divers other places about the City. The King is taken from Newport, convay'd to Hurſt-caſtle: on December 6. the Trained bands are diſcharged the Guard to the Parliament, and and Pride's and Riche's Regiments take it upon them. Many of the Members coming to the Houſe are ſeized and kept in cuſtody by the General's command in the Queen's Court, and Court of Wards. Theſe were removed to the King's-Head Inn near Charing-Croſs, and to the Swan Inn in the Strand under Guards of Souldiers.

The Army put forth a new Repreſentative, called, The Agreement of the People. The King is brought up to London, arraigned before a ſelect Committee for that purpoſe, called An High Court of Juſtice, indicted; and upon his refuſal… to own their Authority; finally condemned.

Having, received the ſentence of death, Dr. Juxon, Biſhop of London, Preached privately before him at St. James's on the Sunday following: his Text Romans 2.16. Next Tueſday being the day of his diſſolution, in the morning alone he received the Communion from the hands of the ſaid Biſhop. At which time he read for the ſecond Leſſon p. 346the 27th chapter of St. Matthew, containing the Hiſtory of the death and paſſion of our Saviour. Sermon ended, the King heartily thanked the Biſhop for ſelecting ſo ſeaſonable and comfortable a portion of Scripture, ſeeing all Humane hope and happineſs is founded on the ſufferings of our Saviour: The Biſhop anſwered, He had done it meerly following the direction of the Church of England, whoſe Rubrick appointeth that Chapter the ſecond Morning-leſſon for the thirtieth of January. At ten of the Clock, in the forenoon, he is brought on Foot from St. James's Palace over the Park to Whitehall, guarded with a Regiment of Foot-ſouldiers, part before, and the reſt behind him, with Colours flying, and Drums beating, his private Guard of Partizans about him, and Doctor Juxon Biſhop of London, next to him on one ſide, and Colonel Tomlinſon on the other. He bid them go faſter, ſaying, That he now went before them, to ſtrive for an Heavenly Crowns, with leſs ſollicitude, than he had oftentimes bid his Souldiers to fight for an earthly Diadem. Then paſſeth he to the Scaffold, where he defendeth his Innocency: howbeit he acknowledgeth God's juſtice, pardons his enemies, takes pity on the Kingdom. He ſhews the Souldiers how much they are out of the way, and tells them, They would never go right, till they give God his due, the King his due, and the people their due.

You must (ſaid he) give God his due, by reſtoring his worſhip and Church rightly regulated (which is now out of order) according to his Word. And a National Synod freely called, freely debating among themſelves, must ſettle this, when every Opinion is freely and clearly heard.

For the King, ſaid he, (that is my Succeſſor) Indeed I will not, the Laws of the Land will clearly inſtruct you for that: For the People, I must tel you, That their liberty and freedom conſiſts in having Government under thoſe Laws by which their Lives and Goods may be most their own. It is not in having a ſhare in the Government, that pertains not to them. A Sovereign and a Subject are two different things. He prayed God, they might take thoſe courſes that are best for the good of the Kingdom, and their own Salvation.

Then having declared, That he died a Chriſtian according to the profeſſion of the Church of England, as the ſame was left him by his Father; He ſaid, I have a good Cauſe, and a gracious God; and gave his George to the Biſhop, bidding him, Remember to give it to the Prince. Then, ſaid He, I go from a Corruptible to an Incorruptible Crown, where no diſturbance can be, but peace and joy for evermore. Then lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven, having prayed ſecretly, ſtooping down to the block, he received the fatal ſtroak. On the Wedneſday ſennight after, his Corps embalmed, and Coffined in Lead, was delivered to the p. 347care of ſome of his Servants to be buried at Windſor. That night they brought the Corps to Windſor. The Vault being prepared, a ſcarff of Lead was provided, ſome two foot long, and five inches broad, therein to make an Inſcription, which was

KING CHARLES 1648.

The Plummer ſouldred it to the Coffin, about the Breaſt of the Corpſe. Then was the Corpſe brought to the Vault, being born by the Souldiers of the Garriſon: Over it a black Velvet Herſe-cloth, the four Labels whereof the Duke of Richmond, the Marqueſs of Hertford, the Earls of South-hampton, and Lindſey, did ſupport. The Biſhop of London ſtood weeping by. Then was it depoſited in ſilence and ſorrow in the vacant place in the Vault, near to the Coffin (as it was thought) which contained the Corps of King Henry the Eighth (the Herſe-cloth being caſt in after it) about three of the Clock in the afternoon: and the Lords that night (though late) returned to London.

Prince Charles eldeſt Son to King Charles the firſt, by unqueſtionable right ſucceeded to the Crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in the eighteenth year of his age. Proclamation and Coronation could not now have their due courſe. The Ruling part of the Houſe of Commons, who uſurped the Government with violence on the perſon of the late King, immediately publiſhed an Act even againſt Kingly Government. Yet this Inhibition did not deter many Loyal Subjects from doing their duty: and on February 2. a Proclamation in the name of the Noblemen, Judges, Knights, Lawyers, Gentlemen, Free-holders, Merchants, Citizens, Yeomen, Seamen, and other Freemen of England, did Proclaim Prince Charles King of England. The Proclamation was Printed, and ſcattered about the Streets of London.

The Houſe of Peers continued yet ſitting, and in regard the Commiſſions of the Judges were determined by the death of the King, they ſend to the Commons for a Conference about it, and other matters relating to the ſetling of the Government.

But Monarchy and the Houſe of Lords are declared uſeleſs by the Commons.

The Peers in general reſent theſe indignities put upon them by a ſmall part of the Houſe of Commons; they aſſert their own Priviledges, and the Fundamental Laws of the Nation; and diſclaim and proteſt againſt all Acts, Votes, Orders, or Ordinances of the ſaid Members of the Commons Houſe, for erecting of new Courts of Juſtice, to try or execute the King, or any Peer or Subject of the Realm; for altering the Government, Laws, Great Seal, &c.

p. 348Hereupon the Army ſet a Guard upon the door of the Houſe of Lords, and in further proſecution of the late Votes of Commons againſt Monarchy. An Act was paſſed by that Houſe for the Exhaeredation of the Royal Line, the Aboliſhment of Monarchy in this Kingdom, and the ſetting up of a Common-wealth, which they ordered to be publiſhed and Proclaimed in all parts of the Kingdom. But Alderman Reinoldſon, then Lord Mayor of London, refuſed to publiſh this Act in London, and He with three of the Aldermen of his Judgment were ſent priſoners to the Tower.

But on February 3. the King was Proclaimed at the Croſs at Edinburgh In the beginning of March, the Duke of Hamilton, the Earls of Holland and Norwich, the Lord Capel, and Sir John Owen, were tried and condemned by an High Court of Juſtice erected for that purpoſe: of which the Duke of Hamilton, the Earl of Holland, and the Lord Capel, were executed March 9. but the Earl of Norwich, and Sir John Owen were pardoned.

The Commons ſet forth a Declaration to juſtifie their proceedings. They promiſe the eſtabliſhment of a firm and ſafe Peace, the advancement of the true Proteſtant Religion, the liberal maintenance of a godly Miniſtry, &c.

They paſs an Act for propagating the Goſpel in Ireland, March 8.

April 10. 1649. An Act was paſſed by the Commons for the ſale of Deans and Chapters Lands, and for the aboliſhing of Deans, Deans and Chapters, Canons, Prebends, &c. and Tithes of or belonging to any Cathedral or Collegiate Church in England and Wales: but it was provided, That this ſhould not extend to the Colledge of St. Mary in Wincheſter, nor to the Colledge of Eaton; nor to any of the Mannors, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments to them belonging.

June 2. 1649 An Act was paſſed for the better maintenance of Preaching Miniſters, and School-maſters (out of the Lands of Deans and Chapters) throughout England and Wales, in ſuch places where maintenance is wanting, and for other good uſes to the advancement of true Religion, Piety, and Learning. And the Commiſſioners of the Great-Seal of England iſſued forth Commiſſions under the Great Seal, into all the Counties of England and Wales, to ſuch perſons as by the Parliament were nominated, giving them power by the Oathes of good and lawful men, &c. to find out the true value of all Parſonages and Vicarages preſentative, and all other Eccleſiaſtical Livings, with care of Souls within ſuch Cities and Counties, and to certifie into the Chancery what each of them were really worth per Annum; the names of the Incumbents, Proprietors, and Poſſeſſors thereof, and of ſuch as receive the profits; who ſupplies the Cure, what he hath for his Sallary; how many Chappels are belonging to one Pariſh, and how ſituate, and fit to be united: and how the Churches and Chappels are ſupplied by p. 349Preaching Miniſters, that ſo a courſe be taken for the providing both for Preaching and maintenance, where the ſame ſhould be found to be needful.

About this time ſome Diſſenters in the Army called Levellers, drew together five thouſand Horſe and Foot at Burford. Colonel Reinolds fell in upon them with a greater Body than they had, and routed them, taking nine hundred Horſe, and four hundred Foot priſoners: whereof one Thomſon and two more principal Leaders, were immediately ſhot to death, who died reſolutely. Cornet Den, an Army-preacher,Flageilum, or the life and death of O. C. p. 83. expreſſing his grief and ſorrow, was reprieved at the Inſtant of execution, which their Fellows beheld from the leads of the Church. The Reſt by Cromwells mediation were all pardoned, and ſent home to their own houſes. This proved the utter ſuppreſſion of that faction, and rendred the Army entirely at his Command: ſo that they preſently ſubmitted to the lot which Regiments ſhould be ſent to Ireland, then almoſt reduced to the King's obedience by the Marqueſs of Ormond. Cromwell was ordained Commander in chief of the Forces appointed for Ireland, and tituladoed with the ſtyle of Lord Governour of Ireland, while the Lord Fairfax was left here to attend the Parliament. He with a potent Army landed at Dublin.

The Marqueſs of Ormond had beſieged Dublin, but the ſiege was raiſed by Colonel Michael Jones, Governour of Dublin, with the utter defeat of the Marqueſſes Army. And the ſiege of London-derry was raiſed by Sir Charles Coot ſallying out of the Town. Cromwel takes Drogheda by Storm, and puts all in it to the Sword. After this, in leſs than a year moſt of the Cities and Towns in Ireland were taken, and that whole Kingdom in a manner ſubdued to the power of the Common-Wealth of England; and the Marqueſs of Ormond, and all that oppoſe their Authority, withdrew themſelves. But a little before, Colonel Rich received a Bruſh from my Lord Broghil in the County of Cork, where the Biſhop of Roſſe being taken was hanged.

July 19. 1649. An Act was paſſed by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, for the promoting and propagating the Goſpel of Chriſt in New England. And a general Collection was made in and through all the Counties, Cities, Towns, and Pariſhes of England and Wales, as the foundation for ſo pious an undertaking, &c.

King Charles the Second being now at Jerſey, part of the Engliſh Fleet was ſent to attacque that Iſland, which put the King upon a ſpeedy remove from thence into France, where he reſided till the time appointed for the Treaty at Breda, which drew near, and then he repaired thither.

The Committee of the Eſtates of Scotland having concluded with the King at Breda, all correſpondence with the Engliſh was by Proclamation forbidden, and all manner of proviſion ſtopped from being carryed into England, though the Juncto at Weſtminſter had uſed all Artifices to p. 350keep the Scots from cloſing with the King.1650. During the Treaty at Breda, the Marqueſs of Montroſſe landed in the Iſles of Orkney with fifteen hundred Armes, and five hundred German Souldiers: and after he had gathered more ſtrength, he was defeated by Colonal Straughan, taken, and brought to Edinburgh, where he is brought to his Trial, condemned and executed.

The rigorous proſecution of the Marqueſs of Montroſſe in that violent manner, was chiefly from the inſtigation of the Kirk, by which long before he had been Excommunicated. Concerning which he ſpake to the people in this manner upon the Scaffold.

What I did in this Kingdom, was in obedience to the most just Commands of my Sovereign, for his defence in the day of his diſtreſs, against thoſe that roſe up against him. I fear God, and honour the King, according to the Commandments of God, and the Law of Nature and Nations, &c. It is objected against me by many, even good people, that I am under the cenſure of the Church: this is not my fault, ſince it is onelyonly for doing my duty, by obeying my Prince's most juſt Commands, for Religion, his Perſon, and Authority: yet am I ſorry they did Excommunicate me; and in that which is according to God's Laws, without wronging my Conſcience or Allegiance, I deſire to be relaxed. If they will not, I appeal to God, who is the Righteous Judge of the World: and who must and will, I hope, be my Judge and Saviour-

The King was much troubled at the Scots ſeverity againſt this Noble Marqueſs.

After this the King lands in Scotland, and is Proclaimed King at Edinburgh Croſs. But his Majeſty had not been long among the Scots, but they began (according to their uſual manner of Kirk Authority and Diſcipline) to obtrude upon the King ſuch curbing conditions, as but ill-ſuited with Regal dignity.

Then the Common-wealth of England ſent an Army againſt Scotland, and Cromwel is made General of the Parliament's Forces inſtead of Lord Fairfax: and about the end of June he marched towards Berwick in order to his advance into Scotland. The Scots raiſe an Army, and in the mean-time ſend many Expoſtulatory Letters to Sir Arthur Haſlerigg then at Newcaſtle, urging the breach of Covenant, and the union between the two Nations, which availed nothing.

The Scots having been routed at Muſcleburgh, they came to a Battel at Dunbar, where the whole Army was defeated by Cromwel: of the Scots there were ſlain in the Battel four thouſand, and nine thouſand were taken priſoners, with all their Ammunition, bag and baggage, and ten thouſand Armes. The Scots after this loſs quitted Leith and Edinburgh, p. 351whereof the next day Cromwel took poſſeſſion, and the King retired to St. Johnſtons, where the Committee of Eſtates were aſſembled. The Scots aſcribed this overthrow of the Army to their admitting the King into Scotland, before he had given full ſatisfaction to the Kirk in what they required of him; and began very much to impoſe upon him, and remove from his Perſon the moſt Faithful and Loyal of his Servants. The King departs ſecretly from St. Johnſtons in diſcontent to the Lord Dedup's houſe near Dundee. The Eſtates at St. Johnſtons ſend Major General Montgomery to fetch the King back: the King returns with him to St. Johnſtons, where a grand Convention is held, and divers of the Royal Nobility are received into the favour of this Aſſembly.

Cromwel fortifieth Lieth, and lays cloſe ſiege to Edinburgh Caſtle. Mr. John Guthry, Mr. Patrick Geleſpy, Mr. Samuel Rutherford, with many other Miniſters, withdrew from the Aſſembly at St. Johnſtons, and in print remonſtrated, in the name of themſelves and the Weſtern Churches, againſt the preſent proceedings; and with theſe Colonel Ker, Straughan the Laird of Warreſton, Sir John Chieſly, and Sir James Stuart, and others, Confederated. By this diviſion Cromwel's Conqueſt was made very eaſie: and his fomenting that Rent in their Church, made their ſubjection to his Authority more laſting than otherwiſe it would have been.

The King was deſirous to compoſe this diſorder, or (at leaſt) to prevent the dividing ſo great a Force, as was under Ker and Straughan from his Service: and to that end the Earl of Caſſels, the Lord Broody, and Mr. Robert Douglas the Miniſter, were ſent to treat with them; but they were ſomewhat averſe to a compoſure; yet they declared againſt any conjunction with Cromwel, profeſſing equally againſt Malignants (as they called the King's Loyal Subjects) and Sectaries. Soon after Colonel Ker, being defeated, was taken priſoner by Major General Lambert. Mr. Rutherford wrote divers conſolatory Letters to him during his impriſonment both in Scotland and in England.

Edinburgh Caſtle was ſurrendered, by Dundaſſe the Governor, Son in Law to old Leven, upon conditions, unto Cromwel, on December 24. 1650. Shortly after all the Forts on this ſide of Sterling were taken by the Engliſh. The King was ſolemnly Crowned at Scoone, near unto St. Johnſtons (the accuſtomed place of the Coronation of the Kings of Scotland) his Coronation being celebrated with loud Acclamations, Bonfires, ſhooting off of Guns, and with as much pomp and Ceremony as the preſent State of things would permit.

About the beginning of June the Parliament of Scotland ended,Addition to Sir Ric. Baker… Chron. having before their diſſolution given large Commiſſions and Inſtructions for the preſſing of men in all parts of the Kingdom beyond Fife, and in the Weſtern parts for a new Army, which was to conſiſt of 15000 Foot, and 3000 Horſe and Dragoons.

p. 352Then was the intended riſing in Lancaſhire unfortunately diſapointed, Anno 1651 by the taking of a Ship at Ayx in Scotland, which had been bound to the Earl of Darby in the Iſle of Man, and the ſeizing of Mr. Berkinhead an Agent in the buſineſs, by whoſe Letters all was detected; and thereupon were apprehended Mr. Thomas Cook of Grays-Inn, Mr. Gibbons a Tailor, and Mr. Potter an Apothecary, together with Mr. Chriſtopher Love, Mr. William Jenkin, Mr. Thomas Caſe, Dr. Roger Drake, and ſome other Presbyterial Miniſters, who were brought before a High Court of Juſtice, and tried for their lives, and about the latter end of July, Potter, Gibbons, and Mr. Love, were ſentenced to death; and a while after, Gibbons and Love were executed.

After the defeat of Sir John Brown by Lambert, and the taking of Brunt-Iſland and Inchgarvy-Caſtle by the Engliſh; Cromwel reſolved to ſet upon St. Johnſtons, which after one days ſiege he gained. Hereupon the King leaves Scotland, and enters England with his Army by the way of Carlile, on Auguſt 6. 1651. At his firſt entrance upon Engliſh ground he was Proclaimed King of G…eat Britain, at the Head of the Army, with great Acclamations, and ſhooting off the Canons, on Auguſt 22. he came to Worceſter. The Earl of Darby coming with Forces to the King, was routed by Colonel Lilburn. Cromwel having with the conjunction of the Militia of divers Counties, drawn together an Army of fifty thouſand men, ſurroundeth the City of Worceſter. Duke Hamilton (who behaved himſelf with undaunted courage) received a ſhot on his thigh, whereof preſently after he died. The King's Army being over-powred, they were forced to retreat into the City, and many of Cromwel's Army got in with them. About ſeven at night the Cromwellians gained the Fort Royal, at which time his Majeſty left the City, paſſing out at St. Martin's gate, accompanied with about Sixty Horſe of the chiefeſt of his Retinue. The Town was taken, and miſerably plundered.

There were ſlain in the Field, in the Town, and in Purſuit ſome two thouſand; and about eight thouſand were taken priſoners in ſeveral places; moſt of the Engliſh common men eſcaping by their Shibboleth. But at Newport there were taken in the purſuit, the Earls of Lauderdale, Rothes, Carnworth, Darby, Cleveland, Shrewsbury; the Lord Spyne, Sir John Pakington, Sir Ralph Clare, Sir Charles Cunningham, Colonel Graves, Mr. Richard Fanſhaw, Secretary to the King, and many others: Six Colonels of Horſe, eight Lieutennant Colonels of Foot, ſix Majors of Horſe, thirteen Majors of Foot, thirty ſeven Captains of Horſe, ſeventy two Captains of Foot, fifty five Quarter-maſters, eighty nine Lieutenants. There were taken alſo ſome general Officers with ſeventy ſix Cornets of Horſe, ninety nine Enſignes of Foot, ninety Quarter-maſters, eighty of the King's Servants, with the King's Standard, which p. 353he had ſet up when he ſummoned the Countrey, the King's Coach and Horſes, and Collar of S S. but the King's perſon God wonderfully preſerved, delivering him from the Hand of all his Enemies, and after many difficulties he is ſafely tranſported, from Bright-helmſton in Suſſex, into France, by Tatterſall.

Cromwel comes with his priſoners to London, and having left Lieutennant General Monk in Scotland, Sterling with the Caſtle was ſurrendred unto him, and Dundee was taken by Storm; and ſoon after St. Andrews, Aberdeen, with other Towns, Caſtles, and Strong places, either voluntarily ſubmitted, or rendred upon ſummons.

The Earl of Darby was beheaded at Bolton in Lancaſhire. The Iſles of Man and Jerſey, &c. are ſurrendred to the Parliament. The Iſle of Barbadoes is yielded up to Sir George Aſcough. Now the Parliament of England reſolves upon an union of England and Scotland, and an incorporating of both Nations into one Common-wealth. This was much oppoſed and remonſtrated againſt by the Scotch Kirk, but in vain.

Anno 1652. began the War with Holland: An Act was paſſed, entitled, An Act againſt unlicenſed and ſcandalous Books and Pamphlets, and for the better regulating of Printing.

Anno 1653. The Officers of the Army conſult about change of Government: on April 20. Cromwel, Lambert, Hariſon, and eight Officers more of the Army, entred the Houſe of Commons, and after a ſhort ſpeech made by Cromwel, ſhewing ſome reaſons for the neceſſity of their diſſolution, he declared them diſſolved, and required them to depart: but the Speaker would not leave the Chair till Hariſon pulled him out by the Arm. Then Cromwel commanded the Mace to be taken away, and no more to be carried before him. Then they cauſed the doors of the Parliament Houſe to be locked up, and placed a Guard thereon to prevent the reaſſembling of the Members.

The firſt thing done after this change, was to conſtitute a Council of State of the chief Officers of the Army. Theſe agreed upon the ſeveral perſons all over England to form a new Repreſentative, and a ſummons was ſent to every one of them in the name of Oliver Cromwel, Captain General of all the Forces, &c. to take upon them the truſt to which they were ſummoned, and to meet at Whitehall, on July 5. Theſe aſſembled at the time appointed, and went to the Parliament Houſe, and choſe Mr. Rouſe (made by the late Parliament Provoſt of Eaton) to be their ſpeaker.

This mock-Parliament, called by ſome the little Parliament, aimed at the new modelling both of Magiſtracy and Miniſtry: but the Miniſtry and the maintenance thereof by Tithes, they arraigned as an Antichriſtian Conſtitution. Having paſſed an Act ab…ut Marriages, Births, and Burials, on December 12. Rouſe the Speaker told the Houſe, That their p. 354ſitting was no longer neceſſary; and preſently went out of the Houſe with the Mace before him, and (many others following him) he came to White-hall, and there reſigned to Cromwell the Inſtrument by him formerly delivered to them at their firſt ſitting.

About four dayes after the Officers of the Army had prepared an Inſtrument, or Syſteme of Government, on which the foundation of a new Dominion was to be erected, and they entreated Oliver Cromwell to accept of the Government under the Title of Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He accepted it, and was that day, at one of the clock in the afternoon, Inſtalled at Weſtminſter. The Protector's Council being choſen and eſtabliſhed, he makes a peace with the Dutch, and with the Queen of Sweden; Spain, Portugal, and France, ſeek Cromwel's friendſhip.

As to the ſtate of Religion at this time in England, one thus deſcribes it.

Flagellum, or the life and death of O. C. p. 144.The Orthodox Proteſtants were wholly ſuppreſſed, and yet ſome Reverend perſons, as Doctor Uſher, Archbiſhop of Armagh, and Doctor Brownrigg, the Biſhop of Exeter, received ſome ſhews of reſpect and reverence from the Protector, which he more manifeſtly declared afterward in the Funeral-expence of the Learned Archbiſhop Uſher, and this to captate a reputation of his love to Scholars, and the meek, modest, and vertuous Clergy.

The Presbyterian was rather tolerated than countenanced, and yet ſuch of them as would comply with his Court-greatneſs became his Favourites, for others of them he cared not, pleaſingly expreſſing himſelf, how he had brought under the pride and arrogance of that Sect, making thoſe that would allow no liberty to others, to ſue for it themſelves.

The Independents, and Anabaptiſts, he loved, and preferred by turns, and was moſt conſtant to them, as the men that would ſupport his Ʋſurpation. Only he could by no means endure the Fifth Monarchy-men, though by their dotages he had raiſed himſelf to this height. Therefore Feak and Rogers, Preachers, were by him committed to priſon, Feak to Windſor, and Rogers to Carisbrook in the Iſle of Wight. But it is ſaid, he ſet Mr. Kiffin, the Anabaptiſt (whom he had taken out of deſign into his favour with the party) at variance with Feak, to the raiſing of a fewd between them; the ballance of his ſecurity in the Gov…rnment. The like he did between the Presbyterian and the Independent, a ſubdivided Schiſm from the Church of England, as the other were from Independency. And it was obſerved, that in moſt great Towns and Cities in England, he placed an Independant Minister, and a Presbyterian together, that the one might ballance the other.

The Kirk of Scotland at this time had the wings of her Authority very much clipped, if not quite taken away by the diſſolution of the General Aſſembly, which was done by Colonel Morgan at Aberdeen, where they were aſſembled; Mr. Andrew Cant, and the reſt of them in vain p. 355proteſting againſt the Action. The like diſturbance they had afterwards at Edenburgh from Lieutenant Colonel Cotterel.

The Marqueſs of Argyle, to keep up his Reputation with the Church of Scotland, ſeemed much troubled at this proceeding againſt the Aſſemblies, and interceded with the Protector for the liberty of the Church, wherein he had good ſucceſs: and the Church of Scotland was indulged with the exerciſe of Religion, and a great part of their Juriſdiction and Diſcipline. They were reſtrained in little more than the power of keeping General Aſſemblies (their Presbyteries being permitted to convene) and the rigour of Excommunication; for whereas before perſons excommunicated were not only excluded from the communion of the Kirk, but had all their Eſtates confiſcated till their reconciliation This latter part was not now to be executed; but to pleaſe the Miniſters for the reſtraint of their power, the maintenance of Scholars in Univerſities of Scotland was encreaſed, and many priviledges were granted to them.

The Government and ſecurity of the Kingdom of Ireland was the next care of the Protector, and his Son-in-law, Lieutenant General Fleetwood, is made Deputy of Ireland.

About this time an Ordinance was publiſhed for the Trial and Approbation of Miniſters, wherein Doctor Thomas Goodwyn, Philip Nye, Hughes Abridgement of all Acts and publick Ordinances. part. 2.Hugh Peters, Mr. Manton and divers others were named Commiſſioners. It was ordained, That every perſon who ſhould after March 25. 1654. be preſented, nominated, choſen, or appointed to any Benefice (called a Benefice with cure of Souls) or to preach any publick Lecture in England or Wales, ſhould before he be admitted to ſuch Benefice or Lecture, be adjudged and approved of by the Perſons forenamed, to be a Perſon for the Grace of God in him, his holy and unblameable Converſation, and alſo for his knowledge and utterance, able and fit to preach the Goſpel. And that after the ſaid twenty five of March, no perſon, but ſuch as ſhould upon ſuch approbation be admitted by the ſaid perſons, ſhould take any publick Lecture, having a ſtipend legally annexed thereunto, or take or receive any ſuch Benefice as aforeſaid, or the profits thereof.

On June the twenty third following, by the Protector, with the advice of his Council, it was further ordained, That in caſe any perſon, who ſince April the firſt, 1653. hath been proved in any publick Benefice or publick Lecture, ſhould not before the twenty fourth of June, 1654. obtain approbation and admittance in manner as in the ſaid Ordinance is expreſſed, that then the perſon, or perſons, who have right thereunto, ſhould and might preſent and nominate ſome other fit perſon to that place.

It was ordained alſo, That tho ſaid Commiſſioners in that Ordinance be authorized to give approbation and admittance to any perſon concerned in that p. 356clauſe of the ſaid Ordinance, at any time before the twenty third day of July, 1654. and that in the mean time no perſon ſhould preſent, or nominate, any perſon to any Benefice, or publick Lecture, in the place of any ſuch perſon, for the want of ſuch approbation by the time aforeſaid. But if ſuch approbation and admittance ſhould not be by the ſaid twenty third of July obtained by the ſaid perſons therein concerned, then ſuch perſon, or perſons, as have right thereunto, might preſent or nominate ſome other fit perſon to ſuch place, according to the ſaid Ordinance.

Auguſt the ſixteenth, 1654. an Ordinance was paſſed againſt ignorant and ſcandalous Miniſters, in all the reſpective Counties within England and Wales: in which it was declared.

1. That ſuch Miniſters, and Scholars, ſhould be accounted ſcandalous in their lives, as ſhould be proved guilty for holding ſuch blaſpemous and Atheiſtical Opinions, as are puniſhable by an Act of Parliament, entitled, An Act againſt ſeveral Atheiſtical, Blaſphemous, and Execrable Opinions, derogatory to the Honour of God, and deſtructive to Humane ſociety: or guilty of curſing, ſwearing, or ſubornation of perjury.

2. Such as hold, or teach any of thoſe Popiſh opinions, required in the Oath of abjuration, to be abjured: or be guilty of adultery, fornication, drunkenneſs, &c. carding, dicing, profaning of the Lord's day, or allow the ſame in their Families.

3. Such as have publickly, and frequently received and uſed the Common-prayer-book, ſince the firſt of January laſt, or ſhall at any time hereafter do the ſame.

4. Such as do encourage, or countenance, by word, or practice, any Whitſun-ales, Wakes, Morris-dances, May-poles.

5. Such as have declared, or ſhall declare, by writing, preaching, or otherwiſe, their diſaffection to the Government.

6. Such Miniſters were to be accounted negligent; as omit the publick Exerciſes of Preaching, and Praying, on the Lord's-day (not being hindered by neceſſary abſence, or infirmity of ſickneſs) or that are or ſhall be non-reſident.

7. Such School-maſters ſhould be accounted negligent, as abſent themſelves from their Schools, and do wilfully neglect their duties in teaching their Scholars.

8. Such Miniſters, and School-maſters, ſhould be accounted ignorant, and inſufficient, as ſhould be ſo declared, and adjudged, by the ſaid Commiſſioners, five or more of them, together with five, or more, of the Miniſters particularly named in the Ordinance for the ſeveral and reſpective Counties of England and Wales, Aſſiſtants to the ſaid Commiſſioners.

Auguſt the thirtieth, 1654. It was ordained, That Sir Hugh Owen Baronet, and divers other perſons, particularly named in the Ordinance for all p. 357the ſeveral Counties in the Dominion of Wales, be Commiſſioners in their ſeveral limits, and that the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any three of them, therein are authorized by their Warrants under their hands and ſeals to call before them all ſuch perſons, who by authority and colour of an Act of Parliament, made February the twenty ſecond, 1649. entitled [An Act for the better Propagation, and Preaching of the Goſpel in Wales, &c.] have intermedled in the receiving, keeping, and diſpoſing the ſaid rents, iſſues, and profits of all or any of the Rectories, Vicarages, portion of Tenths, and other Eccleſiaſtical livings, Impropriations, and Glebe-lands within the ſaid Counties: and to give a true and perfect account upon Oath (which Oath the Commiſſioners are impowred to adminiſter) of all ſuch rents, iſſues, and profits, which they, or any of them, have received. And if any of them ſhall refuſe to give a true account, to commit him, or them, ſo refuſing to the Gaol of the County, there to remain, till they conform themſelves. The moneys found in their hands to be paid into the hands of ſuch Treaſurer as the reſpective Commiſſioners ſhould nominate and appoint for that purpoſe: which Treaſurer ſhould within three months pay in the ſame into the Exchequer.

Se…tember the ſecond, 1654. It was ordained, That the Ordinance, entitled, An Ordinance for bringing in the publick Revenue of this Common-wealth into one Treaſury, to be paid into the Receipt of the Exchequer; nor any thing therein contained, ſhall extend, or be conſtrued to extend to any the Rents, Profits, or Revenues, by Acts of Parliament, of Rectories impropriate, appropriate Tythes, &c. or any of them ſetled in the Truſtees in the ſaid Acts named.

That all and every the Rectories, Impropriations, Tithes a…propriate, Donatives, Oblations, Obventions, Firſt-fruits, Tenths, Penſions, Portions of Tiths by the ſaid recited Acts veſted in the Truſtees, and not ex…oſed to ſale by an Act, entitled, [An Act for the ſale of Mannors, of Rectories, and Glebe-lands, belonging to Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Deans, Deans and Chapters] ſhall from henceforth be ſetled in the poſſeſſion and ſeizin of W. Steele, Serjeant at Law, and other perſons particularly named in the Ordinance, Survivor and Survivors of them, and their Heirs, to the uſes, and upon the Truſts in the ſaid Acts expreſſed, &c.

That they ſhall ſue for, recover, collect, and gather the Rents, Iſſues, and Profits thereof, as Owners in Truſt, and manage the Revenue in ſuch way and manner as ſhall be moſt advantageous for the carrying on of this ſervice.

That the ſaid Truſtees ſhall ha…e power to make unions of two Pariſhes, or more, into one, and the whole Eccleſiaſtical Revenues, Tithes, and Profits belonging to the ſaid Pariſhes ſo united, to be ſupplied for a proviſion for one godly and painful Miniſter, to preach in ſuch of the ſaid Pariſh charge, where ſuch union ſhall be made, as the ſaid Truſtees ſhall judge convenient.

p. 358The ſaid Truſtees alſo ſhall appoint, where the meeting of both the ſaid Pariſhes, for the worſhip of God, ſhall be, &c.

The ſaid Truſtees alſo ſhall have power to ſever and divide Pariſhes, where they ſhall conceive it needful, and fix ſuch maintenance out of the profits of the ſaid Church, ſo to be divided, as they ſhall think fit, to be approved of by the Parliament, and in the Intervals of Parliament by the Protector and his Council, &c.

This year died that famous and learned Antiquary, Mr. John Selden, and was buried in the Inner-Temple Church in London.

Addition to Sir Rich. Bakers Chron.Anno 1655. the Duke of Savoy's Souldiers having committed many cruel outrages upon the Proteſtants in Piedmont, Cromwel took this occaſion to ingratiate himſelf with the Proteſtants abroad, and appointing a ſolemn day of Humiliation to be kept, he cauſed a large contribution to be gathered for them throughout the Nation, and ſent his Agents abroad to mediate for them. Alderman Viner and Pack were made Treaſurers for this Money, which amounted to a very large fum: but how much came to the hands of thoſe for whom it was pretended to be collected, I know not. The French King accommodated the buſineſs, the Duke of Savoy refuſing to admit Cromwel's mediation.

Upon the tendring of certain Propoſals, to the Protector, by Manaſſeh Ben-Iſrael, a Jewiſh Merchant, in the behalf of his Hebrew Nation, for their free admiſſion to Trade, and exerciſe of their Religion in England, a Conference was held about it, ſeveral dayes at White-hall, by the Members of the Council, and certain Divines of the greateſt note among them: and many Arguments being urged pro and con, thoſe againſt their admiſſion ſo far prevailed, that the Propoſals took no effect. Mr. Prynne wrote a Book, at the ſame time, againſt their admiſſion.

Then was an Ordinance made by the Protector, with the advice of his Council, for the Relief of Miniſters put into ſequeſtred Livings, againſt Moleſtations, and Suits, by Parſons ſequeſtred and ejected.

On September the ſeventeeth, 1656. a Parliament aſſembled at Weſtminſter, and choſe for their Speaker Sir Thomas Widdrington. Now The Humble Petition and Advice was framed, which was a Module of Government, with which they ſeveral times waited on the Protector at White-hall, to deſire him to take the chief Government of the Nations upon him, with the Title of King; of which the power he already had; the name only he wanted. He finding his Officers averſe to it, at laſt returned anſwer, That he could not take the Government upon him with that Title.

Now was James Nailor, the great Ring-leader of the Sect called Quakers, brought to his Trial, who having ſpread his Doctrine, and gained many Proſelites to it in divers parts of the Nation, was more eſpecially taken notice of at Exeter, Wells, and Briſtol, and from p. 359Briſtol was brought up to London, attended by ſeveral Men and Women of his Opinion, who all the way they came ſtrewed Gloves and Handkerchiefs in his way, and ſang Hoſannah's to him, and (blaſphemouſly) are ſaid to have uſed the ſame kind of expreſſions toward him, as anciently the people of the Jews did to our Saviour, when he rode in triumph to Jeruſalem. Nailor being convented before the Parliament, was charged of Blaſphemy, for aſſuming to himſelf Divine honours, and ſuch Attributes as were due to Chriſt only. He was ſentenced by the Houſe to be (firſt at London) publickly whipt, pillored, and ſtigmatized, and bored through the Tongue with a red hot Iron, as a Blaſphemer: then to be conveyed to Briſtol, there to be alſo whipt; laſtly, to be brought back to London, to remain in Bridewel during pleaſure; which Sentence was inflicted upon him.

At this time the viperous brood of Sects, and Hereſies, ſwarmed through all parts of the Nation. Then the Ranters began to multiply, and the Socinians, who denied the Divinity of Chriſt; and one Biddle was infamous for theſe Opinions; and Erbury, formerly a Miniſter in Cardiff in Wales, degenerated unto Ranting.

The Compiler of this Treatiſe once heard this Erbury ſpeak in a publick Congregation, near Bath in Sommerſet-ſhire, of a threefold Diſpenſation of God to his Church and People. There hath been (ſaid he) a twofold diſcovery of God to his People, or a two-fold Diſpenſation, namely, the Diſpenſation of the Law and the Goſpel, and God diſcovered himſelf to his People in both Diſpenſations diverſly. Ʋnder the Law God diſcovered himſelf to his people in a way of fear: therefore God was called the great and fearful God, and the delivery of the Law to Moſes was in a fearful manner. Now when the Apoſtle ſpeaks of the Miniſtry of the Goſpel, he ſaith, You have not received the ſpirit of bondage again to fear, but the Spirit of Adoption, &c. that is (ſaid he) now when the Goſpel came, men knew God to be a Father, and they in the Spirit of Adoption cried, Abba, Father.

He added, That under the Law God was known as a Lord, and Maſter, to keep his People in work, and as they had their work, ſo they had their wages; and if they did not work, they had terrors upon their ſpirits to affright them. But under the Goſpel, God was diſcovered to be a Father full of Light and Love, ſo that now we converſe with God in a loving manner, and ſerve him as a Son ſerveth his Father.—

He proceeded to tell us, That there is a third Diſpenſation yet to come in the laſt dayes, wherein God will diſcover himſelf in a more fearful way, and yet in a way more full of light and love than in former times.

He added, That then there will be a fuller diſcovery of God, than hath been both under the Law and Goſpel: and the ignorance of this (he ſaid) hath been the cauſe of all the confuſions, and contentions, among the People of God.

p. 360He ſaid, That the Apoſtles waited for this Diſpenſation, another ſtate more glorious than any they had yet attained unto. This glorious Diſpenſation (he told us) St. Paul calls, The Glory to be revealed in us, the glorious liberty of the Sons of God; and that St. Peter calls it, The new Heaven, and new Earth, and St. John, The new Jeruſalem.

He ſaid, That the Myſtery of the Goſpel, which was preached by the Apoſtles, was hid from men; they knew not the myſtery of it: but the time will come, that this myſtery of the Goſpel will come forth in a fuller diſcovery than hath been heretofore made known. But I ſhall trouble the Reader no further with him.

On April the nineteenth, 1657. at a certain Houſe in Shoreditch, were apprehended a diſcontented party, formerly in the Army, that went under the name of Fifth Monarchy-men, ſuch as taking upon them to be the Champions of Chriſt's Monarchy on Earth, renounced all Monarchy beſides: the chief of whom were Thomas Venner, a Wine-Cooper, Predicant, Aſhton, Hopkins, Gowler, and Gray their Scribes. They had appointed to have rendezvouz that night at Mile-end-Green, and thence to have marched into ſome other Counties to joyn with others of their party, that were ready to ſhew themſelves upon the firſt opportunity. There was taken with them a great quantity of Arms, and certain printed Papers that were to be diſperſed, and a Standard with a Lion couchant, Gules, in a Field Argent, having this Motto, Who ſhall rouze him up?

There was alſo taken Major General Hariſon, Captain Lawſon, late Vice-Admiral, Colonel Rich, Carew and Courtney, and Major Danvers; whereof the firſt was committed to the Serjeant at Armes, and the reſt were ſent to remote Caſtles and Priſons. General Monk had order to ſeize Major General Overton, and the Majors Bramſton and Holmes, and caſhier them after Fines and good Security for their behaviour. Overton was ſent up to the Tower, and his Regiment conferred on Colonel Morgan: Colonel Okey's Regiment was alſo taken from him, and given to a ſure Confider: and one Major Wildman, a great Leveller, was taken at Marleborough, enditing and drawing Declarations againſt the Protector; ſo the danger from the Army was ſoon ſuppreſſed.

About the ſame time a Book was publiſhed, called Killing no Murther, wherein it was urged, That it was moſt lawful, juſt, neceſſary, and honourable to kill the Protector; and this printed with the name of one Allen, a disbanded Leveller, but ſo politely written, that it intimated a more exact and curious hand that framed it. Whoſoever was the Author, it ſcared Cromwel almoſt out of his Wits. This made him moſt ſuſpitiouſly fearful, ſo that he began to dread every perſon, or ſtrange face he ſaw, (which he would anxiouſly, and intently, view) for an Aſſaſſinate, that Book perpetually running in his mind. It is ſaid, it was his conſtant cuſtom p. 361to ſhift and change his Lodging, to which he paſſed through twenty ſeveral Locks, and out of which he had four or five wayes to avoid purſuit.

June iwenty ſix, 1657. Then followed the Protector's Inſtalment, in a more ſolemn manner, in Weſtminſter-hall, than before: and the Speaker of the Parliament, Sir Thomas Widdrington, in the name of the Parliament, preſented to him a Robe of Purple-velvet, a Bible, Sword, and a Scepter, and having made a Speech thereupon, the Speaker took the Bible, and gave the Protector his Oath. Mr. Manton, Miniſter then of Covent-Garden, made a Prayer, wherein he recommended the Protector, Parliament, Council, the Forces by Sea and Land, Government, and People of the three Nations, to the protection of God. Which being ended, the Heraulds by Trumpets proclaimed Cromwell Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, requiring all perſons to yield him due obedience.

Then were the attempts of the Royal Party, in behalf of his Majeſty, betrayed, and diſcovered to the Protector, and Sir Henry Slingsby, Doctor Huet, Miniſter of St. Gregories by Pauls in London, Mr. Mordant, and others are impriſoned, and brought to trial before an High Court of Juſtice, ſet up under the Preſidentſhip of Commiſſioner Liſle. Sir Henry, and the Doctor, were the two firſt that were brought to trial, and both of them ſentenced to die as Traitors: the firſt upon the bare teſtimony of thoſe three men, who had ſo treacherouſly circumvented him, which in vain he pleaded: the other, as a Mute, diſowning the Authority of the Court, and thereupon denying to plead. On the eighth of June, 1658. they were beheaded on Tower-hill. Afterwards, on July the ſeventh, Colonel Edward Aſhton, and John Bettley, were hanged and quartered, the firſt in Tower-ſtreet, the other in Cheapſide.

Cromwell was now again adorned with another ſucceſs, and triumph, by the defeat of the Spaniſh Army, and ſurrender of Dunkirk into his hands, Lockart his Kinſman, and General of the Engliſh Forces, being made Governor thereof.

In Auguſt. 1658. the Protector was taken ſick at Hampton-court, having not been well in mind ſome time before (troubled with the laſt diſtracted words of his beloved Daughter Cleypole, who died on the ſixth day of Auguſt) which went near to his heart. After a weeks time his Diſeaſe began to ſhew very deſperate ſymptomes: wherefore he was removed to White-hall, where his Chaplains kept Faſts for his recovery: but having declared his Son Richard his Succeſſor, he died on Friday, September the third, at three of the Clock in the Afternoon.

The deceaſed Protector's Will, concerning his Succeſſor, being imparted to the Council, and chief Officers of the Army, they all conſent p. 362to the election of his Son Richard, and the Preſident, and whole Council, went at once to congratulate him, and to condole his Fathers death, Then was he proclaimed by the City of London, and chief Officers of the Army. After the Proclamation, the Lord Mayor preſented his Sword to him, which he preſently returned: and after ſome Ceremonies paſſed, (the Council, and many Officers of the State, and of the Army being preſent) Nathanael Fiennes, one of the Commiſſioners of the Great Seal, adminiſtred an Oath unto him.

A Gentleman was ſent into Ireland, who was chief Governor of that Kingdom, to acquaint Henry Cromwell with the preſent poſture of Affairs in England: and Mr. Thomas Clarges was ſent into Scotland, to General Monk, to ſee how he ſtood affected to Richard's advancement. Then Addreſſes were made to the Protector from all parts of the Nation: and the Army of Scotland ſubmit to what was was done in England. Addreſſes were alſo made to the young Protector from all the Regiments of the Army in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and other parts.

After the pompous ſolemnity of the Funerals of the late Protector, the new Protector ſummoned a Parliament, to meet at Weſtminster, on January twenty ſeven, he endeavours to new model his Council; but the Army grows jealous of him, and cenſure him, and the factious part of the Army had many ſeditious meetings, and he is perſwaded to reſign the command of the Army to Fleetwood, which he refuſeth. The General Council of Officers (as they called themſelves) met in Fleetwood's Houſe, where they acted with as much formality, as if they had been the ſupreme Legiſlators of the three Kingdoms. At length things came to this iſſue, the young Protector was forced to ſign a Commiſſion to Commiſſioner Fiennes, for the diſſolving of the Parliament, and a Proclamation came forth, in the Protector's name, to publiſh the diſſolution of the Parliament.

Soon after, whilſt many of the Superiour Officers of the Army met at Wallingford-houſe, in further conſideration of a Module of Government,Supplem. to Sir Rich. Baker's Hiſt. the inferiour Officers being the moſt numerous, aſſembled in the Chappel at St. Jame's, having Doctor Owen, and other Independent Miniſters, to aſſiſt at their Devotion, and at laſt declared their forwardneſs to reſtore the latter part of the long Parliament, and to reſtore Lambert, and the reſt of the Officers to their Commands, who had been diſplaced by Oliver Cromwel for diſaffection to him.

Several Colonels were removed from their Regiments, and others put in their rooms; as likewiſe Governours of Towns and other Officers. Lambert being thus brought again into the Army, recovereth much of his former power.

Then a Declaration of the Officers of the Army was drawn up, which invited the Members of the long Parliament, who had ſate till p. 363April the twentieth, 1653. to return to the exerciſe and diſcharge of their truſt. They accept of the Invitation, and take their places in the Houſe.

General Monk ſeems to conſent to what was done in England.

They publiſh their Intentions by Declaration, viz.

That they are reſolved, by God's aſſiſtance, to endeavour to ſecure and eſtabliſh the property and Liberties of the people, without a ſingle Perſon, Kingſhip, or Houſe of Peers: and ſhall vigorouſly endeavour the carrying on of Reformation, ſo much deſired: to the end there may be a godly and faithful Magiſtracy, and Miniſtry upheld and maintained in the Nations, &c.

The Officers of the Army preſented an humble Addreſs to the Remnant Parliament, on May 12. 1659. by Lambert and others. Richard, the late Protector, ſends his ſubmiſſion to the Parliament. All Commiſſions to the Officers of the Army are ordered to be ſigned by the Speaker: and Henry Cromwell is called from the Government of Ireland. Fleetwood, Lambert, and others, receive their Commiſſions in the Houſe from the Speaker. The Governour of Dunkirk ſubmits alſo to the change of our Government. General Monk likes not the Juncto's deſigns of modelling his Army, and uſeth his utmoſt induſtry to obſtruct it. Commiſsioners are appointed for the Goverment of Ireland.

In the mean time Captain Titus, and others, ſent as Commiſsioners from the King, are active for his Majeſties ſervice in London, and in the Countrey. Sir George Booth, with ſeveral others, appear in a conſiderable Body; they take poſſeſsion of Cheſter City, but the Caſtle holds out againſt them. Chirk-Caſtle is delivered to them by Sir Thomas Middleton. Collonel Ireland, and ſeveral others, at the ſame time declare for them at Leverpool, and Mr. Brooks, one of the Members of the Houſe of Commons.

Lambert is ſent againſt Sir George Booth. Mr. Nicholas Monk, a Miniſter, and the only Brother to General Monk, is ſent into Scotland from Sir Hugh Pollard, Sir Thomas Stukeley, and other of his Majeſties Friends in the Weſt of England; He ſollicits his Brother to embrace his Majeſties Intereſt.

The King wrote a Letter to General Monk, and another to Sir John Greenvill, concerning the owning his Cauſe, Major General Maſſey was active in Gloceſter-ſhire, and the Lord Herbert, Son to the Marqueſs of Worceſter, and others. The Lord Herbert was taken: ſo was Major General Maſſey, with others: but all the reſt of the Priſoners, except the Lord Herbert, and Maſſey's Servant, make an eſcape.

p. 364Lambert marcheth againſt Sir George Booth, and Sir George is defeated by Lambert, and ſoon after was ſeized at Newport-pannel, in a diſguiſe, as he was riding to London.

After this defeat General Monk ſends a Letter to the Houſe, ſignifying his willingneſs to be diſmiſſed from his Command. The Army begin to contrive the recovery and advancement of their power. The Officers of the Army, promoted by Lambert, diſlike ſome proceedings of the Juncto. They conclude to draw up their deſires in a Petition. Sir Arthur Haſlerig vehemently oppoſeth the Armies proceedings: and incenſeth the Houſe againſt them and Lambert. Fleetwood endeavours to juſtifie the Officers of the Army, but in vain. Aſhfield, Cobbet, and Duckenfield, preſented the Petition of the Army to the Houſe, thus dirrected.