The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy, Part 1 · Chapter 3 · Section 5

The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy · Part 1 · Chapter 3 · Section 5

p. 315Lincolne.

ANNO 573. Aldred 11ALDRED.Bishop of Leicester (afterwards translated to Lincolne) was deprived of his Bishopricke, for his seditious misdemeanors;**Matth. West. An. 873. Godw. p. 229. it is very like hee sided with the cruell Pagan Danes, though his crimes be not expressed in particular.

Eadnoth Bishop of this See,22EADNOTH turned **Math. West. An. 1016. p. 499. Godwin. p. 229.warriour, and was slaine by the Danes in battle, in the yeare 1016…

Vlfe a man **Matth. West. An. 1052. p. 420. Godwin. p. 230.very learned,33ULFE. in the yeare 1052. together with Robert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and William Bishop of London, who had given King Edward the Confessor wicked counsell against the English, were banished into Normandy, their native Country, for this offence, vix evadentes, hardly escaping with their lives; they having beene instruments to cause the King to infringe his good Lawes, and not to administer right iustice, which he promised to reforme upon these Prelates dimission; who miscounselled him. This Bishop among the rest, going to the Councell of Vercels, to complaine to the Pope of his wrongfull banishment, so farre forth bewrayed his owne weakenesse and insufficiency, as the Pope was determined to have displaced him from his Bishopricke, untill with gifts and golden eloquence, he perswaded him to winke at his imperfections.

Alexander Bishop of Lincolne, 44ALEXANDERAnno 1070. **Matth. Paris. Hist. Angl. An. 1070. p. 6. Holinshed. p. 18. Matth. Westm. An. 1070 p. 4.opposed William the Conquerour, who appointed how many souldiers every Bishopricke and Abby that held of him by Barony should finde in time of warre, from which they were formerly freed: hereupon he and Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, fled into Scotland, where they kept themselves close for a time (being banished by the Conqueror) and at last ioyned with the Scots against him: Egelwin Bishop of Durham being an exile at the same time, having onelyonly the zeale of God, excommunicated all the invaders of the Church, and ravishers of Ecclesiasticall things. This Alexander is omitted by Godwin in his Catalogue of the Bishops of this see; and it seemes hee was deprived among other Bishops in the Councel of Winchester, Anno 1070. for opposing the Conquerour.

p. 31655REMIGIVS.Remigius (who translated his see from Dorchester to Lincolne, and built the Cathedrall there, to whose consecration by the Kings command,**Hen. Huntin. hist. l. 6. p. 371. l. 7. p. 373. Matth. West. An. 1085.1091. Godwin. p. 230.231.232. Will. Malm…s… de Gestis Pontif. l. 4 p. 290.291. all the Bishops of England were summoned, himselfe dying two dayes before the time appointed for its consecration) was impeached of high treason against King William Rufus, but his servant purging his master by the iudgement of an hot iron (or Ordalium) then in use, restored him to the Kings favour, and wiped off this blot to his pontificall honour, as Huntindon writes. He was preferred first to this Bishopricke by William the Conquerour, for divers good services done unto him, for which he long before promised him a Bishopricke in England. The consideration of this gift comming to the Popes eare, he would needs adiudge it Simony, and as a symonist actually deprived him of his Bishopricke: but at the request of Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury, hee restored him to his Ring and Crosier againe. The Arch-bishop of Yorke labored to hinder the translation of his See to Lincoln, laying challenge to the iurisdiction of that County, as antiently belonging to his Archbishoprick, wherupon the Bishop was forced to crave in aid of the King to make good the Title, and his successor Robert Bloet, was glad to give William Rufus 5000 pound to cleare the Title, that the Arch-bishop of Yorke layd unto the iurisdiction of this See and County; which was reputed Symony in the King, but iustice in the Bishop.

66ALEXANDER.Alexander, nephew to Roger the great rich Bishop of Salisbury, consecrated Bishop of Lincolne Iuly 22. An. 1123. placed his chiefe delight in building of Castles, wherein hee imitated his unkle Roger, hereupon hee built a stately Castle at Banbury, another at Newarke, a third at Sleford, which saith **Nubrigensis hist. l. 1. c. 6. Huntindon. hist. l. 8. p. 389.390. Hoveden. Annal. pars. prior. p. 484. to 495 Matth. Par. p. 74. to 76. Matth. Westm. An. 1139. to 1146. Holinshed. p. 50. Fox Acts and Monuments. p. 181. Speed. p. 488.492.494. &c. Godwin. p. 233.Nubrigensis, did ill beseem a Bishops honesty, much lesse his function. These Castles were such eye-sores to King Stephen, as they provoked him to picke a quarrell with the Bishop, to clap him up in prison (together with his uncle Roger of Salisbury, and to bereave them at once, both of their munition and treasure, of which they had heaped up great store. For King Stephen fearing that this great rich Prelate and his uncle of Salisbury (who had built two strong Castles, the one at Salisbury the other at the Devises) would side with Maud the Empresse, against him, sends for both these Bishops, and demands those Castles of them, which they refusing to deliver up to his possession; the King thereupon claps them up in prison, besiegeth their Castles, which their Creatures held out and kept by p. 317force against him, til at the last with much a do he possessed himselfe of them, in such manner as is before more largely related in the story of Roger of Salisbury. The King not long after releasing this Bishop, he and some others secretly conspired against him, procured Maud the Empresse to come over with an army, with whom he joyned. And by this and the other confederates assistance Stephen was afterwards taken prisoner, deprived of his Crowne in a Synod at Winch…ster; Maud received and acknowledged as Queene by the Prelates and Kingdome, till Stephen being againe released by the Bishops practises, and putting Maud to the worst, after many battels and great effusion of English Christian Blood, (occasioned onelyonly by the Prelates practises,) Stephen and Maud came to a mutuall agreement. Of which you may read more largely in Roger of Salisbury.

The See of Lincolne continuing voyd almost seven yeeres after the death of Robert de Chisney, Geoffry Plantagenet Archdeacon of Lincolne, 77GEOFFRY PLANTAGENET. Hoveden. Annal. part. posterior. p. 611. Godwin, p. 235.base sonne to King Henry the second was elected Bishop thereto; who contenting himselfe with the large revenues of the Bishopricke, never sought consecration; well knowing that he might so fleece the sheepe though he listed not to take the charge of feeding the sheepe. Seven yeeres he reaped the fruits of that See by colour of his election, and then by the Popes commandement to Richard Archbishop of Canterbury to compell Geoffry either to resigne his …ishopricke, or immediately to enter into orders, and to take the office of a Bishop on him, he resigned all his interest in the same, the copy of which resignation you may read in Roger Hoveden ††Annal. pars poster. p. 611.. After which he turned Couttier for eight yeeres space, and at last returning to the Church againe, became Archbishop of Yorke … How he carried himselfe in that See I have before in part expressed (page 185, 186.) and now shall give you some further account (t…ough somewhat out of course) out of**Ann…lium pars posterior, p. 655… 656, 659, to 666, 681, 689, 712, 713, 714, 718, 725, 730, to 740, 743, 747, 749, 751, 752, 754, 755, 756, 759, to 768. Matth. Paris: Hist. Angl. p. 186.195. Roger Hoveden and others. He was no sooner setled in Yorke, but there fell out a great contestation betweene him and Henry deane of Yorke, and Buchard the Treasurer, whom he excommunicated for refusing to give over singing, and to begin their Service afresh upon his entering into th… Church; whereby the Church that day ceased from Divine Service. This difference being composed Buchard and Geoffry soone after fell ou… againe; whereupon Ge…ffry excommunicating him the second time, he goes to the Pope for absolution, and so farre prevailed p. 318with the Pope, that he would neither confirme Geoffries election nor suffer him to be consecrated. And withall the Pope exempted Hugh Bishop of Durham from making any profession of subjection to Geoffry elect of Yorke during his life, though he were consecrated, because he h…d formerly once made his profession to the Church of Yorke, and to S. William the Archbishop of Yorke, and to his successors. Queene Elenor, K. Richards mother, hereupon passeth from Messana through Rome to intreat and humbly beseech the Pope in the Kings behalfe, to confirme his brothers election to Yorke, and either to consecrate him Archbishop thereof by himselfe or some other: which the Pope doing, Geoffry shortly after cites Hugh Bishop of Durham peremptorly to appeare before him at a Synod in the Cathedrall Church at Yorke, thereto professe his obedience to him, which he endeavoured to substract, and to exempt himselfe by all meanes from his jurisdiction. Hugh refuseth to come thither, or to make his profession or obedience to him (being, as he said, not bound by Law to doe it: and thereupon appeales the first, second, and third time to the Pope, and submits his cause to him. The Archbishop hearing of it, in great fury excommunicates him notwithstanding this appeale, threatning to compell him to make profession and obedience by Ecclesiasticall censures notwithstanding this appeale. The Bishop of Durham on the other side would not obey the …, but in contempt thereof, boldly celebrated, and caused to be celebrated Divine offices as before. The Archbishop hereupon overturnes all the Altars where the Bishop of Durham had celebrated,Note his fury. and breakes the Chalices within his Diocesse wherein any other had celebr…ted in the Bishops presence; and held his brother Iohn Earle of Morton for an excommunicate person, because he had ea…en with the Bishop of Du…ham after that sentence, and would not communicate with him untill he gave him satisfaction and came to be absolved. When the Bishop of Durham saw that many refused to speake, eate or drinke with him, he sent messengers to the Pope, who relating to him first in secret, then before all the Cardinals, how indiscreetly and Archbishop had excommunicated him, slighting his appeale; the Pope and all the Cardinals adjudged that sentence a meere nullity, and that it ought not to be observed; and thereupon the Pope writ a letter to the Bishops of Lincolne, Rochester, and others to declare this sentence of excommunication p. 319voyd, in their Churches, by vertue of the Popes Apostolicall authority, and to command the people to communicate with the Bishop of Durham notwithstanding it, as they did before; and to declare, that the Bishop for the injuries done unto him by the Archbishop in overturning the Altars, and breaking the Chalices, should be exempted from all subjection to him during life. Whereupon these Bishops and delegates met at Northampton, and after much debate, departed without any final agreement. In Lent following this Archbishop being summoned to appeare at London by the Kings Justices, came to Westminster with his Crosse carried before him; whereupon the Bishop of London and the other Prelates prohibited him to presume to carry his Crosse within the Province of Canturbury: who contemptuously answered them, that he would not let it down… for them; yet by the advice of his followers he hid it from the face of the people, left a tumult should arise among the Clergy. The Bishop of London accounting him excommunicate for this transgression, suspended the new Temple, where the Archbishop lodged, both from Divine Service, and the tolling and ringing of Bels, so as he was forced to goe out of the City. After this the Archbishop levied a great Army, fortified Doncastre, and would have besieged Thifehill Castle belonging to Earle Morton, which Hugh Bardalfe and William St…ville refusing to doe, he departed with his men in a … from them, calling them traitors to the King and Kingdome. Soone after the Deanery of Yorke being voyd, the Archbishop first gave the Deanery to Simon Apull, and after that to one Philip, whom the King recommended. The Canons of Yorke pretending the right of electing the Deane to appertaine to them, elected Apul against the Bishops will. The Archbishop hereupon appeales to Rome, the Canons notwithstanding proceed in their election of Apul; the Archbishops messengers and Apul meeting with the King in Germany in their passage towards Rome, he inhibited all their appeales to Rome; saying, that if any attempted the contrary, he should not returne into the Realme againe. In the meane time, the Canons of Yorke suspended the Cathedrall Church from all their accustomed Divine service, and their Bels likewise from their usuall office of ringing, for which the whole City was in an uproare: they likewise uncloathed their Altars, locked up the Archbishops stall in the Quire, barred up the doore by which p. 320he used to enter into the Church out of his Pallace and Chappell, and did many other things in contempt of him; which the Archbishop hearing of, being ready to take ship to passe the seas, returned to the Church, admonishing and commanding the Ministers of this Church to minister therein after the ancient manner; who contemning his admonition and precept, left the Church voyd, and destitute of Divine service. Hereupon shortly after the Archbishop by the advice of his wisest friends, puts new Ministers and Officers into the Cathedrall Church which he found voyd, to officiate there; which they did till the Canons and Chaplaines were restored againe thereto by lay power and violence: he likewise excommunicates foure of the chiefe officers of the Church for suspending it; who thereupon complaine to the King, and appeale to Rome; where the Pope hearing both parties, setled the Deanery upon Simon Apul for that time, saving the rights of the Archbishop and Chapter, thereto for the future, which he left undecided. As soone as ever the Deane was thus setled and invested by a golden ring, he and the Chapter defame and accuse the Archbishop, alleaging; that he was a violent spoyler of his owne and other mens Clerkes; a wicked extortioner, that he brake open Church doores by violence and force of armes, symoniacally divided and reteyned Ecclesiasticall benefices, gave no respect to appeales, that vilipending all his Episcopall office, he was … to hauking, hunting and other military cares! for which things they intended to depose him, especially those whō he himselfe had advanced to great honours, and enriched with great wealth and revences in the Church of Yorke, beyond that he ought. Of such the Lord saith, I have nourished and exalted children, but they have rebelled against me. Let them therefore beware lest with Iudas the traytor they be condemned in Hell. Hereupon the Pope writ to Hugh Bishop of Lincolne, and his cojudges, that if any would accuse the Archbishop of these things, they should diligently heare what both sides propounded, and certifie him the truth in writing under their Seales: And if no accuser appeared, and there were a publique fame of them, that then the Archbishop should be enjoyned to make his purgation with three Bishops and three Abbots. The Archbishop had appealed before the citation of the Judges, and had taken his journey to prosecute his appeale; but being hindred by the Kings prohibition and the distemper of the ayre, he appeared not at Rome on p. 321the day prefixed, nor yet at a further day given him: whereupon he was suspended from all his Episcopall administration. Soone after this Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury comes to Nottingham to King Richard the first, causing his Crosse to be carried before him: Geoffry of Yorke carried not his Crosse, but complained to the King of Canturbury, for carrying his Crosse up in the Province of Yorke; which when the Archbishop had heard, and seen that Gef…ry carried no crosse before him at all; he answered; I carry my Crosse throughout all England, & ought to beare it, as Primate of all England; but thou bearest not thy Crosse, and perchance thou oughtest not to carry it. And therefore things standing thu…, I appeale to my Lord the Pope. After this, Geffrey bought the Sherivalty of Yorkshire of the King for 3000. markes, and an 100. markes annuall rent; and within few moneths after the King calling a Counsell, all the Laymen and Clergy that would, had the liberty to complaine against this Archbishop, who made many complaints of his rapines and unjust exactions, to which he gave no answer. Not long after King Richard being to be crowned a new at Winchester, commanded this Archbishop of Yorke not to come to his Coronation the next day with his Crosse borne up before him, lest peradventure some tumult might arise between… him and the Archbishop of Canterbury: Whereupon being thus prohibited to beare his crosse, he refused to be present at the Kings Coronation. Some three weekes after, the King being at Waltham, Geoffry come… to him with his crosse carried before him; of which Canterbury complained very much to the King, who answered, that this controversie belonged not to him, but to the Pope to decide; and the next day the King made a finall accord betweene William Longchamp Bishop of Ely, and Geoffry, touching all controversies about his apprehension and injuries susteined at Dover upon his arivall; Ely with an hundred Priests more swearing, that hee neither commanded nor willed, that Geoffry should be apprehended in such sort. Not long after the King being in France, the Canons of Yorke complained to Hubert of Canterbury against Geoffry their Archbishop; who thereupon sends commissioners to Yorke to heare and determine their complaints; these imprison the Archbishops men, accused of robery, so that the Archbishop could not b…yle them, restore the Canons to the Church, and induct them into their stals out of which th… were expelled; and because the Archbishop appeared not befor… them p. 322upon summons, seised on all his lands except the mannor of Ripun where he resided, and sequestred his Shrievalty of Yorkeshire into the hands of others. About the same time the Canons of Yorke excommunicated formerly by the Bishop, procure an absolution from the Pope, which was published openly in the Church, and they therupon were restored. The Archbishop appeales hereupon, and going over to Normandy to the King, for 2000. markes procures a restitution of all his Lands and goods formerly sequestred and seised; and a precept to put the Deane and Canons out of their new gaind possession. Not long after the Pope sends Commissioners to York to enquire of the Bishops excesses whereof the Canons accused him, mentioned at large in Pope Caelestines letter and commission recorded by Hoveden. The Deane comming to Yorke from Rome while the commissioners were there, some of the Archbishops creatures meeting him, perswaded him not to goe to the mother Church, which hee not yeelding to, they laid violent hands on him, for which the commissioners excommunicated them; whereupon he went to the Church where the canons joyfully received him. The Bishop notwithstanding expulseth him and the Canons againe, who thereupon procure a letter from Pope Coelestine to the Deane of Lincolne and others, to inquire of their dammages, and to cause the Bishop to satisfie them to the full without any appeale: whereupon they proved their dammages before them to amount to one thousand markes. Soone after the Bishop of Whiterne the Archbishops Suffragan, and Officiall, comes to Yorke against the time of receiving the Lords Supper, to consecrate chrisme, and oyle, as he had accustomed. The Deane and chapter of Yorke would not receive him; whereupon he went to Suelle and there consecrated chrisme and oyle, and delivered them to the Archbishops Officials, to distribute them throughout the Churches of the Archbishopicke. Geoffry de Muschamp Archdeacon of Cliveland received the chrisme and oyle, but presently cast them into a dunghill, and the other Canons of S. Peters would receive none of him, but sent to Hugh Bishop of Lincolne to receive oyle and chrisme from him: whereupon Peter Archdeacon of Lincolne, the Archbishops brother prohibited the Bishop to give them any oyle or chrisme from him: upon which he appealed to Rome thereabout. The Archbishop the same time, who had offended the King his brother, was reconciled to him, and received p. 323into his favour with a kisse of peace, whereupon he grew so excessively proud, that he exasperated the King himselfe with his reproachfull speeches, so as he commanded him to be disseised of his Archbishopricke, and Vis…ountship of Yorke. In the meane time Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury procured himselfe to be the Popes Legate, with a speciall clause in his Buls, & a mandate to the Archbishop of Yorke, and all other, to submit to his jurisdiction, as Legate to the Apostolicke S…e; whereupon he summoned the Deane and Chapter of Yorke to appeare before him, and yeeld subjection to him in their owne Cathedrall, as Popes Legate; who thereupon received and submitted to him, not as he was Archbishop of Canterbury, but Legate onelyonly: which done, hee summons and holds a councell in the Cathedrall Church of Yorke, wherein he made divers canons for the government of the Church and Clergy; and heard the controversie betweene th… Archbishop and the Deane and chapter of Yorke touching the Archdeaconry of Westring, which they contended for; but they appealed to Rome about it, Anno 1195. The Canons of Yorke solicited … Bishop of Lincolne by virtue of the Popes Commission directed to him, to p…onounce sentence of interdict and suspention against Geoffry their Bishop: who answered, That he would rather be suspended himselfe, then suspend him; whereupon the canons sent messengers to Rome to complaine to Pope Caelestine of the Bishop of Lincolne, and the other Judges Delegates, that they proceeded not according to the Popes injunction. Who thereupon sends three letters into England; one, to Simon the Deane, wherein he suspends the Archbishop from his Episcopall function, as a man every way unworthy of it, and gives Simon power to execute the same during this suspension. Another to all the Abbots, Clergy, and people of the Diocesse of Yorke, to notifie this suspention to them, and to command them, not to obey the Archbishop or answer before him in any case, but onelyonly before the Deane Simon, to whom he had delegated his Arch-Episcopall authority. A third to the B…shop of Lincolne and others, expressing all the complaints against the Archbishop and his excesses, and commanding them to publish this his suspension from his Bishopricke, and to absolve those of his Diocesse from any subjection or obedience to him as Archbishop. And in all these letters, this is one great cause which they alledge for this his p. 324suspension. Quod pastoralis officii debito praetermisso, secularibus negotiis implicari, & non divinis obs…quiis, sed venatione, aucupio, & aliis militaribus curis animi sui studium applicare, & exercere alia, quae commisso sibi Officio Pontificali, & honori non modicum derogant, &c. Hereupon the Archbishop goes to Rome, where after a long delay the Pope acquits him from all the Deanes and Canons accusations, takes off his suspensions, and restores him to his Archiepiscopall authority; the rather because the King being angry with him, had long before spoyled him of his temporal…ies and sought to deprive him. The Archbishop hereupon by reason of this Kings indignation goes into France not daring to come into England, and seeing he could not finde grace in the Kings eyes, to obtaine either his temporalties or his spiritualties, he returnes backe againe towards Rome. In the meane time the Deane and Chapter of Yorke conferre the Archdeaconry of Westrising upon Peter Imant during life, by the Kings consent; which the Archbishop hearing of, excommunicated and suspended him for intruding thereunto without right, and declared his institution thereunto a nullity: which excommunication he sends over into England. Soone after Ralph Wigstof Clerke, the Archbishops agent at Rome, falling desperately …icke there, consessed before the Pope and all his Cardinals, that he had gotten many false letters in the Court of Rome touching the Archbishops affaires; whereupon the Pope writ to Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury to intercept these letters, which were found hid in the hands of Roger Ripunt clerke, together with poysoned rings, girdles, and other poysons which the Archbishop sent to destroy the Deane and Canons of Yorke, all which were publikely burnt at Totehill before a great multitude of men and women; the bringer of them was imprisoned, and the Archbishop had the blame of all imputed to him. After this the King sent for the Deane and Canons of Yorke, and Geoffry the Archbishop to meete him in Normandy, to reconcile them; Geoffry comming before them was reconciled to the King his brother, who restored him to his temporalties and spiritualties; which done he departed to Rome: but the Deane and Canons coming three daies after, hindered his restitution till the Archbishop and they were accorded, of which they much vaunted. Not long after there arose many new contestations and schismes between this Archbishop and the Deane and Canons of Yorke about p. 325Roger and Honorius Archdeacons of Richmond; which **Annal. par… poster. p. 780.781, 785, 793, 7…4, 796, 805, 811, 817, 818, 819, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827.Ho…den relates at large: of which (God willing) I shall give a larger account in my History of the Schismes of English Prelates betweene themselves; which how many, great and violent they have beene, you may in part conjecture by this one Prelates story. After this the Pope writ earnestly to King Richard, to desire him to be reconciled to this Archbishop his brother, and to embrace him with peac…, least he should be forced in his behalfe to punish him and his Kingdome by an Ecclesiasticall censure: hereupon the King sent the Bishops of Durham, Ely, Winchester, Worcester and Bath to the Archbishop, desiring him in the spirit of humility to confirme all the Kings grants, upon which the King would intirely restore him to his Archbishopricke. This he profered to doe, if these Bishops by a writing under their hands and seales would warrant this counsell before the Pope. Which they refusing, telling him he was of age to answer for himselfe, departed without any accord: whereupon the Archbishop went to Rome, whither the King sent messengers against him, who writ to the King from Rome, that the Pope earnestly desired him to restore the Archbishop intirely into his Bishopricke, so as he satisfie him the money he owed: which if he refused, he would first by an interdict of the whole Province of Yorke, after that by an interdict of the whole Kingdome, without any appeale enforce him to it, and compell his Clerks to resigne their rents which they have received, and the Deane and Canons of Yorke to make an agreement with the Bishop, unlesse some new cause should arise. King Richard dying, and King Iohn succeeding, while Geoffry of Yorke was beyond sea; when Iohn was to be crowned, Philip Bishop of Durham was so presumptuous, as to appeale against the Kings owne Coronation, that it should not be accomplished in the absence of Geoffry Archbishop of Yorke and Primate of England. After this the King commanded the Lands of the Archbishop which had beene sequestred almost two yeeres into the hands of Stephen Turnham, to be delivered to three others for this Archbishops use; yet afterwards he retained them in his owne hands, promising to restore them when as the Archbishop and hee met; who meeting together soone after in Normandy, the King and he were reconciled, & he received him honourably. Not long after, King Iohn displeased with this Archbishop seised all his temporalties into his hands by Iames de Petorne Sheriffe of Yorkeshire, who violently entred p. 326into his manners, and wasted his goods. This Archbishop hereupon excommunicates the Sheriffe, and all authours and counsellers of this violence, with candles lighted, and Bels rung: he likewise excommunicated all who had stirred up his brother Iohn to anger against him without his default: he also excomunicated the Burgesses of Beverly, and suspended the Towne it selfe, from the celebration of Divine service, and the sound of Bels, for breaking his Parke, and troubling and diminishing the goods which his Predecessor and he had for a time peaceably enjoyed. King Iohn by the advice of his counsell restored him afterwards to his Bishopricke, but gave him a day in Court to answer his contempt in not going beyond the Seas with him when summoned to doe it; in not suffering the Kings Officers to leavy money of his plowlands, as they did in all other parts of the Kingdome; in beating the Sheriffe of Yorkes servants, and in not paying him 3000. markes due to King Richard: soone after, the King comming to Beverly, was neither received with pro…ession nor sound of Bels by reason of the Archbishops interdict, whose servant Henry Chappell denied to let the King have any of the Archbishops wine; for which affront the King commanded him and all the Archbishops servants to be imprisoned, whereever they should be found: whereupon the King comming to Yorke, the Archbishop for a round summe of money (through the Queenes mediation) bought his peace of the King; but yet instantly fell out with the Deane and Chapter about the election of a singing man; the Archbishop made choyce of one, the Deane and chapter of another as belonging to their election: the like contention fell betweene them about the Archdeaconry of Cleveland: the Archbishop elected Ralph Kyme, the Deane and canons, Hugh Murdac for Archdeacon, against the Archbishops will, and hinder the instalment of Ra…ph; whereupon the Archbishop excommunicated Murdac; And at the same time Honorius Archdeacon of Richmond complained against the Archbishop to the Pope for taking away the institutions to Churches and Synodals belonging to him: the Pope hereupon writ divers letters in his favour. Geoffry thus perplexed, and in the Kings disfavour, purchaseth his grace and a confirmation of the rights of his Bishopricke from the King for a thousand markes sterling to be payd within one yeere, for payment whereof he pawned his Barony to the King: After which he falling into the Kings displea…ure againe, was forced to fly the p. 327Kingdome and **Math. Westm. An. 1213. p. 92.died in exile, as you may read before, p. 186.

St. Hugh the ninth Bishop of Lincolne, 88S. HVG…Anno 1108. when King Richard the first by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, his chiefe Justice, required an ayd of 300.Matth… Paris. hist. Angl. p. 193, 195, 196. Roger Hoveden, Annal. pars posterior, p. 776, 777. Holinshed, p 173 Knights to remaine with him in his service for one whole yeere, or so much money as might serve to maintaine that number, after the rate of three shillings a day English money for every Knight; whereas all others were contented to be contributers herein, onelyonly this S. Hugh Bishop of Lincoln refused, and spake sore against Hubert that moved the ma… ter, wishing him to doe nothing whereof he might be ashamed;

Vnde pudor frontem signet, mentemque reatus

Torqueat, aut famae titulos infamia laedat.

He was noted to be of a perfect life, because, Potestatis secularis in rebus Ecclesiae saevientis impetus, adeò constanter elidere consuevit, ut rerum & corporis sui periculum contemnere vid…retur: in quo & adeò profecit quod & jura revocavit amissa, & Ecclesiam suam à servitute gravissim… liberavit, as Matthew Paris writes: and because hee would not …ticke to reprove men of their faults plainely and f…ankly, not regarding the favour or dis-favour of any man; in so much that he would not feare to pronounce them accursed, which being the King Officers would take upon them the punishment of any person within Orders of the Church, for hunting and killing the Kings game within his Parkes, Forrests, and Chases:A presumptuous part in a Bishop. yea (and that which is more) he would deny payment of such Subsidies and taxes as he was assessed to pay to the uses of King Richard and King Iohn, towards the maintenance of their warres, and did oftentimes accu…e by Ecclesiasticall autho…ity such Sheriffes, collectors, and officers, as did distreine upon his lands and goods to satisfie those Kings of their demands; alledging openly, that he would not pay any money towards the maintenance of warres with one ch…istian Prince, upon private displeasure and grudge made against another Prince of the same religion. This was his reason. And when he came before the King to answer to his disobedience shewed herein, he would so handle the matter, partly with gentle admo…nishments, partly with sharpe reproofes, and sometimes mixing merry and pleasant speech among his serious arguments, that oftentimes he would so qualifie the Kings mind, that being diverted from anger, he could not but laugh and smile at the Bishops pleasant talke and merry conceits. This manner he used not onelyonly with King Iohn alone, but with King Henry the second, p. 328and Richard the first in whose time he governed the See of Lincolne. And for these**See Willets Synop. Papis. contr. 5. qu. 3. p. 280. vertues principally was he canonized for a Romane Saint by Pope Honorius the third. Peter Suter and **…leurs des vies des Saincts part 2. p. 428, 429.Ribadeneira, in his life record, that this Bishop had many contests with King Richard the first, that he resisted the King to his face when he demanded ayde and subsidies of his Subjects, so that by his meanes onelyonly and another Bishops who joyned with him, the King could obtaine nothing at all; whereupon in great rage and fury he banished both the Bishops, and confiscated all their goods; the other Bishops goods were seised, who thereupon afterward submitted and craved pardon of the King: but the Kings Offi…ers proceeding against S. Hugh, he presently excommunicated them, so as none of them for feare of this thunderbolt of his durst touch one thred of his garment, our Lord having horribly punished divers whom he had excommunicated, some of them being never seene nor heard of afterwards. One thing this Hugh did which is memorable: going to visit the religious houses within his Diocesse, he came to Godstow a house of Nunnes neere Oxford; **Roger Hoveden. Annal. pars posterior. p. 712. Godwin, p. 237, 238.seeing a hearse in the middle of the Quire covered with silke, and tapers burning, round about it, he demanded who was buried there; and being informed, that it was faire Rosamonds Tomb, concubine to King Henry the second, who at her intreaty had done much for that house, and in regard of those favours was afforded that honour: he commanded her body to be digged up immediately, and buried in the Churchyard, least Christian religion should wax vile: saying, it was a place a great deale too good for an harlot, & it should be an example to other women to terrifie them from such a wicked and filthy kinde of life **Godwin ibid. Matth. Paris hist. Ang. p. 197. Hoveden. Anna. pars posterior, p. 812, 813.. This Prelate dying, when he was brought to Lincolne to be interred, Iohn King of England, and William King of Scots were met there with an infinite company of Nobility of both Realmes. The two Kings for the great reverence they bare to his holinesse (who yet gave no …everence at all to Kings, as you have formerly heard) would needs set their shoulders to the beare, and helped to carry his course from the gates of the City, untill it came to the Church doore, where the Prelates themselves received and carried it into the Quire and bu…yed him in the body of the East end of the Church ABOVE THE HIGH ALTAR: (which therefore stood not close to the East wall in those times, but p. 329some good distance from it) neere the Altar of Saint Iohn.

Hugh Walis, 99HVGH WALLIS.or de Wils, his next successour in this See but one, Anno 1209. notwithstanding King Iohn refused to receive Stephen Langhton, that arch-traytor, for Archbishop of Canterbury, **Matthew Paris Hist. Angl. p. 220, 288. Fox Acts and Monuments, vo. 1. p. 335. c. 1. Willets Synopsis Papism. contr. 5. quaest. 3 p. 280. Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p. 149.and commanded this Bishop to repaire to the Archbishop of Rhoan for consecration from him, and not to receive it from Langhton, in contempt of this his Soveraignes command got him to Langhton and received consecration from him: whereupon the King seised on all his temporalties, and kept him fasting from them foure yeeres, and then restored them. After this he joyned both with the Barons, and Lewis the French King (who came to conquer the Realme) against his naturall Soveraigne: For which treasons he was onelyonly excommunicated by the Pope, and not absolved till he had paid the Pope one thousand marks, and a hundred markes to his Legate. Divers other of our Prelates were fined for the same cause, and that so deepely, as they were compelled to sell all they had to purchase the Kings favour.

Anno Dom. 1252. **Holinshed, p. 246, 255.King Henry the third in a Parliament held at London, 1010GROSTHEAD.getting a grant from the Pope of the tenths due to the Church to be received of him for three yeeres, towards the charges of his journey into the holy Land to rescue it from the Saracens, demanded these tenths of the spiritualtie: But the Bishops, and especially Robert Gros…head Bishop of Lin…olne utterly refused to be contributary to this grant; They alledged sundry reasons for their excuse, as the poverty of the English Church being already made bare with continuall exactions and oppressions; but chiefly they excused themselves by the absence of the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke, of whom, the one was beyond the Sea; and the other at home in the North parts: All the other Bishops were there except Here…ord and Chester, who was sicke: and therefore without the consent of those that were absent, and namely their Primate of Canterbury, they could not conclude any generall poynt touching the Kings demand. And although the King fretted and stormed against them, yet could he not bring them to his purpose, so as the Parliament was for that time dissolved: Yet before their departure from London, the King communed with them apart, to see if he could get some money towards his charges, but they had tuned their strings all after one not…, discording all from his Tenor, so that p. 330not a penny could be got of them: wherefore he tooke high displeasure against them, reviling them in most reproachfull manne…; and amongst other he reviled his halfe brother the elect of Winchester, taxing him of great unthankfulnesse, who also among the residue stood against him. Anno 1257. they denyed the King a Subsidie againe, there being (saith Holinshed) a great untoward disposition in the Subjects of that time for the helping of their King, with a necessary ayd of money towards such great charges as he had bin by divers wayes occasioned to be at. Befo…e this Holinshed, p. 242Anno 1250. this Bishop excommunicated a Priest for incontinency, who continuing for some daies without seeking to be reconciled, the Bishop sent to the Sheriffe of Rutland within whose Bayliwicke the Priest dwelt, to apprehend him as a disodient and rebellious person, who not executing the Bishops commandement, the Bishop thereupon excommunicates the Sheriffe: whereof the King being informed tooke displeasure, and sending to the Pope, procured an inhibition, that no Archbishop or Bishop should compell any Officer of the King to follow any suit before them for those things that appertaine to the Kings jurisdiction, or give sentence against them for the same. This **Matth. Paris, hist. major, p. 693 694.Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne, Anno 1246. upon the suggestion of the Friers Predicants and Minorites, raged more then was meet or expedient against those of his D…ocesse, making strict inquisition in his Bishopricke by his Archdeacons and Deanes, concerning the chastity and manners as well of Noble as ignoble (upon oath) to the enormious hurt and scandall of the reputations of many **Quod nunquam antea fieri consueverat (saith the Authour.)Which had never beene accustomed to be done before. The King hearing the grievous complaints of his people against these Innovations, did thereupon by the advice of his Counsell and Courts of Justice, send a Writ to the Sheriffe of Hertford in these words. Henry by the grace of God, King of England, &c. We command thee, that as thou lovest thy selfe, and all things that are thine, that thou from henceforth suffer not any Laymen of …hy Baylywicke to assemble together in any place, at the will of the Bishop of Lincolne, or of his Archdeacons, Officials, or rurall Deanes, to make any acknowledgments or attestations upon their oath, unlesse in cases of Matrimony and testament. **Matth. Paris, hist. major, p. 705And the very next yeere following, in pursurance thereof, the King (by Parliament) enacted, and commanded these things ensuing to be inviolably observed; That if any Lay men were convented before an Ecclesiasticall p. 331Iudge, for breach of faith and perjury that they shou…d be prohibited by the King. And that the Ecclesiasticall Iudge should be prohibited to hold plea of all causes against Laymen, unlesse they were of Matrimony and Testament. All which Matthew Paris precisely relates. Which prohibition and statute nullified the constitution of O…ho, and hindered this Bishops innovation; whereupon, that insolent traytorly Martiall Archbishop of Canterbury, Boniface ( **Antiquit. Eccles. Brit. Bonifacius, p. 185.better skilled in affaires of a Campe then of the Church) Anno 1256. (but nine yeeres after this prohibition and forenamed statute) published this peremptory audacious constitution in affront of them both: Statuimus quod Laici ubi de subditorum pec…tis & excessibus corrigendis per Praelatos & Ecclesiasticos judices inquiritur ad praestandum de veritate dicenda juramentum per excommunicationis sententias, si opus fu…rit, compellantur; impedientes verò ne hujusmodi juramentum praestetur: (for the Judges with many othe…s then generally oppugned and hindred the ushering in of this Innovation) per interdicti & excommunicationis sententiam arceant…. To evacuate which exorbitant illegall constitution (meant onelyonly of witnesses, not of Churchwardens, Sidemen, or Stangers oathes as the **Lindew. Prov. Constit. l. 2. De jurejurando, …. 80.Glosse of Lindwood (who records it) resolves in expresse termes, trenching both upon the peoples liberties and the Courts of Justice too; the Judges frequently granted out sundry generall prohibitions to all, or most of the Sheriffes of England; as is evident by **Pars 2. fol. 36. b. 43.50.the R…gister of Writs. **Nat. Bre. fol. 41.4.Fitz herberts natura Brevium. Rastall, and others; commanding the Sheriffe to inhibite Bishops and their Officers, to cite Laymen before them, to take an oath in any case whatsoever, except of Matrimony or Testament only; **Abrid. of Statutes. Tit. Prohibition 5.and not to suffer the people to appeare before them to take such oathes. The continuer of Matthew Paris his History of England, p. 966, 967. writes of this Bishop of Lincolne, That Simon Earle of Leicester (who most opposed Henry the third, and warred against him) adhered to him, and delivered his children to him to be educated. That by his counsell tractabat ardua, tentabat dubia, finivit inchoata, ea maximè, per quae meritum sibi succrescere aestimabat. And this Bishop is said to have enjoyned the Earle in remis…ion of his sinnes, that he should undertake this cause of the Barons against the King, for which he contended even unto death, affirming, that the peace of the Church of England could not be established, but by the materiall Sword; and that all who died for it, should be crowned with martyrdome. And some say, that p. 332this Bishop laying his hand sometimes on the head of this Earles …ldest sonne, said unto him; Oh my deere sonne, both th…u and thy father shall both die in one day, and with one kind of death, yet for justice and v…rity. Such an animater was he both of rebellion and warres.

1111HENRY LEXINTONHenry Lexinton the next Bishop of this See, Anno 1257. offered some kind of hard measure unto the University of Oxford, by infringing certaine liberties th…t of old belonged unto it.**Matthew Paris Hist. Ang…. p. 915, 916. Godwin, p. 241, 242. For redresse hereof, they were forced to make their complaint unto the King, lying then at S. Albons, and sent nine Masters of Art to the Court for that purpose; Matthew Paris a Monk… of S. Albons was present at the delivery of the petition, and (as himselfe writeth) was bold to s…ep unto the King, using these speeches to him in private. I beseech your Grace, even for Gods sake, to have compassion upon the Church now tottering, and in great danger of utter subversion: The Vniversity of Paris, the nurse of …o many excellent and famous Pr…lates, is now greatly troubled: If the Vniversity of Oxford be disquieted and mole…ted also, (especially at this time) being the second Vniversity of Christendome, and even another foundation of the Church, it is much to be feared, lea… it cause a generall confusion and u…r ruine of the whole Church. God forbid (said the King) that that should happen, especially in my time; I will endeavour to prevent it. I doubt not he was as good as his word, for I finde no more mention of any further stirres. This I have thought good, the rather to set downe, to shew, what was the reputation of our University of Oxford in those daies, and what indignities this Bishop offered to it, to cause a publike combustion.

1212HENRY BVRVVASHHenry Burwash the 15. Bishop of Lincolne, though advanced to that See by King Edward the second his speciall favour, within two yeeres after his consecration,Godwin, p. 303. for some contempts and misdemeanors he fell so faire into the Kings displeasure, that his temporalties were seized upon into the Kings hands for two yeeres space. Anno 1324. they were restored to him againe, and he to the Kings favour,**Hist. Angliae, Anno 1326, 1327. p. 101, 104 105. Speeds history of Great Brit. l. 9. c. 11. p. 678, 680, 681. but the grudge thereof so st…cke in his stomacke, as the Queene rising against her husband seeking to depose him, (as afterward shee did) no man was so forward to take her part, no man was so eager against the King, his undoubted true and naturall Prince, as this Bishop. Thomas Walfingham writes, that almost all the Prelates joyned with the Queene against the King, & precipuè, &c. but especially the Bishop of Lincolne, p. 333H…reford, Dublin and Ely who raised a great Army for her… others (and principally the Archbishop o… Canterbury) …urnished her with money, and when the Queene had taken the King prisoner Anno 1327. keeping her Ch…istmas a… Wal…ingford, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Y…rke, the Bishop of Winch…ster (whom she m…de Lord Tre…surer) the Bi…h…p of Norwich her Lord Cha…cellour, this good Bishop of Lincolne, the Bishops of Ely, Coventry, and other Prelates k…pt their Christmas with her, with great honour, joy, and triumph; whence comming to Westminster, pr…sently after Twelftide they assembled in Parliament, deposed the King from his Crowne, and elected his sonne in his steed; to which election the Archbishop of Canterbury there present consented, ET OMNES PRAELATI, and all the Prelates: the Archbishop making an oration to them to confirme and justifie this election, taking for his text, Vox Populi, vox Dei: Such good Subjects were all the Archbishops and Bishops at that time; and this Prelate one of the ringleaders; who not content thus to spoyle his Soveraigne of his Crown, Kingdome and life too; not long after making a new Pa…ke at Tyinghurst, he inclosed in the same, ground belonging to divers poore men his tenants, for which he had many a bitter curse of them: **Wa…singham hist. Angl. Anno, 1343. p. 150.whereupon it is reported, that after his death he appeared to one of his Gentlemen in the likenesse of a Keeper, with a Bow and Arrowes in his hand, a horne by his side, and a greene jerkin on his backe; telling him, that for the injurious enclosing of that Parke, he was appointed to the keeping of the same, there to be tormented till it were disparked againe, desiring him to intreat the Canons of Lincolne, his brethren, that this wrong done by him, by their good meanes might be righted; who upon this information, sent one William Batchellour of their Company to see it utterly disparked: which was effected.

Anno 1351. the Unive…sity of **Antiq. Eccles. Brit. p 269. Godwin, cat. p. 95.Oxford presented unto Iohn Synwall 1313JOHN SYNVVALL.Bishop of Lincolne (unto whose jurisdiction Oxford then appertained) one William Palmarin for thei… Chancellour, and prayed him to admit him. The Bishop (I know not for what cause) delayed h…s admission from time to time, and enforced the University to complaine of this hard dealing unto the Archbishop. He presently set downe a day wherein he enjoyned the Bishop to admit this Chancellour, or else to render a reason of his refusall. At the time appointed the Proctours of the p. 334University were ready together with this William Palmorie to demand admission. And when the Bishop of Lincolne came not (trusting belike to this priviledge procured from Rome to exemp… hims…lfe his authority and jurisdiction) the Archbishop causes his Chancellour Iohn Car…ton Deane of Wels to admit him, writ to the Uniuersity to receive him, and cited the Bishop to answer before him for his contempt. He appealed to the Pope, would not come, and for his contumacy was convicted. Much money was spent in this suite afterwards at Rome. The event was, that the Archbishop prevailed, and the others priviledge was by speciall order of the Pope revoked, who also granted unto the University at the same time, that the Chancellour hereafter should onelyonly be elected by the Schollers themselves, and so presently authorized to govern them without the admission of any other.

1414THOMAS WATSON.Thomas Watson Bishop of Lincolne in the first yeere of Queene Elizabeth, was deprived of hs Bishopricke, and imprisoned, for refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy,**Martin hist. p. 453. Godwin, p. 249. and counselling the other Bishops to excommunicate the Queene, for altering religion. Of which see more before in Tonstall Bishop of London.

2525JOHN WILLIAMS.Of other Bishops of this See since his time, I finde little in History; As for the present Prelate of that Diocesse, as he deserves due praise for his magnificent Structures of Libraries, Hospitals and the like; So on the other side, his excessive pride and miscarriages in his Chancellor-ship, for which he lost that office; and especially his advancing of the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury (who proved a scourge to him, as well as others,) with his procuring Mountagues Appeale to be printed, which **See the Kings Proclamation for calling in his Appe…lo Caesarem: And his Majesties declaration concerning the dissolution of the last Parliament but one, p. 20, 21.kindled a great Combustion in our Church and State, and laid the foundation of all those Popish Innovations both in doctrine and discipline, which have since, like a filthy leprosie, over-spread our Church, and bred such sad effects and distractions among us) deserve iust blame. Yea, his late extraordinary stickling (much spoken against) to maintaine the Lordly iurisdiction, and secular authority of our Prelates, without the least diminution or reformation of their excesses, hath much ecclipsed all the honour and reputation he had gained by his former sufferings, which should have made him (as the vulgar truely say) more **Matth. 11.29.Matt 11:29meeke and lowly in heart, like Christ his Master, of whom he, and all other Pontifs, should learne Humility, p. 335not lofty and pontificall domineering like Diotrephes, who loved to have the preheminen…e, for which St. **3 I…hn 9.Iohn condemns him, or like the ambitious Apostles, who contended, **Math. 20.25. to 29. Luk. 22.24, 25, 26.Matt 20:25–29Luke 22:24Luke 22:25Luke 22:26which of them should be greatest; for which Christ sharpely rebuked th…m sundry times, saying, Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion ov…r them, and they that are great, exercise authority upon them, But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chi…fe among you, let him be your s…rvant: even as the Sonne of man came not to be ministred unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransome for many. Which texts, (together with that of Peter, **1 Pet. 5.2.3.5.1 Pet 5:21 Pet 5:31 Pet 5:5Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde; neither as being Lords over Gods Heritage, but being ensamples to the flocke &c. Yea all of you be subiect one to another, and be cloathed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble) it seemes this Prelate and his Brethren have forgotten, or at least beleeve not to bee canonicall; since they now poynt-blancke oppugne them: yet me thinkes, he should in this case, have remembred, what himselfe had but lately published in print (**The very words of the License of Iohn Lincolne Deane of Westminster before that Booke. as most Orthodox in doctrine, and consonant in Discipline to the Church of England, and very fit to be printed and published in any place or places, where h… as Ordinary was inabled and licenced so to doe: (and so at Westminster.) In the holy Table Name and Thing, pag. 82. against Clergy mens intermedling with secular affaires, where thus he writes. **Regul. fusior. Reg. 20. pag. 454.O foolish St. Basil, that bids h…s Clergie take speciall heed, that their Martha be not troubled with many things. O dull Synesius, that held it fitter for an **Synes. ep. 52.Aegyptian then a Christian Priest to be over-troubled with matters of wrangling. Well Doctor, God helpe the poore people committed to thy Cure; they are like to finde but a sorry Shepherd: One that will be in the vestry, when hee should be in the Pulpit; and by his much nimblenesse in the one, is like to shew a proportionable heavynesse in the other: which he thus seconds, p. 166.167. St. Cyprian was angry with one Geminius Victor, for making (against the Canon) one Faustinus a Priest, Overseer of his Will, and by that meanes withdrawing him from his calling and mini…ry. And enlarging himselfe in that discourse, how carefull God had beene in providing Tith…s and Oblations for the Priest under the Law, giving him not Lands and Husbandries amongst the other Tribes, ut in nulla re avocar…ur, that hee might have p. 336no occasion to be withdrawne from the Altar; He aggravates the offence of these Testators, that by making Church-men, Executors and Overseers of their last Wills, ab altari Sacerdotes & Ministros volunt avocare, will needs withdraw Ministers from their Ecclesiasticall functions, with no lesse offence, then if, under the Law, they had withdrawne the Priests from the holy Altar. So that this pl…ce takes my Doctor a little by the nose, that cannot indure to be a looker on, and a dull Sp…ctator, confined only to his ministeriall meditations. So this Prelate. And do not th…se p…ssages of this Bishop take himselfe a little by the Nose …oo, as w…ll as the Doctor, who cannot endure to be a looker on, and a dull Spectator, confined only to his ministeriall Meditations, unlesse he may likewise sit as a Peere in Parliament, and intermeddle with secular affaires? If not, as some conceive they doe, yet sure I am, the words of Synesius and Cyprian in their places which hee quo…t…s, will round him in the eare, and give him no little checke. For Synesius in his 52. Epistle to Andronicus, writes thus against Bishops sitting as Iudges, and intermedling with publike secular affaires, to which Andronicus would have perswaded him. To ioyne the power of administring the republique, with the Priesthood, is all one as to knit those things together which cannot be coupled by any coniunction. Ancient times permitted the same persons to be Priests & Iudges. For the Aegyptians and Hebrewes for a long time used the government of Priests; Afterwards when, as it seemes to me, that the divine worke began to be done in a humane manner, Deus ambo vitae genera separavit, God separated both kindes of life, and one of these was appointed to sacred things, the other to government and empire; for He designeth some to the dregs of the lowest things, others he hath associated unto himselfe. Those are imployed in secular affaires, not in Prayer… But yet in both, God requires what is honest and consentaneous. Why dost thou therefore againe revoke them? Why wilt thou conioyne these things which God hath separated? Who requirest us not to administer, but to deprave us in administring: than which, what can be more unhappy? Hast thou need of a Patron? Goe to him who is President in the Lawes of the Republike, (or Lord chiefe Iustice.) Hast thou need of God in any thing? Goe to the Bishop of the City. Contemplation is the end of Priesthood, if a man not falsly usurpe that name to himselfe. Now Contemplation and Action doe no way…s accord: for the force of the Will is moved into action, which cannot bee without some affection; But the Soule which is to become the receptacle of God, ought to be free from all affection…: he had need of vacation from p. 337secular imployments, who with the s…udy of Philosophy is imploy…d in sacr…d things. After this he there professe…h. He neither would nor could undertake and mannage both secular and spirituall affaires; and therefore desires, that either another Bishop might be …lected in his place, which would discharge both, or else another ioyned to him, to dispatch those worldly af…ai…es which he neither would, nor could administer. And because this might seem a novelty, he gives …his excellent answer to it, necessary for our present time, and answering one grand obiection against the alteration of Episcopall government, now found by long experience to be very pernicious to our Church and State. Quid exclamastis? num quia nondum factum illud est, ficri idcircone nunc non convenit? multa quae necessaria erant, invenit tempus, & emendavit. Non ad exemplum fieri omnia solent, & vnumquodque eorum quae facta sunt initium habuit, & antequam fieret, nondum erat factum. Consuetudini vtilitatem anteponere praestabilius est. Demus & nos meliori consuetudini initium. Thus farre Synesius the Bishops first Author. And as for St. Cyprian his second Author, he was so angry with Geminius Victor for making one Faustinus a Priest overseer of his Will, that he Epist. 9. lib. 1. but Epist 69. … Pamelius his Edition.decreed this dishonourable punishment to him even after his decease. Non est quod pro dormitione eius apud vos fiat oblatio, aut deprecatio nomine eius in Ecclesia frequentetur, ut Sacerdotum decretum religiose & necessario factum, servetur a nobis: simul & caeteris fratribus detur exemplum, ne quid Sacerdotes & Ministros Dei Altari eius & Ecclesi… vacantes, ad saeculares molestias devocet; which if the now Bishop of Lincolne had well considered, I dare presume, it would have strucke him dumbe, and made him ashamed, so much as once to open his mouth in defence of our Prelates usurping or exercising temporall iurisdiction, and intermedling in temporall affaires, in which himselfe heretofore hath beene overmuch conversant, farre more then this Clerke, who was but a bare overseer of another mans will. But for him and his Predecessors this may suffice. I shall now hasten to the Bishops of some other Sees.

The End of the first Part.

THE SECOND PART OF THE ANTIPATHIE OF THE ENGLISH LORDLY PRELACIE, BOTH TO REGALL MONARCHY, AND CIVILL UNITY: OR, An Historicall collection of the severall execrable Treasons, Conspiracies, Rebellions, Seditions, State-schismes, Contumacies, oppressions, & Anti-monarchicall practices, of our English, Brittish, French, Scottish, & Irish Lordly Prelates, against our Kings, Kingdomes, Laws, Liberties; and of the severall Warres, and Civill Dissentions occasioned by them in, or against our Realm, in former and latter ages.

Together with the Judgement of our owne ancient Writers, Martyrs, & most judicious Authors, touching the pretended Divine Jurisdiction, Lordlinesse, Temporalties, Wealth, Secular imployments, Trayterous practises, unprofitablenesse, and mischievousnesse of Lordly Prelates, both to King, State, Church; with an Answer to the chiefe Objections made for the Divinity, or continuance of their Lordly Function

By WILLIAM PRYNNE, late (and now againe) an Utter-Barrester of Lincolnes Inne.

Woe to thee that spoylest, and thou wast not spoyled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee; when thou shalt cease to spoyle, thou shalt be spoyled, and when thou shalt make an end to deale treachercusly, they shall deale treacherously with thee. O Lord be gracious to us, we have waited for thee; Isaiah 33.1, 2.

LONDON, Printed by Authority, for Michael Sparke senior. An. 1641.