The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy, Part 2 · Chapter 5

The Antipathy of the English Lordly Prelacy · Part 2 · Chapter 5

p. 239CHAP. V. Containing the Treasons, Conspiracies, Contumacies and disloyalties of the Bishops of Chichester, Carlile, Norwich, Chester, Coventry, and Litchfield.

NOt to mention how **Wigorniensis, Matth… Westm. Matth. Paris Malmes. Huntindon and Hoveden. Anno. 1070. Godw. p. 383.Agilricke Bishop of the South-Saxons, 11AGELRICK.with divers other Bishops and Abots, were deprived by William the Conqueror, Anno 1076. … in the Councels of Winchester and Windsor, and after that committed to perpetuall Prison upon suspition of Treason, and Rebellion against the Conqueror, to deprive him of the Crown.

Ralph the third Bishop of Chichester, 22RALPH.a man of high Stature, and no lesse Malmes. de Gestis Pontificum. l. 2. p. 257.25…. Eadmerus Hist. Nov…rum. l. 1.2, 3, 4. Godw. p. 384.385.high of mind… stood very stoutly in defence of Bishop Anselme, in so much that when King William Rufus threatned him for the same, he offered him his Ring and Crosier, saying, It should better become him to loose his place… than his duety to the Archbishop, whom he could never be induced to forsake, untill he seemed to forsake his owne cause, by flying the Country. After this when King Henry the first, was content to dispense with the marriage of Priests, to which Anselme was an heavy enemy, notwithstanding the Canons lately made in the Councell of London to the contrary, the Priests granting him an yearely summe of money to defend p. 240them against Anselme, this Bishop resisted the collection of that money in his Diocesse, calling it, the tribute of Fornication; and when notwithstanding his resistance it was payd, he interdicted his owne Diocesse, commanding the Church doores to be every where stopped up with thornes. The King whether not vouchsafing to contend with him, or taking his well meaning in good part, was not onelyonly content to pardon this his contemptuous disobedience, but also bestowed the money so gathered in his Diocesse upon him, saving, It was a poore Bishoppricke and needed such helpes. This Bishop went every yeare thrice about his Diocesse, Causa praedicandi, onelyonly to Preach the Gospell to the people, exacting nothing from his Provincialls by his Episcopall power, but receiving onelyonly what they willingly presented to him as a free gift, rebuking those who offended, which was the sole kind of Visitation in those dayes, without any such Visitation Articles, Procurations, presentments, Fees, &c, as are this day practised, imposed, exacted, both against Law and **See Summa Angelica. Tit. Visita…io.Canon too.

33HILARY:Hilary the fifth Bishop of this See, though hee was Godw. p. 385.content absolutely to allow of the Declaration after published at Claridon, without mention of that odious clause (saluo ordine suo) being shreudly baited of his brethren for his labour, yet afterwards hee had some contests with the King, and sought to impeach his prerogative royall, as appear…s by this notable passage, of the Author of the Holy Table, name and Thing p. 30.31. Sure I am, that [according to this advice of Eleuthe…ius] the B…ittish, Saxon, Danish … and first Norman Kings have governed their Churches and Churchmen by Capitula…s and mixed Digests, composed (as it were) of Common and Canon Law, and promulged with the advice of the Counsell of the King, as w…e may see in those particulars set forth by **In his excellent Booke called Archaionomia p…r totumMr. Lambard, **In …is Analect. Anglo-Brit l. 2. c. 3.6.7.Mr. Selden ¶¶History of Cambria p. 59. Howell. Dsha.Dr. Powell, p. 241and others. And I doe not beleeve there can be shewed any Ecclesiasticall Canons for the government of the Church of England, untill long after the conquest, which were not either originally promulged… or afterwards approved and allowed by either the Monarch, or some King of the Heptarchy, sitting and directing in the Nationall or Provinciall Synod. For all the Collections that Lindwood Comments upon, are (as Theophrastus speakes) foreign but rough and rugged mony of a more fresh & later coyning:**Theophra…t. foreign. and yet in those usurping times I have seene a Transcript of a Record, An. 1157.3^o. Henry the 2. wherein when the Bishop of Chichister opposed some late Canons against the Kings exemption of the Abby of Battells from the Episcopall Jurisdiction;In M S. Chron. Abbatiae de Bell… it is said, That the King being angry and much moved therewith, should reply. Tu pro Papae authoritate ab hominibus concessa, contra dignitatum Regalium authoritates mihi à Deo concessas, calliditate arguta niti praecogitas,? Doe you Sir goe about by subtilties of wit to oppose the Popes authority, which is but the favour or connivence of men against the authority of my Regall Dignities, being the Charters and Donations of God himselfe? and thereupon requires Reason, and Justice against the Bishop for this soule insolencie. A good evidence, that the Canon Law, had little esteeme or fo…ce among us in that age; and not long after it was prohibited by speciall Writ to be read among us, as appeares by the Writ of 19. Hen. 3. directed to the Major and Sheriefes of London, commanding them,**Claus. 19. H 3 memb. 22. Quod per totara Civitatem London Clamari faciant & firmiter prohiberi, ne aliquis Scolas regens de Legibus in eadem Civitate de caetero ibidem Leges doceat. **M. Seldens Review of Tiths p. 491.Et si aliquis ibidem fuerit hujusmodi Scolas regens, ipsum sine dilatione cessare faciat. T. Rege apud Basing XI. die Decembris … This was five yeares after the Decretalls published, and it seemes most probable, that these Leges were Canon Lawes, perhaps mixt (as usually they were in the profession also,) with the Imperialls p. 242(for both of them were it seemes, studied here under **Videsis 3…. H. … a…d Matth. Paris Hist M… jori. an 12…5.Henry the third by the Clergy, more …han any other part of learning,) and therefore were forbidden, as being b…th in regard of their owne authority, against the supreme majestie, and independency of the Crown of England. **Selden Ibid. p. 489And before this, in King … reigne, in that great controversie in the Synod of Winchester touching the Castles of Newarke, Sales…ury, and the Vies, the King denied utterly Censuram Canonum pati, **G. Mal…es Hist. Novell. l. 2. p. 103 b.that is, to have it determined by them… whether or no… the two Bishops Roger of Salisbury and Alexander of Lincolne might lawfully kepe their Castles that they had fortified. But while the rest of the Bishops stood so much upon their Canons, and even in the face of majestie, profest a rebellion, the King, and the Lay subjects, it seemes grew so exasperated against them, that by publike command for the preservation of the Liberty of the Crowne and Laity, they were forbidden to be of any more use in the Kingdome: for so perhaps is that to be understood in **De Nugis …urialium. l. 8. c. 21.Iohn of Chartres, where he sayes; that, Tempore Regis Stephani a regno jussae sunt Leges Romanae quas in Brittanniam domus venerabilis Patris T…eobaldi Bri…tanniarum Primatis asciverat. Ne quis etiam libros retineret, edicto Regio prohibitum est. The Canon Law made by Popes and Prelates being inconsistent with the Kings Supremacy, and Subjects Liberty.

44STEPHEN BERKSTEED.**Matth. Paris p, 970. Godw p. 387. Holinsh. p. 271.Stephen Berksteed the 14th. Bishop of Chichester, Anno. 1265. was excommunicated by O…tobon the Popes Legate, for rebelling and taking part with the Barons against King Henry the third, who thereupon repaired to Rome for absolution.

55IOHN de LANGHTON.Iohn de Langhton, the 16th. Bishop of Chichister, Anno. 1315. excommunicated Warren, Earle of Kent, for adultery:Godw. p. 387. whereupon the Earle came unto him with armed men, making some shew to lay violent hands upon him, unlesse he would absolve him. The Bishops men perceiving it, by their Masters command set upon p. 243them, and put both the Earle, and his men in prison, whereupon ensued great combustions.

Walsing Hist. Ang…. …n. 1388… p. 365. Grafton 11 R. 2 …. 37…. Godw. p. 388.Thomas Rushocke the 20th Bishop of Chichester, 66THOMAS RVSHOCK.a lewde pernicious Prelate. Anno. 1388. was driven away from the Court by the Barons, as a Traytor, for his ill Councells to Richard the second, his Lands and goods confiscated, he banished and deprived of his Bishoppricke by **11 R 2 c 6…Act of Parliament, himself had suffered as a Traytor, but that his guiltinesse made him flie before he could be apprehended.

Adam Molins the 31. Bishop of that See,77ADAM MOLINS. falling at variance with Richard Duke of Yorke was slaine at Portsmouth by certaine Marriners, Iune 9. 1449.Godw…n. p. 389.

Holinsh. p. 951.Richard Sampson the 37th. of Chichester. 88RICHARD SAMPSON.Anno 21. Hen. 8. was committed to the T…r for relieving certaine Trayterous persons, who denied the Kings Supremacy.

George Day the 21. Bishop of this See,99GEORGE DAY. October 10. 1551. Godw… p 390.was deprived from his Bishoppricke, for denying the Kings Supremacy, and maintaining the Popes, and other misdemeanours, but was afterwards restored by Queene Mary, at whose Coronation hee preached.

Godw p 390. Martyns Hist. p. 452, 453, 454.Iohn Christopherson the 40. Bishop of this Diocesse,1010IOHN CHRISTOPH…RSON. was deprived by Act of Parliament in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths happy reigne, for denying her supremacy, and refusing to take the oath of alegiance.

To passe by the subsequent Bishops of this See, Richard Mountague the last Bishop thereof but one,1111RICHARD MOVNTAGVE. was the principall abetter and reviver of those late Arminian and Popish Doctrines, Ceremonies, Innovations which for sundry yeares have disquieted… both our Church and State; and that not onelyonly in his Booke, intituled Appello Caesarem, published in the yeare 1625. complained against in three severall Parliaments, and called in by his Majesties speciall Proclamation, S…e the Declaration for the Dissolution of the Parliam…nt. p 20.21.as a Booke that opened the way to those Schismes and p. 244Divisions which have since ensued in our Church; (though for this very Booke… he was advanced to this See, by the practise and confederacy of some swaying Prelates;) and in his Gagge; but likewise in his Visitation Articles, his Antidiatribae, his Aparatus ad Historiam Eccles…asticam, and other Workes, as you may rea… more largely in Mr. Bayly his Canterburians se…fe-Conviction, the last Edition: which Bookes of his have given great scandall to our Church, much advantage to our Popish Adversaries, and much distracted… not onelyonly our Church, but State; for which no doubt hee should have received his just demerits in the high Court of Parliament, had not hee died suddenly out of feare, (being sent for to answer his old and new offences upon some fresh complaints) to ease the Parliament, and prevent a censure. Of his successor in this See, I neede say nothing hee is so well knowne: wherefore I shall next visit Carlile Diocesse, and give you but a touch of some speciall Acts of the Bishops of that See.

The Bishops of Carlile.

WALTER MALCLERKE…**Godw. p. 538.539. Matth West. An. 1233. p. 134.Walter Malclerke, in the yeare 1223. was consecrated unto the Bishoppricke of Carlile, which hee acknowledged to have obtained by evill and corrupt meanes, and therefore resigned the same (moved in conscience so to doe as hee alledged) Iune 29. 1246. and tooke on him the habit of a Fryer Preacher at Oxford, in which he continued till his death. Being Treasurer of England under King Henry the third; the King upon a sudden, at the instigation of Peter, Bishop of W…nchester, not onelyonly displaced him from that office, but revoked certaine Grants made unto him heretofore, & charged him with the debt of 100. pound. which hee acknowledged not. For redresse of these wrongs (as he tooke them) he determined to travell to Rome, but was stayed at the waters-side by the Kings p. 245Officers; whom Roger, Bishop of London excommunicated for the same; and riding presently to Worceter, where the Court lay, renewed that Excommunication in the Kings presence… How he thrived with these businesses afterward I find not. But likely enough it is, that these troubles rather made him weary of the world, than any such scruple induce him to leave his Bishoppricke.

Sylvester de Everdon, 22Sylvester de Everdon.the 5th. Bishop of this See, was elected in the yeare, …46. but not consecrated till February 5th. 1247. because he refused to accept of the election,Matth. Westm. Anno. 1246. 1247. p 216. Godw. p. 539. alledging his owne unworthinesse; but at last upon better deliberation, yeelded: he was one of them that joyned with Boniface the Archbishop, and Ethelma…re the Elect of Winchester in their request to the King that remembring his promise often made, hereafter he would not impeach the Libertie of Elections by interposing his armed requests, &c. The King acknowledged hee had indeede offended that way, and that especially (quoth he) in making meanes for you your selves, that thererefore of all other should least find fault with it. To this man particularly hee used these words. I remember how I exalted thee Sylvester of Carlile unto a Bishoppricke, having hankered a long time about the Chancery, and being a petty Chaplaine to my Chaplaines, preferring thee before many grave and reverend Divines, &c. His conclusion was that if they would give over their places which they had obtained by so undue meanes, he would hereafter forbeare to commend any so unworthy. This was the yeare 1253. The yeare following, May the 13th This Bishop riding a horse somewhat too lusty for him, was cast, and so brused with the fall, as he died by and by, to wit, May 13… 1254.

33THOMAS MERKES.**Godw. p. 540…541.542. Walsing. Hist. Ang. An 1490. p. 404. Gra…ton. Chron. p. 407.408.409. Speeds Histo. p. 764.765.766. Halls Chron. 1. H. 4.. F. 11. to 15. Holinsh. p 514.516.512Thomas Merkes the Fiftenth Bishop of this See, amongst many unworthy preferred to Bishopprickes in those dayes, was undoubtedly a man well-deserving that p. 246honour; for he was both learned and wise, but principally to be commended; first, for his constant and unmoveable fidelity unto his Patrone and preferrer King Richard, then for his excellent courage in professing the same, when he might safely, yea, and honestly also, have concealed his affection. Some other there were of the Nobility that remembring their duety and allegiance, when all the world b…s…de forsoke this unfortunate Prince, followed him with their best assistance, even till the time of his captivity. This man nothing regarding the danger might ensue, not onelyonly refused to forsake him when he had forsaken himselfe, but defended him and his cause the best he could, when he might well perceive, his endeavour might hurt himse…fe much, without any possibility of helping the other, when the furious and unstable multitude, not contented that King Richard had resigned his Crowne to save the head that wore it, and their darling Henry the fourth. seated himselfe in his royall throne, importuned the Parliament assembled to proceed yet farther against him, desiring no doubt that to make all sure, his life might be taken from him. This worthy and memorable Prelate stepping forth, doubted not to tell them, that there was none amongst them meete to give judgement upon so noble a Prince as King Richard was… whom they had taken for their Soveraigne and Leige Lord, by the space of twentie two yeares and more, And proceeding further, I assure you, quoth he (I report his words as I find them in our Chronicles) there is not so ranke a Trayter, nor so arrant a theefe, nor yet so cruell a murtherer, apprehended or detained in prison for his offence, but he shall be brought before the justice to heare Judgment; and will you proceed to the judgment of an annointed King, hearing neither his answere nor excuse? I say and will avow, that the Duke of Lancaster (whom ye call king) hath more trespassed to King Richard and his Realme; the King Richard p. 247hath done either to him or us: for it is manifest and well knowne, that the Duke was banished the Realme by King Richard and his Councell, and by the judgement of his owne Father… for the space of tenne yeares, for what cause ye remember well enough… This notwithstanding, without Licence of King Richard, he is returned againe into the Realme, and (that is worse) hath taken upon him the name, title, and preheminence of King: and therefore I say that you have done manifest wrong to proceede against King Richard in any sort without calling him openly to his answer and defence. This Speech scarcely ended, he was att…ched by the Earle Marshall, and for a time committed to ward in the Abbey of St. Albanes. Continuing yet his loyall affection unto his distressed Master, soone af…er his inlargement, he trayterously joyned with the Hollands, and others in a conspiracy against King Henry the 4th. which being bewrayed to the destruction of all the rest, he onelyonly was pardoned, peradventure in regard of his calling (for it had seldome or never been seene hitherto, that any Bishop was put to death by order of Law;) peradventure in some kind of favour and admiration of his faithfull constancy (for vertue will be honoured, even of her enemies;) peradventure also to this end, that by forcing him to live miserably, they might lay a punishment upon him more grevious than death, which they well saw he despised. The Pope (who seldome denied the King any request that hee might afford good cheepe) was easily intreated, to translate forsooth, this good Bishop from the See of Carlile, that yeelded him honourable maintenance, unto Samos in Greece, whereof he knew he should never receive one penny profit: he was so happy, as neither to take benefit of the gift of his enemy, nor to be hurt by the masked malice of his counterfeit friend, disdaining (as it were) to take his life by his gift, that tooke away from his Master, both life and Kingdome, hee p. 248died shortly after his deliverance, so deluding also the mockery of his Translation, whereby (things so falling out) he was nothing damnified. Hall reports, that hee died for feare, more than sicknesse, as one rather desirous to die by deaths dart, than the temporall Sword, which this his Treason deserved, being a great blemish to his former fidelity.

44OWEN OGLETHORP**Godw. p. 543. Martyns Hist. p. 452.453.454.Owen Oglethorpe the 31. B. of this See, was deprived with divers other Bishops for withstanding Q. Eliza. proceedings, and refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance, in the yeare 1559. Of other Bishops of this See, since his dayes, I find little mention, most of them being translated to other Sees; I shall therefore proceede to the Bishops of Norwich.

The Bishops of Norwich.

11IOHN de GRAY.Iohn de Gray, the fifth Bishop of Norwich (if we beleeve **Hist. Angl. p. 221.222.Matthew Paris,) was one of those three Court Bishops who were consiliarios iniquissimos most wicked counsellors to King Iohn, during the time of the inderdict of the Realme: who desiring to please the King in all things, consilium non pro ratione, sed pro voluntate dederunt, gave the King counsell, not according to Reason, but Will, and thereby wrought much trouble both to the King and Kingdome.

**See Matthew Paris Hist. Angl. p. 204. to 278. Matth. West An. 1207. to 1224: Fox Acts and Monu. p 2…6 to 234.Pandulphus the next Bishop of this See,22PANDVLPHVS. consecrated by the Pope at Rome, Anno. 1222. was the Popes Legate, and the chiefe instument, who perswaded King Iohn, most ignominiously, and shamefully to resigne up his Crowne and Kingdome to the Pope, to become his Vassall, to his eternall infamy, and to submit himselfe to S…ephen Langhton, and those other Trayterly Prelates who intardicted the Realme, excommunicated this King, published the Popes deprivation of him from his Crowne, and instigated the French King to invade the Realme of England, and usurpe p. 249the Crowne, which the Pope had conferred on him upon King Iohns deprivation from it, of which you may read more at large before in Stephen Langhton, Archbishop of Canterbury, p. 33. to 41. OnelyOnly let me informe you, that during the time of this inderdict (aboue six yeares space) all Ecclesiasticall Sacraments ceased in England, except Confession, and the viaticum in extreame necessity, and the Baptisme of Infants; so as the bodyes of dead men were carried out of Townes and Villages, and burried like dogges in Highwayes and Ditches without prayers, and the ministry of Priests, as Matthew Paris and others testifie. Such was the Prelates piety and charity.

About the yeare of our Lord, 1271. In the time of Roger de Skerwing, 33ROGER de SKERWYNG.12. Bishop of Norwich, there was raysed a dangerous sedition betweene the Citizens of Norwich and the Monkes of the Cathedrall Church;Matth. Paris Hist. Angl… p. 976.977. Matth. West… Anno. 1271. p. 351. Holish p. 275.276. Godwin p. 346.347. the History whereof is briefely this. At a Faire that was kept before the gates of the Priory, there hapned a fray, in which some servants of the Covent, …lew certaine citizens: A Jury being empaneled hereupon, found them guilty, and the Officers tooke order for the apprehending of the murtherers if they might be met withall. The Monkes greatly offended herewith, first, excommunicated the Citizens, then shutting the gates, not onelyonly prepared themselves to defence. but also began to offend the other, shooting at the passengers first, and afterward issuing out of their gates, killing divers persons, and spoiling many houses: The Citizens greatly incensed herewith, fired the gates, entred the Monastery. and after a long conflict (a great number being slaine on both sides) prevailed, rifled the Priory, and set fire on the same in divers places at once. This fire consumed not onelyonly the Cells and Offices of the Monkes, but the Almes house also, the steeple, and greatest part of the Cathedrall Church. The King hearing of this tumult, with all speed posted p. 250thither, with the Bishop of Rochester, and others. The Bishop of Rochester, excommunicated all those who had consented to this wickednesse, and the King caused divers Citizens to be hanged… drawne, and quartered; amongst the rest that were executed… a woman that carried fire to the gates was burned. The Monkes for their part appealed to Rome, and so handled the matter, that they not onelyonly escaped punishment but also forced the Citizens to pay them 3000. markes after 500. markes a yeare, toward the reparation of their Church, and to present them with a Pix or Cup of gold of seven pound weight. This end was made by King Edward the first (his Father being now dead) at the request and solicitation of the Bishop. But the Prior (saith Holinshed) was well enough borne out and defended by the Bishop of Norwich named Roger, who (as it is likely) was the Master of the mischiefe, though hands were not layde upon him, nor upon his adherents, perhaps for feare, peradventure for favour; and no marvell, though the lesse faulty lost their lives, as most guilty; for

— Rarus venator ad ursos

Accedit, tutos conservat Sylva Leones;

Debilibus robusta nocent, & grandia paruis.

Ales fulminiger timidos infestat olores;

Accipiter laniat Turdos, mollesque Columbas.

Verficoler Coluber ranas miserasque lacertas;

Irretit muscas, transraittit aranea vespes.

So Holinshed.

ANTHONY de BECK.After him Anthony de Becke, the 17th. Bishop of this See attaining this dignity at the Popes hands. behaved himselfe so imperiously in the place,**Godw. p. 348. that he bereaved the Monkes of divers ancient and long enjoyed priviledges suffering them to doe nothing in their house but what seemed good unto him, plucking downe and preferring amongst them whom he listed. p. 251Neither could he onelyonly be content thus to tyrannize over them, but scorning to have his actions reformed or called in question by any other, he openly withstood Robert Winchelsey, Bishop of Canterbury in his Visitation; affirming, that he would not answer to those things which were objected against him, unlesse it were at the Court of Rome. This boysterous and unruly dealing purchased him such hatred of all men, that at the last he was poysoned by some of his owne servants.

William Bateman the 18th. Bishop of Norwich … 55WILLIAM BATEMAN.forced the Lord Morley for killing certaine Deere in one of his Parkes, and abusing his Keepers,**Godw. p. 349. to carry a burning Taper in his hand, through the streetes of Norwich unto the High-Altar by way of Pennance. And although King Edward the third became an earnest intercessor for him to the Bishop, mingling sometimes threates with requests, yet nothing could move the Bishop following his determinate course; such arrogant, malicious, dispitefull froward creatures are Prelates for the most part, both towards Kings and Nobles. In his time there hapned a great Pestilence, so that in many Monasteries and religious Houses, there were scarce two of twenty left alive, there died onelyonly in Norwich in one yeare, besides religious men 57104 persons.

Henry Spencer, 66HENRY SPENCER.a Gentleman of great valour and skill in martiall affaires, **Walsingh. Hist. Angl p. 278.279.315.316 319. to 334.348. Speed. Hist. p. 735.537 Polichro. l. 7 c 5. f 320. Antiquit. Eccl. Brit p. 298. Holinsh p. 442.443.444.445. Godw. p. 350.351.352.serving the Pope as Generall in his, warres, in the yeere 1370. was made Bishop of Norwich. And being a better Butcher and Souldier than a Shepheard, he (notwithstanding the Kings Commandement to the contrary) procured the Popes authority for levying of an army here in England, which he transported about the yeare 1385. into the Low-Countries for the Popes service in his war…es, where after hee had slaine above 1100. men, in a set batt…ll (wherein the Priests and religious men that were with p. 252the Bishop fought valiantly and most eagerly, some of them slaying sixteene men apeece in one battell against the …lemmings: vanquished an army of 30000. and burnt the Townes of Graveling, Dunkirke, Newport and others, returned againe into England, the King seising his Temporalties into his hands & detaining them two yeares space for his contempt, in raising an army without, and against his expresse command. This Martiall Prelate, had forgotten what answer all the Bishops, Abbots, and Clergy of England gave to King Henry the third, Anno. 1267. in a Parliament at St. Edmonds Berry, where the King demanding, that all Clergy men holding Baronies, or Lay Fee, should goe armed in person against the Kings enemies, or should finde so many men to serve the King in his Expidition, as pertained to so much land or tenement. To this they answered, Matth Paris Hist. Angl. p. 970.971.Quod non debent pugnare cum gladio raateriali; That they ought not to fight with the materiall sword, but with the spirituall, naraely with teares, and sighes, and devout Prayers; and that for their Benefices they were bound to maintaine peace not warre: and that their Baronies were founded in pure Franck-Almoigne, where they owed no Knights Service but what was certaine; neither would they begin any new: and when it was replied, that the Prelates were obliged to grant all the Kings requests (there specified and contradicted by them) whether they would or no, by reason of the Oath they had taken at Coventrie, where they swore, that they would ayde their Lord the King by all meanes that they could. To this they gave this equivocating answer; that when they made this Oath, they understood it not of any other ayde, but spirituall and wholesome councell, denying to grant the King any mony at all. But it seemes that this was then the Bishops received distinction, that they might lawfully beare armes, and fight with the materiall sword, and grant Subsedias to ayde the Pope against his enemies, as this Bishop and the Clergy in his time did; but not to assist the King against his enemies… This Martiall Act of his warlike p. 253Prelate is thus censured by **Fox Acts, and Monuments, vol. 1. p 613.William Swinderby, one of our Martyrs in Richard the seconds raigne. Further I say, if the Pope hold men of armes, in maintaining his Temporalties and Lordship to venge him on them that gilten and offend him, and gives remission to fight and to sley them that contrary him… as men say he did by the Bishop of Norwich, not putting his sword into his sheath, as God commanded Peter Mitte, &c. hee is Antichrist, for he does contrary to the Commandements of Jesus, that bade Peter forgive to his brother seventy times seventy. Si peccaverit in me frater meus, quotiens dimittam ei? Septies? &c & Christus; non dieo tibi septi…s, sed septuagesies sepcies. Which Walter Brute another martyr in that time thus seconds, **Ibid. Fox. vol. 1. p… 633.Againe, Christ saith, You have heard that it is said, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, but I say unto you, see that you resist not evill. But if any man shall strike you upon the right cheeke, give him the other too; and to him that will strive with thee for thy caate in judgement, let him have thy cloake also, and whosoever shall constraine thee one mile, goe with him also two other. Hee that asketh of thee give him, and he that will borrow of thee, turne not thy self from him. By these things it may plainely appeare how that Christ the King of peace, the Saviour of mankind, who came to save, and not to destroy, who gave a Law of Charity to be observed of his faithfull people, hath taught us not to be angry, not to hate our enemies, nor to render evill for evill, nor to resist evill. For all these things doe foster and nourish peace and charity, and doe proceede and come forth of charity, and when they be not kept charity is loosed, and peace is broken. But the Bishop of Rome approveth and alloweth warres and slaughters of men in warre, as well against our enemies, that is, the Infidells, as also against the Christians for temporall goods. Now these things are quite contrary to Christs Doctrine, and to charity; and to peace, &c. And indeede if wee consider Pope Vrbanes Commission and priviledges p. 254granted to this martiall Prelate against Clement the Antipope and his complices, wee shall see how farre the Popes practises are opposite to Christs practi…e and precepts, and what mercifull, peaceable men Lordly prelates are, I shall give you a taste hereof out of **Walsing. Hist. Angliae p 312.313.314. &c.Walsingham. In the yeare of our Lord 1382. Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich, received Bulls from the Pope his Lord directed to him, to signe with the Crosse all those who were willing to goe with him into France, to the distruction of the Antipope, who called himselfe Clement, and to sanctifie a warre against all who adhered to him. Which Bulls, because they conferred great power to him, hee caused to be published in Parliament, and sent abroad Coppies of them round about into every place, which he caused to be fixed on the doores of Churches and Monasteries in open view. These Bulls relate at large the injuries that Clement the Antipope, and the Cardinalls confederating with him, had offered to Vrban, and that Pope Vrban, being unable without great offence of Christ, and remorse of conscience any longer to endure so many great excesses, thought meet to rise up against those wicked ones in the power of the most high, and proceeding judicicially against them by a definitive sentence denounced and declared them to be scismatickes, and conspirators against the Pope, and blasphemers, and that they should be punished like Hereticks, and persons guilty of high Treason, and did thereupon excommunicate and accurse them, and withall deprived them from all their Benefices and O…fices whatsoever, making them uncapable to retaine or receive them, or any other, both for the present and future; withall, he degraded all the Nobl…s and Knights who adhered to him from all their honours, dignities, and Knightships, decreed all their goods, moveables and immoveables, rights, and jurisdictions to be confiscated, and their persons to be detestable, and so to be esteemed, and exposed p. 255them to be apprehended by all Christians, and so apprehended to be kept in such sort, that they should not escape, and either be sent immediatly to the said Pope, or else detained close prisoners in safe custody, till hee should give further order therein: Moreover he excommunicated all those who should either beleeve, receive, defend, or favour any of them, so as they should not be absolved from this sentence without his privity, unlesse it were at the very point of death; hee further decreed, that whosoever should wittingly presume to admit any of them to Ecclesiasticall buriall, should be subject to the sentence of Excommunication, from which he should not be absolved, unlesse at the very point of death; except (O barbarous cruelty) they would first with their owne hands digge them out of their graves, Et procul e…ecrent ab Ecclesiastica sepultura corpora eorundem; and cast out their bodies far from the Church-yard or Ecclesiasticall burying place. Moreover, he inhibited all Christians wittingly to harbour any of them, or to presume to bring, send… or suffer to be brought or sent, any corne, wine, flesh… clothes, wood… victuals, or any other thing profitable for their use, to any place where any of them should dwell or abide, if it lay in their power to prohibit it; he commanded likewise, that no man should presume in any wise to hinder the apprehention and detention of the said Antipope and his adherents and their transmission to him, and commanded every man to be assisting to their apprehention. And if any did contrary to the premises, or wittingly name, believe in, or preach Clement to be Pope, if he were a single person he should be excommunicated, if a Commonwealth or Corporation, they should be interdicted, and their cities and Lands, deprived of all commerce with other cities, places, and countries, and that the cities themselves should be deprived of their pontificall dignity, and that none but the Pope himselfe should have power to p. 256absolve them from this interdict, or excommunication, unlesse it were at the very point of death, hee further granted to all persons truely penitent, and confest who would fight against the said Antipope, and his confederates in their proper persons, or by others for one whole yeares space, from the day this Bishop of Norwhich should appoint, either continually, or by times if they were lawfully hindred, to all, as well Clergy men as Lay men who should follow the standard of the Church, and likewise to all such that should contribute towards the expences of this warre according to their ability, either to the Bishop or to his Deputy, or should hire fit souldiers to warre and continue with him for the said space, the same indulgence that was usually granted to those who went to aide the holy Land. Moreover this Pope grants these Priviledges to this his Generall the Bishop of Norwich, for the better promoting of this warre. First, that the said Bishop might execute capitall punishments against the Antipope, his adherers, factors, and councellours in any place, with strong hand. Item that hee should have power to publish processe against the Antipope and his adherents and any other, to be fulminated out by the said Lord the Pope himselfe, against them… and every of them. Item, that he should have power summarily, and plainely to enquire of all and singular Schismaticks, and to imprison them, and to confiscate all their goods, moveables, and immoveables. Item, that he should have power to deprive Lay Schismatiques of all secular Offices whatsoever, and to conferre their Offices upon fit persons. Item, That he should have power of depriving and declaring to be deprived all Schismaticall Clergy men, and of conferring their Benefices with Cure, or without Cure, their dignities, Personages, or Offices to other idoneous persons. Item, That he should have power over all exempt persons, Clerkes or Laicks, Seculars or p. 257Regulars, though they were brethren of the Order of the Mendicants, or Professors, or Professed of other Houses, or of the Hospitall of St. Iohns of Ierusalem, or of St. Mary of the Teutonicks, or professors of any other Orders. Item, That he should have power of dispensing with any Beneficed secular Clerks, with Cure, or without Cure, or such who had any dignities, parsonages, or Offices, and with regulars exempt or not exempt, that every of them might be absent with him from their benefices, dignities, offices, and houses under the signe of the Crosse, without any license of their Prelates obtained, with the notice and reception of the fruits of their benefices, as if they personally had resided. Item, It is granted to all, who goe oversea with him at their owne cost and expences, or at the charges of any other plenary remission of all sinnes, and so many priviledges, as are granted to those who goe to the aide of the holy Land. Item, They who out of their proper goods and meanes shall minister sufficient wages to fit souldiers, according to the discretion of the said Bishop, or of any deputed by him, albeit he himselfe shall not be personally present in the execution of the said businesse, shall have like remission of sinnes and indulgence as aforesaid, as they had beene personally present with him. Item, All shall be partakers of this remission who shall congruously minister of their goods to the said Bishop towards the expugnation of the said Heretickes. Item, if any in following the same Standard shall chance to die in the journey undertaken, or if the businesse it selfe shall chance to be finished in the interim with a convenient end, he shall intirely receive the same grace, who shall be partaker of the forenamed indulgence & remission. Item, he hath power of excommunicating, suspending, interdicting all rebellious persons; or those who hinder him to execute the power granted to him, of what dignity, state, degree, preheminence, order, place, or condition soever they shall be, allthough Regall, Queenely, Note this.or p. 260Imperiall, Note this.or of what other Ecclesiasticall or worldly dignity soever they excell in. Item, He hath power of compelling all religious persons whatsoever, even the professors of the Order of the Mendicants, if it shall seeme expedient to him, to destinate or transmit them where he please for the execution of the premises. This Bishop armed with this large Commission, sends out his Mandates, every where for the advancement of this holy papall warre; and among other his precepts, directs this ensuing mandate to the Clergy of the Province of Yorke. Henry, by Divine permission, Bishop of Norwich, Nuncio of the See Apostolicke, to our beloved in Christ, all and singular the Rectors, Vicars, and Chaplaines Parochiall within the City and Diocesse of Yorke, greeting in the Lord; Albeit wee have exhorted all, and every of you by Apostolicall authoritie in the Lord, and strictly commanded you, that you should publish the crosse committed to us and its vertue to your parishioners in the most opportune time and places, whose sustainers, fauters, and aiders according to Ours, or Our Deputies discretion have plenary remission of sinnes granted, and besides this, have augmentation of eternall salvation permitted, as is more fully contained in the Apostolicall Bulls lawfully published throughout all England. And because we understand by the relation of credible men, that our exhortation and command hath taken none, or small effect, especially (as is beleeved) by reason of the negligence of Curates, to the diminution of the Catholicke faith, and danger of soules, who easily by your councell and exhortation might obtaine the foresaid priviledges and sempiternall grace. Therefore wee much affecting the salvation and pofit of soules, lest the precious gift of this spirituall universall grace or our power, should not as much as in us lieth be unknowne to any of your parishoners, for time to come; doe you cause the names of all your p. 261Parishioners to be written, setting downe the summe and donations of those that pay upon their names, and those that pay not, from day to day, as often, and when it shall be most expedient, not onelyonly the rich, but also the poore, according to the similitude of the poore widdow, the healthy, and those that are sicke, especially in confession, doe you prudently handle, and perswade to put their helping hands to this holy voyage, to the destruction and extermination of moderne Heretickes, that so they may be partakers of the merit and reward granted in this behalfe, and your selves hereby very much eased from the burthen of your Cure. Moreover, the desturbers of this holy Voyage, or Rebells to our Commands, or rather to the Apostles, and fauters of the moderne Schisme, you, or some of you shall peremptorily cite, that they personally appeare before us, or our Commissioners by a certaine day perfixed by you, or some one of you in the Cathedrall of St. Paul in London, to shew cause, at a precise and peremptory time, wherefore they ought not to be pronounced to have fallen into the censures thundred out against those who perpetrate such things. And further to doe and receive what Justice shall perswade. You or some one of you shall distinstly and wisely certifie us or our Commissioners of the nam… and quantity of the almes conferred in this kinde… and also of the dayes of your citations, and of the manner and forme thereof: Of all, and every of which we burthen every of your consciences, firmely injoyning you by vertue of that obedience you stand obliged to the See Apostolicke… that you publish these our present Letters among your Parishioners, reteining the Coppies of them with your selves, and that yee speedily transmit them to the next Curate in the foresaid Diocesse: In witnesse whereof wee have to these presents set to our usuall S…le in this behalfe: Given at Our Lodging …t Charing neare Westmi…ster the 9th. p. 260day of the Monesh of February, Anno. Dom. 1382. and the 13th. of Our Consecration. And withall he granted this forme of Absolution to all ayders and Assistants to this holy warre. By the Apostolicall authority committed to me in this behalfe, wee absolve thee, A. B. from all sinnes confessed with the mouth and sorrowed for with the heart, and which thou wouldst confesse if they came to thy memory, and we grant thee plenary remission of all thy sinnes, and promise thee retribution of just men, and augmentation of eternall salvation; and we grant to thee so many priviledges as are granted to those who goe to the aide of the holy Land, and we impart to thee the suffrages of the prayers and benefits of the Synod of the Vniversall Church,Bulls. and of the holy Catholike Church. By these recited Letters and Absolutions, you may clearely discerne, 1. The extraordinary insatiable malice, uncharitablenesse, cruelty, rage of Popes and Lordly Prelates against their opposites. 2. Their earnest desire and promotion of bloody warres by all manner of instigations and enforcements. 3. Their exorbitant incroachments and usurpations upon Emperors, Kings, Princes, Subjects, and all sorts of men, who must be subject to their Censures, Excommunications, and Deprivations, if they resist their wills and bloody designes. 4. Their notable abuse of Excommunications, and other Ecclesiasticall censures to avenge their owne meere personall wrongs… and execute their owne malicious designes. 5. Their politicke inventions to raise moneyes, and men to maintaine their warres. 6. The impiety and strange abuse of their pretended indulgences wherewith they grossely cheate poore silly people. 7. The industry of this Martiall Prelate of Norwi…h to promote this holy warre, as he termed it, onelyonly in maintenance of Pope Vrbans inurbanity. This Bull and large Commission of the Pope to the Bishop… was many dayes debated in Parliament, and so his Voyage: During which time the Bishops foresaid p. 261Letters & Popes Bull being published throughout the Realme, the silly people, hearing the sweetnesse of so great a benediction to have arrived to the English, would neither reject nor receive in vain so great grace, but inflamed with the heat of devotion and faith, those who thought themselves fit for warre, prepared themselves with all speede, and those who seemed unable for the Expedition, according to the councell of their Confessors liberally contributed out of their goods towards the use of those who wentt, …t they might deserve to be partakers of so great remission and indulgence. And the hearts of all men were so generally inflamed with devotion, that there was almost no man found in so great a Kingdome, who did not either offer himselfe to the said businesse or contribute something towards it, out of his estate: So that in a short space, divers great summes of money were brought to the Bishop out of many parts of the Kingdome, and multitudes of souldiers resorted to him: whereupon the Bishop takes his journey with part of his army towards the Sea-side, and comes to Northborne in Kent; where making some small stay, he received the Kings writ, commanding him to returne to speake with the King… and to know his pleasure. The Bishop thinking that if he returned, the King would command him to stay his Voyage, and so all his paines and provision should be lost, and himselfe exposed to derision, gathering together those souldiers he had present by the helpe of Iohn Philpot, transported both himselfe and them to Chalis, from whence hee went and besieged Graveling; where in a set battell he vanquished the Flemmins and Schismaticks, and obtained a glorious victory, slaying at least 12. thousand of them in the battle and flight. The newes whereof comming over into England, so affected the people moved with the hope of the prey they should gaine, that many Apprentices in London, and many servants tooke the Crosse upon them without their Masters consent, and p. 264against their wills, whose example others following throughout the Kingdome, leaving their parents, kind red, and deare consorts, being unarmed, having onelyonly swords, bowes, and arrowes went out to this war; and many religious persons of all Orders, (who craved license to goe but could not obtaine it) presumed to undertake that Voyage, In magnum personarum suarum dedecus & detrimentum, quia non propter Iesnm tantum peregrinare decreverunt sed ut patriam mundumque viderent. Iohn Philpot pro…ng all these with necessaries, transported them to the Bishop: whose temporalties the King seised and detained many yeares in his hands for undertaking this warre, and passing the sea with his subjects, contrary to his inhibition. A little before this warre, this Martiall Prelate had occasion given him of imploying his valour at home to better purpose. In the yeare 1381 the Commons of Suffolke, and Norfolke made one Iohn Lister their Leader, a Dyer of Norwich, called the King of the Commons, endeavouring to joyne their forces with those notable Rebells Wat …yler, and Iacke Straw. The Bishop hereupon armed from top to toe, marcheth with such forces as he could raise against these Rebells: meeting with some of them at Ickingham, hee presently laid hold of the three chiefe of them, and without more adoe, cut off their heads, which hee caused to be set upon poles at Newmark…t: Thence hee marched towards Norwich, where he understood the Rebells had determined to make some stay. By the way divers Gentlemen that had hid themselves… Videntes Episcopum militem induisse, & galeam assumps…sse raetalicam, & lor…cam duram quam non possent penetrare sagittae, nec non gladium ma…ertalem ancipitem arr…puisse (as Walsingham writes) joyned with him; so as by that time he came to Norwich hee had a reasonable company about him. With that troope (such as it was) he set upon the Rebells, who had fortified themselves with trenches, and barracadoes p. 265very strongly, having their carriages, and wagons behinde them. The Martiall Bishop without delay, about to give them open battell, moved with their audacity, commands the Trumpets to blow, and the Drummes to beate; and taking a Lance in his right hand, puts spurres to his horse, and is carried with so great animosity and impetuous boldnesse against them, that with a most speedy course hee pre-ocupies their trenches, before his Archers could come up to him, neither was there neede of Archers, they being come to fight hand to hand. The warlike Prelate therefore, like a wilde Boore gnashing his teeth, sparing neither himselfe nor his enemies, where hee perceives most danger thither hee directs his strength, running through this man, casting downe that man, wounding another, and ceaseth not to hurt the enemy most vehemently, untill all the troope which followed him… had gotten the Trench, and were prepared to the conflict: the Bishops party then fought valiantly, and so did the Commons, Donec infirmior conscientia partem terreret injustams & animum ab audacia & voluntate subtraheret moriendi. **Wal…ing. Hist. Anglicae p 278.279.Hereupon the fearefull vulgar betake themselves to flight, and because they had no way left besides their Carts and Carriages which they had placed behinde them, they strove to leape over them, and so to escape. But the Bishop, exercising every where the Office of a circumspect Generall… dashed these endeavours, and hindred those who thought to flee by killing them, and in hindring slayes them, till hee had taken their Ringleaders, and Iohn Litcestere their King, whom he caused to be drawne, quartered, and beheaded. Which done, this Bishop rested not, untill having searched out the malefactors throughout the country, he caused Justice to be executed on them, Sicque pacem peperit regioni, & indicibile toto regno commodum, laudanda probitas, & audac…a commendanda Pontificis bellicosi. This Act was very commendable, I confesse p. 264yet unsuitable to his calling. There wa… great contention betweene him and the Monkes of Norwhich for fifteene yeares, concerning their priviledges and jurisdictions; at last they gave him 400. Markes to enjoy their priviledges.

77ALEXANDER.**Godw. p 35….Alexander P…yor of Norwich was next elected B. by the Monks, but the King so misliked their choise, as he not only kept him from his dignity, but also imprisoned him at Winsor almost a whole yeare after his election, yet afterwards at the request of Thomas Arrundell Archbishop of Canterbury, and divers other of the Nobility, he was released, set at liberty, and afforded Consecration, Anno. 1408.

Richard Nyx. 29. Bishop of this Sea,88RICHARD NYX. had a report of a vicious and dissolute liver, and was blind long before his death. Hilary 25 H. 8. Coram Rege Rot. 15. he was attainted in a praemun…re, **Godw p. 354. See a Briefe of the Prelates Incr…c…ments. &c. p. 246.247.put out of the Kings protection, his person imprisoned, Lands, Goods, and Chattles forfeited to the King, for citing Richard Cockerall, Major of Thetford, and others into his Spirituall Court, and enjoyning them under paine of Excommunication, to call a Jury of the said towne before them, and cause them to revoke and cancell a Presentment they had found upon Oath touching their Liberties, to wit, that none of the said Towne ought to be cited into any Spirituall Consistory, but onelyonly into the Deane of Thetfords Court; and that if any one cited any of that Towne into another Spirituall Court, he …hould forfeit sixe shillings eight pence for the same, The Glasse-windowes of Kings-Colledge Chappell in Cambridge were bought and set up with part of this Bishops Fine and Forfeiture upon this his attainder, as the Author. of the Catalogue of the Chancellors and Colledges of Cambridge Record…, in his Collegi…m Regis.

99IOHN HOPTON.**Godw. p. 355.Iohn Hopton the 32th Bishop of this Sea, was a great persecuter, and a cause of putting many of our p. 265Martyrs to death; as you may read in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments.

Samuel Harsnet Bishop of this Diocesse,99SAMVEL HARSNET. a turbulent Prelate and great opposer of Godly Ministers in the latter end of King Iames, and the beginning of King Charles raigne was questioned and proceeded against in Parliament for divers oppressions, Extortions, and Superstitious innovations introduced in that Dioces…e. Of whom, See more in Yorke, to which he was translated.

Dr. White, 1010D. WHITE.and Dr. Corbet his immediate successors,1111Dr. CORBET. were men of the same straine with Harsnet, and whereas Dr. White had gained great fame and reputation in our Church for his learning and Bookes against the Papists whilst he continued an ordinary Minister, his carriage and change was such, that he soone lost all his honour and reputation after he became a Bishop, and when as other men grow commonly white in their old age, he contrariwise like the **Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 7 c. 2. Herodotus l. 2.Albanes (who doe in senectute nigrescere) waxed blacke in his declining dayes, and as some say, deserved the title of that Popish Treatise which he answered in his Orthodox, White dyed blacke. A strange effect of a white Rochet.

But his Successor in this See, Matthew Wren, 22MATTHEW WREN.a man of a more active spirit, thinking it a disparagement to him, not to transcend his predecessors in superstitious Popish Innovations, and extravagant oppressions, both of the Ministers and people of that Diocesse, hath beene so exorbitantly outragious in his proceedings, that upon the hearing of sundry Petition… and complaints against him in Parliament, the whole House of Commons have transmitted to the Lords these subsequent Articles of impeachment against him (already Printed) wherein the malicious venome of his spirit against piety and our Religion, with his seditious, oppressive practises are Anatomized to the full, and most elegantly displaied in their proper colours p. 266by Sir Thomas Widdrington in his Speech at their transmission, which Articles and Speech here I insert.

ARTICLES of Impeachment, of the COMMONS A…sembled in Parliament in the name of themselves, and of all the Commons of England, against Matthew Wren, Dr. in Divinity, late Bishop of Norwich, and now Bishop of Ely, for severall Crimes, and Misdemeanors committed by him.

THat the said Matthew Wren, being Popishly and superstitiously affected, did at his first comming to be Bishop of Norwich, which was in the yeare 1635. endeavour by sundry wayes, and meanes, to suppresse the powerfull and painefull Preaching of the Word of God; did introduce divers Orders, and Injunctions, tending to Superstition and Idolatry; did disturbe, and disquiet the orderly, and settled estate of the Ministers, and people, and Churches of that Diocesse, to the great prejudice of His Majestie, the great griefe and disquiet, and hazard of the estates, consciences, and lives of many of his Majesties Loyall Subjects there, to the manifest bringing in, and increasing of prophanenesse, ignorance, and disobedience in the Common people, (as by the particulars ensuing may appeare.)

I. Whereas many Chancels of Churches, during all the time of Queene Elizabeth, King Iames, and of his Majestie that now is, had laid and beene continued, even and flat, without any steps ascending towards the East-end of the same, and are ordered to continue as they were, and so ought to have continued; He of his own minde and will, without any lawfull warrant of authority, in the yeare 1636. being then Bishop of Norwich, ordered and enjoyned, that the same should be raised towards the East-end, some two, some three, some foure steps, that so the Communion Table there placed Altarwise, might be the better seene of the people.

p. 267II. He in the same yeare 1636. ordered, That the Communion Table which is appointed by the said Rubrick, at the time of the celebration of the holy Communion, to be placed in the Body of the Church or Chancell, where Divine Prayers are usually read, and where the people might best heare, should be set up close under the Wall at the East-end of the Chancell Altarwise, and not to be removed from thence; whereby the Minister, who is by the Law to Officiate at the North-side of the Table, must either stand and officiate at the North-end of the Table so standing Altarwise, or else after the Popish and Idolatrous manner, stand and officiate at the Westside of the Table with his backe towards the people.

III. He in the same yeare 1636. enjoyned that there should be a Rayle set on the top of the new raised steps before the Communion Table so set Altarwise as aforesaid, which Rayl should raise from the Southside of the Chancell to the North within, which the Minister onelyonly should enter, as a place too holy for the people; and some of the people were punished for stepping into it, as namely Daniel Wayman, and others.

IV. The more to advance blinde Superstition, hee in the same yeare 1636. ordered that all the Pewes in the Church should be so altered, that the people might kneele with their faces Eastward, towards the Communion Table so set Altarwise as aforesaid; And that there should be no seats in the Chancell above, or on either side even up with the said Table.

V. He in the same yeare 1636. enjoyned that every Minister after he had finished the reading of some part of the Morning Prayer, at the Deske, should goe out from the same to the holy Table set Altarwise, as to a more holy place, and there, when no Communion was to be administred, reade at the said Table a part of the Communion Service, now commonly called the second Service, whereby the consciences both of the Minister, p. 268and people, have beene not onelyonly very much offended, and grieved, but also the Service it selfe was made very unprofitable to the people… who could not heare what was said, or prayed in that place.

VI. That both he in his owne person, his Chaplains, and others of the Clergy as namely, Master Iohn Novell, Master William Guest, Master Iohn Dunckon, and others following his example, did ever after the Table was so set Altarwise, use and performe such, so many, and so frequent bowings and adorations before, and towards the said Table as have beene dangerous examples to draw others to the like superstitious gestures, and have given great scandall… and offence to the sound, and sincere, and well affected Christians.

VII. Hee in the said yeare 1636, enjoyned all the people to come up to the Rayle to receive the holy Communion, and there kneele, and doe reverence before the holy Table placed Altarwise and gave directions to the Ministers not to administer the Communion to such people as should not so come up, and do such reverence as aforesaid, And that the Minister should within the Rayle deliver the Bread to such people onelyonly as should so come up and kneele before the said Table as aforesaid. This was to the offence of the consciences of many good people, who for feare of Idolatry and Superstition, durst not come to kneele at the …aid Rayl before the Table so placed Altarwise; and many people not comming up thither, though presenting themselves upon their knees in the Chancell, have not had the Communion delivered unto them, and afterward for not receiving have bin excommunicated, as namely, Iohn Shyming, Samuel Dunckon, Peter Fisher, Thomas Neuton, Edward Bedwell, Edmund Day, Iohn Frowar, and many others.

VIII. He did in the said yeare, 1636. enjoyn and command, that there should be no Sermons on the p. 269Lords Days in the afternoone or on the weeke dayes at all, without his Licence. And also enjoyned that there should be no Catechising, but onelyonly such questions, and answers… as are contained in the Booke of the Common prayer. Not allowing the Ministers to expound or open the points of the same to the poople. He and his under Officers affirming in publike places, that such an exposition might be as ill as a Sermon. And the more to hearten, and confirme the people in prophaning the Lords Day, He enjoyned the Ministers to read publikely in their Churches, a Book published touching Sports on the Lords Day. For not reading whereof, some Ministers were by the command and directions of the said Bishop suspended, viz. Master William Leigh, Mr. Richard Proud, Mr. Ionathan Burr, Mr. Mathew Brumwrigg, Mr. Mott, and divers others, some deprived Master Powell, Mr. Richard Raymond, Mr. Jeremy Borrowes, and some otherwise troubled. By all which, knowledge was suppressed, and ignorance and prophanenesse introduced in that Diocesse.

IX. There having beene formerly two kinds of ringing of Bells, and calling people to the Church in that Diocesse (viz.) one kinde, when there were onelyonly Prayers to be read, and another kinde, when there were both Prayers to be read, and a Sermon preached, whereby the people did apply themselves to the Service of God in those places, where both Prayers, and Preaching was to be; He to hinder the people in their good desires of serving of God, and edifying their soules, did in the same yeare 1636. command, and enjoyne that there should be no difference in ringing of Bells to Church when there was a Sermon, and when there was none.

X. Whereas many godly Ministers for the preventing of the great sinne in the people of unworthy receiving the holy Communion of the Lords Supper… did use to Preach two or three dayes before every Communion, p. 270a preparation Sermon to prepare, and instruct the people in the right and worthy receiving of the Communion, He the said Bishop did in the said yeare, 1636. forbid Ministers, to preach any such prepa…ation Sermon in that Diocesse, as namely, Master Devereux, Master Swayn, and other Ministers.

XI. Whereas all Gods Ordinances are sanctified, and made fruitfull by the blessing of God upon them by Prayer; Hee endeavouring to suppresse the power, and benefit of Prayer in the yeare 1636. enjoyned that no Minister should use any prayer before his Sermon, but move the people to pray onelyonly in the words of the fifty fifth Canon made Anno Dom. 1603. which Canon was not warranted by the Law. And that no prayer should be used before or after the Sermon. And he in his owne person having beene at the Sermon in the Towne of Ipswich when the Preacher did use or make any other prayer, did sit upon his seat without using, or giving any reverence of kneeling, or otherwise, thereby to discountenance such prayer. And he in the said yeere 1636. enjoyned that no prayer should be made in the Pulpit for the sicke, and that such as were prayed for in the reading Deske, should be prayed for onelyonly in the two Collects prescribed for the Visitation of the sicke in private houses.

XII. He the more to alienate the peoples heart from hearing of Sermons in the said yeare 1636. commanded, and enjoyned all Ministers to preach constantly in their Hood, and Surplice, a thing not used before in that Diocesse, and much offensive to the people as a scandalous innovation. And the Parishioners of Knattshall wanting a Surplice… he did by his Officers in the yeare 1637. injoyn the Churchwardens there, that no prayers should be read in that Church till they had got a Surplice, which they not getting for the space of two Lords dayes after, had no prayers during that time there.

p. 271XIII. That during the time of his being Bishop of Norwich, which was about two yeares, and foure moneths, There were for not reading the Service, at the Communion Table set… Altarwise, for not reading the Booke of Sports… for using conceived prayers before and after Sermons, and for not observing some other illegall innovations by him, and his under-officers, by and upon his directions, and Injunctions, sundry godly painefull Preaching Ministers, that is to say, Master William Powell, Mr. Iohn Carter, Mr. Robert Pe…k … Mr. William Bridge, Mr. William Greene, Mr. Mott, Mr. Richard Raymond, Mr. Thomas Scot, Mr. Greenehill, Mr. Nicholas Beard, Mr. Hudson, Robert Kent, Jeremy Burrow, Mr. Thomas Allen, and others to the number of fifty, were excommunicated, suspended, or deprived and otherwise censured, and silenced, to the undoing of many of them, their wives, and children, and they could not be absolved without giving promise to conforme to his directions editis & edendis, by meanes whereof some Ministers were enforced to depart this Realme into Holland, and other parts beyond Sea, viz. the said Mr. William Bridge, Mr. Jeremy Burrowes, Mr. Thomas Allen … Mr. John Ward, and others of Norwich, to remove into other more peaceable Diocesses, as namely, Mr. Edmund Calamy, Mr. Broome, Mr. Beard and others, and some of them so pros…cuted, as hath bin suspected to be the cause of their deaths, as namely, Mr. Th…mas Scot and others; the terror of which proceedings, hath caused other Ministers to leave their Cures, and goe away, viz. Mr. William Kirington, M. Thomas Warren, Mr. John Allen and others; & if a stranger preached at the Cure of such person suspended, the Church-wardens permitting such person so to preach, were enjoyned pennance, and otherwise troubled, as namely, the Church-wardens of Snaile-well, and the stranger for preaching, was also therefore molested, viz. Mr. Ash, Mr. Eades, Mr. Manning, and other Ministers.

p. 272XIV. That during the time hee was Bishop of the said See of Norwich, he did unlawfully compell the inhabitants of the severall parishes within that Dio…esse, to raise the floors of the Chancells, of their respective Churches, to raile in their Communion Tables, to remove the Pewes and Seats, and to make other alterations in the respective Churches; in the doing whereof the said Inhabitan…s, were put to great, excessive, and unnecessary charges and expences, amounting in the whole, to the summe of five thousand pounds, and upwards, which said charges and expences, hee did by unlawfull meanes and courses, enforce the said Inhabitants to undergoe; And such of the said Inhabitants, as did not obey the same, hee did vex, trouble, and molest by presentments, Citations, Excommunications, tedious, and frequent Journeyes, and by attendances at the Court of his Chancellor, and other his Officialls, viz. the Churchwardens of Lin, Ipswich, S. Edmunds Bury, and others.

XV. That for not comming up to the Raile, to receive the holy Communion, kneeling there before the Table Altarwise, for not standing up at the Gospell, and for not observing and performing of his unlawfull Innovations, and Injunctions, many other of his Majesties subjects, viz. Peter Fisher, Samuel Duncon, Iames Percivall, John Armiger, Thomas King and others, have beene by him, his Chancellors, Visitors, Commissaries, and Officialls by his command and Injunctions, much molested, disquieted, and vexed in their estates and consciences by Citations to the Courts, long attendance there, Dismission, Fees, Excommunications, Penances, and other Censures.

XVI. That by reason of the rigorous prosecutions, and dealings in the last precedent Articles mentioned, and by reason of the continuall superstitious bowing to, and afore the Table set Altarwise, the suspending, silencing, driving away of the painfull preaching p. 273Ministers, the suppressing, and forbidding of Sermons, and Prayer, the putting downe of Lecturer, the suppressing meanes of knowledge, and salvation, and introducing ignorance, Superstition, and prophanenesse, many of his Majesties subjects, to the number of three thousand, many of which used trades of Spinning, W…aving, Knitting, and making of Cloth, and Stuffe, Stockings, and other manufactures of Woolls, that is to say, Daniel Sunning, Michael Metcalfe, John Berant, Nicholas Metcalfe, John Derant, Busby, widdow Mapes, Richard Cocke, John Dicks, Francis Lawes, John Senty, and many others, some of them setting an hundred poore people on worke, have removed themselves, their families, and estates into Holland, and other parts beyond the Seas, and there set up and taught the Natives there, the said manufactures, to the great hinderance of trade in this kingdome, & to the impoverishing, and bringing to extreame want, very many who were by those parties formerly set on worke, to the great prejudice of his Majestie and his people.

XVII. That he the said Bishop, finding the people to distaste his innovations, hath often in publike, and private speeches declared in the said yeare, 1636. That what he did in the same, was by his Majesties command, whereby hee contrary to the duty of his place, which he held under his Majestie, being Deane of his Majesties Royall Chappell, and contrary to the duty of a good and loyall subject, endeavoured, to free himselfe of blame, and to raise an ill opinion of his Royall Majestie, in the hearts of his loving subjects.

XVIII. That hee the said Matthew Wren, being Bishop of Norwich in the said yeare, 1636. in the Tower Church in Ipswich, and other places, did in his owne person, use superstitious and idolatrous actions, and gestures in the administration of the Lords Supper, consecrating the bread and wine, standing at the West-side of the Table with his face to the East, and p. 274…is backe towards the people, elevating the Bread and Wine, to be seene over his shoulders bowing low, either to o… before them… when he after the Elevation, and Consecration, had set them downe on the Table.

XIX. That he the more to manifest his Popish affection in the said yeare 1636. caused a Crucifix, that is to say, the figure of Christ upon the Crosse to be engraven upon the Episcopall Seale besides the Armes of the See.

XX. That he hath chosen and imployed such men to be his Commissioners, Rurall Deanes, and to be his household Chaplaines, whom he knew to be, and stand affected to his innovated courses, and to popish superstition, and to be erroneous, and unsound in judgement and practise, as namely M. Iohn Novel. M. E…mond Maple…of…, M. Iohn Dunkin. M. Bo…ek, M. Dun, and others.

XXI. That he hath very much oppressed divers Patrons of Churches by admitting without any colour of title his owne Chaplaines and others whom he affected into Livings, which became void within his Dioces… unjustly enforcing the true and right Patrons to long and chargeable suits to evict such Incumbents, and to recover their owne right, some of which he did against his Priestly word given to the said Patrons or their friends in verbo Sac…rdotis not to doe the same. This he did in the case of one M. Rivet.

XXII. That he and others in the yeare 1635, sould, granted away the profits of his Primary Visitation for five hundred pounds over and above the charges of the Visitation… and for the better benefit of the Farmer, s…t forth a booke in the yeare 1636 intituled, Articles to be inquired of within the Dioces of Norwich, in the first Visitation of Mathew Lord Bishop of Norwich, consisting of 139 Articles, and wherein are contained the number of eight hundred ninety seven questions, according to all which, the Churchwardens were inforced p. 275to present upon paine of perjury. And some Churchwardens, that is to say, Robert Langly, Charles Newton, Richard Hart, William Bull, and Zephany Ford, and others not making presentments accordingly, were cited, molested, and troubled, and injoyned pennance… notwithstanding many of the said Articles were ridiculous and impossible.

XXIII. That the Churchwardens, and other men sworne at the Visitation, were inforced to have their presentments written by Clarkes specially appointed by such as bought the said Visitation… to whom they paid excessive summes of money for the same, some two and twenty shillings, as namely, Richard Hurrell, Iohn Punchard, and others, some more, some lesse, for writing one Presentment, to the grievous oppression of his Majesties poore subjects in his Diocesse.

XXIV. Whereas by the Lawes of this Realme no tythes ought to be paid out of the rents of houses, nor is there any custome or usage in the City of Norwich for such payment, yet the said Bishop indeavoured to draw the Citizens, and other inhabitants within the said City against their wills and consents to pay two shillings in the pound in liew of the tithes of houses within the severall Parishes of the said City, unto the Ministers there, of the said respective parishes. And the better to effect this his unjust resolution, he did by false and undue suggestions, in the fourteenth yeare of his Majesties reigne that now is, procure his Majestie to declare under his Highnesse great Seale of England his royall pleasure, That if any person, within the said City shall refuse to pay according to the said rat… of two shillings the pound unto the Minister of any Parish with in the said city, That the same be heard in the Court of Chancery, or in the Consistory of the Bishop of Norwich. And that in such case no prohibition against the said Bishop of Norwich, their Chancellors, or Commissaries in the s…d Courts of Consistory be p. 276g…anting the same upon …ight of his Highnesse said Order, shall forthwith grant a consultation to the Minister, desiring the same with his reasonable costs and charges for the same, which said Order and Decree under the great Seale of England tended to the violation of the Oathes of the Judges… and was devised, contrived, and made by the said Bishop. And afterwards by his evill counsels and false surmises he did obtaine his Majesties royall consent thereunto, and by colour of the order aforesaid; and other the doings of the said Bishop, the Citizens and inhabitants of Norwich aforesaid, viz. Iohn Collar, Judith Perkeford, and others, have beene inforced to pay the said two shillings in the pound in liew of tythes, or else by suits and other undue meanes beene much molested, and put to great charges and expences, contrary to the Law and Justice.

XXV. That he assumed to himselfe an arbitrary power to compell the respective parishioners in the said Diocesse to pay great and excessive wages to Parish Clarks… viz. the Parishioners of Yarmouth, Congham, Tostocke, and others, commanding his officers, that if any parishioner did refuse to pay such wages, they should certifie him their names, and hee would set them into the High Commission Court for example of them. And that one or two out of Ipswich might be taken for that purpose.

And the said Commons by Protestation saving to themselves the libertie… of exhibiting at any time hereafter any other accusation or impeachment against the said Matthew Wren late Bishop of Norwich, and now Bishop of Ely, and also of replying to the answer to the said Articles, or any of them, or of offering proofe of the premisses or any other impeachments or accusations that shall be exhibited by them as the case shall (according to the course of Parlia…ents) require, doe pray that the said Matthew …ren p. 277may be called to answer the said severall crimes, and misde…eanours, and receive such condigne punishment as the same shall deserve, and that such further proceedings may be upon every of them had, and used against him, as is agreeable to Law and Justice.

Sir THOMAS WIDDRINGTONS SPEECH, At a Conference betweene both Houses, on Tuesday the 20 … of Iuly, 1641. At the transmission of the impeachment against Matthew Wren Doctor of Divinity, late Bishop of Norwich, and now Bishop of Ely.

My Lords, I am commanded by the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses now assembled for the Commons in Parliament, to deliver to your Lordships these Articles against the Bishop of Ely. May it please your Lordships first to heare them read.

MY Lords, These Articles are dipped in those Colours, in which this Bishop rendred himselfe to the Diocesse of Norwich, they neede no Glosse, nor Varnish. In them you may behold the spirit and disposition of this Bishop, heare the groanes and cries of the people, see a shepheard scattering, (I had almost said) devouring his owne flocke; He that was desired to paint Hercules, thought he had done enough, when he had made a resemblance of the Lyons skin, which he was wont to carry about him as a Trophee of his honour.

I will not say that in these you will finde a resemblance of the Lyons skin, I am sure you will finde the resemblance of the skins (that is to say,) the tottered and ruin'd fortunes, of poore innocent Lambs, who have extreamely suffered by the violence of this Bishop.

In the yeare 1635. this man was created Bishop of Norwich: he is no sooner there, but he marcheth furiously.

p. 278In the creation of the world light was one of th… first productions, the first visible action of this Bishop after his creation into this See was to put out many burning and shining lights, to suspend diverse able learned and conscientious Ministers… he that should have beene the Golden …nuffer of these lights, became the extinguisher, and when these are taken away, where shall poore men light their Candles?

My Lords, this was not all.

He put out lights, and sets up firebrands in their places, suspends painfull Ministers, and sets up idle factious and superstitious Priests, (to use their owne language) in their places, yet it is the fortune of these men at this time, like Rivers in the Ocean, to be buried the in extreme activity of their Diocesan.

He made a scourge, not of small cords, but of new Injunctions and numerous Articles tyed about with a strong twist of a most dangerous oath; and with this he whips not out buyers and sellers, but the faithfull dispensers of the word out of their Churches, out of their estates, out of their deere Country.

This Noah (if I may so call him without offence) assoone as he entred into the Arke of this Diocesse, he sends, nay forces Doves to fly out of this Arke, and when they returne unto him, with Olive branches in their mouthes of peaceable and humble submissions, he will not receive them into this Arke againe, unlesse like Ravens they would feed upon the Carrion of his new Inventions, they must not have any footing there… he stands as a flaming sword to keepe such out of his Diocesse.

My Lords, unlesse he had done this, he could never have hoped to have brought that great worke he undoubtedly aymed at to any perfection.

Whilst the Palladium of Troy stood, that Citie was impregnable, The Greekes had no sooner stollen that away but they instantly won the Citie… So then he p. 279first put out the Candles, then was the opportunity to shuffle in his workes of darknesse: h… first bea…s off the Watchmen and seers, then was likely to follow that which the impiety of some was pleased to stile, the piety of the times.

This being done, he then begins to dresse out Gods Worship according to his owne fancy, this he expresseth in Injunctions and directions, the Minerva's of his owne braine; we find them stiled Regales Injunctiones Domini Episcopi: a stile too sacred to Baptise his brats withall; I shall be bold to ca…l them Tyrannicas injunctiones Do… Episcopi; stories afford not a more barbarous cruelty then to joyne a dead and a living body together, the one is miserable, killed with the stinch of the other.

This Bi. who like Aaron should have stood between the living & the dead hath joyned to lively ordinances many dead & venemous ceremonies, which have no other life, than what they received from the breath of his Injunctions… and these are pressed upon the Consciences… even these must be observed as morall lawes.

An arbitrary government in the Church is more dangerous, more grievous than that in the state; this is exercised upon men… conscien…es the most tender parts, and is the very pinacle of …yranny, and of all other most intollerable; tha… blow which will hardly be felt by the arme, will put out the eye.

(My Lords) in the time of King Ri…h. 1. one of this mans predecessors, a valiant Bishop went into the holy warre, this Bishop hath raised a warre at home in his owne Diocesse; a warre not against Sa…azen…, Barbarians, Turks or Infidels, but against good & well disposed people. I know not what stile to give this warre: without doubt (my Lords) this was no holy warre.

The weapons of this warfare were 28. Injunctions, …9. Articles containing 87…. questions.

The souldiers were Chancellors, Commissaries, Officials, p. 280Commissioners, Rurall Deanes, &c.

Himselfe commanded in chiefe.

The wayes of assault and killing were by excommunications, suspensions, deprivations, — I stay here, Mille modis mori…ur mortales.

The Magazin wherein all these were originally hatched and lodged, was the superstitious and malicious brest of this Bishop.

This Dioces was the stage where the direfull tragedies of this warre were acted by the space of two yeares and upwards.

Thus did he trouble Israel in the time of peace, nay by these he put some of the Chariots and Horsemen of Israel to flight, out of these he raiseth a farme of 500. pounds for his primary Visitation: if it be considered cum pertinentiis, it was not deere, yet well improved; for formerly but 40. pound in the time of some of his predecessors.

Will it please your Lordships with patience to cast your eyes upon the modell of this Bishops zeale, piety, and Religion: Let his affection to prayer and preaching speake for all the rest.

First, for prayer. It was his hap to finde a prayer which is no prayer, pretended to be prescribed by a Canon which is no Canon, I meane the 55. Canon set forth in the yeare 1603. and no other prayer must be used in his Dioces before Sermons. That monster of conceived prayer (pardon the expression, its not my owne) seemed as bad to him as a spell or charme. It must not be used upon any occasion, without doubt he would never have beene so strait-laced, and severe in this particular, if hee had but dreamed of that strait which a minister a friend of his was put unto by this meanes; the story is short. A Butcher was gored in the belly by an Oxe, the wound was cured, the party desired publike thanksgiving in the Congregation, the Minister finding no forme for that purpose, reads the p. 281Collects for Churching of women.

Next for preaching. That hee is most able in this kinde is agreed by all. But that he ever preached himselfe in this Diocesse saving once, I never heard affirmed by any.

His next care was that others should not preach too often; if they did, they must be put into his blacke Bill: He changed that golden sentence of (vae mihi si non praedicavero) into vae aliis si praedicaverint; he was so farre from the practise of Saint Paul the great Preacher of the Gentiles, who (we reade) preached till midnight, that there must be no Sermons in the afternoone; there may be, nay there must be sports and pastimes then. And as if he had stood in feare of inarticulate language bells which might foretell a Sermon, hee cannot endure to heare the noise of a Sermon in the toll of a Bell.

In a word; he adorned Churches at the charge of other men, and spoyled Pulpits, which ought to have beene the greatest part of his owne charge.

(My Lords) you have now presented to your Lordships a brother, nay, one whose place ingaged him to be a father of the Clergy, yet one who like Iosephs brethren hath taken the coat from Ioseph, nay they were forced to fly from him as Ioseph from his Mistris, or else they must taste of his forbidden waters, but in their going away he rents their skirts, nay their whole garments and livelihoods from them, hee hath taken the locks from many Sampsons, and done what he could to put out their eyes, and to make them grinde in the mill of his pernicious and dangerous innovations.

He should like Moses have led his flocke. Moses led the children of Israel through the red Sea, this man drives part of his flocke over the Sea, but went not himselfe.

Like Nimrod he hath invaded the lawes and liberties of the subject, he hath beene as great a robber as ever p. 282was presented to your Lordships: He hath robbed the King of his Subjects, the greatest glory of Kings; the Kingdome of trade, of tradesmen, the supporters of it.

He that deprives the King of one subject, you know his punishment… and what shall be the punishment of him who hath robbed the King of so many subjects?

26. H. 3 Wast. …28.In the time of King Henry the third… we finde a tenant in Dower punished in action of waste, because she had destroyed two rich villeynes, and made them beggers.

I appeale to your Lordships, what is his offence who hath committed so much wilfull waste and spoyle, beggered hundreds, not villaines, but free borne subjects.

He robbed the soules of that sweet Manna, which is pabulum animarum, the Word of God.

(My Lords) I have not yet recounted all his robberies; he hath robbed God of part of his day… makes part of that a day of sports; he hath robbed the subjects of their indubitable birth-right, the Lawes of the Kingdome.

The citizens of Norwich must pay tythes for the rents of houses; there's no Law in England, nor Custome in Norwich for it: Nay and that they may be sure to be robbed of justice too, the suite for these tithes must be in his owne Consistory, from whence there must be no appeale, no prohibition.

The true… Patrons of Churches, they are robbed of their presentations… others who had none or small pretence of right are admitted upon this unhallowed maxim, That if hee should institute those who had right, the pretender was without remedy; by this he inverted a fundamentall Law of this Nation, to invest remedilesse rights with unjust possessions.

(My Lords) I cannot tell you all, but you can measure a Lyon by the paw.

I am commanded to lay this great malefactour at p. 283your doores, one who hath beene a great oppugner o… the life and liberty of Religion, and who set a brand of infamy (to use his own words) upon Ipswich education.

In summe, one who is a compleate mirrour of innovation, superstition, and oppression… he is now in the snare of those Articles, which were the workes of his owne hands.

The rod of Moses at a distance was a serpent, it was a rod againe when it was taken into his hands: this Bishop was a serpent, a devouring serpent in the Diocesse of Norwich; your Lordships peradventure will by handling of him make him a rod againe… or if not, I doubt not but your Lordships will chastise him with such rods as his crimes shall deserve.

(My Lords) I am commanded by the House of Commons to desire your Lordships that this Bishop may be required to make answer to these Articles, and that there may be such proceedings against him as the Course and Justice of Parliament doth admit.

You see by this Parlamentary impeachment what a Regulus, Tyrant, and Serpent this Wren hath beene, I shall say no more of him, but leave him to his legall triall.

Richard Mountague who next succeeded Bishop Wren, in this Sea, proceeded on in his extravagant courses, and Popish innovations; witnesse his strange Visitation Articles printed for the Diocesse of Norwich; many whereof are directly Popish, others unjust, absurd and strangely ridiculous; as, of what Assise is …our Surplesse? What is your Surplesse or Lords Table worth if it were to be sold? Is your Communion Table rayled in, so as Cats and Dogges (he might as well have added, Rats and Mice) cannot get through unto it? &c. This Bishop conscious to himselfe of his owne guiltinesse came not up to this last Parliament for feare of questioning, and being complained of for suspending a Lecturer in Norwich without any just p. 284cause, even sitting this Parliament, the House thereupon made an Order, that a speciall Committee should be appointed to examine all his offences old and new; the newes whereof so affrighted him, that within few dayes after he died, to ease the Parliament of that labour, of whom see more in Chichester: Since his decease this See hath continued vacant; and the whole Diocesse earnestly desire it may so remaine till Doomesday, having beene almost ruined, and infinitely vexed by their late monstrous Prelates; of whom I shall now take my farewell, and shape my course to Chester Diocesse.

The Bishops of Chester.

The Bishopricke of Godw. Cata p. 256.Coventry and Lichfield in former times, had three Episcopall Sees, Chester, Coventry, and Lichfield, whence some of the Bishops in our Chronicles, were formerly called the Bishops of Chester, because they there resided, of some of whose Acts I shall give you a taste:

11HVGH NOVANT.Hugh Novant Bishop of Chester (whom **In his Cata. p. 256.Godwin reckons among the Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield) about the yeare 1188. when King Richard the first was taken prisoner by the Arch-duke of Austria, Roger Hoved. Annal. pars poste p. 734.737.752.776. Speed Hist… l 9. p. 541. Matth. Paris Hist p 185… Matth. West. Anno 1198. p. 73. Holi…sh. p. 142.147. Godw. Cat. p. 356.256.joyned with Iohn Earle of Morton the Kings Brother against the King, to dispossesse him of his Kingdome; his brother went from this Earle and the French King to the Emperour with Letters, & a message, promising him a great summe of money in their names to detaine the King still in Prison, after the Articles for his release and ransome were concluded; for which treason and conspiracy after the Kings enlargement, this Bishop was indicted in a Parliament at Nottingham, that he being privy to the Kings secrets had revolted from him to the King of France and Earle Iohn, his enemies; & adhered to them plotting all mischiefe for the destruction of the King and of the Kingdome, whereupon hee was peremptorily cited to appeare and answer this indictment within 40. dayes, p. 285which he failing to doe, was adjudged to be punished by Ecclesiasticall censures as he was a Bishop, and as an Officer to the King, he was also by the Laity banished the Realme, and at last enforced to purchase his peace with a Fine of 5000 markes to the King. …alaeus Cent. 13. c 31. p… 134…Anno 211 90. he having purchased the Monastery of Coventry from the King, came thither with a power of armed men to place in secular Priests in stead of the Monkes, who making resistance against him, he invaded them with forces, chased away some, lamed others of them… spoiled their house, burnt their Charters and Evidences, himselfe being wounded (and that in the Church before the High Altar) in this conflict, to the effusion of his blood.

Matthew Paris Hist. Angl. Anno. 1234. p. 381.382.383. Speeds Hist. …. 609.610. Godw. Cat. Edit. 2. p. 321.22ALEXAN…DER de SAVENSBY.In the yeare of our Lord, 1234. in the Purification of St. Mary, King Henry the third came to a conference at Westminster, wherein he sharpely rebuked certaine Bishops, Et maximè Alexandrū Cestrensem Epis…opum; & especially Alexander de Savensby Bishop of Chester, that they were over-familiar with the Earle Marshall; Et quòd ipsum de regni solio depellere nitebantur; that they indevoured to depose him from his royall throne. But this Bishop clad in his Pontificalibus, when hee knew such things were objected to him, and also that some had suggested to the King by way of exasperating, that the Bishops favouring the party of the Marshall would create another King, was exceedingly moved, especially against Roger de Catelu; whereupon hee incontinently excommunicated all those, who imagined any such wickednesse against the King, or maliciously imposed such things upon the Bishops, who were altogether folicitous of the Kings honours and safety. The innocency of the Bishops being thus manifested and proved, and the sowers of dissention confounded, Catelu held his peace being not free, as it seemed… from the Anathema. So the other Bishops who were present intervening, Alexander B…. of Chester was pacified, and his spirit quieted, Nimis antè amaricatus, being overmuch imbittered p. 286before. Edmond Elect Archbishop of Canterbury with many of his suffragans, were present at this conference, who all condoling at the desolation of the King and Kingdome, came to the King, and as it were with one heart, mind and mouth said. O our Lord the King, let us tell you in the Lord, as your faithfull subjects, that the counsell which you now have and use… is neither wholsome nor safe, but cruell and dangerous to your selfe, and to the Kingdome of England, to wit, the counsell of Peter Bishop of Winchester (of whom before) Peter de Rivallis and their complices. Fi…st of all, because they hate and contemne the English Nation calling them Traytors, and causing them all to be so called, and turning your minde away from the love of your owne Nation, and …h… hearts of your people from you, as appeares in the Marshall, who is the best man of your Land, whom they have perverted and estranged from you by lyes they have scattered abroad of him. And through this very counsell, to wit, by the said Bishop, your Father King Iohn first lost the hearts of his people, after that Normandy, afterwards other lands, and in the end exhausted all his treasure, and almost lost the dominion of England, and had never peace afterwards. By the same counsell in our times, the Kingdome was troubled, and the interdict came, and finally, the Kingdome was made tributary, and the Prince of Provinces (alas for griefe) is brought under tribute to ignoble persons, and warres begun, and long protracted, your father died like a banished man, neither in peace of the Kingdome, nor of minde, and so by them he incurred a very perillous death. By the same counsell the Castle of Bedford was detained against you, where you lost much treasure, and many valiant men; by meanes whereof in the interim you lost Rochell, to the ignominy of the whole Realme. Item, the now imminent perturbation, perilous to the whole Kingdome, comes to passe through their wicked counsell, because if your people had beene handled according p. 287to Justice and the right Judgement (or Law) of the Land… this perturbation had not hapned, and you should have had your lands undestroyed & your treasure unexhausted. Likewise we tell you in that allegiance wherby we are obliged to you, that your counsell is not of peace… but of trouble to the Land, because they that seeke to thrive by the trouble of the Kingdome, and the disinherison of others, cannot doe it by its peace. Item, because they have your Ca…tles and your forces in their hand… as if you ought to distrust your owne people. Item, because they have your Exchequor, and all the grea…est Wards, and Escheates in their power, such an expectation pleaseth, and how they will answer you in the end, wee beleeve you shall prove. Item, because by your Seale or Precept without the Seale of Peter de Rivallis, scarce any great businesse is done in the Realme, as if they accounted you not to be King. Item, because by the same counsell the naturall borne subjects of your Kingdome are expelled out of your Court; whence wee have cause to be fearefull both of you and the Kingdome, when as wee see you to be more in their power, than they in yours, as appeares by very many examples. Item, because they have a mayde out of Brittany, and your sister under their power, with many other noble girles, and women who are marriageable, with Wards and marriages, which they give to their owne creatures and disparage. Item, because they confound and pervert the Law of the Land sworne and confirmed, and ratified, by Excommunication, and Justice likewise; whence it is to be feared least they be Excommunicated, and you also by communicating with them. Item, because they keepe to no man, either their promise, faith, or oath, or writing, neither feare they Excommunication: whence they who have receded, from the truth are desperate… as remaining diffident in feare. Now these things we faithfully relate to you, and wee p. 288counsell, beseech, and admonish you before God and man, that you would remove such counsell from you, and as it is the custome in other Kingdomes, that you governe your Kingdomes, by your faithfull and sworne men of your Realme. Wee denounce to you in verity, that unlesse you correct these things, within a short time we will proceede against you, and all other contradictors by Ecclesiasticall Censure… expecting nothing but the Consecration of our venerable Father, the Elect of Canterbury. These things being thus spoken, the King humbly desired a short time of truce, saying, that hee could not so sodainely remove his counsell untill he had received an account of the treasure committed to him; and so the conference was dissolved, all men departing, with confidence of a concord speedily to be obtained; soone after the Archbishop being consecrated upon the fifth of Aprill, the King with his Nobles being at Westminster; the Archbishop taking all the Bishops and other Prelates that were present with him, whereof this Bishop of Chester was one, went to the King, and shewed him their counsell touching the imminent desolation and danger of the Kingdome, repeating the former inconveniences mentioned in the conference; and denounced to the King expresly, that unlesse hee would speedily reforme his error, and make a peaceable composition with the faithfull men of his Kingdome, he with all the Bishops who were present, would incontinently in ipsum Regem sententiam ferre excommunicationis, pronounce a sentence of Excommunication against the King himselfe, and against all others contradictors of this peace, and perverters of concord. The King hearing this, humbly answered, that hee would obey their counsels in all things. Whereupon a few dayes after understanding his error, moved with repentance, he commanded Peter, Bishop of Winchester, to goe to his Bishopricke, to intend the cure p. 289of soules, and that from thenceforth Regiis negotii… nequaquam interesset; hee should by no meanes intermeddle with the Kings affaires.

**Holins…. p. 313. G…dw. p. 260. 261 Matth. West. Anno. 1301. p. 419. Walsingh. Hist. Angl. p. 68. Speeds Hist. l. 9. p. 667.Walter de Langton Bishop of Chester lived in great authority,33WALTER de LANGTON under King Edward the first, who favoured him much; but his sonne Edward the second molested & disgraced him all that eyer he might. His Fatherdying in the North country, he …ommanded this Bishop to conduct his corps up to London: and when hee had done so, for reward of his paines, hee caused Sir Iohn Felton Constable of the Tower to arrest him, seased upon all his goods, and imprisoned him first, in the Tower, then in the Castle of Wallingford, of which imprisonment he was not released in two yeares after. In his fathers life time, he had often reprehended the young Prince for his insolent and dissolute behaviour, which good admonitions he taking in evill part, wronged and disgraced him many wayes, namely one time, he brak… downe his Parkes, spoyled and drove away his deare, &c. The Bishop complained of this outrage unto the King his Father, who being greatly displeased therewith, committed the Prince his sonne for certaine dayes. And this was the cause of the grudge between the yong King and him, for which he sent him from Castle to Castle as Prisoner, seised his Lands & Tenements into his own hands, gave his moveables to Pierce Gaviston, and his Lord Treasurership to Walter Reignold. About the same time (or I thinke a little sooner, to wit, in the yeare 1…01.) hee was accused of certaine hainous crimes before the Pope, and compelled to answer the accusation at Rome in his owne person. Though the proofes brought against him, were either none, or very slender, yet well knowing whom they had in hand (Noverant ipsum prae multis bovem valde pinguem, saith Matth. Westminster) they were content to detaine him there so long, as it forced him to spend an infinite deale of mony & yet was never a whit the nearer atlast: for the Pope remitted the hearing of the cause to the Archbishop o… Canterbury and yet reserved the determination of the …ame unto himself at last. The tempests of p. 290these troubles being over-blowne, the rest of his time he lived (for ought I finde) quietly, and being happily dismissed from the Court, attended onelyonly the government of his charge. This Bishop setling his See towards his later end at Litchfield, I finde no mention at all of any Bishops of Chester after him, till towards the later end of King Henry the eight his reigne, **Godwin. p. 545.who erected a new Bishops See at Chester, distinct from that of Coventry and Leichfield, and subjected it to the province of Yorke, by Act of Parliament, to wit, 33. Hen. 8. c. 30.

44IOHN BIRD.**See Godw. Catalog. p. 545.Iohn Byrd, the first Bishop of this new erected See, was deprived in Queene Maries dayes, for being married.

55CVTBERT SCOT.Cutbert Scot the third Bishop of this Diocesse in the beginning of Queene Elizabeths dayes was **Godw. Cat. p. 545.displaced, and for his disobedience committed to the Fleet: whence escaping he fled into Loraine, and there died.

To passe by the other Prelates of this See, I shall give you onelyonly a touch of Iohn Brigdman the present Bishop of it.66IOHN BRIDGMAN. This man in his wives life time, seemed to be a favowrer of godly Ministers, but since her decease, he hath turned a prosecutor, if not a persecutor of them, …uspending and driving many of them out of his Diocesse, especially in Lancashire amidst the Papists where was greates… neede of them, to pleasure the now Archbishop of Canterbury, whose great creature and intelligencer he hath been of late yeares: he **See a new Discovery of the Prelates Tyrany, p. 93. to. 109.218… to 226.caused divers of the city of Chester to be Pursevanted & Articled against in the High Commission Court at Yorke, and there fined, censured, and almost ruined in their estates, onelyonly for visiting Mr. Prynne at Chester in his passage to Carnarvan, whose Pictures he caused to be publickly defaced, and the frames of them to be openly burnt at the high Crosse in Chester before the Major and his brethren, in a most disgracefull manner; and caused divers of Chester to make a publike impious Recantation both in the Cathedrall Church and Towne Hall, at Chester, onelyonly for visiting Mr. Prynne at his being there, with the license of his Keepers, who had no warrant, p. 291nor authority to keepe any from him: in all which proceedings (as appeares by his owne letters) this Bishop was both the Informer, Accuser, Director, and Judge in some sort. To comply with the times, he erected divers stone Altars in his Diocesse, one in the Cathedrall at Chester used in times of Popery, which hee caused to be digged up out of the ground where it was formerly buried, which Altar since this Parliament for feare of questioning he hath caused to be taken downe and re-enterred: He ordered all the Ministers in Chester, not onelyonly to read prayers but likewise to prea…h in their Hoods and Surplesses, for which there is neither Law nor Canon, but his Lordly pleasure: he commanded all Sermons there, to end before nine of the clock in the morning, because the Major & Alderman should dance attendance on his Highnesse at the Cathedrall, to which end he emplored the ayde of the Archbishop of Yorke, causing some to be troubled for not comming to the Cathedrall, after they had beene at their owne parish Churches. Hee was a great stickler in the late warre against the Scots, a vehement presser of the loane on the Clergy to maintaine it, threatning to impose armes on those who refused it. He greatly promoted the new Canons, and late &c. Oath… which he both tooke, and enforced eagerly on his Clergy. He hath divers great impropriations of good value, where he alloweth little or no maintenance at all to finde either a reading Curate or Preaching Minister; he hath caused divers to be excommunicated and vexed in his Consistory, for going to heare Sermons abroad when they had none at home. If any desire to know more of his Episcopall vertues, I shall referre them, to a Booke intituled, **P. 93. to 109.…18. to 226.A New Discovery of the Prelates Tyranny, and to the Petitions of the inhabitants of Cheshire, Chester, Lancashire, Wiggon, and others, already exhibited or ready to be preferred to the High Court of Parliament against him, and so passe to the Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield, out of which this Bishoppricke of Chester was derived.

p. 292The Bishops of Coventry and Lichfield.

Of the first Bishops of this See, there is little extant in our stories, but onelyonly their names, with the time of their Con…ecrations and deathes; and the Acts of some others of them, I have formerly related in Chester, so as I shall be very briefe in those who remaine.

11ROGER de CLINTON.Roger de Clinton the 36. Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, about the yeare 1147… tooke upon him the Crosse, went to Ierusalem to fight against the Saracens, Godw. p. 255.and died at Antioch Aprill 16. 1148.

22RICHARD P…CHE.Richard Peche, sonne unto Rober Peche, Archdea…on of Coventry in the yeare,Godw. p. 255. 1162. succeeded him in this Bishoppricke: of this Archdeacon and Bishop perchance it was that I reade this merry passage in **Itiner. l. 2. c. 13.Giraldus Cambrensis & in Camdens Brittannia p. 604. who relates it out of him. It hapned that a certaine Iew travelling towards Shrewsbury with the Archdeacon of Malpas (in Cheshire) whose surname was Peche, that is, Sinne, and a Deane named Devill; when he heard by chance the Archdeacon telling, that his Archdeaconry began at a place called Ill-street, and reached as far as to Malpas towards Chester, he considering and understanding with all, as well the Archdeacons surname as the Deanes, came out with this merry and pleasant conceit: would it not be a wonder (quot… he) and my fortune very good, if ever I get safe againe out of this country, where Sinne is the Archdeacon, and the Divell is the Deane, where the entry into the Archdeaconry is Ill-streete, and the going forth of it Malpas?

33GEOFFRY BLITHE.Geoffery Blithe Bishop of this See, Anno Dom. 1523. was attached for high Treason.

Godw. p. 265.And to mention no more, Robert Wright the present Bishop of this Diocesse set up a goodly Crucifix in a frame,44ROBERT WRIGHT. with the pictures of men and women devoutly praying to it, in the Cathedrall at Litchfield, over the Altar there: for oppo…ing whereof he caused the Lady Davis to be laid in …edlam; promoted the late Innovations, and had a great hand …n composing and imposing the late… Canons, Oath, Benevolence and Lone, for which he stands now impeached by the Commons in Parliament, to whose Censure I remit him.