Canterburys Doom — William Prynne

Canterburys Doom · William Prynne

We ſhal now proceed in the ſecond place to diſcover his atempts, and manifeſt his proceedings in this kinde by bringing in Popiſh Tenents and doctrines by degrees; The Archbiſhops proceedings to ſubvert Religion, by introducing Doctrinall Points of Popery.wherein we ſhall ſo fully uncaſe this Romiſh Fox, as notwithſtanding all his ſhifts and ſubterfuges) to evidence him the moſt Peſtilent Jeſuiticall underminer, ſubverter of the eſtabliſhed doctrines of the Church of England, the Archeſt advancer of the Erroneous Poſitions of the Church of Rome, that ever breathed in our Engliſh Ayre. And here we meet not onelyonly with a Narrow Epiſcopall See, but vaſt boundleſſe Ocean of evidence to ſaile in.

That there hath bin for many yeares last past, a ſecret plotted Conſpiracy, and ſerious endeavour between ſundry pretended members of the Church of England, and reall Sonnes of the Church of Rome, to extirpate the Proteſtant Religion, and inſtead therof to ſet up Popiſh ſuperſtition and Idolatry; hath beene already abundantly manifeſted to the World, in A neceſſary Introduction to the History of the Archbiſhop of Canterbury his Tryall, by ſundry forraigne and domeſtick evidences: how farre this Archbiſhop was an Arch-agent in promoting this conſpiracie in point of Doctrinall Popery, and by what Jeſuiticall Policies and degrees he proceeded in it, comes now in Order to bee proved; wherein wee ſhall ſteare the courſe of our evidence, according to the compaſſe and method of his proceedings.

It is the common Policy of all wiſe experienced Commanders, when they intend to undermine any ſtrong well-fortified defenſible Fortreſſe, not deſperately to begin their Mines at the very foundation of the Workes at firſt, for feare of diſcovery, danger, prevention, but at a competent diſtance, and then to make their approaches by inſenſible degrees, till at laſt they have undermined, or blowne up the very Walls and Workes themſelves; The ſelfe-ſame Policy was uſed by this Arch-Roman Ingineer to undermine and blow up our eſtabliſhed Religion: Hee had learnt from Abbot Bernard: A minimis incipiunt, qui in maxima proruunt; and from *De Ordine Vitae lib.Chryſoſtome: Id certè moris eſt apud haereticos, ut adumbrant ſeipſos & occultent in principijs, quouſque majorem fiduciam capeant, & quodam favore multitudinis juventur: & tunc contagioſa * Homil. 47. in Matth.ſua venena intrepide effundunt. Wherefore he began his mines at ſome ſeeming diſtance, and ſet blindes before them, to prevent diſcovery. To this purpoſe combining with the Jeſuites, & proſecuting their very method to ruine our Religion, he firſt bent all his force & induſtry to introduce Arminianiſme (the moſt plauſible leſſe diſcernible NOTE.Doctrinall part of Popery, yet a ready Jeſuiticall Poſterne to let in all the reſt) and that under a ſpecious pretence of oppoſing Puritaniſme and Puritans onelyonly, againſt whom he laboured to engage ſome Prelates, and the Duke of Buckingham firſt, then next His Majeſtie. This practiſe of his he began in Oxford in a Sermon preached by him on Shrove-Sunday, Anno 1614. for which he was then publikely (though not * Thus endorſed by him: April 18. 1615 The Copy of a Letter which I ſent to the Lord Biſhop of Lincolne, concerning a Sermon, in which Dr. Abbots had wronged me in the Vniverſity.by name) taxed by Learned Dr. Robert Abbot, Dr. of the Chaire in Oxford, in his Sermon all Saint Peters, on Eaſter day, 1615. as appeares by a † Letter, and Notes of this Sermon under his own hand, ſent by him to the then Biſhop of Lincoln his great Patron: viz. That men under pretence of truth, & preaching againſt the Puritans, ſtrike at the heart and root of Faith and Religion now eſtabliſhed among us. That this preaching againſt the Puritans, was but the practiſe of Perſons, and Campions Councell, when they came into England to ſeduce young Students. And when many of them were afraid to looſe their places, if they ſhould profeſſedly be thus, the councell they then gave them was, that they ſhould ſpeake freely againſt the Puritans, and that ſhould ſuffice. And they cannot intend that they are accounted Papiſts, becauſe they ſpeak againſt the Puritans, but becauſe THEY INDEED ARE PAPISTS, they ſpeake nothing againſt them. If they do at any time ſpeake againſt NOTE.the Papiſts they do beat a little upon the buſh, & that ſoftly too for feare of troubling or diſquieting the Birds which are in it. They ſpeake of nothing, but that in which one Papiſt will ſpeake againſt another; as againſt Aequivocation, the Popes temporall Authority, and the like: and perhaps againſt ſome of their Blaſphemous ſpeeches: But in the point of Free-will, Juſtification, Concupiſcens being ſinne after Baptiſme, Inhaerent Righteouſneſſe, and certainty of Salvation, &c. (wherein Papiſts and Arminians concurre) the Papiſts beyond the Seas, can ſay; They ARE WHOLLY THEIRS, and the Recuſants at home make their braggs of them. And in all things they keepe themſelves ſo neare the brinke, that upon any occaſion they may ſtep over to them: &c. From this Paſſage of Doctor Abbot (which Laud then confeſſed in his Letter, the whole Vniverſity applyed unto him, as himſelfe did too) you may readily gueſſe both at his Popiſh Innovations and practiſes in the Vniverſity of Oxf. in thoſe dayes, w^ch he hath continued ever ſince. After this we find him taking ſpecial notice of Dr. Prideaux his queſtions againſt the Arminiaus, found in his Study thus endorſed with his own hand. An. 1617. Queſtions given to be diſputed of at Exeter Colledge of Oxon by Doctor Prideaux Rector and at that time appointed to Anſwer Barkleyes Pareneſis.

Queſtiones Arminianae.

An. 1

1. Paulus ad Rom. cap. 7. loquatur in ſua Perſona de ſerenato? Af.

2. Analyſis Arminij 9. cap ad Rom. ſit probanda? Neg.

1. Praeviſio fidelitatis & infidelitatis praecedat aeternum decretum praedeſtinationis? N.

2. Objectum Electionis ſit fidelis ad finem perſeveraturus? N.

1. Juſticia originalis Adamo fuerit ante lapſum naturalis? A.

2. Lapſus Adami diverſo reſpectu dici poſſit, neceſſarius & contingens? A.

1. Peccatum Originale infantes ſine actualibus peccatis morientes condemnet? A.

2. Homo poſt lapſum retinuer it liberum arbitrium ad bonum? N.

1. Ponenda ſit in Deo ſcientia media de futuris conditionatis aſcientia ſimplicis intelligentiae & viſionis distincta? N.

2. Facienti quod in ſe eſt ex naturae viribus, dentur infallibiter auxilia ad ſalutem neceſſaria? N.

1. Gratia ſufficiens ad ſalutem concedatur omnibus? N.

2. Gratia regenerationis ſit reſiſtibilis? N.

1. To Credere ſine meritorum Chriſti imputatione nos juſtificet? N.

2. Aliquis poſſit à fide penitus excidere? N.

1. Renatus poſſit & debeat eſſe certus de ſua ſalute? A.

2. Fideles poſſint in hac vita vivere ſine peccato? N.

1. Deus author peccati ſtatuatur ex ſententia Orthodoxorum de praedestinatione?

2. Arminianiſmus ſit merè Semi-Pelagianiſmus? A

Theſe queſtione, it ſeemes did much diſpleaſe him, as croſſing his Jeſuiticall deſign of propagating Arminianiſme.

Beſides, we find in his own Diary theſe Paſſages under his own hand in purſuance of this deſigne, Dec. 23. 1624. The ſame day I delivered my L. Duke of Bucking a little tract ABOVT DOCTRINALL PVRJTANISME, in ſome ten Heades, which his Grace had ſpoken to me that I would draw for him, that he might be acquainted with them; in which he branded the Anti-Arminian Tenets, for Doctrinall Puritaniſme, that ſo the Arminian might be imbraced, as Orthodox.

Immediatly after King Iames his death (a bitter Eenemy to the Arminians, whom he branded with the titles of *Declaration againſt Vorſtins.Atheisticall Sectaries, and peſtilent Heriticks, who dare take upon them that Licentious Liberty, to fetch againe from Hell the ancient Hereſies long ſince condemned, or elſe to invent new of their owne braine, contrary to the beliefe of the true Catholick Church, Biſhop Laud to ingage the King and Duke againſt the Anti-Arminians, under the title of Putitans, and ingratiate the Arminians in their favour under the Title of Orkthodox Divines, preſented the Duke with a Catalogne of the names of Clergy men, who were Orthodox, (to wit Arminians,) and who Putitans, which he thus expreſſeth in his Diary.

Aprill 5. 1625. Die Martis, Schedulam exhibui Duci Buckinghamiae, in qua Nomina er ant omnium Eccleſiaſticorum ſub literis O. & P. (that is Orthodox and Puritans.) Nomina ut ſic digererem, juſſit ipſe Dux Buckinghamiae, traditurus ea (ut dixit) Regi Carolo.

Within foure dayes after, the Duke of Buckingham ſent this Prelate to Biſhop Andrews to conſult about the 5. Arminian Articles condemned in the Synod of Dort, to promote, and propagate them in our Church, and to returne his Anſwer to him, as is cleare by theſe Paſſages in his Diary, written with his owne hand.

April 9. 1625. Eodem die in mandatis accepiut Rever. Epiſc. Winton: adirem, & quid velit in cauſa Eccleſiae ſciſcitarem: Reſponſum referem: PRAECIPVE IN 5. ARTICVLIS, &c. April 10. die Solis, poſt concionem finitam adij Epiſcopum, que tum Camera ſua in Aulâ Regia erat; protuli qua accipi in mandatis; reſponſum dedit Aprill 13. die Mercurij. Retuli ad Ducem Buck quid reſponderit Epiſcopus Winton.

Theſe Biſhops of the Arminian & Popiſh party, after ſerious conſultation among themſelves, concluded, that for the better introducing, advancing of the Arminian and Popiſh Errors in our Church, Richard Mountague then Batchelor of Divinity, having the Repute of a great Scholler (being formerly engaged in this Quarrell by the complaints of Mr. Ward, and Mr. Yates againſt him for the Arminian & Popiſh Tenets broached in his Gagge,) ſhould in a new Book of his, intituled Appello Caeſarem (compiled by all their conſents, as appeared by their ſubſcriptions to it, which they afterwards cunningly with-drew when they had procured, Dr. Francis Whites approbation of it leaving him in the ſudds alone) as he oft complained, publikely broach, juſtify, maintaine all the Arminian Tenets condemned in the Synod of Dort, as the received Doctrines of the Church of England, and impaire the Reputation of that Synods determinations, as the privat opinions only of ſome few illiterate Puritans. This book of his was diſallowed by Dr. Abbot then Archbiſhop of Canterbury and his Chaplines, who ſtopped it at the Preſſe: but the now Archbiſhop by his owne and the Dukes power, procured it notwithſtanding, to be printed, and dedicated to his Majeſty in the very beginning of his Reigne, thereby to ingage him in the Actuall Patronage of the Arminian Points, and party, which Mountague impetrated at his hands in his Epiſtle Dedicatory.

This Book giving great and juſt offence to moſt men, Dr. Prideaux ſoon after upon a fitte occaſion, ſpake ſomewhat againſt it in the Scholes at Oxford; admoniſhing young Schollers, to be cautelous in reading it: of which there was preſent notice ſent to the Priſoner (then Biſhop of St. Davids) by way of complaint, as theſe two letters (found in his Study by Mr. Prynne) moſt clearly manifeſt.

My very good Lord.

I Received your Letter, The Coppy of the conſecration of the Chappell ſhall be ſent, according to your Lordſhips appointment. We had Diſputations in Divinity Schooles Wedneſday: one Mr. Damport, a great Preacher in London, but no Graduat, was Reſpondent. One of his Queſtions, this,

An Renati poſſint totaliter & finaliter excidere a Gratia?

His Opponent (one Mr. Palmer of Lincoln Colledge:) urged, out of Mr. Mountague his Appeale, the Article of our Church, The Homilies; The Booke of Common-prayer. The Doctor of the Chair handled the Appellator (ſo they termed Him) very courſly: putting it upon Him, that he is Merus Grammaticus; a Fellow that ſtudies Phraſes, more then matter: That He underſtands neither the Articles nor Homilies; or, at least, perverts NOTE.both. Jn anſwering one of the Arguments, He had a Digreſſion, to this purpoſe. So (quoth He) He attributes I know not what vertue to the externall ſign of the Croſſe, Dignus cruce, qui aſſerat. He concluded with an admonition to the Juniors (whereof there come good ſtore to that Exerciſe, and well furniſhed with Tablebookes, and to the Seniors too; That they would be cautelous in reading that, and the like Bookes: That they would Note.begin in the Study of Divinity, with ſome Syſtematicall Catechiſme (I ſuppoſe he meant Baſtingius, Fenner, &c.) and not to apply themſelves at firſt to the Fathers, &c.

Thus with my daily prayers for your Lordſhips health and happineſſe, I reſt.

Your Lordſhips in all humblneſſe of duty and ſervice. Thomas Turner. St. Iohn, Oxon. May 23. 1625.

My Coſen Walker remembers his humble ſervice to your Lordſhip.

My very good Lord,

WHat I wrote to your Lordſhip concerning Mr. Mountague, I have it by me; and before I ſent it, I conſulted with my Coſen Walker, who was preſent at the Exerciſe as well as I; and we both agree, that I wrote nothing but what is true in the ſubſtance; the very Termes we cannot recall. For my part, as I deſire not to be produced, ſo I am not afraid of it, if it might do: Mr. Mountague any pleaſure. Doctor Radcliffe was preſent NOTE.at the Diſputations, what other Doctors there were I know not. Thus wiſhing your health and happineſſe, I humbly take my leave, and remaine.

Your Lordſhips in all dutifull obligement Thomas Turner. St. Io. Oxon. May 30. 1625.

This laſt letter intimates an intention to queſtion Dr. Prideaux for theſe Paſſages; but the Parliament following ſoone after, this Booke was publikly complained of in the Commons Houſe, and Mountague himſelfe there queſtioned for it, of which this Archbiſhop tooke ſpeciall notice, and thereupon gave all in couragment & protection he could to Mountagu, as his own Diary manifeſts in theſe folowing clauſes, Iulij. 7. 1625. Die Iovis R. Mount. inductus eſt in Domu… Parliament inferiorem, &c. Iulij 9. Die Saturni, placuit Sereniſſimo Regi CAROLO, intimare domui illi, SIBI NON PLACERE que de Montacutio, dicta ibi vel ſtatuta fuêre Se inconſulto, Iulij 13. Iter mihi eo facienti obviam caſu factus eſt R Montacutius; PRIMVS FVI qui cum certiorem fecide REGIS ERGA IPSVM GRATIA, &c. NOTE.A pregnant evidence under his owne hand. Firſt that himſelfe was a principall Patriot of Mountague and his Booke. 2. That he was the firſt that acquainted him of the Kings Royall favour towards him, for writing this Book, notwithſtanding the complaints againſt it in the Parliament, if not a procurer of the King to intimate his diſlike to the Commons Houſe of their proceedings againſt him; which being diſcontinued by the diſſolution of that Parliament at Oxford; were againe revived in the next Parliament; at which time the Biſhop procured the Duke to ſound his Majeſties opinion concerning Mountagues Cauſe and Booke; which to pleaſe the Parliament the King then ſeemed willing to leave to their cenſure, whereat the Biſhop was very much troubled, as this Paſſage in his Diary manifeſts.

Ianuary 29. 1625. Dies ſolis erat, intellexi quid D. Buck: collegit de Cauſa, Libro & opinionibus, Rich. Montacutij R. C. (King Charles) apud ſe ſtatuiſſet. Videor videre nubem ſurgentem & minantem Eccleſia Anglicana. Diſſipet pro Miſericordia NOTE.ſua Deus.

Soon after there were two Conferences held at York houſe, before the Duke, and divers Nobles about Mountagues Bookes and opinions, which were there opoſed, by Dr. Preſton, and Biſhop Morton, but defended by Doctor White, and Biſhop Laud, who records this memorial of theſe Conferences in his Diary, Feb. 11. 1625 Die Sabbati ad inſtantiam Comitis Warwicenſis Colloquium fuit in cauſa R. Mountacutij in adibus Ducis Buckinghamia, &c. Febr. 17. Die Veueris, Colloquium praedictum ſecundum habitum eſt, non paucis e Proceribus Regni praeſentibus, loco pradicto.

On the 18. of Aprill 1626. Mr. Pyne made a Report in the Commons Houſe from the Commitee of Religion concerning Mountagues Appeale, and his Arminian and Popiſh Tenents therein compriſed: whereupon it was voted in the Houſe.

1. That he had diſturbed the Peace of the Church by publiſhing Doctrine, contrary to the Articles of the Church of England, and the Booke of Homilies.

2. That there are divers Paſſages in his Booke (eſpecially againſt thoſe hee termeth Puritans,) apt to move ſedition betwixt the King and his Subjects, and between Subject and Subject.

3. That the whole frame and ſcope of his Booke is, to diſcourage the wellaffected in Religion NOTE.from the true Religion Eſtabliſhed in the Church, and to incline them, and as much as in him lay TO RECONCILE THEM TO POPERY.

This Report was no ſooner made, but this Biſhop (Mountagues great Patron who engaged him in this Popiſh ſervice) had a Coppy thereof, and of all other proceedings therein delivered to him, which he endorſed with his owne hand: but the Parliament being ſoone after diſolved, Mountague inſtead of a ſevere cenſure for the Arminian Popiſh Aſſertions in his book was puniſhed with the Biſhoprick of Chichester, to which he was advanced by this Prelates meanes, to affront the Parliament and his Predeceſſor Biſhop Carleton, who anſwered Mountagues Booke in print, during the Parl. which book was then likewiſe anſwered by Francis Rouſe Eſquier in a Booke called King James his Religion; No ſooner was the Parliament ended, but both theſe Bookes were ſuppreſſed by this Biſhops meanes, though recommended to the Preſſe by the Houſe of Commons order, and Mountagues offenſive Booke publikly ſold without reſtraint. Michaell Sparke the Elder depoſed, that Biſhop Carlton ſent for him, ſitting the Parliament, and deſired him to print his Book againſt Mountague; and to encourage him the more, granted him a protection under his owne hand; whereupon he printed it: After which Doctor Goad, Archbiſhop Abbots Chapline, Doctor Ward, and Dr. Belcankwell licenced it for the Preſſe, with a ſpecial recommendation, whereupon he reprinted it: yet notwithſtanding immediatly after the Parliament ended, by Biſhop Lauds meanes, this Licenſed booke was called in, ſeiſed on, and burned in private, and he queſtioned in the High Commiſſion for printing it. After which this Book of Mountagues, and his Arminian Popiſh Tenents were ſeverally anſwered by Dr. Featley and Doctor Goad (Chaplines to Archbiſhop Abbot) in their Paralells; by Mr. Henry Burton in his Plea, by M. Ward, Mr. Yates and Maſter Wotton, in ſeverall Tracts by Master Prynne in his Perpetuity, and by Doctor Sutclife; But theſe Bookes of theirs, though licenced by Archbiſhop Abbots Chaplines, were called in and ſuppreſſed by this Biſhops meere Arbitrary Power, & the Authors, Printers, ſellers of moſt of them, brought into the High Commiſſion (as Mr. Prynne, Mr. Burton, Mr. Sparkes, Mr. Jones, Mr. Bowler Mr. Bourn, with others, as was atteſted by the three firſt of them upon Oath, and manifeſted by the Articles in the High Commiſſion;) yet theſe their authoriſed orthodox bookes were all ſeized on, and ſome of them burnt in private, and Dr. Sutcliffes Booke againſt Mountague ſuppreſſed in the Preſſe, when foure ſheets thereof were printed, which printed ſheets Mr. Prynne found in this Archbiſhops Study, with this endorſment under his own hand, read at the Lords Barre, The beginning of Dr. Sutcliffes Cenſure upon Mr. Mountagues Appeale: It was prohibited in the Preſſe.

Here upon the Arminian party both in Court, our Vniverſities, and elſe where, grew very great bold, inſolent, & their opinions ſpread themſelves like a dangerous Leproſie, over the whole body of our Church, to the grand exultation & advantage of the Ieſuits, who firſt planted this ſoveraigne drugge of Arminianiſme among us, to reduce us backe to Rome, as appeares by theſe Paſſages in a *See a neceſſary Introduction to the Archbiſhops triall, p. 89. 90.Jeſuites letter ſent to the Rector at Bruxels, a little before the Parliament w^ch begun at Weſtminſter the 17. of Mar. 1627. The Copy of which Letter, endorſed with the Archbiſhops own hand, was ſeized on in his Study at Lambheth, and atteſted before the Lords by M. Prynne.

Father Rector, &c. We have now many ſtrings to our Bow, and have ſtrongly fortified our faction; and have added two Bulworkes more; For when King Iames lived (we know) he was very violent againſt Arminianiſme; and interrupted with his Peſtilent wit, & deep learning our ſtrong deſignes in Holland, &c. NOW WE HAVE PLANTED THE SOVERAIGNE DRVGGE ARMINIANISME, which we hope will Note.purge the Proteſtants from their Hereſy: and it flouriſheth and beares fruit in due ſeaſon, &c. For the better prevention of the Puritans, the Arminians have already locked vp the Dukes eares, and we have thoſe of our Religion which stand continually at the Dukes Chamber to ſee who goes in and out. We cannot be too circumſpect and carefull in this regard. I cannot chuſe but laugh to ſee how ſome of our own rank have encountred themſelves; you would ſcarce know them if you ſaw them; and tis admirable, how in ſpeech and geſture they Act the Puritans. The Cambridge Schollers to their wofull experience ſhall ſee we can act the Puritan a little better then they have don the Ieſuits, I am at this time transported with joy to ſee how happily all inſtruments and meanes as well great a leſſer, co-operate unto our purpoſes, But to returne unto the maine Fabricke, OVR FOVNDATION IS ARMINIANISME: The Arminians affect mutation, this we ſecond and enforce by probable arguments, &c.

From which Letter was obſerved;NOTE.

1. That the Jeſuites were the Originall planters of Arminianiſme among us:

2. That they reputed it the foundation of their Romiſh Fabricke intended to bee here erected among VsUs: the chiefe inſtrument to effect their Jeſuiticall purpoſe, and to purge out the Proteſtant Religion.

3. That the Arminians were but the Jeſuites Agents to promote their ends, & that both of them were very intimate with the Duke of Buckingham, at whoſe lodgings they uſually mette.

4. That this Archbiſhop knew all this, he receiving the Copy of this Letter upon the 27. of Mar. 1628. as appeares by his own endorſment of it; yet notwithſtanding hee promoted Arminians and propagated Arminianiſme all he could; but in a moſt cunning Jeſuiticall way: for perceiving the whole Parliament generally bent againſt Arminianiſme and Mountagues Booke, hereupon this Jeſuiticall Prelate abuſing both the Parliament and His Majeſty, to ſet up Arminianiſme more ſecurely projected a new way of advancing it, under a ſpecious pretence of ſilencing both ſides: by which policy hee inhibited all writing, preaching and diſputes againſt it, and quelled the oppoſite Anti-Arminian party. To which end he procured His Majeſtie by a printed Declaration prefixed to the 39. Articles, compiled by himſelfe and other Biſhops, of which the moſt part were Arminians (pretended principally to ſuppreſſe Arminianiſme, but intended really for advancing it) to prohibit all unneceſſarie disputations, altercations, or queſtions to be raiſed, which might nouriſh faction both in Church and Common-wealth. That in theſe both curious and unhappy differences, which had for ſo many hundred yeares, in different times and places, exerciſed the Church of Chriſt, all further curious ſearch ſhould bee layd aſide, and theſe diſputes ſhut up in Gods promiſes, as they be generally ſet forth to VsUs, in the holy Scriptures, and the Generall meaning of the Articles of the Church of England according to them. And that no man hereafter ſhall either print or preach, to draw the Article aſide any way, but ſhall ſubmit to it in the plaine and full meaning thereof: and ſhall not put his owne ſenſe or Comment to be the meaning of the Article, but ſhall take it in the litterall and Grammaticall ſenſe: That if any publike Reader in either our Univerſities, or any Head or Maſter of a Colledge, or any other perſon reſpectively in either of them, ſhall affix any new ſenſe to any Article, or ſhall publikely read, determine, or hold any publike diſputation, or ſuffer any ſuch to be held EITHER WAY, in either the Vniverſities or Colledges reſpectively: or if any Divine in the NOTE.Vniverſities ſhall preach or print any thing EITHER WAY, other then is already eſtabliſhed in Convocation with our Royall Aſſent; He, or they the Offenders, ſhall be lyable to Our diſpleaſure, and the Churches cenſure in our Commiſſion Eccleſiaſticall, as wel as any other; & We will ſee there ſhal be due execution upon them, &c.

That this Declaration was made by this Biſhops inſtigation, procurement, and ſo generally reputed not only at home but abroad, is evident by this paſſage of Doctor Barons Letter of Aberdean; concerning the pacifying of the 5. Articles, ſent to this Arch-Biſhop, and found in his Study endorſed with his owne hand, dated the 20. of Aprill 1634. Piam hanc Ampl: tuae de Pace Eccleſiae tuenda & conſervanda, ſollicitudinem, illuſtri ſpecimine JAMPRIDEM NOTAMOMNIBVSET TESTATAM feciſti, cum Majeſtas Regia TE AVTHORE ET, SVASORE exitialiisti diſſidio de Praedestinatione & annexis Articulis, quo or bis hic Britannicus fere collidebatur, ſua authoritate finem impoſuit, & impetuoſas NOTE.exulceratorum animorum motus ita compeſcuit, ut diſperſis & diſſipatis rixarum indies gliſcentium nebulis, nunc optato pacis ſudo fruamur. &c.

By coulour of this Declaration and pretended Amnestie, of ſilencing both ſides the Anti-Arminian truths and received Doctrines of our Church came to be totally ſilenced, ſuppreſſed in Preſſe, Pulpit, Schooles, Vniverſities, and the Arminian Errors found free paſſage in them all without any or very little oppoſition; this being the higheſt conqueſt the Arminian faction could aſpire to, yea more then they could hope for in ſo ſhort a ſpace. Hereupon their prevailing party having greateſt power at Court, and in the High Commiſſion, (Archbiſhop Abbot being then by their power and policy ſequeſtred from both, and from his Archiepiſcopall authority, delegated to Biſhop Land, and others of the Arminian combination) by colour and abuſe of this Declaration all Bookes againſt the Arminians were ſuppreſſed, the Authors proſecuted in the High Commiſſion, thoſe who preached or diſputed againſt them in the Vniverſities, City, Court or Country, ſilenced, ſuſpended, baniſhed, impriſoned enforced to recant or ruined, at leaſt kept from all preferments: on the contrary thoſe of the Arminian confederacy were advanced, applauded, countenanced, protected, and freely tolerated to vent their Erronious Tenets every where in Preſſe, Pulpit, Court, both Vniverſities, without any reall convention or ſuſpention, as we ſhall prove anon.

And to ſet on this deſigne with greater advantage to the Arminian party, His Majeſtie being preſſed to publiſh a Proclamation for the calling in of Biſhop Mountagues Booke, (no leſſe than three yeares after its publication, upon ſundry complaints made againſt it in 3. ſucceſſive Parliaments, after all the books diſperſed, vented and out of all danger of ſeiſure) hee ſo ordered the matter, that there was no execution of it in regard of the Booke, this Proclamation was ſo cunningly and partially penned, that Mountagues Popiſh and Arminians opinions were no wayes cenſured, nor his Books condemned to the fire by it (for feare of hindering the project then in hand) ſo that all intelligent men might at firſt view diſcerne the main end of it, was not to ſuppreſſe and call in the Book, or diſcredit the Author (who was then advanced to a Biſhopricke for his paines by Lauds recommendations) but meerly to ſuppreſſe all Bookes in anſwer of it, and ſilence all preaching, writing, diſputes againſt the Arminian Errors, as unneceſſary questions, and needleſſe controverſies; which appeares by the Proclamation it ſelfe, thus endorſed with the Archbiſhops owne hand (who had the penning or correcting of it) Janu. 17. 1628. A Proclamation for calling in Biſhop Mountagues Booke.

A Proclamation, for the ſuppreſsing of a Booke, INTITVLED, Appello Caeſarem, or, An Appeale to Caeſar.

WHereas Wee, out of Our care to conſerve and maintaine the Church, committed to Our Charge, in the unity of true Religion and the bond of Peace and not to ſuffer unneceſſary diſputes, which may trouble the quiet both of Church and State, have lately cauſed the Articles of Religion to be reprinted, as a rule for avoiding of diverſities of opinion and for the eſtabliſhing of conſent in true Religion; We continuing Our deſire to compaſſe this wiſhed effect, and conſidering that the Book written by Richard Mountague, *It was a very ſore puniſhment, to advance him from a Batche… lor of Divinity to be a Biſhop for Writing ſo ill a Booke.now Biſhop of Chicheſter, then but Batechelor of Divinity, intituled, (Appello Caeſarem, or, an Appeale to Caeſar,) and publiſhed in the Yeare (1625.) was the firſt cauſe of thoſe diſputes & differences, which have ſithence much troubled the quiet of the Church; have thought it fitting to take away the occaſion by calling in the ſaid Booke: And therefore, We do hereby will and ſtraightly command all and ſingular perſons whatſoever. who have, or ſhall have any of them in their hands or cuſtody, that upon paine of Our high diſpleaſure, and the conſequence thereof, they doe deliver the ſame preſently upon this publication, to the Lord Biſhop of the Dioceſſe, or his Chancellor, if it bee out of the Univerſities; or if it be in either of the two Univerſities, to the Chancellour or Vice-Chancellor there, whom We ſtraightly command to ſuppreſſe the ſame; hoping thereby, that men will no more trouble themſelves with theſe unneceſſary queſtions, the firſt occaſion being taken away: But if We ſhall be deceived in this Our expectation, and that by reading, preaching, or making Bookes, either pro or contra, concerning theſe differences, men begin a new to diſpute, We ſhall take NOTE.ſuch Order with them, and thoſe Books, that they ſhall with they had never thought upon theſe needleſſe Controverſies.

Given at Our Court at White-Hall, The ſeventeenth day of Ianuary, in the fourth Yeare of Our Reigne, of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland.

The Commons then Aſſembled in Parliament diſcovering both the ſiniſter end and abuſe of this His Majeſties Declaration and Proclamation, in favour of the Arminians, drew up a notable Declaration to His Majeſtie concerning the increaſe of Popery and ſpreading of Arminianiſme, &c. concerning the latter whereof, they made this following complaint, wherein they charged this Prelate, then Biſhop of Bath and Wells with favouring Arminians and their opinions:

As our feare concerning Change or Subverſion of RELIGION is grounded upon the daily increaſe of Papiſts, the only profeſſed Enemies thereof, for See a neceſſary Introduction to the Arch-Biſhops Tryall, pag. 90 to 94.the reaſons formerly mentioned; ſo are the hearts of Your Subjects no leſſe perplexed, when with ſorrow they behold a daily growth and ſpreading of the faction of the Arminians, that being, (as Your Majestie well knowes) but a cunning way to bring in Popery and the profeſſors of thoſe opinions, the common diſturbers of the Proteſtant Churches NOTE.and Incendiaries of thoſe States wherein they have gotten any head, being Proteſtants in ſhew, but Jeſuites in Opinion and practiſe: which cauſed Your Royall Father (with ſo much pious wiſdome and ardent zeale) to endeavour the ſuppreſſing of them as well at home as in our Neighbouring Countries: and Your Gratious Majeſtie inimating his moſt worthy example, have openly and by your Proclamations, declared your miſlike of thoſe perſons and of their opinions; who notwithſtanding are much favoured and advanced, not NOTE.wanting friends even of the Clergie neere to Your Majestie, namely Doctor Neale, Biſhop of Wincheſter, and Doctor Laud Biſhop of Bath and VVells, who are juſtly ſuſpected to bee unſound in their opinions that way; And it being now generally the way to preferment, and promotion in the Church, many Schollers do bend their Studies to maintaine theſe Errours; their Bookes and opinions are ſuffered to be printed and publiſhed, and on the other ſide the impreſſions of ſuch as are written againſt them, and in defence of the Orthodox Religion, are hindered, and prohibited, and (which is a boldneſſe most incredible) NOTE.this reſtraint of Orthodox Bookes is made under colour of Your Majeſties (formerly mentioned) Proclamation, the intent and meaning whereof we know was quite contrary, &c.

To which Declaration Biſhop Laud returned a Peremptory anſwer in His Majeſties Name, written and endorſed with his owne hand, the Originall whereof (atteſted by Maſter Prynne) was reade at the LORDS Barre in theſe following words, ſo farre as concerned the charge of Arminianiſme.See a neceſſary Introduction to the Arch-Biſhops Tryall, pag. 93 94, 95.

THe next feare is the daily growth and ſpreading of the Arminian faction, called, a cunning way to bring in Popery. But We hold this charge as great a wrong to Our ſelfe and Our Government, as the former: For our People muſt not bee taught by a Parliament Remonſtrance, or any other way, that We are ſo ignorant of Truth, or ſo careleſſe of the profeſſion of it, that any opinion, or faction, or what NOTE.ever it be called, ſhould thruſt it ſelfe ſo far & ſo faſt into Our Kingdomes, without Our knowledge of it: This is a meere dreame of them that wake, and would make Our Loyall and loving People thinke, We ſleepe the while. In this charge there is great wrong done to two eminent Prelates, that attend Our Perſon; for they are accuſed without producing any the leaſt ſhew or ſhaddow of proofe againſt them; and ſhould they or any other attempt Innovation of Religion, either by that open or any cunning way, we ſhould quickly take other order with them, and not ſtay for Your Remonſtrance.

To helpe on this, Our People are made believe there is a reſtraint of Bookes, Orthodoxall. But wee are ſure ſince the late Parliament began, ſome whom the Remonſtrance calls Orthodox, have aſſumed to themſelves an unſufferable liberty in printing. Our Proclamation commanded a reſtraint on both ſides, till the paſſions NOTE.of men might ſubſide and calme, and had this beene obeyed as it ought, wee had not now been toſſed in this tempeſt, As for any diſtreſſing or diſcountenancing of good Preachers, Wee know there is none, if they be, as they are called good: But Our good people ſhall never want that ſpirituall comfort which is due unto them, And for the preferments which VVee beſtow, Wee have ever made it our great care to give them as rewards of deſert and paines: but as the preferments are ours ſo will wee bee Judge of the deſert our ſelfe, and not bee taught by a Remonſtrance.

After which the Commons in purſuance of their Oppoſition againſt the growing Arminian Faction, On the 28. of January 1628. (but 11. dayes after the forementioned Proclamation concerning Mountagues Booke, and prohibiting books againſt it) paſſed this notable Vote in Parliament after a large debate; which the Archbiſhop in his indorſment on it ſtiles; The Challenge of the lower Houſe in matters of Religion.

An Order made by the lower Houſe of PARLIAMENT the 28th. of IANVARY 1628.

WEE the Commons now Aſſembled in Parliament doe claime, profeſſe and avow for Truth, the ſence of the Articles of Religion, which were eſtabliſhed NOTE.in Parliament the thirteenth yeare of Queene Elizabeth, which by the publike Acts of the Church of England, and the generall and currant expoſition of the Writers of our Church have beene delivered unto VsUs; and we reject the ſence of the Ieſuites, Arminians, and all others wherein they doe differ from VsUs.

To which Challenge of theirs this pragmaticall Biſhop then returned this bold peremptory anſwer, written with his owne hand, produced, atteſted by Maſter Pryn, and read at the Lords Barre in Evidence againſt him.

1. The publique Acts of the Church in matters of Doctrine are Canons and Acts of Councells, as well for expounding as determining; the Acts of the High Commiſſion are not in this ſence publike Acts of the Church not the meeting of few or more Biſhops Extra Concilium, unleſſe they be by lawfull Authority called to that worke, and their deciſion approved by the Church.

2. The Currant expoſition of writers is a ſtrong probable Argument de ſenſu Can…nis Eccleſiae, vel Articuli, yet but probable: The Currant expoſition of the Fathers themſelves hath ſometimes miſſed ſenſum Eccleſiae.

3. Will ye reject all ſence of leſuit, or Arminian? may not ſome be true? may not ſome be agreeable to our writers, and yet in a way that is ſtronger then ours to NOTE.confirme the Article?

4. Is there by this Act any Interpretation made or declared of the Articles, or not? If none, to what end the Act? If a ſence or Interpretation be declared, what authority have lay-men to make it? for Interpretation of an Article belongs to NOTE.them only that have power to make it.

5. Tis manifeſt there is a ſence declared by the Houſe of Commons, the Act ſayes it, (wee avow the Article, and in that ſence, and all other that agree not with us in the aforeſaid ſence, wee reject; (theſe and theſe, goe about miſinterpretation of a ſence, Ergo there is a Declaration of a ſence, yea: but it is not a new ſence declared by them, but they avow the old ſence declared by the Church.) The publike authenticke Acts of the Church, &c. yea; but if there be no ſuch publique authenticke Acts of the Church, then heres a ſence of their owne declared under pretence of it.

6. It ſeemes againſt the Kings Declaration, 1. That ſayes, we ſhall take the generall NOTE.meaning of the Articles; this Act reſtraines them to conſent of VVrighters. 2. That ſayes, the Article ſhall not be drawne aſide any way, but that we ſhall take it in the Litterall and Gramaticall ſence: This Act tyes to conſent of VVrighters, which may; and perhaps do goe againſt the Litterall ſence; for heres no exception; ſo wee ſhall bee perplexed and our conſent required to things contrary.

7. All conſent in all Ages, as farre as I have obſerved, to an Article or Canon, is to it ſelfe, as it is layd downe in the body of it, and if it beare more ſences then one, it is lawfull for any man to chooſe what ſence his judgment directs him to, ſo that it be a ſence, ſecundum analogiam fidei, and that he hold it peaceably without diſtracting the Church, and this till the Church which made the Article determine a ſence: And the wiſdome of the Church hath beene in all ages or the moſt, to require conſent to Articles in generall as much as may be, becauſe thats the way of unity, and the Church in high points requiring aſſent to particulars, hath been rent, As de Tranſubſtantiatione, &c. So he, in affront of the Commons.

This Parliament alſo being ſoone after broken up in diſcontent by this Biſhops power and policy, the Arminian and Popiſh party grew more bould numerous, potent, and prevalent every where, ſo as the Pulpits at Whice-hall, Paules Croſſe, Oxford, Cambridge, and elſe where, ecchoed againe with Arminian Paradoxes, without reſtraint, and none could or durſt oppoſe them without exemplary puniſhment, if not all moſt certaine ruine: Bookes in defence of Arminianiſme, and Semi-plagianiſme were publiſhed, printed with publike allowance, and all impreſſions againſt them moſt diligently ſuppreſſed; the Recantations of Arminian Tenets in former times made in our Vniverſities, were embeſled as Barrets Recantation in Cambridge, May 10. 1595.) and new Recantations enjoyned to and regiſtred againſt their oppoſites, of all which we ſhall produce ſome remarkable inſtances.

The Miniſters in and about London, being reſtrained by Colour of His Majeſties forementioned Declaration and Proclamation, to Preach any thing concerning Election, Predeſtination, Perſerverance, or any thing oppoſite to the Arminian Errors thereupon framed this enſuing Petition to his Majeſty (about the end of the Parliament, 1628.) for liberty to Preach againſt the Arminian errors in point of Predeſtination &c. which this Biſhop being informed off, anticipated, and fruſtrated, two of the Copies, of which Petition were found in his Study by Mr. Pryn, thus endorſed with his owne hand. The Copy of the intended Petition about liberty of Preaching Predestination, &c.

To the Kings moſt Excellent Maieſty, The humble Petition of divers Miniſters of Gods Word, in and about the City of London, and elſe where.

Moſt Humbly ſheweth,

THat whereas your royall Majeſty out of your Religious zeale for the conſerving of the Church committed to your Charge in Peace, and for the confirming of the Doctrine of the ſame agreeable to Gods word, and conteyned in the Articles eſtabliſhed; did publiſh both a Proclamation, and a Declaration, therein prohibiting all opinions either againſt or beſides the Orthodoxall grounds of Religion expreſſed in the ſaid Articles, as alſo all raiſing of doubts and diſputatios which may nouriſh faction in Church and Common wealth. And yet your Majeſties ſaid edicts are ſo interpreted, and preſſed upon us, as we are not a little diſcouraged and deterred, from preaching thoſe ſaving Doctrines of Gods free Grace in Election, and predeſtination which greatly confirme our faith of eternall ſalvation, and fervently kindle our Love to God, as the 17th. Article expreſly mentioneth. So as we are brought into a great ſtrayt either of incurring Gods heavy diſpleaſure if we do not faithfully diſcharge our Embaſſage, in declaring the whole Councell of God, or the danger of being cenſured for violators of your Majeſties ſaid Acts, if we preach theſe conſtant Doctrines of our Church, and confute the oppoſite Pelagian and Arminian Hereſies, both preached and printed boldly without feare of Cenſure. As if the ſaving Doctrines of Chriſt were prohibited, and theſe impious Hereſies priviledged, which Councells both old and new have condemned, and the admired NOTE.judgement of our late Soveraigne your Royall Father K. Iames, of bleſſed memory, hath for ever branded, calling the maintainers thereof, Arrogant and Atheiſticall Sectaries, who are not aſhamed to lye ſo groſly, as to avow that their Hereſies are agreable with the Religion, and profeſſion of the Church of England, which corrupt ſeeds of Hereſie & Faction, (if not the more ſpeedily rooted out) the wiſe King tell's the neighbour States, will of neceſſity bring utter ruine to their ſtate by the too bold, and frequent Diſciples, and followers of that enemy of God, Arminius.

Wee therefore your Majeſties faithfull, obedient, peaceable and conformable Subjects to all your Majeſties Lawes, being moſt tenderly ſenſible of the diſhonour of Chriſt, and of your Majeſty his Vicegerent over us, infinitely more deare unto us then our lives, moſt humbly on our bended knees, beſeech your Gratious Majesty to take into your Princely conſideration the forenamed Evills and Greivances under which we groane; and as a wiſe Phiſitian to preſcribe and apply ſuch ſpeedy Remedies, as may both care the preſent Maladies, and ſecure the Peace of Church and Common-wealth, from all thoſe Plagues which our neighbours have not a little felt, and more may feare if the Councell of the moſt juditious King be not the bettter followed.

And according to our bounden dutie we ſhall daily pray for the continuance of your Majeſties peaceable, proſperous, and religious Raigne over us.

About March: 1628. Dr. Hall then Biſhop of Exceter publiſhed a Booke called the Reconciler, in the cloſe whereof, he inſerted two Letters, to vindicate himſelfe from the imputation of Arminianiſme, wherewith ſome had then aſperſed him; to witt, his owne letter to Dr. Davenant, then Biſhop of Salisbury, and his Anſwer thereunto; which Letters comming to be licenced, Doctor Thomas Turner the Biſhops Chaplain, who authorized it (no doubt by the Biſhops directions and command) expunged, theſe two Paſſages out of the Letters, againſt the Arminian Tenets, and in approbation of the Synod of Dort. conteining the principle Subject matter of the Letters, and the end for which they were written, the Copy of which Purgations was ſeized in the Archbiſhops Study by Mr. Prynne who atteſted it, thus endorſed with his owne hand. That which my Chapline Mr. Turner left out of the letters of the Biſhop of Exceter, and Sarum ABOVT ARMINIANISME.

In my Lord Biſhop of EXONS Letter, to the Lord Biſhop oſ SARVM, there was this Paſſage oblitcrated.

YEA, as if this calumnie were not enough, there want not thoſe whoſe ſecret whiſperings caſt upon me the foule aſpertions of an other Sect, whoſe name is as much hated, as little underſtood: My Lord, you know I had a place with you, though unworthy) in that famous Synod of Dort, where (however ſickneſſe …ereaved me) of the honour of a concluſive ſubſcription) yet your Lordſhip heard me with equall vehemency to the reſt, crying downe the unreaſonableneſſe of that way. I am ſtill the ſame man, and ſhall live and die in the ſuffrage of that Reverend Synod, and doe confidently a vow; that thoſe other oppoſed opinions cannot ſtand with the Doctrine NOTE.of the Church of England. But if for the compoſing of our differences at home (which your Lordſhip knowes to be far different from the Netherlandiſh) there could have beene tendered any ſuch faire propoſitons of accordance, as might be no prejudice to Gods Truth, I ſhould have thought it an holy and happy project; wherein if it bee not a fault to have wiſhed a ſafe peace, I am innocent.

In my Lord Biſhops of SARVMS Anſwer. Dated Ianuary 30. 1628.

This paſſage was expunged.

AS for the aſpertions of Arminianiſme, I can teſtifie, that in our joynt imployment at the Synod of Dort, you were as farre from it, as my ſelfe. And I know that no man can imbrace it, in the Doctrine of Pradeſtination and Grace, but he muſt firſt NOTEdeſert the Articles agreed upon by the Church of England: nor in the Point of Perſeverance, but he muſt vary from the common Tenet, and received opinion of our beſt approved Doctors in the Engliſh Church. I am aſſured, that you neither have deſerted the one, nor will vary from the other; and therefore be no more troubled with other mens groundleſſe ſuſpirions then you would be in like caſe with their idle Dreames. Thus I have, &c.

Nathaniell Butter, the Stationer, perceiving theſe two letters not only extreamly mutilated, but made altogether uſeleſſe, and his Book leſſe vendible by theſe Purgations of the Licencer, adventured to print theſe expunged paſſages in them, whereupon he was apprehended and brought before Biſhop Laud by a Purſevant, committed Priſoner by him to the Fleet, without Baile or maineprize, contrary to the Petition of Right, though he tendred baile, his Bookes ſeized, and afterwards Articled againſt in the High Commiſſion, and there almoſt ruined, only for printing thoſe deleted Paſſages in two of our owne Biſhops Letters; as was proved by the Teſtimony of Maſter Henry Burton and Michaell Sparkes ſenior, committed to the Fleet by the Biſhop at the ſame time; by the Warrant of his commitment, under the Biſhops owne hand, the Articles in the High Commiſſion againſt Butter, Artic. 4. 5. and his Anſwer thereunto, produced in Court.

About the ſame time Nathaniell Carpenter Chapline to Archbiſhop Vſher, publiſhed a Book intitled Achitophel, or the Picture of a wicked Polititian. printed at Oxford by Lycence, wherein were divers paſſages againſt Arminianiſme, averring it to be planted among us by Ieſuiticall Polititians to undermine our Religion by degrees, and covertly to introduce Popery it ſelfe: which Booke was preſently called in, and all the Paſſages againſt Arminianiſme expunged by this Biſhops Agents, which done, it was reprinted at London without them, Anno 1629. to the great injury both of the truth and Author: as was atteſted by Mr. Prynne, & Michaell Spark Senior and evident to all who will compare theſe two Editions. What other paſſages againſt the Arminians and their Tenet have beene expunged in other Authors; ſhall be given in evidence elſewhere.

We ſhall next produce ſome memorable Inſtances what countenance was given to Arminian Bookes and Sermons, notwithſtanding his Majeſties Declarations and Proclamations to the contrary, by this Archbiſhops meanes. Doctor Thomas Jackſon, Chapline in Ordinary to his Majeſty, even ſitting the Parliament, ſoone after the Kings Declaration and Proclamation, publiſhed, A Treatiſe of divine Eſſence, and Attributes: part firſt, printed at London, 1628. for John Clerke Licenſed by this Prelates Chaplaine, dedicated to the Right honourable William Earle of Pembrooke in the very Epiſtle Dedicatory, to this Noble Peere, hee profeſſeth himſelfe AN ARMINIAN, and Patron of their Tenets: And Chap. 8. to 20. he profeſſedly maintaines: A mutability in Gods eternall Decrees of Election and Reprobation, depending upon the actions, and wills of men; Univerſall Grace and Redemption; with other Arminian Errors. This Book though publikely complained of, was never called in by the Biſhop; but the ſecond part thereof printed by Licence, An. 1629. and the Author of it advanced to the Preſidentſhip of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford, by this Biſhop, yea by him deſigned to bee Doctor of the Chaire (though he miſſed that preferment) to poyſon the Vniverſity of OXFORD with his Arminian Drugges.

An. 1630. Doctor Brookes of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Writ an Arminian Treatiſe of Predeſtination, with which he acquainted Biſhop Laud, who encouraged him in the worke, recommending it to the peruſall of Doctor Lindſey, and Doctor Beale (two great Arminians,) promiſing to peruſe it himſelfe, as appeares by ſundry Letters. Whereupon Doctor Brookes returned this anſwer to him concerning it, in Anſwer of this Biſhops Letter to him, ſeized in his Study by Mr. Prynne; dated from Cambridge, Dece. 15. 1630. wherin there is this deſperate paſſage worthy Obſervation.

MY LORD, &c.

I Dare ſay: That their doctrine of Predeſtination is the roote of Paritaniſme, and Puritaniſme the roote of all rebellions and diſobedient intractableneſſe in Parliament, NOTE.&c and of all Schiſme and Saucineſſe in the Country, nay in the Church it ſelfe: this hath made many thouſands of our people, and to great a part of the Gentlemen of the Land Laytons in their hearts. Beſides, where nothing is done the weeds will over-grow the Corne, as they doe. For laſt Parliament they left their word, Religion, and the cauſe of Religion, and began to uſe the name of Church, and our Articles of the Church of England, &c. and wounded our Church at the very heart, with her owne name, And by pretence of putting downe Arminianiſme and defence of that Church, againſt which indeed they tooke up Armes: ſo that now they that hold the very opinions of Penry and W…gington, of Hacket and Coppinger in their beginning and others, of whom ſome were hangd, moſt impriſoned, many deprived, and ſome cenſured in the Starre-Chamber for ſeditious perſons, and Enemies to the Church of England, they, I ſay that hold the ſame opinions, cry out now the Church of England, and will have the Church of England to be theirs. I could juſtifie this and much more, but your Lordſhip knowes theſe things to be ſo better then I, &c.

What groſſe aſperſions he here caſts upon the Parliament and Anti-Arminians is ſo apparent, as needs no explanatory or aggravating Commentary.

On the 27. of Novem. 1630. Doctor Martin this Biſhops houſhold Chaplaine, a profeſſed Arminian, licenſed a Booke for the Preſſe, intituled, An Hiſtoricall Narration of the judgment of ſome muſt learned and Godly Engliſh Biſhops, holy Martyrs and others, concerning Gods Election, and the Merits of Chriſts death; ſet forth by I. A. of Ailward (a late Seminary Priest) and printed for Samuell Nealand, 1631. The whole ſcope of this Book was to prove, the Martyrs and first Reformers of our Church in K. Ed. the 6. and Q. Maries dayes, and the beginning of Q. Elizabeths Raigne, to be Arminians, and Arminianiſme the eſtabliſhed Doctrine of our Church: The firſt 66 pages of this Booke, conteine, The Coppy of an Anſwer unto a certaine Letter; wherein the Anſwerer purgeth himſelfe and others from Pelagius Errors, and from the Error of Free-will, or Juſtification of Workes, wherewith he ſeemed to bee charged by the ſaid Letter. And further, hee ſheweth wherein he differeth in judgment from certaine Engliſh Writers and Preachers whom hee chargeth with teaching falſe doctrine, under the name of Predeſtination. This Treatiſe, writes he, was publiſhed about the ſecond or third yeare of Queene Elizabeth, by a Protestant Divine, who floriſhed both in the time of King Edward, and Queene Elizabeth, and in the time of Queene Mary for his Conſcience endured voluntary exil; but he names not the Author in particular, nor produceth any warrant for this Encomium of him: The reſidue of the Booke are ſome miſtaken & perverted fragments called out of Biſhop Hoopers Preface upon the Commandements; and Father Latymers Sermons; concerning which Booke Maſter Prynne gave in this evidence upon his Oath; That it was the greateſt affront and impoſture ever offered to, or put upon the Church of England in any age, deſerving the higheſt Cenſure; of the firſt diſcovery whereof God made him the only Inſtrument: For as ſoone as this Book was printed, one Coppy of it was brought him by a Friend; who informed him, that it was licenſed by Maſter Martin. the Biſhops Arminian Chaplaine; that the Biſhop himſelfe had given order, the Booke ſhould not be publiſhed, till he had preſented one of them to the King, and gained his Royall approbation thereunto: That a day or two after the Booke was publiſhed by the Biſhops direction; One Copy whereof comming to the late learned Sir Humfrey Linds hands, he was very much troubled thereat upon its peruſall; whereupon hee repaired to Maſter Prynne at Lincolneſ-Iaue with the Booke; deſiring him to take ſome paines to give a ſpeedy anſwer to it, being (as he averred) a moſt dangerous Book, making more for the ſpreading and juſtifying of Arminianiſme, then any Booke formerly publiſhed. To which Maſter Prynne replyed, that he had no leiſure, and leſſe encouragement to anſwer it, being then & juſt before vexed in the High Commiſſion for his Perpetuity, and other of his Bookes written againſt Arminians; Wherefore Sir Humfrey himſelfe who had more leiſure, friends and abilities then himſelfe might doe well to returne an anſwer to it. Who thereupon replyed to Maſter Prynne, that none was ſo fit to anſwer it as himſelfe, who had peruſed more ancient Engliſh Writers, and was better verſed in them then any man he knew; Whereunto Maſter Prynne rejoyned, That he conceaved there was no need at all for himſelfe or any man elſe to anſwer this booke, for that there were two anſwers to it already in print; To which Sir Humfrey replyed, it was impoſſible, for that this Book came forth but that morning; unto which Mr. Pryn anſwered, that the greateſt part and maine ſubſtance of this Narration was anſwered Verbatim in two printed Books, long before either of them was born, and to give him fall ſatisfaction therein, hee ſhewed him two printed anſwers thereunto, and diſcovered the whole Impoſture to him in that manner as he related it at the Lords Barre.

Firſt he produced to him, & now to the Lords, the Originall printed Copy of the foreſaid anſwer, made unto a certaine Letter, &c. which had all the ſymptoms of an unlicenſed Pamphlet; there being neither Authors, nor Printers name, nor place where, nor yeare when it was printed to be found in the Title, or any other part of the Book, nor the leaſt mention where, or by whom it was to be ſold. Therefore it was doubtleſſe printed by ſtealth in a Corner, and not by any publike allowance, its entry not being extant in the Stationers-Hall. Next he produced two ancient anſwers in print to this pernicious Pamphlet: The firſt of them written by Iohn Veron, a very learned man, Chaplaine to Queene Elizabeth, and Divinity Lecturer in the Cathedrall of Pauls in the beginning of her Raigne, to whom he Dedicated his anſwer to this Pamphlet, Imprinted at London by John Tyſdale by publike authority. In which anſwer, (intituled. An Apologie or Defence of the Doctrine of Predeſtination, ſet fort by the Queens Highneſſe her moſt humble and obedient ſervant John Veron, and Dedicated to her Majeſtie,) wee have the name of the nameleſſe Author of this Arminian Pamphlet, the occaſion of compiling it, and the quality of the Author, expreſſed to the full, together with a compleat anſwer therunto. The Authors name is therein averred to be one Champeneyes, f. 20. 31. 37. 40. 41. 42. His condition and quality is therein thus expreſſed, f. 16. But in this I comfort my ſelfe, that his tongue is known to be no ſlander, For the like did hee moſt proudly attempt in your moſt Gratious Brother good King Edward the ſixths dayes, AGAINST ALL THE GODLY PREACHERS OF THAT TIME calling them marked Monſters of Anti-Chriſt, NOTE.and men voyd of the Spirit of God, (for none be they never ſo Godly, never ſo earneſt and faithfull labourers in the Lords Vineyard, have the Spirit of God, or doe know the efficacy of it, but he only) as many godly perſons be able to teſtifie to his face: that he did therefore, and for MANT OTHER ABOMINABLE ERRORS which he then ſtoutly maintained, BEARE AT THAT TIME A FAGGOT AT PAVLS CROSSE, Father Coverdale making then the Sermon there. Belike fearing now the like puniſhment, and that he ſhould be compelled to revoke his Pelagian-like opinion, hee NOTE.durſt not, for all his proud boast, ſet his owne name to his rayling and venemous bookes, nor yet ſuffer them to be ſold openly or publikly in the Booke-binders ſhops, but cowardouſly ſuppreſſing both his owne name and the name of the unwiſe and fooliſh Printer, got the whole Impreſſion into his hands, that ſo he might in hugger-mugger ſend them unto his NOTE.privie friends abroad, whom be like he ſuſpected to be of his Affinity and damnable opinion. How be it, this could not be wrought ſo privily, but that within a while, ſome of his bookes came into my hands, whereby ſhortly after, the Printer was knowne and brought to his Anſwer; whom this ſtout Champion of Pelagius hath left in the bryars, and leaſt he himſelfe ſhould be faine to ſhew a reaſon of his Doctrine, doth keepe himſelfe out of the way ſtill, and dares not once ſhew his face. If he be able to maintaine his Doctrine against my booke to, let him come forth and play the man, I am ready at all times to yeeld unto the truth, and unto the ſincere teachers thereof.

After this, f. 20. he ſtiles Champenyes; The blinde guide of the freewill men: f. 37. Champenyes a very Pelagian and conſequently a ranke Papiſt: p. 40. hee ſuffereth the Divell by ſuch Sectaries as Champenyes is, to ſow his lyes abroad, &c. And f. 41. Champenyes is the Standard-bearer of the freewill men. What an abominable Impoſture was it then for this new Pamphleter to ſtile him; A Proteſtant Divine who flouriſhed in the time of K. Edward and Q. Elizabeth, and in the time of Q. Mary for his conſcience endured voluntary exile; And to place him in the front of the moſt learned and Godly Engliſh Biſhops, holy Martyrs and others that ſuffered Martyrdome in the daies of Q. Mary, for the truth and Goſpell of Chriſt Jeſus, in which number he is Regiſtred in the Title Page, and placed before Biſhop Hooper, and Father Latymer in the Book it ſelfe,

The occaſion of writing this unlicenced obſcure Pamphlet, was as followeth, Iohn Veron being Divinity Lecturer in Paules Cathedrall, in the firſt yeare of Queene Elizabeth, handled the Doctrine of Predeſtination, and other incident Points thereto belonging in direct oppoſition the Popiſh, Pelagian, and now Arminian Tenets; which Lectures he ſoone after publiſhed in Print, and dedicated to Q. Elizabeth, in a booke intituled, A Fruitfull Treatiſe of Predeſtination, &c. Printed at London for JOHN TYLDALE about the ſecond yeare of Queene Elizabeths Raigne: againſt which Lectures, this Champnyes taking ſome exceptions, publiſhed this Anonimous Anſwer, by way of a Letter: which Veron ſoone after anſwered, almoſt verbatim, in his authorized Apology, dedicated to the Queen, whereto Champeneys never replyed. After which, this Letter was largly anſwered, word for word, from the very Title page to the end thereof, in a Book Intituled, An Apology or Defence of the Engliſh Writers and Preachers, with Cerberus the Three-Headed Dogge of Hell, chargeth with falſe Doctrine, under the name of Predeſtination: written by Robert Crowley Clerke,) a fugitive for Religion in Queene Maries dayes and an eminent laborious Preacher in thoſe times) Vicar of Saint Giles without Criplegate in London: Imprinted at London in Pater-Noſter-Rowe, at the ſigne of the Starre, by Henry Denham, Anno 1566. Octob. 14. Seene and allowed according to the order appointed. In which booke this Pamphlet which the Biſhop and his Agents now obtrude upon us, as the received Doctrine of our prime Martyrs and of the Church of England in King Edward the 6th. and Queene Elizabeths Reignes, was by publique Authority, in the name of all the Orthodox Writers, and Preachers of England, refuted, as directly contrary to the received Doctrine of our Martyres, Writers, Preachers, Church, and cenſured as Pelagiau and Popiſh in both theſe ancient printed Anſwers. It muſt needs therefore be an inexpiable, inſufferable abuſe in this Archbiſhop and his Inſtruments, thus to revive, reprint this exploded Erronious Arminian Treatiſe, in the yeare, 1631 and obtrude it on us as the received Doctrine of our Martyrs and Church of England in the beginning of Reformation, whereas there was nothing leſſe, on purpoſe to propagate his Arminian Errors, and ſtrengthen that leſuiticall faction. After this Mr. Prynne produced Biſhop Hoopers Confeſſion and Proteſtation of his faith, made to the whole Parliament, An. 1550. in King Edwards dayes. His comfortable Expoſition upon the Pſalmes (London, 1580.) his Articles upon the Creed, London, 1584. Artic. 3. to 15. 17. 21. 25. 29. 30. 33. 36. 38. to 56 62. 67. 68. 91. to 99. wherein he expreſly in terminis refutes, thoſe Arminian opinions, which this our Author wold wreſt out of the words of his Preface to the Commandements, contrary to his intention; together with divers Paſſages in Father Latimers Sermons, expreſly againſt the Arminian Tenets, which explicate his other miſapplyed Clauſes in the Hyſtoricall Naration, All which Mr. Pryn then ſhewed to Sir Humfry Lynde to his great ſatisfaction; & then deſired him to repaire to Biſhop Laud in his name, to acquaint him with the premiſes, and this deſperate Impoſture he had obtruded on our Church to his eternall Infamie, and thereupon to adviſe him, ſpeedily to call in and burne this dangerous ſeducing booke or elſe he would proſecute him to the uttermoſt for this abuſe. Sir Humfry accordingly acquainted the Biſhop & his Chaplin Martin herewith, but yet they took no courſe to ſuppreſſe the Booke; whereupon Mr Prynne repaired to Lambheth to Archbiſhop Abbot acquainted him with the execrableneſſe of this impoſture, ſhewed him the ſeverall old Anſwers to this new printed Pamphlet with the expreſſe poſitions of Biſhop Hooper, and Biſhop Latymer, contrary to thoſe imputed to them in this Narration; deſiring him to call in this dangerous Hiſtoricall Narration with all ſeverity, and to cauſe it to be publikely burnt, to reprint the old Anſwers to it; and withall to give him leave to proſecute Biſhop Laud his Chaplaine Martin, with the publiſher of this book in the high Commiſſion for this inſufferable abuſe. To which Archb. Abbot gave this anſwer that this booke did very much trouble him, that he had ſent to Biſhop Laud about it, who at firſt denied that his Chaplain licenſed it, but afterwards acknowledged it; that he gave order to call it in (but it was in a privat manner after moſt of the bookes v…nded) that he never ſaw nor knew of theſe 2. old Anſwers to it, & therefore deſired Mr. Pryn to leave them with him for a time, promiſing faithfully to reſtore them, and to give him an accompt of this buſineſſe on the Saturday following. In the meane time Mr. Prynne (becauſe this booke had done much harme in both the Vniverſities) ſent downe ſome of theſe Anſwers of Veron, and Crowly, with ſome of Biſhop Hoopers books to Oxf. & Cambridg to ſome of his acquaintance there; and to the Vniverſity Lybrary at Oxford whither many reſorted to peruſe them to their great ſatisfaction, and the Biſhops diſhonour, by diſcovering this impoſture to them. On Saturday being Eaſter Eve. Maſter Prynne repayred to Archbiſhop Ahbot for an Anſwer; who told him that he had called in this offencive book, ſeized on ſom of the copies, which were caried into Stationers-hall; that Biſhop Laud had ſince been with him, that he had ſhewed him the bookes there left, who confeſſed his Chaplin Martÿn had licenced this Narration in which he had done very ill, but he had given him ſuch a ratling for his paines, that hee would warrant His Grace hee ſhould never meddle with Arminian Bookes or Opinions more. To which Mr. Prynne replyed; that indeed he had ratled him to very great purpoſe, for no longer then yeſterday in the afternoone his Chapline Martin Preaching the Paſſion Sermon at Paules Croſſe, publikly broached, maintained, Vniverſall grace and Redemption, with all the Arminian Errors contained in this Book, and condemned in the Synol of Dort to the great offence of the Auditors, as his owne Chaplains Dr. Buckner, Maſter Auſten and Dr. Featley could at large informe him; and therefore the Biſhop did moſt groſly abuſe his Grace herein, who ſhould doe well to proceed againſt both of them and publikly cenſure them in the High-Commiſſion, or this groſſe practiſe, to the end the whole Kingdome might take notice of it: and the Arminian party, be thereby diſcouraged: That the Bookes they had ſeized were but few, the greateſt part of the Impreſſion being vented, & they were called in ſo ſlighty and in ſo private a manner, that few or none took notice thereof: and therefore ſome publike cenſure ought to paſſe upon them, & the Books thus ſeized to be openly burnt, elſe they would in a few monthes be ſold openly againe to corrupt the people, and no ſatisfaction at all given for this foule offence to the Church of England; which Archbiſhop Abbot confeſſed to be true, and ſaid, he would take ſome Order in it: but by this Biſhops power there was nothing more done againſt the Licenſer, Compiler or Booke, which ſoone after was as publikely ſold, as if it had neverbeene called in, to the perverting of many in their judgments, who knew not of this grand Impoſture; now publikly diſcovered at the Lords Barre, by all the forementioned books themſelves there produced, and the teſtimony of Maſter Prynne upon Oath: ſeconded by the Stationers booke of entries, and the teſtimonies of Maſter Sparke, and Maſter Walley. Doctor Martin for this good ſervice was preſently after by this Biſhop advanced to a great living, and likewiſe to the headſhip of Queenes Colledge in Cambridge, inſtead of other puniſhment, Maſter Prynne for his paines, in derecting this fraudulent dealing of the Biſhop and his Chaplaine, by way of revenge was ſoone after by this Biſhops meanes impriſoned in the Tower, and moſt ſeverely cenſured in the Starre-Chamber, for his Booke called Hiſtrianaſtix (though Licenſed by Authority) in which he made ſome mention of this impoſture concealed from the Fol. 531. 532.moſt: ſo fatall was it in thoſe times for any man out of Conſcience, or publike ends, to oppoſe the Biſhops Arminian deſignes, ſuch a Stirrop to mount up to preferments to advance them.

After this the Archbiſhops Chaplaine Doctor Haywood on the 26. of Auguſt 1634 licenſed Booke intituled, Collectiones Theologica, writ by Thomas Chune, and Dedicated to the Archbiſhop of Canterbury himſelfe, in which hee juſtified the Arminian Errors, and the Church of Rome to be a true Church, whereof there were two Impreſſions in one yeare, yet neither the Author nor Booke once queſtioned, though publikely complained of by Doctor Baſtwicke, at his Cenſure in the High-Commiſſion, where the Archb. openly juſtified it. In the yeares 1636. and 1639. the Arminian Errors were defended by Biſhop Mountague in print, in his Pars. 1. &. 2. Originum Eccleſiasticarum; Gods Love to mankinde, and by ſundry others without controle.

On the contrary; Doctor Twiſſe his Booke in anſwer of Arminius, though writ in Latine, was refuſed Licenſe by the Biſhop and his Arminian Chaplaines, Bray, and Baker, and his anſwers to Doctor Jackſon and the Arminian Pamphlet intituled, Gods love to Mankind, ſuppreſſed; ſome Lectures of Biſh. Davenant, and Sermons of Doctor Clerke againſt the Arminians were likewiſe ſtopped at the Preſſe, and not ſuffered to be printed with their other Lectures and Sermons. What Bookes againſt Mountague and the Arminians were called in, ſuppreſſed, and the Authors, Printers, Diſperſers of them ſeverely proſecuted in the High-Commiſſion, in the Yeares 1628. and 1629 Wee have already evidenced; Only wee ſhall informe you or one or two Preſidents more of later date. Doctor George Downham Biſhop of Derry in Ireland publiſhing a Booke in that Kingdome, againſt the Arminians, and the Totall and finall Apoſtacie of the Saints from Grace, about the Yeare 1630. Some of them comming over into England, Biſhop Laud cauſed a ſtrict Letter to be written in his Majeſties name to Abbot Archbiſhop of Canterbury, for the calling in and ſuppreſſing it within the Realme of England, where it was accordingly ſeized on; and another Letter to Doctor Vſher, Archbiſhop of Armagh, for the ſuppreſſing and ſeizing thereof in the Realme of Ireland; Which was manifeſted by the Docket Booke in the ſignet Office where entreyes of thoſe Letters are made in Aug. 1631. and by this Letter of Biſhop, Vſher to Biſhop Laud, (found in his ſtudy at Lambheth indorſed with his owne hand, and arreſted by Maſter Prynne) which fully diſcovers, that hee was the ſole or principall occaſion of his Majeſtices Letters for calling in this Booke; which hee ſeconded with his owne Letter to Biſhop Vſher for that purpoſe, who returned this anſwer to him.

My moſt honoured Lord;

THe 8th of October, I received your Letters of the 22. of Auguſt, &c. The laſt part of your Lordſhips Letter concerneth the Biſhop of Derryes Book, for the calling in whereof the 15th day of October I received His Majeſties Letters, dated at Woodſtocke NOTE.the 24. of Auguſt, whereupon I preſently ſent out warrants, and cauſed all the Bookes that were left unſent into England to be ſeized upon; What did paſſe heretofore in the Preſſe at Dublin, I had no eye unto, becauſe it was out of my province, and the care J ſuppoſed did more properly belong unto my brother of Dublin. But ſeeing His Majeſtic hath been pleaſed to impoſe that charge upon me: I will (God willing) take order that nothing hereafter ſhall be publiſhed contrary unto His Majeſties ſacred direction. It ſeemeth Your Lordſhip did conceive, that my Lord of Derryes booke came out ſince the NOTE.Hiſtorie of Gotteſchalchus, whereas it was publiſhed above halfe a yeare before, whereby it came to paſſe, that all the Coppies almoſt both in Ireland and England were diſperſed before the Prohibition came forth, The matter is not new (as Your Lordſhip hath rightly obſerved) but was long ſince preached in Saint Pauls Church, when Doctor Bancroft was your Lordſhips Predeceſſour in that See, at which time the Treatiſe of Perſeverance was to have beene publiſhed, with Doctor Downams Lectures upon the 15th Pſalme, at as the very end of that Booke is partly intimated. And in the Hiſtory of Gotteſchalchus, Your Lordſhip may ſee your owne obſervation fully verefied, that after Prelates had written againſt Prelates, and Synods againſt Synods, theſe things could have no end, untill both ſides became weary of contending, But ſure I am I have made Your Lordſhip weary longere this: and therefore it is high time now to end. Therefore craving pardon for that prolixitie. I humbly take leave and reſt,

Your Honours faithfull Servant, Iace Armachanus. Droghe da Novemb. 8. 1631.

By this Letter it is apparent, that this Prelate, whiles Biſhop of London, exerciſed a kind of Patriarchicall Juriſdiction, for ſuppreſſing all Orthodox Bookes againſt the Arminians both in England and Ireland; and that his commands in this kinde were punctually executed by thoſe Archbiſhops in both Kingdomes, who ſhould have moſt ſtoutly oppoſed his Arminian Innovations.

About the Palſgraves firſt comming into Engl. An. 1635. there was a Book printed, intituled the Palſgraves Religion, containing the ſum of the Religion profeſſed in the Palatinate Churches, tranſlated out of a printed Latine Coppy; which Archbiſhop Laud cauſed to bee ſtrictly called in and ſuppreſſed, only becauſe it glanced at the Arminian Errors: and bowing at the Name of JESUS, as not warranted by Phil. 29. 10. which was proved by the teſtimonies of Maſter Prynne, Michaell Sparke Senior and others.

What policies (beſides the forementioned Royall Declaration and Proclamation) this Arch-Prelate contrived and practiſed to ſuppreſſe all preaching againſt Armianiſme in the Vniverſities and elſewhere, wee ſhall next diſcover and make good by evidences under his owne hand.

In the yeare 1629. ſoone after the diſſolution of the Parliament Biſhop Laud preſents to His Majeſtie a Paper written with his owne hand (the originall whereof was ſeized on in his Study at Lambeth by Maſter Prynne, and produced at the Barre) thus intituled by him. Conſiderations for the better ſettling of the Church Government: whereof the third conſideration was this.

That His Majeſtie would be Graciouſly pleaſed to command the Lords the Biſhops that they give charge in their Trieniall Viſitations and at other times, both by themſelves and by the Arch-Deacons, that the Declaration for ſetling the Queſtions in difference bee ſtrictly obſerved. And that His Majeſtie would bee Gratiouſly pleaſed once in halfe a NOTE.yeare, to call for an account of all or ſo many of theſe, as in Wiſedome ſhall thinke fit. Theſe conſiderations were immediately after publiſhed, & ſent to every Archbiſhop and Biſhops to be ſtrictly put in execution as his Majeſties own Inſtructions; when as in truth they were no other, but the Biſhops, contrived by him alone, as the originall Coppie, written, and another Coppie corrected afterwards with his owne hand together with the Biſhop of Briſtolls Letter to him, dated Febr. 9. 1629. to reſolve ſome Queries touching theſe Inſtructions concerning the Lecturers in Briſtoll, infallibly manifeſt. So that His Majeſty was here the Biſhops meere Inſtrument to promote his Arminian and popiſh deſignes.

Theſe Inſtructions were publiſhed in moſt Dioceſſe by the Biſhops, but more ſolemnly in London-Dioceſſe by this Biſhop, who ſummoning all the Miniſters and Lecturers about the City of London, to London houſe, made a ſolemn Oration to them wherein he preſſed the neceſſity of theſe Inſtructions of his Majeſty for the good of the Church, and their chearefull obedience to them, and withall ſent letters to every Archdeacon in his Dioceſſe to publiſh them to all the Clergy, and to give an exact account to him how they were obſerved at the end of their ſeverall Viſitations; eſpecially the third Inſtruction: For keeping the Kings Declaration, that ſo differences and queſtions may ceaſe, inſerted into theſe Letters with his owne hand, as appeared by the Originall Copy found in his Study.

Soone after this Mr. Mady the Lecturer at Chriſt-Church in London, delivering this Doctrine in a Sermon there. That Election was not Vniverſall and Common, but Mr. Madyes caſe.ſpeciall and peculiar, belonging to ſome: And, That the Principall and efficient cauſe of Election was the will and Love of God, and not any merit, or foreſeene faith or workes of man, which he manifeſted by ſome Scriptures & Fathers, this Biſhop upon information hereof, convented him before him for this Orthodox Doctrine the 10. of March 1630. for that contrary to the Kings Proclamation, he had treated of Predeſtination and the forementioned points: Whereupon the Biſhop by an Act of Court (found among his other Papers by Mr. Prynne) prohibited him to Preach any more within his Dioceſſe, and admoniſhed him to obey this his Lordſhips Order. And Doctor Cornelius Burges, about the ſame time, for uſing only this Paſſage in a Sermon on Col. 2. 7. Jf your Miniſter preach Popery or ARMINIANISME you may change your dwellings and not trouble the Peace and Order of the Church, was convented before the Biſhop, enforced to deliver in the Copy of his Sermon, and much moleſted: and Mr. White, with ſundry others ſuſpended, for lightly touching upon ſome points relating to Arminianiſme, though agreeable to the Scriptures, and 17. Article of our Church.

As he thus proceeded in his Dioceſſe, ſo he was farre more violent in this kind in our Vniverſities, eſpecially in Oxford where he was Chauncellor, of which we ſhall give you theſe few inſtances.

One Mr. Thomas Hill of Hart-hall in Oxford on the 24. of May 1631. Preaching at Saint Maryes Church there on James 1. 16. let fall theſe Paſſages in his Sermon: And Mr. Hill… Caſe.here were my time and learning parallel to my Zeale, what a tempting doth preſent it ſelfe, to ſhew how raſhly (that I ſay not cruelly) our Pelagian Votaries, have handled the Decrees and Statutes of the King of Heaven: But they are to be miſchieved into honour (but no matter how) which tempts them to diſreliſh ſound Doctrine on no other ground then did David becauſe the Lords doe not favour it. 1. Sam. 29. 6. Scriptures they uſe worſe then the Turkes do Chriſtians at Tunis, enſlave it to the vaſſallage of the fouleſt error, and according to their moſt current garbe employ it to defend Popery, or as bad, PELAGIANISME &c. Popiſh Darts whet a freſhon a Dutch Grinston, have peirced deep. and without ſpeedy ſuccor will prove mortall. I am perſwaded theſe late tranſmarine T… nets had not beene ſo iolly and briefe among us, nor the oppoſite truth ſo Diametrally condemned by many, had they firſt made proofe of theſe points in their owne retired and ſerious contemplations.

For theſe ſlight glances againſt the Arminians (the Copy whereof was ſent up to Biſhop Laud, ſeiſed among his Papers, and endorſed with his hand;) by his procurement Mr. Hill was conuented before the Vice-Chancellor & heads of Houſes, and enforced to make a publike ſubmiſſive Recantation upon his knees, in a full Convocation held the 16. of Iuly 1631. recorded in the Vniverſity Regiſter. f. 35. to this effect I Thomas Hill doe freely and ſincerely acknowledge before this Venerable Aſſembly of Convocation, that in a Sermon lately by me Preached in Saint Maries, I did let fall divers ſcandalous ſpeeches, partly in oppoſition to his Majeſties Jnjunctions, by odious juſtling together of certaine factions in the Church, and imputing Pelagianiſme and Popery to the one ſide, Partly in diſparagement of the preſent Government of State and Church, by making foule and erronious Opinions, the rediest way now adayes, to preferment &c. All NOTE.which paſſages in my Sermon I confeſſe to have given juſt offence to the Vniverſitie, and to deſerve the ſharpeſt of Cenſures. Wherefore with all humble ſubmiſſion, I beſeech the whole Vniverſitie repreſented in this Venerable Houſe, to paſſe by this my woefull error, undiſcreet and miſguided zeale, And doe faithfully promiſe hence forward to abſtaine from all ſuch ſcandalous aſpertions and intimations, as tending only to the diſparagment of our Church, and the diſtraction and detrement of the Vniverſity. And this my ſubmiſſion I humbly crave may be accepted, which I do here make willingly, and from my heart with true ſorrow for what is past.

Thomas Hill.

Upon this ſubmiſſion and Recantation, the Arminian faction in Oxford grew very Mr. Fords. Mr. Thornes. and Maſter Hodges Caſes.bold, and having the both Chauncellor and Vice-Chauncellor of their party, vented their errors publikly both in the Pulpit & Schooles without any publique check; whereupon one Mr. Thomas Forde of Magdalen Hall, Mr. Giles Thorne of Bailioll Colledge, and Mr. Giles Hodges of Exeter Colledge, moved with a pious zeale and indignation againſt their inſolences, in Iune and Iuly, 1631. in their Sermons at S^r. Maryes uſed ſome bold expreſſions againſt the Arminians and their errors, under the Titles of Pelagians and Demi-Pelagians; for which being convented before the Vice-Chancellor, Doctor Smith, and others of the Arminian party, as Offendors againſt the Kings Inſtructions; and being ordered to bring in the Copies of their Sermons to him, when thoſe who preached Arminianiſme, were neither queſtioned nor reproved, but applauded, advanced for it, they thereupon perceiving the Vice-Chancellors partiality and Injuſtice, appealed from him to the Proctors (as they might do by the Vniverſity Statutes) who received their appeales. Hereupon Biſhop Laud complaines of their Appeales to the King, who on the 23. day of August following, heard the whole buſineſſe at Woodſtocke, where, (by the Biſhops procurement there preſent) theſe three young hopefull Divines were ordered to be expelled the Vniverſity, and the two Proctors for receiving their Appeal, deprived of their places (a Preſident with out paralell in any former Age) whereupon they were all three in full Convocation on the 26. of August, accordingly baniſhed & expelled the Vniverſity as was evidenced by the ſentence of their Baniſhment and deprivation, recorded in the Vniverſity Regiſter. fol. 32. to 39.

That this ſentence of theirs was the Biſhops owne Act, was manifeſted by the Copies of their Accuſations, by tranſcripts of their Sermons found in his Study, endorſed with his owne hand, by their ſeverall Petitions to him for reſtitution to the Vniverſity & likewiſe by theſe Paſſages in his Diary: Dayes of obſervation to me, The great hearing of the Oxford diſorders at Woodſtocke by King Charles Auguſt 23. 1631. (A ſentence ſo gratefull to him, ſo advantagious to the Arminian faction, that both in his Diary, and Booke of privat Devotions, hee make; the day on which it was given, a kind of Anniverſary holy day, of ſpeciall obſervation to him) After which it thus followes in his Diary.

Auguſt 23. 1631. In this June and July, were the great diſorders by appealing from Doctor Smith, then Vice-Chancellor, the chiefe ring-leaders were Mr. Ford of Magdalen Hall, and Mr. Thorne of Baylioll Colledge: The Proctors Mr. Atherton Burch and Mr. Iohn Doughty received their Appeales, as if it had not beene Parturbatio pacis, &c. The Vice-Chancellor was forced in a Statutable way to appeale to the King. The King with all the Lords of his Councell then preſent, heard the Cauſe at Woodſtocke, Aug. 23. 1631. being Tueſday in the afternoone, The ſentence upon the hearing was, That Ford, Thorne, and Hodges of Exeter Coll: ſhould be baniſhed the Vniverſitie: And both the Proctors were commanded to come into the Convocation Houſe and there reſigne their Office, that two others might be named out of the ſame Colledges, Doctor Prideaux Rector of Exeter Colledge, and Doctor Wiſkinſon Principall of Magdelen-Hall, received a ſharp Admonition for their miſbehaviours in this buſineſſe, (viz. for oppoſing the Arminian party, and favouring theſe Orthodox Schollers, being of their owne Houſes.)

True it is, that after this ſentence of Baniſhment pronounced and executed againſt theſe parties, one of them, to wit, Maſter Hodges, upon his moſt humble Petition to His Majeſtie, and ſubmiſſion to the Archbiſhop, with promiſe to be his faithfull obſequious Votary for the future, was reſtored to the Vniverſity for one yeares ſpace, only as a Probationer, to bewaile his offence and learne obedience, yet upon theſe two harſh conditions.

Firſt, That he ſhould make a publike Recantation Sermon in Saint Maries Church in Oxford before the Vniverſitie, confeſſing his great offence in preaching contrary to His Majeſties Declaration; which hee did accordingly on the firſt of January following, the Copy of which Sermon hee ſent up to the Biſhop, in whoſe Study it was ſeized:

Secondly, That he ſhould make this enſuing ſubmiſſion and Recantation in the Convocation Houſe before the whole Aſſembly of the Doctors, Procters, Regent, and non-regent Maſters, on his bended Knees, and with a minde officiouſly devoted; which hee did accordingly; 15. Decem. 1631. as is manifeſt by the Vniverſity Regiſter, where his ſubmiſſion is recorded in theſe words, Fol. 42.

I William Hodges doe freely and ſincerely acknowledge before this venerable Aſſembly of Convocation, that in a Sermon by me preached in Saint Maries upon the 26. of June laſt paſt, I fell upon the delivery of thoſe points which by His Majeſties Royall Injunctions were forbidden mee to meddle withall, and therein I with hearty ſorrow confeſſe, that I did let fall ſome paſſages which might bee taken to the diſparagement of the Government of the Church, in making Erronious and hereticall opinions, the way to preferment. All which with the maine currant of my diſcourſe might ſound to ſedition in the eares of the preſent Aſſembly. By this my great and unexcuſable offence, I doe freely acknowledge, that I have deſerved the ſharpeſt of cenſures and ſevereſt of puniſhments. And therefore that his Royall Majeſtie hath juſtly rewarded me for-the ſame, it being an offence of ſo high a nature. And I have nothing at all to pleade, but the Royall Mercy of my Gracious Soveraigne for my reſtitution to this famous Vniverſity. This my confeſſion and ſubmiſſion, I doe moſt humbly tender to the favourable acceptance of this venerable houſe, craving the pardon, as of the Vniverſitie in generall, ſo more ſpecially of our moſt Honourable Chancellour, whom with all humility, I beſeech to preſent this my acknowledgement unto his Majeſties ſacred hand, as the pledge and engagement both in preſent, and for the future, of my readieſt obedience.

William Hodges.

This done, after a full yeares probation and bewayling of his diſobedience, he was upon his Petition to His Majeſtie fully reſtored, and his cenſure at Woodstocke diſcharged, as the Vniverſity Regiſter manifeſts, which records both his Petition, and Reſtitution. pag. 50. 51.

Maſter Thorne likewiſe made a moſt ſubmiſſive Petition to the Archbiſhop, deſiring his favour pardon, and readmiſſion to the Vniverſity, but yet he found no fruits thereof. As for Mr. Ford; he refuſed to make any addreſſes to him and returning into Devonſhire, ſome friends of his intended to elect him for their Lecturer, or Vicar it, the Towne of Plymouth; of which the Biſhop being informed preſently procured a Letter from His Majesty, to the Major and Corporation of Plymouth not to chuſe Mr. Ford for their Lecturer or Vicar upon any termes, under paine of his Royall diſpleaſure; and another Letter to the Biſhop of Exeter, not to admit him to be their Lecturer or Vicar, in caſe they ſhould elect him, notwithſtanding His Majeſties Letter; as appeares by the Docquet Book in the Privy ſignet Office, September 1631. Wherein we finde theſe two Entries.

A Letter to the Major and Aldermen of Plymouth, requiring them to forbeare, either to make any election of one Thomas Foard unto the Lectureſhip of that Towne, or any ways to aſsist him in procuring the Advowſon of the Vicarage there; be being lately expelled the Vniverſity of Oxford, for a notable diſobedience by him ſhewed, procured by (the Biſhop of London) dated 12. Sep. 1631.

A like to the Lord Biſhop of Exeter, ſignifying His Majeſties pleaſure, that in caſe the ſaid Thomas Foard ſhould be elected to the ſaid Lectureſhip, or procure the ſaid Advowſon, he doe not give any approbation thereof; procured, ut ſupra, dated 12. Septem. 1631.

Theſe Letters were drawne by the Biſhops owne direction, not by the Secretary of State, or Clarkes of the Signet, being not entred at large in the Letter Signet Booke, but only this note of them entred in the Docquet Booke, by which his implacable tranſcendent malice appeared againſt the oppoſites to Arminianiſme, that not ſatisfied with their unjuſt baniſhment out of Oxford, he endeavoured by indirect means to hinder them from Eccleſiaſticall preferments in the Church, whereas hee advanced thoſe of the Arminian faction to places of higheſt eminency in the Church, as wee ſhall manifeſt in due ſeaſon.

After theſe ſevere proceedings againſt theſe Anti-Arminians in the Vniverſitie, the Arminians there grew very numerous, inſolent, few or none dating to oppoſe them but Doctor Prideaux, with two or three more in ſome paſſages in their Sermons, for which they were preſently queſtioned by the Arminian Faction, and enjoyned publike Recantations; witneſſe the Recantation of William Hobbes Fellow of Trinitio Colledge, the 25. of January 1632. for preaching againſt falling from Grace, contrary to the intent and purpoſe of His Majeſties Declaration, in a Sermon on a Tueſday at St. Maries; Recorded in the Oxford Regiſter f. 54 The Recantation of Maſter Thomas Cooke of Braſe-Noſe the 19th of July 1634. for uſing ſome paſſages in a Latine Sermon in Saint Maries, which by conſequence might imply connivency and partiality in the Vice-Chancellour (Doctor Duppa) towards ſome of the Arminian party, that had NOTE.violated the Kings Edicts, concerning ſuch points of controverſie as are forbidden; Regiſtred in the Vniverſity Register, pag. 90. with the convention and ſubmiſſion of Maſter Kichard Kilby, of Lincolne Colledge, before Doctor Bayley, Vice-Chancellour and others, March 13. 1637. for reviving ſome controverſies concerning Arminianiſme, contrary to His Majeſties Declaration; entred in the Vniverſitie Regiſter, fol. 152.

About September 1632. there were ſome Satyricall Verſes ſcattered abroad in Oxford againſt the Arminians, thus intituled. The Academicall Army of Epidemicall Arminians: To the tune of the Souldieur; wherein Doctor Corbet Doctor Duppa, Doctor Iackeſon, Doctor Marſh, Doctor Turner with others, of the Arminian faction were mentioned, and Biſhop Laud as their Generall, who receiving a Coppie of them, December 19. 1632. writ this endorſment on it. Oxford Libell againſt ſuch as they will needs call Arminians; Who were all backed by Biſhop Laud their grand Patron, and preferred to the higheſt Eccleſiaſticall preferments.

How the Arminian party prevailed in the Vniverſitie of Cambridge, by this Arch-Prelates abetment, ſo farre as to procure Barrets Recantation of the Arminian Tenets (ſolemnly made in that Vniverſity, in 37. of Q. Elizabeths Raigne, and then printed) to be raſed out of the Vniverſity Regiſter, where it was Recorded, and to proſecute Mr. Bernard whom he cauſed to be cenſured & ruined in the High-Commiſſion for preaching againſt the increaſe of Popery and Arminianiſme (of which hereafter) is ſo well knowne to moſt, that wee ſhall not inſiſt upon it, moſt of the heads of Houſes there (as Doctor Brookes, Doctor Beale, Doctor Martin, Doctor Paske, Doctor Coſens, Doctor Lany, &c) being profeſſed Arminians, and this Archbiſhops Creatures to proſecute his deſignes.

How diligent the Biſhops were, by colour of His Majeſties Declarations, and Inſtructions, to ſuppreſſe all preaching againſt all Arminianiſme in their Dioceſſe by this Arch-Prelates inſtigation, will appeare by their printed Viſitation Articles, for this purpoſe; particularly, by the Articles of enquiry, and direction for the Dioceſſe of Norwich, in the firſt Viſitation of Rich. Mountague, Biſhop of that Dioceſſe, An. Dom. 1638 Tit. 5. Artic. 22. in Church-Wardens. Doth your Minister commonly or of ſet purpoſe in his populer Sermons full upon thoſe much disputed and little underſtood doctrines, of Gods eternall Predeſtination, of Election antecedaneous, of Reprobation irrespective without ſinne foreſeene, of Freewill, of Perſeverance, and not falling from Grace, points obſcure, unfoldable, unfoordable, untractable, at which that great Apoſtle ſtood at gaze with, Oh the height and depth of the riches of the Wiſdome and knowledge of God! how unſearchable are his judgments, and his wayes paſt finding out? Rom. 11. 33. By the Archbiſhops Injunctions preſcribed to them in His Majeſties Name, whereof this was one. That they ſhould take ſpeciall care that no Miniſter nor Lecturer in their Dioceſſe ſhould preach upon the prohibited controverted points, contrary to His Majeſties Declarations and Inſtructions; and that they ſhould give an yearely account to the Archbiſhop of their proceedings herein, which they did accordingly; By meanes whereof the Arminian Errors were freely vented in all Dioceſſes, without any publike oppoſition, and thoſe who out of zeale to truth durſt open their mouthes to refuſe them, were ſilenced, ſuſpended, and brought into the High Commiſſion by this Archbiſhops practiſe, to their undoing; whiles the Arminians, on the contrary, had free liberty to broach their Erronious Tenets, without controle, and were advanced to the greateſt benefices, and Eccleſiaſticall Dignities.

Beſides this Arch-prelate not ſatisfied with propagating theſe dangerous Arminian Novelties throughout the Realme of England, endeavoured to infect by degrees the whole Church of Irel, therewith. To which end he not only cauſed Biſhop Downehams book, of perſeverance; there printed againſt the Arminians to be ſuppreſſed (as you heard before) but the very Articles of the Church of Ireland made in a full Nationall Synod and Convocation held at Dubline, 1615. and ratified by King Iames (wherein all the Arminian Errors are terminis terminantibus condemned as Erronious,) to be repealed; the L. Deputy Wentworth, by high hand (being but the Archbiſhops inſtrument herein) enforcing the Convocation at Dublin. An, 1634. by ſundry threatning Meſſages full fore againſt their wills, to condeſcend to the repealing of them under pretext of eſtabliſhing the 39. Articles of the Church of England, (compriſed in the former) for the only Articles of that Church for Vnity and Vniformity ſake; as was atteſted by Dr. Hoyle, a Member of that Iriſh Convocation at the Lords Ear, & long ſince publiſhed in print with the Archbiſhops privity, if not command, by Dr. Heylin, in his Hiſtory of the Sabbath, Part. 2. chap. 8. ſect. 9. pag. 259. in theſe very tearmes. And here unto they were encouraged a great deale the rather: because in Ireland, what time his Majeſties Commiſsioners were employed, about the ſettling of that Church, Anno 1615. there paſſed an Article which much confirmed them in their courſes, and hath been often ſince alleaged to juſtifie both them and their proceedings: the Article is this; The firſt day of the weeke which is the Lords Day, is wholy to be dedicated to the ſervice of God, and therefore we are bound therein to reſt from our common and daily buſineſſe, and to beſtow that leaſure upon holy exerciſes, both private & publique. What moved His Majeſties Commiſſioners to this ſtrict authority, that J cannot ſay, but ſure J am, that till that time, the Lords day never had attained ſuch credit, as to be thought an Article of the faith, though of ſome mens fancies. Nor was it like to be of long continuance, it was ſo violently followed; THE WHOLE BOOKE BEING NOW CALLED IN, and in the place thereof, the Articles of the Church of England confirmed by Parliament in that Kingdome, Anno 1634.

Vniformity with the Church of England was the pretence for revoking theſe Articles, but the reall cauſe was, becauſe they defined in terminis, The Pope to be Antichriſt; the Church of Rome to be no true Church, the Lords day to be totally ſanctfied, and all the Arminian Tenets to be erronious, contrary to the eſtabliſhed Doctrine both of the Church of England and Ireland. Grand obſtacles to this Arch-Preltats Popiſh NOTE.deſignes, and therefore neceſſary to bee ſette aſide. Theſe Articles being thus repealed, the Archbiſhop ſoon after ſent over Maſter Chapple (the moſt notorius ſeducing Arminian in the whole Vniverſity of Cambridge) into Jreland, to be Preſident of the Colledge of Dublin there, to poyſon that Vniverſity with his Arminian Drugs, which he there publikely vented, as Dr. Hoyle (Divinity Reader in that Vniverſity) atteſted upon Oath, who had frequent conteſtations with him concerning the ſame: This Chapple joyning with Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to the Lord Deputy Wentworth (a profeſſed Arminian who managed all the Eccleſiaſtical affaires of that Church under the Archbiſhop and Lord Deputy) raiſed a great party there to oppoſe and ſuppreſſe the truth.

What influence this Arch-Prelate likewiſe had upon the Prelates and Clergy of Scotland, and how farre he proceeded in introducing Arminianiſme & by it Popery into the Church of Scotland, is ſo largely demonſtrated by M. Baily, in his Canterburians ſelfe-conviction, the laſt Edition, that we ſhall not here inſiſt upon it.

And thus we have given you a true and Copious Evidence of this Arch-Prelates endeavours to undermine our eſtabliſhed Religion by introducing fomenting dangerous Arminian Errors in all our three Kingdomes, of purpoſe to Vſher Popery into them by inſenſible degrees through this Ieſuiticall deviſe.

Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 2

p. 156Queſtiones Arminianae.