Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 1 (2 of 2)
All theſe compared together are a ſufficient demonſtration that this Archbiſhop Studies, affections, intentions, devotions, were altogether ſuperſtitious, Romiſh, Idolatrous, f…ly ſymbolizing with the Church of Rome, but wholly diſcrepant from out owne a… all other reformed Churches.
Thirdly We ſhall follow him from his ſtudy and private Cloſet unto his publike Gallery, wherein, among others, there were theſe three ſuperſtitious Pictures, ſeized and brought into the Lords Houſe, atteſted by Mr. Pryn, and Maſter Vaughan, who found them in his Gallery. Firſt, a glorious coſtly Picture in a very large frame of the four Fathers of the Church, Saint Ambroſe, Saint Chryſoſtome, Saint Auſtin and St. Herom, all in their Pontificalibus, with the Picture of the Holy Ghoſt in form of a Love, hovering over their heads, and from his beake diſtilling the rayes ſtreames, and influences of his graces ſeverally upon them.
Secondly, The Picture of the Croſſe, and of our Saviour Chriſt all bloudy, newly taken downe from his Croſſe, with many ſhaven-Crowne Fryars, and Nunnes in their Habits ſtanding and kneeling round about him.
Thirdly, Another Picture of Chriſt on a Ladder, with Prieſts, Munkes and Popiſh Prelates about him.
In few words, He who had ſo much Popiſh Idolatry and Superſtition of all ſorts in his Chappell, Study, Gallery, as all theſe forementioned particulars amount unto, muſt doubtleſſe have not only ſome ſparkes but flames of Popery, and Romiſh affections, intentions in his heart.
2. His Popiſh Innovations in his Majeſties Chapell at White-Hall.Secondly, Having hunted this Popiſh Vermin from place to place in his owne Kennell, and bolted him out thence, we ſhall next purſue him from Lamb croſſe the Thames, to the Kings own Royall Chapell at White-Hall; where upon his comming to be D…e of his Majeſties Chapell, and after that Archb. of Canterbury, he introduced, bowing to the Altar, himſelfe there conſtantly practiſing this Ceremony, at his ingreſſe, egreſſe, (a Lane being made for him to ſee the Altar, and do his Reverence to it) and at all his approaches towards or to the Altar; which bowing and Veneration his Majeſties Chaplaines were there likewiſe enjoyned by him to practiſe: and by his means in Paſſion week in the years 1636. 1637. &c. a rich large Crucifix, imbroydered with Gold & Silver, in a faire peece of Arras, was hung up in his Majeſties Chappell over the Altar, to the great ſcandall and offence of many. For proofe whereof (ſo experimentally known to moſt of the Lords and Courtiers, who were eye-witneſſes of and diſliked it,) Sir Henry Mildmay, Knight, a Member of the Houſe of Commons, and Maſter of the Jouell Houſe, was produced; who depoſed as followeth.
That before the Archbiſhop came to be Deane of his Majeſties Chappell, there was little or no bowing at all uſed by any to or towards the Altar, except only at St. George his Peaſt, when the Knights of the Gartor, going up to offer at it, made a civill kinde of obeyſance towards it, not out of any religious respect, but at a … Ceremony anciently uſed by them only at this ſolemnity, and by thoſe of the Garter …: But after hee came to be Deane of the Chappell, he constantly uſed bowing to the … at his ingreſſe, egreſſe, and approaches to the Altar, cauſing his owne and His Maſties Chaplaines to doe the like: That after he become Deane of the Chappell, for two three yeares togegether or more, there was in Paſſim worke a peece of Arras with a … embroidered Crucifixe, the full length of a man, hanged over the Altar on … Chappell at White-Hall, which was never done before in his memory, nor in the memory of any Courtier that he could heare of which Crucifixe he believed was never ther… uſed ſince King H. the 8. his Reigne, till of late, That this groſſe notorious Innovation …ave great ſcandull and generall offence to many well-affected Courtiers, who ſpake mu… againſt it, and to himſelfe in particular, who openly complained of it to the King, and ſp…ke to the Archbiſhop himſelfe about it; yet it continued there ſundry Paſſion weekes. And to manifeſt the truth hereof more clearely to all the world, the very Crucifixe it ſelfe was by ſpeciall order ſent for, and brought into the Lords Houſe by the …erjeant of the Vestry at White-Hall; who likewiſe atteſted the hanging of it up …ver the Altar in His Majeſties Chappell in the Paſſion Weekes; It was very large rich, naked, ſcandalous, offenſive, never uſed ſince the Reformation, but onelyonly in ti…es of Popery; yet this moſt ſcandalous Idoll did this Arch-Prelate cauſe to be tha… hanged up in His Majeſties Chappell as a patterne of imitation for all others, well nowing the ancient Proverbe to bean experimentall truth.
*Claudian.Regis ad exemplum … componitur orbis, &c.
When he hath thus introduced theſe Romiſh Innovations into hs Majeſties Chappel; then the Altar, Crucifix, & other Innovations in his Royal Cha…el muſt be made the Canon whereby to regulate all Cathedrall and Parochiall Churches, and ſo declared publikely in print, by himſelfe & his Confederates both in an Order made at the Councell Table concerning the placing of the Table in Saint Gregonies Church Altarwiſe, 3. Novemberis 1633. by this Archbiſhops owne procurement, (publiſhed by Doctor Heylen his Greature, in his C…ale from the Altar, page 62. and Antidotum Lincolnienſe, cap. 2. page 62, 63.) by Peter Heylyn in his Coale p. 27. Antidotum Lincolni: cap. 2. p. 29. to 67. his Moderate anſwer to Henry Burton p. 57. 176. by Chriſtopher Dewe in his anſwer to Mr. Henry Burton cap 20. p. 191. & the New Canons 1640. can. 7. Now what a capital tranſcendent offence this was in this Arch-Prelate (principally intruſted with the care of Religion,) contrary to his truſt and dutie to introduce theſe ſcandalous Innovations into His Majeſties owne Royall Chappell will appeare by theſe particulare. Firſt, that hereby he made the world believe. His Majeſty was a publike countenancer of theſe Popiſh Innovations and …, making him a Royall open Patron of them, as much as in him lay: contrary to his owne printed Declarations to all his loyall Subjects before the 39. Articles, and after the diſſolution of the Parliament, Anno 16…8, Wherein he profeſſed, he would neuer … in the leaſt degree to Popery, or ſuperſtition. Secondly, That he hereby give juſt occaſion both to Proteſtants and Papiſts at home and in forraigne parts, openly to report and believe that wee were now relapſing to thoſe ancient Romiſh ſuperſtitions, Idolatries, corruptions we had formerly ſpired one. 3ly. That hereby he endeavoured to corrupt his Majeſty; his Nobles, Courtiers, Chaplaine, and by conſequence all his dominions in their Religion, Fourthly, That by this meanes he perverted, ſeduced many thouſands of His Majeſties ſubjects, who from this patterne fell to a ſtudious practiſe of bowing to Altars. …erecting; Altari … in moſt Chappells Churches by degrees. Fifthly, That hereby hee ſcandalited, diſcouraged, grieved the well affected Proteſtants, both at home and abroad; encouraged, hardned Papiſts in their ſuperſtitions, and gave them great hopes of a ſpeedy alteration of religion, … they ſeconded with al their power and pollicy: Sixthly, That by this practiſe he ingendred great diſcontents, … miſunderſtanding … …is Majeſtie and his ſubjects; which could never yet be, cordially reconciled ſince that time, but have grown wider every day almoſt to the utter ruine of our three whole kingdomes.
To the former evidence, this further memorable teſtimony was ſubjoyned by way of corroboration and aggravation.
Miſtres Charnock (a Gentlewoman of good quality) and her Daughter joyntly depoſed before the Lords, that on Maundy Thurſday, about 6. yeares ſince, they being at Whitehall with ſome other of their friends, whereof one was a Papiſt, went into the Kings Chapell there to ſee it, where they ſaw an Altar with Tapers, & other Furniture, on it, & a Crucifix over it: whiles they were in the Chappell Dr. Browne of Saint Faiths Church under Paules, (then a Deane, & one of the King's Chaplaines,) with his Curate came together into the Chappell, and bowed three ſeverall times almoſt to the ground, to the Altar and Crucifix, as they all conceived, and then kneeled down on their knees before them. A little after there came two Semenary Prieſts into the Chappell, and bowed downe very low three ſeverall times to the Altar and Crucifix over it (as they apprehended) juſt in the very ſame manner as Dr. Browne and his Curate did, and then kneeled downe before the Altar and Crucifix, for a little ſpace, as they had done. At which ſtrange ſight, Miſtreſſe Charnocke very much admiring, ſaid to thoſe in her company; J never thought to have ſeene ſuch a ſight, that our owne Miniſters and Popiſh Prieſts ſhould thus repaire one after another into the Kings Chappell, and uſe the ſelfe-ſame bowings, geſtures to the Altar and Crucifix, as if they were both agreed: Whereunto the Papiſt preſently anſwered, there is no ſuch odds and difference betweene you and us as is conceived; which one of the Semenary Prieſts over-hearing, uſed the like words; adding further, Gentlewoman, you need not wonder at our bowing and kuteling, (to the Altar and Crucifix) for you ſee that Miniſters of your owne Coate and Religion doe the like: and ſo they departed.
Now what a Capitall Crime, & Treaſon this is for an Archbiſhop, intruſted with the care of Religion, to bring in ſuch Crucifixes, Ceremonies, Innovations into his Majeſties owne royall Chapell, as ſhould invite even his Majeſties Chaplaines, and Popiſh Semenary Prieſts thus openly and promiſcouſly to reſort into it to commit Idolatry with them; and there to uſe the very ſelfe ſame bowings, adorations to the Altar, Crucifix, as Prieſts themſelves uſually exerciſed, and openly upbraid us with, to the great offence and ſcandall of his Majeſties Proteſtant Subjects, was humbly ſubmitted to the ſaddeſt conſideration of his Iudges, and all that heard this evidence,
3. ly. We ſhall next follow this Romiſh Fox from White-Hall to Weſtminſter Abby; where in Ianuary 1625. he exerciſed the Office of Doane of Weſtminſter at his Maieſties Coronation His Popiſts Innovations at Weſtminſter Abbey at his Majeſties Coronation.putting Biſhop Williams (then reall Dean thereof) from this Royall ſervice incident to his place. In this ſolemnity of high concernment, we ſhall give you a ſhort information what he did with reference only to Popiſh ſuperſtition and Innovation: In generall, he compiled the forme of his Majeſties Coronation different from that of K. Edward the 6th. and King Iames: inſerting ſome prayers & Ceremonies into it out of the Roman Pontificall. That himſelfe compiled it, appeares by †See the Breviat of his life p. 7.his owne Diary, and the originall Coppy corrected with his owne hand, of which hereafter in its proper place: In particular.
Firſt, he cauſed all the R…brickes in this New forme of Coronation to be written in red Letters, as they are in the Roman Pontificall para 1. p. 163. &c. whereas all formet, manuſcripts of Coronations, found in his Study, were written onelyonly with black Inke, as appeared by the Bookes themſelves, (writ in times of Popery & ſince) and by Maſter Prynnes atteſtation, who peruſed them all.
2ly. He ſpecially inſerted this Note into the Margin of the Coronation Booke. All this Vnction was performed IN FORMA CRVCIS, AND THE OLD CRVCIFIX among the Regalia, STOOD ON THE ALTAR of which no mention … made in the Coronation of K. Edward the 6th. or King James: Which forme of anointing the King after the forme of a Croſſe, is directly taken out of the Roman Pontificall. parts. De Benedictione & Coronatione Regis: p. 167. Poſt hoc Metropolitanus intinget pollic … dextrea manus in … & INVNGIT IN MODVM CRVCIS illius brachium dexterum, &c. And that the old Croſſe, uſed only in times of Popery, ſhould it this royall ſolemnity be placed on the high Altar, among the Kings Regalia (as its uſuall in forraigne Popiſh Cathedralls and Altars if we may credit, †Page 69. 70. 9. 43. 78. 110. 157, 162. 165.Ceremoniale Epiſcoporum, and the ſeverall Portraitures in it) was a ſad Omen at the conſecration of a Proteſtant King, to inure, if not enamor him with ſuch Popiſh ſuperſtitions in the very begining of his reigne.
3ly. The Oyle wherewith he was anointed (as appeares by the marginall Notes) was ſolemnly conſecrated by a Biſhop: which Conſecration of the Oyle is a meere Popiſh Relique, as appeares by Pontificale Roman… de Benedictione & Coronatione Pegis; Thomas Beacons, Reliques of Rome, Bochellus, Decreta, Eccleſ. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 2. & l. 2. Tit. 6.
4ly. He inſerted divers Prayers into the forme of the Kings Coronation taken verbatim out of the Roman Pontificall; Among others, this enſuing Prayer (which you ſhall finde in Latine in the Roman Pontificall. p. 171.) uſed at the Kings inthronization after his unction, tending to the advancing of the Biſhops and Clergy above the Laity.
Stand and hould faſt from henceforth, the place to which you have beene heire by the ſucceſſion of your Forefathers, being now delivered unto you by the Authority of the Almighty God, and by the hands of us, and all the Biſhops and ſervants of God; and as you ſee the Clergy to come nearer to the Altar then others, ſo remember that in places convenient you give them greater Honour; That the mediatour of God and man, may eſtabliſh you in the Kingly Throne, to be the mediator betwixt the Clergy & the Laitie and that you may reigne for ever, with Ieſus Chriſt the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who with the Father & the holy Ghoſt liveth & reigneth for ever, Amen.
4ly. Popiſh Maſter Iohn Coſens (as appeares by the Marginall Notes) when the Prayers appointed for the Coronation, were there read, kneeled behinde the Biſhops, giving direction to the Quire when to anſwer: acting the Office of the Maſter of Eccleſiasticall Ceremonies; whoſe Office you may read at large deſcribed in Caeremeniale Epeſcoporum: Lib. 1. c. 5. p. 19. De Officio Magiſtrarum Caremoniarum.
5ly. After the Coronation ended, this Archbiſhop voluntarily of his own accord offered the Kings Regalia on the Altar in a Popiſh manne, without any Rubricke or direction, as appeares by this paſſage in his Diary written with his owne hand Feb. 2. 1625. Solemnbus fiuitis in …ield magis Weſt…con. quum tradidit mihi in manus Regalia quae in Eccleſia B. Petri Weſt…on ſervantur: de novo dedis Gladium Cortanam dictum, & duos alos qui coram Ree… eo die deferbantur ut ſervar…utur cum reliquis infignibus; in Eccleſiam Redij, ET, AD ALTARE SOLENNITER O…TVLI NOMINE REGIS, & cum alijs repoſui.
Certainly had this Archprelate beene inflamed with any ſuch extraordinary reale to the Proteſtant Religion, as he pretended, he would not have introduced ſo many Popiſh Caeremonies out of the Roman Pontificall, into his Majeſties ſolemne Coronation, but utterly excluded them out of the form of Coronation he then compiled: Ex Cauda Draconem you may take a ſcanding of this Dragon by his Taile, who endeavoured to poyſon his Majeſty as much as in him lay, with Romiſh ſuperſtitions in his very Inauguration to his Crowne the ſad effects whereof, we have ſince experimentally diſcerned to our ſorow and greateſt griefe.
4ly. We ſhall in the next place follow this little Fox in his Romiſh Proceſsion, 4 His Popiſh Innovations in the Vniverſities of Oxford and Cambridge.from Weſtminſter, to our two famous Vniverſities of Oxford and Cambridge, whoſe Chriſtall Fountaines he extraordinarily poyſoned with Popiſh ſuperſtitions, Innovations, Caeremonies of all …, and in them our Church and State.
Before this pragmaticall Arch-Prelates advancement to be a Prime Favorite in Court and ſupreame, Comptroller of all Eccleſiaſticall affaires in our Church, our Univerſities had neither Crucifixes, nor Jmages, nor Altars, nor bowing to Altars, nor Copes, nor Latine ſervice, nor any ſuch Reliques of Rome to pollute them, or corupt young Schollars with the ſuperſtitious Rites and Caeremonies of the Babiloniſh Strumpet; but no ſooner was he becom a Royal favorite, Privy Councellor of ſtate, and Dominus factetum in Church and Republik, but by his peſtiferous influence, practiſes, and example theſe Popiſh weeds ſprung up a pace by degrees in theſe choyceſt Seminaries of Piety and literature, till they quite over-ſpread them at the laſt.
We ſhall begin with the Univerſity of Oxford, whereof by indirect meanes this Prelate procured himſelfe to bee elected Chancellour, upon the death of the Right Honourable Will. Earle of Pembrooke, in Apr. 1630. whoſe Noble brother (now Chancellour thereof) was then really elected by moſt voyces, though miſcalculated by practiſe in the ſcrutiny by this Prelates Creatures. What alterations were there made upon his advancement, and Chancellorſhip, will appeare by theſe ſubſequent depoſitions given viva voce againſt him at the Lords Barre.
Sir Nathaniell Brent depoſed; that before this Archbiſhop came to have power in this Univerſitie and to bee Chancellour thereof, there were no Copes, Altars, nor Communion Tables turned and rayled about Altarwiſe in Churches or Colledges, nor any bowing to or towards the Altar, nor any Crucifixes but ſuch as were either defaced, or covered over with duſt, and quite neglected; but ſince his being Chancellour the Tables in al or moſt Churches, Colledges were turned into Altars, or rayled in Altarwiſe, and uſually bowed unto; the old Crucifixes repaired, adored, and new Crucifixes ſet up where there were none before; yet he never heard that the Archb. diſliked or reproved the ſame, though he was Chancellour, and ſaw theſe Innovations, but liked them very well: That ſince the Archb. was Chancellour there was a New Church-Porch built to St. Maries Church, (at the charge of Dr. Owen, ſince made a Biſhop;) where was none before, ſtanding in the very heart of the Vniverſity towards the ſtreet, to which Church all the Univerſity reſorted; in the front of which Porch was a ſtatue of the Virgin Mary cut in ſtone, with the Picture of a child in her Armes, commonly taken to be the Picture of Chriſt.
Maſter Corbet, a Fellow of Merton Colledge depoſed; that in the Yeare 1638. the Arch-Biſhop being Viſitor of that Colledge began his Viſitation there, by Sir Iohn Lambe his Deputy that one Article propounded to the Warden and Fellows was this; Whether they made due Reverence (by bowing towards the Altar or Communion Table,) when they came into the Chappell? That himſelfe and Maſter Channell were injoyned by the Viſitors and Commiſſioners to uſe this Ceremonie; but they refuſed to do it: Whereupon Sir Iohn Lamb preſſed them very much to practiſe it; but they ſtill refuſed, propounding their reaſons againſt it; then he threatned him for it in particular. After this Dr. Frewin Vice-Chancellour of the Vniverſity told him, that he was ſent to him from the Archb. he being then Proctor, preſſing and requiring him as from the Archb. to uſe this Ceremony in regard of his place elſe it would be ill taken. Afterwards the Archb. ſent injunctions to Merton Colledge whereof this was one: Habeant debitam Reverentiam ad menſam Domini; where by hee meant this bowing to the Altar, as the Viſitors and common practiſe expounded it: the Viſitors afterwards queſtioning thoſe who bowed not; That this courſe continued till this preſent Parliament, and was generally practiſed at Saint Maries, and throughout the Vniverſitie. He further teſtified, that in Magdalen Colledge, there was a Crucifix placed over the Communion Table, and Pictures in the Windowes; and a new Crucifixe ſet up in Chriſt-Church; none of which Innovations were there heard of before this Archbiſhops time.
Maſter William Bendy, witneſſed upon Oath, that in the Yeare 1637. Since the Archbiſhop was Chancellour of Oxford, there was a ſtatue of the Virgin Mary With a Child in her Armes, ſet up in the front of Saint Maries Church-Porch towards the open ſtreete; which gave great offence to many: That there was a Crucifix ſet up in Lincolne Colledge and a Picture of the Holy Ghoſt another Crucifixe in Chriſt-Church; another in New-Colledge, and the like in diverſe other Colledges, That Latine Prayers were injoyned to be uſed in Lent, and Studients to be preſent at them: That the Tables in moſt Churches, Colledges were turned into Altars railed in Altarwiſe and bowed to: That in ſome Colledges they uſed Copes, and hee heard a ſtranger who had bin a Travailer ſay, that one of the Copes he ſaw at Oxford was juſt like that he had ſeene at ROME on the POPES backe.
Maſter Nixon one of the Aldermen of Oxford depoſed viva voce, that there was a Picture of Stone ſet up in the New-Church porch at Saint Maries Church towards the high Street, of a Woman holding a Babe in her Armes, which they cald the Picture of the Virgin Mary and Chriſt, (ſtanding almoſt oppoſit to his Houſe) which was very ſcandalous, offenſive both to him & others: that himſelfe had ſeene ſome paſſengers as they rode along by it, to bow very low to their Horſes manes, and put off their Hats unto it: that hee obſerved one Paſſenger, both going and returning to bow thus unto it, and put off his Hat, who (as he heard) belonged to the Portugall Embaſſador, and was a Papiſt; that there was one who kneeled downe before this Image, and held up his hands as if he prayed unto it. He further depoſed, that not only in ſundry Colledges, but in the Pariſh Church of Carfolks. (the principall Church for the City, whether the Major and Aldermen reſorted;) there was a great large Crucifix with the Picture of Chriſt upon it, ſet up in the Window by Giles Widdowes who was Parſon there, and one whom the Archbiſhop countenanced.
That this Archbiſhop was both the Author, and encourager of all theſe innovations not heard of there ſince the Reformation; is evident: becauſe they ſprung up there in the time of his Chancellorſhip, and were introduced, by thoſe who were his greateſt Creatures, enjoyned by his Viſiters (as you heard before) and moſt of them preſcribed in the Vniverſity Statutes, made by himſelfe, which all were bound by Oath to obſerve. To cleare this we ſhall produce this Memorable paſſage. Sect 1. paragr. 2. De Precibus ſolennibus, & Oblationibus in Die Comitiorum. (which you may finde in the ſelect Statutes of Oxford, there printed in a ſmall volume, Anno 1638. p. 79.) In die Comitiorum Moris eſt, ut poſt pulſationem parvae campanae, circa hor am nonam matutinam, omnes Inceptores in qualibet facultate, per Bedellos ſuae Facultatis à Collegijs & Aulis deducti, in Capella orientali Eccleſiae B. Mariae Virginis unà conveniant, ijſque ſic congregatis, preces Divinae ab ejuſdem Eccleſiae paraecialis Vicario aut illius Deputato ſolenniter habeautur. Quibus peractis, primum Vice-Cancellarius, poſteà ſinguli Inceptores in Facultatibus, deinde Procuratores, Bedellis praecuntibus, ad Menſam Euchariſtiae ſacram, CVM DEBITA REVERENTIA (which they by words and practiſe interpreted to be a lowly bowing to, or towards it) OBLATIONES FACIANT. Quod ſi quis I Precibus ſole nuibus & OBLATIONIBVS abſens fuerit, aut praeſens CUM DEBIT A REUERENTIA AD MENS AM EUCHARISTIAAE SACRAM accedere recuſaverit, puniatur pro arbitrio Vice-Cancellarij, ac inſuper mulctetur. 5s.
Here we have bowing to the Table or Altar preſcribed by a Law, as a REVERENC DVE VNTOUNTO IT, AND OBLATIONS at it enjoyned to all Graduates whatſoever of any kind of faculty, to be acted ſolemnly in the Vniverſity Church of St. Maries in the Act time under pain of ſuch arbittary puniſhments, as the Vice-Chancellour ſhould inflict, & 5. s. Fine, upon ſuch who refuſed or neglected this ſolemne oblation at or bowing to the Altar, both which they were bound by Oath, to perform and obſerve, being one of the Statutes of the Vniverſity, to which (*Dabis fidem ad obſervandum ſtatuta iſtius Vniverſitatis, &c. Statuta ſelectae Corpore ſtatutum Vniverſitatis Oxon Tit. 9. Sect. 6. Paragr. 1. p. 114.) all Graduates ſwore obedience: Yea this their ceremony of bowing to, and proſtration before the Altar, was ſo well pleaſing, & well known to the Archbiſhop himſelfe, that in one of his letters ſent to the Vniverſity of Oxford, (Dated at Lambheth 28. Ianuary 1639. recorded in their Publique Register: f. 166.) he importunes them to pray for him, as oft as they ſhould proſtrate themſelves before the Altar, in theſe very termes, Quoties CORAM ALTARE DEI & Chriſti ejus PROCIDATIS, videte ſitis inter orandum memores mei Peccatoris: ſed & Amici & Cancellarij veſtri, W. Cant. Whence the Archbiſhop took his Patterne for enjoyning Graduates thus by new Vniverſity Statutes, and the Fellowes, Schollers of Merton Colledge, by his Viſiters, to bow, and yeeld due Reverence to the Altar, is worthy ſpeciall obſervation: doubtleſſe it was from none other but his owne Popiſh Predeceſſor. Cardinall Poole, Archbiſhop of Canterbury in Queene Maries dayes, who reduced reconciled our Kingdomes of England and Ireland to the Popes obedience and ſuperſtitions which they had formerly caſt off in King Edwards dayes. For this Cardinall Archbiſhop. Viſiting the Vniverſity of Cambridg by his ſubſtitutes [whereof Ormanet the Popes Datary was one] among other Lawes and Injunctions, (as Mr. *Acts and Monuments Edit. 16. 40. … vol. 3. p. 773. Edit. 1610. p. 1781.Jo. Fox Records) preſcribed every Scholler there AFTER WHAT SORT HE SHOVLD BOW HIMSELFE TO THE ALTAR: there being no other ancient preſident extant in any of our owne Vniverſities Statutes (nor for ought I finde in forraign Academies) preſcribing bowing to the Altar, unto any Academians, but this of Cardinal Poole alone. And muſt not he be a meere Popiſh Prelat, and Chancellor in good earneſt, who thus makes his Popiſh Cardinall Predeceſſors Injunctions in Queen Maries bloody Reigne, the ſole Rule whereby to reform the Vniverſity of Oxford in King Charles his dayes?
Finally, this Archbiſhop, in hope that ſolemne Popiſh Proceſſions might in ſhort time creepe up into uſe againe, in our Vniverſities, as well as Crucifixes, Copes, Latine ſervice, and bowing to Altars, among other his new Oxford Statutes, continued, and revived this, whereby all Regent Maſters were bound to read and ſing in ſolemne Proceſſions, as the Proctors ſhould aſſigne them, be it right or wrong: witneſſe this Clauſe in the large Leger Parchment Booke of this Vniverſities new Statutes. Tit. 9. Sect. 1. paragr. 5. Iurabis, quod Leges & Cantabis IN SOLENNIBVS PROCESSIONIBVS ſecundum aſsignationem & diſpoſitionem Procuratorum, vel ſi recuſaveris, ſolves VsUs. in uſum Vniverſitatis, per Procuratores exigendos: Reſp. Iuro. which was read.
Now thus to oblige men by Oath to read and Chaunt in Proceſſions, what the Proctors ſhould appoint, (be it the very Maſſe it ſelfe, or a Popiſh hymme or prayer taken out of the Roman Miſſall, Caeremoniall or Pontificall) how farre it trencheth upon the liberty of mens conſciences, extends to the Alteration of Religion, and conduced to corrupt the Vniverſitie, was humbly ſubmitted to the ſerious conſiderations of the Lords, and all others.
We have thus given you a briefe account of this Arch-Prelates, Popiſh Innovations in the Vniverſity of Oxford, where he was then a reall Chancellor, and ought in duty to have ſuppreſſed them; the ſumme whereof is this; that in moſt Churches Colledges, Chappells both in this Vniverſity and City, during the time of his Government, Communion Tables were turned, railed in Altarwiſe, changed into Altars; ſchollers of all ſorts and degrees injoyned by Statutes and Oathes, (eſpecically in the puplique Act ſolemnities) to bow themſelves downe and yeeld due reverence to the Altar, to preſent their oblations thereat, which they muſt neither refuſe nor neglect under paine of 5. s. fine and other Arbitrary puniſhments; Latine ſervice with the Chaunting of it, and ſolemne Preceſſions, introduced, enjoyned; Copes uſed, Crucifixes repaired, beautified where formerly defaced, and new erected where none were before: a New Statue of the Virgin Mary with Chriſt a babe in her Armes ſet up in the moſt publike noted place of all the Vniverſity, where all paſſengers might behold it; yea publike adoration, Capping, bowing, kneeling yeelded to it, without the leaſt checke, diſlike, yea with the higheſt approbation of this pretended zealous Proteſtant Chauncellor, to the poyſoning of many Graduates, Students in this moſt famous Academy. What Romiſh Alterations, Innovations of like nature hee by his Inſtruments, Favorites, Chaplins brought into the Vniverſity of Cambridge, (of which he was more then halfe Chauncellor in reality, though the Earle of Holland had the Title, and afterwards ſole Viſitor by a Decree at Councell Table, as meere Archbiſhop of Canterbury;) we ſhall in the next place evidence by ſubſtantiall Proofes.
In the Vniverſity of Cambridge, the Archbiſhop ſince his greatneſſe by his extraordinary His Popiſh Innovations in the Vniverſity of Cambridge.power brought in divers of his Creatures, Chaplaines to be heads of houſes and Vice-Chauncellors (as Dr. Martin, Dr. Coſins, Dr. Beale, Dr. Laney, with others Popiſhly affected) who within the ſpace of ten yeares introduced the ſeverall Popiſh Innovations, Ceremonies, ſpecified in the following depoſitions
Mr. Wallis a Scholler and Graduate of this Vniverſity, depoſed: That Altars, Pictures, Crucifixes were there of late ſet up in moſt Colledge Chappells, and in ſome Churches; particularly, that in Peter houſe Chappel there was a glorious new Altar ſet up, & mounted on ſteps, to which the Maſter, Fellowes, Schollers bowed, & were enjoyned to bow by Doctor Coſens the Maſter, who ſet it up; that there were Baſons. Candleſtickes, Tapers ſtanding on it, and a great Crucifix hanging over it. That in the Vniverſity Church of St. Maries there was an Altar raiſed in, to which the Doctors, Schollers and others uſually bowed: That theſe Altars, Crucifixes, Candleſtickes, Tapers, and bowing to Altars, continued till after this Parliament, and were brought in ſince the Archbiſhops time by meanes of Biſhop Wren, Doctor Coſens, Dr. Martin and others, all Canterburies great fauorites.
Maſter Nicholas le Greiſe, (late Student in Cambridge) witneſſed upon Oath… that in St Iohns Colledge, Kings Colledge, Trinity Colledge, and Peter houſe there were Altars, Candleſtickes, Tapers, and Crucifixes, newly ſet up: That in St. Iohns, and Peter Houſe Chappells, there were Pictures of the Holy Ghoſt in forme of a Dove; that in Peter Houſe there was likewiſe a carved Croſſe at the end of every ſeat, and on the Altar a Pot, which they uſually called the incenſe pot: that the Maſter, Fellows, and Schollers of that houſe at their entring into, & going out of the Chappell, made a low obeyſance to the Altar, being enjoyned by Doctor Coſens under a penalty (as they reported) to doe it; and none of them might tume their backs towards the Altar going in nor out of the Chappell: That divers Schollers of other houſes uſually reſorted thither, ſome out of Curioſity only to behold, others to learne and practiſe the Popiſh Ceremonies and Orders uſed in that Chappell: and the common report both among the Schollers of that Houſe and others, was, that none might approach to the Altar in Peter houſe but in Sandalls and that there was a ſpeciall conſecrated Knife there kept upon the Altar, to cut the ſacramental bread that was to be conſecrated.
Maſter Lazarus Seman depoſed, that he left the Vniverſity of Cambridge about ten yeares ſince, and that in his time none of the forementioned Innovations were ſo much as known or uſed there; but of late times they have all beene introduced.
Many more witneſſes were ready to depoſe the like, and more then this, but the Innovations of this kinde were ſo notoriouſly knowne to all, and ſo fully proved before the Parliament in Maſter Peter Smarts Articles againſt Doctor Coſins, that the Commons thought to produce more witneſſes herein, would bee a meere miſpence of time to no purpoſe, but to tyre out the Lords and Auditory.
But perchance the Archbiſhop will object; what are theſe Innovations in the Vniverſity Object.of Cambridge unto me, who was neither Chancellor there to councell, or countenance them, nor immediatly introduced them?Anſwer.
To which was Anſwered, 1. That his publike example and practiſe in his own Chappell at Lambheth (formerly manifeſted) was both a preſident, precept for this their imitation and one chiefe cauſe of theſe Innovations. It was a true rule of *De ſummo Bono, l. 2. c. 20.Iſiodor Hiſpalenſis; Dupliciter reus eſt qui apertè delinquit quia & agit & docet. And a juſt verdict of the Roman Orator †Cicero de legibus. l. 3.Pernicioſius de Republica merentur vitiofi Rectores, quod non ſolum vitia concipiunt ipſi, ſed ea infundunt in Civitatem; neque ſolum obſunt quod illi ipſi corumpuntur ſed etiam quod corumpunt. Since then his own preceeding Innovations, were the occaſions of theſe Corruptions in this Vniverſity, they muſt be laid upon his ſcore. 2ly. His owne Introduction of the ſelfeſame Popiſh Innovations into the Vniverſity of Oxford, by Lawes and Injunctions, at the ſelfe-ſame time, or a little before theſe ſprung up in Cambridge is a ſtrong preſumption, that both of them iſſued from the very ſame roote. 3ly. His owne chiefe Favorites, Chaplaines, Creatures, who were moſt intimate, frequent with him at London, and advanced to Headſhips in Colledges by his meanes, were the only active Inſtruments to bring in and promote theſe Corruptions; therefore queſtionleſſe they had directions, at leaſt incouragment from him for their proceedings in this kinde. 4ly. His not being Chauncellor of this Vniverſity, was rather an obſtacle to the ſpeedy Introduction of theſe Innovations then otherwiſe, as appeares by Oxford where he preſcribed them by publique Laws and Injunctions, which was not done in Cambridge, becauſe he was not Chauncellor; yet he would needs be their Immediate Viſitor, as Archbiſhop of Canterbury, conteſting with them for this Authority before his Majeſtic and Privie Councell, where hee obtained a Decree and Patent to him and his Succeſſors to be their Viſitors; in regard of which Juriſdiction over this Vniverſity as their Viſitor, and likewiſe as an High Commiſſioner, hee wanted no authority but only will to prohibit, ſuppreſſe theſe Popiſh Novelties, and puniſh the promotors of them; but this, for certaine, he never did, but countenanced, advanced them all hee could (as ſhall be manifeſted in due place:) Therefore, if the old Maxime of Law may take place: *Gratian diſtinct. 86.Qui non vetat peccare cum poſſet, jubet, he muſt bee really guilty of all theſe Anti-Chriſtian Innovations in both our Vniverſities, whom he thus miſerably corrupted to the unſpeakeable prejudice of Church and State, ſince from theſe two Fountaines theſe Popiſh ſuperſtitions, corruptions, diffuſed themſelves over all our Dominions, like a moſt contagious Leproſie. *Foutes venero inficere, eſt non tantum contra morem Majorum, ſed etiam contra fas Deorum. Florus Hiſtoriae lib. 1. Grotius de Iure Belli. lib. 3. c. 4. Sect. 16. p. 444. See 22. H. 8. c. 10.It hath alwayes been a Capitall crime, and an offence againſt the Law of God, of Nations, to poyſon common Naturall fountaines; how much more then theſe two publike Fountaines of more tranſcendent, uſe and excellency.
From our Vniverſities wee ſhall in the next place purſue this Romiſh Reinold 5. His Popiſh Innovations and ſuperſtitions in Cathedrall Churches.unto our Cathedrall Churches, where hee began his Popiſh Innovations very early.
Maſter Iohn Laugly, late Schoole-Maſter of the City Gloceſter, but now of Pauls Schoole, depoſed, that in the yeare 1616. the now Archb. being made Deane of Gloceſter, and comming downe to the Cathedrall there, intended to turne the Communion Table into an Altar; and place it Altarwiſe at the Eaſt end of the Quire, removing it from its former ſtation in the midſt; Doctor Smith then Biſhop of GLOCESTER oppoſed it with much earneſtneſſe; and ſeriouſly proteſted to the DEANE and the Prebends, that if the Communion Table were removed, or any ſuch Innovations brought into that Cathedrall as this Deane intended to introduce, hee would never come within the Walls of the Cathedrall more: yet notwithſtanding the Deane was then ſo violent, that in deſpite of the Biſhops direction and oppoſition, hee cauſed the Lords Table to be removed, and placed Altarwiſe at the Eaſt end of the Quire cloſe under the Wall, with the ends North and South, with Popiſh furniture upon it, bowed towards it himſelfe, and commanded the ſinging-men, Choriſters, and other Officers of the Church to make like obeyſance to it: Whereat the Biſhop was ſo much offended, that hee made good his proteſtation, and never came more within the Cathedrall till his dying day; This ſingle teſtimony of Mr. Langlies we finde ſeconded with a Letter of this Biſhops Chaplaine to the Chancellour at Gloceſter; thus indorſed with the Archbiſhops owne hand, and found at Lambeth among his Papers by Maſter Prynne.