Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 1 · Letter 1 – Letter 6
Febr. 12. 1616. A Coppy of the Libell againſt the removing of the Communion Table in the Church of Gloceſter.
MAſter Chancellour, I pray you certifie me how things ſtand at Gloucester, wee heare ſtrange things of late here with us, that ſeeme almoſt incredible. It is reported here for a truth, that the Communion Table in your Cathedrall Church is removed by your new Deane, and put up cloſe at the upper end in the place where the high Altar heretofore ſtood, and that they make low obeyſance to it with great Reverence, as NOTE.if Chriſt were there upon it, and that this hath much offended the whole Citie almoſt, And yet that not any one of the Prebends did ſo much as offer by word or deed to reſiſt him, or to tell him what harme this example might doe, and how much hereby, the ſecret Papiſts would be ſtirred up to rejoyce, hoping for that which they have long looked for now to be neere at hand. Was there no man had any ſparke of Elias ſpirit to ſpeake a word in Gods behalfe? O lamenrable times in which we live, that theſe things are ſwallowed downe by your Preachers in ſilence: I forbeare to ſay much till I bee certified from you the truth of all matters. I hope it is not ſo, for I cannot thinke your Prebends would be ſo fainte hearted (having alſo the Law of the Land on their ſide, that it ought not to ſtand there where the Altar ſtood) as to ſhrink at the firſt wetting without any preſſing. Speedily ſend me word I pray you, and ſo with my hearty commendations I end.
Your loving Friend Iohn White. Winchcombe 12th of Feb. 1616.
A Copy of this Letter (which this Archbiſhop ſtiled a Lible) was ſoone after found in the Pulpit of Saint Michaels Church, and ſent up to the Deanes own hands; who made much ſtir at Glouceſter, and the Court about it as appeares by theſe three Letters, ſound in his Study by Maſter Prynne, and endorſed with his owne hand.
The firſt is a Letter ſent by two of the Prehends to the Now Archbiſhop when he was Deane of Glocester, upon this occaſion:
Right Worſhipfull;
OUr dutifull love remembred. Wee have heard ſomewhat within theſe two or three dayes, and this day more certainly, of a certaine Libell or ſcandalous writing found in the Pulpit of Saint Michaells within the Citie of Glouceſter upon the 14th of this inſtant Februarie, about ſeaven of the Clocke in the morning; when the Pariſh Clarke there did lay the Pulpit Cloth for Maſter Prior, who was then to preach: this ſcandalous writing was taken up by John Wells Curate there, and by Thomas Smith the Clarke, and by them read, and by their meanes divulged, ſo that all in the Citie well neare doe new ſpeake of it: The effect of the writing was, as we learne, a diſlike for the Removing of the Communion Table within our Cathedrall Church, affirming untruly, that it tended NOTE.to the animating of the Papiſts, that it ſavoured of ſuperſtition, that it was tranſlated from a Communion Table to an High Altar, and that Worſhip and obeyſance were made unto it: The Libeller marveileth that it is ſuffered as now it ſtandeth, and that there is not one Elias amongſt us to reforme it; Maſter John Jones one of our Aldermen and Justice of Peace hath examined ſome of them, and they anſwer, that they are adviſed by their Counſell not to confeſſe the effect of that Libell; if they give not this day a better anſwer, hee ſaith his purpoſe is to binds them ever to anſwer before the Judges at the next Aſſizes: Maſter Jones his opinion is, that it is very fit that there bee a Commiſſion ſpeedily procured from His Majesties High Commiſſioners for the examining of this matter, and directed to ſome of the Clergie here, and to ſence Juſties NOTE.of Peace here, provided alwayes that there be none ſuch in that Commiſſion (of what degree or dignitie ſo ever they be) that favour that ſchiſmaticall faction of the Puritans. But now we learne that this Libell was preſently delivered by the Curate or Clark unto our now Maſter Sub-Deane, and therefore we aſſure our ſelves you are enformed of it by him and Maſter Robinſon, 5. or 6. dayes before this day. If there be not a ſpeedy courſe taken for the ſupreſſing of this their malicious and ſcandalous dealing, it will in ſhort time breed no ſmall inconvenience within this pl…, &c. Aſſuredly theſe zealous people are our Preciſians, the number whereof is great in this place. Thus being bold to manifeſt unto you our love and dutie (as we take it) in this behalfe, We humbly take our leave, with our prayers unto God for Your health and welfare, and reſt,
Your Worſhips aſſuredly at Command, Henry Aiſgill. Elias Wrench. Glouceſter Febr 21. 1616.
The ſecond is a Letter writ by him on this occaſion, to the Biſhop of Glocester, to this effect.
My Lord,
MY love and ſervice remembered unto your Lordſhip: when I came to doe my duty to his Majeſty at Chriſtmas, it ſeemed by the ſpeech he uttered to me, that ſome body had done the poore Church of Gloceſter, no very good office. For his Majeſty was graciouſly pleaſed to tell me, He was informed, that there was ſcarce ever a Church in England ſo ill govern'd, and ſo much out of order; And withall required me in generall, to reforme and ſet in order what I there found amiſſe. Hereupon at my being at Gloceſter, I acquainted the Chapter with that which his Majeſty had ſaid to me, and required at my hands: And tooke as good order (as in ſo ſhort a ſpace I could) both for repaire of ſome parts of the edifice of the Church and for redreſſe of other things amiſſe. Among the reſt, not raſhly and of my ſelfe, but by a Chapter-Act, I removed the Communion Table, from the middle of the Quier to the upper end, the place appointed to it, both by the Injunctions of this Church, and by the practiſe of all the Kings Majeſties Chappells, and *This was then a groſſe untruth, for it then ſtood not ſo in any Cathedralls.all other Cathedrall Churches in the Kingdome which I have ſeene. This Act ſince my comming thence (as I am by letters informed) is very much traduced by ſome in the City; and a libell againſt it layd in the Pulpit of St. Michaells where Maſter Subdeane preaches, to the great ſcandall of the Church and the Lawes eſtabliſhed. Good my Lord, let me deſire this favour in enquity at your Lordſhips hands, that theſe things may be ordered, and that your Lordſhip will joyne to reforme ſuch tongues and penns as know not how to ſubmit to any Law but their owne. I muſt upon this of NOTE.force have his gracious Majeſty acquainted both with the thing it ſelfe, and the entertainment which it hath found among turbulent Spirits. And I preſume his Majeſty will be well pleaſed to heare, that your Lordſhip as in other things, ſo in this is carefull, to preſerve order, and peace after it, in the Church. Thus not doubting but your Lordſhip will be carefull to rectifie what is amiſſe, I for this time (being full of my buſineſſe for Scotland) humbly take my leave, and ſhall ever reſt.
Your Lordſhips in all love and ſervice. WILLIAM LAVD. Saint Iohns Feb. 27. 1616.
The third was a letter writ by him to the Biſhop of Lincolne (Dr. Neale) his great Patron, then at Court.
MY humble duty and ſervice remembered unto your Lordſhip, &c. When I was at London at Chriſtmas to doe my duty unto his Majeſty, he was pleaſed very graciouſly to tell me, that the Church of Gloceſter (as his Majeſty had been informed) was more, or as much out of order as any Church in England, and to require me to order ſuch things as I there found amiſſe; upon this admonition of his gratious Majeſty to me, when I came to Glocester, I paſſed with the conſent of the Chapter two Acts; One for the repaire of the Edifice of the Church, which is extreamely decayed in the faireſt places. The other for the remove of the Communion Table, which ſtood almoſt in the mideſt of the Quier, and I with the generall conſent of all the Prebends preſent, after the Act made removed it, and plac'd it, as it NOTE.ſtands in his Majeſties Chappells, and all well ordered Cathedrall Churches, and thus much I ſignified to your Lordſhip from Glouceſter: ſince which time there hath beene a letter or Lybell found in a Pulpit of one of the Churches in the City, againſt both me and that Act, in which the Author (as yet not knowne) wonders that the Prebends would not reſiſt me, and complaines, that there was in none of them the ſpirit of Elias, &c. To prevent further ſtir in the City, ſome thinke it very fit that the High Commiſſion would take ſome ſpeedy order about it, to ſend a NOTE.Commiſſion downe, or otherwiſe, as they in their wiſedome thinke fit. The Circumſtances becauſe they are many I will omit, and inſtead of them, I have herein ſent your Lorſhip a Copy of the Libelling letter as it was ſent to me and a Coppy of a letter ſent to me ſubſcribed by two of the Prebends, and a Coppy of ſo much of a letter as concernes this buſineſſe ſent by Maſter Pryor, now Sub-Deane, that ſo your Lordſhip may ſee the whole ſum of the buſines. VponUpon the receipt of theſe letters, I writ unto my Lord of Glouceſter, but what courſe for redreſſe of theſe things his Lordſhip will take I knowe not. I beſeech your Lordſhip let me have your lawfull aſſiſtance, that ſo long as I do nothing but that which is eſtabliſhed and practiſ'd in our Church, I may not be brought in contempt at my firſt entrace upon that place, by any turbulent ſpirits, and ſo diſinabl'd, to do that good ſervice which I owe to the Church of God. And if it ſtand with your Lordſhips liking, I will humbly deſire that his gracious Majeſty might know, what ſucceſſes I have in beginning NOTE.to reforme, what J found moſt anciſſe in that place. In the cloſe of our Sub-Deanes letter, your Lordſhip ſhall ſee a ſtrange Monſter lately home in that City of Gloceſter. I pray God the Puritanes, which ſwarme in thoſe parts, doe not ſay, it was one of Gods judgments, for turning the Communion Table into an Altar. I would NOTE.have waited upon your Lordſhip for all my buſineſſe, and have brought theſe papers my ſelfe, but that I am unable at this time by ſickneſſe to come out of my Chamber. Therefore I take my leave and ſhall ever reſt.
Your Lordſhips in all love and duty. WILLIAM LAVD. St. Johns Colledge, upon March 3. 1616.
So ſoone did this Prelate begin to introduce theſe Popiſh Innovations into our Cathedralls only at firſt, againſt Law, to the great ſcandall of well affected Proteſtants, and encouragment of Papiſts.
In the Yeares 1626: and 1627. Maſter Iohn Coſens a great acquaintance and Camrade of this Archbiſhops, ſet up a goodly ſtone Altar (rayled in Altarwiſe, adorned with Pictures, Candleſticks, Tapers, Baſons, Altarcloths having ſuperſtitious Images upon them) inſtead of a Communion Table, & bowed conſtantly to it; repaiting and erecting diverſe unlawfull Images (ſome of Chriſt Himſelfe) in that Cathedrall; where the likewiſe introduced Copes and Chalices (having Crucifixes and Pictures of the HOLY GHOST upon them,) together with many other Popiſh trinkets, ſetting up a multitude of Candles & Tapers in that Church on Candlemaſſeday, after the Popiſh manner. Againſt which Innovations Maſter Peter Smart, (the ancienteſt Prebend of that Church) preaching openly in the Cathedrall, and then complaining in Parliament, Anno 1628. after the diſſolution of that Parliament, by this Arch-Innovators means (as appeares by ſundry Letters concerning this buſineſſe between Dr. Coſeus and him found in the Archbiſhops Study) he was ſucceſſively brought into the High Commiſſion Courts, both a Durham, Lambeth, and Luke, for vexation; and at laſt there moſt unjuſtly deprived of all his Eccleſiaſticall livings, fined impriſoned diverſe yeares, and his livings conferred upon others by this Arch-Prelates meanes, as his owne Letters manifeſt. All which particulars having beene lately heard, proved by ſundry depoſitions before the Commons and Lords; and publiſhed in *See Maſter Francis Rouſe his printed Speech at the Tranſmiſſion of Maſter Smarts cauſe to the Lords.Print to the World by Maſter Smart himſelfe, in his Catalogue of Superſtitious Innovations brought into Durham Cathedrall. London 1642. and in his Cantus Epithalamicus) were onelyonly mentioned not inſiſted on, by the Commons; as were his ſeverall Innovations in the Cathedrall of Pauls whiles he was Biſhop of London as notoriouſly viſible to moſt, as his very repairing of Pauls, at other mens coſts.
Theſe Innovations in theſe 3. Cathedralls were introduced, ſomented by him, before his advancement to the Archi-Epiſcopal Sea of Canterbury, after which hee became more bold and violent, enforcing them by new Injunctions, Statutes, Oathes, upon all or moſt Cathedralls; of which the enſuing Inſtances were produced, inſteed of many more.
No ſooner was this active Prelate promoted to the Archbiſhop ricke of Canterburie, but preſently he began to pollute the Cathedrall of Canterbury with his popiſh Innovations in Canterbury Cathedrall.Innovations; Firſt hee cauſed an Altar to be there erected by the Deane and Chapter, and much monies to bee expended by them upon Baſons, Candleſticks, Altar-Cloaths, and other furniture to adorne it, as appeares by a Letter written to him from the Deane and Chapter of Canterbury (found in his ſtudy by Maſter Prynne) under their hand and Seale, dated the 4. Iuly 1634. wherein among other things they write thus:
5ly. We have obeyed Your Graces directions in pulling down the exorbitant States within our Quire, whereby the Church is very much beautified. Laſtly, wee moſt humbly beſeech Your Grace to take notice, that many and moſt neceſſary have beene the occaſions of extraordinary expences this Yeare, FOR ORNAMENTS OF THE ALTAR, &c.
Your Graces moſt humble SERVANTS,
Iſaue Bargrave,
Iohn Warner,
Thomas Iackſon,
Thomas Paske,
Merie Caſ…u…on,
Iohn Iefferay,
Humfrey Peake,
Thomas Blechonden,
Chriſt-Church Canterb: 8, Iuly 1634.
After this new Altar was thus erected, and furniſhed, ſome of the Prebends and other Officers belonging to this Church, had private inſtructions given them to how unto it: but this not ſufficing, that this Ceremony might bee there perpetually obſerved under paine of Perjury, in the Yeare 1634 the Archbiſhop compiled New Statutes for the Government of that Cathedrall, which were ſent thither under the Great Seale, with his owne hand ſubſcribed to every leafe, wherein there was this Statute among others, wch the Prebends, Chapter and Officers there were bound by Oath to obſerve, that they ſhould, SUMMA REVERENTIA ADORARE DEUM VERSVS ALTARE: as was manifeſt by the Statutes themſelves; and atteſted upon Oath by Doctor Thomas Blechenden one of the Prebends there, at the Lords Barre; who confeſſed hee was ſworne to obſerve all the ſtatutes of that Cathedrall, and this among the reſt; that himſelfe uſed this kind of Adoration, which he ſaid was practiſed there before theſe Statutes.
Doctor Thomas Jackſon, the ancienteſt Prebend of this Cathedrall, witneſſed upon Oath, viva Voce, That this Archbiſhop of Canterbury ſent downe Statutes to their Cathedrall, ſubſcribed with his owne hand, to the obſervation of which they were all ſworne; that by one of theſe Statutes they were enjoyned to bow unto the Altar at their comming in, and going out of the Quite, and approaches to the Altar; the words were, that they ſhould ADORARE VERSVS ALTARE: That this bowing was there of late conſtantly practiſed by the Prebends, among others by himſelf; wch he hath left ſince better information, it being a great griefe to his ſoule, & giving much ſcandall; for which he was heartily ſorrowful, and deſired God to forgive him; That theſe Statutes were made about ſeven yeares ſince and that before this Archbiſhops time, there was no ſuch bowing to the Altar uſed in that Cathedrall.
What a Glorious Altar-Cloth with other furniture was provided for this New Altar of late times by Doctor Brayes (the Archbiſhops Chaplaines) direction, what Popiſh Images, Crucifixes, and Reliques of Superſtition, were lately ſtanding in Canterbury Cathedrall, till demoliſhed by Order of Parliament (not given in evidence to husband time,) is at large related by Maſter Culmer, in his Cathedrall newes from Canterbury; to which the Reader may repaire for ſatisfaction.
From Canterbury, we ſhall next hunt this Romiſh Fox to the Cathedrall of Wincheſter, where keeping a Viſitation in the Yeare 1635. by Sir Nathaniell Brent, his Innovations in VVincheſter Cathedrall.,Vicar Generall; he did by his Injunctions under Seale, enjoyne them to provide foure Copes, to Rayle in the Communion Table, and place it Altarwiſe, to bow unto it, and dayly to read the Epiſtles and Gospells at it: This was atteſted by Sir Nathaniell Brent himſelfe; manifeſted by his owne Injunctions to that Church, and by his Articles propoſed to the Colledge of Winchester, produced and reade in the Lords Houſe.
The Iniunctions were theſe, Iniunctiones in Viſitatione Metropolitica Reverendiſsimi in Christo Patris Domini Domini Gulielmi, Providentia divina Cantuarienſis Archiepiſcopi … Angliae Primatis & Metropolitani, tenta in domo Capitulari Eccleſiae Cathed: Sanctae Trinitatis Winton. Die veueris decimo non, viz. die menſio Iunii Anno Domini Milleſimo Sexcenteſimo Triceſimo quinto, per Venerabilem virum Diminum Nathaniel: Brent, Legum Doctorem ac Militem Vicarium Dicti Reverandiſsimi Patris in ſpiritualibus generalem, ac Commiſſarium ſpectaum in hac parte legitime conſtitut; in praeſentia mei Edwardi Cole, ſenioris Notario publici, deputat Will. Shereman Notarii publici dicti Domini Archiepiſcopi Registrarii, principal Actuarii.
1. IN premis praefatus Dominus Dominus Commiſſarius injunxit venerabili viro Johanni Young, Sacrae Theologia profeſſori, Decano & Capitulo dictae Eccleſiae Cathedralis Sanctae Trinitatis, Winton. ad providex: quatuor veſt…s Sacerdotales, Anglice, FOVRE COPES, viz. Duas corum hoc Anno Domini milleſimo ſexcenteſi: NOTE.Triceſimo quinto, & alias duas voſtos ſacerdotales proximo Anno ſequenti; viz. milleſimo ſexconteſimo, Triceſimo ſexto.
2. Item Dominus injunxit, venerabili Decano & Prebendarijs, omnibuſque & ſingulis alijs quibuſcunque, ab majorem reverentiam in ingreſſu ad chorum & egreſſu genu-flectere & conſtanter ſtare tempore lectionis ſymbolorum.
3. Item Dominus injunxit, quod nullus dicti Chori praeſumat legere Epiſt las ſive Evangelium, niſi prins ſit in ſacris ordinibus conſtitutus; dictaſque Epiſtolas & Evangelium indies legendum fore ad ſacram Menſam Euchariſtiae.
4. Item Dominus injunxit praefato Decano & Capitulo, quod majoribus feſtis & ſolennibus ipſe Decanus & Praebendarij ſeriatim in perſonis ſuis proprijs ſacrae peragent dictaſque Epistolas & Evangelium perlegant ad ſacram Menſam Euchariſtiae praedict.
In this Cathedrall theſe Injunctions were not only obeyed, Copes provided, an Altar with all Popiſh furniture erected, bowed to, and ſecond ſervice read thereat, but likewiſe a large naked Crucifixe ſet up over it, to the great ſcandall of many, by Doctor Lewis Maſter of Saint Croſſe, and a Prebend there, the Arch-Prelates Minion and Creature. The like was done at the Cathedrall at Litchfield, where a very large Crucifixe, with a Picture of Chriſt on it almoſt as big as a Gyant, was hanged Innovations in Litchfield Cathedrall.over the High-Altar, with the Pictures of men and women kneeling down before it and praying to it: atteſted by Maſter Prynne, for ſpeaking and writing againſt which moſt ſcandalous Idoll, the Lady Davis was committed to priſon diverſe yeare, and ordered to be ſent to Bedlam.
In 12. Caroli new Statutes made by the Archbiſhop of Canterbury ſubſcribed with his owne hand in every page, were ſent downe by him under the Kings broad ſeale, Innovations at Hereford.to the Cathedrall Church at Hereford to be there ſworne to and obſerved, which enjoyned theſe following Ceremonies, not required by the old Statutes, nor there practiſed till the receiving of theſe new ones and then ſtrictly put in uſe.
1. Every Reſidentiary is bound to officiate twice every yeare himſelfe under the paine of paying 40s. to bee layd out upon the Ornaments of the Church: Cap. 7. qui vero.
2. That they ſhall officiate on Sundayes and Holydayes in their Copes Cap. eodem praecipue.
3. That they are to ſtand no at the Creeds, and the Goſpell, and doxologies, and to bow ſo as often as the name of Jeſus is mentioned, and that no man bee covered in the Church, cap. eodem, Litania.
4. That every one is to bow verſus Altare, Cap. eodem, ſinguli vero.
5. Prayer before Sermons injoyned according to the 55th. Can. Cap. 9. Huic autem.
The like Statutes were ſent to moſt other Cathedralls, and put in practiſe with al diligence by this Archbiſhops meanes.
What Innovations were made in the Cathedrall Church of Worceſter, and by whom, will appeare by this accompt of Doctor Manwaring, Dean thereof, under his hand, given to the Archbiſhop, of the alterations there made, endorſed with the Arch-Biſhops owne hand thus, Recepi September 24. 1635. Concerning the Church of Worceſter; from Doctor Manwaring Deane there; and his SERVICES done there, (found in his ſtudy, and atteſted by Maſter Prynne.)
1635. An accompt given of what ſervice the Deane of Worceſter, did at his Maieſties Cathedrall there, what time he firſt came thither, in NOVEMBER laſt, 1634.
1. AN Altar-stone of Marbell erected and ſet upon foure Columnes.NOTE.
2. The wall behind the Altar covered with Azure coloured ſtuffe with a white ſilke lace downe each ſeame.
3. The Altar it ſelfe adorned with a pall, an upper, and lower front.
5. A perfect Inventory taken of all Ornaments, Vestments and implements of the Church, as well ſacra, as focalia.
Divers veſtments and other Ornaments of the Church, as Copes, Carpets, and fronts, NOTE.being turned into Players Capps, Coates, and imployed to that uſe by the direction of Mr. Nath. Tompkins, I cauſed to be burned, and the Silver extrasted put into the Treaſurie of the Church.
14. The Kings Schollers being 40. uſually coming tumultuouſly into the Chore, ordered NOTE.to come in bimatim, and to doe reverence towards the Altar.
Moreover the Archbiſhop in his Injunctions to the Dean & Chapter of the Cathedrall Church of Chicester, made in his Metropoliticall Viſitation there, An. 1635. orders thus in his 6. Injunction; Item, That you provide Copes fitting for the ſervice of your Cathedrall, by one a year, untill you be ſufficiently furniſhed with them, as was proved by the Injunctions found in his own Study, atteſted by Mr. Prynne, an Altar with all its furniture and adorations towards it, being there likewiſe provided and uſed.
The like Innovations were introduced and preſcribed by his Injunctions, and new ſtatutes in all or moſt Cathedralls in England and Wales, to the great rejoycing of the Popiſh Party, and ſcandall of all true zealous Proteſtants, and any default in them was reputed a crime preſentable, as appeared by this Paſſage of an Abſtract of the Abuſes in the Dioceſſe of Lincolne, 1634. in my Metropoliticall viſitation, endorſed with the Archbiſhops hand and found in his ſtudy. Lincolne Auguſt 9. 1634. The Communion Table is not very decent, and the Raile before it is worſe: the Organs old and naught, The Copes and Veſtments are embeſelled, and none remaine, &c. And in another Abſtract concerning his Metropoliticall Viſitation in other Dioceſſes, & particulars concerning the ſame, indorſed likewiſe with his own hand, there are theſe paſſages. Norwich, the hangings of the Quire are naught, the Copes are fair, but want mending. In the Cathedrall as Worceſter they have no Copes, but are ordered to buy ſome before the feast of the Annuntiation. In the Cathedrall at Glouceſter many things amiſſe. No Copes &c. in Wincheſter Cathedrall they have no Copes: ſome do not bow when they come into the Quire, nor at the bleſſed name of Ieſus. Litchfield, the furniture of the Altar &c. very meane; Therefore care muſt be taken for more coſtly furniture.
Whence this Archbiſhop took his Commiſſion and preſident for adorning our Cathedrall and Collegeat Churches thus above others with theſe Romiſh Ornaments, & ſuperſtitious Innovations, which in truth defiled them, is worthy our ſpeciall obſervation, it being in taken from the very Roman Ceremoniall ſet forth & reformed by the Command of Pope Clement the 8. lib. 1. cap. 12. De ornatu Eccleſiae, p. 64. which preſcribes thus: Sic MAJOR ETIAM …VRA adhibenda erit IN ORNATV ECCLESIAE CATHEDRALJS, AVT COLLEGJATAE, quae & numeroſum clerum habeat, & ſupellectilem amplam, que congrué ſituata, & ſuis partibus apté diſtincta COMMODJOREM ORNANDI PRAE…EAT FACVLTATEM: after which it preſcribes Altars, Altar-clothes, Candleſtickes, Tapers, Crucifixes, Jmages, Copes, Rich hangings for the Altar and Quire, with Jmages of Chriſt, our Lady, and Saints; bowing to the Altar and Crucifix; and that all Altars ſhould have at leaſt two Candleſtickes with Tapers, and a Croſſe of Silver, or of ſome other mettall placed on the midſt of the Altar, with the Image of Christ crucified on it, as you may there read at large.
This Arch Prelate not content to propagate theſe Innovations in England, like an Vniverſall Patriarch over all his Majeſties Realms endeavoured the introducing of them with an high hand into all the Cathedralls, Churches and Chappells in Ireland, by the then Lord Deputy Wentworthes power, (his great Creature) of which we ſhall give you this briefe accompt.
Dr. Bramhall Chaplaine to this Lord Deputy, by his Command, Auguſt 10. 1633. ſent over an Account of the ſtate of the Church of Jreland to this Prelate, as he found it, and what Alterations hee had already made in it (ſeized in the Archbiſhops ſtudy by Mr. Prynne) wherein are theſe obſervable clauſes.
RIght Reverend Father,
My moſt honoured Lord, preſuming partly upon your licence, but eſpecially directed by my Lord Deputies commandes, I am to give your Father-hood a briefe account of the preſent ſtate of the poore Church of Ireland, ſuch as our ſhort Intelligence here, and your Lordſhip: weightier imployments there will permit, &c. In Chriſt Church, the principall Church in Ireland, withor the Lord Deputy and Councell repaire every Sunday, the Table uſed for adminiſtration of the bleſſed Sacrament in the MIDST OF THE QVIRE, is made an ordinary ſeat for Maidons, and Apprentices. J cannot omitte the glorious Tombe in the other Cathedrall Church NOTE.of ſaint Patrike in the proper place of the Altar, juſt oppoſite to his Majesties ſeat, having his Fathers name ſubſcribed upon it, as if it were contrived on purpoſe to gaine that worſhip and reverence which the Chapter and whole Church are bound by ſpeciall ſtatute to give towards the Eaſt, and either the ſoyle it ſelfe, or a Licence to build, and bury, NOTE.and make a Vault, in the place of the Altar, under Sealetant, which is tantamount, is paſſed to the Earle and his heires (Credimus eſſe Deos.) This being the caſe in Dublin, your Lordſhip will Judge what we may expect in the Country.
The Earle of Corke holdes the whole Biſhopricke of Liſmore, at the Rate of fortie ſhillings or five markes by the yeare.
For the remedying of theſe evills, next to God and his ſacred Majeſty, I know my Lord depends upon your Fatherhoods wiſedom and zeale for the Church; my duty binds me to pray for a bleſſing upon both your good endeavours: for the preſent, my Lord hath pulled down the Deputies ſeat in his owne Chapell, and reſtored the Altar … ancient place, NOTE.which was thruſt out of dores, the like is done in Chriſts Church.
This teſtimony I muſt give of his care, that it is not poſſible for the intentions of a mortall man, to be more ſerious and ſincere then his, in thoſe things that concerne the good of this poore Church.
Your Lordſhips▪ daily …dſman and devoted ſervant. Iohn Bramhall. Dublin Caſtle, Aug. 10. 1643.NOTE.
VponUpon this Information, the Archbiſhop ſignifyed his diſlike of erecting this Monument by the Earle of Corke, in the place where the High Altar (as was miſinformed) anciently ſtood, and gave ſome directions for removing it: Whereupon the Earle of Corks, and Archbiſhop of Dublin writ theſe enſuing Letters to ſatisfie his Grace in this particular, (which were ſeconded with other Letters from Archbiſhop Vſher, and the Deane and Prebends of Saint Patrickes Church, to like effect, overtedious to recite.)