Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 5
The fifth particular branch of the Evidence to prove the first Generall Charge againſt the Arch-biſhop of Canterbury.
WEE ſhall in the next place proceed to the eighth and ninth Originall Article, which we ſhall addreſſe our ſelves to prove, and make a fifth Generall Proof of his Trayterous Endeavours to ſubvert Gods true Religion by Law eſtabliſhed in our Church, and to ſet up Popiſh ſuperſtition and Idolatry in its ſteed: and that is, His countenancing, commending, fomenting, and preferring of divers Clergymen, who were moſt addicted to, and greateſt Writers, ſticklers for Arminian Errors and Superſtious Popish Doctrines, Ceremonies, Innovations, to the beſt Eccleſiaſticall Dignities, Promotions, Benefices, and making ſome of them Chaplaines to his Majeſty, to the Princes Highneſſe; and Heads of Colledges in our Ʋniverſities, to poyſon thoſe Fountaines of Religion: Seconded with his contrary diſcountenancing, ſuppreſſing, ſuſpending, cenſuring, impriſoning, perſecuting, and driving forth of this Kingdome ſuch zealous, Orthodox Preaching Miniſters who were moſt bold and reſolute to oppoſe them.
For pregnant proof of the former Branch of this particular.
Firſt, it is clear and undenyable not onelyonly by known experience and divers Letters found in his ſtudy, but by the Docquet Bookes and privy Signets on record, that this Archbiſhop (contrary to the uſe of his Predeceſtors) incroached, uſurped to himſelfe from the year of our Lord 1627. when he firſt grew potent at Court and became Biſhop of Bath & Wells, afterwards of London, before he was Archbiſhop, and ever ſince he mounted to the See of Canterbury, the diſpoſition and donation of all or moſt Biſhopricks, Deaneries, Prebendaries and Benefices of note in his Majeſties gift, or in the gift of the Lord Keeper and Maſter of the Court of Wards, not onelyonly within the Kingdomes of England, but of Scotland and Ireland too; and that he uſurped the power of nominating Chaplaines in ordinary to his Majeſties and the Princes Highneſſe (contrary to all former Preſidents) belonging time out of mind to the Lord High Chamberlaines Office, who had the nomination of theſe Chaplaines and ſwore and inveſted them in their office, as Maſter Oldeſworth (a Member of the Houſe of Commons) Secretary to the late High Chamberlaine the Honourable Earle of Pembrooke atteſted upon Oath, and the Noble Earle himſelfe averred upon his Honour; a thing ſo notorious to all old Courtiers, and Chaplaines in ordinary to the King, as to doubt of it were a Soleciſme.
To make this apparent by punctuall proofes, we ſhall inſtance in ſuch particular perſons which were advanced by him to Biſhopricks even for their erronious Arminian opinions, or dangerous Popiſh Tenets and Practiſes. We have *See p. 157. to 164.formerly proved, that Richard Mountague was queſtioned and voted againſt in the Commons Houſe in Parliament April 13. 1626. for his Arminian and Popiſh Tenets, publiſhed in his Gagge and Appeale, and, endeavouring, as much as in him lay to reconcile us to Popery: which complaint was revived againſt him in the enſuing Parliament, An. 1627. No ſooner was that Parliament diſſolved; but this Prelate, then Biſhop of London, who fomented, protected him againſt the Parliament all he could, in ſtead of diſcountenancing, puniſhing, advanced him to the Biſhoprick of Chicheſter in the place of Biſhop Carlton who writ againſt him. This was evidenced by the Docquet Book it ſelfe, wherein this entry of the Privy Signet and Election is recorded, Iuly 18. 1628. His Majeſties Royall aſſent for Richard Mountague, Batchelour in Divinity, to bee Biſhop of Chicheſter, ſignified, By order of the LORD BISHOP OF LONDON (Laud) And by the Record it ſelfe of the Kings Royall Aſſent, produced at the Bat by Maſter Prynne, and there Read in theſe Words.
CHARLES R.
REX, &c. Reverendiſſimo in Chriſto Patri perdilecto & perquam fideli Noſtro Domino Georgio providentia divina Cantuar: Archiepiſcopo ac totius Angliae Primati & Metropolitano, ac aliis quibuſcunque Epiſcopis quorum in hac parte intererit, ſalutem: Cum vacante …uper ſede Epiſcopi Ciceſtren: per mortem naturalem vltimi Epiſcopi ejuſdem, ad humilem petitionem Decani & Capituli Eccleſiae noſtrae Cathedralis Ciceſtr: per Literas Noſtras petendi licentiam conceſſerimus alium ſibi eligendum in Epiſcopum & pastorem ſedis pradicti, iidem Decanus & Capitulum vigore & obtentu licentiae noſtrae perdilectum nobis in Chriſto Richardum Mountague; ſacrae Theologia Baccalaurum ſibi et Eccleſia praedicta elegerunt in Epiſcopum & paſtorem, prout per literas ſuas, ſigillo corum communi ſigillatas Nobis inde direstas plenius liquet & apparet. Nos electionem illam acceptantes eidem electioni Regium noſtrum aſſenſum adhibuimus pariter et faverem, et hoc vobis tenore praeſentium ſignificamus. Rogantes, ac in ſide et dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini firmiter precipiendo mandautes, quatenus vos eundum Richardum Mountague in Epiſcopum et paſtorem Eccleſiae Cathedralis noſtrae Ciceſtren: pradictae fie vt praefertur electum, electionemque praedict: confirmare, et cundem Epiſcopum et paſtorem Eceleſiae Cathedralis predictae conſecrare, ceteraque omnia et ſingula peragere quae veſtro in hac parte incumbunt officio paſtorali, juxta formam ſtatutorum et legum Regni noſtri Angliae in hac parte edit… et proviſ: velitis cum diligentia, favere, & effectu. In cujus rei, &c.
This conteineth your Majeſties Royall Aſſent for Richard Mountague Batchelar in Divinity to be Biſhop of Chicheſter, voyde by the death of the laſt Incumbent. By order of the Lord Biſhop of London.
After this he ſo far honoured him, as to be preſent at his conſecration; Witneſſe this paſſage in his Diary, penned with his own-hand. Auguſt 23. 24. 1628. Saturday Saint Bartholmeus Eve, the Duke of Buckingham ſlain at Portſmouth by one Lieutenant Felton about 9. in the morning; the Newes of his death came to Croydon where it found my ſelfe, and the Biſhops of Wincheſter, Ely and Carliſle at the conſecration of Biſhop Mountague for Chicheſter, with my Lords Grace. In the year 1638. upon the Tranſlation of Biſhop Wren to Ely; this Archbiſhop preferred him to the See of Norwich; witneſſe Biſhop Mountagues Letter to the Archbiſhop thus endorſed with his own hand. Rec. Martii 29. 1638. Bishop of Ghicheſters ſubmiſſion of his Bookes to me, &c. Found in his Study at Lambeth and atteſted by Maſter Prynne.
May it pleaſe your Grace,
By Mr Bray I ſent your Grace another part of my Altar Relations, as my between-times of ſickneſſe would give me leave to tranſcribe; the reſt as I can diſpatch it, I will ſend after with Gods helpe: In the laſt, there is much of the Churches ſacrifice, faithfully related out of Antiquity not poſitively by me aſſerted. I am but a Narrator, and ſo the leſſe offenſive. Howſoever I give your Grace Power to diſpoſe Note.of what I write, as will fit the Church and State. For we are, I know, of the ſame Religion, drive to the ſame end, though not the ſame way. So much I related to Maſter Bray, and Mr Deane of Chriſt-Church. The remaynes of my Ague are worſe then the Ague it ſelfe, ſo that I cannot waite upon your Grace as I would. Yeſterday I took a Purgation, which I hope will doe me good, but hath much weakened mee, and Phiſitians in expelling the remaynes and reſtoring health unto the caſtle of ſtrength, ſay they muſt tuto pede movere. I cannot learn that my Lord of Norwich is yet fully tranſlated, till when I ſuppoſe there is no iſſuing of my Conge D'eſleer: I muſt humbly intreat your Grace that you would be pleaſed to informe me, when and what I should doe, in both which I am ſo ignorant: God make me profitable to his Church, to which I can bring nothing but honeſty and Induſtry, which I will promiſe; and to your Grace thankefullneſſe for your long-continued extraordinary Favours; in which vote I reſt.Note
Your Graces poor Servant and Brother, Rich. Ciciſt. For the moſt Reverend my Lord of Canterbury his Grace, this.
By this Letter it is moſt apparent: Firſt, that Biſhop Mountague made the Archbiſhop acquainted with his Bookes before he printed them, and ſubmitted them to his cenſure: and how full of Popery they are, you have already heard: Yea after they were printed he preſented him with printed Coppies of them curiouſly bound up and guilded, produced and read formerly at the Lords Barre: Secondly, That Canterbury and he were of the ſame religion, and did drive at the ſame end; and what was that but the erecting of Altars, the introducing of Popery, and reconciling us to Rome, as this Letter and the foregoing evidence manifeſt. Thirdly, That his promotions were by the Archbiſhops long-continued extraordinary favours, for which he returnes him thankes in this Letter. And no wonder was it, that Biſhop Mountague was his ſpeciall Favourite; for if we beleeve the Pamphlet intituled; The Popes Nuncio, p. 11. 14. 16. (firſt publiſhed in Italian by the Venetian Embaſſadour) this great confident of the Archbiſhop was very intimate with Panzain the Popes firſt Legate, frequently viſited him, and very paſſionately deſired a Reconciliation of us and the Church of Rome: Yea, Godfrey Goodman Biſhop of Gloceſter, in his Letter to the Archbiſhop whiles they were both priſoners in the Tower, dated Auguſt 30. 1642. (the originall whereof was ſeiſed on by M. Prynne) writes: That at that inſtant when he diſſented from the New Canons (by Biſhop Mountagues encouragement) An. 1640. he could have proved, how that in his perſon he did viſit and held correſpondency with the Popes Agent and received his Letters in behalfe of his Sonne who was Note.then travelling to Rome, who by his Letters he had extraordinary entertainment there. This Biſhop Mountague would aſcribe to the favour and credit which he had gotten by his writings. If ſo, it ſeemes they were very well approved of at Rome; And this is not onelyonly probable but reall, as appeares by an originall *See a neceſſary Introduction to the Archbiſhop of Canterbury his Tryall. p. 146. 147.Letter under Biſhop Mountagues own hand to Secretary Windebanke, dated from Aldingburne Jan. 26. wherein he deſires this Popiſh Secretary to give his ſon leave to goe to Rome in his travell, which he is deſireous to do, and I (writes he) AM DESIROVS HE SHOVLD; deſiring him to acquaint his GRACE therewith, and remember his duty to him: His Graces advancement then of ſuch an Arminian and Romiſh Prelate, ſo intimate with the Popes Legate and much favoured at Rome, muſt certainly favour of a Romiſh deſigne to corrupt our Church, ſubvert our Religion, ſet up Popery and reduce us back to Rome.
Doctor Roger Manwaring Vicar of Saint Giles in the fields, a man very Popiſhly affected, and intimate with Papiſts, who abounded in his Pariſh; upon a complaint and Impeachment of the Commons in Parliament for two Sermons preached before his Majeſtie the third year of his reigne, in Justification of the Lawfulneſſe of the Kings impoſing Loues and Taxes on his People without conſent in Parliament, to the ſubverſion of the Property and Liberty of the Subjects (which Sermons were preached and printed by this Archbiſhops ſpeciall ſolicitation) was on the 14. of June 1628. cenſured by the Lords in Parliament; and thereby perpetually diſabled from all future Eccleſiaſticall preferments in our Church: Of this cenſure the Archbiſhop took ſpeciall Notice inſerting it into his Diary: adding, that himſelf was complained of by the houſe of Commons June 12. for warranting Doctor Manwarings Sermons to the Preſſe. Yet no ſooner was this Parliament ended, but in high affront of their publike cenſure, in Iuly following, by this Prelates aſſiſtance, Doctor Manwaring (as was proved by the Docquet Booke) was preſented unto the Rectory of Stamford Rivers in the County of Eſſex, voyd by the promotion of Richard Mountague to the Biſhopricke of Chicheſter; he who had right thereto was put by; and a diſpenſation granted to Doctor Manwaring to hold it with the Rectory of St. Giles which made this Doctor in the ſuperſcription of a Letter of his to this Archbiſhop, when London, about the Commiſſion of Fees in London Churches Jan. 28. 1631 (indorſed with the Biſhops own hand and found in his ſtudy) to ſtile him, My ſingular good Lord: And ſo he proved; for ſoon after, as was proved by the Docquet Booke, in May 1633. the Deanery of Worceſter was granted to this Doctor; and the grant ſignified to the ſignet office by the Biſhop of London (Laud) who procured him this preferment: What ſervice Manwaring did in that Church in ſetting up a Marble Altar, introducing Copes with other Popiſh Innovations, and what Account he gave thereof to the Archbiſhop his Patriot, you may formerly read, p. 81. under both their hands; which was ſuch a Meritorious Work that in few dayes after, the Archbiſhop procured a Conge d'eſlier for him to the Biſhopricke of St. Davids in Wales; which was ſigned by the Archbiſhop himſelfe, as appeares by the Docquet Booke in the ſignet office (produced at the Lords Bar) among the entries of December 1635. After which, himſelfe conſecrated him Biſhop of that See, as was proved by his own Diary, wherein he entred this Memento with his owne hand: Feb. 28. 1635. I conſecrated Doctor Roger Manwaring Biſhop of Saint Davids. So that this paire of malignant active Popiſh Prelates, Mountague and Manwaring, received all their Eccleſiaſticall preferments after the proceedings againſt them in ſeverall Parliaments, by his procurement, in higheſt affront of their Authority and Cenſures; who obtained likewiſe a Royall Pardon procured for them, entred in the Docquet Booke, Jan. 1628. Both drawne according to his Majeſties pardons of Grace granted to his ſubjects at his Coronation, with ſome particulars for the pardoning of all Errours heretofore committed ſeverally by them, either in speaking, writing or printing, whereby they might be hereafter queſtioned.
But to proceed to others; Auguſt 1628. we finde in the Docquet Booke a Conge d'ſliere, and Royall Aſſent by order from the Biſhop of London for Doctor Mawe (a known Arminian) to be Biſhop of Bath and Wells: and the like in the ſame MonethMonth for Doctor Richard Corbet (a profeſſed Arminian and one well-affected to Popery) to be Biſhop of Oxford, by order from this Biſhop, who afterwards promoted him to Norwich. In November, 1628, A Conge d'ſlier by his order too, was directed to the Deane and Chapter of Yorke to elect Samuell Harſnet then Biſhop of Norwich (a profeſſed notorious Arminian well inclined to Popery) to the Archbishopricke of York. Mart. 25. 1632. we find a Conge D'eſlire to the Dean and Chapter of Chriſt-Church to Elect Doctor John Bancroft Biſhop of Oxford, and in June following a Warrant for the reſtitution of the temporalities of this Biſhoprick to him, both ſubſcribed & ſignified by the Biſhop of London; and what a corrupt unpreaching Popiſh Prelate Bancroft was, is known to all the Univerſity of Oxford. In Octob. 1632. We find theſe four ſeverall Conge D'eſlires all procured by order of this Prelate, then Biſhop of London. One to the Dean and Chapter of Wincheſter to Elect Walter (Curle) Biſhop of Bath and Wells to be Biſhop of Wincheſter; Alike, to the Deane and Chapter of Coventry and Lichfield, to Elect Robert (Wright) Biſhop of Briſtol, to be Biſhop of that See. Alike to the Deane and Chapter of Peterborough, to Elect Doctor Auguſtine Linſell (an Arch-Arminian and very Popiſh and Superstitious, as was atteſted by Mr. Peter Smart upon Oath, and the Author of moſt of the Innovations in Durham Cathedrall, who joyned therin with Doctor Coſins) Biſhop of that See. Alike, to Elect Doctor Pierce Biſhop of Bath and Wells. Now how active all theſe Prelates were to ſet up Altars, introduce all Popish Ceremonies, ſuppreſſe Lectures, ſilence Miniſters, promote the Book of sports, advance Arminianiſme and Popery, hath beene already manifeſted in the premiſes: And we find that Doctor Lindſell was afterwards tranſlated to the Biſhoprick of Hereford Jan. 1633. and this Biſhop of Wincheſter made the Kings chiefe Almoigner in Iune 1637. by Order of this Archbiſhop. In Octob. 1635. we meet with in the Docquet Book a Conge D'eſlire and Letter to the Dean and Chapter of Norwich, to Elect Mathew Wren Biſhop of Norwich, both ſignified by this Archbiſhop of Canterbury; and the like for his tranſlation to Ely, March 17. 1637. by Order from this Archbiſhop. Now what an Arminian and Popiſh Innovator this Prelate was in all particulars (the Popiſh furniture of whoſe Chappell with Baſons, Candleſticks, Corporalls, Altar-cloths, A Chalice with a croſſe upon it, and other Popiſh Trinkets as appears by his own Book of Accounts coſting him 159. l. 4. ſhil. 1. d.) and how great a perſecutor, ſilencer, ſupreſſer of Godly Miniſters, people, the world experimentally knows, and the premiſes demonſtrate. We could inſtance in ſundry Engliſh & Welſh Biſhops more of the ſame ſtrain who were all advanced by his order, means, as namely Bi Neal made Archbiſhop of York by him; (an Arch promoter of Arminians, Popiſh Clergy men and all Popiſh Innovations:) Dr Iuckeſon, firſt made Biſhop of Hereford, afterward of London, and Lord Treaſurer by this Archbiſhop: A man though of a milde temper; yet as Superſtitious, as Popiſh as moſt of the former; and his Viſitation Articles (eſpecially the laſt enforcing the New Cannons and Etcetera Oath) as Superſtitious and Vile as any: Doctor Duppa Biſhop of Chicheſter, a known Arminian and very Superſtitious: Doctor Skinner Biſhop of Bristoll, and after of Oxford, a man tainted with Arminianiſme, and very much addicted to Popiſh Superſtitions, Innovations; with ſundry others; but theſe ſhall ſuffice. OnelyOnly we cannot pretermit a notable Letter of Dr. Iohn Towers to Sir Iohn Lamb, to be a Mediator to his Grace, to confer the Biſhopricke of Peterborough upon him; which Letter intimates, that all Biſhopricks and Eccleſiaſticall Preferments were then in his diſpoſall.
Worthy SIR,
I Intended onelyonly my hearty Thankes to you in this Letter, for what I read in your laſt Letter to my Lord Biſhop, concerning my ſelfe; and your true Love in that I ſhall ever acknowledge with a ſincere heart. But now Sir, I muſt intreat leave of you, that I may joyn an earneſt ſuite to my thankes. My Lord Biſhop, I hear, is to be tranſlated to Hereford, and I am not thought on to ſucceed him. I dare not write to my Lords Grace of Canterbury. But I dare hope of his goodnes to me, and that he will commiſerate my caſe, when he ſhall be truly informed of my need, and what an utter diſcredit it will be to me in my Country, when I ſhall be intercepted by whomſoever, now the third time, after that his Grace did encourage me to pitch upon this Biſhoprick Notein his houſe at Weſtminſter. In truth Sir, if I miſſe of it this third time, I shall have no Joy to shew my face in the Dioceſſe. Therfore I beſeech you, that you will ſpeedily be my earneſt Solicitor to his Grace, that if for no other reaſon, yet out of meer compaſſion I may not be ſo utterly disheartened. I could be as glad to ſee Doctor Sibthorp in the Deanry almoſt as my ſelfe in the Pallace. Your intereſt in his Graces Love, may be a powerfull Mediator for us both. Good Sir delay not the time, to commend my cauſe to his Grace; in whoſe goodneſſe I cannot but have great confidence. I heartily commend you to Gods grace, and will ever be,
Your very thankefull friend. Jo. Towers. Peterborough, Sept. 30. 1638.
What effect this Letter produced, appeares by the Docquet Book, Octob. 29. 1638. Where we find both a Conge De'ſlire, and Letter to the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough, to Elect this aſpiring Dr. for their Biſhop, both drawn up, by Warrant from this Archbishop of Canterbury. Belike Sir Iohn Lambe found this Doctor very thankfull for his promotion according to his promiſe, the rather, becauſe we find in the Docquet Book, Novemb. 5. 1638. A preſentation of this Dr Towers to the Rectory of Caſter in the dioceſſe of Peterborough, by order from the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. Who as he diſpoſed of all Bishopricks in England, ſo likewiſe in Ireland even whiles he was Biſhop of London and ſince, as appeares, not onelyonly by ſundry Letters from Doctor Vſher Primate of Ireland, and other Irish Prelates, found in his Study, but by ſeverall Writings and Warrants under his hand for diſpoſing Biſhopricks there; we ſhall inſtance onelyonly in three.
The firſt of them (ſeiſed in his Study by Mr. Prynne) is thus indorſed with the Archbiſhops own hand. Mr. Lancaſters Reaſons why he should be Archbishop of Caſſils, though he be thought too young.
Maii 21. 1629.
WHereas the Lord Biſhop of London objected againſt my age, as being under 50. Your hon…our may be pleaſed, if it shall be inſiſted upon, to make known to his Majeſtie, that the lamentable eſtate of that Church is ſuch, that it is requiſite hee should be active, able, and wealthy, rather then old and decrepid, that should have that Bishopricke, to proſecute the recovery of the revenues thereof, where the laſt Archbishop left, who ſpent and spoyled himſelfe in the proſecution thereof, and ſo ſhall any other that ſhall undertake that, unleſſe he ſhall be of competent age, and ſhall have his Majeſties gracious favour and furtherance therein. Again, gravity, ſobriety, ſincerity, integrity, courage, counſell, goodneſſe, godlineſſe, hospitallity, and charity are more to be regarded in that Country, (where they pry with Eagles eyes into our lives and converſations, but will not heare our doctrine) then old age, where he ſhall not long want grey haires, if ſuites, troubles, moleſtations, vexations, perſecutions, and afflictions can procure them. Againe, it is held by moſt, that neither Saint John the Evangeliſt, nor Timothy the firſt Biſhop of the Epheſians, were above 30. yeares old, and yet our Saviour made choyce of the former, and Saint Paul of the latter, ſaith in the firſt of Tim. 4. and 12. Let no man deſpiſe thy youth.
By this its apparant that the power of diſpoſing the Archbiſhopricks and Biſhopricks in Ireland were in this Prelates hands, and that he rejected or advanced whom he pleaſed there; and therefore muſt be ſatisfied,
The ſecond is this Note writ with this Archbiſhops own hand found among Secretary Windebanks Papers, who thus endorſed it. Jan. 1634. My Lord of Canterburies Note for George Andrews Dean of Limbrick to be Biſhop of Fernes and Laughlin.
George Andrewes Dean of Limbricke to be Biſhop of Fernes and Laughlin: To hold in Commendam any thing he hath ſaving the Deanery. The Biſhopricke is voyd by the death of the late Biſhop thereof. You muſt draw up a Letter accordingly out of hand.
W. Cant.
Thirdly, A Warrant thus endorſed with the Archbiſhops own hand; A Warrant for the Biſhop of Limericke; writ by his Secretary Dell, and ſigned by himſelf in this forme: which will demonſtrate the forme of all his other Orders and Warrants to the Signet for the forementioned Engliſh Biſhops.
SIR,
YOu are to prepare a Bill for his Majeſties Signature after the uſuall manner, conteining a grant of the Biſhoprick of Limericke in Ireland, now voyde by the death of the late Biſhop there, to George Webbe Doctor in Divinity, and one of his Majeſties Chaplaines in ordinary. And for ſo doing theſe ſhalbe your Warrant.
Septemb. 22. 1634. W. Cant. To the Clerke of his Majeſties Signet attending.
His Authority in diſpoſing the Biſhopricks in Ireland was ſo abſolute, that William Biſhop of Corke and Roſſe in his Letter to this Archbiſhop. Aug. 7. 1640. (after he had paſſed through one or two Biſhopricks there) writes thus by way of acknowledgement to him for his preferments there; What I had or have is of your Graces goodneſſe, under him who gives life and breath, and all things; and under our gratious Soveraigne, who is the breath of our noſtrels.
The like we could prove for Scotland: and what kinde of Popiſh and Arminian Biſhops he there preferred, themſelves have ſufficiently declared in their Charge againſt him, and other *See Maſter Baylies Canterburian ſelfeconviction.Writings.
Not to inſiſt upon his earneſt endeavour and conteſt to promote Dr. Theodor Price Vice-Deane of Weſtminſter, to a Welch Biſhopricke, as the fitteſt man in his conſcience of all others, who lived a profeſſed Unpreaching Epicure, Arminian, and dyed a reconciled Papiſt to the Church of Rome ſoon after, receiving extream unction from a Popiſh Prieſt, who miſſed the Biſhoprick onelyonly by the Noble Earle of Pembrooks oppoſition, to which Dr. Owen was preferred in his ſtead.
We ſhall paſſe from Biſhopricks to Deaneries. To pretermit his advancement of Dr Manwaring, Dr Wren, Dr Duppa, and others to Deaneries, ere they were made Biſhops. Decemb. 1635. the Deanery of Worceſter was granted to Dr Chriſtopher Potter (a profeſſed Arminian, which Dr. Featly atteſted) by ſignification and order of this Archbiſhop of Canterbury, as the Docquet Book records: to whom he ſubmitted the correction of his Book entituled, Want of Charity; and imputed his preferments, witneſſe this Doctors own Letter to the Archbiſhop, the originall whereof, atteſted by M. Prynne, was produced and read, as followeth.
My moſt honoured Lord,
I Humbly thanke your Grace for very many Demonſtrations of your Love to me, and particularly for your last favourable mediation to his Majeſty in my behalfe, for a Prebend in Windſor. The conveniency of that preferment (if my Soveraign Maſter pleaſe to confer it on me) I ſhall value much more then the profit: But how ever reſolve, not to preſcribe to your Grace, much leſſe to his Majeſtie, or with immodesty or importunity to preſſe you. I bleſſe God for what I have, and hope he will give me the grace to rest well contented with my preſent condition, what ſoever it is. In the means while my Lord, the Obligations which I have to you are ſuch, as I can never ſatisfy, but with my prayers, which ſhall be conſtant, that your Grace may long live with honour and comfort Note.to ſerve God, his Majeſty, and this Church; which daily feeles the benefit of your wiſdome and goodneſſe, &c.
Your Graces in all humility. Chr. Potter. Octob. 6. 1633. Queenes Colledge.
In April 1635. We find in the Docques Book a Preſentation of Dr Richard Bayly (generally reputed an Arminian, and Popiſhly affected) to the Deanery of Sarum, by Order from this Archbiſhop. In October 1638. Dr Thomas Jackeſon, a profeſſed Arminian (as Doctor Daniel Featly his fellow-Collegian atteſted) was made Dean of Peterborough, by the order and procurement of this Archbiſhop. By his meanes, Biſhop Wren was made Dean of his Majeſtics Chappell: And to conclude with one notable inſtance more inſtead of all others. October 16. 1640. the Deanery of Peterborough was granted to Doctor John Coſin; by ſignification and order from this Archbiſhop, who promoted him to this dignity by his own confeſſion, th… written with his own hand & atteſted by M. Prynne: I preſented four of his Majeſties Chaplaines in ordinary to his Majeſtie for the Deanery of Peterborough: His Majesty pitched upon Doctor Coſia in regard his meanes lying in the Biſhoprick of Durham was in the Scots hands, and nothing left to maintain him, his wife and children, but a poor Headſhip worth 40. l. per anuum; And out of the ſame conſideration, and no other, did I put his name with the reſt to his Majeſty. What an Arch-Promoter of Popiſh Doctrines, Ceremonies, Innovations this Dr Coſin was, appeares by the *See p 70. 73, 74. 78. 193.premiſes; and Maſter Peter … teſtimony of him upon Oath, and what a recall intimate friend this Arch biſhop was to him, what a Patri…t and Protector of him againſt al Proſecutions, might be evidenced by ſundry Letters paſſing between them, over tedious to recite, the Originals whereof, found in the Archbiſhops Study, we have ready to produce.
For Clergy men infected with Arminianiſme, Popery, and devoted to Popiſh Ceremonies, … by him to be Chaplaines in ordinary to his Majeſty, & the Prince his Highneſſe; to corrupt their Perſons, Courts, in the Theory and Practiſe of Religion; we ſhall inſtance only in theſe enſuing: Dr Richard Bayly Deane of …; Dr Thomas Turner, Dr William Heywood, Dr Richard Marſh: Dr William Hutchinſon: (all formerly his own Chaplaines, as appears by a list of his Chaplaines ſince he was Biſhop, written with his own hands) Dr Peter Heylin; Dr William Brough, Dr William Lewes, Dr Thomas Laurence, Dr Samuel Baker; Dr Richard …, Dr Iohn Coſin, Dr Walter Raleigh, Dr William Watts: Dr Benjamin Layney, Dr Thomas Bletchenden, Dr William Beal, Dr Iames Browne (advanced to be Deane of Hereford by his means of whoſe Popiſh Practiſes *Page. 69.we formerly gave evidence) Dr Andrew Clare, Dr Chriſtopher Dow, Dr Luſhington; and Dr John Pocklington: How much many of theſe were addicted to Arminianiſme, Popery and all Popiſh Ceremonies, hath been formerly atteſted upon other occaſions; that the reſt of them were of the ſelfe ſame ſtrain, is ſo notoriouſly known in the Court, our Univerſities, the places where they live, to your Lordſhips and the Archbiſhop himſelf, that it needes no other proofe: That theſe were made his Majeſties and the Princes Chaplaines, by this Archbiſhops procurement, who uſurped upon the Lord High Chamberlaines office to nominate Chaplaines in ordinary to his Majeſtie (which ſtone of his Predeceſſors did ſince the Reformation) was atteſted by Mr Oldiſworth a Member of the Commons Houſe, who depoſed; That upon his knowledge for 25. years ſpace, it did belong to the Lord Chamberlaines office, to nominate and appoint the Kings Chaplains in ordinary, and ſo it continued all the old LordWill. Earle of Pembrookes Chamberlainſhip: And this the difference of the Warrants proves: For where the Kings Warrant runnes; Theſe are to ſignifie his Majesties pleaſure: there the King is to be conſulted with before the place is granted; as in the Warrant and caſe of the Bedchamber-men. But where the Warrant is, Theſe are to Will and require you to admit ſuch a one, as in the caſe of the Kings Chaplains, there the Lord Chamberlaine doth all by his owne authority without conſulting with the King. That ſince the preſent Earle of Pembrooke was Lord Chamberlain, the Archbiſhop took upon him to recommend all Chaplaines to the King, and many of them were his own Chaplaines firſt: which the Earl of Pembrooke himſelfe ſeconded.
Mr Oldiſworth likewiſe delivered in a liſt of the Kings and Princes Chaplaines in ordinary as they ſtood, Feb. 12. 1640. produced at the Barre. Two of theſe Chaplaines, to wit, Doctor William Heywood, and Doctor Samuel Baker, with his owne Arminian Chaplaines, Doctor Edward Martyn, Doctor William Bray, and Doctor Thomas Weekes (whom he openly denyed to be his Chaplaine before the Lords, till Mr Prynne proved the contrary by a liſt of his Chaplaines under his owne hand, affixed to the end of his Written Diary) were the Licenſers of all the forementioned Arminian and Popiſh Bookes publiſhed in our Realme, and the Purgatory Doctors, who obliterated all the fore-cited Paſſages againſt Popery, Arminianiſme, Popes, Jeſuites, Papiſts, out of our orthodox Writers. Others of them were Authours of ſundry Arminian, licentious, Popiſh Impreſſions: As Doctor Heylin, Doctor Laurence, Doctor Coſin, Doctor Watts, Doctor Dowe, and Doctor Pocklington; Whoſe Bookes were ſome of them written, others of them printed by the Archbiſhops command, ſome of them with, others without the Authours privity. Amongſt theſe we ſhall inſtance onelyonly in Doctor Pocklingtons Bookes, the moſt Popiſh, Impious, and profane of any other; Who though lately dead before this Triall, yet ſpeakes loud enough to this purpoſe, in his Petition to the Houſe of Peeres before his cenſure, here remaining upon the File of Petitions.
A Copy whereof we have here ſubjoyned, compared with the Originall, by which you may clearly diſcerne by whoſe command his Popiſh Impreſſions were Printed and Publiſhed, even by this Archbiſhops, who peruſed them before they were printed.
To the right Honourable the Lords ſpirituall and temporall now Aſſembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT.
The humble Petition of John Pocklington Doctor in Divinity, and Rector of Yevelden, in the County of Bedford.
Moſt humbly ſheweth,
THat he is right hearty ſorry for doing or bringing any thing into his ſaid Church, without the direction of his Reverend Dicceſan, and dares not goe about in any ſort to juſtifie his doings: But waving all manner of defence, hee moſt humbly caſteth down himſelfe at your Lordſhips Feet, beſeeching you for Chriſts ſake to look upon him with the eye of mercy, who, with a moſt penitent and ſorrowfull heart confeſſeth his miſ-doing in the Premiſes, &c.
And whereas your Petitioner is charged to have ſet forth and publiſhed two Bookes, wherein he defends not only Innovations in Religion, but divers Popiſh, Wicked, and Antichriſtian points, and caſteth reproach upon our Engliſh Martyrs, Note.in Mr Foxes Callender, and magnifieth Popiſh Canonized Saints, for true Martyrs.
Hee doth moſt humbly give your Lordſhips to underſtand, That order was given for their Printing, and ſetting forth, without your Petitioners procurement, motion, or knowledge; who compoſed them for his own private ſatisfaction, and to be the better ſatisfied, was willing to have them preſented to the conſideration of the Reverend Governours of our Church to receive their Opinion and Judgement about them: And for the Contents of the ſaid Bookes, If any Popiſh, Wicked, or Antichriſtian points be in them; Hee is ready and moſt deſirous from his heart utterly, and openly to abandon and abjure them: But hopeth that becauſe the Lord Archbiſhop of Canterbury his Grace, did ſee, and read all or a great part of them, (as Note.his Chaplain Dr Bray could your Petitioner) and did without any ſuite of your Petitioner, give order and allowance for their Publiſhing: That no ſuch deteſtable points are conteined in the ſaid Bookes: and for our Engliſh Martyrs in Mr Fox his Calender, There is no mention, or any word, or ſyllable in either of thoſe Writings about them.
Wherefore again and again, he caſteth down himſelfe before this moſt Honourable Aſſembly, and beſeecheth you (who upon earth repreſent the God of mercy.) to ſhew mercy to him, who is altogether innocent in moving to have the ſaid Beekes Publiſhed; And it truely penitent for what he hath done without his Dicceſans Directions; and moſt humbly beſeecheth his Lordſhip, now preſent, to admit his Submiſſion, and to be a meanes to obteine the favour of this moſt Honourable Houſe, and to procure his freedome and diſmiſſion, who voweth by Gods grace, to be ever hereafter ſo carefull of all his words, and actions, that neither the Church, nor any Member thereof, ſhall take any offence, or diſpleaſure at him.
Vera Copia.
And your Petitioner ſhall ever pray for the happi ſucceſſe of this preſent Parliament. John Pocklington.
Now what a Capitall Crime and tranſcendent miſdemeanour it is for this Arch-Prelate to place ſuch Arminian Popiſh Prelates, and Chaplaines in ordinary about his Majeſtie, & the young Prince (more infectious then *See Cooks 4. Inſtit. p. 90.Cardinall Wolſies breath, to King Henry the 8. when infected with the great Pox) to ſeduce, poyſon them, as much as in them lay, with Arminian and Popiſh Errours, Superſtitions, Ceremonies, and in and by them their whole kingdomes and Nationall Churches; and that not onelyonly by tranſient verball Sermons (which infect only the eares of the Auditors for the preſent) but by peſtilent printed Treatiſes, which corrupt the eyes, judgement, of the Readers, and univerſally ſeduce both the preſent and future generations more then any publike verball Sermons, though never ſo pernicious to the Auditors for the preſent, let all wiſe men judge.
For his promoting of Arminians, of perſons addicted to Popiſh Ceremonies, Errours, Innovations, to Offices and Headſhips in our Univerſities to poyſon thoſe fountaines of Piety and Learning, we ſhall inſtance in theſe few Particulars. During the time of his Chancellorſhip in the Univerſity of Oxford, from April 1630. till Anno, 1641. it is obſervable, that he nominated only five Vice-Chancellors to governe the Univerſity under him; namely Dr Smith, Warden of Wadham Colledge; Doctor Brian Duppa, Deane of Chriſt-Church (whoſe further promotions he procured) Doctor Pinke, Warden of New-Colledge, Doctor Bayly, Preſident of Saint Iohn Baptiſt Colledge, Doctor Frewen Preſident of Mary Magdalen Colledge, Dr Christopher Potter Provoſt of Queenes Colledge; (as the Univerſity Regiſter undenyably proves, and all Oxford Schollers can atteſt;) all deeply tainted with Arminianiſme, great Promoters of all Popiſh Innovations, Superſtitions, Ceremonies, in that Univerſity, as we have *Here p. 70; 71, 72, 73.formerly manifeſted. Beſides, he promoted Doctor Thomas Iackeſon, a profeſſed Arminian, to the Preſident-ſhip of Corpus Chriſti Colledge in Oxford, and afterwards to the Vicaridge of Witney, as appeares by the Docquet Booke, to omit his advancement of Doctor Laurence, and other ſuch like Popiſh Doctors there.
What heades of Houſes hee promored in the Univerſity of Cambridge; and what profeſſed Arminians and Well-wiſhers to Popery they were, you have *Here p. 73, 74, 193, 167.already heard in part; we ſhall onelyonly repeate the names of ſome of them, Doctor Brookes, Doctor Beal, Doctor Martin, Doctor Coſin, Doctor Layny, Doctor Sterne, men very infamous both for Arminian and Popiſh Errors.
And not content to corrupt our Engliſh Academies, he promoted Maſter Chapple, the Archeſt and moſt notorious Arminian in the Univerſity of Cambridge, who leavened all his Pupels and many hopefull Schollers with Arminianiſme (as Mr Walker and others witneſſed) to the Provoſt-ſhip and Government of the Colledge and Vniverſity of Dublin in Ireland, (as appears by ſundry originall Letters thence, endorſed with his own hand, and himſelfe muſt needs acknowledge) whom he brought into that place with an high hand, where he did much hurt by venting his Arminian druggs, and maintained Juſtification by Workes: Exemption of the Clergy from the Secular power, and was very active in the Synod there, in ſuppreſſing the Articles of Ireland againſt Papiſts and Arminians, (as was Doctor Bramhall too, his grand Arminian Popiſh Inſtrument there) as was atteſted upon Oath by Dr Hoyle, a Member of the Aſſembly, and Divinity Reader in that Univerſity.
His advancements of Perſons tainted with Arminianiſme, Popery and Popiſh Superſtitions, to Benefices, Prebendaries and other Eccleſiaſticall preferments, are almoſt numberleſſe, as wee finde by the Docquet Bookes; all or moſt of the Eccleſiaſticall Preferments belonging to the Crowne being diſpoſed of by him alone of latter times, not by the Lord Keeper and Maſter of the Wardes as formerly, upon whoſe Preſentations he encroached. We ſhall inſtance in ſome few of many.
In September 10. 1628. Doctor Auguſtine Lindſey by order from this Biſhop, and a Letter by him procured from the King in his behalfe to the Preſident and Chapter of Litchfield, was promoted to a dignity in that Church, as appeares by the Docquet Booke: Mr George Walker the Miniſter atteſted upon Oath, that this Lindſy (whom the Archbiſhop afterwards made a Biſhop) was reputed one of the chiefe heads of the Arminian faction: and that Dr Baſtwick writing againſt the Arminians, & bowing at the name of Jeſus, was ſent to him by this Archbiſhop to be inſtructed and refuted, as the ableſt of that party. Mr Peter Smart a Reverend Divine depoſed; That this Doctor was an Arch-arminian to his knowledge, with whom he had frequent diſputes, a defender and ſetter up of Images and Altars: That he ſaid in his hearing; That none but ignorant Calviniſt Biſhops did put down Altars at the beginning of reformation; and that they were worſe then Jeſuites: That he was much offended with the Homilyes againſt the Perill of Idolatry, againſt ſetting up Images in Churches, and ſaid, that he would have theſe Homilyes put out of the Homily-Book, Note.and wondred why they were ſuffered to continue in it ſo long. A fit Cathedraliſt to make a Biſhop afterwards; and a great companion and friend of Sancta Clara.
In Octob. 1631. Peter Heylin (this Arch-Prelates great Creature and Votary, who reſigned himſelfe to his directions and command in all things, as appeares by an Epiſtle in a Manuſcript Sermon of his found in the Archbiſhops ſtudy) was by his order and procurement preſented to the Rectory of Hemingford; and in November following to a Prebendary in Weſtminſter; and in November 1632. he procured him a Preſentation to the Rectory of Haughton in the Dioceſſe of Durham. In September 1631. Dr Thomas Bletchenden by his order and procurement was promoted to a Prebends place in the Cathedrall of Canterbury; and Dr William Bray to another Prebendary in the ſame Church November 13. 1637. by his order too. Mr Thomas Luſhington was by his order preſented to a Prebendary in the Cathedrall Church of Sarum in June 1931. Dr John Weekes in December 1633. was by his order preſented to a Prebendary in the Cathedrall of Briſtol: Dr Brian Duppa Jan. 1633. was by his order preſented to the Chancellorſhip of Sarum and the Prebendary of Bridgenorth thereto annexed; and May 19. 1638. to the Rectory of Petworth. Dr Iohn Bramhall June 1632. was by his order preſented to a Prebendary in York Cathedrall. Dr William Beale Octob. 1637. was by his order and procurement preſented to the Rectory of Pauls Perry, of which two others were unjuſtly deprived in the High Commiſſion to make way for his promotion to it. Dr William Brough Jan. 19. 1938. by his order was preſented to a Prebends place in the Church of Windſor. In May 1639. by his order Dr Samuel Baker was preferred to a Prebends place in the Cathedrall of Canterbury, and Tho. Brown to a Prebends place in the Collegiate Church of Windſor. July 29, 1640. Dr Mumford by his order was preſented to the Rectory of Aneſby: what other Arminian, Popiſh, Superſtitious, Scandalous Perſons were advanced to livings by him, and how he poyſoned our Church with ſuch almoſt in every place, the World may ſee at large in Mr John Whites firſt Century of Scandalous Miniſters. We ſhall only add this one thing more; that even after his Commitment for high Treaſon he ſtill interpoſed in preferring Superſtitious Epiſcopall Clergy men of his faction to his Majeſties livings as well as to thoſe in his own gift; as we ſhall evidence by this Letter of his to the King (ſeiſed by Mr Prynne among his other Papers) all written and thus endorſed with his own hand; For the Kings most Excellent Majeſtie; which was anſwered by the King himſelfe in the Margent with his own hand in this enſuing forme.
May it pleaſe your Majeſtie,
I Conceive the Great Seal being left as it is, your Majeſtie will beſtow all ſuch livings as ſhall be voyde, and were uſually in the gift of the Lord Keeper, of what value ſoever they be.
You are right.
This I tooke my duty to put your Majeſtie in minde of, ſince it in part belongs to the ſervice which your Majeſtie was wont to truſt me with. And I am the more bold to put your Majeſtie in minde of this; becauſe by this meanes (if you pleaſe to make uſe of it) you may the ſooner provide both for the Scottiſh-men which ſuffer, and for other men which have ſerved your Majeſty at ſea. At this time I am informed that the Rectory of Aſhen in Northamptonſhire is voyd and in your Majeſties gift. It is thought not to exceed one hundred pound a year. The Biſhop of Brechen hath a ſonne (if your Majeſtie pleaſe) that is ready to take Orders, and may be fit for it.
Give Order accordingly. C. R.
And by that meanes may be ſome helpe to his father, who certainly needes it. If your Majeſtie like of this, and let me know ſo much, I ſhall give warrant for it accordingly. But I ſubmit all this, and my own unhappy condition, to Gods will and your Majeſties.
Your Majeſties moſt humble ſervant though unfortunate, W. Cant. Jan. 3. 1640.
What a Plague and Poyſon theſe Arminian, Popiſh Prelates, Deanes, Prebends, Heades of houſes, Parſons and Vicars thus advanced by him proved to our Church, how near they had reduced us back to Rome, and how much they endangered the utter extirpation of our Proteſtant Religion, is ſo experimentally knowne to all men, ſo plentifully evidenced in the premiſed proofes, that we may confidently averr, had not God himſelf miraculouſly from heaven by the late Scottiſh Troubles and happy convention of this preſent Parliament retarded, prevented and utterly fruſtrated their dangerous proceedings and Jeſuiticall deſignes, in theſe three kingdomes, in all probability we had long ere this been totally over-run with Popery, and the zealous Profeſſors of the Proteſtant Religion in all three been either totally extirpated and maſſacred, as ſome hundred thouſands of them have been of late in Ireland, or baniſhed their own Countrey into forraigne Climes, or left to the mercy of the bloody Papiſts and theſe their Popiſh Confederates, whoſe tender mercies are but cruelties. This crime then of his is no leſſe then treaſonable and capitall, being ſo deſtructive both to Church and Kingdome.
As he thus preferred Popiſh and Arminian Clergy men to the chiefe Eccleſiaſticall preferments in our Church, ſo on the contrary (following the counſell of *See, Looke about you.Contzen the Mogountine Jeſuit in his Politicks) he diſcountenanced, ſuſpended, ſilenced, ſuppreſſed, cenſured, impriſoned, perſecuted moſt of the prime orthodox, diligent preaching Miniſters in the Realme and forced many of them to fly into America, Holland and other forraigne places to avoyd his fury, only for oppoſing his Popiſh Innovations, and expreſſing their feares of the change of our religion by the encreaſe of Popery and Popiſh Superſtitions. Not to trouble you with any forementioned inſtances of Maſter Peter Smart, Mr Henry Burton, Mr Snelling and others; we ſhall inſtance in ſome freſh examples.
Mr Samuel Ward of Ipſwich, a moſt reverend, orthodox, and learned Miniſter of ſpeciall eminency, was by this Archbiſhops meanes on the 26. of Novemb. 1635. (as Maſter Samuel Wards Caſe.appeares by the High Commiſſion Records,) cenſured in the High Commiſsion at Lambeth; and there ſuſpended from his Lecture and Miniſtry, and every part thereof till abſolved by his Majeſty, enjoyned a publike ſubmiſſion and recantation, ſuch as the High Commiſſioners ſhould preſcribe, condemned in expences and coſts of ſuite, and committed to priſon; For preaching in ſome of his Sermons at Ipſwich, againſt Bowing at the name of Ieſus, the Booke of ſports on the Lords day, and ſaying, that the Church of England was ready to ring the Changes, and inſinuating unto his Auditory, that there was cauſe to fear an Alteration of Religion; ſaying, that Religion and the Goſpel ſtood on tiptoes ready to be gone; that divers good Miniſters were ſilenced, and that they ſhould beware of a relapſe unto Popery. In this cenſure the Archbiſhop had the chiefeſt hand, as was proved by the High Commiſſion Bookes and Mr Wardes Submiſſion, which was drawn up by Sir Iohn Lambe and ſent to this Archbiſhop, who endorſed it with his owne hand. This ſevere ſentence utterly ruined this famous painfull preacher who lay long in priſon, and ſoone after ended his dayes in great grief and ſorrow.
In April 1630. Articles were exhibited againſt Mr Charles Chancy, a Reverend Mr Chancyes Caſe.learned, painfull Miniſter living at Ware, for preaching againſt the Bacchanales and diſorders uſed by many in the Chriſtmas holy-dayes, the increaſe of Popery, Arminianiſme, and uſing theſe expreſſions in a Sermon of his, charged againſt him in his Articles, in Ianuary before: That Idolatry was admitted into the Church, and that not only the prophets of Baal, but Baal himſelfe is received, and houſes multiplyed for the entertainment of them; and with all ſaying, that the preaching of the Goſpel would be ſuppreſſed: That there wanted men of courage to tell the Superiours in the Church of their neglect, for that there was increaſe of much Atheiſme, Popery, Arminianiſme and Hereſie in our Church ſince the reformation of it, as at this time, wherein Hereſies were not onelyonly broached but maintained; whereby he raiſed a fear among the people, and inſinuated to them, that ſome alteration of Religion would enſue and be brought in; and ſcandalized the whole Church of England and Government thereof. To theſe Articles Mr Chancy gave in his anſwer upon Oath in the High Commiſſion the 21, of the ſame April: and the very next day, by Order of that Court, the whole cauſe was referred to this Biſhop (then of London) being his ordinary; provided that if Mr Chancy did not ſubmit himſelfe to performe his Lordſhips order therein, that then his Lordſhip, if it ſeemed good unto him, might transferre the cauſe backe again to be cenſured in this Court. Whereupon Mr Chancy made a Submiſſion to his Lordſhip in Latin, and ſoon after was enforced to deſert the Kingdome, and ſet ſayle for New England to avoyd further perſecution. All which is manifeſt by the Originall Articles, and Mr Chancyes anſwer to them, found among Sir John Lambes ſequeſtred Writings by Mr Prynne; and by the Order of Reference and M. Chancyes Submiſſion, endorſed with the Biſhops own hand, the chiefe Proſecutor of this cauſe.
To theſe we could add M. Cotton, M. Hooker, M. Davenport, M. Wells, M. Peters, M. Glover, and ſundry other Miniſters driven into New England, and other Plantations; thoſe that fled over into Holland to avoyd his proſecution; with ſome hundreds of Miniſters queſtioned in the High Commiſſion and elſe-where, by his meanes, and there ſuſpended, ſilenced for not publiſhing the Booke of Sports, or not ſubmitting to his Popiſh Innovations. M. Saliſbury was queſtioned and troubled by this Prelate for theſe paſſages in his Sermon, on Math. 24. 6. How many thouſands have made ſhipwrack of faith & a good conſcience, renounced our true Church, ſtepp'd aſide to Arminianiſme, and from thence (as it is the wideſt gate that opens towards Rome) relapſed to Popery. Thus are wee ſcattered in our Jacob, and divided in our Iſrael. The Low Countryes not long ſince (if not ſtill) ſighed as deeply, and mourned as ſtrongly, to finde herſelfe (as imperceivably) to be overgrowne with Arminianiſme. And what a faction is like to be in our deplorable England between Popery and Arminianiſme together, except God be more mercifull and our State the more vigilant and mindfull, We ſhall ſee ſooner then tell, and feel ſooner then ſee. Doctor Staughton, D. Sibbes, D. Taylor, D. Gouge, M. White of Dorcheſter, M. Rogers of Dodham, with ſundry more of our moſt eminent preaching orthodox Divines were brought into the High Commiſſion and troubled or ſilenced for a time, by his procurement upon frivilous pretences: But in truth, becauſe they were principle Props of our Proteſtant Religion, againſt his Popiſh and Arminian Innovations. But omitting theſe we ſhall conclude this head with one memorable inſtance more which comes very home.
Mr Nathaniel Bernard Lecturer at Sepulchers in London preaching at Antholins Church in May 3. 1629. uſed this expreſſion in his prayer before his Sermon. Oh Lord open the eyes of the Queenes Majeſtie, that ſhee may ſee Ieſus Chriſt, whom ſhee hath peirced with her Infidelity, Superſtition and Idolatry: This Archbiſhop, then of Note.London, was preſently informed of this paſſage, atteſted by Walter Kirby an Atturney of Bernards Inne. Iohn Browne of Durham, Miniſter, and ſome others: Whereupon the Biſhop brought him into the High Commiſſion, where after long attendance, upon his Submiſſion, this enſuing Order was framed.
Die Jovis viz. xxviii. die menſis Januarii Anno Domini juxta, &c, 1629. Coram Commiſſionariis Regiis apud Lambeth Judicialiter ſedentibus, preſente Thoma Motterſhed, Regiſtrarij Regij Deputat:
Officum Dominorum contra Nathanielem Bernard Clericum. Prima Seſſio Termini Hillarij.
HIS appearance by bond was reſpited untill this day, at which day and place the ſaid Nathaniel Bernard appeared perſonally, and then it being objected unto him by the Court, that he had in a Sermon lately by him preached or otherwiſe, delivered ſome Scandalous and undutiful ſpeeches, derogatory to ſome particular perſon of most eminent place, which the Court deſired not to have there repeated; and for that the ſaid Mr Bernard had acknowledged his error Note.in that kinde, as ſome of the Commiſſioners there, unto whom he had ſubmitted himſelf, reported, and himſelfe confeſſed; the Court was inclined upon his ſubmiſſion, being a young ſcholler and a ſtudent in Divinity, to accept his ſubmiſſion, and enclined to deal mercifully and favourably with him; yet conſidering that his ſcandalous and undutifull ſpeeches were of ſuch high nature as could not be well remitted or pardoned by this Court, without the approbation and the good liking of his moſt Excellent Majeſtie: the Court deſired the Lord Biſhop of London, to acquaint his Majeſtie therewith, and if his Majeſtie upon underſtanding of the Cauſe would be graciouſly pleaſed to pardon him and leave it to the Court, that then this Court, would take ſuch further order for his diſmiſſion, as they ſhould think meet.
Motterſhed.
The Copy of this Order, with another Paper conteining the words, were both endorſed with the Biſhops own hand and found among his Papers by Mr Prynne, who produced them. Mr Bernard not long after upon his ſubmiſſion was diſmiſſed the Court, After which repairing to the Univerſity of Cambridge to viſit his friends, he fortuned to preach at Saint Maries Church there on the 6. of May 1632. in the afternoon; wherein he let fall divers Paſſages concerning preaching, the purity of Gods Ordinances, worſhip, and againſt the Introducers of Popery and Arminianiſme, which this Biſhops creatures excepted againſt, and ſpeedily informed him off. Dr T. Cumber then Vice-Chancellor, informs him of this Sermon in a Letter of his May 22. 1632. wherein he writes in this manner. I cannot but further advertiſe your Lordſhip in a word; that here was one Mr Bernard, a diſcontinuer and a Preacher, as I hear, about London, who uttered ſome offenſive words concerning ſome Ceremonies, and Rites uſed in ſome Churches, in a Sermon of his at Saint Maries, and as I have heard in ſome other Church before: I gave a decree to the Beadle to convent him, but he could not be found: To which the Biſhop returned this anſwer written with Mr Dells hand and thus endorſed; May 27. 1630. A clauſe of my Letter to Dr Cumber concerning Mr Bernard, &c.
I AM ſorry you have been troubled at Cambridge with the diſtempered ſpeeches of any men in the Pulpit. And I must confeſſe, I heard of both the particulars you mention, before I received your Letter. That in St. Johns, it ſeemes they have puniſhed, Note.and you doe very worthily to joyn with them, in caſe any thing for the publique ſhall be further requiſite. And as for Mr Bernard, I am the more ſorry for him, becauſe he is in London within my Charge; Nevertheleſſe if he have done unworthily, I ſhall be very ready to aſſiſt you and the Vniverſity in what I may be able. And ſince you gave a Decree to the Beadle to convent him, and he ſlipt away the while, I will do the beſt I can to ſend him backe, there to be anſwerable to the Government againſt which he hath offended. And if he ſhall refuſe ſo to do, without giving better reaſon then I thinke he can, I ſhall certainly ſuspend him till hee do it. So in haſt I leave you, &c.
W. London.
Before this Doctors Letter the Biſhop had received an information of the heads of his Sermon from others thus endorſed with his own hand. May 6. 1932. Notes of Mr Bernards Sermon at Cambridge; the particulars whereof are hereafter expreſſed more at large in his own words.
Soone after Mr Bernard by this Biſhops proſecution was brought into the High Commiſſion Court and forced to deliver in a Copy of his Sermon to the Biſhop, which he did: who excepted againſt theſe Paſſages in it, for which he was articled againſt. Gods Ordinances for his publike Worſhip are the glory of any Nation. By Gods Ordinances here, I underſtand chiefly the Word, Sacraments and Prayer, which if blended and adulterated with any Superſtitious Innovations of men, ceaſe to bee Gods Ordinances, and he ownes them no longer. It is not the ſingle having of Gods Ordinances for his publike Worſhip, but the having of them in their purity and integrity that dignifies a Nation. Gods Ordinances for his publike Worſhip in their Purity and Integrity are a ſure ſhield between a Nation and publike ruine and deſolation: For proofe whereof, I challenge all Recordes both divine and humane to produce one inſtance wherein God puniſhed any part of his Church with any Nationall ruine and deſtruction, before they had either departed from, or corrupted his Ordinances. The Apoſtle Rom. 1. 16. affirmeth of the preaching of the Word, that it is the power of God to ſalvation. It is the meanes by which God manifeſteth his omnipotent and irreſistible power in the converſion and ſalvation of all thoſe who from eternity were ordained thereunto, by Gods abſolute and immutable Decree. This ſeemes to confute their errour who think meanly and baſely of theſe Ordinances of God, which we have proved to be the glory of that Nation, where they are in their purity and integrity. Theſe men turn their glory into ſhame; for is there not a generation of prophane men among us, who are afraide and aſhamed to preach twice on the Lords day, to preach plainly, powerfully, and ſpiritually to the ſoules and conſciences of their people, leaſt they ſhould be accounted Puritans? Many who are afraide to hear too often, eſpecially on the weeke dayes leaſt they ſhould be accounted Bible-bearers, and gadders after Sermons? Many who are as much afraide to performe holy duties in their families, and to ſpeake like Christians as Peter was, who that his ſpeech might not betray him, began to curſe and ſwear? Many who complain that there is too much preaching and that it was never merry ſince? Many who eſteem very meanly of prayer, eſpecially of the publike prayers of the Church? Some that have ſcorufully called the ſirging of a Pſalme a Geneva Iigge?
But the principall exception was for this enſuing Diſcourſe in the cloſe of his Sermon.
Further, I will not deny that God hath his true inviſible Church among thoſe Nations, as he had in Iſrael in the dayes of Ahab and Eliah: nay, I ſee no reaſon why (in a large, yet true ſence) we may not call the Church of Rome, Italy, or Spain a particular viſible Church of Chriſt: as Iſrael in the Reign of Jeroboem was a Church of God, though Idolatrous, and Apoſtaticall: Yet I ſay, that it is impoſible that any ſhould be ſaved living or dying (without repentance) in the doctrine and Idolatrous worſhip of the Church of Rome, as the late Tridentine Councell hath decreed it. My reaſon is this; Hee that thinkes to go to heaven any other way then by faith in Chriſt onelyonly, ſhall never Note.come there. But he that dyes without repentance in the Doctrine of the Church of Rome (as the Councell of Trent hath decreed it) thinkes to go to heaven another way, then by faith in Chriſt onelyonly, as namely by the merits of his own workes; Ergo ſuch a one ſhall never come there. Thirdly, if Gods Ordinances for his publike worship in their purity are the glory of a nation, then it followes, that they who go about to deprive a Nation of any of Gods Ordinances for his publike Worship, either in whole or in the beſt part of them (ideſt) in their purity and integrity, they go about to make that Nation baſe, and inglorious and if ſo, then are they enemies to that Nation, and Traytors to it, if it be their Note.own Nation: for Treaſon is not limited to the royall blood, as if he only could be a Traitor who plotteth and attempteth the dishonour and shedding thereof, but may be and is too oft committed againſt the whole Church and nation, which laſt, is by ſo much the worſt of them two, by how much the end is better then the meanes, and the whole of greater conſequence then any other part alone.
Whereby we may learn, what to account of thoſe among our ſelves (if any ſuch be, which is better known to you then to mee) who endeavour to quench the light and abate the glory of our Iſrael, by bringing in their Pelagian errours into the Doctrine of our Church eſtabliſhed by Law, and the Superſtitions of the Church of Rome into our warſhip of God, as high Altars, Crucifixes, and bowing to them, id eſt (in plain Engliſh) worſhipping them; whereby they Symbolize with the Church of Rome very ſhamefully, to the irreparable Shipwracke of many ſoules who ſplit upon this rocke. The Papiſts teach, that it is impoſſible to be ſaved in our Church and our Religion: Some of ours (at leaſt in outward profeſſion) teach, that it is poſſible to be ſaved in the Romiſh Religion and Church; hence an unſettled judgement concludes, if we may agree in Heaven, why do we not agree and meet each other halfe way on earth? And hence we have many Caſſanders among us, who meditate and wiſh a reconciliation between the Church of Rome and ours; and to be ſure (ſay the unſettled) it is the ſafeſt way to be members of that Church wherein both ſides agree that ſalvation is to be had, then of that Church in which one ſide onelyonly affirmes it, and that a party; And this fills Rome with English proſelites. What can we thinke leſſe of thoſe men who by their Symbolizing with the Church of Rome in Doctrine and Worship give occaſion thereunto, then that they are enemies to this Church and Nation? I ſay, they are enemies, and therefore let us take up armes againſt them. But what armes? Preces Eccleſiae ſunt arma Eccleſiae, let us pray theſe men either to converſion (if it be Gods bleſſed will,) or to their deſtruction, fiat juſtitia, pereant illi. And let us uſe that prayer againſt them, which David uſed againſt Achitophell, with which I will conclude all; O Lord turne the councell of all theſe crafty Achitophells into folly, who go about to lay the honour of this Church and Nation in the duſt, by depriving us of the purity of any of thy Ordinances for thy publique Worship, which are the glory of this our Iſrael.
For theſe clauſes Mr Bernard was moſt ſeverely ſentenced in the High Commiſſion by this Biſhops violent Proſecution; Suſpended his Miniſtry, excommunicated, fined a thouſand pounds, impriſoned; condemned in coſts of ſuite, committed priſonet to the new Priſon, where he lay ſundry moneths, being moſt barbarouſly uſed and almoſt ſtarved for want of neceſſaries; of which he complained to the Biſhop by ſundry Letters and Petitions found in his ſtudy with Mr Bernards Sermon, and the informations againſt him, (endorſed with the Biſhops own hand and produced at the Barre) but could find no reliefe, unleſſe he would make this enſuing Recantation ſent to him by the Biſhop, and thus endorſed with his own pen: Septem. 11. 1632 A Copy of a Recantation tendered to Mr Bernard, Lecturer of Sepulchers, about a Sermon that he preached at Cambridge. He refuſed this Recantation.
Mr. Bernards RECANTATION.
WHereas in a Sermon made by me in this place the ſixt of May laſt upon this Text. The glory is departed from Iſrael, becauſe the Arke of God was taken. 1 Sam. 4. 21.
I had this Paſſage.
And the Apoſtle Rom. 1. 16. affirmeth of the preaching of the Goſpel, that it is the power of God to ſalvation: Ideſt, it is that meanes by which God manifeſteth his omnipotent and irreſiſtable power in the converſion and ſalvation of all thoſe who from Eternity were ordained thereunto by Gods abſolute and immutable Decree.
And I do here publikely acknowledge, that hereby (contrary to his Majeſties command in his Declaration lately publiſhed and printed with the Articles of Religion) I did go beyond the generall meaning of that place of Scripture, and of the ſaid Articles. And draw the ſame to maintaine the one ſide of ſome of theſe ill raiſed differences which his Majeſties ſaid Declaration mentioneth. And this I did, rather out of a deſire to thruſt in ſome-what into my ſaid Sermon in affirmation of one ſide of the ſaid differences, then any wayes occaſioned by the Text I then preached of.
For which I here publikely profeſſe my hearty ſorrow and do humbly crave pardon of God Almighty, of his Majeſtie, and of this Congregation.
And whereas in the ſame Sermon I had this paſſage.
If Gods Ordinances for his publique Worſhip in their purity are the glory of a Nation, then it followes, that they who go about to deprive a Nation of any of Gods Ordinances for his publique Worſhip either in whole or in the beſt part of them, id eſt, in their purity and integrity; they go about to make that Nation baſe and inglorious; and if ſo, then are they Enemies to that Nation and *This Doctrine touched this Biſhops Copy nold then, and was one principall charge of …gh Treaſon againſt him now; no wonder therfore he was oſtended at it, & would have it recanted.Traytors to it, if it bee their own Nation; for Treaſon is not limited to the royall blood, as if he only could be a Traytor who plotteth and attempteth the diſhonour or ſhedding thereof, but may be and is too oft committed againſt the whole Church and Nation: which laſt is by ſo much the worſt of them two, by how much the end is better then the meanes, and the whole of greater conſequence then any one part alone.
Whereby we may learne what to account of thoſe among our ſelves (if any ſuch bee, which is better knowne to you then to mee) who endeavour to quench the light and abaſe the glory of our Iſrael, by bringing in their Pelagian Errours into the Doctrine of our Church establiſhed by Law, and the Superstitions of the Church of Rome into our Worſhip of God; as high Altars, Crucifixes, and bowing to them, id eſt, (in plain Engliſh) Worſhipping them; whereby they ſymbolize with the Church of Rome very ſhamefully to the irreparable Shipwracke of many ſoules who split upon this rocke.
I doe now upon better information finde, that mary erronious and daungerous aſſertions and conſequences unfitting to bee here expreſſed may bee collected and inferred out of the ſaid Wordes. And I doe therefore hereby publiquely recant all the ſaid wordes, as they are an uſe, or inference and application uſed by me, to be very raſhly and inconſiderately uttered, and to be very undutifull towards his Majeſtie. I doe humbly referre and ſubmitt my ſelfe to his Majeſties Clemency and gracious acceptance for the interpretation of my meaning of the ſame. And I am heartily ſorry, and doe humbly crave pardon that wordes and applications ſo ſcandalous to the preſent ſtate of the Church of England and ſo dangerous, proceeded from mee.
Thirdly, whereas in the ſame Sermon I had this paſſage.
By Gods Ordinances here, I underſtand chiefely the word, Sacraments and Prayer, in that purity and integrity wherein the Lord Chriſt left them, not blended and adulterated with any Superſtitious Inventions of man, for then they ceaſe to be Gods Ordinances and hee ownes them us longer.
I deſire that this paſſage may be taken and underſtood as I ſpake and meant it, and not otherwiſe; That is, not that I hold all humane Inventions added to Gods Ordinances to be Superſtiticus, for I account that tenet not onelyonly falſe but palpably abſurd and fooliſh. But to exclude all thoſe humane Inventions which may hinder the preſervation of the Doctrine and Diſcipline of this Church of England in that Purity and Integrity wherein (through Gods gracious goodneſſe, by his Majeſties Lawes Eccleſiaſticall) we doe enjoy them.
Fourthly and laſtly, whereas by ſome other paſſages in my ſaid Sermon I was (as I underſtand) conceived by ſome, not onelyonly to caſt aſperſions upon the preſent State of our Church and ſome principall Members and parts thereof, thereby to bring it and them into ſcandall and diſlike: But even under ſome ambiguous words, to move to take up armes for redreſſe, although with recalling or reſtraining the ſame in termes afterward and ſaying thus.
Let us pray theſe men either to converſion (if it be Gods bleſſed will) or to their deſtruction. Fiat juſtitia, pereant illi: and calling them crafty Achitophells, &c.
I doe here acknowledge and profeſſe I had no ſuch Intentions, neither doe I know any cauſe why my ſelfe or any other ſhould ſo bitterly invay againſt any in our Church. I am therefore heartily ſorry that I gave cauſe to any of the hearers to conceive ſo. And I humbly crave pardon for it.
For refuſing to make this ſtrange preſcribed Recantation, this godly Miniſter, though he in generall termes profeſſed, his ſyncere ſorrow and penitency for any Overſights and unbeſeeming Expreſſions in his Sermon, both in his Petitions and Letters to the Biſhop, (which would not ſuffice,) was for a long time deteined in the New Priſon, there miſerably abuſed by the Keepers, of which he oft complained without redreſſe, and in concluſion utterly ruined for ſpeaking out the truth.
Wee ſhall cloſe this branch of our Evidence with this obſervation; That as Rewards and Puniſhments rightly diſtributed are the greateſt incentives to vertue, piety, learning, and retractives from vice, error, ſuperſtition; ſo when they are perverted, miſplaced, they become the grandeſt diſcouragements to Piety, Religion, the ſtrongeſt attractives to Hereſie, Popery and all kinde of Superſtitions; Schollers commonly looke moſt of all after preferments; yea make it their principall ſtudy to comply with thoſe mens Opinions, and Practifes, who are the chiefe Beſtowers of them. No wonder therefore that our poor Church was ſodainly overſpread with a generation of Arminian, Popiſh, Superſtitious, Ceremonious, prophane, Prelaticall Clergy-men, when all or moſt Eccleſiaſticall preferments were in this Arch-Prelates diſpoſall, who for the moſt part advanced none but ſuch, but diſcountenanced, ſuppreſſed, perſecuted, & kept back from preferments moſt orthodox zeal us preaching Divines who would not comply with his Popiſh Innovations and Deſignes. It is very obſervable, that the Archbiſhop himſelfe records in his Diary, April 5. 1625. How he preſented to the Duke of Buckingham, by his command, a Schedule wherein the Names of Eccleſiaſticall perſons were written under the Letters O. (that is orthodox in his ſence, to wit, Arminians, or perſons addicted to Popiſh Errors and Superſtitions) and P. (that is Puritans) who was to deliver them to King CHARLES: Ever ſince which time Mountague, Manwaring, Wren, with ſuch like unorthodox Clergymen have been advanced, and all Puritans as they termed them, kept from preferment; And it is as conſiderable what Mr Chaloner depoſed to this purpoſe: That being in Rome about five yeares ſince, Friar John (the great agent there for our Engliſh Benedictines and Catholiques) was very inquiſitive and demanded ſeriouſly of him, Whether the Archbiſhop of Canterbury had not the beſtowing of all Eccleſiaſticall preferments and livings in England, especially thoſe in the Kings gift? Seeming to be confident they were all then in his diſpoſe, and thereupon aſſuring himſelfe, that he would advance ſuch perſons to them as ſhould be moſt favourable, moſt plyable to Popery and Papiſts, to drive on their deſignes; as they did indeed with a witneſſe, till this Parliament imployed their diligence and power to weed them out by Degrees. And therefore his advancement of ſuch unſound, corrupt, Popiſh Clergy-men on the One, and ſuppreſſing good Orthodox Preaching Miniſters on the other ſide; muſt neceſſarily import a moſt deſperate deſign in him to ſupplant our eſtabliſhed Religion, by ſuch a Generation of Vipers, who would eat out the very bowells of their own Proteſtant Mother Church, and Religion by Degrees.