Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 112 – Letter 114
A Copie of my Letters sent by the Kings command into Scotland, concerning Church-businesse there to be agitated betweene my Lord of Saint Andrewes and the Earle of TRAQUARE.
My very good Lord; S. in Christo.
FOr the particulars entrusted by the Church to the Lord Bishop of Brehen, and namely about the Abbacy of Lindores, you must expect them, from the Lord Bishop himselfe, and from such relations as you will receive by my Lord, and the Earle of Traqu…re; Note.now at this time you shall receive nothing but that which is commanded me by the King, and must be my part to act in the present and future businesse for the Church of Scotland.
My Lord, for the present the King is resolved upon some great reasons of State which have prevailed with him, not to meddle with the Abbacy of Lindores, of any other of that nature, as yet, but to leave them in that State, in which they now are, till such time as he may consider the decrees and the Act or Acts of Parliament which concerne them, And till he can finde a way to Order them better, both for his owne profit, and the contentment of his people there, Assuring you in the meane time that both in this, and all other businesse, hee will be very carefull both of the credit and of the maintenance of the Church, whereof if your selfe or any other Bishop or Clergie Men, shall make doubt, I am commanded to tell you that therein, you will not onelyonly doe His Majestie wrong, but hurt your selves, and the Church which you seeke to benefit, And in this very particular, you are to know, and make knowne to others, that it is not, the dislike of any person or persons, or of the thing it selfe, that causes this present stay, but reason of State only, and the care which the King hath, all proceedings may goe on, according to Law: As for the Bishopricks his Majestie will take their wants into as provident care as he can, and hath setled Arbroth, upon the Bishopricke of Brehen, but in what forme, I am not able to tell you, as not being so well acquainted with the customes and constitutions of that Kingdome, and therefore lest I should mistake in any circumstance, I leave that wholly to the Bishops owne relation.
For all the businesse of that Church in future, which must come to the Exchequer or any other publique audience, or any other businesse that may reflect upon the Church, or any thing that belongs to the Kings service, in which Churchmen are trusted, you are immutably to hould this Rule, and that by his Majesties strict and most speciall Command; Namely, that your selfe, or the Lord Rosse, or both of you together doe privatly acquaint the Earle of Traquare with it, before it be proposed in publike, either at the Councell Table,Note. or the Exchequor, or else where, and the Earle hath assumed to the King in my presence, that he will strictly observe and hold the same corespendency, and course with you, and further, that he will very redily and faithfully doe all good Offices for the Church, that come within his power according to all such Commands, as he shall receive either immediatly from the King, or otherwise by direction of his Majesty from my selfe;Note. and if at any time your Lordships, and my L. Traquare shall upon any of the aforenamed businesse so differ in judgment that you cannot accord it among yourselves, you are to let it rest, and write up either to his Majesty or to my selfe, to move his Majesty for further direction, wch once received, you are all to obey. That so this little unhapy difference which lately aros… about Lindores may be laid a sleepe, and that no other may hereafter rise up in the place of it, to disturbe either the Kings or the Churches service, or disorder any of your selves, who are knowen to be such car…ull and direct servants to both. And to the end this may go on with the better successe, his Majesty precisely Commands, that this mutuall relation betweene the Earle of Traquare and you, Note.be kept very secret, and made knowne to no other person, either Clergy or Lay, for the divulging of these things cannot but breed jealousies amongst men and disservices in regard of the things themselves. And therefore the King bids me tell you, that he shall take it very ill at his hand, who ever he be, that shall not strictly observe these his directions. This is all which I had in Command to deliver to you, and I shall not mingle with it any particulars of my own; therefore wishing you all health and happinesse, and good speed in your great affaires, I leave you to Gods blessed protection, and rest.
Your Graces very loving freind and Brother. W. Cant.
On December 1. 1635. Canterbury writ this en…uing Letter to the Archbishop of Saint Andrewes, concerning Fasts on the Lords day, & their Booke of Canons. The Copy whereof I found in his Chamber at the Tower, thus indorsed with his Secretaries hand.
A Copy of my Letters to the Lord Archbishop of Saint A…drewes, for the prohibiting of all Fasts on the Lords day throughout the Kingdome.
My very good Lord, S. in Christo.
I Have but one thing at this present to trouble you with▪ but that hath much displeased the King and not without very just Cause. For now while the King is setling that Church against all things that were defective in it, and against the continuance of all unwarrantable customes, …nknowne to, or opposed by the ancient Church of Christ, the new Bishop of Aberdene hath given w…y to, and allowed, a publick Fast thorow out his Diocesse to be kept upon the Lords Day, contrary to the rules of Christianity, and all the antient Canons of the Church. I was in good hope that Church had quite layed downe that ill Custome, but since it appeares, the now Bishop of Aberdene hath continued it, and perhaps others may follow his example, if this passe without a checke, Therefore his Majesties expres will and command to your Grace is, that you, and my Lord of Glascowe take order with all the Bishopps in your severall Provinces respectively, that no man presume, to command or suffer any Fast to be upon that day, or indeed any publicke Fast upon any other day, without the speciall leave and command of the King, to whose power it belongs, and not to them. And further, his Majesties will and pleasure is, that if the Canons be not allready printed, as I presume they are not, that you make a Canon purposely against this unworthy custome, and see it printed with the re…t. And that you write a short letter to the Bishop of Aberdene▪ to let him understand how he hath over-shot himselfe, which letter you may send together with these of mine, if you so please. This is all which for the present I have to trouble you with: therefore leaving you to Gods blessed protection, I rest.
Your Graces very loving freind and Brother. W. Cant.
And to justifie himselfe if questioned, he procured this Warrant writ with his owne Secretaries hand, Master Dell, without any date at all, to be signed by his Majesty, I doubt since his late questioning) thus endorsed with his owne hand.
Warrant for the Scotch Canons.
Charles R.
CAnterbury, I would have you and the Bishop of London peruse the Canons which are sent from the Bishops of Scotland▪ and to your best skill, see that they be w…ll sitted for Church-government, and as neare as conveniently may be to the Canons of the Ch…rch of England. And to that end you or either of you may alter what you shall finde fitting.NOTE. And this shall be your Warrant.