New Discovery of Old Pontifical Practices, Title page – To the reader
A NEW DISCOVERY OF Old Pontificall Practiſes For the maintenance of the PRELATES Authority and HIERARCHY. EVINCED By their Tyrannicall perſecution of that Reverend, Learned, Pious, and worthy Miniſter of JESUS CHRIST, Mr. JOHN UDALL, in the Raigne of Queene Elizabeth. To give ſatisfaction to all thoſe that blindely endeavour to uphold Epiſcopall Government, that their Lordly Rule in the pureſt times of the ſaid Queene, is the very ſame with that they have exerciſed ever ſince, even to theſe times. Together with the Prelates deviſes to make him ſubmit, and to ſubſcribe to ſubmiſſions of their own contriving and invention. And alſo King JAMES his Letter out of Scotland to the Queene, in the behalfe of Mr. Vdall and other perſeſecuted Miniſters in her Realme.
My Sonne feare thou the Lord and the King: and meddle not with them that are given to change.
Prov. 24. 21.
London, Printed for Stephen Bowtell, and are to be ſold at his Shop in Popes-head-Alley, 1643.
AN INTRODUCTION By way of ADVERTISEMENT To the READER.
IN theſe prejudicate opinionated times it is difficult to give ſatisfaction, that the Biſhops illegall and unconſcionable courſes, have alwaies, without any variation, bin one and the ſame; but if the impartiall Reader will deigne to peruſe this enſuing Relation of Mr. Vdalls harſh uſuage by▪ them, he ſhall finde no mutation, neither in their Councells nor Actions: They were perſecuters from all Antiquity, of ſuch as diſcloſed the diſſonancy, betweene their Authority, and the true rule of the word of God, as all Ancient and Neoterick Hiſtories record, both Domeſtick and Exoticke: And in this Kingdome, they have not onelyonly vented their fury againſt good men in the times of Popery as in the Raignes of King Edward the third, Richard the ſecond▪ and Henry the fourth; againſt Iohn Wickliſſe, and ſuch as they termed Lollards, even untill the Raignes of King Edward the fixt, and Queene Elizabeth, but alſo in her time, when Popery was relegated, and the Proteſtant Religion began to diſpell the miſty fog of errour and Ignorance; yet the reliques of Darkneſſe could not endure the true light of perfect Reformation; which this worthy Perſon Mr. Vdall, ſtriving to introduce, was by the inſtigation of the Prelates, hurried from his Miniſtery at Newcaſtle, in the depth of Winter and in the bittereſt weather that could be, brought to be Examined by the Lords of the Queenes Councell; and becauſe contrary to the Laws of the Land, he would not betray himſelfe, he was by them committed to the Gate-houſe, and there to be kept cloſe Priſoner, and not to be ſuffered to have pen, inke or paper, or any body to ſpeake with him, his wife being alſo debarred his company, and his Chamber-fellowes being profeſſed Papiſts, Seminary Prieſts and Traytors: from thence he was conveyed to the White Lyon in Southwarke, and at the Aſsiſes holden in Croydon, 24 …uly, 1590. was brought to the Bar with Fetters on his Leggs, and there Indited for malitiouſly publiſhing a ſcandalous and infamous Libell againſt the Queene, and no teſtimonies viv. … voce produced to atteſt the ſame, but only depoſitions of men taken in the High Commiſsion Court, (which by the Laws of the Land was no Court of Record) and Reports upon heare-ſay urged againſt him, his witneſſes not being permitted to teſtifie in his behalfe, becauſe it was againſt the Queene, (which notwithſtanding the Laws allow, both in Felony and in Treaſon) and the words of the Stature 23 Eliz. cap. 2. wreſted by the Judges, viz. Baron Clarke and Serjeant Puckering, that becauſe the Booke of Demonſtration of Diſcipline, whereof he was ſuppoſed the Author, and for which he was then Indited, was againſt the Biſhops that exerciſed the Government appointed them by the Queene, therefore by conſequent it was againſt her Royall Perſon; and becauſe that he ſtrove againſt the Prelates, who were put in Authority by the Queene, therefore he did ſtrive againſt her, which was contrary to the Maxime of Law, That no penall or criminall Statute which concerneth a mans life, ought to …e extended beyond the power of naturall words of the ſame (ſuch an awing power have the Biſhops alwaies carried over the Laws, Judges and Lawyers, as to over-rule them all, and to make them ſing …lacebo) and then the ſaid Judges directed the Jury to finde him the Author of that Booke, without legall proofe, and to leave the Felony to them, which they ſaid, was reſolved by all the Judges of the Land, and the Jury for feare complying with them, found him guilty of Felony, being drawn thereunto by a promiſe, that it ſhould be no further danger unto him but tend to his good; for which afterwards, they were exceedingly grieved and troubled. Then they kept him in durance for halfe a yeare uncondemned and at the Aſsiſes in February after, holden in Southwarke, uſed all the meanes and perſwaſions they could exc…gitate, to make him ſubmit and relinquiſh his Tenets againſt the Biſhops, which he refuſing to yeeld unto, had the ſentence of death pronounced againſt him by Puckering, but they not daring to execute him, becauſe his Adertions were the conſtant Doctrine of all the Reformed Churches in Chriſtendom, he was Reprived by the Queenes ſpeciall Command, then the Court Chaplaines repaired unto him, and tendered ready written ſubmiſsions unto him, which he rejected; and being perſwaded by a friend of his to ſolicite Sir Walter …awleigh to obtaine his pardon and freedom, he wrote unto him, and ſent him alſo a Confeſsion of the ſeverall points which he maintained; in the interim came unto him Dr. Nowe… Deane of Pauls, a man in thoſe daies famous for his Learning and pretended piety, who brought another ſubmiſsion unto him, whereunto he at the firſt refuſed to ſubſcribe; but after ſome advice and conſideration he aſſented and atteſted it; but afterwards perceiving that this was a trick of Legerdemaine uſed by the Deane, (who had ingaged the word and faith of a Chriſtian▪ to obtaine his Remiſsion and Liberty) which would be a meanes to haſten his end, he wrote to the Deane modeſtly▪ reprehending him for that preſtigious device, deſi…ing him to leave no ſtone unturned, that might further his Liberty, or at leaſt to cleare his own conſcience from being any way Acceſſary to his death. While theſe affaires were in agitation, JAMES King of Scotland wrote a Letter to the Queene, wherein he requeſted, that Mr. Vdall, Mr. Car…wright and other Miniſters of the Goſpell in her Realme for their diſſent from the Biſhops and others of her Clergy, touching matters of Conſcience, might not be hardly dealt with, but that at his interceſsion they might be releaſed from their Reſtraints, and not further proſecuted for their profeſsions of the Goſpell and their Conſciences, &c. Hereupon Mr. Vdall, who was conveyed to the Aſsiſes at Kingſton, and as was ſuppoſed, ſhould have bin executed there, was immediately returned from thence by the Judges unto the White Lyon, in the Evening before the firſt day thereof: And afterwards geting a Copy of his Inditement▪ by the Lord Treaſurers procurement, he framed a pardon upon the ſame and ſent it to the Privy Councell▪ who r…ferred him to the Arch-Biſhop; but his anger was ſtill immortall, neither would he relent, or condiſcend to his freedom, notwithſtanding all his Petitions nor all the entreaties of Honourable perſons, and others of good quality that mediated for him.
At laſt the Turky Marchants ſued to the Arch-Biſhop, that hee might goe into Guinea to teach their Traffiquers in that place, who aſſented thereunto upon condition, that they would be bound he ſhould goe as ſoone as he had his liberty, but when 2 of the ancients of that Company deſired to have the Arch-Biſhops hand thereunto, he refuſed to ſubſcribe, unleſſe they would be bound not only for his preſent departure but that he ſhould remaine there untill he had the Queenes Licence to returne againe into England &c.
Theſe premiſes being duly perpended, let any indifferent man give a ſolid reaſon, why ſuch Epiſcopall Government ſhould be reſtored; for how they deported themſelves in thoſe pure times of Queene Elizabeth, (as it is now termed) by this Relation is made apparent; and in the time of King James there was no alteration, for it is well knowne that they perſecuted Mr. Dighton and other good men for meere Ceremonies, and ſilenced alſo many worthy Miniſters in his Raigne; yet it is obſervable that they ſeduced that Learned King, after he once came amongſt them; and that is evident by the difference betweene his Letter in this Relation, and his concluſive ſentence to maintaine the Prelates Authority, at the Conference at Hampton Court, in the firſt yeare of his Raigne. Likewiſe in this King Charles his time▪ they have ſtopped the mouths of ſedulous and faithfull Preachers; they have aboliſhed Lectures, mutilated, ſtigmatized, whipped and tortured ſundry of the Clergy and Laity, as Mr. Burton Dr. Baſtwicke, Mr. Prynne, Dr. Leighton and others, for diſcloſing their Tyranny and abuſes: and yet ſome ſillie men are ſo farre enamoured of them that they had rather a deſtructive Epiſcopacy ſhould roughly ſway in this Kingdome, then that a preſervative Parliament ſhould free both Clergy and Laity from ſuch Scorpions ſtings.
And ſince experience in all ages evinceth, that whereſoever Epiſcopacy is, there will be Tyranny therefore all the truely Reformed Churches in Europe have aboliſhed the cauſe, that thereby the effect might alſo be utterly extinguiſhed.
To conclude, this pious and worthy perſon Mr Iohn Vdall, (as this enſuing Relation teſtifieth) ſtood firme and conſtant for the Reforma…ion even to death, and would not be deterred from it, though ſtrictly impriſoned, fettered, condemned, and bereft of all worldly comforts, which ſhould prove a Mirrour to all of that Tribe, but eſpecially to his own Poſterity, to inſtruct them not to deflect from ſo ſingular a patterne, and deviate into oblique and erroneous courſes leſt thoſe objurgations of the Prophet be juſtly applied to them, as namely Hoſea 7. 11. Ephraim is alſo like a Dove deceived, without heart: they call to Egypt; they goe to Aſhur, &c. The ſame is reiterated, Hoſea 12. 1. Ephraim is fed with the winde, and followeth after the Eaſt winde, he increaſeth daily lies and deſtruction, and they do make a Covenant with Aſhur, and oyle is carried into Egypt.
And theſe places of Scripture may one day heavily reflect upon Mr. Ephraim Vdall his Sonne unworthy of ſuch a Father, who hath forgotten to follow his Fathers ſteps, but runeth a retrograde courſe from them, in erecting a new Raile at his own charge about the Communion Table in his Church, ſince the former was removed by the Order of Parliament; and delivering the Elements to none but thoſe that come up to his Rayle; and denied to ſubſcribe for moneys for the defence of the King and Parliament; refuſing to read the Orders that come from the Parliament or Lord Major of London, but none was ſo forward as lie in permiting the Booke of ſports on the Lords day and the Prayer againſt the Scots to be read in his Church, and as it ſeemeth, he loveth the Parliament ſo litle that hee never prayeth for good ſucceſſe to their Army, but on the contrary he prayeth, That the hand of vengeance may ſtrike ſuch as take up Armes againſt the King: And no one can judge, but that the intent of ſuch expreſsions are onelyonly the calling for vengeance on the heads of thoſe, who endeavor to defend Religion, Laws and Liberties, againſt thoſe Trayterous and wicked Counſellours which have too much entercourſe with his Majeſty. And by report, his Houſe is a receptacle for diſaffected Miniſters that frequently reſort thither, and as it may be conjectured by the perſons, little good is hatched amongſt them; and he is growne into ſuch eſtimation with Birds of that feather, that Doctors, Proctors and ſuch Malecontents againſt the Parliament are his conſtant Auditors.
The Apoſtles Councell is good and ſalubrious, Study to be quiet and do your own buſineſſe, 1 Theſſ 4. 11. which if all perverſe Spirits would have practiſed▪ theſe miſerable diſtracters would never have ingulphed us in this unnaturall War.
Farewell
The Particular EXAMINATIONS, Arraignement and Condemnation, of IOHN VDALL, Miniſter of the word of GOD, together with ſuch things as paſſed betweene him and others by occaſion thereof.
SEeing you deſire to underſtand the particular things that have paſſed betwixt mee and them in authority, that have from time to time moleſted mee; I am willing to ſatisfie you at this time, in that which concerneth this my laſt and greateſt trouble, that ever befell me; for that it brought me to Priſon, referring you to get the former of▪ &c. by ſuch meanes as you may, and to learne the particulars of my Arraignement of thoſe that heard it, ſeeing it was at the publike Aſſiſes, in the preſence of many hundreds, divers whereof I thinke were both able and willing to t…ke note thereof.
After that I was ſilenced at Kingſton (in manner as appeareth in the papers that contain a particular remembrance of the ſame) I reſted about hal a yeer preparing my ſelfe to a private life for that I ſaw ſo little hope of returne into my miniſtery, or any reſt in it, to the good of the Church. But God would not have it ſo: For meanes were made by ſome, that feared God in Newcaſtle upon Tyne to the Earle of Huntington to ſend me thither who did ſo and I was received thither in ſuch ſort as contented mee, and joyned in the miniſtery of the word there with two godly men, Mr. Houldeſworth the Paſtor, and Mr. Bamford a teacher, through whoſe joynt l…bours God vouchſafed ſo to draw the people to the love of the word, (no…withſtanding that the Plague was grievous in the Towne all the while I was there, and conſumed above 2000 of the Inhabitan…s) as we had hope in time to ſee much fruit and receive great comfort of our labours. But the enemy ſo envyed the ſame that after a Yeares abode there, I was fetched thence by letters from the Lord Hunſdon Lord Chamberlaine in the name of the whole councell. Whereupon I came thence, December …9 1589. in the foreſt weather that could bee, yet through Gods mercy I and Chriſtopher Applebie (whom the Major appointed to conduct me) came ſafe to London, Ianuary 9▪ and upon the 13. being Tueſday I appeared at my Lo. Cobhams houſe in the Blackfryers, before my L. Cobham, my Lo. Buckhurſt, my L. Anderſon, the Biſh. of Rocheſter, Mr. Fort…ſcue, Mr. Egerton, the Queens ſolicitor, Doctor Aubery▪ Doct. Lewen. Then was I called in before them, whereupon my Lord Anderſon ſaid unto me.
Anderſon.
How long have you bin a… Newcaſtle?
Vdall.
About a yeere if it pleaſe your Lordſhip.
Anderſon.
Why went you from Kingſton upon Thames?
Vdall
Becauſe I was ſilenced there, and was called to Newcaſtle.
Rocheſter.
What calling had you thither?
Vdall.
The people made meanes to my Lord of Huntingdon, who ſent mee thither.
Roch.
Had you the allowance of the Biſhop of that Dioceſſe?
Vdall.
There was none at that time.
Roch.
Then you ſhould have gone to the Archbiſhop.
Vdall.
There was no Archbiſhop at Yorke neither.
Anderſ.
You are called hither to anſwer concerning certaine books which are thoug…t to be of your making.
Vda.
If it be for any of Martins bookes (according as my Lord Chamberlaines letters that fetched me import) I have already anſwered, and am ready ſo to doe againe.
Ander.
Where have you anſwered, and in what manner?
Vda.
At Lambeth a yeere and a halfe agoe, I cleared my ſelfe not to bee the author, nor to know who he was.
Ander.
Is this true Mr. Beadle?
Beadle.
I have heard that their was ſuch a thing, but I was not there at it, if it pleaſe your Lordſhip.
Aubery, Lewen
There was ſuch a thing, as my Lords Grace told us.
Vda.
I am the hardlier dealt withall to bee fetched up ſo farre at this time of the yeere. I have had a journey I would not wiſh unto my enemy.
Roch.
You may thanke your owne dealing in matters that you ſhould not have medled withall.
Ander.
It is more then I heard that ever you were called to anſwer, but you are to anſwer concerning other bookes.
Vda.
I hope your Lordſhips will not urge mee to any others, ſeeing I was ſent for about thoſe.
Ander.
You muſt anſwer to others alſo: what ſay you to thoſe Bookes, A Demonſtration or a Dialogue. &c. did you not make them?
Vda.
I cannot anſwer thereunto.
Ander.
Why would you cleere your ſelfe of Martin, and not of theſe, but that you are guilty herein?
Vda.
Not ſo my Lord, I have reaſon to anſwer in the one, but not in the other.
Ander.
I pray you let us heare what reaſon, for I cannot conceive of it, ſeeing they are all written concerning one matter.
V.
This is the matter my Lo, I hold the matter propoſ'd in them al to be one but I would not be thought to handle it in that manner, which the former Bookes doe, and becauſe I thinke otherwiſe of the latter, I care not though they ſhould be fathered upon mee.
Buckhu.
But I pray you tell me know you not Penry?
Vda.
Yes my Lord that I doe.
Buckhu.
And doe you not know him to be Martin.
Vda.
No ſurely, neither doe I thinke him to be Martin.
Buck.
What is your Reaſon?
Vda.
This my Lord, when firſt it came out he (underſtanding that ſome gave out that he was thought to bee the author, wrote a letter to a friend in London, wherein he did deny it, with ſuch tearmes as declare him to bee ignorant and cleere in it.
Buck.
Where is that letter?
Vda.
Indeed I cannot now ſhew you, for I have forgotten unto whom it was written.
Buck.
You will not tell where it is.
Vda.
Why my Lord it tendeth to the clearing of one and the accuſing of none.
Buck.
Can you tell where Penry is?
Vda.
No ſurely my Lord.
Buck.
When did you ſee him?
Vda.
About a quarter of a yeere ago.
Buck.
Where …id you ſee him?
Vda.
He called at my doore and ſaluted mee.
Buck.
Nay he remained belike with you?
Vda.
No indeed he neither came in my houſe, neither did hee ſo much as drinke with mee.
Buck.
How came you acquainted with him.
Vda.
I thinke at Cambridge, but I have beene often in his Company
Buck.
Where.
Vda.
At divers places, and namely in mine owne houſe whileſt I dwelt at Kingſton.
Buck.
What cauſe had you to be ſo often in his company?
Vda.
He being a Scholler & Student in Divinity, and one whom I alwaies thought to be an honeſt man your Lordſhip may eaſily conceive he cauſe. Here was much to this ſame effect ſpoken about Mr. Penry and my being at Mrs. Cranes houſe at Moulſley and with her, &c. which I alwaies anſwered, as in the like caſe concerning M. Horton of Richmond before the Archbiſhop.
Then Doctor Lewen reading my anſwers to thoſe queſtions, that had beene by the Archbiſhop propounded unto me concerning my papers in my ſtudy, and namely the notes of my ſeverall conferences, with the Biſhops and their Officer▪ I was asked as I remember by Mr. Forteſcue.
Forteſcue.
Why did you pen ſuch things and keepe them.
Roch.
Becauſe he and ſuch like might apiſbly imitate the Mart…rs of former times, and accompt themſelves perſecuted by us as thoſe were by the Popiſh Biſhops.
Vda.
The cauſe is this, for that in the quickneſſe of wit and readineſſe of memory in youth thoſe things may be ſpoken, that in age will be more eaſily made uſe of in writing then otherwiſe, the memory of man not being infinite.
Ander.
What ſay you did you make theſe bookes, or know you who made them?
Ʋda.
I cannot anſwer to that queſtion, my Lord.
Ander.
You had as good ſay you were the author.
Vda.
That will not follow; but if you thinke ſo, I cannot do withall.
Cobha.
Mr. Vdall if you be not the author ſay ſo, and if you be confeſſe it, you may find favour.
Vdall.
My Lord I thinke the author for any thing I know did well and I know that he is enquired after to be puniſhed & therefore I think it my duty to hinder the finding of him out, which I cannot do better then thuss
Ander.
And why ſo I pray you?
Vda.
Becauſe if every one that is ſuſpected do deny it, the author at the length muſt needs be found out.
Ander.
Why dare you not confeſſe it if you be the author of it? dare you not ſtand to your owne doings?
Vda.
I profeſſed before that I lik'd of the bookes and the matter handled in them, but whether I made them or no I will not anſwer, neither of any other book of that argument, whatſoever goeth without name if you ſhould aske me for the reaſon alleadged before, beſides that if I were the author I thinke that by Law I need not anſwer.
Ander.
That is true if it concerned the loſſe of your life.
Vda.
I pray your Lordſhip, doth not the Law ſay generally No man ſhall be put to anſwer without preſ…ntment before Iuſtices or things of record, or by due proceſſe or writ originall, &c. A…no 42. Edw. 3. cap▪ 5.
Ander.
That is Law and it is ont Law.
Vda.
I underſtand you not my Lord, It is a Statute which is in force if it be not repealed.
Ander.
I tell you by law you ought to anſwer in this caſe▪
Vda.
Good my Lord ſhew me this favour to tell me in what booke of the Law I ſhall find it, for I profeſſe to underſtand, the Latine, French, and Engliſh tongues, wherein all the lawes be written.
Forteſcue.
You are very cunning in the law, I pray you by what law did you preach at New…aſtle being f…rbidden at Kingſton.
Vd.
I Know no law againſt it, ſeeing it was the official Doctor Hone, who did ſilence me, whoſe authority reacheth, not out of his Arch-deaconry.
Forteſcue.
What was the cauſe for which you were ſilenced?
Vda.
Surely I cannot tell nor yet imagine ſaving the ſecret ſuggeſtions of Mr▪ Harvie
Forteſcue.
To bee ignorant of that, is craſſa et ſupina ignorantia.
Vda.
No Sir the action was craſſa et ſupina injurta.
And.
Well what ſay …u to thoſe books, who made them and where were they printed.
Vda.
Though I could tell your Lordſhip, yet dare I not for the reaſons before alleadged.
Roch.
I pray you let me aske you a queſtion or two concerning your booke.
Vda.
It is not yet proved to bee mine, but I will anſwer to any thing concerning the matter of the Booke ſo farre as I know.
Roch.
You call it a Demonſtration, I pray you what is a Demonſtration? I beleeve you know not what it is.
Vda.
If you had asked me that queſtion when I was a boy in Cambridge of a yeers ſtanding it had been… a note of ignorance in mee, to have beene unable to anſwer you.
Roch.
Surely it ſeemeth by the frame of the Syllogiſmes and reaſons, in it, that you know it not if you be the author of that booke, I read none of it late, but in the Parliament time ſitting in a morning in the houſe I read ſome of it, and it ſeemed to mee in many things, not to conclude probably much leſſe demonſtratively.
Vda.
I will ſhew you as I take it why the author called it a Demonſtration, becauſe the reaſon which is uſually brought to prove the concluſions is commonly drawne from a place of Scripture, which hath more force in it to manifeſt the concluſion foreign then any of Ariſtotles proofes drawne as they ſay, ex primis, veris, neceſſarijs et immediatis cauſis.
Roch.
Indeed that which is proved by the Scrip…ures is proved moſt Demonſtratively, but the proofes in that Booke are far from any ſuch.
Vda.
Let that be the queſtion and try it in ſome one.
Ander.
My Lord of Rocheſter, I pray you let us make ſhort worke with him, offer him a Booke; will you ſweare to anſwer to ſuch things as ſhall be demanded of you in the behalfe of our Soveraigne Lady the Queene?
Vda.
I will take an oath of Allegiance to her Majeſty, wherein I will acknowledge her Supremacy according to Statute, and promiſe my obedience as becometh a Subject, but to ſweare to accuſe my ſelfe or others, I thinke you have no Law for it.
Ander.
Mr. Soliciter, I pray you tell him the Law in this point.
Then Mr. Solliciter (who had ſitten all the while very ſoberly, noteing what paſſed (and if a mans mind may be knowne by his countenance ſeemed to miſlike the courſe holden againſt me, upon my Lord Anderſons commandement) ſtood up, and puting off his hat unto me ſaid:
Eger.
Mr. Vdall, I am ſorry that you will not anſwer nor take an oath, which by Law you ought to doe: I can aſſure you, your Anſwers are like the Seminary Prieſts Anſwers, for hey ſay, there is no Law to compell them to take an oath to accuſe themſelves.
Vda.
Sir, If it be a liberty by Law, there is no reaſon why they ſhould not challenge it, for (though they be very bad ones) they are Subjects▪ and untill they be condemned by Law, may require all the benefits of Subjects, neither is that any reaſon, that their Anſwering ſo, ſhould make the claime of leſſe value for me, ſeeing that herein we are Subjects alike, though otherwiſe of a moſt contrary diſpoſition.
Buck.
My Lord, it is no ſtanding with him thus, what ſayeſt thou, wilt thou take the oath?
Vda.
My Lord, I have ſaid as much thereunto as I can.
Then they commanded me to goe forth, and they conſulted a little ſpace and called me againe, at which time almoſt every one of them, uſed many words to perſwade me to a confeſſe a truth, ſaying the Queene was mercifull, and that otherwiſe it would goe hardly with me: to whom I ſaid, My Lords, I know not that I have offended her Majeſty, when it is proved that I have I hope her mercy will not then be too late, howſoever it bee I dare not take this oath.
Awbery Lewen.
You have heretofore taken it, and why will you not take it now?
Vda.
Indeed you call to remembrance a good reaſon to refuſe it, I was called to Anſwer to certaine Articles upon mine oath heretofore, which I voluntarily did, and freely confeſſed that againſt my ſelfe, concerning my iudgement and preaching of the points of Diſcipline, which could never have bin proved; and when my friends labored to have me reſtored to my place; the Arch-Biſhop anſwered, that there was ſufficient matter againſt me, by mine own confeſsion, why I ſhould not be reſtored; whereupon I Covenanted with mine own heart, never to be mine own tormentor in that ſort againe.
And.
Whatſoever be the iſſue of it, you muſt do your duty and deale plainely with the Magiſtrate.
Vda.
I take my duty to be in this caſe, not to anſwer, nor the Magiſtrats to require it of me, ſeeing the Apoſtle ſaith, Receive not an accuſation againſt an Elder▪ under two or three witneſſes, which Semanca the Spaniſh Inquiſitor alleadgeth to the ſame purpoſe.
Buck.
What, you are an Elder are you?
Vda.
My Lord, howſoever the word Elder be taken, whether ſo largely as I and any Brethren that deſire the Diſcipline do take it, or only for a Miniſter of the word, as our adverſaries underſtand it, I am an Elder.
Roch.
It is true my Lord, that an Elder in that place containeth all ſuch as he is, but none elſe.
Buck.
Yea but they would have other Elders to governe the Church, which deſire of theirs, when it com…th to paſſe, I will give over my Barony, and become an Elder.
Vda.
If your Lorſhip underſtood what great paines and ſmall worldly recompence belongeth to that office, you would never ſay ſo.
Roch.
The day is paſt, and we muſt make an end, will you take the Oath?
Vda.
I dare not take it.
Roch.
Then you muſt goe to priſon, and it will goe hard with you▪ for you muſt remaine there untill you be glad to take it.
Vda.
Gods will be done, I had rather goe to priſon with a good conſcience▪ then to be at liberty with an ill one.
Roch.
Your ſentence f…r this time is to goe to the Gate-houſe cloſe Priſoner, and you are beholding to my Lords here, that they have heard you ſo long.
Vda.
I acknowledge it, and do humbly thanke their Honours for it.
And when they were all gon, my Lord Cobham ſtayed me to ſpeake to me, who told me that it might be, he and others wiſhed things to be amended aſ▪ well as I, but the time ſerved not, and therefore he wiſhed me not to ſtand in it, and I praying his Lordſhips good favour, he promiſed to do for me what he could, for which I humbly thanked him, and ſo was carried to the Gatehouſe by a Meſſenger, who delivered me with a Warrant to be kept cloſe priſoner, and not be ſuffered to have pen inke or paper▪ or any body to ſpeak with me. Thus I remained there halfe a yeare, in all which time my wife could not get leave to come unto me, ſaying only that in the heareing of the Keeper ſhe might ſpeake to me, and I to her, of ſuch things as he ſhould thinke meet, notwithſtanding that ſhe made ſuit to the Commiſſioners, yea unto the body of the Councell, for ſome more liberty: all which time my Chamber fellowes were Seminary Prieſts, Traytors and profeſſed Papiſts. At the end of halfe a yeare, I was removed to the VVhite-Lyon in Southwarke, and ſo carried to the Aſſiſes at Croydon, where what was done, I will not mention, ſeeing there were preſent ſuch as were both able, and I th…nk willing to ſet down, unto whoſe report I refer thoſe that would know the ſame.