A relation of the troubles of the three forraign churches in Kent, caused by the injunctions of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno Dom. 1634 &c. written by J.B., Minister of the word of God.

A relation of the troubles of the three forraign churches in Kent, caused by the injunctions of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno Dom. 1634 &c. written by J.B., Minister of the word of God.

Table of contents

Title page

To the Christian Reader.

A Relation of the Troubles of the three forraigne Churches in KENT.

Errata.

[Page]

A Relation of the Troubles of the three forraigne Churches in KENT.

AFter the death of George Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud Bishop of London was promoted to that See, and made Archbishop thereof; who at his entrance obtained of the Kings Majesty a Patent for a generall Visitation of all the Diocesses under his jurisdiction, as well of those that were exempts as otherwise. And although the foraigne Churches of this Realme were not comprehended in that Patent (for whereas Bishops, Deanes, Archdeacons, Canons, prebendaries, ministers and others were nominated, the forraine Churches were not named) yet the Archbishop presupposed and pretended them to be; and therefore in the visitation of his Diocesse of Canterburie, by his Commissioners in Aprill Anno Domini, 1634. he caused the three forreine churches to be cited to appeare by their deputies in Canterburie; namely of Canterburie, Sandwich, and Maidston, the Deputies of which churches appeared on the 14. day of April, in Master Deanes house before his Commissioners, which were Sir Nathaniel Brent, the Deane of Canterburie, and others, the Bishop of Rochester being sicke and absent; where were

Questions propounded to the Walloone Congregation at Canterburie, and the Dutch Congregations of Sandwich and Maidston, whereunto they are to make answere in writing, severally, or jointly, on Saterday next in the afternoone, betweene the houres of one and five of the clocke.

First, What Liturgie they use, and whether they have not the English Liturgie in Dutch, or French in use.

Secondly, Of how many desents for the most part they are borne Subiects.

Thirdly, Whether such as are borne Subjects will corforme to the Church of England?

The Deputies were, Gasparus Nieren minister of the Dutch Church of Sandirich; Jeha Bulteel, and Philip Deline, ministers of the French Church in Canterburie. Iohn Miller minister of the Dutch Church of [Page] Maidston, and some Elders. Iohn Bulteel was requested by the [...] to [...] the speaker, he therefore answered the Commissioners, that though [...] three forreine Churches were in my Lord Archbishop of Canterburies Diocesse, they were not of his Diocesse, and that they were of the erempts; and whereas Doctor Warner said, that the Deane and Chapter were of the exempts also, yet were comprehended in the patent and were visited; he answered, they were in a manner doubly exempted, and not contained as they conceived expresly and by name as they were (Deanes, Archdeacons, prebends, and others nominated in the patent) they added also that no Archbishop did ever propound any such question to their Churches; and that it might be easily knowne, and was knowne what Liturgie they had it being added ordinarily to the end of the psalmes, as it was practised and used in France, Germanie and Holland, in the French Walloone and Dutch Congregations. As for the English Liturgy, it was translated into French, but not in Dutch that they knew; neither was it in use among them, they having their owne Liturgy. Now the Deputies being pressed to answer more particularly to the three questions desired of the Commissioners a longer time to answer to those propositions, because they were to communicate them to their congregations and they of Sandwich and Matdston could not returne an answer so soone. So the Commissioners did prorogue the time and did appoint the day of answering to those questions that day three weekes, namely the fifth of May, Sir Nathaniel Brent, Deane Bargrave and Doctor Iackson, spake of their governmenr and discipline concerning refractary and deboshed perions; and praising them for the care they had of their poore, in setting them on worke, and not permitting them to beg, giving them sufficient maintenance. But Doctor Warner could not endure to heare those praises, startled and snuft at it, using some discurteous words, as if those praises were to the disparagement of the English Churches, &c. notwithstanding some Justices of peace at Sessions, in giving the charge, would often make honourable [...] of the forraigne Churches in England and wish theirs would [...] them, propounding them as patternes and examples to English Churches, concerning their poore, in setting them to worke, and hindering them from begging.

The Church of Canterbury being assembled together, according to its custome namely, the Ministers, Elders and Deacons, and considering it was a subject of great importance, and a matter of consequence, that concerned all the forraign Churches found it sitting to write to the Coetus, that is to say to the two stranger Churches, the French and Dutch Consistory of London, and to aske their councell, advice, and helpe: who returneó [Page] their answer, that the three Congregations of Canterbury, Sandwich and Maidstone, should doe well to depute some of every Church, and send them up to London to conferre there, together with the Coetus, about the businesse, as being a subject of great concernment. The Church of Canterbury deputed their two Ministers, John Bulteel and Philip Delme, and two of their Elders, with instructions to conferre with those of London, and gave them in writing the answer to the three propositions, which were to be shewed to the company there but not to be delivered up to the Arch-bishops Vicar-generall but with the advice and consent of the Coetus, and but upon necessity: the Answer was this,

Upon the first Question.

THat we have that Liturgy, which all the Churches of the French tongue, both in France and in the united provinces of the estates have had since the blessed reformation, and which our Churches refuged here have had this sixty or siventy years or more, and which is annexed to the [...] of the book of psalms.

That the English Liturgy is translated into French, but we use it not; we know not whether it be in Dutch or no.

On the second Question.

THat the greatest part of the heads of the families are not borne here, but about a third part; because that the greatest part of the old ones are strangers borne, and many others are newly come since a few yeers.

To the third Question.

THe mentioned in that proposition desire not to doe that which is inquired of; because they see that the [...] of the Church would ensue, both in regard of the entertainment of the Ministry [...] particularly for the subvention of the poore; to the whch they are not onely brought up, but also ingaged by promise made unto God and the church.

Besides, many of the Natives understand not nor speak so well the English as they should, to understand well the Sermons and prayers. Moreover, the families would be divided in the publike exereises of piety; therfore they find it fit and necessary that a [...] be made by all meanes, that they may continue as they have hitherto done: And that, first, according to the priviledges since Edward the sixth, both by royall word and promise, with approbation of our order, as by letters of the most honourable privy-counsell under whom we have and doe as refuged subsist and continue. [...], on the testimony both of the [...] or [...] a [...] of this towne, as also the certificate [Page] of the gentry and country concerning our good behaviour, &c.

This was made and subscribed by divers of the said Church, in the name of all the rest, Aprill 27. 1634.

Whereupon the Deputies of the said Church with those of Sandwich went up to London, where they met with the Minister of Maidston, and having conferred together with the Coetus or two forraigne Churches of London; they made this answer in writing to my Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury.

Questions propounded to the Walloon Congregation at Canterbury, and the Dutch Congregations at Sandwich and Maidston, by the right worshipfull Commissioners of my Lord Arch-bishop of Canterburie's Grace, Aprilis 14. 1634.

First, what Liturgy they use, and whether they haeve not the English Liturgy in Dutch or French in use.

Secondly, of how many descents for the most part they are borne Subjects.

Thirdly, whether such as are borne Subjects will conforme to the Church of England.

To the which Questions, the answer of the said Churches is,

THat they doe greatly honour and respect the dignity, person and merit of my Lord Arch-bishop his Grace; but doe most humbly beseech his grace not to be offended, if in particular they doe not answer the said Questions: Because it is a thing not used heretofore by any of the Lords Archbishops his predecessors. And because the forraigne Churches of this Kingdome have obtained a patent from King Edward the sixth, confirmed by Queen Elizabeth, by the late deceased King James Princes of glorious memory, and by his Majesties now reigning (whom God long blesse and preserve) In which patent, by a speciall grace, the said forreigne Churches in regard of their Liturgy and Ecclesiasticall discipline, are exempted from the jurisdiction of the Lord Arch-bishops and Bishops, as also from [...] Officers and Justices of this Kingdome, therefore the said churches doe most humbly beseech my Lord Archbishop his grace for the avoyding of the ruine and dissipation of the said churches to shew them his favor in the continuance of the modest and peaceable exercise of their said Liturgy and Ecclesiasticall discipline; seeing the said exercise is grounded on the royall promise of his Majesty, for the preservation and prosperity of whose person, as also of the Queens Majesty and the royall issue, they make continuall prayer to the Lord: And also in testimony of their gratitude and acknowledgement, they will not faile to pray, &c. Aprill 30. 1634.

John Bulteel.

Ministers of the Word of God to the Walloon congregation of Canterbury.

Philip Delme.

Ministers of the Word of God to the Walloon congregation of Canterbury.

John de Bever

Elders of the said church.

Ph. Lernott,

Elders of the said church.

Gasparus Nierenius Ecclesiae Belgicae quae est Sandwici pastor.

Jo. Vanden Broumker, Elder of the said church.

John Miller Minister of the Word of God in the Dutch congregation at Maidston.

In the name of the said congregations.

This Answer was delivered up to Sir Nathaniel Brent by the Deputies at his house in London; who said it was a modest answer and with respect, and that he would deliver it to my Lord; desired them to shew the parent of King Edward the sixth, or a copy thereof, that my Lord might have a fight thereof; who were not willing to shew him the Originall, but gave him a copy thereof (written by a Notarie) to deliver it to my Lord. So taking their leaves of Sir Nathaniel Brent and dilmissed with very curteous words, the Deputies returned to their severall Churches and charges.

The Churches were in good hope that their answer would have given my Lord satisfaction and content, and nothing was heard from my Lord or his Vicar-generall for a long time; all seemed husht and asleep, but not dead: for Sir Nathaniel having ended his perambulation and visitation of divers provinces for that yeer, returned to Canterbury, and intimated unto the Ministers of the French congregation, that my Lord was not satisfied nor content with their precedent answer, and had order to cite them to appeare with those of Sandwich and Maidston before him and other commissioners the 19. of December in Master Sumners house, to heare my Lords injunctions: The Deputies of Canterbury and Sandwich appeared at the place & time before them, who propounded the injunctions spake somwhat of the English Liturgy, wished it were received in their churches for the glory of the English churches; and seeing that both the english and strangers had but one Religion in substance, why should there be a different Liturgy and discipline between them? told them that if they would conser & discourse with the Divines (the Deane and Master Casaubon) they might goe downe into the Garden and there talk and communicate together: The Deputies answered, they came not there to conserre or dispute together, but to heare what they had to say from my Lord; and because the time to answer to the said injunctions was short, as that the natives should resort to their parish churches the third day of January, and the Liturgy should be read in the forraine churches the 14. of February; they [Page] demanded some more respite for their answer; the commissioners were content to give them time to the first of March, and so Master Sumner by charge of Sir Nathaniel Brent sent them [...] Act, and in this forme.

Decimo nono die Decembris Anno Domini 1634. coram venerabilibus viris Domino Nathanaele Brent milite, legum Doctore Reverendissimi in Christo patris ac Domini Domini Gulielmi [...] Archiepiscopi & [...] in spiritualibus generali, Isaaco Bargrave saerae Theologiae professore, Decano Ecclesiae cathedralis & Metropolicae Christi [...], & Merico Casaubon sacrae Theologiae bacchalanreo, ejusdem Ecclesiae Praebendario, commissariis Reverendissimi Domini Archiepiscopi, in & pro visitatione sua Metropolitica constitutis in aedibus ac in praesentia Willielmi Sumner notarii publici Registrarij principalis deputati.

Quibus die & loco, comparuerunt magister Joannes Bulteel Clericus & magister Philippus Delme Clericus, [...] Ecclesiae [...] apud Cantuarium, una cum senioribus (uti vocant) ejusdem Ecclesiae quibus Domini Domini commissarij intimarunt: that all the Natives of their Walloon congregation must resort to the severall parish churches of those [...] wherein they inhabite to heare divine service and Sermons, and performe all duties of parishioners required in that behalfe; and that the Ministers and all others of the same Walloon or French congregation which are Aliens borne, shall have and use the Liturgy used in the English churches; as the same is, or may be faithfully translated into French: & [...] eos, to informe their congregation hereof, and to conforme them and themselves hereunto by the first of March next.

Examinatur per me Willielmum Somner notarium publicum.

The like was given unto those of Sandwich, and the Vicar-generall passing through Maidston gave the like charge unto the Minister and Elders of the Dutch congregation there; the Deputies of Canterbury and Sandwich found it fitting that the passages of the businesse should be related unto their owne churches and thought good to write to the two forreigne churches or coetus of London, and certifie them what had passed between them and the commissioners; who returned an answer, that seeing it was a case that concerned all the forraigne churches French and Dutch of this Kingdome, and their case was a leading case to the other churches; it was fitting, nay, necessary, that they should be advertised thereof: So the Deputies of both churches Canterbury and Sandwich wrote to all the forreigne churches Dutch and French or Walloon in this Kingdome, entreating them to send their Deputies to London armed with good instructions and reasons, for the maintaining of the subsistence of their churches, [Page] [...] bring with them their writings and priviledges to that end; and to be at London the fifth of February following there to conferre together concerning those injunctions. But because the time prefixed seemed somewhat long, which notwithstanding cou'd not well be abreviated by [...] of the great distances of the Churches, and their preparation, and that the [...] required haste, for it was thought the Kings Majesty would be gone from White-hall the 16. of the moneth of February, and that some presupposed that my Lord of Canterbury, might be [...] with complements, in [...] him and offering him their service (although there were others that thought otherwise) requesting him to let them enjoy their priviledges as they had hitherto done, and not be troubled but permitted to live in peace; the Deputies therefore of the three forementioned Churches, whom it most and primarily concerned, were counselled to anticipate the time and goe to London; to goe first to my Lord of Canterbury and beseech him to revoke his injunctions; and in case he would not be moved to recall them, they might prepare matters besore the arrivall of the Deputies of other Churches; and if need were, goe joyntly together to the King: So the Deputies of Canterbury and Sandwich went for London and met there the Deputies of Maidston, where consulting together with the Ministers and Elders of the French and Dutch congregation in their Coetus; it was found expedient to goe to the Arch-bishop, to petition him by word of mouth: So the Deputies went to the Vicar-generall, told him the cause of their comming, and the desire they had to speak to my Lord, who told them he would goe to my Lord, and wisht them to be at White-hall at my Lords lodging on the last of January, where the Deputies went at the appointed time: my Lord did not call them into his inward room, but came out into his outward, there being but a curtaine between him and the people; who comming there and sitting in his pontisiciall Chaire, not so much as vailing his Bonnet to the Deputies, who came in the name of their Churches, John Bulteel made this speech unto my Lord in the name of the rest.

Most reverend Father in God:

WE the Ministers with some Elders of the three [...] Churches of Canterbury, Sandwich and Maidston, deputed by the said congretions, doe present our selvs before you tendring in humility our service to your Grace, knowing the [...] place which you have under our gracious Soveraign, whom God long preserve.

But my Lord interrupted him saying, I know your dostrine, parity of Ministers, hatle fellow well met, and used discurteous words, and would heare no more of the speech; telling the Deputies he had appointed the [Page] Munday following for the day of hearing, and had no leisure to heare a thing twice; had spoken to his Vicar generall and Sir John Lambe Judge of the Arches to be there at the appointed time, so he put it off and dismissed then; who much wondred at his harsh salutation and hard words at the first meeting, and began to conjecture what the issue would be, being wo roughly dealt at their first comming, and found the contrary by experience, of what they had heard that my Lord was affable and curteous to those that came to him.

The same Deputies returned to my Lord at the appointed houre, where the soresaid Minister who began the former speech, and had pezed his words the former time, as namely when he said knowing the eminent place he had under the King (he said not under God) for he had it not [...] divino, but by the liberality and munificence of the King: The said J. B. omitting that which he had said before, proceeded on.

My Lord:

WE returne here to represent unto your grace, that the injunction which hath been made unto us by your Commissioners, are [...] to our priviledges, which we have enjoyed for the space of fourscore yeers, by the grace, favour, liberality, permission and protection of three high and mighty Princes of blessed and happy memory, King Edward the VI. Queen Elizabeth and King James, and confirmed by the royall promise of our dread Soveraigne (whom God long preserve) and never were as yet hindered by the command of any of the Lords Arch-bishops your predecessors, we hope we shall enjoy the like favour, as having never abused of the same liberty, as may appeare by divers certificates of our good behaviour and [...] conversation in the places Where we live. As for the observation of those injunctions it wil be very prejudicial unto our Churches as an occasion of the dispersion and diseput on of them, the ruine of many Families, and a hinderance of the conversion of many papists which come from beyond the seas to our churches. We beseechmost humbly your grace, that you would be pleased to revoke these injunctions, and to permit us to continue to enjoy our priviledges, with out any [...] and molestation, to the comfort of our churches, that are very much perplexed with these injunctions: so shall we be the moreobliged and bound &c.

My Lord made a discourse of his proceedings before he answered to the discourse told them he had a visitation to make in all the Diocesses of his Jurisdiction, and would begin with his owne house and Diocesse, and so with them; he thanked them for their prayers and wishes, and he would pray for them: but whether they prayed for him or no, he would goe on, and would them good, but in a Canonicall way; that he did nothing [Page] but that he had communicated it to the King and Counsell, which had been there debated, that their discourse contained some reasons, but he could see no reason that the observation of the injunctions could or would bring such inconveniences; that he had a copy of the patent of King Edward the VI. (which he drew out of his pocket) and said that would not serve them, and that they were much mistaken. He spake often very harshly and bitterly unto the Deputies, and in a jeering and scoffing way, spake very basely of their communion, said, that their Churches used irreverence at their communion sate altogether as if it were in a Tavern or Ale-house, where one drunk to another the Minister beginning and the people following him; that their Ministry & Discipline was not secundum Evangelium, the english was, and Bishops [...] divine, that he would engage his Arch. bishoprick theron, and would dispute with the best of them, that all they did was to take away Bishops, that they were the wise and religious, and he with the rest, the superstitious and idolaters, that they were Israel in AEgypt, that they would make a state in a state, and if they did so, he needs not be there in that place; that their Churches were nests and occasion of scisme, that his intention was to hinder the scisme in Kent, where there are so many factious, who though they were not guilty of death, yet worthy to be punished; that it were better there were no forraigne Churches nor strangers in England, then to have them thereby to give occasion or prejudice to the Churchgovernment of England; that his intention was to governe the Church of England according to the Canons, except the King would restraine him; that he told the King that he would begin with his owne Diocesse, that they vanted they did not feare him nor care for his injunctions, but he hoped the King would maintaine him; he could not abide to heare so much of Churches, and said, there was but one Church, and many such like things; these criminations and scoffes, were not uttered with one breath but intermixed in his discourse.

The Deputies that came not there to dispute and answer every thing but to request and heare what my Lord would say, did answere but now and then as they durst or might, not going beyond their commission, told him that they were not the cause of scisme, and that there were many such (scismaticks, as he termed them but indeed godly reformed Protestants) in those places where no strangers Churches were, as in Devonshire, Dorsetshire, and other Counties, that they never vanted in that manner, did never exalt their owne discipline, but contented with their owne medled not with theirs; they hoped they should enjoy their priviledges as heretofore, that they could shew certificates of their good [Page] behaviour, civill and quiet carriage, both of the Mayor, Aldermen, yea, Bourmouth of Canterbury, of the Deane and Chapter of Christs Church, and of the Lords, Knights and Gentry of the Country. He told them, he had heard good report of them, and would not disgrace them so much as to aske for certificates, and that he thought charitably of them, that they were not the cause nor counsellours and maintainers of scismaticks, but the permission of the forraigne Churches and discipline was the occasion of many factious persons in his Diocesse. The Deputies told him, that the execution of his injunctions would be the dissipation, yea, the destruction of their Churches, that the ministry and poore could not be maintained; he seemed not to beleeve it, and said, that they were not to regard two or three Ministers; they replyed they did not speak for themselves, but for their Churches; many among them not understanding the english tongue; he said, that was but a designe, and that from the beginning they should have sent their children to the parishes to learne the language and accustome them to it from their infancy and youth. In fine, his full resolution was to have his injunctions put in full execution on the day prefixed, and that they should look to it to their perils, and commanded Sir Nathaniel Brent his Vicar-generall to goe on with them: the Deputies said, they had the Kings royall promise, who said he would shew unto the forraigne Churches the same savour which the King his Father had shewed unto them, my Lord said, that they might goe unto the King if they would (as any Subject might doe) and his hand should not be the heavier on them for it; those that were English borne, and the Kings Subjects, should be subject to his jurisdiction, and if they had any thing to say to him hereafter, they might come to him againe, and so dismissed the Deputies.

Now because mention is made of the certificate and good testimony of the Chapter of Canterbury, it may be fitly inserted in this place.

We, the Deane and chapter of the cathedrall and Metropoliticall church of Christ canterbury. At the request of the Walloon congregation here being and residing; do testifie and declare, that the body of the same congregation for many yeeres past, and still doe very religiously, obediently, orderly and civilly demeane and behave themselves towards God and all the Kings Majesties officers, and others in these parts (for any thing we have ever heard to the contrary) and most painfully and industriously labour in their severall vocations, so as none of them are chargeable or axy wayes burdensome to the English, but rather very helpfull to the poorer sort, by setting them to spinning and other workes, whereby they are much relieved [...] [Page] kept from idlenesse. Neither have we knowne or heard of any just complaints made against the same Congregation for any hinderance or prejudice done by them to the English people [...] these parts. And we are verily perswaded that the example of their painfull industry and diligent labours, doth move and stirre up the honest poore of our Nation to set themselves to worke. In testimony whereof we have set our cemmon seale. Dated [...] our chapterhouse the 25. of March, in the yeere of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lord James, by the grace of God King of England, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. the one and twentieth, and of Scotland the six and fiftieth, Anno Dom. 1623.

There was another certificate of the Knights and Gentlemen neere Canterbury, couched in the same tenor and words, and there was one of the Major Bourmouth of Canterbury in the same stile, onely an exception by parenthesis (except some few of them whom the body of the said Congregation did not nor doe approve of.)

The Deputies related to the Coetus what had passed between my Lord Arch-bishop & them, who together found it fitting that they should stay till the fifth of February the day appointed for the assembly of the Synod of all the Deputies of all the stranger Churches in this Kingdome & then and there to make a relation of all the passages which had happened unto that day. The Deputies of the forraign Churches appeared at the appointed time & shewed their letters of credence the persons chosen to be the moderator, the Assistant, and the Scribe of the Synod according to its custome (we intend not to write downe the acts of that Synod in this short Epitome, but onely what concernes this businesse) the Deputies of Kent made a discourse to the Assembly of what they had done, and were approved, as having begun there where they should, namely with my Lord of Canterbury, who otherwise would have been very much offended if they had gone first to the King; who would without doubt have sent them to his Arch-bishop; but they seeing the Deputies could not by their petition to my Lord cause him to revoke his injunctions, and that my Lord told them they might goe to the King if they would, they holding their priviledges from the Kings Majesty immediatly, and not from my Lord, and that they had no other way then to goe directly to the King. there being especially no Parliament assembled at that time: the Synod found it fitting. yea, necessary to send joyntly together some Deputies to the King in the name of the whole Synod, who represented the forraigne Churches of this Kingdome with a petition to his Majesty, and a speech to be made unto him.

[Page] The Deputies were Master Marmet, Master Primrose, Master Gasparus, Master Proast, Master Beauuois and John Bulteel Ministers, besides Master Lucie, and Master du Mont Elders, Sir William St. Ravi a French Gentleman was the man, who at the request of the Deputies went to the King to know his mind; who told him he was content to receive a petition but would not heare any discourse: so those that were deputed to that action, on the 12 of February, waited for the King at his comming forth out of his Chappell going to dinner; and Master Marmet one of the Ministers of the French Church of London, accompanied by the foresaid Deputies, Ministers and Elders, gave unto his Majesty the petition: This was the Petition.

To the KINGS most excellent Majesty.

The humble Petition of the forraigne Churches in this Realme of ENGLAND.

Humbly sheweth to your sacred Majesty, That the Petitioners and their predecessours, by your Highnesse favour, and your noble Progenitors, have and doe [...] enjoy severall priviledges concerning the state of government of their Churches.

But of late they have beene acquainted with an Injunction made by the right honourable the Lord of Canterbury his grace, and directed to the forraigne Churches which are in his Diocesse. By the execution whereof, [...] will ensue the dissipation not onely of the said Churches, but also of all other forraigne Churches in this your Majesties Kingdome.

The Petitioners therefore humbly beseech, that your sacred Majestie would extend your highnesse favour towards them still, and be graciously pleased to heare the Petitioners deputies in your most honourable Privie Councell, upon the most humble Remonstrances which the Petitioners will produce unto your Majestie and their Honours therein.

And as in duty bound, the Petitioners will continue to pray to God for your Majesties long and prosperous reigne, &c.

The King going to dinner gave the Petition to my Lord Chamberlin to give it to one of the Secretaries; who told the King many considerable things in the behalfe of the forraigne Churches which he affected and favoured: to whom the King said, We must beleeve our Archbishop of Canterbury in the hearing of Master Gasparus, one of the Deputies.) My Lord Chamberlin came and told the Deputies what [Page] he had told the King, and what the King had charged him with, and that he went to give the Petition to Sir John Cooke Secretary: they thanked his Honour for his good will towards them, and care of them; glad that the Petition should fall into the hands of that religious Secretary [...], that good Patriot; and not in the hands of Sir [...] that Popish Secretary, and my Lord of Canterburies creature. The said afternoone Sir William Saint [...] waiting on the Kings Majesty in Saint James Parke, give unto his Majesty the Speech in French, which should have beene made unto him in the morning. The Tenour whereof was this, thus translated into English.

To the King.

Most gracious Soveraigne,

The forraigne Churches, which under the favour, maintenance and support of the Kings your Predecessours (whose memory is blessed) have been established, and who doe as yet subsist in your Kingdome, under the same favour of your Majesty. Having [...] prejudication or fore-judgement of their dissipation in an Injunction directed from my Lord Archbishop of canterbury, to those churches that reside in his Diocesse are here in the persons of [...] Deputies at your Majesties feet, to intreat your Majesty most humbly that with the same affection and royall promise, with the which it was pleased at its happy comming to the crowne, to confirme unto them their priviledges granted unto them by your Majesties predecessours, it will be also pleased now to prevent their [...] just apprehensions, and stop the blow of their ruine.

The said Injunction hath two branches, the one whereof is directed unto [...] that are borne in this land; tending that they are to seperate themselves, and to goe and remaine every [...] in his owne Parish: the other concernes the strangers, that they are to leave and quit their ordinary Liturgy, and to range and ranke themselves to that of England.

The first command (Sir) doth undermine at one blow, and overthrow the fovndation of the subsistence of their churches. For although the natives doe in some places make the greater, and in some others the least part thereof; yet neverthelesse they are every where the most important and considerable part, because they onely possesse some meanes, and by their extraordinary liberall reliefe the Ministrie is entertained, and a great quantity of Poore maintained [...] they are charged. So that those withdrawing themselves, the Pastors will remaine without entertainment, [...] [Page] churches without exercise, the Poore without assistance; and the rest being composed of no others then Artificers, ignorant of the English tongue, and whose abode (being not stable for want of meanes) is as uncertaine as indifferent; shall be constrained to goe and seeke elsewhere the exercise [...] their religion. Thus all being dissipated by this first command, the second will remaine very unprofitable.

The singular Pietie of your Majestie is well knowne of all, and we have seen with our eyes notable effects of its good naturall and mercifull disposition towards those that professe with it the same purity of doctrine, to make us ever to beleeve that it will suffer under its reigne, or can see with his eyes so great adesolation.

That these poore flocks, who hath escaped the fire, the massacres and persecutions, are come here, and have been received, and put under covert as in a place of refuge and sanctuary of a holy Temple; shall be now dispersed, and compelled to seek elswhere some certaine and sure seat and dwelling.

That these forraigne plants, cast by divers stormes and violent tempests on the coasts of this Island, so carefully gathered together by the good Edward the VI. and welcomed by him, so favourably maintained and entertained by that vertuous Princesse Queen Elizabeth, attained to perfection under the reigne, as happy, as peaceable of that great and wise King James your Majesties Father; and in this time flourishing as much as ever under your gracious dominion and government, shall be now plucked up by the roots? as it were to the blame, check and contempt of the prudence and charity of all those who hitherto have beheld it with a good eye and favoured their growth?

That those lively Monuments erected to the everlasting memory of all those good Princes, and that doe highly publish over all the world the fame and glory of their piety, charity and hospitality towards the afflicted members of the Lord Jesus, should be cast downe and reduced into dust?

That those [...] and expressed testimonies of the union of this Kingdome, with the reformed Churches of France and of Germany, and of the united Provinces, so religiously kept and upheld hitherto: should now be broken and sent back as in signe and token of a sad and totall seperation? they are things unto the which we hope your Majesty will never wholy condescend and resolve?

Especiall at this time, wherein the Churches of Germany swimming in their owne blood those of France in their teares, all in the midst of their ruine and apprehensions of a greater desolation; they have no other then your Majesty on whom they can turne, cast and settle both their eyes and their hope?

[Page] What trances, perplexities and despaires will fame (which publisheth things worse then they are ordinarily) seize on the afflicted hearts? publishing every where that there are no forraigne Churches in England? that there is now no place of resuge, nor of succour and safeguard to those that are persecuted for the true Religion sake?

[...] and agonies which will be redoubled by the reproaches of [...], who will shew their condemnation in ours, and will never faile to tell them, and it may be to cause them to feele, that it is with more then reason and justice, that the popish Princes doe persecute and [...] them away, seeing that they cannot be tolerated and supported even by those that are of their owne profession.

We most humbly beseech your Ma esty that you would be pleased to [...] well these things; and as our consciences [...] testifie unto us, that by our demeanour, which even to this day have by the grace of God avoyded the blowes and girds of [...] it selfe; we have not made our selves unworthy of the continuation of your royall favours; you will be pleased in this [...] to cause us to feel the effects thereof, and receiving the most humble petitition which we present unto your Majesty, to answer it as favourably as you have been graciously pleased heretosore to promise us that our entertainment and usage shall not be worse under your government then it hath been under the dominion of your royall predecessors.

And so filled with joy and comfort, we will continue our servent prayers unto God for your Majesties health long and prosperous life, the good of the Estate, the encrease, the glory and prosperity of your royall and most flourishing Family.

This Speech was set downe in its owne language and termes, which cannot be so well expressed in another tongue; for, nunquam tmitator par fit authori: containing, as you see, reasons and arguments sufficient to move his Majestie to permit the continuance of enjoying the priviledges granted unto the forraigne Churches, and confirmed by his Predecessours and his royall Majesty.

The Sinod held it convenient to depute some of their Assembly to the Duke of [...], to intreat his Highnesse to goe and speake to the Kings Majesty in their behalf (because they had not nor heard any answer from him) that he would be pleased to heare the Deputies of the Churches in his most Honourable Privie Councell. The said Lord, a very religious Prince, who had done much for the Churches in France, spent his meanes and blood for the true Religion, refuged in England, and as a member of the forraigne Churches in England; much in favour with the King, being his Godfather and Cozen, did willingly and freely promise [Page] to doe it. The very same day he went to the King, made the motion to him in the behalfe of the stranger Churches. The King and the Duke had some discourse about it; among many words, he said that we were more afraid then hurt; and that his intention was onely touching the first proposition concerning the Natives.

The Synod omitting no meanes for the continuance of the subsistance of their Churches; hoping, as Nicodemus said, the Law judgeth no man before it heare him, and know what he doth; and esteeming that the King, as another Alexander, would give them an hearing as he had given to my Lord of Canterbury, and so reserve an eare for them: in case the King would heare them before his Councell, according to their Petition, chose some of the Company, and that but few who should accompany him, that was to speake in the name of the rest, who had all the writings and papers requisite: the President was chosen to be the foreman, who upon some considetations desired to be excused; whereupon John Bulteel was elected to be the man; which charge though he refused at the first, yet was faine at last to accept and undergoe it; who among other paper, had two especially which contained the Fundamentals and reasons, all which were given into his hands by the Assembly; the reason why it was thought convenient one of the Company should doe it and rather one of Kent then of any other Province, was because if a Councellour had spoken, none of the Deputies should have had the liberty to speake; whereas they could best answer to the Objections and difficulties; and none of the Churches were charged by my Lord of Canterbury at that time, but those of Kent.

The Sinod was glad that the Petition was in Master Secretary Cookes hand, and found it convenient to send to him two of the Company. Master Primrese and John Bulteel, to solicite him in the cause of the Church that he might well understand the state of their Churches, see their reasons and inconveniences that would arise and arrive upon the execution and observation of the Injunctions; that so by his meanes the King might be the better informed; they presented unto him the fundamentals and the reasons which were to be presented to the King and his Councell, in two severall papers. As for the Fundamentals, they were these:

Fundamentals for the subsistance of the forraigne Churches within this Realme.

Anno 1550.

The parent of King Edward the VI. where these words are found:

[Page]1. Quod [...] facti sunt corpus corporatum, & successionem habeant.

2. Quod habeant authoritatem, [...] Ministros.

3. Mandatur omnibus Archiepiscopis & episcopis, ut permittant [...] quiete frui, gaudere [...] exercere ritus & caeremonias suas proprias, & disciplinam ecclesiasticam propriam & peculiarem non [...] quod non conveniant cum ritibus ac [...] in regno nostro uisitatis, abs (que) [...] impetitione [...] aut in quietatione.

Per breve de privato sigillo & de actis praedict a authoritate Parliaments.

Anno 1573.

The Letters of the Privy-Counsell to the Church of London containing these words.

Non ignoramus in varijs ecclesijs, varios ac diversos iam ab initio [...] Religionis semper fuisse ritus ac caremonias, dum hi stamtes, alij in [...] procidentes, alij [...] procumbentes adorant & precantur, & tamen [...] Pietas est ac Religio si vere & ad verum Deum or at [...] tendat, absitque impietas ac superstitio &c. non contemnimus ritus vestros, nee vos ad nostros cogimus, probamusque caeremonias vesiras, ut vobis & vestris reipublicae unde orti estis aptas & convenientes.

Anno 1574. The order of the Privy-counsell the 29. of June.

If others would joyne themselves to the said Churches, that such people shall be counselled to betake themselves to some other parts of the Kingdome, where they may be commodiously received: If they doe [...], we will call in willingly our former commandement.

Anno 1630. The Answer of King James to the French and Dutch Ministers, the 21. of May.

Je vous [...] ainsi quil convient a un bon Prince, de defendre [...] ceux qui [...] abandonne leur patrie pour la Religion. Mondesir est de vous defendre [...] a fait la Reyne defuncte [...], renommee par tout le monde qui vous a receuen son royaume & pour la quelle vous [...] Dieu. Que si aulcun estoit si ose que de vous molester en vos Eglises vous addressant a [...] je vous en feray telle justice qu'il [...] point d'envie par apres d'y retourner.

Anno 1612. The perpetuity granted to the Dutch of Colchester Anno 10 Jacobi the 17. of October:

As also their orders in their (hurch and Assemblies there, tending to the good government of the said congregation, in as free large and ample manner [Page] in all respects and to all intents, constructions and purposes, as heretofore they have used, and have been tolerated and allowed unto them according to the true intent of this our present Ordinance; any law, act, statute, ordinance, provision or jurisdiction to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.

Anno 1613. The Order of the Privy-Counsell for the French Church of Canterbury, the 2. of May.

That the said congregation within the city of Canterbury, shall accordingly to his Majesties gracious pleasure peaceably and freely [...] such priviledges, liberties and immunities, and be permitted to use their Assemblies and congregations in as ample manner as heretofore hath been allowed unto them in the time of Queen Elizabeth or since.

Anno 1616. The Order of King James under the Signet, the 30. of June.

These are therefore to will and command all our courts of [...] and others our loving Subjects, to permit and suffer the said [...] members of the Outlandish Churches, and their children to [...] of our favours before declared in this behalfe. [...] the [...] kindnesse and good entertainment which our Subjects and their children doe receive and find beyond the seas.

Anno 1621. The Order of the Privy-Counsell for the Walloons of Norwich, the 10. of October.

Those of Norwich although borne in the Kingdome, shall continue to be of the said church and society, and shall be subject to such [...] as hath been all the time (of 55 yeers) practized among them; and if any shall be refractory, they shall be bound to appeare at this Board.

Anno 1625. The gracious Answer of King Charles to the Deputies of the forraigne Churches the 30. of Aprill.

I thanke you for this, and I assure you I will continue unto you the same favour which the King my Father did shew unto you; and I hope my marriage shall not be any dammage unto you, but rather an occasion of much good to your Country-men.

Anno 1625. The Order of King Charles for all strangers the 13. of November.

We will and command our Judges, &c. to permit and [...] the [...] strangers, members of the Outlandish Churches and [...] children, [...] to enjoy all and singular such priviledges and immunities as have been formerly granted unto them, without any troubles, arrests, or [...], by way of information or otherwise; considering the faire usage and good intertainment [Page] which our Subjects and their children doe receive [...] the seas.

Anno 1630. The Order of the Privy-Counsell for the Dutch of Norwich, the 7. of January.

That all those that are now or that hereafter shall be members of the Dutch congregation, although borne within the Kingdome, shall continue to be of that church and society, so long as his Majesty shall be pleased, without any prejudice to their priviledges or birth-right: and shall be subject to such discipline as hath been by all the time aforesaid usually [...] among them; and from time to time contribute to the maintainance of the ministry and poore, and the defraying of all other necessary charges of the same congregations, as they shall be assessed, and occasion shall in that behalfe require.

The second Paper or writing contained the Reasons in a Petition to his Majesty in this forme.

To the KINGS most excellent Majesty.

The most humble Petition of the Forraigne Churches within this REALME.

Most gracious Soveraigne,

A sentence having been pronounced by the [...] of my Lord Arch-bishop has grace to the foreigne churches of Canterbury, Sandwich and Maidston, [...] these two Injunctions.

The one that some of [...] as are borne in this Kingdome should resort to their parish churches.

And the other of the strangers which shall remaine, shouldreceive the book of common-Prayer of this Kingdome.

Whereupon the other foraigne churches of the said Kingdome being advertised thereof by letters, are all met together according to their order and ancient practice to cast themselves at your Majesties feet by their Deputies, and to entreat your Majesty in all humility to consider, if the said sentence be executed, that there will follow much more hurt then good, as your Majesty cleerly may perceive by the reasons following.

As for the hurt, it will fall very great, as well in regard within as without this Realme, of this sentence be executed.

For thereby will be abolished the priviledges granted and confirmed to the said churches by King Edward the VI. Queen Elizabeth, and the late King James your Father, all excellent Princes and of glorious memory.

[Page] Thereby likewise the royall promise of your Mrjesty given at your comming to the Crowne, will remaine fruitlesse and without effect; from thence will follow a great confusion in families, some going to one Church, some to another, and many of the natives not understanding the English tongue; so that the heads of the said families will not be able duly to discharge themselves of the duty towards those that are under them.

Yea, from thence infallibly will ensue the dissipation of the said churches, forasmuch as the Natives (who are the pillars thereof) being cut off, there wil be no meanes left to entertaine the ministry nor to help the necessities of a great number of poore.

By reason of that, many good workmen will retire themselves elswhere, who daily furnish excellent manefactures to this Kingdome and of all kind; and by their retiring many thousands of your Subjects who are imployed by them will find themselves destitute of work, yea from thence your custome is like to receive a great prejudice.

If this sentence be executed in this time of confusion and trouble, it will cause a most sensible and sharp displeasure to all the reformed churches of divers countries, and more particularly to those of France.

Yea, which is more, this will make the said churches not onely more hatefull and contemptible to their adversaries, but even will be able to draw persecution upon them, their enemies judging by this change, that the good will of your Majesty will be changed towards them.

And Sir, if the persecution should begin there, as alwayes it is much to be feared; with what courage could the poore afflicted ones retire themselves hither, as formerly they have done, knowing that their Liturgy should have been there overthrowne.

Your Majesty will be also pleased to consider, that this alteration will hinder the conversion of many that are out of the way, living in the Lowcountries under the dominon of the King of Spaine, who to the encrease of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ, come hither in great number.

Thereby will be broken the outward union and good intelligence of the English church with all other reformed churches, whereof our adversaries of the Romish church will triumph and make bonefires thereof at Rome.

From thence will follow, that there will remaine but one Sacrament in our churches, being not admitted to administer baptisme to little children which shall be borne in this Kingdome, yea, it will come to passe that the use of catechizing will faile amongst us, having no children to be catechized.

To make short, most gracious Soveraigne, thereby will be abolisht the [Page] entire use of our Liturgy and discipline, which we have enjoyed so many yeers together, and have common with many churches in Germany with those of the Low-countries, and of the Kindome of France; all renowned in regard of the purity of their doctrine, common with that of this Kingdome: As also in regard of great and excellent persons, which from time time are come out of the midst of them.

And for all the good that can be pretended for it, will be.

That by this meanes your Majesties Subjects will be seen to goe to their parishes, and to serve God after the ordinary forme of the Land; but in the most part of the said churches this is done hitherto by them going thither many times, being imployed in all sorts of charges and offices at others, causing their children to be baptized there, & often receiving there the holy communion, and contributing for the Ministers and other Officers even as the rest of the Kingdome.

Briefly, making profession with them of one and the same Religion and [...] they joyn themselves often in [...] which concerneth the Liturgy and divine service; but besides, they come themselves with liberty amongst those of their owne tongue, to maintaine unity among them, and to provide for the entertainment of the ministry, as also for the relieving of the poore and needy.

Which things, the late King your glorious and wise Father having ripely considered would never consent to the change, howsoever he were many times solicited thereunto.

Wherefore, most gracious Soveraigne, seeing by these reasons it is altogether evident, that this change going forward, there will issue out of it more hurt then good, your Majesty is entreated in all humility, by all the said forraign Churches to enjoyne that the said sentence of my Lord Archbishop's grace be not executed; and that the said churches continue in their liberties and priviledges that they have peaceably injoyed hitherto. And so our selves being full of consolation and joy we will more and more beseech the Almighty for the conservation of your royall person of the Queens Majesty, of your royall Issue, as also for the good and continuall prosperity of your Crownes.

Now because the Strangers seemed in the opinion of many to be very many in number in this Kingdome, and especially many thousands in London, as if they were Israel in AEgypt, as my Lord of Canterbury said, whereas they are but few; the two forenamed Ministers Doctor Primrose and John Bulteel, according to their commission, gave also to Sir John Cooke Secretary, a note and number of the sorraigne Churches and [Page] of the Communicants, with the two foresaid papers and writings, that the world might perceive its errour, and being otherwise informed might be reformed in it.

The list of the number of the forraigne Churches which are ten, and the number of the Communicants was in this order.

French and Walloons of London | 1400
Dutch of London | 840
Walloons of Canterbury | 900
Dutch of Colchester | 700
Walloons of Norwich | 396
Dutch of Norwich | 363
Dutch of Maidston | 50
Dutch of Sandwich | 500
Dutch of Yarmouth | 18
Walloons of Southampton | 36
Summa | 5213

This is the totall number of the Communicants of men, women and children, men-servants and maid-servants, both strangers and nativeborne, in the ten forraigne Churches of this Kingdome, nothing so many as they were presupposed to be.

Nay, there were some Earles, Lords and others who would not beleeve at first that there were so few strangers Protestants in England till it was told them, and this list shewed to them by J. B. Nay, they thought there were many more in London, then that number in the list, but the two soragin Churches in London had no more then 2240 Comunicants as above. True it is, that the royal Exchange seemeth to [...] with them. but they are not all French and Dutch, there are Spaniards, Italians, Portugals, and others, and a great number of such Papists live in the [...] and skirts of the City; and therefore John Bulteel told my Lord of Canterbury (who spake often of the great number of strangers in [...] especially) that there were five French [...] to one French [...] ( [...] meant not Walloons protestants,) and my Lord [...] the said party in a kind of anger, where so many were; answered [...] they might be found at Sommerset house, and at the French [...] house, and at Court and elswhere; all the world as well as himselfe could not but take notice of the great confluence of French papists in London, and in part because of the Queens Court.

All this while there was no answer nor reference made by the King to the petition, although he was informed by Secretary [...]: and that [Page] the Duke of Soubise was with the King in behalfe of the said Churches, who told him, they desired his Majesty that they might have a hearing, and he seemed to condescend to it by some words he let fall.

But whatsoever the matter was whether it was the businesse of London Derry in Ireland, between the Kings Majesty and the City of London, which imployed the Lords of the honourable Privy. Counsell so many dayes in the Starre chamber, being a matter of great importance and much pressed by the Kings Attourney generall, and so were hindered and had no leisure to heare the Churches case and cause; or that the Arch-bishop who was powerfull with the King, was the Remora and hindered it, and that it was his Majesties pleasure to put it off, nay, not to have that matter so publike, nor to have it debated in his presence at the Counsell-Board, we know not.

The Churches seeing the time passed away & hearing of no answer, and perceiving that the time of the execution of the injunctions approached. found it necessary, that not all the Deputies of the Churches but the Deputies of the three Churches only [...] Kent should tender a second petition to his Majesty, for the respiting and deferring of the execution untill their cause might be heard. And although there were some of the company that thought it fitting the petition should be given to his Majesty by the Deputies themselves, & that some short speech should be made by mouth; yet it was thought fitter by the most votes, that the Duke of Soubise who had tendered the first petition, should be requested to tender this second petition to his Majesty, who without doubt would bring an answer; whereas if the Deputies gave it, they might he as long without an answer as they had been before; but if the Duke of Soubise found it not fitting to doe it, then to entreat one or two of the Gentlemen of the Kings Bed chamber to tender it and if they refused to do it, as it may be they [...] not tender it, least they should incurre the Lord Arch-bishop's indignation; then the Deputies themselves were to present it to the King, the petition to be tendered, and the short speech to be made by J. B. The Deputies went to Duke Soubise and beseeched him that he would continue his good affection towards their Churches and those good offices he had begun, and that he would be pleased to tender unto the Kings Majesty their second petition, and if possible to have an answer, knowing that none of the Kings Subjects no not any Noble-man would venture to doe it, though some of them were familiar with the King and gracious in his eyes, and affected the forraigne Churches and [...] them well, and told to some of the Deputies, that if their cause came to a hearing before the King at the Counsell-board, [Page] they would speak their mindes, and doe some good offices to the Churches, but durst not oppose the Arch-bishop under board in that businesse, least they should incurre the Kings indignation for his sake, who was so potent and gracious with the King: The Duke of Soubise Noble-man of a curteous disposition, who took to heart the cause of the Churches, and pittied their case, was very willing to accept of that charge and goe to the King, and present him the petion; the Deputies offered to goe with him to the Court, if he thought good, according to the charge given them by the Company, and wait on him, yea, and speak to the King if need were; but the Duke found it not convenient they should goe with him for some reasons, but went himselfe even that day to the King, as having accesse unto him at any time, waited in the chamber of presence the Kings returne from dinner, and delivered this petition unto him in writing.

The second petition of the three forraigne Churches of Kent delivered to the Duke of Soubise, beseeching his Highnesse that he would be pleased to present it to the Kings Majesty.

To the KINGS most excellent Majesty.

The humble Petition of the forraigne Churches of Canterbury, Sandwich and Maidston:

Humbly shewing to your sacred Majesty, that the time limited by the most reverend Father in God the Lord Arch bishop of Canterbury his grace, concerning the injuctions on Sunday next expireth, and your Majesty as yet hath not signified your pleasure upon their petition delivered about fifteen dayes past, your sacred Majesty is most humbly prayed to give order that the execution of the said Injunctions be respited and deferred untill their cause may be heard, as in all humility they desired: And as in duty bound, they will daily pray for your Majesties long and prosperous reigne.

My Lord Soubise delivered this Petition unto the King, & desired his Majesty to read it, which he did: the King answered him, Je ne puis faire cela; and when the Duke said si vostre Majeste ne le fait point l'execution seta rude & dure aux Eglises: his Majesty replyed, l'execution ne seta pas si rude qu'ils craignent, and many other words that passed in [Page] French betweene the King and the Duke. So having taken his leave of the King, he told the Deputies what had passed, who related it to the Synod.

The Company seeing the King gave no answer at all, or at least not dearely to the Petition of prorogation of time, untill his Majesty had leasure to heare them; and that the time approached, and that there was no appearance to have any other answer from the King, thought it convenient to send some of the Company to my Lord of Canterbury (who seemed over-swayed the King) to know the Kings minde and pleasure and his owne (which was also the opinion of a Councellour of State:) the Deputies therefore of the three forraigne Churches in Kent, whom it concerned primarily, by the advice and votes of the Sinod, went to Sir Nathaniel Brent Vicar generall, and told him that my Lord of Canterbury gave them permission to goe to the King, which they had done and now came to him to know the Kings pleasure and answer; they told him besides that they had studied the case better since they were with my Lord (for they had kept the principall arguments in the reare) and desired to speake to him againe, and to shew him some reasons which he had not seene as yet; they told him also, that the time of the execution of the Injunction was neere, to wit, the first of March; that they could not returne to their Churches at the appointed time, because they had not as yet the Kings answer, and hoped that their Churches might continue their accustomed order. Sir Nathaniel told them that he would speake to my Lord about it, who was not so straight [...] for a weeke or two. He went to my Lord on some occasion and returned, told them they should doe well to goe to my Lord either at Whitehall or Lambeth to know his pleasure concerning the time he would appoint to heare them. The Deputies went to Lambeth and expected his comming from the Councell somewhat late, for there was a cry in the Hall, Hats off and lights, for my Lords grace is at hand: where in the Hall they met my Lord, I.B. told him that his Vicar generall had told them that his grace was content to heare them againe, and therefore they came to know his pleasure, desiring a time when they might be heard. He told them their motions did not please him, because they were not according to his judgement; that he was full of businesse, and knew not when he should be at leisure; but that Sir Nathaniel might pitch upon a probable time he might be at leasure, and so dismissed them.

It might have beene returned to him, his judgement did not please them, because it was not according to their motion; but he held his peace. So when the Archbishop said here above mentioned, that their [Page] Discipline and Bishops were jure [...]; they might have answered him, that though Bishops are indeed jure divino; that is to say, Ministers who are Bishops are jure divino; yet there is but one Archbishop jure divino, who is Christ, 1 Pet. 5.4. named there the chiefe Shepheard; but though that was true, yet they did not use such tearmes, because they had no order, and durst not goe beyond the commission. The Deputies sent word to the Vicar generall my Lords minde; who esteemed Saturday in the afternoone the fittest day. Doctor Primrose and I. B. went to the Duke of [...] that day and there dined, where they had much discourse together about that businesse; and the said Lord thought it were better not to goe at all there, had not the promise bin made to goe there. So I. B. went from thence by water to Lambeth, where he found the other Deputyes, and went together to my Lord of [...] house, where was Sir Nathaniel Brent, according to his promise; and where had beene a religious Gentleman, who told my Lord many things concerning his proceeding, and gave him wholesome counsell, and mollified him in some measure.

My Lord received the Deputies courteously, and spake to them kindly; but before he would enter into the businesse, he told them he had something to say to them; to wit, that he had heard say, that they had reported, that he had said they had no ministery among them; and secondly, that he was very harsh and would give them no hearing as indeed Doctor Primrose and J. B. had told to divers Lords, how harsh and discourtious he shewed himselfe to the Deputies, who came in the name of their Congregations. J. B. who was the fore-man told my Lord, that for the first they never heard from my Lords mouth those words directly: and for the second, the words he used might be heard publikely, for there was but a curtaine drawne between them and the people that were there; but my Lord said he would not insist thereupon, they presented unto him the two papers containing the fundamentalls and reasons which he read, and said, as for the Orders made by the Counsell they might be changed, and all was to continue so long onely as the King was pleased; and those reasons of State might be presented to the Counsell. Many things passed to and [...] betweene my Lord and the [...] they had told him heretofore which is there omitted in part, that in case the Injunctions were observed there would be a persecution in France, for they had heard that the Cardinall Richelieu should have said if a King, who is a Protestant would not permit two disciplines in his kingdome, why should a King of France a Papist permit two religions; besides they had told him there were divers hundred Papists converted by their Ministry, [Page] at least 600. Papists that came from the Archdukes Countrey, that had beene converted by their Ministery in Canterbury, and renounced popery in the space of ten yeers, they might have said a thousand in lesse then twenty yeers; that in the french Church in London there were at one time 47. Papists that abjured popery; that their Congregations were beneficiall to the Engish, especially poor; that the Congregation of the Dutch in Colchester who were 700. Communicants in number, did imploy 17000. English at work in and about Colchester, and that they of Canterbury and Sandwich did set a great number of English at work: My Lord kept the Fundamentals and reasons and took out of his pocket the two Injunctons, and read them, and said, he never commanded the second Injunction about the receiving the English Liturgy (translated into French) in their Churches; nay, he said it was impossible it could be done at that time appointed, namely, the first of March, especially in regard of the Dutch translation, he never minded to tye the strangers to it, nor had given such order, but that the strangers should hold their owne Liturgy; and said, God forbid he should take away their Liturgy or change their discipline, telling his Vicar-generall that he was mistaken, and therefore changed the words of the Injunction, as we shall see anon; notwithstanding Sir Nathaniel Brent could have shewed my Lords hand to both the Injunctions, and the Order above mentioned commanding the two Injunctions to be observed. But my Lord said, as for the other Injunction he would have it observed, namely, that the Natives Subjects to the Kings Majesty should be members of the Parishes, and resort to them; he would not have them to be mungrels (which was a harsh and [...] terme, who knowes what the word Mungrell signifies, so that most Princes of Europe and their issue might be taxed by that phrase.) It was told him that many went to the Parishes, heard Sermons, which might suffice, and that if there were a command, they desired that it might be a command without prohibition: he said, he would not change his Injunction, and that would not hinder but that they might go sometimes to the forraigne Churches; and Sir Nathaniel Brent spake to my Lord in their behalfe, and asked him if it would not suffice that the Natives went now and then to the Communion, as once or twice a yeere: but my Lord would not permit that, for he should finde an inconvenience in that kinde, as of those that put on the Surplice once or twice a yeere.

A proposition was made unto him by Master Miller, about the Ministers of those forraigne Churches that were English borne, Whether they might continue in their charge. He answered, he would not disturbe [Page] those that were already in the Ministry, but hereafter none should be admitted to be Ministers in their Congregations but those that were strangers &c.

At last, the Deputies requested two things of my Lord: the one, that he would conceive a good opinion of them: the other, that he would be a mediator betweene them and the King (it was the advice of the Synod, for he had said. It was the Kings will and command.) He said, that he had a very good opinion of them, that they were honest and good men. And as for the second, he could not be an intercessour for them, because he was the man that had set this businesse on foot; but if they would make a Petition to him, he would tender it to his Majesty. In fine, ready to dismisse them, he desired an uniformity in the Church, asked the names of the Ministers, wished the Deputies as much good as the greatest friends they had; prayed God to blesse their Ministery and endeavours; tooke his leave of them, and said, he would goe to Service and serve God.

The Deputies had occasion to thanke God, being glad that the principall Injunction was taken off, so were thofe of the Synod and the Duke of Soubise, and my Lord Ambassadour, and some Noble men of the Court of the honourable Privie Councell. As for the Deputies, they had occasion to rejoyce for their Churches good, that the Kalends of March were past (which Julius Casar did not passe) and they and the Churches rejoyced, that the principall or moitie of the Injunctions was taken away; Dimidium facti qui bene caepit habet, and dimidium plus toto: for the observation of that Injunction would have given a deadly wound to the Churches, and made a shipracke of them. Qui venit hinc fluctus, fluctus supereminet omnes, Posterior Nono est undecimoque prior. So that a great number of the Strangers would have beene indangered to have suffered shipracke, and compelled to save themselves on boords like to Saint Paul at Malta among the Barbarians.

As the Assembly rejoyced that one of the Injunctions was taken away, so were they sorry that the other remained; which being observed: would in time undermine the Churches and blow them up. And concerning a Petition mentioned by my Lord about one degree, it was not thought fit to doe it, as being very prejudiciall to the Churches, a thing that the Deputies could not doe, not knowing the resolution of their Churches, and whether they would submit and subject themselves and their posterity. So the Deputies went to Sir Nathaniel Brent, told him, they had beene long absent from their Churches, and intended by [Page] Gods grace to returne to them, thanking him for all his favours shewed towards them, praying him to continue them.

In the meane time the Synod thought it fit to send some of their company to thank divers persons for their good affections towards them, and paines taken for them: the Deputie were Doctor Primrese President, John Bulteel, and Master Timotheus with two Elders, Master Lucie, and Master L'Amj, who went to the Duke of Soubise and thanked his Highnesse for the paines he had taken for them, as being the prime man under God who had laboured the most, and most obtained for the Churches, and desired him at his first occasion to thank the Kings Majesty for his royall bounty and favour towards their Churches; he took it very kindly, and promised them his help as much as lay in his power, and to goe to the King and thanke him, and to pray him to continue his royall favour towards the said Churches, especially touching the execution of that part of the injunction, about the natives borne of the strangers and their children, that they might not be liable to the observation thereof: They went also to my Lord Joachimi Ambassador of the Estates of the united Provinces (with whom they dined) and thanked him for his good counsell and advices; he told them his affection was good, offered unto the Churches all kind of good offices and services according to his power: They went to Secretary Cooke and thanked his Honour for all the good offices he had done in their behalfe; who answered, Je n'ay rien fait que mon debuoir vous troumtez le Roy fort gracious: They also thanked Master Weckerlin in the name of the three forraigne Churches of Kent, and John Bulteel in especiall in his Churches name, for his love and paines taken for them; they were to thanke others who were absent from Court, as my Lord Chamberlaine, and Sir William St. Ravi: the Deputies of the Churches of London did undertake and promise to thanke them at the returne of my Lord Chamberlaine and St. Ravi, in the name of the Churches of Kent, and their owne: They met Sir Theodore Mayerne Knight, and the Kings prime Physician at Court, and thanked him in like manner, &c. And J. B. thanked Master Burlamacht for his paines taken in the behalfe of their Churches.

Meane while Sir Nathaniel Brent sent to the Deputies of Kent to speak to them, who went to him; he told them my Lord was not satisfied with their answer, they were booted and ready to returne for Kent, but he told them, they should doe well to speake to my Lord at Court, where they met Sir Nathaniel, who went to my Lord with whom he was not long, because he went to the Chappell to heare the Sermon; so [Page] he came to them as they were in the Court, and told them my Lord had no leisure to speak to them any more, but gave him a command to enjoyne them the observation of the Injunction touching natives on the first day of April, which he told them openly in the Court-yard, in the presence of his owne Secretary, and of my Lord's generall Aparitor, (whom he called as a witnesse thereof) so seeing there was no meanes to have further audience of my Lord, businesse creeping on him by the death of the Lord Treasurer that morning, they took their leave of him, and returned to London, where they related to the Synod what had passed; who counselled them that in no manner they should publish the Injunction in their Churches, namely, that the natives should resort unto the parishes where they dwell as absolute members of the Congregations in the said parishes, because it tendeth to the destruction of the said Churches, which they are bound to edisie; telling them also that if the execution of the said Injunction were harshly prosecuted, that they should certifie the Coetus thereof, and they would speake to the Duke of Soubise, who would goe to the King and tell his Majesty of it, that he might remedy it according to his royall promise, connselled them to goe home with expedition and follow their charges, March 13. 14. dayes So after thanksgiving to Almighty God and mutuall imbracings of one another in taking their leaves, the Synod brake up, and the Deputies of Kent returned to their houses, Churches and charges, to the comfort of their Churches and Families, and preached on the Lord's day to their Congregation, with thanksgiving to God, to the edification and joy of their flocks.

The Churches of Kent continued their ordinary course untill the moneth of April, and there was an intercourse of letters between some honourable friends at London and the Ministers of Canterbury, who hoped matters would goe well at last, and the Injunction would dye of it selfe. But the Vicar-generall having been at Norwich, and given an Injunction from my Lord to the two forraigne Churches, Dutch and French, concerning the natives, that they were to resort to their parish Churches; the Ministers and Elders of the forraigne Churches of Canterbury and Sandwich were cited to appeare before my Lords Commissioners in his Consistory at Canterbury on April 13. where they appeared; where J. B. said that it was the first time that ever they were in that place, namely, in the Consistory in that manner, the Deane asked him whether he refused Episcopall jurisdiction, whereunto he answered he desired him not to presse that question, they had appeared before my Lord heretofore; the Deane told them that the Injunction was to be published in [Page] their Churches the next Sabbath day by the Ministers; they desired to be excused, as being not their office to disperse or dissipate their stocks, but rather to unite and preserve them; then the Commissioners said, it might be done by the Elders; it was answered, that they answered in their names, they could not doe it, neither for the reason afore alleadged, neither was there any such circumstance in the Injunction, that it should be published by Ministers or Elders; then the Deane said, it might be published by Master Somner or his sonne in the said Churches, whereunto the Deputies answered, that they desired not that also, although they could not hinder it; the Commissioners gave a charge to Master Somner to certifie the Ministers of the parishes, that they might receive all those that would come to their parishes, being natives, and so departed.

Master Sumner gave to the two Elders of the two Churches, the declaration of the Injunction in this forme.

Decimo tertio die Aprilis 1635. coram venerabilibus viris Dominis Isaaco Bargrave sacrae Theo'ogiae professore Decano Ecclesiae Ca hedralis & Metropolicae Christi Cantuar. & Thoma Jackson sacrae Theologiae professore (inter alios) Commissarijs reverendissimi in Christo [...] ac Domini Domini Gulielmi providentia divina Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi & in visitatione sua Metropolitica constitutis & loco Consistorij in Ecclesia praedicta judicialiter & pro tribunali sedentibus; venerabilibus viris Dominis Willielmo [...] sacrae Theologiae professore [...] [...]. & Joanae Jeffrey sacro etiam professore Theologiae, eis tune & ibidem assistentibus & assidentibus presente me Willielmo Somner [...] publico, &c.

Quibus die ac [...] dicti venerabiles viri cemmissarij tradidcrunt mihi notario publice [...] Injunctiones [...] reverendissimi Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi praedicti Ecclesias Gallicas & Belgicas (anglice the Dutch or Walloon Congregations) concernentes in praesentijs Magistrorum Joannis Bulteel & Philppi Delme. Ecclesiae Gallica sive Wallonensis infra civitatem Cantuariensem existentis, & Magistr: Gaspari, van Nierne Ecclesiae Belgicae [...] Sandwicum constitutae [...] sive Ministrorum; [...] non in [...] [...] de Bever & Quintin Galmar seniorum (uti [...]) Ecclesiae [...] apud Cantuarienses, ac in [...] Petri [...] & [...] Rickeseys [...] (uti vocantur) Ecclesiae Belgicae [...] [...]: In quorum omnium praesentijs [...] publice dictis [...], per me notarium publicum [Page] ante dictum de mandato dictorum Commissariorum (quarum quidem tenor sequitur & est talis. The two Injunctions of William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury, concerning the Dutch and Walloon Churches within his Diocesse Anno 1635. That all the Natives of the Dutch and Walloon Congregations in his Graces Diocessa, are to resort to their severall parish Churches of those parishes wherein they inhabit, to heare divine service and Sermons, and performe all duties as parishoners required in that behalfe: 2. That the Ministers and all others of the Dutch or Walloon Congregations which are not Natives, and borne Subjects to the Kings Majesty, or any other strangers that shall come over to them, while they remaine strangers, may have and use their owne discipline as formerly they have done; yet it is thought fit that the English Liturgy should be translated into French and Dutch for the better fitting of their children to the English government. Dicti comissarij peremptorie & solemniter Monuerunt dictos Ministros sive Presbiterios ac seniores dictarum respective Ecclesiarum ad conformand. se & congregationes respective suas, quantum in eis est Injunctionibus praedictis, & ne oblivioni tradatur vel errors sit abnoxium, decreverunt copias Injunctionum Praedictarum eis respective tradendas, & eodem die tradiderunt ac etiam decteverunt intimandum fore Ministris omnibus & singulis respective Ecclesiarum parochalium infra civitatem Cantuar. & Sandwich pro receptione, dictorum nativorum in Ecclesijs suis tanquam parochianorum, &c. praesentibus tunc & ibidim praeter me notarium publicum antedictum venerabili viro Domino Edwar-Master Milite, Willielmo Hammon generoso Willielmo Somner Juniore, & multis alsis, &c.

Concordat cum actis Curiae facta examinatione per me Willielmum Somner notarium publicum.

Presently after some of the English Ministers were very busie to publish in their Churches the Injunction touching the Natives with threatnings by some of the Churchwardens; that they would present those that did absent themselves from the Parishes, going from house to house to admonish the Natives, yea to command them, and which is more to threaten them which was above their comission & more then was enjoyned them to do by the act of the Commissionors, who charged them only to receive those that would come to their parishes. This kinde of proceeding made the Church of Canterbury to write to the Caetus or two [...] Churches of London; who returned an answer, that they should doe well to send Deputies to London to conferre with them; [Page] whereupon the Church of Canterbury intended to send but one Minister and an Elder (whereas before they had sent both the Ministers) because they would not leave their Church unfurnished of the Ministery and Preaching. So they chose John [...] Minister, and an Elder. Meane while the two Ministers and others of the Church of Canterbury went to the Major, who [...] some of the Aldermen were requested to make a Petition in their behalfe to my Lord of Canterbury, shewing unto them the inconveniences would [...] unto their Towne and Corporation, by the observation of the Injunction, especially in regard of the poore Natives, by whom they would be very much charged. The Major and the Aldermen were very much sensible of their case and of their owne, imbraced it with [...] and promised to doe what lay in their power in their behalfe; and Petition my Lord not at the strangers request, but as a thing which concerned themselves; and not by Petition in writing onely, but by some person gracious in my Lords eyes whom they would imploy in that businesse.

Whilest these things were a doing, above all expectation and hope Master Somner came unto J. B at his house, told him he had a Letter from my Lords Secretary, which he shewed him; wherein he certified him that my Lord had respited the observation of the Injunction to the first of July, whereof he was glad; for although quod differtur non [...], yet there was some hope that matters would goe better. This was related to the French Congregation and the Deputies did put off the voyage if not for altogether, yet at least for a time, hopeing that cloud would passe over, as Ahanasius said of the persecution of Julian the apostate Emperour, and the Churches might be at quiet. In the meane time, it was thought fit, and now the time and opportunity seemed to be, that the Citie should make a Petition to my Lord in the Churches behalf according to their proffer and promise. So some of them went to the Major pressing him to win time, and that in the opinion of some my Lord did as it were expect some such thing; who promised to doe it with as great speed as possibly he could, and had confered with the Major of Sandwich who promised to concurre with him in a Petition to my Lord in that matter and manner, and to that end, and certes vis unita fortior.

The Major of Canterbury sent the Petition to my Lord in these tearmes.

[Page]

To the most reverend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his grace. The most humble Petition of the Major, and Comminalty of CANTERBVRY.

TEndring first all dutifull respect and thankes to your grace for at favours [...] received, and in particular for your most [...] incouragement, that upon all future just occasions, we should finde your grace as formerly willing to procure the good of our Citie. We are now [...] most humbly to intreat your grace to be advertized of these following inconveniences, which will [...] fall upon our poore citie and upon the strangers themselves, by remitting them to our Parish churches. First, a great number of Poore will fall upon our Parishes keeping, who are now [...] without any burthen to our Parishes, to the great charges of the [...] both weekely and [...] for the cloathing of them before [...]; which charge will fall especially upon those [...] where there are all ready most poore and fewest men of abilitie to relieve them. Nerher shall the poore strangers borne receive the usual helpe the remaining strangers being not able without the contribution of the Natives to [...] them as usually; whereby they likewise will prove chargeable to the English. And [...] of the poore strangers shall be forced to [...] prove dangerous, the English poore being [...] already to quarrell with them. And further, the restraint of the Natives freed by these Injunctions from the orders of the congregation, by the church and politicke government from many disorders will faile, and many inconveniences will [...], even in their way of trading, which we cannot prevent and so the government of those trades by rules of the congregation will have no force, to [...] of the overthrowing of divers trades, in which no English man in our [...] hath ever had knowledge or interest: and the congregation so [...] will not be able to contribute to the poore cities [...], as [...] in good measure they have usually done, in all such things as concerne his Majesties [...]. Moreover, which is not the least many poore [...] women boyes, and girles shall not be imployed as they are now in [...], winding, drawing and other workes, whereby to their great [...] reliefe they are now daily exercised. We are informed that their yearly expences about their [...] their poore, is more [...] one [...] and three pounds, which [...] we are not possibly able to raise [...] being already greatly oppressed with the [...] of our poore. All which [Page] most humble manner we represent to your gracious consideration, as a matter of as great importance to this citie, as hath fallen out within the [...] of man. Most earnestly intreating your grace, that by your most gracious mediation, his Majesty may be pleased to suffer as well the Natives as the Aliens to [...] within the government of their owne congregation; wherein your grace [...] forever obleidge your graces servants and petitioners, alwayes to pray for your temporall and [...] happinesse.

This Petition was sent by the Major to one who was in favour with my Lord and gave it him; who said he would consider it and doe according as he found it fitting; and a while after sent an Answer to the Major of Canterburies Petition who shewed it to the Ministers of the French Church, and at their request gave them permission to take a Copie thereof which they did and returned him the Originall. The superscription of the Letter was in this forme.

To my very loving Friends, the Major and the rest of his Brethren of the Citic or Canterbury these.

These were the Contents.

S. in Christo. After my harty Commendations &c.

I Lately received a Petition from your selfe and your brethren, on the behalfe of the citie of Canterbury, concerning the Dutch and the Walloon churches there. And first I must let you know, that there is not one particular thing mentioned in [...] your Letter or Petition, on the behalfe of these Strangers, which the Ministers af those congregations (when they were with me) did not formerly [...]; and I doubt not but you have knowne from them, what answer they received from me, and that by order from the Kings [...] and the State: And therefore you cannot expect but that to the same thing you must receive againe the same answer; yet because you should see I proceed not in this businesse, but no on warrantable [...], and that I am ready to doe you and the city as much respect as I promised; I have againe in open counsell [...] his Majesty and the Lords with that which you have written, and how farre it concernes the city in generall, as well as the strangers congregations and [...] commanded to returne you this Answer.

[Page] First, the Injunctions which I have made, concerning the strangers repairing to their severall parishes (I meane such as are natives, and with such interpretation as I made to them when they were last with me) must stand in force and be obeyed: As for the [...] which you desire may be taken into consideration, you are to receive this Answer to them.

The first is, your feare that their poore will be cast upon you whereat you have too many of your owne: To this you must know, that the command of the State expresly is, that though they doe [...] themselves to the english parishes, yet they shall contribute to their poore as they did before, and look as well to them in all respects at least so long a till some other sitting order can be taken; and they must not look being come in strangers hither, to receive so much peace, and benefit by the State as they doe, and not conforme themselves in those things which are required of them, as all strangers doe in all other parts of [...].

For the second that divers of their trades will fule which are now unheld by the rules of their congregations: That is grounded upon no reason at all for I hope the congregation doth not set rules to their severall [...] while they are at Church, nor make it any part of that service; and for any other meetings to set rules to their trades or to doe any thing else about them, there is no Injunction that restraynes them from; neither need their resorting to their severall parishes any way hinder that: And whereas you adde that no English, man in your City hath ever had knowledge or interest in those trades, the Lords like that worse then any thing else and have reason so to doe, for why should strangers come here and enjoy the peace of the Kingdome, and eat the fat of the land, and not [...] to teach such English as are apt and willing to learne the [...] which they [...] and practice.

As for that which followes, namely that many poore English mome; boyes and girles shall not be imployed as now they are in spinning winding; drawing, and other worke whereon to their great benefit and [...] they are now daily exercised: Theres as little reason for that as for the former, for since nothing in my Injunctions need out any the least [...] to their severall [...], all those women and children both may and must be [...] by them, as they formerly were, for their trade cannot goe on without such to worke under them.

And last of all, you say, If the congregation be [...], they will not be abe to contibute to the Cities charge, as heretofore they have usually done, and in good measure upon all such occasions as concerne his [...] service: there is no more reason for that then for any of the rest, for [Page] so long as they live in the City and [...] their trades, both Native and Alien must ratably serve the King and the State; and I hope the repairing of the Natives to the English [...] cannot take off any of [...] duty, and to the City it is all one so the severall [...] be payed, whether they be paid in a lump from the whole congregation, or part from the particular men which are [...], and partly from the congregation which remaines yet as Aliens.

In all these respects, though I have at your [...] made knowne to his Majesty and the Lords, all that you have suggested in your Petition; yet a Mediator for you [...] cannot be in these particulars, which are so dis serviceble both to Church and State; neither would I ever have made my Injunctions if I had not formerly weighed them well, and found them sit to be put in practice.

[...] are therefore to let [...] know that my Injunctions must be [...], and that I shall goe [...] on with them, and therefore doe hereby pray and require you, the [...] and Governours of that city to second all these things in all faire and due proceedings, for the [...] of uniforme government, as well concerning those [...]- [...] as any other; and to let them to know, that this is the resolution of the Lords as well as of my selfe; and I doubt not but that the strangers themselves may live they and their posterity to [...] the State for this care taken of them: so I leave you all to the grace of God, and rest

Lambeth. May 25. 1635.

Your very loving Friend W. Cant.

This Answer was communicated to the French Congregation by their Ministers, and in May the Deputies presented themselves before the Commissioners in the Consistory, who were the Deane and Doctor [...], who told the Deputies, namely, the Ministers of the three sorraigne Churches. [...], Sandwich and Maidston, of the respit my Lord did give till the first of July if they desired it; who answered they desired it and a longer respit too if it might be obtained; who [...] they wished it might be in their power to doe it, and so dismissed them. The Deputies wrote to the Coetus in London how matters passed and thought it sitting to send some to London; the Coetus returned their answer that they were sorry to heare of my Lord's resolution [...] the [...] of the Churches in the sending of their [...] and would be [...] to give them their best counsell and help: The Deputies of Canterbury, Sandwich & Maidston went up to London, [Page] and so much the [...], because the time would be quickly expired; the first day of July was at hand; the King would goe shortly his progresse, and my Lord of Canterbury would after the Tearme goe to his House of Croydon; so they went to the Assembly of the French and Dutch Ministers and Elders of London assembled together in Coetus, and made a Narration of what had passed; the [...] couched an [...] these tearms : Master [...] [...] in the name of the French [...] of Canterbury, that the Major of the said towne had presented a Petition unto my Lord [...] of Canterbury in favour of the said Church, unto the which he had received no favourable answer. On this relation advice hath been demanded of this company what order they shall take and how they shall proceed to [...] the churches under covert of the tempest, that threatneth them; whereupon it [...] been found good, to communicate all that which is past in [...] Lord the Duke of [...] and to the Lord [...] Knight, Ambassador of the States of the united [...] of the Low [...] and to intreat them to give their advice how they are to govern themselves in these extremities; and to aske the said advice have been named Mr. [...] Mr Gasparus Mr. Primrose Pastors, and Master Host and Master [...] [...] Elders: Who went to the said Duke and Lord, and they advised the Deputies of Kent to addresse themselves unto the King, and the said Lord Duke offered himselfe to represent unto the King whatsoever they found good and fitting: This relation being made to the [...] by the Deputies, it was thought fit that they should goe first to my Lord of Canterbury to give him a cleere interpretation concerning some [...] of the petition which was presented unto him by the Major of Canterbury and to use such complements towards him as they shall judge fit, using in the meane time such generall termes without saying any thing to the prejudice of their Churches.

On the 17. of June, the Deputies of Kent were with my Lord, there were divers waited to speak to him about businesse, J. [...]. observed his time seeing my Lord in a merry humour stept to him accompanied with the Deputies my Lord said he might well perceive he had much [...] and he would hold him long; who returned to my Lord this answer that he would not hold him long, and contracted his intended speech in these [...].

Most Reverend Father in God; We come to your grace tothank you most humbly for the favour you have shewed to our Churches, in giving them [...]; we [...] your Grace to be [...] to continue it, and permit them to enjoy those priviledges and [...] which [Page] they have had hitherto under our most gracious Soveraigne; [...] the which the families will be divided, the poore no, maintained, and the Churches ruined.

But he interrupted him in the midst of his [...], and said, he would not call back that which he had begun bat would goe forwards with it, that he would not put an heavier burden on them, then on the rest; and that he would goe through all England if he lived but of necessity must begin with them. Now because J. R. saw that he might not be long with my Lord, he did contract his speech as brlesly as possible he could, and told him that in the Petition which the Major of Canterbury had made to his Grace there were two mistakings; the one touching the trade amongst them as if no English man had knowledge or interrest in them; whereas it was well knowne that they refused none to teach them the trades and that many had learned the trade and French tongue among them: The other mistake was the summe of [...] l. which notwitstanding was [...] l. which the Church had expended on the poore of their Congregation that yeere, and that sometimes they had spent 50 l. a moneth yea and more.

Concerning the ponre, it was told him, it was [...] they could be maintained if the the Natives went to their [...]; because, besides the seizing, there were voluntary contributions the one at the Church doo e at every meeting of the Assembly to heare the Sermons, whether on the Lord's day or on the week dayes; the other, extraodinary collections when the Churches were in arrerages: He answered that the Scripture made not mention of any contribution at the doore of the Church and that there would and might be found another way (whereas notwithstanding Saint Paul. 1 for. 16. 1 [...]. speaks of collections for the Saints upon the first day of the week and Christ, Mark 12.41. Luke [...]. 1, 2. fate over against the creafury, and beheld how people cast mony into the creafury, it was cast in a chest, such a one as [...] the Priest caused to be made and lec as one commeth into the house of the Lord where the mony was put in though to another end, 2 Kin. 12. 9. and a cartaine lame man lay daily at the gate of the Temple which is called beautifull to aske almes of them that entred into the Temple [...] 3. 2. for none was to appeare before the Lord empty, Exod. 23. 15. these things might have been told my Lord by them but they found it no [...] to dispute. The Deputies told my Lord that the Injunction would hinder the conversion of Papists strangers, who would not come to their Churches, seeing that baptisme would be wanting [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] in the Church; he said, they might come as well as before, but they should not be [...] for, there were English men enough; if they came they should be conformable and as or baptisme that was all [...].

Master [...] Minister of the Dutch Church of [...] told him, that there were many that went to the English Church and Communion; he said, he would see what they would [...], and [...] they would doe so or no.

Many passages were between my Lord and the Deputies; he said [...] was not made of sower leaven nor did he this [...] envy or [...], but upon good consideration and grounds.

He told the Deputies he had given them respit till the [...] of July of his free will and would not have them to [...] he [...] in the businesse, for he did meane to goe through [...] with it; [...] he did it because they shauld not think they had not time enough given them, he would goe a faire way with them if they did as they should: And because there had been some mistakings, and they might know his [...] and have the [...] he would commit the businesse to no [...] but leave it to his Vicar-generals [...].

John Belteel told him the first day of July did approach; he told him for feare of mistakes, he would have nothing done till Sir [...] Brent's returne, were it till the last of August: after some discourse he spake to my Lord concerning the first of Iuly againe and againe, who answered, he was not so [...] for a day, if Sir Nathaniel came not [...] the last of September it should not goe forwards; he replyed that that was not [...], for if Master Somner had no present order from him, he would put the Injunction in execution, and durst not doe otherwise; and therefore he desired his Grace to commend Master Dell his Secretary, to write a Letter to Master Somner about that businesse and respit; my Lord commanded his Secretary to doe it; so the Deputies taking their leaves of him, he said God blesse you. The Deputies related unto the [...] whereupon the Company thought it fit that the Deputies should returne to their [...], and there [...] for the returne of [...] Nathaniel Brent; the Deputies made a relation of all the passages hereto fore mentioned unto my Lord the Duke of Soubise and my Lord Ambassidour, and some other Lords, [...] and Gentlemen and so departed.

Our purpose is not to speak of the other forraigne Churches in England [...] of [...], the Bishop of the [...] speaking [...] to the [...], saying it were [...] their Congregations should be [...] then the Church of England should [...] its glory, and for the [Page] poore, who sent for them; nor to speake of the Congregations of London or others, but onely of the three forraigne of Kent, which my Lord primarily and principally did question and assault; and who were like David's three Worthies, who endured the greatest [...], stood in the gap, were in the front, received the blowes and bare the reproaches, and did what they could to save and deliver the Churches from the [...] and thraldome whereunto my Lord intended to subject them: whereas the other Churches were but in the reare, who although they were honourable worthies and mighty, and came to the [...] yet [...] attained not unto the first three, 2 Sam. 23 8 19.23 But to [...] to the point, the Deputies of Kent took leave of the [...] and returned home every one to his Church and house. About that time J. [...] received divers letters from divers learned men from beyond the seas, as from Master de Moulin, Master Polyander, Master Festus Hommius, Master Bugnet, and others in French and in Latin: Wherein one deplores the condition of the forraigne Churches, and [...] the rigor wherewith they were troubled, and prayed God to remedy it by his holy [...], another, that God would dispose the heart of my Lord Arch-bishop to follow the wayes of wildnesse; a third, that mens [...] are in God's hand who turneth them as the rivers of waters, where and when he will; Balaam goeth with an intention to curse, but God turneth his words into blessings; Saint Paul goeth to Damas with bloody designes but God changeth him, and and of a persecutor maketh him an Apostle a Paster, and of a Wolfe becomes a Lambe: Another writeth thus, [...] vestrarum nove edicto non tantum pacem [...], [...] & statum [...] ex animo dolemus; Coe erum an nulla affulget spes tanti [...]: Nos quidem sperare jubet [...] clementia, & [...] as vestra qua non desinet, omnem movere lapidem, ut [...] Deus optimus [...] buic vestro [...] clementer benedicat: others [...] God that [...] the tempestuous winds and dangerous tempest to cause a shipwrack; even he who hath appeased in some sort this tempest, will if he please let you enjoy an assured calme, and will chide the winds that have raised this [...] me; and such like things, and to the said purpose and end. So that the persecution was divulged in many parts of Europe, and the forraigne Churches had the good wishes and prayers of many beyond the seas for a good and happy issue; [...], and of many godly Ministers and others zealous persons in England; the Deputies telling divers of them that they did what they could, not onely for the good of their owne Churches, but for the good of the English Churches also, theirs being a [Page] leading case, for if their Churches were blowne up, the English would in time sinke, and their Pastors persecuted, if [...] doe [...] things in a greene tree, what shall be done in the dry? if such things be done to the forraine Churches who have patent priviledges and [...] and promises from such great Princes for themselves and their posterity, in regard of their Discipline, exempted from the subjection of [...] bishops and Bishops; what can the English Churches expect subjected to the power and authority of Prelates? nay what can they not expect but multiplication of Ceremonies innovation in rites introduction of Popery, Socinianisme, Arminianisme, prophanation of the Lords day, new Canons and oathes; persecution, banishment and branding suspension imprisonment and fining of those godly Pastors that will not submit their necks to that slavish yoake of Babylon, and drinke of the cup of abominations of that purple whore of Rome, and inchantments of Jezabel.

A while after the [...] of [...] found it fitting to thinke of a fit time of a fast and presse it; the occasions thereof being many, the afflictions of Germany, Hannaw being besiedged matters not going very wel in the Low Countries, Skinsken-skonce taken by the [...] a place of great importance and as it were the Key to come into Holland; the neighbour Churches in France, as [...] and Marke [...] very much diminished if not dissipared; and other occasions both in [...] of others and especially of themselves in the feare, apprehension and appearance of the dissipation & dispersion, if not of the ruine of their Churches. In particular there was an act made in the last Synod at London in these tearmes; It is lift to the discretion of the [...] of the forraine Churches of London to write betweene this and October to the particular Churches, what they thinke concerning the indiction of a Fast, and vpon the [...] of the said [...] the [...] shall indict the said Fast according to the plurality of Votes gathered out of the Letters of the said churches.

My [...] Vicar-generall returning to Canterbury caused the Governours of the stranger Churches of Canterbury and Sandwich to be cited to appeare on the Saturday next in the Consistory. Some of them went to him, and desired they might not appeare in the Consistory; who told them that it was a thing that was to be done in publicke, and that the Commissioners knew my Lords resolution, so they went to the Cathedrall at the appointed time. They found the Commissioners descending downe the Consistory the Vicar-generall telling them he was content to declare unto them the charge he had from my Lord not in the Consistory but in the Church where assembled divers persons about [...], and heard what was said unto them; where he told them the sum of the [Page] charge, shewed them the publication of [...] Iniunction of those of Norwich (who had caused or permitted it already to be read in their Churches, with more hafte then good speed) that they might take a copy of it and cause such a one or the like to be published in their Churches. Among other things Master Sumner thought that it was to be published is it was at Norwich and that was said to have beene done by the Ministers. [...] the Ministers answered, that they desired as [...] to be excused in that point, as being a thing contrary to their Office; for the duty of Ministers is to endeavour the union, edification, and increase of their flockes; and not to publish that which would tend to their discipation or [...]: they added another reason that seeing the two Ministers of Canterbury were of the first degree of Natives, there was no reason they should publish a thing against reason, yea nature; [...] declare their children were to goe to [...] Parish-churches, and not to the French Church to heare their Fathers [...]. Afterwards the Deputies of [...] came to Canterbury and they with the [...] of Canterbury went to Sir [...] and told him, that seeing a Declaration was of [...] to be published they intended to have it done, they of Sandwich by their [...], and [...] of Canterbury by Master Anthony [...] and Scribe to the Politicke [...], seeing it could not be done [...] some [...] of the Spirituall Court; and that not on the next Sabbath day being a Comman on day but on the Lords day after: wherewith he was contented. Then they desired of him, that they might not be more [...] nor [...] the Officers in his absence, then the English were; and that none should be molested before he had notice of it: he consented to it, and gave charge to Master Sumner to [...] to it, who promised to observe that order.

They requested also Sir Na haniel to continue his favour towards them: He told them he had done what was in his [...] for them and had spoken so much for them that my Lord was awondered and in a manner [...], that he was more for the forraine [...] then for his [...] and [...]: he had told his grace, that the Ministers were his [...] friends religious and peaceable men, and there were divers [...] and Gentlemen his honourable friends had spoken to him in their [...] and he could doe no lesse; his grace might doe what he pleased; so they thanked him againe and tooke their leaves of him.

Immediately after Master Sumner sent them this Injunction in these tearmes.

[Page]

Vicesimo sexto Septembris 1635. coram venerabili [...] Domino [...] Brent milite, legum Doctore, E. Registro curiae com. Archiepiscopaliscantuar. Extract. reverendissimi in Christo patris ac Domini Domini Guilielmi providentia divina Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, &c. vicario in [...] generali & coeteris ejus [...] in Ecclesia Christi [...]. hora [...] convenientibus praesente Willielmo Somner Notario Publico, &c.

QVibus die & loco Ministris & [...] tam Ecclesia gallica five [...] apud Cantuariam nosiram, quam Ecclesie [...] apud [...] vicos constitut. coram [...] antedictis personarum [...]. Reverendissimi Cantuariensis [...] ulteriorem voluntatem in hoc negotio dictus vicarius [...] generalis sequentia a Domino Archiepiscope ante dicto nuper [...] eisdem ministris & senioribus [...] & in mandatis dedit, viz. Quod omnes & singuli alienigenae Congregationum respective suarum, & ab eis infra primum gradum descendentes, ordires [...] disciplinam, cateraque privilegia antehac Congregationibus, respective [...] authoritate regia impertita & concessa licite retineant. [...] omnes [...] Congregationum suarum ab eisdem Congregationibus discedant Ecclesiis parochialibus & capellis paraeciarum, quas respective incolant sese conserentes liturgiae disciplina totique Ecclesie Anglicanae politiae (quatenus se concernant) cum cateris Domini nostri Regis subditis in omnibus [...] & conformantes. Ita tamen quod sustentationi, ministrorum & egenorum dictarum suarum Congregationum nihilominus remaneant [...]: Quibus fic declaratis dictus vicarius generalis [...], quod eadem omnia Congregationibus respective suis cum ea quae [...] poterit matura celeritate publicent seu publicars faciant, sei sos etiam eisdem submittant ac populum dictarum suarum Congregationum quoad possunt consimilem [...] praestare suadeant, & Revendissimum Dominum [...] praedictum inde certificent seu certificari curent. Praemissa omnia & singula Ministro & [...] Belgicae apud Maidston [...] in similibus (vel fama teste) communieant, intimantes ut [...] in dicta ecclesia fiat, Et sic intimatur eis cura & studio [...] Domini [...] pro corum tuto [...] & quieto progressu in occupationibus suis [...] eis per protectionem regiam (si [...] fuerit) obtinendam, firmando [...] Commissarij eosdem ministros & seniores cum seria & [...] ad obedientiam suam in hac parte alacriter exhibendam decedere permiserunt [Page] & dimiserunt. [...] tunc & ibidem (praeter not arium publicum antedictum) Henrico Jenken. Willielmo Somner juniore, & Thoma Wilcoxon notarys publicis, & multis alijs testibus literatis, &c.

Conćordat cum Originali Willielmus Somner Registrarius.

But what reason had the Arch-bishop to make a division in many families and a divorce between the parents and children in the publike exercises of Religion? and what equity and justice was there to enjoyn yea compell them to contribute to the Churches whereof they might be no members, to cause them to be of the English parishes, and contribute to forraigne Churches, let the world judge?

After Sir Nathaniel's departure from Canterbury, the Company [...] the Declaration in French, according as they found it fitting omitting some things that were in the Norwich Declaration; it was published by Master Anthony the Notary on the Lords day Octob. 11. in the afternoon after Sermon and prayer before the Psalme sung in the French Church, which is thus translated into English.

Beloved in the Lord,

[...] are a [...] that the worshipfull Commissary, Sir Nathaniel [...] with other Commissioners of my Lord of Canterbury his Grace, hath commanded in the name of the said Lord Arch-bishop, with approbation of his Maiesty and of his most honourable Privy-Counsell to signifie unto you.

That it is not his Majesties intent, nor of the Counsell of State to dissolve our congregations.

And to that end his Maiesty is content to permit that the Natives of the first degree to continue members of our congregation as before; but the Natives in this church after the first descent, are enjoyned to obey my Lord Arch-bishops Iniunction, which is to conforme themselves to the english discipline and [...], every one in his parish; without inhibitting them not [...], but that they may resort sometimes to our Assemblies.

My Lord Arch bishop of [...] Grace, meanes notwithstanding that the [...] Natives shall continue to contribute to the maintainance of the [...] and of the poore of the church for the subsisting thereof; and [...] to obtaine an [...] from the [...] if [...] be, and they require it [...] them [...] their manufactures against those that would trouble them by informations.

[Page] All which is notified unto you, that none may pretend ignorance and thereby fall into inconveniences.

Now although the Archbishop would make the world beleeve that what he did was by command of the King & State, yet it might easily appeare that he was the [...] & primum mobile or all the designs. J. B. wrote a word or two to Master Gasparus, minister of the Duth Church of Sandwich about some particular businesse, and gave him a touch what they had done about the Declaration, deuring him to certifie him what they had done, and to send him their Declaration, else they should be faine to give theirs alone to Master Sumner, and translated into [...] according to his desire: who answered, that they had done at Sandwich as had beene done at Canterbury on the same day and the same manner, adding nothing nor taken any thing away, nor changed a word; [...] translated the Declaration that was sent them into Franch for a [...] or modell into Dutch; thinking it was not needfull to write, having promised to publish it. So the Declaration of the Injunction was delivered in English to Master Sumner by two French Elders, in the name of both the Churches.

Some two moneths after, the Churches subsisting in peace a small time, there were some [...] either ignorant or malictous, no great good wishers to the stranger Churches, desirons to curry favour with my Lord, or otherwise who might perhaps have a charge to learne whether the Injunction was obeyed; for Doctor [...] on one of the Commissioners, read a letter to the Ministers from the Vicar generall, [...] he wrote that my Lord was infolmed that his Injunction was not obeyed and therefore commandeo some of the Dutch Church of Sandwich and of the French of Canterburie to be cited to appeare in a [...] manner in his Consistory at Canterbury and to have the Deane and some Prebends there present; and if the Relation were [...] that the Injunction was not observed nei her at Sandwich, and much [...] at Canterbury that the Minis ers should be [...] and the Church [...] shut up, &c. The two Ministers of the French Church told him that they were sorry that my Lord was so [...] in [...], and that he used such threa nings, as if they were [...] or [...] of any such consure, or that my Lord had any such power and authority to doe any such thing to them, who had [...] them [...] that he would not [...] with theirChurches but only with those that were Natives and the Kings Subjects, and there was no more reason that they the Ministers should be silenced or the Elders [...], if those that were Natives came to their [Page] Church, no more then [...] Ministers should be silenced [...] church, wardens censured, or the doors of churches shut up (which was never seen nor executed) because some of other [...] came to their churches; that the publication had been made openly in the [...] on the Lords day in the audience of the congregation, that the Ministers were not guilty of their [...], who as sheep desired to heare the voyce of their old Pastors, understanding better the French then the English tongue, divers of them besides living in parishes where were no Sermons at all, the Ministers whereof some could not preach at all, some would not or very rarely, and they might come as well to the French church as to any other parish that was not their owne, that it was not for them to present those that did not obey but the church wardens of the parishes where they dwelt were to doe it: that Sir Nathaniel Brent had been entreated not to treat theirs worse then the English, that he had promised none should he presented before he had notice of it, that this informing of my Lord by such malicious [...], who did it to ingratiate themselves with my Lord, and my Lord's facile credit to such rumours and his menaces with [...] and ands were a great deale more then a presentment, and many other things that were said at that time with much eagernesse: the Doctor told them he was sorry that matters went so, he was but a commissioner and servant to my Lord, told them some passages that had happened between my Lord and their Cathedrallchurch. About the same time J. B. visited the Major of the City, who had beene at Landon and at Lombeth with my Lord, and enquired of him if my Lord had made any [...] of their church, who answered, that by occasion he spake of them, saving his patience was abused, which was conceived by the Major to be said in regard of the Injunction, and was thought by him that my Lord had an a king tooth against them. In the meane time J. B. wrote to one of the court, relating what had happened, who speaking to S. C. about it, said he knew not what to say of it as for himselfe he [...] the worst but hoped the best; and in his letters a while after wrote that [...] he nor others had heard any thing of the affaires, so that he hoped the churches should have a calme and serene Ayre after some stormes and cloudy dayes past, or at least should gaine time [...] [...].

In the moneth of [...] [...]. Sir [...] Brent came to Canterbury where he sent for the [...] of the severall [...] of the City [...] of them if the Injunction was observed and obeyed by the [...] English that were of the second descent; telling them that my Lord had beene informed that it was not kept as it ought to be: [Page] most of them or all returned their answer, that it was obeyed as farre as they could perceive, that they that were of their Parishes came to their Churches: He asked one of the Ministers if he would set his hand to that; he said he would signe such a writing, if he required it, but it was not pressed. The French Ministers were somewhat moved to see that there were so many misinformations, and that my Lord should so easily beleeve every false rumour; for except there were some Promoters or pick-thankes in every Church, who could know it? one man could not be at one time in all the Parishes to see; and which is more, to know every stranger native; to know the number in every Parish, and to know whether they were there or no; none could better informe my Lord or Sir Nathaniel Brent, then the Ministers and Churchwardens of the Parishes and complained to Sir Nathaniel Brent of it, who went to London, where he caused the stranger Churches of London, French, Dutch, and others, to appeare before him at Bowe Church; but of that Visitation we intend not to write.

About the same time the Congregation of Sandwich was troubled by one of the Ministers, who went to divers that were in his Parish that were strangers by descent, but borne in England, and that of the first dedegree; and told them, about a fortnight before Easter, that they were to come to his Communion according to my Lords order and pleasure; but Master Gasparus the Minister and the Elders of the Dutch Congregation sent, and part of them went to their houses, told them [...] they were not bound to doe it, that there was no such order given bv my Lord, that those that were of the first degree were to goe to the Dutch Church and to the Communion, and not commanded to goe [...] English Church and Communion, and need not feare his threatnings.

A while after there were some supercilious and [...] Ministers and church-wardens in Canterbury that dealt [...] with some of the Natives beyond the Order and commission and did [...] Natives in their Parishes by menaces and threatnings; among others the churchwardens of one of the parishes, in an imperious and threatning stile sent a note to the [...] Householders and Masters of families of their Parish.

1 We hereby signifie, that we have [...] you of the French and Walloon Congregation, and that are strangers inhabiting in our Parish, whether lately come over, or of the first and second descent; for this time to pay for the [...] and adorning of our Church, and necessary [...] thereunto belonging the sum of five pounds ten shillings [...], which we desire you to [...] among your selves, because you best know [Page] your owne estates, and say to us the churchwardens before next Saturday [...] at six of the clocke. And if this you neglect to doe, then we give you notice to appeare in the north chancell of our church next Lords day, immediately after evening prayer, to see your selves sessed according to our discretions.

2 On saturday night next we desire the names of all married persons in your congregation of the second descent, that are inhabitants in our Parish, that we may take order for decent seats for them, as they shall signifie their estates and qualities to be.

3 Then we also entreat the names and ages of those unmarried in our parishes of the second descent, and whose children and servants they he; to the end, we may take care of their due resort to our hurch, being [...] and communicating there according as their severall age require.

4 That those of sixteen yeers and upwards, that have not this Easter time already communicated, prepare themselves to receive the blessed Sacrament in our Church next Lords day, and so thrice in the yeere afterwards, as the Canons of our church require, as they will avoyd [...] to their ordinary for their neglect therein.

5 We admonish friendly and entreat you that are Parents and Masters of Families of the first and second descent, henceforth duly on the Lord's day, halfe an houre before evening prayer, to send your men, children and [...], under sixteen, to be catechized according to the order of our Church, as you your selves upon presentments will answer for their absences.

April the 15. 1639.

But what the reason was that the first Church-warden, or both, were more forward and strict then the rest of the Towne, is not known, whether their blind zeale to uphold the ceremony of the English Church or knew water would come to their Mill by presentments, or would curry favour with my Lord or were set on it by some of his followers, or shew their power and authority (Magistratus indicat virum) and to make the parish know what they should expect of them in their office; yet vana sine [...] ira, it is good a curst Cow hath short horns; for a few dayes after there was an election of new Church-wardens, the one of them hoped to continue in his office but whether the parish perceived he would be a busie body and intended to do some fine design, he was outed of his place, and another chosen in his stead; so [...] strangers of that parish, though threatned were not pressed to it nor presented, [Page] but had their [...] est, and the other strangers also for the time. For the Archbishop who had many Irons in the fire, did not onely trouble the three forraign Churches of Kent, and the other forraign Churches in [...], but did vex the English Churches, advancing superstitious Ceremonies and innovasions, by secret [...] and open violent persecutions having a designe to doe the like in the English Churches and Regiments in the united Provinces of the States Generall. He had an intention to introduce it in Ireland where he was [...] totum (even when he was Bishop of London) having the Lord Deputy, Counsell, Bishops and Clergy at his owne devotion: And as soon as he was Arch-bishop, he began to put on his Master-piece [...] Scotland, in imposing upon them a popish Service book, the Hellena of Greece, and cause of all these controversies and fuell of this fire, who supposed his authority not surely setled, nor fully confirmed untill Scotland were conformed; but God raised the [...] of that Nation to oppose it with zeale, indignation and courage; a woman Dux foemina [...], leading the dance: Whereupon they proclaimed them Rebels and Traytors and an Army speedily raised to enforce them to obedience (the [...] popish Clergy and Papists, instigating the King to this warre, and contributing very largely, so that it might be called bellum Episcopale and Papale.)

This caused the religious and valiant Scots to raise an Army in their owne defence, and when the two Armies were ready for a bloody encounter, God who is the Lord of Hosts and God of peace the Stickler and Umpire of both Armies, did cast downe his Warder; whereupon a friendly pacification ensued to the joy [...] both Nations. But the Archbishop of [...], did mightily [...] against it as a dishonorable disgracefull and dis-advantagious peace to King and Kingdome, caused the King to break his promise and to renew the warre imitating Julian the Cardinall, who [...] Ladislaus King of Hungarie to breake the [...] with Amurath the Turkish Ottaman, fought a battell with that Emperour, and lost his Army and life, for both the [...] King and that Popish Legat Jnlian were slaine. The King called a Parliament to have supplies towards the maintainance of that warre, which by the jealousies and feares of the Arch-bishop and such [...], was dissolved to the amazement and griefe of the Subjects: but God who turneth all to the good of his children, turned that dissolution to the benefit and safety of the Kingdome, so that England might say with Themistocles, My children, we had been undone if we had not [...] undone: For had that Parliament continued, it had in all appearance afforded twelve Subsidies which [Page] would have fomented that unnaturall warre, and in [...] would have made a [...] quarrell, though otherwise then the Parliament did intend: And that Parliament in all likelihood would have been contented with a superficiall reformation of the Service-book of prayers, of the Civill and Commission Court, of the exorbitancy of Bishops, of the irregularity of the Star-Chamber &c. as Luther at the beginning intended onely to cry downe the base sale of indulgences and [...] of pardons and goe noe farther.

Now the Scots seeing the precedent Parliament [...], the Kings eare stopped, he could, he would not heare any Petition, from them; entred this Kingdome with a strong Army as farre as Newcastle, not with a sword and trowall, but with a sword and a Petition; not pressing on the Army, though having opportunity and advantage, publishing their Declaration, and sending their Petition to his Majesty for justice in their innocent cause against their violent enemies: The King, whose heart was in the hand of God as the Rivers of water, to turne it which way he pleased, embraceth and entertaineth good counsell at York, where a Treaty was agreed and a cessation of arms, and a [...] called, which may be named a healing Parliament, a Parliament which worketh wonders.

In this Parliament the Archbishop of Canterbury was impeached of high Treason, and sent to the Tower; to whom might be said that which was spoken to Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester coopt up in the Tower in King Edward the sixth his dayes, by the religious Dutchesse of Suffocke; It is merry with Lambs when the Wolfe is shut [...]. The Archbishop had a long time to repent, had his grace had the grace to doe it; he was not like Sir Thomas Palmer who on the [...] on Tower-hill (where he suffered in Queene Maries dayes) thanked God that he had caused him to learne more in one little darke corner of that Tower, then ever he learned by any travell. The Archbishop did not confesse his sinne as Achan (who troubled all Israel) did to [...] and gave glory to God: he was according to his [...] beheaded the axe making a divorce betweene his head and body [...], and by the just judgement of God who hath occasioned a divoce betweene the King the head and his faithfull Subjects the body.

A yong Martyr at the stake [...], and said, [...] of God shine upon me; and immediately it shone out of a darke cloud, at the [...] of this yong [...], that the [...] was constrained to looke another [Page] way: but here, immediately after the [...] of the [...] and death of this old Impostor and Traytor the [...] did shine, the curtaine of the clouds drawne open and the Sonne of God the Saviour of the world seemed to be pleased with that act of justice, but God's justice on offenders goes nor alwayes in the [...] path nor the same pace; sometimes the Guest in the Inne goes quietly to bed, before the reckoning for his supper is brought to him to discharge, others pay it before they goe to bed. [...] who dyed exemplary a strange death, his paines, saith Austin, encreaseth in hell, according as his [...] encreased on earth, sed nolo [...] esse, we will not enter into Gods private Closet, [...] or dive into his Privy. Counsell: Lackeys that hold their Masten horses before the Pallace of justice, are not to dispute of the causes and sentences of judgement.

Austin saith, Misericordia Dei inter pontem & [...]: My friend judge not me, I judge not thee; betwixt the stirrop and the ground, [...] I askt, [...] I found. So might the Arch-bishop find [...] the Axe and the Block. Howsoever, he a tumbling and a stumbling block is taken out of the way, and removed from troubling the State and the Church: and we leave him to his Lord, Master and Judge, before whom he stands or fals.

April 15. 1645. Imprimatur

JAMES CRANFORD.

FINIS.

§

§

[Page]

A RELATION OF THE TROUBLES Of the three forraign Churches in KENT.

Caused by the Injunctions of William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury. Anno Dom.

1634. &c.

Written by J. B. Minister of the Word of God.

Et quorum pars magna fui.

2 SAM. 10. 12. ‘Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people; and the Lord doe that which seemeth him good.’

Imprinted at London for Sam. Enderbie at the Starre in Popes head Alley. 1645.

To the Christian Reader.

[Page]

[Page]

THE Honourable House of Commons assembled in Parliament did exhibite divers Articles against William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury unto the Lords of the upper house the twelft whereof is set downe in these words: He hath traiterously indevoured to cause division and discord betwixt the Church of England and other Reformed Churches; And to that end hath supprest and abrogated the Priviledges and Immunities which have been by his Majestie and his Royall Ancestors granted to the Dutch and French Churches in this Kingdome: and divers other wayes hath expressed his malice and dis-affection to these Churches; that so by such dis-union the Papists might have more advantage for the overthrow and extirpation of both. The truth of this appeares by the Archbishops proceeding against our forraign Churches in England, for although the Deputies of all the forraign Churches met at London, Anno 1625. and held a Synod, whereof I was a Member, deputed by the Church of Canterbury, and went to the King, who was accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Pembroke, and Sectetary Morton, all deceased, and others, and a Speech was made in French to [Page] the Kings Majesty by M. Primrose, containing among other things a Petition for the continuance of our Priviledges concerning our Discipline, according to our custom granted heretofore by his Ancestors and Royall Progenitors. The King gave us a gracious Answer and [...] Promise, and gave us his hand to kisse; and we enjoyed our Priviledges as long as Archbishop Abbot lived. Yet as soone as [...] was warme in his Archbishops seat, he indeavoured with tooth and naile to suppresse and abrogate our Priviledges and Immunities granted to our forraign Churches by his Majestie and his Royall Ancestors; to introduce the Book of Common Prayer in our Churches, and subject us to the English Liturgie translated into French, &c. and to withdraw from our Churches those of the first and second descent, to have them goe to the English Parishes, as may fully appeare by this Relation. True it is that in King James his raigne the two forraign Churches French and Dutch in Norwich, were assaulted and troubled by Dr. Overald Bishop of Norwich, and especially by his Chancellour, but that was about two points; the one was a prohibition to observe Publicke Fasts without the Kings permission (which the Churches had implicite in the toleration of their Discipline.) The second was, A command to the Communicants of both Congregations to receive the Communion not sitting but standing. Indeed when the French forraign Churches held their Synod at Norwich, Anno Dom. 1619. to the which I was deputed, and was chosen Scribe by the Synod; at that time the Bishops Chancellour came to our Synod, and told us, That my Lord would have the Communicants kneele at the Communion, which seemed very strange to us. I was chosen to goe to the Chancellour, accompanied by the whole Synod, and declared to him what Priviledges we had from time [Page] to time from King Edward, Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie, and from King James then reigning. The Chancellour answered us, That the King might alter his word & revoke his promise. But we replied, That we esteemed the Kings word as much as a Patent. We went afterwards to the Bishop, who told us that his Chancellour had abused him, he never intended that those of the forraign Congregation should receive the Communion Kneeling but Standing as they did in France. He told us that his Majesty commanded him to look to his Diocesse. We answered, That the two forraign Congregations in Norwich were in his Diocesse, but not of his Diocesse; and desired his Lordship to let the Churches be in quiet till we had communicated the businesse to our Consistories, and returned our answer to the two Churches. Which he promised to doe. In the meane time the Bishop died. The Bishop who succeeded him was content to let the two Congregations enjoy their Discipline in their Fasts and Communion, so that Archbishop Abbot would set his hand to such a permission; which was a strange Condition: for he might have considered, that the Archbishop did not trouble the forraign Churches in his Diocesse, but let them enjoy their Priviledges quietly. But after the Bishop had heard the Kings answer to the forraign Churches, permitting the continuance of their Discipline, he did not molest them, but the two Congregations lived in peace till Archbishop Lauds time, who was not content to trouble the three forraign Churches in his Diocesse, but endeavoured to assault all the forraign Churches in this Kingdome; and did cite their Deputies to appeare, and meant not to deprive them of two or three points of their Discipline, but to dispossesse them of all, and to submit them to the English Discipline. Yet when he saw he could not bring it to [Page] passe, he would have perswaded the world he never intended such an Injunction, as will appeare by this following Treatise. We intend not to write of the troubles of all the forraign Churches in England, or those of London or of Norwich, but by the by, or a touch of them by occasion; our purpose is to write principally and summarily what hapned to the three forraign Churches in Kent. In which Narration it will appeare the malice and dis-affection of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Dutch and French Churches in this Kingdome which stood in his way, intending the dissipation and extirpation of them, that so his fine designe of bringing in Popery might have taken effect and sure footing in England to the overthrow of the true Protestant Religion, had not God in his great mercy put an end and set a period to his ambition, his tyranny, designes, and life.

Errata.

Page 6 line 9 [...] read [...]. l. 16 [...] r. [...] p. 11 l. 13 Major Bourmouth r. Major and Bourmouth. p. 15 l. 27 [...] r. [...]. p. 29 l. 1 [...] [...] Majesty. p. 29 l. 23 [...] r. [...] p. 32l. 15 [...] r. [...]. p. 36 l. 38 [...]. r. [...] p. 39 l. 21 seizing r. [...]. p. 40 l. 27. [...] r. [...].

Information about this book

Title statement

A relation of the troubles of the three forraign churches in Kent, caused by the injunctions of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno Dom. 1634 &c. written by J.B., Minister of the word of God.

J. B. (John Bulteel), d. 1669.

Edition statement

1645

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A30098

ID [STC]

Wing B5452

ID [STC]

ESTC R200067

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12297462

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12297462

ID [VID]

59077

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A30098)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 59077)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 130:10)

Source

— A relation of the troubles of the three forraign churches in Kent, caused by the injunctions of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno Dom. 1634 &c. written by J.B., Minister of the word of God., J. B. (John Bulteel), d. 1669..

Extent

[6], 52 p.

for Sam Enderbie ...,. Imprinted at London :: 1645.. (Attributed to J. Bulteel. Cf. BM.) (Errata: p. 52.) (Reproduction of original in British Library.) (Reel guide incorrectly lists this item as located at 130:9.)

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