HAving seene bookes of newes from severall places, as newes from Hell, newes from Rome, newes from Court, newes from Ipswich, &c. I have made this fol­lowing historical Essay of newes from the Cathedrall in Canterbury, presented with what brevitie I could, hoping that others will impart Cathedrall newes from Yorke, London, &c.

The Cathedrall, called Christ-Church, in Canterbury, being a Covent of Monkes, at the time of the dissolution of Abbeys, in the reigne of The Cathedrall of Canterbury once a Convent of Monkes. King Henry the eight, it was then (in stead of Prior, and Covent) turned into Deane, and Chapter, that is, a Deane, and twelve Pre­bendaries, or Canons; to which were added Pettie-Canons, Substi­tutes, Lay-Clerkes, Vesterers, &c. These Prelaticall successors of the Idolatrous, proud, lazie, covetous Monkes, as they succeeded them in place, so they followed them in practise, whereby they have a long time caused the godly neare them to groane under their ty­ranny, superstition, and scandall. For remedy whereof, the ensuing Petition (being subscribed by very many well affected Citizens of Canterbury) was exhibited in Parliament, against those Cathedrall Prelates, in the yeare 1640. The Citizens of Canterbury petition the Parliament a­gainst the Ca­thedrall there.

[Page 4] This Petition confirmeth this Character, or description of a Cathe­drall Corporation. A Cathedrall is a nest of Non-Residents; an Epicu­rean A Character, or description of a Cathedrall. Colledge of ryot and voluptuausnesse; A Schoole for Complement in Re­ligion; but a scourge upon the life and practice thereof; A refuge for super­stition; but the bane of true peity: The shame of the Clergy, and the scorne of the Laity.

But this Petition, and Character is no Cathedrall newes, to those that live neere the Canterburian Cathedrall; the vast revenues whereof Cathedrall Re­venues grossely abu­sed. (which might advance Religion, Learning, and an able Ministry) have been so long time abused, to the maintenance of Ignorance, Super­stition, Pride, Luxurie, &c. Cathedrall carding, dicing, dancing, swearing, drunkennesse, and drabbing too, are no newes: No wonder to see the Sacke-bottles keepe ranke, and file in their Studies; besides Taverne tospotting, and smoaking.

It is no newes to tell you, that Prince Ruperts health was drunke A Cathedrall Health drunke to Prince Ru­pert. lately in that Cathedrall. It is attested to the Honourable Com­mittee concerning plundred Ministers; that Mr. &c.—upon the Fast day in the afternoone, at the Taverne with other Gentlemen, drunke about ten healths, and continued there untill night, where he was left with the Deane of Canterbury. A Tavern-haunting Cathedrall Doctor, is no wonder; reeling after a Malignant meeting, and being beholding to a supporter.

How did the Cathedrall Prelates bestirre themselves for their brave female Cathedralist; who was lately delivered of a childe alone, A Cathedrall Lasse beguiled by a Singing Man. secretly in a vault in that Cathedrall, calling no help; & a few daies af­ter, she being discovered to have had a Child; (after search) the childe was found dead in the Vault; there wanted Pope Gregories Fish-pond. Shee was arraigned at the Sessions for the murder; but Malignant and She is Arraig­ned for the dea h of her Childe. Prelaticall Justices (left the Cathedrall should suffer with her, at the gallowes) so bestirred themselves, that shee was acquitted; though the Learned, and well-affected Judge said in open Sessions; that nothing but the Kings pardon could save her: And another Noble and valiant Patriot then sitting on the Bench, openly protested against that verdict, at her Tryall. How flaunting is the garbe of those Cathedrall Prelates, and Prelatesses, all Lady-like (at least) in all accoutrements of House, Cathedrall' flaunting pride. habits, &c. So that I have heard it often averred upon experience, that the Cathedrall pride and bravery, hath infected Citie, and Coun­trey, by marriages, and otherwise.

A most proud Cathedrall Dame there, being to goe to a great meeting, her Maid could not please her, in Starching her Ruffe, though she did it [Page 5] often in one day: The Maid brought it to her againe at night, but she, in a rage, threw it downe, and stampt it under her feet, and beate her Maid; charging her to sit up and starch it; but it being late, and the Maid out of hope to please her, went to bed, leaving the Ruffe flapt together, as her Mistris had stampt it: The next morning the Ruffe was found starch't, none knew how; shee then brought it to her The Devill the Cathedrall Landresse. Mistresse; who said, I marry! could you not have done it so before? This matter was most strictly examined, and it could not bee found that any knew of the starching of it; though her husband bestir'd himself much to find out the truth: whereupon, in conclusion, he threw the Ruffe into the Fire, out of which itleap'd; untill hee held it in the Fire, with the Tonges, and so consumed it in the flame; so that it is famous in City and Country, that the Devil was the Cathedrall Landresse.

On All-Saints day, 1639. a Cathedral Prelate, being at a Feast there, was asked if hee would eate of such a dish? Tush said he, doe you No Butchers meat will goe downe with a Cathedrall Pre­late on All-Saints Day-Many Cathe­drall Praachers, but few Ser­mons. think Ile eate any Butchers meat on All-Saintsday?

How often have Ministers left whole Parishes unprovided, on Sabbath dayes, and Fast dayes to preach in that Cathedrall, for Lazy Prelates, who were sleepy Auditors, when they should have been the Preachers themselves? The Sabbath injoyed but one Sermon in that Cathedrall, amongst all those Cathedrall preachers.

An able Orthodox Divine could not have a Living in those parts, untill every Cathedrall Canon or Prebend, had two or three, and every The Prelates Tyrannous Patronage of Livings, main­taines their Kingdome of darknesse. Petti-Cannon one, though a meer-Reading-Service-Booke-Priest: This is one fruit of the Prelates Tyrannous Patronage of Livings; wherby they so much advanced Popery and Prelacy, and their Kingdom of dark­nes. There are but seven Parishes in the fruitful & pleasant Isle of Tha­net, in Kent; and three of these seven, the now Arch-Bishop bestowed upon His Graces young Chaplaine, beside a Prebendship of Canterbury: And all this, (no question) for his professed forwardnesse in the Arch-Bishops pious designes, which hee put in execution with what speed hee could: But his Parishioners at Mynster couragiously op­posed his Innovations there; yet he cut and defaced the Seats, and Cathedrall Pre­lates strive to shew the Arch-bishop their forwarduesse in Popish In­novations. set up his Altar and Railes, and fell to Ducking; and threatned them with the Arch-Bishop, and High-Commission, if they would not come up and receive the Communion, kneeling before the Altar, at the Raile; and when they told him it grieved them that hee should make their Parith a President to all others, of Popish Innovations: the Young Cathedrall Doctor replyed, and said, that he was the Arch-Bishop of Canterburies Chiefe Chaplaine; and therefore would shew his GRACE his forwardnesse in those things. All which, (and more too) divers Witnesses have testified to the Honourable Com­mittee of Parliament for Plundered Ministers.

[Page 6] In the Yeere 1633. The Romish dressing, and bowing towards the High Altar, began in that Cathedrall; and a while after, the Plague was The Prelates usher in Ido­latry. Idolatry ushers in the Plague. very bot there, in many Cathedrall Houses; so that the Prelates were driven from their Altar, and Cathedrall too, which was left (in a man­ner) desolate.

Their Cathedrall-Altar-Glory-cloth, before mentioned, was lately found out, where they had laid it in that Cathedrall, and is now The Cathedrall Altar-Glory, which is then shame. in the hands of the Honorable Committte, of Parliament for demolishing of Idolatrous monuments. That Glory, which is the shame of their Cathe­drall, is made of very rich Imbroydery of Gold and Silver, the name Jehovah on the top, in Gold, upon a cloth of Silver, and below it a semicircle of Gold, and from thence glorious rayes and clouds, and gleames and points of rayes, direct and waved, streame downewards upon the Altar, as if Jehovah (God himselfe) were there present in glory, in that Cathe­drall at the Altar; and all this to draw the people to looke and wor­ship towards the Altar, and thereby to usher in the breaden god of Rome, and Idolatry. The large patterne of that superstitious GLORY (being made of papers pasted together, wch is now kept with the Glory) Cathedrall Prelates con­sultabout ere­cting Monu­ments of super­stition, and Ido­latry. hath written on it, thus; Is not this circle too large? if so, it may best bee mended (as wee conceive) by inlarging the golden circle at the extremities of it, and by inlarging it inward. What thinke you of working the rayes with­out clouds? If you can conceive it fitting, it will much lessen the charge: our feare is, the Clouds will not bee well wrought, and then the rayes will shew far better without them. W. B. This was written on the patterne at Lon­don by a Cathedrall Doctor of Canterbury, as John Rowell the Imbroi­derer that made that Glory, hath lately testified upon his examination taken before the truely religious Sir Robert Harley, who, being in the Chaire of that Committee, hath (beside that Glory) such Idolatrous Popish Pictures, and other Popish trinkets taken out of the Kings Chappell, and from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and else-where, that a true Protestant would be astonished to behold them, they are so abo­minable; but they are all appointed to the fire. And the said John Rowel testifieth that after the patterne was so written on, at London, it was carried to the Cathedrall at Canterbury, and there the Prebendaries met and consulted about that Glory, and then the patterne was writ­ten on there, in answer to the former writing, thus: Wee conceive this Ovall-forme would doe better in a semicircle, and extend the Glory more on either side: These Clouds well shadowed, and well wrought, and pierced with raies will be most proper. We conceive also, that the Field should be more Azure, then Silver, which will soone tarnish. And the Imbroiderer fur­ther testifieth, that all the Prebendaries did approve of the making of that Glory for the Altar.

[Page 7] It is not long since our Queenes Mother was led by these Prelates, to Our Queenes mother led to Traitor Arch-bishop Beckets stone in that Cathedrall. Arch-Bishop Thomas Beckets stone, in that Cathedrall (the stone on which hee fell when hee was cast downe headlong in that Cathedrall, when hee was executed for his treason and rebellion) and shee came out of her Sedan, and bowed towards it; some say she kist it, as thou­sands of Papists have done before her, and it was then said to her, looke on the cracke in that stone, that mouth calls to heaven for vengeance on those that shed this holy Martyrs blood (a Traytour Martyr, I wis) a Saint fit for a Roman Calender, and a Cathedrall shrine. When Queen Mary (her daughter) came to that Cathedrall in her late A Cathedrall Orator tels out Queene Mary that that Ca­thedrall is the gate of Heaven journey to Dovor, when she went beyond Sea into Holland, shee be­ing entertained in that Cathedrall, a Cathedrall Prelate there said in his courting Oration to her, that that Cathedrall Church (whatsoe­ver some said to the contrary) was the gate of beaven. I saw the Deane and Prebendaries, (then the Arch-Bishops Commissioners) sitting in plena curia, in the Arch-Bishops Consistory Court in that Cathedrall; when divers Cathedral Pre­lates persecu­tors of their Brethren. Kentish Ministers were brought to the Bar before them, and sentenced for refu­sing to publish the Prophane Book for Sabbath Sports and Dancings, which is now justly contradicted, and condemned to the fire, by a late Sacred Ordinance of Parliament, for the better Observation of that Day. They urged the reading of the prophane Book for Sab­bath Sports.

The Nimrod of that Cathedrall, a mighty Hunter, and Hawker too, was wont (very often) to hunt Hares, and Foxes on weeke dayes; but he hunted the GRAY, or Badger, on the Sabbath Day, about five yeers since. In plaine termes thus: The Deane of Canterbury hearing that one Mr. GRAY, (a Godly and able Minister, now living in A Cathedrall Nunrod hun­ting the GRAY on the Lords Day. Effex) had Preached against the Prelates Popish proceedings, then on foot; and being informed that hee was to Preach againe (being a Stranger in those parts) the next Sabbath: the Deane, that Sabbath morning, rode out to find him, and Hunted from Shoulden to Ham, from Parish to Parish, at last (towards night) he came to Sandwich, where he had almost caught the Game hee pursued, and persecuted: but the GRAY was crept through a secret Muse; whereupon the Deane caused the Towne Gates to be shut, and Watchmen were set with Halbards at every corner; but the Preacher escaped them all: The persecuted Preacher went beyond the Bridge by the Wind-Mill, and escaped the wrath of that Cathedrall Levi, who had a Simeon with him, in that Spanish Inquisition; The Preacher may say, Cursed be their an­ger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruell. But the Prelate caused divers Godly men to bee brought into the Towne Hall at Sandwich, where they were questioned, and spoken against by him, in his Prelaticall outragious fury. Mr. Thomas Foach was bound over to the High Commission: Because the GRAY tooke earth or burrow [Page 8] in his Ground: But the Minister (having on a coloured Suite of Mr. John Foaches now living neer Magnes Church at London-Bridge) esca­ped along the Sea Coast, by the conduct of Mr. Anthony Oldfield, to Lid, and so to Tenterden, and so to London.

Many other Ministers have (within few yeeres) been persecuted in that Cathedrall, or by some of those Cathedrall Prelates; as, Mr. Huntley, Mr. Gardener, Mr. Partridge, Mr. Player, Mr. Hieron, and others; both Ministers and People, and especially Religious Churchwardens.

How often was the Bishops railing prayer, (or rather execration) against the Scots (when they stood up for their Religion, & Liberties, Cathedrall prayers against the Scots. against the Tyrannous Prelates) read in that Cathedrall, with a hun­dred Cathedrall Bellowing and Bawling A-A-Amens, after that Pre­laticall Prayer? Some Souldiers being Listed to serve in the Bi­shops Warres against the Scots, they being Mustered at Barham-downe in East-Kent, neere Canterbury, on the fifth of Aprill, 1639. I heard the Grandee, or Deane of that Cathedrall incourage them in the open Field, at the Muster; and (amongst the rest) he said to them, Ha Blades! Cathedralists foment the Prelaticall War against the Scots. I hope to see you returne every Man bravely, with Blew Scots Caps on your Heads, &c. And their Colonell said, you shall not need to [...]ht a stroake; but onely to shew your selves a little: hee said also, that the King would make the Scots glad to take Bishops, and Arch-Bishops, and Popes too; at which the Cathedralist laught exceedingly.

Their Cathedrall Sermons, what have they been (for the most part) these many yeers, but kickings against the power of Godlines, and Religion, and the advancing of Popery, Prelacy, Superstition, Prophanenesse, &c? So Cathedrall Ser­mons. that good Men have long since, altogether abhorred, and deserted their Cathedrall Preachments; and thereby we are deprived of much evidence against their strange Cathedrall Sermonizings. And had it not been for one of that Society, (who though mis-led, yet now returned) hath been a constant Preacher, and (in that respect) their Cathedrall Salt; that Cathedrall Nest of Prelates had wholly stunke and sunke long be­fore this time.

A Religious and well-affected Alderman of Canterbury, gave mee lately a Transcript of a passage written with his owne hand, in a spare leafe in his great Bible, which passage I have often read, its this: Christ-tide, 1633. was the first day of the High Altar, and Can­dlestickes on it, and Candles in them, and other dressings very brave, in Christ-Church, Canterbury: Doctor, &c.—did preach us such a conjuring Sermon, as I never heard before; his Text was, Mat. 2. 2. For wee have The reall pre­sence Preached for there. seene his Starre in the East, and are come to worship him: Hee told us the Names of the Wise Men, and their profession, Conjuring: And in the end told the people, that if they would find Christ, they must come to the ALTAR, [Page 9] and there they should find him really present, if any where. This is written in the Aldermans Bible; but in the Transcript he writ further to me, thus; But the Cathedrall Doctor did so conjure, that I went away with my haire an end, and came no more to the Cathedrall in eight yeares after, and I never could be in tune, till the comming of the Noble Scots: And the Parliament comming on, set mee right againe.

Another of those Cathedrall Doctors, Preaching there, in the Quire, The Scots and Gun-powder­traytours com­pared together in a Cathedrall Sermon. on the fifth of November 1639. compared the Scots to the Gun-Powder Traytors, because (as I conceive) they had blowne the Bishops, and Popery out of Scotland: Hee said, The Gun-powder-Traytors had their powder in the barrels, but these in the Bandeleers; those would blow up, these would blow out, &c. These were the fire-hot fumes of a Ca­thedrall Oven, yet their cake is dough.

The persecuting Speech of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, made at Westminster, in Starre-chamber, against Englands three Worthies, Mr. The Arch bi­shops Speech in Star-cham­ber, ecchoed in the Cathedrall at Canterbury. Burton, Dr. Bastwicke, and Mr. Prynne, did presently eccho very many passages of it, in the Cathedrall at Canterbury, where they were called in a Cathedrall Sermon, black-mouth'd-railing-Rabshakes, &c.

An ordinary Cathedrall-turne-Preacher, who in his mor­ning service (as is directed in the Masse Booke) used to sing, Psal. 43. And when they sung, Then will I to thine Altar goe, hee presently went out of his seat, and did goe up, ducking, to the Altar, to read Service there. This Altar-Priest Preacht in that Cathedrall (which I heard) word for word thus: His name Jesus was given him by an Cathedrall Do­ctrine, that a Pope gave Christ his name Angell, his name Christ was given him by a Bishop, an Arch-bishop, Pontisex Maximus, as wee say in English, a Pope, the first of all Popes, Saint Peter; thou art Christ: Its no marvel, if such men now malignantly side with Cavaleeres, Bapists, and Prelates, against the proceedings of Par­liament.

Another Cathedrall-turne-Preacher, who being questioned why hee Altar Railes made of Con­secrated wood. made not new Chancell railes for the Communion-Table, he repli­ed, that those Railes were made of old Church wood, and Seats, which was consecrated stuffe. This Cathedrall Preacher, in his Visitation Bishops Visita­tions stuffe. Sermon, Preached on the three and twentyeth day of April 1639. Added to the Arch-bishops usuall titles, calling him Our Good Lord, and Master, as they of old said of the Pope, Dominus Deus noster Papa; hee then Preached in Folio Diocesan Bishops to bee jure divine, affirming the Presbyterian government to be a Gemmy, a toy, or Gu-gaw; by Gemmy The Scots tai­led on at the Arch-bishops Visitation. meaning the Scots (as was conceived) against whom he expresly invey­ed, and (amongst the rest) said, Regi inimica meo, gens inimica Deo, A Nation at enmity with my King, a Nation at enmity with my God. The Bu­sitaking-Sermon being ended, the Arch-deacon (being Prebend of that Cathedrall) made an Oration to the Church-wardens, and then I [Page 10] heard him say, Is your Communion Table set up to the East end of the Chancell, and rayled in? Let it beset up in the highest place in the Church, its fit Almighty An Arch dea­cons Visitation speech, for Al­tars, as Gods sent at Church God should have the highest room there; as if one invite a great man to his house, he will give him the chiefest room or seat.

One of those Cathedrall Doctors, (Preaching there before the Kings Ma­jesty, when he went with the Queen to Dovor) in his Sermon, cursed all those that went about to take away the Episcopall Government, and to bring in the Presbyterian; he affirmed then the Episcopall Government to Cathedral cut­ting in the Kings presence be from Heaven, as was that of old, by the High Priests, &c. but (said he) I know not from whence the Presbyterian is, unlesse from Corah, Dathan, & Abiram.

Another Cathedrall Doctor Preaching there, said, that there was now in this Land, a conspiracy against the King, to take away his life: and hee compared those whom he called conspirators to Corah, Dathan, and Abi­ram: affirming that those that dyed at Keinton Battle, being of this Con­spiracy, were the children of the Devill, and their blood was on their own heads; and that he hoped the people of the Land (though the City would not) would rise up and stay those Conspirators: But the People of the Land Cathedrall In­cendiaries. presently rose up (out of zeale to God, the King, Parliament, and King­dome) against that Cathedrall Incendiary: And although the Cathe­drall-gates were shut a day or two for his rescue, and defence against the Magistrate, and people; yet forces so increased round about the Cathedrall, and did Peake and watch so closely; and the Posterne Bridge between the Cathedrall, and he Abbey of Austin the Monke, being broken downe; the Cathedralists themselves, (for feare of their own ruine) did in the night by Torch-light, deliver up their most Malignant Cathedrall Brother, Into the hands of Justice, where hee yet re­maines. This Prelate before that time Preach't there, a whole Cathe­drall Prelates plead for Tyranny, and blind obe­dience. Sermon, for absolute and blind Obedience; which Sermon began with Odi profanum Vulgus, that is, I hate the prophane common People: He then published, that if the King command it, wee must put to Sea in a Tempest, in a rotten Ship, without Masts, Sailes, or Anchors: this was Preacht at the Arch-bishops of Canterburies first Metropoliticall Visitation. If that, and all other Prelaticall and Cathedrall Sermons were extant, all England would see (though now [...] enough) how little our Laws and Liberties are be­holding to Tyrannous Prelacy, and Cathedralls; which may be seene also in a Printed Prelaticall Sermons, Preacht by a Grandee of that Cathedrall at Westminster, not long before the long sad Eclipse of Parliaments, Laws, and Liberties in England.

On Ascension Thursday (as they call it) 1642. Another Cathedrall Doctor Preacht there, that it was a duty of the Text, that all that have Knees should bow them at the Name of Jesus. This Prelate that pleaded so for bowing, (hearing that some of the Parishioners of Andrews in Canterbury did not kneele at the Communion) came and administred it there himselfe, and [Page 11] was so punctuall for their Kneeling, that hee lookt very low, to see if the Females kneeled. That Learned, Religious, Good Society (as they stile their Cathedrall in their Prelaticall Prayer) had a Sermon Preached on Tri­nity Sunday (as they call it) 1642. The Text was, and the Seraphinis cryed one Prelaticall plea­ding for Ca­thedrall piping and Quire­tossed Service. to another, Holy, &c. Upon which the Grandee, or Prior of that Cathedrall Covent Preached, saying, hence is justified our Cathedrall singing of Psalmes from one side of the Quire to the other: And then hee proceeded, upon that occasion, to a large Discourse in the behalfe of Church Musicke and Organs: I never heard more pleading for Cathedrall Piping; he was so vehement in his Discourse for Organes, that he was almost out of breath: It seemes he feared the fall of Cathedrall Quire-Service, and Organs, he was so earnest to uphold them, but in vaine, as the event proves.

And this puts me in minde of a very little witty Girle in that Cathe­drall: The Cathe­drall Collicke, or belliach. who being with her mother lately, where a sicke man lay groa­ning very loud: Mother, said she, why groanes this man so? It was an­swered, It is because he hath a paine in his belly: This Girle being a little after with her mother, at their Cathedrall-Quire-Service: and hearing the Deane roaring out the Base, in the Quire-Consort: Mother (said shee) Hath Mr. Deane a paine in his belly he roares so? It was a few moneths since preached in that Cathedrall, That all were revolted from the King, and must come, as Benhadads servants did, with ropes about their neckes. A vo­lume would not containe the Malignant passages preached in that Ca­thedrall, More strange Malignant Ca­thedrall prea­ching. since the Parliament began. These following passages have beene vented there after last Michael-tide 1643. O Lord give the King more hands to fight for him, Uriah was a generous Cavalier: Another preached there since; Men will excuse their sinnes; so pride is called handsomnesse; so an impious and rash vow, is called a holy Covenant; dethroning of Majesty, is called setting up Christ in his Throne; Fomenting of an unnaturall civill Warre, is called advancing of the true Religion. Another since that, Bad zeale is a worke of the flesh; such zeale have they who would pull downe Bishops, Because (like the Hereticke of old) they cannot attaine to that place themselves: Like that of the Anabaptisticall Reformers in Germany, who under pretence of Reformation, robbed and plundered. This (said he) is but a Jesuiti­call Prelates allow consecrated Snuffers, but no Extingui­shers, for bad Church Lights. tricke of those, who pretend to be most contrary to Jesuites. Another since that, preached there: saying, Priests are lights: If the Candle burne dimme, men use to snuffe it, not to put it out; those that are intoxicated, use to put out the Candle while they go about to snuffe it: and the snuffs were consecrated too. And since that, a Cathedrall Doctor preached there, of counterfeiting the Kings Great Seale, when the New great Seale legally came forth by authority of the Parli­ament, for the good of the Kingdome. And when some notorious Malig­nants and Incendiaries, both Priests and others, were secured in Canterbury. the same Cathedrall Prelate preached at that time of some that were great Professors of Religion, yet were most forward to persecute their Bre­thren, [Page 12] and hale them to prison. And since that, when the Images in that Cathedrall began to be demolished, the same Cathedralist preached the next Sabbath of Rifling, and Pillaging Churches, telling the people that such were worse then Jewes and Turkes, or Infidels, which (as is conceived) More Incendiary Cathe­dral preaching, and malignant stuffe. was a cause of the mutiny in Canterbury the next day. This man preached to his Parishioners after the Communion, saying, Those that came up to the Railes, should meet Christ in the Clouds; but those that came not up, Christ would say to them, Depart from me ye cursed &c.

And another passage of a Cathedrall Sermon there, was this: There is a people come on shore, which thinke their owne fancies to be the ho­ly Spirit, and doubtlesse they will plead at the last day, We have de­faced Churches and Chappels, O God, in thy name, we have robbed, and plundered in thy name, we have kept Conventicles in thy name, wee have undervalued Superiorities and dignities in thy name.

The last vapour vented in that Cathedrall, was, that it is Intemperate zeale, and fiery fury to reforme before the enemy be subdued: The Prayer was, that God A Cathedrall Cooler. would make us sober Protestants. It seemes the view of the Reformed Ido­latrous Windowes of the Sermon-house did offend, or strange-cooling came in by the breaches in them. But it's hoped the burning of that rich Altar-Glory, will produce a result, that will begin the reparations there, to keepe out such chilling vapours. To which may be added the (now dis­covered) rich silver Basin and Ewer, and other sumptuous common Plate of that Cathedrall Corporation, used at Cathedrall Feasts: and the Al­tar-Basin, and Candlesticks (if they be not conveyed to Oxford) will helpe that worke. And as the Cathedrall Sermons were none of the best, so those Cathedrall Prelates kept godly Preachers farre from them, A good prea­cher neere a Cathedrall, a Miracle. by combined caution. The famous Rogers of Essex was wont to say; You talke of miracles: Is it not a miracle that Master Thomas Wilson of Canterbury should continue preaching so neere the Throne of the Beast there? but all know they persecuted him, and railed on him, and accused him, but God found great meanes for his support in the Lions denne.

But this is no Cathedrall newes; and if they be such now, being under a cloud, what were they in their High Cathedrall splendor, when they swayed all by their PRELATIC ALL WILL? And if they be so malignant in publique against the King and Parliament, and Kingdom, joy­ning with Papists, bloody Irish Rebels, Damnee Ruffians, and plundering Ca­valiers, and other common enemies of our Religion, Laws, and Liberties, what have beene the private Counsels, and Actions of those Cathedrall Pre­lates, to support Popery, Prelacy, and Tyranny?

Why then should any stomack the fall of Prelacy and Cathedrals? After the Ca­thedral Babels sins, follow her plagues. especially of the Canterburian Cathedrall Babell? of whose sinnes you have heard a little, (and may see ten times more upon Record in this present Parliament) you shall now heare the Beginning of her plagues.

[Page 13] And here I shall begin with strange Cathedrall newes: yet such as is most true, and well known to all that live in, or neer Canterburie: And, w^ch the Cathedrallists themselves cannot deny: though living like boares in a paddock, or stie, they may grunt at the noyse of it.

The Cathedrall Prelats at Canterbury, hearing a rumour (though false) Cathedrall joy at false newes for Prelacy. that the Scots had yielded to entertaine Bishops, at the Pacification in the North, in the yeare 1639. they were overjoyed at that newes, being before in a quaking feare, that having on each shoulder a steeple or two, and a Ca­thedrall on their head, they should be eased of their beloved burden, by a Reformation, which they feared might reach from Edenborough in Scot­land, to Canterburie in England: well knowing, that Prelacy and Cathe­dralls Prelacy built on a sandy foundation. were built upon the sandy foundation of Ignorance, Superstition, Ambition, and Covetousnesse, and had only custome, and humane power to uphold them.

And to expresse their great triumph, at that newes, they did then, in the Summer time, in the height of their Prelaticall glory, set up, upon the foure Flags of try­umph on the Cathedral stee­ple. Pinacles of their highest Cathedrall steeple, called Bell-harry steeple, 4 great iron fanes, or flags, on which the Coate-Arms of the King, Prince, Church, and Archbishop of Canterburie were severally guilded, and painted: But in the end of December following, in the midst of their Cathedral Ioviali­ties, and Christmas Gamballs, there was a Gamball plaid by the flag, which A Prelaticall fall at Canter­burie. had the Archbishops armes on it, which had a tumbling cast from the top of the steeple, being strucken downe by a stroake from heaven, in a fearefull tempest, on Innocents day early in the morning: And the Archbishops arms Heaven points at Innocents, at the blood of Innocents, when it Prikes at Bishops and Cathedralls, pulld down the top of the pinacle, which upheld them, and were carryed (partly against the wind) a good distance from the steeple, on which they stood, and fell upon the roofe of the Cloyster, in which Cloyster, the Armes of the Arch-Bishoprick of Cant. were carved, & painted on the lower side, or concave of the Arch, or seeling of the Cloyster; which Armes in the Cloy­ster, were dashed in peices by the Armes which fell from the pinacle of the steeple; The Arms of the present Arch-Bishop of Canterburie, brake downe Prelates pull down their up­holders. The Arch-Bi­shop ruins his Arch-Bisho­prick. The Bish. new canons shot a­gainst heaven, the bullet falls back on his own head. the Armes of the Arch-Bishoprick, or Sea of Canterburie: The fall was so violent, that it brake through the leads, plancks, timbers, and stone-Arch of the Cloyster, and made an impression in the pavement of the Cloyster, as if it had been done with Canon shot, which impression is partly to be seene at this day, though repayred. And this prodigious fall of the Arch-Bishops Armes, was very neer the place, where that proud Prelate, Thomas Beck­et, Arch-Bishop of Canterburie. and Arch Traytor, was cast down head­long in that Cathedrall, for his Treason and Rebellion; And very neere the [Page 14] unparallel'd Idolatrous window in that Cathedrall. But the Prelats bestir'd themselves in the morning, and tooke away, in all smoaking hast, the broken Armes, and rabbish, and swept all cleane, that lesse notice might be taken of that lamentable ruine; And to hide the deformity of the crop-ear'd steeple, and to take away the observation, and remembrance of that downfall, which concerned their gracious Diocesan, and great Cathedral so much; they would not suffer the Armes of the King Prince, and Church to stand any Prelates. pull downe King, Prince, and Church. longer, on the other three pinacles, but tooke them all three downe instantly: Those Armes of King, Prince, and Church, being untouched with the tem­pest, and standing all three firme, and glorious, on the other pinacles of the steeple, without the help, or company of that tottering Prelate, who had The King and Church can stand without a Bishop. left them at a pinch of need.

And the Cathedrall men repaited the broken Cloyster, gilding, & pain­ting the Arch over head, as it was before: but they have made other Coate-Armes in the roome of the Armes of the Arch-Bishoprick, because they would conceale that strange ruine of those Armes. Cathedrall Quire rent and broken at a Consecration

And they have repaired the roofe of their Idolatrous Quire, which, a little before the Arch-Bishops Armes fell downe, was terribly rent, and broken also, in a wondrous tempest: That very night the Bishop of Oxford came to that Cathedrall, to consecrate their new, brave, Cathadrall Font: And they mended the top of the broken pinacle, but never hunge out their flaggs any The Prelates hang out no more flags. more since. Alas poore Cathedrall.

And because the new repaired pinacle was white, diffring in colour from the other three, they were at great cost to raise a huge Scaffold, only to white over the top of one other pinacle: that their Arch-Prelate might not be poin­ted at, as singular, but they were deceived for the two new whited Pinacles Prelates abhor singularity. Lawn sleeves. were seene, and pointed at a far off, and were said to have a paire of white lawne sleeves drawne over them, as a perpetuall monument of their Arch-Prelates two broken Armes, and downfall. And it was then observed, as The Arch Bi­shops ominous fall noted. wonderfully ominous, foreshewing the utter downfal: and ruine of Prelicie, as these verses, then made thereupon, declare;

[Page 15] I have lately seene the Arch Bishop of Canterburies diary written with More falls neer the Arch-Bi­shop in that tempest He notes them in his Diary. his own hand, as he, and his Secretary have confest in the Lords house in Par­liament, which booke Mr. Prynno found in his pocket in the Tower of Lon­don, some months since, and hath been often read in that House, since the Bishops tryall, in which booke the Arch-Bishop writes verbatins thus;

1639. Decemb. 27. Friday, being St. Johns day at night, between 12. and 2. of the clock the next morning, the greatest winde that ever I heard blow: many of the watermen at Lambeth had their boates tumbled up and Lambeth fall. downe, and broken to pieces as they lay on the land: out of my servants went to London, and durst not come home that evening the weather was so foule: that night the shafts of two chimneyes as Lambath were beat down upon the roofe of his chamber, and beat downe both the lead and the rafters upon his bed, where had he been that night, he must have perished.

At Croydon one of the pinacles fell from the steeple, and burst downe the Croydon fall. lead, and roofe of the Church, [...] 20. foote square.

1633. Septemb. 19. Thursday, I was translated to the Arch-Bishop­prick of Canterburie. 18. The day before, when I went to Lambeth, my Coach-horses and men suncke to the bottome of the Thames in the Ferry­boat, which was overladen.

1639. Tuesday Simon and Judes Eve, I went into my upper Study to see some Manuscripts, which I was sending to Oxford: in that Study hung my pi­cture, taken by the life, and comming in, I found it fallen downe upon the face, The Arch-Bi­shops hanged picture falls. and lying on the floore, the string being broken by which it was hanged against the wall: I am almost everyday threatned with my ruine, in Parliament, God grant this be no Omen. This the Archbishop hath written, and if any He feares his owne ruine. doubt of it, he may see the Book, which is now in Mr. Prin's custody. I read in Duplessis Mistery of iniquity, that when the Prelacie of Rome began to be [...]aken, by Luther's thundring, and some Princes joyning with him against the Pope, the Image of St. Peter (whose Successor the Pope falsly pretends to be) standing aloft with keyes in his hand, the keyes were struck out of the Images hand in a Tempest. And Sir Francis Bacon in his History of Henry the 7^th, tels us, that Philip the young King of Spaine, who bare the Spread-Eagle in his Armes, being in London, the Gilded Eagle (a lane in forme of an Eagle, standing on the (then) Spired Steeple of the Cathedrall, called Pauls in London) fell downe in a Tempest, and in the fall brake downe the signe of the Eagle, hanging at a doore in Pauls Church-yard, which was then much noted, as Ominous to that Prince, who not many dayes after fell from his Life and Kingdome: And not long after this Parallell fall of the Arch-Bishops Armes, the Arch-Bishop himselfe fell from as high as Lambeth, nay The Arch-Bi­shop fals as low as the Tower of London. 12. Bishops fal after him. from the Lords House in Parliament, as low as the Tower of London, for no lesse crime, then High Treason. And twelve other Bishops being high flowne, above the high Court of Parliament, in their proud Protestation, did [Page 16] fall as low as that Tower also for their just deserts. And a litle after that, Episcopacie it selfe began to fall, by that noble Act of Parliament against the High Commission Court, by which Act the iron teeth of the Beast were The high Com­mission Court felts. knockt out, and the Sting of abused Excommunication was pluckt out of his Tayle. And since that (which makes the fore recited fall at Canterbury more observable, as predigious, and betokening the ruine of Prelacie, as Prelaticall ex­communication falls. proud Welsey, Cardinall, and Arch-Bishop said of the fall of his Crosier staffe at Yorke, a litle before his owne fall, and deserved death, malum omen, that is, ani'l token.) The Kings Majesty casually passing through Canter­bury, The first fall of Episcopacy was at Canterburie, there the Bill against the votes of Bishops in Parliament was signed. in his Journey with the Queene to Dover, staying a litle at Canterbu­ry, did at Canterbury, and no where else in all England, signe the Bill a­gainst the Votes of Bishops in Parliament, which Act threw downe our Lof­ty Lordly Prelates from the Pinacle of their ambition.

And this Bill was not onely signed at Canterbury, where the Armes of the Primat, or prime Prelat of al England were so demolished, in the Metropoli­tan Cathredral, or prime Seat, or Throne of the Beast, called a Cathedrall; but (which is most observable) it was signed at arained Abbey adjoyning to that Cathredrall. And that Abbey, in which the very first Bill, and And signed at a­rained Abby. Signed at the house of the first Arch-Bishop of Canterburie that ever was, and where hee was buried. Act of Parliament against Bishops was signed by his Majesty, was the Abbey of Austin the Monke, who was the very first Arch-Bishop of Can­terbury that ever was, and a most superstitious persecutor, and bloudy In­cendiary of Church, and State; which is Recorded to his Litle LAUD; and was buried at Canterbury, in that Abbey, where Episcopacy it self hath now received a deadly wound, by the Royall assent to that Bill. And since that Bill was signed, another Bill hath passed Both Houses of Parliament, where­by all that cursed prelaticall Hierarchy of Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Deanes, The finall fall, and ruine of Prelacie. Arch-Deacons &c. is cut downe root and branch, and hath its finall Doome and Down-fall: Prelate remember the Pincale. And as for the Canterburian Arch-Prelate, whose Coate-Armes, (Badges of Honour) were so cast downe, his charge & Impeachment of high Treason now brings him to a di­shonourable low posture, at the Bar of the highest Court of Justice, where it will shortly appeare what these prodigious falls portended: a sparrow not falling to the ground without the divine providence.

I find in the recited Diary, or day-booke written with the Arch-Bishops The Arch-Bi­ships ominous dreames. The Bishops Rochet is lost. own hand, word for word, thus.

1628. Ian. 31. Saturday night, I lay in Court, I dreamed that I put off my Rochet all save one steeve, and when I would have put it on againe I could not find it.

1638. Feb. 12. Tuesday night, I dreamed that K. C. was to be married to a Ministers Widow, and that I was called up to doe it: no Service-booke could be found, and in mine owne booke, which I had, I could not find the or­der The service-booke is lost. for Marriage.

[Page 17] 1639. Ianu: 24. Friday at night, I dreamed that my father, (who dyed The Arch-Bi­shops dead Fa­ther comes for him. 46. years since) came to me, and to my thinking he was as wel, as ever I saw him: he asked me what I did here, and after some speech, I asked him how long he would stay with me, hee answered, he would stay till he had me away with him: I am not moved with dreames, yet I thought fit to remember this.

All this may now be seene written with the Arch-Bishops owne hand, in that book of his, now in Mr. Prinns custodie. And the Arch-Bishop him­selfe being at White-Hall in his jollity, and Ruffe, about 5. years since, told the Right Honourable the Earl of Pembrocks, and Earle of Monmouth, that when he was in Oxford, he dreamed that he should come to the highest, and greatest preferment in Church and State, that ever any Clergy man did, & The Arch Bi­shop dreames how hee should live, & what death he should dye. that he should be in great favour, power, and authority, and make great changes and alterations in the Church, for sundry years, but yet, after al this, he should be hang'd at last. At which the said Lords falling into a great laughter: His Majesty that now is, hearing it, came into the room & deman­ded of them the cause of their mirth, that he might have a share of it: where­unto the truly noble Earle of Pembrooke answered, that the reason of their laughter was, at a dream w^ch the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie had newly told them; Whereupon the King demanded what the dream was, to which the Earle replyed, that it was the Arch-Bishops own dream, & he was best able to relate it to his Majesty; upon which, the King (calling the Arch-Bishop to him) caused him in their presence, to tel the dream over again to the King himselfe.

But to returne to my Cathedrall newes, to tell you what hath followed those observable alarums in that Cathedrall. On their Candlemas day at Cathedrall I­mages fall. night, 1641. Those Consecrated Images about their new Cathedral Font were all demolished, & taken away, they knew not how, nor by whom that purification was observed, without Candles: But a few days after, some of Images put into a cathedral pul­pit, and why. those Idols were found in that Cathedral, in a Pulpit, where a Sermon had not bin preached neer 20. years before: But were not those Images put into that Pulpit, to preach in that Cathedral, touching wooden Priests, and Idol-Shepheards? but of that busines, the Prelats made no dumb complaint to the King himselfe, when he was last there, in his Journey with the Q [...] to Do­vor: they carryed him to the Font, and shewed him the lamentable conditi­on, The Prelates complain to the King for their Idols. and ruine of their new consecrated Font, and where those Images had stood about it. And indeed they could better endure the late felling of about 300. Episcopall and Cathedrall Oakes in one yeare, for their owne gaine: then they could endure the pulling down of those 18. Idols of wood & stone: But the truth is, the Citizens of Canterburie had first complained of them in the rehearsed Petition, which lyes heavier on their stomacks, then 3. Parish Churches, and a Cathedrall. And besides that Petition, and pulling downe their puppets: those Cathedrallists have been much crossed in their Popish, [Page 18] and idolatrous designes, (the Prelats pions worke in hand) when some wel­affected The godly cros the Prelats of Canterburie in their Popish designes. Citizens of Canterburie beheld, how those Cathedrall Priests bow­ed, and crowched towards their Altar, although they did not serve the Priest, as he deserved, as the Arch Prelate of St. Andrews in Scotland was served, when they hurled creckets, and stooles and sticks at him, when he first read the new Scots Service-booke in his Pontificabilus; But they cryed out aloud in the time of the Cathedrall Service, many Sabbath dayes; Leave your idolatry, leave your idolatry there. And one Sabbath day, when after the Sermon was ended in that Cathedrall Quire, and the Psalme after Sermon was begun: the High Priest or Canon went before, and the low Priest, or Petti-canon behind him, & the Vergerer, or Vsher before both: all three duck­ing, The Cathe­drall popish progres to the Alter in Ser­vice [...] ducking, ducking, like wilde-geese, head to raile, as they went from their seates in the Quire, up to the High Altar, where the Priests stood un­till the Organs, and Quire had ceased: and then the Altar-Priest began to reade out of the Service-booke, the Cathedrall third Service, or Alter-Sermon-service: But the people sung on still, (the Organist having casually called the first part of the 119. Psalm:) Whereupon the Altar-Priest called the Petti-canon, a Priested Weaver that waited on him at the Altar, him the grand Priest sent downe drom the Altar to bid the people leave A heavy stir a­bout Altar ser­vice. singing. The Petti-canon called out aloud, leave your singing, leave your singing: but they sung on: then the Petti-canon called out to the Priest at the Altar, Sir they do't for the nonce, they do't for the nonce; then one pull'd the Petti-canon by the Surplice behinde, and cryed out, you are a Weaver; another cryed out, leave your Idolatry: but still the people sung on: All this time the Priest stood dumb at the Altar, with his Service-booke, in his Surplice, Hood, and Tippet, and had lost his dinner, if he had not come down from the Altar, and gone home without reading any more The Altar-priest like to lose his dinner. Altar Service at that time, and left the people singing, who when the Priest was gone from the Altar, and the Quire risen, did all depart home quietly: and after that time the Cathedrallists would preach no more in the Quire, but in the Sermon-house, as before.

One of the great Canons, or Prebends, in the very act of his low congying towards the Altar, as he went up to it, in Prayer time, was (not long since) re­saluted A huge Massif resalutes a congying Altar Priest before the Altar. by a huge mastiffe dog, which leapt upright on him, once & againe, & pawed him, in his ducking saluting progresse, & posture to the Altar, so that he was fain to call out aloud, take away the dog, take away the dog.

At the election of Burgesses for Canterburie, upon the summons of the Parliament, in the yeare 1639. The Proctors, Fidlers, Papsters, and other friends of the Cathedrall, and Prelaticall party, at Canterburie, were for the Arch-Bishops Secretary to be Burgesse there, who came downe before the day of election for that purpose, and prepared his foresaid friends to vote for him: and at the day of election, he came into the Guild-Hall of Canterbu­rie, [Page 19] and there produced to the Citizens, letters written to them in his behalf, The Prelates stickle for Bur­gesses in Parli­ament of their own chusing. The Arch Bi­shops Secretary no Burgesse. from his Lord and Master the Arch Bishop, and from the then Lord Kee­per: and then the Secretary made a Speech to the Citizens to chuse him Bur­gesse; in which Oration he said, there is a picture hanging before you, of a great Benefactor to this Citie, the same man was the founder of the Colledg in Oxford where I lived. The Citizens (heating this) cryed out aloud: no pictures, no Images, no Papists, no Arch-bishops Secretary, we have too many Images and pictures in the Cathedrall already: and after that they would not heare him speake a word more, but hist him downe: and pre­sently cryed up others, whom they then chose Burgesses for that Citie. And a Petti canon of that Cathedrall, being voting there, for the Arch-Bishops A Priested Ca­thedral Wea­ver votirg with Proctots, and Fidlers, &c. for the Arch-Bishops Secretary to be Purges in Par­liament. Secretarie, one told him he was no Free man, and therefore could have no Vote there: He replyed, I am a Free-man, I have my coppie in my pocket; then one said, 'tis true indeed, he is a Weaver, he is free of that trade: Then there arose a loud cry amongst them, a Weaver, a Weaver, a Weaver, a Priested Weaver, in a Canonicall coate.

The Grandes of that Cathedrall, about two yeares since, having feasted some Malignants that came from the Downes, at Deale, where they would have seazed on the Parliaments ships: after dinner, he, having accompanied them out of Towne, in his Coach: at his returne, his Coach overthrew into the Cōmon sewer, or broad stinking ditch, between the three Kings Tavern, A soule Prela­ticall fall, though Kings be neere. and Kings bridge, in Canterburie: the great Cathedrallist crying out, helpe me, helpe me; The people laughing at their Land Shipwrack, and filthy pickle, and bedaub'd white Sattin gowne of the Famale Cathedrallist: The people said also, that the Prelates would have a greater fall, they hoped.

And since that, there was Cathedrall newes from Canterburie in print, in a letter, written by a Master of a Colledge, an Arch-Deacon, two Pre­tends, & three Parsons, and yet but one man, a Canterburian Cathedrallist: which printed newes some called the Cathedrall lamentation for Dagon's downfall. The newes was, that the Troopers sought with God himselfe in the Cathedrall Quite at Canterburie. But the trueth is, that on the 26. of August, 1642. Some zealous Troopers, after they had (by command) Cathedrall Gods, Altars, Images, Ser­vice-bookes, Prick-song­bookes, Surpli­ces. taken the powder and ammunition out of that Malignant Cathedrall, they fought (it seemes) with the Cathedrall Gods, named in that printed letter: namely Altars, Images, Service-booke, Prickesong-booke, Surplisse, and Organs; for they hewed the Altar-ratles all to pieces, and threw their Al­tar ever, and ever, and ever, downe the three Altar-stops, and left it lying with the heeks upward: they slasht some Images, Crucifixes, and Pricke­song bookes, and one greasie Service-book, and a ragged smock of the where of Rome, called a Surplisse, and began to play the tune of the zealous souldi­er, on the Organs, or case of whistles, which never were in tune since: But the Cathedrallists cryed out for their great Diana & ran to the Comman­der [Page 20] in chiefe with all speed, who presently cal'd off the S [...]uldiers, who after­wards Pipes and Ca­thedrall prick-song keep con­sort. sung Cathodrall Prick-song, as they rode over Barham-downe to­wards Dover, with Prick-song leaves in their hands, and lighted their to­bacco-pipes with them: such pipes, and Cathedrall Prick-song did consort well together. But after this Cathedrall Camisado, their Quire, which be­fore had all the Pipes, both Service and Sermon, hath never since that time had once Service, or Sermon in it to this day. There are no Cathedrall Se­raphims heard tossing their Quire Service from one side of the Quire to the other, onely plaine Service-booke Service is read in the Sermon-House. And they have never set up their Altar any more since that dismall overthrow. They had removed it of themselves, not long after the Parliament began, ac­cording to the pious Order of Parliament; but they set it up againe Altar­wise that day the Sermon was preach't there, before the King, when hee staid at Canterbury in his late journey with the Queen to Dover: and so their Altar stood untill those Reforming Troopers removed it with a ven­geance. The Cathedrall high Altar re­moved with a vengea [...]ce. And as for their Altar-trinkets, their silver Basin and Candlesticks, the Prelates had hid them from the Troopers, but afterwards sold them to a Merchant in Canterbury, for feare they should be seized on for the publique defence of the Kingdome. But when they heard that a sack posset was eaten A Sacke posset in a consec [...]aetd Cathedrall Ba­sin. out of their Cathredrall Altar-Basin, they were much offended, that a con­secrated Basin should be so prophaned, and thereupon bought againe their Basin and Candlesticks, which some affirme, had tallow-candles in them while the sack-posset was in eating. But this was but a forerunner of a more orderly and through Reformation in that Cathedral, which (according An orderly Re­formation be­gun in the Ca­thedral o [...] Can­terburie. to another pious Ordinance of Parliament for demolishing of Monuments of Idolatry) began upon the thirteenth day of December last, that very day in which the neck of the Hoptonians advance into Kent was broken, by that utter defeat given the Lord Crafords whole Regiment, at Alton, by the Re­ligious Idolls pulled downe & ene­mie vanqushed the same day. and Valiant Sir William Waller, which defeat given on that day, made way for his taking of Arundel Castle, & for the absolute repulse of the enemy. Gods providence fitted that day to begin that Deliverance, when that most idolatrous Cathedrall first began to be purged of those abhomi­nable Images of jealousie. The Cathedrall men would not execute that Or­dinance themselves, they loved their Cathedrall Jezabel, the better because she was painted, which painted Cathedrall Jezabel the recited Proctours Cathedrall painted Iesabell Mother of Harlots. Booke calls Mother Church. But the worthy Major, and Recorder of Can­terburie put on that blessed worke of Reformation with their speedy warrant, according to that ORDINANCE. When the Commissi­oners entred upon the execution of that Ordinance, in that Cathedrall, they knew not where to begin, the Images and Pictures were so numerous, as if that Superstitious Cathedrall had beene built for no other end, but to be a [Page 21] stable for Idolls, At last they resolved to begin with the window on the East, of the high Altar, beyond that Sainted-Traytor, Arch-Bishop Beckets shrine, at which shrine to this day may be seen, how the stones of the pavement on the sides, and ends of that shrine, were worn with the kneeling of the Idolatrous people, which came on Pilgrimage, to offer there, to that Pope-holy Saint. But the Commissioners knew not what pi­ctures were in that Eastmost window of that Cathedrall and comming to it, the first picture they found there, was of Austin the Monke, who (as is said before) was the first Arch-Bishop of Canterburie that ever was, & The first Arch-Bishop of Can­terburie his I­mage first casu­ally demolished. so it casually fell out, that the Image of this Arch-Prelate of Canter­burie was the first that was demolished in that Cathedral; many window-Images or pictures in glasse were demolished that day, and many Idolls of stone, thirteen representing Christ, and his twelve Apostles, standing over the West doore of the Quire, were all hewed down, and 12. more at the North doore of the Quire, and 12. Mytred-Saints sate aloft over the West doore of the Quire, which were all cast downe headlong, and The Bishops Myter breakes his neck. some fell on their heads, and their Myters brake their necks: While this worke was in hand, in comes a Prebends wife, and pleaded for the I­mages there, and jeered the Commissioners viraginously: but when shee A viraginous Shee Cathe­drallist. saw a picture of Christ demolished, she skreekt out, and ran to her hus­band, who (after shee was gone) came in, and asked for their Au­thoritie to doe those things: and being answered that there was the Ordinance of the KING and PARLIAMENT, he replyed, not of the King, but of the Parliament if you wil, he also pleaded for the I­mages Prelates plead for Baal. there, and spake in justification of his bowing towards the Altar, yea he would maintain his bowing three times that way, because there were three Persons in the Trinity; a poor argument for a Cathedrall Doctor, he might as wel have argued, because he did give thanks for the three pa­rishes or steeples he enjoyed. But after he had disputed a while with the A Cathedrall qualme. Ministers, that assisted the Commissioners in that worke: the grand Priest complained for want of breath, saying he was ready to faint, and desired to be let out: And indeed he looked very ill; 'tis true, he stood very neere the place where Arch-Bishop Becket was cast over headlong; but this man had no cause of fear, not a distastfull, or disrepective word: and was quietly let out, as he desired. And then that work of Reformation went on; the Commissioners fell presently to work on the great Idolatrous The grand Ido­latrous Cathe­drall window defaced. window, standing on the left hand, as you goe up into the Quire: for which window (some affirm) many thousand pounds have been offered by Out-landish Papists. In that window was now the picture of God the Fa­ther, and of Christ, besides a large Crucifixe, and the picture of the Holy Ghost, in the form of a Dove, and of the 12. Apostles; and in that win­dow were seven large pictures of the Virgin Marie, in seven severall glo­rious [Page 22] appearances, as of the Angells listing her into heaven, and the Sun, Moon, and Stars under her feet, and every picture had an inscription un­der it, beginning with gaude Maria: as, gaude Maria sponsa dei, that is, Rejoyce Mary thou Spouse of God. There were in this window, many other pictures of Popish Saints, as of St. George, &c. But their prime Ca­thedrall Saint-Arch-Bishop Thomas Becket, was most rarely pictured in that window, in full proportion, with Cope, Rochet, Miter, Crosier, and all his Pontificalibus. And in the foot of that huge window, was a title, intimating that window to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In laudem & honorem beatissimae Virginis Mariae matris dei, &c. But you have a re­gister of the Cathedrall Idolls in a late book mentioned in the recited Canterburie Petition: In that Prelaticall book, thanks are given to the piety of these times, that the Altar in that Cathedrall was so richly ador­ned, The Proctors book a helpe to discover demo­lisht Images a­gainst his Wil. there is a project for a discovery to what Saint every parish Church is dedicated: that Church-Ales, & wakes, and parish-feasts may be better kept: This book was a card and compasse to sail by, in that Cathedral O­cean of Images: by it many a Popish picture was discovered, and demoli­shed. It's sure working by the booke: But here is the wonder, that this booke should be a means to pull down Idols, which so much advanceth I­dolatry. But as that window was the superstitious glory of that Cathe­drall; as it was wholy superstitious, so now it is more defaced then any win­dow in that Cathedrall. Whilst judgment was executing on the Idols in that window: the Cathedrallists cryed out againe for their great Diana, The Cathe­drallists cry out for their great Diana. hold your handss, holt, holt, heers Sir, &c. A Minister being then on the top of the Citie ladder, neer 60. steps high, with a whole pike in his hand ratling down proud Beckets glassy bones, (others then present, would not adventer so high) to him it was said, 'tis a shame for a Minister to be seene there; the Minister replyed, Sir, I count it no shame, but an honour, My Mr. whipt the living buyers & sellers out of the Temple; these are dead I­dolls, which defile the worship of God here, being the fruits and occasions of Idolatry: Some wisht he might breake his neck, others said it should cost bloud. But he finished the worke, and came downe well, and was in very good health when this was written. Many other Images were defa­ced in other windows there, severall pictures of God the Father, of Cru­cifixes More abhomi­na [...]le monu­ments of Idola­latry. and men praying to Crucifixes, and to the Virgin Marie, and I­mages lay on the tombs, with eyes and hands lifted up, and right over them was pictured God the Father, imbracing a Crucifix, to which the I­mage seemed to pray. There was a Cardinall's hat as red as blood, pain­ted in the highest window in that Cathedrall within Bell-Harry steeple, over the Quire doore, covering the Arch-Bishops Armes, which Hat had not so much respect shewed it, as Cardinall Wolseys hat had at Court, A Cardinalls Hat. it was not bowed too, but ratled downe: There were also many huge [Page 23] Crosses demolished, which stood without the Cathedrall, four on Bell-Arundell Crosses did I­mages, without the Cathedrall, demollished. steeple: and a great Idoll of stone, which stood on the top of the roofe of that Cathedrall, over the South dore, under Bell-Harry steeple, was pulled down by 100. men with a rope: in the fall it buried it selfe in the ground, it was so heavy, and fell so high. This Image held a great brazen Crosse in his hand: it was the Satue of Michael the Arch-Angel, looking straight to a lane right over against it, in Cantrrbu­rie, called Angell-lane. There was demolished also, a very large stone I­mage of Christ, over which was the Image of the holy Ghost, in the forme of a Dove: this Idoll stood right over the great Cathedrall South-gate next the Bull stake: this Image was pull'd down with ropes: at first the head began to shake and nod to and fro, a good while: at last it fell off two houres before the body, which was rivetted to the wall with iron barres. The Papists report it was a miracle, that the Image nodded the head to A supposed mi­racle of an [...] nodding at [...] demolishers. reprove those that pull'd it downe, one said then, it was a shame they should pull it downe in such a base manner. This Image (amongst the rest) was the meanes of much Idolatry; men, now living, testifie, that they have seen travellers kneele to it in the street, as they entred the Cathe­drall, Idolatry da [...] committed in that Cathe­drall. which is continually visited by Outlandish Papists, who daily com­mit Idolatry in that Cathedrall; And yet how many that professe love to true Religion, and hatred of Idolatry are now zealous for these Images, which are Monuments, and instruments, and occasions of Idolatry, the con­tinuance whereof hath bin our great sin, shame, and misery.

But (say some) the Windows and Monuments are precious: but we read, Deut. 13. 6. If any, (though never so neer or dear unto us) move us to Ido­latry, A caveat to those ignorant and superstiti­ous people that cry out against the defacing of monuments of Iolatry. we are commanded by God himselfe, to stone them to death, our eye must not pity them: Must we not spare a living man, made little inferiour to the Angels, but must rend, and maul him with stones, and shall wee sto­mack the battering and defacing of dead Images, that are not only monu­ments of, but inticements to Idolatry? shall we glamour and clamour as they, that shall lament the finall fall of Babilon, Rev. 18. 16. Alas, alas, that great Citie, that was cloathed in fine linnen, purple, & scarlet, & dec­ked with gold & precious stones, shal we say alas that great Cathedrall, oh the goodly painted windowes, oh the golden Tabernacle work, oh the Glori­ous Glory cloth, oh the costly Copes, Basins, and Candlesticks, oh the rich Hangings, oh the Arch-Bishops consecrated Chaire; Such clamours were heard when the Abbyes were defaced, but wee read, Acts 19. 19. That they which beleeved, did quite abolish their superstitious devices, how cu­rious and costly soever, though they were worth 50000. pieces of silver: let those that cry out against this Reformation, read these (and the like) pla­ces of Scripture, Exod. 24. 24. Num. 33. 52. Deut. 7. 5. 1 Kings 15. 12. 2 King. 18. 4. Isa 30. 22. 1 Joh. 5. 21. The last execution against the Idols in that Cathedral, was done in the Cloyster, divers Crucifixes & Mytred [Page 24] Saints were slattered in pieces there: St. Dunstans Image pulling the Divel by the nose with a pair of tongs, was pulled down. Devill and all. When the Cathedrall men heard that Ordinance of Parliament, against Idolatrous The Divell & St. Dunstan demolished. Monuments, was to be put in execution, they covered a compleat Crucifixe in the Sernion-house windows, with thin boords, and painted them, to pre­serve the Crucifix, but their jugling was found out, and the Crucifix demo­lisht. And as the monuments of Idolatry are in great part taken out of that Romish Cathedrall. So that Cathedrall nest of Prelaticall Hornets, is almost dispersed and gone; God hath scattered the proud. Their old Deane is dead above a year since, and their new Dean (chosen at Oxford) dyed at Cathedrall ce­veat dispersed Oxford; And a young Cathedrall Doctor too, who first recanted here, & went to Oxford and dyed lately there: and many other of those Prelars be­ing Incendiaries, and Delinquents, are kept in safe custodie. Thus a viall is now powred out upon this Cathedra, or seate, or Throne of the Beast, and though they gnaw their tongues for paine, yet I do not heare that they Cathedra sig­nifies a seate or chiar: A Catha­drall Church is a seat-Church or a chaire-Church: it being a seate, or, throne of a Ro­mish-Beast: cal­led a Diocesan Bishop, with his Prelaticall crew. repent them of their Prelaticall and Malignant wayes, to give God the glory, Revel. 16. 10.

And now to end (with very good Cathedrall news from Canterburie) the Honourable House of Commens hath begun to settle an able & Orthodox Ministry in that Cathedral, where 2 Sermens are now preached every Lords day, besides the week dayes preaching there: light comes in there through the windows, where the painted Images stood, and kept it out: now there is no such heterodex, and Malignant Cathedral stuff heard there, as before this blessed Reformation, now so happily begun there, by the care and la­bour of the Parliment, amidst so many difficulties: they remove the old rub­bish, and build the Temple apace, though with the sword in one hand, & the Good Cathe­drall news from Canterburie. Trowell in the other. And now the godly flock to that Cathedrall againe, in such numbers, that had not the Idolatrous windows in the Sermon-house bin demolished as they are, the numerous Cathedrall auditors would be much annoyed with extreamity of heat. Thus we see the Canterburian Ba­bel falls a pace: and Christ-Church Cathedrall in Canterburie begins to be Christ-Church indeed: as that blessed Martyr Ridley wished (or rather prophesied) long agoe, in a letter of his, which is recorded in the book of Martyrs. Cathedrallists may be packing, [...] Babell is fallen, [...] fallen, Alleluya.

And now least that Cathedral Abbey should prove another Lichfield, or Lincolne Cathedrall-Close: for the enemy to fortifie, and roost in: The huge Citie-like gates of that Cathedrall Corporation are all taken down & laid aside, which was done when the Kentish Malignants began to rise against the King, Parliament and Kingdom: So that now when an act, or Ordinance of Parliament, or the Bill for the extirpation of Prelacy already passed both Houses of Parliament, being signed by the King, (which God grant) shall shortly root out all Prelacy, and Cathedrall Covents, then all the Cathedrall rabble at Canterbury, may (without knocking up their Ca­thedrall Porter) pack away with all their Cathedrall Bagg and Baggage, and Prelaticll Popish Trinkets, to Lambeth Faire.