WHen the Queen was told, that the Cardi­nals were come to speak with Her, She rose up, and, with a Skein of white Thred about her neck, came into her Chamber of Pre­sence. The Cardinals said, they were sent by the King to understand her mind, concerning the business between Him and Her. ‘My Lords, (saith the Queen) I cannot answer you so sud­denly; for I was set, among my Maids, at work, little thinking of any such matter; wherein there needs a longer deliberation, and a better head, then mine, to make Answer. For I have need of Counsel in this case, which con­cerns me so near: and for any Counsel, or Friends, that I can find in England, they are not for my Profit. For it is not likely, that any English man will Counsel me, or be a Friend to me against the King's Pleasure, since they are his Subjects: And for my Counsel, in which I may trust, they are in Spain.’

The Cardinals returning to the King, gave him an account of what She said. Thus the case went forward, from Court to Court, till it came to Judgment.

The King's Counsel at the Bar called for [Page 16] Judgment: unto whom Cardinal Campeius said thus. ‘I will not give Judgment, till I have made relation to the Pope of all our proceed­ings; whose Counsel, and Command, I will ob­serve. The matter is too high for us, to give an hasty Judgment, considering the Highness of the Persons, and doubtfulness of the Case; and also whose Commissioners we be; under whose Authority we sit. It were therefore reason, that we should make our Chief Head a Counsel in the same, before we proceed to a definitive sentence. I come not to please, for Favour, Need, or Dread, of any Person alive, be he King, or o­therwise. I have no such respect to the Person, that I will offend my Conscience. I will not for the Favour, or Disfavour, of any High Estate, do that thing, which shall be against the Will of God. I am an old man, (both weak and sickly) that look daily for death. I will not wade any further in this matter, until I have the Opini­on, and Assent of the Pope. Wherefore I will adjourn the Court for this time, according to the Order of the Court of Rome: from whence such Jurisdiction is deriv'd.’ Upon this the Court was dissolv'd, and no more done.

KIng Henry upon occasion of these delays made by the Pope, in his Controversie [Page 20] of Divorce, and through Displeasure of such Reports as he heard had been made of him to the Court of Rome; and Thirdly, moved by some Counsellors to follow the example of the Germans, caused a Proclamation to be made in the Two and twentieth year of his Reign, for­bidding all his Subjects to purchase any manner of thing from the Court of Rome: And obtain­ing a Divorce from Queen Catherine, his Wife, by an Act of Parliament, he privately Married Anne Boleign: And upon that, by another Act of Parliament, the Pope with all his Authority, was clean banished his Realm, and Order taken that he should no more be called Pope, but Bishop of Rome; and the King to be taken and reputed as Supream Head of the Church of Eng­land, having full Authority to Reform all Er­rors, Heresies, and Abuses in the same. It was further Enacted by another Act of Parliament, That no Person should Appeal for any Cause out of this Realm to the Court of Rome; but from the Commissary, to the Bishop; from the Bishop, to the Archbishop; from the Arch­bishop to the King; and all Causes of the King to be tryed in the Upper-House of Parliament. Moreover, the First-Fruits and Tenths of all Ecclesiastical Dignities and Promotions were granted to the King.

KIng Henry the Eighth be­ing Nothing but Passion and In­terest carried on this business. violently hurried with the Transport of some private Af­fections; And finding, that the Pope appeared the greatest Obstacle to his de­sires, he extinguished his Authority in the Realm of England.

This opened the first way to the Reformati­on; and gave encouragement to those who in­clined unto it: To which the King afforded no small countenance out of Politick Ends. But for his own part, he adhered to his Old Reli­gion; severely Persecuting those that Dissented from it. And died (though Excommunicated) in that Faith and Doctrine which he had sucked in (as it were) with his Mothers milk: And of which he shewed himself so stout a Cham­pion against Luther.

THe First, that openly resisted, or repre­hended the King, touching his Marriage with Anne Boleign, was one Friar Peto, a sim­ple Man, yet very Devout, of the Ord [...] of the Observants. This Man, Preaching at Green­wich, upon the Two and twentieth Chapter of the third Book of the Kings, to wit, the last part of the story of Achab, saying, Even where the Dogs licked the Blood of Nabaoth, even there shall Dogs lick thy Blood also, O King. And therewithal spake of the Lying Prophets, which abused the King &c. I am (saith he) that Micheas whom you will hate, because I must tell you truly that this Marriage is unlaw­ful: And I know that I shall eat the Bread of Affliction, and drink the Water of Sorrow; yet because our Lord hath put it into my mouth, I must speak it.

And when he had strongly enveighed against the King's second Marriage, to diswade him from it: he also said, There are many other Preachers, yea too many, which Preach, and Per­swade you otherwise; feeding your folly and frail Affections, upon hope of their own worldly Pro­motion; and by that means betray your Soul, your Honour, and Posterity, to obtain Fat Benefices, to become Rich Abbots, and get [Page 23] Episcopal Jurisdiction, and other Ecclesiastical Dignities. These (I say) are the Four hundred Prophets, who, in the spirit of Lying, seek to deceive you. But take good heed lest you being seduced, find Achab's punishment; which was to have his Blood licked up by Dogs; saying, that it was one of the greatest miseries in Prin­ces, to be daily abused by Flatterers.

The King, being thus reproved, endured it patiently, and did no violence to Peto. But the next Sunday [Stow. p. 562.] Dr. Curwin Preached in the same place, who most sharply reprehended Peto, and his Preach­ing, calling him Dog, Slanderer, base beggarly Friar, Rebel, Traytor, saying, that no Subject should speak so audaciously to Princes: And ha­ving spoken much to that effect, and in Com­mendation of the King's Marriage, thereby to Establish his Seed in his Seat for ever, &c. He then supposing that he had utterly suppres­sed Peto, and his partakers, lifted up his voice, and said, I speak to thee, Peto, which makest thy self Micheas, that thou mayst speak evil of Kings: But now thou art not to be found, being fled for fear and shame, as being unable to an­swer my Arguments. And whilst he thus spake, there was one Elstow, a fellow Friar to Peto, standing in the Rood-loft, who said to Dr. Cur­win;

Good Sir, you know, that Father Peto, as he was Commanded, is now gone to a Provincial [Page 24] Council, held at Canterbury; and not fled for fear of you; for to morrow he will return again. In the mean time I am here, as another Micheas, and will lay down my Life, to prove all those things true which he hath taught out of the holy Scripture, and to this Combate [...] challenge thee, before God, and all equal Judges; even un­to thee, Curwin, I say, which art one of the Four hundred false Prophets, into whom the spirit of Lying is entred, and seekest, by Adultery, to establish a Succession; betraying the King unto endless Perdition, more for thine own vain Glory, and hope of Promotion, than for discharge of thy clogged Conscience, and the King's Salvation.

This Elstow waxed hot, and spake very ear­nestly, so as they could not make him cease his Speech, until the King himself bad him hold his peace: And gave Order, that He, and Peto should be Convented before the Council; which was done the next day. And when the Lords had rebuked them, then the Earl of Essex told them, that they had deserved to be put into a Sack, and cast into the Thames: Whereunto Elstow, smiling, said, Threaten these things to Rich, and Dainty Persons, who are clothed in Purple, fare Deliciously, and have their chiefest hope in this World. For we esteem them not, but are joyful, that for the discharge of our Du­ty, we are driven hence: And with thanks to God, we know the way to Heaven to be as ready by Water, as by Land; and therefore we care not, which way we go.

[Page 25] These Friars, and all the rest of their Order, were banish'd shortly after: And after that, none durst openly oppose themselves against the Kings affections.

Every Sunday, at Paul's-Cross, Preached a Bishop, declaring the Pope, not to be Supream Head of the Church. Also, in other Places of this Realm, great Troubles were raised about Preaching; namely at Bristow, where Mr. La­timer preach'd; and there preach'd against him, one Mr. Hobberton, and Dr. Powel: So that there was great partakings on both sides; inso­much that divers Priests, and others, set up Bills against the Mayor, and against Mr. Latimer. But the Mayor permitting Laymen to Preach, caus­ed divers Priests to be apprehended, and put in Newgate, with Bolts upon them: and divers o­thers ran away, and lost their Livings, rather than come into the Mayor's handling.

Thomas Cromwell, Son to a Black smith in Putney, being raised to High Dignities, was lastly made Vicar General, under the King in all [Page 26] Ecclefiastical Affairs: who sate divers times in the Convocation-House, amongst the Bishops, as Head over them.

THE King sent the said Cromwel, and others, to visit the Abbeys and Nun­neries in England; (the said Cromwel being ordained Principal Visitor), He put forth all Religious Persons, that would go, and all un­der the Age of Four and Twenty: And after closed up the residue, that would remain; so that they should not come out of their places.

All Religious Men, that departed the Abbot, or Prior, gave them for their Habit a Priests Gown, and Forty Shillings in Money.

The Nuns had such Apparel given them, as Secular Women wear, and had liberty to go whither they would.

They took out of the Monasteries, and Ab­beys, their Reliques, and chiefest Jewels, (to the Kings use they said).

The first Religious House, that the King took into his hands, was the Hospital of St. James, near Charing-cross, with all the Means to the same belonging; compounding with the Sisters of the House, who were to have Pensions, du­ring their lives: And built in place of the said Hospital, a Goodly Mansion, retaining still the Name of St. James.

Not long after, by the means of the said Cromwel, All the Orders of Friars and Nunns, with their Cloysters, and Houses, were suppres­sed, and put down. First, the Black-Friars in London; the next day the White-Friars, the Grey-Friars, and the Monks of Charter-House; and so all the others.

SAint Augustines Abbey at Canterbury was suppress'd, and the Shrine, and Goods, ta­ken to the Kings Treasury; as also the Shrine of Thomas Becket, in the Priory of Christs-Church, was likewise taken to the Kings use.

This Shrine was built about a man's height, all of Stone; and then upwards, of Timber plain, within the which was a Chest of Iron, contain­ing the Bones of Thomas Becket, Scull and all, with the wound on his Head, and the piece cut out of his Scull in the same wound.

These Bones, by the Command of the Lord Cromwel, were burnt. The Timber-work of This Shrine, on the out-side, was covered with Plates of Gold, Damasked with Gold-wyre: which Ground of Gold was again cover'd with Jewels of Gold, as Ten or Twelve Rings, [...]ramped [Page 29] with Gold-wyre, into the said Ground of Gold: many of these Rings having Stones in them.

There were likewise Images of Angels, Preci­ous Stones, and Great Pearls,

The Spoyl of which Shrine, in Gold and Pre­cious Stones, fill'd two great Chests; such as six, or seven strong men could do no more, than re­move one of them at once, out of the Church.

The Monks of that Church were command­ed, to change their Habits into the Apparel of Secular Priests.

The Knights of the Rhodes, and Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, in England and Ireland, were utterly Dissolv'd, and made void: The King, his Heirs and Successors, to have, and enjoy, all the Mansion-House, Church, and all other Buildings, and Gardens, to the same be­longing, near to the City of London, call'd the House of St. John of Jerusalem, in England; and also the Hospital-Church, an House of Kil­warin in Ireland, with all Castles, Honours, Mannors, Measees, Lands, Tenements, Rents, Revenues, Services, Woods, Downs, Pastures, Parks, Warrens, &c. in England and Ireland, with all the Goods, Cattels, &c.

Besides these Religious Houses, there were likewise by Act of Parliament, given the King, All Colleges, Chanteries, Hospitals, Free Chap­pels, Fraternities, Brother-hoods, and Gilds.

The Number of Monasteries suppress'd, [Page 30] were 645: besides 90 Colleges, 110 Hospi­tals; and of Chanteries, and Free Chappels, 2374.

I Find it left Recorded, by the Commissioners, that were imploy'd to take Surrender of the Monasteries in this Shire, Anno 29. Hen. 8. viz. That after strict scrutiny, not on­ly by the fame of the Countrey, but by Examina­tion of several Persons, they found these Nunnes, Virtuous, and Religious Women, and of good Con­versation: And that in the Town, where the Monastery was, there were Fourty Four Tene­ments, and but one Plough: the residue of the Inhabitants, being Artificers, who had their lively-hood by the Monastery. These implor'd the Mediation of Thomas Cromwel, that it might not be suppress'd. Nevertheless, it was not the strict, and regular Lives of these De­vout Ladies, nor any thing that might be said in the behalf of the Monasteries, that could pre­vent their ruine, then approaching: So great [Page 31] an aim had the King, to make himself thereby glorious; and many others, no less hopes, to be enrich'd, in a considerable manner.

But, to the end, that such a change should not overwhelm those that might be Active therein; in regard the People, every where, had no small esteem of these Houses, for their Devout and Daily Exercises of Prayer, Alms-deeds, Hospita­lity, and the like; whereby, not only the Souls of their Deceased Ancestors had much benefit, (as then was taught), but Themselves, the Poor, as also Strangers, and Pilgrims constant advantage; there wanted not the most subtil Contrivances, to effect this stupendious Work, that, I think, any Age hath beheld.

In order therefore to it, that, which Cardinal Wolsey had done, for the Founding his Colle­ges, in Oxford and Ipswich, dissolving about Thirty Religious Houses, was made a President. Now that this business might be the better carri­ed on, Mr. Thomas Cromwel, who had been an old Servant to the Cardinal, and not a little active in that, was the chief Person pitch'd up­on to assist therein.

For, I look upon this business, as not origi­nally design'd by the King, but by some Princi­pal Ambitious Men of that Age; who projected to themselves all worldly Advantages imagina­ble, through that deluge of Wealth, which was like to flow amongst them, by this hideous storm.

[Page 32] First therefore, having insinuated to the King matter of Profit, and Honour: (Profit, by so vast an Enlargement of his Revenue; And Ho­nour, in being able to maintain mighty Armies, to recover his Right in France; as also to strengthen Himself against the Pope, whose Su­premacy he had abolish'd; and withal to make a firmer Alliance with such Princes, as had done the like). Further, to promote this Design, they procured Cranmers Advancement to the See of Canterbury, and more of the Protestant Clergie, (as my Author terms them) to other Bishopricks, and high Places; to the end, that the rest should not be able, in a full Council, to carry any thing against their design; sending out Preachers, to perswade the People, to stand fast to the King, without fear of the Pope's Curse.

Next, that it might be the more plausibly car­ried on, care was taken so to represent the Lives of the Monks, Nunns, Canons, &c. to the World, as that the less regret might be made at their ruine.

To which purpose, Thomas Cromwel, being Constituted General Visitor, employ'd sundry Persons, who acted their parts therein accord­ingly.

He likewise sent others, to whom he gave In­structions in Eighty Six Articles; by which they were to enquire into the Government, and Behaviour of the Religious, of both Sexes: Which Commissioners, the better to manage the [Page 33] design, gave encouragement to the Monks, not only to Accuse their Governors, but to Inform against each other; compelling them also to produce their Charters, and Evidences, of their Lands; as also their Plate and Money; and to give an Inventory thereof.

And hereunto they added certain Injunctions, from the King, containing most severe and strict Rules; by means whereof, many being found obnoxious to their Censure, were ex­pelled; and others, discerning themselves not able to live free from Exception, or Advantage that might be taken against them, desired to leave their Habitations.

And having, by these Visitors, thus search'd into their Lives, (which by a Black-book, con­taining a world of Enormities, were represented, in no small measure scandalous) to the end, that the People might be the better satisfied with their proceedings; it was thought convenient to suggest, that the Lesser-Houses, for want of Good Government, were chiefly guilty of these Crimes; and so they did; as appears by the Preamble of the Act for their Dissolution, made in the 27▪ Hen. 8. which Parliament, consisting, for the most part, of such Members, as were pack'd for the purpose through private Interest, (as is evident by divers original Letters of that time) many of the Nobility, for the like respects also favouring the design, Assented to the sup­pression of All such Houses, as had been Certi­fied [Page 32] [...] [Page 33] [...] [Page 34] of less value than Two hundred pounds by the year; giving them, with their Lands, and Revenues to the King; yet with this addition, That the Possessions belonging to such Houses, should be converted to better uses: But how well this was observ'd, we shall soon see: These specious pretences being made use of for no other purpose, than by opening this gap, to make way for the total Ruine of the Greater Houses; wherein notwithstanding, it is by the said Act ac­knoweldged, that Religion was well observ'd.

For, no sooner were the Monks turned out, and the Houses demolish'd, (that being first thought requisite, least some accidental Change might conduce to their restitution) but care was taken, to prefer such Persons to the Superiority in Government, upon any vacancy of these Great Houses, as might be Instrumental to their Surrender, by perswading with the Convent to that purpose.

The truth is, that there was no omission of any endeavour, that can well be imagin'd, to ac­complish these Surrenders. For so subtlely did the Commissioners act their parts, that after ear­nest solicitation with all the Abbots, when they found them backwards, they tempted them with the promise of Good Pensions, during life.

Neither were the Courtiers unactive, in dri­ving on this Work: as may appear by my Lord Chancellor Audley's employing a special A­gent, to treat with the Abbot of Athelney, of­fering [Page 35] him a Hundred Marks a year, in case he would Surrender; and the personal endeavour that he us'd with the Abbot of Osiths in Essex, as by his Letter to the said Visitor, is evident: wherein is signified, that he had, with great so­licitation, prevail'd with the said Abbot: But withal, insinuated his desire, that his place of Lord Chancellor being very chargeable, the King might be mov'd for an Addition of some more profitable Offices to him. Nay, I find, that this Great Man, hunting eagerly after the Ab­bey of Waldon in Essex (out of the Ruines whereof, afterwards, that Magnificent Fabrick called by the Name of Audley Inn, was built) as an argument, the sooner to obtain it, did, be­sides the extenuation of its worth, alledge, that he had in this World, sustained great Damages and Infamy, in his serving the King; which the Grant of this should recompence.

Some Arguments were used by the Abbots to hinder these Suppressions; but nothing would avail. For resolv'd they were, to effect what they had begun, by one means or other: inso­much, as they procured the Bishop of Lon­don, to come to the Nunns of Syon, with their Confessor, to solicite them thereto: who, after many perswasions, took it upon their Conscien­ces, that they ought to submit to the King's pleasure therein, by God's Law. But what could not be effected by such Arguments, and fair Promises, was by terror and streight deal­ing, [Page 36] brought to pass. For under pretence of suffering Delapidations in the Buildings, or negligent administration of their Offices; as al­so for breaking the Kings Injunctions, they de­priv'd some Abbots, and then put others, that were more plyant in their rooms.

From others they took their Convent-Seals; to the end they might not, by making Leases, or Sale of their Jewels, raise Money, either for supply of their present Wants; or payment of their Debts; and so be necessitated to Surrender.

Nay, to some, as in particular to the Canons of Leicester, the Commissioners threatned, That they would charge them with Adultery and Buggery, unless they would submit: And Dr. London told the Nunns of Godstow, That be­cause he found them obstinate, he would dissolve the House by vertue of the King's Commission, in spite of their Teeth. And yet all was so manag'd, that the King was solicited to accept of them, not being willing to have it thought, that they were by Terror moved thereto; and special notice was taken of those, who did give out, that their Surrenders were by Compulsion.

Which courses (after so many, through un­der-hand corruption, had led the way) brought on others apace, as appears by their Dates, which I have observ'd from the very Instru­ments themselves; insomuch as the rest stood amaz'd, not knowing which way to turn them.

[Page 37] Some therefore thought fit to try, whether Money might save their Houses from this dis­mal fate, so near at hand. Others with great constancy refus'd to be thus accessory, in viola­ting the Donations of their Pious Founders: But these tasted of no little severity. For, touch­ing the Abbot of Fountains, in York-shire, I find, that being charg'd by the Commissioners for ta­king into his hands some Jewels belonging to the Monastery, (which they call'd Theft and Sa­crilege), they pronounced him Perjur'd; and so deposing him, extorted a private Resignation.

And it appears, that the Monks of Char­ter-House, in the Suburbs of London, were committed to Newgate; where, with hard and barbarous usage, Five of them died, and Five more lay at the point of death; as the Commis­sioners signified: But withal alledg'd, That the Suppression of that House, being of so strict a Rule, would occasion great Scandal to their do­ings; for as much as it stood in the face of the World, infinite concourse, from all parts, com­ing to that Populous City; and therefore desi­red that it might be altered to some other use.

And lastly, that under the like pretence of rob­bing the Church, (wherewith the before specified Abbot of Fountains was charg'd) the Abbot of Glastenbury, with Two of his Monks, being con­demn'd to death, was drawn from Wells upon a Hurdle, and then hang'd upon the Hill call'd the Tore, near Glastenbury; his Head set upon [Page 38] the Abbey-gate, and his Quarters dispos'd of to Wells, Bath, Ilchester, and Bridgewater.

Nor did the Abbots of Colchester, and Reading, speed much better; as they that shall consult our story of that time, may see. And for further terror to the rest, some Priors, and other Eccle­siastical Persons, who had spoken against the Kings Supremacy, (a thing then somewhat un­couth, being so newly set up) were condemn'd as Traytors, and Executed.

And now, that all this was effected, to the end it might not be thought, that these things were done by a high Hand, a Parliament was called ( [...]0 Hen. 8.) to confirm these Surrenders. Now there wanted not plausible insinuations to Both Houses, for drawing on their Consent with all smoothness thereto: The Nobility being promi­sed large shares in the spoils, either by Free-gift from the King, easie-Purchases, or most advan­tageous Exchanges; and many of the Active Gentry, advancements to Honour, with encrease of their Estates: All which, we see, happened to them accordingly.

And the better to satisfie the vulgar, it was re­presented to them, that by this Deluge of Wealth, the Kingdom should be strengthened with an Army of Forty Thousand men [...] and that, for the future, they should never be charg'd with Subsidies, Fifteens, Loans, or Common Aides. By which means the Parliament Rati­fying these Surrenders, the Work became com­pleated.

[Page 39] For the more firm Settling whereof, a sud­den course was taken, to pull down, and destroy the Buildings, as had been done before, upon the Dissolution of the smaller Houses: Next, to disperse a great portion of the Lands, amongst the Nobility, and Gentry, which was according­ly done. The Visitor General having told the King, That the more had interest in them, the more they would be irrevocable.

And lest any Domestick stir should arise, by reason of this great, and strange Alteration, rumors were spread of great dangers from Fo­rein Invasions; against which great Prepara­tions were made every where; which seemed so to excuse this Suppression of the Abbyes, as that the People (willing to spare their own Purses) began to suffer it easily.

But, let us look upon the Success. Wherein I find, that the said Visitor General (the grand Actor of this Tragical business) having con­tracted upon himself an Odium from the Nobi­lity, by reason of his low Birth, and being raised to so high Dignities, (as likewise from the Ca­tholicks, for having thus Acted in the Dissolu­tion of the Abbeys) was, (before the End of the said Parliament, wherein that was ratified, which he had, with so much Industry, brought to pass) deserted by the King; who, (not ha­ving any more use of him) gave way to his Enemies Accusations. Whereupon, being Arrested by the Duke of Norfolk, at the Coun­cil-Table, [Page 40] when he least dream't of it, he was Committed to the Tower, and Condemned by the same Parliament, for Heresie, and Treason, unheard, and little pitied, and had his Head cut off on Tower-Hill. Nor did many of the Re­formers speed much better: For Fire and Fagot, happened to be their Portion.

And as for the fruit, the People reap'd, from all their hopes, built upon these specious Pre­tences, it was very little: For Subsidies from the Clergy, and Fifteens of all Laymens Goods, were soon after exacted. And in Edward the Sixth's time, the Commons were constrained to Supply the King's wants by a new Invention; to wit, Sheep, Cloaths, Goods, Debts, &c. for Three years: which Tax grew so heavy, that the year following they prayed the King for miti­gation of it.

Nor is it a little observable, that whilst the Monasteries stood, there was no Act for Relief of the Poor: so amply did those Houses give succor to them. Whereas in the next Age, to wit, the 39 of Elizabeth, no less then Eleven Bills were brought into the House of Commons for that purpose.

THE Clergy held a Convocation, in St. Paul's Church; where, after much disputing and debating of matters, they Published a Book of Religion, Entituled, Articles Devised by the King's Highness, &c.

In which Book is mentioned but Three Sacra­ments, Baptism, Eucharist, and Penance.

The Articles, contained in this Book, were Six: And by an Act of Parliament all were con­demned [Page 44] for Hereticks, and to be Burnt, that should hold the contrary to them; Asserting,

1. That the Body of Christ was not really present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, after Consecration.

2. That Priests entred into Holy Orders, might Marry.

3. That the Sacrament might not truly be Administred in one kind.

4. That Vows of Chastity, made upon mature deliberation, were not to be kept.

That Private Masses were not to be used.

That Auricular Confession was not necessary in the Church.

[Page 50] It was now the Twenty eighth year of King Henries Reign: When there were solemn Justs at Greenwich; from whence the King suddenly departed, and came to Westminster: Whose sudden departure struck amazement into many; but to the Queen especially: And not without cause. For the next day the Lord Rochford, her Brother, and Henry Norris, were brought to the Tower, Prisoners: Whither also the same day, was brought Queen Anne, her self: Who at the Tower-gate fell on her knees, be­seeching God to help her, as she was innocent of that, whereof she was accused.

Soon after this, she was arraigned in the Tower, and found guilty, and had Judgment pronounced. Immediately the Lord Rochford, her Brother, was likewise Arraigned: Who, together with Henry Norris, Mark Smeton, William Brierton, and Francis Weston, all of the King's Privy-Chamber, about matters touching the Queen, were beheaded on Tower-hill.

Within Two days, Queen Anne, her self, on a Scaffold, upon the Green within the Tower, was also beheaded.

At her death she spake these words: God save my Master, and Sovereign, the King; the most Goodliest, Noblest, and Gentlest Prince, that is; and grant him, that he may long Reign over you: (which words she spake with a smiling counte­nance:) which done, she kneeled down, and the Hangman of Calais smote off her head at one stroke.

[Page 51] For her Religion, she was an earnest Profess­or, and one of the first Counternancers of the Gospel. The Crimes, for which she died, were Adultery, and Incest. She had many Enemies, as being a Protestant; and perhaps, in that res­pect, the King himself not greatly her Friend. For, though he had excluded the Pope, yet he continued a Papist still.

Her Death cast upon King Henry a dishonor­able Imputation: Insomuch, that whereas the Protestant Princes of Germany, had resolved to chuse him for Head of their League; after they heard of this Queens Death, they utterly refus­ed him.

The next day after her Death, the King Mar­ried the Lady Jane Seymour.

THomas Cromwel, Earl of Essex, being in the Council-Chamber, was suddenly ap­prehended, and committed to the Tower of Lon­don; and soon after attainted of Heresie and High Treason.

When he was brought to the Scaffold on Tow­er-hill, to be executed, he spake these words,

AFter the Death of the Lady Jane Seymour, the King's Third Wife; He Married the Lady Anne of Cleve, in the Two and thirti­eth year of his Reign: From which time the King, not only continued his first Misliking of her; but his hatred encreased more and more against her; not only for want of beauty, (where­of at first he took exceptions) but also for sundry other qualities, whereof he secretly accused her: As also he said, that her body was unpleasant, [Page 53] making great doubt, that she was no Virgin, when she came into England; with divers other defects, which he said, he knew, by her outward appearance, to be in her. And being thus so sore perplexed, and desperate of redress, he grew wondrous apt, and willing to call in question any thing, that might tend to the dissolving of this Marriage.

Within Eight dayes the King told his Physi­cians, his further cause of grief, That she was loathsome to him in Bed, and that her Body was foul, and out of order.

The King being thus tormented in Body, and Mind, knew not how to ease himself, until he had procured a speedy Divorce: Which was thus effected.

Certain Lords came down into the Lower-House of Parliament, expresly declaring the causes, why this Marriage was not Lawful: And, in conclusion, the matter was by the Con­vocation clearly determined, that the King might lawfully marry, where he would; and so might she.

It appears clearly in the Record, what mo­ved the King to this Marriage. For these are his words:

THe King was informed of the Queens diss­olute life; first, before her Marriage, with one Francis Dereham; and since her Marriage, with one Thomas Culpepper, of the King's Bed-Chamber. Whereupon Sir Tho. Wrioths [...]ey was sent to the Queen, at Hampton-Court, to charge her with these Crimes, and discharging her Houshold, to cause her to be conveighed to Syon.

The Delinquents being examined, Dereham confessed, that before the King's Marriage with the Lady Catherine, there had been a pre-contract between him and her. But when once he understood of the King's good liking to her, he then waved it, and concealed it, for her preferment.

These Gentlemen were arraigned, and had Judgment to die, as in cases of Treason.

They were drawn from the Tower to Tyburn; Where Culpepper was beheaded, and Dereham hanged, and dismember'd.

The Lord William Howard, and the Lady Margaret his Wife, Catherine Tilney, and Alice Bestwold, Gentlewomen, Joan Bulmer, Anne Howard, Wife to Henry Noward, the Queens Brother, with divers others, were all condem­ned for Misprision of Treason, in concealing the [Page 55] Queens misdemeanour, and adjudged to forfeit all their Lands, and Goods, during life, and to remain in perpetual Prison.

The Lords and Commons in Parliament Pe­titioned the King, That he would not vex him­self with the Queens Offences; and that both she, and the Lady Rochford, might be Attaint­ed by Parliament: And that to avoid protract­ing of time, he would give his Royal Assent to it, under the Great Seal, without staying for the end of the Parliament. Also, that Dereham and Culpepper, having been Attainted before by the Common-Law, might be Attainted like­wise by Parliament: All which was Assented unto by the King.

After this, the Queen, and the Lady Rochford, were beheaded, on the Green within the Tower. It is certainly said, that after her Condemnati­on, She protested to Dr. White, Bishop of Win­chester, her last Confessor, That as for the Act, for which She was condemn'd, She took God, and his holy Angels to witness, upon her Souls Salvation, that She died guiltless.

ONe Lambert was accused for denying the real presence in the Sacrament; who Ap­peal'd to the King; and the King was content [Page 56] to hear him. Whereupon a Throne was set up in the Hall of the King's Palace at Westminster, for the King to sit. And when the Bishops had urged their Arguments, and could not prevail; then the King took him in hand, hoping, per­haps, to have the Honor of converting an He­retick, when the Bishops could not do it; and withal promised him pardon, if he would recant. But all would not do; for he remained obstinate, the King miss'd his Honor, and the Delinquent his Pardon: Being shortly after drawn to Smith­field, and burnt.

Two more were for the same cause burnt.

Dr. John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and Sir, Thomas Moor, expresly denyed, at Lam­beth, before the Archbishop of Canterbury, to take the Oath of Supremacy: and thereupon were both beheaded.

Bishop Fisher was much lamented, as being reputed a man both learned, and wise, and of good life.

Sir Thomas Moor was both learned, and ve­ry wise. His Devotion was such, that he used to wear a Shirt of Hair-cloth next his skin, for a perpetual Penance: And oftentimes in the Church he would put on a Surplice, and help the Priest at Mass: Which he did not forbear to do, when he was Lord Chancellor of Eng­land; as one time the Duke of Norfolk, coming to the Church, found him doing it.

Dr. Wilson, and Dr. Samson Bishop of Chi­chester, were sent to the Tower, for relieving certain Prisoners, who had denyed to Subscribe to the King's Supremacy: And for the same offence Richard Farmer, Grocer of London, a rich and wealthy Citizen, was committed to the Marshalsea, and after arraigned, and attainted in a Praemunire, and lost all his Goods; his Wife and Children thrust out of doors.

Robert Barns, Dr. of Divinity, Thomas Ger­rard, Parson of Honey-lane, and William Jerom, Vicar of Stepney-Heath, Bachelors in Divinity: Also Edward Powel, Thomas Able, and Richard Fetherston, all Three Doctors, were drawn from the Tower of London, to West-Smithfield.

The Three First, were drawn to a Stake, and there burnt: The other three were drawn to a Gallows, and there hanged, headed, and quartered.

The Three First, as appears in their Attain­ders, were executed for divers Heresies: The last Three for Treason; to wit, for denying the King's Supremacy, and affirming, his Marriage with Queen Catherine, to be good.

Thomas Empson, sometimes a Monk of West­minster, who had been Prisoner in Newgate, more than Three years, was brought before the Justices in Newgate; and for that he would not ask the King Pardon, for denying his Suprema­cy, nor be Sworn thereto, his Monks-Cowl was plucked off his back; and his Body reprieved, till the King was informed of his Obstinacy.

Three Men, and one Woman, were burned in Smithfield, for the Sacrament. Dr. Shaxton, sometimes Bishop of Salisbury, Preaching at the same fire, and there recanting, perswaded them to do the like: But they would not.

Some Anabaptists, Three Men, and one Wo­man, all Dutch, bore Faggots to Pauls Cross: and a Man and a Woman, Dutch Anabaptists, were burnt in Smithfield,

Dr. Forest, a Friar Observant, was appre­hended; for that in Secret he had declared to many, that the King was not Supreme Head of the Church. Whereupon he was condemned; and afterwards, upon a pair of new Gallows, set up for that purpose in Smithfield, he was hang­ed by the Middle, and Arm-pits, quick; and under the Gallows was made a Fire, wherewith he was burnt and consumed.

Hugh Faringdon, Abbot of Reading, and Two Priests, named Rugg and Owen, were hang'd, and quartered at Reading.

[Page 59] The same day was Richard Whiting, Abbot of Glastenbury, hang'd, and quartered on Tore-Hill, adjoyning to his Monastery.

John Thorn, and Roger James, Monks, the one Treasurer, the other under-Treasurer of Glastenbury-Church, were, at the same time, executed.

Also, shortly after, John Beck, Abbot of Col­chester, was executed at Colchester: All, for de­nying the King's Supremacy.

Six Persons, and one led between Two, were drawn to Tyburn; to wit, Laurence Cook, Prior of Doncaster, William Horn, a Lay-Brother of the Charter-House at London, Giles Horn Gen­tleman, Clement Philipp, Gentleman of Calais, Edmond Bolhelm Priest, Darcy Jennings, Robert Bird: And all there hang'd and quartered, as having been Attainted by Parliament, for deny­ing of the King's Supremacy.

Sir David Jenison, Knight of Rhodes, was drawn through Southwark, to St. Thomas of Watterings, and there executed for the Supre­macy.

German Gardiner, and Lark, Parson of Chel­sey, were executed at Tyburn, for denying the King's Supremacy: As likewise, one Ashby.

Three Anabaptists were burnt in the High­way, beyond Southwark, towards Newington.

And now was the state of Religion in Eng­land come to a strange pass, because always in Passing, and had no Consistence. For at first, the Authority of the Pope was excluded in some cases only; a while after in all: But yet his Doctrine was wholly receiv'd. Afterwards his Doctrine came to be impugn'd; but yet in some few points only; a while after, in many: That the Fable of Proteus might be no longer a Fable; when the Religion of England might be its true Moral.

The Confusion was so great in these times, that in Parliament one called the other Heretick, and Anabaptist; and he again called him Pa­pist, and Hypocrite.

And this not only amongst the Temporality, but even the Clergy-men themselves preach'd, and enveigh'd, one against another. So that the Frame of Religion was extremely disjoyn­ted: [Page 61] the Clergie that should set it in Frame, be­ing out of frame themselves.

The Minds of the People extremely distract­ed; and the Nobility, that should cement them together, scarce holding themselves together.

THE People were generally divided into Factions and Schisms; The Treasures of the Crown were exhausted by prodigal Gifts, and the Money of the Realm so mix'd, that it could not pass for currant amongst Forein Nations, to the great dishonor of the King­dom, and loss of the Merchant. For although an infinite Mass of Jewels, Treasure of Plate, and ready Money, and an incredible improve­ment of Revenue, had accrued to him; by such an universal Spoil and Dissolution of Religious Houses, yet was he little or nothing the richer for it: insomuch, that in the year 1543. (being within less than Seven years after the general Suppression of Religious Houses) he was forc'd to have recourse for Moneys to his Houses of Parliament: by which he was supply'd after an extraordinary manner; the Clergy, at the same time, giving him a Subsidy of six shillings in the Pound, to be paid out of their Spiritual Pro­motions; poor Stipendiary Priests, paying each of them six shillings, eight pence, to encrease the Sum: which also was so soon consumed, that the next year he press'd his Subjects to a Bene­volence; and in the following year, he obtain'd the Grant of all Chantries, Hospitals, Colleges, [Page 64] and Free-Chappels, within the Realm; though he lived not to enjoy the benefit of it.

Most true it is, that it was somewhat of the latest, before he cast his Eye on the Lands of Bishopricks: though there were some, that thought the time long, till they fell upon them. Concerning which there goes a story, That after the Court-Harpies had devoured the greatest part of the Spoyl, which came by the Suppression of Abbeys, they began to seek some other way, to satiate that greedy Appetite, which the division of the former Booty had left unsatisfied. And for the satisfying whereof, they found not any thing so necessary, as the Bishops Lands.

This to Effect, Sir Thomas Seymour is employ­ed as the fittest man, being in Favor with the King, and Brother to Queen Jane, his most be­loved and best Wife; and having opportunity of access unto him, as being one of his Privy Cham­ber. And he not having any good affection to Archbishop Cranmer, desired, that the experi­ment should be try'd on him.

And therefore took his time to inform the King, that my Lord of Canterbury did nothing but fell his Woods, letting long Leases for great Fines, and making havock of the Royalties of his Arch Bishoprick, to raise thereby a Fortune to his Wife, and Children. Withal, he acquain­ted the King, That the Archbishop kept no Hospitality, in respect of such a large Revenue; and that in the Opinion of many wise men, it [Page 65] was more convenient for the Bishops to have a sufficient yearly stipend out of the Exchequer, than to be so encumbred with Temporal Royal­ties; being so great a hinderance to their Stu­dies, and Pastoral Charge; and that the Lands, and Royalties, being taken to his Majesties use, would afford him (besides the said Annual Sti­pends) a great yearly Revenue.

The King, considering of it, could not think fit, that such a plausible Proposition, as taking to himself the Lands of Bishops, should be made in vain: only he was resolv'd to prey further off, and not to fall upon the spoyl too near the Court, for fear of having more partakers in the Booty, than might stand with his profit.

And to this end he deals with Holgate prefer­red not long before, from Landaff, to the See of York: from whom he takes, at one time, no fewer than Seventy Mannors, and Townships, of good old Rents; giving him, in exchange, to the like yearly value, certain Impropriations, Pensions, Tythes, and Portions of Tythes, (but all of an extended Rent) which had accrued to the Crown by the Fall of Abbeys: Which Lands, he laid, by Act of Parliament, to the Dutchy of Lancaster. For which see 37 Hen. 8. Chap. 16.

He dismembred also, by these Acts, certain Mannors from the See of London; and others, in like manner from the See of Canterbury; but not without some reasonable Compensation for them.

[Page 66] And although, by reason of his death, which followed within a short time after, there was no further Alienation made, in his time, of the Churches Patrimony; yet having open'd such a gap, and discovered this Secret, that the Sacred Patrimony might be Alienated with so little trouble, the Courtiers of King Edward's time, would not be kept from breaking violently into it, and making up their own Fortune, in the spoyl of Bishopricks. So impossible a thing it is, for the ill Examples of Great Princes, not to find followers in all Ages; especially, where Profit or Preferment, may be furthered by it.

THe King, having lived a voluptuous Life, and too much indulged to his Palate, was grown so corpulent, or rather so over-grown [Page 68] with an unweildy burthen of Flesh, that he was not able to go up Stairs, from one Room to ano­ther; but as he was hoised up by an Engine: which filling his Body with foul and foggy Hu­mors, did both wast his Spirits, and encrease his Passions. In the midst of which Distempers, it was not his least care to provide for the Succession of the Crown to his own Posterity. At such time as he married Anne Bulleign, He procur'd his Daughter Mary to be declar'd Illegitimate, by Act of Parliament: The like he also did by his Daughter Elizabeth, when he had married Jane Seymour; settling the Crown upon his Issue by the said Queen Jane.

But having no other Issue by her, but Prince Edward; and none at all by his following Wives, he thought it a point of prudence to establish the Succession by more Stayes than one. For which cause he procured an Act of Parlia­ment in the 35 year of his Reign, in which it is declared, That in default of Issue of the said Prince Edward, the Crown should be entail'd to the Kings Daughter, the Lady Mary, and the Heirs of her Body: And so likewise to the Lady Elizabeth, and the Heirs of her Body: And for lack of such Issue, to such, as the King by his Letters Patents, or his last Will in Writing, should limit.

Of which Act of Parliament, he, being now sick, and fearing his approaching end, made such use, in laying down the state of the Suc­cession [Page 69] to the Crown, in this Last Will, that (contrary to all Justice) he totally Excluded the whole Scottish-Line (Descended from the Lady Margaret, his eldest Sister) from all hopes of having their turns in it.

His Infirmity, and the weakness it brought upon him, confining him to his Bed, he had a great desire to receive the Sacrament: and being perswaded to receive it in the easiest posture (sit­ting, or raised up in his Bed) he would by no means yield unto it; but caus'd himself to be taken up, and plac'd in his Chair; in which he heard the greatest part of the Mass, till the Con­secration; and then receiv'd the Blessed Sacra­ment on his Knees, as at other times; saying withal, (as Saunders relates the Story) That if he did not only cast himself upon the Ground, but even under it also, he could not give unto the Sacrament, the Honor that was due unto it.

The instant of his Death approaching, none of his Servants (though thereunto desir'd by his Physicians) durst acquaint him with it: till at last Sir Anthony Denny undertook that ungrate­ful Office: which the King entertaining with less impatience than was looked for from him, gave order, that Archbishop Cranmer should be presently sent for. But he being then at Croy­den, it was so long before he came, that he found him speechless. However, applying himself to the Kings present condition, and dis­coursing to Him on this Point, That Salvation [Page 70] was to be obtain'd only by Faith in Christ: He desired the King, (if he understood the effect of his words, and believ'd the same) that he would signifie so much by some Sign or other: which the King did, by wringing him gently by the Hand; and shortly after died.

There is a sharp, but shrewd Character of this King; to wit, That he never sparea Wo­man in his Lust, nor Man in his Anger. Sir Wal­ter Rawleigh says of him, That if all the Pat­terns of a Merciless Prince had been lost in the World, they might have been found in this King.

WE most humbly, and heartily recom­mend our Soul to God: who, in the Person of his Son redeemed us with his most precious Body and Blood. And for our better remembrance thereof, hath left here with us, in his Church Militant, the Consecration, and Administration of his most precious Body and Blood.

[Page 71] We also instantly desire, that the Blessed Vir­gin Mary, with all the Holy Company of Hea­ven, may continually pray for us, whilst we live in this World; and at our passing out of it; that we may the sooner attain everlasting life.

We likewise further Ordain, That there be a convenient Altar at Windsor, honorably prepa­red, with all things requisite, and necessary, for a daily Mass, there to be said perpetually, while the World should endure.

Moreover, He gave Order, That all Divine Offices accustomed for the Dead, should be dai­ly Celebrated for him.

And, that at the removal of his Body to Windsor, a Thousand Marks should be distribu­ted amongst the Poor, to pray for the Remission of his Sins, and the good of his Soul.

IN the Eighth year of this King's Reign, Lu­ther began to Preach against the Authority of the Pope, and to bring in a Reformation of Re­ligion: [Page 74] for repressing of whom the Council of Trent was called by Pope Paul the Third.

At the same time, with Luther, there arose also, in the same Country, other Reformers of Religion, as Zuinglius, Oecolampadius, Me­lancthon, &c. wh [...] differing from Luther in some Points, made the difference, which is, at this day, of Lutherans and Protestants; so call'd at first at Ausburgh, for making a Protestation, in defence of their Doctrine.

In his Two and twentieth year, a Proclama­tion was set forth, That no Person should pur­chase any thing from the Court of Rome: and this was the first beginning of his Deserting the Church of Rome.

In his Three and twentieth year, the Cler­gy submitting themselves to the King, for be­ing found guilty of a Premunire, were the first that called him Supreme Head of the Church; yet with this restriction, So far as it was accor­ding unto Gods Word; and not otherwise.

In his Four and twentieth year, an Act of Parliament was made, That no Person should Appeal, for any Cause, out of this Realm, to the Court of Rome.

In his Twenty sixth year, an Act was made, which Authoriz'd the King to be Supreme Head of the Church of England, and the Authority of the Pope to be abolish'd; and then also was gi­ven to the King the First Fruits, and Tenths, of all Spiritual Livings: and this Year were many [Page 75] put to death: Papists for denying the Kings Su­premacy: Protestants, for denying the Real Presence in the Sacrament: nor is it credible, what numbers suffered death, for these two Causes, in the last Ten Years of the Kings Reign: of whom, if we should make particular menti­on, it would reach a great way in the Book of Martyrs.

In his Eight and twentieth Year, the Lord Cromwel was made Vicar General, under the King, over the Spirituality: and at least Four Hundred Monasteries were suppress'd, and all their Lands and Goods, conferred upon the King, by an Act of Parliament.

In his One and thirtieth Year, was set forth by the Bishops, the Book of the Six Articles; and all the rest of the Monasteries were confer­red upon him.

Lastly, In his Thirty fifth Year, all Colleges, Chantries, and Hospitals, were given to him.

THE Solemnities of the Coronation being passed, the Grandees of the Court began to entertain some thoughts of a Reformation. In which they found Archbishop Cranmer, and some other Bishops, to be as forward as themselves; but [Page 82] on different ends; endeavoured by the Bishops out of Zeal, but by the Courtiers, upon a hope of enriching themselves by the spoil of Bishop­ricks. To the Advancement of which Work, the Conjuncture seemed to be as proper, as they could desire. Fot first, the King being of such tender Age, and wholly governed by the W [...]ll of the Lord Protector, who had declared himself a Friend to the Lutheran party, in the time of King Henry, was easie to be moulded into any form: And as the Champions of the Papacy were removed out of all Office, so it was thought expedient, for the better carrying on of the De­sign, not only to release all such, as had been committed unto Prison, but also to recal all such, as had been forced to abandon the Kingdom, for not submitting to King Henries Six Articles. But the business was of greater moment, than to expect the coming back of these Men. Where­fore neither to lose time, nor to press too much at once upon the People, it was thought fit, to smooth the way to the intended Reformation, by setting out some Preparatory Injunctions: and this to be done by sending out Commissio­ners, into all parts of the Kingdom, armed with Instructions, to enquire into all Ecclesi­astical Concernments: Which Commissioners were accompanied with Preachers, appointed to instruct the People.

And, that they might not cool, or fall off again from what they had been taught, they [Page 83] were to leave some Homilies with the Parish-Priest; (which the Archbishop had composed.)

Now, besides the Points, contained in the said Injunctions, the Preachers were to perswade them from Invocation of Saints, Praying for the Dead, Images, Use of Beads, Ashes, Pro­cessions, Mass, Dirges, &c. All which was done to this intent, That the People, being prepar­ed by little and little, might with more ease, and less opposition, admit the total Alteration in the face of the Church, which was intended, in due time, to be introduced.

A Parliament began, upon the Fourth of November, in which the Cards were so well pack'd by Sir Ralph Sadler, that there was no need of any further Shuf­fling, till the end of the Game: This very Parliament, without any sensible Alteration of the Members of it, being continued until the Death of the King. And though this Parlia­ment consisted of such Members, as disagreed amongst themselves in respect of Religion; yet they agreed well enough together, in one com­mon [Page 86] Principle; which was, to serve the present time, and preserve themselves: which appears plainly, by the strange mixture of the Acts, and Results thereof; some tending to the present Benefit, and Enriching of particular Persons: And some again, being devised on purpose, to prepare a way for exposing the Revenues of the Church, unto spoil, and rapine.

There was an Act made in King Henry the Eighths time: Inhibiting the reading of the Old and New Testament, in the English Tongue. But this was here abrogated, toge­ther with all, and every Act, or Acts of Parli­ament, concerning Doctrine, and matters of Religion, and all and every Article, Branch, Sentence, and Matter, Pains, and Forfeitures, in the same contained. By which repeal, all Men seem to have been put into a liberty of reading Scripture, and being in a manner, their own Expositors; and of entertaining what Opinions in Religion best pleased their fancies; and promulgating such Opinions, as they entertained: So that the English enjoyed that liberty, which the Romans are affirmed, by Tacitus to have enjoyed, without control, in the times of Nerva; that is to say, A liber­ty of being of what Opinion they pleased, and of speaking freely their Opinions, wheresoever they listed.

There was also an Act passed, Entituled, An Act against such, as speak against the Sacrament [Page 87] of the Altar. And to say truth, it was but time, that some provision should be made, to suppress that Irreverence and Profaneness, with which the Blessed Sacrament, was, at that time, handled, by too many of those, who seemed most ignorantly Zealous of Reformation. For, they reproached it with such names, and so un­becoming the mouths of Christians, that they were never taken up by the Turks, and Infidels.

There was another Act passed, for the Re­ceiving the Communion in both kinds; yet with these Provisoes notwithstanding, If ne­cessity did not otherwise require; as in the Case of sudden Sickness, and other such like Extre­mities; in which it was not possible, that Wine could be provided for the use of that Sacrament; nor the sick Man depart in peace without it. And Secondly, That the permitting this Liber­ty to the People of England, should not be look­ed upon, as a condemning of any other Church or Churches, or their Practices, in which the contrary is observed.

NO sooner was this year begun, but it was Ordered by the King, and his Privy Council, that no Candles should be born upon Candlemas-day, nor Ashes, or Palms, used any longer.

The Lords drove this business on so fast, That before this Order could be published in the re­mote parts of the Kingdom, they followed it with another, (as little pleasing to the main Bo­dy of the People) concerning the taking down of all Images; which in some places of the Realm, were either not taken down at all (as was required the year before, by the King's In­junctions), or had been Re-edified again, as soon, as the first heats of the Visitation had be­gan to cool.

Bishop Gardiner, in a Letter of his, signifi­ed his great dislike of some proceedings had at Portsmouth, in taking down the Images of Christ, [Page 95] and his Saints: certifying withal, That he had not only seen these Images, standing in all the Churches of the Lutherans; but that Luther himself had purposly written a Book against some men, that had defaced them. And there­fore it may be well thought, that Covetousness spurred on this business, more than Zeal: There being none of these Images so poor, and mean, the spoyl whereof would not afford some Gold, and Silver, (if not Jewels also) besides Censers, Candlesticks, and many other rich Utensils, ap­pertaining to them. In which respect, the Com­missioners hereto Authorized were entertained, in many places, with scorn, and railing; and the further they went from London, the worse they were handled: Insomuch, as that one of them, as he was pulling down an Image in Corn­wal, was stabbed. And though the Principal Offender was hanged, (which quieted all mat­ters for a time) yet the next year the storm broke out more violently than before; not only to the endangering of the peace of those Western Counties but in a manner of all the Kingdom.

Which great Commotions the Council could not but foresee, as the most probable Conse­quents of such Alterations: Especially, when they are sudden, and press'd too fast. There being nothing, of which People commonly are so tender, as they are of Religion; on which [Page 96] their happiness depends, not only for this world, but the world to come.

And therefore it concerned them, in point of Prudence, to let the People see, that there was no intention to abolish all their ancient Ce­remonies. And in particular, it was held expe­dient, to give the generality of the Subjects some contentment, in a Proclamation for the strict keeping of Lent; and the Example of the Court in Pursuance of it.

For Dr. Glasier, Preaching at Paul's Cross, affirmed, That Lent was not Ordained of God to be Fasted; neither the eating of Flesh to be forborn: But, that the same was a Politick Ordinance of men, and therefore might be broken by men at their pleasures. Upon this, there was no scarcity of those, that cried down all the Observations of Days and Times; even to the Libelling against that ancient and Reli­gious Fast, in most scandalous Rhymes: Com­plaint whereof being made by Bishop Gardiner, to the Lord Protector, a Proclamation was set out; by which all People were commanded to abstain from Flesh in the time of Lent; and the King's Lenten-dyet was set out, and served, as in former times.

FOrasmuch as divers of the King's Subjects, have of late, more than in times past, broken and contemned such Abstinencies, as have been used in this Realm, upon Fridays and Saturdays, Ember-days, Vigils, Lent, and other accustomed times, this Parliament, considering, that due and godly Abstinence is a means to Virtue, and to subdue mens Bodies to their Soul, and Spirit: And considering with­al, that Fishers may thereby be more set a work; and that by eating of Fish, much Flesh shall be saved, and encreased; and also for di­vers other Considerations, and Commodities of the Realm, doth Enact and Ordain, That all manner of Statutes, Laws, Constitutions, and Usages, concerning any manner of Fasting, and Abstinence from any kind of meats, hereto­fore in this Realm made or used, shall lose their force and strength, and be void, and of no ef­fect. And also, that no Person, or Persons, of what Estate, Degree, or Condition soever he, or they be, shall at any time, after the First day of May, willingly, and wittingly, eat any manner of Flesh, after what manner, or kind, or sort, it shall be ordered, dressed, or used, up­on any Friday, or Saturday, or upon any of [Page 98] the Ember-days, or upon any day, in the time commonly called Lent; nor upon any such o­ther day, as is, or shall be at any other time hereafter commonly excepted, and reputed as a Fish-day within this Realm of England; where­in it hath been commonly used to eat Fish, and not Flesh: Upon pain, that every Person, eat­ing any manner of Flesh, upon any of the said Days or Times prohibited by this Act, shall forfeit, for the said first offence Ten shillings; and also suffer Imprisonment for the space of Ten days. And during the time of his, or her said Imprisonment, shall abstain from eating of any manner of Flesh.

SOme Bishops, and others, were Appointed by the King's Command, to Consult to­gether about one Uniform Order of Ad­ministring the Holy Communion in the English Tongue: Who so ordered it, That the whole Mass should proceed (as formerly) in the Latin Tongue; even to the very end of the Canon, and the receiving of the Sacrament by the Priest himself: Which being ended, they were to be­gin with an Exhortation, in the English Tongue, directed to all those, that did intend to receive the Communion: Which Exhortation began with these words, Dearly Beloved in the Lord, ye coming to this Holy Communion, &c.

But notwithstanding the setting forth of this Uniform Order of Administring the Holy Com­munion, yer there did arise a marvellous Schism, and variety of Factions, in Celebrating the Com­munion Service, and Administring of the Sa­crament, [Page 100] and other Rites, and Ceremonies of the Church. For some allowed of the King's proceedings; others, dissemblingly, and patch­ingly, used some part of them; Many contem­ned them all. Moreover, it is observed in the Register-Book of the Parish of Petworth, that many, at this time, affirmed, that the most Bless­ed Sacrament of the Altar was of little worth: So that in many places, it was irreverently used, and cast out of the Church; and many other great Enormities committed: Which they se­conded by oppugning the Established Ceremo­nies; as Holy-Water, Holy-Bread, and divers other Rites of the Seven Sacraments. And yet these were not all the mischiefs, which the time produced. For, in pursuance of this Schism, ma­ny of those, that had been licensed to Preach, appeared as active in Preaching against the King's proceedings, as many of the unlicensed Preachers had been found to be.

Upon this it was advised, that a Publick Liturgy should be drawn, and confirmed by Parliament; which was accordingly done. Now, here it is to be observed, that those who had the directing of this Business, were before hand re­solved, that none but English Heads and Hands should be used therein; lest otherwise it might be thought, and perhaps objected, That they ra­ther followed the Example of some other Churches, or were swayed by the Authority of [Page 101] those Forein Assistants, than by the Word of God. Certain it is, that upon the very first re­ports of a Reformation here intended Calvin had offered his Assistance to Archbishop Cran­mer, as himself confessed. But the Archbishop knew the man, and refused the offer. And it appears in one of Bishop Latimer's Sermons, that there was a report, about this time, of Melanct­hon's coming: But it proved only a report. And though it was thought necessary, for the better seasoning of the Universities, in the Protestant Reformed Religion, that Bucer, and Peter Mar­tyr should be invited to come over; yet the Archbishop's Letter of Invitation, sent to Bucer, was not written till the 12th of October; at which time, the Liturgy, then in hand (being the chief Key of the Work of Reformation) was in a very good forwardness; and must be com­pleatly finished, before he could so settle, and dispose his affairs in Germany, as to come for England. And though Peter Martyr, being either more at leisure, or more willing to accept of the Invitation, came many months before the other, yet neither do we find him here, till the end of November; when the Liturgy had been approved of. Nor was it likely, that they would make use of such a man, in Composing a Liturgy, wherein they were resolved to retain a great part of the ancient Ceremonies; who being made Canon of Christ's Church in Oxford, and frequently present at Divine Service in that [Page 102] Church, could never be prevailed with, to put on the Surplice.

WE must now attend the King's Com­missioners, dispatched into every Shire, to take a Survey of all Col­leges, Free Chappels, Chantries, and Bro­therhoods; according to the return of Commis­sions, it would be no difficult matter, to put a just Estimate and Value on so great a Gift: Or to know, how to parcel out, proportion, and divide the Spoyl, betwixt all such, as had be­fore, in hope, devoured it.

In the first place, (as lying nearest) came in the Free Chappel of St. Stephen, originally Founded in the Palace at Westminster, reckon­ed for the Chappel-Royal of the Court of Eng­land. The whole Foundation consisted of no fewer, than Thirty eight Persons; to wit, One [Page 103] Dean, Twelve Canons, Thirteen Vicars, Four Clerks, Six Choristers; besides a Verger, and one that had charge of the Chappel.

There was likewise a certain number appoin­ted for the officiating of the daily Service: (Gentlemen of the Chappel they were commonly called.) As for the Chappel it self, together with a Cloyster of curious Workmanship, built by John Chambers, one of the Kings Physicians, and the last Master of the same, they are still standing as they were; the Chappel having been since fitted, and employ'd for a House of Commons, in all times of Parliament.

At the same time also fell the College of St. Martins, scituated in the City of London, not far from Aldersgate; first founded for a Dean, and Secular Canons, in the time of the Conque­ror.

This College was surrendred into the Hands of King Edward the Sixth; who after, gave the same to the Church of Westminster; and they, to make the best of the Kings Donation, ordered, That the Body of the Church, with the Quire, and Isles, should be Leased out for Fifty years, excepting out of the said Grant, the Bells, Lead, Stone, Timber, Glass, and Iron, to be sold, and disposed of, for the sole use, and benefit, of the said Dean and Chapter.

Which foul Transaction being made, the Church was totally pulled down, a Tavern [Page 104] built on the East-part of it; the rest of the Sci­tuation of the said Church, and College, toge­ther with the whole Precinct thereof, being built upon with several Tenements. But for this Sacriliege, the Church of Westminster was called immediately to a sober reckoning. For the Lord Protector, thinking it altogether un­necessary, that two Cathedrals should be Founded so near together; and conceiving, that the Church of Westminster, (as being of a late Foundation) might best be spared, had cast a longing Eye upon the goodly Patrimony, which remained unto it. And being then un­furnish'd of a House, or Palace, proportio­nable to his Greatness, he doubted not to find room enough, upon the Dissolution and De­struction of so large a Fabrick, to raise a Pa­lace, equal to his vast Designs. Which coming to the Ears of Benson, the last Abbot, and first Dean of that Church, he could bethink himself of no other means to preserve the whole, than by parting, for the present, with more than half the Estate, which belonged unto it.

And thereupon a Lease is made of Seventy Mannors and good Farms, lying almost toge­ther, in the County of Glocester, for the term of Ninety nine Years; which they presented to the Lord Thomas Seymour, to serve as an Addition to his Mannor of Sudeley; humbly beseeching him to stand their good Lord and Patron, and to preserve them in a fair esteem with the Lord Protector.

[Page 105] Another Present of almost as many Mannors, and Farms, lying in the Counties of Glocester, Worcester, and Hereford, was made, for the like term, to Sir John Mason, a special Confident of the Dukes; not for his own, but for the use of his Great Master: which, after the Duke, all came to Sir John Bourn, Principal Secretary of State, in the time of Queen Mary.

And yet this would not serve the turn, till they had put into the Scale their Mannor of Islip, conferred upon the Church by King Edward the Confessor; to which no fewer, than Two hundred customary Tenants owed their Soyl and Service: and being one of the best Woody things in these parts of the Realm, was to be granted also, without impeachment of Wast; as it was accordingly.

By means whereof the Deanery was preserv'd for the latter times. How it succeeded with the Bishoprick, we shall see afterwards.

Thus Benson saved the Deanery; but he lost himself. For, calling to remembrance, that formerly he had been a means to Surrender the Abbey, and was now forc'd on the necessity of Dilapidating the Estate of the Deanery, he fell into a great disquiet of Mind, which brought him to his Death, within some Months after.

The reason of selecting these two Free-Chap­pels out of all the rest, was because there was more depending on the story of them, than of any others.

[Page 106] Bad Examples, seldom end, where they first begin. For the Nobility, and inferior Gentry, possessed of Patronages, considering how much the Lords, and Great Men of the Court, had improv'd their Fortunes, by the Suppression of Chantries, and other Foundations, which had been granted to the King, conceiving them­selves in a capacity, to do the like, by taking into their Hands the yearly profits of such Bene­fices, of which, by Law, they only were entrust­ed with the Presentations.

Of which Abuse complaint is made by Bishop Latimer; who says, That ‘the Gentry of that time invaded the Profits of the Church, leaving the Title only to the Incumbent; and that Chan­try-Priests were put, by them, into several Cures, to save their Pensions. That many Be­nefices were let out in Fee-Farm, or given unto Servants, for keeping of Hounds, Hawks, and Horses, and for making of Gardens.’ And finally, ‘That the poor Clergie, being kept to some sorry Pittance, were forc'd to put themselves into Gen­tlemens Houses, and there to serve, as Clerks of the Kitchin, Surveyors, Receivers, &c. Bishop Latimer, in his Printed Sermons, Page 38. 71. 91. 114.’

All which Enormities, (though tending so apparently to the Dishonour of God, and Disgrace of Religion) were generally connived at by the Lords, and others, because they could not question those, who had so miserably invaded [Page 107] the Churches Patrimony, without condemning of themselves.

THE Protector, intending to Erect a Magnificent Palace, was bought out of his Design of building it on the Deanery and Close of Westminster, and therefore cast his Eye upon a piece of Ground in the Strand, on which stood Three Episcopal Houses, and one Parish-Church: The Parish Church Dedicated to the Virgin Mary; the Houses be­longing to the Bishops of Worcester, Lichfield, and Landaff: All these he takes into his hands; the Owners not daring to oppose, and therefore willingly consenting to it. Having clear'd the place, and finding, that more materials would be wanting, than the demolished Churches, and Houses could afford, he resolv'd to take down the Parish-Church of St. Margarets in [Page 108] Westminster, and to turn the Parishioners, for Celebrating all Divine Offices, into some part of the Nave, or main Body of the Abbey Church. But the Work-men had no sooner advanced their Scaffolds, when the Parishioners gathered together in great multitudes, with Bows and Arrows, Staves and Clubs, and other such Weapons; which so terrified the Work-men, that they ran away in great amaze­ment, and never could be brought again up­on that Employment.

Upon this he conceiv'd it would be a safer undertaking to fall upon St. Paul's, the Bishop then standing on his good behavior; and the Dean and Chapter of that Church (as of all the rest) being no better, in a manner, (by reason of the last Act of Parliament) than Tenants at Will of their great Landlords. And upon this, he employs Work-men, to take down the Cloy­ster of Paul's, on the North-side of the Church, and a piece of curious Work round about the Cloyster, with a Chappel, that stood in the midst of the Church-yard: also the Charnel-House, that stood upon the South-side of it (now a Carpen­ters-yard) with the Chappel, Timber, and Mo­numents therein; which were all beaten down, the Bones of the Dead carried into Finsbury­fields, and the Stones converted to this Building, and the vacant places filled up afterwards with Dwelling-Houses. Moreover, the Church of St. John of Jerusalem, near Smith-field, was un­dermined, [Page 109] and blown up with Gunpowder, and the Stones applied to this Spacious Building.

Likewise Barking Chappel, near the Tower of London, and the College-Church of St. Mar­tins le Grand, nigh the Shambles, and St. Ewens within Newgate; also the Parish-Church of St. Nicholas in the Shambles, were pulled quite down. Such was the Ground, and such the Ma­terials of the Dukes new Palace, called Sommer­set-House. Thus Dr. Heylyn concerning this Example given of pulling down of Churches.

According to this beginning all the year pro­ceeds; in which there was nothing to be found, but Troubles, Commotions, and Disquiets, both in Church and State. For about this time, there started up a Sect of Men, that were nam'd Gospellers; who asserted the Blasphemous Do­ctrine of Calvin, of Gods being the Author of Sin. And, at the same time, the Anabaptists, who had kept themselves unto themselves, in the late King's time, began to look abroad, and disperse their Dotages.

For the prevention of which mischief, before it grew to a Head, some of the chief of them were Convented in the Church of St. Paul, be­fore Archbishop Cranmer; who in Examining them, took up his Seat upon an Altar of our Lady.

These Men, being convicted of their Errors, some of them were dismissed only with an Ad­monition; others condemn'd to bear their Fag­gots at St. Pauls-Cross.

[Page 110] Now the time draws on for the putting forth the new Liturgy; which differed little in the main (no not so much as in the Canon of the Mass) from the Latin Service. But notwith­standing the Publishing, and Commanding the use of this Book, yet many did Celebrate their Private Masses, in such secret places, that it was not easie to discover them. More confidently carried in the Church of St. Paul; in many Chappels whereof, by the Bishops Sufferance, the former Masses were kept up; that is to say, Our Ladies Mass, the Apostles Mass, &c. per­formed in Latin, but disguis'd with English names, of the Apostles Communion, and our La­dies Communion. But these were afterwards suppressed.

UPon the Imposition of this Book, and a new Form of Religion obtruded, many Counties took up Arms to oppose it. But yet so, that they were presently ready to lay down, if the King would grant them some few De­mands; whereof one was this, to wit,

That for as much as we constantly believe, that af­ter the Priest hath spoken the words of Conse­cration, being at Mass, there is very really the Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, God and Man; And that no Substance of [Page 111] Bread and Wine remains after, but the very self same Body, that was born of the Virgin Mary, and was given, upon the Cross, for our Redemption; therefore we desire to have Mass celebrated as it was in times past: Be­cause we find, that many presume unworthily to receive the same; putting no difference between our Lords Body, and other kind of Meat: Some saying, That it is Bread, both before and after Consecration: And some a­gain say, that it is profitable to no man, unless he receives it; with many other abused terms.

Secondly, we desire, that Curates may Ad­minister Baptism at all times of necessity, as well upon Week-days, as Holy-days.

Thirdly, That Children may be Confirm'd by the Bishop.

Fourthly, That there may be Holy-Bread, and Holy-Water, in remembrance of Christ's precious Body and Blood.

Fifthly, That our Lord's Body be reserv'd in Churches.

Sixthly, That Priests may live unmarried.

Seventhly, That the Six Articles, set forth by King Henry the Eighth may be continued; at least till the King comes to full Age.

They further made this Remonstrance, viz. That the Free-born Commonalty was oppress'd by a small number of Gentry, who glutted themselves with Pleasures, whilst poor Com­mons, wasted with daily Labor, did, (like [Page 112] Pack-horses) live in extreme slavery. Second­ly, That Holy Rites, establish'd by Antiquity, were abolished, and new ones Authoriz'd, with a new Form of Religion obtruded, to the subject­ing of their Souls to those horrid pains, which no death could terminate. And therefore, Third­ly, they declar'd, That they thought it neces­sary, and convenient, to have new Counsellors plac'd about the King, during his Minority; with the removing of those, who Ruling as they list, confounded things Sacred and Profane, re­garding nothing, but the enriching themselves with the Publick Treasure, that they might riot it amongst those Publick Calamities.

But then there started up another Faction, as dangerous to the Church, as opposite to the Publick Liturgy, and as destructive of the Rules of Reformation, then by Law establish'd as were those of Rome. The Archbishop, and the rest of the Prelates, having so far proceeded in abolishing the Religion, and Doctrine of the Church of Rome, resolv'd, in the next place, to go forwards, with a further Reformation, in a parti­cular point of Doctrine, concerning the Sacra­ment. In order whereunto Melancthon's coming was expected in the year before.

[Page 113] But he came not then; and therefore Let­ters were directed by the Arch­bishop to Martin Bucer, and The bringing in of Presbyte­ry into this Nation. Peter Martyr, who were more addicted to the Zuinglian, than the Lutheran Doctrines, in the Point of the Sacrament.

Martyr, coming over, was made the King's Professor of Divinity at Oxford: and about two years after, made Canon of Christ's-Church. In his first Lectures, he is said, by Saunders, (if he may be credited) to have declared himself so much a Zuinglian in the Point, as to give great offence to Cranmer, and the rest of the Bishops: But afterwards, upon notice of it, to have been more moderate, and to conform his judgment to the sense of the Prelates.

But however it were, it is certain, that his Readings were so much disliked by some of the University, that a publick Disputation was shortly had, betwixt him, and some of those, who disliked his doings: in which he publickly maintained these Two Propositions:

1. That the Substance of the Bread and Wine was not changed.

2. That the Body, and Blood of Christ, was not carnally, and bodily, in the Bread, and Wine; but united unto them Sacramentally.

When the Disputation was ended, it was de­clared in the open Schools, That Martyr had the upper hand, and had sufficiently answered all [Page 114] Arguments. But Chadsey, the chief of the Op­ponents, and the rest of those, that Disputed with him, acknowledged no such Satisfaction to be given unto them; their Party noising it abroad, that they had the Victory.

But Bucer not coming over at the same time was earnestly invited by the Archbishop's Secre­tary; upon which he came, and presently writ to Peter Martyr. Being now settled here, he receives Letters from Calvin; by which he was advised to take heed of his old fault, and to run a moderate course in his Reformations.

The first thing, that he did at his coming hi­ther, was to make himself acquainted with the English Liturgy. Of this he gives account to Calvin, and desires some Letters from him to the Lord Protector, (with whom Calvin had already began to tamper) that he migh: find the greater Favor from him.

He was sent to take a Chair at Cambridge, where his first Readings gave no such distast, as to put him to the necessity of Challenging the Dissenters to a Disputation; though in the or­dinary Form a Disputation was there held, at his first coming thither, concerning the Suffi­ciency of Holy Scripture, the Fallibility of the Church, and the true nature of Justification. But long he had not held the place, when he left this life.

Yet so it was, that the Account which he had given to Calvin of the English Liturgy, and [Page 115] his desiring of a Letter from him to the Lord Protector, proved the occasion of much trou­ble to the Church, and the Orders of it. For Calvin, not forgetting the repulse he found at the hands of Cranmer, when he first offered his assistance, had skrewed himself into the Favor of the Lord Protector. And thinking nothing to be well done, which either was not done by him, or by his direction, (as appears by his Letters to all Princes, that did but cast an eye, towards a Reformation) must needs be med­ling in such matters, as belonged not to him.

He therefore writes a very long Letter to the Lord Protector; in which, approving well enough of Set Forms of Prayer, he descends more particularly to the English Liturgy; in canvasing whereof, he there excepted against Commemoration of the Dead, (which he ac­knowledges however to be very ancient) as also against Chrism, and Extreme Unction: the last whereof being rather allowed of, than re­quired by the Rules of the Book.

Which said, he makes it his advice, That all these Ceremonies should be abrogated; and that withal he should go forward, to Reform the Church without Fear, or Wit; and that with­out regard to Peace at home, or Correspon­dency abroad; such considerations being only to be had in Civil Matters, but not in Matters of the Church; wherein nothing is to be exact­ed which is not warranted by the Word, and in [Page 116] the managing whereof, there is not any thing more distastful in the eyes of God, than world­ly wisdom, either in moderating, cutting off, or going backwards, but meerly as we are direct­ed by his Revealed Will.

In the next place he gives a touch upon the Book of Homilies. These, very faintly, he per­mits for some time only; but by no means al­lowed of them for any long continuance, or to be looked on as a Rule of the Church, or con­stantly to serve for the Instruction of the Peo­ple; and thereby gave a hint to the Zuinglian Gospellers, who ever since almost have dec aim­ed against them.

And whereas some Disputes had grown (by his setting on, or the pragmatical Humor of some Agents, which he had amongst us), about the Ceremonies of the Church then by Law Established; he must needs trouble the Pro­tector in that business also: to whom he writes to this effect. That the Papists would grow insolenter every day, unless the Differences were composed about the Ceremonies. But how? Not by reducing the Opponents to Con­formity, but by encouraging them rather in their opposition: Which cannot but appear most plainly to be all he aimed at, by soliciting the Duke of Sommerset in behalf of Hooper, who was then faln into some trouble upon that account.

[Page 117] This Hooper, being designed Bishop of Glou­cester, the Archbishop would not Consecrate him, but in such Habit, as Bishops are requir­ed to wear by the Rules of the Church; but he refused to take it upon such conditions. And repairing to his Patron, the Earl of Warwick, he obtains a Letter to the Archbishop, desiring a forbearance of those things; implying also, that it was the King's desire, as well as his, that such forbearance should be used. It was desir­ed also, that he would not charge him with any Oath, which seemed to be burdensome to his Con­science. For the Elect Bishop as it seems, had boggled also at the Oath of paying Canonical Obedience to his Metropolitan. The King likewise writ to the Archbishop to the same effect. At last the business was thus composed; to wit, That Hooper should receive his Conse­cration; attired in his Episcopal Robes: but that he should be dispensed withal from wear­ing it, at ordinary times, as his daily Habit, but that he should be bound to use it, whensoever he Preached before the King. Fox reproacheshim for giving any way to wear this Popish Attire; and makes it to be a great cause of shame, and contumely to him. And possibly it might be thought so at that time, by Hooper himself, who ever after hated Bishop Ridley, the principal Man, that held him up so closely to such hard conditions.

THe Free admitting of John a Lasco, a Polonian born, with his Congregati­on of Germans, and other Strangers, who took Sanctuary this year in England, ho­ping, that they might here enjoy that Liberty of Conscience, which their own Country deni­ed them, proved no small Disturbance to the proceedings of the Church, and the quiet or­dering of the State. For by suffering these Men to live under another kind of Government, and to Worship God after other Forms, than those allowed of by the Law, proved in effect, the setting up of one Altar against another, in the midst of the Church; and the Erecting of a Common-Wealth in the midst of a Kingdom: So much the more unfortunately permitted in this present Conjuncture, when such a Rupture began to appear amongst our selves: which was made wider by the coming in of these [Page 119] Dutch Reformers, and the Indulgence granted to them.

Thus we have the first beginning of that Op­position, which hath continued ever since, against the Liturgy it self, the Cap, and Surplice, and other Rites, and Usages of the English Church. And these were the Effects of Calvins inter­posing in behalf of Hooper. For what did fol­low thereupon, but a continual multiplying of Disorders in all parts of this Church? The sitting at the Sacrament used, and maintain'd by John a Lasco, first caused Irreverence in the Receiving, and afterwards a Contempt, and Depraving of it. The crying down of the Sa­cred Vestments, and the Grave Habit of the Clergy, first occasioned a dis-esteem of the Men themselves, and by degrees a vilifying, and contempt of their Calling. Nay such a peccan­cy of Humor began then manifestly to break out, that it was Preached at Paul's Cross, by a Curate of St. Catherines Christ-Church, That it was fit, the Names of Churches should be altered, and the Names of the Days in the Week changed. That Fish-days should be kept on any other days, than Fridays and Saturdays, and the Lent at any other time, except only be­tween Shrove-tide and Easter. We are told also by John Stow, that he had seen this Curate of Christ-Church to leave the Pulpit, and Preach to the People out of an High Elm, which [Page 120] stood in the midst of the Church-Yard; and that being done, to return into the Church again, and leaving the High Altar, to sing the Communion-Service upon a Tomb of the Dead, with his face toward the North. Which is to be observed the rather, because this Curate hath found so many followers in these latter times.

For, as some of the Preciser sort have of late left the Church, to Preach in Woods, and Barns, &c. and in stead of the old Days, and Months, can find no other Title for them, than the First, Second, or Third Month of the Year; and so of the Days of the Week, &c. So was it propounded, not long since, by some State Reformers, That the Fast of Lent should be kept no longer between Shrove-tide and Easter, but rather (by some Act, or Ordinance, made for that purpose) betwixt Easter, and Whitson­tide. To such wild Fancies do Men grow, when once they break those Bounds, and neg­lect those Rules, which wise Antiquity ordain­ed, for the Preservation of Peace, and Order.

If it be asked, What in the mean time was become of Bishops, and why no care was taken for the Purging those peccant Humors? It may be answered, That the Wings of their Autho­rity had been so clipped, that it was scarce able to fly abroad: The Sentence of Excommuni­cation not having been in use, since the first of this King. Whether it were, that Command [Page 121] was laid upon the Bishops, by which they were restrained from the Exercise of it; or that some other course was in agitation, for drawing the Cognizance of all Ecclesiastical causes to the Court of Westminster; or, that it was thought inconsistent with that dreadful Sentence, to be issued in the King's Name, (as it had been lately appointed by Act of Parliament) it is not casie to determine. But certain it is, that at this time it was either abolished for the present, or of no effect; not only to the cherishing of these Dis­orders amongst the Ministers of the Church, but to the great encrease of viciousness in all sorts of men. Lechery (saith Bishop Latimer) is used in England, and such Lechery, as is used in no other part of the World. And it is made a mat­ter of sport, a matter of nothing, a laughing mat­ter, a Trifle not to be regarded, not to be reform­ed. Peter Martyr much bemoans the miserable condition of the Church, for want of Preachers.

NOthing as yet had been concluded po­sitively, and dogmatically, in Points, of Doctrine, but as they were to be collected from the Homilies, and the Publick Liturgy; and those but few, in reference to the many Controversies which were to be main­tained against the Sectaries of that Age: Many Disorders having grown up in this little time, in [Page 125] officiating the Liturgy, the Vestures of the Church, and the Habit of Church-men, be­gun by Calvin, prosecuted by Hooper, and countenanced by the large Immunities granted to John a Lasco, and his Church of Strangers. And unto these, the change of Altars into Ta­bles, gave no small encrease; as well by reason of some differences, which grew amongst the Ministers themselves upon that occasion; as in regard of the irreverence which it bred in the People; to whom it made the Sacrament to ap­pear less venerable, than before it did.

The People had been so long accustomed to receive the Sacrament upon their knees, that no Rule, nor Canon, was thought necessary to keep them to it. But the change of Altars into Ta­bles, the practise of the Church of Strangers, and John a Lasco's Book, in maintenance of Sitting at the Holy Table, made many think that posture best, which was so much counte­nanced. And what was like to follow upon such a Liberty, (the proneness of those times to He­terodoxies, and Profaneness considered) gave just cause to fear.

Something therefore were to be done to pre­vent that mischief; and nothing could prevent it better, than to reduce the People to their an­cient Custom, by some Rule, or Rubrick, by which they should be bound to receive it kneel­ing. So for the Ministers themselves, they seem­ed to be as much at a loss in their Officiating at [Page 126] the Table, as the People were in their irreve­rences to the Blessed Sacrament: Which cannot be better expressed, than in the words of some Romish Prelates, who objected it unto some of our chief Reformers. Thus White of Lincoln charges it upon bishop Ridley, saying, That when their Table was constituted, they could never be content in placing of it, now East, now North, now one way, now another, until it pleased God, of his Goodness, to place it quite out of the Church. The like was Weston (the Prolocutor of the Con­vocation, in the First of Queen Mary) in a Dis­putation held with Latimer; telling him, with reproach and contempt, That the Protestants having turned their Table, were like a company of Apes, that knew not which way to turn their Tayls; looking one day East, and another West one this way, and another that way, as their fancies lead them. Thus finally, one Miles Hubbard, in a Book called, The Display of Pro­testants, reports the business. How long (says he) were they learning to set their Tables, to mi­nister the Communion upon? First, they placed it aloft, where the High Altar stood: Then must it be removed from the Wall, that one might go between; the Ministers being in contention, on whether part to turn their faces, either toward the West, the North, or South. Some would stand Westward, some Northward, some Southward. To take away these Disorders, which gave great Scandal to many moderate, and well [Page 127] meaning Men, a Rubrick was resolv'd on; by which the Minister that Officiated, should be pointed to a certain place; and by the Rubrick then devis'd, the North-side was thought fitter, than any other.

BUt the main matters, which were now brought into Consideration, were the Reviewing of the Liturgy, and the Composing of a Book of Articles. This last, for the avoiding diversities of Opinions, and for the establishing of Consent, touching True Reli­gion: The other, for removing of such Offences, as had been taken by Calvin, and his followers, at some parts thereof. For Calvin, having broken the Ice, resolv'd to make his way through it, to the marke he aim'd at; which was to have this Church depend upon his direction, and not to be less esteem'd here, than in other places.

[Page 128] To which end, as he had formerly applied himself to the Protector, so now he sets upon the King, the Council, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, in hope to bring them to his bent. In his Letters to the King and Council (as him­self signified to Bullinger, on the 29th of Au­gust) he excites them to proceed to a Reforma­tion; that is to say, to such a Reformation as he had projected, and without which his Followers would not be contented.

In his Letters to the King alone, he lets him know, that many things were still amiss in the State of the Kingdom, which stood in need of Reformation. And finally, in those to Cranmer, he certifies him, that in the Service of this Church, as then it stood, there remained a whole mass of Popery; which did not only darken, but destroy Gods Holy Worship. Moreover, he had his Agents in the Court, the Country, and the Universities, by whom he drives on his Design, on all parts at once. And so far he prevail'd in the first Two years, that in the Convocation, which began in the former year, the first Debate amongst the Prelates was of such Doubts, as had arisen, about some things contain'd, in the Common-Prayer-Book, and more particularly touching such Feasts, as were retain'd, and such as had been abrogated by the Rules thereof; the form of words used at the giving of the Bread, and the different manner of Administring the Holy Sacrament: which being signified to the [Page 129] Prolocutor, and the rest of the Clergy, (who had receiv'd somewhat in charge about it the day before,) Answer was made, that they had not yet sufficiently considered of the Points pro­posed; but that they would give their Lord­ships some account thereof in their following Session. But what account was given, doth not appear: only this is certain, that upon this De­bate, there was a New Book of Common-Pray­er set forth.

Now, for the avoiding of diversities of Opi­nions, and establishing consent touching true Reli­gion, it was thought necessary, to Compose a Book of Articles, in which should be contain'd the Common Principles of the Christian Faith, in which all Parties did agree, together with the most Points, in which they differed. For the better performing of which Work, Melancthon's Company, and Assistance had been long de­sired.

That he held Correspondence with the King, and Archbishop Cranmer, appears by his Epistles of the year, 1549, 1550, 1551. But, that he came not over, as was expected, must be impu­ted, either to our Home-bred troubles, or the great Sickness of this year, or the Death of the Duke of Sommerset, upon whom he did most rely. But though Erasmus was dead, and Me­lancthon absent, yet were they to be found, both alive, and present in their Writings. By which, together with the Augustan Confession, [Page 130] the Composers of those Articles were much di­rected.

That Cranmer had a great hand in composing of them, is not to be doubted; who therefore takes upon himself, as the Author of them, and is to be look'd upon, as the principal Archi­tect; who contriv'd the Building, and gave, the inferior Workmen, their several Parts, and Offices, in that employment.

THis year, the Bishoprick of Westminster was dissolv'd by the Kings Letters Pa­tents; by which the County of Mid­dlesex, which had before been laid unto it, was restored unto the See of London; made greater, than in former times, by the addition of the Archdeaconry of St. Albans; which at the Dis­solution [Page 131] of the Monastery had been laid to Lin­coln; the Lands of Westminster having been so dilapidated by Bishop Thirlby, that there was almost nothing left to support the Dignity; most of the Lands were invaded by the Great Men of the Court; the rest, laid out, for the Reparation of the Church of St. Paul's, pared almost to the very quick, in those days of Rapine. From hence came that significant By-word, of Robbing Peter, to pay Paul.

There was Summoned also this year, a Con­vocation of the Bishops; in which was Settled, and Confirm'd, the Book of Articles, prepared by Archbishop Cranmer, and his Assistants.

There was likewise set out, a new Book of Common-Prayer; upon the setting out this Book, there appear'd no small Alterations, in the outward Solemnities of Divine Service; to which the People had been formerly so long ac­custom'd. For by the Rubrick of the Book, no Copes, or other Vestments, were requir'd, but the Surplice only: whereby the Bishops were necessitated to forbear their Crosses, and the Prebends of St. Paul's, and other Churches, oc­casion'd to leave off their Hoods.

To give a beginning hereto, Ridley Bishop of London, officiated the Divine Service in his Rochet only, without Cope, or Vestment. And not long after, the upper Quire in St. Paul's Church, where the High Altar stood, was broken down, and all the Quire there about; [Page 132] and the Communion-Table was plac'd in the lower part of the Quire, where the Priest sang the Daily Service. What hereupon ensued of the rich Ornaments, and Plate, wherewith eve­ry Church was furnish'd, after its proportion, we shall see shortly, when the Kings Commissioners shall be sent abroad to seize upon them, in his Name, for their own Commodity.

At this time, the Psalms of David were com­posed in English Meeter, by John Hopkins, following the Example of Beza, who translated them, to be fitted unto several Tunes; which hereupon began to be sung in private Houses, and by degrees, to be taken up in all Churches of the French, and other Nations, which fol­low'd the Genevian Platform. Hopkins's Compo­sition likewise, (although it was full of Barbari­ty, and Botching), yet notwithstanding was first allowed for private Devotion, and by little and little brought into the use of the Church, allowed to be sung before, and after Morning and Evening-Prayer, and also before, and after Sermons: afterwards Printed, and bound up with the Common-Prayer-Book, and at last ad­ded at the end of the Bible. But in some tract of time, as the Puritan Faction grew in strength and confidence, it prevailed so far in most places, as to thrust the Te Deum, the Benedictus, the Magnificat, and the Nunc Dimittis, quite out of the Church.

Such was the Rapacity of the Times, and the unfortunateness of the Kings conditi­on, that his Minority was abused to ma­ny Acts of Spoyl and Rapine, (even to the high degree of Sacrilege) to the raising of some, and enriching of others, without any manner of im­provement to his own Estate. For, notwith­standing the great, and almost inestimable Trea­sures; which must needs come in, by the spoyl of so many Shrines, and Images, the Sale of the Lands, belonging to Chantries, Colleges, Free-Chappels, &c. and the Dilapidating of the Pa­trimony of so many Bishopricks, and Cathedral Churches; he was nevertheless, not only plun­ged in Debr, but the Crown-lands are much diminish'd, and empair'd, since his coming to it. Besides which spoyls, there were many [Page 134] other helps, and some great ones too, of keep­ing him before-hand, and full of Money, had they been used to his Advantage.

The Lands of divers of the Halls, and Com­panies of London, were charged with Annual Pensions, for the finding of such Lights, Obits, and Chantry-Priests, as were Founded by the Donors of them. For the redeeming whereof, they were constrained to pay the Sum of Twenty thousand Pounds, to the use of the King. Other vast Sums likewise came to him upon several ac­counts; yet notwithstanding all this, he is now found to be much over-whelmed with Debt. It must now be his care, and the endeavors of those, who plunged him into it, to find the speediest way for his getting out. In order to which, the main Engin, at this time, for the advancing Money, was the Speeding of a Com­mission, into all parts of the Realm, under pre­tence of selling such of the Lands, and Goods, of Chantries, &c. that remained unfold; but, in plain truth, it was, to seize upon all Hang­ings, Altar-Cloths, Fronts, Parafronts, Copes of all sorts, with all manner of Plate, Jewels, Bells, and Ornaments, which were to be found in any Cathedral, or Parochial Church: to which rapacity, the demolishing of the former Altars, and placing the Communion. Table in the middle of the Quires, or Chancels, of every Church, (as was then most used), gave a very great hint, by rendring all such Furniture, rich [Page 135] Plate, and other costly Utensils, in a manner useless. And that the business might be carried on with as much advantage to the King, as might be, he gave out certain Instructions un­der his hand, by which the Commissioners were to regulate themselves in their proceedings, to the advancement of the Service.

Now we cannot doubt, but they were pun­ctual, and exact, in the execution: which cannot be better discerned than by that, which is reported of their doings in all parts of the Realm; and more particularly in the Church of St. Peter in Westminster, more richly furnished by reason of the Pomps of Coronations, Fune­rals, and such like Solemnities, than any other in the Kingdom. Unto this Church they left no more then two Cups, with covers, all gilt; one white Silver Pot, three Hearse-Cloths, twelve Cushions, one Carpet for the Table, eight Stall-Cloths for the Quire, three Pulpit-Cloths, nine little Carpets for the Dean's Stall, two Table-Cloths. The rest of all the rich Furniture, Massy Plate, and whatsoever else was of any value (which questionless must a­mount to a very great Sum) was seized on by the said Commissioners. The like was done generally in all other parts of the Realm.

But notwithstanding this great care of the King on the one side, and the double diligence of his Commissioners on the other, the Booty did not prove so great as was expected. In all great [Page 136] Fairs and Markets there are some fore-stallers, who get the best penny-worths to themselves, and suffer not the richest, and most gainful Com­modities to be openly sold. And so it was here: For there were some, who were as much before­hand with the Commissioners, in Embezzelling the said Plate, Jewels, and other Furniture, as the Commissioners did intend to be with the King, in keeping always most part of it unto themselves. For when the Commissioners came to execute their Powers in their several Circuits, they neither could discover All, or recover much of that, which had been made away: Some things being utterly embezzelled by Per­sons not responsible: in which case the King, as well as the Commissioners, was to lose his Right. But more was concealed by Persons not to be discovered; who had so cunningly carried on the stealth, that there was no tracing of their Foot-steps. And some there were, who being known to have such Goods in their Possession, conceived themselves to be too great to be called in question, and were connived at willingly by those, that were but their equals, and either were, or meant to be Offenders in the same kind. So that although some profit was hereby raised to the King's Exchequer, yet the far greatest part of the Prey came to other hands. Insomuch, that many private Mens Parlors were hung with Altar-cloths, their Tables and Beds cover­ed with Copes, instead of Carpets, and Cover­lets; [Page 137] and many made Carowsing Cups of the Sacred Chalice, as once Belshazzar Ce­lebrated his drunken Feasts in the Sanctified Vessels of the Temple.

It was a sorry House, not worth the naming, which had not something of this Furniture in it, though it were only a fair large Cushi­on, made of a Cope, or Altar-cloth, to adorn their Windows, or to make their Chairs appear to have somewhat in them of a Chair of State.

Yet how contemptible were these Trap­pings, in comparrison of those vast Sums of Money, which were made of Jewels, Plate, and Cloth of Tissue; either con­veighed beyond the Seas, or sold at home, and good Lands purchased with the Mo­ney; nothing the more blessed to the Po­sterity of them that bought them, for being purchased with the Consecrated Trea­sures of so many Churches.

BUt as the King was plunged in Debt, without being put to any extraordinary Charges; so was he decayed in his Re­venue, without selling any part of his Crown Lands, toward the payment of it. By the Sup­pressing of some, and the Surrendring of other Religious Houses, the Royal Intrado was so much encreased in the late King's time, that for the better managing of it, the King Erected, first the Court of Augmentation. and afterwards, the Court of Surveyors. But in short time, by his own profuseness, and the avariciousness of this King's Ministers, it was so retrenched, that it was scarce able to find work enough for the Court of Exchequer. Whereupon followed the Dissolving of the said Two Courts in the last Parliament of this King: Which as it made a loud noise in the ears of the People, so did it put [Page 139] this jealousie into their minds, That if the King's Lands should be thus daily wasted without any recruit, he must at last prove burthensome to the common Subject. Some course is therefore to be thought on, which might pretend to an encrease of the King's Revenue: And none more easie to be compassed, than to begin with the Suppression of such Bishopricks, and Colle­giate Churches, as either lay farthest off, or might be best spared.

In reference whereunto, it was concluded, in a Chapter held at Westminster, by the Knights of the Garter, That from thenceforth the said most Noble Order of the Garter, should be no longer entituled by the Name of St. George, but that it should be called, The Order of the Garter only; and the Feast of the said Order should be Celebrated upon Whitsun-Eve, Whit­sun-Day, and Whitsun-Munday, and not on St. George's-day, as before it was. And to what end was this concluded, and what else was to fol­low upon this Conclusion, but the Dissolving of the Free-Chappel of St. George in the Castle of Windsor; and the transferring of the Order, to the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh, in the Abbey of Westminster: Which had un­doubtedly been done, and all the Lands thereof converted to some powerful Courtiers, (under pretence of laying them to the Crown) if the King's death, (which happened within Four months after) had not prevented the design, and [Page 140] thereby respited that ruine, which was then in­tended.

The like preservation hapned, at the same time, to the Church of Durham, as liberally en­dowed as the most, and more amply privil [...]eged, than the best in the King's Dominions: The Bishops thereof by Charter, and long Prescrip­tion, enjoying and exercising, all the Rights of a County Palatine, in that large Tract of Ground, which lies between the Tees and the Tyne; the Diocess also containing all Northum­berland; of which the Bishops, and the Priests, had the greatest shares. No sooner was Bishop Tonstal committed to the Tower, but presently an eye was cast upon his Possessions: Which questionless had followed the same fortune with the rest of the Bishopricks, if one, more power­ful than the rest, had not preserved it from being parcelled out, as the others were, on a strong confidence of getting it all unto himself.

After this, the Earl of Northumberland, to preserve himself, gave unto the King, the great­est part of his Inheritance; and dying without Children, not long after, left his Titles also to the King's disposing. The Lands, and Titles, being thus fallen unto the Crown, continued undisposed of till the Fall of the Duke of Som­merset; when Dudley, Earl of Warwick, being created Duke of Northumberland, doubted not but he should be able to possess himself, in short time also, of all the Lands of that Family. To [Page 141] which Estate the Bishoprick of Durham, and all the Lands belonging to it, would make a fair Addition: upon which grounds the Bishop­rick of Durham, being Dissolved by Act of Parliament, under pretence of patching up the King's Revenue, the greatest part of the Lands thereof were kept together, that they might serve for a Revenue to the future Palatine.

But all these Projects failed in the Death of the King, and the subsequent Death of this great Duke, in the following Reign of Queen Mary.

THE Lady Mary being Proclaimed Queen, gave on the same day, Eight­pence, to every poor Housholder in London.

The Duke of Northumberland (the chief Actor against Her) was, soon after this, con­demned to die. In that short Interval, which past between the Sentence and the Execution, he was frequently visited by Dr. Heath, Bi­shop of Worcester: He having made it his Re­quest to the Lords, That some Godly, and Learned man, might be licensed by the Queen, to repair to him, for the quiet, and satisfaction of his Conscience.

When he was on the Scaffold, turning him­self to the People, he made a long Oration to them, touching the quality of his offence, and [Page 162] his fore-passed life: and then admonished the Spectators, To stand to the Religion of their Ancestors, rejecting that of later date; which had occasioned all the Misery of the fore­going Thirty years: and that for the pre­vention of the future, if they desired to pre­sent their Souls unspotted in the sight of God, and were truly affected to their Country, they should expel those Trumpets of Sedi­tion, the Preachers of the Reformed Doct­rine. That for himself (whatever had been otherwise pretended) he professed no other Religion than that of his Fathers: for testimony whereof he appealed to his good Friend, and Ghostly Father, the Lord Bishop of Worcester: and finally, that being blinded with Ambition, he had been contented to make rack of his Conscience, by temporizing: For which he professed himself sincerely repen­tant; and so acknowledged the justice of his Death.

WHen he came upon the Scaffold, he said to the People, ‘Though my death be terrible to Nature, yet, I pray you judge the best in God's works; for he doth all for the best. And, as for me, I am a wretched [Page 163] sinner, and have deserved to die. I forgive all Men, and I pray God to forgive them. And if I have offended any of you here, I pray you, and the World, to forgive me. And most chiefly, I desire Forgiveness of the Queens Highness, whom I have most heinously Offended. And I pray you all to bear me wit­ness, that I depart in perfect Love, and Cha­rity, with all the World; and I beg, that you will assist me with your Prayers, at the hour of my Death.’

And when he had made a Confession of his Belief, he added these words:

[Page 164] After he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, saying to them that were about him, I beseech you all, to bear me witness, that I die in the true Catholick Faith. And then said the Psalms of Miserere, and De Profundis, his Pater Noster, and six of the first Verses of the Psalm In Te, Domine, Speravi, ending with this Verse, Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my Spirit: and when he had thus ended his Prayers, the Executioner asked him forgiveness; to whom he said, I forgive thee with all my Heart; and do thy part without fear. And bowing to­wards the Block, he said, I have deserved a thousand Deaths: and then laid his Head upon the Block; and so was Beheaded: whose Body, with the Head, was buried in the Tower, by the Body of Edward, late Duke of Sommerset. So that there lies before the High Altar in St. Pe­ter's Church, Two Dukes between Two Queens: to wit, the Duke of Sommerset, and the Duke of Northumberland; between Queen Anne, and Queen Catherine: All Four beheaded.

At the same time, and place also, were like­wise beheaded, Sir John Gates, and Sir Thomas Palmer.

Sir John Gates being upon the Scaffold, spake these, or the like Words: My coming hi­ther this day is to die; whereof I assure you all, I am well worthy, for I have lived as viciously, and wickedly, as any Man hath done in the World. I was the greatest reader of Scripture [Page 165] that might be of a Man of my degree, and a worse follower thereof there was not living: For I did not read to be edified thereby, nor to seek the Glory of God; but contrariwise, arro­gantly to be Seditious, and dispute thereof, and privately to interpret it after mine own brain and affection: Wherefore I exhort you all, to beware, how, and after what sort you come to read God's Holy Word. For it it is not a trifle, or playing-game, to deal with God's Holy My­steries. Stand not too much in your own con­ceits. For, like as the Bee, of one Flower ga­thers Hony; and the Spider Poyson of the same; Even so you, unless you humbly submit your selves to God, and Charitably read the same, to the intent to be edified thereby, it is to you as Poyson, and worse; and it were better to let it alone.

And then, after he had asked the Queens Highness forgiveness, and all the World, he desired the People, of their Charity, to Pray unto God with him, for remission of his sins; and then refusing the Kerchief, laid down his Head, which was strucken off at Three blows.

Sir Thomas Palmer, as soon as he came to the Scaffold, took every Man by the Hand, and desired them to Pray for him; and then said these Words:

It is not unknown to you, wherefore I come hither: which I have worthily well deserved at God's Hands. For I know it to be his Divine Ordinance, by this means to call me to his mercy, [Page 166] and to teach me to know my self, what I am, and whereunto we are all Subject. I thank his merciful Goodness: For he hath caused me to learn more, in one little dark corner in yon­der Tower, than ever I learned by any Travel, in so many places as I have been. For there I have seen what God is, and how inscrutable his wondrous Works, and how infinite his Mer­cies be. I have there seen my self throughly, and what I am: Nothing but a lump of sin, earth, dust, and of all vileness the most vile. I have there seen and known what the World is, how vain, deceitful, transitory, and short; how wicked and loathsome the works thereof are in the sight of God's Majesty; how he neither re­gards the menac [...]s of the proud and mighty, nor dispises the humbleness of the poor and lowly. Finally, I have there seen what Death is, how near hanging over every Mans head, and yet how uncertain the time is, and how little it is to be feared. And should I fear Death? or be sad therefore? Have I not seen two die before mine Eyes? yea, and within the hearing of my Ears? No; neither the sprinkling of the Blood, nor the shedding thereof, nor the Blood it self, shall make me afraid. And now taking my leave to the same, I pray you all to Pray for me. Come on, Good-fellow; Are you he that must do the deed? I forgive you with all my Heart.

And then kneeling down, and laying his Head upon the Block, he said, I will see how [Page 167] fit the Block is for my Neck. I pray strike not yet: for I have a few Prayers to say; and that done, strike on God's Name.

His Prayer ended; and again desiring all to Pray for him, he laid down his Head; which the Executioner took off at one stroke.

SHe came with great Magnificence to the Abby-Church; where She was met with Three Silver Crosses, and Fourscore Singing-men, all in rich and noble Copes: (so sudden a recruit was made of those Sacred Vestments.) Amongst whom went the New Dean of Westminster, and divers Chaplains of Her own; each of them bearing in their hands some Ensign or other. After them marched Ten Bishops (which were as many as remained of her Perswasion) with their Miters, rich [Page 168] Copes, and Crosier-Staves, &c.

Mr. Bourn, a Canon of Paul's-Cross, not only Prayed for the Dead, but also declared, that Dr. Bonner, Bishop of London, (lately restored, and there present) for a Sermon by him Preached in the same place, upon the same Gospel, was about Four years since, unjustly cast into the vile Prison of the Marshalsea, and there kept cu­ring the Reign of King Edward the Sixth: which saying so offended some of the Audience, that they breaking silence said, The Bishop had Preached Abomination. Other some cryed, Pull him out, pull him out: And some, being nearer the Pulpit, began to climb, wherewith the Preacher stept back, and one Mr. Bradford, a Preacher of King Edwards time, stept into his place, and perswaded the Audience to Quiet­ness and Obedience.

Nevertheless Mr. Bourn standing by Mr. Brad­ford, one threw a Dagger at him.

Whereupon Mr. Bradford broke off his Speech; and forced himself, with the help of John Rogers, another Preacher, to conveigh [Page 169] Mr. Bourn out of the Audience: whom, with great labour, they brought into Pauls-School.

Upon occasion of this Tumult, the Lords of the Council ordered the Mayor and Aldermen of London, to call the next day a Common Council of the City, and that they should charge every Housholder to cause their Children and Apprentices to keep to their own Parish Churches, upon Holy days, and not suffer them to attempt any thing to the violating of the Com­mon Peace: Willing them all to signifie to the said Assembly, the Queens Determination, ut­tered to them by Her Highness in the Tower: which was, That albeit Her Graces Conscience was settled in matters of Religion, yet She Graciously meant, not to compel or constrain other Mens, otherwise than God should (as She trusted) put into their Hearts a perswasion of the Truth, which she was in, through the opening of his Word unto them by Godly, Vir­tuous, and Learned Preachers.

She further set out this following Proclamation.

THe Queens Highness well remembring what great Inconveniences and Dangers have grown to this Realm, in times past, through [Page 170] the diversities of Opinions in Questions of Re­ligion: And hearing also that now of late the same Contentions be again revived, through Writ­ings, false Reports and Rumors spread abroad by some evil-disposed Persons: Informs all Her Subjects, That she cannot now hide that Religion, which God and the World knows she hath ever Professed from her Infancy hitherto: which, as her Majesty is minded to observe and maintain for her self, by God's Grace, during her time; so doth her Highness much desire, and would be glad the same were of all Her Subjects qui­etly and charitably entertained. And yer She doth signified unto all Her Majesties loving Sub­jects, That Her Highness mindeth not to compel any of Her said loving Subjects thereunto: for­bidding nevertheless, the moving of any Sedi­tions, by the interpreting the Laws after their brains and fancies; applying their whole care, study and travel, to live in the Grace of God, exercising their Conversations in such Charita­ble and Godly doings, as their lives may indeed express the great hunger and thirst they have of God's Glory; which, by rash talk and words, many have pretended. And in so doing they should best please God, and live without danger of the Laws, and maintain the tranquillity of the Realm.

And furthermore, for as much as it is well known, That Sedition, and false Rumors have been nourished and maintained in this Realm, [Page 171] by the subtilty and malice of some evil-disposed Persons, who take upon them, without sufficient Authority, to Preach and Interpret the Word of God after their own brains, in Churches and other places, both Publick and Private; and also by playing Enterludes, and Printing of false fond Books, Ballads, Rhymes, and other lewd Treatises, concerning Doctrine in matters now in Question. Her Highness therefore strictly Char­ges, and Commands, That nothing in this kind be evermore Acted.

THe next work was, the Reconciling this Nation to its former Obedience, and Subjection, to the Church of Rome. But before the attempting this, it was thought [Page 172] fit, to remove one Difficulty; which was most likely to hinder the progress of this Design.

The Difficulty was this.

There was a general fear, That if the Popes were restored to their former Power, the Church might challenge Restitution of her for­mer Possessions. Now to secure them against this Fear, they had not only the Promise of the King and Queen, but some Assurance under­hand from the Cardinal Legat; who knew right well, that the Church Lands had been so chopped and changed by the Two last Kings, as not to be restored without the manifest ruine of many of the Nobility, and most of the Gentry; who were invested in the same.

Cardinal Pool, being sent for by the King and Queen, came over into England from Rome, as Legat à Latere. Whereupon a Parliament being called, and the King and Queen sitting there under a Cloth of State, with the Cardi­nal on their right hand; All the Lords, Knights, and Burgesses being present, the Bishop of Winchester, Lord Chancellor, made a short Speech, signifying the Presence of the Lord Cardinal, and that he was sent from the Pope, [Page 173] as his Legat à Latere, to do a work, tending to the Glory of God, and the Benefit of them all: which (says he) you may better hear from his own Mouth,

Then the Cardinal rose up, and made a very grave and eloquent Speech; First giving them Thanks, for being restored unto his Country: In recompence whereof he told them, That he was come to restore them to the Country, and Court of Heaven; from which, by their departure from the Church, they had been estranged. He therefore earnestly exhorts them, to acknowledge their Errors, and chearfully to receive the benefit, which Christ was ready, by his Vicar, to extend unto them.

His Speech was said to have been long, and Artificial; but it concluded to this purpose, That he had the Keys, to open them away into the Church; which they had shut against themselves, by making so many Laws, to the dishonor and reproach of the See Apostolick: On the revoking of which Laws, they should find him ready to make use of the Keys, in opening of the door of the Church unto them. It was concluded hereupon by both Houses of Parliament, That a Petition should be made, in the Name of the Kingdom; wherein should be declared, how sorry they were, That they had withdrawn their Obedience from the Apo­stolick [Page 174] See, and consented to the Statutes made against it: promising to do their best endeavor hereafter, That the said Laws and Statutes should be Repealed; beseeching the King and Queen to intercede for them with his Holiness, that they might be Absolved from their Crimes and Censures which they had incurred and be received as Penitent Children into the bo­som of the Church.

These things being thus resolved upon, both Houses are called again to the Court, on Sr. An­drews-day: Where being Assembled in the Pre­sence of the King and Queen, they were ask­ed by the Lord Chancellor Gardiner, Whether they were pleased, that Pardon should be de­manded of the Legat; and whether they would return to the Unity, of the Church, and Obe­dience of the Pope, Supreme Head thereof? To which they assenting, the Petition was presented to their Majesties in the Name of the Parliament: Which being publickly read, they arose with a purpose to have moved the Cardinal in it: who meeting their desires, declared his readiness in giving them that Satisfaction, which they would have cra­ved.

And having caused the Authority given him by the Pope, to be publickly read; he shewed, how acceptable the repentance of a Sin­ner was in the sight of God; and that the very Angels in Heaven rejoyced at the Conversion of [Page 175] this Kingdom. Which said, they all kneeled upon their Knees, and imploring the Mercy of God, received Absolution for themselves, and the rest of the Kingdom: Which Absolution was pronounced in these following words, viz.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, who with his most precious Blood, hath redeemed and washed us from all our sins and iniquities, that he might purchase to himself a glorious Spouse, without spot or wrinkle, and whom the Father hath ap­pointed Head over all his Church, He by his Mercy Absolve you: And we by Apostolical Authority given unto us, by his Holiness Pope Julius the 3d. his Vice-gerent here on Earth, do Absolve and Free you, and every one of you, with the whole Realm, and the Domini­ons thereof, from all Heresie and Schism, and from all and every Judgment, Censures, and Pains for that cause incurred: and also we do restore you again to the Unity of our Mother the Holy Church, as in our Letters more plainly it shall appear: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Which words of his being seconded by a loud Amen by such as were present, he concluded that days work with a solemn Procession to the Chappel, for rendring Prayers and Thanks to Almighty God.

And because this great work was wrought on St. Andrews-day, the Cardinal procured a [Page 176] Decree, or Canon, to be made in the Convo­cation of the Bishops and Clergy, That from thenceforth the Feast of St. Andrews-day should be kept in the Church of England for a Majus Duplex (as the Rituals call it) and Celebrated with as much Solemnity as any other in the year.

It was thought fit also, That the Actions of that Day should be communicated, on the Sun­day following, at St. Paul's Cross, in the hear­ing of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and the rest of the City: According to which appoint­ment, the Cardinal went from Lambeth by Water, and landing at St. Paul's-wharf, from thence proceeded to the Church, with a Cross, two Pillars, and two Pole-axes of Silver, born before him: Received by the Lord Chancellor with a Solemn Procession. They tarried till the King came from Westminster. Immedi­ately upon whose coming, the Lord Chancel­lor went into the Pulpit, and Preached upon those words of St. Paul, Rom. 13. Brethren, ye are to know, That it is now time to rise from sleep, &c. In which Sermon he declared, what had been done on the Friday before, in the Submission which was made to the Pope, by the Lords and Commons, in the Name of them­selves, and the whole Kingdom; and the Ab­solution granted to them by the Cardinal in the Name of the Pope. Which done, and Prayers being made for the whole Estate of the Catholick [Page 177] Church; the Company was for that time dis­missed. And on the Thursday after, the Bishops and Clergy then Assembled in their Convocati­on, presented themselves before the Cardinal at Lambeth, and kneeling reverently on their Knees, they obtained Pardon for all their Per­juries, Schisms and Heresies. Upon which a for­mal Absolution was pronounced, That so all sorts of People might partake of the Popes Bene­diction, and thereby testifie their Obedience, and Submission to him.

The news whereof coming to the Pope, he caused not only many Solemn Processions to be made in Rome, and most part of Italy; but proclaimed a Jubilee to be held on the 24th. of December then next coming. For the Anti­cipating of which Solemnity he alledged this reason, That it became him to imitate the Father of the Prodigal Child; and having received his lost Son, not only to express a Domestical Joy, but likewise to invite all others to par­take thereof.

During this Parliament was held a Convo­cation also (as before was intimated;) By whom a Petition was prepared, to be presented in the Name of the Convocation, to both their Maje­sties, humbly beseeching them, That they would be pleased to interceed with the Cardinal, not to insist on the restoring of Church-Lands.

WE, the Bishops, and Clergy, of the Pro­vince of Canterbury, assembled in Con­vocation, during the sitting of this Parliament according to the ancient Custom, with all due reverence and humility do make known to your Majesties, That though we are appointed to take upon us the Care and Charge of all those Churches, in which we are placed, as Bishops, Deans, Arch-Deacons, Priests, or Vicars; as also of the Souls therein committed to us, toge­ther with all Goods, Rights, and Privileges thereunto belonging, according to the true in­tent and meaning of the Canons made in that behalf: And that in this respect we are bound to use all lawful means for the recovery of those Goods, Rights, Privileges, and Jurisdictions, which have been lost in the late desperate and pernicious Schism, and to regain the same unto the Church, as in her f [...]rst and right estate: Yet notwithstanding, having took mature delibera­tion of the whole matter amongst our selves, we cannot but [...] confess, That we know well, how [...]ifficult a th [...]ng (if not impossible) it is, to recove [...] t [...]e said Goods unto their Churches, in regard of the manifold unavoidable Con­tracts, [Page 179] Sales, and Alienations which have been made about the same: And that if any such thing should be attempted, it would not only redound to the disturbance of the Publick Peace; but be a means, that the Unity in the Catholick Church, which by the Goodness of your Ma­jesties hath been so happily begun, could not ob­tain its desired effect, without very great diffi­culty: Wheresore, preferring the Publick Good and Quiet of the Kingdom, before our own private Interest; and the Salvation of so many Souls, redeemed with the precious Blood of Christ, before any earthly things whatsoever, and not seeking our own, but the things of Jesus Christ, We do most earnestly, and most hum­bly beseech your Majesties, that you would gra­ciously Vouchsafe to interceed in our behalf, with the most Reverend Father in God, the Lord Cardinal Pool, Legat à Latere from his Holiness, That he would please to settle and confirm the said Goods of the Church, either in whole or in part (as he thinks most fit) on the present Occupants thereof, according to the Power and Faculties committed to him. There­by preferring the publick Good before the Pri­vate; the Peace and Tranquillity of the Realm, before Suits and Troubles; and the Salvation of Souls before earthly Treasure. And for our parts, we do both now, and for all times com­ing, consent to all, and every thing, which by the said Lord Legat shall, in this case, be fi­nally [Page 180] ordained, and concluded on: humbly, beseeching your Majesties to perswade the Lord Cardinal, not to be too strict, and difficult in the business.

And we do further beseech your Majesties, to take such course, that our Ecclesiastical Rights, Liberties, and Jurisdictions which have been taken from us, by the iniquity of the former times, and without which we are not able to dis­charge our common Duties, either in the exercise of the Pastoral Office, or the Cure of Souls, committed to our [...]rust and care, may be again restored unto us, and be perpetually preserved inviolably, both to us, and our Churches: And that all Laws which have been made to the prejudice of this our Jurisdiction, and o­ther Ecclesiastical Liberties, or otherwise have proved a hindrance to it, may be repealed, to the Honor of God, and the Temporal and Spiritual Profit, both of your Majesties, and this Realm: Giving our selves assured hope, that your most Excellent Majesties, according to your singular Piety to Almighty God, for so many, and so great benefits received from him, Will not be wanting to the necessities of the Kingdom, and the occasions of the Churches, having Cure of Souls: But, that you will con­sider, and provide, as need shall be, for the Peace thereof.

In this Procession, there were Ninety Crosses, an Hundred and Six Priests in Copes, Eight Bishops in Pontificalibus, followed by Bonner, Bishop of London, carrying the Blessed Sacra­ment under a Canopy, attended by the Lord Mayor, and Companies, in their several Live­ries: Which Solemn Procession being ended, they all returned into the Church of St. Paul, where the King and Cardinal, together with all the rest, heard Mass: And the next day the Parliament, and Convocation, were Dissolved.

MAny English Protestants forsook the Kingdom, to the number of Eight Hundred: who having put them­selves into several Cities, partly in Germany, and partly amongst the Switzers, and their Confederates, kept up the Face and Form of an English Church, in each of their several Congregations. Their principal retiring places amongst the last were Arow, Zurick, and Gene­va: And in the first, the Cities of Emden, Strasburgh, and Frankfort.

In Frankfort they enjoyed the greatest privi­leges, and therefore resorted thither in greatest numbers: which made them the more apt un­to Schisms and Factions. At their first com­ing to the place, they were permitted to have [Page 188] the use of one of their Churches; which had before been granted to such French exiles as had repaired thither on the like occasion: yet so, that the French were still to hold their Right; the English to have the use of it one day, and the French another; and on the Lord's Day, so to divide the hours between them, that the one might be no hindrance unto the other.

It hath been also said, That there was an­other condition imposed upon them, of being conform to the French in Doctrine and Cere­monies: Which condition, if it were impo­sed, and not sought by themselves, must needs be very agreeable to the temper and com­plexion of their principal Leaders; who being, for the most part, of the Zuinglian Gospellers, at their going hence, became the great promo­ters of the Puritan Faction at their coming home. The Names of Whittingham, Williams, Goodman, Wood, and Sutton, who appeared in the head of this Congregation, declare suffici­ently of what Principles they were, and how willing they would be to lay aside the face of an English Church, and frame themselves to any Liturgy but their own.

The noise of this new Church at Frankfort, occasioned Knox (who after proved the great Incendiary of the Realm and Church of Scot­land) to leave his Sanctuary in Geneva, in hope to make a better market for himself in that Con­gregation.

[Page 189] These Frankfort-Schismaticks desire, That all Divine Offices might be executed accord­ing to the Order of the Church of Geneva; which Knox would by no means yield to, thinking himself as able to make a Rule for his own Congregation, as any Calvin of them all.

Infinite were the Confusions which they had amongst themselves, and from hence was the beginning of the Puritan Faction, against the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church; that of the Presbyterians against the Bishops, or Episcopal Government; and finally, that also of the Inde­pendents against the Super-intendency of Pastors and Elders.

But Sorrow seldom goes alone; for their Dif­fering from the Government, Form, and Wor­ship, Established in the Church of England, drew on an Alteration also in point of Doctrine. Such of the English as had retired to Geneva, employed themselves in setting out a New Translation of the Bible in the English-Tongue; which afterwards they published with certain Marginal Notes upon it, very He­terodox in point of Doctrine; some dangerous and seditious, in reference to the Civil Magi­strate; and some as scandalous, in respect of Episcopal Government.

From this time the Calvinian Doctrine of Pre­destination began to be dispersed in English Pam­phlets, as the only necessary, Orthodox, and sa­ving Truth.

BEfore She undertook this Work, She thought it necessary to Communicate her purpose unto some of the Council: and therefore calling them to Her, She is said to have spoken to them in these following words;

We have willed you to be called to Us, to the intent you might hear of Me, my Consci­ence, and the Resolution of my Mind, concern­ing the Lands and Possessions, as well of Mo­nasteries, as of other Churches whatsoever, being now in my Possession.

[Page 191] First, I do consider, that the said Lands were taken away from the Churches aforesaid in time of Schism; and that by unlawful means, such as are contrary both to the Law of God, and of the Church: For which cause my Consci­ence doth not suffer me to detain them. And therefore I here expresly refuse, either to claim, or retain those Lands for Mine: But with all my heart, freely and willingly, without all Paction, or Condition, here and before God, I do Surren­der and Relinquish the said Lands and Possessions, or Inheritances whatsoever; and renounce the same with this mind and purpose, that order and disposition thereof may be taken, as shall seem best liking to the Pope, or his Legat, to the Honor of God, and Wealth of this our Realm. And albeit you may object to Me again, That the State of my Kingdom, the Dignity thereof, and my Crown Imperial, cannot be Honorably Main­tained and Furnished without the Possessions aforesaid: Yet notwithstanding (and so She had affirmed before, when She was bent upon the Restitution of the Tenths and First Fruits) I set more by the Salvation of my Soul, than by Ten such Kingdoms: And therefore the said Pos­sessions I utterly refuse here to hold, after that sort and Title: And give most hearty Thanks to God, who hath given me a Husband of the same mind; who hath no less good Affection in this behalf, than I my self. Wherefore I Charge and Command, That my Chancellor (with whom I have confer­red [Page 192] my Mind in this matter) and you Four, do [...]esort to morrow together, to the Legat, signify­ing to him the Premises in my Name. And give your Attendance upon me, for the more full de­claration of the State of my Kingdom, and of the aforesaid Possessions▪ according as you your selves do understand the matter, and can inform him in the same.

Upon this opening of Her Mind, the Lords thought it req [...]isite to direct some course, where­in She might satisfie Her desires, to Her own great Honor, and yet not Alienate too much at once of the publick Patrimony.

The Abbey of Westminster had been Founded for a Convent of Benedictin Monks by King Edward the Confessor, valued at the Suppression by King Henry the Eighth, at the yearly Sum of Three thousand, Nine hundred, Seventy seven pounds in good old Rents, Anno 1539. At which time, having taken to himself the best and greatest part of the Lands thereof; he Founded with the rest a Collegiate Church, consisting of a Dean, and Secular Canons. But now the Queen put into it a Convent of Bene­dictins, consisting of an Abbot, and Fourteen Monks: which with their Officers, were as many as the Lands then left upon it, would well maintain.

A Convent of Observants (being a reform­ed Order of Franciscan Friers) had been Found­ed by King Henry the Seventh near the Man­nor [Page 193] of Greenwich; and was the first which felt the fury of King Henry the Eighth, by rea­son of some open opposition made, by some of the Friars, in favour of Queen Catherine, the Mother of the Queen now Reigning: Which moved Her, in a pious gratitude, to re-edifie that ruined House, and to restore as many as could be found of that Order, to their old Habitations; making up their Corporation with some new Observants to a competent number.

She gathered together also a New Convent of Dominican, or Black-Friars; for whom She provided a House in Smithfield, in the City of London; fitting the same with all con­veniences, both for the Divine Office, as like­wise for other necessary Uses.

At Syon, near Brentford, there had been anciently a House of Religious Women, Nunns of the Order of St. Bridget, dissolved, as were all the rest, by King Henry the Eighth. Such of these as remained alive, with the addition of some others, who were willing to embrace that course of Life, made up a competent number for a New Plantation: These She restored likewise to their old Habitation, repairing their House, and laying to it a sufficient Estate in Lands, for their future maintenance.

At Sheen, on the other-side of the Water, there had been Anciently another Religious House not far from a Mansion of the Kings; to which they much resorted, till the build­ing [Page 194] of Richmond. This House She stocked with a New Convent of Charthusians, and endowed it with a Revenue great enough to maintain that Order.

And the next year, having Closed up the West-end of the Quire, or Chancel, of the Church of St. John's near Smithfield, (which was all the Protector Sommerset had left standing of it) She restored the same to the Hospitality of the Knights of St. John, to whom it formerly belonged, assigning a li­beral Endowment to it for their more ho­norable Subsistance.

An Hospital had been formerly Founded in the Savoy, by her Grand-father King Henry the Seventh, for th [...] relief of such Pilgrims, as either went on their Devotions to the Shrine of St. Thomas Becket of Canter­bury, or any other eminent Shrine, or Saint, in these parts of the Kingdom. Now this Hospital being destroyed by Edward the Sixth, and the Means disposed of, it could no: be restored to its first condition, but by a new endowment from such other Lands belong­ing to Religious Houses, which were remain­ing in the Crown.

But the Queen was so resolved upon it, and withal so desirous to add some Works of Charity unto those of Piety; or else in Ho­nor of Her Grand-father, (whose Foundati­on She restored at Greenwich also) the Hos­pital [Page 195] was again Re-founded, and a conveni­ent yearly Rent allotted to the Master, and Brethren, for the Entertainment of the poor, according to the tenor and effect of the first Institution. Which Prince-like Act, so wrought upon the Maids of Honor, and other Ladies of the Court, that for the better attaining of the Queens good Grace, they furnished the same at their own costs, with new Beds, Bedding, and other necessary Furniture, in a very ample manner. In which condition it continues to this very day; the Mastership of the Hospital being looked on as a good preferment for any well deserving Man about the Court.

How far the Queens Example, Seconded by the Ladies about the Court, countenanced by the King, and earnestly insisted on by the Pope, might have prevailed on the Nobility and Gentry, for doing the like, either in re­storing their Church-Lands, or assigning some part of them to the like Foundations, it is hard to say: most probable it is, that if the Queen had lived some few years longer, either for Love to Her, or for fear of gaining the King's Displeasure, or otherwise out of an unwillingness to incur the Popes Curse, and the Churches Censures, there might have been very much done that way, though not all at once.

[Page 196] That which might have much furthered this business, was the Greatness to which Philip had attained at this present time, when the Queen was most intent on these new Foun­dations. For having passed over to Calais in the Month of September, Anno 1555. And the next day going to the Emperor's Court, which was then at Brussels, he found his Fa­ther in a Resolution of Resigning to him all his Dominions and Estates, except the Empire (or the bare Title rather of it) which was to be Surrendred to his Brother Ferdinand: not that he had not a Design to settle the Impe­rial Dignity on his Successor in the Realm of Spain, for the better attaining of the Univer­sal Monarchy, which he was said to have as­pired to, over all the West: But that he had been crossed in it by Maximilian, the Eldest Son of his Brother Ferdinand, who Succeeded to his Father in it, and left the same Heredi­tary, in a manner, to the Princes of the House of Austria, of the German race.

For Charles, grown weary of the World, broken with Wars, and desirous to apply him­self to Divine Meditation, resolved to dis­charge himself of all Civil Employments, and spend the remainder of his life in the Monastery of St. Justus, situated amongst the Mountains of Estremadura, a Province in the Realm of Castile.

[Page 197] In pursuance whereof; having called before him the Principal of the Nobility, and Great Men of His several Kingdoms and Estates, He made a Resignation of All his Hereditary Do­minions to King Philip, his Son; having then scarce attained to the Fifty fifth year of his Li [...]e, to the great Admiration of all the World.

WHereas divers Books, filled with Heresie, Sedition, and Treason, have of late been Daily brought into this Realm, out of Forein Countries; and also some covertly Printed within this Realm, [Page 198] and cast a broad in sundry parts thereof; where­by not only God is dishonored, but likewise encouragement given to disobey Lawful Princes, and Governors. Therefore, for re­dress hereof, We Command the Suppressing of all such Books.

Now besides these Seditious Books, they had likewise their Conventicles, or Seditious Meet­ings, even in London it self: In one of which Congregations, that namely, whereof Bentham was at that time Minister; there Assembled seldom under Forty, many times an Hundred, and sometimes Two Hun­dred: but more or less, as it stood most with their convenience and safety. They had not all the conveniency of such Meetings; but they Met frequently enough in smaller Com­panies.

There is one thing very remarkable in these Sectaries; which is, That although they al [...] [Page 199] agree in a general malice against Catholick Re­ligion; yet they strangely disagree amongst themselves, by furious Animosities, and hatred one against another. One Example whereof is here related by Dr. Heylyn, pag. 80. in this following short Note concerning the Lutherans.

The Lutherans abominated nothing more than an English Protestant, because they con­curred not with them in their Doctrine of Con­substantiation. Insomuch that Peter Martyr tells us of a Friend of his in the Dukedom of Sax­ony, that was generally hated by the rest of his Country-men, for being hospitable to some few of the English Nation. And it is further signi­fied by Philip Melancthon, in an Epistle of this year, That the Lutherans could find no other Names (but the Devils-Martyrs) for such as suffered Death in England, in defence of Reli­gion

Now one ground of this their hatred was, That John à Lasco, and his Company, had been lately there, where thy spoke so reproach­fully of Luther, the Augustan Confession, and the Rites and Ceremonies of their Churches, as rendred them uncapable of any better enter­tainment than they found amongst them. And by the behaviour of these men, coming then from England, the Lutherans past their judg­ment on the Church it self; and consequently on all those who suffered in defence thereof. Some of the Lutherans had given out, on the [Page 200] former ground, That the English had deser­vedly suffered the greatest Hardships, both at home, and abroad, because they Writ, and Spake, so irreverently of the Blessed Sacra­ment.

THe Princess Elizabeth, being Pro­claimed Queen, caused these Solemn Rites to be performed for Her Sister, and Charles the Emperor.

[Page 215] In the Abbey-Church of Westminster, the Corps of Queen Mary was very royally Enter­red, with all Solemn Funeral Rites, and a Mass of Requiem.

In the same place, and in like Princely man­ner, were performed Solemn Obsequies for the late famous Emperor, Charles the Fifth.

QUEEN Elizabeth knew full well, that Her Legitimation, and the Pope's Supremacy, could not stand together, and that She could not possibly maintain the one, without a discarding of the other. But in this case it concerned her to walk very wa­rily, and not to unmask her self too much at once, before she had put her self into a posture of Ability to make good her Actions. Not­withstanding upon a serious debate of all parti­culars, she was resolved to proceed to a Refor­mation, as the time should serve.

In order whereunto, She Constitutes her Privy Council; which she compounds of such Ingredients, as might neither give encourage­ment to any of those, who wished well to the Church of Rome, or alienate their Affections [Page 218] from Her, whose Hearts were more inclined to the Reformation. Now, as the Papists, in the first beginning of the Reign of Queen Mary, hoping thereby to obtain her Favor, began to build new Altars, and set up the Mass; So fared it now with the Zealots among the Pro­testants; who measuring the Queens Affections by their own, or else presuming, that their Errors would be taken for an honest Zeal, em­ployed themselves as busily in the demolishing of Altars, and defacing of Images, as if they had been Licensed, and commanded to it by some Legal Warrant.

It happened also, that some of the Ministers, who remained at home; and others, which re­turned, in great numbers, from beyond the Seas, had put themselves into the Pulpits, and bitterly enveighed against the Superstitions, and corruptions of the Church of Rome. The Pa­pists accused the others of Heresies, Schisms, Innovation in the Worship of God. For the Suppressing of which Disorders, the Queen Commanded, there should be no Disputes con­cerning Religion; and that no Man, of what Perswasion soever he was, should be suffered to Preach in publick, but only such as should be Licensed. Which Command and Procla­mation, was so strictly observed, that no Ser­mon was Preached at St. Paul's Cross, or any Publick place in London, till the Easter fol­lowing.

[Page 219] At which time, when the Preacher was to go into the Pulpit, the Door was locked, and the Key thereof not to be found: So that a Smith was sent for to break open the Door; and that being done, the like necessity was found, of cleansing, and making sweet the place; which by a long disuse had contracted so much filth and nastiness, as rendred it unfit for a present Ser­mon.

By another Proclamation it was enjoyned, That no Man, of what quality or degree soe­ver, should presume to alter any thing in the State of Religion, or innovate, in any of the Rites and Ceremonies thereunto belonging: But that all such Rites and Ceremonies, should be observed in all Parish Churches of the King­dom, as were then used, and retained in her Majesties Chappel, until some further order should be taken in it. Only it was permitted, That the Litany should be said in the English Tongue; as likewise the Epistle, and Gospel, at the time of High Mass; which was accordingly done in all the Churches of London on the next Sunday after; and by degrees, in all the other Churches of the Kingdom.

Further than this, She thought it not conve­nient to proceed at the present: Only She Com­manded the Priest, or Bishop, (for some say it was the one, and some the other) who Officiat­ed at the Altar in the Chappel Royal, not to make any Elevation of the Sacrament, the bet­ter [Page 220] to prevent the Adoration, which was given to it; which she could not suffer to be done in her sight, without a most apparent wrong to her Judgment, and Conscience: Which being made known in other places, and all other Churches being commanded to conform them­selves to the Example of her Chappel, the Ele­vation was forborn also in most other places.

And though there were no further progress made, towards a Reformation, by any publick Act, or Edict; yet secretly a Reformation in the Form of Worship, and consequently in point of Doctrine, was both intended, and pro­jected.

QUeen Elizabeth, intending an Alteration of Religion, would not do it all at once, and upon the sudden, but by little and little. As at first she permitted only the Epistles and Gos­pels of the Day to be read at Mass in English. But in all other matters they were to follow the Roman Rite and Custom, until order could be taken for Establishing Religion by Authority of Parliament. And a severe Proclamation was set out, prohibiting all Disputations of Re­ligion. By which means She both put the Protestants in hope, and put not Papists out [Page 221] of hope. Yet privately, She committed the Correcting of the Book of Common-Prayer, (set forth in the English Tongue, under King Ed­ward the Sixth) to the care and diligence of Dr. Parker, and others.

But the matter was carried on so closely, that it was not communicated to any, but the Mar­quess of Northampton, the Earl of Bedford, and Sir William Cecil. Soon after this, the use of the Lord's Supper in both kinds was by Par­liament allowed: And (within Two or Three Months) the Sacrifice of the Mass was abolished, and the Liturgy in the English Tongue Establish­ed; though (as some say) but with the diffe­rence of Six Voices in the House of Commons.

The next Month the Oath of Supremacy was offered to the Catholick Bishops, and others; and the Month following, Images were remo­ved out of the Churches, broken, and burnt. By these degrees Religion in England was changed; The Supremacy confirmed to the Queen; As many of the Bishops, as refused to take the Oath, were presently deprived of their Bishop­ricks, and Protestant Bishops put in the pos­session of them.

[Page 222] At this time the English Nation was wonder­fully divided in Opinions, as well in matters of Ecclesiastical Government, as in divers Points of Religion, by reason of Three Changes with­in the compass of Twelve years: Every one of these varying from that which was Authorized by Henry the Eighth.

For King Henry assuming the Ecclesiasti­cal Supremacy, with the First Fruits, and Tenths, maintained Seven Sacraments, with Obits, and Mass for the Quick and Dead.

King Edward abolished the Mass, Autho­rized a Book of Common-Prayer in English, with Hallowing the Bread and Wine, &c. and Esta­blished only Two Sacraments.

Queen Mary restored all Things according to the Church of Rome; reduced all Ecclesia­stical Jurisdiction to the Papal Obedience, with restitution of First Fruits and Tenths; permit­ting nothing within her Realm, and Domini­ons, repugnant to the Roman Catholick Church.

Queen Elizabeth, in Her First Parliament, expelled the Papal Supremacy, resumed the First Fruits, and Tenths; Suppressed the Mass; and for the general Uniformity of her Dominions, Established the Book of Common-Prayer in the English Tongue; forbidding all others.

NOw a Parliament draws on, Summon­ed chiefly in reference to the Refor­mation, which was therein to be established. The Queens design, in order to it could not be so closely carried, but that such Lords and Gentlemen, as had the managing of Elections in their several Counties, retained such Men for Members of the House of Com­mons, as they conceived most likely to comply with their intentions for a Reformation: A­mongst whom, none appeared more active than the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Arundel, and Sir William Cecil.

In this Parliament there passed an Act, for Restoring to the Crown the Tenths, and First-Fruits. For the better drawing on of which Concession, it was pretended, that the Patri­mony of the Crown had been much dilapidated, and that it could not be Supported with such [Page 224] Honor as it ought to be, if Restitution were not made of such Rents, as were of late dismem­bred from it. Upon which ground they also passed an Act for the Dissolution of all such Monasteries, Convents, and Religious Orders, as had been Founded, and Established by the Queen deceased.

When the Act of Parliament concerning the Supremacy came to be Debated, it seemed to be a thing abhorrent, even in Nature and Po­licy, that a Woman should be declared Supream Head on Earth of the Church of England. But those of the Reformed Party meant nothing else, than to contend about words, so they might gain the Point they aimed at: Which was the stripping of the Pope of all Authority within these Dominions; and fixing the Su­pream Ecclesiastical Power in the Crown Im­perial: And this they did, not by the Name of Supreme Head (which they perceived might be lyable to some just Exceptions) but (which comes all to one) of Supreme Governess.

NOw for the better exercising, and en­joying the Jurisdiction thus acknow­ledged in the Crown, there was this Clause put into the Act, ‘That it should be Lawful for the Queen to give Power, to such as she thought fit, to exercise all manner of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, and to visit, reform, redress, order, correct and amend all kind of Errors, Heresies, Schisms, &c. With this Proviso notwithstanding, that nothing should from thenceforth be accounted Heresie but what was so adjudged in the Holy Scripture, or in one of the four first General Councils, or [Page 242] in any other National, or Provincial Coun­cil, determining according to the word of God; or finally which should be so adjudged in the time to come, by the Court of Parliament.’

This was the first Foundation of the High Commission Court: And from hence issued that Commission, by which the Queens ministers proceeded in that visitation, in the first year of her Reign, for rectifying all such things as they found amiss.

There also passed another Act, for recom­mending and imposing the Book of Common-Prayer, and Administration of Sacraments, ac­cording to such Alterations, and Corrections, as were made therein, by those that were ap­pointed to review it. In performance of which service, there was great care taken to expunge out all such passages in it, as might give any Scandal or Offence to the Papists; or be urged by them, in excuse for their not coming to Church.

In the Litany fi [...]st made and published by King Henry the Eighth, and afterwards conti­nued in the two Liturgies of King Edward the Sixth there was a Prayer to be delivered from the Tyranny, and all the detestable enormities of the Bishop of Rome: Which was thought fit to be left out, as giving matter of Scandal and dissatisfaction to all that Party.

In the first Liturgy of King Edward the Sa­crament of our Lord's Body was delivered with [Page 243] this Benediction, that is to say, ‘The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for the Preservation of thy Body and Soul to Life Everlasting. The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c.’ Which being thought by Cal­vin, and his Disciples, to give some counte­nance to the Carnal presence of Christ in the Sacrament, (which passed by the name of Tran­substantiation in the Schools of Rome) was al­tered in this Form into the second Liturgy; that is to say, ‘Take and Eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy Heart by Faith, with Thanksgiving. Take and drink this, &c.’

But the Revisors of the Book, joyned both Forms together, lest under colour of rejecting a carnal, they might be thought also to ceny a real presence, as was de [...]ended in the Writings of the Ancient Fathers. Upon which ground they expunged also a whole Rubrick at the end of the Communion Service: by which it was declared, ‘That kneeling at the Communion was required for no other reason, than for a signification of the humble and grateful acknowledg [...]ent of the Benefits of Christ, given therein unto the worthy R [...]ceiver, and to avoid that Prophanation, and Disorder, which otherwise might have ensued: And not for giving any Adoration to the Sacramental Bread and Wine, there bodily received; or in regard of any Real or Essential Presence [Page 244] of Christ's Body and Blood.’ (This Rubrick is again lately inserted.)

And to come up closer to those of the Church of Rome, it was ordered by the Queens In­junctions, That the Sacramental Bread (which the Book required only to be made of the finest Flower) should be made round, in the fashion of the Wafers, used in the time of Queen Mary.

She also Ordered, that the Lord's Table should be placed where the Altar stood; and that the accustomed Reverence should be made at the Name of Jesus: Musick retained in the Church, and all the other Festivals observed, with their several Eves.

By which compliances, and the expunging of the passages before mentioned, the Book was made more plausible: And that it might pass the better in both Houses, when it came to the Vote, it was thought requisite, That a Disputation should be held about some Points, which were most likely to be keked at.

Two Speeches were made against this Book in the House of Peers, by Scot and Feckenham; and one against the Queens Su­premacy, by the Archbishop of This Speech you have for­merly had at large. York: But they prevailed little in both Points by the Power of their Eloquence.

In the Convocation, which accompanied this present Parliament, there was little done; be­cause [Page 245] they despared of doing any good to Them­selves or their Cause.

The chief thing they did, was a Declaration of their Judgments in some certain Points: which at that time were conceived fit to be commended to the sight of the Parliament; that is to say,

First, That in the Sacrament of the Altar, by vertue of Christ's Assistance, after the words of Consecration are duly pronounced by the Priest, the Natural Body of Christ, conceived of the Virgin Mary, is really present under the species of Bread and Wine. As also his Natu­ral Blood.

Secondly, That after the Consecration, there remains not the Substance of Bread and Wine; nor any Substance, but the Substance of God and Man.

Thirdly that the true Body of Christ, and his Blood, is offered for a Propitiatory Sacri­fice for the Quick, and Dead.

Fourthly, That the Supream Power of Feed­ing, and Governing the Militant Church of Christ, and of Confirming their Brethren, is given to Peter the Apostle, and to his lawful Successors in the See Apostolick, as unto the Vicars of Christ.

Fifthly, That the Authority to handle and define such things, as belong to Faith, the Sa­craments, and Ecclesiastical Discipline, hath hitherto ever belonged, and only ought to be­long [Page 246] unto the Pastors of the Church, whom the Holy Spirit hath placed in the Church; and not unto Lay-men.

These Articles they caused to be Engr [...]ssed; and so commended them to the Care and Con­sideration of the Higher House; presented by Boner, to the hands o [...] the Lord Keeper Bacon: by whom they were candi [...]ly received.

But, they prevailed no further with the Queen, or House of Peers, when imparted to them, than that (possibly) they might help forwards the aforementioned Disputation.

It was on the Four and twentieth of June, that that the [...] Liturgy was to be officiated in all the Churches of the Kingdom. In the per­formance o [...] which service, the Bishops giving no encouragement, and many of the Clergy being backw [...]d in it, it was thought fit to put them to a Final T [...]st; and either to bring them to Conformity, or to bestow their [...]laces and [...], on m [...]re [...]actable P [...]sons.

The Bishops at that time, were reduced into a narrow [...] [...], than at any other time be­f [...], [...]ere being no more than Fifteen of that [...] Order [...] alive.

These, being [...]alled by certain of the Lords of the [...], were required to take the Oath of [...]. [...], of Landaff, only takes it: who having [...]merly submitted to every Change, resolved to shew himself no Chang [...]ing, in not conforming to the pleasures of the High­er Powers.

[Page 247] By all the rest it was refused.

Whereupon they were deprived of their Bishopricks. The Bishops being thus put out, the Oath is tendred next to the Deans, and Chapters; and lastly, to the rural Clergy. Thus [...]r. Heylyn.

It is here to be noted, That during the fore­mentioned Convocation, there came from both the Universities, a Writing signed by a pub­lick Notary; by which they both signified their concurrence to the aforesaid Articles, only with a little alteration of the last.

But these Declarations, and Protestations of the whole Representative Clergy, and Univer­sities, were not like to signifie much; since a Change of Religion was absolutely resolved on.

BY the Deprivations of these Persons, and the death of so many in the last years sickness, there was not to be found a sufficient number of Learned men to supply the [Page 248] Cures: Which filled the Church with an Igno­rant, and Illiterate Clergy: Whose Learning went no further than the Liturgy, or the Book of Homilies; but otherwise conformable (which was no small felicity) to the rules of the Church. And on the otherside, many were raised to great preferments, who having spent their time of [...] in such Forreign Churches, as follow­ed the Platform of Geneva, returned so dis­affected to Episcopal Government, and unto the Rites and Ceremonies, here by Law esta­blished, as not long after filled the Church with most sad disorders; not only to the breaking of the Bond of Peace, but likewise to the extin­guishing the Spirit of Unity. And not to speak of private Opinions, nothing was more consi­dered in them, than their zeal against Popery.

On which account, we find the Queens Pro­fessor at Oxford, to pass amongst the Non-Con­formists, though some-what more moderate than the rest: And Cartwright at Cambridge, to prove an unextinguished Fire-brand to the Church of England: Wittington, the chef Ring-leader of the Frankfort-Schismaticks, pre­ferred unto the Deanry of Durham: From thence encouraging Knox and Goodman, in set­ting up Presbytery, and Sedition in the Kirk of Scotland. Sampson advanced to the Deanry of Christ's-Church; and within a few years after, turned out again for an incorrigible Non-confor­mist. Hardiman, one of the first Twelve Pre­bends [Page 249] of the Church of Westminster, deprived soon after for throwing down the Altar, and de­facing the Vestments of the Church.

The Pope, being informed of these proceed­ings, labours to Perswade the Queen from going on with these Alterations in Religion. But that not succeeding, She sent out, by the Advice of her Council, a certain Body of Injunctions; the same in effect with those, which had been published in the First of King Edward; but more accommodated to the temper of the pre­sent time.

Nothing more singular in them, than the se­vere course taken about Ministers Marriages. But this was long since worn out of use, and not much observed when it first came out: As if it had been published, only in way of Caution, to make the Clergy-men more wary in the choice of their Wives, rather than with any purpose of pursuing it to an Execution.

Concerning the Position of the Holy Table, it was ordered thus by these Injunctions, viz. That no Altar should be taken down but by o­ver-sight of the Curate of the Church, or the Church-wardens, or one [...] [...] at least; where­in no riotous or disordered manners were to be used. And that the Holy Table, in every Church should be decently made, and set in the place where the Altar stood, and there common­ly covered, as thereto belonged, and as should be appointed by the Visitors: And so to stand, [Page 250] saving when the Communion of the Sacrament was to be Administred: At which time the same should be placed within the Quire, or Chancel, as whereby the Minister might be more con­veniently heard of the Communicants, in his Prayer and Administration; and the Communi­cants also more conveniently, and in more num­ber, Communicate with the said Minister. And after the Communion done, from time to time, the said Table to be placed where it stood be­fore.

By these Injunctions she made way for her vi­sitation, regulated by the Book of Articles. By which Articles, all Images were removed out of the Church, and all the Roods, and other I­mages, which had been taken out of the Chur­ches, were burnt in St Paul's Church-Yard, Cheapside, and other places of the City. And in some places, the Copes, Vestments, Altar­cloths, Books, Sepulchers and Rood-lofts were burnt altogether.

IN the Second year of Her Reign, some days after the Deprivation of the former Bishops, She Elected other Bishops, to satisfie the world that She intended to preserve Episcopal Government.

But why this was deferred so long, may be a question. Some think it was, That She might satisfie her self, by putting the Church into a posture by her Visitation, before she passed it over to the care of the Bishops. Others con­ceive, That she was so enamoured with the Power and Title of Supream Governess, that she could not deny Her self the contentment in the exercise of it, which the present Interval afforded. And it is possible enough, that both or either of these Considerations might have some influence upon Her. But the main cause for keeping the Episcopal Sees in so long a va­cancy, must be found elsewhere.

[Page 253] An Act had passed in the late Parliament (Anno Reg. Eliz. 1.) which never had the confidence to appear in Print: In the Preamble whereof it was declared, That by the Dissolu­tion of Religious Houses, many Impropriati­ons, Tythes, and portions of Tythes, had been invested in the Crown, which the Queen could not well dismember from it, in regard of the present low condition, in which she found the Crown at her coming to it: And thereupon it was Enacted, that in the vacancy of any Arch­bishoprick, or Bishoprick, it should be lawful for the Queen to issue out a Commission under the great Seal, for taking a Survey of all Ca­stles, Mannors, Lands, Tenements, and all o­ther Hereditaments, to the [...] Episcopal Sees belonging; and upon the return of such Survey, to take into Her hands any of the said Castles, Mannors, Lands, Tenements, &c. as to Her seemed good, giving to the said Archbishops, and Bishops, as much Annual Rents, to be rais­ed upon Impropriations, Tythes, and portions of Tythes, as the said Castles, Mannors, Lands, &c. did amount unto: The Church-Lands certified according to the ancient Rents, with­out consideration of the Casualties, or other Perquisites of the Court, which belonged to them: The retribution made in Pensions, Tythes, and portions of Tythes, extended to the utmost value, from which no other profit was to be expected, than the Rent it self: Which [Page 254] Act being not to take effect till the end of the Parliament, the Interval (between the end of that Parliament, the deprivation of the old Bishops, and the Consecration of the new) was to be taken up in the execution of such Surveys, and making such Advantages of them, as most redounded to the profit of the Queen, and her Courtiers. Upon which ground, as all the Bishops Sees were so long kept vacant, before any one of them was filled; so in the following times, they were kept void, one after another, as occasion served, till the best Flowers in the Garden of the Church, had been culled out of it.

There was another Clause in the said Statutes, by which the Patrimony of the Church was as much Dilapidated, even after the restoring of the Bishops, as it was in the times of vacancy. For by that Clause, all Bishops were restrained from making any Grants of their Farms and Mannors for more than One and Twenty years, or Three Lives at the most, except it were to the Queen, her Heirs, and Successors: And un­der that pretence, they might be granted to a­ny of Her hungry Courtiers in Fee-farm, or for a Lease of Fourscore and Nineteen years, as it pleased the parties. By which means Crediton was dismembred from the See of Excester; and the goodly Mannor of Sherbourn from that of Salisbury. Many fair Mannors were likewise Alienated for ever, from the rich Sees of Win­chester, [Page 255] Ely, and indeed what not? Moreover, when the rest of the Episcopal Sees were suppli­ed with new Bishops; yet York and Winchester were not so soon provided, That they might afford on Michaelmas-Rent more to the Queens Exchequer, before the Lord Tresurer could give way to a new Incumbent.

But notwithstanding this great Havock that was made of the Bishopricks, yet Episcopacy was now setled, with the retaining of many Rites and Ceremonies belonging to Catholick Religion: Whereof one was, that she had caus­ed a Massy Crucifix of Silver to be placed upon the midst of the Altar, in her Chappel. But this so displeased Sir Francis Knolls, the Queens neer Kinsman, by the Caries, (a great Zelot for the Reformation) that he caused it to be broken in pieces.

There was at this time a Sermon preached in defence of the Real presence: For which the Queen openly gave the Preacher Thanks for his Pains and Piety.

THe Queen having thus regulated, and setled Ecclesiastical Affairs; the same settlement might have longer continu­ed, had not Her Order been confounded, and her Peace disturbed by some factious Spirits; who having had their wills at Frankfort, or o­therwise Ruling the Presbytery, when they were at Geneva, thought to have carried all before them, with the like facility, when they were in England.

But leaving them, and their designs, to some other time, we must next look upon the Aid, which the Queen sent to those of the Reformed Religion in Scotland, (but carried under the pretence of dislodging such French Forces as were Garrison'd there.) Such of the Scots as de­sired a Reformation of Religion, taking ad­vantage by the Queens absence, the easiness of the Earl of Arran, and want of Power in the [Page 257] Queen Regent to suppress their practices, had put themselves into a Body; headed by some of the Nobility, they take unto themselves the Name of the Congregation, managing their own Affairs apart from the rest of the Kingdom. The principal Leaders of the Party, well followed by the Common People, put themselves into Perth, and there begin to stand upon higher terms than before they did. The news whereof occasioneth Knox to leave his Sanctuary in Ge­neva, and joyn himself unto the Lords of the Congregation.

At Perth he goes into the Pulpit, and falls so bitterly on Images, that the People (in a po­pular fury) deface all the Images in that Church, and presently demolish all the Religi­ous Houses within that City. Those of Couper (hearing of it) forthwith destroy all the Ima­ges, and pull down the Altars in that Church also. Preaching at Craile, he enveighed sharp­ly against the Queen-Regent, and vehemently stirred up the people to joyn together for the expulsion of the French: Which drew after it the like destruction of all Altars, and Images, as was made before at Perth, and Couper.

The like followed on his Preaching at St. Andrews also; the Religious Houses being pul­led down, as well as the Images, and laid so flat, that there was nothing left in the form of a building. Inflamed by the same Fire-brand, they burned down the Rich Monastery of [Page 258] Schone, and ruined that of Cambus-braneth, de­molished all the Altars, Images, and Convents of Religious persons in Sterling, Lithgow, Glas­cough, Edenburgh, making themselves masters of the last, and putting up their own Preach­ers into all the Pulpits of the City, not suffering the Queen Regent to have the use of One Church only for her Devotions.

Nor staid they here, but being carried on by the same ill Spirit, they pass an Act amongst themselves, for Depriving the Queen-Regent of all place and Power in the Publick Govern­ment: Concerning which the Oracle being first consulted, returned this answer, sufficiently ambiguous, as all Oracles are, that is to say, ‘That the iniquity of the Queen Regent ought not to with draw their hearts from the Obe­dience due to their Sovereigns: Nor did he wish any such sentence to be pronounced a­gainst her; but when she should change her course, and submit her self to good counsel, there should place be left unto her, of regress to the same Honors, from which, for good causes, she ought to be deprived.’

This Act is intimated to the Queen-Regent; who ordered her business so well, that they were quickly brought to great extremity; and had been soon suppressed, but for the Succors they received from England.

IT happened, that there was a Reformation begun in Scotland: But was indeed an En­croachment upon the Princes Authority. For at the Preaching of Knox, and other head-strong Ministers, not only great Outrages were com­mitted in Churches, but it was likewise put into the heads of the Nobility, That it pertained to them, of their own Authority, to take away I­dolatry; and by force to reduce the Prince to to the prescript of the Laws.

Whereupon there was presently a banding of the Lords of Scotland, against the Queen-Dowager, Regent of the Country; and Eng­land fomenting, and supporting the Rebellion, the Queen was at last worsted, and forced to fly into England: Where, contrary to promise of being friendly received by Queen Elizabeth, she was kept Eighteen years in prison, and after­wards beheaded.

The Order of whose Death, and Execution, was as follows.

The sentence of Condemnation being pro­nounced against her, some Earls were sent to Fotheringham, where She was kept prisoner. These, together with Sir Amias Paulet, and Sir Drue Drury, with whom she was then in custody, go to the Queen, and reading their Com­mission, [Page 260] signifie the cause of their coming, and in a few words admonish her to prepare her self for death: For that she must die the next day: whereunto, without any change of her coun­tenance, or passion of mind, she made answer, I had not thought that my Sister the Queen, would have consented to my death; who am not subject to your Laws. But since it is her pleasure, death shall be to me most welcome.

Then she requests, that she might confer with her Confessor, and Melvyn her Steward: But the first would not be granted her. The Bishop, or Dean of Peterborough they offered her; but them she refused.

The Earls being departed from her, she gave order that Supper should be hastned; where she eat, (as she used to do), soberly and sparingly: And perceiving her men and women-Servants, to lament and weep, she comforted them, and bid them rejoyce rather, that she was now to depart out of a world of misery.

After Supper, she looks over her Will, reads the Inventory of her Goods, and Jewels; and writ their Names severally, to whom she gave any of them.

At her wonted hour she went to bed; and af­ter a few hours sleep, awaking, spent the rest of the night in her devotion. And now the Fatal day being come, she gets up, and makes her ready in her best Apparel; and then betook her self to her closet, to Almighty God, imploring [Page 261] his assistance with deep sighs, and groans: Until Thomas Andrews, Sheriff of the County, gave notice, [...] it [...] [...] to come forth. And then with a [...] Majesty, and cheerful coun­tenance, [...] came out, her head covered with a [...] [...], and carrying an Ivory-Crucifix in [...] hand.

In the Gallery the Earls met her, and the o­ther Gentlemen: Where Melvyn, her Servant upon his knees, deplored his own Fortune, that he should be the Messenger to carry this sad news into Scotland: Whom she comforted, say­ing, Do not lament, Melvyn, you shall, by and by, see Mary Stuart, freed from all her cares.

Then turning her self to the Earls, she re­quested, that her Servants might stand by at her death: Which the Earl of Kent was very loath to grant, for fear of Superstition: To whom she said, Fear nothing: These desire only to give me my last farewel: And I know, the Queen, my Sister, would not refuse me so small a request.

After this, the two Earls leading the way, with the Sheriff of the County, she came to the Scaf­fold; which was set up at the upper end of the Hall, where was a Chair, a Cushion, and a Block, all covered with Mourning.

Then she, falling upon her knees, and hold­ing up the Crucisix in both her hands, prayed with her Servants out of the Office of our Lady.

Prayers being ended, she kissed the Crucisix: [Page 262] and signing her self with the sign of the Cross, she said, As thy Arms, O Christ, were stretched forth upon the Cross; so embrace me with the o­pen Arms of thy Mercy. And then the Execu­tioner asking her pardon, she forgave him. And now, her Women helping off her outward Gar­ments, and breaking forth into shreeks, and cries, she kissed them, signed them with the Cross, and willed them to leave lament­ing; for now an end of her Sorrows was at hand. And then shadowing her face with a linnen cloth, and lying down on the Block, she repeated the Psalm, In Te, Domine, Speravi: non confundar in aeternum. At which words, she stretching forth her body, her head, a [...] two blows, was taken off.

This end had Mary, Queen of Scots, in the Forty Sixth year of her Age; and of her Im­prisonment, in England, the Eighteenth. A La­dy so compleat in all excellent parts of Body and mind, that it must needs have made her a happy Woman, if she had not been a Queen; and (perhaps) a happy Queen too, if she had not been Heir to the Crown of England.

Certain of the Queens Servants, being assem­bled [Page 263] for their Devotions, in the Chappel Roy­al of the Palace of Holy-rood House, in Eden­burgh, the doors were broken open, some of the company haled to the next Prison, and the rest dispersed: The Priest escaping with much difficulty by a private passage.

The Queen was then absent in the North; but questioned Knox at her return, as the cause of the uproar. By which Expostulation she got nothing from that fiery Spirit, but neglect, and scorn.

WE shall find the Queen there as active in advancing the Reformation, as she had been in either of the other Kingdoms. King Henry had first broke the Ice, by taking to himself the Title of Supream Head on Earth, of the Church of Ireland; ex­terminating the Popes Authority, and suppres­sing [Page 264] all the Monasteries, and Religious Houses.

In matters of Doctrine, and Forms of Wor­ship, as there was nothing done by him, so neither much endeavoured in the time of King Edward the Sixth: It being thought (perhaps) unsafe, to provoke that people, in the King's Minority, considering with how many trou­bles he was else here exercised. If any thing were done there [...]n, it was rather done by tole­ration, than command. But Queen Elizabeth, having setled her Affairs in England, and un­dertaken the protection of the Scots, conceiv­ed her self obliged in point of Piety to promote the Reformation in that Kingdom likewise. A Parliament is therefore held; where pass'd an Act, restoring to the Crown the Jurisdiction o­ver all Ecclesiastical persons. By which Sta­tute were established both the Oath of Supre­macy and the High Commission, as before in England.

There also pass'd an Act for the Unifor [...]ity of Common-Prayer, with permission of saying the same in Latin, where the Minister had not the knowledge of the English Tongue. But for translating it into Irish, (as it was afterwards done into Welch) there was no care taken. The people are required by that Statute, under seve­ral penalties, to frequent their Churches, and to be frequent at the reading of the English Litur­gy, which they understand no more, than they do the Mass. By which means the Irish were [Page 265] not only kept in continual ignorance, as to the Doctrines and Devotions of the Church of England; but we have likewise furnished the Papist with an excellent Argument against our selves, for having the Divine Service celebrated in such a language as the people do not under­stand.

There also pass'd another Statute for restoring to the Crown the first Fruits, and Twenty parts of all Ecclesiastical promotions; as also of all Impropriated Parsonages; of which there are more in number, than those Rectories, which have Cure of Souls. The like Act pas­sed for the Restitution of all Lands belonging to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, with the Annulling of all Leases, and other Grants, made by the late Lord Prior of the same.

The Bishops of Ireland, finding how things went in England, and knowing, that the like Alteration would ensue amongst themselves, re­solved to make such use of the present times, as to enrich their Friends and Kindred, by the the spoyl of their Churches. To which end they so dissipated the Revenues of their several Bishopricks, by long Leases, Fee-farms, and plain Alienations, that to some of their Sees, they left no more than a Rent of Five Marks Per Annum: To others, a bare yearly Rent of Forty shillings, to the high displeasure of God, the reproach of Religion, and the perpetual ignominy of themselves, for that horrible Sa­criledge.

WE find the new Bishops in England very high, and resolute, in oppo­sing the Church of Rome. Where­of the then Pope, being informed, directs unto the Queen an affectionate Letter, calling Her his Dearest Daughter; and declaring unto Her, how sollicitous he was for her Salvation, and the prosperity of her People; which he told Her, was not to be found by wandring out of the Communion of the Catholick Church: Unto which he again invites Her, with much Christi­an meekness. But the Queen had set up her Re­solution, to go forward with the Change. Wherefore all was lost labour.

[Page 268] But all this while, there was no care taken to suppress the practices of the Calvinists, who secretly endeavored to subvert the English Li­turgy. For whilst the Prelates of the Church of England bent all their forces towards the confuting of the Papists, another Enemy ap­peared; which seemed not openly to aim at the Churches Doctrine, but quarrelled rather at some Rites, and Extrinsecals of it. Their purpose was to take in the Outworks of Reli­gion first, before they levelled their Artillery at the Fort it self.

The Schismaticks of Frankfort had no sooner heard of Queen Maries Death, but they make what hast they could for England, in hope of fishing better for themselves, in a troubled water, than a quiet: Followed not long after by the Brethren of the Separation; which retired from thence to Geneva; who, having left some few behind, to compleat their Notes upon the Bi­ble, and to make up so many of the Psalms in English Meeter, as had been left unfinished by Hopkins, hastned as fast homewards as the others. But notwithstanding all their hast, they came not time enough to effect their pur­poses, either in reference to the Liturgy, or Episcopal Government; in which the Queen was so resolved, that they were not able to pre­vail in either project.

It grieved them at the Heart, that their own Prayers might not be made the rule of Worship [Page 269] in their Congregations, and that they might not Lord it here in their several Parishes, as Calvin did at Geneva,

Some friends they had about the Queen, and Calvin was resolved to make use of all his pow­er, and credit, both with Her and Cecil, (as appears by his Letters unto both) to advance their ends: and he was seconded therein by Peter Martyr; who thought his Interest in Eng­land to be greater then Calvin's; though his name was not so eminent in other places. But the Quen had fixed her self, on her resolution, of keeping up some outward Splendor of a Church. When therefore they saw the Litur­gy imposed by Act of Parliament, and Episco­pal Sees supplyed with Bishops, nothing seem­ed more convenient to them, than to revive the quarrels raised in King Edward's time, against Caps and Surplices, and such particulars, as had been then questioned in the publick Li­turgy.

And herein they were seconded (as before in King Edward's time) by the same Peter Martyr, as appears by his Letters to a Name­less friend. To which he added (in another of his Letters to the same friend also) his dislike of the same, and other Points proposed unto him: as touching the Cap, the Episcopal Ha­bit, the Patrimony of the Church, the manner of proceeding to be held against Papists, the Perambulation used in Rogation-week; with [Page 270] many other such Points, in which his judgment was desired.

But these Helps being too far off, and not to be consulted upon all occasions, without a greater loss of time, than would consist with the impatience of their desires, they fell upon ano­ther project, more to their purpose, than the decrying of the Liturgy, or the quarrels about the Cap, and Vestments.

Grindal, the new Bishop of London, was known to have a great respect for Calvin: The business therefore was so ordered, that by Cal­vins Letters to Grindal, and the friends they had about the Queen, way was given to such of the French Nation, as had repaired hither, to enjoy the Freedom of their own Religion, and to have a Church unto themselves. They could not but remember those many advan­tages, which John à Lasco, and his Church of Strangers, afforded to the Zuinglian Gospellers, in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth: and they despaired not of the like, or greater, if a French Church were setled upon Calvin's Prin­ciples, in some part of London. Now a Church being granted them, we must not wonder, if we find dangerous consequences to ensue upon it. For what else is the setting up of a Pres­bytery, in a Church Founded and Established by the Rules of Episcopacy, than the Erecting of a Common-wealth in the midst of a Monarchy? Which Calvin well knew, and thereupon gave [Page 271] Grindal thanks for his favor in it: Of whom they afterwards served themselves upon all oc­casions. Upon the news of which success, di­vers, both French and Dutch, repaired into England, planting themselves in the Sea-towns, and openly professing the Reformed Religion; under which covert they disguised their several Heterodoxies, and Blasphemous Dotages; some of them proving to be Anabaptists; others in­fected with unsound Opinions, of as ill a na­ture; but all endeavoring to disperse their He­retical Doctrines, and to empoyson the People, amongst whom they lived, to encrease their Sects.

And although a Proclamation was set out for their Banishment, yet many of them lurked in England, without fear of discovery; especially after the Erecting of so many French and Dutch Churches, in the Maritime parts; which they infected with some of their phrenzies, as at this time they had London; and occasioned such Disputes amongst them upon that account, that Peter Martyr was necessitated to enter­pose himself, for the composing those Heats and Differences, which had grown amongst them.

There was likewise, at the same time, ano­ther Proclamation published, to hinder and stop a certain Abuse, which was this, The Queen, having given Command, by her Injunctions, in the year foregoing, for destroying, and ta­king [Page 272] away all Shrines, and Coverings of Shrines, all Tables, Candlesticks, Trindals, and Rolls of Wax; together, with all Pictures, Paint­ings, &c. so that there was to remain no me­mory of the same, either in the Walls, Glass­windows, or else-where, whether it were in Churches, or private Houses; it is said, that they proceeded, in the Execution of this, even to the breaking down all Coats of Arms, to the tearing off of all the Brass of the Tombs and Monuments of the Dead. And being given to understand, that Bells were blessed in time of Popery, and that even the Churches them­selves had been abused to Superstition and Ido­latry, their Zeal transported them to sell the Bells, to turn the Steeples into Dove-coats, and to rob the Churches of those sheets of Lead, with which they were covered.

In the space of Twenty years, it had been changed from an Abbey, to a Deanry; from a Deanry, to a See Episcopal; and from that, reduced again to a Deanry; and likewise once more to the state of an Abbey; and lastly, by Queen Elizabeth, (having first pleased her self in the choice of some of the best Lands belong­ing to it, and confirmed the rest upon the [Page 273] Church) it was to be called, The Collegiate Church of St. Peter's in Westminster.

This Bishoprick was only supplied with a Bishop for Three years, in the space of Forty six years: The Jurisdiction of it was managed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Revenues of it remained in the hands of the Earl of Lei­cester; and after his decease, of the Earl of Essex; by whom the Lands thereof were so spoiled, and wasted, that they left nothing to the last Bishops, but Impropriations. By means of which havock and destruction, all the Five Bishopricks Erected by King Henry the Eighth, were so impoverished, and destroyed, that the new Bishops were constrained to re­quire a Benevolence of the Clergy, at their first coming to them.

IN the beginning of this year were filled up all such Episcopal Sees, as were vacant. There was one Scambler, made Bishop of Peterborough. But during the vacancy there­of, Sir William Cecill possessed himself of the Mannors in Soak, which belonged unto it.

And for Scambler's readiness to confirm the same Mannors to him, he preferred him to the See of Norwich.

Dr Thomas Young, Bishop of St. Davids, was translated to the See of York; which was done in an unlucky hour to that City. For scarce was he setled in that See, when he pulled down the Goodly Hall, and the greatest part of the Episcopal Palace in the City of York; which had been built with so much care and cost by one of his Predecessors, in the year 1090: Whether it were for Covetousness to make Mo­ney [Page 275] of the Materials of it, or out of sordidness, to avoid the charge of Hospitality, let them guess that will.

But neither the filling up of those vacant Sees, nor the Queens Proclamation for the Banishing of Sectaries, could free the Land from those dangerous Inmates, or preserve the Church from the Contagion of their poysonous Do­ctrines.

THe Genevians slept not all this while, but were busily employed in practising against the Church of England: no­thing being able to satisfie them, but the na­kedness and simplicity of the Zuinglian Churches, the new fashions taken up at Frankfort, and the Presbyteries of Geneva.

[Page 278] And they drove on so fast upon it, that in some places they had taken down the steps where the Altar stood, and brought the Table into the midst of the Church. In others, they laid aside the Ancient use of God-fathers and God-mothers, in the Administration of Baptism, and left the answering for the Child to the charge of the Father: the Weekly Fasts, the time of Lent, and all other Days of Abstinence, were look'd upon as Superstitious observations.

No Fast by them allowed of, but occasion­ally only; and them too of their own appoint­ing. And the like course they took also with Festival Days; neglecting those which had been instituted, as Human Inventions, not fit to be retained in a Reformed Church.

And finally, that they might bring in their Outlandish Doctrines, with such Foreign usages, they had procured some of the inferior Ordi­naries, to impose upon their several Parishes certain new Books of Sermons, and Expositions of the Holy Scripture.

The Genevians had already begun to blow the Coals, and brought Fuel to them: But it was only for the Burning of Caps and Rochets. [Page 279] The Common-Prayer-Book was so fortified by Act of Parliament, that there was no assaulting of it. And as to Episcopal Government, it was so interwoven, and incorporated with the Laws of the Land, so twisted in with the Pre­rogative of the Crown, and the Royal Interest, that they must first be in a capacity of tramp­ling on the Laws, and the Crown together, be­fore they could attempt the destruction of it. But Caps and Tippets, Rochets and Lawn­sleeves, and Canonical Coats, seemed to be built upon no better Foundation, than Super­stitious custom, some old Popish Canon, or, at the best, some Temporary Injunction of the Queens devising, which could not have the Power, and effect of Law. This Game they had in chase, in King Edwards time; which now they are resolved to follow to the very last.

The obstinacy of these Men, in matter of Ceremony, prompted the Bishops to make tryal of their Orthodoxy in Points of Doctrine. Whereupon the Articles of Religion lately a­greed upon, were required to be subscribed to in all places, with threatning no less than De­privation to such as willfully refused. Many there were, that boggled at it, (as they all did); but yet not so perversly, nor in such great num­bers, as when their faction was grown strong, and improved to multitudes.

Some stumbled at it, in regard of the first clause, added to the Twentieth Article, about [Page 280] the Authority of the Church. Others in refe­rence to the Thirty Sixth, touching the Con­secration of Archbishops and Bishops. Some thought they Attributed more Authority to the Supream Magistrate, over all Persons and Causes, both Ecclesiastical and Civil, than could consist with that Independency which Calvin ar­rogated unto his Presbyters, and other Churches of the Platform. And others looked upon the Homilies, as beggerly Rudiments, scarce Milk for Babes: But by no means to be looked upon as Meat for a stronger stomack. In general, thought by the Genevians and Zuinglian Gos­pellers, to have too much in them of the Pope, or too little of Calvin; and therefore no way to be subscribed unto.

Of which number, none so much remarka­ble, as Father John Fox, the Martyrologist, who had before appeared in the Schism at Frank­fort, and left that Church, when Cox had got the better in it, to retire to Geneva: Who be­ing now called upon to subscribe, (that the o­pinion, which was had of his parts, and Piety, might advance the work,) he is said to have ap­peared before the Bishop, carrying the New-Testament in Greek with him; before whom he spake these words. ‘To this Book I will subscribe; and if this will not serve, take my Prebend'ry at Salisbury, the only Preferment which I hold in the Church of England; and much good may it do you.’

[Page 281] But notwithstanding this refractory Answer, so much kindness was shewed to him, that he both kept his resolution, and place together.

The Genevians, for the greater countenance­ing of their inconformity, had stirred up the most eminent Divines of the French and Zuin­glian, or Helvetian Churches, to declare in fa­vour of their doings. And it appears also by remembrances in some Authors, that Calvin, apprehending some neglect from Mr. Secretary Cecill, in making either no return, or a return, which signified nothing, to his first Addresses, had laid aside his care of the Church of England. But Peter Martyr, whilst he lived, conceived himself to have some Interest in this Church, in which he had enjoyed such a good preferment; but more in some particular Persons and Mem­bers of it, who seemed to depend upon his judg­ment, and to ask counsel of him, as their surest Oracle, in which, how much he countenanced the Faction in King Edward's time, both by his Practice and Pen, and what encouragement he gave them in this present Reign, hath been shewn before. But how much he was out-gone by Beza (who next usurped a Super-intenden­cy over all the Churches of this Island) may be seen hereafter.

All that shall now be said of either of them, or of altogether, shall be briefly this, That this poor Church might better have wanted their best helps in Points of Doctrine, than have [Page 282] been troubled with their intermedlings in mat­ter of Discipline.

THis Summer, in a Progress, the Queen came to Cambridge; where were sown the seeds of those Divisions, and Com­bustions, with which the Church of England hath been continually distracted to this very day. For so it happened, that one Preston and Cart­wright were appointed to hold a Disputation: In which the First was both liked, and reward­ed by Her; the Other receiving neither reward nor commendation: Which so incensed the proud man, that he retired to Geneva: Where [Page 283] having throughly informed himself in all parti­culars, both of Doctrine and Discipline, wherein the Churches of that Platform differed from the Church of England, he returned home, with an intent to repair his credit, or rather to get him­self a name, by raising such a fire, and such combustions in the Church of England, as never were to be extinguished, but by the immediate hand of Heaven.

The next considerable Action, which fol­lowed on the Queens Reception at Cambridge, was the preferring of Sir Robert Dudley, the Second Son, then living, of the Duke of Nor­thumberland, to the Titles of Lord Denbigh, and Earl of Leicester. She had before Elected him into the Order of the Garter, made him Master of her Horse, and Chancellor of the University of Oxon; suffered him to carry a great sway in all Affairs, both of Court and Council; and given unto him the fair Mannor of Denbigh, being conceived to be one of the goodliest Territories in England. And now She adds unto these Honors, the goodly Castle and Mannor of Kenelworth, part of the parri­mony of the Duchy of Lancaster. Advanced unto which height, he engrossed unto himself the disposing of all Offices in the Court and State, and of all Preferments in the Church; proving, in fine, so unappeasable in his Malice, and unsatiable in his Lusts; so Sacrilegious in his Rapines, so false in Promises, and treache­rous [Page 284] in point of Trust; And finally, so destruct­ive of the Rights, and Proprieties of particular Persons, that his Little Finger lay heavier on the English Subjects, than the Loins of all the Favourites of the Two last Kings. And that his Monstrous Vices (most insupportable in a­ny other but himself) might either be conni­ved at, or not complained of, he cloaks them with a seeming zeal to the true Religion, and made himself Head of the Puritan Faction: Who spared no pains in seting forth his praises upon all occasions: Nor was he wanting to caress them, after such a manner, as he found most agreeable to those Holy Hypocrites; using no other language in his Speech, and Letters, than pure Scripture-phrase; in which he was become so dextrous, as if he had received the same Inspirations with the Sacred Pen-men.

Queen Elizabeth kept a Stock still going in Scotland; the returns whereof redounded more to her own security, than to the profit and ad­vantage of the Church of England. The Queen of Scots being now a Widow, possessed of that Kingdom, and next Heir to this, Queen Eliza­beth proposes to her a Marriage with the Earl of Leicester; whom she pretended to have rais­ed [Page 285] to those Eminent Honors, to make him, in some sort, capable of a Queens Affections. Which Proposition proved agreeable to neither party; the Queen of Scots disdaining the une­qual offer; and Leicester dealing under-hand with Randolph, the English Resident, to keep her still in that aversness; having given him­self a hope of Marrying Queen Elizabeth, in­terpreting all her Favors to proceed in order to it. I had not spoken so much of this Earl of Leicester, but that he seemed to have been born for the destruction of the Church of England, as will appear by what shall be here said con­cerning the Presbyterians in this Queens Reign.

But leaving this Court-Meteor to be gazed on by unknowing men, we will now conclude this Sixth year, with that which was very ad­vantageous to the Church of England; to wit, the Death of Calvin: By whose Authority (if he had lived longer) much more Disorders and Confusions must have necessarily succeeded. For his Name was much Reverenced, not only by those of his own party; but by many others, grave, and moderate men, who did not look at first, into the dangers, which ensued upon it. His Platform at Geneva was made the only Pat­tern, by which all Reformed Churches were to frame their Government. His Writings were made the only Rule, by which all Students in Divinity were to square their judgments.

THis year the Zuinglian, or Calvinian Faction began to be first known by the name of Puritans: Which name hath ever since been appropriated to them, be­cause of their pretending to a greater Purity in the Service of God, than was held forth unto them (as they gave it out) in the Common-Pray­er-Book; and to a greater opposition to the Rites and Usages of the Church of Rome, than was agreeable to the Constitution of the Church of England. But this Purity was accompanied with such Irreverence; this opposion drew along with it so much licentiousness, as gave great scandal and offence to all men: So that it was high time to give a check to those Disorders and Confusions, which by their practises, and their Preachings, they had produced; and thereby laid the ground of that woful Schism, which soon after followed.

[Page 287] For the preventing these Disorders for the future, a Protestation was devised to be taken by all Parsons, Vicars, and Curates; by which they were required to declare and promise,

1. That they would not preach, nor pub­lickly interpret, but only read that which was appointed by publick Authority.

2. That they would use sobriety in Apparel, and especially in the Church at Common Pray­ers, according to Order appointed.

3. That they would not openly medle with any Artificers Occupation, as covetously to seek a Gain thereby; having in Ecclesiastical Liv­ings, Twenty Nobles, or above, by the year: Which Protestation, if it either had been gene­rally pressed upon all the Clergy, (as perhaps it was not) or been better kept by them that took it, the Church might, questionless, have been saved from those Distractions, which by the Puritan-Innovators were occasioned in it.

THus we have seen the publick Liturgy confirmed in Parliament; with divers Penalties on all those, who either did reproach it, or neglect to use it, or wilfully with-draw their attendance from it: The Doct­rine of the Church declared in the Book of Ar­ticles; External matters in Officiating God's Publick Service, and the Apparel of the Clergy, regulated by the Book of Orders, and Adver­tisements; the Episcopal Government setled. The Church of England is therefore now fixed on her Natural Pillars of Doctrine, Government, and Worship; not otherwise to have been shaken, than by the blind zeal of such furious Sampsons, as were resolved, to pull it on their own heads, rather than to suffer it to stand.

And here it will be time to conclude this Hi­story; having taken a brief view of the State of this Church, with all the Aberration from [Page 289] its first Constitution, as it stood at this time, when the Puritan Faction had begun to di­sturb its Order. And that this may be mani­fested with a greater certainty, I will speak it in the words of one who lived, and writ his knowledge of it, at this time. I mean John Rastel, in his Answer to the Bishops Challenge: Who, though he were a Papist, and a Priest, yet, I conceive, he hath faithfully delivered too many sad Truths in these particulars.

Three Books he writ within the compass of Three years, against Bishop Jewel: In one of which he makes this Address unto him.

‘And though you, Mr. Jewel, (as I have heard say) do take the Bread into your hands, when you celebrate solemnly, yet thousands there are of your inferior Ministers, who e­steem it as death, to be bound to any such External Fashion. And your order of Cele­brating the Communion, is so unadvisedly conceived, that every man is left unto his pri­vate Rule or Canon, whether he will take the Bread into his hands, or let it stand at the end of the Table, where it pleases the Sexton, or Parish-Clerk to set them, pag. 28.’

Thus, as to the Communion; now, as to Altars, he hath these words:

‘In the Primitive Church, Altars were used amongst Christians; upon which they offered the unbloody Sacrifice of Christ's Body; yet your Company, (to declare what Follow­ers [Page 290] they are of Antiquity) do account i:, even among one of the kinds of Idolatry, if an Al­tar be kept standing. And indeed you follow a certain Antiquity, not of Catholicks, but of desperate Hereticks. Optatus, writing of the Donatists, says, That they did break, raze, and remove the Altars of God. pag. 34. & 165.’

Now as to the Objection of Praying in an unknown Tongue, he writes thus:

‘Where Singing is used, what shall we say to the case of the People, that kneel in the Body of the Church? Yea, let them hearken at the Chancel-door it self, they shall not be much wiser. Besides, how will you provide for great Parishes, where there are a Thou­sand People?’

AT Queen Elizabeths first coming to the Crown, such English as had lived in exile amongst the Zwitzers, or at Geneva, became exceedingly enamored with Calvin's Platform; by which they found so much Authority ascribed unto Ministers in their [Page 295] several Churches, as might make them absolute, and independent, without being called to an account by King, or Bishop. This Discipline they purposed to promote at their coming home. But the Queen had heard so much, from others, of their carriage at Frankfort, and their un­tractableness, in point of Decency, and comly Or­der, in the Reign of her Brother, as might suffi­ciently forewarn her. Besides, She was not to be told, with what reproaches Calvin had re­viled her Sister; nor how she had been perse­cuted by his followers in the time of her Reign: Some of them railing at her Person, in their scandalous Pamphlets; Some practising by false and dangerous Allusions, to subvert her Government; and others openly praying to God, That he would either turn Her heart, or put an end to her days.

And of these Men she was to give her self no hope, but they would proceed with her, in the self same manner, whensoever any thing should be done, (how necessary, and just so­ever) which might cross their humours. The Consideration whereof was of such prevalency with those of her Council, (who were then de­liberating about the altering of Religion) that they were resolved to have an eye upon those Men: Who were so hot in the persuit of their flattering hopes, that (out of a desire of Innovati­on, as my Author tells me) they were busied, at that very time, in setting up a new form of Ec­clestastical [Page 296] Policy; and therefore were to be supprest with all care and diligence, before they grew to a head.

But, notwithstanding this discovery of their Rebellious practices; yet they had so many Friends in England, that they might easily have obtained Favour, in order to the Promoting their designs, had not Knox's furious Spi­rit moved him to write these following mali­cious Letters. In one of which, to Sir William Cecill, he first upbraids him with consenting to the suppressing of Christ's true Evangile, to the erecting of Idolatry, and the Shedding the Blood of God's most dear Children, during the Reign of mischievous Mary, the professed enemy of God, as he plainly calls her. Then he proceeds to justifie his Treasonable and Se­ditious Book, against the Regiment of Women: of the truth whereof, he positively affirms, That he no more doubted than of the truth of that Voice of God, pronounced against that Sex; to wit, That in dolour they should bear their Children.

Next he declared (in reference to the person of Queen Elizabeth) That he would willing­ly acknowledge her to be raised by God, for the manifestation of his Glory, although not nature only, but Gods own Ordinance, did oppugn such Regiments. And thereupon did inferr, That if Queen Elizabeth would con­fess, that the Extraordinary Dispensations of [Page 297] God, did make that Lawful in her, which both Nature, and Gods Laws, did deny in all Women beside, none in England should bemore ready to maintain her Lawful Autho­rity, than himself. But on the other side he pronounces this Sentence on her, That if she built her Title upon Custom, Laws, and Ordinances of Men, such foolish Presumpti­on would grievously offend God, and that her ingratitude in that kind should not long lack punishment.

To the same purpose he writes also to the Queen her self, reproaching her withal, That for fear of her life she had declined from God, Bowed to Idolatry, and gone to Mass, during the persecution of Gods Saints, in the time of her Sister.

In both his Letters he complains of his being denied the liberty of Preaching in England, and endeavours to excuse his Flock, of late as­sembled in the most Godly Reformed Church and City of Geneva.

SUch was the necessity, which the Church of England was under, that it was hard­ly possible to supply all the vacant places in it, but by admitting some of the Genevian Zealots to the Publick Ministry: the Realm had been extreamly visited in the foregoing year, with a dangerous and contagious Sick­ness, which took away almost half of the Bi­shops; and occasioned such a Mortality amongst the rest of the Clergy, that a great part of the Parochial Churches were without Incumbents. The rest of the Bishops, Twelve Deans, and as many Archdeacons, Fifteen Masters of Col­leges, and Halls, Fifty Prebendaries of Cathe­dral Churches, and about Fourscore Beneficed Men, were deprived at once, for refusing to submit to the Queens Supremacy. For the filling of which vacant places, it cannot be [Page 299] imagined, but many past amongst the rest, who either had not hitherto discovered their dissatisfaction, or were connived at in regard of their Parts and Learning.

Wherefore, there is no question to be made, but that some numbers of them were admitted unto Country-Cures, by means whereof they had as great an opportunity, as they could wish or desire, not only to Dispute their Genevian Doctrines, but likewise to prepare the People committed to them, for receiving such Inno­vations, both in Worship and Government, as were resolved, in time convenient, to be put upon them.

For a Preparative whereunto, they brought along with them the Genevian Bible, with their Notes upon it, together with David's Psalms in English Meeter; that by the one they might effect an Innovation in points of Do­ctrine; and by the other, bring this Church more near to the Rules of Geneva, in some chief Acts of Publick Worship.

The Notes upon the same Bible, in many places, savour of Sedition; and in some, of Faction, destructive of the Persons and Power of Kings, and of all Civil Intercourse, and Human Society.

There is a Note on 2 Chron. 8. 15, 16. where Asa is taxed by them, for not putting his Mo­ther to death, but deposing her only from the Regency, which before She executed. Of [Page 300] which Note, the Scottish Presbyterians made es­pecial use; not only in deposing Mary, their lawful Queen; but prosecuting her openly, and underhand, till they had taken away her life.

Now with this Bible, and these Notes, which proved so advantageous to them in their main projectments, they also brought in David's Psalms in English Meeter; of which they ser­ved themselves to some Tune, in the time suc­ceeding. For they came to be esteemed the most Divine part of God's Publick Worship; the Reading Psalms, together with the First and Second Lessons, being heard in many places with a covered head; but all Men sitting Barehead­ed, when the Psalm is Sung. And, to that end the Parish-clark must be taught to call upon the people to Sing it, To the Praise and Glory of God; no such preparatory Exhortation being used at the naming of the Chapter, or the Daily Psalms. By these Preparatives they ho­ped in time, to bring in the whole Body of Calvinism, as well in reference to Government, and Forms of Worship, as in Points of Doctrine.

In all this time, they could obtain no Coun­tenance from this State; though it was once endeavoured for them, by the Earl of Leicester, whom they had gained to their Party; But it was only to make use of them for Politick Ends. Finding this opposition, they not only repined, and grudged at the Reformation, [Page 301] which was made in this Church, because not fitted to their Fancies, and to Calvin's Platform; but have laboured to sow those Seeds of He­terodoxy, and Disobedience, which afterwards brought forth those Troubles, and Disorders, which ensued upon it.

These Islands (the only remainder of the Crown of England in the Dukedom of Nor­mandy) had admitted the Reformation in the Reign of King Edward; by whose command the Publick Liturgy had been turned into French. But the Reformed Religion being suppressed in the time of Queen Mary, was revived again, immediately after her decease, by such French Ministers, as had resorted thi­ther for Protection, in the days of their troubles. These French Ministers, desiring to have all things Modelled by the Rules of Calvin, en­deavored by all the friends they could make, to advance his Discipline: to which they were encouraged by their Brethren here, and the Governors there. The Governors in each Island advanced the Plot, out of a covetous intent, to enrich themselves with the spoils of the Deaneries; the Brethren here, having by this means a hope to gain ground, by little and little, for the Erecting of the same in most parts of Eng­land. And in pursuance of this project, both Islands joyn in a Confederacy to Petition the Queen for an Allowance of this Discipline, Anno 1563. In the year next following, some French [Page 302] were delegated to the Court, to sollicite it; where they received a Gracious Answer, and returned full of hopes.

In the mean time, the Queen, being strong­ly perswaded, that this design would much ad­vance the Reformation in those Islands, was contented to give way unto it, in the Towns of St. Peter's-Port, and St. Hilaries only in Jersey; and in the Port of St. Peters in Gernsey, but no further: Other parts of the Islands be­ing to be Conform to the Church of England. Now, although there be no express mention, in their Grant, of Allowing their Discipline, but only of their Form of Prayer, and Admi­nistration of Sacraments; yet they presumed so far on the general words, as to put it presently in practice; intending to advance it by de­grees in all the rest of the Parishes, as oppor­tunity should serve, and the condition of Affairs permit.

IN England they found not such success, as they did abroad; not a few of them being deprived of their Benefices, and other pre­ferments in the Church, for their Inconformity. The news of which severity flies to France and Scotland; occasioning Beza in the one, and Knox, and his Comrades, in the other, to in­terpose themselves in behalf of their Brethren. With what Authority Beza acted in it, we shall see anon. In Knox his Letter, sent from the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, the Church-Vestments are called Trifles and Rags of Rome.

With more Authority writes Beza, as the greater Patriarch; and he writes too concern­ing things of greater consequence than Caps and Surplices. For in a Letter of his to Grin­dal, he makes a sad complaint of suspending these Men, from the Ministry, for not sub­scribing to some new Rites, and Ceremonies, [Page 304] imposed upon them. But he seems more offend­ed, That Women were suffered to Baptize in extream necessity. That Power was granted to the Queen, for Ordaining such other Rites, and Ceremonies, as should seem convenient; and that the Bishops had so much Authority. He excepts likewise against many other such things. The Copies of these Letters were presently dispersed, if not also Printed. Some of the Brethren, in their Zeal to the name of Calvin, preferred him once before St. Paul; and Beza, without doubt, would have taken it ill, if he had been esteem'd of less Authority, than any of the Successors of St. Peter.

So good a Foundation being laid, the Build­ing could not chuse but go on apace. But first they must prepare the Matter, and remove all doubts, which otherwise might interrupt them in the course of their Building. And herein Beza is consulted, as the Master-workman. To him they send their several Scruples; and he returns such Answer to them, as did not only confirm them in their present obstinacy, but fitted, and prepared them for the following Schism.

To those mentioned before, they add the calling of Ministers, and their Ordaining by the Bishops, the Presbytery being not consulted: Which he condemns, as contrary to the Word of God; but so, that he conceives it better to have such a Ministry, than none at all: praying [Page 305] withal, that God would give this Church a more lawful Ministry.

In some Churches, and particularly in West­minster Abbey, they still retained the use of Wa­fers, made of Bread unleavened: This he ac­knowledges for a thing indifferent. Unto se­veral other Questions, he gives Answer in this Letter; which is Superscribed, To certain of the Brethren of the Churches of England, touch­ing some Points of Ecclesiastical Order, and Government.

Upon the receiving this Letter, they fall in­to an open Schism, in the year next following. At which time, some (taking upon them to be of a more ardent Zeal, than others, in profes­sing the true Reformed Religion) resolved to allow of nothing in God's Publick Service, but what was found expresly in the Holy Scriptures. Their Number much encreased, on a double account. First by the negligence of some, and the connivance of other Bishops; and partly, by the secret favour of some Great Men in the Court, who greedily gaped after the remainder of the Churches patrimony.

It cannot be denied, but this Faction received much encouragement, underhand, from some Great Persons neer the Queen: from no Man more, than from the Earl of Leicester, the Lord North, Knolls, and Walsingham; who knew, how mightily some Numbers of the Scots, both Lords and Gentlemen, had, in short time, im­proved [Page 306] their Fortune; by humouring the Knoxian Brethren in their Reformation: and could not but expect [...]he like in their own par­ticulars, by a compliance with these Men, who aimed apparently at the ruin of Bishops, and Cathedral Churches.

THe Genevian Brethren, rather chose to Meet in Barns and Woods, yea, and in Common Fields, than to asso­ciate with their Brethren. For, that they did so, is affirmed by very good Authors; who much bemoaned the sad condition of the Church of England, in having her bowels torn in pieces, by those very Children, which she had cherish­ed in her bosom. By one of which we are first told, what great Contentions had been raised in the first Ten years of Her Majesties Reign, through the peevish frowardness, and the out­cries of such, as came from Geneva, against [Page 307] the Vestments of the Church, and such-like matters: And then he adds, That being crossed in their desires touching these particulars, they separated from the rest of their Congregations, and Meeting together in Houses, Woods, and Common Fields, kept there their most unlaw­ful and disorderly Conventicles.

THE English Puritans had hitherto, maintained their Quarrel by the Au­thority of Calvin, the Sawciness of Knox, the Bold Activities of Beza, and the Interposing of some Forreign Divines, whose Names were great in all the Churches of the Reformation. But now they are resolved to try it out by their proper valour; and to make no other use of them, than as Auxiliaries, and Reserves.

Hitherto they had appeared only against Caps, and Surplices, and such-like things; But now they are resolved to venture on the Episco­pal Government, and to endeavour the Erecting of the Presbyterian, as time, and opportunity should make way unto it. Amongst which Undertakers, none more eminent, because none more violent than Cartwright. He, and his Complices, frequently handled such Points as concerned the Discipline; many Motions being [Page 310] made, and some Conclusions setled in pursu­ance of it. But more particularly it was resol­ved upon the question, That for as much as divers Books had been written, and sundry Peti [...]ions exhibited to her Majesty, the Parli­ament, and their Lordships, to little purpose; every man should therefore labour, by all means possible, [...]o bring the Reformation in­to the Church.

It was also then, and there resolved, That for the better bringing on of the said Holy Discipline, they should not only, as well Pub­lickly as privately teach it, but by little and little, as well as possibly they might, draw the same into practice. According to which resolution a Presbytery was Erected, on the Twentieth of November, in the year 1572. at a small village in Surrey, called Wandsworth; a place conveniently situated for the London Brethren, as standing near the Bank of the Thames, but Four miles from the City, and more retired and out of sight, than any of their own Churches about the Town.

The first Establishment they endorsed by the name of The Orders of Wandsworth: In which the Elders names are agreed on, the manner of Election declared, the Approvers of them men­tioned, their Offices agreed on also, and describ­ed. Sir Christopher Hatton was at that time, in special favor, o [...] known aversness to the Earl of Leicester, and consequently no friend to the [Page 311] Puritan Faction. This obstactle must be re­moved, one way or other. This Office Bur­chet undertakes; and does it upon this opinion, That it was Lawful to assassinate any man, who opposed the Gospel. But he mistakes the man; and stabs one Hawkins desperately, with a Ponyard, conceiving him to be Hatton. But by the terror of a Proclamation, and the Exe­cution of this Burchet, they were restrained from practising any further at the present.

But what they durst not do directly, and in open sight, they found a way to act Obliquely, and under disguise of setting up another Church of Strangers in the midst of London. Many of the Low-country men had fled their Country, and setled their Dwellings in the Ports and Sea Towns of England; and good numbers of them, at London. For these there must be a Church in London. And for this purpose, a Suit is made by their Friends in Court, for the obtain­ing of it. And that they might proceed in set­ting up their Presbytery, and New Forms of Worship, they obtain, not only a connivence, or Toleration▪ but a plain Approbation of their Acting in it. This likewise gave the First Beginning to the now Dutch Churches in Can­terbury, Sandwich, Yarmouth, Norwich, and some other places in the North; to the great anima­tion of the Presbyters, and to the discomfort of all such, who were of Judgment to fore-see the sad consequents of it.

[Page 312] With like felicity, they drove on their de­signs in Jersey, and Gernsey, introducing their Discipline, by degrees, into all the Villages: Furthered therein by the Sacrilegious avarice of their several Governors, out of a hope to have the spoyl of the Deaneries, to engross all the Tythes to themselves, and then put off the Mi­nisters with some sorry Stipends; as, in fine, they did.

It was also thought fit, That Snape, and Cartwright, (the great Supporters of the Cause in England) should be sent unto them, to put their Churches in a posture and settle the Dis­cipline amongst them in such Manner, and Form, as it was practised at Geneva.

Grindall's being Translated from the See of York, unto that of Canterbury, gave great h [...]pes to the Presbyterians; who soon found how ply­ant he was like to prove to their expectation: Which happened accordingly; he seeking in all things to promote their designs, and mak­ing great Alterations in the Church of England.

A Breach happened betwixt him and Leicester, that mighty Patron, and Protector of the Puri­tan Faction, occasioned by his denying, at the Earl's request, to Alienate his House and Man­nor of Lambeth, that it might serve for a Re­tiring-place to that mighty Favourite. And hereunto he did contribute further, by refusing to grant a Dispensation, to Marry One, that was neer of Kindred to him. This Leicester, [Page 313] thought he might command, and was exceed­ingly vexed, not to find obedience in one, who had been raised by him, and depended on him.

Upon which ground, all passages, which before where shut against his enemies, were now left free and open for them. Whereupon they acquainted the Queen, what a neglect there was of the Publick Liturgy, in most parts of the Kingdom, what ruin, and decay of Churches, what Innovations made already, and what more projected; by which She would be eased, in time, of all Cares of Government, and find the same to be transferred to the Puri­tan Consistories.

CArtwright, having setled the Presbytery in Jersey, and Gernsey; first, sends back Snape, to his old Lecture, at Northamp­ton, there to pursue such Orders, and Directions, [Page 314] as they had agreed on: And afterwards put himself into the Factory at Antwerp, and was soon chosen for their Preacher. The news whereof, brings Travers to him; who receives Ordination (if I may so call it) by the Presby­tery of that City, and thereupon is made his Partner in that Charge. They easily perswad­ed the Merchants to admit the Discipline: And they endeavoured it the rather, that by their help they might effect the like in the City of London, whensoever they should find the times to be ready for them.

The like they did also in the English Church at Middleborough, the chief Town in Zealand; in which many English Merchants had their constant Residence. To which Two places they drew over many of the English Nation, to receive admission into the Ministry, in a diffe­rent Form, from that which is allowed in the Church of England. Some of them, (follow­ing the Example of Cartwright himself) re­nounced the Orders, which they had from the hands of Bishops, and took a new Vocation from those Presbyters, and others there admitted to the rank of Ministers, who never were ordain­ed in England.

Not to say any thing of such, as were Elect­ed to be Elders, or Deacons, in those Forreign Consistories; that they might serve the Chur­ches, in the same capacity, at their coming home.

[Page 315] And now at last they are for England; where Travers put himself into the Service of the Lord Treasurer Burleigh; by whose recommendati­on, he is chosen Lecturer of the Temple-Church; which gave him opportunity for managing all affairs, that concerned the Discipline, with the London-Ministers.

Cartwright applies himself to the Earl of Leicester; by whom he is sent down to War­wick, and afterwards made Master of an Hos­pital of his Foundation: In the chief Church of which Town he preached, when he pleased; making it his business to promote the Discipline, and to undermine the Church of England. But this was not done all at once, or in the first year only after his Return; but by degrees, as op­portunity was offered to them. Yet so far he prevailed in the first year only, that a Meeting of Sixty Ministers, out of the Counties of Essex, Cambridge, and Norfolk, was held at a Village called Corkhill, where Knewstubs (who was one of the Number) had the Cure of Souls: Which Meeting was held May the 8th; Anno 1582, there to Confer about some passages in the Common-Prayer-Book, as what might be tolerated in it, and what refused.

The like Meeting was held, at the Com­mencement in Cambridge then next ensuing.

THe Queen was resolved to hold Her Prerogative Royal at the very height; and therefore would not hearken to such Propositions, as had been made in favour of the Puritan-faction, by their great Agents in the Court, though She had been many times sollicited in it.

She acquaints Whitgift, Archbishop of Can­terbury, that She determined to discharge her Self from the Trouble of all Church-Concern­ments, and leave them wholly to his care. That She was sensible enough, into what Disorder, and Confusion, the Affairs of the Church were brought, by the connivance of some Bishops, the obstinacy of some Ministers, and the Pow­er of some great Lords, both in Court, and Country: But that notwithstanding, he must [Page 317] resolve, not only to assert the Episcopal Power, but also to restore the Uniformity in God's Pub­lick Worship, which by the weakness of his Predecessor, was so much endangered.

It is not easie to imagine what clamors were raised amongst the Brethren, upon this occasi­on; how they moved Heaven and Earth, the Court and Country, and all the Friends they had of the Clergy, or Laity, to come to their assistance, in this time of their tryal. By means whereof, they raised so strong an opposition a­gainst his proceedings, that it put him to great difficulties. Some great Men about the Court, who had engaged themselves in the Puritan Quarrels, thought best to stand a while behind the Curtain, and set Beal upon him, of whose impetuosity, and edge against him, they were well assured. This Beal was in himself a most eager Puritan, trained up by Walsingham, to draw dry-foot after Priests and Jesuits; his extream hatred to those men being looked on, as the only good quality, which he could pre­tend to. But being over-blinded with zeal, he conceived, that whatsoever was not Puritan, must needs be Popish: And that the Bishops were to be esteemed no otherwise, than the Sons of Antichrist, because they were not looked up­on as Fathers, by the Brotherhood. And so far was he hurried on by these disaffections, that though he were raised to be one of the Clerks of the Council, yet he preferred the Interest of [Page 318] that Faction, before that of the Queens. In­somuch, that he was noted to Jeer, and Gibe, at all such Sermons, as did most commend her Majesties Government, and move the Audito­ry to Obedience; not sparing to accuse the Preachers, to have broached false Doctrine. From this man the Archbishop received great affronts.

The Lord Burleigh, upon some complaint made against the Liturgy, by some of the Bre­thren, required them to compose another, such as they thought might generally be accepted by them. The first Classis thereupon devised a new one, agreeable in most things, to the Form of Geneva.

But this draught being offered to the Con­sideration of the second Classis, (for so the wise States-men had of purpose contrived the plot) there were no fewer than Six-hundred Excep­tions made against it; and consequently, so many Alterations to be made therein, before it was to be admitted. The Third Classis quar­relled at those Alterations; and resolved there­fore on a new Model, which should have no­thing of the other: And against this, the Fourth Classis was able to pretend as many Objections, as had been made against the first. So that no likelihood appearing of any other Form of Wor­ship, either better or worse, to be agreed upon between them, he dismiss'd their Agents for the present; with this assurance, that whensoever [Page 319] they could agree upon any Liturgy, which might be universally received amongst them, they should find him very ready to serve them, in the setling of it.

Walsingham tries his Fortune next, in hope to bring them to allow of the English Liturgy, on the removal of such things, as seemed most offensive: And thereupon he offered, in the Queens Name, that the Three Ceremonies, at which they seemed most to boggle; that is to say, Kneeling at the Communion, the Surplice, and the Cross in Baptism, should be expunged out of the Book of Common-Prayer, if that would content them. But thereunto it was re­plied, That they would have a total Abolition of the Book, without retaining any part, or office in it, in their next New-nothing: Which peremptory Answer, did much alienate his Af­fections from them; as afterwards he affirmed to some, from whose Pen I have it.

The Brethren, on the other-side, finding how little they had gotten by their Applicati­on to the Lords of the Council, began to steer another course, by practising upon the temper of the following Parliaments; into which they had procured many of their chief Friends to be received for Knights, or Burgesses, as they could prevail. By whose means, (notwith­standing that the Queen had commanded them, not to deal in any thing, which was of con­cernment to the Church) they procured a Bill [Page 320] to pass in the House of Commons, 1585, for making tryal of the Sufficiency of such, as were to be ordained or admitted Ministers, by Twelve Lay-men; whose Approbation, and Allowance, they were first to pass, before they were to re­ceive Institution into any Benefice.

Another Bill was also passed, for making Marriage lawful at all times of the year, (which had been formerly attempted by the Convoca­tion.) They were in hand also with a Third, concerning Ecclesiastical Courts, and the E­piscopal Visitations; pretending only a redress of some Exorbitancies, in excessive Fees; but aiming plainly at the overthrow of the Juris­diction.

The like attempts were made in some fol­lowing Sessions; in which some Members shew­ed themselves troublesome to sober men, alie­nated from the present Government, and dis­respective towards the Queen.

THe chief Zealots of the Faction of Scot­land, (finding, that they could not have their Wills on the young King James, [whose Mother was Prisoner in Eng­land] and his Council) came into England; where they were much countenanced by Mr. Secretary Walsingham, who had set them at work, and therefore was obliged to gratifie them.

The Lords, and great Men of that Nation, were ordered to retire to Norwich, and many of the Ministers permitted to prepare for Lon­don, Oxford, Cambridge, and some other pla­ces. At London they are suffered, by some Zealous Brethren, to possess the Pulpits; in which they rail without controul, against their King, the Council, and their Natural Queen; labouring withal to beget, amongst the Peo­ple, an ill opinion against the present Govern­ment, and to engage them for advancing that [Page 322] of the Presbytery. It would be too tedious to relate all that they acted in this kind.

The Lords of this Faction obtained such Assistance from Queen Elizabeth, that they got the King into their hands, put a new Guard upon him, and conducted him whither they pleased. Upon this the English Puritans shew­ed themselves to have more of the Scot in them, than in former times. For presently, upon the News of the good Success, which their Scottish Brethren had, a scandalous Libel, in the nature of a Dialogue, is published and dispersed in most parts of England; in which the state of this Church is pretended to be laid open. They likewise had prepared their way to the Parlia­ment then sitting, Anno 1586, by telling them, That if the Reformation they desired, were not granted, they should betray God, his Truth, and the whole Kingdom: That they should declare themselves to be an Assembly, wherein the Lord's cause could not be heard, wherein the infelicity of the miserable could not be respected, wherein Truth, Religion, and Piety, could bear no sway; an Assembly, that willingly called for the Judgment of God upon the whole Realm: And finally, That not a Man of their Seed should prosper, be a Parliament Man, or bear rule in England any more.

This necessary preparation being thus pre­mised, they tender to the Parliament, a Book [Page 323] of the Form of Common-Prayer, by them desi­red; containing also, in effect, the whole pre­tended Discipline, so revised by Travers. And their Petition, in behalf of it, was in these words following; to wit, ‘May it therefore please your Majesty, That the Book hereunto annexed, and every thing therein contained, may be from henceforth used through all your Majesties Dominions.’ But in this they were able to effect nothing.

It may seem strange, that Queen Elizabeth should be so severe to her English Puritans, and yet protect and countenance the Presbyterians in all other places. But that great Monster in Nature (called Reason of State) is brought to plead in her defence.

Leicester, Walsingham, and others, gave such encouragment, under-hand, to the Presbyteri­ans, that they resolved to proceed towards the putting of their Discipline in execution. These great Persons did likewise entertain their Cla­mours, and promote their Petitions at the Coun­cil-Table, crossing and thwarting the Arch­bishop, whensoever any cause, which concern­ed the Brethren, was brought before them.

It may be gathered from hence, what a hard game this Prelate had to play, when such great Masters in the Art, held the Cards against him. For, at that time, the Earls of Huntingdon and Leicester, Walsingham, and Knolls, Comptrol­ler, of the Houshold (a professed Genevian) [Page 324] were his open Adversaries. Burleigh, a Neu­tral at the best.

THere was an Act of Parliament passed, 5 Eliz▪ In the Body whereof it was provided, That no Man, living, or residing in the Queens Dominions, should, from thenceforth, maintain the Power and Ju­risdiction of the Bishop of Rome. And for the better discovery of all such persons as might be Popishly affected; it was Enacted, that none should be admitted to receive Orders in the Church, or to take any Degree in either of the Universities, or to be Barrester, or Bencher in any of the Inns of Court, &c. Or to practice as an Attorney, or otherwise to bear any Of­fice in any of the Courts at Westminster-Hall, or any other Court whatsoever, till they had taken the Oath of Surpemacy.

It was likewise made Treason for any one to be reconciled to the Church of Rome, or to be made Priest beyond the Seas: upon which Two [Page 327] accounts very many were afterwards Exe­cuted.

A Proclamation also was set forth, That whosoever had any Children beyond the Sea, should, by a certain day, call them home.

Commissioners were sent into all Parts and Divisions of the Realm, to enquire out Priests, and such as were reconciled by them; further charging all manner of Persons, to retain none in their Houses, without due examination of their conditions, manner of life, and conformi­ty in Religion; and to keep thereof a Register, to be shewed to the said Commissioners, if they should demand it.

In pursuance of which Commission, a Priest was taken saying Mass in the Lord Morley's House; and the Lady Morley with her Chil­dren, and divers others were also taken, hear­ing the same Mass.

There was also taken at the same time ano­ther Priest, at the Lady Gilfords in Trinity-lane, for saying Mass: and for hearing the said Mass, the Lady Gilford, with divers other Gentle­women were taken.

And likewise at the same instant, were taken Two Priests, in the Lady Browns House in Cow­lane, for saying Mass; with the Lady her self, and divers others, for hearing it: All which persons were Endicted, Convicted, and had the Law Executed, according to the Statute.

[Page 328] There was found in their several Chappels, Beads, Images, Palms, Chalices, Crosses, Vest­ments, Pixes, Paxes, and such-like.

The Earl having written the foregoing Letter, and leaving it behind him, to be deli­vered to the Queen after his departure, at­tempted to have passed the Seas without Li­cense: for the which he was committed to the Tower, and condemned to pay Ten thousand Pound Fine for his contempt, and to remain Prisoner, at the Queens pleasure.